The night was no longer tranquil.
Yun Shu’s footsteps halted.
She turned back to look at Zhan Tianye.
The moment their eyes met, Yun Shu clearly sensed his arrogant aura, and that he had already learned the truth.
Fortunately, she had been alert. Her beautiful eyes sparkled like brilliant stars, and her red lips curved upward. Her tone, however, was as cold as ice, "I am indeed Xiao Feng's mother."
What if he knew?
What if this veil was torn down?
Neither of them was foolish; the truth was right before their eyes.
"You can marry this King and become their legitimate mother, and with it, they will have a recognized identity."
In the night, Zhan Tianye's inherently cold voice made Yun Shu's lips twitch fiercely.
Marry him?
"King Ye, you can't possibly be mad?!" Anger flashed in Yun Shu's eyes, but only for an instant before her gaze became clear and distant again.
For the sake of the children, he was willing to marry a woman he found disgusting and detestable. Was he truly not afraid of inviting trouble and then finding it hard to get rid of?
Yun Shu took a step back. "Dismiss the idea. Don't you find me sickening? Don't put yourself through it. What happened back then was merely Yun Yueyin's scheme; it was a mistake from the start. King Ye and I have always kept to our own paths. If King Ye wishes to be detoxified smoothly, it's best we remain as we are now. You take your broad road, and I'll take my plank bridge."
Upon hearing this, a dark light, as unfathomable as oppressive storm clouds, seemed to instantly swirl in Zhan Tianye's unfathomably deep black eyes. His tightly pursed lips outlined his incredibly complex emotions at that moment.
She had rejected him without even considering it.
It wasn't a feigned retreat.
She truly wanted to draw a clear line between them.
As Yun Shu soared into the air, about to disappear into the seemingly endless night, Zhan Tianye spoke in a cold voice, "What I detested was the Yun Shu of five years ago, certainly not you after five years."
Yun Shu was slightly stunned.
Just as Zhan Tianye was about to step forward again.
His expression suddenly turned grim, his knees stiffening. He immediately leaned against the wall for support.
Yun Shu was stunned again. She realized it was time, and he couldn't stand anymore!
She leaped up, deliberately casting his words aside.
Zhan Tianye cast a deep look at the receding Yun Shu and put his mask back on.
...
Gu Manor.
When Yun Shu returned to Gu Manor, it was still brightly lit.
Madam Gu slept on a lounge chair in Gu Zhiruo's room.
Yun Shu entered softly, without making a sound, and carefully felt Gu Zhiruo's pulse again.
While she had been away, Gu Zhiruo had taken her medicine, and her pulse was now steady.
She yawned. Just as she was about to leave, she heard a sound from Madam Gu behind her. "Zhiruo, you must not have anything happen to you. Mother is here with you!"
Yun Shu turned back. Madam Gu had opened her eyes and, in a daze, walked to Gu Zhiruo's bedside, speaking almost instinctively.
Seeing this, Yun Shu was deeply touched. The heart of a parent's love is universal.
She walked over, supported Madam Gu, and said gently, "Zhiruo is fine now. She'll probably wake up tomorrow morning. You don't need to worry too much. Go back to your room to sleep. If you fall ill, Zhiruo will surely worry."
Madam Gu heard Yun Shu's words and came to her senses. "Second Miss Yun has returned? Is Zhiruo truly alright?"
"Yes."
"Good, then I'm relieved. Thank you for your hard work! I'll do as you say and rest now. Wanqing, quickly take Second Miss Yun to rest." Madam Gu immediately instructed Wanqing, who was sleeping in the outer room.
Wanqing had hardly slept that night and her sleep was light. Upon hearing Madam Gu's instruction, she quickly came in. "Yes, Madam."
Yun Shu followed Wanqing to a nearby guest room.
The room was tidily prepared, and even hot water for bathing had been made ready.
After bathing, Yun Shu went directly to sleep.
...
The seemingly peaceful night became turbulent beneath the flames at the Regent's Estate.
Everyone in the Regent's Estate didn't sleep all night, either fighting the fire or searching for the arsonist, even throughout the capital.
Those near the Regent's Estate were frightened by the raging inferno.
Simultaneously, a secret drama was unfolding within the Qu Manor.
It wasn't until the next day, when the sun shone brightly upon the earth, that warmth returned to the world.
Lord Gu returned in a hurry.
At this time, Gu Zhiruo had already woken up and was drinking a few sips of warm water under Wanqing's care.
Seeing the anxious Lord Gu, Gu Zhiruo felt a pang of guilt. "I've made Father worry."
When Lord Gu saw the awakened Gu Zhiruo, he first rubbed his eyes, thinking he was mistaken. "She's really awake! Second Miss Yun's medical skills are truly astonishing! It's a good thing Second Miss Yun is here!"
"Second Miss Yun's medical skills are indeed exquisite. Father, we must keep her medical skills a secret for now; we cannot let people know. She probably doesn't want to be known." Gu Zhiruo did not forget to remind Lord Gu.
Madam Gu entered. Seeing that Gu Zhiruo had woken up, her eyes immediately welled up with tears. "Zhiruo, you scared me to death! Mother almost thought she had lost you!"
"I'm fine now, Mother. Let's speak softly, don't wake Second Miss Yun." Gu Zhiruo reminded her in a low voice.
The couple immediately nodded.
Madam Gu anxiously asked Lord Gu, "How is it? Have you found any evidence? I am now almost certain that Qu Shujie's concubine is responsible. Perhaps they colluded to harm our Zhiruo!"
Gu Zhiruo, her face pale, frowned slightly, her red lips pursed.
Lord Gu shook his head with a grave expression. "We questioned everyone at the teahouse with the officials and even searched the teahouse thoroughly, but we couldn't find any poison. During the time we knew Zhiruo had been poisoned, the evidence was destroyed by them."
"Father, it's alright. Whether there's evidence or not doesn't matter. Knowing who the poisoner is is enough," Gu Zhiruo said, her tone devoid of sadness.
Madam Gu felt immense heartache. "Zhiruo, alas, Qu Shujie is not someone you can entrust your life to. We are fortunate to have discovered his true colors before the wedding. Otherwise, after you married him, they might have sent your body back in no time!"
"We absolutely cannot let this matter go! I will go to the Qu family shortly!" Lord Gu said through gritted teeth.
At this moment, the family of three didn't realize that Yun Shu had appeared at the door.
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow as she heard Lord Gu say he was going to settle the score.
Qu Shujie, Qu Jiaojiao, and that concubine were already struggling to manage their own affairs. The entire Qu family was in chaos. If Lord Gu arrived in time, he might even witness a good show.
She had just received a message by carrier pigeon. Jing Heng had encountered Ruan Xi when he went to the Qu family yesterday, and they had gone together.