sjar Chapter 469 If you know what's good for you, surrender now, or you'll implicate your wife
Chapter 469 If you know what's good for you, surrender now, or you'll implicate your wife
A series of hurried footsteps broke the silence of the General's Mansion. Duan Qingye was in his study reviewing military and political matters when he looked up and saw his confidant looking flustered.
"General, something has happened!" The trusted aide disregarded etiquette and rushed to the desk.
Duan Qingye frowned: "What's the matter that you're so panicked?"
"This humble servant has just received news that the Second Young Master has informed Gu Junze of your intention to marry the memorial tablet of Princess Anyang."
Duan Qingye paused in his brush, and the ink spread across the paper.
"According to our informants at the post station, Gu Junze reacted extremely strongly upon hearing about this, even directly condemning it as a desecration of his mother."
Duan Qingye put down his pen, his gaze turning serious: "Did he really say that?"
The confidant nodded: "Yes, General. Gu Junze has made it clear that he will never acknowledge you as his father, and he will not allow anyone to desecrate his mother's spirit in heaven."
Duan Qingye got up and walked to the window, put his hands behind his back, and remained silent for a long time.
The moonlight outside the window was like water, shining on his resolute face and reflecting a complex expression.
"General, there is one more thing..." The confidant hesitated before speaking.
"explain."
"The eldest son, Duan Yunzhou, sent men to infiltrate the post station in an attempt to kidnap Gu Junze's wife and children, but they have been captured by Gu Junze's shadow guards."
Duan Qingye turned around abruptly, his eyes blazing with fury: "Absurd! Utterly absurd!"
Just as Duan Qingye was burning with anger, another commotion arose outside the mansion.
Before long, a guard rushed in and reported: "General, General Gu's shadow guards are escorting several people to see you, saying they have important matters to discuss."
Duan Qingye said in a deep voice, "Bring them in."
Soon, several black-clad shadow guards escorted Ah San and his companions into the study, along with several people who had been spreading rumors throughout the city. The lead shadow guard knelt on one knee and took out a letter from his robes.
"My general has ordered us to bring these people before the Grand General and present this letter."
Duan Qingye took the letter, opened it himself, and scanned the words with lightning speed.
The letter detailed how Duan Yunzhou instructed Ah San to infiltrate the post station in an attempt to kidnap Chu Ruohan and her son.
And the fact that Xiao Zhou ordered people to spread rumors in the city.
"Were these people all sent by Duan Yunzhou and Xiao Zhoushi?" Duan Qingye asked, pointing to the people kneeling on the ground.
Ah San, his face ashen, prostrated himself on the ground: "Reporting to the General, it was...it was the eldest son who ordered us to go to the post station..."
Duan Qingye interrupted sharply: "You bastard! You can't even tolerate his brother?"
The Indians and others trembled with fear, not daring to raise their heads.
The lead shadow guard handed over another letter: "This was ordered by my general to be given to the Great General. Please take a look."
Duan Qingye took the letter and unfolded it, only to find that it read:
“Duan Qingye, if you truly still cherish my mother’s memory, you should have married her back then, regardless of everything. Now that my mother has been gone for many years, you want to marry her memorial tablet, which is a desecration.”
“I, Gu Junze, will never acknowledge you as my father in this lifetime, and you can forget about using my mother’s name to bind me. Your son, Duan Yunzhou, sent people to kidnap my wife and children without my permission. If I hadn’t been prepared, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”
“If there is a next time, I will kill him. As for spreading rumors, that only shows his despicable behavior…”
After reading it, Duan Qingye crumpled the letter in his hand. He stood there, his chest heaving, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.
“General, General Gu also said…” The shadow guard paused, “He said that Princess Anyang is his mother, and her spirit in heaven should not be desecrated by anyone. If you insist on marrying her memorial tablet, it would be disrespectful to the deceased.”
Duan Qingye turned his back to the crowd, his voice slightly hoarse: "I understand. Go back and tell Gu Junze that I had no intention of disrespecting Princess Anyang, it's just..."
His voice lowered, but when he spoke again, it was authoritative: "You can go back now. I will punish these people severely and will not let them down."
The guards bowed and withdrew. Duan Qingye waved to his confidants to take Ah San and the others away and keep them under strict guard.
Once he was alone in the study, Duan Qingye let out a long sigh, his eyes revealing unconcealed weariness and regret.
“Anyang, I was wrong after all…” he murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the night outside the window.
Just as Duan Qingye was lost in thought, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.
Mrs. Zhou rushed in, looking panicked.
"General, do you know what happened in the manor? That Gu Junze sent people..."
"Enough!" Duan Qingye suddenly roared, "How dare you come to see me?"
Madam Zhou's eyes still held a hint of hope as she feigned innocence: "General, why are you angry? I just heard from the servants in the manor that there was some trouble, so I rushed over to see what was going on."
Duan Qingye stared at her coldly: "You still want to hide it from me? I already know everything about you sending people to spread rumors in the city."
Madam Zhou's face turned deathly pale instantly, but she still forced herself to remain composed: "General, you've misunderstood, how could I dare..."
"Where is Yunzhou?" Duan Qingye suddenly interrupted her, his voice as cold as ice.
A sudden panic gripped Xiao Zhou's heart, and she stammered, "I...I don't know, but...maybe he's still in the military camp."
Suddenly remembering something, Duan Qingye strode towards the door: "Prepare the horses!"
"General!" Little Zhou wanted to chase after him, but was stopped by Duan Qingye's confidants.
Duan Qingye had already disappeared into the night, leaving Xiao Zhoushi alone in the study, her face as pale as paper.
In the dead of night, just as Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan were preparing to quietly leave the post station with Yun Ge'er, flames suddenly shot into the sky outside the post station, accompanied by chaotic footsteps and the sound of clashing weapons.
"By order of the Great General! Capture the assassin! Search!" Duan Yunzhou's arrogant voice rang out in the night sky.
The post station was instantly surrounded, and the torches illuminated it as if it were daytime.
Duan Yunzhou, dressed in military uniform, led a large number of soldiers and surrounded the post station completely.
Chu Ruohan hugged Yun Ge'er tightly, her face pale: "Junze, what should we do?"
Gu Junze's eyes flashed with murderous intent: "It seems Duan Yunzhou intends to trap us like turtles in a jar." He turned to the shadow guards and said, "Prepare to break out."
"Gu Junze! You have colluded with foreign powers and are plotting to overthrow my Zheng Kingdom! You will not escape today!" Duan Yunzhou shouted from outside.
Gu Junze sneered and strode into the courtyard: "Duan Yunzhou, how dare you!"
When Duan Yunzhou saw Gu Junze appear, a hint of smugness flashed in his eyes: "If you know what's good for you, surrender now, so as not to implicate your wife and children!"
"You think killing me will eliminate future troubles?" Gu Junze's voice was as sharp as a knife. "Even if Duan Qingye is angry, do you think he can kill you to vent his anger?"
Duan Yunzhou was startled, not expecting that Gu Junze had seen through his thoughts.
But since things had come to this, he could only grit his teeth and say, "Enough nonsense! You're going to die tonight!"
Gu Junze's eyes flashed with killing intent as he whispered to the shadow guards behind him, "Kill!"