newbobooks Chapter 425 The man was captured, but the banquet proceeded as planned.
Chapter 425 The man was captured, but the banquet proceeded as planned.
She waited until the wet nurse's footsteps faded away before carefully pushing open the door and heading straight for the cradle.
A glint of mad pleasure flashed in Gu's mother's eyes. She pulled out a sharp knife she had prepared beforehand, raised it high, and plunged it viciously into the cradle...
However, what the knife tip touched was a soft piece of cotton.
Mother Gu was stunned for a moment, and then quickly pulled off the brocade quilt, only to find that there was no baby in the cradle at all, but only a pillow wrapped in a brocade quilt!
"Oh no! We've fallen into their trap!" Mother Gu was terrified and hurriedly turned to run away, only to run into Gu Junze standing at the door, along with a group of guards behind him.
Gu Junze, his face grim, ordered sharply, "Men, seize her!"
Two guards immediately stepped forward and grabbed Gu's mother's arms.
Mother Gu's face turned ashen, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to her knees. She knew that this time, she was doomed.
"General, the backyard is under control, and Du Ruoling's maid has been apprehended," a shadow guard whispered.
Gu Junze nodded, gently stroking his daughter's soft cheek, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes: "Now that the matters in the backyard have been resolved, the full moon banquet in the front hall should continue."
He picked up his daughter, walked out of the room, and headed towards the front hall.
The front hall was still bustling with activity, the guests still immersed in the verbal battle between Chu Ruohan and Du Ruoling, with the sounds of music and dancing continuing, as if nothing had ever happened in the backyard.
When Chu Ruohan saw her husband carrying their daughter, a huge weight was finally lifted from her heart.
She took the child and asked softly, "How is he?"
Gu Junze nodded slightly, and Chu Ruohan understood, knowing that the thief had been captured.
Chu Ruohan looked down at the sleeping little girl in her arms, and a wave of tenderness washed over her.
No matter how many obstacles lie ahead, today is her daughter's big day, and she cannot let those bad people ruin this important moment.
Du Ruoling stood aside, waiting and waiting, but no news of success came from the people she had arranged. She began to feel anxious.
Fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and his hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.
"The princess doesn't seem to be feeling well?" Chu Ruohan looked at her with a half-smile. "Are you waiting for some good news?"
Du Ruoling forced herself to remain calm: "This princess does not know what the general's wife is talking about."
Just then, a commotion arose outside, and Chu Ruohan's mother, Madam Chu, slowly walked in, followed by several maids, each carrying an exquisite gift box.
"Han'er," Madam Chu smiled and stepped forward, gently patting her daughter's hand. Her gaze fell on her granddaughter's rosy face, full of affection. "My little darling..."
The maids laid out the gift boxes one by one, and when they opened the lids, the boxes glittered with gold, drawing gasps of amazement from the guests present.
It was a complete set of longevity locks, bracelets, and anklets made of red gold and kingfisher feathers and inlaid with seven treasures, crafted by renowned artisans from Jiangnan. They were exquisite, priceless, and of unparalleled beauty.
"This is a gift that I prepared for my granddaughter. I hope she will be safe, healthy, and have good fortune," Madam Chu said lovingly.
Everyone turned their heads to look at the generous gift, marveling once again at the extraordinary wealth of the former richest man in the capital.
"Thank you for your kindness, Mother," Chu Ruohan said softly, tears welling in her eyes.
Just as everyone was praising the Chu family's extravagance, a solemn voice came from outside: "Proclaim the imperial decree—"
The guests quickly stood up and straightened their clothes.
A eunuch strode into the hall, holding a yellow imperial edict aloft.
"On the occasion of the full moon celebration of General Gu Junze's daughter, His Majesty bestowed upon her a pair of jade ruyi scepters, ten bolts of brocade cloth symbolizing peace and health, and a pure gold 'Peace and Safety Every Year' plaque, wishing her a lifetime of peace, joy, and freedom from disaster and hardship."
Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan hurriedly put down the child they were holding and knelt down to receive the imperial decree: "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty."
The eunuch handed the gifts to the servants one by one, and added: "His Majesty said that the General Zhenguo has made meritorious contributions in protecting the border, and the General's wife is virtuous and kind. This daughter will surely have a long and prosperous life. It is hoped that the General's wife will raise her well."
This imperial decree undoubtedly gave the Zhenguo General's Mansion a great deal of face.
Chu Ruohan picked up her daughter again and stood in the center of the hall with Gu Junze to receive everyone's blessings.
The adorable little girl in her arms suddenly opened her eyes, her big, dark eyes curiously surveying everything around her, drawing gasps of amazement and affection from everyone present.
The scenery is breathtaking, making others envious.
Standing in the corner, Du Ruoling saw this scene and, recalling the lack of movement in the backyard, understood that the madwoman must have made a mistake!
She was so angry that she cursed Gu's mother in her heart as a good-for-nothing who couldn't even handle such a small matter and wasted her arrangements!
"How infuriating!" Du Ruoling gritted her teeth, her grip on the teacup so tight it became deformed.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Du Ruoling could no longer stay. She wanted to take advantage of the fact that everyone's attention was on the Emperor's gifts and Chu Ruohan's child to sneak away and avoid getting into trouble.
If Gu's mother is arrested and exposes him, the consequences would be unimaginable.
She moved her feet quietly, blended into the crowd, and slipped out of the hall, but was stopped by Song Ruyan before she had taken more than a few steps.
"Oh dear, isn't this Princess Anping? The banquet isn't over yet, where are you in such a hurry to go? Have you done something wrong and are you running away?"
Song Ruyan crossed her arms, blocking her path with a half-smile, her eyes full of mockery.
Du Ruoling felt a pang of panic, but she still tried to remain calm and used her status as a princess to intimidate others.
"I am unwell and will be leaving now. What is it to you? Song Ruyan, you are nothing but a commoner, yet you dare to block my way? If you know what's good for you, get out of my way!"
Song Ruyan scoffed, not buying her act at all: "Feeling unwell? I think you're just feeling guilty and trying to run away!"
Before she could finish speaking and before Du Ruoling could retort, Song Ruyan struck with lightning speed, delivering a precise chop to the back of Du Ruoling's neck, so fast that Du Ruoling had no time to react.
Du Ruoling felt a sudden darkness before her eyes and a sharp pain in her neck. Without even uttering a sound, she collapsed limply to the ground.
Song Ruyan quickly caught her and winked at the maid beside her: "Drag her away and tie her up tightly, so as not to soil the General's Mansion."
The maids immediately stepped forward, supporting the unconscious Du Ruoling, pretending to be helping the unwell princess away. Their expressions were natural, their movements skillful, and they did not attract any attention.
Song Ruyan spat disdainfully: "Pah, you wicked and stupid thing, you really think you're something special!"
After dealing with Du Ruoling, she turned around triumphantly, went to Chu Ruohan's side, and winked to indicate that the matter was settled.
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, her smile growing even brighter, and continued to greet the guests while holding her daughter.
The banquet lasted until evening before coming to an end. The guests took their leave one after another, leaving the Zhenguo General's Mansion with envy and admiration.
No one knows what kind of thrilling undercurrents are hidden behind this seemingly peaceful full moon celebration.