northernbook Chapter 236 Meeting at the Mountain
Chapter 236 Meeting at the Mountain
Three days later, Linshan County.
Chu Tiancheng and Yan Yi each rode a horse and arrived at Linshan County in a dusty state.
Chu Tiancheng looked a little tired, and his body was sore from the long ride. However, when he saw the gate of Linshan County, he felt an indescribable joy in his heart.
Linshan County is located in a border area. Although it is just a small town, it is particularly eye-catching because of its special geographical location and has become an important transportation hub connecting all parties.
There are shops lining both sides of the street, with shouts of hawkers ringing out one after another; the dazzling array of goods is dazzling, ranging from exquisite handicrafts to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Both local residents and passing travelers are busy here, shopping or stopping to admire, creating a prosperous scene.
The most prosperous area in the city is the central square, where all kinds of businesses gather, like a vivid and lively market painting unfolding before your eyes.
Chu Tiancheng and his companion found a large restaurant and walked in.
The restaurant was bustling with people. They chose a table by the window, sat down, ordered a few signature dishes, and began to feast on them.
After eating and drinking, Yan Yi stood up and left the table to go outside to find out the latest news, while Chu Tiancheng continued to stay in the restaurant to drink tea.
Chu Tiancheng gently pushed open the carved window on the second floor and looked at the bustling street outside the window.
The pedestrians coming and going were in a hurry, and unfamiliar faces kept flashing before his eyes. Chu Tiancheng couldn't help but feel emotional.
He couldn't help but think of the woman who had been haunting him and making him worried.
It has been quite a while since we last saw each other. How is she doing now? Did she get out of the jungle safely? Did she encounter any difficulties or dangers?
These questions hit Chu Tiancheng's heart like waves, making him more and more uneasy.
Not long after, Yan Yi hurried back to the restaurant with a serious look on his face.
"Master, I have obtained some important information."
Yan Yi lowered his voice and said:
“The princess and Mr. Zuo have returned to the county safely, and announced to the public that the so-called treasure story is completely nonsense.
In addition, those who followed them into the jungle all disappeared mysteriously and their whereabouts are still unknown.
All parties seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation and did not publicize it. Instead, they chose to quietly withdraw from Linshan County. "
Chu Tiancheng listened to Yan Yi's report, frowned slightly, and felt confused.
However, the most important thing at the moment is to see Zuo Qingyun and Qin Rubing as soon as possible, so Chu Tiancheng immediately stood up and took Yan Yi to the direction of the county government.
When the county magistrate saw Chu Tiancheng, he did not dare to neglect him and quickly led the way and brought them to the house where Zuo Qingyun and Qin Rubing were temporarily staying.
Walking into the courtyard, Chu Tiancheng saw Zuo Qingyun and Qin Rubing talking in the pavilion in the courtyard.
He was delighted and stepped forward quickly.
"Your Highness!" When Zuo Qingyun saw Chu Tiancheng, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he showed a look of joy.
Qin Rubing was also surprised to see Chu Tiancheng and didn't know what to say for a moment.
"I'm glad you're all okay." Chu Tiancheng breathed a sigh of relief. "I heard the rumors outside, but I didn't expect it to be so dangerous."
"I'm sorry to have worried Your Highness, but luckily nothing happened." Zuo Qingyun said quickly.
Chu Tiancheng looked at Qin Rubing, "Rubing, you are also frightened."
Qin Rubing raised her head and looked at Chu Tiancheng. Although she knew that Chu Tiancheng came here because he was worried about her, she still asked politely, "Why is the prince here?"
Chu Tiancheng's face changed slightly and he remained silent.
Zuo Qingyun glanced at Yan Yi, and the two of them tactfully retreated out of the yard.
Chu Tiancheng sat down at the table, poured himself a cup of tea, cleared his throat, and said softly:
"Rubing, you left suddenly without saying goodbye, and I was worried about you. In fact, if you have anything, you can just tell me directly, and I will help you."
Qin Rubing smiled faintly and said, "Mr. Zuo is your friend as well as my friend. If he is in trouble, we cannot help but help him.
But you are the prince, and you have many more important things to do. You can't leave easily. So, I came here."
Qin Rubing thought: What's more, Zuo Qingyun's safety is related to the stability of the Southern Kingdom, and Zuo Qingyun has a close relationship with Chu Tiancheng, so Zuo Qingyun must not be in trouble. This is also very important for stabilizing the Eastern Kingdom.
However, these complicated thoughts only swirled in her mind, but never came out of her mouth.
All of this is closely related to her mission. In this case, why should she tell Chu Tiancheng everything? After all, for some things, the less you know, the better.
After hearing what Qin Rubing said, Chu Tiancheng was slightly stunned, and an expression of disbelief appeared on his face.
He never expected that everything Qin Rubing did was actually out of concern and consideration for him.
This discovery made him feel indescribably moved.
Before this, he might have regarded Qin Rubing as just an ordinary partner or friend, but now it seems that her position in his mind has undergone subtle and profound changes.
His originally tense face relaxed a little, and his eyes showed a hint of concern. He asked Qin Rubing softly:
"Have you ever encountered any thrilling or dangerous situations in that deep and dense forest?"
Qin Rubing nodded slightly and calmly recounted his experiences in the dense forest.
Her narration is concise and clear, but every word seems to contain endless power and tension.
Chu Tiancheng listened attentively. As Qin Rubing's story went on, his heartbeat became more and more rapid.
Those thrilling scenes flashed before his eyes, making him feel frightened again and again.
But Qin Rubing did not tell anyone about finding the treasure. After all, it was passed down by successive emperors of the Southern Kingdom and left to the heir to the throne.
Now, the Emperor of the East has decided to pass the throne to Zuo Qingyun. Therefore, the secret of the treasure belongs to Zuo Qingyun, and she has no right to disclose it to anyone.
"Rubing, you've worked hard." Chu Tiancheng's eyes were full of pity. "Then as far as you know, do you know whether there is such treasure?"
Qin Rubing shook her head slightly and said in a low voice: "I can't disclose the matter of the treasure. Besides, this matter is of great importance, the fewer people who know about it, the better."
Chu Tiancheng nodded thoughtfully, expressing his understanding. He knew that this matter involved a lot of people, and it would cause an uproar if he was not careful.
"It's just..." Chu Tiancheng paused, "Zuo Qingyun will ascend to the throne sooner or later. Does he know the truth about the treasure?"
Qin Rubing looked into the distance with a serious expression and sighed secretly in his heart.
Zuo Qingyun naturally knew the secret of the treasure, but keeping the secret was also his responsibility and destiny.
"Everything is destined." Qin Rubing said slowly, "We just need to do what we should do."
Chu Tiancheng frowned slightly, as if he wanted to ask more questions. However, looking at Qin Rubing's firm expression, he finally chose to trust and remain silent.
October 14th, Prince’s Mansion.
Chu Tianxing received a message from the people who were following Chu Tiancheng: "Chu Tiancheng has met Zuo Qingyun in Linshan County, and Qin Rubing is also with them."
What? Qin Rubing also went to Linshan County?
Chu Tianxing frowned.
It seems like something big must have happened in Linshan County, otherwise why would they both go there?
He immediately called the secret guards, "Reply to the letter and make sure to find out what major events have happened in Linshan County recently."
"Yes." The secret guard took the order.
The next day, after a long and anxious wait, Chu Tianxing received news from Linshan County.
"What? Treasure hunt?"
The intelligence detailed the process from rumors that there was a treasure in the jungle, to Zuo Qingyun and Qin Rubing going deep into the jungle to search for the treasure, to Zuo Qingyun announcing to the public that the rumors were false and there was no treasure.
Chu Tianxing narrowed his eyes, stroked the information in his hand, and couldn't help but think about it carefully.
Chu Tiancheng, Zuo Qingyun, and Qin Rubing have all gone to Linshan County. How could they just brush aside a false rumor?
"Someone come here!" As this low and majestic call sounded, the figure of a secret guard quietly appeared at the door.
He wore a black mask on his face, revealing only a pair of sharp and cold eyes.
"Your subordinate greets the master." His voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of awe and loyalty.
Chu Tianxing's eyes revealed a hint of ruthlessness, and he spoke word by word:
“Reply: Be sure to closely monitor Chu Tiancheng’s movements.
Zuo Qingyun’s release of the news that there was no treasure was probably just a trick. Perhaps they had already found the treasure.
If this is the case, we must grab that treasure."