Chарtеr 15 (1/15)
Jin Fаn аnd Gоng Zishаng listened tо thе сhаttеr of the femаlе neighbor оf Butler Jiа. Ассоrding tо her, the Jiа family had moved awау befоre thе Lаbа Fеstival, аnd during thаt timе, twо оther рeoplе hаd alsо come аsking about thеir whereаbоuts.
Jin Fаn frоwnеd slightlу аnd whisperеd tо Gong Zishаng, "Веforе Labа... It sеems the Jiа fаmily mоved beforе the old Blаdе Мastеr was killed. This mаkеs it еven mоrе likеlу thаt thеre's sоmеthing hidden bеhind this."
Gong Zishаng immediatеly аskеd thе neighbоr, "Did thеу hаve any сlose friends or relаtives they kеpt in touсh with?" Thе nеighbor shоok her head again, her expression strange, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. Gong Zishang took out a piece of broken silver and pressed it into her hand. "Just tell us, don't worry about anything else." As she said this, she glanced at Jin Fan and sensed a hint of quiet approval in his eyes.
The neighbor sighed and said, "Ah, Old Man Jia had a son late in life and was overjoyed. But two years ago, his son fell seriously ill. No one could cure him, and they were almost ready to prepare a coffin for the child. Unexpectedly, in the end, a physician from the House of Gong managed to cure him. However, although the child recovered from the illness, he became very strange..."
"How strange?" Jin Fan asked.
"The child suddenly gained immense strength. For example, when a group of kids were playing around, he pushed a little girl so hard she flew over ten feet away, hitting her forehead until it bled. Isn't that terrifying? Not to mention a little girl, even a grown man couldn't withstand that. After it happened several times, everyone thought the child was possessed. Over time, people distanced themselves from the Jia family, and they had no close friends or relatives left."
Upon hearing this, both Gong Zishang and Jin Fan wore expressions of deep thought and confusion.
In Zi Yi's room, the three of them remained locked in a stalemate of silence. Yet, each silence was different.
Zi Yi's silence was more that of a cold observer; she wanted to see how Yun Weishan would handle the situation and how Gong Ziyu would react. Gong Ziyu's silence stemmed from awkwardness and guilt; he didn't want Yun Weishan to know about his past, and even less did he want to revisit it in front of Zi Yi. Yun Weishan's silence was the most complex. She was worried about her whereabouts being exposed, afraid that Gong Ziyu would dig deeper, and even more terrified that Han Ya Si would resort to lethal force. So consumed by anxiety and conflict, she found herself unable to utter a single word.
Finally, it was Gong Ziyu who broke the silence. He looked at Zi Yi first and asked, "Do you two know each other?"
Zi Yi replied, "Of course not."
Gong Ziyu then turned to Yun Weishan. "Do you know Zi Yi?"
Yun Weishan faced Gong Ziyu directly, trying her best to control her breathing. However, in Gong Ziyu's gaze, there was no suspicion, no blame—only guilt. In that instant, Yun Weishan suddenly felt a surge of confidence, like a rising tide, and along with it, a strategy emerged.
Gong Ziyu said to Zi Yi, "They told me you had a guest... I thought... but your guest is... is Miss Yun..."
Zi Yi didn't speak, only calmly picked up her teacup and drained it in one go. Yun Weishan's heart pounded like thunder, the sound echoing in her ears. Sure enough, Zi Yi smiled, turned the teacup over, and prepared to gently place it upside down on the table—this was the signal to shoot Gong Ziyu.
On the rooftop opposite, Han Ya Si didn't hesitate. He raised his crossbow, aiming straight for Gong Ziyu's heart.
At that very moment, Yun Weishan took a light step forward, positioning herself in front of the window, placing herself between the crossbow and Gong Ziyu.Zi Yi raised her chin toward her, offering a dual-meaning reminder: "Miss Yun, don't lose your composure and disappoint someone's sincere intentions." Yun Weishan nodded at her, then glanced at Gong Ziyu across the room. With a radiant smile, she said, "My heart is as clear as a mirror; I dare not deceive. Indeed, I am the guest Miss Zi Yi mentioned."
Zi Yi's expression was one of keen interest, while Gong Ziyu looked even more surprised. He had just uttered "Miss Yun" when Yun Weishan interrupted him: "I heard from Elder Sister Zishang that Young Master often sneaks out of the House of Gong, and this is the place you visit most frequently. Even when the Former Blade Master lost his temper, he couldn't stop you from coming to see someone. I was truly curious and wanted to see who it was... I guessed she must know many things I don't, and I wanted to understand you better, so I followed the trail of inquiries here..."
Zi Yi chimed in: "Indeed... When I first heard a female guest was looking for me, I was quite surprised. Later, the servants said it was the young lady Young Master Gong Ziyu had taken to stroll through the lantern market, and I understood... So I invited Miss Yun into my room to sit for a while, have some tea, and chat about what you usually come to see me for." At this point, Zi Yi lowered her head and chuckled.
Gong Ziyu flushed crimson: "I... I didn't do anything..."
Zi Yi said, "Nervous? This is the first time I've seen you so anxious about someone. Don't worry, I didn't give her a hard time. In fact, before you arrived, we were having a delightful conversation." She then let out a soft, coquettish laugh. "Isn't that right, Miss Yun?"
"Miss Zi Yi told me a lot about the two of you."
Cold sweat beaded on Gong Ziyu's forehead: "What could there possibly be to tell..."
Zi Yi chuckled lightly: "Indeed, just those few things..."
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