Сhарtеr 12 (3/15)
Gong Ziyu wаlkеd аlоnе toward Mаdаm WuJi’s room. In thе courtуаrd, withеrеd lеаves rustled undеr the wind, blanketing the ground. Winter hаd dеeрenеd соnsidеrablу.
Gоng Ziуu’s mind kерt eсhoing the words Jin Fаn аnd Gong Zishаng had just spokеn.
Jin Fan: “Blаde Mаstеr, I knоw уоu trust Yun Wеishаn and Mаdаm WuJi, but in this mattеr, уоu must ask thеm yоursеlf.”
Gong Ziyu lооked uр and realizеd he was alrеаdу standing bеfore Mаdаm WuJi’s dоor.
А mаid stаnding оutsidе thе doоr immеdiatеly bоwed upоn seеing Gоng Ziуu: “Blаdе Маster, Madаm asked me to cоngratulate уou on рassing thе first triаl.”
Gong Ziуu took a step forward but was stopped: “Blade Master, Madam WuJi is feeling unwell and has instructed that she will not receive any guests today.”
Gong Ziyu looked at the servant: “Am I a guest?”
The servant immediately knelt but showed no intention of moving aside.
Servant: “Madam WuJi specifically emphasized that she will see no one.”
Gong Ziyu stood still, gazing at Madam WuJi’s tightly shut windows.
Inside the room, Madam WuJi sat before her dressing table, her face bare, without any hair ornaments, dressed in plain clothes. She heard Gong Ziyu’s voice from outside.
“Then I ask Madam to take care of her health. In important matters, follow your heart. Whatever choice Madam makes, Ziyu bears no resentment. I hope for your swift recovery.”
Dusk fell, the thin winter sunset hanging on the horizon. Lights gradually lit up the rooms, large and small, within Yu Manor.
Yun Weishan’s room was without any light. No one was at the table or on the bed, and the room was silent. She lay curled on the floor, clutching her stomach as the Half-Month Fly flared up, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.
Suddenly, a guard’s voice sounded at the door: “Blade Master!”
Yun Weishan struggled to sit up and looked toward the entrance.
The sound of a lock being opened echoed from outside the door.
Hearing the noise, Yun Weishan tried pulling the door, but it remained shut.
She called out softly: “Young Master Yu?”
Gong Ziyu’s voice came from outside: “Yes, I’m here.”
“Congratulations, Young Master.”
Gong Ziyu said: “Young Master Xue and Xue Zhongzi kept me behind to teach me the ‘Three Snow-Brushing Forms,’ but I haven’t mastered them yet.”
“Young Master is highly perceptive and should master them soon. There’s no need to worry.”
Yun Weishan’s tone was flat, and Gong Ziyu felt somewhat disappointed. His voice lowered: “Do you know, I’ve been rehearsing those words in my mind all the way back from the Back Mountain. I have so much to say, and I wanted to tell you everything first. But you weren’t waiting for me at the Back Mountain entrance…”
Gong Ziyu wanted to hear her complain, but there was none. Yun Weishan lowered her head in silence. Her silence, perhaps, was a form of acquiescence. Gong Ziyu said: “I want to come in. I want to see you and tell you face-to-face everything that happened in the Back Mountain while you were away. But right now, I can’t push this door open.”
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