newbobooks Chapter 305: The timing matches, and the motive matches.
Chapter 305: The timing matches, and the motive matches.
The carriage moved slowly through the streets of the capital.
Song Ruyan finally couldn't help but speak up, "Young Madam, that Prince Su clearly has ill intentions?"
Chu Ruohan leaned against the soft brocade cushion, her fingertips gently rubbing her throbbing temples.
My mind was also filled with doubts, like a tangled mess.
The look in Prince Su's eyes...
Cold, sinister, with an undisguised scrutiny and inquiry.
That was definitely not the look a pampered, carefree prince should have.
"Go to the Treasure Pavilion."
The carriage came to a stop at the back door of the Treasure Pavilion. Qin Fang, who had already received the news, quickly came forward, his face showing his usual respect.
"Young Madam, what brings you here so suddenly today?"
Chu Ruohan glanced around warily, making sure there were no suspicious people before turning slightly to the side.
"Go in and talk."
The elegant interior is isolated from the noise of the outside world.
Chu Ruohan skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point, "Qin Fang, go investigate Prince Su."
"I want to know everything about him, from childhood to adulthood, down to the smallest detail."
The ease on Qin Fang's face vanished instantly. He gave Chu Ruohan a deep look and saw worry in her eyes.
The young mistress rarely used this tone to give orders.
If this happens, it will inevitably mean that we have encountered a great deal of trouble.
"Yes, my subordinate will do it now."
Qin Fang didn't ask any more questions and quickly turned and left.
Chu Ruohan was left alone in the room. She walked to the window and looked at the bustling street outside, but her heart felt cold.
Originally, I was going back to the Chu family to see my parents, and Xuan-ge'er had always been raised there...
Prince Su, Gu Chengyan... The overlap of these two identities weighed on her heart like a boulder, making it hard for her to breathe.
She didn't stay at the Treasure Pavilion for long before feeling uneasy, so she simply returned to Jing'an Residence.
Seeing her pale face and listless expression, Dr. Qian frowned.
After carefully taking the pulse, Dr. Qian's expression became increasingly serious.
"Madam, your pulse is... unstable and restless, indicating a deficiency of qi and blood."
"I have told you countless times that your health is not what it used to be. You must calm down and not overwork or worry, as this is extremely bad for the baby in your womb."
Chu Ruohan forced a smile and nodded.
"Thank you for reminding me, Dr. Qian. I've got it in mind."
But the turmoil in one's heart is not something that can be easily calmed.
Yu Ling glanced at her worriedly, then silently went to prepare the medicine.
In the following days, Chu Ruohan barely ate or slept.
The cold gaze beneath Prince Su's gentle mask and the Third Prince's enigmatic scrutinizing look pressed down on her like two mountains, almost suffocating her.
Finally, Qin Fang returned.
He respectfully presented a thick stack of letters to Chu Ruohan.
Chu Ruohan dismissed everyone around her and sat alone under the lamp, carefully examining each page one by one.
The paper records the deeds of Prince Su, Zhao Yunheng, from childhood to adulthood.
He was intelligent in his childhood and was favored by the late emperor. However, he was also mischievous in his youth and acted with the arrogance of a prince.
Although one could be described as having profound insights and knowing how to conceal one's shortcomings.
But what is revealed between the lines is ultimately the behavior of a royal child who has been carefully protected and spoiled since childhood.
This was completely different from the Prince Su she had met, who had a sinister look in his eyes and a deep-seated scheming nature.
Especially in his performance at court, Prince Su seems to have become more adept at handling things in the past month.
Their methods have become increasingly sophisticated and ruthless, subtly different from their previous style of doing things.
Chu Ruohan's heart sank little by little.
Her fingertips traced the paper, her gaze sharp as a knife, not missing a single detail.
Her pupils suddenly contracted when she saw the last sheet of paper.
"A few days ago, the Prince Su's mansion invited the imperial physician to the mansion and claimed to the outside world that an elderly person in the mansion had caught a cold."
Qin Fang's voice sounded softly from the side, carrying a hint of solemnity.
"I specifically investigated that imperial physician and secretly spent some money before he was willing to reveal the truth."
"It's not a cold, but a woman's ailment."
"It's to examine a woman who is six months pregnant."
Chu Ruohan's heart skipped a beat.
"The imperial physician also said that the doctor who treated him at the time was a head maid from the Prince's mansion. She seemed flustered and was extremely generous with her money."
"He also prescribed that woman... an abortion pill."
Abortion pills!
Chu Ruohan suddenly remembered Granny Lai's confession in the mental hospital.
Before Gu's mother was rescued from the mental hospital, she was already... pregnant!
The time is right.
The motivation also matches.
If the current Prince Su is indeed Gu Chengyan, how could he possibly allow Gu's mother to give birth to that child?
All the clues came together at that moment.
Chu Ruohan was almost 100% certain.
The current Prince Su is Gu Chengyan!
Not only did he return, but he also seized the identity of Prince Su in an unbelievable way!
She paced back and forth in the room, agitated.
Gu Chengyan!
He has such ambition!
They want to substitute one person for another and usurp the throne!
This is going to overthrow the entire Eastern Jin Dynasty!
What about the real Prince Su?
Chu Ruohan dared not think too deeply, only feeling a chill run from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.
I'm afraid... he's already been murdered.
But right now, she has no substantial evidence.
Based solely on Granny Lai's ravings and the imperial physician's vague explanations...
Furthermore, her own guesses based on her past life memories and intuition were simply not enough to pin Gu Chengyan down.
Acting rashly will not only fail to bring him down, but will also plunge you into an abyss of no return.
She stopped and pressed her throbbing temples hard, forcing herself to calm down.
Don't panic.
The more dangerous the situation, the calmer you need to be.
Since Gu Chengyan has gone to such lengths to reach this point, he must have been proceeding cautiously step by step, making it extremely difficult to find any flaws.
However, there are always oversights.
Now, the only breakthrough may be through Consort Jing in the palace.
She was the birth mother of Prince Su.
A mother and son are of one mind. Even if Gu Chengyan imitates perfectly, wouldn't Consort Jing notice something amiss?
Perhaps Consort Jing's side is the only possibility at present.
Chu Ruohan took a deep breath, and her eyes regained their clarity and sharpness.
She turned to look at the doorway, where Qin Fang's figure seemed not to have gone far.
"Qin Fang."
Qin Fang immediately returned and stood respectfully with his hands at his sides.
"Is there anything else you need, young mistress?"
"Keep an eye on Prince Su's residence."
Chu Ruohan walked to the desk and unconsciously tapped the surface with her fingertips.
"Remember, be very careful, and make sure no one notices."
"We must not overlook even the slightest movement within the manor."
Qin Fang nodded solemnly, "Your subordinate understands."
Chu Ruohan pondered for a moment, then remembered something else.
"I remember you said that the Prince Su's residence recently purchased a new batch of servants?"
"Yes, young mistress."
"Try to find a way to contact these people."
Chu Ruohan lowered her voice even further, with a hint of coldness in it.
"Nothing needs to be done, just... let them know that someone outside is 'caring' about them."
Sometimes, even the slightest hint can be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
A knowing glint flashed in Qin Fang's eyes, and he bowed again.
"Subordinates take orders."
After arranging everything, Chu Ruohan's emotions calmed down a little.
Qin Fang was in charge of external surveillance and infiltration.
And she herself...
It seems I must go to the palace in person.