Chapter 1191: Chapter 1027: Serving Different Masters

Zhou Yuancong was surprised by how gentle Gu Chengyu’s tone was, but knowing he was a man close to death, he simply chose to remain silent.

As for Gu Chengyu, he was naturally well-acquainted. It could be said that amongst the officials serving in the Capital, there was not a single person who did not recognize Gu Chengyu.

His master had originally wanted to win him over, but unfortunately, Gu Chengyu was not willing to serve his master. Now that Gu Chengyu had captured him, it only proved that his own skills were inferior.

"Mr. Gu, why bother mocking me? Falling into your hands, I know I have no way out. Whether I speak or not, it’s all the same. I might as well stick to my principles, at least dying a man of integrity."

Zhou Yuancong looked at Gu Chengyu with a complex expression. Had he known Gu Chengyu was so vigilant, he shouldn’t have attempted to assassinate him, at least he could have kept his life.

When his master achieves great deeds in the future, with ministers credited with helping on the path to success like him, would there still be fear of a lack of prospects?

But now it was too late for regrets, Zhou Yuancong closed his eyes, the pain tormenting his body leaving him no mind for other thoughts.

Gu Chengyu let out a cold laugh, stick to his principles? Could Zhou Yuancong really have such resolve? It was sheer nonsense.

In this world, who would remain absolutely loyal to their master? Except for those Death Warriors indoctrinated with concepts from a young age, who else could set life and death aside?

And even those Death Warriors weren’t all willing, were they not kept in line with antidotes?

Gu Chengyu thought of Zhou Yuancong’s family; the children of the Zhou Family were now unaccounted for. Zhou Yuancong came to assassinate him, did he not think of his children?

This precisely indicated those children weren’t in Zhou Yuancong’s hands. Perhaps he was being coerced, or maybe he wanted to earn merits so his children could escape hardship earlier. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that instead of hiding, he came to assassinate.

"Lord Zhou, you know perfectly well why you attempted to assassinate me." Gu Chengyu sneered, looking at Zhou Yuancong’s sudden gaze without concern.

Then he waved to two Government Officials, "First, put this man in the prison cell, and has someone been sent to fetch the Imperial Physician?"

"Reporting to you, Sir, someone has already been sent, and the Physician should be here any moment." The prison chief, being observant, had already dispatched someone to fetch the Physician, and it was about time for them to arrive.

"Hmm! I’ll be right back." Gu Chengyu nodded, glancing at the prison chief and another prison guard, realizing he couldn’t speak more with Zhou Yuancong.

After speaking, Gu Chengyu walked away, leaving the prison chief and prison guard a bit confused; hadn’t he just said he was going to interrogate those assassins?

But after a moment, the prison chief suddenly understood. Leaving for a while, wasn’t it just to use the toilet?

Watching Gu Chengyu’s departing figure, the prison chief couldn’t help but curl his lips—these scholars were truly pretentious. Even for a toilet break, they had to be discreet and secretive.

Gu Chengyu walked to the other end of the prison where the restroom was located.

Upon entering the restroom, Gu Chengyu listened for a while. Seeing there was no unusual movement, he slipped into the space.

In the space, he located the four treasures of the study, tore a corner from a sheet of paper, and quickly wrote.

When Gu Chengyu emerged, the Imperial Physician had already arrived.

He walked over to where Doctor Jiang was squatting by Zhou Yuancong, applying medicine, and Jiang immediately stood up to pay respects, "I greet Mr. Gu!"

Gu Chengyu nodded, "No need for formalities. How are his injuries? The Crown Prince has ordered you to spare no effort in treating him; he must not die. And visit at this hour every day, prescribing whatever expensive herbs are needed."

Doctor Jiang glanced at the scarred Zhou Congyuan; he recognized him, having heard of his recent attempt to assassinate the Crown Prince.

Few who entered this Heavenly Prison required their care. Among them were those exonerated and restored to their positions, and others barely kept alive for their potential usefulness.

Zhou Yuancong likely belonged to the latter group, but the physician wouldn’t inquire further; knowing too much is unwise.

Seeing the prison chief still guarding the place, Gu Chengyu’s eyes flickered, "Select one for interrogation, follow the same process. If a confession is made, report to me; I will be here overseeing it."

"Yes, Sir!" The prison chief led another prison guard to begin the interrogation. Gu Chengyu turned to check on the other two guards patrolling the cells, knowing it wasn’t the right time.

"Mr. Gu, I’ve applied the medicine to the wound. I’ll prescribe a decoction to nourish the body," Doctor Jiang informed.

Gu Chengyu nodded, "Thank you for your efforts, Doctor Jiang."

"It’s nothing! It’s nothing!" Doctor Jiang quickly bowed and began writing the prescription.

Gu Chengyu saw Zhou Yuancong resting with his eyes closed. He turned back to glance once, then stepped forward and gently nudged Zhou Yuancong with his foot.

Zhou Yuancong opened his eyes to look at Gu Chengyu, who leaned closer with a smile and said, "Lord Zhou, we each serve our own masters; today’s offenses are unavoidable."

He swiftly slipped a note into Zhou Yuancong’s hand, which Zhou initially stared at in shock before clenching it and hiding it in his sleeve.

"Hm! Why, Mr. Gu, be so hypocritical? Being caught must mean my skills aren’t up to par. Still, my initial words stand: do as you wish."

Zhou Yuancong was puzzled about Gu Chengyu’s intent; what was written on the note?

"It seems Lord Zhou hasn’t suffered enough today. Tomorrow, let’s see if you’ll still be so stubborn."

Gu Chengyu sneered. Doctor Jiang looked at Zhou Yuancong, considering that if the tortures continued daily, no matter the precious herbs, it might not be enough to sustain him.

Doctor Jiang realized he needed to use strong medicine the next day; letting this person die would bring severe blame from the Crown Prince.

"Snap!" "Snap!"

The rhythmic sound of whipping echoed through the cell again, and after hastily composing the prescription, Doctor Jiang took his leave.

Gu Chengyu gestured for a guard to follow Jiang to fetch medicine from the Imperial Hospital, while he left the cell Zhou Yuancong was in.

After the cell door was relocked, Zhou Yuancong, eyeing the patrolling guards, endured the pain to slightly turn over. Using the cover of the straw on the ground, he swiftly unfolded the paper in his hand.

"Confess not, and your children will be kept safe!" Zhou Yuancong’s eyes widened, and he quickly pushed the note into his mouth, straining to swallow it.

What could this mean? Was Gu Chengyu colluding with his master? But why hadn’t his master informed him? Had he known, why would he attempt the assassination?

Zhou Yuancong’s mind felt like it had been muddied with paste, unable to process.

He thought for a moment longer—no, it couldn’t be.

As evening approached, the sunset clouds rapidly descended, heralding the day’s end. The Crown Prince knelt vigilantly in Chengqian Palace, keeping watch.

"Your Highness! Mr. Gu requests an audience!" Pang Chu softly reported by the Crown Prince’s ear.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s spirit lifted, "Have him wait at the Eastern Palace!"

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