Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 840 - 676: Shifting Responsibility

They have already introduced themselves, yet this servant didn’t say a word, actually leaving the imperial envoy appointed by the court blocked outside. Could it be that the Yi Family is considering rebellion?

Ming Mo felt indignant, yet Gu Chengyu remained calm.

"Wait a bit longer, they’re coming soon."

Since they accepted the invitation, it means the Yi Mansion still dares not go too far.

He is the imperial envoy appointed by the Emperor, and he holds the Imperial Gold Medal. Once the medal is revealed, it’s as if the Emperor himself is visiting, who would dare not show respect?

Unless one seeks rebellion, otherwise, they should be ready for their family to be wiped out! The Emperor’s majesty is inviolable.

Sure enough, just a few moments later, the door was opened.

A large group of people rushed out, led by an elder around fifty who came to the carriage side.

Without waiting for Ming Mo to ask, he immediately led the people to kneel down.

Chanting loudly, "Yi Clan Leader Yi Lanshan leads the Yi Clan to pay respects to Lord Imperial Envoy!"

Gu Chengyu raised an eyebrow, a cold glint rising in his eyes.

The Yi Clan Leader is indeed a shrewd one. Looking at this act, one unfamiliar might think it’s a visit from some royalty!

Gu Chengyu lifted the carriage curtain and alighted.

He stepped forward swiftly to support Yi Lanshan, "What is Yi Clan Leader doing? Everyone, please rise!"

"My lord, the doorkeeper was ignorant earlier and showed rudeness towards you. Please be indulgent!"

Yi Lanshan looked up at Gu Chengyu, anxiety displayed on his face.

"It’s no matter, it was my fault. I heard the Yi Mansion has recently been refusing guests, and I intruded, which was indeed inappropriate. I trouble Yi Clan Leader to personally greet me, I feel uneasy about it."

Gu Chengyu smiled, helping Yi Clan Leader up, and only then did the Yi Clan members rise and stand straight.

"What are you saying, my lord? The Yi Mansion should sweep the mat and welcome you coming to the Hejian Prefecture. Unfortunately, some family members have caught a cold recently, to prevent spreading it to others, we’ve been refusing guests."

Yi Lanshan had long prepared this excuse, otherwise, refusing guests in broad daylight wouldn’t make sense.

Everyone knows the reason, but appearances must be maintained!

However, Yi Lanshan was quite surprised by Gu Chengyu’s arrival.

This Mr. Gu had been silent since coming to Hejian Prefecture, and he thought Mr. Gu was at a loss about the matter. Who would have thought Mr. Gu would take the initiative?

He recalled the news he heard yesterday, saying the Yan Family invited Gu Chengyu for a lake outing, cursing inwardly that the Yan Clan Leader is a wily old fox.

Surely that old coot said something to Mr. Gu, causing his sudden visit to the Yi Family?

"Oh? Is that so!" Gu Chengyu smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"Look at my memory, my lord please come in, so that I can extend my hospitality to you!"

Yi Lanshan respectfully gestured for him to enter, and the clan members made way, waiting for Gu Chengyu to enter.

"Haha! Since Yi Clan Leader insists, it would be rude for me to refuse!"

Gu Chengyu signaled Ming Mo with a glance, who stepped forward and pulled Lu Chen along as they followed behind.

Lu Chen rolled his eyes secretly, sometimes feeling that Gu Chengyu’s face is thicker than his.

Looking at the tea-colored round-collared robe on himself, Lu Chen felt decidedly frustrated.

After all, he’s pretending to be a servant. He, the son of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion, became Gu Chengyu’s personal servant.

Entering the Yi Mansion, Gu Chengyu followed the Yi Clan Leader to the outer courtyard of the main room.

"Let me first pay respects to the elder lady of your mansion!"

On his first visit, Gu Chengyu also brought a small gift, naturally needing to pay respects to the Yi Mansion’s elders. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Mr. Gu, you’re too kind. The elder lady went to Handan Temple to eat vegetarian and chant scriptures with the family women yesterday, she won’t return for two days."

The elder lady was indeed the mother of Yi Clan Leader, but whether she truly went for prayers, Gu Chengyu wasn’t sure.

He hadn’t heard any wind about it before either, Yi Clan Leader’s intention is still unclear to him.

Could it be that all the family women have been sent away? Is the Yi Family intending to confront those people head-on? It seems the Yi Family’s ambitions are significant!

"Oh? That’s quite unfortunate, then when the elder lady returns, I shall visit again!"

Yi Lanshan, following beside slightly behind, frowned upon hearing this, but quickly resumed his usual demeanor.

Just as Gu Chengyu thought, the Yi Mansion looks large from the outside, yet inside it’s partitioned into small courtyards.

Upon entering the Yi Mansion, Gu Chengyu saw from the outer courtyard’s layout that the Yi Mansion was struggling.

The Yi Mansion had a considerable population, with five branches living together. These five branches were closely related, and already had a fourth generation, yet were still cramped together.

One can imagine how strapped for cash the Yi Mansion was, unable to even afford money for the younger generation to establish their own branches.

After seating in the study according to status, maids came in to serve tea.

Just exchanged a few pleasantries, Gu Chengyu brought up the matter of the treasure map.

"Yi Clan Leader, let’s be frank. I came today for the matter of the treasure map."

Gu Chengyu was impatient with playing pretense, deciding to get straight to the point.

Standing behind, Lu Chen cast a surprised glance at Gu Chengyu, as he unexpectedly stated his purpose at the outset; how could Yi Clan Leader possibly admit to it?

"Ah! Since the lord speaks candidly, I dare not hide anything from you. You may not know, when we first discovered the treasure map, I was indeed thrilled and even selfishly wanted to keep it. To be honest, you saw upon entering the mansion, the current state of the Yi Mansion."

Yi Lanshan spoke with furrowed brows, his tone increasingly desolate.

"Originally, our Yi Family was a prestigious clan, naturally with considerable ancestral heritage. But in the past decades, no clan member entered officialdom, and mismanagement led to it being all gold and jade on the outside, rotten within, merely retaining the name of a bygone prominent clan!"

Yi Lanshan spoke so sincerely, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

No matter Yi Lanshan’s intent behind these words, he spoke the truth at this moment.

Seeing Gu Chengyu’s nod of approval, Yi Lanshan felt slightly at ease.

"When news of the treasure map first emerged, our mansion was ecstatic. Thinking if we acquired it, it would surely improve the Yi Family’s condition, making life easier for the younger generation. Unfortunately..."

The initial flawless statement was followed by a twist.

Gu Chengyu knew the Yi Family wouldn’t surrender the treasure map so easily, so he wasn’t surprised.

"Oh? Unfortunately, what? Yi Clan Leader, feel free to speak candidly."

Gu Chengyu put down his tea bowl, looking at the Yi Clan Leader lamenting before him.

"Unfortunately, our Yi Family’s abilities are limited, unable to protect the treasure map, it has been snatched by others. Thus, your presence in Hejian Prefecture makes the Yi Family feel embarrassed to face you, lacking the treasure map to offer, causing deep shame in the Yi Family."

Yi Lanshan discreetly peeked at Gu Chengyu’s reaction, seeing his shock, followed by doubt in his eyes, felt secretly pleased.

"What exactly happened? Please, Yi Clan Leader, provide details."