After being forced into a marriage with a wealthy family, the virtuous wife caused a huge uproar.

"Your Highness, you may not know this, but I am afflicted with a rare poison. If an antidote is not found, I will live to be thirty at most. I have seven years left," Gu Ce said with a faint smile, explaining his condition.

His words were like a stone thrown into a pot of boiling oil, instantly causing an uproar throughout the court.

"Lord Gu, what's going on?" Lord Ren asked in disbelief.

"Lord Gu, you're not lying to us, are you? How could this be?"

"Lord Gu, when were you poisoned? Is there really no antidote?"

A barrage of inquiries followed.

Emperor Taikang gestured for the court officials to quiet down.

"Three years ago, he took a cup of poisoned wine for me and was poisoned himself. He saved my life, so Prince Xuan need not suspect him of plotting a rebellion." Emperor Taikang revealed this secret, which he had kept for several years in order to give Gu Ce more leverage.

If Gu Ce hadn't already been poisoned by several types of toxins, which created a restraining effect, he would have died from poisoning back then.

This is destiny.

Three years have passed, but the mastermind behind the poisoning has still not been identified.

"What?" someone exclaimed.

So Lord Gu has done such a great service.

No wonder the Emperor has valued Lord Gu so much these past few years.

The Emperor's savior is unparalleled, and the two have kept this secret all along, without letting a word out.

"Haha, Lord Gu has truly made a great contribution. Fortunately, His Majesty is unharmed, otherwise it would have caused turmoil in the court. In that case, I have no objection." Prince Xuan laughed twice, but in his heart he hated Gu Ce with a vengeance.

He spent so much effort finding the right opportunity to make his move back then, only to have Gu Ce thwart his plan.

He couldn't find out why his elder brother wasn't poisoned, and assumed that his brother had taken a medicine that made him immune to all poisons.

He even sent people everywhere to search for this medicine, only to find that it wasn't available at all.

Back then, his father clearly favored him, and his ability to govern the country was superior to that of his elder brother, but simply because he was born later, he was not destined for the throne.

When his father was alive, he dared not contend. But after his father died, he left behind the old Prime Minister Luo to assist his elder brother, leaving him with no way to make a move.

Three years ago, Prime Minister Luo fell seriously ill, which gave him an opportunity, but in the end, it all came to nothing.

Emperor Taikang then swept his gaze over the assembled court officials in the hall, and no one dared to raise any objections.

"Gu Ce, step forward to receive the imperial decree."

Gu Ce stepped forward, lifted his robe, and knelt down.

"Throughout history, those who govern the world have always relied on ministers of great virtue and merit to assist them in establishing their imperial enterprise."

Gu Ce, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was a man of great courage and integrity, possessing both literary and military talents. In his early years, he took up arms and risked his life to protect his lord. In times of crisis, he disregarded the possibility of death, his loyalty shining as brightly as the sun and moon, and his righteousness moving even the gods.

"I hereby appoint you as Chancellor, elevate you to the position of Grand Councilor, and entrust you with the overall authority of the state. All military and state affairs, and all important administrative matters, shall be consulted with you. You shall be concerned with the people's grievances and uphold the law." Emperor Taikang issued this edict in the palace, appointing Gu Ce as Chancellor.

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude." Gu Ce bowed three times respectfully.

"Congratulations, Prime Minister Gu." Li Xuanye was the first to offer his congratulations.

Then, congratulations poured in.

"Dismiss the court." Eunuch Gao shouted, his eyes smiling, seeing that it was about time.

As soon as Emperor Taikang left, Gu Ce was surrounded by people.

"Lord Gu, congratulations!"

"Brother Gu, you must treat us to a meal."

"I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's grace," Gu Ce replied humbly.

"Gu Ce, you saved the Emperor's life, why didn't you say so sooner? If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have made things difficult for you just now." Prince Xuan smiled and patted Gu Ce on the shoulder.

"Your Highness is overthinking it. I am indeed too young, and it is only right that you have some doubts." Gu Ce did not take advantage of the favor he received.

"Gu Ce, you're young and promising. If you need my help, just ask. I have a few advisors in my household who are quite talented. Would you like me to send them to you?" Prince Xuan started plotting in front of so many officials.

As a result, several officials also came up with the idea, suggesting sending people, some suggesting guards, some suggesting servants, and some even suggesting sending their concubine daughters to him as concubines.

Gu Ce had never been so embarrassed before, and in the end he could only cast a pleading look at Li Xuan Ye, who was standing to the side.

Li Xuanye deliberately wanted to see Gu Ce make a fool of himself by being surrounded and attacked, which is why he hesitated to step forward.

"My lords, I was the first to pledge my loyalty to Lord Gu. Now I am Lord Gu's chief secretary. If you have any gifts to send, please come to me." Having seen enough of the jokes, Li Xuanye finally revealed the job he had obtained from Gu Ce.

"What? The Crown Prince of Liao is serving as Lord Gu's chief secretary?" Some officials couldn't believe it.

The future King of Liao was willing to serve as a staff member. The Chief Secretary was merely an official in the Prime Minister's office, without any rank; this was far too beneath his status.

"What? You look down on the Chief Secretary? Even a seventh-rank official is only a minor official in front of the Prime Minister. I, the young master, have the title of a fourth-rank general. It's just a way to pass the time." Li Xuanye didn't think being the Chief Secretary was shameful at all.

"Prince Li, do you think a military man like you will handle paperwork?" someone mocked.

"Who do you think you are? Although I did not take the imperial examination, I have been well-versed in the classics and historical texts since childhood, and I always have military books in my hand. I am far more knowledgeable than you civil officials who only know how to talk." Li Xuanye was not a reckless man; he was eloquent and fearless.

Everyone was speechless after being rebuked by Li Xuanye, and no one dared to say anything bad about him.

"Lord Gu has truly found a good helper." Xuan Wang's smile was hard to maintain.

Gu Ce and Li Xuan Ye are like brothers; if they can't be used by him, then things will get a bit complicated.

It seems that marrying my daughter to Gu Ce is now imperative.

"Your Highness, I'm a cripple now, so don't praise me like that. Maybe one day I'll end up like Lord Gu and won't live much longer." Li Xuanye wasn't afraid to expose his shortcomings.

With Li Xuanye's example set, it's not appropriate for the officials to suggest giving gifts away.

Gu Ce promised to invite all his colleagues to his residence for a gathering three days later.

Prince Xuan watched Gu Ce leave, his eyes narrowing dangerously before turning back towards the Imperial Study.

When Eunuch Gao saw that it was Prince Xuan who had arrived, he immediately reported it.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Ah Jin, you've arrived. Please have a seat." Emperor Taikang had already guessed that he would come.

The two were born of the same mother. He was fifteen years old when he was made crown prince, while his younger brother was only seven. To congratulate him on being made crown prince, his younger brother gave him a gift.

However, after that, his father specially arranged for a tutor to teach him, so he rarely played with his younger brother. The two spent less and less time together. After getting married at the age of eighteen, he moved to the East Palace and could only see his younger brother when paying his respects.

At some point, a subtle rift developed between the two.

But as the elder brother, he always remembered his mother's words to treat his younger brother well.

After he ascended the throne, he sent his three other brothers to their fiefdoms, leaving only his younger brother in the court to share his burdens. This was considered to be fulfilling his mother's expectations.

Over the years, my younger brother has performed his duties diligently with few mistakes; he is indeed a rare talent.

"Your Majesty, why didn't you tell me that you were poisoned? You're treating me like an outsider." Yuwen Jin's eyes were filled with deep concern; he had always been a very respectful and loving brother.

"I didn't drink it, so what's there to say?" Emperor Taikang looked at Prince Xuan, trying to read something from his eyes.

He had been the emperor for many years, and sometimes he couldn't quite judge his younger brother.

He truly respected his elder brother, yet the younger brother managed his residence impeccably.

He had considered planting a few spies in the Prince Xuan's mansion, but they would be eliminated soon.

As for whether he had any other intentions, he had been on the throne for fifteen years, and his younger brother had not taken any action.

Either the emperor's younger brother acted too discreetly, or he had absolutely no intention of disloyalty.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that. Are you aware that Gu Ce appointed Prince Li as his chief secretary?" Yuwen Jin asked, revealing the purpose of his visit.