Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Storm is Coming

  Thank you for the reward of Peach Blossom Fan from Cen Feng Yan Ai, thank you for the pink votes from Qing She, thank you for the reward of Fragrant Pouch from Yu Hou Ting Yuan, thank you for the reward of Peace Symbol from Book Friend 121114200631245...

  As they thought this, the officials couldn't help but cast envious and jealous glances at Gu Shili. In their hearts, they couldn't help but lament, why wasn't this person from their own family?!

  Gu Hailiu stepped out of the ranks after hearing Ming Emperor's words, ignoring the eyes of envy or jealousy from the crowd, calmly and composedly standing up, making a deep bow to Ming Emperor on the dragon chair in the Golden Hall.

  "I, your humble subject, thank Your Majesty for the imperial grace, and I am grateful for the great kindness of Your Majesty. However, I, your humble subject, am afraid, and I think that I do not deserve such a generous reward from Your Majesty." Everyone was thinking about what kind of generous reward Gu Huaiyi would ask for, but unexpectedly, Gu Huaiyi said something that no one had expected.

  When the officials heard Gu Huaiyi's words, they were all in an uproar. None of them could understand why Gu Huaiyi would say such a thing. Such a heavy reward was actually refused by someone. Was this Gu Huaiyi stupid? But looking at Gu Huaiyi's expression and demeanor, it didn't seem like it. Or was someone exaggerating Gu Huaiyi's merits? Otherwise, who would be willing to refuse such a great favor?

  "Oh, Gu Qing saved me, and also saved my third and sixth princes. How can he not be worthy of the reward I gave him?" The Emperor Ming's light and airy words broke off the doubts in the minds of the people in the hall about Gu Huaiyi's meritorious service of saving the emperor.

  At this time, although Emperor Ming's face was still calm and composed, his low and deep voice was a sign that the emperor was about to get angry. Only those who were most familiar with Emperor Ming understood that at this moment, Emperor Ming had truly taken an interest in Gu Huaiyi.

  However, the emperor's mind is cunning and unpredictable, and only a handful of people can truly see through his intentions. As soon as Emperor Ming spoke in a low tone, most people in the hall looked at Gu Huaiyi with a look of regret, thinking that this person was really ungrateful. Look, the emperor is unhappy now!

  Gu Huaiyi stood in the majestic presence of the emperor. Under the gaze of the ministers, who were clearly delighted by his misfortune, he remained calm and composed, opening his mouth to say: "I report back to Your Majesty, I do not deserve such a generous reward because I come from the humble family of Anji Houfu. The Anji Houfu has been a military family for generations since the beginning of the dynasty, although by my generation, my elder brother inherited the title and the Anji Houfu had already declined. However, the idea of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism has never changed throughout the generations. At the border, it was also because of the troops left behind by Your Majesty that I was able to make a lucky strike. It is truly due to Your Majesty's great fortune and blessings from heaven that I was able to follow the will of heaven and display my abilities. Therefore, I say that I do not deserve Your Majesty's generous reward." Gu Huaiyi finished speaking, word by word.

  "Oh...... Is that what you think, Gu Qing?" Upon hearing Gu Huaiyi's words, the Emperor Ming, who had been leaning lazily against the back of his throne, straightened up, and an imperial aura spread throughout the grand hall. The many officials involuntarily lowered their heads.

  Gu Huiyi felt the overwhelming pressure from the emperor, but still stood upright and spoke in a firm voice: "I... dare not deceive Your Majesty. What I said is what I think in my heart." After finishing this sentence, a hint of wild ambition flashed in his lowered eyes, along with a thread of determination.

  Upon hearing Gu Huaiyi's words, Emperor Ming gazed at Gu Huaiyi's upright figure under his own pressure. In a place where the other officials couldn't see, a look of satisfaction and admiration flashed in his eyes. He shifted his gaze from Gu Huaiyi's body to sweep across the numerous officials who were lowering their heads, then withdrew his line of sight and spoke calmly: "What do you think, my dear ministers?"

  When Ming Emperor asked a question that couldn't distinguish between joy and anger, the ministers looked at each other, very tactfully knelt down: "The Holy One is wise, the Holy One's good fortune is as vast as heaven!"

  Everyone is a thousand-year-old fox, at this time, no one knows the emperor's likes and dislikes, who does not want to jump out and say something, Your Majesty you are wise, you'd better decide for yourself. And the second half of the sentence we listen to Gu Huaiyi, if Your Majesty wants to get angry, go find Gu Huaiyi!

  The Emperor nodded in agreement with the words of his ministers, then turned to Gu Huaiyi and said: "Since Minister Gu has spoken, I will withdraw the generous reward for him!"

  When they heard Ming Emperor's words, the low-headed officials shouted in unison again: "The Holy Majesty is wise!"

  The Ming Emperor stood up amidst the shouts of the officials, and his trusted eunuch immediately stepped forward, using a sharp, high-pitched voice to shout: "Retire from court!"

  After seeing the emperor leave, someone immediately walked to Gu Huaiyi's side with a sarcastic tone and said: "Brother Huaiyi is really noble and heroic!" What a complete idiot!

  Gu Huaiyi heard the man's obviously sarcastic tone, but didn't show any displeasure. Instead, she slightly bowed to him: "This is indeed our duty as subjects, thank you for your praise!"

  That person was blocked by Gu Huaiyi, and the mocking expression on his face could no longer be concealed. He wanted to say something else to Gu Huaiyi, but he saw an old minister who didn't like to talk on the imperial court, and even Ming Emperor had to show respect to him a few times, walking to Gu Huaiyi's side and opening his mouth: "Lord Gu is not bad, next time you have free time, come to my humble abode for a visit..." with a friendly tone.

  Gu Huaiyi heard the old minister's words and immediately put on a surprised and honored expression, deeply grateful and respectfully replied: "The elder sir has lifted up this junior, another day I will definitely visit your esteemed home to pay my respects..."

  The old man saw Gu Huaiyi's respectful appearance and nodded in satisfaction, stroking his beard as he walked away.

  With the old man's demonstration of kindness, many people who were originally watching from the sidelines immediately came up to enthusiastically talk with Gu Huaiyi. Looking at Gu Huaiyi surrounded by the crowd, the person who was originally sneering had a slightly red face, seeing that Gu Huaiyi didn't even have time to notice him, he turned and walked out of the main hall with a gloomy expression.

  Many people around also witnessed this scene and were thinking about whether to step forward. They had originally thought that they would definitely get along well with the Anji Hou Mansion, but after hearing what Gu Huaiyi said to the emperor in court earlier, and seeing that Ming Emperor really didn't reward Gu Huaiyi, they hesitated...

  Just as they hesitated, Gu Huaiyi had already finished talking to the people around her and walked out of the main hall with a smile.

  Seeing Gu Huaiyi leave, they couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief and also sighed, forget it, just observe for now!

  No one had expected that the news of Gu Huaiyi's refusal to accept the reward in the Golden Palace would spread throughout the capital in an instant. At this time, the officials had just walked out of the palace gate, and on the streets, people were already discussing Gu Huaiyi's affairs everywhere. Some said that Gu Huaiyi was a loyal and good general, while others said that after making such achievements, he still refused to accept rewards, and the Anji Marquis Manor had already declined. Gu Huaiyi didn't even know how to fight for some honor for his family, really stupid.

  At the gate of Anji Hou Mansion, since hearing the news of the army entering the city, the people of Anji Hou Mansion gathered at the gate under Shen's leadership, waiting for the return of Qingjin's third uncle, Gu Huaiyi.

  Of course, the news about Gu Huaiyi's Golden Temple refusing the imperial edict also reached the ears of the people in Anji Houfu at the first time. However, when Shen Shi heard this news, not only did she not show any dissatisfaction, but instead showed obvious praise and pride. Everyone who was with Shen Shi waited for Gu Huaiyi's return.

  When Gu Huaiyi, clad in armor and riding a horse, saw the crowd led by Shen's family standing at the entrance of Anji Hou Mansion, he could no longer conceal his excitement. He dismounted quickly and rushed to Shen's side, kneeling down: "Mother, your son is back! Your son has worried you, but your son did not bring shame to our Anji Hou Mansion."

  When Gu Huaiyi appeared, a rare excitement and agitation appeared on Shen's face. "Mother knows what you did in the Golden Temple, you did very well, loyal to the king and report to the country, after the event, you don't take credit for yourself, you are the pride of our Anji Houfu."

  Upon hearing Shen's words, Gu Huaiyi nodded in agreement beside her. Gu Huaiyi's face showed excitement: "Mother..." Then she turned to Gu Huaiyi and called out: "Big brother..."

  "The third brother did a great job, and both the eldest brother and mother are proud of him."

  The mother and her two sons started chatting at the gate of the mansion.

  Following Shen's family, Su's family had been suppressing her inner joy and excitement since Gu Huaiyi appeared, although she had long speculated that her husband was the one who might save the day. Seeing her husband return and hearing him admit it in person, Su's heart was still racing with excitement, showing pride and arrogance on her face. This was her husband, although not as lucky as Eldest Uncle to be the first son and inherit the title of Anji Hou Mansion, but her husband was a truly capable person, and his future achievements would definitely not be inferior to those of Eldest Uncle. She couldn't help but want to rush up and say a few words to her husband, seeing Old Madam excitedly holding onto him, suppressing the pride and arrogance in her heart, but unable to hide the joy and delight on her face.

  Gu Qingyao, standing behind, saw Gu Huaiyi's appearance and couldn't help but speak to Qingjin beside her: "Second sister, Father is really the one who saved the Emperor, Father is a true hero."

  Next to Qing Jin, Qing Yao heard the words and smiled faintly: "Third Uncle is indeed the pride of our Anji Hou Mansion." Seeing her grandmother's excitement after seeing Third Uncle, as if she had become ten years younger, Qing Jin stepped forward to remind her: "Grandmother, Father, Mother should have already prepared a celebratory dinner for Third Uncle, Grandmother and Father can enter the mansion with Third Uncle to discuss further!"

  Upon hearing Qingjin's reminder, Su Shi came back to her senses and immediately echoed in agreement: "Mother, Eldest Uncle, and Master should enter the manor to discuss further. As Qingjin said, Elder Sister-in-law must have already prepared dinner; let us go inside and talk more!"

  "Right, right, right! Look at me, I'm so excited!" Hearing Su's and Qingjin's words, Shen's reaction came over, following Qingjin's father Gu Huaili and Qingjin's third uncle Gu Huiyi to enter the mansion first, with the crowd behind them entering closely.

  From the time Third Uncle Gu returned with Grand Aunt Huiyi until the end of the dinner party, Grandma Shen's smile never once left her face. After the dinner party ended, everyone else tactfully took their leave first, leaving only Third Uncle, Qingjin's father, and Grandma to chat together.

  Qing Jin returned to her room and finally couldn't help but let out a long sigh, it's really exhausting! Just looking at the number of visiting cards and invitations received by the Anji Marquis' residence in the past two days is more than last year's total. I reckon there won't be any more leisurely days for the Anji Marquis' residence from now on. Fortunately, my own future and marriage have already been settled, the big show is about to begin! My dear cousin, you should also arrive soon, right?