Chapter 385 The Real Purpose of the Draft
Gu Junze had just put Chu Ruohan's feet back into the soft bedding, and the warmth of her skin still lingered on his fingertips.
There was a soft knock on the door.
"Come in." Gu Junze said in a deep voice.
The door was pushed open and Doctor Qian walked in carrying a medicine box. He looked exhausted and had obviously just returned from outside the city.
"General, Madam." Doctor Qian bowed and saluted. "I heard that Madam was unwell, so I rushed back immediately."
Gu Junze nodded: "Thank you, Doctor Qian. She went out today and her ankle was swollen when she came back."
Doctor Qian put down the medicine box and walked to the bedside.
"Ma'am, please extend your wrist."
Chu Ruohan stretched out her hand as she was told and placed her wrist on the soft pulse pillow.
Doctor Qian placed three fingers on her pulse and closed his eyes to concentrate.
For a moment, the only sound in the bedroom was the faint sound of breathing.
Gu Junze stood aside, his eyes fixed on Doctor Qian's face, his brows slightly furrowed.
Chu Ruohan could feel the tension emanating from him.
After a moment, Doctor Qian opened his eyes and his expression relaxed.
"Don't worry, General. Madam and the unborn baby are both fine, and their pulses are strong and steady."
He looked at Chu Ruohan's swollen ankle.
"As for the swelling in the legs and feet," Doctor Qian explained, "in the later stages of pregnancy, the circulation of Qi and blood becomes sluggish, and most women experience varying degrees of swelling. It's not a serious problem."
"Pay more attention to rest on weekdays and avoid standing or walking for long periods of time. Soak your feet in hot water before going to bed to promote blood circulation, which can relieve a lot of pain."
Doctor Qian said this as he took out a small celadon jar from the medicine box.
"This is the swelling-reducing ointment I prepared. It's made by soaking and boiling some medicinal herbs."
He opened the jar and a light herbal fragrance wafted out.
“Apply it to the swollen area daily and massage gently for a while to help reduce swelling and relieve pain.”
Gu Junze took the ointment and said, "Thank you, Doctor Qian."
"You're too polite, General. I'll go back first. There are some patients waiting outside the city." Doctor Qian packed up his medicine box.
"Yes." Gu Junze signaled the guards guarding the door to send Doctor Qian out.
He picked up the small medicine jar and looked at Chu Ruohan's red and swollen ankle with a focused expression.
"Does it hurt?" Gu Junze asked softly.
Chu Ruohan shook her head, a gentle arc appeared on the corner of her mouth: "It doesn't hurt too much, just a little swollen."
Gu Junze nodded slightly and unscrewed the lid of the medicine jar.
The fresh herbal scent permeated the air even more intensely, carrying a hint of coolness. He dipped a little of the ointment on his right index finger, which felt delicate and slightly cool.
"It might be a little cold." He warned her first, then gently applied the ointment to her swollen ankle.
When the ointment first touched her skin, Chu Ruohan couldn't help but shudder slightly, but she quickly adapted to the coolness.
Gu Junze's movements were unexpectedly gentle. He first applied the cream slowly along the outline of his ankle, then gradually moved upwards to the swollen area of his calf.
"Can you do it with enough strength?"
"Yeah, just right." Chu Ruohan responded, letting his fingertips wander over her skin.
Gu Junze was very careful with every touch, afraid of hurting her. As the ointment spread, the cool feeling gradually seeped into her skin, bringing a sense of relief.
"Doctor Qian is right, you've indeed been overworking yourself." Gu Junze said in a low voice while massaging the ointment, "You should rest more these days."
"Some things can be handed over to others. If they can't be handed over, I will handle them."
He gently pressed the acupoint on her ankle with his thumb and continued, "Your first priority now is to take care of yourself and—" His eyes couldn't help but fall on her bulging belly, and his voice softened, "and our child."
Chu Ruohan knew that he truly cared about her, so she reached out and wiped away a drop of sweat from his forehead.
"Don't worry too much, I know my limits."
Gu Junze did not respond immediately, but continued to focus on what he was doing.
The ointment was gradually absorbed by the skin, and he took some more and continued to massage gently.
After the ointment was completely absorbed, Gu Junze stood up and sat beside her, gently putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Today, I was reading memorials in the study and saw a piece of news."
"What news?" Chu Ruohan asked curiously.
"Western Xia has sent an envoy, and they will arrive in the capital in a few days." Gu Junze said with a serious expression, "It is said that they are here to discuss intermarriage."
"Intermarriage?" Chu Ruohan frowned slightly. "A princess from Western Xia wants to marry into our dynasty?"
Gu Junze shook his head: "No. Xixia proposed that the princess of our dynasty should marry them."
A glimmer of understanding flashed across Chu Ruohan's eyes: "So, this audition..."
"It's probably because of this."
Gu Junze took over her words, "The late emperor had no daughters. If we want to complete the intermarriage, we must select a concubine from the palace, canonize her as a princess, and marry her off to Xixia."
Chu Ruohan suddenly understood: "No wonder His Majesty asked each family to recommend concubines. It turns out this is the reason."
"This is just my guess." Gu Junze said in a deep voice, "No one has mentioned this yet, so don't spread it."
Chu Ruohan nodded.
If it is true as Gu Junze said, then the purpose of this selection is not to fill the harem, but to select a "princess for marriage".
No wonder His Majesty ordered officials of the fifth rank and above to recommend concubines, in order to select the most suitable candidate from each family.
"The wind and sand are strong over there in Western Xia, and the climate is harsh. If a princess really went there, I'm afraid she would have a hard time."
She leaned in Gu Junze's arms and closed her eyes to rest.
She kept recalling the expressions of her uncle and aunt when they left, and always felt that they would not give up.
Sure enough, within three days, Chu Ruohan received news from her mother. Guo Ying'er had been selected as a concubine.
"Madam, the Chu family sent someone to deliver a letter." Yuling walked into the yard holding a letter.
Chu Ruohan took the letter, unfolded it and couldn't help but frown.
The letter said that my cousin Guo Ying'er had been recommended by Minister Zhao and had become one of the selected ladies. She was now preparing to enter the palace as a candidate.
"What's wrong?" Gu Junze had just come back from outside and asked when he saw that she looked strange.
Chu Ruohan handed him the letter and read: "My cousin has been selected as a concubine."
Gu Junze glanced at the letter and his face darkened. "Zhao Xu, the Minister of War, why would he recommend your cousin?"
Chu Ruohan shook her head slightly: "I guess my uncle paid money to bribe him."
"Bribing an imperial official is a serious crime." Gu Junze said coldly.
Chu Ruohan scoffed lightly: "I'm afraid my uncle and aunt are determined to let my cousin enter the palace, hoping that she can gain favor and bring glory and wealth to the family."
"Since they are determined to take this risk, they will bear the consequences at their own risk."
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