The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

Inside the ancestral hall, Song Wenjun lazily rested her head on her hand, closing her eyes to relax.

Li Mama took out the food that had been delivered and placed it on the table one by one, reporting to her: "The manor is going to hold a celebration banquet. The First Madam ordered the two of you to prepare it. I secretly took a look, and good heavens, it's all top-quality meat dishes. There's even a pig's head on each table. It's even more lavish than the New Year."

The meal consisted of three dishes, a soup, and two bowls of rice, prepared in Song Wenjun's own small kitchen in the courtyard. Li's mother simply helped bring it over.

She looked at Song Wenjun ingratiatingly while carefully adding some more charcoal to the charcoal brazier.

Song Wenjun slowly opened her eyes and asked, "Has the Marquis returned?"

"Not yet, but this old servant estimates it will be soon." Madam Li looked puzzled and asked, "It's strange, with such a big commotion, how come there's not a word about it in the city? Logically, news should have spread by now."

Not only was Li's mother puzzled, but Song Wenjun also found it strange.

She had a feeling that something was wrong.

After returning to the manor, he sent someone to deliver a message to Lady Xue, but she did not reply.

The household was very strict and didn't say anything.

If they treat her like this, could something have happened?

Song Wenjun couldn't understand it. She had done her best, and the rest was up to fate.

……

The Min family had prepared the menu for the banquet, but they were dumbfounded when they received the bill.

Not only did they not have any 500 taels of silver left, but they also spent an extra 20 taels.

She was too ashamed to ask Zhou for more money, so she had no choice but to pay for it herself first.

Around noon, a servant ran over to report: "Second Madam, we've seen the Marquis's men. He's already back in the city and is now at the Imperial Guard post. He should be able to return to his residence after receiving his reward."

Madam Min slapped her thigh and said happily, "It's good that you're back! Go and send out invitations to our relatives and other prominent families right away. We'll have the banquet tonight."

"Yes, Second Madam." The servant felt proud and ran off to deliver the message.

Min hummed a little tune as she went to report to Zhou. She was sure Zhou would praise her for organizing the banquet.

"Mother, the Marquis is coming back soon. He's gone to the Imperial Guard to collect his reward. Our Marquis's mansion is very prestigious these days." Madam Min embellished the story, only saying what Madam Zhou liked.

Mrs. Zhou smiled from ear to ear: "Good, good, my son is really promising."

Both the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were dreaming of achieving great success.

But at this moment, Gu Huaizhou was kneeling at the Jingwei Garrison, being reprimanded.

"Such a major incident has occurred around the capital, what is your punishment?" The Privy Councilor's temples throbbed with anger as he slammed his fist on the table, demanding an explanation from Gu Huaizhou.

Gu Huaizhou's forehead was covered in cold sweat, even though he had saved many officials' wives and young ladies.

However, due to his negligence, one person died and another was injured.

The deceased was the sister-in-law of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and a cousin of the Xue family.

This cousin comes from quite a background; her father is the heir of the Duke of Huguo's mansion.

This young lady had already been engaged to the Prince Huai's family, and the engagement was about to be finalized, but unexpectedly, this happened.

After being kidnapped by bandits, she knew her chastity was in danger, so she took advantage of the bandits' inattention and jumped off a cliff.

The maidservant who accompanied them was raped by bandits and abandoned in the wilderness, but she survived.

The bandits' audacity this time was truly unexpected.

The Prince Huai's Mansion and the Duke of Huguo's Mansion jointly submitted a petition to the Emperor, requesting that he issue an edict to suppress the bandits and wipe them out in one fell swoop.

Furthermore, the responsibility of the Imperial Guard should be investigated, and the Emperor should be asked to punish the Imperial Guard.

The emperor was furious and immediately punished several officials, including the Grand Councilor, by severing their salaries for three years.

Therefore, the Privy Councilor turned to Gu Huaizhou.

As the commander of the Imperial Guard, he cannot escape his guilt.

Gu Huaizhou pounded his forehead on the ground, his previous elation completely gone. Now he only hoped that the Privy Councilor would calm down quickly: "Your subject is guilty, I beg the Privy Councilor to punish me."

"Of course you are guilty." The Privy Councilor was still furious. He pointed at Gu Huaizhou and roared, "A man has died, and you still want to get away with it? Guards, take him away and give him fifty lashes."

Gu Huaizhou closed his eyes slightly, but breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as he doesn't lose his official position, that's fine.

He was then dragged out and pinned to the execution bench, where he received fifty strokes of the cane.

After being struck thirty times, Gu Huaizhou vomited blood.

If it weren't for his good physical condition, it might have cost him his life.

He endured the pain, his hair mixed with blood, his face as white as a sheet, looking utterly pathetic.

His back and thighs were covered in blood and gore, and the excruciating pain made him feel as if his bones had been broken.

He thought it was over, but the Privy Councilor showed no mercy and even demoted him.

It was downgraded from the Commandery to the Pacification Commissioner's Office, a drop of two ranks.

Gu Huaizhou was on the verge of tears. In his anger and anger, coupled with his injuries, he spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.

……

The Gu family had no idea that Gu Huaizhou had been punished and demoted.

To congratulate him on his promotion, Madam Min even hired a lion dance troupe to perform at the gate of the mansion, just waiting for Gu Huaizhou to return with his reward.

The entrance was crowded with people, all hoping to share in the joy.

Xue Qingwan returned to the mansion with Madam Zhou, and she didn't know what happened afterward.

Seeing the commotion in the mansion, she wore a smug smile.

Gu Huaizhou's success was entirely due to her brilliant planning.

If she hadn't sent a message to the bandits, how could they have come down the mountain to rob the officials' wives and daughters?

Fortunately, the bandits escaped unharmed, managed to steal the money, and Gu Huaizhou was promoted as a result.

When Zhou was in danger, Xue Qingwan stepped forward to shield her, earning her a lot of goodwill.

Now, her status in the hearts of everyone in the Marquis's mansion will probably rise sharply.

Xue Qingwan dressed herself up carefully and then went to Zhou's Ruyi Residence.

As soon as she arrived, Madam Zhou treated her much more warmly, holding her hand and praising her repeatedly: "If it weren't for Qingwan, I would have lost my life at Huguo Temple. You didn't see how brave Qingwan is, she's not inferior to any man."

The room was filled with ladies and young women who had come to offer their congratulations. They had heard that Lord Gu had repelled the bandits and assumed that the rewards would be plentiful.

He might even get a promotion.

These ladies and young women, always opportunistic, all wanted to get on board the Gu family's soon-to-be-launched ship.

The Zhou family's usually quiet courtyard was unusually lively.

She was so happy that she almost lost her mind, overwhelmed by the words of blessing from the ladies and young women.

Xue Qingwan had given her a lot of face, and she was happy to praise her in front of everyone.

Just as the people inside were laughing and chatting, Butler Song rushed in from outside, anxiously saying, "Madam, something terrible has happened, something terrible has happened..."

"You insolent brat, what's wrong with that?" Zhou's face darkened, and she angrily said, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting on such a joyous occasion? Bah, bah, bah..."

Butler Song was on the verge of tears, shaking his head anxiously. But seeing so many ladies and young misses in the room, he didn't know how to begin.

Xue Qingwan cleared her throat and said in a pretentious manner, "What's the rush? Today is the Marquis's joyous day. Please speak slowly and carefully."

They act like they've never seen anything like this before. It's just a promotion for the Marquis, why are they so flustered?