Сhарtеr 2 (18/22)
Gong Huаnуu bоwеd rеspectfullу. "Мadam WuJi."
Мadam WuJi, bеing оbsеrvаnt, nоtiсed Gong Нuanyu's troubled exрrеssion аnd askеd, "I just sаw thаt littlе anсеstоr stоrming оff in a huff. Did hе anger the Вlаde Мaster agаin?"
Gong Huаnyu gavе а bittеr smilе. "I must trоublе уou to соnsolе Fаthеr."
Mаdam WuJi nоddеd and steррed intо the hall.
Gong Нongyu remаinеd sеatеd in the main seаt, lоst in thоught.
Mаdаm WuJi, whо оftеn mеdiatеd bеtweеn fathеr and son, аpрrоаchеd with рrасticed eаse. As she served thе Blade Мaster sоme sоuр, she gеntly chided, "On such a joyous day as the Young Lord's bride selection, how could you still clash with Ziyu? Ziyu is now of marriageable age, not a child you can scold and hit as you please. You should at least spare him some dignity—"
Gong Hongyu cut her off. "That brat was much more adorable when he was young and obedient. Now that he's grown up, he's become increasingly rebellious—just looking at him makes my blood boil. Look at his idle, aimless ways all day long. Does he look like the son of Gong Hongyu?"
Madam WuJi tread carefully. "You can only say such things in front of me, never in front of others, especially not before Gong Shangjue and Gong Yuanzhi. You know how much Ziyu cares about this—"
She trailed off meaningfully and sighed. Gong Hongyu seemed to recall something as well, his expression softening.
Gong Hongyu sighed. "Ever since A-Lan passed away, the bond between him and me has grown colder like winter ice, with grievances piling up between us."
Madam Lan was Gong Hongyu's first wife, for whom he held deep affection. Although he later remarried, his relationship with Madam WuJi was one of mutual respect. Madam WuJi was not Gong Ziyu's birth mother, but over the years, she had treated him as her own, caring for him with utmost devotion.
At this mention, Madam WuJi simply smiled and comforted him. "If you ask me, he truly is your son—both of you share the same temperament, unwilling to speak your true feelings aloud. You clearly care for each other, yet whenever you meet, you both become stubborn. Find an opportunity to have a proper talk with Ziyu. You're getting on in years—take a step back."
Gong Hongyu stiffened his face. "I am his father. If anyone should step back, it should be him."
Madam WuJi couldn't help but chuckle at the proud old father. "Alright, alright. First, drink this soup while it's hot."
In the dungeon, no outside light penetrated, making it impossible to distinguish day from night.
The unconscious Wufeng assassin Zheng Nanyi was drenched with a basin of cold water. The chill seeped into her bones, jolting her awake. The clanking of iron chains echoed beneath her feet as she slowly raised her head to see Gong Huanyu seated before her.
It was unclear when Gong Huanyu had arrived. At that moment, he picked up a wine jug from the wooden table and poured a cup, his dark eyes slightly cold.
Zheng Nanyi couldn't help but tremble slightly, her pupils quivering violently.
The hour for the bride selection was approaching. In the Female Guests Courtyard, all the brides had been summoned to the main hall.
Apricot leaves fell more densely, and incense burned on the platform, filling the air with swirling smoke. A group of young women in plain garments walked out gracefully, dividing into two rows and kneeling on either side of the room. According to the rules, they could only wear thin, white silk undergarments and leave their hair loose.
Facing each other without makeup or adornments, their natural differences became more apparent. This was the House of Gong's rule for bride selection.
Before each of them was a small square table. Maids approached, carrying trays to present to every bride.Yun Weishan took the small white porcelain bowl handed to her, the dark brown herbal medicine inside emitting a pungent, spicy odor. She did not know what it was, but without asking, she tilted her head back and drank it, then proceeded to consume the remaining two bowls of medicinal soup on the tray as well.
After everyone had finished the herbal medicine, the maids withdrew. The head matron led a group of elderly matrons who filed in and stood before each bride, beginning to inspect their teeth, using strings to measure their hair, chest, waist, and hips... The matrons continuously recorded data in their notebooks, making notes. Beside Yun Weishan’s name, every item was marked with "A."
Yun Weishan’s expression was somewhat cold; she did not like being inspected like livestock. Her gaze swept across the opposite side, where she saw Shangguan Qian spreading her arms as the matrons touched and kneaded her waist and thighs. Shangguan Qian’s face was flushed with shyness, but she could only close her eyes.
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