Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 850 - 686: A Familiar Fragrance

He lay back on the bed, thinking that someone would come soon.

Sure enough, no sooner had Gu Chengyu lain down than someone knocked on the door.

"Mr. Gu, are you awake?"

The voice outside made Gu Chengyu sneer; if they were truly hospitable, knocking on the door in such a manner was discourteous.

Gu Chengyu turned over, deliberately ignoring it.

Ming Mo immediately came out from the neighboring room, opened the door, and looked outside.

"Shhh! Our master is still sleeping! He drank a lot today, probably still groggy."

This intentional drinking was orchestrated by Yi Lanshan; the family members were well aware, and it was normal if he hadn’t woken up.

Yet, having Gu Chengyu spend the night at the mansion left them uneasy.

Furthermore, Yi Lanwen’s failed plan that afternoon left Yi Lanshan disappointed and frustrated.

Since that plan didn’t succeed, he didn’t want Gu Chengyu staying at the Yi Mansion any longer.

Moreover, trying again was impossible; who knew if Gu Chengyu was sober after so much time had passed?

Besides, Gu Chengyu’s followers couldn’t be away from him for too long, and they had missed the best opportunity.

So Yi Lanshan couldn’t sit still; after some thought, he sent a servant to probe.

Ming Mo initially blocked the view of the room, but the servant tried to peek inside. Ming Mo noticed, his expression darkening, and he intentionally stepped aside slightly.

"So Mr. Gu is still not awake? My master sent me to check, and I have to report back, so I’ll take my leave."

The servant, seeing Ming Mo’s unfriendly look, quickly saluted and turned to leave.

Ming Mo snorted coldly, closing the door again.

"What? You’re saying he’s still not awake?" Yi Lanshan looked at the servant with dissatisfaction, feeling inexplicably irritated.

"His followers said so, still no."

"You didn’t check inside the room, just asked outside the door?" Yi Lanshan frowned, asking.

But he waved it off, knowing that if Gu Chengyu intended to stay, it would be the same even if they checked inside.

"You may go now!" He waved the servant away, who breathed a sigh of relief and quickly left the room.

Yi Lanwen’s eyes flickered as he watched his brother pacing impatiently inside the room; he opened his mouth.

But as if remembering something, he quickly shut it tight.

"You! You can’t even handle this small matter. Sister-in-law is still making a fuss with the sisters-in-law over a thief in the mansion. Couldn’t you use more drug so she wouldn’t wake up halfway?"

Yi Lanshan, exasperated beyond words, berated his younger brother.

"Luckily you quickly passed her to the sisters-in-law, otherwise your reputation would be ruined in Hejian Prefecture, maybe even reaching the Capital."

Yi Lanshan, fuming, no longer cared about Yi Lanwen’s face, and unleashed a torrent of scolding.

"Utterly useless! Squandering the opportunity, no further plotting against Gu Chengyu is possible now."

Yi Lanwen’s face turned darker, knowing his brother had never thought highly of him, deeming him dim-witted. Such scolding was naturally hard to swallow.

At over forty years old, being so chastised was utterly humiliating.

The two advisers in the room felt utterly awkward.

Yi Lanshan, caught up in the botched plan, didn’t notice the growing resentment in Yi Lanwen.

"What do you suggest we do now, Elder Brother?"

Yi Lanwen, now also angry, dismissed any remaining guilt.

"What else can we do? Take it one step at a time!" Yi Lanshan snapped back.

Meanwhile, he was plotting in his mind, knowing he would need to bolster defense at two places tonight.

Gu Chengyu would definitely stay at the mansion tonight, but who knew his real purpose? Perhaps to steal the treasure map.

Yi Lanshan was indeed astute, already seeing through Gu Chengyu’s intention.

However, he trusted his Illusion Technique, believing the intruders would likely go for the inner study and storeroom.

Although he hesitated about moving the treasure map, he decided it would remain unnoticed.

Frequent visits to the ancestral hall might draw attention, and that was undesirable.

Thus, he decided the treasure map would remain safely in the ancestral hall.

Yi Lanshan had no idea the treasure map was already in Gu Chengyu’s hands, contemplating on how to redirect their attention to the inner study and storeroom.

As night fell, Yi Lanshan sent someone to invite Gu Chengyu to dinner.

"Oh! Drinking that much today has given me a terrible headache. Tell your master thanks for the hospitality, but I’ll dine in my room."

With so much time passed, Gu Chengyu was in no mood to socialize.

He planned to remain at the Yi Mansion, and Yi Lanshan couldn’t force him out.

As for any increased guards at the inner study and storeroom, it was none of his concern.

"Master! Mr. Gu says his headache is severe, so he won’t come to dine and asks us to send the meal over."

The servant cautiously watched his master’s reaction, fearing a deduction in his monthly salary.

Yi Lanshan contemplated before gritting his teeth and smiling.

"Send it over, and have the kitchen prepare extra dishes."

Yi Lanwen shuddered at his brother’s subtle smile, knowing he had devised another scheme against Mr. Gu.

He felt a keen internal conflict, unsure whether he hoped Gu Chengyu would fall into the trap or evade it.

After all, the antidote was still with Gu Chengyu! Yi Lanwen was deeply conflicted.

Lu Chen looked at the table full of delicacies, puzzled.

With Yi Lanshan’s temperament, he’d expect disdain for Gu Chengyu, so why such a lavish feast?

"The Yi Family really likes to put on airs, or do they squander like this daily?"

Lu Chen leisurely sat, waiting for Ming Mo to serve him.

Gu Chengyu smiled, "Hmph! Accepting their hospitality yet speaking ill isn’t gentlemanly!"

Lu Chen laughed, "We’ve never done a thing a true gentleman would do?"

Gu Chengyu smiled silently, lifting the soup bowl for a sip.

But as he brought the bowl to his lips, a familiar scent wafted to his nose.

The scent resembled the key ingredient Condensing Illusion Grass he used in his concoctions.

With a slight thought, he understood Yi Lanshan’s intentions.