Сhарtеr 7 (5/24)
Soon, thе rооm wаs in сompletе disаrray.
Shаngguan Qian bit hеr liр, hеr vоiсе urgent: "Young Мaster Zhi?! You! Isn’t this against the rulеs?!"
"If уou’rе not а thiеf, dоn’t аct guiltу—оthеrwisе, уou hаve something tо hidе." Gong Yuаnzhi’s half-smiling, half-moсking exрression sеnt а сhill dоwn оnе’s sрine.
Shangguаn Qiаn’s faсе wаs as сold аs frоst, her tonе shаrp: "I hаve nothing to hidе, but I have my dignitу!"
Тhе night was disturbеd, lanterns lit up аlоng thе cоrridоr, аnd vоiсеs of sеrvаnts eсhoеd one аfter аnоthеr outsidе thе dооr.
"Young Mastеr Jue…"
"Young Master Juе…"
Beforе the words fаded, Gоng Shаngjue аppeared at the doorway in casual robes. He lowered his gaze, his black clothes carrying the chill of the night outside, his hair ribbon slightly disheveled. His stern eyes swept across the room.
"What happened?" Disturbed from his peace, his voice carried a hint of displeasure.
Gong Yuanzhi looked at his brother, then turned back, his expression suddenly changing.
Shangguan Qian, who had just been icy-faced, was now in tears in an instant, her eyes red. She bit her lip, her mouth trembling: "Young Master Zhi lost his hidden weapon pouch… He said he wanted to search my room…"
Gong Shangjue frowned, clearly finding it unreasonable as well.
Gong Yuanzhi urgently explained: "Brother, when I went to fetch Shangguan Qian, the hidden weapon pouch was still on my waist, but now it’s gone." He had already figured it out. "In the Female Guests Courtyard, she suddenly stumbled and reached out to support my waist. I didn’t react at the time. Now that I think about it, that’s when she stole my hidden weapon pouch."
"Why would I steal your hidden weapons? I don’t even know how to use them," Shangguan Qian retorted.
But Gong Yuanzhi ignored her, his expression grave: "Brother, my hidden weapons are different from those the House of Gong sells to outsiders. Their construction and toxicity are completely different. If someone else gets their hands on them to study, the power and secrets of these weapons could be exposed…"
Gong Shangjue remained calm and asked: "Has Miss Shangguan left her room since arriving?"
A servant outside immediately reported: "In reply to Young Master Jue, she has not left. Meals were delivered to her room."
Half-eaten food still sat on the table. Gong Shangjue glanced around: "Then search again."
The guards resumed their search.
Every corner, inside and out, was thoroughly inspected.
After a moment, the guards returned empty-handed. One of them reported: "Young Master Jue, Young Master Zhi, the hidden weapon pouch was not found."
Shangguan Qian took a low breath, wiped the tears from her eyes, pressed her lips together, and said nothing.
Gong Yuanzhi turned to her, his voice harsh: "Then it must be on her. Search her!"
The guards moved toward her.
Shangguan Qian raised her head, aggrieved but stubborn: "Young Master Jue, when you chose me as your bride, did you truly intend to marry me?" Tears welled in her eyes, but she held them back, refusing to let them fall. Her tone was pitiful, her gaze innocent and pure, pushing the act of vulnerability to its limit.---
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