Chapter 16: The Black-Robed Man – Designated Scapegoat
Gongsun Residence.
Gongsun Xiong leisurely brewed tea in the main hall, enjoying the shoulder massage from the beautiful woman behind him.
From his expression, it wasn’t hard to see that this man was unaware of the current uproar in the outside world.
The Gongsun family, the Mu family, and the Bai family were the three major families of Tianxuan City. The Mu family had an edge over the other two, while the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce was a force that came from the outside a few years ago. However, their development had been steadily rising in recent years, and now they were on par with the three major families.
Gongsun Xiong had six sons. The eldest had been helping manage the family in recent years. The second… was obsessed with other personal matters, so let’s not mention him.
The third, Gongsun Zan, was ignorant and obsessed with beauties. The fourth and fifth were out traveling, and the sixth had not yet begun his education.
Among these children, the one Gongsun Xiong disliked the most was Gongsun Zan. However, out of familial affection, he had always let Gongsun Zan do as he pleased.
Outside the main hall, a subordinate hurriedly ran in and anxiously said, “Ma- Master… Young Master Gongsun Zan has encountered trouble!”
Gongsun Xiong immediately raised his head to look. The subordinate continued, “Young Master Gongsun Zan got into a conflict with someone today when confiscating the Chen family’s property because he wanted to make a move on the Chen family’s young miss… He was- was killed.”
Gongsun Xiong’s gaze sharpened a few degrees as he said in a deep voice, “In this Tianxuan City, there are still people who dare to make a move against my Gongsun family’s people?”
Although the third son was ignorant and born from a concubine, he was still his flesh and blood. When he went out, he represented the Gongsun family.
Killing the third son was slapping the Gongsun family’s face.
“Who did it? Have you investigated it clearly?” Gongsun Xiong stared at the subordinate, a fire of anger burning in his heart.
“It- it was Mu Zhi’an of the Mu family!”
Mu Zhi’an, the Mu family’s only heir… Gongsun Xiong’s anger subsided and gradually calmed down.
Some anger could often be quelled with just a name, and the Mu family was on this list.
“Explain the details clearly,” he said in a deep voice.
The subordinate recounted the events that had spread throughout Tianxuan City today. After hearing everything, Gongsun Xiong didn’t show the expected fury, but instead had a calm expression as he waved his hand and said,
“You may leave.”
Behind him, the voluptuous beautiful woman gently massaged his shoulders and said softly,
“Master, the Mu family has been acting arrogantly for so long. This time, they even dared to make a move against Zan’er… They’re clearly not taking our Gongsun family seriously.”
Gongsun Xiong shook his head and said, “You have a narrow view, woman.”
After a pause, he put down the teacup and said, “You should know the Mu family’s power in Tianxuan City, right?”
The beautiful woman was stunned for a moment, then lightly nodded.
Gongsun Xiong continued, “Then do you think, with the Mu family’s strength, it would be very difficult to cover up Zan’er’s murder?”
“Even if the Gongsun family wants to investigate the truth, it would probably require a lot of effort. How could they kill someone in the morning and have the entire city know about it in the afternoon? Do you think the people of the Mu family are all fools, directly letting this matter go unhandled and allowing it to ferment like this?”
The beautiful woman’s eyes flashed as she said softly, “Then what does Master mean…?”
“Someone is framing the Mu family,” Gongsun Xiong said with certainty.
“Perhaps it was done by the Bai family, or the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, or even other small families and forces.”
Gongsun Xiong continued, “Although that Mu Zhi’an is obsessed with beauties, his mind is still very clear. He knows what the consequences would be if he killed Zan’er.”
“As for the so-called talk of Mu Zhi’an seeing injustice on the way and stepping forward to help… do you believe it?”
The beautiful woman silently shook her head.
They probably all understood Mu Zhi’an’s character. He wasn’t the kind of person who would fight evil and uphold justice.
“Master’s analysis is indeed thorough,” the beautiful woman flattered.
Gongsun Xiong coldly snorted, “However, regardless of whether the Mu family is involved or not, this time we at least have to get some benefits from the Mu family.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a messenger subordinate hurried into the main hall and said,
“Master, Young Master Mu is seeking an audience outside.”
“Mu Zhi’an still dares to come to the Gongsun residence today after such a thing happened?” The beautiful woman was a bit surprised.
The news of Gongsun Zan’s murder had just spread, and the person involved was already coming to the Gongsun residence in such a grandiose manner… This was a bit too bold.
Gongsun Xiong pondered for a moment and said, “Invite him in.”
In a moment, under the lead of the subordinate, Mu Zhi’an walked into the main hall and saw the patriarch of the Gongsun family and the beautiful woman behind him.
“Uncle Gongsun, I apologize for disturbing your rest so late,” Mu Zhi’an said with a junior’s posture and a respectful tone.
Gongsun Xiong smiled gently and said, “Nephew Mu coming to see me so late, you must have something you want to say, right?”
No matter what Mu Zhi’an told him next, he would definitely make the Mu family spit out some benefits…
Whether Mu Zhi’an had made a move against Gongsun Zan or not wasn’t important. What was important was that the rhythm of public opinion was now in Mu Zhi’an’s hands, and that was enough.
Mu Zhi’an lightly nodded, glanced at the maids on both sides, and said, “I came to find Uncle for an important matter, but… please dismiss the others first.”
Gongsun Xiong raised his brows slightly and gestured for everyone else to leave first.
“You go down too,” he said to the beautiful woman.
After everyone had withdrawn, Gongsun Xiong finally raised his head to look at Mu Zhi’an and said, “Nephew Mu, sit.”
His tone sounded so natural and casual, as if he was unaware of what had happened in the outside world.
Mu Zhi’an took a sip of hot tea and said, “Uncle should already know about those rumors and gossip in the outside world, right?”
Gongsun Xiong nodded, his expression sorrowful and heavy, and said, “I just received the news and didn’t expect my unfilial son to die in the Chen family’s residence.”
As he spoke, he lightly sighed and looked at Mu Zhi’an solemnly, saying, “I believe in Nephew Mu. Although you and Zan’er didn’t have much interaction, our Gongsun and Mu families have always been on good terms. Nephew Mu is not the kind of person who would recklessly make a move.”
This action, this sorrowful expression, if placed in modern times, he would undoubtedly be a film emperor, easily outshining a bunch of little fresh meat… Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but retort in his heart.
He cooperated very well and sighed, saying, “I always felt that Young Master Gongsun Zan and I had a belated friendship. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to become friends while he was alive.”
Next, the two chatted for a while. Gongsun Xiong thought it was about time to bring up the main topic and demand some benefits.
At this moment, Mu Zhi’an suddenly lowered his voice and said, “Uncle, there are external forces infiltrating Tianxuan City.”
Gongsun Xiong was stunned.
Mu Zhi’an continued, “Actually, I indeed saw Young Master Gongsun Zan today, but he wasn’t killed by me. He was killed by a cultivator who came from the outside.”
Gongsun Xiong shook his head and said, “Nephew Mu, this kind of talk might be able to fool a three-year-old child, but the other party probably wouldn’t believe it.”
Mu Zhi’an smiled faintly, “I know Uncle doesn’t believe what I said, but after you see him with your own eyes, I think you will believe it.”
Gongsun Xiong frowned and said, “You mean, there are forces infiltrating from the outside that killed Zan’er?”
Mu Zhi’an nodded with certainty.
Gongsun Xiong stared into Mu Zhi’an’s eyes and pondered for a long time before saying, “Is there evidence?”
“I would like to invite Uncle to my residence tonight. Of course, Uncle needs to conceal your aura,” Mu Zhi’an said.
“This way, you will believe what I said.”
