Moon frost snow

Gu Wenzhi was not idle either. While protecting He Yue, he was also secretly looking for clues.

He knew that only by finding real and strong evidence could he completely resolve the danger He Yue was facing and restore the palace to its former peace.

He Yue stayed in his own residence, rarely going out.

She used this time to sort out her thoughts and continue her medical studies.

She knew that in this palace, only by becoming stronger could she better protect herself.

At the same time, she was also waiting for the results of Gu Mingbai's investigation, hoping that the palace would be cleared up soon...

On the night before the Chinese New Year, Gu Wenzhi captured Gu Wenjie's personal bodyguard Avi. Under Gu Wenzhi's questioning, he followed the clues and captured the people in Duke Zhao's mansion. He obtained evidence of how Duke Zhao, the Queen, and Gu Wenjie had extorted the people's wealth over the years and how they had plotted to murder the emperor.

Gu Wenzhi looked at the account books, secret letters and witness statements that were like a mountain of evidence, feeling both angry and emotional.

These people, for their own selfish desires, used all means to extort money from the people and even attempted to murder the emperor. Their crimes are truly heinous.

He knew that this evidence was enough to bring ruin to the Queen's party, but he also knew that once this matter was exposed, it would cause a huge storm in the court and even the entire dynasty.

Without any hesitation, he took the evidence and walked straight towards Gu Mingbai's palace.

At this time, Gu Mingbai was making final preparations for the New Year's sacrificial ceremony. Seeing Gu Wenzhi coming with a serious expression, he had a bad feeling in his heart.

"Your Majesty, I have something important to report." Gu Wenzhi said respectfully.

"Why are you so serious?" Gu Mingbai asked.

Gu Wenzhi presented the evidence one by one, "Father, these are the unforgivable crimes that I have just uncovered, committed by Duke Zhao, the Empress, and Gu Wenjie over the years. They have exploited the people's wealth, leaving them living in misery. Worse still, they have even attempted to murder you, Father."

Gu Mingbai took the evidence, his expression darkening as he looked at the shocking figures and the sinister plot. His hands trembled with anger. "I always thought they were just greedy and had a few ambitions for power, but I never thought they would be so audacious."

"Your Majesty, these people must be severely punished to restore order and appease public anger," Gu Wenzhi said firmly.

Gu Mingbai took a deep breath and said, "Zhi'er, you did a great job. I will definitely handle this matter properly."

The news quickly spread throughout the palace, like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing a thousand ripples.

When the queen heard the news in the palace, she collapsed to the ground.

She knew that everything was over. Gu Wenjie was looking for Gu Wenzhi everywhere, trying to snatch evidence or threaten him, but found that he was surrounded and could not get close at all.

The Duke of Zhao's mansion was in even greater chaos. The family members who usually acted arrogantly began to flee everywhere, but found that there was nowhere to escape.

The first day of the new year should have been a day of celebration and reunion, but the palace was shrouded in a depressing atmosphere.

Gu Mingbai ordered the Duke of Zhao, the Queen and Gu Wenjie to be brought to the court, and announced their crimes in front of all the ministers.

Upon hearing this, the ministers expressed shock and indignation. Over the years, the people had suffered hardships and the national treasury had been in deficit, and they had never imagined that this was all due to the greed of these people.

"Your Majesty, such treacherous people must be severely punished to thank the world." An old minister stood up and said indignantly.

Gu Mingbai nodded. "I have decided that the Duke of Zhao's mansion will be confiscated and his property will be publicly beheaded. The other men will be exiled to the frontier, and the women will be sent to the imperial palace. The Empress will be deposed and banished to the cold palace. Gu Wenjie will be stripped of all his titles and sentenced to life imprisonment."

As the verdict was handed down, the soldiers led these people away one by one, their faces filled with despair and regret, but they were powerless to change the situation.

He Yue watched all this quietly from the side, feeling relieved. She knew that she would no longer have to worry, and the government would finally be clear.

Gu Wenzhi, because he exposed this major conspiracy, became a hero in the hearts of the people and gained more trust from Gu Mingbai.

He did not become proud of this, but worked even harder for the country.

He knew very well that the stability and prosperity of a dynasty required continuous efforts and dedication, and this was just the beginning.

He began to propose a series of reform suggestions to Gu Mingbai, ranging from reducing taxes on the people, to rectifying the bureaucracy, to strengthening border defense construction.

Gu Mingbai adopted all his suggestions and appointed him as the Protector of Qin, fully assisting the prince and responsible for supervising the implementation of various reform measures.

Gu Wenzhi began to be busy with government affairs. He often worked until late at night, reviewing various memorials and discussing countermeasures with ministers.

He Yue silently supported him, using her medical skills to treat people in the palace and to take care of Gu Wenzhi's health.

In an inconspicuous inn in the city, Gu Wenshuang felt very sad as she watched her grandfather, Duke Zhao, being escorted to the execution ground on the street.

But she had no way to save them. As the queen's daughter and Gu Wenjie's sister, Gu Wenshuang was not directly involved, so she was not captured like them.

Gu Wenshuang bit her lower lip tightly and clenched her hands unconsciously.

She knew very well that the crimes committed by her grandfather, brother and mother were unforgivable, but her blood ties prevented her from standing idly by.

Her eyes were red and tears were welling up in them, but she stubbornly refused to fall.

Thinking back to the love my grandfather once showed me, those beautiful memories have now turned into thorns in my heart.

She knew that she was able to stay out of it because she had never participated in their conspiracy, and when she realized that things might be exposed, she had repeatedly hinted to them to restrain themselves. Unfortunately, they were blinded by greed and power and simply would not listen.

Although all of this was their own fault, Gu Wenshuang's heart was still filled with pain and struggle.

The other people in the inn were whispering about the scene outside, and the people applauded the downfall of Duke Zhao and his party.

They spoke of the oppression and plunder they had suffered over the years, and the anger in their words was difficult to suppress.

After hearing these words, Gu Wenshuang felt even more guilty, as if she had become a sinner herself.

As the execution team walked away, Gu Wenshuang knew that everything was irreversible.

She returned to her room in the inn, sat on the couch by the window, looked at the street view outside, and her mind was filled with thoughts.

She knew that she could not stay in this city for long. Although she was not involved in the crime, she was the queen's daughter after all and might become the target of revenge by some people.

Gu Wenshuang began to pack her bags. She decided to leave this place full of memories and pain and start a new life in a place where no one knew her.