Chapter 2 Zhuangzi's Dream (Part Two) Young Master Gu, weak and frail...

Song San raised his eyebrows and pulled his wrist out of Gu Shaoyang's hand: "Young Master Gu, you'd better read less of those supernatural tales."

Gu Shaoyang retorted, "How do you know I haven't seen the Heavenly Secret Seal?"

Moreover, those rumors were not unfounded. The Gu family still has records of the Tianji Sect in their mansion. If Song San tries to fob him off with other excuses, he has plenty of evidence to support his suspicions.

Thinking this, he felt reassured and said confidently, "I saw it this morning; there is indeed a mark on your wrist."

He has excellent eyesight; he shouldn't have made a mistake.

He took a deep breath and said, "Young brother, please save my brother."

Song San was so annoyed he couldn't take it anymore.

The problem is that she had planned to leave Huaidu tomorrow and continue south. This delay will inevitably hinder her progress.

Furthermore, there are rules within the sect, and they cannot turn a blind eye to the victims.

Now that people are begging him, he probably can't keep pretending to be stupid.

Feeling a mix of turmoil and anxiety, she gave a self-deprecating laugh and said, "Tell me in detail what your brother has gone through."

—

Song San was quite worldly, at least that's what she thought.

After listening to Gu Shaoyang's account, she fell into an eerie silence.

"I know it sounds strange to say this, but that's the truth." Gu Shaoyang's gaze was unfocused, as if he were lost in memories. "Ever since my brother returned from Nuanchun Pavilion that day, he has been in a deep sleep and hasn't woken up. We've called a doctor and got a prescription, but we still can't get him to take the medicine..."

Song San raised his hand to interrupt: "What kind of place is Nuanchun Pavilion?"

Gu Shaoyang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but quickly recovered and said, "Nuanchun Pavilion is the largest restaurant in Huaidu."

Song San looked at his ears, which were slowly turning crimson, and said "Oh" thoughtfully.

The drawn-out ending sounded very malicious.

It's common for rich young masters to frequent places of pleasure and debauchery. This young master Gu probably fell victim to something at the Warm Spring Pavilion and was possessed by an evil spirit.

Evil spirits, also known as demons and monsters, are colorless and formless, existing in the world by relying on a kind of "qi".

Those who are upright and healthy will naturally not be afraid of it.

Young Master Gu must be the kind of person who has picked up bad habits and is weak and feeble in yang. He has broken taboos, so who else would evil spirits target if not him?

Thinking this way, Song San felt that this person could still be saved.

She chuckled and said, "Your brother is truly a man of character. Now that you're cured, you must focus on yourself and avoid those filthy places."

Gu Shaoyang remained silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up at him, exclaiming with delight, "You've agreed to save my brother?"

Song San hummed in agreement, pushed himself up to stand, and stretched: "Let's try to save him first."

It's hard to say whether they can be saved.

Having received permission, Gu Shaoyang was overjoyed. Before he could thank him, he suddenly caught a glimpse of Song San reaching for the carriage curtain.

He quickly stood up and asked nervously, "Where are you going?"

Song San sighed, "I'm going back to Qiushui Residence to pack my things."

-

Song San said goodbye to Manager Liu, who stuffed many cakes into her luggage: "Song San, take care."

After this hasty farewell, I fear I will never be able to enjoy Qiushuiju's bamboo leaf cakes again.

Song San patted his bulging bundle, chuckled, and got into the carriage without looking back.

"The shopkeeper treats you very well," Gu Shaoyang commented.

Song San chuckled softly: "Because I'm likable."

Nowadays, it's incredibly difficult to find a waitress like her who doesn't ask for wages.

Inside the carriage, all was in harmony, but Jiang Wu, outside the carriage, was quite dissatisfied and rolled his eyes fiercely.

A glib and smooth-talking person.

The second young master has probably been bewitched by this person.

Bringing such a person of unknown origin into the Gu residence would likely cause trouble if the concubines found out.

Feeling so resentful, they drove the carriage even faster. The snow on the ground did not hinder them at all, and in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they arrived at the gate of a house.

Gu Shaoyang led Song San through the main entrance.

Song San wasn't interested in other people's homes, but along the way, he couldn't help but be dazzled by the pavilions and waterside terraces, and he looked at Gu Shaoyang's back of the head and thought to himself.

This is truly a little white dove living in a treasure land.

After leading the person to a quiet courtyard, Gu Shaoyang slowed his pace and turned to look at Song San: "This is where my brother lives."

A ring of pine and red plum trees was planted in the yard, and they were in full bloom at the moment, with the treetops still covered with snow that had not yet melted, which was very pleasing to the eye. It is clear that the owner of the house has good taste.

Song San followed Gu Shaoyang inside.

Further on, the number of people increased, and in the distance, one could see a young apprentice dressed as a medicine boy pushing open a door and pouring medicine into the snow. The rest were servants who were busy serving tea and water.

Upon seeing Gu Shaoyang and the others approach, they bowed and greeted them, "Second Young Master."

The crowd parted to make way.

Desperate to save his brother, Gu Shaoyang led Song San into the half-open room and headed straight for the bed.

Seeing this, Song San felt as if she were a royal physician. However, she didn't have a medicine chest with her, only a few pieces of cake.

"Quickly, make some room." Gu Shaoyang led the way, and the servants around him wisely retreated behind the screen. Song San peeked out from the side to look ahead.

The golden-red bed curtains partially concealed the sleeping face beneath.

Song San was surprised: "Young Master Gu is really asleep?"

Gu Shaoyang quickly grabbed her and led her to the head of the bed: "Do you see any evil aura about your brother?"

Song Sanyu rolled up his sleeves: "Let me take a closer look."

But before she could make a move, a commotion broke out outside.

"My poor son—" The woman's wailing blew in from nowhere, sounding like the kind of noise one would hear when there is a funeral in the house.

Song San dared not continue, and stared blankly at Gu Shaoyang.

Then he saw the other person frown and mutter to himself in annoyance, "Here we go again."

Who's here again? Song San didn't understand.

She wisely took a step forward and, before the man arrived, neatly hid behind Gu Shaoyang.

The woman arrived in a large entourage of maids and servants. Upon seeing the two people by the bed, she covered her face and cried, "Shaoyang, why are you tormenting your brother again?"

Gu Shaoyang said coldly, "Mother, I am trying to save my brother."

The woman immediately stopped crying and opened her almond-shaped eyes wide: "Who did you ask to save us this time?"

She glanced around the room, her gaze sharp as a knife as it landed on Song San, then her face contorted with disgust. "Where did you pick up this beggar child from!"

Hey, this guy!

Song San, having failed to feign death and being attacked for his appearance, couldn't help but retort, "You're the beggar, your whole family are beggars."

Then the woman rushed over and blocked the bed: "Let's see who dares to lay a hand on my son today!"

Gu Shaoyang remained silent for a moment, then said helplessly, "Mother, don't let outsiders see this embarrassing situation."

Having said that, he turned to Jiang Wu and instructed, "Go and invite Father over."

These words struck a nerve with the woman, who glared at Gu Shaoyang with hatred: "Why did you invite your father here? To see how you torture your brother?"

Gu Shaoyang remained silent.

What other way can we torture him? His brother is already like this, are we just going to wait for him to breathe his last?

He was unwilling to say these things to Wang.

She wasn't his or his brother's biological mother; she was merely a hypocrite. How could she genuinely hope for her brother's awakening...?

Jiang Wu acted quickly, and soon the Gu family patriarch arrived with his entourage. Song San took a deep breath and couldn't help but marvel at how large the Gu family's eldest son's house was.

What a pretentious person.

After another round of heated debate, Wang finally backed down, covered her face, and ran out the door.

After this ordeal, Song San was somewhat discouraged. She glanced at Master Gu, then at Gu Shaoyang, and asked, "Should I still save him?"

Although Master Gu was not satisfied with Madam Wang's actions, he was also not entirely at ease with this young man who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He said seriously, "Shao Yang, you must not treat this as a joke."

Gu Shaoyang replied without changing his expression, "One hundred taels of silver."

He looked at Song San and, under the other's shocked gaze, promised, "If you are cured, I will give you a hundred taels of silver."

They didn't mention this when they came.

Suddenly, Song San felt as if a golden door had opened in front of her, and a little white dove sitting on a pile of snowflakes was waving its wings at her.

One hundred taels of silver, a full one hundred taels of silver.

A bamboo leaf cake only costs five coins.

How many cakes could that buy for her?

Unexpectedly, Gu Shaoyang, who had been provoked, was so generous. Song San tried to suppress his smile, shook his sleeves, and stepped forward briskly: "No problem, no problem, I will do my best."

And seeing that she still found the tattered sleeves in the way, she simply rolled them up a few times, revealing half of her wrist, Master Gu's gaze narrowed slightly, and then he seemed to freeze in place.

Could this be the golden seal possessed only by sorcerers of the Heavenly Mystery Sect?

He looked at Gu Shaoyang in surprise, and when he met those dark eyes, he instantly understood seven or eight parts of the situation.

Therefore, he stopped saying anything and looked at Song San with a hint of unspoken tension.

This was the first time he had ever met a sorcerer from the Heavenly Mystery Sect.

But after a moment, his curiosity died down.

The young man grasped his eldest son's hand and, as if examining a fortune teller, ran his fingers over his hand inch by inch, from fingertips to the base of his palm. Finally, he shook his head and muttered, "I can't see clearly..."

"What can't the immortal see?" he couldn't help but ask.

Song San moved to another spot, bent down and touched down along the neck, and said, "Don't call me an immortal, it's too much of a compliment."

Seeing his strange behavior, Master Gu didn't know what to say. His mind wasn't on the form of address either, so he casually said, "I hope you can tell me your name, young master."

Song San finally saw the dark line between his neck and collarbone, and then withdrew his hand with satisfaction, standing up: "The patriarch should address me as Song Bailiang."

This is why they don't want to reveal their real name.

Master Gu chuckled and said, "Yes, young man, one hundred taels."

Gu Shaoyang stood to one side, his expression complex.

Wasn't his name Song San? Why did he change it to Song Bailiang?

The hundred taels seems to be related to the hundred taels of silver he promised, but what about the "three"?

Gu Shaoyang was completely baffled.

“Young Master Gu was indeed approached by evil spirits.” Song San frowned slightly as he made this judgment.

Things are a bit tricky.

Gu Shaoyang asked, "What's wrong? Is it serious? Is there any hope?"

Master Gu also asked, "Will my son wake up?"

Song San stared intently at the man on the bed and said, "He has been sleeping for too long. In a little while, he may not be able to distinguish between reality and illusion."

The two members of the Gu family didn't understand, and both looked puzzled.

Song San continued, "Let me see for myself what this evil spirit looks like."