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Chapter 549 The Empress Sends Another Invitation

Amidst their laughter and conversation, Song Ruyan was eventually persuaded by Doctor Qian to stay under the eaves, where she could only watch longingly as Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan played with the two children in the snow.

Laughter and cheerful conversation dispelled the winter chill, making this New Year exceptionally lively and peaceful at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

In the blink of an eye, the winter snow melted and the spring days gradually warmed.

On this day, Chu Ruohan was checking the accounts of the manor in her room when Yuling tiptoed in.

"Madam, an invitation has arrived from the palace, inviting you to come in for a visit."

Chu Ruohan's fingers, which were flipping through the ledger, did not stop. Her gaze remained fixed on the densely packed numbers, and she only gave a faint reply.

Yu Ling respectfully placed a gold-embossed invitation card beside her and added softly, "It's an invitation personally sent by Her Majesty the Empress. She said that the crabapple blossoms in the palace are in full bloom and she would like to invite you to enjoy them together."

Since she claimed illness and did not attend the New Year's Eve palace banquet, this is the third invitation sent to Kunning Palace since the beginning of spring.

Chu Ruohan finally raised her eyes and glanced at the exquisite post. Her gaze was calm and unwavering, revealing no emotion.

She picked up the post, but without even opening it to read it carefully, she casually put it aside.

"Understood." She picked up her pen again, dipped it in vermilion, and circled the entries in the ledger. "Proceed as usual."

"Yes." Yu Ling immediately understood, bowed and withdrew. "This servant will go and tell the messenger that you have to take care of the young lady and are busy with the shop these days, so you are really too busy to attend to everything."

After Yu Ling left, Chu Ruohan's pen remained suspended in mid-air, not falling for a long time.

She gazed at the willow branches sprouting outside the window and sighed softly.

It wasn't that she was petty or vengeful; it was just that on that occasion, she truly felt the coldness and scheming of the imperial family.

Su Wan was caught up in the situation and had no choice in it. She could understand, but she could no longer place her trust in him without any reservations as before.

That palace wall ultimately separated the two people.

As evening fell, Gu Junze returned from the army and saw Chu Ruohan sitting by the window, lost in thought, as soon as he entered the house.

"What are you thinking about?" He walked over, wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and gently rested his chin on her shoulder.

Chu Ruohan turned her head and leaned against him, "Another invitation has arrived from the palace."

Gu Junze's gaze darkened. "Or is it the Empress?"

"Yes, she invited me to see the crabapple blossoms." Chu Ruohan's tone was somewhat dejected. "I had Yuling decline."

Gu Junze took her hand, kissed it, and said in a deep and gentle voice, "If you don't want to go, then you don't have to. The crabapple blossoms in our manor will be in bloom soon, and I'll go with you to see them."

Chu Ruohan felt a warmth in her heart, and she took his hand in return, which eased her pent-up frustration.

"I just feel it's a bit of a pity," she said softly. "When Her Majesty the Empress lived in our residence, we used to talk about everything."

“People’s hearts can change.” Gu Junze pulled her closer. “Especially after she took that position.”

"Ruohan, all you need to know is that no matter what happens, I will be by your side, and that's enough."

Chu Ruohan nodded and said nothing more.

She understood that Su Wan had her own battlefield, while she had a home to protect.

Time flies, and it's already March.

The entire mansion was filled with a festive atmosphere, and the servants walked with a brisk pace, all because the lady's personal maid, Yuling, was getting married to Steward Qin.

Under the warm afternoon sun, Chu Ruohan sat at a small table, holding a gift list in her hand, carefully checking it, and occasionally adding one or two items with a red pen.

Yu Ling brought in a cup of freshly brewed spring tea, and upon seeing this, her face flushed slightly.

"Madam, you have been working hard for me for several days now."

Chu Ruohan put down her pen, looked up at her, and smiled gently: "You silly girl, you're getting married soon, why are you still so reserved?"

She beckoned to Yuling, "Come here."

Yu Ling did as she was told and stepped forward.

Chu Ruohan took her hand and made her sit down on the embroidered stool next to her. Then she turned around and personally took out a heavy carved wooden box from a row of large sandalwood chests in the inner room.

“This is…” Yu Ling looked at the exquisite box, somewhat puzzled.

“You have been with me since you were a child, from your maiden home to the Duke’s mansion. In name, you are my mistress and servant, but in reality, you are no different from my sister.”

Chu Ruohan placed the wooden box on Yuling's lap. "Now that you are getting married, as your older sister, I naturally want to prepare a decent dowry for you."

The wooden box was extremely heavy, and Yu Ling's hand trembled. She quickly tried to refuse, saying, "Madam, this is absolutely not allowed! You have already provided me with enough, I..."

"Take it." Chu Ruohan pressed her hand and opened the box for her herself.

The moment the box lid was opened, the room was filled with light.

A complete set of headdress and jewelry, inlaid with pearls and pure gold, lay quietly on the red brocade. From the necklace and earrings to the bracelets and the hem of the skirt, every piece was exquisite and ingenious, clearly the work of a master craftsman.

Yu Ling's breath hitched, and her eyes instantly reddened.

She knelt down with a thud, her voice trembling with tears: "Madam! This is too precious! I cannot accept it! I truly cannot accept it!"

She had seen this set of jewelry before; it was a treasure from the lady's dowry chest, something she rarely wore.

"Silly girl, get up quickly." Chu Ruohan quickly helped her up and took a handkerchief to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "What's there to be ashamed of?"

"This is a small portion of my dowry. I'm giving it to you as a token of my appreciation from your older sister."

She held Yuling's shoulders and looked at her earnestly: "Qin Fang is a good man, but when you marry him, you will also represent the face of our Zhenguo Duke's Mansion. I can't let you be looked down upon."

Tears streamed down Yu Ling's face as she clutched the wooden box tightly, her heart filled with endless emotion and reluctance.

Looking at her, Chu Ruohan felt a pang of sadness. She patted Yu Ling's hand and softened her voice, saying, "When you get to the Qin family, you must manage your life well."

"Husbands and wives should support and understand each other. If he dares to bully you, or if you suffer any injustice, don't think about anything else, just come back."

"This Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will always be your home."

“Madam…” Yu Ling sobbed uncontrollably, clutching Chu Ruohan’s sleeve tightly, as if trying to hold onto the kindness and reliance of the past ten years.

"Alright, it's a joyous day, no more crying."

Chu Ruohan tidied the stray hairs by her temples, her own eyes also a little red. "If you keep crying, your makeup will be ruined, and you won't be a beautiful bride anymore."

Yu Ling nodded vigorously, forcing back her tears, and forced a smile that looked even more like a grimace.

Outside the window, spring is in full bloom, and the crabapple tree is covered with buds that seem to be waiting for a grand celebration.