CHAPTER 160: CHAPTER 160: ILLUSION OR REALITY (6)_1

She was covered in blood, crying and shouting as she took out her medicine, desperate to save her family. She couldn’t watch him die, but suddenly, a group of people charged in. They seized her and dragged her into the pitch-black night...

In the midst of her sleep, Shangguan You jolted awake, gasping for air, cold sweat streaming down her forehead. The scene had been too realistic, so real that it scared her. She had watched helplessly as her loved ones fell before her one by one. She wanted to save them, but her space allowed no one else to enter.

She had stood in front of them, yet she was powerless to stop what was happening. Who were those people in black, and why did they want to capture me?

The already unresolved issues in her heart now had a few more knots, and Shangguan You felt increasingly confused. Such a premonition happened once before, linking my fate with that of Ye San Shao. Now this premonition has resurfaced, she thought, and the unease in her heart surged once again.

She plunged into the Spring Water, allowing it to wash away her anxiety gradually until she was completely drenched. Then she leaped out, gasping for breath, calming the fear in her heart.

Whether what I just saw was real or fake, I will not allow anything to happen to the people I care about. Now it is my duty to protect them, to guard the ones I cherish.

That night, she stayed within her space, relentlessly cultivating her Spiritual Energy. Only at dawn did she emerge. I need to know who is in charge of the upcoming banquet and who is responsible for safety. I won’t allow any incidents to occur.

Sometimes, when you don’t wish to see someone, they always find a way to appear before you. But when you do want to see them, they’re nowhere to be found. Shangguan You truly understood this principle now.

Ye San Shao, that persistent fellow, was the one Shangguan You wanted to find but couldn’t. And when she least wanted to encounter him, there he was, consistently materializing before her. At this moment, Shangguan You deeply believed this.

From Shangguan Qing, she learned that the Luo Family from Beijing was in charge of the banquet’s security. They were an influential family with a history of government service, much like her own. The head of the Luo Family was the Minister of Security, responsible for overseeing all safety measures for banquets hosted by government departments.

All day, Shangguan You found no opportunity to slip away. Just as dawn broke, Shangguan Rou arrived at her door and followed her everywhere she went. When Shangguan Hao pulled Shangguan You into the study, Shangguan Rou followed suit. Shangguan Rou clung to Shangguan You like a persistent plaster.

For the first time, Shangguan You detested someone so thoroughly. Her freedom, her time—another woman was monitoring everything. Even if she went to the bathroom, that exasperating Shangguan Rou would wait outside the door, sticking to her like a shadow, embodying Li Wanying’s instructions to perfection.

"Shangguan Rou, step out for a moment. I have a few words to say to You’er alone," Shangguan Hao said, his resolute face carrying indisputable authority. He wanted Shangguan Rou to stop following Shangguan You everywhere.

"Yes, Little Sister, please don’t keep following me. I want to talk with Father. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him," Shangguan You also urged her to leave, in a manner that would have been quite embarrassing for anyone else.

But they had clearly overestimated Shangguan Rou’s thick skin. She paid no mind to their disdainful glances or words and instead moved even closer, affectionately taking Shangguan You’s arm.

"Father, Rourou is also your daughter. I too haven’t seen you in a long time, Father. I have many things I want to say to you. Father, Sister, please don’t send Rourou away. Rourou will just sit here and listen to you talk. Rourou promises not to interrupt, alright?" Shangguan Rou’s shamelessness left them speechless.

She truly found a spot to sit and remained silent, but she listened intently to every word they said, even memorizing their facial expressions.

Shangguan Hao had thought it over all night; there were endless things he wanted to say to Shangguan You. However, with Shangguan Rou present, the words he wanted to speak were stuck in his throat.

Shangguan You had countless questions to ask as well. With Shangguan Rou there listening and watching, she repressed all her questions. She didn’t even bring out the Medicinal Pills she intended to give to Shangguan Hao. My talismans are powerful, but I don’t want to reveal them in front of Father, she thought.

Father has been in a high position for a long time; he should be very clear about many things. I don’t want to expose myself because of Shangguan Rou. I won’t let others know about my abilities unless absolutely necessary. I don’t want to become a subject of others’ research, a target of their attention, nor do I want to put my family in danger. Besides, government affairs have nothing to do with me, and I don’t want to get involved. Therefore, even my family must not know about my abilities.

Shangguan Qing shook his head. Fortunately, Shangguan Rou was only visiting temporarily and not staying long-term. Otherwise, he believed not only You’er but he himself would collapse. Shangguan Rou acted as if she didn’t notice Shangguan Hao’s furious demeanor and daunting aura, leaving them with no recourse.

Throughout the day, Shangguan You kept company with Shangguan Hao and Shangguan Qing, the three of them chatting easily. They talked about amusing incidents from Shangguan Hao’s military units, sparking a bit of curiosity in Shangguan You. I’m suddenly looking forward to experiencing life in the military, she thought. Not only can I get to know Father better, but I can also train myself.

Shangguan You also brought out the gifts she had purchased for them the previous day. She also gave a set each to Li Wanying and Shangguan Rou.

This year’s pre-New Year banquet wasn’t just a gathering of Beijing’s influential and powerful; it also included high-ranking officials from various regions—equivalent to an official government New Year’s Eve dinner. Attendees were high officials and the wealthy, including prominent figures from Beijing. Those with higher positions would make a later appearance. Important figures from noble families like the Shangguan and Yu Families usually made their entrance last. As for the younger generation like Shangguan Qing, they naturally needed to attend earlier.

Because of the scene she had suddenly witnessed in her sleep, whether real or imagined, Shangguan You insisted on arriving at the venue early with Shangguan Qing. Hence, they drove to the banquet ahead of time. Shangguan Rou had originally planned to join them but was persuaded by Li Wanying to make a high-profile entrance with the Shangguan Family to highlight her own status. So, Shangguan Rou stayed behind, preparing to arrive last with Shangguan Zhi and the others.