Chapter 51: Then Let’s Take Down Wang Yong First

Chapter 51: Then Let's Take Down Wang Yong First

The three rode swiftly out of Wenzhou, heading straight for the Capital.

Zhi Xing had been behind them but suddenly caught up to Gao Wenyan, hesitating as if he wanted to say something.

Taking advantage of Chu Xu not noticing, Gao Wenyan subtly slowed her horse and asked, "Do you have something to say?"

He nodded and asked, "Is that Chengshuang on your waist?"

Everyone said Chengshuang had been missing for a long time. Why did they all recognize it?

Then she thought about it—Zhi Xing was like a brother to Chu Xu, so it wasn't surprising.

"Yes."

Zhi Xing had already recognized Chengshuang, but hearing Gao Wenyan admit it was another matter entirely.

He wasn't one for eloquent speech or emotional displays.

Yet Gao Wenyan sensed a hint of resentment on his face, so she added fuel to the fire, "You wouldn't want it too, would you?"

That was Chengshuang, after all. Who wouldn't want it except someone as proud as Gao Wenxi?

Chengshuang had been in Chu Xu's residence for years, even before he became a chancellor. He had found it long ago.

Zhi Xing knew he had been searching for a famous sword, even while in Longnan.

Later, he encountered Chengshuang by chance.

Zhi Xing had stared at Chengshuang several times, only for Zhi Yan to tease him, "The master won't give it to you."

"Why not?"

Apart from Chu Xu, he was the best martial artist in the household, and they hadn't sparred in years.

If Chu Xu wore it himself, Zhi Xing wouldn't have any complaints.

But Chengshuang sat unused, gathering dust, and whenever Chu Xu wiped it clean, he put it back, waiting for it to gather dust again.

Year after year, day after day.

Until it appeared on Gao Wenyan's waist.

"Are you the owner of that sachet?"

Gao Wenyan was taken aback and shook her head slightly, saying, "Of course not."

"That's strange."

Chu Xu also slowed his horse and asked, "Is there something wrong?"

After a moment's hesitation, Gao Wenyan decided not to betray Zhi Xing.

But Zhi Xing surprised her with his bluntness.

"I was asking if that is Chengshuang."

Chu Xu indeed frowned.

"If you want to know, just ask me."

Zhi Xing turned away, silent, slowing his horse again and falling out of line.

"Is he upset?" Gao Wenyan whispered.

"I don't know."

Chu Xu was equally helpless; Zhi Xing's temperament differed from Zhi Yan's.

Though they were brothers, Zhi Yan was lively, while Zhi Xing was stubbornly principled.

For example, he had obstinately served Chu Xu as a master for years.

But this was the first time he had shown such petulance.

Gao Wenyan glanced at his sachet, secretly thinking.

How could everyone know he had a girl he cherished deeply?

Someone approached on horseback from behind, riding fast, making the three tense up.

Zhi Xing had already turned around and drawn his sword, ready to fight.

Seeing the rider's face and posture, Gao Wenyan exclaimed softly.

Hadn't her elder brother left already? Why was he still behind them?

Chu Xu also recognized the rider from earlier in Wenzhou.

He gave a cold snort, a half-smile that made Gao Wenyan feel inexplicably guilty.

She rode forward to intercept him, lest Zhi Xing attack and accidentally harm them both.

Gao Wenxi didn't stop, merely turning his head to glance at her lightly. Gao Wenyan understood.

"Next time, then."

She hastily bid farewell to Chu Xu, whipped her horse, and sped off.

Chu Xu's face was sullen, but he had no reason or standing to try and keep her.

He could only watch as she quickly caught up with that "brother" and left.

Gao Wenxi changed his route, coincidentally avoiding Chu Xu, ensuring they would not cross paths again.

"Didn't Big Brother say that traveling together would be too conspicuous?"

"Are you any less conspicuous?"

So she wisely shut her mouth and stopped mentioning it.

After some thought, she offered a dry explanation: "I just happened to run into him."

Gao Wenxi had known it was Chu Xu since Wenzhou, but he did not expose her lie.

"As long as you know your limits."

Meaning, don't give others a handle to put the Gao family in danger.

Gao Wenyan knew she was at fault and lowered her eyes, saying nothing more.

If she had been a bit more rational, she should have slit Chu Xu's throat in Lishan.

Instead, she allowed their relationship to deepen even further.

So she cleverly changed the subject to business matters.

"By the way, we received an urgent message from Yishan."

She relayed everything Lin Yishan had written in his letter to Gao Wenxi and then brought up Wang Yong.

"Chu Xu's people traced it back to Wang Yong. Wang Yong sent someone to Lishan to kill him, and now Chen You is also in trouble."

Gao Wenxi couldn't help but frown. When Gao Wenyan had previously written about suspecting Wang Yong, he thought it unlikely.

However, when he investigated Wang Yong, although there were some oddities, nothing significant came up.

Now, hearing her words, he felt certain it must be Wang Yong.

Speaking of this matter, Gao Wenxi had many lingering doubts.

"How did you know to be wary of Chen You?"

When she first asked Lin Yishan for the camp roster, Gao Wenyan, lacking full confidence, kept it from Gao Wenxi.

But later, after discovering the secret passage, it became impossible to hide it from him, nor was it necessary.

So before leaving home, she instructed Lin Yishan to inform Gao Wenxi of all their findings.

By then, she had already slipped away, leaving Gao Wenxi unable to question her.

However, she didn't expect to meet Gao Wenxi here and hadn't even prepared an excuse.

"It was the fortune-teller's prediction. I told you, I believe it."

It was a hasty explanation.

She changed the subject again: "By the way, how is the army?"

Gao Wenxi didn't bother to argue with her and took up her new topic.

"Yes, security is tighter than ever; nothing will go wrong."

"That's good."

She thought for a moment and added: "The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. Can Big Brother find an excuse to return to the border after the festival?"

"After the festival, I'll naturally return."

"No."

She organized her thoughts several times before speaking: "Not naturally, but by actively mentioning it."

"So many things have happened recently; I feel uneasy."

Gao Wenxi glanced at the sky and agreed: "I also think we should return sooner, but we can't escape this Mid-Autumn Festival."

As he spoke, he lowered his voice: "The investigation with Army Supervisor Cao has been dragging on, and it's still not finished."

"How could it take so long?"

"These things can never be rushed."

So as long as the investigation with Army Supervisor Cao remains unresolved, they cannot propose returning to the border, lest they face serious consequences.

Gao Wenyan's face darkened as she said: "Then let's deal with Wang Yong first."

"I was thinking the same thing."

Without mentioning the private contact with Chen You or the secret soldiers, just being a shield for Zhang Xinhong was enough to make him want to kill Wang Yong.

During the days when Gao Wenyan went missing in Lishan, the Gao family almost went mad.

If not for him restraining General Gao, the general might have already rushed to Lishan regardless of the consequences.

Zhang Xinhong, what kind of person is he?

To dare touch our Gao family?