The night was deep.
Black Mountain Stronghold, Fortune and Misfortune Manor.
Guo Ziyang was brewing tea in the sitting room, while Guo Ziyu and Guo Songyang sat in the two chairs flanking the seat of honor.
Guo Ziyu cradled her teacup, silent and thoughtful, while Guo Songyang puffed on his dry tobacco pipe.
The sitting room was quiet, the atmosphere heavy.
Guo Songyang was the first to speak. "He's the Chen family boy that Li Yuanlong went to visit?"
Guo Ziyu lowered her head slightly and spoke in a hoarse voice. "Yes. There's something wrong with Li Yuanlong."
Guo Ziyang was taken aback. "Elder Sister, what's wrong with Incense Master Li?"
Guo Ziyu said, "Back then, the Chen family's eldest young master heard a ghost story at Spring Breeze Tower and came down with Mad Demon Disease. He died just a few days later. After that, the Chen family's Second Young Master, Chen Mo, didn't believe in ghosts and secretly went to Spring Breeze Tower to hear the story too. He caught Mad Demon Disease as well. I was there at the time. I saw Chen Mo. There was no way he could have survived."
Guo Ziyang was baffled. "But didn't Daoist Priest Li perform a ritual for Chen Mo later? That meant he'd received the Empress's blessing. It makes sense that Chen Mo recovered, doesn't it?"
Guo Ziyu shook her head. "Those few days... were special. Goddess Hong Deng couldn't have bestowed a blessing."
Guo Ziyang didn't understand. He was about to ask for details, but Guo Songyang cut him off with a shout. "Don't ask so many questions. Go heat some bathwater."
Guo Ziyang was displeased, but in the end he didn't dare defy his father. He gave an "Oh" and left.
In the spacious sitting room, only