RPAGF Chapter 158 Aunt Li's Final Scheme
Chapter 158 Aunt Li's Final Scheme
Wang's funeral was quiet and hasty, and she was buried in a perfunctory manner.
In a secluded little house in the inner courtyard of the Gu family, one could hear the faint sound of mournful music coming from outside.
The maid, Meizi, sighed softly and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Her tears were not for Wang Shi.
She held little Xuan-ge in her arms. The child looked at her blankly, completely unaware of what was happening outside, and unaware that his birth mother had left forever.
Only Meizi knew that the beggar who died at that bloody scene was none other than Aunt Li.
Recalling Aunt Li's resolute decision, Meizi was filled with admiration. Aunt Li was willing to sacrifice herself for Xuan-ge'er, but the world was kept in the dark about it.
Next, she will complete the unfinished task for Aunt Li.
She opened the window, letting the cold autumn wind rush in, causing the candlelight inside to flicker.
She hugged Xuan-ge'er tightly, her eyes filled with determination, and she secretly vowed to protect this child.
The next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Meizi knelt before the gates of the Marquis of Anyang's residence, carrying the feverish Xuan-ge'er.
A cold wind blew, and her thin clothes fluttered in the wind, but she remained as still as a statue.
Xuan Ge'er groaned weakly in her arms, his little face burning red, which made Mei Zi extremely anxious.
Passersby cast curious glances, some with sympathy, others just glancing at them briefly before moving on.
But Meizi didn't care about any of that. All she could see was the gate of the Marquis of Anyang's mansion. She was hoping that someone would come out, save Xuan-ge'er, understand Aunt Li's good intentions, and give Xuan-ge'er a future.
She didn't know how much longer she would have to kneel, nor what awaited her and Xuan-ge'er, but at this moment, she had no way out and could only place all her hopes on this Marquis's mansion.
After meeting with Aunt Li that time, Aunt Li told her that as long as she died, she should bring Xuan-ge'er to beg Chu Ruohan.
The Crown Prince's wife is a good person.
Aunt Li was trying to win over Chu Ruohan's heart.
This was the best path she could choose for Xuan-ge'er. This time, it wasn't for power or influence, but simply so that Xuan-ge'er could grow up safely.
Gu Jiacheng is surrounded by a den of demons; even without Wang Shi, there will be other women...
Meizi's legs were already numb, but Xuan Ge'er's increasingly faint moans left her at a loss.
Just when she was filled with despair, the gate of the Marquis's mansion slowly opened with a creak.
Meizi raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, and said in a sobbing voice, "Please, young lady, have mercy and save this child. He has a high fever that won't go down and he won't make it. I... I've come to see the young master's wife on the orders of Aunt Li."
Upon hearing the name Aunt Li, Yu Ling was startled. Although she worked in the Marquis's mansion, she had heard of Aunt Li's resolute actions in protecting her child. Without further hesitation, Yu Ling quickly said, "Come in with me quickly. The young master's wife will surely save this child."
As she spoke, Yuling helped Meizi up and carefully helped her lift Xuange'er into the Marquis's residence. Along the way, Yuling kept comforting Meizi: "Don't worry, the doctors in our residence are very skilled, the child will definitely be fine."
Upon entering the Marquis's residence, Yu Ling settled them in a side hall and hurriedly instructed a maid to fetch the family physician, while she herself went to report to Chu Ruohan.
Upon learning of this, Chu Ruohan rushed over. She entered the side hall and saw the weak Xuan-ge lying on the couch and the haggard-looking Mei-zi, her heart filled with pity.
When Mei Zi saw Chu Ruohan enter, she struggled to get up and bow, but Chu Ruohan stopped her. "Don't get up, the baby is more important," Chu Ruohan said gently.
At this moment, the royal physician also rushed over. He carefully took Xuan-ge'er's pulse and examined his tongue, and then wrote a prescription. Yu-ling immediately took the prescription to get the medicine, while Chu Ruo-han sat by the bed, gently stroking Xuan-ge'er's forehead and softly comforting Mei-zi: "Don't worry, the child will get better. Since Aunt Li entrusted him to me, I will definitely protect him."
Meizi's eyes were filled with gratitude as she choked up and said, "Thank you, Madam. Aunt Li... she sacrificed herself for Xuan-ge'er. She only hoped that Xuan-ge'er could grow up safely, which is why she asked me to bring him to seek refuge with you, Madam."
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes: "Aunt Li is a great mother, and I understand her good intentions. From now on, Xuan-ge'er will be a child of my Marquis's mansion, and I will treat him as my own son."
Under Chu Ruohan's meticulous care and the royal physician's careful treatment, Xuan-ge'er's condition gradually improved. His little face slowly regained its color, and he became more energetic, beginning to play with Gu Yun in the Marquis's garden.
However, the peaceful days did not last long. When Gu Jiacheng learned that Xuan-ge'er was living a comfortable life in the Marquis's mansion, he harbored wicked thoughts again. After all, he was Xuan-ge'er's father.
Upon seeing Chu Ruohan, Gu Jiacheng feigned a heartbroken expression and said, "Madam, Xuan-ge'er is a member of the Gu family. He has been bothering the Marquis's residence for a long time, and it's time for him to return to his own home."
Chu Ruohan looked at him, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes, and said coldly, "Young Master Gu, you and I both know very well how Xuan-ge'er is doing in the Gu family. Aunt Li sacrificed herself to entrust him to me so that he could grow up safely. Now you want to take him back and continue to put him in that chaotic and dangerous environment. I will never agree to that."
Gu Jiacheng's face darkened, and he argued, "He is still my son, and as his father, I will naturally take good care of him."
Chu Ruohan sneered: "Take care of him? Your wives and concubines are constantly fighting amongst themselves, and even Wang Shi's fate was so tragic. What makes you think you can guarantee Xuan Ge'er's safety?"
Gu Jiacheng was speechless, but he was still unwilling to give up and wanted to continue pestering her. Chu Ruohan stopped wasting words with him and said directly, "Young Master Gu, I have decided to adopt Xuan-ge'er as my son. From now on, he is a member of my Marquis's mansion. If you dare to pester me again, don't blame me for being impolite."
She quickly set about preparing for the adoption. She invited elders from the clan to hold a solemn adoption ceremony. With everyone as witnesses, Xuan-ge'er officially became Chu Ruohan's son.
The night was as still as water, and moonlight streamed through the carved window lattice onto the bed. Gu Junze lay on his side on the bed, stretching out his long arm to gently pull Chu Ruohan into his embrace. His fingers slowly slid down her hair, tracing her cheek, the movements gentle yet carrying an undisguised urgency.
"Han'er," his voice was deep and hoarse, his warm breath brushing against her ear. He pulled her closer to him with a slight force, and Chu Ruohan could clearly feel his strong heartbeat, one beat after another, as if expressing his desire.