Chapter 647 The Emperor's Heartache
The emperor seemed completely unaware of where he was sitting. The others wanted to remind him, but because of the emperor's status, no one dared to speak up.
In the end, it was Gu Renjie himself who said, "Your Majesty, I am about to perform the wedding ceremony. Would Your Majesty please sit down to the side?"
Having served as acting Grand Secretary for the past two months, Gu Renjie had long been accustomed to arguing his case based on reason. Now that he was about to pay respects to Heaven and Earth and his parents, the Emperor naturally could no longer continue to sit in the main seat.
Seeing that Gu Renjie showed no fear of him, the emperor was at a loss for words.
He was clearly the boy's biological father, yet he could only watch from the sidelines at his son's wedding.
Watching Gu Renjie lead his new bride to kowtow to Gu Jin and Ji Shi, the emperor felt a pang of sorrow for the first time in his life, yet he could not show it in front of these people.
"Gu Qing is truly blessed!"
After the ceremony, as the crowd escorted the bride and groom away, the emperor turned to look at Gu Jin, who had a beaming smile on her face.
"Your Majesty is too kind. I have no good fortune to speak of. I would be content as long as these children cause me less trouble."
Gu Jin spoke politely, but the joy on his face could not be hidden from the emperor.
"You are too modest, my dear minister."
For some reason, the emperor felt uneasy seeing Gu Jin being so obsequious and respectful today.
"I've heard that your eldest son's wife comes from a humble background? With your son's abilities and talents, why don't you find him a woman from a better family?"
Although the emperor said he was asking a question, it was clearly in an interrogative tone.
Gu Jin smiled upon hearing this and quickly replied to the emperor, "Your Majesty is unaware that although my daughter-in-law's father is only a fifth-rank official, he is still from an earl's family. She excels in poetry, literature, etiquette, and everything else. Most importantly, Renjie likes her. Rather than marrying a girl from a prominent family, I think this is much better."
Gu Jin spoke these words from the bottom of her heart to the emperor, but the emperor interpreted them in a completely different way.
She said he was outstanding in poetry, literature, etiquette, and everything else, and that Gu Renjie liked him. But it was clearly Gu Jin who was worried that if Gu Renjie had another powerful maternal family, he would compete with her own son for the title.
It is said that people tend to assume the worst about others, and the emperor at this moment was no exception.
Knowing that Gu Renjie wasn't Gu Hou's biological son, she felt that Gu Jin wouldn't genuinely care about Gu Renjie. Because Gu Renjie was her own son, she felt that everyone was mistreating her child.
Ultimately, the emperor was unwilling to admit that he was the one who had truly abandoned him back then.
"The ceremony is over, I shall return now."
The emperor felt that he shouldn't have rushed over today. Not only did he witness the deep affection between a father and son, but he also made himself feel sullen.
Gu Jin still had many guests to entertain, so the emperor's departure was actually a good thing for him.
So Gu Jin pretended to be polite for a few words, and then personally saw the emperor off onto the carriage to return to the palace.
Back inside the mansion, everything was harmonious and joyful once again.
Seeing that the emperor had left, He Ruyan knew that the princes would not be returning, so she said goodbye to Madam He and left the Marquis's residence first.
Meanwhile, in the second courtyard, unlike the lively atmosphere on the first side, He Yin was tugging at Second Master Gu's sleeve, insisting on following him to the banquet.
"I told you to stay inside, but you wouldn't listen. It's just a meal, isn't it? If you want some, I'll have it brought over."
Master Gu tried his best to suppress his impatience and coaxed He Yin.
Upon hearing this, He Yin burst into tears: "Is Second Master afraid that I will embarrass you? I know that you are still troubled by my past, but now that you have brought me back, why do you still hesitate?"
He Yin couldn't even remember how long it had been since she last left the Hou Mansion. Ever since she was brought back by Second Master Gu, she had become an insignificant figure in the eyes of the eldest son's family.
If it weren't for my own abilities, the second wife would probably have been controlled by those vixens.
Seeing He Yin's tearful face, Master Gu's heart softened, but remembering the old lady's warning, he still did not agree to her request to go to the front yard.
"Green Ivy, go to the front yard and have someone send over some of the best food so you can have a good meal with Madam."
Master Gu was busy greeting guests, so he had to entrust the task of looking after He Yin to He Yin's maid.
"Second Master!" He Yin was still somewhat unwilling.
Seeing this, Second Master Gu reached out and wiped away her tears. "Alright, be a good girl. Tomorrow, I'll have Green Ivy accompany you shopping. You haven't been shopping in a long time, have you?"
Upon hearing about going shopping, He Yin was secretly delighted, but she still tugged at Master Gu's sleeve with some reluctance, stammering, "Then Master Gu must keep his word."
"When have I ever gone back on my word? Alright, the guests in the front yard are waiting for me to entertain them!"
As he spoke, Master Gu patted He Yin's hand and turned to leave.
After Master Gu had walked away, Green Luo stepped forward to help He Yin and said, "Is Madam happy now?"
"You silly girl, how dare you gossip about your master. Go to the front yard and have someone bring me some food."
He Yin glanced at Luoluo, but because Luoluo was someone she trusted, she didn't deliberately hide her emotions.
After Green Ivy left, a maidservant emerged from the corner and, taking advantage of He Yin's inattention, ran towards the main house.
Inside the new house, Gu Renjie had just helped Meng Wei sit down on the bed when Gu Shuyan barged in with Gu Yuxin and Xu Shan'er.
"Why are you here!"
As soon as Gu Renjie opened his mouth, Gu Shuyan looked at the new house in surprise and said, "My God, big brother, why is your new house decorated like this?"
Gu Shuyan stared in astonishment as she saw all the unusual items she had bought gathered together and placed in Gu Renjie's new house.
After hearing what she said, Gu Renjie glanced around and saw that the shelves were filled with all sorts of random things.
For a moment, Gu Renjie thought he must be seeing things, otherwise why would his new house be decorated like this?
"What, what's going on here?"
Gu Renjie asked the question, but no one present could answer it.
If Gu Renjie knew that Ouyang Jing was the one who came up with the idea, he would have all these things delivered to Gu Yingjie's courtyard right now.
"I actually think this decoration has a unique charm."
Xu Shan'er picked up an unknown wooden carving with great interest. Once she held it in her hand, she realized that the thing could move.
"Brother Gu, can I have this?" Xu Shan'er asked casually.
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