Chapter 322: Rising Smoothly to the Azure Clouds

Gu Jiu Ling never expected Xiao Yin to chase after her; she froze on the spot.

Xiao Yin slightly turned his face, glanced at the nearby path: "Did Gu Kang come by?"

Gu Jiu Ling gathered her composure and didn't conceal it from him; though Xiao Yin had been acting oddly recently, she didn't believe he was the sort of treacherous scoundrel who would reveal her meeting with Gu Kang.

"Yes, my brother came to see me; what's the problem, Prince?"

Xiao Yin furrowed his brows intensely; he especially disliked Gu Jiu Ling's attitude.

Gu Jiu Ling regarded him as an outsider, even with a hint of wariness, which made Xiao Yin feel uneasy inside.

He walked slowly toward Gu Jiu Ling: "Listen, that brat is no longer the former Second Master Gu; stay away from him."

Gu Jiu Ling chuckled softly: "How can I stay away? He's my brother."

Xiao Yin sneered coldly: "Don't forget you and your brother have severed ties; everyone in the capital knows this."

"I still say the same: keep your distance from him; if you get dragged into this court intrigue, you won't get off lightly."

Gu Jiu Ling's thoughts shifted; Xiao Yin probably already knew her brother Gu Kang had become Emperor Longqing's blade.

Once her brother became a blade in Emperor Longqing's hand, he could stab the Eight Great Families as well as Xiao Yin.

Emperor Longqing and Xiao Yin are now mortal enemies, incompatible like water and fire.

This time, Gu Kang's identity made her relationship with Xiao Yin even more complicated.

"Prince, rest assured; I know my limits."

"It's getting late; I must return to the banquet."

"It's too late; if others gossip, the reputation of the Rui Wang Fu will suffer."

Gu Jiu Ling brushed past Xiao Yin's shoulder and headed toward a side path; Xiao Yin stood there like a wooden post, his heart suddenly feeling a pang of anxiety.

That brat Gu Kang's every step now surpasses everyone's expectations.

If it were just Gu Kang, Xiao Yin would have killed him outright.

But he is Gu Jiu Ling's biological brother and also the grandson of Du Lao Yezi; considering that relation, Xiao Yin felt a chill run through his chest.

When Gu Jiu Ling returned to the banquet, it was already drawing to a close.

She looked up and saw Gu Kang sitting not far away; sure enough, the members of the Eight Great Families all ignored him.

Suddenly Emperor Longqing slowly raised his wine cup, looked at Gu Kang, and said: "The policy essay you wrote, Minister Gu, I read it with great satisfaction."

"Such a talented young scholar—if he cannot be put to my use, it would be a pity."

Emperor Longqing suddenly said this to Gu Kang, and all the other students' faces twitched slightly.

Every examinee present who had taken the spring imperial exam, taken out, would be far stronger than Gu Kang by who knows how many times; only Emperor Longqing valued Gu Kang so highly.

Their faces were a bit embarrassed, yet they were all scions of the various families, and naturally looked down on Gu Kang's background.

Yet Emperor Longqing praised Gu Kang so highly; even if they harbored displeasure, they dared not show it on their faces.

As soon as Emperor Longqing's words fell, Gu Kang hurriedly rose and knelt before him.

"Your Majesty's praise is undeserved; I, a humble commoner, am frightened, fearing I am unworthy of your acclaim."

Emperor Longqing waved a hand and laughed: "Whether you deserve it is for me to say; starting tomorrow, you will serve in the Hanlin Academy and enter the Council of State to discuss affairs."

As soon as Emperor Longqing's words fell, an uproar immediately erupted.

Generally, examinees who ranked high in the spring imperial exam seeking office either become local officials, starting from the ninth rank.

Each year, those who excel in promotion examinations gradually advance, eventually able to secure a capital official post.

If one gains the emperor's deep favor, they will enter the Hanlin Academy as a compiler.

For example, Gu Cheng, who came from the Gu family earlier, is a Hanlin Academy compiler.

After a few years in the Hanlin Academy, with seniority one can enter the Wenyuan Pavilion and directly participate in state military affairs.

Who would have thought Gu Kang would not only enter the Hanlin Academy but also directly join the Council of State, right next to the Wenyuan Pavilion?

To enter the Council of State is to set a foot in the Wenyuan Pavilion; know that the entire Southern Qi dynasty has never before promoted anyone in this manner.

Know that the Council of State discusses major military and state affairs, which has always been the domain of the Eight Great Families; now a commoner has suddenly been inserted.

Everyone was speechless, each looking at Gu Kang with eyes that held a hint of depth.

The emperor is moving against the Eight Great Families, and moreover is supporting a playboy youth unrelated to them, Gu Kang, inserting him like a rivet into the heart of the Eight Great Families.

Although the Eight Great Families also look down on this brat Gu Kang, his foundation is unstable; he is still a pawn expelled from the Gu family.

To enter the Council of State, he might be squeezed out to death by its other officials.

But what they fear is why the emperor would arrange this; it's as if an invisible fly has been shoved into the mouths of the Eight Great Families, disgusting.

The best solution is simply to kill that fly.

Gu Jiu Ling also felt a slight tremor in her heart; this is too underhanded.

Even if Emperor Longqing wanted to train Gu Kang to oppose the Eight Great Families, he should do it step by step; there's no way to directly promote him to the Council of State—this is practically asking for Gu Kang's life.

Gu Jiu Ling's expression shifted slightly; she suddenly realized the bloodshed in the court was more complicated than she had imagined.

On the contrary, Gu Kang's expression remained calm and composed; he slowly bowed low before the emperor, kowtowing in thanks.

The others looked at Gu Kang without their former contempt; being so young and already able to enter the Council of State, his future is surely bright and splendid.

Even if he offends the Eight Great Families, so what?

With the emperor backing Gu Kang, who could still touch him? If he can indeed stand against the Eight Great Families in the Council of State, then Gu Kang will surely become a top minister of the Southern Qi dynasty.

As long as Gu Kang isn't killed, he holds the possibility of wielding power over court and countryside.

The Gu Shangshu seated in the place of honor had a face that was simply splendid; he never imagined that the son he despised and abandoned would now hold an office even surpassing that of his eldest son, Gu Cheng.

Gu Cheng had already been in the Hanlin Academy for over two years; by rights, his experience should be sufficient.

Entering the cabinet is already difficult, let alone the more core Council of State.

Never expected that his own brother Gu Kang would step from earth to heaven in one stride, dealing him a fierce slap to the face.

At this moment, the gazes of other officials and families toward Gu Kang had changed considerably; they couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"The Gu family must be regretting a bit, right?"

"Of course not. To kick such a formidable person out of the family genealogy, that Gu Shangshu must have his guts turning green with regret."

"Heh, in the end the Gu family's legitimate son is still the stronger. Gu Cheng is a concubine‑born son; he lacks the legitimate son's courage and spirit."

"The Gu family's eldest uncle and third uncle entered officialdom through poetry and songs. Only Gu Er Ye forged a different path, writing policy essays."

"His entry into the Political Hall was because the Emperor recognized his talent; now reform is inevitable, and those who rely on poetry and little songs have no way to succeed."

"The endless discussions all reached the ears of the Gu father and son."

"Gu Shijie's expression became slightly complicated."

"Gu Cheng's face grew even darker, as if about to squeeze water out of it."