Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 410 - 246 Fake

There were only three people in the room. If he wasn’t referring to him, then could he be referring to Captain Jin? Captain Jin is a trusted aide of His Highness. Unless he makes a major mistake, he generally doesn’t get punished.

To be whipped only twenty times, he really had to thank his godfather. Otherwise, his survival today would have been uncertain.

After all, because of his negligence, His Highness was nearly struck by the assassin. Although, it was for the safety of His Highness.

Xiao Linzi hurriedly kowtowed, accepted the order, and went out to receive his punishment.

Captain Jin wasn’t surprised; were there few servants punished by his master? This was considered light punishment!

But what surprised him today was that His Highness seemed to regard Gu Chengyu with a new sense of respect, which was extremely unlike his usual demeanor.

"There are no clues, it’s just a guess of mine."

The Eldest Prince said nonchalantly, "Can a guess be accurate? It’s already been searched, nothing was found, so there’s no need to mention it again."

Captain Jin acknowledged and then remembered the stolen item.

"Your Highness, what about the things the assassin stole? Could it bring trouble to you?"

The inner study is a crucial place; usually, only His Highness goes in, even he hasn’t been there.

He did not know what important thing was stolen, but at the other courtyard, His Highness was very anxious, so why does His Highness seem so unhurried now?

The Eldest Prince slightly curled his lips, "They think they took an important piece of evidence. They definitely wouldn’t expect it to be fake. That will keep them busy for a while."

Seeing this, Captain Jin repeatedly praised, "Your Highness is wise!"

The Eldest Prince smiled with pride and then thought of Gu Chengyu again.

At this time, a guard announced from outside that three advisers had arrived.

"Let them in! You may leave now! Go investigate that Gu Chengyu, he’s quite interesting."

Surely, they wanted to inquire about what happened in the other courtyard just now, so the Eldest Prince dismissed Captain Jin.

"Oh! Leave people here for thorough investigation over the next couple of days; the show must go on. Tomorrow night, we’ll withdraw from the other courtyard, and you just leave the Hidden Guard here."

The Eldest Prince did so to leave a false impression, making it appear that booklet is extremely important.

However, since an assassin could appear at the other courtyard, there could be countless assassins. Leaving is certainly the best strategy.

Captain Jin immediately understood, quickly obeyed, and went out to make arrangements.

"Gentlemen, tell me, which group do these assassins belong to this time?"

The Eldest Prince was concerned about the origin of the assassins, and it was a pity that they couldn’t catch any today.

If they had caught them, a severe interrogation would’ve definitely revealed something.

Hui An entered a servant’s room, which Lichun had arranged for him. Since he was disguised as a servant, staying in a guestroom would certainly arouse suspicion, so he had to make do.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a large shared room with several people; otherwise, he surely would’ve been exposed.

Being able to keep up the act for so long was already his limit, as a man’s living habits differ from a woman’s after all.

Hui An prepared to take off his clothes to check the wound. Although the bleeding had stopped, the injury had not healed. Such a long wound, if not for stopping the bleeding, he might have bled to death.

He thought for a while and bent down to untie the booklet bound inside his trouser leg.

This booklet hadn’t been sent out yet, and from today onwards, the manor would surely be heavily guarded; his companions wouldn’t be able to reach the manor.

They had actually received news that the Eldest Prince had left the other courtyard and wouldn’t spend the night there.

He thought it was a good opportunity, plus it was snowing, which could cover their tracks, but he didn’t expect the Eldest Prince to turn back.

Could it be that someone among them betrayed them?

This matter must be reported to the lord once he gets out.

He placed the booklet on his chest, intending to keep it with him even when he slept.

Then he felt a bulge and remembered that Gu Chengyu’s maid had stuffed a large wrapped bundle for him. Given its impressive size, no wonder that guard leader took a few extra glances.

He angrily pulled out the bundle and threw it on the bed.

"Your Highness, it’s late, would you like to rest?" This was another eunuch in the residence, temporarily standing in for Xiao Linzi, who was injured.

The Eldest Prince laid down his brush, rubbed his sore wrist, and continued admiring his own painting.

On the painting was a plum grove, where a master and a servant were strolling with an umbrella. The blue robes and the red plum blossoms complemented each other beautifully.

The next day, Sun Xian and the others came to soak in the hot spring in the east wing.

"Chengyu! We finally get to enjoy the hot spring at your manor today!" Zheng Lun exclaimed to Gu Chengyu.

The Marquis Mansion didn’t have such a hot spring manor. Although this manor was not large, the presence of the hot spring made it very expensive. It wasn’t that the Marquis Mansion couldn’t afford it, but buying such a manor was a matter of opportunity.

Gu Chengyu was sitting in the outer room drinking tea, smiling as he said, "If you want to come, you’re welcome anytime."

Zhu Pang and the others had already entered the pool, and Zheng Lun was about to enter the water when he realized Gu Chengyu had no intention of joining them. He asked curiously, "Aren’t you coming in for a soak?"

"I already did yesterday, you go ahead. You shouldn’t overdo it with the hot spring." Gu Chengyu replied without lifting his head.

He was contemplating whether he could think of a way to send Hui An away sooner. He had already sent Ming Yan to investigate outside to see if there were any Hidden Guards keeping watch.

"Do you guys think the other courtyard belongs to the Eldest Prince, and that fire last night was started by the assassin?" Sun Xian, now fully awake, was very curious about the happenings last night.

"My manor isn’t in that area, so I don’t know. But that assassin is really bold, daring to break into the other courtyard alone? That’s the Eldest Prince’s courtyard, heavily guarded! Did he think those guards were just for show?"

Zhu Pang expressed disdain when talking about the assassin.

Gu Chengyu pondered, he saw the Eldest Prince return to the other courtyard yesterday afternoon. Perhaps Hui An and his companions believed the Eldest Prince wouldn’t return at night or couldn’t return during that period, so he went to steal the booklet.

Ye Zhiqiu was very interested in the matter and couldn’t help but interject, "I think the Eldest Prince is quite reasonable and didn’t take his anger out on us."

Gu Chengyu looked at him in surprise, something he felt was humiliating; Ye Zhiqiu thought it was reasonable?

"That’s true! In the end, he spared us some face and didn’t make a big fuss in the manor. You don’t know, if it were the Military Department, coming in to search, it would be like a locust swarm!"

"The troops of the Military Department are so rampant? They actually rummage through the belongings of wealthy families?"

Gu Chengyu found it hard to believe; surely they wouldn’t dare?

"They don’t dare with high-ranking officials, unless it’s a crime severe enough for their houses to be raided. But for those without official rankings or with low ranks, they certainly won’t show you any mercy. They’re a bunch of unreasonable brutes; do you think they would speak reason with you?"

Zhu Pang shook his head; when faced with great power, one had no choice but to yield.

Gu Chengyu shook his head with a wry smile; it seems he was still stuck in the mindset of his previous life. In this era where imperial power reigns supreme, such things might be more common than he thought.