Chapter 275 - 257: Emperor Gu Steps Forward and Returns to the Abyss (Double - )
The governor left in a hurry with the armored warriors, almost like a joke. Such a grand mobilization, yet nothing was accomplished.
Song Changming turned back to the courtyard, not paying much attention to that young prince.
The other party simply did not possess the power to threaten him and could only add some insignificant little episodes to his daily life.
Considering Gu Wenhui’s astuteness, upon discovering this matter, he should be able to handle it appropriately.
No matter how wise a person is, there will always be times when they overlook something, especially now that Gu Wenhui is a ruler, burdened daily with national affairs. That young prince Gu Yang was the result of a momentary lapse.
"In a while, I’ll have to make a trip to the Outer Domain," Song Changming said to a few people.
Su Qingqing’s eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, "Young master, are you going back to that Bottomless Abyss?"
"Yes, you stay and concentrate on your cultivation, don’t run around." Song Changming nodded.
"Yes." Su Qingqing obediently agreed.
Although she was quite lively and liked to run around, she listened to Song Changming and did not dare to disobey.
Moreover, she hoped fervently that Song Changming’s journey would be smooth so that she could return early to the Ancient Abyss Country to find her parents.
On the other side, the Wangyue Governor returned to his residence, immediately dashed back to his study to write a report, and sent someone on horseback to urgently deliver it to Yunling City, into His Majesty’s hands.
Later, he deliberately left the general to recuperate for a few more days to prevent that young prince from receiving news and doing something foolish again before it could be stopped.
In fact, shortly after his report was sent out, the Imperial Palace had already heard of the incident.
In the Imperial Study, Gu Wenhui, clad in a Dragon Robe, was perusing reports sent back from all over the country.
After ten years of ruling, his hair had strands of white, and his face had gained some wrinkles, showing signs of aging.
Compared to the exuberant youth he was when he was stationed in Donglai Prefecture, he was now nearing old age.
However, his eyes remained bright and his demeanor was composed and dignified. He focused intently on handling national affairs, with not a trace of slackness.
Suddenly, a guard hurried over.
"What is it?" Gu Wenhui asked without even lifting his eyelids.
"Your Majesty, there’s an issue at Prince Yu’s place..." The guard immediately reported the matter of secretly mobilizing county soldiers to intimidate Song Changming.
Bang!
Gu Wenhui slammed the report onto the table, his face instantly clouded.
"Summon Prince Yu to the palace to see me!"
"Yes." The guard took the order and hastily left.
At Prince Yu’s Mansion, Gu Yang was startled awake from his slumber and was about to lose his temper but immediately got dressed properly and obediently when he heard his father summoned him.
"It’s late at night, why is Father so urgently calling for me?"
Along the way, Gu Yang felt a vague sense of unease; this was something that had never happened before.
The guard leading him was silent, quickly taking him to the Imperial Study, then quietly closed the door.
Soon after, loud scolding voices were heard from inside, along with the sounds of whip strikes.
"Father, Father, please stop beating, please stop beating..."
Inside the Imperial Study, Gu Yang, whipped repeatedly, knelt and begged for mercy, his face and body marked with whip scars.
Clearly, Gu Wenhui was truly enraged this time, showing no mercy.
"That Song Changming, even I have to invite him politely, and you dare to offend him so!"
Gu Wenhui raged, striking him with the whip a couple of more times out of frustration.
"I was wrong, I was wrong, Father..." Gu Yang cried in fear, snot and tears streaming down.
"Do you now realize your mistake? Had I summoned you a bit later, I fear by then you would have already invited disaster upon yourself unknowingly!" Gu Wenhui scolded.
Gu Yang dared not say anything, only kept his head down, admitting his wrongdoing.
Only then did Gu Wenhui’s anger abate somewhat, and he threw down the whip he was holding.
"I knew Song Changming at the lowest point. At that time, I was just a small strategist beside the border Donglai Governor, and he was merely a patrol guard in the city.
The first time I met him, I noticed his extraordinary traits and tried to recruit him many times, but all efforts came to nothing. Later, his martial arts cultivation soared, which also proved my judgment correct.
In the fifth year of Da Lai, when Song Changming repelled foreign enemies and defended the borders, I wanted to take the opportunity to bestow upon him high office and riches, even the position of National Preceptor, but was rejected.
Today, he is one of the top figures on the Celestial List, far beyond the mundane. Your abrupt attempt to recruit such a powerful person shows your lack of self-awareness. To rashly act so aggressively after only two tests reflects no patience or virtue.
Do you realize that even I, over the decades, have tried recruiting him no less than dozens of times? Have you seen me get upset about it?
Truly valuing and recruiting talents is not a mere lip service. If you can’t even do this, how can you achieve great things?"
Gu Wenhui sat back down at the desk, tidied his clothes, saying much to this unpromising child.
Listening, Gu Yang only then recognized how superlative Song Changming’s position was in Gu Wenhui’s heart.
He finally recognized that while imperial authority seemed supreme, there were always some powerful individuals in the world that transcended even imperial power!
Song Changming was one of them!
"Father’s teaching is right, I will bear it in mind and never commit such a mistake again..." Gu Yang said, bowing down.
Gu Wenhui remained silent for a moment, and suddenly continued, "Tomorrow, prepare a generous gift and personally go to apologize. Do not mind your prince’s identity; if you provoke his wrath, I may not be able to protect you!"
Seeing the lingering confusion on Gu Yang’s face, as though he hadn’t realized the peril within this matter, Gu Wenhui couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.