Chарtеr 5 (2/22)
Gоng Ziуu аskеd, "Last night, Miss Jiаng аnd Мiss Yun Wеishаn suddenly devеlоped rеd rashes оn thеir fасеs, аnd Miss Jiang еven fell unconscious frоm рoisоning. Miss Yun sаid thаt bоth оf them drаnk thе jiаnghuа tеa уou brought from уоur homеtown, so I wantеd to ask Мiss Shangguan..."
Shаngguаn Qiаn tооk оvеr the cоnvеrsatiоn: "Is thе Вladе Mаstеr asking how thе jiаnghua tеa was brought intо the Housе оf Gоng?"
Gong Ziуu chuckled lightlу, раtientlу wаiting fоr hеr аnswеr.
Shangguаn Qiаn said sоftly, "Тhe teа leаvеs wеre рlасеd in the acсompanying dowrу, thoroughly insрectеd befоrе being rеturned to our rooms. If the Blade Master is still concerned, you may ask those responsible for inspecting the brides' dowries." Then she added calmly and confidently, "Moreover, I drank the tea as well."
Gong Ziyu glanced sideways: "Yes. Miss Yun Weishan has already testified to that on your behalf."
Shangguan Qian turned to Yun Weishan and spoke in a measured tone: "Thank you, Miss Yun."
Only then did Yun Weishan look up, but before she could speak, Gong Ziyu added, "Miss Yun also said thank you."
Shangguan Qian's expression changed slightly: "Hmm? Miss Yun, what do you mean by that?"
Gong Ziyu answered for her: "Miss Yun said she is grateful to you because she applied your family's ancestral ointment, which quickly reduced the red rashes. Tea leaves, as part of the dowry, are allowed as long as they are verified to be non-toxic and harmless. However, there are two things that are absolutely forbidden from being brought into the House of Gong: weapons and medicine. As a strictly controlled substance, I wonder how Miss Shangguan Qian managed to bring the ointment in..."
Shangguan Qian feigned embarrassment, turning her chin away and lowering her voice: "I carried it... close to my body."
Gong Ziyu fell silent for a moment, then understood: "Then, Miss Shangguan Qian, please hand over the remaining ointment to the guards later. They will take it to the medical hall for examination. If it truly is harmless and beneficial medicine, then it should be fine, but I hope such an incident will not happen again. However, if the ointment proves to be suspicious, I will have to speak with Miss Shangguan Qian again."
The head matron nearby couldn't help but interject: "Even if it is harmless and beneficial medicine, it is still a major taboo in the House of Gong. It cannot be considered fine..."
Gong Ziyu said, "If I say it's fine, then it's fine." His words were not harsh; he simply winked at the head matron.
The head matron sighed helplessly, muttering in frustration: "Oh, my little ancestor..."
Seeing her escape the situation, Yun Weishan's expression was unreadable.
Shangguan Qian quickly bowed: "Thank you, Blade Master, for your magnanimity."
That night, after the matter was settled and the guards withdrew, the women's guest courtyard fell into complete silence.
The door to Shangguan Qian's room suddenly opened. She had not yet gone to bed and appeared unusually alert and in high spirits.
Seeing the visitor, she sat at the table and asked softly, "Is something the matter?"
Yun Weishan looked at her with suspicion: "Did you really go to the medical hall today?"
"Yes."
"To see a physician?"
Shangguan Qian chuckled softly: "Not exactly. The claim of cold constitution and stagnant qi was fabricated. Like you, I had been taking medicine for several months back in Wufeng, and my body has long been well-regulated. I went to the medical hall to find Gong Yuanzhi... but unexpectedly, I ended up running into Gong Shangjue."
Yun Weishan had already guessed as much and now seized the key point: "Unexpectedly? So your target is Gong Shangjue, isn't it?""You're quite clever. Among the disciples of the House of Gong, Gong Er is the most difficult one to deal with." Shangguan Qian's eyes revealed a hint of difficulty, yet mixed with an eager anticipation.
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