Therefore, Gu Changwei concluded that Xie Chen had tortured Gu Siya.
However, despite his anger, he was powerless to do anything.
Xie Chen was now the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, while he was merely a fifth-rank official, and one without a specific position at that.
Most importantly, he had fallen out of favor with the Emperor.
Xie Chen, conversely, was a trusted confidant of Emperor Chongwen.
Thus, he could do nothing about Xie Chen. Da Feng Novel Network
"Siya." Gu Changwei called out softly, "If Father cannot save you, will you blame him? Your crime was personally decreed by His Majesty. So, unless His Majesty personally absolves you of your crime, then..."
Gu Changwei spoke with difficulty and a hint of guilt.
Gu Siya had not expected this outcome.
He desperately wanted to question Gu Changwei's uselessness, but Gu Siya knew that at this point, Gu Changwei was his only recourse.
Exile was not necessarily a grueling journey to an extremely cold region.
Moreover, even in extremely cold regions, the treatment varied.
"I know Father wants nothing more than for his son to be safe, and I know Father has endured no less torment than I have these past few days, and has made great efforts." Gu Siya appeared to understand Gu Changwei completely.
Although his previous words had been overheard by Gu Changwei.
However, over the years, he had mastered Gu Changwei, knowing exactly how to manipulate him.
The more sensible he acted, the more guilt Gu Changwei would feel, and the more guilt he felt, the better he would treat him.
As expected, after Gu Siya's words, Gu Changwei's expression grew even more ashamed.
"Rest assured, I will make arrangements with the yamen runners escorting you. That way, you will suffer less. I will also send people ahead to the far northern lands to make all the necessary arrangements for you. Three years, just three years, and it will pass quickly," Gu Changwei said.
"It pains me deeply that Father has to worry about his son," Gu Siya continued his pretense.
"You are my son; if I don't worry about you, who else would I worry about?" Gu Changwei also put on a doting father's demeanor.
"Your son will be well, and will serve his sentence properly," Gu Siya said.
Gu Changwei gently patted his shoulder. "If not for your grandmother's advanced age, I would certainly accompany you to the far northern lands. However, your grandmother is in poor health, and Father cannot easily leave the capital."
Could Gu Siya believe this?
It was evident that Gu Changwei, who always claimed to dote on him the most, only loved him to this extent.
"Regarding Grandmother, Father, please convey my regards. Your grandson is unfilial and has caused her worry. When your grandson returns from the north, he will personally attend to Grandmother." Gu Siya said.
"Very well, your father will surely convey your words," Gu Changwei replied.
The father and son, each with their own thoughts, performed a scene of filial piety. Finally, the sound of yamen runners was heard from outside; their visiting time was up.
Gu Changwei felt a sense of relief. He was actually unsure how to interact with Siya. Looking at Siya's face, he was reminded of the scene where Siya spoke with Xie Chen.
But after all, he was a child he had doted on for over twenty years, his own blood, and he could not bring himself to be completely heartless.
As Gu Changwei left, he saw Xie Chen.
He glared fiercely at Xie Chen.
This was because Xie Chen's gaze towards him was filled with amusement, as if Xie Chen could see through his every thought.
This feeling made Gu Changwei extremely uncomfortable.
"Xie Chen, don't get too smug. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river," Gu Changwei said through gritted teeth.
"Gu Changwei, your 'west of the river' has already passed," Xie Chen said meaningfully. Having gone smoothly until now, did he still think there was a chance for a comeback? Him? Someone who didn't cherish his wife, didn't cherish his own legitimate son, was he worthy?