Gu Yan Chen entered the palace for the first time, but unlike ordinary people, he was not overly cautious, merely following the eunuch guide with his head down. He walked quite leisurely. While he didn't stare around, he did take a few more lingering glances at beautiful scenery.
Occasionally, he would ask the eunuch what kind of scenery it was and what kind of flower that was.
It was evident he hadn't seen much of the world.
The young eunuch was understanding. After all, this person was merely the illegitimate son of the Marquis of Guangling. However, daring to ask so openly showed he was indeed unusual, which explained how he could achieve a third-rank official position at such a young age.
To show his importance to Gu Yan Chen, Emperor Chang Wu dispatched his Grand Steward, Song Fu Rui, to the entrance of Cheng Qian Palace to receive him.
As he saw two figures, one large and one small, approaching from a distance, Song Fu Rui quickly adjusted his posture. However, upon seeing the face of the visitor, he was completely stunned, forgetting even the words he had prepared.
The man before him wore a purple official robe, stood tall and imposing, with an extraordinary bearing. His handsome face bore a striking resemblance to another person – Consort Rong.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long while, the young eunuch reminded him, "Eunuch Song, this is Commander Gu."
"Ah, ah, this humble servant has been rude. Commander Gu, please wait a moment. This servant will go and inform His Majesty."
Gu Yan Chen, completely unfamiliar with palace etiquette, did not understand that Song Fu Rui was standing there to lead him in. The eunuch who had been guiding him, however, watched Song Fu Rui's retreating back with a look of bewilderment for a long time.
Of course, his thoughts were unimportant.
Song Fu Rui quickened his pace. As he entered the imperial study, he could even hear his own rapid heartbeat. "Your, Your Majesty, this humble servant has something to say."
Emperor Chang Wu looked at him in surprise. Song Fu Rui was always composed; what could have made him so flustered?
"Didn't you go to receive Commander Gu? Did you not find him?"
Song Fu Rui took two deep breaths and leaned close to Emperor Chang Wu's ear, whispering a sentence.
Emperor Chang Wu's expression changed drastically. "Are you telling the truth?"
"This servant would not dare to lie. I observed him carefully for quite some time before coming to report to you." Even he had almost lost his composure, let alone the Emperor, who had missed Consort Rong for twenty-four years.
"Quickly, summon him."
Song Fu Rui then announced loudly, "Summon Commander Gu of Yangzhou to an audience."
Emperor Chang Wu's eyes were fixed on the doorway, his hands clenched into fists beneath the imperial desk. He dug his nails into his flesh to maintain a calm facade. Rong Fei, his Yu Chan, he had lost her for twenty-four full years.
Along with her unborn child.
The door to the imperial study was open. Gu Yan Chen walked in, not directly meeting the Emperor's gaze. Instead, he knelt and kowtowed, "Your humble subject greets Your Majesty. Long live His Majesty, long live, long live!"
"Raise your head."
Gu Yan Chen was quite surprised, feeling a tremor in the Emperor's voice. However, this was not something he needed to investigate, so he obediently raised his head. The Emperor Chang Wu behind the imperial desk's pupils contracted sharply. After a long moment, he spoke, "Minister Gu, please rise. Song Fu Rui, serve tea and a seat."
The treatment was this good? Gu Yan Chen felt quite pleased. Even the Emperor's depression from his son snatching his fruit was somewhat lessened. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Minister Gu, you have had a difficult journey. The weather is cold and harsh outside; was the road easy to travel?"
"The land route was indeed bumpier than the water route, but with my wife accompanying me, the journey was quite manageable."
"You are married?"
"Yes."
"May I ask which family's young lady?"
Gu Yan Chen found it even stranger. Wasn't he here for his official report? Why was the Emperor so concerned about his wife? However, as a subject, he naturally had to answer when the Emperor inquired. "She is a young lady from the Lu family of Xiangshui County, Yangzhou."
The Lu family of Yangzhou?
He had never even heard of them.
Emperor Chang Wu looked at Song Fu Rui, who had no choice but to reluctantly ask, "May I inquire about the rank of the head of the Lu family?"
"The Lu family are merchants. Small merchants. They run a dyeing workshop."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Chang Wu's eyes turned red with anger. He suppressed his rage with great effort, striving to maintain a benevolent and casual demeanor as he asked, "As the saying goes, 'A good match,' why would Minister Gu marry an ordinary merchant's daughter?"
If this was truly his son with Yu Chan, which noble lady in the capital could he not have married?
Yet, he had married only a merchant's daughter, and one who owned just a dyeing workshop at that.
Gu Yan Chen was not pleased, his smile fading from his face. He replied indifferently, "Your Majesty jokes. When Minister and the Lu family became betrothed, I was merely a lowly constable. Where would the concept of an unequal match apply?"
Emperor Chang Wu became even more angered. "You were even a constable?"
"Uh..."