freenovelworld Chapter 330 No wonder he took a fancy to a married woman; it was all a lie all along.
Chapter 330 No wonder he took a fancy to a married woman; it was all a lie all along.
Prince Su strolled over, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
“Madam’s filial piety is commendable. However, Cining Palace is now empty and deserted. I fear that Madam’s trip will be in vain.”
Chu Ruohan smiled slightly: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If Your Highness has nothing better to do, you might as well come with me and catch up on our old times."
Prince Su seemed to be taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "Madam, you are mistaken. Between you and me, what old feelings are there to reminisce about?"
Chu Ruohan spoke calmly: "Why is Your Highness so modest? When the Empress Dowager was alive, you were always by her side, so you must know Cining Palace very well. Why not be her guide?"
Prince Su remained silent for a moment, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"Since you have invited me, I will gladly oblige."
The two walked towards Cining Palace, one after the other.
Along the way, Chu Ruohan chatted casually, but in reality, she was secretly observing his every move.
There were few palace servants in front of Cining Palace, with only two guards on duty.
Upon seeing Prince Su arrive, they quickly bowed and made way.
“The Cining Palace has been uninhabited for a long time and is probably quite desolate,” Prince Su said softly. “Madam, there is no need for you to stay any longer.”
Chu Ruohan smiled calmly: "It's alright, I brought incense and candles, I'll leave after offering incense."
Upon entering the hall, a chilling aura immediately enveloped you.
Chu Ruohan subtly glanced around, and after confirming that there was no one else in the hall, she took out a small sachet from her sleeve and lit the incense inside.
"What kind of fragrance is this?" Prince Su frowned, seemingly somewhat uncomfortable with the scent.
Chu Ruohan remained calm: "Agarwood, the Empress Dowager's favorite."
She secretly observed Gu Chengyan's reaction and saw that his brows furrowed deeper and deeper, and he even unconsciously took a half step back.
"What, does Your Highness dislike agarwood?" Chu Ruohan feigned surprise. "I heard that Your Highness used to frequently use this incense to regulate your health."
Prince Su forced a smile and said, "My sense of smell has been a little off lately, and I can't stand strong fragrances."
Chu Ruohan nodded, secretly laughing out loud.
Gu Chengyan couldn't stand this fragrance...
The fragrance filled the air as Chu Ruohan slowly walked to the altar, knelt down gently, and clasped her hands together.
"Your Highness Prince Su, do you know Granny Zhou?" she suddenly asked, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Gu Chengyan to hear clearly.
Prince Su's gaze turned cold: "What makes you say such a thing, Madam?"
Chu Ruohan remained in a praying posture. "Granny Zhou died unexpectedly at Puji Temple yesterday. I heard it was because she accidentally knocked over an oil lamp."
Prince Su narrowed his eyes slightly: "I know very little about what happens outside the palace."
Chu Ruohan stood up and turned to him: "It's a pity. Before she died, Granny Zhou mentioned an interesting place—Qingmo Valley."
Gu Chengyan's pupils contracted slightly. "Zhou Mama is my wet nurse. I have never heard of this place before."
Then, he changed the subject, "There are some things that Madam Gu is better off not knowing!"
Chu Ruohan remained noncommittal, only offering a slight smile.
"Perhaps. But what Granny Zhou said on her deathbed always seems suspicious."
The atmosphere in the hall froze for a moment. The scent of agarwood grew stronger, and fine beads of sweat appeared on Gu Chengyan's forehead. However, he endured the discomfort and refused to back down.
"Madam's words and actions today are strange, as if she has something in mind," Gu Chengyan sneered. "What advice do you have for me?"
Chu Ruohan walked slowly closer, meeting Gu Chengyan's gaze.
"I'm just curious why the prince's temperament has changed so drastically lately, and his behavior is so abnormal. There are rumors in the palace that the prince... is no longer the prince he used to be."
King Su suddenly burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the empty palace.
"Madam is joking. People's hearts change, and temperaments can never remain unchanged."
Chu Ruohan remained calm and continued, "Does Your Highness still remember what stories you often heard when you were a child under the Empress Dowager's care?"
Prince Su paused, as if pondering: "The Empress Dowager is kind and has told many stories, too numerous to recount at once."
Chu Ruohan nodded: "So even Your Highness can't remember."
She turned to look at a corner of the hall, her voice suddenly rising a few notches.
"When the Empress Dowager was alive, her favorite story to tell Prince Su was 'Mulan Joins the Army.' Every time she told the story of Mulan joining the army in place of her father, Prince Su would be moved to tears."
Prince Su's expression changed slightly, and he immediately retorted: "Madam is mistaken. The Empress Dowager's favorite story is 'Mencius's Mother Moving Three Times'."
Chu Ruohan's lips curled slightly: "Is that so? That's strange. A few days ago, I was chatting with the Empress Dowager, and she clearly said that she loved telling the Prince the story of Mulan joining the army."
The hall was silent. A cold glint flashed in Prince Su's eyes.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.
"Your Highness!" A eunuch rushed in, bowed, and said, "The Emperor summons you!"
A hint of relief flashed in Gu Chengyan's eyes. He cupped his hands and said, "Madam, please excuse me."
After saying that, he quickly left, his back view hurried.
After Prince Su left, a soft sound of footsteps came from behind the screen at the back of the hall.
"Madam Gu, you have quite the methods," Consort Jing said coldly.
Chu Ruohan bowed and asked, "Why do you say that, Your Highness?"
Consort Jing sneered, "What are you pretending to be stupid for? Your words just now were clearly meant for my ears."
Chu Ruohan remained noncommittal, simply looking at her calmly: "Since Your Majesty is here, you must have heard the entire conversation."
Consort Jing's expression became complicated: "No wonder, no wonder he suddenly took a fancy to a married woman."
“My son is not allergic to any spices, and among all these grandchildren, the Empress Dowager only likes Gu Junze.”
"She never read a single book to Prince Su..."
She muttered to herself, her eyes filled with shock and anger, "He's not my son... then where is my son?"
Chu Ruohan's heart stirred slightly as she looked at Consort Jing's pained expression.
This once high and mighty imperial concubine was now just like an ordinary mother!
"Madam Gu, since you know the inside story, then who exactly is he?"
Consort Jing suddenly demanded sharply, "Where is the real Prince Su?"
Chu Ruohan sighed softly, "I don't know."
"Don't you know?" Consort Jing sneered. "Then why did you expose me?"
"Because this fake Prince Su not only wants to harm my wife and me, but also the emperor and the entire Eastern Jin Dynasty."
Chu Ruohan looked directly into Consort Jing's eyes, "Your Highness, if you truly care for Prince Su, you should join me in exposing this traitor!"
Consort Jing fell silent. She walked to the window, gazing at the distant palace walls, tears glistening in her eyes.
“My son…I’m afraid he’s already…” she murmured, her voice filled with pain.
Chu Ruohan felt a chill run down her spine, although she also suspected that the real Prince Su had probably met with misfortune.
But hearing Consort Jing say it herself still felt heavy.
"Your Majesty, now is not the time for sorrow."
Chu Ruohan stepped forward and whispered, "We need evidence, we need to find out Gu Chengyan's true identity."
Consort Jing wiped away her tears, and a resolute look gradually appeared in her eyes.
"You're right. If my son really suffers any misfortune, I will make that scoundrel pay with his blood!"
The two exchanged a glance and formed a silent alliance.