The Villainess Reborn With A 999x Cheat System

📖 CHAPTER 10: THE PUPPET AND THE PUPPETEER

The halls of Gu Manor buzzed with hushed whispers. Servants glanced over their shoulders, their steps quickening as they passed Gu Qingyan's courtyard. Fear was beginning to spread.

A servant had died.

The second young miss had been summoned in the middle of the night.

And yet, she had returned completely unharmed.

What did that mean?

Gu Qingyan sat at her desk, slowly twirling a calligraphy brush between her fingers. The ink on the paper before her had long since dried, the characters bold and sharp.

A single word.

Checkmate.

Her lips curled slightly.

Whoever had tried to trap her had made one fatal mistake.

They underestimated her.

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📍 Gu Ruoyun's Courtyard

Gu Ruoyun paced, her nails digging into her palms. "Why isn't she reacting?"

The maid beside her lowered her head. "Miss, perhaps she doesn't know we were behind it."

Gu Ruoyun slammed her hand against the table. "She knows."

She had to know.

And yet, instead of running, instead of panicking—Gu Qingyan did nothing.

Gu Ruoyun gritted her teeth. Was she mocking her?

A soft chuckle sounded from the corner of the room.

She turned sharply, her eyes narrowing. "You again."

The man in black robes stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You seem troubled."

Gu Ruoyun crossed her arms. "Your plan didn't work."

The man tilted his head. "Did it not?"

She hesitated.

He smirked. "You wanted to shake her. To make her uneasy. But tell me, Lady Ruoyun…" His golden eyes gleamed. "Who is the one losing their composure right now?"

Gu Ruoyun's jaw clenched.

The man stepped closer, his voice lowering. "If you want to win, you must stop playing by her rules."

She stiffened. "What do you mean?"

The man reached into his sleeve, pulling out a thin parchment. "It's time to change the board entirely."

She took it, unfolding it carefully. Her eyes widened. "This—"

A slow smile curled his lips. "Your father still thinks of her as family, does he not?"

Gu Ruoyun's grip tightened.

If her father got involved…

Gu Qingyan wouldn't be able to remain so calm anymore.

For the first time that night, she smiled.

Let's see how long you can keep that mask on, Gu Qingyan.

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📍 Gu Qingyan's Courtyard

Ying Yue rushed in, her face pale. "Miss—trouble is coming."

Gu Qingyan didn't look up. "What now?"

Ying Yue hesitated. "The Master has returned."

Gu Qingyan's brush paused mid-stroke.

Gu Shenzhou.

Her father.

The man who had cast her aside without hesitation in her previous life.

She placed the brush down, exhaling slowly.

It seemed her enemies were growing desperate.

Her lips curved into a slow, cold smile.

So be it.