Early the next day, on the sixteenth day of the third month.
The morning after the conclusion of the Xishan Tea Gathering.
Outside Gunzhou City, a procession slowly approached from a distance.
A young man in a white robe led the way on horseback, carrying a long sword on his back. He had a handsome appearance, and a faint hint of arrogance lingered at the corner of his lips.
Ren Yixu.
As the son of the head of the Ren family, a disciple of the Tianyuan Academy, and with a close relationship to the Governor's son, Xiang Ming, Ren Yixu had been entrusted with a task by Xiang Ming. He was to lead the guards of the Governor's Mansion and personally visit the city of Guangling in Yunhe County.
The purpose was to bring Wen Lingzhao's parents to Gunzhou City.
Now, not only had Ren Yixu successfully completed the mission, but he had also brought Wen's elderly grandmother, who was now sitting in a carriage behind him.
"Everyone, Gunzhou City is in the distance. I will take you directly to the Governor's Mansion later," Ren Yixu said loudly, pointing in the direction.
The curtains of the carriage had long been drawn, and Wen Changjing smiled and saluted, saying, "We are grateful to Young Master and the guards for escorting us on this journey!"
This Wen family head was a prominent figure in Guangling City, commanding respect from everyone. But now, in the face of a young man like Ren Yixu, his expression was full of deference, even faintly tinged with flattery.
Ren Yixu waved his hand casually and said, "Xiang Ming and I are sworn brothers. His matters are my matters. Uncle Wen, there's no need to be polite."
Wen Changjing's old face beamed like a blooming chrysanthemum.
Beside him, Qinqing, full of pride, said, "Chief, it's all thanks to the Governor's son that our Wen family has received this invitation. It's all for the sake of Lingzhao's face."
Wen Changjing laughed heartily, "My sister speaks the truth. Lingzhao has become more and more outstanding. I heard that among the younger disciples of the Tianyuan Academy, Lingzhao is the most eye-catching!"
Qinqing proudly replied, "Naturally."
Wen Changtai, who was quiet on the side, was an honest man who remained silent.
In the center, the elderly Wen matriarch frowned slightly, displeased. She said, "It's just an invitation to the Governor's Mansion. Is it worthy of your excessive joy?"
Qinqing was immediately at a loss for words, pouting and remaining silent.
Wen Changjing sighed and said, "Grandmother, when you were young, you had seen the world in the Imperial Capital. Naturally, you wouldn't be concerned about the power of a provincial governor. But no matter what, the gap between our Wen family and the Governor's Mansion is like the difference between a river and an ocean..."
The old matriarch interrupted with a cold snort, "Enough."
Sensing the matriarch's dissatisfaction, Wen Changjing immediately fell silent.
Soon, the procession entered the city gate of Gunzhou City and made its way to the Governor's Mansion.
Upon arriving in front of the magnificent and imposing building of the Governor's Mansion, Ren Yixu dismounted with a smile and said, "Everyone, we have reached the Governor's Mansion."
Wen Changjing and the others began to alight from the carriage.
Even Wen's elderly matriarch couldn't help but feel a bit restrained and slightly nervous in her heart when she saw the stern gates of the Governor's Mansion.
Although she had been a maid in the Su family in Yujing City in her early years, she was just a servant girl after all, with a low status. How could she dare to disregard the Governor's Mansion?
As for Wen Changjing, Wen Changtai, and Qinqing, they all stiffened, their faces showing an uncontrollable awe.
To them, a provincial governor who held the power of life and death was no different from a feudal emperor.
Ren Yixu observed the expressions of the Wen family members and couldn't help but find it amusing. He could immediately tell that these people from the Wen family had never seen the world.
He cleared his throat and said, "Everyone, follow me."
With that, he walked straight towards the gate of the Governor's Mansion.
"Please wait."
In front of the gate of the Governor's Mansion, two squads of elite guards were stationed. When they saw Ren Yixu and the others approaching, a slender figure immediately stepped forward.
"Do you... not recognize me?"
Ren Yixu was taken aback. He had a close relationship with Xiang Ming, and in the past, no one dared to stop him when he came to the Governor's Mansion.
The slender figure spoke coldly, "May I ask who the young master is looking for?"
Ren Yixu's face darkened slightly, and he said, "You bastard, you don't even recognize me? Get out of my way if you know what's good for you! Otherwise, when I meet Uncle Xiang, I won't let you off for disrespecting me!"
The slender figure's eyes filled with mockery. "Uncle Xiang? Young man, don't you know that Xiang Tianqiu died at the top of Xishan yesterday? Oh, right, the current Governor of Gunzhou is Lord Mu Zhongting."
Ren Yixu's face changed abruptly. "What!?"
The slender figure showed a hint of pity and said, "It seems you don't know anything at all."
Ren Yixu stood there dumbfounded, fully realizing that something was wrong.
Wen Changjing and the others were also bewildered. What was happening?
"Seize these people!"
Suddenly, the slender figure shouted.
The guards on both sides responded with a resounding yes, exuding a murderous aura that scared Wen Changjing and the others, causing their knees to go weak, almost unable to support their bodies.
They had been invited to the Governor's Mansion, thinking it was a great joy, but who could have expected such a calamity?
"How dare you!"
Ren Yixu angrily said, "Who do you think you are to arrest people? And how do you know who I am?"
The slender figure said coldly, "You call Xiang a thief as your uncle, naturally indicating a different relationship with him. Lord Mu has already ordered that anyone with a close relationship to Xiang must be captured!"
Pausing for a moment, he stared coldly at Ren Yixu. "Anyone who dares to resist will be considered a rebel and will be killed on the spot!"
Before Ren Yixu could react, a terrified Qinqing, her soul almost frightened away, shouted, "Please spare us, we are from the Wen family in Guangling City, we have no relationship with that Xiang thief at all!"
"The Wen family in Guangling City?"
The slender figure was taken aback, and his eyes immediately underwent a subtle change.
"That's right!"
Wen Changjing quickly nodded and said, "We were invited to the Governor's Mansion this time, we didn't even know Xiang Tianqiu before!"
He was also frightened and spoke with a trembling voice.
"What has happened here?"
At this moment, two people walked out of the Governor's Mansion—Mu Zhongting, the newly appointed governor, and Prince Zhou Zhili.
Both of them looked at the scene before them with some confusion.
The slender figure quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, Lord Mu, these people claim to be from the Wen family in Guangling City..."
He briefly explained the situation.
Zhou Zhili was taken aback, his gaze sweeping over them.
In that instant, Ren Yixu broke out in a cold sweat.
Your Highness?
Could this young man before him be a prince!?
Madam Wen's face also turned pale, and she instinctively lowered her head when faced with Zhou Zhili's gaze. Her heart was in turmoil.
She vaguely sensed that something earth-shattering had happened in the Governor's Mansion!
Otherwise, how could a figure of such reverence as "Your Highness" appear here?
"Are you also from the Wen family?"
Zhou Zhili's gaze turned towards Ren Yixu.
Ren Yixu quickly cupped his hands and said, "I am Ren Yixu, a member of the Wen family in the city. I am currently practicing at the Tianyuan Academy."
Zhou Zhili nodded, then shifted his gaze directly to Wen Changjing and the others, considering his words. "Since you claim to be from the Wen family, come with me."
As he spoke, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked towards the distance.
"Please follow."
Mu Zhongting gestured to Wen Changjing and the others.
Wen Changjing and the others exchanged glances. Despite their deep doubts, in such a situation, how could they dare to refuse?
They obediently followed along.
"Keep an eye on him first."
Mu Zhongting pointed to Ren Yixu not far away and gave an order. Then he hurriedly followed Zhou Zhili with his guards.
"Master Ren, do you want to come with us willingly, or shall we take action?"
The slender figure's eyes turned icy as he looked at Ren Yixu.
Ren Yixu slumped, realizing that he was most likely being implicated by Xiang Ming and had encountered an undeserved disaster!
...
Along the way, Wen Changjing and the others were filled with unease and fear. They never expected that shortly after arriving in Gunzhou City, they would encounter such a calamity!
The most absurd part was that they had no idea where they were being taken or what they would encounter.
The unknown was undoubtedly the most terrifying thing.
Zhou Zhili didn't explain anything.
And naturally, Mu Zhongting remained silent.
The reason being that neither of them was clear about the relationship between Su Yi and the Wen family, whether it was good or bad, and whether there were hidden secrets they didn't want others to know.
Therefore, the wisest course of action was undoubtedly silence.
But the more they remained silent, the more uneasy Wen Changjing and the others felt.
Even Madam Wen was filled with worries, her brow clouded with concern.
"Do you think it's because of the relationship between Ling Zhao and Governor's son Xiang Ming that we have also become implicated?" Wen Changjing couldn't help but speak in a low voice along the way.
"Well..." Qin Jing's face turned pale with fear, and she anxiously said, "If that's true, what should we do?"
Madam Wen took a deep breath and said, "Don't panic. Our Wen family has no connection with the Governor's Mansion. As long as we clarify our identities, nothing should happen."
Wen Changjing, Wen Changtai, and Qin Jing all nodded in agreement.
Hearing their conversation, Mu Zhongting's expression couldn't help but become somewhat strange, but in the end, he didn't say much.
Soon, they arrived at the Shushi Residence.
Zhou Zhili personally approached the door and knocked.
Soon, the gate of the courtyard opened, and when they saw it was Zhou Zhili and Mu Zhongting, the person inside said, "Please wait a moment, I will go inform the Young Master."
Zhou Zhili said, "Miss Chajin, hold on."
"What are Your Highness's orders?" Chajin was puzzled.
Zhou Zhili pointed to Wen Changtai and the others and whispered, "Those are people from the Wen family. I just saw them in front of the Governor's Mansion, but I can't confirm their identities. When you see Brother Su, inform him about this situation."
"Understood."
Chajin nodded and turned to leave.
Although Wen Changjing and the others couldn't hear the conversation between Chajin and Zhou Zhili clearly, when they stood in front of the courtyard at this moment, they instinctively had a premonition that what followed might be a life-or-death decision for them!
For a moment, they became even more restless and uneasy.
Especially Qin Jing, who was frightened to the point of losing color in her face. If it wasn't for Wen Changtai supporting her, she might have collapsed to the ground long ago.
Before long, Chajin returned and said, "The Young Master invites you all inside."
Zhou Zhili nodded and took the lead to enter the Shushi Residence.
Wen Changjing wanted to refuse, but when he saw the fierce and menacing guards behind Mu Zhongting, he completely wilted.
Immediately, they, like prisoners being led to the execution ground, took hesitant steps and walked into the Shushi Residence.