Chapter 361: 361 house arrest
Chapter 361 Chapter 361 House Arrest
Chu Qianling sneered beside Ms. Liu with a smile on her face, full of resentment, sarcasm, jealousy, and unwillingness.
Her thin white fingers clenched the veil tightly, scrunching it up.
In just one year, her and Shen Qianchen's fate had undergone earth-shaking changes. Shen Qianchen should have fallen into the dust, but he climbed to a position that he could not reach with his hands, while he himself was stuck in the quagmire...
Her father died, and she had to serve him as a mourner for three years. After three years, the Chu family's situation would only get worse. What kind of good family could she find? !
If the Chu family were still the Hou family today, the imperial concubine's aunt might agree to become the second prince's concubine. Once the Chu family fell into decline, this would no longer be possible!
It was no longer possible for her to hold hands with the young man she longed for...
Chu Qianling felt a sharp pain in her heart. There was a voice in her heart that was shouting and crying. She wanted others to feel what she felt like.
"..." Mrs. Liu looked at Mrs. Liu in silence, her mouth opening and closing, as if someone had strangled her throat, and she could no longer speak.
The madam's face was extremely ugly. After thinking about it carefully, she had to admit that the fact seemed to be exactly what Liu said.
It was Kang Hongda who managed to get Chu Lingxiao back from Youzhou by using some trick to speak good words in front of the emperor. But they went against Kang Hongda's wishes. How could Kang let them go?
The madam closed her eyes and bit her teeth tightly. After a while, the rise and fall of her chest gradually subsided.
She opened her eyes and asked Grandma Wang, "Where is Brother Yi?"
Chu Yunyi was the only one left. As long as Chu Yunyi begged, Kang Hongda would let them go. Otherwise, the Hou Mansion would really be doomed.
Aunt Jiang never came close, she just listened quietly, her heart filled with extreme hatred, as if it was about to burst out in the next moment.
Aunt Jiang's maid also changed her expression, and whispered uneasily: "Aunt Jiang..."
The last note disappeared into the breeze in the courtyard. The white clouds floating in the sky above had various shapes, and the hearts of the people on the ground were more complex and changeable than the unpredictable wind and clouds.
Chu Yunyi still knows nothing about everything that happened in the Chu family.
Early this morning, he, Shen Qianchen, Shen Yunmu and others went for an outing to Cuiwei Mountain in the suburbs.
At this moment, he was urging impatiently: "Brother Mu, Qiniang, don't wait and look around. Since you want to learn to ride a horse, learn it hard!"
Chu Yunyi felt that his sacrifice was too great, so he didn't train and kindly accompanied two little kids who couldn't ride horses to play.
Chu Yunyi's loud voice startled a group of birds living in the forest, fluttering their wings and flying around.
However, in Shen Yunmu's eyes, Chu Yunyi was nothing more than a paper tiger. Shen Yunmu rode his pony and turned to Gu Zhiyan on the other side with a smile: "Qiniang...cousin, you saw those birds No, it’s chubby, so cute!”
Gu Zhiyan looked up at the sky, trying to keep his eyes open to observe the birds.
Those birds flew too high, and from below you can only vaguely see their round heads, which are brownish-red, and their wings are a deeper reddish-brown.
The bird's body is small and exquisite, chubby, and so cute!
Gu Zhiyan's eyes were sparkling, and under the sunlight, her face was covered with a faint golden light.
The other people behind looked at the three of them and couldn't help laughing.
The group traveling today was very lively. Shen Qianchen, Shen Zhi, Pei Linye, Gu Jin and Shen Yuan were all here. The only one missing was Gu Jue. Gu Jue went to the military camp temporarily because of something.
Shen Qianchen originally wanted to go hunting, but since Gu Jue was not here, he gave up this thought and just took the two children out for a walk to relax.
Chu Yunyi specifically asked for leave from Yun Zhan today and volunteered to replace his brother-in-law as a guard for his sister, but Shen Qianchen sent him to take care of the child.
"That's a brown-headed crow!" Chu Yunyi taught the two little brats a lesson.
Shen Yunmu blinked his phoenix eyes and looked back at Chu Yun Yisui. That look seemed to say, is it true?
"Look there," Chu Yunyi raised his finger and pointed to the crown of a tree in front of him on the right: "There is a palm-sized bird's nest on that tree, like a bowl. This is the bird's nest of the brown-headed crow."
Chen Yunmu and Gu Zhiyan's eyes were extremely busy, and they followed the direction pointed by Chu Yunyi to look at the bird's nest on the treetop.
"I saw it, I saw it!"
"That bird's nest is so cute!"
"Look, the little bird has returned to its nest..."
Shen Yunmu kept chattering.
Chu Yunyi thought to himself: This little brat is just a brat, he is fussing over such a trivial matter!
Everyone rode their horses leisurely and strolled through the lush mountains and forests. Everywhere they looked, there were thick greenery and wild flowers all over the mountains.
Shen Qianchen leaned over and whispered to Shen Zhi: "Mom, look, Brother Yi is still like that, he doesn't mean what he says." This kid is too arrogant and always looks disgusting, but there is a hint of disgust on his face. laugh.
Shen Zhi was amused and said casually: "Yeah, I don't know who Brother Yi looks like with this awkward temperament!"
"It's not like me anyway!" Shen Qianchen brushed it off.
Shen Zhi became even happier, her laughter was like a silver bell.
Pei Linye, who was following Shen Zhi on horseback, also heard the conversation between mother and daughter. With a smile on his face, he couldn't help but think of the girl in red clothes in his memory.
She used to be an innocent and carefree girl. Since he went to the Northland to join the army seventeen years ago, he has seen her only a handful of times. He watched her gradually stop smiling after marriage and let herself wear Put on armor and make yourself omnipotent...
And now, she finally smiled again.
very nice! Pei Linye stared blankly at the bright smile on Shen Zhi's face, and her heart felt soft.
At this time, Shen Yunmu changed the direction of his horse and rode towards Shen Zhi and his daughter, waving the bow and arrow in his hand to show his presence.
"Mom, sister, I just said I would hunt a little rabbit for Qi Niang, do you want it?" He chuckled, feeling very proud of himself.
Rather than saying that Shen Yunmu came to inquire, he actually came to show off that he was going to hunt rabbits for Gu Zhiyan.
Shen Zhi: "..."
Shen Qianchen: "..."
The mother and daughter once again lamented that the personalities of the brothers Chu Yunyi and Shen Yunmu were so different.
Shen Yunmu hadn't hunted a rabbit yet, so he had to find someone to show off to, so that everyone would know that he was going to hunt rabbits today;
And Chu Yunyi would probably hunt the rabbit first. After he got the prey, he would casually say, "I'll hunt the rabbit for you."
At this time, Gu Zhiyan also chased after him on horseback.
She had just learned to ride a horse not long ago, so she was not riding alone. There was a maid about twelve years old riding with her.
Gu Zhiyan said seriously: "Cousin, I want to live!"
"It doesn't matter whether you live or die, as long as you can hunt rabbits." Shen Yunmu shrugged and said indifferently.
Gu Zhiyan insisted: "It's alive!"
Shen Yunmu seemed not to have heard anything, thinking about a hundred ways to eat rabbit, and swallowed.
The two children started quarreling over the rabbit, which made the others laugh out loud again.
Happy laughter came and went.
Shen Wan looked at the energetic Gu Zhiyan in front of him, pulled down Gu Jin's sleeve, and smiled at him.
The couple followed Shen Qianchen's advice and found a maid for Gu Zhiyan who was good at boxing and kicking, mainly to accompany Gu Zhiyan when going out and practice martial arts with her.
Since having this maid named "Qiaofeng", Shen Wan feels more relieved.
Like today, when Qiaofeng and Gu Zhiyan ride together, Shen Wan doesn't have to keep an eye on her all the time. She only needs to follow him neither near nor far, so that when Gu Zhiyan occasionally looks back, he can see her presence. .
Shen Wan also smiled, with a smile as charming as a delicate flower. She turned to Shen Qianchen on the right and sighed: "Sister Chen, thank you!"
Shen Wan saw the energy Shen Qianchen put into Gu Zhiyan.
Ever since that day, Gu Zhiyan really opened her heart to Shen Qianchen and talked about what happened when she was abducted. After that, Shen Qianchen would talk to Gu Zhiyan again every few days, without forcing her, just Encourage her to talk about what happened at that time, and untie her knot little by little.
During these days, Gu Zhiyan has made rapid progress. Although she is still a little timid and sensitive, she no longer screams and runs hysterically just because a stranger approaches.
Gu Zhiyan now looks like an ordinary little girl.
My daughter is really getting better!
Shen Wan felt warm in her heart and her smile deepened.
Shen Wan had said similar words of gratitude many times, but she still couldn't help but say that no amount of words could express her gratitude.
Shen Qianchen not only saved her daughter, but also saved her and Gu Jin.
"Qiniang," Gu Jin rode his horse to Gu Zhiyan's side, looked at his daughter with a smile, and said flatteringly, "ignore your cousin, can daddy catch you a live rabbit?"
Gu Zhiyan nodded vigorously: "Yes!"
She also gave Chu Yunmu a show off look, meaning, if you don't catch live rabbits for me, I still have a father!
Gu Jin puffed up his chest quite proudly, feeling that he was supporting his daughter.
When the topic of hunting came up, several men were eager to try it, especially Chu Yunyi. He took off the long bow on his back, strummed the bowstring casually, and said, "Mother, sister, Qiniang, you guys wait here for a while, and we will go hunt rabbits."
The three people who planned to go hunting were Chu Yunyi, Gu Jin and Shen Yunmu. Pei Linye stayed behind. The four men meant that there should always be a guard female family member left behind, just in case.
Soon, Chu Yunyi, Gu Jin and Shen Yunmu rode their horses to the depths of the mountain forest, while Shen Qianchen, Shen Zhi and other female family members rested in place.
The maids spread an oilcloth on the floor for the masters to sit on, then took out the food boxes they carried with them, and took out the tea and snacks one by one.
Shen Qianchen, Shen Zhi and Shen Wan were leisurely drinking tea, eating snacks, talking and laughing.
As for Gu Zhiyan and Pei Linye, they were quite busy.
Gu Zhiyan circled around, picking flowers everywhere. With the help of Pei Linye and the maid Qiaofeng, picking flowers became easy. Even those flower branches that grew high up, Pei Linye could easily climb the tree and pick them. Several bird eggs.
At first, Gu Zhiyan was afraid of Pei Linye and did not dare to get too close.
However, when Pei Linye took out a few light blue eggs for her, she mustered up the courage, walked towards Pei Linye cautiously, and picked up one of the eggs from his hand.
"This is the egg of a brown-headed crow." Pei Linye lowered his voice very softly, as if he was afraid of scaring Gu Zhiyan.
Gu Zhiyan was playing with the eggs and couldn't bear to let them go. She had only seen quail eggs, eggs and pigeon eggs before. This was the first time she saw light blue eggs.
Seeing the young and old talking together, Shen Wan still felt a little unbelievable joy. Gu Zhiyan has always been afraid of unfamiliar tall adult men. Now after Master Cao, she can get close to Pei Linye again.
Shen Wan said to Shen Zhi with emotion: "Sister, my cousin is quite good at coaxing children!"
There was something meaningful in her tone.
Shen Wan is a smart person. She can see and listen to some things without others saying them.
Shen Zhi smiled slightly and said "hmm" softly.
Gu Zhiyan was full of energy. After picking the flowers, he went to make several garlands. Shen Qianchen, Shen Zhi, Shen Wan and Pei Linye were each one. After an hour, Gu Jin held the living Bai Bai. The rabbit came back and got a wreath from his daughter.
Chu Yunyi, Gu Jin and Shen Yunmu returned home with a full load.
Gu Jin praised Chu Yunyi without hesitation: "Brother Yi is good at archery. He hit two pheasants with one arrow. He also found the rabbit nest. The three of us guarded several hole entrances and The rabbit was smoked out."
They caught four rabbits. Not only did Gu Zhiyan and Shen Yunmu get the rabbits, Chu Yunyi also gave rabbits to Shen Qianchen and Shen Zhi.
Shen Qianchen and Shen Zhi hugged the rabbit, and the mother and daughter burst into laughter again. Chu Yunyi's temperament is indeed like this. He will think about it silently, then do it silently, and then make a big splash.
Chu Yunyi: "..."
Chu Yunyi was confused by their laughter.
Shen Qianchen raised his hand and patted Chu Yunyi's shoulder, and said meaningfully: "Thanks to brother Yi, we are eating roasted pheasant today!"
There was a smile in her eyes, and she thought to herself: Chu Yunyi's temperament is really completely different from Chu Lingxiao and Jiang Minshan. He is very careful and considerate. Because he knew that Gu Zhiyan didn't like dead rabbits, he deliberately hunted the mountain rabbits. chicken.
Chu Yunyi felt a little embarrassed when Shen Qianchen saw it, so she simply avoided it and said, "There is a stream ahead. I'll go take care of the pheasants."
Shen Qianchen asked Jiang Yuan to help Chu Yunyi and started making preparations to light the fire. He was very busy.
The happiest people were Gu Zhiyan and Shen Yunmu. Everything they saw was fresh, everything they ate felt fresh, and they couldn't stop laughing.
On this day, they happily ate roasted pheasant in the mountains before embarking on their return journey.
When they arrived at the West Gate of the capital, it was already afternoon time.
After playing for a long time, Gu Zhiyan and Shen Yunmu were extremely tired after being extremely excited. They both fell asleep in the carriage of the two families.
Shen Qianchen and Shen Zhi were also a little tired, but Chu Yunyi was in high spirits. Going out to play was incomparable to his usual training. One was playing and the other was fighting.
As soon as they passed the city gate, a group of carriages and horses were stopped by a group of Forbidden Army soldiers wearing bronze helmets and iron armor.
One of the bearded middle-aged soldiers pointed at Chu Yunyi on the horse and ordered: "Come here, take down Chu Yunyi!"
Seeing the Forbidden Army sending out troops to capture people, some passers-by entering and leaving the city couldn't help but stop to see what was going on.
Chu Yunyi frowned and was about to ask why, but Shen Qianchen in the carriage beat him to it: "Why?!"
Shen Qianchen poked his head out of the carriage window. Pei Linye and Jiang Yuance immediately stepped forward and came to Chu Yunyi's side, one on the left and the other on the right, forming a protective posture.
Pei Linye recognized the other party and only gave him two words: "Du Huatang, how dare you!"
Du Huatang also recognized Pei Linye, and his eyebrows moved slightly, then returned to normal.
Others were afraid of him, Pei Linye, but he was not afraid. Who didn't know that Pei Linye was just an empty title in Jinyiwei, and was always being ignored by Lu Siji, the commander of Jinyiwei.
"Master Pei, the Chu family is suspected of treason," Du Huatang raised his voice, deliberately letting his voice reach the ears of the onlookers around him, "Chu Lingxiao has been captured, and we have been ordered to capture him. Don't meddle in other people's business. ”
Suspected of treason? Shen Qianchen almost laughed. Of course she didn't believe it. Chu Lingxiao didn't have such courage. He was just a bastard.
Shen Qianchen was too lazy to talk nonsense with these people and said concisely: "If you have anything to say, go to Prince Chen's Mansion and say it!"
"Chu Yunyi, let's go!"
Shen Qianchen made a gesture to Chu Yunyi, telling him not to waste time with these people.
Shen Qianchen, Chu Yunyi and his entourage were about to leave, but the carriage and horses had only advanced one foot when they were forcefully stopped by the group of forbidden troops.
If Du Huatang had only doubted Shen Qianchen's identity before, he has now confirmed his identity.
This young woman dressed as a young woman must be the legendary Princess Chen.
Du Huatang's eyes flashed, his face expressionless.
Normally, he would naturally want Prince Chen's Mansion to save some face, but today Kang Hongda issued an order that Chu Yunyi must be taken away.
Du Huatang did not back down and said righteously: "The Chu family is suspected of treason. Master Kang has ordered the sealing of the mansion. Now the only person missing from the Chu family is Chu Yunyi. The general must bring him back to the Chu family!"
"As for whether the Chu family is innocent, Master Kang will naturally investigate clearly and will not accuse the Chu family unjustly!"
Du Huatang's words were very reasonable. As he spoke, he looked sideways at Shen Qianchen's face from a high position on his horse.
"Prince Chen's palace refuses to let the general take Chu Yunyi back to the Chu family. Could it be that there is something wrong in his heart?"
"Could it be that Prince Chen's palace colluded with the Chu family to rebel!"
Every word he said was so heart-wrenching, he deliberately dragged Prince Chen's house into trouble, trying to force Princess Chen to avoid suspicion.
The passers-by who were watching also heard the keyword "Prince Chen's Mansion" and couldn't help but gasped.
Shen Qianchen: "..."
Shen Qianchen raised his right eyebrow indifferently. At this time, Chu Yunyi pursed his lips and said, "Sister, let me go with them."
"No." Shen Qianchen said flatly in a tone that brooked no objection.
Chu Yunyi pursed her thin lips tightly. He knew his sister's temperament, and he did not dare to question her words. Shen Qianchen raised his eyes again and looked at Du Huatang, who was still riding on horseback.
"It's not up to you to comment on the affairs of Prince Chen's Mansion!" Shen Qianchen said slowly, his voice neither gentle nor serious, "It's not up to you to object to the person I want to take away. No matter who it is, if he wants to take the opportunity to cause trouble, Prince Chen's Mansion will definitely Stay with me."
Her eyes were clearly looking at Du Huatang from bottom to top, but it made Du Huatang feel even more stressed, as if he was the one being looked down upon.
She just sat casually in the carriage, with only half of her face exposed from behind the lake-colored curtains. Her facial features were beautiful and moving, and her whole body exuded a compelling aura.
Du Huatang felt that the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end, and his heart was ringing with alarm. He felt as if he was being targeted by a powerful person.
He is already in his forties and has served in the court since the time of the late emperor. He also accompanied the late emperor on hunting trips. In the past few decades, he has met countless noble people, but only a handful of them. Feel this overwhelming pressure.
Pei Linye sneered and slightly pulled out the sword at his waist, revealing a silver blade that shone brightly in the sun.
They, Prince Chen, are not people who are afraid of trouble!
Today, Kang Hongda's people dare to attack Princess Chen here, so today he dares to send a signal flare to attract the guards of Prince Chen's Palace, the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division, and his men in the Jinyi Guards. He wants to see who can have the last laugh. !
The corner of Du Huatang's eye twitched once, and then again.
He dared to go on a rampage in the Chu family, and he dared to take down anyone in the Chu family. That was because the Chu family now had almost nothing. Concubine Chu, the second prince, mother and son also made it clear that they wanted to distance themselves from the Chu family. This person Chu Lingxiao It’s just a puddle of mud, and no one with any brain would want to get involved with it!
But what he is facing now is Princess Chen. Will King Chen allow outsiders to slap Prince Chen's face in public? !
The Forbidden Army soldiers who came to fetch people were all quietly observing Du Huatang's expression. Seeing his livid face, they knew better.
None of the Forbidden Army officers dared to stop them, so the convoy of Shen Qianchen and Chu Yunyi drove forward slowly through the crowd.
And those who were watching the excitement dispersed one after another when they saw that the excitement was over.
The speed of the carriage was getting faster and faster, leaving the West City Gate far behind.
Shen Yunmu, who was originally asleep in the carriage, had woken up after the commotion just now, and was now staring at Shen Qianchen with burning eyes.
After the carriage turned a corner, an excited cheer burst out from Shen Yunmu's mouth:
"Sister, you were too majestic just now!"
Chen Yunmu's eyes were literally shining, and his chest was filled with a pride that he didn't know how to describe in words.
The little guy pounced on Shen Qianchen's body like a puppy, rubbing and rubbing.
Shen Qianchen patted him on the back funny, his face had long lost its previous dignity, only a smile.
Chu Yunyi outside the carriage also heard Shen Yunmu's praise. First, he slightly raised the corners of his lips, and then tightened his lips as if he suddenly thought of something, looking calm.
After a group of carriages and horses passed two streets, they separated from the carriages of Shen Wan's family. Then, Shen Qianchen first sent Shen Zhi and Shen Yunmu back to Shen's house, and then ordered the coachman to return to Prince Chen's Mansion. .
The first thing she did after returning to the palace was to ask Jiang Yuan to find out what happened to the Chu family.
Jiang Yuan came back very quickly, and she brought over the palace chief Shi Cheng Linhua.
Today, Kang Hongda sent people to first surround the Chu family and then capture Chu Lingxiao. The movement was too big and was noticed by many people in the capital. Cheng Linhua immediately asked someone to investigate the matter.
"Princess!" Cheng Linhua bowed and saluted solemnly, "My subordinates sent people to investigate. Chu Lingxiao did indeed commit some crimes during his exile."
Cheng Linhua felt that their princess was really unlucky for eight lifetimes to have such a biological father.
"Bandits are rampant in Youzhou and the area north of Youzhou. There are at least a hundred mountain strongholds, large and small, and three of them are the most powerful. These bandits have been out in the northeastern border of Daqi all year round, causing harm to one side. Chu Lingxiao and one of them The bandits named Xiejiazhai are secretly colluding.”
"He once harbored a bandit from Xiejiazhai, who was also the third in charge of the village."
It has been more than a hundred years since the establishment of the Qi Dynasty, but these more than a hundred years have not been smooth sailing. It has been in a state of internal and external troubles and crises.
Not only are there Hao Kingdom in the south and Chidi in the north, but there are also many small countries coveting the country in the northwest. There are also other miscellaneous problems, such as Japanese pirates landing on the coast from time to time, and bandits running rampant in the northeast.
There are many mountains and forests in the Northeast, with little arable land. From time to time, there are snowstorms in winter. There are also disturbances from small barbarian tribes in the surrounding areas. A large number of bandits have spawned in the area, including Qi people and foreigners. Some prisoners who were sent to Youzhou simply took refuge. The bandits are very complex.
If Chu Lingxiao had really harbored the third leader of Xie Village, then he would have committed a crime of rebellion.
But things in this world are never as simple as black and white. After all, Chu Lingxiao did not really turn into a bandit. This matter can be let go gently or dealt with strictly.
Cheng Linhua then reported: "Princess, now the Chu family has been surrounded by Kang Hongda's people, and the door has been sealed. It seems that the house is about to be ransacked."
Shen Qianchen pursed his lips thoughtfully, his eyes flashing slightly.
The current development is obvious. The Forbidden Army clearly convicted Chu Lingxiao of treason directly. In just half a day, they arrested people, sealed the palace and ransacked the house. It was obvious that they were deliberately dealing with it severely.
This is Kang Hongda's order, and Kang Hongda's selfishness is clearly revealed.
Thinking about the scene at the west city gate, Shen Qianchen's first thought was: Could Kang Hongda be doing this for Chu Yunyi? !
Cheng Linhua silently glanced at Chu Yunyi who was sitting at the bottom. It was obvious that he also guessed the same.
Shen Qianchen lowered her eyes and remained silent. She felt that something was wrong.
After a moment, Shen Qianchen raised his eyes and looked at Cheng Linhua again, and ordered: "Assign a few people to guard Shen Yi's place to prevent someone from causing trouble there."
Cheng Linhua accepted the order without saying a word.
After Cheng Linhua left, Chu Yunyi asked hesitantly: "Sister, should I go back?"
Shen Qianchen glanced faintly at Chu Yunyi, his eyes were as light as clouds and mist, and when he looked again, they were faintly tinged with the brilliance of insight into people's hearts.
Shen Qianchen felt that Chu Yunyi had finally grown up a lot. In the past, he would not have been able to bear Cheng Linhua leaving, and would not have asked himself, but would have just quietly made a fool of himself.
Seeing that this brat was quite obedient this time, Shen Qianchen said patiently, "No need, it's just a trivial matter."
Chu Yunyi: "..."
Although Shen Qianchenyun said calmly that this was just a small matter, Chu Yunyi's mentality was still not so stable. Thinking back to the scenes at the West City Gate, he felt that the surrounding air had become depressing, and he could vaguely feel There was a sense of tension.
In the past few months, Chu Yunyi has grown a lot. Even with his knowledge, he still can't see through the current situation, but he has an inexplicable intuition in his heart: This matter is not just an interference with the Chu family, it should be Kang Hongda. It’s a game with Prince Chen’s Mansion.
Maybe without myself, there will be other reasons.
He understands, but when he is really in the middle of the situation, it is not so easy to get out of it.
In the evening, when the night was covered with stars, Gu Jue came back belatedly.
Shen Qianchen immediately mentioned this matter. In fact, someone had reported the matter to Gu Jue a long time ago. Gu Jue didn't say much and just said, "Let Brother Yi stay here temporarily."
Anyway, Chu Yunyi has lived in Prince Chen's Mansion for two months, so it doesn't matter if he continues to live there. Prince Chen's Mansion is not afraid of having an extra pair of chopsticks.
Seeing that Gu Jue didn't say anything else, Shen Qianchen tacitly agreed not to ask any more questions. She just listened to the prince anyway.
The candle was blown out, and the room fell into darkness, silence, and no one spoke.
The night is getting darker and rain begins to fall in the sky. The spring rain is silent and sneaks into the night with the wind.
That night, the rain was pouring, and the people in the capital were more restless than the continuous spring rain. The news that the Yongding Marquis Mansion was sealed and the houses were confiscated spread throughout the court in one day.
Although the Yongding Marquis Mansion has long been a marginal noble house, it is still the natal family of Concubine Chu and Princess Chen, and the maternal family of the second prince. This house raid still attracted the attention of many people in the capital.
Not only because of the Chu family, Concubine Chu and Princess Chen’s natal family, and the second prince’s maternal family, but also because of Princess Chen’s confrontation with Kang Hongda’s men in front of the West City Gate in the afternoon.
This matter involved Prince Chen and Kang Hongda, which made the courtiers pay close attention to it. Many people were secretly speculating whether Prince Chen's Palace and Kang Hongda were about to confront each other.
Some good people are waiting for Princess Chen to stand up for the Chu family.
Even Prince Gu Nanjin learned the news that night and immediately called for people to find out.
After the young chamberlain went out, Gu Nanjin, who was left alone in the study, frowned slightly and looked solemn.
He is the prince, and as the prince, he should have received the news as soon as possible, but this time it was so late...
Gu Nanjin looked out through the window, looking in the direction of the Yangxin Hall, his eyes seeming to penetrate the dark night.
The night outside was dark and drizzling, and he couldn't see the Nourishing Heart Hall at all from his place.
Gu Nanjin stood there blankly, unaware of the passage of time.
I don't know how long it took, but the little chamberlain came back, walked up behind Gu Nanjin, and called out: "His Royal Highness?"
Only then did Gu Nanjin come to his senses, turned around and sat down by the window.
The window was still open, letting the drizzle drift into the house with the night wind, and a few raindrops wetted the coffee table.
The waiter collected his thoughts and reported: "In the morning, Lord Kang sent the imperial army to capture people from the Yongding Hou Mansion and took Chu Lingxiao away. Now the Hou Mansion is sealed and no one is allowed to enter or leave."
"Commander General Du Huatang of the Forbidden Army went to the West City Gate to capture Chu Yunyi, the eldest son of the Chu family. However, Princess Chen refused to let them take Chu Yunyi away. Chu Yunyi now stays in the palace with Princess Chen."
"His Royal Highness, Prince Chen, just returned to the palace half an hour ago. There has been no movement at Prince Chen's palace for the time being."
As the little chamberlain informed, Gu Nanjin's face became increasingly ugly.
He didn't know these things until now.
Gu Nanjin took a deep breath, tightened his cheeks, and asked coldly: "Who gave Kang Hongda the power to use the forbidden army to arrest people?!"
Kang Hongda was the governor of the capital, and he was responsible for guarding the capital's Twelve Guards and the three camps of the Forbidden Army. This was the emperor's trust and importance in him, but it did not mean that he could mobilize the Forbidden Army at will.
This is the capital city, under the emperor's feet. Anyone who mobilizes the imperial army without authorization will inevitably be suspected of treason.
Kang Hongda is a smart man, and his current position is not entirely due to his life-saving grace for the emperor. He seems to be a romantic and unruly person, but in fact he is cautious.
Therefore, when Gu Nanjin asked this question, he probably had an answer in his mind.
really-
"Your Highness, Mr. Kang once entered the palace to meet the Holy Spirit." The young chamberlain replied respectfully.
In other words, it was the emperor's order to capture Chu Lingxiao.
The emperor had been ill for two and a half months, lingering on his bedside. Due to lack of energy, he could not even summon the elders of the Liubu Pavilion. Basically, Gu Nanjin brought the book to him every day or every other day to read it to him.
Under such circumstances, the emperor actually met with Kang Hongda, which shows that he valued him highly.
Gu Nanjin raised his hand and rubbed the center of his brow, thinking and murmuring to himself: "What exactly does Kang Hongda mean? Why did he suddenly attack the Chu family?"
Gu Nanjin actually didn't mean to ask the other party, he was just asking himself and thinking.
Unexpectedly, the young chamberlain said cautiously: "Your Highness, maybe it's because of the eldest son of the Chu family."
Gu Nanjin: "???"
These inner palace servants have seen all sorts of scandalous things in the palace, and they actually don’t think this is anything worth making a fuss about. However, the person he is facing now is the prince, so he has to choose his words carefully to avoid being dirty. A noble ear.
After a pause, the young chamberlain said: "Master Kang is so good at Long Yang, he seems to have taken a liking to the eldest son of the Chu family. Even Chu Lingxiao's return to the capital from Youzhou was Master Kang's work. It seems that the Chu family and Kang Hongda What agreement was made secretly?"
The little chamberlain told him roughly what he had heard about: "However, after Chu Lingxiao returned to Beijing, he never mentioned the promise he had made, and he also had a quarrel with his second brother Chu Lingyu over the matter of the title, and the family house was in disarray. Ning. Chu Lingxiao also sent Chu Yunyi to Prince Chen’s Mansion to avoid the limelight, hoping that Prince Chen’s Mansion would protect his eldest son.”
The little chamberlain really couldn't comment on Chu Lingxiao's actions. Chu Lingxiao dared to make fun of Kang Hongda. Wasn't he seeking death? !
"Now many people are saying that Kang Hongda is so angry that he is seeking revenge in public!"
To be honest, the young chamberlain also felt that it was very possible that Kang Hongda was someone who was bound to take revenge. Because of this, all the civil and military officials in the capital feared him like a tiger.
Gu Nanjin was noncommittal.
Just like Kang Hongda knew Gu Nanjin, Gu Nanjin could not know anything about Kang Hongda, the popular figure in front of the emperor. It should be said that he knew a lot, including Kang Hongda's habit of cutting off his sleeves.
Kang Hongda has always been a romantic and lustful person, he can be said to have walked among thousands of flowers without a leaf touching his body. He also opened the door of convenience for his little lover in the court, but he kept the standard and was slow and slow to the extent that the emperor could accept, so that The emperor felt that no one was perfect, so the emperor felt that Kang Hongda was true.
Kang Hongda was actually a very rational person with a clear distinction between public and private affairs. Gu Nanjin didn't believe that Kang Hongda would do such an impulsive and irrational thing, especially when the emperor was seriously ill.
Just imagine, if the emperor knew that he was seriously ill, and Kang Hongda still had the heart to play these jealousy tricks, what would the emperor think like this? !
Kang Hongda couldn't be that stupid.
Gu Nanjin said silently to himself: "I'm afraid he is using public revenge to cover up something."
His lips moved slightly, but his voice was so soft that even though the waiter pricked up his ears, he didn't hear what Gu Nanjin was saying.
The young chamberlain stood there with his head lowered and his hands lowered. The prince did not let him go, so he naturally did not dare to leave.
The room fell silent, except for the occasional sizzling sound from the lantern.
Gu Nanjin made a fist with his right hand and tapped it gently on the rain-splashed coffee table, once, twice, three times...
Now that the game between Kang Hongda and Gu Jue has begun, and the emperor is also involved, it means that this matter cannot end quietly.
Gu Nanjin knew that since he was the prince, he was destined to be unable to live alone.
In the past two months, his relationship with Gu Jue has been getting better and better. He is determined to use his sincerity to gradually untie Gu Jue's heart for the royal family. He hopes that after he ascends the throne, he can let Gu Jue return to the throne. Return to the court.
Therefore, he did not want to make Gu Jue feel resentful because of Kang Hongda's incident, and deepen the rift between Gu Jue and the royal family.
Gu Nanjin thought for a while and asked again: "Prince Chen went to Fengtai camp during the day and came back at night?"
The little chamberlain responded.
Gu Nanjin's right fist knocked on the coffee table a few more times. Since Princess Chen knew about the Chu family in the afternoon, it was impossible for Gu Jue to know nothing, but he did not come forward. So, did Gu Jue not protect the Chu family to avoid suspicion, or did he not care about the Chu family at all?
He thought for a while and couldn't be sure about this. One thing he was sure of was that he didn't want this matter to continue.
Gu Nanjin's right hand stopped and he ordered the young chamberlain: "According to Chuangu's oral instructions, withdraw the imperial troops guarding the Chu family."
The emperor was seriously ill and the prince was in charge of the country. Therefore, now the prince could also carry out the imperial edict as the crown prince. But at this time, another middle-aged servant came in and said: "Your Highness, Eunuch Ni is here to deliver the emperor's oral edict. Go to the Yangxin Hall.”
It was almost the second watch, and his father sent someone to announce himself at this time. Gu Nanjin had to wonder whether it might be related to Kang Hongda's incident: Could it be that his father wanted to warn him not to worry about it?
Gu Nanjin stood up thinking.
Facing the emperor's call, as a son of man and a minister, he had no room to refuse.
Gu Nanjin walked out of the house with a heavy heart, and saw Eunuch Ni waiting for him under the eaves with a smile. Outside the eaves, drizzle was falling, and Eunuch Ni's shoes and the corners of his robe were splashed by the rain.
Eunuch Ni politely stretched out his hand to show his kindness: "Your Highness, please come with me."
Gu Nanjin nodded slightly, and the waiter held up an oil-paper umbrella for him, while someone walked in front holding a lantern.
Several people walked down the stone steps that had been soaked by the rain and headed towards the Yangxin Hall.
The palace was extremely quiet at night. Because of the rain, there were not many palace people on the way there. It was like an empty city. Only the lights near or far added a bit of popularity to the place.
When it rained, I walked slowly. The journey from the East Palace to the Yangxin Hall took twice as long as usual.
Gu Nanjin followed Eunuch Ni to the emperor's palace in a familiar manner.
The bedroom was filled with a strong smell of medicine as usual.
Gu Nanjin frowned slightly, and suddenly felt that something was missing here... Yes, the Emperor's favorite Jiuhe Incense was missing.
"..." Gu Nanjin's heart skipped a beat.
The next moment, there was only a "squeak" sound, and the door behind was closed. The loud and clear closing sound seemed to hit Gu Nanjin's heart.
Eunuch Ni's polite voice followed: "Your Highness, the Emperor just wants to ask His Highness to calm down here for a few days."
The implication is that the emperor placed the prince under house arrest.
Gu Nanjin: "!!"
(End of chapter)