Peaceful Farm Life-Chapter 1038 - 1039: Watch Your Words!

From the corner of his eye, Gong Juechen noticed that the Great General had been sizing him up all this time, and without even thinking, Gong knew it was his maternal uncle Han Xinche.

Even though he actually no longer had any recollection of this uncle.

However, he had heard that his uncle had become the General of Cavalry.

But what of it if he was a General, he wielded little real power after all.

Compared to the other generals, the real power his uncle held was truly pitiful.

Gong Juechen could not help but feel a bit of sympathy for his uncle.

He could have been holding heavy troops and guarding a region, but due to Su Haoyu’s wariness, he was forcibly retained in the Imperial Capital.

...

After the morning court, Han Xinche quickly intercepted Gong Juechen, who was about to leave the palace with Meng Zhuqing.

"Palace Doctor," Han Xinche greeted Gong Juechen with a clasped fist.

Gong Juechen pretended not to know Han Xinche’s identity, eyeing Han Xinche in his armor, "General, you are...?"

Before Han Xinche could introduce himself, Meng Zhuqing hurriedly said to Gong Juechen, "This is General of Cavalry Han Xinche, General Han."

Gong Juechen acted as if he was just realizing who it was, "Oh, it’s General Han. May I ask what business General Han has with this commoner?"

Han Xinche stated plainly, "Palace Doctor, you bear a strong resemblance to my elder sister."

Anybody who had seen his sister would think so, as this man looked remarkably like her.

There was no need to conceal this.

Both Gong Juechen and Meng Zhuqing were quite surprised.

Of course, Gong Juechen’s surprise was feigned, while Meng Zhuqing’s was genuine. General Han’s elder sister was the late Consort Han, and Gong Juechen actually resembled Consort Han...

Han Xinche continued, "My elder sister has been gone for many years. The General misses her greatly, and seeing that the Palace Doctor resembles my elder sister so closely, the General felt a sense of familiarity and came to say hello."

"I see," Gong Juechen said, appearing to understand but not saying much more.

Meng Zhuqing was on edge, fearing Gong Juechen would speak out of turn and cause offense, or even bring disaster upon himself.

Han Xinche added, "My elder sister was once the Master of Qingyi Palace—Consort Han."

Gong Juechen immediately touched his face, looking honored, "This commoner actually resembles the late Imperial Consort. My ancestral graves must be emitting green smoke by now."

Han Xinche subtly followed up with the question, "May I ask where the Palace Doctor’s family is from?"

Gong Juechen replied, "Nan Shen."

Fearing that someone might notice something off, Han Xinche did not probe any further. He clasped his fist at Gong Juechen once again and walked away with a particularly bold and carefree air.

Once Han Xinche was far away, Gong Juechen whispered to Meng Zhuqing in complaint, "He actually said I look like a woman. I’m not your brother; how do I resemble a woman?"

That woman was the Imperial Consort; who are you to disdain her so casually?!

Meng Zhuqing got a shock and hurriedly covered Gong Juechen’s mouth, urging him not to talk nonsense in case someone overheard and it led to serious trouble.

Disrespecting the Imperial Consort could lead to a sentence as harsh as being beaten to death with sticks.

"We haven’t left the palace yet. Be careful with your words!" Meng Zhuqing gave a particularly soft warning. Seeing Gong Juechen blink vigorously, a sign he had heard, Meng Zhuqing then let go and stopped covering Gong’s mouth.

After leaving the palace and returning to the General’s residence, Gong Juechen asked Meng Zhuqing with feigned curiosity, "Zhuzhu, how come I’ve never heard of Consort Han? Has she been deceased for a long time?"

Meng Zhuqing replied, "Indeed, it’s been quite a while. Consort Han died when I was only about five or six years old."