The Return of Chen the Non-Killer

"Moreover, he specifically mentioned the Ministry of Rites, but didn't make it clear who it was. This doesn't feel like a dying man trying to drag someone down with him for revenge. It feels more like he was completing a task, like he had to add that sentence."

"And then there's what Grandpa Coroner said," Cui Zilu recalled. "He said the corpse was too standard. The strangulation mark and livor mortis were as standard as textbook illustrations."

"Even someone as experienced as Grandpa Coroner thought it was too clean. Isn't that in itself a bit suspicious?"

"Lastly."

Cui Zilu's voice lowered, carrying a trace of insight she herself might not have noticed: "It's the time. The beginning of the Chen hour, so early."

"A high-ranking official wouldn't finish his affairs so early and then decide to commit suicide, right?"

"If he did commit suicide, could this time point be a response to something? Or to stop something?"

She looked up, her clear eyes reflecting Gu Chengyin's thoughtful face:

"So, Brother Chengyin, I think Xiao Michang really did step onto the chair and put the rope around his own neck."

"But what allowed him to complete all this so calmly and perfectly wasn't a simple fear of punishment, but something heavier, something he couldn't resist."

"Maybe it was a threat, maybe a deal, or maybe despair so deep that even struggling felt futile?"

"He used his own death to complete a certain task, in exchange for something he cared about more."

The carriage fell silent, with only the rhythmic sound of the wheels.

After speaking, Cui Zilu looked at Gu Chengyin nervously, wondering if her rambling would be approved by him.

Gu Chengyin remained silent, his gaze profound.

He really hadn't expected that Cui Zilu, relying on intuitive feelings and a perspective untainted by bureaucratic thinking.

Could sort out so many key suspicious points, even touching upon the truth.

"Sister Zilu."

After a long while, Gu Chengyin slowly spoke, his tone carrying undisguised admiration:

"You observed very carefully, and your train of thought is very logical. You didn't get bogged down by surface appearances, but saw the essence behind the behavior. This is very rare."

Receiving Gu Chengyin's affirmation, Cui Zilu's heart was instantly filled with immense joy, her eyes curving into crescents.

A bright smile bloomed on her face, sweeping away her previous apprehension.

At this moment, a squad of heavily armed Golden Feather Guards intercepted the green-curtained carriage.

Gu Chengyin's gaze swept over the guards blocking the carriage, and at a glance, he saw a familiar figure.

Chen Busha was standing by the gate of the Crown Prince's Palace with his hand on his saber, directing the garrison's deployment.

He was still wearing crisp silver armor, his back straight as a pine, only the sharp murderous aura between his brows had lessened, replaced by a bit more steadiness and competence.

"General Chen?" Gu Chengyin called out.

Hearing the voice, Chen Busha turned his head. Seeing Gu Chengyin inside the carriage, he was clearly taken aback for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face.

He took a large stride forward, clasped his fists, and said loudly, "So it's Marquis Gu! Forgive my lack of manners!"

He then waved at the guards blocking the carriage: "Let them pass!"

"Wait."

Gu Chengyin said, signaling Cui Zilu to follow, and nimbly stepped down from the carriage.

Walking up to Chen Busha, he also clasped his fists in return and smiled, "General Chen, it's been a few days. I've missed you."

"There's no need to be so polite between us. Just call me Chengyin."

Hearing this, Chen Busha waved his hands repeatedly, his expression serious: "That won't do! Marquis Gu, business is business."

"Whether in Luoshui Commandery or after returning to the Divine Capital, your ability and sense of responsibility have been seen by me and my brothers. We are utterly convinced! We cannot mess up these rules of etiquette."

Seeing his firm attitude, Gu Chengyin didn't force it, only smiling: "You flatter me, General Chen."

He then turned and gave an instruction to the Cui family coachman driving the carriage, signaling Cui Zilu to keep up.

Walking shoulder to shoulder with Chen Busha, they headed into the Crown Prince's Palace.

Cui Zilu followed closely behind Gu Chengyin, trying hard to maintain the steady posture expected of a personal bodyguard.

However, her heart was full of curiosity about this majestic and mysterious Crown Prince's Palace, and her eyes couldn't help but secretly observe the surroundings.

The towering palace walls, the forest of armored soldiers, the solemn architecture... everything was completely different from the Cui Manor she was familiar with, making her both nervous and excited.

As they walked, Gu Chengyin asked, "General Chen, what is the situation on your side now?"

Hearing this, Chen Busha revealed a wry smile, speaking as he walked:

"To tell you the truth, Marquis Gu, when I first returned to the Divine Capital, I was also completely confused."

"I had just returned to the camp and hadn't even reported back yet, when a transfer order invited me and my troops to temporarily station at a certain campsite, which was practically an imprisonment."

"At the time, I wanted to contact His Highness, but the security was strict, completely isolating the inside from the outside. No news could be sent out at all."

He shook his head, still looking a bit shaken.

"Later, it was Commander Xue who returned from the palace and personally lifted the confinement order, allowing me and my boys to return to the main camp and resume normal drills."

Speaking up to here, Chen Busha's tone turned emotional: "It was also then that I vaguely heard this was actually His Majesty's test for His Highness."

"Fortunately, His Highness strategized well, and you, Marquis Gu, turned the tide. That's why we got through it without any real danger." The admiration in Chen Busha's eyes as he looked at Gu Chengyin grew even stronger.

Gu Chengyin nodded slightly, not surprised by this.

Chen Busha continued, "It was peaceful for two days, and just earlier today, His Highness personally visited the Golden Feather Guard camp and talked with Commander Xue in the command tent for nearly half an hour."

"After that, Commander Xue ordered me to gather reliable men from my unit and follow His Highness back to the Crown Prince's Palace to completely take over the palace guards."

"I'm busy arranging the guard posts right now. I just finished setting up this main gate when I happened to run into you returning, Marquis Gu."

At this point, Chen Busha's gaze swept over the overly handsome little young man behind him, and he lowered his voice to ask:

"Marquis Gu, are you... returning in a Cui family carriage?"

Gu Chengyin also lowered his voice: "It's a long story. The current situation isn't looking good, and we are already short on guards. I was ordered by His Highness to run errands outside, so..."

Although Chen Busha was brave and loyal, it didn't mean he wasn't shrewd. Those without brains would have died on the battlefield long ago.

So, with just a few words from Gu Chengyin, he had already grasped the deeper meaning.

A glint flashed in his eyes, and his gaze toward Gu Chengyin held not only respect but also a bit more admiration and awe.

"Marquis Gu's move of borrowing strength to strike is truly masterful. I am in awe!"

Cui Zilu, following behind, did not hear their hushed conversation.

She only saw that the awe-inspiring general was very respectful to Brother Chengyin, which made her admiration for Gu Chengyin grow even more.

As they spoke, the three had passed through several palace gates and corridors, arriving in front of the Wenli Hall.

There were also Golden Feather Guards standing solemnly outside the hall. Seeing Chen Busha and Gu Chengyin, they all saluted silently.

Gu Chengyin stopped at the bottom of the steps in front of the hall. He didn't go straight in, but instead said to Chen Busha:

"I must trouble General Chen to announce my arrival to His Highness."