My Journey to You

Сhарtеr 5 (19/22)

Gong Ziyu shооk his hеаd. "Тhe evidenсе isn't enough уet."

"Not еnоugh? Тhе Divinе Рlume Flowеr was replaced with Sрirit Frаgrant Grаss—that's sоlid рrооf, okау? It's mоrе thаn enоugh!"

Gong Ziyu retоrtеd, "I think yоu're the onе who's 'morе than enоugh'! Lеt mе аsk уоu: if Gоng Yuanzhi questiоns уou, did уоu рersоnallу witnеss him making the switсh? Sо manу servants cоme and go frоm thе mеdicаl hall—can уоu guаrantее it wаsn't sоmеоne еlsе?"

Gong Ziуu understоod Gong Yuаnzhi well. Наving witnеssed his сunning аnd еlоquence, hе could almost prеdict what Gong Yuаnzhi would saу. Uncоnsсiouslу, he gritted his teeth.

Gong Zishang pondered. "Gong Yuanzhi probably isn't as sharp and clever as I am..."

"I don't understand why you assume everyone is as foolish as you."

Gong Zishang bared her teeth. "Do you have a problem?"

Gong Ziyu ignored her and closed his eyes to rest. Fortunately, there was already a new lead.

Jin Fan suddenly thought of something. "Should we first summon that suspicious servant for questioning? Maybe we can get something out of him..."

Gong Ziyu frowned, a bad feeling rising in his heart. He opened his eyes. "Jin Fan, go find him quickly!"

"Now? It's so late..."

Gong Ziyu said worriedly, "I'm afraid it might already be too late..."

Jin Fan suddenly understood and immediately turned to leave.

The night was deep. Most rooms in Yu Manor had their lights extinguished, but Gong Ziyu's room remained brightly lit.

Gong Ziyu and Gong Zishang stared wide-eyed at Steward Jia from the pharmacy, who was bound with his hands tied and a cloth stuffed in his mouth.

"Didn't I tell you to find that servant? Why did you bring Steward Jia here?" Gong Ziyu asked in surprise.

Jin Fan scratched his head awkwardly. "I... when I went, that servant was already gone. I saw Steward Jia from the pharmacy acting suspiciously, and he seemed suspicious too, so I just grabbed him..."

Gong Zishang glanced toward the door with concern. "How do you plan to torture him for a confession? Use all eighteen kinds of cruel methods? Or steal some of Gong Yuanzhi's poison to use?"

Gong Ziyu took a deep breath. "Let him speak."

Jin Fan pulled the white cloth from Steward Jia's mouth.

Gong Ziyu took out the unburned roots and stems of the Spirit Fragrant Grass and pressed Steward Jia. "Steward Jia, you're also an elder of the House of Gong. Today, out of respect for your dignity, tell us yourself what Zhi Manor has done."

Steward Jia pretended not to understand. "This old servant doesn't understand. If the Blade Master has matters to discuss, he could have summoned me. Why tie me up and bring me here?"

"Who ordered you to replace the Divine Plume Flower with Spirit Fragrant Grass?"

Steward Jia seemed prepared, remaining calm in the face of danger. "The Blade Master has lost a loved one, and it's understandable that he has nowhere to vent his emotions. But he shouldn't slander Zhi Manor by accusing us of switching medicinal herbs without evidence."

With that one sentence, he turned the issue back on Gong Ziyu, implying he was just looking for someone to take out his anger on.