Futile Devices Scans

Since the matter had been settled, the investigation was left for Mu Chun to handle.

Tao Mo and Hao Guozi wandered around the streets for a while, bought two packets of pine-nut candy, and then returned to the Gu residence on the way.

Gu Xiaojia had been waiting since early in the morning. When he heard from the gatekeeper that they had returned, he immediately rushed to Liuxian Residence and, without caring about anything else, anxiously urged them to move to Yayi Pavilion.

Tao Mo and Hao Guozi did not have much luggage, so moving back and forth was not troublesome, and it was done very quickly.

The moment they entered Yayi Pavilion, Hao Guozi shot Gu Xiaojia several cold looks. At one glance, this place was clearly more carefully arranged than Liuxian Residence. Outside the room grew a large grove of bamboo, making the courtyard remain lush, green, and full of life even in the depths of winter.

When Tao Mo entered the room, he immediately felt a warm fragrance rush toward him, making his mind sway. When he looked more closely, he saw that every piece of furniture in the room was adorned with gold and jade, exquisitely carved, and plainly worth a great deal at a glance. He hurriedly backed out and said, “I think I should go back to Liuxian Residence after all.”

Hao Guozi secretly glanced inside and was startled as well.

After spending some time with him, Gu Xiaojia also knew that Tao Mo was not someone who said one thing while meaning another, so he said mildly, “Since Young Master gave the order, you should stay here. In any case, this room was originally used to receive Young Master’s friends.”

Tao Mo could not refuse any further and had no choice but to stay.

Gu Xiaojia lingered at the doorway for a while. After confirming that they had settled in, he left on his own.

As soon as he was gone, Hao Guozi immediately shut the door and clicked his tongue. “I never thought Gu She would be this rich. Can being a litigation master really bring in such windfall profits?”

Tao Mo said, “Young Master Gu has never appeared in court.”

“Although he does not appear in court, there are plenty of litigation masters who ask him to devise strategies for them. Since those people come seeking his help, they surely would not be stingy with what is in their purses.” Hao Guozi touched the washbasin made of gold, both envious and jealous, his expression deeply conflicted. “Is Young Master Gu not afraid of being robbed?”

Tao Mo said, “He only uses this room to receive friends. Since they are his friends, why would they steal from him?”

Hao Guozi awkwardly withdrew his hand and laughed dryly. “Young Master is right.”

Tao Mo was still holding the two packets of pine-nut candy in his hands. He sighed. “I originally wanted to ask him to try some.”

Hao Guozi untied one of the packets, casually picked up a piece, tossed it into his mouth, and said, “After supper, just give it to him while you are there.”

Tao Mo said, “I’m afraid it is too shabby.”

“As the saying goes, a goose feather sent from a thousand li away may be a light gift, but the sentiment is heavy. Young Master Gu is not someone who despises the poor and favors the rich.” Ever since they had encountered Yi Yu again, Hao Guozi’s favorable impression of Gu She had been increasing by the day.

Tao Mo thought about it and also felt that this was reasonable, so he tucked the packet of candy into the front of his robe.

After supper, Gu Xiaojia served tea as usual.

Tao Mo took out the packet of candy and, slightly nervous, opened it in front of Gu She. “I bought this when I passed through the market today. I tasted a little, and the texture is very sweet and clean. Please try some, Young Master Gu.”

Gu Xiaojia glanced at it and curled his lip. “Isn’t it just pine-nut candy?”

Tao Mo’s face instantly flushed red.

Gu She looked at the paper packet and casually picked up a piece. Unexpectedly, because Tao Mo had kept the pine-nut candy tucked inside his robe, it had melted a little, and the pieces had all stuck together. With that one lift, he actually picked up the entire packet of candy along with it.

Seeing Tao Mo look so embarrassed he nearly wanted to crawl into a hole, Gu Xiaojia helplessly took the packet from Gu She’s hand and said, “I’ll take it to the kitchen, cut it apart, and put it on a small plate.”

The way Tao Mo looked at him was practically the way one would look at a savior, and he thanked him repeatedly.

Hao Guozi was also quick-witted enough and hurriedly said, “I’ll help you.”

Tao Mo watched the two of them leave. When he turned back, Gu She had already arranged the board. Just as Tao Mo was about to place a stone, he heard Gu She say, “Today, I will give you six stones.”

Tao Mo froze.

Gu She said, “Please.”

Tao Mo secretly blamed himself for his poor Go skills, thinking that this was what had forced the other man to keep yielding ground. Thus, when he played, he became even more fully focused and did not dare let his attention wander in the slightest. He did not even notice when Gu Xiaojia and Hao Guozi brought the cut pine-nut candy back.

Gu She was the same.

The reason he gave Tao Mo one more stone was not because he blamed him for poor Go skills, but because he wanted to give himself a greater challenge. One had to know that in the opening, those few stones could each determine the fate of the entire board. By giving one more stone, it was equivalent to handing the opponent another Sea-Stabilizing Needle; it could not be called anything but a risk.

The stones in both their hands fell extremely slowly. An hour passed, and unexpectedly, they had made only a dozen or so moves.

Gu Xiaojia and Hao Guozi were both growing drowsy from watching. Just as they were thinking of returning to their rooms for a nap, the gatekeeper hurried in to report, “There is someone outside calling himself Yi Yu. He says he wishes to see Lord Tao.”

Tao Mo was still focused on the chessboard and did not hear it, but Hao Guozi shot to his feet at once.

Seeing such a fierce reaction from him, Gu Xiaojia hurriedly asked, “Who is it?”

Hao Guozi jerked his chin toward Tao Mo, only to meet Gu She’s eyes as they looked over. His heart gave a start, and he hurriedly looked away.

Gu She looked thoughtfully at Tao Mo, but said nothing. He merely turned his gaze back to the Go board.

Hao Guozi secretly let out a breath of relief, made a gesture to Gu Xiaojia, and tiptoed outside.

Only after they had walked several dozen steps did he relax. He said to the gatekeeper who had followed them out, “Tell him my young master has gone to rest and won’t see him.”

Gu Xiaojia grabbed the gatekeeper, who had been about to turn and leave, and said, “Wait. This is the Gu residence, not the county yamen. If you don’t explain clearly, don’t even think about ordering our people around.”

Afraid that the matter would become too noisy and let Tao Mo hear, Hao Guozi lowered his voice and said, “That person is a pretty-faced rogue and scoundrel.”

Gu Xiaojia looked at the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper shook his head and said, “He didn’t look like one to me. He looked more like a handsome young master from some family.”

Hao Guozi spat. “Of course he’s handsome. He relies on that handsome face to put on seductive airs and bewitch men!”

Gu Xiaojia suddenly understood. “He came from a male brothel?”

The gatekeeper was stunned. “Surely not? He looked perfectly respectable to me.”

“How many men have offered up mountains of gold and silver for that respectability of his? If he still couldn’t look respectable after that, he might as well hang himself.” Whenever Hao Guozi thought of him, nothing good came out of his mouth.

Gu Xiaojia slanted a look at him. “How did he get involved with your lord?”

Hao Guozi frowned. “Why do you have so many questions?”

“If you don’t explain clearly, how am I supposed to help you send him away?” Gu Xiaojia folded his arms.

“You want to come with me to send him away?”

“If you tell me the truth, I’ll consider it.”

“Bah. I’ll go myself.” Hao Guozi turned and left.

Gu Xiaojia immediately followed after him. He could not miss such an opportunity to watch a good show.

As for Yi Yu, after waiting and waiting at the gate without seeing the gatekeeper return, a bad premonition had already risen in his heart. Now, seeing Hao Guozi and another unfamiliar youth come out aggressively, he knew his premonition had been correct. He immediately put away his pitiful expression and calmly watched them approach.

Hao Guozi said, “My young master has gone to rest. You should leave.”

Gu Xiaojia pretended to be surprised. “Eh? Gone to rest? But I clearly saw him playing Go with my young master just now.”

Instead of getting angry, Hao Guozi laughed. “Why say it so bluntly? Aren’t you afraid of hurting someone’s feelings?”

Gu Xiaojia froze for a moment, then immediately understood. He jumped in outrage. “You, you, you—what nonsense are you spouting?”

Hao Guozi threw an arm around his neck and said with a beaming smile, “We’re all going to be one family sooner or later, so what are you still trying to hide?”

“Who’s one family with you? My young master is brilliant and peerless, an unparalleled talent under Heaven…”

Hao Guozi cut him off. “That’s exactly why my young master is so enchanted that he wishes they could be together morning and night, never apart for a single step!”

Gu Xiaojia was nearly strangled breathless by his arm and desperately jabbed Hao Guozi in the chest with his elbow.

Yi Yu’s expression did not change. “Since he is such a brilliant and peerless talent, surely he would not refuse a guest at the gate?”

Gu Xiaojia abruptly shoved Hao Guozi away, straightened his collar, took a rough breath, and said, “Refuse? Of course not! This way, please!”

Hao Guozi glared at him hatefully.

Gu Xiaojia returned him a roll of the eyes.

Along the way, Hao Guozi kept bowing and gesturing pleadingly at Gu Xiaojia, but Gu Xiaojia was in the middle of his anger and paid him no mind, striding forward on his own.

Yi Yu silently observed the scenery within the garden. He had visited no small number of wealthy households, but few had courtyards arranged with such care. It seemed this Gu She truly was as unfathomable as the rumors claimed.

As they neared the hall, they heard the crisp sound of a stone being placed, clean and decisive.

Gu Xiaojia said, “That move was made by my young master.”

Hao Guozi was so furious smoke nearly came out of his ears. He sneered, “You really do have a pair of dog eyes that can see a thousand li.”

“Still better than your pig ears listening against the wind,” Gu Xiaojia said. “When my young master plays Go, he never drags things out. Unlike your young master, always hesitating and stammering.”

“You…”

“Young Master, Young Master Yi Yu has arrived,” Gu Xiaojia suddenly announced in a clear voice.

Tao Mo shuddered and turned his head, looking over together with Gu She.

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