Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

In fact, he knew that Zhao Zhen had simply changed the way he asked the question.

However, he can answer this kind of tactful question!

"I have only heard and heard this, and I am afraid there may be errors or my understanding may be superficial. I hope Your Majesty will not take offense," Jiang Zhao replied cautiously.

The matter of the Crown Prince was completely unknown to others; indeed, only he, as the one who brought it up, had the opportunity to speak about it.

"I pardon you." Zhao Zhen waved his hand.

"Young Master Ce Ying is a man of great talent and strategy, brave and skilled in battle, and adept at winning over the hearts of his troops. He has the demeanor of Emperor Taizu."

"Young Master Zhong is strict in observing the law, conscientious in his duties, and dignified, much like Emperor Taizong."

"Young Master Shicheng is diligent, self-disciplined, hands-on, and resilient, showing the demeanor of Emperor Taizong."

"Young Master Shiyi is benevolent and loves the people. His benevolence spreads far and wide. He loves the people like his own children and has the demeanor of Emperor Taizong."

"Young Master Shiqian is a model of nobility, with keen insight and the ability to select the virtuous and capable, much like Emperor Taizong."

After speaking, Jiang Zhao sat down with his hands at his sides.

The five princes either possessed the demeanor of Emperor Taizu or Emperor Taizong.

In any case, they are all first-rate wise and virtuous people.

Emperor Zhao Zhen's eyelids twitched slightly. "You dare to boast about your strengths!"

Apart from Zhao Ceying, the others are all ugly and deformed, how dare they be worthy of the "Taizong Emperor's demeanor"?

Fortunately, Jiang Zhao's words roughly revealed the personalities of these "good grandsons".

Apart from Zhao Ceying, the rest of them lacked martial virtue.

The choice is quite clear.

This result was consistent with what Zhao Zhen had in mind.

Having already harbored some bias, this single statement amplified that bias.

"Someone come here," Zhao Zhen called out.

"Your Majesty." The Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonies immediately entered.

"Go." Zhao Zhen pointed outside: "Have someone bring the plaque from the Wende Hall."

The chief eunuch was startled and quickly bowed and withdrew.

Jiang Zhao was taken aback, stood up and bowed, saying, "This humble subject takes his leave."

In fact, he had a vague idea of ​​who Zhao Zhen would choose.

However, even if you guess it, you can only pretend you don't know.

He wouldn't gamble if there was even the slightest possibility of something being different.

Zhao Zhen nodded and waved his hand.

After leaving the palace, Jiang Zhao headed straight for the Jiang residence.

He barely rested during the ten-day journey from Xihe Road into Beijing.

Upon arriving in Beijing, he immediately began reporting on his duties and discussing the matter of establishing an heir apparent.

For a moment, it made one feel slightly tired.

Fortunately, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will have a three-month break.

After all, if he were to take over the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Zhang Fangping would have to vacate that position.

For Zhang Fangping to vacate his official position, he would have to undergo a major performance evaluation around May and be appointed by the Ministry of Personnel to be promoted to the position of Pacification Commissioner of Xihe Road.

Three months of vacation!

Jiang Zhao looked up and gazed into the distance.

It's really rare!

Chapter 122 I, Gu Tingye, am back!

Red lacquered copper rings, gilded heads.

The copper bells on the eaves swayed gently, and the wind swept across the threshold. The gilded characters "Ningyuan Marquis's Residence" on the plaque under the eaves were very majestic and imposing.

"Squeak~!"

The vermilion-lacquered door was pushed open.

"Who is it?" The servants guarding the middle gate were startled and quickly looked around.

This lacquered door with the plaque is the central door.

The central gate is the main entrance, symbolizing the family's prestige and inviolability.

Generally speaking, the middle door is usually closed and not left open.

The central gate is only opened on special occasions such as when distinguished guests visit, weddings or funerals, festivals or ceremonies, or when the master travels.

Even the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, Madam Qin, usually could not enter or leave the mansion through the main gate, but rather through the side gate.

For servants, the passage was through side gates and small gates.

If a servant went through the wrong door and dared to enter through the main gate, he could be considered to have overstepped his bounds and might even be beaten to death.

In feudal times, social hierarchy was strict, and the routes one took for travel were one of the manifestations of this hierarchy.

The rules are nothing more than the father being the head of the family and the husband being the head of the family.

Therefore, in the vast Ningyuan Marquis's mansion, only when the old Marquis Gu Yankai was attending and leaving court for a few quarters of an hour would servants specially open the main gate to provide for his companions.

However, at that moment, someone actually pushed open the front door!

The servants were terrified, fearing they had made a grave mistake by allowing someone who shouldn't have used the main gate to do so.

One glance is enough to make one take a surprise.

The person outside the door was quite unexpected.

A burly man pushed open the central door, stepped aside, and what came into view was a young man dressed in a scarlet official robe.

The young man stood with his hands behind his back, his demeanor composed, and his brows exuded a heroic spirit.

His official robes added to his imposing presence, making people feel awe.

The group quickly bowed in unison: "Second Young Master."

If it wasn't Gu Tingye, then who was it?

Gu Tingye nodded lightly and waved his hand, saying, "No need for formalities."

The men accepted the gifts, but one of them hesitated, asking, "Second Young Master, what about the central gate?"

By conventional standards, Gu Tingye was undoubtedly very capable.

A powerful fifth-rank general in his early twenties, with experience in expanding territories, he was destined to be one of the leading figures of the next generation of military nobles.

A son of a general!

A prodigal son returns!

If you don't call it, it's a blockbuster!

These words perfectly describe him.

A once dissolute young man, after repenting and rising to prominence, naturally became the subject of much praise.

Since Gu Tingye began expanding his territory, there have been some new interpretations of the lives of officials' wives and noblewomen.

Dormant!

After all, even though Gu Tingye appears to be a playboy, his abilities are still traceable.

Bianjing's undisputed number one polo player is a testament to his exceptional skill.

After lying low for more than a decade, he entered the border region and began to expand the territory.

In any case, no matter how it's circulated, it tends to be positive.

However, no matter how powerful he is, Gu Tingye cannot enter through the middle gate!

The father is the head of the family.

As long as the old Marquis is alive, the second son cannot enter through the middle gate.

Of course, if a new prefecture is established, that would be a different story.

"I'm going through this middle gate."

Gu Tingye understood the servant's unspoken meaning and waved his hand dismissively.

How many rebellious things has he done?

The servant was startled. Knowing he couldn't disobey Gu Tingye, he quickly ran back into the mansion to report.

Gu Tingye put his hands behind his back, took a step inside, closed his eyes, and sighed deeply.

He took more than twenty years to take this step!

From a young age, his older brother Gu Tingyu often targeted him, his father Gu Yankai often scolded him, and the scoundrels from the fourth and fifth branches of the family frequently went out to brothels, and all the blame was placed on him.

With the opening of the Xihe border, the father and son spent a considerable amount of time alone together, and worked together to stabilize the territory of Hezhou, which improved their relationship considerably.

But, eldest brother, fourth wife, fifth wife!

Gu Tingye snorted coldly.

After several years of hard work, he is no longer a fool who can be manipulated by others!

Based on his early actions, even if he did have some dissolute behavior, he certainly wouldn't have been so bad that he was infamous throughout the capital.

It should be noted that even the young master of the Qi State Duke's mansion, who is famous throughout the capital for his looks, may not be as infamous as him.

Someone must be behind this!

Who else could it be but the older brother?

Gu Tingye walked slowly, taking a full ten breaths to cover a distance of just over ten steps.

A short while later, Madam Qin, Gu Tingyu, and his wife, Madam Shao, came out one after another.

The middle door is wide open!

Gu Tingyu's expression changed slightly, and he scolded in a reprimanding tone, "Second Brother, cough cough..."

Perhaps out of impatience, Gu Tingyu coughed several times, forcing Madam Shao to support her husband.

"Erlang, you're back." Madam Qin held a handkerchief, her face beaming with joy, and called out softly.

Compared to Gu Tingyu's reprimands, Xiao Qinshi's gentleness was worlds apart.

Even the arrogant Gu Tingye couldn't help but be moved.

In this vast mansion, only his mother, Madam Qin, truly cared for him.

The eldest brother and those scoundrels from the fourth and fifth wives' families—it would be a great blessing if they didn't even bother to target him, let alone care about him.

The old father, Gu Yankai, softened his attitude only after seeing that his son had become a capable man.

Only Xiao Qinshi's mother remained steadfast, and her virtuous reputation spread far and wide.

"Erlang, what are you doing?" Gu Tingyu coughed until his face turned red, but he finally calmed down and shouted loudly.

Gu Tingyu had no choice but to reprimand him.

The main thing is that Gu Tingye has truly become a talent!

As the eldest son, he naturally felt uneasy and had no choice but to sternly suppress the anger.

In fact, when it comes to intelligence and scheming, Gu Tingye is no match for him.

However, his health was too poor to venture out into the world.

In contrast, Gu Tingye had the protection of his official position and enjoyed the emperor's deep trust.

In the context of power struggles within a family, official positions are always a game of cat and mouse!

No matter how much he sets up a scheme, it will be difficult to influence what happens outside the Ningyuan Marquis's residence.