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

Chapter 448 Taking a Smaller Route

“A caravan was robbed, resulting in heavy casualties,” Gu Junze said to Chu Ruohan. “The initial assessment is that it was the work of bandits, but we cannot rule out the possibility that someone deliberately created the chaos.”

Chu Ruohan's heart tightened: "Are they coming for us?"

“Not necessarily,” Gu Junze pondered, “but we must be on high alert. We should set off first thing tomorrow morning and leave here as soon as possible.”

“General,” the shadow guard added, “that caravan seems to have come from the capital; the convoy has royal markings on it.”

Gu Junze's eyes sharpened: "Really? Can you find out which caravan it is?"

"It appears to be a merchant caravan connected to the palace, but the specifics are still under investigation."

Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan exchanged a glance, both realizing that things might be more complicated than they had imagined.

"Strengthen security," Gu Junze ordered. "No one is to act rashly; await my orders."

The shadow guard obeyed and left. Gu Junze closed the door and turned to Chu Ruohan: "There aren't many merchant caravans that left the capital at the same time as us, and even fewer that carry royal insignia. If they're really after us, then the enemy's target is probably not just me."

Chu Ruohan asked thoughtfully, "You mean, they might be looking for something?"

“Perhaps,” Gu Junze said with a deep gaze, “but in any case, we must be more cautious. Starting tomorrow, you and the children must not leave my sight.”

Chu Ruohan nodded in agreement, and the two stood quietly for a while until the distant firelight gradually dimmed before returning to the bedside.

"You should rest first," Gu Junze said softly. "I'll stay here."

Chu Ruohan shook her head: "I'll go with you."

The two sat side by side, Chu Ruohan leaning on Gu Junze's shoulder, feeling his breath and warmth.

The moonlight streaming through the window shone into the room, illuminating the faces of the sleeping children, creating a soft and tranquil scene.

“This trip is unlikely to be peaceful,” Gu Junze said softly, his gaze falling on the children, “but I will protect you.”

“We will get through this,” Chu Ruohan said firmly, gently holding his hand. “As you said, having each other by our side is our greatest support.”

Gu Junze grasped her hand in return, and the two smiled at each other in the moonlight, their eyes seeing only each other…

As dawn broke, Gu Junze was already fully prepared to depart.

The sudden attack on the caravan last night forced him to be on high alert and decide to leave the potentially dangerous town as soon as possible.

"Han'er, are you all packed?" Gu Junze stood by the window, his eyes scanning the activity outside the inn with alertness.

Chu Ruohan was wrapping Xiao Qingchen in soft swaddling clothes and said softly, "Alright, the children are all ready."

Xuan-ge rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked softly, "Father..."

Gu Junze bent down and patted his son's head: "We need to continue our journey to see Brother Yun. Don't you miss him very much?"

"Yes!" Xuan-ge'er immediately perked up, nodding vigorously, "Brother..."

Song Ruyan pushed open the door and entered, her face showing a hint of solemnity: "General, Madam, everything has been arranged outside, and the carriage is waiting at the back door."

"Is there anything unusual?" Gu Junze asked in a low voice.

“Not yet,” Song Ruyan shook her head, “but the people in town are talking about the caravan that was attacked last night. It is said that many people died and the goods were looted.”

Gu Junze frowned slightly: "Let's leave through the back door and try not to attract attention."

Chu Ruohan picked up Xiao Qingchen and held Xuan Ge'er's hand with her other hand: "Let's go."

The group quietly went downstairs. The shopkeeper, who had already been taken care of by the shadow guards, didn't ask any questions and simply respectfully escorted them to the back door.

Several carriages were already waiting there. Gu Junze personally helped Chu Ruohan and the children into the most spacious carriage in the middle.

"Dr. Qian, you will ride in the same carriage with Miss Song to escort the lady and child," Gu Junze instructed. "I will escort them on horseback with the Shadow Guards."

Doctor Qian nodded in agreement and got into the carriage.

Song Ruyan shook her head: "I'd rather ride a horse; it'll be easier to deal with unexpected situations that way."

After a moment's thought, Gu Junze agreed to her request.

The carriage slowly started moving and drove out of the town.

The morning mist enveloped the surroundings, adding a touch of mystery to the already quiet town.

Gu Junze rode at the very front, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, not missing any suspicious movements.

About fifteen minutes after leaving the town, a commotion suddenly broke out ahead.

Gu Junze immediately raised his hand to signal the team to stop, and rode forward to check.

"What's wrong?" Chu Ruohan lifted the carriage curtain and asked softly.

Song Ruyan leaned closer to the carriage: "It seems there are people setting up a checkpoint ahead to check passersby."

Chu Ruohan's heart tightened: "Are they government officials?"

“I can’t see clearly,” Song Ruyan frowned, “but their clothes don’t look like those of soldiers.”

Before long, Gu Junze returned with a serious expression: "There is a group of people blocking the road ahead. They claim to be looking for bandits, but in reality, they are searching and interrogating passersby. They are very aggressive."

"Are they coming for us?" Chu Ruohan asked.

Gu Junze pondered for a moment: "Most likely. The attack on that caravan last night was probably just a ruse, the real purpose of which was to set up a checkpoint and search today."

"Then what do we do?" Song Ruyan gripped the hilt of her sword tightly. "Should we force our way in?"

Gu Junze shook his head: "No need to complicate things." He turned to Ying Yi, "Is there any other way?"

Ying nodded: "There is a small path that can bypass the checkpoint ahead, but the road conditions are poor, and the carriage will have a bumpy ride."

“Then let’s take the back road.” Gu Junze made a decisive decision, and then said to Chu Ruohan, “Han’er, you and the children need to hurry, the road may be a bit bumpy.”

Chu Ruohan nodded: "I will take good care of the children, you don't need to worry."

The group changed direction and proceeded along a path almost completely covered by weeds.

The road was indeed as Ying had said, rugged and uneven, and the carriage moved extremely slowly.

"Mother, I'm scared." Xuan-ge'er clung tightly to Chu Ruohan's sleeve, his little face filled with terror.

Chu Ruohan gently patted her son's back: "Don't be afraid, with Daddy and Mommy here, no one can hurt you."

Little Qingchen seemed to sense the tense atmosphere, and moved restlessly in her swaddling clothes, letting out a few soft cries.

Chu Ruohan quickly and gently shook her, coaxing her softly.

The carriage suddenly lurched violently, and Chu Ruohan almost lost her grip on Xiao Qingchen.

Dr. Qian quickly reached out to help, stabilizing the mother and daughter.

"There's a trap ahead!" Gu Junze's voice came from outside, his tone tense.

Chu Ruohan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly pulled Xuan-ge'er into her arms, shielding him and Xiao Qingchen beneath her.

The carriage came to a sudden stop, and the sound of rapid hoofbeats and the drawing of swords came from outside.

"Protect the lady and the child!" Gu Junze's command came clearly.

Doctor Qian also drew his dagger and stood guard by the car door, except that his hands were trembling uncontrollably...