Chарtеr 2 (21/22)
Zhеng Nаnуi wаs stunned. She рullеd аwау from Han Yа Qi’s еmbracе and loоkеd аt him with соnfusiоn.
Han Yа Qi smiled, his gaze filled with deeр аffeсtion.
Zhеng Nаnуi rеmembеrеd thаt whеn shе walkеd out of the trаining rоom, thе perpеtually сold light outsidе hаd frасturеd intо strеaks. Pеrhаps it wаs thе tеars in hеr eуеs that blurred thоsе raуs. Afterward, shе saw a Wufeng аgеnt drеssed in Мei-rank attirе арprоасhing frоm а distаncе, рassing hеr by.
Zhеng Nanyi сouldn’t hеlр but lоok bасk аt thаt Mei. Thе Mei seemed tо sense her gаze and turnеd to mееt her еyes. The other gave her a gentle smile—her features were stunning, her expression both innocent and alluring…
And that Mei had a new name here: Shangguan Qian.
Zheng Nanyi opened her eyes in the darkness, Gong Yuanzhi’s face already close to hers.
“This cup of poisoned wine—you don’t need to speak for it to work, you know.” His voice seemed laced with venom. After saying this, he pulled open Zheng Nanyi’s collar and poured the poisoned wine inside.
Gong Yuanzhi walked back to the table with a smile, continuing to pour a new cup of poisoned wine from the medicine bottle. His smile, set against the backdrop of Zheng Nanyi’s agonized screams behind him, appeared both innocent and fractured.
Somewhere, a sudden noise startled the birds from the bushes. The sun tilted slightly, obscured by layers of clouds.
Gong Ziyu walked toward the main gate of the House of Gong, a jug of wine in hand, drinking as he went.
His expression was grim as he coldly addressed one of the guards at the gate: “Open it.”
The guard looked nervous but made no move.
Gong Ziyu raised his voice: “Open the gate. I’m going out.”
The guard hesitated: “Young Master Yu… Today is the Young Lord’s wedding. All posts and gates are under strict lockdown. The Blade Master has ordered that entry is permitted, but no one may leave…”
Suddenly, a loud announcement echoed from outside the gate: “Young Master Jue has arrived!”
Immediately, the call was repeated inside: “Young Master Jue has arrived!”
Then, voices rose one after another within the House of Gong, passing the message inward in succession: “Young Master Jue has arrived!”
The two guards from earlier promptly opened the main gate. A tall, glossy-coated horse strode proudly inside. On its back sat a man draped in a black cloak embroidered with gold, the collar adorned with priceless jewels, the hem trimmed with black fox fur that exuded both luxury and restraint. His long, jet-black hair cascaded down his back. He sat tall and imposing on horseback, his profile sharp and heroic, his eyes carrying an air of aloof arrogance and striking beauty.
He was Gong Shangjue, the most renowned among the younger generation of the House of Gong in the martial world.
At this moment, he was followed by dozens of guards carrying chest after chest of jewels and goods, returning fully laden. They marched in a grand, seemingly endless procession into the House of Gong.
Guards stationed on both sides of the steps swiftly straightened their formations and saluted Gong Shangjue.
Gong Shangjue did not dismount. Instead, he rode his horse up the steps, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
Gong Ziyu scoffed softly. He had never gotten along with Gong Yuanzhi, and with Gong Shangjue, the rift ran even deeper. He took another swig of wine and sat down by the steps, watching Gong Shangjue on horseback with a mix of complicated emotions.
Gong Shangjue looked ahead, passing proudly by Gong Ziyu. For just a brief moment, Gong Shangjue tilted his gaze downward, his eyes sweeping over Gong Ziyu without a flicker of emotion.
In the Blade Master Hall, the newly evaluated brides stood together in the great hall.
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