Chapter 10 Red Powder

The dark night sky is dotted with stars, and the cool air is filled with the chirping of summer insects.

The torches illuminated an area where a carriage and several horses were parked on a dirt road. There were rice fields on both sides, and when the wind blew, a "rustling..." sound was made.

The eunuch Wang Gui was taking beans out of the carriage to feed the horses. Zhu Gaoxu and Gao Sui were looking at the prince lying inside, while the young lady Du Qianrui was wiping the prince's face with a towel.

Looking at his fat brother, Zhu Gaoxu felt numb. The brotherhood in his memory was like a long documentary, and he, like an audience member, could not empathize with them.

If all history is predetermined, then the fat man in front of him is the heir of his father, King Zhu Di; and Zhu Gaoxu will receive a sudden notice from the fat man's son: You rebel! Then he will be put into a copper vat and burned alive.

"The medicine in the jar, can you please heat it up for the prince first?" Du Qianrui picked up an earthenware jar sealed with oilcloth.

Zhu Gaoxu nodded in agreement, and when Du Qianrui turned around, he said, "Third brother, stay here to look after eldest brother. I'll go over and help build the stove and take care of the medicine."

Gao Sui said, "Okay."

The so-called stove building is very simple. Just put two stones down and there is space under the clay pot to put dry branches and hay. Du Qianrui silently took a torch to light the fire, and the flames soon reflected on her face.

Zhu Gaoxu didn't say anything, staring at the fire for a long time, looking hesitant. He finally turned his head to look at the carriage, immediately reached into his arms and took out a paper bag, unfolded it, and inside was red powder; then he poured the powder into the earthenware jar and threw the paper into the fire.

The movements were very quick, but not hurried, and his hands were steady.

Du Qianrui watched him do it, pursed her lips, lowered her head and added branches to the fire. The atmosphere suddenly became a little weird, as if nothing had happened just now.

Zhu Gaoxu said calmly, "Miss Du, do you know why I saved you?"

Du Qianrui said, "I am not quite... sure."

Zhu Gaoxu said softly, "Because you need me." He paused, looked up at the sky and took a breath, then said, "It just so happens that I can help."

Du Qianrui immediately raised her head, her eyes sparkling with a gleam that was unclear whether it was the flow of emotion or the reflected light of the fire.

Zhu Gaoxu's words were not meant to be sweet talk for some purpose. At least they were not false, although Du Qianrui's understanding might be a little biased...

In his previous life, he felt that he had no use or value. His girlfriend's father had a heart disease and needed money for surgery. He wanted to help, but he had no other choice. The only solution he could think of was to take out a small loan and then go to the gambling table to take a chance! The result was, of course, nothing. It was at this time that he got involved in gambling, and it was extremely difficult for him to stop.

When the girlfriend found out, her eyes were very memorable, as if she was confused and surprised. That was because she had never counted on him... When her father had to have surgery, there was still another way for the girl, which was to find a more capable man.

So now, Zhu Gaoxu is also showing his own value at the same time. Others can't understand, and he feels good.

The dust and sweat on the rammed earth post road mixed together, making Du Qianrui's face look a little dirty, but her voice became gentler, "Why is the prince so good to me?"

Zhu Gaoxu had a strange smile on his face. "Didn't I tell you that if I just sit back and do nothing, how can I listen to you playing in the future?"

Du Qianrui squatted there with her legs together, her body looking soft. It was late at night, but there was no trace of tiredness in her eyes. Instead, there was a hint of shyness in her bright gaze.

Zhu Gaoxu then sighed, "I couldn't learn music when I was a child, but I was very interested in it. I think Miss Du is really talented and has a good voice. It's a pity to waste it."

Du Qianrui listened quietly without much reaction. Perhaps she felt that the children of the royal family had more important things to learn, so they would not learn music... But the childhood that Zhu Gaoxu mentioned was actually his previous life. At that time, he really did not have the conditions. He was able to receive exam-oriented education thanks to the progress of society, so how could he have the opportunity to learn art? However, he always yearned for and envied those seemingly high-end things.

Du Qianrui said softly, "It's just a trick to please others."

Zhu Gaoxu immediately shook his head, "Music and painting are both very valuable, and we are not barbarians."

Du Qianrui's face flushed, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness... Yeah! The medicine is ready."

Zhu Gaoxu turned his head and glanced at the carriage, whispering, "That thing just now was cinnabar. I heard that it is good for the prince's illness, but cinnabar itself is somewhat toxic, and the imperial physician dare not use it."

"Yeah." Du Qianrui responded cautiously.

Zhu Gaoxu asked again, "Just pretend you don't know, okay?"

Du Qianrui nodded immediately and said, "I didn't see anything."

After a while, Zhu Gaoxu watched Du Qianrui feed the prince the medicine. Everyone ate some dry food with cold water and continued to travel overnight. Because the carriage was moving slowly, they did not dare to rest tonight.

By the next morning, the prince's illness had miraculously healed and he started to cry out for hunger!

Everyone was very surprised, except Du Qianrui, who occasionally stole a glance at Zhu Gaoxu with a complicated look in her eyes.

...

The red morning sun hung on the top of the hip roof of the Nanjing temple. As soon as Xu Huizu arrived at the Central Military Governor's Office, he received a report that the troops sent out last night to pursue the enemy had gained nothing. Xu Huizu knew that he had missed the opportunity and could not help but sigh.

At this time, Qu Neng walked into the hall, greeted Xu Huizu, and then asked, "Why are you sighing?"

Xu Huizu called Qu Neng into the study and told him the outcome of the incident.

Qu Neng tried to persuade him kindly, saying, "Now that things have come to this, you don't need to worry about it anymore. Just forget it."

Xu Huizu's face was very ugly, and he blurted out, "This is undoubtedly letting a tiger go back to the mountain!" He raised his hand and pointed at Qu Neng, then put it down again, gritting his teeth as if he was about to say something, and finally stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "I think that the poisoning of the prince was caused by Gao Xu!"

"Ah?!" Qu Neng's expression also became nervous.

Xu Huizu whispered, "I didn't know how to say it because I didn't have any evidence, so I missed the opportunity. But based on my understanding of Gao Xu, I'm sure in my heart that it has to be him!"

Qu Neng frowned and said, "It is said that because the Prince of Gaoyang committed a murder, he and the other two have been imprisoned in the palace for almost a month. The Jinyiwei are strictly guarding them, and the inside and outside are isolated. How did the poison get in? Moreover, it is a strange poison that even the imperial doctors cannot diagnose."

Xu Huizu said, "How he did it, I don't know now. However, who else would poison the prince, and what's the reason? It would be more difficult for others to get poison in and start."

Qu Neng pondered and said, "Why is Gaoyang County Prince?"

Xu Huizu stared with big eyes and said, "Of course it's to escape! Hasn't he already run away now? If it hadn't been for the prince's poisoning, would he be able to run away now?"

The two looked at each other and fell into silence.

After a while, Xu Huizu spoke in a low voice, "Not long ago, King Xiang's family set themselves on fire. How tragic! This fact was an accident. It was definitely not what the Holy One wanted. It made the Holy One very distressed. He definitely didn't want to see the crown prince of Yan King die in the capital, and it was In confinement.

Gao Xu has always been cunning, and he has figured out the Holy Sage's thoughts, so he takes risks...I just had a guess before, but now after looking at the results, I am almost convinced. This guy is really cunning, and until now, not many people have doubted him! "

Qu Neng said calmly, "Even if it is true as Mr. Xu expected, how many people would have thought that the prince would be poisoned by his own brothers?"

The vertical lines between Xu Huizu's eyebrows deepened, and he had an expression of concern for the country and the people, "Now that Qi Tai, Huang Zicheng and others are making plans, and the emperor has cut off several vassals, I am afraid that King Yan will not sit still and wait for death. At this time, let Gao Xu and others go back, It not only frees the King of Yan from the worry of throwing a rat weapon, but also makes him more powerful! Gao Xu is the legitimate son of the King of Yan. Unlike other good generals, the King of Yan has more trust and can be entrusted with important tasks. "

Qu Neng sighed and raised his head, "Your Majesty is fat and seriously ill. They can't walk fast, so they won't take the post road directly to Peiping; but the capital is connected to the whole world. Once you get to Jiangbei, there are countless roads. There are two paths. How can I know which path he has taken?"

He paused, glanced at Xu Huizu, and then said, "I have a plan, sir, are you willing to listen to it?"

Xu Huizu hurriedly said, "General Qu, please feel free to speak."

Qu Neng said, "The best place to set up an ambush is not in the capital, but near the city of Beiping!"

Xu Huizu became more and more interested and immediately urged, "I'd like to hear more details."

Qu Neng said, "First, this place is close to Beiping City. They have come here without any danger and think that everything is fine. This is the time when they are most likely to be careless.

Second, after entering the Beiping Provincial Administration Office from the south, there were not many roads leading to Beiping City, so the scope of interception was smaller, and the chance of interception was greater;

Third, the Prince of Gaoyang brought his son with him. The son was fat and in poor health, so he might look for a place to rest.

Fourth, they have been hiding here and there all the way, and their horses are exhausted from running for a long time, so they may try to change horses at this time. "

Xu Huizu nodded repeatedly, and Qu Neng continued, "We should quietly set up traps in Dong'an, Yongqing, Gu'an, and Zhuozhou. We don't need to make a big fuss, but we also don't have no clues."

Qu Neng had never been an official in Hebei. When Xu Huizu heard him talk about places near Peking like the back of his hand, he respected him even more.

Xu Huizu immediately said, "I will go to the palace to persuade His Majesty. Gao Xu is fierce and a few ordinary people cannot control him. If I can convince His Majesty, can Envoy Qu send his son to the north?"

Qu Neng clasped his fists and said, "We, father and son, are willing to do our best to contribute to the country!"

Xu Huizu responded by saying, "It is a great honor for the country and His Majesty to have General Qu as a descendant."

Qu Neng said, "Mr. Xu is not partial to personal feelings, and he sacrifices his relatives for the sake of justice. His loyalty is admirable, and I am deeply moved. You have to think carefully before entering the palace to advise His Majesty."

Xu Huizu nodded vigorously, "General Qu is right. To accomplish something, we need to consider all parties involved. If we only rely on loyalty and integrity, I'm afraid it will ruin things."