Gu Shiliu deliberated and replied, "I did hear about it, but I'm not sure of its authenticity. He's a tough one. He managed to endure for so many days before. Why couldn't he hold out for the last time? The man was on the brink of death, and it's not impossible for him to speak nonsense before dying. However, what he said matches the deeds of Brother Cheng and the others. Perhaps someone from the upper rooms was indeed in secret contact with him."
The room was shrouded in shadows, oppressive and suffocating.
"Very well," Gu Jinghui finally said, "Do you think they know?"
"They," in this context, referred to Mrs. Zhao's dragon and phoenix twins. Gu Shiliu hesitated and did not dare to answer.
Gu Jinghui didn't press him further, changing the subject coldly, "How's the arrangement with Liu?"
Gu Shiliu replied, "By now, he might have already turned to ashes."
Gu Jinghui continued, "Did the servant make things clear?"
