The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 13

The days passed quickly, and as the fifth month approached, preparations for the Dragon Boat Festival began.

Each household had already stocked up on reed leaves to make zongzi with. 

As one walked down the streets, one could occasionally catch the fragrance of the leaves in the air.

In one of the rooms inside the Censorate, Gu Huaisheng tilted his head to look out the window. 

The noonday sunlight was dazzling and intense, making even the motes of dust in the air seem visible. The light poured directly onto the tangled leaves of the trees in the courtyard. The lush foliage gleamed as if polished, and the summer breeze caused the shadows to sway, making the tree silhouettes on the ground dance.

It was now the early afternoon. Gu Huaisheng had just finished his lunch, and he now sat idly, staring out of the window in a daze.

Just then, footsteps sounded at the doorway, and he turned his head to look.

The visitor was He Chuan, a colleague of his from the yamen.

He Chuan was a sixth-rank official working in the Office of Records in the Censorate. 

He worked under the direct supervision of the assistant censors-in-chief. It was common for him to go to report matters and deliver documents to the assistant censors-in-chief’s offices in the yamen. However, when the matters were particularly tricky or complicated, he would come to discuss them directly with Gu Huaisheng.

This was his purpose in coming to see Gu Huaisheng today.

Gu Huaisheng rose and walked to the guest table. Outside, there was a set of redwood furniture, and in the centre of the room hung a square plaque inscribed with the four large characters, which meant ’deliberate justice.’ 

The two sat facing each other. Because the two of them were of similar age and frequently worked together, they had grown somewhat close.

Gu Huaisheng asked him, “What brings you here today?”

Since He Chuan had come in person, it was clear that the matter was not something ordinary.

He Chuan frowned slightly and got straight to the point. “It’s the case we handled recently, where we identified a director from the Ministry of Works as a culprit for embezzlement. We sent the case to the Court of Judicial Review today, but they sent the case back. Can you believe it?”

The Censorate was responsible for supervising and impeaching officials. Typically, after the Censorate identified and handled a case, they would hand it to the Court of Judicial Review for sentencing. However, if the Court of Judicial Review did not approve the Censorate’s verdict during its review, the case would be returned for re-examination.

This was exactly the situation He Chuan found the case in today.

The Ministry of Works’ embezzlement case was one Gu Huaisheng had recently been handling.

A few years ago, the Ministry of Works received an order from the Grand Secretariat to construct Tianlu Terrace with a two-year deadline.

The minister passed the overseeing responsibility to a director within the ministry.

Tianlu Terrace was completed on schedule, and everything seemed to proceed as expected. However, less than a year after its completion, the terrace collapsed.

The incident caused an uproar and garnered immediate attention. When the emperor learned of it, he was furious and issued an order to arrest everyone involved. He had all of them detained in the Censorate.

This was a significant matter, and that the emperor specifically named Gu Huaisheng to lead the investigation demonstrated his trust in him.

The investigation itself was not particularly complicated. The director supervising the construction had embezzled construction funds and used substandard materials, and this consequently caused the terrace to collapse within less than a year after it was completed.

Initially, the director vehemently denied any wrongdoing. However, after a thorough interrogation by Gu Huaisheng, he eventually confessed.

Once the confession was secured, the evidence and the confession were sent to the Court of Judicial Review. Unexpectedly, the Court of Judicial Review rejected the case.

Although, this wasn’t entirely surprising.

Seeing He Chuan’s frustration, Gu Huaisheng poured him a cup of tea and pushed it towards him.

He calmly said, “It seems someone at the Court of Judicial Review has received a bribe.”

No wonder the director had been so quick to confess in the end. It seemed he knew that even if he admitted his guilt, he wouldn’t be convicted because the Court of Judicial Review would intervene.

This case likely involved more than just a mere fifth-rank director in the Ministry of Works. Could someone of his rank really have orchestrated such a major scheme? If he didn’t have any powerful backing, it seemed highly unlikely. The fact that the Court of Judicial Review returned the case suggested they were already in cahoots with someone else behind the scenes.

Both of the two men knew exactly who Gu Huaisheng was referring to.

The minister of the Ministry of Works… who was also the senior grand secretary of the Grand Secretariat.

If this was indeed his doing, there seemed to be little recourse. If he wanted to protect the director, then it would be impossible to prosecute him. Moreover, the true embezzler wasn’t the director himself, as he was merely a scapegoat. Killing him wouldn’t change anything—there would always be more scapegoats like him in the future.

However, He Chuan was still unwilling to let it go. “If it involves that person, does that mean we’ll just ignore it? The collapse of Tianlu Terrace caused so many deaths. The money’s gone and lives are lost, and yet, in the end, nothing happens to him?”

Two million taels had been allocated to the Ministry of Works for the terrace’s construction. Now it seemed as though that money had been completely wasted.

How could He Chuan not be angered by such people, who committed blatant corruption and had cost the loss of many lives?

Gu Huaisheng was silent for a moment before saying, “Then we’ll just wait them out.”

If someone on their side had interfered and made it impossible to convict the secretary easily, they had no other option but to bide their time.

Hearing this, He Chuan understood that the matter couldn’t be rushed. He agreed reluctantly, then took his leave.

Not long after He Chuan left, Gu Huaisheng’s servant, Shuliang, entered the room carrying a brocade box.

When Gu Huaisheng’s eyes fell on the brocade box, Shuliang explained, “It’s a gift from His Majesty in honour of the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival.”

Gu Huaisheng nodded to indicate his understanding. He said, “Place it on the table.”

Shuliang couldn’t help but comment, “His Majesty truly holds you in high regard, Young Master.”

The current emperor, Emperor Taihe, was an admirer of talented individuals and greatly appreciated this young marquis from the Gu family. Not only did he trust him with important matters, but he also frequently sent gifts during holidays.

Gu Huaisheng paid no attention to the remark. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly said, “Let’s visit the Jiang family residence later.”

“What for?” Shuliang asked in slight confusion.

Gu Huaisheng replied, “It’s been a while since I’ve paid my respects to my grandmother. Since I have received something from the palace, it’s only proper for me to give it to her.”

After the ninth solar term began, the weather of the fifth month had become stiflingly hot. 

As dusk approached, the fiery red clouds in the sky blazed vibrantly. The setting sun cast its glow over the courtyard, dyeing the leaves of its plants a reddish hue. The evening proved cooler than the midday heat, and the house, which was no longer as stuffy as during the day, felt more tolerable.

Jiang Jingfang had long escaped the clutches of Governess Liu’s nagging and retreated to her family’s courtyard. She hadn’t returned to this side of the residence for days. The old madame didn’t stop her—if she didn’t want to learn, the old madame wouldn’t waste her energy forcing her.

Jiang Jingchun, however, had completed her lessons with Governess Liu for the day and, after class, stayed by the old madame’s side.

Governess Liu had come here today to report to the old madame about Jiang Jingchun’s recent study progress.

After listening, the old madame nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Jiang Jingchun and asked, “Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival. Do you want to go out?”

Go out? 

Ever since she’d been punished by Jiang Nan, Jiang Jingchun had become especially cautious about such suggestions.

Tomorrow was the Dragon Boat Festival, which meant that their family would hold a family banquet, just like they did every year.

If she snuck out again and her father found out, she might face another round of punishment. 

Besides, after what happened last time, she had resolved not to engage in such mischief again.

She shook her head and replied, “I won’t go out. I’ll stay at home.”

The old madame saw right through her concerns and said, “Tomorrow, there will be dragon boat races in the city and lantern displays. Are you sure you don’t want to go out?”

The old madame believed in balancing discipline with relaxation. A person cooped up indoors all day was bound to fall ill. Besides, Jiang Jingchun was only sixteen, and she was far from the type who could endure solitude easily.

She continued, “You could attend the family banquet first and then head out. By then, the dragon boat races will be in full swing, and the lanterns will all be lit. It’ll be the perfect time to go.”

As expected—the old madame truly knew her best. Her words lit up Jiang Jingchun’s eyes. 

If her grandmother permitted her to go, it wouldn’t be considered sneaking out…

The old madame observed her granddaughter’s shifting expression, smiled knowingly, and asked again, “Would you like to go?”

In the end, Jiang Jingchun couldn’t resist the temptation and nodded. Still, her previous punishment had left her cautious—her hands still bore faint scars and still ached slightly every day. Uneasily, she asked, “Grandmother, are you sure? If Father finds out, will he punish me again?”

Her voice carried a note of hesitation, and her eyes betrayed her lingering fear.

The old madame said, “Don’t worry. This time, you can leave openly, right in front of him. Once the banquet ends, you can go enjoy yourself. I’ll handle your father.”

Hearing this, Jiang Jingchun’s worries vanished. She darted to the old madame’s side and wrapped her arms around her in joy. “Grandmother, you’re the best!”

The old madame smiled and affectionately scolded her, “You mischievous little thing, you’re always buttering me up.”

Just as Jiang Jingchun was enjoying her grandmother’s warmth, the bead curtain at the door was lifted, and the sound of clinking beads echoed through the hall. 

A servant told them, “The young marquis has arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jingchun quickly scrambled off her grandmother’s lap. She stood upright just in time for Gu Huaisheng to step into the hall.

No one had expected Gu Huaisheng to visit today. Moreover, he came alone.

His sudden appearance caught everyone off guard.

In her haste, Jiang Jingchun’s face flushed slightly. She was worried that Gu Huaisheng might have noticed her earlier display of childish affection, so she kept discreetly adjusting her hair for fear that it might have become messy.

She was still dwelling on his past remark regarding her childish demeanour, which had left her very upset.

Once she composed herself, she greeted him, “Cousin.”

Gu Huaisheng nodded in acknowledgement before walking over to the old madame to greet her.

The old madame was mildly surprised at his unexpected visit and asked, “What brings you here today, Fuyan?”

Gu Huaisheng repeated the explanation he had given earlier to Shuliang.

The old madame, upon hearing his words, was visibly pleased. She replied, “You’re thoughtful. Come, have a seat.”

It was one thing to think of his grandmother, but to personally deliver a gift was another display of consideration.

The old madame, who was ever fond of her grandson, found little to criticise in him.

Gu Huaisheng nodded and took a seat beside her.

Jiang Jingchun, who was standing to the side, tried to inch closer to sit beside him. However, with Governess Liu present, she dared not act too boldly; Governess Liu had, after all, taught her that men and women mustn’t be too close to each other. 

Instead, she chose a spot one seat away.

Gu Huaisheng noticed her subtle manoeuvring but said nothing.

The grandmother and grandson chatted briefly about daily matters—Gu Huaisheng inquired about the old madame’s health, while she asked about his work at the yamen.

After about the time it would take for two incense sticks to burn, their conversation wound down. With the gift delivered and the sky outside darkening, Gu Huaisheng rose to take his leave.

When Jiang Jingchun saw that he was leaving, she couldn’t contain herself anymore. She had been quiet the entire time, but now, she suddenly stood up and said, “Grandmother, I’ll see Cousin out.”

The old madame glanced at her, then at Gu Huaisheng, and said, “Very well, go on.”

Jiang Jingchun followed Gu Huaisheng out.

The two walked in silence until they exited the residence. Finally, Jiang Jingchun broke the silence and asked, “Cousin, will you be free tomorrow night?”