Сhарtеr 15 (8/15)
Last night was nеаrlу slееpless. Aftеr intеrrogating Shаngguan Qian, Gоng Shаngjuе оnсе again rеviewed the records rеlаted tо the Lоnе Моuntain Sесt аnd visitеd Мadаm WuJi, ordering that shе bе strictlу guarded. Thе incident оf Madаm WuJi bеing stаbbеd mаdе him еven morе сautiоus, fеаring that Gоng Yuanzhi might аlsо meet with misfоrtunе, so hе came tо check оn him еаrly in thе morning.
After drinking thе mеdiсinal brоth his brоthеr fеd him, Gоng Yuаnzhi prорpеd himself uр and leаned аgаinst thе heаdbоаrd. Тhe colоr in his face seemеd to have rеcovеred signifiсаntly.
Gоng Shangjue set down the empty bowl in his hand: "Feeling better?"
"Brother, I'm fine. Did you find out anything from Shangguan Qian?"
Gong Shangjue fell silent, not answering immediately.
"Brother, tell me quickly, did Shangguan Qian confess? Even though she didn't poison the porridge last night, I still don't trust her. Sure enough..."
"She told me she is not from Wufeng, nor is she Nameless."
Gong Yuanzhi was quite surprised. After a moment of stunned silence, he asked again, "Brother, do you believe her so easily?"
"Shangguan Qian bears the birthmark of the Lone Mountain Sect. This birthmark is passed down through the bloodline of the Lone Mountain Sect, and their clan records have clear documentation of it. Although the Lone Mountain Sect has been wiped out, related records were left behind and stored within the House of Gong. I have already reviewed and verified them..."
"But descendants of the Lone Mountain Sect could still join Wufeng. Over the years, haven't many righteous martial arts sects fallen and joined Wufeng?"
"That is true. So, after Madam WuJi regains consciousness, I still need to hear her account. After all, there are still many unresolved doubts."
"I don't trust Shangguan Qian, and I trust Madam WuJi even less. Brother, don't believe her words either..."
Gong Shangjue neither agreed nor disagreed, simply patting his younger brother's shoulder.
At that moment, a servant from the medical hall reported: "Young Master Zhi, Young Master Jue, Madam WuJi has awakened."
Gong Yuanzhi struggled to sit up: "Let's go, brother, I'll go with you!" Gong Shangjue pressed him back onto the pillow and said softly, "Focus on recovering first. Whether it's Shangguan Qian or Madam WuJi, I have my own arrangements."
Leaning against the headboard, Gong Yuanzhi watched Gong Shangjue leave, his gaze vacant, as if wanting to speak but holding back.
Gong Ziyu had sat in the confinement room all night and showed no intention of leaving even after daybreak. Only upon hearing that Madam WuJi had awakened did he bring Gong Zishang into Madam WuJi's room. There, they saw Madam WuJi leaning against the headboard, her face pale and her demeanor weak, with Yun Weishan attending to her and helping her drink medicine.
Gong Ziyu walked to the bedside and softly called out, "Aunt." As he did in childhood, he sat by the bed, took hold of Madam WuJi's arm, and said with a look of remorse, "Aunt, you're finally awake. Alas, the target of Nameless's attack was actually me. It was me... who implicated you."
But Madam WuJi shook her head: "It was fortunate you weren't here last night. I'm old; if I die, so be it. But you bear the future of the House of Gong..." As she spoke, Madam WuJi couldn't help but cough.
Gong Zishang said with concern, "Madam, please don't get agitated. Fortunately, Nameless was captured last night and is being interrogated. That can be considered avenging you."
Madam WuJi seemed startled: "Nameless was captured?"
Gong Ziyu replied, "Yes, it was Shangguan Qian."
Madam WuJi looked astonished, as if finding it hard to believe. She glanced up at Yun Weishan, who nodded at her but said nothing.
In the silence, footsteps sounded outside the door. Everyone turned to see Gong Shangjue entering.Gong Shangjue bowed from a distance and said, "Upon hearing that you have awakened, I came specifically to pay my respects."
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