Tan’er rolled her eyes to the heavens: "I’m neither here nor there, but it’s still better than N being absurd, out of place, clothed and barefoot, neither fish nor fowl, unaware of life and death, and ignorant of right and wrong!"
Her rapid-fire string of idioms left Gongsun Ziyu seething with anger.
Shang Wuyou couldn’t help but marvel at Tan’er’s intelligence. Even his sister couldn’t whip out so many words like that in one go.
Tan’er’s principle: Praising people—can’t do it. Insulting people—always top-notch!
Shang Wuyou furrowed his brows: "Say less for now."
Tan’er crossed her arms: "Not speaking? Fine, I won’t speak!"
Gongsun Ziyu tamped down the urge to smack Tan’er and huffed: "Wuyou, do you know where this girl came from?"
Shang Wuyou replied, "Naturally, I know."
Gongsun Ziyu said coldly, "Oh really? Her martial arts techniques seem extremely peculiar. Make sure you haven’t been deceived. Guards, take her to the dungeon! We’ll interrogate her thoroughly and find out who sent her to stir trouble in the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion!"
As soon as the words fell, several disciples beside the elders stepped forward hastily.
Shang Wuyou said sternly, "She is my maid. I decide her fate. She’s new to the mansion and doesn’t understand the rules yet; I’ll teach her later. Second Sister, for the sake of her youth, don’t stoop to her level."
Gongsun Ziyu sneered mockingly: "So much for not understanding the rules. Thousand Mechanism Pavilion has always upheld strict regulations. If I forgive her today, how will others respect us tomorrow?"
Shang Wuyou replied, "Gaining respect is my responsibility, Second Sister. You need only play your part as the second lady of Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. No one dares speak ill of you."
If Tan’er had offended Gongsun Liuying today, Shang Wuyou’s response might not have been so sharp. But Gongsun Ziyu had always been oppositional toward him, and she often bullied Changle.
Therefore, Shang Wuyou did not like his second sister.
Nor did he see any need to give her face.
Tan’er rubbed her chin: "Not quite a pushover, huh."
Tan’er said: "I said nothing!"
Gongsun Ziyu fumed: "Shang Wuyou, are you leveraging the status of the Young Master against me?"
Shang Wuyou replied coolly: "Second Sister, if that’s what you think, then so be it."
Gongsun Ziyu gripped her whip tightly: "Shang Wuyou, do you honestly think I fear you? Today, this girl will be punished no matter what! Whether you allow it or not!"
Shang Wuyou calmly replied: "Second Sister, go ahead and try. See if you can take my person from me."
Tan’er rested her chin on her fists: "Wow, N is really starting to seem like a man now!"
Shang Wuyou’s mouth twitched—what did she mean by ’seem’? He *was* a man!
Gongsun Ziyu lashed her whip at Shang Wuyou.
Tan’er reminded him: "It’s poisoned!"
Shang Wuyou knew well that his second sister’s whip was poisoned. Rather than grabbing it directly, he used his wide sleeve to loop around it, trapping her whip.
Gongsun Ziyu sent a concealed weapon flying.
Tan’er looked stunned: "So ruthless toward her own brother!"
Shang Wuyou pinched his fingers together, catching the concealed weapon, and flipped it to shoot back.
"What are you two doing?"
A shocked feminine voice suddenly interrupted from the side path.
Taking advantage of his distraction, Gongsun Ziyu landed a kick to his chest.
Shang Wuyou blocked her move with his forearm, but doing so caused him to release the whip.
Gongsun Ziyu regained her whip and lashed it again.
This time, a commanding male voice shouted sharply.
Elder Qiu stepped forward and grabbed Gongsun Ziyu’s whip.
Following this, he, Elder Yuan, and all the disciples turned simultaneously and bowed to two figures: "Pavilion Master, Madam!"
Gongsun Ziyu’s anger instantly transformed into bitter grievances, and she choked as she rushed toward them.
Xiao Rong’er saw her daughter crying like rainfall on a pear blossom, and couldn’t hide the sympathy in her eyes. "Alright, alright, stop crying. Look at yourself—what have you done? Turning yourself into such a mess!"
Gongsun Ziyu accused first, "Wuyou let his maid bully me. I wanted to punish her, but Wuyou wouldn’t allow it! To him, this lowly maid is apparently more important than his own sister!"
Shang Wuyou stared blankly at the man beside Xiao Rong’er.
The man’s dignified presence radiated righteousness, identical to his memories of him.
His voice suddenly hitched.
This was the father he had revered for fifteen years...
How could he possibly believe that he was not his biological son, but instead had been raised by his father’s killer?
Xiao Rong’er spoke softly: "You’re siblings. How could you let a mere maid sow discord between you? As the elder sister, can’t you be a bit more accommodating to your younger brother?"
Gongsun Ziyu cried, "I haven’t given enough already? From childhood till now, you’ve always made me yield to him! Why? I’m clearly the one who’s—"
Xiao Rong’er shot her a warning look.
Gongsun Ziyu sniffled and turned away: "Your daughter."
Xiao Rong’er chastised, "And is a daughter to be spoiled rotten? Tan’er saved your brother’s life. You’re not allowed to treat her like a mere maid. Now go and apologize to your brother."
Gongsun Ziyu flared up, "I’m the one who got bullied, and I’m supposed to apologize?"
Xiao Rong’er glanced at the stern-faced Gongsun Yanming and adopted a stricter tone: "Do you have no sense? An older sister arguing with her younger brother—how many times have I lectured you on this?"
Gongsun Ziyu wiped her tears and stormed off without turning back.
Xiao Rong’er turned to Gongsun Ziyu’s personal maid.
The maid quickly followed after her: "Second Miss! You’re hurt—please slow down!"
Xiao Rong’er glanced at Tan’er and then turned to Shang Wuyou and Gongsun Yanming: "You two haven’t met in ages. I’m sure there’s much to discuss between father and son. I’ll go check on Ziyu."
Gongsun Yanming’s gaze swept past Shang Wuyou and landed on Tan’er.
Shang Wuyou stepped aside, blocking his line of sight: "Father."
Gongsun Yanming looked at him with an imposing aura and said, "Come to my study."
Shang Wuyou replied, "Yes."
Gongsun Yanming strode off.
The elders also moved to attend to their own matters.
The disciples dispersed one by one, and none dared to seize Tan’er again.
Shang Wuyou said to Tan’er, "I won’t always be able to arrive so promptly. Don’t cause trouble in the future, especially with my Second Sister—avoid provoking her at any cost."
Tan’er pouted, "Got it."
Shang Wuyou gazed at Gongsun Yanming’s retreating figure with a complex expression.
Tan’er tilted her head and looked at him: "N finally met N’s dad. Why aren’t you happy?"
Shang Wuyou’s mind was in turmoil: "I don’t know."
Tan’er said, "Don’t know? Then go ask him—ask if he’s N’s murderer."
Shang Wuyou murmured, "And what if he is? And what if he isn’t?"
Tan’er turned and headed back to the courtyard: "Ask. N. Self!"
The Hunting Eagle flapped its wings and chased after Tan’er.
Tan’er lifted it in both hands, grinning: "What’s brought you here? Is your older sister missing me?"
The choking Hunting Eagle rolled its eyes: "Screech!"