The four officials meet, seeing through life's doubts.

  The atmosphere in the house was somewhat subtle, and Gu Zhong was about to say something when the door of the study suddenly rang out. His face sank, "What's going on?"

  Listening to Gu Zhongzheng's tone of anger, the eyebrows of Gu Cheng outside the door tightened even more. "Master, something has happened in the mansion!" Although Gu Zhongzheng had ordered that no one was allowed to disturb him at this moment, such a big thing had happened, and Gu Cheng feared that if he didn't report it, the punishment would be even greater.

  Gu Zhongzheng furrowed his brow upon hearing this, looking at the pale-faced but expressionless person across from him. "Whatever has happened can wait to be reported later, can't you see I'm entertaining guests right now?"

  There seemed to be a moment of hesitation, and Gu Cheng thought for a moment before saying in a loud voice, "Master, the ancestral hall is flooded!"

  Is it flooding?!

  Gu Zhongzheng stood up at the moment, and this Gu family ancestral hall was placed with the spirit tablets of several generations of respected elders in the Gu family. It is also the best location for the entire Gu family's Feng Shui fortune, which has never been allowed to be approached by outsiders. Why did it come to pass now?

  Gu's face showed a hint of embarrassment, and he turned to the person in front of him, saying, "I'm really sorry, the people in our household are so ignorant, they've caused such a mess. Chu Gongzi——"

  "It doesn't matter, there's something going on at Master Xiang's residence, I won't stay here any longer."

  His voice was like the wind on a cold winter day, slowly and quietly approaching, seemingly calm but making you shiver. Gu Zhongzheng clasped his hands together, "I'm truly sorry, I'll definitely come to your door to apologize in person. I'll see Chu Gongzi off at the door, please..."

  Wan Xi wrapped the black cloak tightly around his body, following behind Gu Zhongzheng as they exited the study door. As soon as they stepped out, a chill ran down his spine and he tightened his collar, coughing lightly twice, his face growing even paler.

  At this time, the mansion seemed to be immersed in a noisy and urgent atmosphere. Gu Zhongzheng listened to the movement behind him without turning his head, only bringing him through several corridors before entering the main path of the mansion. However, as soon as he stepped onto the main path, he saw Gu De hurrying towards him with quick steps.

  Gu De was by Gu Zhongzheng's side, also in charge of the outer courtyard, his face urgent and with a hint of anger. In the deep night, he only saw Gu Zhongzheng but not Wan Qi Chen who had half of her body wrapped in a black cloak.

  "Master, the fire in the ancestral hall has been brought under control. It was found that Jiang Sheng and a maidservant were having an affair in the ancestral hall, and due to their carelessness, the fire broke out. Please instruct on how to punish them!"

  After finishing speaking, Gu Zhongzheng's face turned even more blue and red. Standing behind him, Wan Qi Xun seemed to be unable to withstand the chill-like atmosphere and coughed twice again. Only then did Gu realize his mistake!

  The ancestral hall catching fire is already an inauspicious event, and now in front of the guests from outside, he actually spoke out about the improper behavior of the lower-ranking people in the mansion, isn't that adding a black mark to his own master's face? Thinking about this, the cold sweat on Gu's forehead grew even more.

  "How to punish?!" Gu Zhongzheng seemed to be in a hurry, coldly snorted, "Since such a shameful thing happened within the Prime Minister's mansion, I will naturally have them beaten to death with rods. First, lock up those two in the dark room, and tomorrow morning, gather all the people in the mansion to deal with them publicly, as a warning to others!"

  Gu De nodded repeatedly and retreated. Gu Zhong turned around and said, "The Duke of Chu must be laughing at us, the lower officials in the mansion are too lacking in self-awareness."

  Wan Xi's hands were clasped together inside his large cloak, as if he was extremely afraid of the cold. Upon hearing this, he only said, "I dare not, Master Xiang devotes himself to state affairs all day, and need not worry about trivial matters in the mansion."

  Gu Zhongzheng heard the words and just smiled and nodded, considering the matter settled. At this time, he suddenly exclaimed, "Ah, I forgot that Chu Gongzi's body is not good, standing for half a day, it must be very uncomfortable."

  "Someone come and prepare the carriage to send Master Chu back to his residence!"

  Gu Cheng was right behind him and said at this time, "The carriage is ready, Your Highness Chu, please."

  Wan Xi nodded, "Since that's the case, Master Xiang doesn't need to see me off. There are still unfinished matters in the manor, it's better to go and take your seat early."

  Gu Zhongzheng watched the flames and thick smoke, although they were slowly getting smaller, he was still uneasy. At this time, he no longer hesitated, "Since that's the case, I won't see you off from afar."

  Watching Wan Qi Zheng walk towards the main gate, Gu Zhong Zheng's eyes turned cold and he quickly walked towards the ancestral hall.

  Everyone from the Xiangfu mansion was seen hurrying in the direction of the ancestral temple, it's unknown whether they were going to watch the commotion or to show off. Mu Yan followed behind him and softly said, "Master, this big fire really came at the right time, Gu Zhongzheng is a cunning old man, he actually still wanted to win you over, not knowing that you already had your own plans."

  Wan Xi Zhen's footsteps slowed down slightly, Mu Yan thought he had said something wrong, but at the moment of nervousness, he saw his master's gaze fall on a person's back.

  As the crowd in the mansion rushed to watch the commotion, a young servant wearing a green undergarment was walking quickly against the flow of people in front of them. Wan Qi looked back at the dark night sky with flames rising up, then looked at the figure's back, and his tightly pursed lips slightly curled up.

  "What's wrong, master?"

  Sesame oil.

  Wan Xi's thin, crimson lips lightly uttered two words. Mu Yan's gaze condensed, her nostrils flared slightly, and after walking a few more steps, she turned back around, "Master, your meaning is that this fire is caused by this person——"

  The last two words of his sentence were left unspoken, and his expression was extremely shocked. Who would dare to set fire in the most noble Prime Minister's mansion in Yanjing?

  Wan Xi Zhen's eyes had been fixed on that figure from the start, from the slender neck to the delicate waist, his gaze growing deeper and deeper, until finally, his gaze fell upon the person's feet, and under the blue robe, a pair of white flower-embroidered shoes were surprisingly clear in the light of the surrounding lanterns!

  Gu Yunxi's footsteps were naturally urgent, her first step was considered done, but she had too much to do, and the success of this first step didn't count for anything to her.

  She let out a deep sigh, and suddenly had a feeling like ants on her back. As if she had sensed something, she turned around, her eyes ready to capture the source of this strange feeling.

  Those were a pair of eyes as dark and deep as an abyss, even the pitch-black night with the biting wind of a cold winter couldn't compare to the chill they brought to Gu Yunxi. He was wearing a luxurious fox-fur coat, his features were refined, his posture straight, if it weren't for his pale complexion that seemed slightly ill, if he hadn't wrapped himself tightly in his fur-lined cloak making him appear somewhat thin, he would have been a man of stunning beauty capable of captivating the hearts of all who laid eyes on him.

  Who is he?

  Gu Yunxi's mind raised such doubts, his eyes were too transparent, and there was a kind of seeing through her taste. His heart quickly searched for the memories of this body before, but it was still blank. However, Gu Yunxi could be certain that he was not a person from the mansion.

  Since you're not from our province, mind your own business!

  Their eyes met for only a fleeting moment, and they turned to leave in their respective directions. Gu Yunxi used the token given by Xu Dama to enter the inner courtyard, where she changed her clothes in a secluded corner before returning to Mei Garden. Meanwhile, Wan Qi Zheng walked out of the Prime Minister's estate without stopping, but did not get into the luxurious carriage prepared by Gu Cheng.

  A small alleyway outside the side gate of the mansion, a blue cloth-covered carriage was quietly waiting there. The third prince of Chu, who was being held as a hostage in Yan, got on the carriage without saying a word. As the wheels began to turn, Wan Qi's cold voice rang out, "Investigate!"

  ——