Entering the Cabinet

A voice laced with supreme majesty cut off Xue Tian's roar.

Upon the dragon throne, Emperor Luo leaned forward slightly. His eyes, usually as placid as an ancient well, narrowed slightly at this moment, like a slumbering giant dragon slowly opening its eyes.

A terrifying pressure, heavy as a mountain and cold as the polar regions, silently spread out with him at the center, instantly enveloping the entire grand hall!

Under this oppressive aura belonging to an emperor and a top-tier powerhouse, Xue Tian's furious roar came to an abrupt halt, and fine beads of cold sweat instantly seeped out on his forehead.

All the officials felt their breath hitch, involuntarily lowering their heads, not daring to look directly.

Gu Chengyin still maintained his bowing posture, as if the heaven-piercing remarks he had just made did not come from his mouth.

Luo Zhao's heart leaped into her throat, and the hands hidden within her sleeves clenched even tighter.

How would her imperial father rule? Would he reprimand Gu Chengyin for his arrogant framing? Would he take the opportunity to warn or even punish Xue Tian? Or perhaps... punish both sides equally?

As Emperor Luo's narrowed eyes slowly opened, the oppressive aura enveloping the hall quietly receded like the tide.

He did not look at Xue Tian, nor did he look at Gu Chengyin. He merely cast his gaze into the void, as if he had already made a decision.

"The matter of the Golden Feather Guard is of great consequence. It cannot go uninvestigated, nor can we listen to and believe only one side."

Pausing for a moment, his gaze fell upon Xue Tian: "Xue Tian."

Xue Tian hastily knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "This general is here!"

"Regarding the unauthorized mobilization of troops." Emperor Luo's tone was flat and unrippled, yet every word carried the weight of a thousand pounds. "The details still need to be sorted out. Whether there are other hidden circumstances remains unknown."

"Chen Busha once made great contributions to the Great Luo and can be called a hero, and so are you."

"Then let a hero investigate a hero, and a good man investigate a good man."

"This matter."

Emperor Luo's voice grew slightly heavier. "It shall be left to you, together with the Internal Affairs Bureau, to carefully investigate and verify, ensuring the truth comes to light."

He raised his hand slightly, as if merely assigning a routine official duty. "Once the investigation is clear, report back to Us."

Shedding his previous anger, Xue Tian regained the demeanor of a commanding general. With a calm face and a composed voice, he said, "This general receives the decree!"

Emperor Luo no longer looked at him, as if this matter had come to a close.

His gaze slowly shifted toward Gu Chengyin, who was still bowing respectfully.

This time, his gaze lingered a little longer, carrying an undisguised scrutiny and probing.

"Gu Chengyin."

Emperor Luo's voice sounded out, carrying an elusive hint of warmth.

"Your remarks just now showed extraordinary courage and unparalleled resourcefulness."

These words caused the imperial court, which had just relaxed a bit, to tense up once again.

Was His Majesty going to praise Gu Chengyin? Or was this a prelude to a reprimand?

"Now We finally understand," Emperor Luo continued, his gaze profound. "How you managed to achieve such merits for Zhao'er."

These words once again closely linked Gu Chengyin and Luo Zhao together, but the tone was not one of blame; instead, it felt like a deeply meaningful acknowledgment.

Gu Chengyin's heart trembled slightly, and he spoke in a sincere tone, "This humble subject is terrified. Her Highness is blessed by the heavens and devises strategies from within the command tent. This humble subject merely acted according to Her Highness's orders and exerted some meager effort. I truly dare not claim credit."

He pushed all the credit to Luo Zhao, answering flawlessly. It not only aligned with his duty as a subordinate but also secretly re-emphasized Luo Zhao's dominant position.

Emperor Luo listened quietly, noncommittal.

After Gu Chengyin finished speaking, he slowly opened his mouth, only to drop an even heavier bombshell:

"With your abilities, to serve as a mere minor steward..."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the civil and military officials below who suddenly pricked up their ears, especially the several old ministers of the Grand Secretariat, before slowly and methodically saying:

"It is somewhat a waste of your talents."

As soon as these words came out, countless hearts pounded wildly! What did this mean? Did he feel Gu Chengyin's official rank was too low? Was he going to promote him?

Sure enough, Emperor Luo's next sentence plunged the entire grand hall into a silent storm of shock once again:

"Recently, the affairs of the Grand Secretariat have been heavy, and the several old ministers have also been toiling hard. As it happens, there is still a vacancy within the Grand Secretariat."

There is still a vacancy within the Grand Secretariat!

These words repeatedly exploded in everyone's minds like a thunderclap!

The Grand Secretariat! The highest administrative hub of the Great Luo, the true core of power!

Entering the Grand Secretariat and becoming a minister was the ultimate lifelong dream pursued by countless civil officials!

But the position of a Grand Secretary could not be attained unless one was of high moral standing, deeply experienced, and possessed outstanding achievements!

Usually, it required decades of navigating the turbulent sea of officialdom and climbing up step by step just to have a sliver of a chance to touch the threshold!

And now, Emperor Luo was actually speaking to a young man, saying words about a seat in the Grand Secretariat?!

This was no longer simple appreciation! Countless gazes looking at Gu Chengyin completely changed.

What virtue and ability did this young man actually possess?!

Standing at the front, the moment Luo Zhao heard her imperial father's words, she felt as if all the blood in her body had frozen!

The Grand Secretariat?! Imperial Father actually wanted to let Gu Chengyin enter the Grand Secretariat?!

Following the immense shock was an unprecedented panic and a trace of loss and sense of crisis that even she herself was unwilling to admit.

She indeed wanted to kill Gu Chengyin, viewing him as a threat and disgrace that had to be eliminated.

But after the thrilling series of mind games just now, Luo Zhao had to admit that she could not lose Gu Chengyin!

At least, before thoroughly clearing away all obstacles, Gu Chengyin was her indispensable assistance! Even a lifesaving straw!

If it hadn't been for Gu Chengyin's table-flipping counterattack just now, twisting Zhao Wuji's fatal accusation into a crisis of trust regarding the Golden Feather Guard, and forcing Emperor Luo to temporarily shelve the matter, she would probably be in a situation of eternal damnation right now!

If... he really agreed to Imperial Father and directly entered the Grand Secretariat?

The Grand Secretariat belonged directly to the emperor, and the Grand Secretaries were the Son of Heaven's close ministers. Once Gu Chengyin entered the Grand Secretariat, he would no longer be a steward of the Internal Affairs Bureau, nor would he be her subordinate.

When that time came, would he still be subject to her control? Would he even turn the blade around and become a knife used by her imperial father to check and balance, or even deal with her?

This possibility made Luo Zhao shudder with fear.

She realized that what she could give Gu Chengyin seemed to be only a position in the Internal Affairs Bureau and false trust, while her imperial father could let him ascend to the heavens in a single step!

The temptation of the two was worlds apart!

What to do? Speak out in opposition? On what grounds? Could she say Gu Chengyin's abilities were insufficient?

His performance just now was witnessed by everyone. Say his seniority was lacking? Imperial Father obviously didn't care about that.

Just as Luo Zhao's mind was in a tangled mess and countless officials harbored different thoughts, all believing Gu Chengyin would immediately give thanks for the imperial grace.

Gu Chengyin, however, bowed deeply once again and spoke, his voice carrying a steadiness and humility inconsistent with his age:

"Your Majesty's heavenly grace is vast. This humble subject is moved to tears of gratitude and terrified beyond measure."

He raised his head, his clear and frank gaze looking toward the dragon throne, his tone so sincere that no one could find fault with it:

"However, the Grand Secretariat is the core of the Great Luo's government affairs. It is not something that someone who lacks high moral standing, rich experience, and a thorough understanding of policies and the true conditions of the people can be competent for."

"This humble subject is young and shallow in knowledge. I am completely ignorant of many aspects such as local governance, finance and justice, and military affairs of the state."

"To be lucky enough to serve by Her Highness's side and do a little bit of minor work is already a profound favor from Her Highness to this humble subject."