RPAGF Chapter 460 If only he could be recognized as a member of the clan!
Chapter 460 If only he could be recognized as a member of the clan!
The night was deep, but the General's mansion was brightly lit.
Duan Qingye dismounted, tossed the reins to the servant who came to greet him, and strode into the mansion with a gloomy expression. He coldly ordered, "Go and call Little Zhou over."
Before long, the slender and graceful Ms. Zhou, with a gentle air about her, gracefully approached.
Seeing Duan Qingye sitting upright in the main seat with a livid face, she felt a jolt in her heart and softly called out, "Master is back."
Duan Qingye raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, and stared directly at her: "I'm warning you, don't have any improper thoughts, behave yourself!"
Xiao Zhou felt a pang of anxiety, but her face revealed a perfectly appropriate look of bewilderment and grievance.
"My lord, what are you saying? I don't understand."
"Don't understand?" Duan Qingye sneered. "You dare say that the stupid thing Shumin did at the palace banquet today has nothing to do with you?"
Madam Zhou quickly stepped forward and gently massaged his shoulders, her tone tinged with reproach: "Master, please calm down. It's all my fault for not teaching her properly. I've spoiled Shumin since she was little."
"Don't worry, I will definitely teach her a lesson when I get back, and I will keep her from going out and causing trouble for the time being."
She paused, then said softly, "Tomorrow I will personally take Shumin to the post station to apologize to General Gu and Madam Gu. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Duan Qingye's tense expression eased slightly, and he asked, "Have Zhou'er and Fan'er returned to the manor?"
Madam Zhou poured him a cup of tea and handed it to him, her voice gentle: "Zhou'er just got back and immediately went to his study to study. Fan'er is still in the military camp. They sent someone back to say that he's busy with military affairs today and won't be coming back."
These two sons, one a scholar and the other a warrior, were Xiao Zhou's greatest support in the latter half of her life.
Duan Qingye gave a faint "hmm".
Duan Yunzhou was scholarly, while Duan Yunfan was martial. Although they had both made achievements, they were still somewhat lacking compared to when he was young. Their abilities were not quite there yet, and neither of them could be as accomplished in both literature and martial arts as he was back then.
Especially Duan Yunfan. When he led troops to attack the Eastern Jin Dynasty last time, he ordered Duan Yunfan to be in charge of guarding the rear supply lines. However, Duan Yunfan was inflexible in his military tactics and had only the strength of a brute, which almost ruined the important matter.
Ugh.
Duan Qingye picked up his teacup, took a sip, and the image of Gu Junze involuntarily appeared in his mind.
So outstanding, whether in troop deployment on the battlefield or in calm and composed handling of matters in the court, he was just like him in his youth, or even better. He truly deserves to be the son of him and Anyang.
Unfortunately……
If only he could be recognized as a member of his ancestors! This thought grew wildly like weeds once it arose.
Observing his expression, Madam Zhou saw that his mood had softened, so she quietly withdrew and returned to her own courtyard.
Duan Shumin had been waiting anxiously in the room. When she saw Xiao Zhou enter, she quickly went to greet her: "Mother, how is it? Has Father calmed down?"
Madam Zhou pulled her to sit down on the edge of the couch and said in a deep voice, "You will come with me to the post station to apologize tomorrow."
"What?" Upon hearing this, Duan Shumin jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Why should I! I, a princess, was beaten by them, and I'm expected to apologize to them? I won't!"
Madam Zhou raised her eyebrows and scolded sharply, "What's your hurry! It's just bowing your head and apologizing, it won't hurt you! Your father is already angry, do you want to add fuel to the fire?"
"Mother has endured this for so many years, what's a little longer!"
Duan Shumin was spoiled from childhood. Her father was General Duan Qingye, a man who could shake the earth with a stomp of his foot in Zheng. Who would dare not give her some face?
Now she was being forced to be subservient to Chu Ruohan, and she couldn't swallow this insult. Her eyes reddened, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
Seeing her daughter like this, Xiao Zhou sighed inwardly, softened her tone, and gently patted her hand.
"Silly child, a great man can bend and stretch, and so can we women. Bowing your head today is so that you can hold your head high again in the future."
She looked at her daughter, a barely perceptible ruthlessness flashing in her eyes: "Why has your father been so reluctant to make me his official wife all these years? Isn't it all because of that Princess Anyang who died long ago?"
"As long as I'm here," Madam Zhou's voice was extremely low, filled with deep-seated hatred, "that bastard will never be able to come back, let alone shake Zhou'er and Fan'er's position or try to take everything from this Grand General's Mansion from you!"
On the other side, the carriage leisurely stopped outside the post station.
The night breeze carried a chill, dispelling some of the lingering smell of alcohol from the palace banquet.
Gu Junze jumped off the carriage first and turned to help Chu Ruohan, but saw that Yun Ge'er had already grabbed Chu Ruohan's sleeve, his little face full of dependence.
"Mom, I want to sleep with you again tonight." Yun-ge looked up, his dark, grape-like eyes sparkling with anticipation, his voice soft and sweet.
Gu Junze's outstretched hand paused slightly, his gentle expression almost faltering, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.
This little guy clings to Han'er during the day and won't leave his side for a second, and at night he wants to take over his bed.
This kid is trying to push his luck!
Chu Ruohan felt the sudden chill in the man beside her, glanced at him helplessly, and then said softly to Yun Ge'er, "Yun Ge'er, be good, you're all grown up now, it's time for you to sleep by yourself. Look at Xuan Ge'er and Xiao Qingchen, they both sleep by themselves."
Yun-ge'er pouted, on the verge of tears: "But, Mother, I'm scared. That wicked woman scolded me during the day, and I'll have nightmares at night."
He gripped her hand even tighter, as if Chu Ruohan would disappear if he let go.
Gu Junze took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound less clenched: "How can a real man be so cowardly?"
Yun-ge'er seemed not to hear, only staring longingly at Chu Ruohan.
Chu Ruohan's heart softened, and she patted Yun Ge'er's head: "Alright, alright, Mother will stay with you tonight, but only for one night. You'll have to sleep by yourself tomorrow."
"Hmm!" Yun-ge immediately stopped crying and smiled, nodding heavily, and even gave Gu Junze a provocative glance.
Gu Junze: "..."
He could feel the veins on his forehead throbbing.
Once inside the room, Chu Ruohan first settled Xiao Qingchen and Xuan Ge'er in. The two little ones, exhausted from the journey and the palace banquet, quickly fell asleep.
Yun-ge followed Chu Ruohan closely, and when he saw her making the bed, he immediately offered his help.
Gu Junze stood aside, looking at the little one on the bed, snuggling tightly against Chu Ruohan, and felt a tightness in his chest.
He tried his best to maintain his composure and said to Chu Ruohan, "Han'er, I...I'll go to the side room."
Chu Ruohan looked at his extremely depressed yet pretentious appearance and wanted to laugh, but she held back and just nodded: "Alright, you should get some rest."
Gu Junze turned around and walked heavily toward the side room.
The moment he closed the door, the frustration on his face could no longer be concealed. Alone in an empty room again?
When has Gu Junze ever suffered such injustice!
No, absolutely not!