A scumbag husband fakes his death to escape his marriage? I'll burn down his funeral hall and s

Chapter 542 Consort Hui miscarries, the Empress is pregnant, what a coincidence!

That day, Chu Ruohan was so busy that she didn't have time to rest until late in the evening when she finally dragged her tired body back to the mansion.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw Qingzhu waiting there.

"Madam, the Duke is waiting for you in his study." Qingzhu stepped forward and took the bundle from her hands. "He said he has important matters to discuss."

Chu Ruohan nodded and rubbed her throbbing temples.

These past few days, she has been busy visiting various residences, and Gu Junze has also been dealing with court affairs, so the couple has had less time to see each other.

She tidied herself up and went straight to the study.

Pushing open the door, I saw Gu Junze bent over his desk writing something. The candlelight cast a deep shadow on his handsome profile.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw that she looked tired and her brows were slightly furrowed.

"You're only coming back at this time again." He got up and walked towards her, his voice filled with concern. "Your health is important. Try to decline those social engagements if you can."

"It's alright, it's almost finished." Chu Ruohan forced a smile. "What do you need me for?"

Gu Junze walked up to her and gently stroked her cheek. "You've lost weight."

Chu Ruohan was taken aback by his sudden tenderness. Just as she was about to speak, he pulled her into his arms.

"Junze!" she whispered, instinctively pushing against his chest. "Can't we talk this out?"

"Something is indeed wrong." Gu Junze looked down at her, a dangerous glint in his deep eyes. "Have you been paying close attention to me these past few days?"

Chu Ruohan was taken aback, only then noticing the dark circles under his eyes, clearly caused by days of hard work. Her heart softened, and she raised her hand to gently stroke his cheek.

"It's all my fault. I was so busy with things outside that I neglected you."

"It's good that you know." Gu Junze held her hand, his eyes darkening. "Since that's the case, make it up to me tonight."

As soon as he finished speaking, he bent down, picked her up in his arms, and strode towards the inner room.

"Put me down! This is the study!" Chu Ruohan slapped his chest in embarrassment and annoyance. "What if someone comes in?"

“No one will come in.” Gu Junze placed her on the soft couch and closed the door to the inner room behind him. “I already gave the order that no one is allowed to approach the study tonight.”

Looking into the intensity in his eyes, Chu Ruohan's heart raced. She had indeed been too busy these days and had neglected him.

"Han'er." Gu Junze sat down beside her, his slender fingers gently stroking her long hair. "Do you know? Every night when I see you come home exhausted, my heart aches terribly."

Chu Ruohan felt a warmth in her heart and took the initiative to reach out and wrap her arms around his waist. "I know you care about me, but someone has to do those things."

“I know your good intentions.” Gu Junze pulled her closer. “But you also need to take care of your own health. The affairs of the household don’t all have to be on your shoulders.”

"Only by personally visiting those noble families can I show my sincerity to them."

Chu Ruohan found a comfortable position in his arms. "Besides, aren't you also extremely busy? Zhang Xian's matter has far-reaching implications, and there are probably still many remnants in the court that need to be purged."

Gu Junze sighed softly, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Indeed. The Emperor is truly enraged this time and wants to thoroughly investigate the Ministry of War. However, the most difficult part is over."

"That's good." Chu Ruohan closed her eyes, enjoying this rare moment of peace. "By the way, how is Qin Fang's injury? Doctor Qian said he'll be able to get out of bed and walk around in a few days."

"Yes, I know." Gu Junze gently stroked her back. "How do you plan to arrange his marriage?"

Chu Ruohan thought for a moment. "We'll choose an auspicious day after he's fully recovered. Yuling is a capable person by my side, so the wedding can't be shabby."

"I'll do whatever you say." Gu Junze lowered his head and kissed the top of her head. "It's good that there's such a joyous occasion in the household."

The two sat embracing, quietly enjoying this rare and heartwarming moment.

A gentle night breeze blew outside, while the candlelight flickered inside, casting the two figures on the wall, their shadows overlapping and intertwining.

After a long silence, Gu Junze finally spoke. "Han'er, there's something I need to tell you."

Chu Ruohan noticed the seriousness in his tone and raised her head in his arms.

"what's up?"

News has come from the palace that Her Majesty the Empress is pregnant.

Chu Ruohan's pupils contracted slightly, then she nodded nonchalantly. "How long has it been?"

"She's just turned one month old." Gu Junze observed her reaction. "His Majesty is very pleased and has already issued an edict ordering the head of the Imperial Medical Academy to personally take care of her."

"That's good." Chu Ruohan's voice was calm. "If Her Majesty the Empress can give birth to a legitimate son, it will be a good thing for the court."

Gu Junze gave her a deep look but didn't say anything more.

He knew she was a deep thinker; she understood the whole story better than anyone else.

“However,” Chu Ruohan suddenly spoke up, “Consort Hui just lost her child, and then the Empress announced that she was pregnant. The timing is quite coincidental.”

"Things in the palace have always been like this," Gu Junze said calmly. "Two tigers cannot share one mountain. Now that Consort Hui has lost power, it is the perfect opportunity for Her Majesty the Empress."

Chu Ruohan nodded thoughtfully, but was already planning something else in her mind.

The Empress is pregnant, and what about Consort Hui...?

"Junze." She suddenly looked up at him. "I want to go to the palace tomorrow."

"Why?" Gu Junze frowned slightly.

“Her Majesty the Empress is pregnant, and as her subject, I should go to the palace to offer my congratulations.” Chu Ruohan’s reasoning was quite sound. “Besides, I really should go and see her.”

Gu Junze pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright, but don't stay too long. There's a lot of trouble in the palace, so come back as soon as you leave."

"I know what I'm doing." Chu Ruohan snuggled against him. "Now, let's talk about what's in front of us."

"what's up?"

Chu Ruohan looked up at him, a hint of cunning in her eyes. "You just said you wanted me to make it up to you."

Gu Junze was stunned for a moment, then his eyes darkened.

He rolled over and pinned her beneath him, his voice hoarse.

"That's what you said."

The candlelight flickered, and the night was deep.

The atmosphere in Consort Hui's palace was as gloomy as an impending downpour.

Consort Hui sat in front of her dressing table, combing her hair in front of the bronze mirror, the ivory comb in her hand turning white from gripping it so tightly.

The woman in the mirror looked haggard, with dark circles under her eyes; she had lost all her former beauty.

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician says you've recovered considerably. With a few more days of proper rest and recuperation, you'll be back to normal," the palace maid beside her said cautiously.

"Restore to the way things were?" Consort Hui sneered, her hand holding the comb suddenly stopping. "My child is gone, how can I restore to the way things were?"

The palace maid was startled by her sudden outburst of anger and immediately knelt down.

"This servant misspoke, please forgive me, Your Majesty."