Chapter 444 Leaving the City

"Then won't you be unemployed at home for the next few days?" Chu Ruohan's eyes moved with a hint of teasing.

Gu Junze laughed out loud and pulled her into his arms, "That's right. I thought it would be a good opportunity to take advantage of this quiet time of 'unemployment' to take you and the children out of the capital for a trip and relax."

"Didn't Brother Yun send a letter back a while ago saying he missed us? Let's go to Zheng to see him."

When Chu Ruohan heard this, her eyes lit up with joy. She was naturally happy to go to Zheng State to visit Yun Ge'er.

But after the joy faded, a hint of worry appeared between her brows: "It's just... Xiao Qingchen is still so young, the weather is so cold right now, and the journey is long. I'm worried that the child can't withstand the bumps."

Seeing her worry, Gu Junze said in a gentle voice, "Don't worry, I will have people arrange for the carriage to be as warm as spring, and the child will definitely not be cold."

"Besides, as we head south, the weather will gradually warm up. Zheng State is located in southern Xinjiang, so the climate there is mild and pleasant, which will actually be beneficial to the children's health."

In the end, Chu Ruohan was persuaded by him, and was full of anticipation for this journey which was both "avoiding disaster" and "traveling", and began to enthusiastically plan the luggage and items she needed to prepare.

Yuling lowered her head and silently put a folded brocade fur coat into the box.

When my fingertips touched the soft fox fur, a chill spread from the bottom of my heart.

Madam and the general are going on a long journey to the distant State of Zheng.

She will be left behind to guard this huge general's mansion.

The feeling of loss surged up like a tide, but she forced it down.

What made her chest feel even more suffocated was Qin Fang...

She took a deep breath and suppressed all her surging emotions. When she raised her head, her face was as calm as usual, and she continued to pack Chu Ruohan's luggage in an orderly manner.

Chu Ruohan saw it but didn't point it out.

The night is as dark as ink and the cold wind is howling outside the window.

The flickering candlelight in the inner room dispelled some of the chill.

Chu Ruohan stared at Gu Junze's deep profile. He was carefully wiping a short sword he carried with him. The sword glowed coldly in the candlelight.

"How confident are you that you can lure out the person behind Censor Zhao?"

Gu Junze paused in wiping, raised his eyes to look at her, his gaze as deep as the sea.

"100%."

After a pause, he continued, "But the price may be greater than we expected."

Just as the two were talking, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps outside the door, followed by a loud "bang" and the door was kicked open.

A tall figure strode in, his voice so loud that it almost blew the roof off.

"Oh, Madam, I heard you are going on a long journey?"

Song Ruyan walked in carelessly, one hand on her waist, the other pointing at Chu Ruohan, her eyes gleaming with curiosity, "How could you not tell me such a big thing?"

Chu Ruohan was startled, then she didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "It's so late, why are you..."

Song Ruyan sat down on the chair without any hesitation and waved her hand: "Don't worry about how I know this, I already know it anyway."

She blinked and lowered her voice mysteriously, "Those servants passed it around. I have very sharp ears."

Gu Junze frowned slightly, but considering the friendship between Song Ruyan and Chu Ruohan, he didn't say much.

Chu Ruohan looked at her helplessly: "Now that you know, what do you have to say?"

"It's not really about teaching," Song Ruyan straightened her back, her face serious. "Doctor Qian and I are going together! We're going under the pretext of protecting you, but in reality..." She suddenly lowered her voice and leaned closer mysteriously. "I want to go and have some fun, too."

Hearing this, Chu Ruohan laughed out loud: "You girl, you are quite honest."

Song Ruyan chuckled, "I'm a skilled martial artist, and Doctor Qian is a skilled doctor. If anything goes wrong on the road, we'll have someone to look after us."

"Besides, it's been a tiring journey, and Xiao Qingchen is still young. You can rest assured with us here."

"Okay!" Chu Ruohan originally wanted to take her with her, so that they wouldn't be bored along the way.

"But this trip is hasty, so you need to prepare as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Song Ruyan clapped her hands excitedly: "I've been ready for a long time! I've been waiting for you to say this!"

Considering that Chu Yueshu was pregnant, two experienced doctors were specially invited to take turns to take care of her. Wang Zhaodi also stayed, and Ying Qing also stayed because his wife was pregnant.

Everything was ready, and the group decided to travel light.

Chu Ruohan originally suggested blending into the caravan for safety, but Gu Junze thought that they would be too conspicuous and easily exposed, so he decided to act alone.

He only brought Xuan Ge'er, Xiao Qingchen and a few elite shadow guards.

The day we left the city, it was just dawn.

A thin mist enveloped the capital's walls, blurring their towering outlines into a hazy silhouette.

The cold wind was howling, carrying fine snow particles that hit my face painfully.

Chu Ruohan wrapped herself tightly in the fox fur coat, and the little Qingchen in her arms was wrapped tightly, with only a pink little face exposed.

Xuan Ge'er sat next to her, his eyes full of excitement, and he looked out the car window from time to time.

"Mom, brother, brother..."

Chu Ruohan gently stroked her son's head and said softly, "Yes, you will be able to see Brother Yun soon. Do you miss him?"

"I do!" Xuan Ge'er nodded heavily.

The carriage was driving slowly on the streets of the capital. It was just dawn and there were few people on the streets.

The small team consisting of several carriages was not conspicuous. Just as Gu Junze had planned, they left the city in a low-key manner.

Song Ruyan rode on the horse, looking around from time to time, vigilantly observing the movements around her.

Doctor Qian sat in another carriage with his eyes closed, resting.

When the team reached the city gate, a familiar figure had been waiting there for a long time.

“Big Brother!”

Gu Cheng'an walked forward quickly, wearing a plain robe, with an unconcealable worry between his brows.

His gaze lingered on Gu Junze's face for a moment, then turned to the carriage, knowing that Chu Ruohan and the children were inside.

Gu Junze pulled the reins, dismounted, and walked in front of him.

"Why are you here?" Gu Junze asked in a low voice, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Gu Chengan gave a bitter laugh, "Brother was suddenly dismissed from office and left the capital in a hurry. How could I not come and see him off?"

Gu Junze looked around and confirmed that no one was paying attention. He patted his shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry. Regarding the affairs of the court, just follow the instructions in my letter. There is no need to worry."

The two brothers looked at each other, and everything was said without words.

The carriage slowly drove out of the capital, passing through the hard official road, and was surrounded by open fields.

Xuan Ge'er was leaning on the window in the carriage and looking out, his little face filled with irrepressible excitement.

He was born and raised in the capital and had never traveled far. Seeing the unfamiliar scenery, he was even more curious.

When they reached the bend of the official road, Gu Junze rode his horse to the carriage window and saw his son's excited look.

"Xuan'er, do you want to ride a horse?"

"Horse?" Xuan Ge'er thought for a while, "Big horse, I want..." His little hands knocked on the window frame excitedly.

Chu Ruohan raised her eyes and looked at Gu Junze: "Be careful on the road."

"Don't worry." Gu Junze reached out and took Xuan Ge'er, holding him firmly in front of him, "I will protect him well."