Chen Ming was silent for a moment and asked, "Who is the lady’s beloved?"

Miss Xia behind the wall did not answer him and had already left.

He was hesitating whether to catch up, but at this moment, the servant who left just now came over, "Young Master Gu, that side is the inner residence. It’s inconvenient for you to enter. Please come this way."

Chen Ming could only follow the servant along.

He was arranged to stay in an elegant little courtyard, where Maid Xiao He had already prepared hot water for his bath.

While soaking in the bath, he asked, "Xiao He, do you know where Gu Yuyin lives?"

"I know."

"Very well, tomorrow morning, take me to find her."

Chen Ming had been thinking about the "quota" issue just now, but unfortunately, that Miss Xia didn’t give him a chance to ask. For this kind of thing, he could only visit someone he could trust.

From Gu Xianyu’s perspective, this cousin looks down on him, always sarcastic. With his character, even if he were to die, he wouldn’t seek her help.

Chen Ming had a different view. After all, they are cousins from the same family, with no conflict of interest. In this unfamiliar place of Xiazhou, she was someone he could trust.

After all, it’s unlikely that Gu Yuyin would conspire with outsiders to harm him.

Conspiring with one’s own kin is another story.

...

The next morning, before dawn, Chen Ming left the Money Gang with Maid Xiao He.

Coincidentally, the place where Gu Yuyin and the Wu siblings were staying was nearby, so it didn’t take long to arrive.

Upon hearing the news, Wu Zhenhang personally ran to the door to greet them, his eyes burning with enthusiasm as he said warmly, "Gu Qi, you’re finally here."

"I’ve met Cousin Wu."

Chen Ming greeted politely, "I’m here to see Yuyin."

In this era, based on blood relation, a cousin is certainly closer than a distant cousin, since cousins cannot marry, whereas marriage with a distant cousin is considered a fortuitous connection.

From this, it can be seen that the elders of the Gu and Wu families somewhat intended this. That’s why they let the two travel together, although to avoid suspicion, Wu Zhenhang’s sister came along too. But anyone with eyes can see it.

"She is with my sister."

Wu Zhenhang personally led him inside, chatting along the way, "Gu Qi, you’ve hidden yourself so well. Yuyin told me you’ve broken through to the Third Grade, and you kept it a secret from everyone."

Chen Ming replied openly, "In a large family, it’s best to keep a low profile for survival."

"If your father knew you had broken through to the Third Grade, he wouldn’t have let you come to Xiazhou alone."

"Once you reach the Third Grade, you need to come out and experience the world."

How can that be the same?

Wu Zhenhang thought, if the Gu family knew he had reached the Third Grade, they would certainly send a strong family member to protect him secretly. A Third Grade at age twenty would at least be guarded by a First Grade expert. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

However, it’s not appropriate to speak too directly about this. Speaking deeply to a shallow acquaintance is taboo.

Based on Yuyin’s evaluation of this person, he acts cautiously and is very wary of the Gu family. Because of his background, his relationships with those brothers aren’t good either...

These thoughts flashed through Wu Zhenhang’s mind, but he felt her evaluation was biased; this Gu Qi gave him an impression of sincerity.

...

"Seventh Brother, you kept me in the dark!"

Gu Yuyin was walking out with a young lady, and upon seeing Chen Ming, she ran over, seemingly complaining, yet actually being coy, "You reached the Third Grade and didn’t tell me, making me worry for nothing yesterday."

Chen Ming laughed, "This was indeed Seventh Brother’s fault."

Wu Zhenhang introduced, "This is my sister, Wu Xiuyan."

He politely said, "I’ve met Cousin Wu."

Wu Xiuyan curtsied slightly, a bit shyly saying, "I’ve met Brother Gu Qi."

After exchanging some polite words, they reached the courtyard where Gu Yuyin lived, and the Wu siblings left.

Inside the house, after the others had left, Gu Yuyin sighed, "Did Seventh Brother come to mock his sister?"

Chen Ming feigned ignorance, "Why do you say that?"

"Sigh!"

Gu Yuyin sighed softly, "Little sister is embarrassed thinking back on the things I’ve said in front of you before."

"We’re family; I know you didn’t mean any harm. As your older brother, how could I take it to heart?"

"..."

Gu Yuyin was stunned, almost unable to keep her expression steady.

She looked at this Seventh Brother with unfamiliar eyes, surprised he could say such things. It was truly hard to believe.

Is this really the Seventh Brother I know?

"Actually, I came to find you early like this because I have something to ask you." Chen Ming didn’t want to linger on trivial matters and got to the main point.

"Seventh Brother, go ahead," Gu Yuyin said, fully attentive.

"Last night, Xia Mudan came to find me. She said something, asking if I came for the quota. Do you know what this quota might be?"

Mudan, known as the "Rich and Noble Flower" on the Beauty List.

When Gu Yuyin heard the word "quota," she was visibly shocked, "Did she really say that?"

Chen Ming saw her reaction and realized she seemed to know what this quota was, "What exactly is it?"

Gu Yuyin shook her head seriously and said, "Actually, I’m not very clear about what this quota specifically is either. I only know it should be related to a First Grade expert attempting to break through to the Divine Treasure Realm."

Sssss——

Chen Ming couldn’t help but gasp. This was more troublesome than he imagined, actually related to a First Grade expert attempting the Divine Treasure Realm.

If he remembered correctly, Liang Zongcheng has been a First Grade for many years.

Could it be that he’s aiming to break through to the Divine Treasure Realm?

Was his purported personal feud with the Wan Family actually a struggle over this quota?