sjar Chapter 666 Father and Mother Chu are back
Chapter 666 Father and Mother Chu are back
As the year draws to a close, the weather is getting colder day by day.
When the two elders of the Chu family returned to the capital, Chu Yueshu and Yingqing's eldest son, Chu Muhe, also returned to the mansion.
The second daughter gave birth to another daughter, and the eldest daughter and her daughter-in-law were also pregnant. Mother Chu was very happy, but at the same time she scolded him for not sending someone to write a letter to tell him sooner so that he could come back sooner!
The Chu residence was thus bustling with activity, as several children gathered together, their laughter nearly lifting the roof off.
Chu's mother looked at her grandson and granddaughter with a loving smile, her gaze sweeping around the room, but she didn't see that familiar figure.
She took Chu Ruohan's hand and patted it affectionately: "Where's Xuan-ge'er?"
Gu Qingchen's smile froze slightly, and he subconsciously looked down and fiddled with the hem of his clothes.
Chu Ruohan didn't want her mother to worry, so she smiled and explained, "Junze sent him to Dongying, saying that boys are growing up and should go to the army to gain experience."
"He went to the Eastern Camp?" Mother Chu's heart ached upon hearing this, and her brows immediately furrowed. "Oh dear, it's freezing cold here. How can Xuan'er, who is so young, endure the hardships of the military camp?"
Sitting to the side, Chu's father picked up his teacup, took a sip, and agreed wholeheartedly.
“I think Junze did the right thing. Boys can’t always grow up under their parents’ protection. It’s a good thing for them to toughen up.”
Chu's mother wanted to say something more, but seeing that her husband had spoken, she had no choice but to swallow back her worries.
The matter was quickly glossed over, and the atmosphere in the room became lively again.
Just then, a servant of the Zhao family stumbled in and, without even announcing his arrival, knelt down in the center of the hall.
This sudden turn of events startled everyone.
"What's going on?" Chu Ruohan's mother asked.
Zhao Qinghan recognized her immediately as Xu Mama, who was by her mother's side. Her heart tightened, and she quickly stood up. Chu Chenyu, who was beside her, quickly helped her up.
"Granny Xu, what's wrong? What happened?" Zhao Qinghan asked anxiously, "Is it Grandmother's side..."
"No, it wasn't the old lady!" Granny Xu cried, shaking her head in alarm. "It was the eldest young lady! The eldest young lady... she had a difficult childbirth!"
Zhao Qinghan's face was somewhat pale. "How could there be a sudden difficult labor? Wasn't my eldest sister only six months pregnant? Wasn't it her due date yet? How could she have given birth early?"
"This servant doesn't know either!" Granny Xu cried anxiously. "Just now, someone from the Prince Yong's mansion came to deliver a message, saying that the eldest young lady's condition is critical, and she's afraid... afraid she won't be able to hold on!"
She crawled two steps on her knees, looked up at Zhao Qinghan, and then turned her gaze to Chu Ruohan in the main seat.
"Second Miss, I've heard that the Duchess of Zhenguo also faced great danger back then, and it was only thanks to the presence of capable and extraordinary people in the manor that she was saved."
"Madam sent me to beg you, could you... could you go to the Duke's mansion and invite that capable person here? It's a matter of life and death!"
Zhao Qinghan's gaze, filled with a last glimmer of hope, fell upon Chu Ruohan, her voice trembling: "Elder sister..."
When the heir apparent of the Yong Prince's mansion got into trouble, the mansion itself didn't come to ask for help; instead, it was her family who rushed over to ask for assistance.
A sense of understanding flashed through Chu Ruohan's mind, but she did not take it to heart.
This Granny Xu must have found out I was at the Chu residence today, which is why she barged in like this.
Without the slightest hesitation, she directly instructed Haitang behind her, "Return to the manor immediately, take Wang Zhaodi with you, and go to the Yong Prince's manor together."
"Yes." Haitang accepted the order and quickly left.
Chu Ruohan stood up, walked to Zhao Qinghan's side, gently patted the back of her hand, and comforted her, "Don't worry, with Wang Zhaodi here, everything will be alright."
"You're quite heavy-set, so don't let this distract you."
"Ah."
Zhao Qinghan's fingertips were icy cold. Chu Chenyu took her hand in his warm palm and whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
These simple words were like a warm current, calming her chaotic thoughts a little.
Although he didn't interact with his eldest sister Zhao Qingzhi often, and they even had some disagreements, they were still siblings from the same mother and connected by blood.
Hearing that her life hangs by a thread, it would be a lie to say I'm not worried.
"Quickly, help Granny Xu up."
Mother Chu was the first to react. She glanced at Zhao Qinghan, whose face was pale, and then at Chu Ruohan, who was heavily pregnant. Her heart clenched, and she quickly instructed the maid beside her, "Give her a seat and a bowl of hot tea so that she can catch her breath and make sure she can explain herself."
Granny Xu was helped to sit on a chair to the side, but she couldn't sit still. She twisted the hem of her clothes tightly with both hands, and tears kept flowing.
"Madam, it's not that I didn't want to explain clearly, but the Prince Yong's residence just sent us this message, saying... saying that the Crown Princess is probably not doing well, and that we, the Zhao family, should prepare for her funeral."
"Preparing for the funeral?" Father Chu frowned, put down his teacup, and the cup made a soft sound as it collided with the table.
These four words instantly dissipated the joy in the room, leaving only a bone-chilling cold.
Zhao Qinghan swayed and almost lost her balance.
"Nonsense!" she shouted sharply. "My sister is incredibly lucky; she'll be fine!"
Chu Ruohan gently supported her arm, "Qinghan, listen to me. You are not alone now, so don't panic. I have already sent people to your eldest sister's side, and you know Wang Zhaodi's abilities. Being anxious here will not help, and it will only harm the baby."
“But I…” Zhao Qinghan’s eyes were red, “I have to go see her.”
"You can't go." Chu Chenyu refused without even thinking, placing his hand on Zhao Qinghan's shoulder, not allowing her to break free.
“The Prince Yong’s mansion must be in complete chaos right now. If you, who are six months pregnant, go there, you will not only be unable to help, but you will also make things worse.”
If you truly care about your older sister, then stay here quietly and wait for news.
“Chenyu is right.” Father Chu also spoke up, his sharp gaze sweeping over Granny Xu. “The Crown Princess of the Yong Prince’s Mansion is having a difficult childbirth. Such a momentous matter, and the Yong Prince’s Mansion actually sends your Zhao family to my Chu family for help?”
The question made Granny Xu tremble. She lowered her head and stammered, not daring to answer.
Chu Ruohan understood.
The Yong Prince's mansion is embroiled in endless internal strife, and Lin Xingyao is no pushover...
Asking her family for help was a last resort, a desperate measure.
She couldn't reveal these private matters at this moment, but she said gently to Zhao Qinghan, "Chenyu and Father are right. You can wait here in the manor in peace."
Looking into Chu Ruohan's calm and serene eyes, and then at her husband's worried expression, Zhao Qinghan finally nodded.
She knew they were right, but the anxiety in her heart felt like it was on fire.
Gu Qingchen sat quietly in the corner, watching everything that was happening before her eyes.
Looking at Zhao Qinghan's pale face and the adults' solemn expressions, her heart also felt heavy.
She recalled the scene when her mother was in danger a few days ago...