sjar Chapter 388 Next time something like this happens, just send someone to find me.
Chapter 388 Next time something like this happens, just send someone to find me.
She sat down on the stone bench next to Song Ruyan, looking at her gently: "What are you doing here all by yourself?"
"How boring," Song Ruyan muttered, then sat back down, her gaze drifting to a spot not far away.
In the open space of the courtyard, Lan Jie'er was practicing her boxing and kicking with great care. Although she was still young, her moves were already quite impressive and powerful.
Chu Ruohan followed her gaze and smiled slightly: "Your little apprentice is getting more and more amazing. Judging from this, she has made great progress."
Mentioning Lan Jie'er, Song Ruyan immediately perked up, raising her chin slightly with a hint of pride.
"That's right, look who taught them!"
Yu Ling brought over some tea and snacks, placed them on the stone table, and interjected with a smile, "Since you're feeling bored, I just remembered something."
"Dr. Qian has been providing free medical services outside the city recently. I heard that there are a lot of patients, and he is a little overwhelmed by the workload."
"Since you're just sitting around doing nothing, why don't you go and help out?"
Chu Ruohan picked up the teacup, her fingertips gently stroking the inside of the cup, a knowing glint in her eyes.
Yu Ling, that girl, is quite quick-witted.
Song Ruyan is a blockhead who doesn't get it, and Doctor Qian is a dullard who can't keep his mouth shut.
Dr. Qian had hinted at something before, but Song Ruyan didn't notice at all. Instead, she felt uncomfortable and kept her distance.
Yu Ling is trying to bring them back together again.
Chu Ruohan put down her teacup and said, following Yu Ling's words, "Yu Ling is right. The free clinic outside the city is a good thing. You should go and take a look. It'll help you relax."
Song Ruyan blinked, looked at Chu Ruohan, and then at Yu Ling.
Go help Dr. Qian? That seems interesting.
It's better than just standing here doing nothing.
She nodded: "Okay, I'll pack my things and go take a look."
News from the palace has arrived that Yang Qingxue has been chosen as the princess for the political marriage.
Chu Ruohan recalled the scene of the palace banquet that day, which flashed before her eyes.
No wonder the eldest daughter of the Lin family deliberately stirred up trouble, forcing Yang Qingxue to take the spotlight.
It turns out the seeds of this scheme were sown long ago; the other side had already received word and was just waiting for their prey to stumble upon them, so they could conveniently eliminate their competitors.
Following closely behind was another piece of news.
Guo Ying'er passed the imperial concubine selection and entered the palace, where she was given the title of "Da Ying".
Yu Ling brought in a freshly brewed cup of tea, and pouted, "Now Uncle is probably going to be all high and mighty. I wonder what made the Emperor take a fancy to someone like Miss Cousin."
Is Guo Ying'er truly the Emperor's favorite?
Chu Ruohan knew perfectly well that it was probably out of consideration for Gu Junze, since they were related by marriage...
But Guo Ying'er didn't get in through her own merits; she entered the school honestly and fairly.
This "favor" is like a landmine planted at one's feet, ready to explode at any moment and drag everyone down with it.
Just as I was pondering this, Haitang walked in hurriedly.
"Young Madam, Minister Yang and his wife are outside requesting an audience."
It was indeed about Yang Qingxue.
Chu Ruohan tapped her fingertips lightly on the cool tabletop.
Today, the General's Mansion is a hot spot in the capital, attracting everyone's attention. Everyone wants to contribute and benefit from its glory.
Gu Junze became a new favorite and confidant of the emperor, and people naturally flocked to him seeking favors.
But if you add the wrong kind of firewood, you'll end up burning yourself.
The affairs of the Yang family are decided by imperial decree; how could a general's wife possibly influence them?
She hesitated for a moment, then said calmly, "Tell them I am not feeling well and will not be receiving guests today."
Haitang withdrew in response.
I felt drowsy in the afternoon.
When Chu Ruohan woke up from her nap, the light outside the window had become softer.
Yu Ling gently helped her to her feet, her voice low: "Young Madam, Minister Yang and his wife... are still waiting outside."
Chu Ruohan rubbed her temples, a hint of weariness appearing in her eyes.
This is truly an unsolvable problem.
Imperial edicts are golden words, they cannot be changed at will.
Moreover, their stubborn waiting outside the general's mansion has attracted countless eyes watching their every move from the shadows.
The slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin.
At the gate of the mansion, Madam Yang held a letter in her hand, looking worried. Lord Yang beside her kept giving her meaningful glances, signaling her to calm down.
The gatekeeper had declined several times, but he couldn't stop the mother's persistence.
"Madam, the general has not yet returned to the manor. If you have other matters to attend to, perhaps you could come another day," the gatekeeper explained again.
Madam Yang's eyes reddened, and her voice trembled slightly: "I will wait here today, I must see the general."
Just as the stalemate was at hand, the sound of horses' hooves grew closer in the distance, and several knights escorted a tall man in military uniform toward the mansion.
Gu Junze rode back and saw an unusual scene in front of the mansion gate from afar.
Madam Yang's eyes lit up, and she quickly went to greet him: "General!"
Gu Junze reined in his horse, looked calmly at the couple who had suddenly appeared in front of the mansion gate, and gestured for his guards to step back a few steps.
"Madam Yang, what brings you here?"
When Madam Yang saw Gu Junze dismount, she immediately stepped forward, tears welling up in her eyes.
"General, please save my Qingxue!"
Before Gu Junze could respond, she hurriedly began to speak: "My youngest daughter is only sixteen years old. Ever since she heard that she was going to marry into the Western Xia, she has been crying all day about wanting to hang herself or wanting to go to the temple to become a nun."
Her voice choked with emotion, and the handkerchief in her hand was already crumpled: "General, please put in a good word for Qingxue before the Emperor and spare her from this predicament!"
Gu Junze's expression changed slightly. He took a step back, his face turning cold: "Madam Yang, be careful with your words. Heaven's grace cannot be presumptuously speculated upon."
He turned his gaze to Lord Yang, who seemed hesitant to speak, and said, "Whether you choose to die or become a nun, it is a crime of deceiving the emperor. Lord Yang has come a long way; do not let a small matter cause you to lose the greater good."
"The Yang family has more than one daughter."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yang's face turned pale, and her crying stopped abruptly.
Gu Junze's tone grew even colder: "If this happens in front of my residence today, and word gets back to the palace..."
Before he could finish speaking, Lord Yang's face had turned deathly pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Gu Junze: "Thank you for the reminder, General! Thank you for the reminder, General!"
Lord Yang pulled aside the still-stunned Madam Yang and said urgently in a low voice, "I told you, just let Qingxue wait for her marriage in peace..."
“But…” Madam Yang wanted to argue.
"We'll talk about it when we get back!" Lord Yang interrupted her, practically dragging Madam Yang out of the General's Mansion.
Gu Junze watched the two figures disappear into the distance, his brows furrowed, and then turned and entered the mansion.
Stepping over the screen wall and through the front courtyard, Gu Junze took off his military uniform and handed it to the welcoming attendant before striding towards the inner courtyard.
Inside the main hall, Chu Ruohan was holding a booklet and carefully flipping through it by the window.
Seeing Gu Junze enter, Chu Ruohan didn't even look up, "It's all taken care of."
“Hmm,” Gu Junze nodded, walked over and sat down beside her, “Next time something like this happens, just send someone to find me…”