Chapter 16: Entering the Palace to See the Sage

Inside the duke's mansion.

As the steward's voice sounded.

Gu Jin Nian awoke from his reverie at once.

He casually washed his face and then walked out of the courtyard.

The steward waited outside, then came up and added a brocade robe, draping it over Gu Jin Nian.

"Young Master, the weather has changed today; the wind is rather strong, please be careful."

Steward Wang spoke up, reminding Gu Jin Nian of the change in weather.

"The weather has changed?"

Feeling gusts of cold wind blowing, there was indeed a chill; it was September, and logically the capital shouldn't be this cold, which was odd, but Gu Jin Nian didn't think much of it.

Looking up at the sky, it was somewhat overcast, which confirmed it.

There would be rain today.

Without further thought, Gu Jin Nian followed the steward out of the duke's mansion.

Just as yesterday, after boarding the jade carriage, Gu Jin Nian began to close his eyes and nurture his spirit.

Having finished reading the sage's enlightenment book yesterday, strands of literary qi had condensed within him; bearing fruit would likely take some time.

Still, Gu Jin Nian was eager to see what benefits the Confucian Dao could bring him.

However, just as the jade carriage had traveled for half an hour, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Soon a familiar voice sounded.

"Is the Young Master in the jade carriage?"

The voice was pleasant and familiar to Gu Jin Nian; it was his mother's personal maid.

"Miss Xue'er, the Young Master is inside the carriage; what is this?"

Steward Wang's voice sounded, tinged with doubt.

"The lady is inside the carriage; she wishes to take the Young Master to the imperial palace. I hope the steward will let her pass and not disturb the lord and others."

The voice sounded again, piquing Gu Jin Nian's curiosity.

At that moment, Gu Jin Nian lifted the curtain and looked over.

In a deserted passageway, two groups met; looking over, it was indeed his mother's jade carriage, no mistake, and not far off, the woman negotiating with the steward was indeed Miss Xue'er.

"This"

Before the jade carriage, Steward Wang was at a loss for words; he had received no order, yet he dared not defy the lady's command, leaving him momentarily torn.

"Come here, Year-er."

Just then, Lady Li's jade carriage was also drawn open; a familiar face appeared, gazing at Gu Jin Nian with a warm, kind smile, she beckoned him over.

"Good."

At that moment, Gu Jin Nian wasted no words, rising straight from the jade carriage and going over.

First, he didn't want the steward to remain deadlocked; second, he needed to coax his own mother.

In the entire Gu family, the one who doted on him most was his mother, Lady Li.

Gu Jin Nian wasn't foolish; truly offending his mother would be asking for trouble. Indeed, as Gu Jin Nian approached without hesitation, Lady Li's smile grew richer, conveying the feeling that 'my son is my son'.

After entering the jade carriage, a fragrance wafted in; inside, two maids knelt to left and right, while Mother Lady Li sat in the upper seat, with an assortment of pastries and fruit laid out, looking at Gu Jin Nian with heartfelt concern.

"Year-er, these past days have been hard on you; your father, that damn wretch, seeing you just recovered, forced you to study."

"Mother today takes charge, I will take you to see your maternal aunt and your grand empress."

Lady Li spoke, stating her purpose, letting Gu Jin Nian understand; after saying this, she turned her gaze to Steward Wang outside the carriage and said,

"You go to the academy as usual, find the academy steward and make it clear: this palace has taken the person away, remind them to keep their mouths shut, don't force this palace to personally go to the study, and also don't spread this matter; when you return at the hour of the rooster, tell the Gu family that I have just taken Year-er to the palace, this is the Empress Dowager's order."

Lady Li's calm voice sounded, full of authority.

Steward Wang dared not comment, bowing his head in assent.

Finally, Lady Li threw out a money pouch as a reward, then glanced at the maid, who immediately set off without delay.

This scene made Gu Jin Nian feel, without thinking, that the imperial household is indeed the imperial household; an ordinary woman would not possess such authority.

Soon, after Xue'er entered the jade carriage, it set off toward the palace.

Gu Jin Nian sat honestly on his mother's left side, not showing particular restraint; on the contrary, he casually picked up an apple-like fruit and ate it, unrestrained.

"Eat slowly, Year-er, have some of this fruit; it's a tribute from the palace, very sweet."

Lady Li spoke gently, at the same time handing Gu Jin Nian a scarlet blood fruit, and taking out her own handkerchief to wipe the fruit juice from the corner of his mouth, without the slightest disgust.

"I know, Mother."

"Mother, what are we going to the palace for?"

Gu Jin Nian smiled, but he was also curious.

"To help you reason."

"Now rumors run rampant throughout the capital; your sixth uncle handles things poorly, unable to settle even a matter like this; if this continues, it will greatly affect you, Mother has gone all out this time."

"I will personally take you to the palace, go see your maternal uncle once, and properly settle this matter."

Lady Li spoke, her words full of displeasure toward the sixth uncle, subconsciously showing dissatisfaction with the Gu family.

Indeed, thinking about it, her son now bears an unjust accusation; as a mother, she certainly could not stand by.

Being a mother means being strong.

"Look for the maternal uncle? Will the maternal uncle help us?"

Gu Jin Nian couldn't help but ask.

"Who is my maternal uncle? The Emperor of Da Xia, the Great Emperor Yongsheng!"

This is certainly no ordinary sort; one who can endure hardship for years, turn the weak into the strong, and seize the throne is definitely no common emperor.

His mother going to find him like this, Gu Jin Nian felt it was somewhat improper.

If it were an ordinary family, Gu Jin Nian wouldn't be afraid of anything, after all, it's just his maternal uncle.

But the imperial family is different; they are the most ruthless royal house, this is not just empty talk.

"Don't worry, Mother, since you dare to go, you have full confidence." "But, Nian'er, you had better behave later."

"If you win over your Grand Empress Dowager, everything will be easy to discuss; also, your maternal aunt should be well-behaved, don't cause trouble."

Lady Li instructed.

"Mother, don't worry."

Gu Jin Nian nodded honestly, and his gaze involuntarily swept over the few maids inside the jade carriage.

Each had exquisite looks and a graceful figure.

Unfortunately, they were not his own maids.

Sensing Gu Jin Nian's gaze, Lady Li seemed to think of something.

"Nian'er, when you go to the palace this time, if you encounter Chang Yue and Ping Yang, you must absolutely not get too close; these girls are all staring at you, and if they happen to take a liking to you, it'll be trouble."

Lady Li spoke up.

"Ah?"

Gu Jin Nian startled; he didn't expect his mother to suddenly say this.

"Nian'er, don't think Mother's words are unpleasant; Chang Yue and Ping Yang are indeed good-looking, but they are commandery princesses, and if you marry them, you can only marry one in this life."

"In the future, relying on the new emperor's favor, they might suppress you, making your days difficult."

"Furthermore, speaking of the Gu Family, it's true that you are strong; a single princess definitely couldn't satisfy you."

Lady Li spoke, extremely serious.

But as soon as she said that, Gu Jin Nian couldn't help but startle.

Good grief, aren't you like that? Indeed, people are double standards—allowing officials to set fires but forbidding commoners to light lamps.

Besides, what does 'being strong' even mean? Mother, you are a princess of the current dynasty, do you also drive a carriage? And I'm so young—is that appropriate?

Gu Jin Nian didn't know what to say, so he could only keep silent and pretend to be foolish.

Nevertheless, Gu Jin Nian firmly kept these words in mind; having gone through so much to transmigrate, if he really married a princess, it would indeed be troublesome.

About two quarters of an hour later.

Finally, the jade carriage arrived at South Hua Gate.

The Da Xia imperial palace has four gates: Noon Gate in front, Divine Yang Gate at the back, and South Hua Gate and North Hua Gate on the left and right sides.

Officials enter through Noon Gate and exit via North Hua Gate.

The changing of the guard enters through Noon Gate and exits via Divine Yang Gate.

Those who pass through South Hua Gate are usually imperial relatives and nobles, or officials who have come by special imperial decree.

Upon reaching South Hua Gate, even as a princess one must disembark from the jade carriage, enter on foot, and also present the summoning warrant and the palace entry register before being allowed into the imperial palace.

From this moment on, a sense of solemn strictness welled up.

Gu Jin Nian stepped down from the jade carriage, gazing at the reddish-brown walls, and inexplicably felt an indescribable sense of familiarity.

However, the Da Xia imperial palace is far more magnificent than the palaces Gu Jin Nian had seen in his previous life; the walls alone are ten zhang high, giving a sense of grandeur.

Outside the gate, imperial guards stood watch, each exuding a cold aura, all being top-notch martial artists.

Guarding the palace gate is certainly no ordinary post; they are the elite among the elite.

After the imperial guards on both sides carefully inspected the summoning warrant and the entry register, they then allowed passage.

However, aside from the two personal maids in attendance, no other attendants were permitted inside; they waited outside.

"Nian'er, follow Mother, don't go the wrong way."

Lady Li spoke; she was very familiar with the imperial palace, but Gu Jin Nian had come few times, so she deliberately pulled him to her side as they walked toward the palace interior.

Perhaps because the Jian De Rebellion occurred decades ago, over the past twelve years the Ministry of Works' greatest task has been to consolidate the imperial palace's defenses.

Just the South Hua Gate area, inside and out, has three major gates, making its defense as solid as gold and bronze.

About an hour and a half later, Gu Jin Nian followed Lady Li into the true imperial palace.

Magnificent.

Spacious.

Like a small city, palace after palace rose up, displaying the imperial family's might and constantly reminding oneself that the imperial house is the most ruthless.

As a screenwriter, Gu Jin Nian is extremely interested in history; he dare not claim to know thousands of years of history, but he has seriously studied the general outline.

One thing makes Gu Jin Nian very clear: people cannot go against the trend.

There is a saying that goes well: the times create heroes.

But many famous historical figures, after gaining power, often develop the delusion that they themselves are the times.

Such people usually meet a miserable end.

Gu Jin Nian does not want to become the times; having the superiority of a transmigrator, this cannot be discarded, but Gu Jin Nian has a bottom line in his heart.

One should avoid touching what ought not to be touched; otherwise, one wouldn't know how one died.

And just as Gu Jin Nian was pondering,

a procession of figures happened to appear not far away.

Grand and mighty.

At a glance, hundreds of people followed behind.

"Your Majesty?"

Just then, Mother Li's voice sounded, making Gu Jin Nian a little dazed.

Good grief.

Just arrived at the imperial palace and already met the emperor?

This luck is unbeatable, right? However, amidst the surprise, Gu Jin Nian's heart involuntarily swelled with immense anticipation and curiosity.

He focused his gaze attentively.

A figure also appeared before his eyes.

(End of chapter)