RPAGF Chapter 12 Gu's mother fainted from anger.
Chapter 12 Gu's mother fainted from anger.
In the end, Gu Junze still chose to believe her. Just as Chu Ruohan said, they were in the same boat now, and if the boat capsized, it would not do her any good.
As for Chu Ruohan, even if she and Gu Junze didn't have a deep marital bond, they would still be unbreakable allies...
next day
The couple entered the palace together to express their gratitude. Although Chu Ruohan had lived through two lifetimes, this was her first time entering the palace, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy.
An Yang was the emperor's own sister, leaving behind only one son, Gu Junze.
Out of consideration for his brotherly bond, the emperor took good care of his nephew, exempting him from many of the usual rules and regulations, and only giving him a few routine instructions.
However, the Empress Dowager summoned Chu Ruohan to a private meeting.
Chu Ruohan knelt on the ground of Shou Kang Palace, not daring to lift her head.
The Empress Dowager scrutinized her closely for a long time before slowly speaking: "You must be that girl from the Chu family. I have heard that your marriage to Junze has been quite complicated."
Chu Ruohan lowered her head and replied softly, "Your Majesty, it is my great fortune to be able to marry the Crown Prince."
The Empress Dowager gave a soft hum, "He does look quite obedient. Junze has been frail since childhood. Now that you've married him, you must take good care of him and not neglect him."
Chu Ruohan quickly replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. The Crown Prince is my husband, and I will take good care of him. Only when the Crown Prince is safe and sound can I live in peace."
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly; she was indeed a wise woman.
After Princess Anyang died, the Empress Dowager, mindful of her young age, raised Gu Junze under her care for a period of time. The woman that Gu Er didn't want was instead forced upon him, which naturally caused the Empress Dowager great distress.
The Marquis of Anyang's explanation could only fool others; it couldn't possibly deceive the palace. When the emperor learned of it, he was furious and thus issued the decree to bestow the title of heir apparent.
The Empress Dowager summoned Chu Ruohan alone, intending to give her a warning. She feared that Chu Ruohan might develop other ideas because of Gu Junze's disability…
The Empress Dowager slightly raised her hand, and a palace maid beside her understood, bringing out an exquisite sandalwood box and slowly walking to Chu Ruohan.
The Empress Dowager said, "This is the jade pendant that Lady Anyang used before her death. Today, I will bestow it upon you."
Chu Ruohan accepted the gift with both hands and quickly expressed her gratitude. The Empress Dowager was acknowledging her as her daughter-in-law on behalf of An Yang.
"Your Majesty, I will cherish this jade pendant and take good care of the Crown Prince, so as not to fail the Empress Dowager's trust."
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly and waved her hand, signaling her to leave.
On the other side, the Marquis of Anyang's residence
As expected of the imperial physician, his medical skills were superb. After taking just one dose of medicine, the high fever subsided, and the person regained consciousness.
The first thing Gu Cheng'an said after waking up was to ask where Du Ruoling was.
Upon learning that Du Ruoling had been locked up by Gu's mother, she caused quite a commotion. Gu's mother had no choice but to release her.
Du Ruoling was led into the house by the servants. Her clothes were wrinkled and dusty, and her hair was disheveled.
Upon seeing Gu Cheng'an, she was filled with grievances, and tears welled up in her eyes. She threw herself into Gu Cheng'an's arms without hesitation.
Gu Cheng'an was seriously ill and had no strength, but he still held her tightly, as if afraid that she would disappear if he let go.
Her tears soaked Gu Cheng'an's shirt, and she choked out, "I thought... I thought I would never see you again."
Gu Cheng'an gently patted her back, "Don't be afraid, with me here, no one can separate us."
Seeing the two of them so affectionate, Gu's mother felt a surge of anger rising to the top of her head, as if a huge rock was blocking her chest, making her feel extremely suffocated.
She had been staying by Gu Cheng'an's bedside day and night for the past two days, and was already exhausted. In a fit of anger, she fainted.
The servants panicked again and hurriedly helped Madam Gu back to Tingxue Pavilion…
Marquis Anyang was also completely disappointed in his son. It was one thing for a man not to think about making achievements, but to be so dramatic about a woman every day.
They are utterly useless; they're hopeless.
Such a vast family fortune, if handed over to this rebellious son, will likely be squandered sooner or later.
Fortunately, he had a son, who immediately released Gu Chengyan.
Because Gu Chengyan helped Gu Chengan fake his death and escape from marriage, Marquis Anyang whipped Gu Chengyan severely without explanation and locked him in the woodshed.
When Gu Chengyan was released, he learned that the position of heir apparent had already been decided.
His eyes instantly became bloodshot, and the resentment in his heart grew wildly like weeds.
"Hmph, what makes a piece of trash who can't even walk straight have the right to do this?"
Even if Gu Junze becomes the heir apparent, it remains to be seen whether he will live to inherit the title.
At this thought, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
Gu Chengyan suppressed his anger and continued limping towards his residence. Unexpectedly, as soon as he turned the corner of the corridor, he bumped into a maid carrying tea.
"Third Young Master, Third Young Master, I didn't mean it. Let me wipe it for you." As she spoke, she reached out and touched his body, trying to wipe it clean.
Gu Chengyan suddenly shoved her away, "You lowly maid, so clumsy..." Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly recognized her as Chu Ruohan's dowry maid.
Baoling, who had fallen to the ground, adopted a weak posture and said coquettishly, "Third Young Master, you hurt me."
Gu Chengyan looked at her, his disgust deepening. "Stop with your seductive act. Don't think I don't know what you're up to. The Chu family is indeed a merchant family, not respectable enough for such a shameless maid."
Upon hearing this, Baoling's face turned pale and then red, but she still tried to explain: "Third Young Master, you have misunderstood. I was just trying to help you clean up the tea."
Gu Chengyan snorted coldly, "Help me? You're probably desperate to climb the social ladder."
After saying that, he ignored Baoling and quickened his pace back to his room, his dislike for Chu Ruohan and her servant growing stronger.
Bao Ling watched Gu Chengyan's departing figure, a hint of resentment and unwillingness flashing in her eyes.
With high aspirations, she followed Chu Ruohan into the Gu family hoping to become a concubine, transform herself from a sparrow into a phoenix, secure a place in the Marquis's mansion, and enjoy wealth and honor.
Who knew that the young lady would be married off to a paralyzed man.
Baoling kept a close eye on Suijinxuan every day, and seeing how the second young master was bewitched by Du Ruoling and repeatedly contradicted Gu's mother, she also began to have her own thoughts.
She had intended to seduce the Third Young Master, but Gu Chengyan turned out to be indifferent to women.
She was quite beautiful, so why wasn't the Third Young Master interested in her at all?
Baoling slowly got up from the ground, straightened her clothes, was she really going to take care of that paralyzed man?
She knew perfectly well that the young lady and the young master had been married for many days but had never consummated their marriage. Could it be that the cripple was simply incapable of sexual intercourse?
Thinking this, a hint of contempt rose in her heart; she didn't want to be a living widow...