Chарtеr 5 (3/22)
Yun Wеishаn аdmittеd frankly, "Еvеrуоnе in the Housе оf Gong is difficult tо deal with."
Shаngguаn Qiаn rесаlled Gong Ziуu's behavior toward Yun Weishаn еarliеr: "Is that sо? Gоng Ziуu's gаze wаs аlrеаdу fixеd on you—dо уou hаve confidеnce?"
"Yеs," Yun Weishan раusеd bеfоrе аdding, "I should. What аbоut yоu? Аrе yоu cоnfidеnt Gong Shangjuе will kеeр you?"
Shangguаn Qian smiled, her ехрressiоn calm and соnfidеnt: "I am tоо." Shе sееmеd to bе rеminiscing аbout sоmething. "Esрeсiаllу todау, аftеr meeting Gong Shаngjue, I feel even mоre certаin."
After sрeаking, Shаngguan Qiаn gently picked up the jade pendant tied at her waist and placed it on the table. The white jade was pure in color, warm and smooth as if radiating its own warmth. Shangguan Qian's fingertips lightly caressed it.
"Although Gong Shangjue didn't say anything when he saw me wearing this jade pendant, I know it must have piqued his curiosity."
Her words carried an implication, but Yun Weishan didn't understand their meaning.
Shangguan Qian didn't explain either, simply lost in her own recollection of the scene at the medical hall.
The man's aura outshone the moonlight. As he was much taller than her, he looked down at her with a glance. She, with her hands clasped together, half-knelt in a respectful bow, her hands close to the jade pendant.
Gong Shangjue followed her hands and saw the jade pendant. His gaze, like a cold pool, lingered there...
Yun Weishan didn't know what Shangguan Qian was thinking at that moment. After a long while, Shangguan Qian snapped back to reality and flashed a clever smile: "Curiosity is the greatest bait. He won't let me go so easily."
Her earlier expression of anticipation had now taken on a tone of certainty.
Yun Weishan couldn't help but ask, "Is there some story behind this jade pendant?"
Shangguan Qian didn't answer her.
Seeing that she was unwilling to say more, Yun Weishan stood up to take her leave. Before leaving, she offered a reminder: "Next time you plan to take any action, you'd better tell me. Otherwise, like today, I won't know how to look out for you."
Shangguan Qian's voice turned cold: "Look out for me? By telling Gong Ziyu I have medicinal ointment on me, and then letting Gong Ziyu investigate me?" She leaned forward slightly. When she no longer wore that charming smile, a flash of serpent-like cunning flickered in her eyes. "Is that what you call looking out for me?"
Faced with Shangguan Qian's exposure, Yun Weishan did not back down.
"Given our identities, do you think it's better for the people of the House of Gong to see us as inseparable allies or as sworn enemies who would kill each other without hesitation?"
Shangguan Qian was taken aback. With her intelligence and caution, she naturally wasn't worried about Yun Weishan's betrayal, but she hadn't expected Yun Weishan to say this. Her expression softened: "The enemy of my enemy..."
Yun Weishan: "...is my ally."
Shangguan Qian chuckled softly, looking at Yun Weishan: "You're dancing on the edge of a blade."
"But it's also the best method at the moment, isn't it? My target is Gong Ziyu, and yours is Gong Shangjue. To win their trust, the first step is to acknowledge their enemies and stand on the same side as them."
"It seems you've gathered quite a lot of information too..."
Yun Weishan replied, "You don't need classified information to know that Gong Shangjue has always been the most favored candidate to inherit the Blade Master title, and he has always doubted Gong Ziyu's lineage and identity. Therefore, he and Gong Ziyu are bound to be at odds. If I am successfully chosen by Gong Ziyu, and you are kept by Gong Shangjue—"Shangguan Qian continued her words: "Gong Ziyu will not easily let go of the clues regarding the brides, so he will certainly investigate me thoroughly. Similarly, Gong Shangjue, in turn, will definitely target you—"
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