sjar Chapter 272 She... is still alive?
Chapter 272 She... is still alive?
"There may be some tricks or disguise techniques in the martial arts world that can temporarily change one's appearance, but to talk about a drug that can completely transform a person into another, even altering their bone structure..."
He shook his head. "Forgive my ignorance, but I have never heard of it."
Gu Junze's heart sank little by little.
It felt like a huge rock was pressing on his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.
If appearance cannot be completely changed, then the person in the coffin...
The thought sent a chill down his spine.
Song Ruyan, standing to the side, also had red eyes. She said bitterly, "It's all that beast Gu Chengyan's fault! If it weren't for him, how could the young mistress have..."
"He should be torn to pieces and his bones scattered to the winds!"
Dr. Qian sighed. "Gu Chengyan is dead."
"The stream he fell into had an undercurrent and a rapid current, so his body was probably washed away to who knows where long ago."
"In that situation, there is basically no chance of survival."
"It's too good for him to die!"
Song Ruyan remained indignant, her eyes filled with hatred.
Gu Junze looked at Doctor Qian and said, "The Emperor has already handed over the Tian family's matter to the Court of Judicial Review for investigation. Based on my understanding of him, it shouldn't be his doing."
Song Ruyan was completely confused, but Doctor Qian understood what he was talking about.
Gu Junze turned his head and looked at Doctor Qian with a solemn expression of entrustment.
"I'll leave the Chu family here in your care."
Doctor Qian frowned slightly. "Why does the young master say that?"
Gu Junze looked into the distance. "The Zheng army has already reached the outskirts of Pingzhou."
"They captured Lin Jingchuan, but remained inactive, clearly waiting for negotiations."
"Two days later, I set off for Pingzhou."
Dr. Qian's heart tightened. "Should we go to war, or negotiate?"
Gu Junze did not answer; silence covered his face like a thin layer of ice.
However, a strong sense of unease rose in Dr. Qian's heart.
Song Ruyan, standing to the side, still had red eyes. She took a deep breath, as if she had made some kind of decision.
"I should go too." Her voice was a little hoarse, but unusually firm.
She was originally hired by Chu's father to protect Chu Ruohan.
Now that Chu Ruohan has passed away, her presence here seems to have lost its meaning.
Dr. Qian asked instinctively, "Where are you going?"
Song Ruyan gazed at the boundless sky, her expression a unique blend of carefree spirit and melancholy characteristic of those who roamed the martial world.
"The world is vast, and we make our home wherever we go."
Dr. Qian opened his mouth, as if something was stuck in his throat.
He wanted to persuade her to stay.
But in what capacity could he speak?
He had treated her injuries and seen her body, and he felt a sense of responsibility towards her.
But seeing Song Ruyan's nonchalant attitude, his thoughts seemed rather inappropriate, even carrying a hint of unspeakable filth.
In the end, he simply turned into a barely audible sigh.
Night falls, swallowing up both the hustle and bustle and the sorrow of the day.
In Gu Junze's study, the candlelight flickered, illuminating his serene face.
A dark figure appeared silently and knelt on one knee.
"master."
The shadow guard's voice was deep and clear.
"We found a cave deep in the valley."
"There was a fire inside the cave that hadn't completely died down, so it looks like someone must have been there not long ago."
Gu Junze paused slightly in the hand holding the teacup.
The shadow guard continued to report, "There are messy footprints on the ground."
"One big and one small, one deep and one shallow."
"Judging from the marks, it should be a man and a woman."
A man and a woman...a cave...not long ago...
These words were like a faint ray of light, instantly piercing the deep silence in Gu Junze's heart.
A thought that was almost too good to be true began to grow wildly.
His knuckles tightened unconsciously as he gripped the teacup, his fingertips turning white.
Could it be Han'er?
She... is she still alive?
This idea spread like wildfire, instantly taking over all his thoughts.
He suddenly raised his head, a burning flame igniting deep within his eyes, his voice trembling slightly yet remaining perfectly clear.
"Continue the investigation!"
"No clue, however small, can be overlooked!"
A mountain breeze swept through the courtyard, carrying a hint of coolness.
Gu Cheng'an rhythmically chopped the wood with his axe, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
He raised his hand to wipe it, his gaze inadvertently glancing at Chu Ruohan at the other end of the courtyard.
She was sitting under the eaves, mending her mother-in-law's clothes by the moonlight, her eyes lowered, looking very serious.
Du Ruoling had never been so serene and peaceful before.
This kind of life made Gu Cheng'an feel a little dazed. It would be good to just live like this...
"The cart is almost finished." Gu Cheng'an put down his axe, walked to Chu Ruohan's side, and said in a low and calm voice, "In one more day, we will be able to set off."
Chu Ruohan nodded, her gaze falling on the half-finished cart.
The wooden structure looked very sturdy, and there was a thick layer of straw mats on the vehicle.
“Your cooking is very good,” she said softly.
Gu Cheng'an did not answer, but simply turned around and continued with his work.
His back cast a long shadow in the sunlight, his shoulders broad and strong.
The old woman came out of the kitchen, carrying a steaming bowl of rabbit soup.
"Han'er, drink it while it's hot." The old woman handed the bowl to Chu Ruohan, looking at her with affection. "This rabbit meat is the most nutritious; it's good for you and the baby in your belly."
Chu Ruohan took the bowl, and a fragrant aroma wafted up. She sipped it slowly, the warmth spreading from her throat to her stomach.
"Grandma, we're leaving tomorrow." Chu Ruohan looked up, her eyes filled with gratitude and reluctance. "Thank you so much for taking care of us these past few days."
The old woman's smile froze slightly, then returned to its kind expression. "Leaving so soon?"
"Yes." Chu Ruohan nodded. "I still have things to take care of at home, so I can't delay any longer."
The old woman sighed and patted Chu Ruohan's hand. "That's good, young people have their own paths to walk. But you must take good care of your health."
"I will," Chu Ruohan replied softly.
After dinner, the old lady specially prepared a sumptuous meal as a farewell gift for them.
At the dinner table, the old man raised his wine bowl and smiled at Gu Cheng'an, saying, "Cheng'an, you've helped us with a lot of work these days, and I'm very grateful."
Gu Cheng'an quickly shook his head: "It's only right. If it weren't for your shelter, my wife and I wouldn't know what to do."
The old woman looked at the two of them, her eyes filled with reluctance: "With you leaving, my husband and I will have to go back to our old ways."
“Mother-in-law,” Chu Ruohan put down her chopsticks and said earnestly, “Once we return to the capital and settle down, we will definitely come to see you again.”
The old woman smiled and nodded, but her eyes were a little moist: "Okay, Grandma will be waiting for you. When the time comes, let me see what the little baby in your belly looks like."
Chu Ruohan was slightly taken aback, then forced a smile.