newbobooks Chapter 129 If we wait any longer, the Chu family will be beheaded?
Chapter 129 If we wait any longer, the Chu family will be beheaded?
This was by no means accidental; it seems to have been premeditated, perhaps even before Chu Ang brought back the Eastern Pearl.
Furthermore, it's highly suspicious that Aunt Fang and Chu Nanxin chose to go to Ning'an Temple at this crucial juncture, rather than leaving earlier or later.
How could such a coincidence happen in this world?
A thought flashed through Chu Ruohan's mind: there must be some unspeakable secret between Chu Ang and Aunt Fang, or perhaps they had reached some shady deal.
"Immediately send people to find Chu Ang's whereabouts. Also, go and see if Aunt Fang and Chu Nanxin are at Ning'an Temple."
After giving her instructions, Chu Ruohan got up; she was going to the yamen (government office).
However, when she arrived at the gate of the Marquis's residence, she unexpectedly saw Gu Junze. The carriage was already prepared.
The wheels rolled slowly, and the carriage swayed and moved forward.
Inside the carriage, Chu Ruohan's brows were furrowed, her mind heavy with worries.
She finally couldn't help but take a deep breath; the frustration in her heart made her feel that the whole carriage had become oppressive.
She reached out and lifted the car curtain in frustration, wanting some fresh air.
However, when she looked out the window, she realized that the carriage was going in the wrong direction.
"Where are we going? Aren't we supposed to be at the Ministry of Justice?"
Gu Junze's expression was solemn. "Han'er, your father-in-law and mother-in-law have been imprisoned in Dali Temple."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ruohan's heart skipped a beat, and she froze instantly. Her hand involuntarily clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
Where is Dali Temple?
The highest-ranking of the three departments. Only serious cases, major cases, or cases involving serious offenses committed by members of the royal family would be transferred to the Dali Temple.
In a short while, countless thoughts flashed through Chu Ruohan's mind.
Possessing pearls from the East is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family...
Gu Junze reached out and gently took her hand, trying to give her some strength. "Han'er, don't panic. We haven't found out the specifics yet. Maybe things will turn around."
Chu Ruohan bit her lower lip and nodded.
They rushed to Dali Temple without stopping.
Before the solemn and majestic gate of Dali Temple, stone lions stood guard on both sides, but in Chu Ruo's eyes, they seemed like two insurmountable mountains.
At this moment, Chu Ruohan had only one thought in her mind: to see her parents as soon as possible and find out what was going on.
However, before she could even get close to the gate, she was blocked by two burly soldiers with swords drawn.
“This is a restricted area of the Dali Temple; unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter.”
Chu Ruohan was extremely anxious. "Brothers, I am the young mistress of the Marquis of Anyang's residence. Please do me the favor and let me in to see the Chu family."
As she spoke, she turned slightly to the side, subtly gesturing with her eyes to Yu Ling behind her.
Yu Ling understood immediately and took out a heavy purse from her sleeve, which was filled with loose silver coins. The weight of the purse indicated that there was a considerable amount of silver.
Yu Ling quickly stuffed the purse into one of the people's hands, her voice soft yet earnest.
"Brothers, this is a small token of my young mistress's appreciation. I hope you will be kind enough to let her take a look inside. Just one look, it won't take up too much of your time."
The soldier jerked his hand away, and his purse fell to the ground.
The soldier remained expressionless. "Without the Emperor's decree, no one is allowed to visit. This is the rule of the Dali Temple. Please don't make things difficult for us, young lady."
Seeing this, Gu Junze gently pulled Chu Ruohan to his side, then took out his identity token from his pocket and handed it to the soldier.
“I am Gu Junze, the heir apparent of the Marquis of Anyang. The Chu family has been suddenly imprisoned here. We just want to understand the situation. We hope you two will be lenient with us.”
The guard took the token, examined it carefully, and then respectfully returned it.
"Your Highness, we are truly sorry, but we are only acting under orders. Without the Emperor's decree, even if the Heavenly King himself came, we cannot enter. Please, Your Highness and Your Highness's wife, do not put us in a difficult position."
Chu Ruohan was filled with worry and anxiety, but had nowhere to vent it. She could only stare at the gate of Dali Temple, unable to take a single step.
Gu Junze gently patted Chu Ruohan's shoulder and softly comforted her, "Han'er, don't worry, we'll think of another way. Since they say they need the Emperor's decree, then we'll go and ask the Emperor."
Chu Ruohan raised her head, her brows furrowed with worry. Would the Emperor listen to her explanation?
The two turned and left the Dali Temple, boarded the carriage again, and sped off towards the palace.
Along the way, Chu Ruohan was filled with mixed feelings. No matter what the cost, she had to protect her parents and clear their name.
Upon arriving at the palace, Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze waited anxiously outside the palace gates for their summons.
Every passing minute felt like a knife being plunged into Chu Ruohan's heart.
They waited a long time, longer than Gu Junze had ever waited before entering the palace.
It wasn't until Ma Fuhai, the chief eunuch beside the emperor, came out, walked up to Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan, and bowed slightly in greeting.
"Your Highness, you are not feeling well, you should go back quickly. His Majesty was furious this morning and is still busy."
"Eunuch Ma, my parents have been wronged. They've lived honest and upright lives, how could they have committed such a heinous crime?" Chu Ruohan suppressed her anxiety.
"Please, do me a favor and speak to the Emperor for me, so that I may see him, even if it's just for a few words."
This time she didn't use silver as a bribe. She was a favorite of the emperor and had seen all sorts of good things.
Ma Fuhai shook his head slightly, a troubled look on his face: "Madam, it's not that we don't want to help you, it's just that His Majesty is in a very bad mood right now and refuses to see anyone."
“When the Emperor gets angry, his wrath is unpredictable. If we go and provoke him again, we might lose our heads.”
Unable to see the Emperor or enter the Dali Temple, a deep sense of powerlessness enveloped her.
Chu Ruohan could no longer hold back, and her eyes reddened.
Looking at the pitiful Chu Ruohan, Ma Fuhai felt a pang of pity, but he could not disobey the imperial decree.
He could only sigh, "Princess Consort, I understand your feelings, but you are also aware of the rules in this palace."
"Since the Emperor is unwilling to see him, there's nothing I can do. In my opinion, you and the young master should go back first, and once the Emperor's anger has subsided, I'll find an opportunity to put in a good word for you."
Once the Emperor's anger subsides, the entire Chu family will likely be beheaded.
Seeing Ma Fuhai's resolute attitude, Gu Junze knew that his hope of seeing the Emperor today was probably gone.
He gently patted Chu Ruohan's hand, signaling her to calm down, and then said to Ma Fuhai, "In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Eunuch Ma."
"If you could put in a good word for us before the Emperor, we will surely repay you handsomely in the future."
Ma Fuhai nodded slightly and said, "Your Highness is too kind. We will do our best."