The third day of the third lunar month.
Outside the gates of Jing’an Houfu, guests arrived in an endless stream.
Contrary to the Zhou Family’s expectations, the entrance of Shouguo Gongfu was not deserted either. After all, the merits Gu Congyun had earned through guarding the border over the years were solid and tangible. Many court officials still remembered the contributions Shouguo Gongfu had made to Da Yao over the years and came with sincere blessings.
The seats they had prepared were almost fully occupied, creating a lively atmosphere.
Whether it was the current prime minister or the highly respected Grand Preceptor, they all came to the Gu family.
Curious commoners gathered outside Shouguo Gongfu, watching one high-ranking official or family member after another arrive at the Gu residence for the banquet, marveling that they would likely never have another chance in their lifetime to see so many important officials gathered in one place.
When Zang Jizhi, the chief of the Imperial Medical Bureau, arrived, not only were the commoners astonished, but even Gu Congyun and Zhuang Hefeng were somewhat surprised.
After all, this imperial physician had frequented Jing’an Houfu quite often over the past year. Previously, rumors had spread that Zhou Yuzhi, the second son of the Zhou Family, had received guidance in medicine from him and was highly likely to become his disciple.
Moreover, it was only out of respect for Zang Jizhi that Little Medical Immortal had agreed to enter Dizhou Cheng to treat the Zhou Family’s Laofuren, as Little Medical Immortal and he were fellow disciples from the same school.
“Imperial Physician Zang, please come inside…”
Gu Yuting, who was overseeing the arrangements inside, was also somewhat surprised when he saw Zang Jizhi.
Zang Jizhi paid no attention to his momentary daze and followed him inside quite naturally, taking a seat in an appropriate location.
Then, an even more unexpected person appeared.
Gu Yulou very much wanted to help, but his face, which was not very good at smiling, was indeed unsuitable for greeting guests. Therefore, Gu Congyun and his wife assigned him a very fitting task: to keep a close watch on the entourages of each household to ensure no one who shouldn’t be there slipped in.
In contrast, Gu Yuxuan was in his element. Having grown up in Dizhou Cheng, he was more familiar with these elders, so he was tasked with accompanying them in conversation before the ceremony began.
He was seen skillfully moving between tables, thoroughly enjoying his busy role.
“I never expected so many people would still come…”
At the main entrance, the commoners discussed among themselves.
“I thought that with the Zhou Family using Little Medical Immortal’s name, everyone would go there. I didn’t want to deal with the overcrowding there either, so I figured I’d just make do here. Who would have thought not only are there plenty of people here, but their official ranks are all quite high, each one more prestigious than the last…”
Just as the commoners thought the guests had mostly arrived, a person no one could have ever imagined appeared.
“Daozhang Qingtuan, is that Daozhang Qingtuan?”
“Daozhang Qingtuan, whom even high officials and nobles rarely get to see, the abbot of Xuandi Guan who has never attended any banquet—he actually came?”
Following Zang Jizhi’s arrival, the ethereal and dignified Daozhang Qingtuan left Gu Congyun and his wife speechless.
“Daozhang!”
Gu Yulou was the first to react, quickly bowing and guiding Daozhang Qingtuan inside.
The distinguished guests already seated inside were equally astonished to see Daozhang Qingtuan’s arrival.
Some couldn’t help but stand up to greet him. Daozhang Qingtuan responded to each one, then emphasized that he had come because of a connection with the Gu family’s young lady, hence attending his young friend’s Renqin Yan, and hoped not to disrupt the host family’s arrangements.
The words “young friend” spoken by the great master Daozhang Qingtuan heightened everyone’s anticipation for Gu Ruanci even further.
Her background had originally been the biggest controversy surrounding her, but now, with Master Qingtuan’s favor, it would be much easier for her to establish herself in Dizhou.
The Renqin Yan began. Gu Congyun and Zhuang Hefeng saw these heavyweight figures and thought that even if Jing’an Houfu had the advantage in numbers, it didn’t matter anymore.
The gates of Shouguo Gongfu were not closed, and the banquet was held in the courtyard, so the common people could see everything. This was also deliberately arranged by Shouguo Gongfu—since they were going to acknowledge their daughter with high profile, there was no need to hide from the public.
Everyone outside the gates received celebratory money from the Guo Gongfu. Though not much, it was still a token of joy.
“Thank you all for taking the time to attend the Renqin Yan for my daughter’s return. I believe everyone is already aware of her background. She was the only child willing to follow Hesheng when she left Dizhou all those years ago. Over the years, my wife and I have been stationed at the border, unable to bring her with us, which is why she has been wandering for so long. Now, she has finally returned to our side. Shouguo Gongfu finally has a daughter, and I am honored to introduce her to everyone—our daughter, Gu Ruanci.”
Gu Congyun was so emotional that he stumbled over his words several times while speaking.
“Let all those present today bear witness: Ruanci is our biological daughter. After Hesheng entrusted her to us back then, we immediately added her to the family register and fought for her to take my surname. We never thought she would be a daughter, merely occupying a nominal position, to be married off one day with a dowry, as a way to fulfill our duty to our friend and clear our conscience. Whatever the Gu family has, Ruanci will have as well. My wife, our sons, and I will protect Ruanci with our lives.”
Gu Congyun’s words stirred deep emotion among everyone present.
When Gu Ruanci made her entrance, many were stunned by her appearance. Her beauty and grace were not the main focus; rather, those with memories could see that she was the spitting image of Ye Hesheng from years past.
Those who were older even felt she resembled the original wife of the old Marquis of Yunyang—Ye Hesheng’s mother.
“Ruanci pays her respects to the elders. As I will be living in Dizhou from now on, I humbly ask for your guidance and care…”
Gu Ruanci’s demeanor and conduct left no room for criticism. Whether under the scrutiny of men or the appraisal of women, she was flawless.
At that moment, a voice came from outside—the Eldest Prince had arrived.
The common people grew even more restless, never expecting someone from the palace to attend in person, especially the Emperor and Empress’s eldest son.
The Eldest Prince, Lu Enyou, had been raised under the strictest training in the palace since childhood. Graceful and noble, his position as Crown Prince was all but secured.
“Greetings to the Eldest Prince…”
After everyone paid their respects, Lu Enyou spoke directly, “Guo Gong, I am here on the orders of the Emperor to deliver an imperial decree.”
Upon hearing this, the crowd hurriedly knelt.
“The Emperor decrees: Gu Ruanci of the Gu family shall not be bound by her past. With the nation’s pillars now protecting her wholeheartedly, she is hereby enfeoffed as the Princess of Chaoyang County, effective immediately. Her marriage shall remain at the discretion of her parents from Shouguo Gongfu. So it is decreed.”
After reading the decree, Lu Enyou specifically approached Gu Congyun.
“Guo Gong Ye, the Emperor said that you only entered the palace to seek his help in announcing your daughter’s identity. He felt he had not done enough to honor your years of service. Since there is no higher title to bestow upon you beyond Guo Gong, he has chosen to enfeoff your daughter as an expression of his gratitude.”
The Renqin Yan at the Guo Gong residence reached one climax after another, unfolding perfectly. From this day onward, everyone knew that Gu Ruanci was not only the legitimate daughter of the Gu family in the truest sense but also a County Princess personally conferred by the Emperor. No matter how much the Zhou Family tried to stir up trouble, it had nothing to do with them anymore.
Just as Gu Ruanci had finished expressing her gratitude and receiving the imperial decree, a servant rushed in hurriedly from the entrance.
“Guo Gong Ye, Madam, the eldest young master has sent someone back!”