Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 905 - 741: All Is Lost
The Emperor raised an eyebrow and looked at Gu Chengyu, then nodded almost imperceptibly.
After confirming this, Gu Chengyu felt a chill settle in his heart.
How could the Emperor be so shameless? What does promotion have to do with marriage? Why force him to choose between the two?
Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. And why? Simply because Prince Jing is the Emperor’s son, while he is just a low-ranking official.
Merely a dispensable official who could be replaced at any time.
Liang Zhirui looked at Gu Chengyu in confusion, wondering what this had to do with the case in Hejian Prefecture. But then he quickly realized that the Emperor was threatening Jinyu?
As long as he agreed to marry Xian, would Jinyu lose this chance for promotion?
Liang Zhirui gave the Emperor a deep look, speaking up before Gu Chengyu could.
"Your Majesty! Jinyu is just a..."
But before Liang Zhirui could finish, Gu Chengyu interrupted, "Your Majesty! I have already done my utmost regarding the matters in Hejian Prefecture. However, I dare not claim credit. As for the marriage, it was never something a junior like me should decide. ’Once a teacher, always a father,’ since my teacher has already discussed it with my parents, I have no grounds to oppose."
Gu Chengyu’s words clearly expressed his stance, but they only deepened Liang Zhirui’s sense of guilt.
He hadn’t anticipated that his young disciple would have to pay such a price so soon. What he initially wanted to prevent, Jinyu had insisted on speaking up for.
Alas! How would he face Jinyu in the future?
"So your choice is to follow your teacher’s arrangement?" the Emperor asked in a deep voice.
"Actually, my opinion does not matter; the final decision rests with you. Regarding Prince Jing, although I do not wish to offend him, having already agreed with my teacher, I cannot break my word. Moreover, since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety cannot be both achieved; whether I fulfill loyalty or filial piety is up to your Majesty to decide."
Upon hearing this, Liang Zhirui shuddered. Indeed! Though Jinyu was told to choose, wouldn’t it ultimately be up to the Emperor?
If Jinyu chose Xian but the Emperor disapproved, could Jinyu possibly go and snatch the bride?
The Emperor was indeed cunning! Not only did he make Jinyu give up a readily attainable promotion, but he also used this to test Jinyu’s character.
After all, who could bear to give up the temptation of promotion for a woman?
The Emperor let out a cold laugh, "You are indeed worthy of being the Champion Scholar I appointed! You’ve said all the right things. Rest assured, I will keep my word. Once you make your choice, I will not make things difficult for you."
The fine drizzle that had been falling suddenly stopped. Gu Chengyu looked up at the patch of milky white sky where the clouds had parted and exhaled a breath of stale air.
"Jinyu! It is the teacher who owes you..." Liang Zhirui did not know what to say at this moment; after all, it was his involvement that implicated Gu Chengyu.
When Gu Chengyu had once apprenticed under him, who could have imagined that he would one day rely on this youngest apprentice?
In truth, he hadn’t taught him for many years either. Gu Chengyu’s achievements were due to his own efforts and talent.
Since retiring, he hardly had any connections left in the officialdom. He could offer little help to his young disciple.
In these years, he had enjoyed Jinyu’s blessings, with all good things sent to him and his wife, effectively taking advantage of his young disciple.
Now, using his position as a teacher to coerce him into marrying his granddaughter, causing the young disciple to lose this chance of promotion.
"Teacher, don’t overthink. I still have duties to attend to and will visit you at your mansion for a drink tonight."
Gu Chengyu glanced around and saw Xiao Quanzi standing a few steps away, smiling at him.
He returned the smile and then spoke up to stop. With so many around, it was best to say less.
"Ah, alright!" Liang Zhirui came to his senses and replied.
"Let’s go! I’ll see you out of the palace."
Gu Chengyu’s heart was also troubled at this moment. To say he wasn’t at all bothered—how could that be possible?
He had stayed in Hejian Prefecture for a considerable time, expending efforts over the treasure map and taking risks regarding the corruption and bribery case in Hejian Prefecture.
Rising from the Standard Sixth Rank to the Secondary Fifth Rank was a significant leap in ranking. Now, due to this marriage, it’s all gone.
Why seek a promotion? Firstly, for himself, and secondly, to fulfill his mother’s wishes sooner.
His mother was belittled for having once been a maid, and though she never mentioned it, he could see she was mindful of having served others. Though in Shangling Village, she commanded great respect within the Gu Family.
But since coming to the Capital, she had been reluctant to go out, worried that his low rank might cause people to look down on her, fearing she might even offend noblemen and cause trouble for him.
Recalling the Eldest Princess’s sarcastic remarks that day, if he had been a high-ranking official of Second or Third Rank, would the Eldest Princess still humiliate them like that?
Ultimately, he wasn’t a sage, unable to remain indifferent to honor and disgrace. But he would not blame his teacher, nor transfer his anger onto Yao Mengxian.
Watching the two leave, even though Xiao Quanzi knew little of what happened in the Imperial Study Room, from Gu Chengyu’s expression, he could tell Mr. Gu did not fare well today.
Although Gu Chengyu was still smiling, there was a difference from before.
"Your Majesty! The tea has cooled, shall we change it?"
Upon seeing the Emperor signaling for a refill, De’an promptly replaced the tea.
"De’an! You see, Gu Chengyu is indeed a man of loyalty and sentiment. To give up a promotion for a woman."
The Emperor shook his head with a smile. Though Prince Jing’s candidate was taken by Gu Chengyu, the Emperor didn’t seem displeased.
"Your Majesty, the old master is his mentor; since the mentor asked, naturally the disciple cannot refuse. Yet, Mr. Gu indeed is thoughtful, for whether it be his parents or his teacher, he shows great filial piety."
De’an cheerfully replaced the tea for the Emperor, replying with casual ease.
"Hmm! As for Fourth, I also don’t know how to account for this!"
The Emperor wearily rubbed his forehead; when facing Prince Jing, he always felt powerless.
Today, Gu Chengyu’s behavior indeed satisfied him; had he brushed aside the marriage for promotion, the Emperor wouldn’t dare use Gu Chengyu anymore.
Indeed, that scene earlier was a test for Gu Chengyu.
If Gu Chengyu had proven a ruthless, selfish man who forsook kin for gain, how could the Emperor trust him?
Who knows if one day Gu Chengyu would, for another’s benefit, scheme against his Emperor?
After all, the Emperor knew Gu Chengyu’s talents, and if he were cold and ruthless, calculating, how could he keep him in line in the future?
