Chapter 364: Secret exposed, intercepted on the way
In the backyard of Zhao Guogong's mansion, in a beautifully decorated pavilion, Princess Changle stood quietly in front of the window, her beautiful eyes unfocused, and her white and beautiful face looking cold and hesitant.
Although she lived in the princess mansion most of the time, during Changsun Chong's expedition, in order to fulfill her filial piety on behalf of her husband, Princess Changle has been living here in the past few months.
However, at this time, her slightly trembling body could be seen to be uneasy inside, and her blurred eyes looked a bit sad and helpless.
Even though there were several bottles of bronze charcoal stoves placed in the incense boudoir, and the steam was blowing towards her face, Princess Changle could not feel a trace of warmth.
Listening to the howling cold wind outside the window, looking at the branches swayed by the cold wind, she felt that her fate was as monotonous and desolate as the branches without leaves.
Thumb thump...
There was a rush of footsteps from the stairs, and Chang Sun Chong's figure had appeared in the attic.
He raised his eyes and saw Princess Changle standing quietly in front of the window. She couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She tried hard to calm down the tension in her heart and said in an emotional voice:
"Beautiful cousin, I didn't see you immediately after I returned from the expedition. My husband is here to apologize to you. But I'm sorry to trouble my cousin. I'll give you a compliment as soon as I get back home."
Princess Changle turned a deaf ear and remained motionless, with an expression of indifference, but her graceful and elegant figure could not help but tremble slightly.
Seeing that Princess Changle did not respond, Changsun Chong's eyes flashed with anxiety, and he took a few steps forward and came to Princess Changle's side.
Staring at Princess Changle's exquisitely beautiful face, even though Changsun Chong had seen her more than once, he still couldn't help but feel lost.
But he knew there were more important things to confirm, because he didn't know how much Princess Changle heard, so he could only test:
"Cousin Li Zhi, don't blame what my father just said. He just cares about us. Don't worry, I won't agree with my father's opinion. Don't you still understand my feelings for you after all these years?"
Princess Changle turned slightly sideways, looking at Changsun Chong quietly with her big bright eyes, her exquisitely beautiful face calm and calm.
Two pink lips parted slightly, and she said without showing her teeth: "Oh? Duke Zhao Guo gives you a concubine, does it mean that you have the ability to carry on the family line?"
Changsun Chong's face turned red and white, and a cold light flashed in his eyes. He didn't expect Princess Changle to be so ruthless. You must know that this is his secret.
It would be okay if others knew about it, and they had an agreement that Princess Changle would help him keep this secret.
Once this matter spreads, not only his eldest son, Chong, will become the laughing stock of Chang'an City, but the entire eldest son's family will also be regarded as the indifference of others.
However, even though Changsun Chong felt unhappy, he did not dare to show any slightness. Instead, he smiled awkwardly and said: "Ahem... Your Highness, didn't we say we won't mention this matter? Besides, I won't agree to it.
Taking concubines."
Seeing Chang Sun Chong's gloomy face and the quick flash of cold light in his eyes, Princess Changle felt a bone-chilling chill rising in her heart.
It instantly made her hair stand on end and her body was chilled to the bone.
Is this the husband who has always been with me? Is this the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life waiting for?
It was so terrifying that Changsun Chong must have had murderous intentions, and the words he just heard recurred in his mind.
It is simply unbelievable that such a gentle and gentle person could do such nasty things.
What exactly is this person hiding in his mind?
It's simply disgusting to pretend to be a gentleman in front of her all this time.
Princess Changsun exhaled softly and said calmly:
"If you don't take a concubine and we have no children, how can you explain it to your father? Don't you want to confess your privacy to him?"
"Impossible, no one can say anything about this." Changsun Chong roared with red eyes.
Once Changsun Wuji learns that he does not have that ability, his position as heir will definitely be in jeopardy.
After all, it is impossible for the prosperous eldest son's family to be passed down to an infertile concubine.
What's more, several younger brothers are watching him eagerly to make mistakes.
Princess Changle's beautiful eyes turned slightly, her long eyelashes trembled, and she said quietly: "From now on, I will live in the princess mansion and will not come back again. What do you think?"
Changsun Chong opened his mouth wide, he couldn't believe his ears, and looked at the beautiful woman in front of him with some disbelief.
Princess Changle has always been synonymous with generosity, dignity, beauty, and virtuousness. Even if there is something unhappy, she will not take it to heart, let alone say it out loud.
He talks softly to himself and his family, and will never fight for it, let alone reject it.
But what did he hear now?
He actually said that he would not come back after living in the Princess Mansion?
Changsun Chong felt a surge of anger rising to the sky, and said in a cold voice: "Lizi, is that important between husband and wife? Have we not lived in harmony for so many years? Do you really have anything to do with that guy Yang Fan?
Is adultery possible?"
Princess Changle smiled sadly!
Now that things have happened, what Changsun Chong is thinking about is jealousy and distrust, and he can't help but feel sad. Princess Changle has no more troubles in her heart and said calmly:
"Don't worry, we will respect each other from now on, and I will not talk too much or interfere in the affairs of your eldest grandson's family."
After saying this, he bowed directly to Changsun Chong, moved his steps lightly, and prepared to turn around and leave.
Changsun Chong was shocked and froze on the spot as if he had been petrified. Seeing that Princess Changle wanted to leave, he quickly stretched out his hand to intercept her and shouted in a deep voice:
"Your Highness, please stay. I have just returned from an expedition. How can I let the princess go back alone? Duke Zhao's Mansion is also your home. Please rest here for now."
Princess Changle stopped and said sarcastically: "Sure enough, I have been looking at you with admiration for three days. You actually dare to force me to stay in this palace, which is quite majestic."
"But I would like to see what you can do to allow me to stay with you as my powerful father?"
"I forgot to tell you that my maids have already gone to live with my aunt, Princess Yongjia. If I don't go back, they will definitely come to visit me."
Before he finished speaking, a burst of curses suddenly came.
"Chong'er, you've simply taken the courage of a bear and a leopard. If you don't get out of the way quickly and prevent Her Royal Highness from returning to the palace, are you seeking death?"
Princess Changle looked up and saw Changsun Wuji standing in the attic corridor at some point. His fat body took a few steps and came directly to him.
Before Princess Changle could speak, Changsun Wuji immediately pretended to be sincere and frightened, and said: "Your Highness, Princess, makes atonement for her sins. I just miss Her Highness too much. Since Your Highness, Princess, is busy, Your Highness will go back for the time being, and we will make arrangements for you later."
I will ask Chong'er to go before His Majesty to apologize."
Princess Changsun was neither sad nor happy, looking calm and calm: "Please rest assured, Duke Zhao, from now on, I will be with Qingdeng, chanting sutras and praying for blessings. From now on, all affairs of Duke Zhao's house will have nothing to do with me."
Changsun Wuji bowed and quickly made room: "Your Highness, please help yourself!"
"Anyone who commits unjust acts will be punished by his own death. I hope you will behave yourself in the future." She gave a slight blessing to Changsun Wuji, and Princess Changle turned and walked out of the attic with a light step.
At the same time, the fluttering words were carried by the wind, making Changsun Wuji shiver, and Changsun Chong's footsteps that wanted to pursue him froze in mid-air.
Changsun Chong finally understood that Princess Changle, who had worked hard and never complained, had been suffering from sadness in her heart for a long time and had become extremely depressed.
Today I happened to hear the conversation between their father and son, and saw my own outrageous behavior just now, which immediately severed the previous relationship.
But after all, Princess Changle is a woman who complains about virtue. She is willing to take Qingdeng as her companion, which is to tell them tactfully that she will not tell them what she heard today, but only advises them to behave themselves.
It's just that Changsun Chong was heartbroken after losing such a well-educated, considerate, gentle, virtuous, beautiful and generous wife.
After Princess Changle left, the entire attic instantly became quiet, and only the breathing of the father and son could be heard.
Changsheng Wuji looked at the eldest son who was once proud of him with a gloomy face, with mixed feelings in his heart.
Maybe his son has been growing up under his wings, and it has been too smooth sailing. He has not been tempered, and the things he has done have completely disappointed him.
Under Changsun Wuji's gaze, Changsun Chong became uneasy, as if his secret had been completely exposed to Changsun Wuji's eyes, so he could only ask carefully: "Father, why do you look at your child like this?"
"What do you think? Tell me frankly, what happened to you? Why did Her Royal Highness just say that you can't have children?" Changsun Wuji snorted coldly and shouted loudly.
The secret was still discovered!
Changsun Chong turned pale, but he was afraid of Changsun Wuji's power, so he had to tell his hidden illness honestly and hesitantly.
Changsun Wuji's old face suddenly turned as black as a calamity. He really didn't expect that his excellent son would turn into a eunuch.
After looking at Changsun Chong with a gloomy expression for a while, Changsun Wuji slowly said, "You said His Highness the Crown Prince broke his leg back then, and you were accidentally injured by him and lost your ability to be human?"
"Exactly!" Changsun Chong looked miserable.
Changsun Wuji was furious, gritting his teeth and said: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is so abominable, you actually dare to destroy the foundation of my Changsun family..."
Looking at the hopeless Changsun Chong, Changsun Wuji sighed: "What are your plans for the future?"
"Father, please rest assured that Your Highness the Princess is soft-hearted. As long as I beg her again, I will definitely change her mind." Changsun Chong calmed down and replied quickly.
Changsun Wuji waved his hand: "Your Highness the Princess has made up her mind, so don't bother her. My father will find a suitable time for Your Majesty to allow you to reconcile."
"Father, if Your Majesty finds out, won't the face of the Changsun family be lost?" Changsun Chong hurriedly stopped him.
Changsun Wuji looked determined: "Don't worry, Your Majesty won't tell anyone. The Li family has caused you so much misery, and I haven't bothered them yet!"
Seeing that Changsun Chong wanted to say something else, Changsun Wuji interrupted and shouted: "Why should a man worry about not having a wife? Since the matter is irreversible, we must maximize our interests. The source of everything is His Highness the Crown Prince who harmed you. Your Majesty You have to give us an explanation."
"Don't worry, if there is such a thing, even if he knows that you leaked the battle plan, His Majesty will definitely not get into it."
"Also, Marquis of Zhongyi Yang Fan is at his peak. Stay away from that guy in the future, and your father will save your face."
"Here!"
Changsun Chong was obedient and quickly agreed.
However, my hatred for Yang Fan became even stronger.
Because he attributed all the reasons for Princess Changle's departure to Yang Fan.
Being remembered for no reason, Yang Fan didn't know whether he should cry or laugh.
But even if he knew it, he didn't have the time to think about it. When winter came, the southwest became gloomy and rainy, making the march extremely difficult.
In order not to waste time on the road, Yang Fan asked Zhai Changsun and Su Dingfang to jointly lead the army to move slowly.
And he himself was riding fast with a group of personal guards. Of course, the people accompanying him were inevitably the dragster of Wu Wang Li Ke.
Along the way, each person rode two horses, and the journey was dusty. Every day, they rushed until dark before looking for a resting place, and started on the road again at dawn in the morning.
Traveling in such a hurry was much faster, and in just over half a month, they had already entered the territory of Guanzhong.
However, in the twelfth lunar month of winter in Guanzhong, there was already heavy snowfall, and the mountains and fields were covered in white. The speed of the journey gradually slowed down, and it was even more difficult to enter the Qinling Mountains.
Although the snow has covered the horse's hooves, the horse's hooves are supported by hoofs and can walk quite steadily.
The sound of stepping... stepping... echoed in the mountain stream, and even aroused many birds, which shook the snow on the branches and fell.
At this moment, Xi Junmai, who was scouting the road ahead, whispered: "Master Hou, something seems wrong ahead!"
"What's going on?" With a groan, Yang Fan pulled the rope and asked with a frown.
"That forest is so quiet!" Xi Junmai truly has the potential to be a famous general, and his sensitivity is much higher than that of ordinary people.
And along the way, he was the one who explored the road ahead, relaxed and relaxed, advanced and retreated well, and became more and more like a general.
Yang Fan raised his eyes and glanced around, only to see a forest in front of him, and beyond that were the canyons on both sides.
Indeed, this forest is too quiet. If the previous section of the road were to follow the vibration of their horses' hooves, the snow on the trees would definitely fall down.
But there was no such phenomenon before. It was obvious that someone or an animal had already shaken the snow off the tree.
Li Ke rode his horse parallel to Yang Fan and asked, "Should we withdraw first?"
Yang Fan squinted his eyes and shook his head: "It's too late!"
As they spoke, countless white figures appeared on the mountainside behind them, rushing down the mountain like snowballs, and soon cut off their escape route.
Although there is no one in front, the quieter it is, it warns that the front should be more dangerous.
Sure enough, after a while, a dense crowd of figures appeared in front of them, at least dozens of people, even more than those behind.
But this was not over yet. As more and more people came out of the woods, there were almost two hundred people in the end.
These people wrapped their faces in turbans, each held a long knife, and some of them also carried crossbows on their backs. They were obviously prepared.
Yang Fan turned his head and glanced at Li Ke, narrowed his eyes and joked: "Your Highness, it seems that Gyeonggi Road is not peaceful either. There are actually bandits blocking the road in broad daylight."
As he spoke, Yang Fan's eyes flashed with a dangerous light.
"I have never fought side by side with Marquis Zhongyi. I deeply regret it. Today I am lucky enough to go on a killing spree." Li Ke was not afraid at all, but looked excited.
It is only one day's journey from Chang'an and is close to the capital. It can be said to be the safest place in the Tang Dynasty.
But now that there are so many gangster-like people appearing in such a place, and some of them are riding horses, Li Ke already has some guesses.
These people come with bad intentions!
Ordinary gangsters can't get horses, let alone the crossbows they carry on their backs.
As for whether they were patrolling government soldiers, it was even more impossible.
Because the patrolling soldiers are all upright and have fixed patrol routes, they will not be as sneaky as these people.
If they hadn't stopped, they would have been suddenly attacked by these people.
Obviously there must be someone behind these people who is deliberately targeting them.
"Master Marquis, you and His Highness stand back a little. These people are obviously well-connected, so we can avoid hidden attacks!"
Xi Junmai waved his hand, and the small team he led dispersed in front, directly protecting Yang Fan and Li Ke behind them.
As the queen of the palace, Wang Xiaojie has also ordered his personal guards to be distributed in a fan shape and be on guard carefully.
Yang Fan sighed and ordered: "Junmai, tell brothers to be careful. Crossbows are very powerful and can penetrate your protection."
With that said, he turned to Li Ke and said: "Your Highness, you are not wearing armor, so you should go further back. I believe my brother can solve it quickly."
At the same time, a person who looked like the leader of the group in front asked the people around him: "Is this the goal of our trip?"
The man next to him took out the portrait, glanced at Yang Fan, and said, "Yes, it is this person, but you have to make sure he is dead before you can get the money."
"Haha, okay, brothers, hurry up and deal with it. As long as we deal with these people, we can get one hundred thousand guan, which is enough for us to go back and live freely."
The leader didn't care at all. In his opinion, he was equipped with advanced weapons and it was easy to fight hundreds of people against dozens of people.
If Yang Fan could hear their conversation, he would definitely be able to tell that it was the language of an island country in later generations.