Chapter 69 The Entire Family Was Executed
Prince Rong picked up the teacup, a hint of deep thought flashing in his eyes.
"You're right. Xiao Fuguang is indeed a key figure. As a disciple of the Imperial Master, and having made great achievements on the battlefield, marrying her would indeed be a great help. However, the Imperial Master probably doesn't want her to be involved in the royal family's struggle. His words in the hall today were clearly an attempt to protect her."
Su Yan spoke thoughtfully after hearing this.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Master is a very special person. He can't always interfere in Xiao Fuguang's affairs. She is indeed the Imperial Master's disciple, but she is also the daughter of the Xiao family. Her marriage is still decided by her mother."
Prince Rong nodded after hearing this.
"Indeed, tomorrow the King will ask Mother to invite her into the palace."
Then he looked at Su Yan.
"Su Yan, you praised Xiao Fuguang so highly in front of me. I hope she won't disappoint me after she gets married."
Gu family.
Zhuang Linan thought about it all night and finally decided to ask Mrs. Gu about the whereabouts of Gu Chuan.
After helping Mrs. Gu wash up properly, he spoke cautiously.
"Mother, I have something I want to ask you to help me with."
Mrs. Gu glanced at her.
"What's up?"
Zhuang Linan looked at Mrs. Gu and spoke with lowered brows.
"During the battle in the northern border, the Emperor conferred the title of Marquis of Yong'an on General Xue, who had injured his hand, and even conferred the title of Protector of the Nation on Xiao Fuguang. Chuan'er suffered a lot on the battlefield, but why didn't the Emperor show any appreciation..."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Gu looked at her with a serious look in her eyes.
"You really restrained yourself for a while, but now you're losing your temper again. Do you dare to talk about the emperor?"
Zhuang Linan's eyes flashed with grievance when she heard this, and then she looked at Madam Gu and spoke humbly.
"Mother is right. It was my daughter-in-law who said the wrong thing. Please forgive me."
"My daughter-in-law is worried about Chuan'er. He hasn't come back yet and there's no news..."
Seeing Mrs. Gu looking at her coldly, Zhuang Linan gritted her teeth and continued speaking.
"Mother, I know I have to keep my distance from Chuan'er in the future. I won't do anything that would damage the Gu family's reputation. I just want to know if Chuan'er is safe."
"Mother, please consider this as a plea. If you know anything, please tell me, okay?"
"I will obey my mother's orders and help her take care of the house. I promise to stop having any inappropriate thoughts."
Seeing Zhuang Linan's repeated assurances, Mrs. Gu spoke.
"The Emperor has assigned Chuan'er a secret mission. As someone from the harem, you shouldn't ask any more questions."
Zhuang Linan felt relieved after hearing this.
"So that's how it is."
Seeing her like this, Mrs. Gu said something more.
"All you have to do is take good care of the two children. Chuan'er has been favored by the emperor this time. When he returns from his mission, he will definitely be promoted. As an uncle, he is in a high position and has great power, which will be helpful to the two children's future."
Zhuang Linan spoke respectfully after hearing this.
"Daughter-in-law understands. She will take good care of the two children in the future. As long as Chuan'er is fine, that's all that matters."
At this time, the servant came in hurriedly.
"Madam, Young Madam, someone from the palace has come to announce the imperial edict. The general asked Madam and Young Madam to go to the front hall to receive it."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Linan and Madam Gu were both startled. They quickly tidied their clothes and headed to the front hall.
"The Emperor must have issued an edict to reward Chuan'er."
"I'll see who dares to gossip about the Gu family in the Imperial City from now on."
Zhuang Linan also smiled.
"Mother, that's great. The emperor has issued an edict to reward Chuan'er. It's not in vain that Chuan'er has worked so hard for so long. I just don't know when we can see Chuan'er again."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law hurried to the front hall.
Gu Xiu also arrived.
Mrs. Gu couldn't wait to speak.
"Eunuch, is this an imperial edict for Chuan'er?"
"Has my son finished his work?"
The father-in-law who delivered the imperial edict glanced at Mrs. Gu with disdain.
"It's an imperial edict for the Gu family."
"I wonder if all the Gu family members are here?"
Gu Xiu frowned slightly as he looked at the attitude of the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree. Why did he feel that this eunuch's attitude did not seem like he was here to announce the imperial decree of reward?
Mrs. Gu looked at Gu Xiu and Zhuang Linan and spoke coquettishly.
"There aren't many of us in the Gu family, and the second branch has been separated. Now everyone in the mansion is here, so please, eunuch, announce the imperial decree!"
The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict spoke upon hearing this.
"I remember that the Gu family still has two children."
Madam Gu spoke upon hearing this.
"Yes, my father-in-law reminded me that the whole family must be present to receive the imperial edict to show respect to the emperor."
Then he looked at Zhuang Linan.
"Go and bring the two children here quickly."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Linan quickly responded and retreated. Although she was a little confused, she didn't care about much else and just wanted to bring the children to receive the order as soon as possible.
After a while, the two children were led by Zhuang Linan and walked into the front hall cautiously, with curiosity and nervousness on their faces.
When the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict saw that everyone was present, he slowly unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud.
"By the will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Gu Chuan, treasonous collaborator, disregarded the lives of his troops and the suffering of the people, incurring the wrath of Heaven and the resentment of the people. He has been struck dead in the northern border by the God of Thunder, acting as a witness. I, in accordance with Heaven's will, will deal impartially and sentence the Gu family to be executed in three days. In consideration of their past contributions, their entire clan will be spared. I decree this."
In the front hall, the air seemed to freeze, and time seemed to stand still. Madam Gu, Gu Xiu, and Zhuang Linan's faces instantly turned pale, their eyes filled with disbelief and horror.
Although the children didn't understand why, they were frightened by the solemn atmosphere and grabbed the corner of Zhuang Linan's clothes tightly.
Gu Xiu spoke in a panic.
"Did the father-in-law make a mistake..."
Mrs. Gu and Zhuang Linan also looked at their father-in-law with expectation.
The eunuch delivering the imperial edict spoke in a cold voice.
"Gu Chuan teamed up with the Saintess of the Southern Border in the Northern Territory to poison the three armies. Nearly half of the soldiers were poisoned. Fortunately, the Regent and the Protectorate Commandery took charge. This matter is known to everyone in the Northern Territory, so naturally there is no mistake."
"No, it's impossible! How could Chuan'er collaborate with the enemy and commit treason? This must be a mistake!" Mrs. Gu finally broke down, tears streaming down her face, her voice filled with despair.
At this time, Wen Ying and the Dali Temple Minister rushed in with the Imperial Guards.
"Imprison the entire Gu family."
"Three days later, they will be executed at the Meridian Gate."
The two children were so scared that they started crying.
“Ah…Mother…Mother…”
There was crying and shouting in the mansion.
Xiao family.
Xiao Fuguang was playing shuttlecock with Qi'an.
Liu Yue came quickly.
"Miss."
Looking at Liu Yue's expression.
Xiao Fuguang handed the shuttlecock to him.
"Qian, Auntie has something to do. Can you let Auntie Xingyue play with you?"
Seeing this, Xingyue came over and pulled Qi'an.
"Young Master, I can also play shuttlecock. I will play with you."
Xiao Fuguang walked towards the pavilion nearby.
Liu Yue stepped forward and spoke.
"Miss, the Gu family was raided today."
"It was General Wen, who was with the Regent, and the people from the Dali Temple who went to confiscate the property."
Xiao Fuguang took the tea handed to him by Liu Yue.
"Just confiscating the house?"
Liu Yue hurriedly spoke after hearing this.
"The crime of treason and collaborating with the enemy is so serious that it cannot be just a matter of confiscating the property. The entire Gu family will be executed in three days."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Fuguang's eyes showed a hint of satisfaction.
"Very good. Gu Chuan has passed away long ago. We were once husband and wife. It is time for me to send the Gu family off on his behalf so that they can be reunited."
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