Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 830 - 666: Arriving Safely

The autumn air was crisp and refreshing. As a gust of autumn wind brushed past the treetops, golden leaves from the trees twirled down like dancing butterflies.

The carriage wheels rolled over the thick layer of fallen leaves on the ground, stirring up golden flakes.

"Sigh!" A soft sigh came from inside the carriage, making Ming Mo, who was driving at the front, curl his lips into a smile.

Truly, it’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury to frugality!

Gu Chengyu had been sitting in the carriage all night and felt like his body was about to fall apart.

Previously, he often took carriages back and forth between Jingyuan Prefecture and Shangling Village, and he never felt it was so exhausting.

He stretched lazily, parted the curtains, and looked at the scenery along the way.

"Sir! Shall we take a break and have some food?" Asked Ming Yan from inside the carriage, noticing Gu Chengyu looking a bit weary.

Gu Chengyu immediately nodded, "Good idea! It’s also a chance for Ming Mo to rest a bit."

"Ming Mo, park under that tree! There are no eateries or tea stalls here, so we’ll have to make do while traveling."

Ming Mo acknowledged and drove the carriage towards a large tree ahead.

"Sir! Mr. Gu’s carriage has stopped ahead, what do you think?" A follower shouted towards the inside of the carriage while driving.

Lu Chen massaged his temples, "They’ve stopped, so we’ll have to wait too."

Lu Chen felt quite helpless; Gu Chengyu had sent him a letter yesterday, insisting they depart at night.

Despite his dissatisfaction, he could understand. Even if the Emperor had sealed off information, there would inevitably be leaks, right?

Leaving earlier could also help avoid unnecessary troubles.

But they had been traveling by carriage all night, and how far had they gotten?

Lu Chen looked back at the road they had come and found, to his dismay, that at this rate, by the time they reached Hejian Prefecture, it would be too late.

"Assistant Gu, we left last night, and we’ve only covered this much distance. At this speed, when will we ever reach Hejian Prefecture?"

After the follower stopped the carriage, Lu Chen jumped down from it.

He saw that Ming Mo had already laid a thick plush blanket on the ground with plenty of food placed on it. Next to it was a small clay stove emitting steam, making the corner of his mouth twitch.

Are they here for an autumn outing or to seize a treasure map?

Gu Chengyu rolled his eyes. Previously, when not seeking position, Lu Chen would flattering call him "Jinyu" as if they were close.

But now, having served just a short while as a Commander, he smoothly addressed him by his official title.

"Lord Lu, we’re traveling day and night, and you still think it’s slow? Ming Mo and the others can’t handle it, and traveling at night is dangerous."

Gu Chengyu was not in a hurry; going too early would mean the whereabouts of the treasure map was still unclear, and he’d have to spend time gathering information?

Naturally, it was better to wait until the conflicts reached their peak, then intervene to save time and effort.

Lu Chen took a deep breath, "We’re on an important mission this time, but Mr. Gu isn’t in any hurry."

He sighed and sat next to Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu smiled faintly, "Does urgency help? I understand your eagerness to achieve merit, but rushing in blindly could make us sheep among wolves."

Those people haven’t even acted yet! If we rush in now, isn’t that just what cannon fodder would do?

Lu Chen was taken aback, reflected for a moment, and then calmed down.

This was his first important task, so naturally, he wanted to prove himself and was anxious about messing it up.

But now, with Gu Chengyu’s reminder, he understood that rushing would not work.

Seeing that Lu Chen had figured it out and was no longer urging, Gu Chengyu did not press further.

He knew Lu Chen’s impatience caused him to lose composure, but who was Lu Chen? He just needed a hint.

Yet, was there another plan behind Lu Chen’s eagerness to reach Hejian Prefecture?

Hopefully, Lu Chen wouldn’t drag him down this time; otherwise, Gu Chengyu wouldn’t be polite.

Seeing Lu Chen sipping hot soup, Gu Chengyu noticed that Lu Chen had regained his usual composure, as if the anxious person earlier wasn’t him.

...

"Young Master, ahead is Hejian Prefecture!" Ming Yan, looking at the long line of people entering the city, also breathed a sigh of relief.

Although traveling from the Capital to Hejian Prefecture, riding fast day and night might take less than three days.

But over this three-day journey, Gu Chengyu and his group had taken seven days.

Dutifully lining up at the city gate, they had a smooth journey without any incidents.

Gu Chengyu thought even if Prince Jing knew he had arrived in Hejian Prefecture, he couldn’t act so quickly.

After all, Lu Chen participated too; he was sent by the Emperor to protect and monitor him. If Prince Jing wanted to deal with him, he’d have to act against Lu Chen first.

With Lu Chen present, it was unlikely for Prince Jing to ambush them on the road.

To conceal his identity, Ming Mo and the rest continued to address Gu Chengyu as "Young Master."

Watching the slow progress of the crowd entering the city, Gu Chengyu was contemplating how to shake off Lu Chen.

Without knowing the specifics of the treasure map, though he had sent people to inquire about Hejian Prefecture’s three major aristocratic families.

Previously in Hejian Prefecture, he had people gathering information, though resources were limited; was there anything from Guo Moruo that he could use?

If Lu Chen stuck with him and Guo Moruo’s group was discovered, wouldn’t they be exposed?

After all, the Guo Family was meant to be wiped out, and Guo Moruo and her two brothers shouldn’t have survived. Lu Chen discovering them would implicate him.

Moreover, Prince Jing sought to recruit him; knowing this, he might leverage the Guo siblings’ lives against him.

"Let’s find an inn to settle in first." Once in the city, Lu Chen boarded Gu Chengyu’s carriage.

Gu Chengyu shook his head, "An inn isn’t very convenient and attracts attention. Let’s rent a small courtyard to settle down temporarily."

Inns were crowded, requiring careful attention to belongings, and entering or leaving posed risks. A secluded courtyard offered more convenience.

Lu Chen nodded in agreement, "Alright, have your followers rent a courtyard, since we’ll be staying for a while."

Lu Chen picked up a teacup from the table and took a sip, to which Gu Chengyu frowned slightly.

This Second Young Master Lu had little regard for propriety; the cup was clearly his.

Gu Chengyu resolved to discard the cup later.

The night was not full moon; a crescent moon cast faint light across the sky.

Two shadows flitted over the rooftop, their faint outlines visible only by the moon’s faint glow.

The shadow at the forefront made a leap, crossing over a rooftop with ease.

Arriving at a quiet village, the shadow stopped before a two-courtyard house.

Gu Chengyu gestured to Ming Mo, signaling for him to knock on the door.