Of the vast villa, Geng Qi's residence was the most heavily guarded, yet no one except Que Yan was ever allowed to set foot inside.
Geng Qi didn't ask how the person in front of him had broken through the defenses of the other courtyard to enter his courtyard, nor did he make a fuss. There was still tea that Que Yan had just brought on the table, steaming hot. The person was kneeling on one knee, but his eyes were fixed on Geng Qi, his dark eyes as black as the night filled with shock.
Looking down, Geng Qi raised an eyebrow slightly. This person had a black headscarf, black clothes, and black shoes, and even his skin was dark. You might not even see him if you passed by him in the dark.
He's a good thief!
The man looked at Geng Qi, his lips trembling as he said, "Young Master!"
As soon as he spoke, Geng Qi knew that this person was Geng Chen, the shadow guard who had always been loyal to the Geng family, according to the information provided to him by the system.
In order to achieve our goal, we must use everything that is available!
The Geng family has been in business for many years, and their network of connections extends beyond Sangzhong City. Their spies are present throughout the entire martial arts world. Geng Chen was rescued by the head of the Geng family when he was young and has been following "Geng Qi" since childhood.
He probably never imagined that the man who died at the inn because of his failure to protect him, the man who should have been dead for almost a year, would stand alive and well before him again.
"What? Don't you recognize me?"
Geng Qi took a sip of tea casually.
Geng Chen snapped out of his shock. "Young Master, is it really you?"
"It's me."
Originally expecting a long-awaited reunion and a touching display of master-servant affection, Geng Qi had already planned how to handle the situation. He was about to offer some words of comfort to the young man who didn't know how to respond when, unexpectedly, the man acted unpredictably, suddenly stood up, grabbed one of his arms, and said, "This place is not safe to stay in any longer. I'll take you away first!"
Without warning, Geng Qi was caught off guard and stumbled as he was pulled along. He quickly steadied himself and said, "Wait."
"Young Master..."
Geng Qi's eyes darkened: "Who sent you?"
The answer is actually quite clear. If any of the shop assistants recognized the pattern on Queyan's jade pendant, they would immediately send someone to follow him, then confirm the location and report back to the head of the family. Gengchen was just a guard, and he was acting under orders.
As expected, Gengchen replied, "It was the patriarch who sent me. Before the New Year, the young master had an accident at the inn, so the patriarch ordered an investigation. The assassin sent to the inn was arranged by the eldest prince. The patriarch has been searching for the young master's body for the past year... but who knew that you, young master, would actually... actually be alive?"
As he spoke, his expression changed. "The Crown Prince's treatment of you is against all moral principles. As long as you return to the Geng family, even though he is now the Crown Prince, the family head will definitely seek justice for you!"
He spoke with indignation, but Geng Qi laughed and asked, "How many days have you been at the villa?"
Geng Chen was taken aback: "It's been three days."
"From what you've seen, how has he treated me?"
"He...he treated you..."
Recalling what he had seen, Geng Chen's anger intensified, but he couldn't utter the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Geng Qi knew that he had witnessed his interactions with Rong Yu in the villa.
An ordinary person would assume that the two have a close relationship, but judging from Gengchen's attitude towards Rongyu, he must have misunderstood something.
Seeing him glance at the copper ring left by the bedside even though the iron chain was gone... it wasn't really a misunderstanding!
Geng Qi did not explain, but pulled his arm away and said, "You did not see wrong. He and I have that kind of relationship. Moreover, the assassination attempt at the inn before the New Year had nothing to do with the First Prince. It was something I did on purpose."
"Young Master?" Geng Chen's eyes widened in shock: "Why...?"
"I wonder why Father, knowing I'm in this separate residence, has ordered you to remain here and hold your position?"
Geng Qi was smiling, but Geng Chen's expression suddenly changed.
"That day I faked my death, and all the evidence I left behind pointed to the Second Prince. I don't know how Father found out that the assassination was carried out by the First Prince?"
"..."
Geng Chen was completely stunned, and slowly withdrew his hand that was still outstretched in mid-air.
After a long silence, he finally spoke calmly: "You know?"
Geng Qi said, "Yes, I already knew."
Rong Yu should have been meticulous in everything he did.
Before the New Year, the Vice Minister of Revenue was a member of the Second Prince's faction, and the head of the Geng family was on good terms with the Vice Minister. Framed the Second Prince, which may have been a temporary tactic to sow discord, but it was done meticulously. Although "Geng Qi" had not yet participated in the palace examination at that time, he was already a tribute student, which was considered half an official of the court. Logically, the Second Prince should have been severely punished, but the Second Prince is still unharmed because the Geng family secretly investigated and exonerated the Second Prince.
Even the death of the legitimate son could not sow discord between the second prince and the Geng family, which shows how strong the alliance between these two forces is.
The Geng family had Geng Chen guard the other courtyard, but they wouldn't let him rescue anyone. After observing for three days, they suddenly said they wanted to take him away. What they cared about wasn't that "Geng Qi" was still alive, but his survival and his relationship with the Crown Prince, which gave them hope.
Geng Chen remained silent for a long time. Geng Qi sat back down at the table. "Father, do you want me to go to the palace and tell the Emperor that I was harmed by the Crown Prince and imprisoned?"
Harming a tribute student is already a grave crime, and the current crown prince's imprisonment of a man is morally reprehensible. Both morally and logically, the emperor will not allow him to remain in the position of crown prince!
The Crown Prince's Palace being vacant again presents an opportunity for others.
Geng Chen clenched his fist and watched him leisurely sip his tea. His somber expression was completely different from his initial agitation and indignation.
"What are your plans, young master?"
Geng Qi laughed and said, "Go back and tell Father that the faked death was my doing. It was to sow discord between him and the Second Prince and help the First Prince ascend the throne. If this matter is exposed, it is a crime of deceiving the emperor, and the Geng family will not be spared. Moreover, they have witnessed the Crown Prince's achievements in the court over the past six months. Why should the Geng family stick to a ruler with no future? Supporting the current Crown Prince is the right thing to do!"
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