When the Emperor asked this question, Zhang Hai grew even more hesitant.
The Emperor was highly satisfied with the catalog, but if he credited it to Xia Qing's lineage, could his heart truly be content?
Gu Chengyu had great talent, yet he had offended Xia Qing and obstructed Xia Qing's disciple on his path to promotion. Xia Qing was ruthless, and it's likely that someday he would act against Gu Chengyu.
Though Zhang Hai was upright, he was not obstinate. Due to Xia Qing's targeting, Gu Chengyu's future career path would undoubtedly be fraught with difficulties. After today, Zhang Hai planned to compensate Gu Chengyu in the future, clearing obstacles for him.
This was the debt he owed Gu Chengyu, and he would repay it doubly in the future. Having understood these, he felt no more apprehensions.
