Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 777 - 613 Ambush

The little child was so scared that he cried loudly, and was led by his wife back to the servants’ quarters.

At the time, he thought it was a servant disciplining his own child and didn’t take it to heart. But now, thinking back, wasn’t that child about the same age as Xiao Yao?

"Oh no! That child..." He rolled out of bed, threw clothes over himself, and rushed out the door.

Ming Yan didn’t stop him. Seeing the situation, he knew Ding Liu had missed something important. There was no time to lose; it was more urgent for Ding Liu to take care of the serious matter first.

He would definitely face a punishment when he returned, alas!

Gu Chengyu was contemplating in the room; there was another troublesome character in this matter, Hua Lian.

He couldn’t keep Hua Lian locked up forever, and he was in a bit of a quandary. If Hua Lian were to marry and those people found her, they would slander her, whether she was pure or not before marriage.

Once Hua Lian got married, the matter would become too complicated to explain. Even if her husband testified, he couldn’t withstand the power of public opinion. Furthermore, if enough people talked, her husband might start to doubt her too.

Moreover, her husband could be bribed, making that evidence unreliable.

But rescuing Hua Lian would always provide people with something to attack him with, can’t keep her locked up for her whole life, right?

Gu Chengyu wiped his face, was he really going to consider giving Hua Lian a new face?

The thought alone made Gu Chengyu laugh at himself. In this era, there is no surgery; how could he let his mind wander so much?

However, he thought he could delay for a few days. Once Xiao Yao’s matter was resolved, he would marry Hua Lian off far away! As far as possible, so they would not cross paths again.

He didn’t believe that in such a vast Dayan Dynasty, someone with ulterior motives would still be able to find Hua Lian.

Gu Chengyu put the issue of Hua Lian aside, unaware if he could find Xiao Yao.

Two hours later, Ming Yan came again to report.

"Sir! Ding Liu has come to report, saying Xiao Yao is no longer at that manor."

Ming Yan felt somewhat uneasy, knowing this time Ding Liu surely couldn’t escape punishment. Xiao Yao was originally at that manor; not only did they miss him, but they also startled the others involved.

It seemed that while Ding Liu and his people were investigating outside Prince Jing Mansion, the Prince Mansion had already gotten word of it.

Gu Chengyu remained silent for a while before putting down the book in his hand. According to Ming Mo’s meaning, Xiao Yao must have been at that manor.

"What happened, explain clearly!"

"Yes! The first time Ding Liu went to investigate, he saw a child about the same age as Xiao Yao in the yard. But at that time, there was a woman leading him, claiming to be the child’s mother, and the child did not object, so he didn’t think much of it."

"It was only later when I asked him that he remembered this incident. When he went back to check the manor, that child was no longer in that room. He tried to search the manor but got discovered and injured."

Ming Yan glanced at Gu Chengyu, noting his displeased expression.

"Is the injury serious?"

Gu Chengyu was indeed a bit angry; Prince Jing not only captured Xiao Yao but laid an ambush at the manor where his people were injured.

"Ding Liu is quite skilled, he wasn’t seriously injured, just got stabbed in the shoulder."

Ming Yan felt a wave of relief; thankfully, Ding Liu was skilled, otherwise, he might not have made it back.

Gu Chengyu suppressed the anger in his heart and asked, "How many people were there at the time?"

"It is said there were five, all top-notch experts."

Gu Chenyu sneered, "Hmph! Five people? They really were lenient; otherwise, with Ding Liu’s skills, he might not have made it back."

It’s not that Ding Liu’s skills were lacking; he’s one of the best among the Ding Generation, only second to Ming Mo and Ming Yan.

Ding Liu was also clever, leading the Ding Generation skillfully.

But for one person to fight against five experts simultaneously, if the opponents weren’t merciful, it wouldn’t have ended with just a stab wound.

"Let him rest well; the previous rewards remain." Gu Chengyu would never mistreat his people.

Even though Ding Liu made some errors this time, he still got injured, which counts as a lesson.

As for whether he can be entrusted with important tasks in the future, that will depend on his performance.

Ming Yan finally relaxed; he knew his master was generally magnanimous. But when ruthless, he didn’t hesitate at all.

Besides, this matter was no trivial affair; it was a confrontation within the officialdom. A single misstep could lead to unknown consequences for his master.

"Yes! Ding Liu is currently kneeling outside, pleading for forgiveness!"

Only now did Ming Yan dare to mention Ding Liu kneeling outside; he feared earlier it might anger the master further against Ding Liu.

"Tell him to withdraw all people from outside Prince Jing Mansion! Let him kneel for two hours as a lesson, urging him to be more careful and meticulous in the future. Not only detailed but also cherishing his life, avoiding reckless actions."

Ding Liu showed some sign of recognition, allowing Gu Chengyu to nod slightly. If properly instructed, he could be given important responsibilities.

There will be many future matters he can’t personally attend to; they must rely on Ding Liu and Li Zhuang. These people must be independent, as he does not wish to clean up their messes behind them.

"Yes!" Ming Yan breathed a sigh of relief. His master’s intent was clearly not to hold it against him; it seemed the master still had faith in Ding Liu.

"About Xiao Yao, what is your plan, Sir? Is it letting them off too easily by withdrawing everyone?"

Ming Yan knew the master didn’t intend to continue monitoring Prince Jing Mansion, but withdrawing now seemed like all previous efforts were in vain, leaving him feeling unsatisfied.

"We’ve been exposed; continuing to monitor Prince Jing Mansion is pointless. Don’t withdraw people from Gu Changbai’s place—consider it protection for his life!"

Gu Chengyu recalled his father’s previous instructions, considering it wasn’t too hard to send two people to protect Gu Changbai for his father’s sake.

As for Xiao Yao, he was merely an innocent child.

"Send someone to investigate the wheel tracks at that manor and see where they took Xiao Yao. Remember to act carefully; don’t provoke these people. If there’s difficulty, just return!"

Gu Chengyu had a hunch that Xiao Yao might have already been taken to Prince Jing Mansion.

Either to use him as leverage or to eliminate Xiao Yao to prevent leaving evidence.

As far as he knew Prince Jing, the former was more likely.

What hesitated him now was whether he should go to Prince Jing Mansion to rescue Xiao Yao.

Xiao Yao was innocent, caught up in unwarranted troubles. A mere child—he couldn’t be heartless.

But with the Crown Prince about to be established, mingling too closely with Prince Jing wouldn’t be wise.

During these times, the residences of these Princes were surely under heavy surveillance.

Being seen at Prince Jing Mansion could lead to assumptions of his close ties with Prince Jing, potentially labeling him as part of Prince Jing’s faction.

After some thought, he decided to furtively inspect Prince Jing Mansion at night.

He would do his best, and if he truly couldn’t save Xiao Yao, he would have done all he could.

Having made up his mind, Gu Chengyu told Ming Yan, "Send people to investigate as soon as possible, and report back to me immediately once they return."