Chapter 145
It took a long time to gallop through the dense forest and reach the imperial farm.
It only takes two hours to get from the foot of the mountain to the imperial farm, but no one found them all night. Zhou Li could only think that the group of people who came the night before had confused them. Fortunately, Gong Yinai's men were capable, otherwise they would have to walk back through the dense forest today.
Gong Yinai stopped her horse, and the people behind her stopped immediately after her.
Gong Yinai glanced at Zhou Li and ordered, "Escort Zhou Liangdi back first."
Zhou Li pursed her lips, said nothing, and went back with the two people she had separated from.
She watched Gong Yinai leave, and Gong Yinai smiled at her, as if to say don't worry.
Zhou Li's heart beat faster. Gong Yinai's face was always indifferent, but just now he miraculously smiled. His narrow eyes curved into a crescent moon, and the corners of his lips turned up. He looked as cheerful as the spring sunshine in March and as bright as spring flowers.
Zhou Li disappeared for a day and a night, and the palace maids who served her were almost anxious. Seeing that she was nowhere to be found, they did not care that everyone was looking for the prince, and reported to the higher-ups in tears. Everyone gathered in the tent early in the morning and was shocked to hear that the prince's concubine had disappeared.
"Didn't you make a bet with us yesterday?"
“It seems like the person disappeared halfway.”
As everyone gradually recalled the past, the imperial concubine in power angrily slammed the table.
"The Crown Prince is missing, and his Consort has disappeared too! Are you servants just here to eat? We have such a big pasture, and we can't even find anyone!"
The palace maids serving Zhou Li were trembling with fear and kowtowing continuously. Someone was trying to persuade the imperial concubine to calm down, saying that the most important thing now was to find the Crown Prince's Concubine and not to get lost in the dense forest.
The imperial concubine was about to speak when she suddenly heard someone report.
"Report! The prince is back!"
Everyone was overjoyed.
"Is the prince not injured?"
"Who found it?"
"Has the tiger been dealt with?"
Amidst the chatter, the imperial concubine solemnly said, "Quiet!"
Everyone quieted down, and the imperial concubine asked, "What does Your Majesty say?"
The servant replied, "The Saint is hugging the Prince and is very happy!"
"That's good, that's good." The imperial concubine breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, the curtain of the tent was pulled open, and Zhou Li appeared at the door and knelt down and said, "The Crown Prince's Concubine comes to pay her respects!" The palace servants at the door sang.
Everyone was stunned. The prince had just returned and the prince's concubine also showed up. Could it be an appointment?
Zhou Li bowed her head at the door and said, "I, Zhou Li, greet you all."
"Come in, come in!" Everyone waved. Someone curious asked, "Liang Di disappeared all night. I wonder where she stayed? And how did she get back?"
Zhou Li smiled calmly as she said shyly, "I accidentally strayed into a dense forest and saw a tiger. My horse was so frightened that it ran away in panic. I didn't know where it went. I was so frightened when I met the Crown Prince. Fortunately, he protected me and I was found this morning. He sent someone to bring me back."
Everyone nodded in surprise, "The prince is not injured?"
Zhou Li's face turned pale, as if he was recalling the scene at that time.
She shook her head and said, "Neither the prince nor I were injured, but it's a pity that the guards around the prince..."
Everyone fell silent upon hearing this, and it was the Imperial Concubine who spoke up, "It is their mission to protect the Crown Prince. Now that the Crown Prince is safe, these warriors must be generously rewarded! And their families must be properly accommodated!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" everyone responded in unison.
Here, everyone worked together to reward the warriors who protected the prince. Over there, Gong Yinai looked at her father with a touching expression. She clasped her fists and said, "It is my child who has made you worried!"
Emperor Qing was filled with excitement. "I'm glad my son is okay, I'm glad he's okay!"
"I have already sent soldiers to encircle and destroy that tiger! I must give my son an explanation!"
While acting, Gong Yinai observed the expression on Emperor Qing's face. Emperor Qing's expression did not seem fake. She hesitated for a moment, thought of what Zhou Li said, and decided to take the gamble.
Gong Yinai knelt on the ground and said, "The mountain here has been swept by guards for a long time. There is no way a tiger would appear on the mountain. The timing of this tiger's appearance is strange! It's obvious that someone deliberately wanted to kill me!"
Emperor Qing fell silent. He looked at the prince, who was kneeling on the ground with a stubborn look on his face. He asked softly, "Who do you think wants to kill you?"
Gong Yinai lowered his head and said, "I don't know, but I want fairness!"
Gong Yinai knelt down and could only see the bright yellow shoes on Emperor Qing's feet. As the feet gradually approached, Emperor Qing said solemnly, "Okay, father will give you an explanation!"
Gong Yinai felt completely relaxed, certain that it was not Emperor Qing who wanted to kill her.
She curled her lips slightly and looked at Emperor Qing with a serious expression, "I believe you, Father."
The Crown Prince and His Majesty were having a great time together, and the palace servants outside the tent, who had been trembling with fear, breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, nothing happened to the Crown Prince. Thinking of the bloody storm that was about to come last night, everyone tightened their necks for fear of angering the Saint.
The autumn hunt ended early. Although the princes who were brought along were not summoned, they were all frightened, especially the fourth and fifth princes. There were rumors that the prince was in danger on purpose, and since the prince was gone, it was most likely that one of them would take the throne.
Because of the tiger incident, Gong Yinai was given a few days' leave by the saint to recuperate in his own palace. The fourth prince came first to explain to her that he did not do it, and the fifth prince followed soon after.
Seeing how cowardly her two brothers were, Gong Yinai instinctively felt that it couldn't be them.
But who else could it be if not them? Who could mobilize the Imperial Guards?
Gong Yinai fell into deep thought. Before she could figure it out, she heard a servant announce, "Dame Zhou Liang is here."
Gong Yinai's eyes lit up. He stood up and walked forward a few steps, but then felt that it was not reserved enough, so he sat on the soft couch and waited for Zhou Li.
Zhou Li was sent by Hong Gu to serve tea.
In the past, these things were done by Hong Gu. Ever since Hong Gu recovered from her illness, I don’t know whether she intentionally or unintentionally always asked Zhou Li to serve tea to the prince.
Gong Yinai had been recuperating recently. When Zhou Li came in with a tea tray, she saw her leaning against a hard pillow, holding a scroll in her hand. She whispered, "I'm here to serve tea."
Zhou Li placed the tea tray on the kang table, arranged the tea sets, and began to perform the tea ceremony.
Gong Yinai did not turn the page of the book in his hand and watched Zhou Li serve tea.
She looked focused, her jade-like face full of seriousness as she concentrated on making tea.
The fragrance of tea slowly wafted out from the pot. Zhou Li placed the teacup in front of Gong Yinai and said respectfully, "Please enjoy the tea, Your Highness."
Gong Yinai put down the book, held his sleeve, sat up straight, walked to the table, picked up the teacup, sipped it carefully, and said it was good. Only then did Zhou Li couldn't help but smile.
"Is it really good?" Zhou Li asked uncertainly. Although this was not her first time serving tea, it was her first time performing a complete set of tea art.
Gong Yinai shook his head and smiled, "It's still a little different from Hong Gu, but it's not bad either."
Zhou Li gave Gong Yinai a sneer and snorted, "Since the Crown Prince thinks Hong Gu brews the best tea, why bother letting me serve tea?"
Zhou Li asked why Hong Gu urged her to come every day, and it must be Gong Yinai's instructions.
Gong Yinai laughed and said, "Everyone else is vying to serve me, but you want to hide away. You are the woman in my backyard, where else do you want to hide?"
Zhou Li felt that Gong Yinai's words were full of hidden meaning. She picked up the teacup and tasted the tea she had brewed. It was indeed not as good as Hong Gu's. She sighed and said, "You are too difficult to serve. I can't understand your feelings. I am afraid of making you angry, so I'd better stay away from you."
"No." Gong Yinai's expression darkened. She whispered, "You just stay by my side and accompany me forever."
Zhou Li was still trying to figure out which step she had done wrong and why the tea she brewed didn't taste as good as Hong Gu's. When she heard Gong Yinai's words, she thought he was joking with her like he was. She casually replied, "Okay, I'll accompany the prince from now on."
Gong Yinai showed a satisfied smile on her lips. She grabbed Zhou Li's wrist and said, "Come with me."
Gong Yinai took Zhou Li into the study and closed the door.
She handed the booklet on the table to Zhou Li. "This is the list of names I asked people to search for in the jungle that night. I checked off a few of them. Take a look."
Zhou Li knew that Gong Yinai was investigating the autumn hunt. After all, if the mastermind behind the incident was not caught, people would never be able to sleep or eat.
Zhou Li looked at the list carefully, and when she saw a name on it, she hesitated and said, "Who is this person..."
Gong Yinai came over to look and said, "He is the Queen's nephew."
Zhou Li was silent. She had never thought about the harem. It was true that the queen could mobilize the imperial guards, but after the death of the former crown prince, the queen had been fasting and chanting Buddhist scriptures without showing any aggressiveness. Why would she suddenly attack Gong Yinai at this time?
"Do you think it's him too?" Gong Yinai asked.
Zhou Li nodded, "I've looked through the entire list, and this person is the most suspicious."
Gong Yinai had a malicious smile on his lips. "I still remember the voice of that man that night. Let's go meet him today!"
Zhou Li, who was dragged to the training ground by Gong Yinai, was surprised. Why did he leave without saying anything?
The commander of the Imperial Guard came forward and replied, "Prince."
Gong Yinai asked, "Is everyone here?"
"We're all here," the Imperial Guards commander asked hesitantly, "I wonder why the Crown Prince summoned us?"
Gong Yinai smiled faintly and said, "I owe you all the brothers a lot of hard work in saving me this time. I want to come and thank you all."
The commander of the Royal Guards then laughed, it turned out to be a good thing.
"This is our mission." He puffed out his chest.
Gong Yinai looked at the entire row of people standing on the parade ground. She asked, "I heard that there's a guard named Qi Si who's been working particularly hard for me. I wonder who he is?"
"Qi Si, step out!" This is a matter of great importance, the commander of the imperial guards shouted loudly.
A tall soldier stepped forward. Gong Yinai walked up to him and realized he was a head shorter than him. He asked kindly, "Are you Qi Si?"
Qi Si lowered his eyes, not daring to look directly at the Crown Prince, and said in a low voice, "Yes."
"What year were you born?" Gong Yinai deliberately asked Qi Si to say a few more words.
Qi Si answered honestly.
Gong Yinai's eyes lit up, it was him!
She said calmly, "Work hard, and you will have a bright future."
Gong Yinai then looked around at each one, as if he wanted to remember them, and then he went to the commander of the Imperial Guard and said, "The people you brought are very good. Thank you for your hard work, brothers. I will share the things I brought with you. I will give you all a snack tonight."
The commander of the Imperial Guards also said happily, "It's the Crown Prince!" He shouted to everyone, "The Crown Prince has given everyone an extra meal tonight! Why don't you thank him now!"
"Thank you, Prince!" everyone shouted.
Gong Yinai waved his hand, asked the servants to divide the things, and then led Zhou Li back the same way.
Zhou Li was standing far ahead and didn't hear what Gong Yinai asked the man. There were many people on the street and it was hard to talk. Once she got to the palace, she had no more scruples and leaned close to Gong Yinai's ear like a thief and asked, "Is it him?"
Gong Yinai deliberately stretched his legs and said, "My legs are so sore after walking for a while."
Zhou Li glared at Gong Yinai, then lowered himself to the ground, pounded his legs and pressed his shoulders, acting like a bootlicker.
"Is my massage comfortable?" Zhou Li said coquettishly, "Prince, please tell me."
Gong Yinai raised his lips in satisfaction and said deliberately, "Alright, alright, since you've served me so well, I'll tell you."
When talking about this, Gong Yinai lowered his voice with a sneer on his face.
"It was indeed him."
"It seems that the person who wants to die alone is Queen Li!"
Zhou Li frowned, "You and the Queen don't have any deep blood feud, why would she want to see you?"
"Why not?" Gong Yinai turned around and pinched Zhou Li's chin. Seeing her innocent face, she smiled grimly, "Former Crown Prince..."
"I won't listen!" Zhou Li covered Gong Yinai's lips with his hands, with an expression that said, "Don't even think about harming me."
The more you know, the faster you die. Although the relationship between them became better after Zhou Li saved Gong Yinai in Mi Lin, Zhou Li didn't want to know too many things. She felt that Gong Yinai told her so much because he probably treated her as a trash can. If she dared to leak even a little bit, her death would be near.
Gong Yinai smiled and took Zhou Li's hand to play with it.
"You are a clever man."
Zhou Li looked at the palace maids waiting at the door, thinking someone was looking for the Crown Prince. She got off the couch and said tactfully, "The Crown Prince is busy. Call me when you need anything."
Want to slip away again.
Gong Yinai thought to himself and waved his hand casually.
Seeing Zhou Li leave, she asked someone to call someone in.
It was the female official from the weaving bureau who asked about the apprentice outside the palace.
The female official spoke clearly, "Reporting to the Crown Prince, I have asked the apprentice, and he has never taught anyone with the surname Zhou, nor has he ever met Chai Zhilan."
Gong Yinai had a glimmer of understanding in her mind, and she asked, "Without someone to guide you through your sect's techniques, how much can you truly understand through intuition?"
The female official felt that the prince underestimated her school's skills, so she calmed down and replied, "There's no way it can be mastered! If everyone could learn it so easily, I wouldn't have to enter the palace as the champion!"
Craftsmen still have some pride.
Gong Yinai nodded thoughtfully, asked someone to give the reward, and sent the man away.
She sat on the couch, remembering the method she had read about in books of strange tales: the method of resurrection through the possession of a corpse. Could this Zhou Li be the resurrection of an old friend? But if she were Liu Yingzi, how could she have the same method as Gong Yifu? If she were Gong Yifu, how could she be Liu Yingzi?
Gong Yinai pondered for a long time, various details flowing through her mind. Suddenly, a thunderclap sounded outside the window! Autumn rain immediately poured down! The hall was dim, and the gauze fluttered like soft snakes. Gong Yinai shuddered, as if she had been electrocuted. She grasped the soft bed, her heart pounding! In that instant, the figures of Liu Yingzi and Gong Yifu merged into one! Finally, they merged into Zhou Li's smiling face. The three of them had basically the same habits and ways of speaking! She had never before considered that such a strange thing could exist in the world!
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