The Arch-Enemy Must Not Become a Wife

Chapter 293: Chapter 154: The Foolish Child

"Shut up!" An elder of the Gu family roared in fury, appearing in front of Duanmu Qing in a flash, intending to silence him permanently!

The people from the Daoist Palace were about to intervene, even Yao Yufei, who was secretly observing from the shadows, was ready to make a move. However, they were too late, as they saw the elder, with a realm as high as the sixth, suddenly retreat step by step, his face flushed red.

On the other side, Primordial Monarch Taixu expressionlessly extended his right hand, gently flicking his white jade-like fingers, as if manipulating an invisible puppet by strings, forcing the elder to sit back down obediently and listen to Qingqing finish speaking.

This scene left the guests in awe, deservedly so for a presence at the "Realm of Approaching Immortality." Such a feat is much more difficult than simply killing someone. This person dared to misbehave in front of the Monarch, truly out of his mind.

Meanwhile, they became even more certain that Duanmu Qing could truly hear the thoughts of others, and everything she said was true!

Their gazes, when turned towards the monks from the Purple Chimes, became mocking and sarcastic.

But they did not understand why the Gu family’s investigation into the whereabouts of the demon, which was a righteous act, was something they feared being discovered.

Qingqing was initially startled, but upon receiving an encouraging glance from Primordial Monarch Taixu, she steadied herself and continued:

"This family, based on specific conditions, screened many suspicious targets. Chu Xuan, the newly emerging young genius, was considered one of the suspects by them."

"As a result, from the beginning, knowing that Gu Haitang had an opportunity to go to the Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace, the family assigned her a task to secretly investigate Chu Xuan..."

Qingqing’s pace of speech was neither fast nor slow, and she continued to listen to Gu Haitang’s thoughts. Particularly, the more she spoke of these matters, the more Haitang couldn’t help but think about them.

The more she thought, the clearer these secrets became to Qingqing—a vicious circle.

"Chu Xuan, you probably remember how Gu Haitang was very close to you when you first met."

"In reality, she was observing you, observing your appearance, your personality, your habits, your Daoist skills, your speech, your attire..."

"In short, Gu Haitang faithfully fulfilled her mission, reporting your situation back to their family."

Chu Xuan’s pupils narrowed slightly, and he looked at Haitang with even more disbelief.

The guests were stunned to hear this. If it was true, wouldn’t it be a conspiracy and betrayal? If Gu Haitang could pass information to her family today, she could stab Chu Xuan in the back tomorrow.

"No! I didn’t!" Gu Haitang finally couldn’t help but burst into tears.

She loudly defended herself: "To the family, I always dealt with them perfunctorily and never leaked your secrets."

"Chu Xuan, believe me, trust me, I never intended to harm you." Gu Haitang, with teary eyes, tightly grasped Chu Xuan’s hand, looking at him pleadingly.

Chu Xuan remained expressionless and silent, even the slight emotion he had shown earlier was withdrawn, his gaze colder than ancient ice, standing motionless.

"I can testify to that," spoke another, more composed, elder of the Gu family.

"Haitang indeed values you greatly. After visiting the Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace, she only sent back the words ’no anomalies’, for which she was criticized by us."

Gu Haitang nodded repeatedly, looking at Chu Xuan with hopeful eyes.

Chu Xuan, however, did not look at her, only turning his gaze to Qingqing.

Qingqing did not comment on whether the elder’s words were true or false, but merely sneered: "And then you sent Gu Haitang to get close to Chu Xuan for the second time."

"Indeed, on our way to the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Gu Haitang didn’t encounter us by chance, she was assigned by her family on purpose to be near you and investigate you."

In Chu Xuan’s previously lifeless eyes, a hint of despair finally emerged.

At this moment, he felt as if his heart was bleeding.

Gu Haitang shook her head frantically, crying painfully: "No, it wasn’t like that, Chu Xuan, listen to me explain!"

Even that elder was rendered speechless, for it was indeed the truth.

Qingqing pressed on, pointing at the bride and shouting:

"Gu Haitang! You deceived, concealed, and even harbored ulterior motives, approaching Chu Xuan with an agenda from the beginning."

"You claim you never leaked Chu Xuan’s intelligence to the family?"

"Fine, let me ask you."

"During our travels, didn’t we do everything possible to get Chu Xuan to open his heart to us?"

"Chu Xuan, trusting us, told us about his experiences before joining the Daoist Palace. What did he say in the end?"

"’You must keep this a secret for me in the future, tell no one.’"

"But you? You told the family all about how Chu Xuan was once apprenticed to Primordial Monarch Taixu! Do you still dare to claim innocence, that you did not betray him?!"

Qingqing had already inquired about Chu Xuan’s opinion in secret, only daring to reveal this point because of his approval, without fear of him disliking her for it.

This declaration left everyone astonished again. Although they had long suspected, the reality felt different when confirmed.

Gu Haitang was already sobbing uncontrollably: "It wasn’t, it wasn’t like that, it was merely to prove to the elders that you had a clean background that I said those things."

"Moreover, I didn’t disclose it in detail, merely mentioned that the Monarch had accepted you as a disciple, a fact outsiders had long speculated. I didn’t betray you..."

Qingqing, with her arms crossed, continued: "Furthermore, there’s something else, though this isn’t something I learned through reading Gu Haitang’s mind."