newbobooks Chapter 328 It's fake, after all; it can't be without flaws.
Chapter 328 It's fake, after all; it can't be without flaws.
Chu Ruohan put down the ledger in her hand, a thoughtful look flashing in her bright eyes.
Ever since Gu Junze's shadow guards failed to infiltrate the Prince Su's mansion, she has taken a different approach and is preparing to start with the trade route.
"Have you investigated all the businesses that have dealings with the Prince Su's residence?" she asked Qin Fang, who was standing to the side, in a low voice.
Qin Fang bowed and replied, "Madam, we have investigated everything. People from the Chu family's trading company have tried to probe us several times under the guise of purchasing goods."
"But those shopkeepers either kept silent or stammered, clearly having been warned."
Chu Ruohan narrowed her eyes slightly and tapped her fingertips lightly on the table.
"He won't even reveal a single word about that Manager Jia from the south of the city? He started his business with the money of my Chu family."
Qin Fang's expression was solemn: "Manager Jia sent word yesterday that a sudden change had occurred in his family, and he had taken his whole family away from the capital to temporarily seek refuge in his hometown in the southwest."
Chu Ruohan sneered: "Leave the capital? You're clearly being threatened."
Footsteps approached from outside, and Yuling quickly walked in, a hint of excitement on her face.
"Madam! We just received news that Zhou, the wet nurse of Prince Su's mansion, has left the mansion today! She is currently offering incense at Puji Temple in the east of the city."
A glint flashed in Chu Ruohan's eyes, and she quickly stood up.
"Prepare the sedan chair, I'm going to Puji Temple."
Yu Ling said worriedly, "Madam, your health..."
Chu Ruohan waved her hand: "It's alright. The Prince Su's mansion is as solid as an iron barrel. This Granny Zhou is our best breakthrough point."
A moment later, Chu Ruohan, accompanied by Qin Fang and several maids, arrived at Puji Temple in the east of the city.
The summer winds were sultry, and the temple was bustling with worshippers coming and going.
Qin Fang whispered, "Madam, Granny Zhou is praying to Buddha in the back hall, and there are no guards from the Prince Su's mansion accompanying her."
Chu Ruohan nodded and instructed, "You all wait outside, I'll go in alone."
The rear hall is quiet and secluded, far from the hustle and bustle of the front hall.
Chu Ruohan walked in slowly and saw a kind-faced old woman kneeling devoutly in front of the Buddha statue.
She had a simple appearance, but her clothes were made of very fine materials, and she wore an exquisite sachet at her waist.
The real Prince Su must have treated her very well; otherwise, he wouldn't have taken her out of the palace to live out her retirement when he established his own residence.
Chu Ruohan waited quietly to the side until the old nanny finished reciting the scriptures and slowly got up.
"Granny Zhou," Chu Ruohan called softly.
The old nanny turned her head, and after seeing Ruohan's face clearly, a hint of wariness flashed in her eyes.
"Madam, you've mistaken me for someone else, haven't you?" Her voice was hoarse, and a cautious expression appeared on her face.
Chu Ruohan smiled slightly: "Granny Zhou has been in the Prince Su's mansion for decades, raising the Prince Su from infancy. How could she mistake him?"
Granny Zhou's expression changed slightly. She looked around to make sure no one was there before whispering, "What brings the General's wife to this old servant?"
Chu Ruohan took out a small purse from her sleeve and handed it over.
"I heard that you have a grandson who runs a small business in Jiangnan. Consider this money as a small token of my appreciation."
Granny Zhou didn't take it; she just stared at the purse, her eyes filled with struggle.
"This old servant dares not accept it. Madam, you did not seek me out today for mere idle chatter, did you?"
Chu Ruohan put the purse back, her expression turning serious.
"Granny, you have served Prince Su for many years. Have you noticed anything... unusual about the prince?"
Granny Zhou looked up abruptly, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes.
"What do you mean by that, Madam?"
Chu Ruohan lowered her voice: "Granny, I know you treat Prince Su like your own son."
"But now, undercurrents are swirling within the court, the Emperor is gravely ill, and no heir has been appointed... If Prince Su harbors rebellious intentions, I fear..."
"Shut up!" Although Zhou Mama's voice was low, it carried an undeniable sternness. "This old servant has served the Prince for many years and has never seen him show the slightest disrespect!"
Chu Ruohan gazed into the old nanny's eyes and said softly, "Is that so? Then why is the Prince Su's residence so heavily guarded? Why is the Emperor growing weaker day by day? Why..."
“Madam!” Granny Zhou interrupted her, her wrinkles seeming to deepen.
"Some things are better left unsaid. Some things are better left unasked."
Chu Ruohan keenly noticed the unusualness in that sentence.
“Granny, if you know anything, please tell me. If Prince Su is truly innocent, I will clear his name.”
Granny Zhou remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.
"Madam, this old servant can only tell you that the Prince has indeed... changed somewhat these days."
Chu Ruohan's heart skipped a beat: "What change?"
After a moment's hesitation, Granny Zhou lowered her voice and said, "About a month ago, for some reason, the prince's temperament suddenly changed drastically."
"He used to be gentle and refined, but after returning, he has become somewhat sinister."
Chu Ruohan nodded; the timing was right.
"anything else?"
A struggle flashed in Granny Zhou's eyes before she finally said, "The Prince has suddenly begun extensive renovations to his residence and added security measures."
"This old servant once overheard a conversation he had with a stranger..."
"What did he say?" Chu Ruohan pressed.
Granny Zhou's voice was almost inaudible: "He said... our time is almost here, the sky over the Eastern Jin Kingdom is about to change color."
Chu Ruohan's heart pounded wildly; these were clearly words of treason!
"Who is that person?"
Granny Zhou shook her head: "This old servant has never seen him, but I have heard that his voice is cold and grating, and he speaks with a strange accent."
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.
Granny Zhou's expression changed drastically, and she grabbed Chu Ruohan's wrist.
"Madam, hurry! They're here!"
Chu Ruohan's heart skipped a beat: "Who's here?"
Granny Zhou's voice trembled: "The Prince's secret guards! This old servant shouldn't have said so much, hurry up and leave, otherwise..."
Chu Ruohan didn't ask any more questions and turned to leave, but Granny Zhou stopped her again.
"Madam, this old servant has one last thing to say... That man once mentioned a place called 'Azure Ink Valley.' Save Prince Su..."
Chu Ruohan nodded, quickly memorized the name, and turned to leave through the side door.
She knew that the Prince Su that Granny Zhou mentioned was not Gu Chengyan...
However, given Gu Chengyan's personality, if he intends to take over, he probably won't leave any survivors.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind: even if the face is exactly the same, it's still fake, and it can't be without any flaws.
The method was incorrect...
As soon as they stepped out of the side door, Qin Fang hurriedly came to greet them: "Madam, people from the Prince Su's residence have arrived!"
Chu Ruohan remained calm and composed: "Prepare the sedan chair and return to the mansion."
On the way back to the manor, Chu Ruohan leaned against the cushions, closed her eyes and pondered, Zhou Mama's words still ringing in her ears.
Qingmo Valley… She had never heard of this name before. Where was it? What was so special about it?
Did Gu Chengyan learn his face-changing techniques from there?
Gu Junze was waiting anxiously in front of the General's Mansion.
Seeing the sedan chair stop, he rushed forward in two steps.
"Where did you go? I was so worried!"
Chu Ruohan grasped his hand and whispered, "Junze, I have important news."
Seeing her solemn expression, Gu Junze stopped asking questions and helped her quickly enter.