Jiangshan Fengwuzhi

Chapter 320 Secret Words
"you……"

Gu Caiwei wanted to say something, but she swallowed her words and used the secret language to speak again.

"How do you know this language? Did Shiyilang teach you?"

Gu Caiwei had never taught this secret language to Lu Yanning, so if Pei Nian knew it, it must have been taught by Gu Jingnian, which shows Gu Jingnian's trust in Pei Nian.

Sure enough, Pei Nian nodded.

"Yes."

Gu Caiwei's impression of Pei Nian immediately changed, but her face remained unchanged, still showing that indifferent expression, as she asked, "You two... are engaged?"

Pei Nian was stunned.

She originally thought that Gu Jingnian only taught her the language because he didn't want others to overhear their conversation, but when Gu Caiwei asked her, she suddenly realized that if that was the reason, how could she let him share such a secret with her?
She used to think that Gu Jingnian was aloof and indifferent, but among all the stunningly beautiful women around him, he had only ever taught her, and only wanted to marry her.

Although he never explicitly stated it, nor did he ever make any vows of eternal love, but...

Many things seem ordinary and unremarkable when they happen in the past, but when recalled, they become inexplicably unforgettable.

Thinking of this, Pei Nian unconsciously fell into a daze.

Gu Caiwei didn't urge her to answer, but just looked at her, and could see a deep-rooted emotion in her eyes.

Without waiting for Pei Nian's reply, Gu Caiwei already understood the relationship between them.

"Did Shiyilang send you to save me?" she asked.

“No.” Pei Nian shook her head and said, “It is my father who is trying to save you. It is a difficult task, but we will do our best. However, before that, we would like to make a gentleman’s agreement with Fourth Sister.”

Gu Caiwei looked down at the child in her arms.

Lu Anran didn't understand anything and just kept watching her mother giggle, which made Gu Caiwei smile involuntarily.

"Since becoming a mother, I have ceased to be a gentleman."

Pei Nian understood the meaning of those words: Gu Caiwei was willing to break any promises and violate any principles for the sake of her child.

But this made Pei Nian realize that Gu Caiwei was truly a fellow human being.

Only when ordinary people achieve their ambitions can they and their daughter have a stable life. Otherwise, given Gu Caiwei's background and Gu Jingnian's usefulness, they would probably face a life of wandering and hardship.

"Alright, there's no need to talk about a gentleman's agreement."

Pei Nian spoke, still using a language only they could understand, his tone threatening, his expression bearing the stern look of Kaiping Si.

If someone were eavesdropping, they wouldn't understand what she was saying and would only assume she was coercing Gu Caiwei.

However, her words and tone were quite inconsistent.

"We will do our best to get you out of here, Fourth Sister, and you don't need to repay us. But before that, we hope you can listen to my explanation of our situation."

"You two? You and Pei Shaoqing?"

“No.” Pei Nian’s eyes became more serious as she slowly said, “We are mortals.”

She spoke methodically about ordinary people, never forgetting her manner and tone. Gu Caiwei frowned from time to time as she listened, and even scolded her softly a few times.

But Pei Nian was able to understand Gu Caiwei's sense of identification with mortals.

Occasionally, when their eyes met, she could sense the affection Gu Caiwei felt for her.

That was the older sister's affection for her brother's wife, a sense of recognition that she already regarded her as Gu Jingnian's wife.

--------

"What are they saying? You should listen to them."

Separated by several courtyard walls, in a room, Wei Zhuang, dressed as a woman, said a coquettish remark to Mei Chengzong.

He was coquettish, and so was Mei Chengzong. He rolled his eyes, turned his head away, and said, "How could I understand that?"

Wei Zhuang, dissatisfied, asked, "So you're just going to let them keep talking like that?"

"It's not easy to persuade Gu Caiwei," Mei Chengzong said. "Women have some things they don't want others to hear. Give them a chance to talk alone so they can get close to you. Only when they get close can they trust you, and only with trust can things be accomplished."

"Hmph, women." Wei Zhuang smoothed a stray hair behind his ear and said, "Do you think I don't know how to talk about certain topics with women?"

Mei Chengzong sneered and remained silent.

In his view, what Pei Nian and Gu Caiwei said was not important at all; what was important was that Pei Nian could be used as bait to lure out Gu Jingnian.

Of course, this has nothing to do with Wei Zhuang, who only knows how to dress up as a woman but has no idea what beauty is.

Although Mei Chengzong was also charming, her taste was incomparable to that of Wei Zhuang.

However, he still summoned one of his subordinates and instructed him to investigate which dialect Pei Nian and Gu Caiwei were speaking.

Besides Pei Nian, they had another bait to lure out Gu Jingnian, and right outside the hall was You Gui.

Back then, Gu Jingnian was ordered to go to Yong Kingdom as a spy. To put his mind at ease, Kaiping Division deliberately chose You Gui to guard Gu Caiwei.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jingnian ultimately drifted apart from Kaiping Division, putting You Gui in an awkward position. However, Kaiping Division did not make things difficult for You Gui, treating him as before, waiting for Gu Jingnian to come to him. Now, two baits have been thrown out, just waiting for the fish to take the bait.

"Tiss."

Before long, another subordinate came in and reported: "Someone came to the Southern Office looking for Pei Jishi. She is the daughter of the Marquis of Wuding."

“Her?” Mei Chengzong murmured, “It seems she’s here for Gu Jingnian again.”

He turned to Wei Zhuang and asked leisurely, "Since you understand women, Wei Zhuang, why don't you tell me what Shen Lingshu's intentions are in coming here?"

“Of course it’s not for Gu Jingnian.” Wei Zhuang said, his voice becoming increasingly delicate, “A young woman is thin-skinned. After being jilted, how could she want to see that heartless man? I suppose she came for Marquis Wuding.”

"Is that so?" Mei Chengzong made a graceful gesture, resting the back of his hand on his chin, his eyes thoughtful.

Wei Zhuang added, "In Jusai City, many people saw that Marquis Wuding had fallen into Gu Jingnian's hands. Since Gu Jingnian knows the art of teleportation, he must have refined him."

Mei Chengzong said, "I'm thinking, what if Marquis Wuding is not dead, or even being coerced by Gu Jingnian?"

Wei Zhuang realized what was happening and asked, "You mean? Gu Jingnian will find an opportunity to contact Shen Lingshu?"

Mei Chengzong held up two fingers, then held up one more.

"We now have two baits, why not add another one?"

"Okay."

Wei Zhuang agreed, then tilted his head and said coquettishly, "I understand women. Let me chat with Shen Lingshu; it will surely give Gu Jingnian a surprise."

"Oh?"

Mei Chengzong smiled, and seeing Wei Zhuangji's confidence, he raised his hand and gestured for him to enter.

--------

"Miss Shen, please."

Shen Lingshu was led to a hall, where she saw a woman dressed in a brocade robe from the Kaiping Division, but she knew at a glance that it was not Pei Nian.

Because this person is much more feminine than Pei Nian.

The simple act of standing there and smoothing her hair was more graceful than many women.

"Who are you?" Shen Lingshu couldn't help but ask. "I'm here to see Pei Nian, but sister, you're so beautiful."

"Pfft."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhuang couldn't help but cover his mouth and smile, his eyes shining with joy.

He then let out a sound like a silver bell.

"Really? Miss Shen, you certainly know how to talk."

“Because she’s really beautiful,” Shen Lingshu said. “I thought Pei Nian was the highest-ranking woman in the Kaiping Division. I wonder who you are, sister?”

Wei Zhuang said, "You can just call me 'Lady Wei'."

"Greetings, Madam Wei."

As Shen Lingshu spoke, she looked around, still searching for Pei Nian.

“Chief Pei is currently preoccupied with some matters,” Wei Zhuang said. “What is it that you need to tell me? Of course, I hope you don’t mind, in case I can be of assistance.”

“Of course I don’t mind,” Shen Lingshu said. “My father was on a mission to Yong Kingdom a few days ago. He passed through Jusai City and was detained by Gu… Gu Jingnian. Is that true?”

Wei Zhuang asked, "Where did Miss Shen hear this news?"

“I overheard the Shen family servants questioning the guards who had accompanied my father on his return trip.”

Shen Lingshu asked and waited for Wei Zhuang's answer. After a while, seeing Wei Zhuang's troubled expression, she had a bad feeling.

Before this, she didn't believe that Gu Jingnian could detain her father. She came to ask him only to confirm that the news was false and to stop the rumors so as not to affect Shen Jichi's reputation.

Seeing Kaihei's reaction, she realized the seriousness of the situation.

"My dad, it can't really be..."

"Ugh."

Wei Zhuang first sighed, then said in a regretful tone, "Miss Shen asked others about this matter, but none of them knew. It just so happened that I received definite news a few days ago. However, I'm afraid it's not advisable to make it public yet."

"What is it?" Shen Lingshu finally panicked, asking worriedly, "My father wouldn't be...?"

"Please promise me, Miss Shen, that you will remain calm no matter what."

"Tell me quickly, what happened to my father?"

"Marquis Wuding," Wei Zhuang sighed softly, tears welling in his eyes, "He has already been killed by Gu Jingnian!"

(End of this chapter)