Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 407 - 243 Revealing Identity

"An assassin has infiltrated our villa and injured our master. We followed the assassin here and suspect he has escaped into your estate. We request Mr. Gu’s indulgence to search the place."

Gu Chengyu glanced at the speaker, a man in his forties holding a knife, with three others similarly dressed, following him at a distance, seemingly led by this man. From their attire, Gu Chengyu presumed them to be guards of some sort.

Yet Gu Chengyu felt the man spoke with a slightly raised chin and an arrogant demeanor, more like a figure accustomed to giving orders rather than a mere guard.

"Master, our people have already surrounded the estate; the assassin will find it hard to escape."

Gu Chengyu was about to reply when someone approached the man on horseback to report.

Listening to this, Gu Chengyu’s anger flared. In this world, as long as one has power and influence, they can do as they please.

"Esteemed sir, since you claim suspicion, it suggests you haven’t seen the assassin enter my estate personally. Why then surround my estate so confidently, as if certain the assassin is in here?"

The Prince raised an eyebrow, finding Gu Chengyu quite spirited.

He gazed at Gu Chengyu for a long moment before speaking, "We’ve searched the other nearby estates without finding any suspicious individuals. This area is farmland, and with the snow falling, there’s no place to hide. I fear we must offend you today."

Jin Canling looked at his master in surprise; his master was always aloof and rarely explained things to others at length. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

After his surprise, he glanced at Gu Chengyu, pondering if the boy had some background. If so, they couldn’t force their way in; his master hadn’t mentioned forcing an entry since he started speaking.

Then he continued in a more measured tone, "As long as the assassin remains unapprehended, my master cannot rest easy. We ask for your understanding, Mr. Gu!"

Gu Chengyu contemplated for a moment; the conversation had reached this point, refusing would seem ungracious. But allowing them in so easily felt too lenient.

"In that case, why not let my people search the estate, and if we find the assassin, we’ll hand him over to you?"

Jin Canling found this amusing—what was the boy’s status, to negotiate terms with his master?

If his master hadn’t wanted to keep his identity concealed, this boy wouldn’t have the chance to prattle on.

The Prince gradually lost patience—was Gu Chengyu stalling? He started to suspect Gu Chengyu.

"Mr. Gu, are you hindering us because you’re in league with the assassin, or perhaps because you are the assassin yourself?"

The Prince squinted his eyes, closely watching Gu Chengyu’s eyes, trying to discern any hidden panic.

Gu Chengyu heard and laughed aloud.

"Sir, you overestimate me. Do I look like an assassin to you? I haven’t such skills, and besides, I bear no grudge against you; why would I attempt your assassination?"

Was he so idle as to do such a thing? It seemed this person had even investigated his background.

The Prince continued to stare at Gu Chengyu, only finding those eyes misty and unclear!

It seemed capturing the assassin today was futile; he already had a premonition in his heart.

"If you’re not the assassin, Mr. Gu, you should prove your innocence."

After speaking, the Prince gestured subtly to Jin Canling.

Confirming with a look, Jin Canling understood immediately—his master was suspecting the boy? He looked at Gu Chengyu’s slightly damp hair and began to harbor suspicions too.

The assassin had been wounded in the chest; he needed to examine Gu Chengyu’s chest before searching the estate.

Jin Canling no longer spoke, directly approaching, intending to get near to Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu’s expression slightly darkened; this was downright bullying. He moved his hands behind and gripped the soft sword at his waist. If this man came forward, regardless of his rank, he’d strike without hesitation.

"Chengyu! What’s happening?" Zhu Pang’s voice called from behind Gu Chengyu.

He had just sobered from drink and woke to hear the servants talking about someone blocking the entrance, wanting to search for an assassin. Gu Chengyu was currently confronting them.

After hearing, Zhu Pang hurriedly pulled the still dazed Zheng Lun and ran toward the front courtyard.

Seeing a huge array of torches, Zhu Pang’s heart sank, and his pace quickened—there were quite a few people. He had little skill in other areas, but he was good in a fight.

Hearing Zhu Pang’s voice, Gu Chengyu felt a bit helpless. Turning around, sure enough, Zhu Pang and Zheng Lun had arrived; he didn’t see Sun Xian, who likely was still asleep.

With friends present, he couldn’t act recklessly to avoid accidental injury. The opponents were numerous and capable.

"Has something happened? We’re here to help..." Zhu Pang stared across, suddenly falling silent in shock.

After a stunned pause, he quickly pulled Zheng Lun to kneel, "Zhu Pang, son of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, pays respects to the Eldest Prince!"

Zheng Lun sobered as well, still bewildered from being pulled to kneel by Zhu Pang. Hearing Zhu Pang’s words, he glanced across the way.

This glance brought astonishment—how was the Eldest Prince here?

"Student Zheng Lun pays respects to the Eldest Prince!"

Zhu Pang tugged Gu Chengyu’s hand, whispering, "Quick, pay respects to the Eldest Prince!"

Gu Chengyu was shocked; he had guessed this person was of significant rank but hadn’t imagined him as the Eldest Prince. Coincidentally, they had just spoken of the Eldest Prince earlier today, and now they saw him in person.

Yet observing the Eldest Prince’s demeanor, he didn’t seem like someone recently ill. But one couldn’t rule out the possibility he’d long since recovered.

The Eldest Prince hadn’t expected to encounter Zhu Pang here; he knew Zhu Pang well enough, as Assistant Minister Zhu Kui frequently cleaned up after his son’s messes.

He hadn’t expected Gu Chengyu, a person like this, to be involved with Zhu Pang too.

As for Zheng Lun, he outright ignored him—just a child of a secondary branch in the Marquis Mansion, unworthy of attention. His father idled about all day without even securing a seventh-rank official post.

No matter how unwilling, Gu Chengyu had to lift his hem and kneel down.

"Student Gu Chengyu pays respects to the Eldest Prince!"

Seeing Gu Chengyu kneeling, the Eldest Prince felt his mood improve immediately.

Nonetheless, today’s exposure of his presence meant he couldn’t stay at the villa for now, and all items within would need to be moved.

"Rise, all of you! Mr. Gu, I would bring my people into your estate to inspect; rest assured, not a single blade of grass will be harmed. Mr. Gu, do you have any objections?"

Gu Chengyu mentally scoffed at the arrogant tone—was this a request or merely notifying him?

"Since His Highness is concerned, naturally I must prove my innocence. Please, Your Highness!" Gu Chengyu stood up and rather cleverly stepped aside, clearing the path.

His face wore a smile, but inside he was furiously venting—how good it was to have power!

The Eldest Prince noted Gu Chengyu’s silence except for a simple sentence; though a smile adorned his face, inside he likely cursed him greatly!

The Eldest Prince directed a troop straight into the estate.

Jin Canling glanced at Gu Chengyu and company, realizing with hindsight it would have been better to reveal identities earlier and avoid such needless dialogue.