Chapter 313: You
The elderly physician felt considerable pressure facing a room full of people. After carefully taking the pulse twice, he cautiously said, "I believe it's still the effect of that medicine. This kind of deep sleep is beneficial. It's best not to wake her but let her awaken naturally."
Hua Pingyu pressed further, "So does this mean Zhi Er is recovering?"
"Yes." The old doctor still seemed somewhat unwilling to let go and asked again, "Is there really none of that medicine left? I dare not be greedy—I just wish to examine it and study it. Perhaps I could gain some inspiration. Even if I can't recreate such a miraculous medicine, achieving even minor effects would be worthwhile."
Gu Yanxi shook his head without further explanation. Fortunately, the old doctor was broad-minded and didn't take offense, though he couldn't help feeling somewhat regretful.
After having someone see the old doctor out, Hua Pingyu gestured for the others to disperse as well, leaving the room to Lu Yanxi. Adversity reveals true character, and Lu Yanxi had passed his test.
In the quiet room, Gu Yanxi held A Zhi's hand and kissed the scars on its back, smiling. "You're almost catching up to Shaoyao's collection of injuries. Don't add any more in the future."
He smiled again and added, "But I won't dislike you for it. No matter what, I won't dislike you."
"If I had known earlier, I would have had Shaoyao accompany you... No, if I had known, I wouldn't have left your side. When you're injured without anyone to protect you, that's one thing, but you still get hurt even with Shaoyao around. And now you're injured right under my watch. Why can't you avoid it?"
Gu Yanxi kissed her hand again and murmured, "Sometimes I almost wish you weren't so capable. You've always known your limits—if that were the case, you probably wouldn't run around everywhere. Afraid of becoming a burden to others, unwilling to rely entirely on anyone... Don't you know I'd give my life for you if you just casually asked?"
"Sometimes, I really want to tie you up and take you somewhere no one knows, then have Shaoyao feed you that medicine she takes. Make you forget all the people and matters you care about, so you can only depend on me, only look at me, only think of me."
Gu Yanxi smiled, but his eyes held unmistakable seriousness. He had genuinely considered it, but no amount of planning could outweigh his desire for A Zhi to live as she wished.
Pressing A Zhi's hand against his chest, Gu Yanxi's tenderness seemed to seep honey. "Hear that? Every heartbeat calls your name. I don't expect you to repay me in kind—just giving me half the space in your heart would satisfy me. That's not too greedy, is it?"
Gu Yanxi continued talking to himself, brushing aside the hair on A Zhi's cheek. His gaze gradually turned helpless. "You..."
You always make my heart ache so much I almost wish I didn't have one.
As the sun rose higher, the city gradually grew livelier, particularly around the area where the Hua family resided.
The Men in Black had all been taken away by Wu Yong, but the bloodstains on the street wouldn't be cleaned up anytime soon. Those who had peeked last night spared no effort in spreading tales about Hua Zhi. Already famous, Hua Zhi's reputation grew even more renowned while she lay unconscious.
Treading through the circulating rumors, Wu Yong knocked on the Hua family's door, unable to suppress his admiration. He truly wondered how the Hua family had raised such a daughter—he'd really like to learn their methods. If he were unfortunately left without a son to inherit the family legacy, having such a daughter would ensure the lineage wouldn't end, wouldn't it?Seeing Hua Yizheng, whose temples had turned significantly grayer overnight, Wu Yong felt a pang of sorrow. Ever since Yinshan Pass had become a place of exile, he had witnessed many disgraced officials—civil and military alike—banished here for various reasons. No matter how illustrious they once were, once they fell from grace, they became ordinary people. Some even suffered greater hardships due to relentless persecution by political rivals.
Among them, the Hua family stood out as the most composed. They undoubtedly harbored resentment, yet they endured it all. Even when their scholarly hands had to grasp hoes and shovels, blistering and bleeding, they bore it without complaint—at least never voicing any grievance publicly.
After Hua Zhi visited once, the family grew even more settled, actively establishing their footing. Through the steward of the garrison headquarters, they purchased large quantities of Xuan paper. Only later did Wu Yong learn that they had silently transcribed numerous classical texts, with even the younger members contributing. Through this method and various other means of acquisition, the large custom-made bookshelf of the Hua family had filled up, and they had begun filling a second one.
Old Master Hua had effortlessly devised a comprehensive framework and system for him. While implementing these measures, Wu Yong thoroughly investigated the entire Yinshan Pass. He had prepared himself for the possibility of spies, but he never expected to uncover so many.
Such large-scale inspections were conducted annually. The previous year, only one had been found. This time, the inspection was moved up by two months, yet the results were staggering!
He bore some responsibility for this. When he was poisoned, he had indeed relaxed his vigilance on all fronts. But he never imagined that in less than a year, the Yinshan Pass, guarded by the Wu family for generations, would become as porous as a sieve. Even more shocking was that the perpetrators had targeted the Hua family as an act of retaliation.
Or perhaps, this was a warning directed at him.
Regardless, he was inextricably linked to this matter, and his guilt weighed heavily on him.
"Old Master, I…"
Hua Yizheng waved his hand. "I can distinguish right from wrong, General Wu. There is no need for this."
"It was my oversight that led to this. Old Master, you need not make excuses for me." Wu Yong smiled bitterly. If he could deduce this, Hua Yizheng certainly could as well. "Has the young lady awakened yet?"
"Not yet. The physician said to let her wake on her own." Hua Yizheng gestured in invitation. Wu Yong yielded slightly, and the two walked one after the other toward the main room, which originally belonged to Hua Yizheng but was now occupied by Hua Zhi.
The door was open. Gu Yanxi sat on the edge of the bed, while Hua Pingyu sat at the octagonal table. Neither spoke.
Seeing the two enter, Hua Pingyu stood and bowed. "General Wu."
Wu Yong nodded, then turned to Gu Yanxi. "Cousin."
Gu Yanxi did not even glance at him, stating directly, "Arrest those nine individuals. Conduct a strict investigation of all who have entered or left. Bring Zeng Xian to me."
"Zeng Xian?"
"Zeng Xian's son delivered a message to A Zhi, warning that the Hua family was in danger." Gu Yanxi finally shifted his gaze from Hua Zhi and looked coolly at Wu Yong. "Zeng Xian is implicated in this matter."
"Then why would he…"
Why? Because A Zhi treated him as a human being. Because A Zhi sympathized with the vulnerable. Because A Zhi, due to her connection with Zheng Zhi, showed him extra care as an old acquaintance. Because A Zhi showed concern for his son.
Gu Yanxi closed his eyes. "Screen Yinshan Pass again. Screen it thoroughly!"
Faced with the Heir Gu, who was on the verge of eruption, Wu Yong dared not press further. He acknowledged the order and left. Suddenly, he felt a twinge of pity for the mastermind behind this. The Heir Gu was clearly determined to pursue this to the end, and this time, nothing would likely stop him.
But they deserved it.PS: What moved me most wasn't the fight scenes from two days ago, but Gu Yanxi's sigh of "You, ah..." I burst into tears while typing these two words.
This month's top monthly votes ranking is absolutely secured. Please continue supporting Kongkong like this next month too. Tomorrow marks the first day of August, requesting your guaranteed monthly votes.
OpenNovel