Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

Chapter 176 Like an ant on a hot pot

After hearing what Erwang said, Manager Xu felt as if a huge rock was pressing on his heart. His originally calm face was now filled with worry.

As he hurried along, his mind was constantly thinking about how to report this matter to his master truthfully. Because his mind was completely occupied with this matter, he completely forgot the cautious and vigilant mind on the way here.

At this moment, all he wanted was to find a way to solve the problem as soon as possible so that he could complete his mission successfully.

Meanwhile, Xunfeng followed closely behind. Although he felt that tracking him seemed relatively easy compared to Manager Xu, he remained deeply alert, not daring to let his guard down for even a moment. After all, any slight negligence could lead to mission failure, or even bring him into unexpected danger.

They walked in this way, one in front and one behind, keeping a certain distance. After about two quarters of an hour, Manager Xu finally stopped and walked into a magnificent mansion.

Xunfeng looked closely and saw a plaque hanging high above the door lintel. Inscribed on it in bold, vigorous strokes were two large characters: "Guo Mansion." Seeing this, Xunfeng instantly understood. Without hesitation, he turned and galloped towards the Guangping Prince's Mansion.

By this moment, Guo Ziyi had already returned to his residence after finishing his morning court session. Steward Xu gazed at the sundial, calculating the time, then walked towards the study, ready to look for Guo Ziyi.

When he arrived at the door of the study, Manager Xu took a deep breath, as if to inhale the tension and anxiety in his heart into his lungs, and then carefully knocked on the heavy door.

A crisp knock echoed through the silent corridor, reaching Guo Ziyi's ears. He didn't look up, still concentrating on his desk, but a serious and solemn voice uttered, "Come in!" These few brief words were like a military order, forcing no one to neglect them.

Hearing the voice, Manager Xu tiptoed into the room and slowly closed the door, his movements so gentle that no sound could be heard. He then respectfully bowed to Guo Ziyi and whispered, "Greetings, Master!"

Guo Ziyi raised his head slightly, his eyes quickly scanning Manager Xu. He knew that Manager Xu would never bother him in his study unless it was something extremely urgent. So, he asked directly, "Tell me, what do you want from me?"

Manager Xu was silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts and trying to express his intentions in the most appropriate way. After a moment's deliberation, he respectfully replied, "My lord, it's... it's Xunfeng, who serves the King of Yunnan. As far as I know, Xunfeng seems to have realized that his newly acquired servant was deliberately placed by someone else..."

Hearing this, Guo Ziyi couldn't help but frown slightly, his face showing a look of surprise and doubt, muttering to himself: "What on earth could have caused this? Why did it come to light so suddenly? Just a few days ago, everything was calm and safe!"

Upon seeing this, Steward Xu hurriedly explained, "This... this is really because they have managed the King of Yunnan's residence so meticulously. Everything is in perfect order, as if they have undergone rigorous special training. Therefore... therefore, they have aroused suspicion."

After saying this, Guo Ziyi suddenly became angry. He raised his head abruptly, staring at Manager Xu with a sharp gaze. His eyes were like sharp arrows, as if he wanted to pierce through him.

His face was solemn, and he sternly rebuked, "Manager Xu, Manager Xu, this master has high hopes for you and entrusted you with important tasks, yet how could you act like this? You can't even handle such a trivial matter properly? Didn't you warn them in advance not to be too ostentatious in anything?"

After hearing the question, Manager Xu suddenly became a little nervous and uneasy. Beads of sweat began to ooze out of his forehead. These beads of sweat were so dense that they looked like crystal clear pearls.

His voice also became stammering, and he responded haltingly: "This...this..., Master, please forgive my mistakes. It is really my fault. Recently, because the Sixth Young Master's birthday is approaching, Madam has summoned me many times to help with the preparations. Therefore...therefore..."

Guo Ziyi snorted coldly and continued in a stern tone, "Hmph, is it because of this reason that you can just perfunctorily handle the task that this master has entrusted to you?"

Upon hearing this, Manager Xu turned pale with fear. He quickly knelt on his knees, kowtowed desperately, and begged for mercy, "Master, please spare my life! This is all my fault. I was incompetent and careless!"

Guo Ziyi looked at Manager Xu in front of him and saw that he was sincere in admitting his mistakes. He thought to himself: Since things have developed to this point, any more punishment will probably be of no avail. I can only hope that it will not affect the plans of that important person.

Thinking of this, Guo Ziyi slowly spoke to Manager Xu, who was still kneeling below him, "Forget it. Considering that this is your first offense and you admitted your mistake promptly, I will not pursue you any further. However, punishment is still necessary. I will deduct one month's salary from you as a small punishment..."

When Manager Xu heard this, he felt as if he had been granted amnesty. The weight of the burden on his heart finally fell. He kowtowed once more in thanks, "Thank you, Master, for your magnanimity and leniency."

Guo Ziyi waved his hand impatiently to signal Manager Xu to go out. It would be great if the master was willing to let him go. So he bowed, stood up, slowly left the study, and closed the door.

Only after leaving the house did Manager Xu dare to breathe a sigh of relief. The heavy weight in his heart finally fell to the ground, and he quickly walked back to his room...

At this moment, Guo Ziyi in the room was in the same state as Manager Xu, as restless as an ant on a hot pan. He was racking his brains over how to report this matter to the important person above him.

After careful consideration, Guo Ziyi finally made up his mind and decided that it would be better to tell the truth. After all, his master was an extremely shrewd man. If he dared to make up a lie to deceive him, once it was discovered, the consequences would be even more disastrous.

Thinking of this, Guo Ziyi hurriedly sent his men to contact him and agreed to meet him at an inconspicuous little restaurant at lunch time.

After a while, Guo Ziyi found that the agreed time was almost up, but he could hardly suppress his inner anxiety and could no longer sit quietly in the chair and wait.

So he quickly stood up and ordered loudly: "Come here! Prepare the carriage for me quickly, I am going to that restaurant now!" However, Guo Ziyi was still a considerate and caring husband to his wife.

Therefore, before leaving, he specifically instructed the servant beside him, "Go and tell my wife that I have something important to do at noon today and cannot come home for lunch. Please don't wait for me to come back."

The servant agreed and immediately arranged for someone to do it, then got in a carriage and headed for the restaurant...

But it was only a quarter of an hour later. Guo Ziyi went out early and waited in the private room, showing an attitude of admitting his mistake.

Guo Ziyi waited and waited, but no one showed up. He began to get scared. Did he already know? He paced around the room for nearly two quarters of an hour before he finally heard footsteps. The waiter knocked slowly on the door, and it opened...