lcionline Chapter 282 What are these two, mother and son, up to?
Chapter 282 What are these two, mother and son, up to?
Prince Su was clearly there, deliberately waiting for her.
"Mrs. Gu."
Chu Ruohan felt a slight unease, but maintained a calm expression and curtsied slightly.
"This humble woman greets Your Highness Prince Su."
"Is Madam Gu leaving the palace?" Prince Su asked, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.
Chu Ruohan nodded in agreement.
"Perfect timing, I'm also leaving the palace soon, let me see you off."
Prince Su spoke naturally, as if it were just a chance encounter on the way.
Chu Ruohan was a little confused.
Consort Jing and Prince Su, mother and son, came to her one after the other today.
What kind of medicine is sold in this gourd?
But people under the eaves have to bow their heads.
Given the current situation, she has no choice but to accept the offer.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Chu Ruohan said softly.
The two walked silently down the palace path, one in front of the other.
Prince Su didn't seem to be in a hurry to speak, only occasionally turning his head to look at Chu Ruohan.
"Madam Gu is in poor health. If she needs to leave the manor in the future, she should take more people with her and be careful."
Prince Su suddenly spoke, his tone filled with concern.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will remember it," Chu Ruohan replied with her head bowed, but her steps did not falter.
She always followed half a step behind Prince Su, maintaining a respectful distance.
The two remained silent until they reached the palace gate.
Prince Su stopped in his tracks.
Upon seeing this, Chu Ruohan immediately stopped as well.
Prince Su turned around, faced her, and took a step forward.
Chu Ruohan subconsciously took a half step back, creating some distance between them, her eyes filled with vigilance.
Prince Su watched her subtle movements, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes before his expression returned to its gentle tone.
"Prince Gu is currently far away in Pingzhou, leaving you alone in the capital. If anything happens, just send someone to the Prince Su's residence to inform me."
Chu Ruohan's brows furrowed instantly.
She had no close relationship with Prince Su, so why did he suddenly say such a thing?
Could it be because of Gu Junze?
Yes.
The Yong Prince's Mansion has always supported the Su Prince.
Lin Jingchuan had visited Gu Junze several times before, trying to win him over, all for the sake of Gu Junze's shadow guards.
Now that Gu Junze is not in the capital, is Prince Su trying to find a way in through her?
Or is this yet another form of probing, or a warning?
But Gu Junze's background couldn't possibly be unknown to him, could it?
This is really baffling...
Chu Ruohan composed herself, raised her head, met Prince Su's gaze, and spoke in a distant yet polite tone.
"Your Highness's kindness is appreciated."
"I am doing well in the capital and would not dare to trouble Your Highness."
"My wife, please retire."
After saying this, she stopped looking at Prince Su's expression, nodded slightly, and turned to leave.
Yu Ling quickly stepped forward to support her.
Chu Ruohan could clearly feel the burning gaze behind her, which was following her closely.
She gripped Yu Ling's hand tightly, her pace quickening involuntarily, wanting only to get away from the palace as soon as possible.
Stay away from these unfathomable human schemes...
Outside the gate of Jing'an Residence, Qin Fang was stopped by someone who was making a fuss in front of the gate, his voice filled with urgency.
"Let me in, I have important business with the young mistress!"
The guards, dressed in standard armor, stood expressionless, like two iron towers, blocking the way without moving an inch.
"What? Do my people need to go through you to see me?"
A cool, clear voice rang out, carrying an undeniable air of authority.
Upon hearing the sound, the guard hurried over, bowing deeply with utmost respect.
"Madam, please calm down. I already told him that you are not at home. He just kept insisting on seeing you."
Chu Ruohan glanced indifferently at the guard, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger.
"From now on, if Qin Fang comes to see me again, whether I am here or not, I will not announce his arrival. I will simply let him go inside and wait."
The guard, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, responded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, I've got it."
Chu Ruohan then turned her gaze to Qin Fang, but only glanced at him before turning away. She took the lead in stepping over the high threshold and walking into the mansion.
Qin Fang quickly followed.
They remained silent the whole way until they entered the flower hall, which was usually used for receiving guests.
Chu Ruohan sat down in the main seat and gave a signal with just one look.
Yu Ling understood immediately, left the room, and gently closed the door behind her.
He stood guard outside like a door god, making sure no one approached the corridor and that no one could hear any noise from inside.
Only two people remained in the hall.
Chu Ruohan picked up the teacup beside her, but did not drink it. Her fingertips gently caressed the warm cup.
Then he asked, "What is it?"
Qin Fang stepped forward, lowered his voice, and spoke very quickly.
"That wicked woman from the mental hospital was rescued last night."
Chu Ruohan paused slightly in her hand holding the teacup, causing the tea to ripple gently in the cup.
Her brows furrowed, and almost subconsciously, Gu Chengyan's face appeared in her mind.
Qin Fang continued to report, "The young mistress instructed me to send someone to keep an eye on the mental hospital."
“Around midnight last night, several men in black nimbly scaled the wall and forcibly took one person away from inside.”
"Not long after they left, a huge fire broke out in the mental hospital, and the fire was very fierce."
"I immediately sent people to put out the fire and, while I was at it, to check on the situation."
"After the fire was extinguished, it was discovered that apart from that poisonous woman, everyone else inside... had been silenced, leaving no one alive."
They were so ruthless, leaving no trace whatsoever.
That's really Gu Chengyan's style.
Chu Ruohan put down her teacup, the bottom of which made a soft "tap" sound as it hit the table.
Qin Fang continued, his voice even lower.
"The old woman in charge of guarding the mental hospital happened to have taken leave to go home yesterday because her son was getting married, which is why she escaped this ordeal."
"After questioning her thoroughly, I learned a shocking secret from her."
"Those guards actually... secretly treated the crazy women inside like prostitutes, giving them to some acquaintances, widowers, or local bachelors for their amusement."
"For just a few copper coins, you can go in and have some fun. To prevent the madwoman from hurting you, they'll tie you up beforehand..."
Qin Fang seemed to find it difficult to speak at this point, and paused for a moment.
"That wicked woman... was already pregnant before she was rescued."
Chu Ruohan's fingers tightened suddenly on the armrest, her knuckles turning white.
No wonder.
No wonder Gu Chengyan slaughtered everyone in the mental hospital.
He probably hated her to the core, hated that his birth mother had fallen into such a state.
He hated her even more for being pregnant with someone else's illegitimate child, which had brought shame upon the Gu family and himself.
Gu's mother's current predicament is entirely her own fault, and she has no one to blame but herself.
Chu Ruohan felt no sympathy whatsoever.
However, Gu Chengyan is now hiding in the shadows, like a venomous snake lying in wait, ready to pounce at any moment.
This feeling made her feel like she was being pricked by thorns, and she couldn't eat or sleep properly...