A scumbag husband fakes his death to escape his marriage? I'll burn down his funeral hall and s

Chapter 399 Madam Gu, do not betray the Emperor's and my heart's desire.

"Madam Gu has arrived." Consort Shu rose with a smile and took a few steps forward to greet her personally. Her voice was gentle. "My sister is currently pregnant and it would be inappropriate for you to come in person, but it would be good if she were absent from the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet held in the early years of the new emperor's reign."

Chu Ruohan curtsied and said, "Your Highness, you flatter me. How could I dare not come when Your Highness has extended such a warm invitation? Besides, it would be my honor to share in the joy of the palace."

Consort Shu kindly took her hand and led her to a seat with a wide view and a relatively quiet spot.

"Sit down quickly. You are carrying two babies now, so you must not overexert yourself."

She then instructed the palace maid beside her, "Replace Lady Gu's food with warm milk and nourishing soup, and choose easily digestible snacks."

The palace maid respectfully responded.

Consort Shu exchanged a few pleasantries with Chu Ruohan, her gaze lingering for a moment on Chu Ruohan's slightly protruding belly, her smile growing even more gentle. She clapped her hands lightly.

Outside the palace gate, two palace maids led two slender young women slowly in.

The two women were both around sixteen years old, with beautiful features. One had a charming and delicate look in her eyes, while the other appeared gentle and docile.

They stepped forward and bowed gracefully to Consort Shu and Chu Ruohan.

Consort Shu held Chu Ruohan's hand and said earnestly, "Sister, you see, your body is getting heavier and heavier, and your daily life is becoming more and more inconvenient. The General of the State is working hard for the country, and he can't be without someone to take care of him."

"I also chose these two virtuous and gentle girls out of consideration for my sister and the general, so that they can share some of your burdens."

Chu Ruohan picked up the warm milk that the palace maid had just brought, paused slightly with her fingertips, then took a sip as if nothing had happened, without answering immediately.

The atmosphere inside the hall became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Song Ruyan, who was standing behind her, immediately frowned, a hint of resentment on her face.

What does this mean? It's obvious they're trying to force people into the General's mansion!

She instinctively wanted to speak, but Yu Ling beside her quickly tugged at her sleeve.

Song Ruyan turned her head, and Yuling shook her head almost imperceptibly, whispering urgently in her ear in a voice only the two of them could hear: "This is the palace, do you want to lose your head? Don't cause trouble for the madam!"

Song Ruyan took a deep breath and swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue, but her eyes were filled with dissatisfaction with Consort Shu's actions.

Why doesn't she send a few concubines to her own man? It's outrageous!

Seeing that Chu Ruohan remained silent and only sipped her tea, Consort Shu's smile faded, and she felt somewhat displeased.

She brought this up in front of so many noble ladies today, intending to both bestow favors and establish her authority.

In the past few days, she also sent some "sensible" women to the residences of several important officials in the capital. Which of those ladies did not express their gratitude and accept them happily?

But this Chu Ruohan dared to show her no respect.

Consort Shu sat up straight, her tone becoming more solemn: "I meant well. The ladies of the other officials in the capital are all extremely grateful for my arrangements."

Chu Ruohan slowly put down the milk cup in her hand, raised her eyes to look at Consort Shu, her expression calm and composed, "Consort Shu, is His Majesty aware of this matter?"

Consort Shu paused slightly, then straightened her back. "This was naturally discussed between His Majesty and me. His Majesty is very busy with state affairs and is also very considerate of General Gu's hard work in sharing the burdens of the country. Madam Gu, you must not let His Majesty and me down!"

Chu Ruohan understood. It seemed that the new emperor did not completely trust Gu Junze after all.

The woman sent was ostensibly there to serve, but in reality, she was probably also there to monitor her. She lowered her eyes slightly, concealing the complex emotions that flashed across them.

A moment later, she looked up again, a faint smile spreading across her face, her tone still calm: "Since it is the Emperor and the Empress's kind intention, this humble woman accepts the decree and expresses her gratitude."

Seeing that she had finally agreed, Consort Shu's expression softened, and she nodded with satisfaction: "Very good. Don't worry, sister, these two maids have been carefully trained by me, and they will definitely take good care of the general."

Just then, a young eunuch hurried in from outside the hall, bowed, and reported, "Your Highness, the auspicious time has arrived, and the palace banquet is about to begin."

"Alright, alright," Consort Shu said, her face immediately regaining its graceful smile as she stood up. "Let's hurry over there, lest we be late."

The palace maid beside her quickly stepped forward and carefully supported her. Consort Shu took the lead and walked towards the main banquet area outside the palace.

Yu Ling also stepped forward and said softly to Chu Ruohan, "Madam, we should go over there too." She helped Chu Ruohan to her feet.

Following behind Chu Ruohan, Song Ruyan finally couldn't help but mutter in a low voice, "This is outrageous! What kind of nonsense is this? Sending two people here to cause trouble for no reason!"

Her voice was full of indignation.

Chu Ruohan did not turn around, but gently patted Yu Ling's hand that was supporting her, signaling them to follow.

No matter what lies ahead, we must keep moving forward step by step.

From the moment Gu Junze stepped into Zhaoyang Palace, his face was so dark it could drip water.

He sat upright in his seat, his back straight as a pine tree, yet he exuded a chilling aura that inspired awe.

Officials who originally wanted to approach him for a chat or a toast would tactfully back away after just one glance at him, for fear of inadvertently offending the general.

His long, slender fingers unconsciously rubbed the wine glass, the wine in the glass never touching his lips, but his gaze kept glancing at Chu Ruohan beside him.

She looked radiant today, her face as beautiful as a lotus blossom, her lips a delicate crimson. She was turning her head to whisper something to Yu Ling, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She had already tasted most of the delicate pastries on the table in front of her, and now she picked up a cup of warm milk and sipped it slowly, completely unaware of the gaze beside her that seemed to burn her through.

Good, very good!

Gu Junze's jaw clenched slightly, and an unnamed fire burned brighter and brighter in his chest.

Before the banquet today, Consort Shu, under the guise of bestowing gifts, forced two "clever and obedient" women upon him, ostensibly to take care of his daily life in the mansion.

And his lovely wife actually agreed with a smile!

Is she really that magnanimous? Or does she simply not care if there are other women around him?

The thought of Chu Ruohan's calm and even somewhat "taken-for-granted" expression made Gu Junze feel even more choked up.

Chu Ruohan naturally felt that scorching gaze and the intense low pressure emanating from him.

Her fingers, holding the milk cup, paused almost imperceptibly, then she continued sipping as if nothing had happened...