Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 603 - 439 Compliment

Walking towards the Imperial Study Room with Xiao Quanzi, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but feel emotional. How long had he been at the Hanlin Academy? He had already been summoned by the Emperor three times.

"Eunuch Quan! It seems we are truly destined, as you’ve been the one to summon me all three times, and you’ve had to make the journey on my behalf each time," Gu Chengyu said with a smile towards Xiao Quanzi.

Xiao Quanzi’s eyes narrowed into a line with laughter upon hearing this, and he quickly waved his hand, saying, "Mr. Gu, there’s no need for courtesy. I am simply acting on the Emperor’s orders to summon you, which is my duty, and I wouldn’t call it a burden."

Xiao Quanzi was quite young, at most sixteen or seventeen. His face was very fair, and his eyes and brows curved in a way that naturally made people take a liking to him.

Actually, Xiao Quanzi hadn’t mentioned that the first time he had been curious about this Mr. Gu and had volunteered to summon him.

The other two times, however, the Emperor specifically assigned him to do so, a privilege that rarely occurred among the court officials.

Eunuchs also have ranks, and someone of his standing certainly wouldn’t always be doing errands.

Indeed, like Chief Chen, apart from summoning officials above the Second Rank in the court, other officials wouldn’t have such qualifications.

"What has the Emperor’s mood been like these past couple of days, Eunuch Quan?" Gu Chengyu refrained from directly asking Xiao Quanzi why the Emperor was summoning him, knowing that it was a matter of the confidential memorials discussion that Xiao Quanzi was surely unaware of.

Xiao Quanzi smiled knowingly; this Mr. Gu was undoubtedly a diplomatic person, no wonder the Emperor liked conversing with him.

"Mr. Gu, the Emperor’s mood has somewhat improved recently, so there’s no need for worry."

Before coming, Xiao Quanzi had already observed the Emperor’s complexion and found it quite favorable, so he dared to offer reassurance.

Gu Chengyu pondered for a moment upon hearing this, it seemed the Emperor’s mood was indeed better; otherwise, Xiao Quanzi wouldn’t say such a thing.

Just a few days ago, the Emperor had been troubled by a memorial issue, yet over these past two days, his mood had improved—presumably related to the matter involving Chief Minister Xia.

Indeed, yesterday Xia Qing was sobbing bitterly in the court, even going as far as cutting off ties with his own family, and this had spread throughout the court.

However, Gu Chengyu and those in the same room like Ren Ge were still unaware of the specific details.

In this regard, Liu Zonghan in the Hanlin Academy had broader connections, but unfortunately, the rank of officials he knew were not high, so they still didn’t know the details of what happened just yesterday.

Gu Chengyu hadn’t gone to his senior brother’s place yesterday, so naturally, he was also unaware.

He had only heard that the clan members of Chief Minister Xia had embezzled a lot of Silver, which Xia Qing reported to the Emperor.

In truth, Gu Chengyu didn’t need to ask Yin Kun and the others to know that the amount of Silver must be significant.

All this Silver should be handed over to the National Treasury, and if one were to ask why Xia Qing would be so willing, it inevitably led to the empty state of the National Treasury.

Those Silver would conveniently bolster the Treasury, and how could Xia Qing be so selfless? It must have something to do with the Emperor.

And the catalyst for this was the matter of his memorandum, as he deduced from Min Feng being ordered to rest at home.

There had to be some transaction between the Emperor and Xia Qing, just as the Emperor was likely fretting over the empty state of the Treasury, and Min Feng and Xia Qing bumped into this situation.

This time, it seemed that Min Feng was fortunate, as the Emperor did not wish to escalate the matter further, and it was considered giving Xia Qing face; Min Feng likely would not face any more punishment.

As to whether Xia Qing would be implicated further due to his clan members’ actions, that was out of the question.

Since Xia Qing had gone this far, the Emperor wouldn’t press him further. In terms of the current court situation, someone like Xia Qing still couldn’t be moved.

So, this matter was more thunderous than actual, and while Xia Qing contributed to the National Treasury, the relationship between the Emperor and Xia Qing did ease slightly.

Having considered all the possible reasons for the Emperor summoning him and formulated strategies in his mind, Gu Chengyu went to the Imperial Study Room in a relaxed manner.

"Emperor! Mr. Gu is here!" Xiao Quanzi brought Gu Chengyu to wait outside the Imperial Study Room, while he himself went in to report.

Even if summoned by the Emperor, one couldn’t enter the Imperial Study Room without the Emperor’s permission. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Let him come in!" The Emperor lifted his head from the memorial, his tone gentle.

The Cabinet had finally returned to normal over the past two days, and those drafts had been quite useful, saving the Emperor a lot of effort.

However, when he thought about the confidential memorials, it seemed they needed to be implemented soon. Yet, these days he had been anxious about the Treasury, his mind agitated, unable to focus on such matters.

"Your Majesty, Gu Chengyu humbly pays respects and wishes for your health and peace!" Gu Chengyu entered the Imperial Study Room, as was customary, lifting his robes and kneeling in greeting.

He had more opportunities to meet the Emperor than others, but he also had to kneel more often.

"Rise!" Every time the Emperor saw this young fellow, his mood would brighten.

His Dynasty should indeed have more young officials like this, looking vibrant and energetic.

Seeing those familiar old faces every day, he had started to feel weary.

"Thank you, Emperor!" Gu Chengyu straightened up, respectfully lowering his head, looking at the floral carpet on the floor.

"Ah, Gu Aiqing! You speak of me being the Emperor yet burdened with so many troubles; being emperor never feels thoroughly joyful."

The Emperor tossed the memorial aside, rose from his chair, and strolled towards the window.

Gu Chengyu’s scalp tightened; it seemed the Emperor had worries again, and calling him meant he was likely to be asked to fulfill his promises.

If one asked about those promises, weren’t those well-said speeches about relieving burdens and dedicating oneself completely? The Emperor must be here to test the truth of his words.

"Being the Emperor of a nation, naturally you must labor for national affairs. It is often said that capable individuals do more work; for the good of the people and all under heaven, only the Emperor could be somewhat inconvenienced."

Gu Chengyu thought to himself, heh, if you became the head of a farming family, always going hungry, cold, and laboring daily, would you not find it bitter?

The Emperor laughed upon hearing this, this Gu Aiqing certainly knew how to speak. Capable people indeed do more work, isn’t that the truth!

"Gu Aiqing speaks right; I was not trying to complain, but my age is advancing, and often I find myself lacking strength."

The Emperor moved his gaze from outside the window to Gu Chengyu, seemingly waiting for his reply.

Gu Chengyu suddenly felt a chill, knowing the Emperor detested talk of his age, he certainly couldn’t agree with the Emperor’s words.

"Emperor! You are in your prime, strong and healthy, how could you be old? However, have you often felt fatigued and lacking in spirit recently?"

The Emperor unconsciously nodded his head, though deep down he knew it was due to age.

Nonetheless, Gu Chengyu’s words pleased him, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

De’an on the side grimaced slightly; it was indeed remarkable that Mr. Gu could praise the Emperor without blushing, his face truly thick-skinned.

Gu Chengyu did not directly say the Emperor was young but used the term strong and healthy; he himself didn’t want to go too far against his own feelings, for he really couldn’t say it outright.

In ancient times, men with multiple wives did not age slower than women.

Moreover, the Emperor had a vast harem filled with women waiting for his favor, potentially exhausting him completely.