This was completely different from what he had expected. Gu Yun was stunned and blurted out, "Why?"
Changgeng answered reasonably, "The Western Regions have Foster Father's Black Iron Battalion holding down the fort. If I went, I would only add to the chaos. I would also have to trouble you to give me some imaginary military achievements. There's no meaning in that."
Although Gu Yun generally thought this way, he still felt like he had been splashed with cold water when Changgeng pointed it out to his face. Forcing his expression to not change, Gu Yun said, "Then … that's fine. When you return to the capital, you can attend court in advance. My teacher has some students. You can get to know them in advance …"
Changgeng, "Isn't that the same?"
As he spoke, he raised his head and glanced at the end of the corridor. Jiangnan's bright sun was slanting down, and the garden was filled with spring flowers. But from what the servants of Yao Manor had said, although it looked splendid, in reality, it would only bloom for ten days to half a month. Not long after it bloomed, it would wither. And this was still in the garden. If it bloomed in the wilderness where people rarely tread, it would quietly bloom and then quietly wither. Life and death were like the blink of an eye between heaven and earth. With only a few wild birds and beasts by her side, who would know?
Flowers were like this. Many of the meaningless love and hate in people's hearts were like this.
Changgeng, "Foster Father, Master Liao Ran has many strange people by his side. I want to travel the world with them. It won't affect my studies and martial arts …"
Wasn't this nonsense?
Before he finished speaking, Gu Yun's expression had already darkened. He interrupted, "No."
Changgeng leaned to the side and looked at him silently.
The youth's eyes, which were backlit by the light, contained something indescribable. Gu Yun had never noticed it before. Now that he suddenly encountered it, he was a little frightened. He immediately realized that his tone was a little stiff. He softened his expression slightly and said, "It's fine if you go out to play. When you return to the capital, have Uncle Wang transfer a few guards from the Marquis' manor to accompany you around. However, there is one thing. You are not allowed to go to places without a court relay station. Every time you go to a relay station, you have to send me a letter to report your safety."
Changgeng said indifferently, "Living a life of luxury and living a life of luxury? Then I might as well go to the Huguo Temple to burn incense with the madams and misses when I have nothing to do. That way I can save money on food and horses. "
Gu Yun: "…"
This brat actually knew how to talk back!
She even managed to do it with an air of elegance and calmness, but with a hint of sarcasm!
Gu Yun's good mood, which had been soaked by the spring scenery in Jiangnan, suddenly disappeared. She thought to herself, "Why can't I talk sense into him? Did I spoil him so much that he's going to sleep with me?"
His tone started to become a little impatient. "The road of the martial world is long, and people's hearts are sinister. What's so fun about it? Other than running for his life, he only knows how to beg for food. If something were to happen to you on the way with him, how am I going to explain it to the late Emperor? "
"Ah," Changgeng thought indifferently, "As expected, it's because you have to explain it to the late Emperor. If the late Emperor in the underworld hears that I'm a little bastard that Xiu Niang got from who knows where and is specially used to confuse the royal bloodline, he might be so angry that he's planning to come back to the underworld and strangle me to death."
Every time he looked at Gu Yun, he felt as if his heart was being twisted by a knife. Every time he sinned deeply, he wished that he could immediately flee in fear of punishment. However, that person actually held onto him and refused to let him go.
Changgeng faced the ignorant Gu Yun. For a moment, his heart was filled with lingering resentment for no reason. However, he quickly regained his senses.
Changgeng withdrew his gaze from Gu Yun and said calmly, "Godfather told me a few days ago that as long as I've thought of the path I want to take, it's fine. You're not going to take it anymore?"
Gu Yun's heart burned with anger. "I said to let you think about it yourself. Does this count as you having thought about it?"
Changgeng said seriously, "That's exactly what I think."
"No, think about it again! Tell me when you've thought it through. "Gu Yun did not want to flare up at him outside, so he swung his sleeves angrily and turned to leave.
Changgeng watched his back view and brushed away the petals on his body. He heard footsteps behind him. He did not need to turn his head to know who it was. He said, "Master Liao Ran, please excuse me."
Liao Ran did not dare to come out at first. He stuck his head out and looked around for a long time. When he saw that Gu Yun had left, he was relieved to show himself. He gestured to mediate the situation and said, "Marquis has good intentions."
Changgeng lowered his head and looked at his hands. Thin calluses had already formed on his hands, but they had not been baptized by the scars yet.
He said coldly, "I don't want to be a good-for-nothing who relies on him for everything under his good intentions."
"This monk feels that Your Highness is a little extreme." Liao Ran gestured and said, "Even when the saints were young, most of them grew up under the protection of their parents and elders. Based on Your Highness's standards, wouldn't everyone in the world be good-for-nothing? A great talent matures slowly, so you must guard against arrogance and rashness. "
Changgeng did not reply. It was obvious that he did not listen.
Liao Ran said again, "I see that Your Highness's expression is gloomy. The poison has already entered your bones."
Changgeng was shocked. He thought that Liao Ran knew about Wu 'er Gu.
However, Liao Ran said again, "People's hearts are all poisonous. Some are deeper, some are lighter. Your Highness, at your age, you should not have acted up so thoroughly. Your thoughts are too heavy."
Changgeng smiled bitterly and said, "What do you know?"
He always felt that everything around him — the title of a prince, the false reputation, they were all stolen from him by Xiu Niang. One day, someone would see that he was not compatible with these things. They would expose him and make him lose everything.
Changgeng was used to being in a constant state of anxiety. He always felt that he was an outsider in the capital.
Gu Yun was planning for his future from His Highness the Fourth Prince's point of view. He did not feel that it was real at all.
Every day, when he looked in the mirror, he knew that he was an "earth dragon" rolling in the mud. However, other people insisted on attaching horns and scales to him. They racked their brains to dress him up as a real dragon. Little did they know that no matter how much decoration they put on, it was still nondescript. He was ultimately an earthworm that could not be brought up to the table.
Since that was the case, it was better to stay away from it to avoid being embarrassed in the future.
Only Gu Yun brought him such unforgettable happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy. He could not deceive himself and gently let it go. He just often felt that he did not deserve it.
Changgeng did not wallow in self-pity for long. He quickly regained his senses and asked, "Oh right, Master, I have always wanted to ask you. What is my foster father's illness? He was very strange during that trip to the East Sea, but he refused to tell me. "
The monk hurriedly shook his head, "Amitabha, I dare not say."
Changgeng frowned, "Not only is he trying to be brave, but you are also helping him?"
"Is Marquis a person who tries to be brave for no reason?" Liao Ran laughed, "If he is not willing to mention this matter, it is not because he is afraid that others will know his weakness. It is probably because this is his reverse scale and the poison in his heart. Who dares to touch the reverse scale of the Marquis of Stability? Your Highness, please spare my little life. "
Chang Geng furrowed his brows thoughtfully.
It was not easy for Gu Yun to be absent from the desert for two days. Originally, he wanted to properly appreciate the scenery of Jiangnan, go out for a walk on a horse, swim in the lake, see a few beauties, and so on. Before he left, he had enough fun. In the end, he was not in the mood after Chang Geng's two sentences. He shut himself in the room and refused to go out. In any case, he was angry when he saw Chang Geng, he was angry when he saw Yao Zhen, and he was even angrier when he saw Yao Zhen.
The two brats of the Yao family were still unwilling to stop. They played the bamboo flute one after another. Everyone within ten miles could hear them. They were like a pair of noisy myna brothers.
When Gu Yun heard the tuneless sound, he recalled how Changgeng took the flute from his hands. He became even angrier — didn't he give everything to his adoptive father first? Why did he change so suddenly?
It was a pity that although the fate between parents and children seemed to be connected by blood, it did not last long.
Moreover, they were not related by blood. They were not even connected by blood.
In the evening, a Black Eagle landed in the courtyard, "Marshal, General Shen sent a letter."
Gu Yun swallowed his anger and took a look. He saw that Shen Yi's blabbering letter was rather concise. It only had three words — urgent, return quickly.
Ever since Shen Yi left the Lingshu Temple and went through fire and water with him, what kind of battle had he not seen? He would never write an urgent letter to urge him for no reason.
Black Eagle: "Marshal, you see …"
Gu Yun: "Got it. There's no need to return. We will set off tomorrow."
Changgeng's side had not decided yet. Gu Yun originally wanted to wait for two days before deciding, but Shen Yi urged him urgently. He had no choice but to walk around the house twice before getting up to look for him.
Changgeng was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. Gu Yun watched for a moment. Suddenly, he pulled out the Black Eagle's sword. The Black Eagle's armor had not been removed. The heavy sword was as wide as an adult's palm. He held it lightly in his hand like a feather duster, "Be careful."
Before he finished speaking, the sword had already swept out. Changgeng caught it firmly and did not retreat a single step.
"He's improved," Gu Yun thought. "His hands also have some strength."
He suddenly lifted and used the strength of the sword in his hand to flip over. His sword was like a full moon.
Changgeng did not dare to take it head-on. He staggered a few steps, but he could not block the strength of his sword. The heavy heavy sword in Gu Yun's hand was like a snake spitting out its tongue. In the blink of an eye, he had already stabbed three times. Changgeng blocked with his sword. He had already retreated to a corner. He turned sideways and leaped onto a pillar. He spun in the air and stepped on Gu Yun's heavy sword.
Gu Yun shouted and suddenly let go of the hilt. Changgeng suddenly lost his support and staggered. Gu Yun reached out and grabbed the hilt again. He gently pressed it down on the shoulders of the youth who had not yet stabilized himself. The light of the Xuan Tie sword gave him goosebumps.
Gu Yun laughed and patted Changgeng's shoulders with his heavy sword. He then threw the heavy sword to Black Eagle behind him. "Not bad. You haven't slacked off in your martial arts."
Changgeng moved his slightly numb wrist. "I'm still far from Godfather."
Gu Yun boasted shamelessly. "Yes, I'm still far from it."
Changgeng, "…"
Under normal circumstances, shouldn't he first be modest and then earnestly teach him a few words? Why did he still go along with it! Was there such an immodest Godfather?
Gu Yun said, "If you come to West Beidaying, I can teach you personally."
As expected, it was still because of this. Changgeng could not help but laugh.
Speaking of which, it was strange. Sometimes, when a person really wanted something, he would not be able to get it no matter how hard he tried. When he suddenly felt that he did not want it anymore, that thing would come to him instead.
Changgeng tactfully declined. "When I was in the Marquis' residence, I once asked my master why Godfather was so powerful when he practiced swordsmanship in the Marquis' residence. My master told me that having a solid foundation in martial arts mainly depends on how much effort one is willing to put in. Being powerful in martial arts is mainly because there are many situations of life and death on the battlefield. It doesn't matter who teaches you."
Gu Yun's smile disappeared.
Changgeng said, "Godfather, I've thought thrice. I still want to go out and see the world."
Gu Yun frowned. "Isn't the world between the capital and the border the same? What else do you want to see? Daliang can't hold you anymore? Do you still want to swim to the West? "
They were going to quarrel again. The Black Eagle did not dare to make a sound at the back. The tall Sky Killer hugged his heavy sword and pretended that he was a pile of coal that had been forgotten.
Changgeng did not utter a word. He only looked deeply at Gu Yun. For a moment, he wanted to vomit out the things that he had suppressed in his heart. However, he held it back. He imagined Gu Yun's possible reaction and felt that he might not be able to bear it.
Gu Yun said, "You don't have to say anymore. I don't want to know where your messy thoughts come from. Get that monk to scram tomorrow and return to the capital obediently. Since you don't want to go to the Northwest, then stay at home. You're not allowed to go anywhere!"
Changgeng wanted to shout at Gu Yun, "The Marquis' residence is not my home."
However, these words were already at the tip of his tongue. He bit them into two halves and swallowed them back down. He was instinctively afraid that he would hurt Gu Yun's heart. Even though he did not know if Gu Yun had a heart that could be hurt.
"Godfather," Changgeng said quietly, "I'm very upset that you had to come all the way from the Northwest. However, if you're not reasonable, I can only be willful. If I can run away once, I can run away twice. You can't watch over me forever. The Marquis' residence can't imprison me. "
Gu Yun was furious. The Marquis' residence had always been where his heart belonged. No matter how much he did not want to return to the capital, he still looked forward to returning home. Only now did he know that in Changgeng's eyes, that place was like a prison.
Gu Yun said, "Go ahead and try."
The two of them parted on bad terms again.
Black Eagle hurriedly chased after him. Gu Yun had not gone far. He did not care whether Changgeng heard him or not and coldly instructed, "You don't have to follow me tomorrow. Follow His Highness the Fourth Prince to the capital. You can't let him take a step out of the capital!"
Black Eagle said, "… Yes."
It was fine if a fire at the city gates affected the fish in the moat, but even the black eagle flying at the gate was burned into a bald chicken. It was truly an unexpected disaster.
Early the next morning, Gu Yun left in a fit of anger.
He did not see Changgeng again. Before he left, the wicked Marquis of Stability sneaked into the courtyard of Lord Yao's five-year-old child and took away the bamboo flute that was placed on the swing. When the child woke up, he found that the flute had disappeared into thin air. He was so sad that he cried for an entire day.
Gu Yun rushed back even faster than when he came. After landing, the first thing he said to Shen Yi was, "Prepare the medicine for me."
Shen Yi looked dignified, "Can you still hear me now?"
"Yes," Gu Yun said, "I can't anymore. If you have something to say, say it quickly."
Shen Yi took out a few pieces of paper from his bosom, "This is Sand Scorpion's confession. I didn't show it to anyone else. I personally interrogated it. I will wait for the Marshal to come back and make a decision."
Gu Yun read ten lines at a glance as he walked. Suddenly, his footsteps stopped and he folded the paper in his hand.
For a moment, his expression was a little scary.
Sand Scorpion's invasion of Gu Si Road was just a coincidence. His target was Lou Lan. He had a treasure map of Lou Lan in his hand. The so-called "treasure" was actually a thousand hectares of purple gold ore.
Shen Yi lowered his voice and asked, "Marshal, this is a serious matter. Should we report it to the imperial court?"
Gu Yun blurted out, "No."
He quickly thought, "Where's the map?"
Shen Yi whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Sand Scorpion tattooed on his belly."
Gu Yun asked, "He didn't say where he got it?"
"He robbed it," Shen Yi said, "These bandits are unscrupulous. The people of the Central Plains, the Western Regions, and the Westerners robbed anyone they met. They didn't even know whose things they stole and smuggled it in."
Gu Yun made an "oh" sound. He narrowed his eyes that were starting to blur and looked at the prosperous Lou Lan in the distance. A young man from Lou Lan saw him from afar. He sat on the city wall and played the zither crazily. He looked at Gu Yun and kept laughing.
Gu Yun didn't have time to play with these people of Lou Lan who only knew how to drink and play after eating. He turned back and stuffed the papers to Shen Yi, "Silence them."
Shen Yi's pupils shrank slightly.
"Silence them, destroy the corpses and destroy the evidence," Gu Yun's lips almost didn't move. His words were between his teeth, "Even those bandits. Say that the bandits wanted to break out of prison. Our soldiers had no choice but to kill them. This matter is between you and me. If it is leaked out, you will be held responsible. Immediately trace the origin of the treasure map."
Shen Yi replied, "Yes."
A moment later, he asked again, "Marshal, I heard that there are rumors in the capital that the Prince of Wei is under house arrest?"
Gu Yun glanced at him, "You also said that it's a rumor. The imperial edict hasn't been issued yet. Don't make wild guesses. Go do your thing."
Shen Yi responded. Gu Yun's tired face didn't disappear. He stood in place and gently pressed the corners of his eyes. He hoped that he was overreacting to this treasure map of unknown origin.
The flood dragon disaster in the East Sea hadn't been resolved, and there were changes in the northwest. He felt that these things weren't coincidences.
Half a month later, two memorials from Jiangnan were placed in front of the Emperor Long An, Li Feng.
Li Feng knocked on the table. A man in his forties with a long beard immediately stepped forward and lit the gas lamp for him. This person was the Emperor's uncle, Wang Bao. He was the Emperor's number one favorite official.
Li Feng opened the memorials. It was the speech that Yao Zhen and Gu Yun had discussed that day. They hid the Black Iron Battalion and the Linyuan Pavilion. They flattered all the officials in Jiangnan from top to bottom. In the end, they sang praises. The Emperor didn't say anything after reading it. He picked up the second memorials.
The second one was a secret memorial. The speech was completely different from the previous one. It said, "On the day of the suppression of the bandits at sea, the Marquis of Stability, Black Eagle, and Black Armor appeared in the East Sea. They captured the bandit leader. According to the bandit leader's confession, there was a woman on the rebel Hai Jiao. Her whereabouts were mysterious. They suspected that she was from the Linyuan Pavilion. She seemed to be an old acquaintance of Gu Yun."
After Li Feng finished reading it, he didn't say anything. He handed the two memorials to Wang Bao.
Uncle Wang quickly finished reading them. He carefully sized up Li Feng's uncertain expression. He tried to guess his meaning and said, "This … Your Majesty, the Marquis of Stability is involved. Although he has done meritorious deeds, he left his post without permission. This is also …"
Li Feng said, "He has the Black Eagle and can travel a thousand miles in a day. It's only a matter of days for him to travel unhindered in the Central Plains. Although he left his post without permission, it's not considered improper. It's just that Zhen doesn't understand. Why is it so coincidental? What role did the Marquis of Stability play in this?"
Wang Bao's eyelids twitched as he realized something.
Li Feng's slender fingers tapped on the table. "There's also Linyuan Pavilion — — Linyuan Pavilion has been hidden in the jianghu for many years. Why did it suddenly appear? When did Gu Yun get in touch with these people? "
Linyuan Pavilion, if one didn't appear in a flourishing age, then there would be chaos.
Wang Bao took a deep breath. "Your Majesty is saying that Gu Yun harbors ill intentions — —"
Li Feng glanced at him and smiled faintly. "What are you thinking, Imperial Uncle? Imperial Uncle Shi Liu grew up with Zhen since he was a child. He made great contributions in suppressing the rebels. If you think like that, wouldn't you be chilling the hearts of loyal officials?"
Wang Bao didn't understand what he meant. He only dared to agree and didn't dare to say anything else.
Li Feng said, "It's just that my Daliang has thousands of miles of rivers and mountains. The north and south are all dependent on him. Wouldn't that tire Imperial Uncle to death? Zhen thinks that it's time to find someone to share his burdens. "
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