Chapter 872 - 875: Leaving the Palace
Gu Wenheng knew his son had entered the palace, so he waited at the palace gates the whole time. Even though he knew his son well, he was more afraid of those shrewd foxes in the palace. Despite repeatedly cautioning him, he still worried the boy might accidentally fall into their traps.
He could have gone into the palace himself, but this was a rare opportunity to temper the child. If the boy always relied on him, when would he ever grow up? Besides, they were here to claim credit this time. The size of the reward would depend entirely on the child’s performance today.
"Mr. Gu, are you preparing to enter the palace?" The garrison commander couldn’t bear watching him stand there any longer and walked over to ask.
Gu Wenheng smiled. "I’m not going in. I’m waiting for someone here."
Being stationed at the palace gates, the garrison commander was naturally well-informed. "You must be waiting for your son! Why don’t you rest over here? The wind isn’t as strong. When your son comes out, we’ll notify you."
The garrison commander pointed to the adjacent city wall. It was shaded and had a gentle, cool breeze, making it much more comfortable than standing out in the open.
Gu Wenheng thanked him for his kindness. He also felt that standing right at the palace gates was inappropriate; those who didn’t know better might think he had been shunned by the Holy Emperor and was waiting to be summoned. Moving into the shadow of the city wall, Gu Wenheng gradually calmed his mind. Once he heard movement from inside, he fixed his gaze tightly on the gates.
"I’ll have someone escort you back!" Mao Bingyan said as soon as they walked out of the palace gates. Neither of them had brought attendants inside. Although their servants were waiting at the gates, since he had brought the child to the capital, he felt obligated to see him safely home.
Wu Benchan saw the familiar carriage at the palace gates and grinned. "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Mao, but my father has already sent someone to pick me up."
Mao Bingyan also noticed the Gu family carriage at this time. "That’s good..."
"Father," Gu Ben Can waved his hand excitedly upon seeing the familiar figure.
Gu Wenheng walked out from the shadows. "You have sharp eyes to spot me from all the way over there."
Gu Ben Can was speechless. He thought that his father’s silhouette was quite obvious even when hiding in the shadows.
"Lord Mao," Gu Wenheng cupped his hands in greeting to Mao Bingyan. "My son has caused you trouble."
Mao Bingyan hadn’t expected Gu Wenheng to come pick him up in person. "You are too modest, Mr. Gu. Your son is composed and clever. You are truly blessed."
"Thank you for the praise," Gu Wenheng replied. "You have also worked hard traveling back and forth, Lord Mao. I won’t disturb your reunion with your family any longer. I will certainly host a banquet another day to thank you for looking after him."
The two men exchanged a few more pleasantries before parting ways.
As soon as they got into the carriage, Gu Ben Can excitedly grabbed Gu Wenheng’s hand and asked, "Father, did we move? Are we living in the Prince Mansion now?
"You have no idea how jealous the villagers were. They even asked me to go back and tell them what the Prince Mansion looks like!"
Gu Wenheng hadn’t expected the boy to be so energetic. He really was young. However, there were more pressing matters to attend to. He lowered his voice and asked, "...How did it go in the palace?"
Gu Ben Can also spoke in a hushed tone. "It went quite well. It wasn’t as ridiculous as you all made it out to be.
"The Holy Emperor was actually quite amiable. He asked me a few questions, and I answered them carefully.
"Father, I’ll tell you all the details when we get back."
Gu Wenheng was very pleased with his son’s prudence. He stroked his beard and nodded. "Seeing that you’re in good spirits puts my mind at ease.
"How are things at home? Is your mother doing well?"
Gu Ben Can hadn’t expected his own father’s concern for him to be so brief. He curled his lips and said, "She’s doing well, but she misses you a bit."
Gu Wenheng was speechless. He could immediately tell that this brat was embellishing the story. Wouldn’t he know what his own wife was like? There was no way she would show such emotions in front of the children.
"Father, even though she didn’t say it, both my brother and I could tell," Gu Ben Can said, speaking up for his mother as he thought Gu Wenheng didn’t believe him. "The path you used to take for walks is now the one she walks on."
"...When I’m at home, she walks it often, too," Gu Wenheng replied.
Gu Ben Can didn’t even have the energy to retort. He lifted the curtain and looked at the street view outside. It was just a bit more bustling, but otherwise, there was no difference from back home.
Once they arrived at the new residence, Gu Wenheng didn’t restrict him. He had someone take the boy for a stroll around the courtyard while he led his own men into the study. It was only after Gu Ben Can grew tired from exploring and had eaten and drank his fill that the father and son sat down to talk.
Gu Ben Can recounted what he had seen and heard in the palace, as well as his own responses. The two of them deliberated for a moment and concluded that there were no issues.
Only then did they bring up the reward. "Father, what kind of reward do you think the Holy Emperor will give? Will he grant me a mansion, too?"
Seeing his unambitious appearance, Gu Wenheng couldn’t help but shake his head.
"What? Not even a courtyard?" Gu Ben Can was a little in disbelief. No matter how foolish he was, he knew that their merit this time was immense. It was even possible to receive a direct promotion in official rank and title, so how could there not even be a mansion?
"If you want a house like this, your mother has them under her name.
"Besides, you won’t be staying in Shangjing for long. What do you need a courtyard for?"
"But our family doesn’t lack gold, silver, or jewels either," Gu Ben Can said, his eyes suddenly lighting up as he winked playfully. "Do you think the Holy Emperor will appoint me as an official?"
Gu Wenheng knocked him on the head. "Stop grinning like an idiot. I’m not your mother; I’m not so easily amused by you.
"Don’t go running outside these days. Don’t forget that you are still observing mourning. Make sure you don’t give people a reason to gossip."
He wasn’t worried about anything else, just that the child’s heavy curiosity might get him scammed by others.
"I know, Father. I’m not stupid." Gu Ben Can thought of the courtyard he hadn’t finished exploring yet. "Father, even though we can’t engage in heavy renovations right now, I can still buy a few things, right?"
Gu Wenheng didn’t have time to explain all these details to him. "Didn’t Nanny Hou and the others come with you? If you have any issues, just ask them.
"If you’re missing anything, make a list and have the butler purchase it for you."
Now that he had learned everything he needed to know and confirmed that the boy hadn’t made any mistakes in the palace, Gu Wenheng began to shoo him away. "The courtyard you’ll be staying in has already been tidied up for you. You must be tired from traveling these past few days. Go back and get some rest early."
Gu Ben Can left very briskly. There were still many places in this mansion he hadn’t seen yet. He needed to take a good look and choose a courtyard for himself and his brother.
Hua Zhang had all the corn brought back this time moved to the Imperial Garden to dry in the sun, and he dispatched guards to watch over it day and night. Hua Shunming also had himself carried over to take a look every day. It wasn’t until the Agricultural Officer said they could be moved into the granary that a smile finally appeared on his face.
They didn’t rely on estimated yields. Instead, they practically called in a group of guards to peel the corn kernels off one by one. Three acres of cornfields and a harvest of over eight hundred catties. What did this represent? It meant that millions of commoners would never have to go hungry again.
As soon as the final results were out, both the current and former Emperors could no longer sit still.
"A reward, they must be heavily rewarded!" Hua Shunming excitedly slapped the armrest of his chair. He then pressed his palms together, looking utterly devout. "Heaven blesses my Rong Dynasty! Heaven blesses my Rong Dynasty!"