Chapter 62: Breaking the Cocoon 5 “Zhu Song, I want to hug you, can I?…
Zhu Song walked in quickly, closed the door, and then asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, why are you here?"
Wen Fengxuan's gaze fell on his hanging arm. He stood up and handed him the white jade bottle in his hand. "Here you go."
Zhu Song looked at the white jade bottle in his hand, and Wen Fengxuan explained, "Blood-replenishing pills."
"Thank you." Zhu Song took it. The cold porcelain bottle had actually become warm, probably because he had been holding it in his hand for a long time.
Their eyes met in silence for a moment before Zhu Song spoke first, "It's getting late, Your Highness, please go back and rest."
Wen Fengxuan didn't respond. He just looked at Zhu Song and pursed his lips, looking like he wanted to say something. Zhu Song frowned slightly and asked, "Your Highness, is there anything else?"
Wen Fengxuan asked, "Can I stay a little longer?"
His voice wasn't loud, but the room was quiet, so Zhu Song heard it clearly. His brows furrowed even more, feeling that something was amiss with Wen Fengxuan. So he asked, "What happened?"
Wen Fengxuan shook his head slightly, his lips pressed into a straight line. Zhu Song looked anxious, "What's going on?"
Wen Fengxuan spoke up, "Before at Furong Pavilion, you said you could agree to one condition."
Meeting Wen Fengxuan's serious gaze, Zhu Song felt a bad premonition. He hesitated for a moment before responding, "Yes, I wonder what Your Highness wants me to do?"
Wen Fengxuan stepped forward and said, "You could have said anything at that time."
The two were originally three steps apart, but now they were only two steps apart. They were very close. Zhu Song could hear Wen Fengxuan's breathing and the peach scent on his body.
Zhu Song responded, "Yes."
Wen Fengxuan took a step forward, and the distance between them was infinitely shortened. Zhu Song frowned and looked at Wen Fengxuan. The bright moonlight was reflected in his eyes, which were clear and deep, making it difficult to understand.
Their breaths collided, and the atmosphere was strangely silent. Zhu Song waited a long time for Wen Fengxuan to speak, and the bad premonition in his heart became stronger and stronger, so he asked again: "Your Highness, what do you want me to do?"
Wen Fengxuan took a step forward, and as Zhu Song frowned, the tips of their shoes touched each other's, their bodies almost sticking together. Zhu Song wanted to retreat but he didn't, just stared at Wen Fengxuan.
"Zhu Song, I want to hug you, can I?"
Wen Fengxuan's moist lips opened and closed, the sound was very soft but it sounded like thunder in Zhu Song's ears, wrinkling his facial features.
"Forget it, I won't force you." Perhaps without waiting for Zhu Song's reply, Wen Fengxuan turned around and was about to leave. The moment he turned around, Zhu Song reached out and grabbed him, then hugged him.
Zhu Song felt that Wen Fengxuan was a little stiff at first, but he relaxed in just a moment. His hands hugged his back and his head rested on his shoulder.
"sorry."
Listening to Wen Fengxuan's guilty words, Zhu Song sighed inwardly, reached out and patted the back of his head, comforting him: "It's all over."
"What about me?"
Zhu Song didn't understand what he meant for a moment, "What?"
"Did I go over there too?" Wen Fengxuan tilted his head when he said this, and his slightly cool nose touched Zhu Song's neck, which made him feel itchy.
Zhu Song paused as he was patting the back of his head. His hand slid down along his hair and stopped at his slender, warm neck. He held it tightly and asked, "What do you think?"
Wen Fengxuan's chuckle came to his ears, and at the same time, Zhu Song felt Wen Fengxuan's hand slide down, then hugged his waist tightly, and rubbed his neck affectionately.
Damn it! Zhu Song swallowed unconsciously. If he continued, it would be fatal. So he quickly stopped the fire and said, "Your Highness, I'm pressing on my arm."
Hearing this, Wen Fengxuan quickly let go of him, put some distance between them, and looked at his arm worriedly, "Does the wound hurt?"
Zhu Song replied honestly, "A little bit."
Wen Fengxuan lowered his eyes, looking somewhat remorseful. Zhu Song comforted him, "It hurts anyway. It hurts when you're injured."
Wen Fengxuan looked up at him, and Zhu Song also looked at him.
This time, Wen Fengxuan spoke first, "I'm going back."
Zhu Song nodded.
Wen Fengxuan frowned slightly, paused for a moment and said, "You don't have to see me off."
Zhu Song nodded again.
Wen Fengxuan frowned even more tightly, "You have a good rest, I'm leaving." After saying that, he turned and left.
Zhu Song stood at the door and watched Wen Fengxuan walk away, then he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
I hope no one sees it.
A sleepless night.
The next day, Zhu Song got up early, but couldn't draw his bow, so he took his sword and went into the hunting ground.
On the last day, there were fewer and fewer animals in the forest. Two hours passed before Zhu Song finally hunted two rabbits. He threw the rabbits at his feet, leaned against a tree, closed his eyes and listened to the movements in the forest.
The sound of horse hooves gradually approached. "Brother Song, you're still hunting even though you're injured?"
A surprised voice rang out. Zhu Song opened his eyes and saw the beautiful faces of Xing and Mu Liuguang. He replied in a relaxed tone, "If you want the prize, you have to work hard."
□□Xing was completely confused. "It's just a South Sea Shark Pearl. Is it worth risking your life like this?"
Zhu Song smiled and replied, "A friend likes it."
Mu Liuguang teased him, "Hey, something's wrong, Brother Song."
□□Xing was also curious, "Which friend? Do we know each other?"
Mu Liuguang said, "Which of the noble ladies in the capital city don't we know?"
"That's right."
"Isn't it Miss Zhang?"
"Ah? No way, Miss Zhang is not..."
The conversation was getting more and more off-topic, so Zhu Song quickly interrupted their speculation, "Don't talk nonsense, we're just ordinary friends, I'm leaving."
□□ Xing and Mu Liuguang followed, "Brother Song, you don't have to do anything. We'll give you all the prey we hunted today. You'll definitely get first place."
Zhu Song pointed at them and said, "Look down on me."
□□ Xing said: "Brother, don't say such things at this time. If it really comes true in the future, just invite me to sit at the main table."
Mu Liuguang also quickly said: "Then I will also be the main table."
Zhu Song was helpless and emphasized again, "I've already said it, we're just ordinary friends."
"Who cares about friends? I want to sit at the main table."
"Me too."
Zhu Song felt even more helpless as these two people were still talking to themselves as usual.
"Oh, I remember now. Gu Er just said he has something urgent for you guys. Why don't you go over and take a look?"
"Really, Brother Gu, do you have something to talk to me about?" □□Xing's eyes lit up when he heard Gu Huaiyu's name, and he ran in the direction of Zhu Song's finger.
Zhu Song urged Mu Liuguang, "You should go quickly too."
"oh."
Mu Liuguang followed reluctantly.
Zhu Song breathed a sigh of relief as he looked at the two men's backs. He had finally gotten rid of them and quickly walked in the opposite direction. However, before he had taken a few steps, the guards hurriedly called out to him, "Master Zhu."
Zhu Song looked over and recognized them as the virtuous king's personal soldiers. "What's wrong?"
The guard replied, "The prince has been assassinated. Please come over."
Zhu Song frowned, but without delay, he said, "Let's go."
The assassination of the virtuous king was a serious matter, and even the autumn hunt was stopped. Everyone who received the news rushed over. Zhu Song was considered to be late. When he arrived, the virtuous king had already been helped into the house. The princes and ministers were waiting in the courtyard with anxious faces.
Lu Tianya, the virtuous prince's attendant, was waiting at the door. When he saw Zhu Song coming, he went to greet him, "Master Zhu, the prince is waiting for you inside."
Zhu Song hurriedly asked, "How is the prince?"
Lu Tianya's face looked unhappy and he shook his head slightly after hearing Zhu Song's words.
Zhu Song understood Lu Tianya's hint and frowned. Is the wise king so seriously injured?
Entering the house, the virtuous prince was lying on a small couch with a pale face. The imperial physician was bandaging him, and the Jiang family members were standing by with a solemn look on their faces.
Zhu Song glanced at him and bowed, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
The virtuous king nodded to him and said, "Master Zhu, please sit down."
Zhu Song looked worried, "What on earth is going on?"
Jiang Shen clenched his fists in anger. "It was the Crown Prince who murdered his brothers. He usually keeps a low profile, but I never thought he would go to such lengths to secure the throne. Lord Zhu, you must uncover the truth and make the Crown Prince suffer."
Zhu Song asked in doubt, "Was the Crown Prince also there when the Prince was assassinated?"
The wise king replied, "Not here."
Zhu Song saw the virtuous prince's expression and understood his intentions. Regardless of whether this matter was related to the crown prince or not, he was bound to seize the opportunity to attack. Or had the virtuous prince already set a trap? Would Wen Fengxuan really arrange an assassination?
Zhu Song had many questions in his mind, but he didn't show it on his face. He just asked, "Your Highness, please recall the whole incident in detail."
The virtuous king said, “Lord Zhu was injured in the forest yesterday, so today I am just wandering around the edge of the forest. I have made up my mind not to enter the forest, so I did not bring any guards with me and I rode alone to look for rabbits.
Suddenly, I heard a woman's cry for help, and then I saw a little girl in pink running through the woods. Fearing she might be in trouble, I quickly gave chase. But the little girl ran very fast, and I chased her into a winding forest. She disappeared, and I realized something was amiss. I was about to back out, but suddenly, a dozen men in black emerged from the trees.
I was surrounded by them, and their attack was fierce. I fought back desperately, but luckily Jiang Shen and his men arrived in time, and I was able to save my life."
Zhu Song asked, "Did Lord Jiang also fight with the man in black?"
The wise king replied, "No, those men in black heard someone coming and left in a hurry. That's how I escaped."
Zhu Song then asked, "Are there any characteristics of those men in black?"
Hearing Zhu Song's words, the virtuous king suddenly realized something and quickly said, "When we were fighting, I pulled open the collar of the man in black and saw a red mole on the left side of his neck."
"It's probably at this location." The wise king pointed to his neck. Zhu Song knew it was bad at a glance, because Xie Ningyuan had a red mole at that location.
At the same time, Zhu Song could probably be sure that this was a setup targeting Wen Fengxuan.
The reason is very simple. Xie Ningyuan's kung fu is too good, and the Xian King is just a show-off. If Xie Ningyuan really gets close to the Xian King and fights him, he will definitely not let the Xian King escape.
When Zhu Song came in, he also saw the Xian King's wound. Although it was on the chest, it was far away from the heart, and there was not much bleeding, so it was obvious that the injury was not serious.
"I will conduct a thorough investigation and give His Majesty an explanation as soon as possible."
Jiang Shen stood up and said, "I'll check with you."
Before Zhu Song could think of a way to refuse, he heard the virtuous king say, "Let's investigate together. Today is the last day of the autumn hunt, and we'll be returning to the capital tomorrow. Even if we can't find any results, we have to find the clues."
Zhu Song bowed, "I understand."
"Let's go."
The two of them went out together, and as soon as they reached the door, they saw Wen Fengxuan walking towards them. Zhu Song knew something was wrong at a glance, because Xie Ningyuan, who usually stayed with Wen Fengxuan, was not there.
As soon as Jiang Shen saw Wen Fengxuan, he said sarcastically, "Oh, the prince is here to check the results."
Wen Fengxuan replied calmly, "I heard that my eldest brother was injured, so I came to visit him. I wonder what Lord Jiang meant by this."
Jiang Shen snorted coldly, "What do I mean? Your Highness knows it well. People leave their voices behind, and swallows leave their traces behind. Your Highness, don't treat me like a fool."
While Jiang Shen was engaged in a verbal battle with Wen Fengxuan, Zhu Song winked at Gu Huaiyu in the crowd. Gu Huaiyu, who was standing with Meng Xiaohe at the moment, noticed his gaze and walked over.
Zhu Song pulled him aside and whispered in his ear, "The virtuous prince wants to frame the crown prince. Think of a way."
Gu Huaiyu looked at him in disbelief and whispered, "Are you crazy?"
Zhu Song frowned and stared at Gu Huaiyu without saying a word, but the urgency in his eyes was extremely obvious.
Gu Huaiyu whispered, "The virtuous prince has always been timid. He dared to do this most likely because of the emperor's intention. You need to be clear-headed."
After hearing his words, a light bulb went off in Zhu Song's head. The Crown Prince was innocent and it was impossible to depose him. Emperor Liang was preparing to depose him.
Zhu Song wanted to say something, but Jiang Shen had already finished talking to Wen Fengxuan. He looked at Zhu Song and said, "Master Zhu, let's begin."
Zhu Song nudged Gu Huaiyu and said, "Think of a way."
Gu Huaiyu clenched his teeth. Could he have come up with this just by thinking about it?
Zhu Song walked over to Jiang Shen and said to everyone in the courtyard, "My Lords, the virtuous king has been assassinated. This case has been handed over to me and Lord Jiang for joint investigation.
Huangshan is heavily guarded. The assassin must still be within the mountain, most likely hiding among the guards of the various families. Please summon all the servants and guards of each family and check them one by one to find the assassin."
"Master Zhu's intention is the prince's intention. Everyone, please hurry up." Jiang Shen echoed the blessing and turned to look at Wen Fengxuan with a bad tone, "I remember that the prince has a close attendant with great martial arts skills. Why is he gone? Did he do something wrong and hide himself away and dare not show up?"
Wen Fengxuan said, "He's gone to get something. When he comes back, Lord Jiang will check it."
Zhu Song became anxious after hearing this, but he couldn't think of a way to break the impasse for a while. He was so anxious that sweat broke out on his forehead. Just at this moment, Xie Ningyuan arrived.
Jiang Shen smiled as soon as he saw Xie Ningyuan. Zhu Song frowned and looked at Gu Huaiyu for help. Gu Huaiyu was also in a state of panic and it was obvious that he had no good ideas.
Jiang Shen said, "Prince, your guards are here."
Wen Fengxuan answered frankly: "Yes."
Jiang Shen strode forward and stopped Xie Ningyuan. "Guard Xie, the prince has been assassinated. All guards at Huangshan must be examined."
Xie Ningyuan looked at Wen Fengxuan and said, "How does Lord Jiang want to test it?"
"It's very simple," Jiang Shen said as he stretched out his hand to pull open Xie Ningyuan's collar, revealing the red mole on his left neck. Seeing this, Jiang Shen said loudly: "Everyone, the assassin who assassinated the prince has been found. It's him."
Jiang Shen spoke arrogantly and pointed at Xie Ningyuan.
Zhu Song frowned, and Gu Huaiyu covered his forehead and couldn't bear to look at him any closer.
Wen Fengxuan asked calmly, "Master Jiang, do you have any evidence for what you said?"
Jiang Shen said: "Of course, Your Majesty..."
"That's impossible!" Meng Xiaohe suddenly said, "He's been with me in the mountains looking for Ganoderma today. It's impossible for him to split himself up and go assassinate the prince."
Jiang Shen frowned, "Madam Zhu, please don't speak carelessly."
Zhu Song winked at Meng Xiaohe frantically, but said, "Yes, mother, don't say anything careless."
Meng Xiaohe could understand Zhu Song's expression and insisted, "Really? I wouldn't say that casually."
Jiang Shen pointed at Xie Ningyuan and said, "He's the Crown Prince's attendant. Why is he digging for Ganoderma lucidum with you?"
Hearing this, Meng Xiaohe was very surprised. "Oh, you are the prince's attendant? Oh, I am so blind. Ah Song said it was dangerous in the mountains and didn't let me go to find Lingzhi, but I was really worried about his injury. He has been injured too many times this year. I kept it a secret from them and left without any entourage. But I was still a little afraid of wild beasts in the mountains, so I just called a good-looking guard to go up the mountain with me. I didn't expect it to be the prince's man. Why didn't you tell me?"
Xie Ningyuan replied cooperatively: "I thought Madam knew my identity."
Meng Xiaohe smiled bitterly, "Oh, this is also my fault. The Zhu Mansion and the Eastern Palace have no intersection, so I really don't know your identity."
Wen Fengxuan interjected at the right moment, “It is his honor to be able to help Madam.”
Xie Ningyuan bowed and said, "It is my honor to be able to help Madam."
Jiang Shen was almost furious. "Who can prove that you've been together all this time? Who are you trying to fool, a man and a woman, in the woods?"
Gu Huaiyu interrupted, "Master Jiang, I saw that Madam Zhu was indeed searching for Ganoderma lucidum on the mountain with this guard."
Jiang Shen pointed at Gu Huaiyu, "You..."
□□Xing rolled her eyes and said, "Not only did I see it, I was busy looking for it for a while."
Mu Liuguang frowned slightly when he heard his words, but also agreed: "I saw it too."
With so many people testifying, Xie Ningyuan was finally cleared of the blame, and Zhu Song secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
This matter had caused such a big stir that it certainly couldn't be resolved so hastily, so Zhu Song and Jiang Shen checked the necks of all the servants and guards one by one, looking for anyone with a red mole on the left neck.
There were so many people that the two of them stayed up late into the night, doing nothing meaningful. It was almost midnight, and Zhu Song really didn't want to act anymore, so he slipped away under the pretext of changing his medicine.
Zhu Song trotted back to the room. As soon as he opened the door, he felt something was wrong. There was someone in the room. He subconsciously thought it was Wen Fengxuan, so he walked in without saying a word.
When he walked into the inner room, the lights suddenly came on. Zhu Song squinted his eyes and saw that there were many people sitting in the room.
Zhu Jingchen, Zhu Jingshen, Meng Xiaohe, Zhu Lingye, Zhu Lingwang, Gu Huaiyu, Qu Zhoubai, □□xing, Mu Liuguang.
The nine people stared at Zhu Song in unison.
Zhu Song stood at the doorway, facing their gazes, "What are you doing?"
Zhu Jingchen said: "What are we doing? Why should we ask you what you want to do?"
Zhu Song was a little confused, "What's wrong with me?"
Zhu Jingchen asked, "Why do you want to help the prince?"
It turned out that he had come for this matter. Zhu Song walked into the room and sat down, explaining, "Because this was not done by the Crown Prince in the first place, I am doing this for the stability of the court."
Zhu Jingchen said, "Don't make such nice words. Everyone knows the situation in the court. Only by deposing the crown prince can we have peace and stability."
Zhu Jingshen echoed, "Although the virtuous prince is indecisive and casual, the emperor favors him, and the crown prince must be deposed. If the virtuous prince knew what happened today, no one present would be able to escape."
Gu Huaiyu also said: "The emperor is just seriously ill. It would be too easy for him to find fault with the prince and depose him during this period. Even if we prevent it, when the time comes, the emperor will issue an imperial decree and the virtuous prince will take the throne. Everything we do now will be in vain."
Zhu Jingchen sighed and advised, "Boss, appearance is nothing but fleeting clouds, don't be confused at this time."
□□ Xing's eyes widened. "Brother Song, so you're planning on getting the crown prince?" He gave him a thumbs-up and said, "Excellent, excellent! From now on I won't call you brother anymore. You're my Master Song."
Mu Liuguang also suddenly understood, "Oh, so you haven't married at such an old age, is it because you like men?"
Although Zhu Song was speechless, he still wanted to argue, "I'm only 25, and you're already 24."
"Huh" Meng Xiaohe rolled her eyes and fell into Zhu Jingchen's arms. Zhu Jingchen quickly hugged her and shouted anxiously: "Madam, hold on, Madam."
Zhu Song suggested, "Pinch the Ren Zhong point."
Zhu Jingchen raised his hand to strangle her, but Meng Xiaohe grabbed his hand and said, "Don't strangle me, I'm not fainted."
Zhu Jingchen breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, "You scared me to death."
Meng Xiaohe looked at Zhu Song and asked in disbelief, "So, you really are with the prince?"
Zhu Song quickly raised his hand and said, "There is absolutely no such thing. The Crown Prince and I are innocent. There is absolutely no shame in it."
Zhu Lingye agreed repeatedly, "Yes, yes, brother thinks the prince is ugly and has no face, it's impossible for him to have anything to do with the prince."
Meng Xiaohe turned to look at Zhu Lingye, "When did he tell you?"
Zhu Song wanted to stop it, but it was too late.
"When I was in Jizhou."
Zhu Jingchen looked up at the sky speechlessly, "I knew it. Ever since the first time you stole the prince back, I knew this day would come."
Speaking of this, Meng Xiaohe had something to say, "It's all your fault. If it weren't for you, would he have been able to go to the East Palace?"
Why are you saying everything out loud? Do you think your life is too long? Zhu Song quickly stopped him, "That's enough, stop talking about this nonsense. Zhu Lingwang, put your pen down."
Everyone's eyes fell on Zhu Lingwang, and Zhu Lingwang paused, "I didn't write it."
Zhu Lingye snatched his pen and paper and threw them on the ground. "How dare you write all this? Do you want to kill your entire clan?"
Zhu Lingwang argued, "I didn't say I was going to write a memorial."
Zhu Song said: "That can't be written either."
Zhu Lingwang compromised, "Okay then."
"Wow, Master Song, you even stole the prince. How exciting." □□ Xing looked at Zhu Song with admiration. Zhu Song emphasized again, "I didn't. He was sick and there was no doctor. I couldn't just stand by and watch him die." Zhu Song felt that the topic had gone off track again. "Okay, now is not the time to talk about this. Let's talk about..."
Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Meng Xiaohe's voice, "So you were together in Jizhou?"
Zhu Lingye was a little confused when asked, "Huh?"
Meng Xiaohe looked at Zhu Song, who almost raised his hand to swear, "No, no, no matter how you say it, it's still no."
Meng Xiaohe delivered another heavy blow, "I saw it all last night."
Zhu Song blinked, "You saw what?"
"The prince went to your room and didn't come out."
Zhu Song's eyes widened. "Are you having a nightmare? How can you say such things?"
"Taohong saw it too."
Zhu Song was very helpless, "Enough, now is not the time to talk about this, let's discuss how to resolve the assassination of the virtuous king."
Meng Xiaohe asked him, "Is there really nothing going on between you and the prince?"
Zhu Song raised his hand and swore, "I swear, if anything happens between me and the prince..."
"Knock knock knock" Before he could finish his words, there was a knock on the door. Everyone in the room fell silent. Zhu Song was also stunned. It was so late, could it be Jiang Shen?
If Jiang Shen knew that so many of them were gathered together at night, they would definitely be suspected of forming a clique and causing trouble. Zhu Song winked at everyone, and everyone guessed that it was Jiang Shen, so they all looked for places to hide.
After everyone hid, Zhu Song took a deep breath to calm himself down, then stood up to open the door.
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