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Chapter 444 Leaving the City

"So you'll be staying home these next few days?" Chu Ruohan's eyes sparkled with a hint of teasing.

Gu Junze laughed heartily and pulled her into his arms: "Exactly. I was thinking that we should take advantage of this quiet time of 'leisure' to take you and the children out of the capital for a trip to relax."

“Didn’t Yun’er send a letter a while ago saying he missed us? Let’s go to Zheng to see him.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Ruohan's eyes first lit up with joy. She was naturally happy to go to Zheng to visit Yun Ge'er.

But after the joy, a few worries appeared between her brows: "But... Xiao Qingchen is still so young, and the weather is so cold right now. The journey is long, and I'm afraid the child won't be able to withstand the bumpy ride."

Seeing her worry, Gu Junze gently reassured her, "Don't worry, I will have someone arrange for the carriage to be warm and cozy, so the child will not get cold."

"Moreover, as we travel south, the weather will gradually warm up. Zheng is located in the southern border region, and its climate is mild and pleasant, which is actually beneficial to the children's health."

In the end, Chu Ruohan was persuaded by him and was filled with anticipation for this trip, which was both "avoiding trouble" and "having fun." She began to enthusiastically plan the luggage and items she needed to prepare.

Yu Ling lowered her head and silently put a neatly folded brocade fur coat into the trunk.

As my fingertips touched the soft fox fur, a chill crept into my heart.

The lady and the general are about to embark on a long journey to the distant state of Zheng.

She will be left behind to guard this vast general's mansion.

Disappointment surged up like a tide, but she forcefully suppressed it.

What made her chest feel even tighter was Qin Fang...

She took a deep breath, suppressing her surging emotions, and when she looked up, her face was as calm as ever. She continued to pack Chu Ruohan's luggage in an orderly manner.

Chu Ruohan saw it all, but didn't point it out.

The night was as dark as ink, and the cold wind howled outside the window.

The flickering candlelight in the inner room dispelled some of the chill.

Chu Ruohan gazed at Gu Junze's deep profile. He was meticulously wiping a short sword he carried, the blade gleaming coldly in the candlelight.

"How confident are you that you can lure out the person behind Imperial Censor Zhao?"

Gu Junze paused in his wiping motion, looked up at her, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"Ten percent."

He paused, then continued, "However, the cost may be greater than we anticipated."

Just as the two were talking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, followed by a loud "bang" as the door was kicked open.

A tall figure strode in, his voice so loud it almost lifted the roof off.

"Oh, young mistress, I heard you're going on a long trip?"

Song Ruyan strode in, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at Chu Ruohan, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You didn't tell me about something this big?"

Chu Ruohan was startled, then laughed and cried at the same time: "It's so late, why are you..."

Song Ruyan sat down in the chair without any hesitation and waved her hand: "Don't worry about how I know, I already know."

She blinked, then lowered her voice mysteriously, "I have very sharp ears, listening to all the gossip from those servants."

Gu Junze frowned slightly, but out of consideration for Song Ruyan's friendship with Chu Ruohan, he didn't say anything more.

Chu Ruohan glanced at her helplessly: "Now that you know, what advice do you have for me?"

“It’s not really about teaching,” Song Ruyan straightened her back and said seriously. “Dr. Qian and I are going together! We’ll say it’s to protect you, but actually…” She suddenly lowered her voice and leaned closer mysteriously, “I also want to have some fun.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Ruohan chuckled and said, "You're quite honest, girl."

Song Ruyan chuckled: "My kung fu is excellent, and Doctor Qian's medical skills are superb. If anything goes wrong on the way, we'll have someone to look after us."

"Besides, the journey has been tiring, and Xiao Qingchen is still young. With us here, you can rest assured."

“Okay!” Chu Ruohan originally wanted to bring her along, as the journey would definitely not be boring.

"However, this trip is rushed, so you should prepare as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Song Ruyan clapped her hands excitedly: "I've been ready for a long time! I've been waiting for you to say this!"

Considering that Chu Yueshu was pregnant, two experienced doctors were specially hired to take turns caring for her. Wang Zhaodi also stayed behind, as did Yingqing, whose wife was also pregnant.

With everything prepared, the group decided to travel light.

Chu Ruohan initially suggested infiltrating the caravan for safety, but Gu Junze believed that being too conspicuous would make them easier to expose, so he decided to act alone.

He only brought Xuan-ge'er, Xiao Qingchen, and a few elite shadow guards.

On the day we left the city, it was just beginning to get light.

A thin mist shrouded the city walls of the capital, blurring their towering outlines into a hazy silhouette.

The cold wind howled, carrying fine snowflakes that stung my face.

Chu Ruohan wrapped her fox fur tightly around herself, and Xiao Qingchen in her arms was wrapped up tightly, with only her pink and tender little face showing.

Xuan sat beside her, his eyes full of excitement, occasionally leaning out of the car window to look out.

"Mother, brother, brother..."

Chu Ruohan gently stroked her son's head and said softly, "Yes, we'll see Brother Yun soon. Do you miss him?"

"Yes!" Xuan-ge nodded emphatically.

The carriage moved slowly through the streets of the capital. It was just dawn, and there were few pedestrians on the streets.

The small convoy of carriages was inconspicuous, and just as Gu Junze had planned, they quietly left the city.

Song Ruyan rode on her horse, glancing around frequently and observing the surrounding movements warily.

Doctor Qian sat in another carriage, resting with his eyes closed.

When the procession reached the city gate, a familiar figure had been waiting there for a long time.

"Big brother!"

Gu Cheng'an strode forward, dressed in a plain-colored robe, his brows furrowed with unconcealed worry.

His gaze lingered on Gu Junze's face for a moment before turning to the carriage, knowing that Chu Ruohan and the children were inside.

Gu Junze reined in his horse, dismounted, and walked up to him.

"Why are you here?" Gu Junze asked in a low voice, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Gu Cheng'an gave a wry smile: "My elder brother was suddenly dismissed from his post and left the capital in a hurry. How could I not come to see him off?"

Gu Junze looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then patted him on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, just do as I said in my letter regarding matters of the court. There's no need to worry."

The two brothers exchanged a glance, and everything was understood without a word.

The carriage slowly drove out of the capital, rolling over the hard official road, surrounded by open fields.

Xuan-ge'er peered out the window from inside the carriage, his little face beaming with barely suppressed excitement.

He was born and raised in the capital and had never traveled far from home. Seeing the unfamiliar scenery, he was filled with curiosity.

As they reached the bend in the official road, Gu Junze rode his horse to the carriage window and saw his son's excited expression.

"Xuan'er, would you like to ride a horse?"

"Horse?" Xuan-ge'er thought for a moment, "Big horse, I want..." His little hands excitedly tapped on the window frame.

Chu Ruohan looked up at Gu Junze: "Be careful on the road."

"Don't worry." Gu Junze reached out and took Xuan Ge'er, holding him steadily in front of him. "I will protect him."