RWNEFE -Chapter 399 News of the Disciple of Guigu

On the day of the family-recognition banquet, except for the matriarch and a few female relatives, everyone else was absent.

Shen Congwen looked at the empty table, his face dark with anger.

He had expected that some family members might be displeased, but since he had invited them, he assumed they would at least show up out of respect.

He never imagined that not only would they skip the event, they wouldn’t even bother to send their regards.

Princess Yun Sui of the Tenth Princess House and Shen Yuanxin arrived late, deliberately trying to make an entrance as the grand finale, making everyone wait for her.

But unexpectedly, many arrived even later than her.

What was going on? Were the Shen family people so unpunctual and unruly?

Seeing the princess arrive, Shen Congwen’s expression lightened considerably. He hurriedly had her escorted to her seat.

“Is the eldest sister not coming today?” Princess Yun Sui asked, trying to control her temper.

Shen Congwen froze, mentally reminding himself that he could not show anger in front of the princess due to her high status.

“Let’s not mention her today, Your Highness. Let’s start the meal first.”

The princess was taken aback, instinctively replying, “Let’s wait for uncle and aunt.”

She wanted to win favor with the Shen household and could not afford the appearance of disrespect.

Shen Congwen’s tone stiffened: “There’s no need to wait for them. Why should the princess wait for anyone?”

The matriarch also persuaded: “Let’s eat ourselves, Your Highness needn’t mind them.”

Princess Yun Sui felt pleased; the Shen family, it seemed, knew how to act properly.

“I am the Princess of Zhou. Though now married into the Shen household, I am still junior—let’s wait a little longer, it’s no trouble.”

As the Princess of Zhou, she was far above them. Once she completed the mission assigned by her father, she would deal with them thoroughly.

Shen Congwen was sweating with anxiety. He wished he hadn’t spoken so hastily earlier.

Now he felt as if he were on pins and needles, being roasted on the fire.

If they still didn’t arrive, he would lose face completely.

These ungrateful bastards—how had he ever wronged them to deserve such humiliation? Wasn’t he already good to them? Each one of them was a treacherous, ungrateful wolf.

“Is this the concubine Father took into the house? Why is she still wearing a veil?” Princess Yun Sui suddenly asked.

Shen Congwen, the matriarch, Shen Xinyi, and the three illegitimate sons all froze.

“Your Highness, this old body is unwell and needs to rest,” the matriarch said, as two maids hurried to support her.

Shen Congwen exhaled in relief and hurriedly commanded the servants to take the matriarch back to her room.

“Your Highness, my mother is unwell. I wish to send her to rest first.”

Princess Yun Sui sensed something strange but could not pinpoint it, so she nodded.

“Should we call the imperial physician?”

Shen Congwen: “No need. But this family-recognition banquet will probably not continue. Let the servants carry the food back to your rooms.”

Shen Yuanxin immediately understood what had happened and whispered a few words into the princess’s ear.

“Very well then!” she said.

After the princess left, she sent her personal maid to investigate.

Soon, the maid reported back: “Your Highness, I pretended to accidentally bump into the concubine and took the opportunity to remove her veil. Her face is so swollen it looks rotten. I also learned that the matriarch had her go learn the household rules earlier.”

Princess Yun Sui was pleased to hear the concubine’s face was swollen like a rotten pig’s head. She assumed Shen Congwen wanted to avoid embarrassment, hence the excuse to end the banquet.

Zhou Xinrou had been stuck at home for days, growing increasingly impatient. Today, not only did Shen Yuantang arrive, but her two sons also came, adding to her displeasure.

“Mother, Father held a family-recognition banquet for that concubine and her children, and not a single one of us went,” Shen Yuantang said, both resentful and smug.

“Father bullies Mother. If the Empress Dowager were still alive, let’s see if Father dares do this,” she added.

“Mother, we will always stand with you.”

Zhou Xinrou, seeing her children so devoted, glanced sideways with a flash in her eyes.

Today, a message arrived from Nanning. It was said that Zhou Ruan used overwhelming military force because he had a brilliant strategist.

Rumor had it that this strategist was named Song Daoxi, a disciple of Guigu.

Upon receiving the news, the Renxiao Emperor’s expression wavered.

“Father, a disciple of Guigu is not easily seen. Could it be that Second Prince spread this rumor just to reassure the people?”

Zhou Rulin intentionally said this. Secretly, he had been trying to locate the disciple of Guigu. Recent news suggested the disciple had appeared in the Northwest.

Coincidentally, Zhou Ruan had been to the Northwest before.

Which emperor, when he was once a prince, hadn’t dreamed of recruiting the disciple of Guigu? Even the Renxiao Emperor had thought about it in his youth.

Yet the disciple of Guigu was never seen, and over time, many assumed it was only a legend.

Thinking of the rumors spread during the rebellions of the two traitorous kings, both the emperor and Zhou Rulin felt a chill.

“Send someone to Nanning to verify. If it’s true…” The emperor would have to consider recalling Zhou Ruan.

Zhou Rulin’s eyes gleamed sharply: “Father, if we think of it, others will surely think of it too.”

The emperor’s eyes flashed fiercely. “If the disciple of Guigu cannot serve our Zhou Dynasty, no one else shall have them either.”

Zhou Rulin nodded in agreement.

“Secretly go to Nanning, take my golden token, and ensure the disciple of Guigu is brought into our possession.”

“Yes, Father.”

Within a few days, the news of the disciple of Guigu appearing in Nanning spread like wildfire, quickly reaching the capital.

“Your Highness, whoever gains the disciple of Guigu gains the world. We cannot let them fall into others’ hands,” Bai Qingling said.

Zhou Ruyuan frowned: “I am in the capital now. Without imperial orders, I cannot leave.”

Bai Qingling: “Your Highness, you forgot—there’s me!”

Zhou Ruyuan looked at Bai Qingling with complex emotions. “Qingling, I’m sorry to trouble you.”

Bai Qingling felt warmth in her heart: “Your Highness is fine, and Qingling is fine. Rest assured, I will bring the disciple of Guigu back for you.”

Seeing her sincerity, Zhou Ruyuan instinctively looked away.

“Qingling, I’m entrusting the troops of the Yongzi Camp to you. Take care.”

Bai Qingling, seeing him hand over the troop token, felt reassured.

“Your Highness, don’t worry. I will return safely.”

Watching her leave quickly, Zhou Ruyuan silently resolved to repay her in the future, even if he could no longer fully devote himself to loving her alone.

Third Princess Zhou Qiwou’s Residence

Yuan Lang efficiently packed his luggage.

Zhou Qiwou watched with reluctance.

“Yuan Lang, are you really going to Nanning?”

Yuan Lang packed the last piece of luggage, then turned to embrace her.

“Princess, do you remember what I said the first time we met?”

Zhou Qiwou’s memory was already vague.

“I said I would make you the most honored person in the world and return you to the capital openly and gloriously.”