Jiang Wan was frightened, her face pale, and she weakly said, "Although I'm not hurt, your horse startled me. You should apologize."
Gu Chen found the woman before him quite different from others, daring to ask him for an apology. He couldn't help but feel a flicker of interest in Jiang Wan.
"In that case, I also hurt my horse because of you, so we're even."
Jiang Wan rolled her eyes inwardly, not wanting to argue. She replied, "Then we're even."
After saying that, Jiang Wan wanted to leave, but Shen Quan, like a piece of sticky candy, grabbed her arm again.
"Wan'er, can we talk?"
Jiang Wan felt vexed. It seemed that to get rid of Shen Quan, this sticky candy, she could only seek help from Gu Chen. Jiang Wan looked at Gu Chen pitifully, her tone filled with helpless pleading.
"General Gu, since we are about to become husband and wife, yet the Regent King keeps pestering me, I ask that you help me out of this situation."
Shen Quan didn't expect Jiang Wan to be so heartless. After she said this, what face did he have left to stay? Before Gu Chen could react, Shen Quan's face turned red with anger. He clenched his teeth and said, "You, Jiang Wan, are very good. Don't regret this."
After saying this, he turned and left.
Seeing that Shen Quan had finally left, Jiang Wan breathed a heavy sigh of relief, feeling that even the air was fresh. Just as Jiang Wan was about to leave, Gu Chen stopped her.
"What did you mean by what you said? Aren't you going to explain before you leave?"
Jiang Wan thought, Damn it, what a terrible day. She had just managed to send Shen Quan away, and now Gu Chen had appeared.
"The Emperor has betrothed us, and we are to be married on the second day of the next month. General, you've come from afar, so you must not have received the imperial edict. If the General doesn't fancy me, I have nothing to say about a cancelled marriage. However, I was frightened today, and I won't keep the General company here. Farewell."
Jiang Wan finished speaking with a flourish. She bowed and left. Gu Chen stared at Jiang Wan's departing figure, as if he hadn't recovered from the information she had provided.
He heard a man behind Gu Chen softly remind him, "General, are you going to continue forward? Don't keep the Emperor waiting too long."
Gu Chen's icy eyes swept over the man behind him, his face showing disdain.
"If it weren't for me, Gu Chen, how could the Shen Kingdom's realm remain intact? What's there to fear if he waits?"
The man saw the gaze Gu Chen cast his way, his heart giving a slight tremor as if flicked. He lowered his head and clasped his hands, replying, "It was Jian Yu who spoke out of turn."
Gu Chen's cold, emotionless eyes turned towards the Imperial City. He commanded, "Enter the palace."
In the palace hall, a massive, gilded long dragon coiled in the center of the rafters, its head facing downwards, watching everyone who entered the hall, giving a sense of heavy pressure. The Emperor, high up in the hall, sat on a dragon throne carved entirely of gold, watching with an air of ease as a group of women in thin gauze, with heavy makeup, and alluring postures danced in the center of the hall.
The ministers on both sides were toasting each other, enjoying the delicacies, and immersed in the dance. The lively scene was brought back to calm by the shrill voice of a eunuch.
"General Gu has arrived."
As the words faded, Gu Chen strode into the hall, his posture tall and straight. The dancing girls in the center of the hall immediately retreated, and the ministers, who had been enjoying their drinks, stood up one by one.
Gu Chen leaned forward slightly, his forehead lowered.
"Your subject, greets the Emperor."
The Emperor's eyes were filled with care and pride as he looked at Gu Chen, his tone filled with kindness and benevolence.
"No need for formalities. Are you injured?"
Gu Chen replied coldly, as if every word was precious, "No."
Seeing Gu Chen's cold expression, the Emperor felt a pang of sadness, but his expression was one of great joy.
"General Gu Chen led the army to repel the enemy, and our army suffered few losses while capturing a large number of enemy soldiers. You are truly a brave general bestowed upon us by the heavens, protecting the Shen Kingdom. Now that you return in triumph, I will bestow upon you a great reward. I hereby bestow upon Gu Chen the title of Regent King, placing him at the head of the first rank, above ten thousand people and below only one, with a fiefdom of ten thousand households. I will also grant you a new mansion. Furthermore, I see that General Gu has reached the age for marriage, and I hereby betroth the Prime Minister's嫡女, Jiang Wan, to Gu Chen, with the wedding to be held on the second day of the next month. The Household Department will issue rewards to the soldiers of this battle, and the families of the fallen heroes will be given consolation money, with orders for a proper burial."
Gu Chen's expression remained unchanged, making it impossible to discern any joy at being appointed Regent King and betrothed, only his usual coldness.
"This subject accepts the decree and thanks the Emperor for his grace. However, this subject is wearing armor, which is too stiff. This subject begs to be excused from kneeling in gratitude."
The ministers on both sides dared not speak out, though they were angered by Gu Chen's rudeness. The Emperor, however, showed no sign of anger, his face gentle.
"It's of no consequence. Gu Chen has returned victorious, defending the Shen Kingdom's great land. You are hereby granted exemption from kneeling in the future. Today's banquet is specially held to welcome you back and wash away the dust. Please, be seated."
A thin layer of coldness surfaced in Gu Chen's eyes, his face filled with loathing.
"Thank you for the Emperor's understanding. How can Gu Chen alone withstand thousands of troops? If not for the soldiers behind me protecting their homes, how could we be safe? Tens of thousands of soldiers have no wine to drink, no meat to eat. How can Gu Chen enjoy this? Having just returned from the battlefield, this subject is weary, and will take his leave first."
After Gu Chen spoke, a middle-aged male voice, about 40 years old, spoke sharply, "Gu Chen, you are being so insolent in front of the Emperor in the main hall. You even brought a spear into the hall. Although you have merits in repelling the enemy, you cannot be so arrogant."
Cold light overflowed in Gu Chen's eyes, containing a hint of disdain and killing intent.
"With this spear, I protect the Shen Kingdom and its people. Now that the kingdom is at peace, the Grand Tutor actually thinks this spear is not worthy of being in a refined setting. Without this spear, how could the Grand Tutor have so many wives and concubines, living a life of ease and comfort?"
With those words, Gu Chen walked towards Grand Tutor Yan. The Grand Tutor's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat, but he was holding himself together, afraid of losing face.
Gu Chen turned his wrist, holding the spear horizontally between himself and Grand Tutor Yan, speaking in a provocative tone; "Since the Grand Tutor thinks I am rude, then kill me. Gu Chen will not fight back."
Grand Tutor Yan was shocked by Gu Chen's actions, cursing in his heart, What a madman!
Seeing this scene, the Emperor's face grew increasingly unpleasant and he rebuked them.
"Do you even have any regard for me? This is preposterous. Grand Tutor Yan, you are fined one year's salary for your inappropriate words in front of the court. Gu Chen, for your inappropriate behavior in front of the court, you will deliver the betrothal gifts to the Prime Minister's Mansion and then be confined to your residence for three days. Get out, I don't want to see you."
Everyone was driven out by the Emperor. Watching Gu Chen's departing back, the Emperor's heart was cut.
"He still addresses me as sovereign and subject to this day, and is not willing to call me Father."
Eunuch Sun saw the Emperor's sadness and comforted him, "The Regent King's heart is still troubled. In time, the Regent King will surely understand the Emperor. Please, Your Majesty, do not be grieved, lest you harm your health."
The Emperor's gaze was deep, filled with worry.
"I hope so."
Outside the hall, Gu Chen blocked Grand Tutor Yan's path. The other officials, wanting to watch the excitement, also stopped. Grand Tutor Yan, seeing Gu Chen blocking his way, turned pale with anger, his expression out of control.
"Gu Chen, this is the Imperial Palace! Don't you dare bully me too much."
Gu Chen didn't show the slightest fear because of Grand Tutor Yan's words. He looked coldly at Grand Tutor Yan, warning, "Grand Tutor, if you don't kill me today, you'll never get such a chance again. If you try to accuse me again in the future, I will definitely kill you."
Grand Tutor Yan had never suffered such humiliation. Surrounded by officials, and holding a high position himself, how could he be treated like this? He thought that even if he had to risk his old life, he wouldn't back down.
"Gu Chen, even if you are the Regent King and hold the title of Great General, to humiliate me so publicly is simply lawless. I will watch how you dig your own grave."
Prime Minister Jiang, who had been watching the excitement from the side, saw that the situation was getting out of hand. He steeled himself and stepped forward, fearing that it would reach the Emperor's ears and that he would be blamed for inaction as Prime Minister.
"Regent King and Grand Tutor, please do not argue. Give this old man some face. All the officials are present; it's best not to let outsiders see us make fools of ourselves."
Gu Chen looked at Prime Minister Jiang, as if he had thought of something.
"If that is the case, then let it be. I will go with you to the Prime Minister's Mansion, and I will have someone send the betrothal gifts prepared by the Emperor to your residence later."
Grand Tutor Yan saw the step offered by the Prime Minister and naturally wanted to go down it quickly. He let out a cold "humph" and flicked his sleeves, leaving.
The Prime Minister heard Gu Chen say he wanted to go with him to the Prime Minister's Mansion, and he began to mutter to himself.
This Gu Chen, he doesn't seem to care about anything, neither happy nor sad, but he's so eager to send the betrothal gifts. I don't know what Zhuer and Shen Quan are planning. Once the betrothal gifts are received, it will be impossible to ask the Emperor to call off the marriage.
Seeing that Prime Minister Jiang was slow to move, Gu Chen said impatiently, "Can we go now, Prime Minister?"
Prime Minister Jiang saw the impatience on Gu Chen's face and quickly responded, "Please, Your Highness."
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