freenovelworld Chapter 347 It turns out that the lady was also someone who craved wealth and luxury.
Chapter 347 It turns out that the lady was also someone who craved wealth and luxury.
"I want to live a peaceful life with my wife," Gu Junze said firmly. "If there is no war, I do not wish to interfere too much in politics."
Zhao Yunci smiled enigmatically: "I wouldn't dare to fully trust such a promise."
"Whatever you think."
Gu Junze cupped his hands, preparing to take his leave, "If Your Majesty has nothing else, I will take my leave now."
"and many more."
Zhao Yunci called out to him and took out a string of Buddhist prayer beads from her bosom.
"Here, take this as a small token of my appreciation."
Gu Junze took the prayer beads. He noticed that the beads had a warm and lustrous color, as if they had been polished countless times, exuding an ancient and peaceful aura.
"This is…"
“These are the prayer beads I played with every day when I was in Buddhism,” Zhao Yunci explained. “May they bring you peace of mind.”
Gu Junze put the Buddhist beads into his pocket and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."
Zhao Yunci watched Gu Junze leave, the smile on her face gradually fading, replaced by an unfathomable expression.
Gu Junze left the palace and took a carriage directly back to the General's Mansion.
Throughout the journey, he kept thinking about his conversation with Zhao Yunci, feeling a vague unease in his heart.
"came back?"
Chu Ruohan stepped forward and, seeing Gu Junze's furrowed brows, asked with concern, "What happened?"
Gu Junze snapped out of his reverie and shook his head: "It's nothing, it's just that there are many complicated matters in the court."
As he spoke, he took out the imperial edict from his robes and handed it to Chu Ruohan: "This is for you."
Chu Ruohan took the imperial edict with a puzzled expression, slowly unfolded it, and then her eyes widened slightly: "This...this is..."
"Congratulations, Madam. From this day forward, you are a Lady of the Third Rank in the Imperial Court."
Seeing Chu Ruohan's surprised expression, Gu Junze felt much more relaxed.
Chu Ruohan closed the imperial edict. "Is this His Majesty's will?"
"Hmm." Gu Junze nodded. "It can be considered a compliment to us."
Chu Ruohan placed the imperial edict aside, a smile in her eyes, and walked to Gu Junze's side, gently taking his hand.
"Lady of Imperial Decree? That sounds like a prestigious title. Won't it make people think we're power-hungry?"
Gu Junze pulled Chu Ruohan into his arms, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"What, does Madam not like this title?"
"I do like him, but I never expected His Majesty to have such thoughts." Chu Ruohan leaned against Gu Junze's chest, her fingers gently tracing the lines on his chest. "How are your interactions with His Majesty in private?"
Gu Junze chuckled and looked out the window at the darkening sky.
"What else can we do? He is the emperor, and I am his subject. We can only be polite."
Chu Ruohan looked up into Gu Junze's eyes, as if trying to see through his thoughts.
"You can't fool me, I can tell you have something on your mind."
Gu Junze sighed, took out the string of Buddhist beads from his pocket, and gently played with them in his hand.
"His Majesty gave me this."
Chu Ruohan took the prayer beads and examined them carefully. The beads were warm and smooth, clearly having been handled countless times.
“Buddhist prayer beads? This doesn’t seem like an ordinary gift given to a subject.”
He said these were Buddhist prayer beads that he played with every day in the Buddhist temple, and he hoped they could bring me peace of mind.
Chu Ruohan returned the Buddhist beads to Gu Junze, only to find him frowning.
"what are you worried about?"
"It's nothing," Gu Junze said, putting away the prayer beads. "I just feel that all of this has happened too fast, and I'm not used to it."
Chu Ruohan pulled Gu Junze to sit down at the table and poured him a cup of tea.
"So what are your plans? Do you really intend to stay away from politics and just be a leisurely general?"
Gu Junze took the teacup and took a small sip.
What do you want from me?
"I just want you to be happy," Chu Ruohan said earnestly. "Whether you choose to fight on the battlefield or retire to the countryside, I will support you as long as it's your choice."
Gu Junze put down his teacup and suddenly smiled.
"If I choose to retire from public life, are you really willing to live with me a life of working at sunrise and resting at sunset?"
Chu Ruohan rested her chin on her hand, pretending to be deep in thought.
"Well, I do enjoy a quiet life, but if you really take me to the deep mountains and forests, I'm afraid I'll go crazy."
Gu Junze laughed heartily and reached out to tap Chu Ruohan's nose.
"So it turns out that the lady is also someone who craves wealth and luxury."
“Who says otherwise?” Chu Ruohan winked playfully. “After all, I am now a Lady of Imperial Decree, and my status is extraordinary.”
Looking at Chu Ruohan's lively demeanor, Gu Junze felt all the gloom in his heart vanish.
"If that's the case, then I will continue to serve as an official so that my wife can continue to enjoy this wealth and honor."
“That won’t do,” Chu Ruohan said seriously, her smile fading. “I was just joking. If you really want to back out, I won’t stop you.”
Gu Junze reached out and pulled Chu Ruohan into his arms, whispering, "I know."
Chu Ruohan leaned on Gu Junze's shoulder and asked softly, "You've changed a lot lately, and you seem to have more on your mind. Has the emperor's death reminded you of many things?"
Gu Junze remained silent for a moment, his gaze gradually fading into the distance.
"I always thought that I would feel calm and indifferent after taking revenge, but I didn't expect it to be a completely different feeling."
What does it taste like?
"It's hard to explain, hard to define."
Chu Ruohan held Gu Junze's hand and said softly, "The human heart is the most complicated thing, especially when kinship and hatred are intertwined."
"Sometimes I wonder, if my mother knew this from beyond the grave, would she want me to do this?"
“You are not wrong,” Chu Ruohan said firmly. “Princess Anyang is a person who cares about the world. She will be proud of you.”
Gu Junze looked out the window at the night scene and sighed deeply.
He turned his head to look at Chu Ruohan, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.
"Speaking of which, shouldn't your household prepare a celebration for your new title of Lady of the Imperial Decree?"
Chu Ruohan was startled and quickly shook her head.
"No need! Keep it simple, I'm not one to like showing off."
"But you are, after all, a Lady of Imperial Decree. If you don't make a big fuss about it, wouldn't you be letting His Majesty down?" Gu Junze said, feigning seriousness.
Upon seeing this, Chu Ruohan immediately realized that he was teasing her, so she pretended to hit him.
"How dare you make fun of me!"
Gu Junze grabbed Chu Ruohan's hand and pulled her into his arms.
"Madam is right to punish me; I have overstepped my bounds."
The two smiled at each other, and the candlelight in the mansion flickered slightly, illuminating their figures leaning on each other.
The next day, Gu Junze received a message from the palace early in the morning, saying that His Majesty summoned him.
"Summoned so early, there must be something important to discuss."
Chu Ruohan helped Gu Junze straighten his clothes, "Remember to come back early, I'll have the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes."
Gu Junze nodded and turned to leave.
Inside the palace, Zhao Yunci was already waiting in the imperial study. Upon seeing Gu Junze enter, he put down the memorial in his hand.
"You came sooner."
Gu Junze bowed and said, "Your Majesty summoned me, and I dare not be negligent."
Zhao Yunci waved for him to sit down and personally poured him a cup of tea.
"The day after tomorrow, Wang Wu's army will arrive in the capital..."