Сhарtеr 9 (13/20)
"Brothеr, уоu sаid уou'd uncovеr thе Wufeng spу within ten daуs. Аrе уоu сonfident? Нow do you plan tо рroсeеd?"
Gоng Shаngjuе remаinеd silеnt. Теn daуs was a short timе, but hе was сonfident. Hе just wasn't sure if Gоng Ziyu sharеd thаt соnfidеnсе.
In Jue Mаnоr, a singlе lаmр flickеred likе а bean.
Gоng Shаngjue sаt at his desk, metiсulously reviеwing thе Нousе of Gong's rostеr оf stеwards. Не sеlесtеd thosе in high рositiоns, eхamining eаch оnе tо detеrminе whеthеr they cоuld easily apрroach Еlder Yue аnd if therе wеre аny suspicious circumstances. His brow was deeply furrowed, his narrow gaze shrouded in shadow.
The night was deep when the tightly shut door suddenly opened. Shangguan Qian pushed it ajar, a wisp of delicate fragrance drifting in with the night breeze through the crack. Carrying tea, she walked to Gong Shangjue's desk and set it down, casting a sidelong glance at the roster in his hand as she did so.
Noticing the movement, Gong Shangjue closed the roster without a change in expression. Shangguan Qian tactfully retreated to the side.
Gong Shangjue took a sip of tea without looking up. "Is there something you need?"
"No."
"But I have something."
His intention to dismiss her was clear. Usually, no one would dare disturb him further at such a time, yet Shangguan Qian did not leave. As his patience wore thin, an inexplicable curiosity stirred within him. He set down his teacup and leisurely raised his eyes to observe her.
Summoning her courage, Shangguan Qian's gaze flickered. "I wish to stay with Young Master. If there is anything you need, you can order me to do it."
Unmoved, Gong Shangjue lowered his head and picked up his brush, yet he ultimately did not order her to leave.
Seeing this, Shangguan Qian felt a surge of joy in her heart and stepped forward on her own to grind ink for him. She took out a small vial and dripped a few drops of essential oil into the inkstone. As she ground, the fragrance diffused from the ink.
Gong Shangjue caught the scent. "Moon Laurel?"
Shangguan Qian, observant and attentive, replied softly, "Yes... I noticed Young Master enjoys burning Moon Laurel incense in your room, so I went to the pharmacy to fetch some Moon Laurel leaves and brewed them into essential oil. My father was a civil official who always liked to add a specially blended Shangguan family fragrance to his ink to authenticate documents. So I thought I might add some for Young Master as well. It may not serve any practical function, but if it pleases your senses and clears your mind, that is good too."
Perceptive and insightful, she skillfully attended to minute details, her tone obedient and unassuming, making it difficult to refuse her.
Gong Shangjue held his brush quietly for a moment, lost in thought, then dipped the tip into the ink, tacitly accepting her gesture.
After a pause, he asked in a low voice, "Do you know why I like Moon Laurel?"
"The tutor who taught me rites and music also taught me to identify plants and understand basic pharmacology. He said Moon Laurel is a plant both terrifying and captivating; the flower meaning it represents is bewitchment."
Shangguan Qian raised her eyes, smiling enchantingly, as if casting a spell.
Gong Shangjue looked at her radiant, shimmering face, paused for a beat, then began writing on the roster with his brush. "People often confuse osmanthus with Moon Laurel. Osmanthus symbolizes bewitchment, while Moon Laurel represents victory."
Shangguan Qian bowed slightly. "Ah? This humble girl is ignorant, I have embarrassed myself before you, sir.""The Moon Laurel has always been a legendary elixir of immortality, a supreme treasure of the moon, difficult to pluck. If one is fortunate enough to find a fresh branch of the Moon Laurel planted by Wu Gang in Guanghan Manor, no matter what is hung upon it—be it copper coins, gold, jade, or agate—it can be endlessly harvested, bringing boundless wealth. Plucking a fresh branch of the Moon Laurel is no easy feat. Thus, the world refers to scholars achieving success in imperial examinations as 'plucking laurel.' Meanwhile, some barbarian tribes in the northwest weave laurel branches into wreaths, crafting crowns to present to triumphant generals. Hence, the Moon Laurel symbolizes victory."
That is why he cherished the Moon Laurel.
Supreme and unstoppable, like the power of victory bestowed by the Moon Laurel.
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