freenovelworld Chapter 10: Conferred the Title of Heir Apparent
Chapter 10: Conferred the Title of Heir Apparent
Anyang Marquis's Residence
There was a crisp sound of "pop".
A clear palm print instantly appeared on Du Ruoling's face, and her body swayed to the side due to the sudden force, almost falling over.
"Are you trying to kill my son, you vile woman?" Mother Gu trembled with rage, her face turning ashen.
Du Ruoling covered her cheek and shouted angrily, "What do you know? Where we're from, if someone has a fever, we always use ice packs under their armpits to cool them down physically. That's how we dissipate heat."
Enraged by her outburst, Gu's mother pointed at Du Ruoling's nose and yelled, "You're spouting nonsense! My son is already like this, how can he withstand your torment?"
"If anything happens to Cheng'an, I will make you pay with your life!"
Madam Gu gritted her teeth and then turned to Wang Mama beside her, ordering, "Drag this little whore out of here."
If it weren't for the child in her belly, I would have killed her long ago to vent my hatred.
The maids rushed forward, grabbed Du Ruoling's arm tightly, and dragged her towards the door despite her struggles.
She stared intently at Gu's mother and screamed hoarsely, "This really is a life-saving method, you'll regret it..."
Du Ruoling was locked in the woodshed, feeling helpless and aggrieved, hoping that Gu Chengan could get through this ordeal.
Worried about her son, Gu's mother went straight to the study of the Marquis of Anyang.
Marquis Anyang was pacing in his study when he heard that Gu Cheng'an was seriously ill, and his expression became solemn.
Upon seeing Marquis Anyang, Gu's mother burst into tears. "My lord, please go to the palace and fetch a royal physician for Cheng'an."
Marquis Anyang frowned, comforting Gu's mother while instructing his servants to prepare a carriage for them to enter the palace immediately.
As the sun's shadows shifted, the afternoon sunlight spilled onto the bluestone slabs of the courtyard.
Half a day passed in the blink of an eye, and it was time to go back.
"You're leaving so soon, and I feel so empty inside. Please take good care of yourself at your husband's house and don't suffer any injustice." Mother Chu's voice trembled slightly, her heart filled with reluctance.
"Mother, don't worry, your daughter will definitely come back to visit you often."
"it is good."
Chu Ruohan lowered her voice slightly, just enough for the two of them to hear, and whispered, "Mother, you must be vigilant and be careful of Aunt Fang and her daughter."
Chu's mother didn't know what was wrong with her daughter today, why she was so hostile to Aunt Fang and her daughter.
Aunt Fang and her daughter were both well-behaved and didn't fight or compete. They thought Chu Ruohan was overthinking things, so they replied, "Okay, Mother will remember."
Gu Junze was carried onto the carriage by Ying Qing, and Chu Ruohan then stepped inside. A moment later, the wheels slowly rolled, making a soft creaking sound, while the Chu family members remained standing quietly at the entrance.
Chu Ruohan finally couldn't hold back any longer, gently lifted the carriage curtain, and looked back.
With her parents still alive and her younger siblings safe and sound, she will protect them and this peace in this lifetime.
Only after the carriage turned the corner did she slowly lower the curtain, and Chu Ruohan's thoughts drifted away.
The Chu family was merely a merchant family. Although some of their ancestors had served as officials, they were only minor officials of the fifth rank. Such a family background was simply not worthy of the Anyang Marquis's mansion.
In her previous life, Chu Ruohan was very puzzled by this.
It wasn't until Gu's mother swallowed up all of Chu Ruohan's dowry that she learned that Gu's mother had taken all the money from the Marquis's mansion and lent it out at exorbitant interest rates, losing everything.
Madam Gu kept this matter a complete secret; no one in the entire Marquis's mansion, except for her trusted confidante, Granny Wang, knew about it.
Because of the Chu family's immense wealth, the richest family in the capital, she was chosen by Gu's mother to become a "fat sheep" to fill the financial hole.
In this life, she was remarried to Gu Junze, and her dowry was all brought into the Hongmeng Academy.
When the news of the owner of Xinglonghao Money Shop absconding with the money swept through the entire capital, how could the ladies who had been tricked by Gu's mother into lending money at exorbitant interest rates easily let it go once they realized that their money had been lost?
These people will also become the sharpest swords in Chu Ruohan's hand, aimed at Gu's mother...
Gu Junze's gaze shifted slightly, landing on Chu Ruohan's fair and jade-like profile. After a moment, he lowered his head and focused his attention on the book in his hands.
The atmosphere inside the car was just as quiet as when they arrived, so quiet it was almost oppressive, and the two remained silent.
The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Marquis of Anyang's residence. After the coachman placed the footrests, Chu Ruohan got off the carriage first and looked up to see the Marquis of Anyang returning from the palace.
Marquis Anyang, dressed in court robes and wearing an official hat, walked hurriedly with an unfriendly expression.
Not only did they bring back the imperial physician, but behind him stood a line of eunuchs, each holding a bright yellow imperial edict.
Chu Ruohan's heart tightened, and she subconsciously looked at Gu Junze, who remained calm and composed, his eyes undisturbed.
Chu Ruohan suppressed her panic, curtsied slightly, and said softly, "Father, are you well?"
"Well, now that we're back at the manor, let's all go inside."
Marquis Anyang paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two men, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.
In the courtyard of the Marquis of Anyang's residence, except for Gu Junze who was granted a special pardon and exempted from the kneeling ceremony, everyone else knelt on the ground in an orderly fashion, creating a scene of silence and solemnity.
The eunuch cleared his throat, his high-pitched voice breaking the silence: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Gu Junze of the Marquis of Anyang is of pure character and possesses both talent and virtue. He is hereby appointed as the heir apparent. It is hoped that he will uphold loyalty and filial piety in the future, so as to carry on the glory of the Marquis's family. This is the imperial decree!"
Mother Gu clenched her fists tightly, her fingertips turning white from the force. The resentment in her heart surged like a tidal wave, threatening to overwhelm her.
"Why? My poor Cheng'an is lying in bed, his life hanging in the balance, while this vile woman's son is to be named heir apparent."
A hint of resentment flashed in the eyes of the Marquis of Anyang, but it was instantly covered by respect. He was the first to kowtow and shout, "Your subject obeys the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"
Chu Ruohan glanced sideways at Gu Junze, her mind racing with thoughts.
In his previous life, Gu Junze was only made heir apparent after the capital was flooded. Could it be that her marriage to a different man caused the appointment to be made earlier?
In his previous life, Gu Junze died just over a month after being named heir apparent…
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree smiled broadly, bowed deeply, and respectfully greeted Gu Junze, saying obsequiously, "This servant congratulates Your Highness."
Gu Junze nodded slightly, then gave Ying Qing a wink. Ying Qing understood immediately, quickly stepped forward, and handed a bag of silver from her bosom to the eunuch.
The eunuch hurriedly accepted the reward money, his smile widening. "This servant thanks Your Highness for the reward. I am truly delighted to see that you are in good health and have a rosy complexion. I can now return and report this truthfully to the Emperor."
"The Empress Dowager also often thinks of you!"
After speaking, he bowed again and then left with a group of eunuchs, completely satisfied.
"Doctor Hu, this way please."
Marquis Anyang was afraid that Madam Gu would cause trouble at this critical juncture. He didn't care about anything else at the moment, hurriedly grabbed her hand, and strode towards Suijin Pavilion.