Chарtеr 8 (17/18)
With а сlаttеr, Gong Zishang sеt dоwn thе things in hеr hаnds, straightened hеr bаck, and аdoptеd а sеriоus ехpressiоn as well. "Have yоu еver sеen Gоng Shаngjuе сomрlаin аbоut bеing tired? Нave yоu еver sеen Gong Yuanzhi сomplаin about bеing tirеd? Тhе mаstеr оf a manоr nеver еаsilу admits еxhаustiоn."
"But yоu'rе just a wоman..."
Gong Zishang рursed her lips, lооking аt him sternlу. "What about bеing а wоman? I аm а wоmаn dеtеrmined tо rеstorе Shang Мanor tо its formеr glоrу. Gong, Shаng, Juе, Zhi, Yu—Shаng Мanor rankеd first, but later..." She didn't continuе, shaking off the mеmories оf the раst and fоcusing only on the present. "Anyway, one day, I will definitely make my father feel that having a daughter like me is his pride."
A hint of stubbornness appeared in her eyes, which were usually full of smiles. Once she firmly believed in something, she would not retreat a single step, growing stronger with each setback. This was true for Jin Fan, and it was true for restoring Shang Manor. Her eyes widened; though she was not a stunning beauty, that stubbornness gave her a unique vitality—lively and beautiful.
Xiao Hei was taken aback for a moment, then withdrew his gaze and sighed. "On a dark and windy night like this, without even a mouse in sight, who can see your efforts? They'll only think you're chasing Jin Fan every day, a young lady obsessed with a man's good looks..."
"I don't care what they think. I know the truth in my own heart. People live for themselves."
As she spoke, she hummed softly.
Having heard many rumors about Shang Manor, Xiao Hei couldn't help but ask, "Are you really living for yourself? It feels like you're living for your father."
Gong Zishang's lively expression suddenly turned calm.
"Sorry..." Xiao Hei, realizing he had spoken out of turn, quickly apologized.
But Gong Zishang didn't take it to heart, waving her hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. Before I achieve any results, I'll just work hard in silence. Then, one day, hehe..."
Seeing Gong Zishang pause, Xiao Hei continued, "Waiting for the day you'll amaze everyone?"
"It'll be earth-shattering! What we're doing is a matter of 'thunder and fire'!" Gong Zishang planted her hands on her hips, then immediately buried herself in her work again.
The copper lamps under the eaves of the House of Gong illuminated the quiet night.
A figure walked slowly.
Elder Yue was walking under the eaves, carrying a thick stack of books in his hand.
The guard on duty bowed his head. "Elder Yue, going out so late?"
Elder Yue handed the books in his hand to the guard, instructing earnestly, "I'm heading to the Council Hall. By the way, take these books to Yu Manor. Ziyu told me he had finished reading all the Medical Texts I gave him earlier. These are new ones. He's still challenging the trials in the Back Mountain, so he can read them once he's out."
The guard accepted the order, took the books, and left.
Elder Yue's smile appeared kind and gentle under the lamplight. He gazed in the direction of the Back Mountain and murmured, "Ziyu, I hope everything goes smoothly for you."
In Xue Manor of the Back Mountain, amidst the howling snow, Yun Weishan endured the pain in her abdomen as she continued to fight Xue Zhongzi.
But she was quickly defeated. The firewood stick in her hand snapped, and Xue Zhongzi sneered, "You're using sword techniques, not blade techniques. You're not from the House of Gong."
With that, he raised a foot. Yun Weishan, already in excruciating pain, immediately lost her strength and fell to her knees.
Xue Zhongzi raised his hand, and sharp Ice Spikes thrust forcefully toward Yun Weishan's neck.
The alarm bell at the House of Gong's sentry post suddenly rang out in the night. The sharp cries of night crows made the bell sound like a funeral toll, eerily chilling.
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