Chapter 307 Suspicion Sets in, Pouch Stolen

"His Majesty clearly granted me permission to leave tomorrow, but today he suddenly sent Cai Chong to watch me leave the capital. Does Senior Brother know why?"

Han Feng called the coachman back, threw all the bags and packages onto the carriage, and then helped Chen Chu into the carriage before he began to think about Chen Chu's problem.

"Could it be that His Majesty found out about your meeting with the Sixth Prince at Qiutang Lake, and in a fit of anger decided to send you to Yangzhou immediately?"

Shen Chu nodded, gazing thoughtfully at the departing carriage.

"Although Qiutang Lake has beautiful scenery, it is located in a remote area. Most people in the city prefer to go to Fairy Lake nearby, and very few people go boating on Qiutang Lake."

"It was Brother Luo who took me to Qiutang Lake, and the boatman was also one of his men. If anyone knows that I met the Sixth Prince there, it must be Brother Luo."

Han Feng frowned. "You suspect that Luo Heng told His Majesty about these things?"

Shen Chu shook his head, his expression somewhat solemn.

"I can't really explain it, but I feel that there are some coincidences in the past. When the Sixth Prince was framed by the Feng family to steal the treasures of the previous dynasty, Luo Heng was also present."

If it weren't for his sudden stomach pain that delayed things, I probably would have run into the Sixth Prince before the Imperial Guards arrived, and then been arrested along with them.

I had never thought about it this way before, but today's events have made me think about it more.

Han Feng suddenly realized, "No wonder you told me to take the things out first when we met up. Did you anticipate that Luo Heng would catch up?"

Shen Chu shook his head.

"I'm just guessing. He had previously said he wanted to go south with me, but His Majesty suddenly sent Cai Chong to escort me away. It happened so suddenly that not many people in the palace knew about it."

Logically speaking, Luo Heng was merely a minor official in the Ministry of Revenue; he should have no way of knowing about this.

Han Feng clapped his hands. "That's right. If he didn't know, he shouldn't have left the capital at this time."

It seems that Luo Heng was indeed behind this. Ah Chu, what do you think he's trying to do?

Could it be that he's deliberately trying to compete with Pei Yuan because he likes you? Or should I chase after him, prick him with needles, and try to get information out of him?

Shen Chu couldn't guess Luo Heng's purpose either.

"Whatever his purpose is, I want to feel more comfortable and at ease going south to Yangzhou, and I don't want to travel with him."

Besides, even if you give him a few acupuncture needles, it won't solve anything.

The problem between her and Pei Yuan was not Luo Heng.

"Forget it, let's set off and take another route to avoid running into each other."

------

The Imperial Palace.

As night gradually fell, Pei Yuan still did not come out.

Jinbao was so anxious he was almost in tears.

"Isn't this Eunuch Jinbao? Waiting for the Prince here?"

A gentle voice sounded from behind.

Jinbao turned around and saw Chen Jiaying walking over with a big smile on her face, with a maid behind her carrying a food box.

"Greetings, Miss Chen. This servant is waiting here for my Highness."

Chen Jiaying nodded, her gaze sweeping over the box in Jinbao's hand before casually looking away.

"I am on the Empress Dowager's orders to go in and deliver hangover soup to His Majesty and the two princes. You seem to be in a hurry, is there something urgent waiting for the princes?"

If you have urgent business with the Prince, I can pass on a message for you.

Jinbao's eyes lit up, but then he remembered something, instinctively hugged the box in his hands tighter, and shook his head.

"It's alright, Your Highness. This servant will just wait here for a while. Your Highness should be out soon."

Chen Jiaying nodded, glanced at the box in Jinbao's hand again, and chuckled.

"This box you're holding is quite unique. I wonder what's inside? May I take a look?"

Jinbao tightened his grip on the box.

"Oh, it's nothing. I brought some things for Your Highness when I came. He can use them when he comes out later."

Chen Jiaying stretched out her hand, "Since it's for the prince, give it to me and I'll take it in for you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Chen. The box is heavy, so I will keep it. I can give it to His Highness when he comes out."

The smile on Chen Jiaying's face faded.

"Eunuch Jinbao doesn't trust me? What? Are you afraid I'll embezzle your prince's good things?"

Jinbao quickly shook his head.

Chen Jiaying's maid stepped forward, her face full of displeasure.

“Eunuch Jinbao, our young lady is being so polite to you because you are an old servant of His Highness Prince Rui.”

Who is our girl? She is the future Princess Consort of Prince Rui. The Princess Consort and the Prince will be husband and wife in the future. What's wrong with helping the Prince deliver some things?

"Golden-in-law Jinbao's constant evasions clearly show he doesn't respect our young lady."

Jinbao smiled and said, "This servant wouldn't dare."

The maid snorted and stepped forward to snatch the box from Jinbao's hand.

"If you're too afraid, then show it to our girl. Why are you hiding it like this? Is there something shameful inside the box?"

Jinbao didn't want to confront them directly, so he backed away while holding the box.

The maid pulled Jinbao's arm and rummaged through the box, calling for others to come and help.

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and bring the box over to my daughter so she can take a look."

Chen Jiaying had come with several eunuchs and maids from the Empress Dowager's palace. As soon as the maids made their arrangements, they immediately surrounded Jinbao.

Jinbao tried his best to protect the box, but ultimately, he couldn't fight against so many opponents, and the box fell to the ground during the struggle.

The purse inside spilled out, and a piece of paper floated out and slowly landed at Chen Jiaying's feet.

Upon seeing this, Jinbao roared and rushed over.

Chen Jiaying was one step ahead of him, picking up a purse and the piece of paper.

She stared at the words on the paper and slowly read aloud: "Instructions for making wisteria incense."

She picked up the purse again and smelled it, a deep jealousy flashing in her eyes.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he casually put away the purse and the paper that Shen Chu had written by hand.

"What do I know? It turns out to be the method of making purses and incense. I never expected that Your Highness would be such a refined person in private."

Chen Jiaying smiled and said, "Coincidentally, I was also researching incense a few days ago, and this recipe looks quite unique."

I'll take it back and study it first. Please trouble Eunuch Jinbao to inform the Prince that if the Prince needs it, he can send someone to find Jiaying at any time.

After speaking, Chen Jiaying gestured for her maid to pick up the box on the ground, and then leisurely left with the purse and the incense-making method.

"Miss Chen, you can't! This belongs to His Highness!" Jinbao chased after him.

Chen Jiaying's face darkened, her expression full of displeasure.

"My marriage to the prince is imminent, and my research into incense is also to better take care of the prince. Does Eunuch Jinbao not want me to take good care of the prince?"

Jinbao shook his head, "No..."

Chen Jiaying waved her hand, "Since it's not, I'll take it."

Having said that, he led his men away.

Jinbao tried to chase after her, but was held up by two eunuchs from the Empress Dowager's palace, and could only watch helplessly as Chen Jiaying left.

He was so angry that tears welled up in his eyes.

That was a purse left by Lord Shen to help the prince sleep peacefully.

"Jinbao, what are you doing here?"

Pei Yuan, slightly drunk, finally emerged from the palace.

Upon hearing this, Jinbao burst into tears.

"Your Highness, you've finally come out. Lord Shen... he's gone. The things he gave you have been stolen."

"Waaaaah... Your Highness, hurry and chase after them!"

Jinbao was so anxious that he didn't know whether to send his prince to chase after Chen Chu or to chase after Hebao.