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

I can't figure it out for a moment.

Rong Yingluo didn't want to face Gu Qingya's unfriendly face, so she got up to go and watch the moon worship ceremony.

He happened to pass by the table where Ke Miaoran was, waved to her, and the two of them went to see it together.

The moon-worship ceremony was short, and the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had already made all the necessary preparations.

The altar was set up in the square outside Chonghua Hall.

As dusk settled, the afterglow in the west tinged the clouds with orange-red.

The autumn moon in the east is still nowhere to be seen. But judging from the time, if you stand on high ground, you should be able to see a glimpse of the moon in about 15 minutes.

Emperor Taikang led his officials to the altar, and after a prayer, they knelt down to pray for divine protection.

Rong Yingluo stood at a distance and could only see the actions of the courtiers.

Emperor Taikang knelt down, and all the officials knelt down as well.

On the altar, the sacrificial offerings emitted a fragrant aroma, which Rong Yingluo could faintly smell even from this distance.

After rising, Emperor Taikang held three incense sticks, bowed three times, and then inserted them into the incense burner.

He then raised his wine glass, facing east, and offered three toasts.

The sacrificial ceremony is then considered complete.

The group returned to Chonghua Palace, where Emperor Taikang and his ministers enjoyed themselves together.

The country is in a state of peace and prosperity.

Next, the unmarried young ladies and gentlemen from various families showcased their talents.

Today, Rong Yingluo's various remarkable deeds after entering the palace have kept those young ladies who wanted to cause trouble from moving.

Rong Yingluo thoroughly enjoyed the palace banquet.

Gu Xi and Gu Qingya, who sat at the same table, did not cause any trouble.

Everything went smoothly until they left the palace.

Once outside the palace, Rong Yingluo learned that there was no curfew that night. The people were enjoying themselves, and there was even a lantern riddle contest—it was quite lively.

"On festive occasions, one misses their loved ones even more. Your Highness, I wish to return to my maternal home." Rong Yingluo had already planned this, and had even asked Yinghong to wait for her at the palace gate early in the morning. At this moment, Wu Guishan was driving a carriage and waiting nearby.

She already has little time to spend with her family, so she never misses an opportunity.

"I'll go back with you," Gu Ce said without hesitation.

"No need, I can go back by myself." Rong Yingluo immediately refused. She didn't want him to come along and cause trouble, as it would make it inconvenient for him to talk to his family.

"Have you forgotten what you promised me? Also, you have to call me husband." Gu Ce said seriously, as if he was angry.

"Uh." Rong Yingluo choked, but all she wanted to do was have a proper talk with her family. With him around, it would definitely be inconvenient to talk.

"Let's go." Gu Ce didn't give her a chance to refuse and got into the carriage directly.

Rong Yingluo had no choice but to get into the car.

Once on the bus, they discovered that Granny Zhu was also on board.

"Miss, I also want to go back to the Rong family to see my daughter's family," said Granny Zhu with a smile.

Granny Zhu and Wu Guishan had a daughter and a son.

The eldest daughter was already married and worked as a housekeeper in the Rong family.

Rong Yingluo's son, Wu Dali, was only sixteen years old, making him perfect for running errands for her.

"Then let's go back together. You can stay at the Rong family's house tonight and return tomorrow." Rong Yingluo knew how precious it was for family to reunite.

"Thank you, Miss."

When Zhong Sheng saw his master get into the lady's carriage, he quickly took the gifts from the Gu family's carriage and followed.

Along the way, Yinghong asked countless questions about what her master had encountered on his way to the palace.

Rong Yingluo naturally shared it with her personal maid.

Rong Yingluo spoke very interestingly, and even Gu Ce was impressed by her eloquence; she was truly a gifted speaker.

Upon arriving at the Rong family residence, the gatekeeper had already been informed, and as soon as he saw the young lady return, he immediately stepped forward to help lead the horse.

But when the servant saw Gu Ce also getting off the carriage, he was stunned.

Didn't the young lady send word that the young master wasn't coming?

"This humble servant greets the son-in-law and the lady-in-law," the servant quickly composed himself.

Gu Ce was pleased to hear him call him "son-in-law" and casually tossed him a two-tael silver ingot.

The servant happily accepted the gift: "Thank you for the reward, sir."

The son-in-law is so generous; his monthly salary is only one and a half taels of silver, yet he's made a small fortune.

After finishing their meal, Rong's parents and Rong Zhixiu did not leave the main hall, waiting for Rong Yingluo to return.

Although they knew their daughter would only stay for an hour at most, they were still looking forward to it.

"Father, Mother, I'm back!" Rong Yingluo shouted at the top of her lungs before even entering the door.

Madam Rong immediately stood up from her chair.

On the day of her return visit, Young Master Qin told her that his daughter had encountered a frightened horse and then been assassinated, and her heart nearly jumped out of her throat.

She was eagerly awaiting her daughter's return today, wanting to see if she was alright.

Upon hearing his daughter's voice, he could no longer sit still.

"Ying..." She had only just reached the door when she saw Gu Ce. She called out the name halfway through before swallowing it back down.

She only saw Gu Ce dressed as a groom outside the gate on the day her daughter got married, but she remembered him very well.

"Liuli, my dear daughter, you're finally back." Madam Rong changed her address, tears welling in her eyes.

Rong Yingluo called out loudly from outside the door, hoping to lure her mother out. She knew her mother would be anxious to hear her voice and would come out to greet her, thus allowing her to see Gu Ce.

"Mother." Rong Yingluo threw herself into her mother's arms, rubbing against Madam Rong's shoulder repeatedly, her manner full of coquettishness.

The genuine affection between the mother and daughter made Gu Ce feel envious.

He had no mother, which was the biggest regret of his life.

The mother and daughter hugged for a long time before letting go.

"Come on, let's go inside." Madam Rong took her daughter's hand and walked towards the main hall, not even glancing at Gu Ce.

In her heart, Gu Ce was the culprit who harmed her daughter, and yet he dared to come to her door.

Gu Ce felt a little embarrassed, but he still followed them into the main hall of the Rong family.

On his first visit, Gu Ce politely stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "This son-in-law greets my father-in-law and mother-in-law."

"I dare not call you father-in-law." Rong Zhengqing sat upright in the main seat, his face cold and stern.

He did not welcome Gu Ce's arrival.

"Father-in-law, this is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it." Gu Ce knew he would be met with a cold reception, but he didn't mind. He took a brocade box from Zhong Sheng and handed it over.

Rong Zhixiu stood up, took it, and handed it to his father.

Rong Zhengqing knew his own status and couldn't be too pretentious in front of a high-ranking official of the third rank in the court. He was just venting his anger.

He opened the brocade box, inside which lay a ginseng root that was at least three hundred years old.

Ginseng grows extremely slowly. As the years go by, the roots gradually age and lignify, eventually becoming prone to rotting. Ginseng that can truly survive intact for more than 300 years is extremely rare, almost non-existent.

And at that moment, he saw such a top-quality plant.

"This..." Even with his extensive experience, Rong Zhengqing was moved by Gu Ce's gesture.

He actually took out such a fine gift to show his respect to his merchant father-in-law.

"Father-in-law, this was bestowed upon me by the Emperor. I am offering it to you as a token of my respect, in case of need." Gu Ce showed no reluctance whatsoever.

This ginseng was given to him by the emperor three years ago when he shielded the emperor from poison, and it has been preserved until now.

Su tried to take it from him several times, but he refused with various excuses.

Rong Yingluo found it strange; what good thing had Gu Ce given her that made her father look like that?

Taking a few steps forward, she was also surprised when she saw a ginseng of excellent quality.

She had lived for sixteen years and had never seen such a fine ginseng of such advanced age.

Sure enough, the best things are all in the royal family.

"Could it be the reward you gave for shielding the Emperor from poison, as you said?" Rong Yingluo asked in surprise.

"Exactly." Gu Ce nodded.

"Such a valuable item is too much for me to accept." Rong Zhengqing had already understood that this item was obtained by Gu Ce at the cost of his life.

"Father-in-law, it's just a medicinal herb. My son-in-law and Liuli are still young and don't need it," Gu Ce said casually.