Chapter 26

The Liao Dong Military Commandery was under the jurisdiction of the Left Military Council, and Second Aunt had always hoped that Second Uncle could be transferred to an imperial guard post in the capital.

Two months before the incident in the Rong family, Second Aunt had joyfully mentioned that Second Uncle's transfer to the capital was imminent.

But just as they were rejoicing, disaster struck the Cheng'an Marquis Estate.

While Rong Shu was confined in the Sishi Garden, she had received no information about the treason case implicating both the Rong and Shen families.

Therefore, she still couldn't understand why her father, who had previously never admitted guilt, suddenly confessed.

Her father was neither proficient in literature nor martial arts, much like her grandmother, often failing to distinguish between priorities. Even if he had wished to conspire with the enemy, he lacked the capability.

Ironically, the evidence against them was personally entrusted by her Uncle Shen Zhi to the Supreme Court.

Uncle Shen had a deep bond with Mother, treating her as his own daughter. In prison, Mother repeatedly told Rong Shu that finding Uncle would prove the innocence of both the Shen and Rong families.

Back then, when Mother spoke those words, she was unaware that Uncle Shen had handed over the evidence to the Supreme Court. It was only through Gu Changjin that Rong Shu learned of this fact.

Rong Shu lowered her gaze, knowing that sooner or later, she would have to visit Yangzhou to uncover the truth behind this case.

And Gu Changjin was scheduled to go to Yangzhou next year as an imperial envoy.

With this in mind, Rong Shu put down her bamboo chopsticks and instructed Ying Que, "Fetch a ginseng root from Qingheng Courtyard that I brought back today, and make a soup for the study."

In the study.

After Gu Changjin finished reviewing the evidence he had secretly gathered, he laid out paper and picked up his brush, casually telling Chang Ji, "Grind the ink."

Two hours later, a strongly worded report lay quietly on the desk.

Gu Changjin put down his pen, rubbed his temples, and his face looked even more drained than before.

Seeing that he had finally finished writing, Chang Ji held a medicine bowl and urged Gu Changjin to take his medicine with a look of helplessness.

"You should have taken this medicine two hours ago. Now it's already half an hour overdue."

With a dry and sore throat, Gu Changjin didn't mind the bitter taste of the herbal decoction and drank it all in one go.

As he finished his drink, Chang Ji retrieved a delicate plum blossom-shaped food container and pulled out a white porcelain soup bowl. Lifting the lid, he said, "Master, have some soup first. Heng Ping is fetching rice porridge from the kitchen."

Gu Changjin wiped his hands with a damp cloth and glanced at the soup bowl. His gaze lingered on the pair of ginseng roots in it as he asked, "Who sent this ginseng soup?"

"It must be Madam, of course. She sent this over half an hour ago; she truly has her heart set on you," Chang Ji couldn't help but praise her again.

Gu Changjin stretched out his long arm and firmly replaced the lid on the bowl.

"Return this ginseng soup."

Chang Ji's eyes widened. "Master, this is aromatic ginseng soup made from a hundred-year-old root!" Swallowing, he added, "How could you send it back without even tasting it? Madam might be deeply saddened."

For some reason, Chang Ji's words reminded Gu Changjin of Rong Shu's drunken and resentful remark in his dream...

"You even threw away the pine nut candies I made for you."

He narrowed his eyes, feeling a wave of irritation wash over him.

Just as Chang Ji was about to step out the door, he unexpectedly added, "Tell her that my herbal soup and the ginseng have conflicting properties. Let her keep the ginseng soup for herself; she's been tired these past two days."

The moment Chang Ji left, Heng Ping promptly returned with a bowl of porridge. After finishing the porridge and changing the medicine, Gu Changjin washed up and went to bed.

A simple lamp burned softly by the bedside. Staring at the blue canopy above, Gu Changjin gradually fell into a dream.

The same scenes repeated themselves in his dreams.

She rushed towards him in panic, her soft and silky hair grazing the back of his hand, causing a gentle tingling sensation. Then there was her drunken gaze, staring at him defiantly as she called him a deceitful wolf.

He tried to break free from these fragmented dreams, furrowing his brow and panting as he focused on maintaining his composure. Gradually, Rong Shu faded away from his dream.

Relieved, he relaxed, but as soon as his guard was down, the dream shifted rapidly, transporting him back to their wedding day.

She sat in that elaborately crafted canopy bed, wearing a phoenix crown and a bright red wedding dress, like flames dancing.

Amidst the noisy room, he held a jade ruyi in his hand, gently lifting her red veil.

It was evidently a scene illuminated by shimmering lanterns, bathed in bright radiance.

Yet, when she lifted her gaze, the surrounding lights seemed to dim instantaneously, as if all the radiance had converged within the depths of her eyes.

Gu Changjin heard himself softly utter, "Rong Zhaozhao."

The barely audible "Rong Zhaozhao" had barely left his lips when the man suddenly opened his eyes.

The disordered thumping of his heart seemed to reverberate loudly in his ears. He placed a hand on his chest, and his bewildered eyes gradually regained clarity. His long eyebrows then knitted deeply together.

Chang Ji, dozing off on the table, stirred at the sound from the Luo Han bed. Rubbing his eyes, he asked anxiously, "Does Your Excellency feel unwell?"

My skin was scorching hot, and the wounds burned fiercely, causing immense discomfort. Yet, such pain could still be endured with sheer willpower. But dreams, those were beyond one's control.

Gu Changjin, with no intention of dozing further, propped himself up on the bed and croaked, "What time is it?"

Chang Ji replied, "Has the Hour of the Ox just passed, my lady? Is it time for you to rise?"

Gu Changjin grunted softly, alleviating the pain caused by his sudden rise. He said, "Fetch a basin of water. Lord Tan will be arriving at Phoenix Lane shortly."

Yesterday, the Eastern Depot deliberately released several condemned prisoners, creating chaos on Changan Avenue to take advantage of the situation and assassinate him. The Ministry of Justice would naturally not stand idly by, and Lord Tan, Tan Siyuan, held the position of Left Vice Minister in that department.

Over the years, countless upright officials and innocent civilians have fallen victim to the Jin Yiwei and the Eastern Depot. Gu Changjin was merely a minor sixth-rank official; the agents of the Eastern Depot would have no qualms about eliminating him.

However, Tan Siyuan hailed from an influential family with ancestors who had served as high-ranking ministers. He himself was a third-rank official in the imperial court. While it might be easy to kill him, the potential repercussions afterwards were something they would be wary of.

Tan Siyuan's visit to Phoenix Alley to personally escort Gu Changjin to court made it clear that he intended to ensure the latter's safety.