sjar Chapter 742 The mother's method is indeed the most effective.
Chapter 742 The mother's method is indeed the most effective.
Zhao Chen'an looked at him, his eyes deep, and uttered only three words: "No more."
These three words are both an answer and a promise.
Gu Junze gripped the tiger tally tightly; the icy touch felt like it could chill him to the bone.
He stared at Zhao Chen'an, his eyes, which had been sharp enough to see through people's hearts on the battlefield, were now as sharp as knives, as if he wanted to see through the soul of the crown prince before him.
After a long while, he slowly nodded, wrapped the tiger tally again in silk, and handed it back.
"Your Highness, this matter is of great importance. What are your plans?"
"The Duke must already have the answer in his heart."
Zhao Chen'an carefully put his belongings away, then looked through the darkness towards the passageway where Gu Qingchen had left.
"Our fall off the cliff was an accident. We have never been inside this cave. Therefore, this military token is not here."
He paused, then continued, "Upon returning, I will personally apologize to my father, explaining that I chased after the beauty too hastily in order to win her favor, and thus accidentally slipped and fell. As for those assassins…"
Zhao Chen'an's lips curled into a cold smile. "Just consider it bad luck to encounter bandits in the mountains."
The monstrous case was transformed into a romantic affair and an unfortunate accident.
Gu Junze instantly understood the Crown Prince's intention.
This is not only about protecting themselves, but also about protecting Gu Qingchen and completely removing her from this murky water.
Gu Junze's taut jawline softened slightly, and he bowed deeply to Zhao Chen'an.
"Your subject understands."
When Gu Qingchen, escorted by Ying Qing, stepped out of the cave and back into the familiar red plum grove, she suddenly realized that she was trembling all over.
It wasn't because of the cold, but because of the lingering fear.
The camp lights were not far away, like warm stars in the night.
She had just reached the entrance of her own tent when the tent flap was suddenly flung open.
Chu Ruohan's eyes were red and her hair was slightly disheveled. As soon as she saw her daughter, she rushed over without hesitation.
"Qingchen!"
She hugged Gu Qingchen tightly, with such force that it seemed she wanted to meld her daughter into her very bones.
“Mother…” Gu Qingchen’s nose tingled, and all her strength and pretense crumbled instantly in her mother’s warm embrace.
Chu Ruohan cupped her face in her hands, her fingertips icy cold. "You scared your mother to death! Do you know that? Are you hurt? Are you cold?"
She pulled Gu Qingchen into the warm tent and examined her carefully. When she saw the bandaged wound on her arm and her clothes that were soaked and then dried by the sun, wrinkled and wet, she could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her face.
"Mother, I'm fine, really fine." Gu Qingchen took his mother's hand in return and comforted her softly.
Just then, a commotion arose outside the tent, and a eunuch's high-pitched voice announced: "His Majesty's decree: His Highness the Crown Prince and Miss Gu have been safely found. The hunting trip in the Western Garden is to end immediately. All personnel are to break camp and return to the capital tonight!"
With the crown prince assassinated, the emperor was furious, and the hunt could not proceed.
The entire camp was filled with a tense and busy atmosphere as everyone packed their belongings and prepared to return.
Gu Qingchen changed into clean clothes and drank the hot ginger soup his mother had made, finally dispelling the chill from his body.
But the thought of that strange tiger tally and her father's unprecedentedly solemn expression weighed on her heart like a huge rock.
She stepped out of the tent, preparing to board the carriage back to the mansion.
Not far away, Wang Ruoyu was standing with An Qing'er. As soon as she saw Gu Qingchen, she immediately spoke in a sarcastic tone.
"Oh, isn't this Miss Gu? You've got some serious skills to get His Highness the Crown Prince to jump off a cliff with you. That feigned indifference is quite a show of skill."
Gu Qingchen was already seething with anger, and upon hearing these sarcastic words, he immediately stopped in his tracks.
She turned around and looked coldly at Wang Ruoyu, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes seeming to be filled with ice.
"It's better than some people who don't even have the ability to get His Highness the Crown Prince to look at them. They can only gossip here, buzzing around like flies, which is annoying."
"You!" Wang Ruoyu's face instantly turned a deep shade of liver. "Don't be so smug! You shameless bastard, daring to spend the night with a man in private!"
Upon hearing this, the way the other young ladies from prominent families who hadn't yet left looked at Gu Qingchen changed.
Gu Qingchen was trembling with anger and was about to step forward to argue when a gentle voice rang out at just the right moment.
"Sister Wang, be careful what you say."
Princess Jiahe walked over from her carriage. She was wearing an elegant white cloak and had a worried look on her face, making her appear exceptionally dignified and graceful.
She first frowned slightly at Wang Ruoyu, then said gently, "Qingchen has just escaped danger and needs comfort right now. How could you say such hurtful things?"
Then, she turned to Gu Qingchen, her eyes full of concern and comfort: "Qingchen, don't take it to heart. I know you're frightened and upset. Get in the car quickly, don't catch a cold."
Her words not only mediated the dispute but also showed consideration for both sides, perfectly showcasing the image of a gentle, kind, and considerate princess.
The people around her looked at her with more admiration.
When she looked at Gu Qingchen again, her gaze became complicated.
The princess has been so magnanimous. If you, Gu Qingchen, continue to be unreasonable and ungrateful, then you will be considered stubborn and ungrateful.
Looking at Princess Jiahe's flawless face, Gu Qingchen felt a wave of nausea.
She sneered, not even bothering to look at them again, and turned to board her own carriage.
The heavy carriage curtains fell, blocking out all sight and sound from the outside.
Princess Jiahe watched the carriage of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion drive away, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes.
She nodded gently to the people around her and then turned back to her carriage.
The carriage curtain fell, and her gentle and kind face instantly turned cold.
She picked up the warm tea from the small table beside her and gently blew on it.
The personal maid beside her whispered, "Princess, your move was truly brilliant. Compared to that, Gu Qingchen is simply a brainless shrew."
"what is this."
Princess Jiahe took a sip of tea, her voice carrying a hint of disdain, "It was all taught to me by my mother. When dealing with someone like Gu Qingchen, you can never confront her head-on; that will only lower your own status."
She put down her teacup, her gaze seemingly able to penetrate the car wall and see into the pitch-black night outside.
"You just need to show your tolerance and magnanimity when she is at her most embarrassed and angry. Everyone will see her loss of composure and your tact."
“Once or twice, people might think she’s just being genuine, but if it happens too often, all that’s left of her is a reputation for being willful and capricious, and not presentable.”
“And I,” Princess Jiahe’s fingertips lightly traced the smooth rim of the teacup, her eyes gleaming with a determined light, “am the only one most suitable to stand beside His Highness the Crown Prince and serve as the Empress.”
My mother's method is indeed the most effective.