Chapter 265: 265 out of bounds
Chapter 265 Chapter 265 Crossing the Boundary
Chu Qianchen didn't want to move at all.
She felt that this kind of weather was suitable for leaning lazily, but she had to go and subconsciously rubbed her cheek on Gu Jue's shoulder, as if to draw strength.
Gu Jue looked at her flushed cheeks, his eyes became darker, and said, "If you don't want to go, don't go."
Chu Qianchen: "..."
Chu Qianchen's eyes widened, and his eyes seemed to say, how could he seduce her like this!
It's like a person who is lying in bed in the winter and finally makes up her mind to leave the warm bed, but someone comes to coax her to sleep a little longer.
After what he said, Chu Qianchen stood up resolutely and said, "I'll be right back."
Seeing that its owner was about to leave, the little black cat immediately jumped down from the kang and circled around Chu Qianchen's legs coquettishly, leaving its scent behind.
Gu Jue, who was still on the kang, raised his hand and touched the spot where Chu Qianchen had touched just now. His eyelashes fluttered twice like butterfly wings, and he softly called out: "Yue Ying!"
As he finished speaking, he threw a sepak takraw ball with his other hand.
As a result, the cat's attention was diverted, and it excitedly rushed towards the sepak takraw ball and went to play with the ball by itself.
The takraw ball was rolling back and forth on the ground, rolling east and west, making the quiet room suddenly feel more alive.
With no cat in the way, Chu Qianchen went smoothly to the Xuanwei Hall ahead to meet Grandma Jin.
"Slave, please see the princess." As soon as Grandma Jin saw Chu Qianchen, she showed an overly attentive smile, her eyes squeezed into two slits, "I haven't seen you for half a month, the princess is really more elegant than before."
Her expression was submissive. Even if Chu Qianchen raised his hand to signal her to stand up, he still bowed slightly and did not even dare to raise his head casually.
Aunt Jin praised Chu Qianchen for a few more words before getting down to the topic: "Princess, it was Aunt Yan from Shouning Palace who asked the slave to deliver a letter to the princess."
"Say it." Chu Qianchen said calmly, slowly using the tea lid to push away the foam on the tea soup.
Grandma Jin collected her thoughts and began to relay what Grandma Yan said: "Princess, that Miss Yuan will go to Shouning Palace to pay her respects to the Queen Mother almost every day during this period. However, the Queen Mother is 'sick', so every three or I only see her once every five days.”
"Mother Yan said that it was nothing at first. Miss Yuan just talked to the Queen Mother about her mother-in-law Tong's family. The Queen Mother took pity on her for losing her mother and often kept her in Shouning Palace for meals."
"But recently, some of the words Miss Yuan said seemed to have some meaning. Aunt Yan felt that it was not appropriate, so she quietly asked the servant to come to the palace to tell you, Princess."
"Miss Yuan told the Queen Mother that I haven't seen you, Princess, for a few days and miss you very much."
"They also said that the Queen Mother's place is deserted, but when the Queen Mother has a grandson next year, the Shouning Palace will be lively."
"She also said that she often disturbs the Queen Mother. Will you be unhappy if the princess knows about it?"
"She also kept claiming to the Queen Mother that His Royal Highness Prince Chen was her cousin, saying that when her mother Tang was alive, she also missed the prince very much. During the days she came to Beijing, she often heard people say that the prince was in poor health. Not better."
What Yuan Zhitong said to the Queen Mother Yin may not sound like much on the surface, but if you take a closer look, it will have an uncomfortable flavor.
Aunt Jin pursed her dry lips and hesitated to speak.
Even she could hear the meaning of what Yuan Zhitong said, and Princess Chen must have understood it, so she didn't need any further explanation.
For example, regarding the grandchildren, Princess Chen is young and must be at least sixteen or seventeen years old before she can give birth to an heir. Didn't Yuan Zhitong's words encourage the Queen Mother to give people to Prince Chen?
Another example is this last sentence, which is clearly intended to arouse the Queen Mother's worry about King Chen. The Queen Mother cannot leave the palace, and the princess cannot enter the palace. If the Queen Mother is worried, then naturally she can only ask Yuan Zhitong to come and take a look.
The more Grandma Jin thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong, and her eyebrows furrowed.
interesting. Chu Qianchen was originally in low spirits and absent-minded, but upon hearing this, he became somewhat interested. It must have taken a lot of effort for the Queen to get such a person.
As she spoke, Aunt Jin carefully looked at Chu Qianchen's expression, and continued worriedly: "Princess, the Queen Mother didn't say anything, and she didn't seem to have any intention of letting Miss Yuan come to the palace to pay her respects. However, she often rewards Miss Yuan. Some jewelry, hair, calligraphy and paintings, etc., look very special to her. "
Queen Mother Yin was lonely in the palace, just like a lonely boat in the vast sea.
Yuan Zhitong applied eye drops to Chu Qianchen in front of the Queen Mother Yin, twice or three times this time, and the Queen Mother Yin might not take it seriously. However, over time, whenever the Queen Mother Yin heard this sentence, she would inevitably become dissatisfied with Chu Qianchen. The daughter-in-law had a bad feeling.
If the Queen Mother Yin is really coaxed by a little **** like Yuan Zhitong, she might cause trouble for Princess Chen!
Aunt Jin has been in the palace for so many years, and she has seen so many secrets in the harem. Yuan Zhitong looks like a caring and understanding flower, but in fact, her thoughts are Sima Zhao's and everyone knows them. .
This little **** is just trying to use the Queen Mother to get into the hands of King Chen.
While thinking about it, Grandma Jin raised her eyes to look at Chu Qianchen, but saw that there was no unpleasant look on her face, and she felt a little confused.
There was a silence in the hall, and you could hear a needle drop. It was so quiet that Grandma Jin could almost hear the pounding of her own heartbeat.
Chu Qianchen put down the tea cup and said calmly: "I let you stay in the palace to serve the Queen Mother well, not to put the cart before the horse."
She asked Aunt Jin and Aunt Yan to serve the Queen Mother Yin in order to protect the Queen Mother in the cage-like palace.
Once something went wrong in the Shouning Palace, or something might endanger the Queen Mother's safety, they could report it to her in time. She didn't want them to be her spies and keep an eye on the Queen Mother's every move.
Whoever the Queen Mother Yin wants to treat well and what she wants to reward is the Queen Mother's right.
Chu Qianchen quietly stared at Aunt Jin who was a few steps away. Her expression on her face, as beautiful as a spring flower, had always been light, without ups and downs, and she was calm and gentle.
It was clear that Chu Qianchen neither spoke harshly nor glared angrily, but Grandma Jin felt a chill rising from the soles of her feet and rapidly spreading throughout her body.
Grandma Jin knew that she had crossed a certain line.
She went back and forth to report that Yuan Zhitong had done something inappropriate in front of the Queen Mother. That was true, and that was what the Princess wanted to know. However, it was not her place to inquire about what the Queen Mother had rewarded and what she thought.
They are slaves, the Queen Mother is the master, and there is no bridge between master and servant.
In the past, she and Nanny Yan worked like this for the queen, and they both subconsciously thought that Chu Qianchen would also like it.
Aunt Jin swallowed, her heart was in a state of confusion, and she admitted her mistake without saying a word: "I was wrong, please forgive me, Princess."
Aunt Jin knelt directly on the smooth ground. The ground was cold and hard, which made her knees hurt, as if her cold legs were having an attack on a windy and rainy day.
Chu Qianchen made a gesture to Hu Hu, and Hu Hu immediately stepped forward to help up Nanny Jin who was kneeling on the ground, and taught her earnestly: "Whatever the princess asks you to do, you do it. Don't think about unnecessary things." Do."
Aunt Jin only agreed, but the middle coat on her back was already wet and she was dripping with cold sweat.
In this cold weather, her sweaty clothes were wet and cold, making her feel uncomfortable all over.
Chu Qianchen hit her with a stick, but also didn't forget to give her a sweet date, and winked at Amber.
Amber took out a red seal and gave it to Nanny Jin, and said with a smile: "The princess knows that you and Nanny Yan are loyal enough, so she can rest assured to put you beside the Queen Mother to serve. As for Miss Yuan, the princess has already Got it. The princess can’t enter the palace on weekdays, so you have to keep an eye on her. If there’s anything wrong, just report it in time.”
Aunt Jin accepted it fearfully and thanked her again and again.
Although I have received a reward, my heart is still restless and unable to return to my position.
This Princess Chen is obviously not very old, but her scheming, her royal methods, her kindness and power... are all far superior to the Queen's.
Grandma Jin really couldn't understand how a shabby house in the Yongding Marquis Mansion could raise such a monster with a seven-orificed and exquisite heart.
Aunt Jin lowered her eyebrows and asked for instructions: "I wonder if the princess has any other instructions?"
Chu Qianchen sent the people away.
Aunt Jin quickly stepped back and followed a little maid out of the main hall.
She pinched the thick red seal in her hand. It was obviously not a silver coin, it should be a bank note! She had to talk to Nanny Yan when she got back and watch her carefully, but she couldn't let the queen cause trouble for the princess.
Watching Nanny Jin walk around the screen wall outside, Amber finally couldn't suppress her anger and said: "Princess, the Queen is too uneasy and kind-hearted!"
Amber has always been good-tempered and much calmer than the other little maids below her. She was very angry today and felt that the queen was so shameless. She was clearly using the queen mother to trick the prince.
In addition to anger, there was also a trace of worry in Amber's heart. She was afraid that Yuan Zhitong would gain favor from the Queen Mother through her relationship with the Queen Mother. If the Queen Mother really opened her mouth, this matter would not be easy to handle.
Chu Qianchen stood up and said with a smile, "Don't worry."
The Queen Mother Yin was in the palace, and Chu Qianchen's only concern was that someone would do harm to the Queen Mother. If the emperor poisoned the Queen Mother again, she and the prince would be beyond their reach.
As for the rest, Chu Qianchen didn't care at all.
The Queen Mother was bored alone in the palace. It didn't matter if someone was willing to go to Shouning Palace from time to time to sing operas and make the Queen Mother smile.
Seeing that his master was not worried at all, and obviously did not take Yuan Zhitong and his like into consideration at all, Amber suddenly felt that he really thought of Yuan Zhitong too highly.
Yes, the queen may have bad eyesight. With the princess's stunning appearance, how could Yuan Zhitong, who is not even six or seven points like their princess, catch the eye of the prince!
Hu Huo quickly put a thick mink fur-trimmed cloak on Chu Qianchen and handed her a sleeve stove.
Although he was fully armed, Chu Qianchen still shivered from the cold wind that got into his collar and quickened his pace.
It's so cold outside.
She had better go back to find Prince Nuannuan as soon as possible.
Chu Qianchen returned to the main courtyard with brisk steps.
Gu Jue was still reading a book on the big kang by the window in the east room. The little black cat was also there. It seemed to be tired from playing. It curled up into a round ball next to Gu Jue. The cat's eyes were closed tightly and it looked like four glutinous rice balls. The white paws also hid, and the whole cat turned into a ball of fluffy black.
Gu Jue was reading a book and touching it casually. He and the cat were both very comfortable.
The weather is very good today. The golden sunshine shines softly on the man and the cat through the transparent glass window, adding a bit of softness and beauty to Gu Jue's cold eyebrows, just like the bright spring light after the first melting of ice and snow.
Gu Jue seemed to feel something. He raised his eyes and looked at her, his eyebrows squinting.
The half-bundled black hair fell down and spread over her shoulders. Her expression was still as lazy as ever, and her beautiful brows became more charming and charming because of this simple movement.
The prince is so handsome!
Chu Qianchen stared at him blankly, sighing with emotion in his heart. The corners of his lips could not help but raise, and his heart seemed to have wings, spinning happily in circles in his chest as he stared at him blankly.
"Come here." He waved to her, "Why are you so dazed?"
Chu Qianchen was happily greeted by him, and reached out to touch the cat. She said with a smile, "Because the prince is so handsome." There was no look of fear on her little face, and a pair of light pear lips appeared on her lips. Whirlpool, coquettish and coquettish.
"If you are so good-looking, you can't waste it, right?" Chu Qianchen said seriously.
Gu Jue moved his eyebrows, already hearing that she might have something to say.
"The Ministry of Internal Affairs just sent some brocades over. Do you want the prince to make new riding clothes?" Chu Qianchen looked at him with a smile. "Time is a little tight. I should be able to catch up."
Seeing how interested she was, Gu Jue followed her instructions and said, "Bring me the ingredients and let me take a look."
As soon as the masters said a word, the yard became busy. After a while, the maids and women picked up the cloth one by one and placed it almost half of the room.
"My lord, which color do you like?" Chu Qianchen glanced around half a circle and was a little dazzled for a moment.
Gu Jue got up from the kang and slowly looked at the brocades. Chu Qianchen stood next to him and gave him advice: "How about this Deep Moon White?"
"Or this hairy moon color?"
"The night rain dyed the sky and water green, and the sky and water are quite elegant."
“…”
Chu Qianchen knew that Gu Jue preferred lighter colors, but the moment he looked over with raised eyebrows, she suddenly felt that he could also try a slightly brighter color.
It definitely looks better!
Chu Qianchen reached out and touched a piece of purple-red material. As a result, a slender hand pinched a corner of the material one step ahead of her.
Gu Jue compared the purple-red material to Chu Qianchen and nodded with satisfaction, "This is the color."
"..." Chu Qianchen wanted to say, weren't they selecting materials for his riding uniform?
When the words came to his lips, Gu Jue's slender fingers were already stretched out towards her, slightly lifting her small chin, and looking at her carefully.
Chu Qianchen blinked.
"It really can't be wasted." Gu Jue smiled slightly, turned to Hu Hu and ordered, "Let each of us use this material to make a suit."
Amber's eyes lit up and she agreed repeatedly, thinking that the prince's idea was a good one.
During the winter hunt, the prince and the princess wore riding attires of the same color. Then at a glance, others would know that they were a couple of gods and goddesses, and that Yuan Zhitong would die in custody!
Amber looked at Chu Qianchen with questioning eyes, but Chu Qianchen was already dumbfounded. There was only one thought left in his mind: Was the prince praising her for her beauty?
Seeing that Chu Qianchen didn't speak, Hu Bo took it as her consent and ran out happily. She had to call the people from Zhu Xiufang quickly.
The winter hunting was scheduled in a hurry. By the time the two new riding outfits were finished, it was already time for the winter hunting.
In this life, Chu Qianchen has been trapped in this square capital city. What she likes more in her heart is the vast world outside, and she most likes the short time in the Northland with Gu Jue in her previous life.
This winter hunting made her feel as if she had returned to the happiest time in her previous life.
As soon as the fifth day of November dawned, the convoy of Prince Chen's Mansion was on standby and arrived at the gate of the West City before midnight.
The fleet of Prince Chen's Mansion is not huge. Compared with the princes and nobles in the capital, it can be said to be quite simple. Including Chu Qianchen's Zhulun Chariot, there are only seven carriages in total.
But the accompanying guards of Prince Chen's Mansion all had stern faces and sharp eyes. They were filled with cold air like long knives, and their whole bodies exuded an indestructible aura that was as overwhelming as Mount Tai. They all came down from the battlefield in the North. Elites are completely different from the guards and bodyguards around them who barely have a formal appearance.
If the guards in Prince Chen's Mansion are compared to the elite of the army, then the guards and bodyguards in other mansions are like half a bucket of water temporarily recruited from the private sector.
The motorcade of Prince Chen's Mansion stood out among the motorcades of other palaces, and was out of place, attracting everyone's attention.
The royal motorcade headed by the emperor was at the forefront of this winter hunting team of nearly three thousand people. The bright yellow flag representing the emperor swayed in mid-air with the cold winter wind, making hunting sounds.
The emperor's gold-lacquered dragon chariot is carved with exquisite dragon patterns. The long dragons are vivid. Some are circling like entangled vines, some are spitting water splashes from their mouths, and some are engraved with two dragons playing with beads. Obsidian is used as the dragon's eyes. The yellow glass used as the car roof reflects the bright light like a gem in the sun.
Gorgeous, flamboyant, and luxurious, just one look at it will tell you that this is the emperor's trip.
The civil and military officials headed by Zhang Shoufu personally went out of the city to see the emperor off, and they all bowed in the direction the emperor was leaving.
The wide official road was full of bustling people. The people who came to see the excitement were all blocked by the imperial guards on both sides of the road. They were making a lot of noise, making the place even more lively than a vegetable market.
Immediately following the dragon chariot on the road were the carriages of several princes and princesses, and behind them were the princes of the clan. According to their status, they took to the road in an orderly manner, heading west in a mighty way.
When the convoy of Prince Chen's Palace came out, a subtle change occurred in the atmosphere. The accompanying palace guards clearly did nothing but rode upright on the powerful black horses, releasing a wave of energy all over their bodies. The fierce momentum seems to have built an invisible barrier to distinguish him from other people around him.
The people who were chirping and watching the excitement just now seemed to be mute and became silent, and they were all in awe.
After the carriages and horses of Prince Chen's Mansion had gone away, the noise started again near the city gate.
"Little brother, have you seen His Highness King Chen?" A middle-aged man at the back of the crowd patted the young man in front and asked, "I came here just to pay tribute to His Highness King Chen's heroic appearance."
When he asked this question, other people nearby also looked over and said:
"I don't think I saw His Highness King Chen."
"I didn't see it either. Didn't His Highness King Chen come?"
"No way. I saw the princess's chariot. It couldn't have been brought by the princess by herself, right?"
“…”
Everyone was discussing very enthusiastically whether King Chen had come to participate in this winter hunting, and no one paid attention to the convoy behind them.
The onlookers dispersed one after another, and the convoy of distinguished officials gathered near the city gate did not leave until an hour later.
This convoy of three thousand people is like a giant, which will inevitably affect the speed of progress. According to the estimation of the Ministry of Rites, it will take about three days. This is after Qin Tianjian predicts that it will neither rain nor snow in the next three days. under the premise.
The late emperor was fond of martial arts, and would arrange autumn or winter hunting every year with the intention of practicing military service. He encouraged the nobles' disciples to practice riding and archery, and encouraged his descendants not to forget their roots.
But since the emperor ascended the throne, he has been busy seeking immortality and asking questions, and he has no time to take care of the government affairs, let alone hunting in autumn and winter.
This winter hunting is the first time since I ascended the throne. Many noble disciples have been eager to try it. At this moment, they are riding on strong horses. They are all high-spirited and wearing bright clothes, adding to this impressive team. A bit energetic and lively.
The emperor in the dragon chariot turned a deaf ear to the noise outside. He seemed to have something on his mind and opened the curtains again and again to look back. However, from his angle, he could not see the carriages and horses of Prince Chen's palace behind.
After hesitating for a while, the emperor simply asked Eunuch Ni to call Lu Siji, the commander of the Jinyi Guards.
"Where is Gu Jue?" The emperor asked in a low voice with half of his face revealed from behind the curtain.
Lu Siji also guessed what the emperor wanted to ask King Chen, and immediately replied: "King Chen is not riding a horse. He should be sitting in Princess Chen's carriage."
The emperor slowly turned the jade ring on his thumb.
He knew that Gu Jue had never ridden in a carriage before, and was not afraid of the cold. He often wore thin singlets in cold weather.
Since Gu Jue didn't show up today, it meant that he was not in good health.
The emperor stopped turning his jade ring finger and asked again: "Did you see anyone?"
The emperor wanted to know more specifically what Gu Jue was doing in the carriage. Was he too weak to ride the horse, or was he infected with the cold, or...
Lu Siji lowered his head, his face a little stiff and a little ashamed, and replied: "Your Majesty, the guards of Prince Chen's Mansion are tightly guarded, and the guards in golden clothes can only hang around two or three feet away, and they can't get close to Princess Chen's Zhulun Chariot."
Lu Siji's voice became lower and lower, and he did not dare to look at the emperor's face. It was conceivable that the emperor would not be satisfied with his answer.
Apart from facing the guards of Prince Chen's Mansion, their royal guards have never been so cowardly.
The emperor's face visibly darkened, his brows were furrowed, and a gloomy aura was exuding all over his body.
The emperor was worried about leaving Gu Jue alone in the capital. He was afraid that by the time he returned from winter hunting, Gu Jue would have the Xuanjia Army occupy the capital, so he sent someone to the Prince Chen's Mansion to convey the order. At that time, he was still worried. Gu Jue was so bold that he could not directly resist the order.
Therefore, the emperor's original plan was that if Gu Jue dared not come to winter hunting, he would take the Queen Mother Yin away and use her as a hostage.
Gu Jue didn't want to, but he was very happy. He accepted the order without saying a word and agreed to accompany him for winter hunting.
Gu Jue was so cooperative. When things go wrong, there must be monsters. No matter how much he thought about it, the emperor felt that something was wrong. He also thought about whether Gu Jue would be unable to come due to illness at the last moment. But he showed up, and even his princess also And brought it.
The emperor's heart was hanging in the air, always feeling that Gu Jue was going to do something to Yao'ezi.
The emperor's fingertips rubbed the lines on the jade finger, over and over again, and his eyes became deeper and deeper.
After a moment, the emperor said in a deep voice: "I'll keep an eye on Gu Jue."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Lu Siji hurriedly clasped his fists and accepted the order.
This is actually no different from the usual time in the capital. For more than half a year, the Jin Yiwei has been working in shifts, not daring to relax and staring at Prince Chen's Mansion.
No, it should be said that in the past, I had to stare at so many doors in front and back of the huge Prince Chen's Mansion, but now I only have to stare at a carriage.
Lu Siji retreated, and the emperor in the dragon chariot became more and more irritable, drinking cup after cup of tea.
Sometimes, he really couldn't understand why the late emperor chose him as his successor and gave him this beautiful land, so why did he still have to leave Gu Jue to cause trouble for him.
The emperor looked back again, and he didn't know how many times the thought came to his mind:
It would be great if Gu Jue was dying now.
"Huhu—"
Outside the dragon chariot, the cold wind howled, blowing on people's skin and cutting it like a knife.
(End of chapter)