Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 533 - 369 Thanksgiving Letter

At this moment, the civil servants stood on the left and the military officers on the right, forming two lines on either side of the imperial road, awaiting the arrival of the Emperor. As the whip sounded again, the Honglu Temple official announced "Enter the ranks", and Gu Chengyu followed the two columns into the imperial road, performing the ritual of one bow and three kowtows.

The officials from the Honglu Temple had already led the eunuchs to place a table engraved with dragon patterns on the east side of the Taihe Palace. As the Champion Scholar, Gu Chengyu represented four hundred Advanced Scholars, and merely needed to place the "Thanksgiving Letter" on the dragon-patterned table.

Originally, the "Thanksgiving Letter" was completed under the guidance of the Honglu Temple official. However, later they said Gu Chengyu was known for his literary talent and was the Champion Scholar, so they let Gu Chengyu figure it out himself. Gu Chengyu found this laughable; he had not even entered the court, yet they were already impatient.

The "Thanksgiving Letter" followed a set pattern. In the past, writing according to this pattern, although not outstanding, would not go wrong. But this time, the officials of the Honglu Temple letting Gu Chengyu write it himself was clearly intended to make things difficult.

The court did not require the Honglu Temple to guide the newly crowned Champion Scholar in writing the "Thanksgiving Letter". This was all an unwritten custom, and Gu Chengyu could not find fault with them.

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites was Gu Chengyu’s third senior brother, He Jisheng. Knowing that the subordinates were making things difficult for Gu Chengyu, he spoke a few words in Gu Chengyu’s favor and personally offered some guidance, and Gu Chengyu understood immediately.

Isn’t this "Thanksgiving Letter" just to sing praises? As long as he didn’t write it too blatantly, some flattery was necessary.

After Gu Chengyu completed the great ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows, the Honglu Temple official proceeded to "announce the letter".

"The stars shine brilliantly, all nations admire the symbol of civilization; Heaven’s mandate firmly held, one person wields the power to create and control. Bearing the great creation with inclusivity, ashamed of mediocre talents listed together..."

Min Feng, standing behind, slightly lifted his eyelids. This Gu Chengyu was indeed adept at opportunism, as the essay was resplendent in rhetoric and elegant in classical allusions. The most important thing was that his flattery was excellently done! However, it was said that Gu Chengyu’s third senior brother was the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, He Jisheng. Under his guidance, achieving such a piece was not surprising.

The Emperor, upon hearing it, became much more alert than he had been in his previous sleepy state due to insufficient rest. Listening carefully, he nodded slightly; Gu Chengyu was indeed following the proper path.

The Emperor listened with great pleasure and felt that appointing Gu Chengyu as the Champion Scholar was a wise decision.

In fact, it wasn’t just flattery. In his early years, Emperor Huiming had also been diligent in governing, for the country and the people. It was only later, as he grew older, that he became somewhat obsessed with alchemy, neglecting state affairs, leading to chaos in the court.

Speaking of the Wan Xue Nian affair, that was nothing unusual in the history of dynasties. Which dynasty did not have unjust cases? Which dynasty did not have loyalists who were wronged? These were individual cases, and cannot conceal his earlier achievements of diligent governance for the country and the people. The past merits cannot be erased.

When the reading was finished, Gu Chengyu waited for the announcing officer to summon them, the Advanced Scholars, for an audience.

The Emperor gazed at the Advanced Scholars entering the hall, focusing on Gu Chengyu. This Champion Scholar was exceptionally talented and deeply impressed the Emperor’s heart.

However, the Emperor did not reveal any unusual expression, merely encouraging the Advanced Scholars with a few words. At this point, there was no more concern for Gu Chengyu and his companions.

As a Secondary Sixth Rank, Gu Chengyu did not even have the qualification to stand inside the Taihe Palace, and could only stand outside, blowing in the wind with those Standard Fourth Rank officials. Fortunately, the weather was warm now; otherwise, in winter, his nose would surely have run from the cold.

The time for Gu Chengyu to attend court was many years away, and he greatly sympathized with those Standard Fourth Rank officials; even just advancing one more rank would allow them into the hall.

The court session continued, and if there were no memorials to be presented, then court would be dismissed. If there were, Gu Chengyu and the others could not leave. Gu Chengyu stood straight, but his thoughts wandered elsewhere.

Min Feng stood behind, looking at Gu Chengyu in his Sixth-Rank Official Uniform with a trace of disdain on his lips. He looked forward to joining the Hanlin in the future.

Today’s court session had no ministerial petitions, so Gu Chengyu and the others quickly finished the session.

Back at the residence, Ming Mo approached and said, "Sir! Miss Ji came again!"

Gu Chengyu didn’t stop his steps but went straight into the study.

"Has she thought it through? The household registration is already complete. The day after tomorrow, send someone to escort them to settle in Hechuan Prefecture."

When Gu Chengyu said "them", he naturally referred to Guo Moruo and the others. Hechuan Prefecture was not far from the Capital, only a Prefecture away. Lihua Village in Hechuan Prefecture was the hometown of Old Jue, but the parents of Old Jue had originally come from the South, so there were no kin there.

Old Jue had not returned since coming to the Capital decades ago. Gu Chengyu thought it was a good place. When the time arrived, he would let Old Jue use the excuse that his son and daughter-in-law had gone there, leaving behind these grandchildren. As for such pretexts, Gu Chengyu need not worry himself; after all, nobody knew Old Jue’s true circumstances.

As for if it would be detected in the future, that wasn’t easy. The household registrations were genuine; Guo Moruo and the others were using the names of Old Jue’s descendants. Moreover, there would have to be suspicion first, before investigating, right? Although Hechuan Prefecture wasn’t far from the Capital, it wasn’t exactly close either!

"Sir, shall I go give Miss Ji a reply?" Ming Mo knew that Ji Fuhu had been coming frequently these days, and his master had grown tired of her.

Because Gu Chengyu had become a court official, Ming Mo and the others had started addressing him as "Sir".

"Tell her there’s no need to thank me. She should prepare her luggage soon and join Miss Guo and them the day after tomorrow. Allocate three hundred taels of silver from the account for her as travel expenses."

In fact, in a previous life, Gu Chengyu was also a woman. In this life, reborn into ancient times, he realized that women had a very difficult life. He only felt sympathy for Ji Fuhu, without any other intention.

Through this matter, he realized deeply that he was now a man, and should not have excessive contact with women. His mindset had to change; Gu Chengyu secretly resolved to keep his distance from women next time. Otherwise, not only would there be more trouble, but people might misunderstand him as being of a frivolous nature.

Ming Mo knew his master’s intention, which was not to see Miss Ji again. With his master’s instructions, he need not report again if Ji Fuhu came to see his master; he would directly refuse.

"Yes!" Ming Mo took the order and left the study.

"Ming Yan, when Wan Qian arrives, tell him to come to the study to see me." Gu Chengyu remembered the plan from the day before to set up a workshop for Wan Qian on the estate, intending to start a business in cosmetics.

People had already been purchased. Once the workshop was built, they could begin operations. As for the other materials, everything was ready, except for essential oils. Gu Chengyu planned to use the simplest yet most laborious method: distillation.

The vessels in his space couldn’t be brought out, so it would be a bit troublesome.

"Prince! Today’s weather is nice, why not go out and soak in the sun?" In the past few days, the Prince fell ill again, causing Xiao Chengzi great concern.