Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 235 - 71: Abduction

Gu Chengyu utilized Qinggong, swiftly running towards Chunhua’s house.

Arriving at Chunhua’s house, he found the courtyard gate open, with Chunhua sitting at the entrance splitting firewood on a small stool.

"Sister Chunhua! Have you seen my second sister?" Actually, he didn’t see any sign of his second sister, and Gu Chengyu felt uneasy. Chunhua was sitting there properly, so where had his second sister gone?

"Huh? No! Yesterday your second sister mentioned she wouldn’t come looking for me today and wanted to spend the time making two robes for you! What’s going on?" Raising her head and spotting Gu Chengyu, Chunhua wiped the sweat from her forehead and spoke.

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu immediately turned around and ran.

"Hey? What’s going on?" Chunhua got up and chased to the courtyard gate, only to find Gu Chengyu had already vanished.

"You lazy girl! Not seeing you for a moment, are you slacking off again?" An old woman came out from the house, saw Chunhua standing at the gate, and immediately started scolding her.

"Grandma! Just now Gu Family’s fifth came looking for Wan’er, I just said two words, I’m about to go chop firewood." Sitting back on the stool, Chunhua pondered why Gu Family’s fifth seemed so anxious, was Wan’er missing? Generally, apart from visiting her, Wan’er stayed at her own place, so where else could she have gone? Perhaps she went somewhere else to play?

While splitting wood, she pondered where Gu Wan might be.

"That little wench has Silver back home! Doesn’t need to work, can run all over the village, a living person can’t simply disappear. Do you think you’re like her? Let me tell you, you won’t have such a good fate; you weren’t born into her family. Hurry and chop well! If the firewood isn’t split properly, no lunch for you!"

Chunhua’s grandma most disliked the Gu Family, flaunting their Silver as if everyone should know. Gu Wan, a little girl, dressed in gold and silver like a rich man’s daughter, loved to show off her Silver at their house.

Each visit, she secretly slipped food to Chunhua, thinking she didn’t notice? Only giving it to Chunhua, hiding when she came around. Hmph! Such a petty girl, if she had Silver, why not give some of those golden hairpins and silver pins to her family?

Gu Chengyu anxiously searched hidden places around the village, regardless of Gu Wanhua’s intentions; it certainly wouldn’t be in crowded places. Yet after searching these several spots, there was no trace of Gu Wan, and strangely, Ming Mo hadn’t appeared either.

In this moment, he felt regret. He shouldn’t have been so arrogant, assuming with Ming Mo’s protection, Gu Wan couldn’t possibly encounter trouble. The smooth sailing he had experienced made him complacent, bordering on blind arrogance. One must always anticipate unexpected occurrences; had he dealt with Huang Ming earlier, such problems wouldn’t arise.

He felt some remorse, why wait for Huang Ming to make a move before catching him on the spot? The Dayan Dynasty isn’t modern times, compelling evidence isn’t needed. Once there’s a hint of harm towards him and his loved ones, he’s fully capable of quashing such threats in their infancy.

This incident served as a wake-up call; from now on, he must be thorough in his planning.

He forced himself to calm down, understanding that in such moments, calmness is paramount. Most places in the village had been searched already. He suddenly recalled two locations: Changling Mountain and the grove where Wang Yue and Lin Wu had met clandestinely.

During daytime, people might go to Changling Mountain to collect firewood, but deeper inside it’s deserted. Yet, getting to the inner area requires passing through the outer reaches, making it likely to be spotted, not to mention, given their personalities, they certainly wouldn’t dare to go there, especially with Gu Wan, which would be inconvenient.

Therefore, only the grove remained. As Gu Chengyu walked, he analyzed the two locations, then turned his steps towards that small path.

Gu Wanhua stealthily carried Gu Wan to the back grove, a secluded spot with abundant flora, making it an excellent hiding place.

Carrying Gu Wan, sweat dripped from his head down his neck, his heart pounding furiously; unsure if the sweat was from the exertion or nervousness.

Breathing heavily, Gu Wanhua said to Huang Ming beside him, "There’s a small grove ahead, you go first and flatten the grass a bit, or we won’t be able to pass! Ugh! I can barely carry her anymore!"

An inherently weak scholar, persisting this long was already challenging. Although Gu Wan was just a little girl, not notably heavy, carrying someone that far while avoiding detection was truly exhausting!

"Hold on a bit more, we’re almost there!" Huang Ming, having never done anything like this, was equally tense, maintaining a facade of composure.

Finally reaching the grove, Gu Wanhua hurriedly set Gu Wan down on a small mound. He collapsed to the ground, rolled up his sleeves, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Ming Mo quietly followed behind; he was keen to see what they were up to.

After surveying for a moment, Huang Ming ensured there was no one around, noticing the dense branches overhead, only scant glimpses of the sky visible through gaps.

Seeing this, he relaxed; the location was well-hidden, the grass growing waist-high had covered the path, ensuring few frequent visitors.

"You sure found a good spot, this place is very hidden!" Huang Ming complimented Gu Wanhua. Indeed, he needed Gu Wanhua’s assistance.

Not waiting for Gu Wanhua to respond, he moved forward intending to check on Gu Wan.

On the grassy mound, Gu Wan lay with eyes tightly shut, wearing a white high-collared undergarment covered by a fragrant-colored silk jacket, paired with a red pleated skirt embroidered with auspicious designs.

This attire highlighted her pure, snow-white delicate face, granting Gu Wan an air of tranquil elegance befitting a lady.

Huang Ming hadn’t seen Gu Wan before, but had thought, with Gu Chengyu being good-looking, surely her second sister wouldn’t be bad either? Now seeing her, although not resembling Gu Chengyu, she was indeed pretty. Despite her youthful beauty, having grown up, she’d surely be even more captivating, much more than the one at home.

Actually, it was due to Gu Wan’s youth; otherwise, it’d be simpler. Create an accidental situation alone with her, and if not enough, proceed further, ensuring Gu Wan inevitably becomes his.

Yet given her young age, even if doing so fulfilled his desires, it would tarnish his reputation. Besides, he couldn’t bring himself to hurt such a young girl.

"Alright! Let’s hurry up! Otherwise, if caught, it’ll be troublesome!" Regaining focus, Huang Ming prepared to initiate his plan.

Speaking, he stepped forward intending to undress Gu Wan, but was halted by a hand beside him.

"Wait! Are you serious about what you said before? You truly intend to marry my second aunt?"

Doubts lingered in Gu Wanhua’s mind, realizing over the past days that Huang Ming, with his cunning calculations, certainly stood to gain from marrying Gu Wan. Yet he couldn’t be sure Huang Ming wouldn’t impose unreasonable conditions later. If he merely accepted his second aunt as a concubine, Little Uncle would surely tear him apart.