After a few days, Luoyang.
It was early morning at this moment, and there were few pedestrians on the street. However, the two young men had already stood outside the Taiwei Mansion's gate.
It was not yet time for office, so the gate of Taiwei Mansion was also tightly shut.
Xun Can's expression was anxious, standing by the side of the gate of Taiwei Mansion, pacing up and down helplessly. He would often stop to look at the gate and then look up at the height of the sun.
Fu Gu beside him saw the situation and said, "Fengqian, don't be anxious. Just wait a moment more; they will open the gate soon. Then we will naturally know the outcome. Pacing around here is of no use anyway."
Xun Can heard these words and stopped pacing. He sighed and said, "I received news yesterday, so I came to the Taiwei Mansion's gate today to wait for the result."
"Second brother and clan brother have died in the imperial prison, and the scene is too horrific to describe. Although last month the women and children at home were released, after all, there is no result at present."
"Brother Lanshi, do you think I am not anxious!"
"At home, my eldest brother has passed away. The remaining two brothers are still in the imperial prison, and Fu Gu cannot think of anything to comfort me at this moment."
However, Fu Gu was also deeply moved.
Last year, when Xun Can first came to Luoyang from Yingchuan, he had a public debate with Fu Gu at the gate of the Taixue Academy. His thoughts were swift, and his oratory was skillful, causing many scholars to vie for his friendship in a short period.
Even He Yan, who was renowned in Luozhong, had visited Xun Can many times.
Many scholars from the Taixue Academy, such as Xiahou Xuan, Sima Shi, and others, had been quite close with Xun Can for a time.
But after the disaster befalling the Xun family, these people vanished completely.
Only Fu Gu remained friendly with Xun Can and accompanied him to the Taiwei Mansion this time.
Fu Gu boasted that he was the descendant of Fu Zhuyi, who always remained friends with others until the end, how could he go away because of difficulties!
Xun Can was highly intelligent and of course knew the value of Fu Gu's companionship over these days. However, with the crucial matter at hand, Xun Can had no mind to express his gratitude to Fu Gu.
After waiting for a long time, an middle-aged official walked out of the Taiwei Mansion and walked straight towards the two of them.
The middle-aged official glanced at the two of them, and then asked, "Which one of you is Xun Can?"
Xun Can took a deep breath and said, "I am Xun Can, the son of Lord Xun."
Hearing the words "Xun Lingjun," the middle-aged official frowned slightly, and then pointed to the door inside and said, "Your Xun family's case was resolved yesterday by the Taiwei and Sir Li Shuai."
"Come, follow me and let's go see Lord Gao, the Taiwei. Remember to observe proper etiquette."
Xun Can hurriedly bowed and was about to walk in, but Fu Gu stopped him.
Just as he took two steps, Xun Can's outer robe was pulled by the middle-aged official. The man looked displeased and said, "I just said to remember proper etiquette. How could you be so impolite? Just follow me obediently!"
Xun Can stood awkwardly and had to follow the middle-aged official inside. Just as they reached the interior, the middle-aged official turned back to look at Fu Gu.
"Who are you? The Taiwei summoned Xun Can. There must be no others present!"
Fu Gu, who had long been known as the "god-child" in Luoyang, was not a man without courage. Hearing the official's words, he bowed solemnly and said, "I am Fu Gu, a scholar from Taixue. The emperor praised me personally during his lecture at the academy."
"I am merely accompanying Xun Fengqian to pay respects to Lord Gao. What makes you object?"
The middle-aged official hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "Alright, alright, come along as well."
Gao Rou had already begun to handle official business. Upon hearing that Xun Can and a scholar named Fu Gu were coming, he immediately summoned them into the hall.
After seeing Gao Rou, Xun Can immediately bowed down and kowtowed: "Xun Can pays respects to Lord Gao. This time, my elder brother was in trouble, and I thank you, Lord Gao, for taking care of him."
Gao Rou faintly sighed and said, "Fengqian, get up. I actually cannot accept your bow."
Xun Can, with a hint of choking in his voice, stood up while saying, "I have heard that when my brothers were put into the imperial prison that day, Lord Gao waited outside the prison personally. This favor I shall never forget."
Gao Rou said, "At this point, it's not what I wanted to see either. I remember when I last saw you, Fengqian, you were not even ten years old, right?"
Xun Can said, "At that time, Lord Gao was the magistrate of Yingchuan. Our Xun family would not have been taken care of without your help."
Gao Rou shook his head: "Fengqian, you must know that the court's decision on this matter is that Xun Huan and Xun Gong committed treason. Xun Huan died of illness in the imperial prison, and Xun Gong committed suicide out of fear. This has been decided without dispute. Do you understand?"
Xun Can silently nodded, as if waiting for some form of judgment.
Gao Rou was holding the judgment against the Xun family in his hand, but thinking of Xun Yu's former appearance and demeanor, he couldn't bear to read it out for a while.
Gao Rou glanced at the man next to Xun Can: "I just heard the official say that you are Fu Gu, right? Are you from Beidi?"
Fu Gu bowed and said, "I am Fu Gu from Beidi."
Gao Rou nodded and said, "Fugan is your relative?"
Fu Gu replied, "Lord Taiwei, Yancai is my clan uncle."
Gao Rou said, "In my days as a Cang Cao ju (official in charge of grain) under Emperor Wu's Viceroy, I was a colleague of Fu Yancai. In the future, if you have any troubles, you can come to my residence."
Fu Gu bowed and said, "Thank you, Lord Taiwei. I understand."
After a few words of small talk, Gao Rou had no choice but to announce the verdict against Xun Can.
Gao Rou looked at Xun Can and said softly, "According to the law, Xun Huan and Xun Gong committed the heinous crime of rebellion, which requires the involvement of their families."
"However, I, together with the Circuit Commandery Official, have reported to the emperor and asked for mercy. Considering Lord Xun's past achievements, we have preserved your families and only deprived them of their wealth and spared your male children from death."
"But your brothers Xun Shen, Xun Yin, and your nephew Xun Huan's two sons Xun Han and Xun Bo, as well as yourself." Gao Rou paused and then said, "You are to be banished to Liuchuang, and if the imperial pardon is not granted, you shall not be returned."
"Fengqian, do you understand?"
Fu Gu widened his eyes in disbelief. Such accusations and punishments were actually announced face-to-face?
However, on the side, Xun Can's face was pale white, but he remained calm and composed. He bowed and said: "Xun Can thanks Lord Gao for his great kindness."
"May I ask, Lord Gao, where in Liangzhou are we to go?"
Gao Rou said, "Fengqian, the place where you are to be banished is Linqiang County, Xiping Prefecture. We will set out tomorrow."
"The officials escorting you are from the Taiwei Mansion. You don't have to worry about anything along the way. When you arrive in Linqiang, I will also find someone to take care of you. Of course, Liangzhou is already a remote place, and Xiping Prefecture is just newly pacified."
"Compared to Henan, that place is certainly inferior. But at least your lives are safe."
Xun Can said, "Lord Gao, I understand. Knowing that our lives are safe is indeed fortunate."
After exchanging a few more words, as Xun Can and Fu Gu were about to leave after bowing their respects, they were almost at the door when Gao Rou called out to them again.
Gao Rou looked solemnly at Xun Can and said, "Fengqian, do you know the story of Han An Guo?"
Xun Can nodded: "Lord Gao is referring to the phrase 'reigniting dead embers,' right? Xun Can remembers."
