"Subordinate pays respect to Madam," the few intelligence personnel, who were actually secret agents, said when they heard what their master said. They walked up one by one, took off their masks, saluted Gong Xiaohua, and then put their masks back on again.
Their real looks were ordinary people who would be forgotten as soon as they were seen on the street. They looked very common but this kind of people would not draw attention and were most suitable to do intelligence tasks.
Gong Xiaohua was almost angered by how they addressed her. She looked at Qin Chuyuan, "You know I don't want to get involved in your court politics."
"I would never force you to do what you don't want to do. But now that you're the General Guangwei of Daye, it would be good to have an intelligence organization backing you up. It would give you more bargaining power to protect your life in the future," Qin Chuyuan said.
Gong Xiaohua looked at Qin Chuyuan without saying anything. What he said was right. During critical moments, a powerful intelligence organization could help one make the most accurate decision, which would determine whether one lived or died, a family's glory or downfall, or even lay a solid foundation for a prosperous country.
Seeing that Gong Xiaohua did not reject anymore, Qin Chuyuan took out a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to her, "This is proof of your identity. With it, you can mobilize anyone from the organization as you please."
"You trust me so easily? What if I betray you one day?" The intelligence network he built had covered most of Ye Country. If this was exposed to the imperial family, the Emperor would be suspicious. This could easily bring danger of losing his life if he was not careful, after all one should not sleep soundly next to a stake with crooked roots.
"I'm not worried. I believe you," Qin Chuyuan looked gently at Gong Xiaohua and answered softly.
"Trusting others so easily, you wouldn't know how you died one day," Gong Xiaohua said softly.
She felt very complicated inside. If she accepted the other party's token, no matter what happened in the future, she would be tied together with the Qin family.
If she did not accept it, considering the current situation of the three branches of the Qin family, who knew if they would get caught in the battle for the heir in the future. Even if she did not participate, as a Qin family woman on the surface, she would still be involved. She did not like to be a passive prey at the mercy of others to determine her life and death.
But now there was a "fool" who was following her previous life's footsteps, wholeheartedly believing in someone. She did not know if she should consider herself lucky or think that the other person was a fool.
"People who know you all say that you are sinister. I wonder if the person they talked about is the same person I know," Gong Xiaohua said frankly.
She looked at Qin Chuyuan's determined eyes, which reminded her of her most trusted partner in her previous life. They lived and died together for many years until finally for the righteousness of the country, she died under her partner's hands.
One could not say her partner was wrong but betrayal was betrayal. Now she could no longer easily hand over her back to anyone, even her future lover.
Yet now there was this "fool" who believed wholeheartedly in someone, following her previous life's footsteps. She did not know if she should consider herself lucky or think that he was a fool.
"It's getting late, let's get ready to go back," Gong Xiaohua said to everyone.
"Yes, Madam," they answered.
"Just call me Lady from now on," she added.
"Yes, Lady."
A smirk appeared at the corner of Qin Chuyuan's mouth where Gong Xiaohua could not see.
They were surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides except for the water source above where they were.
It was unbelievable that the secret agents were able to find them in such a remote place within a day. One could imagine how incredible the organization Qin Chuyuan built was.
When they went down the mountain, Gong Xiaohua used tree branches and vines to make a makeshift stretcher. Everyone carried Qin Chuyuan down the mountain on it. They returned all the medical equipment they took from the hut before leaving.
After going down the mountain, the Qin family's carriage was already waiting at the foot of the mountain. The secret agent who found Qin Chuyuan had sent a letter back to the Capital City by carrier pigeon when they found him.
By the time everyone returned to the Qin residence, it was dusk. The two of them washed up and the family doctor who had been standing by was ready to diagnose the two masters, especially Qin Chuyuan.
After everything was handled, Minister of Justice, Lord Gu, personally came to visit. From yesterday until today, he had been very anxious. The case involved the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei Country. It was very tricky. His Majesty ordered him to solve the case within ten days.
Anyone with discerning eyes guessed that the imperial family fighting for power should be behind this case but there was no solid evidence. He did not dare to casually interrogate the princes and could only find a breakthrough from other places.
He paid visits to everyone who was on the boat that day. Those people knew nothing about the assassins. He only learned from the few surviving guards that General Gong might know one of the assassins who was extremely formidable.
That was why he came to visit the Qin residence today, to see if he could get some useful clues from Qin Chuyuan or General Gong.
Qin Chuyuan was resting in his room where Third Madam Qin, the two elders, and Qin Chuqin were present when Lord Gu came in.
"Lord Gu, sorry I cannot properly greet you due to my condition. Please pardon me," Qin Chuyuan said from his bed.
The others greeted Lord Gu.
"Sorry to intrude today, please forgive me," Lord Gu greeted them in return.
"I came to the Qin residence today just to ask if General Gong was familiar with one of the assassins on the boat yesterday."
"What do you mean by that, Lord Gu? Are you suspecting that my Xiaohua colluded with the assassins to harm the Crown Prince? Mind what nonsense you say," Third Madam Qin said unhappily to Lord Gu.
"Yes, Lord Gu," the others echoed.
"Second Master Qin, Madam, you got me wrong. I only wanted to ask if General Gong knew where the assassins were from," Lord Gu explained.
"The assassin I fought was from the Wuji Sect, one of the martial arts schools in Jianghu. I crossed paths with him in Nanlong Prefecture. Before boating that night, I saw him walking with the Sixth Prince. There was also an assassin from Wei Dynasty among the Wuji Sect members," Gong Xiaohua said.
"The Sixth Prince? Is this true?"
"It's true."
"Wuji Sect? The Sixth Prince? Wei Dynasty? And the Prince of Wei Country was also assassinated on the same day," Lord Gu frowned deeply, lost in thought.
"Lord Gu? Lord Gu?" Qin San Ye called out after a while.
Lord Gu snapped back to reality, "Sorry for my rudeness. Thank you General Gong for the clues today. I have urgent matters to attend to." After saying that, he hurriedly left without waiting for their response.
