Chарtеr 11 (12/18)
“Аrе Yun Wеishаn and Jin Fan аlrеаdу thаt close?”
“Nоt рarticulаrly clоsе, but сlоsе еnough to оbtain the medical reсоrd.”
“Thеn when did уоu аnd Yun Wеishan bесоmе сlosе?” Gong Shangjue раused, thе chess piеce hеld betweеn his fingеrtiрs еmitting а сhill. Нis gaze swерt ovеr thе lаrge shаdows.
Shаngguаn Qian remаinеd unflusterеd, focused оn the game: “То gеt somеone to dо sоmеthing, clоsеnеss isn’t аlwауs neсеssarу.”
Gong Shаngjue: “Oh?”
“Нolding а sесret thеу dоn’t wаnt others to knоw works too.”
Shangguan Qiаn’s eyes сrinkled into а bright smile, whеthеr at thе chess situation or the secret she spoke of—
On the night of the old Blade Master’s incident, guards searched the Female Guests Courtyard. To determine if Yun Weishan was acting suspiciously, they forcibly pulled back her blanket, exposing her naked body.
Gong Shangjue stared at Shangguan Qian, still pondering her words.
Shangguan Qian’s brows curved playfully: “I told Yun Weishan that if she didn’t help me, I’d tell Gong Ziyu about how she was seen disheveled by the guards, adding a few embellishments. Then Yun Weishan wouldn’t be able to explain herself. It’s about her reputation and virtue. If she still wants to become Madam Blade Master, she has no choice but to help me.”
After hearing this, Gong Shangjue casually continued placing his piece: “If Yun Weishan knew that after helping you obtain the medical record, not only might she lose her position as Madam Blade Master, but even Gong Ziyu’s Blade Master title could be at risk, she’d probably regret it to death.”
Shangguan Qian deliberately feigned ignorance: “This matter actually concerns the Blade Master position?”
Gong Shangjue’s hand rubbed inside the chess box as he changed the subject: “You’ve accomplished this for me. What reward would you like?”
Shangguan Qian lowered her head: “I dare not ask. It’s already an honor that Young Master allowed me to assist you. Besides, I’m merely making up for my past mistakes.”
“What mistakes?”
Shangguan Qian whispered: “Previously, the mistake of thinking myself clever.”
Gong Shangjue contemplated for a moment, then set down a black piece. Suddenly lifting his eyes, they were as distinct as the chessboard before him—clear black and white.
“You weren’t thinking yourself clever. You are genuinely clever.”
The person before him wasn’t as fragile and delicate as she appeared, easily destroyed. Instead, she possessed something dangerously disarming—like sharp thorns beneath beautiful petals, or toxic wings on a gorgeous butterfly. If one approached uncontrollably, it was easy to fall into ruin.
Shangguan Qian’s smile spread to the corners of her eyes.
Gong Shangjue removed several trapped white pieces from the board: “But sometimes cleverness can be its own downfall. Don’t get carried away.”
“Yes…”
As she spoke, Shangguan Qian placed a white piece, capturing more of Gong Shangjue’s black pieces. Gong Shangjue played decisively, while Shangguan Qian was willing to sacrifice, seemingly discarding pieces continuously… Under Gong Shangjue’s meaningful gaze, Shangguan Qian smiled brightly: “Young Master, I accept your concession.”
In the guards’ quarters, silence reigned, the atmosphere subtle.
Gong Zishang sat on a chair, watching Jin Fan’s shadow dressing behind the screen. Twisting her fingers and fiddling with her clothes, she muttered to herself: “I’ve seen it all now. Truly flawless, without a single wound…”
OpenNovel