sjar Chapter 445 A rare moment of relaxation, a journey of stops and starts.
Chapter 445 A rare moment of relaxation, a journey of stops and starts.
Chu Ruohan looked at the father and son on horseback through the car window.
Gu Junze is usually dignified and solemn in the court and decisive on the battlefield. Only in front of his children does he show such a gentle side.
Having lived two lives, this was the first time she had ever traveled to the mountains and rivers so purely, not for power or scheming, but simply to share this moment of warmth with her family.
Little Qingchen slightly moved her little mouth in her sleep, her eyelashes fluttered, and then she peacefully continued to sleep.
Song Ruyan rode her horse closer to the carriage and winked at Chu Ruohan through the carriage window.
“Young Madam, look how beautiful the scenery is outside. If I weren’t holding a child in my arms, I would really like to take you out for a ride.”
Chu Ruohan smiled and said, "When the weather gets warmer and Qingchen is sleeping soundly, we can find a scenic spot to stop and wander around."
“It’s a deal!” Song Ruyan replied with a smile, and then urged her horse forward to scout the way.
However, just over ten miles from the capital, a black-clad knight quietly rode out of a grove of trees.
They followed at a leisurely pace behind the group, always maintaining a considerable distance.
As the sun began to set, the group arrived at a post station to rest. Although the post station was not as luxurious as the inns in the capital, it was clean and tidy.
Gu Junze had already sent people to make arrangements in advance. As soon as everyone arrived, hot tea and hot water were served, and several superior rooms were also prepared.
"Let's rest for a while and have dinner before continuing our journey," Gu Junze said to everyone. "We'll try to reach the county town ahead tonight, where I've arranged accommodations in advance."
Everyone responded and returned to their rooms to settle in.
Holding Xiao Qingchen, Chu Ruohan, having nothing else to do, helped Xuan Ge'er tidy up his clothes.
When she picked up the amulet that Xuan-ge'er wore close to his body, she suddenly felt something strange on her fingertips.
She had sewn this amulet herself, and it should have contained only soft paper, but now she felt a tiny, hard object inside.
She frowned slightly, and calmly put the amulet back in its place, silently noting down this discovery in her mind, intending to ask Gu Junze about it later.
After dinner, Gu Junze ordered a carriage to be prepared, and the group continued their journey.
As night fell and the stars began to appear, a warm light was lit inside the carriage.
After the excitement of the day, Xuan-ge'er was now drowsy, leaning against Chu Ruohan, his little head nodding.
Little Qingchen had already fallen asleep, placed in a specially made cradle, sleeping soundly as the carriage gently rocked.
Seeing that both children were asleep, Chu Ruohan asked softly, "Why is there a hard object in Xuan'er's amulet?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Gu Junze's eyes, then he smiled with relief: "You really are very observant, you even noticed this."
He moved closer to Chu Ruohan and lowered his voice, saying, "That's a corner of the Tiger Tally. I had it specially made. It's extremely small but incredibly sturdy, just in case."
"Tiger tally?" Chu Ruohan was startled. "Why would it be hidden in Xuan'er's amulet?"
Gu Junze's expression was solemn: "On the surface, this trip out of Beijing is to avoid the limelight and take you on a trip to relax, but in reality, it is also part of my plan."
He paused for a moment, then said, "This tiger tally is related to whether we can mobilize some of our covert forces outside, and it is also a crucial step in coordinating our operations in the capital."
"You anticipated this?" Chu Ruohan looked directly into her husband's eyes, vaguely guessing what was going on.
Gu Junze nodded: "Imperial Censor Zhao's impeachment was not accidental; the person behind it had been itching to act for a long time."
"I discussed with the Emperor that we should take this opportunity to lure the enemy out of their hole, and our departure from the capital would be the best way to make them lower their guard."
Chu Ruohan felt a chill run down her spine, realizing that this trip was far from being as easy as it seemed, and the responsibility and worries on her shoulders grew even heavier.
She held Gu Junze's hand: "We are one, there's no need to hide anything. If there is any danger, I'm willing to share it with you."
Gu Junze held her hand even tighter: "I know you are brave and strong, but the children are still young. If anything happens to them, you must protect yourself and the children first."
Chu Ruohan gazed at him intently without speaking, but the determination in her eyes conveyed her resolve.
Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard of the residence of Imperial Censor Zhao in the capital, lights were dimly lit.
Imperial Censor Zhao personally led a mysterious visitor dressed in black into the inner room and carefully closed the doors and windows.
“Gu Junze has indeed left the capital,” the man in black said in a low voice. “He took his wife and children with him, looking like he was avoiding trouble, which is quite surprising.”
The Imperial Censor Zhao looked alarmed: "Sir, Gu Junze is a very meticulous person. I have a feeling that things are going too smoothly. Could it be a trap?"
"Heh," the man in black sneered, "A dignified General of the State, publicly impeached in court and losing his position, what other tricks could he possibly have up his sleeve? Besides, if he really had something to prepare for, why would he have left the capital with his wife and children?"
He paused, his voice growing even more sinister: "Since you've come to us willingly, don't blame us for being impolite."
"Pass on my order: have the men from Jiangnan take action and make sure to take Gu Junze's head! As for his wife and children," a cruel glint flashed in the man's eyes, "kill them too."
Imperial Censor Zhao wiped the cold sweat from his brow and bowed, replying, "Yes, sir. However, won't such actions arouse the Emperor's suspicion?"
"What's there to be afraid of?" the man in black said disdainfully. "When the time comes, we can just say it was the work of the remnants of Qingmo Valley, avenging their fallen comrades, and everything will make sense."
He sneered, "Besides, what can the Emperor do without Gu Junze, this thorn in his side?"
Censor Zhao lowered his head, not daring to say anything more, but the unease in his heart grew stronger.
He always felt that things were not that simple...
The group traveled at a leisurely pace, not in a hurry to continue their journey, avoiding the main post stations on the official road and choosing to rest in remote villages or towns.
Before we reached a stream, the grassland had unexpectedly opened up and was starting to turn green.
Gu Junze then waved for the group to stop. "There must be plenty of fish in this river. Why don't we catch some to improve our meals?"
In Chu Ruohan's memory, Gu Junze never seemed to show any interest in leisurely activities like fishing.
Seeing his serious expression, I smiled and nodded: "Okay, it's been a long time since I've had fresh fish."
Shadow One quickly found a few fishing rods and bait, and the group found a flat rock by the river to sit down.
Gu Junze took the fishing rod, his expression serious, as if he were facing not a leisure activity, but a military operation.
He carefully baited the hook, then suddenly cast the line.
"Snapped!"
However, the fishing line snapped because he used too much force, and the hook, along with the bait, flew into the distant river.
Gu Junze was left with only half a fishing rod in his hand, and stood there awkwardly frozen.
Song Ruyan couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Oh dear, General, fishing is not like charging into battle; it requires patience and skill!"
Chu Ruohan covered her mouth and chuckled, watching Gu Junze's unusually embarrassed expression...