Chapter 462: Old Master Gu Returns to the Capital
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
For Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi, the fact that they couldn’t go shopping didn’t disappoint them.
Listening to everyone’s praise for their mother, they felt even happier than if they had gone on a shopping spree themselves.
Back at the City Lord’s residence, when Qiu Moyuan saw them return so quickly, he asked in surprise, “Did you not have fun?”
Feng Tianlan curled his lips and replied, “The citizens were too enthusiastic.”
Qiu Moyuan understood and couldn’t help but chuckle. “I forgot to remind you that Miss Gu is quite famous in Crimson Flame City now, and everyone wants to thank you in person.”
The image of the people who had crowded around her just now flashed through Gu Qingluan’s mind, and she couldn’t help but smirk.
Qiu Moyuan suddenly remembered something. “Earlier, everyone suggested holding a banquet to thank Miss Gu, but since she was away for a few days, the idea was put on hold. Now that Miss Gu is back, would you be interested in attending?”
Gu Qingluan had already felt the warmth of the people’s grat.i.tude and immediately declined the invitation without hesitation.
Qiu Moyuan said, “Then I’ll decline on behalf of Miss Gu.”
Gu Qingluan nodded.
Considering that there were still some matters to be resolved in Tianjing, she decided to return to the capital tomorrow after resolving them.
That night, Qiu Moyuan hosted a small banquet at the City Lord’s residence.
The next day, they set off to return to Tianjing.
As they neared Tianjing, they encountered Jing Feng, who had come to greet them.
Seeing Feng Tianlan safe and sound, Jing Feng was overjoyed.
“Is there anything wrong?”
Feng Tianlan had already contacted him earlier and asked him to stay in Tianjing, so there was no need for him to leave the city to welcome them.
Jing Feng’s smile faded slightly, and he looked at Gu Qingluan, “It’s related to Miss Gu. Old Master Gu has come out of seclusion.”
Gu Qingluan was slightly taken aback, “It’s not just a simple matter of coming out of seclusion, is it?”
She had heard that Old Master Gu, Gu Hongkang, had gone into seclusion to break through the Saint Realm. After returning to Tianjing from the Island of No Return, she hadn’t seen him yet.
Jing Feng nodded. “Yes, Old Master Gu successfully entered the Saint Realm. He was just welcomed back to the city by Gu Jinrong and his siblings today. The Gu family is quite lively today.”
As everyone knows, Gu Qingluan has a strained relationship with the Gu family.
Gu Jinrong and his sister’s relationship with her was particularly hostile, and they were sure to fabricate stories about Gu Qingluan when they went to invite Gu Hongkang.
This time, Gu Hongkang’s return might not bring good news.
Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow, showing no fear on her face. “It’s good that he’s back. While I’m still in Chengyuan Kingdom, 1 should settle the conflicts within the Gu family to avoid leaving a mess behind!”
If it were when she had first entered Tianjing, she wouldn’t have been a match for two Saints. However, now she had not only become a Saint but had also advanced two levels, reaching the second level of the Saint Realm. Dealing with Gu Zhicheng and Gu Hongkang would be a walk in the park.
Jing Feng had left the city mainly to remind them, and he was not afraid of the Gu family.
After all, with their master around, who would dare to bully Miss Gu?
Feng Tianlan accompanied Gu Qingluan and her children back to the Jun residence. However, they were stopped at the entrance.
It was someone from the palace.
The Emperor had summoned her to the palace.
Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi instinctively resisted the idea of going into the palace and each held one of Gu Qingluan’s hands, preventing her from going.
Gu Qingluan asked the eunuch who delivered the decree, “Do you know the Emperor’s purpose in summoning me?”
The eunuch replied, “The servant dares not speculate on His Majesty’s intentions. The Guardian Princess of the Nation will understand when she enters the palace.”
With her current t.i.tle as the “Guardian Princess of the Nation”, she believed that the Emperor wouldn’t make things difficult for her.
She asked Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi to go inside and rest while she went to the palace alone.
The two little ones were worried, so they asked Feng Tianlan to accompany her.
After Feng Tianlan agreed, they finally let go.
The eunuch who delivered the decree had seen Feng Tianlan before and knew that he was a distinguished guest whom even the Emperor treated with great respect, so he didn’t dare to obstruct them.
Therefore, the two of them followed the palace attendants into the palace.
The Emperor had received a briefing from his subordinates in advance. However, when he saw Feng Tianlan, he still felt uneasy.
Although he was the Emperor of a nation, in the presence of Royal Prince Lan, his status was not worth mentioning.
So, he carefully revised his prepared script before explaining to Gu Qingluan the purpose of her summoning to the palace.
In essence, she was still a member of the Gu family, with Gu blood flowing through her veins. He hoped she wouldn’t take things too far, as it wouldn’t sound good if word got out.
He had already dealt with the Gu family on that side and they wouldn’t trouble her again.
Moreover, she was now the Guardian Princess of the Nation, and everything should be done in the interest of the country.
The two Saints from the Gu family, as well as herself, were precious a.s.sets to Chengyuan Kingdom. They shouldn’t engage in internal conflicts.
Gu Qingluan had never intended to exterminate the Gu family completely.
Although some members had wronged her in the past, it was only a small portion of the family, and she couldn’t change the fact that she shared Gu’s blood.
If she really wanted to eliminate them all, there would be a thousand reasons to do so.
However, she was not a heartless murderer.
The people who had harmed her and her mother at the beginning would be dealt with one by one. As for the others, as long as they didn’t come looking for trouble, she wouldn’t bother with them.
After hearing this, Emperor Qi Xuan let out a sigh of relief. “It’s good that you understand.”
With one matter resolved, his mood improved, and he brought up another issue. “Urgent reports have come from the west, stating that Crimson Flame City is facing a crisis of a beast tide. You single-handedly saved the lives of the city’s residents. You’ve done a remarkable job as the Guardian Princess of the Nation. In just a few days, you’ve accomplished another great deed.”
“Your Majesty is too kind. 1 just happened to pa.s.s by,” Gu Qingluan replied calmly, neither arrogant nor humble.
“It’s your unique abilities that allow you to do this. How can I not know?” Emperor Xuanzong waved his hand generously and rewarded Gu Qingluan with many treasures.
When Gu Qingluan returned home from the palace, she found two carriages parked outside.
The carriages bore the Gu family’s emblem.
A layer of frost instantly covered Gu Qingluan’s eyes..