Chapter 229 : If Something Happens to Him...
Chapter 229: If Something Happens to Him...
“Should be here.”
Outside a narrow alley, five people dressed in the uniforms of the Six Doors Authority stopped, staring at the household at the very end.
There were four men and one woman among them, two with bloodstains on their bodies.
The tallest man said, “Lord Gu lives in that house.”
After speaking, none of them moved forward.
The capable woman scolded angrily, “A bunch of cowards! If not for Lord Gu stepping forward today to hold off those two Third Grade experts, would any of us still be alive? Now that Lord Gu’s whereabouts are unknown, you don’t even dare go and inform his family?”
These five were Chen Ming’s subordinates. After escaping danger, they searched everywhere for him, fearing the worst. When they could not find him, they left the Six Doors Authority and prepared to inform his family.
Zhang Dingce gave a bitter smile, “How could we ever forget Lord Gu’s grace? It’s just... I feel that he’s most likely safe. Why make his family worry for nothing?”
Lei Chun sneered, “Don’t think I don’t know—you’re all just afraid of being scolded! Have you not thought that with the yamen in such chaos, who else will have the time or heart to search for Lord Gu? The only proper thing to do is to inform his family quickly, so they can search for him. If you won’t go, I’ll go myself.”
She then strode forward.
Deng Wei immediately followed, and the other three, finding her words reasonable, hurried after.
“How could we let you go alone? If Lord Gu’s family seeks accountability, we’ll share it together. After all, our lives were saved by him. Even if beaten to death, we’ll have no regrets.”
In aristocratic families, if guards failed to protect and the master was endangered, they could only atone with their lives.
The same principle held in the Six Doors Authority. If one’s direct superior was harmed while the subordinates lived safely, that too was a grave dereliction of duty.
If Lord Gu’s family pressed the matter, how could they be spared?
The five braced themselves, knocked on the gate of the residence, identified themselves, and were invited inside to a courtyard. Beyond a gauze curtain, they saw a young woman.
“What brings you all here?” The woman’s voice was melodious, clearly that of a young aristocratic lady.
Lei Chun asked, “May I ask what relation you have with Lord Gu?”
The woman behind the curtain answered, “I am his... sister.”
“So it is Miss Gu.” Lei Chun’s face was full of sorrow. “Today, the Six Doors Authority suffered a calamity. Several criminals broke into the prison. After Lord Gu fought two Third Grade criminals, his whereabouts became unknown. I fear... he may have been captured—”
Clang!
Something shattered.
“What did you say?” the woman behind the curtain cried, her voice panicked. With a swish, she lifted the curtain and appeared before them.
The five were stunned. What an otherworldly beauty! Her face was breathtaking, her aura soul-stirring. But at this moment, she was pale, her breathing hurried, her voice trembling: “Those... criminals took him where?”
Lei Chun’s heart filled with regret. To cause such a flawless woman to lose her composure felt like a crime.
Ashamed, she lowered her head. “I do not know...”
“When... when did this happen?”
“About an hour ago—”
The beauty’s body trembled, her face drained of all color, nearly collapsing. A maid rushed forward to support her and cast a fierce glare at the five.
“Miss Xia, please don’t worry. Lord Gu is a blessed man, Heaven will surely protect him...”
At this point, Lei Chun realized the woman’s true identity.
With such beauty, she could only be the one ranked on the Supreme Beauty List—the daughter of the Qian Money Gang’s leader, the Mortal World’s Regal Flower, Xia Mudan. She was Lord Gu’s wife.
Who would have thought she held such deep affection for him?
The rumors that her heart belonged to the Peerless Young Master were clearly nonsense.
Lei Chun’s heart grew heavier. Lord Gu had just wed this peerless beauty, yet now his fate was uncertain.
“Sigh...”
She no longer knew how to comfort Miss Xia.
The four men dared not speak at all, fearing to offend the lady.
“Qin’er, bring me my sword!”
Struggling from her maid’s arms, Xia Mudan said anxiously.
Zhi Qin pleaded, “Miss, your body has not yet recovered. You mustn’t!”
Xia Mudan spoke faintly, “I knew it. When he helped me dispel the sword intent in my body, he must have paid a great price... That’s why he fell into the enemy’s hands... It was I who harmed him...”
Tears streamed down as she spoke.
Zhi Qin shook her head desperately, tears falling as well, yet unable to form words.
Wiping her tears, Xia Mudan’s expression gradually steadied. “If something happens to Brother Gu... I will not live alone.”
Lei Chun was shocked. Seeing the lady’s sorrowful face and the determination in her eyes, she blurted out, “No! You mustn’t! Even if Lord Gu were in danger, he would never want you to do such a foolish thing—”
But Xia Mudan remained unmoved.
“Bring the sword.”
Zhi Qin cried harder, yet dared not disobey. She entered the house and retrieved the “Dragon Abyss Sword.”
When Xia Mudan accepted the sword, the peerless weapon gave a low hum, as if responding to its master’s will. Within its sword cry lingered killing intent.
“Let’s go.”
“What do we do?”
The five looked at each other, panic in their eyes. If Miss Xia, unable to find Lord Gu, chose to end her life, they would be beyond redemption.
They could only follow her.
Just as they stepped out of the courtyard, someone rushed in from outside shouting, “The Young Master has returned!”
All turned instinctively. Indeed, tall and graceful, Gu Xianyu strode toward them.
They all rejoiced. “My lord, you’ve finally returned!”
Thank heavens!
The five were so overcome with relief they nearly cried. The crushing guilt had almost suffocated them moments ago. Now the skies had cleared.
Xia Mudan stood frozen, staring hard at the approaching figure, her vision blurred. Her only thought—merciful Bodhisattva, he’s safe!
Chen Ming approached, looked at his five subordinates, and nodded. “Seeing you all safe puts me at ease. But why did you come to my home?”
The five glanced at each other in embarrassment.
Fortunately, Zhang Dingce reacted quickly, changing the subject. “My lord, where did you go? We thought you were taken by those criminals and were terribly worried.”
“I’ll tell you when there’s time.” Chen Ming glanced at the sky. “Since you’re here, stay for dinner before leaving.”
“This—”
Lei Chun instinctively glanced at Xia Mudan. Surely now, the lord would have much to say to his wife.
But Chen Ming gave them no chance to decline. He called the steward to arrange it.
Then he turned to Xia Mudan, nodded, and said, “I’m back.”
Xia Mudan’s body trembled slightly, then stilled. All her emotions condensed into one phrase: “It’s good you’re back!”
...
“Did you notice that things between Lord Gu and Miss Xia seemed... unusual?”
In the front hall, only the five subordinates remained. After serving tea, the maid had withdrawn. Liu Yan whispered.
The others stayed silent, for they had noticed as well.
Zhang Dingce glared at him. “And you call me foolish? Can’t you see? The lord had already returned and heard Miss Xia’s words. He then stepped out again and re-entered, deliberately having the servants announce him. That isn’t obvious to you?”
Liu Yan frowned. “But why wouldn’t he just reveal himself? Anyone hearing such words could not remain unmoved. Ah, if only a woman would love me so deeply, I could die without regret.”
Lei Chun snapped, “Old Zhang, don’t speculate recklessly. Stop spouting baseless things.”
“I’m not speaking nonsense. I heard the gatekeepers discussing it when I went to the latrine just now.”
“Then why would the lord do that?”
“You wouldn’t understand.” Zhang Dingce lowered his voice. “I have a sworn brother who was transferred to the capital. You know of him. A few days ago, he wrote me a letter. He mentioned Lord Gu. Supposedly, Lord Gu already has someone in his heart. For her sake, he even refused a marriage arranged by his family—she was the daughter of a prince.”
Liu Yan was stunned. “Truly?”
“Without doubt. Otherwise, with such unparalleled talent, why would our lord be sent to Summer Prefecture City? It was to appease that prince.”
“Bang!”
Lei Chun suddenly slammed the table, startling the four men. Her face full of righteous anger, she cried, “Then what about Miss Xia? She loves the lord with all her heart. Will he become a heartless man?”
The men were horrified, wishing they could cover her mouth.
Zhang Dingce whispered urgently, “Mind your words! This is the lord’s private matter. How could we meddle? You must never say such things before him!”
“What mustn’t be said before me?”
And as fate would have it, Lord Gu’s voice came from outside the door, frightening all five into a cold sweat.
He entered with a smile. “What’s this? Are you lodging complaints against me?”
Afraid that Lei Chun might blurt something out, Zhang Dingce hurriedly interjected, “My lord, we are guilty.”
“What guilt?”
“We thought you had been captured and, fearing for your safety, came to your residence to inform Miss Xia. In her distress, her old wounds may have been aggravated. This is all our fault. Please punish us.”