freenovelworld Chapter 387 Solve your own money problem; don't come looking for me if anything goes wrong.
Chapter 387 Solve your own money problem; don't come looking for me if anything goes wrong.
"Lord Zhao, thanks to you this time, my Ying'er was able to be selected." Lord Guo said with a smile. "This little gift is just a token of my appreciation."
The man opposite must be Lord Zhao, the one who accepted the bribe to recommend Guo Ying'er...
"Brother Guo, you're too kind. However, I've heard some rumors that this talent show might not be so simple."
Guo Yunzhou quickly pressed on, "What does Lord Zhao mean?"
Lord Zhao lowered his voice: "It is said that this selection of a princess is to choose a princess for a marriage alliance with Western Xia. However, this matter has not been finalized yet, so don't worry too much."
Guo Yunzhou's face turned deathly pale instantly: "A marriage alliance? This... how is this possible?"
Lord Wang sighed: "Who can say for sure what will happen in the court? However, given your daughter's background, she probably won't be chosen."
Guo's forehead was already covered in cold sweat: "No, no, you have to think of a way, you absolutely can't go for a marriage alliance... My daughter is not going to enter the palace as a concubine."
Zhao Xu scoffed and couldn't help but shake his head. With such a background, she still wanted to enter the palace as a concubine. Being granted the title of Noble Lady would be a stroke of good luck.
"Once a young lady enters the palace, her fate is entirely up to the Emperor's will. Besides, if people find out that I accepted your money, I won't be able to keep my official position." He said this, but his fingers rubbed together.
Guo Yunzhou immediately understood, "Don't worry, Lord Zhao, this matter of money is easy to handle."
Zhao Xu was satisfied and got up to take his leave.
Hearing this, Chu Ruohan's heart sank. She put down her teacup, gestured for Yuling to pay, and prepared to leave.
Just then, Guo Yunzhou seemed to notice something and looked up in her direction.
Their eyes met. Guo Yunzhou was taken aback for a moment, then raised his head and immediately got up and walked to Chu Ruohan's table.
"Uncle, what a coincidence." Chu Ruohan looked at Guo Yunzhou in front of her calmly, her tone indifferent.
Guo Yunzhou, however, seemed to have found an outlet for his anger, and a hint of displeasure appeared on his face.
"Ruohan, even though you refused to help this time, my Ying'er still managed to enter the palace smoothly."
Guo Yunzhou raised his chin, his tone tinged with a hint of smugness, "Some people are just too self-righteous, thinking that without your help, my Ying'er wouldn't be able to enter the palace."
"Now you see, we have our own ways and don't need General Gu's wife's favor at all."
Yu Ling, standing to the side, couldn't help but feel indignant on behalf of her mistress upon hearing this. Just as she was about to speak, Chu Ruohan gently pressed her hand down.
Chu Ruohan's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
She lowered her eyes, picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and then slowly put it down.
"Take care of the money yourself. The Chu family will not give you another penny. Don't come looking for me if anything happens." Chu Ruohan's voice was not loud, but every word was clear.
Guo Yunzhou was taken aback by Chu Ruohan's directness, and his expression immediately turned ugly.
"What kind of talk is that? I'm your uncle, how dare you speak to an elder like that?"
Guo Yunzhou's eyes widened, and his voice unconsciously rose a few decibels, attracting the attention of guests at several surrounding tables. "You junior are showing off to your elders, you really don't know your place!"
"You are already a married daughter, and it's not your place to make decisions about your maternal family's affairs!"
Chu Ruohan sneered: "Is Uncle referring to the five thousand taels of silver my mother lent you?"
Guo Yunzhou was speechless when asked this question. He subconsciously looked around and lowered his voice.
"That was lent to me voluntarily by your mother! Once Ying'er enters the palace, she will definitely repay it many times over in the future!"
"Really?" Chu Ruohan shook her head gently. "Does Uncle know what the real purpose of this talent show is?"
Guo Yunzhou froze, his conversation with Lord Zhao still ringing in his ears, and he suddenly felt flustered.
"You...you heard that?"
"What did I hear?" Chu Ruohan retorted, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. "Is it about a marriage alliance, or about my uncle bribing officials in the imperial court?"
Guo Yunzhou's face turned deathly pale instantly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"you you……"
“Uncle, I don’t care what means you used to get Ying’er selected,” Chu Ruohan’s voice turned cold, “trading talent show spots in private is a crime of deceiving the emperor, and it will implicate more than just you.”
A flicker of panic crossed Guo Yunzhou's eyes: "This... how can you say that? I did spend money through some connections, but there was no private transaction..."
"Alright," Chu Ruohan raised her hand to interrupt his explanation, "I don't want to hear any of this. I'm just reminding you not to involve the Chu family. As for the marriage alliance..."
She glanced at Guo Yunzhou's panicked expression and softened her tone.
"Given Guo Ying'er's background, she won't be chosen. Uncle should first consider how to handle the situation if things get exposed."
Guo Yunzhou breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this, but quickly frowned again.
"Ruohan, you have some connections with people in the palace, could you..."
"No." Chu Ruohan refused without hesitation. "I will not get involved in this matter. If anything goes wrong, please handle it yourself, Uncle."
Guo Yunzhou stood there with a grim expression, speechless for a long time.
"Let's go," Chu Ruohan said to Yu Ling, getting up to leave.
"Chu Ruohan!" Guo Yunzhou suddenly called out to her, "Don't forget, I'm your own uncle! How can you just stand by and watch me die?"
Chu Ruohan turned around and looked at him calmly: "Uncle, it's not that I'm abandoning you to your fate, it's just that you dug your own hole and you have to fill it yourself. Our Chu family has already helped you too much."
After saying that, she stopped looking at Guo Yunzhou, slowly walked down the stairs, and left the teahouse.
Guo Yunzhou stood there, his eyes flashing with anger and resentment, yet he was helpless.
Chu Ruohan returned to the general's mansion and immediately gave the orders.
"I will not see anyone who comes today."
After saying that, he turned and went into the inner courtyard, shutting out the noise.
Passing through the moon gate, the courtyard is lush with flowers and trees, and the afternoon sun shines down warmly.
Beside the stone table, Song Ruyan rested her chin on her hand, idly poking at the fallen leaves on the table. She looked listless, like a wilted eggplant.
Chu Ruohan tiptoed and quietly walked up behind her.
"What's wrong? Who upset our Miss Song?"
A clear, cool voice rang in my ears.
Song Ruyan shuddered and stood up abruptly, her movement so sudden that she almost bumped into the person behind her.
"Ouch!"
Yu Ling reacted quickly, helping the swaying Song Ruyan to her feet. She scolded her impatiently, "Why are you being so reckless! What if you startled Madam?"
Song Ruyan regained her footing, her face flushed, and she quickly waved her hand to apologize: "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to, I didn't see Madam coming."
Chu Ruohan also patted her chest, her breathing slightly rapid.
She had indeed been the one to tease the girl, but she hadn't expected the girl to react so strongly.