Chapter 351: Someone is coming to curry favor with you
The news that Gu Junze was willing to personally teach Lu Ge'er spread quickly among the Gu family members as if it had wings.
Some people are envious, some are jealous, and some people become more active.
Look, the gate of the general’s mansion just saw off the smiling face of Master Gu San, Gu Yan.
Two days later, another couple arrived.
The fall of the Anyang Marquisate was like a bolt from the blue, and even the family of Master Gu Si, who depended on it, was left dizzy.
Gu Wei originally held a position of moderate standing in the Ministry of Works, all thanks to his relationship with Marquis Anyang and the couple's habit of scheming for personal gain.
When Marquis Anyang was in power, he and his wife were so glorious in front of their clansmen that they never took their "rootless" nephew Gu Junze seriously.
Mrs. Gu Si also made many plots behind Chu Ruohan's back, saying that Chu Ruohan came from a merchant family and was not presentable.
Unexpectedly, the situation changed suddenly and Anyang Hou's rebellion was exposed. Gu Junze became a hero in suppressing the rebellion and a close minister to the new emperor.
Although Gu Junze pleaded for mercy and the emperor did not punish the entire clan, the Gu family in the capital became a rat crossing the street, and everyone wanted to kill them.
The lives of Mr. Gu Si and his wife became increasingly difficult.
Seeing that Gu Junze was not only extremely powerful but also had connections with the third branch, Master Gu Si and his wife could no longer sit still.
They knew very well that they had no feelings for Gu Junze, and it could even be said that there was quite a grudge between them. If they went directly to him to ask for help, there was a high possibility that they would be rejected.
This made it inconvenient to turn his attention to Chu Ruohan.
"After all, she is a woman, soft-hearted, and she is pregnant. It is better for me to beg her and persuade her than to confront her head-on!" Mrs. Gu suggested.
So, the couple prepared some gifts and came to the gate of the now magnificent General's Mansion.
After the announcement, the two were led by servants through layers of courtyards and came to an elegant flower hall.
The hall was exquisitely decorated and warm, which formed a sharp contrast with the bleak and deserted scene in their house, making them feel mixed emotions.
Chu Ruohan was lying on a soft couch covered with a thick brocade cushion, with a bowl of warm bird's nest soup at her side.
When she heard the servants report that Master Gu Si and his wife wanted to see her, a slight smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.
"Please let them in." The voice was calm.
The couple walked into the hall one after the other, with almost flattering smiles on their faces.
"Hey, Ruohan's niece-in-law!" Madam Gu Si took the lead and stepped forward, her voice rising several degrees with deliberate affection.
"I haven't seen you for a while, but you look so much better! Look at your belly, you're already quite pregnant, right?"
"What a joyous occasion! Our Gu family is having another baby! This is all thanks to Junze, and even more so to you!"
As she spoke, she tried to support Chu Ruohan, but her eyes involuntarily glanced at the bowl of crystal clear bird's nest soup, and a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes.
Just half a year ago, she mocked Chu Ruohan for being a merchant girl who didn't know the rules.
Now she sits comfortably in the position of mistress of the general's mansion, enjoying the wealth and glory she has always dreamed of.
Chu Ruohan slightly turned sideways to avoid her hand.
He was quite affectionate, and everyone in the capital knew that Gu Junze was not from the Gu family.
They still come up to me eagerly, trying to make friends...
"Aunt Si is here. Please take a seat. Have some tea."
The maid brought tea and snacks.
Gu Wei rubbed his hands and sat down awkwardly on the chair, his eyes avoiding Chu Ruohan, not daring to look directly at her.
As an elder, he now has to be humble to his niece's wife. It feels really uncomfortable.
"Ruohan," Mrs. Gu Si sat down next to Chu Ruohan, her tone so intimate that it gave people goosebumps.
"Look at you, you're still working so hard even though you're pregnant. Junze is now a pillar of the country, and there are so many important things waiting for him outside. The family depends entirely on you."
"As elders, we feel heartbroken watching this!"
Chu Ruohan picked up the teacup, blew away the foam gently, and did not respond.
She knew too well what the couple was up to.
In her previous life, when she had just married into the Gu family, this fourth aunt had often relied on her status as an elder to set rules for her, find fault with her, and her words were full of harshness and difficulties.
The reason why I have to be so humble now is just because of the situation.
Seeing that Chu Ruohan was unmoved, Mrs. Gu Si became a little anxious and quickly gave her husband a look.
Gu Wei cleared his throat and forced a smile that was uglier than crying.
"Um... Ruohan, Fourth Uncle... Fourth Uncle came this time because... I have something I want to ask you and Junze for help with."
He paused, and lowered his voice, with an embarrassment that was difficult to express.
"You know, what happened with my second brother... Alas, who could have imagined he would do such a heinous thing! But now... I've lost my job, and life at home... life at home is really getting tough..."
Mrs. Gu Si immediately responded with a tearful tone in her voice.
"That's right! Ruohan, you don't know how those people outside are trying to stab us in the back! We are wronged! Your fourth uncle has worked diligently for decades, and because of this one incident, he ended up like this!"
"We can barely make ends meet at home! Junze is now a favorite of the Emperor, commanding a large army and possessing immense power."
"Can...can you, for the sake of us being family, tell Junze and arrange a job for his uncle?"
"It doesn't have to be great, as long as we have an income and can make a living! We don't dare to ask for anything else!"
As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief and wiped away the non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes. Her emotions were so sincere that if someone who didn't know the inside story saw it, they would definitely feel sympathy.
Chu Ruohan put down the teacup, making a crisp sound.
She raised her eyes and calmly scanned the couple in front of her who were making such a show of gestures.
"Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt!" Her voice was still gentle, but with a sense of distance.
"Ruohan can understand your feelings. However, the imperial court has its own laws and regulations when employing people."
"Your Majesty has trusted you and entrusted you with important tasks. You should be more cautious in your words and actions and strictly abide by your duties. How can you sacrifice public interests for personal gain?"
She paused, her tone turning serious. "Marquis Anyang's conspiracy to rebel is a heinous crime. The late emperor was wise and only investigated the ringleader, not implicating others. This was a great act of mercy, a great favor from the emperor."
"I'm extremely lucky that my fourth uncle and his family are safe now. As for seeking an official position, it's no joke."
"Now that the new dynasty has just been established, Your Majesty is diligently governing the country and appointing talented individuals. Everything must be done according to the rules and selection must be conducted through the Ministry of Personnel."
"If Junze arranges something for someone privately and the news gets out, wouldn't that give people leverage to accuse him of abusing his power for personal gain and forming a clique?"
"This is not only a betrayal of His Majesty's trust, but also putting myself in danger."
"I'm sure Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt wouldn't want to see Junze get into trouble because of this, right?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
