lcionline Chapter 521 Looking at the vast sky and earth will be good for him.
Chapter 521 Looking at the vast sky and earth will be good for him.
As soon as he stepped into the study, he felt an invisible pressure wash over him, the aura of authority that made it almost impossible for him to breathe.
"This humble official...this humble official pays respects to Your Excellency the Duke." Vice Minister Wang bowed deeply, his posture extremely humble.
The servants following behind him presented him with several precious brocade boxes, which contained rare tonics and children's toys.
"Your Excellency, what happened yesterday was entirely due to my failure to properly educate my wife and son, which offended your young master. I have prepared some small gifts today to apologize to you and your wife."
Fine beads of cold sweat had formed on Vice Minister Wang's forehead, and his voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
Gu Junze finally turned around slowly.
His gaze did not fall on the gifts, but instead landed directly on Vice Minister Wang's face.
His gaze was calm and serene, yet sharp as a hawk's, as if it could pierce through one's heart.
“Lord Wang’s gift is too much for our Zhenguo Duke’s Mansion to accept.” Gu Junze’s voice was indifferent and distant. “Take it back.”
One sentence was enough to make Vice Minister Wang's heart sink to the bottom.
Refusing to accept gifts is tantamount to refusing reconciliation.
"Your Excellency, it was my fault. You may punish me as you see fit, I will accept it. However, my wife and son have already realized their mistake. I beg Your Excellency to be magnanimous and give them another chance." He almost bowed down.
Gu Junze walked up to him, each step feeling like he was stepping on his heart.
"Today, I will make things clear in front of Lord Wang." He spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice not loud, but firm and resolute.
“Xuan-ge’er is the son that I, Gu Junze, personally brought back to the manor and recorded in the family genealogy. This is something that I, my wife, and the entire Zhenguo Duke’s manor all deeply agree with.”
He leaned slightly forward, his gaze sharp and intense as he stared intently at Vice Minister Wang.
"So, I'm very curious. Whether my son, Gu Junze, stays or leaves in the future, is a family matter of my Duke Zhenguo's mansion. Why has it become a topic of conversation among the women and children in the inner quarters of your Ministry of Personnel's residence?"
"This humble official dares not! This humble official would never dare!" Vice Minister Wang knelt down with a "plop," his back soaked with cold sweat.
"It was my wife's ignorance that led her to gossip. When I return, I will certainly discipline her severely, confine her feet, and make her kneel as punishment, so that she will never dare to do it again!"
Gu Junze looked at him coldly and did not let him get up.
"Lord Wang is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, in charge of the evaluation and promotion of officials throughout the country. He must understand the weight of the word 'rules' better than anyone else."
"In my life, I, Gu Junze, may have many sons, but Gu Jingxuan will always be my son, Gu Junze."
"I hope Lord Wang can take these words back and clearly tell your wife, as well as everyone who shares her views."
Gu Junze's voice suddenly turned cold, "My son, Gu Junze's son, is not someone that just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come up to and question his identity."
"As for you," he looked down at the kneeling Minister Wang, "your household management is lax and your inner chambers are neglected. If word gets out, it will likely not be good for your official reputation."
This statement is a blatant warning.
Wang Shilang trembled violently, his face turning ashen.
He knew that these words were the final ultimatum from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
If this happens again, he will lose more than just face; he will lose his official position.
"This humble official...this humble official understands, this humble official thanks the Duke for his instruction!" He kowtowed heavily, his forehead pressed against the cold ground, and dared not lift it again.
"Butler," Gu Junze said, no longer looking at him, "see the guest out."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
The steward stepped forward and gestured for Vice Minister Wang to enter.
Wang, the Vice Minister, scrambled to his feet in a disheveled state, not daring to even glance at the gifts he had brought. He bowed low and practically staggered backward as he left the study, his figure desolate and flustered.
After he left, a slender figure emerged from behind the screen in the study.
Chu Ruohan walked to Gu Junze's side and reached out to smooth out the faint hint of hostility between his brows.
"Are you furious?" she asked softly.
Gu Junze took her hand in return, pulled her into his arms, rested his chin on the top of her head, and spoke with a tenderness that came after exhaustion.
“No.” He paused, then added, “I was just thinking that there will probably be more and more things like this in the future. Xuan-ge’er’s identity will always be a topic of conversation for those people.”
"We'll meet force with force, and we'll dam water with earth." Chu Ruohan leaned against him, her voice firm. "You protect him, I protect him, and Brother Lu and Sister Lan will protect him too."
"Our whole family is here, no one can bully us."
Upon hearing this, Gu Junze's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and he lowered his head to place a kiss on his wife's forehead.
"you are right."
The warmth in his arms dispelled the morning chill and soothed the last trace of unpleasantness caused by Minister Wang.
Gu Junze held her in his arms, feeling the sense of security and reliance that the person in his arms provided.
He lowered his head, gently inhaling the fragrance of her hair, his soft voice breaking the silence.
"Speaking of which, that matter should be put on the agenda as well."
Chu Ruohan lifted her head from his embrace, her eyes asking, "What is it?"
Gu Junze let go of her, took her hand and led her to sit down on a rosewood chair. He then pulled her to sit beside him.
"The royal autumn hunt will be held in three days."
Chu Ruohan was slightly taken aback, then understood.
The royal autumn hunt was a grand event every year, and all civil and military officials of the third rank or above in the capital could accompany the emperor. It was not only a time for the emperor and his officials to enjoy themselves together, but also the best opportunity for the sons of various families to show off their riding and archery skills.
In previous years, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was naturally the focus of everyone's attention.
“The weather isn’t too cold yet,” Gu Junze said, gently stroking the back of her hand with his fingertips. “Why don’t we bring the children along? It’ll be a good opportunity for them to get some fresh air.”
This suggestion surprised Chu Ruohan, and she subconsciously thought of her youngest daughter.
"Qingchen is still so young. There are so many people and horses at the autumn hunting grounds. Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
“It’s alright.” Gu Junze seemed to have already thought of a solution, his tone confident. “We’ll just stay at the camp on the outskirts of the hunting grounds, and not go deep into the forest.”
"The camp is heavily guarded, so it's very safe."
He looked at Chu Ruohan with a hint of a smile in his eyes: "Yesterday at the third branch of the Gu family, Lu Ge'er was very protective of Xuan Ge'er, but he himself is still just a child. Staying in the mansion to study all day, his mind inevitably becomes heavy."
“Taking him out for a ride and letting him see the vastness of the world will be good for him.”
When he mentioned Brother Lu, Chu Ruohan's heart softened.
Chu Ruohan nodded, agreeing with Gu Junze. That child was too burdened with worries and carried too many responsibilities on his shoulders that were beyond his years.
"Will my third uncle agree?"
Gu Junze: "I'll go tell them!"
She smiled and said, "Then I'll go and give the orders now to prepare some things for the children's trip."
“Go ahead.” Gu Junze nodded, watching her get up, his eyes full of doting affection. “Take some warm clothes with you, it’s windy in the mountains.”
"I understand," Chu Ruohan replied, turning and walking out with lighter steps.