sjar Chapter 271 Soon, we'll be able to go back.
Chapter 271 Soon, we'll be able to go back.
Later that evening, Gu Cheng'an brought over a bowl of tea made with red dates.
"This nourishes qi and blood, and is good for a woman's health." He handed her the bowl.
Chu Ruohan was somewhat surprised: "How do you know all this?"
Gu Cheng'an paused for a moment, his eyes seemed to wander for a second, before answering in a low voice.
“Before… after I moved out of the Marquis’s mansion, Du Ruoling… she had just miscarried and was very weak, so I took care of her like this.”
Gu Cheng'an is indeed frighteningly meticulous.
Du Ruoling seems to have never cherished this thoughtfulness.
Seeing the subtle tension between the two, the old woman couldn't help but laugh and tease, "Oh my, Cheng'an is such a sweetheart! Look how well he takes care of our Han girl!"
Chu Ruohan turned her head away somewhat uncomfortably. She and Gu Cheng'an were uncle and sister-in-law, but she couldn't clarify the situation for the moment...
Gu Cheng'an also seemed a little embarrassed. He silently got up, cleared away the dishes, and left under the pretext of washing the dishes.
The night is getting darker.
Chu Ruohan lay on the earthen bed, listening to the rustling of leaves in the wind outside.
Gu Cheng'an was still sleeping on the floor, some distance away.
In her dazed state, she felt someone gently approach and cover her with the blanket that had slipped off.
The movements were very light, with a careful and gentle touch.
She didn't open her eyes; instead, in the darkness, she silently turned around, pulled the blanket tighter, and rejected the care.
Whether Gu Cheng'an acted out of guilt or something else, he had already overstepped his bounds...
The two maintained a delicate balance and lived peacefully for another seven days.
Chu Ruohan felt that her body had recovered a lot; her abdominal pain had completely disappeared, and her spirits had improved considerably.
She misses Gu Junze so much!
In the capital, her parents still didn't know if she was alive or dead, so her desire to return to the capital grew even stronger.
That day, she finally spoke to Gu Cheng'an.
"I want to... go back to the capital."
Gu Cheng'an was chopping firewood in the yard when he heard this. He paused, then turned around and looked at her.
"it is good."
He only said one word, crisp and decisive.
Then, as if he had thought of something, he added.
"However, you've only just recovered and you're still pregnant, so you can't withstand the bumps and jolts of a long journey."
"Wait three more days."
"I'll make you a sturdier cart for the next three days, so you can push it around more easily and it'll be safer..."
Sunlight streamed through the window and fell warmly on Chu Ruohan.
She slowly stood up, supporting herself on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and took a few steps. Although she was still a little weak, she was fine.
Thanks to Gu Cheng'an and her mother-in-law's meticulous care over the past few days, and the effectiveness of the herbal medicine, her body recovered quickly.
The rustling sound of an old woman picking vegetables came from the courtyard.
Chu Ruohan walked out, the sunlight was a bit dazzling, and she squinted slightly.
"Mother-in-law," she called softly.
The old woman turned around, saw her come out, and her face immediately lit up with a smile.
"Oh dear, Han, why are you on the ground? Go back and lie down, it's cold here."
"I'm feeling much better now. I wanted to come out for some fresh air and pick some vegetables for you while I'm at it."
Chu Ruohan walked to the edge of the vegetable patch and looked at the lush green vegetables, which made her feel a little more relaxed.
She squatted down and, imitating the old woman, carefully pinched off the tender leaves.
"No need, no need, this old woman is quick and agile."
The old woman spoke, but did not stop her.
Under the sunlight, two figures, one old and one young, are quietly busy, creating a peaceful scene.
"Cheng'an is such a good boy."
The old woman started chatting as she picked vegetables.
“He goes to fetch water before dawn every day, and he also volunteers to do the chopping of firewood. I can see that his hands have calluses.”
Chu Ruohan paused slightly.
"Ah."
She responded softly.
"You two are clearly very much in love."
The old woman smiled and glanced at her, "The way Cheng'an looks at you is so tender."
Chu Ruohan remained silent, not responding, but simply quickening her movements.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.
Gu Cheng'an returned, carrying a grayish wild rabbit on his shoulder. The rabbit's ears were drooping, and it was clearly dead.
"Cheng'an, did you catch a rabbit?"
The old woman's eyes lit up.
Gu Cheng'an nodded and handed the rabbit to the old woman.
"Let's have some meat today!"
His gaze, however, fell on Chu Ruohan.
"Okay, leave it to me!"
The old woman deftly took the rabbit, weighed it in her hand, and said, "This rabbit is plump; it's enough to stew a whole pot."
Gu Cheng'an didn't say anything more and turned to walk to the corner of the courtyard.
There were some logs piled up there, and the basic shape of a handcart was already taking shape.
He picked up the axe and plane and continued working, the clanging sounds echoing in the courtyard.
The old woman carried the rabbit to the eaves and began to process it with practiced ease.
"Cheng'an, you're really capable."
As she skinned the rabbit, she praised it to Chu Ruohan.
"Look, he can hunt in the mountains, he can do carpentry, and he's considerate too."
"Han girl, you are really lucky."
Chu Ruohan tugged at the corners of her mouth, revealing a very faint smile, but said nothing.
"Let me help, Grandma."
She stood up, wanting to lend a hand.
"No need, no need, I can do it myself."
The old woman worked quickly and efficiently, and soon she had completely skinned the rabbit.
“We can’t throw this leather away. We can save it up, dry it, and take it to town to exchange for needles and thread, or supplement our household income.”
She carefully spread out the rabbit skin to dry.
Capital
In stark contrast to the tranquility of the countryside, the Chu family in the capital was shrouded in a heavy sorrow.
In the past, white banners hung low and mournful music echoed in front of the Marquis of Anyang's mansion.
The fake "Chu Ruohan" has been buried.
The father and mother of Chu wept bitterly, almost fainting, and had to be supported by others.
Chu Yueshu, dressed in plain white, had eyes swollen like walnuts. She nestled in Yingqing's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Little Xuan was held in his uncle's arms, looking at the adults around him with a blank expression.
He didn't know what was happening, but he felt the atmosphere was terribly oppressive. The adults were all crying, and his eyes also reddened. His little mouth pursed, and he tried his best not to cry.
The coffin was slowly lowered into the dug grave, raising a cloud of dust.
Gu Junze stood in the crowd, dressed in white, his face calm and serene.
He looked at the new earth that was about to be filled in, but he felt no sorrow whatsoever.
There was only an increasingly strong sense of unease.
After the burial ceremony, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Gu Junze found Doctor Qian.
“Dr. Qian.” His voice was low.
"Is there any drug or method in this world that can completely change a person's appearance?"
Gu Junze's gaze was sharp as he stared intently at Doctor Qian.
Dr. Qian was taken aback for a moment, then pondered for a while.
"Your Highness, as far as I know..."