Chapter 463 This matter has become a big deal. How can she explain it to the master when she returns?
Song Ruyan exerted force on her hand, and Xiao Zhou staggered and almost fell.
The perfectly placed expression of sorrow on her face froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered. She forced herself to act flattered, bowed, and said softly, "Thank you, Madam Gu, and thank you, young lady."
She secretly resented that Mrs. Gu was so tactless that she wouldn't let her finish the play.
When Allen Chu saw her like this, a hint of sarcasm flashed in her eyes, but her tone remained gentle.
"Mrs. Zhou, you're too serious. What happened yesterday was actually a misunderstanding. It was just that the princess took a fancy to one of my hairpins and insisted on taking it away, which led to some friction."
"I thought it was just a little girl's quarrel, but I didn't expect Madam Zhou to go to such great lengths to even beg for mercy. I am truly ashamed of myself."
Her voice was clear, with a hint of regret in her tone, but every word she said pointed out the conflict of yesterday, and she cleverly described Duan Shumin's "fighting" as "snatching", which instantly escalated the situation.
The people around who had originally sympathized with Xiao Zhou were suddenly in an uproar when they heard this.
"So it was the princess who stole someone else's things?"
"No wonder, I thought it was the Eastern Jin envoys who were bullying us, but it turns out it was the princess who was being too unruly."
"Oh my! A princess like you actually robbed someone and even beat them up! The family education of this great general's mansion is too poor!"
Whispers surged like a tide, and the people's eyes on Duan Shumin changed from sympathy to contempt.
Duan Shumin's cheeks turned red instantly and she bit her lips tightly.
Xiao Zhou's face also turned pale. She never expected that Chu Ruohan would break the window paper in public and completely destroy their self-torture plan.
Duan Shumin had been spoiled since childhood, so she couldn't stand this kind of pointing and talking. Her face flushed red, and she suddenly raised her head, pointing at Chu Ruohan and screaming, "You're talking nonsense! You clearly haven't paid the money yet? You slut, how dare you confuse right and wrong here!"
"Shumin, shut up!" Xiao Zhou's face changed drastically. She quickly held Duan Shumin down and whispered in her ear, her voice filled with uncontrollable anger, "Aren't you ashamed enough?"
She was extremely anxious. Seeing that her plan of torturing herself had failed and she was instead outmaneuvered by Chu Ruohan, and her daughter had lost her temper in public, the matter had become a big deal. How could she explain to the master when she returned?
Gu Junze had been observing coldly until this moment, when he slowly stepped forward. He swept his gaze over the onlookers and said in a cold voice, "Zheng State and Eastern Jin have always had harmonious relations. The exchanges between the two countries' envoys are all for the sake of friendship."
"If anyone maliciously slanders, sows discord, or even speaks rudely to the envoy, we will regard it as a provocation to the relationship between the two countries."
"When the time comes, don't blame me for being ruthless."
His voice was not loud, but it was like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, instantly shocking the onlookers who were ready to make a move.
Those people who were still shouting fell silent after being swept by his cold gaze. They retreated consciously and dared not say anything more.
Xiao Zhou's body froze in place. She knew that today's carefully planned "apology" had completely failed.
She didn't even have time to argue. Under Gu Junze's cold gaze, she forced herself to remain calm and pulled up the humiliated and angry Duan Shumin, whispering, "Master Gu, Madam Gu, I'm sorry for disturbing you. We'll take our leave first."
She took Duan Shumin and got into the carriage in shame in front of everyone, and left in a hurry. Her back looked particularly embarrassed.
Calm returned outside the inn, and Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan turned around and slowly walked into the inn.
As soon as I stepped through the door, a small figure rushed over like a cannonball.
"Mother! Father!"
Gu Junze walked up and patted Yun Ge'er's head gently, and his tense little face relaxed.
Back in the room, Yun Ge'er sat in Chu Ruohan's arms and asked with some confusion, "Mother, doesn't that Madam Zhou have a very good reputation? They say she is a model of women in Zheng State, virtuous, gentle and respectful."
When Gu Junze heard this, a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes. He took the tea handed to him by Chu Ruohan, took a sip, and said in a light tone.
"A role model? Virtuous and virtuous? Those are just flattering words."
Chu Ruohan nodded in agreement: "There is no such thing as a perfect woman, it's all an illusion. Xiao Zhou is just such a person."
"She is in charge of the household affairs of the Grand General's Palace. Duan Qingye's two sons and one daughter were born from her womb. Although she is a concubine, she is no different from the mistress in the palace."
Chu Ruohan looked at Gu Junze, "What happened today seems to be an apology, but it is actually a test."
Gu Junze's eyes darkened slightly. Xiao Zhou was too anxious...
"In a few days, we should leave Zheng State."
Chu Ruohan was slightly startled, then nodded and said softly, "Well, be careful. I'm afraid this journey won't be peaceful."
A hint of worry flashed in her eyes, obviously thinking about the challenges she might face on the return journey.
Yun Ge'er was originally nestled in Chu Ruohan's arms, listening to his parents' conversation. His little ears moved, and he suddenly raised his head, looking at Chu Ruohan with tearful eyes.
"Mom, are you leaving? Yun'er doesn't want you to leave." His little mouth pursed, and he was about to cry again.
Chu Ruohan's heart softened, and she quickly hugged him tighter, coaxing him softly, "Silly child, why would mother and father stay here all the time? There are still many things waiting for your father to deal with in Dongjin."
She patted Yun Ge'er's back gently, her tone gentle but firm: "However, when there is a chance in the future, mother will definitely come to Zhengguo to see you again, okay?"
Brother Yun sniffed, buried his face in Chu Ruohan's shoulder, and responded muffledly: "Yeah."
Although he was reluctant, he knew that his parents' home was not here and they could not always be with him.
The next morning, the post station returned to peace.
The morning light filtered through the window screens onto the ground, casting mottled shadows. Gu Junze had already gotten up, dressed neatly, and was sitting at the table drinking tea.
Yun Ge'er was still resting. The little guy was unusually well-behaved last night. He was allowed to sleep on the couch with Chu Ruohan and did not fall asleep until midnight.
Just as Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan were preparing to eat, footsteps were heard outside the yard, followed by Ying Yi's low voice.
"Sir, the palace eunuch requests to see you."
Gu Junze frowned slightly, put down the teacup in his hand, and glanced at Chu Ruohan: "So early?"
Chu Ruohan was also a little surprised. The palace eunuch came to visit so early in the morning, so it must be something important.
"Please ask him to come in." Gu Junze said in a deep voice.
After the eunuch entered, he bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Lord Gu, Madam Gu. His Majesty has a verbal order, inviting the envoys of the Eastern Jin Dynasty to the palace immediately for breakfast."
Gu Junze's eyes flickered slightly, and he already had some suspicions in his mind. Yesterday's palace banquet, today's breakfast, Zheng Lin was intentionally trying to get closer.
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