"Still thinking?"
She had been lost in thought the entire journey. Feng Wuxi pulled on the reins and drew closer, a playful glint in his eyes.
He had seen Yun Shu in Jiangzhou, and the group of people they had just passed were heading in the direction they came from. It wasn't difficult to guess their intentions.
He glanced at the Gu master following behind, mouthing words to Feng Yinwan.
[Looks like your ex-husband is quite popular.]
Feng Yinwan was still pondering Yun Shu's unusual behavior and the Gu master's strange demeanor. Hearing his words, she flicked her gaze at him, cracked her whip, and sped up.
They had not stopped all night, and by the time they returned to Wuxi Pavilion, it was already noon the next day.
Without delay, Feng Wuxi dismounted and was about to head towards Yingyue Pond.
"Wait."
His sleeve was tugged, and Feng Wuxi turned to look at her, puzzled.
"What is it?"
Feng Yinwan glanced at the Gu master still trailing behind them, then pulled him a little to the side.
"Where did you find this person?"
The matter of Gu witchcraft was the most difficult to guard against. If it wasn't someone trustworthy, one could not easily let them get close to Feng Yuli.
Sensing her wariness, Feng Wuxi raised an eyebrow and straightened his posture slightly.
"Are you worried about that?"
"I don't know if I'm being overly suspicious, but at the inn, the Gu master looked at Yun Shu with an expression that didn't seem like that of a stranger."
The glance was fleeting, and she wasn't sure if she had seen it clearly. There was a subtle, unnameable meaning to it.
Feng Wuxi's expression turned serious. He glanced at the Gu master waiting quietly to the side and began to explain.
"This Gu master has quite a background. He sought me out himself for this trip to remove the Gu from Li'er, but he had conditions."
Feng Yinwan frowned. "What conditions?"
He looked at her and smiled mysteriously.
"Kill Ye Tinglan."
Feng Yinwan:?
"Didn't you already reach an agreement?"
Although they hadn't seen any Han Jia Tie Qi soldiers at the foot of the mountain when they returned, based on his reaction at the hunter's house yesterday, he and Ye Tinglan shouldn't have fallen out yet.
So, what was he up to now?
He hooked his lips and threw her that classic line.
"There are no permanent friends, only eternal interests."
So, he intended to use one person, then the other, and then discard them, using the discarded pieces as coffin boards.
Feng Yinwan was stunned for a moment, then sincerely sighed.
"You are indeed the most cunning dog."
Feng Wuxi took this as a compliment.
"Don't worry, I'm here to watch. He wouldn't dare act rashly."
Even so, this scoundrel used the excuse of "it's more reassuring with you here" to drag her along.
Feng Yinwan had intended to go back and rest, but she had no choice but to accompany them.
They had returned in time; Feng Yueli's Wu Wang Gu was still a few days away from becoming an adult worm.
The Gu master took a look and said, "Pavilion Master Feng, your sister is not in danger. With the Ling Jiang Grass, the Gu worm can be removed today."
He hadn't spoken a word during the journey, but now his voice was clear and precise, like that of a native Central Plains person.
Feng Wuxi nodded. "Then please, proceed quickly."
The sooner the Gu worm was removed, the more at ease he would feel.
The Gu master nodded, took the Ling Jiang Grass, and then looked at him again.
"Pavilion Master Feng, I hope you will keep your promise."
Feng Wuxi nodded solemnly. "Please rest assured, sir. The doors of my Wuxi Pavilion are always open to you."
His tone was that of a sly, calculating old fox.
The Gu master didn't beat around the bush. After receiving his affirmation, he began his work. A celestial herb transformed in his fingertips into myriad shapes, eventually becoming a mass of green liquid.
Medicine and Gu witchcraft were different disciplines, and even Feng Yinwan was amazed watching him.
When the Gu worm was removed, it was already a shriveled, empty shell.
The Gu master collected it in a small white porcelain bottle and then stood up.
"Done."
It was as if it was all over.
Feng Yinwan and Feng Wuxi exchanged a glance and stepped forward to feel Feng Yueli's pulse. After a moment, they nodded.
Everything was normal, with no abnormalities. In fact, the blood and qi that had been slowly depleted were recovering at a visible rate.
Feng Wuxi's worried heart settled.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Most of the residences in the manor were already occupied. Only a courtyard next to Feng Yinwan's was vacant, and the Gu master was assigned there.
Feng Wuxi escorted both of them back. Before he could say a few more words, someone came to call him away.
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow and was about to return to her courtyard when she turned and met the Gu master's meaningful gaze again.
Confirming he was looking at her, Feng Yinwan's eyes narrowed slightly, and she smiled.
"What are you looking at?"
Faced with her direct question, the Gu master showed no sign of surprise. His gaze shifted, and he turned away as if nothing had happened.
"Yu Che."
That must be his name.
He was a man of few words. After uttering this, he strode into the courtyard.
Feng Yinwan's doubts grew. She frowned and watched for a moment before also stepping into her courtyard.
This Gu master was inexplicably strange.