Disaster Relief and Supporting the Gu Family

"Wei Lan, you're no longer young, yet you're still only a member of the Golden Guards in the capital."

"Your grandfather's lack of ability is partly to blame. In my youth, I thought my talent was so exceptional that even without pulling strings or attaching myself to any powerful faction, I would surely earn the sovereign's trust."

"But until the Late Emperor passed away, I never had a single chance to exercise my talents or fulfill my ambitions. Those officials kept me pinned beneath layer upon layer of suppression. You cannot understand the bitterness of it."

"I know you're highly skilled in martial arts and full of resourcefulness. But if you want to be taken seriously, you must think things through yourself. All I can do this time is raise the matter at court and help send you to relieve the disaster and suppress the bandits."

His grandfather's words left Gu Weilan stunned.

Unversed in navigating such matters, he said, "I don't need anyone to give me a leg up. Once I return from this relief mission, I'll earn my place before His Majesty through my own abilities! I'll never let anyone humiliate, ridicule, or look down on the Gu Family again. I can protect Mian'er, too."

The old man's graying beard trembled. "It's good that you think that way. But you should also know that, as a mere member of the Golden Guards, even if you go to Cloud City, you'll be nothing more than a foot soldier following behind the commanders."

"Even if you receive a reward when you return, what of it? His Majesty might not even know who you are."

"Our family's low standing and humble official ranks are facts we must acknowledge! So you must understand this: ambition alone does not guarantee recognition."

Gu Weilan fell silent. Over the years, he had seen how much bitterness his grandfather had endured. Even now, it was because their family held such low official ranks that his aunt had been looked down upon after marrying into the Marquis’s Residence!

Even Mian'er was disregarded, with those concubine-born daughters riding roughshod over her!

Yet they had neither power nor influence. Even if they wanted to stand behind his aunt and cousin, they were powerless to do so!

The old man held the letter out to Gu Weilan again. "Besides telling you about Cloud City, your cousin wrote that she is safe in the palace and can establish herself and protect herself. But she is all alone deep within that palace, with no one to turn to!"

The old man sighed. "Before, I always thought that if you held yourself aloof and proud as I did, whether you could win the glory you deserved would depend on your own fate. But now, that Madam Meng in the Marquis’s Residence clearly isn't someone to be trifled with. I doubt the Marquis’s Residence will help Mian'er find protection in the palace, either. So our Gu Family must step forward!"

Gu Weilan's brows knitted tightly. "Grandfather, do you want me to use Mian'er to gain favor with His Majesty? I can't do that! She's only seventeen. She's only just gained his favor, and we're already asking her to recommend me. Wouldn't that be pushing her into a pit of fire?"

"This is Mian'er's own wish! She said she would know where to draw the line. If Mian'er helps you, you must know your limits, too. That is how you help and support each other, child."

The old man had already thought it through. Without power, a person could protect nothing.

He recalled how his wife had returned yesterday in tears, urging him to seek out colleagues and use his connections to send a letter into the palace, asking whether Mian'er had encountered some difficulty.

From the moment he had needed to pull strings merely to send a letter into the palace, he had truly realized that the Gu Family under his stewardship could offer his granddaughter no help at all.

Now his granddaughter said she was safe and well in the palace, but treacherous storms swirled through both the palace and the court. Who could remain secure forever?

"Mian'er made herself very clear in her letter. I'm not asking you to rely on her to win favor before His Majesty. I want you two cousins to lean on and support each other."

"If one day you can establish yourself at court, truly reach the emperor's side and earn his appreciation, you can become your cousin's source of strength. You can help advance your younger brothers and bring prosperity and strength to the whole Gu Family. Then, if the emperor ever wishes to act against your cousin, he will have to think twice!"

Those words woke him as if from a dream. Gu Weilan swallowed. When he lowered his head to read the letter again, he finally understood his cousin's meaning. "So suppressing the bandits in Cloud City is the opportunity she's giving me?"

"Exactly. That is why you must seize it. Write back to your cousin shortly. She will help you in the inner palace, and you must make something of yourself at court. Only once you rise to a high position will your words carry enough weight."

Emotion surged through Gu Weilan's heart, but his resolve also grew firm. "Rest assured, Grandfather. I understand. Those the Marquis's Residence refuses to protect will be protected by our Gu Family from now on! I will not betray my cousin's kindness in helping me rise."

Wen Yunmian was delighted when she received his reply. As expected, her maternal grandfather's family was far more clear-sighted and reasonable.

Meanwhile, word had also spread of what had happened at court several days earlier.

Some "interested parties" had uncovered quite a few offenses at the Grand Preceptor’s Residence. Just as Wen Yunmian had said, however, they were all minor offenses insufficient to warrant severe punishment.

The Grand Preceptor had also submitted his resignation to the emperor on account of his descendants' incompetence, intending to retire to his hometown and relinquish his position.

The emperor's heart was eased, and he naturally granted permission.

The charge against the Grand Preceptor of defying the imperial decree and the emperor's wishes naturally dissolved.

After learning the news, Wen Yunmian knew Xie Yunjian would want to thank her, so she did not stand on ceremony and asked him for a favor.

She hoped he would recommend her cousin at court the next day to serve as Deputy Envoy on the expedition to suppress bandits and provide disaster relief.

With a recommendation from an heir like him, her cousin would not be relegated to the ranks of ordinary soldiers.

Xie Yunjian agreed and promised to see it done.

The following day, Wen Yunmian waited eagerly for news.

Sure enough, when Jun Chenyu learned of the disaster in Cloud City at court, he was furious. He immediately demoted the Minister of Revenue, who was responsible for submitting reports on disasters and major matters affecting the people throughout the realm.

He also immediately appointed Xie Yunjian as Chief Envoy and Gu Weilan of the Golden Guards as Deputy Envoy, ordering them to muster ten thousand troops and set out to provide disaster relief and suppress the bandits.

At last, Wen Yunmian's heart settled.

Once her cousin returned victorious, it would mark the beginning of the Gu Family's ascent into the blue skies.

When the news reached Wen Leyan, she was still pondering how to make the emperor like her more and how to choose suitable dresses that would utterly eclipse Wen Yunmian's limelight.

Upon learning that someone from the Gu Family had actually been appointed Deputy Envoy on the expedition to suppress bandits, Wen Leyan sprang to her feet.

Memories of her previous life surfaced in her mind.

She remembered that in her previous life, the expedition to Cloud City had not departed so early. Although it had been delayed for a long time, both the Chief Envoy and Deputy Envoy had received further honors upon their return!

Wen Leyan's breathing quickened. "How did I not think of it?! Now that Wen Yunmian's cousin has gone to Cloud City, won't he receive a promotion and a title when he returns? Why didn't I think to have my maternal grandfather send someone from the Meng Family!"

Nanny Hong froze. "My lady, please don't be angry. How could anyone foresee such a thing? Besides, this was His Majesty's decision concerning court affairs. We mustn't recklessly discuss matters of state."

"What do you know?! I could have seized this opportunity! How did something so wonderful fall into Wen Yunmian's lap? Why should she get it!"

After her rebirth, she had clearly held every advantage. She had never expected a single oversight to let Wen Yunmian's family steal a march on her!

Still, despite those thoughts, Wen Leyan did not dwell on the matter. "Forget it. I need to hurry and think of a way to make His Majesty keep me in mind."

Things did indeed turn out as Wen Leyan wished. That evening, when Jun Chenyu turned over a name tablet, he chose hers to attend him in bed.

However, he remained in the Imperial Study for quite some time.

As he read the memorials presented to him, his dark, imposing features relaxed slightly.

The matter of Cloud City had troubled him today. Fortunately, a report of victory had arrived from the Eastern Frontier War, bringing some good news.

A court official hastily said, "Your Majesty, fighting is raging across the Eastern Frontier War. This is precisely when we need capable men and troops. General Qin Zhao, the eldest legitimate son of the Duke of State Protection's Residence, is valiant and unmatched, and he is already showing signs of driving back the Barbarian Tribes. At this critical juncture, we must not chill the hearts of our officers and soldiers."