Scheming Through the Palace 026 Temporary Stay at Liao's Residence

  Walking out of the Golden Hall and looking at the icy sky and snowy ground outside, Gu Ling lowered his head to look at the imperial edict in his hand, and the faint smile that had been on his face slowly disappeared.

  Beautiful lips slightly pursed.

  Shi Ze watched as Gu Ling left before hastily returning to the palace.

  King Huai listened to Little Li's report on the outcome of Gu Ling's entry into the palace today, with a faint cold light in his eyes, but he didn't say anything, just waved his hand, indicating that Little Li should withdraw.

  In the quiet study, Hua Wang's mouth curled up with a cold smile.

  He let Yuan Wuyou investigate the case of Huqing Palace's fire before the year, while Yuan Haotian let Gu Ling investigate the case of Huqing Palace's fire before the year.

  Things are getting more and more interesting, aren't they?

  If Ruoyu Gu didn't manage to investigate the case clearly, then Yuan Haotian would have an excuse to deal with the Gu family. Although he stays in the Huaiwang Palace all year round without taking a step out, although his mother, the empress dowager, has been staying in the cold palace for him and for the Gu family, Yuan Haotian still slowly raised his butcher's knife against the Gu family.

  Since no one is willing to let go of anyone, then it's a fight to the death!

  Everyone in the court knew about Gu Ling, and the calm imperial court was once again stirred up by Emperor Qing's unexpected yet reasonable decree.

  And this imperial edict, because no clues could be found and had just been reprimanded by Emperor Qing, the three adults were overjoyed, not seeing a single trace of dissatisfaction or discontent.

  The three of them vied with each other to invite this person who seemed to have descended from the sky and solved their troubles to stay in their own homes for a while.

  Looking at the three dignitaries in front of him, Zhao General, the leader of the Imperial Guard, Liao Official, the Minister of Justice, and Yu Official, the Inspector of the Supervisory Office, Gu Ling expressed his gratitude for their hospitality before slowly saying: "In order to facilitate the investigation, I would like to trouble Official Liao for a few days and stay at the Ministry of Justice for a while. What does Official Liao think?"

  Liao Da Ren smiled and said: "Young Master Gu has misunderstood, there's no need to stay at the Ministry of Punishment, you can just stay at my residence."

  "Liao Daren is right, since the young master is here to investigate the case, it's most convenient for him to stay at Liao Daren's residence. Staying at the Ministry of Justice would be too formal. We three wouldn't know how to explain it to the Emperor either." Yu Daren spoke up.

  General Zhao agreed: "Alright then, it's settled. Mr. Gu will temporarily stay at Lord Liao's residence. If you need anything, just look for us."

  "That... Gu Ling is disturbing."

  The Minister of Justice Liao's mansion is located behind the lotus pond, next to a large lake. Tall green pines and white plum blossoms stand upright, while house after house lines the lakeside without interruption.

  It should be a beautiful and secluded scene, but it seems to be a uniform color due to the snow covering everything.

  A thick layer of ice floating on the lake's surface also made the originally crystal-clear lake lose a bit of its clarity, blurring the scenery that should have been reflected in the lake.

  Along the crimson corridor by the lake, Lord Liao led Gu Ling and his two attendants to a small, independent pavilion.

  Under the thick snow on the roof, a long eave hangs with transparent icicles, and under the morning sun, it shines like crystal.

  "This small building is close to my library, whether it's reading books or searching for documents, it's very convenient. The courtyard is also convenient to enter and exit the front and back yards, and won't be disturbed. I don't know if Mr. Gu will be satisfied?"

  "Gu Ling is very satisfied, then I'll take my leave."

  "It's not you being polite, it's me who should be ashamed. My three men and I have been investigating this case for several days, but we haven't found any clues at all. The Emperor is extremely disappointed, so he ordered Lord Gu to take over the investigation with full authority, and had us three assist him. Don't laugh at me, but when you took over from me, I felt a great relief."

  "Sir has wronged Gu Ling."

  "Master Gu doesn't need to be humble. And, yes, the Half Slope Garden up ahead is where the young master resides." Lord Liao pointed at a high platform in front of them with a courtyard surrounded by vermillion walls.

  Gu Ling raised his eyes and looked over, a smile spreading across his face: "The Half Slope Garden, this name suits the scenery of this garden, Liao Gongzi is indeed a refined person."

  "Haha, elegant? This word used to describe him is really mismatched, however..."

  Liao's expression turned serious and he stroked his short beard, saying: "It's not that I'm boasting, but perhaps this old man can help the young master too."

  "Ah? Young Master..."

  Liao Daren's eyebrows and eyes showed a hint of helplessness, yet also seemed to hold a hint of pride: "To tell you the truth, my young son has been causing the old madam quite a headache. He has no interest in poetry or literature, but is strangely fascinated by studying the dead. He has some insight into cases, so it wouldn't hurt for you, Master Gu, to discuss things with him and see how he can help."

  "Greatly appreciated and grateful for your kindness."

  The two of them walked towards the Half Slope Garden, with Gu Qiu and Liao Fu's steward following from a distance. Liao Daren let out a soft sigh and said in a low voice: "You don't need to be polite either. In the past, Old Master Hou had once shown me kindness, which I have never been able to repay. This kindness has always been remembered in my heart. Now that Master Gu is coming to the capital, taking on this hot potato, I also hope that Master Gu can successfully complete his sacred mission and return safely to the distant western lands."

  Gu Ling bowed his head: "Gu Ling thanks Your Excellency for your advice, and will certainly exert himself to the utmost to fulfill the imperial decree."

  Banpo Garden arrived soon, there was no one guarding outside the garden, the gate was open, Liao Daren looked at these and shook his head helplessly: "Gu Gongzi, please!"

  As Liao Daren stepped onto the stage, Gu Ling followed him up, and in the great hall there was no peculiar place, nor anyone, it seemed somewhat empty.

  Liao Daren smiled somewhat apologetically: "He might be busy in the back hall, otherwise, Young Master, why don't you wait for him in the main hall? My son has a... somewhat eccentric temperament, he doesn't like to be interrupted when he's busy, even I, his father, will be driven out by him without any courtesy if I disturb him."

  Gu Ling slightly wrinkled his nose, he felt that there was always a smell coming from the back hall, this smell made him unable to describe what it was, not obvious but also couldn't be ignored.

  Listening to Liao's implicit meaning, Gu Ling smiled and said: "Gu Ling won't interrupt him. If possible, I'd like to go to the back hall."

  Liao Daren hesitated: "Gu Gongzi, are you certain?"

  Without waiting for Gu Ling to speak up, a voice came from the back hall, which was so flat and lacking in ups and downs that it buried its pleasant tone: "Let him come in."

  Gu Ling nodded slightly, indicating that he had no problem. Liao's mouth twitched slightly, although Gu Ling looked calm and composed, but the situation in the back hall required more than just calmness, hopefully he wouldn't be shocked.

  "Then... Mr. Gu, please!"

  Gu Ling stepped forward, and as he walked closer to the back hall, that smell seemed to become more pronounced. The back hall was only separated from the front hall by a wall, yet...

  This is called the back hall, but in fact it's even bigger and more spacious than the front hall. The only difference is that this place doesn't give people a sense of emptiness, with all sorts of old and incomplete skeletons and various types of tables and desks arranged around the walls.

  One of the long tables was filled with all sorts of instruments, never seen before. Just by looking at the knives, there were nearly a dozen or so kinds, saws, crowbars, iron rods... many of which he couldn't even name. And just the row of long and short thin silver needles in the cloth package made one's hair stand on end.

  The thin figure, hunched over and focused on something, slowly straightened up without turning its head. The flat, even voice sounded again: "Dad, help me out."

  Liao Daren's face turned dark, refusing to come forward and help: "Where is Liao Zhong?"

  "I gave him something else to do, he should be back soon."

  Gu Ling glanced at Gu Qiu, and Gu Qiu hastily smiled and stepped forward: "I can help, but I don't know..."

  "Act, help me gently press his skull, I want to sew his head and body together."

  It wasn't necessary for him to explain, and when Gu Qiu finally walked up and saw what was on the case table, he knew what he had to help with. His face instantly turned pale, feeling a chill run down his spine, and all he wanted to do was vomit.

  Gu Ling finally knew where the strange smell that had been lingering in his nose came from.