Gu Manzhi sat motionless, as if she were a sculpture.
All the questions now had their answers.
So, Chen Mo had come today to confess his feelings?
Even though he knew everything, he still chose to call off the engagement just to be with her?
Their stands were like fire and water, and this action was like a moth flying into the flame, disregarding even his life and family fortunes!
Yet she hadn't even given him a chance to confess...
"Why?"
Gu Manzhi's gaze was vacant.
Deceit and manipulation, constant strife.
She had grown up in such an environment and was long accustomed to it.
"Trust no one, never give your true heart"—this was the survival rule taught by her master, which she always upheld as her principle.
But recalling Chen Mo's indifferent eyes and his final words, "we are even," her heart felt clogged.
The man in the gray robe didn't notice her anomaly and continued on his own, "Your identity has already been exposed, you should leave Tiandu City quickly, I will take care of the aftermath."
"I have to deal with your mess again, it's really tough for me..."
Gu Manzhi regained her senses, looking up at the gray-robed man, "What exactly are you here for?"
"I've said, to see your embarrassment..."
The gray-robed man paused in his tone.
Gu Manzhi was seen holding a jade talisman in her hand, her eyes full of murderous intent.
"Hey, hey, don't be impulsive."
"It doesn't hurt to tell you, it was the master who sent me."
The gray-robed man took out a wooden box from his arms.
Upon opening it, a sweet and sticky scent wafted out.
Inside lay a thumb-sized red flesh worm, devoid of eyes and nose, its sharp teeth like petals continuously opening and closing, sending chills down the spine.
"Is this... Heart Devouring Poisonous Insect?!"
Gu Manzhi's heart skipped a beat, remembering the words Chen Mo had once said.
The gray-robed man nodded, "This was procured by the master from the Southern Wilderness, specially prepared for your little lover."
This creature, bred by the Gu God Sect, is extremely sinister, parasitizing in the heart of living beings, feeding on the blood of the heart vessels.
Once it grows to a certain extent, it will consume the heart and replace it.
Then, the host will become a puppet controlled by others, life and death at the caster's thought!
Gu Manzhi fell silent for a moment, her voice hoarse, "Didn't the master say that it was sufficient to lure him with beauty? Why use such a thing?"
"People's hearts change, who can guarantee he would remain devoted to you forever?"
"To deal with Yu Youhan, the Chen Family is an essential link, we cannot afford any mistakes."
"We must fully control Chen Mo to carry out the next steps, master worried that you would hesitate, hence I was arranged to implant the Gu Poison Worm..."
Following that, Gu Manzhi could no longer hear clearly.
She felt as if all her strength had been drained, slumping down, her gaze vacant and hollow.
"We are even?"
"It seems now, I owe him too much..."
...
In the eastern part of the city.
Rows of residences lay scattered, with layered platforms and deep courtyards.
Most high officials and wealthy families concentrated here, and compared to the bustling and flourishing outer city, this place was tranquil and spacious.
A three-entry household was nestled among them, with a plaque bearing the "Chen" character hanging at the front.
Inside the simply decorated, refined and elegant hall, several official chairs were arranged.
Sitting in the principal seat was a man in purple robes, with a stern face and goat beard, his eyes sharp and profound, exuding an aura of dignified authority.
Among the trio of highest positions at the Imperial Examination Hall and a third-grade high official of the current dynasty, Chen Zhuo.
Beside him stood a middle-aged beautiful woman, plump and gorgeous, with an elegant demeanor. It was not difficult to see from the charm in her eyes and brows that she was also a top beauty in her youth.
The direct disciple of Yanyu Pavilion, Martial Arts Grandmaster, He Yuzhi.
"Has that rebellious son gone to fool around in the Imperial Music Bureau again?"
"Even daring to tear the marriage agreement, once he comes back, see if I don't break his legs!"
Chen Zhuo said in a deep voice.
"In matters of the heart, coercion is not possible. Since Mo'er dislikes it, then it's just a worthless piece of paper. Tearing it means nothing."
He Yuzhi said indifferently, her voice gentle and pleasant.
"How can a marriage arrangement decided by our ancestors be treated so frivolously?"
"Our Chen Family and the Shen Family have been on good terms for generations, and now this rebellious son pulls such a stunt, how will I face Brother Shen from now on?"
The more Chen Zhuo talked, the angrier he became. He slammed the table fiercely, "It's all because you spoiled him! Don't you understand that indulging a child is like killing a child? Truly a case of a lenient mother leading her son to ruin..."
"Hmm?"
He Yuzhi raised her eyebrows slightly, glancing sideways.
Chen Zhuo shivered, quickly changing his tone, "Cough cough, of course, I also have my inescapable responsibility."
He Yuzhi said somberly, "Thus said, didn't your father also oppose us being together back then? He insisted you marry the daughter of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, calling me crude and only good at wielding weapons... It forced us both to kneel in front of his door for a day and a night before he gave in."
"Do you really want to walk the same path your father did?"
Speaking to the point of sorrow, her eyes slightly reddened, on the verge of tears.
"Ah, it's been so many years, why bring up this matter all of a sudden?"
Chen Zhuo was flustered, his aura instantly crumbling.
"You know, husband, that I like you best when you're playing with weapons, wishing you would do it every day..."
"Tsk, talking nonsense again."
He Yuzhi glanced at him sideways, her coquettish demeanor causing Chen Zhuo's heart to race.
If it weren't broad daylight now, he really would have liked to have a moment of 'old man feeling youthful fervor'...
Chen Zhuo steadied his mind, returning to the main topic, saying, "Your He Family is a prestigious family in Qing Province, but what about Gu Manzhi? No matter how famous, she's just a woman from a pleasure house."
"By backing out of a marriage for a courtesan, how will you allow the Shen Family to save face?"
"Moreover, Miss Shen is a disciple from Martial Saint Mountain, if this news gets out, there might be some trouble..."
Hearing this, He Yuzhi's expression also turned serious.
Being a person of the Martial Arts, she was well aware of what Martial Saint Mountain signified.
One of the Three Saints, the heritage site of Martial Saint, an existence that stands aloft beyond mundane powers!
Flourishing branches, deeply rooted, entangled with many forces.
There is a widely circulated saying: Offending Martial Saint Mountain is akin to offending half of the Jianghu!
Though exaggerated, it indeed highlights its illustrious reputation!
This is the vicinity of the Emperor, where safety isn't a concern; but one cannot always stay within Tiandu City forever, right?
"Martial Saint Mountain has not meddled in worldly affairs for many years; such a minor matter should probably not..."
Before He Yuzhi could finish, the butler hurried in, bowed, and said, "Master, madam, Miss Shen has come."
Chen Zhuo and He Yuzhi exchanged glances.
It really is a case of fearing what comes.
"Quick, invite her in."
Chen Zhuo said, "By the way, where is that rebellious son? Hurry and find him for me!"
The butler shook his head, "No need to search, the young master is already in Miss Shen's hands."
Chen Zhuo asked, puzzled, "What do you mean by that?"
The butler's expression was odd as he said, "I mean it literally, the young master was carried here by Miss Shen, and it seems he has passed out..."
Chen Zhuo: "..."
He Yuzhi: "..."