Beneath the Surface

Song Chuzhao was sweating profusely from playing cuju, but she had chased him all over the field and still hadn’t managed to snatch the ball from Fu Changjun. ...

That night, Madam He was sound asleep when someone shook her awake. Master He’s large face appeared before her, his brow furrowed in misery, his expression utterly wretched. ...

Duke Gu applied the medicine, meticulously, as if he were carrying out some important official duty. Madam Gu also watched intently from the side. The two of them stood at attention, their posture making Gu Fengjian feel a touch of warmth amidst his helplessness. ...

Gu Fengjian stood with his head bowed, Duke Gu staring at him unblinkingly. ...

Song Chuzhao had not yet approached when the servant at the door announced with delight, “Third Miss, you’re back!” ...

When the three returned to the mountaintop, Song Shiwen had also been found. A guard led her to sit on the empty ground in front of the house. She looked haggard, appearing even more disheveled than Song Chuzhao and the others. ...

Song Chuzhao sat up, her mind a hazy blur. She reached out and touched the earthen wall in front of her, then saw the sparse sunlight filtering through the leaves overhead. She immediately understood that Gu Fengjian had fallen into the pit. ...

Gu Fengjian did not walk quickly, for he needed to observe the traces along the roadside. After he had walked some distance, he heard the sound of hurried footsteps chasing after him. ...

Song Shiwen was agonizing over how to find Song Chuzhao when, unexpectedly, an opportunity presented itself. ...

As expected, Gu Fengjian’s passionate scolding at the restaurant spread like wildfire. ...