The Emperor previously had the Second Prince recommend Gu Chengyu, which led him to suspect that Gu Chengyu might be part of the Second Prince's faction. His inquiry served to probe while officials were pressuring him, making the appointment of the Crown Prince an urgent matter.
These officials had already formed factions, turning recent court meetings into their battlefield for verbal disputes. The Emperor knew he couldn't evade the matter this time, yet he was indecisive, so he began by asking for Gu Chengyu's opinion.
Gu Chengyu certainly understood that such an answer would leave the Emperor dissatisfied, but could he truly voice his own thoughts?
As a king, the Emperor found the issue of appointing a Crown Prince troubling. As a father, he might have preferences, but he surely didn't dare follow his whims.
