Chapter 1340 - 1176: Can You Act as a Father on My Behalf?
Chapter 1340: Chapter 1176: Can You Act as a Father on My Behalf?
Gu Chengyu did not expect the Emperor to suddenly ask him such a question. He opened his mouth, originally intending to comfort the Emperor. But after meeting the Emperor’s resolute gaze, those high-sounding words could no longer come out.
"If Your Majesty collaborates with me on the acupuncture, perhaps you can last another three months!" Gu Chengyu paused for a moment and spoke the maximum timeframe.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor heavily gasped several times. "It seems this poisoning is like King Yan’s death warrant! In this world, nine times out of ten things do not go as one wishes. Even though you possess imperial power and wealth, so what? If King Yan wants you dead at midnight, you won’t be spared until dawn! It’s fate! What isn’t ours, cannot be kept by force!"
Listening to this, Gu Chengyu felt somewhat uncomfortable. Since entering the court, he realized that human desires are endless, and experienced the darkness and helplessness of officialdom.
He understood the Emperor’s implication; the throne was originally not his, he gained it, but ultimately could not keep it. However, who can say for certain in this world? If the Emperor did not strive and contend, perhaps he would have been dust long ago.
"Can the Eldest Prince’s eyes fully recover?" The Emperor’s weak voice recalled him, interrupting Gu Chengyu’s wandering thoughts.
"They are recovering. Although currently he can only see some hazy shadows, it’s much better than being completely blind before." Since he had administered Gu Chengyu’s medication, he naturally had to be concerned.
"Can they be completely restored?"
"I cannot make such a promise!" Gu Chengyu raised an eyebrow; how could he make such a guarantee?
"I trust you!" The Emperor turned his head to Gu Chengyu. The void in his eyes, like a frozen lake, suddenly rippled.
Gu Chengyu suddenly felt a lump in his throat; perhaps the Eldest Prince was the Emperor’s last hope.
"I do not have many days left to live, Gu Aiqing! This nation’s future can only rely on you to safeguard. I entrust the Eldest Prince to you; can you act on my behalf as his father?" The Emperor spoke with tears in his eyes, his gaze pleading as he looked at Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu looked at the Emperor in shock. "Emperor?"
"If I try my best, I can delay some days for Your Majesty. It’s not without hope. Why lose heart?" Gu Chengyu suddenly felt incoherent; he knew the Emperor had sent the Empress Dowager away, perhaps to arrange his affairs, but he did not expect the Emperor to trust him so profoundly.
"I know my own body; it’s already exhausted and broken. Why continue deceiving myself? Life is but a few short decades, now it’s merely ending sooner!"
The Emperor’s desolate smile silenced Gu Chengyu; at that moment, he felt further comfort was futile. To someone whose life is nearing its end, perhaps they could not hearken to his solace.
"The Empress Dowager is advanced in age and likely cannot care for the Eldest Prince for many years. The death of Father, the Prince Consort’s rebellion, my poisoning, Ye’s blindness—each blow has been immense for Mother. She can still hold on now only due to sheer willpower."
The Emperor coughed and wheezed a couple of times, struggling to sit up. Gu Chengyu quickly stepped forward to support the Emperor’s body, placing a cushion behind him.
"Jinyu! Do you think I’m utterly laughable? An emperor for merely three or four months, I’ll be a mockery in future record books!" The Emperor suddenly laughed softly, his tone full of self-deprecation.
"It’s not the Emperor’s fault!" Gu Chengyu gently consoled, actually feeling the Emperor was quite unfortunate.
Originally ascending the throne with a heart full of hope for good days to come. Who would have thought that before enjoying imperial power and wealth, the border would erupt into war, and even his own brothers would covet the throne?
It seems since the Emperor ascended, not a single day has been easy. Constantly on edge, worrying that his own brothers would pull him down from the throne.
One might say, being born into the Royal Family perhaps isn’t a blessing after all.
"Jinyu! Having your support is my fortune, I thank you!" The Emperor looked at Gu Chengyu and suddenly smiled brightly. He did not quite understand why Gu Jinyu, possessing such worldly talent, willingly remained subordinate.
Actually, he had many opportunities to replace him; with Gu Chengyu’s abilities, that was never in doubt.
Sometimes, he found Gu Jinyu’s character highly contradictory; he seemed to care deeply about power, eagerly wanting to climb higher. Yet his actions were exceedingly principled; if he truly harbored thoughts of rebellion, how could he or the others withstand him? But he never did.
Thus, he described him as highly contradictory—evidently unwilling to be beneath others, yet enduring daily rituals of bowing and kneeling. It seemed, even when he knelt, his indomitable spirit remained unyielding, never inviting disdain.
Gu Jinyu was a person he could not perceive clearly, an enigmatic individual.
"Your Majesty speaks too highly; this is merely what I should do." Gu Chengyu felt a little uncomfortable with the sudden sentimentality, truly unaccustomed to it.
"I thank you because you chose me earlier. Actually, one thing’s unclear—why did you remain indifferent to Prince Gong and Prince Jing’s attempts to win your favor, yet chose me? It’s what I always wanted to ask."
The Emperor slightly closed his eyes, feeling somewhat weary.
"Because of Your Majesty’s inherent goodness. Regardless of how you rationalize for your kindness and softness, that is your nature. Take Master Liao Wu’s matter, were you truly seeking a good reputation by allowing him to become a monk? When you were a Prince, they schemed against you. Why show leniency repeatedly? Whether you admit it or not, you are fundamentally benevolent, just reluctant to confront your inner self!"
Gu Chengyu smiled slightly; this was why he chose Zhao Dun. Even when the Emperor passed away, Zhao Dun’s performance brought some disappointment, but he ultimately persisted.
He had considered replacing the Emperor, yet he was inherently a lazy person, and living as an Emperor was no easy task. He entered the officialdom through examinations for two reasons: his mother and the protection of his family, nothing more.
"Inherent goodness?" The Emperor opened his eyes, looking at Gu Chengyu with some confusion. After a moment, he sighed.
"Father truly knows how to name; Zhao Dun—’Dun’ signifies thickness. Perhaps from birth, Father never intended for me to inherit the throne?"
Born of the Central Palace, named ’Dun,’ whereas the eldest son, born out of wedlock, named ’Xian’—it’s evident how much hope he placed in him.
"Regardless of the late Emperor’s intentions, it’s now you sitting on the throne!" It seems the Emperor harbored resentment about not being designated heir by the late Emperor, especially being birthed by the Central Palace; the distress was palpable.
"These past few days, my body hasn’t been well. Spend more time with Ye for me! I hear from Pang Chu he really likes you. In future, you’ll need to care for him more."
The Emperor’s voice weakened considerably, indicating his body was extremely fatigued.
"I will." Gu Chengyu promised, knowing the Emperor was most concerned about Zhao Guangye.
"I am weary; you may withdraw!" The Emperor said feebly, prompting Gu Chengyu to promptly kneel in salute. There was still a chaos awaiting him at the Dali Temple! The matter of the Emperor’s poisoning must be promptly investigated.