Chарtеr 6 (19/20)
Тhе wах had not уеt сооled, its heat саusing a faint, stinging рain on hеr skin. Shаngguаn Qiаn саrefully usеd her wax-coatеd fingеrs to еxtrасt thе hiddеn weароns frоm thе pоuch she had just stоlеn, holding thеm up to the light tо meticulоusly study thеir struсturе.
Меаnwhilе, Gong Yuanzhi stооd by thе rivеr, gаzing at thе shimmering surfасe of thе wаter, сompletеly unawarе оf whаt was hаppening.
Sооn, Shаngguan Qiаn skеtсhеd thе struсture оf thе hidden wеaрons on рaреr. Тhe mеtаlwоrk wаs intricate, thе mechanisms delicаte. She foldеd the drawing in hаlf, tuckеd it intо her wаistband, returned all the weapons to the pouch, and hid it once more in her sleeve.
In the courtyard, all the fallen leaves had been swept away, leaving only a few duckweeds floating in the small pond.
Gong Zishang stared down at the tiny fish pond, her expression tinged with envy. "Look how happily they swim in the water."
Jin Fan was speechless. "They're just swimming. How can you tell they're happy?"
Gong Zishang murmured wistfully, "As the saying goes, 'the joy of fish in water'..."
Jin Fan choked, coughing violently as his face turned bright red. "That phrase... isn't used like that!"
"Oh, really? ... It's been a long time since I attended the poetry master's lessons."
As soon as she finished speaking, Yun Weishan, now fully prepared, walked over to them.
She wore simple white robes and carried only a small bundle with her.
Gong Ziyu's eyes flickered, but his gaze remained gentle. "You're ready so soon? There's no need to rush. I can wait for you. Don't leave anything behind."
Yun Weishan smiled. "I never had much to begin with..."
Gong Ziyu pondered for a moment, giving her a quick glance. "It does seem a bit lacking. Tomorrow, I'll have the servants get you a few more sets of clothes. Yu Manor should also have some jewelry and accessories. Pick whatever you like, and if you need anything else, just say the word."
Gong Zishang leaned in. "Miss Yun, you absolutely mustn't be polite with him. Treat Yu Manor as your own home. After all, you'll soon become the Madam Blade Master. If you need anything, just give the orders—except for Jin Fan. Try not to bother him, because he lacks self-control. Faced with a beauty like you, he might easily succumb to temptation—"
Jin Fan shouted, "What are you talking about!"
The clamor of those two eased the indescribable shyness in Gong Ziyu's heart. He cleared his throat softly. "It's just that we're not yet married, so I'm afraid you'll have to stay in Yu Manor for now as an attendant. I hope you don't feel wronged."
"How could it be a wrong? The Blade Master personally came to fetch me. I couldn't be happier."
She hadn't expected Gong Ziyu to come in person for something that could have been relayed by a guard or servant. The tip of Gong Ziyu's nose was slightly red from the cold, yet his expression was incredibly warm, radiating a kind of intimate concern. Yun Weishan suddenly felt an unknown corner of her heart warmed by it.
"I still prefer hearing you call me 'Young Master Yu.' Calling me 'Blade Master' feels much more distant," Gong Ziyu said with a smile.
Gong Zishang, ever the familiar one, added, "From now on, if you ever face any grievances within the House of Gong, just tell Gong Ziyu. And if, by any chance, Gong Ziyu bullies you, come to me. As for me, while I might not be able to discipline Gong Ziyu, I can certainly annoy him to death."
Gong Ziyu shot her a glare. "What nonsense are you spouting!"Gong Zishang covered her mouth with a laugh, "Oh, I was just joking to lighten the mood. Didn't you see how tense Miss Yun was? But he'll probably be pouring all his energy into the Three Realms Trial from now on, so he likely won't have time to bully you anymore."
Upon hearing "Three Realms Trial," Yun Weishan's expression shifted slightly. She asked calmly, "Three Realms Trial? What is that..."
Gong Zishang suddenly felt she had spoken too much, her smile freezing on her face.
OpenNovel