I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 248 - 176: Young Master Gu Attends Court for the First Time

Chapter 248: Chapter 176: Young Master Gu Attends Court for the First Time

Rong Heng paused in his steps, speaking word by word.

Rong Miaoyan repeated these eight words, still not understanding: "Lowly conduct but self-cultivation, embody virtue and remain steadfast? That is indeed a commendation... Rong Heng, what exactly are you trying to do? Is there something wrong with this phrase, or does it have some special meaning?"

Rong Heng did not turn back, his voice growing cold: "You don’t need to know what it means."

Lowly conduct but self-cultivation, embody virtue and remain steadfast—

When I was a child, just learning calligraphy from my Third Imperial Brother, I wrote many flowery praises on a fan and gave them to several Imperial Brothers.

The one for Rong Jing was exactly these eight words.

Rong Heng’s dark eyes were deep and unfathomable, and he murmured softly:

"Rong Jing, don’t forget, I am still here."

He had been dormant for so long, originally intending to continue like this, but with Gu Lan now serving as a Colonel of the Dingyuan Army, how could he stand still?

What belongs to him, he will reclaim bit by bit;

What he cares about, he will never abandon again.

Rong Miaoyan shook her head, walking back to her chamber in confusion.

Inside the palace, Empress Su had already composed herself, sitting at her desk, casually looking through some documents that Miaoyan had brought.

With Rong Heng’s recent treatment, Empress Su’s complexion had improved significantly. Even though she still wore plain clothes, she exuded elegance and grace.

Seeing her mother like this, Rong Miaoyan felt very happy.

Gu Lan had once said something to her.

She said, the Emperor can have countless concubines, with a harem of three thousand, and if the Empress only misses a deceased person, she has no right to stop it or criticize.

Miaoyan accepted this, trying not to care about her mother and Third Imperial Uncle’s past. That was her mother’s matter; she only hoped her mother would be healthier and live a peaceful life.

Empress Su flipped through the documents and suddenly said, "Yesterday, your grandfather came to see me, saying that Zixiao is no longer serving as the Capital Commandant of the imperial guard. He kneeled outside the ancestral hall for two days and two nights, wanting to join the Dingyuan Army."

Rong Miaoyan was taken aback, then sighed:

"When Su Zixiao and I studied together at the Imperial Family School, I already knew he admired Dingyuan Marquis. Now that Dingyuan Marquis has finally returned to the capital, he truly wants to seize the opportunity to join the Dingyuan Army... I wondered why he submitted a resignation a few days ago."

Su Zixiao is the legitimate grandson of the old Prime Minister Su and Empress Su’s nephew. By lineage, Miaoyan calls him cousin. Previously, when Su Zixiao served as Rong Qijun’s companion, the two had a pretty good relationship.

Empress Su said, "Zixiao is a good child, and your grandfather sees him as the successor of the Su Family."

"Pfft, with guests in abundance and a paragon among Dayan’s scholars, and the first gentleman’s teacher as the Prime Minister, the successor wants to join the military, specifically the Dingyuan Army. This is quite amusing—did Grandfather agree?" Rong Miaoyan asked, stifling her laughter.

"Since he came to see me, it means he has compromised," Su Zhixue said, "He said he will bring this matter up to Your Majesty in court tomorrow, and he wants me to persuade you to speak well of Zixiao at that time."

Rong Miaoyan frowned, suddenly realizing the importance of this matter.

After pondering for a moment, she said coldly:

"Grandfather wants Su Zixiao to join the Dingyuan Army, and this is definitely not something Your Majesty would want to see!"

Su Zhixue paused her fingers on the documents: "Why? It’s just changing from a Capital Commandant of the imperial guard to a Colonel in the Dingyuan Army. Is there anything inappropriate about this?"

"Your Majesty hopes for checks and balances between Prince Rui’s Mansion and Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, and between the Su Family and the Lu Family. Since an accident previously prevented the Lu Family from forming a marriage alliance with the Marquis Mansion, lacking in foundation and unable to compare to Grandfather... The Su Family is now the Emperor’s principal worry, so how could he allow Grandfather to send Zixiao to the Dingyuan Army and intervene in military matters?"

Rong Miaoyan’s words were rapid but clear in explanation.

After Su Zhixue understood, she asked, "But Zixiao was previously the Capital Commandant of the imperial guard, and Rong Jing didn’t say anything."

Rong Miaoyan shook her head and slowly explained:

"The power to move the twenty thousand imperial guards in the capital, the Tiger Talisman, and the Commander are all firmly in the control of His Majesty. With Su Zixiao commanding only a mere thousand of the imperial guard, His Majesty naturally does not care.

But if Su Zixiao joins the Dingyuan Army and gains the Marquis’ favor, there would be Su Family members involved in state affairs, military, and in Xie Yun’s Ministry of Revenue finances."

"As you suggested, if Zixiao establishes himself in the military, the Su Family could become Dayan’s first powerful family. By then, your grandfather would be a minister for three reigns, Dayan’s premier authority!"

Su Zhixue’s eyes widened slightly.

Rong Miaoyan responded with a "hmm," softly murmuring:

"No wonder Grandfather agreed to Zixiao’s request; he couldn’t resist such temptation himself..."

Su Zhixue looked steadily at her daughter, her eyes full of comfort and sorrow.

What Miaoyan said, she had never thought of; she only assumed that child Zixiao wanted to join the military to kill the enemy, protect the country, and Su Wenzhong didn’t agree before because the army was dangerous. Now that he agrees, it’s because he couldn’t resist the child’s pleading.

But she never expected that this matter could have such a big impact on the Su Family.

Rong Miaoyan raised her head, her sharp and cold eyes with tear moles looked up:

"Mother, I won’t help Grandfather tomorrow, nor do I dare to help. The reason I have a standing in the court is because I convinced His Majesty and am willing to balance Grandfather with the Lu Family. This is my role; if I help the Su Family, it means I’m no longer useful."

Su Zhixue smiled slightly, gently holding her daughter’s hand, and said indifferently:

"It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to help the Su Family, that’s your choice.

I have already repaid the Su Family’s kindness of raising me with my life trapped in the deep palace. I only have you as my daughter, and your well-being is a thousand times more important than the Su Family."

Rong Miaoyan’s eyes stung, nodding with tears.

Fortunately, Mother understood her and didn’t insist on her helping in the court.

"Mother’s health has improved a lot; after this winter, Miaoyan will ask permission to accompany you out of the palace for a spring outing and pray for blessings." Rong Miaoyan composed herself and revealed a gentle and soft smile.

Su Zhixue softly said, "My health is thanks to Rong Heng. Ning An, your Uncle Wu has not been doing well all these years. If you can, help him."

Rong Miaoyan nodded slightly. Although Rong Heng often annoyed her and fought with her over Gu Lan, he did save Mother... If he wanted her to add a sentence in Marquis Zhongcheng’s edict, she wouldn’t refuse.

However, she still couldn’t figure out why Rong Heng wanted her to add those eight words to the edict.

The next morning in court, Rong Miaoyan brought the newly revised edict document with the Ministry of Rites, wearing a blue official uniform, and entered the palace.

At 5 a.m. in Yan Capital, the sun had not fully risen yet. Along the corridors of Taihe Palace, imperial guard soldiers in golden armor stood solemnly.

The civil and military officials walked in pairs or threes, until they saw the figures of Young Master Gu and Gu Changting, when their expressions became subtle.

Gu Lan had been appointed as Captain of the Cavalry previously, and today, it was her first time attending morning court.

In front of outsiders, Gu Changting straightened his back unconsciously, appearing dignified and graceful.

He restrained his playful demeanor and whispered, "Lan, once you enter the court, just stand opposite me."

Gu Lan yawned, took out a candied fruit from her sleeve and chewed on it, thinking how attending court was even earlier than going to the Imperial Family school. Thankfully, if there was nothing special, morning court was only once every ten days. Next time, she would definitely eat before coming.

Her cheeks puffed slightly, like a soft white bun, as she asked, "What rank is the Junior Minister of Honglu Temple?"

"Fifth rank... secondary fifth rank," Gu Changting answered awkwardly.

Only officials above the fifth rank in Yan Capital had to attend court; he, being a secondary fifth rank, barely qualified.

Gu Lan blinked, harmlessly curled her lips, and asked innocently, "What rank is the Captain of the Cavalry?"

"...Fourth rank."

Gu Lan patted Gu Changting on the shoulder, "Brother, from now on, you’re not someone else’s kid anymore, and when you’re in front of me, you have to address yourself as ’this official’."

Gu Changting: "..."

At this moment, Gu Chengzhao walked up from behind. He was not dressed in official attire, his hair tied with a jade crown, and he wore a wide white robe, looking very graceful.

"Isn’t Marquis Gu supposed to not attend court?" Gu Lan asked.

Marquis Gu sighed and said helplessly, "Ah, your father recently has insomnia, thinking of attending court to fall asleep."

Gu Lan: "..." To think Marquis Gu is treating this like a math class.

Marquis Gu looked at her with a smile, his heart brimming with joy, thinking his daughter is truly beautiful.

Young Master Gu wore a navy court dress with black tiger patterns embroidered on the chest and cuffs, adding an air of pride to his gentle and harmless demeanor.

She held herself long and tall, with a Xiu jade folding fan casually hanging at her waist, her features delicate and handsome, her clear eyes like a painting of fireflies in ink.

When Gu Lan was not smiling, her thin lips were slightly pressed, exuding an unrestrained aloofness, but when she smiled, it carried an ethereal charm that could captivate all beings.

Marquis Gu suddenly felt that no one in this world could be worthy of his daughter.

"Gu Lan!"

A gentle voice sounded.