Wen Tingyun snapped out of his daze, his dark eyes narrowing. In all his years, apart from being bullied by Nong Nong, no one had ever dared to treat him like this.
He laughed in exasperation and shouted in a deep voice, "Ironclad Guards!"
Soon, the armored guards ran over, "General Wen."
"A female assassin has infiltrated the manor and run in that direction. Capture her as soon as possible," Wen Tingyun instructed, pointing to the path ahead.
"Yes." The armored guard straightened up and quickly chased after it in that direction.
Bai Li frowned and said, "That girl just now didn't seem like an assassin..."
"She doesn't seem like it, but her words are incoherent, she's strange all over, and she even pretends to be the daughter of the Prince's daughter. It's really very strange." Wen Tingyun said with pursed lips, cursing inwardly. "You brat, you're really strong. That kick made my toes feel like they were going to break."
On the other side, Wen Nongnong lifted her head from Gu Linchao's arms and said in a muffled voice, "Where have you been these past few days?"
Gu Linchao noticed that her eyes were a little red, and he was taken aback. He raised his hand and wiped her eyes, and seeing tears, his heart tightened and his brows furrowed. He explained, "I went to Fenzhou."
"Fenzhou?" Wen Nongnong was taken aback. She knew Fenzhou; she had heard that the fireworks used by the royal family came from Fenzhou. So Gu Linchao went to Fenzhou...
Thinking of the fireworks display just now, she suddenly realized what was going on and looked up at him. "Your Highness went to Fenzhou to personally design this fireworks display for me?"
"Hmm." Gu Linchao said gently, then sighed, "I didn't mean to not tell you, it's just that you were angry that day, and I thought making fireworks would be easy and you could come back the next day."
But things didn't turn out as easily as I thought, so it took longer than expected.
After listening to his explanation, Wen Nongnong finally understood, but she was no longer angry; she was more touched.
Because no one had ever celebrated her birthday before, and besides, Gu Linchao was putting in such a lot of effort.
But she didn't explain, only saying, "The fireworks were beautiful, I liked them very much."
"I'm glad you like it." Gu Linchao gently patted her head.
Wen Nongnong leaned against him contentedly. After a moment, she wrapped her arms around his neck and said coquettishly, "I'm hungry."
Upon hearing this, Gu Linchao simply picked her up and said gently, "A banquet has been set up in the garden. I have invited my parents and the Chen Mubai family."
"Then put me down quickly." Wen Nongnong said hurriedly when she heard that so many people had come.
Gu Linchao smiled and reassured them, "It's alright, we're all on the same side."
"No, no, they can't see us," Wen Nongnong said anxiously.
Normally, no matter how close she was to Gu Linchao, she never held back, but now that there were guests, how could she do that?
Gu Linchao chuckled lightly, but didn't tease her. He put her down as instructed and instead took her hand. "Let's go."
When they arrived at the waterside pavilion where the banquet was being held, everyone except Wen Tingyun and his wife was already there.
"Grandmother, Father, Mother." Wen Nongnong stepped forward and greeted the three elders.
Turning her head, she saw Chen Mubai and a young woman standing to the side, and paused, "Lord Chen, who is this...?"
"This is my wife," Chen Mubai introduced, then led the woman forward and bowed to her, "Greetings, Your Highness."
"Please get up quickly." Wen Nongnong reached out a hand to help her up.
"Thank you, Your Highness." The young woman was somewhat flattered.
Before coming, she was a little nervous, but seeing how approachable and down-to-earth she was, she was surprised and relieved.
Wen Nongnong was actually quite surprised. If it weren't for the large number of people present, she would have asked Gu Linchao immediately.
They had been in Xiangzhou for some time, and she had met Chen Mubai several times. Naturally, she had heard that Chen Mubai was still unmarried. But what was the situation with this woman in front of her?
She was genuinely curious.
Just then, the armored guards dragged someone over.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, this person was acting suspiciously in the palace. We don't know where he came from, but we have captured him."
Everyone turned to look and saw a disheveled, wretched girl being forced to kneel on the ground by armored guards.
Before Gu Linchao and Wen Nongnong could speak, Madam Chen suddenly cried out, "Susu, what happened to you?" As she spoke, she rushed over without regard for her manners.
Wen Nongnong was extremely surprised, "This is... Lord Chen and Madam Chen's daughter?"
Chen Mubai's expression also darkened, and he said somewhat awkwardly to Gu Linchao and Wen Nongnong, "Your Highness, Your Highness, this is my daughter Chen Lingsu. When she entered the manor, there were fireworks going on, and my wife and I didn't notice her and got separated from her. I didn't expect her to be arrested by the Ironclad Guards."
"I see." Gu Linchao nodded, then turned to the armored guards and said, "This is the daughter of the prefect, not someone of unknown origin. Release her immediately."
"Yes." The armored guard stiffened and immediately released the man.
Mrs. Chen quickly hugged her daughter into her arms. "Susu, it's alright, don't be afraid," she said, trying to comfort her, but her eyes were red.
Seeing this, Chen Mubai felt very guilty towards his wife and daughter, especially since it was Wen Nongnong's birthday banquet today, which was really impolite.
He turned to Wen Nong Nong apologetically and said, "What happened today was due to my negligence. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Wen Nongnong said gently, "It's just a misunderstanding, Lord Chen, please don't take it to heart. Besides, this matter was due to our Prince's Mansion's negligence." As she spoke, she stepped forward and gently took Chen Lingsu's hand, saying, "The armored guards of the manor were unaware of your identity. Please don't take the offense to heart, Lingsu."
Chen Lingsu felt both wronged and angry. She couldn't find this place and was anxiously pacing around when suddenly a group of armored guards came to arrest her, which frightened her so much that she fled in panic.
After a fierce struggle, they still managed to catch him, leaving him in this disheveled state.
Will Chen Mubai find her embarrassing?
She was feeling uneasy when she suddenly heard Wen Nongnong's gentle and pleasant voice, and she couldn't help but turn her head to look.
The next moment, she couldn't help but widen her eyes, staring blankly at her, and then blurted out, "You, you're so beautiful."
Wen Nongnong was taken aback for a moment, then said happily, "You have such a sweet tongue."
Upon hearing this, Chen Lingsu blushed and hurriedly explained, "No... I, I'm telling the truth. You are really beautiful. I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you."
Wen Nongnong smiled even more happily, her peach-blossom eyes blinking lightly, "Even if it's a lie, I'm still very happy to hear it. Besides, Ling Su is very beautiful."
At this point, Chen Lingsu wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
Even without looking in the mirror, she knew how disheveled she looked, hardly attractive.
"I...I'm very ugly..." she murmured, lowering her head.
"No, she's very cute." Wen Nongnong smiled and wanted to ask Lüqiao to take her to wash up, but after looking around, she couldn't find anyone. So she called over another servant, "Take this Miss Chen to wash up."
"Yes," the servant replied respectfully.
Chen Lingsu felt a little awkward and wanted to say no, but thinking of her disheveled appearance, she didn't say it. She subconsciously glanced at Chen Mubai, and seeing that he nodded, she obediently followed the servant.
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