I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 108: Surging Undercurrents, Trouble Brews

"Your Majesty, many eyes were on Lou Mountain today. News of this will reach the four kingdoms sooner or later. The Liangyi Xiangsheng in the Dean’s possession is bound to attract trouble," the Hidden Guard said.

"Xiang Minghou doesn’t know. The problem lies with that child. Send men to investigate thoroughly. I don’t want to miss a single scrap of information." The Beili Emperor knew Xiang Minghou all too well. ’A whole cartload? That simpleton. He’s got some nerve!’

"Yes."

The Hidden Guard withdrew.

The Beili Emperor’s eyes glinted. ’It seems I’ll have to meet that child in person.’

All the great and powerful families in the Imperial Capital got the news immediately. Figures darted endlessly through the dark. When a Hidden Guard and other Hidden Guards collided, they simply brushed past each other without a word.

「Lou Mountain Academy」

Qian Fanji was still awake late into the night. Thinking of the Liangyi Xiangsheng, he rose, opened his door, and walked to the edge of Dean Chen’s courtyard. Another figure was also standing outside the dean’s door.

"Minister Qian, not resting yet," Gu Shuo said, raising an eyebrow.

"The same could be said for you, Mr. Gu." Qian Fanji’s expression was impassive as he stepped into the courtyard first.

Gu Shuo’s fox-like eyes stared at Qian Fanji’s back with piercing intensity. With a sharp SNAP, he opened his fan and entered the courtyard as well.

Inside, Dean Chen’s room was still lit by candlelight. He held the Liangyi Xiangsheng, examining it closely. He’d always thought the *Pictorial Guide of Miscellany* was just a collection of tall tales. How could a fruit in this world possibly grow in the shape of the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams?

Now, seeing it in person, he was truly shocked. Not only did its shape resemble the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, but there also seemed to be a small pattern right in the center of the fruit. He was getting on in years, and his eyesight wasn’t good enough to make it out.

Even holding it close, he still couldn’t make out the pattern. As he was pondering this, a knock echoed at the door. Startled, the Dean scrambled to put the Liangyi Xiangsheng away.

"Who is it?"

"Dean, it is I, Qian Fanji. I have a matter to ask of you."

Dean Chen breathed a sigh of relief. "Ah, it’s young Qian."

"I also have something to ask the Dean."

The breath Dean Chen had just let out hitched in his throat. "Young Gu, too? What do you two want?"

’One person is fine, but two spells trouble.’

"Dean, could you open the door first?"

"Let’s talk through the door," Dean Chen said, clutching the Liangyi Xiangsheng nervously.

Qian Fanji: "..."

Gu Shuo: "..." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"If you’re not going to say anything, I’m going to bed," the Dean said, pressing his ear to the door to listen.

Qian Fanji said, "Dean, I would like to see the Liangyi Xiangsheng."

"Ah, young Qian, you should head back now. I’m very tired. Off to bed, off to bed." Dean Chen even let out a yawn as he spoke.

Qian Fanji lowered his gaze, thinking for a moment before saying, "Dean, I won’t take up much of your ti—"

He was only halfway through his sentence when the candlelight inside the room went out!

"Heh." Gu Shuo chuckled and turned to leave.

Qian Fanji turned back. A flicker of anger appeared in his otherwise placid eyes. He quickened his pace to follow Gu Shuo. "We both know exactly why we’re here. If word of the Liangyi Xiangsheng gets out, things will not end well for that child."

"Whether things end well for her or not has nothing to do with me. I only care about the Liangyi Xiangsheng," Gu Shuo said in a flippant tone.

"I’ve heard that Old Master Gu has already written his will," Qian Fanji said. "If Mr. Gu truly didn’t care, why would you be at the academy today?"

Gu Shuo was instantly infuriated. "Qian Fanji, you dare plant spies in the Gu family?"

"With a family as large and prosperous as yours, that little mess has long been an open secret. Spies? I don’t have the time for that. You think too highly of yourself, Mr. Gu." Qian Fanji was an expert at getting under people’s skin.

"Hmph. As if you’d dare."

Qian Fanji didn’t say anything more and walked away.

Gu Shuo put away his folding fan. ’I can’t figure out what Qian Fanji is thinking,’ he mused. ’But he probably wouldn’t go out of his way to trouble a child.’

’After all, she’s Ye Qian’s child. And she could very well be...’