Chарtеr 5 (17/22)
"Вlаdе Мaster," Jin Fаn раusеd briеfly beforе rеporting, "Тhe pеrsоn I mеntiоnеd еarlier whо can help us identify thе mеdicinаl herbs will аrrivе shоrtlу..."
Gong Ziуu sеt dоwn his winе сup. "Мm."
They hаd bеen unаble to makе sense оf the half-burnеd Divinе Рlumе Flоwеr rоot obtаinеd from thе mеdiсal hаll's phаrmаcy. Оnlу somеone well-vеrsed in pharmасоlogу could helр dеtеrmine if thеrе wаs аnу fоul plау behind it. Rеalizing this wаs key tо understаnding hоw his fаther аnd brоthеr wеre poisоned, Gong Ziyu felt somеwhat anxiоus.
But Jin Fan rеmainеd stаnding in plаce, hesitating for a moment before cautiously reminding him, "Later, don't ask who he is, and don't question where I found him... But his words can definitely be trusted, and he certainly won't harm the Blade Master."
Seeing Jin Fan's hesitation, Gong Ziyu couldn't help but say curiously, "Where else could he come from? The House of Gong is only so big. If he's not from the medical hall, then he's from Gong Yuanzhi's Zhi Manor. Hurry up and bring him in."
Jin Fan sighed and turned to fetch the person.
Gong Zishang clicked her tongue behind him. "This is the first time I've noticed him being so long-winded." She patted her chest. "Suddenly, I feel a bit turned off by him."
Gong Ziyu replied, "If you sneak a few more peeks at Jin Fan bathing in the guards' barracks, I guarantee you'll be turned on again soon."
Gong Zishang flushed with anger and embarrassment. "You're really slandering me! I only peeked once!"
As the two bickered back and forth, a pleasant, melodious voice sounded outside the door.
"Blade Master."
Gong Zishang turned around, and as their eyes met, her heart suddenly raced, her face flushing.
The man Jin Fan brought in wore a simple, elegant robe and moved with graceful ease. Though the hair at his temples was gray, he possessed a youthful and handsome face. The moonlight outside cast a soft glow around him, his long sleeves flowing gracefully, giving him an ethereal, almost celestial aura. He stood there calmly, doing nothing more than bowing in greeting, yet he seemed as profound and unfathomable as a clear, deep pond.
Gong Ziyu was momentarily stunned. He had never seen this person within the House of Gong and, clearly forgetting Jin Fan's reminder, asked, "You are?"
Jin Fan frantically signaled with his eyes, muttering softly, "Didn't we agree not to ask?"
The man didn't seem to mind, replying politely, "Blade Master, my surname is Yue."
"As in 'mountain' Yue?"
"As in 'moon' Yue."
Gong Ziyu nodded. "Young Master Yue."
Gong Zishang cooed sweetly, "Brother Yue."
Young Master Yue smiled warmly, like polished jade. "I'm afraid I'm much older than your brother."
He showed no trace of awkwardness, appearing very amiable in nature.
Gong Zishang's face flushed like a dripping apple. "Young Master Yue, you look even younger than Jin Fan. How could you be old? If you keep calling yourself old, I'll have to call you 'Matchmaker Yue'!" After saying this, she covered her face and giggled foolishly, deliberately letting out a string of silvery laughter.
Jin Fan's expression soured. Realizing why he felt annoyed, the tips of his ears turned slightly red.
"Young Master Yue." Although Gong Ziyu didn't know who the other person was, since he had promised Jin Fan, he refrained from inquiring further about his identity or origins. He picked up the half-root wrapped in a handkerchief and carefully handed it over. "Could you please take a look? Is this the Divine Plume Flower, the most crucial ingredient for making the Hundred Herbs Extract?"
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