The Empress Dowager’s expression changed. She glanced sideways at Yuwen Changqing, who stepped forward and said, “Since this matter occurred under my very nose, I request permission to investigate.”
Shi Fulong frowned. “When assassins appear in the palace, naturally it should be investigated by this humble subject. How could we trouble General Yuwen?”
“Commander Shi must protect His Majesty’s safety. How can you spare time to investigate?” Yuwen Changqing said. “Currently, Minister Shi of the Ministry of Justice is on leave, and the position of Vice Minister is vacant—there is no one to investigate. Yuwen has returned to the capital with nothing to occupy him and can relieve His Majesty’s concerns.”
The Empress Dowager smiled. “Minister Yuwen is young and accomplished. Your Majesty can rely on him.”
The Emperor sat on the dragon throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. After letting them argue for quite some time without turning to look, he instead stared at Gu Chaobei, sizing him up.
Everyone present wore palace tokens at their waists. The Imperial Princes, who didn’t need palace tokens, wore jade ornaments as decoration. The only person with nothing at his waist was Gu Chaobei.
“Mother and the two beloved ministers need not speak further.” After watching for a while, the Emperor spoke. “Regarding this matter, I have already made a decision.”
The Empress Dowager and everyone looked toward the Emperor. The Emperor smiled as he looked at Gu Chaobei and asked, “Earlier, Xun’er rescued me out of filial piety. Commander Shi rescued me out of loyalty. Fourth Master Gu is neither an Imperial Prince nor an official—what motivated his heart?”
Gu Chaobei froze. Instantly, everyone’s gaze fell upon him, and Prime Minister Gu in front also turned back nervously to look.
Shen Guiyan drew in a slight breath, feeling she shouldn’t worry too much. Though Gu Chaobei appeared dissolute, he was actually someone who understood propriety well and shouldn’t…
“Does rescuing someone require any particular motivation?” Gu Chaobei stepped forward, still with that careless manner. “I just saw assassins and moved to block them. Your Majesty is overthinking it.”
Everyone broke into an uproar. Prime Minister Gu’s expression could no longer be described as merely ugly. His Majesty was clearly preparing to bestow rewards and had even prepared words of praise, yet this unworthy son was so obtuse he couldn’t understand and even rebuffed His Majesty’s dignity!
The Empress Dowager laughed derisively and glanced at Prime Minister Gu but said nothing. After a slight pause, the Emperor looked helplessly toward Shen Guiyan. “If Fourth Master Gu cannot answer, can Fourth Madam Gu answer this question for me?”
Shen Guiyan’s body stiffened. She stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor. “This commoner woman dares to speak. My husband’s meaning was not to offend Your Majesty—he simply isn’t very articulate.”
“I know you can speak well, which is why I’m asking you to speak.” The Emperor held the palace token in his hand. “If you answer correctly, I will reward you for today’s merit in protecting me. If you answer incorrectly, I will punish you for offense. How about that?”
Gu Chaobei glanced at Shen Guiyan, his eyes actually showing some encouragement.
Shen Guiyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This man loved playing dumb himself and now wanted to pull her in as his shield. However, since Gu Chaobei couldn’t give the Emperor a way to save face, she would have to smooth things over.
“This commoner woman obeys the decree.” Shen Guiyan knelt down, kneeling perfectly upright. “Your Majesty said the Fifth Prince rescued you out of filial piety, and Commander Shi rescued you out of loyalty. My husband said rescuing you required no particular motivation—that is precisely his true heart.”
The Emperor raised his eyebrows.
Shen Guiyan took a deep breath. “All people under heaven are Your Majesty’s subjects and children. Though my husband holds no official position and is not Your Majesty’s own son, he understands Your Majesty’s importance to all living beings. In his heart, Your Majesty’s life is no different from his father’s life, so rescuing you relied only on his true heart.”
So indeed, the art of speaking was extremely important. The same meaning expressed in two different ways produced completely different effects. Even if it required some shamelessness, when facing those with high positions and power over life and death, was face more important than life?
Some light flashed in the Emperor’s eyes, which actually reddened slightly. “Is that so?”
“Precisely.” Shen Guiyan bowed down without blushing or breathing hard.
Gu Chaobei couldn’t help but laugh quietly. “You’re really something.”
Shen Guiyan’s hand resting on her knee moved slightly to pinch him, signaling him to behave.
And to think she had decided to trust him—yet he still acted so recklessly.
“Ha ha ha.” The Emperor laughed heartily and looked at Prime Minister Gu ahead. “Prime Minister, you have both a good son and a good daughter-in-law. I had already decided what to reward today—Fifth Prince, step forward to receive your reward.”
The Fifth Prince was delighted and stepped forward. “Your son is here.”
“Fifth Prince Ming Xun cares for all living beings and rescued me from danger. Today I grant you the position of Crown Prince. May you carry on my ambitions in the future and unite all under heaven.”
“Your Majesty!” The Empress Dowager stood up in shock.
“Does Mother think this improper?” The Emperor smiled slightly. “But the matter of establishing the heir apparent should be decided by me.”
The Empress Dowager was furious. Now that the Empress had returned to her chambers and Shi Fulong stood guard here with the Imperial Guards, she looked around and realized only Yuwen Changqing remained by her side.
The Emperor had seized an excellent opportunity!
“The rewards are not yet complete. If there are objections, allow me to finish.” The Emperor looked up at Shi Fulong and continued, “Commander Shi also has merit in protecting me and demonstrated loyalty. Your annual salary shall increase by two hundred bushels, and you may move freely within the palace.”
“I thank Your Majesty.” Shi Fulong clasped his hands with a smile.
The Emperor finally looked toward Gu Chaobei.
“This case of assassins in the palace shall be investigated by Fourth Master Gu.”
“Your Majesty.” Yuwen Changqing was slightly surprised. “Fourth Master Gu holds no official position. How can he investigate this case?”
The Emperor smiled. “Indeed, he holds no position, so I am preparing to issue a decree appointing Gu Chaobei as acting Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. If he can investigate thoroughly and bring the truth to light, he shall receive the permanent position. If he cannot… then today’s merits and faults cancel each other out, and he returns to commoner status.”
Everyone was shocked. Who didn’t know Gu Chaobei was a parasite who couldn’t accomplish anything? Just because he had merit in protecting the Emperor, he was given the position of Vice Minister of Justice?
Prime Minister Gu’s expression was extremely complex. “Your Majesty, my incompetent son cannot shoulder such responsibility…”
“Didn’t I say he would serve temporarily? Once he fails to uncover the truth, he returns to whatever he was.” The Emperor smiled. “What’s improper about that?”
With such an arrangement, truly no one could voice opposition. The Empress Dowager opened her mouth to speak but had nothing to say.
The Empress had troops stationed outside the capital, originally planning to cause chaos at the banquet to kill the Emperor, then have the army enter the capital to support the Sixth Prince ascending the throne. Who knew the plot would be discovered, ruining an excellent plan? Now they even had to let a dissolute good-for-nothing become Vice Minister of Justice—wasn’t this too absurd?
However, with Shi Fulong already in the palace, they could do nothing more. Not only could they not harm the Emperor, they also had to find ways to erase traces and prevent anyone from seizing evidence—they were already overwhelmed.
Sighing, the Empress Dowager also glanced at Gu Chaobei. That careless fellow shouldn’t pose much threat. Though his wife had some cleverness and was probably helping behind the scenes.
If he was a man who rose through his wife’s efforts, there was no need to worry too much. Now they should consider how to deal with this newly appointed Crown Prince.
After the Emperor had rewarded everyone who rescued him, he supported his forehead. “I am also tired today. Everyone is dismissed.”
Shen Guiyan and Gu Chaobei stood up and bowed slightly to see him off. After both the Emperor and Empress Dowager had left, Shen Guiyan instantly felt burning gazes from all directions.
Look there—a salted fish has flipped over!
Without even raising her head, she knew this was what the surrounding people meant. Shen Guiyan sighed and glanced at Gu Chaobei.
Was this fortune or disaster?
Gu Chaobei was very composed and even ran before Prime Minister Gu to ask irritatingly, “Father, does this mean starting tomorrow we’ll be colleagues?”
Prime Minister Gu’s expression was spectacular.
Today’s events had been far too tumultuous. What should have been an evening birthday banquet—now that it was over, the sky was already brightening.
Without time to scold Gu Chaobei, Prime Minister Gu rubbed his forehead. “We’ll discuss this after returning home.”
Only then did Shen Guiyan remember that today she had originally planned to petition for her father’s official seal back. Unfortunately, given today’s situation, the Emperor certainly had no mind for such requests. Better to return home first.
Three people shared one carriage. Gu Chaobei was obviously somewhat excited. “I became an official?”
“Congratulations, my lord.” Shen Guiyan smiled slightly.
If she hadn’t followed him into the palace today and suddenly heard Gu Chaobei had become an official—a Vice Minister no less—she would definitely have been shocked.
But having witnessed Gu Chaobei’s actions today, Shen Guiyan felt she had never truly understood him and, like everyone else, had always underestimated him.
The person before her was still murmuring and trembling with excitement like someone with epilepsy, yet his eyes held unfathomable depths that made her curious once more.
“What did I say? The Fourth Young Madam is blessed to prosper her husband!” In the kitchen, Nanny Lin slapped her thigh. “Look, look, look! With just two sentences from her, the Fourth Young Master became an official without even taking the imperial examinations!”
The maids serving dishes came and went, and inevitably a few stopped to chime in. “Isn’t that right? That position was what the First Young Master wanted most from this examination, yet the Emperor bestowed it directly on the Fourth Young Master. I heard the First Young Master had a huge tantrum in the east courtyard!”
“I said from the beginning they shouldn’t have abandoned the elder sister to marry the younger one.”
Someone said this sentence, which happened to be overheard by Yushu passing by.
“This is too infuriating.” Back in the room while dressing Shen Guiya’s hair, Yushu said, “They’re clearly saying you’re inferior to that one in the north courtyard!”
Shen Guiya paid no attention to this, only looking at herself in the mirror and pulling her collar even lower. “They’re cursing Gu Chaodong for being blind. What’s there to be angry about? As long as I’m not blind, that’s fine.”
“Miss, what are you thinking?” Yushu stamped her foot. “You married the First Young Master. Cursing the First Young Master is cursing you!”
“Who told you I can only follow Gu Chaodong for life?” Shen Guiya laughed derisively. “Look how upset you are—you really can’t see the bigger picture. I originally stayed with Gu Chaodong because I thought he was a stock with potential. Now that a dark horse has emerged, if I don’t climb to higher ground, should I stay low and wait to drown?”
Yushu froze. “Miss, what do you mean?”
“You don’t understand, so just watch.” Shen Guiya finished dressing and stood up. “Today the family dines together at noon. We mustn’t be late. Let’s go quickly.”