sjar Chapter 382 A letter from the Chu family, asking her to return home.
Chapter 382 A letter from the Chu family, asking her to return home.
Dust filled the air at the military training ground.
Gu Cheng'an had just finished training, his forehead beaded with sweat, and was receiving a water bag from his personal guard.
"Cheng'an."
A slightly delicate voice came from behind.
Gu Cheng'an paused, but did not turn around. He simply drank the water in the water bag in one gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing.
Du Ruoling approached slowly, carrying a food box, her face showing a deliberately feigned paleness and weariness.
"I've brought you some snacks."
She opened the food box, which contained several delicate pastries and a small dish of pickled plums.
Gu Cheng'an finally turned around, his gaze sweeping coldly over the food box before landing on Du Ruoling's face.
"Military camps are not a place for you."
Du Ruoling seemed to be stung by his coldness, her eyes reddening slightly, but she forced herself to say, "I just haven't had much of an appetite lately, so I wanted to eat something sour, and I brought some for you too."
As she spoke, her hand unconsciously moved to her lower abdomen, the movement gentle.
Gu Cheng'an's gaze did not linger on her lower abdomen; he maintained his aloof and unapproachable demeanor.
"No need, the food in the army is very good."
He turned to leave.
"Cheng'an!" Du Ruoling called out to him urgently, her voice trembling slightly, "Do you hate me that much?"
Gu Cheng'an stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around. His voice was cold and hard: "Between you and me, it's already over. Why bother with further entanglement?"
Du Ruoling watched his resolute back as she gripped the handle of the food box tightly, her knuckles turning white.
She took a deep breath, as if using all her strength, and whispered, "I...I'm pregnant."
Gu Cheng'an's body suddenly stiffened.
He slowly turned around, his eyes sharp as knives, staring intently at Du Ruoling as if trying to see right through her. "What did you say?"
Du Ruoling met his gaze, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a resolute determination.
“I told you, I was pregnant with your child, that very night.”
She straightened her back and repeated it.
Gu Cheng'an looked at her silently, the wind on the training ground blowing the stray hairs on his forehead, his eyes dark and unfathomable.
He didn't immediately question her, nor did he show any joy. His silence, however, was like a boulder, making it almost impossible for Du Ruoling to breathe.
"If you don't believe me, you can call a doctor to check."
Du Ruoling pulled Gu Cheng'an's hand and placed it on her abdomen. "Cheng'an, do you believe in reincarnation?"
“I got pregnant that one time. It must be our previous child coming back to find us.”
Gu Cheng'an's eyes flickered slightly as he recalled what Chu Ruohan and Gu Chengyan had talked about their previous life.
Since they were reborn, then his child with Du Ruoling...
By the time Du Ruoling returned, it was already late.
Gu's mother was already waiting in her courtyard.
"How was it?" As soon as Du Ruoling entered the door, Gu's mother asked impatiently.
Du Ruoling briefly recounted what had happened at the military camp that day.
“Cheng’an is a responsible person. Knowing that you are pregnant, he will definitely take responsibility.”
She pulled Du Ruoling's hand, patted the back of her hand, and said in a cold tone, "From now on, you can just focus on 'pregnancy care.' Remember, you have to play the part perfectly; you can't miss any of the reactions a pregnant woman should have."
Du Ruoling nodded obediently.
"What about that doctor? Is he reliable?" Gu's mother asked again.
"Don't worry, I've given him enough money, he won't betray me," Du Ruoling replied in a low voice.
Looking at her, Gu's mother casually asked, "By the way, has there been any news about Chu Ruohan lately?"
Du Ruoling shook her head: "I haven't been to the General's Mansion since I delivered the gift last time."
"Hmm." A hint of satisfaction flashed in Gu's mother's eyes. "She's probably eaten most of those things. The effects should start to show."
A malicious smile curled at the corner of her lips, sending chills down Du Ruoling's spine.
"That thing... won't kill anyone, will it?" Du Ruoling asked hesitantly.
Gu's mother gave her a cold look: "What? Have you softened your heart?"
"No, I'm just afraid..."
"What are you afraid of? If something happens, who can prove that we did it?" Gu's mother snorted disdainfully. "Besides, Chu Ruohan stole Gu Cheng'an's heart. Don't you hate her?"
Du Ruoling lowered her eyes. Although she disliked Chu Ruohan, she had no intention of harming her.
Seeing her hesitation, Gu's mother said earnestly, "Don't forget, Cheng'an has always had Chu Ruohan in his heart..."
Gu's mother hesitated, but Du Ruoling clenched her fists. Gu Cheng'an could only belong to her alone.
Yes, once Chu Ruohan dies, how can a dead person compete with a living one?
Chu Ruohan didn't have two days of peace before she received a message from the Chu family saying that her mother wanted her to go back home.
She put down her book, stood up, and said, "I'm going to change my clothes and prepare the carriage to go back to the Chu family."
Gu Junze happened to come in from outside and, upon hearing this, asked, "Are you going back to your parents' home?"
"Yes, Mother wants me to go back." Chu Ruohan nodded. "I don't know what it's about."
Gu Junze approached and reached out to support her. Recently, Chu Ruohan's legs and feet had been slightly swollen.
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"No need, you're busy with official duties. I'm just going back to my parents' home and will be back soon." Chu Ruohan declined his offer.
Gu Junze knew she had her own ideas, so he didn't insist: "Then have Yuling and the others accompany you, and come back as soon as possible."
Throughout the journey, she leaned against the carriage with her eyes closed, trying to rest, but her mind was racing with all sorts of possibilities.
Why would her mother suddenly call her back?
Upon arriving at the Chu family home, Chu Ruohan had just alighted from the carriage when she saw her mother standing at the door to greet her.
"Han'er, you've come." Mother Chu took her hand, her eyes filled with urgency.
Chu Ruohan smiled and said, "Yes, Mother called me back. Is there something important?"
Instead of answering directly, Chu's mother led her into the inner courtyard, saying, "Let's go inside and talk."
Upon arriving at the main hall, Chu Ruohan discovered that there were two guests already seated inside, a man and a woman, both around forty years old, clearly a married couple.
"Han'er, these are your uncle and aunt," Chu's mother introduced. "They came all the way from Pei County."
Chu Ruohan calmly observed the two of them, then respectfully bowed and said, "Greetings, Uncle and Aunt."
"Good, good, good! Ah Han has grown up and become even more accomplished!" Her uncle stood up to greet her, his face beaming with a warm smile. "She's already a Lady of the Imperial Decree, that's amazing!"
"It's all thanks to my family," Chu Ruohan replied politely.
"Please have a seat," Mother Chu invited.
After the maid served tea, Chu Ruohan took a sip before asking, "Uncle and Aunt have come from afar; what brings you here?"
My aunt immediately chimed in, "I heard you're now a general's wife, enjoying immense prestige in the capital."
Chu Ruohan understood most of what was said. She didn't respond immediately, but waited quietly for the other person to continue.