She knew that person must have saved her life! Therefore, she couldn't let him down!

"Cui Hua, you silly girl!" Cui Lan chided upon seeing her act.

"Hehe, Master, Miss, who is this?" Cui Hua asked, blinking innocently.

"Oh, this is the grandson of the Grand General, Gu Yunke!"

"The Grand General's grandson?" Cui Hua exclaimed. "Is he *the* Gu Yunke, the child prodigy?"

"Yes."

"Then, isn't he..."

"Oh?" Cui Lan was startled for a moment before she reacted. "Cui Hua, it seems you've heard of him before?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Hua's face flushed, and she lowered her head. "No, not at all," she said softly.

Seeing this, Cui Lan didn't press the matter. She just smiled lightly and said, "Yunke, let me introduce you. This is my daughter, Cui Hua. Why don't you two get acquainted?"

"Are you the one who wreaked havoc in the Imperial Palace and injured me?"

Cui Hua was stunned for a moment, then asked in pleasant surprise, "You… you recognize me?"

Gu Yunke nodded. "That's right. You're my good-for-nothing sister."

"So it really is you, Gu Yunke," Cui Hua said. "I wasn't sure who it was!"

"Hmph, you dare talk back to me?" Gu Yunke sneered.

Upon hearing his words, Cui Hua was so frightened that she shivered.

"No, no, no! I didn't, I would never!" she hastily explained.

"Oh, really?"

"I recall you leading a group of guards, storming the Imperial Palace, and defeating all of my men," Gu Yunke said, looking directly at Cui Lan and enunciating each word. "Tell me, how will you compensate me for my losses?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Lan was alarmed. "Gu Yunke, don't you dare make false accusations!"

"False accusations?" Gu Yunke scoffed. "Am I falsely accusing you? That day, I was in the Imperial Study Room discussing matters of national security with His Majesty when you suddenly barged in, interrupting our conversation! I know you hate me and want revenge, so you deliberately brought people to assassinate me!"

As he spoke, Gu Yunke pulled a memorial from his sleeve and handed it to Cui Lan. "This is my report to the Emperor. I have already submitted the details of your crime for trespassing in the Dragon Prestige Hall!"

"You..." Cui Lan was so agitated that she trembled.

"Gu Yunke, you're spouting vicious lies!"

"Is that so? We'll see if I'm lying. I trust His Majesty will investigate and uncover the truth."

"Hmph!" Cui Lan snorted heavily. "Gu Yunke, you needn't worry about this affair. I will explain it to His Majesty myself!"

With that, Cui Lan turned and left the hall.

Watching Cui Lan's retreating figure, Gu Yunke's eyes glinted. I'd like to see how she explains this.

"Miss, the Master asked you to prepare to properly entertain the young master!"

"Yes," Cui Hua nodded. "I'll go get ready right away."

"Please, Miss Cui Hua."

「」

"Miss, the Master said he'll be staying at our Cui Xiang Tower tonight," Cui Yu stepped forward and said softly.

Upon hearing this, Cui Hua's expression stiffened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Alright, I understand."

With that, Cui Hua turned and left the room, heading toward the back courtyard.

"Miss Cui Yu, why did you bring her here?" Gu Yunke frowned upon seeing them. "Don't tell me you intend to send her to that old codger to serve him?"

"Reporting to the Master, this servant is unaware of the young lady's background," Cui Yu quickly bowed. "But since the Master is considering taking a concubine, perhaps you could take her in!"

"She is my own sister! And you want me to take an enemy spy as a concubine for the Gu family?" Gu Yunke scoffed.

"But Master, her martial arts are exceptionally high. If you don't secure her soon, I fear there will be endless trouble!" Cui Yu urged.

"Hmph, no matter how powerful she is, can she be more formidable than the Emperor's guards? Besides, even if she is that skilled, can she really stand against the power of the entire capital? I'd like to see just how much trouble she can cause. What's more, I've long heard that the Gu family possesses a secret manual, the legendary Phoenix Nine Transformations. I was lamenting my inability to practice it, and now she delivers herself to my doorstep. How could I possibly refuse?"

"So, you agree?" Cui Yu asked, sighing in relief.

"Yes, not only do I agree, but Father agrees as well," Gu Yunke said. "Don't worry. After I capture her, I'll find a good match for you."

"Thank you, Master!"

「」

After arriving in the back courtyard, Cui Hua instructed the maids to fetch water for a bath.

Once she was done bathing, she lay on the bed in her nightclothes.

"Oh, Sister Cui Hua, you're finally back!"

Just as Cui Hua was resting, she heard a sweet girl's voice from outside. Cui Hua opened her eyes and saw a rather pretty young maid standing in the courtyard holding a tray. Seeing this maid, Cui Hua's heart sank. "Cui Lian, how did you get in here?"

"The Master ordered me to bring new clothes and several sets of jewelry for you, Sister Cui Hua," Cui Lian said with a sweet smile.

"How did you know I was here?"

"I heard that you had come here, Sister Cui Hua, so I came to see you. You look so beautiful!"

"Alright, you can go for now. I'll call you if I need you," Cui Hua said, waving her hand to dismiss Cui Lian.

Cui Lian obediently acknowledged the dismissal and left.

Cui Hua watched Cui Lian's retreating figure, her brow furrowed in thought. Hmph, Gu Yunke, you must be behind this!

"Cui Lian… Cui Lian…"

"Cui Yu, Cui Lian, what's wrong?"

"AHHH…"

Just as Cui Yu returned to her room to change, she was struck by a splitting headache. She clutched her head, crouching on the ground and moaning in pain. Large beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

"Damn it!" she said through clenched teeth. "Is it happening again?"

Thinking this, she quickly pulled the covers over her head, trying desperately to ignore the pain.

"Cui Lian, Cui Lian, wake up?"

At that moment, Cui Hua heard someone calling from outside the door. She slowly got up and walked over. "What is it?"

"Cui Hua, come quickly! Your personal maid, Cui Lian, has collapsed and is unconscious!"

"What?" Cui Hua exclaimed. "How could this happen? How were you watching her?"

She rushed to Cui Lian's side and shook her a few times. "Cui Lian! Cui Lian! Wake up!"

However, no matter how hard Cui Hua shook her, Cui Lian showed no reaction; even her breathing was growing weaker.

"How could this happen? How could she fall ill so suddenly?" Seeing this, Cui Hua grew panicked. Could it be... has Cui Lian contracted that strange illness too?

With that thought, she quickly got up and ran to the pavilion in the courtyard.

The pavilion was furnished with a stone table and benches. Sitting on one of the benches was an older woman.

Seeing Cui Hua approach, the woman was slightly taken aback. "Cui Hua, what is it? And how is Cui Lian?"

"Mother, Cui Lian suddenly fainted, and she's still unconscious! I don't know what's wrong with her!"

"What?"

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