Chapter 465: This prince will marry Princess Anyang of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
As soon as Gu Junze stepped into the gate of the post station, he noticed that Chu Ruohan's face looked a little strange.
She was sitting at the table, playing with an emerald green jade pendant in her hand, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she was worried about something.
"Han'er, what's wrong?" Gu Junze walked quickly to her side and asked with concern.
Chu Ruohan raised her eyes to look at him and handed over the jade pendant in her hand: "Duan Qingye was here just now. He left this behind and said it was for Qingchen."
Gu Junze took the jade pendant. It felt soft and smooth to the touch, and the carving was finely done. One could tell at a glance that it was of great value.
His eyes darkened: "What else did he say?"
"He hopes I can persuade you to return to your roots." Chu Ruohan spoke frankly, telling Gu Junze everything she had just said to Duan Qingye. "He said the Duan family's bloodline can't be lost outside, and you should have returned to the Duan family."
"They also threatened us that we are now in the territory of Zheng State and told us not to refuse a toast until we have to drink a penalty drink." Chu Ruohan's voice was a little cold.
After hearing this, Gu Junze sneered: "Dream on."
He casually placed the jade pendant on the table. In his eyes, the priceless jade seemed just a piece of stone.
"Duan Qingye has a good plan. He wants to use blood ties to kidnap me and make me return to the Duan family to serve him."
Seeing his calm expression, Chu Ruohan felt relieved: "You won't be shaken by his words, right?"
"Of course not." Gu Junze sat down beside her. "I, Gu Junze, am Gu Junze. I don't need to acknowledge any ancestors or clan. What does blood relationship matter?"
Chu Ruohan nodded and asked, "Tell me what the emperor wants to see you about?"
A hint of coldness flashed in Gu Junze's eyes: "Zheng Lin wants to win me over to deal with Duan Qingye."
"He wants to use you to weaken Duan Qingye's power?" Chu Ruohan asked in surprise.
Gu Junze nodded: "Zheng Lin has been on the throne for a short time and has long been wary of Duan Qingye's power. He has been testing me both openly and covertly today, and even promised to let me stay in Zheng State to develop..."
"How did you respond?"
"Of course I declined." Gu Junze sneered. "How could an envoy from the Eastern Jin Dynasty interfere in the internal affairs of the Zheng Dynasty? Besides, it was Duan Qingye who helped Zheng Lin sit on the throne. Now he wants to destroy the bridge after crossing it. It's too despicable."
Chu Ruohan sighed softly, "It seems the undercurrents in the Zheng court are more complicated than we imagined. On one hand, the emperor wants to weaken his meritorious officials, while on the other hand, the meritorious officials want to control power."
Gu Junze held Chu Ruohan's hand tightly: "So we must leave as soon as possible. If we stay, I'm afraid we will be dragged into this political whirlpool."
Chu Ruohan looked worried. "I'm afraid Duan Qingye won't let us go so easily. Since he dared to threaten us in person, it means he's already prepared to put us under house arrest."
Gu Junze pondered for a moment, his eyes determined: "Give me two days to make arrangements, and we will leave secretly."
"Leave secretly?" Chu Ruohan was a little worried. "Isn't this too risky?"
"You can't leave without taking risks." Gu Junze stood up, walked to the window, and looked outside through the window lattice.
"Zheng Lin and Duan Qingye are both plotting against me. On the surface, we are honored guests, but in reality, we have become pawns in their game."
"Instead of sitting back and waiting for death, it is better to take the initiative."
Chu Ruohan nodded and agreed with Gu Junze's approach, but the little guy would be sad for a while...
Duan Qingye returned to the General's Mansion with a thousand thoughts in his mind. Chu Ruohan's words were like a revelation, completely awakening him.
Since I have made up my mind to recognize Gu Junze, I naturally cannot be so nameless and without status.
According to the Duan family tree, Junze must be his legitimate son.
"Someone come here!" Duan Qingye shouted.
The housekeeper came over quickly and asked, "What do you want, Master?"
"Get ready at the mansion, I'm getting married." Duan Qingye said.
The housekeeper was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy: "Congratulations, Master! I wonder which daughter the Master is going to marry?"
Duan Qingye didn't answer, but just waved his hand: "You go and make the arrangements first, I will tell you the details later. Remember, it must be done according to the standards for a legal wife."
The butler nodded repeatedly and hurried away.
The mansion suddenly became busy, and the servants were whispering, all wondering who the new mistress would be.
When Xiao Zhou heard the news, she immediately panicked.
She had worked hard in this mansion for half her life, giving birth to children and managing the household chores, hoping that Duan Qingye would make her his wife one day.
Where did this vixen come from, and how could she possibly want to snatch her position as the legal wife?
Xiao Zhou suppressed her panic, straightened her clothes, took a pot of tea, and walked slowly to Duan Qingye's study.
"Master, I'm here to bring you tea." Xiao Zhou's voice was gentle, with a perfect smile on her face.
Duan Qingye continued to read the military newspaper in his hand without raising his head: "Just put it down."
Xiao Zhou gently placed the teapot on the table, pretending to know nothing, and asked softly, "Master, I heard that there is something important going on in the mansion? The servants are all talking about it."
Duan Qingye then raised his head and looked at her: "This prince is going to get married."
Xiao Zhou's heart was struck by lightning, but she still maintained a virtuous smile on her face: "I wonder which girl the master has taken a fancy to? It is a great blessing to be favored by the master."
She paused for a moment, her voice becoming even gentler: "When the mistress enters the house, I will serve her well and will never let her suffer the slightest injustice."
Duan Qingye put down the military report in his hand and looked at Xiao Zhou with deep eyes: "This prince wants to marry the Princess Anyang of the Eastern Jin Dynasty."
The smile on Xiao Zhou's face froze instantly, and she blurted out: "Didn't she die a long time ago?"
As soon as she said that, Xiao Zhou realized something was wrong. As expected, Duan Qingye's eyes instantly turned murderous, as if he wanted to cut her into pieces.
"Master, that's not what I meant..." Xiao Zhou hurriedly tried to explain.
"It is my blessing to marry her." Duan Qingye's voice was as cold as ice, and every word was threatening.
Xiao Zhou was startled and quickly lowered her head: "I spoke out of turn, please forgive me, Master."
She was so angry that her teeth were itching.
A dead person has occupied Duan Qingye's heart for so many years, and now he wants to marry a tablet into the family to surpass her!
But Xiao Zhou didn't dare show any dissatisfaction on her face, and still looked gentle and virtuous.
"I'll take my leave." Xiao Zhou bowed and left the study.
As soon as she returned to her own courtyard, Xiao Zhou immediately asked her maid to call both of her sons back.
Soon, brothers Duan Yunzhou and Duan Yunfan hurried over.
"Mom, why are you calling us back in such a hurry?" Duan Yunzhou asked as soon as he entered the door.
Xiao Zhou dismissed all the servants and then lowered her voice and said, "Your father is going to get married."
"What?" Duan Yunfan's eyes widened in surprise. "Mom, are you kidding me? Father is already this old, and he still wants to get married?"
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