Chapter 143: with translation of chapter title

In the Crimson Red Tower, there are often people dead drunk; usually there are just a few idle rooms where one can sober up—ask the shop attendant and you'll know.

Yao Qing quickly pushed open the door of Gu Huai's private room; even though Gu Huai was extremely scheming, he was caught off guard by this situation.

He didn't even have time to think of a countermeasure before the door was pushed open.

Yao Qing walked in laughing: "Gu Huai brother, are you pretending to be drunk, unwilling to drink with us…"

His words were cut short; before the sharp cry in his throat could escape, someone lunged from behind and clapped a hand over his mouth.

Yao Qing looked in horror at the female corpse lying on the low couch, the blood spreading downward, then slowly turned to see Gu Huai, his whole body stained with blood, standing behind him.

He kept shivering, and Gu Huai's face behind him looked no better.

"Brother Yao! Listen to me!"

"I was dead drunk just now, confused and led here, only to discover there was actually a female corpse; I came to my senses just as you walked in."

"I, Gu Huai, swear by heaven, I swear by the ancestors of the Gu family—I really didn't kill anyone; when I entered, this female corpse was already here!"

"Can you understand what I'm saying now?"

Gu Huai always writes essays in an orderly manner, but this time his speech was stuttering and incoherent, utterly unacceptable.

Yao Qing nodded, and only then did Gu Huai dare to loosen his grip.

At that instant, neither knew what to say; both were startled.

Fortunately, they were both sons of nobles from the capital, accustomed to seeing the world, and they quickly calmed down.

Gu Huai took a breath and said: "Let's report to the authorities! Soon we'll inform Magistrate Qiao of Jingzhao to come!"

"Brother Gu Huai!" Yao Qing grabbed Gu Huai's arm, feeling as if he'd suffered a great fright, and slowly raised his hand to point at the wall.

Just now, Gu Huai had been dazed by the sudden female corpse; after all, he was a scholar, and unlike his elder brother who had served beside the crown prince and gained experience, he lacked such training.

He was genuinely flustered; earlier he had only been thinking about fear and hadn't noticed the two characters written on the wall.

It seemed the deceased had written those two crooked characters on the wall while alive—Gu Huai!

Gu Huai's face changed instantly; Yao Qing beside him slowly stepped back, as if fearing he might erupt in violence.

Gu Huai stared fixedly at the bloody characters on the wall, his brows knitting tightly, then he turned his gaze to Yao Qing.

Yao Qing's posture suggested he wanted to flee; he really believed Gu Huai had killed someone, and that the victim had written the murderer's name before dying.

If they were to report this, Gu Huai would likely be arrested right away.

According to Southern Qi law, regardless of whether he is ultimately convicted or what charge is laid, anyone detained on serious suspicion will lose eligibility for the spring imperial examination.

Gu Huai's face turned ashen, and he stared fixedly at the female corpse.

This was no accident; someone had deliberately set a trap for Gu Huai, and today's banquet was that trap, aimed at preventing him from taking the civil service exam.

Even his gaze toward his good friend Yao Qing turned a bit icy.

Yao Qing couldn't see the icy killing intent in Gu Huai's eyes; he hurriedly turned to rush out of the private room, but Gu Huai blocked his way.

Gu Huai didn't know whether today's scheme involved Yao Qing, but regardless, now that he had uncovered his secret, he would have to drag him into it.

Since someone set a trap for him, there will surely be follow‑up moves; once he's arrested, given the Gu family's current reputation, he fears he'll never be able to recover in this lifetime.

No! He must find someone to take the fall for this trap!

"Brother Yao, I've heard that lately several scholars have come to your home to help you practice writing, and one of them is said to be from Qiannan."

"You… what do you mean?" Yao Qing's eyes instantly flashed with a hint of wariness.

Gu Huai's elder brother Gu Cheng is no idle man; the great clan's tangled roots hide many secrets, some of which he knows and will pick out a couple to tell him, giving him an early understanding of the Southern Qi bureaucracy.

Gu Huai has now thrown caution to the wind; he's not afraid of offending the Yao family, anyway, how many people has the Gu manor offended so far?

He stared at Yao Qing and said: "A few years ago in the capital there was a rebellion case; one of the accomplices was exiled to Qiannan, and that person was absolutely a genius at writing."

Yao Qing's face changed dramatically; he hadn't expected the Gu family to have uncovered such a secret.

The Yao family has only this precious son of theirs, the focus of countless hopes, yet he is shallow in talent and learning, lacking Gu Huai's ability, and his aptitude is mediocre.

His mother, too, was anxious, and she specially sought out talented individuals from all over to come and teach him personally.

That person was merely an accomplice; after so many years, probably no one remembers him, yet Gu Huai has somehow gotten hold of this deadly leverage.

"Gu Huai… Brother Gu Huai, you…"

Gu Huai looked at Yao Qing as a mere simpleton, gave a faint smile, and said: "Don't be afraid; as long as you keep today's matter secret for me, I'll keep it secret for you."

"But someone has to take the blame for this; I know I'm innocent, yet some people want me dead, and I can't die yet!"

"Gu Huai! I can't take the fall for you…" Yao Qing turned pale with fright, wanted to run, but Gu Huai blocked the door; his mind was in turmoil, feeling utterly miserable.

Gu Huai smiled faintly: "You don't need to take the fall; someone will naturally do it for me! You just need to help me with something… Come on, I'll tell you how!"

Yao Qing had no choice but to move closer to Gu Huai's face.

Moonlight shrouded a secluded, inconspicuous courtyard of the Gu manor; the night wind was a bit brisk and cold, for it was past the Double Ninth Festival, and the air carried a hint of autumn chill.

Two servants of the Gu manor stood outside the courtyard, appearing to guard it but actually watching to keep those inside from coming and going freely.

Gu Kang, dragging his wounded body, lay on a bed that gave off a musty smell.

These days he had gradually felt a twinge of regret; in fact, he should have listened to his elder sister and not allied himself with the Lin family.

He even dared to embarrass his own sister in front of many people; now, even if he died, no one would collect his corpse.

Gu Kang slowly closed his eyes, and tears instantly streamed from the corners.

For over a decade he had lived in a daze, still believing in maternal kindness, filial piety, and brotherly harmony, never imagining it was all a joke.

These days he hasn't received any money, Miss Ruoxi's condition is unknown, he himself has been beaten into this state, and Gu Cheng that bastard has locked him up, refusing to let him out—could it be they intend to keep him imprisoned until death?

Gu Kang thought it over and grew afraid again; he didn't want to hear footsteps outside, followed by the guards' greetings at the door.

The door of the warm pavilion creaked open; Gu Kang hurriedly sat up, and though seriously injured, he was now mostly recovered and could stand.

He hadn't expected that the one walking in from outside would be his third brother, Gu Huai; a flicker of anger rose in Gu Kang's eyes.

Usually he had doted on this younger brother, buying extra of anything fun for him, treating him as a true sibling.

He never expected Gu Cheng to treat him this way; the third brother he had always cherished only now showed his face.

Gu Huai stepped forward, bowed to Gu Kang and said: "Second brother, third brother came late, I've made you suffer."