Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

The footsteps outside grew closer.

The clanging of armored vehicles was as dense as raindrops.

The firelight at the entrance grew brighter and brighter, becoming blindingly bright.

"Listen up, you people inside!"

The general outside the dilapidated temple began issuing ultimatums.

"Put down your weapons! If you resist, kill you on the spot!"

Before the shouts had even stopped, a group of soldiers in full armor had already rushed into the dilapidated temple.

The hall was completely silent.

Gu Mingyue was still clutching Qian Dajiang's collar with one hand, while stuffing silver notes into his arms with the other.

Qian Dajiang, a 40-year-old middle-aged man, was coerced by a young girl.

His face was filled with terror, and he was drenched in sweat.

Upon seeing the officers and soldiers, he almost knelt down and shouted on the spot:

"I'm not clean anymore~~~~ I was forced into this~~~"

Xiao Ye stood at the door.

The light blue brocade robe was covered with night dew and dust, and the hem of the robe was lifted up by the wind.

He arrived on horseback.

He had no sword at his waist, but the shadow guards behind him all had gleaming blades in their hands.

Upon entering, his gaze first swept over the hundred or so members of the Canal Gang, who were huddled together with knives and sticks.

Then I glanced at the broken table with a missing corner, and saw the silver notes scattered on it.

Finally, it fell on Gu Mingyue.

His face was completely expressionless.

His eyes, however, were frighteningly gloomy.

Xiao Ye stared at the scene for three seconds.

Gu Mingyue released her grip and calmly took half a step back.

She straightened her clothes and returned to her normal appearance.

He stepped forward and bowed to Xiao Ye.

"Second Master, you've come at the perfect time."

She pointed at Qian Dajiang.

"Let me introduce you. This is the new dock manager I've hired."

Qian Dajiang stood frozen in place, two banknotes falling to the ground from his arms.

Xiao Ye glanced down at the silver notes on the ground.

He didn't say anything.

Xiao Jue followed him into the hall.

Compared to his elder brother's icy expression, the Prince of Qi's expression was much more vivid.

He first nervously looked Gu Mingyue over, and after confirming that she was alright, he visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, seeing Qian Dajiang's "badly bullied" look, the corner of my mouth twitched involuntarily.

Geng Zhi strode in from outside.

"Second Master, the young master is in the west wing."

Xiao Ye didn't say a word, turned around and went out.

Gu Mingyue was stunned for a moment.

Why was her brother also kidnapped?

He quickened his pace and followed to see what was happening.

The west annex is located at the other end of the dilapidated temple.

As they passed through a half-collapsed corridor, moonlight leaked through the cracks in the broken tiles, falling on the shadows of two people, one in front of the other.

Two squads of imperial guards had already rushed into the palace ahead of the others.

The hall was dimly lit.

The only light source was the moonlight leaking through a hole in the roof, which illuminated the outlines of the two stone pillars.

Gu Mingli was tied to the pillar on the left.

Several gray marks were smudged on the crescent-white brocade robe, and a piece of the right sleeve was worn through.

The hemp rope on his wrist was frayed from rubbing, and most of the outer fibers were broken, but it hadn't completely broken free yet.

He saw the firelight at the door and looked up.

First, I saw the figures of several imperial guards.

Then, behind the glow of the torches, I saw Xiao Ye.

Gu Mingli grinned. "Second Master is here?"

Xiao Ye did not respond to him.

Their gaze swept over him.

Then it moved to the person next to him.

Pei Yu was also tied up there.

His brocade robe was crumpled up, but his hair was still neatly styled.

It's clear that even though she was kidnapped, she made a point of tidying up her appearance.

Pei Yu was looking up at the doorway.

The firelight reflected in his eyes, and he was clearly bewildered.

The person who arrived was wearing a light blue brocade robe.

She was tall and slender with a cool and handsome face.

Pei Yu recognized him.

This is the person who rowed shoulder to shoulder with the "emperor" on the river during the day.

The "vixen male concubine" who made his sister grit her teeth all day.

What is he doing here?

Pei Yu's mind raced.

The Imperial Guards led the way, followed by Shadow Guards. Was it this "male favorite" who brought the army to find him?

It seems he's trying to curry favor by saving the emperor?!

But it is not important.

Importantly, the "emperor" was also tied to a pillar next to him.

Now, he and the "emperor" have a bond forged through thick and thin.

Even if he can't climb up to the "emperor" today, he still has to leave some impression on the emperor!

Pei Yu's expression changed.

He suddenly straightened his back.

The rope was tied around his chest, but he stubbornly kept his shoulders straight.

Then he twisted his body violently, his whole body like a snake trying to crawl out of the loose knot.

Pei Yu twisted a few times and managed to free half of her body.

He ripped the rope off his wrist and threw it to the ground.

He stepped right up to Gu Mingli.

She spread her arms wide and stood in front of Gu Mingli like a mother protecting her child.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Pei Yu raised her chin high and stared coldly at Xiao Ye at the door.

His lips were pressed into a thin line, and his neck was taut and straight.

His words were stern and his demeanor imposing.

"You slut who uses your looks to please men!"

"He's not someone you can be thinking about. I advise you to give up on that idea!"

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze.

Geng Zhi's pupils contracted sharply, and his right hand was already pressing on the scabbard of the short blade at his waist.

Xiao Ye stood still, his brows slightly furrowed.

Pei Yu stared at Xiao Ye's face, her chest heaving violently, as if she had made a tremendous decision.

He reached into his pocket.

The Imperial Guard's sword was half-drawn.

The next moment, Pei Yu took out a silver note with a face value of one hundred taels.

With a flick of his wrist, he slammed his arm down on Xiao Ye's chest.

The piece of paper floated lightly, slid off Xiao Ye's clothes, and landed on his feet.

"Here's a reward for you!"

Pei Yu, with an air of noble aloofness, glanced sideways at Xiao Ye and let out a cold snort.

"Take the money and get out of here! Don't you dare stick your nose around this young master again!"

The entire dilapidated temple fell silent.

Even the imperial guards holding torches in the outer courtyard fell silent.

The wind blew in through the hole in the roof, causing the silver note on the ground to flip over.

Xiao Ye's eyelids twitched, but he didn't even glance at the silver note.

His cold gaze passed over Pei Yu and landed on Gu Mingli's face.

He only uttered three words coldly.

"Aren't you leaving yet?"

Gu Mingli rubbed the rope a couple more times and broke free with a "bang".

He stepped out from beside the pillar, beaming with joy.

Stretching her aching shoulders, she followed Xiao Ye outside.

As I passed by Pei Yu, Pei Yu was still standing there with her arms outstretched, frozen in place.

"Young master?"

Pei Yu's voice came from behind.

With a mix of eagerness and reluctance.

Gu Mingli turned around and glanced back.

Pei Yu finally lowered his arm and stood in the moonlight.

Her lips were pursed, her eyes were slightly red, and her voice was low, yet she spoke each word clearly.

"Please take care, young master. We must meet again when we return to the capital."

Gu Mingli's lips twitched.

Pei Yujing is saying some strange things.

Gu Mingli waved his hand dismissively at Pei Yu, as if to send someone away.

"Let's talk about it another day."

[Ding! Xiao Ye's favorability towards you -1]

Gu Mingli: "???"

What's going on? Why were points deducted?

"Second Master?"

Gu Mingli quickly followed and quietly extended his index finger.

Suddenly, someone poked Xiao Ye in the lower back.

Xiao Ye instantly straightened his back, startled.

She glanced sideways at Gu Mingli with her eyes downcast.

"presumptuous!"

[Ding! Xiao Ye's favorability towards you +1]

Gu Mingli: "..."

[Ding! Congratulations on completing this stage of the mission and successfully overcoming Miss Pei's challenge in the Emperor's favor.]

[Choose one of three rewards:]

1. Skill "Tears in the Rain": Each time tears fall, men within three meters will randomly receive either the "Heartache" or "Always Granting Requests" effect. Cooldown time: 2 hours.

2. Skill "Smiling Without Showing Teeth": When you smile, there is a 30% chance that the other person will feel like they owe you five taels of silver and will be obedient to you.

3. Physical goods: 1 tons each of unknown potatoes and unknown sweet potatoes.

Gu Mingli didn't hesitate for even a second longer and directly chose [3].

Congratulations! You have acquired 1 tons each of Unknown Potatoes and Unknown Sweet Potatoes.

[This reward does not include a treasure map; please find the location and dig for it yourself.]

Gu Mingli: What the hell? Find it yourself? What use are you then?