Chapter 200: Interrogation, implicating the Tang Clan (1/2)
Chapter 200: Interrogation, implicating the Tang Clan
Just like little Yi’er said, Seventh Madame had prepared a table full of delicacies and fine wine to celebrate their deeds. Leaving aside little Yi’er, Seventh Madame had an excellent impression of Gu Beiyue as well. After he took off his white medical robes, he changed into a long gown the shade of crescent-moon white. It made him look like a young master of some old and well-known aristocratic family, as gentle and kindly as jade.
There wasn’t much etiquette around the dinner table, but more talk and cheerful laughter. Unexpectedly, their happy conversation was interrupted by a needle that appeared out of thin air to land accurately in Han Yunxi’s bowl! Gu Beiyue’s eyes grew sharp as he prepared to make a move, but the sight of the needle stilled him in his tracks. It was the five-bladed Plum Blossom Needle, the most low-tier of Tang Clan assassination weapons. Despite its ranking, it was still difficult to get one’s hands on one. Judging by this Plum Blossom Needle’s make and materials, it had to be a Tang Clan product!
Had people of the Tang Clan arrived?
Various thoughts had flickered through Gu Beiyue’s head long before anyone else could react. He had multiple hypotheses in his head, but his gentle countenance didn’t betray any of his thoughts. Han Yunxi rose to her feet at the same time little Yi’er and Seventh Madame grew flurried. On instinct, Seventh Madame gathered little Yi’er into her arms and cried out, “Guards! Gua…”
Before she finished the second shout, a red-robed man appeared from thin air and landed into front of Seventh Madame. He lowered his head like a mysterious fox from a dark realm, his entire being emanating a dangerous air. Those long eyes narrowed to study Seventh Madame, scaring her into silence with her mouth hanging open. No sound came out.
On the other side, Han Yunxi adopted a severe tone. “Gu Qishao, it’s you again!”
The Han family’s guards couldn’t deal with a fellow like this. Han Yunxi rushed forward, reaching out her hands to shield Seventh Madame and little Yi’er behind her as she said savagely, “Hanging around like an evil spirit, just what do you want to do?”
Faced with an angry Han Yunxi, Gu Qishao not only didn’t get angry, but had his eyes light up. If this woman really wanted to kill him one day, who knew if he’d take offense? In any case, he hadn’t held a grudge from the last time she’d poisoned him. His eyes were still narrowed, but his smile was even narrower. “It’s not like I’ll really hurt you. Why so nervous?”
“You scared me!” Han Yunxi said irritably, her eyes drifting to his right hand. Seeing that it was still there and simply wrapped in a layer of gauze, she was relieved. Gu Qishao didn’t miss her glance and felt delighted. He raised up his hand and waved it in front of Han Yunxi’s face.
“What, worried about my hand?”
“Why wasn’t it ruined? A waste of my poison!” Han Yunxi’s tone took on a venomous air, but Gu Qishao just didn’t mind. His right hand waved back and forth like a magician’s before he revealed a Plum Blossom Needle out of thin air.
“This is yours, right?” There were two Plum Blossom Needles in his possession, things he’d taken during his last visit to Leisurely Cloud Pavilion.
“Stealing my things! Give them back!” Han Yunxi reached out a hand. Though she had lots of Plum Blossom Needles at home, she didn’t mind having plenty more. From what she’d found out, it was rare to get official Tang Clan products when you weren’t one of their people.
Nobody noticed the astonished expression on Gu Beiyue’s face. He’d assumed that the needles belonged to Gu Qishao, but never did he expect Han Yunxi to be their owner! Both the Plum Blossom Needle in her bowl and in Gu Qishao’s hands were genuine Tang Clan products! The Tang Clan never had dealings with outsiders, and its weapons were either one-use only or collected and retrieved at the end of battles. Even their most worthless products rarely fell into others’ hands!
Does this woman have a connection with the Tang Clan?
The origins of her poison skills were unknown despite being so consummate. If she had connections with the Tang Clan, was it possible that… Gu Beiyue seemed to recall something, because his warm eyes suddenly brightened up like a shining sun, filled with hope!
Gu Qishao had laid in hiding at the capital for days before finally getting a chance to approach Han Yunxi. Of course he was going to ask questions until he was clear. As for the imperial physician by her side, he didn’t give him a second thought. His words were very blunt.
“Your biological father isn’t Han Congan, right?”
His words caused Han Yunxi’s face to plummet. How did this fellow figure out the secret? She thought that Han Congan was the only one who knew! Han Congan couldn’t have told him, so did this guy know Lady Tianxin’s secrets? Her heart started to pound, though she was still filled with doubts. Her first reaction was to deny the claims. “Gu Qishao, what kind of nonsense are you spewing? Just what do you want?”
Still, Gu Qishao was very serious. “Women of the Tang Clan don’t marry outsiders. Lady Tianxin isn’t from the Tang Clan, so your father must be it!”
Cough, cough! What kind of reasoning was this?!
Han Yunxi opened her eyes wide, blinking at Gu Qishao until he started to have doubts. He hastened to explain, “The Tang Clan doesn’t give their weapons to outsiders, otherwise…how else would you have these things?”
So that was it…
Han Yunxi quietly released a breath. Instead of answering, she asked, “Why do I have to tell you?”
Tang Li had given her the Plum Blossom Needles. He was a fugitive of the Tang Clan because he ran away from his marriage, so she couldn’t betray him no matter who asked. Moreoever, Tang Li had given her these weapons thanks in part to Long Feiye. The friendship between Long Feiye and Tang Li didn’t seem like something that should be casually publicized, either.
“Poison lass, this matter is very important to me. I risked my life to come ask you. Long Feiye’s guards are still standing outside. Do you really have the heart to keep silent?” Gu Qishao said pitifully. It was hard to tell whether he was pretending.