novelraw Chapter 421 - 317: Trust Me_2
Chapter 421 - 317: Trust Me_2
The little eunuch had long heard of Gu Lan’s arrogance but didn’t expect that she would still be so defiant even in the face of the Holy Decree. His expression stiffened for a moment.
However, they did not insist on Gu Lan kneeling, nor did they require anyone else in the Marquis Mansion to kneel. Instead, they quickly opened the Holy Decree as if it were a hot potato:
"By the Emperor’s command, the Heir of Duke Dingyuan and Pingnan General, Gu Lan, is immediately summoned to the palace! This is the imperial decree—"
"Enter the palace?" Gu Lan’s eyes glinted with sudden understanding.
After reading the decree, they didn’t care how Gu Lan reacted and looked at Song Zhi instead: "Commander Song, His Majesty also has a verbal order."
Song Zhi promptly and efficiently knelt down.
"Prince Xiang Rong Heng has formed factions for private gains and intends to harm the Old Madam of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion and the Princely Heir. Before this matter is clarified, Commander Song, you are expected to use the imperial guards to protect the mansion day and night. Withdraw the troops only after the truth is revealed, without any mistakes!"
"I obey the decree."
Song Zhi stood up, this time looking at the household soldiers without any hesitation.
"As long as the matter concerning Prince Xiang is not cleared up, I will be stationed here, and the safety of the Marquis Mansion will be under my protection. Everyone can rest assured."
The household soldiers at the entrance looked at each other, not knowing whether they should continue to confront the imperial guard.
They were soldiers loyal to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. If Gu Lan and the Old Madam really ordered it, even if faced with imperial guards several times their number, and even defying the imperial decree, they would immediately charge in to rescue.
But there were thousands of imperial guards here, and an entire twenty thousand more at the Capital Camp, which these few hundred household soldiers could not break through. If they acted, it would be a fight to the death.
Rong Jing didn’t dare to do anything to those in the Marquis Mansion, and similarly, although the mansion was fearless, it couldn’t resist outright.
Both sides could only threaten each other and remain at an impasse.
The only change was the decree summoning Gu Lan to the palace.
The little eunuch still held the Holy Decree, looking eagerly at Gu Lan.
"Lan, you mustn’t go," Old Madam Gu sternly stopped her, then glanced at everyone, her voice firm and powerful, "You can surround us all you want. I want to see how long you can keep this up. The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion has stood for a hundred years, seen all kinds of situations, with many of the younger generation dying in battle for the country, but never imagined being surrounded by Dayan’s imperial guard today. Is the Emperor trying to drive us to death in the Capital? Truly disheartening for all loyalists!"
The household soldiers, hearing the Old Madam’s words, were all filled with righteous indignation, their eyes bloodshot.
The little eunuch quivered as he explained: "Old Madam, His Majesty only summoned the Young Master for consultation, he isn’t trying to drive you to death."
"Shut up! I would rather give up my life than let you take Lan," the Old Madam said fiercely.
Madam Zhou also looked at Gu Lan with burning eyes, shook her head, and tried to soften her tone:
"Lan, they dare not do anything to us. There’s no need for you to risk entering the palace. Let’s just stay here and wait for the Marquis to return, shall we?"
Gu Lan lowered her eyes, avoiding Madam Zhou’s gaze.
This time, she needed to enter the palace.
She knew that hiding in the mansion would temporarily avoid trouble, but Gu Chengzhao did not know that.
This could very well lead to the situation where Marquis Gu, upon hearing the news, would recklessly charge to rescue, enacting the scenario of a domineering Marquis rescuing his wife from afar.
If he dared to mobilize troops without reason, the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion would truly be considered to be plotting rebellion... Rong Jing feared this scene yet also anticipated it.
Gu Lan brushed her thumb against the hard, cold wrist crossbow hidden within her sleeve.
She still had a very important matter to clear up.
The urgency was to inform Gu Chengzhao not to storm in to rescue them.
She wasn’t worried about Rong Heng, since the Southern Border still had issues with Yuan Lang and Wei Junzhuo for him to handle. At this moment, Wei Chengyuan should already be on his way to find him. Hearing what she told him, he would naturally choose to trust her.
If matters at the Southern Border were resolved, he would then return to the capital to rescue her. After all, he had already been labeled with forming factions for private gains and treason; it wouldn’t matter if others were implicated, and besides... he is the protagonist! He had gone through this kind of event once in the original book, and if he could do it then, he certainly could do it now.
Gu Lan feared that Uncle Li would send news to Gu Chengzhao. Uncle Li and those from the Dark Hall were still in the shadows. Their information might cause Marquis Gu to revolt decisively to save his wife and children—
Even if Gu Chengzhao calmed down and returned secretly, or sent a small detachment of the Dingyuan Army back to the capital to rescue them, they would still be labeled as rebels.
Sending fewer troops would only hasten Gu Chengzhao’s demise.
Gu Lan believed that as long as Marquis Gu led an army back to the capital, Rong Jing would definitely set ambushes along the way.