Blossom in Adversity

C88. Yingshan Pass Incident.

Chapter 88: Yingshan Pass Incident

Gu Yanxi did not provoke him further, nor did he intend to give away the silver hairpin. Holding it in his palm behind his back, he said, "She hasn't informed even the family members about these matters, let alone tell you. But I believe you should know. Don't think she is easily swayed, and don't take for granted that these things are just her duty."

Hua Pingyang sighed bitterly. This was a matter concerning the Hua family, and others had no business meddling in it. However, the recent revelations had a profound impact on him, and the man before him was constantly helping Zhi'er, giving Hua Pingyang a feeling that whatever this Mr. Lu said should be taken seriously.

Gu Yanxi was someone who didn't care about the power struggles in the capital. He treated the Hua family well because of Zhi'er, but that didn't mean he placed them on a pedestal. He had to earn his respect.

He wasn't sharing these things to boast about his abilities. It was because he respected Hua Pingyang that he spoke. If it were Hua Pingyu in his place, he wouldn't have said a word.

"You, too, can put away your unnecessary worries. I won't disrespect the person she approve of. Before Hua Zhi nods in agreement, I will act appropriately. It's my promise. Though Shao Yao may be with me, she genuinely considers Hua Zhi as a friend. With her by Hua Zhi's side, no one can bully her."

All Hua Pingyang wanted was this promise. He believed that this man could deliver on his word, even if his surname might be fake.

Without saying another word, Hua Pingyang bowed deeply, opened the door, and left. His departing figure looked desolate, unable to express his gratitude in words. In places where their family members couldn't reach, this man had already done so much. He didn't want to pry Zhi'er's thoughts or inquire about her plans. His focus was on how to ensure the Hua family returned to the capital without any losses.

Everything else was just empty talk until then.

Gu Yanxi carefully wiped the hairpin, put it back on himself, and pushed open the window to make way. Soon, Xu Gui leaped in through the window, seeing the Shizi changing clothes and quickly went to serve him.

Gu Yanxi opened his hands and said, "Your identity must remain confidential. Stay here and guard. If anyone dares to break into the adjacent room at night, kill them!"

"Understood." Xu Gui's eyes gleamed brightly. He had been at Yingshan Pass for four years, pretending for four years. He most missed the feeling of exhilaration when carrying out missions with the Shizi. Just the word 'kill' made him shiver with excitement.

In the deep night, two figures silently lurked on the rooftop of the General's Mansion. Shao Yao muttered to herself, 'In the dark of the night, when the wind is high, murder and arson ensue.' Despite lying in the snow, she didn't move a muscle, as if she couldn't feel the cold.

Gu Yanxi made a gesture, and Shao Yao nodded. They silently cooperated, one sneaking in, the other keeping watch.

Gu Yanxi was very familiar with this mansion. He went straight to the master bedroom.

In the dead silent night, every sound was magnified. Under cautious circumstances, the person on the bed turned over and held a long sword in hand, asking, "Who goes there?"

Gu Yanxi stepped out of the shadows. He didn't wear a mask or night clothes, just dressed a bit tidier. He walked calmly to the center of the room, lit the lamp on the table, looking more like the host than the person in bed.

"General Wu, it's been a while."

Wu Yong recognized the visitor and felt both surprised and relieved. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have trusted them, but knowing that this person was from the Star Bureau made him feel at ease.

Wu Yong knew that Gu Yanxi was from the Star Bureau because they had once worked together on a case. Thinking about his character and the people behind him, Wu Yong, who had been wandering in the darkness for months, finally saw a glimmer of hope.

Gu Yanxi carefully observed the approaching Wu Yong and understood why Xu Gui hadn't noticed his illness before. Compared to four years ago, Wu Yong seemed more mature, and there was no sign of illness in him.

"Why have you come here? Does the Emperor have any orders to convey?" Wu Yong asked.

"I came for personal reasons. I didn't expect to find such turmoil here."

Wu Yong sighed, feeling powerless.

"I heard you were ill, but I can't see it."

"I also feel like I'm not ill, but the truth is I am, and I can't find the cause." Wu Yong looked at Gu Yanxi intently. "I don't know if the Shizi can help me understand why. Who exactly am I blocking? The Wu family is far on the border and never gets involved in the power struggles of the court. No matter who holds the position, we only guard Yingshan Pass. Why would someone want to destroy the Wu family?"

"How do you know it's not from outside the pass?"

"I've checked. It couldn't be them. Even if they were planning to invade the border, they wouldn't resort to such methods. If someone wants me to slowly die without finding the cause, it must be someone within, covering their own dirty deeds."

Even though the Wu family only had a single male heir in this generation, his mind was sharper than his predecessors. Gu Yanxi had a good impression of Wu Yong and decided to speak frankly with him.

"I can't be sure. If I were still in the capital, I wouldn't have known the situation at Yingshan Pass was so critical. There are only a few people capable of this, and he has a certain understanding of the Star Bureau and is guarding against it."

Gu Yanxi's lips curved slightly. "You clearly knew there was turmoil at Yingshan Pass but didn't report it to the court. What did you discover?"

"They're after my life, and they still won't allow me to defend myself?" Wu Yong glanced at him, got up, walked to the desk, and tapped on a few places. The desk split in half, revealing a hollow space in the middle.

He took out a few things from inside and handed them to Gu Yanxi. "I have someone under me who is good at forging handwriting. After intercepting these letters, he set a trap for them."

Gu Yanxi opened the letters one by one, examining each carefully. Then, he unfolded the gossamer-thin silk and his pupils involuntarily constricted. It was an exquisite map, encompassing the entire northern frontier.

"Well done, well done indeed!"

Gu Yanxi looked up, his eyes filled with cold disdain. "I'll be taking these with me. If you have anything else, hand it over."

"That's all there is. The other party isn't foolish enough to leave me with so much to hold against them."

Slowly folding the items and tucking them into his robes, Gu Yanxi spoke calmly, "The Wu family's guardianship of Yingshan Pass is a decree directly from the founding emperor. On his deathbed, he declared that as long as the Wu family remained loyal, Yingshan Pass would always belong to them. For generations, your family has never overstepped its bounds, and no subsequent emperor has ever had the desire to seize Yingshan Pass. The royal family's trust in the Wu family has been passed down through the ages. Wu Yong, don't blame the entire Great Daqing Dynasty for the actions of one individual. He's simply not worth it."