20demayo Chapter 13: Proclamation of Punishment!
Chapter 13: Proclamation of Punishment!
This time, Gao Yang didn't even bother to respond, only looking at Gao Cheng with a wary expression.
There was no way around it; it wasn't that he didn't trust Gao Cheng, but rather that he had suffered far too much at Gao Cheng's hands since childhood.
He absolutely refused to believe that Gao Cheng would be so kind as to take him to Yecheng to serve as an official and even give him power. He was 80% certain that this was another new trick Gao Cheng had come up with to get rid of him.
Gao Cheng was speechless as he looked at him like this.
Just how hated was the original owner? Even his own younger brother was so alienated from him. No wonder he was killed by a cook in history.
With such terrible interpersonal relationships, it would be an injustice if he didn't die.
Speechless as he was, Gao Cheng had no interest in trying to win him over. Seeing how wary Gao Cheng was of him, he didn't bother to say anything more.
He simply said, "That's all I have to say. Think it over yourself. If you wish to go, come to the Crown Prince's residence tomorrow and I will explain everything to you in detail."
Upon hearing this, Gao Yang immediately snorted coldly and refused, saying, "No need to think about it, I will not fall for it!"
Seeing that he was so unyielding, Gao Cheng couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth again, and said speechlessly, "Whatever."
After saying that, he turned back to continue eating his roasted mutton, without uttering another word.
When Gao Yang saw that he was no longer speaking, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, before he could fully relax, he saw that Gao Cheng was no longer saying anything, and he became somewhat uneasy again.
He thought to himself, "Is this guy... serious this time?"
But as soon as the thought popped into his head, he immediately dismissed it, thinking to himself, "It must be fake."
After all, he knew Gao Zihui too well. From a young age, she had always had an attitude of "I am the best in the world" and could never see anyone else but herself.
From childhood to adulthood, I've teased him countless times, at least eighty or a hundred times, snatched his toys, laughed at his appearance, and humiliated him in front of everyone.
Every time she approaches him with a smile, she turns around and leaves him humiliated.
Therefore, I will definitely not fall for it this time.
"Gao Zijin, hold back!"
He gritted his teeth, silently encouraging himself, and then took a big gulp of wine to suppress the wavering in his heart.
......
Just as Gao Yang was lost in thought, the banquet in the hall had come to an end.
After all, the army had just returned to the capital today.
Whether they were ordinary soldiers or generals under their command, they were all exhausted from their journeys and needed rest. It was impossible for them to celebrate their victory all night long.
So after several rounds of drinks and several dishes, everyone put down their chopsticks and cups, looking tired.
Seeing this, Gao Huan, seated at the head of the table, knew the matter was settled. He immediately placed his wine cup on the table and said loudly, "Today's celebration ends here. Gentlemen, you have all endured the hardships of battle. Go back to your camps and rest. We will discuss the rewards and honors another day, and then we will drink together until we are finished!"
During the banquet, the generals were already concerned about their wives and children at home, but Gao Huan remained silent, and no one dared to leave first. Now that they heard these words, how could they hold back their emotions?
They were all as if granted a pardon, and rose from their seats, bowing to Gao Huan and saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, we take our leave."
They then filed out in twos and threes.
In a short while, the once bustling hall became deserted, with only a table full of leftover food and a few servants cleaning up the dishes.
After taking his second seat, Gao Cheng saw that everyone had left, so he put down his chopsticks and prepared to get up and say goodbye.
Unexpectedly, before he could even stand up, Gao Huan's gaze fell directly on him, and his expression darkened once again.
Gao Cheng felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that this was bad news and that Gao Huan was about to settle scores later. He wondered if Gao Huan would still make a move.
Gao Yang, who was standing to the side, was also taken aback when he noticed the atmosphere suddenly become tense.
But then, a smug glint flashed in his eyes, and he leaned close to Gao Cheng's ear, whispering in a mocking tone that only the two of them could hear, "Alas, brother, has this finally come to pass?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng immediately rolled his eyes at him.
Has this child forgotten what he just refused?
However, at this critical juncture, he had no interest in arguing with Gao Yang, so he just sat silently, waiting for Gao Huan to continue.
Seeing his tense and fearful expression, Gao Yang felt even more pleased, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up.
However, his smile had barely formed when Gao Huan called out his name: "Zijin."
Upon hearing this, Gao Yang dared not be negligent. He quickly suppressed his gloating expression and respectfully replied, "Your son is here."
Gao Huan said in a deep voice, "You may step back now. I will speak with your elder brother alone."
Upon hearing this, Gao Yang was stunned for a moment, then his face was filled with resentment.
He was waiting to see his dad beat Xian Cheng, but his dad actually told him to stay away. What was there to watch then?
Despite his reluctance, he dared not disobey Gao Huan's words and could only bow and reluctantly reply, "Yes."
Gao Huan nodded, then looked at Lou Zhaojun beside him and said slowly, "You should also leave first."
Upon hearing this, Lou Zhaojun's eyes immediately filled with worry.
He opened his mouth, about to say something, when Gao Huan said again, "Don't worry. I have something important to discuss with this wretched child, nothing to do with family discipline."
Lou Zhaojun breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Seeing Gao Huan's resolute attitude, she dared not say anything more, but simply bowed and followed Gao Yang out.
A moment later, the palace doors slowly closed, leaving only the father and son in the large main hall, facing each other across a table full of leftover food.
Gao Huan didn't rush to speak, but simply poured himself a drink and drank.
Seeing this, Gao Cheng dared not speak, and obediently knelt down, lowering his eyes and keeping quiet.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall became heavy, like the calm before a storm.
After a long silence, Gao Huan finally put down his wine cup and said slowly, "You unfilial son, have you exhausted all your glory at today's banquet?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng immediately bowed and said, "Your son dares not. I will obey Your Majesty's command, respect all meritorious service, and dare not overstep the bounds in the slightest."
"You dare not?"
Gao Huan sneered, leaning forward slightly: "You dare to have an affair with even your father's concubine, what else in the world wouldn't you dare to do?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng immediately knelt down with a thud and said respectfully, "I know my crime. I deserve to die a hundred times for my disobedience the other day. I have no excuse whatsoever."
To his surprise, Gao Huan did not fly into a rage as before. Upon hearing this, his face showed a mixture of weariness, helplessness, and complexity.
After a long silence, he sighed and said, "Tell me, what exactly happened that day?"
Gao Cheng knew that Gao Huan wanted him to confess his crimes in person, so he dared not hide anything or make excuses. He immediately kowtowed heavily, pressed his forehead against a stone brick, and recounted the events of that day in detail.
However, the author deliberately changed "the original owner took the initiative to break in" to "he lost his temper after drinking and made a big mistake", and said "Zheng Da Che half-heartedly resisted" to "the aunt resisted with all her might, but the son forced her to do it".
In this way, Zheng Dache's crime was greatly reduced.
Of course, this was not because he had feelings for Zheng Dache, but because he knew that Gao Huan now knew that a powerful family from Hebei was behind Zheng Dache.
If he were to push all the blame onto her, it would make him seem petty; he might as well take all the blame himself.
Gao Huan, being the kind of person he was, naturally understood Gao Cheng's intentions, and felt even more comforted.
However, he still harbored resentment, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply said, "You are much more sensible than before. You have caused such a great disaster, yet you have managed to use it to uncover the schemes of powerful families and even devise this strategy. I am truly impressed."
Gao Cheng lay prostrate on the ground, speechless.
At this moment, Gao Huan changed the subject again: "But you must remember, lust is a knife that can cut to the bone. If it weren't for the fact that the Zheng family is backed by the Zheng family of Xingyang, do you think you would still be alive today? Not to mention the position of heir apparent, even your mother wouldn't be able to protect you!"
Gao Cheng immediately kowtowed: "Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered! I will certainly restrain my behavior in the future and never do such absurd things again."
Upon hearing this, Gao Huan was too lazy to argue any further and directly declared, "Very well, although you have committed this disgraceful act and disgraced my Gao family, you have shown remorse, so you are spared the death penalty."
"Starting tomorrow, you will be confined to the Zhangshui Villa in the south of the city, and will be solely responsible for expanding the strategies you have submitted. You may depart for Ye City whenever you have transformed these empty words into concrete and feasible details."
After saying that, he paused, looked at Gao Cheng lying on the ground, and asked, "Do you have any objections to this punishment?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng was overjoyed and naturally had no objections.
After all, although this punishment was somewhat frustrating, it was a light punishment compared to a hundred strokes of the cane and the loss of his position as heir apparent. Moreover, expanding his strategy was exactly what he wanted to do.
This is a good opportunity to refine it, killing two birds with one stone.
Thinking of this, he immediately bowed respectfully and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty's decision is fair and wise. I have no objection and thank Your Majesty for your leniency!"