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Chapter 386 Han'er, you have to help your cousin!

"Send someone to investigate and find out exactly how much money was spent." Chu Ruohan decided that she should at least find out the whole story.

Within two days, the news came back. My uncle had actually paid five thousand taels of silver for this spot.

"Five thousand taels!" Chu Ruohan nearly dropped her teacup. "Where did they get so much silver?"

Yu Ling whispered, "It's said that it was borrowed from the Chu family. They say that if Miss Cousin enters the palace and gains favor, she will repay the principal with interest in the future."

"Return?" Chu Ruohan snorted coldly. "Over the years, how much profit have they taken from the Chu family? They always say it's alright, but how much have they actually returned?"

Five thousand taels was no small sum for the Chu family, especially after the incident with Chu Ang, which had severely weakened the family.

"Yu Ling, prepare the carriage and return to the Chu family."

"Madam, you are quite heavy and your legs are swollen, so please don't worry about it," Yu Ling advised.

"I'm afraid my mother is confused."

Chu Ruohan decided to go back to her parents' home again.

When they arrived at the Chu family home, Chu Yueshu was also angry with her mother about the matter.

"Mother, how could you agree to lend Uncle so much money?" Chu Yueshu couldn't help but question, her voice filled with dissatisfaction.

As soon as Chu Ruohan entered the door, she heard her sister's angry voice and quickened her pace.

When Chu Yueshu saw her sister, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, which quickly turned into relief.

"Sister, you're back? You know about Uncle's situation?"

"Hmm." Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, looking at her mother who sat to the side with a gloomy expression.

Mother Chu sighed, a hint of guilt on her face: "Han'er, your uncle knelt before me and begged, saying that this was the only chance he could have in his life. I... I softened for a moment and agreed."

She lowered her eyes, her fingers twisting the handkerchief incessantly, clearly regretting her decision.

"Mother, this selection might be for a princess to be sent to marry a foreign ruler," Chu Ruohan said in a low voice.

Chu's mother suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with shock: "What? A marriage alliance?"

"His Majesty's selection of a concubine this time is likely to choose a woman to be made a princess and married to Western Xia." Chu Ruohan lowered her voice, looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, "This is not a good thing."

Chu's mother's face turned pale instantly: "This... how would I know? Your uncle said it's a great opportunity for Ying'er to enter the palace, gain favor, and bring glory to the family..."

She covered her mouth, her voice tinged with fear: "If I'm chosen for a political marriage, wouldn't that mean..."

“Mother, Uncle only cares about his own family’s wealth and status, how could he think of these things?” Chu Ruohan said helplessly. “Now that my cousin has been selected, it’s probably very difficult to get those five thousand taels back.”

Chu's mother grabbed Chu Ruohan's hand, her eyes full of pleading: "Han'er, don't you know people in the palace? Can you find a way to help your cousin? Please don't let her be chosen to marry into the Western Xia!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yueshu's face immediately darkened: "Mother, do you think my elder sister is a born goddess who can solve everything? If she's chosen, it's her own fault!"

Her tone was clearly displeased: "When Uncle grabbed Mother's hand and asked for money, did he ever think about the consequences? Now that something has happened, he wants my sister to clean up the mess?"

Chu's mother stamped her feet anxiously: "Yue Shu, what are you saying! Your uncle only has this one daughter!"

Seeing her mother's anxious expression, Chu Ruohan gently patted the back of her hand.

"Mother, don't worry. With Guo Ying'er's background, she won't be chosen. The princess sent for a political marriage represents the face of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and her background and knowledge are not up to par."

Upon hearing this, Chu's mother was somewhat relieved and patted her chest, saying, "That's good, that's good. If you really went to marry him, who knows what kind of trouble your uncle would cause."

Chu Yueshu couldn't stand her mother's protectiveness of her uncle, so she snorted and turned to leave.

Chu Ruohan watched her younger sister's departing figure, gently shook her head, turned to her mother, and her tone became serious.

“Mother, I must warn you, do not have too much contact with your uncle’s family in the future. If Ying’er commits a crime in the palace, it will not only implicate their family.”

"How could that be? No matter how bad they are, they are still our relatives." Chu's mother said, somewhat puzzled.

Chu Ruohan sighed: "Mother, you are still too naive. The palace is dangerous. Once something happens, the court will investigate and pursue it to the end."

"Do you think you can keep the fact that I lent money to my uncle a secret? Now that I am the wife of a general, and Junze holds a high position of power in the court, the consequences would be unimaginable if someone were to use this as a pretext."

Upon hearing this, Chu's mother's face turned even more pale: "This... I really didn't expect this."

"Furthermore," Chu Ruohan continued, "privately trading talent show spots is a serious crime. For his own selfish gain, Uncle not only harmed his own daughter but also dragged our Chu family into it. Is such a person worthy of Mother's continued protection?"

Chu's mother lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.

“I know that my uncle is my mother’s own brother, and the bond of blood is hard to sever,” Chu Ruohan said, her tone softening slightly. “But I should also think about my family. The Chu family is not what it used to be, and it can’t withstand this kind of turmoil.”

"I understand." Mother Chu finally nodded, a resolute glint in her eyes. "Don't worry, if Uncle comes asking for money again, I will never agree to it again."

Chu Ruohan was relieved to see that her mother understood the situation.

Leaving the Chu family, Chu Ruohan felt somewhat heavy-hearted. She had wanted to persuade her mother to return the five thousand taels of silver, but seeing her mother's expression, she knew that the matter was beyond repair.

She could only hope that Guo Ying'er wouldn't be chosen, as that would be better for everyone.

The carriage slowly made its way back to the General's Mansion. Chu Ruohan leaned against the carriage wall, closing her eyes to rest.

The swelling in her ankle had not completely subsided, and this trip back to the Chu family made her even more exhausted.

"Madam, would you like to rest at the teahouse ahead?" the coachman's voice came from ahead.

Chu Ruohan opened her eyes, lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside. It was a well-known teahouse, elegant and pleasant.

She nodded: "Okay, let's stop for a bit."

After getting off the carriage, Chu Ruohan, supported by Yu Ling's hand, slowly walked into the teahouse.

The window seat on the second floor was empty, and after she sat down, looking at the street scene outside the window made her feel much better.

"What kind of tea would you like, Madam?" Yu Ling asked softly.

Chu Ruohan came to her senses: "A pot of chrysanthemum tea will do."

Yu Ling nodded and gave the order. Soon after, steaming hot tea was served.

Just as Chu Ruohan picked up her teacup, she suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from the next table.

She glanced sideways and saw a middle-aged man in fine clothes talking quietly with another person. It was none other than her uncle.

Chu Ruohan wanted to call out to him, but stopped after hearing their conversation.