The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1595: 770 The Secret of the Han Family (Second Update)

Chapter 1595: 770 The Secret of the Han Family (Second Update)

Han Family.

As night fell, the servants lit candles in the courtyard of Han Wuye, and lanterns were hung one by one along the corridor.

Han Wuye sat meditating in the house.

Han Lao Taeye sat in the hall next to him, with Han Lei and Han Sanye also present.

Han Lei paced back and forth in the room with his hands clasped behind his back, his brows deeply furrowed.

With a look of helplessness, Han Sanye said, “Big brother, please, can you stop pacing? Your constant movement is making my eyes dizzy!”

Han Lei replied unapologetically, “If you don’t want to stay here, then get out!”

Han Sanye glanced at the old man, resting with his eyes closed and hands on the cane, and muttered to himself, “I wish I could leave, but if I show no concern for Lao Wu, wouldn’t the old man strangle me?”

After who knows how long, a long breath of meditation finally came from Han Wuye’s room.

Han Lei’s eyes lit up, “It’s Lao Wu!”

Han Lao Taeye slowly opened his aged yet sharp eyes and said gravely, “You two, go next door and check on the situation.”

“Yes, Father,” Han Lei responded.

Han Lei and the careless Han Sanye went to the next room.

Inside the room, no one else was present, only Han Wuye sat cross-legged, meditating to heal his injuries.

Not only had Gu Jiao been healing from her injuries these past few days, but Han Wuye himself had also made a round trip from Ghost Gate Pass.

Han Lei quickly approached the bed and asked with concern, “Fifth brother, how are you feeling?”

Han Wuye took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, opening his eyes to say, “Much better.”

Han Lei looked him over, still somewhat uneasy, “Are you sure you don’t feel uncomfortable anywhere? Should we still call a doctor over to have a look?”

Han Wuye said indifferently, “Big brother knows my condition clearly, there’s no need for a doctor, and it wouldn’t be useful anyway.”

Han Lei had no response.

Indeed, Han Ci’s condition was beyond medical help, yet he did not require treatment, for he was recovering very rapidly.

This all started when Han Ci was poisoned as a boy. He was merely eleven or twelve years old, hunting outdoors with his clan elders when he became separated from his relatives and accidentally poisoned.

At that time, many of the Han family’s guards were poisoned with him.

When the clan elders found them, all the guards had succumbed to the poison and died, only Han Ci had fortunately survived.

The elders asked Han Ci what exactly had happened and why he was poisoned? Han Ci remained silent.

After that incident, incredible changes occurred in Han Ci’s body. First, his punching and kicking became faster, and then his internal energy grew even more vigorous.

The strength of a martial artist’s internal energy is measured by the number of years, but Han Ci’s internal energy grew each month.

He suddenly became the most talented youth in the clan.

Logically, such joyful news should have been announced with gongs and drums for all to hear, but just as the Han family was about to do so, they discovered a strand of white hair on Han Ci’s head.

They had only ever heard of such an occurrence in storybooks and never thought it would happen to Han Ci.

The newfound talent that had suddenly emerged in Han Ci came at the cost of depleting his lifespan, a strange consequence they speculated resulted from the severe poisoning he endured.

As Han Ci’s abilities grew stronger, he aged more rapidly. To save his life, Han Ci had to give up the pursuit of higher martial arts realms.

His path as a prodigy came to a halt.

Even so, Han Ci continued to age faster than a normal person.

This time, if it hadn’t been for the incident with Han Ye, the Han family would never have allowed Han Ci to take action.

“Fifth brother…” Han Sanye stared at Han Ci’s hair, wide-eyed and speechless.

The surface of Han Ci’s hair was originally silver, but now, even more underneath had turned white.

Han Wuye said nonchalantly, “I’m fine, Third brother.”

“Ah.” Han Sanye fell silent.

Han Lei voiced his puzzlement, “But tell me, fifth brother, how could you have been defeated by Xiao Liulang?”

Han Ci paused for a moment, then answered truthfully, “I was distracted during the fight.”

Han Lei was shocked, “Being distracted is a taboo, fifth brother, how could you make such a low-level mistake during a fight?”

After a long silence, Han Ci said faintly, “I was reminded of someone.”

“Was it that person from the Xuanyuan Family? Fifth brother, you…” Han Lei didn’t finish his sentence, but he sighed deeply and said earnestly, “Fifth brother, you should let go. Over the years, the third brother and I have been keeping the truth from our father for your sake, but you shouldn’t always make things difficult for your brothers.”

Han Ci replied softly, “Thank you, big brother, third brother.”

Han Sanye waved his hand dismissively, “We’re brothers, no need to mention it. It’s big brother who doesn’t want to keep it silent; I never said anything. Even if I have to hide it all my life, I’m fine with it!”

Han Lei glared fiercely at the profligate brother.

Han Sanye sheepishly shrunk his neck, not daring to speak any further.

Han Lei continued to look at Han Ci, “But speak the truth to your big brother, did that Xuanyuan Xiaoliu really die back then?”

Han Ci met his brother’s scrutinizing gaze and said firmly, “He’s dead, I killed him with my own hands.”

Han Lei forced a smile, “Big brother isn’t doubting you; I just feel that you were too close to him back then. After the Xuanyuan family’s mishap, you even hid him away secretly. If the guards hadn’t found out in time, our Han family would have been charged with harboring a traitor to the court…”

Han Ci stated, “Big brother saw the body, he’s indeed dead.”

Han Lei felt a chill from his brother’s gaze and smiled awkwardly, saying, “Alright, let’s not talk about those unlucky things. You focus on healing. Strictly speaking, it’s not your fault this time; it’s that Xiao Liulang who is too cunning. We’ll find an opportunity later to get rid of him. The Hei Fengqi will eventually return to our Han family’s hands!”

Han Ci no longer continued the topic at hand and said, “I heard that Qun Xuan is dead.”

At the mention of this, Han Lei became angry: “Qun Xuan went to assassinate Xiao Liulang without even informing me, nearly causing a huge disaster. It doesn’t matter that he’s dead, but it’s bad if our Han Family gets implicated.”

Han Ci asked in confusion, “How did he die?”

Han Lei answered, “He was pierced through the internal organs by a long sword and died; none of the Han Family guards he took with him survived, they all perished under the long sword. The coroner deduced that the time of his death was at midday on that day.”

Han Ci recalled, “At midday, I was exchanging blows with Taoist priest Qingfeng… that’s not right.”

“What’s the matter?” Han Lei looked at him.

Han Ci frowned, “At midday, Xiao Liulang should have been pursued by Long Aotian. With both Long Aotian and Qun Xuan, how did Xiao Liulang escape unharmed? There’s something wrong with Long Aotian! He killed Qun Xuan!”

Han Lei exclaimed in surprise, “But he is one of the Crown Prince’s people! Why would the Crown Prince kill Qun Xuan?”

Han Ci clenched his fists, “Of course, the Crown Prince wouldn’t kill Qun Xuan; that Long Aotian is a spy! He approached the Crown Prince on purpose! Big brother! Hurry and inform the Crown Prince to kill Long Aotian!”

…

The Crown Prince’s residence.

Gu Changqing was accompanying the Crown Prince in a game of chess in the pavilion.

The Crown Prince had just placed a white piece when Gu Changqing’s black piece closely followed, instantly blocking the Crown Prince’s path.

The Crown Prince was greatly shocked: “I didn’t expect that not only are you skilled in martial arts, but your chess skills are also quite formidable.”

They are just the tricks I’ve learned from playing with my sister, and now I’ve thrashed you enough.

“Your wounds are not a bother anymore, are they?” the Crown Prince asked with concern.

“Just a minor injury, it’s no big deal,” Gu Changqing said.

The Crown Prince regretfully stated, “I originally thought with you taking action, you would be able to help the Han Family significantly, but who would have thought Xiao Liulang was so lucky!”

Gu Changqing said, “It was my negligence.”

The Crown Prince shook his head, “You are not to be blamed for this matter. Even Han Ci was defeated by Xiao Liulang, you would probably have difficulty coming out ahead against Xiao Liulang too. By the way, I previously instructed you to investigate the identity of this fake Xiao Liulang, how did that go?”

Without a change in expression, Gu Changqing stated, “He is very cautious, and I haven’t unearthed many useful clues.”

The Crown Prince frowned slightly, “I’m afraid only Nangong Li knew who this fake Xiao Liulang really was, but alas, Nangong Li is dead.”

If he hadn’t died, the matter of my sister being Gu Jiao would have been exposed; it’s good that he’s dead.

Gu Changqing said indifferently, “Your Highness, I can attempt to assassinate the deposed Princess and the Emperor’s eldest grandson to clear the obstacles for Your Highness. Please allow me to redeem my faults through a meritorious deed.”

The Crown Prince quickly raised his hand to stop him, “Don’t, the rumors are too tight recently, let’s wait until this blows over.”

The two continued their chess game.

Suddenly, an anxious-looking guard approached, whispering a few words beside the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince’s brows furrowed, and he gestured for the guard to leave.

Then the Crown Prince said to Gu Changqing, “I have other matters to attend to, we can play chess some other day.”

After saying that, the Crown Prince took his attendants to the study room.

Gu Changqing returned to his own courtyard.

Xiaojiu flew over with flapping wings and landed on his windowsill.

Having brought Xiaojiu just once, the bird remembered the location. These past few days, as he couldn’t visit Gu Jiao personally, Xiaojiu had been relaying messages.

He opened the note, and it was Xiao Hen’s handwriting.

Seeing that it said Gu Jiao was awake and recovering well, he let go of the worry he had been holding.

There were also two colorful stamps on the note, clearly made by the little monk Jingkong.

The appearance of this childishly adorable stamp on Xiao Hen’s serious and earnest handwriting made it easy to imagine the comical sight of an adult and child grimacing and arguing endlessly.

Gu Changqing couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Thud thud thud.

Heavy and urgent knocking came from outside the door.

Gu Changqing clenched his hand, using his internal energy to turn the note into powder, scattering it out the window before calling out, “Come in.”

With a creak, the door was pushed open.

It was the mute servant boy from the courtyard bringing him his evening meal.

The mute servant boy was only about ten years old, still a child. By chance, he was saved by Gu Changqing from the hands of the steward of the Crown Prince’s residence and had since followed Gu Changqing.

He placed the food box on the table and anxiously gestured to Gu Changqing for a while.

Gu Changqing didn’t understand, “I’ve taught you how to write before. Can you write it out?”

The mute servant boy grabbed the writing brush, scratched his head, and after pondering for a long while with intense concentration, he finally scrawled two characters on the paper—danger and peril, though with missing strokes and incorrect forms.

After a moment of contemplation, Gu Changqing asked the mute servant boy, “You mean to say the Crown Prince’s residence is in danger?”

The mute servant boy nodded, and pointing urgently outside, he took a few hurried steps.

This time Gu Changqing understood; the mute servant boy was telling him to escape immediately.

Gu Changqing stood up and grabbed the Treasure Sword from the table, rushing out the door.

Yet the moment he crossed the threshold, a flashing long sword thrust towards him, plunging into his chest with a thump!