xymnovel Chapter 1216 - 1052: Closely Connected
Chapter 1216 - 1052: Closely Connected
Ming Mo recalled the event and suddenly felt that the Crown Prince’s demeanor was indeed somewhat peculiar. By rights, capturing such an important figure should have made the Crown Prince very happy and exceptionally attentive.However, the Crown Prince’s nonchalant appearance took Ming Mo by surprise, and he didn’t seem too nervous.
"Oh?" Gu Chengyu was also stunned; this statement sounded as if credit was being claimed.
Previously, when capturing the person, they never mentioned his efforts, but once the person was captured, they wanted him to rest—anyone would overthink it.
Gu Chengyu walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, Ming Mo and Ming Yan dared not breathe loudly. They knew their master was contemplating a strategy.
Suddenly, Gu Chengyu’s eyes lit up, he rubbed his chin and slightly curled his lips.
"Ming Mo! Go and check if there’s any unusual activity in the few households I’ve asked you to monitor. Ask meticulously, find out all the details, and then report back to me."
Gu Chengyu tidied his damp hair, "Call wintergreen over to tie my hair."
Ming Mo immediately accepted the order and left. Before leaving, he glanced at Ming Yan and gave a look that wished for luck.
Ming Yan kneeled anxiously, still not daring to speak.
"What are you still standing there for? The floor is covered with your blood—hurry up and clean yourself!"
Gu Chengyu glanced sideways at Ming Yan; the suddenness of the situation indeed made it hard to blame Ming Yan.
But Ming Yan only brought so few people to escort the criminal and did not call for support when returning. Acting recklessly, and often having a high opinion of himself, he should certainly learn a lesson.
If not punished, this problem of lacking caution may never be corrected. In terms of meticulousness and prudence, Ming Yan cannot compare to Ming Mo and needs thorough honing.
He doesn’t want to attend to every matter personally; he is just one person, where does he find so much energy?
Simply put, he has already captured the person; if Ming Yan had called more people for support, even if the outcome remained the same, he would not blame him. After all, one cannot be faulted for being outmatched.
However, caution is an attitude—if there isn’t even that attitude and one repeatedly makes mistakes, then this person is really beyond help for Gu Chengyu.
Listening to Gu Chengyu’s seemingly harsh words, which actually concealed concern, Ming Yan felt even more guilty and resolved to act cautiously in the future, striving not to drag the master down.
"Once Ming Mo returns, you two must go accept your punishment!" Watching Ming Yan struggling to stand, Gu Chengyu said softly.
"Yes!" This time, Ming Yan was genuinely convinced and willing to accept punishment.
Wintergreen hurried in, seeing the master with disheveled hair and wearing an outer robe. The low neckline of the inner garment displayed an exquisite collarbone and fair skin—a sight rarely seen on the rigorous master.
She immediately turned her head away, not daring to look much. Ming Yan, however, looked rather pitiful with numerous wounds—of varying depths.
No wonder, when entering, the floor was covered with dripping blood, stretching all the way to the master’s bedroom.
Wintergreen quickly called the servants in the courtyard to clean the floor, while she moved forward to tend to Gu Chengyu’s damp hair.
Gu Chengyu closed his eyes in contemplation; the one who ambushed the Map Master must be very familiar with him.
Earlier when there were assassins in the palace, Gu Chengyu’s martial skills were exposed. Now, all the civil and military officials are aware of his martial prowess.
Both Ming Yan and Ming Mo are his right hands; those in contact with him should recognize the two.
Having extra personnel to guard against Ming Yan is not surprising, but why would someone know just as he captured the Map Master?
At the time, apart from Gu Wanqian, there was the young lady. Gu Wanqian stayed with him, attempting some tricks under his watch was impossible.
As for the young lady, based on his judgment, she was hardly related to the matter—did he really misjudge her?
No! Gu Chengyu suddenly opened his eyes—perhaps someone was tracking him? But there was no reason for someone tracking him not to be detected.
His martial arts were substantial, and his inner strength pure—though not yet reaching the level of plucking flowers and scattering leaves, if someone was following and something felt off, he should sense it.
Or perhaps there was a traitor among the guards? During the escort, someone communicated the news? This is also a possibility.
Gu Chengyu rubbed his forehead—too many possibilities, it seems those guards should be investigated. He remembers Ming Yan took seven people to Ten-mile Pavilion—the scope isn’t large, so investigation shouldn’t be difficult.
"Go see if Ding Jiu has returned!" Gu Chengyu didn’t turn around; he merely spoke softly.
Wintergreen did not pause her hair-combing motion, knowing the master wasn’t speaking to her.
"Yes!" A hoarse voice replied softly, and then there was silence.
"Master, are you expecting any guests?" Stroking Gu Chengyu’s silk-like smooth long hair, wintergreen cautiously asked.
"Hmm!" Gu Chengyu recalled Gu Wanqian who was still waiting—this was also a trouble.
Contrary to his previous compassion, he was now left with trouble at hand.
When did Gu Wanqian learn his own identity, and how long had he kept it hidden?
Wintergreen saw Gu Chengyu’s slightly frowning eyebrows, knowing the master had concerns. Words came to her lips, but she swallowed them. The incident of Sister Lichun being pointed to a marriage by the old lady—better not mention it to the master, who already has enough worries.
Removing the wet fabric for hair drying, wintergreen simply crowned Gu Chengyu’s hair.
Gu Chengyu is still underage, thus has a youthful hairstyle. No fancy styles are needed; half the hair tied with a white jade crown suffices.
Gazing at the peerlessly stunning reflection in the copper mirror, wintergreen hesitated before retreating two steps, and she bowed and withdrew.
"Master, Ding Jiu requests to see you!"
"Let him in!"
"Master, this one has already uncovered the background of Miss Lv," Ding Jiu saluted as he entered the room—it’s been merely half an hour since Gu Chengyu asked him to gather the information.
"Speak up!" Gu Chengyu rose and walked toward the desk. He truly wanted to see what background Miss Lv had.
"Miss Lv is named Lv Yunqing, residing in Qinglian Lane, South City, with a family of five. The head of the household is Lv Yuan, his wife is Mrs. Lian, and the eldest brother is Lv Yunfeng. There is also an illegitimate son, ranked second. The Lv Family runs a timber workshop in South City, and Young Master Wan Qian ordered powder boxes from this shop."
Gu Chengyu nodded—on first hearing, they seemed to be a regular family, without any special traits.
"The elder brother is studying at the Lan Family Academy in the Capital and has yet to take the examination. The mother enjoys the plum blossoms at Ten-mile Pavilion but has been unwell recently, unable to go out. Hence, Miss Lv went to Ten-mile Pavilion today intending to pick plum branches to honor her mother."
To obtain such detailed information, it’s clear the family’s servants were bribed. Actually, the Lv Family isn’t large, it’s just a single-entry courtyard.
Their total servants aren’t even a handful; if money is spent, obtaining such common information is effortless.
There seems to be no loophole upon hearing, but why choose the evening to go? It’s suspicious for a young lady only to bring a maid and venture out—is she really that bold?
"However, I later found out that this family incidentally has close ties with you."