Chapter 76 The Pure Emperor Forces Marriage Online (10)
He Hui remained calm and composed, not even raising an eyebrow.
He seemed not to hear Gu Tang's deliberately loud complaint at all, and respectfully bowed to him.
"Speak," Gu Tang gestured for the eunuch to take Gu Yan away, then sat down and turned to He Hui. "The First Judge insists on seeing me. Has something momentous happened that could shake the Galactic Empire?"
He didn't let Qin Junche leave, and the other man sat down next to him.
They were chatting and strolling with Gu Yan in the palace garden, with several plates of snacks and fruits on the table in front of them.
Glistening purple grapes, bright orange tangerines, and some rare fruits that seemed to have been sent from another galaxy.
"Your Majesty." He Hui was not only calm and composed, but his voice was also very steady.
"The interrogation of all those who attempted to assassinate General Qin has been completed. I have ordered the arrest of 170 people involved, and they are all currently imprisoned."
As he spoke, he glanced up at Qin Junche.
His eyes flickered slightly, but he quickly looked away.
“According to the laws of the Galactic Empire, anyone who assassinates an Imperial Lieutenant General should be executed, and their family exiled to the edge of the star system,” He Hui said calmly.
"Then, what about assassinating the Empress?" Gu Tang asked.
“Exterminate the entire clan,” He Hui said.
The Galactic Empire is no longer a monarchical empire where a ruler can turn the tide at will.
It has a well-developed legal and bureaucratic system.
However, the protection afforded to the royal family has always been very strong.
“But General Qin has not yet been officially made empress.” He Hui’s voice was calm and his tone was indifferent. “Therefore, the person who attempted the assassination cannot be subject to the legal judgment for assassinating the empress.”
"Hmph!" Gu Tang snorted coldly, and asked with dissatisfaction, "Even if I speak for myself, it's not allowed?"
"No." He Hui's tone remained calm, but he firmly rejected Gu Tang's suggestion.
"Alright then." Gu Tang casually picked up an orange and played with it in his hand.
"And who's behind it all?" he asked again.
“He is the eldest son of the Wu family, a powerful clan in the capital.” He Hui said, “Does Your Majesty remember him?”
The orange that Gu Tang was tossing in his hand suddenly rolled to the side.
He paused for a moment, his expression turning somewhat unpleasant.
Qin Junche was slightly taken aback, having already guessed the identity of the eldest son of the Wu family.
Most likely, she was one of Gu Tang's most widely circulated romantic affairs back then.
"Thank you for your hard work, He Qing." Gu Tang quickly added, "If there's nothing else, you may leave."
"Yes." He Hui didn't press the matter further.
He bowed to Gu Tang, his gaze sweeping over Qin Junche, who remained silent throughout.
Then he turned around and strode away.
"Hmph." Gu Tang snorted coldly after seeing him walk away.
"Just a scapegoat who was forced out!"
"Does the eldest son of the Wu family also resemble me?" Qin Junche slowly picked up the orange that Gu Tang had just been playing with, peeled it, and revealed the orange flesh inside.
He didn't even bother to ask Gu Tang if the eldest son of the Wu family looked like the crown prince from back then.
They asked directly if I resembled them.
In any case, it is now generally acknowledged in the capital that, among Gu Tang's rumored lovers, the one who most resembles the former Crown Prince Gu Feng is Qin Junche.
Gu Tang tilted his head slightly and stared at Qin Junche for a moment without blinking.
He suddenly smiled and said, "What? Are you jealous?"
"Old vinegar, no interest." Qin Junche replied indifferently.
"As for appearance... it doesn't seem like it." Gu Tang chuckled.
He rested his chin on his hand, his gaze fixed on Qin Junche's handsome features.
His gaze became somewhat unfocused, and it was unclear whether he was looking at Qin Junche or looking through him at someone else.
“He was my only playmate when I was a child,” Gu Tang sighed softly.
"Before I became Emperor, when my elder brother was at the height of his power, and I was just an insignificant, unfavored person whom many people wouldn't even bother to look at, only he..."
He gave me a nostalgic look: "Among my peers from the wealthy and powerful families in the capital, only he was willing to hang out with me."
Qin Junche was somewhat surprised.
"He was a renowned talent in the capital city. Back when he was in university, he was as famous as my older brother and He Hui, and they were known as the Four Young Masters of the capital city."
Gu Tang continued, "After I ascended the throne, I asked him what official position he wanted. He was my only friend, the only person who truly cared for me besides... He was also incredibly talented, so I thought at the time that no matter what position he wanted, I would give it to him."
His voice gradually lowered: "Just let me be willful this once."
"And then?" Qin Junche asked subconsciously.
“He said being an official is too troublesome, with social obligations, heavy responsibilities, and all sorts of red tape, so he’d rather not.” Gu Tang chuckled. “He said he still prefers to travel around and explore my vast Galactic Empire. When he returns to the capital after his long journey, he hopes I can reserve a position for him at the First University of the Capital, so he can be an ordinary university teacher.”
"Hmm," Qin Junche replied indifferently.
He disliked He Hui because He Hui's gaze towards Gu Tang was too direct.
The hidden feelings within...
No! He Hui probably never even considered hiding it!
But Qin Junche just didn't like him; after all, Gu Tang's feelings were too obvious.
He had no feelings for He Hui that went beyond the bond between ruler and subject.
Qin Junche also disliked Gu Tang's older brother, who seemed to exist only in legends.
All the evidence told him that he was nothing more than a stand-in for Brother Gu Tang.
That's all.
But now...
He looked at the unconscious smile that appeared on Gu Tang's lips when he recalled the eldest son of the Wu family.
A warning bell rang in my heart.
This guy definitely holds a different position for Gu Tang.
He said he preferred traveling throughout the empire to being an official.
At that time, Gu Tang's elder brother had just died, and the capital star... no! The entire Galactic Empire was still the Galactic Empire of the former crown prince.
Therefore, he was probably worried that others would find something to use against him to attack Gu Tang, thus putting the newly enthroned Gu Tang in a difficult position.
That's why he was willing to withdraw from the center of power in the capital.
However, Qin Junche believed that Gu Tang would definitely come back when he needed him.
"Hmph." Qin Junche snorted softly, "Coward!"
Gu Tang narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing in his gaze as he swept over him.
That cold light was so fast that even Qin Junche thought he was seeing things.
"I don't blame you for saying such things even though you don't know him."
It was quite unusual for Gu Tang to refer to himself as "朕" (Zhen, the imperial "I") in front of Qin Junche.
For the past two weeks, the two have been living and eating together, going in and out of the same place.
Gu Tang never acted like an emperor in front of him, and was always smiling and cheerful.
Even though it was just a change in address, he knew the other party was angry.
It seems that this eldest son of the Wu family holds a truly extraordinary place in Gu Tang's heart.
Qin Junche frowned, looking into Gu Tang's eyes: "And then?"
He asked, "What are you going to do? Are you going to let him go?"
Gu Tang tapped his long, slender fingers lightly on the table, seemingly hesitant.
He firmly believed that his friend would never do such a thing.
But since He Hui came to report to me personally, there must be solid evidence.
Even as the Emperor of the Galactic Empire, he could not arbitrarily release those convicted by the Empire's First Judge.
"Guards!" Gu Tang called out to his deputy captain of the personal guard. "Take my order and take Wu Xuan to the royal prison."
"Yes." The deputy captain of the personal guard accepted the order and left.
The royal prison was directly under the jurisdiction of His Majesty the Emperor.
With the person locked up here, Gu Tang felt more at ease.
Qin Junche had been in the capital for quite some time, so he immediately guessed his purpose.
"You're going to protect him?" he asked. "Are you so sure he didn't send someone to assassinate me?"
“It’s not him!” Gu Tang’s voice was firm. “Wu Xuan can’t command the Shadow Assassins.”
"Shadow Assassins?" Qin Junche was taken aback.
"Although they disguised themselves, their years of training in combat skills cannot be faked."
Gu Tang's lips curled slightly, but his smile was cold.
"I knew their identities as soon as they made a move."
He is not only His Majesty the Emperor of the Galactic Empire, but also a renowned God of War.
His fighting skills are superb; there are few who can rival him in the entire empire.
In addition, although he appeared indifferent over the years, he actually kept a close eye on the movements of his elder brother's old subordinates.