Chapter 31: CH 31

Chapter 31: Suspect

“Will His Highness the Seventh Prince answer this minister’s daughter’s previously asked questions?” Seeing Yun Ke pursing his lips silently, Gu Yu Qi asked again cautiously.

Yun Ke gave her a deep look, “The guards have already gone to find your younger brother and younger sister.” After speaking, he straightened up, “As for the rest, you don’t need to know.”

Damn! Still keeping that damn appearance. Old habits really do die hard. Gu Yu Qi jumped off the chair and curtseyed to Yun Ke. Since Yun Ke had said this, she could not ask anything more.

“Thank you, Your Highness the Seventh Prince. This minister’s daughter will take her leave.” Gu Yu Qi bent her knees and said.

“Wait.” Yun Ke lowered his eyes slightly and looked down at Gu Yu Qi who just reached his chest, “How will you repay this prince for saving you twice?”

Gu Yu Qi halted, this person really haggled over every tiny thing.

She could not promise anything either. According to her reasoning, it was better to be as far away from this person as possible, but now due to various factors, she had to be in contact with him.

“How does Your Highness want to settle it?” She could only raise her eyes and ask.

“I haven’t thought of how yet.” Yun Ke raised his hand and took off a small filigree butterfly hairpin inlaid with garnet from Gu Yu Qi’s hair, “This prince will keep this item temporarily. When this prince thinks of how, he’ll come and ask you for it.”

“You give it back to me!” Gu Yu Qi was startled and reached out to take back her little hairpin. If others saw her own things in his hands, she did not know what kind of chaos would be caused.

Yun Ke had expected her to be like this. He stood up straight and held the hairpin up high. Gu Yu Qi was still short now so she could not reach it even if she jumped up. Yun Ke looked down at Gu Yu Qi who was jumping in front of him. There was a smile in the corner of his eyes that even he did not notice.

“Alright. If you continue to stay here, this prince will not have so much time to help you clear your name from whatever rumours come out in the future.” Yun Ke took two steps backwards and distanced himself from Gu Yu Qi. He put away the hairpin in his chest, then spoke to Gu Yu Qi with his hands behind his back.

Gu Yu Qi glared at Yun Ke. It was exactly as he said. She could not stay here any longer. Although everyone in the inn was now in their own room, it would be bad in case she was seen. She could only curtsey and leave.

After leaving Yun Ke’s room, Gu Yu Qi found Chun Xing but found that Chun Xing was staring in one direction in a daze.

“Sister Chun Xing?” Gu Yu Qi tugged at Chun Xing’s skirt, “What are you looking at?”

“Young Miss, there was a waiter just now.” Chun Xing pointed in the direction which she had been staring dazedly at.

“A waiter?” Gu Yu Qi was stunned. Then she nudged Chun Xing with her elbow and smiled, “Was he very handsome?”

“Young Miss, what are you talking about?” Chun Xing blushed when Gu Yu Qi said that. She glanced at the guard standing at the gate of the yard then she hurriedly pulled Gu Yu Qi to the side.

“Young Miss. I think the waiter knows martial arts.” Chun Xing whispered to Gu Yu Qi when she saw that there was no one around. “Look at his footprints. They’re shallower than those of the average guard, but his stature is a little taller than the average guard.”

“Ah?” Gu Yu Qi’s eyes flashed, “Sister Chun Xing, where did that person go?”

“He went to the stables in the back.” Chun Xing pointed in the direction where he had disappeared. “This servant wanted to follow him but was afraid that Young Miss would be anxious if she could not find this servant when she came out.”

Stables? Gu Si Yang likes horses, could it be… Before, she and Chun Xing had gone to the stables to find them but they had just asked the staff looking after the horses and had not gone in to see for themselves. The stables at this inn were very large because every year, they received distinguished guests from the capital. There were many good horses brought by the princes and nobles that had been raised like their own babies. The stables at this inn were no smaller than the stables in the palace when Yun Ke was the emperor.

There were only two streets in this town. Her father had turned the outside world upside down and could not find anyone. When the servant of the Marquis residence that had been abandoned in the dry well was rescued, Gu Yu Qi had been there and the layer of snow on him had not been thick. He must only have fainted for a short while. It had not been long so they could not have run too far. At this time, Yun Ke had already sent someone to look for them. It would be a bit strange if they could not find them.

“Oh.” Gu Yu Qi suddenly remembered something. She slapped her thigh violently then grabbed Chun Xing and ran towards the stables. 

“Young Miss, let’s not go there for the time being.” Chun Xing grabbed Gu Yu Qi’s hand and said anxiously, “If they really are a bad person, how can I explain it to Eldest Miss if something happens to Young Miss?”

“There aren’t too many of them,” Gu Yu Qi said to Chun Xing, “This inn welcomes princes and nobles every year. You’ve only met the innkeeper, but have you seen his family?” Gu Yu Qi said to Chun Xing.

“Have not noticed,” Chun Xing shook her head in confusion.

Gu Yu Qi had thought of something but she could not tell Chun Xing directly.

This inn was the owner’s ancestral home. When Gu Yu Qi came in her previous life, she had seen the owner’s son and daughter every time. They were very clever and were a few years older than Gu Yu Qi. According to their current age, they should already be helping out in the inn. Since Gu Yu Qi had been bored and idle in her previous life, she had chatted with the owner. The owner had once said that his son and daughter had run around since young.

Yet this time, Gu Yu Qi only saw the owner and did not see the two children. The owner looked worried. Although Gu Yu Qi had glanced before and thought it was strange, she had not taken it to heart. Now that she thought about it, something was off.

The yard where Yun Yi and Yun Ke were staying was where the owner’s family originally lived, but now it had been given to Yun Yi and Yun Ke to stay in. According to the previous live, the innkeeper’s family should be temporarily staying in the firewood shed.

The firewood shed was behind Yun Yi and Yun Ke’s yard and behind the firewood shed were the stables.

The depth of the inn was very long. The door faced southwards and including the stables, it was almost the length of half the street. The gate of the town god’s temple faced east and ran from east to west, right at the tail end of this street. Climbing over the backyard wall of the town god’s temple, one side led to the woods and on the other side, there was only one family living between it and the stables of the inn.

So Gu Yu Qi took Chun Xing to the small yard of the firewood shed. The patio of the small yard was full of firewood, stored full for the whole winter.

There were two mudbrick rooms bordering the small yard. The windows were newly pasted with window paper and the door panels had also been refurbished. Dim lights cast through the windows and it seemed a bit warm in the snowy night. The inn was now being completely patrolled by guards. The owner went back to the firewood shed to rest early. Gu Yu Qi and Chun Xing neared it only to hear a sigh coming from the room.

Gu Yu Qi motioned to Chun Xing to knock on the door, but when Chun Xing stepped forward and knocked, the door suddenly opened from inside. 

The innkeeper’s anxious face appeared in front of Gu Yu Qi and Chun Xing. 

When he saw a little girl in red and a girl dressed as a maid standing at the door, he was shocked and his eyes showed a bit of fear. His shoulders slumped but he immediately returned to his original state and greeted them, “How can I help this Young Miss?”

“Let’s speak inside,” Gu Yu Qi tugged at her jacket and said with a smile. Did she look so frightening? Why did the owner look like he had seen a ghost the moment he opened the door for the first time? It was likely he had not seen a ghost but there was something fishy going on. Gu Yu Qi remained silent and stepped into the room.

“Yes yes yes, please come in Young Miss.” The owner hesitated for a moment but then turned sideways to let them in.

Gu Yu Qi and Chun Xing walked in. The firewood shed was divided into two rooms, an inner room and an outer room. It had been cleaned up and there was some firewood piled up in this outer room, neatly lined up by the wall. The fire burned in the house and it was warm. There was also a small square table for four people in the middle equipped with chairs and it had been wiped clean.

Gu Yu Qi did not bother being courteous to the owner. She flung open the curtain directly and went to the back room. Inside, there was a heated brick bed built from loess. It was neatly covered with a blue and white cotton backed quilt and there were four pillows. When Gu Yu Qi saw them, she felt even more worried.

The owner had not expected Gu Yu Qi would go directly to the back room. He wanted to stop her but did not dare to. The inn was inhabited by dignitaries. He did not even dare to offend the servants of the other residences, let alone seeing Gu Yu Qi’s outfit and bearing being that of a young miss from a powerful family.

“Owner, you use four pillows by yourself?” Gu Yu Qi pointed at the pillows on the brick bed and laughed.

Chun Xing also felt it was a little strange now.

“The owner is so old, surely he’s not still alone?” Chun Xing asked, glancing sideways.

The owner’s face turned pale. Then he gave a slight smile and went to put the other pillows away, “These are for the other staff.”

“There are more than three workers in the owner’s inn right?” Gu Yu Qi said with a smile, “That’s right, where’s the owner’s wife? Where are Zhu’er and Da Shuan Zi?” The owner’s two children were probably called these names. In fact, Gu Yu Qi could not remember them well and just had a vague impression.

“They… they… went back with their mother to their mother’s home.” The owner’s face turned even paler and a trace of panic flashed across his eyes. Although it was only fleeting, it was captured by Chun Xing and Gu Yu Qi.

Chun Xing gave Gu Yu Qi a deep look. Then her expression changed and she made a short dagger appear like a juggler and quickly pointed it at the owner’s throat.

“Hurry up and tell the truth!” Chun Xing warned in a low voice, “Otherwise, I’ll take you to meet those officials living out front!”

If they had really followed their mother back to their mother’s home, why were the three pillows placed neatly on the brick bed? They were only living here temporarily and just waiting for everyone to leave this town the next day, then they could move back to their original living area. This owner stuttered when talking and fear and panic flashed in his eyes. Clearly something was up.

Gu Yu Qi gave Chun Xing a thumbs up and complimented her secretly. No wonder her mother brought her out. She really was smart.

***

Chun Xing also deliberately deceived the boss. If he was really innocent, then he would have nothing to deceive them about. However, if there was something fishy going on, his reaction would be different to an ordinary person’s.

Sure enough, when Chun Xing’s dagger pressed against his throat, the owner was instantly frightened and became a weak puddle, wishing he could collapse into the ground, “Great Lady have mercy!” He begged for mercy without hesitation, “Oh, no no no, it’s female hero have mercy, Young Miss have mercy.”

Gu Yu Qi watched coldly, but she could not help laughing when the owner shouted like that. In just a short moment, he had changed titles three times. She raised her foot and kicked the owner. She forcefully restrained her laughter and then feigned being mysterious, “Do you know who I am?”

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“This servant really does not know.” The owner hastily begged Gu Yu Qi for mercy again, “Please Young Miss tell that Elder Miss over there, this servant really does not know anything!”

Now it had changed to Elder Miss… Gu Yu Qi snorted coldly, “You really don’t know anything?” She also put on an act to the boss, “You should be more careful. The yard that you used to live in is being occupied by His Highnesses the Fifth Prince and Seventh Prince. You should believe that I will bring you to them and tell them all the dealings you have been doing behind their backs. At that time, not only will you not be able to save your wife and children, but you’ll be suffering from the pain of having your flesh and skin cut off.” Gu Yu Qi first spoke viciously, then pretended to think for a while and said, “I heard that His Highness the Seventh Prince has a talented person next to him that can read people’s thoughts. Your little lies won’t be able to do anything in front of him. If you tell the truth honestly now, then I might be able to help you. High Highness the Seventh Prince might not only spare you, but will also help you. Consider it yourself.”

Since Gu Yu Qi had entered and observed this small house, she had felt that her inference had been correct.

As soon as Gu Yu Qi finished speaking, the owner’s face was even more frighteningly pale and cold sweat oozed from his forehead. His whole body trembled involuntarily as if he had lost his soul and he looked completely dumbfounded.

“Hurry up and speak!” Chun Xing really admired her young miss at this moment. She fanned the flames from the side and the dagger drew blood on the man’s neck. The sting roused the owner who suddenly went from being dumbfounded to howling.

“Stop howling!” Gu Yu Qi frowned impatiently. She kicked the boss again and said in a low voice, “Are you trying to alert all those bad guys? Well, alert them then and when they come, see what good it will do you!”

When Gu Yu Qi said this, the owner was frightened into silence, “Young Miss, I beg you, save my family, this servant did not want to!” He cried in a low voice. 

An opening! Gu Yu Qi and Chun Xing glanced at each other, then Gu Yu Qi said slowly, “If you tell the truth, I’ll find a way to save your family.”

The owner looked at Gu Yu Qi suspiciously and Gu Yu Qi raised her eyebrows, “Don’t believe it? Well then, I’ll hand you over to His Highnesses and see if they will pity your family then!” 

His Highness, the title alone sounded scary. Although the owner had already become a complete mess, he still calculated things in his heart. The little girl in red in front of him was so young, but so many imperial relatives and nobles stayed in the inn without noticing anything strange. She had noticed and had even come over to find out and had also somehow known that his wife and children had been kidnapped. No matter how he looked at it, she was smart and reliable.

Now that it had come to this, there was no good path so it was better to take a gamble. Perhaps she would really be able to think of a way to save his wife and children after she had said so?

Thinking of this, the owner wiped the tears on his old face, “Young Miss, please listen to this servant.”

A month ago, a man came to the inn looking for a job. It just so happened that a worker in the inn had resigned. The owner thought to let this outsider try it out. That outsider was diligent and strong and bustled about inside and outside. Just ten days later, the owner decided to keep the outsider as a helper. A few days later, the worker said that he had three friends from outside the pass in the northeast of the country who used to work with horses but had been attacked by bandits. Not only were they robbed of horses, but they almost died. Now they were driven to desperation and had come here, requesting the owner’s help in taking them in.

The owner had been in a difficult position. This town was not big and although business was not bad, he could not afford to employ so many people.

The worker had suggested letting them help out first without wages, but just giving them food and accommodation. When the owner heard this, he felt that it was a good idea. What inn could not afford to let three people eat and sleep? So the worker called the three people over. Two of them had different appearances and strange accents. The worker only said that the two of them were not from the Qi dynasty empire, but did not say where they were from. The owner had just thought about them helping and had been too lazy to investigate. These guys were really hard working with quick hands and feet. Everyday, not only did they do the chores in the inn, but they helped the people in town with housework like repairing a roof or a fence. Whoever needed help just had to speak up and they would all do it. They did not take any payment and it did not take long for them to get to know the people in the town very well.

Ten days ago, the inn received news from the county that they were to host nobles from the capital. People from the county came and the owner also acted as guarantor for those three. The residents in town had also received a lot of favours from them and were also willing to guarantee them.

Tw nights ago, the owner called the four new workers and first had them clean out the yard they were living in. Then he asked the four of them to clean up the firewood shed and bring the table and chairs here. Unexpectedly, after they cleaned up the place, they tied up the wife and two children in the house. They gave the owner’s wife and children medicine, saying that if the owner did not do as they asked, his wife and children would die.

“What did they ask you to do?” Gu Yu Qi frowned slightly and asked.

“They told me to buy a large yard of firewood and pour oil on it beforehand.” The owner cried as he spoke, “This servant does not know what they are going to do with all these things. They also told this servant to pay attention… pay attention…” The owner repeated this for a while, but did not speak further.

“Pay attention to what?” Gu Yu Qi asked impatiently, “Hurry up and say it!”

“Pay attention to your whereabouts,” the owner finally said awkwardly.

“Me?” Gu Yu Qi was startled, “What do you mean?”

The owner gave Chun Xing a look and Chun Xing followed his gaze, “You want that cabinet?” The owner was looking at the low cabinet beside the bed. Chun Xing asked him.

“Yes yes. Young Miss, please open the cabinet,” the owner nodded hastily.

Chun Xing took a step forward but still held the owner hostage, fearing that he would run away while she opened the cabinet. She opened the cabinet quickly. In addition to a bag and a pile of clothes inside, there were three pictures. Gu Yu Qi stepped forward and picked them up to take a look. The people drawn in the pictures were her, Gu Si Yang, and Gu Si Yu.

“They said that if this servant saw the people in the pictures, then this servant needed to tell them where they went.” The owner looked ashen, “Young Miss, this servant had no choice but to report the whereabouts of Young Miss, the young master, and young lady to them.” He had no good skills.

No wonder she had been attacked as soon as she entered the town god’s temple and had felt that she was being watched as soon as she came to the inn.

Needless to say, they had just wanted to kidnap the three sons and daughters of the Ding Yuan Marquis, but what was the firewood in the yard for? It was also soaked in oil.

“Do you know where my younger brother and younger sister are now?” Gu Yu Qi asked.

The owner hurriedly shook his head and said, “This servant really does not now. Swear on the heavens.”

Gu Yu Qi felt that he should not be lying.

After thinking about it, she had a very bad feeling.

“Where in the inn can you hide people or something?” Gu Yu Qi asked sharply.

The owner thought for a while, “There is a large cellar under the kitchen used for storing wine.” He paused for a while, then continued, “The yard that this servant was living in also has a large vegetable cellar in the patio outside the small yard. There is also a large vegetable cellar in the west corner of the stable, dug a year before. But it was too close to the stables so has not been used.”

Gu Yu Qi glanced meaningfully at Chun Xing and Chun Xing understood. She quickly raised her hand and slashed the back of the owner’s neck. Before the boss could utter a sound, he was knocked unconscious by Chun Xing.

“Young Miss, what should we do now?” Chun Xing asked hurriedly.

“Go to the wine cellar and take care not to be discovered. I’ll find His Highness the Fifth Prince,” Gu Yu Qi said after thinking for a moment.

Yun Ke was not very reliable. Gu Yu Qi had just come out from seeing him and had not gained any information. At this moment, she could only think of asking Yun Yi for help. He should help her, otherwise in the inn lobby, he had no reason to save her. Although Yun Ke insisted that he had asked him, if Yun Yi had been unwilling himself, with Yun Ke’s current status, he would definitely not listen to his request.

“Yes.” Chun Xing nodded.

“Remember that whatever you find, don’t act rashly and alert the enemy. Come find me quickly. I’ll be waiting for you by Prince Jing’s side. Just ask to see him directly and don’t be discovered,” Gu Yu Qi warned.

“Don’t worry, Young Miss.” Chun Xing’s eyes flashed and she nodded. 

The two walked out of the firewood shed quickly. Chun Xing was very cautious and repeatedly made sure that no one was in the inn. Only then did she leave with Gu Yu Qi.

The two went separate ways. Chun Xing went to the vegetable cellar to investigate while Gu Yu Qi went to see Yun Yi.

Yun Yi was also reading a book in his room, but he laughed when the guard said that it was Gu Yu Qi asking to see him. “That girl finally knew to come find this prince.” At this time, Yun Yi had just been named Prince Jing half a month ago. He ordered someone to bring Gu Yu Qi in.

After curtseying in greeting, Gu Yu Qi simply knelt down with a thud which startled Yun Yi.

“What’s wrong?” Yun Yi stood up from his chair and put down the book, “Is Young Miss Gu worried about her younger brother and younger sister?”

“Yes. This minister’s daughter is indeed worried about her younger brother and younger sister. However, this minister’s daughter may have discovered a very serious issue. This minister’s daughter does not dare to speak of it now and can only wait for this minister’s daughter’s maid to complete investigations in a while. This minister’s daughter only dares to speak after she comes back to report. This minister’s daughter requests Prince Jing’s forgiveness first. However, if this minister’s daughter’s maid finds something in her investigations, please help this minister’s daughter, Your Highness!” Gu Yuqi kowtowed her head in a proper manner and said.

“Get up first. This prince will not blame you. What exactly did you send your maid to find out?” Prince Jing, Yun Yi, saw that Gu Yu Qi was serious and could not help but restrain the smile on his face. He swept his hand in the air, motioning for Gu Yu Qi to get up. Yet, Gu Yu Qi insisted on kneeling which made Yun Yi a little dumbfounded.

“Your Highness, please forgive this minister’s daughter for not speaking nonsense now, just wait for this minister’s daughter’s maid to return and just ask then,” Gu Yu Qi was also a little unsure in her heart. After all, it was just her hypothesis and it was not validated. Everything had to wait for Chun Xing’s return.

Yun Yi saw that she was speaking cautiously and mysteriously, and he became curious. He let Gu Yu Qi be and did not ask further. He paced back and forth beside her and looked even more anxious than he was.

Gu Yu Qi only knelt down long enough for half a stick of incense to burn, when she heard the guard at Prince Jing’s door say that the maid of the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence was requesting an audience.

Prince Jing gave Gu Yu Qi a deep look, “Let her come in.”

Gu Yu Qi turned her head and stared at the door eagerly. After a moment, Chun Xing walked in quickly with a small jar in her hand. She glanced at Gu Yu Qi, gave her a look, then knelt down, “This servant greets His Highness Prince Jing.”

“No need for courtesy. Your Young Miss said she sent you to investigate. What did you find?” Prince Jing asked with a frown.

“Wang Ye, please look at this.” Chun Xing presented the small jar in her hand. Prince Jing Yun Yi took the jar and opened it. A slightly pungent smell emanated from the jar. “What is this?”

“Replying to Wang Ye, this is saltpetre!” Chun Xing said. “Under the orders of Young Miss, this servant had gone to the wine cellar in the inn’s kitchen and found this. Not only this jar, but half of the wine jars inside have been replaced with jars containing saltpetre!”

Gu Yu Qi took a deep breath. It was really just as she had expected.

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