Chapter 1332: Chapter 1168: What Methods Did He Use?

Here it comes! Gu Chengyu knew the fire would eventually burn him. These people, instead of being concerned about the Empress Dowager’s interference in politics, turned their cannons on him first.

They didn’t regard the women of the inner palace at all but rather saw him as the thorn in their side. Indeed! The Empress Dowager is advanced in age and need not be feared. After all, she doesn’t have many years left, so naturally there’s no worry of her meddling in court affairs.

But he is different, he’s still young and has decades ahead. If he rises to the Cabinet this time, by acting as a proxy, he’ll establish a solid foundation within the Cabinet. By then, it would be impossible to suppress him.

They could not tolerate him becoming another Xia Qing or live under his sway.

"This is the Emperor’s decree, as a subject, naturally, one must obey the King! I am merely acting under orders. If anyone is dissatisfied, they can write a memorial to impeach me." Gu Chengyu turned and said solemnly to the crowd.

When he said this, everyone inwardly cursed this man for being shameless. Now the Cabinet has become his one-man show, can their memorials of impeachment even reach the Emperor?

"Gu Siqing, don’t be arrogant!" Minister of Rites Yu Zheng couldn’t help but speak out. With the Grand Secretary position vacant, those of them as Vice Ministers were among the candidates.

The Emperor not feeling well, unexpectedly appoints Gu Chengyu to act on Cabinet affairs, which instilled them with a great sense of crisis.

Consequently, the Emperor even appointed Gu Chengyu as the Cabinet Scholar, which was precisely for preparing Gu Chengyu to enter the Cabinet, wasn’t it? What’s the next step? Could it be that he might gradually rise to Grand Secretary?

"Mr. Pang! Please convey a message, I must meet the Emperor!" Yu Zheng spoke coldly to Pang Chu, no longer wishing to say much to Gu Chengyu.

"The Emperor has already instructed that in recent days, he is genuinely fatigued, and matters of the court are temporarily handled by Mr. Gu and the Empress Dowager!" Pang Chu slightly bowed, his face showing indifference.

"Mr. Pang, why exactly is the Emperor unwell? We are all worried about the Emperor’s health, shouldn’t we visit him to put our minds at ease?" Yu Zheng coldly remarked, his attitude firmer than before.

"Indeed! The Emperor suddenly wanting to rest, what exactly is the cause? What does Director Zhang have to say?" Deng Chenghong found the Emperor’s approach somewhat inexplicable.

Unless he was bedridden, how could the Emperor hand such significant authority to Gu Chengyu? Moreover, although he admits Gu Chengyu is quite capable, does the Emperor genuinely trust Gu Chengyu that much?

Could there be some conspiracy in all this? Gu Chengyu frequently enters the Imperial Palace; might he have bewitched the Emperor? Or possibly the Emperor experienced some misfortune?

With such thoughts, Deng Chenghong glanced toward Gu Chengyu, who appeared calm and composed. The more he observed, the more he suspected Gu Chengyu might indeed be as he imagined.

"Please convey a message again, Mr. Pang, without seeing the Emperor today, how can we return in peace? Gu Siqing acting as Cabinet proxy is highly inappropriate and violates the law; who knows if there’s another hidden agenda?"

"The Emperor is merely suffering from a heavy cold and needs careful nurturing and rest. Also, the Emperor has decreed, in recent days, he is seeing no one; all of you must wait a few days before sending in your cards! I’m just following orders, so I ask you not to make things difficult for me."

Having said this, Pang Chu turned and walked toward the outside, leaving behind a hall full of angry individuals.

Moments later, everyone’s gaze coincidentally fell upon Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu noticed the unfriendly gazes surrounding him and turned to walk outside the hall. If not now, then when? Could it be that he was waiting to be drowned by the spittle of these people?

"Gu Siqing, please stop!"

After taking a few steps, Gu Chengyu was stopped by the ministers standing ahead. He looked resignedly at Yu Zheng who called out to him, "I wonder what else there might be?"

"Gu Siqing is truly skilled indeed! Just over two years and he’s entered the Cabinet, and now has such substantial power. It’s truly enviable." Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Zhong Shize couldn’t help but voice some acidity; Gu Chengyu’s luck indeed appeared to be defying fate.

Given that as a proxy, tomorrow the Grand Secretary position might very well be in his pocket. They, the ministers, couldn’t outweigh a fledgling novice.

They have endured for decades, thinking with Xia Qing gone, their day to rise had come, only to be intercepted halfway by Shen Shikang. The turn of events left them amazed when Shen Shoufu hadn’t even warmed the seat before being ousted.

Now they believed their chance had arrived only for Gu Chengyu to spring forth. And so, what was their pursuit of undermining one another, causing losses in wealth and influence worth? And their previous scheming all turned into a joke.

"Who knows what means Gu Siqing used?" Yu Zheng shot a meaningful glance at Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu furrowed his brow. What does Yu Zheng mean? It’s one thing for others to speak sourly, but this one clearly insinuates he used unscrupulous methods to acquire Cabinet proxy power.

Yet, had he really done anything? Oh! Perhaps those two pills presented were meant to be considered as an exchange?

"Methods?" Suddenly, several officials in the room stared at Gu Chengyu with a hint of peculiarity in their gaze, which made Gu Chengyu quite uneasy.

"Lord Yu, what’s the meaning of this? What could someone like myself have done to sway the Emperor’s thoughts? The Emperor singled me out, and naturally, I must comply. As to why the Emperor didn’t choose any of you, then that’s for you to ponder, don’t you know the reason?"

Gu Chengyu sneered coldly; since these people maliciously speculated about him, he needn’t be polite. If any of them foolishly oppose him, well then it’s perfect. In just a few days, he’ll show them why the flowers appear so red.

Such immense authority, wouldn’t it be a waste not to use it? Call it personal vendetta or exploiting position convenience, either way, he won’t let these people go unpunished.

"You explain clearly to me, what reason is there? Isn’t it because you used some method?" Yu Zheng’s face displayed ridicule, and the look at Gu Chengyu was full of disdain.

"Do you insist I spell out the reason? Are you sure you want it revealed? Voicing it won’t be pleasant! Everyone’s reputation would be tarnished, don’t blame me for not sparing you dignity."

Gu Chengyu was equally furious; these people harbored sordid thoughts and assumed others were equally sordid.

"You, stop being arrogant! Is this how you treat your superiors?" Yu Zheng was so angry, his hand pointing at Gu Chengyu was trembling slightly; he hadn’t anticipated a day when this boy might climb over him.

"Ah, everyone should calm down; don’t let tempers flare. After all, this is the Emperor’s decree, Gu Siqing couldn’t defy it, could he?"

Yin Kun found himself bewildered by this sudden turn of events; he hadn’t imagined the Emperor to have such faith in Jinyu. Seeing everyone begin to besiege the young junior, he quickly stepped forward to mediate.

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