Chapter 109 - 109 Persuasion
109 Persuasion
Thinking of the past eight years ago, Madam Gu was also worried and frowned even more.
Back then, their entire family was almost stripped of their title, exiled, or even executed because their eldest son had lost to the enemy. It was all thanks to Rong’er saving Kang Wang in Yangzhou that their entire family was spared and had their current good days.
Thinking about it now, Madam Gu still felt lingering fear. Her turbid eyes were clearly flickering as she slowly twisted the prayer beads in her hand.
After a while, she hesitantly said, “Ah Jian, now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, things are different from the past…”
Everyone in the royal court knew that in the battle between the Great Jin and the State of Yue eight years ago, the previous Emperor wanted to reconcile, but the current Emperor wanted to fight. The father and son had also had many disputes over this… In the end, the Eldest Prince, Chu Yi, was sent to the State of Yue as a hostage.
The late Emperor had passed away, and the current Emperor might not fuss about the past.
Gu Jian clenched his right fist tightly where Madam Gu could not see. Veins popped up on the back of his hand.
“Mother, I thought it was inappropriate.” A trace of gloom lingered in Gu Jian’s eyes, but when he faced Madam Gu, he looked sincere. He deliberated over his words and tried to persuade her. “The position of the battalion commander of the Divine Arms Battalion is too eye-catching, and there are so many eyes in the capital. Even if the Emperor doesn’t care about Yuan’er, what do you think the Emperor will think if everyone follows him?”
“It might not be a coincidence. Although this position is good, our Gu family really can’t afford it. Yuan’er is even more unworthy as of now.”
Gu Jian spoke eloquently and pompously.
Madam Gu was even more hesitant after hearing his words, but she did not nod. She really could not bear to part with such a good job in the Divine Arms Battalion. This was a position that could not be found even with a lantern. If not for the Wei family, it would not have fallen to the Gu family!
It had not been easy for the Gu family to gain momentum again…
“Mother.” Gu Jian stood up and sat on the bed. He held Madam Gu’s hand and said, “How about… letting Yuan’er give this position to the eldest son-in-law and the two of them exchange?”
The eldest son-in-law Gu Jian was talking about was Gu Yunzhen’s fiancé, Murong Yong.
Murong Yong was now a lower-class fifth-grade captain in the Divine Arms Battalion. Unfortunately, it was only an empty position and was far inferior to Gu Yuan’s.
What?! Madam Gu widened her eyes in shock. She did not expect Gu Jian to suggest such an idea and could not help but shake her head.
“This is also for Rong’er.” Gu Jian stared intently at every change in Madam Gu’s expression and softened his voice. “As you can see, the eldest son-in-law is a young talent with a promising future. It’s just that he doesn’t have a good opportunity. This time, he only has that title for such a great contribution as suppressing the bandits in Qingzhou.”
“If the eldest son-in-law can get this job, and even the Empress Dowager will think highly of him, Rong’er’s marriage will definitely not make any more mistakes.”
“Mother, instead of believing that that wild girl, Yanfei, can predict the future, it’s better to use more practical benefits to persuade the Empress Dowager!”
“If Rong’er is good, our Marquis Mansion will be good. In the future, our family will definitely be able to compensate Yuan’er.”
“Think about it carefully. Isn’t that right?”
Gu Jian spoke non-stop, guiding her logically.
“…” Madam Gu felt that her second son’s words made sense and that she was a little moved, but she vaguely felt that she was letting Gu Yuan down.
No matter what, Gu Yuan was her biological grandson. His parents were dead, so she, as his grandmother, should take better care of him…
Gu Jian stared intently at Madam Gu’s expression, and the haze in his eyes became thicker. He threw out his trump card. “Mother, the Marquis Mansion hasn’t appointed an heir yet…”
Madam Gu’s heart skipped a beat.
Gu Jian had been inheriting the title of Marquis of Dingyuan for eight years. All these years, the Gu family has offered to confer the title on his eldest son, Gu Xiao, every year. However, the memorials handed over were all like stones thrown into the sea.
It was obvious that the late Emperor was still brooding over the fact that Gu Ce had colluded with the enemy and even hated the Gu family.
This year, after the current Emperor ascended the throne, he rewarded many nobles from the imperial family. Even several declining noble families had decided on the candidate for the heir because of this, except for the Dingyuan Marquis Household.
The fact that the heir had not been determined meant that there was no heir to the title, and there was no room for error.
To Madam Gu, the title of nobility was her life.
Once there was no title, the Gu family would become mud on the ground that anyone could step on.
Madam Gu definitely could not tolerate this.
Finally, Madam Gu nodded. “Okay.”
One word was all it took.
The shadows of the trees swaying crazily in the cold wind outside the window were reflected in Gu Jian’s eyes, making him look sinister.
His pupils were surprisingly bright, and a hint of crazy joy flashed across his eyes. He tried his best to suppress and restrain the surging emotions in his heart.
When his eldest brother, Gu Ce, was still alive, everyone said that he was extremely talented. When they found out that he was Gu Ce’s younger brother, they sighed regretfully.
Ever since he was young, Gu Jian had lived in the shadow of his eldest brother. He originally thought that this would be his life and that his days would be muddled…
He never expected that the title of Marquis of Dingyuan would fall on him one day.
Since the heavens were determined that this title belonged to him, no one could take it away from him!
As long as he was around, Gu Yuan could forget about flying out of his palm for the rest of his life…
Madam Gu did not notice Gu Jian’s abnormality. She picked up the teacup and drank her tea listlessly.
After the good Longjing tea entered her mouth, there was only bitterness.
Madam Gu knew very well that Imperial Duke Wei had most likely really received some favor from Gu Yanfei.
If the position of battalion commander in the Divine Arms Battalion was a thank-you gift from Imperial Duke Wei, then it would be the same for the Gu family, whether it was for Gu Yuan or Murong Yong.
Moreover, if Murong Yong obtained this position, when Gu Yunzhen really married over to the family next year, she would have more face and would definitely be valued by her in-laws. It could be said to be killing three birds with one stone.
This matter was good for everyone.
Just as her second son had said, they would compensate Yuan’er well in the future. There was still a long way to go.