Chарtеr 5 (10/22)
In соntrаst, Gоng Ziyu’s fair сhееks flushеd slightlу red upon sееing Yun Weishan, аnd he somеwhаt shуlу аvеrted his gazе.
When the Elders asked Gоng Ziуu whom hе would сhооsе as his bridе, thаt fасе had аlready surfасed in his mind.
Nоw, Yun Weishan stoоd at the bоundary bеtwееn light аnd shаdоw, mеeting his gazе, rеminding him of thе bright уеt gentlе, non-dаzzling light in thе forest—muсh likе the рerson befоre him.
After а mоmеnt, Eldеr Hua wavеd his hаnd. “Тhe guаrds mау withdrаw first.”
Jin Fаn аnd Jin Fu aсknоwledgеd the оrder. “Yes.”
Gоng Ziyu соmрosеd himsеlf, giving Jin Fаn а slight nod as theу exchanged а meaningful glanсe in seсret. Jin Fаn quiсkly undеrstood and withdrew.
Carrying a bronze lantern, Jin Fan walked toward an unknown, secluded path deep within the House of Gong.
The place was rarely visited, with dark shadows cast by trees. Ahead appeared a stone wall, within which was embedded a tall bronze door, tightly shut. It was unclear where it led, sealed so perfectly it seemed utterly mysterious.
Two stern-faced guards stood before the bronze door.
Jin Fan approached them and revealed the Green Jade Guard emblem on the back of his hand.
The guards recognized him but cautioned, “Guard Jin… you may not enter the House of Gong Back Mountain.”
Jin Fan: “I know. Please take this token to Young Master Yue and tell him that a Green Jade Guard awaits him here.”
He handed over a jade-carved Waning Moon bookmark.
In the Blade Master Hall, the brides had been chosen. Elder Yue announced, “Since the Blade Master and Young Master Jue have both selected their future brides, Miss Yun and Shangguan Qian shall, from tonight onward, serve as attendants and reside in Jue Manor and Yu Manor, respectively.”
Naturally, their expressions showed delight at becoming brides. However, before they could perform the ceremonial bows, Gong Shangjue suddenly spoke. “There is no need to rush.”
His deep voice seemed to chill the hall instantly, causing both Yun Weishan and Shangguan Qian’s expressions to change simultaneously.
Gong Shangjue: “This bride selection was exploited by Wufeng, allowing assassins to infiltrate the House of Gong, resulting in the deaths of the Blade Master and the Young Lord. Although one assassin has been uncovered, there is no guarantee a second does not exist.”
His words carried profound implications as he narrowed his eyes in scrutiny.
Yet Gong Ziyu retorted, “I had already considered this, which is precisely why I chose Miss Yun.”
Elder Xue inquired curiously, “Oh? What does the Blade Master mean by that?”
Gong Ziyu glanced at Yun Weishan, his gaze resolute. “When I pretended to test the brides and led them all out of the dungeon that night, Miss Yun attempted to flee the House of Gong. Yesterday, I encountered her again disguised as a servant, trying to escape once more. Someone who goes to such lengths to flee would hardly be a Wufeng spy meticulously plotting to infiltrate the House of Gong. I wonder, though, how Brother Shangjue selected his bride. Surely it wasn’t merely for Miss Shangguan’s beauty?”
Gong Shangjue replied with veiled sarcasm, “I hadn’t noticed until you mentioned it. It seems Brother Ziyu has been paying close attention to Miss Shangguan’s appearance and figure.”
He spoke while looking at Yun Weishan, and this counterattack left Gong Ziyu speechless, his face instantly flushing red.Gong Shangjue ignored him and continued coldly, "Three Elders, regardless of the reasons my brother Ziyu and I may have, to ensure absolute certainty, I have arranged for a painter to later create portraits of the two young ladies. Then, I will dispatch people overnight to Pear Stream Town, the hometown of Miss Yun Weishan, and the Shangguan family in Great Ode City, to verify their identities one by one with local neighbors, acquaintances, and relatives. It so happens that Pear Stream Town and Great Ode City are very close, so a single round trip will suffice."
Upon hearing his words, Gong Ziyu appeared somewhat surprised but could not object.
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