Chapter 792 - 794: Not Up to the Task
Chapter 792: Chapter 794: Not Up to the Task
Gu Wenheng had long known that the Emperor had planted people by his side. The other party also knew there was no hiding it, so they simply admitted it openly.
With those in the shadows stepping into the light, both sides could interact without any burden.
Clearly, those people were far more loyal than he had imagined. They allowed Hua Shunming, the Emperor thousands of miles away, to know everything about him like the back of his hand.
"I truly fear I am not competent enough to handle the affairs of the imperial court," Gu Wenheng said.
Hua Shunming replied, "Gu Aiqing, even if you hide in a remote border town, you cannot avoid the schemes and intrigues of the imperial court.
"I have no way back now. All I ask is your promise that, no matter the time, place, or circumstance, you will prioritize the Rong Dynasty and urge the new Emperor to be a wise ruler for the common people."
Gu Wenheng was speechless. This was simply the greatest dilemma in the world. He was but an ordinary man; the Emperor was surely overestimating him.
"Holy Emperor, I am a humble man whose words carry little weight. I fear I will fail."
Hua Shunming waved his hand dismissively. "Since I have made my decision, I will make the necessary preparations.
"You haven’t returned to your hometown in many years. I will give you half a month to go back and spend time with your elders. For a long time after that..."
Gu Wenheng instantly understood the unspoken meaning behind Hua Shunming’s words. In the days to come, he would likely be incredibly busy.
Seeing that he could no longer refuse the matter, Gu Wenheng tactfully withdrew from the Imperial Study.
Le San waited until Gu Wenheng left before entering the study to serve his master.
"Le San, you have accompanied me for decades. After I pass away, you should leave the palace."
Le San hurriedly dropped to his knees. "Holy Emperor, if I am still alive when that moment comes, your servant is willing to go to the imperial mausoleum to continue serving you, Master."
As the Emperor’s close attendant, Le San had long known that Hua Shunming had already arranged a way out for him. But as a solitary man, scraping by would be the same no matter where he went. He would rather go to the imperial mausoleum and continue guarding his master until the end of his days.
Hua Shunming looked at him and said slowly, "You’ve spent your whole life serving by my side, barely ever leaving the palace gates. I can no longer hope to go out and see my magnificent empire in this life, so you must go and look on my behalf. If we ever have the chance to meet again in the future, you can tell me all about it..."
Le San prostrated himself on the ground. His heart was filled with sorrow, yet he forced back his tears.
`「Later that day.」`
Gu Wenheng knew that they had only just arrived in Shangjing, yet there were already many prying eyes outside the mansion.
Since the Emperor had already spoken, and he himself intended to avoid these people, he packed a simple travel bag that very day and set off toward Fu County under the escort of his guards.
Zhou Shixiong received the news at his mansion and chuckled softly. "Brother Gu is still as willful as ever. I reckon some people will be losing sleep tonight."
"My lord, aren’t you on excellent terms with Mr. Gu? Should we go inquire about what the Holy Emperor discussed with him when he was summoned to the palace today?" Zhou Shixiong’s trusted aide’s eyes darted around as he spoke.
The spies they had planted in the palace hadn’t sent out a single piece of information, which was certainly not good news for them.
Zhou Shixiong cast a sidelong glance at him and said coldly, "Keep your subordinates in check and tell them not to bother Brother Gu.
"As for what decisions the Holy Emperor makes, that is not for us to question."
He knew that his subordinates had begun to grow restless as soon as news of the Emperor’s illness broke out.
Lately, there had always been people whispering gossip and rumors in his ear.
The temptation of kingmaking merit was too great, but they failed to realize that taking action now was worse than staying still.
Based on the plan he and the Empress had discussed, all they could do now was wait.
Over the years, they had also strictly adhered to their duties, never actively recruiting followers. If people willingly gathered around them, they wouldn’t refuse them either.
The two legitimate princes had maintained good reputations over the years, and the Emperor currently appeared to treat all the princes equally. There was no need for them to jump the gun.
However, some of the other princes were getting a bit too eager, making the people on his side antsy. This was just human nature.
Zhou Shixiong issued another warning before turning to enter his study to continue the day’s work.
`「Meanwhile.」`
Ever since his Ding You mourning period, Bai Jinglie had not returned to an official post. However, he hadn’t been idle either. He had opened several shops near Shangjing, which were enough to cover the expenses of the Marquis Wu’an Mansion.
It wasn’t as if he hadn’t thought about repairing his relationship with Gu Wenheng over the years, but the other party had consistently ignored his olive branches. After dragging on for so many years, the matter had simply faded away.
But what made him feel indignant was that the sea trade had now been taken over by someone else. Based on the personnel he had left behind, he knew the Emperor had been earning a massive daily income over the years. The new person’s abilities were clearly on par with his own, so it was no wonder he had been forgotten by the Emperor.
He had approached many people, hoping they would put in a good word for him in front of the Emperor, but the results were negligible.
Gu Wenheng had enjoyed a meteoric rise over the years and was deeply valued by the Emperor. Bai Jinglie had long wanted to visit him in person to apologize and ask him to put in a good word.
Yet, to his dismay, just as he was preparing an apology gift, he received news that the other party had already left Shangjing. The revelation left him sitting blankly in his study for the entire night.
Many other mansions were in similar situations. Yet at this moment, it was obvious that no one wanted to make the first move. They were all quietly waiting for news from the other families.
`「On the road to Fu County.」`
Gu Wenheng, whom everyone was fretting over, was currently sitting in a carriage with his nephew, with Jin Qianqian’s carriage following closely behind.
Gu Wenheng looked at Gu Lehuan, who had grown a beard. "You’ve done quite well these past few years, even accumulating your own family business."
Gu Lehuan patted his younger son’s head and smiled. "It’s all thanks to the blessings of you and our elders, Seventh Uncle. The nobles of Shangjing have all looked out for me to some extent."
Gu Yunan, however, shrank back beside his own father, cautiously eyeing this Seventh Granduncle whom his father was trying to please.
Gu Wenheng noticed the little boy’s furtive glances and waved him over. The little guy didn’t dare to move at first, so Gu Lehuan nudged him forward. "This is the Seventh Granduncle you’ve always wanted to meet. Hurry up and say hello."
"The little guy is a bit shy around strangers," Gu Wenheng said. "I just arrived in Shangjing yesterday and forgot to ask—how many children do you have now?"
Since Gu Wenheng had gone to the palace, he hadn’t seen Gu Lehuan and his wife at the mansion, so he truly wasn’t familiar with his current situation.
Gu Lehuan replied, "To answer Seventh Uncle, I currently have two boys. The eldest, Gu Yundong, is currently studying at the Gu Family School back home. He happens to be preparing to take the child student exam this time around."
Nowadays, the Gu Family School in Gaoling Village of Fu County had already made a name for itself. Over the years, many Scholars and scholars had continuously emerged from it, attracting many people who admired its reputation to study there.
As a member of the Gu Family, Gu Lehuan had sent his child back to study as soon as he reached school age.
"This little guy, Gu Yunan, will also stay at home this time when we go back, to study at the clan school alongside his older brother."
Gu Wenheng reached out and patted the child’s head. "When you have free time, you should go back more often to spend time with the elders at home. I haven’t been able to return for years. Is everything well at home?"
"It’s... mostly well," Gu Lehuan said.
Upon hearing this, Gu Wenheng sensed there was a problem. Regardless, there was still plenty of time on the journey back for him to inquire about it slowly.