The others nodded in agreement. Even Long Yifan's face was dark with suspicion.
Gu Jin was silent for a moment, her calm eyes never leaving Gu Aihan's body. Then, slowly, she spoke.
"Simple," she said. "We test it out."
The room fell silent. Everyone stared at her, their eyes wide, until realization began to dawn on them.
"You mean…" Gu Jihu muttered.
"Yes," Gu Jin nodded. "We will use a soul artifact. That will tell us the truth."
Everyone exchanged glances, the weight of her words pressing on them. Finally, Mr. Gu pushed himself up from his chair, his face heavy.
"Follow me," he said, his voice low.
The family rose and followed him down the hall, into the old study room of the Gu family. The shelves were filled with books, scrolls, and old jade boxes.
Mr. Gu walked to the back cabinet, his hands shaking slightly as he pulled open a locked drawer. From inside, he took out a small wooden box, old but well-kept.
