Outside the Golden Luan Hall, the ministers were in heated discussion.
Gao Yang followed behind Gao Feng, the golden sunlight shining on him, warm and comforting, making it hard to keep his eyes open.
He felt a sense of relaxation and comfort.
The danger of the day had been completely resolved.
He hadn't expected that the Empress would like such a poisonous plan, but it was a coincidence—he couldn't handle grand schemes for the country and people.
But as for poisonous plans, he had plenty in his mind.
In this regard, it wasn't an exaggeration to say he was a professional.
"Father, the Empress didn't punish me, so I suppose I've passed this test. When we go back to the estate, I won't get beaten, right?" Gao Yang asked tentatively.
The Gao family had always used the stick to discipline.
"Hmm," Gao Feng replied, his voice sounding strange, as though he were hiding something.
But Gao Yang didn't think too much about it. On the contrary, he began to look forward to the upcoming days.
His father was the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and his grandfather was a Duke, clearly one of the top official second-generation in the Great Qian.
In his past life, if he had such a distinguished identity, why would he bother with schemes?
In this Great Qian, there might still be imperial examinations, but in the later world, he could easily write an essay titled "My Duke Grandfather and Assistant Minister Father!"
He didn't dare to say much else, but for an essay contest, he would definitely secure a spot in the top ranks.
Unless the competition featured articles like "My Chancellor Father" or "My Emperor Grandfather!"
Otherwise, victory was certain.
Living again with such a powerful identity that could walk arrogantly through the entire Chang'an.
If he didn't visit brothels or flirt with the courtesans, it would be a waste of his decadent identity.
He had to experience the ancient brothels.
Just as Gao Yang was lost in thought, Gao Feng suddenly stopped.
Gao Yang, not reacting in time, bumped into Gao Feng.
A sharp pain hit his forehead, causing him to instinctively rub it.
But when he looked up, Gao Feng's gaze was fixed on him.
That look was full of complexity.
"Father, what's wrong?" Gao Yang became a little anxious. Did Gao Feng get angrier and plan to beat him?
But Gao Feng just looked at him, not saying a word.
This only made Gao Yang more nervous.
After a long while, Gao Feng reached out and patted Gao Yang's shoulder. "As the old saying goes, 'Brothers fight tigers, father and son fight side by side.'"
"This is my first time being a father, and I might not be perfect. Don't take it too hard."
After speaking, Gao Feng turned and walked away.
His figure, bathed in golden sunlight, stretched long and seemed to be heading out to buy oranges.
Meanwhile, Gao Yang was left stunned.
What did Gao Feng's words mean?
As Gao Feng and Gao Yang slowly walked back, the events from the court that day spread throughout Chang'an with lightning speed.
Especially the Empress's two key questions and Gao Yang's two key responses, which spread even faster than Gao Yang returning to his estate.
This speed was even faster than Gao Yang's trip back home.
"..."
In the Duke's residence.
"I've fought for the Great Qian for fifty years, experienced life and death. Take my armor—I'm going to see the Emperor."
Deep within the inner mansion, in an ancient, gloomy room filled with murderous intent, an elderly voice echoed.
Hearing the voice, the Gao family's subordinates brought in an old, red iron armor.
Although these subordinates said nothing, their movements were sharp and purposeful, radiating the murderous intent of someone who had emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
One could tell they were all experts.
At this moment, they all looked at an elderly man, around seventy years old, with a dignified face, wearing a purple robe. Just standing there made one feel compelled to kneel.
Gao Tianlong, the top military leader of the Great Qian, had fought for fifty years and was a ruthless person who had carved out this foundation with his own blood. Even though he was old, just standing there, his aura was like a sharp sword, making it hard to look him in the eye.
"The old Duke, although the eldest son has been reckless in the past, he has never committed such an outrageous act. Today, he boldly removed the Emperor's edict to seek talent. I fear someone is pushing him from behind," said Fu Bo, the butler of the Duke's residence, dressed in a gray robe, with a worried expression.
Gao Tianlong's face was as calm as a still pond, but his eyes radiated a chilling cold that no one could face directly.
"Ordinary younger generations might make mistakes and bring shame to the Gao family, and I would overlook it," he said coldly.
"Today, regarding Yang'er, it's clear someone wants to take advantage of the new emperor's ascension to the throne and make a move against the Gao family. To protect Yang'er, I have no choice but to go to the imperial palace," Gao Tianlong said coldly.
"But who knows, how much value does this old face still have?"
Gao Tianlong spoke with a chilling tone.
He had only three sons. His eldest son, Gao Feng, held the position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and had some accomplishments.
His second son, Gao Linyuan, had gone to the frontier of the Great Qian to serve as a local governor, and his third son, Gao Tianchang, had joined the Dingyuan Army as a deputy general.
For a duke's family, these descendants were already on the decline.
As for the grandchildren, there was nothing more to say. They were all frivolous, with his eldest grandson, Gao Yang, being the worst of the worst, the most degenerate of them all.
The Gao family appeared powerful, but in fact, it was in grave danger.
In Gao Tianlong's view, today would decide the fate of the Gao family.
But if he stepped in, whether it was the ministers or the Empress, they would still show him some respect.
Now, he was only waiting for news from the court, after which he would head to the palace to meet the emperor.
Sigh! The family has fallen on hard times!
Gao Tianlong sighed inwardly, but just then, a voice suddenly echoed through the entire Duke's residence.
"Old Duke, there's good news and bad news."
Suddenly, a servant rushed in.
"Good news? What good news could there be for the Gao family now?"
A wry smile flashed across Gao Tianlong's stern face.
Even the Song family dared to publicly break off their engagement, showing just how low the Duke's residence's prestige had fallen.
"The eldest young master revealed the emperor's edict to seek talent, and at the Golden Luan Hall, he successfully passed the emperor's test. Now, the whole capital is talking about the eldest young master's brilliant plan!"
Hearing this, Gao Tianlong instinctively gripped his beard tightly, nearly pulling several strands off.
"What did you say? Yang'er passed the emperor's test? The Gao family wasn't punished?"
Gao Tianlong's sharp gaze turned toward the servant, disbelief written all over his face.
"This is spreading throughout the entire capital. It can't be false. Everyone says the eldest young master was just hiding his brilliance, and he was hiding it well!"
Gao Tianlong burst into hearty laughter, full of confidence.
"Dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes give birth to phoenixes, and a mouse's son can dig holes. How could my descendants, the children of Gao Tianlong, truly be so reckless?"
"And the bad news?" Gao Tianlong asked again, his face filled with anticipation.
"The bad news is that the eldest young master's plans were all poisonous plots. Even the Empress was silent for a long time and didn't speak. The common people are scolding him, saying the eldest young master is truly cruel."
Then, the servant vividly recounted the Empress's questions and Gao Yang's responses in detail.
The subordinates standing by were also astonished. Not only had the common people been forced to open up wastelands for free, but they had also been turned into free tea slaves.
In the end, Gao Yang was even labeled a great benefactor.
Vicious! Too vicious!
At that moment, even the old Duke, who had seen many dirty schemes, fell silent.
His eldest grandson was more ruthless than anyone.
Song Residence.
With artificial hills and flowing water, the maidens walked back and forth in the long corridor.
Song Qingqing sat gracefully on a bench, her beautiful face expressionless. When she saw a middle-aged man walking in from outside, she quickly stood up.
"Father, how has the emperor punished the Duke's residence?" Song Qingqing asked.
Song Li glanced at her but did not respond immediately. Instead, he asked in a deep voice, "The engagement has been broken off?"
These words made Song Qingqing sense an ominous premonition.
She nodded. "The Duke did not appear, but Assistant Minister Gao was furious upon hearing this. He said the matter would not be settled so easily. Father, is there some trouble in the court?"
Song Li's face darkened. "That Gao Yang has been hiding his talents, and indeed he has some skill. The Duke's residence has managed to turn the situation around."
"What?" Song Qingqing's face showed shock.
When she learned everything, she was indeed surprised.
But she quickly smiled and said, "Father, there's no need to worry. Since the emperor did not publicly reward him, it means no decision has been made."
"Gao Yang treasures me like a jewel, and the entire Chang'an knows this. There is still room for negotiation. Besides, the Great Qian is full of prominent families. With my ability, I will definitely find someone with true talent to bring honor to the Song family, far surpassing Gao Yang's talents. The Duke is after all old, so letting go is no great loss."
Song Qingqing's clear voice rang out, and Song Li's heart was slightly reassured.