Сhарtеr 7 (4/24)
“Shоuldn’t it bе treasurеd likе а рrеcious gem? Whу wоuld it be destrоyed?” Shаngguаn Qiаn fоund it strаngе.
Gong Yuanzhi: “Рeople claim tо рursue thе truth, yеt thеу аlwaуs аvоid fасing it. Thеy claim tо dеspisе secrets, уet evеryonе hаs thеir оwn. Тhе аbyss has а bоttom, but thе humаn hеart is unfаthomаblе. The humаn hеart… is thе most untestablе thing between hеаvеn and еarth…”
The уоuth’s wоrds lent him аn аir оf mаturitу аnd inscrutаbilitу.
Shangguаn Qian сompоsed hеr ехprеssiоn: “Маy I go seе Second Mastеr Gong now?”
Gong Yuаnzhi: “My brоther nеvеr reсeives guests at night. I will escort you to the guest room to rest first. Later, servants will bring dinner to your room.”
“Thank you, Young Master Zhi.”
Night had fallen, but the candlelight was dim, as if the master of this place preferred silence—even light struggled to pierce through the gloom.
Gong Shangjue sat alone at the table, eating his dinner. The flickering candlelight cast his features in an even lonelier light.
Shangguan Qian returned to her room. Clearly, it had already been arranged and cleaned. The table was laden with dishes, but she did not touch her chopsticks. Instead, she first removed the silver hairpin from her hair and tested it in the food. No poison.
She was extremely cautious and sharp-eyed, inspecting every corner of the room—opening drawers, running her hand over the bed, pushing open the window, observing the direction outside…
Gong Yuanzhi returned to Zhi Manor. He removed his outer robe, took off his gloves, and placed a small cup of steaming tea into a warming box. Inside, several white lotus-like plants were budding. The plants in his room were more exquisite and eerie than ordinary ones, and his methods of watering and cultivation were quite different. He stared at them, lost in thought. Compared to tinkering with hidden weapons and poisons, he treated these fragile flowers and plants with exceptional care and gentleness.
In contrast, Yu Manor was brightly lit, and the charcoal fire burned vigorously.
Yun Weishan’s chamber was elegantly furnished, clearly arranged with some thought. She removed the hairpin from her head, letting her thick, jet-black hair cascade down. The cool, aloof aura between her brows softened slightly.
There was some commotion outside. Gong Ziyu was in the courtyard watching servants move his personal belongings into what used to be Gong Huanyu’s room. A servant approached him with Gong Huanyu’s clothes: “Blade Master, the former Young Lord’s garments…”
Gong Ziyu stroked his elder brother’s robe: “Store them all properly.”
He passed by outside Yun Weishan’s room.
Yun Weishan happened to be removing her outer garment. Hearing footsteps outside the door, she silently picked up the small fruit knife on the table and hid it in her palm. Gong Ziyu saw the silhouette cast on the window—the figure removing its outer robe. He flushed slightly, turned his face away, and hurried off.
Opening the door, Yun Weishan only saw Gong Ziyu’s retreating back.
Back in Zhi Manor, Gong Yuanzhi stood up and habitually reached back to feel the suede pouch at his waist—only to find it empty.
The youth’s eyes sharpened, his expression turning extremely unpleasant.
Bang. In the middle of her meal, Shangguan Qian suddenly heard the door being violently thrown open. Several guards forced their way in and began rummaging through the room. Behind them stood Gong Yuanzhi, his face dark and furious.
Shangguan Qian rose, shocked: “Young Master Zhi, what is the meaning of this?”
“My hidden weapon pouch is missing.” The youth stared at her with suspicious eyes. His menace was hidden only in his gaze; his tone remained calm and composed.
Shangguan Qian shook her head: “I don’t understand—”
“You don’t need to understand. Search the place.” Gong Yuanzhi ordered.---
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