Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 833 - 669: Exposed Movements

Gu Chengyu had people in the shadows monitoring, and he didn’t want Lu Chen to know that he had subordinates gathering information in Hejian Prefecture.

Ding Ba had just slipped out through the open window at the back when Lu Chen’s voice sounded outside.

"Jinyu!" Lu Chen stood outside the door, and it was only after Ming Mo came out to invite him that he entered the room.

"Didn’t you rest well yesterday?" Lu Chen’s probing gaze swept over Gu Chengyu once, seeing that his complexion was as usual, he nevertheless asked.

He examined Gu Chengyu’s attire, noticing that he had changed into a sapphire blue round-collared robe, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"I don’t sleep well in strange places," Gu Chengyu said casually.

"Oh? I slept quite soundly last night," Lu Chen found a chair and sat down, glancing at Gu Chengyu as if inadvertently.

Gu Chengyu nodded, "Then Lord Lu doesn’t have that problem!"

"Where do you plan to start? Have you found out who has the treasure map?" Lu Chen saw that Gu Chengyu’s expression was natural and had to put down his suspicions.

"Didn’t the Emperor assign you quite a few people? Those people should have arrived in Hejian Prefecture before us. As for who has the treasure map, isn’t Lord Lu more informed than I am?"

Ming Yan placed the breakfast on the table, and Gu Chengyu had already finished washing up!

"I’ve just arrived in Hejian Prefecture, haven’t had time to ask. However, the Emperor has entrusted you with this important task, I’m only here to ensure your safety. As for those brain-busting matters, don’t count on me."

Lu Chen shrugged, asked Ming Yan to serve him a bowl of millet porridge, and tasted the crystal shrimp dumplings on the table.

Lu Chen’s shamelessness was something Gu Chengyu had already experienced on the road.

Ming Yan expected this, so the breakfast portions were prepared for two.

"Lord Lu, you’re mistaken. The Emperor praised you highly in front of me; don’t be modest. You know I have shallow roots. If you don’t gather information, I really wouldn’t know what to do."

Gu Chengyu glanced at Lu Chen; he didn’t believe Lu Chen was ignorant of the situation in Hejian Prefecture.

Before coming, Lu Chen must have gathered the information.

"Lord Lu, we are in the same boat now. If you get any information, don’t keep it to yourself. Otherwise, if I don’t get the treasure map, we’ll both be in trouble."

Gu Chengyu feared that Lu Chen might try to sabotage him secretly; this mission could not afford failure.

Otherwise, not only would his promotion be in jeopardy, but he would also have to bear the wrath of the Emperor.

"I know that, Jinyu is still not assured of me? While traveling, it’s better for you to call me by my courtesy name, or else just call me Second Brother Lu!"

Lu Chen smiled faintly, sounding very sincere.

However, he still doubted if Gu Chengyu’s words were genuine. Could Gu Chengyu really be unaware of the situation in Hejian Prefecture? That’s unlikely, right?

"Second Brother Lu!" Gu Chengyu didn’t refuse and called him smoothly.

"My lord! Lord Lu’s followers are seeking an audience outside!" Ming Mo, who was guarding outside, came in to report.

Lu Chen wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, "See, here they come?"

In the Capital, inside Prince Jing Mansion.

"Your Highness! Lord Lu and Mr. Gu have already arrived in Hejian Prefecture."

Prince Jing put down the jade flute in his hand, frowning as he fell into thought.

He had hidden guards in Marquis Zhan’s Mansion, and when Lu Chen departed overnight seven days ago, he received the news just as Lu Chen left the mansion doors.

Prince Jing knew Lu Chen didn’t plan to conceal his whereabouts; otherwise, the hidden guards of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion wouldn’t be enough to track him.

He increasingly couldn’t understand Lu Chen. Could it be that Lu Chen genuinely cared about their relationship that he specifically tipped him off?

Prince Jing shook his head, not believing it. But regardless of Lu Chen’s intentions, it was a fact that he received the news.

He didn’t expect the Emperor would send Gu Chengyu to investigate in Hejian Prefecture; it seemed the Emperor held Gu Chengyu in high regard.

Prince Jing always felt regret for not being able to recruit Gu Chengyu.

He was pondering whether to release the news. Although he admired someone as talented as Gu Chengyu, compared to the kingdom and its foundation, such a talent seemed insignificant.

The Emperor had already been informed about the treasure; should he intervene or not, he felt uncertain at this moment.

Continuing to approach it like before, hoping for a scenario where the clam and the cicada fight and he reaps the benefits, would not work anymore.

He knew Gu Chengyu’s capability. If he continued waiting like this, the one who would ultimately benefit would only be Gu Chengyu.

In that case, it would be better to muddy the waters a bit, letting Gu Chengyu deal with those troublesome adversaries.

"Someone! Let the hidden guards in Hejian Prefecture release the information that the imperial envoy sent by the Emperor has already arrived in Hejian Prefecture."

...

"So, does that mean half of the treasure map is in Yi Mansion?" Gu Chengyu asked, feigning surprise.

"Correct! What do you plan to do?" Lu Chen looked at Gu Chengyu, eager to hear his plan.

"No rush. The other forces are still observing. Why should we act prematurely?"

Gu Chengyu shook his head, what he cared about now was where the other half of the treasure map was.

Lu Chen had quite a few subordinates, and the information they gathered was more complete than his own. Gu Chengyu thought of last night’s events and decided to have someone to properly monitor Lu Chen.

"Second Brother Lu, hurry up and find out where the other half of the treasure map is! If it’s still in Hejian Prefecture, we can figure out a way. But if it’s outside, with the world being so vast, we’re likely to return empty-handed."

Lu Chen wholeheartedly agreed, having only one half was certainly not enough.

For the past two days, Gu Chengyu stayed within the courtyard, practicing calligraphy and painting.

Lu Chen also altered his previous urgency, even taking the time to appreciate Gu Chengyu’s calligraphy and paintings.

"My lord! Someone from Yan Mansion has sent an invitation." Just as Gu Chengyu was leisurely painting, Ming Mo appeared in the small study with a serious face.

Gu Chengyu was stunned upon hearing this, setting down his brush and taking the invitation from Ming Mo.

Before reading the invitation, he specifically glanced at Lu Chen.

"Yan Mansion? It seems our movements have been exposed." Lu Chen’s face also darkened, and when he looked up, he saw Gu Chengyu’s usually nonchalant eyes fixing on him with a hint of a smile.

Those deep pupils seemed ready to see through him.

Lu Chen suddenly felt uncomfortable, strangely uneasy.

"We’ve just arrived in Hejian Prefecture and haven’t done anything yet! Unexpectedly, these people have already received the news. Truly, they have incredible abilities."

Gu Chengyu looked at the invitation briefly, then tossed it aside.

Since their movements were exposed, Gu Chengyu was naturally displeased. It couldn’t have been from his end, so the only possibility was Lu Chen.

Lu Chen was on good terms with Prince Jing; it could well have been Prince Jing who leaked their visit to Hejian Prefecture.