sjar Chapter 275 Just Like That, We Passed By
Chapter 275 Just Like That, We Passed By
"You should put some on too," Gu Cheng'an said in a muffled voice, with a hint of awkwardness that was barely perceptible. "To avoid trouble... and also to avoid Gu Chengyan's men."
When Gu Chengyan was mentioned, Chu Ruohan's smile faded, replaced by a more serious expression.
She nodded and, imitating Gu Cheng'an, smeared some mud on her face and hands.
Her originally fair and delicate skin suddenly turned ashen, and she looked much more haggard.
She looked like an ordinary peasant woman who had weathered many storms.
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of embarrassment in each other's eyes...
Gu Cheng'an pushed the cart again, but his movements were now deliberately hunched and unsteady.
Chu Ruohan also sat on the cart with her head down.
Not long after, they encountered a large conscription team.
The soldiers were dressed in armor and stood in neat rows, a stark contrast to the previous conscripts.
Gu Cheng'an and Chu Ruohan lowered their heads, trying to shrink themselves into inconspicuous little balls, and stood by the roadside to make way for each other.
The rhythmic sound of horses' hooves passed by.
Gu Cheng'an subconsciously lowered his head even further, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a magnificent black horse and a tall, familiar figure on it.
The figure was clad in silver armor and exuded an imposing aura.
He only caught a fleeting glimpse and didn't get a clear look at the person's face.
Chu Ruohan also felt the oppressive aura and lowered her head, not daring to make the slightest move.
Both of them deliberately avoided eye contact, completely unaware that the figure on the tall horse was someone they both knew very well.
The army gradually moved away, leaving only dust in the sky.
Gu Cheng'an then straightened up and let out a long sigh of relief.
For the rest of the journey, thanks to their "middle-aged woman" attire, they indeed encountered no further major trouble.
They would spend the night in a dilapidated temple; if they couldn't find a temple, they would have to camp in the wilderness.
The food and water were prepared for them by the old woman.
After several more days of travel, the capital city finally came into view.
Looking at the familiar city walls, Chu Ruohan felt an overwhelming sense of urgency.
Gu Cheng'an parked the cart in a quiet alley near the Chu family's residence.
"I'll leave you here." Gu Cheng'an's voice was a little hoarse.
Looking at his dusty face and ill-fitting women's clothing, Chu Ruohan was at a loss for words.
"I am still under investigation and cannot show my face." Gu Cheng'an lowered his eyes, concealing the complex emotions within them. "Go back by yourself and be careful."
Chu Ruohan nodded.
"Then..." she paused, then asked softly, "What are your plans?"
Gu Cheng'an looked up and gazed northwards, towards Pingzhou.
A certain light rekindled in his eyes, firm and resolute.
"There is no place for me in the capital."
"I plan to go to Pingzhou."
"The northern border is unstable, and this is precisely the time when we need men. A true man should defend his country and die on the battlefield."
His voice was not loud, but it was firm and resounding.
Looking at the light in his eyes, Chu Ruohan finally just nodded gently.
"Take care of yourself."
She respected his decision.
Gu Cheng'an looked at her deeply, as if trying to etch her image into his heart.
Then, without the slightest hesitation, he turned around and strode away in the opposite direction from the Chu family.
His figure blended into the crowd and quickly disappeared into the bustling traffic of Beijing...
A faint scent of sandalwood permeated the courtyard.
A servant who was sweeping suddenly looked up, saw who it was, and dropped his broom with a clatter onto the bluestone slab.
He looked like he'd seen a ghost, then turned and ran.
Chu Ruohan was completely confused.
Before long, a petite figure rushed out.
"Sister!"
Her voice was a mixture of surprise and joy, tinged with tears.
Chu Yueshu threw herself into Chu Ruohan's arms with such force that she almost lost her balance.
"Sister, it really is you!"
Warm tears quickly soaked the dirty fabric on Chu Ruohan's chest.
"You're not dead... Waaah..."
Following closely behind, Yu Ling also rushed over. When she saw the two people embracing tightly, her legs went weak and she knelt down with a thud.
“Young Madam…” Yu Ling’s voice choked with sobs.
Everybody came out.
When Chu's mother's gaze fell upon Chu Ruohan, she froze completely.
"Han'er..."
That call was so light, as if afraid of disturbing the phantom before them.
Chu Ruohan raised her head and looked at her mother.
My heart skipped a beat.
It's only been a few days since we last met? You've aged so much in just a few days, and there are even a few strands of white hair at your temples.
Chu's father followed closely behind. When he saw his daughter, the shock in his eyes was quickly replaced by a deep, suppressed excitement.
He stepped forward, patted Chu Ruohan on the shoulder, his voice trembling slightly.
"It's good to be back."
These four simple words carry immense weight.
After the brief joy of reunion, doubts began to surface. Father Chu frowned, looked at his daughter, and asked the question that had been troubling everyone.
"What happened to that body?"
Chu Ruohan held her younger sister, her face full of confusion.
"What corpse?"
Chu Ruohan and Gu Chengan were hiding in Niutou Village, completely unaware of what was happening in the capital!
Chu's mother clutched her chest, a flicker of fear in her eyes, her voice trembling.
"Your Highness... Gu Junze brought back a corpse..."
"Wearing your clothes, looking exactly like you..."
We all thought it was you!
Even afterward, it still sends chills down my spine.
Dr. Qian exclaimed, "I never imagined that such a skill of disguise existed in this world."
He shook his head, seemingly still unable to understand. "The young master and I examined it repeatedly, and there were no traces of human skin masks or anything like that on that face." Chu Ruohan felt a chill run from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.
It seems Gu Chengyan had prepared this all along, intending for everyone to believe she was dead. That identical corpse…where did he find it? And how did he manage that?
Thinking hard.
Fortunately... fortunately, Gu Cheng'an rescued her before she could.
Her gaze swept over everyone present: her parents, her sister, Yuling, Dr. Qian… but she couldn’t find the person she most wanted to see at that moment, the person who should be there most.
Where is Junze?
She couldn't help but ask, her voice carrying an urgency she herself didn't realize.
"Have you returned to the Marquis's residence?"
The courtyard fell silent instantly.
The group exchanged glances, their expressions varied, and they hesitated to speak.
Finally, Dr. Qian sighed, stepped forward, and said in a low voice.
“Young Madam, you’ve just returned, you shouldn’t be saying these things.”
"However, the war in the north is intense, and the military situation in Pingzhou is urgent..."
"The Crown Prince... he led his troops to reinforce Pingzhou yesterday."
Pingzhou!
Chu Ruohan recalled the group she had encountered on her way back.
Immediately, that tall, familiar figure in silver armor...
It turned out to be him.
It turned out that while she and Gu Cheng'an were disguised as peasant women, bowing their heads to avoid each other, the person she had been longing for day and night rode past her.
So close yet worlds apart, we brushed past each other.