Wuhajialou ambushed the envoys of the Hao Kingdom in Changjing Town. Except for the Prince of Andaman, there were probably few survivors at that time.

And now, the Prince of Andaman has died at the hands of their Great Qi Jinwu Guards.

In this case, even if Da Qi told Emperor Hao Wuhaduluo that the ambush in Changjing Town had nothing to do with Da Qi, Wuhaduluo would not believe it.

Whether Uhajaro did it intentionally or unintentionally, it doesn't matter anymore. Uhadula probably already hates Da Qi and it is impossible for them to cooperate anymore.

Even if Uhadula temporarily swallowed his anger and talked about cooperation again, I am afraid that the emperors of the two countries would not trust each other.

Under the premise of complete distrust of each other, even if they cooperate, it will be another round of intrigue and deception, and sooner or later they will tear each other apart!

so--

Gu Nanjin couldn't help but look out the window. The pure white clouds in the sky were like the white monk's robes, free from any dust.

So, he could only cooperate with Uhagalou.

Otherwise, if he waited until Uhaduluo pacified the entire Hao Kingdom and turned his attention to Da Qi, it would be too passive for him to think about countermeasures at that time.

The best way for Da Qi is to use the existence of Wuhejialou to contain Wuheduluo, and let the uncle and nephew of Hao Kingdom fight each other first. No matter who wins, Hao Kingdom will inevitably suffer a certain degree of damage.

Only then could the Great Qi rest and recuperate while watching the two tigers fight each other.

In order for Uhagaru to have the capital to fight against Uhadula, Da Qi had to provide Uhagaru with some help appropriately.

Gu Nanjin's eyes became darker as he pondered.

He grabbed a handful of chess pieces in the box, and the pieces collided with each other, making some noises.

He raised his arm slightly, and held the white piece in the air with his slender fingers. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, and finally dropped the white piece.

“Bang!”

The crisp sound of the pieces falling seemed to be announcing something.

Wuhejialou stayed in Da Qi for several months last year. Gu Nanjin was responsible for entertaining him and had many contacts with him. Moreover, he had also investigated and learned about this person from many sources and had some understanding of his character. That was why Gu Nanjin strongly supported Anle's marriage to Wuhejialou and promoted the marriage between the two countries.

To be honest, Gu Nanjin felt that Wuhejialou's character was far better than that of the current Emperor Hao.

Gu Nanjin suddenly understood and made up his mind. He picked up the teacup and said solemnly, "Listening to your words is better than reading for ten years. I will use tea instead of wine to thank the emperor's uncle."

At this time, the tea was warm and delicious, so Gu Nanjin drank it all in one gulp to show his respect, and thought in his heart: The Ninth Prince sees too clearly and understands too well.

It is precisely because of this that the Ninth Prince is unwilling and disdainful to play tricks on his father.

Thinking of the emperor again, Gu Nanjin's expression became even more gloomy, and he sighed, "Ninth Uncle, the imperial physician consulted with father again this morning, and father's condition has become more serious."

He said this with a somewhat tentative tone.

In response to this, Gu Jue did not comment, but just picked up another black piece and put it down. This simple action seemed to be done with ease.

After this move was made, the black piece's defeat on the chessboard was easily reversed, and it became almost evenly matched with the white piece.

Gu Nanjin looked at Gu Jue's expression and continued, "The imperial physician said that father is suffering from a deficiency of both qi and blood, deficiency of both yin and yang, and the decline of his five internal organs. His condition will only worsen..."

Gu Nanjin said it tactfully, but anyone could hear that the imperial physician felt that the emperor was beyond saving and only a matter of days would pass.

He carefully considered his words and continued, "Uncle Nine has made great military contributions to the Great Qi. I remember that."

In the past year, Gu Jue stayed away from the court, only caring about the military and politics of the North and his Black Armor Army, and not caring about other things. Gu Nanjin wanted to ask Gu Jue if he was willing to return to the court to help him if the emperor passed away.

In the game between Da Qi and Nan Hao, the initiative is now in Da Qi's hands, while in the game between him and Gu Jue, the initiative is in Gu Jue's hands.

Everything depends on what Gu Jue thinks and how he wants to play this game...

Gu Nanjin was actually unsure, his heart was beating wildly.

Gu Jue smiled again, a light smile, and uttered three words lightly: "My last name is Gu."

Gu Nanjin chewed over these three words and felt relieved.

The surname "Gu" brings them dignity, making them, the descendants of the Gu family, naturally superior to others, but also carries huge responsibilities and pressure.

Because their surname is "Gu" and they have no choice but to fulfill their responsibilities, the Ninth Uncle Gu Jue would rush to the battlefield in the north at the young age of fifteen, both to relieve the worries of the late emperor and for the sake of the Great Qi.

Gu Jue’s surname is Gu, and he has his own standards in his heart.

Gu Nanjin calmed down a lot. He bowed solemnly to Gu Jue and then invited Gu Jue to stay for dinner.

Gu Jue did not keep any, but he did not refuse Gu Nanjin's kindness in giving snacks to Shen Qianchen. The snacks in the imperial kitchen were indeed good, and the most important thing was that Shen Qianchen loved them.

When Gu Nanjin personally escorted Gu Jue out of the house, he stopped at the corridor and couldn't help asking again, "Uncle Nine, what is the purpose of the Andaman County King risking his life to chase him to Yanzhou?"

Is it just for Chu Qianhuang? Gu Jue glanced at Gu Nanjin indifferently: "Don't you have the answer?"

His look was calm, but it made Gu Nanjin feel like he was seen through him inside and out.

After saying that, Gu Jue leisurely walked down the stone steps and left without looking back.

"..." Gu Nanjin stared blankly at Gu Jue's departing back. He was also shocked when Prince Rui told him that Andaman had kidnapped Chu Qianhuang.

He suddenly thought of the time when the emperor changed the candidate for marriage from Anle to Yuan Zhitong, Prince Andaman was obviously filled with righteous indignation, but in the end he accepted it easily.

Could it be that Andaman agreed so readily because he wanted Chu Qianhuang? ! He felt that Chu Qianhuang was more valuable than Anle, and it was worth his risk to chase her to Yanzhou? Gu Nanjin was in doubt, thinking that this guess was too bold and too incredible. Chu Qianhuang was just a girl, an ordinary daughter of a marquis. What value could she have that was worth the covetousness of Hao State? ! When Gu Nanjin came to his senses, Gu Jue was no longer in front of him, and he turned around and went back to the study.

After Gu Jue left the Eastern Palace, he left the Imperial Palace amidst a sea of ​​scorching gazes. At the same time, the news that Gu Jue had stayed in the Eastern Palace for half an hour spread like wildfire.

When Gu Jue returned to Prince Chen's Mansion, it was almost three o'clock in the afternoon.

The first thing he did was to ask someone to take the snacks he brought back from the East Palace to the kitchen to heat them up.

He himself went to the parade ground.

Chu Yunyi went to the military camp today, so Shen Qianchen was the only one in the training ground.

She was practicing archery there.

"call out!"

Her arrows were still very steady, and each one could hit the bull's eye from a hundred steps away. She shot ten arrows without missing a single one.

She drew another arrow from her quiver, turned to look at Gu Jue with a smile, and asked casually, "What did the prince say?"

Gu Jue made it short: "He asked about Wuhejia Tower."

Shen Qianchen narrowed his eyes and smiled, saying jokingly: "This prince is not that stupid." He even thought of linking it to Wuhejialou.

Shen Qianchen put an arrow on the bow and pulled the string. When he let go of the string, he casually asked, "Where is the monk?"

Before the last word was uttered, the arrow hit the bull's eye again.

"He's back in Nanhao." Gu Jue clapped his hands as a compliment to her arrow, and said with a smile, "All his connections are in Nanhao. It's time to pass on the message to those people."

The timing was just right. Those weak-willed fence-sitters should have surrendered to Uhadu Luo long ago. The remaining people were at least somewhat loyal to Uhajialou and his son. However, those people could not wait indefinitely, so Uhajialou had to give them a reassurance.

"I have done everything I can for him. Next, it depends on how far he can go in Nanhao." Gu Jue said calmly.

Shen Qianchen also understood this, and he casually plucked the bowstring, which made a buzzing sound.

Wuhejialou is a Hao person. Gu Jue can cooperate with him for mutual benefit, but he can't help him regain the throne. Wuhejialou is also a smart man. He can't let Gu Jue do this. Otherwise, the relationship between Gu Jue and him will no longer be equal. Even if he restores the throne of Hao, he will be questioned as a puppet of Qi people.

Shen Qianchen suddenly took a step closer to Gu Jue. They faced each other. She raised her little face and put her nose against his, less than half a foot away.

She put her hand holding the bow behind her back and said with a playful smile: "Don't worry about that monk, just take care of me."

She pouted half indulgently and half coquettishly, her full and plump lips were charming and tempting, and the corners of her lips were slightly raised, as if it could move people's hearts and make people laugh along with her.

It seemed as if a delicate petal fell quietly on his heart, and Gu Jue's heart was rippling. As the petals fell, ripples appeared, and a charming smile lingered in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.

"How do you want me to manage it?" His voice was gentle and hoarse, low and magnetic. As he spoke, he lowered his head a little, and the tip of his nose rubbed against hers faintly.

"Play with me." Shen Qianchen curled the corners of his lips, his voice was tender and soft, "I've been practicing horseback archery recently, do you want to compete with me, Your Majesty?"

After a pause, she rolled her eyes and added confidently, "But, Your Majesty, you have to give way to me."

She felt warm and sweet in her heart, and just wanted to act coquettishly, as if... as if she knew that she was favored, so she had enough confidence to act coquettishly and indulge herself.

"How?" Gu Jue asked her with a raised eyebrow, looking down at her with amusement.

Shen Qianchen untied a bright red ribbon from her ponytail, then pointed at Gu Jue's eyes: "Blindfold your eyes!"

Her smile became happier and more cunning.

"As for the prize," she rolled her eyes again, revealing her intelligence and spirit, "If I win, give me the painting by Sun Cunzhi in your study."

Gu Jue: “That’s all?”

So, Shen Qianchen added one more thing in a "stubborn" way: "Give me the night-light pearl in your study as well."

Since they were going to compete in horse riding and archery, they of course needed horses, so Amber and Jingfeng brought Fenglu and Jueying over respectively.

Amber watched the couple's show of skill expressionlessly. In fact, the princess didn't need to rely on competition to win the prize. What treasure did she want? Would the prince not give it to her? Occasionally, Amber would suspect that the prince might even dare to give the princess the military token!

The targets on the training ground were already set up, because not only Shen Qianchen was practicing horse riding and archery, but Chu Yunyi was also practicing horse riding and archery here.

Shen Qianchen grabbed the red ribbon and said excitedly: "I'll blindfold you."

She stood behind Gu Jue, not giving him a chance to refuse. She stood on tiptoe and covered his eyes with the two-finger-wide red ribbon in her hand, warning him, "Don't move!"

Gu Jue was very obedient and stood there motionless.

Shen Qianchen carefully tied a perfect bow, then walked around to Gu Jue's front, stood on tiptoe, raised his hand and slightly adjusted the position of the ribbon, making sure that his eyes were covered tightly, then smiled with satisfaction.

The bright red ribbon formed a sharp contrast with Gu Jue's fair skin, softening his cold features by a factor of three.

He just stood there with his hands behind his back, a corner of his robe blown up by the wind. He had a light and elegant temperament, as calm as water, and had an air of being untainted by this world.

Shen Qianchen pursed his lips and chuckled happily without making any sound.

Shen Qianchen's eyes lingered on Gu Jue's face again before he said, "Okay!"

So, Gu Jue could finally move.

The two men mounted their respective horses, and Amber gave them orders by high-fiving.

“Bang!”

As soon as the order was given, Jueying took the lead and galloped out, completely unaware of what humility was. Gu Jue, who was blindfolded on the horse, moved freely, drawing the arrow, putting the arrow on the bow, and finally releasing the arrow.

His movements were as smooth as usual, without the slightest pause.

After running a circle, everyone shot five arrows, and Gu Jue hit the bull's eye with every arrow.

In comparison, Shen Qianchen pales in comparison. When she shot the fifth arrow, she was already two horse lengths behind Gu Jue. Moreover, her five arrows only hit the target, which was far from the center.

Even if Gu Jue was blindfolded, there would be no suspense in this competition, after all, the difference in strength between the two was too great.

Jing Feng watched the entire competition and secretly complained in his heart: If it weren't for Su Mubai, it would be difficult for the prince to marry a princess. Why didn't he give way to the princess? !

Jingfeng felt that he should be nicer to Su Mubai in the future.

Although Shen Qianchen lost the competition, he was in a good mood. He rode his horse to Gu Jue and boasted, "Your Majesty, look, every arrow I shot hit the target."

Gu Jue pulled off the red silk blindfold and looked around at the five targets on the field with a smile.

The two men just chose different arrows, the difference was in the color of the feathers, one had black feathers and the other had white feathers, so the result was obvious at a glance.

Gu Jue got off the horse first, then carried Shen Qianchen down from the horse's back, holding her waist, and waiting for her to stand firmly, he did not withdraw his hand.

The two horses were taken away by Amber and Jingfeng again.

Gu Jue seemed to have just thought of the prize and asked her, "What about my prize?"

Shen Qianchen smiled mysteriously with his lips pursed, his eyes curved, and waved at him, as if asking him to listen closer.

Gu Jue leaned down obediently and put one ear close to her lips.

She stood on tiptoe and raised her little face. The setting spring sun cast a bright sunlight obliquely, gently embellishing her fair little face, making her bright and charming.

She quickly kissed him where his chin met his earlobe, then turned and ran like a nimble rabbit, as if someone was chasing her.

It was another light kiss that faded away in an instant.

Unlike the previous two days, when she kissed the scar on his chest through his clothes, this time, she took the initiative to kiss his skin.

If the kiss two days ago represented pity, then what about this kiss today? Gu Jue raised his hand and touched the place where she had kissed just now, then looked at the red hairband held between his fingers, and smiled with his lips curled, a faint smile.

The spring breeze was blowing gently, and the wind made the hairband wrap around his slender fingers, lingering deeply into his bones.

The atmosphere in Prince Chen's Mansion was warm; on the other hand, the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace was depressing.

Gu Nanjin left Prince Rui, Yuan Zhitong, and concubines including Chu Qianhuang in the palace for a temporary stay.

After Gu Nanjin repeatedly asked about what happened in Changjing Town and Yanzhou Post Station that night, Prince Rui, Deputy Commander Xu and the Doctor of Rites went back, but Yuan Zhitong and the two concubines stayed in the palace.

Chu Qianhuang walked to the door, but was stopped by two eunuchs guarding under the eaves.

"I want to see the Royal Concubine and the Second Prince!" Chu Qianhuang raised her chin and said proudly.

One of the eunuchs gave a fake smile and said unhappily, "Miss Chu, the Crown Prince has something to say. Please go back to your room."

He turned a deaf ear to what Chu Qianhuang had just said.

Chu Qianhuang: "..."

Chu Qianhuang couldn't laugh at all, his face turned blue and then white.

She almost broke her teeth and had to turn around and go back to the house.

She knew that she was under house arrest in the palace.

Chu Qianhuang couldn't understand why the prince kept her in the palace, nor could she understand what the prince's intention was.

What she didn't expect was that nearly two months had passed and the emperor's illness had not yet healed, and was even getting worse, and the government was completely controlled by the prince.

On the day she returned to Beijing, she had hoped that the Second Prince would come to see her after hearing about her return, or that Concubine Chu would summon her...

But three days passed, and she seemed to have been forgotten here, and no one paid any attention to her.

Chu Qianhuang returned to the room alone. She was the only one in the room, empty and quiet.

Chu Qianhuang has been lonely ever since she traveled to this world. In this distant and strange world, she has always felt that she is out of place and no one understands her, so she wants to find a place where she truly belongs.

Apart from Aunt Jiang, Baoqin was the best person to her, but Baoqin died, died at the hands of Nanhao people, died in the post station.

She no longer had any trusted people around her.

At this moment, Chu Qianhuang felt a loneliness that penetrated deep into his bones, and his heart became even more panicked.

She recalled the night at the Yanzhou Posthouse when the Prince of Andaman angrily rebuked her: "Didn't you give the bow to the Emperor of Daqi? Uhagalou took your bow and almost killed us all!"

“…”

"Chu Qianhuang, don't treat me like a fool!"

At that time, Andaman's voice was so indignant and murderous. When Chu Qianhuang thinks back on it now, he still feels terrified.

She had a narrow escape from death!!

But--

"How could this happen..." Chu Qianhuang asked herself softly, almost whispering, and paced back and forth in the room anxiously.

She had countless doubts in her mind, and no matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn't get the answers. She felt like a little bug stuck in a spider web, unable to break free.

Everything seemed to be off track and became different from her dream.

The prince Gu Nanjin in the dream was capable, but too foolishly filial. So the emperor suppressed him again and again, but he did not think of resisting. In the end, he was deposed by the emperor and died young. This should have happened a few years later.

But now, the prince has obviously taken control of the court, and the emperor seems to be on his last legs.

How could the situation be reversed! ! Chu Qianhuang was panicked and stopped in front of a window, looking at the sky in the south. She blamed Prince Andaman in her heart. If he hadn't chased her to Yanzhou, if Prince Rui and the others hadn't seen Andaman kidnap her, no one would have suspected her.

What if the Crown Prince knew about her dealings with Prince Hao...

Chu Qianhuang stretched out her hand and tightly grasped the window sill. Veins appeared on the back of her hand. She didn't dare to think further. Her heart beat faster and faster, and she became more and more panicked.

Weapons and farming are the foundation of a country. Originally, she thought she was going to leave Da Qi, so she had nothing to fear, but now, Chu Qianhuang had to be afraid.

That night, Chu Qianhuang tossed and turned, unable to sleep all night.

The next morning, Chu Qianhuang noticed some movement in the house next door.

When she walked to the door, she saw Yuan Zhitong and another concubine had also left. Their maids were whispering to each other as they walked, saying that they could finally leave the palace.

Some bits and pieces of conversation were carried into Chu Qianhuang's ears by the wind.

Now, she was the only one left in the palace.

Chu Qianhuang felt like she was almost suffocating. She didn't sleep well that night. She was obviously exhausted, but she couldn't fall asleep.

The next morning, Chu Qianhuang finally walked out of the room and was taken to the East Palace. At this time, there was a dark shadow under her eyes, and she looked tired and haggard.

She was taken to a side hall in the East Palace.

There was no one else in the hall except Gu Nanjin and a little eunuch.

In the corner, there was a three-legged white porcelain incense burner with a unicorn pattern, and wisps of green smoke were wafting out of it.

The fragrance penetrated Chu Qianhuang's nose, and she felt that the strong fragrance made her heart suffocate.

Gu Nanjin was wearing a golden four-clawed python robe and a purple gold crown on his head. He had a handsome appearance, an elegant and noble temperament, and his friendly manner was yet hinted at aloofness and arrogance.

Chu Qianhuang saluted Gu Nanjin with restrained hands and feet.

She had no idea why the prince was looking for her, and she didn't dare to speak easily. She lowered her head and looked at the pair of embroidered shoes that were exposed from under her skirt.

Gu Nanjin was in no hurry to speak, nor did he ask Chu Qianhuang to excuse herself. He drank his tea slowly and gracefully.

Inside the hall, there was silence and the air seemed stagnant.

After a moment, Gu Nanjin asked, "Prince Rui told me that the Prince of Andaman was looking for you?"

His voice was neither loud nor soft, and so calm that one could not tell whether he was happy or angry. He spoke slowly, but with an invisible pressure, as if a thunder had sounded in the sky.

"..." Chu Qianhuang couldn't help but look up at Gu Nanjin who was sitting by the window, then lowered her eyes. Her already uneasy heart became even more at a loss, like a headless fly flying around everywhere.

Then Gu Nanjin's voice sounded again: "Andaman took such a big risk to go to the post station to 'pick you up'. He certainly didn't want to use you to threaten Da Qi, did he?"

"You should think about this question carefully before answering. What I have is 'patience'."

Gu Nanjin's tone was very calm, but the calmer he was, the more Chu Qianhuang couldn't figure out his depth.

Because of her dream, Chu Qianhuang had always looked down upon the Crown Prince, thinking that he was nothing more than a cannon fodder who went with the flow. It was precisely because of his identity as the Crown Prince of Da Qi that he was often mentioned by others in this world with Wuhejialou as the protagonist.

Before, when she was the princess's companion, she had talked to Gu Nanjin, but every time the third princess Anle was present, they only chatted a few words. This was the first time that Chu Qianhuang really faced the extremely noble Crown Prince of Da Qi!

Only at this moment did she realize that the pressure the prince brought to her was far greater than that of the emperor.

She was wrong. She underestimated the prince because of that dream. She forgot that the world she lived in now was different from where she came from. Here, imperial power and paternal authority were both unchallengeable. To the prince, the emperor was both his father and his monarch. Under the double pressure, the prince was powerless to fight back and ended up with the same fate as in the dream.

And once again, she made the fatal mistake of underestimating the enemy!

(End of this chapter)