There was no early court meeting today. The Emperor was discussing matters with several senior officials in the Qianyang Hall, when Chu Guangche and his son requested an audience.
Since the Emperor had become the crown prince, Chu Guangche had never taken the initiative to seek an audience. Now, that he came with his son, it must be a significant matter.
The Emperor always felt that he, along with his late father, owed Chu Guangche. Chu Guangche had sacrificed his career and family for the Emperor, his mother, and his brother, enduring a decade of hardship. Still, he was abandoned once he had served his purpose and forced into retirement in his prime.
Since childhood, the Emperor had two desires: to ascend to the throne and to repay Chu Guangche's kindness. However, the late Emperor admonished him that servants must obey their ruler, even in matters of life and death, and that Chu Guangche's sacrifices were merely the fulfillment of his duties.
