63. I’m Angry
Sometimes, things were just that coincidental.
Although it had been a long time, Qiu Shui could still recognize her mother’s cooking, especially the pancakes.
Among the strange-looking pastries, there was a Spicy Cry Pancake, a perfect replica of the one from her childhood, the same one her mother, Pei Niang, had given her before they parted.
Identical… the same taste!
Could it be?
Without a word, Miss Gong rushed Qiu Shui to Lan Suqin’s house, where Gong Muzhi was packing to leave.
“Mother, wait!” Gong Yiling held Qiu Shui’s hand, asking urgently, “What else do you know about that maid?”
After a brief conversation, her identity was confirmed.
Also having a daughter she hadn’t seen in years, a rather pretty appearance, and she even mentioned her daughter loved the Spicy Cry Pancakes.
Although they didn’t know her name, with so much evidence, it was practically a certainty.
“So that woman’s daughter is actually Little Qiu Shui?” On the way, Gong Muzhi was still in disbelief. “But Little Qiu Shui’s mother… why is she here?”
Hearing this, Qiu Shui and Gong Yiling froze, exchanging glances.
“Uh…” Gong Yiling, unsure whether to reveal everything, just laughed it off. “There are too many questions. I’ll tell you after I’ve investigated.”
“You’re investigating…?” Gong Muzhi looked at her. “Ling’er, you’re investigating this and that, but what about your dearest mother?”
“Of course not.” Gong Yiling quickly waved her hands. “How could I bother you with such a small matter? What if you get tired? And you still have to help me deal with the Mingjue Sect. Be good, okay?”
Gong Muzhi pouted, scrutinizing her, then shrugged. “Alright. Your people, your business. Mother won’t interfere.”
Gong Yiling sighed in relief. “Thank you, Mother.”
“We’re family. No need to be so polite. And don’t be so polite in the future either, you hear?”
“Yes!”
Watching their interaction, Qiu Shui clutched the half-eaten pancake, a faint smile on her lips.
This scene, she had imagined it countless times, and now… she would finally see her mother.
Of course, her expression was clearly visible to Gong Yiling.
Seeing Qiu Shui so happy, she didn’t mind a few more troubles.
With this in mind, they rushed to the East Courtyard’s instructor dormitories.
Before leaving, Gong Muzhi had told Pei Niang to gather some vegetables from the back mountain after cleaning up, so she could continue her cooking lessons.
At this time, Pei Niang should have already returned.
However, when they arrived, the door was open, but the room was empty.
“No one?” Gong Muzhi entered and glanced at the kitchen, her expression changing. “This is…”
“What’s wrong?” Gong Yiling followed her in and immediately saw that something was wrong.
Freshly picked vegetables were on the wooden table, but some had fallen to the floor, along with a knocked-over chair.
And that wasn’t the most crucial thing. Gong Muzhi walked into the room and picked up a protective talisman from the floor.
She remembered. This was the talisman she had personally given to Pei Niang, just yesterday.
Everything was fine this morning, but now…
Qiu Shui followed them in, puzzled. “Master, Palace Master, my… my mother?”
Although she didn’t know what was happening, seeing their expressions and the disarrayed room, she covered her mouth, looking at Gong Yiling in disbelief.
“Master… did you…?”
She naturally recalled what Gong Yiling had said this morning.
Clearly, someone had come and taken Pei Niang.
“It’s the Yin family.” Gong Yiling’s face was grim. “The person you knocked out, Mother, was probably supposed to take her somewhere, which is why she was unconscious and in a box. Because of your interference, he didn’t succeed.”
“The Yin family was probably testing the effects of a certain Gu on ordinary people. Your mother was a disposable test subject.”
Gong Muzhi raised her hand. “Why would Qiu Shui’s mother be involved with the Yin family?”
Gong Yiling interrupted her firmly. “Don’t get sidetracked.”
Gong Muzhi weakly lowered her hand. “Oh.”
“Although you interrupted their plan, Mother, the Yin family, upon discovering the person they sent didn’t return, would surely come looking. Did you hear anything this morning?”
Gong Muzhi nodded. “Someone passed by the door, but left after hearing us talking inside, without even knocking.”
“They knew a man was supposed to be here. The sound of two women was strange, so they waited until you left, followed her to make sure she didn’t suspect anything, then knocked her out and took her away.”
Gong Muzhi asked, “Why didn’t they take her when she went to the back mountain?”
“Perhaps there’s something in the back mountain they fear. But that’s not the point. The point is, where did the Yin family take her?”
Qiu Shui grabbed Gong Yiling’s wrist, her eyes filled with fear. “What should we do, Master? My mother… my mother…”
“Don’t worry, Qiu Shui.” Gong Yiling held the girl’s hand, her other hand gently stroking her hair. “They didn’t kill her here. They took her away, which means their objective hasn’t changed.”
“Even if it hasn’t, she’s safe for now.”
“But we don’t even know… where they went. Should we ask Wen Qiyin?”
“She’s useless. The Yin family’s matter isn’t directly related to her.” Gong Yiling shook her head, then sighed with a chuckle. “But I have a way.”
“You have a way, daughter?”
Gong Yiling released Qiu Shui’s hand, took out a talisman and her anti-mother weapon from her Universe Ring.
Then, with a determined expression, she slammed a palm against her own chest, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
“Master?”
“Ling’er?”
“I’m fine.” Gong Yiling looked at the pen, now stained with her blood, a crimson glint in her eyes.
Yes, she was angry.
They had prevented Qiu Shui from reuniting with her mother, and they had taken her away.
Well then, let them see… what they had provoked!
