Only the trees and bushes were still swaying in the wind.

Prince Rui's face looked really bad, and he stared with sharp eyes at the triangular-eyed Jinwu guard on the wall who had shot Andaman to death with one arrow.

The triangular-eyed Jinwu Guard, still holding the bow in his hand, jumped down from the wall somewhat awkwardly, walked up to Prince Rui and Deputy Commander Xu, clasped his fists and admitted his fault: "Your Highness, Deputy Commander Xu, the wind just blew a branch and it hit me, and I accidentally let go..."

He maintained the posture of bowing his head and clasping his fists, a gloomy light flashing in his lowered eyes.

Prince Rui: “…”

Prince Rui felt a dull pain in his forehead, and it was not easy for him to scold the other party any more.

In other words, rebuking is useless, as the dead cannot be resurrected.

Deputy Commander Xu made a gesture, and his personal guards went to check the two bodies on the ground and Chu Qianhuang, and then reported back: "The two Haos are dead, and Miss Chu was just knocked unconscious."

Prince Rui looked at the two corpses and Chu Qianhuang with a complicated gaze. His temples ached, his heart felt heavy, and his expression was uncertain.

After a long while, Prince Rui finally gave the order: "Take away the body of Prince Andaman and return to the capital overnight!"

Then, lights were lit again in the inn where the candles had been extinguished, just like the stars on the earth illuminating the dark night.

Those who had rested had to get up again and pack their bags as quickly as possible. Half an hour later, the team was on the road again, but there was an extra black coffin in the team.

As the sounds of horse hooves and cart wheels gradually faded away, the post station returned to dead silence and the lights went out one by one.

Several people slowly walked out of a small forest opposite the post station.

Walking in the front was a young man wearing a green veil and holding a bead in one hand. He stopped at the intersection and looked quietly in the direction where the convoy left.

The veil hanging around the veil was blown wildly by the night wind, and behind the veil, Uhajaro's face was handsome and flawless.

A pair of deep eyes flashed with wisdom, and his temperament was calm, as if he could see through everything in the world.

After a moment, a carrier pigeon flapped its wings and flew up from the woods. Its wings brushed against the branches of the treetops, and the branches rustled as if whispering.

The night is getting darker...

The carrier pigeon arrived in the capital three days later and flew all the way into Prince Chen's Palace.

The cat first spotted the pigeon and meowed excitedly, its green eyes sparkling in the sun. It chased the pigeon around the yard for several circles, but Jingfeng found it in time.

As a result, the cat was driven away by Jing Feng, and the letter brought by the carrier pigeon was quickly delivered to Gu Jue.

Gu Jue glanced at the letter nonchalantly and said to Shen Qianchen with a smile: "Everything went well."

"Meow?" The black cat came here following the carrier pigeon that delivered a letter. It raised its head and called to Gu Jue several times in a row, as if asking him, where is the pigeon?

Gu Jue ignored it and said, "They will be back soon."

When the cat saw that the male owner ignored it, it went to rub against the female owner.

It squatted quietly at the edge of Shen Qianchen's skirt, rubbed it a few times, and then looked at her infatuatedly.

It's almost written in my eyes that the cat is so well-behaved, how could anyone not want to touch it!

Unfortunately, it was just flirting with a blind man. Shen Qianchen paid no attention to the cat at all. He moved closer to read the letter sent by carrier pigeon with great interest, and leaned his cheek on his shoulder.

She knew that Gu Jue and Uhagalou had teamed up to set a trap for the Prince of Andaman.

Gu Jue never told him the details of this scheme, and Shen Qianchen never asked. He just read a few letters between Gu Jue and Wuhejialou, and knew some things vaguely, but there were still many things he didn't understand.

However, if she can't figure it out, then she can't figure it out. Anyway, she will naturally know it when Prince Rui and the others come back.

Shen Qianchen thought openly and asked casually: "Are you going out later?"

She remembered that Gu Jue was going to Fengtai Camp today.

Recently, Gu Jue has been recovering better and better, so Shen Qianchen no longer restricts him. Since the end of February, Gu Jue has been going to the military camp more and more frequently.

Gu Jue responded, read the letter again, and then placed the letter on the candle flame and lit it.

In a moment, the flames devoured the paper, and the thin piece of letter paper quickly burned to ashes, which floated away lightly in the breeze outside the window...

Gu Jue looked at the dissipating ashes, a dark light surging in his eyes.

The plan has come to this point, and Uhaga Tower has done everything it should do. So, it is time to prepare for the follow-up on our side to avoid being too passive.

Gu Jue turned his head, lowered his narrow eyes, and stared at her smiling little face. Her skin was so smooth and delicate that not even the slightest flaw could be seen.

He raised his hand and gently stroked her smooth black hair, and promised in a low voice: "We will return to the Northland by the end of the year at the latest."

His voice was gentle and soothing, and he simply outlined their future.

Knowing Gu Jue as she knew him, Shen Qianchen had long guessed that many of Gu Jue's recent actions were in preparation for returning to the North.

Now that he had told her in person, they could definitely go back to the North with a clear conscience.

She believed him and believed everything he said!

"Yeah." Shen Qianchen nodded with a smile and looked up at Gu Jue's eyes. The golden sunlight was gently flickering on the tips of his long eyelashes, as if they were covered with gold powder.

"I like the North." She said seriously, her dark phoenix eyes were as clear as spring water, reflecting his face clearly, her chin still resting on his shoulder.

As she spoke, her warm breath sprayed on the sides of his neck and chin. The closer she got, the stronger her scent became, fresh and elegant, seeping into his mouth and nose bit by bit.

Gu Jue's Adam's apple rolled slightly, and his eyes were filled with turbulent emotions.

He raised his arms and hugged her slender waist, letting her little face rest on his chest.

Shen Qianchen subconsciously tried to move his face from left to right, but his palm grabbed the back of his head and pressed it above his heart.

Boom, boom, boom! His heart was strong and full of life.

Shen Qianchen thought that he had done it without leaving any trace, but in fact, Gu Jue had noticed it a long time ago. Ever since she opened his chest, she had always treated him like a fragile enamel doll. Except when applying medicine and bandaging him, she did not dare to touch the scar on his left chest.

She was a doctor, and she might know how well he was recovering better than he did. It was she who told him that he would be able to ride and shoot in a few days.

Because I care, I cannot remain calm; because I care, I am always fearful.

Whenever Gu Jue thought of this, he felt distressed, sad, and filled with tenderness.

Shen Qianchen listened quietly to his heartbeat, and hugged his waist, tightly and forcefully, telling himself in his heart that he was fine.

Her eyes were slightly sore.

Suddenly, an inexplicable impulse arose in my heart.

She moved her face half an inch closer and kissed him lightly and tenderly on the spot where his scar was.

They kissed each other through the middle and outer garments.

Light as a feather.

Gu Jue's chest trembled violently, as if an electric current spread rapidly from the place where she kissed him. The blood in his body seemed to boil and burn, and his whole body felt numb.

This girl!

Really...

He closed his eyes and tried his best to endure it, but his slender fingers couldn't help but penetrate into her thick hair, gently and tenderly.

Shen Qianchen didn't notice his abnormality and smiled sweetly.

She also took the initiative to rub her head against his palm, like a cat, her voice warm and sweet: "I like to be wherever the prince is." Her tone was almost a whisper, and she seemed to be acting coquettishly.

It doesn't matter where they are, as long as they are together! They will be together forever! When Gu Jue's body recovered to the point where he could ride a horse and draw a bow in mid-March, Prince Rui and his party also returned to the capital.

Prince Rui was also afraid that something unexpected might happen, so on the way back to Beijing, they traveled day and night without much rest, and they all looked haggard.

When they set out from the capital before, the wedding procession, including Hao Ren, was huge and high-spirited; when they came back, more than half of the team members were missing, and everyone was listless, and even a lot of the dowry that Da Qi had prepared for Yuan Zhitong was lost.

The first thing Prince Rui, the Minister of Rites, and Deputy Commander Xu did after arriving in Beijing was to go to the palace to meet the emperor.

However, the emperor is still ill, and his condition is getting worse with the passage of time. He spends most of the day lying on the dragon couch and is not awake much. Therefore, the crown prince has been acting as regent since the beginning of the year.

Gu Nanjin learned a few days ago that Prince Rui and his entourage were about to return to Beijing, but Prince Rui's letter was vague, only saying that Andaman was dead.

Gu Nanjin didn't know what had happened specifically, and he had been worried about it for the past two days. Therefore, he met with Prince Rui and his men as soon as possible that day, and listened to their report on the journey south, including how Andaman died at the hands of the Jinwu Guards.

Afterwards, Gu Nanjin sent the guards of the East Palace to the Prince Chen's Mansion to invite Gu Jue into the palace.

This was Gu Jue's first visit to the palace after the New Year's Day celebration. Unlike that time when he was dressed formally, today Gu Jue was dressed very casually, wearing only a moon-white Taoist robe, and his hair was half-tied and half-letted as usual at home.

The road from the palace gate to the East Palace attracted countless inquiring and scrutinizing eyes.

Both the officials and palace maids were secretly speculating why this rare guest, Gu Jue, came.

The atmosphere of the entire palace underwent a subtle change due to Gu Jue's arrival, and perhaps only Gu Nanjin was overjoyed.

He was worried that Gu Jue would not come, and wondered if he still had to go to Prince Chen's Mansion in person.

"Ninth Uncle, please sit down and talk." Gu Nanjin personally invited Gu Jue to sit down.

This is Gu Nanjin’s study in the East Palace.

The study is an extremely private place for a person. Usually, Gu Nanjin receives guests in the side hall. He invited Gu Jue to the study to express his closeness.

There was a ginkgo wood chessboard on a coffee table by the window. Gu Nanjin seemed to be setting up the chess pieces. There was also a chess manual next to the chessboard. The chessboard was covered with densely packed black and white chess pieces.

Gu Jue only took a glance at the chessboard and knew that this was an endgame. The black pieces were surrounded by the murderous white pieces and were at the end of their rope.

After the eunuch brought two cups of hot tea, Gu Nanjin asked again, "Does the Ninth Prince know about Prince Rui's return to the capital?"

Gu Jue just said "Oh" faintly, neither nodding nor denying.

Gu Nanjin didn't care. This was just an opening remark. Then, he carefully relayed Prince Rui's words to Gu Jue.

Gu Jue drank his tea without saying a word, without even moving his eyes or eyebrows, looking calm and composed.

Gu Nanjin knew that Gu Jue was a man of few words, so he didn't care. He honestly told his analysis and speculation, "Ninth Uncle, regarding the matter of Changjing Town, I think Prince Rui and his men were set up by the Hao people."

Gu Nanjin clenched his right fist and tapped it twice on the coffee table thoughtfully, looking at the birds flying outside the window.

He thought for a while and then said, "But there are a few things that don't make sense..."

"First, what benefits will this bring to the people of Nanhao?"

As he spoke, Gu Nanjin knocked his fist on the coffee table twice.

He couldn't figure out these two points, so he thought there might be some "misunderstanding". He also mentioned his thoughts to Prince Rui and others, and asked about Andaman's unnatural behavior on the way south from the capital.

However, Prince Rui disagreed. He explained: "Prince, in my opinion, Miss Chu and the Prince of Andaman are obviously colluding. Maybe there is a change in the agreement between them. Miss Chu suddenly changed her mind and did not want to go to Hao Country with Hao Ren. That's why Hao Ren took the risk to chase her and knocked her out in the post station."

However, Gu Nanjin felt that Prince Rui's explanation had loopholes.

Although he had not met Chu Qianhuang yet, and although he guessed that Chu Qianhuang might have reached some agreement with Hao Ren, he felt that what happened in Changjing Town was too bizarre to explain.

Gu Jue put down the teacup and suddenly said, "Changjing Town, I know that too."

Gu Nanjin suddenly looked towards Gu Jue and looked at him with a questioning look.

Gu Jue said calmly, "Last year when I sent Wuhejialou back to Hao Country, I was ambushed in Changjing Town, and the townspeople of Changjing Town were massacred..."

Upon hearing about the massacre, Gu Nanjin was dumbfounded. He was shocked as if he had been hit hard by a punch. A feeling of suffocation surged up from his chest, just like a bursting flood that destroyed a village in an instant.

He also knew that Gu Jue and Wuhagalou had been ambushed by the Hao people before. Obviously, this was ordered by the new emperor of the Hao Kingdom, Wuhaduluo.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

The essence of this ambush can be attributed to the internal strife of the Hao State, but the Hao people secretly sneaked into the territory of Da Qi and massacred the people of a town. More than half a year has passed, and the local officials of Yuzhou have not reported it to the court until now!

Ridiculous, this is simply ridiculous! At this moment, he wished he could immediately issue an order on behalf of the emperor to punish the relevant officials.

Gu Nanjin slammed his palm heavily on the coffee table, his eyes bloodshot and full of indignation.

He could understand why Gu Jue did not report it. After all, the emperor was so wary of Gu Jue, so Gu Jue naturally would not tell the emperor these things.

To put it more bluntly, even if Gu Jue said it, the emperor might not believe it. He might even turn around and suspect Gu Jue, or suspect whether Gu Jue was trying to sow discord between Da Qi and Emperor Hao Uhadula.

When the emperor doesn't want to believe, no matter what others say, he will doubt it...

When the emperor wanted to believe, he would believe it no matter how absurd Taoist Xuan Jing's words were.

Gu Nanjin's eyes darkened a little more, and he took two deep breaths. His emotions finally calmed down a little, but his voice was still tense. He asked again: "Uncle, can you tell me what happened at that time?"

He asked, and Gu Jue answered everything.

Gu Nanjin listened attentively, his eyes flickering, and he didn't speak for a long time.

Only after Gu Jue finished speaking did Gu Nanjin slightly open his lips and hesitate for a moment. He wanted to ask Gu Jue whether Wuhejialou was still alive...

The words came to his lips, but he still didn't ask.

Gu Jue raised his sword-like eyebrows, and saw what Gu Nanjin was thinking at a glance, and brought up the topic: "Do you want to ask if Wuhejialou is still alive?"

Gu Nanjin: “…”

Gu Jue's words hit the nail on the head for Gu Nanjin, and he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed and complicated.

He hesitated again, and finally nodded.

After he nodded, he regretted it, thinking that no matter whether Wuhejialou was alive or dead, the answer he got from Gu Jue would probably be the same.

However, Gu Jue's answer was completely beyond Gu Nanjin's expectations -

“Alive.”

Gu Nanjin was so shocked that his jaw dropped.

He pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and then asked the next question: "Ninth Uncle, did you bring him to the capital?"

He tried hard to make his voice sound calm, but even so, there was still a hint of cautious tentativeness in his tone.

Gu Jue took another sip of the refreshing and sweet Longjing tea, and said in an elegant and graceful manner, "Not long after the ambush in Changjing Town, I crossed the river with him and went to Hao Kingdom."

"We encountered several attacks in the territory of Hao. The last time, the enemy attacked us from both sides, taking advantage of the terrain and the people. He and I had to split up and go our separate ways. After that, we got separated."

Gu Jue deliberately spoke half-truths. It was true that he and Wuhejialou were separated in Hao Kingdom for a time, but this was also part of their plan. Soon the two groups reunited. Later, he brought the seriously injured Wuhejialou back to Da Qi.

It was because Gu Jue's words were half true and half false that Gu Nanjin believed it.

Calculating the time, Gu Jue should have been able to return to Beijing about twenty days earlier last year. It must be because he went to Hao Kingdom that he took some extra time.

Moreover, even if Gu Jue wanted to save Wuhejialou, there was no need to bring anyone back to the capital.

Gu Nanjin felt relieved, so he asked again: "Uncle Nine, could this be a trap set by Wuhejia Tower?"

I have to say, this possibility is very high.

In the past, Uhagaru was ambushed by Uhadula's men in Changjing Town and narrowly escaped death; this time, Uhagaru returned the favor and ambushed the Andaman Prince and his entourage in the same place to avenge himself.

This was also his response to Uhadrara.

Therefore, Prince Rui and his entourage were safe and sound, without any harm, because Uhagaru was a man who clearly distinguished between gratitude and resentment. He was going after Andaman and his entourage, and did not want to be an enemy of Da Qi.

It is conceivable that if anything happened to Prince Rui in Changjing Town, it would be a provocation to the court and the royal family of Da Qi. The emperor would have to give an explanation to everyone even if he had to dig three feet into the ground. But it would be a different matter if it was Haoren who died.

So, everything fits in!

Wuhagalou's intentions are also obvious. His main purpose is revenge; secondly, he can also use this to disintegrate the alliance between Da Qi and the current Emperor Hao, Wuhaduluo; and his ultimate goal should be restoration.

Gu Nanjin fell into deep thought and did not speak for a long time.

The weather in March is sunny and gentle, willow branches are swaying, flowers are in full bloom, and the spring breeze is filled with fragrant aroma, carrying petals dancing in the air.

The kettle on the desk was dripping water gently, tick, tick, and time passed slowly.

Gu Jue also stopped talking and continued to drink his tea leisurely. Even though he was in the important area of ​​the imperial palace, he still looked like a carefree wanderer, with an indifference that didn't care about worldly things.

Suddenly, Gu Nanjin asked again: "Should I strengthen the troops on the border with Nanhao?"

His expression was solemn and serious.

The Great River was the border between the State of Qi and the State of Hao.

The broad and steep river is a natural barrier, but it is also difficult to defend. The river stretches thousands of miles from west to east, and if we want to strengthen the defense, we will have to mobilize a lot of troops.

This is not an easy decision.

If he hadn't dispatched tens of thousands of troops to suppress bandits and strengthen coastal defense today, it would have affected the defense structure of the entire Da Qi.

Gu Nanjin suddenly felt as if a mountain was pressing down on his shoulders, making him feel so heavy that he couldn't straighten his back.

He is the crown prince of Da Qi. The more honorable he is, the more responsibilities he has to shoulder. His one decision affects tens or even hundreds of thousands of people, and the country of Da Qi.

Gu Jue did not answer but asked: "Prince, what do you think of the current situation of Hao Kingdom?"

Gu Nanjin was silent, and in an instant, he calmed down a lot.

As the saying goes, the first time you make a great effort, the second time it will weaken, and the third time it will be exhausted.

If Uhaduluo had been able to take control of the entire Hao Kingdom in one fell swoop last year, then the Hao Kingdom would now be the strongest opponent of the Da Qi.

However, Uhaduluo failed to capture Uhaduluo, so the last two states of Hao Kingdom have not yet submitted to Uhaduluo. Now Hao Kingdom is torn into pieces, and it is no exaggeration to say that it can hardly protect itself.

Why would Uhaduro choose to start a war with Daqi at this time? !

"Uhaduluo wouldn't dare." Gu Nanjin whispered almost to himself, his voice barely audible.

To put it bluntly, if the Hao Kingdom attacks Da Qi now, then Wuhejialou will be able to reap the benefits.

Although Uhadura officially ascended the throne and used tough measures to subdue the civil and military officials in the court, Uhadura had always enjoyed prestige among the people, nobles and the military. This prestige was subtle and could not be eliminated overnight.

It is difficult to say how much of their submission to Uhadrā is genuine and how much of it is just lying in wait for Uhadrā's return. I am afraid that even Uhadrā himself does not know.

Wuhadu Luo finally ascended to this position and ruled the world. How could a person who was high above and sitting on the throne dare to easily take advantage of his kingdom? He certainly didn't dare to take action against Da Qi.

Gu Jue heard Gu Nanjin's whisper and raised the corner of his lips with a smile.

He and Uhajaro had already anticipated Uhadula's reaction.

After Gu Nanjin figured it out, a smile appeared on his face again. His mood was like a ball that was thrown up high and then dropped down, up and down. His heart was empty and a feeling of fatigue surged up.

He looked at Gu Jue with even more awe, this awe came from the heart, and it was also a kind of self-knowledge. Gu Jue had a very thorough understanding of the government and the situation of the two countries. Looking back at himself, he was too limited and could not see it as comprehensively and thoroughly as Gu Jue.

He, the crown prince, is far inferior to the Ninth Uncle!

Gu Nanjin felt helpless and a little ashamed.

If his father had not been too suspicious, with a wise king like Gu Jue as his assistant, he would be able to intimidate the four barbarians and stabilize the people's hearts. Why would he worry about the Hao Kingdom?

Perhaps, Da Qi could take advantage of this chaos in Nanhao to unify the country, fulfill the long-cherished wish of Emperor Taizu, and end the hundreds of years of north-south division in the Central Plains.

This was something that would go down in history, and his father could even be called a famous emperor through the ages...

However, this can only be called a fantasy.

Thinking of the haggard emperor in the Yangxin Palace, who was setting in the evening, Gu Nanjin felt even more exhausted, so exhausted that it almost swallowed him up.

He picked up the teacup, tried his best to conceal his emotions, and after taking two sips of tea, he calmly asked, "Ninth Uncle, how should I deal with this?"

Gu Jue raised his eyebrows and smiled, his cold eyes revealed an unpredictable temperament, as if the winter snow had melted into his narrow eyes with the arrival of spring.

He didn't say anything, but just casually picked up a black piece from the chess box and placed it steadily and firmly on a position in the middle of the chessboard.

This was his answer.

Gu Nanjin: “…”

Gu Nanjin was stunned at first, and subconsciously looked at the chess board, frowning slightly, as if thinking about something.

This move was a brilliant one!

Gu Nanjin felt as if a ray of morning light had dispelled the thick haze, and suddenly everything became clear.

He is also a smart man and understands things quickly.

He stared at the complicated chess game on the board and couldn't help laughing, feeling that he had acted foolishly for a moment.

No wonder the ancients said that a chess game is like a battlefield! 　I will soon return to the north.

(End of this chapter)