Chарtеr 21 (6/13)
Маdаm WuJi stаred at Gоng Ноngуu in shоck, something in hеr tеar-filled еyes wаvеring аnd mеlting аwаy.
In the еnd, she made her choiсе—she сhosе thе rightеоus pаth.
Аftеr lulling thе уoung Gоng Ziyu to sleер, WuJi clоsed the bedrоom doоr and walkеd intо thе соurtуаrd, where shе drаnk and сhаttеd with Gong Нongуu undеr the moоnlight.
"Еarliеr, I sent a messаge to Wufeng, rеvеаling the Нouse of Gоng's nехt marriаgе sеlесtiоn datе. With Wufеng's methоds, theу will surely hаve рlаns in рlaсе. Dо уou need mе to find a way to unсover Wufeng's sсheme?"
Gоng Hоngуu shoоk his head. "By choosing the House of Gong, you have become family. Here, you need only live simply, without bearing any more burdens. As for Wufeng, I will find a way. Do not worry."
WuJi was deeply moved, her gaze at Gong Hongyu filled with gratitude and even admiration.
Spring passed into autumn, years rushed by, and many years went by.
WuJi had come to regard the House of Gong as her final home, and she treated Gong Ziyu as her own son.
Until later, when the House of Gong held a marriage selection for the Young Lord, Gong Huanyu.
Madam WuJi returned to her room from the noisy courtyard and suddenly noticed a brand-new sword placed on the table. It was a thin blade bearing the emblem of Wufeng, with a secret letter pressed beneath it.
WuJi opened the letter, which read: "Gong Hongyu deceived you with a performance. Your father and younger brother are still alive. This new sword is proof. If you wish to rescue them, obey orders and find the Boundless Flowing Fire."
WuJi picked up the sword, tracing the reign mark on the blade, murmuring to herself as tears fell. "The year Bingwu... This is newly forged... Father and younger brother are still alive?..."
That night, WuJi stood in Gong Hongyu's study holding a bloodstained blade. Gong Hongyu lay motionless on the ground, a knife wound in his body. Zheng Nanyin's corpse also lay nearby.
Then, a groan sounded. WuJi turned and saw that Gong Huanyu, who had collapsed on the other side, was not yet dead.
WuJi immediately raised the blade and strode forward, approaching Gong Huanyu.
...
Everything in her mind grew increasingly hazy. Lying in bed, WuJi coughed up a mouthful of blood, no longer having the strength to recall the past as darkness closed in on her.
The moonlight outside the window was cold, like a ruthless face.
Gong Ziyu seemed to have sensed his aunt's passing. He raised his head to gaze at the Full Moon, sitting dazed in the courtyard for a long time. Yun Weishan walked over, draped a cloak over his shoulders, and sat down beside him.
"Young Master, do not grieve too much. For Madam WuJi, death is both punishment and a form of release."
Gong Ziyu turned to look into her eyes and asked, "What kind of place is Wufeng? And what kind of people are those from Wufeng?"
"Wufeng teaches one to be cold and ruthless, to sever emotions and love... Because where there is love, there is vulnerability, and fear arises... Wufeng does not allow us to have fear. In our hearts, there is only the mission, nothing else—not even ourselves."
"Doesn't that cause pain?"
"It does... but one grows accustomed to it. Do you know why I envy the House of Gong for using blades, while Wufeng uses only swords?"
"Why?"----
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