Chapter 407: Chapter 243 Revealing Identity
"An assassin has infiltrated our villa and injured our master. We followed the assassin here and suspect he has escaped into your estate. We request Mr. Guâs indulgence to search the place."
Gu Chengyu glanced at the speaker, a man in his forties holding a knife, with three others similarly dressed, following him at a distance, seemingly led by this man. From their attire, Gu Chengyu presumed them to be guards of some sort.
Yet Gu Chengyu felt the man spoke with a slightly raised chin and an arrogant demeanor, more like a figure accustomed to giving orders rather than a mere guard.
"Master, our people have already surrounded the estate; the assassin will find it hard to escape."
Gu Chengyu was about to reply when someone approached the man on horseback to report.
Listening to this, Gu Chengyuâs anger flared. In this world, as long as one has power and influence, they can do as they please.
"Esteemed sir, since you claim suspicion, it suggests you havenât seen the assassin enter my estate personally. Why then surround my estate so confidently, as if certain the assassin is in here?"
The Prince raised an eyebrow, finding Gu Chengyu quite spirited.
He gazed at Gu Chengyu for a long moment before speaking, "Weâve searched the other nearby estates without finding any suspicious individuals. This area is farmland, and with the snow falling, thereâs no place to hide. I fear we must offend you today."
Jin Canling looked at his master in surprise; his master was always aloof and rarely explained things to others at length.
After his surprise, he glanced at Gu Chengyu, pondering if the boy had some background. If so, they couldnât force their way in; his master hadnât mentioned forcing an entry since he started speaking.
Then he continued in a more measured tone, "As long as the assassin remains unapprehended, my master cannot rest easy. We ask for your understanding, Mr. Gu!"
Gu Chengyu contemplated for a moment; the conversation had reached this point, refusing would seem ungracious. But allowing them in so easily felt too lenient.
"In that case, why not let my people search the estate, and if we find the assassin, weâll hand him over to you?"
Jin Canling found this amusingâwhat was the boyâs status, to negotiate terms with his master?
If his master hadnât wanted to keep his identity concealed, this boy wouldnât have the chance to prattle on.
The Prince gradually lost patienceâwas Gu Chengyu stalling? He started to suspect Gu Chengyu.
"Mr. Gu, are you hindering us because youâre in league with the assassin, or perhaps because you are the assassin yourself?"
The Prince squinted his eyes, closely watching Gu Chengyuâs eyes, trying to discern any hidden panic.
Gu Chengyu heard and laughed aloud.
"Sir, you overestimate me. Do I look like an assassin to you? I havenât such skills, and besides, I bear no grudge against you; why would I attempt your assassination?"
Was he so idle as to do such a thing? It seemed this person had even investigated his background.
The Prince continued to stare at Gu Chengyu, only finding those eyes misty and unclear!
It seemed capturing the assassin today was futile; he already had a premonition in his heart.
"If youâre not the assassin, Mr. Gu, you should prove your innocence."
After speaking, the Prince gestured subtly to Jin Canling.
Confirming with a look, Jin Canling understood immediatelyâhis master was suspecting the boy? He looked at Gu Chengyuâs slightly damp hair and began to harbor suspicions too.
The assassin had been wounded in the chest; he needed to examine Gu Chengyuâs chest before searching the estate.
Jin Canling no longer spoke, directly approaching, intending to get near to Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyuâs expression slightly darkened; this was downright bullying. He moved his hands behind and gripped the soft sword at his waist. If this man came forward, regardless of his rank, heâd strike without hesitation.
"Chengyu! Whatâs happening?" Zhu Pangâs voice called from behind Gu Chengyu.
He had just sobered from drink and woke to hear the servants talking about someone blocking the entrance, wanting to search for an assassin. Gu Chengyu was currently confronting them.
After hearing, Zhu Pang hurriedly pulled the still dazed Zheng Lun and ran toward the front courtyard.
Seeing a huge array of torches, Zhu Pangâs heart sank, and his pace quickenedâthere were quite a few people. He had little skill in other areas, but he was good in a fight.
Hearing Zhu Pangâs voice, Gu Chengyu felt a bit helpless. Turning around, sure enough, Zhu Pang and Zheng Lun had arrived; he didnât see Sun Xian, who likely was still asleep.
With friends present, he couldnât act recklessly to avoid accidental injury. The opponents were numerous and capable.
"Has something happened? Weâre here to help..." Zhu Pang stared across, suddenly falling silent in shock.
After a stunned pause, he quickly pulled Zheng Lun to kneel, "Zhu Pang, son of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, pays respects to the Eldest Prince!"
Zheng Lun sobered as well, still bewildered from being pulled to kneel by Zhu Pang. Hearing Zhu Pangâs words, he glanced across the way.
This glance brought astonishmentâhow was the Eldest Prince here?
"Student Zheng Lun pays respects to the Eldest Prince!"
Zhu Pang tugged Gu Chengyuâs hand, whispering, "Quick, pay respects to the Eldest Prince!"
Gu Chengyu was shocked; he had guessed this person was of significant rank but hadnât imagined him as the Eldest Prince. Coincidentally, they had just spoken of the Eldest Prince earlier today, and now they saw him in person.
Yet observing the Eldest Princeâs demeanor, he didnât seem like someone recently ill. But one couldnât rule out the possibility heâd long since recovered.
The Eldest Prince hadnât expected to encounter Zhu Pang here; he knew Zhu Pang well enough, as Assistant Minister Zhu Kui frequently cleaned up after his sonâs messes.
He hadnât expected Gu Chengyu, a person like this, to be involved with Zhu Pang too.
As for Zheng Lun, he outright ignored himâjust a child of a secondary branch in the Marquis Mansion, unworthy of attention. His father idled about all day without even securing a seventh-rank official post.
No matter how unwilling, Gu Chengyu had to lift his hem and kneel down.
"Student Gu Chengyu pays respects to the Eldest Prince!"
Seeing Gu Chengyu kneeling, the Eldest Prince felt his mood improve immediately.
Nonetheless, todayâs exposure of his presence meant he couldnât stay at the villa for now, and all items within would need to be moved.
"Rise, all of you! Mr. Gu, I would bring my people into your estate to inspect; rest assured, not a single blade of grass will be harmed. Mr. Gu, do you have any objections?"
Gu Chengyu mentally scoffed at the arrogant toneâwas this a request or merely notifying him?
"Since His Highness is concerned, naturally I must prove my innocence. Please, Your Highness!" Gu Chengyu stood up and rather cleverly stepped aside, clearing the path.
His face wore a smile, but inside he was furiously ventingâhow good it was to have power!
The Eldest Prince noted Gu Chengyuâs silence except for a simple sentence; though a smile adorned his face, inside he likely cursed him greatly!
The Eldest Prince directed a troop straight into the estate.
Jin Canling glanced at Gu Chengyu and company, realizing with hindsight it would have been better to reveal identities earlier and avoid such needless dialogue.