Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 839 - 675: Shut Out

Gu Chengyu returned to the mansion and shared the news he received today with Lu Chen. Tomorrow, they plan to visit Yi Mansion.

"Are you saying that the Qu Family has already formed an alliance with a high-ranking official in the Capital?"

Lu Chen glanced over, lost in thought.

"That’s not what I said; it was Second Master Yan who said it."

Gu Chengyu leaned back into the armchair, feeling a bit dizzy after drinking quite a bit of alcohol today.

"Did he mention which high official?"

Lu Chen noticed Gu Chengyu’s face, tinged with the color of rouge, thinking that this version of Gu Chengyu was much more agreeable than his usual serious demeanor.

"Who else could it be but our powerful Chief Minister Xia?"

Gu Chengyu blurted out, but immediately felt it was inappropriate.

Alcohol indeed impairs judgment; ordinarily, he would be too cautious to make such a remark, especially in front of Lu Chen.

"You’re drunk!" Lu Chen smiled, gazing at the youth whose eyes were clouded, noting that Gu Chengyu seemed more laid-back than usual.

He was not surprised by Xia Qing’s interference; given Xia Qing’s greedy nature, it would be odd if he didn’t interfere.

"I’m not drunk! I’m just a bit tired today and want to rest early!"

Gu Chengyu frowned, suddenly feeling irritated by the slightly heated gaze from Lu Chen, inwardly cursing him for being a philanderer!

"Sir! The hangover soup is here!"

Ming Mo entered the small study carrying the hangover soup, having been tending to master’s daily needs alongside Ming Yan since they arrived in Hejian Prefecture.

But after all, they were men and couldn’t manage kitchen tasks.

Recently, they found an old woman to prepare three meals and tidy up the place.

"Then rest early! Tomorrow, we’re going to Yi Mansion; you’ll need to be well-prepared. Starting tomorrow, our days will no longer be quiet."

Lu Chen stood up, speaking with extreme tenderness, glanced at the hangover soup, and then turned to leave the small study.

"Sir!" Ming Mo looked at Gu Chengyu, hesitating to speak.

"What is it?" Gu Chengyu drank the hangover soup in one gulp and then prepared to wash up and change.

"This Lord Lu is somewhat informal, unlike a noble son."

Ming Mo hesitated, finding it somewhat difficult to address.

"Hmm? He is indeed informal; keep your distance from him in the future."

Gu Chengyu turned and glanced at Ming Mo—yes, handsome and well-defined.

Could it be that Lu Chen is intending to target Ming Mo and the others? He would not allow it.

Has Lu Chen already made a move? Otherwise, why is Ming Mo acting this way?

With a suspicious look, he scanned Ming Mo from head to toe, leaving Ming Mo utterly bewildered.

"Ahem! Has Lord Lu treated you all inappropriately at times?"

Gu Chengyu seemingly glanced at Ming Mo’s expression casually, secretly observing to see if Lu Chen had targeted Ming Mo and the others.

"Inappropriate? Lord Lu is very courteous to us!"

Ming Mo reflected, finding Lord Lu devoid of the noble family’s arrogance and not aloof in manner.

"Oh! Just keep your distance from him, that’s all."

Gu Chengyu breathed a sigh of relief; Ming Mo and Ming Yan were his trusted aides, and he certainly couldn’t have them be swayed by Lu Chen.

Ming Mo froze for a moment and then blushed, knowing the master understood his meaning and spoke no more.

"Sir! Was there something wrong with that lady today?"

Although he hadn’t noticed anything wrong, the master avoided that lady, suggesting there might be ill intent.

Gu Chengyu’s expression slightly tensed, then he shook his head.

He had scrutinized the lady’s attire, and with such thin fabric at the chest, it was impossible to hide anything.

The only places to hide things were the cuffs and below the hem of the skirt, but below the hem was inconvenient and conspicuous after all, especially since it wasn’t on the bed, so it had to be the cuffs.

In actuality, he hadn’t found anything, but suddenly sensed danger, experiencing an inexplicable chill for a moment.

Never having had such a feeling before, he was naturally not confident. If they were to capture that lady and search her, there might indeed be a discovery.

However, without evidence, if nothing was found, wouldn’t that be humiliating for the Yan Family?

Even though he had no ties with the Yan Family, they were a significant family with several members in official positions, some with ranks higher than himself.

Gu Chengyu didn’t want to create enemies everywhere, so he simply had the lady stay away from him, which was the safer choice.

"Not certain, but that lady approaching me surely had ill intentions, and it’s possible Second Master Yan was harboring some malice!"

Gu Chengyu casually replied to Ming Mo, simultaneously raising his awareness.

The mere mention made Ming Mo look at Gu Chengyu with an expression of disbelief.

His master, with an imposing presence resembling a fine gentleman, wasn’t it quite normal for a young lady to approach him? How did it become an ill-intention?

If there were ill intentions, it was likely just that fleeting thought between men and women.

Ming Mo pondered, then suddenly widened his eyes, suspecting his master and Lord Lu might be alike?

Exactly alike? Ming Mo was instantly horrified.

"Ahem! Sir, since we’re going to Yi Mansion tomorrow and you drank today, you should rest early! I’ll call Ming Yan to assist you in washing up."

Finishing, Ming Mo didn’t wait for Gu Chengyu to respond and directly turned to leave the room.

Gu Chengyu watched Ming Mo’s hurried steps, nearly tripping at the threshold. He thought Ming Mo might need the restroom, hence paid it no mind.

Save others rather than oneself in their plight, Ming Mo muttering under his breath as he left the room and breathed a sigh of relief.

A carriage pulled into a long alley, and Gu Chengyu lifted the curtain to survey Yi Mansion.

Truly deserving of a prestigious family in Hejian Prefecture, the mansion occupied a sizable area, almost stretching across a street.

Such long-established aristocratic families often lived together as one clan, presumably housing many branches inside.

If the family were larger, occupying an entire street would still be cramped, bustling with activity.

"Go knock on the door!"

At this moment, the front of Yi Mansion was deserted, with the outer gate tightly shut, a clear indication of refusing visitors.

"Tap-tap-tap!"

Ming Mo approached the side gate, patting the thick, dark red door panel, making the iron ring above ring loud and clear.

The door creaked open, revealing a small slit, and a young servant peered out.

"Our Lord Imperial Envoy wishes to visit the Clan Leader of Yi Mansion; here’s the greeting card!"

Ming Mo raised the greeting card in his hand and then handed it over.

The young servant, face stern and silent, took the card in hand, only to hear a "bang" as the door was shut again.

Ming Mo was taken aback, not quite processing the abrupt snub.

Gu Chengyu chuckled, lowered the curtain, and started to rest.

"Sir! Yi Mansion is so arrogant to refuse us, what should we do next?"

Ming Mo returned to the carriage side, frowned, and asked.