Chapter 400 - 392: The Wanted Person
Many people stood in the front yard of the mansion, and among them was the Eldest Prince Li Min. Li Min had his hands behind his back; the sky had already darkened, making Li Min’s expression appear somewhat gloomy. Gu Yifeng saluted him, and only then did Li Min step forward with a deferential gesture, merely stating that the Dingyuan Marquis was too courteous.
But anyone with discerning eyes could see that the Eldest Prince was just waiting for the Marquis to pay his respects.
This could also be considered as giving Gu Yifeng a bit of a snub.
Yet Gu Yifeng was indifferent, "It’s so late, is the Eldest Prince passing by here?"
"The Dingyuan Marquis is too courteous. I’m not passing by; rather, I have business to discuss with the Marquis," Li Min directly pointed out.
Gu Yifeng responded with an oh, "In that case, please come to the study, Eldest Prince."
Li Min nodded.
Gu Yifeng led the way in front, and the group entered the study. After the two entered the study, Liu Xin barred the door from outside, preventing anyone from approaching. He stood there outside, so even if someone outside wished to eavesdrop, it would be impossible. Liu Xin stood outside.
Inside the study, with the two seated, the Eldest Prince immediately spoke, "Father has always said that the Marquis is a loyal official, but now I’m a bit puzzled. On the day I went to the border, even though I didn’t explicitly mention it, I believe the Marquis knows what I went to do. Now the Marquis has privately interfered in this matter; it truly doesn’t make sense. I wonder if loyalty can be spoken of like this?"
"Previously, when the Eldest Prince sought people, it was under the imperial command. But now, when the Eldest Prince seeks people, is it under the imperial command? The Eldest Prince is indeed correct, I am loyal to the ruler." Gu Yifeng’s words were quite clear.
He is loyal to the ruler.
Whomever is the ruler, he is loyal to them.
These words couldn’t be clearer, both are discerning people, and Gu Yifeng doesn’t believe the Eldest Prince misunderstanding them.
Li Min indeed understood, but these words didn’t make him admire Gu Yifeng; rather, he felt that Gu Yifeng was humiliating him, which was certainly something he couldn’t accept.
"Marquis speaks well, a loyal subject indeed. But today, I ask of you a favor, I seek a person from you, Marquis. Do you agree?" Li Min directly asked.
Gu Yifeng smiled, "I merely brought my inner court ladies to play for a few days here, but unfortunately, I am of little help to the Eldest Prince. Moreover, as the Eldest Prince can see, today my people outside the mansion have been injured, leaving me no time for other matters."
Gu Yifeng effectively refused.
Li Min, frustrated and enraged, "Gu Yifeng, well done. I place my words here directly, the person is in the mansion; if you don’t hand them over, I don’t believe you can protect them for a lifetime. Life isn’t just about the present, think about the future; if it implicates your entire clan, regret would come too late."
"That depends on fate." Gu Yifeng’s eyes flashed with mocking disdain.
With such a little measure, he dreams of eyeing that position.
Gu Yifeng originally never thought highly of the jumping-around Eldest Prince, and now liked him even less.
Especially since the Eldest Prince directly caused injury today, simply by such conduct, he would never hand the person over to the Eldest Prince.
Li Min stood up, "Then I shall see what your fate looks like."
With a flick of his sleeves, he stormed out, slamming the door.
Gu Yifeng then followed and exited the study. Watching the Eldest Prince and his entourage leave, he squinted slightly until a guard reported that the Eldest Prince’s group had already headed toward the Capital. After having checked all around and finding no Hidden Guard lines left behind, Gu Yifeng nodded, and then proceeded to Li Si’s side.
Li Si was already alert but somewhat weak. Upon seeing the Marquis, Li Si tried to sit up, but Gu Yifeng gestured for him to stay put and said, "There weren’t so many rules at the border; tell me the entire story."
Only then did Li Si recount the events in detail.
It turned out that after Li Si left, he had just mounted his horse and hadn’t traveled far when he sensed someone following him. He thought it was bad, blew the whistle to summon the Hidden Guards, and two squads appeared. One squad was his Hidden Guards; the other was the Eldest Prince’s people.
Sensing danger, amidst the scuffle, Li Si signaled one Hidden Guard and had them scatter. He passed a letter entrusted by the Marquis to one of the Hidden Guards, instructing them to deliver it to the Prime Minister’s Mansion in the Capital immediately, while he headed toward the mansion to draw attention, thus allowing the Hidden Guard to deliver the letter safely.
Gu Yifeng nodded, "Focus on your recovery, don’t worry about other matters."
Li Si nodded, knowing that Zhao Wu was still there, he did not worry too much. He merely thought about Shanmoi in the Capital, unsure if she knew he was injured. If Shanmoi had come along this time, it would be convenient to have her care for him; regrettably, this opportunity was missed.
How could Gu Yifeng know what was in Li Si’s heart? Upon returning to the backyard, he saw Nanny Wang coming out to greet him, saying, "The girl has already gone to bed; I lit some incense so the girl can nourish her body well."
Gu Yifeng knew that the incense couldn’t be regular, thinking it must have sleep-inducing effects. Since Nanny Wang was from the palace, whatever she lit must be safe for pregnant women.
Nanny Wang took her leave, and then Gu Yifeng entered the room.
Seeing the sleeping figure on the bed, Gu Yifeng lovingly touched her hand and climbed into bed.
Meanwhile, Hailan was waiting in the front yard. After the Marquis returned to the backyard, under Zhao Wu’s guidance, she proceeded to Li Si’s side. Upon seeing her, Li Si immediately complained, "I’m injured, having a little maid care for me is inconvenient; it seems the guards or Zhao Wu will have to care for me."
Indirectly lamenting that Shanmoi didn’t come.
Zhao Wu snorted, "If you had instructed Shanmoi more frequently not to speak rashly, how could the Marquis leave her in the mansion this time?"
Li Si gave a pained smile and dared not say more.
Realizing he was fine, Hailan said, "Since you’re fine, I’ll be leaving."
Li Si quickly thanked her and winked at Zhao Wu, "Help me escort Sister Hailan back."
Zhao Wu ignored him entirely, and left with Hailan.
While heading to the backyard, Hailan reminded Zhao Wu, "Take extra care of Li Si and the Madam is quite worried."
"These days aren’t peaceful; stay by Madam’s side as well," Zhao Wu worried about Hailan.
Hailan felt warmth in her heart. Zhao Wu was like that—he didn’t speak much, but he was very thoughtful, always caring.
Hailan nodded, and upon arriving at the corner gate of the backyard, she parted ways with Zhao Wu. Hearing from the little maid inside that Nanny Wang had retired, she returned to the main room, not daring to sleep deeply. Since Shanmoi was absent, in case anything happened at night, she would have to handle it herself.
The Eldest Prince’s entourage only entered the city after midnight with their waist badges.