lcionline Chapter 326 The Emperor is no longer the same emperor he once was.
Chapter 326 The Emperor is no longer the same emperor he once was.
The personal maid, Zhixia, quickly tried to calm her down, saying, "Your Highness, please calm down. His Highness Prince Su is young and impetuous; he speaks without thinking."
Consort Jing's face turned ashen. She raised her hand to straighten her hair, a hint of unease flashing in her eyes.
"Tell me, am I really getting old?"
Zhi Xia quickly knelt down and comforted her softly, "Your Majesty is in the prime of your life, but what man in the world doesn't like something fresh and young?"
She carefully spoke as she picked up the broken porcelain from the floor.
"Once His Highness Prince Su ascends the throne, you will be the Empress Dowager. So what if there are many women in the palace?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Jing's expression softened slightly, and she slowly touched her cheek.
Time is merciless; the beauty once favored by the emperor is now...
"However, if Your Majesty wishes to secure your position, you must be extra careful during the Empress Dowager's mourning period."
Zhi Xia lowered her head, her tone carrying a profound meaning.
Consort Jing narrowed her eyes: "What do you mean by this?"
"I heard that Madam Gu from the General's Mansion will also be attending the Empress Dowager's funeral..."
Consort Jing took a deep breath, thinking of Prince Su's unusual attitude towards Chu Ruohan.
"Gu Junze is back. He and his wife have a very good relationship. What trouble can she possibly cause?"
Zhi Xia lowered her eyes, but a faint smile appeared on her lips.
She didn't say much, but silently stepped aside.
Deep in the night, outside the palace walls.
A man in black quietly slipped into a secluded courtyard.
"How is the matter progressing?" Prince Su sat upright under the lamp, his eyes as calm as a still pond.
The man in black knelt respectfully. "Your Highness, everything has been arranged. Zhixia has already told the Imperial Concubine what happened."
Prince Su's lips curled slightly upward. "What about Consort Ming?"
"The Emperor did not touch her, but simply let her rub her head and talk to him."
Prince Su toyed with the jade thumb ring in his hand without making a sound. "Hmm, let her figure out a way to win over that old man's heart."
On the day of the funeral, the sky was overcast, as if it might rain at any moment.
Chu Ruohan, dressed in a plain-colored dress, arrived outside Cining Palace accompanied by Gu Junze.
The palace gates were already crowded with court officials and their families. A murmur of whispers arose as Chu Ruohan appeared.
She remained calm, seemingly unaware of the gazes of the crowd.
Consort Jing, accompanied by a group of concubines, stood to one side of the palace gate. When she saw Chu Ruohan, a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
As the ceremony began, the Empress Dowager's coffin was slowly carried out of the palace.
The emperor knelt before him, his face pale and his figure thin.
Chu Ruohan noticed that the Emperor's mental state was worse than when she last saw him; his eyes were unfocused, as if his soul had been ripped away.
Prince Su stood respectfully beside the Emperor, appearing as a filial son, occasionally whispering words of comfort.
"Do you see that?" Chu Ruohan whispered to Gu Junze, "The Emperor is no longer the Emperor he used to be."
Gu Junze's eyes sharpened. "I understand what you mean. I will make other arrangements after we get back."
Just then, a muffled clap of thunder suddenly sounded in the sky, followed by a torrential downpour.
The ceremony was forced to be rushed. Chu Ruohan was protected under the umbrella by Gu Junze and was about to leave with the others when she suddenly heard a cry of surprise.
"careful!"
A blue brick from the palace eaves, loosened by the rain, fell straight down toward where Chu Ruohan was standing!
Gu Junze reacted with lightning speed, suddenly pulling Chu Ruohan into his arms and sideways to narrowly avoid the falling bricks.
With a loud bang, the blue bricks shattered on the ground, scattering fragments everywhere.
A gasp of surprise rang out from the crowd, and everyone quickly retreated.
"Han'er, are you alright?"
Gu Junze's expression was solemn as he tightly protected Chu Ruohan, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.
Chu Ruohan shook her head, her expression calm, as if she had expected this.
"It doesn't matter."
Prince Su strode over, his face full of concern.
"Is Madam Gu alright? This palace has been in disrepair for years, and with the heavy rain, this accident is truly worrying."
His expression was perfectly anxious, and his voice was full of concern, but Chu Ruohan noticed the hint of disappointment in his eyes.
Gu Chengyan is now more than happy to kill the child in her womb.
Gu Junze glanced coldly at Prince Su, his voice low: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My wife and I are unharmed."
Prince Su smiled, his gaze lingering on Chu Ruohan's abdomen for a moment before casually looking away.
"That's good. The general's wife's health is important, so it would be best if she returned to the manor to rest as soon as possible."
Consort Jing stood at a distance, a faint, cold smile playing on her lips, which vanished in an instant.
She absolutely could not allow her son to bear the stigma of coveting another man's wife.
Chu Ruohan saw this and sneered inwardly.
She gently took Gu Junze's hand and said in a low voice, "Husband, let's go back to the manor."
Gu Junze nodded, then turned and left, protecting her.
Inside the carriage, Chu Ruohan leaned against Gu Junze's chest, her eyes calm.
"The waters in this palace run too deep," she said softly.
Gu Junze's eyes darkened: "I have already sent people to investigate that brick."
Chu Ruohan shook her head slightly: "No need to investigate, nothing will be found."
"It seems that Consort Jing and Prince Su are already impatient."
Gu Junze hugged her tighter, resting his chin on the top of her head: "Don't worry, I won't let anyone hurt you."
A resolute glint flashed in Chu Ruohan's eyes: "There's no time to lose; it's time for us to make our move."
Inside the general's mansion, Yu Ling waited at the gate with a worried expression. When she saw the carriage return, she hurriedly went to greet it.
"Madam, you're finally back! You scared me half to death! News came from the palace that a brick almost injured you!"
Chu Ruohan smiled calmly: "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Gu Junze helped Chu Ruohan inside: "Yuling, prepare hot water. Madam got caught in the rain and needs to change her clothes promptly."
Hua Yu quickly agreed and turned to make the arrangements.
Inside the warm pavilion, Chu Ruohan had just changed into dry clothes when a guard hurriedly came to report.
"General, the palace has sent a royal physician. He said that the Emperor sent him to examine the lady because of her pregnancy."
Gu Junze frowned: "Tell him to wait a moment."
Chu Ruohan smiled, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes: "Let him in."
Gu Junze looked at her with some surprise: "Are you sure?"
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly: "Since we're already here, it would seem guilty not to see you."
Before long, a white-haired but youthful-looking imperial physician was led in. He was none other than Physician Liu, a leading physician in the Imperial Medical Academy.
"This humble official pays his respects to the General and greets the Madam," Physician Liu said respectfully.
Gu Junze remained calm: "Please rise, Physician Liu. It rained heavily in the palace today, and the Empress Dowager was being buried. Your Majesty still remembered my wife; your imperial grace is truly boundless."
Physician Liu nodded with a smile: "The General's wife is of noble health, and His Majesty is naturally concerned about her."
Chu Ruohan smiled slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Physician Liu."
Physician Liu took out the pulse pillow, and Chu Ruohan stretched out her slender wrist.
Physician Liu placed a handkerchief under his pulse before taking it...