Guo Yuzhen saw that she looked very wary, as if she would pounce on her and harm her child at any moment.
Thinking of this, she curled her lip in disdain.
Do you really think everyone is as wicked as her?
She hated her and wished she couldn't give birth, but she never thought of poisoning her child.
This is truly judging a gentleman by the standards of a petty person.
"The Empress Dowager is unwell, so we will take our leave now," Empress Dowager Guo said.
"Go then." The Empress Dowager nodded.
Granny Zeng breathed a sigh of relief; these people were finally willing to leave.
After they left, Granny Zeng reached out and patted the Empress Dowager's back. Seeing her exhausted appearance, she couldn't help but sigh and say, "If you're not feeling well, you could have just sent them away. Why force yourself?"
"They'll be gone today, but they'll come back tomorrow. Isn't the Emperor suspicious of me? I might as well let them in and let them search. Anyway, I don't have what they're looking for here, so they'll give up eventually," the Empress Dowager said wearily, her eyes closed.
Upon hearing this, Granny Zeng suddenly realized that their sudden visit to Jingci Palace was at the Emperor's behest.
"I have already taken care of the matter entrusted to me by the Empress Dowager. I estimate that the Duke has already received the letter," she said.
"That's good. Although Yan'er is usually a bit unruly, I trust him to get things done. Besides, as his uncle, he genuinely cares for Chao'er. Now that he knows, he will find a way to stop Chao'er. I can rest assured," said the Empress Dowager.
Granny Zeng nodded.
...
Xiao Yan had just returned to the Duke's mansion at noon when the steward handed him a secret letter.
“It was sent from the palace,” he said in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded and took the secret letter to his study.
Upon arriving at the study, he opened the secret letter and began to read it.
After reading it, he frowned deeply. After a moment of contemplation, he summoned his trusted confidant, gave him a few instructions, and soon after, the confidant left the Duke's mansion and headed to Huangjue Temple.
Xiao Yan stood by the window for a long time.
The Empress Dowager's health is deteriorating, and he needs to take her out of the palace as soon as possible.
The Emperor is about to get married, and the palace will be very lively and busy. It's a good time.
...
Xiangzhou, the Prince of Xiang's Mansion.
The Prince Xiang's Mansion was bustling and festive today.
On this day, Gu Linchao and Wen Nongnong held a wedding for Si Yi and Lü Qiao.
Wen Nongnong had never made a scene in the bridal chamber before. She was just about to sneak away from Gu Linchao to Si Yi's courtyard to join in the fun when Steward Wang walked over in a hurry.
Curious about what could have caused Butler Wang to look so anxious, she turned back.
"Your Highness, the Emperor has sent someone to deliver an imperial decree," Steward Wang reported to Gu Linchao as soon as he entered the study.
Standing outside the window, Wen Nongnong was startled. Gu Heng had sent someone to deliver an imperial decree? What did he want to do?
Gu Linchao paused, put down the brush in his hand, got up and walked out.
The eunuchs waiting in the front hall hurriedly bowed when they saw Gu Linchao enter, saying, "This servant greets Your Highness."
Gu Linchao glanced at him and asked in a calm voice, "Did the Emperor send you to deliver an imperial decree to me?"
"Yes," the eunuch replied hastily.
Although Gu Linchao resigned from his position as regent, his natural authority deterred people from acting rashly.
How dare the eunuch read the imperial edict aloud and make him kneel to receive it? He directly presented the edict in his hand, saying, "Please take a look, Your Highness."
Gu Linchao didn't refuse and took it to read.
After a moment, he put away the imperial edict and said calmly, "Is His Majesty getting married on the fifteenth of next month?"
“Indeed.” The eunuch bowed his head and said respectfully, “His Majesty wishes to invite the Prince back to the capital to preside over the wedding.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Linchao remained expressionless. "I understand. You may return now."
The eunuch hesitated and asked, "Then Your Highness..."
"I will arrive as scheduled," Gu Linchao said.
The eunuch was relieved. "Then this servant will go back and report."
Gu Linchao nodded.
Steward Wang stepped forward and saw the eunuch out.
Gu Linchao held the imperial edict, stood in the hall and pondered for a moment. Just as he was about to leave, Wen Nongnong, who was standing outside, walked in, supporting her already showing belly.
"What's wrong? What does the imperial edict say?"
Gu Linchao was not surprised to see her come in. He unfolded the imperial edict and showed it to her.
After reading it, Wen Nongnong frowned. Gu Heng was getting married and had specially invited Gu Linchao to come to the capital with her?
"Do you think this is a scam?" she asked.
Gu Linchao shook his head, "It's alright, don't worry."
“But the Emperor is getting married, and he specially ordered the two of us to come to the capital together to attend the wedding banquet. I always feel that he has ulterior motives,” Wen Nongnong said, frowning.
Gu Linchao sighed and patted her hair. "Don't worry too much. I can go to the capital by myself this time. You can stay in Xiangzhou."
Upon hearing this, Wen Nongnong opened her mouth as if to object, but looking at her already protruding belly, she swallowed back the words that were about to come out.
She is pregnant, and if she were to go with him, she would only be a burden to Gu Linchao.
Gu Linchao's gaze also fell on her stomach.
She was more than four months pregnant, but her belly was only showing a little.
He couldn't help but gently place his warm palm on her stomach, his gaze unusually tender.
Seeing this, Wen Nongnong's heart softened, and she hugged his waist, pleading, "Can I not go? I don't want to be separated from the prince."
Gu Linchao sighed inwardly. How could he bear to be separated from her? Especially now that she was pregnant, she was even more delicate than before. If he wasn't by her side, he was really worried that she wouldn't be able to take good care of herself.
“Not going would be disobeying the imperial decree, giving Gu Heng even more reason to deal with me.” After a long while, Gu Linchao raised his hand and touched her head, saying gently, “Don’t worry, since I’ve decided to go, I have a complete plan. Besides, I also want to bring the Empress Dowager to Xiangzhou.”
Upon hearing this, Wen Nongnong fell silent.
The Empress Dowager is in poor health and is now thousands of miles away, which is very worrying.
She also hoped that the Empress Dowager could come to Xiangzhou and reunite with them.
"Then you must come back safely." She looked up at him, her peach blossom eyes gazing intently.
Gu Linchao's heart melted completely.
Even if she didn't say it, he knew that she couldn't bear to leave him and didn't want him to take risks. But when she heard that he was going to pick up his mother, she held back her anger.
"Don't worry, it will happen. I want to see our child born with my own eyes." He lowered his head and kissed her fair forehead, speaking softly.
"Then you must keep your word and never go back on your promise," Wen Nongnong said, childishly hooking her little finger around his and shaking it.
"I know, I won't go back on my word," Gu Linchao said affectionately.
Just then, Steward Wang returned. "Your Highness, Your Highness, Master Jingchen, the young master beside Master Xuanqing, has arrived."
Upon hearing this, both Gu Linchao and Wen Nongnong were somewhat surprised.
"Quickly, invite them in," Gu Linchao was the first to react and gave the order.
"yes."
A moment later, Jingchen followed Steward Wang in.
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