Chapter 328: Fake, after all, it is fake, it is impossible to be flawless
Chu Ruohan put down the account book in her hand, and a hint of thought flashed in her bright eyes.
Ever since Gu Junze sent his shadow guards to sneak into Prince Su's Mansion but returned empty-handed, she has been looking for another way out, preparing to start from the trade route.
"Have you checked all the businesses that have dealings with Prince Su's Mansion?" she asked Qin Fang, who was standing beside her, softly.
Qin Fang bowed and replied, "Madam, we've checked everything. The Chu family's business has tried to inquire several times under the pretext of purchasing goods."
"But those shopkeepers either kept silent or hesitated, obviously having been warned."
Chu Ruohan narrowed her eyes slightly and tapped lightly on the table with her fingertips.
"Even that shopkeeper Jia in the south of the city refused to reveal a single word? He made his fortune with the money from my Chu family."
Qin Fang's face was solemn. "Yesterday, Shopkeeper Jia sent someone to tell him that something had happened to his family and he had already left the capital and was temporarily staying in his hometown in the southwest."
Chu Ruohan sneered: "Leaving the capital? It's obvious that you are being threatened."
The footsteps outside the house were getting closer, and Yuling walked in quickly with a little excitement on her face.
"Madam! I just received news that Nanny Zhou, the wet nurse of Prince Su's mansion, has left the mansion today! She is currently burning incense at the Puji Temple in the east of the city."
Chu Ruohan's eyes flashed and she quickly stood up.
"Prepare the sedan chair. I'm going to Puji Temple."
Yuling said worriedly: "Madam, your body..."
Chu Ruohan waved her hand: "It's okay, the Prince Su's Mansion is like an iron barrel, and this Madam Zhou is our best breakthrough point."
A moment later, Chu Ruohan, accompanied by Qin Fang and several maids, arrived at Puji Temple in the east of the city.
The wind in midsummer is always sultry, and the temple is filled with incense and believers coming and going.
Qin Fang whispered, "Madam, Madam Zhou is praying in the back hall, and there are no guards from Prince Su's Palace with her."
Chu Ruohan nodded and said, "You guys wait outside, I'll go in alone."
The back hall is quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the front hall.
Chu Ruohan walked in slowly and saw an old lady with a kind face kneeling devoutly in front of the Buddha statue.
She has a plain appearance, but the fabrics of her clothes are extremely exquisite, and she has an exquisite sachet hanging around her waist.
The real Prince Su should be very good to her, otherwise he would not have taken her out of the palace to live in when he established the palace.
Chu Ruohan waited quietly by the side until the old nanny finished reading the scriptures and slowly stood up.
"Madame Zhou." Chu Ruohan called softly.
The old nanny turned her head and after seeing Ruohan's face clearly, a hint of vigilance flashed in her eyes.
"Madam, have you recognized the wrong person?" Her voice was hoarse and a cautious expression appeared on her face.
Chu Ruohan smiled slightly: "Madame Zhou has been in Prince Su's mansion for decades and raised Prince Su from infancy. How could she have made a mistake?"
Nanny Zhou's expression changed slightly. She looked around and confirmed that no one was around before she whispered, "General's wife, why are you looking for me?"
Chu Ruohan took out a small purse from her sleeve and handed it over.
"I heard that Madam has a grandson who is doing small business in Jiangnan. Consider this silver as a small token of my appreciation."
Nanny Zhou didn't take it, but just stared at the purse with a struggle in her eyes.
"I dare not accept it. Madam, you are not here to chat with me today, are you?"
Chu Ruohan took back the purse and her expression turned serious.
"Madam, you have been with Prince Su for many years. Have you ever noticed anything... unusual about him?"
Nanny Zhou looked up suddenly, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes.
"What do you mean, ma'am?"
Chu Ruohan lowered her voice: "Mammy, I know you feel the same way about Prince Su as you do about your own son."
"But now, undercurrents are surging throughout the court. The emperor is seriously ill, and the crown prince has not yet been appointed... If Prince Su has any evil intentions, I'm afraid..."
"Shut up!" Nanny Zhou's voice was low, but it carried undeniable severity. "I have served the prince for many years, and I have never seen him show the slightest disrespect!"
Chu Ruohan looked into the old nanny's eyes and whispered, "Really? Then why is the Su Palace so heavily guarded? Why is the emperor getting weaker day by day? Why..."
"Madam!" Nanny Zhou interrupted her, and the wrinkles on her face seemed to deepen.
"Some words cannot be said. Some things cannot be asked."
Chu Ruohan keenly caught the abnormality in this sentence.
"Mammy, if you know anything, please tell me. If Prince Su is truly innocent, I will clear his name."
Nanny Zhou was silent for a long time, and finally let out a long sigh.
"Madam, I can only tell you that the prince has indeed...changed somewhat in recent days."
Chu Ruohan's heart moved: "What changes?"
Nanny Zhou hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice and said, "About a month ago, for some unknown reason, the prince's temperament suddenly changed."
"He used to be gentle and refined, but after returning, he has become a bit more sinister."
Chu Ruohan nodded, the time was right.
"What else?"
A struggle flashed in Nanny Zhou's eyes, and she finally said, "The prince suddenly made extensive renovations to the mansion and added more defenses."
"I once overheard a conversation between him and a stranger..."
"What did he say?" Chu Ruohan asked.
Nanny Zhou's voice was almost inaudible. "He said... our time is almost here. The sky of the Eastern Jin Kingdom is about to change color."
Chu Ruohan's heart was pounding. These were clearly words of rebellion!
"Who is that person?"
Madam Zhou shook her head. "I've never seen him before. I only heard his voice was cold and harsh, and he spoke with a strange accent."
At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.
Nanny Zhou's expression changed drastically and she grabbed Chu Ruohan's wrist.
"Ma'am, hurry up! They're coming!"
Chu Ruohan's heart trembled: "Who's coming?"
Nanny Zhou's voice trembled: "The prince's secret guard! This old servant shouldn't say too much. Let's go quickly, otherwise..."
Chu Ruohan didn't ask any more questions and turned to leave, but Nanny Zhou held her back again.
"Madam, I have one last thing to say... That person once mentioned a place called 'Qingmo Valley'. Save Prince Su..."
Chu Ruohan nodded, quickly wrote down the name, turned around and left through the side door.
She knew that the Prince Su that Madam Zhou mentioned was not Gu Chengyan...
But considering Gu Chengyan's personality, if he wants to replace him, he probably won't leave anyone alive.
A sudden light bulb went off in my head. Even if the face was exactly the same, it was still fake. How could it be flawless?
The method is not working...
As soon as she walked out of the side door, Qin Fang hurriedly came to meet her: "Madam, someone from Prince Su's Mansion is here!"
Chu Ruohan remained calm and composed: "Prepare the sedan chair and return home."
On the way back home, Chu Ruohan leaned on the cushion, closed her eyes and thought, the words of Nanny Zhou were still ringing in her ears.
Qingmo Valley… She had never heard of this name before. Where was it? What was so special about it?
Did Gu Chengyan learn the face-changing technique from there?
In front of the general's mansion, Gu Junze was waiting anxiously.
Seeing the sedan chair stop, he took two steps forward.
"Where have you been? I was so worried!"
Chu Ruohan held his hand and whispered, "Jun Ze, I have important news."
Seeing her serious expression, Gu Junze stopped asking questions and helped her walk quickly inside.
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