Gu Chengyu is currently just a minor official. De’an is actually showing him a bit of courtesy because of the Emperor’s favor.
Seeing that Gu Chengyu has just earned the Emperor’s favor but hasn’t shown it on his face, De’an couldn’t help but nod silently. This Mr. Gu is young, yet he manages to keep his composure.
"Mr. Gu is truly young and promising, with boundless prospects!"
Hearing these words, Gu Chengyu carefully observed De’an’s expression, noting that it did not seem sarcastic, but rather suggested a desire to befriend him. He couldn’t help but mutter to himself that the Emperor’s favor today has indeed caught the eye of even the Chief Eunuch.
He wondered if this was good or bad; he was already attracting a lot of attention. With today’s turn of events, surely those with ulterior motives would focus on him. Officials from Xia Qing’s faction are bound to act against him.
Previously, under Zhang Hai’s disfavor, he lived rather miserably as people only cared to watch him flounder. But now, with the Emperor pushing him into the spotlight, how could those people rely stand by and let him enjoy his success?
It seems he must be cautious in the coming days. Nevertheless, he does not fear the impending troubles; he will handle soldiers with generals and water with soil.
As for the Emperor’s intentions, he has a notion. Perhaps the Emperor wants to uplift him to challenge Xia Qing. However, the Emperor is not yet aware of his true talents and strategic capabilities and naturally needs to observe him to see if he can assu major responsibilities.
The reason for not choosing those from aristocratic families might be because his foundation is weak and hence easily manipulated.
Thus, he must carefully think about how to deal with Xia Qing’s pawns. This is the first test given by the Emperor.
For the Emperor, candidates to oppose Xia Qing can be replaced at any ti. If he doesn’t demonstrate real abilities, the Emperor will naturally abandon him and find a new target, leaving him to beco a casualty in this political struggle.
Although this was Gu Chengyu’s speculation, he felt eighty percent confident that his reasoning was correct. Otherwise, it couldn’t explain the Emperor’s consistent concern for him.
Despite talents and youth owning so part of this advantage, these conditions might entice the Emperor to favor him, yet the one-on-one etings, pleasant conversations, and even bestowing the Four Treasures of the Study seed excessive.
The Dayan Dynasty is not lacking in talent, but these do not help in surviving in officialdom. Haven’t you seen that none of those high-ranking court officials ca from Champion Scholar backgrounds? They are all Advanced Scholars ranked later in the Imperial Examination.
Though Champion Scholars are certainly talented, they eventually fade into obscurity among the crowd. From this, it is seen that within the court, talent is rely embellishnt!
Thoughts whirled in Gu Chengyu’s mind; despite entertaining various ideas, it all happened within the blink of an eye.
He looked at De’an, who smiled at him, and hurriedly replied modestly, "Eunuch Chen, you flatter . I’m just a small official of the Secondary Sixth Rank. Being summoned by the Emperor was an unexpected honor. I didn’t realize the Emperor would empathize with officials and gift the Four Treasures of the Study. Eunuch Chen, please don’t tease , or else people might mistakenly think I’m arrogant."
Gu Chengyu appeared embarrassed, feeling rather uneasy with De’an’s complints.
Yet he thought to himself, "Is the promise of boundless prospects sothing to discuss now? It’s just a private audience, receiving the Four Treasures of the Study."
These were used when he composed lyrics earlier; naturally, the Emperor would not use items once he had used them. It was ordinary to reward him casually, or else they would be thrown away or given to servants, which would be wasteful.
While De’an praises him, he cannot but remain humble; boundless prospects, indeed! Promotion and wealth are still far off!
"Mr. Gu, you are too modest. The Emperor said he wants to talk to you often!" De’an smiled, then noticed Xiao Quanzi coming out from the Imperial Study Room.
His expression turned slightly peculiar, he paused and called out "Xiao Quanzi!"
Xiao Quanzi hurriedly greeted them, "Mr. Gu, the Emperor asked to escort you back to the Hanlin Academy."
Both Gu Chengyu and De’an were a bit surprised; Gu Chengyu promptly responded, "Then I must trouble Eunuch Quan!"
Gu Chengyu speculated that the Emperor might have instructed Xiao Quanzi inside and was letting Zhang Hai handle his involvent in the compilation of the Dayan Code, hence asking Xiao Quanzi to escort him back to the Hanlin Academy. Since it was the Emperor’s mandate, Gu Chengyu could not possibly decline.
After parting ways with De’an, Gu Chengyu and the others headed towards the Hanlin Academy.
De’an watched their backs and his gaze flickered, letting out a cold humph. Xiao Quanzi has been skillfully seizing opportunities; the Emperor frequently assigns him tasks, and De’an feels his status is about to be challenged. This ti, he tid it right and attached himself to Mr. Gu, but what is Xiao Quanzi up to?
De’an took one last look at their backs, then flicked the dust from his hands, bent his waist, and turned back towards the Imperial Study Room.
Holding the Four Treasures of the Study bestowed upon him, Gu Chengyu walked along with Xiao Quanzi. With these imperial gifts, those who intended to hinder him should reconsider. Although he might be in the spotlight and used by the Emperor as a pawn to hold Xia Qing in check, Gu Chengyu is also fearless.
Being used, so what? That just indicates he still has value. Who among these court officials is not utilized? Are they not all serving the Emperor?
Learning martial arts and literary accomplishnts to serve the Emperor’s family is the ultimate goal for most scholars. While there are indeed those who are indifferent to fa and fortune, he is not one of them.
"Xiao Quanzi also wishes to congratulate Mr. Gu on receiving the Emperor’s reward. The Emperor values Mr. Gu greatly; your promotion is just around the corner!" Xiao Quanzi congratulated Gu Chengyu with a slight bow.
"Thanks for your kind words, though, unfortunately, I have just entered Hanlin, promotion is still quite far off!" Gu Chengyu quickened his pace as he looked ahead at the buildings of the Hanlin Academy; the hour when duties finish was approaching.
"Mr. Gu, it’s fine to call Xiao Quanzi instead. Calling Eunuch Quan feels unnecessarily distant; Xiao Quanzi is more hospitable." Xiao Quanzi knew that Mr. Gu was surely going to receive the Emperor’s favor and wasted no effort in trying to build rapport.
"I mustn’t do that; Eunuch Quan is indeed the Emperor’s trusted one!" Gu Chengyu did not recall having such a good relationship with Eunuch Quan, even if he wished to draw closer, they had just t for the first ti today, so he couldn’t rush.
Who knows if Xiao Quanzi was bought by another faction? Otherwise, why would he be so enthusiastic towards him? He certainly does not wish to unknowingly get entangled with any Prince. He has yet to decide which Prince to support, for now, he can only act as a Pure Minister.
He plans to interact more with this person in the future; if he finds that Xiao Quanzi is clean, then he could engage more frequently and facilitate things.
Xiao Quanzi hearing this did not insist, understanding it was natural for Gu Chengyu to be cautious as they were not familiar with each other before.
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