When Qin Kou'er saw Gu Minglang off, she didn't have any extra worries at all. Even though she knew that someone was following Gu Minglang, she didn't think that someone was trying to assassinate him, let alone that the person was Lan Xiuyuan.

So, just as dawn was breaking and Qin Kou'er was carefully examining what the four counties had in common, someone actually bypassed Qin Tiange's guards and shot a dart into the house, which landed directly on a pillar. Only then did Qin Kou'er realize that following Gu Minglang was a serious matter.

The dart was small, but it penetrated the pillar very deeply, clearly demonstrating the person's exceptional skill.

More importantly, there was a small note stuck in the dart.

Qin Kou'er quickly took the dart away and unfolded the note in her hand.

The note contained only one line of small print: "Xiu Yuan harbors murderous intent; Gu Minglang is in danger; save him immediately."

Qin Kou'er's brows furrowed immediately.

She recognized the handwriting very well; she knew that unless the situation was extremely urgent, he would never contact her in this way.

Qin Kou'er quickly lit the note on the candle flame, thought for a moment, and then quickly went outside.

Mo Hun escorted Gu Minglang back, and although he knew there were tails following them, he wasn't too worried.

Even if those officials wanted to know Gu Minglang's next move, Qin Kou'er must have made arrangements, otherwise she wouldn't have let him bring it back so openly.

Gu Minglang's movements were always those of an official, extremely slow.

So by the time Gu Minglang got home, it was already quite late.

He led Mo Hun to his study, took out the painting "Spring in the Thatched Cottage" by Third Master Gu from his drawer, and handed it to Mo Hun.

"I would be grateful if you could personally deliver this painting to the Pavilion Master. The paper is thin and fragile, so please take good care of it!"

Mo Hun put the painting away and said expressionlessly, "Don't worry, sir. I will take good care of it! You are busy, so don't worry about me. I will go with you to collect the silver after dawn!"

With that, Mo Hun apologized to Gu Minglang, turned around and walked out. He sat down in the pavilion not far from Gu Minglang's study and waited quietly for Gu Minglang.

Gu Minglang certainly couldn't mistreat this brave man, so he had a maid serve him tea and pastries. As for himself, after a night of travel, although he was exhausted, he really couldn't sleep because he had something on his mind.

After having his face washed by a maid, Gu Minglang closed the study door and began reviewing today's official documents by himself.

Everything proceeded quietly, slowly and unsteadily.

Mo Hun stood guard outside the door with his eyes closed, while Gu Minglang was engrossed in writing at his desk.

Then, at that moment, a gray figure quietly appeared on the roof next to Gu Minglang.

He was like a gray cat, with a chilling, dark look in his eyes, crouching on the bricks and tiles, quietly observing the situation in Gu Minglang's courtyard.

He saw Gu Minglang writing with his head down through the window, and then he saw Mo Hun sitting upright outside the door, resting with his eyes closed.

However, when he saw Mo Hun, his gaze suddenly narrowed, as if he had seen something he shouldn't have.

But his gaze quickly calmed down, then returned to its ashen, deathly intensity, and he remained motionless.

He was calculating the distance. If he wanted to enter Gu Minglang's house unnoticed, he could only do so through the window Gu Minglang had just opened. However, Mo Hun would definitely see him, because no matter how nimbly he moved, if Gu Minglang made the slightest sound, Mo Hun would rush in to rescue him. Therefore, he had to get rid of the ice block sitting outside so he could successfully enter the house and complete his mission.

The man in gray was no stranger to the situation before him; he had encountered similar situations countless times, and each time he had managed to escape unscathed.

He quietly pulled his head back. He noticed two sparrows and a kingfisher perched on Gu Minglang's roof.

He unconsciously twitched the corner of his mouth; his chance had come.

Mo Hun was sitting in the pavilion calculating the time when he suddenly heard the chirping of birds. He opened his eyes and looked around, and immediately saw three birds chasing and fighting each other on Gu Minglang's roof.

He smiled slightly, his gaze softening. It had been a long time since he'd seen anything so amusing. The last time he'd seen birds fighting was many years ago.

Thinking of all this, Mo Hun suddenly thought of an old friend, and felt a slight pang of sadness. He wondered how the friend had been doing all these years, and whether he still thought about his brothers.

Just as Mo Hun was somewhat lost in thought, countless kingfishers began to sing in the garden outside.

Mo Hun was taken aback and turned to look. Although he didn't find anything, the situation was indeed very unusual.

Following the kingfisher's call, the chirping of other small birds soon followed, as if these birds were arguing with each other, which was rather irritating to listen to.

The noise was really too loud.

Mo Hun was stunned for a moment: this situation was too similar to what had happened back then. Apart from him, he had never seen anyone else make the little bird talk like a person.

Could it be him? Or has he been hiding in the Gu residence all along?

Upon realizing this possibility, Mo Hunteng stood up abruptly and quickly walked towards the garden.

In that instant, the man in gray, like a falling leaf, swiftly drifted into Gu Minglang's study.

Gu Minglang neither heard nor saw anything. In his eyes, only his clerks were the most important thing right now.

He should at least finish what he's doing first, like a monk ringing the bell every day.

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