Chapter 628: Chapter 464: Fell Asleep
Gu Chengyu waited for a while, but the Emperor didnāt call him to stand.
He knew the Emperor was still angry about the morning court affairs, so he didnāt dare make any moves.
Gu Chengyu bowed his head, waiting for the Emperor to call him up. After all, if he wanted to punish him by kneeling, there was no need to summon him to the Imperial Study Room.
He waited for a while longer, and Gu Chengyuās knees started to go numb.
It seems the Emperor is quite angry! He wants to punish him physically, to give him a stern warning.
He pondered in his mind, thinking about how to face the Emperorās wrath later.
Deāan noticed the Emperor was resting with closed eyes and was also shocked in his heart by the Emperorās indifference to Gu Chengyuās salute.
About a quarter of an hour passed, and Gu Chengyu suddenly felt something was wrong.
Is the Emperor testing his patience? Is he really going to punish him by kneeling in the Imperial Study Room?
He quietly lifted his head a little and glanced, discovering the Emperor was actually resting with closed eyes.
Gu Chengyu was a bit surprised, the Emperor wasnāt even reviewing memorials, wasnāt this resting period too long?
Gu Chengyu had no choice but to bow his head again and continue kneeling, though he was somewhat baffled. Suddenly, he thought of a possibility.
Then he raised his head to observe the Emperor carefully, finding the Emperorās eyes tightly shut, breathing evenly, and his body not movingāwhat? Is he asleep?
Deāan saw Gu Chengyu daring to look directly at the Emperorās face despite his mistake, feeling Gu Chengyu was overly bold.
Gu Chengyu looked carefully again, confirmed his thoughts, and then signaled Deāan with his eyes.
Deāan was rather puzzled and didnāt quite understand Gu Chengyuās meaning.
It was strange to him, Mr. Gu kept moving, yet the Emperor made no sound?
Moreover, itās been so long already, which was somewhat irregular.
Deāan turned his head to glance at the Emperor leaning against the back of his chair and suddenly felt something was off.
He was shocked and instantly panicked, could it be that the Emperor had fainted again?
After all, he had fainted once before, how could Deāan not be tense?
"Your Majesty?" Deāan softly called out, seeing no response, feeling anxious and unsure what to do.
Gu Chengyu noticed Deāanās anxiety, understanding Deāanās thoughts.
After all, the Emperor was getting old and his health had not been robust, Deāan feared something was amiss with the Emperorās body.
Gu Chengyu gently said, "Speak louder!"
To him, the Emperor was likely asleep. Yet, it couldnāt be ruled out that there might be health issues.
Anyway, if he didnāt wake the Emperor, wouldnāt he have to keep kneeling for a long time?
Deāan hesitated for a moment, then raised his voice, "Your Majesty?"
Gu Chengyu stared intently, watching for any sign of awakening from the Emperor, quickly bowing his head upon witnessing signs of awakening.
The Emperor opened his bleary eyes, looking somewhat confused, probably still groggy at this moment.
"Deāan, what hour is it?"
The Emperor realized he was still seated, quickly sat upright, his mind still not fully clear.
"In response to Your Majesty, itās almost early noon, do you wish to rest a while? How about resting after lunch? Sleeping in the Imperial Study Room, you might catch cold!"
Deāan was relieved to wake the Emperor finally. Recalling just now, he had indeed been quite worried.
The Emperor hummed in acknowledgment, and suddenly noticed someone still kneeling below.
Gu Chengyu had listened to the twoās conversation, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted, hoping it was just because the Emperor was overly tired and took a nap.
From the confused state post-awakening, the Emperorās body condition was worrying!
Gu Chengyu felt it would be wise to establish the Crown Prince early, putting these thoughts aside. Since the Emperor was awake, he naturally needed to pay his respects again.
"Your minister Gu Chengyu respectfully wishes Your Majesty well-being!"
The Emperor squinted at Gu Chengyu, stared for a while, and then remembered calling Deāan to summon Gu Chengyu to the Imperial Study Room after the morning court.
Judging by Gu Chengyuās appearance, he must have been kneeling for quite a while.
"Rise!" The Emperor appeared somewhat weary.
Perhaps there had been some anger before, but after a nap, even the Emperorās anger had dissipated somewhat.
"Your courage is indeed not small." The Emperorās expression was calm, showing no trace of anger.
However, Gu Chengyu didnāt dare relax, fearing recalling previous matters might rekindle anger after the nap.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant was indeed unexpectedly favored, panicked for a while, not anticipating the Emperor would give your humble servant the position of Imperial Academy Attendant. After all, your humble servantās experience is shallow, never dared to covet that position before, felt somewhat guilty."
Actually, Gu Chengyu was merely saying, claiming he never coveted the attendantās position was impossible.
However, because he didnāt hold much hope for it, originally working in the Hanlin Academy, tenure was more important than in other government offices.
He was quite surprised by the sudden joyful news.
Of course, both understood the true reason; Gu Chengyu only needed to use this as an excuse to brush it off, the Emperor wouldnāt persist on this matter.
"Oh? Not dare to covet, yet I think your courage is quite big! You even dare to contradict my words, and feign ignorance before me. Previously, concealed from me, tell me, how should I punish you?"
Gu Chengyu quickly knelt again, kowtowing to admit fault, "Your Majesty! How dare your humble servant deceive Your Majesty? Regarding the tea and horse exchange and the salt permit matter, your humble servant thought of it last night. Before this morningās court, there wasnāt time to report to Your Majesty, your humble servant is straightforward, having thought of it, naturally proposed it for related government officesā consideration."
"Your Majesty! Your humble servant also wished to alleviate some burdens for Your Majesty, letting you suffer less fatigue! However, your humble servant indeed committed a fault, please punish me."
Gu Chengyu felt he had no choice even if truly punished, like a dead pig not fearing hot water.
His straightforward remark drew involuntary twitches at the mouths of both the Emperor and Deāan.
Deāan even felt Gu Chengyu had thick skin, to utter such words without hesitation.
"You, straightforward? I see you as glib, with plenty of little schemes!"
The Emperor squinted slightly, aware of Gu Chengyuās little schemes. Despite verbally claiming he didnāt covet the attendant position, in his mind, he might be plotting hard to climb to that position!
If not, he wouldnāt have expended so much effort on tea tax.
Gu Chengyu hearing this knew the Emperorās anger had dissipated quite a bit.
"Your Majesty, you wronged your humble servant; your humble servant is an honest person. Your humble servantās mother often remarked your humble servant is too upright, may suffer losses in the future!"
Gu Chengyu suddenly had a notion, so he decided to bring up his mother to boost his presence.
As for whether Mrs. Lv had said such words, who knows?
The Emperorās lips curled slightly, amused by Gu Chengyu. In his heart, he thought, thatās your mother blind.
However, having a son like Gu Chengyu, for an illiterate peasant woman, surely brought honor.
Gu Chengyuās words stirred the Emperorās interest.
Each time conversing with Gu Chengyu, the Emperor always found himself relaxed.
"Your parents indeed taught you well, thinking when you became an official, your parents shared the honor."
Gu Chengyu turned his thoughts, realizing the Emperor showed interest in chatting.