Prince Duan has been targeting him recently, no, it should be said that since he got engaged to Meng Qi, it seems that he has suddenly set his sights on him, which is not a good thing for him.
He didn't want to put himself under the eyes of those people too early, especially Prince Duan and Prince Cheng. With Prince Jing and the Crown Prince distracting their attention, it would give him more opportunities and time.
But he had no choice. In the past, he could try to reduce the number of times he was with or in contact with the prince to avoid suspicion, but now it was no longer possible. King Jing and King Cheng had begun to make frequent moves. The two of them originally had more advantages and even strength than the prince. The prince now needed to stand in the open, although this was not his original intention.
He walked to the window. The sky was overcast and snow was about to fall. Prince Duan had come to him, surely not because he was angry at Concubine Xiang for failing to obtain the granddaughter of Minister of War Lu on behalf of her nephew, because he was also a victim in this matter. If Concubine Xiang hadn't mentioned this to Concubine Xiang and the Emperor, why would Concubine Zhen have brought up Meng Qi?
The incident between his mother and Concubine Xiang was already a deadlock, and he was also too close to the Crown Prince. But everyone knew that he was raised under the care of the late Empress, and that his close relationship with the Crown Prince was so close that even the Emperor approved of their deep brotherly love. There was no need for Prince Duan to jump out at this time.
Song Chengze couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it. Now it seemed that Prince Duan was just talking in front of him. Although it was a bit embarrassing, hadn't he done enough embarrassing things himself?
When Zhang Decheng came in again to pour tea, he turned to Song Chengze, leaned over and whispered a few words.
"Are you sure?" Song Chengze raised his head.
"Yes, it is said that the Imperial Concubine's people have been going there frequently recently, but this is the first time that Prince Duan has gone there in person."
This is strange. When Prince Duan returned, he did not go to Chengtian Palace or to Concubine Xiang. Instead, he went to several palaces that had been abandoned for a long time, and even stayed in "Hanyuan" for a long time.
Those places had been uninhabited for years, at least for over a decade. The "Hanyuan" garden was especially overgrown with weeds and often infested with snakes and insects. Even more terrifying was the fact that several of the masters who had lived there had committed suicide by hanging. Even palace maids and eunuchs would avoid them on weekdays, and even in broad daylight, the air felt oppressively cold.
Unfortunately, my mother is too low-key in the palace, and I have no reason to go. It would be great if someone could go and find out what the situation is in those places.
"My Lord, do you need me to ask that person to take a look?"
Song Chengze shook his head. "No need. Since the second brother has gone there, it proves that he has set his sights on that place. If we go there now, we will attract his attention and it will be disadvantageous to us. Tell him to continue with his work and ensure his own safety is the most important thing."
――――――
At this moment, Song Chengze, sitting in the carriage, was thinking about this matter, but he had no clue no matter how hard he thought. The carriage slowly stopped, and Song Chengze's personal guard Dong Hai whispered, "Your Highness, it's time to change carriages."
Song Chengze nodded, and Zhang Chengde pushed open the car door and came in. He quickly helped Song Chengze change into a robe that ordinary children from wealthy families wear.
Song Chengze leaned out, Dong Hai stood with his back to him, looking around vigilantly. There was an ordinary carriage parked not far away. Changsheng saw Song Chengze push open the door, and hurriedly walked forward and stretched out his hand. Song Chengze waved his hand and jumped down.
The carriage with the emblem of Prince Rui's Palace behind it continued to move forward.
The ordinary carriage headed towards the south of the city. Chu Yong sat opposite Song Chengze and reported today's situation one by one.
"Meng Hai is leaving today?" Song Chengze asked.
"Yes, I followed him all the way to the west city gate and watched him ride onto the official road."
"Anything suspicious?"
“It seems that fewer people are leaving than coming.”
"Little? Not a lot?" Song Chengze raised his head and looked at Chu Yong.
"This is what I think. The people Meng Hai brought back have been living in the old house of the Huainan Marquis Mansion in the west of the city since they entered the capital. Only a small number of them followed Meng Hai to the Huainan Marquis Mansion. There are five people who often follow Meng Hai. I can roughly remember what they look like. Today, it seems that two of the people who often follow him are missing."
"Is Meng Hai busy with something else and needs them to cover his retreat, or is he making other plans? Those two have been following Meng Hai around every day lately?"
"Yes, it was the same when Meng Hai went to see King Cheng. And a few days ago, when Meng Hai met with Lord Boyan, it was also them."
The Bonanjue Mansion was the family home of Princess Jing, whose brother, Hongzhe, was engaged to Meng Hai's daughter, Meng Juan. It made sense for Meng Hai to meet with Bonanjue. After all, given the current situation, with Meng Juan and Meng Qi's wedding only three months apart, Meng Hai might not be able to return for his daughter's wedding.
It was understandable for Meng Hai to go see Prince Cheng. Last year, Meng Hai asked Huainan Marquis Meng Changfeng to send a young girl from his family to Prince Cheng. It was said that Prince Cheng liked her very much and immediately made her a concubine.
Thinking of Prince Cheng's hobby, Song Chengze showed a look of disdain.
"During this time, arrange for a few people to guard the west city gate. Tell them the general appearance of those two people. If they leave the city, it's fine. If they don't leave the city in a short time..." Song Chengze thought for a moment, "It would be best if we can find these two people."
"I've checked. They're not at the Huainan Marquis's Mansion, nor at their old house west of the city. You know about Prince Cheng's Mansion, so we didn't dare get too close. I've also checked at the Boyan Marquis's Mansion these past few days, but haven't found any trace of those two."
Song Chengze nodded. All the princely palaces, including the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, would always find out something if they tried. However, the Cheng Palace was the only place where a man, usually rude and unruly, surrounded the Cheng Palace like an iron barrel, making it difficult to get any useful information. Therefore, Song Chengze had never been able to plant anyone in the Cheng Palace. He didn't know if the Crown Prince was there. Even if he was so close to the Crown Prince, he wouldn't tell him such information.
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