Chapter 69: Falling for a Beautiful Lie (1)
Meanwhile.
Gu Qingzhou wandered aimlessly through the streets, looking like a homeless vagabond.
Yesterday's and today's events had shaken him deeply.
He didn't want to return to the Ye residence and face those judgmental stares.
But where else could he go?
Perhaps… he should go home and visit his aunt, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
With his destination decided, he made his way there.
However, as he turned a corner, he accidentally bumped into someone.
The slender figure stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Gu Qingzhou quickly bowed in apology.
But as he lifted his head, he froze.
These familiar eyes… he had seen them before, not long ago.
Last night, on the pleasure boat!
Memories surged through his mind, and he immediately recognized the woman before him.
The musician from the boat—the one with the sorrowful, haunting melody!
Today, she still wore a light veil over her face, but her attire was much more modest and reserved.
Her enticing figure was now concealed by plain clothing, covering most of her allure.
Because of this, despite her beauty, no one on the street dared approach her casually.
After confirming her identity, Gu Qingzhou stood in place, utterly stunned.
Was this fate?
A fateful reunion between the outcast son-in-law and the songstress—the gears of destiny had begun to turn.
The woman remained silent, simply standing there.
She wasn't particularly tall, exuding an air of youthful innocence.
Yet, despite her delicate frame, her figure had developed in all the right places.
Standing there, she possessed an inexplicable charm.
"Miss, it seems we crossed paths last night," Gu Qingzhou finally spoke after a moment of hesitation.
"Yes… I could tell that you were the only one who truly understood my music."
Her voice was soft and sorrowful, carrying a melancholic tone that was undeniably captivating.
If one listened closely, they could hear the faintest trace of sorrow in her words.
"Ah… A beauty like you, yet bound by such cruel fate…"
Gu Qingzhou sighed deeply.
Pure-hearted men often shared a peculiar hobby—either convincing fallen women to change their ways or dragging virtuous women into the abyss.
But Gu Qingzhou genuinely pitied her and couldn't bear to see her trapped in such a life.
"I… I have no other choice…"
The woman hesitated before softly recounting her tragic story.
She had lost her father at the age of three, living with her mother ever since—a life already filled with hardships.
But recently, her mother had succumbed to illness, leaving her utterly alone.
In desperation, she had sold herself to afford a proper burial, catching the eye of the brothel's madam and landing in her current predicament.
Her voice trembled as she spoke, her frailty and helplessness vividly on display.
She looked like an innocent girl next door—someone who invoked deep sympathy.
Gu Qingzhou was deeply moved by her plight, standing in silent contemplation.
"What else can I do in such a situation? Unless… brother, are you willing to save me?"
She gazed at him, her eyes filled with desperate hope.
"I…"
Gu Qingzhou was momentarily speechless.
He wanted to buy her freedom, but there was one major problem—he had no money!
As a mere son-in-law with no standing, how could he possibly compete with the rich and powerful?
The woman lowered her head, and for a brief moment, a trace of contempt flashed in her eyes.
She shook her head slightly and turned away, walking forward with a seemingly dejected posture.
Gu Qingzhou watched her departing figure, his mind in turmoil.
She didn't deserve this fate!
He could already imagine what awaited her when she officially started performing—an inescapable abyss from which there was no return!
Though he had no means to help her, there was someone who did!
A determined glint flashed in Gu Qingzhou's eyes.
If it meant saving her, then begging Su Qing once more would be worth it!
---
As the songstress disappeared from view, the sorrow in her expression vanished entirely.
Her previously despondent steps became light and carefree.
Playing with a loose strand of hair, her eyes glimmered with amusement.
How easy.
Men like him always fell for this act—it took no effort at all to manipulate them.
She chuckled softly, recalling the expression on Gu Qingzhou's face just moments ago.
The helplessness, the longing—it was almost too easy.
Gone was the pitiful damsel. In her place stood a cunning player of fate.
To her, Gu Qingzhou was not a kindred spirit, but merely a pawn in her game.
Naïve fools like him were destined to be used until they were of no further value.
Oh, but to call him a fool might be too generous.
Men were all disgusting creatures, full of their own ulterior motives.
If she were ugly and undesirable, would he have shown the same kindness?
Ridiculous.
This was the man that Ye Xueyi had chosen as her husband?
Just watching him be so easily manipulated was enough to make her laugh for a century!
Yet…
The amusement in her eyes faded, replaced by doubt.
Was the information her sect had given her truly accurate?
Could someone like Gu Qingzhou really be linked to that legendary figure—the one who once defied the entire demonic sect?
No matter how she looked at him, he seemed utterly unremarkable.
And could he really be in possession of one of the Seven Great Secrets?
He was nothing more than a spineless weakling.
If not for the reputation of her sect's intelligence network, she would have gone back and demanded an explanation.
A sense of irritation welled within her.
How much time would be wasted playing this game? Wouldn't it be easier to simply capture and interrogate him?
But this was the capital—her enemies had yet to realize she was here.
Making any reckless moves would only alert them.
She had to move cautiously.
Besides, her mission had another target.
If the Demonic Sect wanted to ally with the Empress, they couldn't afford unnecessary trouble here.
The key to everything lay with the Empress's favored subject—Su Qing!
Last night, she had subtly planted a mental suggestion in Gu Qingzhou's mind through her music.
Today's meeting had only deepened that influence.
Soon enough, he would beg Su Qing for help—even if it meant offering up his own wife.
She could hardly wait to see the expression on that self-righteous woman's face when the truth came to light.
A sinister glint flashed in her eyes.
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