Chapter 443 Crisis! Gu Junze is dismissed

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, at dawn, everyone in the general's mansion got up one after another and started to get busy.

Chu Ruohan finished washing and dressing early, and stood in the courtyard looking at the dawn in the sky. A sense of uneasiness inexplicably arose in her heart.

Gu Junze gently hugged her shoulders from behind and said in a gentle voice, "Are you up so early?"

"Yeah," Chu Ruohan leaned on his chest, "I don't know why, but I always feel a little uneasy and can't sleep well."

Gu Junze stroked her hair and comforted her: "It's the beginning of the new year, may everything go well for you, don't worry too much."

Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, but said, "You didn't go to the palace for the banquet yesterday, but was there any incident in the palace?"

Gu Junze was silent for a moment, and finally whispered, "Something is not right in the court. Censor Zhao has been very active these days, and seems to be secretly contacting some officials."

"Is it because of the Qingmo Valley incident?" Chu Ruohan frowned.

"Well," Gu Junze's eyes darkened, "I've arrested so many people, they won't just sit there and wait to be killed."

"Then you have to be careful," Chu Ruohan held his hand tightly, "If anything happens, we will face it together."

A hint of tenderness flashed in Gu Junze's eyes: "Having you by my side is my greatest support."

As they were talking, Yuling came hurriedly and bowed: "Madam, General, breakfast is ready."

Chu Ruohan noticed that Yuling's eyes were slightly red, as if she had been crying, and her heart moved.

"Yuling, what's wrong with you? Didn't you get enough rest last night?"

Yuling lowered her head and said, "Madam, I am fine. It's just that the weather is cold and the wind is blowing on my eyes, which makes them feel uncomfortable."

Chu Ruohan glanced at Gu Junze, then said gently: "Go prepare some hot water, I need to wash my hands."

"Yes, ma'am." Yuling bowed and turned to leave.

Chu Ruohan looked at Yuling's slightly lonely back and said softly to Gu Junze, "It seems that girl must have said something to Qin Fang last night. I'll go ask her later."

Gu Junze nodded, but his expression gradually became serious: "The court is unstable, and matters in the palace must be arranged early. Han'er, if anything unexpected happens, you take Yueshu and the children back to the Chu family first."

Chu Ruohan's pupils shrank slightly: "What do you mean? Could it be that... you knew something unexpected would happen?"

Gu Junze shook his head: "It's just a precaution. The Qingmo Valley case has far-reaching implications. With such a large-scale move, the other party will definitely not let it go."

"I won't leave you," Chu Ruohan took his hand, "No matter what happens, we will face it together."

Gu Junze looked at her deeply, said nothing more, and just held her hand tighter.

At this moment, a servant from the mansion came running in: "General, there is a guard outside who wants to see you. He said there is an urgent military matter."

Gu Junze frowned, nodded at Chu Ruohan, and strode out to greet her.

Chu Ruohan stood there, looking at Gu Junze's back, and the uneasiness in her heart became stronger and stronger.

Time flies, and it is already the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

The atmosphere in the court became increasingly tense. Gu Junze had to go to the palace to discuss matters almost every day, and he always had a frown on his face when he returned home.

During the Lantern Festival, although the general's mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, it lacked some of the joy of the past.

Gu Junze entered the palace early in the morning and did not return until the evening.

"Has there been any change in the court?" Chu Ruohan took his cloak and asked with concern.

Gu Junze's expression was solemn. "A storm is brewing. Censor Zhao has gathered a lot of so-called 'evidence' and is preparing to impeach me at court tomorrow."

Chu Ruohan's heart tightened: "Is there any solution?"

Gu Junze chuckled and held the person in his arms, "Don't worry, everything is as planned."

The next morning, Gu Junze left in court robes, and Chu Ruohan personally tidied his clothes for him.

Before leaving, he looked at Chu Ruohan deeply and said softly, "Wait for me to come back."

Chu Ruohan stood in front of the door and watched him leave...

At noon, a guard suddenly arrived hurriedly, his face solemn. "In the court, Censor Zhao impeached the general on three counts, using harsh language. The emperor has actually ordered the general to be temporarily dismissed from his post and ordered him to reflect on his mistakes at home."

"What?"

Last night, Gu Junze had already told Chu Ruohan that she had to play this scene to the fullest.

"How could the Emperor be like this? The General has devoted himself to the court, and the Emperor must be unaware of this!"

The guard's face was filled with worry. "Censor Zhao said the general was using his own troops to his advantage and arresting officials without permission, causing widespread panic. He also said that because of the master, a minister's wife hanged herself, and even her unborn child was not spared."

Chu Ruohan's expression suddenly changed: "This is a complete distortion of right and wrong! Those who were arrested are all treacherous people who colluded with Qingmo Valley!"

"The general made the same excuse, but the emperor, contrary to his usual practice, did not elaborate further."

The guard whispered, "The general says he's innocent. Your Majesty, please investigate. But the imperial decree has already been issued..."

"When can we return home?" Chu Ruohan asked.

"When I left, the general was handing over the seal and should be back soon," the guard replied.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

Chu Ruohan waved her hand and asked Yuling to send the person away.

She also stood up and walked slowly towards the gate of the mansion.

The cold wind howled, blowing up the remaining snow in front of the mansion gate and hitting my face painfully.

Gu Junze's carriage finally arrived slowly at dusk.

The curtain of the car opened and he stepped out.

Outside the mansion gate, he was still the majestic general who defended the country, his face was as solemn as iron, and he exuded a cold aura that kept strangers away.

The servants had already received the news, and at this moment they were silent as a mouse, not even daring to breathe, and stood on both sides with their heads bowed.

However, when Gu Junze's eyes fell on Chu Ruohan, he stepped into the inner courtyard and signaled all the servants to leave. Then, the gloom and coldness surrounding him disappeared without a trace in an instant, just like ice and snow meeting the sun.

He walked quickly to Chu Ruohan, a reassuring smile spread across his face, and reached out to hold her slightly cold hand in his palm.

Chu Ruohan was both angry and amused when she saw his expression change so much. She couldn't help but stretch out her fist and hit him lightly.

"If you hadn't told me in advance, looking at the way you looked just now, I really thought the sky was going to fall!"

Gu Junze took the opportunity to pull her to sit on the warm couch in the corridor, and a low laugh overflowed from his chest.

He held her hand and explained, "This 'dismissal' was indeed a scheme set up by the Emperor and I. Zhao Bingzhong was merely used as a pawn. The real fun is yet to come."

"Some of the corrupt officials in the court are hiding too deeply. If we don't give them a chance to succeed, how can we lure them out of their holes and catch them all in one fell swoop?"

This seemingly dangerous situation is actually a trap set by Gu Junze and the Emperor...