Chapter 23: Clinging to Fu Hanning’s Powerful Influence

"I knew it. My mother's death couldn't have been that simple," Gu Yining said, her voice trembling with bitterness. "She was so healthy before she gave birth to me, but afterward, her health deteriorated rapidly. The whole Gu family insisted that I was the cause, calling me a curse."

Her body shivered, and tears welled in her eyes, reflecting the anguish she felt.

"Auntie once told me that Gu Tingyuan would light incense by her bedside every night. He must have been planning this all along. Otherwise, why would he bring Chen Huilan and those two daughters back to the Gu family so quickly? All the formulas for my mother's perfumes fell into his hands, and he used them to build his own empire," Xie Suyun said, her voice laced with regret as she recalled the manipulative power that Gu Tingyuan wielded.

Fearing Gu Yining might break under the weight of the revelation, Xie Suyun pulled her into a comforting embrace.

Wiping away her tears, Gu Yining's beautiful eyes sharpened with a fierce determination. "Mother told me to hide my talents, to live quietly in the Gu family. She wanted me to survive without becoming their target, believing that since I was Gu Tingyuan's biological daughter, he wouldn't be ruthless enough to harm me. But she was too naive. They never planned to let me go."

Her fists clenched tightly, her expression hardening with rage. She knew now that Gu Tingyuan had taken more than her mother's life—he had robbed her of a happy childhood, leaving her with scars that cut deep into her soul.

"Gu Tingyuan is a monster," she muttered, seething with contempt. "He doesn't deserve to be my father."

Now that the truth was out in the open, she could finally confront them without holding back. She swore to herself that she would seek retribution, making them pay for everything her mother had suffered—and for all the pain she had endured.

"Auntie," Gu Yining began, her voice filled with resolve, "I'm not afraid. Whatever it takes, I'll bring them to justice. I won't let them get away with this."

Xie Suyun looked at her niece with sorrow. "Yining, you know I'll always be here for you. But the Gu family's influence in Ling City is vast. Taking them down won't be easy."

Gu Yining met her aunt's gaze, a small, resolute smile tugging at her lips. "I'm different now. I'm not the powerless little girl I used to be."

"Oh? What's different?" Xie Suyun asked, curiosity momentarily overriding her worry.

"Nothing you need to know just yet," Gu Yining replied, her expression shifting. "But I have to go now; it's getting late. You should head home too."

"Take care of yourself, Yining," Xie Suyun said, reluctant to let her niece face danger alone.

"I will."

With that, Gu Yining slipped on her mask and left the office. Her eyes scanned the area as she walked, noting the shadows that continued to follow her. Someone had been tailing her for days now. She had evaded them multiple times, but they persisted. Today, she intended to find out exactly who they were.

Nimble as ever, she ducked into an elevator. One of the men followed, but before the doors could close, Gu Yining acted swiftly, yanking him inside and slamming him to the ground. She twisted his arm, pressing him against the floor with practiced force.

The man didn't resist and even managed a chuckle. "Mercy, my lady."

"Who sent you to follow me?" she demanded, her voice cold and steely.

"Are you... the Ghostly Hands healer?" he asked, seemingly more curious than frightened.

"The Ghostly Hands?" she repeated, feigning ignorance.

It was the alias she used within a clandestine medical alliance. She had to be careful; this wasn't information she could disclose to just anyone.

"It's fine if you're not," he said, probing with a hint of slyness. "Our young master simply wants to meet with this person."

"Your young master?" Gu Yining raised an eyebrow, though her grip on him didn't loosen.

"Fu Hanning," he replied, observing her closely to gauge her reaction.

The mention of Fu Hanning's name caught her off guard. She knew him as her husband, though their relationship was far from conventional. To think that he might suspect her hidden identity intrigued her.

"Fu Hanning? What would he want with the Ghostly Hands?" She let go of the man, straightening her stance but maintaining her wary gaze.

"Our young master has a condition, and he believes the Ghostly Hands healer may be his last hope," the man explained, rubbing his wrist where she had held him.

Gu Yining smirked, a glimmer of irony crossing her face. Fu Hanning, the powerful and stoic man who seemed invulnerable, was desperate enough to seek her out.

She knew this was an opportunity. If she could gain leverage over Fu Hanning, she might finally have the power to bring down the Gu family. Her mind was already working through the possibilities. After all, Fu Hanning's influence was formidable in Ling City, and with his support, toppling the Gu family would be a far simpler task.

She allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. Fu Hanning's support was crucial, and she intended to hold on to it tightly. After all, he might not be aware of it yet, but his 'Ghostly Hands' healer was already closer to him than he realized.

"You tell Fu Hanning," she instructed, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, "that if he really needs help, he should come to me personally."

She stepped out of the elevator, leaving the man behind to convey her message. As she walked away, she knew she was finally taking control of her fate. This time, she was ready to fight back, and with Fu Hanning by her side—even unknowingly—she was more powerful than ever. The Gu family would regret ever crossing her, and she'd ensure that the wrongs done to her mother were avenged.