Mixed in the heavens, merits and virtues become immortals

Chapter 455 When the Brother-in-Law Also Comes to the Brothel

Late at night, in the Xu family study.

Xu Qi'an, Xu Xinnian, and Xu Pingzhi sat together, looking at each other.

“Zhou Li was targeting me with what happened during the day.”

Xu Qi'an recalled everything that happened during the day and first reviewed the situation, saying, "Those people completely ignored Gu Qing and just wanted to bring me down. If Gu Qing hadn't suddenly erupted, I would have been sent to the yamen."

Thinking about what happened during the day, Xu Qi'an still felt it was outrageous. A person who had read a Confucian classic directly unleashed his righteous energy, suppressing five or six martial artists. Even when Zhou Li's "Uncle Chen" jumped out to try to break the deadlock, he was also repelled by Gu Qing's righteous energy.

Because the whole thing was so outrageous, the great scholars from Yunlu Academy rushed over and started fighting over it.

Xu Qi'an even suspected that Gu Qing had some kind of innate Confucian holy body, or that seventeen relics had been dug up from the Confucian school, which could allow Gu Qing to directly return to the position of Confucian saint.

Outrageous, too outrageous.

"The great scholar interrogated the people from the Ministry of Justice, saying that Zhou Li disliked you and therefore deliberately set a trap to deal with you."

Xu Pingzhi said.

In Confucian self-cultivation, one can reach a certain level where one's words become law and regulate people's behavior. Great Confucian scholars also use this method to ask the most truthful questions.

“Lingyue and Gu Qing were both implicated because of me.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Qi'an coldly replied, "But I just don't understand. I clearly haven't offended the Vice Minister of Revenue."

In modern terms, Xu Qi'an was just a regular investigator, while the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was a ministerial-level official. The difference between the two was like heaven and earth, and they rarely even interacted. However, a ministerial-level official suddenly reached out to crush Xu Qi'an. The reason for this was incomprehensible, which made Xu Qi'an inexplicably angry. Although he was an ant, it did not mean that he could be trampled to death at will.

"Now it's all good. Gu Qing has become a disciple of a great Confucian scholar at Yunlu Academy. With this connection, our family can live in peace."

Xu Pingzhi said.

He didn't have any grand ambitions; he only wanted to protect his family. When Gu Qing was taken away, it was unclear which great Confucian scholar she had become his disciple, but it was certain that she would have a great future. With the scholar's influence, the Xu family would be safe.

Gu Qing's character is also trustworthy.

Xu Qi'an nodded in agreement. He had no doubt that Gu Qing would stand up for the Xu family whenever they were in danger.

"It's not that peaceful."

Xu Xinnian said, "Our Yunlu Academy and the Imperial Academy have a dispute over the lineage. Now all the civil officials in the court are from the Imperial Academy. If the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue makes a move again and gets the procedures straight, even Yunlu Academy will be unable to interfere. Instead, it will drag Gu Qing down with it."

Gu Qing is too conspicuous, so he has become a new target. So, where should we start to attack Gu Qing?
That's something Gu Qing cares about, of course.

"We need to strike first and make sure Zhou Li is taken care of."

Xu Qi'an made up his mind and said.

To deal with the Vice Minister of Revenue's family, they had to be careful. After making up their minds, Xu Qi'an and Xu Pingzhi sent the family to Yunlu Academy, where they would be safe. For the next two days, Xu Qi'an, Xu Pingzhi, and Xu Xinnian investigated the Vice Minister of Revenue's family, looking for Zhou Li's weaknesses. However, Zhou Li was either in a brothel or a casino.

"Zhou Li is very infatuated with Fu Xiang, a girl from the Jiaofangsi."

Xu Qi'an said, "To obtain detailed information about Zhou Li, we will inevitably need to find Miss Fu Xiang to spy on him."

For young masters like these, listening to music and praising actors is the norm.

“I certainly can’t go, because I haven’t taken the imperial examination yet,” said Xu Xinnian, a man of integrity.

"I can't go either, because I haven't entered the Qi Refining Realm yet and can't break through my physical body." Xu Qi'an refused to go to the brothel.

“I would never go there. That’s a place for intellectuals, and I can’t read a single word,” said Xu Pingzhi, Gu Jia’s beloved wife.

All three made promises they couldn't keep, but that evening, they met at the Yingmei Pavilion in the Jiaofangsi (a brothel-like establishment). The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

"It's all for important matters."

The three of them talked to each other and expressed their determination to work together towards a common goal.

"Uncle Xu, Ning Yan, Ci Jiu, all three of you are here."

Gu Qing's voice came from the side. He walked over to their table and sat down. A family should always be together.

However, Gu Qing's arrival completely disrupted the Xu family's mindset.

"How will you be here?"

Xu Pingzhi grabbed Gu Qing's arm, his voice filled with grief and indignation. He could accept Xu Qi'an and Xu Xinnian being here, but he absolutely could not accept Gu Qing being here, because Gu Qing was his son-in-law. His presence here was tantamount to cheating on his daughter.

Xu Qi'an and Xu Xinnian shared the same sentiment, both glaring angrily at Gu Qing.

Don't you all enjoy listening to music in brothels? Why did things get so heated when my brother-in-law came?
Gu Qing suppressed a laugh, but said with a serious face, "You sent your families to Yunlu Academy. Lingyue felt something was wrong, so she asked me to come and find you. Then I went down the mountain."

While Xu Qi'an and the others were handling their affairs, Gu Qing was "cultivating" at Yunlu Academy.

"So you came here to find us?"

Xu Qi'an's face turned red with anger. He felt that Gu Qing was just making excuses. Gu Qing had gone astray!
Just tell me if you've found it or not!

Gu Qing's current persona is still that of an innocent girl, so she pointed at Xu Xinnian and said, "I saw Cijiu on the road. He looked mysterious, so I followed him. Who knew that once we went inside, I couldn't find him."

Xu Pingzhi and Xu Qi'an glared angrily at Xu Xinnian... "You're the one who led the enemy here."

Gu Qing is too naive. If she goes home and accidentally lets something slip, or if Xu Lingyue finds out the truth, her whole family will be socially ruined.

Xu Xinnian's face turned red; he hadn't expected Gu Qing to be following behind.

"Do you know where this place is?"

Xu Pingzhi's face was gloomy.

"Know!"

Gu Qing answered immediately, "Selling abalone!"

The answer was so straightforward that it enraged Xu Pingzhi. He looked at Gu Qing and felt that Gu Qing was a seasoned pro.

"Uncle, this is what I taught you."

Xu Qi'an's face darkened, feeling like he had shot himself in the foot. If it were someone he knew, in this situation, Xu Qi'an would have dragged them down with him, and since they had shared the burden, their relationship would have become closer. But Gu Qing was different.

Gu Qing is his brother-in-law!
Xu Qi'an couldn't possibly let his brother-in-law cheat on his sister, could he?

"Second Brother of the Shop."

Gu Qing pulled out a large piece of gold from his pocket and exclaimed, "We're buying abalone!"

In a restaurant, the manager is the most important person. Calling someone else "Second Brother" is a way of showing respect, much like how people in modern times would address someone as "teacher" or "boss." But this is the custom in a restaurant.

Gu Qing's arrogant strike directly led to the death of the Xu family.

(End of this chapter)