freenovelworld Chapter 1082: Gloomy and Depressed
Chapter 1082: Gloomy and Depressed
The moon is bright in the sky, the stars are sparse, and the palace walls are quiet and elegant.
Late at night, Gu Mengzhen woke up slowly, lay on the bed, stared at the bed curtains, and was stunned for a long time before coming to his senses.
A ray of dawn broke through the sky. Gu Mengzhen got up in the morning, washed up, and ordered Xiao Fuzi to go to Prince Dijin's Mansion and Yuexi Mansion to invite Yan Yu and Ning Yunxi to enter the palace for a chat.
Yan Yu and Ning Yunxi also got up early. Upon hearing the invitation, they went to Di Sheng Palace as scheduled.
Gu Mengzhen did not wear a dragon robe, but a Taiwei official uniform, which made him look solemn and dignified.
"Royal brother, Xier, please sit down."
Upon seeing this, Yan Yu and the others realized that Gu Mengzhen's old illness had recovered, so they put their worries at ease and took a seat.
Gu Mengzhen's statements were clear, honest, and kind.
"My foolish brother originally intended to host a small banquet and invite Xi'er to chat. However, I'm afraid Xi'er might become suspicious and dare not enter the palace. I'm also worried that my brother might be worried about the safety of his beloved wife. Therefore, my foolish brother sincerely invites you two to come together."
Yan Yu nodded slightly.
"Brother, please speak, I will remain silent."
Gu Mengzhen smiled.
"Thank you, Emperor brother."
Ning Yunxi is reserved.
"What are your Majesty's instructions? I am all ears."
Gu Mengzhen was stunned.
"Why are you being so modest? I know that the imperial brother has been enthroned as the empress, and the imperial decree has already been issued."
Ning Yunxi knew the reason.
"Yesterday, we discussed and decided to postpone the public release of the imperial edict out of consideration for the Emperor's feelings, to prevent his subjects from speculating that the Emperor was deliberately plotting to assassinate his master. I am using the imperial edict to protect myself."
Thinking of the absurdity of the incident, Gu Mengzhen blamed himself and felt ashamed.
"This is a fact, and it is normal for the subjects to have some speculation."
"I did something wrong, so whether they speculate or resent me, I should accept it and not run away from it."
"I'm not blaming you for taking unnecessary action. I understand that you're concerned about my dignity and don't want to damage my reputation."
Ning Yunxi lowered her eyebrows.
"Your Majesty is wise and wise, and I, a humble minister, feel ashamed."
Gu Mengzhen poured two cups of tea, placed them in front of them, and gestured to the snacks on the table.
"Royal brother, Xi'er, please."
Afraid that they would be reserved, he took a sip of tea first.
The small banquet was about to begin. He picked up his chopsticks, not paying attention to the food. He looked up into the distance, feeling nostalgic, and confided in her.
"My illness is not a constant flare-up, a constant rage and malice."
"When the pain eases a little, I regain my rationality, distinguish right from wrong, and care about those around me."
"Xi'er may not believe it, but I treat you well from the bottom of my heart."
"From the very beginning, I knew that you were not a daughter of the Ning family. Ning Hanwang and his wife adopted you only to use you."
"Your adoptive father doesn't love you, your adoptive mother doesn't care for you, your uncle pities you, your second brother bullies you, and all the relatives from both families treat you poorly. We are in almost the same situation in the family mansion. I completely understand your bitterness and sorrow, and I sympathize with you."
"I know very well how to love you and make up for the loneliness in your heart. Whenever the pain eases, I will spare no effort to care for you."
"I regard you as my own daughter."
Ning Yunxi spoke from the heart and was sincere.
"The emperor's love and care are as kind as a father's. I can feel it."
"I am a humble official, and I know I am not the most talented among your subjects. Yet, Your Majesty is still willing to entrust me with important tasks, and this has not changed over the years."
"The reputation of Yue Sheng as the best counselor is not only achieved with the help of Emperor Yue, but also with the tacit approval of the Emperor. I am deeply moved and extremely grateful."
"Your Majesty's grace is so great that I am powerless to repay it. I often think that I feel ashamed of it."
Gu Mengzhen shook his head slightly.
"Xi'er is too modest."
"You also know how to honor me and make up for my loneliness. Over the years, you have devoted yourself to everything you do, and have done everything perfectly."
"I have never had the blessing of having children. It is you who have filled the void and allowed me to experience the warmth of home."
His expression suddenly became lonely.
"Originally, neither of us owes the other anything."
"However, my momentary lapse of judgment led to a grave error, causing you to lose your uncle, brothers, and sisters."
"You were so thoughtful and took good care of my only family, but I failed to protect yours."
"Xi'er, I'm sorry for you."
"You don't have to forgive me. I know the situation is serious and I can't get your forgiveness."
"Actually, apart from my loyal Emperor Yan, Brother Zhuang and his family have treated me very well. It's my fault for not knowing how to cherish them. Now, I only regret it."
"If I hadn't betrayed Emperor Yan, he and I could have become close friends, helping each other and sharing a deep bond..."
When the conversation ended, it happened to be the busy time for official business, so Gu Mengzhen summoned all the ministers to the palace to have an audience, hold an abdication ceremony, and return the throne to the Yan clan.
Yan Yu had no intention of inheriting the throne, so he asked Ning Yunxi for advice, hid in a secret room, and pretended to be missing.
Gu Mengzhen, following Yan Yu's suggestion, went to Emperor Jin's palace in person to pray for Yan Danqing to ascend the throne, to serve the previous emperors, and to rule the Yan clan.
The ceremony was complete, and the officials had been waiting for a long time. Yan Danqing was caught off guard and was unable to get out of the situation.
Knowing that this was the good intention of his second younger brother, Yan Danqing was happy but helpless. He put on the dragon robe, sat high in the imperial sedan chair, entered from the south gate of the palace, and went to Di Sheng Palace.
After the abdication ceremony, Yan Danqing and other ministers paid homage to the previous emperors. Gu Mengzhen took the opportunity to leave and disappeared from the palace.
He chose a carriage used by palace maids and drove all the way to Prince Yu's Mansion. He went inside, admired the current scenery, and recalled the good old days.
I once remembered the emperor's trust and confidant in me, and I consulted with him on everything without a single suspicion. In the past, even the Fang clan couldn't match his favor.
Unfortunately, he ultimately betrayed Emperor Mu's trust and even attempted to become friends with Empress Zhenyu.
When he arrived at Emperor Mu's residence, Gu Mengzhen stood before his portrait, knelt down reverently, confessed his faults one by one, and repented.
In his early years, Emperor Dezong passed away and Emperor Muzong ascended the throne. Gu Mengzhen was appointed as the Grand Marshal and Zhong Jian was appointed as the Grand Minister.
In appreciation of the Emperor's great grace, he granted them two mansions: one named Zhong Taiqing's Mansion and the other named Gu Taiwei's Mansion. These two mansions, distinct from the Zhong and Gu mansions, were free to use as they pleased: as a family residence, for personal use, or for office use.
The mansion was spacious, so Zhong Jian used it as his home and immediately moved in with his family. It was not until later, when Gu Mengzhen ascended the throne and demoted Zhong Jian to the position of Tinghe Cheng (Minister of Court Affairs), ordering him to move out of the Taiqing Mansion, that the family was forced to return to the Zhong Mansion.
Although they had some grudges when they lived in the Taiqing Mansion, they did not break up.
Zhong Jian persisted in his ambition and remained steadfast, hoping that Gu Mengzhen would see his sincerity, change his mind, and work with him again.
Gu Mengzhen played with his loyalty to the utmost, saying a few pleasantries when needed, and discarding him like a piece of trash when not needed. Zhong Jian died without waiting for "Lord Gu" to change his mind.
The carriage stopped at the residence of Mr. Zhong. Gu Mengzhen pushed the door open and walked in. He saw bamboos in the courtyard, swaying in the breeze. It looked like the old days, as if Mr. Zhong was still there.
After paying his respects and apologizing, he left the residence of Zhong Taiqing and returned to his former residence, the residence of Gu Taiwei.
There is a tablet for Zhuang Zhe in the palace.
Gu Mengzhen took out the jade ring given to him by Uncle Zhuang from his pocket and put it on his hand.
Kneeling before his uncle's tablet, he softly called out "Father," took the medicine, endured all kinds of pain, and died, looking for him...