SWDnovel Chapter 16 Is this the fate of a chess piece?
Chapter 16 Is this the fate of a chess piece?
Gao Cheng sat stiffly on the edge of the bed for a long time, feeling that his mind was a complete mess and he couldn't understand why things had turned out this way.
Historical records clearly state that after this battle, Zheng Da Che not only survived but also gained Gao Huan's trust and respect, eventually fathering Prince Fengyi, Gao Run, who served three emperors and lived a long and peaceful life.
Why did it happen to me, who died suddenly from an illness overnight?
Could it be that just because I submitted an extra strategy and handed over that clan decree, I somehow managed to distort the course of history by half?
Just then, Yuan Zhonghua finished recounting the events that had transpired in the mansion the previous night, and finally belatedly realized that Gao Cheng's expression was off.
She timidly tugged at his sleeve and stammered, "Young Master... how are you?"
Gao Cheng slowly turned his head, looking at the little girl's bewildered eyes, but he didn't say anything. He felt a thousand words stuck in his throat, and in the end, he could only let out a bitter laugh.
In that bitter laugh, there was surprise, bewilderment, regret, and perhaps even a trace of melancholy that he himself couldn't quite explain.
Seeing this, Yuan Zhonghua became even more worried. She moved closer to him and whispered, "Is Your Highness feeling unwell? I will summon the physician immediately."
Gao Cheng raised his hand and pressed it against her shoulder, gently shaking his head to suppress the surging emotions in his heart, and said softly, "Nothing much, just a little surprised."
After saying that, he got up, walked to the window, and pushed the wooden window open.
The morning breeze, carrying the dampness of the Zhang River and a touch of spring chill, swept over him, yet it could not dispel the melancholy in his heart.
Logically speaking, Zheng Dache should have felt fortunate to have died.
After all, with Zheng Dache dead, this scandal was over, and no one could use it to attack him or blackmail him anymore.
His ruthless father wouldn't hold a grudge against him because of this.
But for some reason, he felt no joy at all; instead, he felt extremely choked up.
As the spring breeze caressed his face, he couldn't help but recall the woman's voluptuous figure, her white silk handkerchief embroidered with "Unwavering Through Life and Death," her alluring eyes that seemed forever brimming with spring water, the long, slender, fair neck revealed when she knelt down to coil her long hair, and her languid, contented expression as she nestled in his arms.
Who would have thought that the woman, who went to great lengths to lure him into her trap, risking her reputation and even her life, would end up dying suddenly from an illness?
Is this the fate of being a pawn in a chaotic world?
Gao Cheng gazed at the old locust tree in the courtyard, its branches bursting with new leaves, full of vitality, yet he felt only a sense of desolation.
After a long silence, he sighed deeply and turned to Yuan Zhonghua, saying, "It's still early, Princess, please rest a little longer. I'll be right back."
Although Yuan Zhonghua is young, he is very sensible.
Seeing his solemn expression, she didn't ask any more questions, but simply nodded obediently: "Your Highness, please return soon."
Gao Cheng grunted in agreement, turned around, put on his clothes, and strode towards the door.
He wanted to see Gao Huan and Lou Zhaojun to get to the bottom of things.
After all, although he had no feelings for Zheng Dache, he had only been with her once, and it was only by being forced into it and half-heartedly resisting.
But she ultimately died because of him, so he couldn't pretend to be deaf and dumb.
Otherwise, one would be unworthy of being a seven-foot-tall man.
Unexpectedly, before he even left the Crown Prince's residence, he was blocked from his way by someone, and the person who blocked him was none other than Gai Fengle, a trusted servant of Gao Huan.
The man had a pale face and no beard, and his eyes were as cold as still water.
Standing at the door, it resembles a wall.
Seeing that Gao Cheng seemed to be about to leave, he immediately blocked the door with a blank expression and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, the King has ordered you to move to Zhangshui Villa immediately without delay."
Gao Cheng was in a hurry to leave, but upon hearing this, he frowned almost imperceptibly.
But seeing that he was blocking his way, he still looked up and replied in a deep voice, "I will go to the other courtyard, but I must first pay my respects to the King and Mother."
Upon hearing this, Gai Fengle shook his head without hesitation and refused: "When I was about to leave, His Majesty had already instructed me that the Crown Prince need not say goodbye and can set off immediately."
Gao Cheng was taken aback at first, but then he understood that Gao Huan didn't want to see him.
Understanding this, he fell silent for a moment, but still unwilling to give up, he asked again, "Is there absolutely no room for maneuver?"
Gai Fengle did not answer, but said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, let's proceed."
Upon seeing this, Gao Cheng frowned even more, but after a moment of silence, he ultimately did not insist.
After all, he knew Gao Huan and Lou Zhaojun's temperaments; if the two were determined not to see him, he wouldn't be able to see them even if he forced his way there.
With that in mind, he compromised and said, "Alright, wait here at the door while I fetch a few changes of clothes."
Gai Fengle shook his head again: "No need, His Majesty has already ordered everything to be prepared at the Zhangshui Villa, you can go directly there."
Gao Cheng was taken aback again, then his expression darkened further, and he said, "Could it be that I wish to say goodbye to the princess, but that is not permitted?"
Gai Fengle shook his head again: "The princess is taken care of by the queen, so the prince need not worry about it."
When Gao Cheng saw that Gai Fengle was so unyielding, he finally couldn't hold back his anger.
He was, after all, the Crown Prince of Bohai and the future heir of the Gao family, yet now he didn't even have the right to say goodbye to his wife?
He immediately suppressed his anger and rebuked, "Gai Fengle is audacious! I am here for confinement, not imprisonment. Do you intend to bind me and take me away?"
Seeing that he was angry, Gai Fengle remained calm and only lowered his head slightly: "I dare not, I will obey Your Majesty's command, and I only hope that the Crown Prince will forgive me."
Gao Cheng stared at him for a long time, his anger growing, but then he remembered Gao Huan's uncompromising nature and knew that things had come to this point and further words would be useless.
He then composed himself, flicked his sleeve, and said angrily, "Fine, then lead the way."
"only!"
Gai Fengle responded, slightly turning to the side and extending his hand to lead the way, saying, "Your Highness, please follow me."
Having said that, he turned around and led the way. Gao Cheng had no choice but to follow.
The two walked along the secluded corridors of the Prince's Mansion, soon leaving the area of the Prince's Courtyard. They circled the secluded paths of the Prince's Mansion and arrived at a side gate in the southwest corner of the mansion.
Outside the side gate, three inconspicuous blue cloth carriages were already waiting, surrounded by only a dozen or so plainclothes guards, looking completely unremarkable.
Gai Fengle led Gao Cheng to the carriage at the front and whispered, "Your Highness, the King said that this trip should not be made public, so he did not send many guards."
Gao Cheng looked at the rather shabby carriage in front of him and nodded silently.
He didn't care about the pomp and circumstance, but... how afraid was Gao Huan of losing face, or was he afraid that his trip outside the city would be leaked?
Seeing that he showed no dissatisfaction, Gai Fengle didn't waste any words and said directly, "Please get into the carriage, Your Highness."
Gao Cheng nodded again and lifted his foot to get into the car.
But halfway up, he couldn't hold back any longer and looked at Gai Fengle again, asking, "Let me ask you, who will take care of Aunt Zheng's funeral arrangements?"
Upon hearing this, Gai Fengle was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Gao Cheng to bring it up at this time.
His face, which had been as calm as an ancient well, suddenly showed a look of astonishment.
Seeing that he remained silent, Gao Cheng grew even more dissatisfied and said in a deep voice, "What? Do you think I, the young master, am not even qualified to ask a question?"
Upon hearing Gao Cheng's words, Gai Fengle's expression instantly turned strange.
At the same time, a low, barely suppressed laugh suddenly came from the carriage behind.
Unfortunately, Gao Cheng was absorbed in his own emotions and didn't hear clearly.
Gai Fengle was taken aback for a moment, then met Gao Cheng's disapproving gaze. Although he felt something was amiss, he dared not remain silent.
He paused for a moment, then said with a subtle expression, "I am an official outside the palace and have no involvement in matters of the inner court. I suppose it is the maidservants who serve the Queen who are in charge of these affairs."