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.
"It’ll be soon, I’ve 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, it’s 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 don’t want to know. Nowadays, I’m not even an official of the court, so I have no right to meddle even if I knew. After next year’s military examination, even if I make it onto the top list, I’d still start as Secondary Sixth Rank. You’re already Standard Fourth Rank; I couldn’t 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 City’s workshop on your way to your in-laws’ house? The marketplace is too chaotic; if someone thoughtlessly crashes into your horse carriage, your sister-in-law is pregnant, isn’t that terrible?" Gu Chengyu disapproved.
"Huan’er hasn’t had much of an appetite lately and wanted something sour. There’s an old man in the marketplace who makes rock-candy fruit skewers that taste quite different from others. I thought I’d buy some for Huan’er to try."
Zhu Pang threw the plum cake he’d taken two bites of onto the table, complaining that its taste wasn’t as good as the ones from Gu Chengyu’s shop.
"I see! But you should still send someone to buy it! It’s not convenient to maneuver a horse carriage through the marketplace, and it wouldn’t be good if it’s crashed into."
"You’re right! You’re smarter, why didn’t 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-law’s house is Duke Zhen’s Mansion, Miss Yao is the legitimate daughter of the main branch, and even more so, she’s your teacher’s granddaughter. You have your difficulties, I get you."
Gu Chengyu was a bit stunned by Zhu Pang’s sudden remark, but soon felt touched. People often said this marriage was Gu’s attempt to climb higher, but he didn’t want to argue.
Zhu Pang was truly a friend; regardless of what others said, he was still on Gu Chengyu’s side. Chengyu felt a bit guilty for doubting him before.
Just as he wanted to say something heartfelt, Zhu Pang continued, "You’ve endured for sixteen years, and after another year you can marry and won’t have to endure anymore. Your in-laws are powerful, you just have to endure!"
Zhu Pang patted Gu Chengyu’s shoulder, and before Chengyu could respond, he opened the door and went to the next elegant room.
Gu Chengyu’s face turned dark instantly. Well! His expectations for Zhu Pang were still too high. He decided to increase manpower to monitor Zhu Pang, this guy’s full of mischief.
"Follow him yourself! Don’t let them discover, come back once they reach Kong Mansion. Don’t withdraw those who were monitoring before, send more to keep a close watch on Kong Mansion."
As Zhu Pang left, Gu Chengyu’s 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, didn’t ask for change, and then galloped away with the carriage disappearing from Gu Chengyu’s 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.
"There’s nothing we can do about it. Guess we’ll 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, "What’s going on?"
"They say the court obtained sketches of assassins, and now everyone’s being compared to it. It’s causing a panic; anyone who looks like them is undergoing intense scrutiny."
The shopkeeper shook his head; because of this, today’s 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.
"Where’s 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 Shaohua’s hand.
He was startled, wasn’t this the Map Master? Map Masters generally don’t show up, they strategize secretly, so where did this sketch come from?
"Oh! So it’s Young Master Gu, here to collect accounts today?"
Jiang Shaohua knew Gu Wanqian, having heard that Gu Chengyu’s mother owned several shops, including one dealing in cosmetics.
And Gu Wanqian was Gu Chengyu’s nephew, often helping manage business for Gu Mansion. As the shop was quite renowned in the Capital, Gu Wanqian’s name wasn’t insignificant here.
"Is Lord Jiang carrying out official duties?"
"Oh! Just going around comparing sketches of the assassins. The Capital hasn’t been peaceful lately, Young Master Gu should be cautious."
"Thank you Lord Jiang for the reminder. If there’s anything Lord Jiang needs my cooperation with, Wanqian will aid without hesitation."
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, thinking to himself, this shop is his mother’s, their fear wouldn’t lead them to actually search it.
Besides, those people wouldn’t really hide in Gu Madam’s shop, that’d 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, it’s not like they’d 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, we’ve 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 Mansion’s main lady, was basically just assisting. If not for Gu Chengyu, Jiang wouldn’t bother interacting.
"Then Wanqian won’t disturb you. Next time, I shall host Lord Jiang, and you must attend." Gu Wanqian chuckled, knowing a polite conversation when he saw one.
"We’ll see! We’ll see!"
Watching Jiang Shaohua depart with his men, Gu Wanqian hurriedly grabbed the account book and scurried onto the carriage.
"This damned place, now we’re like rats on the street, hunted by everyone." The cloaked person cursed quietly.
"Alright! It’s already a rare find that we could hide in this dilapidated courtyard. If not for Young Master’s help, we might’ve already been captured by Gu Chengyu."
The Map Master leaned against the dusty wall, looking sullen.
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