The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1685 - 1679: Probing

The Emperor, upon hearing this, his eyes flickered and he spoke: "After much consideration, the only suitable and capable person who can manage them is none other than you, my dear minister—"

Gu Changqing was shocked!

He immediately kneeled and declined, "I am terrified! I fear I cannot bear such a heavy responsibility!"

The Emperor was about to say something more, but Gu Changqing bit his lip and said, "I truly cannot undertake this task! To be frank with Your Majesty, I recently sent my son to Yunzhong County, ostensibly for him to gain some experience and additional qualifications, but in reality, actually..." saying this, he revealed an unutterable expression.

The Emperor’s curiosity was piqued, and he couldn’t help but ask, "Actually what?"

Gu Changqing let out a long sigh, "This is a family disgrace! Your Majesty might know, my so-called younger third brother in the past wasn’t my real brother, but an impostor from an old family affair. That fake third brother once had a son, who was foolish but ambitious. Because both children studied together, they were always compared, which led to jealousy in his heart."

"He made several attempts against my youngest son; fortunately, things turned out such that my child managed to escape each time. However, because my mother and I mistakenly believed that the fake third brother was our legitimate blood, my child had to endure much, bend over backward, and was eventually forced to leave for Jing County to study, getting some peace only then."

At this point, Gu Changqing’s eyes welled up, evidently overwhelmed with guilt.

The Emperor sighed; being from the imperial family himself, he naturally understood the difficulties and pains involved.

No matter how much discord there is privately among brothers, outwardly they must maintain brotherhood and harmony.

When it involves direct bloodlines, there are many concerns, and they must endure even if they suffer grievances.

"Because of this incident, although my youngest son respects and is filial to me, in times when he was hurt, I, as the father who should have protected him, wronged him, reminiscing about bloodline affections, he feels hurt inside and is no longer as close with me as before. I, as a father, know I owe him and always want to make it up to him! Although he doesn’t like staying in the Capital City, to be filial to us as parents, he has never complained."

"The more it is like this, the more I suffer! Now there is this opportunity, to let him do what he wants, I feel somewhat relieved. If I go to manage, I fear he will misunderstand me again! This is my bit of selfishness, and I beg for Your Majesty’s understanding!"

"Furthermore, there are many capable people in this court who can take this position. Whether for avoiding suspicion or for my bit of selfishness, I implore Your Majesty to assign someone else—"

Gu Changqing had spoken to such an extent, the Emperor naturally couldn’t force him and had to relent, saying with a smile, "This is such a sought-after position, many are vying for it, if you reject it, don’t regret it in the future!"

Gu Changqing remained kneeling and saluted, repeatedly asserting he dared not.

The Emperor then discussed with Gu Changqing for half a day, finally deciding on a candidate, Minister of Personnel Qin Bohan, a person close to the Emperor’s heart.

Having settled on a candidate, Gu Changqing finally retired.

Walking afar, he let out a long breath, a gust of wind carried a chill to his back, his undergarments already soaked through several layers.

He unexpectedly felt as though he’d survived a great ordeal.

Yet his face showed no outward change, calmly leaving the palace gates, returning to the office as usual, riding the sedan back home as always.

Upon returning home, entering the study, he collapsed into his chair, staring in a daze at the ceiling for half a day.

Since the Emperor decided to open the trade routes, Gu Changqing had anticipated this day.

This was a test by the Emperor, with Song Chongjin already one of the heads of the trade routes, his faction had to avoid suspicion.

But if they avoided suspicion too much, the Emperor might suspect them of trying to sever ties, thus, having Gu Zikai posted, serving as a County Magistrate, whether as a gilded role or for gaining experience, was all to reassure the Emperor.

Todays’ test from the Emperor was to see if he truly agreed, lest on the day it succeeds, it would be the day of the Gu Family’s downfall.

Thus, he had to refuse and refuse in a way that satisfied the Emperor, explaining that he had various difficulties, thus bringing out the family’s dirty laundry, making the Emperor believe him.

These matters the Emperor already knew, the words spoken were seven to eight parts true, two to three parts false, blending fact with fiction; it seemed the Emperor was presently reassured.

Didn’t the Emperor immediately suggest several candidates after his refusal?

Of course, the Emperor’s favorite, or rather, the only one he’s trusted all along, was to have the Minister of Personnel Qin Bohan do this task.

Qin Bohan is a new rising star, handpicked by the Emperor, with no ties to old established families, nor does he form cliques or seek private interests.

His position was indeed more suitable compared to himself.

With today’s trial passed, Gu Changqing sighed inwardly, it seems in the court, the movements among a few princes are becoming more evident, hence the Emperor’s test.

Thinking about it, what Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu planned long ago is coming to pass, with the Emperor hale and hearty and several princes growing up, the Emperor probably already senses the threat from the princes.

This threat would only become more severe in the future, making life harder for ministers like them.

Sighing, Gu Changqing composed himself and asked for Gu Zikai to be brought in.

He detailed to Gu Zikai the entire exchange with the Emperor today and finally said, "Keep this in mind, when you get to Yunzhong County, don’t presume to know it all; consult the Master and Chongjin for any issues. You’re outside, you should also manage independently, remember, act prudently! Reflect on everything carefully in your heart! Remember, every decision you make relates to the life and death of the people in a county!"

Gu Zikai felt a mix of emotions, having assumed that his father didn’t notice his own disappointment or coldness towards him.

To his surprise, nothing escaped his father’s eyes.

He was momentarily at a loss for words.

Hearing Gu Changqing’s teachings, reflexively he bent over to accept the instruction, "Yes, I will keep it in mind!"

After Gu Changqing finished, he thought for a while and added, "The day after, on your day off, accompany me to meet your Master. He is a man of great talent, only unlucky, you must treat him with respect, understand?"

Gu Zikai nodded in acknowledgment.

Gu Changqing waved his hand, signaling he could leave.

Gu Zikai hesitated for a long time, wishing to ask Gu Changqing something, but the words wouldn’t form when he opened his mouth.

He merely bowed respectfully to Gu Changqing and turned to leave.

Watching Gu Zikai’s departing back, Gu Changqing ultimately sighed with a sense of melancholy, still heartbroken.

Still remembers the joy of having a son back then, as a father, distressed over his young son’s frailty, once swore to cherish him, not letting him suffer any grievances.

Yet after he became healthier, for the sake of the Gu Family, for several outsiders, he cooled the boy’s heart.

The Eldest Lady of the Gu Family’s hints, did he truly not notice?

Can a father not sense whether his son respects and distances himself, or is affectionate and trusting?

Still, the harm has been done, forcing a child to go against his nature to please the parents, is not the way of a good parent.

He only hopes that now his efforts to mend things are not too late, and there’s still time!