CHAPTER 303: CHAPTER 303: GU FAMILY’S BANQUET

It would take the sixty people a few more days to fully recover, at which point they would be given the medicine.

After checking on them and instructing them to take their medicine on time, Gu Qingli went to the Pharmacy to prepare medicine for the children. It didn’t require much preparation; she simply added a little calming medicine to the spiritual spring water.

She also added a little body-strengthening medicine. This way, the child wouldn’t easily fall ill in the future and would grow up healthy and safe, barring any accidents.

Gu Qingli stored the prepared medicine in a jade bottle, then came out with Wuqing and his two companions.

「Soon afterward, two more carriages returned to the Gu residence.」

By the time they reached the Gu residence entrance, the lanterns were already lit. Ms. Su and a few servants stood at the doorway, anxiously looking out. Recognizing Gu Qingli’s carriages upon their arrival, they hurried forward to greet them.

Wuqing and his two companions jumped off their carriage first and went to the one carrying the three little ones.

"Oh, my darlings, come, let Grandma hold you," Ms. Su said, rushing forward to hug the three little ones as soon as she saw them.

"Old Madam," Wuqing and the others bowed to her and then handed Little Dumpling to her.

"Good, good. You’ve all worked hard. Let’s get inside quickly; the dishes are ready," Ms. Su said as she took Little Dumpling, kissed him repeatedly on the cheek, and then spoke with a smile.

Gu Qingli and Xiao Yunjing were the last to get off their carriage, each holding a child, and followed Ms. Su into the Gu residence.

"Please light the way carefully," Ms. Su cautioned the servants holding lanterns as they walked.

The servants were all exceedingly cautious, ensuring the path was illuminated as if it were daytime.

Gu Qingli smiled. Her mother could be very meticulous at times.

The group went straight to the dining hall, where Gu Qingping was already waiting. Upon seeing them enter, he immediately came forward to greet them.

He walked directly up to Xiao Yunjing, reaching out to take Little Le’er from his arms, "Come, let your uncle hold you."

Xiao Yunjing glanced at him. It seemed Gu Qingping was quite determined to get the child. He relented and placed Little Le’er into Gu Qingping’s arms, saying, "Hold him carefully."

Gu Qingping glanced back at him. "As if I’ve never held a child before."

Xiao Yunjing replied, "Who knows?"

Gu Qingping couldn’t be bothered to argue with him, so he simply sat down with Little Le’er and started playing with him.

Xiao Yunjing glanced around the room and noticed a few other people, presumably the concubine-born children of the residence. He only gave them a brief look before sitting down next to Gu Qingping.

Tonight, Gu Qingzhou and Gu Qingcheng had also brought their respective wives. They were eager to strike up a conversation with Xiao Yunjing, but lacking his explicit permission, they didn’t dare.

All they could do was sit quietly and wait for dinner to be served.

Old Master Gu and Old Madam Gu, being advanced in years, did not come. It would not be too late for them to meet Gu Qingli’s family once they officially returned.

Ms. Liu and Ms. Zhao did not have the status to be present at such a gathering.

Meanwhile, Ms. Su carried Little Dumpling over to the seated Ms. Li, holding him up for her to see. "Look at these three little ones. They’re only two or three months older than your child, but see how well they’ve grown!"

Ms. Li had only given birth to one child, yet she was already acting so fussy.

It made one uneasy just looking at her.

Ms. Li opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed her words just as they reached her lips.

She lifted her eyes to look at Little Dumpling. Little Dumpling also turned his head to look at the child in Ms. Li’s arms, big eyes staring at small ones.

Seeing how adorable Little Dumpling was, Ms. Li looked at the child in her own arms and sighed inwardly.

"Mother," Gu Qingli said, seeing Ms. Su showing off Little Dumpling. She felt exasperated. Isn’t this just asking for trouble and attracting resentment?

Ms. Su’s intention was to show Ms. Li how well she had raised the three children, hoping Ms. Li might learn something from her.

But with Ms. Li’s way of thinking, could she possibly interpret it that way?

She would definitely think Ms. Su was showing off and looking down on her.

Ms. Li had always lived a somewhat humble and overly cautious life. After this, wouldn’t she become even more melancholic?

Gu Qingli walked over and tugged at her mother’s sleeve. Only then did Ms. Su realize her actions might have conveyed the wrong message, and she sullenly followed her daughter away.

However, she still hummed a couple of times under her breath, and Gu Qingli could guess what those hums implied.

Gu Qingping and Xiao Yunjing also witnessed this. Xiao Yunjing quickly stood up to smooth things over. This mother-in-law of mine is truly outspoken, he thought. She doesn’t even consider that her son, my brother-in-law Gu Qingping, would feel uncomfortable. How could anyone say their own family’s child isn’t good by comparison?

"Let’s all eat first; everyone must be hungry," Xiao Yunjing announced.

"Then let’s begin the meal," Ms. Su said, holding the child as she went straight to the table. Wuqing wanted to take the child from her, but Gu Qingli shook her head at him.

She then took a seat, holding Little Round.

Xiao Yunjing took Little Le’er and sat beside Gu Qingli. Since this was a family banquet with few people, they didn’t sit at separate tables. A table was set up in the side hall for Wuqing and his companions.

After Gu Qingping handed Little Le’er to Xiao Yunjing, he went to attend to Ms. Li, took their child, and then called over Gu Qingzhou, Gu Qingcheng, and their wives.

Once everyone was seated in order, Gu Qingping introduced Gu Qingli and Xiao Yunjing to Gu Qingzhou and Gu Qingcheng.

"Eldest Brother, Third Brother, this is Li’er. She has just returned to the Capital City. And this is Li’er’s husband, His Majesty the Emperor."

"Ah!"

As soon as Gu Qingping finished speaking, Gu Qingzhou and Gu Qingcheng were so startled that they sprang up from their chairs, about to leave their seats to bow.

Ms. Li was also greatly startled and lowered her head, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Ms. Zhang and Ms. Qin were trembling even more, leaving their seats to stand beside their husbands.

Xiao Yunjing immediately stopped them, saying, "There’s no need for such formalities; I have not yet formally ascended the throne."

The four of them looked at Gu Qingping, who said, "Let’s do as His Majesty says."

Only then did the four sit back down, though they no longer dared to look up.

Seeing the five of them, Ms. Su inwardly snorted. Truly a bunch who can’t handle important occasions, she thought. It’s not like my son-in-law is going to eat them.

Gu Qingli, observing their demeanor, felt it wasn’t appropriate to greet them directly at that moment. She decided it would be better to wait until after the banquet and have someone deliver her gifts to them then.

Following the principle of not speaking during meals, the dinner was eaten in silence. Afterward, Gu Qingzhou and Gu Qingcheng quickly departed with their wives. Ms. Li also returned to her quarters with her child, feeling thoroughly stifled.

"Li’er, you and your family should stay here tonight. It’s already so late; just stay for one night," Ms. Su suggested after the others had left and they had moved to the living room to sit.

Ever since learning that her daughter was still alive, Ms. Su had ordered her courtyard to be rebuilt.

The courtyard was named Azure Glass Residence, a testament to how much Ms. Su cherished her daughter.

Gu Qingli glanced at Xiao Yunjing. Seeing him nod, she agreed, "Alright, we’ll stay for one night. It’s late anyway."

Xiao Yunjing had also completed his tasks for the day. He planned to go to the palace early the next morning, which would also be a good opportunity to encounter the ministers arriving for duty.

At this point, Gu Qingli took out the medicinal liquid she had prepared earlier and handed it to Gu Qingping.

"Eldest Brother, this medicinal liquid in this bottle should be given to the child one spoonful at a time, with each of his three meals, for three consecutive days. You can give him the first dose when you return to your quarters later. He will definitely sleep well tonight."