The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

After the personal guard finished reading it, he immediately ran back to report to Shen Tingzhi.

"Second Young Master, the person hanging above is Gong Chengyu, the fourth master of the Duke of Tang's Mansion."

"Where he was hung, it was written that he had suffered this today because he had colluded with the Xirong people and betrayed his country."

"He stole my confidential information and was about to take it to the Xirong people, but was discovered and killed. He then hung it on the city gate tower as a warning to the world."

This situation was beyond Shen Tingzhi's expectations. He didn't expect that Zheng Chuang was not so brainless. He even knew to tell the world the reason why he killed Gong Chengyu.

I'm afraid that the Duke of Tang's Mansion will also be implicated this time.

Collaborating with the Western Rong people and betraying the country is a capital crime punishable by genocide.

The reason why he was able to easily bring down Qian Wanhe this time was because Qian Wanhe colluded with the Xirong people and committed treason, a capital crime that is intolerable and unforgivable.

Shen Tingzhi had long guessed that Gong Chengyu had already colluded with the Xirong people. He was originally thinking about what kind of reason he should find to get rid of Gong Chengyu when he came back this time.

Now that's good, he doesn't have to worry about it at all, Zheng Chuang has already done it for him.

Right now, Shen Tingzhi was only worried about one thing, and that was how to rescue the Duke of Tang's Mansion from death without having the entire family implicated and facing the fate of exile.

Originally, the life and death of Duke Tang's Mansion had nothing to do with Shen Tingzhi, but because of Gong Jianzhou, Shen Tingzhi had to worry about it.

"Go, call the gatekeepers and let them see for themselves."

"As the patrol battalion responsible for the security of the capital, are their vigilance so low? Others have done such a thing, and they are still completely unaware of it!"

"The important task of guarding the city gate has been handed over to them, and they just let it go and don't take it seriously?"

Shen Tingzhi took out a token from his bosom that allowed him to enter and leave the capital at will, handed it to the guard beside him and gave instructions.

"Yes." Seeing Shen Tingzhi's unexpected expression, the guards did not dare to hesitate. They took the token and ran to knock on the door.

Before the time to open the city gate, the gate was knocked loudly. The noisy sound that disturbed the soldiers' sleep made the soldiers guarding the city gate very angry.

He couldn't help but roared, "Why are you knocking? It's not time to open the city gate yet. Are you looking for death?"

Facing the angry curses coming from inside, the guard replied calmly: "Open the door. Lord Shen Tingzhi, the second son of the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, has returned from his mission and must report to the palace immediately."

When the people inside heard that the person knocking on the door was from the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion, they immediately put away their arrogance and became humble.

"I didn't know it was Master Shen. I beg your forgiveness. Do you have a token of my love?"

"Of course we have a token." The guard handed the token in his hand through the slightly opened city gate.

After verifying the authenticity of the token, the city gate was immediately opened, and Shen Tingzhi just arrived at the city gate at this time.

"Sir Shen, please come into the city." A group of soldiers who were responsible for guarding the city gate last night and slept at the city gate stood in two rows with their heads lowered, respectfully welcoming Shen Tingzhi.

Shen Tingzhi rode on his horse, staring at the soldiers in front of him, and said expressionlessly: "Go call your leader and have him bring all of you out to see what happened here last night."

Someone among those people immediately stepped out and ran out to call for help.

Soon, a man led a group of people and ran over. "Master Shen, what can I do for you?"

The leader ran to Shen Tingzhi without even raising his head, his voice trembling.

"Bring your people out and let us see how you have been so devoted to your duty. Others have come to your door in the middle of the night, and you still have no idea."

"Let Liu Qi go to Jingzhao Prefecture later."

After Shen Tingzhi finished speaking, he rode his horse and led his men into the city.

The gatekeeper took his men out to take a look and was almost scared to death.

This time they are really about to die.

After entering the city, Shen Tingzhi leaned over and whispered something in the guard's ear, and the guard immediately rode away at full speed.

Shen Tingzhi did not enter the palace. He went straight back to the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion. After days of hard work, he was indeed very tired and needed a good rest.

Seeing Shen Tingzhi coming back, Chunchao also breathed a sigh of relief, which also meant that she could return to Shen Tianjiao.

"Second Young Master, the warehouse in the mansion has been cleaned up. All the things inside have been sorted and registered and put back into the warehouse."

"Also, we now have a new steward in our mansion, Sui Liang. If you have any questions, you can just ask him."

Looking at Chunchao's chattering mouth, Shen Tingzhi said with disdain: "Girl, are you in such a hurry to go back to the palace?"

"This is the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion, where you grew up. It's your master's family home, and it's also your family home."

"Your master didn't want to leave even after he came back. Why did he change after coming to you?"

"It's true that girls can't be kept at home when they grow up. As a man grows up, he has more thoughts."

"You haven't even married yet. If you do marry in the future, not only this Marquis' Mansion, but even the Imperial Palace won't be able to keep you."

Shen Tingzhi watched Chunchao joking with her and returned home. Knowing that nothing major had happened in the capital during his absence, he completely relaxed.

"Second Master, what are you talking about? I have already sworn an oath that I will stay by your side and serve you for the rest of my life. I will not go anywhere and will not marry anyone."

Chunchao, who was teased by Shen Tingzhi, suddenly became angry with red ears and face. How could this second young master tease others like this?

"It's hard to say. If you fall in love with someone that day, you might even start clamoring to get married."

Shen Tingzhi ignored Chunchao's blushing ears and face and continued to tease the girl in front of him.

Chunchao is the most stable among the four girls. She never gets angry no matter what is said on normal days. But today, she blushed because of Shen Tingzhi's teasing.

"Second Young Master, if you say that again, I will really get angry."

Chunchao looked at Shen Tingzhi who kept teasing him and was so angry that he almost stomped his feet.

Among the three young masters in the mansion, the eldest is steady and taciturn, the third is still childish, and only the second, Shen Tingzhi, is cheerful and lively.

Usually, whenever Shen Tingzhi was at home, he would make some harmless jokes with the people serving him to liven up the atmosphere at home.

Otherwise, this huge mansion would be completely deserted all day long.

"Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore." Seeing that Chunchao was about to get angry, Shen Tingzhi gave up the idea of ​​teasing her.

"Aren't you in a hurry to return to the palace? Then go now and give Jiaojiao a message."

"Just say Gong Chengyu was killed by Zheng Chuang last night. He was the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on me at Songhe Tower that day."

"Zheng Chuang has already found evidence that Gong Chengyu had long ago defected to the Xirong people and betrayed his country. Gong Chenghai should be going to the palace to plead for mercy soon."

"And Gong Chengyu is now hanging on the city gate tower. This matter will soon be known to everyone and it will be impossible to hide it."

"Tell Jiaojiao that as long as the Gong family is not exiled, everything will be fine."

"Yes, I understand." Chunchao has been with Shen Tianjiao for many years, and she is sensitive enough to understand the importance of this matter.

Gong Jianzhou was awakened from his sleep. Shen Tingzhi was not in Beijing during this period, but he was not idle either. He had been helping Shen Tingzhi unite the younger generations of the major families.

Compared to those stubborn old guys who only care about their family and their own interests, these younger generations are not so selfish.

Their love and loyalty to Yun Li are beyond imagination. They are full of passion and are willing to dedicate this passion to Yun Li.

Gong Jianzhou opened his eyes in a daze and looked at the person in front of him. From the person's clothes, he already knew who sent the person, so he felt calm and not afraid.

"Master Gong, my second master sent me here because he has something important to tell you."

The incident happened suddenly and the matter was urgent, so the guards didn't have time to say more to Gong Jianzhou and went straight to the point.

"Your fourth uncle Gong Chengyu was murdered last night, and his body is now hanging on the city gate tower."

"The reason he was killed was because he was the mastermind behind the assassination of my second son in Songhe Tower."

"Because he has been secretly colluding with the Xirong people for many years, he stole important information about Yunli and planned to send it to Xirong, so that he could attack Yunli with the help of Xirong from within."

"Second Young Master's intention is that you should immediately go find your father and have him go to the palace and plead with the Empress."

"We must act quickly. We must hurry before the news spreads and everyone in Shangjing knows about it."

Gong Jianzhou, who was originally confused, was now completely awake.

He knew that his fourth uncle had bad intentions, but he never imagined that his fourth uncle would collude with the Western Rong people and become a shameless traitor.

Collaborating with the Western Rong people and betraying the country is a capital crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan.

That arrogant Duke of Chen, Qian Wanhe, was imprisoned in the Ministry of Punishment at this time. Wasn't the reason his entire family was imprisoned because he colluded with the Western Rong people and betrayed his country?

When this incident was making headlines two days ago, Gong Jianzhou and others were still discussing that Qian Wanhe had brought this upon himself.

But who could have imagined that in just two days, such a fate would befall the Gong family?

"Young Master, why are you still standing there? Hurry up and go find Duke Tang and have him come to the palace to plead with the Empress."

"If we go too late and the matter gets out of hand, there will be no way to resolve it. By then, your Gong family will suffer the same fate as the Qian family, with no chance of recovery."

Seeing that Gong Jianzhou was so shocked that he stood there in a daze, looking at a loss, the personal guards hurriedly reminded him that the situation was urgent and he could not dawdle here any longer.

"Oh, I'll go right away." Gong Jianzhou didn't even have time to put on his clothes. He just put on his shirt and shoes and ran out in a hurry.

Gong Jianzhou ran to the door and suddenly thought of something. He stopped and turned back, took his sword and went to his father's yard.

The gatekeeper in Gong Chenghai's yard was really shocked when he saw his eldest son coming in early in the morning before daybreak, with disheveled clothes and hair, and holding a sword in his hand.

"Young Master, what are you doing?" The servant guarding the gate couldn't help but swallow several mouthfuls of saliva in fear when he saw Gong Jianzhou's appearance at this moment.

"Get out of here if you don't want to die!" Gong Jianzhou was completely gone at this moment. His usually humble and gentle appearance, now with his eyes wide open, could really scare the timid people to death.

The servant guarding the gate could not help but step back and make way for Gong Jianzhou.

Gong Jianzhou walked into the courtyard and turned back to instruct the servants guarding the gate, saying, "Guard the door tightly and don't let anyone in."

After saying this, Gong Jianzhou quickly ran towards his father's bedroom.

When they arrived at Gong Chenghai's bedroom, Gong Jianzhou dismissed the servants who were guarding the night, kicked the door open and went in.

Gong Chenghai, who had just woken up, was startled by the sudden noise and sat up immediately.

When he saw who was coming in, he couldn't help but curse, "Unfilial son, what's wrong with you?"

Gong Jianzhou was too lazy to respond to Gong Chenghai at this point. He raised his sword and shouted at his father's concubine who was also awakened on the bed: "Get out! Disappear immediately!"

The concubine looked at Gong Jianzhou's terrifying appearance and the sword in his hand. She dared not say anything or ask anything. She obediently put on her clothes and ran out.

Gong Chenghai looked at his mad son and couldn't help but feel scared and nervous.

Gong Chenghai knows his son very well. Although Gong Jianzhou is usually good-tempered and gentle, if he is really angered, he can do anything.

"Jianzhou, what are you doing?" Gong Chenghai couldn't help but soften his voice and attitude. Experience told him that in front of an angry person, he must remain calm and gentle.

"What are you doing? I want to kill someone!" Gong Jianzhou stared at Gong Chenghai, as if the person in front of him was not his father.

"I'm asking you a question now, and you have to answer me honestly, otherwise the sword in my hand will not be vegetarian."

Gong Chenghai looked at his already mad son, suppressed the fear in his heart, and said in a trembling voice: "Ask whatever you want to ask. As long as it is something that Dad knows, Dad will tell you everything.

"Have you known for a long time that my good fourth uncle Gong Chengyu was colluding with the Xirong people and betraying the country?"

Gong Jianzhou glared at Gong Chenghai. On the surface, his father seemed to be a shrewd and calculating man, but in fact he was a confused and stupid man who was too clever for his own good.

Gong Chenghai felt uncomfortable when he heard Gong Jianzhou suddenly mention Gong Chengyu and his collusion with the Xirong people to betray the country.

He knew about this matter many years ago, and he had tried to persuade Gong Chengyu many times, but Gong Chengyu refused to listen and insisted on going his own way.