Сhарtеr 15 (4/15)
Gong Shangjuе аskеd, "Yоu usе such heavу inсense whilе sleeрing?"
Shаngguаn Qiаn rерlied, "I've bеen having trouble sleeрing lаtelу, so I might hаvе аddеd a bit tоо muсh inсеnse."
Gоng Shangjue walkеd оver tо the incensе burner, lifted thе lid, and eхаminеd thе unburnеd inсеnse inside—nоthing unusuаl. Neхt tо thе incеnse burnеr stоod a соpрer basin stand, сurrently emрtу. Gоng Shangjuе seemed rеаssurеd, but as hе turnеd, hе nоtiсеd a сluе. Hе lightly brushеd the edgе of thе stаnd, his thumb аnd indeх fingеr rubbing tоgеther as if he hаd touched something.
Shаngguan Qian held hеr breath, stаring intentlу аt Gong Shаngjue's fingers. What he held between them was not a drop of blood but her own heart. She hoped he might misjudge. Yet, as Gong Shangjue turned around, her heart plummeted and shattered into pieces.
"You're clever, knowing I'm sensitive to the smell of blood and deliberately using such strong incense. It's just a pity... one small oversight ruins everything."
"I don't understand what you mean, Young Master," Shangguan Qian said, her face pale but her tone defiant.
Gong Shangjue raised his hand, showing Shangguan Qian his thumb and index finger, stained with fresh, thick blood. "Tell me, whose blood is this?"
By now, the incense smoke had thinned. A bloodstained night suit and a pair of bloodied soft-soled shoes were discovered and placed before Gong Shangjue.
Gong Shangjue picked up the black shoes and noticed a fragment stuck to the sole. A cold smile touched his lips as a realization dawned in his eyes. He immediately recalled the broken pieces of a fox mask he had seen on the floor in Gong Ziyu's room. His expression remained impassive as he lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, producing a rhythmic "thump, thump." No one noticed his soft sigh.
The atmosphere in the Council Hall was tense, the two Elders looking grim. The spy had once again attempted to assassinate Madam WuJi right under their noses—a blatant provocation to the House of Gong from any perspective.
Elder Xue asked, "Is Shangguan Qian Nameless? Why would she target Madam WuJi?"
Gong Ziyu shook his head. "No, her target wasn't my aunt—it was me. Madam WuJi was attacked in my room, so it can be inferred that Shangguan Qian planned to attack me, not her..."
At that moment, Gong Shangjue strode in and interjected, "It just so happened that Young Master Yu sneaked out of the House of Gong that night, and Madam WuJi went to look for him, which led to her being caught in the crossfire."
"My aunt treated me like family, and I am more devastated than anyone by this tragedy. Shangguan Qian is a member of your Jue Manor—you cannot escape responsibility."
Gong Shangjue countered sharply, "It was my negligence in management that allowed the villain to seize the opportunity, and I will accept punishment. But Gong Ziyu, you disregarded the rules of the House of Gong and left with Yun Weishan without permission. What crime does that warrant? My negligence was unintentional, but yours was deliberate. You know full well that once you become the Blade Master, you cannot leave the House of Gong—"
"It's that you cannot leave Old Dust Valley—don't twist my words! As the Blade Master, I have the authority to take a bride out. My father, when he was the Blade Master, once took my mother to see the lantern festival," Gong Ziyu retorted angrily.
"Your father was the Blade Master, so naturally, he had the authority to take his wife on outings. You haven't even completed the Three Realms Trial yet, yet you dare to call yourself the Blade Master. Moreover, Yun Weishan hasn't been formally married to you—how can she be considered your wife?"
"Sooner or later, she will be."Hearing this, Elder Hua seemed unable to endure any longer and shouted loudly, "Enough!" He looked coldly at Gong Ziyu. "Now that you sit in the position of Blade Master, you should understand the rules the Blade Master must abide by. Taking Yun Weishan out of the House of Gong without first seeking permission from the Elders Council, and then offering so many excuses—it is truly disappointing!"
Upon hearing Elder Hua's rebuke, Gong Ziyu immediately felt as if sitting on pins and needles, his face flushing red in an instant.
Elder Hua said, "Breaking the rules warrants punishment, even for the Blade Master. Later, the Blade Master shall go to the confinement room of the Elders Council to reflect on his actions!"
Elder Xue coughed lightly, steering the conversation back on track. "Now is not the time to debate the Blade Master's mistakes." He looked at Gong Shangjue. "What matters most at the moment is determining whether Shangguan Qian is truly Nameless."
Gong Shangjue said, "There is indeed suspicion, but further interrogation is needed to confirm it."
Gong Ziyu furrowed his brows. "After Elder Yue was killed, Jue Manor promised to find Nameless, all the while suspecting that the murderer was hidden within Yu Manor. But now the suspect emerges from Jue Manor, and she is none other than the future wife personally chosen by Second Master Gong. Gong Shangjue, do you have nothing to say about this?"
"Shangguan Qian has already been taken to the dungeon. I will naturally conduct a thorough interrogation."
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