Blossom in Adversity

C85. The Incident at Yingshan Pass.

Chapter 85: The Incident at Yingshan Pass

Inside the house, Hua Zhi and her family were saying their goodbyes, while outside, Gu Yanxi was not planning to rest.

"Shao Yao, stick by my side."

Shao Yao nodded frantically. "Where are you going, Yan-ge? Hua Hua will ask."

"I'm meeting someone. I'll be back before dark. Tell her not to worry."

"Okay."

Although Shao Yao usually didn't handle such matters, she was not inexperienced. In fact, when faced with difficult decisions during missions, she often relied on her keen intuition.

She had met Chen Tu before; he had been severely injured once and almost lost his life. It was Shao Yao who had stayed up for two nights and saved him from the brink of death.

The Shizi had arranged for him to stay in that small village for a reason, and it was likely significant. The fact that the Shizi hadn't even rested before leaving to meet someone indicated that Chen Tu had reported something important, possibly related to Yingshan Pass.

Some people were really annoying, Shao Yao thought to herself as she listened intently to the sounds coming from inside.

Gu Yanxi didn't immediately go to meet someone, but instead, he took a walk around the city first and then changed his appearance before riding his horse to his destination.

The Household Department in the Yingshan Pass office was well known for being lucrative and difficult to enter. Each of the officials there had their own connections, and those who left that department always held their heads high. It was not attractive to the average person.

At that moment, the officials on duty were discussing the arrival of the Hua family girl from the capital, and there was an underlying tone of admiration in their words.

The Hua family was not an ordinary household; they were famous even in the capital. Just by looking at the several sickly individuals who had come with her, one could tell she had suffered a lot, especially in this freezing weather.

"If my family had such a daughter, I would accept even a broken pot."

"That's true, it's really rare."

"I heard that the girl is quite beautiful. I wonder which family will have the privilege of marrying her in the future."

A young man at a table farther in laughed, "Stop kidding. Those people in the capital don't appreciate girls who run away from home like her. They want ladies who stay inside and never show their faces. Moreover, with the current situation in the Hua family, no one would dare to ask for her hand."

His words were unpleasant and irrefutable. Powerful and influential families wanted demure young ladies, and a girl from the Hua family would be considered untouchable even in hardship.

They did want to plead for their nephews, but they were aware of their limitations. Even if the daughter of the Hua family was facing difficulties, it was not their place to intervene.

A bailiff lifted the heavy curtain, bringing in a chill breeze. He glanced longingly at the brazier inside but dared not approach it. He reported, "Sir Xu, there is a young nobleman surnamed Lu waiting for you outside the office."

The man who had rebuffed his colleagues earlier gave a slight smirk and replied coldly, "I don't know any young nobleman surnamed Lu. Tell him I'm not available."

"Yes, I'll go inform him."

Everyone in the office knew it was difficult to deal with Xu Gui from the Household Department. Some had tried to undermine him, but once he settled into his position, he never budged. Over time, everyone understood that he had influential connections and was not someone to offend.

As time passed, they also realized that he might not speak kindly, but compared to those who schemed behind others' backs, he was more approachable and unexpectedly popular.

Seeing his firm refusal, a colleague advised, "It might be someone important with urgent matters. You're not busy right now; it won't hurt to see him."

"Yeah, go see him. Who would venture out in such cold weather if it wasn't something important?"

Only then did Xu Gui set down his pen, tidied up his desk, and put on his padded robe before stepping out.

Approaching the person outside, Xu Gui maintained his composure. "Who are you? What business do you have with me?"

"Xu's family asked me to deliver something to you."

Xu Gui's demeanor softened, and he handed a small piece of silver to the bailiff. "Tell Yu, the head of the Household Department, that I have a visitor from my family and will take the afternoon off."

The bailiff responded loudly and hurried back inside.

Xu Gui led the person to his residence, a small detached house that was modest but peaceful.

Closing the door, Xu Gui knelt down respectfully. "I have seen the Shizi."

"You may rise and speak."

At this moment, Xu Gui was a completely different person from his cold and aloof self at the office, apart from physical appearance.

"Is there anything unusual at Yingshan Pass?"

After a moment of hesitation, Xu Gui expressed his thoughts, "On the surface, everything seems normal at Yingshan Pass, but I can't shake the feeling that something is amiss. Since the beginning of last year, nine military officials have been demoted to this place, compared to only four in the previous five years. I am not sure about the situation in the capital, but Yingshan Pass is a critical border area. Concentrating so many military officials here does not bode well."

Pausing, Xu Gui continued, "I have counted that each military official brings over forty personal servants, and this is just what is known publicly. In secret, there are more, but I have not been able to ascertain the exact number. Those servants are not ordinary people; they all seem skilled."

Gu Yanxi nodded inwardly, confirming that Xu Gui's keen observation had led him in the right direction. "Before coming to see you, I observed an increase in the number of foreigners in the city compared to my last visit. However, Yingshan Pass has already been closed off. What are they here for? What does General Wu have to say about this?"

Suddenly, Xu Gui knelt down again. "I have failed in my duties. I recently discovered that General Wu has been ill for three months, with the news only returning three days ago."

Frowning, Gu Yanxi asked, "What illness?"

"This matter has been kept very confidential. Since learning about it, I have been investigating, but I have not found any evidence yet. He has not called for outside physicians, and he still appears in public as usual. If it weren't for concrete evidence, I would suspect that he is not actually ill. However, the control of the city is not as strong as before."

Gu Yanxi stood up and paced back and forth. If it were a minor illness, Wu Yong would not be so secretive, indicating that the situation was serious.

The Wu family had guarded Yingshan Pass for generations. For them, Yingshan Pass was not just a critical checkpoint but also their home and foundation. They were more eager for stability at Yingshan Pass than even the emperor himself.

They understood that as a border defense general, martial strength represented everything. So, the children of the Wu family were trained in martial arts from a young age. However, there were certain things that mere human effort could not control. Wu Yong being the only male heir of his generation posed a dangerous predicament. If anything were to happen to Wu Yong...

"Keep a close watch on those military officials. Additional support will be sent to assist you soon."

"Yes."

"Furthermore," Gu Yanxi looked at him, "if anything happens at Yingshan Pass, protect the Hua family members and consult with Hua Lao. Regardless of whether you agree with his instructions, you must act promptly."

"Yes, I will remember that."