Chapter 387 Solve the money issue yourself, and don’t come to me if anything goes wrong
"Master Zhao, it's thanks to you that my daughter Ying'er was selected this time." Master Guo said with a smile, "This small gift is just a token of my appreciation."
The man opposite must be Mr. Zhao, the man who accepted the bribe to recommend Guo Ying'er...
"Brother Guo, you're too polite. However, I've heard some rumors that this audition might not be that simple."
Guo Yunzhou quickly asked, "What does Master Zhao mean?"
Lord Zhao lowered his voice and said, "It is said that this selection is to choose a princess to marry into the Western Xia. However, this matter has not been finalized yet, so don't worry too much."
Guo Yunzhou's face turned pale in an instant: "Marriage? How...how is this possible?"
Lord Wang sighed, "Who can say for sure about the affairs of the court? However, given your daughter's status and background, you shouldn't be chosen."
Cold sweat broke out on Guo's forehead. "No, no, you have to think of a way. You must not go to marry... My daughter is not going to enter the palace as a concubine."
Zhao Xu sneered and couldn't help shaking his head. With such a background, she still wanted to enter the palace as a concubine. It would be a great honor for her ancestors to be given the title of noble lady.
"After a concubine enters the palace, it all depends on the emperor's will. Besides, if people knew that I accepted your money, I would lose my official position." He said this, but rubbed his fingers.
Guo Yunzhou immediately understood, "Don't worry, Master Zhao, the matter of the silver can be easily settled."
Only then was Zhao Xu satisfied and stood up to say goodbye.
Chu Ruohan's heart sank when she heard this. She put down her teacup and motioned for Yuling to pay and leave.
At this moment, Guo Yunzhou seemed to have noticed something and looked up at her.
Their eyes met. Guo Yunzhou was stunned at first, then he raised his head, immediately stood up and walked to Chu Ruohan's desk.
"Uncle, what a coincidence." Chu Ruohan looked at Guo Yunzhou in front of her calmly with an indifferent tone.
Guo Yunzhou seemed to have found someone to vent his anger on, and a hint of displeasure appeared on his face.
"Ruohan, even though you refused to help me this time, my Ying'er still managed to enter the palace smoothly."
Guo Yunzhou raised his chin, his tone boasting, "Some people are too self-righteous, thinking that without your help, my Ying'er wouldn't be able to enter the palace."
"Now you see, we have our own ways and don't need General Gu's wife's favor at all."
Yuling was standing aside. When she heard this, she couldn't help but speak up for her wife. Just as she was about to speak, Chu Ruohan gently held her hand.
Chu Ruohan's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
She lowered her eyes, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then slowly put it down.
"Handle the money issue yourself. The Chu family won't give you a penny. Don't come to me if anything happens." Chu Ruohan's voice was not loud, but every word was clear.
Guo Yunzhou didn't expect Chu Ruohan to be so direct, and his face suddenly turned ugly.
"What are you talking about? I'm your uncle after all, how dare you talk to your elders like that?"
Guo Yunzhou's eyes widened, and his voice unconsciously rose a few degrees, attracting the attention of the guests at the surrounding tables. "You, a junior, are showing off to your elders. You really don't know your place!"
"You are already a married daughter. It is not your turn to make decisions about your parents' affairs!"
Chu Ruohan sneered: "Uncle, are you talking about the five thousand taels of silver my mother lent you?"
Guo Yunzhou was speechless when asked this question. He subconsciously looked around and lowered his voice.
"That was lent to me by your mother voluntarily! After Ying'er enters the palace, she will definitely repay it double in the future!"
"Really?" Chu Ruohan shook her head gently. "Uncle, do you know what the real purpose of this talent show is?"
Guo Yunzhou's expression froze. The conversation he had just had with Lord Zhao was still fresh in his mind, and he suddenly felt a little flustered.
"You...you heard it?"
"What did I hear?" Chu Ruohan asked, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. "Is it about the marriage, or is it about my uncle bribing an official appointed by the imperial court?"
Guo Yunzhou's face turned pale in an instant, and beads of sweat oozed from his forehead.
“You, you…”
"Uncle, I don't care what means you used to get Ying'er selected," Chu Ruohan's voice turned cold. "Privately trading talent show spots is a crime of deceiving the emperor, and you're not the only one implicated."
A trace of panic flashed in Guo Yunzhou's eyes: "How...how can you say that? I spent money and used some connections, but there was no private transaction..."
"Alright," Chu Ruohan raised her hand to interrupt his explanation, "I don't want to hear this. I'm just reminding you not to implicate the Chu family. As for the marriage..."
She glanced at Guo Yunzhou's frightened expression and softened her tone.
"Given Guo Ying'er's background, she won't be chosen. Uncle should first consider how to end it if it is exposed."
Guo Yunzhou breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, but soon frowned again.
"Ruohan, you have some connections with people in the palace, can you..."
"No." Chu Ruohan refused without hesitation, "I won't get involved in this matter. If anything goes wrong, please let uncle handle it himself."
Guo Yunzhou stood there with a grim expression, unable to speak for a long time.
"Let's go." Chu Ruohan said to Yuling and stood up to leave.
"Chu Ruohan!" Guo Yunzhou suddenly called out to her, "Don't forget, I'm your uncle! How could you stand by and watch someone die without helping?"
Chu Ruohan turned around and looked at him calmly: "Uncle, I'm not standing by and watching you die. It's just that you dug the hole yourself, and you should fill it yourself. Our Chu family has already helped you too much."
After saying that, she stopped looking at Guo Yunzhou, slowly walked down the stairs and left the teahouse.
Guo Yunzhou stood there, his eyes flashing with anger and unwillingness, but he was helpless.
Chu Ruohan returned to the general's mansion and gave orders directly.
"I won't see anyone today."
After saying this, he flicked his sleeves and went into the inner courtyard, isolating himself from the noise outside.
Passing through the moon-shaped gate, you will see lush flowers and trees in the courtyard, and the warm afternoon sun shining down.
Beside the stone table, Song Ruyan supported her cheek with one hand, occasionally poking the fallen leaves on the stone table. She looked wilted, like an eggplant hit by frost.
Chu Ruohan lowered her footsteps and walked silently behind her.
"What happened? Who made our Miss Song unhappy?"
A clear voice rang in my ears.
Song Ruyan shuddered all over and stood up suddenly. Her movement was so big that she almost bumped into the arms of the person behind her.
"Ouch!"
Yuling was quick to steady the staggering Song Ruyan and said angrily, "Why are you so reckless? What if you startle the Madam?"
Song Ruyan stood firm, her face flushed, and she quickly waved her hands to apologize: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that. I didn't see the lady coming."
Chu Ruohan also patted her chest, her breathing slightly short.
It was indeed her intention to tease the girl just now, but she didn't expect the girl to react so strongly.
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