lcionline Chapter 182 The blood debt of that year, I will make you...you pay it back tenfold.
Chapter 182 The blood debt of that year, I will make you...you pay it back tenfold.
Marquis Anyang unknowingly arrived at Hongmeng Academy.
"Father."
When he saw the tall and straight Gu Junze in front of him, he was momentarily dazed.
Sunlight shone on Gu Junze, outlining his handsome features, making him look completely different from the sickly boy who used to sit in a wheelchair.
A distant memory flashed through Marquis Anyang's mind: when Gu Junze was three or four years old, the eldest princess forced him to practice horse stance, and he hid behind him, acting like a brat...
He quickly composed himself and rushed over, hugging Gu Junze tightly.
"Junze... my son... you're finally healed. Do you know how many years your father has waited for this?"
His tears slid down his cheeks and dripped onto Gu Junze's shoulder.
Gu Junze wore a faint smile on his face, but inwardly he was sneering.
His acting is still so good; he can shed tears so easily. If you didn't know the truth, you would really think he was a loving father.
Gu Junze gently patted the Marquis of Anyang on the back, his tone respectful yet distant: "Thank you for your concern, Father. I've caused you so much worry over the years."
Marquis Anyang released Gu Junze, put his hands on his shoulders, looked him up and down, and said with feigned concern, "Ze'er, now that you're better, a huge weight has been lifted from my heart."
"Tell your father quickly, how exactly did you get better? Which miracle doctor has such miraculous healing skills?"
Gu Junze subtly avoided An Yanghou's gaze, a perfectly timed smile playing on his lips.
"It was by chance that my son met a miracle doctor and invited him into our home."
The Marquis of Anyang's expression was unreadable. He suppressed his displeasure and said with a forced smile, "This can be considered your good fortune."
These words seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
Gu Junze looked at him, suppressing his anger, yet he had to play the role of a good father, which made him feel a little pleased.
"It must be my mother's spirit in heaven protecting me, unable to bear seeing me suffer day and night, that's why she sent the divine doctor here."
"Aren't you right, Father..."
Gu Junze looked at him, his face stiff and he was starting to lose his composure.
Marquis Anyang's lips twitched slightly as he tried to force a smile to cover his guilty conscience, but the smile looked worse than a grimace.
"Yes...yes, your mother is definitely protecting you," Marquis Anyang stammered in response.
He felt that Gu Junze's gaze was like a sharp knife, piercing straight into the depths of his heart, leaving him nowhere to hide.
Seeing this, Gu Junze felt even more pleased.
On the surface, however, he still maintained a filial demeanor, stepped forward, and asked with concern, "Father, you don't look well. Are you feeling unwell? Perhaps I should go and fetch a doctor to take a look at you?"
His voice was gentle, but the mockery in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Marquis Anyang hurriedly waved his hand, "No need, no need. I'm probably just a little tired from the busy affairs of the manor today."
As he spoke, he subtly took a step back, creating distance between himself and Gu Junze.
He pondered to himself, now that Gu Junze's leg injury was cured, he had become a different person, and his words were sharp and edgy. Could it be that he knew something?
In the past, Gu Junze was both respectful and close to him, but now he's acting like this?
It seems he's starting to have doubts; this is getting more and more troublesome...
"In that case, Father, you should go back and rest early. Everything is fine here with me, so you don't need to worry."
Gu Junze wore a faint smile and spoke respectfully, but his intention to dismiss him was all too clear.
He didn't want to engage in any more pretense or evasive talk with him.
As for Dr. Qian, Gu Junze has already arranged a new identity for him.
Marquis Anyang naturally understood his implied meaning. He was furious, but he couldn't show it. He could only suppress his anger and nodded, "Then I'll go back first. Take good care of yourself."
After saying that, he turned and left in a hurry, his back view looking somewhat disheveled.
Watching the departing figure of Marquis Anyang, Gu Junze's smile vanished instantly, replaced by an icy expression.
He clenched his fists and muttered, "This is just the beginning. I will make you...you pay for the blood debts of that year tenfold."
The next morning, as dawn broke, the soft light shone on the glazed tiles of the Marquis of Anyang's residence.
Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence. The butler, looking flustered, rushed into Hongmeng Courtyard.
He stopped in front of Gu Junze's door, slightly out of breath, straightened his clothes, and then knocked.
He announced loudly, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has heard that your leg ailment has healed and is on her way to the residence. She will arrive soon!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Junze, who was sitting at the table reading a book, put down his book, as if he had already expected it.
He rose, straightened his robes, and went out with Chu Ruohan to greet the imperial carriage.
From the front of the Marquis's mansion, a long and impressive procession could be seen in the distance.
The Empress Dowager sat in a palace sedan chair, dressed in magnificent attire, her phoenix coronet and embroidered robes gleaming in the morning light.
Beside the sedan chair, palace maids and eunuchs held ceremonial weapons, their expressions respectful.
The people of the Marquis of Anyang's residence knelt on the ground, saying, "Welcome the Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress Dowager!"
The voices were clear and loud.
The Empress Dowager slowly alighted from her sedan chair, a kind smile on her face. "Rise, all of you. I've come today to see Junze, so there's no need for formalities."
As she spoke, she strode toward Gu Junze, took his hand, looked him up and down, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Junze, I am so happy that your leg is healed. These past years, seeing you suffer has been so painful for me."
Looking at the Empress Dowager's familiar and loving face, Gu Junze felt a surge of doubts.
Was her kindness towards me genuine, or just a cover-up for her inner guilt?
Did she also participate in the conspiracy back then, or did she know the truth but choose to protect those criminals?
These thoughts tangled in his mind like a jumble of threads, causing his smile in response to the Empress Dowager to unconsciously carry a hint of aloofness and caution.
The Empress Dowager seemed oblivious to Gu Junze's unusual behavior, and led him into the Marquis's residence by the hand.
As he walked, he muttered to himself, "Thank God, our suffering has finally come to an end..."
Upon entering the room, the Empress Dowager sat down in the main seat and then pulled Gu Junze to sit beside her, her eyes full of concern as she inquired in detail about how his leg ailment had healed.
Gu Junze subtly withdrew his hand.
At this moment, Chu Ruohan, carrying a teacup, stepped forward with light steps to serve tea to the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your Majesty, please have some tea."
The Empress Dowager took the teacup and looked Chu Ruohan up and down. "Now that Junze's leg is healed, if he could have a child soon, I could give Anyang a proper explanation even after I die."
"Granny Zhou, how is Ruohan's health recovering?"
The Empress Dowager glanced at Granny Zhou, who was standing to the side, but Granny Zhou's gaze fell on Gu Junze...