Chapter 301: 301 sincerity

Chapter 301: 301 sincerity

Chapter 301 301 Sincerity

Shen Wan took one of Chu Qianchen's hands affectionately and winked at her with a smile: "Sister Chen, don't worry, I will tell you if there is any excitement."

"Okay." Chu Qianchen responded crisply, with a bright smile and sweet pear swirls. There was a kind of girlish beauty flowing through his eyes.

At this time, the Zhu Lun Car stopped, and Gu Jinming's bright voice came from outside, saying that Yunting Pavilion had arrived.

After having lunch at Yunting Pavilion, they parted ways. Gu Jue and Chu Qianchen returned to Prince Chen's Mansion, while Gu Jin and Shen Wan went to Duke Mu's Mansion to take Gu Zhiyan to their new residence.

In the past few days, Gu Zhiyan's fever has stabilized and his spirits are much better than before. However, his addiction to Fu Shui is still not gone.

Chu Qianchen prescribed medicine for Gu Zhiyan to use every day, and specially prepared a kind of incense for Shen Wan to light it every day. She would follow up with Gu Zhiyan every three days.

Chu Qianchen said that she would first treat Gu Zhiyan's addiction, and then treat his absence disorder, one after another.

Seeing their daughter getting better day by day, there was nothing more for Shen Yuan and Gu Jin. They have been mentally prepared that their daughter's illness will take several years to recover from.

After moving to a new home today, Gu Zhiyan's eyes suddenly lit up. The little girl held her mother's hand in one hand and held a little milk cat in the other, raising her little face.

Gu Zhiyan: "Mom, is this our new home?"

Shen Wan: "Yeah."

Gu Zhiyan: "In the future, I don't have to go and say hello to my grandmother?"

Shen Wan: "Yeah."

Gu Zhiyan: "Can I invite my sister to play at home in the future?"

Shen Wan: "Yeah."

Gu Zhiyan: "We won't move back again in the future, right?"

Shen Wan: "No."

After getting affirmative answers from Shen Wan, Gu Zhiyan's smile was bright and bright, innocent and cute, completely different from the sick and sick look before, although she still looked a little haggard.

Since these days, Gu Zhiyan has been tortured by high fever and nightmares, and it has been a long time since she smiled so brightly.

Shen Wan looked at her daughter's little face with a slight smile and a pointed chin, her eyes were sore, and she almost cried with joy.

Gu Jin, who was two steps away, looked at his wife and daughter who were smiling in front of him. He was also infected by their joy, and his eyebrows curved in pleasure.

He felt that resigning his title and dividing the family was the second best thing he had ever done in his life.

The first thing was of course to marry his Awan!

Gu Jin said: "Awan, Qiniang, how about we go out to eat tonight!"

As Gu Jin spoke, he knelt down and looked at Gu Zhiyan's level.

Shen Wan: "..."

Before Shen Wan spoke, Gu Zhiyan nodded in agreement: "Okay."

Now in their family, the person who calls the shots is Gu Zhiyan, she has the final say.

Let alone going out to eat, Shen Wan would agree even if he wanted to pluck the moon from the sky.

So, an hour later, the couple took their daughter out.

They were a family of three, neither on horseback nor in a carriage.

Gu Jin and Shen Wan held Gu Zhiyan's left hand and her right hand, and then the couple shook their daughter's hands at the same time.

This was obviously a trivial matter. Gu Zhiyan giggled excitedly and shook her parents' hands.

The three of them were just like ordinary folk couples going out with their children.

The couple took Gu Zhiyan along and bought all the little things and snacks that the girl liked. Gu Jin even bought a small basket to put all the gadgets that he bought for his wife and daughter.

When he walked to a certain street, Shen Wan suddenly stopped and looked to the right. There was a figure wearing a red cloak. The figure was very familiar. Even if he didn't see the other person's face, Shen Wan could still recognize it at a glance. Recognized—

Chu Qianhuang.

A sneer appeared at the corner of Shen Wan's mouth, and she had no intention of coming forward to say hello.

The maid behind Chu Qianhuang was holding a long wooden box in her arms, which made Shen Wan couldn't help but take a second look, watching the master and his servant enter Bize Garden.

Bize Garden is not just a restaurant. Behind the restaurant facing the street is a garden, which was renovated from a royal courtyard left by the previous dynasty. There are ponds, small gardens, water pavilions... and a small racecourse. , occupying almost half the street.

Today, Bize Garden was completely taken over.

When Chu Qianhuang entered the lobby of the restaurant, there was no one inside. Only the waiter led her inside and said with a smile: "Girl, please come inside. The gentleman is waiting for the girl inside."

Chu Qianhuang had an appointment with someone today. The waiter led her through the restaurant and came to a two-story water pavilion by the pond in the back.

The Prince of Andaman County was waiting for her in the water pavilion. When he saw Master Chu Qianhuang coming, his burning eyes fell on the wooden box held in the maid's hand. Looking at the size of the wooden box, it seemed that there were a lot of things in it. Eighty-nine is that new type of bow.

Andaman's eyes were brighter, shining with ambition.

After being brought there, the waiter retreated. Suke and another Nanhao man with triangular eyes stood guard outside the water pavilion to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.

Andaman stared deeply at Chu Qianhuang, curled his lips, and took the lead in speaking in Qi language: "Miss Chu, I have already demonstrated my 'sincerity'."

He slightly emphasized the word "sincerity".

Chu Qianhuang, who had just entered the water pavilion, paused in his steps, with an undercurrent in his eyes, and said to Andaman almost word for word: "I don't want to be a concubine!"

The air in the water pavilion suddenly turned cold and seemed to condense.

Chu Qianhuang just learned about this today.

This morning, the queen specially announced her entry into the palace and told her that she would go to Hao Kingdom as the concubine of the third princess. Then, the queen also reprimanded her: "Qianhuang, you have always been smart. Smart kid, I really didn’t make any mistakes.”

"From now on, you will go to Nanhao with the third princess, but you must always be careful with your words and deeds, and do not let me down."

“…”

Chu Qianhuang didn't remember what else the queen said. At that time, she was so shocked that she felt like she was struck by thunder. She wanted to explain, but couldn't.

Chu Qianhuang had no doubt that the queen actually wanted to be dragged down and slapped again, but the queen was so cautious that she could only give her a thorny warning and let her out of the palace.

After Chu Qianhuang came out of the palace, she came here directly. At this moment, her mood had not calmed down, and strong dissatisfaction burst into her eyes when she looked at Andaman.

How could she be a concubine!

Andaman asked Chu Qianhuang to sit down with a smile on his face without changing his expression: "Miss Chu, sit down and talk."

Although Chu Qianhuang wanted to turn around and leave, she did not leave after all. After pausing on the spot for a moment, she walked towards Andaman.

The corners of Andaman's lips curled up again almost invisibly, feeling complacent that he had everything under control, but he soon returned to his original attentive smile.

After Chu Qianhuang sat down, Andaman personally poured tea for her and comforted her with kind words: "Miss Chu, you have strict rules and etiquette in our country. I can't let His Majesty the Emperor of your country agree to be in the wedding procession for no reason. Riga alone is also a temporary solution."

"I think the girl is a casual person, so why should she care about these insignificant details."

The smile on Andaman's face with a curly beard deepened, and his dark brown eyes were full of meaning.

In the past few days, he had people investigate the eldest daughter of the Yongding Marquis Mansion. She was not a concubine as she said, but the eldest daughter of the Chu family and the eldest sister of Princess Chen.

Andaman found it interesting that Chu Qianhuang was determined to go to the country of Hao. She must have known that he should be able to find out her life experience. So what kind of secrets was hidden in the girl in front of her? !

Of course Andaman was full of doubts about Chu Qianhuang, but no amount of doubts could overwhelm the appeal of the new bow. He let his subordinate Lange see the drawings given by Chu Qianhuang. Lange was shocked and repeated Forte studied the drawing for a long time and concluded that Chu Qianhuang's remarks about the power of this bow were probably true.

Andaman also asked Lange whether he could deduce this new type of bow based on the drawings alone. Unfortunately, the answer he got was no. Lange said that it was absolutely impossible, and the most critical details were blurred in the drawings.

In order to obtain this new type of bow, no matter what purpose Chu Qianhuang or Gu Jue had, Andaman had to make a gamble. As long as there was a 50% chance of this bow, it was enough.

Furthermore, no matter what purpose Chu Qianhuang had in going to Hao Country, as long as this new type of bow was real, she couldn't just let her go.

As long as he arrived in Hao Kingdom, Chu Qianhuang would naturally not be able to escape from their grasp.

Chu Qianhuang pursed her lips lightly and thought silently for a moment. What the Prince of Andaman said was not unreasonable. She was of no rank and class, and she was deprived of her status as the princess's companion. She could not be put in "without a name or status".

Although the word "concubine" really disgusted her, but now, she had no other choice.

If she were to be removed from the list of concubines now, it would mean that she would have to join the third princess's wedding party under another name, which would probably lead to unwarranted speculation by the emperor and empress.

There is no other way for her to go. If she wants to go to Nanhao, this is her only way.

Chu Qianhuang closed her eyes, her mind surging.

To be honest, she didn't trust Andaman and Uhaduluo behind him. She also knew that Andaman was somewhat trying to fool her, and deliberately used "concubine" to disgust her.

A gentleman's revenge is never too late.

As long as she gains Uhagalou's trust, as long as she patiently supports Uhagalou to regain everything that belongs to him, then she can naturally settle this old debt with Andaman and Uhadura.

Now, she would tolerate him for a while.

Although he told himself this in his heart, at this moment, Chu Qianhuang couldn't help but turn his anger on Chu Qianchen.

If it weren't for Chu Qianchen, she would have gone to Nanhao in glory as the third princess's companion.

How did she end up in this predicament!

Chu Qianhuang frowned slightly and said nothing for a while, as if a thick cloud enveloped her.

Andaman drank tea leisurely. When he saw the change in Chu Qianhuang's expression, he knew that she had compromised. He urged with a smile: "Miss Chu, what about your 'sincerity'?" Chu Qianhuang raised her hand and made a gesture. With a gesture, Baoqin placed the wooden box in his arms on the table between the two of them, and then opened the wooden box.

Inside the box was a strangely shaped bow, which was exactly the same as the one on Chu Qianhuang's drawings.

This bow was probably a stone bow made of an ordinary horn bow, but the shape of the bow was very strange. The bow body was pieced together with four small wheels on it, and there were two more bow strings.

Andaman almost eagerly picked up the bow, looked at it first, and then tried to fully draw the bow. This time, he was shocked and his eyes widened slightly.

Chu Qianhuang saw it immediately and felt proud. He smiled brightly and said, "Prince, you might as well try it with your feather arrow."

Andaman took a feathered arrow, skillfully drew the bow and nocked the arrow, and then released the arrow. The series of movements were as smooth as clouds and flowing water.

"Whoosh!"

The feather arrow came out of the string, piercing the air like a meteor, and quickly shot out of the window, crossed the pond outside, and shot into the trunk of a tree that only two people could hug.

"Susu..."

Countless fallen leaves fell from the tree crown like a heavy snowfall. The leaves, which were either withered or green, fell on the water of the pond, causing small ripples in the water.

Andaman's eyes opened wider, and his left hand holding the bow subconsciously clenched tightly, as if he was afraid that someone would take it away.

This bow is amazing!

When he drew the bow just now, he didn't use much force, but the power of the arrow was not reduced at all. The effective range was a hundred steps away. If he used all his strength, how far could he shoot?

He estimated that it was at least 20 to 30% more powerful than an ordinary bow, and it was also labor-saving. Saving the soldiers' physical strength was tantamount to increasing their combat power. If this bow can be deployed in large numbers, it will definitely make the soldiers of Hao Kingdom even more powerful.

On a battlefield where the enemy and we are of equal strength, this advantage is enough to become an invincible advantage that sweeps across the enemy's forces.

Chu Qianhuang looked at the big tree that was still vibrating outside the window and sighed: "It's a pity that this bow is still a bit rough and can only be regarded as a semi-finished product."

As she said that, she looked at the King of Andaman and said apologetically: "Your Majesty, my manpower and material resources are limited. I hope the King of Andaman will help you."

Andaman understood that Chu Qianhuang was guarding him, so he deliberately gave him a half-finished product first.

Andaman took the bow in his hand and played with it repeatedly, silently.

Chu Qianhuang smiled and said, "How is my 'sincerity'?"

"I accept the girl's 'sincerity'." Andaman put the bow on the table, which meant that he wanted to keep the bow.

"That's not possible." Chu Qianhuang refused without thinking, "I will take this bow away today. When we get to Hao Kingdom, I will present the bow and the complete blueprints."

After a pause, she added: "The prince won't be able to trust me, right?"

Andaman: “…”

Andaman frowned slightly but remained silent.

Of course he couldn't trust Chu Qianhuang, but he couldn't just say this. Besides, Chu Qianhuang's condition was that he would fulfill his promise when he arrived in Hao Country. Hao Country was the territory of their Hao people, and Chu Qianhuang could do it alone. What tricks can a weak woman with no strength pull out? !

Andaman's eyes looked at the bow repeatedly, and his right hand gently rubbed the bow, as if he wanted to engrave its composition in his memory.

Chu Qianhuang is not afraid of him seeing it, nor is she afraid of him remembering it. This is a compound bow that is beyond this era. She is confident that Andaman will not see the clue no matter how much he looks at it, so she does not rush him.

After a while, Andaman nodded and agreed: "Okay, I promise you."

He smiled slightly and returned the bow to Chu Qianhuang with his own hands, looking personable and reasonable.

Chu Qianhuang put the compound bow back into the wooden box again, closed the lid, and breathed a sigh of relief: If Andaman insisted on taking the bow away now, she would have no way to refuse, even if she still kept a hand. .

But since both parties want to cooperate, she still hopes that the cooperation can be pleasant and not tense. Fortunately, Andaman is still a man of his word.

Chu Qianhuang didn't stay any longer. He ordered Baoqin to pick up the wooden box containing the bow and arrows, and then said goodbye to Andaman: "Your Majesty, I will wait for your good news. Take your leave."

After Chu Qianhuang said these words, he took the maid and left the water pavilion.

Andaman didn't send anyone to see him off. The two Suke who were guarding outside the water pavilion walked in and walked in front of Andaman. Their sharp beast-like eyes looked at Chu Qianhuang's back outside.

After Chu Qianhuang walked away, Suke lowered his voice and said, "Prince, would you like me to go and check where that bow was made?"

Chu Qianhuang is just a noble lady of Da Qi. Like other noble ladies of Da Qi, she may be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and may have a little bit of cleverness, but that's it.

It was absolutely impossible for her to make that bow with her own hands. From some of the details of the bow's production, it can be seen that it may be a semi-finished product, but it is also a test product of skilled craftsmen. It is 80% to 90% that Chu Qianhuang found it in the capital area. Made by craftsmen.

While Andaman was thinking, he stroked the thick and curly beard on his chin, raised his thick eyebrows, and took another sip of tea.

Although he felt in his heart that Chu Qianhuang would not make such a low-level mistake and give them an opportunity, he still nodded obediently: "Go ahead."

Then, he cautiously reminded: "Suke, this is Daqi."

His overtones were to remind his subordinates that the Jin Yiwei of Da Qi were like a group of dogs raised by the Emperor of Da Qi. They were good at reconnaissance, arrest, and interrogation. There were Jin Yiwei's eyes and ears everywhere in this huge capital, watching in secret. The noble officials of Da Qi also stared at these foreigners.

Therefore, they must not make too much noise in Daqi. The new type of bow provided by Chu Qianhuang is so amazing that even the Emperor of Daqi will be tempted.

If because of their recklessness, they exposed this bow to the Emperor of Da Qi, it would be equivalent to making wedding clothes for others.

If the Emperor of Qi gets this magical weapon, will he have the idea of ​​sending his troops south?

Andaman couldn't help but have this thought in his mind, his eyes darkened.

Even if Andaman spoke vaguely, Suke could understand what he meant and responded with a solemn salute: "Don't worry, Prince, I will act with caution."

Suke retreated first, but Andaman didn't even look at him. He clenched and unclenched his right hand in response to his thoughts, repeating this process several times.

Finally, he placed his fist on the table and whispered: "It's time to urge Emperor Da Qi to finalize the wedding list as soon as possible, so that we can set off back to Hao early to avoid long nights and dreams."

In Andaman's view, Chu Qianhuang is now far more valuable than the third princess who married their prince. What the marriage between the two countries can exchange is only a period of peace between Northern Qi and Dahao, maybe just a few years. Years, maybe decades...

However, that new type of bow can increase Da Hao's combat power, help Emperor Hao stabilize the morale of the army, conquer the vassal kings, and even in the future...

Just thinking about it, Andaman couldn't sit still, and an eager flush appeared on his face.

He didn't stay long. After drinking the cup of tea, he asked someone to pack away the feathered arrow he had just tried on. He left Bize Garden and went directly to the palace.

It was approaching the time of You, the sky was dim, most of the officials had already left the palace, and the magnificent palace seemed a lot deserted.

When Andaman went through various procedures and arrived outside the royal study, a young chamberlain in green clothes standing under the eaves came up to him and said politely: "Did Prince Andaman want to see the emperor?"

Andaman also smiled politely: "Excuse me, sir."

The young chamberlain in green clothes went into the royal study to report, leaving Andaman waiting outside.

In the imperial study, the emperor was not alone. The second prince, Gu Nanzhao, was telling the emperor about the separation process of the Jingjun Palace. He also mentioned that Gu Jin did not want property, but only wanted cash.

Gu Nanzhao said, the emperor listened.

In the middle of the process, the emperor took a pill presented by Eunuch Ni, swallowed it with water, and wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief, looking mocking.

The emperor had no sympathy for Gu Jin. He had known that Gu Jin was an unknown person and was just messing around. He would resign his title, split up his family, and damage his reputation as a dignified emperor.

Since Gu Jin no longer wanted to be an official in the court, the emperor decided to grant him a favor and let him be an idle member of the clan from now on, with some salary from the clan to support him.

There are so many people in the clan, and Gu Jin is the only one left.

The emperor casually threw away the veil, and only gave three words to the division of the Jingjun Prince's family: "Let him go." Anyway, today's division of the family was based on etiquette, and he did not favor anyone.

The young chamberlain in green clothes walked in at this moment. Seeing that Gu Nanzhao had finished talking about the business, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the King of Andaman County of Nanhao wants to see you."

The emperor's cheek muscles tensed up when he heard Andaman's name, and he became more and more disgusted with this man.

Gu Nanzhao saw the emperor's expression of confusion and asked for instructions: "Father, do you want a son to serve..." to send him away?

The emperor raised his hand and made a silencing gesture to interrupt Gu Nanzhao, and then squeezed out one word from between his teeth:

"Xuan."

He also asked Gu Nanzhao to stay. After all, Gu Nanzhao was in charge of contacting Nanhao's envoys these days.

After a while, Andaman walked in with his head held high. Everyone else who entered the imperial study looked downcast and frightened. Probably only Andaman, who was the envoy of Nanhao, could be so calm and didn't care about the emperor's release. Coercion.

Of course Andaman also noticed Gu Nanzhao, and treated the father and son with Nan Hao's courtesy as if nothing had happened: "His Majesty the Emperor of Da Qi, His Highness the Second Prince."

The emperor asked him to excuse himself in a calm tone, with a lukewarm attitude.

Andaman was still smiling and said: "His Majesty the Emperor of Daqi, I heard that in two days' time your country's Laba Festival will be held. In Dahao, this is also a festival, and it is the day when Sakyamuni Buddha became enlightened."

"The New Year is approaching, and I am eager to return home."

“…”

What else Andaman said later could not be heard by the young chamberlain in green clothes. He had already silently left the imperial study room again. He could even guess that today would be another long and restless night.

Sure enough, after Andaman left, the emperor's thunderous and angry voice came from the imperial study again. The second prince who stayed in the imperial study was also angered by the emperor and received a lot of scolding.

Not long after, before the palace door was locked, the emperor summoned all the ministers of the Ministry of Rites and the people from the Zongren Mansion into the palace, and discussed it in the imperial study room for a long time...

Unknowingly, the sunset disappeared and the night fell. It was a starless and moonless night, very deserted and lonely.

When a group of people came out of the palace, they were all relieved and exhausted.

Prince Li was the imperial minister, so he was naturally asked to speak by the emperor. He felt that today's short day had been full of ups and downs, and he could write a storybook about it.

The Minister of Rites and others returned to their respective mansions. Only Prince Li did not go home directly. Instead, he went to Prince Chen's mansion on the way and complained as if to vent: "The emperor really wants to come out, and he doesn't want An Le and Hao to be together." The country is married."

"He is serious, this is a marriage between two countries, how can it be changed overnight!"

"Hey, he's not that old. People say he's forty without getting confused. I see why he looks like he's in his old age!"

That last sentence was almost disrespectful.

(End of chapter)