The Residence of the Left Vice Minister

Leaving Qingshan Courtyard, the main gates of the Cui Manor drew closer and closer.

Cui Zilu's expression grew visibly more tense, and even her breathing became shallow.

Seeing Gu Chengyin from afar, the gatekeeper hurried forward with a bow. "Is the Marquis going out? Do you need a carriage prepared?"

Gu Chengyin nodded. "Please do."

The gatekeeper replied, "You are too polite, Marquis. I will arrange it for you immediately."

Just as he was about to turn around, he noticed the fresh-faced youth beside Gu Chengyin and could not help but ask in confusion, "And this is? How come I have never seen him before?"

Cui Zilu's body stiffened. Just as she was about to be discovered...

Gu Chengyin shifted a step sideways, blocking Cui Zilu from view, and said calmly, "She is my person. Do you really need to have seen her?"

The gatekeeper's face changed, and he quickly bowed to apologize. "I misspoke! Please punish me, Marquis!"

Gu Chengyin waved his hand and ordered, "Go prepare the carriage."

"Yes!" Seeing that Gu Chengyin was not going to pursue the matter, the gatekeeper breathed a sigh of relief and hurried off to get the carriage.

Soon, a carriage with blue curtains pulled up to the gate. The gatekeeper called out, "Marquis, the carriage is here."

Gu Chengyin motioned for Cui Zilu to board first, stepping up after her.

But before boarding, his gaze casually swept over the coachman.

The man's bamboo hat was pulled low, obscuring his face.

However, his broad shoulders, the calluses on the webbing of his hands, and his restrained aura...

All of it declared one thing.

This was a martial arts master.

Gu Chengyin smiled faintly in his heart. The Cui family truly lived up to its reputation as a great noble clan; he had found the right protective charm.

He spoke politely to the coachman, "Excuse me, to the residence of the Left Vice Minister of Revenue."

The coachman gave a slight nod, his voice deep and thick. "You are too polite, Marquis."

...

The vermilion gates of the Left Vice Minister of Revenue's residence were shut tight. The stone lions stood solemnly in front, but they lacked their former majesty, instead enveloped in a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

Several Golden Feather Guards clad in golden armor stood with cold expressions, hands resting on their sabers, completely sealing off the exterior of the estate so that not even a drop of water could leak through.

The gleaming blades and chilling gazes cut off any prying eyes.

On the street in front of the residence, quite a few bold commoners had already gathered, standing on their tiptoes and whispering to one another.

They attempted to catch even the slightest glimpse of a wealthy family's downfall through the tightly closed gates and towering walls.

A buzzing of low murmurs filled the air as speculations, gasps, sighs, and even a hidden sense of schadenfreude quietly spread through the crowd.

When Gu Chengyin and Cui Zilu stepped down from the carriage, this was the scene that greeted them.

"Marquis Gu, please come inside."

A sharp-eyed servant who had been waiting just inside the gate hurried forward, bowing to lead the way. "Lord Wang and Head Catcher Zhu Qi are already waiting in the main hall."

Cui Zilu followed closely, half a step behind Gu Chengyin, trying hard to maintain the steady gait expected of a bodyguard.

But her racing heartbeat and involuntarily clenched fists still betrayed her inner tension and excitement.

Passing the spirit screen and winding through the corridors, the interior of the residence gradually revealed itself.

The courtyard was deep and the flora remained unchanged, but the passing servants all had ashen faces.

They hurried about, not daring to speak loudly, and an invisible sorrow and panic permeated the air.

Occasional muffled sobs drifted faintly from the backyard, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

They soon arrived at the main hall. Its furnishings were elegant, but at this moment, it felt empty and desolate.

Two men were standing in the hall. Hearing the footsteps, they turned to look.

One of them was about forty years old, lean and formidable, with dark skin and piercing eyes. He wore the black official uniform typical of a Ministry of Justice head catcher, an iron ruler hanging at his waist, and he exuded an aura of sharp efficiency.

Seeing Gu Chengyin, a polite smile appeared on his face. He took a few steps forward and cupped his fists in greeting:

"Marquis Gu, I have long looked forward to meeting you! I am Zhu Qi, Head Catcher of the Ministry of Justice. Under the orders of the Minister, I am specifically assigned to assist in investigating this case."

His tone was hearty, but his sharp gaze swept over Gu Chengyin and then over Cui Zilu behind him, who was clearly showing signs of curiosity and nervousness.

After introducing himself, Zhu Qi turned sideways and pointed to the other official beside him.

This man was about thirty years old, with a lean and clear face. He wore the green official robes of a Censorate Imperial Censor, and his elegant demeanor carried a stern authority that commanded respect without anger.

"Marquis Gu, this is Imperial Censor Wang Gangfeng of the Censorate."

Facing Gu Chengyin, Wang Gangfeng merely gave a slight bow with cupped hands, his expression indifferent. "Marquis Gu, an honor."

His manners were flawless, yet they revealed a sense of detachment and scrutiny.

The Censorate supervised all officials, so they naturally harbored a degree of suspicion and observation toward any bureaucrat.

Gu Chengyin politely returned the greeting. "Head Catcher Zhu Qi, Lord Wang, you have both worked hard. The situation is urgent, so let us skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point. What do you say?"

Zhu Qi nodded. "The Marquis is straightforward. That is excellent."

His gaze fell upon Cui Zilu once more, carrying a professional inquisitiveness. "Marquis, may I ask who this young brother is...?"

Gu Chengyin's smile remained unchanged. He naturally stepped aside, revealing Cui Zilu to them. "This is my personal bodyguard. Lately, it has been an eventful autumn. For my own safety, I have brought him along. You two lords do not mind, do you?"

Zhu Qi suddenly understood. There had been many rumors in the Divine Capital recently, and he had heard quite a few things about Gu Chengyin.

He cupped his fists and said, "You are too serious, Marquis. With your esteemed status, safety must naturally come first."

Beside him, Wang Gangfeng glanced at Cui Zilu and said indifferently, "Investigating the case is what matters."

His attitude was clear: as long as it did not interfere with official business, he would not dwell on such trivial details.

Cui Zilu stood closely behind and slightly to the side of Gu Chengyin. Feeling the scrutinizing gazes of the two officials, her palms began to sweat slightly.

She tried hard to straighten her back and purse her lips to make herself look calmer, but her heart was beating like a drum. "Heavens, is this the scene of a major case?"

"That Head Catcher Zhu Qi looks so fierce, and Lord Wang feels so stern."

"Brother Chengyin is amazing! He does not have stage fright at all when facing these scary people!"

The three men took their seats in the main hall. Cui Zilu did not sit down, but stood respectfully behind Gu Chengyin, playing the role of a personal bodyguard well.

She held her breath and concentrated, ears pricked up, unwilling to miss a single word.

As the first official to arrive at the scene, Zhu Qi coughed lightly and spoke first, his expression turning serious:

"Marquis Gu, Lord Wang, in my humble opinion, since we have been ordered by imperial decree to investigate this case, we should first clarify the primary and secondary roles and establish a person in charge."

"Otherwise, if everyone holds their own opinions and disagrees, not only will it be unhelpful in solving the case, but it may also delay the opportunity. What do you two lords think?"

Gu Chengyin and Wang Gangfeng nodded simultaneously, waiting for him to continue.

A smile appeared on Zhu Qi's face. His gaze fixed on Gu Chengyin as he cupped his fists and said, "I am a rough man, so I will speak plainly."

"Lord Wang is an official of the Censorate, noble and upright, and I am merely a humble head catcher who would not dare overstep."

"Marquis Gu, you are a Director of the Imperial Household Department and the Marquis Bingjian personally conferred by His Highness. Your status is precious and your position esteemed."

"The way I see it, this case should be led by Marquis Gu. Lord Wang and I will assist from the side, checking for omissions and filling in the gaps."

"Only in this way can our commands be unified, yielding twice the result with half the effort. Lord Wang, what do you think?"