This was completely different from what he expected. Gu Yun was stunned and blurted out, "Why?"

Chang Geng answered with reason and evidence: "My foster father's Black Iron Camp is in charge of the Western Regions. If I go there, I will just cause trouble. It's meaningless to bother you to add some fictitious military achievements to my account."

Although Gu Yun generally thought so, he still felt like he was being poured cold water when Chang Geng pointed it out to him. Trying hard to keep his expression unchanged, Gu Yun said, "Well... that's fine, you can go back to the capital to attend the court in advance. My teacher has some disciples, you can go and meet them in advance..."

Chang Geng: "Isn't that the same?"

As he spoke, he looked up at the end of the small corridor. The sun was shining brightly in the south of the Yangtze River, and the spring flowers in the garden were splendid. But according to the servants of the Yao Mansion, although it looked brilliant, the flowering period was only ten days or half a month, and it would wither soon. This was still the case when the flowers were blooming in the garden. If they were blooming in the wilderness where few people go, they would quietly bloom and then quietly wither. Life and death are as fleeting as the universe, and there are only a few wild birds and beasts around them. Who would know?

This is true for flowers, and it is also true for the many meaningless likes and dislikes in people's hearts.

Chang Geng: "Foster father, Master Liaoran has many extraordinary people around him. I want to travel around with them, which will not affect my studies and practice..."

Isn’t this nonsense?

Before he finished speaking, Gu Yun's face had already darkened, and he interrupted, "No."

Chang Geng turned sideways and looked at him silently.

There was something inexplicable in the young man's eyes against the light. Gu Yun had never noticed it before, but when he suddenly encountered it, he was actually a little frightened. He then realized that his tone was a little stiff, and slightly slowed down his expression, saying: "It's okay for you to go out and play. When you return to the capital, ask Wang Bo to transfer a few guards from the Marquis' Mansion to accompany you around. But there is one thing, you are not allowed to go to places where there are no imperial post stations. You must send me a letter to report your safety at each post station."

Chang Geng said calmly, "Are you going to live a life of luxury and wealth? I might as well go to the Huguo Temple to burn incense with the ladies and girls, and save myself the trouble of eating and drinking."

Gu Yun: “…”

This kid actually talks back!

He still acted elegantly, calmly, and with a hint of sarcasm!

Gu Yun's good mood, which was just immersed in the spring scenery of Jiangnan, suddenly disappeared. He thought, "Why doesn't this make sense? Am I spoiling him so much that he wants to sleep with me?"

He began to sound impatient: "The journey is long and the people are treacherous. What's the fun in this? That monk can't do anything. He can only beg for food when he's running for his life. If something happens to you along the way, how can I explain it to the late emperor?"

"Ah," Chang Geng thought indifferently, "Sure enough, it's because I have to give an account to the late emperor. If the late emperor heard in his grave that I was a little bastard that Xiuniang got from nowhere, specifically to confuse the royal bloodline, he might be so angry that he would return to life to strangle me to death."

Every time he looked at Gu Yun, he felt as if his heart was being torn apart by a knife, and his sin was becoming more serious. He wished he could flee immediately out of fear of the crime. But that person actually held him back and wouldn't let him leave.

Chang Geng faced the clueless Gu Yun, and for a moment, he felt a lingering resentment in his heart for no reason, but he quickly came to his senses.

Chang Geng retracted his gaze from Gu Yun and said calmly: "My foster father told me a few days ago that as long as I decide on the path I want to take, it's fine. Is it going to be disregarded so soon?"

Gu Yun was furious: "I told you to think it over yourself, have you thought it over now?"

Chang Geng said seriously: "That's exactly what I think."

"No, think about it again! Come talk to me when you've made up your mind." Gu Yun didn't want to get angry with him in public, so he swung his sleeves in annoyance and turned away.

Chang Geng watched his back and brushed off the petals on his body. He heard footsteps behind him. He knew who it was without turning around and said, "Master Liaoran, please forgive me for making fun of you."

Monk Liaoran didn't dare to come out at first. He kept looking around for a long time. Only when he saw Gu Yun leave did he feel relieved to show up. He gestured and said in a smooth manner, "My Lord, you have good intentions."

Chang Geng looked down at his hands. Fine calluses had formed on them, but they had not yet been scarred.

He said coldly: "I don't want to be a useless person who depends on him for everything under his kindness."

"I think your Highness is a bit extreme," said Liaoran, gesturing. "Even when saints were young, most of them grew up under the protection of their parents and elders. According to your standards, doesn't everyone in the world count as trash? People who are late bloomers must guard against arrogance and impatience."

Chang Geng did not reply, obviously he did not hear anything.

Monk Liaoran added: "I see that Your Highness looks depressed, the poison has penetrated into your bones."

Chang Geng was shocked, thinking that he knew about Wuergu.

But Monk Ran said again: "Everyone has poison in their hearts, some are deeper, some are shallower. Your Highness, at your age, it shouldn't be so thorough. You are too worried."

Chang Geng smiled bitterly and said, "What do you know?"

He always felt that everything around him - the title of king, the false reputation, were all stolen by Xiuniang. One day, someone would see that he was not worthy of these things, expose his true colors, and make him lose everything.

Accustomed to this constant anxiety, Chang Geng always felt like an outsider in the capital.

Gu Yun planned his future from the perspective of the Fourth Prince, but he didn't feel it was real at all.

Every day when he looks in the mirror, he knows that he is a "earth dragon" rolling in the mud, but others insist on giving him horns and scales, and go to great lengths to dress him up as a real dragon. Little does he know that no matter how many decorations he has, he still looks out of place and he is always an earthworm that is not worthy of being on the stage.

In this case, it is better to stay away from him to avoid embarrassment in the future.

There was only one Gu Yun, who brought him such unforgettable joys, sorrows, anger and happiness, without a trace of falsehood. He could not deceive himself and let it go easily, but he often felt that he was not worthy.

Chang Geng did not complain to himself for long. He quickly came to his senses and asked, "By the way, Master, I have always wanted to ask you what illness my foster father has. He was very abnormal during that trip to the East China Sea, but he refused to tell me."

The monk hurriedly shook his head: "Amitabha, I dare not say it."

Chang Geng frowned: "It's not enough for him to be so stubborn, why are you helping him?"

"Is the Marquis the kind of person who would show off his strength for no reason?" Le Ran said with a smile, "If he doesn't want to mention this matter, it's not because he's afraid of others knowing his weakness, but probably because this is the weak spot in his body and the poison in his heart - who dares to touch the Marquis of Anding's weak spot? Your Highness, please spare my life."

Chang Geng frowned thoughtfully.

Gu Yun finally managed to get away from the desert for two days. He wanted to enjoy the scenery of the south of the Yangtze River, go for a horse ride, swim in the lake, see some beauties, and have fun before leaving. However, Chang Geng's words made him lose the mood and he stayed in the house and refused to go out. Anyway, he got angry when he saw Chang Geng, and he got angry when he saw Yao Zhen, and he got even angrier when he saw Ran.

The two naughty kids from the Yao family refused to keep quiet. They kept blowing the bamboo flute one after another, and the sound could be heard in the surrounding villages, like a pair of noisy mynah birds.

When Gu Yun heard the tuneless sound, he remembered how Chang Geng had pulled the flute out of his hand, and he got even angrier - didn't he give everything to his adoptive father first? How could he change it so suddenly?

It's a pity that the relationship between parents and children in the world seems to be connected by blood, but it turns out that it can't last long.

What's more, they are not related, not even by blood.

In the evening, a black eagle landed in the yard: "Marshal, there is a letter from General Shen."

Gu Yun held back his breath, took the letter and looked at it. He saw that the letter written by Shen Yi was quite concise, with only three words - urgent, come back soon.

Shen Yi had been with him through thick and thin since he left Lingshu Courtyard. What kind of situation had he not seen? He would never bother to write an urgent letter to urge him.

Xuan Ying: "Marshal, look..."

Gu Yun: "I understand. No need to go back. We will set off tomorrow."

Chang Geng hadn't made a decision yet. Gu Yun wanted to wait for two days before making any decision, but Shen Yi pressed him too hard, so he had no choice but to walk around the room twice before getting up and looking for him.

Chang Geng was practicing swordplay in the courtyard. Gu Yun watched for a while, then suddenly pulled out Xuan Ying's sword. Xuan Ying was still wearing armor, and the heavy sword was as wide as an adult's palm. He held it in his hand as lightly as a feather duster: "Be careful."

Before he finished speaking, a sword had already swept out, and Chang Geng caught it firmly without retreating a single step.

"I've made progress," Gu Yun thought, "and my hands have some strength now."

He suddenly lifted up, turned over with the power of the sword in his hand, and swung the sword like a full moon.

Chang Geng did not dare to take it head-on, and he took several wrong steps, but he could not resist the force of the sword. The heavy sword in Gu Yun's hand was like a spirit snake spitting out its tongue, and in the blink of an eye, it had stabbed out three times. Chang Geng blocked with his sword horizontally, retreated to the corner, jumped sideways onto the beam, spun in the air, and stepped on Gu Yun's heavy sword.

Gu Yun shouted "OK" and suddenly let go of the hilt. Chang Geng suddenly lost support and staggered. Gu Yun reached out and grabbed the hilt again, gently pressing down on the shoulder of the boy who had not yet stood firmly. The light of the black iron sword gave him goose bumps.

Gu Yun smiled, patted Chang Geng's shoulder with his heavy sword, and threw the heavy sword to Xuan Ying behind him: "Not bad, you have never slacked off in your kung fu."

Chang Geng moved his slightly numb wrist and said, "It's still far worse than my adoptive father."

Gu Yun said shamelessly: "Well, that's still a long way off."

Chang Geng: “…”

Shouldn't he be modest first and then give a few words of advice? Why did he take advantage of the situation? Is there such an immodest adoptive father?

Gu Yun: "If you come to the Northwest Camp, I can teach you personally."

Sure enough, it was all because of this. Chang Geng couldn't help but laugh.

It’s strange to say, but sometimes, when a person really wants something and tries every possible means to get it but fails, and suddenly he decides he doesn’t want it anymore, that thing will come to him.

Chang Geng declined politely, "When I was in the Marquis' Mansion, I asked my master why my adoptive father was so good at swordplay and martial arts when he was young. My master told me that solid kung fu depends on how much effort you are willing to put in. Strong kung fu is mainly because there are many life-and-death situations on the battlefield, so it doesn't matter who teaches you."

Gu Yun's smile disappeared.

Chang Geng: "Foster father, I have thought it over and I still want to go out and see the world."

Gu Yun frowned and said, "Aren't the worlds of the capital and the border the same? What else do you want to see? Daliang can't accommodate you anymore? Do you still want to swim to the West?"

They were about to quarrel again, but Xuan Ying didn't dare to say a word behind them - the tall Sky Killer held his heavy sword and pretended to be a pile of coal that had been forgotten to be collected.

Chang Geng remained silent, only looking deeply at Gu Yun. For a moment, he wanted to pour out what was suppressed in his heart like vomiting, but he held it back - he imagined the possible reaction of Gu Yun and felt that he might not be able to bear it.

Gu Yun: "You don't have to say anything. I don't want to know where all those messed up ideas of yours come from. Let that monk go tomorrow. You go back to the capital honestly. Since you don't want to go to the northwest, then stay at home and don't go anywhere!"

Chang Geng wanted to yell at Gu Yun: "The Marquis' Mansion is not my home."

But the words had already reached his lips, but he bit them in half and swallowed them. He instinctively feared that saying them would hurt Gu Yun's heart - even though he didn't know if Gu Yun had a heart to hurt.

"Foster father," Chang Geng said quietly, "I feel bad that you came all the way from the northwest this time, but if you are unreasonable, I can only act on my own. If I can run once, I can run twice. You can't watch over me forever, and the Marquis' Mansion can't hold me in."

Gu Yun was furious. The Marquis' Mansion had always been his home. No matter how much he didn't want to return to the capital, he still had some expectations when he thought about going home. Only then did he realize that in Chang Geng's eyes, that place was like a prison.

Gu Yun: "Just give it a try."

The two parted unhappily again.

Xuan Ying hurriedly chased after him. Before Gu Yun had gone far, he did not care whether Chang Geng heard him or not, and coldly ordered: "You don't have to follow me tomorrow. Follow the Fourth Prince to the capital. Don't let him leave the capital!"

Xuan Ying: “…Yes.”

Not only did the fire at the city gate affect innocent people, but even the black eagle flying at the gate was burned into a bald chicken. It was really an unexpected disaster.

The next morning, Gu Yun left in a rage.

He never saw Chang Geng again. Before leaving, the wicked Marquis Anding sneaked into the yard of the five-year-old child of Lord Yao's family without anyone noticing and stole the bamboo flute that was placed on the swing. When the child woke up and found that the flute had disappeared, he cried all day long out of grief.

Gu Yun rushed back even faster than when he came. The first thing he said to Shen Yi after landing was: "Prepare medicine for me."

Shen Yi looked solemn: "Can you still hear me now?"

"Yes," Gu Yun said, "I can't do it anymore. If you have something to say, please speak up."

Shen Yi took out a few pieces of paper from his bosom: "This is the confession of Sha Xie. I haven't shown it to anyone else. I personally interrogated him. I will wait for the Marshal to come back and make the final decision."

Gu Yun was walking while flipping through the pages quickly. Suddenly, he stopped and abruptly folded the paper in his hand.

For a moment, his expression was a little scary.

The Sand Scorpion's invasion of the ancient Silk Road was just a coincidence. His target was actually Loulan. He had a treasure map of Loulan in his hand. The so-called "treasure" was actually the thousand-hectare purple gold mine.

Shen Yi lowered his voice and asked, "General, this is a serious matter. Should we report it to the court?"

Gu Yun blurted out: "No."

He thought quickly: "Where is the picture?"

Shen Yi whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "The sand scorpion is tattooed on my belly."

Gu Yun: "Didn't you say where it came from?"

"It was robbed," Shen Yi said. "These bandits are rampant. They rob people from the Central Plains, the Western Regions, and Westerners. They rob whoever they see. They don't even know whose things they robbed that were hidden in the bag."

Gu Yun hummed, squinted his eyes which were beginning to become blurry, and looked towards the prosperous Loulan with thousands of lights in the distance. A young man from Loulan saw him from afar, sat on the city wall and played the one-stringed harp like an audience, and kept laughing at Gu Yun.

Gu Yun had no time to tease these Loulan people who only cared about drinking and playing after eating. He turned around and stuffed the papers to Shen Yi: "Silence him."

Shen Yi's pupils shrank slightly.

"Kill the witnesses, destroy the bodies and cover up all traces." Gu Yun's lips barely moved, his words were stuck between his teeth, "Even the bandits said that the bandits were trying to escape from prison, and our soldiers had no choice but to kill them. This matter is between you and me. If it is leaked, you will be held responsible. Immediately track down the origin of the treasure map."

Shen Yi: “Yes.”

After a moment, he asked again: "General, I heard that there are rumors in the capital that the King of Wei is under house arrest?"

Gu Yun glanced at him and said, "You also said it was a rumor. The imperial decree has not been issued yet, so don't make random guesses and go do your job."

Shen Yi responded, but Gu Yun's face was still tired. He stood there and gently pressed the corners of his eyes, hoping that he had overreacted to this treasure map of unknown origin.

The dragon disaster in the East China Sea has not yet been resolved, and there has been another incident in the Northwest. He always feels that these things are not coincidences.

Half a month later, two memorials from Jiangnan were presented to Emperor Long'an Li Feng.

Li Feng knocked on the table, and a man in his forties with a long beard came forward immediately and turned on the gas lamp for him. This man was none other than the emperor's uncle, named Wang Guo, the most favored minister of the time.

Li Feng opened the memorial, which was exactly what Yao Zhen had discussed with Gu Yun that day. It omitted the Xuantie Camp and Linyuan Pavilion, flattered all the officials in Jiangnan from top to bottom, and finally sang praises of them. After reading it, the emperor said nothing and picked up the second memorial.

The second letter was a secret report, and the words were completely different from the previous one. It said: "On the day of suppressing the bandits at sea, Marquis Anding and dozens of people including Black Eagle and Black Armor appeared in the East China Sea and captured the bandit leader. According to the bandit leader's confession, there was a woman in the rebel Hai Jiao's command, whose whereabouts were mysterious. She was suspected to be from Linyuan Pavilion and seemed to be an old acquaintance of Gu Yun."

After reading it, Li Feng said nothing and handed the two memorials to Wang Guo.

Uncle Wang Guo finished reading it quickly, carefully observing Li Feng's uncertain expression, guessing what he meant and said, "This... Your Majesty, Marquis Anding was involved in this, and although he has made merits and no faults, this absence from duty is also..."

Li Feng: "He has the Black Eagle and can travel a thousand miles a day. It only takes a few days to cross the Central Plains. Although he left his post without permission, it is not particularly inappropriate. I just don't understand why it is so coincidental that Marquis Anding played a role in this?"

Wang Guo's eyelids jumped and he realized something.

Li Feng tapped the table with his slender fingers: "And Linyuan Pavilion - Linyuan Pavilion has been hidden in the world for many years, why did it suddenly appear? When did Gu Yun get in touch with these people?"

Linyuan Pavilion, if you don’t go out in prosperous times, there will be chaos when you go out.

Wang Guo took a deep breath: "The emperor said that Gu Yun had evil intentions——"

Li Feng glanced at him and smiled slightly: "What are you thinking, uncle? The Sixteenth Uncle grew up with me and made great contributions in suppressing rebellion. If you think this way, won't it chill the hearts of loyal ministers?"

Wang Guo didn't understand what he meant, and just agreed without saying anything else.

Li Feng: "But my Daliang's vast territory, north and south, all rely on him alone. Wouldn't that tire my little uncle to death? I think it's time to find someone to share his worries."