lcionline Chapter 223 couldn't be picked at a different time.
Chapter 223 couldn't be picked at a different time.
During the two days of waiting, Chu Ruohan appeared to be the same as usual, but her heart was never at peace.
She pondered the details of her past and present lives repeatedly, trying to find more clues from those memories.
Finally, the day arrived when Gu Junze returned.
Chu Ruohan had been waiting for a long time, and when she heard Gu Junze's familiar footsteps, she immediately got up to greet him.
Gu Junze felt a chill run down his spine when he saw the anxiety and seriousness on Chu Ruohan's face.
"Han'er, has something happened?"
Chu Ruohan didn't waste any time and told Gu Junze everything Ying Qing had found out about the Ministry of Works' false reporting of iron ore content, as well as her various guesses about the conspiracy between Marquis Anyang and the Su family.
The iron ore on that barren mountain is enough to be mined for a hundred years...
After listening, Gu Junze's expression turned extremely serious, and his slender fingers tapped repeatedly on the table.
After a moment of contemplation
"This matter is indeed suspicious. The Marquis of Anyang's collusion with the Ministry of Works could not possibly be for money alone. The situation on the border is tense now. If they use these extra iron ore to forge weapons and secretly support a certain force, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, agreeing with Gu Junze's deduction: "That's what I thought too, but acting rashly might alert the enemy."
Gu Junze slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked into the distance. "Then let's create chaos so that the court has no choice but to investigate..."
The gasps of amazement that rose and fell outside drifted into the room.
With his arms taut and a low shout, Ying Qing steadily lifted the boulder over his head.
The children stared in astonishment, their eyes widening, and began to chatter excitedly.
"Wow, that's amazing!"
"Master is so strong!"
"Can we become this good at kung fu?"
Yingqing smiled and put the stone down, patiently saying, "As long as you are willing to work hard and persist in practicing the basics, you will definitely be better than me in the future."
"Practicing kung fu is not just about gaining strength, but also about tempering your will and protecting yourself and those around you."
Song Ruyan curled her lip, "A mere trifle!"
She strode forward, closed her eyes slightly, focused her mind, and seemed to feel a surge of energy around her.
Suddenly, she raised an eyebrow and swung out a palm strike.
With a muffled thud, the boulder shattered into several pieces, sending stone chips flying everywhere.
The children were so shocked their jaws almost dropped. Just moments ago they had been looking at Yingqing with adoration, but now they stood frozen in place, their eyes filled with awe.
Song Ruyan patted non-existent dust off her hands and snorted lightly: "The way of kung fu is about precision, not brute force. Just lifting a rock doesn't count as real skill."
Ying Qing rolled her eyes at her. This Song Ruyan always manages to cause trouble.
When Song Ruyan met his disdainful look, she immediately became unhappy, took a few steps forward, and grabbed Ying Qing's arm.
"What, Yingqing, what kind of look is that? If you're not happy, let's have a go!"
Yingqing forcefully broke free from her hand and said irritably, "Who wants to fight with you? All you ever do is fight and kill."
"You're just scared!" Song Ruyan said, hands on her hips, her face full of provocation. "If you're so capable, then exchange a few blows. Don't be a coward!"
The surrounding children got excited and gathered around, shouting, "Let's fight! Let's fight!"
Song Ruyan suddenly swung her fist from her palm, but Ying Qing dodged it easily by sidestepping. He frowned and asked, "Song Ruyan, are you completely healed?"
"What's this little injury?"
Song Ruyan's moves were fierce, leaving Ying Qing with no choice but to defend herself.
The two exchanged blows, punches and kicks flying everywhere, raising dust in the courtyard.
The children cheered excitedly from the sidelines, shouting, "Go, Master!"
"Sister Song, defeat him!" The shouts rose and fell.
Song Ruyan was no match for Ying Qing to begin with, not to mention that her injuries had not fully healed, and she was quickly subdued by Ying Qing.
"You...you cheated!"
"All's fair in war, didn't your master teach you that?"
Lan-jie stepped forward timidly, her figure small and thin, looking weak and bewildered. She cautiously tugged at her sleeve, "Auntie, you're so amazing!"
Song Ruyan lowered her eyes and saw the little girl's innocent face, so clean and without a trace of impurity, and her heart couldn't help but stir.
A slight smile played on her lips as she asked softly, "You want to learn?"
Lan Jie'er's eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded vigorously, "Mmm-hmm."
But soon, as if she remembered something, she turned to look at Lu Ge'er beside her, her expectant eyes now tinged with a question, "Is it alright?"
Lu Ge'er was a few years older than Lan Jie'er, but his youthful face carried a composure beyond his years.
Looking into his sister's expectant eyes, he couldn't refuse.
Lu Ge'er took a deep breath, stepped forward, stood with his feet together, clasped his hands, and solemnly bowed to Song Ruyan.
"Master Song, please take my sister as your apprentice."
Seeing this, Lan Jie'er shook Song Ruyan's sleeve again, like a spoiled little deer, "Auntie, please."
Song Ruyan was amused by the siblings' actions, and she reached out and gently patted Lan Jie'er's head.
"Alright, from today onwards you are my apprentice. Your master will definitely teach you well, and I guarantee you'll be even better than these boys in the future!"
Inside the room, Gu Junze had somehow appeared behind Chu Ruohan and embraced her. "Do whatever you want. My status as the heir apparent is the best weapon in your hand."
Chu Ruohan leaned against Gu Junze's chest, feeling the warmth from his strong embrace.
It feels so good to have someone to rely on...
Gu Junze held Chu Ruohan tightly, her faint fragrance wafting into his nostrils.
This stirred ripples in his heart, and his emotions became increasingly uncontrollable. In a moment of distraction, he couldn't help but pick her up and carry her in his arms.
Caught off guard, Chu Ruohan instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her cheeks instantly burning. She gasped in surprise and embarrassment, "It's still daytime!"
Gu Junze lowered his head slightly, his warm breath brushing against Chu Ruohan's ear as he whispered, "It's okay, let's keep our voices down."
After saying that, he moved lightly and carefully placed her on the bed. Just as he bent down, a series of urgent knocks suddenly sounded on the door.
"Young Madam, Aunt Zhao has arrived," Yu Ling's voice came in.
Gu Junze paused, a hint of annoyance flashing across his face. "Why does she keep contacting you?"
He complained, but quickly straightened his clothes.
Chu Ruohan suppressed a laugh and tidied her messy hair. "I co-own a pastry shop with Aunt Zhao. She must be looking for me about the shop."
Gu Junze pouted, his face full of reluctance, "Couldn't you have chosen a different time..."
He reached out to smooth Chu Ruohan's stray hairs, his fingertips gently tracing her flushed cheeks.
Chu Ruohan slapped his hand away and stood up with a smile.
Gu Junze sighed helplessly, "Then hurry back, I'll wait for you here."
As he spoke, he sat down on a chair to the side, picked up a book, and tried to calm himself down after being interrupted.