Su Rong glared at Zhou Gu, saying it nicely, to return as soon as possible; still, that could take a month at the earliest, and even that wasn’t certain.
She kept a tense face, saying nothing.
Zhou Gu held her and kissed her gently, bit by bit, like a chick pecking at rice, using all his tricks to soothe her. "I also don’t want to leave the Royal Capital, but if the Southern three states really are a hidden danger, not finding and resolving the issue, eliminating the filth, could turn into a major chaos later on. It would exhaust you trying to handle it. Would it not be even more troublesome if it eventually comes to deploying troops?"
Su Rong certainly understood this reasoning; it was just too sudden, she had no time to mentally prepare, and she pinched Zhou Gu in frustration, "You could have said something yesterday, at least I would have had a night to process it."
Damn it, he chose today to tell her, and then said he had to leave. Who wouldn’t be angry?
Zhou Gu admitted his fault, "Didn’t I just say so? I wasn’t planning to leave the Royal Capital today. I was considering leaving in a few days; after all, I only discussed it with Old Minister Sun yesterday, it was just an idea. But seeing the report from the Southern three states today, I felt we should act decisively, without delay, to avoid risks if we delay any longer."
He continued to kiss her. "Don’t be angry, how about I leave tonight instead?"
Su Rong pushed him away, "Who’s going with you?"
"Ziye, and also bring along the Hidden Guard, travel light and simple."
Su Rong contemplated. Fen Ling has now joined the court, serving in the Ministry of Works, and couldn’t go. Cui Xingzhi couldn’t go either. After Zhou Gu leaves, someone must handle his duties at the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Yun couldn’t go either. There were a heap of matters at the Ministry of War, ideally, these three people were the most suitable to accompany him, but now none could leave.
She pondered for a while, then said, "Let Fang Yue and Lady Wan take people with you. Otherwise, just Ziye and a few of your Hidden Guard, I’m not at ease. Additionally, go see your maternal grandfather and have him send more of Cui Family’s Hidden Guard to accompany you."
After saying that, she added, "Take Qin Feng with you."
Qin Feng was highly skilled in medical skills; having a competent doctor with him would also put her mind at ease.
Zhou Gu looked at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "Are you that worried about me?"
Su Rong resentfully retorted, "Obviously, if it’s as you suspect, the Southern three states harboring Nangong Family’s stronghold, do you think you can manage with a few people? I can’t leave the Royal Capital to join you, and I certainly do not want to be unable to find my fiancé on our Great Wedding day."
"That would definitely not happen." Zhou Gu said soothingly, "Rest assured, I am looking forward to marrying you, so I will definitely protect myself. Alright, I’ll do as you say, and once I leave the Royal Palace, I’ll go see my maternal grandfather."
"You go to Cui Residence first. After I see Qin Luan, I’ll join you at Cui Residence; start your journey half a day later." Su Rong decided to give herself some time to think. Although Zhou Gu was in a hurry to leave the capital, she wanted to ensure that all necessary personnel and preparations were thoroughly made; she couldn’t just let him rush off like that.
"Alright, I’ll listen to you," Zhou Gu showed full compliance at this moment.
Su Rong waved him off, "Get out."
Zhou Gu touched his nose and turned to leave the Imperial Study Room.
He left the Imperial Study Room with swift steps, not even glancing at Qin Luan, as he rushed out.
Although Qin Luan had not intended to greet and speak with Zhou Gu alone, she was still stunned by his disregard, until someone invited her in, and only then did she adjust her mood and enter the Imperial Study Room.
Su Rong was sitting in front of the desk, her complexion not looking very good.
Qin Luan knelt to pay her respects, "Princess."
Su Rong nodded, "Have you decided? Will you join the court, or continue to take part in next year’s imperial examination?"
"To join the court, this humble woman thanks the Princess for her high regard and effort in promoting," Qin Luan sincerely thanked her, "I am aware of my meagre talents and shallow learning, not having been successful in the examination. I had no chance to join the court this year, but Your Highness thought of me and granted me this special favor. It is my fortune, and I dare not waste the kindness you have shown in supporting me."
Su Rong smiled, "You don’t need to say so. I only remember that your scholarship is nearly on par with Zhang Xiyun and Sun Keyi. The Ministry of Rites just happens to lack two people. If they can join the Ministry of Rites and become Ninth Grade officials, you certainly can also be promoted exceptionally. It just so happens that the female study needs someone to oversee, and I think you are quite suitable."
Qin Luan expressed her stance, "This humble woman will certainly oversee the female study well and not let down the Princess’s high regard."
"Alright, now that you’ve joined the court, it’s better to be addressed as a subject," Su Rong was not in the mood to converse more with Qin Luan, "The administration of the female study will be handled by Uncle Xie and Duke Cui. I will have someone take you to meet Uncle Xie."
Qin Luan nodded, "Yes, this subject thanks the Princess."
Thus, Su Rong called an eunuch and instructed him to take Qin Luan to see Xie Yuan.
Qin Luan took her leave and walked out of the Imperial Study Room, her heart slightly easing. She also noticed that Su Rong seemed to be in a bad mood. Clearly, when she and Zhou Gu had returned to the Imperial Study Room earlier after leaving the court, the mood seemed quite good. But after speaking with Zhou Gu in the Imperial Study Room, her mood seemed to worsen.
While she was being led forward by the eunuch, she was pondering when suddenly she stopped in her tracks, suddenly remembering that Su Rong’s lipstick seemed smeared.
"Miss Qin?" the eunuch, seeing her standing still, asked aloud.
Qin Luan came to her senses and continued walking forward, then after a moment, seemingly casually asked, "Do the Princess and Master of the Imperial often quarrel?"
"Ah?" the eunuch was baffled, "No, not at all."
Having spoken, Qin Luan felt some regret about probing into the affairs of the Princess and her husband, which she should not have done. But witnessing the event today made it difficult for her not to think too much. Confused by the eunuch’s reaction, she followed up.
The eunuch, puzzled, said, "Did you hear some rumor somewhere? The Princess and her husband are very close and never seem to quarrel."
Qin Luan steadied her spirit. The eunuchs in the palace were clever people; she had to provide a reason to prevent further speculation, so she whispered truthfully, "Just now, when I met the Princess, she seemed to be in a bad mood, and right before that, her husband had visited and left hastily."
"Ah, that case," the eunuch, feeling that this Miss Qin was from Daliang and hence had a somewhat different relationship with the Princess than others, didn’t mind speaking a bit more, whispered, "They had just come down from the court; it might be due to some governmental affairs where they had different political opinions. The Princess was probably just slightly upset, nothing serious. Just the other day, because of a major case, she scolded everyone from the Ministry of Justice except for Old Minister Sun. Since Old Minister Sun was on leave during the incident, he was not reprimanded. The Princess scolded so fiercely that everyone in the Ministry of Justice was ashamed, nearly burying their heads in the ground, and she was so angry she didn’t eat lunch."
"I see," Qin Luan felt ashamed, "It was my first time witnessing the Princess in such a state, and I was afraid that I had offended her, which led me to overthink. Please, Eunuch, do not blame me."
Finding themselves alone, she discreetly took out a silver tael and gave it to the eunuch, "Please forgive my indiscretion, Eunuch, and kindly keep this matter secret. I will not dare to speculate about the sovereign so carelessly in the future."
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