Chapter 52 - Second Level of Dao Foundation? Gu Wen got off the carriage and saw the Wang Mansion surrounded by heavily armored Forbidden Army soldiers, each armed with spears, crossbows, swords, and shields.
The average weight of the Daqian armor was around forty catties, while the Forbidden Army generally wore iron plate armor, weighing up to fifty catties.
Under normal circumstances, it was impossible to wear them daily.
The Forbidden Army soldiers in the capital city usually wore cloth armor and chainmail, so those who could wear iron plate armor daily were undoubtedly the elite of the Forbidden Army, loyal soldiers of the Emperor.
One of the three armies of the Forbidden Army, the Palace Front Guards.
As Gu Wen approached, cold gazes immediately shot towards him, and some soldiers raised their crossbows.
Compared to the foreign troops stationed in Bianjing before, and the central army stationed inside the city, these Palace Front Guards were clearly much more imposing, exuding a strong military aura inside and out.
This was normal.
Even if the Emperor was foolish, he would not neglect his own safety.
Moreover, the Daoist Emperor was only foolish, not incompetent.
If immortality was not a delusion, then his alchemy over the years, causing famines in three consecutive years, was not so absurd.
The Daoist Emperor was just a pure tyrant and traitor.
"Lower your weapons and do not disrespect Marquis Wen."
A deep voice rang out, followed by a general in golden armor, with a red feather on his head, walking out majestically.
Gu Wen recognized this person, the leader of the Xiqi Guards, Jin Liang, one of the Palace Front Guards.
His ancestors were founding heroes, but two years ago, he was still a playboy.
He liked to visit brothels and once pursued Yang Shanyu, the leading courtesan of Qianfenglou at that time.
Perhaps it was a bit embarrassing for the family, Jin Liang was confined by his family, and halfway through, he ran out without money to enter Qianfenglou.
Gu Wen happened to meet him and treated him to a meal.
Jin Liang stepped forward, clasped his fists, and warmly said, "Marquis Wen, it has been a long time, and I have missed you greatly."
Gu Wen also replied with familiarity, "It has been many days since I last saw the general. I wonder if the general would honor me with a meal someday?"
"Marquis Wen invites, how can I refuse."
The two conversed happily, like long-lost friends.
They had indeed not seen each other for two years, but in reality, their relationship was not even considered friends.
With Jin Liang's background and status, he looked down on Gu Wen, a mere merchant.
The fact that they were able to converse was probably due to the impending title that had not yet been bestowed, as well as the guards around Gu Wen.
These Bianjing nobles were all astute individuals, adept at navigating the winds of change.
Gu Wen did not care for titles, but the rice bugs who lived off hereditary titles did.
As long as Gu Wen had a title, they would accept and even praise him.
This was to maintain their interests and establish a circle that outsiders could not touch.
The Longqiao merchants were a circle, while He Huan, Lu Chan, and Zhao Feng were another circle.
This world was full of big and small circles.
"I heard Marquis Wen is going to be ennobled?"
"It is not I who will be ennobled, but the Emperor's great favor."
"I have a younger sister at home who is yet to be married. I wonder if Marquis Wen is interested?"
Gu Wen's response made Jin Liang more enthusiastic, even starting to act as a matchmaker.
Marriage alliances were the most common means among noble families.
If one side took a liking to a noble title, but the noble did not fancy the family's daughter, it could lead to complications.
"I have heard of the noble daughter of the Jin family. If the opportunity arises, I will definitely visit." Gu Wen flattered, then asked, "But now I am more concerned about His Highness's safety. Can the general reveal some information?"
Jin Liang looked around, seeing no outsiders, and considering Gu Wen's close relationship with the Ninth Prince, he lowered his voice and said, "This matter is not easy to discuss, but since Marquis Wen asked, I can only take the risk to answer."
Gu Wen understood and said, "I recently received a jar of tea worth five hundred taels of silver. I will deliver it to the general's mansion tomorrow."
Giving gifts was not considered bribery; it was a norm in official circles.
Although there might be silver hidden inside the tea leaves, it still counted as a gift.
Moreover, this was not something one could give casually; if you gave it to someone without a connection, it would only invite suspicion.
"In that case, I thank Marquis Wen."
Jin Liang smiled and continued in a low voice, "At noon, there was a sudden noise in the Ninth Prince's study. The guards entered to check and found an assassin, leading to a scuffle. More guards were attracted, and a servant rode out to report to the officials. But at that time, all the nearby Forbidden Army had gone to Longqiao, so he ran to the palace and called for help. By the time I arrived with my men, there were only corpses everywhere."
"How is the Ninth Prince?" Gu Wen asked anxiously.
He couldn't have died, right?
"When I arrived, the Ninth Prince was covered in blood but still breathing. He has been taken to the palace's medical hall, but I do not know his current condition," Jin Liang sighed, "It is a turbulent time now, Marquis Wen should be cautious in his future travels."
So, is he dead or not?
Gu Wen was anxious, but he didn't show it on the surface and said, "I owe a debt to the Ninth Prince. If the general has any news, please inform me, and I will definitely offer a generous gift."
"Of course, of course."
Jin Liang readily agreed.
As a trusted aide in the Wang Mansion, it was normal for Gu Wen to inquire about the Ninth Prince's safety.
Although it was against the rules, there should be no problem.
Gu Wen left the Wang Mansion in the carriage, made a stop at the water house to get some medicinal fruits, and then returned to his own home.
It was already late at night after this trip.
On the carriage, he suddenly remembered something.
Yu Hua was living in the Wang Mansion.
To avoid suspicion, he hadn't gone to see her, but since Yu Hua was in the mansion, she should know if Zhao Feng was dead or not.
Unfortunately, I have no means of contacting her; she has always come to me on her own.
Gu Wen carried the medicinal fruits back to his room, pushed open the door, and found Yu Hua, dressed in plain clothes, sitting on a chair, holding a book, admiring it by candlelight and moonlight, occasionally adding a few strokes with a brush.
She saw Gu Wen and smiled, "You're back? It seems you've had a fruitful day."
Gu Wen subconsciously hid the sack behind him and said nonchalantly, "I found it by the roadside."
"Then your luck is extraordinary. These medicinal fruits are rare alchemy main ingredients, each one is invaluable. Their medicinal properties are strong, so be careful not to take too many when you consume them."
Yu Hua, as usual, did not delve deeper and continued writing.
Gu Wen placed the medicinal fruits down and watched her transcribe the ancestral poems.
The writing was beautiful, the strokes were smooth, much better than his own scribbles, pleasing to the eye.
He said, "Zhao Feng was assassinated and is now being treated in the palace. His life or death is uncertain."
Yu Hua's writing did not stop, and her expression did not falter as she said, "I have not been in the mansion for the past few days and only just returned to Bianjing. I am unaware of this matter."
After confirming that Lu Chan would not harm Gu Wen, Yu Hua went out to search for water veins.
Zhao Feng's life or death was not a concern for her; he was not essential to her current plans of seeking the elixir of immortality.
He had not provided any substantial help all this time, just buzzing around like a fly.
"Reach out your hand, I will impart another cultivation technique to you."
Did she realize I have mastered all the cultivation techniques?
Gu Wen was doubtful, but he obediently held Yu Hua's hand, which was as cold as ever.
Yu Hua furrowed her brows slightly, sensing the numerous injuries on Gu Wen's body beneath his clothes, and said, "Let me heal your wounds first."
"They are just minor injuries..."
"Sit and meditate."
Yu Hua, rarely stern, instructed Gu Wen to sit cross-legged and close his eyes in meditation.
Then she fed him a pill and spoke softly.
"The injuries are not severe, just a depletion of qi and blood. However, a qualified cultivator should never let themselves be at a disadvantage. No matter what treasures you obtain, you should always prioritize treating your injuries first."
"I have no healing methods."
"Later, I will teach you. Besides, that is not an excuse. Your meridians are already depleted, indicating that you have not stopped to recover your spiritual energy, even a little bit."
Suddenly, Yu Hua paused.
She had not probed into Gu Wen's cultivation level, but when guiding the medicinal properties through his meridians, she clearly felt that it was not the appearance of a first-level Dao Foundation.
Is this the second level of Dao Foundation?!