Her slender white fingers clenched the handkerchief and ruffled it.

In just one year, the fate of her and Shen Qianchen changed drastically. Shen Qianchen should have fallen to the dust, but he climbed to a position that she couldn't even reach, while she was stuck in the quagmire...

Her father died, and she had to observe mourning for him for three years. After three years, the situation of the Chu family would only get worse. How could she find a good family?! If the Chu family was still a marquisate today, the imperial concubine might agree to let her become the second prince's concubine. But once the Chu family fell into decline, this would no longer be possible! She would no longer have the possibility of holding hands with the young man she had been thinking about...

Chu Qianling felt a piercing pain in her heart. There was a voice in her heart shouting and crying. She wanted others to feel the same way as she did.

"..." The lady looked at Liu in silence, her mouth opening and closing, as if someone was strangling her throat and she could no longer utter a word.

The lady's face looked extremely grim. After thinking about it carefully, she had to admit in her heart that the facts seemed to be exactly as Liu said.

It was Kang Hongda who used his tricks to speak well of the emperor to get Chu Lingxiao back from Youzhou, and they went against Kang Hongda's wishes, so how could Kang let them go! The lady closed her eyes and clenched her teeth tightly. After a while, the ups and downs of her chest gradually subsided.

She opened her eyes and asked Nanny Wang, "Where is Brother Yi?"

There is only Chu Yunyi. As long as Chu Yunyi begs, Kang Hongda will let them go. Otherwise, the Marquis' Mansion will be really finished.

Aunt Jiang didn't come close, just listened quietly, her heart filled with extreme hatred that seemed about to burst out at any moment.

Aunt Jiang's maid also changed her expression and called out in a low voice anxiously, "Aunt..."

The last note disappeared in the breeze in the courtyard. The white clouds floating in the sky above were in various shapes and sizes, and the hearts of people on the earth were even more complicated and changeable than these unpredictable clouds and winds.

Chu Yunyi still knows nothing about what happened in the Chu family.

Early this morning, he and Shen Qianchen, Shen Yunmu and their group came to Cuiwei Mountain in the suburbs for an outing.

At this moment, he was urging them impatiently: "Brother Mu, Qi Niang, stop dawdling and looking around. Since you want to learn how to ride a horse, learn it well!"

Chu Yunyi felt that he had made too great a sacrifice by not training and kindly accompanying the two little kids who couldn't even ride a horse out to play.

Chu Yunyi's loud voice startled a group of birds living in the woods, and they flapped their wings and flew away in a panic.

However, in Shen Yunmu's eyes, Chu Yunyi was just a paper tiger. Shen Yunmu rode on his pony and turned to Gu Zhiyan on the other side with a smile and said, "Qiniang... Cousin, did you see those birds? They are round and cute!"

Gu Zhiyan looked up at the sky, trying hard to open his eyes wide to observe the little birds.

The birds were flying too high, and from below one could only vaguely see their round heads, which were brown-red on top and their wings were a darker reddish-brown.

The bird's body is small, chubby and very cute!

Gu Zhiyan's eyes were sparkling, and under the shining sun, a faint golden light covered her little face.

The others at the back couldn't help laughing when they looked at the three of them.

Today's traveling team was very lively. Shen Qianchen, Shen Zhi, Pei Linye, Gu Jin and Shen Wan and his wife were all here. The only one missing was Gu Jue, who had gone to the military camp for something urgent.

Shen Qianchen originally wanted to go hunting, but since Gu Jue was not there, he gave up the idea and just took the two children out for a walk and relaxed.

Chu Yunyi specially asked for leave from Yunzhan today and volunteered to replace his brother-in-law to be his sister's bodyguard, but Shen Qianchen sent him to take care of the children.

"That's a Brown-headed Parrotbill!" Chu Yunyi taught the two little brats a lesson.

Shen Yunmu blinked her eyes, turned her head and looked at Chu Yunyi, her eyes seemed to be saying, is it true?

"Look over there," Chu Yunyi pointed to the crown of a tree in front of him on the right. "There is a bird's nest the size of a palm on that tree. It's shaped like a bowl. This is the nest of the Brown-headed Parrotbill."

Shen Yunmu and Gu Zhiyan's eyes were very busy, and they followed the direction Chu Yunyi pointed to look at the bird's nest on the treetop.

“I see it! I see it!”

“That bird’s nest is so cute!”

"Look, the little bird has returned to its nest..."

Shen Yunmu chattered non-stop.

Chu Yunyi thought: This little brat is just a little brat, he is making a fuss over such a small matter! Everyone rode their horses leisurely in the lush forests, and wherever they looked, there was thick greenery and wild flowers all over the mountains.

Shen Qianchen leaned over and whispered in Shen Zhi's ear: "Mom, look, Brother Yi is still the same, he says one thing and means another." This kid is too arrogant, always acting like he is disgusted, but with a smile on his face.

Shen Zhi was amused and said casually, "Yeah, I don't know who Yi Ge'er's weird personality resembles!"

"Anyway, it's not like me!" Shen Qianchen dismissed it completely.

Shen Zhi became even happier, her laughter sounding like a silver bell.

Pei Linye, who was riding a horse behind Shen Zhi, also heard the conversation between the mother and daughter. With a smile on his face, he couldn't help but think of the girl in fiery red clothes in his memory.

She used to be an innocent and carefree girl. Since he went to the North to join the army seventeen years ago, he had seen her only a few times. He watched her gradually stop smiling after marriage, put on armor, and become omnipotent...

And now, she finally smiled again.

That's great! Pei Linye stared at the bright smile on Shen Zhi's face, his heart softened.

At this time, Shen Yunmu turned his horse and rode towards Shen Zhi and her daughter, waving the bow and arrow in his hand to show his presence.

"Mom, sister, I just said I would hunt a little rabbit for Qinniang, do you want it?" He chuckled, looking very pleased with himself.

Rather than saying that Shen Yunmu came to ask questions, he actually came to show off, to show off that he was going to hunt rabbits for Gu Zhiyan.

Shen Zhi: “…”

Shen Qianchen: "..."

The mother and daughter once again lamented how different the personalities of the brothers Chu Yunyi and Shen Yunmu were.

Shen Yunmu has not yet hunted the rabbit, but he wants to find someone to show off to let everyone know that he is going to hunt rabbits today; while Chu Yunyi will probably go hunt the rabbit first, and after getting the prey, he will casually say, "I hunted rabbits for you."

At this time, Gu Zhiyan also rode his horse to catch up.

She had just learned to ride a horse, so she did not ride alone. A maid who was about twelve years old rode with her.

Gu Zhiyan said seriously: "Cousin, I want to live!"

"What does it matter whether they are dead or alive? As long as we can hunt rabbits, that's enough." Shen Yunmu shrugged and said indifferently.

Gu Zhiyan insisted: "Alive!"

Shen Yunmu pretended not to hear it. He thought about the hundred ways to eat rabbit and swallowed his saliva.

The two children started arguing about the rabbit, which was very funny to others and they laughed again.

Joyful laughter rang out one after another.

Shen Wan looked at Gu Zhiyan who was full of energy in front of her, pulled Gu Jin's sleeve, and smiled at him.

The couple followed Shen Qianchen's advice and found a maid for Gu Zhiyan who knew some martial arts, mainly to accompany Gu Zhiyan out and practice martial arts with her.

Ever since she had this maid named "Qiaofeng", Shen Wan felt more at ease.

Like today, with Qiaofeng and Gu Zhiyan riding together, Shen Wan didn't have to keep an eye on them all the time. She just needed to follow them not too close or too far, and wait for Gu Zhiyan to turn around occasionally and see her presence.

Shen Wan also smiled, her smile was as charming as a delicate flower, she turned to Shen Qianchen on the right and sighed: "Sister Chen, thank you!"

Shen Wan saw all the effort Shen Qianchen put into Gu Zhiyan.

Ever since that day when Gu Zhiyan truly opened her heart to Shen Qianchen and told him what happened when she was abducted, Shen Qianchen would talk to Gu Zhiyan every few days. He never forced her but only induced her to talk about what happened at that time and gradually untied her knot in her heart.

During this period, Gu Zhiyan has made rapid progress. Although she is still a little timid and sensitive, she no longer screams and runs around hysterically when a stranger approaches.

Now Gu Zhiyan looks like an ordinary little girl.

My daughter is really well now! Shen Wan felt warm in her heart and smiled even more deeply.

Shen Wan had expressed similar words of gratitude many times before, but she still couldn't help but say it. No amount of words could express her gratitude.

Shen Qianchen not only saved her daughter, but also saved her and Gu Jin at the same time.

"Qiniang," Gu Jin rode his horse to Gu Zhiyan's side, looked at his daughter with a smile, and said flatteringly, "Ignore your cousin. Dad will catch you a live rabbit, okay?"

Gu Zhiyan nodded vigorously: "Yes!"

She even gave Chu Yunmu a boastful look, meaning, if you don't catch a live rabbit for me, I still have a father! Gu Jin puffed out his chest complacently, feeling that he was supporting his daughter.

When it comes to hunting, several men are eager to try, especially Chu Yunyi. He took off the longbow on his back, casually plucked the bowstring, and said, "Mother, sister, Qi Niang, then you wait here for a while, and we will go hunt rabbits."

The three people who planned to go hunting were Chu Yunyi, Gu Jin and Shen Yunmu. Pei Linye stayed behind. The four men meant that one should always stay behind to protect the female family members just in case.

Soon, Chu Yunyi, Gu Jin and Shen Yunmu rode their horses deep into the forest, while Shen Qianchen, Shen Zhi and other female relatives rested on the spot.

The maids spread oilcloth on the ground for the masters to sit on, and took out the food boxes they carried with them, taking out tea and snacks one by one.

Shen Qianchen, Shen Zhi and Shen Wan leisurely drank tea, ate snacks, and chatted and laughed.

As for Gu Zhiyan and Pei Linye, they were quite busy.

Gu Zhiyan circled around and picked flowers everywhere. With the help of Pei Linye and the maid Qiaofeng, picking flowers became easy. Even those branches growing high up, Pei Linye could easily climb up the tree to pick them, and he also took out a few bird eggs.

At first, Gu Zhiyan was afraid of Pei Linye and didn't dare to get too close to him.

However, when Pei Linye took out a few light blue bird eggs for her, she plucked up her courage, walked towards Pei Linye carefully, and picked up a bird egg from his hand.

"These are the eggs of the Brown-headed Bunting." Pei Linye spoke in a very soft and low voice, as if he was afraid of scaring Gu Zhiyan.

Gu Zhiyan was reluctant to let go of the bird eggs after playing with them. She had only seen quail eggs, chicken eggs and pigeon eggs before. This was the first time she saw light blue bird eggs.

Seeing the big and small talking together, Shen Wan still felt a bit of unbelievable joy. Gu Zhiyan had always been afraid of strange tall adult men, and now after Master Cao, she could get close to Pei Linye again.

Shen Wan said to Shen Zhi with emotion: "Sister, my cousin is quite good at coaxing children!"

There was something meaningful in her tone.

Shen Wan is a smart person. She can see and listen to some things without others telling her.

Shen Zhi smiled slightly and said "hmm" softly.

Gu Zhiyan was full of energy. After picking the flowers, she went to make wreaths. She made several at a time, one for each of Shen Qianchen, Shen Zhi, Shen Wan and Pei Linye. An hour later, Gu Jin returned holding a living white rabbit and also got a wreath for his daughter.

Chu Yunyi, Gu Jin and Shen Yunmu returned with a full load.

Gu Jin praised Chu Yunyi generously: "Brother Yi is a good archer. He shot both pheasants with one arrow. He also found the rabbit nest. The three of us guarded the entrances to the holes and smoked the rabbits out."

They caught four rabbits. Not only did Gu Zhiyan and Shen Yunmu get rabbits, but Chu Yunyi also gave rabbits to Shen Qianchen and Shen Zhi.

Shen Qianchen and Shen Zhi held the rabbit, and the mother and daughter laughed out loud again. Chu Yunyi's temperament was indeed like this, thinking it over silently, doing it silently, and then making a splash.

Chu Yunyi: “…”

Chu Yunyi was confused by their laughter.

Shen Qianchen raised his hand and patted Chu Yunyi on the shoulder, saying meaningfully: "Today, thanks to Brother Yi, we are eating roasted pheasant!"

Her eyes were filled with smiles, and she thought: Chu Yunyi's personality is really different from Chu Lingxiao and Jiang Minshan. He is very careful and considerate. Knowing that Gu Zhiyan doesn't like dead rabbits, he specially hunted pheasants.

Chu Yunyi felt a little embarrassed when Shen Qianchen looked at him, so he simply dodged and said, "There is a stream ahead, I'll go take care of the pheasant."

Shen Qianchen asked Jiang Yuan to help Chu Yunyi and started preparing to make a fire, and they were very busy.

The happiest ones were Gu Zhiyan and Shen Yunmu. They found everything they saw and ate new and they couldn’t stop laughing.

That day, they happily ate roasted pheasant in the mountains before setting off on their journey home.

When they arrived at the west gate of the capital, it was already 3 p.m.

After playing for most of the day, Gu Zhiyan and Shen Yunmu were extremely tired after being extremely excited, and both fell asleep in their carriages.

Shen Qianchen and Shen Zhi were also a little tired, only Chu Yunyi was full of energy. Going out for a play was completely different from his usual training, one was about playing, the other was about fighting.

They had just passed the city gate when their carriages and horses were stopped by a group of imperial guards wearing bronze helmets and iron armor.

One of the middle-aged soldiers with a big beard pointed at Chu Yunyi on his horse and ordered, "Come here, take Chu Yunyi down!"

Seeing the imperial guards going out to arrest people, some passers-by entering and leaving the city couldn't help but stop to see what was going on.

Chu Yunyi frowned and was about to ask why, but Shen Qianchen in the carriage beat him to the punch: "Why?!"

Shen Qianchen stuck his head out of the carriage window. Pei Linye and Jiang Yuan rode their horses forward, one on the left and one on the right, to stand beside Chu Yunyi, forming a protective posture.

Pei Linye recognized the other person and only said two words: "Du Huatang, you dare!"

Du Huatang also knew Pei Linye. His eyebrows twitched slightly, and then returned to normal.

Others are afraid of Pei Linye, but he is not. Everyone knows that Pei Linye is just an honorary title in the Jinyiwei and has always been left out by the Jinyiwei commander Lu Siji.

"Master Pei, the Chu family is suspected of treason," Du Huatang raised his voice, deliberately letting his voice reach the ears of the onlookers around him, "Chu Lingxiao has been arrested, and we are also following orders to arrest him. People who have nothing to do with it should not meddle in other people's business."

Suspected of treason? Shen Qianchen almost laughed. Of course, she didn't believe it. Chu Lingxiao didn't have such courage. He was just a bully in his own home.

Shen Qianchen was too lazy to waste time talking to these people, and said concisely: "If you have anything to say, go to Prince Chen's Mansion and say it!"

"Chu Yunyi, let's go!"

Shen Qianchen made a gesture to Chu Yunyi, telling him not to waste time with these people.

Shen Qianchen, Chu Yunyi and their group wanted to leave, but after their carriage had only moved forward ten feet, they were forcefully stopped by the group of imperial guards.

If Du Huatang had only some suspicions about Shen Qianchen's identity before, he has now confirmed his identity.

This young woman dressed as a young woman must be the legendary Princess Chen.

Du Huatang's eyes flashed, his face expressionless.

If it were normal times, he would naturally give some face to the Prince Chen's Mansion, but today Kang Hongda gave an order that Chu Yunyi must be taken away.

Du Huatang refused to give in and said righteously: "The Chu family is suspected of treason. Lord Kang has ordered the closure of the mansion. Now the entire Chu family is missing only Chu Yunyi. I must bring him back to the Chu family!"

"As for whether the Chu family is innocent, Lord Kang will naturally investigate it thoroughly and will not wrongly accuse the Chu family!"

Du Huatang spoke these words with confidence. As he spoke, he glanced at Shen Qianchen's face from his horse's back.

"The Prince of Chen's Mansion refused to let me take Chu Yunyi back to the Chu family. Could it be that they have something to hide?"

"Could it be that Prince Chen's Mansion has colluded with the Chu family to plot a rebellion?!"

Every word he said was heart-breaking. He tried to drag Prince Chen's Mansion into the trouble on purpose and force Princess Chen to avoid suspicion.

The passers-by who were watching nearby also heard the key word "Prince Chen's Mansion" and couldn't help but gasp.

Shen Qianchen: "..."

Shen Qianchen raised his right eyebrow indifferently. At this time, Chu Yunyi pursed his lips and said, "Sister, I'll go with them."

"No." Shen Qianchen said firmly in a tone that brooked no objection.

Chu Yunyi pursed his thin lips. He knew his sister's temper. She was a man of her word and he did not dare to question her.

"You have no right to interfere in the affairs of Prince Chen's Mansion!" Shen Qianchen said slowly, his voice neither light nor heavy, "I want to take someone away, and you have no right to object. No matter who it is, if they want to take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble, Prince Chen's Mansion will definitely accompany them."

Her eyes were clearly looking up at Du Huatang, but it made Du Huatang feel pressured, as if he was the one being looked down upon.

She sat so casually in the carriage, with only half of her face showing from behind the lake-colored curtains. Her facial features were beautiful and charming, and she exuded an imposing aura.

Du Huatang felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and alarm bells rang in his heart. He felt as if he was being targeted by a powerful superior.

He was already in his forties and had served in the court since the time of the previous emperor. He had also accompanied the previous emperor on hunting trips. Over the past few decades, he had met countless nobles, but he had only felt this intimidating pressure from a very small number of them.

Pei Linye sneered and slightly pulled out the sword at his waist, revealing a section of silver blade that sparkled in the sun.

They in the Prince Chen's Mansion are not the kind of people who are afraid of trouble!

Today, Kang Hongda's people dared to attack Princess Chen here, so today he dared to send out flares to attract the guards of Prince Chen's Mansion, the Five Cities Army and his men in the Jinyiwei. He wanted to see who would have the last laugh! Du Huatang's eyes twitched once, and then twitched again.

He dared to run rampant in the Chu family and take down anyone in the Chu family because the Chu family had almost nothing now. Concubine Chu and the mother and son of the Second Prince also made it clear that they wanted to cut off ties with the Chu family. Chu Lingxiao was nothing but a pool of mud. Who with a brain would want to get mixed up with mud?

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

但他此刻面对的可是宸王妃，宸王会允许外人当众打宸王府的脸面吗？！ 前来拿人的那些禁军将士全都在悄悄观察杜华堂的神色，见他脸色铁青的样子，心中有数了。

禁军将士全都不敢再拦，于是，沈千尘、楚云逸这一行车队就这么缓缓地穿过人群往前驶去。

而那些围观看热闹的人见热闹散场，也就纷纷散去了。

马车的速度越来越快，将西城门远远地甩在了后方。

原本在马车里睡着的沈云沐经过方才那一闹已经清醒了过来，此刻正目光灼灼地盯着沈千尘。

待马车转弯后，沈云沐的口中爆发出一声亢奋的欢呼声： “姐，你方才也太威风了！”

沈云沐的双眼简直在发光，胸口溢满了一种不知该怎么用言辞来形容的自豪。

小家伙像小奶狗一样往沈千尘的身上扑了过去，蹭啊蹭。

沈千尘好笑地拍了拍他的背，脸上早就没了之前的威仪，只有盈盈的笑意。

马车外的楚云逸也听到了沈云沐夸赞声，先是微微勾了下唇角，跟着又像是骤然想到什么，绷住了嘴角，一副安之若素的样子。

一行车马在驶过两条街后，就与沈菀一家人的马车兵分两道，接着，沈千尘先把沈芷与沈云沐送回了沈宅，然后才令车夫回宸王府。

回王府后的第一件事，她就吩咐江沅去打听了一下楚家到底发生了什么事。

江沅回来得很快，她把王府长史程林华带了过来。

今天康鸿达派人先围楚家又拿下楚令霄的动静实在太大了，被京中不少人都看在了眼里，程林华当下就找人去调查了这件事。

“王妃！”程林华神色郑重地作揖行礼，“属下让人去查了，楚令霄在流放期间确实犯了些事。”

程林华觉得他们王妃摊上了这么个亲爹，也真是倒了八辈子的霉了。

“幽州以及幽州以北一带山匪横行，有大小山寨至少百来个，其中有三个山寨势力最大，这些山匪常年在大齐的东北边境出末，为害一方。楚令霄与其中一个名为谢家寨的山匪暗中有些勾结。”

“他曾经窝藏过一个谢家寨的山匪，那人还是寨中的三当家。”

大齐朝建立已经百余年，但这百余年并非顺顺利利，一直处于一种内忧外患、危机四伏的状态。

不仅是南有昊国，北有赤狄，西北还有诸多小国觊觎在侧，还有其他杂七杂八的问题，比如沿海不时有倭寇上岸，再比如东北一带有山匪横行。

东北一带多山林，少耕地，时不时冬季还要遭遇雪灾，周边还有蛮夷小族滋扰，当地滋生了大量的土匪，有齐人，也有外族人，更有一些被发配幽州的犯人干脆投靠了土匪的，人员十分复杂。

如果说，楚令霄真的曾经窝藏过那个谢家寨的三当家的话，那么他就是犯了谋反罪。

但是这个世界的事从来也不是非黑即白这么简单的，楚令霄毕竟没真的落草为寇，这件事可以轻轻放下，也可以从严处置。

程林华接着禀道：“王妃，现在楚家已经被康鸿达的人包围了起来，大门也被贴了封条，似乎是要被抄家。”

沈千尘若有所思地抿唇，眸光微闪。

现在的发展很明显了，禁军这架势分明就是直接给楚令霄判了谋反罪，短短半天，拿人、封府又抄家的，明显是故意往重了处置。

这是康鸿达下的令，康鸿达的私心昭然若揭。

想着西城门的一幕幕，沈千尘第一个念头就是：康鸿达此举莫非是为了楚云逸？！

程林华默默地瞥着坐在下手的楚云逸，很显然，他也是这么猜测的。

沈千尘半垂着眸子，默然不语，她又觉得似乎哪里不对。

须臾，沈千尘又抬眼看向了程林华，吩咐道：“你安排几个人去沈债那里守着，未免有人去那里捣乱。”

程林华二话不说地应了命。

等程林华走了，楚云逸才有些迟疑地问道：“姐，我是不是该回去？”

沈千尘淡淡地斜了楚云逸一眼，眼神如云似雾，轻飘飘的，再一看，又隐隐染着洞悉人心的光华。

沈千尘觉得楚云逸总算是长大了不少，要是从前，他肯定忍不到程林华离开，也不会问自己，只是悄悄地去犯蠢。

看在这个臭小子这回还算听话的份上，沈千尘耐着性子道：“不必，小事而已。”

楚云逸：“……”

虽然沈千尘云淡风轻地说这只是一件小事，但是楚云逸的心态还是没有办法那么平稳，回想着西城门的一幕幕，他就觉得周围的空气变得压抑起来，隐约能感受到一种剑拔弩张之气。

这几个月来，楚云逸成长了很多，即便以他的见识，依旧看不透现在的局面，心底却有种莫名的直觉：这件事已经不仅仅是干涉到楚家，应该是康鸿达与宸王府的一场博弈了。

也许没有自己，还会有别的由头。

明白归明白，但是当他真的置身局中时，也没那么容易把自己摘出来。

到了晚间，夜幕缀满星子时，顾玦姗姗来迟地回来了。

沈千尘立即把这件事一说，其实早就有人把事情禀了顾玦，顾玦没有多说，只是道：“让逸哥儿暂住这里就是。”

反正楚云逸在宸王府也住了两个月了，继续住下去也无妨，宸王府又不怕多一双筷子。

见顾玦不说其它，沈千尘默契地不再问了，反正她都听王爷的就是。

烛火被吹熄，屋里陷入了一片黑暗中，寂静无声，再无人语。

夜色渐浓，空中开始落雨，春雨细无声，随风潜入夜。

这一夜，雨水淅淅沥沥，而这京城的人心比连绵春雨更为躁动，永定侯府被封府、抄家的事在一天之中传遍了整个朝堂。

虽然永定侯府早就已经是一个边缘的勋贵府了，但好歹也是楚贵妃与宸王妃的娘家，二皇子的外家，这场抄家还是引来了京中不少人的观望。

不止因为楚家楚贵妃与宸王妃的娘家，二皇子的外家，还因为下午宸王妃在西城门前与康鸿达手下的人对上的事。

这件事涉及宸王与康鸿达，令得那些朝臣勋贵不得不关注，不少人都在暗地里猜测着，是不是宸王府和康鸿达要对上了。

一些好事者都在等着宸王妃去给楚家出头。

连太子顾南谨也在当晚得知了这个消息，立刻招人问个究竟。

小内侍出去后，独自留在书房里的顾南谨微微蹙眉，神色凝重。

他是太子，身为太子，他本该第一时间得到消息的，但这次却晚了这么多……

顾南谨透过窗口往外望去，望向了养心殿的方向，目光似要穿透那沉沉的夜色似的。

外面夜色如墨，细雨绵绵，从他这里，根本看不到养心殿。

顾南谨呆立原地，恍然不知时间流逝。

也不知道过了多久，小内侍回来了，走到了顾南谨身后，唤了声：“太子殿下？”

顾南谨这才回过神来，转过身来，在窗边坐下。

窗户依旧敞开着，任由细雨随夜风飘进屋里，点点雨滴沾湿了茶几。

小内侍理了理思绪，禀道：“上午康大人派了禁军去永定侯府拿人，把楚令霄带走了，现在侯府被封，不许任何人出入。”

“禁军参将杜华堂亲自去西城门捉拿楚家大公子楚云逸，不过宸王妃不让他们带走楚云逸，楚云逸现在跟着宸王妃留在了王府。”

“宸王殿下半个时辰前刚刚回王府，宸王府那边暂时没有任何的动静。”

随着小内侍的通禀，顾南谨的脸色越来越难看。

他到现在才知道这些事。

顾南谨深吸一口气，脸颊绷得紧紧的，冷声问道：“是谁给康鸿达的权力，动用禁军去抓人？！”

康鸿达是京营总督，手掌戍卫京城的上十二卫和禁军三大营，这是皇帝对他的信任与重用，但不代表他就可以随意调动禁军。

这可是京城，天子脚下，任何一人擅自调动禁军，就难逃一个谋反的嫌疑。

康鸿达是个聪明人，他能走到今天这个位置可不是全凭他当年对皇帝的救命之恩，他这个人看似风流不羁，其实为人谨慎。

因此，当顾南谨问出这个问题的时候，心里约莫也有了答案。

果然——

“回殿下，康大人曾进宫面圣。”小内侍恭敬地答道。

也就是说，拿下楚令霄是皇帝的命令。

皇帝已经病了两个半月了，缠绵病榻，因为精力不济，他甚至无力召见六部阁老，基本上是顾南谨每日或者隔日把折子带过去念给他听。

在这种情况下，皇帝居然还会接见了康鸿达，可见对他的器重。

顾南谨抬手揉了揉眉心，一边思索，一边自语着：“康鸿达到底是什么意思？他为什么突然会对楚家动手？”

Gu Nanjin didn’t actually ask what the other person meant, he was just asking himself and thinking.

Unexpectedly, the young eunuch said cautiously: "Your Highness, maybe it's because of the eldest son of the Chu family."

Gu Nanjin: “???”

These eunuchs and palace servants had seen all kinds of dirty things in the deep palace, and actually didn't think that this matter was anything to be surprised about. However, the person he was facing now was the prince, so he had to choose his words carefully so as not to pollute the ears of the noble man.

After a pause, the young eunuch said, "Lord Kang has a crush on Long Yang. It seems that he has set his eyes on the eldest son of the Chu family. Even Chu Lingxiao's return to the capital from Youzhou was Lord Kang's doing. It seems that the Chu family and Kang Hongda have reached some agreement in secret."

The young eunuch roughly told the things he had inquired about: "However, after Chu Lingxiao returned to the capital, he never mentioned his original promise. He and his second brother Chu Lingyu had a quarrel over the title, causing unrest in the family. Chu Lingxiao also sent Chu Yunyi to the Prince Chen's Mansion to hide from the limelight, hoping that the Prince Chen's Mansion would protect his eldest son."

The young eunuch really couldn't comment on Chu Lingxiao's actions. Chu Lingxiao dared to make fun of Kang Hongda. Isn't this courting death? ! "Now many people are saying that Kang Hongda was angry and humiliated and was seeking revenge!"

To be honest, the young eunuch also felt that it was very likely. Kang Hongda was a vengeful person. That was why all the civil and military officials in the capital were afraid of him like a tiger.

Gu Nanjin did not comment.

Just as Kang Hongda knew Gu Nanjin, it was impossible for Gu Nanjin to be completely ignorant of Kang Hongda, the emperor's favorite. It should be said that he knew a lot, including the fact that Kang Hongda was a homosexual.

Kang Hongda has always been a playboy and a womanizer. He can be said to have passed through a sea of ​​beauties without getting a single leaf attached to him. He also opened the door for his mistress in the court, but he was careful to keep within limits and was just slow enough to be acceptable to the emperor, making the emperor feel that no one is perfect and that Kang Hongda is a person of true character.

Kang Hongda is actually a very rational person who clearly distinguishes between public and private affairs. Gu Nanjin doesn't quite believe that Kang Hongda would do such an impulsive and irrational thing, especially when the emperor is seriously ill.

Just imagine, if the emperor knew that he was seriously ill, and Kang Hongda still wanted to play these jealous tricks, what would the emperor think? ! Kang Hongda couldn't be that stupid.

Gu Nanjin muttered silently to himself: "I'm afraid he is using public revenge to cover up something."

His lips moved slightly, but his voice was so soft that even though the eunuch pricked up his ears, he couldn't hear what Gu Nanjin was saying.

The young eunuch stood in his original position with his head down and his hands hanging. He naturally did not dare to leave unless the prince let him.

The room fell silent, with only the occasional crackling sound of burning candle wax emanating from the lantern.

Gu Nanjin made a fist with his right hand and tapped it gently on the rain-soaked coffee table, once, twice, three times...

Now that the game between Kang Hongda and Gu Jue has begun, and the emperor is also involved, it means that this matter cannot end silently.

Gu Nanjin knew that since he was the crown prince, he was destined to not be able to stay out of trouble.

Over the past two months, his relationship with Gu Jue has gradually improved. He is determined to use his sincerity to gradually resolve Gu Jue's knot about the royal family. He hopes that after he ascends the throne, he can let Gu Jue return to the court.

Therefore, he didn't want Gu Jue to feel resentful because of Kang Hongda's incident, which would deepen the rift between Gu Jue and the royal family.

Gu Nanjin thought for a moment and asked again, "Prince Chen went to Fengtai Camp during the day and came back at night?"

The young eunuch responded.

Gu Nanjin knocked his right fist on the coffee table a few more times. Since Princess Chen knew about the Chu family in the afternoon, it was impossible for Gu Jue to be completely unaware of it, but he did not show up. So, was Gu Jue trying to avoid suspicion and not protecting the Chu family, or did he simply not care about the Chu family? He thought about it for a while, but he was not sure about this. He was sure of one thing, he did not want this matter to continue.

Gu Nanjin's right hand stopped and he instructed the eunuch, "Pass on my order to withdraw the imperial guards guarding the Chu family."

The emperor was seriously ill, and the crown prince was acting as regent, so now the crown prince could also act on the emperor's behalf. But at this moment, another middle-aged eunuch came in and said, "Your Highness, eunuch Ni is here to convey the emperor's oral order. Your Highness is summoned to the Yangxin Palace."

It was almost the second watch of the night, and his father sent someone to summon him at this time. Gu Nanjin couldn't help but suspect that it might be related to Kang Hongda's incident: Could it be that his father wanted to warn him not to get involved in this matter?

Gu Nanjin stood up after thinking about it.

Faced with the emperor's summons, as a son and a minister, he had no right to refuse.

Gu Nanjin walked out of the house with a heavy heart, and saw Eunuch Ni waiting for him under the eaves with a smile on his face. Outside the eaves, drizzle was floating, and Eunuch Ni's shoes and robe corners were splashed by the rain.

Eunuch Ni politely extended his hand and said, "Your Highness, please follow me."

Gu Nanjin nodded slightly, and the young eunuch held an oil-paper umbrella for him, and someone walked in front of him holding a lantern.

Several people walked down the stone steps that had already been soaked by the rain and headed towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The imperial palace was exceptionally quiet at night. Because of the rain, there were few palace servants on the road. It was like an empty city. Only the lights, near or far, added a bit of liveliness to the place.

When it rained, people walked slowly, and the journey from the East Palace to the Hall of Mental Cultivation took twice as long as usual.

Gu Nanjin followed Eunuch Ni towards the emperor's bedroom with familiarity.

In the bedroom, there was a strong smell of medicine as usual.

Gu Nanjin frowned slightly, and suddenly felt that something seemed to be missing here... Yes, the Jiuhexiang that the emperor usually loved to order was missing.

"..." Gu Nanjin's heart skipped a beat.

The next moment, there was a "creak" sound, and the door at the back was closed. The loud and clear sound of the door closing seemed to hit Gu Nanjin's heart.

Eunuch Ni's polite voice followed, "Your Highness, the Emperor just wants you to calm down here for a few days."

The implication is that the emperor has placed the prince under house arrest.

Gu Nanjin: “!!!”

(End of this chapter)