Meanwhile, news that the defense map of Da Rong Tian Du had been lost and taken to Da Qi spread like wildfire and quickly reached the crowd.
That night.
In the Shou Kang Palace.
The Empress Dowager had already taken off her palace attire and was sitting in front of her dressing table wearing only a single garment.
As Granny Li was combing the Empress Dowager's hair, she heard the Empress Dowager ask a question.
"Rongyang is asleep?"
"She's asleep," said Granny Li. "She's had a commotion all day and is too exhausted to continue."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief.
"This child has been spoiled by His Majesty and the Empress, and has become increasingly unruly. She even dared to sneak out of the palace. A princess has been used as a pawn."
It's all thanks to meeting Tsurukawa today; otherwise, it would have become another source of ridicule.
Granny Li quickly reassured her, "You don't need to worry. The princess is still young and well protected. She will understand when she gets older."
The Empress Dowager nodded; she had no way to deal with this granddaughter.
It's because this guy has a sweet tongue and is very good at coaxing her; he always manages to make her lose her mind.
Shen Hechuan brought her back today, which can be considered a reminder to her.
The child is getting older, it's time to discipline him.
However, it seems that Shen Hechuan's actions today were a bit too much.
Shen Hechuan has always been gentle and methodical in his actions, and this is the first time he has acted so directly, causing a stir among the aristocratic families of Tiandu.
"It seems that Gu Jingchun holds a deeper place in Hechuan's heart than I thought."
Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again.
In the past, she could have simply dealt with Gu Jingchun.
But then she remembered Shen Hechuan's words about living and dying together and never living alone, and she really didn't dare to take the risk.
Does this mean we should just let Shen Hechuan and my wife get together?
If this continues, he'll eventually be branded with a bad reputation.
She didn't want her grandson to be recorded in history books and be cursed by future generations.
Seeing the Empress Dowager's distress, Granny Li couldn't help but offer a word of advice.
"Your Majesty, this old servant is worried about your health, so I muster up the courage to say a few more words."
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but glance at her.
"You old fool, when have I ever held your words against you? Why are you keeping me in suspense? Just tell me already."
Only then did Granny Li speak: "This old servant recalls Miss Gu's reaction that day; it seems she... wasn't very fond of His Highness the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's face turned cold.
"How could a country woman with a child look down on Tsurukawa?"
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Granny Li immediately lowered her head and dared not say another word.
The Empress Dowager sighed softly upon seeing this.
"Alright, I understand what you mean. If you have something to say, just say it all at once."
"I understand that no matter how good Hechuan is, there will be times when others don't like him."
Upon hearing this, Granny Li continued:
"This old servant is not saying that Your Highness is bad, it's just that Miss Gu comes from a different background and has different experiences. It's understandable that she hasn't fallen for Your Highness yet."
Your Majesty, you could take this opportunity to start with Miss Gu.
As long as Miss Gu understands the seriousness of the matter, she will stop having contact with His Highness the Crown Prince.
Even if His Highness the Crown Prince has deep feelings for Miss Gu, it's still a one-sided affair, and it won't change anything.
"However, if Your Majesty does not intervene, Miss Gu will surely be moved by His Highness the Crown Prince. At that time, it will be difficult for you to stop her."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager also felt that what was said made sense.
She nodded. "You're right. In that case, let Gu Jingchun enter the palace again."
"No……"
The Empress Dowager thought of Shen Hechuan's anxious and protective look. If she summoned him into the palace again, it would surely arouse his suspicion.
"How about this?"
The Empress Dowager thought about it again.
"The spring hunt is in a few days."
"When the time comes, I will tell His Majesty and go along to join in the fun."
"At that time, I will have a good talk with Gu Jingchun."
The spring hunt is a major event, and all the officials' families in the capital must be present.
With a plan in mind, the Empress Dowager's worries dissipated. After being helped to lie down by Granny Li, she fell into a deep sleep.
At the same time.
The rarely seen local deity appeared before Shen Hechuan.
He handed a secret letter to Shen Hechuan.
"Your Highness, we have just received news that the defense map of our capital has been taken to the Great Qi."
“I failed in my duty and did not capture the spy in time, allowing him to escape. This has led to a grave mistake. I beg Your Highness to punish me.”
The Earthly Branches knelt down to beg for forgiveness.
Shen Hechuan's face was gloomy, but he still tried to comfort her:
"This is because the other party is too cunning and impossible to guard against, and it is not your fault."
The Earthly Branch, recalling the scene from that day, couldn't help but say again:
"If it weren't for the signal flare from the Marquis of Yong'an's residence that day, and the sudden appearance of that child, our attention would not have been diverted, and the spy would have escaped."
Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan paused for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly.
"How's the matter I asked you to investigate going?"
Upon hearing this, Dizhi took out a stack of papers from his pocket and handed them to Shen Hechuan.
"This is all the information I have about Miss Gu."
"Aside from the news you mentioned about her time as Liu Qingqing, the girl seemed to have vanished into thin air for the next five years."
Until this year, when the Yong'an Marquis's residence learned of the news, they hurriedly went to the deep mountains to bring Miss Gu back. Apart from that, there has been no further news.
"On the day you arrested her, her maid was very active."
My guess is that Miss Gu is the new owner of Tianjing Trading Company in Tiandu.
"Since Tianjing Trading Company has been frequently active on the border and has a branch in Daqi, it must have some necessary connection with Daqi. We must be on guard."
Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan remained silent.
He unconsciously twirled the ring on his finger, his mind flashing through everything that had happened during this time, but his memory finally settled on Gu Jinxi's innocent remark.
"My mother works very hard."
“My mother wouldn’t let me eat so much rice, and I could only have a piece of malt candy after I finished my studies.”
...
He looked up, having already reached a conclusion in his mind.
No, it won't.
"She's just a woman with no strength to even kill a chicken. Even if she has some cleverness, it's only for self-preservation and doesn't cause any real harm."
Could you let her establish a Tianjing Trading Company?
Shen Hechuan couldn't help but recall how frail she looked when they worked at the inn.
Because I'm not strong enough to move rice.
My movements are clumsy, and I can't clean the floor properly.
He would scream in terror at the sight of a cockroach and jump onto him.
He would occasionally encounter a local thug and be so frightened that he would be at a loss for what to do. It was only through his help that the situation was stabilized.
How could such a delicate woman be the owner of such a large Tianjing Trading Company?
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