Chapter 458 You already knew that Duan Qingye had concubines and children, right?
Chu Ruohan was feeling sorry for Princess Anyang at the moment and had no intention of paying attention to him. She just glanced at him coldly without saying anything.
Seeing this, Gu Junze became even more uneasy.
He knew that his wife was speaking up for his mother, but looking at her expression, it was clear that she also had some opinions about him.
Seeing that the atmosphere was a little tense, Yun Ge'er carefully pulled Chu Ruohan's sleeve.
"Mother, don't be angry. My brother said that he will never marry that princess. Even if the great general Wang has great power, he will not compromise."
Chu Ruohan gently stroked her son's head, her voice softening slightly: "Yun'er, your brother is right to do this. The character of a daughter from a family like that is obvious, and you absolutely cannot marry her."
"Han'er." Gu Junze called softly.
Chu Ruohan still ignored him and just lowered her head to tease Yun Ge'er in her arms.
The temperature in Gu Junze's eyes grew even colder, and his disgust towards Duan Qingye intensified.
Not only did this man kill his mother, but now it is also affecting his relationship with Han'er.
Song Ruyan noticed that the atmosphere in the car was a little subtle, and quickly changed the subject.
"Young Madam, we don't want that hairpin anymore. I'll have someone look for it somewhere else. I'm sure we'll find something better."
Chu Ruohan nodded: "Okay, it's not auspicious to wear something bought from that kind of place."
Yun Ge'er immediately responded, "Mom, I know a better jewelry store. The items there are made by palace craftsmen. They are much better than the one we just saw."
"Then let's go and have a look another day." Chu Ruohan forced a smile.
The carriage continued to move forward, and a brief silence fell in the carriage.
When they arrived at the post station, Chu Ruohan asked the servants to take the children to rest, and she followed Gu Junze into the house and closed the door.
The door closed gently, blocking out the noise outside. With her back to Gu Junze, Chu Ruohan spoke in a somewhat cold voice, "You've known for a long time that Duan Qingye has concubines and children, right?"
Gu Junze stood by the door, looking at his wife's tense back. He was silent for a moment before nodding: "Yes."
She actually guessed right, that's why Gu Junze was so decisive and ignored the consequences, letting Song Ruyan slap him in the face.
"what you up to?"
Gu Junze gently put his arm around Chu Ruohan's shoulders, asked her to sit down on the chair, and explained in a gentle voice.
"Han'er, you think too much. I won't do anything. I never intended to recognize him. Today was just an accident."
Chu Ruohan's brows were still furrowed as she turned to look at him. "But judging by the attitude of the princess today, she must be aware of our identities. If she knows, how could she possibly let it go?"
Gu Junze chuckled, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes: "The concubine in his room can't sit still so soon."
Chu Ruohan looked at him puzzledly: "What do you mean?"
Gu Junze sat down opposite her and spoke slowly, "I asked Yingyi to check. The one who manages the household expenses in Duan Qingye's mansion is Xiao Zhou, a cousin from a branch of Duan Qingye's maternal family."
"It was Duan Qingye's mother who decided to marry her to him as a concubine."
"All three children in the mansion were born from her womb."
After hearing this, Chu Ruohan's eyes flashed: "It seems that this little Zhou is very capable."
"Indeed." Gu Junze nodded. "For so many years, no other woman in the mansion has ever been pregnant. Xiao Zhou is in charge of the household expenses, so even if she is a concubine, she is no different from the mistress."
Chu Ruohan nodded thoughtfully: "She knows your identity and is afraid that you will come back to claim your ancestral roots and compete with them for the family property."
Gu Junze reached out and held her hand. "That's why the princess is so arrogant today. It's obvious that someone is behind this. Xiao Zhou wants to test our background."
"I didn't intend to hide anything. Now that I'm in Zheng State, my identity will be exposed sooner or later."
"But if that happens, won't Xiao Zhou be even more restless?" Chu Ruohan said worriedly, "Will she do something drastic?"
A hint of coldness flashed in Gu Junze's eyes: "If she knows what's good for her, then we can live in peace. If she doesn't, don't blame me for being rude."
In the evening, the sound of horse hooves was heard outside the post station.
Chu Ruohan was sorting clothes in the room when she heard a notification from outside.
"Your Excellency, someone has arrived from the palace."
Gu Junze stood up and walked outside, only to see a eunuch in palace uniform standing respectfully in the courtyard, followed by several guards.
"Your servant greets Master Gu." The eunuch stepped forward and saluted. "Your Majesty has decreed that Master Gu, his wife, and his son be invited to the palace for a banquet tonight."
Gu Junze nodded: "Thank you, eunuch. We will prepare it now."
The eunuch smiled and said, "No hurry, no hurry. His Majesty has said that you should take your time to prepare. The palace has already prepared a carriage and is waiting outside."
Chu Ruohan heard the noise and hurried out. When she saw the people coming from the palace, she understood a little.
"His Majesty invites us to the palace for a banquet." Gu Junze turned and said to her.
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, but felt a little worried.
I'm afraid that what happened on the street today has already reached the palace.
Gu Junze shook her hand, signaling her to rest assured
After a quick packing, the group followed the eunuch out of the post station. Chu Ruohan was worried, so she took the children with her.
Sure enough, the palace carriage was already waiting outside, with a gorgeous body and exquisite decorations.
Chu Ruohan held little Qingchen in her arms, Yun Ge'er followed closely beside her, Gu Junze held Xuan Ge'er in his arms, and the whole family got on the carriage.
Song Ruyan wanted to follow, but was stopped by the eunuch.
"My lady, His Majesty has only invited Lord Gu's family. Please forgive me."
Song Ruyan was somewhat unwilling, but she had no choice but to give up.
Chu Ruohan said to her, "Wait for us to come back at the post station."
The carriage stopped in front of the palace gate and the eunuch respectfully asked them to get off.
As we walked along, we saw that the buildings in the palace were magnificent, even more majestic than the Eastern Jin Dynasty Imperial Palace.
"Your Majesty is holding a banquet in Chengming Palace. Please follow me." The eunuch led the way.
The Chengming Hall was brightly lit. Several exquisite tables were placed on the grounds, upon which a variety of dishes had been laid out. Zheng Lin, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat in the main seat.
"Gu Junze, the envoy of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, brings his wife and children to pay a visit to Emperor Zheng." Gu Junze stepped forward and saluted.
Chu Ruohan, holding Xuan Ge'er, also bowed.
Yun Ge'er knelt down and kowtowed politely: "Your humble servant pays respects to your royal brother."
"No need to be so formal."
"Thank you, Emperor Zheng." Everyone stood up.
The eunuch led them to the designated location.
Chu Ruohan sat down holding little Qingchen, while Yun Ge'er sat close to her, his little hand pulling her sleeve.
Zheng Lin frowned slightly when he saw this: "Huainan, go sit in your seat."
When Yun Ge'er heard this, his face tightened and he shook his head.
"Huainan." Zheng Lin's voice was a little majestic.
Yun Ge'er still shook his head, his little hands tightly grasping Chu Ruohan's sleeves, as if he would never let go.
Zheng Lin watched this scene with a flicker of helplessness in his eyes. He said to the eunuch beside him, "Go, put the two tables together."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch hurriedly did as he was told.
Soon, the two tables were put together, and the space instantly became much more spacious.
Yun Ge'er finally breathed a sigh of relief and continued to sit close to Chu Ruohan.
Zheng Lin looked at Yun Ge'er like this, feeling mixed emotions. This child, was he so attached to Chu Ruohan?
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