Chapter 381: We all come here for the quota, so we might as well close the door and refuse visitors
Chu Ruohan snuggled in his arms, feeling his rare relaxation, and her heart softened a little.
She stretched out her fingers and gently smoothed his furrowed brow.
"The lotus seed soup is getting cold, drink some first." She advised softly.
Gu Junze hummed, but did not move.
He enjoyed this moment of tenderness, as if only in this way could he relieve himself of all his fatigue and vigilance.
Outside the house, the night wind blew through the courtyard, bringing with it the faint sound of a night watchman in the distance.
Beneath the seemingly peaceful night in the capital, there were already undercurrents.
The order for a talent show was like a huge rock thrown into the center of a lake, causing a thousand waves.
How many mansions stayed up all night, plotting how to send their daughters behind the high walls of the palace.
The temptation of rising to fame overnight and bringing glory to the family has made many officials greedy.
Carriages shuttled through the night, and visiting cards flew like snowflakes to the homes of powerful people everywhere.
Some people also smelled an unusual scent and speculated whether there was a deeper meaning behind the holy will, so they chose to stay indoors and wait and see.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the capital became subtle and tense.
Just then, a carrier pigeon flapped its wings and landed on the special perch outside Chu Ruohan's window.
The maid took off the small bamboo tube tied to the pigeon's foot and presented it respectfully to Chu Ruohan.
Chu Ruohan unfolded the thin piece of letter paper, which was a secret letter from Qin Fang.
The handwriting was concise and reported the situation of the caravan.
"We have arrived at the border of Zheng State. Contact is going smoothly. Silk and tea are selling well."
Seeing this, Chu Ruohan raised the corners of her mouth slightly.
Opening up trade routes is an important part of her plan, and now it has made a good start.
His eyes continued to move down and landed on the last line of words.
"There is hope for Zheng's green jade and fine horses. Also, there is some promise for the purple cloud grass."
Purple cloud grass!
Chu Ruohan's heart skipped a beat, and her fingers holding the letter tightened slightly.
She raised her eyes and looked at Gu Junze, who still had his head buried in her neck.
His breathing was even and long, and he seemed to have fallen asleep.
She did not wake him up immediately, but carefully put the letter away and hid it in her sleeve.
Qin Fang did not disappoint her.
This journey has yielded far greater rewards than expected.
She patted Gu Junze's back gently and said, "Husband, drink the soup first, otherwise it will get cold."
Gu Junze then raised his head lazily, with a hint of fatigue in his eyes. He took the bowl and drank slowly.
Chu Ruohan looked at him and didn't mention the letter. She just said, "The imperial decree has come down, and every family is busy."
Gu Junze paused while drinking his soup, and a hint of understanding flashed across his dark eyes.
"Let them be, they are just clowns." He said in a flat tone, as if he didn't care.
Chu Ruohan nodded.
Indeed, for them right now, clues about Qingmo Valley and the trade routes of Zheng State are far more important than a talent show with an uncertain future.
But this time, things were not as simple as Chu Ruohan thought.
The new emperor's decree only stated that officials of the fifth rank and above should recommend concubines, but did not specify the concubines' family backgrounds.
There is not even a requirement that they must be relatives of officials, which gives many people the opportunity to take advantage of loopholes.
Within two days, ladies, both familiar and unfamiliar, came to visit him with invitations.
At first Chu Ruohan thought it was just an ordinary walk, until the wife of a minister of war hinted at it in her words.
Chu Ruohan suddenly realized what was going on when he hinted that he wanted her help and recommended his niece who had just come of age.
Gu Junze was promoted to general, far exceeding the fifth rank.
And she herself, as a lady of noble title, was also within the requirements of the imperial edict.
Both the husband and wife were recommended.
"Madam, you're joking," Chu Ruohan said, picking up her teacup. Her tone was gentle but distant. "This is such a major matter, it concerns the reputation of the royal family and the dignity of the court. How can a mere woman like me have any say in it?"
"The general is busy with official duties and has no time to take care of these things."
The lady's smile froze, but she didn't want to force it anymore. After a few pleasantries, she left awkwardly.
Chu Ruohan looked at the other person's departing back and frowned slightly.
It is better to have less trouble than more. She doesn't want to get involved in the muddy water of the talent show at all.
Just as the lady was sent away, the servant came to report again.
"Madam, Madam Gu Si is here."
What is she here for?
Chu Ruohan was confused, but still ordered, "Please come in."
Soon, Mrs. Gu Si came in.
"Ruohan's place is so quiet and elegant." Madam Gu Si quickly glanced at the furnishings in the hall and spoke in a familiar tone.
"Aunt, how come you have time to come here today?" Chu Ruohan waved her feather fan but did not stand up.
Mrs. Gu Si was not angry, because she knew that Chu Ruohan hated her, but now it was time to ask for help.
She got straight to the point: "Ruohan, as you know, the palace has issued an order for each family to recommend a concubine."
Chu Ruohan understood, but remained calm: "I have indeed heard of it."
"I only have one legitimate daughter, Yuerong, who is already fifteen years old this year," Mrs. Gu said with a smile on her face, her tone somewhat earnest. "Look, Junze is now an important official of the court, and you have an imperial decree. Can you recommend me for this position..."
"Aunt," Chu Ruohan interrupted her gently before she could finish, "It's not that my niece-in-law doesn't want to help. It's just that the general doesn't want to get involved in this matter."
"As a woman, it's not right for me to interfere in other people's affairs."
The smile on Mrs. Gu Si's face disappeared instantly, replaced by a hint of anger.
"Not participating? This is a great opportunity to bring honor to our family! If Yue Rong can gain His Majesty's favor, it will be of great benefit to the entire Gu family and Jun Ze's future!"
"The selection of concubines concerns the emperor's will, which is beyond the reach of ministers like us to speculate." Chu Ruohan's tone remained calm. "Besides, marriage is destined by heaven and cannot be forced."
"Yue Rong is both virtuous and beautiful. She has her own blessings. Why should she fight for an uncertain future?"
"You!" Mrs. Gu Si's face turned pale with choking. She didn't expect Chu Ruohan to refuse so bluntly, without even giving her a glimmer of room to maneuver.
She didn't know how many times she had been defeated by Chu Ruohan...
"Good, very good!" Madam Gu Si laughed in anger, looking at Chu Ruohan with cold eyes, "Chu Ruohan, don't think you're so great just because you're in charge of the General's Mansion! There are plenty of families in the capital who want to curry favor with the rich and powerful!"
She straightened her sleeves and snorted coldly, "You're not the only one we have! If the General's Mansion doesn't agree, there are other families who will!"
After saying that, she turned away without looking back.
Looking at Madam Gu Si's back as she left angrily, Chu Ruohan sighed softly.
She knew that Madam Gu Si was referring to the Earl's Mansion, and given her aunt's personality, she would probably be disappointed.
"Pass the message," Chu Ruohan instructed the maid beside her, "From today on, if any other madam comes to visit, please say I'm unwell and close the door to the public."
"Yes, ma'am."
Rather than dealing with these endless temptations and requests, it's better to close the door and have some peace and quiet...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
