novelraw Chapter 187 : The Catfish Effect
Chapter 187 : The Catfish Effect
Close to 11 PM.
The entire Fry Castle was like a giant beast crouching by the sea, quiet yet dangerous.
The beast lay motionless, its breathing barely audible.
In the silence, the sound of waves crashing against rocks seemed especially powerful.
Gu Junwan led her entourage to the top floor of the residential area, only to be immediately stopped by armed guards.
A man who appeared to be the captain raised his arm in a military salute: "Empress, please wait a moment!"
After saying this, the man turned to report to Fry Lott's room.
As a guest, Gu Junwan, despite being the Federation's Empress, had to abide by the rules of Fry Castle.
While waiting, she once again reviewed in her mind all the fragmented information she had received today.
When she learned that Shen Han had caused trouble after receiving the suppressant injection, she had already caught the scent of a plot.
She knew her Alpha's temperament all too well.
Someone had manipulated the situation to create that incident and cause chaos.
If the purpose wasn't to affect the diplomatic relations between the two countries, then it was most likely internal family affairs within Fry Castle.
Power struggles were quite common in influential families; Gu Junwan had experienced it firsthand.
Therefore, it wasn't difficult for her to deduce this.
Jiang Xinyue's earlier report had confirmed her suspicions.
Combined with some key details after the incident, she reached a conclusion: Grand Duke Fry was secretly driving the development of all events.
If it weren't for that big shot's approval, the Empress's team wouldn't even have been able to enter Fry Castle's gates.
Let alone now, where a group of armed Federation guards could move freely in the residential area.
Soon, the door to Fry Lott's room opened.
A middle-aged woman walked out steadily.
She wore a maid's uniform with ruffled skirt edges and a ribbon bow at the collar.
Apart from her somewhat weathered face, everything else about her was very ordinary, with nothing particularly eye-catching.
However, Gu Junwan vaguely felt that the approaching maid wasn't as ordinary as she appeared.
To verify a certain conjecture, as the other approached, she suddenly focused her gaze on the maid's eyes.
Catherine was in the midst of curtsying to the Federation Empress when suddenly, a terrifying pressure swept over her.
It felt as if an entire mountain had crashed down on her head, the sensation of being buried under earth and stone was suffocating.
Her entire body tensed in that moment.
Beneath the plain maid's uniform, it seemed a dormant beast was hidden.
Realizing she had instinctively revealed her edge, Catherine immediately began to suppress her killing intent.
Her muscles relaxed, her aura quickly became smooth, and within two or three seconds she had resumed that serious and slightly dull appearance.
After confirming her state was no different from usual, Catherine then looked meaningfully at the young Empress before her.
By this time, Gu Junwan was no longer focusing her gaze on the other.
The Empress had gotten her answer.
This unremarkable-looking woman before her was extremely skilled, probably even Shen Han wouldn't be her match.
Grand Duke Fry placing such a top-tier expert by Little Lott's side clearly indicated he was guarding against those with ill intentions.
In other words, those servants who thought they could secretly harm Little Lott had actually been dancing under Grand Duke Fry's nose all along.
Realizing this, Gu Junwan pondered thoughtfully.
Why would he do this? Was it to create a catfish effect?
While catfish harm the living environment of small fish, they also greatly activate the small fish's survival abilities.
As she was pondering, Catherine had already spoken respectfully: "Empress, Young Master Lott is very pleased to know of your arrival. Now, please allow me to lead you inside."
At this point, she raised her eyes and swept an impassive gaze over the guards behind Gu Junwan: "My apologies, but I must ask the other guests to wait outside for now. Fry Castle has prepared exquisite refreshments for you, and we hope you'll enjoy them."
The implication was that only Xu Zhao could accompany the Empress inside.
How could the guard team members accept such an arrangement?
Ning Xi stepped forward, immediately about to voice an objection.
Just moments ago, she had clearly sensed the maid's terrifying aura.
Although it lasted only an instant, she was certain the danger she perceived was real.
The Empress was the person all guard team members had sworn to protect with their lives.
No matter how powerful the enemy standing in their way, they would not retreat half a step.
"Ning Xi, it will be fine."
"Just rest here with the team members for a while."
Gu Junwan's voice sounded first, interrupting Ning Xi's attempt to speak.
Faced with the Empress's order, she naturally chose to obey unconditionally.
After watching the group enter the room not far away, she led the team members to stand solemnly on both sides of the corridor, maintaining vigilance.
Compared to Ning Xi and the others' tension, Gu Junwan appeared composed and relaxed.
Everyone knew they had been invited into Fry Castle; unless the hosts here wanted mutual destruction, her safety would absolutely not be in any danger.
After Gu Junwan and Xu Zhao were welcomed into the room, Fry Lott immediately ran over.
"Empress, is Shen Han feeling better now?"
The little boy looked up, his sapphire-like eyes full of genuine concern.
Gu Junwan bent down slightly, gently stroking the little one's warm head, and said softly, "She's not uncomfortable anymore. She can even dine with you tomorrow."
Following behind, Xu Zhao, whose nerves had been somewhat tense, relaxed her back a little upon seeing this scene.
She thought to herself: Shen Han isn't just not uncomfortable now, she's as happy as a dog that's cuddled with its owner a hundred times!
After comforting Little Lott, Gu Junwan began to address the main topic.
She raised her eyes to look at the guards standing in the corners, and asked softly to the little one whose hand she was holding, "Can you contact Grand Duke Fry?"
Hearing this, Fry Lott instinctively turned his head to look towards the study.
After hesitating for two or three seconds, he nodded and replied, "Yes, I'll call grandfather now."
Having been up until this late hour, Gu Junwan was truly exhausted.
She didn't want to waste more time on unnecessary probing, so she smiled while rubbing Little Lott's head, "Why go to the trouble of making a call? You can just go to that room and tell him directly."
Fry Lott looked in the direction the Empress was pointing, and seeing that she was indicating the area where his grandfather was, his little face immediately showed an expression of surprise.
Gu Junwan didn't explain how she knew this.
She turned her head to look at Catherine: "Can you invite Grand Duke Fry out now?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of the study door opening and a deep, rich male voice rang out simultaneously.
"The Empress's insight and courage are indeed as extraordinary as the rumors say."
"Your arrival has brought glory to Fry Castle. Through these discussions over most of the day, I hope we can promote future mutual benefits between the Free Federation and Ksenrode."
Grand Duke Fry slowly walked out, stopping 15 meters in front of Gu Junwan.
This just-right safety distance neither felt offensive nor conveyed a sense of aloofness.
Although this was Gu Junwan's first meeting with Grand Duke Fry, he left her with a rather deep impression.
This spirited old man was as deep in thought as the old king, but he showed much more sincerity than the latter.
Hidden in his seemingly very official pleasantries earlier was an important message.
The Empress had been engaged in discussions for most of the day since arriving at Fry Castle; the outside world would hear no other rumors besides this.
In a different situation, Gu Junwan would have accepted the other's goodwill and taken the opportunity to build some relationships.
After all, his influence in Ksenrode was second only to the old king's, making him a figure worth cultivating ties with.
But when Gu Junwan thought about how this old man had used everyone as chess pieces in his maneuvering, she felt uncomfortable.
If it weren't for his permissive and acquiescent attitude, there wouldn't be servants eyeing Little Lott covetously, and Shen Han's sudden rut today wouldn't have been exploited to cause trouble.
Thinking of her beloved sitting pitifully amidst the mess, she couldn't help but feel heartache.
For these reasons, Gu Junwan's reply carried a hint of coldness: "Grand Duke Fry plans meticulously, keeping everything under control, and truly understands the art of sacrifice."
"In terms of courage, I'm far behind you."
Faced with the Empress's praise that contained hidden criticism, Grand Duke Fry didn't feel embarrassed.
He chuckled and made a gesture of invitation: "It's just the force of circumstances. Empress, might I invite you to the study for a private conversation?"
Gu Junwan knew that what followed would be the main event, so she naturally wouldn't refuse his invitation.
She indicated for Xu Zhao to wait in the living room, patted Little Lott's head, and then followed Grand Duke Fry to the study.
Watching her Empress 'go alone into the tiger's den', Xu Zhao felt somewhat anxious.
But she knew she didn't have the ability to change the current situation, so she could only wait patiently in place with her worries.
Inside the study.
Without guards, servants, or his young grandson present, Grand Duke Fry sighed and bowed slightly to Gu Junwan: "I sincerely apologize for involving your Alpha in the Fry family's affairs. How is she now? If there's anything you need help with, please don't hesitate to ask this old man."
Seeing Grand Duke Fry willing to lower his stance like this, Gu Junwan couldn't continue to use words to prick at him as before.
"She's fine now. However, I hope you can provide my side with the true composition and proportions of the injected drug."
"Also, I hope you won't let off those who tampered with the drug, as well as the one who pushed the food cart to deliver pastries to Fry Lott this afternoon."
These two matters were Gu Junwan's main purpose in meeting Grand Duke Fry.
She didn't explain to him why the male servant delivering pastries in the afternoon was problematic. If he couldn't distinguish between friend and foe, Fry Castle would have long since fallen into someone else's hands.
Sure enough, as expected.
After Gu Junwan finished speaking, Grand Duke Fry first curiously observed her expression, then slowly nodded: "Rest assured, Empress. Even if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have taken care of these matters."
"Twelve people in total. Eight are moles planted by the Fry collateral branches, and the other four are eyes and ears placed in the castle by other ducal families."
"After tonight, these people will forever keep company with the darkness. Information within Fry Castle is not so easily obtained."