mesbooks Chapter 279 More Care, or a Form of House Arrest?
Chapter 279 More Care, or a Form of House Arrest?
Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.
Chu Ruohan and Du Ruoling knelt on the ground.
The Emperor did not immediately tell them to get up. His gaze was deep and scrutinizing as he slowly swept over the two women.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider the matter of the firearms used on the Pingzhou front!" Chu Ruohan raised her head, her expression unusually firm.
Du Ruoling followed closely behind, her voice sharpening, "Your Majesty! Those firearms... absolutely unusable! Absolutely unusable!"
The emperor's eyes were deep and unfathomable, and his gaze finally settled on Chu Ruohan's pale yet stubborn face.
"I have already sent an envoy to the Liang Kingdom."
His voice was calm and even, revealing no emotion.
"I will not use it unless absolutely necessary."
This simple sentence was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.
"I am not a foolish ruler."
Chu Ruohan's delicate body trembled.
She looked at the emperor with disbelief, trying to discern the truth from his deep eyes.
Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall.
A chief eunuch bowed and hurried inside, his expression excited.
"Your Majesty! A military report from Pingzhou, delivered with urgent dispatch from 800 li away!"
The emperor raised an eyebrow slightly. "Bring it here."
The chief eunuch presented the military report with both hands and loudly announced: "General Gu has arrived in Pingzhou and personally led the vanguard battalion in a surprise night attack on the Zheng army's camp, achieving a great victory!"
"We have killed thousands of enemies and captured countless supplies and provisions, which has greatly boosted the morale of our troops!"
"Zheng Guo's commander-in-chief, Duan Qingye, seems to have been caught off guard and has temporarily retreated, thus easing the siege of Pingzhou!"
The hall fell silent instantly.
Chu Ruohan's heart skipped a beat, and a huge sense of surprise and relief welled up inside her.
Gu Junze... he's alright.
He even won a battle!
"Furthermore," the chief eunuch continued, "according to a secret report, General Wang Duan Qingye is willing to discuss a ceasefire."
"And expressed his willingness to return the hostage, Prince Lin Jingchuan."
Chu Ruohan felt a little relieved, and her tense nerves finally relaxed a bit.
As long as there is a possibility of negotiation, poison gas weapons will not be used lightly.
A barely perceptible look of satisfaction appeared on the emperor's face as he waved for the eunuchs to leave.
He turned his gaze back to Chu Ruohan, his tone softening slightly, but still carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Now that you're pregnant, take good care of yourself and ensure a healthy pregnancy."
"Stop making trouble every day."
He paused, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
"Women's involvement in politics..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the underlying message was clear.
Chu Ruohan lowered her eyelids, concealing the complex emotions in her eyes.
The emperor abruptly changed the subject, seemingly mentioning it casually.
"We can no longer stay at the Marquis of Anyang's residence."
Chu Ruohan felt a chill run down her spine.
"I have approved another house for you. You shall move there immediately."
The emperor picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and the steam blurred his expression. "That house is quiet and secluded, perfect for you to rest and recuperate during your pregnancy."
Du Ruoling had been keeping her head down, but at this moment she couldn't help but raise her eyes, her gaze lingering for a moment on Chu Ruohan's protruding belly before quickly looking down again.
Chu Ruohan's fingers tightened unconsciously as she bowed and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
Why did the Emperor suddenly bestow a mansion upon Gu Junze? Was it because he saw the Princess's belongings and wanted to take better care of her, or was it a disguised form of house arrest so that he could use her to control Gu Junze?
Chu Ruohan thought it was the latter.
Stepping out of the imperial study, the warm spring sun shone on her, but Chu Ruohan felt a chill piercing her bones.
As they were about to part, Du Ruoling suddenly asked, "Does he...hate me?"
Du Ruoling's voice was barely audible, carrying a hint of fragility.
Chu Ruohan turned around and looked directly at her: "I don't know if he hates you, but I know he has let go."
Du Ruoling swayed slightly as if struck by a heavy blow, forcing a smile: "Yes, I've let it go..."
She turned and left, her back view lonely and desolate.
Chu Ruohan watched her leave, her heart filled with mixed emotions. This woman, who had once been madly in love and then betrayed him for profit, ultimately gained nothing.
Upon returning to the Chu family home, Doctor Qian had been waiting for her for a long time. Seeing her safe return, he hurriedly went to greet her.
"Young Madam, your impulsiveness could harm the fetus—"
"Dr. Qian, there's no need to worry, the baby is fine," Chu Ruohan reassured, gently stroking her lower abdomen. "I can feel it."
Dr. Qian shook his head and sighed, but still insisted on taking her pulse.
Sure enough, although the pregnancy progressed somewhat, it remained relatively stable overall, which put my mind at ease.
"You must never take such risks again, especially now that you're pregnant," Dr. Qian said earnestly, his brow furrowed.
Chu Ruohan nodded in agreement, but couldn't help but think about the "new house" the emperor had mentioned.
Just as he was pondering this, Chu's father hurried in, his expression grave.
"What's wrong, Father?" Chu Ruohan asked, a sense of unease rising in her heart.
"Someone from the palace has come. They say the new residence designated by the Emperor is ready, and you should move there today," Chu's father said in a low voice, his brows furrowed with worry.
Chu Ruohan's gaze sharpened slightly: "So fast?"
"Yes, they even sent a detachment of imperial guards to escort them." Father Chu sighed. "Han'er, we probably have no choice but to accept this royal favor."
This is hardly a blessing...
A moment later, under the "escort" of the Imperial Guards, Chu Ruohan stepped onto the carriage.
"Young Madam, what do you think His Majesty means by this?" Yu Ling asked in a low voice, her eyes full of confusion.
"On the surface it's an act of favor, but in reality it's surveillance." Chu Ruohan gave a bitter smile and looked at the fleeting scenery outside the window.
The carriage, however, headed towards the palace.
We stopped in front of a quiet house.
The walls are high and thick, and the three large characters "Jing An Ju" hang above the door, written in a vigorous and powerful style, clearly the work of a famous calligrapher.
Chu Ruohan got off the carriage and looked around.
This house is very close to the palace and far from the bustling city.
The leading guard stepped forward and bowed: "Madam Gu, this is the residence His Majesty specially chose for you. It is guarded by guards day and night, so you can rest assured and take care of your pregnancy."
The words were respectful, but the subtext was: Don't even think about escaping.
Chu Ruohan smiled calmly: "Thank you for your trouble. Please convey my thanks to His Majesty."
Stepping across the threshold, the courtyard is quiet and elegant, with swaying tree shadows, presenting a peaceful and serene scene.
However, Chu Ruohan knew in her heart that this was nothing more than an exquisitely crafted cage.
In the stillness of the night, Chu Ruohan stood by the window, gazing at the palace walls faintly visible in the distance.
"Junze, are you alright?" she murmured softly, her fingertips unconsciously stroking her abdomen.
The bright moon hangs in the sky above the Pingzhou camp.
The night wind carried the unique chill of the frontier, causing the flags to flutter loudly.
Gu Junze wore a black cloak, his shadow stretching long in the moonlight.
Gu Junze would make an inspection tour every day before going to bed.
As they passed a relatively secluded camp, an excited voice rang out from behind them.
"Big brother?"
Gu Junze paused in his steps
The voice is familiar.
He turned around slowly.
Under the moonlight, Gu Cheng'an's face came into view. He was dressed in the armor of an ordinary soldier, but his eyes shone with a bright light.
Why is he here?
Gu Cheng'an strode forward, his face beaming with undisguised joy.
"I came to join the army, but I never expected to end up under my elder brother's command!"
His tone was cheerful, completely unaware of the fleeting complexity in Gu Junze's eyes.