The next day, when Gu Qingyan woke up, Gu Lin was nowhere to be found. "Yingzhi, where did Father go?"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus left the Hall of Supreme Harmony last night after you fell asleep."
Gu Qingyan pursed his lips upon hearing this. "You're such a grown man, yet you're still trying to steal the Empress Dowager from Yao Yao. You're shameless!"
"Alright, help me change my clothes."
As soon as he stepped out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Gu Qingyan shivered from the blast of cold air and reached out to pull his cloak tighter around himself.
"This December seems to be colder than usual."
“Your Majesty is right. The people are all hoping for snow so that next year will bring a bountiful harvest,” Yingzhi said, following behind Gu Qingyan. “But this severe cold…”
"After court, summon the two prime ministers to the Hall of Supreme Harmony."
Gu Qingyan breathed on his palms and quickened his pace.
The thought that someone was still in Zhaoning Palace made Gu Qingyan snort softly. No wonder he kept thinking about passing the throne. It turns out that being an emperor is a tough job!
Only when you become the retired emperor can you live a carefree life!
Meanwhile, Gu Lin was leaning against the bedside, staring intently at the sleeping Jiang Yu, unable to get enough of looking at her.
"Your Majesty, the Princess has awakened."
When Ling Mama's voice rang out, Gu Lin first showed a confused expression. "Princess?"
After realizing what was happening, Gu Lin quickly got out of bed, afraid that if he was a second late, Jiang Yao would burst into tears. When his eyes met Jiang Yao's, who was sitting on the bed in the side hall, the ahoge on Jiang Yao's head slowly stood up.
"What's Yaoyao doing here? Where's Auntie?"
"Ahem..." Gu Lin was a little unsure how to begin, so he reached out and picked up Jiang Yao. "Auntie is still sleeping, let's not disturb her rest, okay?"
Jiang Yao nodded dazedly. Strange, how did she get here?
Seeing this, Granny Ling wanted to laugh but dared not, and could only hold it in.
"Uncle, did Yaoyao come here by herself last night?" Jiang Yao wrapped her arms around Gu Lin's neck, her little face scrunched up. "That's not right, but why doesn't Yaoyao remember?"
"Children forget many things after a good night's sleep."
Gu Lin spoke without batting an eye.
"What do you want to eat?" Gu Lin's next question made Jiang Yao quickly put aside her conflicted thoughts and show an eager look. "Auntie said yesterday that the small kitchen has some excellent pastries."
"Okay, Uncle will take you to eat."
Jiang Yu slept until almost noon, and when she woke up, she didn't give Gu Lin a friendly look.
"Auntie, are you feeling unwell?"
Jiang Yao lay on Jiang Yu's lap, tilting her little head up to look at Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu quickly reached out and touched Jiang Yao's little face, "Auntie is not feeling unwell, Yao Yao, don't worry."
After saying that, she didn't forget to glare at Gu Lin. This guy actually sneaked in in the middle of the night and carried Yao Yao to the side hall, making her fall asleep just before dawn.
That's outrageous!
"Here, eat more." Gu Lin put some food on Jiang Yu's plate, but Jiang Yu just snorted and patted Yao Yao, "Yao Yao, get up and eat."
The aunt and niece were having a great time at the dinner table, completely ignoring the person who started it all.
......
"Why is Father Emperor outside? It's so cold outside."
Gu Qingyan's words were tinged with obvious schadenfreude. Wanji opened the door for Gu Qingyan, and Gu Qingyan's smile widened even more. "I won't get cold, so I'll go inside first."
"stop."
Gu Lin's voice rang out, "What advice did Zhuo Yi and Kui Ru give you?"
Half an incense stick later, Gu Qingyan looked at Gu Lin sitting in the study, his face extremely aggrieved. It turned out that this person was waiting for him to come and save the day!
Whenever he mentions court politics, the Empress Dowager will definitely let him into her room. He's such a cunning old fox!
“Right now, all regions are taking stock of the amount of charcoal and the remaining grain in the granaries, in preparation for any eventuality.” Gu Qingyan took a deep breath. “This winter is much colder than in previous years.”
Gu Lin did not express his opinion, but just twirled the little gadget in his hand, "If it snows like it did a few years ago, people will not be able to go out at all, and the grain in the granary will not be delivered to each household."
"Father, what should we do?"
"The people of Dayu are now well-fed and clothed, a far cry from the situation in previous years." Gu Lin rarely concern himself with court affairs, but each time he does, he gives Gu Qingyan a sense of profound enlightenment.
"Send notices in advance to let the people prepare, and thoroughly investigate unscrupulous merchants who take this opportunity to raise coal and grain prices. That's enough," Gu Lin said calmly. "Only the people themselves know how much they need to get through the winter."
"Father, does that mean I should do nothing?"
“Of course we have to do it. We must follow the methods that Zhuo Yi and Kui Ruo suggested to you without fail. Those are the methods for the worst-case scenario.” Gu Lin twitched the corner of his mouth. “Ayan, be prepared for the worst, but also have faith in the power of the people themselves.”
Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.
"I understand, child."
Gu Qingyan pursed his lips somewhat embarrassed, and the next second Gu Lin's voice rang out again, "You are the emperor, just don't work yourself to death on the dragon throne."
Gu Qingyan felt that his longing for his father's love had vanished in an instant.
......
Once the notice was issued, the people began to make preparations on their own initiative.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, the entire Dayu region is bustling with activity, and Gu Qingyan is also looking forward to the New Year. Even the emperor can put down his pen for a few days during the New Year!
This was also a rare day for him to rest throughout the year and not have to get up early for court.
Thinking of this, Gu Qingyan couldn't help but burst into tears. What a miserable life it must be to be an emperor.
"My lords, news has come from the Second Prince in Qingcheng."
Wanji's voice instantly shattered the harmonious atmosphere in the room, and Jiang Yu's smile faded. "Gu Qingfeng's news? That might be related to the Pei family."
Jiang Yu opened the note, read it, and then handed it to Gu Lin and Gu Qingyan.
"The Pei family wants Gu Qingfeng to come to the capital?" Gu Qingyan raised an eyebrow, wondering what scheme Pei Jian, that old fox, was plotting to have Gu Qingfeng leave Qingcheng during the New Year.
"Since Pei Jian wants Gu Qingfeng to come, let's grant his wish."
Gu Lin smiled dismissively, "Pei Jian certainly knows how to find opportunities. Knowing that Gu Qingfeng wanted to leave Qingcheng, he could only seize the opportunity during the New Year."
“Recently, the aristocratic families have been unusually quiet, which seems to have started after the other three families went to Longyou.” Jiang Yu said slowly, “It seems that this Pei Jian is indeed a formidable opponent.”
"So what if they're not to be underestimated? They still slipped up."
A cold glint flashed in Gu Qingyan's eyes. "Yingzhi, go and tell Gu Qingfeng that if we do as he says, I will have him leave Qingcheng and come to the capital."
"yes."
"The new year is almost here, and the good days for the aristocratic families are coming to an end."
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