Chapter 448: Changing the Road
"A merchant caravan was robbed, resulting in heavy casualties," Gu Junze turned to Chu Ruohan and said, "The initial assessment is that it was done by bandits, but we cannot rule out the possibility that someone deliberately created chaos."
Chu Ruohan's heart tightened: "Is it coming for us?"
"Not necessarily," Gu Junze mused, "but we must be vigilant. We must set off early tomorrow morning and leave here as soon as possible."
"General," the shadow guard continued, "that caravan seems to be coming from the capital. There are royal emblems on the convoy."
Gu Junze's eyes glared, "Are you serious? Can you find out which caravan it is?"
"It seems to be a caravan connected to the palace. The details are still being verified."
Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan exchanged glances, and both realized that things might be more complicated than they imagined.
"Increase the alert," Gu Junze ordered, "Everyone must not act rashly and wait for my order."
The shadow guard took the order and left. Gu Junze closed the door and turned to Chu Ruohan: "There are not many caravans leaving the capital at the same time as us, and even fewer with royal markings. If they are really coming for us, then I'm afraid the enemy's target is not just me."
Chu Ruohan thought thoughtfully: "You mean, they might be looking for something?"
"Maybe," Gu Junze said with a deep look, "but in any case, we must be more cautious. Starting tomorrow, you and the children must not leave my sight."
Chu Ruohan nodded in agreement, and the two stood quietly for a while until the fire in the distance gradually dimmed, then they returned to the bed.
"You rest first," Gu Junze said softly, "I'll be on guard."
Chu Ruohan shook her head: "I'll go with you."
The two sat side by side, Chu Ruohan leaned on Gu Junze's shoulder, feeling his breath and warmth.
The moonlight outside the window shines into the house, reflecting on the faces of the sleeping children, soft and quiet.
"I'm afraid this trip won't be peaceful," Gu Junze said softly, his eyes falling on the children, "but I will protect you."
"We will get through this," Chu Ruohan gently held his hand and said firmly, "As you said, having each other by our side is our greatest support."
Gu Junze held her hand in return, and they smiled at each other in the moonlight, with only each other in their eyes...
As soon as the sky was getting light, Gu Junze was already ready to go.
The sudden attack on the caravan last night forced him to be on high alert and he decided to leave this potentially dangerous town as soon as possible.
"Han'er, are you done packing?" Gu Junze stood by the window, his eyes vigilantly scanning the movements outside the inn.
Chu Ruohan was wrapping little Qingchen in a soft swaddling cloth and said softly, "Okay, the children are ready."
Xuan Ge'er rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked softly, "Daddy..."
Gu Junze leaned over and touched his son's head: "We have to continue on our journey to see Brother Yun. Don't you miss him very much?"
"Yeah!" Xuan Ge'er immediately became energetic and nodded rapidly, "Brother..."
Song Ruyan pushed the door open and walked in, her face somewhat solemn: "General, Madam, everything has been arranged outside, and the carriage is waiting at the back door."
"Is there anything unusual?" Gu Junze asked in a low voice.
"Not yet," Song Ruyan shook her head. "But the people in town are talking about it a lot. They're all talking about the caravan that was attacked last night. They say a lot of people died and all the goods were looted."
Gu Junze frowned slightly: "Let's leave through the back door and try not to attract attention."
Chu Ruohan picked up Xiao Qingchen and held Xuan Ge'er with her other hand: "Let's go."
The group went downstairs quietly. The shopkeeper had already been taken care of by the shadow guards. Without asking any questions, he just respectfully sent them to the back door.
Several carriages were already waiting there. Gu Junze personally helped Chu Ruohan and the children into the most spacious carriage in the middle.
"Doctor Qian, you and Miss Song will ride in the same carriage to escort the wife and the child." Gu Junze ordered, "The shadow guard and I will ride on horseback to provide escort."
Doctor Qian nodded and got on the carriage.
Song Ruyan shook her head: "I'd better ride a horse, so it will be more convenient to deal with emergencies."
Gu Junze thought for a moment and agreed to her request.
The carriage started slowly and drove out of the town.
The morning mist enveloped the surroundings, adding a touch of mystery to the already quiet town.
Gu Junze rode in the front, his eyes as sharp as an eagle, not missing any suspicious movement.
After walking out of the town for about a quarter of an hour, there was a sudden noise ahead.
Gu Junze immediately raised his hand to signal the team to stop, and rode forward to check.
"What's wrong?" Chu Ruohan lifted the car curtain and asked softly.
Song Ruyan approached the carriage and said, "It seems someone has set up a checkpoint ahead to check on passersby."
Chu Ruohan's heart tightened: "Is it someone from the government?"
"I can't see clearly," Song Ruyan frowned, "but he doesn't look like an officer or soldier in his attire."
Not long after, Gu Junze returned, his face solemn. "There's a group of people blocking the road ahead. They're nominally looking for bandits, but they're actually frisking passersby and questioning them. Their attitude is very tough."
"Are they coming for us?" Chu Ruohan asked.
Gu Junze pondered for a moment and said, "Eighty percent of it is true. The attack on the caravan last night was probably just a pretext to set up a checkpoint and search today."
"Then what should we do?" Song Ruyan gripped the hilt of the sword at her waist, "Should we force our way in?"
Gu Junze shook his head: "No need to complicate matters." He turned to Ying Yi, "Is there any other way?"
Ying nodded. "There is a small path that can bypass the checkpoint ahead, but the road conditions are poor and the carriage will be bumpy."
"Then let's take the small road." Gu Junze made a decisive decision and then said to Chu Ruohan, "Han'er, you and the children should hold on tight, the road may be a little bumpy."
Chu Ruohan nodded: "I will take good care of the children, you don't have to worry."
The team turned around and walked along a path that was almost covered by weeds.
The road was indeed as Ying had described, bumpy and the carriage moved extremely slowly.
"Mom, I'm scared." Xuan Ge'er grabbed Chu Ruohan's sleeve tightly, his little face full of fear.
Allen Chu gently stroked her son's back: "Don't be afraid, with Daddy and Mommy here, no one can hurt you."
Little Qingchen seemed to feel the tense atmosphere as he moved restlessly in his cradle and let out a few soft cries.
Chu Ruohan quickly rocked her gently and coaxed her in a low voice.
The carriage suddenly jolted, and Chu Ruohan almost lost her grip on Xiao Qingchen.
Doctor Qian quickly lent a hand to help and stabilized the mother and daughter.
"There is a trap ahead!" Gu Junze's voice came from outside, his tone tense.
Chu Ruohan's heart trembled, and she quickly hugged Xuan Ge'er in her arms, protecting him and Xiao Qingchen under her body.
The carriage stopped suddenly, and outside came the sound of hurried horse hooves and unsheathed swords.
"Protect your wife and children!" Gu Junze's command came clearly.
Doctor Qian also drew his dagger and stood guard by the car door, his hands shaking constantly...
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