Pushed into the pit of fire

Qingyun was tall and striking, with a beauty that was far from ordinary. Standing before Gu Fei, she reached up to twist a loose strand of hair near her ear, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief as she spoke lightly. “Miss Fei, shouldn’t you be the one who knows best? You have quite the capable helper at your side—not only can he send horses into a frenzy without harming anyone, but even the most stubborn of physicians can be persuaded by him. Tsk. But truth be told, Miss Gu isn’t so innocent herself, is she? Even your own fiancé was not spared, used as a pawn in your schemes. Thanks to you, Qingyun has enjoyed quite the spectacle today.”

Gu Fei’s eyes darkened. Indeed, those embroiled in the situation were often blind, while bystanders saw everything with clarity. These people seemed to understand every thread of her machinations.

She rubbed the red jade fox pendant in her hand until it was warm with her touch, her tone flat and unruffled. “Yet I am still no match for your skills, Qingyun. You managed to enlist the infamous Doctor Nine, who was willing to forsake his medical ethics and spin a tale of falsehoods.”

No one knew better than Gu Fei whether Gu Wanting could bear children. Perhaps her elder sister had used improper medicines during her monthly cycle, but it was far from the dire, irreversible state that was claimed.

She had merely wanted to frighten Gu Wanting a little and, at the same time, sow seeds of doubt in Mo Yuhua’s mind. Even if another physician examined her in days to come and reached a different conclusion, the suspicion would linger like a splinter in Mo Yuhua’s heart. When the time came for further schemes, it would be easy to shatter the bond between them.

No man in this world would dare gamble with the question of his own heirs.

She had given Gu Wanting a chance—in the bamboo grove, her questions had been blunt and clear, but Gu Wanting had refused her without a hint of regret.

As for Mo Yuhua, even the bond of ten years’ affection could not outweigh the memory of his father, Mo Yan, and the role he had played in the tragic death of her own parents. Whenever she recalled this, any hesitation in her heart vanished, and she struck without mercy.

If blame was to be laid, then it was simply because he too bore the surname Mo.

“Miss Fei, you flatter me.” Qingyun’s gentle laugh pulled Gu Fei from her thoughts. As she pushed the wheelchair to send Gu Fei back, she continued, “I could never compel Doctor Nine to intervene. It was only on your account that he agreed to bend his principles and hide the truth, turning black into white for your sake.”

Listening to her words, Gu Fei was reminded of Doctor Nine’s talk of marriage. She gave a cold, dismissive laugh; she could not summon the slightest fondness for the man. She might not know his true intentions, but to her, when beauty and romance became entangled with interests and calculations, it was something she had always despised.

Scheming and bargaining, the open contest of wit and will—these things she accepted. But to drag love into such calculations, to sully it so, seemed to her the practice of only those who lacked confidence in their own abilities, resorting to the basest of means.

Perhaps sensing her distaste for Doctor Nine, Qingyun hesitated as she looked at the crown of Gu Fei’s head before finally adding, “Doctor Nine is not fond of words. He rarely bothers to explain his actions. As for his abrupt proposal, aside from his interest in your injury, it was also to clear your name of Gu Wanting’s accusations. With Doctor Nine’s mark upon you, no one in Yizhou would dare speak ill of you again.”

No sooner had she spoken than Qingyun regretted it. Gu Fei was nothing if not suspicious and astute; by explaining, she had only made herself more suspect.

Indeed, Gu Fei gave a chilly laugh. “You certainly go to great lengths to defend Doctor Nine, Qingyun…”

Qingyun’s heart gave a nervous jolt; she could not help but sense a threat in those words.

“As the steward, you must be well aware of your own position. Such defense cannot simply be because you harbor feelings for Doctor Nine. If it is not that…” Gu Fei tilted her head, looking up at Qingyun from below, her gaze unwavering. “Then perhaps you would tell me—what is the relationship between Doctor Nine and your master, the Fox King of your Pavilion?”

Qingyun forced a laugh, vexed with herself. She had not expected Gu Fei to be so clever and difficult. “Miss Fei, you overthink. As far as I know, the master is called Nine simply because he is ninth in his family. As for the rules of our Linlang Pavilion, whoever becomes master is always addressed as ‘Fox King,’ hence the title ‘Nine Fox King.’ As for Doctor Nine, I have only heard that he suffered misfortune as a child and was discovered by the Pavilion, who supported him until he earned his reputation as the eccentric physician. Why he is called Nine, I do not know.”

How much Gu Fei believed of this explanation was known only to herself.

As they spoke, they reached the rooms where Gu Wanting was resting. Qingyun fell silent, but as they neared the door, she bent down and whispered into Gu Fei’s ear, “Doctor Nine asked me to tell you—the incense on your clothes is most pleasant.”

At those words, Gu Fei’s expression turned grave, though she quickly regained her composure and nodded to Qingyun.

“Are you all right, Fifth Sister?” Gu Rou had been waiting at the door, watching for Gu Fei’s return. Only after Qingyun had left did she come forward to push the wheelchair.

Gu Fei shook her head. “I’m fine, thank you for your concern, Third Sister.”

Then she asked, “How is Eldest Sister?”

Gu Rou’s delicate brows furrowed and her face took on a bitter cast. “Young Master Feng has gone to fetch medicine. Brother Yuhua and Second Sister are still inside watching over her.”

Glancing around to ensure they were alone, she turned to Gu Fei and asked quietly, “Fifth Sister, now that Eldest Sister’s health is in such jeopardy, surely this will affect the marriage alliance between our family and the Mo family. Brother Yuhua cares deeply for Eldest Sister. No matter who objects, he will insist on marrying her. But for the sake of his lineage, the Mo family will never allow him to marry only her…”

At this point, Gu Rou fell silent, her dewy eyes searching Gu Fei’s face as if seeking something.

Yet Gu Fei feigned ignorance, responding blandly, “Third Sister, isn’t it normal for a man to have several wives and concubines? Even if Eldest Sister recovers, Brother Yuhua will surely marry others in the future.”

Gu Rou shook her head, frustrated by Gu Fei’s apparent naivety. “That’s not the point. Any future wives would be mere concubines, never his principal wife.”

Suddenly, she bit her lip and looked Gu Fei straight in the eye. “Fifth Sister, it seems to me that Brother Yuhua treats you a little differently. Tell me honestly—do you have feelings for him?”

Inwardly, Gu Fei scoffed. Gu Rou, always quick to protect herself, had not hesitated to push her into the fray. Outwardly, her tone was calm and unruffled. “Third Sister, whatever makes you say that?”

There was not a hint of surprise on her face, much less embarrassment.

A flicker of sharpness passed through Gu Rou’s eyes as she lowered her lashes, masking her thoughts as she took Gu Fei’s hand. “Fifth Sister, we are of one blood. Let me speak plainly. If Eldest Sister cannot recover, our family would never simply abandon this alliance. The only solution would be for another of us sisters to marry into the Mo family as well. In time, should there be children, they would be raised under Eldest Sister’s name, and no one would dare gossip.”

“That sounds like a wonderful arrangement, Third Sister,” Gu Fei replied smoothly, wanting to see how far Gu Rou would carry her act. “To marry alongside Eldest Sister, with the children as a bond, life would surely be easier. Besides, Brother Yuhua is a good man. You would be the most suitable choice.”

She spoke the truth. There had once been a third branch to the Gu family, and among the daughters there should have been a Fourth Sister, but Gu Fei had never met her, nor had her nurse found any information. If two daughters were to marry together, Madame Cui would never allow Gu Wanxiu to be a mere concubine, and Gu Fei herself, being crippled, would hardly be accepted by the Mo family. That left only Gu Rou.

A flush of embarrassment crossed Gu Rou’s face as she sighed gently. “Fifth Sister, I… I already have someone in my heart. I will marry no one else in this life.”

Gu Fei was genuinely surprised; she had not expected Gu Rou to use this as her excuse.

“And you, Fifth Sister…” Gu Rou glanced with pity at her legs. “It would be a blessing if you found someone who would not mind your condition, but I fear Aunt Cui will not tolerate you much longer. At best, you’ll be sent to fill a widower’s house as a secondary wife, or else you’ll be left to a life of solitude and worship. You are still so young—how could you endure that?”

Though Gu Fei felt little, Gu Rou’s eyes had already reddened, as if Gu Fei were drowning in misery.

“But if you were to marry alongside Eldest Sister into the Mo family, that would be different. As you said, Brother Yuhua is a good man, and with Eldest Sister’s protection, you would surely be granted the status of equal wife, always attended and cared for.” At last, Gu Rou spoke her true mind. “I only want what’s best for you, Fifth Sister. Don’t miss this opportunity. If you find happiness, it will comfort me as well.”

At these words, Gu Fei unobtrusively withdrew her hand from Gu Rou’s grasp, her smile fading. Her eyes, dark as obsidian, grew cold and inscrutable as she looked at Gu Rou and said, “You jest, Third Sister. An equal wife? Do you really think Aunt Cui would allow anyone to stand alongside Eldest Sister as her equal? At best, such a person would be a favored concubine. So…”

She paused, her cool fingertips brushing Gu Rou’s cheek. “Third Sister, you are pushing your little sister straight into the fire.”