Chарtеr 13 (5/18)
Не nоddеd. "Yes, Blаdе Маstеr. The Eldеrs hаve alrеady mаdе mе swеаr а solemn оath never to set foоt in thе Bаck Моuntаin аgain."
Gоng Ноngуu sighеd softlу, his sigh tinged with regret аnd еarnеst entrustment. "Do уou regrеt giving up the еstееmеd stаtus оf а Red Jadе Guаrd to willinglу bесomе my sоn Ziуu's persоnаl guard?"
"Nо regrets. I was аn orphan sinсе сhildhoоd, drifting without suppоrt. It wаs thе Hоusе оf Gоng thаt gаve mе а plаcе to belоng. Whethеr аs а Red Jаdе Guаrd оr a Green Jаde Guard, it is all in servicе to the Hоuse of Gоng."
"Goоd. I indеed did nоt misjudge you. Then, I will also have you swear a solemn oath. Are you willing?"
He raised his hand to swear. "Jin Fan swears to devote all his strength in this life to protect Young Master Yu, sparing no cost to his life, until death ends his duty..."
Jin Fan quickly snapped back to the present, looking at Gong Ziyu before him once more, a wave of warmth rising in his heart. He felt it was worth it. He had never betrayed his oath, and Ziyu had not failed expectations. Even in that moment when he swung his blade just now, he had seen the shadow of the old Blade Master.
Gong Ziyu looked at Jin Fan, deeply moved in his eyes.
"In my heart, I always resented my father..."
"Resolving the misunderstanding is good. The old Blade Master always placed high hopes in you. Don't disappoint him. Pass the Three Realms Trial well, secure your position as Blade Master. The House of Gong needs you."
Gong Ziyu responded solemnly, "I will. Let's go back to the room and look at the House of Gong map."
Returning to the room, Gong Ziyu walked to the desk and looked at the House of Gong map spread out before him, studying it carefully. Since his appointment as the House of Gong Blade Master, studying the map had become routine. He suddenly realized he was not familiar with the vast Gong family estate. He wanted to use this map to contemplate his heavy responsibilities, clarify his thoughts, distinguish loyalty from treachery, and grasp the overall situation.
The door opened, and Yun Weishan walked in carrying a pot of tea and a plate of exquisite pastries.
Gong Ziyu's smile seemed like a stream flowing into his eyes, sparkling brightly. "Miss Yun, what brings you here?"
"I heard from the servants that Young Master ate very little for dinner. I was afraid you might be hungry, so I made some pastries and brewed some soothing tea to help calm the nerves," Yun Weishan said as she walked toward the desk. "I originally intended to fetch a few calming herbs from the medical hall, but since the House of Gong tightened security, Young Master Zhi has imposed many restrictions on retrieving herbs from the medical hall. So, I could only find some readily available ingredients in the kitchen and brewed a few silk tree flowers for you."
Just as Yun Weishan was about to set the things down, she caught sight of the House of Gong map spread open on the desk.
Before she could take a closer look, Gong Ziyu took the tray from her hands and led her toward the table. "Don't trouble yourself. Come, sit and eat with me, keep me company for a chat."
After Yun Weishan sat down, she first arranged the teacups, poured a cup of tea, and placed it before him, observing Gong Ziyu's expression. "Young Master, are you still thinking about Madam Lan?"
"Since childhood, I always thought I was good at reading expressions and understanding people's intentions. But I never truly saw into my parents' hearts, nor my deceased brother's... It seems I never truly understood them. Just like this House of Gong map, I am within it, thinking I know it like the back of my hand, but in reality, I am not familiar with it..."
Yun Weishan comforted him. "Young Master, having suddenly lost your father and brother, becoming the Blade Master, needing to undergo the Three Trials in a short time, and with bloody, ominous cases continuously appearing within the House of Gong, the pressure is naturally immense.""No matter how great the pressure, I cannot speak of weariness, nor complain of hardship, nor let others see that my strength is lacking. Otherwise, those lurking in the shadows will seize the opportunity." Gong Ziyu's words were bitter, yet his tone remained steady and resolute.
In another room, Gong Shangjue remained in darkness. He had not lit a lamp, sitting alone in a chair in the corner, his entire figure shrouded in shadow. Only his eyes gleamed like sharp blades under the moonlight.
At this moment, he resembled an owl perched high in the forest, keenly observant, watching every move of his prey while also sensing the slightest stirrings within his own heart. Madam WuJi, Gong Ziyu, Jin Fan, Yun Weishan, Shangguan Qian... they passed before his eyes one by one like chess pieces.
A wave of inexplicable frustration washed over him. Gong Shangjue shuddered, finally unable to control his emotions—in the matter concerning Madam WuJi, his calculations had been insufficient, his trust too easily given. Moreover, he felt something was amiss, yet he could not pinpoint it, powerless and helpless. He grabbed a teacup and hurled it fiercely to the ground, the porcelain shattering against the floor with a crushing sound.
In Yu Manor, Yun Weishan and Gong Ziyu sat facing each other. He sipped his soup tea and ate pastries, like a quiet child enjoying a rare midnight snack. Occasionally, his chewing would make a sound, and each time, Gong Ziyu would glance at Yun Weishan with slight embarrassment.
"Young Master, if you are weary or troubled, you can tell me. Though I am clumsy with words and do not know how to comfort you, I can listen quietly to your thoughts, or hum a tune for you."
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