Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 882 - 718: As Long As You’re Happy!

Gu Chengyu nodded and glanced at Lichun, "Your duty is to manage the matters in the courtyard. In the future, the steward from the estate will report these matters to me. Just perform your duties well."

By rights, these should be the responsibilities of Nanny Liang or the steward Chen of the outer courtyard. Lichun’s heart had grown bold.

Upon hearing this, Lichun’s face immediately turned pale.

She hadn’t expected the lord to be so ruthless, only then did she realize she had overstepped her bounds.

"It was a slip of the tongue, please forgive me, my lord!" Lichun hurriedly knelt to the ground, looking terrified.

The lord had never reprimanded her like this before, which made her feel very sad.

Gu Chengyu ignored the kneeling Lichun and proceeded to eat red bean barley cakes on his own.

Banxia’s lips curled into a mocking smile. She didn’t look at the kneeling Lichun, only dropped the corners of her mouth after a brief moment.

Lichun waited for Gu Chengyu’s forgiveness in vain, her panic growing inside.

Could it be that the lord really wants to marry Princess Rong Jia? Otherwise, why would the lord punish her? Will Princess Rong Jia become the mistress of their estate?

And what would be her own way out? How could someone so noble allow her to stay by the lord’s side?

Lichun’s heart was in disarray. If the estate would have a mistress, would there still be a place for her to settle?

Gu Chengyu didn’t bother with what Lichun was thinking. He donned his official uniform and prepared to go to the Hanlin Academy to check in.

"Oh! It’s Mr. Gu back at last! You sure have rested for quite a few days! You look so spirited now, your health must be fully recovered, right?"

Gu Chengyu was on his way to Zhang Hai’s place when he met Qian Yi coming in the same direction.

"So it’s Mr. Qian. Thanks to your concern, my health has indeed recovered. Isn’t it? I’m going to Mr. Zhang’s to report the end of my leave."

Gu Chengyu replied with a smile, leading the way ahead.

"Mr. Gu, you seem to have recovered well. In the days you were absent, our Hanlin Academy was quite lively."

Qian Yi fell two steps behind Gu Chengyu and spoke with cryptic significance.

"Oh? How so?" Gu Chengyu asked curiously.

Qian Yi smiled lightly, "Actually, it’s nothing much, just that at first everyone was guessing what acute illness befell you, confining you to bed. Then they guessed you were irritated by those rough tea merchants, and didn’t come to the Hanlin Academy for over half a month. Lastly, they speculated that you had annoyed the Emperor, who ordered you to go back and recuperate."

Gu Chengyu was speechless for a moment upon hearing this.

The first was indeed his and the Emperor’s pretense, so this rumor was understandable.

But the middle one about being irritated by rough tea merchants, what kind of explanation was that?

Gu Chengyu thought about how the tea tax had officially started when he went to Hejian Prefecture. Could they believe he was hiding in fear of the tea merchants’ retaliation?

This was truly absurd!

The last reason, well, it seemed somewhat plausible!

After the Emperor summoned him, he did fall ill. Wasn’t he avoided by the Emperor?

Gu Chengyu found it both amusing and annoying. Shaking his head, he said, "I didn’t expect that only within a month of rest, there would be so many people in the Hanlin Academy who are concerned about me!"

Qian Yi secretly observed Gu Chengyu’s expression and, seeing that he wasn’t angry, finally felt relieved.

He thought Gu Chengyu probably wasn’t petty, otherwise, he wouldn’t have shared this with Gu Chengyu.

"It’s not just us in the Hanlin Academy! Even officials from other government offices were surprised by your long absence, and naturally, there were many speculations."

Gu Chengyu nodded, "Given that I’ve been resting at home for so many days, it’s natural for there to be suspicions." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

After seeing Zhang Hai, Gu Chengyu returned to his office, exchanging a few words with Chou Yifan, who was trying to extract information from him.

Before an hour had passed, Gu Chengyu was summoned by the Emperor.

"This humble servant greets the Emperor and wishes you good health!" Gu Chengyu knelt and performed a grand salute.

"Rise!" The Emperor said amiably, which somewhat surprised Gu Chengyu.

Lu Chen hadn’t reported that he already had the treasure map; naturally, he reported truthfully to the Emperor.

But judging from the Emperor’s expression, he didn’t seem angry at all. Could it be the Emperor was not anxious about the stolen treasure map?

No matter how confused Gu Chengyu felt, the Emperor, with a smile on his face, said, "De’an! Give Mr. Gu a seat."

"By your command!" De’an glanced at Gu Chengyu, feeling puzzled too.

By logic, Mr. Gu hadn’t brought back the treasure map, and no one knew whose hands it had fallen into, the Emperor should indeed be anxious and disappointed.

And indeed, when Lord Lu reported this yesterday, the Emperor was furious, giving Lord Lu quite a scolding.

Yet today, when Mr. Gu came, the Emperor’s attitude was vastly different from yesterday’s with Lord Lu.

De’an could see that the Emperor genuinely had no intention of blaming Mr. Gu.

In his heart, De’an further overestimated the level to which Gu Chengyu was favored by the Emperor. Clearly, Mr. Gu held a different place in the Emperor’s heart.

Gu Chengyu was also somewhat baffled, having messed up his duty, and now being granted a seat?

"Let’s not talk about the treasure map for now; this time you went to Hejian Prefecture and still made quite an achievement."

The Emperor put down the memorial in his hand, looking at Gu Chengyu with great satisfaction.

"Your servant did not contribute much; it was Lord Lu who did all the work. I dare not claim credit,"

Gu Chengyu quickly stood up, replying respectfully.

"As if I am unaware of you? Without you, Lu Chen wouldn’t have achieved so much. But now that you have returned to the Capital, there’s no need for you to worry about the matters in Hejian Prefecture. I have already dispatched officials from the Inspectorate and the Dali Temple to handle this case. You, being still in the Hanlin Academy, shouldn’t get involved in this matter."

These words made Gu Chengyu want to chuckle silently, as the treasure map had nothing to do with him as an official of the Hanlin Academy. So why was he still sent?

When needed, he had to step up. When not needed, he was just an official of the Hanlin Academy.

Within his heart, Gu Chengyu complained: "You’ve said everything, nothing to be done about it, whatever makes you happy!"

"Your servant understands!"

Following this, Gu Chengyu pulled out something from his sleeve and handed it to De’an.

The Emperor’s face tensed up, his eyes gleaming sharply. Watching De’an holding that yellowed parchment, his eyes filled with delight.

"Your Majesty! This is the treasure map, but unfortunately..."

Seeing the Emperor’s delight and excitement, Gu Chengyu also felt his heart skip a beat.

One could only wonder, after the Emperor opened it, whether he would be greatly disappointed.

At that moment, nothing beyond the map registered to the Emperor. He eagerly took it from De’an’s hands and quickly unrolled it to inspect.

"I knew you kept it from Lu Chen and brought back the treasure map. I was right."

The Emperor was utterly overjoyed, praising Gu Chengyu enthusiastically.

This continuous praise made Gu Chengyu a bit bashful, feeling helpless, as he knew there would be disappointment awaiting the Emperor later.

Gu Chengyu saw the Emperor open the intact map and then proceed to scrutinize it closely.

"Indeed! This parchment is exceedingly aged, making its authenticity quite probable."