Chapter 326 The Emperor is no longer the same emperor
The personal maid Zhixia quickly tried to persuade her, "Your Majesty, calm down. His Highness Prince Su is young and impulsive, and he speaks without thinking."
Concubine Jing's face turned pale. She raised her hand to straighten her hair, and a hint of uneasiness flashed in her eyes.
"Tell me, am I really old?"
Zhixia knelt down quickly and said softly, "Your Majesty is in the prime of life, but what man in the world doesn't like fresh and young women?"
She spoke carefully while picking up the broken porcelain on the floor.
"When His Royal Highness Prince Su ascends the throne, you will be the Queen Mother. Even if there are many women in the palace, what does it matter?"
Upon hearing this, Concubine Jing's expression eased slightly and she slowly touched her cheek.
Time is merciless. The beauty that was once favored by the emperor is now...
"However, if Your Majesty wishes to secure her position, she must exercise caution during the Queen Mother's mourning period."
Zhixia lowered her head, her tone full of meaning.
Concubine Jing narrowed her eyes: "What do you mean?"
"I heard that Madam Gu from the General's Mansion will also attend the Queen Mother's funeral..."
Concubine Jing thought of Prince Su's strange attitude towards Chu Ruohan and took a deep breath.
"Gu Junze is back, and they have a very good relationship. What kind of trouble can she cause?"
Zhixia lowered her eyes, but a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
She didn't say much, but just stepped aside silently.
Deep in the night, outside the palace walls.
A man in black sneaked into a remote house.
"How's it going?" Prince Su sat under the lamp, his eyes as calm as a pool of stagnant water.
The man in black knelt respectfully and said, "Your Highness, everything has been arranged. Zhixia has already told the Imperial Concubine what she said."
Prince Su's mouth curled up slightly, "What about Concubine Ming?"
"The Emperor didn't touch her, he just let her rub his head and talk."
Prince Su calmly played with the jade ring in his hand, "Well, let her find a way to hold on to that old man."
On the day of the funeral, the sky was gloomy and it seemed like it would rain at any time.
Chu Ruohan, wearing a plain dress, came to the outside of the Cining Palace accompanied by Gu Junze.
The palace gate was already filled with court officials and their families. A flurry of whispers erupted when Chu Ruohan appeared.
She looked calm, as if she didn't notice anyone's gaze.
Concubine Jing and a group of concubines were standing at the side of the palace gate. When she saw Chu Ruohan, a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
The ceremony began and the Queen Mother's coffin was slowly carried out of the palace.
The emperor was kneeling in front, his face pale and his body thin.
Chu Ruohan noticed that the emperor's mental state was worse than the last time they met. His eyes were dull, as if his soul had been taken away.
Prince Su stood respectfully beside the emperor, looking like a filial son, and whispered something to comfort him from time to time.
"Did you see that?" Chu Ruohan said softly to Gu Junze, "The emperor is no longer the emperor he used to be."
Gu Junze's eyes glared, "I understand what you mean. I'll make other arrangements when I get back."
As he was speaking, a muffled thunder suddenly sounded in the sky, followed by heavy rain.
The ceremony was forced to speed up. Chu Ruohan was protected under an umbrella by Gu Junze. She was about to leave with everyone when she suddenly heard a scream.
"careful!"
A piece of blue brick on the palace eaves loosened under the impact of rain and fell straight towards the direction where Chu Ruohan was standing!
Gu Junze reacted like lightning, suddenly hugging Chu Ruohan into his arms, and turned his body to the side, narrowly avoiding the falling blue bricks.
With a loud "bang", the blue bricks fell to the ground and shattered, with fragments flying everywhere.
There was a sudden cry of surprise all around, and everyone stepped back.
"Han'er, are you okay?"
Gu Junze's face was solemn. He protected Chu Ruohan tightly and looked around vigilantly.
Chu Ruohan shook her head, her expression calm, as if she had expected this.
"No problem."
Prince Su walked over quickly, looking concerned.
"Is Madam Gu okay? This palace has been in disrepair for a long time, and with the heavy rain, such an accident has happened. It's really worrying."
He looked just the right amount of anxious, and his voice was filled with concern, but Chu Ruohan noticed the hint of disappointment in his eyes.
Gu Chengyan now wishes to kill the baby in her belly.
Gu Junze glanced at Prince Su coldly and said in a low voice: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My wife and I are fine."
Prince Su smiled, his gaze lingered on Chu Ruohan's abdomen for a moment, then moved away as if nothing had happened.
"That's good. The general's wife's health is important, so it's better for her to return home and rest early."
Concubine Jing stood far away, with a faint sneer on her lips, which disappeared in a flash.
She absolutely could not let her son be branded as someone who coveted someone else's wife.
Chu Ruohan saw it and sneered in her heart.
She gently held Gu Junze's hand and said in a neither loud nor low voice: "Husband, let's go back home."
Gu Junze nodded, protected her and turned to leave.
In the carriage, Chu Ruohan leaned in Gu Junze's arms with a calm look in her eyes.
"The waters are too deep in this palace," she said softly.
Gu Junze's eyes darkened: "I have sent people to check the brick."
Chu Ruohan shook her head slightly: "No need to check, there's nothing to find."
"It seems that Concubine Jing and Prince Su are already impatient."
Gu Junze hugged her tighter, resting his chin on the top of her head: "Don't worry, I won't let anyone hurt you."
A trace of determination flashed in Chu Ruohan's eyes: "There is no time to lose, it's time for us to take action."
Inside the general's mansion, Yuling was waiting at the door with a worried look on her face. When she saw the carriage returning, she hurried forward to greet it.
"Madam, you are back! I was so scared! I heard from the palace that a brick almost hurt you!"
Chu Ruohan smiled calmly: "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Gu Junze supported Chu Ruohan and walked inside: "Yuling, prepare hot water. Madam has been caught in the rain and needs to change clothes in time."
Hua Yu quickly agreed and turned around to make arrangements.
In the warm room, Chu Ruohan had just changed into dry clothes when a guard came hurriedly to report.
"General, the palace has sent a doctor. He said that the emperor sent one to see the doctor because he was concerned about the wife's pregnancy."
Gu Junze frowned: "Let him wait a moment."
Allen Chu smiled, a gleam in her eyes: "Let him in."
Gu Junze looked at her in surprise: "Are you sure?"
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly: "Since I'm here, it would seem guilty if I don't see you."
Soon, a royal physician with white hair and youthful face was brought in. It was none other than the top doctor in the Imperial Hospital, Dr. Liu.
"Your humble servant greets the general and the madam." Doctor Liu bowed respectfully.
Gu Junze's expression remained calm. "Please rise, Imperial Physician Liu. It's raining heavily in the palace today, and the Empress Dowager's funeral is underway. Your Majesty still cares about my wife. This is truly a great favor."
Doctor Liu smiled and nodded, "The General's wife is a precious person, and your Majesty is certainly concerned about her."
Chu Ruohan smiled slightly: "Thank you for your help, Doctor Liu."
Doctor Liu took out the pulse pillow and Chu Ruohan stretched out her slender wrist.
Doctor Liu placed a handkerchief under the patient's mouth before taking the patient's pulse...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
