Chapter 16

Inside the Duke's residence.

As the butler's voice sounded.

Gu Jinnian immediately snapped out of his reverie.

He washed his face casually and headed out of the courtyard.

The butler was waiting outside the door, and as soon as he saw Gu Jinnian, he draped a brocade jacket over his shoulders.

"Prince, the weather has changed today, the wind is quite strong, please be careful."

The butler spoke, reminding Gu Jinnian about the change in weather.

"The weather has changed?"

Feeling the cold wind, it was indeed chilly. It was September, and by all accounts, the capital should not be this cold, which was a bit strange, but Gu Jinnian didn't think much of it.

Looking up at the sky, it was somewhat overcast, confirming his suspicion.

It would rain today.

Without much thought, Gu Jinnian followed the butler out of the Duke's residence.

As usual, after boarding the jade carriage, Gu Jinnian closed his eyes to rest.

After finishing the Sage's启蒙book yesterday, a thread of literary talent had condensed within him, and it would take some time for it to bear fruit.

However, Gu Jinnian was also looking forward to the benefits that the Confucian path could bring him.

But just as the jade carriage had been traveling for about fifteen minutes, it suddenly stopped.

Soon, a familiar voice sounded.

"Is the Prince in the jade carriage?"

The voice was pleasant and familiar; it belonged to his mother's personal maid.

"Miss Xue'er, the Prince is inside the carriage. What is it?"

The butler's voice sounded, slightly puzzled.

"Madam is in the carriage and wants to take the Prince to the palace. Please let us through and don't disturb the master."

The voice sounded again, piquing Gu Jinnian's curiosity.

Gu Jinnian immediately pulled back the curtain and looked out.

In a sparsely populated corridor, two groups of people had met. Indeed, it was his mother's jade carriage, and the woman negotiating with the butler was indeed Miss Xue'er.

"This..."

The butler in front of the jade carriage was at a loss. He had not received any orders, but he dared not disobey the lady's command, so he was in a dilemma.

"Year, come here."

At that moment, Lady Li's jade carriage was also pulled back, and a familiar face appeared, looking at Gu Jinnian with a gentle smile and waving him over.

"Okay."

At this moment, Gu Jinnian didn't waste any words and got up from the carriage to go over.

Firstly, he didn't want the butler to be in an awkward position, and secondly, he needed to please his mother.

The person who doted on him the most in the entire Gu family was his mother, Lady Li.

Gu Jinnian wasn't stupid; offending his mother would only cause trouble.

Sure enough, as Gu Jinnian walked over without hesitation, Lady Li's smile grew even warmer, as if to say, "My son is indeed my son."

After entering the jade carriage, a fragrance filled the air. Two maids knelt on either side, and Lady Li sat at the head, with various snacks and fruits laid out. She looked at Gu Jinnian with deep concern.

"Year, you've been through a lot these past few days. Your father, that scoundrel, made you read books right after you recovered from your illness."

"Today, I'm in charge and will take you to see your aunt and your grandmother."

Lady Li explained her intentions, making Gu Jinnian understand. After speaking, she looked at the butler outside the carriage and said,

"Go to the academy and explain to the head that I have taken the Prince. Remind them to keep their mouths shut and not to force me to go to the study myself. Also, don't let this matter out. When you return at dusk, tell the Gu family that I just took Year to the palace, as per the Empress Dowager's orders."

Lady Li's calm voice was filled with authority.

The butler dared not argue and bowed in agreement.

Finally, Lady Li threw a money bag as a reward and glanced at the maids, who immediately set off without delay.

This scene made Gu Jinnian realize the power of the royal family. An ordinary woman would not have such authority.

Soon, with Xue'er entering the jade carriage, they headed for the palace.

Gu Jinnian sat obediently on his mother's left side, but he wasn't particularly restrained. Instead, he casually picked up a fruit similar to an apple and ate it without any hesitation.

"Take your time, Year. Have some of these fruits. They are tributes from the palace, very sweet."

Lady Li's voice was gentle as she handed Gu Jinnian a blood-red fruit and used her handkerchief to wipe the juice from the corner of his mouth, without any disgust.

"Understood, Mother."

"Mother, what are we going to the palace for?"

Gu Jinnian smiled but was also curious.

"To speak up for you."

"There are rumors all over the capital. Your sixth uncle is incompetent and couldn't handle such a simple matter. If this continues, it will greatly affect you. This time, I'm going all out."

"I will take you to the palace to see your uncle and properly handle this matter."

Lady Li spoke, her words filled with dissatisfaction towards her sixth brother and, by extension, the Gu family.

Indeed, with his son unjustly accused, any mother would be upset.

A mother's love is strong.

"See Uncle? Will Uncle help us?"

Gu Jinnian couldn't help but ask.

Who is his uncle? The Emperor of Daxia, Emperor Yongsheng.

This is not an ordinary emperor. He could endure hardship for years and turn the tide to become the emperor, definitely not an ordinary ruler.

Gu Jinnian felt it was inappropriate for his mother to go to him like this.

If it were an ordinary family, Gu Jinnian wouldn't be worried, after all, it's his uncle.

But the royal family is different. The saying "the most ruthless are the imperial families" is not just a saying.

"Don't worry. Since I'm going, I have full confidence."

"However, Year, you must be well-behaved."

"Win over your grandmother, and everything will be fine. Also, be polite to your aunt, and don't cause any trouble."

Lady Li instructed.

"Mother, don't worry."

Gu Jinnian nodded obediently and couldn't help but glance at the maids in the carriage.

Each one was beautiful and graceful.

Unfortunately, they weren't his maids.

Sensing Gu Jinnian's gaze, Lady Li seemed to think of something.

"Year, if you meet Changyue and Pingyang in the palace, don't get too close to them. They all have their eyes on you, and if they like you, it will be troublesome."

Lady Li said.

"Ah?"

Gu Jinnian was taken aback. He didn't expect his mother to suddenly say this.

"Year, don't think I'm being harsh. Changyue and Pingyang are indeed beautiful, but they are princesses. If you marry them, you can only have one wife."

"In the future, they might use the new emperor's favor to suppress you, and your life won't be easy."

"Besides, the Gu family, regardless of other things, is strong. One princess won't be enough for you."

Lady Li spoke very seriously.

But hearing this, Gu Jinnian was stunned.

Good grief, isn't that what you are?

Indeed, people are double standards, allowing the officials to set fires but not the commoners to light lamps.

Also, what does "strong" mean?

Mother, you are a princess, and you drive a car? And I'm so young, is it appropriate?

Gu Jinnian didn't know what to say and could only pretend to be dumb.

However, he remembered her words well. After all, he had just traveled through time, and marrying a princess would indeed be troublesome.

About two hours later.

The jade carriage finally arrived at the Nanhua Gate.

The Daxia Imperial Palace has four gates: the main gate, Zhongwu Gate, in the front, the Shenyang Gate in the back, and the Nanhua and Beihua Gates on the sides.

Officials enter through the Zhongwu Gate and leave through the Beihua Gate.

The changing of the guard enters through the Zhongwu Gate and exits through the Shenyang Gate.

Those who pass through the Nanhua Gate are generally royal relatives or ministers summoned by imperial decree.

Upon arriving at the Nanhua Gate, even a princess must disembark from the jade carriage and walk in, and must submit an imperial summons and an entry permit to enter the palace.

From this moment on, a sense of solemnity enveloped them.

Gu Jinnian got out of the carriage and looked at the brown-red city walls, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.

However, the Daxia Imperial Palace was much more magnificent than the palaces he had seen in his previous life. The city walls alone were ten zhang high, giving a sense of grandeur.

Outside the gate, the imperial guards stood, each exuding a cold aura, all top-notch warriors.

Guarding the palace gates was not an ordinary task, only the elite of the elite could do it.

After the guards on both sides carefully checked the imperial summons and the entry permit, they allowed them to pass.

But only the two personal maids could accompany them inside; the rest had to wait outside.

"Year, follow me, don't get lost."

Lady Li spoke. She was very familiar with the palace, but since Gu Jinnian didn't come often, she deliberately held his hand and led him inside.

Perhaps because of the Jian德incident that happened decades ago, the Ministry of Works' main task for the past twelve years has been to strengthen the palace's defenses.

Just inside the Nanhua Gate, there were three layers of gates, making the defense impregnable.

About an hour and a half later, Gu Jinnian followed Lady Li into the heart of the palace.

Magnificent.

Spacious.

It was like a small city, with palaces towering, showcasing the imperial family's might and constantly reminding everyone of the ruthlessness of the imperial family.

As a screenwriter, Gu Jinnian was extremely interested in history. While he couldn't claim to know thousands of years of history, he had a good understanding of the major events.

One thing Gu Jinnian was very clear about was that one should not go against the tide.

There is a saying, "The times make heroes."

But many famous historical figures, after gaining power, often develop the illusion that they are the tide.

Such people often meet tragic ends.

Gu Jinnian didn't want to be the tide. As a穿越er, he had a sense of superiority, but he had his limits.

He would avoid things he shouldn't touch, or he wouldn't know how he would die.

Just as Gu Jinnian was deep in thought.

A group of people appeared not far away.

With great fanfare.

At a glance, there were hundreds of people following behind.

"Your Majesty?"

At that moment, Lady Li's voice sounded, making Gu Jinnian a bit confused.

Good grief.

Just arrived at the palace and met the emperor?

What kind of luck is this?

But amidst the surprise, Gu Jinnian felt a huge sense of anticipation and curiosity.

He looked carefully.

A figure appeared in his line of sight.