Blossom in Adversity

C166. Another Verdict.

Chapter 166 - Another Verdict

Just at the sight of the whip, some people's legs went weak, and their pleading looks glanced towards one side from time to time. However, everyone sitting in this hall had the surname Gu, and even those who didn't share the Gu surname were no less cold-blooded than the Gu family.

They kept their eyes on their nose and their nose on their heart, pretending not to see.

Even if they harbored hatred in their hearts, they didn't dare to actually betray anyone. They clenched their teeth and remained silent, knowing that if one person confessed, the whole family would pay the price.

Prince, the Emperor's son, no matter how grave the matter was, it was still a family matter. When it came to family matters, no one would die.

"Begin the execution."

Thirty-two people stepped up onto the execution bench in an orderly row in the execution hall. Under the watchful eyes of the nobles, the executioners came close to them, and with each lash, flesh and blood flew. The splatters of blood and flesh occasionally landed on the bystanders, causing some to involuntarily gasp while others remained pale but stoic.

Fourth Prince couldn't contain his anger, but the Noble Consort held him back firmly, restraining him from moving. Meanwhile, Consort Rong couldn't stop the First Prince, who stood up in a flurry of fear and anger. "Seven Stars, do not overstep your bounds!"

Gu Yanxi cast a nonchalant glance at him, and even behind his mask, the First Prince could sense his indifference. Gu Yanxi then turned back to continue observing the executions below.

"Thirty-four."

A surge of fury rushed through the First Prince, causing him to shake off Consort Rong and rush forward. Without Gu Yanxi's command, before he could even reach the steps, he was pressed to the ground. The sound of lashing continued, but the screams of the tortured were drowned out.

Everyone sitting down stood up in disbelief, their expressions one of incredulity.

How could this be happening...

The Eldest Prince couldn't believe he was being treated this way. Since his birth, when had anyone dared to lay a finger on him?

And now, in front of so many people, in front of his younger brothers, he was being forced to the ground?

His eyes reddened with rage as he struggled with all his might, but he forgot that this was not his palace, and those suppressing him were not trying to curry favor with him. This was the Seven Stars' tribunal, where only two people held authority, and until he sat in that position, no one would listen to him.

Against absolute force, all his struggles were futile, and even after the whipping ended, he remained motionless.

The weapon commonly used by the Three Stars was the long whip, and they were highly skilled in its use. When they intended to kill, three lashes were enough, but they could also administer fifty lashes without killing someone.

The thirty-two bloodied individuals were dragged away, and Gu Yanxi stood up, pressing his palm on the memorial placed separately. He didn't open it, instead stepping out from behind the long table and standing with hands behind his back on the steps. His distorted voice echoed from behind the mask.

"Prince Gu Chengde, without a father or emperor, colluded with the Heavenly Master to plot against the Emperor. Now, he is demoted to a commoner, confined to the Prince's residence, with no decree, never to leave for eternity."

"Consort Rong, Yu Shi, failed to raise her children properly, conducted herself immorally, stripped of her position as consort, banished to the cold palace, with no decree, never to leave for eternity."

The First Prince strained to lift his head. "How dare you?! I am a Prince, the eldest son of the Emperor. What right do you have to judge me, to accuse me of colluding with the Heavenly Master to harm my father? Where is the evidence? On what basis..."

"Smack."

A thick stack of documents slammed in front of him. Gu Yanxi descended two steps, looking down at him from above. "Do you think you are flawless? To me, you are nothing but a leaky sieve, Gu Chengde. That's all you are capable of. That's why the Emperor has been grooming the Third Prince for so many years. You still lack the qualifications to be the Crown Prince."

"You're talking nonsense! If not for the Third Brother and me sparring, how could I..."

"How could you resort to such despicable tactics? If you can't even defeat the Third Prince, how do you expect to govern the realm? You might as well just hand over the realm to him!" Gu Yanxi sneered, cutting off his words. "Fu Gang."

Fu Gang, waiting outside, took a deep breath and knelt down as he crossed the threshold. "Fu Gang obeys."

"Seize the Yu family, imprison all members of the three clans in the imperial prison, awaiting the Emperor's judgment."

"Yes."

"No!" Consort Rong suddenly reacted, realizing that the Yu family must not suffer.

As long as her maternal family remained, there was always hope of a turnaround. With no decree, there was a chance of amnesty one day. As long as her maternal family endured, perhaps her son could...

Consort Rong stood up, clinging to the chair's armrests, and spoke slowly, "This matter has nothing to do with the Yu family. It was all my doing, my son was deceived by me. I confess."

With that, Consort Rong removed a hairpin from her hair and aimed it at her throat. Amid gasps of shock, the hairpin fell to the ground with a clang, revealing a piece of broken silver.

"The fact that you admit guilt does not absolve you." Gu Yanxi walked over, picked up the silver in his palm. "Even if you die here today, Gu Chengde will still be confined, and the Yu family will still be seized. Someone, please escort the consort to where she belongs."

"Wait, I..."

"The Emperor will not see you. You have no chance of pardon. Please leave."

Consort Rong couldn't contain her resentment any longer. "You will get your comeuppance. You may enjoy glory now, but it won't last a lifetime. Wait and see, no one who ascends to that position will tolerate you. I curse you to meet a bitter end!"

Gu Yanxi raised a hand to stop others from approaching. If he continued to act as he had before, he might indeed meet an untimely end, or perhaps be suspected by the new monarch. But not now, and not in the future.

He would always think ten steps ahead, staying one step ahead of everyone else. He would create a safe space, placing Azhi within it and protecting everything she cared about, giving her the peace she desired. By then, perhaps he would be protected by Ah Zhi in return.

Gu Yanxi mused, a smile playing behind his mask.

In a better mood, he was even less inclined to argue with Consort Rong. With a wave of his hand, she was gagged and dragged away.

Even before Consort Rong offered to take the blame, Gu Chengde had been released. Yet, he remained silent throughout the whole ordeal, whether it was when Consort Rong was shouldering the responsibility or when she was being dragged away. Gu Yanxi grew even more disdainful of him, ordering his immediate removal. With such a coward, if he were to become the crown prince, the Great Daqing Dynasty would be doomed.

His gaze swept across the other restless princes. Gu Yanxi felt that leaving the sixth prince by Ah Zhi's side was indeed an excellent move. As the sixth prince grew older, whether it was for self-preservation or driven by ambition, he would inevitably resort to all sorts of means. It would be better for him to follow Ah Zhi and experience the outside world, to see how a real family interacted, and to allow him to absorb some humanity.

The royals did not need to learn to be heartless; it was something they were born with. However, an emperor who was too ruthless would not be a blessing for the Great Daqing Dynasty. With the foundation laid by Consort Zhen for many years, the harmonious influence of the Hua family, and Ah Zhi's guidance, perhaps, there might be some unexpected surprises.