Chapter 1109: Family Matters, State Affairs

Outside the vermilion gate of a noble mansion in Chunhua Ward, southern Luoyang, a canopied carriage waited, guarded by over twenty armored soldiers, while attendants had already prepared the boarding steps.

Above the tall gate hung a gilt plaque reading "Chai Manor." There were no few people surnamed Chai in the world, but within Luoyang city, none but the Duke of Ying's family possessed such noble bearing.

The Chai family held a very high and illustrious position within the empire—owing not only to their connection with the Guo family, but also to Guo Rong's many years of striving, his achievements and meritorious service, and the deep trust he enjoyed from the Emperor.

The principle that "when one man attains the Way, his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven" holds true for a hundred generations and remains immutable for ten thousand—it applied to the Chai family as well. Since the Huainan campaign, Guo Rong's power at court had grown ever greater, and as his status rose, so too did the preferential treatment the Chai family received.

Especially Guo Rong's father, Shouli—among the hereditary nobles who permanently resided in Luoyang, Chai Shouli was a formidable figure indeed, ostentatious and flamboyant, feared and avoided by all. Even when powerful garrison commanders like Jing Fan and Wang Yan held office there, they dared not target Chai Shouli too directly.

Back when Guo Rong still bore the surname Guo, Chai Shouli had already been quite ostentatious. Later, when Guo Rong reverted to his original surname, none was more elated than the old patriarch Chai. To celebrate the occasion, he had invited guests far and wide, hosting a grand feast at home for three days, all lively and bustling—so much so that the story even reached Emperor Liu's ears as an amusing anecdote.

Of course, it was also because in this life, his son-in-law Guo Wei had not become emperor, and his son Guo Rong had not inherited the throne. On the whole, Chai Shouli had remained somewhat restrained, never committing any grave violations of law or discipline that would bring trouble upon his son. Still, his wanton ostentation and arrogant displays were hardly few.

Everyone flattered him, everyone respected him, clad in brocade and fed on delicacies, enjoying every luxury—Chai Shouli's retirement life could well be called comfortable.

Only, at this moment, the atmosphere before the Chai Manor gate was somewhat strange—anyone could feel it. Before long, a figure emerged from within, steps hurried, striding over the high threshold. It was Guo Rong, his face taut, his expression most unpleasant.

"Duke!" A personal guard followed him out. "Where do we go now?"

"Back to the capital!" Guo Rong ordered coldly.

Seeing Guo Rong's furious demeanor, the guard could not help but advise: "You spend all your years away on campaign, and rarely get the chance to visit Luoyang. You came to see the old patriarch—why must it come to this?"

"Go!" Guo Rong's order was short and forceful.

"Yes!" The guard had no choice but to comply.

Stepping onto the carriage ladder, he had just lifted the curtain when he heard a commotion from behind. Soon, supported by two household servants, an old man with graying hair and beard, dressed in brocade, came out. Seeing Guo Rong already mounted on the carriage shaft, he immediately pointed at him and cursed loudly: "You unfilial son! Get out, get far away!"

"You are a Duke of the court, your power is great, you are formidable—even I, your own father, must bow to your command! You unfilial son..."

"Tell me, how can there be such a disobedient descendant in this world, who dares to rebuke his own father like this!"

"..."

Chai Shouli was already very old, but when agitated, he still showed considerable vigor, spittle flying as he spoke. Yet seeing how he trembled unsteadily, the servants beside him carefully supported him, afraid he might fall or stumble.

On the carriage shaft, Guo Rong's figure paused for a moment. He only glanced back once, then ducked into the carriage, and an irritated order came from within: "Go!"

His guards and attendants dared not be slow in carrying out Guo Rong's command, and soon the carriage drove off down the ward's street...

Watching the carriage and guards grow distant, Chai Shouli's old face finally gave way. He stopped his cursing and collapsed onto the threshold, sitting there, tears streaming down his aged face: "That unfilial son, he really left! Go on, leave and never come back—we'll be dead to each other..."

Seeing the old patriarch Chai both furious and heartbroken, his family members were frantic with worry and hurried to console him.

"Patriarch, the Duke is only angry for the moment—he will surely come back!"

"Please don't cry, you must take care of your health!"

"..."

Faced with their consolations, Chai Shouli's sobbing finally quieted somewhat. He kicked his legs a few times, still muttering: "That rebellious son..."

Chai Shouli had just turned seventy this year, and a most lavish birthday celebration had been held for him. At the time, Guo Rong had been busy managing affairs in Gansu and could not attend to anything else, thus missing his father's birthday.

This time, having been summoned by imperial decree to return to the capital from the northwest, he passed through Luoyang. Filled with guilt, Guo Rong naturally had to return to the manor, to offer his father a belated birthday greeting and a token of filial respect.

It should have been a good thing—a warm scene between father and son, and so it was at first. However, seeing the extravagant decorations in the manor, the throngs of servants, and the lavish expenditures, Guo Rong could hardly bear the sight.

He could not help but offer some criticisms, then brought up Chai Shouli's wanton behavior over the years—reminding, warning, admonishing. As he spoke, his tone grew harsher, his attitude firmer, and the result was that he provoked Chai Shouli's ire.

Chai Shouli, the older he grew, the more he valued face. Even though his wealth and status all derived from Guo Rong, he could hardly endure his son lecturing and reproaching him like that. His face could not bear it, and he angrily argued with Guo Rong.

Of course, no matter how fierce and forceful Guo Rong's temperament, facing his old father, he had no good solution. He left in helplessness, departing in disarray...

In the carriage, Guo Rong put away the angry expression he had shown before others. A trace of weariness surfaced on his face, and a hint of melancholy appeared in his eyes. In the end, he let out a heavy sigh.

He pounded his forehead in frustration. When it came to governance, commanding generals, or leading troops, Guo Rong was always more than capable. But it had been proven that he was not omnipotent—at least in handling family matters, when facing his own old father, he truly could produce no good solution.

What if he sent word to the Luoyang authorities to help restrain the old man? Soon, this fanciful notion was cast from his mind—Guo Rong was not that naive.

He could almost foresee that if he gave such an instruction, the Luoyang authorities would absolutely do the opposite and give Chai Shouli even more "special care." Moreover, such an act would become yet another handle for others to attack him...

How could Guo Rong not have heard the rumors circulating at court? Thinking of them, his mood grew even worse. With the Guo-Chai family so illustrious, how could they not incur jealousy? In the past, there had been criticism and fault-finding, but never had it been so near to a public denunciation as this time.

Thinking of what those courtiers and censors were saying about him, he found it both ridiculous and detestable, and also frightening. Having held high position for so many years, Guo Rong had never been as vigilant and anxious as he was amid this current storm.

Just as before, when Guo Wei had voluntarily sought retirement and the two had held deep private talks between father and son, Guo Rong had remained composed, never tense. But this time, Guo Rong was tense.

Thinking of the one leading the attack against him this time—the Emperor's maternal uncle, Li Ye—if he remembered correctly, when he had arbitrarily executed Zhang Jianxiong, Prefect of Puzhou, it was this very man who had led the clamor, requesting the Emperor to punish him.

A single Li Ye might not be enough to warrant fear, but Li Ye could to a certain extent represent the Li clan consorts, and behind the Li clan stood the Empress Dowager. Following this chain of thought, Guo Rong had to admit that going up against someone like Li Ye was truly not a good thing...

Of course, the one who made Guo Rong most uneasy was only one person—the Emperor. This time, regarding those rumors and criticisms at court, the Emperor had expressed no opinion, which in itself seemed to be an attitude.

"Sigh..." State affairs and family matters alike left Guo Rong feeling utterly troubled. Feeling the weariness of body and mind, and a body showing signs of his illness recurring, Guo Rong felt that perhaps he too should seek retirement.

Suddenly, Guo Rong finally began to understand what his adoptive father Guo Wei's state of mind must have been back then.