Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Your servant, Xie Yingchen, returns to his country upon command! ...
Xie Yingchen unfolded the thin silk paper, which was covered with dense writing.
He glanced at it first, and suddenly a happy arc appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Qin Chen was puzzled: "Sir, what are you laughing at?"
These carrier pigeon letters are nothing more than some news from the capital, with one letter every three days. Huai Jingzhi wouldn't be so unreliable as to write some joke just because he sees that the young master is coming back.
Xie Yingchen didn't answer but asked, "Did your brother Qin Su marry the eldest aunt of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?"
Qin Chen nodded.
He was the illegitimate son of the Earl of Jing'an, and his eldest brother Qin Su married Gu, the daughter of the old Duke.
Oh right. So, it seems like he and Miss Gu are relatives?
"Jing Zhi sent a message saying that Qin Su will be on duty at the palace gate tomorrow."
Because of this? This isn't funny... Qin Chen was completely confused.
Xie Yingchen raised his hand and placed the silk paper on the candle flame, burning it into black ashes.
Not long after, the candles in the west courtyard went out.
Xie Yingchen slept extremely soundly and did not wake up until noon. He was covered in sweat, but did not cough once the whole night.
Even Qin Chen noticed that his complexion had obviously improved a lot.
"Sir, breakfast is here."
"It's steamed dumplings with wild vegetables, and it's still hot."
The young master had just woken up when breakfast was delivered, neither too early nor too late, as if the breakfast had been delivered precisely at the time he would wake up.
That little girl… No, no, that Miss Gu not only knows medicine, but she's also a fortune teller! Qin Chen felt that he should consult her about the "blood disaster." He was only twenty years old, so he couldn't die so young, right?
After having breakfast and drinking a bowl of medicine, Xie Yingchen was about to return to Beijing.
Qin Chen went out to prepare the horse first, and soon came in from outside and said, "Sir, Miss Gu is here."
Xie Yingchen was surprised for a moment and walked out.
Gu Zhizhuo was standing in front of a half-grown white horse, and no one knew what she was saying. She tilted her head slightly, revealing her beautiful and bright profile.
The white horse has a snow-white body and a vigorous look. Its mane is longer and thicker than that of an ordinary horse, and there is not a single stray hair on its body.
Perhaps she heard the noise, she turned around and looked over, smiling.
"Thank you, good morning."
The white horse rubbed the back of her hand affectionately with his wet nose, urging her to touch herself.
Gu Zhizhuo just stared at Xie Yingchen and casually took out a candy and stuffed it into Ma's pocket: "Are you leaving?"
After the white horse finished eating the candy, it patted her gently with its tail. A little dissatisfied with such perfunctory treatment, it walked around to her and insisted on standing between her and Xie Yingchen, raising its head high and proudly showing her its shiny and slippery mane.
Qin Chen thought about it carefully. If he remembered correctly, they bought this horse when they passed by Cangzhou.
A colt less than a year old.
It was originally a wild horse, and the horse dealer captured it after shooting the mare.
When they saw it, it was very skinny because it had not eaten or drunk anything.
The young master said that this was a good horse and it would be a pity to let it die, so he bought it.
"Miss Gu." Xie Yingchen stepped forward, touched the horse's head, and said gently, "Can you take us back to Beijing?"
The white horse snorted at him. Gu Zhizhuo paused stroking the horse's mane and smiled sheepishly, "You also know about the Qianqiu Festival?"
Xie Yingchen nodded.
Last night's pigeon letter spent nearly half of its space on what happened at the Qianqiu Festival.
Thinking of what was written in the letter, a smile appeared on his face.
As expected! Gu Zhizhuo knew in his heart that Xie Yingchen did not need him to send him back to Beijing.
But she needs it!
Although the Zhenguogong Mansion is now in decline, it still controls 200,000 elite troops in the northern border, just like a child carrying gold and a jade while walking at night.
There are many people who are envious.
The experience of his previous life taught Gu Zhizhuo that as long as the Gu family became weak, jackals, tigers and leopards would swarm over and devour the Gu family until not even a bone was left.
The lack of successors in the Zhenguo Mansion is obvious to everyone, but no one knows how deep the foundation of the Zhenguo Mansion is. Even the emperor suspects that the Gu family has a trump card hidden in the northern border.
The young master was telling her that she could play a bit of bluffing.
Gu Zhizhuo said frankly: "Okay."
She understood his intentions and was willing to believe in him. This tacit understanding and trust made Xie Yingchen feel very good.
He looked at the white horse that was begging for candy around Gu Zhizhuo, with a gentle smile in his eyes: "It likes you very much, so let it follow you, girl."
Hmm! Gu Zhizhuo's eyes sparkled as he asked expectantly, "Sir, what's its name?"
“It hasn’t been named yet.”
"Then, how about calling it Jade Lion?"
"Jade Lion?" Xie Yingchen repeated it silently, "Okay."
A jade lion. It was also given to her by the young master in her previous life. He named it "Jade Lion". She recognized it at first sight!
That's great. The young master gave it to her again, just like before.
Gu Zhizhuo hugged the horse's neck and laughed foolishly. Xie Yingchen didn't know what she was happy about. He just looked at her, and his mood inexplicably became as bright as hers, with a smile on the corners of his lips and eyebrows.
Qin Chen came over quickly and said, "Sir, everything is ready."
There were only twelve people in Xie Yingchen's group, and they all went into the farm to rest last night.
They all rode horses, except Xie Yingchen, who took a carriage.
He was in too poor a health to endure the long journey on horseback.
"Let's go!"
After a night of rain, the golden morning sun covered the earth, bringing the warmth of spring.
After leaving the manor, Gu Zhizhuo put on her veil again. The white horse followed the carriage with light legs and jumped. From time to time, it turned back to act coquettishly towards Gu Zhizhuo and asked for a touch.
By the time we arrived in the capital, it was already past noon. The city gates were wide open, and people were coming and going, making it very lively.
They entered the city inconspicuously. Xie Yingchen lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked outside.
Six years.
He was only fourteen years old when he left the capital.
He was born and raised in the Eastern Palace. His mother was the Crown Princess, and he was the eldest grandson of the late emperor.
He was named the crown prince at the age of six, and was taught politics, self-cultivation, and governing the country since childhood.
When he was young, the late emperor would hold him in his arms, receive court officials, handle government affairs, and review memorials.
In just one night, everything changed.
On the day of leaving Beijing, Daqi was in the national mourning period. The whole city was filled with dead white banners and mournful weeping.
Six years have passed since we last met.
Today, the capital city is full of spring. The streets of the capital are bustling with people from all over the shops and restaurants.
In Xie Yingchen's eyes, all this seemed both familiar and unfamiliar.
As they passed Tianxian Hutong, a light drizzle began to fall. A horse emerged silently from the alley and joined them. The young man on the horse rode alongside Qin Chen and whispered a few words. Qin Chen raised his hand, and the group slowed down, continuing to walk slowly forward.
When approaching the Meridian Gate, the sound of whips was heard from the direction of the Golden Palace, which meant that the court was about to end.
One, two, three times.
After three whip strokes, the carriage just entered the Meridian Gate and slowly stopped near the palace gate.
Not just anyone can hang around here. As soon as the carriage stops, the Jinwu Guards will come over to check and expel you.
A man in armor raised his hand, signaling the Jinwu Guards not to go over.
He is almost thirty years old, handsome and with a calm look that comes from years of experience.
It was not a stranger, but Qin Su, the eldest brother-in-law of the Gu family.
Gu Zhizhuo reined in his horse and bowed to Qin Su from a distance. Seeing Qin Chen also bowing in the same direction, he asked quietly, "Do you recognize me?"
Qin Chen pointed at himself: "Well, my last name is Qin."
I know! The young master introduced it yesterday.
She thought about it and asked in surprise, "Are you from the Jing'an Marquis's Mansion?"
Qin Chen whispered to her, "Bastard."
I understand.
No wonder Qin Su looked hesitant.
"He guessed that the young master was in the carriage, didn't he?"
"I think it is..." Before she could finish her words, Qin Chen nudged her with his elbow and pursed his lips, "Look there."
Gu Zhizhuo turned his head and met Xie Jing with a gloomy face.
Xie Jing, wearing a veiled hat, stood beside an ordinary carriage, one foot already on it. Now he was no longer surrounded by his usual crowd, only Xiao Yunzi followed him, carefully supporting him.
Xie Jing's eyes were heavy. He knelt in front of Shuntian Gate until dawn. Even when there was a heavy rain and thunder, his father did not call him up. The court officials came and went, and their slightly inquiring looks made him so embarrassed that he could not raise his head.
The cold rain washed over him again and again. Thinking back on everything that had happened, what was still unclear?
It was true that he asked Doctor Liu to poison Gu Zhizhuo, but it only destroyed her face, not her life. Why should she be dissatisfied?
However, Gu Zhizhuo had clearly discovered it long ago, but he still persisted in plotting against him. His intentions were so cruel and vicious.
Xie Jing gritted his teeth, his eyes spitting fire with hatred.
Ministers came out of the Golden Palace one after another.
Gu Zhizhuo sat on horseback, completely ignoring his cannibalistic gaze and not giving him the slightest bit of face. He laughed loudly and said, "Your Highness, are you going to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to reflect on your sins?"
"Don't make any more mistakes, or you might not be able to come back."
You! Xie Jing's whole body trembled, and veins popped out on the back of his clenched fists. He wished he could rush over and strangle her to death.
"Cousin Jing."
The voice was neither hurried nor slow, and as clear as jade. Xie Jing shuddered, and the blood suddenly drained from his face.
This name is very familiar.
However, no one has called him that for many years.
Ever since my father ascended the throne, everyone has respectfully addressed him as "Your Highness".
And there was only one person who ever called him that!
Xie Jing paused.
He looked in the direction of the sound in disbelief.
The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Xie Yingchen, wearing a dark blue cloak, stepped on a footstool and got out of the carriage.
He is tall and slender, with gentle eyes and a smile on his lips. This innate charm can easily grab all the attention around him and make people follow him willingly.
He spoke, his voice as clear as jade: "How are you, cousin Jing."
It's him!
Xie Jing couldn't hide his surprise. It was really him who came back!
Thank you Yingchen!
He was dumbfounded, as if he had swallowed an egg, and could not utter a sound.
He watched Xie Yingchen walk slowly towards the palace gate, and saw the shallow ripples on the ground where he stepped, just like the turmoil in his heart.
Xie Yingchen stood in front of the palace gate with his posture straight.
"Xie Yingchen has returned to China by imperial decree," he said aloud, "and requests an audience with the Emperor."
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