Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 822 - 658: Heroes Should Not Be Judged by Their Origins
"Although my mother is now a noblewoman in the court, her relationship with Old Mrs. Jiang is different. If it weren’t for her achievements back then, how could my mother have her current position? Moreover, the Emperor’s boundless grace—without the Emperor’s imperial approval, how could my mother have endured hardship and reached success? They are truly benefactors of our Gu Family!"
No matter what reason Old Mrs. Jiang had for releasing Mrs. Lv’s contract back then, Mrs. Lv ultimately benefitted, and they indeed need to be grateful.
We cannot erase Old Mrs. Jiang’s kindness; everyone lives in the Capital, and they’ll inevitably encounter each other in the future. We can’t let people think that we are ungrateful.
He cannot choose his own birth, nor can he criticize his mother. In fact, he doesn’t care how others talk about him behind his back, he only cares about Mrs. Lv’s feelings.
Mrs. Lv would feel guilty because of this, feeling that she has embarrassed her son.
The Eldest Princess scrutinized Gu Chengyu for a moment; this remark served as a reminder to herself that his mother is already a noblewoman sanctioned by the Emperor.
If she were to criticize Mrs. Lv’s background again and look down on her, it would amount to questioning the Emperor.
Even the Emperor doesn’t disdain it, so what qualifications does she have, even if she is a Princess? Is she more noble than the Emperor?
It was said that Gu Chengyu was eloquent, and seeing him today indeed proved it true.
She had to admit that Gu Chengyu’s candid response made her regard him more highly.
Unfortunately, no matter how talented and capable he is, his origin remains the root of criticism.
"Old lady, you really are blessed. As the saying goes, ’A hero’s background shouldn’t be scrutinized.’ Mr. Gu is young and capable, even my father the Emperor greatly appreciates him. Surely, your hardships have finally paid off. As long as Mr. Gu conforms to decorum and works diligently, I believe he will surely ascend in his career. However, Mr. Gu is ultimately young; I worry that young people might aim too high and foolishly try to reach for high branches."
The Eldest Princess said these words ostensibly to Mrs. Lv, but her sharp and piercing eyes were fixed on Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu scoffed in his heart; seeing that her earlier words didn’t unsettle him, she was now continuing to knock him down.
Mrs. Lv could naturally hear the implicit meaning in the Eldest Princess’s words. She glanced back and forth between the Eldest Princess and her own son, feeling a bit anxious.
Could this be a warning for Xiao Bao not to entertain foolish ambitions? She didn’t believe it. What has Xiao Bao done?
To think that her beloved son, whom she cherishes, is being so disregarded truly darkened Mrs. Lv’s expression even more.
"I’ve often heard people say that my son is capable; even his teachers often praise his honesty and say that becoming a court official was solely due to his own efforts. Being down-to-earth is certain—otherwise, how could he have become the top scholar? That’s not something one can achieve by trying to climb high branches."
Mrs. Lv was also provoked by the Princess’s words. Originally, when she lived in Shangling Village, all she ever received was praise. But now the Eldest Princess repeatedly put her and her son in difficult positions; how could she swallow this anger?
If she weren’t afraid of offending someone important, she would have long since lashed out.
The Eldest Princess was slightly taken aback by Mrs. Lv’s words, and her smile faded noticeably.
This old woman and her son are the same, always speaking with veiled barbs.
Gu Chengyu raised his tea cup to his lips to hide his slightly curved smile, silently giving his mother a thumbs-up in his heart.
"Quite right, I was indeed meddlesome," the Eldest Princess said, though internally seething, she ultimately did not go too far.
She couldn’t arbitrarily punish a noblewoman; even her words couldn’t be faulted, nor could one say she was being disrespectful.
When responding, she stood up ceremoniously, maintaining a respectful attitude and a smiling face. How could she find fault?
If she truly sought a reason for punishment, there would be quite a stir in the Capital, possibly involving her daughter, something she was unwilling to see.
She didn’t want her daughter to be involved with the Gu Family, risking her own status.
Detecting the displeasure in her mother’s words, Princess Rong Jia’s heart tightened.
This incident today—would Mr. Gu now harbor feelings of animosity towards her?
After Gu Chengyu and his party left, the Eldest Princess let out a cold snort, drawing Princess Rong Jia back to attention from her thoughts.
Her heart was in turmoil, simultaneously blaming her mother for treating Gu Chengyu this way, yet also irritated that Gu Chengyu didn’t consider her mother’s dignity.
Her mother and Gu Chengyu parted on bad terms; though they appeared amicable on the surface, the tension remained beneath.
Princess Rong Jia couldn’t help but worry about her own future marriage prospects—could she still get her heart’s desire?
Once Gu Chengyu and Mrs. Lv returned to their room, Mrs. Lv finally let out a sigh of relief.
Although her expression remained unpleasant, it was somewhat better than before.
"Mother! I’m sorry you had to endure this."
Gu Chengyu was truly upset, feeling as though he failed his mother.
If only he were one of those high-ranking officials in the court with substantial authority, would the Eldest Princess have spoken to him this way today?
There were indeed factors of his origin, but mostly because he was merely a sixth-rank official.
At that moment, Gu Chengyu felt an overwhelming craving for power, stronger than before.
"Aunt! Please don’t act rashly; if you go and find my brother, grandfather and the others will surely know. Given how they treated you back then, who knows if they will try to strike again now that they know you’re alive?"
Yao Mengxian tugged onto Mrs. Yao, speaking anxiously.
"But if your brother continues down this path, not only will your life be hard, but the title might not even rest upon your brother. Xian, no matter what, he is your brother; he is your mother’s flesh and blood left in this world. You are true siblings!"
Mrs. Yao held Yao Mengxian’s hand, speaking earnestly. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Yao Mengxian’s heart became slightly bitter, how could her aunt know about the events in her dreams? What terrible treatments her brother and sister-in-law gave her?
In her aunt’s eyes, no matter how bad, he was still her brother; they were siblings bound by blood.
"Aunt! Even if you were to tell them, my brother and sister-in-law simply wouldn’t listen. I might as well not even try, Aunt..."
"Old mistress, why put the girl in such a difficult position? Her life in the manor is hard enough; how would the young master and mistress ever listen to her? It would be a blessing if they weren’t joining Mrs. Ke in plotting against her."
Mrs. Gao couldn’t stand it any longer. What did the old mistress mean by saying that? Was she blaming the girl for not persuading the young master?
Gu Chengyu and Mrs. Lv returned to their room but didn’t say much, and Sun’s mother looked at the two wanting to speak but held back.
Sun Xian tugged at his mother’s sleeve, signaling her to stay quiet, while Ye’s mother kept silent. The atmosphere thickened with tension.
In any case, having lost interest, everyone decided it was time to return home.
Outside the Capital’s city gates, a carriage with green cotton curtains pulled up at the gate. An old woman lifted a corner of the curtain, looking at the citizens queueing to enter the city, and couldn’t help but sigh: she had finally returned to the Capital.
A man about forty years old set down the whip and called out to the inside of the carriage: "Miss! This is the Capital!"
