Chapter 77 was overlooked.
Countdown 12 days
The old man's attic was renovated again, even restored to its previous messy state, only it was no longer dark.
The attic was filled with wooden boxes and netting of all sizes. Standing inside, you could hear insects crawling and all sorts of other sounds.
Whoosh, squeak, wah wah, clatter...
Just listening to their sounds, you can feel how lively they are. If you put them outside, they'd all be worthy of being called insect captains. And these things didn't exist before; their usefulness is self-evident.
Song Jin wasn't usually afraid of these things, but the thought of them being used on her mother sent chills down her spine.
She looked at the old man fiddling with the medicine and asked, "Does it really have to be like this? My mother seems to be doing quite well now, and this medicine is quite effective. Why don't we just let her take the medicine?"
Although it only treats the symptoms, not the root cause, taking medicine is far safer than practicing Gu poison to address the underlying problem.
Upon hearing this, the old man, who was preparing the medicine, paused, his face gradually darkening—a sign of his impending joy.
He laughed heartily: "Good, good, good, it has to be you! You have ideas and solutions!"
Song Jin asked in surprise, "Is that feasible?"
"Feasible, feasible!" Boss Insect laughed out loud, then his expression changed instantly. "Feasible my ass! If it could really make someone drink for a lifetime, why did I say it was rare before?"
Once every three days, maintaining this for a month is already the limit. Any longer, and it'll drain you dry!
They say even tigers don't eat their cubs, but on the other hand, tsk tsk, these little tiger cubs are still ruthless and don't recognize their own family.
The old man added what looked like a jumble of random things to his hands, and after a final stir, a bowl of medicine even more concentrated than before was produced.
He sneered, "Not to mention how rare the medicinal ingredients are, it's only been half a month, and the amount of medicine needed each time keeps increasing. If this continues, your mother won't be able to finish all the medicine needed each time, even if she dies. Just stick to practicing Gu. If there were any other methods, do you think I wouldn't know how to use them?"
Song Jin became depressed and muttered, "If it's not going to work, it's not going to work. Why be so fierce?"
Chong Lao:......
That's what you call vicious; this person was a murderer before.
He couldn't be bothered to argue with this unreasonable wild girl, so he handed the medicine to Niu Tielan: "Drink it. You still have four more doses left after this one. Whether it's good or bad, you won't have a chance to drink it then."
Song Jin shouted, "There's no bad, only good!"
Old Insect: "I can't guarantee that. If you really want everything to be foolproof, you should go back sooner rather than later. Take it one day at a time and avoid this suffering. It would also save me from all this trouble."
Song Jinnao
"Jin Jin"
Niu Tielan stopped her. In comparison, she, the person involved, was much calmer throughout, though it couldn't be called calm; she simply had no choice.
No matter how dangerous it is, she can't just give up in front of her own daughter, can she?
She escaped from the girls' garden not to wait for death.
and
Niu Tielan looked at the bowl of dark, black medicine in front of him, pinched his nose, and gulped it down.
The medicine still smelled awful; the moment you put it in your mouth, you felt an overwhelming urge to vomit. It was hard to describe exactly what it tasted like, but the metallic taste of blood was noticeably stronger than before.
Niu Tielan held her breath and drank it down in one gulp, feeling as if she had just died. After drinking it, her face was completely bloodless, deathly pale. But in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the color returned, and her face regained its rosy glow, visibly better than before.
Song Jin couldn't tell if she was happy or sad. The medicine was good, but it looked very potent, clearly intended to be a strong medicine for the later Gu-training process. She could only imagine the pain she would suffer later.
Thinking of all the suffering her mother had endured over the years, she wanted to tear the person who had cast the curse to pieces.
But it's hard to find. Not only has more than ten years passed, but the world is so vast and diverse; those who engage in witchcraft can easily hide in any forest and live a carefree life.
Song Jin had previously suspected the Liang family, who were connected to Lingnan, but considering the timeline and the fact that her mother had escaped to the Jiangnan region, it couldn't possibly be the Liang family.
As for the local prominent families in Jiangnan, there are countless of them, and with collusion from other places, without a definite direction, it would be impossible to find them.
Only after her mother recovers will she be able to visit the girls' garden again.
She took Huanghuang on a half-month journey through the mountains, and within a month, she was certain she would find the park, though it might still exist.
We can't rush things now.
Suppressing his eagerness, Song Jin asked again, "Hey, old man, tell me about your Gu clan, right? Isn't it said that this Red Thread Gu is one of the ten ancient insects of Lingnan, and not many people should know how to use it? Can you tell who planted it?"
The old insect glanced at her but didn't refuse to answer. After all, the practice of Gu poison was imminent, and it was always good to know more.
"Compared to outsiders, our Gu clan isn't many, but those who don't live past a hundred are considered short-lived, and over the years, there are tens of thousands of them. There aren't many people who have fully mastered the Ten Great Gu, only ten, but there are nearly a hundred who can master one or two of the Ten Great Gu. Even if they can't master the Red Thread Gu, they have no problem casting Gu. How do you tell me how to find them?"
As the old insect spoke, he revealed a sarcastic smile: "Instead of thinking about the person who casts the Gu, you should look at the person behind the scenes. Our Gu clan is indifferent to worldly affairs; once we enter the world, we are merely tools."
Some people just don't believe in superstition and insist that they can do something. They don't even realize that someone who plays with insects all day can't compare to those who manipulate people's hearts all day long.
Song Jin understood this principle, but without news, there was nothing she could do.
Thinking of something she hadn't had a chance to ask before, she inquired, "Speaking of which, how did you and Prime Minister Song meet? I've heard that Prime Minister Song's biological mother was from your Gu clan. Do you know anything about that?"
Old Liu's face turned green upon hearing this, and he said in a flustered and angry tone, "You're going to die! You brat, who told you to say such things? If word gets out, you'll lose your life, but I still want mine!"
If the matter of Song Shang's biological father was a universally acknowledged taboo in the capital, then his mother was the most taboo of all, and no one was allowed to mention her.
Song Jin naturally knew this, so she never told anyone else. Weren't there only the three of them there?
Looking at the old man's panicked appearance, she was puzzled: "There are no outsiders here, is there any need to be so afraid? Besides, he's been missing for so many months, who knows if he's even gone now?"
Old Insect: "Pah, pah, pah! Children speak without thinking. Do you know that evil deeds can last a thousand years? Let alone the fact that this matter is not settled until the body is found, even after the body is found..."
Song Jin raised an eyebrow: "What, you can fake that too?"
That's certainly possible.
But Elder Chong couldn't say too much.
"Anyway, let's not talk about this if we can avoid it. What's there to say about him? Haven't we heard enough about it outside? You don't need to feel sorry for him just because he took advantage of the Song family. No matter how bad the outside talk is, he did those things. That's just the kind of person he is."
He glossed over the point vaguely: "There's nothing to say about the opposite; you can't say it while you're alive, and there's even less need to say it after you're dead."
Niu Tielan sat on the small couch, his right hand covering his chest, listening quietly with his eyes down. Suddenly, he asked, "Then tell me something you can talk about? What do the Gu clan usually do before they are born?"
Niu Tielan speaks softly and is always very polite. She's also an unlucky patient; aside from spoiling her children excessively, she has no other problems.
The old insect elder had no objection to her and didn't think much of it, saying, "Actually, it's similar to the outside world, except that every member of the Gu clan starts learning to recognize, raise, and practice Gu from the age of two. It's similar to learning medicine; the Gu clan uses Gu insects for treatment..."
Just from what I hear, the Gu tribe also knows how to read and write, eat, drink, and have fun, and they are self-sufficient, building houses and farming...
It's just that ordinary people live a different life, with the addition of learning Gu poison, but they don't have to pay taxes, and they're pretty much like outsiders.
But you can only listen to it, nothing more.
Normal families wouldn't arrest their young children for running away with strangers, subjecting them to a gruesome death or even unimaginable torment, nor would they resort to such cruel and cruel methods.
The elder continued, "The Gu clan is different from here. Gu clan members follow their mothers; women are more feminine and easier to raise Gu than men. Oh, right, we don't have a marriage system. If we like someone, we get together; if we don't, we separate. Children take their mother's surname."
Song Jin interjected, "Won't this cause confusion among siblings over time? If we don't respect seniority and the blood ties are too close, won't the children be more prone to problems?"
Although the Dayan Dynasty did not emphasize the importance of three or four generations as much as later dynasties, marriage between the second generation and the third generation was absolutely forbidden. It didn't matter if they were cousins or distant relatives; as long as their parents were related, marriage between the first and second generation was prohibited.
The Elder Insect gave her an approving look and nodded: "That's right. That's why the Gu Clan underwent a major transformation six hundred years ago, giving birth to the Living Gu. By using the Living Gu to control someone, even if you don't like them, you can still have outstanding children without having sex. Over the years, outstanding individuals have emerged in the Gu Clan."
However, it is precisely because of this that rebellious individuals have emerged.
Song Jin was dumbfounded. This was just like a test tube!
This approach seems like a good thing, but even siblings born of the same parents have their share of favoritism, let alone disputes over a beloved person and a superior offspring.
Some people like it, but there are definitely others who don't.
Song Jin suddenly looked up: "Could the Red Thread Gu have been created because of this?"
The old insect remained silent, but his expression said it all.
Sure enough, Song Jin clenched her fists.
Children born from Gu (a type of insect) are naturally exceptional, but due to their different birth circumstances, they receive less love from their parents and bear a heavy responsibility in raising Gu.
It was certainly alright at first, but year after year...
No wonder the Gu scourge broke out in Lingnan that year.
Niu Tielan listened quietly, then frowned and asked, "You mean, the Gu clan can control childbirth?"
The Elder Insect sighed, "The Life-Giving Gu, the number one Gu of the Ten Gu of Lingnan, seems good, but it has also sealed the future of the Gu clan. Ever since the Life-Giving Gu came into existence, neither men nor women of the Gu clan have been allowed to give birth without it, and thus, no child can be born."
However, it is difficult to breed gu, and the human body is limited; both men and women can only use two gu.
Hearing this, Niu Tielan was filled with a myriad of thoughts, her mind a jumbled mess.
Elder Chong also paused for a moment. This topic was far too heavy for him, after all, the Gu clan was now practically extinct; even if some remained, their lineage was gone.
He sighed softly, glossing over the topic, intending to say something more interesting. He said, "Our Gu clan is divided into ten surnames, each named after the sound of an insect."
Hearing this, Song Jin became interested, her eyes widened slightly, and she imitated it with her mouth: "Squeak?"
A smile flashed in the old insect's eyes: "Yes, the third clan is the Squeaky Clan, but it's the one with the eight mouths."
Song Jin exclaimed "Wow!" and continued, "And the buzzing?"
The old insect nodded: "The seventh clan, Weng."
Song Jin: "Tch tch"
Elder Insect: "The Ninth Clan, begs."
Song Jin: "Gaga"
Old Insect: "We don't have that."
...
There are countless insects in the world, each with its own unique call. Even the same species of insect can make different calls at different times, resulting in a wide variety of surnames.
Song Jin used to roam freely in the mountains, where he had the most contact with insects, snakes, birds, and beasts. In no time, he had imitated a whole host of sounds.
The two of them started guessing back and forth.
At times like these, she perfectly embodies the image of a fifteen-year-old girl: bright eyes, white teeth, lively and cheerful.
Niu Tielan still remembered those two years at the Song family. Although Song Jin was born lively and curious about everything, she was still an ordinary mischievous child, unlike the seemingly unreasonable girl she was now. She was there to protect them so that their lives could proceed smoothly.
Ultimately, it was because she, as the mother, was in poor health and unable to take care of the child.
A pang of sadness gripped Niu Tielan's heart, and she softly asked, "Is Qu also like this?"
The old man, who was talking to Song Jin, paused, his eyes filled with melancholy and longing. As he spoke, his expression became more solemn.
"The First Clan, Qu"
...
The mother and daughter stayed upstairs for an unusually long time, and were unusually silent when they came downstairs.
The Gu Clan truly manages to exceed their expectations time and time again.
The mother and daughter walked downstairs in silence.
Song Jin suddenly took Niu Tielan's hand, breaking the awkward silence. She smiled brightly and said, "Mother, the Gu Clan is so miraculous, you will definitely get better."
Looking at the radiant smile on her face, Niu Tielan's worries and self-blame gradually dissipated. She nodded and whispered, "Things will definitely get better. Mother still wants to see you get married and have children."
Song Jin's eyes darted around: "You mean that Gu poison? Ouch, Mom, don't pinch me!"
Niu Tielan glared at her: "Because I'm thinking about all this nonsense, I'll beat you to death!"
Song Jin pursed her lips and muttered, "Two children aren't that many."
Niu Tielan pinched her ear in annoyance.
Is this a problem involving one or two children? This Gu poison sounds good, but who can guarantee the consequences? The Gu clan fell because of this stuff; who can predict the long-term effects?
Who knows, it might contain something that could drive someone crazy.
Niu Tielan said seriously, "Whether you get married or have children is your business, I won't force you, but having a Gu worm is unacceptable."
Song Jin tried to appease her: "I was just saying."
Niu Tielan then released her ear, gave a soft hum, and continued down the path with her arm around the person.
However, this distraction did lighten the heaviness in her heart, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.
Her daughter is the greatest treasure of her life.
...
The mother and daughter chatted as they descended the stairs and walked out into the corridor. There, in what should have been an empty corridor, stood a young man in white, a smile playing on his lips, his phoenix eyes bright and clear, his presence as radiant as a moonlit landscape.
Niu Tielan remained silent.
Song Jin's expression immediately changed. She narrowed her eyes and sneered, "Speak, what's your excuse this time? Are you here to clean the backyard, or to catch mice?"
Qu Maoze chuckled lightly, speaking frankly: "I specifically waited for you this time. You come every three days, and I figured today was the perfect day."
Damn it, he doesn't play by the rules at all. Song Jin gets annoyed just looking at him.
Although this person hasn't done or said anything particularly outrageous lately—the most outrageous thing he did was slap him on the head and snatch his mother away that day—even in the past, he could be considered a victim, so he couldn't be blamed.
But it's just so annoying.
The mother and daughter have relied on each other for many years, living happily together, and they don't need this one more person.
Song Jin really wanted to grab her mother and leave, but that was just a thought.
She does have a bad temper, and is often domineering, disobedient, and disrespectful. But Niu Tielan is no ordinary person; she's her mother, not some ignorant child.
Song Jin moved her lips slightly, silently cursing Qu Maoze a few times, and then fell silent.
Niu Tielan didn't notice her subtle details. Looking at Qu Maoze who suddenly appeared, she thought of their previous encounters.
This person pretended to have amnesia and went to the capital, appearing and disappearing mysteriously every day, getting involved in everything: dojos, martial arts schools, clinics, academies, horse farms...
He must have had ulterior motives.
But even so, he still went to great lengths to follow him back and forth.
Niu Tielan lowered her eyes, concealing the complexity within them, and whispered, "Go outside and watch your monkeys."
Song Jin: "Huh?"
She's been so considerate, and instead of praising her, her mother wants to kick her out?
No, it's not about favoring sons over daughters.
Song Jin pouted: "What's so interesting about monkeys? Is there anything about you that I can't hear or see?"
Oh, there really is.
Then she was even more unhappy, because of her beautiful mother...
Niu Tielan could tell from Song Jin's darting eyes what she was thinking, and her cheeks instantly flushed red. Embarrassed, she slapped her across the face.
"Go watch your monkey, you brat!"
Song Jin pouted and reluctantly dragged her feet outside. When she reached Qu Maoze's side, she lifted her foot...
Qu Maoze subtly took a step forward, a smile playing on his lips: "Don't be angry, I'll play with you in a bit."
Play with him? What a load of crap, who wants to play with him anyway?
Song Jin glared fiercely at the person, grumbling as she left the backyard, lingering until she disappeared around the corner, leaving the two of them alone.
Qu Maoze couldn't help but chuckle softly: "I never imagined my daughter would have this kind of personality."
Niu Tielan was annoyed: "What's wrong with her like this?"
Qu Maoze said softly, "Okay, this is good, but I thought it would be like you."
Niu Tielan didn't speak. She turned to look at the trees in the yard, and after a while said, "What's so good about being like me?"
What was her personality like at the beginning? She can't even remember, but it certainly wasn't like this now.
Qu Maoze slowly walked to her side, stood beside her, and together they looked at the trees in the yard that were gradually turning yellow.
His eyes softened, and his voice was gentle: "I misspoke. Jinjin's personality is quite similar to yours—resilient, fearless, frank, and forgiving."
They're all equally gullible.
See? Only a few days have passed, and she has already let go of her resentment and forgotten her hatred for him.
Qu Maoze didn't know whether to be happy or helpless.
Niu Tielan turned her head, her almond-shaped eyes clear and bright, with a slight red tinge at the corners, which, combined with her flushed face, made her look delicate, charming, and utterly captivating.
Qu Maoze's eyes flickered slightly. Thinking back to that day at the horse farm, he suddenly felt that there was nothing wrong with this situation. He reached out his left hand and gently stroked her slightly cool chin, then slowly lowered his head.
Niu Tielan didn't dodge; she gently grasped his wrist, tightening her grip slightly, like a clingy cat, tickling him intensely.
Qu Maoze could smell her delicate fragrance, and if he listened carefully, he could hear her suddenly increased heartbeat, feel her nervousness, and touch her soft skin...
That's been such a long, long time since I've felt that way.
He really wasn't a good person.
This has always been the case.
But so what? In this world, good people can't always get by.
Qu Maoze's eyes were deep and unfathomable, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. The hand stroking his chin tightened as he moved closer, their warm breaths mingling, their lips lightly touching.
A sudden sharp pain in my wrist
He abruptly stepped back, staring in astonishment at Niu Tielan, who was gripping his right hand: "You..."
Niu Tielan gripped his wrist tightly; a red mark was particularly noticeable on his once flawless, jade-white wrist.
She stared intently at the wound, her eyes red and her breathing rapid: "What is this?"
Qu Maoze had no choice but to bear the burden.
I was careless.
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