Gu Shi Yi had no choice but to leave the child with the Eldest Young Madam and turn herself toward the inner courtyard. Upon seeing the maid guarding the door, she relayed the Eldest Young Madam's instructions, and someone went to retrieve an item for her. In Gu Shi Yi's hands was the familiar jade box, and seeing that the seals of several talismans on it were as intact as before, her heart was filled with both shock and suspicion,
"In such a secret matter, she dismissed everyone else and left only me behind, what does she mean by this?"
Gu Shi Yi felt a growing unease and, with the jade box in hand, she returned to the front hall, where the words of the Eldest Young Madam were faintly heard,
"This was procured through great efforts; please present it to my grandfather on his behalf, Elder Wei, and speak favorably for him afterwards!"
Young Madam Sun's tone even carried a hint of flattery and appeasement,
To which Elder Wei replied,
"Indeed, it is commendable that he has such filial piety. Surely the master will be pleased to see this..."
After pausing, Elder Wei continued,
"Do not worry, miss, I will certainly convey your message!"
As they spoke, Gu Shi Yi had already reached the front hall. The two stopped talking and turned their heads to look as Gu Shi Yi hurriedly presented the jade box in her hand,
"Young Madam Sun!"
Young Madam Sun took the jade box and pushed it toward Elder Wei,
"A Great Cultivator applied the Seal on this object, I dare not tamper with it. Yet based on the aura emanating from it alone, it can be concluded that this is Spirit Grass of over a thousand years old. If used in a medicinal concoction, it will surely enhance one's Mana!"
"Hmm!"
Elder Wei narrowed his eyes and observed it for a long while, then nodded,
"It is indeed so. This is... indeed Spirit Grass of over a thousand years... You have done a great service this time, and the master will surely reward you greatly..."
Yet the Eldest Young Madam couldn't wait and interrupted him,
"I dare not ask for grandfather's reward; all I wish for is to be free once this affair is concluded!"
Hearing this, Elder Wei chuckled and said,
"It shall be as you wish!"
As they spoke so unabashedly about such a confidential topic, Gu Shi Yi grew more and more frightened with each word... and her little face turned paler,
"They dare to discuss such a secret topic so recklessly in front of me, they're... they're planning to silence me by killing!"
Gu Shi Yi inwardly lamented,
Of all the trusted attendants around Young Madam Sun, she did not keep any but, against character, kept me instead. Is it because she intends for me to hear enough and then kill me to silence me?
So... has she figured out who I am?
Gu Shi Yi lowered her head, her mind racing with thoughts,
"If I were to start screaming now, I wonder if anyone from the Sun Family would hear?"
Or should I turn around and run?
She saw that the Eldest Young Madam had no martial skills, but the old man stood as firm as a pine with a long and steady breath, likely a master of internal martial arts. Gu Shi Yi weighed her options, unsure if she could escape from the hall before the elder acted!
As Gu Shi Yi's thoughts spun quickly, Elder Wei seemed to have already seen through her intentions. Having spoken with the Eldest Young Madam, he suddenly let out a sinister laugh,
"Miss, your servant here is quite clever, seems she's realized her little life is in danger!"
At his words, Gu Shi Yi knew this old man was cunning; he had seen through her!
Without hesitation, she turned and ran toward the hall door, but before she had taken more than a few steps while holding the Youngest Miss, she heard the old man shout,
"Stop!"
Suddenly, she froze in place, rooted to the spot like a wooden post; no matter how desperately she tried to move her feet, they seemed to be planted to the ground, her muscles twitched uncontrollably without taking a step. Behind her, the silver-like laughter of the Eldest Young Madam rang out,
"Don't bother wasting your effort. Struck by Elder Wei's Zhong Worm, I've yet to see many who can escape!"
Wei Chuan also sneered,
"Even with your cleverness, you had no idea that while you were holding the Youngest Miss and performing the courtesy, I had already planted the Zhong, right?"
He chuckled again and said,
"Don't worry, I won't take your life just now. I still need to take the Youngest Miss and report back to our master. On the road, we lack someone to care for her. If you obediently follow me to Goldflow City and we arrive without issue, perhaps I'll soften and release you from the Zhong Worm, keeping you as a serving Servant by my side. If you act up...hmm..."
Having said that and without knowing what he did, Gu Shi Yi felt a piercing pain in her chest and knelt to the ground,
"Ah..."
Wei Chuan smiled triumphantly, glancing at Young Madam Sun,
"The person... I'll take her now. You know how to explain it to the Sun Family, don't you?"
Young Madam Sun nodded,
"Rest assured, everything is arranged. As soon as they leave, I will immediately start the preparations!"
Then, they would bring in the body of a four-year-old girl and bury it, posing as her own daughter!
With her husband's protection and given that the deceased was an inherently sickly child, the Sun Family would not be suspicious and would not investigate further!
Folks, Monday's update might be late!