Chapter 16

📖 CHAPTER 16: THE PRICE OF POWER

A thin layer of mist clung to the Gu Manor grounds as dawn approached, yet the estate was far from peaceful. Servants moved in hushed tones, their eyes glancing toward the main courtyard. Something was shifting in the air—a storm waiting to break.

Gu Qingyan sat at her vanity, carefully combing through her hair. The meeting with Feng Liyan replayed in her mind.

A shadow-walker, a man who dealt in secrets and betrayals, offering his hand to both her and Gu Ruoyun?

She smiled faintly. How amusing.

A knock at her door.

Zhao Yue stepped inside, her expression sharp. "Miss, there's movement in the estate. Gu Ruoyun called for the family council."

Gu Qingyan arched a brow. "She moves fast."

Zhao Yue hesitated. "Miss… I heard something strange."

Gu Qingyan set down her comb. "Speak."

Zhao Yue lowered her voice. "Gu Ruoyun met with someone last night. A man dressed in black."

Gu Qingyan's fingers stilled.

"…So he went to her after leaving me?"

Zhao Yue nodded. "The servants say she looked shaken afterward."

Gu Qingyan smiled coldly.

A man who plays both sides… is a man who plays for himself.

She stood. "Let's go."

If Gu Ruoyun was making her move, she would be ready.

---

📍 The Gu Family Council Hall

The hall was filled with tension, the elders whispering amongst themselves. At the head sat Old Madam Gu, her expression unreadable.

Gu Ruoyun stood in the center, her face pale but determined.

"Grandmother," she said, voice laced with grievance, "I must speak on a grave matter."

Old Madam Gu studied her. "Speak."

Gu Ruoyun turned, her eyes landing on Gu Qingyan.

"This concerns my sister."

The hall went silent.

Gu Qingyan lifted a brow but said nothing.

Gu Ruoyun continued, "I have reason to believe she is colluding with dangerous people outside the manor."

A murmur spread through the elders.

Old Madam Gu's eyes darkened. "What proof do you have?"

Gu Ruoyun hesitated—then lifted a folded letter. "This was found in her chambers."

A servant stepped forward, passing the letter to the Old Madam.

The moment Gu Qingyan saw it, she recognized the handwriting.

Feng Liyan.

How… interesting.

Old Madam Gu opened the letter, her sharp gaze scanning the words. Her fingers tightened slightly.

"Yan'er," she said, turning to Gu Qingyan, "Do you have anything to say?"

Gu Qingyan's lips curved. "Should I respond to a mere accusation?"

Gu Ruoyun clenched her fists. "The letter proves everything! You've been meeting with unknown figures in the night—plotting something against the family!"

Gu Qingyan sighed lightly. "Dear sister, if you were going to frame me, at least do it properly."

Ruoyun stiffened. "You—"

Gu Qingyan took a step forward, her gaze calm but piercing.

"If I were truly meeting with dangerous people, would I be foolish enough to leave evidence behind?"

The elders exchanged looks. That… made sense.

Gu Qingyan smiled slightly. "Or perhaps this letter was placed in my chambers by someone else?"

Ruoyun's face paled. "That's—"

Gu Qingyan turned to the Old Madam. "Grandmother, if you wish, I can allow a full search of my belongings. But should we not also search Gu Ruoyun's chambers?"

Ruoyun's breath hitched.

A pause.

Then, Old Madam Gu nodded. "Search both rooms."

A wave of unease passed through the hall.

Ruoyun's nails dug into her palm.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

She had prepared to trap Gu Qingyan—not have the same scrutiny fall on herself!

A servant rushed in moments later, whispering into the Old Madam's ear.

The Old Madam's expression darkened.

"Nothing was found in Qingyan's chambers," she announced.

Ruoyun exhaled sharply, relieved.

"…But in yours, Ruoyun," the Old Madam continued coldly, "a second letter was found."

The color drained from Ruoyun's face.

"What…?"

The Old Madam held up the letter. "One written in the same hand."

The hall erupted into whispers.

Gu Qingyan watched calmly, as if watching a play unfold.

Ruoyun's voice shook. "No! That's not mine! Someone is framing me!"

Oh, the irony.

Gu Qingyan stepped forward, her voice gentle.

"Sister, are you suggesting someone placed evidence in your room?"

Ruoyun snapped her gaze to her.

"…You—!"

Gu Qingyan smiled slightly.

"But wouldn't that mean," she said softly, "that the same could have been done to me?"

Ruoyun's mouth opened—then closed.

She had trapped herself.

The elders whispered amongst themselves, their once-firm suspicions turning against Ruoyun.

Old Madam Gu finally spoke, her voice slow and heavy.

"This matter will be thoroughly investigated. Until then, Ruoyun, you are to remain confined to your quarters."

Ruoyun's eyes widened in horror. "Grandmother, I—!"

The Old Madam raised a hand, silencing her.

"This discussion is over."

Ruoyun's shoulders trembled. She had lost.

And Gu Qingyan?

She simply stepped back, watching it all unfold with quiet amusement.

---

📍 That Night – A Hidden Meeting

Feng Liyan sat on the rooftop of an empty courtyard, watching the stars above.

A shadow appeared beside him.

Gu Qingyan.

"You played me," she said lightly.

Feng Liyan smirked. "You played yourself."

She folded her arms. "Sending the letter to Ruoyun—was that your way of testing us?"

His golden eyes gleamed. "Perhaps."

Gu Qingyan's gaze darkened. "You think this is a game?"

Feng Liyan leaned closer, voice barely above a whisper.

"Everything is a game, Lady Gu."

She exhaled slowly, holding his gaze. "And what is it you truly want?"

His smirk deepened.

"The same thing you do."

Gu Qingyan narrowed her eyes.

"The truth."