A woman's strand of hair on the Taoist's robe

The small courtyard was stifling in the August heat.

Gu Fei’s legs were weak. When Gu Wanting gave her a hard pull, she tumbled uncontrollably from the bed to the floor, her hair scattered like waterweed, her nightgown disheveled. As she blinked her clear eyes, a fierce light flashed in her gaze.

“Miss!” Bitter Mother shouted, stamping her foot once. With a powerful twist of her arms, the ropes binding her snapped instantly and fell to the ground with a muffled thud.

Everyone was startled, especially Gu Wanting, whose eyes widened in shock, unable to react.

Bitter Mother rushed forward, slapped Gu Wanting aside, then carefully lifted Gu Fei and retreated into the house, slamming the door shut behind her.

The sound jolted Gu Wanting from her daze. Her expression darkened as she glanced at the broken ropes on the ground, pointing at the guards and barking, “What are you standing there for? Break down the door!”

The guards exchanged nervous glances; everyone had witnessed Bitter Mother’s skills, and none dared approach only to court death.

Gu Wanting seethed with rage, her features twisted, gone was her former aloof grace—only a contorted ferocity remained. Ever since the physician diagnosed her with difficulties bearing children, a deep resentment took root within her. She hated the Gu family, hated Gu Zhong, hated Gu Fei, hated everyone around her.

She believed that her misfortune was all due to others’ faults, and the world owed her.

And Gu Fei was the root of all evil. Since the day she returned to the Gu household, peace had been shattered. Ultimately, Gu Wanting simply could not tolerate her.

“You don’t even listen to me anymore, do you?” Gu Wanting barked coldly, “Break it down!”

Her voice at the end was sharp and shrill, brimming with hatred.

The guards hesitated, approaching the door, but before they could reach it, the door creaked open. Bitter Mother stood in the shadow, her face grim, causing the guards to unconsciously step back.

Gu Fei was behind her, draped in a casual robe, her black hair barely pinned with a white jade hairpin. Her pale face betrayed little expression. “Elder sister, shouting and ordering violence at dawn—what are you trying to do?”

Gu Wanting sneered, “Who’s your sister? Shameless thing, you disgust me—”

She hadn’t finished speaking—

“Enough!” A stern, authoritative voice cut her off from the courtyard entrance. Gu Zhong, dressed in an indigo robe, entered with his hands clasped behind his back, followed by Mrs. Cui, whose expression was unreadable. “You’re about to be married, and you still have no sense of propriety. What outrageous things are you saying?”

Gu Wanting’s eyes flickered. She looked past Gu Zhong directly at Mrs. Cui, who subtly shook her head, prompting Gu Wanting to withdraw sullenly to the side.

Gu Fei motioned for Bitter Mother to wheel her out, then spoke calmly, “Uncle, Aunt.”

Gu Zhong’s expression was inscrutable. He stared at Gu Fei for a long moment before asking, “Fei, in the months since you returned to the Gu family, have we ever treated you unfairly?”

Gu Fei shook her head. “Never.”

Gu Zhong continued, “If so, why have you deceived us?”

Gu Fei did not deny it. She offered no elaborate explanation, her gaze darkening for a moment as she replied lightly, “If Uncle trusts me, then no explanation is needed; all can be forgiven. If not, no matter how much I say, you’ll still find fault.”

Gu Zhong, both amused and vexed, his stern features twitching, asked, “So you’re saying I shouldn’t inquire at all?”

Gu Fei tapped the wheelchair armrest with her finger, her eyes unwavering. “There’s no point in discussing this further. Now, I have a question for Uncle—”

She paused, leaning forward, her lips pink as white cherry blossoms curling into a mischievous smile, seductive as a siren. Word by word, she asked, “If there were a chance for the Gu family to rise swiftly and prosper, would Uncle seize it?”

Gu Zhong’s expression stiffened. Emotionally, he did not want to believe Gu Fei, but reason urged him to hear her out.

Mrs. Cui, who had been quietly observing, saw Gu Zhong hesitate. Knowing that if she didn’t add fuel to the fire, the matter would soon be forgotten, she stepped forward. “Whether there’s such an opportunity can be discussed later. Fei, you should first explain your whereabouts these past few days. If anything untoward happened, your uncle can address it promptly, and there’ll be no gossip in the future.”

Her words carried a subtle implication, neither light nor heavy, as if already assuming Gu Fei had done something improper—far more skillful than Gu Wanting’s tactics.

Gu Fei carelessly adjusted her sleeves and glanced askance at Mrs. Cui. “Aunt truly wants to know?”

Seeing Mrs. Cui about to speak, Gu Fei quickly interjected, “The reason I didn’t tell you was out of consideration. If you insist, it may disturb your peace of mind, and that would be my fault.”

Mrs. Cui noticed Gu Zhong did not intervene, realizing he intended for her to test Gu Fei. She smiled lightly, “Fei, since you’re so thoughtful, as your elders we can’t let you bear everything alone. Speak, everyone’s here—many minds, many solutions.”

Gu Fei’s lips curled into an enigmatic smile, the arc deep and shadowed, her black eyes gleaming coldly. “Very well, since that’s how it is, I won’t conceal it any longer.”

Under everyone’s gaze, the blinding midday sun blazed overhead. Mrs. Cui, seeing Gu Fei’s smile, suddenly felt a chill.

Gu Fei, inscrutable, first cast a meaningful glance at Mrs. Cui, then at Gu Zhong. “Uncle, do you still recall the fake Taoist who deceived Aunt?”

Without waiting for Gu Zhong’s nod, she continued, “I always found that Taoist suspicious—so bold, brazenly deceiving the Gu family. I asked Manager Qingyun from Linglong Pavilion to keep an eye out. Sure enough, a few days ago, Qingyun sent word of a lead, so I went to Linglong Pavilion.”

Mrs. Cui now understood the source of her unease. Her lips parted, and she glanced at Gu Zhong, but dared not speak.

Gu Fei went on, “Qingyun told me the Taoist had died suddenly some time ago.”

At this, Gu Zhong frowned, surprised.

Gu Fei remained calm. “Since the man had been dead for a while, Qingyun suggested we immediately summon a coroner for an autopsy. I agreed, and we hurried to the wasteland outside the city where the body was exposed. The autopsy took several days; I intended to return, but Qingyun discovered someone lurking outside Linglong Pavilion.”

“Later, Qingyun suggested I stay at Linglong Pavilion for a few days, while Bitter Mother pretended I was still at home to mislead the watcher. Since the Taoist’s cause of death was unclear, I didn’t want Uncle and Aunt to worry, so I agreed.” Gu Fei spoke smoothly, her eyes sincere and innocent.

“Who were those suspicious people?” Gu Zhong asked.

Gu Fei thought, Good question!

But her expression was serious. “I didn’t know at first, but after the autopsy, the coroner said the Taoist died just after deceiving the Gu family, and found a woman’s long hair scented with osmanthus oil on his robe.”

At this, Gu Fei smiled faintly, casting a meaningful glance at Mrs. Cui.

Mrs. Cui’s eyelid twitched; she clenched the embroidered edge of her sleeve, forcing a stiff smile. “Linglong Pavilion’s Manager Qingyun? When did you become so close with Linglong Pavilion?”

Gu Fei’s smile turned cold. “Aunt doesn’t believe me? Well, I didn’t expect it either. A Taoist with a woman’s osmanthus-scented hair—utterly absurd and sordid!”

The word “sordid” rang out, startling Mrs. Cui. Without thinking, she protested, “Nonsense! What are you talking about?”