122. The Ink Pellet Was Greatly Favored

Guo Mian soon sensed the gravity of the situation. That night, when they caught several people in the peach grove, aside from a man named Ada who remained stubbornly silent, the others quickly divulged some information under interrogation. Yet Guo Mian did not take it too seriously; after keeping them detained for a few days, those who paid bribes were released, leaving only Ada behind, as if forgotten.

His thoughts centered on the note written entirely in the barbarian script that Dongfang Mei had brought back from the Linlang Pavilion. Later, he found someone knowledgeable in the language to help decipher it. Once the characters were identified and scattered, the meaning matched exactly what Ziyuan from Linlang Pavilion had described.

He was naturally aware of Mo Geyi, the eldest legitimate son of the prestigious Mo family in the capital. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Mo Geyi was destined to become the head of the Mo clan. Guo Mian understood that such scions of ancient families harbored great ambitions. But he could not fathom who Mo Geyi truly was if that note was indeed penned by him.

This matter was too delicate to report upward, yet the consequences of silence were unbearable. It was like a hot potato—he didn’t know where to toss it. Having served many years as the governor of Yizhou, Guo Mian knew his limits. Though not entirely free of greed, he understood moderation. This was a crime that could easily be construed as treason and collusion with the enemy. With no other recourse, he quietly summoned the staff from Linlang Pavilion for questioning.

After a thorough investigation, the evidence only confirmed his suspicion: the note was written by Mo Geyi himself. The ink, the handwriting—everything matched. Mo Geyi had indeed been at Linlang Pavilion that day and had even assisted Dongfang Mei at a crucial moment. Unless he had ulterior motives to cover something up or to facilitate the escape of the barbarians, he would not have acted so zealously.

The more Guo Mian thought about it, the more convinced he became.

Just as he was about to report the matter to the capital, Ada in the cell finally stirred. It wasn’t that he confessed to anything, but someone had come to redeem him with a large sum of silver. Curious, Ada asked, “Who is it?”

The clerk frowned and replied, “A man named Mo Geyi.”

Upon hearing this, Guo Mian nearly spilled the ink in his inkwell. “You said who?”

He repeated sharply, his voice growing tense.

The clerk glanced at him in surprise. “A man from the capital, Mo Geyi.”

Guo Mian took a sharp breath and began pacing, his mind racing. Mo Geyi might be colluding with the southern barbarians; he had targeted the girl in the peach grove; his attentiveness to Dongfang Mei could be a test; and Mo Geyi was soon to return to the capital...

All these signs, in Guo Mian’s initial judgment, naturally connected, making his head ache.

The Mo family of the capital was a colossal entity nearly two centuries old. Amid the capital’s complex power struggles, it remained firmly established and undoubtedly held a seat in the court. Though their prestige originated from commerce, everyone in Dayin knew whose coffers were the fullest—even a toddler could tell that the merchants’ purses were the bulkiest.

Guo Mian knew he could not afford to offend the Mo family. Yet ignoring the matter was equally impossible. Resolutely, he sat down and wrote a letter, enclosing a rubbing of the barbarian note, sealing it with wax. He instructed the clerk, “You must personally deliver this letter to Left Minister Zuo Qing. He once tutored me for three days and is a man of deep sentiment. Even if there is something amiss, he will not harm me.”

The clerk, unaware of the full context but seeing Guo Mian’s gravity, understood the importance and carefully slipped the letter into his breast pocket. “Rest assured, sir. I will not fail your trust.”

Guo Mian nodded. After some thought, he took the inkstone gifted earlier by Gu Fei from the shelf. “Take this as well. Tell him it is a token of gratitude for years of guidance, a constant reminder of his teaching.”

The inkstone was a simple, elegant square piece of fine ink, perfect as a gift for a scholar.

Without delay, the clerk, clutching the ink box, mounted a horse directly from the government office and set off without returning home.

Despite this, Guo Mian’s heart remained uneasy. He had no certainty that Left Minister Zuo Qing was not connected to the Mo family. If so, to protect Mo Geyi, evidence might be destroyed, and witnesses silenced, placing Guo Mian in grave danger.

On edge, he returned home and found Dongfang Mei. Without a word, he instructed the servants to pack some of her belongings and hurried to the city to hire a carriage. He sent his beloved wife out of Yizhou first, to ensure her safety.

As they left the city, Dongfang Mei’s eyes were red from tears. Guo Mian gently comforted her, assuring her that everything would be fine, promising to come for her soon, and urging her to rest at her family’s home.

With his worries eased, Guo Mian waited anxiously for the capital’s reply.

Sure enough, a few days later, the clerk returned bearing a handwritten letter from Zuo Qing.

The letter instructed Guo Mian to manage the situation carefully. If Mo Geyi wished to leave Yizhou, he must not interfere. The truth would be uncovered through a discreet investigation from the capital. The letter ended with a small commendation for Guo Mian and a note that the inkstone was much appreciated.

Frowning, Guo Mian summoned the clerk and questioned him in detail about the meeting.

The clerk recounted everything meticulously, including Zuo Qing’s expressions upon receiving the letter.

Hearing this, Guo Mian finally exhaled in relief. He knew Zuo Qing was not a petty schemer. His praise of the inkstone was sincere. Thus, Guo Mian no longer feared for his own life.

Having earned Zuo Qing’s favor, there was even a chance he could be transferred to the capital someday.

Feeling reassured, the first thing Guo Mian did was to personally fetch Dongfang Mei from her mother’s home. Once reunited, the couple indulged in tender moments.

Yet, even in his bliss, Guo Mian did not forget Mo Geyi. He continued to have spies watch him daily, reporting on his activities, meals, and meetings.

Three days later, news arrived that Mo Geyi was preparing to leave Yizhou for the capital.

Guo Mian was relieved. The sooner Mo Geyi left, the better, so he wouldn’t cause trouble flaunting his family’s prestige in Yizhou. Some names were not worth provoking but could be avoided.

When Mo Geyi truly passed beyond the city gates, Guo Mian almost wanted to set off fireworks in celebration. To maintain order and keep ears open, he sent someone to Linlang Pavilion to deliver a firm message: forget the past incident; Mo Geyi had returned to the capital, and no one was to mention him or the matter again.

Ziyuan knew, and so did Gu Fei.

Just as Mo Geyi stepped out the city gates, Gu Fei followed close behind. Though she had failed to kill Mo Geyi, even causing him some discomfort was worth it.

However, at the city gate, before she could leave, she was stopped by the old steward of the Feng family, rushing after her, breathing heavily.

“Miss Gu... Miss Gu, have you seen my young master?” the steward stammered.

A bad feeling crossed Gu Fei’s mind. “Feng Li? I haven’t seen him.”

The steward’s face changed. “This is bad. The young master broke down his door and ran out early this morning. We searched the entire city but found no trace. I thought he must have gone to find you.”

Feng Li had run away?

Upon hearing this, Gu Fei sighed. After Feng Puyu locked Feng Li in the Feng estate, she had long expected this day.

Glancing outside the city gates, her mind still occupied with Mo Geyi’s matters, and knowing Feng Li was grown enough to be safe for a while, she said to the steward, “If I see Feng Li, I will make sure he returns home.”

Grateful, the steward repeatedly thanked Gu Fei.

She waved her hand and signaled You Er to pursue him quickly.

You Er cracked his whip sharply, the carriage wheels turning swiftly, and soon disappeared from the steward’s sight.