Chapter 1201: Chapter 1037: Release

Ming Mo was just about to knock on the door to wake Gu Chengyu, but as he approached, he heard Gu Chengyu call for him and immediately responded before turning and leaving the courtyard.

It seems Mr. Gu didn’t sleep at all last night!

Gu Chengyu didn’t go to the Eastern Palace to report his findings, as there has been no progress with the assassin case, going to the palace would be futile.

In front of the Dali Temple, a prison guard guarding the front gate was yawning loudly, another, seeing his lackluster spirit, laughed and said, "Were you out stealing during the first half of the night? So sleepy?"

They only need to guard during the second half of the night, and rest in the duty room during the first half, that person was just mocking him!

"Yesterday I played cards with Liang Da, you didn’t come, don’t blame me!" The man tried hard to open his eyes to stay awake, but his eyelids felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, he couldn’t lift them.

"Hey! Gambling during the National Mourning period?"

After saying this, the person fell silent. Upon hearing the words ’National Mourning,’ the prison guard immediately sobered up a bit. He blinked open his eyes, shocked to see a figure in front of him.

"Mr. Gu, please spare me, I promise I’ll never gamble again." He immediately kneeled on the ground, bowing three times in succession, pleading for mercy.

Gambling is strictly prohibited during National Mourning, now that Mr. Gu knows, how can he survive this? He didn’t dare underestimate Mr. Gu just because of his youthful appearance, yesterday he had witnessed Mr. Gu’s severity.

Gu Chengyu’s face darkened, "Open the gate, I need to interrogate the prisoner!"

"Please, Mr. Gu, show mercy, I’ll be your steadfast servant in gratitude for your kindness!"

Gu Chengyu turned his attention to another prison guard who was trembling slightly.

"Ah! I’ll open the gate now!" He shakily pulled the key from his waist and unlocked the door.

Gu Chengyu ignored the kneeling guard and walked straight into the Heavenly Prison. As he strode forward, he wondered, was he really that fearsome? Why were they so terrified of him? He knew himself to be as gentle as a jade, right?

What has shaped him into this form? Alas! It’s life that does this. Though life treats him harshly like a butcher to a dog, he must cherish it like a first love.

He instructed the two not to come inside as he walked further into the Heavenly Prison.

Xia Qing heard the door open and quickly turned his head to look. Seeing Gu Chengyu, a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes, followed by a cold snort, before he turned away.

Just as Gu Chengyu was about to proceed, he heard voices from outside.

He could hear the prison guard who opened the door for him flattering, "Why is Mr. Pang here so early? I shall open the gate for you!"

"Hmph! It’s already mid-morning, I didn’t arrive early. Here’s the Crown Prince’s decree, so you don’t have to worry!"

A sharp and delicate voice was heard next, with an inherent arrogance.

"Oh! If you weren’t here on behalf of His Highness, how could you come here?"

"Nevertheless, this is my duty, Mr. Pang, pardon my offense!"

Pang Chu? That must be Pang Chu’s voice, and Gu Chengyu didn’t mistake it. Pang Chu’s presence here meant he was on an errand for the Crown Prince.

Gu Chengyu turned to look at Xia Qing, his gaze profound and unfathomable; Pang Chu was likely here for him.

"I wonder which prisoner Mr. Pang intends to interrogate?" one of the guards asked cautiously.

"Interrogate? I wouldn’t dare do so, this is the Heavenly Prison, no one but Dali Temple officials may interrogate prisoners. Don’t utter nonsense, or you’ll be caught and I won’t fare well, neither will you."

Pang Chu’s face darkened, these absurd fellows weren’t higher than gatekeepers at the Heavenly Prison.

"Yes, yes! Mr. Pang is absolutely right."

"Hmph!" Pang Chu snorted and walked ahead with his head held high.

Soon after Gu Chengyu heard the chain opening again, two footsteps approached him from afar.

Pang Chu, accompanied by a guard, appeared around the corner, where a youthful, clear, and soft voice addressed them from inside the prison.

"It’s Mr. Pang who’s here!"

Pang Chu looked up at the youth standing in the cell. Though he wore a round-necked, wide-sleeved hempen gown, under the mourning attire wasn’t an official robe.

He wore a jade crown, its strap hanging at his chest, one hand behind him, with a gentle smile on his face.

Pang Chu, momentarily stunned, couldn’t help but praise inwardly. It’s said that women look best in mourning clothes, but today he realized that this is equally true for men.

"Ah! So it’s Mr. Gu, how come you’re here so early? Are you here to interrogate a prisoner?" Pang Chu, surprised, offered a salute to Gu Chengyu.

"Indeed! I’m surprised to see Mr. Pang here at this hour." Gu Chengyu’s lips curled slightly; earlier someone remarked that it was already midday.

"I’m here under the Crown Prince’s orders to release Lord Xia." Pang Chu finished and glanced cautiously at Gu Chengyu; Xia Qing was his political opponent, upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu was bound to be angry.

I wonder what the Crown Prince was thinking, to release Xia Qing like this. The Emperor passed away due to Xia Qing’s recommendation of Tianji Taoist; this will surely be hard to justify to the courtiers!

But as a mere servant, how can he dare to discuss politics? He must carry out His Highness’s orders.

"Release?"

Indeed, Pang Chu saw Gu Chengyu’s expression dishearten into disbelief and anger.

"Ahem! His Highness’s request considered Lord Xia’s past contributions, temporarily allowing his return home. But reinstatement is naturally out of the question."

Gu Chengyu sharply turned and glanced at Xia Qing, who was also visibly surprised. But just after a moment, his face broke into a smug smile.

Gu Chengyu stared at Xia Qing for a while, ignoring Pang Chu and saying nothing as he walked towards Zhou Yuancong’s cell.

"I need to interrogate Zhou Yuancong!"

The guards felt the atmosphere tense, and didn’t need to see to know that Mr. Gu’s face looked displeased. They quickly opened Zhou Yuancong’s cell, pulling him out, one from each side.

Though Zhou Yuancong received treatment yesterday, a severe injury couldn’t heal overnight.

Despite only a single night passing, Zhou Yuancong was in pain and dazed. He couldn’t fully lose consciousness, only feeling as though ants crawled into his wound.

He shook nervously as he was tied back onto the wooden rack.

Yesterday’s agony he experienced wholly, and today he was to endure it again. His previously firm resolve began to waver.

He overheard Pang Chu reading the Crown Prince’s decree. Gu Chengyu snorted, addressing Zhou Yuancong coldly, "Lord Zhou, look at me, did you think it through last night? Are you ready to confess today?"

Hearing Gu Chengyu’s voice, Zhou Yuancong opened his eyes. When he saw Gu Chengyu playing with a Jade Pendant hanging from his waist, he opened his eyes wide, and his body trembled even more severely.

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