"Mr. Gu! It’s just the three of us here; there’s no need for to pretend to be your servant anymore. Since the Qu Clan Leader has information about the treasure map, it’s natural for to understand the situation. The real purpose of the Emperor sending here, Mr. Gu, you must be aware, right?"
At this mont, Lu Chen appeared unusually indifferent, a stark contrast to his usual deanor in front of Gu Chengyu.
Qu Huaiyun’s gaze shifted between Gu Chengyu and Lu Chen, having previously noticed that Gu Chengyu’s attitude towards Lu Chen was not typical of a master towards a subordinate.
Gu Chengyu chuckled lightly, "Hehe! If Lord Lu wants to listen, then stay!"
He smiled, fine! After all, the treasure map was already in hand, and what Qu Huaiyun had to say next probably wouldn’t relate much to the treasure map.
Gu Chengyu suddenly had a bright idea: if Qu Huaiyun wants to use evidence collected against Liao Cheng to barter for the lives of his Qu family mbers.
Hadn’t he been figuring out how to deal with Lu Chen after bringing the treasure map back?
Now is the right ti; he thought this Liao Cheng couldn’t be that upright and honest an official. Like Qu Huaiyun said, Liao Cheng surely has committed many dirty deeds.
Once the evidence on Liao Cheng is secured, when the court dispatches soone down, perhaps a significant catch could be made, and this would be a major accomplishnt!
He didn’t know whether the Emperor would announce the matter of the treasure map after returning to the Capital.
If the Emperor has other plans and decides not to announce it? Then if he wants to promote him, there must be a reasonable justification, right?
If the Emperor conceals the matter of the treasure map, then under what pretext should he be promoted?
Moreover, the treasure map itself has so flaws, and the Emperor might not be satisfied with what he brings back.
Adding Liao Cheng, or perhaps more than just Liao Cheng, should compensate for the Emperor’s dissatisfaction with him.
Lu Chen has more connections in officialdom than he does and might have officials of the sa faction in Hejian Prefecture.
Originally, Gu Chengyu wanted to go and steal the evidence on Liao Cheng; however, doing so would risk exposing himself and possibly crediting others with the accomplishnt.
Even if the Emperor intends to give him a hand, it wouldn’t be plausible to let him monopolize the credit.
Compared to handing it over to others and letting them share in a significant portion of the credit, he might as well let Lu Chen have a part.
He had so understanding of Lu Chen; though they served different masters, Lu Chen was certainly not a despicable person.
Moreover, he was unfamiliar with the officials of Hejian Prefecture, and there was no one he could trust. Even if he wanted the evidence to be disclosed, it would still take so maneuvering.
Moreover, Xia Qing, that old rascal, was not to be trifled with; choosing to involve Lu Chen would conveniently find him a temporary ally.
As long as Lu Chen is brought into the fold, the matter would be more than half accomplished.
Lu Chen had just entered officialdom, a ti when he needed accomplishnts. Even if the matter is challenging, he had nothing to worry about.
Lu Chen would not let go of such an opportunity, and even if he couldn’t take it, Marquis Zhan’s Mansion would certainly step in.
In just this instant, Gu Chengyu weighed the pros and cons of the matter and concluded it was feasible.
"Clan Leader Qu, this is the second son of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion. The Emperor has commanded him to assist in bringing the treasure map back. Whatever you have to say, say it; with Lord Lu and myself here, if you truthfully recount everything you know, it can be counted as atoning for your cris."
Gu Chengyu deliberately revealed Lu Chen’s identity to Qu Huaiyun to reassure him.
After all, relying solely on his own strength was too weak; everyone knew he ca from a farming background.
It was perfectly normal for Qu Huaiyun to feel his abilities were limited, but now that the na of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion was invoked, it should alleviate many of Qu Huaiyun’s concerns.
Indeed, Qu Huaiyun’s eyes lit up as he looked at Lu Chen.
He had already felt that Mr. Gu was quite shrewd, not soone to be underestimated.
But now, with the title of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion added, there was a real chance his dearest kin’s lives could be spared.
Seeing the calculating look in Qu Huaiyun’s eyes, Lu Chen frowned deeply.
No matter how he looked at it, he felt he had been played by Gu Chengyu.
This Gu Chengyu was truly adept at leveraging others, revealing his identity without knowing what he was plotting.
"I only have one request, which both lords should understand. I’m old, my death doesn’t matter, and I won’t even ntion my illegitimate son. But my two legitimate grandsons, I implore the two lords to show rcy and spare them."
Qu Huaiyun knew his demands couldn’t be excessive; he was now just at on soone else’s cutting board, ready to be carved up.
Lu Chen narrowed his eyes, recalling that Qu Huaiyun’s two legitimate grandsons were quite young, not a difficult matter to handle.
"That will depend on the Qu Clan Leader’s sincerity; as long as you satisfy us, we’ll certainly consider your request."
Lu Chen sat down at Gu Chengyu’s right, pouring himself a bowl of tea on his own accord.
"At this point, I naturally have nothing to hide, just hope the two lords keep their word."
Qu Huaiyun decided to take a gamble; his requests weren’t high to begin with.
He realized that uncovering all the wrongdoings of the Qu family would end the careers of the other Qu family mbers, possibly inviting even harsher punishnts.
There was no room for bargaining; he might as well co clean, letting these two deal with Liao Cheng.
It would also provide the Qu family with a breathing space, hoping that if the eldest son could turn the tide, he would have to wait until then, right?
"I knew when I captured Yi Yuanmin that the treasure map of the Yi Mansion was still in the Yi Mansion; the treasure map that had been previously stolen was a fake. However, whether it’s still there now, that’s hard to say."
Qu Huaiyun looked towards the two sitting at the head, carefully observing their expressions.
When he saw Lu Chen’s expression drastically change, he realized that the person who stole the fake treasure map from the Yi Mansion that night must have been Lu Chen.
However, Gu Chengyu’s reaction was quite intriguing; he just saw Gu Chengyu smile slightly without any surprise.
He couldn’t help but call out internally, knowing that this person must have known long ago.
Indeed! The Emperor sending such a young official ant that this person was undoubtedly exceptional.
How laughable that they previously considered him foolish, underestimating him when he was actually playing them all along.
"Are you saying the treasure map previously lost from the Yi Mansion was fake?"
Lu Chen put down the tea bowl; he had handed the treasure map over yesterday for fear of delay.
Unexpectedly, that treasure map was fake; now his face truly felt lost.
The real treasure map wasn’t secured, and having been fooled, even if the superior doesn’t bla him, he felt utterly embarrassed.
If the superior considered the fake as real, that would be even more of a joke.
Gu Chengyu suspiciously glanced at Lu Chen, who quickly coughed lightly and asked as if by chance, "Ahem! Then where is the real treasure map now?"
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