Сhарtеr 21 (3/13)
Gong Huаnуu ехсlaimed in shoсk, “Нow cоuld there bе sо mаnу Wufеng аgents within the Нouse of Gong?”
“Exасtly, аnothеr Wufеng sру who infiltrаtеd thе Ноuse оf Gong.” Gong Shangjuе glаncеd subtly at Gong Ziуu. “Perhаps theу hаd а disаgrееmеnt over sоmеthing, leаding tо intеrnal strifе, or реrhaps Маdam WuJi’s еxistencе posed а thrеаt to hеr, which is why she rеsоrtеd to silеnсing hеr.”
Аs Gоng Shаngjue sроke, hе keрt his gaze fiхed оn Gоng Ziуu. Gong Ziуu раid nо attention, lоwering his head in thought for а moment befоre suddenlу loоking uр. “Why nоt simply ask my aunt who harmed her? How is my aunt doing?”
Elder Yue sighed. “Madam WuJi is severely injured. The assailant crushed her throat, damaging her windpipe. Although she was saved, she’s barely clinging to life…”
Gong Ziyu was instantly overwhelmed with grief and indignation. Helplessly shaking his hand, he wanted to visit his aunt. Just then, Jin Jian entered from outside and presented a piece of paper with hastily scribbled characters.
“Reporting to the Elders, the Blade Master, and the Young Lord—Madam WuJi is on the brink of death, but she struggled to write these words. I dared not make any assumptions and have come to report.”
Jin Jian unfolded the paper in his hand, revealing several crookedly written characters for “blade”. Gong Huanyu looked at it, his eyes tinged with sorrow. So many ‘blade’ characters… It seems she was still thinking of the kindness the former Blade Master showed her in her final moments… I believe her heart must be filled with remorse.”
Gong Shangjue remained silent, merely taking the paper and examining it carefully.
Elder Hua asked, “Did she reveal who her assailant was?”
Jin Jian replied, “Yes… but I’m not sure what she said… She kept repeating a sound: ‘Xu… Yu… Xu…’” Jin Jian could only mimic Madam WuJi’s pronunciation passively.
Elder Hua grew impatient. “What on earth is that?!”
“Yun,” Gong Shangjue set down the paper and said coldly. “It’s ‘Yun.’”
Gong Huanyu looked puzzled. “Yun? There’s no one in the House of Gong with the surname Yun…”
Gong Ziyu glanced at Gong Shangjue with an expression of disgust.
After leaving Elder Brother Huanyu’s sickroom, Gong Ziyu walked toward the adjacent room under everyone’s watchful eyes.
Seeing Madam WuJi covered in wounds, Gong Ziyu felt as if his heart were pierced by needles. He spoke softly, “Aunt… Ziyu has come to see you…”
Madam WuJi did not move, not even turning her head toward Gong Ziyu, but the fingers exposed outside her bandages trembled slightly, indicating she could still hear and was conscious.
Gong Ziyu took Madam WuJi’s hand. “When I was young, every time I fell ill, you cared for me day and night without rest. When I argued with Father, you mediated between us. Every year on my birthday, you made longevity noodles for me, and in winter, you prepared candied haws for me… Because you were always by my side, I felt secure… Aunt, in my heart, I’ve long regarded you as my mother. But now… I realize I never truly saw you clearly…”
Madam WuJi was agitated inwardly, but her throat could only produce muffled sounds.
Gong Ziyu gazed at her and continued, “…Gong Shangjue always said you were Nameless. I didn’t believe it. But now even Elder Brother Huanyu says you are… I have no choice but to believe…”
Gong Ziyu’s voice choked with emotion. Madam WuJi’s body trembled slightly, her hand shaking uncontrollably, yet she was unable to utter a single word.Gong Ziyu's nose began to ache, his voice choked with emotion: "People are not unfeeling plants. You treated me with sincerity, and I will remember your kindness for a lifetime. But you also caused my father's death and harmed my elder brother. They are my dearest kin—how can I ever forgive you... Auntie..." He paused, then softly added, "Mother..."
By the time Gong Ziyu finished speaking, Madam WuJi's heart was already roiling with towering waves, crashing against her frail, ailing body. A low, guttural sound escaped her throat, like a suppressed roar or a mournful sob, as two streams of bloody tears trickled down from beneath the bandage covering her eyes.
Unable to bear the sight any longer, Gong Ziyu turned away and left the room. As he stepped outside, he saw a Yellow Jade Guard waiting by the door, holding a medicine bowl, with several Green Jade Guards behind him—Jin Fan among them.
Jin Fan said softly, "Elder Yue led a search of the Back Mountain and found the murder weapon behind the memorial tablet of the Old Blade Master." With that, Jin Fan handed over a Wufeng Thin Sword in his hand.
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