Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1149 - 985: The Empress Summons

"Has the time not yet come? What are you all waiting for?" Xia Qing recalled Gu Chengyu, his heart anxious, and he couldn’t help but urge.Now that the Emperor has passed, perhaps the Crown Prince has not yet thought of the matter concerning the Tianji Taoist. But Gu Chengyu will certainly not forget, as the court knows the Tianji Taoist was recommended by him.

If the Crown Prince pushes the blame onto him because of this, won’t he be in danger?

"Why the hurry? First, go and stabilize those people; the princes haven’t arrived yet, how can we act rashly?"

The cloaked man chuckled, mocking Xia Qing’s timidity.

This is a good opportunity, but one must be cautious. The master said to fish in troubled waters if possible, and if not, wait for another opportunity.

As for this old fool Xia Qing, did he truly believe the master would trust him? If he’s unusable, then he shall be discarded.

"What? But as soon as I show up in the palace, those people will certainly arrest me. Perhaps they’ve already thought of it, and will soon besiege my residence."

Xia Qing was worried, as the sudden change in plans left him anxious and afraid.

These people change plans at will and expect his constant cooperation. Hmph! Do they think he is a fool? He’s maneuvered through the officialdom for years, would he not have precautions?

"What are you afraid of? The more it is like this, the more you should go. Rest assured! You hold not insignificant power in the court, even if the late Emperor is gone, your influence remains!"

The piercing, sinister laughter gave Xia Qing goosebumps. He didn’t know if this person was human or ghost, always wearing that black cloak, not daring to show his face.

Xia Qing also knew there was no good plan for now. He paced around the room and then came up with an idea.

Inside Chengqian Palace, all the officials were dressed in mourning attire, kneeling within the hall.

The Crown Prince stood on the steps, gazing into the distance, at a vast expanse of white. All the Capital Officials were gathered here, the hall couldn’t accommodate everyone, so lower-ranked officials were kneeling outside. Tomorrow morning, the noblewomen of the Capital would also have to come to mourn.

This was the last time his father accepted the kowtow of the officials. In the future, he would become the master of the world.

The Crown Prince scanned the room, looking at the officials bowing at his feet, his heart inevitably surged with emotion.

"Your Highness! With the Emperor’s passing, we must immediately send people to the fiefs of the vassal kings to announce the mourning and instruct them to rush to the Capital!" Hu Maoshen crawled forward a few steps to report to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince’s imagination was interrupted by Hu Maoshen, and he couldn’t help but feel slightly embarrassed. Just after his father’s passing, he was already thinking of these things, truly unfilial.

"Of course, those sent to announce the mourning have already departed." The Crown Prince thought of those two ambitious brothers, and couldn’t help but have a headache.

With the Emperor’s passing, as princes, Prince Gong and Prince Jing must return to mourn.

According to the old system, when the Emperor passed, the vassal kings were not allowed to enter the Capital, only required to mourn in their fiefs.

The Crown Prince couldn’t help but regret that if this tradition were maintained in the current dynasty, he wouldn’t be so troubled.

But since the founding of Dayan, when the late Emperor passed away, the rule was changed. With these brothers coming to the Capital, he must cautiously guard against them.

"Your Highness! What of the Third Prince?" Zhong Shize stepped forward, only mentioning this before stopping.

"Your Highness! I believe that now the Third Prince has become a layman, already detached from worldly affairs and wholeheartedly devoted to Buddhism. It’s best not to disturb him." Shen Shikang, at this moment, was even more excited than the Crown Prince. Although the Emperor’s passing was sudden and caught people unprepared, the subsequent succession of the Crown Prince, with him being the Imperial Uncle, naturally elevated his status.

When the Crown Prince was still a Prince, they, the Shen Family, supported him with all their might. Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Shen Family will definitely leap to the pinnacle of aristocratic families in the Capital.

As for the Crown Princess Consort’s family, the Lang Family, they couldn’t compare with the Shen Family.

The Crown Prince pondered for a moment and said, "Though my third brother has already left worldly affairs behind, not seeing Father before his passing is already a regret. We should still send someone to announce the mourning; whether he comes or not is up to him. After all, being a monk, he shouldn’t be entangled with worldly matters."

Though Father had instructed him on his deathbed not to kill his third brother, he naturally felt angered at the time. But thinking about it now, his third brother had become a monk and was entirely under his control, so he needn’t be overly cautious.

On the surface, things still needed to be managed; whether his third brother comes or not is his own matter.

Gu Chengyu, unable to return home, was stopped by the Empress. Having just changed into mourning attire, he was led into Guangning Palace.

"This minister pays respects to the Empress, may the Empress have peace and prosperity!" Gu Chengyu knelt and performed a grand salute.

The Empress was also in a wide-sleeved hempen robe, her luxurious jewelry gone, with only a rosewood hairpin in her hair, appearing very plain.

At the moment, the Empress looked haggard and occasionally dabbed her red-rimmed eyes with a handkerchief.

"Rise! I have long heard that Junior Minister Gu is exceptionally talented and capable, and as handsome as Pan An. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation."

The Empress’s voice was choked with emotion, yet still imposing.

She cast her eyes over Gu Chengyu, unable to deny his pleasing appearance, understanding why Ying remained enamored with him.

A pleasing appearance had enchanted Ying, much to the Empress’s dissatisfaction.

"Your Majesty’s praise is too generous; the rumors are exaggerated, this minister dares not accept!" Gu Chengyu was guessing the Empress’s intentions, likely related to the Emperor summoning him before his death.

Was she testing his loyalty?

"Junior Minister Gu, don’t be overly humble. I’ve always appreciated your sensible and talented nature."

The Empress took a sip of tea.

"Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty; this minister is truly honored and overwhelmed!" Gu Chengyu’s ability to ingratiate himself stemmed from a thick-skinned demeanor refined over time.

No matter the Empress’s true intent, he feigned ignorance.

The night had long fallen, and he had yet to return home, unsure of how things were at his residence. His parents were unfamiliar with these protocols, and with the entire city under lockdown, he didn’t know if chaos had ensued at home in his absence.

Gu Chengyu was deeply concerned about his household, while also curious about the brocade box in his possession. He had no opportunity to see what was inside.

Because of the Empress’s summons, he hadn’t even been allowed to retrieve mourning attire from home, with the tailoring room of the palace handling it instead.

"Junior Minister Gu, while the Emperor was alive, he greatly relied on you. Even on his deathbed, he dismissed both the Crown Prince and me, yet summoned you. Do not betray the Emperor’s trust!"

The Empress shifted the conversation to the Emperor’s last words.

Gu Chengyu immediately knelt, "This minister is grateful for the Emperor’s immense grace and will spare no effort to serve the new Emperor in the future."

The Empress was somewhat satisfied with Gu Chengyu’s response but did not discern any particular implication in his words.

"The Emperor and I were childhood sweethearts. Now that he’s gone, the greatest sorrow for me is a heart burnt out! The country, even if passed to Dundun, is fraught with cunning ministers, and I’m afraid Dundun’s too straightforward to manage them."