Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1160 - 996: A Difficult Choice

In truth, Gu Chengyu and Prince Gong didn’t have much of a grudge against each other; it was just due to various past misunderstandings that Gu Chengyu harbored ill feelings towards him.Thus it is said, first impressions are of utmost importance. Gu Chengyu met Prince Gong at a village in the suburbs, where Gu Chengyu was nearly searched by Prince Jing, leading to some initial animosity between them.

Later, because Prince Gong’s nature was too ruthless, Gu Chengyu felt that if he were to become king, the people’s lives would inevitably be difficult.

But what about the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince was kind-hearted. If he ascended the throne, he might become a benevolent king, but what about the border?

Previously, Da Xing’s spies had already infiltrated Dayan. For what purpose, even a fool could understand.

Da Xing had long been coveting Dayan, and if the new emperor lacked resolve, he might not be able to contain those ambitious alien clans.

Gu Chengyu hesitated. Since arriving in this dynasty, it was the first time he felt the difficulty of making a choice.

Logically, as a minister, one must fulfill the Emperor’s dying wishes; this is the duty of a minister.

But Gu Chengyu also had to consider the greater good for Dayan. If the monarch was not wise, the people’s lives would certainly be hard, which is for the public.

For personal reasons, he also needed to choose a wise ruler to assist, for his future position in the court, and to elevate the Gu Family to become a leading scholarly family in the Capital. Thus, Gu Chengyu had to consider carefully.

After comparing Prince Gong and the Crown Prince in his mind, Gu Chengyu slightly closed his eyes, a frown forming on his brow.

"Sir! The hour is approaching!" Ming Yan came to the outer room to report to Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu suddenly opened his eyes, a determined light flashing in them. For him, indecision and wavering were only temporary; he would never allow himself to be irresolute.

Putting away the items on the table, Gu Chengyu rose and left the inner room.

"Go to the main courtyard!" Gu Chengyu took the lead and walked forward, instructing as he went: "Send a quick-witted one to my second senior brother’s residence; tomorrow the noblewomen will go to the palace to pay their respects. Ask Old Mrs. Wu of the Wu Mansion to look after my mother, and take my posting card with you, saying it’s my request."

Mrs. Lv was previously just a rural woman who, although served as a maid in Jiang Mingyuan’s residence for several years, was different from before, interacting with different people, and naturally had to relearn the rules.

Although Dumb Granny and Nanny Liang had excellent rules, servants were not allowed in the palace. To prevent his mother from becoming too nervous, Gu Chengyu naturally had to ask someone to look after her.

Wu An’s mother held the same rank as his own mother. When the time came, standing together, some matters might need Old Mrs. Wu’s guidance.

"Mrs. Liang had already sent someone to inform us before, saying she was worried that mother would be nervous on her first visit to the palace, so she asked Mrs. Wu to take care of her."

Ming Yan knew that his lord was concerned about his mother, so he quickly replied.

"Oh! As expected, Master Mother is very attentive, having already thought of this in advance." Gu Chengyu nodded, then strode toward the main courtyard.

"Madam, Master, Fifth Master is here!" The little maid at the gate quickly informed the inner room when she saw Gu Chengyu arriving.

"Servant January greets you, sir!" The little maid January curtsied.

"No need for formalities. Are Madam and Master still awake?" Gu Chengyu, hearing the name January again, couldn’t help but remark inwardly about his mother’s creativity in naming them.

Aside from Da Ya, Qingxia, Caiyun, and the other major maids, the rest were named after months, which was quite simple: January, February...

Allegedly easy to remember, but his mother often mixed up the names.

"Father, Mother!" Gu Chengyu quickly entered the inner room, finding Mrs. Lv and Mr. Gu fully dressed, sitting together, while Dumb Granny and Nanny Liang were taking turns teaching Mrs. Lv the rules.

Seeing Mrs. Lv, whose face had been worried, finally relax upon seeing him, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but feel a bit saddened.

Mrs. Lv was delighted that her son had finally returned and quickly interrupted the grannies’ admonishments.

With tomorrow’s visit to the palace, she was quite anxious, afraid of embarrassing Xiao Bao.

The etiquette and protocol for entering the palace had to be well-learned, especially since the Capital’s noblewomen would also be going to the palace to pay their respects.

If one didn’t understand the rules and offended someone, perhaps at the time it wouldn’t be an issue, but people would remember. Later, if anyone held a banquet and they met, it’d be a good time for revenge.

Moreover, although these people often said to maintain their poise, being wealthy women in the Capital, they naturally wouldn’t be as petty as market folk. Yet they were also women, prone to gossip by nature.

When it circulated around the various residences in the Capital, it would not only be Mrs. Lv’s reputation at stake but also Xiao Bao’s, even the Gu Family’s.

Support Mrs. Lv, and she heard her ask, "Xiao Bao, I heard from Ming Mo that you won’t be coming back for the next few days as you need to stay at the government office."

"Mother! Not just me, the officials of the Capital all have to stay overnight at the office these days. However, don’t worry, mother, I’ll be back in a few days. I’ve already made arrangements at home, so there’s no need for you and father to worry. In the next few days, as the noblewomen will be paying respects at the palace, Master Mother has asked Old Mrs. Wu to look after you. You don’t need to feel burdened; just cope as usual!"

Gu Chengyu could sense Mrs. Lv’s tension, which he understood. As a rural woman, she hadn’t encountered such grand events, and naturally, this first time made her nervous.

It seemed necessary to let his mother interact more in the Capital, to broaden her horizons.

The title of imperial noblewoman only extended to mothers and wives, so Mr. Gu, without any official title, wasn’t required to enter the palace.

But he did have some concerns about Xiao Bao’s future. The Emperor had passed so soon, it was truly a pity.

"Xiao Bao! With the Emperor’s passing, will your career become more difficult?"

Mr. Gu didn’t understand these matters, but he knew that Xiao Bao’s rapid advancements depended entirely on the Emperor’s favor.

Now that the Emperor had passed, who knew if the new Emperor would still value Xiao Bao?

Gu Chengyu chuckled, "Father, being an official has never been a smooth journey. But to have risen from a Secondary Sixth Rank to a Standard Fourth Rank in two years, do you really think I’ll fear that I won’t fare well in the future? Regardless of how the new Emperor views me, one’s career must be carved out independently. Father, Mother, please don’t worry! I will strive hard to ensure that you gain more honor and pride."

Hearing this, Mrs. Lv was instantly moved to tears.

Xiao Bao had never let them worry since he was young, but his sensibility also caused them heartache.

Mr. Gu echoed the sentiment with a firm nod, "For the Gu Family to have a descendant like you, it’s as if our ancestors have blessed us. No matter what the future holds, being a Standard Fourth Rank official already satisfies me! People shouldn’t be too greedy; they must understand that contentment brings happiness."

Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but laugh and cry simultaneously; hadn’t his father heard of demotions? Although he was currently a Standard Fourth Rank, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t be demoted in the future!

The world changes unpredictably, who knows what the future holds? Thus, Gu Chengyu reaffirmed the thoughts he just had.