Chapter 1210: Chapter 1046: Diversionary Tactics
"Why are you afraid, Third Uncle? Do you think I lack the rationality for this? Besides, you overestimate me; the Duke Qin Mansion is not under my control!"
Qin Yingyuan regained composure, and a mocking curve graced her lips as she gazed at Liao Wu.
"I hope so. Once everything is arranged, I’ll inform you. I will also need Lord Qin’s assistance."
Qin Yingyuan said nothing, turning and leaving the side hall.
"Sir!" Ming Yan saw Ming Mo had tied up the cloaked figure and hurriedly covered his wound to approach and pay homage.
"No need for formalities! Since you’re injured, take time to recuperate." Gu Chengyu glanced at the wound on Ming Yan’s arm, instructing him to rest well.
Concerned about the cloaked figure, he decided to leave with Ming Mo.
However, after taking just two steps, he suddenly turned back, "Ming Yan! Quickly send someone to follow me outside the city gate."
The cloaked figure wouldn’t walk into a trap; he had been hiding well recently. Today, upon presenting the image, the cloaked figure appeared.
It is possible that the Map Master exploited the chaos to escape the city, employing a diversion tactic. The Map Master is crucial and knows many secrets.
Ming Yan hesitated for a moment before quickly realizing. Those serving have no need to understand why their masters act; they need only obey orders.
Bu Ke breathed lightly; if Gu Chengyu caught up to the Map Master and Young Master, how would the Young Master escape?
Unfortunately, his anxiety served no purpose. He had nothing left but his legs to move, and couldn’t even speak. With both arms disabled, how could he prevent Gu Chengyu? He could only watch as Gu Chengyu dashed towards the city gate.
Gu Chengyu pursued all the way to the bamboo forest outside the city gate, halting his steps. He chose this path as it was secluded; here lay the Ten-mile Pavilion, beautiful yet sparsely populated.
In another direction, there is a village. Since the Map Master wants to flee, he would naturally choose a less populated place. Furthermore, if the Map Master could escape here, someone surely would assist; yet who this person was remained unknown.
Gu Chengyu crouched low, searching for something on the ground. It hadn’t snowed in the past days, and the winter sun had set behind the peak; melted snow turned the ground into a muddy mess, now beginning to freeze in the dusk.
Many people had come to the pavilion to admire flowers, most had returned to the city. Thus, the road bore the marks of wheels, causing him to sigh; indeed, choosing a good route.
Now, he was certain the Map Master had help and that this helper was living in the Capital; otherwise, how would this have been considered?
"Sir!" Ming Yan hurriedly arrived; he had neglected to bandage his arm, merely applied some medicine before leading people here.
"You head the other way, but pay special attention to carriages and ox carts; horse riders need careful inspection too. The escapee must be the Map Master, a martial arts expert; if sighted, release the signal arrow to stall him."
"Yes!"
Gu Chengyu reached the junction and, after pondering for a moment, dashed towards the Ten-mile Pavilion.
He had his considerations; Bu Ke distracted the gate guards while the Map Master withdrew first. However, a meeting point was necessary for both men, and the distinct Ten-mile Pavilion was perfect for such a place.
Before arriving at the pavilion, he caught a whiff of intoxicating floral scent, the fragrance of plum blossoms.
The Ten-mile Pavilion was an enchanting existence, with countless flowers blooming year-round; a breathtaking sight.
The spring flowery sea was astounding, attracting countless literati and scholars, often inspiring poetry on a whim.
Even the pillars of the pavilion were adorned with wooden plaques of poems, making it a scene in itself.
Gu Chengyu sprinted without rest, soon arriving at the plum grove. From afar, the wooden poetry plaques on the pavilion swayed in the wind, and the red tassels danced, mirroring the red plum grove before him.
The Map Master had not been out long and wouldn’t have gone far. Moreover, Bu Ke hadn’t arrived; he likely wouldn’t leave just yet.
Gu Chengyu glanced around, finally spotting a carriage on a side path. He raised his eyebrows; the appearance of this carriage here seemed highly suspicious.
He gripped his sword hilt tightly and cautiously approached the carriage.
Gu Chengyu stared intently at the carriage, listening keenly to the subtle sounds inside; there was only the faint sound of breathing within. Then, a woman’s voice reciting poetry drifted out, relaxing his mind as he prepared to leave.
Just as he was turning away, footsteps sounded approaching.
Earlier, there was a woman inside the carriage; and now the footsteps were delicate, undoubtedly belonging to another woman.
"Miss, the plum branches are folded back; let’s hurry back! If we linger, Madam will be worried."
Appearing in Gu Chengyu’s sight was a young girl with double buns, holding plum branches; she lifted the curtain and climbed into the carriage.
Perched on a tree branch, Gu Chengyu scrutinized the two carriages. The carriage was commonplace, not luxurious, and bore no family crest, indicating the girl wasn’t from an official family.
Amidst the tense atmosphere in the Capital, daughters of aristocratic families wouldn’t go out to admire flowers. Also, aristocratic daughters traveling would naturally have servants and guards, not just accompanied by a maid.
Since unrelated to his search, he wouldn’t focus excessively. Casting his gaze into the sea of plum blossoms, he suddenly noticed a small black-roofed cart emerging from the depths of the plum grove.
Gu Chengyu’s eyes widened; could that slim figure in a crane robe be Gu Wanqian?
He clutched the branch tightly, deeply furrowing his brows; after calming down, he began analyzing.
Regardless of whether this carriage brought the Map Master to the plum grove, Gu Wanqian’s presence here was indeed suspicious.
Having managed affairs for him these past years, Gu Wanqian was certainly familiar with the Capital’s layout. If aiding the Map Master, he could truly exploit the chaos to escape here.
The wind lifted the carriage’s curtain, and Gu Chengyu peered inside; the carriage was empty. Naturally, nobody would be hiding inside if they intended to return.
Judging by Gu Wanqian’s solemn expression, he clearly wasn’t here to admire flowers. Now, as darkness approached, apart from these two carriages, individuals were nowhere to be seen in the vast plum grove.
The grove was extensive, offering an excellent hideaway. Though he had surveyed for a while from the branch tops, he hadn’t spotted anyone concealed within.
"Oh? Miss, isn’t it Young Master Gu." The maid, hearing the carriage, lifted the curtain to peer outside.
Upon seeing Gu Wanqian, her eyes lit up, she informed the young lady beside her.
"Young Master Gu?" The young lady was taken aback, and the maid indeed called to Gu Wanqian.
"Young Master Gu!"
Gu Chengyu watched Gu Wanqian conversing with the girl inside the carriage from the tree branch; he didn’t reveal himself, but instead deftly moved to another branch.
He weaved through the plum grove, seeing no sign of anyone. Just as he anxiously looked around, a rapid wind gust came from behind.
"Ting!" The sword tip flicked away an arrow; another arrow swiftly followed.
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