freenovelworld Chapter 657 Nighttime Breaking into the Palace Gates: I Request Leave!
Chapter 657 Nighttime Breaking into the Palace Gates: I Request Leave!
That night, Chu Ruohan fell into a deep sleep.
Gu Junze tucked the blanket around her, got up, straightened his robes, and walked out expressionlessly.
Without alerting anyone, he left the Duke's mansion alone, heading straight for the palace.
At midnight, the palace gates were already locked.
The imperial guards were on patrol when they suddenly saw a dark figure darting towards them like a ghost, moving at an astonishing speed.
"Who is it! Stop!"
The imperial guards were shocked and instantly drew their swords, the torchlight illuminating the face of the newcomer.
Ying Qing's heart skipped a beat, and she almost blurted out a reprimand.
Didn't you see that was the Duke of Zhenguo?
But the scene before him made him swallow his words.
All the imperial guards recognized Gu Junze, but no one dared to step forward or let him pass.
Even in the dead of night, one cannot enter the palace with a token in hand; this is a strict rule.
Gu Junze didn't even glance at them, and walked straight toward the palace gate.
No one dared to stop him.
Yingqing followed behind, completely bewildered.
The palace gates are locked. What urgent matter could be so urgent that you have to rush into the palace at this time?
Gu Junze entered the emperor's bedroom as if it were empty.
The eunuchs on night watch saw Duke Zhenguo, Gu Junze, stride in, their faces ashen.
"Guo, Guo Gongye..."
Gu Junze ignored them and walked straight in.
The eunuchs on night duty were terrified and scrambled to report the incident, but Yingqing stopped them.
The door to the bedchamber was pushed open with a bang.
Zhao Yunci, who had just lain down with the beauty, was startled and sat up. Before he could even see who it was, he was pulled off the dragon bed with such force that he almost fell off.
Zhao Yunci, still half asleep, flew into a rage upon recognizing the person who had arrived.
"Gu Junze! What are you doing, acting crazy in the middle of the night! Is my harem a marketplace! You think you can just come and go as you please!"
Gu Junze remained expressionless, pushed him aside, and got straight to the point.
"Your Majesty, I request leave."
Zhao Yunci was stunned, thinking she was still half asleep and had misheard.
He rubbed his eyes, then waved his hand impatiently.
"Granted! Now get out of here!"
He lay back down, and just as he pulled the covers up, he felt something was off and asked again, "How long do you want to rest?"
Gu Junze pondered for a moment, then answered with utmost seriousness, "Let me take a two-year break first."
"Pfft-cough cough cough!"
Zhao Yunci couldn't catch her breath and choked on her own saliva, coughing violently.
He jumped out of bed and pointed at Gu Junze's nose.
"Two years?! Why don't you just retire and go back to your hometown?! Do you think this title of Duke of Zhenguo is just for show?!"
Gu Junze's expression remained unchanged. "My wife is pregnant, and her health is of utmost importance. I must take care of her personally."
Zhao Yunci was so angry she wanted to hit someone, and paced back and forth by the bed.
Are all those hundreds of people you keep in your household useless? Can't they even take care of a Duchess? Do you have to take care of them yourself?
Gu Junze didn't even lift his eyelids.
"I am not at ease."
Those four words, spoken with such conviction, left Zhao Yunci speechless, unable to utter a sound that stuck in her chest.
He suppressed his anger and decided to talk to him about state affairs.
"The Northern Yan has been making unusual moves lately, with troops stationed at the border, ready to pounce. If you, the God of War, abandon your post, who will keep order?"
Gu Junze seemed to have thought it through long ago.
"They dare not make any major moves."
"If there is any truly urgent military matter, send it to my residence, and I will handle it."
Zhao Yunci was completely speechless.
Will it be delivered to your residence?
Even as the emperor, he still has to send someone to deliver memorials to you?
He'd seen arrogant people before, but never anyone this arrogant!
Seeing that he was no longer speaking, Gu Junze took it as his agreement.
He cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you for granting me leave, Your Majesty."
After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Zhao Yunci alone in the bedroom, roaring at the air.
Listening to the commotion inside, Ying Qing's lips twitched, and she silently gave her master and brother-in-law a thumbs up.
In this world, only the Duke of Zhenguo dared to speak to the Emperor like that and escape unscathed.
Zhao Yunci was now completely wide awake.
He glanced at the trembling beauty beside him and waved her away impatiently.
A man sat on the dragon bed, growing angrier the more he thought about it.
Gu Junze went on strike whenever he wanted, and the strike lasted for two years!
Poor emperor, he had to work diligently every day of the year, facing mountains of memorials, without a break.
This emperor's life is not as comfortable as that of one of his ministers!
The next morning.
To take care of his pregnant wife, the Duke of Zhenguo did not hesitate to sneak into the palace at night and ask the emperor for a two-year extended leave. The news spread like wildfire throughout the court and the country.
The entire capital was in an uproar once again.
From royalty to commoners, everyone gained a completely new and awe-inspiring understanding of Gu Junze's "doting husband" behavior.
In the largest teahouse in the capital, before the storyteller even struck the gavel, the tea drinkers below were already buzzing with excitement.
"Have you heard? The Duke of Zhenguo has requested a two-year leave of absence from the Emperor to take care of his pregnant wife!"
"I heard about it. They broke into the palace gates in the middle of the night last night! That's unheard of!"
A merchant in a brocade robe curled his lip, took a sip of tea, and looked disdainful.
"This Duke of Zhenguo is a master at fighting, how could he be so muddle-headed when it comes to matters of the household? Which woman doesn't bear children? Why make such a fuss that he neglects even the affairs of the court?"
A tall, thin man opposite him nodded repeatedly, lowering his voice: "That's right! I think he's completely controlled by the Duchess!"
"Look at him! All these years, he hasn't even had a concubine or maidservant in his household. What kind of behavior is this! The dignified Duke of Zhenguo is actually henpecked!"
"Giving up great achievements to stay home and serve your wife is a disgrace to us men!"
Immediately, voices of agreement rose throughout the teahouse. When the men spoke of Gu Junze, they all shook their heads and sighed, their words filled with disdain and a sense of watching a good show.
On the other hand, within the circles of wealthy women in the capital, the sentiment was quite different.
"Have you heard? Lord Gu hasn't attended court for two years because of his wife!"
"That's not all! I heard from my cousin who works in the Imperial Guard that the Duke broke in in the middle of the night and dragged the Emperor out of his bed!"
"Heavens!" A lady covered her mouth with her handkerchief, but her eyes gleamed with envy. "The Duchess is so lucky! Where in the world can you find another husband like her!"
"Who can disagree? Take Lord Gu, for example. He earned his immense wealth and status through his own efforts, yet he still cherishes his wife dearly."
"My man, let alone breaking through the palace gates for me, would find it as difficult as climbing to heaven to even utter a single soft word!"
The women gathered together and talked about Chu Ruohan, their words filled with envy.
Marrying a perfect husband with extraordinary abilities who dotes on her alone is practically every woman's ultimate dream.
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, a warm and inviting atmosphere prevailed.
Chu Ruohan sat against the headboard, covered with a brocade quilt. Song Ruyan sat on the edge of the bed, peeling a juicy apple, her mouth never stopping.
"You didn't see the sour looks on those men's faces outside! They said Junze was afraid of his wife, and that you had him completely under your thumb!"
Song Ruyan spoke with great enthusiasm, as if she had witnessed it firsthand, "And those women, their eyes are practically red with envy! Now, every woman in the capital treats you like a goddess!"
Haitang, who was tidying up the medicine box, couldn't help but chime in: "Yes, Madam, when I went to get medicine for you today, the shopkeeper's wife kept asking me for a long time, asking what kind of magic you have that makes the Duke so devoted to you."
Chu Ruohan listened to the two people's vivid descriptions and shook her head helplessly.
Gu Junze walked in carrying a bowl of freshly brewed medicine to help prevent miscarriage. His deep eyes were fixed on the person on the bed.
Seeing this, Song Ruyan wisely pulled Haitang out, leaving the two of them alone.
The room fell silent. Chu Ruohan looked up at him, a mischievous smile in her eyes.
"I've heard quite a few rumors about you today."
Gu Junze picked up the medicine bowl, stirred it gently with a spoon, blew on it, and said nothing, only gesturing for her to continue with his eyes.
"Breaking into the palace at night just to ask for leave." Chu Ruohan looked at his unchanging icy face and couldn't help but chuckle. "Gu Junze, you really are the first person in history to do this."
Gu Junze brought a spoonful of perfectly warm medicine to her lips with an incredibly natural gesture.
He simply responded with a deep "Mm".