newbobooks Chapter 384 You got pregnant and gave birth to my child, and I bent down to wash your feet.
Chapter 384 You got pregnant and gave birth to my child, and I bent down to wash your feet.
The silk shop is located on the most bustling street in the west of the city, with a spacious storefront and elegant decorations.
As soon as Chu Ruohan walked in, Manager Lu, who was in charge, came to greet her.
"Madam has arrived!" Manager Lu said with a broad smile. "What brings you here today?"
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly: "Let me check on the shop. Manager Qin isn't here, is there anything I can do for you?"
Manager Lu quickly replied, "Everything is fine. Manager Qin made clear arrangements before he left. We just need to follow them."
He led Chu Ruohan inside, explaining the recent business situation as he went.
"A new batch of goods recently arrived from the south. The quality is excellent, and they're selling very quickly. Before he left, Manager Qin said that he would bring back some specialties from Zheng when he returns."
Chu Ruohan nodded, her gaze sweeping over the silks and satins displayed on the shelves: "I'll go to the backyard to check the account books."
Manager Lu immediately responded and led her through the shop to the accounting office in the backyard.
Inside the accounting office, a young man was engrossed in keeping accounts. Upon seeing Chu Ruohan enter, he quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Madam."
"Continue, I'll just take a look." Chu Ruohan waved her hand, took the ledger, and began to peruse it.
Half an hour later, she closed the ledger and nodded in satisfaction.
Qin Fang is indeed a capable person. Even when he is not around, the shop's business is not affected at all. The accounts are clear and the income and expenditure are clearly distinguished.
"Everything is fine, please continue," she said to Manager Lu.
Just as she was about to leave, Chu Ruohan suddenly remembered something and turned back to ask, "Manager Lu, is there any purple fabric in this batch of new goods?"
Shopkeeper Lu was taken aback, then realized: "Yes, we have a batch of violets that arrived a few days ago. The color is excellent, but the price is quite high, so we haven't put them on the market yet."
"Bring me a few to look at," Chu Ruohan said.
Before long, Manager Lu brought over several bolts of purple silk and carefully unfolded them in front of Chu Ruohan.
The purple was deep and lustrous, subtly exuding a touch of nobility under the sunlight.
Chu Ruohan pointed to one of the horses with the darkest color and said, "I want this one. Send someone to pick it up tomorrow."
"Yes, Madam," Manager Lu replied hastily.
After leaving the silk shop, Chu Ruohan inspected several of her own businesses. It wasn't until sunset that she ordered someone to drive her back to the General's Mansion.
Chu Ruohan leaned against the car wall, gently rubbing her aching legs. For some reason, she had been feeling weak all over these days, and her ankles were often swollen.
"Madam, we've arrived at the residence." The coachman's voice interrupted her thoughts.
The servant quickly stepped forward to help her down from the carriage. Chu Ruohan leaned on the edge of the carriage and got off. A sharp pain came from her ankle, which made her frown.
"Madam is back." Yu Ling quickly stepped forward and took Chu Ruohan's hand. "The General has returned to the manor and is waiting for you in the study."
Chu Ruohan nodded: "I'll go change my clothes first, then I'll go see the general."
As soon as she entered the inner room, Yuling helped her undress. Chu Ruohan changed into a light purple casual dress, combed her hair in front of the bronze mirror, and then walked towards the study.
The study was brightly lit. Gu Junze was bent over the desk, flipping through memorials. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Chu Ruohan enter. The tension between his brows instantly eased.
"You're back?" He put down his pen and stood up.
"Hmm." Chu Ruohan nodded slightly and walked to his side. "I went to my parents' house today and also looked at a few shops along the way."
Gu Junze's gaze fell on her feet, and he frowned: "What's wrong with your feet?"
Chu Ruohan followed his gaze and looked down, only to see that her ankle was visibly swollen. She said softly, "It's probably because I walked too much today. It's nothing serious."
Upon hearing this, Gu Junze, without saying a word, reached out and picked her up in his arms.
"Junze!" Chu Ruohan exclaimed, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Don't move." Gu Junze carried her out of the study and back to the bedroom. He gently placed her on the bed and instructed, "Yuling, go prepare hot water and get some medicine to reduce the swelling."
"Yes, General." Yu Ling responded and withdrew.
Gu Junze sat on the edge of the bed, carefully picked up Chu Ruohan's feet, and gently massaged her swollen ankles.
His movements were gentle and practiced, as if he were afraid of hurting her.
Chu Ruohan leaned against the soft pillows, looking at the usually calm and aloof general before her, who now showed such a gentle and meticulous side, and her heart warmed.
"Are you feeling better?" Gu Junze asked, looking up with concern in his eyes.
Chu Ruohan nodded: "Much better."
Yuling quickly brought in a copper basin containing a warm medicinal bath.
Gu Junze took the water, gestured for Yu Ling to step back, and personally removed Chu Ruohan's shoes and socks, then immersed her feet in the water.
The air was filled with the aroma of herbs, and the warm water enveloped Chu Ruohan's tired feet, instantly spreading comfort from the soles of her feet. She couldn't help but let out a sigh of contentment.
"You've been working too hard these past few days," Gu Junze said softly, gently massaging the soles of her feet. "You're already weak; why didn't you take better care of yourself?"
Although his tone was reproachful, it was full of concern, which warmed Chu Ruohan's heart.
"It's just a small matter, I was just looking around the shop, I was just taking a stroll," Chu Ruohan explained softly. "I just didn't expect to encounter so many things as soon as I stepped out today."
Gu Junze frowned slightly: "What happened?"
Chu Ruohan sighed softly and recounted to Gu Junze her conversation with her uncle and aunt at the Chu family home that day in detail.
"This talent show is really captivating," Chu Ruohan said helplessly. "Even my uncle's family from Peixian came all the way here just for this."
Gu Junze sneered: "Just opportunists."
His fingers gently pressed on Chu Ruohan's acupoints in the water, the movements gentle yet powerful, relieving the fatigue in her feet.
"Not only that, we also ran into Gu Cheng'an on the way back."
Gu Junze's fingers paused slightly: "What does he want with you?"
Chu Ruohan glanced at him and said calmly, "He said Du Ruoling is pregnant and he plans to marry her."
Gu Junze nodded. "This was his own choice."
"Everyone has their own destiny," Gu Junze said calmly. "Once you have a child, you can't just shirk your responsibility, can you?"
Chu Ruohan nodded, her gaze falling on Gu Junze's focused face.
This man, who had experienced countless life-and-death battles and could calmly deal with the intrigues and backstabbing in the court, was now willing to kneel at her feet and massage her aching feet.
After soaking for about half an hour, Gu Junze took out a clean cloth and carefully dried Chu Ruohan's feet.
The movements were both gentle and devout, as if they were polishing some rare treasure.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked in a low voice, his eyes full of concern.
Chu Ruohan nodded, her eyes unconsciously welling up with tears: "Much better, thank you."
Gu Junze gently placed her feet back on the bed and reached out to stroke her hair: "Nonsense. Between husband and wife, there's no need for thanks."
Chu Ruohan smiled softly, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.