Chapter 1176: Chapter 1012: Fugitive

Before Gu Chengyu could speak, she continued, "In that case, I ask Mr. Gu to uncover the truth, clear the Xue Family’s grievances, and restore Mr. Liang’s innocence!"

"Miss, what excellent eloquence you have!" Gu Chengyu’s eyes flashed brilliantly, but his expression remained impassive, leaving Liu Su’er uncertain.

According to the information they had gathered, this Mr. Gu was a year younger than her. Yet, he seemed like an old hand in the officialdom, making it hard for people to discern his true nature.

Gu Chengyu stood up, swiftly unbolted the door, and stepped out.

Liu Su’er was startled, "Mr. Gu?"

Gu Chengyu didn’t turn his head, "Just stay here. If there’s anything, I’ll send someone to find you!"

Watching the slender figure disappear from view, Liu Su’er couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, collapsing onto the ground.

She knew that Gu Chengyu had agreed.

The people waiting in the courtyard, including Zhang Yang, quickly and respectfully stood aside when they saw Gu Chengyu coming out of the room.

Zhang Yang stole a glance at Gu Chengyu, then looked at Liu Su’er, who was sitting on the ground with tears in her eyes, and couldn’t help but show a strange expression.

"Sir, I just saw Young Master Wan Qian!" Ming Yan quickly stepped forward to report upon seeing his master.

Though it was a minor matter, his master had said never to overlook these details, sometimes small things could be the key to success or failure.

"Oh! Wan Qian staying in South City, seeing him here isn’t surprising."

Just after speaking, Gu Chengyu looked up at the sky. It was around the early hour of Mao; heading out so early?

Whether it’s workshops or shops, at this time they’re not open yet. Where could Wan Qian possibly be going so early?

"Was he alone? Did you notice anything unusual when you saw him?" Gu Chengyu was worried there might be a problem with a shop or workshop, so he asked.

"There was no one beside Young Master Wan Qian; he walked extremely fast. I was about to call him when he darted into a west alley and then disappeared."

At first, Ming Yan thought he was mistaken but, after careful thinking, was sure it was indeed Young Master Wan Qian.

Gu Wanqian frequently visited the Gu Mansion, so Ming Yan was very familiar with him. He could recognize him just by the back, so it couldn’t be a mistake.

"But there’s one thing I don’t understand, Young Master Wan Qian was dressed very plainly." Ming Yan recalled Gu Wanqian’s plain cotton double-breasted robe and found it strange.

The master was never unkind to Young Master Wan Qian. Nowadays, Gu Wanqian’s annual salary was no less than three hundred taels of silver. Not to mention the rewards during festivals, even on ordinary days, the master often helped him.

Gu Wanqian hadn’t dressed so plainly in three or four years, hence Ming Yan’s curiosity.

Gu Chengyu was also puzzled, "Plain? In what way?"

Ming Yan scratched his head, suddenly feeling uncertain.

"He was wearing a dark cotton robe. I just took a quick glance, not sure if I saw correctly."

Gu Chengyu frowned. If it was a mistake, it was understandable. After all, the sky was still dim, making it hard to distinguish clearly, plus Gu Wanqian’s quick departure, mistakes were reasonable.

Regardless of the attire, Gu Wanqian showing up here so early was the strangest part; this place was not in the same direction as the workshop or shop.

"How’s the search going? Anything moving on the other two sides?" Gu Chengyu decided to press Gu Wanqian’s matter for now and inquired about the current search progress.

Despite searching from two hours ago until now, nothing had been found.

"We haven’t found any movement, and the other two sides reported no abnormalities. Sir, this area is almost fully searched; only the southernmost part is left, who should be sent there?"

If nothing was found here, the group was likely hiding there. But that area was a mix of lowlifes and elites, and if those people were scattered and hidden, the search would be highly challenging.

Though people had been previously sent to patrol there, no abnormal information had surfaced yet.

"I’m not reassured to send someone else; let’s head there immediately! We’ve alarmed them, but still no movement from that direction, it seems those people can really hold their nerve. Leave this area to these government officers; it’s unlikely anything will be found. Who was that person? Could it be related to the assassins?"

After pondering for a while, Gu Chengyu deemed it safer to go personally. As for the man, he asked as a formality while already knowing in his heart that the person was likely unrelated to the assassins.

"Reporting to you, the person is a bandit. Previously operating in Wentian Prefecture when the Magistrate there sent people to clear out the mountain stronghold; as the bandit leader with decent martial arts, he escaped during the operation and eventually wound up in the Capital. Based on his confession, there’s quite a body count on his hands."

Ming Yan thought this man only had brute strength. In terms of martial arts, even he could be better, let alone their master.

Yet, Wentian Prefecture’s government couldn’t capture him. But, their martial arts were indeed learned from secret manuals imparted by the master, making them unmatched.

"Did you ask him why he’s in the Capital?" Gu Chengyu suddenly thought of something and asked Ming Yan.

"I did. He said during the clearing, he panicked and fled randomly. But after arriving in the Capital, he saw the wealthy and prosperous citizens, many wealthy merchants. If he could spend some time rallying followers, kidnap those wealthy merchants, he was certain he could extort a lot of money."

Hearing this, Ming Yan also thought this person’s thinking was naive.

Comparatively, Jiangnan was as wealthy as the Capital. The Capital was right under the Emperor, with aristocratic families gathered, civil and military officials converging; committing crimes here would be courting death.

If he ran into someone with strong backing, once the aristocratic families sent their Death Warriors, even ten heads wouldn’t be enough.

"He wants to continue that business in the Capital?" Gu Chengyu slightly frowned, then sneered.

"Have Ming Mo thoroughly investigate this person’s background, and send someone to Wentian Prefecture for verification. Since he’s a fugitive, the government there should have his portrait and name. Report his movements in Wentian Prefecture to me as soon as possible!"

Gu Chengyu felt what this man just said was not true, but the identity of a bandit couldn’t be fake. His real intentions for being in the Capital were unknown.

Ming Yan immediately showed a serious expression, "Yes!"

...

Gu Wanqian darted through an alley, turned several corners, discreetly checked behind, and after ensuring no one was following, rushed southward.

Seeing the dilapidated roof ahead, and the small beggars holding broken bowls pouring out, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He dared not take a carriage; to this place, doing so would be too eye-catching.

The little beggars saw someone approaching wearing plain clothes, a creased cross-collared long robe, clearly a poor scholar. Hence, they didn’t ask him for Silver Coin, but quickly ran along the incoming path instead.

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