Chapter 856 - 859: Seizing Love

Chapter 856: Chapter 859: Seizing Love

Gu Ben Can had no idea he had just narrowly escaped a scolding. He looked at them with excitement and asked, "Father, Mother, do you want to go into the mountains with me to take a look?"

Jin Qianqian knew that Gu Wenheng had a lot of matters to handle these days, so she immediately refused. "Go find your brother for a walk. Your father is busy."

Hearing this, Gu Ben Can didn’t pester them. "Then I’ll go find my brother. He was just asking me about it a few days ago..."

Gu Wenheng watched him run off in an instant and said with some dissatisfaction, "He’s forgotten all the etiquette he learned again."

"What’s the point of strict etiquette in this rural village?" Jin Qianqian said in annoyance. "It’s rare for the children to be able to relax, so don’t be so strict with him.

"They know how to behave appropriately depending on the occasion. They won’t make you lose face."

Gu Wenheng replied, "I didn’t mean anything else. I just want the children to pay a little attention, lest they become too wild to rein in or correct later. I didn’t expect to draw such a lecture from you.

"Madam, I must tell you in advance that I likely won’t be staying at home for much longer."

Jin Qianqian was already mentally prepared. "Did you receive news?"

Gu Wenheng nodded. "It’s news from the palace, so it’s highly likely."

This was also why Gu Wenheng felt frustrated. They were currently in their mourning period. He would be exempted from mourning to resume office, but as a family member, Jin Qianqian would still have to stay home to observe the mourning period, whether for the sake of her own reputation or for the children’s future.

Jin Qianqian let out a long sigh. "I had already guessed this would be the outcome, so it’s not too hard to accept.

"It’s just that the court is currently divided into several factions. You’ll inevitably be dragged into it."

While they were still discussing the matter, the Holy Decree from the palace had already arrived in Fu County. Hu Dong, having received the news, immediately sent someone ahead to the village to notify them.

Gu Wenheng ordered people to prepare the incense altar and notified the clan members to respectfully welcome the Holy Decree at the village entrance.

The person who came this time was an old acquaintance. "Eunuch Yun, thank you for your hard work making this trip."

The former Little Yunzi, now Eunuch Yun, was very polite to Gu Wenheng. After all, Mr. Gu was one of the rare noble figures who had shown him kindness before he gained power. "Mr. Gu, congratulations!"

Even though Gu Wenheng already knew the underlying situation, he still put on a look of surprise. "Thank you for your auspicious words, Eunuch Meng."

He led the eunuch to the incense altar. After the Holy Decree was read aloud, everyone in the village learned that Gu Wenheng was exempted from mourning and appointed as the Minister of Revenue.

This was a joyous occasion for the entire clan and village. As Gu Wenheng received the Holy Decree with both hands, Eunuch Yun immediately helped him up. "Congratulations, Mr. Gu. You are the very first in our Rong Dynasty to receive such an honor."

Gu Wenheng took the opportunity to slip a purse into his hand. "Thank you for making this trip, Eunuch Yun. I have already arranged for wine and food to be prepared."

"I wouldn’t dare trouble you, Mr. Gu. I still have to return to report back on the Holy Decree. When Mr. Gu arrives in Shangjing, I will definitely visit your residence to ask for a cup of wine."

Naturally, Gu Wenheng didn’t insist. At this moment, Xu Dawang held out a tray with another purse on it. Gu Wenheng picked it up and placed it into the eunuch’s hand. "Please use this to add an extra dish for everyone on your return journey. Thank you all for your hard work."

Eunuch Yun was even more satisfied with this. He smiled and nodded. "On their behalf, I thank Mr. Gu for the reward."

After sending the imperial envoys away, Gu Sanbu walked over, supported by his children and grandchildren. His tone carried a hint of worry. "Now that you’ve received the Holy Decree, when will you depart?"

With the recent transition of imperial power, he didn’t know if being recalled from mourning at this time was a good or bad thing. It looked like a promotion to a position of great power, but remembering the recent dismissal and property confiscation of the Chiefs of Staff of the three ministries, the joy Gu Sanbu felt upon initially receiving the Holy Decree had almost entirely dissipated.

Gu Wenheng smiled faintly and said, "I will depart tomorrow."

Shangjing.

For the past few days, the various estates in Shangjing had been discussing this matter. No one expected that after all the fierce competition, Gu Wenheng would be the one recalled from mourning to resume office.

Bai Jinglie swept everything off his table onto the floor in a fit of rage. They were both equally loyal to the Holy Emperor, so why did Gu Wenheng have such good fortune? His previous scheme against Gu Wenheng had failed, inadvertently allowing the Crown Prince to gain an advantage while secretly offending the Sixth Prince and the Xu Family. Before he could even recover from that setback, he received this bad news. How could he possibly resign himself to this?

"Marquis," Deng Meimei said with some worry. "Please calm down. Every new Emperor brings his own courtiers; this is perfectly normal."

However, those words seemed to pierce right into Bai Jinglie’s heart. "What a great ’every new Emperor brings his own courtiers.’ That’s exactly what I thought before! I figured that no matter how capable Gu Wenheng was, he wouldn’t rank highly with the new emperor.

"What’s more, after three years of Ding You, the Emperor would probably have forgotten who he even was.

"I didn’t expect him to be so lucky as to be exempted from mourning..."

This was what made him the most resentful. Back then, he had also done many things for the Supreme Emperor, but he was cast aside over a minor issue. Moreover, all of that had been caused by Gu Wenheng. Why should that man get to live so comfortably and smoothly?

Deng Meimei was aware of the grudges between them, but seeing Bai Jinglie so furious made her heart ache for him. "Marquis, you hold a noble title. Even if he occupies a high position, he still has to bow to you. Let’s not lower ourselves to argue with them."

"Are you talking about my empty title of Marquis Wu’an?" Bai Jinglie mocked himself. "Other than this title, what else does our estate have? Day and night, I think about submitting a memorial to request the conferment of a Princely Heir, but our title ends with me. By the time it reaches my son, he will be nothing more than a commoner. All of this is because of Gu Wenheng..."

Deng Meimei had never seen Bai Jinglie so filled with grief and indignation. Knowing that Gu Wenheng had truly provoked him this time, waves of distaste toward Gu Wenheng surged in her heart. However, what’s done was done. Bai Jinglie had no say in the Capital anymore. Because of her father’s past actions, everyone avoided them like the plague. With no one to turn to for help, they had absolutely no way to stop this.

Deng Meimei knew that saying any more comforting words would only be rubbing salt into Bai Jinglie’s wounds, so she could only stay silently by his side.

In the imperial harem.

The new emperor, Hua Zhang, was keeping Empress Dowager Zhou company. "Mother, can this Gu Wenheng truly ease the conflict between me and Imperial Father?"

Empress Zhou stroked the dragon robe on Hua Zhang’s body, reaffirming to herself once again that her son had indeed become the Emperor.

"You two have been arguing endlessly over these few positions," Empress Dowager Zhou said.

"I know the subordinates following you have always done their utmost, but everyone has selfish motives. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be constant disputes in the court.

"This man, Gu Wenheng, has always been highly regarded by your father. If he hadn’t been observing his mourning period, your father would have made arrangements for him long ago.

"Now that he has passed the throne to you, no matter how many thoughts he has in his heart, he won’t overstep you to make decisions.

"Sometimes, even fathers and sons have to guess at each other’s intentions, let alone in the Royal Family.

"It is true that you are now the Emperor, but don’t forget that the Supreme Emperor is still above you, and your brothers are watching you like prey.

"Gu Wenheng has always been on good terms with your uncle, and he is extremely capable himself. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have repeatedly received praise from both your father and your uncle.

"By taking the initiative to give the position in the Ministry of Revenue to Gu Wenheng, you are doing exactly what your father wishes. Why bother being at odds with him over this?"

"Mother," Hua Zhang said. "I am now the Emperor. If Imperial Father continues to interfere like this, how am I supposed to face the courtiers in the future?"

At the end of the day, he still minded the fact that Hua Shunming had not completely let go of his power, which left him feeling somewhat constrained.