Chapter 648 Where are they? Where is Gu Junze? Why hasn't he come back yet?
Outside Jinguan City, on the official road, a team was marching slowly towards the capital.
In the prison van, a group of criminals led by Chen Taimo were dejected, but the atmosphere in the escort team was not very solemn.
Gu Junze rode a tall horse, parallel to the carriage beside him, chatting and laughing with his wife in the carriage from time to time.
Chu Ruohan lifted the curtain, looked at her husband's leisurely appearance, and shook her head helplessly.
Just then, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds came from behind, with smoke and dust billowing.
"Report! Urgent message from eight hundred miles away! Secret letter from the capital!" A messenger covered in dust dismounted from his horse, knelt on one knee, and held up a wax-sealed letter tube in his hands.
Gu Cheng'an immediately stepped forward to take it and presented it to Gu Junze.
The team fell silent instantly, and everyone's attention was focused on Gu Junze.
Chu Ruohan's heart also rose in her chest. She exchanged glances with Gu Cheng'an, each seeing confusion in the other's eyes. What happened in the capital that required an 800-mile express?
Gu Junze calmly opened the wax seal and took out the letter.
He just took a glance, and a trace of surprise first appeared on the usually stern face, and then the surprise disappeared and turned into a smile that could not be suppressed.
He laughed, and his shoulders shook slightly.
"What's wrong?" Chu Ruohan asked anxiously.
Gu Junze didn't say anything, but just handed the thin piece of letter into the car window.
Chu Ruohan took it and read it quickly, her face showing a variety of expressions, from worry to shock, and then from shock to a dilemma.
"This girl! She really can get into trouble," Chu Ruohan's voice changed, "We have to go back quickly!"
Gu Junze, however, slowly retracted the reins, looking as if it had nothing to do with him: "Why are you in such a hurry? Let the emperor enjoy himself, and let Qingchen have a good time too."
"Ah?" Chu Ruohan couldn't believe her ears. "Aren't you afraid that he will really send our daughter to the Northern Territory?"
Gu Junze chuckled, his tone full of confidence: "Send it. Our daughter will definitely be the first to surrender. Maybe she can even become sworn brothers with the barbarian Khan."
Chu Ruohan in the carriage was so angry that she was speechless. How could there be such a father in this world!
Gu Chengan, who was standing by, was terrified when he heard this. He came forward and asked quietly, "Well, what about us?"
Gu Junze glanced at him and waved his hand: "Take your people back first, there's no need to wait for us. Han'er is a woman, how can she bear the rush of horses? Let's walk slowly."
The muscles on Gu Chengan's face twitched.
He was not stupid. He escorted the prisoners back by himself, but "lost" the Duke of Zhenguo. It would be strange if the emperor didn't skin him alive!
He immediately bowed, his face serious, "Big brother is right! My sister-in-law's health is the most important thing! I'm not in a hurry, I'll wait here!"
So, this team, which was supposed to rush back to Beijing, simply slowed down its pace and continued to move forward leisurely, just like they were sightseeing.
In a blink of an eye, the ten-day period has arrived.
In the imperial study, Zhao Yunci paced back and forth anxiously, the hem of his bright yellow dragon robe fluttering at his feet.
"Where are the people? Where is Gu Junze! Why hasn't he come back yet?" He stopped abruptly and growled at the eunuchs in the hall.
"And Dongying! I asked them to do something, but they're dragging their feet! I really suspect my subordinates are all good-for-nothings!"
The eunuchs were silent and lowered their heads even more.
At this time, Empress Su Wan walked in lightly, holding a bowl of ginseng tea, and softly advised, "Your Majesty, calm down. It's not worth it to damage your health over such a small matter."
Zhao Yunci took the ginseng tea, but couldn't drink it at all. She placed it heavily on the table. "A trivial matter? Queen, you don't know what that girl has been doing these past few days! She felt that the palace was stuffy and she actually dug a tunnel! She almost dug it into the cold palace!"
Su Wan also had a headache after hearing this. She sighed softly and said slowly: "Your Majesty, I think Qingchen has been spoiled by the Duke and his wife and has lost his way."
"Why don't we hire a nanny for her?"
She looked at the emperor and said seriously, "Find the strictest and most disciplined maid in the palace to teach her the proper etiquette. Girls should always be polite and chaste."
Zhao Yunci paused in her annoyed movements.
He suddenly turned his head and looked at the queen, and a light suddenly flashed in his eyes.
Yes! Why didn’t he think of it!
The girl is not afraid of punishment.
If she puts him in solitary confinement, she can even tear down the palace.
Only those rules and regulations can wear down her temper!
The gloom on the emperor's face disappeared.
"Okay!" He slammed the imperial desk, "Let's do it!"
In the palace where Gu Qingchen was confined, the days of plain porridge and small dishes had become boring to her.
She held a copy of "Rules for Women" in her hands, her head tilted, her legs dangling over the edge of the chair, and she was muttering to herself, but she didn't read a single word.
"What's this about 'never showing your feet when walking, never showing your teeth when smiling'? Humph, so boring!" She closed the book and slammed it heavily on the table, making a dull sound.
Just then, footsteps were heard outside the palace gate.
The two young palace maids were so frightened that they quickly lowered their heads and retreated to the side tremblingly.
A woman in dark palace dress walked in with a straight posture, a serious face and a stern expression.
Her hair was combed meticulously, and she only wore a plain silver hairpin on her bun.
She was the most experienced and strictest-mannered nanny in the palace, Nanny Qin.
Nanny Qin walked straight up to Gu Qingchen and her eyes fell on her legs that were swinging casually.
"Miss Gu," she said in a low voice, "you're not sitting properly. How can a lady of noble family behave? Please keep your legs together and close them."
Gu Qingchen was shocked. She had never seen such a strict palace maid.
She subconsciously retracted her legs, but stiffened her neck and muttered unconvincedly: "Who are you? Why do you care about me?"
Nanny Qin's mouth corners sank slightly. She did not answer directly, but took out a bright yellow imperial edict from her sleeve and unfolded it in front of Gu Qingchen.
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that the daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, Gu Qingchen, is extremely naughty and has disrespectful manners. Nanny Qin is hereby ordered to teach her day and night, ensuring that she is well-versed in poetry and literature, understands etiquette, and behaves in a dignified manner, befitting the dignity of the royal family."
Gu Qingchen's face fell instantly. She stared at the shining imperial edict with wide eyes, and then looked at the old man in front of her who seemed to have walked out of a painting.
"Nanny?" she wailed, shrinking back. "What tricks is the Emperor going to play now?"
Nanny Qin remained unmoved and rolled up the imperial edict and put it back into her sleeve.
"From today on, you must get up at the hour of Mao every day, practice calligraphy for an hour, then recite the 'Instructions for Women' for half an hour. You can have breakfast at the hour of Chen."
She spoke very quickly, her voice cold, "After lunch, follow me and learn embroidery, playing the zither, and flower arrangement. Don't make any mistakes."
"After dinner, continue to recite the 'Book of Filial Piety' and 'Rules for Disciples' until you go to bed at midnight."
She paused, staring at Gu Qingchen with a sharp gaze: "If you are negligent, or your words and actions are not in line with the rules, I will deal with it impartially and will not tolerate it."
Gu Qingchen was confused after hearing this. This was not teaching at all, this was clearly imprisonment!
She wanted to retort, to throw a tantrum, to pretend to be unconscious as usual.
But Nanny Qin's eyes, which were devoid of any emotion, made her shudder all over and she couldn't utter a word.
She seemed to see an invisible mountain slowly pressing down on her.
"Now, please take your seat again and stand upright. I want to test your "Rules for Women" from yesterday." Nanny Qin said.
Gu Qingchen wanted to cry but had no tears. She didn’t even watch it yesterday!
In the imperial study, Zhao Yunci listened to the report from the chief eunuch, and finally a long-lost smile appeared on her face.
"Oh? Nanny Qin really lived up to my expectations. Is the girl a little more well-behaved today?" He picked up the teacup, took a sip slowly, and was in a good mood.
The chief eunuch bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Nanny Qin's methods are very skillful. Today, things are indeed much quieter, and there is no more crying or wailing. However... Nanny Qin said that Miss Gu pricked three fingers while embroidering."
The corners of Zhao Yunci's mouth twitched, and then he regained his composure.
It’s no big deal to prick your finger, as long as you don’t cause any trouble.
"What about Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan? Still no news?" He put down the teacup, and the smile on his face faded a little.
The chief eunuch cautiously replied, "Your Majesty, there's news from the post station outside the capital. Duke Gu and his wife arrived just three days ago. They say his wife is unwell and needs to rest at the post station for a few days before returning to the capital."
"Rest?" Zhao Yunci stood up suddenly, his face darkening again.
"They arrived three days ago? From the outskirts of Beijing to the capital, it's only half a day's journey! Do they think I'm a fool?"
He was so angry that he paced back and forth in the palace, growling through gritted teeth, "Well done, Gu Junze! You're really great! Your daughter has tormented my entire palace, and you're just having a good time outside!"
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. "Pass on my decree! Order the Jingzhao Yin to send someone to bring Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan into the palace!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
