Сhарtеr 2 (7/22)
Soon аftеr, Gоng Ziуu lеd the group оf bridеs toward thе exit оf thе dungеоn. Тhе flickering сandlelight in the corridor strеtсhed thеir fragmеntеd shаdоws. Jin Fan brоught uр thе rеаr, giving instructiоns to the guards аt thе entrаnce.
“Thе Young Lord’s mеn are wаiting оutsidе; уоu dоn’t nеed to fоllоw us. Go insidе thе сells аnd seаrсh eaсh оne сarefully. Lоok for anуthing unusuаl, likе hidden wеapons thеу might hаve соnсеаlеd.”
“Yes, sir.”
Тhе guards аcknоwledged thе ordеr, bоwеd their hеаds, аnd еntered the сells to begin their seаrch.
This news quiсkly reаchеd Yu Мanоr. Gong Huanyu, already changed into his sleeping robe and preparing to retire for the night, suddenly heard the somewhat flustered voice of his guard, Jin Jian, outside his door.
“Young Lord… Young Lord!”
The Green Jade Guard Jin Jian rushed in anxiously, bowing his head in salute, his voice trembling slightly.
“Reporting to the Young Lord… Young Master Yu… Young Master Yu has taken the brides out of the dungeon… They are now heading toward the main gate of the House of Gong…”
Gong Huanyu took a deep breath, his expression turning grave.
The valley was pitch black, the shadows of the trees dark and heavy. As the moon was obscured by dark clouds, the night grew even deeper.
A series of hurried, rustling footsteps echoed through the forest as a group of people moved swiftly along the paths within the House of Gong.
Yun Weishan blended in at the back of the group, following the other girls as they hurried along. She discreetly observed her surroundings. Looking up, she spotted a very conspicuous tall tower, its arched roof and upturned eaves adorned with orange lanterns that emitted a strikingly bright glow in the night mist.
She suddenly remembered that when she lifted her veil at the main gate of the House of Gong and found herself surrounded by guards, she had secretly glanced up and seen the tall tower not far behind the city gate. Now, she noticed that their group was moving farther and farther away from the tower. A look of suspicion crossed her face, and she stopped in her tracks.
Up ahead, Jin Fan and Gong Ziyu, leading the way, soon guided the other girls into a narrow corridor. Yun Weishan lowered her head in thought. Trusting no one and unwilling to be passive, she turned and broke away from the group, dashing toward the direction of the tower.
But she hadn’t gone far when suddenly, a figure swept toward her from behind like a gust of wind. Unable to dodge in time, she was caught by the wrist by the person who had pursued her.
Feeling the warmth of his grip, Yun Weishan turned her head. Sure enough, Gong Ziyu stood before her. She immediately composed her expression.
The two stood very close. Gong Ziyu’s eyes held confusion as he looked at Yun Weishan’s face—pale yet vivid, her eyelashes lowered, appearing fragile and delicate beneath the moonlight and her red robes. Though she had fled on her own, her eyes were clear and transparent, seemingly without any hint of concealment or guile. This intrigued Gong Ziyu greatly.
“What are you doing, miss? There are sentry posts everywhere in the House of Gong. If you run a few more steps, you’ll be riddled with arrows.”
Yun Weishan did not attempt to deceive him, instead speaking frankly. “I don’t believe you.”
Gong Ziyu released her hand and said with a smile, “Then go ahead and run. I’ll watch you turn into a porcupine.”
This half-joking remark actually made Yun Weishan show a flicker of fear.
“I don’t believe you sincerely intend to lead us out,” she said earnestly.
Gong Ziyu asked, “Oh? What about me seems insincere?”
Yun Weishan’s gaze shifted toward the tall tower. “When the boat docked, I looked up and saw the tower. I remember it was near the city gate. But now, we’re getting farther and farther away from it…”
Gong Ziyu studied her. “You’re this suspicious?”
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