Lord Gu paused.
Gu Chaoxi recalled the note Lu Zhao had sent her before she left the palace: "The child's father said he will come to visit tomorrow afternoon."
"What?!" Lord Gu immediately jumped up and down. "Who is he? How dare he come to our door?"
Gu Chaoxi said, "I can't really say. You'll see when you see it."
Lord Gu paced back and forth, his anger reaching its peak. "Fine! So you two are still in contact? He's got some nerve. If he dares to come here, I'll break his legs!"
He defiled his daughter and still dared to come knocking? Did he really think his manor was a pushover, that he could just come and go as he pleased? He'd skin this lecherous scoundrel alive!
He left in a hurry, going out to ask someone to go to the market to buy sticks.
Knowing full well what was going on, Old Madam Gu didn't stop them. After they left, she chuckled mischievously, looking like she was watching a good show.
Turning to look at her granddaughter, who was pretending to be well-behaved, Old Madam Gu said in an annoyed tone, "How long have you been pregnant? You're really bold, keeping such a big thing a secret. Are you trying to make this old body of mine worry to death?"
Gu Chaoxi obediently lowered her head and admitted her mistake, then said, "I'm more than two months pregnant."
When Madam Gu calculated the time, she was shocked, "Then it must have been as early as..."
When Madam Gu recalled Gu Chaoxi's disappearance while boating on the lake, she deduced from the timeline that the two were probably already together around that time.
Gu Chaoxi blinked her big, innocent eyes. "Grandmother, the Prince said he will come to pay a formal visit tomorrow."
"I understand. How could an old woman like me make things difficult for him?"
Gu Chaoxi immediately hugged Old Madam Gu's arm and acted coquettishly, "Grandma is so good, Grandma is not old at all, in my heart Grandma is the most beautiful!"
Old Madam Gu laughed, "You're so glib."
Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. She's old and doesn't want to interfere too much. She thinks the one Xi'er chose is quite good.
So, on the afternoon of the following day, a strange scene unfolded in the entire hall of the Marquis's mansion.
Lord Gu had taken a special leave of absence and sat in the main hall early in the morning, with several servants beside him, each holding a stick.
Meanwhile, Madam Gu personally instructed the servants to prepare dinner, with maids carrying dishes and setting the table coming and going.
Lord Gu asked, puzzled, "Mother, what do you mean by this? Are you really planning to treat that bandit to a good meal and wine?"
Madam Gu also wanted to see how her foolish son would react, so she didn't say anything and calmly said, "What's this talk about hospitality? I've been a devout Buddhist for a long time and haven't had a meal with you all in a long time. Can't we even have a proper family meal today?"
"Hey, Mother, we can eat whenever we want. If that guy really dares to come, our whole family can just eat here and watch him get beaten up down there!"
Gu Chaoxi almost laughed, hoping that her cheap father would actually be able to hit her later.
On second thought, there must be people sent by the emperor to keep an eye on her near the Marquis's residence. How would Lu Zhao get here? Would he sneak over the wall?
Not long after, there was a knock on the gate of the Marquis's residence. The gatekeeper reported that His Highness the Regent had arrived.
"Hurry up and invite them in!"
Lord Gu was startled and, forgetting who he was dealing with, quickly got up to go out and greet them.
"Your Highness, is there anything important that brings you to my humble abode?"
Lu Zhao wore a dark black robe embroidered with gold thread, his long, ink-black hair tied in a jade crown. He was composed, noble, and extraordinary. His narrow phoenix eyes swept over Gu Chaoxi, who was not far behind Lord Gu.
His eyes held a hint of inquiry.
Gu Chaoxi immediately understood; this was asking if she had told her family about his planned visit.
She winked at him.
I've said it, I've said it.
Lu Zhao said, "There is a case involving the Marquis's residence. I have come to inquire about the relevant matters. May I come in to speak?"
Lord Gu was filled with trepidation. "Your Highness, please come in."
He was actually sweating bullets. This ruthless man had always come to investigate cases with the intention of confiscating property. When had his manor ever committed a crime?
Lu Zhao felt that Lord Gu's attitude was a bit strange, so he frowned but didn't say anything.
Upon arriving at the main hall, Lu Zhao left his entourage outside and entered the main hall alone with Lord Gu's group. He then explained, "There are too many people and too many eyes outside, so I had to use the pretext of investigating a case to pay a visit. Please forgive me for any shortcomings in my etiquette, Madam and Lord Gu."
"Huh?" Lord Gu was bewildered. "Then what brings Your Highness here?"
Lu Zhao asked in confusion, "Didn't Xi'er tell the Marquis?"
Gu Chaoxi shook her head and grinned, "I already told you, Father and Grandmother both know."
"Huh???" Lord Gu was completely baffled. What did he say?
This rebellious daughter only told him that the thief was coming to their door, and he swore he would interrupt the thief's... The thief is coming to their door today...
Today, the Regent has come to our door...
An absurd thought arose in Lord Gu's mind...
He hesitated and looked up at the Regent, only to find that Lu Zhao's gaze was fixed on Gu Chaoxi, and was very gentle.
For a moment, Lord Gu couldn't control his expression and showed a dumbfounded look.
Gu Chaoxi reminded him at the right moment, "Dad, you said that if my child's father dared to come to the door, you would break his legs. Now that he's standing here like a grown man, you can do it."
"What, what are you doing!" Lord Gu finally came to his senses, but Gu Chaoxi's words made him break out in a cold sweat.
Is this rebellious woman trying to kill him? How many lives does he have? How dare she break the Regent's leg? She knew the Regent was coming all along, but she didn't explain anything to him. This rebellious woman is doing it on purpose; she just wants to see him make a fool of himself.
Lord Gu wasn't this nervous in front of the emperor. After all, the emperor was only a teenager and would never have been able to ascend the throne without Lu Zhao's support. Lord Gu respected the emperor more than he feared him.
But it was completely different when facing Lu Zhao; Lord Gu immediately followed his heart.
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