Chapter 224: Things that are above board may be the safest
By the time Chu Ruohan and Aunt Zhao finalized the details for the shop's opening, two hours had already passed.
Chu Ruohan let out a long sigh, stretched, stood up, and said goodbye to Aunt Zhao.
Then he walked towards his room.
Gu Junze is still waiting for her!
Just as she pushed open the door and before she could step into the house, she suddenly felt a tightness around her waist and a strong arm wrapped around her slender waist.
Chu Ruohan screamed subconsciously, and when she turned around, she saw Gu Junze's face with a little grievance.
"Why is it taking so long..."
Before Chu Ruohan could explain, he exerted force with his arms and easily picked her up sideways.
Gu Junze turned sideways and hooked his foot, and with a "bang", the door closed.
Then he strode towards the bed, and the thin curtains slowly fell.
Chu Ruohan quickly fell into depravity...
Afterwards, Chu Ruohan leaned lazily on the edge of the bathtub, raised her hand to gently rub her sore neck, and slowly closed her eyes.
Soon, Yuling walked into the house lightly, carrying a wooden bucket with steam still rising from it.
"Young Madam, would you like some hot water?"
"Um."
As hot water slowly pours into the bathtub, the water temperature gradually rises, and the warmth penetrates from the skin to the heart.
The fatigue in Chu Ruohan's body seemed to slowly dissipate in this warmth.
She suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Yuling who was packing the wooden barrel.
"Is the Spring Examination tomorrow?"
Yuling quickly put down the wooden barrel in her hand, turned around and responded with a smile: "Yes, Madam, don't worry, our Master Chenyu has been studying hard since he was young, and he will definitely be able to get into the top three of the high school entrance examination."
Chu Ruohan smiled faintly without saying anything. Although Chen Yu worked hard, there was still a gap between him and those children from scholarly families who had been carefully cultivated since childhood.
Being able to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi would bring honor to the family.
After a moment's thought, Chu Ruohan continued, "Gu Chengyan will also be going to the Imperial Examination Hall tomorrow. Life there is very hard. As the eldest sister-in-law, I should send him some necessary clothes."
"Yes, I'll do it right away." After receiving the order, Yuling hurriedly retreated.
The next morning
Chu Ruohan got up early, dressed up, and waited for Gu Junze to pack his luggage.
As usual, she walked him to the door, and they stood side by side, their figures looking particularly intimate in the morning light.
Gu Junze turned around, his eyes full of affection, and said softly: "Next time I come back, I will bring you chestnut cakes."
Ever since he knew that Chu Ruohan loved chestnut cake, Gu Junze would always remember to bring her a portion when he came back from going out.
"Yeah." Chu Ruohan nodded slightly.
Gu Junze then reluctantly let go of her hand, climbed onto the horse, pulled the reins, and rode away.
Gu Chengyan stood aside, looking at the direction where Gu Junze left, feeling uncomfortable.
What about joining the military camp and still being able to take part in the imperial examination? Gu Junze was deliberately framing him at that time.
Chu Ruohan retracted her gaze and walked in front of Gu Chengyan. "Today is the imperial examination. Your brother and I have prepared some things for you. Third brother, you must do well in the exam!"
After saying that, she turned slightly and motioned Yuling to hand him the prepared bundle.
Gu Chengyan looked at the bundle with a deep look in his eyes. The imperial examination hall was heavily guarded and the examination was extremely strict. He didn't dare to use Chu Ruohan's things.
This woman has plotted against him more than once...
"Thank you, sister-in-law," Gu Chengyan suddenly said loudly, his voice abrupt and loud.
Yuling was caught off guard and startled. Her hand shook and the bundle fell to the ground with a "bang".
"The mansion has already prepared everything for me, so there's no need for you to worry about it." Gu Chengyan's tone was stiff, and he met Chu Ruohan's eyes.
At this time, Su Wanniang also came out. Now as the mistress of the Marquis' Mansion, her stepson was going to take the imperial examination, so she naturally had to go out to see him off and act like a good wife and mother.
"Ruohan is thoughtful." Su Wanniang had a decent smile on her face. As she spoke, she walked to Gu Chengyan and began to give him instructions.
"Don't be nervous once you enter the exam room. Read the questions carefully and write neatly..."
She explained everything in detail, just like a caring mother.
Gu Chengyan nodded slightly, with a look of submissiveness on his face, but a hint of barely perceptible annoyance flashed in his eyes.
He knew in his heart that Su Wanniang was just putting on an act in front of everyone...
Gu Chengyan's servant stood quietly by with a book basket on his back. After Su Wanniang finished giving her instructions, he followed Gu Chengyan and got into the carriage.
The wheels rolled slowly, making a dull sound.
Chu Ruohan looked at the bundle on the ground with a faint, meaningful smile on her lips.
She bent down to pick up the bundle and gently brushed off the dust.
Chu Ruohan raised her head and looked at the carriage gradually moving away. Gu Chengyan, are the things prepared in the mansion necessarily clean?
As she watched the carriage go away, the smile on Su Wanniang's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a complicated look.
She turned to look at Chu Ruohan and said with a forced smile, "Ruohan, you really care about Chengyan."
Chu Ruohan smiled slightly, "He is my husband's younger brother, so it's only natural for him to show some concern. But Madam, as the head of the family, you are so caring towards your stepson, you are truly a role model for us."
There was a hint of compliment in her words, but it was also like a needle hidden in cotton.
"We are all family, so we should naturally look after each other. The imperial examination is a big deal, and all we can do is to do our best."
She paused, her eyes lingering on the bundle in Chu Ruohan's hand for a moment, and then continued, "It's just Chengyan's things. The mansion has prepared them all. Why are you still obsessed with this bundle? Is there something special inside?"
"There is sand in my eyes, but I can't tolerate it."
Chu Ruohan still smiled, knowing that Su Wanniang had not forgotten the embarrassment that Gu Junze had given her when she served tea.
Chu Ruohan responded calmly, "Madam, you're joking. It's just some ordinary writing brushes, inkstones, and a few changes of clothes. I wanted to give my third brother more preparation so that he can feel more comfortable in the exam hall."
"If Madam is worried, then take it over and have it carefully examined."
As she spoke, Chu Ruohan gently shook the bundle in her hand and handed it to Su Wanniang. Her eyes were calm and flawless.
Su Wanniang looked at the bundle but didn't take it. "What are you talking about? How could I not believe you?"
Chu Ruohan gently withdrew her hand and held the bundle in her arms, her smile still undiminished: "It's good that Madam can trust me. If not, I will feel guilty."
Her tone was gentle, but there was a hint of oppression in her words, as if reminding Su Wanniang of her groundless suspicion just now.
Su Wanniang coughed lightly, trying to hide her embarrassment, "Look at what you said, I was too worried."
After saying that, she turned and went into the house.
Looking at Su Wanniang's departing back, Chu Ruohan sneered, then instantly returned to her gentle expression.
She took Yuling to the other side, where the carriage had been prepared long ago...
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