Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 249 is quite the troublemaker.

Gu Qingyue put on a stern face, feigning modesty, and asked, "Any more news?"

"Yes, the acting prefect of Lizhou Prefecture has already arranged for people to thoroughly investigate the Qin family's affairs, especially the matter of smuggled salt. Prefect Li, Master Wang, the Qin family's steward, and the second master of the Qin family are all important suspects and are currently detained in the prefectural jail. It is said that they may be transferred to the capital soon. The matter of the Qin family and Prefect Li can be considered resolved..."

Gu Yuanen recounted in detail everything that had happened at the Lizhou government office that day. His sister had gone through so much trouble; there had to be some kind of result.

"That's good. Sigh! I didn't want to get involved with that brother and sister, but they brought this on themselves, so there's nothing I can do."

Gu Qingyue shrugged exaggeratedly.

She originally intended to go to the Qin family to teach the brother and sister a lesson as a small punishment.

Who knew that this would lead to the complete annihilation of the Qin family and chaos in Lizhou City!

Even the prefect has been brought down!

She didn't mean it!

Gu Yuanen watched Gu Qingyue's exaggerated performance quietly, a helpless feeling of doting affection welling up from the bottom of his heart.

"Don't worry, the Seventh Prince left a message for Mu Dong: he will take care of the Qin family's affairs and won't involve you. So don't worry about it."

Gu Yuanen couldn't help but pat his sister's head again. She was so cute!

Although they're good at causing trouble, so what?

They all covered for her!

"Oh, right, a man named Qian Jingxuan came to the Gu residence to see you at noon today," Gu Yuanen suddenly remembered this.

"Qian Jingxuan? The one from Zhuli Pavilion?" Gu Qingyue was surprised. They hadn't had any contact with Qian Jingxuan since their last collaboration.

“Yes, Sister Rong said she came to the Gu residence two or three times to visit you, but you were never there,” Gu Yuanen added.

Gu Qingyue rubbed her forehead.

She seemed to have been busy ever since her last trip into the mountains to collect herbs, and she went to Nanchong Pass and Qihe Town, so she really didn't have time to see Qian Jingxuan.

"Then I'll see him again when I have time," Gu Qingyue shrugged, there was nothing she could do.

"It's nothing much. I heard from Mu Dong that it was thanks to Qian Jingxuan that Prefect Li's escape was discovered today," Gu Yuanen said with a cunning smile.

"How to say?"

Gu Qingyue became interested.

"He had been keeping an eye on the prefectural government office. As soon as he discovered that Prefect Li was trying to escape, he informed Madam Li and Miss Li, which led to Prefect Li's downfall."

That's it!

It seems that Prefect Li was also involved in Qian Jingxuan's tragedy!

She will definitely visit Qian Jingxuan when she has time; he's a man with a story!

Turning around, Gu Qingyue sat down at the tea table, poured Gu Yuanen a cup of tea, and gestured for him to sit down as well.

Tonight is the first day of the Lunar New Year, let's have a good get-together.

Suddenly remembering what Gu Yuanen had just mentioned about Mu Yun Chu's words, Gu Qingyue awkwardly adjusted her hair, feeling a little guilty.

Mu Yun Chu knows all about this, right? Won't she laugh at her for being restless?

"Is there any good news?" Gu Qingyue asked, remembering that her fourth brother had said one good news and one bad news.

"Isn't the arrest of Prefect Li good news?"

Gu Yuanen chuckled and tapped her head.

He continued, "Also, I reckon the family has received Third Brother's letter. I think Mother will be very happy." Gu Yuanen raised his hand, took a sip of tea, and stared intently at Gu Qingyue's face.

"Fourth Brother, what are you trying to say?"

Gu Yuanen pursed his lips and asked, "After the Lantern Festival, would you like to come back to the capital with me?"

"Return to the capital?" Gu Qingyue had never thought about this before.

The main reason is that she has already planned a lot of things that will be implemented after the New Year.

It won't do without my supervision.

Furthermore, she wanted to stay with Mu Yun Chu to go to the cities of Nanzhao to see the excitement of the Heavenly Sacrifice, since she already possessed two tokens!

If those who want to participate in the Heavenly Sacrifice knew that Gu Qingyue actually had two tokens, they would probably be so angry they'd vomit blood!

Even a single token is incredibly hard to come by!

Seeing Gu Qingyue frowning in thought, Gu Yuanen did not disturb her.

"I'll be very busy after the New Year, can you wait a bit?"

Gu Qingyue looked into Gu Yuanen's eyes with a solemn expression.

"Besides, is it appropriate for me to appear in the capital directly? Shouldn't I discuss it with my grandfather and mother first?"

Gu Qingyue knew that although Gu Yuanming had written a letter informing the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion of her existence, the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion's current attitude was still uncertain.

What if they refuse to acknowledge me for the sake of their family's reputation?

Or rather, can't one openly and honestly acknowledge oneself?

"Alright, let's wait and see what the reply from home says, and see how Grandfather and the others arrange things."

Gu Yuanen firmly believed that his family would take his sister back as soon as possible.

But he wasn't sure how or when.

"Hmm, are you going back after the New Year?"

“I won’t go back for now. I’ll go home with you,” Gu Yuanen shook his head, his tone firm.

Family?

Gu Qingyue silently traced the word carefully in her mind several times.

She found herself as if in a past life, ever since her grandfather's death, that word had been an obsession she had been seeking but could never obtain.

Although she wasn't the original owner of this body, she still longed for a place like home.

It wasn't because of its wealth or status, but simply because there were people there, whom she considered family, waiting for her.

"Okay," Gu Qingyue replied softly. Gu Yuanen smiled indulgently and gently, a huge weight lifted from his heart.

He was actually very afraid that his younger sister would harbor resentment towards his grandfather and mother because of the hardships she had endured over the years, and that she would directly refuse his request to return home.

Fortunately, although my younger sister suffered a lot, she is ultimately kind and gentle.

He suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and apology.

The people he and his fourth brother sent to Mingzhi County are coming back soon; hopefully, the news they bring back won't anger them too much.

No matter how lively, warm, and joyful the New Year is in Lizhou City, or how much people expect and yearn for the coming year, it will not affect the tense atmosphere that is playing out in the camp far away outside Nanchong Pass.

"Seventh Prince, General Gu says the banquet is about to begin and requests your presence."

Gu Chao bowed outside the tent.

"Okay, I understand," Mu Yun Chu stood up, flicked her black robe with silver trim and four claws, and her wide sleeves and graceful demeanor made her look like a jade.

He indifferently lifted the tent flap and walked towards the main tent.

Mu Nan quickly followed.

As the curtain of the main tent was lifted, a warm fragrance wafted out. Mu Yun Chu frowned almost imperceptibly and stepped inside.

"Welcome the Seventh Prince."

"Welcome the Seventh Prince."

"Your Highness."

······

Although Mu Yun Chu had been leading troops in the field for many years, he was no stranger to such occasions.

During his more than ten years in Beijing, he attended almost every kind of gathering, big or small.

What I saw before me were nothing more than faces with forced smiles, insincere words, and a deliberately constructed facade of harmony.

The same applies to what is now in sight.

The only thing that made him feel slightly different was a pair of hawk-like eyes that followed him like a shadow. Although they were malicious, sinister, and perverse, they were genuine.

Yue Zhiqi wished he could kill himself!

Of course, he did try, but he didn't succeed.