Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 904 - 740: The Promotion Opportunity Is Gone?
After the Eldest Prince regained his composure, he continued to smile and advised the Emperor to take care of his health.
"Eunuch Chen, kindly remind Father to remember to take his medicine on time and ensure that his knee is kept warm."
"Your Highness need not worry, I always remember!"
De’an’s old face blossomed into a smile, ready to send off the Eldest Prince from the Imperial Study Room.
"Enough! Does the Emperor need your reminders? Just take care of your own health."
Although the Emperor pretended to be displeased, judging from his smiling eyes and relaxed demeanor, Liang Zhirui could see that the Emperor was quite pleased.
Alas! Liang Zhirui deeply sighed in his heart. No wonder the Emperor is so partial to the Eldest Prince, it’s because the Eldest Prince is so skilled at pleasing people.
As long as the Eldest Prince is willing, he could surely cheer the Emperor up immensely.
Liang Zhirui felt even more troubled, as it seemed the Emperor intended for the Eldest Prince to become the Crown Prince. Looking at this attitude, it was very clear.
As soon as the Eldest Prince left the Imperial Study Room, his expression darkened.
He had come because he heard rumors that Father was going to decide on a Princess Consort for the Fourth today, and the legitimate daughter of the Duke Zhen’s Mansion was mentioned.
Originally, he thought that since the Fourth was reclusive and indifferent to worldly affairs, it wouldn’t matter if he married the girl from the Duke Zhen’s Mansion.
But later he learned that the Fourth was like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, so how could he let the Fourth succeed?
However, later the Fourth suggested a deal, asking him to support the marriage proposal in front of Father today.
Of course, he wasn’t foolish enough to trust the Fourth. But he still came, not because of the Fourth, but because Liang Zhirui was here.
In recent days, the rumors in the Capital were impossible for Liang Zhirui to miss, and Liang Zhirui happened to be Gu Chengyu’s teacher.
Now that Liang Zhirui came to see the Emperor today, his purpose was self-evident.
He immediately thought of Gu Chengyu, if Liang Zhirui wanted to cancel the marriage with the Fourth, he would surely drag Gu Chengyu into the water.
He actually didn’t even know why he was here, as he hadn’t intended to help the Fourth.
To be honest, with the Fourth’s temperament, he would surely let him know into whose hands the treasure map fell. But since this matter had been simmering for days, he had already figured it out, thus he didn’t care anymore.
Although he had been recovering from injuries recently and somewhat neglected matters in Hejian Prefecture, didn’t Gu Chengyu go to Hejian Prefecture? What’s the need to ask about the outcome?
Just by observing Father’s attitude, it was clear. Was he a fool?
The Fourth always thought hiding in the shadows and manipulating things could muddle the waters. Unfortunately, the others were not fools either, except for the Third, who was indeed a fool.
However, even the Third might come to realize the truth by now. If the Third were truly beyond redemption in his foolishness, he’d have long been eliminated by him.
As for the Second, there’s no need to mention, that one is extraordinarily shrewd. Unfortunately, just too weak in character.
The Eldest Prince couldn’t help but think back to when he used to get along fairly well with the Fourth, thinking that given the Fourth’s frail health, he could have assisted him in ascending the throne, and he would surely have to give him some benefits later.
After all, why bother with someone supposedly with little time left? Could the person still pose a threat to him?
Unfortunately, the Fourth’s ambition was not less than theirs, dragging his sickly body, yet daring to covet things that didn’t belong to him?
The Eldest Prince let out a cold laugh and started heading toward the palace gates.
"Elder, I won’t beat around the bush with you. When the Fourth came earlier, we already discussed the candidate. Your granddaughter is wise and virtuous, deeply beloved by me, and I naturally intended to betroth her to the Fourth. But since you’ve come to ask, I can’t bear to refuse outright."
The Emperor sighed and tightened his frown.
Upon hearing this, Liang Zhirui’s heart pounded like thunder. Was dismissing the Eldest Prince meant to announce the result?
"But I can’t dismiss the Fourth’s face for you, can I? This truly leaves me in a difficult position!"
Seeing the Emperor’s pretentious demeanor, Liang Zhirui’s heart sank to the bottom. Had the Emperor forgotten his previous promise? Was he truly going to bring up that matter?
If the Emperor truly refused to relent, he would have to swallow his pride and bring it up.
"I do have an idea; since you trust your junior disciple so much, why don’t we call Gu Chengyu to hear his opinion?"
Suddenly inspired, the Emperor gazed at the eager Liang Zhirui. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
"Your Majesty! To speak plainly, if you summon Jinyu, how dare he compete with the Fourth Prince?"
In his haste, Liang Zhirui began speaking rashly.
"So are you suggesting that I am pressuring him?" The Emperor’s face darkened, exuding imperial majesty, frightening Liang Zhirui into immediately pleading for forgiveness on his knees.
Yet, the Emperor was in no mood to heed Liang Zhirui’s words. His expression quickly returned to normal, "What are you doing? Stand up. Don’t you want to know your junior disciple’s thoughts on this marriage proposal?"
"Xiao Quanzi! Go to the Hanlin Academy and invite Mr. Gu."
Seeing the growing anger on the Emperor’s face, Liang Zhirui dare not object.
Inside, a battle between heaven and man raged in his heart. Should he bring up that matter? If he did, he’d surely succeed, but the Emperor would be furious.
This would not benefit Jinyu either. Such a dilemma!
Suddenly, he thought of his junior disciple’s usual quick wit and decided to close his eyes, steeling himself to leave the mess for Gu Chengyu.
"Your humble servant Gu Chengyu greets the Emperor and wishes him peace!" Gu Chengyu already knew on the way to the Imperial Study Room that Liang Zhirui was present too, as Xiao Quanzi had shown him face.
"Rise!" The Emperor’s countenance softened a bit in front of Gu Chengyu.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After rising, Gu Chengyu bowed to Liang Zhirui.
"Teacher!"
"Hmm!" Liang Zhirui responded, initially wanting to say something, but realizing they were in the Imperial Study Room, where they couldn’t act freely, he refrained.
"I called you here precisely for your marriage. Your teacher hopes you will become his granddaughter-in-law, and he came to ask me to grant the marriage."
Not beating around the bush, the Emperor stated directly.
"However, today Prince Jing and I have already decided on the candidates for his Princess Consort and concubine, and among them is the girl. What do you think of this?"
Just moments ago the Emperor was full of anger, but now his angered look vanished completely, this change worried Liang Zhirui even more.
Gu Chengyu did not expect this problem would ultimately land back on him, Prince Jing’s speed was truly fast!
It seemed both sides were colluding together, ah, what a coincidence fate brings!
As Gu Chengyu was about to reply, the Emperor’s sudden sentence made him feel like he was plunged into ice.
"You must think carefully, I am not an unreasonable person. If you and that girl are in love, I can fulfill your wishes. But we must give the Fourth a concession, otherwise, where would his face be? Actually, this is not hard to resolve, I agreed to promote you regarding Hejian Prefecture..."
Gu Chengyu suddenly looked up at the Emperor, what did this mean? Was the opportunity for a promotion gone?
