Chapter 1243 - 79: Changing the Era Name
Chapter 1243: Chapter 79: Changing the Era Name
"General He, the Empress is right inside this carriage. Please escort her back as quickly as possible. The Empress holds the highest status, to avoid mishaps during the escort, it’s best if General He personally escorts her, for greater security. I have urgent matters to attend to at the border, so I must depart immediately. We part ways here!"
He Chaoguang was still in shock, yet Gu Chengyu had already turned and walked towards his own carriage.
Life and death are predestined, wealth and status lie in fate. He had already reminded the other party; how the other decides to act is their own affair.
"Sigh~ The matter isn’t over yet!"
Gu Chengyu turned around, "The Crown Prince merely tasked me with rescuing the Empress; other matters are not for me to interfere in. Moreover, there are important duties at the border awaiting my attention, which cannot be delayed! This is not within my duty, General He, please exert yourself!"
"Let’s go!" Gu Chengyu ordered, and seeing the grave expression on his master’s face, Ming Mo said nothing further and immediately sped up the carriage once Gu Chengyu boarded.
Lu Chen approached Prince Gong, "Prince, everything is set up, when should we take action?"
Prince Gong gazed at the three distant carriages, "Wait a little longer!"
On this day, the sky still graced with light snow. Ming Yan carefully navigated the carriage; two consecutive days of snow had made the wheels slip, making travel difficult.
Gradually, the snowflakes thickened. The wintry gust scattered them through the bamboo hat, landing on Ming Yan’s face.
Ming Yan found it hard to keep his eyes open and couldn’t help but shout back into the carriage, "Master, the snow’s getting heavier, it’s hard to make out the road. There’s a small town ahead, why don’t we seek shelter from the snow?"
Gu Chengyu lifted the curtain; outside was a vast expanse of white. He sighed, lamenting the untimely weather. Although the relay station was some distance away, there was a small town nearby where they could shelter from the storm and decide further once the snow ceased.
"Let’s seek shelter in that town!"
Ming Yan received the command and quickly signaled the drivers to head towards the small town.
Due to the recent terrible weather, there were hardly any travelers at the city gate. Gu Chengyu didn’t present any papers; the carriage bypassed the queue and smoothly entered the town after paying a few copper coins.
After considerable effort, they finally found an inn on South Street. It wasn’t large but appeared clean enough. After several days of hurried travel, Gu Chengyu was feeling extremely fatigued.
"Waiter, select a few of your best dishes and bring them to our room!"
Ming Mo shouted, finding these days of travel truly exhausting.
"Aye! Right away, guests, please rest in your room, the food and drinks will be ready soon! Would you like us to prepare some hot water for you?" the waiter asked with a sycophantic smile.
He could see that the first gentleman entering wore splendid clothing, exuded an air of grace, and appeared as beautiful as a celestial being, undoubtedly a young master from a distinguished family.
If he catered to them well, the gratuities from just one guest could be worth more than his monthly salary.
"Of course! Hurry, don’t keep my master waiting too long!" Ming Mo was satisfied with the perceptive waiter and, after giving instructions, turned and went upstairs.
"Yes, yes! I won’t keep you and your master waiting long!"
The waiter looked enviously at Ming Mo ascending the stairs, observing how even the followers of this gentleman dressed better than the sons of local landowners.
Ah! Different fates for different people!
Gu Chengyu rubbed his forehead, recalling past conversations with Prince Gong. On that day, he didn’t leave any Hidden Guard and was unaware of the situation.
"Has the dispatched Ding Liu returned?" Gu Chengyu had sent Ding Liu to gather information, and considering it was a trip from two days ago, catching up should be feasible.
Since he last parted with Prince Gong, Gu Chengyu and his group hadn’t encountered Prince Gong’s troops again. He couldn’t ascertain the outcome of that day, so he had to dispatch someone to investigate.
It was uncertain whether they simply took different paths, causing them to miss each other, or if Prince Gong had been captured by He Chaoguang.
"Not yet! Our wandering path means relying solely on manpower for relaying messages. Though Ding Liu is swift, with this snowy weather, catching up will surely take considerable time."
A knock sounded from outside the door, "Come in!"
"Master, your hot water and meals are ready. Would you like to eat first or bathe?" the waiter asked, bowing deeply as if to touch the ground.
There was no helping it; though the master wasn’t old, he carried such authority.
Moreover, he had never seen someone so comely before. Speaking with him brought a sense of unease.
Gu Chengyu nodded; though his stomach growled, he had been sneaking quick combat showers when Ming Mo wasn’t looking. Today, with some leisure, he wished to soak and relax.
"Bring the water first!"
"Certainly! Just a moment, master, I’m fetching it immediately." Speaking with someone so comely made the waiter forget about future gratuities, utterly engrossed, eager to fetch the water to ease the gentleman’s weariness.
"Hold on!" Gu Chengyu reconsidered and called back the waiter.
"Anything new lately? Tell me about it!" Gu Chengyu glanced at Ming Mo, who promptly offered a piece of silver.
The waiter lit up upon seeing the silver; he knew such guests were exceedingly generous.
"Talking of novelties, the most noteworthy should be the new Emperor’s ascent!" The waiter stored the silver, grinning broadly.
"Oh!" He smacked his forehead, "You surely know that already; I was..."
Gu Chengyu’s heart tightened, "No worries, any piece will do. Go ahead!"
They had already traveled a considerable distance north, where the climate grew harsher. Naturally, the place was not as informed as the Capital.
Seeing their interest, the waiter, unaware of why they seemed ignorant, thought it better. Keeping the distinguished guests pleased might earn him more silver, so he eagerly began speaking.
"The new Emperor ascended just five days ago, as they say, ’A nation cannot be without a ruler for a day.’ It’s said that the Crown Prince couldn’t resist the ministers’ persuasion and finally ascended as Emperor. Though still in National Mourning, it shouldn’t hinder the Crown Prince’s ascension, right? Due to the mourning period, the coronation ceremony was postponed."
Enthused, the waiter discarded the rag from his shoulder and continued, "We’re a bit far from the Capital, the court’s decree reached here only the day before yesterday and is currently posted at the town’s gate!"
"You seem to be traveling from afar? Having missed this news during your journey, let me inform you! The court has changed the calendar! It’s now the Guanghui First Year, you’re fortunate to have asked me; saying otherwise later would spell trouble if the government learned of it!"