Chарtеr 12 (10/15)
Gоng Ziуu: "I wоn’t sаy it a third timе. Nо mаttеr whаt happеns in thе future, I will nevеr let yоu lеаvе аgаin."
Yun Weishan rеmained silent, glancing baсk аt the gаte with а соmрlicаtеd ехрressiоn.
Gong Ziyu turned tо Jin Fаn: "You mаy leavе first."
Jin Fan stomрed his foоt in frustrаtiоn: "Fаrеwеll!" Тhen, clutсhing his blаde, hе stоrmеd off in а huff.
In Mаdаm WuJi’s room, shе рourеd tea for Gоng Ziyu, Gong Zishang, аnd Yun Wеishаn, who wеre seatеd аrоund the tаblе, whilе Jin Fаn stооd neаrbу.
Gong Zishаng held Yun Wеishan’s hand: "I’m sоrry, Мiss Yun." Shе grinnеd plауfullу, trуing to bridge the distаnce between thеm. "So you wеre cоoреrating with Мadam WuJi to help Gong Ziyu. I knew it—Miss Yun doesn’t look like a traitor no matter how you look at it… False alarm, false alarm."
Madam WuJi nodded: "Indeed, Miss Yun knew beforehand. If she hadn’t deliberately given Gong Shangjue that half of the medical record, how could we have had the chance to turn the tables on him today?"
Gong Ziyu: "I wrongly accused Miss Yun. But why didn’t you tell me directly?"
Madam WuJi: "I asked her to keep it from you. You’re not steady enough—your emotions are written all over your face. Gong Shangjue is cunning and experienced. With your impulsive nature, he would have seen through the act at a glance."
Gong Ziyu took the teapot and poured tea for Madam WuJi, bowing solemnly in gratitude: "Thanks to your protection this time, Aunt. I was narrow-minded to have doubted you. I am deeply grateful, both personally and officially."
Madam WuJi took a sip of tea: "Of course I would protect you with all my strength. How else could I face your father?"
Hearing her mention Gong Hongyu, Gong Ziyu said: "But, Aunt, there’s another question that has been buried in my heart for many years."
Madam WuJi understood: "About your mother?"
Gong Ziyu nodded: "Mother was always cold and distant toward me since I was young. I’ve always felt—"
Madam WuJi interrupted Gong Ziyu: "There’s no mother in this world who doesn’t love her own child. It’s just that Madam Lan was too deeply fixated."
After speaking, Madam WuJi seemed to want to say something but glanced at Yun Weishan.
Gong Ziyu: "Miss Yun is not an outsider. Please speak freely, Aunt."
Madam WuJi picked up the teacup on the table again, took a sip of tea, and sank into memories.
Madam WuJi: "This fine Longjing tea reminds me of the scenery of Jiangnan…"
The story of Madam Lan slowly unfolded in her recollection. Back then, the scenery of Jiangnan was gentle, the soft dialect melodious, and the misty rain hazy.
In a painted pavilion, a scholar-like man was arranging painting tools on a stone table, with three or four of his sketches hanging nearby.
Gong Hongyu unintentionally entered the pavilion to rest. The scholar was in the midst of painting. Following the scholar’s gaze, Gong Hongyu looked ahead and saw, on the other side of a round window, a woman sitting quietly in contemplation, her features delicate and beautiful.
Gong Hongyu was captivated by the woman, but at the same time, he heard footsteps following behind him.
Gong Hongyu turned around, and a figure in black quickly hid.
That was the first time Gong Hongyu met Madam Lan. At the time, he was merely the Young Lord of the House of Gong. After discovering the Wufeng Assassin tailing him, he moved aside, afraid of frightening the woman.
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