lcionline Chapter 345 He has done very well
Chapter 345 He has done very well
Gu Junze pushed open the mansion gate and walked along, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
The emperor's last words still echoed in my ears: "Sister, take me away..."
The scheme finally came to an end, but the anticipated satisfaction did not arrive as expected.
The bitterness that had been weighing on his chest for years did not completely dissipate with the emperor's death, but rather transformed into an even more complex emotion that entangled his heart.
The mansion was unusually quiet, with most of the servants having returned to their rooms to rest.
Gu Junze stood in the center of the courtyard, looking up at the night sky.
There is no moon tonight, only a few stars twinkling in the inky sky.
"Han'er?" he called softly, his feet unconsciously moving towards the inner room.
As soon as he opened the door, Gu Junze saw Chu Ruohan sitting on a low couch by the window, holding a book in her hand, the candlelight casting soft shadows on her fair face.
She was waiting for him...
Upon seeing Gu Junze return, Chu Ruohan put down her book, her eyes filled with concern.
"You're back," Chu Ruohan said softly, her voice as gentle as a breeze.
Gu Junze nodded and sat down on the low couch.
Chu Ruohan didn't ask any more questions, but silently got up and poured him a cup of warm tea.
"His Majesty...is gone." Gu Junze took the teacup and said in a low voice.
Chu Ruohan's hand paused slightly, then returned to its calm state.
She sat quietly beside Gu Junze, letting silence spread between them.
"He killed my mother with his own hands, he made me lose my mother's love when I was young, and he made my childhood full of gloom."
Gu Junze's voice gradually lowered, revealing a hint of hatred, "But when he called my mother's name on his deathbed, his face full of remorse, I felt a pang of pity."
Chu Ruohan got up, walked behind Gu Junze, gently hugged his shoulders, and rested her head in the crook of his neck.
A warm breath brushed past his ear, bringing a sense of reassuring comfort.
"It's all over," Chu Ruohan said softly, her arms tightening slightly.
"Mmm." Gu Junze responded, placed his hand on Chu Ruohan's hand, and closed his eyes.
The two of them stood quietly together, not saying a word, yet their silence spoke volumes.
Chu Ruohan knew that Gu Junze was at his most vulnerable moment, and his strong facade finally began to crumble after he achieved his goal.
She doesn't need to say much; she just needs to stay quietly by your side.
How can one be worthy of being a son if one does not avenge his mother?
Gu Junze went through all this trouble just to achieve his revenge without bloodshed.
He had already done very well, preventing the people from paying the price for his personal vendetta...
As the night deepened outside the window, the lights inside the mansion grew even brighter.
Tonight, the capital is undergoing a tremendous change, but in this small inner room, there is a rare tranquility and warmth.
The next morning, as dawn broke.
Gu Junze got up early and stood in the courtyard, watching the sky gradually brighten in the east. A night's rest had restored his usual calm and composure.
Chu Ruohan came out wearing a coat and stood beside him.
"Come with me somewhere," Gu Junze said softly.
After a quick breakfast, the two left the General's Mansion by carriage. The carriage was heading towards Xiangshan Temple outside the city.
This is where Princess Anyang is buried. Gu Junze hasn't been here for a long time.
The two disembarked from the carriage and slowly walked up the mountain path. In early spring, the mountains were bursting with life, with grass and trees just beginning to sprout.
Gu Junze knelt down in front of the tomb and respectfully performed three kowtows.
"Mother, your son has come to see you," Gu Junze said softly, his voice choked with emotion. "I have avenged you. Your uncle has admitted his mistakes and gone to atone for them."
“Your son knows that what you desire most is peace and well-being for the people. Your son did not start a war out of personal grudges, nor did he cause innocent people to suffer.”
Chu Ruohan watched Gu Junze's retreating figure. This seemingly strong man had a soft spot deep inside that was hard for ordinary people to imagine.
"Mother, this is Han'er, your son's wife."
Gu Junze gestured for Chu Ruohan to step forward, "She was the one who stayed by our son's side through the darkest days. If you are watching over us from heaven, please bless us."
Chu Ruohan stepped forward, knelt beside Gu Junze, and respectfully kowtowed three times.
"After paying respects to his mother-in-law, Ruohan will always be with him and will never let him be lonely again," Chu Ruohan promised softly.
The two sat in front of the grave for a long time, until the sun was high in the sky before they got up and left.
On the way down the mountain, Gu Junze's steps were noticeably lighter, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden.
"How are you feeling?" Chu Ruohan asked.
“Very good.” Gu Junze smiled. “It feels like a fresh start.”
Chu Ruohan smiled and nodded, then reached out and took Gu Junze's hand.
Their hands were clasped tightly together, just as their destinies were intertwined.
On the way back to the city, a notice announcing the emperor's death had been posted at the city gate, and the people were discussing it.
"Is the Third Prince about to ascend the throne?"
"Of course, the late emperor only had this one son left."
"It is said that the case of Prince Su has also been resolved..."
Gu Junze listened to these discussions and understood. He and Chu Ruohan quickly returned to the carriage, not lingering any longer.
"What are your plans next?" Chu Ruohan asked in the carriage on the way back.
"The revenge that needed to be taken has been taken, and the empire that needed to be protected has been secured." Gu Junze smiled faintly, "For the rest of my life, I only want to be with you..."
Inside the palace, the Taiji Hall was already draped with plain white curtains, and the court officials, dressed in plain clothes, knelt before the hall with solemn expressions.
Zhao Yunci, dressed in mourning clothes, stood quietly in front of the dragon throne, her eyes slightly closed, as if praying or thinking.
The hall was completely silent, broken only by the occasional sob.
The Minister of Rites stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Your Highness, the Emperor's edict has been drafted. Please take a look."
Zhao Yunci opened her eyes and took the yellow scroll that was handed to her.
He slowly unfolded the book, his gaze sweeping over the familiar handwriting, a barely perceptible smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"In his will, my father designated me as his successor," Zhao Yunci said calmly, but his gaze swept over the assembled officials.
The Minister of Rites stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "We respectfully request that the Third Prince ascend the throne immediately to reassure the people."
“Yes, a country cannot be without a ruler for a single day,” echoed Gu Yan, the Minister of Revenue.
Zhao Yunci gently placed the imperial edict on the dragon table, took a deep breath, and his expression became solemn.
"My lords, you may not know this, but I have been practicing Buddhism since childhood and have long since seen through the illusions of the world. I am completely ignorant of matters of state. Now that my father has suddenly passed away, I am heartbroken and have no intention of taking over the throne."
These words caused an uproar in the hall. The ministers looked at each other, unsure how to respond.
“Third Prince, you are of royal blood and the only son of the late Emperor. If you do not ascend the throne, will our Great Zhou dynasty be cut off?” the Minister of Rites said anxiously.
"Yes, Third Prince, a country cannot be without a ruler for a single day..."