In Xingqing Palace, Emperor Wende was worried.
What kind of reward should he give to Gu Jiu that would make him appear generous, worthy of Gu Jiu's contribution, and inexpensive?
According to past practices, it was considered very respectable to reward female relatives with gold, jade, and jewelry made by the emperor.
However, this is not worthy of Gu Jiu's credit.
Not to mention the mining permit, just the sweet potato seeds will be rewarded handsomely.
With such a great achievement, if it were a man, he would have been promoted and made a fortune long ago.
Chang En was understanding and suggested to Emperor Wende, "Your Majesty, why don't you follow the example of the late emperor and grant a title to Madam Zhao's second son?"
When Emperor Wende heard this, his eyes lit up.
Granting titles is one way.
"I remember that the eldest daughter-in-law has a brother from the same mother. What is he doing now?"
"Your Majesty, Madam Zhao's brother is named Gu Ting and is currently serving in the Tianlang Army."
"He's actually in the Sirius Army! He's truly a pillar of the country."
Emperor Wende thought about it and came up with an idea.
Two days later, the palace issued an edict.
Gu Jiu's eldest son Liu Yu was promoted from General Fengguo to General Fuguo.
Gu Jiu's second son Liu Heng was granted the title of General Fengguo.
Gu Jiu's elder brother, Gu Ting, was loyal to the emperor and the country. He was promoted from guerrilla general to Xuanwei general, and directly promoted from the fifth rank to the fourth rank, a promotion of two levels.
In addition, Emperor Wende also sent someone to reward Lord Gu.
Lord Gu raised a good daughter, and the court should reward him.
Although he did not get a promotion or a title, the reward from His Majesty was enough to make Lord Gu excited for a long time.
When I received the reward, I was trembling all over.
So exciting! So excited!
After serving as an official for so many years, this is the first time I have received a reward from the emperor.
This is the dignity of a family!
"Quick, quickly offer the items bestowed by the emperor."
Lord Gu directed the servants to work.
A servant murmured, "The master is of the fourth rank, and the eldest young master is also of the fourth rank. Father and son have the same rank. Will the master feel embarrassed?"
After the family was divided, the men in the mansion were no longer ranked according to the order of seniority within the clan, but each was ranked according to his own.
Thus, Gu Ting went from being the third young master of the clan to being the eldest young master of the Gu family, and Gu Cheng went from being the sixth young master to being the third young master.
"Stop talking nonsense and get to work."
The housekeeper Gu Quan scolded the servants. He dared to say such words. Isn't he afraid that the master will be angry?
However, I guess the master hasn't thought about this yet.
Even if I thought of it, I could still persuade the master to be more open-minded by using the difference between civil and military affairs.
A military officer of the fourth rank is no match for a civil official of the fourth rank in terms of nobility.
I think with this kind of persuasion, the master will be more open-minded.
After his excitement gradually subsided, Lord Gu finally remembered that his son Gu Ting was of the same rank as him, and he suddenly felt uncomfortable.
His expression kept changing, and he wanted to get angry but couldn't.
When your son gets promoted, it’s not enough for a father to be unhappy, but he also gets angry. Be careful that people will point fingers at you and scold you.
Lord Gu is a man of dignity and doesn't have the courage to be scolded by others, so he can only bear it by himself and feel uncomfortable.
As expected, the housekeeper Gu Quan used the distinction between civil and military officials that he had thought of earlier to persuade him.
"Master, have some tea first. I heard that the Xuanwei generals in the military camp have at least 500, if not 1,000, which is nothing. How can they compare to you, the dignified and respectable Shaoqing of the Taichang Temple?"
Lord Gu picked up the teacup and put it down heavily. "Humph! I'm just happy for the boss. After being away from home for several years, he's finally made some progress. Has the boss's letter arrived?"
Gu Quan said carefully, "This year's greeting letter hasn't arrived yet. I guess it got delayed on the way."
Lord Gu was obviously unhappy and said sarcastically, "I'm afraid the brat has completely forgotten to write home and is only thinking about Madam Zhao."
Steward Gu Quan was anxious and said hurriedly, "The eldest young master and Madam Zhao are siblings from the same mother. It's only natural that he cares about Madam Zhao. I heard that it was because Madam Zhao presented sweet potato seeds that His Majesty issued the decree of reward."
It would be fine if we didn’t mention the sweet potato seeds.
When it comes to sweet potato seeds, Lord Gu is full of complaints.
"Sweet potato seeds, such an important matter, yet she didn't even think to tell me beforehand. Divine grain seeds, I heard they can yield up to a thousand kilograms per mu. If she had cared about this family and me as her father, she should have given the seeds to me, and I would have offered them to her. If I had offered the seeds, why would I be sitting here in the Taichang Temple doing nothing?"
"In the final analysis, she has no memory of her family, and she doesn't even remember me as her father. She'd rather give a good job to the Marquis's Mansion than to her biological father. She took all the credit for the sweet potato seeds, and wouldn't even give me a share."
"Her two children, one three or four years old, the other just a few months old, already have titles. And I, on the other hand, have toiled my whole life and haven't even gotten close to a title. I don't ask for a title, I just want a promotion and to leave the Taichang Temple. Even with this request, she refuses to agree. What's the point of me raising her?"
Lord Gu was full of complaints, and he vented them all out at once.
"I was truly blind. I had hoped she would marry into the royal family and help improve her family. But after all these years, I haven't seen her improve herself. Instead, she's become more and more arrogant. She refuses to come home unless it's a holiday. Does she really despise this family?"
Even in the middle of winter, Gu Quan broke out in a cold sweat. "Master, calm down! I heard that the sweet potato seeds were an accident, not Madam Zhao's intentional neglect of you. And His Majesty has also given you a reward this time. Maybe you can get a liter of rice when the new year starts."
Lord Gu chuckled twice, waved his hand, and said sternly, "Don't try to comfort me with these nice words. I've learned enough lessons and won't believe a word of it again. She just despises this family and me."
"Take this reward, for example. Why was Gu Ting promoted, while I didn't get any? It's obvious that she personally went to His Majesty and asked for the position on Gu Ting's behalf. She was willing to ask for an official position for Gu Ting, so why wouldn't she ask for one on my behalf? Does she really dislike me as a father so much? What have I done wrong that she despises me so much? It's really infuriating!"
Lord Gu was extremely angry. He walked back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed and his expression serious.
He was angry and annoyed, with a rage in his heart, but he couldn't find an outlet to vent.
Gu Quan repeatedly advised, "Master, please don't be estranged from Madam Zhao. Of all the ladies in the family, Madam Zhao is the most respectable. The young masters will all rely on Madam Zhao for their future official positions. Master, for the sake of your descendants, you shouldn't get angry with Madam Zhao."
Lord Gu's face was stern. "How dare I get angry at her? I'm angry at myself. Can't I even complain a few words? This is outrageous."
Gu Quan was so anxious that his forehead was sweating. "On the second day of the first lunar month, the Madam will be summoned to the mansion for a banquet. Master, please be gentle and don't let anyone see what's going on."
Lord Gu was very dissatisfied. "This is ridiculous! This world is terrible. Children don't know how to respect their parents, but instead, fathers are expected to please their children. How can this be justified? Tell me, what is the reason for this?"
Gu Quan sighed, "After Madam Zhao returns, if the master continues to be so displeased, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will probably be very unhappy. What if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince never comes to visit again?
Regardless, Madam Zhao has secured a reward from His Majesty for the Master. Now, who wouldn't envy the Master for having such a wonderful daughter? If it were the Marquis's Mansion, Madam Zhao would probably be made a deity."
Lord Gu was furious. "Don't mention the Marquis' Mansion to me. What has the Marquis' Mansion done over the years? Just a few words of concern and greetings, and they got the important position of Shaofu Tongcheng."
"I have worked so hard for her, even using my own savings to buy her a dowry. And how has she repaid me? She has completely ignored me. This is completely devoid of conscience and a treasonous act."
Gu Quan sighed, "That's all. The master is angry now, let him vent."
…
The other side of the Gu Mansion.
Mrs. Hu was sitting under the lamp, doing needlework for the child.
When Gu Yan came in, she nodded and the maids retreated on their own accord.
She put down her needlework and said to Gu Cheng, "The Master is making a commotion again. I had the gates of the courtyard closed and all the servants sent out to ensure that the Master's complaints would not be spread."
After a pause, she continued, "Last time he complained that Second Auntie didn't make plans for him, and this time he seems to be complaining to His Majesty as well. It seems he's dissatisfied that His Majesty only gave him material rewards and didn't promote him. I think he's dissatisfied with his eldest brother's promotion, but he didn't make any move."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yan frowned.
"Master, you are foolish! You are right. You should have sent all the servants away. Those complaints must not be heard by anyone."
Mrs. Hu took off Gu Cheng's cold outer robe and asked, "What will father say when we meet today?"
In the autumn provincial examination, Gu Cheng finally passed the examination and became a juren, but his ranking was not very good.
Today he went to his father-in-law's house and asked his father-in-law for advice on his writing.
Gu Yan's father-in-law was the Minister of Rites and had a good chance of being promoted to the Minister of Rites.
As a result, there was a palace coup in Zhao Wang, Shen Changshi died, and Emperor Wende ascended the throne.
In the blink of an eye, everything changed.
His father-in-law, Lord Hu, had missed the chance to become the Minister of Rites and unfortunately lost. He could only continue to stay in the position of Vice Minister of Rites.
Fortunately, when Emperor Wende ascended the throne, Lord Hu and his family were saved and were not implicated in the case of Prince Zhao's rebellion.
Gu Cheng said, "I showed my recent essay to my father-in-law, who said I've made great progress. I have a good chance of passing the imperial examination next year."
When Mrs. Hu heard this, she was overjoyed. "Great! I'll ask the kitchen to add two more dishes so we can have a nice drink tonight."
"No!" Gu Cheng shook his head and refused. "Before the imperial examination, eat a light diet and abstain from alcohol. I will still sleep in the study tonight, and you will be the one to take care of the two children."
Mrs. Hu smiled sweetly, "My husband, just study hard. I will take care of all the affairs in the mansion."
"Thanks a lot!"
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