Chapter 804 The Curtain Falls - Think Twice
The moment these people spoke, it was clear they were saying they wanted to discuss the Empress's matter with Gu Renjie.
Lu Hexuan did not stop them, but a gloating smile appeared on his lips.
You all think Renjie is an easy target. Since you're all eager to be bullied, I'll have to grant your wish.
"My lord, since the officials have all said so, let them go in!"
As Lu Hexuan spoke, he winked at Gu Jin, clearly understanding his meaning. Gu Jin simply went along with their suggestion and agreed.
After sending a maid ahead to inform the others, Gu Jin leisurely led a large group of people towards the inner courtyard.
Gu Renjie had anticipated that the ministers would come after him, so he was not surprised by the maid's report.
"Husband, should I avoid this place?"
Although this is his and Gu Renjie's courtyard, there are still so many ministers here. If they see her here, who knows what kind of trouble they might cause.
Seeing that Meng Wei wanted to leave, Gu Renjie stopped her with a candle, saying, "No need. If they dare to force me again, the guards of our Marquis's mansion are not to be trifled with."
Gu Renjie spoke calmly, even pulling Meng Wei along to leisurely sip tea.
When the ministers arrived, they saw this scene, and everyone who was in a hurry was dumbfounded.
Wasn't this the person who left the palace in a huff? How come they don't seem angry at all, but rather quite content?
"Your Majesty, it's time for you to return to the palace."
As a veteran of three reigns and a highly respected figure among these people, it was natural for the Grand Secretary to speak first.
However, Gu Renjie seemed not to hear his words. He stood up and looked at the ministers with a smile, "Why have you all come? Father, why don't you invite the ministers to have tea in the front courtyard, but instead come to your son's place?"
Gu Jin was startled the moment Gu Renjie spoke.
If Gu Renjie had called him that before, it would have been fine, but now that he's the emperor, calling him "father" now would just give these people something to use against him.
However, Gu Jin quickly realized that Gu Renjie was probably doing this on purpose, to tell these people that he, Gu Renjie, could be the emperor and also sit as the eldest son of the Gu family.
"Look how senile I am, bringing all of you here."
Gu Jin turned to look at Lu Hexuan as he spoke, “Your Highness, gentlemen, please come with me to the front courtyard for tea.”
Gu Renjie's words had already shocked everyone present, but Gu Jin went along with him, leaving everyone stunned on the spot.
“My lord, I would like to share this cup of water with you, but it seems that none of you gentlemen want to leave.”
Lu Hexuan's words completely separated him from the ministers, and for a moment everyone looked at him, their eyes saying, "Your Highness, how can you be so handsome?"
The Grand Secretary glanced at Lu Hexuan and gave a disdainful snort.
"Your Majesty, as the Emperor of the Great Zhou, you should shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the country. How can you leave the palace so easily just for the sake of choosing an Empress, and show such disregard for the proper etiquette between ruler and subject?"
The Grand Secretary never considered that his words had angered Gu Renjie, and that he should soften his tone and try to persuade Gu Renjie to go back.
"Your Excellency, are you speaking to the wrong person? I clearly stated in the main hall that I would not become emperor."
Gu Renjie spoke each word with an air of seriousness, not at all like he was joking.
However, the Grand Chancellor felt that Gu Renjie was playing hard to get, with the aim of getting them to compromise and acknowledge Meng's position as Empress.
"Your Majesty, please don't go too far. We have already come to invite you in person. Shouldn't you give us some face as well?"
Now that the royal family is without anyone, Lu Hexuan is still just a pretty face with no substance. Without Yun Yichen's restraint, the Grand Secretary is very self-righteous and thinks he can play the role of the Imperial Tutor.
But what need is there for Gu Renjie, who grew up in the aristocratic circles of the capital, to teach him anything?
"So even you, sir, care about your reputation. I thought you asked me to retract my order because you didn't care about your reputation."
Gu Renjie's obvious targeting left the Grand Secretary speechless. He had thought this new emperor seemed easy to talk to, but now it seemed that he was not only impulsive but also very difficult to deal with.
Seeing this, an old minister quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, saying, "Your Majesty's feelings are understood, but the Meng family is truly unfit to be the mother of the nation. We urge Your Majesty to reconsider."
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
When one person's flower falls, others quickly follow suit.
Gu Renjie knew that these people would not compromise so easily, but it was good that he could take this opportunity to give the court a good overhaul.
Just as she was about to speak, a melodious voice came from outside the courtyard, "Who says that my sister-in-law is not worthy of being the Empress?"
The speaker was none other than Gu Shuyan, who had come upon hearing the news.
Compared to when she first returned to the capital, Gu Shuyan has not only grown taller, but has also become more and more feminine.
As she slowly entered, the crowd naturally parted to make way for her.
"Who are you? How dare a mere woman like you discuss matters of the court?"
After being humiliated by Gu Renjie, the Grand Secretary immediately turned his attention to Gu Shuyan upon seeing this girl who could be his grandson.
He thought Gu Shuyan would be terrified after being startled by him, but the young woman in front of him remained calm and met his gaze instead.
"No wonder my elder brother was so angry that he went back to the Marquis's mansion. It turns out it was you, you old scoundrel, who was taking advantage of your age."
Gu Shuyan's reputation had shocked the entire capital. When she said this, others didn't think there was anything wrong with it, but for someone who was used to being respected, the Grand Secretary was so angry that he was blowing his beard and glaring.
Legend has it that the wife of the Gu family's heir severed ties with her maternal family and even caused her stepmother to be imprisoned. Now it seems that this woman is ten times more wicked than the rumors suggest.
The Grand Secretary turned around and looked at Gu Jin with unfriendly eyes, "Does the Marquis allow a mere woman to speak to a guest like this in your residence?"
Seeing the Grand Secretary so angry, Gu Jin felt incredibly pleased. Upon hearing his words, Gu Jin retorted without any politeness, "What kind of guest is Your Excellency? Besides, what wrong has my daughter said?"
Gu Jin changed his attitude and stood beside Gu Shuyan with a protective look.
Most people didn't realize until this moment that this arrogant woman was actually Yun Yichen's incomprehensible wife.
"You, you..."
The Grand Chancellor had never been treated like this before. Even the late emperor had never spoken to him so harshly. Yet today, he had been humiliated by the Gu family father and daughter.
He hesitated for a long time, his face turning bright red, but he just didn't know what to say.
Go ahead and curse, but you're in someone else's house right now, with so many people watching you.
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