“Your Aunt, Gongsun Xiangyi, is my woman. Tell me, should I help you?” Ye Jingyu smiled brightly, a warm, gentle smile.

Gongsun Lu froze for a moment, then nodded. Yes, if the man favored Gongsun Lu, then helping her was tantamount to helping him.

“Good, I trust you. But what should I do?” Gongsun Lu nodded.

“Heh heh, come here closer!” Ye Jingyu beckoned Gongsun Lu with his finger. Gongsun Lu did not hesitate, leaning her ear close. After listening to the few words Ye Jingyu murmured, the look of terror on her face slowly vanished, replaced by sheer delight.

Watching the joyful smile bloom on Gongsun Lu’s face, Liang Xiaoke, who had struggled up from the ground, curled her lips into a cold sneer. Once this plan succeeded, this woman would become his first Blood Corpse. For now, let her enjoy herself.

Within the separate courtyard where Gongsun Sheng resided in the Gongsun family estate, Gongsun Sheng, clad in a white robe, remained seated in his wheelchair. He gazed up at the sliver of the crescent moon, his face betraying no emotion.

At that moment, a black silhouette materialized from the void. It was Xu, the old butler who always remained by his side. Injured by the Sunset Divine Arrow that day, recovery was swift under the care of a Medical Saint like Gongsun Sheng.

“How is it?” Gongsun Sheng spoke calmly upon seeing Xu appear.

“Master, everything is arranged. If they do not show themselves tomorrow, so be it. Once they appear, we absolutely will not give them another chance to escape!” Xu reported with deep respect.

“That is good. However, do not let your guard down tonight, as they might just make their move this evening!” Gongsun Sheng nodded, continuing his instruction.

“Master need not worry. The area where Miss resides is also heavily ambushed. Not even a fly could slip in. But I doubt they would be foolish enough to attempt sneaking into the Gongsun Manor tonight!” Xu continued respectfully.

“Hmm, that is true.” Gongsun Sheng paused, considering. Even if that fellow was a disciple of Dugu Bachen, without Dugu Bachen present, did he truly dare to probe the Gongsun Manor at night? Although the Gongsun family was not renowned across the continent for martial prowess, any mind not utterly foolish would recognize that the Gongsun residence was a lair of hidden masters, a veritable dragon's pool and tiger's den. Who would dare force their way in?

Just as Gongsun Sheng and Xu began to feel secure, an argument erupted at the entrance to the separate courtyard where Gongsun Xiangyi was staying.

“What? You won’t let me in? Is my aunt marrying tomorrow and I, her niece, cannot even come to visit?” Gongsun Lu, dressed in a white gauze skirt, stood with her hands on her hips, unleashing a torrent of curses upon the guards at the gate.

“We apologize, Miss. It is not that we refuse entry, but the Master gave orders that no outsiders are to pass!” The leading guard looked deeply vexed. This little devil usually never set foot here; why the sudden desire to visit today?

“Insolence! Am I an outsider? Get out of the way, or don't blame me for being impolite!” Gongsun Lu swung her hand and slapped the guard across the face, cursing viciously.

The guard was utterly bewildered, yet as a mere servant of the Gongsun family, he dared not offend this little demoness. However, how could he defy the direct order of the Family Head?

“Are you still not moving?” Seeing the guard remain rooted to the spot, Gongsun Lu’s temper flared further. She actually drew the dagger she carried and lunged toward the guard.

This spectacle, observed by Ye Jingyu trailing behind her, caused him to suck in a sharp breath. Was this little girl this tyrannical within the Gongsun family? Slapping someone was one thing, but now she was drawing a knife!

The guard was terrified out of his wits. Seeing Gongsun Lu draw steel, he dared not fight back, yet he certainly did not wish to die. Facing the hurtling dagger, he scrambled to dodge aside.

“Hmph, ignorant fool. Little Ye Zi, grab the things, let’s go!” Retracting her dagger, Gongsun Lu strutted toward the courtyard like a triumphant rooster, chest puffed out.

Ye Jingyu, clutching a large bag of gifts Gongsun Lu intended for Gongsun Xiangyi, quickly followed. The guards considered intercepting them, but the sight of the dagger hanging at Gongsun Lu’s waist made them firmly halt their steps.

After all, this was a matter within the Gongsun family; what right did they have to interfere? Preserving their own lives was paramount. Moreover, Gongsun Lu was, in the end, just a young girl—what could she truly accomplish?

Witnessing Gongsun Lu’s ferocity, no one dared to gamble with their life. They simply watched as Gongsun Lu and Ye Jingyu walked inside.

Entering the courtyard so easily, Ye Jingyu felt for the first time that being willful and spoiled was, sometimes, actually an advantage.

Inside the courtyard, after passing through numerous corridors, they finally reached the door of the room where Gongsun Xiangyi resided. The few maids turned pale with fright upon seeing the arrival of the little demoness, Gongsun Lu.

“Aunt is getting married tomorrow. I have come specifically to see her. Open the door,” Gongsun Lu commanded coldly.

The maids naturally dared not say a word and respectfully opened the door. Gongsun Lu stepped inside, and Ye Jingyu followed closely behind.

A maid started to speak, but Gongsun Lu spun around and shot her a fierce glare, forcing the words back down her throat.

Inside the room, the decoration was exceedingly opulent. The surrounding furniture was all fine redwood and sandalwood, and a delicate fragrance permeated the air. The floor was covered in a thick wool rug, exceptionally comfortable underfoot. It seemed the Gongsun family had treated Gongsun Xiangyi reasonably well.

This sight eased the worry Ye Jingyu had carried.

“Aunt!” As soon as she stepped inside, Gongsun Lu called out into the room. Her tone carried a thick, noticeable affection. Had Ye Jingyu not known this girl had once plotted to kill Gongsun Xiangyi, he would have believed their bond was incredibly close.

Gongsun Xiangyi lay reclining on a couch, contemplating her impending marriage tomorrow with deep dejection. She hadn't even registered the noise outside until she heard someone call her 'Aunt.' She slowly rose, turning with a look of utter confusion toward the sound, and saw a young girl in a white gauze skirt approaching.

Gongsun Xiangyi wondered inwardly, Who is this? I don't have any acquaintances in the Gongsun family. Could she really have come to see me?

But quickly, her gaze fell upon the figure behind the young girl. When she saw that beautiful face, her entire body went rigid, her eyes filling with disbelief, and within that disbelief, a wave of bewilderment. Surely, I must be dreaming?