Everyone praised Gu Qianluo's superb cooking skills. She politely picked up the teacup in front of her and said respectfully,
"Thank you all for joining us. I am not a good drinker, so I can only offer you tea instead."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinheng raised the wine cup for her, saying, "In that case, let me, on behalf of my wife, toast my brother-in-law and Young Master Tang. May everyone be in good health and have everything go smoothly!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Zijun and Tang Jiuzhao tactfully raised their wine cups, and the four of them drank together under the moon, creating a lively atmosphere.
As the full moon slowly rose and dusk fell, the banquet came to an end.
Chen Jinheng has been out of the military camp for three days, and Han Ying has already settled the issue of food and supplies for the soldiers.
After bathing and changing, he was dressed in a golden battle robe, his ink-black hair was tied up high, he wore a golden helmet with a red tassel, and a green dragon sword was at his waist. He was majestic and imposing!
He slowly walked towards the three of them, his face like that of Yama, his eyes like stars, giving people a sense of imposing authority.
Chen Jinheng walked up to him, his eyes deep and his expression somber. A surge of heat rose in his throat, which he swallowed, and he said softly,
"Luo'er, I'm going to war. Please take care of everything in the manor."
Gu Qianluo stood there quietly watching him, a feeling that was both familiar and strange welled up in her heart, and her mind went blank. She could only reply, "Don't worry, my husband, I will take good care of things in the manor."
Upon receiving her assurance, Chen Jinheng's cold eyes revealed a look of delight. "Excellent!"
“Young Master Tang, my brother-in-law is not skilled in martial arts. I would be grateful if you could accompany him and Luo’er back to the capital. I have already instructed the steward to treat them well.”
Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Tang Jiuzhao's eyes, and he immediately agreed.
"Alright! General Chen, rest assured! I will certainly live up to your expectations and safely deliver the person back to the Marquis's residence."
"Thank you for your help!"
After speaking, Chen Jinheng lowered his eyes to look at Gu Qianluo, gripped her arms tightly with both hands, moved closer to her, and gently touched her forehead.
"Luo'er, promise me you will take good care of yourself."
Gu Qianluo's brow twitched slightly as she looked up to meet the man's gaze, her eyes glistening with moisture.
Noticing the tenderness in his expression, Gu Qianluo's heart tightened, and she responded softly, "Okay."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinheng slowly released her, lightly leaped onto his horse, and bowed, saying...
"I shall depart now! Take care, everyone! Until we meet again!"
"Take care, General Chen! Until we meet again!"
After saying their goodbyes, Chen Jinheng gently raised his whip and smacked the horse's rump.
The horse raised its head and neighed towards the blue sky, its loud voice breaking the silence of the night. The man and the horse suddenly disappeared into the darkness and vanished from sight.
As Gu Qianluo watched Chen Jinheng leave, her tense heart slowly relaxed. She turned to Gu Zijun and Tang Jiuzhao and said,
"Brother, Young Master Tang, it's getting late. Why don't you stay at Chaolu Manor tonight?"
We'll set off back to Beijing first thing tomorrow morning, shall we?
Gu Zijun's eyes softened as he agreed, "Luo'er can make the arrangements."
Tang Jiuzhao's eyes darkened, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up as he teased, "Luo'er is now a general's wife, how dare I disobey you?"
Gu Qianlu glanced at him sideways and said with a faint smile, "Brother Tang, please stop making fun of me."
"Alright! Alright! I was just kidding."
Oh dear, Luo'er! What's so great about Chen Jinheng?
They're always out fighting, how could they possibly know how to take care of you?
Upon hearing this, Gu Zijun gently kicked him as a reminder.
"Hey! Tang Jiuzhao! Are you drunk? Why are you talking nonsense?"
"I'm not talking nonsense. I'm serious, okay?"
"Luo'er, Young Master Tang is talking nonsense, don't take it to heart!"
"Gu Zijun, why are you pulling me? I'm telling the truth!"
Hearing the noisy sounds behind her, Gu Qianluo couldn't help but chuckle softly, as if she were recalling some fun things from her childhood.
Marquis Zhongyong's Mansion
Inside the inner courtyard, Madam Hou, her sister-in-law Zhang, her second wife Zhu, her third wife Wei, as well as Lin Ruoyan, Aunt Zhu, and Aunt Xu, were all gathered together, worrying about Gu Qianluo's affair with Han Ying.
Few people knew about this matter originally, but it eventually reached Lady Hou's ears because someone secretly spread rumors.
Today, she specially summoned the women to brainstorm ideas in hopes of minimizing the impact on the reputation of the Marquis's mansion.
"Ruoyan, you are well-read and knowledgeable. What do you think we should do about this?"
Lin Ruoyan was startled, her gaze shifting, and she spoke earnestly and carefully.
"Madam Hou, although Ruoyan believes that Sister Luo'er is not a fickle person."
However, due to her lack of foresight and failure to avoid suspicion, she caused damage to the reputation of the Marquis's mansion and Jinheng.
Such behavior makes her utterly unfit for the position of mistress of the house.
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhu and Aunt Xu exchanged a knowing smile and simultaneously rolled their eyes at Lin Ruoyan.
Aunt Xu couldn't help but mutter a sarcastic remark under her breath, "The mistress isn't worthy, but does she? Humph! A concubine dares to interfere in the affairs of the Marquis's household."
Upon hearing this, Lady Hou's mind was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. Listening to Lin Ruoyan's words, complex feelings arose in her eyes. She turned to look at Madam Zhang beside her and asked...
"Qinhe, do you really think Luo'er is that kind of person?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang, the eldest sister-in-law, raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in her eyes, and seized the opportunity to say...
“Mother, the eldest daughter of the Gu family was born with unparalleled beauty and has always been the white moonlight in the eyes of the young masters of the capital.”
Now that Jinheng has left the manor, she is restless and has been having an affair with a guard. Given this, she really shouldn't stay any longer.
Lin Ruoyan, with her keen ears, naturally understood the meaning behind Xu Manlian's words. She then spoke to the old lady in the main seat, sounding aggrieved.
“Madam Hou, I have known Jinheng since I was a child. I know him well. He is an honest and simple man. I am only saying this because I don’t want him to be deceived by Gu Qianluo.”
I have never harbored any ambition to become the mistress of the house; I hope Lady Hou will understand!
"Lin Ruoyan, do you dare say you have no ulterior motives?" Aunt Xu was straightforward and couldn't stand Lin Ruoyan's hypocritical act.
Aunt Zhu, being timid and meticulous, felt her heart pounding when she heard Aunt Xu's words. Fearing that Aunt Xu would be punished by the Lady of the Marquis and that this would implicate her, she quickly pressed Aunt Xu back onto the table and tried to explain on her behalf.
“Madam Hou, Aunt Xu drank some rice wine this morning and is still confused, which is why she is talking nonsense. Please don’t blame her.”
Lady Hou's eyes were deep and somber. She had only intended to resolve Gu Qianluo's matter secretly.
Little did they know, someone had deliberately invited the second and third old ladies over to watch the spectacle.
Therefore, as the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, how could she easily let this matter go?
However, before the truth is found out, only a minor punishment can be imposed to set the record straight.
"Gu Qianluo is, after all, Jinheng's lawfully wedded wife. If you want to get rid of her, you need Jinheng's consent."
Before the matter was settled, her room was sealed off, and all her dowry maids were sent to a manor in the suburbs.
Let's wait until things are resolved before taking any action!
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