Chapter 1238 - 1074: This Prince Has Rebelled!
Chapter 1238: Chapter 1074: This Prince Has Rebelled!
Gu Chengyu was one hundred percent sure that the person who spoke had to be Lu Chen. What a small world for such enemies to cross paths!
He had worked with Lu Chen twice before, so he could naturally distinguish Lu Chen’s voice. At this moment, accompanying Lu Chen, anyone could guess with a finger that it was Prince Gong.
Inside the carriage, there was no sound. Lu Chen raised his eyebrow, confirming his guess. Who could remain so calm when encountering the army? They would’ve already lifted the curtain to peek; who could sit steadily inside the carriage?
Not admitting, isn’t that also not denying?
"Is Mr. Gu asleep?" Lu Chen raised his eyebrow, turned his horse around, and rode up to Gu Chengyu’s carriage.
Gu Chengyu sighed lightly, "To think I’d encounter Lord Lu here. Are you traveling overnight on official business?"
Anyway, he would never admit that he already knew about Prince Gong’s rebellion. Lying with eyes wide open had always been his specialty.
He lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage.
Upon getting off the carriage, he immediately saw two tall horses in front of him. Looking up, the person wearing a dark arrow-sleeved cross-collar robe, looking down on him, could be none other than Prince Gong.
"Official Gu pays respects to Prince Gong!" Gu Chengyu bowed as he pondered why Prince Gong would appear here.
Prince Gong stared at Gu Chengyu silently for a while before speaking, "The Crown Prince ordered Mr. Gu to investigate a case at the border, and I happened to pass by here. Meeting Mr. Gu can be considered fate."
Upon hearing this, Lu Chen glanced at Prince Gong, noting a complexity in Prince Gong’s gaze towards Gu Chengyu. His eyes were deep, and he raised an eyebrow.
Gu Chengyu must have scouts in the Capital; how could he not know the news in the Capital? Lu Chen pondered for a moment; maybe the time was too short, and Gu Chengyu hadn’t received the news yet.
What if they could bring Gu Chengyu over to Prince Gong’s side? With Gu Chengyu, the hope of Prince Gong Mansion seizing the throne would be greater.
Fate? This kind of fate, he actually didn’t want.
"May I ask why Your Highness is here?" Gu Chengyu showed confusion, acting just right.
Prince Gong stroked the reins in his hand, "I have rebelled!"
After he finished speaking, he fixed his gaze tightly on Gu Chengyu. Since everyone would find out sooner or later, at this point, there was no need to hide it. He wanted to see how Gu Chengyu would react.
Gu Chengyu was stunned. So straightforward?
"Is Your Highness joking? Such words must not be spoken carelessly." Gu Chengyu smiled slightly, "Did the Crown Prince assign some task to you?"
"Since it’s a night march, the task must be important. I won’t delay Your Highness’s business any longer." After speaking, Gu Chengyu stepped aside.
Lu Chen was a bit surprised. Just as he was about to say something, a woman’s sobbing voice came from Prince Gong’s carriage.
Prince Gong and Lu Chen both turned their gaze towards Gu Chengyu, only to see him acting as if he hadn’t heard anything, standing aside with his head respectfully lowered as if he hadn’t noticed the anomaly.
Yet the sobbing inside the carriage grew louder. Gu Chengyu acted as if he heard nothing and smiled at the two, "Please go on, Your Highness and Lord Lu. I’m weary and plan to rest at the county town!"
Lu Chen turned to look at Prince Gong, wanting to speak but Prince Gong nodded.
"I have urgent matters at hand. Since Mr. Gu is not in a hurry to travel, I shall proceed with my people first." With that, Prince Gong turned his horse and sped forward.
Prince Gong’s sudden departure left Lu Chen stunned. He took a deep look at Gu Chengyu and, after a moment, turned his horse around.
"I hope next time we meet, Mr. Gu won’t be my enemy!" Lu Chen glanced back at Gu Chengyu. By the time Gu Chengyu looked up, Lu Chen had already vanished into the distance.
Not becoming enemies? But they’ve always been on guard against each other. Perhaps Lu Chen never intended to harm him, but their stances differ.
Recalling the testament lying in his space, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but frown deeply. For the first time, he had a slight doubt about his decision.
After the long line of the army passed, Gu Chengyu took a deep breath. Quite a crowd!
He even spotted the Imperial Guard’s Commander Li Chang An and General Pei Shu among them, indicating that Prince Gong had made ample preparations.
Prince Gong’s presence here signified that his foundation wasn’t in Jingyuan Prefecture, but in several State near the border.
As for the specific place, Gu Chengyu hadn’t thought deeply about it yet. The State near the border was complex, and the distance from the Capital was vast. If one could choose a place among them to secretly build forces, it was normal for the Capital not to receive the news.
Thinking thus, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but take a cold breath. He closed his eyes slightly and swiftly climbed back into the carriage, "Head to the county town to rest."
Ming Mo was a bit surprised, hadn’t Gu said earlier not to enter the town?
However, he knew Mr. Gu must have his reasons, so dared not question it further, instructing the driver to head to the town gate.
"Leave someone here to scout, and check if there are pursuers behind us!"
Gu Chengyu remembered the sobbing he heard, knowing this was the Empress kidnapped by Prince Gong, which was mentioned in the intelligence sent to the Commandery Princess.
No matter whether the Empress was in Prince Gong’s hands, the Crown Prince would not let go easily and would surely send people to follow.
Meanwhile, Lu Chen chased after Prince Gong, and after half an hour, managed to catch up to him.
"Why doesn’t Your Highness persuade Gu Chengyu to join our camp? With him, we’d have much less to worry about. He is brave and resourceful, proficient in both civil and military affairs, and would be a significant asset for us."
Lu Chen turned to look at Prince Gong, shrouded in darkness, trying to discern his expression. Unfortunately, the night was too dark, and though there was firelight from behind, he could only barely make out a vague silhouette.
"There’s no hurry, we have a long journey ahead! Isn’t he going to the border?" Prince Gong said solemnly.
Lu Chen fell silent; when did Prince Gong become so patient?
"Moreover, even if you ask him to take a stand now, he wouldn’t agree. His family is still in the Capital, do you think he’d rashly make a decision? He’s shrewd, his mental calculations are more numerous than your body hairs."
Lu Chen glanced at Prince Gong in shock. He had to admit, it was true, but why did the tone feel a bit off?
...
"Your Highness! News just came in, Prince Gong didn’t return to Jingyuan Prefecture." Bai Guan hurriedly entered the Eastern Palace, looking extremely anxious.
The Eastern Palace was crowded with courtiers discussing the situation. Previously, Prince Gong’s rebellion had led to these people being detained in the Taihe Palace. Now that Prince Gong had withdrawn from the Capital, they were naturally released.
However, with such an event, the Crown Prince couldn’t cover it up even if he wanted to. Of course, he has no need to, as Prince Gong’s rebellion must be announced to the world.
"What did you say?" The Crown Prince was a bit surprised; Prince Gong’s fief was Jingyuan Prefecture. Where could he go if not back to Jingyuan Prefecture?
"Your Highness! After Prince Gong left the Capital, he headed north; the destination is unknown."