57 Chapter 57 (1/2)

”May I ask who you're looking for?” One of the servants asked.

”I have a letter for young master Gu Bei that I was tasked to deliver personally.”

The two servants shared a look before the younger of the two motioned for the messenger to follow him. The two of them entered an incredibly vast courtyard that opened up into a large garden dotted with pavilions. There was even a small bridge with water flowing below. It was like a scene of paradise, the air carrying the fragrance of heavenly flowers.

Soon, they reached a small courtyard that was well maintained, if a little spartan. The servant announced himself and respectfully requested an audience with Gu Bei. Two minutes later, a long-haired youth with handsome features walked over.

”Young master Bei, this man says he has a letter that he must personally deliver to you.”

”Greetings young master Bei, I have been instructed to deliver this message to you and either guide you to my master or take back a response.”

Gu Bei gave the messenger a once-over and then took the letter that had been held out for him. Breaking the seal, he read over the letter with a blank face. The only sign he was surprised by the letter's contents, was his eyes suddenly widening. Acting like everything was normal, he motioned for the gate servant to return to his post and for the messenger to follow him into his courtyard.

”If I am reading this correctly, then you master claims to be able to cure my sister, he even guarantees it! However, he wants me and my sick sister to travel to his private residence for treatment. This master Ling also wants me to keep the matter quiet, tell me, is this a trap to finish off my sister and me?” Asked Gu Bei, his expression slowly becoming more and more frosty.

”No, Young master. Master Hua Ling has complete confidence in treating your sister, but the case is sensitive. He believes that Gu Lan has been poisoned and that the Gu Family has prevented her treatment. How else could you explain her situation? He merely wants privacy to keep everything from blowing back on him.” Said the messenger calmly, he had been given specific instructions on how to deal with the task of getting the Gu siblings to follow him.

They walked along a small path and reached a more modest courtyard. Inside, there was a girl clothed in white who sat quietly on a chair. Her bright pupils were like autumn water and were embedded in her beautiful and delicate face like gems. With a calm and peaceful expression, she quietly stared at a purple flower on a small artificial mound. She had light-coloured lips that were as pale as water. Beneath the white clothes was her jade-bright skin. Traces of ill-coloured ash showed on her face, like a flower that might wither at any time.

”Beauty that lasts through the spring, the flower withers and people die unknowingly,” the white-clothed girl muttered, with a trace of sadness between her brows.

”Elder sister.” A gleam of tears flashed through Gu Bei's eyes. As he watched Gu Lan, his once high-spirited sister who had been rendered into such a state, Gu Bei felt as though his heart was being torn apart.

”Gu Bei, you're back?” The girl in white revealed a faint smile. Her eyes then fell onto the man behind Gu Bei as she asked, ”This is?”

”This is a servant of a man that guarantees to heal you, but we must travel to his courtyard to receive treatment. At first, I thought it was a trap, but it would be impossible for them to kill us in the Skysoul Institute and remain alive afterwards.” Said Gu Bei as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

Before she could say anything, he took control of her wheelchair and started to guide her out of her yard. Every time a physician visited, she would always smile and reject them. But not this time, he was tired of seeing her so depressed, he ignored her protests and continued wheeling her towards the Gu compound's gates. He wanted to see the strong, vibrant sister that he was proud of once more. Today, he would see her cured!

An hour later, the Gu siblings were ushered into the newly minted clinic. Seeing that it was in the middle of the residential area gave them peace of mind, you would have to be crazy to kill them here! They were guided to meet Hua Ling, as he sat on his throne doing his best to look like a scholarly doctor. Unfortunately, he still looked like the arrogant young master he was initially, even in his new plain white robes.

”Greetings Gu Lan, Gu Bei, it is an honour to meet you. Thank you for believing in my skill and for showing your trust by coming here today. I realise that I appear to be too young to be a doctor of any skill, but I assure you, I am. Please have some tea.” Said Hua Ling as courteously as he could. After all, even these out of favour brother and sister had ten times his standing and influence.

Shen Yue appeared with two cups of tea, handing the first to Gu Bei and the second to Gu Lan. As he handed off the second cup, he made sure to 'accidentally' touch Gu Lan's hand. Brief contact was all he needed, and his Library did the rest of the work.

[ Gu Lan, 18 years of age, Student of Skysoul Institute and member of the Divine Feathers Sect, a direct descendant of the Gu Clan,

4th Stage Heavenly Star