freenovelworld Chapter 352 You said that Consort Ming might have come from there?
Chapter 352 You said that Consort Ming might have come from there?
These words were perfectly worded, highlighting the seriousness of the matter while using the new emperor and established rules as a shield.
They even passed the buck back, implying that if they insisted, they would be putting Gu Junze in an unjust position.
The couple's expressions immediately turned extremely ugly.
They originally thought that Chu Ruohan, being a woman, would soften her heart and agree to whisper sweet nothings in his ear if she thought of family ties or was coaxed by a few kind words.
I never expected her to be so quick-witted and to handle things so skillfully and smoothly.
"That's...that's what they say..." Gu Wei stammered, still trying to struggle, "But...but we're family after all!"
"Junze's name is still written in the Gu family genealogy..."
"Fourth Uncle is mistaken."
Chu Ruohan interrupted him, her tone still calm, but with a hint of coldness.
"Precisely because we are family, we must not put Junze in a difficult position, nor should we allow him to go astray and fail to live up to the Emperor's grace."
“Junze acts with discretion, and I believe he understands what is important and what is not.”
She picked up her teacup, took another sip, and remained elegant and composed.
"Speaking of which, doesn't Fourth Aunt always teach people to fulfill their duties in their positions and manage their households properly?"
"I am just a housewife, barely able to keep up with the demands of raising my husband and children. How could I possibly understand the intricacies of court politics? These matters are not for me to interfere in."
These words were like a light slap across Madam Gu's face.
She was stunned. When did she ever say anything like that to belittle Chu Ruohan?
Ever since Chu Ruohan married into the Gu family, she's caused trouble several times but never got away with it...
Seeing this, Gu Wei knew that today's plan was completely hopeless.
Chu Ruohan's attitude, which was both soft and firm, clearly left no room for negotiation.
He was both angry and annoyed, but dared not vent his anger, and could only suppress his resentment.
Chu Ruohan put down her teacup, looked at the sky, and smiled, "Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt have come all this way, they should stay a little longer."
"But I've been feeling unwell lately and lack energy, so I'm afraid I haven't been able to entertain you properly. Someone, see the guests out."
The order to leave was given decisively and without hesitation.
The faces of Master Gu and his wife turned pale and then red, and in the end they could only stand up awkwardly.
The fourth wife wanted to say something more, but her husband grabbed her arm.
"Then...then we'll take our leave. Ruohan, you...get some rest," Gu Wei said, trying to maintain appearances.
The two were practically slunk away from the general's mansion by the servants.
Once he left the imposing mansion and was out of sight of the servants, Gu Wei could no longer hold back and spat a mouthful of phlegm on the ground.
"Pah! What a piece of trash!" he growled through gritted teeth, his facial muscles contorted with rage. "She's just a merchant's daughter."
"Having climbed the social ladder and become a general's wife, does she really think she's something special?"
Madam Gu was so angry that she trembled all over, revealing her sharp and mean nature.
"Hypocrite! What's with the airs of a general's wife! She's just a little hussy, what's so great about her!"
"Junze is now a great general, and he will surely have many wives and concubines in the future..."
"Just wait and see, fortunes change, let's see how long she can be so smug!"
"Alright, alright! Enough said!" Gu Wei interrupted her impatiently, glancing around before lowering his voice, "This isn't the place to talk! If someone hears us, we'll be in even more trouble!"
Madam Gu said indignantly, "Then what can we do? She refuses to help. Are we just going to wait to starve to death?"
A shadow of gloom flashed in Gu Wei's eyes: "Hmph, if she won't help, someone else will! I refuse to believe that there isn't a single person in the Gu family who cares about clan ties!"
"Let's go find our eldest brother! Gu Chongke still has a title; we can't just stand by and watch our whole family starve!"
Madam Gu curled her lips. "Eldest brother? He had that pretentious air about him. Back then, he couldn't stand our currying favor with the Marquis of Anyang's family and always made sarcastic remarks."
"Now that Junze is in power, he'll probably be even more determined to distance himself. Looking for him? I doubt it!"
"Trying is better than not trying!" Gu Wei said resentfully. "I don't believe he could be so ruthless! Let's go!"
The couple, supporting each other, disappeared around the street corner, filled with resentment and unwillingness.
Inside the general's mansion, Chu Ruohan was instructing her maid to remove the teacups the couple had touched and replace them with a new set.
Unconsciously, my fingertips traced the warm rim of the cup, the disgusting faces of the couple from earlier still flashing before my eyes.
Seeing the Fourth Madam reminded her of someone else.
Gu's mother was taken away from the mental hospital by Gu Chengyan and then disappeared without a trace.
The Prince Su's mansion was ransacked, Gu Chengyan was killed, but her whereabouts remain a mystery to this day.
Chu Ruohan frowned slightly. With Gu Chengyan's gloomy and ruthless nature, how could he still care about his crazy mother?
Since he went to great lengths to rescue the person, he must have hidden them in a place he considered absolutely safe.
Where will it be?
"What are you thinking about?"
A deep, familiar voice sounded from behind.
Gu Junze had quietly entered the flower hall at some point and was standing beside her soft couch, gazing at her with gentle eyes.
Chu Ruohan snapped out of her reverie, shook her head, and a faint smile appeared on her lips: "It's nothing."
She paused, looked up at him, suppressed her chaotic thoughts, and turned to ask about another matter that was on her mind.
"Any news from the people sent to investigate Qingmo Valley?"
Gu Junze sat down beside her and took her hand, which was resting on the side of the cup. He felt her fingertips were slightly cool and instinctively tightened his grip.
He shook his head, his expression becoming serious.
"Not yet." He said in a deep voice, "This place is too mysterious. I sent out many elite people to search around according to the scattered clues, but we couldn't even find the exact location. It's as if it never existed."
As Chu Ruohan listened, a shadow fell over her heart.
"They can't even find your people?" she asked softly, her tone tinged with disbelief.
Gu Junze's men are all top-notch experts, and even they were helpless against this place, which shows how mysterious it is.
Anyone associated with Gu Chengyan is definitely not a good person...
"Do you think Consort Ming might have come from there?"
A sharp glint flashed in Gu Junze's eyes.
"It's not impossible."
Gu Junze pulled her into his arms, his chin gently resting on the top of her head.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "I've got you covered."
Chu Ruohan nestled in his arms, feeling the comfort and warmth he brought, and softly hummed in agreement.
She knew that Gu Junze always kept his word.
"Oh, right," she said, as if remembering something, "has there been any concrete news from the Zheng delegation? When will they arrive in the capital?"
Gu Junze said, "The Honglu Temple sent a message saying that they have already set off. Judging from the distance, they should arrive in the capital in about ten days."
"I wonder who that messenger will be..."