Chapter 445: A rare moment of relaxation, stopping and walking along the way
Chu Ruohan looked at the father and son on the horse through the car window.
Gu Junze is usually dignified and solemn in the court and decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, but he only shows such a gentle side in front of his children.
In her two lives, this was the first time she traveled so purely in the mountains and rivers, not for power or planning, but just to share this moment of warmth with her family.
Xiao Qingchen moved his mouth slightly in his sleep, his eyelashes trembled slightly, and then he continued to sleep peacefully.
Song Ruyan rode her horse closer to the carriage and winked at Chu Ruohan through the window.
"Young Madam, look at how beautiful the scenery outside is. If I weren't holding the child in my arms, I would really like to pull you out to ride with me."
Chu Ruohan smiled and said, "When the weather gets warmer and Qingchen is sleeping soundly, we can find a place with beautiful scenery to stop and walk around."
"It's a deal!" Song Ruyan responded generously with a smile on her face, and then urged her horse forward to explore the way.
However, just after Gu Junze and his party were more than ten miles away from the capital, a black-clad knight quietly rode out of a forest.
He followed the team slowly and steadily, always keeping a long distance.
As the sun was setting, everyone came to an inn to rest. Although the inn was not as luxurious as the inns in the capital, it was clean and tidy.
Gu Junze had already sent people to make arrangements in advance. As soon as everyone arrived, they were served hot tea and hot water, and several upper rooms were also prepared.
"Rest for a while first, have dinner, and then continue on your journey." Gu Junze said to everyone, "Try to reach the county town ahead tonight. I have pre-arranged accommodation there."
Everyone responded and went back to their rooms to settle down.
Chu Ruohan was holding little Qingchen in her arms. When she had nothing to do, she helped Xuan Ge'er tidy up his clothes.
When she picked up the amulet that Xuan Ge'er wore close to his body, she suddenly felt something strange on her fingertips.
This amulet was sewn by her own hands. It should have only soft talisman paper inside, but now she felt a tiny hard object.
She frowned slightly and calmly put the amulet back to its place. She just silently noted this discovery in her heart and planned to ask Gu Junze alone later.
After dinner, Gu Junze ordered people to prepare the carriage, and the group continued on their journey.
As the night deepened and the stars began to appear, warm lights were lit in the carriage.
After the excitement during the day, Brother Xuan was now drowsy. He leaned against Chu Ruohan, nodding his little head.
Little Qingchen had also fallen asleep long ago. He was placed in a specially made cradle and slept soundly with the gentle rocking of the carriage.
Seeing that both children had fallen asleep, Chu Ruohan asked softly, "Why is there a hard object in Xuan'er's amulet?"
A hint of surprise flashed across Gu Junze's eyes, and then he smiled in relief: "You are indeed as meticulous as a hair, you can even notice this."
He approached Chu Ruohan and lowered his voice, "That's a corner of the tiger talisman. I had it specially made. It's very small but extremely sturdy, just in case of emergency."
"Tiger Talisman?" Chu Ruohan was shocked. "Why is it hidden in Xuan'er's amulet?"
Gu Junze's expression was solemn: "On the surface, I left the capital this time to avoid the limelight and take you out for fun and relaxation, but in fact, it is also part of my plan."
He paused, "This tiger talisman is related to whether we can mobilize some of the hidden forces outside. It is also a key step in coordinating the operations in the capital."
"Did you expect this?" Chu Ruohan looked directly into her husband's eyes, vaguely guessing something.
Gu Junze nodded: "Censor Zhao's impeachment was not accidental. The people behind it could no longer hold back."
"I have discussed with the Emperor that we should use this opportunity to lure them out of their hole. Our departure from the capital is the best way to make them let down their guard."
Chu Ruohan's heart trembled, realizing that this trip was by no means as easy as it seemed, and the responsibility and worry on her shoulders became even heavier.
She held Gu Junze's hand: "You and I are one, there is no need to hide anything. If there is any danger, I am willing to share it with you."
Gu Junze held her hand tighter: "I know you are brave and strong, but the children are still young. If anything unexpected happens, you must protect yourself and the children first."
Chu Ruohan looked at him deeply without saying a word, but the firmness in her eyes conveyed her determination.
At the same time, in a remote courtyard of the residence of Censor Zhao in the capital, lights were dimly lit.
Censor Zhao personally led a mysterious visitor dressed in black into the inner room and carefully closed the doors and windows.
"Gu Junze has indeed left Beijing," the man in black said in a low voice, "He brought his wife and children with him, looking like he was fleeing from disaster. It's quite surprising."
Censor Zhao looked apprehensive. "Sir, Gu Junze is a very thoughtful person. I feel like things are going too smoothly. Could this be a trap?"
"Heh," the man in black sneered, "A great general defending the nation was publicly impeached in the court and lost his position. What else could he do? Besides, if he really had any preparations, why would he leave the capital with his wife and children?"
He paused, his voice growing darker, "Since you've offered yourself up to us, don't blame us for being rude."
"Pass my order. Tell the people in Jiangnan to take action and make sure to take Gu Junze's head! As for his wife and children," a cruel glint flashed in the black-clothed man's eyes, "kill them all."
Censor Zhao wiped the sweat from his forehead and bowed, "Yes, sir. But, will this action arouse the emperor's suspicion?"
"What are you afraid of?" the man in black said disdainfully, "When the time comes, we can just say it was done by the remnants of Qingmo Valley, seeking revenge for their dead companions. Everything will be explained away."
He sneered, "Besides, without Gu Junze, the thorn in his side, what can the emperor do?"
Censor Zhao lowered his head and dared not say anything more, but the uneasiness in his heart became more and more intense.
He always felt that things were not that simple...
The group walked and stopped, not in a hurry to travel. They avoided the main post stations on the official road and chose to rest in remote villages or towns.
Before passing a stream, there was actually some cultivated grass and some greenery.
Gu Junze waved his hand to signal the team to stop, "There must be a lot of fish in this river. Why don't we catch some to improve our food?"
In Chu Ruohan's impression, Gu Junze never seemed to show any interest in leisurely activities such as fishing.
But seeing that he looked serious, I smiled and nodded: "Okay, I haven't tasted fresh fish in a long time."
Yingyi quickly found a few fishing rods and bait, and everyone found a flat stone by the river to sit on.
Gu Junze took the fishing rod with a serious expression, as if he was facing not a leisure activity but a military operation.
He carefully put on the bait and then swung the rod.
“Bang!”
However, because he used too much force, the fishing line broke, and the hook with the bait flew to the distant river surface.
Gu Junze only had half of the fishing rod left in his hand, and he stood there awkwardly.
Song Ruyan couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Hey, General, fishing is not like charging into battle. It requires patience and skills!"
Chu Ruohan also covered her mouth and chuckled, looking at Gu Junze's rare embarrassed look...
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