newbobooks Chapter 463 This matter has blown up. How is she going to explain it to the master when she gets bac
Chapter 463 This matter has blown up. How is she going to explain it to the master when she gets bac
With a sudden exertion of force, Xiao Zhou staggered and nearly lost her balance.
The perfectly timed expression of sorrow on her face froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered, forcing herself to appear flattered, curtsied, and said softly, "Thank you, Madam Gu, and thank you, young lady."
She secretly resented that Madam Gu was so tactless, not letting her finish her act.
Seeing her like this, Chu Ruohan's eyes flashed with a hint of mockery, but her tone remained gentle.
“Madam Zhou, you are too kind. Yesterday’s incident was just a misunderstanding. It was only because the princess took a fancy to one of my hairpins and insisted on taking it from me that there was a little friction.”
"I thought it was just a young girl's playful squabble, but I never expected that Madam Zhou would go to such lengths, even humbling herself to beg. I am truly ashamed and unworthy of such treatment."
Her voice was clear and bright, with a hint of regret in her tone, yet every word she uttered brought up yesterday's conflict, cleverly transforming Duan Shumin's "fighting" into "stealing," instantly escalating the nature of the incident.
The people around who had initially sympathized with Xiao Zhou were immediately thrown into an uproar upon hearing this.
"So it was the princess who stole someone else's things?"
"No wonder. I thought it was the Eastern Jin envoys bullying people, but it turns out the princess is just too unruly."
"Oh dear, a princess of such high status, actually robbing someone's things and even hitting them! The upbringing of the General's Mansion is terrible!"
Whispers rose like a tide, and the people's gazes toward Duan Shumin changed from sympathy to contempt.
Duan Shumin's cheeks flushed bright red instantly, and she bit her lip tightly.
Xiao Zhou's face also turned pale. She never expected that Chu Ruohan would expose this secret in public, completely shattering their self-inflicted injury scheme.
Duan Shumin, pampered since childhood, couldn't stand such pointing and gossip. Her face flushed red, and she suddenly raised her head, pointing at Chu Ruohan and screaming, "You're talking nonsense! You haven't paid the money yet! You wretched servant, how dare you twist the truth here!"
"Shumin, shut up!" Madam Zhou's face changed drastically. She quickly pressed Duan Shumin down and whispered angrily in her ear, "Aren't you ashamed enough already?!"
She was extremely anxious. Seeing that her plan to suffer a bitter injury had failed and she had been outmaneuvered by Chu Ruohan, and that her daughter had lost her temper in public, she was worried that this matter had blown up. How was she going to explain this to her husband when she got back?
Gu Junze had been observing coldly until now, when he slowly stepped forward. His gaze swept over the onlookers, and his voice was as cold as ice: "The State of Zheng and the State of Eastern Jin have always maintained harmonious relations. The exchanges between the envoys of the two countries are all for the sake of friendship between the two countries."
"If anyone maliciously slanders, sows discord, or even speaks rudely to the envoy, we will regard it as a provocation against the relations between the two countries."
"At that time, don't blame me for being ruthless."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a sharp sword being drawn, instantly intimidating the restless onlookers.
Those who were still shouting fell silent after being swept away by his cold gaze, and consciously retreated, no longer daring to say another word.
Ms. Zhou stood frozen in place, knowing that her carefully planned "apology" had completely failed.
Before she could even offer another explanation, under Gu Junze's icy gaze, she forced herself to remain calm, pulled up the humiliated and indignant Duan Shumin, and whispered, "Lord Gu, Madam Gu, it was my oversight that disturbed you. We shall take our leave now."
She and Duan Shumin, under the watchful eyes of everyone, slunk into the carriage and hurriedly left, their backs looking particularly disheveled.
The area outside the post station returned to calm, and Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan then turned around and slowly walked into the post station.
As soon as I stepped through the gate, a small figure rushed towards me like a cannonball.
"Mother! Daddy!"
Gu Junze stepped forward and gently patted Yun Ge'er's head, finally relaxing his tense little face.
Back in the room, Yun-ge sat in Chu Ruohan's arms and asked with some doubt, "Mother, isn't that Madam Zhou supposed to have a very good reputation? They say she's a model of women in Zheng, virtuous, gentle, and obedient."
Upon hearing this, a hint of disdain flashed in Gu Junze's eyes. He took the tea that Chu Ruohan handed him, took a sip, and said in a nonchalant tone.
"Exemplary? Virtuous and kind? They're nothing but flattery."
Chu Ruohan nodded in agreement: "There is no such thing as a perfect woman; it's all an illusion. Little Zhou is just such a person."
"She manages the household affairs of the Grand General's mansion. Duan Qingye's two sons and one daughter were all born from her. Although she is a concubine, she is no different from the mistress in the mansion."
Chu Ruohan looked at Gu Junze and said, "Today's performance, seemingly an apology, is actually a test."
Gu Junze's eyes darkened slightly; Madam Zhou was too impatient...
"In a few days, we should leave Zheng."
Chu Ruohan paused slightly, then nodded and said softly, "Yes, be careful in everything. I'm afraid the journey won't be peaceful."
A hint of worry flashed in her eyes, clearly indicating that she was thinking about the challenges she might face on the return journey.
Yun-ge'er was nestled in Chu Ruohan's arms, listening to his parents' conversation. Suddenly, his little ears twitched, and he raised his head, looking at Chu Ruohan with teary eyes.
"Mother, are you leaving? Yun'er doesn't want you to leave." His little mouth pouted, and he looked like he was about to cry again.
Chu Ruohan's heart softened, and she quickly hugged him tighter, coaxing him softly, "Silly child, how could your mother and father stay here? There are still many things waiting for your father to deal with in Dongjin."
She gently patted Yun-ge'er's back, her tone tender yet firm: "However, when there's a chance in the future, Mother will definitely come to Zheng to see you again, okay?"
Yun-ge sniffed, buried his face in Chu Ruohan's shoulder, and mumbled a reply: "Mmm."
Although he was reluctant to leave, he knew that his parents' home was not here and they could not stay with him forever.
The next morning, the post station returned to calm.
Morning light filtered through the window curtains, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Gu Junze had already gotten up, dressed neatly, and sat down at the table to drink tea.
Yun-ge'er is still resting. Last night, the little guy was unusually well-behaved, and he even slept on the tatami with Chu Ruohan until midnight before falling into a deep sleep.
Just as Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan were about to have their meal, footsteps came from outside the courtyard, followed by Ying Yi's deep voice.
"My lord, a palace eunuch requests an audience."
Gu Junze frowned slightly, put down his teacup, and glanced at Chu Ruohan: "So early?"
Chu Ruohan was also somewhat surprised that a palace eunuch had come to visit so early in the morning; it must be for something important.
"Please let him in," Gu Junze said in a deep voice.
After the eunuch entered, he bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Lord Gu and Madam Gu. His Majesty has issued an edict requesting that the envoy from the Eastern Jin Dynasty enter the palace immediately for breakfast."
Gu Junze's eyes flickered slightly, and he already had some guesses in his mind. Yesterday's palace banquet and today's breakfast—Zheng Lin was intentionally trying to get closer to him.