nycdaug Chapter 57 There is no free lunch in the world
Chapter 57 There is no free lunch in the world
Meanwhile, in the Gao residence, Gao Chen was anxiously pondering a solution.
He had no idea what Li Mao was thinking.
"Xiao Xizi, have you found out Chen An's current situation?" Gao Chen asked, his face full of worry.
Xiao Xizi cautiously replied, "Reporting to Eunuch Gao, Chen An has been frequently visiting Zhenzhufang recently and has had contact with many merchants, but there is currently no conclusive evidence to prove that he has any private dealings with Prince Shou."
"In that case, let's keep an eye on it. We'll find some clues eventually." Gao Chen made his decision in secret, his face grim.
Gao Chen knew very well what Li Longji valued.
If he could successfully expose Li Mao's weaknesses, he would be able to restore his former reputation and power in the court.
the next day.
As the first rays of sunlight shone upon Chang'an, Li Mao was writing furiously in his study, penning down a series of secret orders.
"Your Highness, what tasks have you assigned today?" Madam Wang gently entered the study and asked with concern.
Li Mao put down the memorial in his hand and smiled slightly: "My dear consort, I intend to take the initiative today."
Lady Wang was slightly taken aback, and immediately said with concern, "Your Highness, are you going in person? Wouldn't that be too dangerous?"
Li Mao gently shook his head and said reassuringly, "My beloved consort, there is no need to worry. I have made all the arrangements. This trip is merely to probe Gao Chen's true strength."
Lady Wang gently grasped Li Mao's hand, her tone earnest: "Whatever Your Highness does, I will support you, but you must be careful."
Li Mao smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "I will act with caution."
After setting up his plan, Li Mao changed into civilian clothes, took a few trusted guards, and prepared to leave the mansion.
As they parted, Wang watched Li Mao's departing figure, a vague unease creeping into her heart.
Meanwhile, Gao Chen was also making tense arrangements at his residence.
He knew very well that Prince Shou would not stay idle and would definitely issue other orders.
"Xiao Xizi, be more alert today, pay attention to everything that happens," Gao Chen reminded him with a deep look in his eyes.
Xiao Xizi nodded hurriedly, saying nervously, "Don't worry, Father-in-law, I will definitely pay extra attention."
Gao Chen nodded slightly, then thought to himself that if Li Mao dared to make any rash moves, he would never give him any chance.
At this moment, the old steward, who had served Gao Chen for many years, cautiously said to Gao Chen, "Father-in-law, Chen An has come to visit."
Gao Chen frowned immediately. Since their last meeting, Chen An had mysteriously disappeared for some time, but unexpectedly reappeared today. After weighing his options for a moment, he decided to see this old friend.
Chen An walked into the study with a normal expression, cupped his hands in greeting to Gao Chen, and said with a smile, "Eunuch Gao, it's been a long time."
Gao Chen's expression remained unchanged as he politely asked, "Brother Chen, how have you been lately?"
After taking his seat, Chen An said unhurriedly, "Thanks to your blessing, Father-in-law, everything is as usual for me."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Chen An slowly revealed the purpose of his visit: "I've heard that Prince Shou has been making some moves these past few days. Has Eunuch Gao noticed anything amiss?"
Gao Chen's heart skipped a beat, but he pretended to be calm and said, "Brother Chen's eyes and ears are really sharp. Although Prince Shou has made a move, he may not have made it public. The situation still needs to be observed."
Chen An smiled meaningfully, took out a high-quality sheepskin scroll from his pocket, and handed it to Gao Chen: "This was brought to me by a merchant friend of mine. Perhaps you, Father-in-law, will be interested."
Gao Chen took the parchment scroll, slowly unrolled it, and what came into view was a very detailed secret report.
He became increasingly alarmed as he looked at it, but he still tried to appear calm on the surface.
The inside story involves wealthy merchants and even members of the imperial family in Chang'an.
"Brother Chen, this is not something I would have the chance to see," Gao Chen said with a half-smile.
Chen An smiled calmly, patted his clothes, and said softly, "If Eunuch Gao finds it useful, then my trip will not have been in vain."
Gao Chen wanted to accept it, but hesitated.
There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Since Chen An was able to send over such important information, he must have some ulterior motive.
"To be honest, this secret report is very useful to you, sir." Gao Chen paused deliberately at this point.
"However, I won't take it for free, Brother Chen, please name your price."
Chen An smiled faintly and said, "Eunuch Gao, why must we be like this?"
"If we talk about money, wouldn't that seem a bit too formal?"
Gao Chen looked at Chen An with a half-smile and said, "Brother Chen, you might as well speak frankly. As long as it is within my power, I will do my best."
Chen An suddenly stopped smiling and said, "Eunuch Gao, since that's the case, I'll be frank."
Upon hearing this, Gao Chen couldn't help but think to himself, "As expected, they have ulterior motives."
After exchanging a glance, Chen An said with murderous intent, "I want to take Prince Shou's life."
"Ok?"
Gao Chen looked at Chen An with some confusion.
Based on his strength and his status in front of Prince Shou.
They could have easily found an opportunity to kill Prince Shou directly, so why did they have to come looking for me?
Thinking of this, Gao Chen directly raised his question: "Brother Chen, haven't you already been taken under the command of Prince Shou and can take Prince Shou's life at any time?"
"Why do we still need the help of various experts now?"
Chen An said coldly, "Because I don't just want Prince Shou to die, I want his entire family to be buried with him."
Gao Chen smiled faintly and asked, "It's been many years since we last met. I was unaware of the feud between Brother Chen and the Prince of Shou."
"If you want to cooperate with me, I hope you can tell me everything, otherwise I won't be able to help you."
Chen An nodded in understanding.
Although we had a past relationship, that was several years ago, and now we're practically strangers.
Put yourself in their shoes; if you were to collaborate with a complete stranger who knows nothing about you, you would naturally have some doubts.
Then, Chen An sighed and said, "Alas, four years ago, I left Chang'an with my family and married in Luoyang."
"My parents are seriously ill, and our family has fallen into poverty. My wife has to set up a stall on the street to sell things, and I have opened a martial arts school, but in the end, we still can't make ends meet."
“One day, my wife was suddenly sold to a brothel and then resold to Prince Shou. All of this was done by her maternal clan.”
Gao Chen frowned slightly and asked, "Is Brother Chen's wife named Xianglan?"
"Xianglan? Xiaolan?" Chen An suddenly looked at Gao Chen excitedly and asked, "Xianglan should be Xiaolan, Eunuch Gao, please take me to see her."
Upon hearing this, Gao Chen finally smiled.
Xianglan is a great help to Prince Shou. If we can use Chen An to turn Xianglan into one of our own, we can also use her as leverage to control Chen An...
Thinking of this, Gao Chen first put the secret report into his pocket, then smiled faintly and said, "The inner palace is a sensitive place, even a layman like me should not enter it."
"Go change into a eunuch's robe first, but I warn you, after I take you in, you can only take a look from afar. Do not do anything reckless, otherwise I will never let you off the hook."