From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

The one who died was Gu Chengen.

Just last night, an assassin broke into the Marquis's residence. Although the assassin was captured, the fourth young master, Gu Chengen, was killed.

Gu Chengen is the eldest master's son, only one month younger than Gu Chenglie, but unlike Gu Chenglie, he is born out of wedlock.

Compared to the favored Gu Chenglie, Gu Chengen is usually much more inconspicuous.

It is said that a silent person hides a steel needle. Gu Chengen is usually quiet, but he has cultivated to the seventh rank of martial arts. He is truly a man who will amaze people when he finally speaks.

But unexpectedly, before he could truly show his talent, he was killed by an assassin.

Upon entering the mansion, one sees a solemn atmosphere everywhere, with everyone wearing gloomy expressions.

Although Gu Chengen was born out of wedlock, he was still a son of a marquis and the eldest master's biological son. His death was no small matter.

Moreover, since it was an assassin who broke into the Marquis's residence to carry out the assassination, one can imagine the wrath of the master.

"Manager Sun."

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Shi went to see Sun Bingyi first.

Sun Bingyi was one of the four chief stewards of the Marquis's mansion, so he naturally had more information than others, and he could see things more clearly than the average person in some chaotic situations.

Steward Sun, who was also from the second wife's family, treated Chen Shi fairly well, which is why Chen Shi first went to him to sound out the situation.

"You've heard about it, haven't you?"

Sun Bingyi glanced at Chen Shi and sighed.

"What's happened to the Marquis's mansion these past few years? First it was the Second Master and Master Rong, and now it's Fourth Master En."

"It's truly heartbreaking."

Chen Shi echoed this, then asked.

"With the Fourth Master gone, the manor will surely be busy for a while. I came to ask if there's anything I can do, or if there's anything I should be aware of?"

"Regarding how to handle the funeral arrangements, the master will give us his opinion first, and then we stewards will discuss it. You are in charge of purchasing medicinal herbs, so this matter is not very relevant to you. For now, just focus on doing your job well. If we need your help, we will naturally assign you tasks."

Sun Bingyi spoke clearly and logically, and then continued.

"As for what to be careful about, it's better to avoid trouble. The master is grieving right now, so don't get too close and risk bringing bad luck upon yourself."

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Steward Sun."

"It's not really about giving guidance; we all work in the Marquis's residence, so we just look out for each other."

Steward Sun waved his hand and then gave Chen Shi some more instructions.

The main point is what things shouldn't be done. Doing less means fewer mistakes, and not doing anything means no mistakes. Especially at this time, there are certain things that should not be done in the limelight.

Chen Shi listened carefully and remembered everything.

After leaving Steward Sun's place, Chen Shi thought for a moment, then turned and headed towards Gu Chengze's courtyard.

This wasn't the first or second time the Marquis's residence had been targeted by assassins; the previous assassin was none other than Zhe Liu.

Zhe Liu told Chen Shi that she was ordered by the Fufeng Society to assassinate Gu Chengze.

Although it was Gu Chengen who died this time, who knows if this assassin, like Zhe Liu before, took the wrong path and went to the wrong courtyard.

If the target is still Gu Chengze, has the second wife's side been approached?

As for the others, Chen Shi was mainly worried about Yun'er, and also had some concern for Xiao Fengxiao.

Are Second Grandma and the others inside?

Upon arriving at the second gate, Chen Shi first asked the servant at the gate a question.

"Just got back from the eldest son's house."

The servant nodded, then clicked his tongue in amazement once more.

"Alas, what a good man Master En was, how could he have fallen victim to an assassin?"

Chen Shi ignored the servant and stepped inside.

Upon entering the inner courtyard, it was quiet all around, and the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

After all, a young master had died, and even though he was from the eldest son's side, everyone was afraid of incurring bad luck.

Chen Shi walked forward with his head down. When he arrived at the gate of Gu Chengze's courtyard, he stopped and listened. There was no sound inside, so he pushed the door open and went in.

Down in the corridor, several old women and maids were whispering among themselves. When they saw Chen Shi enter, they hurriedly fell silent and went inside to attend to their own business.

Chen Shi was in charge and a confidant of Xiao Fengxiao, so he still held some authority in the courtyard.

Ignoring the gossiping old women and maids, Chen Shi walked straight towards Xiao Fengxiao's room.

As soon as I arrived at the door, I saw Yun'er coming out from inside carrying water.

Yun'er's eyes were red and swollen, looking like two walnuts.

Why are you crying so hard?

Chen Shi held Yun'er's hand, feeling a pang of heartache.

Practice makes perfect. He and Yun'er had already done it twice. Besides the first time in the carriage, there was also the last time in the woodshed. In order to make Gu Chengze believe, the two of them had already turned their pretense into reality.

Even if there were no feelings before, feelings have developed now.

"Too much chili was applied."

Yun'er lowered her head slightly, a little embarrassed.

I accompanied Xiao Fengxiao to the main house earlier, and I had to cry along with her a couple of times. Worried that I wouldn't be able to shed any more tears, I rubbed some chili pepper on my hands when we got to the door.

Unexpectedly, the chili peppers were really spicy, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, even more so than the women in Gu Chengen's room, making Yun'er extremely embarrassed.

"Are we alright here?"

Chen Shi gently wiped Yun'er's eyes and asked her a question.

"fine."

Yun'er nodded and said directly.

"They didn't come to our area this time. I heard that the assassin knew the way well and went straight for Master En."

"Heading straight for Fourth Master En..."

Chen Shi frowned, puzzled.

Why the change of target this time? Isn't it someone from the Fufeng Society?

"It's good that you're alright."

Although he didn't understand, he was relieved as long as everything was alright here.

Holding Yun'er's hand, he couldn't help but give her some words of advice.

"Although they didn't come this way this time, you never know what might happen with assassins. Make sure to lock the doors and windows tonight and don't let your guard down."

"Okay, I'm not a child anymore."

Yun'er muttered something indignantly, but her face was as sweet as honey.

"Don't just talk about me, you need to be careful too, in case of an assassin..."

"Who's talking outside?"

As the two were talking, Xiao Fengxiao's voice came from inside.

Yun'er immediately turned pale, clearly displeased, and then gestured with her lips towards the inside of her mouth.

Chen Shi nodded, released Yun'er's hand, and stepped inside.

"It's me, Second Madam."

Standing at the doorway to the inner room, Chen Shi spoke.

Xiao Fengxiao leaned against the couch, dressed in plain clothes and without any ornaments, gently rubbing his eyes.

Looking at her phoenix eyes, now swollen like walnuts, Chen Shi couldn't help but chuckle.

"What are you laughing at! It's all that little brat Yun'er's fault. I told her to go to the kitchen and find something spicy to rub on her eyes, and she brought back two red chili peppers. Ugh, I've washed them several times with water, and my eyes are still burning."

Xiao Fengxiao rolled her eyes at Chen Shi, then sighed again before asking a question.

"What are you doing here in this mess?"

"I was worried, so I came to check on things."

"...At least you have some conscience."

Xiao Fengxiao looked at Chen Shi and gave a soft, affectionate hum.

The two talked for a while through the curtain, and when Chen Shi saw that there was nothing else going on, he took his leave.

Xiao Fengxiao wanted to keep him a little longer, but now was not the time, so she simply waved him away.

The Hou family was then busy with preparations, both strengthening security and handling Gu Chengen's funeral.

White cloths were hung everywhere, and the lanterns were all changed to white. In addition, monks and Taoist priests were brought in one after another to set up an altar and perform a seven-day ritual for Gu Chengen. Although it was busy, there were established procedures to follow, and no major problems arose.

Chen Shi, as the manager of medicinal herb procurement, had no duties of his own, so he was simply transferred over to be in charge of the ever-burning lamps and incense.

From the first seven days to the forty-ninth, the body lay in state for a total of forty-nine days, during which the eternal lamps in all places had to be kept burning and the incense burning had to be kept burning continuously. Although there were servants on duty in three shifts, Chen Shi, as the person in charge of this matter, had to patrol constantly and dared not slack off in the slightest.

Thus, for the entire forty-nine days, he dared not slack off in the slightest, let alone have any leisure time for cultivation.

It wasn't until Gu Chengen's funeral and burial were completed that time was finally available, but by then it was already June!

In just half a month, the battle between the Holy Sons will take place. He has not only failed to break through to the seventh rank, but he has not even mastered the Double Kill of the Claw and Scorpion.

How can we fight against the other holy sons like this?

Chen Shi couldn't help but sigh inwardly; Gu Chengen's death was truly ill-timed.

"Chen Shi, come with me!"

That afternoon, just as Chen Shi was about to make the most of his remaining time to cultivate, Steward Jin suddenly called out to him.

"The master is calling for you."