Chapter 1320: Chapter 1156: Requesting a Mentor

Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Xu Tianxin, stepped forward. He was from the maternal family of the Second Prince, the biological father of Consort Liang. The Eldest Prince’s loss of sight after falling into the water was naturally advantageous to the Xu Family.

The Emperor won’t last long. If the Eldest Prince cannot recover, then the Second Prince is the most hopeful candidate. As a member of the Second Prince’s maternal family, Xu Tianxin naturally needed to strive for the Second Prince’s future.

"Your Majesty, this humble minister believes Mr. Xu’s words are reasonable. We don’t know when the Eldest Prince will recover, and our Dayan cannot be without a Crown Prince. I urge Your Majesty to give it thorough consideration and prioritize the greater good."

Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Deng Wenshang, also stepped forward to agree. Nowadays in the Capital, which aristocratic family is unaware of the poisoning of the Emperor? It’s just that none dared to bring it up explicitly!

Although he had followed the Emperor since he was but the Crown Prince, now that it was clear the Emperor wouldn’t live for long, they naturally needed to plan for the future. Who knows when the Eldest Prince will recover? If he remains blind for life, what will become of Dayan? How can a blind man ascend the throne?

"I agree!"

"We agree!"

The Emperor looked at the majority of the ministers below standing up, feeling somewhat furious. It’s only been a few days, yet they assume Yege’er can’t recover? Such urgency left him with a cold feeling.

"Your Majesty, this humble one has objections!" Lang Ping, seeing most of the court supporting Xu Tianxin, suddenly panicked.

"Your Majesty, it’s been only a few days. The Imperial Physician said the Eldest Prince’s illness might heal within days. The Eldest Prince, as the legitimate heir, is intelligent and quick-witted, of kind and virtuous temperament, making him the unparalleled choice for Crown Prince. Other princes are still young; how could they bear this responsibility? I beseech Your Majesty to allow the Eldest Prince more time. If we seek renowned physicians across the land, he will surely recover."

Lang Ping feared the Emperor would agree. Recently, the court had been embroiled in endless disputes over this matter whenever they met. If the Emperor loses hope for the Eldest Prince’s recovery, what will become of him?

The Lang Family had struggled long and hard to their current standing, how could they watch wealth and glory slip away?

Gu Chengyu glanced at the ministers in the hall, carefully observing those who stood up, discerning who belonged to the Second Prince’s network.

Upon seeing more than half, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but click his tongue. It seemed the Second Prince had quite a few supporters, though the most crucial reason was still the Eldest Prince’s blindness, right?

Yin Kun glanced back at Gu Chengyu, noticing Gu Chengyu’s keen observation as if watching a show. He couldn’t help but lower his head in contemplation.

After surveying the assembly, Gu Chengyu lowered his head, content to know the situation in his heart. As for who should be made Crown Prince, truthfully, it didn’t matter much to him. The eldest was barely eight, the Second Prince even younger. How could one determine the integrity of their character?

"Your Majesty, although the Second Prince is young, he is loyal, filial, honorable, and exceptionally intelligent. He would be a fine choice. If he can be instructed by someone of upright character and profound knowledge, he will surely excel. I implore Your Majesty to appoint a renowned tutor for the Second Prince!"

Xu Tianxin stepped forward and bowed deeply. Although the Emperor had already decided on Liang Zhirui as Gu Chengyu’s tutor for the Eldest Prince, the Crown Prince had not yet been appointed. The Emperor had already ensured all aspects were considered for the Eldest Prince.

But the Second Prince was only three years younger than the Eldest Prince. Why couldn’t the Emperor also consider the Second Prince? If the Eldest Prince truly never recovers, the Second Prince is the ideal choice for Crown Prince.

"I agree! The Second Prince has reached the age of five, therefore it is time to appoint a virtuous teacher to impart him knowledge and guidance."

Listening to these people praise the Second Prince to the skies one by one, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. An exaggeration, perhaps, for a mere five-year-old?

"When I was still a prince, I had no tutor appointed either, and didn’t I still learn at the Hongwen Academy? Moreover, the Eldest Prince is the eldest brother, how can one appoint a tutor for a younger brother before him? This matter will be discussed later!"

The Emperor was quite displeased. When Zhao Xian pleased the former Emperor, no special tutor had been assigned either. Zhao Xian’s teacher had been secured by his mother consort. When it came to his own time, even more so.

These people seemed overly eager, the Emperor thought, gazing at the ministers who had once praised Yege’er yet now sided with Minge’er. Their discordant stances were like traitorous weeds, making him intensely averse.

During his time as a prince, he’d seen too much of such duplicity and therefore held no regard for these double-faced individuals.

"Your Majesty! The Eldest Prince currently cannot be educated, but must you delay the Second Prince?"

"Your Majesty, you mustn’t overemphasize one to the detriment of another! The Eldest Prince indeed cannot learn at present, but the Second Prince is remarkably talented. I beg Your Majesty to have compassion for him; don’t let him lose heart!"

"What? Do you wish to bypass the Eldest Prince before he even gets a tutor? Do you have no regard for the Eldest Prince?"

"Who knows when the Eldest Prince will recover? That can’t delay the Second Prince!"

The Emperor looked at the bickering ministers below, his gaze falling on Gu Chengyu. Seeing Gu Chengyu’s silence, his eyes fixed on the floor tiles, the Emperor couldn’t help but sigh.

If nothing else, this composure set him apart from the rest. Observing the flushed faces of the arguing ministers, the Emperor felt a wave of irritation.

"Xu Aiqing! Since you proposed this matter, do you have a suitable candidate to suggest?" The Emperor interrupted, asking Xu Tianxin.

Upon hearing the Emperor finally asking, Xu Tianxin’s eyes brightened, casting a glance at Gu Chengyu in the rear right.

"Your Majesty, isn’t there an obvious candidate within the hall? Mr. Gu’s reputation is renowned, his literary talent and demeanor are most inspiring. Moreover, his strategic acumen is incomparable; he harbors vast knowledge and insight. He is the most fitting choice. Besides, with his noble character and virtuous reputation, aside from Your Majesty, it would be hard to find another as outstanding. Does Your Majesty feel the same?"

Hmm? Gu Chengyu found himself doubting his ears. He looked at Xu Tianxin in surprise.

Xu Tianxin saw Gu Chengyu’s shocked expression and the look of disbelief directed toward him; he met it with a flattering smile.

The sight of that smile was enough to unsettle Gu Chengyu—was this truly talking about him? No court minister had ever praised him to his face like this, nor behind his back for that matter. But had the sun really risen in the west today?

Look at these phrases: noble demeanor? Virtuous talents? Though he too believed these words suited him well, hearing them from these people’s mouths was indeed unexpected!

"Oh? Have you taken a liking to Gu Aiqing?" The Emperor cast a meaningful glance, seeing Gu Chengyu’s apparent surprise before diverting his gaze.

Gu Chengyu was somewhat speechless—what did "taken a liking" imply? Such wording was rather ambiguous.

If you find any errors ( Ads popup, ads redirect, broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.