Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 875 - 711: Divine Assist

"I don’t know!" Qu Huaiyun shook his head, "It was certainly in the Yi Mansion before, but after Yi Lanshan learned about Yi Yuanmin, he suddenly had a stroke, which means the treasure map is no longer in the Yi Mansion."

"I understand Yi Lanshan. Even if he knew his favorite grandson was kidnapped, he couldn’t have been so angry as to have a stroke unless the treasure map was gone. Without the treasure map, the Yi Family’s path into officialdom won’t be so smooth. And with Yi Yuanmin being kidnapped, without the treasure map to ransom him back, it completely extinguished the Yi Family’s hope, thus causing the stroke."

Gu Chengyu nodded; Qu Huaiyun’s analysis was very accurate.

Yi Lanshan’s stroke is certainly related to the theft of the treasure map, but Gu Chengyu wouldn’t feel guilty. This is called serving one’s master and fulfilling one’s duties.

"So, are you saying the Yi Family’s treasure map has already disappeared?" Lu Chen sneered, round and round, still going in circles.

"Indeed! However, I think the ones who stole the treasure maps from both the Yi Mansion and the Qu Mansion should be the same group."

Qu Huaiyun was actually speculating, but he could only make his expression appear very certain; after all, these two wouldn’t waste time listening to his guesses.

"Oh? What makes you say that?" Gu Chengyu smiled slightly, this Qu Huaiyun is quite the sly old fox.

"Speaking of the people from the Qu Mansion, that person wielded a soft sword, highly skilled in martial arts. I previously found out that a group of people who came from the Capital included a leader who matches this person perfectly. And this person was sent by the Eldest Prince, so the treasure map should now be in the hands of the Eldest Prince."

Qu Huaiyun didn’t know if it really was the same group, so he resorted to beating around the bush, first speaking of what he had previously investigated.

"The Eldest Prince? Do you have any evidence?" Lu Chen quickly asked.

Seeing Lu Chen had been captivated by the topic, Qu Huaiyun couldn’t help but exhale deeply.

Gu Chengyu saw through Qu Huaiyun’s trick; in fact, everything Qu Huaiyun said was a guess.

However, this was just right. Leading Lu Chen’s attention to the Eldest Prince would lessen his own suspicions—exactly what he wanted.

The Qu Clan Leader is indeed a divine helper!

"Yes! Do you have any evidence proving it’s the Eldest Prince’s doing?" Gu Chengyu spoke slowly.

Qu Huaiyun gave a bitter smile, "Lord! Where is the evidence? This is all based on my previous close monitoring of their movements, combined with subsequent events, giving a clue to the treasure map’s whereabouts."

"Rest assured, as long as you follow this lead, you will definitely find the treasure map. What matters is the treasure map, evidence isn’t important!"

Qu Huaiyun’s eloquence is indeed impressive, but if he thinks he can fool Lu Chen and Gu Chengyu this way, he is too naive.

"Qu Clan Leader! You’re saying all this is just your guess, and there’s no factual basis. To us, you’re just wasting our time. I think we should let Lord Liao come in! The Qu Clan Leader has no sincerity at all."

Lu Chen sighed, clearly dissatisfied with Qu Huaiyun’s words.

Qu Huaiyun cursed inwardly at how these two, though young, were even more difficult to deal with than those old cunning foxes.

"What I said is true, my Lords, just follow this lead and you will surely have results. But you know, a promotion doesn’t rely solely on a treasure map!"

Qu Huaiyun looked at their expressions and saw they were interested, finally relaxing.

Actually, the earlier talk was all nonsense; his true purpose was to expose Liao Cheng’s crimes.

Exactly! He wanted to drag Liao Cheng down. Since Liao Cheng was unjust first, he couldn’t be blamed for not being righteous.

"You two should be clear, previously I was closely associated with Lord Liao. Whatever the Qu Family did wrong, Liao Cheng certainly had a hand in it and benefited no less than our Qu Family. I have a few account books with very detailed records."

Qu Huaiyun couldn’t help but be thankful for keeping evidence against Liao Cheng back then. He had initially intended to destroy them to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

But in the end, he resisted, and they turned out to be useful someday.

"Do you think Liao Cheng will wait for you to submit the account books? Perhaps he has already devised a plan to destroy them?"

Gu Chengyu asked, though he knew Qu Huaiyun likely had a backup plan. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Indeed! I’ve heard that Manager Qiu by your side betrayed you, and your account books are already in Liao Cheng’s hands."

Lu Chen was dismissive of Qu Huaiyun’s words, sneering.

But when he saw Qu Huaiyun’s calm demeanor, another thought occurred to him, could it be?

"Manager Qiu? Yes, I did trust him. But couldn’t I take precautions against him? Anyone can betray you, so one can only trust oneself."

Qu Huaiyun shook his head, indifferent to Manager Qiu’s betrayal.

Servants can’t be trusted? Secrets should only be known to oneself, then they are truly secret.

"I have another account book, and it includes not just Liao Cheng’s, but other officials’ as well."

Lu Chen, hearing this, was overjoyed, exchanging a glance with Gu Chengyi. Unexpectedly, coming to Hejian Prefecture yielded another reward.

The vast river was in full view, the river wind rushing through the crevices between mountains on both banks, producing a constant whooshing sound.

It was already early November; not far from the shore, a small fishing boat bobbed on the river.

Gu Chengyu sat in the cabin, rocking with the small boat. He appreciated the river view, but the cold piercing wind made his head dizzy.

"Ugh!"

A sudden noise sounded, and Gu Chengyu helplessly cast his gaze over.

"Lord Lu, you... are you holding up?" Gu Chengyu asked with concern.

Lu Chen wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, turning to look at the seemingly sympathetic Gu Chengyu, only to feel an even greater oppression in his heart.

"Why did we find this broken boat among all the boats we could have found?"

Lu Chen sat weakly on the boat’s side, "Hiss~"

He clutched his chest; his earlier actions seemed to have strained his chest, making his complexion even paler.

"Is your wound okay? Has it reopened?" Gu Chengyu looked at the weak Lu Chen and furrowed his brow.

"Ming Mo! Give your topical medicine to Lord Lu."

Ming Mo had been sitting at the stern; hearing his lord’s command, though somewhat reluctant, he couldn’t disobey Gu Chengyu’s order.

He took out a small porcelain bottle from his bosom and handed it to Lu Chen.

It was a medicine personally crafted by his lord using valuable ingredients, used sparingly by him daily.

Lu Chen couldn’t care about being pretentious now; he took the porcelain bottle and unbuttoned his clothes.

"Lord Lu should understand, we’re lucky to be on this boat now. Otherwise, we might have ended up as fish food in the river."

Gu Chengyu shook his head; this time, it was Lu Chen’s impatience.

It made those people desperate, and they ended up being chased, barely rescued from the river by fishermen.