What a pitiable little thing.

“I know,” You Hu spoke up from the side. His porcelain-pale face wore a look of leisurely ease; his slanted brows, narrow phoenix eyes, and gently upturned lips—untainted yet rosy—formed an alluring curve. “I know who will attend the Ink Merchants’ Grand Gathering in Yizhou this September.”

Gu Fei was taken aback, her movement of setting down the teacup slowed as she turned to look at You Hu. “You know?”

You Hu nodded with a smile, his gaze flickering meaningfully at Feng Lizhi. “Have you forgotten?” he said. “I once told you that with enough silver, I can buy any news there is.”

At this, Feng Lizhi let out a derisive laugh, clearly dismissing You Hu as nothing more than an arrogant braggart. He flicked the crease on his robe with disdain and sneered, “Ah Fei, your scholar really has some nerve. Such ability is unheard of.”

A frown gathered between Gu Fei’s brows; Feng Lizhi’s mocking tone irked her. No matter what, You Hu was still her person at this moment. Aside from being petty and vengeful, she had another trait: she was fiercely protective of her own.

Her smile faded. “Whatever the truth, let him speak and we’ll know,” she replied, her tone leaving no doubt she was defending him.

Feng Lizhi gave her a long, meaningful look, but it was You Hu who suddenly laughed. His beauty was androgynous, the glow of jade upon his porcelain skin, his long phoenix eyes tinged with the pink of peach blossoms, the plump, upturned lips inviting as a drop of nectar.

His smile was like a sudden bloom of pear blossoms overnight—vast and resplendent.

“In truth, even if you hadn’t asked, I would have reported this to you in a few days. But since you asked now, I will tell you everything in detail.” As he spoke, he showed no trace of a servant’s deference, but instead seated himself across from Feng Lizhi. “The Ink Merchants’ Grand Gathering in Yizhou this September will draw esteemed guests from the capital, as always, thanks to the presence of Master Feng Puyu in Yizhou. This year, however, it so happens that all the great ink-making families of the capital will send someone. The most renowned among them is the eldest son of the Mo family, Mo Geyi.”

As his words fell, You Hu fixed Gu Fei with an unblinking gaze, a dark light flickering in his eyes.

The eldest son of the Mo family in the capital—Mo Geyi!

Mo Geyi!

The name echoed in Gu Fei’s ears, resounding endlessly.

Feng Lizhi’s eyes shone when he heard this. He leaned forward, his expression aglow, “Is that really true?”

Strangely, You Hu ignored him, his slanted brows knitting as he gazed deeply at Gu Fei, as if trying to see into the depths of her pitch-black pupils. “It’s said that Mo Geyi’s close friend, Young Master Le Qingbo of the Yunli Kingdom’s brush-making family, will also come!”

Le Qingbo!

Gu Fei’s face turned pale. Her eyes flew wide in disbelief as she stared at You Hu. Beneath her long sleeves, her hands clutched the armrest of her wheelchair tightly, her frail body trembling uncontrollably. A fierce, despairing aura emanated from her, so intense even Feng Lizhi noticed.

“Ah Fei?” Feng Lizhi called uncertainly.

You Hu rose abruptly, his eyes fixed only on Gu Fei as he issued his order. “My lady is unwell. Young Master Feng, please take your leave.”

Feng Lizhi glared at You Hu in displeasure, stood, and approached Gu Fei. “Ah Fei—”

You Hu stepped forward and blocked him, his voice icy with every word. “Young Master Feng, please leave!”

“And what are you supposed to be? Get out of my way!” Feng Lizhi snapped, flinging his sleeve in anger.

Despite You Hu’s usual sickly appearance, not even Feng Lizhi’s push made him budge. “You Er, see the guest out!”

At his words, a towering, dark-skinned man strode in, his voice booming like thunder, “Young Master Feng, this way please!”

Feng Lizhi tried to resist, but You Hu gave him no chance. “Throw him out!” he ordered.

His patience had reached its end. You Hu was furious now. You Er grinned, and with a sweep of his large hand, picked Feng Lizhi up as easily as a chick.

Feng Lizhi could not break free. His face flushed with anger as he shouted, “You scoundrel, let me go!”

Only when Feng Lizhi was gone did You Hu turn back. In that instant, shadows deepened across his face as he walked step by step to the head of the room and stood before Gu Fei. She sat before him pale as snow, trembling without cease, cold sweat soaking through her clothes. A sigh slipped from his lips, long and ancient as time.

He reached out, letting his fingers glide through the loose dark hair at the nape of her neck. The cool strands were as smooth and soft as the finest silk. “Such a pitiful thing…”

A heavy shadow engulfed him, and in that moment, his expression was unreadable.

Gu Fei was oblivious, lost in her own torment, unable to free herself. Agonizing pain shot through her legs; in that instant, she relived the agony of flesh being flayed from bone.

Mo Geyi, Le Qingbo…

Mo Geyi, Le Qingbo…

Those two names alternated in her mind like a curse. She was trapped in an abyss with no driftwood to cling to; everywhere she looked was darkness. Only the armrest of her wheelchair remained as the last straw keeping her from breaking.

You Hu bent down and gently lifted her into his arms, carrying her slowly and steadily toward her room, as if afraid she might shatter like glass.

In the days that followed, Gu Fei fell ill. The illness struck like a collapsing mountain; she burned with fever and lay unconscious for two days, rambling in delirium and leaving Nurse Ku frantic with worry.

The prescription for her medicine was written by You Hu on his own initiative. He didn’t bother explaining, simply tossed it to Nurse Ku, who took it without question and went to have the medicine prepared.

During this time, Master Gu Zhong came by, bringing with him the seal of the Gu family’s authority, the shop ledgers from recent years, and a heavy ring of keys. You Hu accepted everything on Gu Fei’s behalf, telling Gu Zhong with casual indifference to return home and wait—Gu Fei would resolve the Xiang Mo matter.

In this way, Gu Zhong handed over the family’s power and yielded his position, though it was a pity Gu Fei was not conscious to witness the occasion.

On the third day, Gu Fei awoke. By then, You Hu had already reviewed the Gu family’s shop accounts and reported back the important matters, finally asking what her future plans were.

Still weak from illness, Gu Fei could not handle many things herself. She could only instruct You Hu to investigate everyone in the shops: who were Gu Zhong’s hidden agents, who could be drawn to her side—she wanted a complete accounting.

In truth, You Hu was already doing this without needing her orders. He smiled and told her that in the past few days, Feng Lizhi had come by, and even Mo Yuhua, but he had turned them both away.

Upon hearing this, Gu Fei pondered briefly and instructed someone to send word to Feng Lizhi that she was well. As for Mo Yuhua, she merely sneered and said to invite him in.

You Hu was even more diligent than Nurse Ku, fulfilling Gu Fei’s every request. In just another day, Mo Yuhua arrived at Qing Mo Court.

Gu Fei, frail and wan, sat in her wheelchair, attended by Nightingale, watching the white egrets play in the courtyard. Unexpectedly, she saw Mo Yuhua’s figure. Her gaze flickered, her snow-pale face revealing utter weakness, her entire being devoid of vitality, cloaked in the dusk of old age and decline.

Sure enough, a trace of pity flashed across Mo Yuhua’s features. He strode inside and stopped a yard from Gu Fei, unable to hide his concern. “Ah Fei, what’s happened to you, looking so unwell?”

Gu Fei’s pale lips parted as if to speak, but a fit of coughing overtook her.

Nightingale was about to help steady her, but before her hand reached Gu Fei’s back, a shadow flashed by and she was gently pushed aside. She looked up to see Mo Yuhua bending down, tenderly helping Gu Fei catch her breath. “Have you seen a physician? What is it?”

Gu Fei composed herself, her bloodless face tinged with an unnatural flush. She waved him off, shrinking from his hand. “I’m fine. It’s best, Young Master Mo, if you keep your distance, lest you catch my illness.”

Mo Yuhua paused, withdrew his hand, and stepped back a few paces, his gaze complicated as he looked at her. After a while, he spoke. “Did Gu Zhong hand over the management of the family to you?”

Gu Fei raised her head but did not answer, her small face set with obvious stubbornness.

“Take my advice and return it to Gu Zhong. Don’t get involved,” Mo Yuhua urged. Seeing Gu Fei unmoved, he paced irritably. “It was my father—Gu Zhong’s yielding was orchestrated by my father.”