Chapter 1207: Chapter 10043: Enduring for 16 Years
"Those assassins, who knows when they will be caught. Indeed, there are some people among our aristocratic families who are quite anxious." Zhu Pang frowned, worry evident on his face.
"Itâll be soon, Iâve already sent someone to get their sketches..." Gu Chengyu stopped himself abruptly, an expression of embarrassment and regret appearing on his face.
"Ahem! This is a task assigned by the Crown Prince, itâs not good to discuss it with those uninvolved." Realizing he had let slip, Gu Chengyu quickly covered up.
"Your duties are always so secretive, I donât want to know. Nowadays, Iâm not even an official of the court, so I have no right to meddle even if I knew. After next yearâs military examination, even if I make it onto the top list, Iâd still start as Secondary Sixth Rank. Youâre already Standard Fourth Rank; I couldnât catch up if I tried!"
Zhu Pang sighed, then complained that if Gu Chengyu had given him a secret manual earlier, he would have already become the military champion.
"Why did you come from the South Cityâs workshop on your way to your in-lawsâ house? The marketplace is too chaotic; if someone thoughtlessly crashes into your horse carriage, your sister-in-law is pregnant, isnât that terrible?" Gu Chengyu disapproved.
"Huanâer hasnât had much of an appetite lately and wanted something sour. Thereâs an old man in the marketplace who makes rock-candy fruit skewers that taste quite different from others. I thought Iâd buy some for Huanâer to try."
Zhu Pang threw the plum cake heâd taken two bites of onto the table, complaining that its taste wasnât as good as the ones from Gu Chengyuâs shop.
"I see! But you should still send someone to buy it! Itâs not convenient to maneuver a horse carriage through the marketplace, and it wouldnât be good if itâs crashed into."
"Youâre right! Youâre smarter, why didnât I think of that?" Zhu Pang slapped his forehead, finding fault with his sluggish mind.
They joked for a bit more before Zhu Pang finally stood to leave.
As he was about to leave, Gu Chengyu got up to see him off, and Zhu Pang suddenly patted his shoulder.
"Jinyu, I understand you. Your future father-in-lawâs house is Duke Zhenâs Mansion, Miss Yao is the legitimate daughter of the main branch, and even more so, sheâs your teacherâs granddaughter. You have your difficulties, I get you."
Gu Chengyu was a bit stunned by Zhu Pangâs sudden remark, but soon felt touched. People often said this marriage was Guâs attempt to climb higher, but he didnât want to argue.
Zhu Pang was truly a friend; regardless of what others said, he was still on Gu Chengyuâs side. Chengyu felt a bit guilty for doubting him before.
Just as he wanted to say something heartfelt, Zhu Pang continued, "Youâve endured for sixteen years, and after another year you can marry and wonât have to endure anymore. Your in-laws are powerful, you just have to endure!"
Zhu Pang patted Gu Chengyuâs shoulder, and before Chengyu could respond, he opened the door and went to the next elegant room.
Gu Chengyuâs face turned dark instantly. Well! His expectations for Zhu Pang were still too high. He decided to increase manpower to monitor Zhu Pang, this guyâs full of mischief.
"Follow him yourself! Donât let them discover, come back once they reach Kong Mansion. Donât withdraw those who were monitoring before, send more to keep a close watch on Kong Mansion."
As Zhu Pang left, Gu Chengyuâs face turned serious, he then instructed.
Ming Mo understood what Gu Chengyu meant, responded with a sound, and rushed downstairs.
Gu Chengyu turned to the window, watching Kong Shuhuan climb into the carriage. His eyes followed the carriage until Zhu Pang stopped by an old man selling fruit skewers.
Zhu Pang bought quite a few fruit skewers, didnât ask for change, and then galloped away with the carriage disappearing from Gu Chengyuâs view.
...
"Young Master Wan Qian, the Imperial City has been under strict control recently; our cosmetics business has been slower than before."
A steward humbly held the account book, respectfully handing it to Gu Chengyu.
"Thereâs nothing we can do about it. Guess weâll have to wait until the National Mourning is over for business to return." Gu Wanqian sighed, started looking through the account book, when suddenly loud clamor came from outside the marketplace.
He frowned and looked out, "Whatâs going on?"
"They say the court obtained sketches of assassins, and now everyoneâs being compared to it. Itâs causing a panic; anyone who looks like them is undergoing intense scrutiny."
The shopkeeper shook his head; because of this, todayâs marketplace had fewer people than usual.
"Sketches?" Gu Wanqian frowned, a bad premonition rising in his heart.
He put down the account book and prepared to leave the shop. But before he could, a group of people burst in, led by Jiang Shaohua.
"Whereâs the shopkeeper?" Jiang Shaohua scanned the shop, and upon seeing Gu Wanqian at the counter, paused in surprise.
"Gu Wanqian greets Lord Jiang!" Gu Wanqian quickly stepped forward to salute, and his downturned eyes just caught a glimpse of the sketch in Jiang Shaohuaâs hand.
He was startled, wasnât this the Map Master? Map Masters generally donât show up, they strategize secretly, so where did this sketch come from?
"Oh! So itâs Young Master Gu, here to collect accounts today?"
Jiang Shaohua knew Gu Wanqian, having heard that Gu Chengyuâs mother owned several shops, including one dealing in cosmetics.
And Gu Wanqian was Gu Chengyuâs nephew, often helping manage business for Gu Mansion. As the shop was quite renowned in the Capital, Gu Wanqianâs name wasnât insignificant here.
"Is Lord Jiang carrying out official duties?"
"Oh! Just going around comparing sketches of the assassins. The Capital hasnât been peaceful lately, Young Master Gu should be cautious."
"Thank you Lord Jiang for the reminder. If thereâs anything Lord Jiang needs my cooperation with, Wanqian will aid without hesitation."
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, thinking to himself, this shop is his motherâs, their fear wouldnât lead them to actually search it.
Besides, those people wouldnât really hide in Gu Madamâs shop, thatâd be like walking into a trap.
Forget the saying that the most dangerous place is the safest; who is Gu Chengyu anyway? Besides, if they were really hiding here, itâs not like theyâd be found.
"Have you seen anyone suspicious?" Jiang Shaohua asked the soldiers searching around.
"Report Lord! No one has been found suspicious!"
"Okay!"
"Young Master Gu, weâve searched here already. I have official matters to attend to, shall catch up with you next time."
Gu Wanqian, being on good terms with Gu Mansionâs main lady, was basically just assisting. If not for Gu Chengyu, Jiang wouldnât bother interacting.
"Then Wanqian wonât disturb you. Next time, I shall host Lord Jiang, and you must attend." Gu Wanqian chuckled, knowing a polite conversation when he saw one.
"Weâll see! Weâll see!"
Watching Jiang Shaohua depart with his men, Gu Wanqian hurriedly grabbed the account book and scurried onto the carriage.
"This damned place, now weâre like rats on the street, hunted by everyone." The cloaked person cursed quietly.
"Alright! Itâs already a rare find that we could hide in this dilapidated courtyard. If not for Young Masterâs help, we mightâve already been captured by Gu Chengyu."
The Map Master leaned against the dusty wall, looking sullen.