From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

Xiao Fengxiao had already promised Chen Shi that as long as he made further contributions, he would be granted the explosive qi martial arts technique.

Chen Shi was originally full of enthusiasm, but Gu Chengze asked him to test Xiao Fengxiao with an acrostic poem.

Although Chen Shi copied the poem onto a handkerchief as requested by Gu Chengze and carried it with him, he deliberately avoided Xiao Fengxiao these past few days, thus having no opportunity to take it out.

But in that case, how can one talk about making new contributions? Explosive Qi martial arts will remain out of reach.

As for why he copied the poem and carried it with him since he didn't intend to give it away, it was mainly because he was worried that Gu Chengze would suddenly question him. Even if Gu Chengze suspected that he was deliberately delaying, he wouldn't be able to find fault with him for a while.

In short, we should try to delay as long as possible.

"Night shifts are better."

Outside the second gate, gazing at the deep night, Chen Shi's face showed a hint of relaxation.

There was basically nothing to do at night, no errands to run, so there was no opportunity to contact Xiao Fengxiao, and naturally no opportunity to send the acrostic poem.

As for explosive martial arts techniques, although there's nothing we can do, we can only wait and see.

The night watchman's drum sounded, and before we knew it, it was already past midnight.

As usual, Chen Shi sat down against the wall, preparing to take a nap.

As the sweltering summer passed and the weather gradually turned cooler, Chen Shi was still dressed in only a single layer of clothing, yet he felt no chill at all.

He pondered that, apart from the fact that the martial artist was naturally vigorous in terms of blood and energy, it should be related to his "divine strength and fetus" physique.

After all, it contains a pure yang blood.

"There's an assassin!"

Chen Shi had just fallen asleep when a scream suddenly rang out in the courtyard.

assassin!

Chen Shi suddenly jumped up from the ground, his eyes wide open as he stared at the still tightly closed second gate.

Another assassin?

Assassins had broken into the eldest son's house before, and now, not long after, assassins have come to the second son's house.

Did this assassin think the prestigious Jing'an Marquis's mansion was his own backyard?

Bang bang bang~!

"Catch the assassin! Catch the assassin!"

Still in shock, a commotion erupted inside the second gate, accompanied by the piercing sound of a gong.

The lights quickly came on, illuminating the area.

Chen Shi stood there, frowning.

At this point, should he go in to help, or continue guarding the second gate?

Last time there was an assassin, Yun'er told him not to go anywhere, but the assassin was from the eldest son's side last time, and this time it's from their second son's side.

Clang!

Just as I was hesitating, the bolt clicked and the second door opened.

"An assassin has gotten close to us! Sister Yun'er wants you to come in and help!"

It was a young maid who, after speaking to Chen Shi, ran back in a flustered state.

"knew!"

Since Yun'er had sent someone to deliver the message, Chen Shi didn't hesitate and rushed in immediately.

After entering the second gate and taking only a few steps, I saw that everything was in chaos.

Besides the maids and old women, there were also some servants and guards who, like him, were summoned in to capture the assassin.

"Where to...?"

Looking at the chaotic mess, Chen Shi paused slightly.

The second branch of the family has several courtyards, including the second wife's courtyard, Gu Chengze's courtyard, Rong Da Nainai's courtyard, and the courtyards of several concubines. Who knows where that assassin has gone?

Logically speaking, the second wife should have the highest status.

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Shi headed straight for Gu Chengze's courtyard, since he was the servant there.

The huge courtyard was completely empty at this moment, without a single person in sight.

Although Gu Chengze was not favored, he was still the legitimate son, and there were quite a few maids serving him in the courtyard. But ever since Xiao Fengxiao married into the family, she has been finding fault with him and driving them out one after another. Apart from the concubines that Gu Chengze had already taken in, there were only a few unattractive, rough maids and old women left.

The lights were on in Xiao Fengxiao's room. These maids and servants had probably all been called away to protect the Second Mistress.

Chen Shi searched the courtyard thoroughly but found no trace of the assassin.

Logically speaking, he should have gone to protect the Second Madam, or at least made an appearance to show his loyalty.

Since it was just a brief meeting and there were so many people present, there was naturally no opportunity to send out the acrostic poem.

"Um?"

Just as Chen Shi was about to go to Xiao Fengxiao's room, he suddenly saw that the door to Gu Chengze's study was ajar and stopped abruptly.

Gu Chengze went out on business this afternoon and hasn't returned yet.

In fact, Gu Chengze has been staying out lately quite often.

Chen Shi thought that he must have done it on purpose, just to leave Xiao Fengxiao hanging.

"Perhaps..."

If Gu Chengze wanted to hide something in this courtyard without Xiao Fengxiao finding it, this study would be the most suitable place.

The key to Cui Nong's iron underpants might be kept in his study!

Thinking of this, Chen Shi's eyes lit up.

Seeing that no one was around, he casually picked a large clump of mud from under a nearby tree and quietly slipped into the study.

If this golden opportunity is missed, it may be hard to come by again.

Turning around and closing the door again, Chen Shi glanced around and immediately began searching.

The room wasn't very big. Besides the table and chairs, there were two large bookshelves filled with books, as well as some calligraphy, paintings, jade artifacts, and other trinkets.

Chen Shi focused his search on these two bookshelves.

He was looking for the key; he didn't need to touch the books and ornaments, he would search the drawers first.

But after searching all the drawers, they found nothing.

Chen Shi frowned. Could the key not be here?

Using the light filtering in from the courtyard, Chen Shi's gaze swept across the entire house, and suddenly stopped on a large porcelain jar containing scrolls of calligraphy and paintings.

Chen Shi strode over and reached in to grope around.

"This is!"

Soon, Chen Shi's face lit up with joy, and he indeed pulled out a bunch of keys.

Which one...?

There are three keys in total, and it's unclear which one is the key to unlock Cui Nong's body.

Chen Shi didn't bother to distinguish them carefully and simply made rubbings of them all.

To prevent Gu Chengze from finding out later, after putting the mud in his pocket, he carefully wiped the mud off the key and put it back at the bottom of the large porcelain jar.

"Very good!"

After doing all this, Chen Shi was filled with barely suppressed excitement. He was finally able to unlock Cui Nong's lock!

Of course, this is on the premise that one of the three keys is correct.

"I'll leave these things aside for now and see when I get back," Chen Shi said, preparing to leave.

Clang!

He had just turned around when the door suddenly opened, and a dark figure entered.

Chen Shi was instantly startled. Could it be that he had really run into that assassin?

"How come it's you!"

The shadowy figure, using the light from outside, saw Chen Shi's face and his expression changed.

"you?"

At this moment, Chen Shi had also seen the person who had come in clearly. It was not an assassin, but Lu'er.

While breathing a sigh of relief, a hint of guilt still flashed across his eyes, a sense of unease still lingering.

"What are you doing here!"

Lu'er stared at Chen Shi and suddenly asked a question.

"What else can we do! Search for assassins, of course!"

Chen Shi snorted lightly, speaking in a tone that seemed perfectly natural.

"Searching for assassins? No, wait, you're not here to steal anything, are you!"

Lu'er stared intently at Chen Shi and noticed a bulge in his chest. She immediately pointed and questioned him.

"What's that in your arms! Take it out!"

"None of your business!"

Chen Shi snorted coldly, his face darkening.

Although he wasn't there to steal money, if Lu'er discovered the clay smeared on the key and reported it to Gu Chengze, it would be much more troublesome than stealing some silver.

Too lazy to argue with Lu'er, Chen Shi strode out.

To catch a thief red-handed, all we need to do is get him out of here.

As for Lu'er reporting it to Gu Chengze afterward, Chen Shi could simply deny it, since nothing was stolen from the study anyway.

"Don't even think about running away!"

With a soft shout, Lu'er stretched out her arms and blocked the doorway.

"Get out of the way."

Chen Shi gave a soft hum, his voice unusually deep.

Speaking of which, it's only been a few days, and Lu'er's arm is almost healed. It must be because Jia Shun used some good medicine.

However, Chen Shi didn't care about any of that and insisted on walking out.

"Trying to run? Dream on!"

Lu'er sneered and suddenly reached out to grab Chen Shi's shoulder.