Chapter 134: Crying Out for Justice Outside Xuanwu Gate

Chu Ruohan's eyes fell directly on Ying Qing, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Her voice trembled slightly with excitement. "These three levels are extremely dangerous. If you're not careful, your life will be in danger. How can you easily take such a risk?"

Gu Junze also frowned and looked at Ying Qing, his tone serious and worried.

"Yingqing, this matter is of no small importance. Don't act rashly. The cruelty of these three levels is far beyond your imagination. Even with your great martial arts skills, you may not be able to escape unscathed."

Ying Qing nodded slightly, his expression respectful yet resolute: "Prince, I understand the dangers involved. But for Yue..."

"For the Chu family, I'm willing to give it a try. I've practiced martial arts since I was young and am physically strong, so I'm sure there's a glimmer of hope. Furthermore, I've thought carefully about it. If I go through the three levels, the young lady will also be able to see the emperor."

Chu Ruohan couldn't help but feel touched, knowing that Ying Qing was doing this for Yue Shu. There was such a man who would go through fire and water for her sister.

Yueshu is extremely lucky to have such a good man.

She understood that Yingqing's feelings for Yueshu were already deep in his bones, and this love was passionate and firm.

There was no way she would let him die.

"Yingqing, I appreciate your kindness, but the risk is too great. I cannot agree to it."

Ying Qing wanted to persuade him again, but Chu Ruohan raised her hand to stop him, her eyes full of determination.

"Yingqing, there's no need to discuss this matter any further. I absolutely cannot let you risk your life for our Chu family."

Ying Qing made up his mind at this moment.

The room fell into a brief silence. Gu Junze sat aside with a frown on his face. His eyes moved back and forth between Chu Ruohan and Ying Qing, lost in thought.

Suddenly, he seemed to have thought of something, a gleam in his eyes, and he pushed his wheelchair towards the corner of the room.

Ying Qing saw this and followed him.

Gu Junze asked Yingqing to open the floor and lift out an old wooden box.

Gently brushing off the dust on the lid of the box, a piece of armor came into view inside the wooden box. Every piece of armor was polished very finely, and it gleamed coldly in the dim light.

"This is..." Chu Ruohan looked at Gu Junze in confusion.

Gu Junze gently stroked the armor, a complex expression on his face, a mixture of reminiscence and pride. "This is my mother's armor."

"Back then, she wore this armor, galloped across the battlefield, achieved great military exploits, and became famous far and wide." He spoke slowly, with an imperceptible tremor in his voice.

Ever since his mother passed away, he has kept this armor sealed away...

The next morning

Outside the Xuanwu Gate, Chu Ruohan, wearing the shining armor, stood straight but with a bit of courage, kneeling on the bluestone ground in front of the Xuanwu Gate.

The metallic luster on the armor flickered in the morning sunlight, as if telling of past military exploits and glory.

Officials passing by here on their way to and from court all cast their respects.

When the eyes of the military officers fell on the familiar armor, their expressions instantly became solemn and reverent. They all stopped and raised their hands to salute in a uniform manner, showing their deep respect for the eldest princess.

The people were also attracted by the scene and gathered from all directions. The crowd grew larger and larger, and discussions arose one after another.

A white-haired old man trembled as he squeezed to the front row in the crowd. He squinted his eyes and looked at the armor carefully. Suddenly, a glimmer of light flashed in his cloudy eyes.

He pointed at Chu Ruohan with a trembling hand and shouted excitedly, "Isn't this the eldest princess's armor? Back then, the eldest princess wore this armor and fought on the battlefield to defend her country. She was a great hero to our Great Jin!"

When the people around heard this, they were immediately in an uproar and started whispering to each other.

"Why is the princess's armor worn by this woman?"

"This is the wife of the Crown Prince of Anyang Marquisate, the daughter-in-law of the eldest princess. How much injustice must she have suffered to kneel here in armor and cry out for justice!"

"Could it be that there's some injustice so great that even the Emperor has to give an explanation?"

At this time, the officials in the court had no intention of discussing matters. The sound of whispering could be heard everywhere, and the topic all revolved around Chu Ruohan outside the Xuanwu Gate.

"Your Majesty, outside the Xuanwu Gate, the wife of the Crown Prince of Anyang's Mansion is kneeling on the ground wearing the eldest princess's armor and crying out for justice. This matter has caused quite a stir among the people. I hope Your Majesty will make the decision." An elderly minister stepped forward and bowed to the emperor to make suggestions.

The Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne, his face gloomy and gloomy. He gripped the armrests tightly, his knuckles turning white, and he felt annoyed. "I know how to handle this matter. Shut up! Let's get on with the meeting!"

However, the ministers' discussions could not be suppressed and the court was filled with noise.

The emperor finally couldn't bear it anymore. He slammed the armrest of the dragon throne, stood up, and roared: "Dismiss the court!" After that, he turned around and left.

When he returned to his bedroom, the emperor was still furious. He swept the teacup on the table to the ground. With a crisp "bang", the teacup shattered into pieces.

The palace maids and servants were so frightened that their faces turned pale. They all knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe.

How could the emperor not know that this was Gu Junze's secret instruction?

"He is really capable! He even learned to threaten me!" The emperor gritted his teeth, his eyes full of anger.

"Go and convey my order to let Chu Ruohan come in." The emperor took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, and said coldly.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The eunuch stood up quickly as if he had been pardoned, and hurriedly retreated to convey the order.

At the same time, Gu Junze had already been waiting in the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace...

Chu Ruohan stepped into the imperial study with a nervous heart, knelt on her knees, her body trembling slightly, and her heartbeat was clearly audible in the silent imperial study.

The emperor sat behind the desk, his eyes as sharp as torches, coldly cast on Chu Ruohan. When he saw the armor that his elder sister used to wear on her, his heart trembled suddenly.

Those memories that have been buried by the years flooded into my heart like a tide.

A hint of imperceptible tenderness flashed in his eyes, but he quickly returned to his usual dignity and indifference, and said coldly: "Take it off."

Chu Ruohan didn't dare to hesitate for a moment. Her fingers hurriedly untied the straps on her armor. Every movement was cautious, for fear of making any noise and angering the emperor.

Seeing this, the eunuch on the side hurried forward and served respectfully, not daring to let the armor fall to the ground.

The armor was slowly taken off, and the eunuch held it in both hands and carefully presented it to the emperor.

The emperor slowly stood up and walked to the armor with heavy steps. He reached out and gently stroked the cold metal, his eyes revealing endless recollection and nostalgia.

This was once bestowed by the Emperor...

Chu Ruohan knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe, quietly waiting for the emperor's decision.