Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 441 - 277 Explanation

"I am the one who saved your life. In the eyes of the Eldest Prince and the others, you are already a dead man. They are searching for you everywhere. If you don’t die, they won’t rest. I think you know this clearly in your heart, so don’t harbor any illusions. Even if you’re not afraid to die, what about your family? Just watch! It won’t be long before, if they can’t find you, the Eldest Prince will send people to capture your family to threaten you."

Gu Chengyu thought he was very unsuitable for interrogation; this Guo Shi was dragging his feet, not yet seeing reality.

Guo Shi fell silent. Who isn’t afraid to die? Of course, he feared death; he not only wanted to live himself but also to protect his family.

He believed the masked man’s words. It was only after this awakening that he realized how foolish he had been before, being used by the Eldest Prince and the others. And now, they wanted to destroy the bridge after crossing it.

Since they were heartless, they couldn’t blame him for being unjust.

Guo Shi’s face contorted with a grim expression, but soon his mind cleared. What good would it do him to point out the Eldest Prince and the others?

At the very least, if he died, his parents and wife and children at home could still survive. If this reached the Emperor, his family would suffer the same fate as the Wan Family.

Thinking this way, he found it a dead end.

He deeply regretted it now, never expecting that not only would he not get promoted, but he would also lose his current official’s hat, perhaps even his life too.

"What good is it for me to help you identify the Eldest Prince? I will lose my current office, and I might involve my family as well."

After speaking, Guo Shi fell silent. Previously, he was curled up in pain, now lying motionless on the ground.

Gu Chengyu frowned slightly, this Guo Shi was clear-headed at this moment.

Guo Shi’s words were indeed reasonable; regardless of moving forward or backward, it was a dead-end once he stepped onto this path.

If the Emperor knew the truth, he wouldn’t let him go and might even bring calamity to his family.

If he helped the Eldest Prince conceal the truth, only he would die at most, while his family would still live well.

It’s very difficult to move a person who has resolved to die.

"Mr. Guo! Do you think that by dying, this matter will be settled? Don’t forget the motives of the master behind you; do they coincide with those of the Eldest Prince? Mr. Guo is too naive."

Gu Chengyu decided to make another effort; he really couldn’t let go of the Truth Powder. Guo Shi, looking determined, was actually very susceptible.

"This matter will be exposed sooner or later; that person likely doesn’t only want to resolve the Third Prince but won’t spare the Eldest Prince either. At that time, even if you die, it will be in vain; your Guo Family’s end will be no different from the Wan Mansion’s."

Gu Chengyu was not exaggerating. The person behind Guo Shi certainly had significant ambitions, perhaps even using Song Shuqing and the Eldest Prince as pawns.

Guo Shi suddenly realized, the masked man’s words were true. Indeed, court struggles are always bloodless but deadly.

All this stemmed from his greed. For the sake of promotion, he abandoned his conscience, forgetting his original intention of entering officialdom through the imperial examinations.

Guo Shi understood; since this masked man said so, perhaps there was a way to protect his family.

"I can tell you the whole story and can sign and seal my testimony. However, I have a condition: if you can meet it, all will go smoothly; if you can’t, even if I retract my statement in court, you can’t do anything to me."

At this time, Guo Shi looked somewhat disheveled, his government attire wrinkled, and his body covered in dirt from rolling on the ground earlier.

He looked exhausted, unsure if it was because of the earlier struggle or because he knew his days were numbered.

"If you want me to ensure your family’s life, I cannot promise you. You know this is a major crime involving clan extermination, framing court officials, and falsely accusing a Prince. Once the Emperor knows, even if you are torn to pieces, it wouldn’t quench his fury."

Upon hearing this, Guo Shi became agitated; he just wanted to ensure his family’s survival, but did the masked man also have no way?

He struggled to sit up, his eyes full of hatred as he looked at Gu Chengyu. The masked man’s goal was to topple the Eldest Prince, or perhaps to save Wan Xue Nian and Song Shuqing.

"You want me to help Wan Xue Nian and Song Shuqing reverse the verdict without having to pay any price. Where is there such a good thing in the world?"

Gu Chengyu sneered upon hearing this, "Don’t be hasty, Mr. Guo! While I can’t save everyone in your household, I can at least preserve one or two offspring."

Upon hearing this, Guo Shi thought of his newborn youngest son. His legitimate eldest son was already over twenty, married for two years, yet without offspring.

However, walking outside frequently, noble sons almost all knew him, the eldest son couldn’t be preserved.

The third son had just been born, born to a concubine of the Liu Family, not yet a month old, unknown outside the mansion. If replaced, he could surely survive, not seeking great riches but merely safely continuing the Guo family line.

Gu Chengyu heard the secret chamber open, followed by footsteps; judging by the breathing and steps, it should be Ming Yan returning.

He hastily approached the entrance; Ming Yan hadn’t covered his face, and Guo Family had to be handed to Hu Maoqing, so he didn’t want to get involved.

The Eldest Prince was deeply loved by the Emperor; even if the Emperor knew those silvers were the Eldest Prince’s, he might not punish him heavily unless the Eldest Prince intended rebellion.

Once at the entrance, he indeed saw it was Ming Yan. Ming Yan was startled by Gu Chengyu’s face mask, realizing that it was the mask the young master bought at the lantern festival last time.

Gu Chengyu placed a finger over his lips, and Ming Yan immediately understood, knowing to mask up, something he had prepared for a long time.

Gu Chengyu lowered his voice and asked him to go back and fetch paper and ink to write Guo Shi’s testimony.

Upon returning to the secret chamber, Guo Shi glanced at him, and then made another request.

"Write a letter for me; send this letter to my father, he’ll know what to do. I don’t have many offspring; seeing that I’m still of use, I hope you can save a few more for me. Also, find a place far from the Capital for them, give them some silver, and let them live hiding their names."

Guo Shi made this decision with great difficulty, pondering over whom to leave behind in his mind. His legitimate eldest son, whom he personally taught, he had to abandon, though he didn’t want to.

Also, his legitimate second daughter, only twelve this year, for whom his wife had been preparing a match these past days.

His parents were already old; his father once served as Minister of Revenue, with many clansmen serving in the court.

The Guo family had been an official family for generations, and the former glory of the family was about to be destroyed in an instant, making him a sinner of the Guo Family!

He regretted it deeply in hindsight; his father had once said he was too eager for quick success, joining factions too early.

Yet, he sneered at this, always believing the Eldest Prince was the Emperor’s choice for Crown Prince, thus acting recklessly. But he forgot, the empire now still belonged to the Emperor, not the Eldest Prince.

The political arena changes rapidly; today the house gate is filled with silk robes, tomorrow it could be deserted.

He sighed deeply, suppressing the pain in his heart, and said hoarsely, "Let’s write the testimony!"