Сhарtеr 5 (20/22)
Gong Ziyu wаs nоt аngrу. Оn the contrаrу, he silentlу touchеd thе tiр оf his nоsе, looking аs if he had misunderstood the situаtiоn. "It seеms we hаvе wrоngеd Stewаrd Jiа. Jin Fаn, untiе Stеward Jiа and escоrt him оut prоperly."
Gоng Zishang, Jin Fan, аnd even Stеwаrd Jiа widеnеd thеir еyes in surрrisе.
"What?" Gоng Zishаng сould hаrdly bеliеve it.
Gong Ziуu snаpрed at Jin Fan, "Whаt are yоu wаiting fоr? Untie him nоw!"
Jin Fan was cоnfusеd, but sеeing Gоng Ziуu's sеriоus ехprеssiоn, he rеluctаntly untied Stеward Jiа аnd hеlpеd him tоwаrd thе door.
Gong Zishаng anxiously eхclaimed, "Gоng Ziyu, arе yоu оut of уour mind?!"
Gong Ziyu calmly waved his hand at Gong Zishang, signaling her to stay calm, while his eyes remained fixed on Steward Jia.
"It's fine. Soon, everyone will see Jin Fan escorting Steward Jia out of Yu Manor with the utmost respect. Starting tomorrow, I will spread the word that Steward Jia provided crucial clues regarding the poisoning of the Former Blade Master. Then, I will visit him with generous rewards."
Gong Zishang understood and clicked her tongue in approval. These words were clearly meant for Steward Jia to hear.
Sure enough, Steward Jia stopped in his tracks. He turned around and knelt.
"Blade Master, please spare me. If this news reaches Gong Yuanzhi's ears, this old servant will surely have no way out."
Gong Yuanzhi's methods were well-known to all.
Gong Ziyu had grasped Steward Jia's psychology, and a sharp glint finally appeared in his eyes. He was now the Blade Master, and his demeanor carried a newfound authority unlike before.
"Steward Jia, you now have two paths before you: either tell me everything you know, and as the Blade Master, I will guarantee your life; or continue to play dumb, and we will each rely on our own abilities to settle this by dawn."
Steward Jia had underestimated the new Blade Master before him. After what seemed like a moment of weighing his options, he hesitantly spoke, "The Blade Master is wise. This old servant deserves death ten thousand times over. I was forced and threatened into switching the Divine Plume Flower... I am willing to testify for the Blade Master."
Gong Ziyu's eyes darkened. "Who gave you the order?"
The steward raised his head, his lips trembling. "...Gong Yuanzhi."
The next day, as dusk fell, the courtyard of Jue Manor was shrouded in shadows, appearing lifeless.
Gong Yuanzhi quietly entered Gong Shangjue's study. As usual, the study was dimly lit, with no lamps lit, but Gong Yuanzhi skillfully made his way to Gong Shangjue's side. In front of his desk was a dark pool, where even the slightest disturbance would cause ripples.
Gong Shangjue stood by the desk, paying no attention to the faint ripples.
Seeing his focus, Gong Yuanzhi asked, "What are you looking at, Brother?"
Gong Shangjue lightly tapped his fingers on the desk. "The carrier pigeon returned early with the investigation results on Yun Weishan and Shangguan Qian's identities."
Gong Yuanzhi quickly asked, "Is it as you expected?"
"No," Gong Shangjue replied calmly, his gaze deeper than the pool's water. "Did you bring your hidden weapons?"
Gong Yuanzhi's expression brightened with excitement. "I have them."
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