Chapter 329: Old thing, it turns out that I can’t keep him
In the study, the candlelight flickered, stretching the shadows of the two people very long.
"Qingmo Valley?" Gu Junze frowned after listening to Chu Ruohan's description. "I've never heard of this place."
Chu Ruohan said softly: "Send someone to check, it is possible that he is not in the Eastern Jin Dynasty."
Gu Junze pondered for a moment, took out a map, and carefully examined every mark and record.
"Qingmo Valley..." he muttered to himself, his fingertips gently sliding across the blurred areas on the edge of the map.
"It might be somewhere outside the border. I remember Duan Qingye once mentioned a valley outside the northern border that's shrouded in mist year-round. The trees are all dark blue in color, and the locals call it 'Qingmo'."
A gleam of light flashed in Chu Ruohan's eyes and she looked at Gu Junze.
"You mean Qingmo Valley might be within the territory of Zheng State?"
"No, it's not in Zheng State, but in the unowned land outside the border between the two countries."
Gu Junze's eyes darkened slightly. "That area has steep mountains and is almost isolated from the outside world. Rumor has it that some strange people live there."
Chu Ruohan thought thoughtfully, "If Gu Chengyan really learned some kind of face-changing technique from there, it must not be an ordinary method."
Gu Junze nodded: "I will send someone to investigate immediately, but..."
He looked at Chu Ruohan's slightly bulging belly, his eyes full of worry.
"Did Madam Zhou tell me when the incident would happen?"
"No details were given, only that 'the time is coming'."
Chu Ruohan held Gu Junze's hand and said, "I always feel that Nanny Zhou's appearance today was not accidental. She might have been waiting there on purpose."
"So, the Su Palace isn't a monolithic entity either."
Gu Junze's eyes flashed, "If that's true, then this is a breakthrough."
Chu Ruohan shook her head slightly: "I'm afraid that Madam Zhou is in great danger. She said that Prince Su's secret guards are chasing us..."
"It seems that Gu Chengyan is very wary of the old people in Prince Su's Mansion, but he is unable to kill them all for the time being..."
Gu Junze's face darkened: "Then we must speed up our pace."
Qin Fang hurried in at this time with a serious expression.
"General, Madam, we just received news that a fire broke out in the rear hall of Puji Temple. An old woman died in the fire. It was said that she accidentally knocked over an oil lamp."
Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze looked at each other, and a hint of coldness flashed in their eyes at the same time.
Gu Chengyan's moves were so quick and ruthless that they made people shudder.
"You guessed right, Nanny Zhou was silenced."
Gu Junze said in a deep voice, "This further proves that what she said is true."
Chu Ruohan stroked her abdomen, a look of determination flashed in her eyes: "Jun Ze, I have an idea."
Gu Junze listened attentively, and gradually, his brows furrowed tightly: "No, it's too dangerous!"
Chu Ruohan was resolute: "This is the best way. The difference between truth and falsehood often lies in the subtleties. And the people who understand a person best are not their enemies, but those around them."
"I can't let you take risks." Gu Junze said firmly, "If anything happens..."
"Precisely because of the possibility of an emergency, we must take the initiative."
Chu Ruohan looked at him with a firm gaze, "Gu Chengyan is ambitious, he won't let us go. Instead of sitting and waiting for death, it's better to strike first."
The two of them were deadlocked, and finally Gu Junze sighed: "At least, wait for me to arrange everything first."
Chu Ruohan nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Qin Fang tactfully retreated.
As the night deepened, a long drum beat came from the distance.
Gu Junze held Chu Ruohan in his arms, and the two of them snuggled on the bed. No one spoke, just quietly listening to the chirping of insects outside the window.
"Han'er, I've already lost you once, I can't lose you a second time."
Chu Ruohan turned around and stroked his face: "Me too. So we must work together to cut off these threats."
In Prince Su's Mansion, Gu Chengyan sat upright in the study, with a man in black standing in front of him.
"Is he dead?"
Prince Su looked indifferent, as if he was only asking about a trivial matter.
The man in black bowed his head and replied, "My lord, Madam Zhou has died in the fire, and no one noticed anything unusual at the scene."
Prince Su sneered: "Who did she meet?"
"Chu Ruohan." The man in black hesitated for a moment, but still reported the truth.
"Old man, I really can't keep you here." He muttered to himself, his eyes sinister, "But this Chu Ruohan... is really smart, much better than in the previous life.
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked towards the general's mansion that was vaguely visible in the distance.
"Pass the order down and step up surveillance of the General's Mansion, especially Chu Ruohan's every move."
He turned around, a cold light flashing in his eyes, "Also, send a message to Mingzhu and ask her to speed up the process."
The man in black took the order and retreated, leaving Gu Chengyan standing alone in front of the window, his expression changing unpredictably.
The next morning, sunlight streamed into the house through the gauze curtains.
Chu Ruohan had already stood up and sat in front of the dressing table, allowing Yuling to do her makeup.
"Madam, where are you going today?" Yuling asked cautiously, her hands moving non-stop.
Chu Ruohan looked at herself in the bronze mirror and said softly, "Go to the palace and burn incense for the Queen Mother."
Yuling paused for a moment: "The Queen Mother has been laid to rest, Madam, why should you continue..."
"Etiquette cannot be abolished." Chu Ruohan smiled slightly, but a hint of deep meaning flashed in her eyes.
"What's more, the Queen Mother treated me well when she was alive. I will never forget this friendship."
Although Yuling had her doubts, she didn't ask any more questions. After Chu Ruohan finished dressing, she went to prepare her travel items.
Gu Junze was standing in the courtyard, talking quietly with several of his confidants. Seeing Chu Ruohan come out, he quickly stepped forward to greet her.
"Is everything arranged?" Chu Ruohan asked softly. Gu Junze nodded: "The several eunuchs and maids I know in the palace have been arranged."
"Are you really going?" Gu Junze was still a little worried.
Allen Chu patted his hand comfortingly: "Don't worry, I know what to do."
Seeing that she had made up her mind, Gu Junze stopped trying to dissuade her and only reminded her, "Remember, you must return home before midnight. No one will be waiting after that time."
Chu Ruohan smiled and said, "I understand, General."
The two smiled at each other, their eyes full of tacit understanding.
—————
In front of the pilgrimage hall, palace servants were busy coming and going, creating a bustling scene.
Chu Ruohan walked slowly across the courtyard and went straight to the Cining Palace where the empress dowager lived during her lifetime.
The palace gardens were a bit quieter in the summer, with only the constant chirping of cicadas in the ears.
When passing by the Imperial Garden, Chu Ruohan deliberately slowed down her pace and stopped to admire the blooming lotus flowers.
"Why did Madam Gu think of going to burn incense for the Queen Mother today?"
A familiar voice came from behind, with a tentative tone.
Chu Ruohan's heart moved, but she remained expressionless and turned to look.
Prince Su was standing on the arch bridge, holding a folding fan and smiling.
"Your Majesty."
Chu Ruohan bowed and said, "The Queen Mother treated me well when she was alive. Now that she has passed away, I must offer a stick of incense as a token of my gratitude."
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