Chapter 246: In this world, as long as there is enough money, even the devil can make the mill go...
Su Wanniang looked at Chu Ruohan and said in a calm tone, "Your dowry and the prince's private treasury are all left in Hongmeng Courtyard and have not been confiscated. The emperor still favors you."
Chu Ruohan just smiled and didn't respond.
She knew clearly in her mind that this imperial edict had probably been drafted before Marquis Anyang started his rebellion.
At that time, Gu Junze and the emperor had not yet fallen out, and the empress dowager was still alive.
If it were now...
Chu Ruohan didn't dare to think too deeply, and only felt confused about the road ahead.
"Thank you very much."
Chu Ruohan turned to leave, but Su Wanniang spoke again: "It's time for me to leave too. Let me tell you one more thing."
Chu Ruohan paused, looked back at her, and waited for her to continue.
"There are some things hidden in the Anyang Marquis's secret room," Su Wanniang deliberately lowered her voice, "Those things may be very important to the prince."
Chu Ruohan frowned slightly, a little confused: "What is it?"
"Princess Anyang's belongings, and some letters."
Su Wanniang slowly stood up and walked to Chu Ruohan's side. She lowered her voice, "The secret room is in the secret compartment behind the study. Go and take a look before the soldiers find it."
Chu Ruohan nodded, turned and left without saying anything else.
She returned to Hongmeng Courtyard, wrote a letter, and then called Yingqing.
"Go to the Treasure Pavilion and find a man named Qin Fang and give him this letter."
Ying Qing hesitated and didn't want to leave: "Young Madam, I'd better stay by your side to protect you. I'll deliver the letter after the prince returns."
Chu Ruohan was very persistent: "Aren't there two shadow guards in the courtyard? Anyang Hou has also been imprisoned. I won't be in trouble. Go quickly!"
Chu Ruohan was anxious, afraid that it would be too late...
But she didn't know that the shadow guard had been lured away by someone with ulterior motives!
Seeing that she was so determined, Ying Qing had no choice but to nod, turn around and leave in a hurry.
Chu Ruohan stood by the window, looking at the scenery outside, with a lot of thoughts in her mind.
In this world, as long as there is enough money, you can really make the devil work...
She was very confident in Qin Fang's ability and believed that he would be able to save Aunt Zhao's life.
Afterwards, Chu Ruohan came to Marquis Anyang's study alone.
The study had been turned upside down and was in a mess, but it looked like the secret compartment had not been discovered yet.
Following Su Wanniang's instructions, Chu Ruohan found the mechanism behind the bookshelf.
She pressed lightly, and the bookshelf slowly moved away, revealing a small secret room.
Inside the secret room, an exquisite wooden box was quietly placed there. Chu Ruohan opened it carefully.
Inside the box was a stack of yellowed letters and some delicate little items—a jade pendant, a small dagger, and a sachet embroidered with plum blossoms.
These should be the relics of Princess Anyang.
The Marquis of Anyang is well preserved with almost no signs of damage.
Chu Ruohan picked up the letter and unfolded it gently.
The handwriting on the letter paper is strong and powerful, yet gentle and beautiful. It must have been written by Princess Anyang.
Most of the letters were about what he had seen on the battlefield and his concerns about the situation in North Korea.
The last few letters were written to a person named "Qingye", and the words were full of longing and attachment.
"Qingye, if there is an afterlife, I would like to marry you as an ordinary couple, not worrying about worldly affairs, and just live a simple life."
As Chu Ruohan read these words, she couldn't help but feel sad for Princess Anyang.
A great female general eventually fell in a power struggle and could not even realize her wish to be with her beloved.
She carefully put away the letters and belongings and prepared to bring them to Gu Junze.
These things may help him understand his mother better and find some answers to the doubts in his heart.
Just as Chu Ruohan was about to leave, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the study.
She was startled and quickly closed the secret compartment and hid the relic in her arms.
However, it was too late.
A sharp pain came from her neck, and Chu Ruohan's vision went dark, and she lost consciousness...
In the temple, all the ministers have gathered.
The Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne, his face sullen. Prince Yong stood below, reporting on the battle situation at the front.
"Zheng State took advantage of the civil unrest in the Eastern Jin Dynasty to launch a surprise attack on the border. Their evil ambitions are clear as day!"
Prince Yong said in a loud voice, "Now that three cities have been lost, if we don't send reinforcements, I'm afraid the entire northern border will be in danger!"
The Minister of War showed a worried look on his face: "The northern border garrison is less than 50,000, and Zheng State's invasion force is at least 150,000 strong. The situation is extremely critical!"
The ministers in the court were discussing the matter. Some advocated sending reinforcements immediately, while others were worried that the capital would be empty.
Gu Junze stepped in, and the hall suddenly became quiet. Everyone's eyes were focused on him.
He walked to the center of the hall and saluted the emperor: "I heard that Zheng State had invaded the border, so I came to challenge him."
The emperor did not respond immediately, but narrowed his eyes slightly, as if trying to figure out Gu Junze's true intentions.
In this hall, it is so quiet that you can hear a pin drop...
After a moment, the emperor slowly spoke: "Junze, you are weak and your legs are just healed. You should stay in the capital and recuperate!"
"My lord, I obey the order."
Gu Junze bowed and saluted, his tone calm, without any emotion fluctuations.
The emperor's behavior confirmed his guess!
Lin Jingchuan stepped forward and knelt on his knees. "Your Majesty, I am willing to be the vanguard officer and will drive the traitors of Zheng out of our Eastern Jin territory!"
"Father, I am willing to lead the troops into battle..."
Prince Su followed closely behind and quickly expressed his determination.
The emperor looked at the two men and sneered in his heart.
How could he not know that Prince Yong's mansion had become ambitious?
He simply wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to seize military power and further expand his influence.
As for Prince Su...
The emperor sighed in his heart, thinking that his son was still too immature.
If he were to lead the troops, he would probably find it difficult to compete with King Yong, and in the end, he would only become King Yong's puppet.
He couldn't let this happen.
The emperor stood up and said, "Wang Wu!"
Wang Wu immediately stepped out of the line, knelt on one knee, clasped his fists and listened to the order.
"I appoint you as the General of the Northern Expedition. You must immediately mobilize 300,000 men and march to the border at full speed. You must repel the traitors of Zheng!"
"Lin Jingchuan is the vanguard officer. The Ministry of Revenue is mobilizing food and fodder to ensure the logistical supply of the army..."
"My lord, I obey the order!"
The two men's voices were sonorous and powerful, without the slightest hesitation.
The emperor nodded. He had promoted Wang Wu personally, so he felt more at ease using him.
Over in Zheng, I wonder if General Wang is in command...
If it was really Duan Qingye, no matter who he sent out, they would not be able to win, but he still had an ace in his hand.
The emperor turned to look at Gu Junze, "The Queen Mother loves you so much. Go back and pack your things so that you can stand guard over the Queen Mother's body and send her off for the last time..."
A sneer appeared on Gu Junze's lips. The emperor wanted to trap him in the capital.
"I obey your command." Gu Junze responded loudly, but a deep light flashed in his eyes.
The emperor nodded with satisfaction, but his eyes fell on Prince Yong...
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