si-mexico Chapter 134 Crying Out for Justice Outside Xuanwu Gate
Chapter 134 Crying Out for Justice Outside Xuanwu Gate
Chu Ruohan's gaze fell directly on Ying Qing. "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Her voice trembled slightly with excitement, "These three trials are extremely dangerous. The slightest mistake could cost you your life. How can we risk our lives so easily?"
Gu Junze also frowned, looking at Ying Qing with a serious and worried tone.
"Yingqing, this matter is of utmost importance. Do not act rashly. The cruelty of these three trials far exceeds your imagination. Even if you are highly skilled in martial arts, you may not be able to escape unscathed."
Ying Qing nodded slightly, her expression respectful yet unwavering: "Your Highness, I understand the dangers involved. But for Yue..."
“For the sake of the Chu family, I am willing to give it a try. I have practiced martial arts since childhood and am physically strong, so I am sure I have a chance to survive. Moreover, I have thought it over carefully. If I go through the three trials, the young mistress will also be able to see the Emperor.”
Chu Ruohan was deeply moved, knowing that Ying Qing was doing this for Yue Shu. She was grateful to have such a man who would go through fire and water for her sister.
Yue Shu is incredibly lucky to have found such a good man.
She understood that Yingqing's feelings for Yueshu had already penetrated to the bone; this love was ardent and unwavering.
She would never let him go to his death.
“Yingqing, I appreciate your kindness, but the risk is too great, I cannot agree.”
Ying Qing wanted to speak again to persuade her, but Chu Ruohan raised her hand to stop him, her eyes full of determination.
"Yingqing, there's no need to discuss this further. I absolutely cannot let you risk your life for the sake of our Chu family."
Yingqing made up her mind at that moment.
A brief silence fell over the room. Gu Junze sat to one side, his brows furrowed, his gaze shifting between Chu Ruohan and Ying Qing as he fell into deep thought.
Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, a glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he pushed his wheelchair toward the corner of the room.
Seeing this, Yingqing followed behind him.
Gu Junze had Ying Qing open the floorboards and lift out an old wooden box.
Gently brushing away the dust from the lid, a suit of armor came into view inside the wooden box. Every plate on the armor was finely polished, gleaming with a cold light in the dim light.
"This is..." Chu Ruohan looked at Gu Junze in confusion.
Gu Junze gently stroked the armor, a complex expression on his face, a mixture of reminiscence and pride. "This is my mother's armor."
"Back then, she wore this armor, galloped across the battlefield, made great achievements, and became famous far and wide," he said slowly, his voice trembling slightly.
He had sealed this armor away ever since his mother passed away...
Early next morning
Outside Xuanwu Gate, Chu Ruohan, dressed in gleaming armor, stood upright with a touch of solitary courage, kneeling on the bluestone ground in front of the gate.
The metallic sheen on the armor shimmered in the morning sunlight, as if telling tales of past glories and achievements.
Officials on their way to and from court would turn their attention to this place as they passed by.
The officers' gazes fell upon the familiar armor, and their expressions instantly turned solemn and respectful. They all stopped in their tracks, raised their hands in salute, and their movements were perfectly synchronized, revealing their deep reverence for the princess.
The crowd was drawn by the spectacle and gathered from all directions, growing larger and larger, with discussions rising and falling.
An elderly man with white hair shakily squeezed to the front of the crowd. He squinted and carefully examined the armor. Suddenly, a glint of light flashed in his cloudy eyes.
With a trembling finger, he pointed at Chu Ruohan and exclaimed excitedly, "Isn't this the Princess's armor! Back then, the Princess wore this armor and fought bravely on the battlefield to protect her country. She was a great hero of our Great Jin!"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding people immediately erupted in chatter, whispering amongst themselves.
"How come the princess's armor is being worn by this woman?"
"This is the wife of the heir of the Marquis of Anyang's household, the daughter-in-law of the eldest princess. What great injustice has she suffered to kneel here in armor and cry out for justice!"
"Could it be that there is some enormous injustice that even the Emperor must give an explanation?"
Meanwhile, in the imperial court, the officials had no interest in discussing matters, and the sounds of whispering among themselves filled the air, with all the conversation revolving around Chu Ruohan outside Xuanwu Gate.
“Your Majesty, outside Xuanwu Gate, the wife of the Heir Apparent of the Marquis of Anyang is kneeling and pleading for justice while wearing the armor of the Eldest Princess. This matter has caused quite a stir among the people. We hope Your Majesty will make a decision.” An elderly minister stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor.
The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his face so dark it seemed to drip water. He gripped the armrests tightly, his knuckles white, his heart filled with vexation. "I know what I'm doing. All of you, shut up! Continue the meeting!"
However, the ministers' discussions could not be suppressed, and the court was in an uproar.
The emperor finally lost his temper, slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, stood up, and roared, "Court adjourned!" With that, he turned and left.
Back in his palace, the emperor was still furious. He swept the teacup off the table and smashed it to pieces with a loud bang.
The palace maids and servants were so frightened that their faces turned pale, and they all knelt down, not daring to breathe.
How could the Emperor not know that this was secretly instructed by Gu Junze?
"He's really something! He's even learned to threaten me!" The Emperor gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with rage.
"Go, convey my decree, and tell Chu Ruohan to get in here." The Emperor took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said coldly.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The eunuch was overjoyed and immediately stood up and hurriedly withdrew to convey the imperial decree.
Meanwhile, Gu Junze was already waiting in the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace...
With a heart full of trepidation, Chu Ruohan stepped into the Imperial Study, knelt down, her body trembling slightly, and her heartbeat could be clearly heard in the quiet Imperial Study.
The Emperor sat upright behind his desk, his gaze sharp and cold as it fell upon Chu Ruohan. When he saw the armor his elder sister had once worn on her, his heart trembled.
Those memories, buried by the dust of time, surged into my heart like a tide.
A fleeting, almost imperceptible tenderness crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his usual sternness and indifference, coldly saying, "Take it off."
Chu Ruohan dared not hesitate for a moment, her fingers frantically untying the straps on her armor, each movement cautious, afraid of making the slightest noise and angering the Emperor.
Upon seeing this, the eunuchs nearby hurriedly stepped forward and served him with utmost respect, not daring to let the armor fall to the ground.
The armor was slowly removed, and the eunuch held it in both hands, carefully presenting it to the emperor.
The emperor slowly rose, walked heavily to the armor, reached out and gently stroked the cold metal, his eyes revealing endless reminiscence and longing.
This was once a gift from my father...
Chu Ruohan knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe, quietly awaiting the Emperor's judgment.