"Your Majesty has arrived." The eunuch's high-pitched announcement echoed, and everyone in the room immediately knelt in greeting. Gu Yan Chen, reacting a beat late, blinked in confusion before quickly following suit, his knees hitting the ground with an audible thud.
He had grown accustomed to his freedom outside the capital for the past two years, and his status was high enough that people usually knelt to him. Having been suddenly summoned back to the capital, he found himself having to kneel frequently, and he couldn't quite get the timing right.
He stealthily rubbed his kneecaps. Hiss, it really hurt.
The imperial yellow dragon robe swept over the threshold. Gu Yan Chen watched as the black boots moved forward and stopped before him.
Then he was helped up. "Esteemed Minister Gu, there's no need for so much ceremony. Please, rise quickly."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"What is there to thank? Let's eat."
When Gu Yan Chen ate with Lu Nian Fu, they would chat a bit. When he ate with soldiers in the military camp, he was loud and boisterous. But facing the Son of Heaven, he knew his place. He quietly dusted off the aristocratic manners he had discarded for three years, not even daring to extend his chopsticks too far.
Tsk, this meal was so stifling. No matter how good the food was, his appetite couldn't be stimulated.
It is easy to fall from luxury to simplicity, but difficult to return from simplicity to luxury.
Having grown used to the freedom in Yangzhou, being suddenly confined to the cage of etiquette in the capital made him feel utterly uncomfortable. Emperor Chang Wu was also uneasy. He wanted to be close to his son, but clearly, the invitation to stay for dinner had left him at a loss.
He signaled to Song Fu Rui.
Song Fu Rui gave a barely perceptible nod, then very naturally picked up serving chopsticks and began to plate food for Gu Yan Chen. "Commander Gu, please don't be so reserved. Just say what you'd like to eat."
"How can I trouble Grand Eunuch Song? I can do it myself."
"It's no trouble. Or perhaps this servant can find you a skilled palace maid to serve you?" He winked suggestively, his demeanor eerily similar to the officials who had offered him courtesans in Yangzhou's entertainment districts.
This palace maid, clearly, could do more than just serve him food.
He was even more bewildered. What did His Majesty mean by this? Could it be that he genuinely felt guilty about the Ning King taking his belongings and was trying to offer some compensation? But couldn't this compensation be less shocking? He was a simple man; money would suffice. Gold would be even better, of course.
As for beauties, well, he'd rather not. He waved his hands repeatedly. "Then perhaps you should do it, Grand Eunuch."
Song Fu Rui: ......
Emperor Chang Wu's expression turned cold. That merchant's daughter must be a jealous shrew. Look at this child, who wouldn't even dare to approach female companionship outside, and was likely being bullied at home.
What kind of etiquette could a merchant family possibly have?
He put down his chopsticks. "May I ask how old Minister Gu is this year?"
"Twenty-three."
"How many children do you have to bring you joy?"
"Your Majesty, this humble minister has no children yet."
"What? At twenty-three, how can you not have children?"
Gu Yan Chen did not wish to discuss his personal affairs, but he dared not disobey the Emperor's question. He could only say with frustration, "My wife is still in mourning, so it is not appropriate for her to conceive."
"Then you have concubines, don't you?"
"Your Majesty, my wife and I share a deep bond, and I do not wish to take a concubine and hurt her feelings."
Emperor Chang Wu was furious. He stood up and paced back and forth. "How can a woman be so jealous? As the principal wife, shouldn't she understand that it is important to have children for her husband?"
"Your Majesty." Song Fu Rui suddenly called out.
"What is it?" Emperor Chang Wu's words were interrupted. He turned to glare at Song Fu Rui, only to see him subtly signaling him, his eyes repeatedly glancing in Gu Yan Chen's direction.
He paused for a moment, then turned to see that Gu Yan Chen's smile had vanished. His handsome face was set, anger flickering in his brow. He then knelt heavily. "Your Majesty, my wife is virtuous and kind. It is not that she prevents me from taking a concubine; it is that my heart belongs to her, and I do not wish to be with other women."
Everyone in the room, from the Emperor to the serving palace maids, was stunned.
Commander Gu was actually talking back to the Emperor?
Did he not want his future? Was it worth it for a woman?
Emperor Chang Wu's heart was shaken. He suddenly thought of himself twenty-four years ago. At that time, he had only doted on Consort Rong. Even when she was pregnant and unable to attend to him, he had refused to visit the palaces of other consorts.
Was this not the same simple reason? His heart was with her, so he had no interest in other women and did not want to make her jealous or sad.
He looked at the young man, whose appearance bore a striking resemblance to Consort Rong, with a complex expression. He sighed. He couldn't finish this meal. "Esteemed Minister Gu, you have traveled far and worked hard. You must be tired. You should return and rest. We can talk more tomorrow."
Gu Yan Chen didn't understand the Emperor's anger, nor did he know when to stop. He once again posed a question from the soul. "But Your Majesty, tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve."
On such a festive occasion, didn't the Emperor need to be busy with his concubines for a reunion?
A vein throbbed on Emperor Chang Wu's forehead. How did Gu Rong teach his son? This blunt personality could offend all the court officials in minutes.
Song Fu Rui quickly smoothed things over. "Commander Gu, there is a palace banquet on Lunar New Year's Eve. Officials of the third rank and above may bring their families."
Gu Yan Chen asked, "Wasn't my official post already stripped?"
Song Fu Rui: ......
Emperor Chang Wu suppressed his urge to summon Gu Rong to the palace and punish him on this festive day. He softened his voice. "Minister Gu, you have not committed any offense. How could I possibly strip your official post without reason? I am merely reassigning you. There are currently two vacancies for the position of Third Rank official: one is the Vice Minister of Personnel, and the other is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. You may choose which you prefer."
To be able to choose one's own official position? This imperial favor was perhaps too magnanimous.
Gu Yan Chen looked with confusion at Emperor Chang Wu, whose face was a mixture of green and white, yet he was trying to maintain a kindly demeanor. He realized, belatedly, that the Emperor was being overly lenient with him.