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Gu Bei recited some pleasant verses, making the Emperor laugh heartily. He set down his vermilion brush and said, "Everyone always thinks General Gu is not good with words. I believe they simply lack insight and cannot see the true worth of a person. Listen, these words resonate perfectly with my thoughts."
Once the Emperor had his fill of laughter, he gestured for Gu Bei to rise. "Sit down; it's not convenient for you to speak while standing like that."
It all depended on the Emperor's mood. If His Majesty was in a bad temper, even if a minister hung upside down to speak, it would still be inconvenient.
After Gu Bei sat down, the Emperor continued, "Just now in the hall, I noticed you didn't seem very happy. Is it because you think merely restoring your official position isn't enough?"
Gu Bei instinctively wanted to stand again but caught the Emperor's indifferent glance and sat back down.
"In response to Your Majesty," Gu Bei said, "it is not like that. As a condemned man, I am truly grateful to receive Your Majesty's favor. I was merely reminded of those soldiers on the battlefield, which stirred my emotions and caused me to lose focus for a moment."
This statement was half true and half false; perhaps it was only half of the truth.
Gu Bei genuinely felt guilt and torment for the soldiers, but there was another reason that made him reluctant to accept an official position again.
That reason was naturally related to Ye Xiaohan and the six siblings.
Currently, Gu Bei only wished to live a simple life with his important family. Whether or not he became a general no longer mattered to him. In fact, if possible, he hoped never to step into the court again.
However, Gu Bei also understood that this was ultimately just a wish—one that could not be realized.
If he were no longer a general and lacked sufficient power to combat evil forces, he would be unable to protect Ye Xiaohan and the six siblings or live the kind of happy life he envisioned.
To safeguard those important to him, he needed enough capability. The most direct way to gain that capability was to reclaim his position as a general.
The Emperor not only believed him but also seemed convinced—at least on the surface.
"You need not always blame yourself," the Emperor said. "I know you value emotions and have felt guilt towards those soldiers. You shouldn't feel this way; they are not your responsibility. If revenge is sought, it should be directed at the true culprits."
Gu Bei recalled Murong Cheng and Gu Rong; they had somehow managed to make the Minister of Personnel take the blame, clearing themselves of any wrongdoing.
His own people were investigating discreetly, but since it involved the Crown Prince, progress was slow, and Murong Cheng had acted first.
However, it must be acknowledged that the Minister of Personnel indeed deserved severe punishment. Throughout history, corruption has always been a grave offense. Chen Kang, as a Minister of Personnel, had filled two-tenths of the national treasury with confiscated inheritance; it was impossible for him not to face dire consequences.
"Gu Bei, I cannot express how happy I am that you have returned alive," the Emperor said. "Court ministers like you and Liu Chengye are the only ones I can trust."
Gu Bei did not care much for fame and fortune, but his benevolence under pressure made him a rare talent.
"I am honored, Your Majesty," Gu Bei replied, hesitant to accept such praise.
This was the Emperor's commendation, a weighty acknowledgment not easily borne.
The Emperor continued, "I believe you deserve it, and you will certainly live up to it. I do not misjudge people. There are many talented individuals, like your brother Gu Rong, who is also capable. Yet I do not hold him in high regard. Why is that?"
"Well..." Gu Bei hesitated, unsure how to respond. He felt disheartened by Gu Rong's betrayal but was reluctant to speak ill of him in front of the Emperor. "I do not know."
The Emperor pointed at Gu Bei and said, "Exactly. You pity him because he is your brother. Even if you two have private disagreements, you would not take the opportunity to slander him. But Gu Rong certainly would."
Gu Bei fell silent, reluctantly acknowledging that the Emperor had a keen eye for character. If the roles were reversed, Gu Rong would undoubtedly seize the chance to slander him before the Emperor.
"I have long noticed your discord with Gu Rong," the Emperor said. "Years ago, he targeted you at every turn. It was only because you never held it against him that you failed to notice."
Gu Bei thought to himself that if the Emperor knew Gu Rong was the true cause of their military failures and heavy losses, he might regret not having captured Gu Rong earlier.
"Gu Rong has been getting close to the Crown Prince; I assume you've noticed," the Emperor remarked casually. "It is good for young people to learn from each other."
If the Crown Prince were an ordinary person, it would indeed be a good thing.
However, since he was of royal blood, Gu Rong's closeness to him could lead to factionalism!
Gu Bei's expression hardened; the Emperor's words were not casual—they were a warning for him not to get involved in the power struggles among princes.
The Emperor smiled and added, "But you seem uninterested in such matters, focusing solely on studying military strategy—just like your father. That is why you have become a general with great achievements."
He straightened his demeanor and said seriously, "What I want is a general who wholeheartedly serves the country and its people. Gu Bei, I hope you will not disappoint me."
Gu Bei knelt and bowed deeply. "I will strive forward bravely and dedicate myself entirely to Your Majesty and the Nation and People!"
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile, "It is good to serve with dedication, but there is no need to sacrifice yourself completely. I still need you to achieve victory and return triumphantly."
Gu Bei agreed and expressed his gratitude once more.
The Emperor glanced at the hourglass, waved his hand, and said, "It’s getting late; you should head back. I have a pile of memorials to attend to and no time for idle chatter."
"Yes, I take my leave," Gu Bei replied.
Upon hearing this, he quickly rose to bid farewell, still being escorted by the same guard who had brought him in.
However, on the way out, the guard seemed expressionless, as if he had been reprimanded by someone, and he did not chatter as he had on the way in.
Gu Bei sighed inwardly. After spending so long in the depths of the palace, how much of his true self could he still retain?
During Gu Bei's audience with the Emperor, Gu Rong had been waiting outside the palace gates. He initially intended to speak harshly to Gu Bei, warning him not to let his recent promotion to General go to his head.
This time he could push a Minister of Personnel to take the blame; next time he wouldn’t be caught off guard! Gu Rong sneered inwardly. Gu Bei, don’t think too highly of yourself!
Yet after waiting for quite some time without seeing Gu Bei emerge, he confirmed that Gu Bei must still be inside the palace.
To remain within the palace without the Emperor's permission was a serious offense. It seemed that the Emperor had summoned Gu Bei privately.
Realizing this only fueled Gu Rong's anger further.
Why? He believed himself no less capable than Gu Bei; why hadn’t the Emperor recognized his talents?
Gu Rong glared hatefully at the grand palace before turning away and boarding the carriage that had been waiting nearby. He ordered the driver to leave.
By the time Gu Bei exited, Gu Rong's figure had long since vanished. This street was off-limits to idle people; even officials leaving court were required to depart within a designated timeframe without lingering.
Thus, now there were only Gu Bei and Gu Da, who was driving the carriage, on this street—no one else.
"Take me to Cup Never Stops!" Gu Bei instructed as he climbed into the carriage. Gu Da had already urged the horses forward even before Gu Bei gave his command.
Even without the general's command, he knew that the general was eager to return home.
However, the general's destination was not the general's residence, but a tavern.
Gu Da rarely wore a smile, but he felt happy for Gu Bei. With the general reinstated, they would be able to follow him openly in the future, no longer needing to sneak around.
Whenever the general wanted to see Boss Ye, he could do so at any time. There would be no more waiting until the dead of night to sneak in like a thief.
Yet halfway through their journey, Gu Bei suddenly called for a stop.
"Don't go just yet; this carriage belongs to the general's residence. If we go straight there, someone might see us."
Although he had regained his official position, he had been away from the political scene for so long that he wasn't fully aware of the current situation.
Until he was confident enough to withstand external pressures, he wouldn't risk exposing those important to him in front of enemies. He wouldn’t hand over any leverage directly into their hands.
Gu Da sighed; the general was indeed too cautious and had a high tolerance. Even in such moments, he remained composed. If it were him, he would have already lost control and rushed over.
Lost in thought, Gu Bei's voice came again: "Let's head back to the general's residence first. You should greet them and let them know what's happening so they won't worry. I'll change my clothes and come over."
Gu Da couldn't help but chuckle; it seemed the general had truly changed from before. Now, he lived like an ordinary person—flesh and blood.
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