"Qingli! You frightened me to death just now!"
Gu Qingche clutched Gu Qingli's hand tightly, his face deathly pale.
"But everything turned out fine, didn't it?"
Gu Qingli smiled gently as she helped him up, feeling the chill in his clammy palms, slick with cold sweat.
"How could you be so reckless? I…"
"All right, all right! Spare me the lecture."
Afraid her brother might start nagging, Gu Qingli quickly shifted the topic.
"Anyway, go back and get some rest. Something tells me this matter is far from simple. Better you focus on helping me uncover the truth. I, for one, have no intention of guarding against traitors in our own house again."
Her tone held a touch of irony and unmistakable implication as her cold gaze flicked toward Gu Qinglin, whose carefully composed facade had already begun to crack under the weight of anxiety.
Indeed, Gu Qinglin was not only flustered but seething with resentment.
She had thought that with Li Ke'er bringing in a newly advanced Martial King, Gu Qingli would be crushed. Who could have expected the plan to fail—worse, Gu Qingli had emerged victorious.
Had that final blow landed…
Gu Qinglin's heart twisted with envy. Why was Gu Qingli always so blessed by fortune?
"Very well."
Normally gentle and warm in demeanor, Gu Qingche now wore a rare expression of frost. He didn't even spare Gu Qinglin a glance.
"Guards! Seize these people at once. I want to know exactly where they came from and who's behind this insidious scheme!"
As soon as Gu Qingli left, Sikong Ran shed his earlier facade of shyness and instantly resumed his usual domineering manner.
That devilishly beautiful face lifted in arrogant defiance, his cold eyes swept over a few ashen-faced women with mocking disdain.
"My, my. Young Master, must you be so harsh?"
A young man trailing behind He Gongzi looked visibly panicked and even cast a pleading glance toward Li Ke'er. But she averted her gaze, pretending innocence.
Cough, cough…
The unconscious He Gongzi finally stirred, spitting a mouthful of blood as he slowly came to.
"Ah, you're awake. Then let's have a little chat. Tell me—who sent you to trouble Miss Qingli?"
He Gongzi's expression changed. He glanced up at Sikong Ran, the boy's features so exquisitely beautiful they could rival any maiden's—yet beneath the icy sheen in those eyes burned a chilling, murderous intent.
"I didn't… It was merely a friendly spar."
Only a fool would confess the truth under such pressure.
"Hah, still playing dumb, are you? Fine then—why don't you introduce yourself? Let's see what family dares to raise a son bold enough to cause mayhem on the City Lord's own grounds!"
Sikong Ran stared him down with unbridled arrogance, his expression clearly saying: I'm coming for you—what are you going to do about it?
Even if He Gongzi had some backing, it was doubtful anyone could stand against Sikong Ran.
"You… you're going too far!"
Still injured and deathly pale, He Gongzi trembled with fury. But his eyes never left Li Ke'er.
Her face was a shade darker now, though she still feigned composure.
"Oh? And why, I wonder, is Young Master He looking at Miss Li so intently?"
"No need to say another word. Take him away. Since he won't speak, I'm sure I can persuade him… in my own way."
A sinister smile crept across Sikong Ran's face, sending a chill through He Gongzi's entire body.
"Miss Li Ke'er, are you truly going to stand by and do nothing?"
Seeing the look in Sikong Ran's eyes, He Gongzi knew that if he didn't speak soon, his fate would be far from merciful.