Gu Manzhi sat still as a sculpture.
All the mysteries were now answered.
It turned out Chen Mo had come today to express his feelings to her?
He obviously knew everything, yet still chose to break off the engagement just to be with her?
Their positions were irreconcilable, and this act was tantamount to a moth flying into the flame. He didn't even care about his life or property!
Yet she hadn't even given him a chance to confess...
"Why?"
Gu Manzhi's eyes were blank.
Intrigues and plots.
She had grown up in such an environment and was already used to it.
*Trust no one, never give your heart—this was the law of survival her master had taught her, one she always held as gospel.*
Yet recalling Chen Mo's cold gaze and his final words, "All grudges resolved," her heart felt clogged.
The gray-robed man did not notice her oddness, continuing to talk to himself, "Your identity has been exposed. Leave Tiandu City as soon as possible, and I'll take over from here."
"It's truly tough always having to clean up after you..."
Gu Manzhi snapped back to reality and looked up at the gray-robed man, "Why are you really here?"
"I told you, I'm here to watch your misfortune..."
The gray-robed man's tone paused.
Gu Manzhi held a jade talisman in her hand, her eyes full of murderous intent.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't be rash."
"No harm in telling you, Master sent me."
The gray-robed man took a wooden box from his robes.
As he opened the lid, a cloying, sweet stench spread out.
Inside lay a thumb-sized, red fleshy worm, eyeless and noseless, its sharp teeth opening and closing like flower petals, making one's skin crawl.
"Is this... the Heart Devouring Poisonous Insect?!"
Gu Manzhi's heart skipped a beat as she recalled Chen Mo's words.
The gray-robed man nodded and said, "This is something Master procured from the Southern Wilderness, specifically prepared for your little lover."
This was cultivated by the Gu God Sect, extremely sinister. It parasitized living hearts, feeding on the heart meridian's blood.
Once it reached a certain maturity, it would consume the heart and replace it.
By then, the host would become a puppet to be controlled at will, life or death dictated by the caster's whim!
Gu Manzhi was silent for a moment, her voice dry, "Didn't Master say it would suffice to seduce him with beauty? Why resort to something like this?"
"The human heart changes. Who can guarantee he will always be devoted to you?"
"To deal with Yu Youhan, the Chen Family is a crucial link. It cannot be compromised."
"Only by completely controlling Chen Mo can we move to the next phase. Master feared you wouldn't be able to do it, so I was arranged to plant the poison worm..."
The rest of the words were lost to Gu Manzhi.
She felt as if all strength had been drained from her, slumping down in despair, her gaze blank and hollow.
"All grudges resolved?"
"It seems I owe him so much more..."
...
In the east of the city.
Mansions stood in an orderly manner, with layered terraces and deep courtyards.
Most of the high officials and prominent families were concentrated here. Compared to the bustling prosperity outside the city, this place felt much more serene and expansive.
Among them was a house with a three-entry, three-exit layout. A plaque with "Chen" hung at the entrance.
In a simply decorated, elegant hall adorned with a few Grandmaster chairs, sat a man in a purple robe. His face was angular, with a goatee, and his eyes were sharp and profound, exuding an aura of unspoken authority.
One of the Three Seats of the Imperial Examination Hall, a third-level high official of the current dynasty, Chen Zhuo.
Beside him was a middle-aged beautiful woman, voluptuous and charming, with an elegant demeanor. The grace in her brows showed that she had been a top beauty in her youth.
The heir of Yanyu Pavilion, Martial Arts Grandmaster, He Yuzhi.
"Is that rebel son fooling around at the Imperial Music Bureau again?"
"To even dare tear up the marriage contract, just wait till he returns. I'll break his legs!"
Chen Zhuo said in a deep voice.
"Matters of the heart cannot be forced. Since Mo'er doesn't like it, it was just a scrap of paper. Torn means torn."
He Yuzhi said calmly, her voice gentle and sweet.
"But this was a marriage arranged by our ancestors, how can it be treated so frivolously?"
"My Chen Family and the Shen Family have been friends for generations. With this act, how can I face Brother Shen in the future?"
Chen Zhuo grew more agitated as he spoke, slapping the table hard, "You've been spoiling him too much! Don't you understand that spoiling a child is like killing him? Indeed, too many doting mothers ruin their sons..."
"Hmm?"
He Yuzhi slightly raised a brow, casting a sideways glance.
Chen Zhuo flinched visibly, his tone shifting, "Ahem, of course, I share some inescapable blame in this."
He Yuzhi said softly, "Back then, didn't your father also oppose our union? Insisting you marry the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue's daughter, claiming I was vulgar and only knew how to wield a spear and sword... forcing us to kneel in front of his door for a whole day and night before he relented."
"Are you planning to repeat your father's path?"
As she spoke her heart's sorrow, her eyes misted, on the verge of tears.
"Ah, it's been so many years, why bring this up suddenly?"
Chen Zhuo floundered, his authority crumbling instantly.
"You know, your husband loves it when you wield a spear and sword, wishing you'd do it every day..."
"Pah, you're spouting nonsense again."
He Yuzhi shot him a sidelong glance, her coy and charming demeanor making Chen Zhuo's heart race wildly.
If it wasn't broad daylight, he'd truly want to seize the day with an "old man's youthful passion"...
Chen Zhuo calmed himself down, bringing the topic back, "Your He Family is a prominent name in Qing Province, but what about that Gu Manzhi? No matter her fame, she's merely a woman of the entertainment world."
"Backing out of marriage for a courtesan, what face does that give the Shen Family?"
"Moreover, that Miss Shen is a disciple of 'Martial Saint Mountain.' If this gets out, it might be troublesome..."
Upon hearing this, He Yuzhi's expression turned serious.
As someone in martial arts, she knew well what "Martial Saint Mountain" represented.
One of the Three Saints, the heritage of the Martial Saint, an existence above mundane forces!
Prosperous and deeply rooted, it has countless connections with many forces.
A widely circulated saying goes: Offend Martial Saint Mountain, and you've offended half of Jianghu!
While exaggerated, it still spoke volumes of its formidable reputation!
This was the Emperor's capital, so safety wasn't a concern, but you couldn't stay in Tiandu City forever, could you?
"Martial Saint Mountain hasn't involved itself in worldly affairs for years. This minor issue shouldn't..."
Before He Yuzhi could finish, the housekeeper came in briskly, bowing, "Master, Madam, Miss Shen is here for a visit."
Chen Zhuo and He Yuzhi exchanged glances.
They feared precisely what had come.
"Please invite her in."
Chen Zhuo said, "By the way, where is that rebel son? Quickly bring him back to me!"
The housekeeper shook his head, "There's no need to look for him. The young master is already with Miss Shen."
Chen Zhuo asked puzzled, "What do you mean by that?"
The housekeeper's expression was peculiar as he said, "I mean it literally, Master. The young master is being carried by Miss Shen. He seems to have fainted..."
Chen Zhuo: "..."
He Yuzhi: "..."