si-mexico Chapter 662 A Huge Trap!
Chapter 662 A Huge Trap!
Gu Xuan walked back to his courtyard step by step, closed the gate, and stood alone under the bare tree, surrounded by silence.
But the words of those two old women seemed to be engraved in his mind, echoing over and over again.
"There's still a layer of skin between us."
"How can an outsider like him claim the title of the eldest son?"
"There's no reason not to leave titles and family fortunes to one's own son."
Foreign...
He closed his eyes, and Chu Ruohan's gentle smiling face uncontrollably appeared in his mind.
Now it seems as if I'm looking through a veil, vaguely seeing her slightly protruding belly.
Soon, there will be a child there.
A child carrying her and her father's blood, a true and rightful legitimate son of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
That child will be born with everything he has now, and even more.
He was showered with affection by the entire household, revered by the servants, and held a position he thought was already secure.
And he, the adopted "Young Master Xuan," will be reduced to an awkward supporting role.
Why?
Why should he, after so many years of hard work and careful playing the role of a good son and a good older brother, be reduced to his original form because of an unborn baby?
Meizi walked up behind him with a tea tray, seeing all his pain and struggle.
She knew the time had come.
She put down the tea tray. "Young Master, did you hear that? Even Miss is standing up for you!"
"What does this mean? It means that in their hearts, you've become the one who needs pity and charity! We can't wait any longer!"
"shut up!"
Gu Xuan whispered a warning, his voice hoarse, his eyes filled with an unprecedented struggle and pain.
"I told you, you're not allowed to make any more rash moves!"
"Master!"
Meizi knelt down with a thud, crawled to his feet, tears streaming down her face.
"My life was given to me by my aunt, and her dying wish was for you to succeed! Now that a true legitimate son is about to be born, if you don't fight for him, you'll have nothing left! How can you face my aunt's spirit in heaven?"
The word "aunt" struck Gu Xuan's heart like a heavy hammer.
He shuddered, wavered, and closed his eyes...
Seeing his reaction, Mei knew she had made the right bet.
The tears in her eyes faded, and the young master, with his soft heart, couldn't bring himself to make that decision.
This is something she has to do!
Meanwhile, inside the main house, the candlelight was warm.
Chu Ruohan was leaning back on the soft couch, lazily saying to Haitang, "I don't know why, but I suddenly have a strong craving for Fumanlou's 'One-Bite Pastry,' and I want it fresh out of the oven, piping hot."
Haitang looked troubled.
"Madam, it's almost dark now, and Fu Man Lou is closed. How about... we have the kitchen in the manor prepare it for you?"
"Alright."
Chu Ruohan nodded as if she was being reluctant.
"Let Zhang the cook do it; she's a good cook. Remember, use that small stove in the backyard, and make sure the charcoal fire is burning brightly. I can't wait."
This conversation quickly spread.
Everyone in the manor knows that the lady has very particular tastes during her pregnancy; she wants to eat whatever she craves immediately.
Coincidentally, half an hour later, the Ministry of War sent a messenger on horseback with an urgent report.
It was said that there was an urgent military situation at the border.
Gu Junze left the mansion in a hurry.
For a time, the Duke's mansion seemed to fall into its most relaxed state.
With the Duke away, the Lady was preoccupied with food.
Mei Zi observed all of this from the shadows, her heart pounding.
This is a golden opportunity!
She timed it perfectly and gave a wink to a familiar maid in the corner.
The young maid understood, and carrying a bucket of dirty water, she staggered towards the front yard.
On the only way to the small kitchen, Haitang was carrying the new tea set that the lady wanted to use, walking briskly.
"oops!"
The maid slipped, and the entire bucket of dirty water spilled onto the bluestone pavement, making it both dirty and slippery.
Haitang nearly stepped into the filth; she quickly stopped and frowned.
"What happened? How could you be so careless!"
The maidservant turned pale with fright and quickly scrambled to her feet, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing repeatedly.
"Sister Haitang, please spare me! It's my fault. It was too dark, and I couldn't see the road clearly..."
With her master's instructions in mind, Haitang had no time to argue with her and simply waved her hand impatiently.
"Alright, alright, let's clean this up quickly so we don't block other people's way!"
She bypassed the mess and quickened her pace.
Taking advantage of the momentary chaos, Meizi slipped out from behind the artificial hill and into the small kitchen in the backyard.
In the kitchen, the charcoal fire was burning brightly.
Cook Zhang was kneading dough with her hands covered in flour, and beside her, only a maid was tending the fire.
The maid looked a bit clumsy, keeping her head down and silently adding firewood to the stove without even raising her head.
Meizi took a deep breath, concealing all the fierceness in her eyes, and put on a gentle and humble demeanor before walking into the small kitchen.
The kitchen was steaming hot. Chef Zhang was kneading vigorously on the cutting board. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she muttered, "Madam's tastes are just so readily available."
Meizi stepped forward and said, "Cook Zhang, you've worked so hard. It's so late, and you're still bothering me."
Cook Zhang kept working without looking up: "It's no trouble at all. If Madam wants to eat, how could we servants dare to neglect her? But what brings Granny here now?"
“Young Master has been reading late and is a little thirsty. I came to see if there is any hot water.” Mei Zi’s tone was natural, as if she really was just passing by.
"Yes, yes, it's been kept warm on the stove over there." Cook Zhang pointed casually.
Mei thanked her, but didn't rush to pour water. She just stood aside and watched her knead the dough: "With the Duke not in the mansion, Madam must feel a little lonely. Only these foods can help relieve her boredom."
Cook Zhang nodded in deep agreement: "That's right."
She kneaded the dough until it was smooth and elastic, then straightened up and patted her lower back. "Okay, I'll go get the honey I prepared earlier. Once I add it in, it'll be ready to cook."
As she spoke, she turned and walked toward the cabinet at the other end of the kitchen.
Meizi's heart jumped into her throat.
It's now!
The hand that had been hidden in the sleeve suddenly emerged, and a tiny oil paper packet slipped from the fingertips.
While Zhang the cook had her back to her, she quickly shook open the paper package and sprinkled the powder inside into the dough!
She succeeded! Once the lady eats this "one-bite pastry," even a god can't save her!
She was willing to do anything for the young master's future!
She suppressed her excitement and turned to leave.
But as soon as she turned around, a hand gripped her wrist tightly!
Mei Zi was terrified and turned around abruptly, only to be met not with Zhang the cook's face.
The little maid who kept her head down and tended the fire, looking clumsy.
The maid raised her head, revealing a completely unfamiliar face. "I've caught her."
Meizi's mind went completely blank!
"boom!"
The kitchen door was kicked open from the outside!
Gu Junze, who should have left the mansion long ago, stood at the door dressed in black, his face ashen.
Meizi's legs went weak, and she collapsed completely.
She finally realized that this was a trap tailor-made for her. From the moment the lady said she wanted some snacks, to the moment the Duke "left the mansion," it was all a huge trap!
"Father...Father?"
Gu Xuan rushed over upon hearing the news and saw Mei Zi being pinned to the ground by a shadow guard who looked like a maid, unable to move.
And his father was looking at him with a gaze he had never seen before, looking over everyone else...