Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 495 - 331: Guo’s Descendants

"Mr. Gu, let’s not beat around the bush. You have been tirelessly working on the corruption case for several days. Now the court wants to close the case hastily. Are you really willing to accept this? Besides, those two officials are wrongly accused, surely you must feel indignant?"

Hu Maoshen looked at Gu Chengyu, but he suspected that Gu Chengyu must be hiding some evidence. Even if he wasn’t presenting it to the Emperor immediately, having it might be useful at any time.

Gu Chengyu sneered inwardly; Hu Maoshen was actually using such tactics to test him. He found it somewhat laughable. Did he really appear to be someone with an overflowing sense of justice, unable to tolerate any injustice in the world? Perhaps these words might affect those newly entering the bureaucracy who are forthright, but for him, it was pointless!

"Mr. Hu, as you know, this matter is settled and cannot be changed. In my opinion, even if you’re unwilling, you can only let it be."

Realizing Gu Chengyu was unmoved, Hu Maoshen wasn’t disappointed; he knew Gu Chengyu was not easily swayed.

This young man’s determination on court strategies was no less than his, and perhaps even superior.

"Of course, I understand this more than you do. But consider the lives of hundreds of people, don’t you have a conscience? I heard that the female family members of Mr. Song committed suicide after being sent to the Music Bureau, not one survived. Even those girls only four or five years old weren’t spared; their bodies hung from the beams in several rooms."

Gu Chengyu was greatly shocked by these words, "When did this happen?"

He hadn’t heard a whisper of it; why hadn’t such a huge incident been reported?

"It was information sealed by the court." Hu Maoshen sighed, feeling a sense of empathy in tragedy. Wan Xue Nian and Song Shuqing were completely innocent but ended up with such fates. Who knows if the Eldest Prince can sleep peacefully at night.

Gu Chengyu’s heart was unusually heavy, knowing the conditions of those three households were just as tragic. The virtuous women refused to yield even unto death, and those who survived led miserable lives.

Some were sold to filthy places, others sent to the Music Bureau. Even older servants were sold again but were considered more fortunate than their masters.

It felt like a heavy stone was pressing on his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.

Gu Chengyu, feeling dissatisfied, didn’t want to beat around the bush with Hu Maoshen.

"Mr. Hu, you simply want to collect some more evidence from me! To be frank, I’ve given everything I could. Guo Shi didn’t know much about the Eldest Prince’s matters."

Besides withholding the true mastermind from Hu Maoshen, Gu Chengyu had handed over all other evidence to him.

Hu Maoshen understood that it was no small feat for Gu Chengyu to gather this testimony and evidence in such a short time.

There probably wasn’t much valuable information left, and what Gu Chengyu hadn’t shown before, he wouldn’t show now.

No matter how much he asked, there would be no result. Sighing, although he had his personal motives, he still hoped for a chance to overturn the case in the future.

In recent years, the Emperor’s favoritism towards the Eldest Prince had become blatant, even most courtiers couldn’t stand it.

"How could I not know? It’s just that both officials died unjustly, and if one day..."

At this point, Hu Maoshen suddenly felt inappropriate and stopped.

Then he thought, Gu Chengyu was privy to this matter and deeply connected to it, so there was no harm in revealing it.

"If one day an opportunity arises, perhaps we can do something for them."

Hu Maoshen never said it completely, but Gu Chengyu naturally understood his intention.

Over half an hour later, Gu Chengyu finally emerged from Juxiang Building, feeling completely different than when he had entered.

Looking up at the starlit sky and listening to the bustling sounds from the alleys, he felt inexplicably desolate.

"Sir, are we heading to Miss Guo’s place?"

Ming Mo asked in a low voice, noticing Gu Chengyu’s less than agreeable demeanor.

"Let’s go!" Gu Chengyu snapped back to reality, moving resolutely towards West City.

In the hazy night, the most secluded little shop in West City had already barred its doors and closed for business. The street was eerily quiet, with no one wandering outside.

It was a grocery store, its business only passable due to the remote location, and it usually closed early in the evening.

Gu Chengyu and Ming Mo arrived there using Qinggong, observed the surrounding shops, and found everything silent. They passed the shop and arrived at a small courtyard connected to it.

Ming Mo stepped forward to knock, tapping out a short-long-long pattern. Shortly after, footsteps approached from inside the courtyard.

Someone unlatched the door without speaking, and Gu Chengyu and the others entered the inner courtyard.

Gu Chengyu inspected the courtyard, noting its calmness and the candlelight in the main house. This courtyard was purchased by Ming Mo and his team to shelter the three Guo’s descendants.

Gu Chengyu was pleased with the courtyard, with its front connected to the small shop, which did regular business during the day, unbeknownst to anyone that Guo’s heirs lived at the back.

"Master!" The guards were Ding Shier and a guard from Gu Chengyu’s mansion.

During the day, that guard would disguise himself as the shopkeeper, busy at work in the store.

Gu Chengyu nodded, took a black veil from Ming Mo, wrapped it around his face, and then led them into the house.

"Miss Guo, our master is here." Ding Shier called from the doorway, given that she was a young lady, there ought to be a sense of propriety.

Inside, Guo Moruo had already heard the faint door opening noise and knew it was those two people’s master coming.

She straightened her cotton dress and confirmed she was presentable before glancing at the two children sleeping on the bed, then stepping out of the inner room.

As soon as she exited, Guo Moruo looked at the people standing inside the house.

Two of them wore black veils, and judging by one’s clothing material, he should be their master. By glimpses of his exposed skin, he seemed quite young.

Gu Chengyu sized up the young girl who had come out; her face was fair as a silver plate, eyes bright as spring apricot, charmingly beautiful. Though still young, her features hadn’t fully matured.

Despite wearing simple attire, her vibrant elegance wasn’t hidden. Her expression was solemn, eyes slightly red as if she had cried, and her figure appeared frail.

Gu Chengyu could understand that the once-glorious family had collapsed overnight, and she, along with her younger brothers, had been forced to wander.

The relatives she couldn’t see might have been enduring unknown hardships. Anyone with flesh and blood couldn’t remain indifferent, especially since it was the family that gave her life. Showing such resilience was already quite extraordinary.

"Miss Guo, I heard you have something to inform me?" Gu Chengyu deliberately used a low, hoarse voice.