Zhou Gu did not expect to find Su Rong and Ye Guixue in the wilderness gathering mushrooms.
He held back from letting his gaze linger on Su Rong, merely gave her a brief glance. He raised his hand in greeting to Ye Guixue, "Second Young Master Ye, what a surprise to meet you here."
Ye Guixue smiled and explained, "Xiao Qi and I went to the Buddha Temple to pray. When we heard there are rare mountain treasures behind the temple at this time, we decided to go gather them." He looked back at the mountain forest, "Perhaps we unwittingly strayed too far and ended up here."
Zhou Gu nodded, noting how effortlessly Ye Guixue used Xiao Qi as a nickname for Su Rong. He introduced his companion, "This is the commander of the Imperial Guard, He Zheng. We are investigating a case."
He Zheng quickly bowed, "It is an honor to meet you, Second Young Master Ye."
He then turned to Su Rong and saluted, "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Su Qi."
He was shocked. He knew that the emperor had tried several times to have an audience with Second Young Master Ye, who had consistently avoided the palace. Yet here he was, mushroom-picking in the mountains with Lady Su Qi? What was their relationship? And the idea of them being alone... Oh well, there was another one there.
He looked at Feng Ling, who was less noticeable as she stood behind them without a large basket or any mushrooms.
Feng Ling saluted, "Feng Ling at your service."
He Zheng realized that he was looking at someone familiar. Though he had not met her in person, he knew of her. She was said to be Xie Yuan’s disciple and Lady Su Qi’s younger brother. His fame had spread when he had visited the Crown Prince’s residence and learned how to cook Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and accompanied Lady Su Qi there. He greeted her again hurriedly, "Master Feng, it’s a pleasure to meet you."
After the introductions, Ye Guixue explained the reason for their presence, Su Rong then asked, "May we leave now?" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
He Zheng wanted to say they could, but he looked at Zhou Gu for tacit approval first.
Zhou Gu nodded, "You may go."
Without any further obstruction, Su Rong again picked up her basket and said to Ye Guixue, "Let’s go!"
Ye Guixue nodded. With his acknowledgment, he also naturally picked up a basket. Feng Ling had a large bundle on her back. The three of them left, disappearing into the distance.
With the trio’s departure, Ziye moved closer to Zhou Gu and whispered, "Young Master, many hidden guards left with Lady Su Qi and Second Young Master Ye."
Zhou Gu nodded. He knew that Su Rong was accompanied by hidden guards, something he hadn’t noticed during their time in Jiangning County. But ever since Su Rong had climbed over the wall of the Eastern Palace, he had sensed the guards. They remained for as long as they had stayed at the inn. When she had left earlier, the guards had followed her.
That night he had come to a clear realization of her identity as the Princess of Nanchu.
He Zheng suddenly remembered that Lady Su Qi had been Zhou Gu’s fiancée and her cancellation of their engagement had caused a great commotion in the city. So many people were shocked that Su Rong had refused Zhou Gu’s proposal. Given the circumstances today, he couldn’t help wondering if Lady Su Qi had been involved with Young Master Ye from the beginning?
Zhou Gu suddenly turned to He Zheng, "The cancellation of our engagement had nothing to do with anyone else."
He Zheng was startled and quickly responded, "I didn’t mean to insinuate anything."
Zhou Gu thought to himself that He Zheng knew very well if he had been imagining things, but continued calmly, "That’s good. The reason she called off the engagement is that we aren’t compatible. Now that the engagement is off, it’s natural that she can be with whoever she pleases."
Taking Zhou Gu’s words to heart, He Zheng immediately bowed respectfully and replied, "You are absolutely right, Fourth Master."
Having retained his position as commander thanks to Zhou Gu’s intervention, he was in debt to Zhou Gu. He decided to take Zhou Gu’s words to heart and not harbor needless suspicions.
"Let’s continue with the investigation. Search this entire mountain for traces of the fight and see what clues we can find," Zhou Gu refocused.
He Zheng immediately nodded, waved his hand, and the team dispersed.
Su Rong and Ye Guixue each carried a basket back to the Buddha Temple. As they entered the courtyard, they heard a cacophony of crowing. Startled, Su Rong turned to Feng Ling, "Did you catch all those wild chickens from the mountain?"
Feng Ling shook her head, "Not all, some were left. It wouldn’t be fair to take them all."
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