Gu Hengzhou's brows were furrowed, and there was a faint sense of uneasiness in his heart.

Shen Bai was summoned into the palace by Zhao Che, but Zhao Che didn't let her stay in the palace, and she didn't go home, so where did she go?

It was about to be the time of the early dynasty, and it was inconvenient for Zhao Che to stay for a long time, so he took off the prince's seal he carried with him and handed it to Gu Hengzhou: "The palace is about to go to the court, and Xingyuan can take this thing to Yichen Palace to carefully check the matter of Shen Bai's entry into the palace yesterday." ”

The prince's seal is generally not allowed to leave his body to others, and Zhao Che gave it to Gu Hengzhou, representing complete trust.

Gu Hengzhou's eyes flashed with surprise, he just asked Shen Bai if he stayed in the palace, that is, now that Shen Bai is really gone, it is also Shen Ruxiu who should be anxious, Zhao Che gave him the seal, how can it be like secretly authorizing him to turn the entire palace upside down?

Gu Hengzhou was suspicious in his heart, hesitated for a moment before taking the seal, Zhao Che patted Gu Hengzhou's shoulder, and said meaningfully: "Shen Bai is a malleable material, this palace believes that Xingyuan will definitely get him back safely." ”

Zhao Che slapped those two times with forty percent of his strength, and implemented Gu Hengzhou's guess, he could conclude that Zhao Che knew Shen Bai's whereabouts.

Zhao Che knew that Shen Bai was left in the palace, but he didn't tell anyone, and waited for someone to find out that Shen Bai was missing and came to him.

What does he want to do?

Gu Hengzhou's doubts continued to increase, and Zhao Che had already left by mistake and strode towards the council hall.

Gu Hengzhou took the prince's seal and went to Yichen Palace, the Praetorian Guard was easy to let go, and the palace people were surprised that His Royal Highness the Prince would come to the palace at this hour, and they looked at him curiously all the way.

Gu Hengzhou didn't squint, and walked directly into the front hall, and the palace people who stayed in Yichen Palace to serve immediately served refreshments, Gu Hengzhou didn't want to eat, and asked coldly: "Yesterday, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince summoned Shen Bai, the only son of the Taifu, into the palace, who went to pick her up?" ”

The palace man who served the tea whispered: "Back to the prince, it was Gonggong Xiaobei who went to pick him up, and Gonggong Xiaobei went to the palace with His Royal Highness the Prince, didn't you meet him on the road?" ”

The folds in Gu Hengzhou's eyebrows floated with a cold chill, Zhao Che knew that he was looking for Shen Bai's whereabouts, but he didn't let the eunuch named Xiaobei go back to Yichen Palace with him, was he deliberately delaying time?

"Find someone to replace him back, and I will explain to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince if there is any problem."

Gu Hengzhou ordered, the palace people left immediately, and a quarter of an hour later, a little eunuch trotted into the hall: "Slave Xiaobei, meet His Royal Highness the Prince!" ”

Gu Hengzhou has been standing in the hall with his hands in his hands, lowering his eyes and staring at Xiaobei: "Raise your head." ”

Xiaobei raised his head, his appearance was mediocre, his eyes were a little frightened, as if he didn't know what he had done wrong, and he actually made the prince of Zhenguo unhappy.

Gu Hengzhou asked: "Yesterday, Shen Bai, the only son of Taifu, was summoned into the palace by His Royal Highness the Prince, and you were picked up and dropped off by you, can you see her walk out of the palace gate with your own eyes?" ”

Gu Hengzhou's tone was cold, with a strong coercion, Xiao Bei's shoulders shrunk, and he asked timidly: "Why did His Royal Highness the Prince suddenly ask this, but what happened to Young Master Shen?" ”

Gu Hengzhou's patience was about to be worn out, and he scolded in a deep voice: "What do you think can happen to her?" ”

Xiaobei immediately lowered his head and fell to the ground: "The slave lost his word, the slave has no intention of cursing Young Master Shen, please forgive the son!" ”

Gu Hengzhou couldn't stand this kind of useless nonsense, he was inexplicably impatient, bent down and grabbed Xiaobei's collar and lifted him up so that he could look at each other: "I asked you if you saw her out of the palace with your own eyes, the same words, I don't want to repeat it a third time!" ”

Gu Hengzhou was hovering with a dark murderous aura around him, Xiaobei's tongue was knotted, and he hurriedly replied, "No...... No, the slave sent Young Master Shen to Yong'anmen, and the two little fathers-in-law came, saying that they wanted to invite Young Master Shen to dinner, and Young Master Shen readily agreed, and the slave thought that Young Master Shen knew them. ”

Shen Bai entered the palace alone except for the palace test, and basically entered the palace with Shen Ruxiu to participate in the palace banquet at other times, how could he know anyone in the palace?

Gu Hengzhou continued to ask: "Which palace are those two eunuchs from?" ”

Xiaobei was so frightened that she shook her head again and again: "The slave doesn't know, those two people are very mysterious, saying that Young Master Shen will know who their master is when he goes, so Young Master Shen will go with them." ”

Even if Shen Bai voluntarily went with those two eunuchs, Xiaobei should tell Zhao Che first when he came back, in case something happened to Shen Bai in the palace, Yichen Palace would also be implicated.

However, thinking of Zhao Che's previous performance, Gu Hengzhou felt that he probably deliberately involved Yichen Palace, after all, the people around the prince were all personally selected by Emperor Hengde for special training, so that he didn't even understand this rule.

"In which direction did they go?"

"There is a record of the Internal Affairs Office, and the slave will take His Royal Highness the Prince to the Internal Affairs Office."

Xiaobei said tentatively, although his tone was full of panic and fear, his mind was still very clear, and he would not blindly confess and beg for mercy.

There are many rules in the palace, there are more than 1,000 palace people serving in each palace, the internal affairs office has a set of meticulous and systematic management methods, every day the activity trajectory of each palace person must be recorded in the internal affairs office, if you want to find the two palace people who took Shen Bai away from thousands of records, I am afraid it will take more than half a day.

Gu Hengzhou was so uneasy for the first time, so impatient that he couldn't wait so long, and directly grabbed Xiaobei's collar and asked, "Is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asking you to deliberately delay time so much?" ”

Xiaobei's pupils trembled slightly, and he denied it weakly: "What the prince is saying, the slave can't understand." ”

Do not understand?

Gu Hengzhou threw Xiaobei to the ground and said coldly: "I don't have any friendship with that kid of the Shen family, if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince just wants to play tricks with her, I won't be so idle, I won't accompany you!" ”

After Gu Hengzhou finished speaking, he put the prince's seal on the table, got up to leave, and Xiaobei hurriedly spoke: "Shizi, wait!" ”

Gu Hengzhou's footsteps did not stop, and he walked out of the main hall in three or two steps, Xiaobei chased out, stopped in front of Gu Hengzhou, and said eagerly: "Young Master Shen was taken away by the people of the Fourth Highness." ”

Zhao Chou?

Gu Hengzhou immediately guessed that Zhao Chou was angry with Shen Bai because of what happened in the paddock last time.

Zhao Chou was notoriously arrogant when he was in Tai Academy, from yesterday to now, it has been almost a day and a night, and for such a long time, it is more than enough to destroy the corpse.

Gu Hengzhou's expression was dazed, and he was about to go to Zhao Chou immediately, Xiaobei reminded in a low voice: "At this hour, the Fourth Highness should ask Concubine De Niangniang in Zhuangxian Palace, and the prince can't enter Yingze Palace." ”

Now that the envoys of various countries are about to enter Beijing, the guards in the palace are much stronger than before, and no one is allowed to move around at will, so as not to cause any trouble.

Although Gu Hengzhou has Zhao Che's crown prince seal, Zhao Chou is not in the palace, and the Praetorian Guards will not let him in easily.

Gu Hengzhou tried his best to suppress the restlessness in his heart, and said coldly: "If I don't go in, I'll just wait outside!" ”

Xiaobei had no way to refute this, so he could only lead the way in front and take Gu Hengzhou to Yingze Palace.

The two walked halfway and happened to meet Concubine Shu who came out of Zhuangxian Palace after inviting Concubine De.

Concubine Shu only brought two palace ladies, and saw Gu Hengzhou from a distance.

It stands to reason that foreign ministers and harem concubines are not allowed to meet in private, but Concubine Shu is old enough to be Gu Hengzhou's mother, Gu Hengzhou hesitated for a moment and did not hide, and walked directly to Concubine Shu and saluted: "Weichen has seen Concubine Shuniang." ”

Concubine Shu has a gentle temperament, and her eyes are full of love when she looks at Gu Hengzhou, which is no different from ordinary people looking at their juniors.

Concubine Shu stayed in the palace all the year round, and at a glance she recognized that Gu Hengzhou was followed by Zhao Che's close attendant eunuch Xiaobei, and surprise flashed in her eyes: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to go to the court to assist the government, what is the important matter for His Royal Highness the Prince to enter the palace to see him so early?" ”

After Concubine Shu finished speaking, she turned her head and looked at the direction that Gu Hengzhou originally planned to go, and saw that it was not far from Zhao Chou's Yingze Palace, so she asked tentatively: "Xingyuan wants to find the fourth child?" ”

Gu Hengzhou didn't hide it, and nodded calmly: "Weichen does have something to find His Royal Highness." ”

Concubine Shu just came out of Zhuangxian Palace, so she naturally knew that Zhao Chou was with Concubine De, and the two were staging a scene of mother's kindness and filial piety and happiness in front of other concubines, Zhao Chou would definitely not come back for a while, and Gu Hengzhou would not be able to enter Yingze Palace.

After thinking about it for a while, Concubine Shu asked lightly: "The fourth child is in Zhuangxian Palace, my sister should leave him for lunch and then come back, if Xingyuan has any urgent matters, you might as well talk to this palace, maybe this palace can help a little." ”

Concubine Shu is Zhao Chou's imperial aunt, with a high seniority, and she is familiar everywhere in the palace, so she naturally has more methods than Gu Hengzhou.

But the people in the palace generally hope to be alone and not provoke right and wrong, Concubine Shu has been very low-key for so many years, how could she suddenly think of helping this time?

Gu Hengzhou was very vigilant, Concubine Shu bent her eyes and smiled, and she didn't mind Xiaobei's presence, and said softly: "Xingyuan may not know, this palace and your mother used to be handkerchiefs, and when I didn't leave the pavilion, she helped me a lot, this love has always been in my heart, if I can pay back a little today, I can also get a lot of worries in this palace." ”

The aura around Concubine Shu was very soft, her tone was sincere, her eyes were clear, and she couldn't see the slightest falsehood, Gu Hengzhou's heart moved slightly, and he said truthfully: "Shen Bai, the only son of Taifu, was stayed in the palace by the Fourth Highness last night, and before the autumn hunt, there was some misunderstanding between Shen Bai and the Fourth Highness, and Weichen was worried that the Fourth Highness would do something impulsive. ”

This time, Concubine Qiu Hunt also accompanied her, she knew what the misunderstanding in Gu Hengzhou's mouth was, and she also knew that Gu Hengzhou used euphemistic words, but she was really worried that Zhao Hou would hurt Shen Bai.

Concubine Shu immediately said: "It turns out that it is just to find someone, this is not a difficult matter, this palace can enter Yingze Palace to help Xingyuan to find it." ”

Gu Hengzhou leaned over and thanked: "Concubine Xie Shuniang!" ”

"Don't be in a hurry to Xie Bengong, wait for someone to find it." Concubine Shu said softly, glancing at Xiaobei, "This is the prince's close attendant, Xingyuan going to Yingze Palace with him will inevitably lead to misunderstanding, it is better to find a place to wait first, if you find Young Master Shen, the palace will let people send her over." ”

Emperor Hengde's four princes, although there is no dispute over the throne, the relationship between the four has always been salty, Zhao Che suddenly sent someone to lead Gu Hengzhou to Yingze Palace, if it reaches the ears of Emperor Hengde, it will not be good.

Concubine Shu's concerns were right, Gu Hengzhou nodded and took Xiaobei to the gazebo on the side to wait.

Concubine Shu took someone to Yingze Palace, she found an excuse at random and let the Janissaries go, after entering, the palace lady who was waiting in the house immediately greeted her, and said curiously: "Concubine Shu, why are you here?" ”

Concubine Shu smiled gently: "I just chatted with the Fourth Highness in my sister's palace, and he said that he liked the window flowers that the palace gave to his sister, and the palace wanted to see where the window flowers were needed, so he hurriedly sent them." ”

Gong E said with a smile: "Concubine Niangniang bothered, you will inform me of this kind of trivial matter, and the slave will directly measure the size and send it to you." ”

That being said, Gong E has already led Concubine Shu inside, and everyone has already made a special trip to Concubine Shu, can she still drive people away?

Gong E took Concubine Shu to see Zhao Chou's bedroom and study, and said respectfully: "Your Royal Highness generally stays in these two places for a long time. ”

Gong E's words are very flattering, the masters have never seen any good things, and they may just say that they want window flowers, and they won't take a look at it when they are done and paste it, and she can still leave a good impression in Concubine Shu's heart when she says this.

Concubine Shu glanced at the palace lady more, and was not in a hurry to leave, she walked around casually, and said softly: "You maid is quite good at talking, how long have you been in the palace?" ”

Concubine Shu is known for being kind to people in the palace, and when the people in the palace are out of the palace, Concubine Shu will also give them a large amount of settling-in money.

This palace lady also had the same thoughts, and when she heard Concubine Shu ask herself, she couldn't help but be overjoyed, and hurriedly replied: "Slave Chunxi, this year is seventeen, and it has been seven years since she entered the palace." ”

Seventeen, then there is still a year to go out of the palace.

Concubine Shu understood, took Chunxi to a more secluded place, and the two palace ladies who were serving her deliberately took a few steps behind to distance themselves, and did not let others get closer, Concubine Shu beckoned, let Chunxi get closer to her, and asked in a low voice: "Where did the Fourth Highness lock up the little young master of the Shen family last night?" ”

Chunxi looked up at Concubine Shu in horror, but she didn't expect that she had come to inquire about Shen Bai's news.

Chunxi wanted to serve Concubine Shu, but it was not through the way of being sentenced to Zhao Chou, if Zhao Chou knew, I was afraid that she would not be able to see Concubine Shu again.

Chunxi broke out in a cold sweat on her back, her little face turned pale, and she stammered: "Concubine Niangniang, what do you mean by this, the slave maid hasn't seen anything Young Master Shen." ”

Concubine Shu pinched the silk handkerchief to help Chunxi wipe the sweat on her forehead: "This palace knows what you are afraid of, as long as you say it, someone will protect you, and even let you leave the palace early, seventeen is not small, the family should have already betrothed you to kiss, right?" ”

Concubine Shu pinched Chunxi's thoughts, she is a good family, her brother has made some money in business in recent years, and her family background is also solid, and she can go home early to live her own stability, which is naturally better than being a cow and a horse in the palace.

Chunxi was a little moved, and Concubine Shu added more chips: "The people who go out in the palace will be more or less blinded, and the in-laws will also be criticized behind their backs, Young Master Shen was born in a scholarly family, if you are honest, the palace is in charge, how about letting Young Master Shen recognize you as a godsister?" With this identity, no one dares to talk behind your back, and you can still put up a shelf and slowly choose someone worthy of trust, how about it? ”

was recognized as a godsister by Taifu's only son, didn't she become the goddaughter of the Taifu of the dynasty?

This is a blessing that cannot be cultivated in several lifetimes!

Chunxi looked at Concubine Shu in disbelief: "Is what Niangniang said true?" ”

Concubine Shu nodded: "This is natural, but time is pressing, if you can't answer to the palace immediately, there will be no such shop in this village after that." ”

Chunxi gritted her teeth, made a choice after a while, and whispered: "Last night, Chunya was on duty, and when the slave maid was on duty with her, I heard that His Royal Highness locked Young Master Shen in the dark room. ”

Concubine Shu was stunned, the dark room is a place for the palace people who make mistakes, Zhao Hou actually locked Shen Bai in it, it seems that he tortured this little young master last night.

It had been raining last night, and the temperature had dropped again and again, Shen Bai was only afraid that he had suffered a lot, and Concubine Shu said firmly: "Take this palace to the darkroom." ”

Chunxi worried: "The key to the dark room is with His Royal Highness, and there is no way for Niangniang to go." ”

"This palace has its own way, and you don't want to lead the way?"

Concubine Shu was confident, Chunxi couldn't persuade her, so she could only lead the way in front obediently.

When the group arrived at the darkroom, Chunxi was still wondering how Concubine Shu was going to open the door, so she saw Concubine Shu pick up her skirt and kick the door hard.

With a bang, the door of the darkroom was kicked straight to the ground, stirring up dust on the ground.

Chunxi: "......"

Lady Niangniang, don't they all say that you are the most gentle and demure?

Chunxi was scared into a wooden man, Concubine Shu put down her skirt, restored her usual dignified elegance and said, "Why don't you go in and help your brother out?" ”

Chun Xi Mu entered the house, squatted in front of Shen Bai and gently pushed: "Young Master Shen, are you okay?" ”

Shen Bai didn't react, there was an abnormal flush on his face, Chunxi reached out and probed her forehead, her tentacles were hot, and she was having a high fever.

Chunxi retracted her hand and said to Concubine Shu, "Niangniang, Young Master Shen is burning very badly. ”

Chunxi was thin and weak, and she knew at a glance that she couldn't carry Shen Bai, so Concubine Shu let the two palace ladies she brought in to help, and the three of them helped Shen Bai out together.

Concubine Shu walked in the front, and some palace people wanted to step forward to stop them, so they directly scolded coldly: "Young Master Shen has a high fever and is difficult to retreat, if something goes wrong, this palace will see how many heads you have to give him his life!" ”

Concubine Shu usually looks gentle, and once the momentum of her body is fully opened, it can also be extremely intimidating.

The palace people were all frightened and didn't dare to step forward, and when they left Yingze Palace, Concubine Shu personally sent Shen Bai to Gu Hengzhou.

Gu Hengzhou saw them from a distance, took a few steps forward, and restrained himself from saluting Concubine Shu first: "The junior is for Shen Bai Xie Concubine Shuniang." After speaking, he took Shen Bai from the hands of the three palace ladies and hugged him.

Concubine Shu pointed to Chunxi on the side and said: "Don't thank the palace, it's this maid named Chunxi who helps, I'm afraid that the fourth child will be furious when she comes back, you take her out of the palace together." ”

Chunxi was originally very nervous, but when she heard Concubine Shu's words, her eyes were hot, and she immediately knelt down and kowtowed to her: "Slave and maid thank Niangniang for your great kindness!" ”

Concubine Shu bent down to help Chunxi up, and wanted to say something more, but she inadvertently caught a glimpse of a small blood stain on the hem of Shen Bai's clothes.

The blood stain was very small, but the location of the appearance was very strange, on Shen Bai's buttocks.

Concubine Shu's movements paused.

A man, how can there be blood there?