“I don’t care about her at all, I just don’t want to implicate an innocent person.”
“Innocent?” Fan Xifeng laughed loudly, “All of you, go!”
Just as the servants were about to grab Green Fruit, they heard Fan Xifeng’s miserable scream. Gu Qingtong had secretly kneed his groin. She pulled out her hairpin and held it to his face: “Release my maid, or I’ll first draw a line on his face, and then…”
The servants, knowing their young master valued his face, immediately backed off.
Green Fruit crawled behind Gu Qingtong.
Gu Qingtong now held Fan Xifeng hostage but didn’t know what to do next. She believed that the moment she let go, the servants would attack, and neither she nor Green Fruit could fight back.
“Master, they’re over here,” Gu Qingtong heard Luoxue leading people, and turned to see Han Yue’an approaching with a stern face: “Adoptive father.”
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The servants, seeing Han Yue’an arrive, panicked and retreated, no longer caring about Fan Xifeng on the ground.
“Tongtong.”
“Adoptive father!” Gu Qingtong quickly ran to his side.
Han Yue’an embraced her: “You must have been frightened.”
“Adoptive father, I’m fine, but I think I’ve caused a big problem.” Gu Qingtong looked at Fan Xifeng, who seemed to have recovered from the pain and was slowly getting up.
“Eliminate those people, then invite Young Master Fan to my villa,” Han Yue’an ordered, glancing at Fan Xifeng.
Gu Qingtong watched in shock as several black-clothed assassins emerged, swiftly dispatching the servants almost silently, with no blood visible. Each person was killed before they could escape.
“Adoptive father, this…”
“Those who bully you deserve to die, but Fan Xifeng is kept alive because he’s still useful. Once I’m done with him, I’ll eliminate him to avenge you.”
“Adoptive father?”
“Tongtong, when have you ever been this soft-hearted? And have you forgotten how the Fan family treated the Gu family?” Han Yue’an frowned.
“I…” Gu Qingtong, seeing his displeased expression, wisely fell silent.
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Han Yuán looked at her timid face and comforted her by patting the back of her hand, turning to order someone to bring a carriage: “Send the young lady back to Huahao Yueyuan.”
“Yes.”
Before Gu Qingtong could board the carriage, she saw Luo Xue trembling all over. When Han Yuán approached, she quickly hid behind Lüguǒ, apparently frightened by Han Yuán’s ruthless demeanor.
Han Yuán rarely glanced at her: “This is a newly arrived maid, not bad, knowing how to protect you. Raise her well.”
“Yes.”
Gu Qingtong pulled Luo Xue to her side, squeezed her hand, and helped her onto the carriage.
Han Yuán watched her carriage depart, then rode away on a tall horse.
“Luo Xue, Luo Xue.” Gu Qingtong saw Luo Xue’s eyes were unfocused and dazed, anxiously slapping her cheeks, “Luo Xue, sister is here, don’t be afraid.”
Even after returning to Huahao Yueyuan, Luo Xue remained in a daze. Gu Qingtong had to carry her inside and lay her on the bed.
Suddenly, Luo Xue grabbed her hand and threw herself into her arms, crying out loud.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, sister is sorry for involving you.” Gu Qingtong held her soft body, gently stroking her back. She noticed Luo Xue was about to speak but stopped when she saw the two maids present.
“Lüguǒ, go clean yourself up.”
“What do you want to say?”
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Gu Qingtong wiped her face with a handkerchief, speaking softly.
Luo Xue slowly shook her head.
“Speak up, don’t keep it inside.”
“I, I have seen such a scene before.”
“You mean killing?”
“Yes.”
“Adoptive father did it for our good.” Gu Qingtong knew Han Yuán cared for her, but his extreme actions puzzled her.
Luo Xue nodded: “A few days before my father’s incident, my brother died suddenly at home. I saw many men in black rush in, holding him down. One of them twisted…”
“Enough, stop talking.” Gu Qingtong quickly interrupted her.
“Sister…”
Qiulu entered, seeing the two embracing, looking surprised.
“Let’s take a bath, okay?”
“No.”
“Then let’s wash your face.”
“Okay.”
Gu Qingtong saw she was truly just a child and wiped her face. When it was time to sleep, Gu Qingtong returned to her own room.
Gu Qingtong was reluctant to meet the music master, but she still had to go. She wondered how the original Gu Qingniang had learned the xiao flute, as she did not know how to play it. This time, she was worried about potentially exposing her lack of skill.
“Lvguo, go call Luoxue to have a meal, and have her change into a plain dress to come learn xiao with me,” she said.
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“Yes,” Gu Qingtong thought to herself that if she was unsure about anything, she could push Luoxue forward – having a shield was always better in necessary moments.
Not long after, Luoxue arrived. Gu Qingtong noticed her eyes were swollen from crying heavily the previous day. Qiulu brought a wet towel to compress them, which helped somewhat.
Because Gu Qingtong deliberately dawdled, she arrived at the music class after the designated time.
The music master was standing at the door, and when he saw her approaching, he dramatically swept his sleeve and entered the music room.
Gu Qingtong was momentarily stunned. She thought she had only made him wait a bit, and since he hadn’t specified an exact time, she wasn’t technically late. With this thought, she composed herself and pulled Luoxue into the room.
“Why did you bring a maid when I called you here?” the music master said sternly, glancing at Luoxue.
“She is my apprentice. Is it not acceptable for me to bring her to learn vocal music?” she responded.
The music master stared at her, noncommittal.
Gu Qingtong was already feeling irritated, and seeing his expression made her anger rise: “Music Master, I don’t believe I’ve done anything to offend you. If you look down on me, just say so directly. There’s no need to give me the cold shoulder. If you won’t teach my apprentice, I’ll find another vocal music master for her.”
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The music master, clearly suppressing his own anger, saw her about to leave and said in a low voice, “Ask them to leave. I have something to tell you.”
“Can’t you say it now?”
“I want to speak with you alone.”
Gu Qingtong looked at the music master and felt a headache coming on. However, she still instructed the others to leave.
As soon as Lvguo closed the door, the music master embraced her from behind: “Qingqing…”
“You, you…” Gu Qingtong was extremely sensitive to this form of address. Coming from the music master’s mouth, she momentarily forgot how to respond.
“Qingqing, you cannot treat me like this.”
“How am I treating you?” Gu Qingtong tried to break free from his embrace, but the music master’s strength was considerable, and she couldn’t escape.
“I’ve already said what I needed to say. Think about it yourself.” Gu Qingtong said as she opened the door, seeing Han Yue’an and Ruan Niang standing at the courtyard gate, bowing respectfully, “Adoptive father, Ruan Niang.”
“Mm.” Han Yue’an waved her over, “How is your vocal training going?”
“Yun Leshi is unwell today. I think it would be better to change instructors,” Gu Qingtong looked at Han Yue’an, then at Luo Xue.
Han Yue’an showed no expression but nodded: “Very well.”
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“Tong’tong, what are you looking at?”
Gu Qingtong snapped back to reality: “I’m looking. I feel like this mansion seems different.”
