Chapter 58: The Imperial Carriage Returns to the Capital

  After the news came out, the big families in the capital were shocked and looked at each other in dismay. None of their previous guesses about the person who saved the emperor had been correct. But which family was this Anji Marquis Manor?

  The major families in the capital were all confused, Anji Houfu, sounds like a family with some background, but seems to have never heard of it before. Fortunately, not knowing is always an option, so soon enough, regardless of size, every head of household and person in charge in the capital had a detailed investigation report on Anji Houfu in their hands.

  Looking at the survey on the desk about Anji Houfu, some old family heads who had been in power for many years suddenly realized that this Anji Houfu was actually the Gu family that had produced a national duke. The Gu family was indeed a century-old family, but after several generations, except for that national duke, there were no other outstanding figures in the Gu family, and it gradually declined. Seeing this, thinking that their own family might also have such a day in the future, they couldn't help but sigh. However, when they saw that the current Madame of Anji Houfu was actually the daughter of General Town, some people lost their minds and were shocked.

  If I'm not mistaken, the General who Guards the Country should be the Jun family from back then! The Gu and Jun families are actually in-laws, and the glory and prestige of the Jun family back then is still remembered by the older generation. So why did the Anji Marquis Manor and the Jun family form an alliance, yet it's so unknown, even on the verge of decline? Could it be that the Anji Marquis Manor is actually hiding its true strength?

  Half a moment later, he shook his head in denial. It's impossible! In the capital city, which family doesn't show off their prosperity to the extreme? Even those who are low-key are still low-key luxurious. But this Anji Marquis Manor is so shabby that anyone can trample on it. If it has reached this point and they can still endure without getting angry, I don't know what adjective can be used to describe the Anji Marquis Manor...

  And judging from the information gathered from all sides, a noble family, even if it is low-key and tolerant, is for the better development and growth of the family. Flipping through the investigation on the table, those who come and go with Anji Houfu are basically the same as Anji Houfu's current situation, that is to say, Anji Houfu has not hidden any strength at all, and the current situation of Anji Houfu is indeed its true strength.

  He then savored the four words "Zhen Guo Jiang Jun" on his lips, and his eyes lit up. He turned to think about Zhen Guo Jiang Jun's retirement and the decline of the Jun family, and suddenly he felt a sense of clarity. It seems that some things really can't be overthought, and often the true answer is the simplest one - "one day as the emperor, one day as the minister".

  Moreover, your family has retreated to the south of the ridge. No wonder the marriage between Anji Houfu and Zhen Guo Jiangjun's families couldn't avoid defeat. Understanding this point, I can put aside my complicated thoughts about Anji Houfu and the slight apprehension caused by the four words "Zhen Guo Jiangjun". My gaze finally fell on the investigation report of Gu Huiyi, the second son of the Gu family who saved the emperor's life. I couldn't help but feel envious - the Gu family is indeed lucky! They were about to decline, but then came Gu Huiyi... why didn't such a person appear in my own family? The merit of saving the emperor... it seems that Anji Houfu's glorious days are coming back!

  Thinking of this, he immediately ordered the people in the mansion to prepare thick gifts and cards to be sent to the Anji Marquis's mansion, first to establish a close relationship with the Anji Marquis's mansion.

  At the same time, the heads of various aristocratic families, after reading the investigation report on the Anji Marquis's mansion, sent people to make friends with the Guo family before the emperor returned to the capital. However, soon after, the people sent by the various aristocratic families all came back and said that the Anji Marquis's mansion had already closed its doors several days ago.

  Upon hearing the news brought back by those sent to make connections with the Anji Marquis's household, some clever people fell into deep thought. The Anji Marquis's household had closed its doors several days ago; could it be just a coincidence? But where in the world are there such coincidences? It is obviously impossible. Could it be that the Anji Marquis's household was not giving face to their own family? Thinking this, they immediately overturned this possibility - it shouldn't be, and with a flicker of thought, another possibility occurred to them... but could this really be possible?

  No matter whether it's possible or not, just go and investigate to know the truth. At the same time, many people from various aristocratic families in the capital were dispatched to investigate. Very soon, the results of the investigation were placed on the desks of each family head. It was confirmed that the Anji Marquis Manor had indeed been sealed off a few days ago. The reason for sealing off the manor was that the elderly lady of the Anji Marquis Manor had dreamed of the late old marquis, so she ordered the manor to be sealed off to hold a memorial service and pray for blessings for the deceased old marquis.

  As a result, several families that didn't take the Anji Marquis Manor seriously at first immediately began to pay attention. It's impossible for such coincidences to happen in this world, so it must be that the Anji Marquis Manor received some information in advance. The fact that they were able to get the news before all the other noble families in the capital city made those who didn't take this matter seriously at first start to pay attention to the Anji Marquis Manor. It seems that a hundred-year-old noble family is indeed a hundred-year-old noble family, and although it has declined, it still has some of the elegance of a noble family! Such an Anji Marquis Manor is really worth getting to know!

  Thinking like this, it turns out that those motionless, deeply rooted aristocratic families in the capital also sent people to keep an eye on the Anji Marquis Manor. The Anji Marquis Manor can't possibly choose to stay closed forever; there will come a day when they open their doors. As the emperor's lifesaver, plus the fact that the Anji Marquis Manor was able to get news ahead of time before any other aristocratic family in the capital did, it's essential to make friends with them as soon as possible. The earlier they can release goodwill and befriend the Anji Marquis Manor, the better; who knows, maybe they'll even be able to hitch a ride on this lifesaving achievement and bring huge benefits and endless support to their family. Even if that doesn't happen, it's still worth befriending them just because of how quickly they got the news.

  As a result, many scouts from various families and strangers appeared at the gate of the Anji Marquis's mansion overnight.

  The Grand Hall of the Duke of Anji's Mansion

  After hearing the steward's report, recently there have been many strangers lurking around the Anji Marquis' mansion. After the steward bid farewell and left the main hall, Gu Haili couldn't sit still anymore and stood up, facing Shen Shi on the main seat: "Mother, do you think it's good for us to close the mansion and not see anyone?" He paced back and forth restlessly.

  Seeing Gu Huaiyi pacing back and forth, Shen Shi picked up the tea cup from one side, slowly took a sip, and under Gu Huaiyi's worried gaze, placed the teacup on the corner of the table. She faintly scolded Gu Huaiyi: "You're already so old, yet still so restless. What's good or bad about it? If you don't seal the manor, how do you plan to deal with it? Eldest Brother hasn't returned to the capital, and the Emperor's carriage hasn't returned either. If we didn't seal the manor, today would bring a huge pile of visiting cards. Would you go visit them one by one? When people come asking for favors, would you agree or refuse? Moreover, the Third Prince sent someone to inform us in advance, precisely so our manor could prepare and avoid trouble. Besides sealing the manor, do you have a better idea?"

  Upon hearing Shen's words, Gu Huai Li stopped in his tracks. He also knew that closing the manor was for the best, but with Anji Hou Manor being so low-key all these years, suddenly having a day like this, he just couldn't quite believe it. It still felt like a dream, had his younger brother really saved the Emperor?

  "Mother, you said it was really Huaiyi who saved the Emperor? I still can't believe it's true, could it be that the Third Prince made a mistake?" Gu Haili couldn't help but ask to confirm.

  Upon hearing his words, Shen gazed over at him and sighed upon seeing his dispirited appearance, saying: "The Third Imperial Prince has just returned from the border, do you think the news he spoke of is reliable or not?"

  "Then won't we offend the noble families who come to visit if we close the manor like this?" Gu Huaiyi spoke again.

  "What do you think?" Shen Shi countered with a question instead of an answer.

  “………”

  Just as the various families were staring at the Anji Marquis's estate, while the Anji Marquis's estate was closed off, the Meng Kingdom, which had initiated war against Dajing first, sent an envoy to negotiate with Dajing. The negotiations stated that the Meng Kingdom was willing to return the cities of Dajing it had previously occupied and present a large amount of gold, silver, and precious jewels, wishing to make amends with Dajing.

  After the news of Meng Guo and Da Jinghe's peace talks came back from the border, the capital was filled with joy, and people no longer focused their attention solely on the Anji Hou Mansion, but began to move around various households.

  In early November, Da Jing and Meng Guo signed a peace treaty. When the news arrived, the capital city was filled with jubilation. In the same month, the Emperor's carriage began to return to the capital.

  At the end of November, the imperial carriage returned to the capital. On the eve of the imperial carriage's return to Beijing, the gate of the Anji Hou Mansion, which had been closed for many days, was finally opened. The first to receive the news were the servants of the various aristocratic families who sent out invitations and visiting cards. Shen Shi ordered the steward to accept the invitations and visiting cards from the various aristocratic families.

  After the emperor returned to the capital, Emperor Ming immediately held a ceremony in the imperial court to reward the generals who had made contributions in repelling the Mongols. The atmosphere in the imperial court was harmonious and joyful. After Emperor Ming finished rewarding all those who had made contributions, he kept only Gu Huaiyi behind.

  Seeing Emperor Ming leave only with Gu Huaiyi in the end, the low-ranking officials couldn't help but whisper to each other. It seems that His Majesty is going to greatly reward Gu Huaiyi? It's just unknown how great this reward will be? The officials all started guessing in their hearts, and those who had sent invitations to the Anji Marquis' residence yesterday smiled silently as they looked at Gu Huaiyi.

  The Emperor sat upright on the golden throne, ignoring the guesses and inquiries of the ministers, his eyes fixed on Gu Huaiyi among them. "Gu Gong's contribution is the greatest this time, what reward does Gu Gong want?" The low, thick and magnetic voice echoed in the grand hall, exuding an aura of majesty that brooked no intrusion.

  Many officials heard the voice of Emperor Ming, and they all stood up in a neat and orderly manner. When Emperor Ming's words fell, they couldn't help but take a deep breath. The emperor's words were tantamount to a promise that Gu Huaiyi could be appointed as long as he was not too greedy. Such great honor had been bestowed upon someone in the previous dynasty, but never in this one. It was unexpected that Emperor Ming would make such a promise to Gu Huaiyi today, which was simply unprecedented!

  Thank you very much to Yuanyuanbao for giving Shanshan two pink votes, thank you to Fengguoliusuo01 and Qielingyaci for two pink votes each, thank you to Yuhoutingyuan for the reward of fragrant sachet, thank you to Yin Qingqing for the reward of peace symbol. Shouldn't have missed anyone, if I did, please private message me, yesterday was a bit busy, almost forgot to post...