Chapter 1182: Chapter 1018: Out of Titles

"Oh? Quite a formidable background? What do you mean, do these people have some backup? This gambling den shouldn’t exist at all, yet they dare to act so brazenly? We are acting under the orders of the Crown Prince to hunt down assassins, whether they are officials or commoners, they should cooperate. Even if we go into the mansions of the aristocratic families, who would dare to obstruct an official investigation?"

Seeing that Jiang Shaohua wanted to speak more, Gu Chengyu waved his hand, "Jiang Sicheng, do not worry. You are acting under orders. If anyone dares to obstruct, don’t be polite, apprehend them first. Such people must be in collusion with the rebels from Da Xing, harboring assassins is a crime punishable by extermination of the family. If anyone blames you, I will take full responsibility, let them come find me."

After Gu Chengyu finished speaking, he ignored Jiang Shaohua’s grim expression and waved, "Off you go!"

Jiang Shaohua saw Gu Chengyu’s resolve and knew that saying more would be pointless, so he had to accept the orders and leave.

He grumbled internally, this Mr. Gu indeed conducts himself in a domineering manner. If someone obstructs, it is tantamount to colluding with Da Xing’s rebels, how overbearing!

Gu Chengyu watched Jiang Shaohua’s departing figure, and summoned Ding Jiu, who was standing at a distance, "Send a few skilled hands to monitor him in secret. If there’s any unusual movement, send someone to report to me immediately."

"Yes, sir!"

Gu Chengyu rubbed his smooth chin, sneering inwardly. What Da Xing is after is not small, and I wonder what follow-up maneuvers they have yet to deploy.

In a few days, it will be the day when the Vassal King enters the Capital. I wonder what moves Prince Jing and Prince Gong will make.

However, these two may not necessarily be in the Capital at this moment. Since they covet the Dragon Throne, they must have begun their deployments long ago.

If they wait until the Emperor passes before rushing to the Capital, wouldn’t it be too late?

Zhou Yuan is not in league with Da Xing’s forces, but I wonder whom he is serving. But Gu Chengyu suspects that the person behind him is either Prince Jing or Prince Gong.

Thinking of these two Vassal Kings, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but shift his thoughts to Liao Wu. Liao Wu seems to have truly forsaken the world and devoted himself to Buddhism.

But Gu Chengyu feels that this is a cover for the other party, even if Liao Wu has let go of his past affairs, it wouldn’t be to the extent that he remains indifferent and expressionless when his father, the Emperor, dies.

Two years ago, the Emperor, considering the father-son relationship, ultimately showed mercy to Liao Wu. Could it be that Liao Wu has not a shred of familial affection for the Emperor? Even so, there would be some sentiment, wouldn’t there?

Thinking of this, Gu Chengyu believes that someone should be sent to monitor Liao Wu. If Liao Wu is lying low and waiting for a chance to act, he would be in a passive position.

The impulsive and quick-tempered Third Prince from back then has now become as composed as Prince Jing and Prince Gong.

The South City and West City have already been searched but not a single suspicious person was found. However, Gu Chengyu is certain that these people must be hiding in the Capital.

Gu Chengyu boarded the carriage, closed his eyes, and pondered deeply inside.

After waiting for over an hour, the sound of light footsteps came, prompting Gu Chengyu to open his eyes.

"Ming Mo! Have there been any findings?" Gu Chengyu recognized the footsteps of Ming Mo and Ming Yan and knew it was unlikely for news to arrive so quickly from Peng Fang and Jiang Shaohua’s end.

"Sir! After a thorough search, we’ve identified three suspicious individuals among the group of beggars."

Ming Mo’s voice came from outside the carriage, and upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu got up and exited the carriage.

"Bring those three here!"

Three beggars, dressed in rags with disheveled hair, were brought over. At this moment, they were being pressed to kneel on the ground, their arms bound behind their backs, their bodies tightly tied up, and a rag stuffed in their mouths.

"Tell me how you apprehended these three!" Gu Chengyu moved to stand behind the three, observing their filthy fingernails and thin arms.

He turned over the palm of one of them, inspected it, leaned slightly closer, and felt their rapid and heavy breathing, which made Gu Chengyu’s heart sink.

The three beggars had a look of panic in their eyes, but with their mouths stuffed and held by government officers, they were indeed unable to move.

"Reporting to sir, when we had the beggars identify each other, these three turned and ran. That’s why we captured them."

Gu Chengyu, hands behind his back, moved to the front of the carriage and suddenly noticed a little beggar peeping from around the corner of a broken house.

Gu Chengyu turned his gaze to the tattered house on the right, and a slight smile curled on his lips as he gestured for the little beggar to come over.

The little beggar saw Gu Chengyu looking over and immediately shrank back with fear. His big eyes blinked as he did not dare to approach.

Ming Mo observed this, and although he was unsure of what his master intended, he understood that the master had words for this child. So he prepared to step forward and bring the child over.

"Hold on! Don’t scare him away!" Gu Chengyu quickly stopped him, remembering the plate of plum blossom cakes warming on the stove inside the carriage, he instructed Ming Mo to bring it over.

Glancing at the beggar child’s shoes, which exposed his toes, and his thin, ragged clothes, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but sigh.

Whether in the wealthy Capital or Jiangnan, or the bitter cold lands near the border, there is never a shortage of homeless, starving, and cold stricken poor people.

"Child, come here, I just want to ask you a few questions. Answer correctly, and this will be yours to eat."

Gu Chengyu smiled warmly, gesturing to the little beggar with a plate of plum blossom cakes.

The little beggar wasn’t actually scared of strangers. To those who begged, they faced different people every day. If they hadn’t thick skins, how else could they get food and Silver Coin?

However, seeing this man surrounded by many government officers, with a jade-like face and dressed in luxury, of course, exuding an aura not ordinary, the little beggar hesitated.

These little beggars had long learned the art of discernment; people like this, they dare not approach to beg. Otherwise, if they offended a noble, they could be killed with no one asking questions.

Now seeing Gu Chengyu with a kindly smile, showing no malice, the little beggar finally dared to step forward.

"Little one pays respects to sir!" As soon as the little beggar reached Gu Chengyu, he knelt earnestly and kowtowed loudly.

Gu Chengyu’s smile froze for a moment, seeing someone so young already understanding the hardships of life, and felt a tinge of cleverness.

"Stand up! Do you often stay in this dilapidated house?" Gu Chengyu handed the plate of plum blossom cakes to the little beggar, signaling for him to take it.

"Sir! I usually live here, seeing you here earlier, I dared not return."

The little beggar accepted the cakes without fuss, glanced at the fine porcelain plate, and decided to take off one of his tattered coats, intending to wrap the cakes within it.

Seeing this, Gu Chengyu quickly gestured for him to stop, "Put it back on quickly to avoid catching a cold, the plate is yours too."

"Do you usually beg around this area, or do you often change places?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.