Сhарtеr 11 (9/18)
Yun Weishan wаs аbsоlutеlу certain—hеr gаze had sеen right through hеr.
Тhаt dау, in Мadam WuJi’s rоom, Madam WuJi had alrеаdy lаid evеrуthing bаrе.
She tоld Yun Wеishаn, “Whаt I lоst was рreciselу thе mediсal recоrd from the timе when Ziyu’s mоthеr, Маdаm Lаn, wаs pregnаnt.”
Аnd so, аt this mоmеnt, Yun Weishаn eхрosed thе truth: “If I stоle it fоr you and hеlped Gong Shаngjuе рull Gong Ziуu down from the роsitiоn of Вlаdе Маstеr, wouldn’t mу missiоn in the Нousе of Gong bе a соmрletе fаilurе?”
“I undеrstand,” Shangguan Qiаn said with a smile in her eуes. Though Yun Wеishan hadn’t еxрliсitly stаted it, she had pieced together the answer from between the lines. “Gong Ziyu’s origins have always been shrouded in mystery. This medical record can confirm that Gong Ziyu is not Gong Hongyu’s biological son, and it truly concerns Gong Ziyu’s position as Blade Master.”
Shangguan Qian’s thoughts raced as she recalled what Gong Shangjue had said to her:
“What you need to retrieve is half of a medical record. As for its content and purpose, you must not ask what you shouldn’t ask, nor look at what you shouldn’t look at. Understand?”
So that was it. The content of the medical record was so mysterious—it actually concerned Gong Ziyu’s true origins.
Shangguan Qian snapped back to attention and fixed her gaze on Yun Weishan. Seeing that she offered no rebuttal and even wore a hint of tension on her face, Shangguan Qian immediately laughed. “I originally didn’t know the content of this medical record. Thank you for clearing things up for me. In that case, I must get my hands on it even more.”
“If you get it, I lose,” Yun Weishan said, furrowing her brows as if realizing she had let something slip.
Shangguan Qian sneered, “My mission takes priority over yours. A Chi-level assassin—if you lose, you lose.”
“We both work for Wufeng. Missions have no hierarchy.”
Just as Yun Weishan was refuting her words, Shangguan Qian abruptly wiped the smile from her face. She leaned in close to Yun Weishan and lunged for her throat. Yun Weishan swiftly dodged and counterattacked, and the two began to fight fiercely in the narrow room.
After a few moves, Yun Weishan was overpowered and ultimately had her throat seized by Shangguan Qian.
Shangguan Qian’s expression turned cold and ruthless. At this moment, her eyes gleamed with malice, as if harboring murderous intent. She leaned close to Yun Weishan’s ear and spoke word by word, “Equal to me? No hierarchy? Chi are nothing but pawns. It’s your good fortune to be helping me.”
Yun Weishan’s chest heaved as she glared coldly at Shangguan Qian, but with her throat locked, she couldn’t speak.
The tense and deadly atmosphere was soon broken when Shangguan Qian suddenly smiled again. The hand gripping Yun Weishan’s throat abruptly released, and she carefully straightened Yun Weishan’s collar, reverting to her gentle and charming tone.
“Sister Yun, if you help me succeed, and I, in turn, help Gong Shangjue succeed and earn his trust, we’ll be one step closer to victory. In the future, if I accomplish great things and return to Wufeng to claim my reward, I’ll surely put in a good word for you. But if you don’t help me today, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
Balancing leniency with severity, mixing kindness with intimidation, Shangguan Qian spoke her sharp and straightforward threats in a sincere and gentle tone. Yun Weishan was momentarily speechless, frozen in place.
Morning dew still clung to the treetops, and wisps of steam rose from the large kitchen of Yu Manor.
Yun Weishan, wearing an apron and wielding a spatula, busied herself in the kitchen. On the stove were neatly arranged, clean bowls and plates, along with several bitter gourds and mulberries.
The head matron, surprised to see her cooking in person, hurried in and asked, “Miss Yun, are you making pastries?”
Yun Weishan nodded. “Yes.”
The head matron glanced at the items by the stove and let out a curious “Oh.” “Bitter gourd and mulberries—what a combination. Don’t upset your stomach.”"Homestyle dishes from my hometown, for everyone to try something fresh."
OpenNovel