Chapter 957: Chapter 793: Returning to Officialdom (Extra Chapter for Zhang Xiaoyan)

However, the teacher was previously the Grand Secretary of the First Rank. If reinstated, is there still a vacancy for the First Rank in the court?

To be subordinate to Xia Qing, Gu Chengyu felt it would be meaningless. Suddenly, he thought of the newly established Eastern Palace. Could it be that the Emperor has such an idea?

"The teacher has been teaching in the Prefecture School of Jingyuan Prefecture for the past few years and lived fairly comfortably. Just that since I came to the Capital, and the senior brothers have also settled here, the teacher inevitably felt lonely in Jingyuan Prefecture and hence returned. A few days ago, he was worried about my marriage with Miss Yao, so he seemed a bit downcast."

Gu Chengyu naturally had to say some good things about Liang Zhirui. The Emperor’s words seemed to imply that Liang Zhirui became despondent after leaving the court.

"The esteemed elder devoted himself wholeheartedly to me and the court in those years, showing complete loyalty and commitment. When I agreed to his resignation back then, it was also out of helplessness, and I have often regretted it since. The world believes that being an Emperor means enjoying endless wealth and glory. But who can know that even as an Emperor, one is often unable to act with complete freedom?"

The Emperor was filled with emotions at this moment. Who in this world can truly act as they wish? Probably no one.

"Now that the Crown Prince is established, I intend to appoint your teacher as Crown Prince’s Master. Although the Crown Prince has reached adulthood, he was not personally taught by me during his youth, and his temper and character are somewhat lacking. Your teacher, being virtuous and noble, upright, and possessing impeccable scholarship, should be appointed as the Crown Prince’s Master of the court."

After saying this, the Emperor immediately observed Gu Chengyu’s expression.

Gu Chengyu’s heart sank; it was indeed as he had thought.

This move by the Emperor could not be called anything but cunning, and knowing it was a trap, he had no choice but to fall into it.

The news of the teacher’s re-entry into the officialdom sounded like a great joy.

But the position of the Grandmaster is essentially a titular role, often concurrently held by officials with accomplishments and high status. It has no real power, just a delightful title!

In other words, the Emperor used a titular role to tie Liang Zhirui up. With Liang Zhirui entering the officialdom, Gu Chengyu would be somewhat inhibited in his actions.

Although the Crown Prince is now past adulthood, the Emperor’s meaning just now seemed to imply he wanted Liang Zhirui to teach the Crown Prince knowledge and to cultivate good character in him.

The Crown Prince’s Master is an Eastern Palace Minister, so Liang Zhirui would have to frequently interact with the Crown Prince. How could he detach himself from the Crown Prince later?

But knowing the Emperor’s intention, could Gu Chengyu refuse? He could not!

Even though the Grandmaster position is a titular one, the Junior First Rank is not. If the teacher were granted the position of Grandmaster, any high official in the court would have to salute him.

Of course, this does not include Xia Qing, as Xia Qing holds the position of Prime Minister, a First Rank position.

The current Holy Emperor has set neither the Three Ministers nor the Three Ministers, so Liang Zhirui, becoming a Grandmaster, is one of the Crown Prince’s Three Masters, with a truly noble status.

When the Crown Prince ascends to the throne in the future, his teacher will naturally become one of the Three Ministers, significantly elevating his status.

Gu Chengyu did not wish to refuse. With his teacher becoming the esteemed Crown Prince’s Master, his own status would rise accordingly.

Moreover, setting aside his own interests, this was a recognition for the teacher.

Because he knew the teacher still regretted resigning so rashly back then, it was a lingering concern for the teacher.

"Thanks to the Emperor’s favor, the teacher has exhausted his efforts for the court throughout his life. Even after retirement, he often worries about the country and the people. When discussing scholarship with the teacher, he frequently praised you, the Emperor, for being enlightened and capable. Now, with the Crown Prince established, the teacher, with his extraordinary knowledge and upright virtue, should be the Crown Prince’s mentor. I temporarily thank the Emperor’s grace on behalf of the teacher!"

Gu Chengyu said a string of praises for Liang Zhirui, his face showing a bright smile, clearly overjoyed by this matter.

The Emperor was very satisfied with Gu Chengyu’s performance. He nodded, "Unexpectedly, the esteemed elder holds me in such high regard. Rest assured, although the Crown Prince is gentle and indecisive, he is gentle and honest and will respect your teacher in the future, and so will I."

Having resolved the matter, the Emperor was in a good mood!

Then, he seemed to think of something and clapped his hands in laughter.

Gu Chengyu twitched the corner of his eye, being schemed against with his teacher, yet feeling so happy?

But did the Emperor think he was so easy to manipulate? You may have your schemes, but I have my strategies. The future’s developments remain to be seen!

"I just remembered, if your teacher becomes the Crown Prince’s Master, then you and the Crown Prince are akin to senior apprentice-brothers. You’ve benefited from your teacher’s light!"

The Emperor pointed at Gu Chengyu, laughing heartily.

Gu Chengyu suddenly realized, wasn’t that so? He was inexplicably dragged into this relationship; he indeed felt like he boarded a pirate ship!

When Gu Chengyu left the Imperial Palace, the sky outside had already started to dim; the night was about to fall.

Gu Chengyu rubbed his forehead, took a moment to think, and decided he needed to notify his teacher first.

"Let’s go to the Liang Mansion first!"

...

After a bowl of hot soup, Gu Chengyu finally had some food in his stomach. Grabbing a Four Joy Dumpling from the plate, Gu Chengyu took a big bite, feeling it hadn’t quite hit his taste before swallowing it down.

He was really famished; a bowl of soup was just an appetizer. Being a young man, still growing, how could he withstand hunger?

Mrs. Ning looked at Gu Chengyu with loving eyes as he focused intently on eating, becoming increasingly satisfied and delighted.

Though he was extremely hungry and his eating speed increased, he still maintained good manners, his movements flowing smoothly without appearing awkward.

She marveled once more that without revealing his origins, who could tell that this young man was of peasant origin?

Even the noble sons of the Capital did not possess Gu Chengyu’s noble demeanor, which is what the ancients referred to as the innate scholastic aura.

Since her granddaughter received the Holy Decree last time, she had considered Gu Chengyu her granddaughter’s future husband.

While their relationship had been close before, there was a difference between a disciple and a granddaughter’s husband, with the latter naturally being closer.

This was a matter of adding familial ties, and Mrs. Ning had always been satisfied with her husband’s student.

"Did you just come from the palace? Wasn’t the Establishment Ceremony concluded long ago?"

Mrs. Ning was a bit distressed, quickly instructing the big maid Qin Jiao to add two more dishes.

"Madam! It’s unnecessary; eating too much at night can cause indigestion." Gu Chengyu hurriedly stopped Madam Ning, as he still had matters to discuss with the teacher!

"Why are you still calling me ’Madam’?" Mrs. Ning blurted out, laughing delightedly.

The hand that Gu Chengyu was using to hold his chopsticks froze, and he became suddenly very embarrassed.

What was going on? At a minimum, he still had two or three years before they could discuss the date of the wedding. Wouldn’t it be too early to change what he called her?

"Ahem! Alright, it’s certain Jinyu has something to discuss, that’s why he’s here so late. I’ll take him to the study first."

Liang Zhirui could not stand his wife’s eagerness. This marriage was something he shamelessly arranged, and Jinyu might still be somewhat resistant in his heart.

After all, being so young and set on marriage so early, there was bound to be some confusion.