After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Xun Zu: ...He didn’t want to sit together either, but Zeng Yue insisted on looking after them all at once, and even had to have an Imperial Physician by their side in case of emergencies. What could he do?

The fool never thought that with four people in one carriage, if someone wanted to make a move, it’d be easy to wipe them all out in one go, did he?

But the peace along the way showed that no one dared make a move.

The head of the old ministers of the imperial faction was in that carriage; unless the old ministers could reach a consensus to kill both Xun Fan and Xun Zu at the same time, they wouldn’t act.

As for the Zhao Family’s side, with Yuan Li escorting them and Zeng Yue also present, no one dared overstep and meddle.

Yuan Li himself didn’t dare either at this point.

He touched the scar on his face and behaved downright honestly.

Xun Zu mounted his horse and rode into the city together with Zhao Shen, Yuan Li, and the others.

It was a rest day, and the officials in court had calculated that they would arrive within these two days, so they were personally squatting at the city gate. From afar, when they saw Xun Zu’s face appear, an official in a restaurant slapped the table in delight. "They’re back, they’re back. Look, Xun Zu has come back with all his beard and tail intact."

The colleague sitting opposite happily stroked his beard. "The Great General does have the virtue of a regent after all; he would never deceive us."

Tch, that’s not what you said in court that day. If you really trusted Zhao Hanzhang, would you be squatting here straining your neck waiting?

But everyone tacitly refrained from calling him out, and began scrutinizing the five-hundred-strong party back and forth. "There’s no coffin—does that mean Grand Tutor Xun has passed the critical stage? That carriage is particularly large—is he in it?"

"I don’t see Zeng Yue, so he’s most likely in that carriage. And that is... Yu Hong?"

The two exchanged a look and frowned. "Why is he in such a wretched state?"

"What crime did Yu Hong commit exactly?"

"Only by asking the Grand Tutor can we know. Come, come, let’s go wait at the Xun Mansion first."

At the same time, quite a few people rushed out from the restaurants and taverns lining both sides of the main avenue. Face to face, they were either colleagues, or the sons, nephews, and attendants of colleagues.

Everyone exchanged cupped-hand salutes in tacit understanding, then hurriedly took shortcuts toward the Xun Mansion.

There were many with Yuan Li’s party, and they were taking the main road. With so many pedestrians along the way, even though people gave way, their speed had to slow down, so they were far slower than those nimble officials.

Zhao Hanzhang was in the palace giving the Little Emperor a lesson in riding and archery. Upon hearing the report, the arrow in her hand whistled through the air and pierced the target, and she nodded. "Not bad."

The Little Emperor beside her gave a little shiver.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him. "Your Majesty, come out of the palace with me to visit the Grand Tutor Xun. It will also put the Grand Tutor at ease."

The Little Emperor immediately said, "With the Great General caring for me in the palace, the Grand Tutor can be most at ease."

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curled slightly. "Then let it be for Your Majesty’s peace of mind. The Grand Tutor, after all, was injured on state business and is also Your Majesty’s kin—how can you not go visit him?"

Having spoken, she ordered someone to lead the Little Emperor to change clothes. They would leave the palace at once.

Hearing this, the Little Emperor did not refuse again; he was indeed a little worried about his second uncle.

By the time Zhao Hanzhang brought the Little Emperor to the Xun Mansion, quite a number of people had already gathered around Xun Fan.

Yuan Li swept his gaze over those people without pausing, let out a cold snort, and left.

The ones who came first to visit Xun Fan were mostly from the old ministers’ faction—or courtiers who supported the Little Emperor, or neutrals. Only Ji Yuan was an exception.

In front of Ji Yuan, the old ministers could not easily voice many questions, and could only ask Xun Fan, "Who was so bold as to harm the Grand Tutor?"

Xun Fan sighed. "Yu Hong’s wife’s younger brother, Zheng Zhi."

The old ministers were stunned and hurriedly asked, "Why did Yu Hong do such a thing? What did he commit?"

The case had already been fully investigated and the evidence was in hand, so Xun Fan had nothing he couldn’t say. He began from Yu Hong indulging Zheng Zhi in hoarding grain and driving up prices.

When they heard that Yu Hong had even poisoned Xun Fan and Yuan Li, attempting to murder them, Qiu Zhi, a supporter of Xun Zu, couldn’t help stamping his foot. "He was muddle‑headed. It was only price gouging; pleading guilty and accepting punishment would have sufficed. Why try to murder the Angel? A small offense turned into a great crime—his whole clan will likely be hard to preserve."

Xun Zu, however, said hatefully, "My elder brother was his friend, yet he plotted against my brother’s life. This is what he deserves."

Qiu Zhi said instead, "The Grand Tutor should not have asked Yuan Li to investigate this matter. It was Yu Hong who was too frightened and thus took the wrong step."

Xun Zu frowned. "What do you mean by that? Are you blaming my brother for this?"

Qiu Zhi shook his head. "Where mercy can be shown, one should show mercy. The Grand Tutor could clearly have submitted a memorial of impeachment and had the court send an Imperial Censor to investigate. Why did he have to ask Yuan Li to take part in it?"

"That Yuan Li is ruthless. Ever since he handled the disaster relief case, anyone he found hoarding grain and driving up prices has either been executed or had his household confiscated. And the Great General especially hates officials colluding with grain merchants; once discovered, they are invariably beheaded. It’s no wonder Yu Hong panicked."

After speaking, Qiu Zhi looked toward Ji Yuan, who was sitting quietly to the side drinking tea, and raised his hand. "Ji Shizhong, this official has long had objections. Since the flood, the Great General’s punishments and enforcement of the law have been far too harsh."