Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 616 - 452 Morning Court

"Ming Yan, inform the house that another carriage will be sent to fetch Lord Ye today," said Gu Chengyu, seated in the carriage, contemplating the matters of the upcoming morning assembly.

Suddenly recalling his early departure today, which left Ye Zhiqiu without a carriage, he gave this instruction to Ming Yan.

"Yes!"

He had to stand outside Taihe Palace with the other officials. Being the only Secondary Sixth Rank, dressed in a blue robe inside the palace, he would surely stand out.

When Gu Chengyu arrived, the square before the red wall was already filled with officials, gathered in small groups chatting.

Gu Chengyu’s arrival did not attract the attention of other officials, as the sky was still somewhat dim, and without close observation, one could not discern the color of his attire. Among them, he sought the figure of Wu An.

Wu An was the Shuntian Prefecture Minister, of Standard Fourth Rank, who came to court daily. Actually, He Jisheng was supposed to attend as well, but his relationship with He Jisheng was not exactly amicable, and he had no desire to exchange falsities with him.

Gu Chengyu had sharp eyesight; though it was still barely dawn, he already spotted Wu An not far ahead, engaged in conversation with another person, appearing quite engrossed?

He was somewhat surprised, not expecting Second Brother, with such a silent nature, to be so talkative among colleagues?

"Second Brother!" Gu Chengyu stepped forward and called out to Wu An.

Wu An felt the address of Second Brother familiar; he turned to see it was indeed Gu Chengyu? As Gu Chengyu approached, despite the dim light, Wu An was certain he saw correctly.

"Jinyu?"

"Second Brother, you sure arrived early!" Gu Chengyu approached Wu An with a salute.

Then he glanced at the other person who was speaking with Wu An; this individual’s official uniform was the same color as Wu An’s, clearly also of Standard Fourth Rank.

Wu An was puzzled as to why he encountered Gu Chengyu here? Gu Chengyu, a Secondary Sixth Rank, had no qualifications to attend the morning assembly.

Suppressing his doubts, he introduced, "This is Lord Tao, Right Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice!"

Gu Chengyu promptly saluted, "Subordinate Gu Chengyu, pays his respects to Lord Tao!"

Tao Junyan naturally recognized Gu Chengyu, who was the new top scholar this year. However, as per protocol, an official of Sixth Rank should not attend morning assemblies! Guards overseeing palace access would check the tooth cards, how could a Sixth Rank official get in?

Tao Junyan’s thoughts aligned with Wu An’s; Wu An speculated, could it be a special summons by the Emperor? What was Gu Chengyu’s reason for being at court?

"Follow me," Wu An said, leading the way to a secluded corner to inquire about the matter thoroughly.

Tao Junyan recognized these two as having matters to discuss, and wisely refrained from intruding. Though curious about Gu Chengyu’s presence at court, he would soon learn after the morning assembly.

"What’s going on? Did the Emperor grant you special permission to attend the assembly?" Wu An, unaware of the tea tax issue, quickly pulled Gu Chengyu aside to inquire further.

Gu Chengyu previously did not inform Wu An as the matter was not yet confirmed. Revealing it prematurely to court officials would be inappropriate. The Emperor intended to announce it at court; he certainly did not want to upset the Emperor.

Furthermore, if Yin Kun were present, he might consult with him; with Wu An, their bond was not deep enough. Considering this, Gu Chengyu paused briefly, "The Emperor invited me to attend the morning assembly. It’s hard to explain briefly. After court is concluded later, I’ll visit your residence and explain the situation thoroughly."

Wu An had no choice but to nod in agreement; this was indeed not the place for such discussions.

"The Prime Minister is here, and he comes early today!"

Just after Gu Chengyu spoke, they heard someone behind call out that the Prime Minister had arrived. More people began to greet Xia Qing, and Gu Chengyu and the others could no longer stay in the corner, so they moved towards the crowd.

He Jisheng had also arrived, but his vision was lesser, and since Gu Chengyu and others stood at a hidden spot, he failed to find Wu An and thought Wu An hadn’t arrived yet.

Upon the Prime Minister’s arrival, He Jisheng quickly stepped forward to salute.

Xia Qing glanced at He Jisheng in the crowd, then nodded to everyone.

"All of you arrived earlier than I!"

Xia Qing exchanged some pleasantries with everyone, planning to proceed to the frontmost position. Standing proudly in the first spot, the view of the red wall of Taihe Palace was unobstructed, bringing a smile to his face.

"Jinyu?" He Jisheng doubted his own eyesight, yet under the morning light, the faintly visible jade-like face and the blue official uniform unmistakably belonged to Gu Chengyu!

Upon hearing this, Xia Qing immediately turned around. His eyes widened upon seeing Gu Chengyu.

How could Gu Chengyu be here? He felt puzzled, his mind racing with thoughts.

"Third Brother!" Gu Chengyu smiled at He Jisheng and prepared to stand at the back of the crowd.

Regardless of who was present, they held higher official ranks than him. Now he had captured the attention of everyone present.

"Huh? Why is he here? Lord He, do you recognize this subordinate?"

Some officials were already murmuring in secret, wondering if the guard had failed to check the tooth card and allowed him in? Yet could a Sixth Rank official dare to come here?

However, their voices were subdued; none would confront him openly. These individuals, long in high positions, were certainly deeply scheming, though perplexed by the unusual event, they would not question it outright.

After all, a Sixth Rank official getting here was either a mistake by the guards or a special summon by the Emperor. The former was unlikely, as the large characters on the tooth card are always clearly visible.

With that possibility excluded, could it be the Emperor’s special summons? Those sensitive to politics had already speculated that today’s assembly would surely involve something substantial, related to this individual.

He Jisheng himself was also thoroughly confused, utterly unable to answer the other officials’ questions.

"Huh? The Eldest Prince and the others have arrived!" The officials started stirring again.

Gu Chengyu looked back and saw three Princes arriving together, somewhat surprised, wondering if this was pre-arranged?

Before everyone could salute, there was a sound of whips from the front, followed by Honglu Temple officials calling "Enter ranks!"

Upon hearing this, everyone hurried to their positions, and Gu Chengyu quickly moved to the back of the crowd.

"The Emperor arrives!"

Upon seeing the bright yellow figure, Gu Chengyu, along with other officials, performed the rites of bowing and three prostrations. A large group of officials entered the front. Though remaining officials could not enter the hall, they had to stand properly outside, not whisper.

Gu Chengyu lowered his head, guessing the Emperor would leave the matter until the end. And upon its announcement, a lengthy debate would follow. Therefore, the summon might take a long while.

When He Jisheng glanced back, he surprisingly found Gu Chengyu resting his eyes. Turning back, he pondered why the Emperor summoned Gu Chengyu to court.