Do you know the long song of laughter?

Chapter 462 Vicious
Ang Lee frowned when he heard the news. He didn't expect that in the end Gu Yankai was still angered to death by Gu Tingye, although it happened a few years later than in the original drama.

This incident had a great impact on Gu Tingye. In the original drama, Gu Yankai's death had happened a long time ago and the impact had been downplayed.

In addition, he had the merit of following the emperor, so no one could say anything about Zhao Zongquan's use of him.

Now that it has been postponed for a few years, it has become more troublesome.

Regardless of the true story, Gu Yankai died at this time, and it was rumored that Gu Tingye was angry to death. If it cannot be proved that Gu Tingye had nothing to do with it, it would be a personal flaw, and Zhao Zongquan would not be able to reuse Gu Tingye.

After finishing his shift, Li An went directly to Ningyuan Marquis Mansion.

As soon as I got off the carriage, I saw white cloth hanging on the gate of Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion, and I could faintly hear bursts of crying.

Li An reported his identity, but the doorman did not let him in, saying that the mourning hall had not been set up yet and condolences would not be accepted.

Li An was helpless and could not force his way in. When he was about to leave, he saw Princess Pingning and Qi Heng walking out of Ningyuan Marquis Mansion.

"Zi Qian!"

"Yuanruo!"

Li An was delighted to see Qi Heng and hurried to greet him.

"Greetings, Princess Pingning." Li An bowed.

Although Princess Pingning seemed kind to others, she could not hide her arrogance.

However, at this moment, Princess Pingning looked much older than before, but she no longer had that arrogance.

Li An had also heard that when Prince Yan rebelled, Rong Xian brought a few imperial guards and raped Princess Jiacheng, the daughter-in-law of Princess Pingning, in front of her.

Princess Pingning pretended to be crazy, and in order to humiliate her, Concubine Rong had her driven to the street and sent people to follow her, intending to make Princess Pingning lose face, but this ended up saving Princess Pingning's life.

Princess Pingning has never left the house since then.

"It's Li Hanlin. You can chat with Heng'er. I'll leave first." Princess Pingning forced a smile and said, "Heng'er, this place is not far from home. You can walk back with Buwei later. I won't wait for you."

When she pretended to be crazy, there was a lot of gossip among officials and ordinary people in Bianjing.

On the one hand, I don’t go out because I’m stimulated, and on the other hand, this is the reason.

She always felt that everyone looked at her with ridicule.

If the Qi and Gu families weren't relatives, she wouldn't have come here today.

"Go away, mother!"

Qi Heng helped Princess Pingning get on the carriage. After the carriage left, he turned around and said, "Ziqian, long time no see."

"Yes, it's been a long time since we last met. What have you been busy with recently?" Li An asked.

"You know about my family's situation. Now that the Enke exam is approaching, I've been studying hard at home, hoping to bring honor to my family." Qi Heng said.

Qi Heng now looks much thinner than before. The misfortunes that happened to the Qi family made him depressed for a long time.

But he finally came out of it, and now he seems to be much more mature.

He knew that his family had become a laughing stock in Bianliang, and he wanted to gain face for his family by taking the imperial examination.

Li An didn't know how to comfort him. He had been to Qi's house before, but Qi Heng hadn't seen him.

When he got married, he sent an invitation to Qi Heng, but Qi Heng didn't come.

"By the way, I haven't congratulated you yet. At that time, my family encountered a big change. I was in a bad mood and didn't attend your wedding. But I have prepared a gift and will make it up to you later." Qi Heng said with a smile.

When talking about this, Qi Heng was very calm.

"Thank you very much."

Li An hesitated for a moment and asked, "How is Zhong Huai?"

"My second uncle knelt in front of the coffin of Marquis Ningyuan without saying a word. He ignored me when I spoke to him." Qi Heng said.

Li An originally wanted to ask what happened, but seeing Qi Heng's behavior, it seemed that he didn't know anything either, so he didn't ask in the end.

After chatting with Qi Heng for a while, they parted ways and took a carriage to the house where Gu Tingye lived after the separation of the family.

He learned from the servants who stayed behind that Gu Tingye and Yu Yanran had both gone to Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion, so he had to go home first.

Minglan also learned the news and was a little worried about Yu Yanran's situation. When she saw Li An coming back, she hurriedly asked about him.

Li Ang didn't know what the specific situation was. The only rumor outside was that Gu Tingye had angered his father to death, but no details were given about the process. He could only comfort Minglan not to worry for the time being.

In fact, he also guessed something, it should be related to Yu Yanran's pregnancy.

But this news has not spread outside yet.

Gu Yankai’s death touched the hearts of many people.

The next day, many people submitted a petition to impeach Gu Tingye, saying that he was extremely unfilial by angering his father to death and that he should be dismissed from his position and punished.

The reason why so many people impeached Gu Tingye was that this incident indeed violated the morality of this era.

Another important reason is that Gu Tingye is Zhao Zongquan's confidant.

All of Zhao Zongquan's confidants were military generals, and there was not a single civil official.

Many civil officials were worried that Zhao Zongquan would use military generals to influence their status.

The purpose of impeaching Gu Tingye this time was also to let Zhao Zongquan see the influence of civil servants.

When Zhao Zongquan saw these sticks, he became so angry that his face turned blue.

Gu Tingye made great contributions in this expedition, and the emperor originally wanted to use him and Shen Congxing to control the army in the western suburbs camp.

As a result, this incident happened before it was implemented.

Zhao Zongquan was in a dilemma at this time. Gu Tingye had poor personal ethics and so many people were impeaching him, so he couldn't cover up for him. He could only delay temporarily on the grounds that an investigation was needed.

……

A few days later, the Gu family began to accept condolences, and Li An met Gu Tingye.

Gu Tingye's eyes were lifeless, and he knelt beside Gu Tingyu like a walking corpse.

After Li An paid his respects, he came to Gu Tingye and said, "Zhong Huai, are you okay?"

Gu Tingye looked up at Li An and said sadly, "I'm fine."

"Let's go out and talk?" Li An said.

Gu Tingye looked at Gu Tingyu beside him, and seeing that he didn't say anything, he stood up and walked out.

Gu Tingye brought Li An to the courtyard where he used to live. Seeing that there was no one around, Li An asked, "Zhong Huai, what's going on?"

"Someone has tricked me." Gu Tingye said self-deprecatingly.

Through Gu Tingye's narration, Li An roughly understood what had happened.

After Queen Shen finished praying, Yu Yanran returned home.

The next day, Gu Yankai came over and asked Gu Tingye and Yu Yanran whether they were pregnant.

Gu Tingye wanted to hide it at first, but Gu Yankai insisted on meeting Yu Yanran.

Yu Yanran was still suffering from morning sickness, so she couldn’t hide it any longer.

Gu Yankai asked Yu Yanran to abort the child, fearing that someone would use this to affect Gu Tingye's future.

Gu Tingye was naturally unwilling, and a fierce quarrel broke out between the father and son.

Although Gu Tingye already knew that his mother's death had nothing to do with Gu Yankai, Gu Yankai knew what Xiao Qinshi had done, but he had always let it go and remained indifferent.

Gu Tingye was already filled with anger about this.

Gu Tingye knew without hesitation that this incident must be related to Xiao Qinshi.

This matter has been well concealed. As long as the morning sickness passes after a few days, others will not be able to infer the approximate time of pregnancy. With Gu Yankai's personality, there is no reason for him to insist on asking Yu Yanran to abort the child.

Gu Yankai did this obviously because Xiao Qin knew about it.

Gu Yankai was aware of Xiao Qinshi's madness and knew that Xiao Qinshi did not tell anyone about this matter, but told him, which was to force him to make a choice.

Or force Yu Yanran to abort the child and break up with Gu Tingye.

Or she could expose the matter.

In fact, Gu Yankai had another choice, which was to send Xiao Qin to the Shenjie Division.

Shenjiesi was originally the place where the imperial palace imprisoned concubines in the harem who committed crimes and female members of the royal family who made mistakes.

Powerful and wealthy families would also send their women who had made mistakes there.

The Shenjiesi is also known as the Tomb of the Living Dead. Anyone who enters there will die of old age and no news can get out.

In Xiao Qin's situation, as long as Gu Yankai was ruthless, he could send her to the Shenjie Division.

But Gu Yankai didn't do that. Gu Tingye was already holding this anger in his heart, and now it completely exploded.

Gu Tingye ridiculed the Gu family for being heartless and ungrateful, saying that the Gu family could only be what it is today thanks to his mother's dowry.

The Gu family now enjoys wealth, but his mother died in unclear circumstances.

Gu Yankai knew that his mother was killed by Xiao Qin, but he still married Xiao Qin into the family and made him accept his mother as his enemy for so many years.

Gu Yankai was in the wrong in this matter, and he also had an old injury. He vomited blood and fainted out of shame and anger.

He died the next day after being sent back to Gu's home.

Li An frowned and said, "When your father was sent back to Gu's house, he should have consulted a doctor, right? Why don't you explain?"

Gu Yankai's old illness was triggered by his anger. Although he was also angry with Gu Tingye, Gu Tingye's crime would be much lighter.

"I can't explain." Gu Tingye gritted his teeth and said, "She told me that if I explain, she will spread the news of my wife's pregnancy."

Li An fell silent after hearing this. It had to be said that Xiao Qin had found a weak spot in Gu Tingye's body.

Being pregnant during a period of national mourning is no less sinful than pissing off your father to death.

Among Heaven, Earth, Emperor, Parents and Teachers, Emperor comes before parents.

And once it is confirmed, the child cannot be saved.

Xiao Qinshi wanted Gu Tingye to agree to this matter and bear the crime of angering his father to death.

With this crime, Gu Tingye could not only not inherit the title, but his future was also ruined.

Xiao Qin's intentions are so vicious.

"So what are you going to do next? Many people in the court are impeaching you now." Li An said.

"Don't worry, it's not that easy for her to get the title, and my elder brother is no pushover either." Gu Tingye sneered, "Wait a few years until the rumors die down, and I will seek revenge on her."

"Has the government said how to deal with you?" Li An asked.

"King Huan came to see me and asked me to stay at home for a few years to mourn for my father." Gu Tingye said.

Li An comforted him, "It just so happens that the court situation will be a bit chaotic in the next few years, so it's good for you to stay at home. With the importance that the emperor and King Huan attach to you, there will be a day when you can be used."

"I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me." Gu Tingye said.

"Is your wife okay? My wife is a little worried about her." Li An said.

"It's okay. My stepmother is afraid that I will go crazy, so I dare not do anything to her." Gu Tingye sneered.

…………

Before Gu Yan's funeral, Duke Ying led his army back to Bian Jing.

The government sent King Huan out of the city in person to welcome him, and bestowed rewards upon him.

As the chief commander, the Duke of England was promoted to the position of Privy Councilor for his merits.

The Song Dynasty divided military power into three parts: the Privy Council, the Three Yamen and the Ministry of War.

The Privy Council was in charge of the military, the Three Yamen were in charge of the army, and the Ministry of War was almost like a miscellaneous person with little real power.

Although the Privy Council had the power to command military affairs, it did not command the army directly. Instead, it exercised the power to mobilize troops through Privy Councilors, who were civil servants, in order to prevent military generals from monopolizing power.

However, the Duke of Ying was a military general, but Zhao Zongquan appointed him as the Privy Councilor, which immediately aroused opposition from civil officials.

The Duke of England came back to his senses and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am old. If you want to reward me, please allow me to retire and return home to enjoy my remaining years."

"The Duke of Yingguo is mature and prudent. I have just ascended the throne, and perhaps the Duke of Yingguo can assist me. I have already reported this matter to my mother, and she has no objection. Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, there have been examples of military officers serving as Privy Envoys." The emperor waved his hand.

The three yamen are the Palace Front Department, the Imperial Guard Cavalry Department, and the Imperial Guard Infantry Department.

The Dianqian Division was the palace guards and was now under the control of Zhao Zongquan.

The Imperial Guards Cavalry Division and the Imperial Guards Infantry Division control all the imperial guards except the Palace Front Division. The former controls the cavalry, and the latter controls the infantry.

The Song Dynasty did not have many cavalrymen, so the department with the most military power was the Infantry Department of the Imperial Guard.

The Duke of Ying was the commander-in-chief of the Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard, and Zhao Zongquan appointed him as the Privy Councilor in order to free up his position.

As for letting the Duke of England serve as Privy Councilor, Zhao Zongquan also had his own considerations.

Next, he will reform the Western Suburbs Camp in order to achieve the goal of completely controlling the military power.

If the Privy Council were composed of civil servants, it would inevitably affect his plans.

The Duke of England is a very sensible man, and he is old. Once he has complete control of the military power, he can let the Duke of England return home.

In fact, when the Duke of England heard that Zhao Zongquan asked him to serve as the Privy Councilor, he had already guessed about 70% of Zhao Zongquan's thoughts.

If a military general holds the position of Privy Councilor for too long, it could be fatal.

And Zhao Zongquan might not be reassured either.

That's why he said that he was old and asked to retire and return home.

After a while, he just had to submit a letter of resignation, and when Zhao Zongquan no longer needed him, he would agree directly.

Although the civil servants in the court were dissatisfied, they saw that the empress dowager behind them did not speak, and several ministers including the eldest minister did not speak, so they did not say anything.

After the Duke of England's reward was read out, Shen Congxing's was next.

As expected, Shen Congxing was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard.

Although Shen Congxing had little experience, he had made great contributions this time. As he was the emperor's uncle, no one objected.

After reading out the rewards, Zhao Zongquan began to grant marriages. The daughter of Duke Yingguo was promised to Shen Congxing, and Queen Shen's sister was promised to the younger brother of Marquis Zhongjing.

The Princess of Anyang was promised to Li An as his concubine.

In addition, he selected several daughters from among the civil officials and asked Zhao Ceying to take them as concubines.

Of course, these civil servants do not hold high positions, so doing this is also a way to curry favor with them.

……

After receiving the imperial decree granting marriage, Li An wrote a letter back to Yangzhou, asking his parents to come to Bianliang.

Although marrying a concubine does not need to be as grand as marrying a principal wife, the Princess of Anyang has the status of a princess and cannot be neglected. Her parents must be present.

Zhao Zongquan asked the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to choose the wedding date. Since Li An was marrying a concubine, it was not that troublesome, so the wedding date was set in July.

Shen Congxing and his group did it in September and October.

"My dear, now that the wedding date has been set and the new house has been renovated, let's choose a day to move in so that we can prepare in advance." Minglan said.

(End of this chapter)