After being forced into a marriage with a wealthy family, the virtuous wife caused a huge uproar.

Upon seeing these two, Rong Yingluo's gaze turned colder.

Gu Ce's expression was also not good.

The two ran up and stood there; it was Gu Qingya and Gu Xi, who had been kneeling in the ancestral hall for several days.

"Sister-in-law, we want to go too," Gu Qingya said, but her attitude was no longer as domineering as before, and she put on a pitiful look.

"Big brother, please take us with you." Gu Xi's tone was pleading.

"If you can behave yourselves and make no mistakes, I can let you go with me. But if you dare to cause trouble at the Zhao family's birthday banquet, don't blame me for being impolite," Gu Ce said sternly.

"We will definitely behave ourselves," Gu Xi assured him.

Gu Ce then nodded.

The two boarded the carriage.

When Gu Qingyin and Gu Qingling saw the two of them, they unconsciously moved closer to Rong Yingluo.

"Sister-in-law, I was ignorant before and said many things I shouldn't have said. I will never look down on you because you come from a merchant family again." Gu Qingya thought of what her mother had said, suppressed her resentment, and apologized.

Rong Yingluo was taken aback and stuck her head out the window to look at the early winter sun: "The sun didn't rise in the west."

"Sister-in-law, we were wrong. It was all our fault for not knowing proper etiquette. Please forgive us, sister-in-law, and don't hold it against us." Gu Xi apologized, her face flushed.

"Are you sincerely apologizing?" Rong Yingluo was still a little unaccustomed to the sudden change in the two of them.

"We mean it sincerely. Please forgive us, sister-in-law." Gu Xi put on a fawning expression.

"I can let it slide since we're all family, but if you dare to disrespect me or your elder brother again, don't blame us for being impolite," Rong Yingluo warned.

"Yes, yes, yes." Gu Xi was even more willing to lower herself than Gu Qingya.

Gu Qingya gripped the handkerchief in her hand tightly, then said nothing more.

Gu Ce, riding his horse to protect the carriage, overheard their conversation.

They set off for the Zhao family.

"Qingling, you look so beautiful in this outfit." Gu Qingyin broke the silence in the carriage.

"It was... lent to me by my sister-in-law." Rong Qingling was a little shy, but grateful.

"Qingling, it's not a loan, it's a gift for you," Rong Yingluo emphasized with a smile.

"This...how can this be?" Gu Qingling's eyes were filled with shock. Her entire outfit, from head to toe, was from her sister-in-law and was worth at least two hundred taels of silver.

"Don't worry about it. Your sister-in-law doesn't lack these things. I'll give you a set of jewelry that suits you after you come of age." Rong Yingluo had a very good impression of the third branch of the family.

That day, Third Uncle went to talk to Gu Ce for a full hour.

Gu Ce told her everything when he came back.

My third uncle knew how to be patient and forbearing from a very young age, all for the sake of growing up safely.

Back then, the old Duke, like the current Duke, spent most of his time guarding the border, and the entire Duke's Mansion was managed by the old lady.

The old lady already hated Aunt Chen intensely and would try to get rid of her and her son whenever she had the chance. For the sake of his birth mother, the third uncle had to endure it at all times, and even though he was literate, he had to pretend to be dull-witted.

But later, Aunt Chen fell seriously ill and passed away despite the old lady's neglect.

After so many years, the old lady finally let go, and only then did the third uncle dare to go find Gu Ce.

The uncle and nephew had a good talk, and Gu Ce expressed his attitude that he strongly supported his third uncle's continued pursuit of scientific research, and that he could provide appropriate guidance.

Upon receiving such accurate information, Uncle San's entire demeanor changed.

These past two days, aside from handling household affairs, I've spent the rest of my time reading.

Seeing her father's change, Gu Qingling became more cheerful and told Rong Yingluo about it.

"Thank you, sister-in-law." Gu Qingling hugged Rong Yingluo's arm and gently rested her head on her shoulder.

She liked her sister-in-law the most; the others had never even given her a second glance.

Seeing that Gu Qingling could still act coquettishly, Gu Qingyin became a little jealous and hugged Rong Yingluo's other arm.

Gu Qingya and Gu Xi could only watch them chat and laugh, not daring to say a word.

The Zhao family's residence was about a quarter of an hour's walk from the Gu family's residence. It was not located near the imperial city, but rather in a location in the northern part of the eastern part of the capital.

The area in front of the Zhao family's gate was bustling with activity, with many carriages coming and going. This demonstrates the Zhao family's status in the capital.

Just as the Gu family's carriage came to a stop, a number of people from the Zhao family suddenly emerged.

Gu Ce reminded her from the window, "It's Her Majesty the Empress returning to her maternal home for a visit."

Rong Yingluo immediately led her younger siblings out and stood to the side.

At this moment, the main gate of the Zhao family's house was wide open, and the threshold was removed.

The entire Zhao family stood at the door to greet them, including the birthday celebrant, Old Madam Zhao.

When the Empress's carriage and entourage approached, everyone present knelt down.

This is the honor bestowed upon the Empress by the Emperor. He specially arranged the Empress's ceremonial regalia to show the world that the Empress's status is not to be desecrated.

"Welcome back to the Empress!" the Zhao family members said in unison.

The Empress stepped out of the imperial carriage with the help of palace maids.

When she saw that Old Madam Zhao was also kneeling on the ground, her eyes reddened. She quickly walked a few steps to Old Madam Zhao, bent down and helped her up: "Mother, why did you come out too? I've told you so many times, there's no need for this. Everyone, please get up."

When the Empress saw her relatives, tears welled up in her eyes.

The Zhao family members then stood up.

"Elder sister, etiquette must not be disregarded." Zhao Mingyan, the eldest son of the Zhao family, bowed.

"Your daughter greets Father and Mother." Only then did the Empress solemnly bow to her parents.

"Alright, alright, come into the mansion with your mother quickly." Old Madam Zhao held her daughter's hand.

She's getting old, and she's been going to the palace less often these past few years. She hasn't seen her daughter for several months now.

This was her eldest daughter. Having lost her child, she couldn't console her daughter, no matter how many times she tried, and could only let her go.

But her daughter was her own flesh and blood, and she felt so sorry for her. All she could do was eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist prayers, hoping that Buddha would bless the second prince so that he could be found soon.

Only after the Empress entered the mansion did Master Zhao see that Gu Ce had arrived.

"Prime Minister Gu, Prime Minister's wife, I am so sorry for not greeting you sooner, please forgive my rudeness." Zhao Mingyan walked a few steps to Gu Ce and bowed.

"Lord Zhao, you're too kind."

"Greetings, Lord Zhao." Rong Yingluo returned the greeting with her younger siblings. Although she was a first-rank noblewoman, she was, after all, a junior.

"Come on in, let's go inside and talk some more," Zhao Mingyan said warmly.

Upon entering the mansion, the male guests were led to the men's area, while the female guests were led into the inner courtyard.

Leading them in was Zhao Xing'er, the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, who was sixteen years old. It was said that she was not yet engaged, and it was unknown what kind of person she was looking for.

When Zhao Xing'er led them to the main courtyard, Rong Yingluo could clearly sense that Zhao Xing'er's gaze towards Gu Qingyin and Gu Qingling was somewhat unfriendly, and she wasn't very enthusiastic towards her either. Along the way, she only focused on talking to Gu Qingya and Gu Xi.

Rong Yingluo knew that Zhao Xing'er and Gu Qingya were similar in character, looking down on her, a merchant's daughter, and on the two illegitimate daughters of the Gu family.

Later, Rong Yingluo learned that Zhao Xing'er and Gu Qingya were close friends.

Upon entering the main courtyard, the Empress and the Old Lady were having an intimate conversation.

The two stopped when they saw Rong Yingluo come in.

"Xian'er, I know you don't like noise. Your courtyard has been tidied up, just like before you got married. Go and rest first. After all the guests have arrived, I'll have a good talk with you," said Madam Zhao gently.

"Alright." The Empress left with an old nanny.

Rong Yingluo then stepped forward to greet Madam Zhao: "This junior greets Madam Zhao. I wish you good health and longevity."

"Mrs. Gu, you're too kind. Please sit down." Old Madam Zhao was in relatively good spirits.

However, when Rong Yingluo looked up at Old Madam Zhao, she was greatly surprised.

How could this happen?

Why does Madam Zhao's face look so dead?