lcionline Chapter 338 Madam Gu, this way please...
Chapter 338 Madam Gu, this way please...
Song Ruyan anxiously searched for someone, her hands clenched into fists, her eyes constantly scanning her surroundings.
Ever since the young mistress failed to appear at the agreed location on time, her heart had been hanging in suspense.
"Miss Song."
A familiar voice came from the shadows. Song Ruyan turned around alertly and saw Qin Fang emerge from the shadows. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Qin Fang glanced around to make sure no imperial guards were paying attention to them before replying in a low voice, "The young mistress is alright, she—"
"Where is she?" Song Ruyan interrupted impatiently.
Qin Fang took a deep breath. "He went to the palace."
"what?"
"Going to the palace? You finally got out of the imperial prison, why are you going back?"
Qin Fang frowned. "The young mistress said the plan remains unchanged."
Song Ruyan turned around abruptly, "No, I have to go find the general!"
Seeing that she was about to leave, Qin Fang quickly grabbed her sleeve, "Oh, Miss Song, don't forget to pass on that message."
Song Ruyan stopped and turned to look at Qin Fang. "I understand."
She gently shook off Qin Fang's hand, and her figure disappeared into the darkness like the wind.
Qin Fang watched her departing figure, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, before he too disappeared into the night.
Song Ruyan moved swiftly and lightly through the shadows of the mansion.
Although the Imperial Guards surrounded her tightly, it was no match for her, who had been practicing martial arts since childhood.
She came to the outside of the study.
Gu Junze stood by the window, his figure as upright as a pine tree, yet exuding a sense of suppressed anxiety.
Hearing the faint footsteps, he turned around abruptly, his sharp gaze piercing like a knife.
"Any news?" His voice was calm, but he couldn't hide his anxiety.
Song Ruyan: "Young Madam is alright."
Gu Junze's tense nerves relaxed slightly, but his brows remained furrowed.
"Where is she?"
Song Ruyan looked helpless. "She went to the palace."
"The young mistress asked me to tell you that the plan remains unchanged."
Upon hearing this, the anxiety in Gu Junze's eyes was gradually replaced by contemplation.
He slowly walked to his desk, tapping his fingertips lightly on the surface as he fell into deep thought.
“She’s not alone,” Song Ruyan added. “Qin Fang said that Young Master Gu and Doctor Qian are traveling with her.”
Gu Junze paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, followed by understanding.
“She wanted to save the Emperor,” Gu Junze muttered to himself, “To expose Gu Chengyan, how naive…”
Gu Junze turned to Ying Qing, who had been standing in the shadows, and asked, "How are the preparations going on the Third Prince's side?"
Ying Qing stepped forward, her voice low, "The Third Prince is ready and awaits the General's command."
Gu Junze took a deep breath. "Pass down the order: take action tomorrow at 9:00 AM!"
A tiny spark broke free from its restraints and shakily climbed upwards.
Gu Cheng'an frowned and looked up at the Kongming lantern.
"What is she doing?"
Dr. Qian stood aside, equally bewildered.
"do not know."
Inside the Cining Palace, candlelight flickered and sandalwood incense wafted in the air.
The old nanny sat upright on the prayer mat, chanting scriptures in a low voice, her voice steady yet hoarse, as if she had aged along with the palace.
A young palace maid approached quietly, her voice carrying a hint of respect.
"Granny, it's getting late, you should go to bed."
The old nanny nodded slightly, without opening her eyes, and let the young palace maid help her to her feet.
The young palace maid couldn't help but whisper, "Granny is already so old, why doesn't she go out of the palace to enjoy her retirement?"
"Didn't the Emperor bestow a residence upon you outside the palace?"
The old woman paused, "I have no children in my life. If I go out, I will be all alone and miserable."
"It would be better to guard this empty Cining Palace for the Empress Dowager."
Pushing open the heavy palace door, the cool night breeze blew in, ruffling her gray hair.
The young palace maid looked up at the sky, her tone tinged with a puzzled complaint.
"I wonder who it is that is releasing sky lanterns so late at night?"
The old nanny followed her gaze, and that dim, yellowish light stood out conspicuously.
Her gaze suddenly deepened, and after a moment of contemplation, she released the arm that the maid was supporting.
"You go to bed first."
"I want to be alone for a while longer."
The young palace maid was somewhat surprised, but she still respectfully agreed and dared not ask any further questions.
"Yes."
The young palace maid's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, her footsteps fading into the distance.
The old woman stood alone in front of the door, the night wind blowing her wide robes, her gaze fixed on the Kongming lantern that was gradually disappearing into the distance.
the other side.
A small boat sailed silently on the surface of the moat, almost blending into the night.
The sound of the oars cutting through the water was deliberately suppressed, leaving only a faint "splashing" sound.
Chu Ruohan, Gu Chengan, and Doctor Qian remained silent.
The small boat went upstream, gradually approaching the enormous shadow cast by the majestic palace walls.
Finally, the small boat slowly came to a stop in front of an extremely well-hidden water gate, hidden by water plants and almost unnoticeable.
On the shore, a hunched figure had been waiting for a long time.
The old woman carried a small lantern, which illuminated her wrinkled yet remarkably serene face.
The three carefully made their way ashore. The stone steps under their feet were a little slippery and carried the coolness of the river water.
Chu Ruohan and the old nanny exchanged a glance and nodded gently.
That day, when she entered the palace, she not only met Consort Jing, but also formed an alliance with the old nanny.
Both Princess Anyang and the current emperor were raised under the watchful eye of the old nanny...
The sound of hurried footsteps came from not far away, accompanied by the swaying glow of lanterns, breaking the secrecy of the place.
"Who...who's there?"
A sharp, high-pitched voice broke the silence.
Two young eunuchs carrying lanterns escorted a slightly plump, shrewd-looking middle-aged eunuch as he approached. It was none other than the chief eunuch, Ma Fuhai.
Chu Ruohan's heart tightened suddenly, almost jumping out of her throat, and she instinctively shielded Gu Cheng'an and Doctor Qian behind her.
In the dim light, their eyes met.
The moment Ma Fuhai saw Ruohan's face clearly, the wariness and suspicion on his face quickly faded, replaced by a complex and indescribable expression.
His expression changed several times, and then he sternly ordered the eunuch beside him:
"You saw nothing tonight, you were all sleeping in your own rooms, and no one saw you!"
"have you understood?"
His voice was very low, a stark contrast to his usual obsequious manner.
"Once you enter the palace, your life is on the line. Don't accidentally lose your livelihood!"
The two eunuchs trembled in fright and dared not look any longer, so they quickly bowed and responded.
"Yes, yes, Father-in-law."
Carrying lanterns, they practically fled in panic, hastily retreating and disappearing into the darkness.
Chu Ruohan exchanged a glance with Gu Cheng'an and Doctor Qian, and they all saw surprise, uncertainty and a hint of luck in each other's eyes.
Ma Fuhai turned to Chu Ruohan, forcing a respectful yet extremely anxious smile, a stark contrast to his previous stern expression.
"Mrs. Gu, this way please."
"We shouldn't stay here any longer. Let's find a safe place to talk."