Chapter 959: Chapter 795: I Am Ashamed Before You

It’s a pity, but who is Liang Zhirui? He watched Gu Chengyu grow up, and even though he was absent for three years in between, Liang Zhirui understood Gu Chengyu’s character profoundly.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have entertained the idea of offering his granddaughter to Gu Chengyu back then.

"I understand the Emperor, but I also understand you. Speak up! How much longer do you plan to hide this from me?"

Gu Chengyu was rendered speechless by Liang Zhirui’s words; he hadn’t expected him to be so perceptive about the matter.

After a long pause, he finally opened his mouth to recount the story from beginning to end.

Liang Zhirui remained silent for a long while after listening, and Gu Chengyu glanced at him worriedly.

He feared that his mentor might overthink and become distressed and guilty, which would be detrimental to his health.

Liang Zhirui let out a heavy sigh, "When I took you as my disciple back then, I thought you were only a clever farmer’s son. Now you’ve just entered the court and become a Secondary Fifth Rank official, and all this achievement is your own merit. Your mentor not only couldn’t help but kept holding you back, I am ashamed in front of you!"

Slowly, he steadied himself against the writing desk and sat down, his face full of dejection.

What virtue and abilities did Liang Zhirui possess to take on such a clever and respectful disciple?

If Gu Chengyu had not accepted him as a mentor back then, given Gu Chengyu’s talents, which court official wouldn’t want to become his mentor?

With a mentor’s guidance and connections, how could Gu Chengyu not meet with glorious prospects?

While he, an old man who has retreated from office, couldn’t even offer much help in their scholastic pursuits.

In the end, it was just that the student was too capable, giving no place for the mentor, making him feel even more ashamed.

A mentor should not only refrain from being unhelpful but certainly should not become a burden.

Seeing Liang Zhirui starting to blame himself again, Gu Chengyu immediately stepped forward to console him.

"Mentor! Whether you return to officialdom doesn’t really affect your disciple, for I don’t have the capability to sway the Emperor’s ideas yet."

Gu Chengyu sighed and added, "Besides, you hold a Junior First Rank position, while your disciple is just a Secondary Fifth Rank; the question of whose influence is significant needn’t be spoken about."

"You, Mentor, are already old and wish not to return to the court. Tomorrow I shall enter the palace and personally tell the Emperor to decline this appointment." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Liang Zhirui looked at the youthful and luminous face, and spoke words that moved and deeply impressed Gu Chengyu.

"Mentor! Now that the Emperor has spoken, it would seem ungrateful for you to refuse further. Besides, even if you decline this role, the promise I’ve made to the Emperor cannot be reneged."

Gu Chengyu stepped forward and held Liang Zhirui’s shoulder; although this old man wasn’t his father, he had long come to respect him as one in his heart.

Back when Gu Chengyu was preparing for exams, Liang Zhirui not only shared all his wisdom but took care of him meticulously in daily life.

He was a scholar worthy of respect, and a kind and amiable elder.

To him, the time spent with this elder was even more than with his actual father; Liang Zhirui was like a guide in his life journey.

"You should never have agreed to the Emperor back then, you cannot be unaware of the Emperor’s intentions? A mentor would become a burden to you, inevitably restricting your actions going forward. As long as I am in office, I will remain under the Emperor’s constraints."

Liang Zhirui’s eyes slightly moistened, feeling disappointed and angry at the Emperor’s actions.

He felt endless regret for his past loyalty to the court and the Emperor, neglecting his own wellbeing, only to be met with such a result.

"Why does Mentor view the matter so gravely? You just need to teach the Crown Prince well; you don’t involve yourself in court affairs, so even if the Emperor looks for fault, he won’t succeed. As for your disciple, do you not have faith in me?"

"I don’t wish to boast, but if I can have the Emperor promote me to Secondary Fifth Rank in such a short time, I’m naturally capable of handling him. Mentor, have faith in your disciple."

What Gu Chengyu said wasn’t solely to comfort Liang Zhirui, but to prepare for any situation that might arise.

He certainly wouldn’t submit easily; if the Emperor and Crown Prince were to press him, they shouldn’t blame him for secretly aligning with other Princes.

There are countless roads in the world, surely one of them leads to the destination.

"Moreover, with you as the Crown Prince’s Master, my status is elevated as well. Out there, who wouldn’t regard me highly? I’m still counting on using your reputation to make a grand impression!"

Gu Chengyu grinned broadly, finally succeeding in making Liang Zhirui smile.

"You have a tongue that can make even the dead speak, no wonder you manage to keep the Emperor persuaded. Such a silver tongue, I wonder whom you resemble."

Liang Zhirui stopped dwelling on it, he couldn’t disappoint his student’s goodwill.

"So be it! Since things have settled, I shall not refuse the role of Grandmaster. Once I enter the court again, we’ll together repel outsiders. If anyone tries to challenge us as mentor and student, we’ll leave them with no room to maneuver."

Liang Zhirui made up his mind at that moment, he must no longer burden the young student.

The young student spoke rightly; his position as Junior First Rank Grandmaster is indeed beneficial.

At the very least, his status will make others think highly of the young student, preventing him from being dismissed as a mere farmer’s child without foundation.

As for the other three students, they’re merely fellow disciples; Liang Zhirui didn’t expect much support for Gu Chengyu from the three.

The eldest disciple Yin Kun was slightly better, as he maintained regular communication with Gu Chengyu; their relationship was relatively close.

The second disciple Wu An lacked skill, he only hoped Wu An would avoid mistakes in office; even if remaining as a Standard Fourth Rank for life, it wouldn’t matter as long as everything went smoothly.

Certainly, expecting Wu An to mentor Jinyu would be a wish too extravagant.

As for the third disciple He Jisheng, Liang Zhirui sighed.

It’s not that he didn’t wish to intervene, but the other harbored too deep a grudge against him; even if he did, the sentiment wouldn’t be reciprocated.

"Under the shade of a great tree, one enjoys the cool. So your student shall rely on Mentor to shield me from adversity." Gu Chengyu chuckled, feeling relieved.

Was it easy for him? Arranging a position for his Mentor, yet the Mentor was still unhappy, relying on coaxing to accept.

But then, why should Liang Zhirui be his Mentor indeed? Once a mentor, forever a father; the Mentor is as important as his own father.

Gazing at the withered flowers and loitering willows in the garden outside the window, Gu Chengyu suddenly thought the garden seemed rather desolate.

"Mentor, last time I suggested moving some plum blossoms and camellias into your courtyard, but you always refused, saying it had more interest this way. Now surely you won’t be so adamantly opposed?" Gu Chengyu teased with a smile.

Liang Zhirui paused, then walked over to look outside the window, subsequently smilingly cursing, "You rascal, you indeed have a seven apertured exquisite heart."

The two exchanged smiles, a gentle warmth pervading between them, causing Mrs. Ning, who arrived just at the right time, to show a hint of a smile.

"Master! Have you finished discussing business? Then let’s talk about marriage!"

Mrs. Ning entered the room and replaced the tea cups on the table.