Free Web NovelChapter 1192: Chapter 1028: Only One Person Needed
The Crown Prince hurriedly rushed to the Eastern Palace, and as soon as he saw Gu Chengyu, he quickly asked, "Mr. Gu, is there a result?"
Gu Chengyu immediately bowed, "I report to Your Highness! Here are the confessions of five individuals, please have a look!"
The Crown Prince, not waiting for Pang Chu to step forward, personally took them over.
He picked up the papers and read them quickly, but the more he read, the tighter his brow furrowed.
In just a moment, the Crown Prince slammed the confessions on the desk, "This is simply outrageous!"
The Crown Prince’s furious reaction startled Pang Chu. He stood aside, trembling, even trying to breathe more quietly.
"Humph! Those bastards from Da Xing have been infiltrating our Dayan for years, and yet Chang Yuan, who guards Yuhe Pass, remains unaware? To enter our Dayan, one must pass through two checkpoints; could it be that Ren Xiuguang from Yumen Pass is also ignorant? It’s utterly ridiculous."
The Crown Prince’s chest heaved with anger. Given that these spies have been here for years, could there be officials within the court colluding with Da Xing?
"Your Highness, please calm down! These Death Warriors know very little. They only knew that there would be someone to assist them upon their arrival. If not for one of them being a small leader who knew a bit more, we wouldn’t have extracted even this much. Unfortunately, this person doesn’t hold a high position, so he isn’t privy to other matters."
Gu Chengyu was not surprised by the Crown Prince’s rage. After all, someone had dared to boldly attempt to assassinate him at his own doorstep, who wouldn’t be worried and frightened?
If Da Xing still has people in the Capital plotting another assassination attempt on the Crown Prince, his life is indeed in jeopardy.
"As for the addresses this person mentioned, dispatch people to search immediately, although it’s likely no one is there now. After stirring the grass and alarming the snake, why would those people remain there waiting for us to search?"
This small leader was the person directly in contact with the mastermind, but he could only reach them upon receiving a signal from the other party.
According to the small leader, each meeting with the mastermind happened at different locations. Gu Chengyu suspected these people changed residences every few days to avoid being discovered.
Moreover, these individuals were extremely suspicious and might move to a new place immediately after meeting the small leader. As for why they should bother with such trouble instead of simply meeting at a teahouse, they likely feared being seen.
If they’re used to hiding in the shadows, then why are they wary of being seen? Unless in this Capital, they fear running into acquaintances. Or perhaps, someone has seen their true faces.
Gu Chengyu thought for a moment and suddenly recalled the Map Master who had been rescued earlier. This person’s status shouldn’t be low, could he possibly be in the Capital now, or even be the planner behind this assassination attempt on the Crown Prince?
With this thought, Gu Chengyu also gained a lead. He remembered Xia Qing, who was locked up, and glanced at the Crown Prince, an idea forming in his mind.
"Once these people meet with him, they immediately change residences. That courtyard in South City is likely empty by now. However, I do have a quick method that might allow us to capture the mastermind sooner."
Gu Chengyu maintained a respectful demeanor, his expression calm.
"Oh? Mr. Gu, please tell me quickly!" The Crown Prince’s eyes lit up; capturing someone sooner would certainly be ideal.
"This method of mine requires borrowing a person from Your Highness!"
Gu Chengyu slightly curved the corners of his lips. He had thoughtfully considered this choice; it would not only test the Crown Prince’s intentions but also resolve the issue, with many added benefits — truly killing multiple birds with one stone.
"Are you in need of some skilled helpers? The entire court of civil and military officials, whoever you need, is at your disposal! Regardless of their rank, just say the word."
The Crown Prince trusted Gu Chengyu’s abilities. As long as Gu Chengyu was willing to exert his utmost effort for him, he would provide whatever was needed, be it people or money.
Gu Chengyu shook his head and then extended one finger, "I only need one person!"
The Crown Prince was somewhat puzzled, unsure of who it might be.
"It’s Xia Qing!"
The Crown Prince cast a bewildered glance, but seeing Gu Chengyu’s calm composure, realizing it wasn’t personal revenge, he slowly nodded.
...
By early evening, when Gu Chengyu left the Eastern Palace, night had already fallen.
Sitting in a carriage heading towards South Street, Gu Chengyu lifted the curtain to look outside. During the period of National Mourning, the people were forbidden to marry or indulge in music and grand banquets for a hundred days.
Even the famous brothels in the Capital had ceased operations, leaving only a few dim lanterns swaying in the wind at the entrances.
"Return to the residence!"
Ming Mo hesitated upon hearing the clear voice.
"Sir, didn’t you say earlier that you wanted to check if Mr. Peng had any updates?" Ming Mo reminded Gu Chengyu, fearing he might have forgotten.
"No rush, today is likely to be fruitless anyway!" Gu Chengyu adjusted his large-sleeved robe with its round collar, looking slightly weary.
Having gone without proper rest for two consecutive days and nights, he intended to take advantage of his position to return home and rest for a while.
Moreover, he had important business to attend to. It wasn’t that he underestimated Peng Fang and Jiang Shaohua; neither of them was likely to yield results.
"Has there been any movement from Jiang Shaohua?" Remembering Jiang Shaohua, an important figure not to be overlooked.
"Not yet!"
"It’s not yet time; send more people to shadow him at night. Whoever he meets, send someone to follow and report back to me."
Daytime is not suitable for action; nighttime is the best time. Even if Jiang Shaohua wanted to contact someone, he could only do so at night.
"Yes, sir!"
Gu Chengyu picked up a tea bowl from the table and took a sip, contemplating his next plan.
His senior brother was far at the border. The emperor’s obituary had not yet reached there, though he had already sent someone to deliver the message day and night.
The distance from the border to the Capital was too far; it would take at least two more days for the message to arrive. Even using homing pigeons wouldn’t reach there.
Currently, the most critical thing was to have his senior brother pay attention to any border unrest. The main general guarding the border wasn’t without suspicion. If war were to break out at any moment, Yin Kun, a mere scholar unfamiliar with military affairs, might cause unforeseen changes.
"Sir! Look, there’s someone in front of the gate, it looks like Miss Liu!" Ming Mo saw a slender figure under the lantern at the side gate and, upon closer inspection, realized it was Liu Su’er.
Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu frowned, remembering the evidence he had collected on Liu Su’er; she was probably uneasy.
Today, he had been busy capturing assassins and hadn’t sent her a reassuring message. Unable to endure it any longer, she had come to find him, hoping to discover his true intentions.
Liu Su’er clutched the corner of her clothes, feeling a bit anxious. She also knew that during the National Mourning, as a court official, Gu Chengyu must be very busy.
But Gu Chengyu’s unclear attitude when he left last time and the evidence he took made her unable to be at ease.
After pondering, still uneasy, she decided to come and investigate.
