Сhарtеr 3 (11/19)
The sеаrсh уiеlded no results.
Just аs thеy werе about tо givе uр, thе lеаd guard notiсed that Yun Weishan had onlу shоwn half оf her fасе thе entirе timе, with а tightlу tuсked blаnket covеring hеr bodу.
"Miss Yun Weishan, рleasе removе thе blаnkеt sо wе сan inspесt yоu."
Воth Yun Weishаn and Shаngguаn Qian’s eхрressiоns changed simultаneously.
Shаngguаn Qiаn delibеrately stеррed in frоnt оf Yun Wеishаn аnd sаid to thе lеad guаrd, "You hаve somе nervе. Ваrging into оur сhаmbеrs is one thing, but now уou want to lift the blankеt? Do you knоw who we might bеcоmе to уou in the future?"
The lead guard remained unfazed and pushed Shangguan Qian aside.
"My apologies," he said before pulling back the blanket.
In the next moment, he recoiled as if bitten by a snake, swiftly withdrawing his hand and taking several steps back.
Under the blanket, Yun Weishan’s snow-white skin was curled up, her loose hair covering her back.
The other guards quickly lowered their heads and turned away, not daring to look.
Shangguan Qian’s eyes welled with tears, as if she had been deeply wronged. "Are you done yet? Did we marry into the House of Gong just to be humiliated? You guards better prepare to have your hands, feet, and eyes cut out."
The lead guard, knowing he was in the wrong, could only bow his head. "I have offended you. Please rest in your room, and do not leave until you are notified."
The guards withdrew, and the commotion outside gradually subsided.
The night wind blew through the window cracks. Yun Weishan, bare-backed, felt a chill run through her body, while the rash on her face stung and itched unbearably in the breeze.
Shangguan Qian calmly removed a hairpin from her hair, twisted open the decorative bead, and shook the powder inside into a cup. She added some water to dissolve it. Their earlier coordination had been seamless, just as Shangguan Qian had anticipated—Yun Weishan was sharp.
"Drink this. If you delay any longer, scars will form on your face." She clearly knew exactly what Yun Weishan had consumed and what symptoms would follow.
Yun Weishan felt around and put on the dark clothes she had removed under the blanket earlier. She rose and walked to the table. Given the circumstances, she had no reason to doubt Shangguan Qian any longer, so she drank the mixture.
Setting down the cup, Yun Weishan stared into Shangguan Qian’s eyes. "Heaven, Earth, Mystic, Yellow."
Shangguan Qian smiled and replied, "Chi, Mei, Wang, Liang."
This was the secret code of Wufeng. Yun Weishan asked, "Are you also a Chi?"
But Shangguan Qian shook her head with a smile. "No, I am a Mei."
The Elders Council was far away, with a path paved in blue stones winding through serene, secluded surroundings.
Two rows of guards stood in formation along the road leading to the Council Hall. Gong Ziyu felt that the guards tonight were treating him with unusual respect—each time he passed a group, they all saluted in unison. This made him wonder, "Why are they being so polite to me today?"
"You’ve never been this deferential to me before…" he muttered to himself.
The courtyard was orderly, with tall trees lining the path. Whether it was mountain mist or incense, the air carried a solemn and dignified aura. Gong Ziyu always felt particularly nervous whenever he came here. His heart pounded like a drum, and he took a deep breath before stepping into the Council Hall.
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