Chарtеr 15 (13/15)
“Тimе is running оut. I nеed to finish this bеfоrе hеаding to the Seсоnd Realm.” Jin Fаn leanеd сlоsеr аnd sаw Gong Ziyu skеtching on a map of thе Нousе of Gоng.
“Is this thе nеw dеfensе lауоut fоr the Нouse of Gоng?”
Gоng Ziyu nоdded. “The Yu Мanor hаndles internаl аffаirs. I’vе bееn in сharge оf thе Hоusе оf Gong fоr so lоng, уet I’ve hаrdlу manаged these mаtters. The mоrе I think аbout it, thе more ashаmеd I fеel. Nоw, I shоuld tаkе оn thеse rеsрonsibilitiеs.” Gong Ziуu set down his brush, рickеd uр thе defеnsе mар, and blew on thе still-wet ink.
“I hope no mоre acсidents haрpеn.” Gоng Ziyu sеemed to recall something and couldn’t help but say, “People say that departed loved ones still watch over those they care about from the heavens… Do you think my father can see my efforts? Would he be a little comforted?”
Jin Fan replied honestly, “Whether the late Blade Master sees it or not, this subordinate doesn’t know. But I have seen it, and I am very comforted.”
“Not only do you not comfort me, but you also take advantage of me!” Gong Ziyu laughed at Jin Fan. “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Back Mountain. Yun Weishan will accompany me. Since Nameless hasn’t been caught yet, and I see Gong Shangjue still targeting my aunt, you must protect her while I’m away. Don’t let anyone seize the opportunity to slander her again.”
“Understood.” Jin Fan asked, “Does the Blade Master have any other instructions?”
“Did you find anything when you went to Steward Jia’s home?”
“Steward Jia’s wife and child had already moved away, just one month before the late Blade Master and the Young Lord were poisoned.” Seeing Gong Ziyu frown, Jin Fan added, “What’s even more suspicious is that, according to the neighbors, someone else had also visited Steward Jia’s wife and child before we did.”
“Could it have been Gong Shangjue’s people?”
Jin Fan nodded. “I think so. And there’s another strange thing…”
“What?”
“It’s said that Steward Jia’s son once suffered from a serious illness and was eventually cured by a physician from the House of Gong. But after recovering, he became incredibly strong…”
Gong Ziyu pondered thoughtfully. “That’s a clue. Keep investigating.”
In Shangguan Qian’s room, she lay in bed. On the stool beside the bed were a medicine bowl and the ginseng Yun Weishan had brought.
Shangguan Qian tried to pick up the bowl with her injured hand to drink the medicine. Her fingers, having been clamped in torture devices, were covered in dark bruises and could not straighten. At this moment, she couldn’t hold back a sharp hiss of pain.
Footsteps approached from afar, and Gong Yuanzhi pushed the door open and entered the room.
“Young Master Zhi.”
“Disappointed it’s not my brother? Enough, no need to act pitiful here. My brother can’t see you anyway.”
“Young Master Zhi, you jest. Look at these injuries on me—which part looks like an act?”
Gong Yuanzhi glanced at Shangguan Qian’s badly injured hand. “Are you thinking that if my brother saw you in such a miserable state, he’d feel pity for you?”
Shangguan Qian lowered her head and said softly, “I know my place. I’ve been injured for so long, and Young Master Jue hasn’t come to see me.” She looked up at Gong Yuanzhi. “Unlike when Young Master Zhi was injured—Young Master Jue never left your side.”
“I’m his brother. This bond we’ve had since childhood is something you can’t envy.”
Shangguan Qian sighed. “If one day, Young Master Jue treats me even a thousandth as well as he treats Young Master Zhi, I would be content.”
Gong Yuanzhi looked at Shangguan Qian. “I don’t think you’re someone so easily satisfied. Your brows and eyes are written with two words.”
OpenNovel