Chapter 22: Get straight to the point
“Alright, I have other things to do today. We’ll talk later. First, get us a private room on the second floor.”
After being exposed by the chubby chef, Gu Yu sighed internally at the mess, but he didn’t show any sign of panic on his face.
After getting rid of the chubby chef’s entanglement, Gu Yu, led by a waiter, walked into a private room on the second floor with Li Ye and his entourage.
The chubby chef behind them looked reluctant, but seeing that Li Ye and his group were unusually well-dressed, he didn’t dare to pester Gu Yu further, for fear of delaying his important business.
He could only wait until Li Ye and the others left, and then shamelessly keep Gu Yu behind to taste the dishes with added white sugar and see if they were up to par!
“Brother Gu… oh no! I should say Young Master Gu, I wonder if you can explain my doubts?”
“Haha, Brother Li, there’s no need to dwell on these trivial matters. Just know that you and I are on the same boat, and I will never harm you.”
“In this world! People’s mouths are the most unreliable.”
After the usher who led the way left, Gu Yu and Li Ye both took their seats. When Li Ye spoke again, his words were sarcastic, clearly showing his dissatisfaction.
However, Gu Yu’s expression remained unchanged, and he continued to smile.
Gu Yu had already anticipated Li Ye’s distrust. However, who could blame him when his initial intentions were not pure? Although they still weren’t now…
But at this moment, he had to choose a path.
Should he tell Li Ye everything directly, or continue to beat around the bush and probe further?
After thinking about it, Gu Yu decided not to probe further and would get straight to the point.
Wasting time on probing was useless. It was better to be direct from the beginning… However, regarding Li Ye’s identity, he still needed to ask clearly first.
Otherwise, even if he revealed the real culprit behind the kidnapping, if Li Ye wasn’t the important figure from the capital that Gu Yu guessed…
Then, everything would be in vain.
It was possible that Li Ye would turn around and report him to Wang Hu’s father…
“Even if mouths are unreliable, the relationship between companions is as solid as a rock. However, to obtain what I want, I still need to see if you have the ability… I wonder, Young Master Li, do you have anything to prove your strength for me to see?”
“Oh? What about this sword?”
As he spoke, Li Ye had his bodyguard bring out a long sword wrapped in black cloth. After removing the cloth, the brilliance reflected by the gem-encrusted scabbard almost blinded Gu Yu’s eyes.
Although he didn’t know what Li Ye meant by showing him this sword, judging from its preciousness alone, it was no ordinary item… Nonsense, with so many gems embedded in the scabbard, it made Gu Yu want to snatch it immediately.
However, Gu Yu could still distinguish priorities and knew that this was not the time to snatch swords.
Besides… since Li Ye dared to reveal this sword, he must have had other plans, so he couldn’t act impulsively. Impulsiveness is the devil.
As a transmigrator, Gu Yu’s knowledge of ancient times was not comprehensive, so he did not recognize the sword in front of him as the Emperor’s bestowed Shang Fang Bao Jian!
Although it wasn’t to the extent of beheading princes and ministers, it was enough to intimidate local officials.
Li Ye revealing the Shang Fang Bao Jian at this moment was also to test who Gu Yu really was.
Gu Yu, at such a young age, was so intelligent and steady. Even if he was exposed at this moment, he showed no panic.
This kind of composure was even inferior to that of the sons of high-ranking officials in the capital.
Now, after the Shang Fang Bao Jian was revealed, seeing Gu Yu still appearing indifferent made Li Ye look at him with even greater admiration, believing that this person had an extraordinary background.
“All schemes and plans are less useful than identity. Moreover, if Young Master Li wants to intervene in the missing persons case, without a good identity, you’ll be powerless!”
“Is the identity of Imperial Envoy useful?”
After hearing Li Ye’s reply, Gu Yu was surprised that Li Ye had revealed his identity so directly. However, upon hearing the words “Imperial Envoy,” he was completely relieved.
An Imperial Envoy working for the emperor, that identity was strong enough!
Although he didn’t know why the emperor had sent a eunuch to handle this matter, having such a strong backing this time, even taking down Wang Hu’s father would be a sure thing!
This way, not only could the tumorous local tyrant of Lian Town be resolved, but Gu Yu could also be a hands-off manager. Why not do it!
Because Li Ye was pale-faced, beardless, and had a high-pitched voice, Gu Yu had already guessed that Li Ye was a eunuch. Therefore, upon hearing that Li Ye was an Imperial Envoy, he showed no surprise.
Instead, he remained seated calmly, picked up a cup of tea, and drank it.
“Since Young Master Li is so forthright, I will no longer conceal it. The matter is like this, in Yang Family Village where I reside, there is a woman in town… That’s it. After hearing the conversation between Wang Hu and his subordinates, I immediately guessed that the missing women and children in Lian Town were likely the wicked deeds of Wang Changfang.”
As Gu Yu quickly shared the known information, Li Ye’s brows furrowed as he listened.
He really didn’t expect that Wang Changfang’s family had been doing such evil deeds in Lian Town and were still unharmed.
However, thinking of the Wang Clan behind Wang Changfang, which was the current Empress Dowager’s maternal family…
Li Ye’s visit to Lian Town this time was not because of foreseeing the kidnapping incident, but because the Emperor, seeing the Wang Clan becoming increasingly arrogant and extending their influence too far, decided to choose a nearby location.
To chop off a few of those extending hands and teach them a lesson.
However, because the Wang Clan was the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, even the Emperor could not act without reason and harm the mother-son relationship.
Therefore, Li Ye, as the Emperor’s personal eunuch, was sent here this time.
Although the Emperor did not explicitly state it, the implication was clear enough… If Li Ye wanted to return, he had to first make the Wang Clan suffer a great loss.
Originally, Li Ye was still thinking about how to act, but now that the opportunity had presented itself, he wouldn’t be blamed for acting ruthlessly!
It was quite novel to go out of the palace once, but when Li Ye thought of Bai Qian, the candidate who remained in the Imperial Palace, he felt a headache.
He didn’t know if there would be any disturbances in the Imperial Palace during his absence.
In any case, it was best to deal with the Wang family as soon as possible so that he could report back to His Majesty earlier.
“Since you have such a guess, why not go directly to the Wang family and capture them, to prevent innocent civilians from being implicated further?”
“No, although this would be a permanent solution, the whereabouts of the previously missing women and children may not be found.”
“After Wang Changfang is caught, will he refuse to comply and remain stubborn?”
“Heh heh, if he insists that he hasn’t kidnapped women and children, then even if he’s brought to the capital, things might take a new turn.”
Upon hearing Li Ye suggest capturing them directly, Gu Yu looked at him as if he were an idiot. Seeing that Li Ye couldn’t keep his smile, he finally spoke his objection.
After listening to Gu Yu’s explanation, Li Ye thought it made sense. If they captured him, they would definitely have to bring him back to the capital. If Wang Changfang counter-accused, then the situation would be bad.
Therefore, they still had to lure the snake out of its hole?
“Hearing you say that, I have a plan… In two days, it will be the Festival of the Lanterns. At night, everyone will leave their homes and come to town to participate in the festival activities. In the crowded situation, the kidnappers will surely act again. We can follow the clues and when the abducted people are rescued, I can join forces with the magistrate to arrest Wang Changfang and completely resolve the kidnapping incident.”
“Not bad, but this matter has nothing to do with me. I’m just providing you with the intelligence. The specific matters are still up to you officials to handle.”
“…”
“Please, I’m only twelve years old. You don’t think that if I join you, I can directly tear apart the Great Han, do you?”
After listening to Li Ye’s plan, Gu Yu didn’t say much and felt that this method was currently more suitable.
However, when Li Ye looked at him with a hint of expectation, Gu Yu immediately said with a forced smile, directly refusing to participate in this matter.
The Festival of the Lanterns was to commemorate Qiu Zi, the writer of the Four Books.
That is, the person Gu Yu suspected, like him, had also transmigrated.
Qiu Zi had transmigrated countless years ago and coincidentally wrote down the Four Books, which were passed down from generation to generation in this fictional dynasty.
The day the Four Books were established by the imperial court was the date of the Festival of the Lanterns.
On this night, the streets and alleys were illuminated all night long, with countless spherical lanterns of various styles, as well as eye-catching performances such as juggling and lion dances.
This allowed people to completely relax on this night and immerse themselves in the festive joy.
Although in Gu Yu’s eyes, it was just people looking for an excuse to relax… and incidentally boost the town’s economic development.
Setting up a stall on the Festival of the Lanterns could earn a lot of silver.
Gu Yu had previously thought about whether to set up a stall during the Festival of the Lanterns, but after the human trafficking incident occurred, he felt that it was better to be safe than sorry and just stay put.
And according to the original plan, Gu Yu did not intend to wait until the Festival of the Lanterns to act, but now that he had met Li Ye and his group, he was happy to be a hands-off manager and let Li Ye, the Imperial Envoy, worry about it himself!
Of course, Gu Yu wasn’t completely indifferent… After all, Gu Mengyao’s best friend was still in the hands of the human traffickers, and she had to be rescued as soon as possible.
However, on the Festival of the Lanterns, he could come out with Gu Mengyao.
While waiting for the human traffickers to fall into the trap, he could also cultivate their relationship with his little wife, go shopping, and so on.
It was also not impossible to sneak a kiss.
If Li Ye and these other people were brought along, Gu Yu felt it would be very troublesome!
