sjar Chapter 615 When dealing with jackals, a sheep's retreat and evasion are useless.
Chapter 615 When dealing with jackals, a sheep's retreat and evasion are useless.
A few days ago, at dusk, at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Gu Lu stood respectfully before the desk. Chu Ruohan, who was in front of him, was looking down at a book and did not speak immediately.
The oppressive silence made Gu Lu uneasy, and his hands, hanging at his sides, unconsciously tightened.
These days, he could feel the increasingly blatant "concern" from the third wife's side. Behind those hypocritical words of concern lay the malice he had long been familiar with.
“Brother Lü,” Chu Ruohan finally put down her book and looked up, “do you know what the most common method hunters use to catch animals is?”
Gu Lu was taken aback, not understanding why his aunt would suddenly ask this, but still respectfully replied, "It's about setting a trap, laying a net."
“That’s right.” Chu Ruohan nodded. “Then your grandmother is now weaving a net for you. A net that will ruin your reputation and prevent you from ever recovering.”
These words were like a block of ice, striking Gu Lu's heart directly and making him tremble.
He had a premonition, but hearing Chu Ruohan say it so bluntly still sent a chill down his spine.
“Aunt, I…” He opened his mouth, but his throat felt dry.
No matter how careful you are, you can't guard against the evil in people's hearts.
Chu Ruohan interrupted him, "On the day of the examination, there will be many people and all sorts of tricks. They have plenty of ways to stuff things that shouldn't be there into your body or your examination basket. At that time, you won't be able to defend yourself."
Gu Lu's face turned deathly pale instantly, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
He considered countless possibilities, but found that he was powerless to resist any of them.
Seeing the panic in his eyes, Chu Ruohan not only did not comfort him, but continued, "Do you think you can get away with it just because you can evade the search?"
"Inside the exam hall, bribe a fellow examinee to shout that you're cheating while you're answering your questions..."
"Then... what should I do?" Brother Lu was scared. He was really scared. He had studied hard for years, all for this moment. He couldn't lose.
So what if he loses to Lan Jie'er? He can't let others control him forever.
"Are we just supposed to let them do as they please..."
"Who said we'd let them have their way?" Chu Ruohan's lips curled up. "Since they're going to set a trap, then we'll give them one to fall into."
She picked up a pre-prepared money bag from the low table beside her, gently placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Gu Lu.
"There are two hundred taels of silver in here."
Gu Lu looked at her, puzzled.
Chu Ruohan stood up and slowly walked to his side, her voice very low, "Find a down-on-his-luck scholar of similar build to you, give him a hundred taels of silver, and have him act out a play for you."
"Acting?" Gu Lu suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with shock.
"A play about a cicada shedding its shell."
"On the day of the expedition, have him wear your old clothes, carry your exam basket, and put on a human skin mask to queue up for you. You then hide in the shadows and wait for him to be taken away 'caught red-handed' before you enter the venue."
This plan is too audacious, even somewhat unorthodox.
Performing a play at the entrance of the examination hall could easily be considered a crime of deceiving the emperor if one was not careful!
Gu Lu's heart pounded wildly, and he instinctively took a half-step back. "Aunt, this is too risky! What if we get caught..."
“They won’t be caught.” Chu Ruohan was very confident. “They’re guilty and only want to see ‘you’ get caught. They won’t bother to look closely at the person’s appearance.”
"By the time they return satisfied with their report, you've already entered the examination hall. By the time they realize what's happening, the imperial examination is over, and it's all too late."
She looked at Gu Lu's face, which still held hesitation and fear, and sighed softly, her gaze softening slightly.
“Brother Lu, when dealing with jackals, sheep’s retreat and evasion are useless. You must become a hunter who is even more ruthless than them.”
“Nephew understands.” Gu Lu bowed deeply to Chu Ruohan. “Thank you for your guidance, Aunt. I know what to do.”
Chu Ruohan nodded with satisfaction and stuffed the money pouch into his hand.
"Go, use the remaining one hundred taels to settle the person who acted in your place."
"Yes."
Gu Lu gripped the heavy money bag tightly, feeling like a bastard for scheming against his aunt.
He owes his aunt a debt he can never repay in this lifetime...
After the spring examinations, the palace examinations will begin.
Some are happy and some are sad.
The courtyard of the third branch of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was filled with joy.
Madam Gu, unusually, personally cooked a table of fine wine and dishes.
“Mother-in-law, you’ve been in a good mood these past few days, and your complexion is much rosier.” Madam Yang carefully set out the chopsticks.
Madam Gu snorted smugly, her well-maintained face full of pleasure: "Of course, how could I not feel comfortable, except for a thorn in my side?"
Yang lowered her head, feeling uneasy, as if something was about to happen!
A few days later, the results were announced.
The entire capital was gripped by a frenzied anticipation.
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Chu Ruohan's courtyard was completely quiet.
She was teaching her daughter, Gu Qingchen, how to make knots, but Gu Qingchen was clearly distracted, the colorful silk threads in her hands tangled into a mess.
"Sigh!" She sighed heavily, threw down what she was holding, and collapsed onto the soft couch.
"Thinking about your 'Jinghong' bow again?" Chu Ruohan didn't even look up, her hands moving smoothly and effortlessly.
"Mother, do you think the Crown Prince did it on purpose?"
Gu Qingchen turned over, hugging a pillow, and said in a muffled voice, "He hangs the bow in the most conspicuous place in the study every day, so anyone can see it, but he never mentions returning it to me!"
"I went twice, and he smiled and talked to me about poetry and prose both times, never mentioning the bow. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing!"
Chu Ruohan stopped what she was doing, glanced at her, and said indifferently, "Then why don't you think of another way?"
"What can I do? I can't just rob it, can I?"
Gu Qingchen looked utterly hopeless. "Father has already asked me twice, and I've given him vague answers both times. But after a while, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep it a secret any longer."
“Forcibly taking it won’t work.” Chu Ruohan picked up her teacup and blew away the foam. “But there aren’t only two ways to do things in this world: ‘ask’ and ‘take.’ Doesn’t he like to discuss poetry and literature with you?”
Gu Qingchen blinked, looking at his mother with some confusion.
Chu Ruohan smiled slightly and advised, "Since he has set a challenge, you should accept it."
Sometimes, to get something back, you don't necessarily have to focus on the thing itself.
Seeing her daughter's thoughtful expression, Chu Ruohan didn't say anything more.
Some things she needs to figure out for herself before she can truly learn her lesson.
Just then, Haitang rushed in from outside the courtyard, her face filled with barely suppressed elation.
"Madam! Madam! What a joyous occasion!"
Chu Ruohan put down her teacup and scolded, "How old are you? Still so clumsy. What's making you so happy?"