The sun was setting in the west, and night was approaching. Lanterns were gradually lit up everywhere in the imperial capital, including the Shaoguo Master's Mansion.
The flower streets are dazzling and have a bustling fireworks atmosphere.
After enjoying the cool night breeze in the viewing pavilion for a while, He Gu collected his thoughts and turned around to leave the pavilion.
I have made up my mind that since I am staying for a year, I will try to secretly investigate the family affairs back then, and take one step at a time before talking about it.
Before that, get your feet firmly on the ground.
After going down the stairs, around the corner, I saw the beautiful figure of Yun Ying not far away. Seeing that her expression did not change when they looked at each other, I instantly understood that the person had not just arrived.
Unlike before when there were other people around, He Gu was much more relaxed now.
As he passed by, he asked casually: "Do you want to follow?"
Yun Ying still had a serious look on his face: "It's your duty."
Unable to deny, He Guwei nodded his chin.
Anyway, he wasn't planning to do anything detrimental to the dynasty during this period, so naturally he didn't mind being followed.
On the contrary, with such a suspected informant staying by his side, he could prove his innocence and reduce the possibility of being suspected.
It has to be said that the housekeepers and servants were very capable. When He Gu returned to the main room, two maids immediately came forward to change his clothes and put him into a dress that would not lose his status.
Lamenting the ultimate enjoyment of rich and powerful people, He Gu enjoyed it very much.
The two maids in the room, one named Feng Lu and the other Qingchou, are both about fourteen or fifteen years old, and they look somewhat cute and smart.
He must have just received theoretical and systematic training. Although he was proficient in service techniques, he didn't dare to raise his eyes to look at him, and he seemed a little nervous.
Generally, those who can become official maids are innocent daughters from ordinary people's families, and their backgrounds are basically not very high. This reminded him of Kong Rou, and he felt a little softened in his heart.
I only briefly asked their names and no longer inquired about their background.
As the saying goes, people rely on clothes and gold.
Even if the current He Gu is not his real appearance, after some changes, he still shows a somewhat powerful aura under the exquisite and luxurious clothes, which makes the eyes of the two maids sparkle.
Looking at his new self in the floor-to-ceiling mirror, he could imagine that if he regained his true form, his temperament would definitely reach a new level.
Yun Ying, who followed closely, consciously stayed at the door to act as a guard. When the young master came out, his eyes moved slightly, and then he followed silently again.
Under the respectful escort of the new and old housekeeper, the two slowly walked out of the mansion.
He Gu got on the exclusive dragon carriage that had been prepared at the door, while Yun Ying sat elegantly on the carved extension platform in front of the carriage curtain, with her long legs hanging naturally.
The groom in front was ready, and when he saw that his master and others were seated, he immediately used the Beast Control Technique to drive the three golden flame dragon horses forward, directing them to go south to the Dengxian Pavilion.
"drive!"
Accompanied by a low horse roar that gradually faded away, the night grew darker and the hustle and bustle gradually grew.
…
In the Tianzi Hall on the right side of the eighth floor of the Dengxian Building, under the leadership of the old Imperial Master, the luxurious pavilion was already filled with many important colleagues of the Imperial Academy, and the atmosphere was quite lively.
While casually responding to the conversation of his subordinates, the old Imperial Master glanced in the direction of the door from time to time.
Such unabashed and repeated actions inevitably stir up other people's imagination.
When Xu Shi was about to pass, there was a knock on the door, and then the door was gently pushed open by the waiter from the outside. Immediately, He Gu and Yun Ying walked in calmly one after the other.
Seeing that tonight's host and guest had arrived, everyone in the hall stood up and greeted him with smiles.
Some people had already seen He Gu during the day, and at that time they were more or less aware of the old Imperial Master's subtle attitude towards the newly promoted Young Imperial Master. Naturally, they did not dare to neglect him rashly at this moment, so they smiled sincerely.
There were also some people who had never met him because they were not in the Imperial College at the time. They couldn't help but have their thoughts moving at that moment, and the smiles on their faces remained formal and polite, no more, no less, just right and flexible.
The so-called "Shao Guoshi" is clearly designated in advance by the next person in charge of the Imperial College. This tradition has existed in all dynasties, so it is not considered a breach of contract in general.
It's just that it is very careless to suddenly let a young man who has just entered the dynasty system and whose background is unclear take over.
Since it was arranged by the Empress herself, of course they did not dare to have any thoughts of criticism.
At this time, I am more concerned about the unknown impact this sudden and sudden change will have on the current Imperial College and myself.
As if he was completely unaware of the many lively thoughts of his colleagues around him, the old Imperial Master took the lead, walking with an old man's steps on crutches, and enthusiastically pulled He Gu to the main seat where he was sitting and sat him down.
He himself naturally sat down on his right side.
It was just a small and detailed action that instantly made everyone present fully understand the extraordinary weight contained in this newly arrived young master.
The atmosphere in the hall, which had been a bit strange just now, suddenly became harmonious.
Yun Ying consciously stood silently behind the young master, as if his mind was not on the banquet and he was fully focused on guarding.
Smelling the faint fragrance coming from behind him, He Gu calmly dealt with the various compliments from others, pretending that he didn't feel anything unusual just now, with a "heartless" expression on his face.
He was puzzled but also a little grateful for the old Imperial Master's thoughtful care.
A group of maids opened the door and filed in with a feast, and soon the wine table was filled with a dazzling array of delicacies from the mountains and seas.
As the night outside the window deepens, the banquet gradually gets better.
Although I rarely interacted with people in the past, I still had the ability to talk to people and tell ghosts, and I was able to get away with all the "asking questions" that I asked for in a roundabout way.
After several times, everyone couldn't continue to inquire further and put away their curiosity.
Unknowingly, the topic changed again and again, and then it landed on a strange thing that happened in the Imperial Capital recently.
The assistant teacher surnamed Liu who had received He Gu put down his wine glass and suddenly lowered his voice and shared: "Have you heard that Li Hu, the only son of Mr. Li from the Criminal Department, disappeared in the suburbs of Xishan recently. It is rumored that the death on the table was revealed this morning. The jade is broken!"
Some people already know it, and some people are just hearing about it.
Another assistant coach immediately asked back: "Is that the prodigal son who is known as the four great losers in the imperial capital and can't hold up the wall with mud?"
"Yes! That's him."
Assistant Professor Liu nodded repeatedly, and added with a sigh: "According to the report, Li Hu had previously obtained a map of the ruins in the West City, and because the decrypted instructions indicated that the location was located in the Xishan Mountains on the outskirts, he chose to act in a concealed manner. Went there at night.
Unexpectedly, he disappeared as soon as he left. The servants didn't wait until their young master came back for a few days before they realized something had happened and hurried back to report it.
Now, the whereabouts of the powerful worshiper from the Eight Paths Realm who followed him are also unknown, and his life and death are still uncertain! "
The North Hall Master in charge of one of the Bafang Halls muttered: "No wonder I saw Lord Li's motorcade rushing out of the city when I came out of the palace this morning. It turned out that such an unfortunate incident happened in it.
Mr. Li's body is like that... doesn't it mean..."
After hearing the last words, the others suddenly showed sympathetic expressions on their faces.
He Gu was confused when he heard this, and he roughly understood that it seemed that an official with a hidden health condition suddenly and unexpectedly lost his only legitimate son.
I feel that as far as the imperial court is concerned, this matter is neither big nor small.
Don't worry about it, just listen to the music.
The old Imperial Master naturally knew the inside story the most. When he saw that everyone else was looking over, he thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "That's what happened. The people from the Punishment Department have carefully investigated that area. There is no trace of anything." There were no signs of fresh fighting, and there were no traces of the so-called ruins being opened.
As for the vendor who sold the ruins map, he has been arrested and imprisoned. At dusk, His Majesty has asked the Minister of Punishment to personally investigate the matter..."
The implication is that this incident was most likely not an ordinary natural accident.
After all, it happened near the imperial capital, and the victim was an important continuation of the bloodline of the imperial ministers. As a deliberate warning, the old Imperial Master reminded him in a deep voice at the end: "It is about the reputation of the imperial capital. Before the matter is settled, you should not discuss it openly. This matter, lest disaster comes from your mouth!
When we need help, the Ministry of Punishment will naturally come to your door with approval documents. "
Divination involves the loss of life span. The Imperial College serves the imperial dynasty, or more accurately, serves the empress alone. Naturally, he will not interfere in all cases casually.
Everyone knew what was going on, and immediately dropped the topic with a tacit understanding, and turned to other innocuous news and gossip.
Out of respect, He Gu did not deliberately dispel the drunkenness, only retaining his sobriety to quickly detect danger.
Until late at night, the banquet was completed and dispersed.
At the gate of Dengxian Pavilion, they said goodbye to the old Imperial Master and others one by one. The drunk He Gu and Yun Ying prepared to return home the same way.
Supported by Yun Ying, just as he was about to board the carriage, a middle-aged shopkeeper hurriedly ran out from the Dengxian Tower behind him and called him hurriedly.
When he arrived, his hands immediately placed an exquisite small seal that looked like an immortal tower.
He bowed and explained respectfully: "Young Master, this is what our landlord has just specially handed over to you. From now on, you can use this small seal to use any wing below the ninth floor for free at any time. Please accept it."
"Then thank your landlord for me."
Just assume that the operator here is deliberately trying to get close to you, so he doesn't show any politeness and just accepts it with a big smile.
After helping the young master get into the car, Yun Ying glanced up at the highest point of the Dengxian Tower without leaving any trace.
As the motorcade gradually faded into the night, at a window on the ninth floor of the Dengxian Tower, an old woman dressed as a Taoist master began to talk to herself.
"Could it be that His Majesty's abnormality that day was because of him...
If not him, then who should it be?
If it was really him, what was this for? "
The old woman devoted herself to seeking Taoism and attached great importance to being born in the world. Although she was in the imperial capital, she didn't know much about things outside the building.
The Dengxian Tower used to be a secret agency responsible for secretly collecting intelligence. However, since the Empress successfully ascended the throne, this function was abolished, the personnel were basically transferred away, and it was completely turned into a private operation.
This is one of the main reasons why someone like her will eventually take over.
Thinking of the empress' tenacious character who kept her word and only cared about achieving the great cause of becoming an immortal, she couldn't help but shake her head slightly.
"It should never be an affair between children. Since his surname is Gu, he might have some connection with His Majesty..."
When I thought about this, I suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
"Could he be the descendant of the He family that Your Majesty is searching for so hard?"
The old woman still remembered that she was ordered to track down the whereabouts of the He family before the reform of Dengxian Tower. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that this guess was very close to the truth.
After solving the confusion in her heart, she was no longer distracted. She waved the fly whisk lightly in her hand and returned to her usual calm composure.
As he turned around and went back, he murmured: "Lei'er wrote a letter saying that she has been promoted to the position of general based on her accumulated military achievements. After all, she is alone at her daughter's house. It would be better to go visit her tomorrow..."
