He could wait no longer.
And so, the Chancellor who held the court in his palm left the capital in secret, accompanied only by his Iron Eagle Guards and a few servants. After seven or eight days of traveling south, he arrived at the location where the Secret Report of The Hearing said Pei Jingyi would stay tonight: Chengping Prefecture.
Gu Huaiyu, of course, would not deign to stay at a Diplomatic Hostel. Those places were notoriously crude, with beds hard enough to bruise and linens that were questionable at best. How could a man of his delicate stature, accustomed to fine silks and agarwood, possibly rest there? Let alone a common inn—noisy, dirty, and chaotic.
Thus, the estate of Magistrate Qian of Chengping Prefecture was the only logical choice.
Magistrate Qian had received word early and had spent three days and nights preparing. He emptied the largest, most secluded inner courtyard and replaced all the hangings and bedding with brand-new materials.
As dusk fell, Gu Huaiyu’s party entered the gates. Magistrate Qian personally led them through the screens and corridors, past the rockeries and water pavilions, stopping before a vermilion carved door.
Magistrate Qian bowed deeply as he pushed open the door, his voice tight with nerves. “My… My Lord, this courtyard may not match the grandeur of the capital, but it is exceptionally quiet…”
Gu Huaiyu’s gaze swept the room. He gave a slight nod of approval.
Magistrate Qian didn’t dare look him in the eye, offering a fawning smile. “If there is anything that displeases My Lord, please command it, and I will have it changed immediately.”
Gu Huaiyu stepped inside, saying coolly, “Regarding my presence here…”
“I understand!” Magistrate Qian blurted out, a layer of cold sweat coating his back. “I would never dare breathe a word to anyone.”
Even after Gu Huaiyu sat down, Magistrate Qian lingered at the door. He rubbed his hands together and suddenly offered a greasy smile. “My Lord, I recently acquired a ‘fine horse.’ Its bones and muscles are perfectly balanced, its hooves small and legs slender. Its gait is light, and its appearance… well, it’s truly a beautiful sight. If My Lord does not find it beneath him, please accept it as a token of my respect.”
(Note: “Fine horse” is a common euphemism for a beautiful concubine or trained girl gifted between officials.)
Gu Huaiyu was well-versed in the sycophantic ways of local officials. Since he was currently unable to ride an actual horse, even a real one would be a waste on him.
He didn’t even look up. “There is no need. General Pei arrives tonight. You might as well give it to him. Tell him it’s a gift from me.”
Magistrate Qian’s smile froze, his expression turning quite strange. “This… This subordinate obeys.”
Pei Jingyi and Yan Zheng had intended to go straight to the Diplomatic Hostel, but they were intercepted at the greeting pavilion just outside Chengping Prefecture.
Magistrate Qian was waiting there personally. The moment he saw them, he beamed and hurried forward with a bow. “General Pei, Commander Yan! I have long awaited your arrival!”
“I am the Magistrate of Chengping. I have prepared accommodations at my estate. How could I let such distinguished guests suffer in a hostel?”
Pei Jingyi had never met Magistrate Qian. He reined in his horse, a brow arching. “How did the Magistrate know we were arriving today?”
Qian smiled eagerly. “A certain ‘Great Personage’ specifically instructed me. He said you would arrive today and told me to take excellent care of you.”
Pei Jingyi had many friends in the court, but none who could make a local magistrate act like a fawning servant. Unless…
His eyes suddenly lit up. He leaned forward in his saddle, asking with great interest, “And which ‘Great Personage’ is so concerned for my well-being?”
Sweat beaded on Magistrate Qian’s forehead as he gave a dry laugh. “This… it is truly inconvenient for me to say…”
Pei Jingyi gave a short click of his tongue but didn’t press further. Instead, he let out a sudden, boisterous laugh. “Very well then! We shall impose upon you, Magistrate.”
***
Late that night, at the Magistrate’s estate.
The corridors were winding and dark. Magistrate Qian carried a lantern, personally leading Pei Jingyi to a secluded courtyard.
As they reached the door, Magistrate Qian suddenly winked, lowering his voice. “General, there is a ‘special gift’ inside, prepared by that personage… Please, take your time and enjoy.”
Pei Jingyi had spent two years in the capital’s shark tank. How could he not understand that tone? His eyebrows shot up, a flash of utter disbelief crossing his face.
Before Magistrate Qian could even turn to leave, Pei Jingyi slammed the door open.
In the flickering candlelight, a slender figure was kneeling behind a zither. The girl looked to be about fifteen or sixteen, with a delicate, pretty face. At his sudden intrusion, she trembled violently, her face turning pale as snow. She forced herself to give a graceful bow. “This… This lowly one greets the General.”
Pei Jingyi laughed, though there was no humor in it. It was a laugh of pure, unadulterated fury.
In Gu Huaiyu’s eyes, he was nothing but a demon for lust?
“That bastard,” he spat through gritted teeth.
He turned on his heel and stormed out, the wind from his robes nearly blowing out the candles.
The girl cried out in panic, clutching her skirts as she stumbled after him. “General! I am from Yangzhou! I can play and sing for you—”
Pei Jingyi didn’t look back. He was going to find Gu Huaiyu and demand an explanation!
If Gu Huaiyu had decided he was a demon for lust, fine. Tonight, he would show Gu Huaiyu exactly what a “demon for lust” looked like!
![Hundreds of Assassination Attempts on the Immortal Venerable [Transmigration Book]](https://i1.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/tr.jpg?resize=151,215 "Hundreds of Assassination Attempts on the Immortal Venerable [Transmigration Book]")
