Outside the Golden Luan Hall.
All the officials were discussing animatedly.
Gao Yang followed behind Gao Feng. The golden sunlight shone on his body, warm and cozy, making him almost unable to keep his eyes open.
He felt relaxed and carefree.
Today's crisis was completely resolved.
He didn't expect that the empress would like such vicious schemes so much, but it was also a coincidence. He couldn't handle the grand strategies for the country and the people.
But he had a lot of such vicious schemes in his mind.
In this aspect, it's no exaggeration to say that he was professional.
"Father, the empress didn't order a caning. So this hurdle for me is passed, right? When we return to the mansion, I won't be beaten, right?"
Gao Yang tentatively asked.
In the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion, family discipline has always been based on the stick.
"Well,
"Your performance today... I am very satisfied as a father."
Gao Feng's voice came, but it was strange, as if he had something on his mind.
But Gao Yang didn't think much about it. On the contrary, he looked forward to the days ahead.
His father was the current Minister of Revenue, and his grandfather was the current duke. This was clearly the top second-generation official in the Great Qian.
In his previous life, if he had such a prominent identity, why would he have bothered to study setting up schemes?
In the Great Qian, there might still be imperial examinations. But if it were in later generations, he could directly write an article, "My Duke Grandfather and Minister Father!"
I dare not say anything else, but he would surely rank among the top in the composition competition.
Unless the entries included "My Prime Minister Father" and "My Emperor Grandfather"!
Otherwise, he would definitely win the championship.
Reborn, with such a prominent identity that could walk sideways throughout Chang'an.
If he didn't visit brothels to listen to music and flirt with the top courtesans, it would be a waste of his identity as a playboy.
The ancient brothels must be experienced.
Just as Gao Yang was thinking, Gao Feng in front suddenly stopped.
Gao Yang didn't react in time and directly bumped into Gao Feng.
His forehead hurt, making Gao Yang unable to help but reach out and rub it.
But when he looked up, Gao Feng's gaze was staring straight at him.
Those eyes were full of complexity.
"Dad, what's wrong with you?"
Gao Yang became somewhat nervous. Could it be that Gao Feng was more and more angry after thinking about it and still wanted to beat him?
But Gao Feng just looked at him and said nothing.
This made Gao Yang even more flustered.
For a full half a moment, Gao Feng reached out and patted Gao Yang's shoulder. "As the old saying goes, brothers fight tigers together, and father and son fight battles together."
"I am a father for the first time. There must be some deficiencies. You... Don't take it too much to heart."
After saying that, Gao Feng turned and left.
His back was illuminated by the golden sunlight, stretching very long, very much like going to buy oranges.
But Gao Yang was confused.
What did Gao Feng mean by these words?
Just as Gao Feng and Gao Yang were slowly walking back, the events that happened in the court today also spread throughout the entire Chang'an City at the fastest speed.
Especially the two questions of the empress and Gao Yang's two answers spread out like lightning.
This speed was even faster than Gao Yang's return to the mansion.
"..."
In the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion.
"I have fought for the Great Qian for fifty years, gone through life and death. Bring my armor. I want to meet the emperor."
Deep in the inner residence, in an ancient and simple but extremely murderous room, an old voice rang out.
When the Gao family's private troops heard the voice, they brought over a red and old iron armor.
Although these Gao family's private troops said nothing, they acted neatly, and their bodies were filled with the killing intent that emerged from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
It could be seen that they were all experts.
At this moment, they all looked at an old man of about seventy. The old man had a stern face and wore a purple robe. Just standing there made people unable to help but want to kneel down.
Gao Tianlong, the number one person in the military of the Great Qian, had fought for fifty years and was a truly ruthless person who emerged from the piles of dead bodies and laid down this foundation.
Although old, just standing there, his entire body was like a sharp sword, making people unable to keep their eyes open.
"Old Duke, although the eldest young master has been absurd in the past, he has never done such a disgraceful thing. Today, he rashly answered the emperor's imperial proclamation for seeking talents. I'm afraid there are people instigating behind this."
Beside him, Uncle Fu, the steward of the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion wearing a gray robe, spoke worriedly.
Gao Tianlong's face was calm like an ancient well, but his eyes carried a chill that no one could look directly at.
"Ordinary juniors' playfulness. If we are outmatched and bring shame to my Gao family, I would let it go.
"Today, they targeted Yang'er. It's obvious that someone wants to take advantage of the new emperor's ascension to the throne to cause trouble for my Gao family. To protect Yang'er, I have to go to the palace."
"But I don't know how much this old face is still worth."
Gao Tianlong spoke coldly.
He had only three sons in his life. Only the eldest son, Gao Feng, was listed as the Minister of Revenue and had some achievements.
The other two sons, the second son, Gao Lin, went to the border of the Great Qian and became the governor of a place. The third son, Gao Tiancang, joined the Dingyuan Army and became a deputy general.
For a duke's mansion, the younger generation was already on the decline.
As for the grandchildren, there was no need to mention it. They were all playboys. The eldest grandson, Gao Yang, was the worst among the playboys and the most despicable among the scoundrels.
Although the Gao family seemed prosperous and powerful, it was actually very dangerous.
In Gao Tianlong's view, today would determine the fate of the Gao family.
But if he stepped forward, both the officials and the empress would give him some face.
Now, he just waited for the news from the court. Then he would go to the palace to meet the emperor.
Alas!
What a misfortune for the family!
Gao Tianlong sighed twice in his heart. But at this moment, a voice suddenly rang throughout the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion.
"Old Duke, there is one good news and one bad news."
Suddenly, a servant rushed over.
"Good news? How could there be any good news for the Gao family now?"
A self-mocking expression flashed across Gao Tianlong's dignified face.
Even the Song family dared to break off the engagement publicly. It could be seen that the prestige of the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion had dropped to the extreme.
"The eldest young master answered the emperor's imperial proclamation and successfully passed the emperor's assessment in the Golden Luan Hall. Now the entire capital is spreading the ingenious plans of the eldest young master!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Gao Tianlong, who was stroking his beard, exerted force and almost pulled off several beards.
"What did you say? Yang'er passed the emperor's assessment and my Gao family was not punished?"
Gao Tianlong's sharp gaze suddenly looked over, carrying disbelief.
"This matter is being spread throughout the entire capital. It is definitely not false. Everyone says that the eldest young master has been hiding his abilities and very deeply!"
Gao Tianlong laughed heartily and boldly.
"A dragon begets a dragon, a phoenix begets a phoenix, and the son of a mouse can dig holes. How could the descendants of I, Gao Tianlong, be truly so absurd?"
"What about the bad news?"
Gao Tianlong asked again, looking forward with a full face.
"The bad news is that the schemes proposed by the eldest young master are all vicious. Even Her Majesty the Empress was silent for a long time without speaking. The common people even scolded, saying that the eldest young master is truly malicious."
Then, the attendant vividly recounted the empress's questions and Gao Yang's answers one by one.
The private troops beside were also stunned. Not only did they get the common people to clear the land for free, but they also falsely accused them and turned them into free tea slaves.
In the end, he was even labeled as a great philanthropist.
Ruthless!
Too ruthless!
At this moment, even the old Duke Gao, who had seen too many dirty and vicious schemes, fell silent.
His eldest grandson was more vicious than anyone else.
In the Song Mansion.
With artificial hills and waters, maids walked back and forth on the long corridor.
Song Qingqing was sitting on a bench, her stunning face showing no expression. When she saw the middle-aged man walk in outside the door, Song Qingqing also hurriedly stood up.
"Father, how did the emperor punish the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion?" Song Qingqing asked.
Song Li looked at Song Qingqing and didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked in a deep voice, "The engagement was broken off?"
These words gave Song Qingqing a bad premonition.
She nodded and said, "The Duke of Dingguo didn't show up. Minister Gao was furious upon hearing this and said that this matter wouldn't end easily. Father, why do you ask this? Has something changed in the court?"
Song Li's face was ugly as he said, "That Gao Yang has been hiding his abilities. He does have some skills. The Duke of Dingguo's Mansion successfully escaped danger."
"What?" Song Qingqing's face was astonished.
When she learned everything, Song Qingqing was also very surprised.
But she quickly smiled and said, "Father, why worry? The emperor didn't give a public reward, which means no choice has been made.
"Gao Yang loves me like a treasure, and the entire Chang'an knows this. There is still room for negotiation on this matter. Besides, in the Great Qian, there are many noble families. With my ability, I will definitely find a talented person with the ability to save the world, a hundred times better than Gao Yang, to glorify the Song family. After all, the Duke of Dingguo is old. It's not a pity to give up."
Song Qingqing's clear voice rang out, and Song Li's heart also slightly settled.