Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 466

After that, Gu Ye proceeded to the Cining Palace, where the Empress Dowager, Empress Zhou, and even Emperor Zhengyuan awaited him.

The first half of the day was dedicated to family reunification, and Empress Zhou had prepared breakfast for him. In adherence to their hometown tradition, they enjoyed a bowl of longevity noodles in the morning. Taking into account Gu Ye’s preferences, his biological mother personally prepared a bowl of knuckle noodles. The knuckle had been marinated in advance, with a moderate saltiness and lack of greasiness.

As longevity noodles were served as a whole piece, Gu Ye started by savoring the noodles before moving on to the sauce-covered knuckle, resulting in a satisfied, rounded belly.

Emperor Zhengyuan accompanied him during the meal but had to return to attend to official matters afterward. Empress Zhou and the Empress Dowager, having no pressing engagements, naturally spent the special day accompanying him.

Upon realizing it was noon, Gu Ye left the palace with Lu Xu and returned to Prince Lie’s Mansion. The mansion’s gate was bustling with activity, featuring both banquet attendees and curious onlookers.

The capital’s residents were generally not short-sighted, and celebrations for dignitaries’ birthdays were not uncommon. However, what set this occasion apart was Gu Ye’s request: rather than receiving gifts, he encouraged guests to convert their intended gifts into donations.

The real gold and silver sent over weren’t put in Prince Lie’s Mansion treasury but were instead donated to the merit box at the entrance. This box served various public purposes, such as building infrastructure in the capital, supporting the impoverished in suburban areas, or aiding welfare homes for those affected by war.

This act of public service garnered significant attention, drawing crowds to witness the generosity. A large box positioned at the entrance of Prince Lie’s Mansion held the donated funds, accompanied by a prominently displayed ledger. An accountant from the palace sat beside the ledger, diligently recording each donation and loudly announcing the benefactor’s name and contribution for all to hear.

The onlookers erupted into warm cheers and applause. However, a keen observer noticed a discrepancy and murmured, “Why are some officials bringing their families while others only have a lone representative? Some prominent figures in Beijing are absent too.”

Another person chimed in, “What’s there to ask? Those are the ones who don’t want to associate with Prince Lie!”

“Even at seven years old, he’s showing compassion for the common people and making a positive impact on the world. And still, there are those who refuse to associate with him?”

Though they understood the situation, discussing royal disputes openly wasn’t easy. Many who deliberately distanced themselves had received advance notice, prompting some attempts to make amends.

However, Gu Ye had already sent out the invitations, leaving no room for reconsideration. He explained that the guests list and seating arrangements were finalized, making last-minute changes was impossible.

Faced with this reality, the reluctant guests could only compensate by preparing more generous gifts. Gu Ye remained firm, and as a consequence, a monument of merit was erected for all the guests. Those attending with family were labeled with their official titles, while those attending alone were mentioned only by name, obscuring their family backgrounds.

This move left these individuals not only embarrassed but also diminished in status.

Following the lively birthday banquet, Gu Ye handed over the weighty merit box and account book to Emperor Zhengyuan. The extensive charity fundraising had Emperor Zhengyuan’s approval, signifying his support for such benevolent initiatives.

It was also a matter of concern. Emperor Zhengyuan wasn’t the kind of ruler who solely pursued personal pleasure, unlike the previous dynasty. He desired to be benevolent to the people, but the circumstances demanded careful consideration and effort.

The preceding dynasty had placed excessive burdens on the populace, and the current dynasty sought to stabilize the hearts and minds of the people. Hence, when Gu Ye proposed the idea, Emperor Zhengyuan readily agreed.

Upon tallying the contributions, it was revealed that Gu Ye had amassed tens of thousands of real gold and silver on his birthday. Families like the Wen and Wu, aware that this was a charity fundraiser, generously donated even more, causing a pile-up of two hundred taels of silver.

Feeling a sense of remorse for turning the celebration of his eldest son’s first recognized ancestral birthday into a charity event, Emperor Zhengyuan offered to privately supplement Gu Ye’s finances. However, Gu Ye declined, stating, “I have everything I need, and I don’t usually spend extravagantly. My mother’s restaurant still provides me with a monthly allowance, which is sufficient. Besides, many people may not care about me, but they showed respect for the court’s face. Knowing that I was engaged in good deeds, they were especially generous.”

Impressed, Emperor Zhengyuan smiled but caught a brief remark in Gu Ye’s words. He inquired, “You’re not working at Food of Heaven. So why does Qingyi’s wife pay you?”

Gu Ye responded nervously, “My mother is busy, and handling accounts gives her a headache. Manager Zhou oversees the restaurant’s finances and, being fond of me, knows that I’m the young owner. Naturally, he wouldn’t inform my mother to stop paying me wages. Father, please don’t remind her; I barely get a few taels of silver a month!” The monthly salary of a few taels was a modest amount.

Emperor Zhengyuan, thoroughly amused, offered Gu Ye a piece of advice, “Gentlemen love fortune, but in moderation.” 

(Note: The phrase “Gentlemen love fortune, but in moderation” means that it’s acceptable for virtuous individuals to appreciate wealth, but only to the extent that it is deserved or earned.)