Having done something against his will, Gu Tingye was still unhappy. Minglan had to offer some soothing words, telling him some funny stories to cheer him up. Not being a great joke teller, she resorted to exposing her own childhood anecdotes to achieve this goal. They chatted until the dew had fallen heavily, and the next day, Minglan inevitably slept in late. Before she could even wake up naturally, someone from the palace arrived to announce the decree.
Danju stormed in, terrified, and Minglan was instantly awakened. She scrambled out of bed to dress and put on her makeup. If she stayed up late and missed the imperial edict, she would immediately become the laughing stock of the entire capital. Fortunately, the steward Hao from the outer courtyard was quite tactful. He served good tea, snacks, and a flurry of flattery to keep the messenger at bay for a while, and Minglan finally dressed in her pearl crown and bridal robe and emerged to receive the edict.
The eunuch who came to deliver the message was carrying the imperial decree. Minglan was still not very clear in her mind. From the long and rambling speech, she only heard that he seemed to be praising her for being "gentle, pure and quiet", "filial and elegant", and was also giving her some rewards.
After the announcement, Minglan thanked the emperor repeatedly and kowtowed to express her gratitude for his great grace. She did not dare to even glance at the boxes covered with bright yellow brocade. She immediately paid the bribe and unnoticeably stuffed a plain brocade bag into the box. Inside was a pair of heavy red amber gold rings that she had picked up in a hurry. She thought they looked tacky and never wore them.
The eunuch was about thirty years old, honest and kind, with a plump figure. He skillfully opened the brocade bag and took a peek. A hint of imperceptible satisfaction flashed across his eyes. He bowed calmly and said, "Madam, you are too polite. How can I accept this?"
"It's just a little gadget. I think it's pretty. Please don't dislike it, sir." Minglan smiled shyly. This was her first time dealing with a eunuch face to face, so she spoke extra carefully.
"Madam, don't be so polite. I don't dare to be called a master or a disrespectful person. Just call me 'Xiao Tong'." The eunuch finally smiled and casually put the brocade bag into his sleeve.
Minglan knew she had addressed him correctly, and felt slightly relieved. You know, some eunuchs didn't like being called "Eunuch".
Her smile grew even warmer. "It's so early in the morning, Master Tong, thank you for making this trip. Have you had breakfast yet? If you don't mind, you can have some at my house. New rice has arrived from the south, and I've made some glutinous porridge. It's paired with the smoked deer meat and pickled vegetables I caught in the mountains a few days ago. It's quite delicious. My Lord, why don't you have some?"
The dignified young lady smiled warmly and spoke in a gentle and kind tone, without any intention of flattery. It was as if she had met her own relatives and friends and warmly invited them to have breakfast. It was purely natural and sincere concern.
The eunuch surnamed Tong couldn't help but feel a liking for her, and said with a smile, "I would like to bother you for a moment, but unfortunately I have to hurry back to the palace to report to the emperor, so I'll forget it today. The Empress has always praised Madam."
Minglan was embarrassed and said shyly, "Your Majesty, your praise is too great. I am ashamed. How can I accept such a generous reward when I have done nothing?"
After all the flattery, this sentence is the key point.
It's not that she said anything pessimistic about her family. In the past two or three months since she got married, she has been busy sweeping the snow in front of her own door. She has not given alms to the poor, never burned incense and donated money to wish for peace and prosperity for the country, and is not keen on participating in activities in the circle of wealthy ladies. In her free time, she either sleeps or looks at the account books. Apart from reciting a few words of "Heaven's grace is boundless" when receiving rewards from the palace, she has never thought about the emperor and the empress's family.
For someone like her, who has no ambition and is lazy, she couldn't help but think too much when a huge reward suddenly came to her for no reason.
Tong, the eunuch, was a shrewd man. He smiled meaningfully, "Madam, there's no need to be alarmed. Although you live in seclusion, your wisdom is renowned far and wide. Yesterday, the Emperor remarked that Commander-in-Chief Gu is calm and experienced in his work, a true example of a renowned minister. It's likely thanks to your virtue that the Commander-in-Chief's home remains free from disturbances, allowing him to focus on the king's affairs."
Minglan looked at Tong Neihuan with admiration. What she said was truly brilliant—how could she, a homely woman, be so famous for her wisdom?! It was like calling NATO a peace organization.
After the ceremonial guard that announced the decree left, Minglan walked back to the house with a lot on her mind, and asked Danju to open the several gold-plated agarwood boxes that had been given as rewards. First, there were ten rolls of tribute satin in four colors: rosy red, water blue, sky blue, and dusk, each with its own unique luster and shimmering beauty.
Danju looked at them and turned back happily, "The colors are so bright, and the patterns are so beautiful. When this hot weather is over, I'll ask the craftsmen at the Brocade Pavilion to make a few new clothes for you. I'll take them back and show them to the old lady. She'll definitely be happy."
She was so happy that she forgot her new name.
Another was a white jade bowl inlaid with kingfisher feathers and gold thread, embellished with the three inlays of "Fu, Longevity, Auspiciousness, and Ruyi"—the entire bowl was smooth and clean, without a single flaw. Those two items were fine, but the most amazing thing was the set of sixteen emerald jade bowls, each one a hue of water and sky. They looked as if they were carved from a single piece of jade, each only three inches in size, the edges of the bowls intricately carved with designs of flowers, birds, fishermen, woodcutters, farmers, and weavers. Holding them in the palm of your hand, they felt like a pool of cool, clear water, shimmering and dazzling. Such a rare item was probably worth several cities.
Xiao Tao stared with her eyes wide open, staying far away from the set of emerald jade bowls, fearing that one of them would be broken or cracked. Even if she was sold eighteen times, it would not make up for it. She could only stand ten steps away and watch, swallowing her saliva.
"You're useless!" Danju glared at her fiercely, and with trembling fingers, she carefully placed the emerald jade bowls one by one into the box covered with thick silk and cotton velvet. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief, and asked Bisi and Qin Sang to deliver the brocade to the warehouse, and she personally locked the jade ruyi and emerald jade bowls in the cupboard in Minglan's inner room.
Minglan felt like she was being pawed by a cat, and she couldn't sit still.
If the commander replenishes ammunition and equipment to a ragtag army for no reason, he is most likely trying to trick you into waiting for the assembly call; if the leader gives you benefits for no reason, it is to get you to work harder; if a man gives you benefits for no reason, it is most likely that he has done something wrong outside.
What about the royal family? Or rather, there was a reason, but she just didn't know it.
"Xiao Tao!" She stood up suddenly and raised her voice, "Go and invite Mr. Gongsun."
…
I wonder if we can invite Gongsun Baishi at this time.
After giving up hope on the imperial examination, he decided to be a hermit living in the countryside but worried about the court. As a hermit, he had to have the style of a hermit. For example, he would sleep until noon, read half-lying and half-leaning, it was best to have his hair loose when reciting poetry, and he usually wrote in the middle of the night. He admired the famous scholars of the Wei and Jin Dynasties like Ji Kang, but unfortunately he lacked the courage to really take off all his clothes and run naked or sing on people's graves. At most, he would roll up his sleeves and practice cursive calligraphy on the white wall of his courtyard.
He has always been in pain because he was unable to pay tribute to his idols with practical actions due to the strict etiquette.
After hearing Minglan's "deep understanding" of Gongsun Baishi, Gu Tingye laughed so hard that he couldn't straighten his back. He felt that he had a sympathetic feeling with Minglan. In his opinion, Gongsun Baishi was actually a person who was obsessed with dragons.
Those famous scholars of the Wei and Jin Dynasties were so unrestrained and uninhibited, getting drunk every other day and talking nonsense. Gongsun Baishi seemed casual and unrestrained, but in fact he was restrained and cautious. He was always on guard against everyone he met and only said half of what he had done.
In order to ensure the efficiency of the invitation, Minglan sent the strong and powerful Xiaotao; after thinking about it, since this time she wanted to ask someone for advice, it would be more appropriate to be polite, so Minglan asked Ruomei, who admired cultural workers, to follow.
Two ice trays were placed in the side hall, a curtain with strings was erected, and the table was set with tea, snacks, and fruit soaked in well water. Minglan sat quietly and waited. About half an hour later, Gongsun Baishi strolled over leisurely, Xiaotao striding in front with a displeased look on her face, and Ruomei followed behind him with a respectful attitude.
The Pianhua Hall, built by the waterfront and surrounded by latticed windows, was a place where, after the host and guest had exchanged formalities, they sat on armchairs at either end of a long table. Minglan dismissed the others, and Danju withdrew upon request, keeping the servants and maids at a distance of twenty steps. Through the wide-open windows on all four sides, one could only see the two people sitting across from each other from a distance, accompanied by the rustling of water and wind, but could not hear what was being said.
She had thought about this idea for a long time and it was highly appreciated by Gu Tingye.
After a few pleasantries, Minglan got straight to the point and asked, "Sir, did you know that the palace came to award the prizes this morning?"
Gongsun Baishi waved his folding fan and said, "Someone close to Madam has just informed me. I am here to congratulate Madam."
Minglan clutched her handkerchief, not caring about her appearance. She said anxiously, "It's probably not because of me. It's probably because of the governor, but I can't guess why. I came here to ask for your advice, sir."
Gongsun Baishi's face was covered with wrinkles that twisted into a ball of joy, and he waved his folding fan even more vigorously: "Madam, you are worrying too much. This must be because of the emperor's great grace. Madam's good name has reached the ears of heaven, and you are blessed with great fortune." Although he said so, there was an obvious teasing look in his eyes.
Minglan choked twice in succession. She bit her lip and tried hard to resist the urge to scratch the old man's face, even though his face was already covered with wrinkles.
Talented people with high IQ, abbreviated as "experts", these rare and magical creatures generally have a common problem, that is, they like to pretend to be profound. Before answering the questions honestly, they always want to whet your appetite. I wonder how much self-control Liu Bei needed back then not to slap to death the guy who loved to wave the feather fan.
After adjusting her thoughts and taking two deep breaths, Minglan asked sternly, "My uncles and brothers have acted carelessly and have committed crimes without explanation. The governor has asked the emperor for leniency. Sir, do you agree?"
"...Madam, that's a good question." Gongsun Baishi finally stopped joking and slowly closed his folding fan. "These past few days, I've repeatedly urged Zhong Huai to plead with His Majesty, but it wasn't until the day before yesterday that Zhong Huai agreed."
Minglan looked serious, stood up straight and said, "What the governor and you are worried about must be very important. It is not my business as a woman. But now the matter has spread to the inner house. I have to go to the palace to express my gratitude tomorrow. I am afraid that I will say something wrong in the future. I hope you can give me some advice." After that, she bowed deeply to Gongsun Baishi.
Gongsun Baishi immediately stood up, slightly stepped aside, and respectfully bowed, saying, "Madam, you are too modest. You are gentle and modest, and you manage the family well. You are a blessing to Zhong Huai. If you have any questions, I will answer them with all my knowledge."
He observed her coldly these days and found that she was an extremely self-disciplined woman. Although she was obviously trusted and favored, she never overstepped the line. As long as it was related to the important affairs of the court, she would not ask any extra questions (actually she was lazy).
Gu Tingye has great power, but even though people come to her house to curry favor with her every day, she never uses her power for personal gain or acts arrogantly. She treats everyone politely, modestly and courteously (she doesn't have the courage to accept bribes).
The two sat down again. Minglan pondered for a moment and found that asking questions was also a difficult problem. Where should she start?
"Why did you persuade the governor to plead for the Marquis's Mansion?" This seems to be a good entry point.
Gongsun Baishi stroked his sparse beard and said slowly, "Madam, what do you think of the current emperor?"
This question and answer were completely irrelevant. Minglan tightened the handkerchief in her hand again. Well, we have to get used to the way of thinking of highly intelligent people.
"They say a minister shouldn't presume to guess the emperor's intentions, but that's only half true." Gongsun Baishi didn't expect Minglan to answer. He raised his head slightly and looked at the beams. "If you can't guess the emperor's intentions, how can you get things done? Civil officials and military generals of the same background and knowledge, those who guess well and accurately will rise to the top."
Minglan looked at Gongsun Baishi from the side. Actually, the old man was not even fifty years old this year, but his face was weathered from traveling for half his life. His slightly chapped face was covered with wrinkles, and he looked as old as a man in his sixties. Only his eyes were sharp and capable, shining brightly.
"Zhong Huai isn't even thirty yet. First, he's not a relative of the Emperor, second, he's not a former official in the Imperial Residence, and third, he's not a veteran general or eunuch. Yet, he's able to command a large army and hold a high position. What's the secret? Duan Chengqian, Geng Jiechuan, Zhong Dayou, Liu Zhengjie... and Shen Congxing. They've followed the Emperor since he was in the Imperial Residence, through thick and thin for over a decade. Which of them wouldn't protect him with their lives? Which of them wouldn't be utterly loyal?"
Minglan smiled bitterly, "Even if we were to rank them by seniority, it wouldn't be the governor's turn to be in the front."
Gongsun Baishi lowered his gaze, nodded approvingly at Minglan, and continued, "When the Emperor first ascended the throne, he treated several veteran generals with great courtesy and frequently promoted them to new positions in order to appease the army. As a result, those in the Imperial Residence were afraid to move. I advised Zhong Huai at the time, 'The new emperor will inevitably deploy troops. Either you stay put, hoping the Emperor, remembering their past kindness, will grant you a small official position, and you can live peacefully. Or you go all out and fight for a place in the Emperor's heart.'"
"He naturally chose the latter path." Minglan was not surprised at all.
"Zhong Huai was resolute and resolute, acting with swift action. Despite the risk of dismissal, he imposed harsh punishments and severe penalties, beheading many, and then within the first few months, he trained his troops to perfection. Although the Emperor reprimanded him several times, in reality, this behavior played into His Majesty's wishes."
Gongsun Baishi stroked his beard, his laughter filled with pride. "Later, as expected, there was a disturbance. Once the battle broke out, the other generals were either too concerned with each other, procrastinating or too weak to lead the troops quickly and effectively. Only Zhong Huai's army obeyed orders and marched south. At the time, there were those with ulterior motives who secretly tripped up the troops during the march and evaded orders. With the two armies at stake, how could there be any room for error? Zhong Huai immediately killed half of them and tied up the other half, including one of General Gan's old subordinates and a nephew from the same clan."
Minglan let out a soft cry, unable to hide her surprise.
"So what if I was impeached? So what if I was hated? In this world, one good thing can cover up a hundred ugly things! Your Majesty destroyed the rebellious army of Jing Tan and secured his throne. He is a wise ruler and all officials celebrate. Zhong Huai won the battle and he is the chief contributor to the establishment of the dynasty! Chen Duan Geng Liu Zhong and others can only be convinced!" Gongsun Baishi's eyes were bright and his tone was high-pitched, as if he had great heroic spirit in his chest.
Minglan admired Gu Tingye's courage and boldness, but she wanted to ask, "What does all this nonsense you're talking about have to do with what I just asked?" But most experts have bad tempers, and Minglan was afraid he would walk away, so she had to restrain herself from reminding him that today's conversation had strayed a long way from the topic.
"But this is a surprise attack, a risky tactic. However, surprise attacks are not the right path, and risky tactics should not be used frequently." Gongsun Baishi supported the back of his chair and slowly sat down, taking his breath. "After all, Zhong Huai must proceed step by step. Slowly build up his connections and accumulate merits. Offending too many people and being too radical are not good things."
Minglan nodded repeatedly out of habit. ...Hey, wait, it seemed like she had seen this somewhere before. A famous general who loved drinking black tea had said something similar.
She thought to herself and unknowingly said it aloud: "...The so-called way to win is to gather an army larger than the enemy, make fewer mistakes than the enemy, and then fight well. Using the few to defeat the many, the weak to defeat the strong, is not the normal way of using troops, nor the right way."
Gongsun Baishi was slightly surprised when he heard this and laughed out loud, "Madam, what you said is interesting, but the truth is there, it's exactly the same."
Minglan gave a dry smile. She had almost forgotten all the professional legal provisions from her previous life, but she still remembered this. The Party and the country's years of cultivation were not as impressive as a novel with many handsome men. She was ashamed.
"Zhonghuai is just a newly-minted military general, appointed as a second-rank official, with no honorary titles, no additional titles, and no foundation. Although he is trusted by the emperor, he still has a group of ministers, cabinet ministers, and university scholars above him who can give him orders... It is not easy for him to gain a foothold, or even to move to a higher level." The old man's hoarse sigh shook the whole room.
Minglan was silent. She had never expected that his career would be so difficult.
"Well, let's get back to the point. What kind of monarch is His Majesty?"
Gongsun Baishi picked up the tea bowl, gently skimmed off the tea residue, took a few sips to moisten his throat, and continued, "The Emperor was a vassal in his teens and lived in the borderlands of Shu for a long time. From the army to the court to the imperial palace, he had no help at all. It should be said that the staff in the palace are quite capable. Since returning to the capital, the Emperor has acted with great skill and always has the best reason."
Minglan knew this; she had heard her father and brother mention it in fragments, so she said, "That principle is the word 'filial piety'."
"That's right," Gongsun Baishi said with a smile, thinking that he was from a family of scholars and had an extraordinary upbringing. "The Emperor slept on the floor beside the late Emperor's bed for half a month, serving him medicine. He was able to show his authority to the civil and military officials. The Emperor observed mourning for the late Emperor and did not select concubines for three years, but lived in plain clothes and simple food. He could then punish those noble sons who indulged in pleasure. Just this punishment would be applauded by the upright officials."
Minglan slowly calmed down. He seemed to have said nothing about her question, but in fact he had said everything.
She slowly loosened her clenched fingers and looked up to listen quietly, so quietly that she could even hear her own heartbeat. This was the first time in her life that she truly felt the charm of political intrigue and scheming, a gentle yet thrilling experience.
"You haven't finished what you said, sir."
The voice was calm and gentle, just like the light drops of water hitting the smooth stone steps under the eaves after the rain.
Minglan tilted her head to look at the ice basin in the corner. "What do you mean by 'always right' and 'righteous and confident'? The Emperor was appointed Crown Prince by the late Emperor, so what if he wasn't? At most, he'd just be criticized by a few memorials. How could anyone deny him the Emperor? Sir, what are you, or anyone else, so afraid of?"
She raised her eyes, which were clear and bright, like a quiet spring, shining directly at the person opposite her.
Gongsun Baishi paused with his folding fan, and the smile on his face faded. He stared at Minglan for a moment, then said calmly, "Madam, you are right. Of course, the late emperor's crown prince wasn't the only one appointed by the current emperor."
Minglan didn't understand what he meant. The Third and Fourth Princes were both dead, the Fifth Prince had rebelled and been executed, the Sixth Prince had been demoted to a commoner, and the Seventh Prince had died in infancy. Wasn't it only natural for the Eighth Prince to ascend the throne? What were they worried about?
She was a little confused. Although she was fine, she felt a vague sense of unease. It was as if a low, surging drumbeat was slowly beating in her ears. The heavy drum skin rang, getting closer and closer. In an instant, a light flashed through her mind, and she blurted out, "It's Prince Yu! It's the little prince that the Sixth Prince adopted to the Third Prince!"
Gongsun Baishi secretly praised and bowed solemnly to Minglan, "Madam, you are a virtuous woman with a heart as clear as a mirror. It is precisely that little prince who is less than ten years old. You must know that the adoption of the little prince was originally ordered by the emperor, and the appointment of the third prince as crown prince was also approved by the emperor. They were just about to announce it to the world, but who knew that there would be such a sudden change."
At this point, the old man could only sigh. "When the late emperor was seriously ill, countless people whined and wailed at his bedside, urging him to appoint the young prince as the crown prince. Fortunately, the late emperor understood the principle that the country relies on the eldest son. In this situation, if he appointed another child emperor, it would have triggered a fight among the powerful relatives and ministers, and I'm afraid it would have caused chaos immediately. That's why he resisted the Empress Dowager Shengde's pleadings and appointed the current emperor's biological mother as the mistress of the six palaces, and then appointed the crown prince. Alas... these palace secrets are not known by many people."
Minglan pondered for a moment and said decisively, "Isn't this just leaving trouble behind? Didn't anyone remind the late emperor to do things more cleanly?" The Third Prince's lineage had been operating in the capital for many years, with complex connections both overt and covert. How could their human and financial resources be compared to those of the Eighth Prince?
"Even the most upright and honest members of the cabinet have been struck down. Prime Minister Shen is a sly old fox. Furthermore, even if the late emperor had noticed something was wrong, he couldn't bear it. After all, the Third Prince died tragically. The Third Princess was always kind and gentle, and she was well-liked by the emperor. Empress Dowager Shengde's sudden loss of support is truly pitiful. If their heirs were also deprived, the Third Prince's lineage would be lost. The late emperor couldn't bear it, and it was unavoidable. Alas... since the late emperor's passing, there has been no peace in the court and harem, and it has been difficult for the emperor as well."
In fact, Gongsun Baishi also felt that this matter was unreliable, but since the man was dead and the late emperor, it was not appropriate to criticize him too much.
Minglan fell silent. Her political professor had once said that behind every proposition there was a force supporting it.
When the Eighth Prince ascends the throne, the makeshift team he brought from the border area will be able to rise to prominence; when the Third Prince ascends the throne, the forces he supports will be able to rule the world; once someone has tasted power, no one will be willing to give it up.
She now understood why the emperor was so eager to arrange a marriage between Uncle Shen and the Duke of Ying. It was just that the two forces were competing for votes in the middle. And why the emperor kept holding on to the case of the Fourth Prince's treason, it was just that he was looking for an excuse to tie things up and take the opportunity to eliminate some of the opposing forces.
"The forces at court can be roughly divided into four groups. The Emperor, Empress Dowager Shengde and Prince Yu, the upright civil servants, and the local instability." Gongsun Baishi frowned, clenching his fists as if deep in thought. "That's about it, but there may be more obscure reasons that I don't know yet."
"Don't worry, sir." Minglan listened intently, gradually entering the state of mind. "I see that the emperor is quite methodical in his actions. He always finds a way. First, there are the upright scholars. They..."
She considered her words carefully. These people were actually the most cunning, and there were two of them in her family. They pretended to be sages and assisted the king, but they always stood on the side of reason and resolutely refused to make mistakes.
"As the Emperor's throne becomes increasingly secure, they will naturally draw closer. As for the local forces, as long as the central government is stable, they can be gradually subdued. The most troublesome thing is... ahem, besides, I heard that before the late Emperor died, he personally asked the Emperor to take good care of Empress Dowager Shengde and Prince Yu and his mother."
Gongsun Baishi slapped his thigh and sighed heavily, "Who says it isn't? It's like a thorn in my flesh, impossible to shake off. But it doesn't matter. I just hope the Emperor won't be too impatient. Give it ten or eight years, when the constraints are lessened, and then we can slowly deal with it."
"Maybe after ten or eight years, everyone will accept their fate and stop causing trouble." Minglan predicted optimistically. This interest group is not a cult organization. Even if their brains are damaged, the diehards will stick to it.
"Don't go off topic, let's get back to ourselves." Gongsun Baishi had an expression that said 'you young people just can't focus'. Minglan was embarrassed. Who changed the topic from the Water Curtain Cave to the Flaming Mountain?
"Though the great chaos has subsided, undercurrents are still surging, and the court is even more treacherous. To secure a stable position, one must not only divine the emperor's will, but also assess the direction of the current situation." Gongsun Baishi stood up, turned his back, and gazed out the window at the mountains and rivers, sighing, "If the emperor is not well, Zhong Huai will certainly not be well. However, if the emperor is content with everything, Zhong Huai may not be well either."
"What do you mean?" Minglan frowned.
Gongsun Baishi turned around and smiled helplessly, "Zhong Huai had some friendship with the Emperor back then, but it was still not as good as those confidants who had guarded the Emperor for more than ten years. What's more, the Eighth Prince and the Emperor are two different things."
"...The emperor has no family, and family affairs are state affairs; the emperor has no friends, only the distinction between monarch and minister; the emperor is selfless, and only the mountains and rivers and the people of the country should be in his heart." Minglan suddenly remembered Mr. Zhuang's words and recited them in a low voice - even Xiao Xuanzi and Xiao Guizi could not get over this hurdle.
"Madam, you're so understanding. I'm relieved. I've put so much effort into giving Zhong Huai instructions, but I don't know how much he's taken in. As a minister, you should be careful. Don't assume the Emperor will cover everything for you." Gongsun Baishi smiled and nodded. "That's why, after the incident at the Marquis' Mansion, I was the one who urged Zhong Huai to go and plead for mercy."
The turn was too fast. Minglan blinked her eyes to indicate that she didn't understand.
"Firstly, Zhong Huai is so old, but he holds a high position, which inevitably attracts attention. As soon as he became successful, he ignored his closest relatives. Regardless of whether it is reasonable or not, people's words are scary." The old man shook his head and said.
Minglan nodded slowly. This was also one of her biggest concerns at the beginning.
"Secondly, what is the Holy Heart's opinion on this matter?"
Gongsun Baishi narrowed his eyes in amusement. "Actually, the Majesty doesn't take the bad things the Marquisate has done seriously. Whether he deals with them or not doesn't affect the overall situation. What matters is what kind of ministers the Majesty wants. Yi Ya, Shu Diao, Gongzi Kaifang. Guan Zhong's words of advice to Duke Huan of Qi are a lesson for us not far away."
Minglan was greatly impressed. This hit the nail on the head. She asked herself, when she was managing the household, did she prefer the kind of person who ignored all relatives or the one who cared more about her family? This is a very delicate psychological state.
"The third, and most vexing, issue." Gongsun Baishi sat down again, picked a few grapes from the agate plate, and slowly began to peel them. "I know about Zhong Huai's grievances, my wife knows, the Marquis's Mansion knows, but how many people outside know about it? Zhong Huai still has a reputation as a playboy, but the Marquis' Mansion doesn't have anything particularly outrageous to prove against him. Alas, the accumulated criticism is devastating, decades of prejudice."
Minglan moved her lips a few times and then closed them again.
"Can Zhong Huai reveal what happened back then? No, otherwise it would be extremely unfilial." Gongsun said again.
Minglan carefully pondered the meaning and nodded slowly.
What happened to the Bai family was a disgrace to the Gu family. They married her for money, but did not treat her son well. He forced the son to run away from home. If these things were to be made public, the reputation of the old Marquis Gu would be ruined, and the family would become a laughing stock.
But a son should not speak ill of his father. If Gu Tingye really makes a big fuss about it and ruins his late father's reputation, then he would be both right and wrong.
"Because of these three things, I have always advised Zhong Huai to take a long-term view and not get hung up on the gains and losses of a city or a place. There is a long time to go. He has plenty of time to overturn Madam Bai's case and seek justice for himself. Why rush into it?"
Gongsun Baishi wiped his hands with a cold handkerchief beside him, stroking his beard. "Zhong Huai was very angry a while ago, so I didn't say much. Two days ago, when you returned from the Marquis' Mansion, I saw that he had softened a bit, so I went back and tried to persuade him. Finally, I convinced him."
Minglan was touched and felt that this old man really cared about them, which was why he was so persistent in persuading them.
"...Sir, you have worked hard, Minglan. Minglan really doesn't know how to thank you." She bowed to the old man sincerely.
Gongsun Baishi waved his hands repeatedly and said with a smile, "It's okay. Zhong Huai and I are close friends regardless of age difference, and our temperaments are quite compatible. Besides, my advice wasn't in vain. I told Zhong Huai not to go to anyone else, not to argue, but to plead with the emperor. If he can cry when he feels sad, that would be even better."
Minglan opened her mouth slightly, what a mysterious mind.
In other words, Gu Tingye was not trying to exonerate those bastards. They were indeed guilty, but he was just asking the emperor to give them a lighter sentence for his sake.
In other words, the focus of this persuasion was not the result, but the act itself. It didn't matter whether those bastards could get away with it or not; the key was to make the emperor understand Gu Tingye's difficulties and suffering, and let him see a Gu Tingye who valued friendship, was soft-hearted, and had a kind heart.
Minglan finally understood and smiled slyly, asking softly, "Did he cry?"
"Well, I wanted to ask my wife." Gongsun Baishi pretended to glare and blew his beard.
Minglan covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled softly, thinking that this old man was quite adorable. In the end, she bowed and smiled, "They say that hearing one word from you is worth ten years of reading. Thanks to you for not looking down on my ignorance and taking the trouble to explain it in detail. Today I have broadened my horizons. I would like to express my gratitude to you."
"No need, no need. I'm not saying this for nothing." Gongsun Baishi smiled and shook his head. "Although Zhong Huai listened to the advice and pleaded for mercy this time, he was still filled with anger. A real man must act with a clear mind, otherwise he will either offend others or hurt himself. Yesterday afternoon, after he talked with his wife for a while, he looked much better when he left. Last night... cough cough, I heard from Xiao Shunzi that when Zhong Huai left this morning, his face was bright and he seemed to be fine."
The old man praised Minglan repeatedly, which made Minglan blush and lower her head in shyness.
"I can't nag him all his life. You two are the ones who are supposed to grow old together. It's always better to make it clear to your wife as soon as possible." Gongsun Baishi smiled very open-mindedly.
"In short, it's all thanks to your talent, sir." Minglan was extremely embarrassed and quickly changed the subject.
"It was because Zhong Huai thought clearly that I was able to convince him." Gongsun Baishi was also very humble.
Minglan was eager to talk about something else, so she asked hurriedly, "What did you say, sir?"
"Zhong Huai was so angry he asked me if there was a way to vent his anger without getting in trouble. I said, yes," Gongsun Baishi said with an unfathomable expression, "as long as Zhong Huai is willing to be a lone minister."
"A lone minister?!" Minglan was shocked. No, she didn't want to be a relative of a lone minister.
"Yes, to be a loyal minister with no relatives or ties, relying solely on the emperor's trust throughout his life."
Minglan was speechless for a while. Forming a clique for personal gain was certainly wrong, but it was not right to be without any friends in the court.
As far as she knew, half of the heroic and loyal ministers in the long history did not have a good ending, classic cases: Shang Yang, Wu Qi, Chao Cuo; half of them died a good death, but their descendants had no one to take care of them (their fathers offended everyone), and the family's prosperity ended in one generation, classic case: the "cruel official" Tian Wenjing.
"Don't worry, Madam." Gongsun Baishi saw Minglan's worried face and suppressed a smile. "As soon as I said that, Zhong Huai flatly denied it."
Minglan breathed a sigh of relief and patted her frightened heart - very good, very good, fortunately Gu Tingye is a playboy who transformed into a seemingly pillar of society, but his ideological awareness has not kept up with his political quality.
Gongsun Baishi glanced at Minglan, smiled silently and stroked his beard.
In fact, Gu Tingye’s original words at that time were: He wanted to get a wife so that she could live a good life, not suffer with him.
…
Seven or eight days later, late one night.
Mrs. Shao came in from the door carrying a bowl of hot medicine, but saw Gu Tingyu sitting up from the bed, leaning on the pillow and thinking about something. She was immediately frowned with worry and cried softly, "Why are you up again? Lie down quickly." She went forward to help her husband.
Gu Tingyu waved his hand: "You lie down day and night, and when you are tired, get up and rest for a while."
Mrs. Shao remained silent and could only sit aside and blow the medicine gently.
"Just now, my aunt came again." Gu Tingyu looked at the ceiling of the bed, his face was haggard, but his eyes were sharp.
Mrs. Shao sighed imperceptibly, "Why is she here again... Alas, she clearly knew you were ill, so why did she keep coming back to bother you?"
"She's anxious." Gu Tingyu said with a hint of sarcasm, "She wants to get rid of that matter before I die."
Madam Shao hesitated to speak, but finally couldn't help but said, "Madam, don't you think about what you said..."
Gu Tingyu's sallow face flushed with a sickly red. He suddenly laughed, and his laughter brought on a cough. Mrs. Shao patted his back, and it took a long time to suppress the cough. He gasped and said, "What have you heard outside these days?"
Madam Shao thought for a moment and said, "That day, the imperial guards came to announce that the Marquis's Mansion was colluding with the Rebellious King. However, considering that my second brother had made great contributions, my fourth uncle was old, and my third brother wasn't deeply implicated, they all released him. Only my brother Bing was left. Several people pointed fingers at him. Sigh... He's going to be in that icy and snowy place for three years. My sister-in-law has been crying a lot these past few days."
"That's all?"
Mrs. Shao thought about it again and shook her head.
"You!" Gu Tingyu smiled. "You're just an honest guy." He straightened up with difficulty and whispered, "Have you not heard the rumors these days? They say that my aunt is a stepmother, cruel and vicious, and that she deliberately forced my second brother away so that I could die and my third brother could inherit the title."
Mrs. Shao still shook her head: "Why bother with those things if they don't exist?"
Seeing her husband's face as haggard as a skeleton under the light, she couldn't help but feel sad.
Gu Tingyu slowly leaned against the headboard of the bed, speaking with a hint of sarcasm, "I just told my aunt that my second brother has grown up now, is resourceful and scheming, and won't just take my words at face value and wait patiently. Even if I change my mind, he has a trick up his sleeve. Now that he's secured the mansion, he's even more unwilling to give up his title. I told her to give up on the idea and not to mention adopting Xian Ge'er anymore."
Mrs. Shao was stunned: "You mean, these rumors are about my second brother..."
"It's not necessarily just rumors." Gu Tingyu laughed self-deprecatingly, "My aunt might have had that thought."
After a while, Madam Shao opened her tired, red eyes and suddenly burst into tears: "With my second brother's current ability, how could this title slip away from his grasp? Why force him so much? We want to adopt a son, but for the sake of your future inheritance and your grave, we won't compete with him for the title. He, he... can't he tolerate this?"
Gu Tingyu looked at his wife with pity and said softly, "Don't cry, or you'll hurt your eyes. This isn't your second brother's fault. He's been pent up for over twenty years and now that he's made a name for himself, he thinks he's earned the title legitimately. If I leave an adopted son, it will always give people something to talk about, a handle. Once trouble starts, there'll be no end to it. Besides, it's fine for someone else, but adopting Xian Ge'er? Wouldn't that be fulfilling Auntie's wish? Humph, how can your second brother agree to that?"
Mrs. Shao also knew that the situation was irreversible and could only shed tears. Gu Tingyu raised his arm with difficulty and wiped her tears: "Don't think about adoption anymore. I never believe in what happens after death. Now, the only things I care about are you and Sister Xian. Alas, if you follow me, your life will be ruined."
"Don't say such things!" Mrs. Shao cried out, throwing herself on her husband's legs and crying, "I have no talent or beauty, and my family background is ordinary. Being able to marry you is a great blessing."
Gu Tingyu gently stroked his wife's hair and said weakly, "I'm going to tell you a few words now. You must remember them."
Mrs. Shao looked up and responded vigorously.
The man, frail as a withered branch, tried his best to lower his voice and said sternly, "First, after I die, no matter who instigates you, you must never again mention adoption. If not for yourself, then for Sister Xian'er. As long as I don't have an adopted son, my second brother and his wife will treat you well. Even if Sister Xian gets married, they will still protect her. It's much better than adopting a son who has no sense of purpose or ability."
Mrs. Shao was crying with tears all over her face. She lay on the edge of the bed and could only nod continuously.
"Secondly, if there is any conflict between my second brother's wife and the old lady in the future, you must not get involved. Especially when my aunt asks you to do something, you must be extremely careful." Gu Tingyu emphasized the last few words.
Mrs. Shao was crying and looked confused.
Gu Tingyu smiled sadly, "It's only in recent years that I've come to understand my aunt. She's always using others as a target. It was the Fourth and Fifth Houses that caused my second brother and them to become enemies, but she always tried to be nice to the old man. Even I, hmph, am afraid I've been tricked."
Mrs. Shao wiped her tears blankly: "No way, I think the lady is very good."
"I think the old man finally figured it out, so he left letters to his uncles in Jinling and Qingcheng."
Gu Tingyu sneered, "Why do you think Fourth and Fifth Uncles are trying so hard to interrogate my cousin uncle? They're just trying to seize the inheritance that Grandpa left to my second brother. That's the eldest branch's business, and it has nothing to do with them. It's just that Auntie said she's willing to divide the property equally among the three families. Humph, she's the best at winning over others and targeting one side. "
Hearing these words that sounded like a last will, Mrs. Shao felt cold all over and was heartbroken, but no tears came out. It seemed that she had already been sad enough and could only nod woodenly.
"I don't think my second sister-in-law is a domineering or mean person. If you just do these two things and treat her politely, I think you can get by. ... No, I need to think about it. Why not give her a big gift? You can't offend her. Okay... This is good. You two can live better, and you don't have to worry about Sister Xian'er's marriage."
Gu Tingyu was extremely tired, his voice became softer and softer, almost talking to himself.
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