She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

When the officials saw Chu Zhiyi's gloomy face and the chilling aura emanating from him, they were so frightened that they knelt down, their heads bowed low, not daring to breathe. The hall fell into a deathly silence, so quiet that you could almost hear a pin drop.

"I have had all the allegations and accusations made by you recorded in detail." Chu Zhiyi's gaze was sharp as she coldly swept over the crowd, then she slammed her hand on the armrest of the dragon throne and loudly ordered, "From this moment on, all ministers who are clearly involved are to be arrested and imprisoned in the Imperial Prison! Not a single one is to be let go!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the court was in an uproar.

Several ministers who had just been named were terrified, their faces turning ashen, and they collapsed to the ground. The imperial guards acted swiftly and subdued them one by one.

Wang Hong struggled free from the imperial guards' grasp and roared at Chu Zhiyi in dissatisfaction, "Your Highness, didn't you say that those who voluntarily expose others would be treated leniently? Why are you imprisoning us in the imperial prison?"

Wang Hong had served as an official in the court for many years, so he knew that the Imperial Prison was a place where serious criminals were imprisoned. Once someone went in, they would either be beheaded or suffer endless torture, with no hope of ever getting out of prison.

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhiyi's gaze shot towards Wang Hong like a cold star, his voice icy and authoritative: "Wang Hong, as the Minister of Personnel, you have for many years formed cliques, sold official positions, and engaged in corruption, causing chaos in the court and unbearable suffering for the people."

The sins you have committed cannot be covered up with a few words of denunciation. A lenient sentence is given to those who genuinely repent, but you, from beginning to end, have only acted to protect yourself, attempting to find a way to survive in the chaos. How do you deserve forgiveness?

Upon hearing this, Wang Hong was struck dumb, his face turned ashen, and his body swayed precariously. The Imperial Guards seized the opportunity to firmly control him once again.

Seeing this, some of the other detained officials looked desperate, while others lowered their heads and dared not utter another sound.

Chu Zhiyi did not stop there. He turned to face the remaining officials in the court and said loudly, "Today's events should serve as a warning to all of you. The court is the foundation of the nation and cannot tolerate the slightest taint."

My resolve to rectify the court is unwavering. In the subsequent investigation, if any officials attempt to conceal or obstruct, Wang Hong will be their fate!

All the officials knelt down and shouted, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is wise!" Their voices echoed throughout the court.

Immediately afterward, Chu Zhiyi looked at Yuan Kai, the Minister of Justice, again: "Lord Yuan, now that Wang Hong, the Minister of Personnel, and Lin Peng, the Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, are both implicated, you will lead the investigation team, along with the remaining reliable personnel from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate. Enforce the law impartially; if any favoritism or corruption is found, I will execute you without mercy!"

Yuan Kai prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed heavily: "Your subject will do his utmost to live up to Your Highness's expectations!"

Chu Zhiyi did not stop there. He then looked at Zhi Mo, the commander of the Imperial Guards beside him, and said in a deep voice, "For those officials who are not in court at the moment but have been proven to have business dealings with Cui Chengdao and Cui Jintang, you must immediately gather your men, go to their residences, and arrest them. If they resist, kill them without mercy!"

After receiving the order, Zhi Mo took the list from the court attendant, then quickly turned around and hurriedly left with a group of imperial guards.

Then, Chu Zhiyi looked at the several old ministers who had always been honest and upright, his expression softened, and he spoke earnestly: "My lords, the court is now in dire need of reconstruction, and the heavy responsibility of rebuilding the court rests on your shoulders."

Next, I urge you to do your utmost to select capable individuals to enrich the court, lest treacherous officials have another opportunity to wreak havoc on the government.

The veteran officials bowed with firm eyes and swore in unison to assist Chu Zhiyi in restoring the court.

With everything arranged, Chu Zhiyi returned to the imperial study. He sat at his desk, his brows furrowed, lost in thought.

The turmoil in the imperial court was more serious than imagined, and the road to subsequent rectification was fraught with difficulties.

But his conviction was as firm as a rock, and he vowed to completely reform this corrupt court and restore a peaceful and prosperous world for the people.

After a long while, the imperial guards who had accompanied Marquis Jingyang back to his residence to retrieve evidence still hadn't returned. He then summoned the guards at the gate and asked, "Why haven't the people who accompanied Marquis Jingyang back to his residence returned yet? Quickly send someone to check what's going on!"

After receiving the order, the imperial guards hurriedly left the palace to check on the situation at the Marquis of Jingyang's residence.

Half an hour later, the imperial guard ran over in a panic and reported to Chu Zhiyi: "Your Highness, when I arrived at the Marquis of Jingyang's residence, I found that the brother who had returned with the Marquis of Jingyang was dead inside."

My subordinates searched the entire mansion, but not only did they not find Marquis Jingyang, but they also did not find a single one of his family members or servants.

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhiyi's eyes flashed with a cold light, and his already furrowed brows tightened even more. With a "smack," he slammed his hand heavily on the table, causing the writing brush, ink, and inkstone on the table to shake.

"That cunning old fox must have killed someone and escaped! Issue my order: immediately seal all the gates of the capital, not even a fly should be allowed to escape! Also, mobilize all the patrol battalions in the city to pursue and capture Marquis Jingyang with all our might, we must bring him to justice, alive or dead!"

Chu Zhiyi swiftly issued the order, each word clear and forceful, leaving no room for doubt. After receiving the order, the imperial guard hurriedly ran out to relay it.

Chu Zhiyi knew that if the escape of Marquis Jingyang was not apprehended as soon as possible, it would not only hinder the court's rectification plan, but also trigger other chain reactions, and even allow more people with ulterior motives to take the opportunity to cause trouble.

He paced back and forth in the study, his mind racing as he considered the possible escape routes and hiding places of Marquis Jingyang.

At this moment, Marquis Jingyang, Gu Bin, had already taken off the noble python robe that symbolized his status as a marquis, changed into ordinary clothes, hurriedly boarded a carriage, and headed towards the city gate.

As early as when Duke Cui Chengdao of Xingguo got into trouble, Gu Bin, with his keen sense of smell from years of navigating the court, predicted that this storm would eventually affect him.

So, he secretly used the substantial wealth accumulated by the Gu family's weaving workshop over the years to quietly make his plans.

He first used the pretext of expanding his family business to send the elderly, women and children out of the capital in batches and settle them in remote estates. He then purchased several fast boats and arranged for his trusted family members to carry a large amount of gold, silver and valuables southward along the waterway to conceal their whereabouts.

He breathed a sigh of relief after everything was arranged.

The reason he himself did not leave was twofold: firstly, to wait for his second son, Gu Cang, to return from the border town; and secondly, because he still harbored a sliver of hope that the Empress might have a chance to turn the tide.

Unexpectedly, the political situation at court changed too quickly. Overnight, the emperor appointed Chu Zhiyi as crown prince and entrusted him with managing state affairs. Before he could extricate himself, he was already caught in the vortex.

Fortunately, he had a quick wit and used the excuse of returning to his residence to retrieve evidence of Wang Hong's crimes, thus managing to escape safely from the palace.

After leaving the palace, Marquis Jingyang knew that he had committed an unforgivable crime punishable by death, and that even if he handed over Wang Hong's incriminating evidence, the court would not let him go.

So after returning to his residence, he took advantage of the fact that the imperial guard was unfamiliar with the layout of the residence and found an opportunity to kill him directly.