Chapter 31: Subject implores Your Majesty to retrieve the tiger talisman of the State-Protecting Duke

Da Xia Capital.

Midnight.

Moon bright, stars sparse.

Inside the main hall.

Grandfather Gu sat in the grand master's chair, his face calm and solemn.

Not a trace of the joy and pride from the banquet just now.

That was a pretense.

Having obtained Heaven's Destiny Luck, he could not help but be happy, especially since it was his most beloved grandson who received it.

To be honest, Grandfather Gu's heart was also very conflicted.

To say he wasn't happy would be impossible.

Gu Jin Nian receiving Heaven's Destiny Luck made him happier than anyone; even if Heaven's Mandate had chosen himself, he would still have given it to Gu Jin Nian.

But worry outweighed joy a little more.

This grandson of his had decent conduct, but was neither literary nor martial; in his view, the boy's future need only be one of wealth and honor.

He did not expect Gu Jin Nian to achieve anything great; marrying a few more wives to continue the Gu family line would make him happy enough.

Now that he has obtained Heaven's Destiny Luck, it may not be a good thing.

More importantly, if it were exposed, this grandson of his would likely face greater trouble.

That is why he would do this.

Let the world know that it was he who obtained Heaven's Destiny Luck, not Gu Jin Nian.

And just then.

Inside the great hall.

Gu Qianzhou's figure appeared.

"Father."

Gu Qianzhou walked into the hall and bowed to Grandfather Gu.

"How?"

Seeing his eldest son approach, Grandfather Gu appeared calm.

"Regarding the Mandate of Heaven matter, Father, what is your view?"

Gu Qianzhou did not hide his thoughts.

He spoke the doubts in his heart, looking directly at Grandfather Gu and asking bluntly.

Hearing this, Grandfather Gu showed not the slightest ripple.

"Nothing to see or not see."

"As long as I am in the Gu family for a day, the capital cannot be overturned."

Grandfather Gu was very nonchalant.

He understood his son's thinking, even saying that perhaps all the civil and military officials of the capital were contemplating this matter.

Gu Qianzhou said nothing.

He accepted his grandfather's words.

Now the Da Xia Dynasty still has much turmoil, still needing Grandfather Gu, and besides, Grandfather Gu indeed has merits.

He is here.

Da Xia cannot be overturned.

But the problem arises.

What if he is not here?

These words, Gu Qianzhou dared not say, nor dare to think; as a son, how could he even consider that?

But as the heir of the Gu family, he cannot help but consider this problem.

The Gu family appears large.

But everything, everything, depends on imperial authority.

In a single night, the Gu family was uprooted root and all.

That is impossible.

But boiling a frog in warm water—that is the true terror for the Gu family.

Gu Qianzhou said nothing.

Grandfather Gu gazed at his eldest son; he understood Gu Qianzhou's meaning.

As the eldest son, the Gu family's heavy burden will eventually fall on him.

Precisely for this reason, Gu Yuan is extremely strict with Gu Qianzhou.

"Rest assured."

"As long as the Da Xia Dynasty does not unify the Eastern Wilderness, the Gu family will not fall."

"Furthermore, Jin Nian adding offspring to the Gu family brings ruler-minister harmony."

"Even stepping back, if Jin Nian does not add offspring to the Gu family, the merits of the first two generations are enough for ten later generations to live prosperously."

"Some things need not be worried about too early, otherwise one only wraps oneself in a cocoon."

"Non-contention is supreme; meet a move and dismantle it."

Grandfather Gu continued speaking; he knew Gu Qianzhou was under great pressure, but also expressed his own stance.

"Child understands."

"Father, you should rest early."

Gu Qianzhou nodded, and after saying that, he withdrew.

It was clear that Gu Qianzhou indeed had a lot on his mind.

The old master did not try to stop him.

Let Gu Qianzhou leave.

But after Gu Qianzhou left, Gu Yuan turned around, gazed at the precious sword hanging in the hall, and remained silent.

Actually, the reason he had such confidence.

It was because he had a plan.

One that would put the emperor at ease.

One that would keep the Gu family from falling. This plan, no one knows.

At this moment.

Inside the duke's residence.

Gu Qianzhou, wearing a marquis's robe, came to the outside of Gu Jin Nian's courtyard.

He had some things he wanted to say to Gu Jin Nian.

But upon reaching the courtyard, Gu Qianzhou looked and saw that Gu Jin Nian was inside, trimming the lamp to read.

For a moment, Gu Qianzhou stopped.

He stood outside the courtyard, silently watching his son, his expression inexplicably complex.

He did not go in, remaining outside.

As for his own son, how could Gu Qianzhou not feel pity?

The whole family doted on Gu Jin Nian; as his birth father, Gu Qianzhou actually loved him even more, and though he was neither scholarly nor martial, he was ultimately Gu Qianzhou's son.

But as the eldest son of the Gu family and future heir, too many matters weighed on his shoulders.

He didn't even have enough time to accompany his biological son.

This, too, pained him; he did not expect Gu Jin Nian to have any talent, to become a sage of the Confucian Dao, or to reach the pinnacle of martial arts.

As long as Gu Jin Nian could live safely and happily, he would be satisfied.

Gu Jin Nian was pushed into the water; why not investigate thoroughly, why not cause an uproar? It wasn't because he didn't love his son, but because he feared that if he made a fuss, he would fall into the enemy's trap, thereby putting Gu Jin Nian in even greater danger.

But if there were a next time, or if there were any new signs, he would certainly use his own means to let the entire capital know the terror of Gu Qianzhou.

However, everyone has their own thoughts; his father has his, and as for those useless younger brothers, they act without thinking.

He could only use his own methods to protect Gu Jin Nian.

Time passed bit by bit.

After a full two hours, Gu Qianzhou withdrew his gaze and said nothing more.

He walked toward the outside of the manor.

Meanwhile,

The Da Xia Dynasty.

Inside the Heavenly Heart Hall.

This is where the Yongsheng Emperor handles affairs, usually processing memorials.

However, at this moment, four figures also appeared in the Heavenly Heart Hall.

Minister of Rites Yang Kai.

Supervisor of the Surveillance of Heaven Xu Taiyi.

Minister of War Li Shan.

Minister of Revenue Zhou Zhangjiang.

The four stood there, heads slightly bowed.

Inside the hall.

The Yongsheng Emperor set down the memorial and then looked toward Supervisor of the Surveillance of Heaven Xu Taiyi.

"Xu Aiqing, what exactly does this heavenly portent signify?"

The Yongsheng Emperor spoke.

He inquired of Xu Taiyi.

"I report to Your Majesty."

"I believe, Your Majesty, that the matter of Heaven's Mandate and fortune is of great importance; this Mandate differs from before."

"Even I find it difficult to ascertain; I must go to my sect, consult ancient texts, to find a clue."

"I hope Your Majesty will grant permission."

Xu Taiyi spoke, giving this answer.

He did not know what this portent meant, and wished to return to his sect to examine the ancient texts thoroughly.

"Good."

"How long will you need, Aiqing?"

The Yongsheng Great Emperor asked.

"As short as seven days, as long as a month."

Xu Taiyi pondered briefly and gave this reply.

"I hope you return soon, Aiqing; this is the Palace Command Arrow—holding it allows unimpeded passage within the palace."

The Yongsheng Great Emperor replied, even handing over the Palace Command Arrow, showing how much he cared about this matter.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty; I will surely not disappoint your high expectations."

Xu Taiyi took the arrow, bowed, and then directly left the imperial palace.

After he left the imperial palace.

Yang Kai's voice then slowly rang out.

"Your Majesty."

"I have a matter to present."

Yang Kai spoke, looking toward His Majesty.

"What is it?"

Emperor Yongsheng's gaze swept over, and he then presented the memorial, speaking calmly right after.

"I beg Your Majesty to take back the Zhen Guogong Tiger Talisman."

The voice rang out.

Inside the hall.

Instantly silent.

There is more afterward.

The update was late.

Sorry.

(End of chapter)