For the first time, he suddenly felt lazy and really wanted to steal half a day to spend with her.
But this was just a thought; his years of diligence wouldn't allow him to do it.
He lowered his head and kissed the girl's smooth forehead, then moved her to the inside to sleep. When he got up, the girl's soft arms suddenly reached out and hugged his waist tightly.
Wen Nongnong, her eyes half-open and half-asleep, said, "Your Highness, don't go, stay with me..."
Gu Linchao's heart softened. He stroked her face and coaxed her gently, "Nongnong, be good and go to sleep by yourself. I have to go to court."
Wen Nongnong didn't seem to hear her, she mumbled something, then turned over and lay facing inwards.
Gu Linchao paused, pulled the thin blanket over her waist, and then got off the bed.
After he washed up and dressed, he saw that she was fast asleep, so he pushed open the door and went out. He told Lü Qiao not to disturb her, and then went to the palace to attend court.
When they arrived at the palace gate, they encountered Xiao Yan again. Seeing that he kept yawning and looked like he hadn't woken up yet, Gu Linchao frowned: "I haven't seen you look energetic for a single day."
Xiao Yan wiped away the tears that had welled up in his eyes with a handkerchief, and said in an annoyed tone, "I've never seen you so listless before. It's true, having a wife is great. She serves you ginseng soup every day. Your energy is so abundant that it makes people jealous."
Gu Linchao: "..."
Seeing that he was speechless because of his words, Xiao Yan felt a sense of accomplishment. This was truly unprecedented.
He became increasingly smug, almost bursting out laughing.
Gu Linchao glanced at him and said, "The Emperor will grant you a marriage soon, then you won't have to be jealous of others anymore."
Xiao Yan: "..."
He immediately wilted, "Hengzhi, Hengzi, your uncle has treated you so well, how could you do this to me?"
Gu Linchao paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "There's nothing wrong with getting married. It's not as complicated as you think."
Xiao Yan said sourly, "You married a good wife, of course there's nothing wrong with that, but do you think everyone can be as lucky as you? What if I had married a shrew? Wouldn't my life have been bleak?"
Gu Linchao ignored him and went straight into the Imperial Council Hall.
Halfway through the routine court meeting, news of a victory suddenly came from outside.
Immediately afterwards, a soldier rushed in with a letter, knelt on one knee and reported, "Your Majesty, Regent, General Wen sent me with a report of victory: the bandits of Kunhu Mountain have been wiped out, and a number of treasures have been seized, which will be transported to the capital soon."
Upon hearing this, Gu Heng's face lit up with joy. "Quickly present the letter to me for my review."
Hao Fulu immediately went down to retrieve the letter and presented it to him.
After reading the letter, Gu Heng happily handed it to Gu Linchao, saying, "Uncle, please take a look too. Wen Tingyun has made a great contribution this time."
Gu Linchao took the letter and read it through. Just as the imperial guards had said, Wen Tingyun had written in detail about the process of suppressing the bandits at Kunhu Mountain, including how many bandits were killed and captured. In addition, the bandits at Kunhu Mountain had occupied the mountain for a long time and amassed a lot of wealth, all of which had been seized by Wen Tingyun and were now being transported to the capital, where they would arrive soon.
After reading the letter, Gu Linchao handed it to Hao Fulu, indicating that he should read it aloud in front of the entire court.
After hearing this, all the ministers were delighted.
"Your Majesty is delighted to have achieved such a great victory on your first command of troops. Our great cause has gained another valiant general," a minister said happily.
"As expected, heroes emerge from among the young. General Wen's future is limitless." Many ministers turned to Wen Shiqing and began to flatter him.
Wen Shiqing was naturally pleased, but he did not show it. Instead, he humbly said, "It is my son's honor to serve the court. The successful suppression of the bandits this time is also thanks to the Emperor and the Regent. It is really not worthy of praise."
Gu Heng said, "Duke Dingguo is too modest. Back then, the old Duke Gu was a fierce general who made countless contributions to the court. I think Wen Tingyun has the same demeanor as the old Duke." As he spoke, he turned to look at Gu Linchao, "General Wen has made great contributions to the court. Uncle, what do you think should be done to reward him this time?"
"There's no rush. Although General Wen made a great contribution by leading the troops to suppress the bandits, the other soldiers who went with him also deserve credit. Your Majesty can wait until they return to the capital before rewarding them."
Gu Heng pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Uncle is right. Let's wait until they return to court before discussing their merits and rewards."
After the court session ended, Xiao Yan, like everyone else, showered Wen Shiqing with compliments.
He spoke at length: "The Duke of Dingguo is good at family education. Not only is his heir exceptionally capable, but his second son is also remarkably capable. He has also raised a daughter as intelligent and virtuous as the Regent's Consort, which makes the Duke of Dingguo very envious and admiring."
Upon hearing this, Wen Shiqing finally couldn't help but smile. "You flatter me, Duke Jingguo."
Xiao Yan suddenly said with some regret, "It's a pity that the Duke of Dingguo has no other daughters, otherwise I would definitely come to ask for their hand in marriage."
After saying that, he couldn't help but think of the time in Tunzhou when he was almost fooled by Wen Tingyun, who was dressed as a woman, and he couldn't help but feel a little resentful.
Turning to meet Gu Linchao's knowing eyes, he coughed to cover his embarrassment, "I was just joking. If the Duke of Dingguo had a daughter, I wouldn't have asked for her hand in marriage. Otherwise, wouldn't we be brothers-in-law of the same generation?"
Gu Linchao said, "Even if the Wen family has other daughters, they might not be willing to marry you."
Xiao Yan: "..."
“Why wouldn’t I want to? I also achieved success at a young age, and I’m handsome and dashing,” he said defiantly.
Gu Linchao couldn't stand it anymore, so he simply ignored him and turned to talk to Wen Tingyun.
Upon arriving at the palace gate, after parting ways with Wen Shiqing and his son, Xiao Yan suddenly stopped Gu Linchao, who was about to mount his horse, and said, "Hengzhi, let's have dinner at your residence today."
For the first time ever, Gu Linchao agreed, "Okay."
"Huh, why are you being so easy to talk to today?" Xiao Yan looked at him suspiciously.
Gu Linchao pushed his hand away and said calmly, "When we pass by Qingfeng Pavilion later, go in and buy a roast goose. Nong Nong wants to eat it."
“Okay, no problem.” Xiao Yan readily agreed. It wasn’t until he arrived at Qingfeng Pavilion and bought the roast goose that he belatedly realized why Gu Hengzhi had been so agreeable this time; he wanted him to run errands.
He was so angry that he gritted his teeth and thought he might as well just take the roast goose back to his own residence, but then he realized that he would be eating alone there anyway, so he reluctantly took the roast goose to the Regent's Palace.
Seeing Xiao Yan bring roast goose, Wen Nongnong said happily, "Uncle, you're too kind. You came all this way, why did you bring roast goose?"
Xiao Yan's lips twitched slightly, thinking to himself, "Birds of a feather flock together."
This girl is just like Gu Hengzhi.
Although she said that, her eyes were fixed on the roast goose in his hand.
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