Gu Chengyu placed the book back on the shelf. Since he had not yet t with Kuang Zhao Ying, it would be inappropriate to visit Ma Zhihong first.
Gu Chengyu rubbed his neck. Since Kuang Zhao Ying’s return was uncertain, he decided to take a brief rest.
Having made up his mind, Gu Chengyu glanced at the Imperial Concubine’s Couch in the room and walked over to it without hesitation.
"Is Mr. Gu inside? The Crown Prince requests your presence for a discussion!"
In a daze, Gu Chengyu heard sounds from outside the room, followed by Wang Zui’s inquiry.
He sighed. Great! Just when he thought he could take it easy, trouble found its way to him.
"Sir! The Crown Prince has sent soone to summon you to the Eastern Palace for a discussion!" Wang Zui entered the room and saw that Gu Chengyu was already up and arranging his clothes.
When he entered earlier, he found Mr. Gu had fallen asleep. But he did not dare to disturb him, so he quietly left.
At the ti, he was inwardly grumbling that Mr. Gu was so nonchalant. Being kept waiting by Lord Kuang for so long, yet he remained quite unfazed.
Should this be called nonchalance? Or was it confidence that when Lord Kuang returned, he would surely see him?
It wasn’t long before an eunuch from the Crown Prince sent word that the Crown Prince wanted to see Mr. Gu, and imdiately Wang Zui felt reassured.
In fact, before this, Wang Zui had also heard of the deeds of this renowned official. Who in the court didn’t know Gu Jinyu? In court, Mr. Gu had quite a reputation.
He suddenly rembered that Mr. Gu seed to hold two positions. Not only was he the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, but also the Chancellor of the Chamberlain’s Office, not to ntion that his teacher was the Crown Prince’s Master!
Wang Zui smacked his forehead. Mr. Gu was so capable that even the Crown Prince appreciated him greatly. Not to ntion, he was a favorite of the Emperor, so he really needn’t worry about Lord Kuang’s neglect.
As Gu Chengyu was tidying his attire, Wang Zui naturally approached to assist, but Gu Chengyu was taken aback and imdiately brushed aside his hand.
First, he wasn’t accustod to being so intimate with strangers; second, Wang Zui was ultimately not his follower, but just a clerk doing tasks for him.
Treating him this way and ordering him around was akin to treating him like a servant, wasn’t that deaning? He was, after all, a scholar, how could he be tasked with such trivial errands?
"I shall return shortly!" Gu Chengyu thought the Crown Prince had called him probably regarding the Jiangnan disaster relief and the guild matters.
"Oh? So it’s Mr. Pang. It’s been quite so ti. Mr. Pang looks as graceful as ever. Your personal visit to deliver a ssage is indeed a great honor for !"
As Gu Chengyu stepped out, he saw Pang Chu waiting outside the door. He imdiately put on a smile.
Although it was already autumn, the autumn heat was still quite fierce, only that it was cooler in the early mornings and late evenings.
At this mont, the other party was standing under a large pine tree to cool down, waving his large sleeves and fanning his face hard.
Even the duster he usually swung around with his right hand now limply hung in the crook of his arm.
"Ah! Mr. Gu, you’re really too polite. That I could co to deliver a ssage is my honor, isn’t it?"
Pang Chu barely held up a smile. Just a short while, and already his face was slick with sweat.
Gu Chengyu found it amusing. This Pang Chu was really afraid of the heat. It seed staying in a room with ice basins had made him pampered.
"You know I’m plump, it’s hard to stay outside for long, should we be on our way?" Pang Chu smiled and made a gesture to proceed.
Gu Chengyu smiled lightly and walked forward. Apparently, the als at the Second Prince Mansion were quite good.
How could the inner attendants beside other Princes look like string beans, while this one grew so plump? Could it be that the Crown Prince’s food had all been eaten by this one?
The two of them arrived at the Eastern Palace, with Pang Chu taking quick steps to keep up closely behind Gu Chengyu. Watching Gu Chengyu’s brisk pace, Pang Chu was full of complaints.
"This official, Gu Chengyu, greets the Crown Prince!"
The Crown Prince looked up from his morials, "Gu Shaoqing, you’ve returned from Jiangnan? This trip to Jiangnan must have been arduous for you."
Gu Chengyu quickly said he dared not, "Your Highness overpraises. Relieving the Emperor’s worries and easing your concerns are indeed this official’s duty."
The Crown Prince put aside the morials in his hand, then stood up and looked out at the lotus pond, which had begun to wilt.
"I used to think being the Ninth Five-Year Sovereign, my father was the most honorable person in the world. Not that he acted on personal whims, but many things he could decide for himself. However, after my father fell ill so ti ago, and I temporarily managed state affairs, I ca to realize that being an Emperor cos with many frustrations."
Gu Chengyu raised an eyebrow. Was this a genuine sentint expressed after serving as regent? However, to him, it seed like re whinging and pretentiousness.
Who in this world can truly do as they please? An Emperor, in fact, is far better off than ordinary people, at least he doesn’t have to fret daily over making a living.
Moreover, even if being Emperor was exhausting, leaving one fatigued and weary, would the Crown Prince relinquish the forthcoming imperial throne? Would he let another brother ascend the throne?
The answer was no. Even knowing how difficult it was to be Emperor, perhaps dying young, yet these Princes still flocked to it.
Who could give up such supre power? Watching those officials prostrate at their feet, surely the imperial heart swelled with a sense of indescribable satisfaction.
"The Emperor manages affairs tirelessly, naturally it is tiring. The capable do more for the nation and its people; the Emperor and you are duty-bound."
Gu Chengyu chose a couple of official-like words. He surely couldn’t suggest that if the Crown Prince felt overwheld, perhaps soone else should take his place?
The Crown Prince turned to look at Gu Chengyu and, seeing his serious expression, smiled a little.
Luckily, maybe the Crown Prince was tired from handling morials, or perhaps angered by so disobedient court minister. After a brief sigh of emotion earlier, he naturally changed the subject.
"This ti, the disaster relief in Jiangnan was handled well. You didn’t let the situation’s harm escalate and controlled its developnt in a short ti. You deserve great credit."
The Crown Prince, speaking of this, couldn’t help but show a slight smile. He had confidence in Gu Chengyu’s capabilities.
"Your Highness overpraises. Mr. Hu also contributed a lot; it’s not solely this official’s accomplishnt." Gu Chengyu dared not claim all the credit, for Hu Maoshen indeed contributed much and couldn’t be denied his due recognition.
"Mr. Hu’s contributions are well understood by the court!"
"Your Highness, I heard the Emperor has been unwell lately; I wonder if he has recovered now?"
Gu Chengyu had just returned to the capital and was hoping for an audience with the Emperor, so naturally, he expressed concern about His Majesty’s health.
"He suddenly fainted before but regained consciousness shortly after being taken to the sleeping quarters, and now he’s fine. But the Imperial Physician advised him to rest more, saying he’s been overworked."
Gu Chengyu nodded. These Imperial Physicians say nothing else but this. The Emperor clearly placed great trust in that Tianji Taoist, and the physicians had no evidence to suggest otherwise.
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