Chapter 1156: Chapter 992: Blue Feather Guard
Deâan watched Gu Chengyu turn and walk away, his eyes flashing with a fierce light.
This assassination attempt had failed; if he wanted to strike again, he would have to find another opportunity. If not for Gu Chengyuâs sudden intervention, the Crown Prince would surely have met his end, but now a great opportunity was missed.
Gu Chengyu hurriedly returned to the mansion by carriage, and as soon as he entered the outer courtyard, Steward Chen and Ming Mo greeted him.
"Youâve been away so long, the Old Madam and Old Master have been worried sick and havenât slept yet."
Gu Chengyu was covered in blood. To avoid alarming his parents, he had to wash up first.
He nodded, "Prepare everything for me. Iâll wash up before going to the main courtyard. The city is under lockdown these days; have the mansion guards secure the premises and decline all visitors. Keep a close eye on everyone. If anyone dares to cause trouble at this time, lock them up until things settle down."
"Also, inform Fang that no weddings are allowed during National Mourning, which lasts for a month. The wedding may need to be postponed to a more auspicious date. I will be at the government office these days and wonât be able to return home. If there are any uncertainties, come to the office to find me. As for those people, do as you see fit, donât show mercy."
Gu Chengyu needed to ensure the mansion affairs were clearly explained; without his instructions, Steward Chen, being a servant, couldnât discipline the mansionâs masters.
He feared that in his absence, someone would stir up trouble. If anyone causes trouble, lock them up without mercy.
The Capital was in chaos recently, and he couldnât afford to be held back by matters at the rear courtyard.
"Yes!" The three of them responded solemnly and quickly.
With Ming Mo and Ming Yan around, Gu Chengyu felt a bit more at ease.
In the deep night, a shadow prowled on the rooftop. This person gently removed a tile and looked inside with wide eyes.
After Gu Chengyu quickly washed up, he sat down at the writing desk, leaving Ming Mo to guard outside the study. Gu Chengyu took out a brocade box from the hidden space.
He glanced at the brocade box with some hesitation, unsure whether to open it now. Just as he was about to open it, the person on the roof held their breath.
Suddenly, Gu Chengyuâs ears twitched. Without urgency, he picked up a pen from the pen holder and thrust it towards the roof.
"Ah!" a scream echoed from the rooftop, followed by the sound of someone trying to flee eastward.
Gu Chengyu quickly put the brocade box back into the hidden space, grabbed a treasure sword hanging on the wall, and with a quick step, he flew onto the roof.
The roof tiles tumbled down with a loud crash, piercing the quiet night. Ming Mo pursued swiftly, sword in hand.
Gu Chengyu reached the rooftop and saw a figure in black clothing jumping across the roof.
He snorted coldly, then gathered his energy and continued the chase. Within a few breaths, Gu Chengyu had caught up with the figure.
The black-clad person sensed the force approaching from behind, realizing that todayâs fight was unavoidable.
Earlier, Gu Chengyu had used a pen as a hidden weapon with seventy percent of his strength. Observing this personâs sluggish defense, it appeared they had sustained internal injuries.
Blood was already seeping from the corner of the black-clad personâs mouth; Gu Chengyuâs earlier attack inflicted significant internal injuries, more than anticipated given Gu Chengyuâs high martial arts proficiency.
After just a few exchanges, the black-clad person was already at a disadvantage. Ming Mo, catching up from behind and seeing the fight, immediately joined the fray.
With Ming Moâs assistance, the black-clad person struggled even more.
Before long, they were covered in wounds, both large and small.
"Pfft!" The black-clad person spat a mouthful of fresh blood and then fell directly from the roof.
Ming Mo and Gu Chengyu followed him down, watching as he lay motionless on the ground.
Ming Mo cautiously approached, drawing a sword across the personâs leg to ensure no reaction, then felt slightly relieved.
Kicking the weapon away, Ming Mo stepped forward to remove the figureâs mask.
"Master, heâs dead; he committed suicide by poison!"
Gu Chengyu nodded, having predicted such an outcome. Given this personâs martial arts foundation, it was unlikely theyâd extract any useful information.
"Search him and see if thereâs anything that might reveal his identity."
Gu Chengyu suspected this personâs martial arts techniques differed from those of the previous group, suggesting they might not be from the same faction.
Ming Mo rummaged through the personâs belongings, finding a small token.
"Master, see here?" Ming Mo handed the token over, and Gu Chengyuâs eyes narrowed as he took it.
It was a black token with a complex pattern in the middle containing four large characters, causing Gu Chengyu to furrow his brow instantly.
Blue Feather Guard!
Gu Chengyu found this situation troublesome; this was a token belonging to a Standard Sixth Rank Blue Feather Guard, akin to their official tooth card, a symbol of status.
Such a person couldnât have achieved a Standard Sixth Rank officer position without some backing. If word got out that he had killed a Blue Feather Guard, it would be grave.
But why had this person come to the Gu Mansion in the night? Undoubtedly, this person had been tailing him, likely for the brocade box he held.
And it was obvious who sent this person; it must have been the Empress.
What he said earlier at Guangning Palace, it seemed the Empress hadnât completely believed, at best half-heartedly.
"Dispose of him quickly, leave no trace," Gu Chengyu instructed immediately.
He pocketed the token and began surveying the surroundings.
Ming Mo was ready to carry the body back onto the roof when Gu Chengyu suddenly moved.
Gu Chengyu drew his sword and kicked open a door. Rushing inside, he saw a man sitting on the edge of a brick bed, hand over mouth.
A sword was placed against the manâs throat, and instantly, he was terrified.
"Little Uncle, please donât kill me! I didnât see anything, I really didnât see anything."
The man on the brick bed collapsed in fright, trembling as he looked at Gu Chengyu, pleading repeatedly.
Gu Chengyu snorted coldly; this man was none other than the Gu Familyâs Gu Wanjiang, the second son.
Unexpectedly, they had chased the intruder into the second sonâs courtyard. This courtyard was in the southeastern corner of the Gu Mansion, somewhat remote.
Steward Chen had intentionally placed him in this remote courtyard to prevent the second son from causing trouble.
The second sonâs father-in-lawâs family resided in that house, and though unmarried, they lived under one roof, which was quite inappropriate. Despite the inconveniences, the second son had to live in the mansion.
The second son was truly scared out of his wits; he hadnât known Gu Chengyu was skilled in martial arts.
Earlier, as he woke to relieve himself, he heard the clash of weapons outside. Frightened, he cracked the window slightly to peer outside.
They fought until the battle reached his courtyard, terrifying him, though worried they would harm the innocent, he dared not cry out.
But the fight soon ceased, and he unexpectedly heard the voices of Gu Chengyu and Ming Mo.
He was all too familiar with Gu Chengyuâs voice, and there was no mistaking it.