If Gu Jue really brought Wuhejia Tower back, he probably wouldn't place people outside the palace, after all, there are too many unstable factors.

Gu Jue is a person with a strong desire for control, who likes to show off and is reluctant to delegate power.

If he really brought Uhagalou back, he would definitely have placed the person in Prince Chen's Palace.

This is Gu Jue’s own territory.

Andaman should have suspected the same thing, which was why he ordered the five Nanhao people to set fire and sneak into Prince Chen's mansion at night after Gu Jue left the capital with the emperor.

The question is, did the five Nanhao people gain anything after sneaking into Prince Chen's mansion that night? Probably not.

Otherwise, the guards of Prince Chen's Mansion should have killed all five Nanhao people. Why would they send them to the Wucheng Military Command?

etc!

The emperor opened his eyes, gleaming with light, and suddenly he realized what was wrong.

According to the style of Prince Chen's Mansion, if anyone dared to enter the Mansion without permission, it would be reasonable to kill them all, but Prince Chen's Mansion left some people alive.

Did the Prince Chen's Mansion also have the same purpose as himself, intending to give the five Hao people back to Andaman, so Andaman showed goodwill to Gu Jue? !

Therefore, it could be that the five Hao people were kidnapped by the people from Andaman and Prince Chen's Palace, so they were able to disappear without a trace right under the noses of the Jinyiwei.

The more the emperor thought about it, the more frightened he became, and the more he thought that this possibility was very high.

The emperor could hardly sit still, and whispered to himself, "We must go to Prince Chen's Palace to take a look."

Perhaps once he confirms whether Uhaga Tower is in Prince Chen's Mansion, he will know what Andaman and Gu Jue are up to.

The emperor frowned tightly, and felt more and more that Lu Siji and the Jinyiwei were too useless. They couldn't even enter the Prince Chen's Palace.

A fierce flame burned from the emperor's heart and suddenly jumped up.

The emperor couldn't help but raised his foot and kicked Lu Siji hard.

Lu Siji groaned, his body hit the table behind him, and a line of blood flowed out of his mouth.

The emperor didn't even look at Lu Siji. He lifted a corner of the curtain and looked outside.

Outside the dragon chariot were the imperial guards guarding the side and passers-by standing by the street to watch the excitement. The area near the west gate was bustling with hustle and bustle, and to the emperor, it was just noisy.

The dragon chariot had already passed through the city gate, while the carriage of Prince Chen's palace was still outside the city gate. The emperor could not see Gu Jue at all at this moment.

However, the emperor knew that Gu Jue had been in the carriage and not riding a horse, just like on the previous journey.

The emperor stared out the window in a daze.

At some point, fine snow began to float in the sky again. The continuous snow fell sporadically, like fine willow catkins, and the cold wind became even colder.

The emperor's memory went back several years, when the late emperor was still alive. It was also a day when snowflakes were falling, and they went out winter hunting with the late emperor.

That day, he took a carriage because he had caught a cold.

Gu Jue, who was only thirteen years old at the time, rode on a horse, accompanying the late emperor, and said to him in high spirits: "Father, my ancestors of the Great Qi conquered the world on horseback. Men are naturally self-respecting and domineering, and I, the younger generation, should be like this!"

At that moment, the late emperor’s appreciative laughter is still so clear in my memory.

The late emperor said: "Well, a good man should ride on a horse!"

As he thought about it, the emperor's eyes became more and more sinister.

Gu Jue was a very scheming person. His words at that time were not only a mockery of himself riding in a carriage, but also a deliberate attempt to sow discord in front of the late emperor!

Whenever the emperor thought of this past event, he felt furious.

The atmosphere inside the dragon chariot was chilly, while inside the red-wheeled carriage of Prince Chen's palace, it was as relaxing and cozy as always.

Gu Jue leaned casually on the carriage, with his eyes half closed, as if he was dozing off, like a lazy big cat.

"Your Highness, Brother Yi is here too." Chu Qianchen looked out through the window of the carriage and made eye contact with Chu Yunyi who was mixed in the crowd not far away. Today, Chu Yunyi came with other sons of noble families to welcome the emperor.

Gu Jue also came over to look, his broad chest pressed against her back, one hand naturally resting on her slender shoulders.

There is a door in Chu Qianchen's heart. Most people are isolated outside the door, such as the Chu family's lady and Chu Lingxiao. Only a very few people can stand inside the door.

Chu Yunyi is the younger brother who was recognized by her and allowed into the family.

And he was also the one standing inside that door, and she looked at him differently.

Those who are cared for by her are lucky.

Gu Jue looked at her with a smile on his face.

Chu Qianchen was waving and greeting Chu Yunyi.

Chu Yunyi was wearing a lake blue straight gown today, with a black sash around his slender waist. He sat upright on a snow-white horse, and both the man and the horse looked energetic.

He nodded slightly in the direction of Chu Qianchen and straightened his back as a greeting.

Carriages and horses outside the city gate began to line up one after another to enter the city.

The Prince of Chen was of noble status, and the royal motorcade followed directly behind the dragon and phoenix chariots into the city.

Chu Yunyi greeted his friends, pulled the reins, and kicked the horse's belly, intending to catch up.

He had just turned his horse's head when a young man's voice came from behind: "Chu Yunyi, are you going to Yunting Pavilion this afternoon?"

"Go." Chu Yunyi turned around and waved to his friends, looking relaxed and confident.

When he turned around again, his elbow hit something...

There was a "pop" sound, and a closed folding fan fell on the bluestone floor, and a few snowflakes lightly landed on the folding fan.

While Chu Yunyi was wondering why he was waving a folding fan in the middle of winter, he looked up at the man on his right who he had bumped into.

The handsome man in his thirties was wearing a Taishi blue cloak. He looked noble and graceful, with an air of majesty that came from his presence.

"Sorry." Chu Yunyi bowed to the other party politely.

He didn't say much, nor did he make any other unnecessary movements, but in his every move, he exuded the madness of a young man with a heart as blazing as the sun, three parts of boldness and three parts of pride.

Chu Yunyi didn't have to dismount his horse. A servant would pick up the fallen folding fan and hand it to Kang Hongda's entourage.

Kang Hongda's follower wiped the folding fan with a handkerchief, held it high with both hands and presented it to Kang Hongda.

"It's a small matter." Kang Hongda smiled slightly, staring at Chu Yunyi who was only three feet away from him with burning eyes.

The twelve-year-old boy rode on a beautiful white horse, dressed in fine clothes and full of vigor and vitality. He was more energetic and sharper than the previous two times, like a long spear with a red tassel, or a leopard that was about to grow up.

Kang Hongda's eyes were dark. He swallowed and his Adam's apple rolled up and down twice.

Just now, when he was looking at Chu Yunyi from afar, he felt that he stood out among the group of young men in gorgeous clothes and was very eye-catching, so he came over to talk to him.

Boys like this are very rare.

Kang Hongda pursed his lips and licked the inside of his front teeth with the tip of his tongue calmly.

The capital was filled with fair-skinned, frail young men who spoke and behaved in a delicate manner, just like girls. On the other hand, those in the army were strong, smelly, and rough, as if they had crawled out of mud. People did not even want to look at them for a second glance.

The young master of the Chu family is different from those people. He has the elegance and refinement of a young man from a noble family in the capital, but he also has a wild and untamed spirit and is full of vigor and vitality. People can't help but want to see this young man with tears in his eyes and about to cry.

Kang Hongda felt a warm feeling in his heart, and when he heard his follower calling him "Master" again, he came to his senses, grabbed the slightly cool folding fan, and smiled gently.

"You are Mr. Chu, right? Nice to meet you again." Kang Hongda greeted Chu Yunyi as if nothing had happened.

Chu Yunyi: “…”

Chu Yunyi was stunned. This person had seen him before?! When?!

Looking at the other person's face again, Chu Yunyi felt vaguely familiar with him, until the white horse Shuangyue under his crotch neighed, he remembered him.

By the way, in early October, on the day when his second brother-in-law gave him this horse, he went out of the city with his second sister and brother-in-law to ride the horses, and he also met this man by chance at the west city gate.

How did my second brother-in-law call this person at that time?

Chu Yunyi tried hard to search his memory, held the reins, and politely bowed to Kang Hongda again, "Chu Yunyi greets Lord Kang."

Chu Yunyi found out that the other party was Kang Hongda, the governor of the Beijing camp.

The speaker may not mean it, but the reader may take it seriously.

Kang Hongda watched Chu Yunyi's every move and felt that this young man had beautiful features and a lively expression, unlike those young men who were artificial.

Kang Hongda's smile deepened, and he whispered his name: "Chu, Yun, Yi, what a good name!"

Then, he asked knowingly, "Mr. Chu, where are you working now?"

Kang Hongda's follower looked at Chu Yunyi on the horse with a strange look, with a little pity, a little contempt, and a little ridicule.

Then he lowered his eyes again and stood there like a shadow.

Chu Yunyi had his back to Kang Hongda's followers and didn't notice his abnormality at all. He smiled calmly and replied, "I am studying martial arts at the Imperial College."

As he spoke, his eyes had already followed Chu Qianchen's red-wheeled carriage into the city, and he thought to himself that this man was really nagging.

He was still young and had not yet learned to conceal his emotions. He casually swung the whip in his hand twice, adding a bit of arrogance and rebelliousness to his temperament.

If the same expression and action appear on a person with a mean look, it will only make people feel disgusted.

But Chu Yunyi is good-looking, with facial features inheriting the best features of Chu Lingxiao and Aunt Jiang, and he is also young. In the eyes of Kang Hongda, a "concerned person", he feels that this young man is more and more different from others.

Kang Hongda's eyes became even more blazing and bright, and he said calmly, "In the spring, the Emperor will review the Imperial Guards. The Ministry of War and I are discussing whether to recruit a few students from the Imperial College to participate in the military exercises in the spring..."

Kang Hongda has been in official circles for so many years and has become a confidant of the emperor. He must be a man who is good at socializing. He knows that to please someone, the most important thing is to do what he likes.

really--

The next moment, Chu Yunyi's eyes lit up like a lit lantern, shining brightly, and he couldn't help but ask: "Master Kang, is this confirmed?"

Chu Yunyi was confident that even if he only recruited one quota from the Imperial College, he would have an 80% chance of success. During this period, he had not been idle in the Black Armor Camp.

Sparse and scattered snowflakes continued to fall from the dark sky, landing on the boy's black hair, eyelashes, cheeks, shoulders... The snowflakes on his cheeks quickly turned into water, and the crystal water droplets slid along the well-defined jaw line to the neck and disappeared between the collar.

Kang Hongda's Adam's apple rolled again, and his bony fingers stroked and rubbed the handle of the folding fan again and again, carrying an inexplicable atmosphere of ambiguity.

The followers noticed Kang Hongda's little movements and knew that Kang Hongda was interested in the young master of the Chu family.

Kang Hongda said nonchalantly, "About 80 to 90 percent. I'll go to the Imperial College in a few days to take a look."

After a pause, he added meaningfully: "Then let's see how Mr. Chu performs."

Now that the bait had been laid, Kang Hongda would not stay any longer. After all, he was still accompanying the emperor today.

He laughed out loud, pulled the reins, said "I'm going first", and drove his horse into the city first.

He licked his thin upper lip with the tip of his tongue, a determined smile appeared at the corner of his lips, and his eyes were deep.

In this world, there is no one he likes but cannot have! This brother-in-law of Prince Gu Jue, the feeling must be different...

Kang Hongda squeezed the horse's belly and waved the whip, releasing a murderous aura that was completely different from the one he had just released in front of Chu Yunyi. The black horse under his crotch chased towards the dragon chariot like a gust of wind, with its hooves flying.

The surrounding imperial guards and other people accompanying the emperor knew Kang Hongda's identity and all gave way to him.

This mighty convoy entered the capital, causing half of the city to be in an uproar. Wherever it passed, people came to watch.

According to the rules, the motorcade of the people would follow the emperor to the palace gate first, and everyone would kneel to escort the emperor into the palace. Only after the emperor's permission could everyone return to their own residences.

These rules were only used to restrain ordinary people. When they reached the intersection, the motorcade of Prince Chen's Mansion left the team on its own and went back to the palace first, which attracted many people's attention, but no one dared to stop them. At most, they would gossip a few words in private.

Chu Yunyi originally came to pick up Chu Qianchen and Gu Jue, and left the team with them. He sent them all the way to Prince Chen's Mansion. After that, he ran away, under the pretext of not disturbing his sister and brother-in-law's rest.

Chu Qianchen originally wanted to ask Chu Yunyi to bring some local specialties back to the Yongding Marquis Mansion, but Chu Yunyi ran too fast. Before she could say anything, she saw a man and a horse galloping away. In the blink of an eye, he ran to the end of Suzaku Street.

“This brat!”

Chu Qianchen shook his head and felt that he still needed to temper his temper as he was still a little kid.

When she looked away, her eyes inadvertently swept across the house next to the palace.

The Prince Chen's Mansion was large and magnificent. In comparison, the house next door seemed inconspicuous. However, the outer wall of the house was a little charred, which made it a little too "eye-catching". Apart from that, the house was not seriously damaged. It seemed that it should have been rescued in time when the water broke out that night.

"We still need to find someone to renovate the house next door." Chu Qianchen whispered.

"Just leave it to Sui Zhou." Gu Jue said, not wanting Chu Qianchen to worry about these insignificant matters.

Chu Qianchen lowered the curtains, and the interior of the red-wheeled carriage became dark again. Only the night-shining pearl used as a lamp was shining brightly.

After a pause, Gu Jue added, "Wuhejialou and his family moved back next door a few days ago."

Chu Qianchen responded and understood.

For Gu Jue and Wuhejialou, the relationship between them is a partnership rather than one of one being a vassal of the other.

Although Wuhejialou has no choice but to stay in the capital city due to Nanhao's current situation, he and his people will not rely too much on the Prince Chen's Mansion.

This is fine, Chu Qianchen thought.

Outside the red-wheeled carriage, the red lacquered gate of Prince Chen's palace had already been opened.

The palace's chief secretary Cheng Linhua, Yun Zhan, Tang Yuchu, the stewards, and the guards all came out to greet them, shouting in unison: "Welcome the prince and princess back to the palace."

The red-wheeled carriage and a series of carriages following it entered one after another and were led into the palace, where they stopped in a row at the ceremonial gate.

Gu Jue was the first to get off the red-wheeled carriage. The servant Jingfeng quickly put a thick cloak on him. "Your Highness." The Chief Clerk Cheng Linhua saluted again, and while bowing, he couldn't help but look at Gu Jue twice more.

Gu Jueyue left the capital at the beginning of the month to embark on the winter hunting trip, and the round trip took more than half a month, but he did not show any signs of fatigue, and his complexion and spirit were obviously better than before he left the capital.

Obviously, it was because the princess kept a close eye on the prince.

Cheng Linhua calmly exchanged glances with Su Mubai who had just dismounted from his horse.

Su Mubai stood with his hands behind his back, smiling slightly.

The fox's eyes were shining, and his usually elegant smile now carried a hint of obvious complacency.

What I mean is, thanks to him, they were able to bring the princess in.

This Su Mubai still deserves a beating! Cheng Linhua's eyes twitched, and he couldn't help but feel that Su Mubai didn't kneel enough last time.

The prince should let this fox who knows his fault but refuses to repent kneel for another day, no, two days! At this time, Chu Qianchen helped Gu Jue get off the red wheeled cart.

As soon as she landed, she became busy. She told Sui Daguanshi to arrange for the repair of the house next door, and then she told Cai Mama to sort out some specialties they brought back from the Xiyuan Palace later and make a list. Then she asked people to add charcoal to everyone in the mansion and make sure they kept warm...

She was never idle on the way to Shaohua Hall with Gu Jue. The housekeeper and maids around her were coming and going, seeming to be in a hurry.

The originally deserted palace suddenly came alive with the return of the two masters.

When Gu Jue, Chu Qianchen and the others sat down in Shaohua Hall, Cheng Linhua couldn't wait to talk about some of the things that happened in the half month since Gu Jue left Beijing: "Your Majesty, the second batch of 3,000 Black Armor Army arrived in Beijing ten days ago and have been settled in Fengtai Camp..."

As they were talking, a maid served hot tea to everyone.

The tea was the best Dahongpao, but Chu Qianchen frowned.

She wasn't listening to Cheng Linhua at all. She waved quietly to Amber and told her to prepare a charcoal brazier, serve some fruits, snacks, dried fruits, candied fruits, etc., and also bring two sleeve stoves.

Chu Qianchen glared at Cheng Linhua with disdain, thinking that the men in the palace were really thick-skinned, and the prince couldn't take care of them! Cheng Linhua was still reporting military affairs to Gu Jue, and inexplicably got a disdainful look from his own princess. He was confused and felt a little wronged. He was not that bastard fox Su Mubai, who even dared to plot against the princess. He didn't do anything! When the charcoal brazier, fruits and snacks were sent to the main hall one by one, Cheng Linhua couldn't help but touch his nose guiltily, and he knew what the princess disliked about him.

Didn't he expect it?! When the prince was young, he was not afraid of the cold at all. Because of his martial arts training, his body was stronger than that of an average person. He could wear only one piece of clothing even on a snowy day.

This was the first winter that the prince had stayed in the capital after returning from the north after many years. The prince’s health was not as good as before due to old injuries... Fortunately, the prince met the princess.

Cheng Linhua felt mixed emotions in his heart. He glanced at Su Mubai who was sitting opposite him and temporarily put aside his disdain for him.

The two charcoal braziers soon heated up and made the room warm.

Cheng Linhua, Yun Zhan and others continued to report on military affairs. As for Chu Qianchen, he just drank tea and ate candied fruit on the side, listening absent-mindedly, and what he said went in one ear and out the other.

After a while, she yawned lazily.

But in this life, she was only fourteen years old and was still growing. After the long journey, she was already a little sleepy.

If she were somewhere else at this moment, she would not show any sign of it, but in Prince Chen's Mansion, next to Gu Jue, she could let down all her guard, and sleepiness suddenly came over her.

When Gu Jue turned around to look at her, her head was already nodding like a woodpecker, and she was drowsy.

顾玦抬起右手，做了一个噤声的手势，于是，程林华等人立刻就都闭上了嘴。

反正他们现在也什么十万火急的事非要这会儿说，所有人都安静地退下了，步履无声，正迷迷糊糊打瞌睡的楚千尘甚至没意识到这一点。

就站在楚千尘右后方的琥珀自然也能看出其他人是为何退出去，有些迟疑要不要叫醒楚千尘。

琥珀还在犹豫，就听顾玦轻声问道：“斗篷呢？”

顾玦的声音压得很低，很显然，是怕惊醒了楚千尘。

琥珀下意识地去把那个放着斗篷的托盘拿了过来。

6◇9◇书◇吧

顾玦随手从托盘上拿起了一件玄色斗篷，往楚千尘身上披去，厚实的斗篷展开时如流水般倾泻而下……

错了！琥珀立刻意识到顾玦拿错了，这件过分宽大的斗篷明显不可能属于王妃，就脱口道：“王……”

琥珀也只说了这一个字而已，声音就戛然而止，下一瞬，就见顾玦一手绕过楚千尘的背搂住她左肩，一手抄住她的膝窝，轻轻松松地把睡得迷迷糊糊的楚千尘从椅子上拦腰抱了起来。

她整个人也被笼在了那件宽大的男式斗篷中，衬得她原本并不娇小的身形纤弱异常，一双精致的鹿皮短靴自斗篷下垂落，在半空中一翘一荡的。

“……”琥珀干脆就闭上了嘴，沉默地移开了目光。

原本昏昏沉沉的楚千尘在被人抱起来后一下子就睁开了眼，又打了个哈欠，眼睛湿漉漉的。

她的人还迷迷糊糊地，眼神茫然，似乎不知道身在何处。

她又眨了眨眼，发现是顾玦，甜甜地一笑。

“王爷。”她抬手抱住了她的脖子，把头往他怀里拱了拱，又钻了钻，举止间毫不掩饰她对他的依恋与欢喜。

“回去睡。”顾玦在她耳边道，看着她乌黑的发顶，心脏像是被什么柔软的东西包覆了起来，怦怦，心跳的速度不由加快。

楚千尘把脸埋在他脖颈与肩膀之间，含含糊糊地应了一声，像是在撒娇似的。

顾玦就抱着她往厅外走。

琥珀跟在后方，自觉地落后了好几步，有些无法直视前方。

王爷对王妃实在是好，她想象不到得好，比话本子的才子佳人还好！ 怎么说呢，王爷似乎很有些爱美人不爱江山的潜质……等等，如果是这样的话，那么王妃岂不是成了祸国妖姬？！

琥珀胡思乱想着，早就魂飞天外，思绪不知道飘到哪里去了。

等他们回到正院时，正院的炕已经烧热了。

顾玦一路一把人抱进了內室，琥珀等丫鬟就识趣留在了外面。

楚千尘睡了一路，当顾玦把她放下时，她又惊醒了，再次睁眼，眼皮子半耷拉，迷糊得像是一头没睡醒的奶猫。

顾玦帮她盖上了衾被，又用手掌合上了她的眼睛，柔声哄道：“睡吧。”

在小小的卧室中，他轻柔的声音中透着亲昵，自然而然地滋生出一股子暧昧。

楚千尘的手里还攥着他的那件斗篷，她喜欢他身上的气味，有种安定人心下来的力量。

她困了，很想睡，但心中又有种很微妙的心态，不想就这么睡去。

她想要他再陪他说说话，哄哄她。

于是，她没话找话：“王爷，你明天记得提醒我找人修那个箜篌。”

她被他捂住了眼睛，看不到他，就只能听到他熟悉的声音钻入耳中：“无妨，我来。”

“王爷，你会修箜篌？”她又道，心想：王爷的声音真好听。

她弯了弯唇，像有一股甜蜜蜜的东西注入她心口似的，心里既柔软又甜蜜。

顾玦道：“会一点。”

见她不肯睡，顾玦干脆就拿过了话语的主动权：“等修好了，我再教你弹箜篌？”

楚千尘：“好。”

顾玦：“我得空写支曲子，我们合奏可好？”

楚千尘：“好。”

“……”

楚千尘半梦半醒地应了好几声“好”后，意识又变得昏昏沉沉，不知不觉中，她安安稳稳地睡去了。

坐在炕边的青年眉目温柔地凝视着她的睡颜。

屋内熏香袅袅，温暖舒适。

宸王府内，生机勃勃，上上下下忙得热火朝天，似乎全然感觉不到不到冬天的寒意似的。

相比之下，靖郡王府则是一团乱，整个郡王府笼罩在一层阴云之下。

午后，风势越来越猛，大雪磅礴。

即使关上了门窗，屋内还是能听见呼啸的风声，以及寒风吹动树枝、窗户发出的吱呀声，尖锐粗粝。

一个小丫鬟赶紧把原本没关死的窗户重新关好了，目光小心翼翼地看向了郡王妃沈菀。

沈菀整个人都浑浑噩噩，全然注意不到其他了，她的眼里只有躺在榻上的顾之颜。

昨日，顾之颜在路上又发烧了。

先前在猎宫的时候，沈菀曾让人回京去无为观求了符纸，但喂顾之颜喝下后，却没有半点用处，就和沈菀之前自己求来的符纸一样。

一天过去了，顾之颜烧得越来越重。

“七娘。”沈菀脸色煞白地唤着女儿的乳名，忍不住又去摸了摸顾之颜的额头，掌下一片火烫，似要燃烧起来似的。

昏睡不醒的顾之颜小脸上泛着异样的潮红，眉心攒起，口鼻之间的呼吸极为浓重，神色间露出痛苦难受的表情。

乳娘与容嬷嬷也是一脸无措，面面相看。

本来，昨天顾之颜刚开始发热的时候，靖郡王就想请太医给她看看的。

但是皇帝前天就因为急火攻心略有抱恙，所有的随行太医都围在了皇帝身边，会诊，开方，针灸……各种手段全都用上了。

在这种情况下，其他任何人都请不到太医的。

靖郡王与沈菀没办法，就只能让王府侍卫在路上找了大夫，但是大夫开的药吃了两剂也还是没用，顾之颜病得越来越重。

这时，乳娘再一次伸手试了试顾之颜的额温，又给她重新换了一方湿巾，讷讷道：“王妃，符水好像没用，县主她烧得更厉害了。”

沈菀觉得一颗心像是被一只看不见的大掌攥在了掌心中，一阵阵的钝痛，只要对方稍稍一用力，她就会粉身碎骨，死无葬身之地。

榻上的顾之颜忽然间浑身微微抽搐了一下，唇齿间逸出含糊的呓语声：

“娘，娘……”

“娘，我好怕……”

“救命……别打我。”

“……”

顾之颜干燥发白的樱唇微动，开始说胡话了。

她的身体更是越来越烫，红得就像是煮熟的虾米似的。

沈菀握着顾之颜滚烫的小手，试图给她力量，心痛地说着：“七娘，娘在这里。”

“你别怕！娘在这里”

沈菀反反复复地说道，呼吸艰难。

她的脸色肉眼可见地褪去了颜色，像白墙一样死白死白的，眼前则是一阵阵的发黑，仿佛随时会晕厥过去。

容嬷嬷看着沈菀，忧心忡忡，想劝她保重身子，又想说是不是悄悄去请济世堂的那位神医过府。

话还没出口，大丫鬟匆匆地来了，禀道：“王妃，楚大姑娘来了，想求见王妃！”

沈菀：“……”

沈菀一动不动，垂眸盯着顾之颜，没说话。

屋子里也陷入一片寂静。

沉寂静静地延续着，久到大丫鬟都忍不住抿了抿唇，以为沈菀不会答了，就见沈菀慢慢地起了身，四肢似乎有些僵硬，让她的动作里没了平日里的优雅，就像是卧床已久的人第一次下榻似的。

也不用沈菀再说什么，大丫鬟、容嬷嬷等人都知道她的意思了，她打算去见楚千凰。

“王妃。”容嬷嬷这才注意到沈菀的眼角淌下了一行泪，心疼地拿出一方帕子为她拭泪，“要不奴婢去见楚大姑娘吧。”

沈菀泪眼迷蒙地看着榻上的顾之颜，心口像是被扎了几刀般疼，眼眶更酸涩了。

过去这一年多，为了女儿的病，她一直在压抑着自己，一切以女儿为重，可这一刻，她心口仿佛出现了一道裂痕似的，一股汹涌的情绪几欲迸发。

悲痛、难过、不甘、愤懑、惶恐等等的情绪交织成一张大网，将她网在其中。

无数个夜里，她一遍遍地自问： 为什么是她的女儿不能像别家姑娘一样平平安安地长大？

为什么偏偏是她的女儿遇上了这样的事？ 为什么她没有保护好她的女儿……

……

然而，这些疑问永远都不会有答案。

她能做的，就是重新武装起自己，努力地陪着她的七娘去面对这一切。

眼泪又不是药，哭泣又有什么用处？！

沈菀用帕子擦干了残余的泪水，稳定了一下情绪，坚定地说道：“我去。”

她让丫鬟稍微帮她整理了一下仪容，留了乳娘照顾顾之颜，自己带着容嬷嬷一起去了暖阁。

当沈菀抵达时，楚千凰已经在暖阁里了。

She stood with her back to Shen Wan in front of the coffee table by the window. On the coffee table stood a pastel-colored plum vase with a few branches of wintersweet flowers in it.

She leaned forward slightly, as if admiring the plum blossoms, and as if smelling their fragrance.

Hearing the sound of the door curtain rising and falling, Chu Qianhuang slowly turned around and smiled slightly.

"Aunt." Chu Qianhuang bowed gracefully to Shen Wan.

The girl, wearing a pink padded jacket and a bright red bodice, smiled gently, standing gracefully, with her eyes looking around, she had the elegance of a lady from a noble family.

Shen Wan sat down on the kang, and the maid quickly served tea to them.

Shen Wan said casually with a normal expression: "Sister Huang, why are you here?"

"Aunt, I heard that you, my uncle, and Qi Niang returned to Beijing today, so I came to see you." Chu Qianhuang smiled generously and asked, "How is Qi Niang recently?"

When Shen Wan heard Chu Qianhuang mention Gu Zhiyan, her expression changed slightly and her brows furrowed.

Chu Qianhuang stared at Shen Wan's face without blinking, paying attention to the changes in her expression, and knew in his heart: Qiniang was sick.

Her eyelashes trembled, and she leaned forward slightly, asking with concern: "Aunt, is Qi Niang sick? How is she doing recently?"

Shen Wan stared at Chu Qianhuang who was a few steps away. She looked the same as before, but Shen Wan was sure that something had changed.

She watched Chu Qianhuang grow up and used to treat her niece as her own daughter. But now, when she looked at the familiar girl in front of her, she felt almost suffocated, as if even the air around her had become thinner.

She couldn't figure out Chu Qianhuang's intention. She thought about it over and over again, but still had no clue.

No matter how turbulent her heart was, Shen Wan remained calm on the surface.

She simply followed Chu Qianhuang's words and said, "Qiniang has a fever again..."

As she spoke, Shen Wan raised her hand and rubbed her brows, looking exhausted and extremely anxious.

Shen Wan's anxiety was real, but on the other hand, she also wanted to test what Chu Qianhuang was trying to do.

Shen Wan has been feeling uneasy ever since she discovered that Chu Qianhuang seemed to have tampered with the talisman paper.

She had a vague feeling that Chu Qianhuang seemed to be planning something, but until now, Chu Qianhuang had not revealed her true motives and intentions.

The more this happened, the more uneasy Shen Wan became. Her heart was in turmoil. She felt like she was in a thick fog full of thorns, or walking on a tightrope, and could be doomed at any time.

She didn't want to be so scared every day, and she didn't like the feeling of uncertainty, so she had to take the initiative.

Shen Wan lowered her eyes, a strange light flashed across them, and she sighed deeply: "The talisman paper you asked for has just been used up. I called a doctor for Qi Niang, and she took the decoction, but Qi Niang's fever still didn't go down, and it got even worse."

Chu Qianhuang felt relieved when he heard this.

Everything went as expected without any problems, which was a good thing for her.

Only she can save Gu Zhiyan! She picked up the teacup and drank a sip of tea slowly. Her calmness was unconsciously revealed in her every move. Rong Mama frowned fiercely. She was not only uncomfortable, but also had a bad premonition.

"Sister Huang," Shen Wan looked directly into Chu Qianhuang's eyes and asked very slowly, "Where did you get these talismans for me?"

"Wuwei Temple." Chu Qianhuang took another sip of tea and said calmly.

The wind outside the window became more intense, forming a sound like the roar of a wild beast, as if it was going to twist the branches and leaves off the treetops, and the wind was cold and biting.

Chu Qianhuang pursed her lips and smiled.

Shen Wan only felt a chill rising from the soles of her feet and quickly spreading to her limbs and bones.

She held the handkerchief in one hand, her fingers trembling slightly, and continued, "I asked someone to go to Wuwei Temple to ask for talisman paper, but the talisman paper they got didn't work. Qi Niang's fever wouldn't go away."

"Why is it that only the talisman paper you brought is useful?"

Shen Wan tried hard to control her emotions and spoke at a steady pace, but when she said the last sentence, she could no longer conceal the sharpness in her words.

The invisible veil between the two of them was torn open by her own hands.

Chu Qianhuang sat upright, looking calm and composed, without even moving his eyebrows.

"Maybe it's because I have a connection with Wuwei Temple. Everything is about fate. The Queen has a connection with Wuwei Temple, so she was able to cure the third princess."

Chu Qianhuang spoke carelessly, obviously speaking casually.

Both Shen Wan and Madam Rong could see at a glance that Chu Qianhuang had a perfunctory look on her face.

Shen Wan's heart felt like it was pierced with several holes. It felt empty and painful.

She was convinced that there was indeed some "mystery" in the talisman paper.

Shen Wan took a deep breath and said, "Sister Huang, Qi Niang has had a fever since yesterday afternoon. It has lasted for a whole day and night, and it is getting worse and worse."

"Please, please!"

Her eyes suddenly turned red, and there was pleading in her eyes as she looked at Chu Qianhuang.

Chu Qianhuang also sighed, stared into Shen Wan's eyes, and sighed: "It depends on fate."

This time, she didn't even bother to hide her perfunctory emotions.

10,000. This chapter is relatively coherent, a little hard to tell apart, I'll try to get better points in the next chapter.

(End of this chapter)