Chapter 731.1: Family Working as One
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Wang Xu was utterly stunned.
He lay dumbfounded on the cool floor, staring blankly at the ceiling beams, as if he had been struck by lightning a hundred thousand times.
Gu Jiao stood up with the bowl in her hand, gave Gu Chengfeng a slight nod, and said nonchalantly, "Untie him, he's one of us now."
Gu Chengfeng was bewildered. Just like that?
No, wait a minute, there are so many people here, why are you only ordering me around?
Humph, so you know I'm the most reliable after all!
With a big rolling pin mark still on his face, Gu Chengfeng strode over with his head held high and untied the ropes on Wang Xu.
Wang Xu, of course, recognized that this was the same "commoner woman" who had followed him all the way down the street.
But that Adam’s apple… so he was a man.
Wang Xu was filled with confusion.
Who exactly were all these people around the Eldest Imperial Grandson?
One was a terrifying expert who had knocked him down with just a rolling pin, another was a master of disguise and qinggong who had forced him to shed his skin and escape, and then there was Xiao Liulang——he knew him as the physician the Emperor had invited for the former Crown Princess.
It was Wang Xu who had brought Xiao Liulang into the imperial palace from the palace gates.
"Hold on, why were you following me earlier?" Wang Xu asked Gu Chengfeng.
Since that girl had said he was one of them now, Gu Chengfeng no longer intended to maintain his disguise as a woman.
His gaze flickered as he spoke in his male voice, "I wasn’t following you. I was following the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince met with Old Master Han. I then followed Old Master Han to see what tricks he was up to. Who would have thought you’d show up? Secretly meeting Old Master Han—doesn’t that seem suspicious?"
So he really was a man, Wang Xu thought.
Wang Xu carefully considered the possibility of what Gu Chengfeng had described.
The conflict between the Crown Prince and the former Crown Princess was indeed long-standing. It could be traced back to when she was deposed and the Crown Prince became heir apparent to the throne. Anyone would think the Crown Prince had taken what rightfully belonged to the former Crown Princess.
More recently, there had been a dispute between the Crown Prince and the former Crown Princess in the inner palace, during which the Crown Prince's guard had even injured her.
Now that the former Crown Princess had once again suffered harm, it was only natural for the Eldest Imperial Grandson to first suspect the Crown Prince and have someone monitor him.
After untying Wang Xu, Gu Chengfeng stood up and extended a hand to him.
Wang Xu grabbed Gu Chengfeng's hand and stood up.
"Hiss——"
So painful.
Just who was that big guy? He was way too heavy-handed!
Limping, Wang Xu made his way over to Xiao Heng, cupped his hands in salute, and said, "Humble subject Wang Xu greets Your Highness the Eldest Imperial Grandson."
From Gu Chengfeng's observations of Wang Xu, though the man was a bit stubborn, he had not been bribed by Old Master Han, which showed he was a loyal and righteous person.
Xiao Heng nodded slightly and said, "Today’s events were a misunderstanding. I hope Guardian Commandant doesn’t take it to heart."
“It was my recklessness. Your Highness is gracious not to hold my mistake against me, and I am deeply grateful.”
"His Majesty is at the Star-Gazing Tower, go report to him."
"Yes." Wang Xu cupped his hands once again. As he turned to leave, he suddenly looked back at Xiao Heng, "Your Highness, don’t you want to ask if I’ve uncovered any leads?"
Even Imperial Consort Han had sent someone to inquire of him.
Xiao Heng looked at him steadily and said, "I trust the Guardian Commandant will deliver justice for my mother."
The Eldest Imperial Grandson still trusted him, as always...
A wave of warmth surged within Wang Xu's chest, the feeling of being trusted striking his heart.
He solemnly said, "I will do my utmost!"
He then left the room.
Gu Chengfeng poked his head out to take a look, then clapped his hands as he came back inside, "Alright, he’s gone far enough."
Xiao Heng took out a clean piece of cloth from his pocket and unfolded it, revealing a small strand of thread inside.
It was something they had just searched and found on Wang Xu. He had wrapped it in a handkerchief, and it didn’t match his status as the Guardian Commandant. It faintly carried a scent of fresh grass mixed with a trace of blood.
Xiao Heng guessed that this was likely the piece of evidence Wang Xu had found at the crime scene today.
Xiao Heng used a pair of scissors to cut off a smaller piece of the thread.
The clothes Shangguan Yan had been wearing when she was injured had already been taken off by Gu Jiao and stored as evidence in a chest in the infirmary.
After a careful examination, Xiao Heng realized that this thread did not come from Shangguan Yan's clothing.
The four of them sat around the Eight Immortals table.
Gu Jiao had already finished her noodles and was now holding a bowl larger than her own face, drinking the noodle soup.
Xiao Heng, sitting next to her, said, “This should be from the culprit’s clothing, left behind in the grass or thorns at the scene.”
Gu Chengfeng and Gu Changqing were seated across from the couple.
"Could it be… from Han Ye's clothes?" Gu Chengfeng asked.
Han Ye was highly suspicious, having not only attempted to assassinate Xiao Heng but also Gu Jiao. He seemed to be the Crown Prince’s most effective weapon.
Xiao Heng shook his head, "This is hemp thread. In winter, people wear deerskin, but in summer, hemp cloth is used. Hemp cloth isn’t very good for warmth, but its breathability is excellent, which is why it’s often used to make summer clothes."
As he spoke, he glanced at Gu Chengfeng, “Your outer garment is made of hemp cloth, though the quality isn’t as good as the hemp thread I’m holding, but this hemp thread isn’t the best either. Earlier in the forest, when JiaoJiao fought Han Ye, he was wearing silk. That night, when he disguised himself in black to assassinate me at the academy, he was wearing the finest hemp cloth.”
This wasn’t hard to understand; Han Ye was the heir of the Han Family, a genuine aristocrat. Naturally, he wouldn’t wear the cheap night clothes sold for a few coins at the market.
All his clothes were custom-made, close-fitting, lightweight, and flexible.
Gu Chengfeng looked at the hemp thread in Xiao Heng's hand, deep in thought, "So this material is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive."
Xiao Heng nodded, “It’s of slightly above-average quality. Ordinary people can’t afford it, and nobles wouldn’t wear it.”
Gu Chengfeng furrowed his brows, "Then whose could it be? An expert from the Han Family? An expert from the Crown Prince Estate? Could it be Qi Xuan?"
The group had already exchanged all the information they knew, including Xiao Heng’s background, Shangguan Yan’s identity as the former female slave from the State of Yan, and the clues linking Qi Xuan to Han Ye.
Gu Chengfeng asked Gu Changqing, "Elder brother, you’ve fought against Qi Xuan; did you notice what kind of clothes he was wearing?"
Gu Changqing replied, “I didn’t engage him in combat.”
Qi Xuan had grabbed Han Ye and left without exchanging a single blow with Gu Changqing.
“I did.” Gu Jiao raised a hand from behind her large bowl, “I’ve fought against Qi Xuan.”
Gu Chengfeng turned to her, "Did he wear clothing made of this material?"
Gu Jiao: “I don’t remember.”
Gu Chengfeng: “…”
Xiao Heng said, “Keep an eye on Wang Xu and see if he gets any leads.”
Gu Chengfeng felt the corner of his mouth twitch, what happened to trust? You’re still secretly keeping an eye on him in the end!
“Got it. I’ll monitor him later.” Gu Chengfeng said, pouting. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, “But I still don’t get it. Killing you, well, you’re the Eldest Imperial Grandson, and you haven’t been demoted to a commoner. But your mother isn’t part of the imperial family anymore. Why wouldn’t they leave her alone?”
Xiao Heng replied, “If she can be deposed, she can be reinstated. The Emperor once said that the former Crown Princess, Shangguan Yan, would be relegated to commoner status, imprisoned in the imperial mausoleum, never to return to the imperial capital. But now she’s not only back, she’s also living in the imperial palace. Do you think those who are itching for power will sit still? The Crown Prince will be the first one who can’t remain calm.”
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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Description:
In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.
When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.
The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.
From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.
***
Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.
After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"
Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"
Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”
Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
He hasn't finished his lines yet though…