Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 129: Chapter 71: The Assassin Strikes

“Have you ever heard of ‘under the lamplight, the darkness is the deepest’?”

Yuan Bao nodded slightly, seeking an explanation from Gu Changsheng.

“If my guess isn’t wrong, the grain must be hidden in the official granary of Liuzhou City!” Gu Changsheng had truly lost all hope for Yuan Bao’s intelligence, giving him a ‘you are an idiot’ look.

“The official granary!” Yuan Bao bellowed, who would have thought of searching the official granary?

“Life is like a play, just as ridiculous. Isn’t the City Lord the one who even helped you search?” Gu Changsheng rolled her eyes. People come in all shapes and sizes—she can’t expect everyone to be as smart as her, can she?

Yuan Bao’s admiration for Gu Changsheng was thoroughly to the point of prostration. Such insight, seeing the subtle to know the overt, he wholeheartedly believed that there wasn’t a false word in what she said.

“Hey, grow a brain, will you? At this rate, someone will sell you off, and you’ll still be counting silver for them.” Gu Changsheng glanced disdainfully at the stupefied Yuan Bao. “The matter of the grain is urgent. Make sure it is properly secured without delay.”

“Han Mo, show our guest out!” Gu Changsheng turned to look at Han Mo standing behind the door. Get rid of someone the same way they got in!

Han Mo followed orders, leading a dazed Yuan Bao out.

Yuan Bao, who had come back to his senses outside the door, originally wanted to go back in and ask more questions, but remembering what his wife said about the urgency of the grain issue, he immediately mounted his horse, spurred it into motion, and galloped away.

“Wife, you’re still getting involved in this mess,” Han Qiu approached and said.

“Indeed…” Gu Changsheng lifted her head thirty-six degrees towards the sky, looking very forlorn.

“You said you didn’t want to get involved.” Han Qiu’s face was stern. Matters involving the imperial family’s struggle for the throne weren’t so easy to get entangled with.

“Do you think I want this?” Gu Changsheng turned around irritably. “Do you know how many pits Zhou Mu has dug for me? Leaving behind nothing but a bunch of useless drunkards, aren’t they just waiting for me to deal with them?”

“Even knowing it’s a trap, why jump in?” Han Qiu shook his head.

“Liuzhou mustn’t fall into chaos, the City Lord mustn’t succeed. Don’t forget I once offended the City Lord’s brother-in-law. If he covers the sky with one hand in Liuzhou City, we can’t get away unscathed.” Gu Changsheng continued with endless resentment, “That’s why I had to jump in…”

Han Qiu frowned silently, his expression growing even more solemn.

“Han Qiu, we’ve got trouble,” Gu Changsheng said with deep grievance.

She had carelessly gotten involved in a struggle for imperial power—damn, there was nothing bigger than this…

Her peaceful days, oh, Zhou Mu, he was indeed a calamity!

While Gu Changsheng was bemoaning her fate, Yuan Bao was racing back to the city non-stop. Just back in the County Prince’s Mansion, he had already passed down the orders.

The Mansion Guards of the County Prince’s Mansion were deployed to search the official granary, and troops stationed in Liuzhou were mobilized to ensure the recovery and proper storage of the grain—not a single grain less!

An air of tension permeated Liuzhou City, as the Mansion Guards unsheathed their longswords, pointing directly at the official granary.

The civilians watched the Mansion Guard Army marching past on the streets with trepidation and fear.

“Something’s going to happen!”

“Definitely, the price of grain has skyrocketed without end. The County Prince’s Mansion surely won’t sit by idly.”

“Are they planning to open the granary and distribute grain?”

“Who knows…”

Speculation was rife, but no one provided them with answers.

Meanwhile, the City Lord’s Mansion was in a state of panic.

“Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, it’s confirmed, the Mansion Guard Army really is heading towards the official granary…” Mo Wu stumbled to the ground, crawling forward a few steps, his face filled with panic.

Xiao Chengwen also had a grave expression, pacing back and forth. “How is this possible? That group of good-for-nothing drunkards has been searching aimlessly for three days, how could they suddenly change direction? Liuzhou must still have Zhou Mu’s loyal Think Tank! Find them for me! I must find out who is sabotaging my plans!”

Mo Wu sat on the ground, his face ashen, “No need to look any further, Yuan Bao went back to Mountain-Foot Village again, and as soon as he returned to the mansion, he ordered the troops. It must be that brazen woman, definitely her!”

“This is a crime that could destroy a household, it’s all over, all of it…”

“Gu Changsheng!” Xiao Chengwen kicked the wailing Mo Wu on the ground with hatred, his face distorted.

He had survived countless ups and downs in his official career; he absolutely couldn’t lose to a woman! Absolutely not!

“Is the Royal Mansion Assassin available?”

“Present!” A sinister voice came through, as a Person in Black revealed themselves from behind the bookshelf.

“At all costs, kill Gu Changsheng!” Xiao Chengwen’s eyes were bloodshot, a mixture of fear and anger making his whole body tremble.

The Person in Black paused, “Right now, the grain is the priority.”

“Gu Changsheng is now the Think Tank for the County Prince’s Mansion. Capture the ringleader to capture all the followers. If something happens to Gu Changsheng, that mob at the County Prince’s Mansion will be like a dragon without a head, and there will be a chance to turn the situation with the grain around.” Xiao Chengwen stared at the Person in Black, a murderous aura in his eyes, “Prince Liang has assigned you to me, and you must follow my orders. At all costs, kill her!”

The Person in Black pondered briefly, realizing the reason in Xiao Chengwen’s words, and finally responded with a yes before leaping away.

“Brother-in-law, if we kill that woman, will we really be fine?” Mo Wu looked up hesitantly at Xiao Chengwen.

“Nothing will happen! I, Xiao Chengwen, will not accept this fate!”

“You’ve deployed everyone given by the Prince, who’s left to protect the City Lord’s Mansion?” Mo Wu crawled a few steps, grabbing the hem of Xiao Chengwen’s clothes.

“It’s not yet dark, and even if they have no brains, they wouldn’t dare to do anything to the City Lord’s Mansion, or Liuzhou City will surely fall into great turmoil! As long as Gu Changsheng can be killed before night falls, if we kill her, the situation won’t be too bad and there will still be a chance!” Xiao Chengwen’s brows were tightly knitted. With life and death hanging in the balance, he couldn’t afford to lose his composure. He had to stay calm; he was sure he could survive this ordeal!

Infinite wealth and power were still waiting for him; he absolutely couldn’t fall on this issue!

…

In Mountain-Foot Village at the foot of Baili Mountain, everything was quiet and serene at the moment. The occasional bark of a dog broke the silence, and wisps of cooking smoke rose leisurely from the houses, the scent of food faint but discernible.

“Did you get the information clear?” A low voice came from the small woods outside the village.

“We’ve found out. The Gu Family Medical Hall is being rebuilt, and Gu Changsheng’s family is currently living in the west end of the village,” replied another, dressed like a hunter.

“Good, in a quarter of an hour, strike while the villagers are having dinner!”

“Yes!”

Responses came from all around, rising and falling one after another until the small woods once again returned to silence.

In the long days of summer, ordinary families, looking to save on lamp oil, typically start their dinner before dark.

The courtyard of Gu Changsheng’s residence was filled with the aroma of food prepared by Dong Lei.

“My dear, steamed pigs’ knuckles.” Dong Lei served up another plate of pigs’ knuckles and looked at his wife with a beaming smile.

Gu Changsheng, seated at the head of the table, did not offer his usual comments, prompting Dong Lei to blink in confusion.

“Han Qiu, did you hear something?” Gu Changsheng’s face turned solemn as he put down his chopsticks.

“Someone’s here!” With a swift motion, Han Qiu’s longsword, which had been resting by his side, was now in his hand.

A figure clad in black darted in from outside, hastily saluting with a fist, “Hidden Guard Ning Er greets Madam, there are people lurking around the courtyard, their intentions unclear.”

“About how many people?” Gu Changsheng asked, looking at the Hidden Guard with an ordinary appearance and expressionless face—not the time to be critiquing names.

“More than twenty.”

Gu Changsheng’s face darkened and he cursed, Damn! Can’t they just leave people in peace? This is really getting fucking unbearable!

“Han Qiu, bring Gu Ze here!” His son was still lying in the next room!

“Yes!” Han Qiu moved with agility and was out of the room in the blink of an eye.

The room suddenly became tense.

“Madam?” Uncle Song protected Xiao Cui and Dong Lei behind him, calling out anxiously.

“I can feel the murderous intent.” Gu Changsheng glanced towards the courtyard, frowning deeply.

As a soldier, she was too familiar with this kind of atmosphere—it meant someone was after her life!

Han Qiu returned with Little Meat Bun in tow, his brother Han Mo closely following behind.

“Mother…” Little Meat Bun, resting on Han Qiu’s shoulder, looked at his mother in confusion. She just treated his wounds and told him to rest, so why was the atmosphere so strange?

“Son, don’t be afraid, Mother is here!” Gu Changsheng stood up and patted his little head, raising a reassuring smile.

No matter who it was, she would not allow anyone to harm those she cared about.

Those who would face her with swords drawn—kill!

“Han Qiu, Ning Er, protect them,” Gu Changsheng said, patting her son’s little cheek, and looked at the two skilled in Kung Fu.

“Madam, it’s my duty to protect you.” Ning Er frowned slightly, looking towards Gu Changsheng as she turned and walked towards the door, then followed her.

“Stand down, they are my life!” Without looking back, Gu Changsheng spoke coldly.

Ning Er paused briefly, her expression changed slightly, and she almost spoke, but ultimately remained silent.

“No one will step over this threshold alive.” Inside were her son, her maids, and family servants; she would not let anyone harm them!

Everyone watched with concern as the door was slowly closed by their Madam, and they took a step forward in unison.

“Madam…”

“Mother…”

Gu Changsheng paused while closing the door, her smile blooming brilliantly for a moment, “Don’t worry, I’m here.”

The door sealed shut, and Gu Changsheng sighed against the door panel, listening to the breathing from inside. She knew their worries, but she was their Madam.

“Your Madam, really cares about you all…” Ning Er murmured to herself, looking at the people leaning on the door.

She had never known that someone could value maids and servants as much as their own life.

Having such a master, surely there’s nothing more to regret in life!

“Of course! My Madam is the best!” Dong Lei glared at her.

“Madam is always the one who stands in front of me…” Xiao Cui wiped away tears, a trace of determination flashing in her eyes.

“Young master, close your eyes!” Han Qiu stood in front of the door with sword in one hand and holding Gu Ze with the other.

Little Meat Bun obediently closed his eyes, and even raised his chubby little hands to cover his face.

He seemed to understand and muttered to himself, “Mother’s going to fight again, right? I’ll be good so Mother won’t worry, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid…”

No one answered; they all held their breaths and listened intently for any movement outside the door.

Gu Changsheng, dressed in purple, stood by the door. The fabric had been finagled by Yuan Bao from the County Prince’s Mansion; it was of good quality, very pretty in color, and pleasant to touch, which Gu Changsheng liked very much. She had Xiao Cui make it into a summer shirt.

As she rolled up her sleeves, Gu Changsheng raised her voice towards the outside, “Which hero has graced us with their presence? Since you’ve come, why skulk around? You’re making this lady anxious.”

Her voice was steady and indifferent, as if she were someone unconcerned by the matters at hand.

The people outside the courtyard wall were momentarily taken aback; that voice… was quite pleasant to the ears.

Cold, crisp, and full of provocation!