Just as Gu Chengyu was feeling unsettled, the voice of Qian suddenly sounded outside the door.
"This official offers greetings to you all, my lords!" Qian shouted from outside to the four people inside the room.
Hearing this, Gu Chengyu was invigorated. It was coming!
He composed himself, smiled at Qian, and exchanged greetings like everyone else.
"I wonder what brings Mr. Qian to our place?" Ren Ge knew that Qian never ca without a reason; without sothing important, he wouldn’t be here.
"The Emperor has summoned Gu Xiu. I am just the ssenger, and Eunuch Quan is already waiting outside."
Since it was an imperial summon, Qian dared not delay, having no mind for networking with his superiors—business took precedence.
As soon as Gu Chengyu heard this, he suppressed his excitent, realizing his prediction was correct, and clutched the booklet in his sleeve. Gu Chengyu cald his mind, stood up, and walked toward the door.
Inside, the three left behind looked at each other, perplexed. Gu Chengyu truly seed favored by the Emperor. In less than half a month, the Emperor had summoned Gu Chengyu twice.
Watching Gu Chengyu’s rapidly retreating figure, Ren Ge suddenly felt the position of Assistant Reader was slipping away. Even though Mr. Zhang appreciated him and intended to recomnd him to the Ministry of Rites, he lacked both the connections and the wealth to lean on, relying only on Mr. Zhang’s favor!
Nonetheless, he shook his head. Mr. Zhang was upright, and since he had promised to recomnd him, Ren Ge shouldn’t worry. Yet, with the Emperor’s affection for Gu Chengyu, he couldn’t be sure if the Emperor might intervene in this matter.
Gu Chengyu, tall and long-legged, strode forward swiftly. Xiao Quanzi, a head shorter with shorter legs, naturally couldn’t match Gu Chengyu’s pace. Moreover, with matters on his mind, Gu Chengyu wished to reach the Imperial Study Room quickly. Thus, his fast pace troubled Xiao Quanzi.
As Gu Chengyu contemplated how to address the matter upon reaching the Imperial Study Room, he felt uneasy about letting credit he considered insignificant go to soone else unjustly.
Should Min Feng shalessly claim his credit, how could he expose Min Feng? Speaking bluntly would not work. The Emperor wasn’t aiming to take down Xia Qing but to make him and Xia Qing restrain each other. If matters were exposed outright, making Xia Qing lose face, the Emperor would be displeased.
"Mr. Gu! Please wait for !" Xiao Quanzi panted as he walked. Despite walking a lot daily, his short legs couldn’t keep up with Gu Chengyu’s long strides.
Hearing Xiao Quanzi’s voice from behind, Gu Chengyu finally rembered the little eunuch trailing him. Engrossed in thoughts, he’d truly forgotten about Xiao Quanzi.
"I apologize, I was preoccupied with thought and walked too fast!" Gu Chengyu stopped and waited for Xiao Quanzi to catch up.
Panting, Xiao Quanzi reached Gu Chengyu, scrutinizing him and noticing his amiable smile, which eased his mind.
"I must have delayed your matters, Mr. Gu, but unavoidably, with short legs like mine, you’ll always have to wait, no matter how urgent." Xiao Quanzi, having caught his breath, jested with Gu Chengyu.
"I was indeed preoccupied a mont ago, and hope for your forgiveness, Eunuch Quan!" Gu Chengyu apologized with a smile, glancing around to ensure they were alone.
"I wonder why the Emperor summoned . Eunuch Quan, are you inford?" Gu Chengyu asked straightforwardly, seeing no one around.
Last ti, Xiao Quanzi received his silver note, and they had established so rapport. Gu Chengyu knew that while Xiao Quanzi wasn’t as high up as De An, he was still favored by the Emperor.
Hearing this, Xiao Quanzi hesitated. He wasn’t on duty in the Imperial Study Room today. On his way here, he only asked a few questions to a little eunuch, who shared minor information.
Ascending to his position required discernnt, and upon hearing from the little eunuch that it involved the Book of Records and so outline, and seeing a slight smile on the Emperor’s face during the summon, it seed like a positive matter?
Even so, uncertainly, he didn’t want to make promises easily, causing him so difficulty.
"The Emperor summoned you likely for the Book of Records matter. Not being on duty in the Imperial Study Room today, I’m unsure. But fear not, Mr. Gu; the Emperor seed normal as ever."
When Xiao Quanzi went to take orders, the Emperor was discussing the Book of Records with Zhang Hai, appearing calm, which Xiao Quanzi naturally couldn’t decipher thoroughly.
Seeing Xiao Quanzi’s genuine expression, Gu Chengyu realized Xiao Quanzi truly didn’t know the details. Not wanting to overly indulge their demands, knowing their desires grow, Gu Chengyu refrained from offering benefits.
Based on Xiao Quanzi’s words, the Emperor’s summon seed related to the Book of Records. Lacking a strategy for the mont, he decided to assess the situation once in the Imperial Study Room.
When Gu Chengyu and Xiao Quanzi reached the Imperial Study Room, De An was already waiting. Seeing this reassured Gu Chengyu; was De An specially waiting for him? Not many among the court officials enjoyed such an honor, right?
"Mr. Gu! You’ve arrived; the Emperor has been anxiously waiting." Seeing Gu Chengyu and Xiao Quanzi approach, De An advanced a few steps to greet them.
Despite Gu Chengyu’s quick pace, De An’s words conveyed the reality of the Emperor’s eagerness. Plus, the Emperor was in a poor mood today, troubled by submissions, making difficult tis for those close in service.
"Sorry to have kept the Emperor and Eunuch Chen waiting!" said Gu Chengyu, offering a polite remark before following De An into the Imperial Study Room.
As the Emperor had instructed no prior notice upon Mr. Gu’s arrival, De An led Gu Chengyu directly inside.
Min Feng had only arrived shortly before Gu Chengyu. Seeing the Emperor also summoned Gu Chengyu weighed heavily on him.
"This official, Gu Chengyu, humbly wishes the Emperor well!"
Entering, Gu Chengyu didn’t acknowledge standing Min Feng and Zhang Hai, but after his formal greeting, he awaited the Emperor’s permission to rise.
"Rise, Gu Aiqing!"
Min Feng watched as the Emperor treated Gu Chengyu with such warmth, his eyes filled with genuine kindness differing from the superficial warmth received by Min Feng, causing him discontent.
It was truly a scenario where success and failure were intertwined: as Xia Qing’s disciple, Min Feng enjoyed privileges at the Hanlin Academy and a smooth career ahead but lost the Emperor’s favor. His future would be tied to Xia Qing.
"Thank you, Emperor!"
"I summoned you to discuss the Book of Records. Today, with Grand Scholar Zhang and Compiler Min here, you should hear their insights as well."
The Emperor gestured with the booklet in hand, continuing to address Gu Chengyu, "Co take a look. Compiler Min created this. I’ve found the outline quite detailed; have a look for yourself."
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