Chapter 842 - 845: Speculation
Chapter 842: Chapter 845: Speculation
With all the recent upheavals in the royal court, Gu Wenheng found the scene incredibly familiar.
"It seems our Holy Emperor intends to stir things up one last time before his reign comes to a successful close.
"He is willing to bear the infamy himself, all to leave a clean and stable court for the Crown Prince. It is quite remarkable that he possesses such a loving father’s heart." Gu Wenheng smiled at Jin Qianqian as he read the incoming report.
Jin Qianqian paused her brush, having finally finished copying today’s scriptures.
"It might not necessarily end in infamy. It all depends on how the scholars wield their pens.
"Just watch. If it’s merely a minor squabble, it won’t make waves. But if there are a few major instigators involved who have embezzled massive amounts of wealth, and if the situation is handled well, future generations will sing his praises."
Jin Qianqian didn’t believe for a second that Gu Wenheng hadn’t already seen through this. Since he was willing to strike up a conversation to give her an excuse to rest, she gladly took the opportunity to set her brush down.
"Are you saying that with his shrewdness, he has sniffed out something unusual going on?" Gu Wenheng knew full well that Hua Shunming was not the type to act without a clear motive. He just didn’t know who had the audacity to commit crimes right under the Emperor’s nose.
"Hah. The current royal court is filled entirely with officials he personally promoted, which just proves that he isn’t the best judge of character," Jin Qianqian said. "Haven’t you been collecting a lot of information on them over the years? Why not take it to the two boys and analyze it with them? See who stands to benefit from this incident and who will disappear from the court.
"Or perhaps the National Treasury is short on silver again, and our Emperor wants to return to his old tricks."
Gu Wenheng remained seated without moving. "What’s the point of discussing it with those two? They’re too soft-hearted, one even more so than the other. Sometimes I barely get a single sentence out before they hit me with seven or eight questions.
"Even though I know they’re doing it on purpose, I still have to patiently explain everything to them just to maintain my image as a loving father."
Jin Qianqian didn’t buy his excuses for a second. So, his earlier praise for the Emperor’s ’loving father’s heart’ had been a setup for this very moment.
"A loving father? I haven’t seen any evidence of that. What I have seen is you and your two sons taking turns coming to me to complain about each other." Sometimes, Jin Qianqian felt that Gu Wenheng having free time wasn’t necessarily a good thing. With the three of them grouped together, her quarters had practically devolved into a grievance filing center.
Gu Wenheng had been busy handling matters today and had no idea that the two boys had already paid her visits earlier.
"Those two brats were faster than me," Gu Wenheng grumbled. "It seems I really am not suited to teach them personally. I never heard them complain this much about their previous tutors."
"That’s because you demand too much. You’re too desperate for your sons to become exceptional," Jin Qianqian pointed out. "A tutor only serves to instruct. They would never place the same overwhelming demands and sky-high expectations on the boys as you do.
"When you compare the teaching methods and tones between the two, do you really think the children can adapt to yours all at once?" Jin Qianqian occasionally sat in to listen to their father-son debates.
From an outsider’s perspective, Gu Wenheng probably hadn’t even realized that his attitude toward teaching his own children was entirely different from how he taught his nephews. He was not only much stricter but also held them to a significantly higher standard.
Gu Wenheng genuinely hadn’t considered this. He rubbed his nose, feeling a bit guilty. "Is it really that bad?"
Jin Qianqian gave him a look that told him to figure it out himself. "Don’t you already know the answer in your heart?"
"Then... how about you take over?" Gu Wenheng asked.
He was still feeling rather guilty and couldn’t help but wonder if he was truly unsuited for teaching.
"I was planning to do exactly that," Jin Qianqian said. "Especially with Luo Luo. Even if he pursues an official career in the future, they still need to have some understanding of inner court affairs.
"I’ll have a few nannies take turns explaining things to them, so they can learn about the scheming that goes on within the inner estates."
"From now on, I’ll have them keep more attendants by their sides," Gu Wenheng said.
"It’s better to rely on oneself than on others." Jin Qianqian had always firmly believed in this principle. "You don’t want the rules you set down to eventually be broken by your own sons, do you?"
Over the years, she had heard plenty of stories about the various schemes in the inner courts of noble families. Sometimes, they were impossible to guard against. It was always better to prepare in advance than to panic when problems finally arose. These prestigious families were often the most difficult to deal with; one misstep, and the situation could spiral out of control.
Even Gu Wenheng would have fallen into countless traps by now if he hadn’t always been surrounded by attendants and possessed his own keen foresight. Because of this, no matter where he went over the years, he was always accompanied by at least three or four people, not to mention the hidden guards operating in the shadows.
Gu Wenheng suddenly stared at Jin Qianqian in a daze. Sensing his lack of response, Jin Qianqian reached out and tugged at his sleeve. "What are you daydreaming about?"
"I was thinking about giving the two boys a lesson, but it didn’t seem quite appropriate right now. We can save that for later," Gu Wenheng replied. "I just find it a bit strange. It’s been so long since I submitted my memorial requesting Ding You mourning leave, yet I still haven’t received a response.
"What do you think his intentions are?"
Recalling the second piece of information he had gathered, Gu Wenheng’s mind was filled with doubts.
Jin Qianqian held up her fingers. "First, your memorial was forgotten, though that is obviously impossible.
"Second, the Emperor is currently hesitating between approving it and invoking ’Duoqing’ to keep you in office during your mourning period.
"However, there is no valid excuse in the royal court to invoke Duoqing right now, yet he doesn’t want to lose a capable workhorse like you. He is caught in a dilemma."
"Is there no third or fourth reason?" Gu Wenheng asked with a smile. "I thought you held up your hand because you were prepared to count through all your fingers."
Jin Qianqian splayed her hand and waved it in front of him, smiling smugly. "I just wanted you to admire my hand. Isn’t it well-maintained? A pair of delicate, jade-like hands, right?"
Gu Wenheng caught her hand and played with it affectionately before replying, "It seems you haven’t skimped on using all that hand cream you collected. If they ever needed a hand model for an advertisement, you would be perfect. What a pity..."
Jokes aside, Jin Qianqian pulled her hand back and said seriously, "I actually think there’s a third possibility. He is waiting for the right opportunity. You probably won’t be enjoying your free time for much longer."
"Wife, let’s not be so pessimistic," Gu Wenheng said. "Perhaps there are just too many matters in the royal court right now, and he temporarily forgot.
"Ever since Emperor Shunming ascended the throne, he has never once invoked Duoqing. I don’t believe I’ll be the one to set the precedent.
"Even if the Emperor were willing, the courtiers wouldn’t allow it."
After all, every position in the court was highly coveted. When the Emperor summoned him back to Shangjing, many ministers had already started snooping around for information.
Given his rank, if he were to stay in Shangjing, he would be appointed to at least the position of Chief of Staff.
These high-ranking posts were all occupied. If the Emperor wanted to insert him into one, someone else would have to step down, and no one wanted to be that unlucky scapegoat.
Sensing the delicate atmosphere, Gu Wenheng hadn’t even visited his old friends. Using the excuse that he hadn’t seen his family’s elders in a long time, he hurried out of the capital. Otherwise, who knew how many pairs of eyes would be watching his every move.
To say something highly disrespectful, Gu Dashi passing away at this precise moment didn’t have nearly as huge a negative impact on him as the clan members believed. In fact, it might even be a blessing in disguise.
However, he could only let this thought briefly cross his mind. Even in front of Jin Qianqian, it was not something he could ever voice aloud.