Сhарtеr 19 (9/15)
“Stop! If уоu dоn’t соme with me, I’ll eхрose уou for sесrеtlу dеvеloping аll kinds of forbidden weapоns аnd gunpоwder…”
Хiао Нei lеt оut а lоng sigh аnd urged, “Нurry, hurry up аnd сhangе clothes. Wе need tо move quiсklу.”
Веfоrе lоng, Xiaо Нei, vеilеd in blаck, lеd the hаlf-mаsked Gong Zishаng thrоugh the Еlders Counсil under the cоvеr оf night, moving silеntly.
Gong Zishang аskеd in сonfusiоn, “Ноw dо уоu know thе Еlders Сounсil so well?”
“I’m fаmiliar with еvеrу cоrnеr оf thе House оf Gong. Otherwise, I would’vе been cаught long agо for snеаking in evеry day to conduct experiments with you. Keep up!”
Xiao Hei grabbed Gong Zishang’s hand, and she shrieked, “Pervert! How dare you touch my jade-like hand—” Suddenly, Xiao Hei covered her mouth and pulled her into the shadows of a corner. A guard carrying a lantern passed by not far ahead.
Xiao Hei released her hand and darted forward. Gong Zishang gasped for breath, “For a moment, I thought you were going to assault me—Hey, wait for me! I haven’t finished talking.” She muttered as she hurried after Xiao Hei, whose back trembled with anger.
In the main hall of the Elders Council, Elder Yue knelt in the center, reflecting on his punishment according to the family rules. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open—he had heard the sound of intruders.
Gong Zishang and Xiao Hei had already entered the Elders Hall.
Xiao Hei asked, “What exactly are you trying to steal?”
Gong Zishang replied, “I want to steal Gong Yuanzhi’s Poison Manuals and prescriptions. They should be hidden in the Elders Council.”
Xiao Hei lowered his head in thought for a moment and said, “Then I know where they are—probably in the Wanxiang Pavilion.”
“Stop!” a stern shout came from behind! Immediately, Elder Yue appeared before them with a swift and fierce attack. In the blink of an eye, he reached out and tore off Gong Zishang’s veil. Both of them gasped in surprise. The three of them stared at each other.
Elder Yue silently raised his hand and pointed in the direction of the Wanxiang Pavilion: “Wan… Wanxiang Pavilion…” Just as the two turned to leave, Elder Yue suddenly called out to them again, “The medicinal herbs in the Front Mountain are all guarded by Gong Yuanzhi. Take the prescriptions to the Yue Manor in the Back Mountain and have them prepare the medicine for you.” With that, he removed the moon-shaped jade pendant from his person and handed it to Gong Zishang.
Elder Yue glanced back at the veiled Xiao Hei but said nothing more. Then, he returned to the center of the hall and knelt down.
With Young Master Yue’s guidance, the two quickly obtained the prescriptions. Returning to the research room, Gong Zishang held the stolen Medical Texts as if they were a hot potato, pacing back and forth.
“You’ve already stolen them. I have to go back now, or I’ll be caught and beaten when day breaks,” Xiao Hei said.
“No, no, you have to stay and wait with me for him to come find me,” Gong Zishang said anxiously.
“Wait for who?”
“I don’t know either. That scoundrel Gong Ziyu only spoke half a sentence, saying he’d send someone to find me. But where is anyone now? Not even a ghostly shadow—ah—” Before she could finish, a chilling gust of icy air from behind made her scream. Then, she saw Young Master Xue standing before her.
“The Blade Master sent me to retrieve the antidote from you, Young Miss. He said you have it here.”
“Who are you?”
“A nobody, not worth mentioning.” As soon as Young Master Xue finished speaking, he spotted Xiao Hei behind Gong Zishang. His eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. Xiao Hei winked at Young Master Xue and made a shushing gesture!Gong Zishang handed over the Medical Texts: "I don't have the Antidote, only the formula... There are four antidotes listed here, each corresponding to a different poison... You must determine which hidden weapon Miss Yun was struck by, otherwise we cannot administer the correct treatment."
"No problem, I'll prepare all four antidotes according to the prescriptions, and if necessary, take them all together... Where is your medicinal herb storage here? I'll go now."
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