The secret he had buried deep in his heart suddenly took root and sprouted.
Later, he summoned Tu Tong to his bedchamber every night, only to find the shadow of that person in her.
But gradually, he realized that no matter how much Tu Tong looked like her, she wasn't her.
That feeling slowly cooled down, but it made him want that person even more. He wanted to possess her completely; only by having her could he find solace for his longing.
Later, Si Luo brought back news that the man was in his hands.
At that moment, his excitement and joy even overshadowed the news that Gu Linchao had gone blind.
Yesterday at the villa, it was the first time he had ever been so close to her and spoken to her.
He was filled with an indescribable joy.
In the past, he would never have looked down on such a glamorous and alluring woman, but after falling in love with her, he realized that other women were so bland and none of them could catch his eye.
However, just as he was about to have her, she ran away.
He had even planned it all out.
He will create a new identity for her, allowing her to stay by his side under a completely new identity, and in the future, he will give her the most prestigious position...
However, all of this vanished like bubbles.
He felt lost and disappointed.
At the same time, Gu Linchao will also take the military tally to Xiangzhou.
This made him feel like he was being choked, and he couldn't sleep well.
He hadn't expected Gu Linchao to be so cunning.
In court, the emperor used the promise of resigning as regent and handing over the military tally as bait to lower his guard. He became careless and fell into the emperor's trap.
In any case, he never expected that Gu Linchao would send someone else to follow him and then go to the villa.
He couldn't let Gu Linchao leave like this, otherwise he would have even more control over him in the future.
He raised his hand and rubbed his temples.
At this moment, Hao Fulu hurriedly walked in and said, "Your Majesty, the traitorous Prince Gu Chang has been escorted back to the capital."
Gu Heng was in a state of utter distress at the moment. Upon hearing this, he was stunned for a moment before he remembered who Gu Chang was.
Where is he now?
"He has been imprisoned in the imperial prison, awaiting the Emperor's judgment," Hao Fulu replied.
Gu Heng pondered for a moment, then instructed, "Please have Si Luo come over and accompany me to the Imperial Prison."
Hao Fulu respectfully replied, "Yes."
The Heavenly Prison.
The imperial prison has always been a place for imprisoning serious criminals, and since the King Jue committed a serious crime, he was naturally imprisoned there as well.
However, since the emperor had not yet interrogated him, and given that he was of royal lineage, the jailers dared not treat him too harshly. After sending him to the prison, they provided him with food and drink.
When Gu Heng arrived, he saw the Jue King sitting there drinking from a large bowl. Anyone who didn't know him would have thought he was a guest.
Seeing this, a cold glint flashed across Gu Heng's brows.
The King Jue wanted to seize his kingdom and almost let the Northern Di people in. It wouldn't be too much to tear him to pieces. How could he have the face to enjoy himself like this?
He took a deep breath, ordered the jailer to open the cell door, and stepped inside.
When the King of Jue saw someone enter, he turned to look.
When he saw Gu Heng, he remained sitting there lazily, without getting up to greet him.
He acted as if he were the emperor, not a prisoner.
No matter how well Gu Heng could hide his emotions, they couldn't help but show on his face at this moment.
"Gu Chang, do you know your crime?"
"What crime have I committed?" King Jue asked in return.
Gu Heng paused, narrowed his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Every single thing you've done is a capital offense. And now you still have the nerve to ask me what your crimes are? Gu Chang, I think you're about to die, yet you still don't know how to face reality."
"The victor is king, the loser is a bandit! Since I have already lost, I can only become a prisoner. What's there to say?" The Jue King said dismissively. "Besides, the Emperor has condescended to come to this prison to see me today. I suppose he has something to ask of me?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Heng clenched his fist under his sleeve.
If he didn't still need him, he would have ordered him executed right now. How could he let him be so arrogant in front of him?
But he was a patient person at heart.
The voice said calmly, "It's not a request, it's a command."
The Prince paused for a moment. "That's true. My life is now in your hands, so you can do whatever you want with it. Then, Your Majesty, what are your orders?"
...
The following day, at the Regent's Palace.
Because they were moving to Xiangzhou, the servants were packing and tidying up their belongings, and the Prince's mansion was bustling with activity.
As soon as Xiao Yan finished his court session, he went to the Prince's residence.
Seeing the busy servants, I suddenly felt very lost.
"The Duke of Jingguo has arrived." Steward Wang immediately bowed to him upon seeing him.
Xiao Yan put her arm around his shoulder and said wistfully, "Old Wang, I really can't bear to part with you."
Butler Wang said with a smile, "I think the Duke of Jingguo is reluctant to part with our Prince, not this old servant."
"How could that be?" Xiao Yan quickly denied. "He used to be away from home all year round. Do you see how I miss him?"
Steward Wang had long seen through him, but he didn't expose him. He simply said, "The Prince and Princess have gone to the Duke of Dingguo's residence. Duke Jingguo, please sit down and have a cup of tea. The Prince and Princess should be back soon."
"Alright, I'm thirsty anyway," Xiao Yan said, sounding reluctant.
Butler Wang shook his head and had someone make him a cup of tea.
Not long after, Gu Linchao and Wen Nongnong returned.
"Why are you only getting back now? I've already drunk two pots of tea," Xiao Yan complained.
"Did Uncle wait for us to come back here?" Wen Nongnong took Gu Linchao's arm and walked into the pavilion.
"Well... not really, I guess." Xiao Yan's eyes darted away.
Wen Nongnong nodded, "That's right, the scenery here is excellent. My uncle is sitting here drinking tea and enjoying the view. It's so pleasant. No wonder he doesn't want to go back."
Xiao Yan choked for a moment, then sighed, "What good is the scenery if you have to leave tomorrow?"
"Is Uncle reluctant to leave us? Why don't you come to Xiangzhou with us?" Wen Nongnong suggested.
Xiao Yan snorted, "Do you think I'm living too comfortably? Why would I go to that godforsaken place, Xiangzhou, to suffer with you guys?"
"Nonsense. Although Xiangzhou is not as prosperous as the capital, it is still a place with excellent feng shui. Moreover, after the prince and I go there, we will definitely make it one of the most prosperous prefectures. Uncle, don't regret it later if you don't go." Wen Nongnong said confidently.
The fiefdom that the late emperor granted to Gu Linchao was not as bad as Xiao Yan said; it was just quite far from the capital, but bordered the frontier.
When the late emperor granted Xiangzhou to Gu Linchao, wasn't it also with the intention of having him guard the border?
After a pause, Wen Nongnong continued, "I've heard that Baihualou is planning to open a branch in Xiangzhou. When that happens, it will surely be packed with merchants."
"Where did you hear this news from? I've never heard of it before," Xiao Yan asked, looking at her suspiciously.
“I naturally have my own ways of gathering information, but I can’t tell my uncle about that,” Wen Nongnong said mysteriously.
Xiao Yan felt a pang of bitterness. "You all went off to enjoy yourselves, leaving me here to suffer alone. How can you live with yourselves?"
Wen Nongnong: "..."
They just said Xiangzhou was a desolate place, and now they're saying they went there to enjoy themselves.
"You can come along," Wen Nongnong said helplessly.
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