《The Girl is Beautiful but Violent》


 Chapter 1

    "Hey! New goods have arrived! New goods are here!"


    The man''s shouts, apanied by the sound of gongs and drums, echoed through the street. People in the marketce flocked around, making the area bustling with excitement.


    Everyone recognized the man beating the gong¡ªZhao Instructor from the magistrate''s office. When he shouted "New goods have arrived," it meant someone was being sold.


    The crowd peered behind him and, sure enough, saw arge cage with a woman inside. The woman was dressed in thin, tattered clothes covered in blood stains. Her head hung low, long hair tangled and disheveled, hiding her face. Her hands were tied up and bound to opposite sides of the cage. She remained motionless, appearing lifeless.


    "Anyone want to buy? Ten silver taels!" Zhao Instructor called out loudly, seeing the crowd gather.


    "Ten taels? Are you robbing us? Why so expensive?" someone in the crowd grumbled, drawing murmurs of agreement. In this Small Town, five silver taels was enough to support an average family for a year.


    Zhao Instructor didn''t like hearing this and immediately retorted, "This is a young girl, mind you. Ten silver taels is just right!"


    "Young girls aren''t rare. They''re everywhere. How can she be worth ten silver taels? Unless she''s as beautiful as a celestial maiden," the earlier critic spoke up again.


    Someone who had been staring intently at the cage noticed the woman hadn''t moved at all and shouted, "Zhao Instructor, why isn''t this girl moving? She''s not dead, is she?"


    Another person quickly chimed in, "Oh my, she looks like she''s been abused. What if she really is dead? Zhao Instructor, you''re trying to sell us a corpse for ten silver taels? That''s not right!"


    "Nonsense!" Zhao Instructor''s eyes bulged at these words, making the troublemakers shrink back.


    "I, Zhao Qiang, never do such despicable things. Watch closely."


    With that, Zhao Instructor picked up a wooden stick from the ground, walked to the cage, and poked the woman inside. The woman''s body moved slightly, but her head remained drooped.


    "No response. Could she really be dead?" The crowd started to buzz with chatter.


    Hearing the discussions, Zhao Instructor grew anxious. If the woman was dead, wouldn''t he suffer a huge loss? Gritting his teeth, he jabbed the stick hard at a wound on the woman''s shoulder. Finally, she regained consciousness, slowly lifting her head.


    "See? She''s alive. Stop the nonsense," Zhao Instructor secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    As the woman raised her head, revealing her face, the crowd gasped in shock. Both of her cheeks bore dark red scars the size of a palm, looking as if they had been branded with a hot iron. The wounds hadn''t fully scabbed over, with dried blood mixing with fresh blood, the flesh raw and exposed¡ªa truly horrifying sight.


    "Her face is ruined, and you still dare to ask for ten silver taels?" someone shouted after seeing the woman''s face.


    Zhao Instructor felt a bit uneasy. He knew the woman wasn''t worth that much, so he changed his offer, "Alright, five silver taels. Who wants to buy her for five silver taels?"


    No one responded. An experienced older man who had been observing for a while spoke up, "I reckon there''s something wrong with this girl''s hands and feet too."


    Following his words, the crowd looked closer and indeed noticed something odd about the woman''s limbs. They turned to Zhao Instructor, demanding an exnation.


    Seeing that he couldn''t hide it anymore, Zhao Instructor admitted, "Her hands and feet have indeed been broken, but they might heal with some care."


    The crowd justughed, "Haha... Who would spend five silver taels on a woman with a ruined face and broken limbs?"


    No one noticed that the caged woman had raised her head, her eyes scanning the surroundings as warily as a wolf''s.


    Where was this ce?


    Hadn''t she died?


    Why did everyone''s clothing look so strange?


    Questions kept arising in her mind.


    However, right now, the most important thing was that she realized she was being sold as merchandise. She was injured, every part of her body aching. She hadn''t eaten in a long time, her throat was parched, and she had no strength left in her body. Even her consciousness was hazy. How could she escape?


    Seeing that no one was buying, Zhao Instructor lowered the price again, "Three silver taels, just three silver taels. This woman looks like she can bear sons. Buy her, and you''ll have two children in three years, guaranteed."


    He couldn''t go any lower; if he did, he wouldn''t be able to repay his gambling debts. Zhao Instructor looked at the crowd expectantly, hoping for some desperate bachelor to buy her.


    "Oh my, Zhao Instructor, looks like you''re bound to lose money this time!"


    "Hehe, I want to see which fool would buy this half-dead woman."


    "I think she''s about to die. Zhao Instructor, why don''t youe buy a straw mat from me? When she dies, you can wrap her up and bury her. It''ll save you trouble!"


    As the mockingments kepting, Zhao Instructor''s face darkened with anger.


    At this moment, the woman in the cage began to struggle, moving her wrists as if trying to break free from her bindings.


    Since she wasn''t dead, she had to fight with all her might to survive!


    Zhao Instructor, already in a foul mood, saw her moving and felt his anger surge. He took the stick and deliberately jabbed at her wounds, "What are you squirming for? You money-losing wretch, stay still!"


    Blood seeped from the wound, and a wave of pain washed over her. She felt dizzy and lightheaded. Based on her past experiences, it was probably due to an infected wound, coupled with low blood sugar from not eating.


    What could she do? Having narrowly escaped death, was she going to perish in this strange ce?


    "Zhao Instructor, stop hitting her. I''ll buy her."


    A clear, pleasant male voice came from the crowd. Everyone turned to see who the fool was.


    Hearing that someone wanted to buy, Zhao Instructor immediately put down the stick and turned around. A young man with refined features stepped out from the crowd.


    Some recognized him as Liu Ming''an, the schr who sold calligraphy and paintings by the bridge.


    Liu Ming''an took out some silver from his pocket, exactly three taels, "Zhao Instructor, I''ll buy her."


    A woman''s voice called out from behind, "Oh dear, Ming''an, don''t waste your money on this!"


    Liu Ming''an turned around to see it was Aunt Qian, who often asked him to write letters for her.


    Aunt Qian tried to persuade him earnestly, "Ming''an, you''re such a fine young man. It would be easy for you to find a wife. Why buy a woman with a ruined face and broken limbs?"


    Zhao Instructor was anxious to get rid of this hot potato. Seeing Aunt Qian potentially ruining his deal, he strode over in two quick steps, snatched the silver into his palm, and warned the old woman sternly, "Old woman, mind your own business!"


    He then turned to Liu Ming''an with a beaming smile, "Young master, this woman is yours now."


    Zhao Instructor crawled into the cage, untied the woman''s hands, and dragged her out.


    The young woman''s body went limp, and she was about to copse to the ground. Liu Ming''an quickly stepped forward to catch her, supporting her with effort and letting her lean against him for support.


    "Miss, are you alright?" Liu Ming''an asked softly.


    The person in his arms looked up at him. Her piercing eyes were like arrows, sending a chill down Liu Ming''an''s spine. However, in the next moment, she fainted and lost consciousness.


    Seeing this, Aunt Qian shook her head and sighed, "Oh my, you''ve really gotten yourself into quite a predicament."


    Liu Ming''an smiled good-naturedly but didn''t respond.

 Chapter 2

    Liu Ming''an carried the person in his arms and walked to the east end of the town, where he found the person he was looking for.


    "Third Great-Uncle, have you finished delivering firewood to Fusheng Restaurant?" Liu Ming''an politely greeted the old man with graying hair.


    Hearing the voice, the old man turned around. Upon seeing him, a smile spread across his wrinkled face. "Oh, it''s Ming''an. Yes, I''ve finished delivering and was just about to head back to the vige. Hey, why are you carrying a youngdy?"


    Liu Ming''an smiled sheepishly, "That''s actually why I came to find you. I was hoping you could give us a ride back in your ox cart."


    Lotus Flower Vige was forty li (about 12.5 miles) from Lingshan Town, a two-hour walk. While it wouldn''t have been a problem for him alone, carrying someone made traveling by ox cart the best option.


    Third Great-Uncle let out a heartyugh, said "Let''s go," and beckoned Liu Ming''an onto the cart.


    The ox cart, used for transporting firewood, had only two wheels and a wooden nk. After boarding, Liu Ming''an sat down, letting the unconscious young woman lean against him.


    "Where did you get this girl from?" Third Great-Uncle asked curiously as he drove the cart.


    Knowing the old man''s penchant for gossip, Liu Ming''an didn''t try to hide anything and recounted the events at the market.


    The old man nodded after listening, "Oh, so you bought a wife. Those three taels of silver must have taken you a long time to save up. Spending it all at once like this doesn''t seem worth it."


    The old man had clearly noticed the girl''s disfigured face and the injuries covering her body. Who knew what other problems she might have? Buying such a person for three taels of silver seemed like a bad deal to him.


    Liu Ming''an just smiled without saying anything, then changed the subject and chatted with Third Great-Uncle about other matters for the rest of the journey back to the vige.


    Third Great-Uncle drove the ox cart to Liu Ming''an''s doorstep. After Liu Ming''an got off, he took out the few copper coins he had left and tried to give them to the old man.


    "Hey, what are you doing? I don''t want that!" The old man waved his hand in refusal.


    Liu Ming''an stuffed the copper coins into the old man''s arms, then bent down to pick up the young woman. "Third Great-Uncle, it''s just a small token of appreciation. Please take it."


    "This child!" The old man watched as Liu Ming''an carried the girl into the house, then turned his ox around and headed home.


    Liu Ming''an carried her into the house andid her on the only bed, covering her with a nket. Then he sat at the table, quietly watching the figure on the bed.


    Buying her had indeed been an impulsive decision. He had just sold his calligraphy and paintings, holding the silver he had saved for so long, originally intending to buy a set of schr''s four treasures. Then he heard themotion and went to take a look out of curiosity, just in time to see Zhao Instructor prodding her wounds with a stick.


    He had wanted to leave, but then he saw her eyes. They were calm, sharp, and wary. Despite being in a helpless situation at the mercy of others, she gave off the aura of a lone, proud wolf that might pounce and tear someone apart at any moment.


    This is a proud and strong woman, he thought to himself.


    Perhaps it was that sense of tragic heroism about her that made Liu Ming''an unable to stand by and watch her die on a straw mat in the wilderness.


    Never mind, don''t think too much about it. Liu Ming''an stood up and walked to the bedside to check on her condition.


    The young woman was still unconscious, her brows tightly furrowed as if in pain, unable to sleep peacefully.


    Noticing her dry, cracked lips with many small cuts, Liu Ming''an went to the kitchen and brought back a bowl of water. As he held the spoon, he realized he didn''t know how to make an unconscious person drink water.


    After some thought, Liu Ming''an figured that even if she couldn''t drink, moistening her lips would be better than nothing.


    To his surprise, as soon as the spoon touched the young woman''s lips, her eyes moved slightly beneath her eyelids, and she slowly regained consciousness.


    "You''re awake?" Liu Ming''an was somewhat delighted. Waking up so quickly meant her injuries weren''t too severe.


    Hearing the sound, the woman turned her head to look at him. Her eyes were full of coldness and lifelessness, without a hint of warmth, as if she were looking at a dead object. The gaze sent chills down Liu Ming''an''s spine.


    "Would you like some water?" Liu Ming''an asked again, bringing the spoon back to her lips.


    The woman remained motionless, her eyes fixed intently on him, as if trying to see through himpletely.


    Liu Ming''an waited patiently for a moment. Finally, the woman opened her mouth slightly, swallowing the spoonful of water. Liu Ming''an hurriedly scooped up another spoonful and offered it to her. This time, she didn''t hesitate and swallowed it immediately. One spoonful after another, until the entire bowl of water was gone.


    "Are you hungry? I''ll go make some food for you."


    Liu Ming''an finished speaking, only to find her staring at him again without any reaction.


    What strong wariness! Liu Ming''an couldn''t help but marvel inwardly as he took the bowl to the kitchen.


    The kitchen was just on the other side of the wall. As the woman listened to the sounds of him preparing food, she began to carefully observe her surroundings.


    She was lying on a bed with a coarse cloth sheet, covered by a nket made of well-worn linen. Above her was a thatched roof, wooden pirs, and earthen brick walls. Beside the bed were a wooden table and a wardrobe. She saw no electrical appliances, tiles, or cement ¨C this was a roompletely removed from modern conveniences.


    Combining this with the clothing of the people she had seen when she first woke up, and the long hair of the man who had just left, she realized that she had indeede to another world.


    She had died in an explosion, her body likely obliterated. So this injured body wasn''t hers ¨C she had be someone else.


    When Liu Ming''an came out carrying a bowl of porridge, he saw that the person on the bed had closed her eyes, as if asleep. He softly asked, "Miss, are you sleeping?"


    The woman''s eyes snapped open, and she turned her head to look at him unblinkingly.


    "Let''s eat something." Liu Ming''an sat down by the bed and, just as he had done with the water earlier, brought a spoonful of porridge to her lips.


    She must not have eaten for a long time, as her stomach feltpletely empty. The feeling of hunger overpowered the pain.


    She opened her mouth and swallowed the porridge. As soon as it entered her mouth, she knew this man wasn''t much of a cook. It was a vegetable porridge, probably made with some kind of bitter and astringent greens. The rice wasn''t fully cooked either, with some grains still hard in the center.


    It tastes awful, she thought, then proceeded to eat the entire bowl of vegetable porridge spoonful by spoonful. As her hunger subsided, she felt some strength returning to her body.


    After feeding her, Liu Ming''an went to the kitchen to finish the leftovers. Once he had cleaned everything up, he returned to her bedside.


    "Miss, what''s your name?"


    Name? She didn''t have a name. She only had a code ¨C N.


    Or perhaps, she had many names and identities, but they were all fake, invented for the purpose of killing more effectively. Those who live in darkness have no names; as an assassin, not being remembered allows one to live longer.


    Seeing her silence, Liu Ming''an tentatively asked, "Can you speak?"


    The woman moved her lips, but responded with a question: "Who are you?"


    Her voice was as cold as ice, and slightly hoarse from disuse.


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback for a moment, noticing the coldness in her eyes, then smiled and answered, "My name is Liu Ming''an."


    "Where is this ce?"


    "Lotus Flower Vige, below Lingshan Town."


    "What time is it now?"


    Liu Ming''an nced out the window: "Late afternoon, almost evening."


    "That''s not what I meant," the woman rephrased, "I''m asking which dynasty and era it is now? What year?"


    Liu Ming''an found her question strange but answered honestly, "It''s currently the Great Liang Dynasty, the 13th Year of the Chongming Era."


    As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Ming''an noticed a flicker in the woman''s eyes, clearly pondering something.


    The Great Liang Dynasty and the 13th Year of Chongming were terms she had never heard before, falling outside the scope of history she knew. It seemed this world was unlike any dynasty she was familiar with.

 Chapter 3

    The woman remained silent for a long time. Just as Liu Ming''an was beginning to wonder, he heard her speak: "My name is Jiang Ning."


    This was thest name she had before she died. Since she died with this name, she might as well live another life with it.


    "Is that Jiang as in ''rivers and mountains like a painting,'' and Ning as in ''peace throughout thend''?" Liu Ming''an asked, thinking the name sounded somewhat masculine.


    "Jiang as in ''ginger and cinnamon,'' and Ning as in ''focus with eyes and heart,''" she replied.


    Liu Ming''an repeated the name Jiang Ning in his mind, then heard her ask, "Do you have a mirror?"


    Liu Ming''an hesitated for a moment before turning to fetch a wooden box from the bottom of a nearby cab. It contained his parents'' belongings.


    Jiang Ning waited for a while before Liu Ming''an returned with the mirror, holding it up before her with both hands so she could see herself clearly without effort.


    Jiang Ning squinted slightly at her reflection. Although her face was unrecognizable, looking at her eyebrows, eyes, lips, and nose, it was clearly identical to her face before she died, only younger ¨C she appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.


    No woman is indifferent to her appearance, Liu Ming''an thought, and spoke tofort her: "Miss Jiang Ning, appearance is merely superficial. Even the most beautiful face will return to dust after death. In life..."


    "You''re rambling," Jiang Ning thought to herself, but said aloud, "Put it away. I''m tired." With that, she closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.


    Seeing this, Liu Ming''an put the mirror away and sat down at a nearby table. Heid out paper and writing brushes, picked up a book, and began his own work.


    As the sky gradually darkened, Liu Ming''an noticed it was bing difficult to read. He got up to light an oilmp. The small me illuminated the quiet room.


    Absorbed in his book, Liu Ming''an didn''t notice that Jiang Ning had long since opened her eyes and was watching him intently.


    As usual, Liu Ming''an studied until the end of the hai hour (around 11 PM). He then put away the writing materials on the table and took two thick clothes from a nearby cab. He draped one over himself and folded the other into a square, cing it on the table. He was about to blow out the oilmp when Jiang Ning spoke.


    "Where do you n to sleep?" she asked, having watched his movements all along.


    Liu Ming''an turned to look at her, smiling a bit embarrassedly. "My home is bare. There''s only one bed. I''m sorry for the poor amodation, Miss Jiang Ning."


    "Have you always lived alone?" she wondered, thinking of parents or family members.


    "I''ve moved once," Liu Ming''an replied simply.


    Jiang Ning was silent for a moment before asking, "Didn''t you buy me to have children?"


    "You misunderstand," Liu Ming''an finally realized why Jiang Ning had been looking at him that way when she woke up earlier. He hurriedly exined, "I only couldn''t bear to see you suffer. Once you''ve recovered here, I''ll help you leave."


    Jiang Ning stared at him expressionlessly. Liu Ming''an returned her gaze with a faint smile, his eyes clear and sincere.


    After a while, Jiang Ning looked away and closed her eyes.


    She was lucky to have met a kind person. Atst, she could sleep peacefully.


    Liu Ming''an blew out the oilmp and fell asleep on the table. The room plunged into darkness and silence.


    The weakened Jiang Ning fell into a deep sleep but, at some point, inexplicably woke up with perfect rity.


    As soon as she opened her eyes, Jiang Ning noticed something was amiss. Instead of the thatched roof of Liu Ming''an''s house, she saw a row of bamboo beams. She quickly turned her head to the side and found no one there. This was a bamboo house, and she was lying on a bamboo bed.


    Soon, Jiang Ning discovered something even more significant ¨C her injuries hadpletely healed. She could move her hands and feet freely, and her body was full of energy.


    What was happening?


    Had she died again? Was this another world?


    Jiang Ning sat up on the bamboo bed, looking at her unscathed limbs, her mind filled with doubt and confusion. In just one day, she had experienced death, rebirth, and now found herself in this unfamiliar ce. The series of events left her feeling overwhelmed.


    "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" A clear chicken''s crow rang out, followed by a man''s voice from somewhere nearby: "It''s dawn."


    Jiang Ning couldn''t see anyone, but the man''s voice seemed close by and familiar ¨C it was Liu Ming''an.


    In the next instant, Jiang Ning''s eyes flew open. She was back in the thatched house, lying on the coarse bedsheet, once again a cripple unable to move her broken limbs.


    Was that just a dream? Jiang Ning wondered, turning her head to the side. Sure enough, Liu Ming''an had risen and was stretching his stiff muscles. A man of nearly six feet tall sleeping hunched over a small table all night must have been ufortable.


    Liu Ming''an sensed someone watching him and turned to find Jiang Ning looking his way.


    "Miss Jiang Ning, did the rooster''s crow wake you?" Liu Ming''an asked with a smile.


    Jiang Ning, still pondering the bamboo house from her dream, didn''t answer.


    Unfazed by her coldness, Liu Ming''an continued, "That''s He Zhao''s rooster. It crows at this time every day. You should go back to sleep. I''ll prepare breakfast."


    With that, Liu Ming''an ducked into the kitchen. After a flurry of activity, he emerged half an hourter with a bowl and sat down beside the bed.


    "Here, let me feed you," Liu Ming''an said, scooping up a spoonful and bringing it to Jiang Ning''s lips.


    One whiff told Jiang Ning it was the same vegetable porridge asst night, equally bitter and astringent. The only improvement was that the rice was fully cooked this time.


    After feeding Jiang Ning, Liu Ming''an finished his own meal and washed the dishes. Then he left, closing the door behind him.


    Jiang Ning''s gaze followed him until his figure disappeared beyond the doorway. Only then did she close her eyes to rest. The night''s sleep had improved her spirits, but her injuries seemed to hurt more, especially where the bones in her hands and feet were broken. The pain came in waves, like a relentless tide.


    Time passed, and suddenly Jiang Ning heard footsteps outside, along with Liu Ming''an''s voice: "Third Great Aunt, this way."


    "This old woman''s back is still strong, no need to support me," another voice replied, belonging to an elderly woman. The pair were walking towards the house.


    With a creak, the door opened. Liu Ming''an entered with a white-haired old woman ¨C evidently the "Third Great Aunt" he had addressed earlier.


    Third Great Aunt walked straight to the bedside. Looking at Jiang Ning''s blood-stained face, she sighed. She lifted the nket, frowning at the blood-soaked clothes, and muttered, "What a tragedy."


    Liu Ming''an spoke up, "Third Great Aunt, I''ll go boil some water. Please, have a seat here for a moment."


    "Oh, you can go now!" Third Great Aunt''s eyes never left Jiang Ning, her face full of sympathy.


    Jiang Ning listened to their conversation and looked at the few old clothes the elderly woman was holding in her arms. She guessed that Liu Ming''an had asked her toe and take care of her. This body of hers had clearly endured some kind of torment¡ªnot only was it covered in injuries, but her clothes were tattered, her face was grimy, and her hair was nearly matted.


    "Ah, child, who beat you so badly? They were far too cruel," Third Great Aunt asked with concern, her voice tinged with sorrow.


    "I don''t know," Jiang Ning replied honestly.


    Third Great Aunt assumed she didn''t want to talk about it and didn''t press further, fearing she might touch upon a painful subject.

 Chapter 4

    Liu Ming''an boiled arge pot of hot water, then mixed it with cold water and poured it into a wooden basin before carrying it out.


    "Third Great Aunt, thank you for your trouble," Liu Ming''an said as he ced the warm water on a stool beside the bed, then turned and left the room.


    Third Great Aunt looked at Jiang Ning with a gentle smile and said, "My dear, let me help you clean up and change your clothes."


    With that, she dipped a cloth in the warm water and carefully avoided the brand on Jiang Ning''s face as she wiped her face and neck. She then cleaned the rest of her body, working around the whip marks. The old woman''s movements were gentle and meticulous. After drying Jiang Ning''s body, she took out the clothes she had brought and helped her change out of the tattered, dirty, blood-stained garments.


    "These are some old clothes my eldest daughter left behind before she got married. There are two sets. I hope you don''t mind, child," the old woman said kindly.


    "Not at all," Jiang Ning replied, trying to soften her tone, though it still sounded cold. In her current situation, she was in no position to be picky.


    After changing Jiang Ning''s clothes, Third Great Aunt took the wooden basin outside to empty it, then returned from the kitchen with a fresh basin of water.


    "Let''s wash your hair and then we''ll style it," she said.


    Third Great Aunt carefully moved Jiang Ning onto herp, positioning her head over the basin. She poured warm water over her hair to wet it, then applied soap nut to wash it thoroughly. After rinsing, she used a dry cloth to gently pat her hair dry,bed through the long strands, and finally braided it.


    "There, now you''re all clean and tidy," the old woman said with a smile as she stood up, rubbing her own shoulder.


    "Thank you, Third Great Aunt," Jiang Ning said sincerely.


    Third Great Aunt waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, it''s nothing. Ming''an asked me to help, and this old woman was just sitting idle anyway. It''s good to have something to do. No need for thanks."


    Jiang Ning watched as the old woman carried the basin to the door. After the sound of water being poured out, she heard Third Great Aunt talking with Liu Ming''an.


    "Ming''an, I''ve tidied up that girl. Oh my, those injuries... it hurts just to look at them..."


    "Thank you for your help, Third Great Aunt. I''ll ask Dr. Sun toe and check her woundster."


    "Well, I don''t mean to pry, but do you really intend to heal her and make her your wife?"


    Jiang Ning''s eyes flickered at this question.


    "That''s not my intention. I just felt sorry for her and wanted to help."


    "I thought as much. I''ve known you since you were a child, and I know you have a kind heart. But let me warn you, this girl doesn''t seem ordinary. She might be some fallen noblewoman. You''ve already shown enough kindness by spending three taels of silver to buy and care for her. There''s no need to empty your savings for a stranger. You still need to save money for your own marriage, and perhaps for the imperial examinations in the capital. These all require money!"


    Liu Ming''an remained silent, and Jiang Ning heard Third Great Aunt continue, "How about this: once her wounds have healed, why don''t you send her to the charity house in town? The whole vige already knows you bought a woman, and if she stays too long, there will be gossip. How will matchmakers find you a wife then..."


    As the footsteps faded away, Jiang Ning couldn''t hear Liu Ming''an''s response. But she knew Third Great Aunt''s words made sense ¨C she was indeed a burden now.


    Jiang Ning closed her eyes, feeling weary. Was this karma for all the killing she had done in her previous life? Was she reborn as a helpless invalid as punishment?


    Soon, Liu Ming''an returned. Seeing Jiang Ning in fresh clothes with her hair neatly styled, he smiled at her.


    "What''s a charity house?" Jiang Ning asked, looking directly into his eyes.


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes flickered with surprise, realizing she had overheard the conversation.


    "A charity house is arge courtyard built by the county government in a corner of town," he exined earnestly. "It''s meant to care for elderly people without children who can''t look after themselves, seriously ill people without rtives, and abandoned infants. They have staff to cook, doundry, and even arrange burials for those who pass away."


    Jiang Ning understood ¨C it was simr to a modern shelter for vulnerable groups. But even in her time, with advanced technology and informationworks, there had been reports of abuse in such ces, from staff beating residents to leaders embezzling charitable funds. She had even killed the director of a shelter who was secretly involved in organ trafficking. In this era of limitedmunication, who knew what dark secrets such a charity house might hide?


    Jiang Ning didn''t want to take the risk. She couldn''t go to the charity house ¨C she was too weak now, and anyone with working limbs could easily end her life. This Liu Ming''an was kind-hearted, and staying with him would ensure her survival. As long as she was alive, there was hope for change.


    "Are you going to send me to the charity house?" Jiang Ning asked again. If Liu Ming''an said yes, she would have to think of a way to appear pitiful enough to stay.


    Fortunately, Liu Ming''an shook his head and said, "Miss Jiang Ning, just focus on recovering. I''ll go prepare some food now, and this afternoon I''ll fetch a doctor to examine you."


    Jiang Ning felt relieved. She found herself liking Liu Ming''an more and more, and even the bitter vegetable porridge he fed her didn''t taste so bad anymore.


    As Third Great Aunt left Liu Ming''an''s house and walked towards her own home, she turned a corner and saw He Yiyi standing under a tree, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes.


    "Oh, it''s Yiyi. What brings you here? You weren''t waiting for this old woman, were you?" Third Great Aunt asked with a smile.


    Having lived in Lotus Flower Vige her entire life, she knew a thing or two about the vigers. This He Yiyi had taken a liking to Liu Ming''an, and she was probably here to inquire about the situation.


    "Third Great Aunt!" He Yiyi called out sweetly, her round face lighting up with a charming smile.


    "Hey now, don''t shout so loud! This old woman''s ears work just fine!" Third Great Aunt teased, then asked, "I suppose you want to ask about Ming''an, don''t you?"


    "Oh, Third Great Aunt!" the young girl eximed, blushing slightly.


    Third Great Aunt couldn''t help butugh at the girl''s shyness. "Haha, I won''t tease you anymore. Go ahead and ask what you want to know."


    He Yiyi moved closer, linking her arm with the old woman''s to support her as they walked towards home. In a low voice, she asked, "Third Great Aunt, is it true that Brother Ming''an bought a woman and brought her home?"


    "Yes, it''s true."


    "And... is it true that the woman has lost the use of her limbs and her face is disfigured?"


    "Yes, she can''t move at all in bed. And her face, oh dear!" Third Great Aunt sighed heavily as she thought of Jiang Ning''s face.


    "But why did he buy her then?"


    "Don''t you know Ming''an yet? He''s kind-hearted. Seeing that woman in such a pitiful state, his heart softened and he brought her home. He''s even spending money to find a doctor for her. He says he''ll let her leave once she''s healed. Who knows what he''s thinking."


    He Yiyiughed happily, "Brother Ming''an is just that kind of person¡ªalways doing good deeds with a warm heart." But then her brows furrowed, and she asked worriedly, "Third Great Aunt, they''re a single man and woman living together day and night. Do you think they might develop feelings for each other over time?"


    "I don''t think so," Third Great Aunt recalled Jiang Ning''s cold, emotionless eyes and said to He Yiyi, "That girl is as cold as ice, and her face is disfigured. You''re the flower of our Lotus Flower Vige. Ming''an isn''t a fool; you can rest easy."


    He Yiyi lowered her head shyly, secretly smiling. Then another thought urred to her: "But my mother..."


    Third Great Aunt didn''t let her finish, "Ah, your mother looks down on Ming''an now because he''s an orphan andes from a poor family. But I can see that Ming''an is a child blessed with good fortune. He''ll definitely pass the imperial examination to be a schr, then an official. By then, you''ll be a perfect match. How could your mother object?"


    As they talked, the two arrived at Third Great Aunt''s doorstep. Her words had put He Yiyi''s mind at ease. She bid a cheerful farewell to Third Great Aunt and headed home.

 Chapter 5

    In the afternoon, Liu Ming''an indeed brought a man of about fifty years old with a goatee to her bedside. The man took her pulse, stared at her face for a long time, then lifted the nket, rolled up her sleeves and trouser legs to carefully examine her injuries. Finally, he let out a long sigh.


    "Uncle Sun, what''s wrong?" Liu Ming''an asked.


    Doctor Sun sighed again before saying, "Her face was burned with a red-hot branding iron. The skin is torn and the flesh is exposed. No matter how we treat it, it will leave tworge scars. As for her hands and feet, they were forcibly broken. Even if I set them properly, they won''t return to their original state. In the future, she won''t be able to lift heavy objects with her hands, and she''ll walk with a limp."


    Upon hearing this, Liu Ming''an''s face showed sympathy, and he looked at Jiang Ning on the bed with a pitying gaze. However, he found her eyes calm and unperturbed, her face devoid of any expression, as if it had nothing to do with her.


    Jiang Ning heard every word Doctor Sun said clearly, but for her, this oue was already quite good. She had lived a life of killing, died without an intact body, and now lived again. She only wanted to spend each day peacefully and freely.


    "Uncle Sun, please do your best to treat her," Jiang Ning heard Liu Ming''an say.


    Doctor Sun stroked his beard and nodded in agreement.


    An hourter, Jiang Ning''s hands and feet were splinted, wrapped tightly with cloth strips, making her look like a mummy. Her face was covered with an ointment that looked like a lump of ck mud, but it felt cool andfortable on her skin.


    Jiang Ning watched as Liu Ming''an took out a small piece of silver from a cab and handed it to Doctor Sun. The doctor left behind several packets of medicine, gave detailed instructions on how to brew the medicine and care for the patient, and said he woulde back to check in ten days before leaving with his medicine box.


    Liu Ming''an saw him to the door, saying, "Take care on your way, Uncle Sun."


    After returning to the room, Liu Ming''an took a packet of medicine and went into the kitchen. Jiang Ning heard the sound of a fire being lit. Half an hourter, she saw Liu Ming''ane out with a bowl of ck medicinal soup. The bitter smell of Chinese herbs could be detected from afar.


    "Miss Jiang Ning, Uncle Sun said this medicine will help your wounds heal faster. Drink it while it''s hot, here."


    As he spoke, Liu Ming''an scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and brought it to Jiang Ning''s lips.


    Smelling the strong medicinal odor, Jiang Ning instinctively held her breath. She tried to convince herself with thoughts like "good medicine tastes bitter," "circumstancespel," and "this is unavoidable in ancient times." Then, steeling herself, she opened her mouth and swallowed the spoonful of medicine.


    In the next instant, Liu Ming''an watched as the girl who hadn''t even blinked when having splints put on her bones furrowed her brows tightly, her eyes instantly brimming with tears.


    "What''s wrong? Is it too hot?" Liu Ming''an panicked, holding the medicine bowl awkwardly. He was sure he had blown on it to cool it down.


    Jiang Ning bit her lip and shook her head. She couldn''t speak; she was afraid she would vomit if she opened her mouth. She could feel that the medicine had forced out physiological tears, but she couldn''t control it. In her previous life, she had lived for twenty years and had never drunk Chinese medicine. She had no idea it could be this bitter.


    If it wasn''t hot, then it must be the bitterness. Liu Ming''an put down the medicine bowl, looking troubled.


    Jiang Ning tried her best to suppress the urge to vomit and said, "Don''t feed me spoon by spoon. Help me sit up, I''ll drink it directly."


    Better to get it over with quickly than to prolong the suffering.


    Liu Ming''an did as she asked, helping Jiang Ning lean against the wall and bringing the bowl to her lips. He watched as Jiang Ning closed her eyes and drank the entire bowl of medicine in one go, tears wetting her eyshes. He immediately went to the kitchen and brought back a bowl of clear water: "To wash away the bitterness." After Jiang Ning finished the water, he helped her lie back down.


    Liu Ming''an said, "I''ll go make dinner," and turned to enter the kitchen. After some bustling about, he came out again with a bowl of vegetable porridge.


    Since her rebirth, Jiang Ning had eaten four meals, and all four had been vegetable porridge. She felt like her face was turning green from it.


    "Do you really like porridge that much?" Jiang Ning finally couldn''t help but ask. She wasn''t a picky eater, but she was genuinely curious how someone could eat this bitter vegetable porridge for every meal. Wouldn''t Liu Ming''an be malnourished?


    Liu Ming''an seemed to understand her meaning and smiled at her rather sheepishly, saying, "My cooking skills aren''t very good, and this porridge is simple and quick to make. Does Miss Jiang Ning want to eat something else?"


    How could she be thick-skinned enough to make demands when she was dependent on others? Jiang Ning said tly, "No, you''re overthinking it."


    Feeling that her response might have been a bit harsh, Jiang Ning hesitated for a moment before adding, "My cooking skills are quite good."


    Liu Ming''an smiled without responding and brought the porridge to her mouth.


    Perhaps because the medicine had been so bitter, Jiang Ning found that the porridge didn''t taste as bitter as she remembered.


    After they both finished eating, Liu Ming''an, like yesterday, took out brush, ink, paper, and books, and began to read and write. The weak oilmp cast a warm yellow light, and as Jiang Ning looked at his serious profile, she thought that if he had been born in modern times, he would surely have been admitted to a prestigious university as a spirited college student.


    At the end of the 9-11 PM period, Liu Ming''an rubbed his somewhat sore neck and shoulders, put away his papers and pen, threw on some clothes, and blew out the oilmp. The two shared a room, one sprawled on the table, the other lying in bed, both falling into dreams.


    Jiang Ning, however, opened her eyes at some point.


    She saw a bamboo ceiling and knew she had returned to that dream.


    The splints and bandages on her hands and feet, and the ointment on her face had all disappeared. In this bamboo house, Jiang Ning had returned to being apletely healthy person.


    Jiang Ning got up from the bamboo bed and aimlessly surveyed the room. It wasn''trge, about ten square meters by her estimate. Apart from the bed she had been lying on, there was nothing else in the room. As far as she could see, the bed, door, window, and walls were all made of bamboo. The bamboo had a yellowish tint, looking somewhat aged.


    Jiang Ning had never seen such a room before and didn''t know why she had dreamed of it for two consecutive nights.


    The window in the room was closed, but the door was open a hand''s width. Through the gap, Jiang Ning seemed to see a red light outside.


    What was that?


    With this question in mind, Jiang Ning pushed open the door, only to be shocked speechless by the scene before her in the next moment.


    Outside the bamboo house, there was no wind, no clouds, no sun, no moon. The ground was covered with gravel, without a single de of grass in sight.


    All of this was still somewhat normal. What was bizarre was the sky!


    Or rather, it wasn''t a sky at all, but something like a barrier or a force field.


    Jiang Ning gazed at the slowly swirling air currents not far away, connecting from the ground all the way up to the sky. It resembled an inverted bowl, covering the surroundings of the bamboo house. Outside the barrier, everything was a hazy blur, impossible to see clearly.


    What truly astonished Jiang Ning were the lush, crimson lotus flowers adorning the air current barrier. These lotuses were scattered all over, seeming tangible one moment and intangible the next. They had no roots, stems, or leaves, as if they had sprouted from thin air, bing one with the flowing currents. The flowers emitted a blood-red radiance, bathing this world in a soft, ruddy glow.


    Jiang Ning was certain that this was no dream, for she had seen these blood-colored lotuses before!

 Chapter 6

    "The Blood Lotus Seed, a national treasure? Sounds interesting. N, go fetch it for me," said the woman who had adopted Jiang Ning. She curved her vibrant lips, gently swirling her wine ss before taking an elegant sip after issuing hermand.


    "So this is the infamous assassin N, feared in both the underworld and legitimate circles? Not so impressive after all." A row of ck gun barrels pointed at Jiang Ning. She knew there was no escape.


    "Hand over the national treasure, and I''ll leave your corpse intact."


    But Jiang Ning was far too proud to die on her knees. She swallowed the so-called treasure, the Blood Lotus Seed, then detonated the bomb, reducing herself and her attackers to ashes.


    In her final moment, Jiang Ning thought she saw huge blood-red lotus flowers blooming before her eyes. She paid it no mind, assuming it was merely a dying hallucination.


    Now, as Jiang Ning gazed at the identical blood-red lotus flowers covering the sky, she finally understood the mystery behind her resurrection.


    This was no dream ¨C it was a space created by the Blood Lotus Seed!


    Jiang Ning quicklyposed herself and stepped out of the bamboo house onto a gravel path, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. If this national treasure could transfer her soul into this body, perhaps it held other wonders as well.


    Jiang Ning walked to the boundary of the space, observing the swirling air currents. She slowly pressed her hand against it. The moment she made contact, she felt an enormous resistance. Even using all her strength, she couldn''t push her hand forward a single inch. She tried at different locations, but the result was the same.


    Giving up, Jiang Ning turned to search for other clues.


    As soon as she rounded the bamboo house, she spotted a small spring bubbling up from the gravel. The spring''s eye was gently releasing water, forming a pool about a meter in diameter. The water was clean, crystal clear, and free of impurities. The stones at the bottom were spotless, and the water''s surface perfectly reflected the red sky above. It seemed oddly out of ce in this strange realm, yet somehow harmonious in a way she couldn''t quite exin.


    Jiang Ning stared at the small spring for a moment, then circled the bamboo house to confirm this was the only unusual feature in the space before returning to the spring''s edge.


    "Cough, cough!" A sudden coughing sound startled Jiang Ning. She looked around, but she was alone! Then, remembering yesterday''s rooster crow, she realized it was Liu Ming''an coughing.


    The moment this thought urred to her, Jiang Ning opened her eyes in darkness, back in Liu Ming''an''s room, once again an immobile injured person.


    "Cough, cough, cough!"


    Jiang Ning turned her head towards the sound. In the faint moonlight filtering through the window, she saw Liu Ming''an hunched over the table, wrapped in a coat. The grown man had curled up against the night chill.


    He''s not catching a cold, is he? Jiang Ning wondered.


    This Liu Ming''an was a rare kind soul, spending money and effort on a stranger like her, even giving up the only bed in his home for her. Jiang Ning knew that without him, she might have suffered a much worse fate.


    She watched him for a while, noting how he pulled his coat tighter before falling into a quiet sleep, no longer coughing. Only then did she look away.


    Wide awake, Jiang Ningy in the darkness, her thoughts drifting back to the Blood Lotus Space. Both times she had entered, it was passively while asleep, and she''d return automatically when disturbed by outside noises. She wondered if she could enter at will.


    The moment this question crossed her mind, Jiang Ning found her answer. The darkness before her eyes receded, and she was back on the bamboo bed.


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes and mentallymanded, "Exit." She found herself lying in Liu Ming''an''s room, darkness enveloping her once more.


    "Enter the space." The wooden bed beneath her transformed into bamboo.


    After several attempts, Jiang Ning understood ¨C this space appeared or disappeared ording to her will.


    Back in the space again, Jiang Ning left the bed and approached the small spring behind the bamboo house. Given how extraordinary this space was, surely the spring water was no ordinary liquid.


    Jiang Ning crouched by the spring, hesitated for half a minute, then scooped up a handful of water and drank it. The spring water was sweet and slightly cool. As soon as she swallowed, Jiang Ning sensed a change. She felt a deeper connection to the space, as if she could sense it within her very being.


    Not only that, but Jiang Ning discovered that the boundary between the space and the outside world had blurred. She could now see through it, observing Liu Ming''an sleeping at the table. This ability opened up countless possibilities ¨C secret observation, deception, all within her grasp.


    However, Jiang Ning quickly lost the capacity to consider these options as her body, especially where her bones had been broken, began to throb with intense pain.


    How could this be? Her body in the space was uninjured, so why did it hurt?


    Jiang Ning gritted her teeth and left the space. Liu Ming''an slept nearby as she silently endured the excruciating pain in the darkness.


    It seemed all her injuries were reacting. Her cheek began to ache, though bearably so, but where her bones had been broken felt as if someone were sawing through her flesh.


    Was it because of the spring water? Jiang Ning spected.


    She remained silent, allowing waves of pain to wash over her body as cold sweat soaked her hair.


    After what felt like an eternity, the pain gradually subsided. Jiang Ning had weathered this torture-like ordeal and let out a long breath. She turned to look out the window; the dark sky''s waning moon was setting in the west, and a sliver of dawn light appeared on the horizon.


    The pain had been worth it ¨C all of Jiang Ning''s injuries had healed.


    With her limbs still bound in splints and bandages, Jiang Ning used her shoulder to prop herself up against the headboard. She raised her stiff arm and used her teeth to undo the bandage knot, freeing her right hand. She flexed her fingers, feeling no difort. Even the whip marks on the back of her hand had vanished without a trace.


    It seemed the spring possessed healing properties.


    She proceeded to free her left hand, then threw back the covers and bent down to remove the splints from her legs. Feelingpletely refreshed, Jiang Ning quietly left the bed she had upied for two days.


    Jiang Ning stood by the table, silently watching Liu Ming''an. She no longer needed him; with her skills and the space, she was confident she could thrive in this unfamiliar era.


    Should she leave? Jiang Ning asked herself.


    Time ticked by as Jiang Ning stood motionless, her gaze fixed on Liu Ming''an, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.


    "Cough, cough, cough!"


    The person sleeping on the table started coughing again. His body shook with each cough, causing the coat draped over him as a makeshift nket to slip onto the floor. Jiang Ning watched for a few seconds, then quietly stepped forward and gently tucked the coat back around him.


    Liu Ming''an''s brows furrowed, seemingly unsettled in his sleep. His shoulders unconsciously hunched inward.


    Jiang Ning silently let out a sigh. Well, this schr was neither family nor friend, but he had spent quite a bit of money on her behalf. At the very least, she ought to repay this debt of gratitude.

 Chapter 7

    The door creaked softly as Jiang Ning silently slipped out of the room.


    Liu Ming''an''s house was modest: three thatched-roof hutsprising a main room, a kitchen, and a storage area filled with firewood and farming tools. Next to the storage room was a small outhouse. A wattle fence enclosed a yard where several plots of vegetables grew. Jiang Ning immediately spotted the bitter greens she had eaten for four meals straight; they were thriving, their leaves a lush green and their stems thick and sturdy¡ªa pleasing sight.


    The sky began to lighten, a faint blush of red appearing on the horizon. Jiang Ning looked up to see the vige peacefully slumbering, with misty mountains looming in the distance and the asional bark of a dog breaking the silence.


    This scene perfectly matched Jiang Ning''s imagined ideal of rural countryside living.


    After observing for a moment, she returned to the house and entered the kitchen. In the dim light of dawn, she filled a basin with water and washed away the medicinal paste that had caked on her face.


    "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" As daylight broke, the rooster from yesterday crowed right on schedule. Having lost her sense of time, Jiang Ning estimated it to be around 7:30 AM based on experience.


    "Not bad, at least this rooster knows its ce," Jiang Ning thought wryly. If it had dared to start crowing at five or six, she would have guaranteed to wring its neck.


    The crowing roused Liu Ming''an, who had fallen asleep at the table. He rubbed his eyes and rotated his stiff, aching neck, instinctively ncing towards the bed. In an instant, all traces of sleepiness vanished.


    The bed was empty!


    All that remained were the turned-back covers and scattered splints and bandages. The injured person who should have been lying there had vanished.


    Liu Ming''an took two steps forward, his face paling as he stared at the empty bed.


    Where had she gone?


    "Are you looking for me?" A cool female voice suddenly came from behind him. It was Jiang Ning!


    Liu Ming''an quickly turned around, his eyes widening in disbelief at the sight before him.


    The woman who had been incapacitated with broken limbs now stood perfectly upright in the kitchen doorway. Her long hair hung loose and unstyled, and her expressionless face gazed at him. The face that had been disfigured by a branding iron was now fair and unblemished, smooth as polished jade. With her willow-shaped eyebrows, almond eyes, delicate nose, and cherry lips, she was the very picture of beauty, as radiant as a peach blossom.


    If not for Jiang Ning''s voice and clothing, Liu Ming''an would hardly have recognized her.


    Even so, the fact that someone who had been bedridden just yesterday could bepletely healed overnight was too bizarre. Liu Ming''an stood rooted to the spot, unable to hide the shock in his eyes as he stared at Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning had anticipated his reaction. She calmly walked to the other side of the table and sat down, tapping the surface with her hand. "Sit down, let''s talk."


    Liu Ming''an dazedly took a seat at the table. He had been observing her closely as she walked over, and he realized that she moved with perfect ease¡ªapletely healthy person without a trace of injury.


    "Miss Jiang, your injuries..." Liu Ming''an hesitantly began, having regained his senses.


    This question was expected, and Jiang Ning had prepared her answer: "I have a unique constitution. I heal quickly."


    That''s putting it mildly, Liu Ming''an couldn''t help but think.


    Jiang Ning continued, "I''m different from ordinary people, which may invite criticism or even mortal danger. Could you keep this a secret for me? Please don''t tell anyone else that I''ve recovered."


    Liu Ming''an nodded without hesitation. "Don''t worry, Miss Jiang. I''ll keep it strictly confidential."


    Having achieved her goal, Jiang Ning gazed at him and said softly, "Then I''ll stay here for a while to keep a low profile. Thank you for your hospitality, Young Master Liu."


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback again. This wasn''t how he had envisioned things unfolding¡ªhe had nned to treat her injuries and then send her on her way.


    Jiang Ning, keenly aware of his expression, lowered her eyes and spoke in a subdued voice, mixing truth with fiction: "To be honest, Young Master Liu, I only remember my name and nothing else. I was injured, but I can''t even recall who my enemies are. I''m now penniless and homeless. If you hadn''t taken me in, I might have died by the roadside."


    As expected, for a kind-hearted person like Liu Ming''an, such a pitiful story was impossible to refuse.


    "Miss Jiang, please feel free to stay. My home may be poor, but adding one more person just means an extra pair of chopsticks. Don''t worry about anything else."


    This man is far too easy to deceive, Jiang Ning thought as her long eyshes fluttered. "Thank you, Young Master Liu."


    Having made up his mind and realizing they would be living together for some time, Liu Ming''an smiled and said, "You don''t need to keep calling me ''Young Master.'' I''m just a poor schr. Please, call me by my name."


    Jiang Ning nodded, then heard him say, "I''ll go prepare breakfast now."


    As Liu Ming''an was about to stand up, Jiang Ning appeared behind him and gently pressed him back down. "Let me do it. I know how to cook."


    "That wouldn''t be right," Liu Ming''an tried to refuse.


    "It''s perfectly fine. I''m staying in your home for free, so it''s only right that I do what I can to help," Jiang Ning insisted.


    More importantly, she didn''t want to eat that bitter, astringent porridge again, Jiang Ning added silently to herself as she turned and ducked into the kitchen.


    The kitchen had two doors: one connecting to the main room, covered by a cloth curtain, and another leading to the courtyard. Outside the courtyard door stood arge water vat. Liu Ming''an went outside, drew a basin of water to wash up, and then peered into the kitchen, concerned. Seeing that Jiang Ning seemed quite adept at cooking and household chores, he finally rxed.


    Indeed, Jiang Ning was an excellent cook. She had once obtained a chef''s certificate for a mission. However, in modern times, she was ustomed to cooking with electricity and natural gas, rarely using a wood-fired stove. Fortunately, her survival skills came in handy, making it easy for her to start a fire. The only issue was her long hair¡ªwithout a hair tie, it came dangerously close to being singed several times.


    Jiang Ning washed two bowls of rice and put them in the pot, adding a handful of firewood to let it simmer. She then took down the steamer from the top of the cupboard, went outside to fetch a basin of water to clean it, and left it to dry for steaming riceter. Returning to the stove, she added another handful of firewood, stirred the pot with a spat, and then left the kitchen to pick vegetables from the yard.


    As Jiang Ning stepped into the courtyard, the sky was now aze with red clouds. Wisps of smoke rose from chimneys throughout the vige, apanied by a chorus of crowing roosters and barking dogs. Interspersed were the voices of men and women, as if the entire vige was awakening with the sunrise.


    The simple pleasure of everyday life was most soothing to the soul. Jiang Ning suddenly understood the appeal of "hanging up one''s armor and returning to the farm." In that moment, her heart was filled with a profound sense of peace.


    Jiang Ning stood still for a moment, then picked a few eggnts and peppers from the garden, pulled up some green onions, and paused when passing by a patch of bitter greens. She bent down and plucked two leaves almost as long as her arm.


    These greens were growing well; just two leaves could fill a bowl. Although Jiang Ning had eaten them for four meals and had someints, ultimately, it wasn''t the vegetable''s fault but the cook''s. With a bit of proper preparation, even these bitter and astringent greens could be a delicious dish.


    Moreover, withoutparison, there''s no sense of loss. Using the same ingredients to create two different vors should allow her to show off her skills a little, making Liu Ming''an realize just how poor his culinary abilities truly were.

 Chapter 8

    After washing the ingredients clean, Jiang Ning carried them back to the kitchen and set them aside.


    Having added fuel to the stove several times, Jiang Ning scooped up a few grains of rice with a spat. Seeing that only the center of the rice was slightly undercooked, she took a sieve hanging on the wall, ced it over a wooden basin, and poured the contents of the pot into the sieve, separating the rice from the broth.


    She quickly washed the pot, poured in a few bowls of water, and swiftly cut the bitter greens into finger-length pieces before adding them to the pot. She ced a steamer insert on top, poured the rice from the sieve into it, stirred and spread it evenly with chopsticks, then ced a few eggnts directly on top of the rice to steam together. Finally, she covered the pot with a lid,pleting the process of draining and steaming the rice.


    Jiang Ning sat in front of the stove, added two handfuls of firewood to stoke the mes, then used fire tongs to rake the ashes, burying a few washed chili peppers in the hot embers.


    Two minutester, Jiang Ning retrieved the peppers with the tongs. The green skin of the peppers had been scorched to a tiger-stripe pattern, and the aroma of roasted peppers filled the air. Once they had cooled enough to handle, Jiang Ning carefully brushed off the wood ash and peeled away the charred outer skin bit by bit, revealing the clean, green flesh inside.


    After roughly chopping the roasted peppers and cing them in a bowl, Jiang Ning finely chopped some green onions and crushed a few cloves of garlic, mincing them before adding them to the bowl. She added a spoonful of salt, two spoonfuls of vinegar, and five spoonfuls of soy sauce, then stirred, creating a simple sauce.


    In truth, Jiang Ning would have liked to add some oyster sauce, chicken bouillon powder, and sesame oil, but in this era, such seasonings were merely a luxury to dream of.


    With the sauce prepared and the rice steamed, Jiang Ning lifted the pot lid, releasing a wave of steam fragrant with the aroma of cooked rice that momentarily blurred her vision.


    Using a damp cloth to protect her hands, Jiang Ning lifted the steamer insert out of the pot and ced it on the stove top. She used chopsticks to remove the eggnts from atop the rice. The eggnts had been steamed until soft and tender. Using a chopstick in each hand, Jiang Ning separated the eggnts into strips, then drizzled them with the prepared roasted pepper sauce, creating a simple dish of roasted pepper eggnt.


    There were still cooked greens in the pot. Jiang Ning scooped them out and rinsed them once with cold water to remove the bitterness, then squeezed out the excess water. She heated oil in a wok until it was about 60% hot, then stir-fried the greens for two minutes. Next, Jiang Ning picked up the wooden basin and poured the leftover rice water into the wok. She brought it to a boil over high heat, added a spoonful of salt, and the rice porridge with greens wasplete. She removed it from the heat and ted it.


    After nearly half an hour of bustling about, Jiang Ning looked at the two dishes and the pot of pristine white rice before her with great satisfaction.


    Jiang Ning lifted the kitchen curtain and, seeing Liu Ming''an reading a book, called out, "Dinner''s ready."


    Liu Ming''an looked up at the sound, put down his book, and asked with some surprise, "So quickly?"


    Jiang Ning turned back into the kitchen, first bringing out the steamer insert and cing it on the table, then setting out the two prepared dishes. Liu Ming''an quickly stood up to help: "I''ll get the bowls and chopsticks."


    As the two sat down at the table and Jiang Ning handed him a bowl of rice she had scooped for him, Liu Ming''an held his chopsticks in a daze.


    How long had it been since he''d had a proper meal like this?


    It seemed that after his parents had passed away, he had been cooking for himself haphazardly, just eating to fill his stomach. After all, he was alone. Yet on this morning, he unexpectedly felt, for the first time in a long while, that this was a home.


    Seeing Liu Ming''an motionless, just staring at the dishes with chopsticks in hand, Jiang Ning couldn''t help but ask, "Do you not like these dishes?"


    Liu Ming''an snapped out of his reverie and, not wanting to seem ungrateful, hastily exined, "No, it''s not that. I was just reminded of my parents."


    Jiang Ning understood. The pile of kitchen tools - how could someone who only knew how to make porridge use them all? They must have been acquired when Liu Ming''an''s parents were still alive. After they passed away, with no one to use them, the tools were just left there.


    "Try my cooking. I wonder if it suits your taste?" Jiang Ning spoke again. Although her words were humble, she was quite confident in her culinary skills.


    Liu Ming''an nodded, reached out with his chopsticks to pick up a strip of eggnt, ced it in his bowl, then added a clump of rice, and put it all in his mouth.


    The rice grains were distinct, neither too soft nor too hard. The eggnt was tender, having absorbed the vors of the sauce. The aroma of green onions and garlic, along with the unique fragrance of roasted peppers, spread through his mouth. In one bite, thebination of rice and vegetable vors instantly awakened Liu Ming''an''s appetite.


    Jiang Ning discreetly observed him, noticing that he clearly enjoyed the roasted pepper eggnt. She pushed the rice porridge with greens towards him: "Try these greens too."


    Liu Ming''an took another bite, this time of the greens. This vegetable was in season and at its best, and he had been eating it for quite a while. However, as soon as he tasted Jiang Ning''s preparation, he was filled with deep suspicion.


    Was this really the same vegetable? Why wasn''t it bitter? Why had he never known it could taste so good?


    The greens that had always been bitter and astringent in his memory now had no trace of bitterness, only a light, fresh vegetable vor. The once-tough stems had be soft, and together with the leaves, they were coated in the freshly cooked rice porridge. Combined with the savory aroma from the stir-frying, the entire dish was light and refreshing, absolutely delicious.


    "Miss Jiang Ning, why aren''t these greens bitter?" Liu Ming''an couldn''t help but ask curiously.


    Jiang Ning, holding her bowl of rice and picking up some vegetables, replied, "Just nch them in water first."


    The studious Liu Ming''an pressed further, "Why does nching make such a big difference in taste? It''s like twopletely different dishes."


    "..." Jiang Ning fell silent.


    She had indeed impressed Liu Ming''an with her preparation of the greens, but this schr seemed to have quite a strong desire for knowledge.


    She could hardly tell him that the bitterness came from glucosintepounds in the greens, and that nching could break down these substances, thus removing the bitterness, could she?


    After a moment of thought, Jiang Ning said, "Hmm... don''t worry about it too much. Just enjoy the food."


    With that, Jiang Ning turned her attention back to her meal. She hadn''t eaten her fill in the past few meals of vegetable porridge, so she was determined to thoroughly enjoy this meal she had prepared herself.


    Seeing her focused on eating, Liu Ming''an felt it would be impolite to disturb her further. His appetite had been thoroughly piqued, so he picked up his bowl and began to eat with gusto.


    Liu Ming''an typically ate with refinement, usually chewing slowly and savoring each bite. But it had been so long since he had eaten such delicious food that he now ate with some urgency. After finishing one bowl, he still felt unsatisfied and helped himself to anotherrge portion.


    Jiang Ning had dined in high-end restaurants and eaten at roadside food stalls. She''d even experienced eatingpressed biscuits with river water in the wilderness. She could adapt to any dining environment. Now, she ate slowly and steadily from her bowl, matching Liu Ming''an''s pace.


    By the time Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an finished their meal and set down their chopsticks, the two dishes on the table had beenpletely devoured.


    Finishing everyst morsel was the highestpliment to the chef. Jiang Ning nced at the table, her mood improving slightly.


    "You rest. I''ll wash the dishes," Liu Ming''an said.


    He stood up, efficiently cleared the table, and headed to the kitchen.


    He''s quite considerate, Jiang Ning thought.


    As she watched his retreating figure, Jiang Ning, who disliked washing dishes, felt her mood lift even more.

 Chapter 9

    After tidying up the kitchen, Liu Ming''an dried his hands, lifted the curtain, and stepped out to see Jiang Ning sitting on the edge of the bed. Her soft, flowing hair cascaded down her back as shebed through it with her fingers.


    Hearing the noise, Jiang Ning turned around and asked, "Do you have scissors?"


    Liu Ming''an rummaged through the cupboard and handed her the scissors his mother used for tailoring, puzzled about what she needed them for. To his surprise, Jiang Ning took the scissors and was about to cut off a handful of her hair from the side of her face.


    Liu Ming''an''s heart skipped a beat, and his hand reacted faster than his brain, grabbing Jiang Ning''s scissor-wielding hand. "Jiang Ning!"


    She stopped and looked at him emotionlessly, "What?"


    As she spoke, she effortlessly broke free from his grasp.


    "Why would you cut your hair all of a sudden?" Liu Ming''an asked, bewildered.


    "It''s too long; it gets in the way."


    "Just braid it, how can it be in the way?"


    "I don''t know how."


    Jiang Ning said offhandedly. Liu Ming''an''s suggestion to braid her hair, like the Third Great Aunt who used cloth strips and wooden pins to keep her hair up, indeed made sense for ease of movement without interference.


    However, Jiang Ning, a modern woman with waist-length hair,cked the skills to style it borately and had no hair ties or clips; her long hair was nothing but a hassle.


    As Jiang Ning raised the scissors again, Liu Ming''an quickly said, "I can do it."


    Holding the scissors, Jiang Ning quietly watched him.


    "Jiang Ning, one''s hair and skin are inherited from one''s parents; cutting it off casually isn''t quite proper. Besides, your hair is so ck, shiny, and smooth¡ªmany women would envy such beautiful hair. It would be a pity to cut it off..."


    Nonsense! Jiang Ning looked at the schr trying to persuade her and interrupted his lengthy discourse, "You just said, you can?"


    Liu Ming''an nodded, somewhat awkwardly, "If you don''t mind, I can help you."


    Jiang Ning didn''t care whether her hair was long or short, but Liu Ming''an''s nervous demeanor suggested that in this era, a woman with short hair might be considered outrageous. Better to avoid trouble if possible, and since Liu Ming''an was willing to help, why not let him?


    She put the scissors aside and turned her back to him, "Please do."


    Liu Ming''an breathed a sigh of relief, took out a woodenb and a hair tie from the box, and stood behind Jiang Ning, ready tob her hair.


    However, as Liu Ming''an reached out to lift her hair, Jiang Ning instinctively tensed up, like a bow drawn tight, ready to spring.


    People who live on the edge never expose their backs to others.


    Liu Ming''an noticed her sudden change, and for a moment, Jiang Ning felt to him like an unsheathed sword, her cold edge sending a shiver through his heart.


    "What''s wrong?" Liu Ming''an couldn''t help asking.


    Jiang Ning breathed out quietly, slowly rxing, and replied, "It''s nothing."


    Guessing she might not be used to being so close to someone, Liu Ming''an stepped back slightly, then picked up theb and ran it from her scalp to the ends of her hair. After smoothing her hair, he skillfully wove the hair tie through her locks with the hands of a calligrapher.


    Jiang Ning initially thought that coiling her hair would be a hassle, and was prepared to let Liu Ming''an fiddle with it for half an hour. However, after only two to three minutes, Liu Ming''an''s voice came from above her head: "It''s done."


    So quickly?


    Jiang Ning wondered inwardly, instinctively reaching up to touch her own head.


    At this point, Liu Ming''an took a mirror out of the box, holding it up so she could clearly see herself.


    Looking at her reflection, this was the second time Jiang Ning had looked at herself since her rebirth. Her face was exactly the same as before her death. Her burn marks had healed due to the medicinal springs, leaving her skin fair and clear without a scar. However, her overall appearance was younger, about sixteen or seventeen years old.


    The loose hair on the side of her face had been gathered by Liu Ming''an and tied back,bed into a small bun, with the remaining hair cascading down to her waist. Her hair did not obstruct her sight nor hinder her movement, yet it portrayed an exquisite image of ssic beauty.


    Jiang Ning was very satisfied, she moved her gaze from the mirror and looked into Liu Ming''an''s eyes, saying seriously, "It looks very good. Thank you."


    Liu Ming''an packed away the scissors,b, and mirror, offering a slight smile, "It''s nothing. I often helped my motherb her hair in the past. I will help you from now on. You don''t need to think about cutting your hair anymore."


    Jiang Ning responded with a soft hum. Then, as if sensing something, turned to look out the window. A young girl was carrying a basket and walking in their direction. Judging by her trajectory, she seemed to being for Liu Ming''an.


    The girl happened to nce in Jiang Ning''s direction. Jiang Ning reacted swiftly, immediately moving to the other side, out of her sightline.


    "Jiang Ning?" Liu Ming''an asked, puzzled by her sudden change in movement.


    Jiang Ning''s nce directed him to look outside. After seeing He Yiyi standing outside the yard, Liu Ming''an understood.


    "She hase to look for you, hasn''t she? Don¡¯t let her see me," Jiang Ning said in a lowered voice.


    Liu Ming''an nodded, opened the door, and went out, leaving Jiang Ning inside the house.


    "Ming''an brother!" He Yiyi''s youthful voice rang out, her joy being easily discerned.


    "Yiyi, are you looking for me? What''s the matter?" Liu Ming''an''s soothing voice followed.


    Jiang Ning subtly peeped from the edge of the window while staying concealed, observing the situation outside.


    "My mother asked me to find you to write a letter, tell elder brother toe home on the fifteenth of this month, and on the way back, to buy some wine, meat, and sweet pastries," answered He Yiyi.


    "Is it because someone is visiting your home?" Liu Ming''an casually asked.


    Seeing He Yiyiughed, her eyes squinting with joy, she replied, "A matchmaker has brought a marriage proposal for my brother from someone in Peach Blossom Vige. On the sixteenth, their family wille to meet ours."


    "I see, congrattions!"


    While they were talking, the two walked to the entrance, located just a few steps away from Jiang Ning.


    Liu Ming''an stopped in his tracks, looking at He Yiyi and said, "Yiyi, I won''t invite you inside. You can wait here, and I will bring the letter out once it''s finished."


    He Yiyi was slightly taken aback, the smile on her face faded a bit, "Is it because of that poor girl?"


    Liu Ming''an hummed in agreement, not saying much more. Merely stating, "It will be fine soon," he pushed the door open, entered the room, and carefully closed it behind him, preventing He Yiyi from glimpsing the situation inside.


    Inside the room, Jiang Ning leaned against the wall, quietly watching him. Liu Ming''an smiled at her, moved to the other side to collect brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, andid them out on the table. He then lifted a small jar to fetch a bottle of clear water from the kitchen before starting to prepare for writing a letter.


    Witnessing Liu Ming''an''s actions, Jiang Ning thought for a moment, walked over, and sat down next to him. She took over the bottle in his hand, poured some water into the ink stone, then serenely picked up the ink stick and started to grind ink.


    Liu Ming''an watched Jiang Ning with surprise in his eyes. Her movements were steady and unhurried, her demeanor poised and adept, indicating she was not a novice.


    How many girls from ordinary families knew how to grind ink? Jiang Ning''s articte manner further suggested she had been educated. What could her background be? And about her injury? Could someone possibly recover that quickly?


    ...


    Liu Ming''an found himself entranced as he watched the thick, dark ink seep out from under the inkstick in Jiang Ning''s hand.


    Jiang Ning noticed his gaze, looked up at him with indifferent eyes, unsure of why he was dawdling. After a while, Liu Ming''an was still staring nkly at the ink, so Jiang Ning had no choice but to tap her finger on the table.


    "Knock! Knock!"


    The sound snapped Liu Ming''an back to reality. Jiang Ning''s eyes, clear and emotionless, gazed at him. Her lips, red as cherries, parted slightly as she gently reminded him, "There''s still someone waiting outside."


    Liu Ming''an offered an embarrassed smile, sat down on the stool, dipped his brush in the ink, and began to write on the paper.

 Chapter 10

    Jiang Ning watched as Liu Ming''an wrote on the paper with deliberate strokes of ink:


    "Esteemed Brother He Ping, as entrusted by my family, I write to you and solemnly urge you to return home noter than the 15th of this month..."


    Liu Ming''an''s hand, as small as a fly''s head, was exquisitely tidy and graceful, and Jiang Ning admired the fluidity of his calligraphy. It was so fine that it could be printed and used as a calligraphy textbook.


    Unfortunately, just as Jiang Ning started to appreciate his fine writing, Liu Ming''an briefly exined the matter at hand. He put down his brush, lifted the paper, and blew on thest few characters that hadn''t yet dried. Once the ink was dry, he folded the paper twice and inserted it into an envelope he had prepared earlier.


    Liu Ming''an picked up his brush again and wrote "To He Ping at Fusheng Restaurant" on the envelope. He then got up and walked towards the door.


    Jiang Ning got up too, looking through the window at the young girl who was presumably called He Yiyi. She was idly kicking a small stone on the ground. As soon as she heard the door open, she instantly looked up at Liu Ming''an, her eyes shining.


    "Ming''an! Have you finished the letter?" she asked.


    Liu Ming''an handed her the letter, saying, "Here you go."


    He Yiyi took it happily, nced at it, and tucked it into her bosom. She then handed Liu Ming''an a basket from her arm, saying, "Thank you, Ming''an. My mother asked me to give this to you."


    Liu Ming''an took the basket, which had a few fresh eggs in it. He went into the kitchen to put the eggs away before giving the empty basket back to He Yiyi, just like he had done many times before.


    Over the years, every time Liu Ming''an wrote a letter for He Yiyi''s family, her mother would give him something as a way of thanks. Initially, Liu Ming''an, considering his local neighbours, was reluctant to ept, but he ended up making her mother believe that he was deliberately showing kindness because he had hidden motives for He Yiyi. When Liu Ming''an realized this, he couldn''t help butugh, and since then, he has been unreservedly epting her mother''s tokens of appreciation.


    "Please thank your Second Aunt for me." Once Liu Ming''an said that, it usually meant that he was seeing his guests off.


    However, He Yiyi hesitated on the spot, asionally ncing inside the house. It was clear that she still wanted to say something.


    Liu Ming''an patiently waited, and only after a while did he hear her ask in a muffled voice, "Ming''an, how is she doing now?"


    "She''s doing quite well," Liu Ming''an answered with a smile.


    "So, you take care of her since she can''t take care of herself?"


    "I''ve also hired the Third Great Aunt to help."


    "Ming''an, she can''t eat, drink, go to the bathroom, or clean herself without help. And there''s only one bed at your ce. I know you''re a gentleman and wouldn''t share a bed with her. But people talk, you know. And some of the things they say aren''t pleasant..."


    Everything she said seemed to revolve around the same thing. She was trying to persuade Liu Ming''an to give up on what was perceived to be a burden. Jiang Ning could hear every word clearly. The affection in He Yiyi''s eyes was also clear. She was probably hoping that Liu Ming''an would toss away this proverbial hot potato.


    After He Yiyi finished speaking, she seemed somewhat anxious. She knew she had overstepped boundaries with her words, but couldn''t refrain from saying out loud. She nervously clutched at the edge of her dress, waiting for Liu Ming''an''s reaction.


    Liu Ming''an held a consistent smile on his face, neither agreeing nor denying He Yiyi''s words, he merely said, "Yiyi, you should go home now, don''t dy delivering your letter."


    Ignoring her words, He Yiyi''s mood visibly dropped a few notches. Mumbling, "I''m just looking out for you," she swiftly left the yard.


    When Liu Ming''an returned to his room, Jiang Ning was sitting by the table making ink exactly as he had left her, as though she never moved.


    He was grateful for that; it saved her from the pointless worries from listening to He Yiyi''s remarks, he thought.


    "Does our vige have a courier service?" As soon as Liu Ming''an sat down, he heard Jiang Ning ask this question.


    "We do. Many young people from our vige go to work in the town. Whenever they need to send letters or goods home, they rely on the couriers. Couriers run once every five days, and today happens to be their day to visit the vige."


    Replying to Jiang Ning''s innocent question, Liu Ming''an only realized afterwords that this way of life was simr to how modern logistics works. Without cars or mobilemunications, everything was reliant on manpower, a limitation of their time.


    "Days of old had a slower pace. Carts, horses, mails, all took time. One lifetime was only enough to love one person."


    This well-known modern poem suddenly surfaced in Jiang Ning''s mind.


    "Jiang Ning, may I ask you a few questions?" Liu Ming''an looked at the thoughtful Jiang Ning and suddenly voiced his request.


    Jiang Ning fluttered her long eyshes, that looked like raven feathers, and locked eyes with Liu Ming''an.


    "You may ask," she replied.


    "You''re literate, aren''t you?"


    "Yes." In her previous life, whenever she wasn''t on assignment, she would stay inside her house, reading books, binge-watching dramas, and practicing calligraphy, all the while indulging in the rare tranquility amidst her tumultuous life.


    Seeing her admit it, Liu Ming''an questioned further, "Are you telling the truth about not remembering anything from your past?¡±


    Jiang Ning¡¯s eyes sparkled subtly. Liu Ming''an was doubting her. This was understandable though, her story had so many holes. Anyone with the slightest bit of sense would realize this, Liu Ming''an, despite being kind-hearted, was no fool.


    "Do amnesiacs remember their own names?" Seeing her maintain her silence, Liu Ming''an continued, "Your wounds heal at an abnormal speed, your aura is also discernibly different, it''s hard for me not to wonder."


    Staring straight into Liu Ming''an''s eyes without any sign of evasion, Jiang Ning asked, "What do you think is going on?"


    Liu Ming''an¡¯s answer came with a warm smile, ¡°Jiang Ning, from the first time I saw you at the market, I knew you were no ordinary woman. I brought you back not because I wanted something, but to satisfy mypassion.¡±


    Pausing, he let out a self-deprecatingugh, ¡°Maybe I¡¯m being overly considerate, you probably didn¡¯t need my good intentions¡­¡±


    ¡°Not true,¡± Jiang Ning interrupted him suddenly, her voice filled with earnestness, ¡°You saved my life, and for that, I am truly grateful.¡±


    Liu Ming''an continued logically, ¡°So, you¡¯re staying here now to repay this debt?¡±


    Being amoner, living in poverty, it was odd that a beautiful and intelligent woman like Jiang Ning would choose to stay at his home. The most rational exnation Liu Ming''an could think of was her wish to "repay him for his kindness."


    "It''s not entirely the case," Jiang Ning spoke calmly, "I didn''t lie to you. I genuinely don''t remember my past, only that my name is Jiang Ning. I have no idea who I am, whether I have a family, where my home is. I don''t know why I''m covered in injuries or why I was sold like merchandise. I don''t know anything. You are the only person I recognize in my memory, so I want to stay by your side."


    "Liu Ming''an," she called out his name, but he didn''t know what to say.


    Liu Ming''an couldn''t determine if what Jiang Ning said was true or false, but what he was sure of was, the person before his eyes truly wanted to stay. Maybe, just let it be. Let her stay. Having one more person for meals is not a big deal after all.


    Havinge to this conclusion, Liu Ming''an revealed a relieved smile on his face. He addressed Jiang Ning, "Then you can stay."

 Chapter 11

    The sun was rising higher and higher, and the entire vige began to show signs of life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was grinding her inkstone, her ears perked to the sounds echoing from afar: the hearty calls of the men undertaking their duties, the yfulughter of women grouped together, the scolding from adults to children, and the sounds of various domestic animals¡­<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    All this bustle painted a vivid scene outside her window, sparking in Jiang Ning endless strands of imagination.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the house, Jiang Ning turned her attention to Liu Ming''an, who was sitting by her side and totally absorbed in his Confucian ssic readings, unaffected by the world beyond the window. The sunlight, pouring in obliquely through the window, cast a radiant halo around him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning watched him meticulously studying the scrolls at times, and at others, notes being jotted down. One moment, he was furrowing his eyebrows in deep concentration, and the next, his facial expressions would rx into a smile. She couldn''t help but admire his unwavering focus and determination.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Time flowed on gently. Jiang Ning spent her morning in the quietpanionship of Liu Ming¡¯an until noon, when wisps of smoke began ascending from several houses in the vige.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was about this time that Liu Ming''anid down his brush and decided to take a break, rubbing his temples. Seeing her chance, Jiang Ning asked, ¡°Are you hungry? Shall I prepare a meal?¡±<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an turned to look at Jiang Ning. Bathed in the dazzling sunshine, Jiang Ning''s face glowed ethereally. In her eyes gleamed fractals of light that shimmered like stardust. The sight was nothing short of otherworldly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3


    <bold>@nirvana23:</bold>


    <span ss="content">Plot twist: Jiang Ning is actually a time-traveling alien with bioluminescent skin. That would exin the ''otherworldly'' description!


    ¡°Alright,¡± Liu Ming''an found himself answering after a moment''s pause.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Watching Jiang Ning''s retreating figure, Liu Ming''an felt like he could see through her to another person from his memory. Familiar terms of endearments from the past seemed to echo in his ears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ¡°Ming''an, what would you like to eat? I will cook it for you.¡±<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve been reading all day, take a break now, don''t overexert yourself; it worries me.¡±<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ¡°Ming¡¯an,e, eat more; you need to strengthen your body.¡±<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ¡­<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Feeling a sting of nostalgia, he blinked his eyes to clear the blurriness. By now, Jiang Ning had already moved into the kitchen, the ttering sounds of her busying inside echoed back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the kitchen, when she saw the eggs that He Yiyi had brought, she had already nned the menu for the day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She went to the yard to pluck eggnts and chili peppers and fetched a handful of scallions. She nned to steam the leftover rice along with the eggnt for lunch, to cook stir-fried chili eggnt again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She cut the cleaned scallions into fine pieces and brought arge bowl. She broke four eggs into it and whipped them up into a smooth mixture with the finely chopped scallions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was striking how many of the ingredients came as a surprise to Jiang Ning in this era free of artificial additives, fertilizers, and chemical feeds. For instance, she noticed the strikingly vibrant orange hue in the yolk of these organic eggs, unlike the pale yellow yolks ofmercially bred chickens she was used to.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3


    <bold>@Naime:</bold>


    <span ss="content">I bet Jiang Ning''s thinking, ''Great, now I can''t even enjoy my factory-farmed eggs anymore without feeling cheated.''


    After the rice and eggnt were ready, she wiped the pan clean and poured oil into it. Once the oil was hot, she added the egg mixture.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ¡°Sizzle~¡±<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The liquid egg met the sizzling hot oil, solidifying and expanding instantly. The high temperature brought out the tantalizing aroma of scallion-egg omelet which filled the room, wetting the appetite of anyone present.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At first, Liu Ming''an who was engrossed in his book, didn''t feel the hunger. But when the tempting aroma wafted through, he realized his stomach was grumbling loudly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Tidying up the pen and paper on the table, Liu Ming''an got up and walked towards the kitchen. As he lifted the curtain, he happened to see Jiang Ning transfering food from the pan to the bowl with a spat. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning stood by the stove, her sleeves rolled up. The hot steam from the pot hovered around her. Even though her face was emotionless and her manner was cold, to Liu Ming''an, this scene felt inexplicablyforting.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Dinner is ready." Jiang Ning was aware of Liu Ming''an''s presence. She nudged her chin toward the side, indicating that the meal was there.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an cleared his throat and re-entered the room, took the meal outside, and then picked up a pair of chopsticks.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    By the time Jiang Ning came out with two tes of food, Liu Ming''an had already served the rice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The eggnt was soft and vorful, with the scent of eggs and scallions permeating the air. After clearing both tes, Liu Ming''an tidied up the table and thoroughly washed the dishes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With nothing else to do, Jiang Ning picked up a book titled "The Book of Rites" from Liu Ming''an''s pile and started flipping through the pages. After turning a few pages, she heard Liu Ming''an''s voice from outside the door, "Jiang Ning, we ran out of water. I''m going to fetch some."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning paused, alone in the room. Having lived a solitary life, she had no experience with interpersonal rtionships, except what she''d seen on television. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3


    <bold>@The_Followera:</bold>


    <span ss="content">I can just imagine Jiang Ning frantically searching her mental database of TV shows for the appropriate response. Error 404: Normal human interaction not found!


    Should she reply with, "Come back soon"? Or maybe, "Be careful on the way"?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Before she could decide, Liu Ming''an said his farewells and left.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The Lotus Flower Vige had a well located on the east side. All the vigers fetched their water there. Liu Ming''an carried two full buckets of water on a yoke, making his way back home. No one was around except for a drunk He Wen near his doorway upon returning. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah, if it isn''t, Liu, Liu Ming''an?" <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning heard the voice and walked over to the window, to witness a drunken man obstructing Liu Ming''an''s path. The man looked to be in his twenties, staggering and unsteady, scruffy and disheveled, with bloodshot eyes ringed with dark circles.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Must be a gambler.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    That was Jiang Ning''s first impression.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing He Wen in front of him, Liu Ming''an silently cursed his bad luck.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen was notoriously rude in the vige; aplete rake who was into drinking, gambling, and the works. He''d nearly squandered everything in his household and would spend most of his time at local taverns or gambling houses. He''d only return home when he went broke, demanding money, and if his demands were unmet, he''d brazenly borrow, or worse, steal. Everyone avoided him for fear of being hassled when he returned.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother He Wen, you joke too much. I am but a poor schr, far from the genius you make me out to be." said Liu Ming''an as he sidestepped around him and entered the courtyard, still holding the water buckets.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But a drunken man isn''t easily dismissed. He Wen sneered and pushed open the garden gate, following Liu Ming''an into the yard. With a slurred speech, he blurted out, "A modest genius indeed. Everyone knows you spent three pieces of silver to bring a woman home."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ignoring him, Liu Ming''an made his way toward the water jar, set down his yoke, and bent down to pour the water into it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Not receiving a response, He Wen''s fury erupted. He abruptly seized the water bucket, preventing Liu Ming''an from lifting it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Liu, Liu Ming''an, since you''ve got the money to buy women, how about lending some to your brother? Once your brother wins some money, I''ll pay you back with interest, how''s that?"


    <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen, reeking of alcohol, grinned at Liu Ming''an.


    <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Taking two steps back, a clear disgust wrinkling his brow, Liu Ming''an coldly replied, "I don''t have any money, you''ve got the wrong person. Please leave."


    <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Inside the room, Jiang Ning''s eyes scanned He Wen, with an underlying coldness. Since meeting Liu Ming''an, his manner and speech had always been gracious... even in the most awkward of situations, he had never lost his temper. This was the first time Jiang Ning had heard him speak with such frustration.


    <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Heh... When ites to buying women, you''re all moneybags. But when I need a loan, suddenly no money in pocket, huh?"


    <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen, eyes bulged out and face fierce, continued, "Good on you, Liu Ming''an. All these years, doing a great impression of an honorable gentleman. But the reality? Pfah! I heard from Instructor Zhao that the woman you bought was a damaged one. Desperate for a female, you''ve spent three liang on such unattractive merchandise. Hahaha..."


    <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "That freak, only someone like you would have a fancy for her. Hahaha... but it''s all the same in the dark, especially for someone who hasn''t had a taste of a woman yet."


    <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Word is, when you were buying her, she was near death. You haven''t had your fun and killed her already, have you?"


    <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Offended by He Wen''s filthynguage, Liu Ming''an had no wish to waste more words. Striding forwards, he grabbed He Wen''s robes, intending to escort him out of the courtyard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 12

    "What are you doing? Trying to kick me out?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen sensed Liu Ming''an''s intentions, wrestled free from him, and pointed usatorily. "You''re looking down on me, aren''t you? Acting all superior, right? Pretending to be so impressive just because you know a few words, huh? Daring to kick me out!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an sighed helplessly, contemting how to handle the situation at hand.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, before he could formte a n, an emotional He Wen suddenly spun around, seemingly intending to enter the house.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "He Wen, what are you doing?" Liu Ming''an, towering a head taller than He Wen, ced a firm hand on his shoulder, demanding an answer.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen quickly shook off Liu Ming''an''s hand and cast him a malicious grin. "What am I doing? I''m going to see that ugly wench you bought. Let''s see how hideous she really is so I can tell the guys back home."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4


    <bold>@Ycol:</bold>


    <span ss="content">Dude''s about to get a reality check. Never judge a book by its cover... or a wife by vige gossip!


    Inside the house, Jiang Ning squinted at He Wen, her eyes showing open hostility.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s hands pressed against He Wen''s chest, preventing him from advancing. Indeed, this drunken brawler was tantly disregarding all manners, hell-bent on entering the house. Finding Liu Ming''an in his way, He Wen grabbed his cor and violently shoved him back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Unprepared for this sudden burst of force, Liu Ming''an lost his footing. He fell uncontrobly backward, his head heavily smacking against a stone by the doorstep. Intense pain surged through him, his vision ckening. He felt as if his head would explode. Then he lost consciousness, slipping into a world of endless darkness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hey!" The scene startled He Wen. He hurriedly gave the copsed Liu Ming''an a nudge with his foot and began to yell. "Hey! Hey, hey! Liu Ming''an, wake up. Don''t y dead on me, you hear? Get up!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an remained motionless on the ground, causing He Wen to start feeling guilty. He had only intended to shove him aside, not kill him!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen gave Liu Ming''an a few more kicks. The man stayed motionless with his eyes shut, looking entirely dead. This effectively woke He Wen up from his drunken stupor. Shaking, he crouched down and held his finger under Liu Ming''an''s nose to check for breathing. Relieved to find Liu Ming''an alive, he exhaled deeply.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You scared the hell out of me!" He Wen patted his chest, spat contemptuously at the unconscious Liu Ming''an, then staggered away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The door creaked open from inside. Jiang Ning, her face pale with anger, red fiercely at He Wen¡¯s retreating figure. It wasn''t until he disappeared from sight that she averted her gaze, going over to help Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had watched everything from inside the house; she knew Liu Ming''an''s head had hit a stone. So she reached out to feel the back of his head.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Thankfully, there wasn¡¯t any blood, just a swelling bump.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She continued to check <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The ears, mouth, nose ¨C no bleeding. His breathing was reasonably steady. He should wake up in a few hours.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning sighed with relief. One arm slipping under Liu Ming''an''s knees and the other around his shoulders, she lifted him on her side with effort. This body was weakerpared to her assassin days, and her arm felt slightly sore carrying a grown man. Fortunately, it was just a few steps, so she managed to safely tuck Liu Ming''an into bed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4


    <bold>@webtoone:</bold>


    <span ss="content">Jiang Ning''s workout routine: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and carry one unconscious man every day.


    Jiang Ning arranged the quilt over a seemingly unconscious Liu Ming''an, whispering softly, "Don''t worry, I''ll help you im your justice." <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After leaving Liu Ming''an''s house, He Wen walked through uneven paths towards his own residence. There lied a copse and a pond between He''s and Liu''s houses, and at the time of noon, vigers were usually seen resting at home, leading to a deserted path. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen aimlessly chewed on foxtail grass, finding his journey quite mundane. He kicked at a tree branch thaty at his feet when he noticed a figure by the pond washing something. On closer inspection, it was He Zhao''s mute wife, washing sweet potatoes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Thud! A stone,unched from afar, plummeted into the water. The ssh it created soaked the nearby woman''s hair and clothing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen erupted intoughter, clearly amused, "Deaf-mute, isn''t it fun? Hahaha..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The woman turned around, her small melon-shaped face apanied by a pair of scared, watery eyes looking at He Wen. The woman, overwhelmed with anxiety, intended to leave the pond with her unwashed sweet potatoes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "nning to depart? Heading back home to your man?" Catching sight of her attempting to leave, He Wen briskly approached to block her way, "No wait, isn''t your man out carrying rice in the town?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Her face turned paler, her body quaked slightly. Keeping her head down, she tried to move away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen caught her arm, pulled her forcefully towards him and growled threateningly, "You deaf-mute, dare to ignore me? Last time I had a few words with you, your cursed husband knocked out one of my teeth. That''s a grudge I''ve had ever since." <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The painful grip inflicted on her arm made her struggle as her eyes welled up with tears, making her look pitiful.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The sight seemed to stir unfamiliar desires in He Wen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Always attracted to the mute woman''s beauty and seeming vulnerability, he once took the liberty of making unwee advances, which her husband, He Zhao, happened upon quite timely andshed out at him. His warning for He Wen to stay away still lingered. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This incident was an insult to He Wen and the memory of it made his blood boil every time. But He Zhao was a brute, tall and strong, hence He Wen knew better than to seek revenge directly. However, the grudge was remembered waiting for the right opportunity which presented itself quite fortuitously now. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen chuckledsciviously, grabbing the mute woman and throwing her on the ground, attempting to strip her clothes while he muttered rotten words of lust, "Deaf-mute, now that your man is gone, serve me and satisfy my needs..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4


    <bold>@yy8e:</bold>


    <span ss="content">I hope Jiang Ning''s about to unleash some epic assassin moves on this creep. Popcorn, anyone?


    As Jiang Ning approached, the sight that greeted her was this appalling scene. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Wen was on top of a woman, spouting dirty words, while beneath him, the woman was crying helplessly, eyes filled with desperation and pleading. It was evident that she was resisting him with all her might, but the physical strength disparity made it impossible for her to break free from He Wen''s clutches.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Indifference is a fundamental quality of a killer, Jiang Ning looks on silently, unmoved. Her only focus is on He Wen, she doesn''t want to expose herself in order to avoid unnecessary troubles.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4


    <bold>@Mystique:</bold>


    <span ss="content">I bet Jiang Ning''s itching to use those assassin skills. He Wen''s about to have a really bad day!


    "Ah!" He Wen suddenly screams, gets up from the woman beneath him, his face murderous: "You stinking bitch dared to bite me!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "p!" "p!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Two well-ced psnd forcefully on the tear-streaked face, the woman''s cheeks instantly blooming red and swollen. The imprints of five fingers are stark against her skin, and the corner of the mouth drips blood¡ªit is obvious by the severity of He Wen''s actions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Whore! You will pay for this." He Wen whistles through the wound she bit, his teeth clenched in rage.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 13

    Jiang Ning arrived through a space-time continuum. She moved within this space, her thoughts controlling her movement, and when she materialized, her position in the real world also shifted ordingly.


    Through the barrier of this space, she could see every unfolding event in great rity without revealing herself.


    She was merely a few steps away from the scene of a bullying tyrant harassing a helpless woman; coldly watching, waiting for the opportune moment to strike when He Wen was alone.


    The woman was pped twice and fell to the ground, weak and feeble. Her hair was a messy veil covering her face, her cor torn open, revealing her bodice inside.


    To Jiang Ning¡¯s surprise, amidst He Wen¡¯s raucous shouting, the woman managed to push herself off the ground. Suddenly, her knees came together and she knelt on the ground towards He Wen.


    Was it a plea for mercy?


    Futile. Jiang Ning understood the mentality of thugs like He Wen too well. They were relentless against the weak and frightened of the strong. Pleading would neither soften his heart nor calm his cruel intentions. It would only increase his uncontrolled audacity.


    As expected, seeing her kneel, He Wen merely chuckled with obvious satisfaction. ¡°My mute little creature, good girl. Let this master take good care of you¡­¡± he trailed off, chuckling.


    The woman shook her head frantically, her hands gesturing quickly.


    Jiang Ning, who had studied signnguage in the modern world, watched intently, curious to know what the woman would express under such circumstances. To her surprise, she found she could not understand.


    However, her confusion subsided when the woman pointed at her stomach and drew a circle around it with both hands.


    Jiang Ning¡¯s face hardened with realization.


    She got it. The mute woman was pregnant!


    He Wen also realized, his advancing steps faltering momentarily. However, just when the woman had a glimmer of hope that he might spare her, she heard him say words that made her feel like she was falling into an abyss.


    ¡°You¡¯re carrying a kid? Ha¡­ha¡­ I¡¯ve had my fun with countless girls, but you¡¯re the first to get knocked up. Great, great. Quite exciting, I must say!¡±


    Upon hearing these words, the woman¡¯s resolve seemed to crumble. Tears slid down her cheeks like broken beads, dimming the desperate light in her eyes.


    ¡°Enough dawdling, let¡¯s get to it!¡± He Wen, his head clouded by desire, pounced upon her with a disgusting smirk, ready to release his animalistic lust.


    However, before he could even touch thedy, he felt a firm grip on his cor from behind. The intruder was strength personified, yanking him off the woman and causing him to stumble backward before crashing onto the ground.


    His fun disrupted, He Wen turned around, his face resembling a ferocious beast, ready to lunge at whoever dared interrupt him.


    Unfortunately, he hardly managed to shift his gaze when a powerful punchnded on his temple, blinding him momentarily.


    Jiang Ning carefully controlled the power of the punch; enough to render him temporarily incapacitated but not leave any obvious marks.


    Marks on the corpse, that is.


    She had decided to kill He Wen.


    Perhaps initially she only intended to disable his hands, but now, a murderous intent filled her heart.


    He deserved to die!


    Dizzy from both the punch and the alcohol-induced haze, He Wen had no energy to offer any resistance. He could only be dragged away like a hapless stray dog.


    Jiang Ning led He Wen to the edge of the pond, not hesitating in the slightest, she dunked his face down into the water.


    "Ugh!" The icy water stirred him to consciousness; realizing his predicament, He Wen began to struggle. He pped his hands around hoping to grab hold of something, anything to give him leverage. However, there was nothing near his grasp.


    Water filled his nostrils and mouth, cutting him off from air. His throat contracted uncontrobly, searing with painful heat. The air in his chest cavity was being squeezed out, for the first time, he felt the terror of death¡¯s proximity.


    "I don''t want to die! I don''t want to die!" Screaming in his mind, He Wen started to wrestle with all his might, desperate to escape the hand pressing him down.


    Jiang Ning, looking at his dying struggle, had eyes cold as millennium-old ice. At the same time, she slowly curled up the corners of her lips, exerting even more force to push him further down into the water.


    Several steps away, the mute woman was scared to the point of holding her breath.


    At her most desperate, this beautiful girl had appeared out of nowhere, yanking He Wen away from her and saving her from vition. She had thought this was an angel descending to her rescue.


    However, when she finally recovered her senses, she saw the same maiden pressing a man into the water, a slight smile on her face resembling a god condescendingly watching over the ants.


    She was cruel, yet stunning. Both an angel and a devil.


    Regardless, she had saved her and her unborn child from He Wen. Whether she was good or evil, this young woman was a godsend!


    He Wen''s iling hands gradually lost their strength, and his struggling body movements diminished. In the end, his head hung limp, bing nothing more than a corpse. He never got to see who had sent him to his death.


    Only after making sure he was dead did Jiang Ning pull back her hand. Just as she''d stood up, she heard soft rustling sounds behind her. Turning her head, she saw the mute woman trembling uncontrobly as she approached her. When she was just a few steps away from Jiang Ning, she fell to her knees in a deep bow.


    "Why are you bowing to me? I didn¡¯t harm you,¡± said Jiang Ning, puzzled.


    The woman couldn''t verbalize her thoughts. Instead, she started bowing her head towards Jiang Ning anxiously, tears streaming down her face.


    Jiang Ning finally understood; she was expressing her gratitude.


    "Alright, stop bowing," Jiang Ning lifted her up and looked her straight in the eye, warning her, "You can''t say a word about what happened today to anyone. Understand?"


    The woman nodded vigorously, then opened her mouth wide to show Jiang Ning. To Jiang Ning''s surprise, she only had half a tongue!


    Initially, Jiang Ning thought she was a born mute. She hadn''t anticipated that it was due to human actions.


    "Fine, I believe you. Go home."


    Jiang Ning didn''t care to deal with her anymore. She needed to clean up the crime scene to ensure everyone would think He Wen had identally drowned himself.


    The terrified mute woman, however, was reluctant to leave. She gestured with her hands, her eyes pleading for something.


    Jiang Ning didn¡¯t understand her, nor did she care to guess what she wanted. Right now, all she wanted was to wrap things up at the scene before anyone discovered it and created any unnecessary trouble.


    The mute woman, seeing Jiang Ning didn''t understand, turned anxious. She feared Jiang Ning might leave, so she took the risk to grasp Jiang Ning''s sleeve.


    "What are you doing?" Jiang Ning, a bit frustrated, tried to shake off her hand. However, catching the sight of the red hand print on her face and her tear-stained eyes, not to mention that she was pregnant, Jiang Ning forced herself to be a bit more patient.


    She had no sympathy, but she wouldn''t bully the weak.


    The mute woman pointed at Jiang Ning and then used her hands to mimic a series of gestures. Jiang Ning paid close attention for a while, guessing what she wanted tomunicate: "Are you asking who I am and where I live? Is that right?"


    The woman nodded vigorously with hope in her eyes.


    All Jiang Ning wanted to do was get rid of her as soon as possible. The mute woman probably didn''t pose any threat, so there was no harm in telling her.


    "My name''s Jiang Ning. I live at Liu Ming''an''s ce."


    The woman nodded hard to show she''d remembered.


    "Can you go home now?" Jiang Ning asked.


    The woman nodded again, gave Jiang Ning an appreciative final look, then trotted away from there.

 Chapter 14

    After the mute woman''s figure hadpletely disappeared, Jiang Ning finally began to survey her surroundings.


    Fabricating crime scenes had always been her forte. Even in modern times, with all the high-tech detection methods avable, she could kill someone and vanish without leaving a trace. How much easier would it be in this ancient era, where they could only rely on the naked eye?


    Jiang Ning spent a few minutes erasing the drag marks, covering up her footprints by the pond, and manipting He Wen''s corpse to ensure everything looked wless.


    Then, Jiang Ning looked at the scattered sweet potatoes on the ground. She could easily guess they belonged to the mute woman.


    Leaving them here was out of the question. It seemed she''d have to take them back¡ªthey''d make a nice addition to her meal.


    With a mere thought, the sweet potatoes in her hand vanished. She closed her eyes briefly, sensing that they had been transferred into that space, now piled in a corner of the bamboo house.


    Not bad, it''s like a portable storage box, Jiang Ning thought, increasingly pleased with this space.


    After ensuring everything was cleaned up, Jiang Ning entered the space herself, departing the scene without a trace, leaving only He Wen''s body lying silently by the pond.


    Upon returning home, Jiang Ning first went inside to check on Liu Ming''an, finding him still unconscious. She took the sweet potatoes out of the space and ced them in the kitchen, then poured the two buckets of water Liu Ming''an had fetched earlier into the vat. After finishing these tasks, she returned to the bedside.


    It was probably around 3 PM now. The vigers had finished their afternoon naps, and Jiang Ning could hear people outside calling out as they worked. Her eyes flickered slightly.


    Barring any unforeseen circumstances, someone would discover He Wen''s body soon. But that was no longer her concern.


    Liu Ming''an woke up half an hourter. As he opened his eyes, his mind was still fuzzy and unclear, unable to grasp the situation immediately.


    "You''re awake? How do you feel? Is there any difort?" A cool, clear female voice sounded beside him. Liu Ming''an turned his head to see Jiang Ning sitting on a stool by the bed, holding his copy of "The Book of Rites" and looking at him expressionlessly.


    As his thoughts cleared, Liu Ming''an recalled what had happened before he fainted. Considering Jiang Ning''s recent inquiry, though cold, it was a form of concern.


    Liu Ming''an felt a warmth in his heart and answered with a smile, "Apart from a slight headache and dizziness, I feel fine."


    This result was within Jiang Ning''s expectations. She nodded and replied, "That''s good."


    Liu Ming''an suddenly thought of something, his expression changing to one of worry as he asked, "After I fainted, did that man give you any trouble?"


    He remembered that He Wen had wanted to enter the house to see Jiang Ning. That man was shameless and lecherous; if he had seen the young and beautiful Jiang Ning, he would surely have harassed her. Liu Ming''an feared Jiang Ning had been bullied.


    Fortunately, Jiang Ning said, "No, he left immediately."


    Liu Ming''an let out a long sigh of relief. But then another question urred to him: "Didn''t I faint outside? How did I end up in bed?"


    Jiang Ning looked at him somewhat exasperatedly. There were only the two of them here, and she couldn''t have asked anyone else for help. Wasn''t the answer obvious?


    "I carried you back," Jiang Ning said.


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes widened involuntarily, his face full of disbelief. He was a full-grown man, while Jiang Ning was a slender, delicate woman. How was that possible?


    Seeing his expression, Jiang Ning knew he didn''t believe her. Internally grumbling "troublesome," she put down "The Book of Rites," lifted the nket covering him, and, just as before, picked him up from the bed in a princess carry, holding him steady.


    Liu Ming''an stiffened in Jiang Ning''s arms, his head resting on her shoulder, his entire body as if struck by lightning.


    Jiang Ning had lifted him up¡ªthis fact was quite shocking to him.


    "Do you believe me now?" Jiang Ning lowered her head slightly to look at Liu Ming''an and asked, "Shall I carry you around in a circle?"


    Liu Ming''an blinked nervously, his face flushing red to the tips of his ears. He stammered, "I-I believe you, I believe you. No need, I believe you."


    Jiang Ning nodded with satisfaction and gently ced him back on the bed, careful not to bump his injured areas.


    Liu Ming''an quickly turned his back to Jiang Ning, feeling his entire face burning hot, with unnamed emotions spreading in his heart.


    Jiang Ning picked up the book again and began reading as if nothing had happened. Her unnecessary demonstration was merely to tell Liu Ming''an not to treat her like the weak woman he imagined her to be¡ªshe wasn''t some delicate little girl.


    "Thank you."


    After a while, the person on the bed said softly, though his voice sounded a bit awkward.


    Thank you for what? For carrying him inside?


    Jiang Ning lifted her eyes from the book, looking at Liu Ming''an''s exposed red ears. Faced with this pure-hearted young man''s behavior, she was at a loss for words.


    "Terrible news! Terrible news! Someone''s dead!"


    Suddenly, a man''s shouting came from outside. He sounded extremely urgent, his voice somewhat hoarse, probably from excessive yelling.


    Liu Ming''an recognized it as the Vige Head''s voice. Forgetting his embarrassment, he turned and got up from the bed.


    "Jiang Ning, I''ll go see what''s happened. You stay here in the house, don''t go out."


    Liu Ming''an''s face was still a bit red, and he couldn''t quite look Jiang Ning in the eye. After quickly giving these instructions and seeing her nod, he immediately rushed out, taking three steps in two.


    Jiang Ning stood up and looked out the window. An old man was rushing back and forth outside, shouting at the top of his lungs. After Liu Ming''an went out, the old man immediately grabbed his hand, speaking excitedly about something while pointing towards the direction of the pond.


    Jiang Ning calmly withdrew her gaze, sat back on the bed, and focused on reading her book.


    As soon as Liu Ming''an came out, he was caught by the Vige Head. The old man had been shouting all the way and was now panting heavily.


    "Ming''an, someone''s dead! Someone in the vige is dead! Right by the pond. They''ve all gone there. Quick, let''s go, youe too and help us figure out what to do."


    Liu Ming''an''s house was on the outskirts of the vige, so he was thest to be notified.


    The Vige Head finished speaking and, without waiting for a response, urgently pulled Liu Ming''an towards the pond.


    "Vige Head, you''re not young anymore, please slow down," Liu Ming''an kindly advised.


    The Vige Head continued to walk hurriedly while sighing, "We can''t slow down! Zhuzi has already gone to report to the authorities. The official will arrive on horseback soon. Everyone in our vige must be there waiting, not a single person missing."


    Liu Ming''an agreed with this approach. Thews of the Great Liang Country stipted that upon discovering an unidentified corpse, it must not be moved. The authorities must be notified, and officials would examine the cause of death and record it.


    "Who''s the dead person?" Liu Ming''an asked curiously.


    The Vige Head''s face was full of worry. He sighed heavily and said, "Ah, you''ll know when we get there. It''s just ahead."


    After walking a few dozen more steps, Liu Ming''an looked ahead and saw that several dozen vigers, young and old, had already gathered around the pond. People were discussing in low voices, the crowd buzzing with chatter, interspersed with the sobbing of women.

 Chapter 15

    The Vige Head led Liu Ming''an into the crowd. Being tall, Liu Ming''an could see the corpse by the pond over the heads of the people. Although it was too far to see clearly, Liu Ming''an felt the body looked somewhat familiar.


    "Everyone''s here now. Let''s all wait here for the government officials to arrive and give instructions," the Vige Head said, sweeping his gaze across the crowd with a solemn expression.


    Everyone stood waiting about thirty feet away from the corpse, as instructed by the Vige Head, to preserve the scene for the officials'' investigation.


    "Brother Ming''an," a young girl''s clear voice sounded beside him,cking its usual cheerfulness and sounding somewhat subdued.


    Liu Ming''an turned to look and saw it was indeed He Yiyi. Behind her was a teenage boy, her brother He Dong, whose face was rather pale.


    "Brother Ming''an," He Dong also called out, following his sister''s lead. The boy was going through puberty, and his voice was coarse and unpleasant, which made him reluctant to speak much.


    Liu Ming''an nodded to the siblings and casually asked, "Did you just arrive?"


    He asked this because He Yiyi''s family lived quite far away, even further than Liu Ming''an''s home.


    To his surprise, He Yiyi shook her head and said, "Little Dong discovered it first, then he came home to call me, and I went to find the Vige Head."


    Liu Ming''an looked at the young boy beside her, understanding now why his face was so pale.


    "Who died?" Liu Ming''an asked again.


    He Yiyi didn''t answer but quietly pointed in a certain direction. Liu Ming''an followed her gesture and saw a woman kneeling on the ground, sobbing into her hands.


    It was He Wen''s mother. Beside her, He Wen''s brother He Wu sat on the ground, looking at the corpse with aplex expression.


    Liu Ming''an took another careful look at the body, and he knew.


    The dead man was He Wen!


    Suddenly, Liu Ming''an felt a sharp pain where he had hit his head earlier.


    How unpredictable life was. Just hours ago, this man had been so arrogant and domineering, and now he was nothing but a corpse.


    "Yiyi,e here!"


    This sharp rebuke interrupted Liu Ming''an''s thoughts. He turned to see He Yiyi''s Mother ring in their direction, her eyes full of reproach.


    This was He Yiyi''s first time seeing a dead body, and she was quite shocked. At this moment, she just wanted to stay near Liu Ming''an, so she pretended not to hear her mother''s call.


    But her mother was an impatient woman. Seeing her daughter not responding, she pushed through the crowd to personally drag He Yiyi to another spot.


    Liu Ming''an watched as He Yiyi''s Mother pulled her daughter, causing her to stumble, all while scolding, "You''re a youngdy, always sticking to men. Have you no shame?"


    He Yiyi protested, "Mom, I was just talking to Brother Ming''an."


    "You think I don''t know what''s going on in that head of yours? I''m telling you, it''s not happening!"


    As the mother and daughter''s voices faded away, Liu Ming''an let out a sigh of relief. Heaven knows, he only ever had brotherly feelings for He Yiyi, but her mother guarded against him as if he were a thief.


    Liu Ming''an rubbed his aching head, stepped out of the crowd, and leaned against a tree. He gently massaged his temples as he quietly waited for the officials to arrive.


    After a while, Liu Ming''an felt someone''s gaze upon him. He looked around and discovered it was He Zhao''s mute wife who was watching him.


    Liu Ming''an had seen this woman a few times before. She was usually very timid and hardly ever made eye contact with anyone. He wondered why she was looking at him today, and why she had covered her face with a cloth, leaving only her eyes visible.


    Although Liu Ming''an found it strange, he still gave her a gentle smile.


    The entire vige waited until the sun was almost setting before they finally heard the sound of horses'' hooves, signaling the arrival of the government officials.


    "Officers, it''s right here. This humble viger has gathered all the vigers here to facilitate your questioning. No one has touched the body during this time," the Vige Head immediately went to greet the officials, speaking respectfully.


    Four people hade from the yamen: two constables, a coroner, and a clerk responsible for taking notes.


    Upon hearing the Vige Head''s words, the coroner smiled, "You''ve been very thoughtful, old man. Thank you."


    The Vige Head nodded repeatedly, replying, "It''s our duty, of course."


    The crowd automatically parted to let the four officials approach the body.


    Liu Ming''an watched as the coroner crouched down beside the corpse and examined it meticulously from head to toe, checking the nails, mouth, nose, and ears, evenbing through the hair. Then he took out silver needles and inserted them into He Wen''s tongue root, throat, and stomach area.


    Throughout this process, the coroner muttered to himself while the clerk continuously wrote in his ledger.


    Meanwhile, the two constables began to inspect the area around the body, moving outward inch by inch, paying particr attention to the footprints. They stroked their chins thoughtfully as they observed.


    The vigers had fallen silent, watching their actions with curiosity. Only the Vige Head looked worried, fearing that if it truly was a murder case, it would disrupt the peace of the vige.


    About half an hourter, all four officials stopped what they were doing and huddled together, discussing in low voices.


    Liu Ming''an saw the coroner ask something, to which the constables shook their heads. Then the constables asked something in return, and the coroner also shook his head.


    It seemed they had reached a conclusion.


    Just as this thought crossed Liu Ming''an''s mind, one of the constables raised his voice to address the crowd.


    "Fellow vigers, after our investigation, we''ve determined that this man got drunk, stumbled to the edge of the pond, fell in, and identally drowned. It was an idental death, not a murder case. You can all rest easy."


    The Vige Head let out a sigh, the worry leaving his brow. He sped his hands and bowed to the four men, saying, "Thank you, officers! Thank you!"


    The coroner waved his hand at him, smiling, "No need for thanks, old man. It''s our duty. Our task isplete, so we''ll be heading back to the yamen now."


    With that, the four men mounted their horses, cracked their whips, and disappeared in moments.


    After watching the officials leave, the Vige Head turned to face the vigers, a clear smile on his face. "It''s all right now, it''s all right. Go home and have your meals. Everything''s fine."


    If it had been anyone else who died, the Vige Head certainly wouldn''t have been smiling. But the deceased was He Wen, a scourge who had gued the vige for years. The Vige Head felt it was divine retribution and would have liked to set off firecrackers in celebration.


    Most of the vigers shared the Vige Head''s sentiment, wearing varying degrees of smiles as they dispersed in twos and threes, heading home to cook and rest.


    In a moment, most people had left. He Wen''s mother and He Wu remained in their original positions, both seeming dazed.


    Liu Ming''an saw the Vige Head walk up to the mother and son, speaking earnestly, "Mrs. He, don''t take offense at an old man''s words, but He Wen''s death might be a blessing for your family."


    The woman''s tears began to fall again upon hearing this.


    The Vige Head continued, "You know better than I do how He Wen has been carrying on these past years. The inheritance his father left was enough for the three of you to livefortably for life, but what happened? He squandered it all on drinking, gambling, and whoring!"


    Recalling He Wen''s misdeeds, the Vige Head''s tone became indignant. He pointed at He Wu and said, "Not to mention little Wu here. Such a hardworking and honest good boy, yet he still hasn''t been able to find a wife. You know the reason for that too."


    "Uncle Zhong, please stop, I understand," He Wen''s mother cried. "I failed in raising my son. I gave birth to a beast who harmed himself, harmed little Wu, and harmed our neighbors. To tell the truth, I used to pray every day for his death. But now that he''s really dead, my heart still aches. I can''t control it, this feeling in my heart..."


    Liu Ming''an looked at the gray-haired, weathered woman, feeling a pang in his heart. If his mother hadn''t passed away, she would probably be about the same age.


    "Ah!" The Vige Head patted He Wu''s shoulder and said to them, "Blood is thicker than water, after all. Bury him and put an end to this life''s rtionship. From now on, you two can live peacefully. No one will ask you for money anymore, no one will beat or scold you. Your days will get better and better."


    Hearing this, Liu Ming''an felt a heaviness in his heart. As he walked home, even his steps felt weighed down.

 Chapter 16

    The sun was setting, casting a long shadow behind Liu Ming''an as he walked into his courtyard. By the time he arrived, thest outline of the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, leaving only a sky full of crimson clouds.


    Jiang Ning was leaning against the doorframe, her delicate features illuminated by the brilliant afterglow. She silently watched Liu Ming''an approach step by step.


    Liu Ming''an smiled at her, only to hear her say "Follow me" in her usual tone, devoid of any discernible emotion.


    Following Jiang Ning into the kitchen, Liu Ming''an saw her crouching by the stove, using fire tongs to reach into the belly of the furnace. As she brushed away the ashes, Jiang Ning extracted tworge, ash-covered objects.


    "Are those... baked sweet potatoes?" Liu Ming''an asked, surprise evident in his voice as he looked at the two items on the ground.


    Jiang Ning stood up, dusting off her hands, and replied, "Yes, this is our dinner tonight."


    But Liu Ming''an didn''t move, staring at the two sweet potatoes with a grave expression, lost in thought.


    After watching him for a moment, Jiang Ning couldn''t help but ask, "You don''t like these?" After a pause, she added, "I think they''re quite sweet."


    "I''m not picky about food," Liu Ming''an answered her question first, then exined his hesitation: "I was just wondering where these sweet potatoes came from in my house."


    Liu Ming''an hadn''t nted any sweet potatoes, so naturally, there shouldn''t have been any in the house. That afternoon, everyone in the vige had been called to the pond, leaving only Jiang Ning at home. Or rather, during that time, Jiang Ning was the only one who had freedom of movement.


    Could she have taken advantage of everyone''s absence to steal vegetables from someone else''s home?


    Jiang Ning''s eyes flickered for a moment. She didn''t know how to exin the origin of the sweet potatoes, but she certainly couldn''t tell the truth.


    After a moment''s thought, Jiang Ning said tly, "Just eat it. Why so many questions? In any case, it''s not stolen."


    Liu Ming''an couldn''t figure out where the sweet potatoes hade from and felt uneasy about eating them. "But¡ª"


    "No buts. Keep dawdling and they''ll get cold," Jiang Ning cut him off, walking towards the room as she spoke. "There''s hot water in the pot for washing up."


    At this time of year, night fell quickly. Soon after sunset, the sky had already darkened considerably.


    Jiang Ning picked up the oilmp from beside the cab, lit it with a match, and ced it on the table. As the small me flickered to life, Jiang Ning sat by the table, gazing through the window at the towering mountains in the distance.


    After a while, Liu Ming''an came out of the kitchen and, as usual, ced paper and brushes on the table, preparing to study bymplight. Just as he sat down and picked up his brush, he seemed to remember something and handed a book to Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning looked at the copy of "The Book of Rites" held out before her, uttering a confused "Hm?" without taking it.


    Liu Ming''an sheepishly withdrew his hand, smiling awkwardly as he said, "I saw you flipping through this book during the day. I thought you might enjoy reading it."


    "I was just passing time," Jiang Ning replied.


    Liu Ming''an pondered for a moment before suggesting, "These books of mine are indeed quite dull. Next time we go to the market, shall I buy you some books of strange tales and legends?"


    Jiang Ning looked up at him. In the dimmplight, the young man''s eyes were clear and innocent, a faint smile ying on his lips.


    "Liu Ming''an," she called his name for the first time, her voice losing some of its coldness, "You are a good person."


    I will repay you, Jiang Ning added silently in her heart.


    Liu Ming''an''s smile deepened. "The Lingshan Town market is held every five days. Today is the seventh, so in eight days, I''ll buy some for you then."


    "Alright, thank you. By the way, what was that about someone shouting ''someone''s dead'' today? Why were you gone for so long?" Jiang Ning asked, seemingly casually.


    The gruesome image of He Wen''s death and the woman''smentations shed before Liu Ming''an''s eyes. His heart sank as he exined, "The deceased was He Wen, the man who came to our house today. He apparently fell by the pond after leaving here, his head submerged in the water, and never resurfaced. I was gone for so long because we had to wait for the officials from the magistrate''s office toe and investigate the cause of death."


    Jiang Ning lowered her eyes slightly, concealing her expression as she asked, "So, it was the officials who told you this was how he died after their investigation?"


    Liu Ming''an nodded, his tone full of emotion, "Life is indeed unpredictable!"


    Jiang Ning said no more, picking up an ink stick to help him grind ink. Liu Ming''an smiled at her, then set aside all distractions and immersed himself in his ssical texts.


    Time passed slowly. When Liu Ming''an finished reading a volume and looked up to take a break, he realized it was already the hour of Hai (9-11 pm).


    "Jiang Ning, you should go to sleep. It''s toote," Liu Ming''an said. By this time, everyone in the vige would have long retired for the night. He felt guilty that Jiang Ning had stayed up with him sote.


    Jiang Ning turned to look out the window, seeing nothing but pitch darkness. She guessed it was probably around nine or ten o''clock, indeed time to sleep.


    "You should stop reading too. You were injured today, go to bed," Jiang Ning said, turning back to Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an had been so engrossed in his studies that he had forgotten about the wound on the back of his head. Now that Jiang Ning mentioned it, a dull pain returned. He couldn''t help but reach back to touch the injury.


    "Ouch!" The moment his hand made contact, the pain sharpened, causing Liu Ming''an to draw in a sharp breath.


    Seeing his reaction, Jiang Ning reached out to help him tidy up the things on the table.


    Liu Ming''an was about to get a robe from the cab to sleep in when Jiang Ning stopped him.


    "Liu Ming''an, go sleep on the bed."


    Liu Ming''an turned back in surprise, hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "It''s fine, I''ll just sleep at the table. How could I let a girl sleep there?"


    "I wasn''t nning to sleep at the table either," Jiang Ning said calmly, ncing at the bed. "The bed is big enough for two people."


    Liu Ming''an''s expression froze instantly, unable to believe what he had just heard.


    "Let''s sleep together," Jiang Ning added matter-of-factly.


    Shocked beyond words, Liu Ming''an''s face turned as red as a boiled shrimp. He couldn''t even look at Jiang Ning, lowering his head to stare at the floor as he stammered, "J-Jiang Ning, th-this is not appropriate. Men and w-women should maintain proper d-distance..."


    Thest few words were barely audible, and if Jiang Ning hadn''t been standing close, she probably wouldn''t have heard them.


    Looking at Liu Ming''an, who seemed so flustered he wished he could disappear into the ground, Jiang Ning suddenly let out a soft "Heh."


    Liu Ming''an looked up at the sound, only to see Jiang Ning''s lips curled in a half-smile as she said teasingly, "I won''t touch you. We''re just sleeping in the same bed. I promise not toe into contact with you, okay?"


    Since Liu Ming''an had first met Jiang Ning, her face had always been impassive, cold, and distant. This was the first time he had seen her express any other emotion.


    Jiang Ning was already strikingly beautiful with an otherworldly air about her. Now, with her lips quirked up and a yful look in her eyes, she looked like a celestial being who had descended to the mortal realm to toy with human hearts.


    Liu Ming''an gazed at her, feeling the heat in his face intensify. He quickly averted his eyes, "J-Jiang Ning, no, we can''t. This would damage your reputation..."


    "I don''t even know who I am. Do you think I care about reputation?" Jiang Ning retorted.


    Liu Ming''an remained unmoved. "No, a woman''s virtue is important. I can''t harm you like this."


    "It''s just the two of us here. If you don''t tell and I don''t tell, who would know?" she countered.


    Liu Ming''an stood firm, his tone righteous: "No, a gentleman must be cautious even when alone. One should not deceive even in darkness. Self-discipline leads to inner nobility..."


    Jiang Ning: "..."


    She knew that ancient schrs valued their "schrly integrity" and "gentlemanly hearts," often to the point of being pedantic and stubborn. But she truly hadn''t expected it to reach this level.


    "Tch!" Jiang Ning''s patience ran out. She really wasn''t suited for reasoning with people.


    While Liu Ming''an was still desperately trying to think of how to persuade Jiang Ning, a delicate white hand suddenly appeared before his eyes. In the next instant, that hand grabbed the cor of his robe and yanked hard. Caught off guard, Liu Ming''an stumbled, following the force of the pull and falling onto the bed.


    Just as Liu Ming''an was about to get up, Jiang Ning pressed her hand against his shoulder. She then leaned in close, and in the blink of an eye, the distance between them was less than half a foot. He could clearly see each of Jiang Ning''s long eyshes.


    "Sleep. Or I''ll beat you up."


    Liu Ming''an heard Jiang Ning say coldly, her expressionpletely serious, without a hint of jest.

 Chapter 17

    Liu Ming''an finally ended up in the same bed as Jiang Ning, his heart pounding like a drum. Hey stiff as a board, not daring to move a muscle or even breathe deeply.


    Jiang Ning slept on the outer side of the bed. Though they shared the same nket, there was almost half a bed''s width between them, not even a corner of their clothes touching.


    Liu Ming''an clung tightly to the edge of the bed, eyes wide open in the darkness, his body rigid and his mind racing, without a hint of sleepiness.


    After an indeterminate amount of time, Jiang Ning''s soft voice sounded beside him: "If you can''t sleep, I can help you."


    Just as Liu Ming''an was about to ask how she could help, he heard Jiang Ning continue in a t, emotionless tone: "I can knock you unconscious."


    Liu Ming''an nervously swallowed, the sound clearly audible.


    "Heh," Liu Ming''an heard Jiang Ning''s soft chuckle and imagined the curve of her lips as she added, "You''re such a coward. Do you think I''m going to eat you or something?"


    "I..." Liu Ming''an opened his mouth but didn''t know what to say.


    After a while, he heard her speak again, as if making casual conversation: "With your level of courage, how did you dare to buy a woman on the street?"


    Jiang Ning sounded as if she was half-asleep, her voice a bitzy and her words drawn out,cking her usual coldness. In the darkness of night, it had an inexplicably bewitching quality.


    This was a topic Liu Ming''an could respond to. He hurriedly replied, "I didn''t intentionally go to buy you. I was going to buy writing brushes and ink. I just happened to pass by and saw Zhao Instructor beating you. I couldn''t bear to see it."


    "Zhao Instructor." Jiang Ning murmured, remembering the man who had poked her wounds with a wooden stick. She wondered if he knew the true identity of this body.


    She made a mental note to find an opportunity to meet himter.


    Quickly, Jiang Ning realized another issue: "Does thew in this country allow people to be bought and sold on the streets?"


    "Generally, it''s not allowed to buy and sell ordinary citizens, but there are a few exceptions."


    "What exceptions?"


    "First, those who sell themselves into very and have ve status. Second, the families and three generations of descendants of condemned officials. Third, those who have served more than eight years in prison. Fourth, people who havemitted great moral transgressions."


    "What''s considered a great moral transgression?" The first three were easy to understand, but thest one sounded absurd, like a "moral crime," so Jiang Ning asked.


    "A great moral transgression refers to severe vitions of this dynasty''s etiquette andws, such as an only son not supporting his parents, or a woman not adhering to proper female conduct."


    "Interesting," Jiang Ning remarked. In the era she came from,ws punished crimes, and morality guided behavior. Thew was the minimum standard of morality. Moral errors at most led to public criticism, but here, they could result in the loss of human rights.


    "Liu Ming''an, which category do you think I fall into?" Jiang Ning suddenly turned her head towards Liu Ming''an''s direction and asked, even though she couldn''t see anything.


    Liu Ming''an hesitated for a moment before answering, "I don''t know."


    Jiang Ning had asked casually, not expecting him to tell her, since she couldn''t even guess herself. When she first transmigrated, the battered body she inhabited revealed nothing.


    Changing the subject, Jiang Ning asked, "So, did you end up buying the writing brushes and inkter?"


    "No, after I bought you, I had no money left."


    Liu Ming''an''s voice was clear and melodious, with a hint of barely noticeable amusement, as if he was gently teasing.


    Jiang Ning fell silent, and after a while, she slowly said, "Let''s sleep."


    After this casual chat, Liu Ming''an''s emotions had curiously calmed down, and his mind rxed. Combined with the injuries he had sustained during the day, the afternoon''s exertions, and the long conversation with Jiang Ning before bed, he now felt physically and mentally exhausted. Drowsiness washed over him like a tide, and before long, he fell into a deep sleep.


    Jiang Ning listened to the steady breathing beside her, knowing that Liu Ming''an had fallen asleep.


    But she couldn''t sleep.


    She had known from the start that she would be unable to sleep tonight.


    As far back as Jiang Ning could remember, she had never shared a bed with anyone. Although she knew Liu Ming''an was someone she could trust, years of habit couldn''t be changed in a short time. Jiang Ning could only lie quietly with her eyes closed, trying her best to rest.


    Jiang Ning had many reasons for forcing Liu Ming''an to share the bed with her tonight.


    This schr was truly a good person, like a living Bodhisattva, treating her with utmost kindness without any ulterior motives. Such purity of heart was genuinely rare.


    Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Jiang Ning nned to stay with him for the time being. As for his future marriage and children, that was a matter forter consideration.


    It was also because of this that Jiang Ning felt a rare emotion called "sympathy" when she thought about Liu Ming''an giving up the bed to her, a mere guest in his home, while he, a tall man of over six feet, curled up on the table every night, coughing from the cold in the middle of the night.


    Jiang Ning didn''t like owing people anything, but after transmigrating, she found herself indebted to Liu Ming''an in ways she couldn''t repay. While she couldn''t reciprocate in other ways at the moment, sharing half the bed was an easy gesture.


    However, Jiang Ning had overlooked one thing: some people move around in their sleep.


    Like Liu Ming''an.


    After falling asleep, Liu Ming''an tossed and turned, rustling about restlessly.


    At first, Jiang Ning paid no attention. That is, until Liu Ming''an''s movements brought him right up next to her.


    His breath was close enough to feel. Jiang Ning turned her head to find that Liu Ming''an had shifted from lying on his back to his side, curled up with his head against her shoulder.


    Jiang Ning inched towards the edge of the bed, putting some distance between them, but before long, Liu Ming''an had snuggled up to her again.


    Jiang Ning moved, Liu Ming''an followed. She moved again, he followed again...


    Finally, pushed to the edge of the bed, Jiang Ning sighed inwardly and decided to endure it.


    After all, a little contact wouldn''t kill her.


    After Liu Ming''an settled against her, he quieted down and slept soundly. Jiang Ning thought they might remain peacefully like this until dawn, but clearly, she had no concept of how restless sleepers behaved.


    A momentter, Liu Ming''an rolled over, turning his back to Jiang Ning with the space of a person between them. Jiang Ning had just breathed a sigh of relief when Liu Ming''an continued to roll, inch by inch, towards the other side of the bed, taking all of Jiang Ning''s nket with him.


    Feeling the chill on her body, Jiang Ning had no choice but to move closer to Liu Ming''an, pulling back the nket he was lying on to cover herself.


    Unfortunately, in pulling the nket, she also pulled back a whole person.


    Liu Ming''an, as if sensing the force in his sleep, rolled over again, his hand swinging with the motion andnding on Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning''s body instantly tensed, her brows furrowing deeply. Resisting the urge to kick him off the bed, she grabbed Liu Ming''an''s hand and tossed it back to his side.


    However, less than a minuteter, Jiang Ning suddenly felt a weight on her leg, then half her body sank down. Liu Ming''an had rolled on top of her, his leg draped over her body, one arm wrapped around her, clinging to her like a limpet.


    "You bastard!" Jiang Ning couldn''t help but curse under her breath.


    Jiang Ning pushed him away, but within minutes he was clinging to her again, insisting on sleeping while hugging her. If Jiang Ning wasn''t absolutely certain that Liu Ming''an was truly unconscious and unaware, his actions would have earned him at least three broken ribs tonight.


    Jiang Ning closed her eyes and took several deep breaths to calm herself.


    The next time Liu Ming''an rolled towards her, Jiang Ning was quick to react, firmly pressing her hand against his shoulder to stop his movement. Liu Ming''an struggled briefly before giving up, opting instead to hug Jiang Ning''s arm and finally staying still.


    Jiang Ning resigned herself to Liu Ming''an tightly hugging her arm. Tired of exerting herself in the middle of the night, she closed her eyes and, unexpectedly, drifted off to sleep in the early hours of the morning.

 Chapter 18

    Liu Ming''an slept deeply and sweetly, only awakening to the sound of a rooster''s crow. As he groggily opened his eyes, the warmth of the bed was so inviting that he felt his entire body melt into it.


    "Are you awake?" A cool female voice suddenly sounded nearby. Liu Ming''an lifted his head at the sound, his eyes meeting Jiang Ning''s frost-covered, icy gaze.


    The chill in Jiang Ning''s eyes was like a bucket of cold water poured over Liu Ming''an''s head. The drowsiness and confusion of just waking up vanished instantly as he realized they had shared the same bed.


    What was even more rming was that he distinctly remembered them sleeping far apart when they went to bed. How had they ended up so close together?


    Even worse, why was his head resting on Jiang Ning''s shoulder, and why was he holding her hand in his arms?


    Liu Ming''an felt his brain buzzing, certain that something he couldn''t remember must have happened.


    Seeing that he was awake, Jiang Ning extracted her arm that had been held all night, not forgetting to quip, "You''re a terrible sleeper."


    "I''m sorry," Liu Ming''an apologized quickly, simultaneously using his hands and feet to scramble out of the other side of the bed.


    As soon as Jiang Ning spoke, Liu Ming''an immediately guessed what had transpired - he must have identally offended her. Feeling awkward just standing there, he got dressed and tidied himself up, then made to head for the kitchen.


    "Where are you going?" Jiang Ning called out to him, also getting out of bed. She ran her hand through her hair on her shoulder, reminding him, "Didn''t you say yesterday that you''d help me with my hair from now on?"


    Liu Ming''an remembered and quickly halted his steps. "I''ll help you," he replied, letting Jiang Ning sit on a stool as he began carefullybing her hair.


    "Someone came by earlier," Jiang Ning suddenly said, turning her head slightly to look out the window.


    Liu Ming''an''s hand holding theb paused, and he nervously asked, "Who?"


    "I''m not sure. I only heard footsteps. They walked into the courtyard and then left," Jiang Ning answered.


    It was probably about half an hour before dawn when Jiang Ning had been awakened from her sleep by a faint noise outside. She had wanted to investigate, but Liu Ming''an was holding her hand tightly. Moreover, the person only lingered for a moment before leaving without any further disturbance, so Jiang Ning had let it be.


    But from the sound of the footsteps, it seemed to be a woman.


    As Jiang Ning pondered this, she felt Liu Ming''an''s movements stop. She urged him, "Don''t stop. It won''t take much longer. We''ll go outside together in a bit. I have a feeling that person left something behind."


    The more Jiang Ning spoke, the more uneasy Liu Ming''an felt. After quickly finishing her long hair into a neat style, Liu Ming''an said, "Jiang Ning, your hair is done. Shall we go take a look?"


    Jiang Ning reached up to feel her hair, noting it was the same hairstyle as yesterday.


    The two of them went outside together and found that something had indeed been left at the door.


    Liu Ming''an stared at the pile of fresh vegetables, severalrge eggs, a piece of cured meat, and two links of sausage on the ground, feeling deeply puzzled. "This..."


    Jiang Ning crouched down to examine the items. The vegetables were very fresh - the radishes still had dirt on them, and the lettuce leaves were covered in morning dew. They had clearly just been picked from the garden.


    "Do you have any idea about this?" Jiang Ning stood up and asked Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an shook his head honestly,pletely baffled. "Usually when people give me things, they want something from me. I haven''t helped anyone recently, and even if I had, why would they need to give so much? And why sneak around in the middle of the night to deliver it?"


    Jiang Ning didn''t respond immediately. She stared at the pile of goods for a moment before asking, "There''s a mute woman in this vige, isn''t there?"


    Liu Ming''an replied, "Yes, she''s He Zhao''s wife. She couldn''t speak when she was bought, so everyone calls her ''Mute Woman.''" He then quickly asked, "How do you know about her? You haven''t met, have you?"


    Even if Jiang Ning had gone out yesterday, everyone had been waiting by the pond for the officials at that time. There was no way Jiang Ning could have met the Mute Woman.


    Liu Ming''an was utterly perplexed, but Jiang Ning clearly didn''t want to exin.


    "She was bought too? What a coincidence," Jiang Ning mused, remembering the woman''s half-tongue. Without answering Liu Ming''an''s question, she stated confidently, "These vegetables were all brought by her, including the sweet potatoes you ate yesterday."


    Liu Ming''an''s mouth opened in surprise, about to say something, but Jiang Ning cut him off: "Don''t ask any more questions. Let''s bring the things inside. I''ll make breakfast."


    Liu Ming''an first stared nkly, then chuckled silently.


    "What are youughing at?" Jiang Ning asked, confused.


    "Nothing," Liu Ming''an replied, his eyes filled with deep amusement. Under Jiang Ning''s bewildered gaze, he picked up all the items from the ground and carried them into the kitchen.


    Jiang Ning didn''t understand, but Liu Ming''an hadughed at that moment because of her. It seemed that since her recovery, the domineering and cold aspects of her personality had be unmistakable. She often made Liu Ming''an feel as if this was her territory and he was the outsider.


    In just one day, she had gone from politely calling him "Young Master Liu" to dropping all pretense and ordering him around.


    This contrast didn''t make Liu Ming''an feel annoyed; rather, he found it quite interesting.


    This strong-willed and cool-tempered person was willing to stay by his side, cook for him every day, apany him in reading and grinding ink, and even, out of concern for his difort sleeping at the table, allow him to share her bed despite the potential damage to her reputation as a woman.


    She truly was a contradictory girl.


    After entering the kitchen, Jiang Ning selected arge radish, washed it clean, and cut it into quarters. Then, with a swift series of knife movements, apanied by a rhythmic "thud, thud, thud," she uniformly sliced the entire white radish into thin pieces about two millimeters thick. She ced them in a bowl, sprinkled a generous amount of salt over them, and left them to release their water content.


    Next, Jiang Ning washed some rice and put it in the pot. nning to make a vegetable porridge, she only used half a bowl of rice with a lot of water, nearly a four-to-one ratio of water to rice.


    After adding both water and rice to the pot, Jiang Ning ced a bamboo steaming rack in the pot and set a te on top of it. She put a section of washed sausage on the te and covered the pot with a lid, efficiently cooking the porridge and steaming the sausage at the same time.


    Strong fire makes fragrant rice, so Jiang Ning added more firewood to the stove. Red mes licked the bottom of the ck pot, and the water inside made soft bubbling sounds.


    About ten minutester, Jiang Ning picked up the bowl of radish slices. By now, arge amount of water had been drawn out by the salt, and the spicy vor had mellowed considerably. Jiang Ning rinsed them several times with clean water to remove the excess salt, then squeezed out the water with her hands. She added sliced chili peppers, shredded ginger, and minced garlic to the bowl, then poured in a few spoonfuls of soy sauce and vinegar. After mixing everything thoroughly, a dish of sour and spicy crispy radish was ready.


    By this time, the sausage was also done steaming. Jiang Ning lifted the pot lid, and a wave of hot steam rushed out. She quickly dipped her hand in cold water, then swiftly reached into the pot to remove the scalding te and ce it on the stove top. She then used chopsticks to take out the steaming rack.


    While the sausage cooled, Jiang Ning took a head of lettuce, washed it clean, and chopped it finely. She tossed it into the pot to mix with the now-thick rice porridge, sprinkled in a pinch of salt, and thendled it into bowls.


    After a few minutes, when the sausage was no longer too hot to handle, Jiang Ning sliced it thinly at an angle and ced the slices in a bowl.


    Breakfast was ready.

 Chapter 19

    Liu Ming''an sat at the table, looking at the simple meal of rice porridge and side dishes before him, his appetite awakening.


    The vegetable porridge was cooked over high heat, its aroma tantalizing. The rice grains had broken down, mixing with finely chopped vegetable leaves. The unique fresh scent of oil vegetables intertwined with the rich fragrance of rice. As he ate, the vors lingered on his pte, warming his stomach. He felt his entire being rx.


    The sour and spicy radish dish lived up to its name, both tangy and fiery. It was perfect for whetting the appetite and cutting through richness, an idealplement to the vegetable porridge.


    As for the sausage sent by the mute woman, Jiang Ning tasted a piece. It was made from pork seasoned with chili and Sichuan peppercorns, stuffed into pig''s small intestines, then smoked. The taste was numbing, spicy, and aromatic, almost identical to modern Sichuan-style sausage. To prevent spoge, it contained a fair amount of salt, making it too salty to eat on its own but perfect when paired with porridge.


    "You mentioned earlier that the mute woman was also bought. What''s her story? Tell me about it," Jiang Ning suddenly asked as Liu Ming''an was about to lift his bowl.


    "She was boughtst year. Apparently, she was a servant in a wealthy household who made a mistake and was sold by her masters," Liu Ming''an replied.


    Jiang Ning also picked up her bowl, continuing the conversation as they ate: "Was she bought by the He Zhao you mentioned to be his wife?"


    Liu Ming''an nodded, "He Zhao was injured during a hunting trip in his youth. He walks with a limp and has a scar on his face that''s quite frightening. No girl was willing to marry him. It just so happened that Zhao Instructor brought the mute woman to sell. He asked for eight taels of silver, but no one would buy her. He Zhao had just caught a litter of wild rabbits and some snakes, selling them for a good sum, so he bought her."


    Jiang Ning listened, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully.


    Liu Ming''an took another mouthful of food before continuing, "Actually, He Zhao is a good person. After buying the mute woman, he didn''t force himself on her. He slept in the woodshed. Later, when they got together, it was of the mute woman''s own free will."


    Jiang Ning was somewhat surprised. A single man desperate for a wife, spending arge sum to buy a woman, yet able to restrain himself from touching her - what a gentleman.


    However, Jiang Ning''s attention was more focused on the "hunting," "wild rabbits," and "snakes" Liu Ming''an had mentioned.


    "Does He Zhao hunt on that mountain?" Jiang Ning''s gaze drifted through the window to the tall, imposing mountain not far away.


    It was early autumn. The mountain was lush with trees, its peak shrouded in mist. One could imagine how quiet and secluded it would be inside the mountain.


    Liu Ming''an followed Jiang Ning''s gaze and answered, "Yes."


    "Are there many hunters in this vige?" Jiang Ning asked again.


    Liu Ming''an looked back and replied, "Besides He Zhao, no one goes hunting in that mountain. But since he got together with the mute woman, he hasn''t been to the mountain for nearly half a year."


    "There''s a saying, ''Live off the mountain if you''re near one, live off the water if you''re near it.'' Such a big mountain should have plenty of good things. Why doesn''t anyone go up there?" Jiang Ning seemed enthusiastic about the mountain, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.


    As Liu Ming''an listened, a hint of hidden pain shed in his eyes, but Jiang Ning, lost in her own thoughts, didn''t notice.


    "Well, no one just goes up there," Liu Ming''an answered curtly, lowering his eyes to focus on eating.


    Although Jiang Ning found it strange, she didn''t think much of it. She finished her meal quietly. When Liu Ming''an went to wash the dishes, she got up and walked outside, entering the room filled with misceneous items.


    Earlier, when Jiang Ning had surveyed the house, she remembered that this storage room, besides being stacked with firewood for cooking, also contained many farming tools.


    The small, dim room was dusty, with cobwebs everywhere. Jiang Ning covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve as she made her way past the neatly stacked firewood to the far end. Sure enough, she saw a pile of farming tools.


    Hoes, sickles, shovels, plows, baskets, bamboo cages, winnowing fans, and tools Jiang Ning had only seen in books like hand-cranked bellows, stone mortars for husking rice, and stone mills for grinding flour... There were also some tools she had never seen before, couldn''t name, and didn''t know the purpose of.


    It was evident that Liu Ming''an''s family had once been genuine, simple farmers. For some reason, they had now put away all these tools, and she hadn''t seen him farming, only growing some vegetables in the courtyard.


    Could it be to focus on studying for the imperial examinations? Jiang Ning spected.


    This reason seemed usible.


    "Jiang Ning?" Liu Ming''an''s voice sounded from next door. He must have finished washing the dishes and, not seeing her, called out.


    Jiang Ning didn''t linger. She picked up a rusty sickle, frowning as she tapped it on the ground to shake off the thickyer of dust, then stored it in her space.


    She turned to leave but after a couple of steps, remembered something. She went back, picked up the bamboo cage about the size of antern, and also put it into her space.


    "Jiang Ning?" Liu Ming''an called again, his voice nowing from the courtyard, sounding a bit urgent.


    Jiang Ning dusted off her hands and quickly left the storage room. As soon as she came out, she saw Liu Ming''an looking around the courtyard anxiously, his steps hurried as he was about to leave the yard.


    Jiang Ning quickly called out, "Liu Ming''an!"


    The anxious man turned at the sound, seeing Jiang Ning standing at the door of the storage room. He let out a slow breath.


    "What were you doing in the storage room? It''s dusty everywhere in there."


    Liu Ming''an walked up to Jiang Ning, smiling as he asked.


    Jiang Ning looked at the dirty, dusty marks on her hands, answering "It''s nothing, I was just curious and went in to look around" as she walked to the water vat by the kitchen door.


    Liu Ming''an saw that Jiang Ning wanted to wash her hands but was hesitant to dirty the water dipper with her dusty hands. He took the initiative to scoop up adle of water and slowly poured it for her.


    As Jiang Ning washed the dust off her hands in the water stream, Liu Ming''an said, "There''s nothing worth seeing in there, it''s just dirty."


    Jiang Ning didn''t say anything, then heard Liu Ming''an''s voice lower a bit: "I thought you had left, without even saying goodbye."


    His tone sounded like a mix of reproach and relief. Jiang Ning''s hands paused for a moment, then she only said, "I won''t leave."


    Liu Ming''an felt joy welling up from deep within his heart. His face broke into a brilliant smile, his clear eyes filled with sparkling light.


    Jiang Ning looked at him, her expression softening a bit, as if the invisibleyer of frost around her was melting bit by bit.


    "There''s no more water. Go fetch some," Jiang Ning said to Liu Ming''an as she shook the water off her clean hands.


    From what she knew of Liu Ming''an, if she directly said she wanted to go into the mountain, he would likely try to stop her. Although he couldn''t really prevent her, the thought of having to argue back and forth made Jiang Ning''s head ache.


    It was better to send him away and sneak off herself.


    Hearing Jiang Ning ask him to fetch water, Liu Ming''an had no suspicions. He replied "Alright" and left with a carrying pole and two wooden buckets.


    Watching Liu Ming''an''s figure disappear down the path outside the courtyard, Jiang Ning turned and entered the house. She took out his brush and ink, writing on a piece of paper, "I''ve gone hunting in the mountain."


    Just as she put down the brush, Jiang Ning''s mind shed back to Liu Ming''an''s panicked and anxious face when he was looking for her earlier. After a moment''s thought, she added a few more words to the paper:


    "Don''t worry, wait for me at home. - Jiang Ning"


    Using the inkstone to weigh down the paper, Jiang Ning closed the door as she left. Once out of the courtyard, she entered her space and moved towards the great mountain.

 Chapter 20

    When Jiang Ning left home, it was during the busy morning hours of farm work.


    She moved through the space, walking past ridges, wheat fields, corn fields, and lotus ponds... No matter where she went, she could see vigers passing by her.


    This was the second time Jiang Ning had seen so many people sinceing to this world. People digging fields, carrying manure, hoeing, nting vegetables, herding cattle... This small vige was a microcosm of primitive agricultural culture, disying the simplicity and unpretentiousness of rural life vividly.


    Jiang Ning brushed past these vigers in the space. She could see them, but they werepletely unaware of her.


    It was a strange feeling. She wandered among men and women, old and young, like a bloodless, fleshless, lonely ghost without any attachments.


    Jiang Ning walked and observed, mostly giving everything a cursory nce, until she encountered a familiar face in a vegetable patch.


    It was the Third Great Aunt who had washed her body and changed her clothes, picking chili peppers in the field.


    The old woman had a basket on her back and wore straw sandals as she stepped in the field. She bent slightly, grasped the red chili peppers, pulled them up, and the peppers detached from the nt, clutched in her hand. When she had gathered arge handful, she tossed them behind her,nding precisely in the basket.


    Third Great Aunt worked deftly while chatting animatedly with a woman in the neighboring field. Her face was smiling, with a kind and gentle expression.


    Jiang Ning was just passing by but stopped when she heard a familiar name.


    "...I don''t like what you''re saying. What do you mean ''Ming''an isn''t good enough''? In what way is Ming''an not good enough?" Third Great Aunt asked the woman, somewhat irritated.


    The woman looked to be in her early forties. Hearing Third Great Aunt defend Liu Ming''an, she narrowed her eyes in a mocking smile, pursed her lips, and began to argue:


    "He just isn''t good enough! Third Great Aunt, your favoritism won''t help. He Yiyi is the prettiest girl in our vige, and her family is the best off. Her two brothers are also sessful. What does Liu Ming''an have? No parents, just three mud-brick houses, he''s not even good at farming, just a pretty face. Apart from being able to write a few characters, what else can he offer? How could He Yiyi be interested in him?"


    Third Great Aunt was a bit angry at first, but after hearing thest sentence, she started smiling again, with a somewhat meaningful expression: "Aunt Li Er, you''re just being presumptuous. Yiyi isn''t materialistic like you, maybe she really does like him."


    "Oh~ Third Great Aunt, you know as well as I do. He Yiyi might like that pretty boy Liu Ming''an, but can she make her own decisions? Do you think Aunt Lin Er is just for show? Would she let her daughter marry a poor schr?"


    Third Great Aunt was optimistic: "It''ll be fine once Ming''an passes the imperial examination."


    "Even if he passes, he''ll still be a poor schr! I''m not afraid to tell you, my son, who works in town, saw He Ping drinking with the youngest son of the Chen Family Rice Shop owner. That man even called He Ping ''big brother'' and said he wanted to marry his sister."


    Third Great Aunt couldn''t respond. Although she felt for Liu Ming''an and thought he was good in every way, she also knew that given his circumstances, it would be difficult for him to find a wife. Otherwise, he wouldn''t still be unmarried at neen, without any matchmakers ever visiting his home.


    Third Great Aunt sighed, walked to the farthest end from the woman, and turned her back to pick chili peppers without saying a word.


    The woman, having won this verbal battle, looked very pleased. She raised her chin and let out a soft "hmph" at Third Great Aunt''s back, a victor''s mockery of the defeated.


    After they finished talking, Jiang Ning continued towards the mountains. Her pace remained unhurried as before, but she no longer had the mood to look around and observe.


    She had always known that Liu Ming''an was different from ordinary farmers. His face was fair and clean, unlike someone who worked outdoors year-round. He spent his free time reading and writing, and wasn''t particr about food, more like a poor schr.


    Jiang Ning didn''t think there was anything wrong with that, after all, everyone has different pursuits. But she hadn''t realized that in this environment, Liu Ming''an''s various behaviors made him seem like an outsider. The contempt and disdain in that woman''s eyes when she spoke of him were crystal clear to Jiang Ning.


    At the root of it all, Liu Ming''an was simply too poor. In bustling cities, the poor are ignored, while in remote mountains, even distant rtivese calling when one is rich. Once he had money, these people who looked down on him would probably change their tune.


    With this thought, Jiang Ning quickened her pace. As she moved towards the mountains, there were fewer and fewer people. By the time she reached the foot of the mountain, there were almost no signs of human activity.


    Before her, weeds grew wildly, nearly waist-high. Past the peak of summer, the vegetation had started to turn yellow. Although Jiang Ning wouldn''t trip or get caught on anything while in the space, she found it increasingly difficult to walk, as if some invisible force was restraining her.


    Considering the possible reasons, Jiang Ning took a sickle from the space and came out to cut down the obstructing grass. When she re-entered the space and took a few steps, it was indeed much smoother.


    It seemed that even in the space, she couldn''t bepletely disconnected from the outside world and was still limited by actual conditions.


    This discovery disappointed Jiang Ning a bit. She had hoped to use the space for "light body skills to walk on water" and "unprotected deep-sea diving," but it seemed that wouldn''t work. She''d probably drown.


    With no one around, Jiang Ning decided to leave the space. She picked up a long branch from the ground, using it to beat down the grass in front of her as she slowly made her way up the mountain.


    The slope at the foot of the mountain was fairly gentle, without many tall trees, mostly shrubs. As Jiang Ning cleared her path and walked, she discovered no less than ten types of edible wild vegetables in the short distance of about half a kilometer. Birdsong asionally came from above, and the birds didn''t seem afraid of her. Some even perched on branches, tilting their heads to observe her.


    The mountain was rich in resources but untrodden by humans. The fearlessness of the birds also indicated that this ce rarely saw people, which deepened Jiang Ning''s curiosity.


    Why didn''t the vigerse up the mountain?


    Pondering possible reasons, after nearly half an hour of walking, Jiang Ning entered the forest halfway up the mountain.


    The trees here weren''t dense, sparsely scattered, at most ten meters tall. Many had started to lose their leaves, leaving bare branches where birds hopped about.


    There were no more tall weeds here, just low-growing grass clinging to the ground, lush and green. Rabbits would probably like it.


    Jiang Ning tossed aside the branch she was holding, ready to search the area carefully. She had only taken two steps when she suddenly felt something hard under her foot. Looking down, she saw a yellowish-brown, spiky round lump. It had split open from her step, revealing brown, seed-like objects inside.


    Jiang Ning stared intently for two seconds before realizing with delight that this strange-looking thing was a chestnut!


    She crouched down, carefully avoiding the hard spikes on the outer shell, and split open the lump to reveal two round chestnuts inside.


    Excited by this unexpected find, Jiang Ning quickly looked around and indeed spotted a chestnut tree about ten steps away. As she walked over, she stepped on many more lumps. Reaching the tree, she looked up to see the green leaves interspersed with small green-yellow balls ¨C all unripe chestnuts still on the tree.


    Looking down, she saw the grass under the tree was almost covered with these small balls ¨C green, yellow, and ck ones, most of them split open, revealing the chestnuts inside.


    "How am I supposed to pick these up?" Jiang Ning muttered, looking at the prickly hard spikes. The only response was the crisp, melodious birdsong.


    After a moment''s thought, Jiang Ning picked up the branch she had discarded earlier, broke it into two pieces, and fashioned a pair of long chopsticks.

 Chapter 21

    The chestnut tree was quiterge,den with fruit. The ground was covered with fallen chestnuts, not just from this year but from previous years as well.


    Jiang Ning held a tree branch, focusing only on picking up the green and brownish-yellow fuzzy balls,pletely ignoring the ck ones.


    It took about an hour to gather all the chestnuts in the vicinity into a pile. Looking at the small mound before her, Jiang Ning let out a long sigh and wiped the sweat from her brow with her sleeve.


    "What a tiring job," Jiang Ning thought to herself. This body was more delicate than her original one; after bending over and searching for a while, her lower back and arms were starting to ache.


    But the task wasn''t over yet. She still had to extract the chestnuts from their prickly husks. Jiang Ning crouched down, using one piece of branch to hold the chestnut in ce, and another to pry open the husk. With a flick of her wrist, two smooth, round chestnuts popped out.


    Jiang Ning tossed all the peeled chestnuts into her spatial storage, piling them in the corner of the bamboo house. By the time she finished peeling the entire heap, she noticed through the branches overhead that the sun had risen to its zenith ¨C it was already noon.


    "Time flies!" Jiang Ning eximed as she stood up, stretching her slightly stiff body.


    She had originallye up the mountain to catch rabbits, but who knew she''d encounter this chestnut tree and end up spending half a day here.


    Moreover, there were still so many chestnuts left on the tree. It seemed she''d have toe back a few more times.


    Jiang Ning peeled and ate a few raw chestnuts to fill her stomach, then prepared to look for traces of rabbits.


    Just as she turned around a small hill, a shadow suddenly passed overhead, apanied by the sound of pping wings.


    "Cluck cluck!" The ck shape moved with incredible speed, calling out as it flew, but it didn''t seem as light as a bird.


    What on earth was that? Jiang Ning quickly ran a few steps to keep up with the flying creature, and momentster, she saw itnd on a mound of earth.


    Its brass-colored feathers were sleek and shiny, with long, dark blue tail feathers held high. A ring of ck feathers hugged its indigo neck snugly. Its proud head bore a blood-redb and face, with golden eyes the size of mung beans, a blue-ck beak, and two strong, powerful ws.


    Jiang Ning recognized this gaudy little creature.


    It was a wild pheasant!


    Jiang Ning hid behind a tree at a distance, watching the pheasant as it scratched the ground for food. Her eyes shed with excitement and determination.


    This bird, she wanted it!


    Jiang Ning tentatively took a small step towards the pheasant. The bird''s head, buried in the grass, immediately turned alertly, its pair of small golden eyes fixed intently on her.


    "Quite wary, aren''t you?" Jiang Ning thought to herself. In the next instant, she vanished from sight.


    The pheasant lowered its head again, using its ws to scratch for insects in the grass, asionally letting out a "cluck cluck." It seemedpletely at ease, utterly unaware of the danger approaching step by step.


    Jiang Ning slowly approached in her spatial dimension, eyeing the pheasant''s long neck. Her hand shot out, swift as the wind, gripping the bird and lifting it up. Only then did Jiang Ning realize her mistake ¨C she should have woven a grass rope beforehand.


    Suddenly attacked, the pheasant let out a guttural "gook gook" sound. Its wings pped incessantly, its powerful ws kicking wildly. The strength was considerable, and before long, Jiang Ning''s hand began to ache.


    With no other option, Jiang Ning reached behind her head and untied the hairband Liu Ming''an had used to tie her hair. She held it between her teeth, then grabbed the pheasant''s feet with her other hand, holding it upside down. She then used the hairband to tie its two feet together.


    Now she could rx. Jiang Ning brought the bound pheasant into her spatial storage and ced it in a cage. Aftering out, she thought about finding some mushrooms to stew together with the bird.


    Mushrooms usually grow on decaying logs away from sunlight, or peek out slightly from under fallen leaves. Jiang Ning specifically headed towards dead trees and shaded areas, and indeed found quite a few mushrooms, as well as some wood ear fungus.


    As she walked, she came across a tree with sparse leaves and twisted branches, looking half-dead. Jiang Ning stopped, her eyes fixed on arge hole in the trunk. It was a hole bigger than a basketball, only slightly smaller than the trunk itself, almost hollowing out the tree. It looked pitch ck inside.


    "A crafty hare has three burrows," Jiang Ning muttered to herself. To verify her guess, she picked up a clod of earth from the ground and threw it into the tree hollow.


    The next moment, several pairs of fluffy, grayish-brown long ears poked out from the hole. Bright ck eyes looked around, three-lobed mouths constantly nibbling, with ck whiskers twitching along.


    "One, two, three, four," Jiang Ning silently counted, a slight smile curling her lips.


    This was exactly what she hade up the mountain for today. Lucky her, to catch a whole nest at once. She couldn''t let a single one escape.


    Wild rabbits are cunning by nature and skilled at digging burrows. Jiang Ning knew that below the tree hollow there must be tunnels leading elsewhere. To catch this entire nest of rabbits in one fell swoop, she needed to find a way to lure them all to the surface.


    After much thought, unable toe up with a better n, Jiang Ning picked up a tree branch, broke it into small pieces, and started throwing them into the tree hollow.


    At first, the gray rabbits were scared, poking their heads in and out. After a while, seemingly realizing there was no danger, they grew bolder. Onerge rabbit hopped out.


    Jiang Ning waited patiently. When it had wandered far enough that the other three rabbits couldn''t see it, she swiftly entered her spatial dimension. Just as she had caught the pheasant, her hand moved fast and urately, grabbing the pair of fluffy long ears and bringing the rabbit into her space.


    This rabbit was quite fat, weighing about eight or nine pounds by her estimate. Jiang Ning nned to put it in the cage, but just as she approached, the seemingly docile pheasant suddenlyshed out, its sharp beak pecking viciously at the back of Jiang Ning''s hand.


    Jiang Ning felt as if she''d been hit by a hammer. The skin on the back of her hand split open, fresh blood gushing out, dripping onto the bamboo floor below, shockingly bright.


    "You really have a death wish, don''t you?" Jiang Ning nced at her wound and said ominously to the pheasant, which was craning its neck, ready to strike again.


    The wound would heal after drinking some water from the medicinal spring, so Jiang Ning wasn''t too concerned. However, this chicken was hard to tame, and if the rabbit stayed with it, it would surely be bullied, possibly even killed. So much for keeping them in the same cage.


    Jiang Ning simply grabbed the chicken out of the cage and tied it to the leg of the bamboo bed, then tossed the rabbit into the cage. Throughout this process, the wild pheasant kept trying to peck her again, but Jiang Ning, now on guard, wouldn''t let it seed.


    After securing the chicken, Jiang Ning went to the medicinal spring outside the bamboo house. She crouched down and scooped up some water with one hand to drink. After a moment, the wound healedpletely.


    This time, Jiang Ning watched bit by bit as the torn flesh and skin mended itself. Even though she already knew its effects, she couldn''t help but marvel. This medicinal spring hadpletely overturned her understanding of medicine. If anyone were to discover it, it would surely bring disaster.


    "The innocent often suffer for possessing rare treasures," as the saying goes. Jiang Ning understood this principle deeply, which is why she had no intention of telling anyone about this spatial dimension or the medicinal spring.


    After her hand healed, Jiang Ning stayed in the spatial dimension, waiting for the other three rabbits toe out.


    Jiang Ning waited and waited, feeling like she had been waiting for almost an hour without seeing any movement. Perhaps the first rabbit had been sent out to scout, and when it didn''t return, the other three had huddled up inside.


    Just as Jiang Ning felt her hunting patience wearing thin, a few gray ears poked out from the tree hollow. Then, to her surprise, all three rabbits came out together, the three gray creatures huddled close as they walked.


    Seeing this scene, Jiang Ning found herself in a dilemma. She only had two hands, meaning she could catch at most two rabbits. The remaining one would certainly escape.


    Oh well, she could alwayse back another time.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Jiang Ning chose the two rabbits that lookedrger. Her hands moved simultaneously, urately grabbing two of them. The remaining small gray rabbit, startled by this sudden turn of events, had its ears standing straight up. It took off running and disappeared from Jiang Ning''s sight in the blink of an eye.


    Holding a rabbit in each hand, Jiang Ning brought them together and ced them all in the cage.


    Coming out, she looked at the sky. The sun was already tilting westward, and she estimated it would be dark in another two or three hours.


    It was time to head down the mountain.

 Chapter 22

    As Jiang Ning was preparing to go up the mountain, Liu Ming''an encountered He Wu on his way to fetch water.


    "Brother Ming''an, are you going to fetch water?" He Wu asked.


    Liu Ming''an looked at He Wu, who seemed a bit awkward as he greeted him, and smiled, replying, "We''re out of water at home. Brother Wu, is there something you need?"


    He Wu and his brother He Wen wereplete opposites. While He Wen indulged in drinking, gambling, and all manner of vices, He Wu was honest, kind-hearted, and good-natured. When Liu Ming''an''s mother was bedridden, He Wu took pity on the mother and son, bringing them vegetables, helping to fetch water, and chopping firewood. Even after Liu Ming''an''s mother passed away, He Wu voluntarily came to help with the funeral arrangements. Because of this, Liu Ming''an always held a brotherly respect for He Wu.


    Liu Ming''an understood He Wu''s nature. He wasn''t good with words, or perhaps it could be said he was naturally a bit slow, and felt ufortable making small talk face-to-face. Now that he hade specifically to greet him, he must have something to ask.


    He Wu was a rough man with thin skin, and with Liu Ming''an asking him so directly what he needed, he found it hard to open his mouth and ask for help.


    Liu Ming''an waited patiently, a smile constantly on his face, giving off a sense of approachability.


    He Wu seemed to be thinking about something, then suddenly reached out and grabbed the carrying pole with the empty buckets from Liu Ming''an''s shoulder, cing it on his own. He then strode off towards the well.


    Liu Ming''an was stunned and didn''t react immediately. He only heard He Wu say, "I''ll fetch the water for you first, then we''ll talk."


    "Brother Wu, I can do it myself. Just tell me what you want me to do, I''ll definitely try my best to help you," Liu Ming''an said as he caught up with He Wu, trying to take back his things.


    He Wu blocked Liu Ming''an with his hand and strode forward stubbornly. "You''re a schr, you don''t have much strength. Let me fetch the water for you."


    Liu Ming''an knew how stubborn He Wu could be and couldn''t persuade him otherwise. He could only smile helplessly and follow along, watching as He Wu filled two buckets of water, then carried them back to his courtyard and poured them into the vat. He Wu made three trips in total, filling therge vat to the brim.


    During this time, Liu Ming''an nced into the house, thinking Jiang Ning might be hiding inside again, but didn''t think much of it.


    After finishing with the water, He Wu stood by the vat to catch his breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. Only then did he gather the courage to speak. "Brother Ming''an, I want to ask you for a favor."


    In the past, Liu Ming''an would have invited him inside to sit and talk, but now, out of consideration for Jiang Ning, the two could only stand in the courtyard.


    Seeing that He Wu had finally broached the subject, Liu Ming''an quickly responded, "Brother Wu, you said we''re brothers. If you need help with something, just say the word. There''s no need to ask for favors."


    He Wu''s expression seemed very conflicted. He wrung his hands tightly together, and after a while, he pulled out a roll of pale paper from his bosom and said, "I want you to help me write... a funeral couplet."


    Thest two words seemed to be squeezed out of his throat, his voice as low as it could be. After speaking, He Wu didn''t dare look at Liu Ming''an''s expression.


    Liu Ming''an had heard clearly, but didn''t speak for a moment. This request was unexpected.


    In the customs of Great Liang, when someone died, people would ask someone to write a funeral couplet to be pasted on the family''s door for forty-nine days, seven sets of seven. Then it would be burned at the grave, so that the deceased''s soul could find its way home during the first seven days, and then sessfully reincarnate.


    Generally, families who could afford it would invite a respected person to write the couplet. For instance, people from Lotus Flower Vige would usually go to town to ask the elderly teacher Chen to write it, bringing good wine and meat, along with a red envelope, and respectfully make the request.


    However, there were also sayings about writing funeral couplets. Writing for someone who was both virtuous and talented was considered a great merit, and people were eager to do it even without payment. Writing for ordinary people would umte hidden virtue for oneself. But if the deceased had been problematic in life, a thief or thoroughly evil, writing a couplet for such a person would only invite bad luck.


    This was also why Liu Ming''an was surprised. He really hadn''t expected He Wu toe ask him to write a funeral couplet for He Wen.


    But thinking about it, asking him to write it seemed like the best choice.


    He Wu knew his request was difficult, and seeing Liu Ming''an not speaking, he continued, "Brother Ming''an, if you really don''t want to, forget about it. I know you want to take the imperial examinations in the future, and being tainted with this kind of bad luck might affect your prospects. Let''s just pretend I never came today..."


    As he spoke, He Wu was about to put the white paper back in his bosom.


    At this moment, Liu Ming''an reached out and took it, smiling gently at him and saying, "How can you say that, Brother Wu? It''s just a few words after all. Why don''t you wait in the courtyard for a moment, and I''ll write it right away and bring it out to you."


    He Wu hadn''t expected Liu Ming''an to agree so easily, epting so lightly. He stood there awkwardly, only able to nod repeatedly and say, "Ah, good, good. I''ll wait for you. I''ll wait right here. Take your time writing, there''s no rush, take your time..."


    Liu Ming''an took the white paper and walked into the house, but didn''t see the person who should have been there. He instantly panicked. When he saw the note Jiang Ning had left on the table, Liu Ming''an felt as if his heart had been violently wrenched, and he could barely breathe.


    Jiang Ning had gone to the mountain.


    She had gone to that mountain alone.


    "Mother, why hasn''t fathere back yet?"


    "Be good, Ming''an. Your father went to the mountain to find something delicious for you. When hees back, you''ll have meat to eat."


    "They all died... not one of them survived... We couldn''t even find the bodies..."


    "Mother, I want father. I don''t want to eat meat anymore, I want father! Waa..."


    Memories from deep in his mind surged forth like a tide. Liu Ming''an''s face turned pale, and he clutched Jiang Ning''s note tightly, almost unable to stand.


    "Jiang Ning, don''t go!" Liu Ming''an mouthed silently.


    Liu Ming''an supported himself on the table and slowly sat down. His mind was in chaos, with past memories and present reality intertwining, leaving him unsure of what to do.


    After sitting dazed for quite a while, Liu Ming''an finally felt his mind clear a bit. At this point, there was nothing else he could do but trust that Jiang Ning was no ordinary person, and that she would surely return safely.


    Liu Ming''an rubbed his temples hard, then caught sight of the white paper on the table out of the corner of his eye. Only then did he remember that He Wu was still waiting outside for him to write the funeral couplet.


    Spreading the paper for the funeral couplet on the table, Liu Ming''an switched to a thicker brush. After dipping it in ink, he hesitated to put brush to paper.


    Liu Ming''an had never written a funeral couplet before, but he knew that it was meant to mourn the dead andfort the living, mainly tomemorate the deceased and express respect and remembrance for them.


    In Liu Ming''an''s memory,mon funeral couplets were usually along these lines: "Voice and image have faded, but virtue and benevolence remain," or "Leaving a legacy for a hundred generations, bestowing love for a thousand autumns; Voice and image linger, lofty spirit endures," or "High morals spread through the vige, shining integrity illuminates posterity."


    But were these praises of virtue really suitable for someone like He Wen?


    Liu Ming''an recalled He Wen''s behavior in life, and found it difficult to write such insincere words.


    After much consideration, Liu Ming''an picked up his brush and wrote on the white paper what he considered to be a more appropriate funeral couplet:


    "This body turns to dust and mud, possessing nothing,


    In the next life, cultivate oneself and virtue to be a good person."


    The horizontal scroll read: "With death, sins are absolved."

 Chapter 23

    When Liu Ming''an handed thepleted funeral couplet to He Wu, thetter wiped his hands vigorously on his clothes before epting it with both hands.


    Seeing this gesture, Liu Ming''an let out a silent sigh.


    He Wu could be said to be the person in this vige who most wanted to study and learn to write, but unfortunately, due to various circumstances, he could only choose to put down pen and paper, pick up a hoe, and shoulder the burden of life. Because of that desire for education, He Wu had always shown a respect for Liu Ming''an as a "schr" that others never had.


    "Brother Ming''an, thank you," He Wu carefully folded the couplet and ced it in his bosom, expressing his sincere gratitude to Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "Brother Wu, you''re too kind. It was nothing."


    He Wu felt immensely grateful and said earnestly, "Well then, Brother Ming''an, I''ll head back now. In the future, if you need any help, just say the word, and I''ll be there!"


    Liu Ming''an nodded, knowing that He Wu was a man of his word and that this wasn''t just empty talk.


    After He Wu left, Liu Ming''an returned inside and, looking at the empty room, suddenly felt uneasy, as if something was missing.


    Human habits are truly frightening things. He had lived alone for so long, yet Jiang Ning had only been here for a few days, and without realizing it, he had already grown ustomed to having another person in the house.


    Liu Ming''an picked up the note Jiang Ning had left again, focusing on the words "Don''t worry, wait for me toe home." Compared to the earlier words about "going hunting in the mountains," this sentence''s strokes were less fluid, much slower, and one could almost see the writer''s hesitation.


    The image of Jiang Ning''s cold face shed through his mind, and Liu Ming''an smiled softly, guessing that this sentence had been addedter by Jiang Ning. His mood lightened a bit, and the heavy stone weighing on his heart seemed to lift slightly.


    Liu Ming''an began to read as usual, but today his mind was preupied. His eyes unconsciously kept looking out the window, and he frequently found himself staring at the distant mountain, lost in thought. He couldn''t absorb a single word from the book.


    "Has Jiang Ning returned?" When this thought shed through his mind for the umpteenth time, Liu Ming''an sighed, knowing that he wouldn''t be able to focus on his reading today.


    Getting up and going outside, Liu Ming''an saw smoke rising from various ces in the vige, realizing it was already noon.


    Liu Ming''an turned back to the kitchen, bustling about with pots and pans for a while, and eventually produced a pot of rice and two dishes. He set the table and waited from noon until mid-afternoon, but the food had long since gone cold, and there was still no sign of Jiang Ning''s return.


    Jiang Ning came home in thete afternoon. She descended from the mountain, leaving markers along the way and picking some mushrooms. Aftering down, she entered her space, passed through the busy vigers as she had done earlier, and stopped in the woods about two hundred meters from Liu Ming''an''s courtyard.


    Returning empty-handed and then suddenly producing pheasants, rabbits, and a pile of chestnuts and mushrooms would likely make Liu Ming''an think she was some kind of supernatural being.


    Inside her space, Jiang Ning looked at today''s harvest with a slight frown. The chicken and rabbits were easy enough to carry, but how was she supposed to bring back this pile of chestnuts and mushrooms? She couldn''t possibly carry them all in her arms.


    At this moment, Jiang Ning desperately missed the era of stic bags.


    After pondering for a moment, Jiang Ning took off her outer garment, tied the sleeves, and then ced the pile of items on it, using the clothing to make an improvised sack.


    When Liu Ming''an heard movement and came out, this was the scene he saw: Jiang Ning with her long hair loose, wearing only her undergarments, her right hand carrying a cage with a grayish, furry creature wriggling inside, her left hand holding a colorful, clucking chicken, and arge, bulging package hanging from her arm.


    Liu Ming''an noticed that the chicken''s feet were tied with Jiang Ning''s hair ribbon, the one he had tied for her that morning. Looking closer, he realized the makeshift sack hanging from her arm was actually Jiang Ning''s outer garment.


    Jiang Ning had just stepped into the courtyard when she saw Liu Ming''an running out, as if he had been waiting for her. Liu Ming''an was visibly startled by her disheveled and half-dressed appearance, then jogged over, calling out, "Jiang Ning, let me help you with that," his hand reaching for the wild chicken.


    Remembering the peck she had received earlier, Jiang Ning took half a step back, avoiding Liu Ming''an''s hand, and handed him the rabbit cage instead. "Keep a close eye on these three rabbits. We''ll raise them for a few days and then sell them at the next market."


    Liu Ming''an took the cage, which was heavier than he had expected, containing three plump rabbits.


    Jiang Ning then handed him the makeshift sack. "There are some chestnuts and mushrooms in here. Put them in the kitchen."


    Liu Ming''an nodded, following Jiang Ning''s instructions. He ced the rabbits in the corridor between the kitchen and the storage room to ensure they wouldn''t escape, then went to the kitchen to find a wooden basin to empty out the contents of the sack.


    Holding Jiang Ning''s clothes, Liu Ming''an noticed several bright blood stains on them. His heart sank for a moment before he ced the garment in the wooden tub he used for washing clothes.


    By the time Liu Ming''an finished these tasks and came out, Jiang Ning had already tied the wild chicken to the doortch. Looking at the constantly crowing and pping chicken, Liu Ming''an said to Jiang Ning, "This chicken is hard to tame, with keen senses. It''s rare for anyone to catch one."


    Jiang Ning thought he wanted to know how she had caught it, so she simply said, "Don''t think too much about it. Just focus on your studies."


    After saying this, Jiang Ning suddenly felt like one of those parents who desperately want their children to seed, only caring about studying hard, getting high scores, entering prestigious schools, making a name for themselves, and bringing honor to the family...


    It was unbelievable that she, an assassin, was experiencing this motherly sensation!


    "Jiang Ning," Liu Ming''an didn''t inquire about how she had hunted, but instead asked with a concerned look as his eyes scanned her from head to toe, "Where are you hurt? Does it still hurt?"


    Jiang Ning was initially surprised that Liu Ming''an knew she was injured, but then remembered the bloodstains on her clothes and understood.


    "I heal quickly, remember?" Jiang Ning said, sounding as if she were trying to reassure him.


    "Just because you heal quickly doesn''t mean it doesn''t hurt, does it?" Liu Ming''an asked with a furrowed brow.


    Of course it hurt, butpared to the injuries Jiang Ning had sustained in the past, this pain from a chicken peck was practically negligible.


    Not wanting to discuss this further, Jiang Ning lowered her head and kicked the still-lively tied-up wild chicken, saying in a low voice, "Go boil some water. I''ll change my clothes. Later, you can eat an extra piece of meat to avenge me."


    With that, Jiang Ning turned and entered the room. The wild chicken pped its wings, making a low "cluck cluck" sound, ring at her retreating figure with round, angry eyes.


    The table was still set with untouched food, which surprised Jiang Ning. She hadn''t expected Liu Ming''an to wait for her return to eat, and it seemed he had been hungry himself.


    Third Great Aunt had brought two sets of her daughter''s clothes for Jiang Ning. After changing, Jiang Ning looked at the set she had taken off, and worry slowly crept back into her heart.


    How did people wash clothes in ancient times? It seemed they had to scrub them by hand, without anyundry powder or detergent.

 Chapter 24

    Shortly after Jiang Ning entered the room, she heard Liu Ming''an asking from the kitchen, "Have you changed? If so, I''lle help youb your hair."


    Jiang Ning responded with a soft "Mm," and Liu Ming''an lifted the curtain to enter the room, retrieving a hair ribbon from a box.


    "Jiang Ning, did you encounter any other dangers on the mountain?" Liu Ming''an asked while gentlybing through Jiang Ning''s hair.


    Jiang Ning had sent Liu Ming''an away earlier precisely because she guessed he would worry about this. She replied, "No, I only went halfway up the mountain, not further in. Besides, I''m perfectly fine, aren''t I?"


    Liu Ming''an was silent for a moment before continuing, "Perhaps you shouldn''t go up the mountain anymore. The money I earn is enough for both of us. The wilderness is bound to have fierce beasts, and the terrain is treacherous. There''s no need to risk it."


    "Oh, alright," Jiang Ning replied nonchntly.


    Hearing her perfunctory response, Liu Ming''an continued to persuade her gently, "Jiang Ning, I''m serious. You''re a young woman, and while you might have been lucky not to encounter any major dangers this time, who can guarantee you''ll be safe every time? The area around the mountain is uninhabited. If something were to happen to you, heaven and earth wouldn''t answer your cries for help. What then?"


    "Liu Ming''an," Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow slightly, voicing a thought she''d long wanted to express, "How can such a learned man be so longwinded?"


    Liu Ming''an''s hand, holding theb, paused for a moment before he let out a soft chuckle. Almost everyone who knew him described him as quiet, steady, and reserved. Jiang Ning was the first toin about him talking too much.


    "Jiang Ning, I''m concerned about you. I''m afraid something might happen to you," Liu Ming''an said sincerely, his hands deftly twisting a lock of her hair into a knot.


    "Con-cerned... about me..." Jiang Ning murmured, her expression somewhat dazed.


    The word "concern" was too unfamiliar to her. In her previous life of merely twenty years, her fate had always been controlled by others. To the organization, she was just a handy de. Everyone only cared about how sharp the knife was for slitting throats and drawing blood. Who would have cared if she, as a person, might meet with an ident?


    "Jiang Ning, don''t go up the mountain again," Liu Ming''an said solemnly once more, having finishedbing her hair and setting down theb.


    Jiang Ning lowered her eyes slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Instead, she pointed at the clothes she had changed out of and asked, "These... how do I wash them?"


    Liu Ming''an looked in the direction she was pointing, then collected the clothes, saying quite naturally, "I''ll do it for you."


    So domestic?


    Jiang Ning hesitated, which was rare for her: "Wouldn''t that be inappropriate?"


    "What''s inappropriate about it? Whether washing for one person or two, it''s still washing. It''ll only take a moment," Liu Ming''an smiled gently, then left with the clothes.


    Jiang Ning stood up and watched as he put the clothes in a wooden tub, which also contained the outer garment she had used to carry chestnuts. Liu Ming''an carried the tub into the kitchen, took a bamboo strip, and scooped out a pile of wood ash from the stove. Under Jiang Ning''s puzzled gaze, he poured all the ash onto the clothes.


    Jiang Ning was perplexed for a moment before realizing that wood ash, primarilyposed of potassium carbonate, had a cleansing effect when dissolved in water. This was the undry detergent" of ancient times.


    Liu Ming''an then retrieved a washboard and a wooden bat from behind the door, cing them in the wooden tub. He turned to Jiang Ning and exined, "There''s a stream near Lotus Flower Vige where everyone does theirundry."


    Jiang Ning nodded and said to him, "You go ahead. I''ll stay home and have dinner ready when you return."


    Liu Ming''an smiled, said "Alright," and left carrying the wooden tub.


    After Liu Ming''an had gone, Jiang Ning nced at the restless wild chicken by the door and smirked slightly. The chicken was jubntly hopping about, crowing at Jiang Ning,pletely unaware that its death was imminent.


    Jiang Ning took a kitchen knife from the kitchen and brought out a bowl, cing it on the ground. The chicken''s eyes darted around, looking at her. In the next instant, it was suddenly grabbed by its wings and firmly pinned down.


    Jiang Ning''s movements were quick, precise, and ruthless. She aimed at the chicken''s neck and made a clean cut. The chicken struggled for a few seconds before expiring, its once proud head drooping, and its bright red blood collected in the bowl without spilling a drop.


    After draining the bloodpletely, Jiang Ning tossed the chicken into the wooden tub and poured a fewdles of boiling water from the pot over its body, scalding it thoroughly. After the scalding, the feathers came off easily with a gentle tug. In less than five minutes, the once lively wild chicken had been transformed into a bare carcass under Jiang Ning''s hands.


    Jiang Ning added a pinch of salt to the chicken blood and set it aside to slowly congeal into a blood cake. Then, she took up the knife again, made a cut in the chicken''s belly, split it open, quickly removed all the internal organs, chopped off the head and tail, and the chicken was fully prepared.


    Looking at the chicken heart, liver, intestines, and gizzard, Jiang Ning hesitated, thinking they would be quite tasty stir-fried. But considering the preparation process, and the fact that there was no cooking wine or pickled peppers to mask the gamey smell, she gave up on the idea and discarded the offal along with the feathers.


    The chicken was quite plump. Jiang Ning nced at the two dishes Liu Ming''an had prepared on the table and decided to chop the chicken in half, saving one half for the next day. With just half a chicken, she could make a small pot of chicken stew with mushrooms.


    While Jiang Ning was busy in the kitchen, Liu Ming''an arrived at the stream with the wooden tub. This small stream originated from the mountain and flowed year-round. The banks were never without young girls and married women washing clothes or vegetables.


    Since ancient times, men had always been responsible for heavybor like farming, carrying water, and chopping wood, while washing clothes and cooking were considered women''s work. Therefore, as Liu Ming''an walked along the stream, he saw that all the people squatting and washing clothes were, without exception, women. When women gather, they inevitably gossip about family matters and engage in idle chatter. Liu Ming''an intended to find a more secluded spot, but Aunt Li Er''s sharp eyes spotted him.


    "Oh! Ming''an is here!" The woman''s shrill voice rang out, causing everyone to look in Liu Ming''an''s direction.


    Liu Ming''an had no choice but to approach and greet everyone, "Third Great Aunt, Aunt Lin Er, Aunt Li Er, Sister Xiangyun, Yiyi, what a coincidence to see you all here."


    "Brother Ming''an,e over here, there''s plenty of space!" He Yiyi beamed upon seeing Liu Ming''an, quickly rising to make room for him and squeezing closer to her mother.


    Aunt Li Er and her daughter-inw Li Xiangyun exchanged nces, both letting out a soft, derisive chuckle.


    Aunt Lin Er, seeing her daughter''s udylike behavior, frowned disapprovingly and yanked He Yiyi to the side, scolding her in a low voice, "Mind your own business! Who asked for your concern?"


    Though her voice was low, Liu Ming''an heard it clearly. His expression remained calm, a smile on his lips as he spoke frankly, "Thank you, Sister Yiyi, but I think Third Great Aunt''s spot is quite suitable."


    Third Great Aunt smiled and responded, "This old woman came earliest, so naturally, I got the best spot."


    Liu Ming''an smiled, ced the wooden tub on the rocky shore, rolled up his sleeves, intending to finish the washing quickly and return home.


    The two women from the Li family had been about to leave, but seeing Liu Ming''an arrive, Li Xiangyun unhurriedly continued to knead the clothes, casually starting a conversation, "Ming''an, how''s that woman you bought doing now?"


    Everyone present had their own thoughts and perked up at this question. Liu Ming''an was different from the other vigers ¨C he had no parents, no attachments, and rarely went out, so there were few opportunities to inquire about his affairs.


    "She''s fine," Liu Ming''an replied without looking up.


    "With her hands and feet cut off, doesn''t she need you to wait on her? Eating, drinking, using the toilet, bathing ¨C don''t you have to do it all? I must say, you look so refined, but how could you make such a muddle-headed decision? Spending three taels of silver to bring home an ancestor to serve ¨C what were you thinking? Ming''an, has all that studying addled your brains?"


    Li Xiangyun''s words came out like firecrackers, irritating Liu Ming''an, who furrowed his brow tightly.

 Chapter 25

    Aunt Li Er from Lotus Flower Vige was a notorious shrew, whose scolding could be heard from two miles away. After bing a widow, she remained the least sympathetic widow in the vige.


    After raising her son He Zhenhu to adulthood, Aunt Li Er arranged for her niece Li Xiangyun to marry him. Vigers often remarked that the mother and daughter-inw, both surnamed Li, were cut from the same cloth ¨C both sharp-tongued and mean-spirited.


    Despite having no quarrel with Liu Ming''an, Li Xiangyun simply couldn''t stand his schrly demeanor.


    Most vigers were simple farmers, but this Liu Ming''an neither worked in the fields nor hurried to find a wife. Instead, he spent his days immersed in books and writing, making himself stand out. What was he trying to prove?


    Ironically, many vigers liked him, including two people present: He Yiyi and Third Great Aunt.


    Li Xiangyun''s eyes darted to Liu Ming''an''s washtub filled with clothes, and she immediately raised her voice in a sarcastic tone: "Oh my, oh my! I thought you were washing your own clothes, but it turns out you''re washing clothes for that woman. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look at you, and you call yourself a schr..."


    The others nced at Liu Ming''an''s washtub, which indeed contained women''s dresses. Aunt Li Er let out a snicker, her eyes gleaming with disdain.


    Seeing Liu Ming''an being taunted by Li Xiangyun, Third Great Aunt quickly came to his defense: "Xiangyun, Ming''an has a kind heart. You should speak less."


    He Yiyi, braving her mother''s re, also spoke up: "That''s right, Brother Ming''an is kindhearted."


    "Who doesn''t know that our Liu Ming''an from Lotus Flower Vige is such a good person?" Li Xiangyun, undeterred by Liu Ming''an''s silence, became even more animated: "Ming''an, tell me, when that woman defecates, do you wipe her bottom for her too? Hahaha!"


    "Oh my! Hahaha... wiping her bottom, indeed!" Aunt Li Er couldn''t contain herself upon hearing her daughter-inw''s words. She burst intoughter, bending over as herughter intensified.


    Thement was extremely crude, but upon reflection, it wasn''t far from the truth. Third Great Aunt, He Yiyi, and her mother were at a loss for words, secretly observing Liu Ming''an''s reaction.


    Liu Ming''an set down the clothes he was washing and straightened up. The smile that usually graced his face hadpletely vanished. His bright, dark eyes fixed directly on Li Xiangyun, making her inexplicably uneasy.


    They heard Liu Ming''an speak calmly: "Sister-inw Xiangyun, I haven''t seen Brother Hu in a long time. Since your tongue is so long, can you use it like the White Envoy of the Underworld to lure your husband''s soul back from the Red Apricot Tower?"


    Theughter from the Li women abruptly ceased, and the other three were taken aback.


    Liu Ming''an had always been known for his good temper, rarely engaging in conflicts. Even when he did, he would first attempt to reason politely. How had he suddenly be so vicious with his words?


    In one sentence, he not only called Li Xiangyun a gossip but also hit her where it hurt. Li Xiangyun''s expression changed, and she red at him, hands on her hips, shouting angrily: "Liu Ming''an, what do you mean? You''d better exin yourself clearly!"


    Observing her ready-to-brawl demeanor, Liu Ming''an''s expression remained unchanged. He continued unhurriedly: "Be careful not to rot your mouth with too much gossip, and mind your karma. Even if Sister-inw Xiangyun doesn''t care about herself, she should at least think about her children..."


    At this point, Liu Ming''an suddenly paused, then continued as if having a realization: "Oh, look at my memory. I forgot that Sister-inw Xiangyun has been married for six years and still doesn''t have any children."


    Third Great Aunt, He Yiyi, and her mother were all shocked by Liu Ming''an''s sharp words.


    Li Xiangyun''s husband, He Zhenhu, worked as a bouncer at a gambling house in town. He rarely came home, spending most of his earnings at the Red Apricot Tower, constantly fawning over prostitutes, buying them bracelets, hairpins, clothes, and pastries. Meanwhile, his wife Li Xiangyun could hardly see him, living as a grass widow at home.


    This was one of Li Xiangyun''s sore spots, which others dared not mention lest she fly into a rage. However, even more unbearable than her husband''s womanizing was the mention of "children."


    Li Xiangyun had married into Lotus Flower Vige six years ago, and initially enjoyed over a year of marital bliss with He Zhenhu. The young couple lived harmoniously, with the husband working outside and the wife managing the household. Their life was satisfying; they onlycked a child.


    Who would have thought that after one year, two years, three years, Li Xiangyun''s belly showed no signs of life? The couple began to argue, and people often heard He Zhenhu cursing about "hens that don''ty eggs" and "sows that don''t bear piglets,"ining to others that "the He family line will end with us." He Zhenhu started frequenting the Red Apricot Tower, and Li Xiangyun''s tears and tantrums were to no avail. Eventually, He Zhenhu stoppeding home altogether, making it even less likely for Li Xiangyun to conceive.


    Therefore, Third Great Aunt and the others initially thought that when Liu Ming''an confronted Li Xiangyun, it would be like a schr meeting a soldier ¨C he''d be unable to argue his point clearly and would surely lose. Who could have imagined that this schr would, in just a few sentences, hit all of Li Xiangyun''s pain points? They watched as Li Xiangyun''s eyes reddened with anger.


    "Liu Ming''an, you son of a bitch! I''m going to tear your dog mouth apart today and see if you dare spout nonsense again!" Li Xiangyun, provoked to a crimson face with bulging forehead veins, trembled all over. She picked up the washing mallet, looking as if she might devour someone, and made to charge at Liu Ming''an.


    Aunt Li Er, who had been enjoying the spectacle, now grabbed her daughter-inw, her face dark as she spoke: "Haven''t you made enough of a scene? You''re embarrassing yourself. Hurry up and gather your things to go home and cook."


    Li Xiangyun was both her niece and daughter-inw, so Aunt Li Er naturally sided with her. She didn''t mind Li Xiangyun making a few jabs at Liu Ming''an, but when Liu Ming''an opened his mouth and aired their family''s dirtyundry, with other outsiders present no less, it made them aughingstock. Aunt Li Er couldn''t save face.


    Hearing her mother-inw''s reprimand, Li Xiangyun felt a surge of grievance, her eyes reddening. In a fit of pique, she threw the mallet into the washtub, picked up the wooden basin, and stormed off home without looking back.


    Aunt Li Er''s face was extremely unpleasant. She shot Liu Ming''an a vicious re, then left without a word, carrying her own wooden basin.


    This grudge was likely to persist. Third Great Aunt sighed inwardly and kindly advised, "Ming''an, you should be careful from now on. Those two women are very petty."


    He Yiyi''s mother chimed in: "Isn''t that the truth? Last year, when He Qiang''s wife gave birth to a big, healthy boy, we kindly sent her some red eggs to share in the good fortune of having descendants. But Li Xiangyun thought we were mocking her. She not only smashed the eggs but also cursed the child to die before turning three. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you, ugh!"


    Third Great Aunt, recalling something else, looked worried: "And the year beforest, Old Lady Zhang had a few words with her. Not two dayster, a whole brood of newly hatched chicks was found dead in the middle of the night. And the peach tree on the slope, which used to bear manyrge, sweet peaches every year, had its bark stripped. Ah, this kind of person is not to be trifled with, not at all."


    Hearing them speak this way, He Yiyi also began to worry about Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an himself, however, acted as if nothing had happened. He quickly finished washing the clothes, wrung them out, and ced them in the basin. Standing up, he smiled and said, "Third Great Aunt, Aunt Lin Er, Yiyi, I''ve finished washing. I''ll be heading back now."


    Third Great Aunt watched Liu Ming''an''s retreating figure and sighed once more.

 Chapter 26

    As Liu Ming''an returned home carrying theundry basin, Jiang Ning was still busy in the kitchen.


    Jiang Ning stood by the stove, her movements nimble. With her sleeves rolled up, revealing a stretch of fair skin on her arms, she held a spat and bent over, stirring the contents of the pot. The steam from the pot wafted over her expressionless face, and Liu Ming''an inexplicably found the scene somewhat cozy.


    Sensing Liu Ming''an''s gaze, Jiang Ning looked up towards the doorway. Liu Ming''an stood outside the kitchen holding the wooden basin, a faint smile on his lips, motionless, looking a bit foolish.


    "You''re back? The food''s almost ready," Jiang Ning said, averting her gaze anddling the mushroom chicken stew into arge bowl. The aroma spread through the air, making Liu Ming''an''s stomach growl with hunger.


    A long, thin bamboo pole hung from a beam on the side of the main room. Liu Ming''an walked over, shook out the clean clothes, and hung them up to dry. By the time he entered the room, Jiang Ning had already set all the dishes on the table.


    Liu Ming''an had cooked rice and prepared two dishes at noon. Jiang Ning had reheated them and additionally stewed half a chicken and fried a small bowl of chicken blood. Shedled chicken soup for both Liu Ming''an and herself, cooled it slightly by blowing on it, and they slowly drank it down.


    The wild chicken was indeed delicious, and with the added vor of wild mushrooms cooked together, the taste lingered pleasantly in their mouths. Neither Jiang Ning nor Liu Ming''an had eaten much since morning, and this bowl of hot chicken soup made them feel content andfortable to their very core.


    "Delicious!" Liu Ming''an eximed after finishing his bowl in one go.


    "Then have some more," Jiang Ning replied nonchntly.


    "This chicken meat is so tender!"


    "That''s how wild chicken is."


    "I don''t think I''ve seen this kind of mushroom before."


    "Just eat it, it won''t poison you."


    ...


    The two chatted intermittently as they ate, unconsciously clearing the entire table of food.


    While Liu Ming''an went to wash the dishes, Jiang Ning went to the courtyard to pick some vegetable leaves. She walked to the rabbit hutch, tore the leaves into small pieces, and pushed them through the gaps in the cage.


    At first, the three gray rabbits huddled timidly, not daring to move. After a while, seeing no danger, they cautiously began to eat. Jiang Ning, with nothing else to do, found it quite amusing to watch their tiny three-lobed mouths nibbling on the leaves. She squatted down by the cage, watching with interest.


    When Liu Ming''an finished washing the dishes and came out, he saw this scene and smiled, "I was nning to feed them, but you beat me to it."


    Saying this, Liu Ming''an also squatted down by the cage, watching the rabbits eat with great interest.


    The evening breeze blew through the courtyard, lifting Jiang Ning''s hair strands and gently brushing them against Liu Ming''an''s face, causing a slight tickle.


    Jiang Ning heard him suddenly say, "When I was little, I loved feeding rabbits. I thought they were adorable with their fluffy fur. Until one time, I reached out to touch a rabbit''s ear and it bit me. I was crying while my parentsughed beside me, saying, ''We told you rabbits would bite when they''re scared, but you wouldn''t listen. Now you know.'' That''s when I realized these little creatures could actually bite..."


    Liu Ming''an''s thoughts drifted back to those carefree days, with both parents present, everything was good - a time in his memories that was hard to forget.


    "That rabbit was quite fat, about the same size as these. I remember it sold for about 300 wen, and my father even bought me some sweet candy..."


    Jiang Ning listened quietly, not responding.


    When people reminisce, their words don''t always need a response. She didn''t have enough curiosity to inquire further into Liu Ming''an''s story; being a listener was enough.


    After a long while, the rabbits in the cage had finished eating, and the sun in the distance had sunk behind the mountains. As the daylight dimmed, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an stood up together and returned to the house.


    As usual, Liu Ming''an lit the oilmp, took out his books, and spread out paper and pen. He hadn''t been able to read a single word during the day, and now he could finally study properly.


    Jiang Ning idly flipped through a copy of "The Book of Songs". When it was almost time to sleep, she spoke softly, "Are you going to get into bed on your own, or do I need toe and drag you?"


    Liu Ming''an hesitated, but rememberingst night''s scene, he realized he couldn''t win against Jiang Ning. So after tidying up the table, he stifflyy down on the bed.


    Jiang Ning looked at him lying straight as a board on the edge of the bed, her feelings quiteplex. It made her feel as if she were forcing a virtuous woman.


    When Liu Ming''an fell asleep and, like yesterday, tossed and turned before finally reaching out to hug her, Jiang Ning''s feelings became even moreplicated.


    Jiang Ning extended one arm for Liu Ming''an to hold, allowing him to settle down and stop moving. Then she closed her eyes and slowly began to drift off to sleep.


    As night fell, a gentle breeze arose, causing the door to sway slightly, producing a faint, rhythmic creaking sound. The sound of the wind, the swaying door, and Liu Ming''an''s soft breathing became particrly clear in the quiet darkness, growing closer and more distinct.


    "Click!" A barely audible light sound came, and Jiang Ning''s eyes snapped open, half-asleep and half-awake.


    Someone was there!


    The assassin''s instinct made Jiang Ning instantly alert, her drowsiness disappearingpletely. Her muscles tensed, ready for action.


    Could it be that mute woman? Coming to deliver vegetables again?


    Jiang Ning listened as the footsteps gradually approached, not moving because she thought it might be the mute woman.


    But when the person reached the outside of the main room, Jiang Ning clearly heard her cursing in a low voice: "You son of a bitch, you think you can be a schr? Bullshit schr, I spit on you! If I don''t teach you a good lesson, my name isn''t Li..."


    It seemed the visitor had ill intentions.


    After cursing, the woman didn''t leave but tiptoed towards the back of the house.


    Jiang Ning wanted to go and see what was happening, but Liu Ming''an was holding her tightly, and she couldn''t free her arm. With no choice, she focused her thoughts and slipped into her space, using it to escape. Then she silently walked out of the house, following behind the woman.


    The woman crept to the back of the house, clutching a piece of bamboo in her hand. Jiang Ning watched as she squatted down along the back wall and began to dig a small hole with the bamboo piece.


    What was she doing? Jiang Ning was deeply puzzled.


    However, what happened next shocked Jiang Ning, a modern person who hadn''t seen much of the world.


    The woman threw away the bamboo piece, stood up, and actually started to take off her pants!


    Her pale buttocks were exposed to the air, and then she removed something from her crotch area - an object about the size of a palm with two long straps. She hooked the straps with her fingers and then put her pants back on.


    Jiang Ning now understood the intention of this unexpected visitor - she hade to cast a curse.


    The object the woman had removed from her crotch was clearly an ancient form of sanitary napkin, apparently still bearing menstrual blood. In Jiang Ning''s memory, this thing was called a "horse-riding cloth," though she wasn''t sure if it was called the same in the Great Liang Country.


    In ancient times, a woman''s menstrual blood was viewed as an impure substance. In some dynasties, women on their periods were considered unclean and weren''t allowed to go out. There was even a belief that if a man saw or touched this blood, he would be gued by misfortune.


    From a feng shui perspective, the front of a house belongs to yang, while the back belongs to yin. The roof represents the upper realm of light, while the base of the walls represents the lower realm of darkness.


    This woman intended to bury the blood-stained cloth at the base of the back wall, where the yin and darkness would generate negative energy, secretly eroding the yang energy of the house. The inhabitants would then have their fortunes severed, be gued by endless misfortunes, have their blessings and longevity destroyed, be constantly ill, and have both official and financial luck pass them by.


    The reason Jiang Ning knew all this so clearly was because she had once assassinated a merchant who was very superstitious and believed in these things.


    Jiang Ning scoffed at such nonsense, and seeing someone actually do this made her feel disgusted.


    What had Liu Ming''an done to offend this woman so badly that she woulde in the middle of the night to cast such a vicious curse on him?

 Chapter 27

    Seeing that the woman had put her pants back on, Jiang Ning acted decisively. She emerged from her hidden space and, using her hand like a de, struck forcefully at the back of the woman''s neck. The woman didn''t even have time to cry out before copsing limply to the ground.


    Jiang Ning picked up the bamboo strip and filled in the hole the woman had dug. Then, with a look of disgust, she used the bamboo to pick up the "sanitary pad" that had fallen on the ground. The blood-stained cloth emitted an unpleasant odor, and Jiang Ning, fighting her nausea, used the bamboo to stuff it into the woman''s clothes.


    How should she deal with this woman?


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes in thought for a moment, then the corner of her mouth curled up slightly as an idea came to her.


    Crouching down, Jiang Ning grabbed the woman''s arm and in the next instant, brought her into her hidden space. Knowing the force she had used, Jiang Ning was certain the woman wouldn''t wake up until early the next morning, so she wasn''t worried about her discovering the secret of the space.


    It was always daytime in the space, allowing Jiang Ning to clearly see the woman''s face. She was someone Jiang Ning hadn''t seen before, appearing to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old.


    She looked like a normal person, so why would she resort to such dirty tactics?


    Jiang Ning turned away in disgust and used her space to travel quickly. In the cold, eerie night wind, Jiang Ning passed through the pitch-ck forest and came upon a brightly lit pond.


    She had arrived.


    This was the ce.


    The ce where she had killed He Wen.


    Jiang Ning brought the woman out of her space, deliberately cing her in the exact spot where He Wen had died.


    Since she understood how to cast evil spells, she must believe in ghosts and spirits, right?


    Imagining the possible scenarios for tomorrow, Jiang Ning''s smile deepened. Satisfied, she turned and left.


    Back in the house, Liu Ming''an was sleeping soundly, his body sprawled awkwardly across the bed,pletely unaware of what had transpired outside. Jiang Ning pushed him to one side, got into bed herself, and before long, Liu Ming''an unconsciously moved closer, clinging to Jiang Ning''s arm as he had done before.


    The night was deep, and Jiang Ning, exhausted from her excursion, fell into a deep sleep soon after lying down.


    "Chirp chirp! Chirp!"


    The crisp sound of bird calls rang in her ears as Li Xiangyun slowly regained consciousness. Finding herself lying on the ground, she was momentarily disoriented.


    What happened? She clearly remembered sneaking to Liu Ming''an''s house, intending to bury a menstrual blood-stained cloth behind his house to bring him misfortune. Why was she sleeping here?


    Having slept outdoors all night, Li Xiangyun''s clothes were damp with dew. She sat up, massaging her numb arm that had lost feeling from being pressed against the ground. She tried to recall the events of the previous night.


    She had gone to Liu Ming''an''s house, walked to the back, dug a hole with a bamboo strip, and even taken off her pants to remove the cloth. But what happened after that? Why was she here? Why couldn''t she remember anything?


    Li Xiangyun rubbed her arm, feeling a sharp pain at the back of her neck. She assumed it was from sleeping on the hard ground. The forest in front of her was still dim, with birds hopping about and calling. Li Xiangyun stood up, confused, and caught a glimpse of something bright in her peripheral vision. Turning her head, she saw it was a pond.


    A pond?


    Her heart suddenly leapt into her throat. Li Xiangyun''s pupils dted involuntarily as she swallowed hard. She looked around uncertainly, finally confirming that this was indeed the pond''s edge!


    The pond''s edge she had visited two days ago! The pond''s edge where someone had died!


    Li Xiangyun became even more terrified when she discovered that the menstrual blood-stained cloth was in her own bosom, and that she had been sleeping in the exact spot where HeWen''s body hadin!


    Every hair on her body stood on end. The morning breeze blowing through the forest felt like a ghostly wind to Li Xiangyun, chilling her to the bone. It seemed as if countless invisible eyes were watching her from all around.


    "Ah! Ghost! Help! Ghost, there''s a ghost!" The woman''s shrill screams startled the birds in the forest, causing them to take flight.


    Because someone had died at the pond, the vigers instinctively avoided the area. As a result, Li Xiangyun had to run stumbling for nearly half a mile before she finally encountered another person.


    Zhuzi, who had gone out early to graze his cattle, saw the seemingly deranged Li Xiangyun and kindly asked, "Sister Xiangyun, what''s wrong so early in the morning..."


    Before he could finish, Li Xiangyun, upon seeing a living person, rushed towards him like a drowning person grasping at a lifeline. She grabbed Zhuzi''s arm tightly, her face filled with terror, repeatedly muttering about ghosts.


    "Where''s the ghost? Sister Xiangyun, don''t scare me." Zhuzi, not yet fifteen, felt a chill run down his spine at Li Xiangyun''s incoherent behavior.


    "It''s He Wen''s ghost! It''s He Wen, he took me to the pond''s edge. He Wen, it was He Wen! I slept by the pond all night for no reason. Look, my clothes are all wet. It was He Wen''s doing! He wants to harm me, he wants to harm me..."


    Li Xiangyun spoke disjointedly, extending her sleeve to Zhuzi''s eyes to prove she wasn''t lying.


    Zhuzi''s expression changed at the mention of "He Wen." It was he who had called the officials to examine the corpse two days ago. Hearing Li Xiangyun''s words, although they were jumbled, it didn''t seem like a joke. Her clothes and hair were indeed wet, as if she had spent the night outdoors.


    Zhuzi, being just a child, panicked and stood there, his face pale.


    Seeing that Zhuzi believed her, Li Xiangyun let go of him and continued shouting "Ghost! Ghost!" as she headed home. Along the way, she grabbed anyone she encountered to recount her story of being taken to sleep by the pond by a ghost.


    Within half a day, the story had spread throughout the vige. Some believed it, some didn''t, but everyone was uneasy. For a long time afterward, people avoided that pond.


    Liu Ming''an only heard about this incident two dayster when he encountered Third Great Aunt while fetching water.


    "Ming''an." Third Great Aunt spotted Liu Ming''an first. She looked around, and seeing no one nearby, approached him and greeted him in a low voice.


    Liu Ming''an was puzzled by the old woman''s cautious manner, but before he could ask, she whispered, "Have you heard about what happened to Li Xiangyun?"


    Li Xiangyun? Liu Ming''an shook his head.


    "I thought you might not know." Third Great Aunt chuckled, a glint of pride in her eyes.


    Liu Ming''an smiled and asked, "I haven''t been out for the past couple of days. Third Great Aunt, what happened?"


    Third Great Aunt didn''t keep him in suspense. Lowering her voice even further, she said, "On the night you had that argument with Li Xiangyun, she encountered a ghost! Somehow, in the middle of the night, she ended up sleeping at the spot where He Wen died. Some say it''s He Wen''s ghost trying to use her body to return to the world of the living."


    This sounded somewhat absurd, and Liu Ming''an wasn''t sure what to say. After a moment''s hesitation, he asked, "Is that really true?"


    "It''s true!" Third Great Aunt''s tone was certain, as if she had witnessed it herself. "Many people saw her running home from the pond''s edge that morning, looking as if she had lost her soul. It must be because she had cursed He Wen as a short-lived wretch before, and her words came true. Now He Wen hase for her. You know how Li Xiangyun cares about her reputation. If she hadn''t been scared out of her wits, why would she act like a madwoman, screaming and shouting in front of so many people? And let me tell you, from that morning when she returned home until now, no one has seen her leave her house."


    Third Great Aunt wasn''t one to exaggerate, so Liu Ming''an believed her to some extent.


    "Ming''an, this old woman is telling you all this idle talk to warn you. Although you haven''t done anything to trouble your conscience, He Wen was a scoundrel in life, and his ghost is probably out to harm people now that he''s dead. Your house is the closest to that pond. Be careful, and don''t go to the nearby forest to collect firewood anymore. It''s best to avoid that area."


    Third Great Aunt advised earnestly, and Liu Ming''an nodded repeatedly, "Thank you for the warning, Third Great Aunt. I''ll keep it in mind."


    Third Great Aunt added, "To say something you might not want to hear, what happened to Li Xiangyun is actually good for you. You offended her that day, and by rights, she would have sought revenge. Now that she''s scared out of her wits and hiding at home, she naturally can''t harm you."


    Liu Ming''an just smiled without saying anything.

 Chapter 28

    Since that night when they dealt with Li Xiangyun, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an had enjoyed a few peaceful days. One evening, Jiang Ning suddenly remembered Liu Ming''an mentioning that Lingshan Town held a market every fifth day. Counting the days, she realized it was tomorrow.


    "Is tomorrow the fifteenth, market day?" Jiang Ning asked Liu Ming''an for confirmation while feeding the rabbits.


    "Yes," Liu Ming''an replied, squatting beside the rabbit cage and poking a rabbit''s ear with a straw. He continued, "I''m going to town tomorrow. First, I''ll sell the rabbits, then the calligraphy and paintings. After that, I''ll buy some rice, flour, and oil, and get you some interesting books. I won''t be back for lunch, so don''t wait for me to eat."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow slightly, turned to look at him, and asked, "You''re not nning to take me along?"


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback; he had assumed Jiang Ning wouldn''t want to go.


    "I want to go with you," Jiang Ning stated firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.


    Liu Ming''an recalled what Jiang Ning had told him on the first day her injuries had healed and asked, "Didn''t you say you didn''t want others to know about your quick-healing ability?"


    Jiang Ning was momentarily speechless, having forgotten about that. In the vigers'' eyes, she should still be a disabled person with severed limbs and a disfigured face. Recovering so quickly was indeed unusual.


    But she couldn''t avoid seeing people forever; this situation needed to be resolved somehow.


    After pondering for a moment, Jiang Ning asked Liu Ming''an, "That person you invited to examine me and prescribe medicine, was he a renowned doctor?"


    Liu Ming''an chuckled, "How could that be possible? I can''t afford a famous doctor."


    Seeing Jiang Ning deep in thought, Liu Ming''an patiently exined, "Uncle Sun is a barefoot doctor in this area. His medical skills have been passed down for generations. Most of the time, he just treats minor ailments like headaches, colds, and minor injuries. For more serious conditions, he''s not much help. You''d need to go to town or even the county for those."


    Jiang Ning nodded and sinctly summarized, "So, he''s a quack."


    "Well, actually..." Liu Ming''an wanted to defend the elder, but Jiang Ning continued, "Actually, my injuries were just flesh wounds. The bones weren''t damaged at all. He''s not skilled enough and misdiagnosed me. As for flesh wounds, isn''t it normal to be able to walk around after ten days or so?"


    Jiang Ning finished speaking and quietly looked at Liu Ming''an, her deep gray eyes reflecting his slightly surprised face.


    Indeed, attributing everything to a "misdiagnosis" would work well. After all, no one would believe that severed limbs could heal in just ten days.


    Liu Ming''an was shocked by Jiang Ning''s intelligence and quick thinking.


    But soon, Liu Ming''an thought of another issue: "What about your face? Everyone saw that it was disfigured. That kind of injury shouldn''t heal so quickly, and there''s not even a scar left."


    "That''s simple. I''ll just cover my face," Jiang Ning said nonchntly. "If anyone asks, I''ll say I''m too ugly after being disfigured and don''t want to scare people."


    Liu Ming''an looked at the flower-like face before him, thinking that if he were to lie and call it "ugly," he might be struck by lightning for such dishonesty.


    After a moment of silence, Liu Ming''an simply said, "Alright then, it''s settled. You''lle with me to town early tomorrow morning."


    The next day, Jiang Ning wasn''t awakened by the rooster''s crow, but by Liu Ming''an shaking her. Looking out the window, she saw the sky was still a dark blue-ck color, estimating it to be around four in the morning.


    "Does it take a long time to get to town?" she asked.


    Liu Ming''an answered while quickly helping herb her hair, "It takes about two hours to walk there."


    Jiang Ning understood. Once her hair was done, she said, "I''ll go make breakfast, you pack the things," and headed straight for the kitchen.


    Anticipating the market trip, Jiang Ning had deliberately saved some cold rice the night before. In the kitchen, she lit the fire and added a spoonful ofrd to the wok. Once the oil was hot, she cracked two eggs on the edge of the wok, letting the egg liquid slide in. After the eggs set slightly, she scrambled them with a spat, then added the cold rice and stir-fried everything together. When the eggs and rice grains were evenly mixed, she sprinkled in some salt, and finally added a handful of chopped green onions. A fragrant wok of egg fried rice was ready.


    Jiang Ning brought out tworge bowls of egg fried rice and found that Liu Ming''an had packed a bunch of things. Writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were in one bundle, while the paintings and calligraphy he had created over the past few days were in another.


    "All packed?" Jiang Ning asked.


    Liu Ming''an was tying some scroll paintings together with a thin string and casually replied, "Almost done."


    Soon after, Liu Ming''an finished his task and sat down at the table. Jiang Ning handed him a pair of chopsticks, saying, "Eat quickly, let''s try to leave early and return early."


    Liu Ming''an nodded and began eating his breakfast.


    Jiang Ning had always been a good cook. The bowl of egg fried rice was aromatic, with snow-white rice, golden yellow eggs, and bright green onionsplementing each other beautifully. The presentation was excellent, with each grain of rice distinct yet coated with egg and infused with the savory aroma ofrd. One bite left a lingering fragrance in the mouth, greatly stimting the appetite.


    Liu Ming''an finished eating in just a few minutes, leaving his bowlpletely clean without a single grain of rice left. Seeing that Jiang Ning still had about half a bowl left, he put down his chopsticks first and went outside to tie some straw ropes to the rabbit cages for easy carrying.


    By the time Jiang Ning finished eating, Liu Ming''an had washed the dishes in the kitchen. When he came out, he saw that Jiang Ning had already shouldered the two bundles.


    "Jiang Ning, let me carry those. I can manage," Liu Ming''an said as he approached her, reaching out to take the bundles from her shoulders.


    "You take the rabbits, and stop fussing," Jiang Ning said, stepping aside to avoid his hand and walking towards the door.


    Liu Ming''an watched Jiang Ning''s retreating figure, smiling helplessly. He then picked up the cages, closed the door behind him, and led Jiang Ning towards the vige path.


    The sky was still a grayish-blue, with a thinyer of mist hanging in the air. After stepping outside, Jiang Ning put on the face covering she had prepared earlier, concealing the lower half of her facepletely.


    As they walked side by side, they hadn''t gone far when they heard the sound of a cow mooing behind them.


    Before turning around, Liu Ming''an already knew who it was. He turned with a smile and said, "Good morning, Third Great-Uncle and Third Great-Aunt!"


    Third Great-Uncle was driving an ox cart loaded with firewood, with a small space left on the front board where Third Great-Aunt sat. Hearing the greeting, the elderly couple peered through the dim light and recognized the tall figure in front as Liu Ming''an.


    "Oh my, it''s Ming''an! This old woman didn''t notice you at first nce!" Third Great-Aunt replied with a smile.


    "Whoa! Ho!" Third Great-Uncle called out loudly, pulling on the reins to stop the ox cart beside Liu Ming''an.


    At this moment, Third Great-Aunt noticed Jiang Ning standing half a step behind Liu Ming''an. She seemed to be with him and was carrying the calligraphy and paintings. Her face was covered with cloth, making it impossible to see what she looked like, but judging by her figure, she didn''t seem to be someone the old woman recognized.


    "Ming''an, who is this girl?" Third Great-Aunt asked.


    "She''s quite tall, doesn''t look like she''s from our vige," Third Great-Uncle added, ncing at Jiang Ning a couple of times.


    The smile in Liu Ming''an''s eyes deepened; he had been waiting for someone to ask this question.

 Chapter 29

    Liu Ming''an stepped aside, fully exposing Jiang Ning to Third Great-Aunt and Third Great-Uncle.


    The elderly couple listened as Liu Ming''an spoke, "Third Great-Uncle, Third Great-Aunt, don''t you remember? She''s the girl I brought back from the street. It was you, Third Great-Uncle, who brought her from town in your ox cart. And Third Great-Aunt, you helped clean her up. Have you forgotten?"


    Liu Ming''an finished speaking and turned back, giving Jiang Ning a meaningful look.


    Understanding his cue, Jiang Ning stepped forward and thanked the elderly couple, "Third Great-Uncle, Third Great-Aunt, thank you for your care."


    The two elders looked at each other, stunned into silence.


    "Child, aren''t you... aren''t you..." Third Great-Aunt, having regained herposure, hesitated, wanting to ask something but ultimately unable to voice it.


    Liu Ming''an, of course, knew what Third Great-Aunt wanted to ask. Without beating around the bush, he said directly, "Third Great-Uncle, Third Great-Aunt, her name is Jiang Ning. Actually, her limbs weren''t broken, it was just flesh wounds. They looked so severe that people thought her limbs were broken. Now the external injuries have mostly healed, and she''s fine."


    "Oh, so that''s how it is!" Third Great-Uncle suddenly understood.


    Third Great-Aunt said nothing, eyeing Jiang Ning with a suspicious look. She had helped clean Jiang Ning''s body and clearly remembered that Jiang Ning''s limbs looked oddly shaped, as if broken. Could it really have been just external injuries?


    But Third Great-Aunt reconsidered. Wasn''t the girl standing right there, perfectly fine? What reason would Liu Ming''an have to lie?


    Third Great-Aunt stopped dwelling on it and smiled, nodding at Jiang Ning, "Jiang, dear, it''s good that you''re alright, it''s good that you''re alright."


    Jiang Ning nodded slightly to the old woman in gratitude.


    Third Great-Uncleughed heartily and said, "Ming''an, I need to hurry and deliver firewood to Fusheng Restaurant. I won''t chat with you today. I''m off!"


    Third Great-Aunt looked at Liu Ming''an, wanting to say something, but hesitated due to Jiang Ning''s presence. In the end, she swallowed her words and just called out, "Ming''an, Jiang dear, we''re leaving now."


    Having achieved his goal, Liu Ming''an smiled at the elderly couple and said, "Take care, Third Great-Uncle, Third Great-Aunt."


    "Yo!" Third Great-Uncle called out once more, and the ox cart slowly rolled forward, leaving Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning behind in no time.


    After the elderly couple had gone far enough, Liu Ming''an turned to Jiang Ning and said, "Let''s go too." His voice was clear and mellow, carrying an obvious hint of amusement.


    Afterwards, they encountered several more vigers heading to the market. Liu Ming''an employed the same tactic, proactively greeting them and then casually repeating the exnation about Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning understood that in ancient viges like this, where families had lived for generations, there were hardly any secrets. Although Liu Ming''an had only revealed her situation to four or five people, within two days, everyone in Lotus Flower Vige would know that she was a person with fully functional limbs.


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning left the vige, following a straight main road. They passed through a cluster of mountains, traversed arge bamboo forest, and crossed a stone bridge over a small river. They walked from dusk until broad daylight, finally seeing the words "Lingshan Town" inscribed on a stone archway.


    "Phew~ We''ve arrived."


    Liu Ming''an let out a long breath. After walking for two hours, he was indeed a bit tired. He raised his sleeve to wipe a thinyer of sweat from his forehead. Looking to his side, he saw that Jiang Ning wasn''t flushed or out of breath at all. She showed no signs of fatigue, as if nothing had happened.


    "Jiang Ning, aren''t you tired at all?" Liu Ming''an asked, puzzled.


    Jiang Ning had been eagerly observing the passersby - people carrying loads on shoulder poles, others with baskets on their backs, men and women, young and old. It perfectly embodied the phrase "bent figures carrying burdens,ing and going without end."


    Hearing Liu Ming''an''s question, Jiang Ning withdrew her gaze and replied tly, "Not tired." A mere four-hour walk was nothing worth mentioning.


    "Do you feel tired?" Jiang Ning asked in return.


    "A little," Liu Ming''an answered honestly.


    Then, Liu Ming''an heard Jiang Ning say seriously, "That''s because you''re too weak."


    Liu Ming''an: "..."


    Such bluntness was rather embarrassing.


    "Do you want to rest a while before we continue?" Jiang Ning asked again.


    "No need," Liu Ming''an firmly refused, striding forward. "I''m not tired at all. I was just joking earlier."


    Jiang Ning followed Liu Ming''an with some skepticism, joining the flow of people entering Lingshan Town.


    Past the town boundary marker, the street was no longer a muddy dirt road. It was entirely paved with stone bs, their edges worn smooth by years of foot and cart traffic, bearing the marks of time and weather.


    The street grew wider as they walked, with small vendor stalls crowding both sides. Shouts of hawkers and the sounds of bargaining filled the air, giving the impression of a bustling and prosperous small town.


    However, at a certain point, all the vendors suddenly disappeared. Passersby hurried their steps, and even those talking lowered their voices, as if a stretch of the noisy river had been cut off by a knife.


    Jiang Ning followed Liu Ming''an down the suddenly quiet street, puzzled, until she saw arge mansion with a vermilion que that read "Baoji County Government" in bold, square characters. Then she understood.


    This was the government office. The yamen demanded solemnity and didn''t allow for noise. In this era,moners feared officials. To ordinary people, officials belonged to a privileged ss, so naturally, they kept their distance.


    Two armed constables stood guard outside the yamen, one on each side. Arge drum was ced at the entrance. Jiang Ning only nced at it before averting her gaze, following Liu Ming''an out of this stretch of road and back into the noisy marketce.


    "Isn''t this Lingshan Town? Why is the Baoji County government office located here?" Jiang Ning voiced her confusion.


    "Baoji County governs six towns, namely Lingshan, Lingshui, Lingyun, Lingfeng, Lingxing, and Lingyue. ording to the current dynasty''sws, the county government office cannot be fixed in one ce. It rotates among the towns, staying in each for five years. It''s currently our Lingshan Town''s turn, and in two years, it will move to Lingshui Town."


    Jiang Ning understood. This system existed in modern times too, designed to prevent officials from staying in one ce too long and forming their own power base, ensuring that themon people knew the county magistrate but not forgetting the emperor.


    "So, is the market day on the 5th only held in the town where the government office is located?" Jiang Ning asked.


    "Not at all. The market day tradition has been passed down for generations. The people you see now aren''t all from Lingshan Town," Liu Ming''an patiently exined, seeing Jiang Ning''s confused expression. "The towns in Baoji County aren''t far apart, and some merchants travel between them. To facilitate trade and avoid time conflicts, each town has its market day on a different date. The six towns have their markets on the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th respectively. Our Lingshan Town''s is on the 5th."


    Jiang Ning was about to ask a couple more questions when Liu Ming''an stopped and pointed to a fluttering blue g, saying, "Jiang Ning, we''ve reached Fusheng Restaurant."

 Chapter 30

    Fusheng Restaurant was thergest establishment in Lingshan Town. The owner, Hong Fusheng, was a shrewd businessman who weed all patrons with equal courtesy, whether they weremon folk or nobility. His demeanor was always polite and appropriate, never obsequious or disdainful, leaving no room for criticism.


    It was not yet 9 AM, and Fusheng Restaurant had no customers. A few waiters were bustling about, mopping the floors and wiping tables when Liu Ming''an walked in with Jiang Ning.


    "Oh! Customers, we''re not¡ª" The first waiter to spot them began to call out, but his sharp eyes quickly noticed the rabbit cage in Liu Ming''an''s hand. He promptly changed his tune, "Young sir, are you here to sell rabbits?"


    Liu Ming''an nodded.


    "Ah! This way, please! This way!" The waiter set aside his current task and led the way.


    Fusheng Restaurant had earned its reputation as the premier dining establishment in Lingshan Town not only for its impable service and delicious food but primarily for its expertise in preparing wild game dishes.


    The owner, Hong Fusheng, was himself a wild game enthusiast and had spent a considerable sum to hire a chef who specialized in such cuisine. Years ago, when the restaurant first opened, Hong had announced, "My dear fellow townspeople, from now on, whenever you catch rabbits, snakes, hawks, geese, doves, sparrows, or bamboo rats, bring them straight to Fusheng Restaurant. I, Hong, promise you''ll be generouslypensated!"


    Despite the abundance of mountains in Lingshan Town, there were no professional hunters. At best, people might stumble upon snakes, wild rabbits, pheasants, or injured eagles and geese, which they would bring to the restaurant for some extra money. Consequently, wild game wasn''t always avable at Fusheng Restaurant; it was a matter of luck and timing.


    The waiter led the pair to the back kitchen, where several staff members were working feverishly¡ªpeeling garlic, washing vegetables, cutting meat, chopping bones, washing pots, scrubbing dishes, and frying meatballs. The air was filled with a cacophony of kitchen sounds.


    The waiter halted, eyeing the rabbit cage with delight. "Oh, it''s been a while since we''ve received any wild game. You''ve brought three rabbits at once! The boss will be thrilled. These rabbits look plump¡ªyou two make quite the capable couple!"


    Liu Ming''an was startled by the word "couple" and was about to exin when the waiter turned and shouted towards a particr direction, "Chef Gao, Chef Gao! We''ve got wild game!"


    Jiang Ning noticed a middle-aged man a few meters away, who had been rapidly chopping potatoes, look up and scan the area before his gaze settled on the three of them.


    "Just a moment!" Chef Gao called out to them before lowering his head again, his knife moving even faster, almost creating afterimages.


    About two minutester, Chef Gao finished slicing the remaining potatoes, used his knife to push the potato strips into arge wooden basin filled with clear water, and then scooped some water from a nearby vat to rinse the cutting board and knife. He set them against the wall to drain, washed his hands, and wiped them on his apron as he made his way towards Jiang Ning and the others.


    "Young sir, miss, I apologize for keeping you waiting," Chef Gao said with a bow. He was a portly man with a protruding belly, but his smile was warm and genial, inspiring no hint of dislike.


    "No need for apologies, Chef Gao," Liu Ming''an replied with a smile and a nod, cing the rabbit cage at the chef''s feet. "We have three wild rabbits here. We''d appreciate a fair price for them."


    Chef Gao''s eyes hadn''t left the rabbits since he''d first greeted them. He quickly responded, "Of course, of course! Fusheng Restaurant has been in business for years; we won''t tarnish our reputation."


    As soon as Liu Ming''an set down the cage, Chef Gao crouched down and reached inside, grasping one rabbit by the ears and lifting it out for inspection. His face lit up with excitement.


    "A one-year-old rabbit, perfect for spicy diced rabbit!" he eximed.


    He set that one down and picked up another.


    "Oh my, this one''s five years old¡ªideal for silk-wrapped rabbit!"


    The third rabbit received the same treatment, held up for Chef Gao''s expert appraisal. "Hmm, three years old. It would be great for hand-pulled rabbit or roasted rabbit."


    Having examined all three rabbits, Chef Gao stood up, satisfied, and began negotiating with Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning. "Young sir, miss, these are excellent rabbits, all of good size. Our standard price is three hundred copper coins per rabbit, so for three rabbits, that would be nine hundred copper coins. How about we round it up..." He held up his index finger, "...to one tael of silver? What do you think?"


    Since Jiang Ning had caught the rabbits, Liu Ming''an couldn''t make the decision alone. He turned to look at Jiang Ning, seeking her opinion.


    Unfortunately, Jiang Ning had no concept of this world''s currency values.


    Liu Ming''an noticed Jiang Ning''s eyes, visible above her veil, nce at him briefly before she said, "You can decide."


    Though Liu Ming''an had never sold rabbits before, he reasoned that given Fusheng Restaurant''s reputation, Chef Gao was unlikely to cheat them.


    So, Liu Ming''an turned back to Chef Gao and said, "That''s eptable."


    "Haha..." Chef Gaoughed heartily and bowed to Liu Ming''an again. "You''re a decisive young man!"


    Then, Chef Gao instructed the waiter, "Li Cheng, go ask Mr. He for one tael of silver and record it in the ounts. Let the boss know when he arrives."


    The waiter replied with a smile, "Chef Gao, He Ping went home today. He''s not here. Qin is managing the ounts now."


    "I don''t care who''s managing the ounts, just get the money. Stop dawdling and go!" Chef Gao barked.


    "Right away! Just a moment!" Li Cheng nodded to the three of them and dashed off.


    When Jiang Ning heard the name "He Ping," she remembered the letter He Yiyi had asked Liu Ming''an to write, addressed to "He Ping at Fusheng Restaurant." It seemed this was the same He Ping, who must have gone home today for his "arranged meeting."


    The three of them waited for a while until Li Cheng returned with the money. Chef Gao held out his hand to receive it, counted it to ensure it was the correct amount, then politely handed it to Liu Ming''an.


    "If you have any more wild game in the future, please bring it here. We''ll buy it all and ensure you''re treated fairly," Chef Gao said.


    Liu Ming''an smiled politely and nodded in agreement.


    Chef Gao picked up the rabbit cage and said with a friendly smile, "I need to get back to work now. Li Cheng, please see them out."


    "Certainly! This way, please," the waiter said.


    Li Cheng led Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning out of the kitchen. Along the way, he couldn''t help ncing at the silver in Liu Ming''an''s hand. Finally, unable to contain himself, he remarked, "My, you two are fortunate! You''ve earned in this short time what would take me three months of work here."


    Liu Ming''an could hear the envy in the waiter''s voice but simply smiled without responding.


    After a few steps, they reached the entrance of the restaurant. Li Cheng stopped and said to the pair, "I have work to do inside, so I''ll say goodbye here. Have a safe journey."


    Liu Ming''an replied with a "Thank you for seeing us out" and left with Jiang Ning.

 Chapter 31

    After leaving Fusheng Restaurant, Liu Ming''an, empty-handed, reached out to take the two packages from Jiang Ning''s shoulders and carried them on his own back.


    "Are we going to sell calligraphy and paintings now?" Jiang Ning asked, noticing that he seemed to be purposefully heading somewhere.


    "Yes, just by that bridge over there."


    Liu Ming''an pointed ahead, and Jiang Ning looked in that direction. About two hundred meters away, there was a small wooden bridge with willows nted beside it. It was early autumn, and the willow leaves were a deep green, swaying gently on their soft branches in the breeze.


    "Oh, right, this is for you," Liu Ming''an suddenly stopped and held out his hand to Jiang Ning, palm open with the silver tael lying in it.


    "What for? You should keep it," Jiang Ning didn''t move.


    "It was meant to be yours in the first ce," Liu Ming''an said, reaching out to grab Jiang Ning''s wrist and cing the silver in her hand.


    Jiang Ning thought for a moment and decided not to argue, epting it without further ado.


    The two walked to the bridge, where uneven bluestone bs paved the ground, with tenacious weeds growing in the cracks between the stones.


    Just as Jiang Ning was about to ask how to set up a stall here, she saw Liu Ming''an walk straight towards a woman selling osmanthus cakes nearby.


    "Here you go, take care and have a nice day," the woman was attending to a customer, wrapping a steaming osmanthus cake in yellow oiled paper and handing it to a woman carrying a child with both hands. She then took the few copper coins the customer gave her and put them in the pocket in front of her before sitting down on a stool to rest.


    After the woman left with her purchase, Liu Ming''an called out, "Aunt Hui, business seems good today, you''ve sold quite a lot already."


    The woman called "Aunt Hui" looked up, and upon seeing Liu Ming''an, her eyes lit up with joy. "You rascal, why are you sote today? Slept in, didn''t you?"


    Liu Ming''an smiled and was about to say something when a gruff male voice sounded from behind, "Bossdy, two osmanthus cakes, please!"


    "Coming right up! Just a moment!" Aunt Hui immediately responded, getting up from her stool and starting to wrap the cakes in oiled paper. At the same time, she nodded at Liu Ming''an, "You go set up your stall first, we''ll chatter."


    Liu Ming''an said "Alright" and walked into the shop behind Aunt Hui, familiar with the routine. He dragged out a bamboo couch about half as tall as a person.


    Seeing that he was struggling to lift it alone, Jiang Ning went over to help carry the other end. Following Liu Ming''an''s guidance, they together ced the bamboo couch about five or six meters away from Aunt Hui''s stall.


    "I''ll go get a stool," Liu Ming''an said to Jiang Ning and went back into the shop.


    Jiang Ning stood waiting for Liu Ming''an but felt a gaze fall squarely on her. It was Aunt Hui. Jiang Ning looked back at her, and the woman showed no malice, her eyes full of curiosity.


    Seeing Jiang Ning look over, Aunt Hui greeted her straightforwardly, "Youngdy, you''re quite strong. What''s your rtionship with Ming''an? I''ve never seen you before."


    What was she to Liu Ming''an?


    This question stumped Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning lowered her eyes and remained silent, making Aunt Hui wonder if the girl couldn''t speak or if she was just too shy to talk to strangers.


    "Aunt Hui," Liu Ming''an''s voice came at the right moment, breaking the awkward situation. "She''s my sister, her name is Jiang Ning. She''s not very talkative."


    Sister?


    Jiang Ning''s eyebrows twitched slightly upon hearing this, giving Liu Ming''an an ambiguous look. Liu Ming''an was only neen, and she had been twenty-two when she died, yet now she had be the younger sister.


    But then she thought, her current body looked no older than eighteen, so it wasn''t unreasonable for Liu Ming''an to call her sister.


    Caught under Jiang Ning''s gaze, Liu Ming''an was puzzled but smiled slightly. He ced two low stools beside the bamboo couch, then took out the calligraphy and paintings from the package and spread them on the couch. He sat on one stool and arranged the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.


    "Jiang Ning,e here."


    Liu Ming''an patted the other stool, indicating for Jiang Ning to sit and rest.


    Just as Jiang Ning took a step, a little girl holding a paper pinwheel came running across the bridge. The little girl looked about five or six years old, with two small buns tied on top of her head, one on each side, bound with red hair ties, looking cute and clever.


    A few meters behind the little girl, a young woman followed, running after her with a loving expression. The two had very simr features, and anyone could tell they were mother and daughter.


    "Yuanyuan, slow down, slow down, be careful not to fall..."


    No sooner had the mother spoken than the child kicked a slightly protruding stone b on the ground, lost her bnce, and fell straight forward, right in Jiang Ning''s direction.


    Everyone thought that if Jiang Ning didn''t move, the child would bump into her legs and not fall. They all optimistically assumed this.


    Unexpectedly, Jiang Ning stepped aside, avoiding the child.


    The little girl fell hard on the stone pavement, and the pinwheel in her hand also broke apart as it hit the ground. The next moment, her lips quivered, and she began to wail loudly.


    Jiang Ning acted as if nothing had happened and walked around her to sit down next to Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an gave Jiang Ning aplex look, then quickly got up and went with Aunt Hui to help the child up.


    "Oh no!" The child''s mother, seeing her daughter fall and cry, was both anxious and heartbroken. She rushed over in a few quick strides and took her sobbing daughter into her arms tofort her.


    "There, there, Yuanyuan, don''t cry, don''t cry..."


    "Mommy, it hurts, wah wah... and my pinwheel is broken too, wah wah..." The child cried, sniffling, and held out her hand for her mother to see. The side of her palm had a small patch of skin scraped off and was oozing tiny drops of blood.


    The mother''s eyes were full of pain and sympathy. She gently blew on her daughter''s wound, continuouslyforting her.


    When the child was finally consoled, the mother turned to look at Jiang Ning and used, "Why did you dodge? She''s such a small child, could she have hurt you by bumping into your leg? You just watched her fall to the ground, don''t you have anypassion?"


    Seeing her anger directed at Jiang Ning, Liu Ming''an tried to exin, "Sister, my sister, she¡ª"


    "I''m not asking you!" The woman interrupted Liu Ming''an, her gaze fixed on Jiang Ning, demanding an exnation from her.


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning''s eyes casually swept over, looking quietly at the woman. Her eyes showed neither joy nor sorrow, without a trace of emotional fluctuation.


    "I didn''t make her fall, why should you care whether I avoid her or not?"


    Jiang Ning''s cold and emotionless words were like a bucket of cold water poured over the head, shocking the mother so much that her breath caught.


    "Are you saying my daughter deserved it?" The woman was clearly furious, questioning harshly.


    Jiang Ning rested her head on her hand, silently looking back at her, the answer unspoken but clear.


    "You!" The woman was so angry her face turned red, her chest rising and falling rapidly.


    The child in her arms sensed her mother''s anger and timidly called out "Mommy."


    The childish voice acted like a floodgate, releasing all of the mother''s resentment. Liu Ming''an saw the woman smile gently at the child, then pick up the broken pinwheel, lift the child, and stand up to leave.


    After a few steps, the woman stopped, turned her head to look at Jiang Ning, and said earnestly, "You''re young now, but someday you''ll have children of your own."


    Aunt Hui was shocked by Jiang Ning''s strange temperament. How could such a kind-hearted person like Liu Ming''an have such a cold-blooded sister?


    Aunt Hui quietly asked Liu Ming''an beside her, "Ming''an, is she really your sister?"


    Liu Ming''an avoided answering directly and pointed at her stall, saying, "Aunt Hui, someone''se to buy osmanthus cakes, you''d better go."


    With that, he returned to the bamboo couch and sat down next to Jiang Ning.


    "Jiang Ning, you''re too cold," Jiang Ning heard Liu Ming''an say.


    "So what?" Jiang Ning admitted indifferently. This was just who she was. Could one expect an assassin to be a kind-hearted good person?


    "You shouldn''t be like this," Liu Ming''an said with particr seriousness.


    Jiang Ning stared at him. The young man''s eyes were clear and clean, his pure ck pupils reflecting her face, as innocent as a newborn.


    Jiang Ning thought of He Wen whom she had killed and the woman who came to cast a curse in the middle of the night. She curved her lips, but the face veil hid it from Liu Ming''an''s view.


    "Liu Ming''an, you just focus on being a good person," Jiang Ning responded to Liu Ming''an with equal seriousness. "As for other matters, leave them to me."


    Liu Ming''an couldn''t understand.


    Jiang Ning didn''t need him to understand either.

 Chapter 32

    Liu Ming''an seemed quite well-known in this town. Within less than an hour of Jiang Ning apanying him at his stall, three people had alreadye to ask him to write letters, and one person had bought andscape painting.


    One letter cost ten copper coins, and a painting cost eighty. In this dynasty, one tael of gold was equivalent to ten taels of silver, and one tael of silver was worth a thousand copper coins. In other words, Liu Ming''an would have to write a hundred letters or sell twelve paintings to earn enough money to buy three wild rabbits.


    Jiang Ning fingered the silver tael hidden in her sleeve and suddenly felt quite wealthy. At the same time, she remembered that Liu Ming''an had spent three taels of silver to buy her, which was undoubtedly an enormous sum. She wondered how long it had taken him to save up that much.


    She thought to herself that she should catch a few more rabbits when they returned home.


    At the moment, Liu Ming''an was writing his fourth letter of the day. Jiang Ning rested her chin on her hand, idly observing the passersby on the street.


    This time, the person who hade to have a letter written was an elderly man who spoke in a confused manner, often forgetting what he had just said. Liu Ming''an patientlymunicated with the old man, and after considerable effort, he finally managed toplete the letter.


    Just as he put down his brush, Jiang Ning, who had been sitting quietly beside him, suddenly stood up, her eyes fixed on a spot in the distance, poised to leave.


    "Jiang Ning, what''s wrong? Did you see something?" Liu Ming''an asked, puzzled.


    Jiang Ning turned back, speaking quickly, "It''s nothing. I''m just a bit bored, so I''m going to take a walk around the street. You carry on with your work."


    Liu Ming''an felt uneasy and was about to offer some words of caution, but Jiang Ning had already left without looking back.


    Aunt Hui, who had observed everything, turned to Liu Ming''an and said, "Your sister really is impatient, isn''t she?"


    Liu Ming''an could only smile in response.


    After leaving the bridge, Jiang Ning walked into the crowd, her gaze firmly locked on a man in gray clothes ahead of her, following him at a distance.


    This man had just walked past Jiang Ning, and she recognized him immediately - he was Zhao Instructor, the one who had sold her to Liu Ming''an on the street that day.


    Jiang Ning was quite curious about her true identity. It wasn''t just idle curiosity; she wanted to know about her broken hands and feet when she first woke up, the whip marks all over her body, and the two branding iron scars on her face.


    The original owner of this body must have had enemies in this world, but Jiang Ning had no memories of her past. What worried her was that those who had caused her to end up in this state might appear again and disrupt her current peaceful life.


    Therefore, Jiang Ning wanted to know who she was and who the original owner had made enemies with. If she could find those enemies, she could settle old scores and eliminate future troubles.


    In this world, Jiang Ning''s only lead was Zhao Instructor, who was now walking in front of her.


    Zhao Instructor meandered through the bustling street, stopping now and then to look at pretty girls, unable to resist touching items at various stalls, and frequently being greeted by passersby, making it difficult for Jiang Ning to approach him.


    Jiang Ning followed Zhao Instructor for half the length of the street. When they passed by Fusheng Restaurant, Zhao Instructor stood still, stroking his chin as he stared at something for quite a while. Following his gaze, Jiang Ning noticed a wooden board outside the restaurant with prominent characters that read: "Wild rabbit avable today, wee!"


    "He''s not nning to go in for a meal, is he?" Jiang Ning thought irritably.


    She just wanted to find a secluded spot quickly to subdue Zhao Instructor and use some methods to extract information about her background. If too much time passed, Liu Ming''an would surely start asking questions again, which would be troublesome!


    Fortunately, Zhao Instructor only lingered at Fusheng Restaurant for a moment before turning away. Jiang Ning continued to follow him, watching as he turned a corner and walked straight through a curtained doorway, disappearing from her sight.


    This ce was off the main street, somewhat secluded, yet it was bustling with noise. Even before Jiang Ning got close, she could hear waves of shouting from inside.


    "Big!" "Big!" "Big!"


    "Small!" "Small!" "Small!"


    Interspersed with cheers and wails, the noise swelled in waves, one louder than the next. Some people had already shouted themselves hoarse but continued to yell at the top of their lungs.


    Jiang Ning looked up and saw a huge red rosewood sign above the door with threerge characters written in a mboyant style: Gold Jade Hall. The characters were in gold, set against the dark red signboard. Though gaudy, it was quite eye-catching, exuding an air of nouveau riche.


    Jiang Ning hesitated briefly outside the door but decided to go in and investigate.


    However, as soon as she lifted the curtain to enter the Gold Jade Hall, two men emerged from either side of the door, blocking her way.


    "Miss, I think you''vee to the wrong ce. This is a gambling house, not somewhere you should be," one of the men said to Jiang Ning with a grin.


    The man who spoke was thin and wiry, with arge scar running diagonally across his forehead, cutting through his left eyebrow and stopping just above his eyelid. He had a pair of triangr eyes and shed a mouthful of white teeth at Jiang Ning when he smiled, resembling some kind of animal.


    Jiang Ning only nced at him once to know that this man was no good.


    "Houzi, why are you wasting so much time talking to her? This woman is obviously here to find her gambling husband. Just throw her out," the other man said.


    This man waspletely different from Houzi. He had thick eyebrows,rge eyes, and a burly build, exuding an air of simple-mindedness. After contradicting Houzi, he turned to look at Jiang Ning and barked, "Woman, get out!"


    "Ah, Huzi, you really don''t know how to treat ady," Houzi shook his head, feigning disappointment.


    Huzi snorted and continued, "Her face is all covered up, she must be an ugly duckling. An ugly duckling wanting me to be gentle¡ª"


    "Have you finished talking?" Jiang Ning interrupted coldly, her eyes fixed on the two men who had been rambling on.


    Huzi choked on his words, feeling that Jiang Ning had made him lose face. He was about to lose his temper when Houzi made a gesture to stop him.


    Jiang Ning watched as Houzi circled her slowly, his narrowed triangr eyes scrutinizing her, as if trying to see through her entirely.


    "Miss, do you know what kind of ce this is?" Houzi asked, dropping some of his earlier flippancy as he sensed that Jiang Ning was different from ordinary women.


    "A gambling house," Jiang Ning answered, meeting his gaze.


    "Then you''re here to..."


    Before Houzi could finish, a slender, fair hand appeared before him, palm up, with a silver ingot resting on it.


    "Now, may I enter?" Jiang Ning asked, her eyes sweeping over the two men.


    Houzi and Huzi exchanged a nce. Huzi stepped aside, clearing the path he had been blocking. Houzi made a "please" gesture with a sly grin, saying, "Please, doe in!"


    Jiang Ning withdrew her hand and had just taken a step forward when she suddenly noticed a shadow in her peripheral vision, approaching her face at an extremely fast speed.


    In the next instant, Jiang Ning raised her hand and firmly grasped the wrist of that hand. With a slight exertion of force, she twisted the wrist, causing blue veins to bulge on the bony back of the hand. The owner of the hand let out a hiss of pain.


    "What were you trying to do?" Jiang Ning asked coldly, her eyes frosty as she looked at Houzi.


    "It''s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding..." Houzi said with a forced smile, wincing in pain. He hurriedly exined, "I was just... just... trying to swat a mosquito! There was a big mosquito just now, and I was afraid it might bite you, miss. That''s why I raised my hand. It''s all a misunderstanding, haha..."


    Jiang Ning watched his performance silently, finding his dryughter at the end particrly uninteresting. She released his hand and walked towards the noisy gambling tables.


    After Jiang Ning had walked some distance away, Huzi looked at Houzi, who was still rubbing his wrist, and asked in surprise, "Houzi, you couldn''t break free when that woman grabbed you?"


    "Hah!" Houzi let out a coldugh as he stared at Jiang Ning''s retreating figure. "That woman is no simple character!"


    Huzi wanted to ask what he meant by "no simple character," but before he could open his mouth, Houzi had already turned and walked into the gambling hall.

 Chapter 33

    Jiang Ning entered the Gold Jade Hall intending to find Zhao Instructor, but upon entering, she realized she had underestimated the situation.


    From the outside, the Gold Jade Hall appeared to have just a small door, but inside it epassed seven or eight interconnected shops, with an area roughly the size of a football field.


    The hall had two levels. The ground floor was the main hall, with seven or eightrge gambling tables arranged from left to right, each surrounded by people. The second floor had a courtyard design, with more than ten smallpartments separated by screens along the curved railing. People upstairs enjoyed snacks and tea while having a clear view of the events unfolding in the main hall below.


    What caught Jiang Ning''s attention most, however, was an enormous couplet hanging from the second floor to the first.


    The first line read: "From small bets to great wealth and glory;"


    The second line read: "From nothing to everything, ascending to heaven in one step."


    The horizontal scroll above read: "It''s all about timing and fate."


    This couplet was indeed fitting, Jiang Ning thought, as it captured the gamblers'' mentality perfectly.


    However, the Gold Jade Hall wasrger than Jiang Ning had imagined. She stood in ce for quite a while, her gaze sweeping back and forth across the hall several times, but she couldn''t find Zhao Instructor.


    "Miss, why are you just standing there? Come and y a few rounds!" came Houzi''s voice from behind. Jiang Ning was inclined to ignore him, but suddenly he raised his hands above his head, pped loudly, and announced in a booming voice, "Hey, gentlemen! A youngdy hase to our establishment, and she''s quite wealthy ¨C she''s got a whole tael of silver to spend! It''s her first time here, so let''s all be gentlemen and make sure she has an enjoyable experience!"


    Despite his scrawny appearance, Houzi had an exceptionally loud voice. His announcement cut through the bustling atmosphere of the hall, ensuring that everyone absorbed in their gambling heard every word he said.


    A wealthy youngdy entering a gambling hall was indeed a rare urrence. Dozens of eyes turned to stare at Jiang Ning, each person brimming with curiosity and intrigue. Some even whistled at her.


    Jiang Ning stood calmly in ce, discreetly observing several men who slowly emerged from the shadows.


    One, two, three, four, five, six ¨C a total of six men, each dressed like Houzi in ck fitted clothing with their hair tied up, presenting a neat and agile appearance.


    They were the hall''s hired muscle.


    Jiang Ning easily guessed their identities and understood that leaving this ce directly wasn''t realistic, especially for someone who had entered with silver.


    Very well, she thought, let''s gamble then.


    The woman who had turned Jiang Ning into Assassin N was a master of gambling, and she had personally taught Jiang Ning. Even if Jiang Ningcked natural talent and couldn''t master that woman''s almost supernatural abilities, she was more than capable of handling situations like this.


    The ancient gambling halls were far less sophisticated than modern casinos. In high-tech modern casinos, there were countless intricate and diverse games, but in the Gold Jade Hall, Jiang Ning only saw a few: dice, domino cards, fan-tan, and roulette.


    Among these, dice games were the most popr due to their simplicity and directness, spawning several variations with different betting odds, such as big or small, odd or even, specific triples, holding dice, and betting on specific numbers.


    Jiang Ning walked straight to the table ying big or small with dice.


    Houzi eagerly approached her, "Miss, would you like to exchange your silver for copper coins? That way you can y longer, instead of losing it all in one go."


    "No need," Jiang Ning replied, not wanting to bother. She ced the tael of silver on the table and asked the dealer, "How do we y?"


    The crowd fell silent for a moment, staring at the silver tael. Then someone weighed their copper coins in their hand and remarked with a click of the tongue, "Now that''s a wealthy customer!"


    "I wonder which family''s youngdy she is, to be so generous?" another person questioned curiously.


    Someone else objected, "What youngdy? Look at her clothes ¨C does she look like a youngdy to you? I think she''s just a wastrel, gambling away some man''s hard-earned money. Who knows what she''s really up to..."


    "Maybe she''s a youngdy in disguise," another suggested. "Look, she''s even covering her face. She''s probably afraid of being recognized."


    "Now that you mention it, it''s possible. Let me think, whose daughter does she resemble..."


    Surrounded by a crowd of people pointing and specting, Jiang Ning remained indifferent, not even bothering to raise an eyebrow.


    The dealer was a shrewd-looking middle-aged man. No one knew his real name, but everyone in the Gold Jade Hall called him "Old Yu."


    Hearing Jiang Ning ask about the rules, Old Yu chuckled and exined, "It''s simple. I shake the dice, and everyone guesses. There are three dice, and if the sum of the points is ten or above, it''s ''big''; otherwise, it''s ''small.'' Those who guess correctly split the losers'' money ording to their bets, and then we, the house, take one-fifth of the winners'' earnings. Miss, do you understand?"


    One-fifth ¨C meaning that for every five coins won, one went to the house. Quite a steep cut.


    "I understand. Start shaking," Jiang Ning said calmly.


    "Alright!" Old Yu lifted the dice cup cover, revealing three dice inside. "Everyone, get ready!"


    With that, Old Yu covered the cup again, grasped it with both hands, and began shaking vigorously.


    "ck!" "ck!" "ck!"


    The hall instantly fell silent. Everyone held their breath, listening intently to the crisp sound of dice colliding inside the cup. Several people even closed their eyes, tilting their heads to focus on the sound.


    "Thud!" Old Yu mmed the cup down on the table and calmly announced, "ce your bets, everyone!"


    The usually impatient gamblers took their time, each weighing their copper coins and ncing sideways at Jiang Ning, waiting for her to bet.


    Jiang Ning didn''t mind. With a "nk," she ced her silver tael on "big."


    "Miss, are you betting it all?" Old Yu asked, unsure.


    Jiang Ning raised her eyes to look directly at him. "As you can see."


    A wave of snickers rippled through the crowd, and then the others began cing their bets. Most people, eyeing Jiang Ning''s silver tael, chose to bet on "small," while a few followed Jiang Ning''s lead and bet on "big."


    Once everyone had ced their bets, Old Yu shouted, "I''m opening it now!" and slowly reached for the dice cup cover.


    "Small!" "Small!" "Small!"


    The crowd started chanting, each shout louder than thest, as if their voices could influence the oue. The few who had bet with Jiang Ning were shouting "Big!" but their voices werepletely drowned out by the majority.


    Old Yu took his time, letting the crowd chant as he touched the dice cup cover at an excruciatingly slow pace. Then, taking a deep breath, he shouted, "Open!"


    The cup was lifted, revealing three dice lying quietly inside. Everyone craned their necks to look: "Three, four, four ¨C eleven points. Big!"


    Most people had lost. A chorus of sighs and groans echoed through the hall, while the winners grinned from ear to ear as they eyed the pile of money.


    Old Yu distributed the winnings ording to the bets. Jiang Ning, having bet the most, won the most. After the house took its cut, she had won one hundred and three copper coins in this round.


    "The miss has quite the lucky hand ¨C a win right off the bat! Would you like to continue?" Old Yu asked with a smile as he handed Jiang Ning her winnings.


    "Let''s keep ying then," Jiang Ning replied.


    She tucked the copper coins into her clothes, but left the silver tael on the table as her next bet.

 Chapter 34

    "ck!" "ck!" "ck!"


    Old Yu shook the dice cup once again, while Jiang Ning listened intently to the sound. As soon as he set the cup down, she unhesitatingly ced her bet on "Big" once more.


    Most people were still eyeing Jiang Ning''s silver piece enviously and chose to bet on "Small," though this time more people joined Jiang Ning''s side.


    "Open!"


    With Old Yu''s loud call, the lid was lifted, and everyone saw: "One, five, five¡ªeleven points, Big!"


    "Sigh, it''s Big again..."


    "Damn it! I''m about to lose all the money I''ve won..."


    Sighs, wails, and curses echoed through the crowd. Jiang Ning had guessed correctly again and received seventy-eight copper coins from Old Yu.


    "Miss, would you like to continue?" Old Yu asked.


    Jiang Ning ced her silver piece on the table, her intention clear without words.


    "ck!" "ck!" "ck!"


    The dice cup rattled again. After the dice settled, Jiang Ning was the first to ce her silver on "Small."


    The nearby gamblers began to hesitate. Was this woman betting so decisively because she truly understood the game, or because she had enough money to afford losses?


    After a moment of indecision, half the people followed Jiang Ning''s bet on "Small," while the other half, still skeptical, bet against her.


    The lid was opened: two, three, five¡ªten points, Small!


    Jiang Ning won another twenty-three copper coins.


    "It''s bewitched! Damn it!"


    "This doesn''t seem like blind luck..."


    "Can she really hear whether it''s big or small?"


    After winning three consecutive rounds, the crowd''s gaze on Jiang Ning changed. Even people from neighboring tables ying Fan-Tan and roulette gathered to watch the excitement. The crowd pressed in,yer uponyer, surrounding the Big-Small betting table so tightly that not even water could trickle through.


    Old Yu''s eyes were also filled with curiosity. He was a native of Lingshan Town and had been at the Gold Jade Hall for nearly twenty years. While he might not recognize every gambler in town, he was at least familiar with most faces. When did this skilled young woman arrive?


    Houzi, standing behind, had been watching Jiang Ning intently. He realized that she wasn''t relying on luck; she was confident in her bets.


    The ability to discern numbers by sound¡ªthis person was a master of the gambling table.


    Houzi rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then turned and headed upstairs to a private room.


    "ck!" "ck!" "ck!"


    This time, after Old Yu set down the dice cup, no one made a move. All eyes were on Jiang Ning.


    Seemingly oblivious, Jiang Ning ced her silver on "Big."


    Immediately after, nearly everyone put their money on "Big." Only a few scattered copper coins remained on "Small." If "Big" won, there wouldn''t be enough money to distribute.


    Old Yu nced at the table and sighed, addressing Jiang Ning, "Miss, thanks to you, we can''t continue this round."


    An imbnce in bets forcing the game to end¡ªthis was a rule everyone understood.


    But the crowd was more interested in knowing if Jiang Ning had guessed correctly this time.


    "Old Yu, open the lid and let''s see the numbers," several people called out.


    Others chimed in, urging, "Yes, open it, open it!"


    Old Yu repeatedly agreed, "Alright," his hand touching the lid. But then, as if struck by a thought, he looked up at Jiang Ning with a half-smile and said, "Miss, why don''t you guess the numbers?"


    The crowd immediately picked up on this, moring, "Yes, guess the numbers, guess the numbers!"


    Jiang Ning gazed calmly at Old Yu and countered, "Why should I guess?"


    "Haha, it''s just for fun, right everyone?" Old Yuughed, rallying the crowd. The others joined in, responding loudly, trying to put Jiang Ning in a difficult position and persuade her to y along.


    Unfortunately for them, the concept of "unable to refuse" didn''t exist for someone with Jiang Ning''s cool temperament.


    "I came to gamble, not to entertain. If the game can''t continue, then I should leave," Jiang Ning said impassively, turning to leave.


    "Hey! How boring, and here we thought she was some kind of expert..."


    "Exactly, looks like it was just luck after all, a blind cat catching a dead mouse, just guessed right three times..."


    People around her engaged in a back-and-forth, clearly trying to provoke Jiang Ning into staying. But their taunts were equally ineffective; Jiang Ning didn''t even pause her steps.


    "Wait a moment!"


    Suddenly, a deep, slightly hoarse voice called out from behind. Then, two tall, athletic men in tight-fitting clothes emerged from the crowd in front, each extending an arm to block Jiang Ning''s path.


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes and turned to look in the direction of the voice.


    An old man with graying hair was slowly descending from the second floor, followed by the grinning Houzi. Other bodyguards stood at attention at the top of the stairs, hands behind their backs.


    "Oh my! Six Master!" someone in the crowd eximed, recognizing the old man.


    "Who''s Six Master?" several people nearby asked, curious about the old man''s grand entrance.


    "You don''t know Six Master? He''s the owner of the Gold Jade Hall! His surname is Hu, and he calls himself Old Six Hu. Everyone respectfully calls him Six Master!"


    Upon hearing this, someone sneered dismissively, "Oh, just the owner of a gambling house. Acting like he''s such a big deal."


    "You little brat, what do you know? Years ago, there were over a dozen gambling houses in Lingshan Town, big and small. The Gold Jade Hall was just a minor establishment, nearly swallowed up. Do you know how it became the only one left standing? It was Six Master''s unparalleled gambling skills. He bet everything he had against the other gambling houses. If he won, the Gold Jade Hall would establish itself here, and the others would have to leave him alone. If he lost, Six Master himself would pack up and leave, never to set foot in Lingshan Town again..."


    "I remember, I remember!" another person excitedly chimed in. "That was over twenty years ago. Six Master single-handedly challenged more than a dozen gambling houses in Lingshan Town, big and small, and never lost a single game! That''s how he established the Gold Jade Hall. Later, many people came to challenge him¡ªfrom Spirit Water Town, Spirit Cloud Town, all sorts of people¡ªbut he never lost. He''s a true legend in the gambling world! Anyone who mentions him can''t help but show some respect..."


    Jiang Ning listened to the chatter around her, quickly grasping the essentials of the old man''s identity.


    This Old Six Hu appeared to be nearly sixty years old, yet he showed no signs of fatiguemon in the elderly. His hair, beard, and clothes were clean and tidy, and he looked more vibrant than many of the younger people present.


    His weather-beaten face bore a pair of sharp eyes, keen as a wolf''s or an eagle''s, seeming to pierce through to one''s very soul when they gazed upon you. One hand in front of him clenched a fist, fidgeting with a ring, while the other remained hidden behind his back. He walked at a measured pace, eyes looking up and chin tilted high, clearly not considering anyone present worthy of his attention.


    Hah! Such posturing.


    Jiang Ning inwardly scoffed. She had seen plenty of his type in her previous life.


    Soon, Old Six Hu stopped a few steps in front of Jiang Ning and spoke leisurely, "Since you can''t continue your game with Old Yu, why not y a round with me, Old Six Hu? What do you say, youngdy?"


    Though his words seemed like a suggestion, they were clearly amand.


    Two more bodyguards had appeared behind her, joining the previous two to form a square around Jiang Ning¡ªnorth, south, east, and west. The situation left no room for her to say "no."

 Chapter 35

    Jiang Ning stared at Old Six Hu for a moment, then turned and walked towards the gambling table.


    The crowd automatically parted to make way for Jiang Ning, and the four bodyguards, seeing this, returned to stand by Old Six Hu''s side, no longer surrounding her.


    "Two, five, six, thirteen points, big," Jiang Ning said calmly.


    Her voice was neither loud nor soft, but in this quiet gambling house, everyone could hear it.


    Old Yu, delighted to see the Sixth Master, didn''t immediately register what Jiang Ning was saying. It wasn''t until someone nearby muttered "open it" that he hurriedly lifted the lid of the dice cup.


    Three colorful dicey in the ck bowl, with the upper faces showing "two, five, six," exactly as stated.


    "Hiss! It''s really true!" Those who saw clearly all looked at Jiang Ning with astonishment, unable to understand how she had heard it.


    Old Six Hu, seeing everyone''s expressions, understood and walked to the gambling table. He smiled meaningfully at Jiang Ning and said, "I, Old Six Hu, haven''t gambled for many years because there was no one worthy of ying against. You, little girl, are quite interesting."


    "You tter me," Jiang Ning casually acknowledged, then asked directly, "This is your territory, how do you want to gamble?"


    After saying this, Jiang Ning suddenly, for some reason, shed back to the image of Liu Ming''an writing a letter by the bridge. She wondered if the schr, not having seen her for so long, might be thinking all sorts of things.


    Perhaps he would be worried about her?


    "It''s best to be quick, don''t dawdle, I''m in a hurry," Jiang Ning added.


    "Hahaha... Good! Good! Good!" Jiang Ning''s temperament hit the spot for Old Six Hu. Heughed loudly and said, "You and I are both experts at dice games. How about we y a round of ''opposing dice,'' justparing ''big''?"


    The so-called "opposing dice" is when both parties simultaneously shake three dice. If the rule is set topare "big," then the side with therger sum of the three dice points wins, and vice versa.


    Unlike "betting big or small," "opposing dice" has multiple payout ratios. A simple win or lose has a five-fold payout, meaning if the winner bets one, the loser must pay five.


    If one rolls a "straight" like "one-two-three," it''s a ten-fold payout; rolling "triplets" like "one-one-one" or "five-five-five" is a fifty-fold payout; rolling "six-six-six," also known as the "big leopard," is a hundred-fold payout.


    One moment you''re raking in fortunes, the next you''re losing everything - "opposing dice" is the most brutal and bloody existence in the casino, and also the most heart-pounding for gamblers.


    "Alright," Jiang Ning epted the challenge, then added after a pause, "But I only have one tael of silver and two hundred and four copper coins I just won. If I lose, I can''t afford to pay."


    "Hahaha..." Old Six Huughed again, then said, "Don''t worry, miss. My Gold Jade Hall can lend you money. If you lose and can''t pay it back, you can offer yourself as coteral."


    The old fox is quite cunning! He doesn''t really think these few bodyguards could stop her, does he?


    "Fine, then I''ll bet one tael of silver. If I win, I hope you won''t renege on the debt," Jiang Ning said coldly, looking at Old Six Hu with contempt in her eyes.


    This statement was not polite, and Old Yu was the first to jump out and criticize, "Aiyou~ How can you talk like that, little miss? Who do you think the Sixth Master is? Would heck that bit of silver? Moreover, with so many people watching¡ª"


    Old Six Hu made a gesture, and Old Yu''s voice abruptly stopped.


    "The youngdy has guts. Let''s not waste words, shall we begin?" Old Six Hu''s eyes showed appreciation. He then beckoned, and Monkey understood, bringing two dice cups, each containing three dice, and cing them on either side of the gambling table.


    Jiang Ning walked to the right side of the table and stood firm. She picked up the dice and cup, thoroughly inspecting them from top to bottom to ensure they hadn''t been tampered with.


    Watching Jiang Ning''s actions, Old Six Hu shook his head, quite amused. Indeed, some gambling houses did cheat by putting lead in the dice, but he disdained such lowly tricks.


    After patiently waiting for Jiang Ning to finish checking, Old Six Hu asked, "Can we start now?"


    Jiang Ning nodded, making a "please" gesture, indicating Old Six Hu should shake first.


    Old Six Huughed "Haha," not declining. With a "tak" sound, he covered the dice cup, then picked it up with one hand and began to shake.


    Old Six Hu''s dice-shaking technique waspletely different from Old Yu''s. While Old Yu held the cup with both hands and shook it up and down, Old Six Hu held the cup with one hand, using his pinky to secure the bottom as he shook. Not only that, Old Six Hu first vigorously shook the cup with his right hand, "deng deng deng," so fast that others couldn''t see where his hand was. Then he threw his arm, and the dice cup flew high into the air, tracing an arc as it fell straight towards the ground.


    The crowd cried out "Ai!" Their hearts leaped into their throats, but they saw Old Six Hu lower his body, his left hand reaching out from behind to catch the cup steadily. He then began to throw and catch, throw and catch... like a juggling act, captivating the onlookers who cheered loudly.


    Jiang Ning was also watching intently. When she saw Old Six Hu switch hands, she felt something was odd. Looking closely, she realized that this Old Six Hu actually had six fingers on his left hand!


    Polydactyly, a type of deformity, usually urs next to the thumb in most patients. However, Old Six Hu''s extra finger grew next to his pinky, looking quite flexible and not so strange.


    "Bam!" Old Six Hu, having finished his performance, mmed the dice cup heavily on the table and urged Jiang Ning, "Your turn, miss."


    Jiang Ning had long grown impatient watching Old Six Hu''s shy antics. She covered the dice cup lid, and just as everyone was eagerly anticipating Jiang Ning to put on a show as well, they saw her casually shake the cup two or three times before setting it down, making no further moves.


    "You''re done already?" Old Six Hu could hardly believe it.


    It''s worth noting that in "opposing dice," shaking the dice is also a major spectacle. Whoever shakes the cup louder, faster, and with more ir gains the upper hand in terms of momentum. Someone like Jiang Ning, who casually shook the dice, had already lost three points before the results were even revealed.


    "Open it," Jiang Ning simply said.


    It wasn''t that Jiang Ning couldn''t perform these tricks; she just felt there was no need to make a monkey of herself and waste time.


    After his initial surprise, Old Six Hu guessed Jiang Ning''s thoughts. This girl had skills and personality; he could only smile and let it go. He turned and nodded at Old Yu, signaling him to open the dice cup lid.


    Old Yu nodded and stepped forward, shouting, "Everyone, watch carefully! I''m opening it now!"


    Having not seen Old Six Hu in action for many years, everyone was full of anticipation, craning their necks and squeezing in to see.


    The lid was lifted, and Old Yu, the first to see the dice, suddenly eximed "Ai!" His voice trembling with excitement: "Three sixes! Big leopard! It''s the big leopard!"


    "As expected of the Sixth Master!"


    "So impressive! Rolling a big leopard right off the bat! Admirable, truly admirable..."


    "The Sixth Master is truly the Sixth Master..."


    The crowd erupted, chattering and offeringpliments, their faces flushed as if they had just picked up money.


    "You''re too kind, too kind! I''m old now, my skills are not what they used to be, I''ve embarrassed myself..." At the center of the crowd, Old Six Hu listened to the praise from all sides, his eyes full of pride. The gambling table was his domain, and no one could steal his thunder.


    Jiang Ning watched Old Six Hu''s smug expression, seeing that he seemed to have forgotten about their dice match. She tapped her fingers on the table and raised her voice, "Shouldn''t we look at mine now?"


    The noise in the casino suddenly died down, followed by uproariousughter from the crowd. "Aiyou! The little miss doesn''t know her limits! With this ''big leopard,'' the Sixth Master has already won, don''t you know?"


    Old Six Hu alsoughed along, "Miss, you indeed have some skill, but you''re still too young."


    "Oh?" Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, not understanding.


    Seeing her unwillingness to ept, Old Six Hu decided to exin clearly: "Your ability to discern numbers by sound is already one in a hundred, but in a casino, that alone isn''t enough to strut around. If I heard correctly, you rolled ''four-five-five,'' while I got the big leopard. You''ve already lost, with a hundred-fold payout. I''ll round it down for you ¨C you owe me a hundred taels of silver."


    Jiang Ning''s exposed eyes shed with obvious mockery, her tone equally scornful: "Sixth Master, is it? Sometimes it''s best not to be too confident. There''s always someone better out there. I think you''d better take a look at my dice."


    Jiang Ning''s tone was so certain that it made Old Six Hu doubt his own judgment. The smile on his face faded considerably, and he gave Old Yu a look.


    Old Yu caught on immediately and loudly eximed, "Alright, gentlemen! Let''s take a look at this youngdy''s dice roll!"


    Old Six Hu leisurely twirled the jade ring on his finger, not the least bit concerned. He had heard clearly that the girl''s roll was "four-five-five," and there was no mistake about it.


    Old Yu had followed Old Six Hu for many years and had never seen anyone beat his boss at the gambling table. So when Old Yu opened the lid and saw "six-six-six" in the dice cup, his mind went nk with shock.


    "How... how is this possible?" Old Yu couldn''t believe his eyes.


    The onlookers craned their necks to look and eximed in surprise, "It''s a triple six! She also got a triple six!"


    Old Six Hu instantly lost hisposure. He strode over to the other side of the table in three quick steps, staring at the three dice in the cup with furrowed brows, silent.


    Both sides had rolled triple sixes. It was a tie.


    The crowd exchanged bewildered nces. Even the formidable Sixth Master had met his match.


    After a moment, Old Six Hu finally looked at Jiang Ning and slowly said, "I underestimated you. The young are indeed formidable."


    "You tter me," Jiang Ning replied casually, her eyebrow slightly raised.

 Chapter 36

    Gambling houses inevitably encounter those who refuse to pay their debts, cause trouble, or be aggressive after losing. Therefore, every gambling house employs bouncers.


    The Gold Jade Hall was no exception.


    At the Gold Jade Hall, there were eight bouncers in total, each a burly and rough-looking man with a fierce countenance that warned others not to mess with them.


    Except for Hou Zehua.


    Hou Zehua was thin andnky, with a scar on his face and an often mischievous smile. The other bouncers had given him a nickname¡ªHouzi (Monkey).


    At this moment, seeing that both Old Six Hu and Jiang Ning had rolled "six-six-six," a triple six, Houzi quietly walked behind Old Six Hu, chuckled, and said in a low voice, "Uncle, how about that? Didn''t I tell you this woman was something else? Have you met your match? Was it worthing out of retirement for this?"


    Old Six Hu red at his nephew and returned to the other side of the gambling table.


    While Old Six Hu was rolling the dice, Jiang Ning openly scanned everyone present, but couldn''t find Zhao Instructor. It seemed he had already left.


    At the gambling table, Old Six Hu stared at the dice, deep in thought. Whatever he could do, Jiang Ning could do as well, perhaps even better. So how could he outmaneuver this young girl?


    Houzi, sensing Old Six Hu''s thoughts, had a spark in his eye and leaned in to offer advice: "Uncle, this woman probably knows all the ordinary tricks. You need to think of something else. Don''t you still have your ''Ten Dice Leopard'' special move?"


    Old Six Hu''s eyes lit up at these words. Of course! He had almost forgotten about that. Wasn''t it this very move that had made him invincible at the gambling table in his heyday?


    Old Six Hu''s expression rxed as he picked up three dice and began to y with them. His six fingers moved nimbly, once again drawing everyone''s attention.


    Jiang Ning heard Old Six Hu speak confidently: "Youngdy, we can''t distinguish between our skills with ordinary methods, and I don''t want to waste your time. How about we try something new?"


    "Let''s hear it," Jiang Ning guessed the old man was up to no good.


    "Three dice don''t offer much variety. Why don''t we add a few more... how about ten? Ten for perfection, for good luck. We''ll stillpare who gets the higher number, with the payout multiplied by each point. Do you dare to ept, youngdy?" Old Six Hu finished speaking, already brimming with delight.


    As soon as Old Six Hu finished, before Jiang Ning could react, the surrounding crowd erupted.


    "Ten dice? Goodness! How can anyone roll that many?"


    "You young folks don''t understand. Six was the best at this back in the day. He could even roll all sixes with ten dice, earning him the nickname ''Ten Dice Leopard''..."


    "Oh, oh, I''ve seen it, I''ve seen it..."


    The chatter was incessant. Jiang Ning pretended to be deep in thought, not responding for a while.


    Old Six Hu, thinking Jiang Ning was afraid,ughed and said, "Youngdy, are you scared? If you admit defeat, I won''t be hard on you. Just leave ten taels of silver at ten times the odds."


    Jiang Ning slowly curled her lips into a smile, though no one noticed. The crowd only heard her say casually, "This game is indeed novel, but..."


    Jiang Ning deliberately left her sentence hanging. Old Six Hu quickly asked, "But what?"


    Jiang Ning didn''t answer immediately. Instead, shezily picked up a die and examined it closely, intentionally putting on airs.


    It wasn''t until Old Six Hu impatiently asked again that Jiang Ning responded leisurely, "I think ten dice are too few. How about fifty? What do you think, Six?"


    "Fifty?" Old Six Hu was so shocked by this number that his mouth hung open.


    The gamblers present were also stunned, looking at Jiang Ning as if she were insane.


    "What''s the matter, scared?" Jiang Ning raised her eyes and stared intensely at Old Six Hu, repeating his earlier words: "If you admit defeat, I won''t insist. At ten times the odds, you just need to give me ten taels of silver."


    Old Six Hu stared back at Jiang Ning, his eyes full of malice. The hand ying with the dice was now behind his back, clenched into a fist. Everyone was watching him, waiting for his reaction. He was in too deep to refuse now.


    "Fine! I''ll gamble with you using fifty dice!" Old Six Hu answered decisively.


    Houzi, standing behind him, hadn''t anticipated this turn of events either. He looked at Jiang Ning with aplex expression, then at his uncle, unable to say anything. He could only turn to prepare the dice andrge bowls.


    Soon, everyone saw a colorful pile of dice and severalrge soup bowls ced on the gambling table.


    Fifty dice certainly wouldn''t fit in a regr dice cup, so Houzi had brought wide-bottomed soup bowls the size of wash basins. When filled with dice, they were packed tightly, with only a finger''s width of space left to the bowl''s rim.


    One could imagine that once shaken, the first problem to solve would be the dice stacking on top of each other, let alone worrying about the numbers.


    Exciting! Exciting! Unheard of and unseen before! The gamblers were all fired up, waiting to see Jiang Ning and Old Six Hu face off.


    Old Yu thought for a moment and went to fetch two abacuses. After all, with fifty dice, the maximum possible score would be three hundred points. How could anyone keep track of that in their head?


    With everything prepared, Old Six Hu looked at Jiang Ning and said, "Ladies first, young miss."


    Jiang Ning inwardly sneered but didn''t decline. She covered two soup bowls together, picked them up with both hands, and began shaking them vigorously while controlling her strength.


    "ck! ck! Snap! Snap!"


    The fifty dice collided inside the bowls, sounding like a sudden downpour. Even the most skilled person couldn''t possibly discern so many numbers by ear.


    "Thud!"


    A momentter, Jiang Ning set down the bowls and looked at Old Six Hu, saying, "Your turn!"


    Hearing this, Old Six Hu stared fixedly at the pile of dice in the bowl for a while before slowly covering it with another bowl. He steadily picked up the bowls with both hands and began to shake them slowly. Unlike his previous shy disy, this time Old Six Hu shook very slowly, moving left and right, his fingers tightly gripping the bowl''s rim, fully concentrated and not daring to rx for a moment.


    Seeing Old Six Hu''s actions, Jiang Ning guessed that he was trying to keep the dice as t as possible in the bowl without ovepping.


    After shaking for about half a quarter hour, everyone saw Old Six Hu gently set down the bowls and let out a long sigh.


    At this moment, Houzi brought over a cup of tea. Old Six Hu, feeling thirsty, looked approvingly at his thoughtful nephew and drained the cup in one go. Then, his face resumed its earlier rxed expression. Old Six Huughed and lifted the bowl himself.


    Everyone craned their necks to look. They saw the fifty dice in the bowl arranged neatly in circles. Except for the outer two rings where the numbers varied, the dice in the inner circles were all showing "six"!


    "Marvelous! Marvelous!" Old Yu was the first to apud, and the others followed with praise.


    Houzi, holding the teacup, came closer to look and couldn''t help but exim, "Uncle, you''re still in your prime!"


    "Stop jesting!" Old Six Hu tried to suppress the joy on his face, then raised his voice and said, "Let''s count the points then!"


    "Alright, alright!"


    Old Yu nodded repeatedly and called Houzi to help. Houzi picked up the dice one by one from the bowl and ced them in another empty bowl, calling out the numbers loudly while Old Yu clicked away on the abacus, keeping count.


    "Six, six, six... three, five, two... one, six, done!"


    After tallying all fifty dice, Old Yu announced loudly, "Six''s total is two hundred and seventy-six!"


    Another round of gasps and words of praise came from all corners, and Old Six Hu listened with a broad smile.


    "Alright, it''s my turn," Jiang Ning said coldly, interrupting the jovial atmosphere.


    Old Six Hu cleared his throat and nodded to Old Yu and Houzi. The two walked to the other side of the gambling table, and the rest of the crowd leaned in to watch Jiang Ning''s side.


    Under everyone''s gaze, Jiang Ning lifted the bowl, revealing the unevenly scattered dice inside.


    "Hiss!" Old Yu drew in a sharp breath, his expression frozen.


    Old Six Hu''s heart tightened. He quickly pushed through the gathered crowd and strode to this end of the table. When he clearly saw the state of the dice in the bowl, his brows furrowed, his lips pressed tightly together, and his face became grave.


    In the ck bottom of the bowl, the dice were scattered, and every face showing was a "six".


    But that wasn''t all. Somehow, Jiang Ning had managed to arrange the dice in twoyers without ovepping. The upperyer of dice was tilted, wedged into the gaps of the loweryer, with each die simultaneously showing three faces: "four, five, and six"!


    Everyone''s gaze towards Jiang Ning changed. Who could believe such an otherworldly technique if they hadn''t seen it with their own eyes?


    After a long while, everyone heard Old Six Hu let out a deep sigh and say, "I''ve lost."


    His voice was low and hoarse, full of reluctance. He then beckoned to Old Yu and Houzi, gesturing for them to count the points.


    Old Yu looked at Old Six Hu anxiously, but saw him standing with his hands behind his back, eyes lowered, his expression unreadable.


    Houzi squinted at Jiang Ning, but could only see her calm, unwavering eyes, unable to guess what this woman was thinking.


    Picking up a die from the topyer, Houzi tossed it into the empty bowl with a "ding" and announced, "Four, five, six."


    Old Yu snapped back to attention and quickly made a few calctions on the abacus.


    "Four, five, six... four, five, six... four, five, six..."


    There were ten dice on the three sides of the topyer, followed by the dice on the bottomyer. Houzi nced at them and said, "Forty dice, all sixes."


    Old Yu cked away on the abacus, nced at Old Six Hu, and then announced in a moderate voice, "This youngdy''s score is... three hundred and ny!"


    The whole room erupted inmotion!


    ording to the rule of one point equals one times the bet, Old Six Hu would lose over a hundred taels of silver!


    A glimmer of amusement appeared in Jiang Ning''s eyes as she addressed the grim-faced Old Six Hu, "Master Six, one hundred and fourteen taels of silver. You won''t renege on the debt, will you?"


    "Heh, a gambler must honor his debts. You just wait!" Old Six Hu said through gritted teeth before turning to go upstairs.


    Jiang Ning watched Old Six Hu ascend the stairs when suddenly Houzi''s sinister voice sounded behind her, "Miss, you''ve certainly made quite a fortune today."


    Jiang Ning retorted, "I have you to thank for that, actually."


    She hadn''t missed the fact that Old Six Hu had been called down by Houzi. Otherwise, she would have left long ago to find Liu Ming''an, rather than being dyed here for so long.


    "Huh," Houzi responded nomittally, a smile on his lips but a cold light in his eyes. "I''ve never heard of someone like you before. May I ask your full name, miss? Where are you from?"


    Jiang Ning remained silent, not bothering to respond to Houzi even until Old Six Hu came back downstairs.


    Old Six Hu approached Jiang Ning carrying a wooden box. He opened it in front of everyone, revealing eleven gold ingots and four silver ingots lying quietly inside, making everyone''s eyes gleam with desire.


    "One hundred and fourteen taels of silver, not a penny less," Old Six Hu said, staring intently at Jiang Ning.


    "Thank you!" Jiang Ning reached out to take the box, holding it close to her chest before saying, "I''ll take my leave now."


    Everyone parted to make way for Jiang Ning as she walked to the entrance, lifted the curtain, and left the Gold Jade Hall.


    Old Six Hu fixed his gaze on Jiang Ning''s retreating figure, his eyes like a venomous snake darting its tongue, sending chills down one''s spine. He then cast a fleeting nce towards Houzi, who imperceptibly nodded and called for Huzi. The two of them quietly slipped out of the Gold Jade Hall through a side door.


    Old Yu stood beside Old Six Hu, not daring to breathe a word. The master had lost both money and face today, and would surely not swallow this bitter pill. That youngdy, he feared, was in grave danger.

 Chapter 37

    Liu Ming''an was unaware of the events unfolding at the gambling house. He simply assumed that Jiang Ning had gone for a stroll out of boredom and would return shortly.


    Nearby, Aunt Hui was having a good day of business, having sold all her osmanthus cakes before noon. As she was packing up, Liu Ming''an helped her tidy up. Aunt Hui took the opportunity to ask, "What''s the story with that sister of yours? Howe I''ve never seen her before?"


    Liu Ming''an knew Aunt Hui meant well, concerned he might be deceived, so he didn''t hide anything and told her everything about Jiang Ning.


    "So that''s how it is. She''s quite the pitiful one," Aunt Hui said after listening, showing sympathy for Jiang Ning''s situation, her expression revealing a touch of mncholy.


    Liu Ming''an smiled without responding, then heard Aunt Hui ask, "So what are your ns? You''re not rted, and you''re both of marriageable age. It''s not appropriate for you to live together like this, is it?"


    This question caught Liu Ming''an off guard; he hadn''t thought that far ahead.


    "We''ll take it one step at a time," Liu Ming''an replied after a moment.


    Aunt Hui was about to ask something else when two customers approached Liu Ming''an''s stall, browsing his remaining calligraphy and paintings. Seeing this, Liu Ming''an waved goodbye to Aunt Hui and went to attend to the customers.


    "Gentlemen, are you interested in buying some calligraphy or paintings?" Liu Ming''an asked the two young men with a smile.


    The two looked quite young, with one in blue robes appearing to be about Liu Ming''an''s age, while the other in gray seemed to be around twenty-five.


    The young man in blue held a folding fan and wore jade at his waist. His clothes were made of a rare, shimmering silk, clearly indicating he came from a wealthy family.


    "Did you write this?" the blue-robed young man asked with a smile.


    "Yes, I did."


    "Are you a schr?"


    "I am."


    The blue-robed young man picked up a scroll and examined it carefully. After a moment, he turned to the gray-robed man behind him and said, "Zhang Shun, look at how beautifully this is written!"


    The man called Zhang Shun nodded in agreement: "A horizontal stroke like the Great Wall, a vertical stroke strong and resonant, a hook that flows like the Jiangnan rivers, and a dot that holds the essence of ink. Indeed, it''s excellent calligraphy."


    Being praised to his face, Liu Ming''an felt a bit embarrassed and hurriedly replied modestly, "You tter me, gentlemen. My writing is barely passable, not worthy of high praise."


    The blue-robed young manughed heartily and said, "Sir, why belittle yourself? My brother here is usually stingy with words and has quite high standards. If he''s praising you, it can only mean your work is truly excellent."


    Liu Ming''an didn''t know how to respond, so he just smiled.


    At this point, the blue-robed young man put down the scroll, closed his fan, and gave Liu Ming''an a respectful bow: "I am Zhou Yi, and this is my brother Zhang Shun. May I ask for your esteemed name, sir?"


    Zhou Yi''s dignified appearance and gentle, polite manner easily endeared him to others.


    Liu Ming''an smiled and returned the gesture, "I am Liu Ming''an."


    "Mr. Liu," Zhou Yi continued, "To be honest, Zhang Shun and I are not locals. We''vee from the Capital City to celebrate my uncle''s birthday. We''re unfamiliar with this ce, and my uncle is busy managing his business, so we''ve been wandering around on our own. Meeting you today, I feel we have a certain affinity. Would you be interested in bing friends?"


    Zhou Yi spoke openly and courteously. How could Liu Ming''an refuse? "I''m honored by your kindness, Mr. Zhou. Having two more friends is something I could only hope for."


    The three of them shared a heartyugh, and Zhang Shun said, "Since we''re friends now, let''s drop the formal titles. I''m twenty-five this year, Zhou Yi just turned twenty-one. How old are you?"


    Liu Ming''an answered truthfully, "Neen."


    Zhou Yi snapped his fan shut and said with a smile, "You''re younger than both of us, so I''ll call you Little Brother Liu from now on."


    Liu Ming''an went along with it easily: "Brother Zhou, Brother Zhang."


    "Hahaha..." Zhou Yi was in high spirits and suggested, "Little Brother Liu, since we''ve hit it off so well, why don''t we go for a drink together? Let''s go to the Fusheng Restaurant and order some good wine and food. Allow your big brother to treat you properly."


    Liu Ming''an also smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, brothers. On any other day, I certainly wouldn''t refuse, but today I can''t."


    The smile on Zhou Yi''s face faltered slightly, assuming he had been too forward and that Liu Ming''an was only reluctantly agreeing to their brotherhood, not wanting to deepen their acquaintance.


    "Why not?" Zhang Shun asked. He could tell that Liu Ming''an wasn''t the type to be coy, so his refusal must have a reason.


    Sure enough, they heard Liu Ming''an exin, "I can''t leave this ce. I need to wait for my sister, in case shees back and can''t find me."


    "Then we''ll wait with you for your sister, and afterwards, the four of us can go for a drink together. How about that?" Zhou Yi suggested.


    Liu Ming''an''s mind shed to Jiang Ning''s expressionless face and those cold, clear eyes. He smiled somewhat helplessly at Zhou Yi and shook his head, "Brother Zhou, my sister... she has a rather cold personality and doesn''t like strangers. I can''t make decisions for her. Please forgive my rudeness today."


    After saying this, Liu Ming''an bowed to them again in apology.


    Zhang Shun, seeing the sincerity in Liu Ming''an''s eyes, knew he wasn''t lying andforted him, "Little Brother Liu, don''t say such things. There''s still plenty of time ahead. Zhou Yi and I will be staying here for a few months, so we''ll surely have the chance to drink and chat another day."


    "That''s right, there''s no need to apologize. It''s not a big deal," Zhou Yi agreed, patting Liu Ming''an on the shoulder.


    Having declined their sincere invitation, Liu Ming''an felt somewhat guilty. After a moment''s thought, he bent down to roll up one of his calligraphy pieces and handed it to Zhou Yi, saying, "Brother Zhou, Brother Zhang, our meeting is fated. If you don''t mind, please ept this piece as a gift to mark our new friendship."


    "Oh no, we couldn''t possibly! How can we take your work for nothing?" Zhou Yi waved his hands, repeatedly declining.


    Liu Ming''an still held out his hand, a faint smile on his face. "Brother Zhou, as the saying goes, ''A fine sword is gifted to a hero, and rouge to a beauty.'' I have nothing else to offer except my humble skills in calligraphy and painting. Since you both appreciate my work so much, it''s fitting for me to give this to you."


    With Liu Ming''an putting it that way, Zhou Yi had no choice but to ept the scroll. He shook his head and said self-deprecatingly, "I''m humbled. Your foolish brother can only ept with gratitude."


    Suddenly, Zhang Shun remembered something and eximed, "Ah!" He turned to Zhou Yi and said, "Didn''t you mention earlier that you wanted to give your uncle a birthday painting? We left in such a hurry that we forgot about it. Now that we know Little Brother Liu is skilled in calligraphy and painting, why don''t you ask him to create one for you?"


    Zhou Yi''s eyes lit up at the suggestion, and he excitedly pped his hands. "That''s right! How could I have forgotten about that?"


    He then turned to Liu Ming''an: "Little Brother Liu, would you be willing to paint a birthday congrattory piece for me? Your foolish brother will certainly reward you handsomely!"


    Liu Ming''an replied, "It would be my pleasure, Brother Zhou. No need to speak of rewards. However, I''ll need to know the name and age of the person celebrating their birthday, as well as your wishes for them, to avoid any mistakes."


    "That''s easy enough. My uncle is quite well-known in your town," Zhou Yi said, pointing in a certain direction. "He''s the owner of the Fusheng Restaurant, named Hong Fusheng. He''ll be celebrating his 60th birthday on the 28th of this month. As his nephew, I wish him longevity, good fortune, and peace for his entire family."


    "Oh, it''s Owner Hong!" Liu Ming''an eximed in surprise.


    "Hahaha... See, my uncle is indeed famous," Zhou Yiughed, looking at Zhang Shun.


    Liu Ming''an nodded in agreement: "The Fusheng Restaurant is the finest in Lingshan Town. Owner Hong is known for his generous and straightforward personality. Who wouldn''t know him?"


    Zhang Shun then asked, "Little Brother Liu, I assume you only sell your calligraphy and paintings here on market days?"


    After receiving Liu Ming''an''s affirmative response, Zhang Shun continued, "The next market day is on the 25th. Zhou Yi and I wille to find you then for that drink. Don''t refuse us again."


    "Certainly! Certainly!" Liu Ming''an replied. "Next time, I''ll bring the birthday painting with me, and we can raise our sses together!"


    "Excellent!" Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun said in unison.


    After agreeing on the specific time and ce for their next meeting, Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun bid farewell to Liu Ming''an and departed.


    Once their figures had disappeared into the crowd, Liu Ming''an lowered his head to pack up his ink and brushes, returned the bamboo bed to Aunt Hui''s shop, and then settled down by the bridge with his belongings to wait patiently for Jiang Ning''s return.

 Chapter 38

    The moment Jiang Ning stepped out of Gold Jade Hall, she stored the box containing gold and silver into her spatial storage.


    Following the path in her memory to return to Liu Ming''an''s side, she had barely walked two hundred meters when Jiang Ning keenly sensed someone behind her.


    Jiang Ning slowed her pace, then deliberately lingered at a stall selling pearl flowers, pretending to browse while actually taking the opportunity to observe the situation behind her.


    Two people, one fat and one thin. One of them must be Houzi, and the other seems to be Huzi, Jiang Ning thought.


    The two men following Jiang Ning would never have imagined that the woman before them was a top-tier assassin, skilled in tracking, eavesdropping, assassination, and counter-surveince. Their self-perceived stealthy pursuit was as transparent as child''s y in Jiang Ning''s eyes,pletely exposed to her scrutiny.


    Seeing Jiang Ning leave the pearl flower stall and turn towards a nearby alley, Houzi and Huzi hurriedly followed. The main street was bustling with people, so they didn''t dare to do anything in public. They just needed to find out who this woman was and where she lived.


    But if the woman walked into a deserted area on her own, well, that would be her own fault.


    Houzi watched Jiang Ning''s back, his triangr eyes filled with a cold, venomous light.


    Houzi and Huzi lightened their steps, following Jiang Ning into the alley. They wound through twists and turns, the path growing narrower and the number of people dwindling.


    Finally, they entered an empty alley. Seeing Jiang Ning heading towards a house at the end, Houzi''s heart leaped with joy. He nodded at Huzi, signaling him to prepare to make their move.


    The two quickened their pace, now only five or six steps behind Jiang Ning. But just as she was about to reach the doorway, Jiang Ning suddenly pivoted and slipped into another alley.


    Houzi and Huzi hurried to follow, but when they turned the corner, Jiang Ning had vanished. It was a short alley, leading to another smallne ten steps away, with paths branching left and right.


    The two men walked to the intersection but still saw no sign of her in either direction.


    "How did that woman walk so fast?" Huzi scratched his head, utterly perplexed.


    This was a residential area withplex streets, and the alley split into countless branches. Houzi, unwilling to return empty-handed, discussed with Huzi, "She can''t have gone far. Let''s split up and search. Remember, if you see her, cover her mouth and strike hard at the back of her neck to knock her out, then call for me. I''ll do the same if I find her."


    Huzi nodded, but looking at the surrounding houses, he hesitated, "What if someone sees us? If they report it to the authorities, won''t we be done for?"


    "Are you stupid? Can''t you make up a lie?" Houzi scolded in a low voice. "If anyone sees, just say she''s your wife, she''s sick and fainted, and you''re rushing to take her to a doctor. Tell them not to get in the way or interfere. Isn''t that simple enough?"


    Seeing Huzi repeatedly nod in agreement, Houzi pushed him towards the left, "Go on, don''t let her escape." With that, he headed down the right alley.


    Jiang Ning, safely within her spatial domain, quietly watched the two men, listening as they plotted to knock her unconscious. She slowly curved her lips into a smile. After the two split up as she had anticipated, Jiang Ning followed Huzi from within her spatial realm.


    Huzi,pletely oblivious, crept stealthily to the corner of the alley. Peering around, he saw no trace of Jiang Ning and quickly turned the corner.


    But he had barely taken two steps when a ghostly voice suddenly sounded behind him: "Are you looking for me?"


    The voice was light and airy, as ifing from afar, clear and cold, sending chills down his spine.


    Huzi''s hair stood on end when he heard the question. He spun around abruptly, only to find the space behind himpletely empty.


    No one was there!


    "Can''t you see me?" The voice sounded again, this time from behind him.


    Huzi''s heart leaped into his throat. He drew the dagger from his waist, swallowed hard, and then, mustering his courage, stiffly turned his head.


    Still no one!


    A cool breeze wafted through the alley, which should have been pleasant, but Huzi felt cold sweat breaking out all over his body.


    "Who''s there? Show yourself!" Huzi shouted at the empty surroundings, his voice hoarse and strained.


    Jiang Ning, ying her ghostly tricks from within her spatial domain, watched with amusement as Huzi was fooled. As Huzi shouted, she moved behind him, emerged from her space, and using her hand as a de, struck hard at the back of his neck.


    Huzi had no time to react. His body crumpled to the ground uncontrobly, the dagger in his hand ttering to the ground with a "ng."


    Jiang Ning bent down to pick up the dagger, her fingertips lightly brushing the de. Not bad, she thought. Though far inferior to modern craftsmanship, it would suffice.


    The sound of hurried footsteps reached her ears, growing closer. Jiang Ning knew that Huzi''s shout had drawn Houzi, which was part of her n. She gripped the dagger tightly and re-entered her spatial domain.


    Houzi, hearing the noise, rushed over. He was too far to hear clearly what Huzi had shouted, but he assumed Huzi hadpleted the task and they could return to Gold Jade Hall to report.


    Therefore, when Houzi entered the alley and saw Huzi lying unconscious on the ground, he was truly shocked.


    "Huzi!" Houzi rushed over in three quick strides and crouched beside Huzi. He first checked for breathing, then felt for a heartbeat, only rxing when he confirmed Huzi was merely unconscious.


    "Huzi, wake up! Wake up!" Houzi shook him by the cor, but to no avail.


    Who could have taken him down? Was it that woman? What kind of skills did she possess?


    Houzi''s mind involuntarily shed back to when Jiang Ning had entered Gold Jade Hall. He had tried to lift her veil, but she caught his wrist with a grip he couldn''t break no matter how hard he tried.


    That woman, was she still nearby?


    Houzi''s heart began to race. He stood up, warily ncing around.


    He felt as if a pair of eyes were watching him.


    Cold sweat began to bead on Houzi''s forehead as his hand unconsciously moved towards the dagger at his waist. Just as he was about to draw it from its sheath, he felt a chill against his neck.


    Someone had ced a knife to his throat!


    "Don''t move!" Jiang Ning warned, holding the dagger steady.


    "I won''t move! I won''t move! Please spare me, nobledy!" Houzi pleaded, his voice trembling uncontrobly.


    This woman had appeared out of thin air. He hadn''t heard a sound, as if she were...


    A ghost!


    Houzi had always considered himself brave, never backing down from a fight, but faced with an opponent like Jiang Ning, he couldn''t control his fear.


    "Old Six Hu sent you?" Jiang Ning asked.


    "Yes, yes, he did!" Houzi hastily replied, afraid that any dy might cost him his life.


    "For what purpose?" Jiang Ning inquired further.


    "To... to..." Houzi knew he couldn''t tell the truth. His eyes darted as he fabricated a story, "The boss was impressed by your gambling skills and wanted to invite you to be a dealer at Gold Jade Hall, so he could challenge you at any time."


    "Oh? Is that so?" Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, her tone yful.


    Houzi was about to affirm when a sharp pain shot through his neck, followed by the sensation of warm liquid trickling down.


    Jiang Ning had flicked her wrist, using the de to make a shallow cut on his neck. The wound was long and thin, not fatal, but a clear warning.


    "Spare me, nobledy! Please spare me!" Houzi pleaded, his voice now tinged with tears as he felt death closer than ever before.


    "I''m not killing you today because someone is waiting for me, and I don''t want to waste time. Go back and tell Old Six Hu that if he''s outmatched, he should practice more. If he dares to harbor any ill intentions towards me again, I''ll send you all to meet your maker. Do you understand?" Jiang Ning asked coldly.


    In truth, there was another important reason: these two were sent by Old Six Hu, and if they died for no apparent reason, suspicion would inevitably fall on her. She didn''t mind for herself, but she didn''t want to implicate Liu Ming''an.


    Moreover, seeing Houzi trembling like a sieve, she figured this cowardly type would likely learn his lesson after one scare. If he dared to seek death again, she would certainly oblige!


    "I understand! I understand!" Houzi didn''t dare utter a single word of dissent.


    As soon as he finished speaking, Houzi felt the dagger leave his neck. Then a kick to the back of his knees, coupled with a forceful push on his shoulder, sent him stumbling forward involuntarily. His foot caught on the prone Huzi, causing him to fall t on his face.


    His knees and elbows mmed into the ground, causing excruciating pain. Houzi grimaced as he pushed himself up from the floor. Looking back, he saw that the ce was empty except for the still unconscious Huzi.


    Houzi reached for his own neck, feeling the wound left by the dagger. The bleeding had stopped, but his fingers touched the not-yet-dried blood, leaving a stark crimson stain on his fingertips.


    Gazing at the exit where Jiang Ning had departed, Houzi''s eyes reflected both fear and the bitter sting of humiliation. His fists clenched tightly, causing veins to bulge prominently on the backs of his hands.

 Chapter 39

    When Jiang Ning returned to the bridge, she didn''t see Liu Ming''an''s bamboo lounger where he usually set up his stall. Her heart tightened with worry. Just as she was about to search around, a familiar voice called out.


    "Jiang Ning!"


    It was Liu Ming''an.


    Jiang Ning looked towards the voice and saw that he was crouching by the roadside, using pebbles to teach a child how to write.


    A gentle breeze rustled the willow branches by the bridge. Beneath the tree, Liu Ming''an smiled warmly, his eyes full of tenderness as he looked at Jiang Ning.


    "Where did you go? Why were you gone so long?" Liu Ming''an asked with a smile, tossing aside the pebble and dusting off his hands.


    Jiang Ning didn''t answer, just looking intently at Liu Ming''an, feeling inexplicably at ease. She had spent the past half-day engaged in mental chess with Old Six Hu at the gambling den, then had a deadly encounter with Houzi in a dark alley. Her nerves had been on edge, reminiscent of her time as the assassin known as N.


    Now, seeing Liu Ming''an, his clear eyes and that handsome face with its gentle smile, Jiang Ning felt like a traveler who, after a long journey through a cold, dark night, had finally returned home to the warm glow of candlelight and the aroma of a home-cooked meal.


    The child beside Liu Ming''an looked to be about six or seven years old, barely reaching Liu Ming''an''s waist. Seeing that Liu Ming''an had stopped teaching him, the boy stood up, looking from Liu Ming''an to Jiang Ning. In his childish voice, he asked curiously, "Is she your wife? Why is her face covered?"


    Fearing Jiang Ning might take offense, Liu Ming''an quickly covered the child''s mouth. Then, with his usual good nature, he smiled and patted the boy''s head, saying, "Don''t say such things. She''s my sister. Now, run along and y."


    The child made a sound of understanding and scampered off.


    Jiang Ning watched Liu Ming''an approach and asked, "Have you sold all your calligraphy and paintings?"


    Liu Ming''an nodded, then after a moment''s thought, added, "Well, not exactly sold out. While you were gone, I met two like-minded friends and gave them myst piece as a gift."


    "What about your writing supplies?"


    "They''re over there," Liu Ming''an said, pointing to Aunt Hui''s store. "I left them with Aunt Hui for now. Wait here, I''ll go fetch them, and then we can go get something to eat and do some shopping. It''s gettingte."


    Liu Ming''an walked into Aunt Hui''s store. She handed him a bundle, and they exchanged a few words. During their conversation, Aunt Hui kept ncing in Jiang Ning''s direction.


    "Who is that Aunt Hui to you?" Jiang Ning asked casually as they walked away from the bridge side by side.


    "I suppose you could call her an elder," Liu Ming''an said after some thought. "Aunt Hui is from out of town. When she was young, she came to Lingshan Town alone with her two children. She raised them by selling osmanthus cakes and doing needlework. A few years ago, her daughter married and moved to Spirit Cloud Town, while her son left to do business, traveling far and wide. Now, mother and son rarely see each other."


    As they talked, the pair arrived at a food stall ¨C a family-run noodle shop. The husband and wife were bustling about in the kitchen, kneading dough, pulling noodles, cooking, and adding toppings. Outside, two elderly people were greeting customers and cleaning tables, while a child of about ten was helping to collect money.


    The noodle shop had seven or eight folding wooden tables set up outside, each with two long benches. Almost every seat was taken. Customers slurped their steaming noodles with great gusto, asionally wiping the sweat from their brows with their sleeves, never pausing in their enjoyment of the food. Though humble, the noodle shop was filled with the lively atmosphere of everyday life.


    "This noodle shop is really good. Shall we eat here?" Liu Ming''an asked Jiang Ning''s opinion.


    Jiang Ning was already famished, and the aroma made her stomach growl. She nodded in agreement.


    Liu Ming''an''s sharp eyes spotted two people who had just finished paying. He quickly pointed and led Jiang Ning over to secure the seats.


    As they approached the empty table, an elderly man in his fifties came over to clear the bowls. Seeing them, he greeted them warmly, "Are you two here for noodles? What would you like to order?"


    "I''ll have a medium portion of meat sauce thin noodles," Liu Ming''an replied, then turned to Jiang Ning. "What would you like? They have clear soup noodles, meat sauce noodles, and meat soup noodles. The noodlese in thin, wide, extra wide, knife-cut, and ''nket'' styles. Which one do you fancy?"


    "Quite a variety," Jiang Ning remarked, somewhat surprised. She then told the shopkeeper, "I''ll have the same as him."


    "Alright! Coming right up!" The old man nodded, then turned and called out to the kitchen, "Two medium portions of meat sauce thin noodles!"


    After the woman in the kitchen acknowledged the order, the old man efficiently cleared the table, then smiled at the two of them, saying, "Please wait a moment, it''ll be ready soon."


    "How did you meet Aunt Hui?" Jiang Ning asked, continuing their earlier conversation after the old man left.


    "Hmm... It was about three years ago," Liu Ming''an recalled carefully. "One market day, it started pouring rain. Aunt Hui slipped and fell while hurrying to find shelter. I happened to be there and helped her home. She had twisted her ankle and hit her head. Seeing that she was alone, I couldn''t just leave her like that. So I decided to see it through ¨C I called for a doctor and stayed to look after her for two days."


    "So Aunt Hui was grateful and lets you set up your stall in front of her shop?" Jiang Ning guessed the oue.


    Liu Ming''an nodded, and Jiang Ning remarked, "You really do make friends wherever you go!"


    Liu Ming''an smiled, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes as he remembered something. "It''s because my father taught me: ''A single act of kindness leaves an imprint on the heart thatsts for eternity; a hundredmps lit can illuminate a thousand miles.''"


    Jiang Ning''s gaze fell on Liu Ming''an, studying him intently. The young man usually carried himself with perfect posture, but now his head was slightly bowed, a faint trace of sorrow on his face.


    He seems sad, Jiang Ning thought.


    A momentter, an awkward attempt atfort broke the silence: "You''ve done very well. You''re the kindest person I''ve ever met. He would be proud of you."


    Liu Ming''an looked up at Jiang Ning in surprise, then chuckled, "Jiang Ning, you don''t seem like the type to say such things."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow slightly, neither confirming nor denying.


    "Oh, right!" Liu Ming''an suddenly remembered something. He stood up and moved behind Jiang Ning, reaching for her head.


    "What are you doing?" Jiang Ning caught his hand, puzzled.


    Liu Ming''an looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then leaned in close to whisper, "You''ll need to remove your veil to eat. Your face is quite striking and might attract attention. If someone you know happens to see you, it could be hard to exin. Let me fix your hair to cover your face a bit more."


    His warm breath tickled her ear, making Jiang Ning ufortable. She frowned and tried to move away, but Liu Ming''an had already grasped her hair, so she had to stay put.


    Liu Ming''an untied her hair ribbon. Without ab, he had to make do with his fingers, running them through Jiang Ning''s dark locks. He separated tworge sections to fall on either side, covering her cheeks, then tied the rest back with the ribbon.


    "There," Liu Ming''an said, returning to his seat. "You can take off your veil now."


    Jiang Ning removed the veil she had worn all day and tucked it away. Just then, an elderly woman arrived with two steaming bowls of fragrant meat sauce noodles.


    "Enjoy your meal," the old woman said out of habit as she set down the bowls.


    Liu Ming''an nodded to her, then picked up a pair of chopsticks and handed them to Jiang Ning. "Eat up, you must be hungry."


    Jiang Ning took the chopsticks and lifted a few strands of noodles to her mouth.


    The noodles were freshly kneaded and pulled, each strand uniform in thickness, chewy yet smooth, with an excellent texture. The meat sauce topping had a perfect bnce of lean and fatty meat, rich with a savory aroma that mingled with the fragrance of green onions and chili oil, making one''s mouth water.


    "How is it?" Liu Ming''an asked after Jiang Ning had taken a bite.


    "Not bad," Jiang Ning replied, clearly pleased.


    After they finished eating, Liu Ming''an called out to the elderly man who had been greeting customers, "We''d like to pay!"


    "Coming right away!" the old woman replied while carrying a bowl. She then urged a boy of about ten, "Huzi, that table over there, quick!"


    A sturdy-looking boy ran up to Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning''s table, grinning as he said, "That''ll be twenty wen, sir."


    Liu Ming''an counted out the copper coins from his pocket and handed them over. The child epted them with both hands, dropping them into therge pocket of his jacket. He then added sweetly, "Thank you, sir. Pleasee again!"


    With that, the boy dashed off to call his grandmother to clear the table.


    Jiang Ning watched the child''s retreating figure and mused softly, "That little one seems to be called Huzi."


    "It''s probably just a nickname. Many children are called that. Why do you mention it?" Liu Ming''an didn''t understand why Jiang Ning had brought this up out of the blue.


    "Just thinking out loud," Jiang Ning replied.

 Chapter 40

    After finishing their meal, Jiang Ning put her veil back on and began walking leisurely down the street with Liu Ming''an.


    It was lunchtime, so the streets were less crowded, but the restaurants on both sides were packed. The waiters were all rushing about, their feet barely touching the ground.


    "How much money did you make today?" Jiang Ning asked Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an calcted for a moment before answering honestly, "I sold four calligraphy pieces and wrote twenty-one letters. In total, it''s 530 wen, about half a tael of silver."


    Jiang Ning nodded upon hearing the answer but didn''t speak. She seemed lost in thought, and her pace slowed.


    Just as Liu Ming''an was about to ask what was wrong, Jiang Ning suddenly grabbed his sleeve and pulled him into a nearby deserted alley.


    "Jiang Ning, what¡ª" Before he could finish, Liu Ming''an saw a wooden box appear before his eyes, though he had no idea where Jiang Ning had produced it from.


    "What''s this?" Liu Ming''an asked, puzzled.


    "It''s for you," Jiang Ning said simply. "Open it and see."


    Liu Ming''an hesitated, then took the box. When he opened it, the glint of gold and silver inside nearly blinded him.


    "Snap!"


    Liu Ming''an quickly closed the lid. In his panic, he grabbed Jiang Ning''s arm and walked a few steps deeper into the alley, making sure no one was around before asking, "Jiang Ning, where did you get all this money?"


    Jiang Ning saw the worry and anxiety in Liu Ming''an''s eyes and could guess what he was thinking. After a moment''s consideration, she decided to tell the truth.


    "I saw Zhao Instructor, the one who sold me. I followed him into Gold Jade Hall, a gambling house. I yed a couple of rounds, got lucky, and won this."


    Hearing Jiang Ning speak so casually about it, Liu Ming''an was at a loss for words.


    Jiang Ning reassured him, "Don''t worry, I won this money fair and square in front of everyone. It''s clean money, so you can use it without concern."


    "How could the casino people not give you trouble after you won so much?"


    Liu Ming''an couldn''t stop worrying. He knew about the casino''s enforcers, and there had even been cases of people winning big at casinos only to die mysteriouslyter.


    "Hah!" Jiang Ning''s coldugh was prompted by Liu Ming''an''s words, which reminded her of Houzi and Huzi. She continued, "Liu Ming''an, you underestimate me. Those useless thugs the casino keeps can''t touch me."


    Liu Ming''an was stunned by the faint murderous intent in Jiang Ning''s eyes. This Jiang Ning seemed so unfamiliar, reminding him of their first meeting when she was covered in wounds but her eyes were full of wariness.


    "Jiang Ning, I''m still very worried about you," Liu Ming''an said, his brows furrowed tightly. He couldn''t imagine how Jiang Ning could handle those big, burly enforcers.


    Hearing this, the coldness in Jiang Ning''s eyes dissipated. She looked at Liu Ming''an earnestly and said, "I promise you, I''ll be fine."


    Seeing Jiang Ning so resolute, Liu Ming''an could only sigh softly, his thousand words reduced to a single exhtion.


    "Now that we''ve cleared things up, let''s go shopping," Jiang Ning said, turning to leave. But she had barely taken a step when Liu Ming''an grabbed her arm again.


    "What''s the story with this Zhao Instructor you mentioned? Why were you following him?" Liu Ming''an had thought of a new question.


    "I want to know who I really am, where my home is, why I was covered in injuries, and why I was sold. I can only start finding answers to these questions through this Zhao Instructor."


    Liu Ming''an was silent for a long time. After a while, Jiang Ning heard him ask, "Do you n to leave after you find out?"


    His voice was much quieter, sounding somewhat dejected.


    Jiang Ning stared at him steadily. Liu Ming''an, feeling a bit embarrassed, turned his face slightly, averting his gaze.


    "Liu Ming''an."


    Liu Ming''an suddenly heard Jiang Ning call his name, and then a hand appeared in front of him, gripping his chin and forcing him to turn back and meet her gaze.


    "Do you not want me to leave?" Jiang Ning''s deep gray pupils reflected Liu Ming''an''s somewhat flustered face. If one looked carefully, they might notice a faint hint of amusement in her eyes.


    With cool, slender fingers hooked under his chin, Liu Ming''an''s breathing became erratic for a few beats. He struggled topose himself before answering, "Yes, I don''t want you to leave."


    Liu Ming''an continued, somewhat incoherently, "Of course, I''m also worried that you might get hurt again. After all, when I bought you, your injuries weren''t fake. Even though you recovered quickly, it must still hurt. Those who hurt you might not be satisfied seeing you unharmed and might hurt you again. And you''ve lost your memory, so you can''t distinguish between good and bad people..."


    The hand on his chin had moved away at some point. Jiang Ning stood with her arms folded, listening quietly. For the first time, she found that this long-winded speech wasn''t so annoying.


    "Alright, I understand. I won''t leave," Jiang Ning said slowly after Liu Ming''an finished speaking.


    Her tone was gentler than usual,cking its typical coldness and tness.


    Liu Ming''an looked straight at Jiang Ning and asked, "Really?"


    "Have I ever lied to you?" Jiang Ning countered.


    "I don''t know. You''re so clever, I wouldn''t know even if you did lie to me," Liu Ming''an said, sounding a bit dejected.


    A hint of amusement appeared in Jiang Ning''s eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned up irresistibly. Although her face was covered by a in veil, her eyes were expressive, and one could imagine the smile curving her lips beneath the veil.


    Jiang Ning was smiling.


    Thinking about this, Liu Ming''an''s mood brightened, and a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his face.


    Jiang Ning reached into her clothes again, pulling out a piece of silver and a handful of copper coins. "Here''s some more. Take it all. Buy whatever you want, it''s all yours."


    "This is your money. I can''t take it," Liu Ming''an refused, even trying to hand back the wooden box.


    "Don''t argue! Just take it when I tell you to," Jiang Ning insisted firmly, leaving Liu Ming''an no room to refuse.


    Liu Ming''an had no choice but to ept the silver and copper coins, then untied the bundle on his back, intending to put the wooden box inside.


    "Don''t touch the gold for now. Use all the silver and copper coins," Jiang Ning instructed.


    Liu Ming''an hesitated, "There''s a total of five taels of silver. That''s too much, isn''t it? We can''t possibly spend it all."


    Jiang Ning insisted, "How could there ever be money that can''t be spent? Take it all out!"


    Liu Ming''an had no choice but toply.


    When they returned to the street, Jiang Ning asked Liu Ming''an, "You said before that the three taels of silver you used to buy me were originally intended for buying writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, right?"


    "Yes."


    Jiang Ning jerked her chin in a certain direction, "You were nning to go to this shop, weren''t you?"


    Though phrased as a question, her tone was certain.


    Liu Ming''an followed Jiang Ning''s gaze to an elegantly decorated shop. It was three stories tall, with a sign on the upper floor that read "Ink Fragrance Pavilion" in flowing calligraphy.


    The rigorous training Jiang Ning had received since childhood had made her habitually attentive to her surroundings, noting distinctive people or objects. Whenever she arrived at a new ce, she would discreetly observe, ensuring she grasped as much information about the unfamiliar environment as possible in the shortest time.


    Thus, from the moment she entered Lingshan Town with Liu Ming''an, through selling rabbits at the restaurant, setting up the stall by the bridge, following Zhao Instructor, and then leaving Gold Jade Hall, Jiang Ning had already be familiar with the overallyout of Lingshan Town and the general distribution of shops.


    The "Ink Fragrance Pavilion" before them should be thergest shop selling writing supplies in Lingshan Town.


    "How did you know I was nning to go to Ink Fragrance Pavilion?" Liu Ming''an asked, amazed.


    "I deduced it."


    "How did you deduce it?" Liu Ming''an was truly curious and persisted in asking.


    Jiang Ning typically had little patience, but standing here inevitably reminded her of her miserable state when she first arrived in this world. Fortunately, she had met this person before her, sparing her much suffering. So, she took a deep breath and patiently began to exin to Liu Ming''an:


    "The ce where Zhao Instructor sold me is at the intersection of East-West Long Street and North Street, where there are the most people and the widest area. The bridge where you set up your stall is at the end of East Street. To go home, you only need to walk west along East Street, then turn south at the intersection with South Street, which is the road we entered Lingshan Town on. On your way home, there are five small shops selling writing supplies, but Ink Fragrance Pavilion is on North Street. If you weren''t specificallying to Ink Fragrance Pavilion, you wouldn''t have possibly encountered me."


    "Furthermore..." Jiang Ning caught her breath and continued, "Although I''m not well-versed in prices, I can deduce that if you charge ten coins for a letter and eighty coins for a painting, the paper and scrolls you buy must bemon and inexpensive. I''ve ground ink for you many times, and your brushes, inkstone, and ink sticks aren''t worth three taels of silver. Therefore, when you took three taels of silver with you that day, it must have been money you''d saved for a long time, intending to buy higher quality writing materials. In all of Lingshan Town, only a shop like Ink Fragrance Pavilion would sell writing materials worth three taels of silver. Other smaller shops would at most aim for thin profits and high sales volume."


    This analysis was like a stone thrown into still water for Liu Ming''an, causing ripples of realization. As the saying goes, one can see the big picture from small details and perceive the profound from the subtle. Jiang Ning had grasped theyout of Lingshan Town in such a short time and urately analyzed Liu Ming''an''s behavior, demonstrating a level of insight and keen intellect far beyond that of ordinary people.


    "Jiang Ning, you''re incredibly clever," Liu Ming''an murmured after a long pause.


    "You tter me," she replied.


    Jiang Ning knew her analysis would make Liu Ming''an see her in a new light and perhaps reassess her as a person, but she didn''t mind. She intended to gradually reveal her true self to him, piece by piece.

 Chapter 41

    Ink Fragrance Pavilion lived up to its name - a tranquil and elegant shop permeated with the scent of ink.


    The entrance was adorned with a curtain made of long strings of wooden beads. From the outside, one could glimpse shadowy figures through the gaps between the beads.


    As Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an stepped inside, the bead curtain ttered. A man emerged from behind the counter near the door. He appeared to be in his forties, neatly dressed, sporting a beard, with a perfectly measured smile on his face.


    The man turned to face them and said, "Wee to our humble shop. What would you like to purchase today?"


    Liu Ming''an nced around the store. This floor didn''t disy any writing implements, but was filled with various books. There were ssics, histories, biographies, poetry collections, medical texts, and Buddhist scriptures - aprehensive collection neatly organized on their respective shelves for browsing and selection. At that moment, two or three customers were perusing the books.


    Directly opposite the entrance was a staircase with a sign next to it that read: "Four Treasures of the Study, Please Proceed to Second Floor."


    "No need to trouble yourself, sir. We''ll just have a look around first," Liu Ming''an said politely.


    "Ha ha ha... I''m not the owner," the man stroked his beard with a smile, then bowed to them, saying, "My name is Yuan, and I''m the shopkeeper of Ink Fragrance Pavilion."


    "Shopkeeper Yuan," Liu Ming''an returned the bow.


    "Please feel free to browse. Don''t hesitate to call me if you need anything," Shopkeeper Yuan gestured invitingly, then returned to his position behind the counter.


    Jiang Ning''s attention had beenpletely absorbed by the piles of books from the moment she entered the shop. Everything about being reborn in this era was fine, except for theck of entertainment. No phones, noputers, no TV, no movies. And with Liu Ming''an''s household being so poor, she could only flip through his exam preparation books during her leisure time. Unfortunately, Liu Ming''an''s books were terribly dull, with only "The Book of Rites" being somewhat bearable.


    Now, seeing such a diverse array of books, Jiang Ning suddenly felt she had something to look forward to in the days ahead.


    Once Liu Ming''an finished exchanging pleasantries with Shopkeeper Yuan, Jiang Ning eagerly approached the bookshelves.


    "Tales of Dream Women," "Chronicles of the Scarlet Fox Spirit," "Records of the Seven Ghost Wanderers," "Ten Great Cases of Liang Kingdom"...


    Jiang Ning grabbed any book that sounded like a story without a second thought. By the time Liu Ming''an caught up with her, Jiang Ning was already cradling a thick stack of no less than twenty books.


    Liu Ming''an took the books from her arms, and seeing that Jiang Ning was about to grab more, he quickly advised, "Jiang Ning, that''s too many. They''ll be hard to carry. Let''se back another time."


    Jiang Ning considered this and agreed. This pile would be enough to while away quite some time.


    Shopkeeper Yuan had been engrossed in checking the ounts when suddenly his light was blocked. He looked up to find the young couple from earlier had returned and were standing at the counter with a stack of books before them.


    "You''ve made your selections so quickly?" Shopkeeper Yuan was quite surprised, as it hadn''t even been half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.


    Liu Ming''an smiled and said, "We''ve chosen these, but we''d like to go upstairs and look around. Could we leave these books here and pay for everything togetherter?"


    "Ah, yes, of course! This way, please!" Realizing these two were today''s fortune bringers, Shopkeeper Yuan didn''t dare to be negligent. He came out from behind the counter and stood by the stairs, smiling broadly as he invited them up.


    Liu Ming''an nodded slightly to Shopkeeper Yuan before following Jiang Ning upstairs.


    "It really is a lot of books to carry," Jiang Ning suddenly spoke up, her brows furrowing slightly as if in deep thought. "We''re out of rice at home and need to buy some. We''re also low on oil, and I wanted to get some flour..."


    The stark contrast between the person who had just moments ago fiercely dered the thugs from Gold Jade Hall to be useless, and now furrowed her delicate brows in concern over daily necessities, didn''t seem contradictory on Jiang Ning. In fact, Liu Ming''an found her rather adorable as he watched her.


    Liu Ming''an cleared his throat, suppressing a smile, "Don''t worry. You''ve bought so many books, if we give the shop a few extra copper coins, they''ll deliver them to our home. As for rice and flour, we can buy those from the Chen Family Rice Shop, and they can deliver to our home as well."


    "Alright, let''s do that then," Jiang Ning decided. In truth, she could easily store everything in her spatial storage without any effort, but that would be difficult to exin to Liu Ming''an.


    At the top of the stairs on the second floor stood a shop assistant who greeted them respectfully as soon as they appeared: "Wee, esteemed guests. What can I help you with today?"


    Jiang Ning scanned the second floor and found it had a simryout to the first, but was divided into four sections selling brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. At the moment, four or five customers were selecting paper, and a man in his thirties was exining something to them.


    Noticing Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an looking in that direction, the shop assistant exined, "The man in white is our boss, Yang Ruoqing. As you can see, he''s attending to some customers who want to buy paper for painting."


    Liu Ming''an turned to Jiang Ning and said, "I promised two friends I''d help paint a birthday congrattions picture. Shall we go take a look?"


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, surprised. She and Liu Ming''an had been inseparable, yet in the brief time they were apart today, he had made two friends who warranted him gifting a painting, even a congrattory birthday picture. Moreover, when Liu Ming''an spoke of the two, his eyes held a faint smile, suggesting he was genuinely happy to have met them.


    As Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an approached the paper section, they heard the shop owner, Yang, speaking enthusiastically: "...This paper is top-quality sized Xuanzhou paper, and this roller is made of premium agarwood. You won''t find these anywhere but at my Ink Fragrance Pavilion!"


    As Yang spoke, he extended the scroll towards the four customers, but one of the older men held up a hand to politely decline. "We''re ustomed to unsized Xuan paper. No matter how good your sized paper is, we won''t be able to use it properly. It would be a waste for us to buy it. Perhaps you could show us some unsized Xuan paper instead, Mr. Yang?"


    Yang let out a disappointed sigh, rolled up the scroll, and ced it on the highest shelf. He then led the customers to another section and began introducing new scrolls.


    Liu Ming''an walked over, took down the rolled-up scroll from the shelf, and carefully examined it by the window. After a moment, he said to Jiang Ning, "It truly is high-quality sized Xuan paper, and the agarwood is genuine."


    Jiang Ning: "..."


    She didn''t understand.


    "How can paper be ''sized'' or ''unsized''? Is it cooked somehow?" Jiang Ning asked, puzzled.


    She had been quite confused listening earlier. Although she had practiced calligraphy with a brush pen in modern times, she had just bought supplies online randomly and knew nothing about these details.


    "Pfft!" Liu Ming''an couldn''t help butugh, but seeing Jiang Ning''s pointed look, he quicklyposed himself and exined seriously: "Xuan paper is ssified into unsized, sized, and half-sized based on its processing method. Unsized Xuan paper hasn''t been treated with alum water. It''s thicker and absorbs water more readily, allowing for rich variations in ink tones. It''s often used for freehandndscape painting. Sized Xuan paper has been treated with alum water, making it harder and less absorbent. The ink doesn''t spread as easily, allowing for more detailed and delicate brushwork, resulting in more refined and natural paintings. Half-sized Xuan paper, as the name suggests, falls between the two,bining their advantages and disadvantages. It''s suitable for beginners to practice with."


    This exnation was concise, clear, and well-organized. Jiang Ning nodded and said, "You know a lot."


    Liu Ming''an smiled modestly, "I''ve just read about it in books."

 Chapter 42

    On the second floor of Ink Fragrance Pavilion, the four customers who hade together finally selected their desired paper. As the shop assistant led them downstairs to pay, the owner Yang Ruoqing finally noticed two young customers still on the second floor.


    "Oh my! How rude of me! I was so busy I didn''t notice you two. Please forgive me." Yang Ruoqing strode over quickly and bowed apologetically to Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning.


    "It''s no trouble at all, Mr. Yang. No need to be so formal," Liu Ming''an politely replied.


    Yang Ruoqing wanted to exchange a few more pleasantries, but he noticed the scroll in Liu Ming''an''s arms looked familiar. ncing up at the shelf, he saw that the scroll that should have been there was missing.


    "Oh my! Has the customer taken a liking to this xuan paper? What excellent taste!" Yang Ruoqing eximed excitedly, his eyes almost sparkling as he looked at Liu Ming''an.


    "Young sir, let me tell you, this xuan paper is produced in Xuanzhou..."


    Seeing that Yang Ruoqing was about tounch into a lengthy exnation about how wonderful and precious this paper was, Liu Ming''an quickly interjected, "There''s no need to exin further, Mr. Yang. I overheard your introduction to the other customers earlier."


    "Oh? Haha... I see," Yang Ruoqing stopped awkwardly, then asked hopefully, "Well then, young sir, would you like to purchase this xuan paper?"


    Liu Ming''an answered honestly, "I would. Please name your price, Mr. Yang." He nned to use this paper to paint a birthday portrait for Zhou Yi.


    Yang Ruoqing was overjoyed and blurted out without thinking, "Three taels of silver!"


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow. This scrap of paper was on par with her own value?


    Liu Ming''an was also startled by the price and hesitantly said, "Mr. Yang, isn''t that a bit too expensive?"


    "Not at all, young sir, not at all," Yang Ruoqing waved his hand dismissively and continued persuasively, "Look at this paper. Xuanzhou xuan paper - anyone who knows anything understands what that means... It''s worth every bit of that price!"


    "But..." Liu Ming''an opened his mouth to argue.


    "But what?" Yang Ruoqing interrupted Liu Ming''an and continued chattering, "In all of Lingshan Town, only my shop sells such fine xuan paper. Young sir, with your handsome features and dignified bearing, you''re clearly a well-read and talented schr. Only paper of this quality is worthy of you."


    "Hah! Mr. Yang, you must have sweet-talked quite a few schrs with that silver tongue of yours," Jiang Ning, who had been silent until now, suddenly let out a coldugh, her eyes revealing a hint of mockery.


    Yang Ruoqing was stunned by her words and looked at Jiang Ning, asking, "Madam, what do you mean?"


    "Her hair isn''t even pinned up¡ª"


    Liu Ming''an, seeing their rtionship misunderstood again, hurriedly tried to rify, but Jiang Ning turned to him and said, "Don''t speak for now." Liu Ming''an obediently closed his mouth.


    Jiang Ning stepped forward, took the scroll from Liu Ming''an''s hands, and held it up to Yang Ruoqing''s face. "Mr. Yang, this fine Xuanzhou xuan paper has probably been sitting in your shop for a year or two, hasn''t it?"


    Yang Ruoqing''s expression changed, his smile freezing on his face.


    Knowing she was correct, Jiang Ning continued, "I believe when you purchased this scroll, it wasn''t cheap. But you didn''t expect it would be so hard to sell, did you?"


    Yang Ruoqing''s eyes showed obvious surprise. He looked Jiang Ning up and down before bowing and asking, "May I ask how the madam knows this?"


    "Two things," Jiang Ning began confidently. "First, the dust on the scroll''s roller."


    "Here," Jiang Ning pointed at a small area on the roller, indicating for Yang Ruoqing to look.


    Yang Ruoqing leaned in skeptically. He cleaned the scrolls diligently, so there shouldn''t be any dust.


    But Jiang Ning merely scraped the wooden roller with her fingernail, and her fair finger was coated with ayer of ck grime.


    "The agarwood is naturally dark brown, so dust isn''t noticeable on it. That''s why you overlooked the dust in the gap between the roller and the paper. To form such caked-on grime, it takes more than a month or two ¨C at least a year," Jiang Ning exined, then asked Yang Ruoqing, "Am I right, Mr. Yang?"


    Yang Ruoqing nodded and sighed, "You''re right. I bought this scroll two years ago and haven''t been able to sell it."


    Liu Ming''an once again marveled at Jiang Ning''s meticulous thinking and astounding observational skills. Utterly amazed, he eagerly asked, "That''s just one point. What''s the other?"


    "The other point is the scroll''s position," Jiang Ning pointed to the nearby wooden shelf and said to Yang Ruoqing, "You ced it on the highest shelf because customers usually ignore it, so there''s no need to keep it in a prominent position. And in your shop''syout, there''s only one shelf for scrolls, indicating that not many people buy scrolls in the first ce. That''s why you''re so eager to sell this long-stocked xuan paper to customers interested in scrolls ¨C you just want to get rid of it as soon as possible."


    "Hahaha..." Yang Ruoqing burst intoughter, his eyes full of admiration and respect as he looked at Jiang Ning. "Madam, you truly have an eye for detail and keen insight. I''m impressed! Truly impressed!"


    Jiang Ning coolly responded with a "You''re too kind," then continued, "We''ve already selected twenty-two books downstairs and n to buy some brushes and ink from your shop as well. Mr. Yang, do you still want to charge three taels of silver for this xuan paper scroll?"


    Yang Ruoqing waved his hand, "No, no. I bought the scroll for one tael of silver. I''ll sell it to you for one tael ¨C I won''t make a profit, just break even."


    "That''s much better," Jiang Ning rolled up the scroll and tucked it into Liu Ming''an''s arms.


    "Since you two want to buy brushes and ink, please follow me. I guarantee fair prices, no deception for young or old," Yang Ruoqing said with a smile, then turned and walked towards the shelves disying brushes and ink.


    Liu Ming''an watched in amazement as Jiang Ning negotiated two taels off the price with just a few words. Holding the scroll, he was left in a state of quiet astonishment.


    As if knowing what Liu Ming''an was thinking, Jiang Ning leaned close and whispered so only the two of them could hear, "Liu Ming''an, you understand xuan paper, but you don''t understand business."


    Liu Ming''an caught a glimpse of the fleeting mischievous look in Jiang Ning''s eyes. He chuckled silently and bent slightly towards her, softly saying, "Thank you for the lesson, Miss Jiang Ning!"


    Liu Ming''an had leaned in too close, his warm breath tickling her ear. Jiang Ning frowned and reflexively pushed him back a step.


    Liu Ming''an froze, suddenly unsure if he had offended Jiang Ning.


    Yang Ruoqing, who was walking ahead, happened to turn back and catch this scene. Assuming it was just a young couple''s flirtation, heughed and said, "Young sir, madam,e quickly and take a look! The brushes at Ink Fragrance Pavilion are the finest in Lingshan Town, unlike those inferior products elsewhere. I guarantee you''ll be satisfied."


    Jiang Ning nodded at Yang Ruoqing, then turned to Liu Ming''an and said, "You go choose the brushes and ink. I don''t know much about these things, so I''ll look around a bit."


    Liu Ming''an carefully studied Jiang Ning''s eyes and found them as calm and unruffled as usual, with no sign of annoyance. Only then did he feel reassured.


    After Liu Ming''an finished selecting brushes and ink, Yang Ruoqing personally escorted the two of them downstairs.


    "Boss, why did youe down?" Shopkeeper Yuan asked, somewhat surprised to see Yang Ruoqing.


    Yang Ruoqing didn''t exin much, just asked Shopkeeper Yuan toe out from behind the counter while he took the abacus and started rapidly calcting the bill.


    "Young sir, the totales to 4,100 wen," Yang Ruoqing announced a momentter.


    Liu Ming''an paid promptly, then asked, "There are too many items to carry conveniently. How much would it cost to have them delivered to Lotus Flower Vige?"


    "Just add another 30 wen, and I''ll have someone deliver the items to your home tomorrow. Please give me detailed directions to your house," Yang Ruoqing replied.


    "Alright."


    As they left Ink Fragrance Pavilion, Liu Ming''an looked at the sky and saw it was already past mid-afternoon.


    "Shall we go to the Chen Family Rice Shop now?" Jiang Ning asked.


    "Yes."


    Following their original n, they went to buy rice and flour, arranging for the shop to deliver them home the next day. Next door to the rice shop was a butcher''s shop. Liu Ming''an asked the owner to reserve a piece of pork belly and arge cut of pork from the next day''s freshly ughtered pig, to be delivered to the rice shop. After some thought, Jiang Ning also requested two live chickens to be delivered along with the rest.


    As they were about to leave town, they passed by a clothing store. Jiang Ning looked at her old clothes, then dragged Liu Ming''an inside. They each bought several sets of ready-made clothes, along with shoes and socks.


    By the time they left the streets of Lingshan Town, apart from the eleven taels of gold in the box, Liu Ming''an had only twenty copper coins left in his pocket. This was the first time in his life he had experienced spending money like water.


    "Stop fretting about it. Money is earned, not saved. Understand?" Jiang Ning saw right through Liu Ming''an''s thoughts and spoke up.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t argue, but smiled and said, "I''m just not used to it yet."


    "You''ll get used to it after a few more times," Jiang Ning pondered for a moment, then continued, "Given these prices, the money in your bag should be enough to keep us well-fed for about two years, right?"


    "Ten years," Liu Ming''an answered decisively.


    Jiang Ning cast a pensive nce at Liu Ming''an but said nothing more. Liu Ming''an didn''t yet understand the concept that "it''s easy to go from frugal to extravagant, but difficult to return to frugality from luxury." Moreover, she had a feeling that they wouldn''t be staying in Lotus Flower Vige for too long. Liu Ming''an needed to take the imperial examinations, and she had to investigate her own identity. Their peaceful days in Lotus Flower Vige were like sand slipping through their fingers, gradually trickling away.

 Chapter 43

    "Crash!"


    On the second floor of the Gold Jade Hall, Old Six Hu red at Houzi and Huzi, who had returned empty-handed. In a fit of rage, he smashed his teacup at their feet.


    "Two grown men, and you can''t even catch one little girl," Old Six Hu sneered, his face dark with anger. "Not only did you fail to capture her, but she also made fools of you. Hah!"


    Huzi hung his head in shame, unable to speak. He already felt humiliated for being effortlessly taken down by a woman, and Old Six Hu''s words only deepened his mortification.


    Houzi stared at the shattered porcin on the floor, equally silent.


    "I, Old Six Hu, have ruled the gambling world for over twenty years. Not just in Lingshan Town, but in all of Baoji County, everyone involved in gambling knows my name!" Old Six Huughed bitterly. "And now, alonges this ''Gambling Queen,'' destroying my lifelong reputation. I bet all those losers I''ve beaten over the years areughing at me now..."


    Old Six Hu slumped in his chair, struggling to ept that he had been bested by a mere girl, yet unable to resign himself to the fact.


    "You don''t know how those people were looking at me just now. They were all staring, smirking, as if I were some fool who didn''t know his ce... I''ve never suffered such humiliation!" Old Six Hu snarled through gritted teeth.


    A heavy silence fell over the room. After a while, Houzi lifted his gaze from the broken teacup and turned slightly to hispanion. "Huzi, go downstairs for now."


    Huzi nervously nced at Old Six Hu, who showed no reaction. As long as Old Six Hu didn''t object, Houzi''s word wasw. Huzi left the room with palpable relief, closing the door quietly behind him before exhaling deeply.


    "Uncle, that woman is trouble," Houzi said gravely once Huzi had gone. "She''s incredibly skilled. She knocked Huzi out in the blink of an eye and appeared behind me without a sound, holding a knife to my throat..."


    Houzi trailed off, unconsciously touching the thin cut on his neck, his eyes glinting dangerously.


    "Does it still hurt?" Old Six Hu asked with concern, frowning as he noticed the wound.


    Houzi shook his head. "Uncle, I think our priority now should be to identify this woman and find out where she lives. Then we can n our next move."


    Old Six Hu nodded in agreement.


    Houzi continued, "Lingshan Town isn''t that big. She wears a veil, which makes her stand out. Someone must have seen her. If we ask around carefully, we''re bound to find her."


    Old Six Hu pondered for a moment. With no better options avable, this seemed like the best course of action.


    "Have our men ask around. Find out who she is and where she came from. We need to know if she''s someone we can afford to cross. If she''s too powerful, we''ll have to swallow this bitter pill and let it go. But if she''s just an ordinary person..." Old Six Hu''s eyes gleamed with malice, leaving the rest unsaid.


    "Understood, Uncle. I''ll take care of it!" Houzi promised, turning to leave.


    "Zehua," Old Six Hu called out, using Houzi''s given name. Concern for his nephew evident in his voice, he warned, "Just find her, don''t try to confront her again. This time she only gave you a small cut on your neck. Who''s to say she won''t slit your throat next time? I don''t want you taking unnecessary risks. If anything happened to you, how could I face your parents in the afterlife?"


    Touched by his uncle''s heartfelt words, Houzi nodded. "I understand, Uncle. Don''t worry, I won''t do anything rash."


    "Alright then, off you go. I need to rest," Old Six Hu said, waving him away.


    As Houzi left the room, he nced out the hallway window. The once-clear sky had turned dark and gloomy, with low-hanging clouds threatening rain.


    "Is it going to rain?" Jiang Ning asked Liu Ming''an as they walked home, noticing the change in weather.


    Liu Ming''an, carrying a bundle of writing supplies on his back and newly purchased clothes in his hand, looked up at the sky.


    "It shouldn''t. This time of year, Lingshan Town usually goes a whole month without a single drop of rain," he said confidently.


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than a light drizzle began to fall on their faces.


    Jiang Ning gave him a pointed look. "Not a single drop, you say?"


    Liu Ming''an chuckled awkwardly. "It''s fine, it''s just a light shower. It won''t get heavy."


    Jiang Ning remained skeptical.


    Sure enough, within five minutes, the rain had intensified just as Jiang Ning had anticipated. It wasn''t just heavy; it was a downpour. Large raindrops pelted their faces, making it difficult to keep their eyes open. They were both soaked to the bone, resembling drowned rats.


    With no shelter in sight, Liu Ming''an tried to shield Jiang Ning by holding his bundle over her head, but the rain was too heavy for it to make much difference.


    "Don''t bother," Jiang Ning shouted over the noise of the rain. "It''s just a cloudburst. It''ll pass quickly."


    Liu Ming''an wiped his face and watched the rain beating down on Jiang Ning. Without hesitation, he opened his bundle and draped one of the new garments over her head.


    The wet cloth clung to her skin, and while it did lessen the impact of the raindrops, it made her feel even colder. Jiang Ning weighed her options and reached up to remove the makeshift cover.


    "Don''t!" Liu Ming''an grabbed her hand. "It''s better than nothing. Just bear with it for now."


    The rain had soaked through Jiang Ning''s veil, stering it to her face. She pulled it off and tucked it into her clothes before addressing Liu Ming''an. "The wet clothes make me colder."


    Liu Ming''an paused, realizing he could feel the chill of her skin through his grip on her hand. Seeing that she was about to remove the clothing he''d draped over her, Liu Ming''an made a quick decision and enveloped her in his arms.


    Liu Ming''an''s only thought was to make Jiang Ning morefortable, oblivious to her wide-eyed surprise and the way her body had stiffened like a statue in his embrace.


    The rain continued to pour around them, but with the cloth over her head and Liu Ming''an''s chest before her eyes, Jiang Ning felt oddly isted from the world.


    "Let''s wait for the rain to stop before we continue," Liu Ming''an''s voice came from above her head. Jiang Ning''s forehead rested against his chin, and she could feel his warmth through his clothes. The faint scent of soap lingered in the air around them.


    Suddenly, Jiang Ning felt a sense of calm wash over her, reminiscent of the first time she had left Liu Ming''an''s house and gazed upon the sleeping Lotus Flower Vige in the early morning light.


    In the midst of the downpour, they stood silently together, waiting for the storm to pass.


    After about half an hour, the heavy rain finally subsided. The sky brightened a bit, and Liu Ming''an removed the cloth from Jiang Ning''s head, folding it carefully. With a smile, he said, "It''s finally over. Let''s go home."


    Jiang Ning stepped out of his embrace. Her dark hair clung to her pale face, making her look like an exquisite porcin doll. As she silently gazed at him with her clear, dark eyes¡ªnow glistening with raindrops¡ªLiu Ming''an felt a flutter in his chest and quickly averted his gaze.


    "Let''s go home," Jiang Ning said after a moment, eyeing Liu Ming''an''s still-dripping hair.

 Chapter 44

    Finally returning home, Jiang Ning spotted someone pacing back and forth outside the courtyard from quite a distance. Upon closer inspection, she recognized it was He Yiyi.


    "He Yiyi is here to see you," Jiang Ning said as she took out her veil and put it on.


    Liu Ming''an followed Jiang Ning''s gaze and saw the figure as well, his brow furrowing involuntarily. Today was supposed to be the day He Yiyi''s older brother, He Ping, returned home for a matchmaking meeting. How did she have time toe looking for him?


    As they approached the house, He Yiyi saw the two of them. Her gaze skipped over Jiang Ning and focused solely on Liu Ming''an as she stammered out a soft "Brother Ming''an."


    Her voice was hoarse, and her eyes were rimmed with red, clearly having cried recently. She looked utterly miserable.


    Jiang Ning had a vague premonition. She took the package containing clothes and shoes from Liu Ming''an''s hand and slipped into the kitchen on her own.


    Though their clothes and hair had mostly dried on the way back, they were still damp and ufortably sticky. Jiang Ning was eager to change into fresh clothes.


    "Yiyi, did youe to see me about something?" Liu Ming''an asked He Yiyi gently after Jiang Ning went inside.


    He Yiyi didn''t answer, just staring nkly at Liu Ming''an as tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision.


    Liu Ming''an hesitated for a moment before softening his voice, "Let''s go inside first. We can sit down and talk about whatever it is."


    Jiang Ning lit a fire in the kitchen and began drying the newly bought clothes and shoes. She could hear Liu Ming''an leading He Yiyi into the house, speaking softly and offering words offort.


    "Brother Ming''an, my brother came back today..." He Yiyi said after sitting down.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t understand why He Yiyi was mentioning this, but he followed her lead, "Yes, I know. A matchmaker arranged for him to meet a girl from Peach Blossom Vige. You told me about it when you came to ask me to write a letter before."


    "He didn''te back alone. He... he brought someone with him..." He Yiyi stammered.


    Liu Ming''an could tell that He Yiyi''s unusual behavior was rted to this person He Ping had brought back. However, as an outsider, he didn''t feel it was appropriate to pry, so he remained silent and listened.


    He Yiyi kept her head down, her expression conflicted. After a long moment, she seemed to make up her mind and finally blurted out the whole story: "It''s the younger son of the Chen Family Rice Shop, named Chen Zuyin. He came with my brother and brought many gifts. He said he wanted to visit my mother, and he even bought me lots of pastries, clothes, and jewelry... He proposed to me, and my mother agreed..."


    As He Yiyi spoke, her voice grew quieter and quieter. By the end, Jiang Ning could faintly hear the sound of sobbing.


    Jiang Ning couldn''t help but recall the conversation she had overheard between Third Aunt and another woman in the fields on the morning she went up the mountain. They had mentioned that He Yiyi had feelings for Liu Ming''an, but her mother disapproved of his poor family circumstances and would never allow her daughter to marry him.


    Now that He Yiyi had received a proposal, yet came to Liu Ming''an in tears, what kind of drama was this turning into?


    Jiang Ning rested her chin on her hand, puzzled.


    Inside the house, Liu Ming''an felt a headacheing on. He had always viewed He Yiyi as a little sister, butter he noticed her mother''s wariness towards him, almost as if he were a thief. Combined with the vige gossip, even someone as oblivious as him could guess at He Yiyi''s feelings.


    Now that He Yiyi hade to tell him all this, Liu Ming''an was at a loss for words, only able to respond with silence.


    "Brother Ming''an..." He Yiyi called out to him again, her voice choked with tears when he remained quiet.


    Liu Ming''an rubbed his temples and avoided He Yiyi''s gaze as he finally spoke, "The younger son of the Chen Family Rice Shop... I''ve seen him before when buying rice. He''s friendly, filial, and well-mannered. He seems like someone worthy of entrusting your future to."


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning didn''t know what to think. Was Liu Ming''an truly this dense and oblivious, or was he deliberately ying dumb? Either way, this poor Yiyi girl was about to have her heart broken.


    Sure enough, He Yiyi, who had been on the verge of tears, now began to cry in earnest, the tears falling like pearls from a broken string.


    "Brother Ming''an, you know very well," He Yiyi looked at Liu Ming''an, her eyes full of disappointment and sorrow as she choked out, "You know what I mean, you must know... Just one word from you, just¡ª"


    "Yiyi!" Liu Ming''an cut her off just in time. Some things, even if mutually understood, change nature entirely once spoken aloud.


    Liu Ming''an looked at He Yiyi, his expression unusually serious. He spoke earnestly, "I have no brothers or sisters. I''ve always seen you as my own little sister. Like He Ping, I only wish for you to be safe and happy, year after year."


    He Yiyi could hear the sincerity in Liu Ming''an''s words, but it was precisely because they were true that they hurt even more. It seemed it had always been just her one-sided feelings.


    He Yiyi felt as if her heart had been wrenched. Her tears wouldn''t stop. She tried to make out Liu Ming''an''s expression, but found only concern in his eyes, not a trace of heartache.


    This realization made He Yiyi give uppletely. She wiped the tears from her face and ran out of the house.


    Liu Ming''an stood up and watched He Yiyi run out of the courtyard until her figure disappeared from sight. Only then did he press his brow and let out a sigh.


    "If you truly like her, go after her. If there are any obstacles, I can help you ovee them."


    A cool female voice sounded behind him. Liu Ming''an turned to see Jiang Ning leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, gazing at him calmly.


    Liu Ming''an frowned at Jiang Ning, seemingly unable to understand why she would say such a thing.


    Jiang Ning continued, "I mean it. If that''s what you want, I''ll help you solve any problems. Don''t worry about the consequences."


    "Jiang Ning," Liu Ming''an pressed his temples again, feeling his headache intensify, "I truly only see her as a sister. I''ve never had any inappropriate thoughts. Don''t worry about it needlessly."


    Jiang Ning responded expressionlessly, "Oh."


    Liu Ming''an watched as Jiang Ning turned and went back into the kitchen, emerging a momentter with an armful of clothes and shoes. She said to him, "They''re dry now. You can change into these."


    Liu Ming''an had only taken a couple of steps forward when he suddenly felt lightheaded. Everything around him seemed to darken, even Jiang Ning''s outline became blurry. His feet felt unsteady, and he nearly fell, barely managing to steady himself by gripping the table.


    Jiang Ning noticed something was wrong. She quickly put down the things in her hands and moved to support Liu Ming''an''s arm, helping him stand. "What''s wrong?"


    Liu Ming''an took a moment to gather himself. The darkness clouding his vision dissipated, and Jiang Ning''s delicate features came into focus.


    "It''s nothing, just a bit dizzy," Liu Ming''an answered.


    As soon as he finished speaking, a hand appeared in front of Liu Ming''an''s face, the back of it pressing against his forehead. The hand was cool and pleasant. When it withdrew, Liu Ming''an felt a twinge of regret.


    "You have a fever," he heard Jiang Ning say with certainty.

 Chapter 45

    At first, Jiang Ning thought Liu Ming''an had just caught a slight cold, with a low fever that would go away after a night''s sleep. It wasn''t untilter, when Jiang Ning watched Liu Ming''an''s face grow increasingly red, his temperature rising higher and higher, his forehead burning to the touch, while he began coughing incessantly, looking as if he was at death''s door and about to copse, that she realized the situation was much more serious than she had imagined.


    By the time Jiang Ning helped Liu Ming''an into bed, his vision was already blurry, and his speech was weak and breathless.


    Jiang Ning brought a basin of cool water, soaked a towel in it, wrung it out, and ced it on Liu Ming''an''s forehead. This helped him regain some rity.


    "Do you have a weak constitution? Or have you had a serious illness in the past that you haven''t fully recovered from?" Jiang Ning took the opportunity to ask.


    Normally, even if someone got caught in the rain, they wouldn''t fall this ill. Especially for a young man like Liu Ming''an, less than half an hour of rain shouldn''t look like it was about to take his life.


    "Cough, cough, cough..." Liu Ming''an tried to answer but a breath caught in his throat, causing him to cough for a long time, forcing out involuntary tears. His eyes held a thinyer of mist, making him look pitifully miserable.


    Jiang Ning, for once, felt a rare emotion called "sympathy" and reached out to pat Liu Ming''an''s back, helping him catch his breath.


    "Cough, cough... The year my father passed away, in the dead of winter, cough cough, I knelt at his grave for a long time. Afterward, cough cough cough... I fell seriously ill, running a high fever for several days and nights, almost cough cough, dying. After recovering, I probably developed a chronic condition. For the next few years, I would frequently fall ill. It wasn''t until a few years ago when I started growing taller that my body finally seemed to fully recover. I''ve been fine ever since, but I didn''t expect to fall ill again this time cough cough cough..."


    Liu Ming''an spoke intermittently, his words slurred due to his illness. Jiang Ning got the gist of it and understood that he indeed had a previous condition. That serious illness must have taken a significant toll on him, leaving his body weakened.


    "You don''t need to worry cough cough, my current condition looks scary, but I''ll be fine in a couple of days. I''ve been through this before cough cough cough..." Liu Ming''an added after finishing his exnation.


    "Alright, I understand. You should rest well," Jiang Ning frowned, tucking Liu Ming''an in before turning to enter the kitchen.


    Give Liu Ming''an some spirit spring water. This was Jiang Ning''s only thought.


    However, Jiang Ning was concerned that the spirit spring water worked too quickly, with almost instantaneous effects. Liu Ming''an wasn''t stupid; considering her previous recovery from severed limbs, he would surely guess something was amiss.


    She couldn''t just knock him unconscious and let him sleep for a day and a night, could she?


    After much deliberation, Jiang Ning decided to let Liu Ming''an drink just two or three drops to see what would happen. Such a small amount of spirit spring water, with its potency diluted, should have a greatly reduced effect, right?


    Liu Ming''an slept restlessly, feeling as if his body was tied to a floating log, rising and falling with the waves,pletely out of his control.


    "Liu Ming''an, Liu Ming''an, wake up!"


    In his hazy state, Liu Ming''an thought he heard someone calling him. The voice was cool and clear, like water dripping from cave walls into a silent, cold pond.


    Liu Ming''an struggled to open his eyes, and Jiang Ning''s face was right before him.


    "Jiang Ning," Liu Ming''an called out hoarsely, his voice barely a whisper.


    Jiang Ning helped him sit up, then brought a bowl of white porridge from the table, scooping up a spoonful and holding it to Liu Ming''an''s lips. "Eat something."


    Liu Ming''an turned his head away. He felt nauseous and ufortable, unable to eat even a bite.


    "Just eat a little," Jiang Ning softened her voice, with a hint of coaxing.


    Liu Ming''an shook his head with difficulty and said, "I don''t want to eat."


    In the past, given Jiang Ning''s temperament, she would have already forced Liu Ming''an''s mouth open and poured the entire bowl of porridge down his throat by now.


    But now, Jiang Ning wasn''t as fierce, and her temper had improved significantly. After Liu Ming''an refused twice, she was still patient enough to put down the bowl and return to the kitchen to fetch a bowl of clear water. Of course, she had mixed in two drops of spirit spring water.


    "Then drink some water to moisten your throat," Jiang Ning offered the bowl.


    Liu Ming''an was indeed parched, so he lowered his head and slowly drank from the bowl in Jiang Ning''s hand. Whether it was his imagination or not, he felt that this water was exceptionally sweet and refreshing. As soon as he drank it, his heavy body felt a bit lighter.


    After Liu Ming''an finished drinking, Jiang Ning once again felt his forehead with the back of her hand. The temperature was still the same as before.


    "You should rest well," Jiang Ning said as she helped Liu Ming''an lie down.


    Liu Ming''any in bed, looking at Jiang Ning with eyes full of gratitude. He spoke, "Thank you, Jiang Ning."


    Jiang Ning stood by the bed, looking down at Liu Ming''an. After a moment, she slightly curved her lips and said, "It''s what I should do."


    By the time Jiang Ning had finished eating and cleaning up, then returned to the bedside, Liu Ming''an had fallen into a deep sleep. Jiang Ning held up an oilmp and closely observed hisplexion, noticing it wasn''t as frightening as before. She reached out to touch his forehead; it was still hot, but the temperature had dropped significantlypared to earlier.


    The effect of the spirit spring water was indeed not to be underestimated.


    Jiang Ning felt relieved. She stared at Liu Ming''an''s face for a long while before finally letting out a long sigh.


    It was ironic. Jiang Ning had countless lives on her hands, her hands stained with blood. Human life was the least valuable thing to her; she cared neither for others'' lives nor her own. Yet now, she truly feared that Liu Ming''an might die.


    What a twist of fate!


    Jiang Ning eximed inwardly, blew out the oilmp, and climbed into bed, ready to sleep.


    The next day, the rooster crowed as expected. Jiang Ning opened her eyes and immediately went to check on Liu Ming''an, only to find that he was already awake.


    "How are you feeling?" Jiang Ning asked, her hand already on Liu Ming''an''s forehead.


    Liu Ming''an''s gaze was clear as he looked at Jiang Ning with a smile and said, "I feel more alert than ever before. I''m refreshed, my senses are sharp, and it''s as if this sleep haspletely transformed me."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. "Really?"


    "Yes," Liu Ming''an nodded affirmatively, then continued, "It''s strange, even I can''t believe I''ve recovered so quickly. I thought I''d be bedridden for several days."


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes slightly, lost in thought.


    Later that afternoon, the various items they had bought at the market the day before were gradually delivered to Liu Ming''an''s home.


    First, a young apprentice from the Ink Fragrance Pavilion arrived carrying arge satchel, respectfully handing over the collection of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones to Liu Ming''an.


    Then came the people from the Chen Family Rice Shop, driving a horse-drawn cart that stopped at Liu Ming''an''s courtyard gate. Two shop assistants helped unload the rice, flour, meat, and a cage of chickens, attracting a crowd of onlookers around the courtyard.


    "Oh my! Liu Ming''an, you''ve struck it rich and didn''t even tell your fellow vigers!" He Qiang''s wife teased, holding her young son. Though her words sounded like a joke, there was a hint of sincerity in them.


    "Ah, we were feeling sorry for you, thinking you''d spent all your money on a disabled wife. Who knew your wife was perfectly fine, and your money seems to be growing!" Old Lady Zhang chuckled, her eyes straining to peek inside the house, trying to catch a glimpse of what Jiang Ning looked like.


    The women chattered away, some teasing, some with veiled sarcasm, and some genuinely envious, for thatrge piece of pork and two chickens were no illusion.


    Liu Ming''an just smiled, pretending not to hear thesements. After seeing off the shop assistants and settling the goods, he gave a cupped-hand salute to the crowd of onlookers and went back into the house without another word.


    "How boring!" The spectators pouted, grumbled a bit, and then dispersed on their own.

 Chapter 46

    Jiang Ning had not shown her face inside the room, but she could hear everything happening outside clearly.


    People, most of the time, can''t stand to see others doing well, especially those they know inside and out. What they fear most is when someone from the same pit manages to climb out first. "Laugh at those who have nothing, resent those who have something" ¡ª that''s exactly what it means.


    Liu Ming''an had already spread out the Xuanzhou paper worth one tael of silver on the table and was stroking his chin, pondering how to begin writing. Jiang Ning pulled her thoughts back and picked up a book called "The Tale of the Red-Robed Fox Spirit" from the pile of leisure books she had bought, eagerly flipping through it.


    By the time the sun was about to set, Jiang Ning had read through nearly half of the book. Although it was a clich¨¦ story about a spirit repaying kindness, and the author''s writing style and imagination were rather ordinary, it was still far more entertaining than the conventional "Book of Rites."


    Jiang Ning put down the book and walked over to Liu Ming''an''s side. On the snow-white paper, he had already drawn half of a lifelike old pine tree.


    "What are you going to draw?" Jiang Ning asked.


    "It''s for a birthday celebration, so naturally, it''s about wishing someone ''Fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea, longevity like the ageless pines of the Southern Mountains.'' Of course, I have to draw some mountains and pine trees," Liu Ming''an exined. He had been drawing for a while and his back was sore, so he took the opportunity to rest while chatting with Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning nced at Liu Ming''an, raising an eyebrow slightly: "So you can''t avoid being conventional either."


    "Haha..." Liu Ming''an chuckled softly, looking at Jiang Ning, "I''m just an ordinary person after all. Besides, for these things, it''s not about being conventional or not, what''s important is the sentiment behind it."


    Jiang Ning thought about it and realized he had a point.


    "Well then, I''ll go make dinner. Take your time with the drawing."


    "Alright," Liu Ming''an responded with a smile.


    Jiang Ning went to the kitchen, first lighting a fire to boil arge pot of water. Then she cut a block of pork back fat intorge pieces, washed them in clean water, and threw them into the pot to nch. As the water temperature rose, blood and impurities from the pork fat floated to the surface. Once the water boiled, Jiang Ning scooped out the meat chunks and washed them clean again.


    She reced the water in the pot, added half adle of fresh water, put the pork fat back in, and threw in a few slices of ginger to remove any gamey smell. Now all that was left was to keep the fire going and let it simmer.


    As the water gradually boiled away, the white and shiny meat chunks began to release their fat. Gradually, there was more and more oil, while the meat chunks started to shrink and turn golden brown. Finally, Jiang Ning scooped out the cracklings, leaving half a pot of clear, slightly yellow liquidrd in the pot. Once it solidified, it would turn snow-white.


    During the time it took to render therd, Jiang Ning also took the opportunity to knead some dough. She was nning to make dumplings filled with cracklings.


    Using only cracklings as filling could be too greasy, so Jiang Ning nned to add some cabbage to bnce it out. She turned to go to the courtyard, but just as she took a step, she froze in ce.


    Warm liquid was trickling down her inner thighs!


    Jiang Ning realized what it was, but for a moment, she didn''t know what to do.


    "Liu Ming''an!" she called out.


    Liu Ming''an, who had been concentrating on his painting, heard the call from the kitchen and quickly put down his brush, getting up to check on the situation. He detected a note of urgency and helplessness in her voice, which was unlike the ever-calm Jiang Ning. Something must have happened.


    "What''s wrong?" Liu Ming''an appeared in front of Jiang Ning as quickly as possible, asking with concern.


    Jiang Ning stood motionless as if under a petrification spell, her face pale, looking at Liu Ming''an with eyes that couldn''t hide her panic.


    "Jiang Ning, what''s the matter?" Liu Ming''an grew increasingly anxious seeing her in this state.


    "I''ve started my period," Jiang Ning swallowed hard and asked with difficulty, "What should I do?"


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback for a moment, but then secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At least it wasn''t something serious.


    Seeing Jiang Ning so panicked, Liu Ming''an was puzzled but didn''t ask further. He just spoke in a gentle, soothing voice, "Wait here at home, I''ll go find someone to help you."


    "Who?" Jiang Ning asked vigntly.


    "Third Great Aunt," Liu Ming''an answered. Third Great Aunt was an elder who had helped Jiang Ning before, so she was the first person Liu Ming''an thought of.


    Unexpectedly, Jiang Ning refused, "Not her, go find the Mute Woman."


    "The Mute Woman?" Liu Ming''an was surprised.


    "Yes, the Mute Woman," Jiang Ning insisted.


    Liu Ming''an really couldn''t understand what Jiang Ning was thinking, but he agreed anyway, turning to leave the house and heading towards He Zhao''s ce.


    After Liu Ming''an left, Jiang Ning stood motionless for a long time, an indescribable sadness on her face.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t understand why Jiang Ning would panic about getting her period because he couldn''t possibly imagine that this was only the second time Jiang Ning had experienced this in many years.


    What other girls experienced monthly and took for granted was a luxury for Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning would never forget that afternoon when she was twelve years old. She experienced her first menstruation, with blood staining her underwear. It was a sign of a young girl''s transition towards maturity.


    Unfortunately, she wasn''t an ordinary little girl. At that time, she was about to be the assassin N.


    The arrival of her first period triggered Jiang Ning''s first experience with menstrual cramps, causing her to miss training. The woman who raised her discovered this and took her to the hospital, telling her condescendingly, "Close your eyes and sleep, and you''ll never feel pain again."


    Then, the woman suddenly leaned down, reached out with her cold hand to touch Jiang Ning''s face, and said with a smile, "Just like me."


    When Jiang Ning woke up on the operating table, she had a new surgical scar on her belly, and from then on, she never had another period. It wasn''t until muchter that she realized that the surgery had removed an organ called the "uterus" from her body. From that moment on, she was an iplete person.


    Jiang Ning stared nkly out the window. Liu Ming''an was hurriedly approaching with the Mute Woman.


    N was dead. She was now Jiang Ning, aplete person. Could she finallypletely rid herself of that dark, bloody past and live a proper life?


    Jiang Ning felt a bit lost.


    "Mute Woman, thank you for your help," Liu Ming''an said sincerely outside the house.


    The Mute Woman nodded and walked into the house on her own, finding Jiang Ning standing in the kitchen. She hesitated, not daring to approach.


    The Mute Woman had mixed feelings when facing Jiang Ning.


    On one hand, the Mute Woman respected and was grateful to her. What Jiang Ning had done for her could be described as a great kindness, akin to giving her a second life. So when Liu Ming''an came to her door and exined the situation, she agreed without hesitation.


    But on the other hand, she feared Jiang Ning. Seeing her always reminded the Mute Woman of Jiang Ning''s ruthless demeanor when killing, that bloodthirsty intent that made the Mute Woman want to flee uncontrobly.


    Jiang Ning turned around, looking at the Mute Woman a few steps away, and said softly, "Mute Woman, please help me. I don''t know what to do."


    When people feel insecure, familiar people and environments can help them rx. This was why Jiang Ning insisted that Liu Ming''an find the Mute Woman instead of Third Great Aunt. Her bond with the Mute Woman was deeper, and the Mute Woman could make Jiang Ning let her guard down more easily.


    The Mute Woman heard a hint of pleading in Jiang Ning''s words and immediately put aside all her reservations. She came to Jiang Ning''s side, took out some cloth from her bosom, and used hand gestures to teach Jiang Ning how to handle the situation.

 Chapter 47

    When the mute woman left, Jiang Ning specifically asked Liu Ming''an to escort her all the way home.


    By the time Liu Ming''an returned, Jiang Ning was already rolling out dumpling wrappers.


    "Jiang Ning, are you... alright? Why don''t you go rest, and I''ll make dinner," Liu Ming''an said, finding it difficult to broach the topic of women''s private matters.


    "It''s fine," Jiang Ning replied. Perhaps due to the spirit spring water, Jiang Ning didn''t feel any difort, only a slight unease from the cloth band filled with wood ash that she was wearing.


    "Then let me help you. I know how to make dumplings," Liu Ming''an said, and without waiting for Jiang Ning''s response, he washed his hands and began wrapping dumplings with the skins Jiang Ning had rolled out.


    Jiang Ning nced over and saw that Liu Ming''an was doing a decent job, so she let him continue.


    "I ran into Third Grandaunt on my way back and chatted with her for a bit," Liu Ming''an said, making casual conversation.


    "Oh? What did you talk about?" Jiang Ning responded idly.


    Liu Ming''an thought for a moment, a slight smile appearing on his lips. "He Ping''s marriage to that girl from Peach Blossom Vige has been set for the eighth day of next month. He Yiyi and Chen Zuyin are also engaged, with the wedding nned for the first month of next year."


    "So quickly?" Jiang Ning was surprised by the efficiency.


    "Marriage is a major affair, determined by parental order and matchmakers'' words. The siblings are of age, and Second Aunt is naturally anxious. Now it''s all settled, a double blessing," Liu Ming''an exined with a smile.


    Seeing the genuine happiness in Liu Ming''an''s eyes, Jiang Ning couldn''t help but remark, "If Miss Yiyi knew you were smiling at the news of her marriage, she''d probably cry again."


    "Jiang Ning," Liu Ming''an called out helplessly, then advised, "Please don''t mention this to anyone else in the future. Yiyi is about to get married, and such rumors could harm a youngdy''s reputation."


    "You''re the only one I know," Jiang Ning paused, then added, "Besides, I''m not that idle."


    Liu Ming''an realized she was right; with Jiang Ning''s cold personality, he couldn''t imagine her gossiping with others.


    After they had dinner and put out the lights to rest, Liu Ming''an suddenly remembered something else.


    "Jiang Ning, didn''t you want to find Zhao Instructor? I might be able to help you."


    Liu Ming''an''s voice came from beside her, and Jiang Ning''s eyes snapped open in the darkness. "Tell me more," she said.


    "Zhao Instructor isn''t an official; he doesn''t eat from the government''s rice bowl. He just knows some martial arts and, through his aunt''s husband''s connections, got into the yamen to train the constables and runners, teaching them kung fu. That''s why people call him Zhao Instructor," Liu Ming''an first exined Zhao Instructor''s identity, then continued, "But for some things that the yamen staff find inconvenient or too bothersome to do themselves, they delegate to him, like announcing the results of the child prodigy examination."


    "The child prodigy examination results?" Jiang Ning was surprised.


    "Yes," Liu Ming''an said. "I took the child prodigy exam half a month ago, and if all goes well, I should be able to be a schr. When Zhao Instructores to inform me, I can take the opportunity to ask him about your background."


    "When will the results be announced?" Jiang Ning asked. If it was too long, she might as well ask herself.


    Fortunately, Liu Ming''an answered, "At the end of this month."


    "What if he''s unwilling to talk?" Jiang Ning asked again. If she were to find Zhao Instructor alone, she had various means to get the information she wanted, but with Liu Ming''an asking, the situation would be quite different, and they couldn''t use force.


    Jiang Ning heard Liu Ming''an chuckle softly, then say, "What you don''t know is that this Zhao Instructor loves to gamble, but he has bad luck and often loses money. He spends almost all of his instructor''s sry at the gambling house. So, this man is greedy for money."


    Liu Ming''an left it at that, and Jiang Ning understood. He was nning to bribe Zhao Instructor with money to extract information. It was a good n, more stable.


    What Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an didn''t know was that Zhao Instructor, whom they were thinking about, was also being targeted by someone else at that moment.


    Inside the Gold Jade Hall, although it was approaching the hour of the Pig (9-11 pm), there were still several gambling addicts lingering at the tables in the main hall.


    Zhao Instructor was one of them.


    "Big!" "Big!" "Big!"


    Zhao Instructor stared at the dice cup, his eyes bloodshot from losing. He had bet all his money on this one throw, hoping to win back everything he had lost before and then leave.


    Several pairs of eyes were fixed on Old Yu''s hand as he lifted the cup. Zhao Instructor kept shouting hoarsely, pinning his hopes on the three dice inside the cup.


    However, fate was not on his side. When the cup was opened, the three dice showed: one, one, four. Small!


    "Thud!" Zhao Instructor couldn''t help but m the table hard, his eyes full of unwillingness. In the end, it all turned into helplessness. With his pockets empty and nothing left to bet, he could only leave the Gold Jade Hall with his head hanging low.


    On the second floor of the Gold Jade Hall, Old Six Hu watched Zhao Instructor with great interest, taking in his every move.


    "Ze Hua, what do you think is the most important thing for a gambler?" Old Six Hu asked the question to Houzi beside him after Zhao Instructor had lifted the curtain and left.


    Houzi answered without hesitation: "Luck."


    "Wrong!"


    "Then it must be gambling skills."


    "Wrong!"


    Houzi scratched his head, utterly confused. Was there something more important than "luck" or "gambling skills" for a gambler?


    Houzi''s eyes swept over the group of gamblers downstairs, and when he saw the flushed faces of those who were winning, he had a sudden realization: "I know, Uncle! It''s money!"


    To his surprise, Old Six Hu still shook his head and said, "Still wrong!"


    "Then what is it?" Houzi couldn''t think of anything else.


    Old Six Hu stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes looking down at the crowd below with a mix of mockery and pity. He slowly said, "It''s greed."


    "Uncle?" Houzi called out to Old Six Hu with a frown, not understanding why he was talking about this now. Weren''t they supposed to be discussing how to deal with that woman?


    Just a few hours ago, the people who went out to gather information had returned. The veiled woman had walked around the town, buying this and that, so it was easy to find out about her.


    It turned out that the woman was with a schr, and they had left their address when buying things at the Chen Family Rice Shop. The people from the Gold Jade Hall had slipped a few copper coins to the shop assistant at the Chen Family Rice Shop and easily obtained the woman''s address - Lotus Flower Vige. They also learned that the man apanying her was called Liu Ming''an, the schr who sold calligraphy and paintings and helped people write letters by the bridge.


    Houzi, striking while the iron was hot, had someone inquire about Liu Ming''an''s situation. That''s when he learned that Liu Ming''an had bought a girl with broken arms and legs and a ruined face at thest market fair. Houzi immediately thought of the veiled woman; her limbs might not be broken, but her face must truly be ruined, otherwise, she wouldn''t wear a veil all the time.


    When Houzi told all this to Old Six Hu, he saw his uncle lost in thought, silent for a long time before asking a seemingly unrted question.


    "How is this Liu Ming''an''s schrship?" Old Six Hu asked.


    Houzi was taken aback but answered truthfully, "I heard it''s quite good. His father is a schr who teaches in the vige. Many people seek him out to write letters and buy his calligraphy and paintings."


    "Did he participate in this year''s child prodigy examination?" Old Six Hu asked again.


    "This..." Houzi had no way of knowing the answer to this question.


    "Quickly, go find someone to ask!" Old Six Hu urged as soon as he saw Houzi''s expression, knowing he couldn''t answer.


    So Houzi, without even having time to eat dinner, went out to find someone he knew who had taken the child prodigy exam this year to ask if they had seen Liu Ming''an at the examination site. After receiving a positive answer, he hurried back to tell Old Six Hu.


    "Hahaha... Good!" Old Six Hu pped his hands andughed loudly upon hearing the answer, leaving Houzipletely bewildered.


    After that, Old Six Hu walked out of the room and leaned against the railing, silently watching the main hall until now when he finally spoke, discussing the so-called "greed" issue with Houzi.


    "Uncle, that woman¡ª"


    Houzi began anxiously, but was interrupted by Old Six Hu: "Ze Hua, a gentleman''s revenge can wait ten years. Why rush?"


    Houzi swallowed the words he was about to say, and listened as Old Six Hu continued unhurriedly: "In a gambler''s heart, there''s an bottomless pit, inhabited by a monster that can never be satiated. If he wins one tael of silver today, tomorrow he''ll want to win two or three, always craving more; conversely, if he wins today but loses tomorrow, on the third day he''ll only think about winning back what he lost, with interest. Those addicted to gambling never understand concepts like ''knowing when to stop'' or ''quitting while you''re ahead''..."


    "Uncle, I understand the principle you''re exining. But I don''t understand why you''re suddenly telling me this? I''m not a gambler," Houzi said, perplexed.


    "Haha..." Old Six Huughed, then turned his head, his gaze locking directly onto Houzi''s eyes. "Because I intend to exploit someone''s greed to let another do my dirty work!"


    At that moment, a venomous light gleamed in Old Six Hu''s cloudy eyes, like a snake lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike. Even though Houzi respected and loved him like a father, he couldn''t help but break out in a cold sweat under such a gaze.

 Chapter 48

    Zhao Instructor''s real name was Zhao Qiang. In his thirties, he had no parents, no wife, and no children. Apart from his aunt''s family, he was all alone in this world.


    In his youth, Zhao Qiang was a petty thief, uneducated and unskilled. He spent his days loitering in brothels, taverns, and gambling dens. With no one to guide him, he lived a life without purpose. Eventually, his aunt, unable to bear watching him waste away, pleaded with her husband to find him a job. This led to Zhao Qiang being sent to learn martial arts for a few years.


    Originally, his uncle had intended for him to join the government office as a constable. However, Zhao Qiangined that wearing an official uniform every day was ufortable, and that the job didn''t leave much free time. He stubbornly refused to do it. In the end, both partiespromised, and he was allowed to be an instructor, working under his uncle''s watchful eye where he couldn''t cause much trouble.


    One day, after finishing his duties at the government office, Zhao Qiang had just sat down at a noodle stand when a man promptly took the seat next to him.


    It wasn''t a typical mealtime, and there were many empty seats at the noodle stand. The fact that this man chose to sit next to him when there were so many empty tables avable irritated Zhao Qiang. He frowned, looking at the man with obvious impatience.


    To his surprise, the man leaned towards Zhao Qiang with a mischievous grin, speaking in a somewhat ingratiating tone, "Zhao Instructor, I''ve long admired you!"


    Zhao Qiang''s frown deepened as he shifted away from the man, "Who are you?"


    The man,pletely unfazed by Zhao Qiang''s apparent distaste, continued to smile. He raised his hand and ced it on the table with a soft "thud," revealing a small piece of silver.


    Zhao Qiang''s eyes fixated on the silver, darting between the stranger and the money with a look of suspicion.


    The man pushed the silver towards Zhao Qiang, saying, "I have a small favor to ask of Zhao Instructor. This is a token of my sincerity. Would you be willing to join me at the Red Apricot Tower for a drink and a chat?"


    Only a fool would refuse free money and a meal. Without hesitation, Zhao Qiang left with the man. The noodle stand owner, who had juste out to serve them, watched his customerse and go. Thinking he had offended them by dozing off, he stomped his foot in regret.


    Inside a private room at the Red Apricot Tower, a scantily d woman was ying a pipa, her fingers moving deftly over the strings. The soft, seductive music filled the room. On a small table, several dishes wereid out alongside arge jug of wine. Two men sat in chairs, listening to the music and eating.


    One of the men poured wine into the other''s cup and said, "Come, Zhao Instructor, this is twenty-year-old nu''er hong. You must try it!"


    Zhao Qiang raised the cup and drank it all in one go. Indeed, the wine was smooth and mellow, warming his stomach as it went down. It was iparably better than the harsh, cheap liquor he usually drank.


    "Excellent wine! Truly excellent!" Zhao Qiang praised repeatedly.


    "Haha... I''m d Zhao Instructor likes it," the manughed, eagerly refilling the empty cup.


    "Brother, tell me, what favor do you need?" Zhao Qiang patted his chest, promising, "Just for this jug of nu''er hong, I''ll do whatever I can for you."


    "Oh! Zhao Instructor, your words put me at ease," the man gratefully bowed to Zhao Qiang.


    "Go on, tell me!" Zhao Qiang finished another cup, licking his lips in satisfaction.


    "Well, it''s not a big deal. I... I just want to ask Zhao Instructor to find me a wife," the man said, rubbing his hands together sheepishly.


    "Bang!" Zhao Qiang put down his cup, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. "Find you a wife? You''ve got it wrong, brother. I''m just an instructor, not a matchmaker. Where am I supposed to find you a wife? Besides, I don''t even have a wife myself."


    "Hey, hey! Don''t get upset, Zhao Instructor. Let me exin," the man quickly tried to salvage the situation. "What I mean is, next time you have a young girl to sell, instead of taking her to the market, could you let me see her first? If I like her, I''ll buy her directly to be my wife. What do you think?"


    "Hahaha..." Zhao Qiang burst intoughter, patting the man''s shoulder. "So that''s what you mean by ''finding a wife''! You should have said so earlier."


    "So, does Zhao Instructor agree?" the man asked hopefully.


    "It''s a small matter. I agree!" Zhao Instructor drank another cup, ate a few bites, and looked at him askance. "But I must warn you, women who are bought often have... issues. Some have no tongues, some are missing limbs or have disfigured faces. If you''re capable, you''d be better off finding a proper girl yourself."


    "s!" The man sighed heavily, his face full of worry. "Zhao Instructor, you don''t understand. I''m an orphan working at a gambling den. I look fierce, and no girl would willingly marry me."


    Hearing this, Zhao Qiang gave him a thorough once-over before replying, "Indeed. That scar on your face makes you look like a bad guy. And you''re as thin as a monkey ¨C people might think you can''t even afford to eat."


    "Hahaha..." The man epted Zhao Qiang''s assessment with good humor, pouring him another cup of wine. "To be honest, my nickname is actually ''Houzi'' (Monkey). Isn''t that a coincidence?"


    "Houzi? Hahaha... So you''re Brother Houzi!" Zhao Qiang beamed, then remembered what Houzi had said earlier. "You mentioned you work at a gambling den. Which one?"


    "Gold Jade Hall!" Houzi''s gaze became distant as he casually mentioned, "I''m fortunate that Sixth Hu appreciates me and lets me earn a living at Gold Jade Hall. Sometimes, when I bring friends over to gamble, he even makes an exception and lets them y for free. They keep their winnings, but the house covers their losses."


    "What? Such a good deal exists?" Zhao Qiang''s eyes lit up, hardly believing his ears.


    "Of course! Sixth Hu is a good man, especially to us underlings," Houzi poured thest of the wine into Zhao Qiang''s cup, speaking with conviction.


    No sooner had Houzi finished speaking than Zhao Qiang plopped down beside him, throwing an arm around his shoulders with an eager expression. "Houzi, good brother! I don''t have many hobbies, but I do enjoy gambling a bit. Why don''t you take me to Gold Jade Hall for a game? I promise I''ll find you a pretty girl to sell next month!"


    Houzi caught a whiff of the alcohol on Zhao Qiang''s breath, a sh of disgust crossing his eyes, but he smiled and agreed, "Alright!"


    "Then let''s go, let''s go now! We''ve eaten and drunk well, it''s the perfect time!" Zhao Qiang impatiently pulled Houzi to his feet.


    Since losing all his money a few days ago, Zhao Qiang hadn''t set foot in a gambling den. Now, at the mere mention of gambling, he felt an irresistible itch, unable to sit still for a moment longer.


    Houzi didn''t resist, a smile constantly ying on his lips as he allowed Zhao Qiang to hurriedly drag him all the way back to Gold Jade Hall.

 Chapter 49

    Zhao Qiang, familiar with every nook and cranny, led Houzi into the Gold Jade Hall. Despite his unsteady gait from drinking, he knew this ce like the back of his hand and could find his way blindfolded.


    The gambling hall was already lit up. As soon as Zhao Qiang entered, he called out to Old Yu standing by the gambling table, "I''m Houzi''s friend, I''m here to y a few rounds."


    "Oh, so Instructor Zhao is Houzi''s friend? Please,e in!" Old Yu said with a smile, gesturing weingly.


    As Zhao Qiang approached the table, Old Yu continued, "Our Sixth Master has a rule: for friends, the first five rounds are on the house. If you win, it''s yours to keep. If you lose, you only pay back the principal. The rest is on us. Which game would you like to y, Instructor Zhao?"


    "Dice! Highest roll wins!" Zhao Qiang answered without hesitation.


    Usually, Zhao Qiang had little money and could only afford to y low-stakes games like betting on big or small, just to stretch out his ytime. But now, with the house covering potential losses, it was a no-risk proposition. Naturally, he wanted to y something bigger and more thrilling.


    "Excellent!" Old Yu didn''t hesitate, immediately calling for someone to bring the dice cups and inviting Zhao Qiang to an empty table.


    The gamblers in the hall loved nothing more than watching dice games. The back-and-forth, the intense rivalry, the unpredictable process, and the often surprising oues never failed to ignite the wild passion in a gambler''s blood.


    Since he didn''t have to worry about the consequences of losing, Zhao Qiang waspletely at ease. He ced the half tael of silver Houzi had given him earlier as a bet. Without waiting for Old Yu to say anything, he picked up the dice cup and started shaking.


    Observing Zhao Qiang''s actions, Old Yu began shaking his own cup. They revealed their dice almost simultaneously. One side showed "one, one, three," while the other revealed "three, three, four." Zhao Qiang pped his hands excitedly and shouted, "I won! Let''s go again! Keep track of my winnings, I''ll keep ying with this half tael of silver."


    Zhao Qiang had a little strategy in mind. He had good luck on this roll, winning two and a half taels of silver at five-to-one odds. If he bet it all, he might lose everything on the next roll. Keeping two taels in reserve would allow him to y for quite a while longer.


    In the second round, Old Yu rolled "one, two, two," while Zhao Qiang got "four, four, six," adding another two taels of silver to his ount.


    "Again! Again!" Zhao Qiang eximed, exhrated.


    In the third round, Old Yu rolled "two, three, three," while Zhao Qiang got "three, four, six," winning once more.


    "Wow! What incredible luck!" The spectators began to chatter.


    "It''s just like that girl from a few days ago, winning three rounds in a row..."


    "Too bad he''s betting so little. If he had bet all his previous winnings, wouldn''t he have won dozens of taels by now?"


    Listening to the crowd''sments, Zhao Qiang felt tempted. He now had six taels of silver, more money than he had held in a long time. He wanted to bet it all on the next roll, but feared losing everything in one go. After a moment''s hesitation, Zhao Qiang chose a middle ground, betting two taels of silver.


    "Open!"


    The dice cups were lifted, and Zhao Qiang felt both excited and nervous. If he won this round, it would mean luck was truly on his side, and he should keep gambling. If he lost, he''d take his winnings and leave.


    Once again, Zhao Qiang won. As ten taels of silver were handed to him, he stared in disbelief.


    "My, my! Instructor Zhao, your gambling skills are truly impressive. I''m in awe!" Old Yu stroked his beard, putting on an act. No one noticed the dark look in his eyes.


    He won again? He actually won again?


    Zhao Qiang''s heart was racing as he touched the silver, his face flushed red. He stammered, "A-again! Let''s go again!"


    With sixteen taels of silver in hand, Zhao Qiang was torn. He was dying to bet it all for a big win, but a shred of reason held him back. He ended up betting ten taels.


    He won again!


    When he heard the crowd''s cheers, Zhao Qiang''s hands shook with excitement, his eyes reddened by the thrill.


    He had just won fifty taels of silver in one go! Fifty taels!


    "Who would have thought Instructor Zhao was such a hidden master!" Old Yu eximed. "You used toe to our Gold Jade Hall and y big or small with a few copper coins. Why bother? If you had shown this talent earlier, wouldn''t you be rolling in wealth by now?"


    "We told you to bet it all, but you insisted on holding some back. You''ve missed out on dozens of taels of silver!" someone in the crowd shouted at Zhao Qiang, sounding as heartbroken as if it were his own money.


    Zhao Qiang''s breathing quickened. The effects of alcohol had already dulled his senses, and now, after winning five consecutive rounds, his head was spinning even more. He felt as if he were walking on clouds,pletely detached from reality.


    "Clink, clink, clink~"


    The crowd watched as a pile of cold, gleaming silver was pushed onto the table. Zhao Qiang, breathing heavily, shouted, "Again!"


    Old Yu, sitting across the gambling table, nced coolly at the pile of silver before looking directly at Zhao Qiang. "Instructor Zhao, you''ll have to bear the consequences of winning or losing this round yourself."


    "I''ll bear it myself! I can handle it!" Zhao Qiang replied without hesitation.


    "Hahaha... Good! Good! Good!" Old Yuughed like an old fox, his eyes carrying a hint of pity that Zhao Qiang failed to notice.


    At the back of the crowd, Houzi watched the man who had lost himself in the thrill of gambling. A corner of his mouth slowly curled up, his narrow, shrewd eyes filled with mockery.


    This is what uncle called "greed," he thought. It really does kill people.


    With this thought, Houzi unconsciously looked up towards the upper floor. Old Six Hu was leaning against the railing, holding a cup of tea, his gaze fixed intently on Zhao Qiang at the gambling table.


    "Rattle, rattle, rattle, rattle~" Zhao Qiang had already started shaking the dice cup. This time was different from before; his expression was particrly focused, and he shook the cup with extra force. Old Yu waited calmly for him to set down the cup before casually shaking his own a couple of times.


    "Instructor Zhao, you go first!" Old Yu said.


    Zhao Qiang didn''t need to be told; his hand was already on the cup''s lid, about to open it. Old Yu spoke again, unhurriedly, "Instructor Zhao, think it through carefully. You''ll have to face the consequences of this round!"


    "Stop yammering! You''re just afraid I''ll win too much and your gambling hall will lose money, aren''t you? Hahaha... I never thought such a big establishment as the Gold Jade Hall would be so stingy, trying to scare me off? Don''t worry, there are so many people watching. I, Zhao Qiang, can handle winning or losing!"


    "Bravo!"


    "Well said, Instructor Zhao!"


    "Excellent words, Instructor Zhao! Well said!"


    The crowd apuded, looking at Zhao Qiang with newfound respect in their eyes.


    These words rang with conviction, and after saying them, Zhao Qiang felt a surge of confidence. It was as if he had truly be a gambling legend, looking down on the world, not caring about anyone else''s opinion.


    "Heh!" Old Yu smirked, gesturing for Zhao Qiang to proceed.


    Everyone craned their necks, staring at the dice cup, eagerly anticipating what numbers would appear. Only Old Yu remained calm, arms folded,pletelyposed and seemingly sure of the oue.

 Chapter 50

    Zhao Qiang took a deep breath, his hand trembling uncontrobly as he lifted the lid. When he saw the "four, five, six" inside, he couldn''t help but cry out.


    "Four, five, six! It''s a straight! A straight! Look, everyone, a straight! A straight..."


    Zhao Qiang, as if he had gone mad, first shouted loudly, then began gesticting wildly, pointing at the dice to show everyone around the straight he had rolled.


    For rolling a straight, the payout was ten times the bet. Zhao Qiang had wagered sixty-six and a half taels of silver, which meant that if he won, he would pocket six hundred and sixty-five taels of silver.


    The entire venue erupted inmotion! The gamblers'' eyes were fixed in envy, each regretting that they weren''t the ones winning the money.


    It truly embodied the couplet hanging in the Gold Jade Hall: "From small to great, fortune and glory; From nothing to everything, ascending to heaven in one step."


    Only three people in the venue seemed indifferent to Zhao Qiang''s "straight": Houzi, who stood outside the crowd; Old Six Hu, who was observing from upstairs; and naturally, Old Yu at the other end of the gambling table.


    Old Yu, seeing Zhao Qiang''s frenzied state, only smiled mysteriously.


    Quite lucky indeed, Old Yu thought to himself.


    Zhao Qiang''s dice were rigged. Each die had a tiny bit of lead inserted into the faces showing three, four, five, and six, while the faces showing one and two had two pin-sized holes. This way, the one and two faces were lighter, while the three, four, five, and six faces were heavier, ensuring that the dice wouldn''t show one or two when rolled.


    Anyone with a bit of gambling skill would have be suspicious after rolling six times without seeing a single "one" or "two". Unfortunately, Zhao Qiang was just a reckless gambler with no skill, and in his drunken state, he couldn''tprehend such nuances.


    "Hahaha... I, Zhao Qiang, have struck it rich! I''ve made it!" Zhao Qiang gleefully pped his thighs, the sound echoing with such force that he''d likely have several red marks the next day.


    "Quick, quick! Open yours!" After his bout of madughter, Zhao Qiang turned and squeezed next to Old Yu, urging, "Hurry and open! If you''ve lost, pay up! Don''t dawdle!"


    Old Yu responded with a polite "Alright" and reached out to lift the lid. Insidey three dice, all showing "six" face up.


    "Six, six, six" - an unexpected triplet!


    The onlookers gasped, and Zhao Qiang stood frozen, the color draining from his face in an instant.


    "Ah, I, Old Yu, have finally won a round. Thank goodness, I haven''t let the Sixth Master down!" Old Yu sighed long and deep, his tone full of emotion, as if he had just witnessed the silver lining after a long storm.


    However, what the crowd didn''t see was Old Yu''s hand behind his back, using the noisy crowd as cover to discreetly drop a small ma under the table.


    Old Yu was merely a dealer, not skilled in gambling techniques. How could he roll "six, six, six" at will like Old Six Hu and Jiang Ning? He didn''t have that ability, so he had to resort to underhanded methods.


    Old Yu''s gaze swept casually over his three dice, his smile deepening. His dice were also rigged.


    Unlike Zhao Qiang''s dice, Old Yu''s dice only had iron powder filled in the "six" face, while the other faces were filled with copper powder of the same weight.


    In the previous five rounds, Old Yu had wrapped the ma in his sleeve and ced it under the dice cup. The iron powder was attracted downwards, causing the "six" to face down and the "one" to face up. To avoid suspicion, Old Yu would then gently shake the cup, ensuring the numbers that came up were never too high.


    For this final round, however, Old Yu had ced the ma directly above the dice cup, perfectly centered, guaranteeing that all three dice would show "six".


    Old Yu took his time savoring Zhao Qiang''s bloodless face before finally speaking leisurely, "Instructor Zhao, you know the rules. For triplet sixes, it''s a hundred-fold payout. That''s a total of six thousand six hundred and fifty taels of silver. Would you prefer to pay in cash or with a bank note?"


    Zhao Qiang''s drunkenness hadpletely vanished. He felt utterly sober, yet at the same time, he felt even more intoxicated. His head was buzzing, and his body felt weak.


    Six thousand six hundred and fifty taels! Even if he sold himself, Zhao Qiang couldn''t afford to pay!


    "Of course, I understand that Instructor Zhao probably doesn''t have that much money on him right now. So let''s settle for an IOU for now, and you can pay us when you have the money. With so many witnesses here, and given Instructor Zhao''s reputation, we trust that you won''t default on the debt," Old Yu added considerately.


    "No, impossible, how could this happen? How could this happen..." Zhao Qiang muttered, his gaze already vacant,pletely unable to ept this terrible reality.


    From heaven to hell in an instant - this dramatic turn of events left the crowd of gamblers sighing in disbelief. Those who had been envious just moments ago now felt relieved, thankful they hadn''t participated in such a life-altering gamble.


    At this moment, Old Yu, having written up the IOU, sauntered over to Zhao Qiang and said, "Instructor Zhao, please put your fingerprint here. You can bring the silver to settle the debt another day."


    "No, no, no, please..." Zhao Qiang looked at the thin piece of paper as if it were a ghosting to im his life. His face was as pale as the paper itself, his eyes filled with terror as he copsed to the ground.


    Seeing his state, everyone couldn''t help but shake their heads and sigh. Once upon a time, Instructor Zhao had been such a proud man. Relying on his uncle-inw''s influence, although not an official himself, no one dared to slight him. Yet now, he had fallen to such a pitiful state.


    Houzi, watching from a distance, couldn''t help but recall his conversation with Old Six Hu from a couple of days ago.


    "Uncle, why did you specifically choose him?" Houzi had asked, puzzled.


    At that time, Old Six Hu had chuckled, taking a leisurely sip of tea before answering, "There are three reasons. First, he has martial arts training and works as an instructor at the yamen, so he''s physically capable. Second, his uncle-inw is a clerk at the county yamen, holding an official position, so he won''t dare to default on his debt. And third..."


    Old Six Hu had paused for effect, then asked Houzi, "Why do you think I had you inquire about Liu Ming''an?"


    Houzi had connected the series of events in his mind and instantly understood the intricate n.


    "Uncle, you truly are a mastermind!" Houzi still remembered that moment of enlightenment.


    "Houzi! Houzi!" Suddenly, a spark of hope ignited in Zhao Qiang''s mind as he remembered Houzi, who had brought him here. Like a drowning man clutching at straws, he excitedly scrambled to his feet, looking around frantically until he finally spotted Houzi leaning against a pir outside the crowd.


    Zhao Qiang staggered towards Houzi, grabbing his hand and pleading, "Houzi, good brother! Please, talk to them for me. Tell them I''m your friend, that there''s no way I cane up with that much money. Please, beg Old Yu for mercy on my behalf. I''ll find you any kind of wife you want..."


    Houzi, having anticipated this, calmly pulled his hand away and shook his head at Zhao Qiang, saying, "Instructor Zhao, you were too greedy. Old Yu and I are just employees of the Gold Jade Hall. We don''t have any say in these matters. If you want to plead your case¡ª"


    Houzi paused here, pointing upstairs before continuing, "Begging the Sixth Master might work. The Sixth Master is known for his kindness!"


    "Then let''s go see the Sixth Master! Will you take me to see him? I''ll beg him for mercy!" Zhao Qiang quickly responded.


    Houzi furrowed his brow, appearing conflicted as he said, "But..."


    Zhao Qiang implored, "Houzi, I''m begging you. Even if you chop me into eight pieces, I still couldn''te up with that much silver. Please, just take me to see the Sixth Master."


    After a moment of silence, Houzi put on an expression of "throwing caution to the wind" and said through gritted teeth, "Alright! Instructor Zhao, I truly consider you a brother, and I don''t want to see you in such distress. Let''s go see the Sixth Master together. I believe in his magnanimity; he''ll surely point you towards a solution."


    "Good, good, good..." Zhao Qiang agreed repeatedly, afraid that Houzi might change his mind if he dyed even a second.


    The crowd watched as Zhao Qiang followed Houzi upstairs, whispering among themselves. Old Yu, on the other hand, let out a heartyugh and crumpled up the IOU in his hand, tossing it aside casually.


    "Everyone, let''s get back to our game of big and small!" Old Yu called out loudly, strolling back to the original gambling table as if nothing had happened.

 Chapter 51

    These days, Jiang Ning was living a leisurely and carefree life,pletely unaware of the turbulent undercurrents in the Gold Jade Hall.


    Jiang Ning would rise at the crack of dawn every day, allowing Liu Ming''an tob her hair before she began washing up and preparing meals. The ingredients Jiang Ning bought from the market found their way into their stomachs in various forms: braised pork, chicken braised in scallion oil, shredded pork with green peppers, pork meatball soup with Chinese cabbage, diced chicken with chili peppers... even alternating between rice and noodles. Jiang Ning enjoyed putting thought into cooking, never tiring of it. After all, Liu Ming''an was not picky and loved everything she made, even volunteering to clean up the kitchen after meals.


    For Liu Ming''an, since Jiang Ning''s arrival, the quality of meals in his home had improved immensely. He had eaten more meat in this short period than he had in an entire year before. Moreover, Jiang Ning was an excellent cook. Every meal was a feast for the senses, greatly stimting one''s appetite. Liu Ming''an''s previously thin and lean body had be much more robust, his figure growing taller and more upright. Even Third Great Aunt noticed and praised him, saying, "Ming''an, you look much more energetictely! Jiang Ning must be taking very good care of you..."


    In their leisure time, Liu Ming''an would focus intently on painting birthday celebration pictures, while Jiang Ning would read the casual books she had bought, asionally helping him grind ink.


    Time passed slowly and pleasantly in this manner until the twenty-fifth day, which was another market day. Liu Ming''an, as usual, woke up early and went to the kitchen to eat some cold steamed buns with cold water as his breakfast.


    Jiang Ning had said she wouldn''t go, so Liu Ming''an tried to get up quietly, but still woke her.


    "Go back to sleep, I''ll leave once I''m ready," Liu Ming''an said softly, looking at Jiang Ning still covered by the nket on the bed.


    "Take the umbre with you," Jiang Ning advised, barely making out Liu Ming''an''s silhouette in the dim early morning light.


    Liu Ming''an chuckled softly and replied, "I''ve got it."


    "What about money?" Jiang Ning asked again.


    "I''ve got that too."


    "Oh, then you can go."


    Jiang Ning closed her eyes, ready to go back to sleep, but heard Liu Ming''an approach the bed and say, "If you want tob your hairter, you can ask Third Great Aunt, or the Mute Woman - you seem closer to her. Also, eat when you''re hungry, don''t wait for me to return. Those two brothers insisted on treating me to drinks, and I couldn''t refuse. I''m not sure when I''ll be back..."


    "You''re fussing!" Jiang Ning turned over, pulling the nket over her head in protest.


    Liu Ming''an paused, then smiled silently. He often unconsciously treated Jiang Ning like a girl who needed looking after, and indeed, he had fussed too much.


    "Creak... click!"


    The door was pushed open and then closed, and Liu Ming''an''s footsteps gradually faded away. Jiang Ning listened carefully for a while until the sound disappearedpletely before closing her eyes and drifting back to sleep.


    When He Zhao''s rooster crowed, Jiang Ning finally woke uppletely. She ate breakfast with her hair still disheveled, then began reading "The Ten Great Cases of Liang Kingdom" which she hadn''t finished yesterday.


    However, for some reason, Jiang Ning felt odd while reading today. She kept getting distracted, her thoughts wandering, and when she came back to herself, she had forgotten what the previous page was about.


    Perhaps the room is too quiet, Jiang Ning thought.


    Human habits are truly frightening. She had grown ustomed to being with Liu Ming''an all the time. Even when Liu Ming''an was silently writing or drawing at the table, just having him there made her feel his presence.


    Now, with Liu Ming''an gone, Jiang Ning looked around the empty room and for the first time felt that this dpidated house was somewhatrge, sorge that it made her ufortable.


    Unable to focus on her book anymore, Jiang Ning looked out the window at the lush, misty mountains. Remembering the chestnut tree and the gray rabbit that had run away, she had an idea. She picked up her veil to cover her face and left the room.


    After all, the vigers knew she was perfectly healthy, so there was no need to hide in her space anymore.


    This was the first time Jiang Ning had walked openly in Lotus Flower Vige. She encountered a few vigers on the way who first looked surprised, then realized who she was and said, "Oh! You''re that girl Liu Ming''an bought? It''s rare to see you out! Third Great Aunt mentioned your name... Jiang something, right?"


    These people meant no harm, and Jiang Ning''s hostility hadrgely dissipated due to her peaceful life, having absorbed some of Liu Ming''an''s gentleness.


    "Jiang Ning," they heard her reply calmly.


    "Ah, Jiang Ning. How old are you? Where did you originally live? Why were you sold? Why haven''t you done your hair? Where''s Liu Ming''an..." Once Jiang Ning answered, the vigers, thinking she was approachable, bombarded her with a string of curious questions.


    Unfortunately, Jiang Ning acted as if she hadn''t heard them, not even blinking as she walked past them.


    "Hey! This girl, how can she talk even less than Liu Ming''an? Do those two mutes just sit in silence when they''re together..."


    Slightly resentful mutterings came from behind her, but Jiang Ning paid no attention, continuing to walk steadily towards the foot of the mountain.


    Just likest time, the closer she got to the mountain, the fewer people she encountered. Perhaps because it was market day, there wasn''t even anyone working in the fields. Apart from the few people she had met earlier, Jiang Ning hadn''t seen anyone else on her way.


    As she neared the foot of the mountain, Jiang Ning suddenly heard an "Ouch!" followed by a rustling sound, like clothes scraping against the ground.


    Curious, Jiang Ning walked over and saw a sloping path, somewhat shaky and overgrown with lush weeds. At the bottom of the slope, someone was lying on the ground, slightly curled up.


    At that moment, the person struggled to sit up, and Jiang Ning clearly saw her face - it was Third Great Aunt!


    Without hesitation, Jiang Ning went down the slope and helped the woman up. Fortunately, the slope wasn''t long or high, and the grass at the bottom was thick. Third Great Aunt had only slipped and twisted her ankle, with no other injuries.


    Third Great Aunt looked at Jiang Ning, who had appeared so suddenly, and asked in surprise, "Jiang, child? What are you doing here?"


    "I had nothing to do, so I''m just walking around," Jiang Ning replied casually as she helped Third Great Aunt stand steady.


    "Oh, I see," Third Great Aunt responded, then bent down towards the ground.


    Jiang Ning had been so focused on helping the old woman up that she hadn''t noticed anything else. Now, as Third Great Aunt moved, she saw a basket in the grass, with two packets of bright yellow joss paper and some incense sticks scattered on the ground.


    Jiang Ning''s heart tightened as she guessed the old woman''s purpose. She stopped her and squatted down herself, saying, "I''ll help you pick these up."


    Third Great Aunt sighed and said, "I''m really getting old. I don''t know how many more years I can walk this path. Ah..."


    Jiang Ning put the items into the basket and hung it on her arm, supporting Third Great Aunt as she asked, "Where are you going? I''ll take you there."


    "It''s just a bit further ahead," Third Great Aunt didn''t refuse Jiang Ning''s kindness. She managed a faint smile on her aged face and said, "Good girl, thank you for the trouble."


    "It''s just a small gesture, no trouble at all," Jiang Ning replied. For some reason, seeing this kind-looking old woman force such an expression made Jiang Ning feel ufortable.

 Chapter 52

    Jiang Ning supported Third Great Aunt as they walked to a patch of wastnd. The weeds that could grow to waist-high seemed to be restricted by some invisible barrier here, with only shallow grass barely covering the ankles.


    But to be precise, this area couldn''t really be called wastnd. There were mounds of earth rising one after another, with stone tablets inscribed with characters standing in front of them. This ce was full of graves!


    "Girl, if you''re scared, you can stand here. You don''t need to help me over," Third Great Aunt said considerately.


    Jiang Ning shook her head without saying anything. There was nothing to fear about the dead.


    Third Great Aunt directed Jiang Ning to help her to one of the graves. She then sat down on the grass, lit some incense and candles, and while burning paper money, she slowly began to speak: "Lilin, Xiaoman, I''vee to see you..."


    Jiang Ning looked at the tombstone, which read "Beloved son He Lilin, beloved grandson He Xiaoman''s tomb." It was actually a joint burial!


    The pain of losing a child was already the most extreme suffering in the human world, but this old woman had also endured the pain of losing her grandson. Jiang Ning''s pupils contracted slightly, finding it difficult to connect the grief-stricken old woman before her with the kind olddy who had washed her hair earlier.


    Jiang Ning stepped back a few paces, not wanting to disturb the old woman''s mourning. However, as she turned, she caught a glimpse of the characters "Liu Ming" on one of the tombstones.


    Jiang Ning''s heart tightened. She hesitated for a moment, then walked over and brushed away the grass covering thest character. Sure enough, it was the character "An"!


    The entire tombstone read: "Tomb ofte father Liu Qingzhi,te mother He Shuyun, erected by son Liu Ming''an."


    Another joint burial!


    It was the joint burial of Liu Ming''an''s parents!


    The wind blew gently, and the world was silent except for Third Great Aunt''s low voice carried by the breeze: "...I''m doing fine, it''s just that I suddenly dreamed of you twost night, and then couldn''t sleep all night. Today I thought I''de over and talk to you..."


    "...Don''t worry about me and the old man, we''re both in good health. The old man can still eat three bowls of rice at a meal, and I can eat two..."


    "...The chickens at home haven''tid eggs for two days, I don''t know what''s wrong with them. If they don''t startying soon, I''ll tell the old man to catch them and sell them..."


    Third Great Aunt hunched over, showing a weary and aged demeanor. Her head was slightly bowed as she rambled on about trivial household matters, one sentence after another. In the wind, it sounded like sobbing - Jiang Ning knew it was a deep, bone-deep longing.


    Jiang Ning quietly kept Third Great Auntpany for nearly half an hour. When she saw her about to get up, she stepped forward to help her to her feet.


    Third Great Aunt gave Jiang Ning a grateful look, then advised, "Jiang girl, don''te near this mountain in the future if you don''t have to. There are too many lost lives on this mountain, the negative energy is strong, it''s not good for you."


    Jiang Ning had noticed on herst trip up the mountain that it was rich in natural resources, yet rarely visited by people, which was unusual. Now that Third Great Aunt had brought it up, she couldn''t contain her curiosity and asked, "Third Great Aunt, what exactly happened on this mountain?"


    Third Great Aunt turned her head and looked at Jiang Ning for a while, her expression somewhat conflicted. After a moment, she sighed and began to slowly recount the past events of Lotus Flower Vige: "In the past, the vigers loved to go up the mountain to hunt. Living off the mountain, you know. Even this old woman used toe up here every few days to dig for wild vegetables and pick mushrooms. But that was all over ten years ago..."


    Third Great Aunt paused in her steps, looking up at the tall, verdant mountain: "Later, He Wu''s father came across a wild boar drinking water in a valley. When he came back and told everyone, they all believed there couldn''t be just one boar, there must be several. Those creatures have thick skin and tough meat, they''re strong and have sharp tusks. It would take at least three to five men to catch one. So about a dozen young and strong men from the vige agreed to go up the mountain together..."


    A dozen young men? Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, looking back at the field of graves behind her, feeling a chill run down her spine.


    At this point, Third Great Aunt let out another long sigh, her eyes revealing infinite sorrow: "It rained heavily that night, and they took shelter in a cave, and then..."


    The old woman''s voice choked up, painful memories flooding back. Jiang Ning could feel her body trembling slightly.


    "The cave copsed. They died, all of them died... My son, my grandson, everyone, all dead... We couldn''t even find their bodies. When we went up the mountain, we only found the clubs and ropes they had brought at the cave entrance. Further in, it hadpletely copsed, there was nothing left... These graves are just cenotaphs, only to give somefort to those still living..."


    As Third Great Aunt finished speaking, her eyes, which in Jiang Ning''s memory were always smiling, filled with tears.


    Jiang Ning finally understood why no one came to this mountain, and why Liu Ming''an had advised her not to go up. She wasn''t good atforting people, and anyfort would have been futile. At this moment, all she could do was remain silent.


    Third Great Aunt wiped her eyes with her sleeve and led Jiang Ning towards her home, saying as they walked, "Jiang girl, do you know what people outside call our Lotus Flower Vige?"


    Jiang Ning answered honestly, "I don''t know. I don''t go out much, so I haven''t had much contact with outsiders."


    "Widow Vige!" Third Great Aunt answered her own question, then continued, "This vige suddenly had over a dozen widows in one night. Liu Ming''an''s mother, He Yiyi''s mother, He Wen and He Wu''s mother, He Zhenhu''s mother... All these young wives lost their husbands in one night, became widows, and then had to raise their children alone. How hard it was!"


    Jiang Ning escorted Third Great Aunt all the way home and was about to say goodbye when she heard the old woman call her back, speaking earnestly: "Jiang girl, Ming''an is a child with a hard fate. His father originally wasn''t going to go up the mountain that day, but Ming''an said he wanted to eat meat, so his father went. After the incident, he felt he had caused his father''s death. One rainy night, he ran to kneel by his father''s grave. A six-year-old child, how could his body withstand such mistreatment? He fell terribly ill and was left with chronic health issues that took years to recover from..."


    Third Great Aunt said more, but Jiang Ning didn''t hear it. Her mind was reying the earlier sentences. Liu Ming''an had briefly mentioned this experience to her before, but Jiang Ning had only thought he had knelt for a night out of grief for losing his father. She hadn''t realized there was such a cause and effect behind it.


    "What about his mother?" Jiang Ning asked after a while.


    "Ming''an''s parents were a loving couple. When his father passed, his mother nearly lost half her life. To make matters worse, her only son fell ill at the same time. Ah! Poor woman, carrying Ming''an on her back, seeking medical treatment everywhere, while also trying to find work to earn money. She scrimped and saved for herself but never once deprived Ming''an of food. When Ming''an''s health finally improved and it seemed like life for the widow and orphan was about to get better, she sumbed to illness from overwork and passed away..."


    Third Great Aunt sighed repeatedly, her eyes full of sympathy. She added, "At that time, Ming''an was only thirteen years old."


    Jiang Ning was stunned, her emotions tooplex to express.


    "Haven''t you ever wondered? The house you''re living in now is so small, so dpidated, how could it amodate a family of three?" Third Great Aunt asked.


    Jiang Ning nodded. She had indeed been puzzled about this. Liu Ming''an had told her they had moved once, but that home was bare, with only one bed. It didn''t look like a proper home at all, more like a temporary shelter.


    Hearing Third Great Aunt speak like this, it seemed there was a hidden story behind it.


    Sure enough, Third Great Aunt exined, "Ming''an''s real home is on the other side of the vige. After his mother died, he moved out, leaving that house for vigers to store firewood and rest. He built a shabby house on the other side for himself. No one could understand why he did this..."


    Why?


    Perhaps it was to avoid the painful reminders. After his mother''s death, Liu Ming''an abandoned that home, signifying that he no longer had a home.


    Jiang Ning had never had a family, so she couldn''t fullyprehend Liu Ming''an''s feelings at that time. But she knew that when Liu Ming''an made this decision, he must have been utterly heartbroken.


    "Jiang girl, do you know why I''m telling you all this?" Third Great Aunt now took Jiang Ning''s hand in her own calloused one, asking with a loving expression.


    Jiang Ning shook her head.


    "Ming''an has had a tough life, but he has a kind heart. I treat him like my own grandson," Third Great Aunt gazed steadily at Jiang Ning, her voice taking on a pleading tone. "This old woman can tell you''re no ordinary girl. Since Ming''an has been with you, his life has improved greatly. I only hope that in the future, no matter what, you''ll remember the kindness he showed by spending all his savings to buy you back. Please, don''t do anything to hurt him, can you promise that?"


    Jiang Ning''s mind shed with an image of Liu Ming''an''s face, wearing that gentle, smiling expression. She could almost hear the echo of his warm, tender voice. Beneath her veil, the corners of her lips curved upward involuntarily.


    Third Great Aunt heard the young woman before her solemnly promise, "You can rest assured."


    After leaving Third Great Aunt''s house, Jiang Ning didn''t heed her advice to stay away from the mountain. Instead, she once again went to the foot of the mountain and walked into the graveyard.


    Jiang Ning stood lost in thought before the tombstones of Liu Ming''an''s parents. She stared intently at the three characters spelling out "Liu Ming''an" on the tombstone.


    Thirteen years ago, when six-year-old Liu Ming''an knelt here, what was he thinking?


    Six years ago, when thirteen-year-old Liu Ming''an knelt here, what was on his mind?


    And in each subsequent year, when Liu Ming''an came to pay respects to his parents, what thoughts filled his head?


    Jiang Ning felt her mind in turmoil. Third Great Aunt''s words echoed in her ears like a demon''s curse, turning over and over, disrupting her thoughts.


    To think that Liu Ming''an had such a background!


    Every time Jiang Ning thought of his name, her heart felt as if it was being squeezed. She slowly reached out her hand and ced it over her beating heart. She knew she had developed a new emotion called "heartache."


    I''ll be even kinder to him from now on, Jiang Ning told herself.

 Chapter 53

    After making up her mind, Jiang Ning climbed the mountain, just as she did before, but this time she felt a lot heavier hearted.


    She came to the same chestnut tree asst time. Over ten days had passed, and the ground was once again full of spiky chestnuts.


    This time, Jiang Ning had a dagger ¡ª one she nabbed from Huzi. She was able to peel the chestnuts at a much faster rate. All she had to do was step on the shell, angle the de into the opening of the chestnut, and ease it open. The brown chestnut revealed itself in perfect condition.


    It took Jiang Ning just over two hours to peel all the chestnuts on the ground, which she then stored in her dimension, neatly piling up in one corner. She then moved to the spot where she got her rabbitst time. Again, there were two newrge rabbits in the hole, their fur a beautiful patchy blend.


    Utilizing her dimension, Jiang Ning effortlessly caught them.


    Subsequently, she picked mushrooms, plucked tree ears, and not long after discovered a small bamboo forest, fresh and tender bamboo shoots were sprouting from the ground. Without hesitation, she broke off a few and shoved them in her dimension.


    By the time Jiang Ning descended from the mountain, the vige was filled with cooking smoke ¡ª it was already time for dinner.


    Liu Ming''an should be back.


    Jiang Ning quickened her pace home, her mind filled with thoughts of what to cook for dinner.


    However, there was no one in the house.


    Even after having dinner on her own, getting into bed, Liu Ming''an was still not home.


    Apparently, Liu Ming''an had grown fond of spending time with those two brothers, Jiang Ning thought, trying to ignore the feeling of loss in her heart.


    Time slipped away, Jiang Ningy in bed wide awake. Liu Ming''an usually slept curled around her arm, an urrence so regr that it had be second nature. With the absence of Liu Ming''an, she found it difficult to sleep, her mind filled with various thoughts.


    She closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind and fall asleep. However, after another half an hour, she was still wide awake.


    Forget sleep!


    In irritation, Jiang Ning opened her eyes, got out of bed, getting dressed while it was still dark, and opened the door to her room. The surroundings were incredibly quiet; it was already past midnight. She wandered out, sitting under the eaves of her house.


    The night wind had picked up, scattering her hair. Gathering her hair and tucking it behind her ears, Jiang Ning tilted her head, looking up at the dark sky.


    It was the end of the month, only a sliver of moon and a handful of stars were visible in the sky. Jiang Ning propped her chin with one hand, gazing at the moon, watching as it moved westwards with the passage of time.


    Unbeknownst to her, while she was aimlessly staring at the sky, in a guest room at the Hong Family''s residence on West Street of Lingshan Town, Liu Ming''an was also restless.


    Deep into the night,ying on a strange bed, with soft and warm bedding underneath, covering himself with a smooth, lightweight silk quilt, the room subtly filled with incense. Everything was far morefortable than the cotton and linen at his own home.


    Regardless, Liu Ming''an just couldn''t find sleep. Rolling over, he stared at the carved wooden window, reminiscing on the events of the day.


    Liu Ming''an had previously arranged to meet Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun by the bridge at the third hour after noon. As soon as it was time, he arrived in town, greeted Aunt Hui first, and conveyed that he would not set up a stall that day. Then, following the instructions of Jiang Ning, he went to the bank to exchange a gold ingot for silver and copper coins, just as he didst time. He promised the shopkeeper that he would deliver a piece of pork, a rack of ribs, and two chickens to their home the next day.


    By the time Liu Ming''an hadpleted these tasks and returned to the bridge, Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun were already waiting for him under a tree.


    "Liu!" Zhou Yi was the first to spot Liu Ming''an in the crowd. He waved his fan and called out cheerfully.


    "Brother Zhou, Brother Zhang," Liu Ming''an walked over briskly, greeting the two with a smile.


    "Haha¡­you are very punctual, Ming''an!" Zhou Yi alsoughed, then put an arm around Liu Ming''an''s shoulder and led him forward: "Come, I''ve found a good ce for us to have a few drinks."


    Liu Ming''an naturally didn''t decline and let them lead him.


    Aunt Hui, who was busy greeting customers, looked up and saw this. She recalled the "two friends" Liu Ming''an had mentioned earlier and a hint of maternal smile appeared on her face.


    All along, Liu Ming''an thought Zhou Yi''s "ce" was the Fusheng Restaurant, considering that the owner, Mr. Hong, was his uncle. But they led him past Fusheng Restaurant, through East Street, and stopped in front of a fragrant and elegant building.


    "Here we are!" Zhou Yi said, unfolding his fan with the air of a stylish gentleman.


    But Liu Ming''an looked up at the sign reading "Red Apricot Tower" in disbelief.


    "B-Brother Zhou, is this...is this a brothel?" Liu Ming''an stuttered, as he watched Zhou Yi about to step into the door veiled with beaded curtains.


    Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun turned around, and looked surprised at the blushing Liu Ming''an. They then exchanged augh.


    "Ming''an," Zhang Shun chuckled before speaking. Catching onto Liu Ming''an''s thoughts, he sighed, ¡°You''re naive, you schrly man. That''s very charming.¡±


    "Brother Zhang, don''t tease me," said Liu Ming''an earnestly, "This is not a good ce to drink and chat. Let''s go somewhere else."


    "Hahaha¡­" Zhou Yiughed, stepped forward, and exined: "Ming''an, you misunderstood. We are not wastrels. We don''t indulge in the pleasures of the flesh nor will we lead you, a pure-hearted schr, astray. You probably know little about this ce. Once youe inside with us, you¡¯ll understand.¡±


    Seeing Liu Ming''an''s uncertainty, Zhang Shun added: "Ming''an, to tell you the truth, I''ve been married for three years and have a lovely wife and young son at home. If the Red Apricot Tower was really a pleasure house, not to mention you, I wouldn''t step a foot inside either.¡±


    Zhang Shun was sincere, and Liu Ming''an nodded in eptance. Finally, the three stepped into the Red Apricot Tower.


    "Ah! Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zhou, both of you are here again, huh?"


    Upon stepping into the entrance, Liu Ming¡¯an immediately caught the sound of a piercing woman''s voice. Looking towards the sound, he saw a woman dressed in vibrant clothes, standing by the door. She held a soft pink handkerchief in her hands and stood perfectly straight, facing the door.


    ¡°Oh my! Is this young man your friend? He appears quite handsome, cultured, and well-mannered; He looks like a schr.¡± Even before Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun could respond, the woman directed her words at Liu Ming¡¯an.


    ¡°Our boss Ch¨¬ has a keen eye. This younger brother of mine indeed, is a schr.¡± Zhou Yi stepped in before exchanging pleasantries with the woman.


    While the two were engaged in their conversation, Liu Ming¡¯an took a moment to assess the Red Apricot Tower where they were.


    The Tower extended up to four floors, with the ground floor ornately decorated. In the center of the hall, there was a stage facing the main entrance, surrounded by chairs and stools. Yet, it was broad daylight, and the stage was deserted. A few waiters in grey clothes were busy cleaning the tables and chairs.


    Liu Ming¡¯an found it strange that there were staircases on both sides of the Red Apricot Tower, one with a wooden sign reading ''Clear Breeze'' and the other side bearing a sign saying ''Bright Moon.''


    Boss Ch¨¬ then called out for ¡®Baozhu,¡¯ drawing Liu Ming''an''s attention once again.


    A young girl, about thirteen or fourteen years old, came running from the other side. She first bowed to Liu Ming''an and the others, then, in a low voice, said ¡°Aunt Yan¡± to Boss Ch¨¬.


    "Good girl, take these gentlemen to the room and serve well." Boss Ch¨¬ instructed in a much softer voice.


    Baozhu nodded, came to the men''s side, lowered her eyes, barely daring to look at people, timidly said, "Gentlemen, please follow me."


    After saying that, Baozhu led the three towards the staircasebeled ''Clear Breeze.''


    Zhang Shun, who had noticed the confusion in Liu Ming''an''s eyes, took this opportunity to exin, ¡°From the outside, the Red Apricot Tower appears as a whole, but it''s actually two symmetrical buildings called ¡®Clear Breeze¡¯ and ¡®Bright Moon.¡¯ Bright Moon Tower is what you''d assumed to be a brothel, while Clear Breeze Tower harbors no such seedy affairs. Here, the women earn their living through performing arts, not selling themselves; they earn tips by ying music and singing.¡±


    ¡°So that''s how it is! Thanks for clearing that up, brother Zhang,¡± Liu Ming''an responded.

 Chapter 54

    The girl named Baozhu led the three of them into a room, then walked behind a screen. After a moment, soft and melodious music from a zither flowed out.


    In the center of the room stood an elegant antique wooden table, already set with a pot of wine. After everyone entered, servers in gray robes brought in several tes of food.


    Zhang Shun pushed open the window, allowing sunlight to spill into the room, warming those inside.


    After taking a seat, Liu Ming''an unfastened the wooden box containing a scroll that he had been carrying on his back. He handed it to Zhou Yi, saying, "Brother Zhou, here''s the birthday congrattions painting you requested."


    Zhou Yi, who had already sat down, stood up again upon hearing this. He epted the wooden box with both hands, eager to open the scroll and examine it.


    "Brother Liu, I forgot to tell you, the calligraphy and painting you sent mest time - I took them to my uncle''s house. He saw them and loved them so much that he took them to hang in my younger brother''s study, saying it would be good for him to observe and learn from..."


    Zhou Yi suddenly remembered this and exined it to Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an smiled and said, "Since I gave it to you, Brother Zhou, it''s naturally yours to do with as you please."


    Zhou Yi smiled too and fully unrolled the scroll, taking in the content of the painting.


    "Heavens!" Zhou Yi couldn''t help but exim in admiration.


    Seeing this, Zhang Shun also came over for a closer look. After examining it carefully for a moment, he turned to Liu Ming''an and said, "Brother Liu, your talent shouldn''t be buried like this."


    On the snow-white paper, towards the left side, a majestic mountain stood tall. This mountain was imposing and towering, reaching straight into the azure sky, its grandeur inspiring the heroic sentiment of "I shall mount its very peak and gaze down upon the multitude of lesser mountains" in those who beheld it. To the right of the mountain was a cliff, from which a waterfall cascaded down like the Milky Way falling from the heavens, magnificently splendid.


    Feeling the light in the room was insufficient, Zhou Yi took the scroll to the window, continually praising it as he examined it.


    At the top of the mountain, near the waterfall, Liu Ming''an had used an extremely fine brush to paint several pine trees, vivid and lifelike, with every detail captured. The pines grew with wild abandon, as if sprouting directly from the bare rock face, stretching proudly towards the sky, disying vigorous vitality.


    Looking closer, one could see a crane perched on one of the pine trees, its wings spread and its posture graceful, its essence captured in just a few strokes.


    "Marvelous! Simply marvelous!" Zhou Yi eximed, continuing to study the painting intently.


    At the foot of the majestic mountain, Liu Ming''an had painted an old man. This elder had hair and beard as white as snow, a high forehead, kind eyes, and a benevolent expression - it was the God of Longevity, also known as the Old Man of the South Pole. The God of Longevity held a staff made from a branch of the celestial peach tree, with a wine gourd tied to its top, while in his other hand he cradled an enormous celestial peach. Behind the God of Longevity, several divine deer were lowering their heads to drink from a pond formed by the falling waterfall.


    At the very bottom of the painting was a prominent line of text that read: "On this auspicious day, we offer our sincere blessings."


    Zhou Yi''s eyes were transfixed, unable to look away from the painting. He examined it inch by inch, appreciating every brush stroke, murmuring to himself,pletely immersed in a state of rapture.


    It wasn''t until half an hourter that Zhou Yi finally, though reluctantly, rolled up the scroll, handling it with utmost care as if it were some priceless treasure.


    "Brother Liu!" Zhou Yi suddenly called out in a serious tone, causing both Liu Ming''an and Zhang Shun to look over.


    Then Liu Ming''an watched as Zhou Yi walked up to him and, with utmost formality, cupped his hands and bowed deeply.


    "Brother Zhou?" Liu Ming''an was startled and quickly stood up, helping Zhou Yi to straighten. "What are you doing? We''re brothers, how can I let you bow to me like this?"


    But Zhou Yi grasped Liu Ming''an''s hands and said earnestly, "The day we first met, after just a brief conversation, you first sent me calligraphy and paintings, and then went to such great lengths to paint this birthday congrattions scroll for me. I am humbled. Having received so many kindnesses from you without cause, I can only offer this bow to somewhat ease my conscience."


    Hearing these heartfelt words, Liu Ming''an was visibly moved. At this moment, Zhang Shun put a hand on his shoulder and said, "Brother Liu, there''s no need to be rmed. Zhou Yi is a man of passion, and you are certainly worthy of receiving this bow."


    As the three sat down again, the distance between them had noticeably shortened.


    Zhou Yi''s family ran a business in the capital, which often took him traveling to various ces. He was well-informed, warm, and sincere, skilled in conversation.


    Zhang Shun came from a wealthy family with members in bothmerce and government. He had grown up with a steady temperament and broad perspective. This trip was to purchase a batch of medicinal herbs, and to offer birthday congrattions to Hong Fusheng along the way.


    Liu Ming''an was the youngest of the three, with far less worldly experience than Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun. In his neen years of life, he had never set foot outside of Lingshan Town. However, he was widely read and erudite, humble and courteous in his manner. Being in hispany always felt like basking in the warmth of spring.


    The three young men with such different personalities conversed with great enthusiasm, drinking and chatting, raising their cups in toast after toast, finding they had endless topics to discuss.


    It wasn''t until Baozhu, the girl behind the screen, came out holding her zither to ask if they wanted dinner that the three realized night had fallen.


    "So the saying ''When drinking with a kindred spirit, a thousand cups are too few'' isn''t just an empty phrase!" Zhang Shun eximed, looking at the several empty wine pots on the table.


    They weren''t particrly fond of alcohol; the wine was just a catalyst, something to drink to liven up the mood. Therefore, they had been served light, clear wine, and even now, none of them were drunk. Only Liu Ming''an, who rarely drank, was slightly tipsy.


    "Brother Zhou, Brother Zhang," Liu Ming''an stood up and cupped his hands to the other two, "Today''s lively discussion with you two has been most enlightening. It''s gettingte, and I should head back. Let''s meet again another day."


    Zhou Yi walked to the window and poked his head out to check the sky, then turned to Liu Ming''an and asked, "Brother Liu, you live in Lotus Flower Vige, right?"


    "Yes."


    "How far is it from here?"


    "About forty li."


    "How long does it take to get there?"


    "About two hours."


    Liu Ming''an thought Zhou Yi was just expressing casual concern and answered each question, but then he heard him say, "Brother Liu, don''t go back today. Why don''t you stay at my ce for the night?"


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback. The image of Jiang Ning''s cold, clear eyes suddenly shed in his mind, and without thinking, he refused, "Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Zhou, but I have a younger sister at home. She might worry if I don''t return."


    Liu Ming''an felt a bit guilty saying this. Given Jiang Ning''s temperament, he didn''t really think she would worry. It was just that he himself felt uneasy at the thought of not going home tonight.


    "How old is your sister?" Zhang Shun asked.


    "Six...teen? Or perhaps seventeen?" This was a question that not only Liu Ming''an couldn''t answer with certainty, but even Jiang Ning herself wouldn''t know.


    "How can you not be sure of your own sister''s age?" Zhou Yi was quite surprised.


    Liu Ming''an smiled and briefly exined Jiang Ning''s situation.


    After listening, Zhang Shun nodded and said, "I asked about your sister''s age because I was thinking that if she were a two or three-year-old or even a seven or eight-year-old child who couldn''t be left alone, I would hire a carriage to take you home tonight. But since she''s a youngdy in her teens, why do you need to rush back?"


    "That''s right, Brother Liu," Zhou Yi chimed in, "It''s already past 7 p.m. now, and your home is so far away. The roads aren''t good to travel at night, there''s no need to rush back. Why don''t you stay at my uncle''s house for the night?"


    Liu Ming''an hesitated. He knew Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun''s reasoning was sound, but he kept seeing those eyes in his mind. He wanted to go home.


    In the end, it was ament from Zhang Shun that dispelled Liu Ming''an''s notion of returning home. He said, "If you go home now, by the time you arrive, it will be at least 11:45 p.m., maybe even past midnight. Aren''t you afraid of disturbing your sister''s peaceful sleep?"


    And so, Liu Ming''an decided to apany Zhou Yi to the Hong family home to stay for the night.

 Chapter 55

    Liu Ming''an met Hong Fusheng, the owner of Fusheng Restaurant, at the Hong family''s home. Zhou Yi briefly introduced the two.


    Upon learning that Liu Ming''an was the author of the calligraphy and painting Zhou Yi had brought back earlier, Hong Fusheng treated him with great respect, addressing him as "sir" repeatedly. He even wanted to invite Liu to review his son''s schoolwork. Fortunately, Zhou Yi intervened in time, politely declining by saying it was toote today and they could arrange it another day. Only then did Hong Fusheng relent.


    Zhou Yi led Liu Ming''an to a guest room, then left for a moment, returning with several sheets of paper. Liu Ming''an heard him sigh helplessly, "My little brother, I''m so sorry. My uncle says your handwriting is excellent and insisted I ask you for some calligraphy samples for his ten-year-old son to practice..."


    Liu Ming''an could see Zhou Yi''s predicament and smiled,forting him, "Brother Zhou, it''s no trouble at all. Writing a few characters is the least I can do when staying as a guest in someone''s home."


    Zhou Yi also smiled and said, "It''s toote today. Get some rest, and you can write something casually tomorrow."


    "Alright."


    After Zhou Yi left, Liu Ming''an examined the paper. There weren''t many sheets, only five in total, but each was excellent semi-ripe xuan paper, most suitable for beginners. It seemed this was the paper the ten-year-old child regrly used.


    Liu Ming''an initially thought about writing before sleeping to get it over with, but the alcohol in his stomach began to take effect, making his head slightly dizzy.


    He decided to write tomorrow instead. He was concerned that hisck of focus might result in crooked characters, disappointing Hong Fusheng and wasting such fine xuan paper.


    So, Liu Ming''an went to bed intending to rest, but unexpectedly found himself lying awake until now.


    During the day, he hadughed and talked freely with Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun, feeling quite content. But now, in the quiet of the night, as the hustle and bustle faded away, a faint sense of mncholy began to well up in Liu Ming''an''s heart.


    After lying there for a while longer, Liu Ming''an still couldn''t sleep. He got up, lit a candle, took out brush, ink, and inkstone from the cab by the wall, walked to the table, sat down, and began to slowly grind the ink.


    The ink stick moved in circles on the inkstone, releasing jet-ck ink. As Liu Ming''an watched thismonce scene, the image of Jiang Ning grinding ink for him suddenly shed through his mind.


    What was Jiang Ning doing now? Liu Ming''an wondered.


    The next moment, Liu Ming''an chuckled softly, murmuring to himself, "What am I thinking? It''s already the hour of the Rat (11 pm-1 am), she must be asleep..."


    Liu Ming''an picked up his brush, intending to write something like "An inch of time is an inch of gold, but an inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time" for Hong Fusheng''s young son. However, his thoughts rushed like floodwaters through an open gate, swirling endlessly around the two characters "Jiang Ning." Before his eyes, he kept seeing Jiang Ning''s calm, slightly cold eyes.


    When Liu Ming''an came back to his senses, he had already written on the snow-white xuan paper: "The water is the horizontal wave of her eyes, the mountains are the gathering of her brow peaks."


    Liu Ming''an stared at these few characters in a daze, gradually understanding why he couldn''t sleep.


    He had grown ustomed to Jiang Ning sleeping beside him.


    Liu Ming''an put that sheet of paper aside and picked up his brush again. This time, not only did he see those clear, cold eyes, but also Jiang Ning''s exquisite, cold, and expressionless face.


    Uncontrobly, Liu Ming''an recalled that day, the day He Wen died. When he returned after waiting for the coroner to finish examining the body, the sun was setting, and Jiang Ning was leaning against the doorframe waiting for him.


    Although so much time had passed, at this moment, Liu Ming''an felt as if Jiang Ning was truly standing before him, bathed in the glow of the setting sun. The orange light fell upon her, making even each strand of her hair clearly visible.


    Jiang Ning!


    With each stroke of his brush, this name echoed in his heart. Finally, he set down his brush and stared nkly at his painting, his mind filled with nothing but this name.


    Early the next morning, Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun came together to wake Liu Ming''an for breakfast, but there was no response despite knocking on the door for a long time.


    "What''s going on with little brother Liu? Is he sleeping too deeply?" Zhou Yi asked Zhang Shun beside him.


    "Perhaps. Some people do sleep more heavily after drinking," Zhang Shun replied.


    Zhou Yi hesitated, "What should we do? Should we keep calling him?"


    As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Shun had already pushed the door open, smiling, "We can''t let our little brother go back hungry, can we? That would make us terrible elder brothers."


    The two walked into the room but were so surprised by what they saw that they looked at each other speechlessly.


    Liu Ming''an, who should have been sleeping in bed, was sound asleep at the table. On the table were several sheets of paper, along with brush, ink, and inkstone, and a burnt-out candle beside them.


    The two approached quietly. Zhou Yi picked up a sheet of paper and saw several paragraphs from "The Book of Rites" written neatly on it. He immediately felt remorseful.


    "It''s all my fault. I shouldn''t have given him the paper yesterday. Little brother Liu must have wanted to finish the writing overnight and ended up falling asleep at the table because he was too tired," Zhou Yi said softly, his eyes filled with apology as he looked at Liu Ming''an.


    Zhang Shun, with his sharp eyes, noticed a corner of a sheet of paper peeking out from the bottom. He picked it up, took one look, and smiled meaningfully, "No, it''s not your fault."


    Zhou Yi leaned over to look. Instead of writing, there was a portrait of a beautiful young woman on the paper. The woman in the drawing was leaning against a wooden door, quietly gazing ahead, her face expressionless, exuding a sense of detachment and indifference.


    "My goodness! Is this..." Zhou Yi eximed, forgetting to control his volume in his surprise.


    The sleeping Liu Ming''an was awakened by this outburst. Opening his eyes, he found his two elder brothers standing beside him.


    Zhang Shun smiled and asked, "Little brother Liu, you''re awake? You didn''t answer when we knocked, so we were worried you might be hungry and took the liberty ofing in. Please don''t be offended."


    Liu Ming''an got up and stretched his stiff limbs while replying, "It''s fine. At home, I usually wake up to the sound of roosters crowing. It''s too quiet here, so I overslept. I''m sorry to have troubled you both toe wake me."


    "Why did you sleep here, little brother Liu?" Zhou Yi asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.


    Liu Ming''an recalled the events of the previous night and answered, "I wasn''t used to the sudden change in environment, so I thought I''d get up and write a few characters. I didn''t expect to fall asleep. How embarrassing."


    "''The water is the horizontal wave of her eyes, the mountains are the gathering of her brow peaks,''" Zhou Yi picked up a sheet of paper and read aloud, word by word. Seeing Liu Ming''an''s stunned expression, he burst intoughter, "Little brother Liu, you were clearly unable to sleep due to thoughts of your beloved, haha..."


    Zhang Shun ced the portrait on the table and asked confidently, "This youngdy must be your sister, right? Every eyebrow and eye is exquisite, every brush stroke filled with longing. Hmm, a very good match!"


    As Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun bantered back and forth, Liu Ming''an''s face reddened slightly. He hurriedly tried to exin, "Brother Zhou, Brother Zhang, it''s not like that. I was just drawing casually. I''ve always seen Jiang Ning as a sister, really. Please believe me!"


    Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun could see that Liu Ming''an was genuinely flustered. They exchanged a nce, both understanding that he hadn''t yet recognized his own feelings.


    Zhang Shun cleared his throat lightly, suppressing the smile on his face, and said half-jokingly, half-seriously, "Oh, so we misunderstood."


    "Yes, yes, I only see her as a sister. I don''t have any other thoughts," Liu Ming''an said urgently.


    Zhou Yi shook his head, looking at Liu Ming''an with an expression that seemed to say "this fool is beyond help." "Let''s not talk about this now. Let''s go have breakfast together."


    As he spoke, Zhou Yi picked up the other three sheets of paper from the table, then pointed at the remaining portrait and poem, saying quietly, "These aren''t suitable for my young cousin to practice with. Little brother Liu, you''d better keep them yourself."


    Liu Ming''an nodded, his ears reddening again. Under the gaze of the other two, he folded the xuan paper and ced it in his chest pocket.

 Chapter 56

    After breakfast, Zhou Yi arranged for a carriage to take Liu Ming''an home. The three parted ways at the entrance of Hong''s residence.


    "I had hoped you could stay a few more days, at least until after my uncle''s birthday celebration. But I know you must be eager to return home," Zhou Yi said meaningfully, then chuckled and continued, "Brother Liu, I won''t keep you any longer. Let''s meet again on the fifth day of next month, at our usual spot by the bridge."


    Zhang Shun thought for a moment and said, "The results of the local schr examination will be announced in four days. Liu, you''re sure to pass, so the next time we meet, you''ll be Schr Liu."


    "Brother Zhang, stop teasing me," Liu Ming''an said with an embarrassed smile. He then bowed to the two of them and said, "I''ll be off now. Farewell."


    After watching Liu Ming''an''s carriage leave, Zhou Yi opened his folding fan with a flourish and walked back with a broad smile on his face.


    "Zhang Shun, this younger brother of ours is truly talented and interesting. He''s absolutely adorable!" Zhou Yi eximed.


    Zhang Shun nodded in agreement, "It''s rare to find such a delightful person in a small ce like Lingshan Town!"


    "Don''t worry, Lingshan Town won''t be able to keep him. You can tell he has an air of nobility about him," Zhou Yi said with an air of certainty.


    "Since when did you be a fortune-teller? Air of nobility? You''re talking nonsense..."


    The two continued their discussion as they returned to the courtyard.


    Meanwhile, the subject of their conversation, Liu Ming''an, sat motionless in the carriage, lost in thought as he gazed at the portrait he had drawn. He had spoken with such conviction to Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun about seeing Jiang Ning as a sister, but he clearly remembered the emotions that had stirred within him as he drew this picture the night before.


    Liu Ming''an might be able to deceive others, but he couldn''t fool his own heart. He had indeed developed some improper feelings for Jiang Ning. He hadn''t noticed anything during their daily interactions, but the brief separation yesterday had made him realize his true feelings when longing filled his heart.


    "I... like... Jiang Ning!"


    Liu Ming''an whispered each word, his voice barely audible, but his heartbeat was deafening.


    Once he acknowledged this fact, joy and sorrow flooded his heart simultaneously.


    The "Jiang Ning" on paper gazed back at him silently. Liu Ming''an instinctively reached out, wanting to touch the face in the drawing, but withdrew his hand just before making contact.


    From lovees anxiety, from lovees fear.


    Liu Ming''an sighed, pressing the drawing against his beating heart.


    "Young master, we''ve arrived at Lotus Flower Vige. Which way to your house?" the carriage driver suddenly called out.


    Liu Ming''an snapped out of his tumultuous thoughts and lifted the curtain to look outside. They had indeed arrived at Lotus Flower Vige; he hadn''t expected the journey to be so quick.


    "Thank you for your trouble. You can stop here," Liu Ming''an politely told the driver.


    "Here? But Young Master Zhou instructed me to take you to your doorstep," the driver, an honest fellow, said with some confusion as he scratched his head.


    "It''s alright, here is fine. It''s just a few steps away," Liu Ming''an said gently to the driver.


    "Alright then!" The driver stopped the carriage, waited for Liu Ming''an to get off, and then said, "Take care, young master," before turning the carriage around and heading back to town.


    It was just past nine in the morning, and most vigers had already finished breakfast and gone to work in the fields. Liu Ming''an didn''t encounter many people on his way home. But the closer he got to his house, the slower he walked, and the faster his heart beat, like a long-absent traveler hesitant to return home.


    Finally standing at his doorstep, Liu Ming''an paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and felt his heartbeat slow down a bit.


    Just as he raised his hand to push open the door, it suddenly swung open from the inside, and Jiang Ning''s face appeared before him, causing Liu Ming''an''s breath to catch in his throat.


    "You''re back, why are you just standing out here?"


    Jiang Ning''s cool, clear voice rang in his ears, and Liu Ming''an''s heart suddenly began to race. He quickly covered up his reaction, saying, "I was afraid you might still be asleep and didn''t want to disturb you."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Liu Ming''an with a hint of confusion.


    Liu Ming''an nervously averted his gaze, not daring to meet Jiang Ning''s eyes. He sidled into the house and sat down at the table to calm his nerves.


    Jiang Ning vaguely sensed that Liu Ming''an was acting strangely, but couldn''t quite put her finger on it. Moreover, she had been up all night and wasn''t thinking clearly, so she didn''t dwell on it.


    Jiang Ning followed him inside and picked up her copy of "Ten Great Cases of Liang Kingdom" to continue reading. Now that Liu Ming''an was back, she could finally focus on her book.


    Liu Ming''an secretly observed Jiang Ning''s actions. Seeing her engrossed in her book, he breathed a sigh of relief and discreetly got up to tten out the portrait and poem he had drawn, cing them at the very bottom of a chest.


    But this careful movement didn''t escape Jiang Ning''s notice.


    Seeing Liu Ming''an being so secretive around her, Jiang Ning couldn''t help but feel a bit of a headacheing on.


    Liu Ming''an had a secret, and he wasn''t telling her.


    As this thought urred to Jiang Ning, she suddenly felt a pang of sadness, as if realizing that "the child has grown up and no longer needs his mother."


    Believing he had sessfully hidden his treasures without anyone noticing, Liu Ming''an feltpletely at ease. He took out his books, paper, and writing brush, and began studying as he usually did.


    A little whileter, the meat they had bought at yesterday''s market fair was delivered to their home. Liu Ming''an went out to carry it in and was spotted by some vigers who addressed him with a mix of envy and mockery: "Liu Ming''an, howe your family eats meat every day? You''re living like a young master now. Why are you still staying in Lotus Flower Vige? Why don''t you move to town?"


    Liu Ming''an simply smiled without responding, but Jiang Ning, who overheard this from inside, became lost in thought.


    As time passed and it grewte in the morning, Jiang Ning put down her book and headed to the kitchen to prepare lunch.


    "Oh, and if you''re not busy, go feed the rabbits," Jiang Ning suddenly turned back and said to Liu Ming''an.


    "Rabbits?" Liu Ming''an asked in surprise. He got up and looked towards the door of the storage room, where indeed there was a cage with tworge gray rabbits, their fluffy ears perked up as they nibbled on a vegetable stalk.


    "Jiang Ning, did you go up the mountain again?" Liu Ming''an rushed into the kitchen and asked anxiously.


    Jiang Ning, holding a chicken in her hands, merely responded with a "Yes."


    "Jiang Ning, didn''t I tell youst time not to go up the mountain? No one has been there for a long time, there might be wild beasts. It''s dangerous for a girl to go up there alone..."


    As Jiang Ning listened to these words, she looked up and clearly saw the concern in Liu Ming''an''s eyes. She remembered what Old Aunt San had told her, and though she had initially wanted to tell Liu Ming''an to shut up and stop nagging, she held her tongue.


    Forget it, Jiang Ning told herself silently. The money from selling rabbits wasn''t worth as much as cing a few bets anyway.


    "I promise I won''t go again, alright?" she said after a moment.


    For a moment, Liu Ming''an couldn''t believe his ears.


    Jiang Ning had actuallypromised?


    Liu Ming''an stood there, dumbfounded, until Jiang Ning asked again, "I''ve already promised you. Is there anything else you want to say?"


    For some reason, Liu Ming''an thought he detected a hint of coquettishness and submission in her tone. His face and neck instantly turned red, and his heart started pounding wildly again. Unable to respond, he turned and fled from the kitchen.


    Jiang Ning watched the direction Liu Ming''an had gone, furrowing her brow. The phrase "fleeing in panic" inexplicably came to her mind.

 Chapter 57

    Over the next two or three days, Jiang Ning noticed that Liu Ming''an''s behavior seemed somewhat strange.


    The most obvious change was that Liu Ming''an would often unconsciously stare at her, usually when she was reading. He thought she hadn''t noticed, so he would gaze at her face in what he believed was a discreet manner.


    But Jiang Ning, being as perceptive as she was, always knew the moment Liu Ming''an looked her way. At first, she thought he had something to say to her, so she would look back, but the instant she raised her eyes, Liu Ming''an would quickly lower his head to his book, pretending nothing had happened.


    In the past, many people had stared at Jiang Ning. When she was still "N," carrying out assassination missions, she inevitably had to fabricate various identities and mingle in different social settings. Some men would look at her as if appraising an object, their eyes filled with lecherous desire, their faces showing undisguised covetousness. Jiang Ning would always blind their eyes with her knife before taking their lives.


    But Liu Ming''an was different. When he looked at Jiang Ning, his gaze held the rity and purity of youth, along with some emotions she couldn''t quite understand. Soter, Jiang Ning decided to ignore it and let him look all he wanted.


    If Liu Ming''an had only enjoyed looking at her, Jiang Ning wouldn''t have thought much of it. But his strange behavior didn''t stop there. Sometimes, while they were talking normally, Liu Ming''an would suddenly blush, turn his head away, and avoid looking at her.


    At night, when it was time to sleep, Liu Ming''an behaved as if it were the first time they had shared a bed. He would lie far away from her, his entire body stiff as a statue, even deliberately controlling his breathing, the very picture of caution.


    Jiang Ning pondered the reasons for Liu Ming''an''s change, and after much thought, she guessed it must have been something that happened during his solo trip to Lingshan Town. But what exactly had urred, Jiang Ning wasn''t omniscient enough to know.


    Until one evening, after dinner, Liu Ming''an was studying bymplight, and Jiang Ning was reading under themp. In the dim yellow light, they each focused on their own tasks, not disturbing one another.


    A wind arose outside, blowing into the room. The weak candlelight flickered gently. Jiang Ning, feeling her eyes strain after reading for a while, got up and walked to the window to close it.


    From the moment Jiang Ning stood up, she knew Liu Ming''an''s gaze had been fixed on her, not moving for even a moment. After closing the window and turning back, she found Liu Ming''an still looking at her. Their eyes met unexpectedly.


    Jiang Ning had no reaction, but Liu Ming''an, as if caught red-handed, suddenly turned his head to the other side, avoiding her gaze.


    Such a strong reaction? Jiang Ning thought as she returned to the table, resting her chin on her hand and staring steadily at Liu Ming''an.


    "Liu Ming''an, what''s so interesting about the wall?" Seeing that Liu Ming''an still hadn''t turned his head, Jiang Ning asked.


    Hearing this, Liu Ming''an quickly lowered his head, staring at the open book on the table, and made an excuse: "Nothing, I just got a stiff neck from reading too long and wanted to stretch a bit."


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes. Previously, she wouldn''t have had such a strong urge to investigate, and no matter how absurd Liu Ming''an''s excuses were, she wouldn''t have bothered. But for some reason, now she wanted to get to the bottom of it.


    Liu Ming''an was pretending to read, trying to calm his emotions as before. Unable to control his feelings, he always found himself wanting to look at Jiang Ning, to pay attention to her every move. But he was afraid she would notice, afraid she would be disgusted, so he could only carefully guard his secret feelings, truly embodying the phrase "entering the door of lovesickness, knowing the pain of longing."


    "Liu Ming''an."


    Jiang Ning''s voice suddenly sounded in his ear, and Liu Ming''an''s heart tightened. The next moment, a cool hand gripped his chin, forcing him to raise his head and meet Jiang Ning''s eyes.


    "What''s wrong with you? You''ve been acting strange these past few days," Liu Ming''an heard Jiang Ning ask.


    Jiang Ning was standing right next to Liu Ming''an, one sitting and one standing, one slightly bending down and the other forced to look up. They were very close, and Liu Ming''an felt he could hear his own wildly beating heart.


    Liu Ming''an lowered his eyes, not looking at her, and replied, "It''s nothing, you''re imagining things."


    "Then why do you keep looking at me?" Jiang Ning asked again.


    Liu Ming''an suddenly felt his face burning up, but still stubbornly denied it: "I''m not, don''t overthink it."


    "Hah!" Liu Ming''an heard a coldugh, followed by Jiang Ning saying in amanding tone: "Liu Ming''an, look at me."


    Liu Ming''an raised his eyes in panic and saw Jiang Ning leaning towards him. In the blink of an eye, they were only inches apart, their breaths intertwining.


    The night was dim, and Jiang Ning didn''t want to miss even the slightest expression on Liu Ming''an''s face. She hadn''t realized that this action had left Liu Ming''an barely able to breathe.


    "What exactly happened the day you went to Lingshan Town? Did you encounter some difficulty? Tell me, and perhaps I can help you," Jiang Ning said, changing her stern attitude to a gentler tone that could almost be called tender.


    Liu Ming''an stared nkly at Jiang Ning, his heart a mixture of emotions he couldn''t begin to express. The struggle in his eyes was clear for Jiang Ning to see.


    But in the end, Liu Ming''an only answered, "Jiang Ning, I''m fine."


    "Liu Ming''an, you''re lying," Jiang Ning said with certainty.


    Liu Ming''an closed his eyes briefly, then took hold of Jiang Ning''s hand that was gripping his chin, and said earnestly, "Jiang Ning, thank you."


    Thank you foring into my life.


    Thank you for caring about me.


    Jiang Ning looked at Liu Ming''an in surprise, noticing his eyes were full of emotions she couldn''t understand. Her hand was held tightly by him, and Liu Ming''an''s warm body temperature transmitted through the back of her hand. Suddenly, Jiang Ning no longer wanted to pressure him.


    "Forget it," Jiang Ning said softly, withdrawing her hand and sitting down on the other side of the table, continuing to read the book she had before.


    Liu Ming''an''s gaze followed Jiang Ning as she sat back down to continue reading. He tugged at the corners of his mouth, his smile tinged with bitterness.


    When the night grew deep and quiet, Jiang Ning, who had been lying still, opened her eyes in the darkness.


    Liu Ming''an was already asleep beside her, hugging her arm. Jiang Ning very gently pulled out her arm and got out of bed.


    The room was pitch ck, impossible to see anything. Jiang Ning felt her way to the box by the wall.


    "Click!"


    A soft sound echoed in the silent room. Jiang Ning tried to open her eyes wide to see what was in the box, but it was too dark. All her efforts were in vain. She could only reach in and feel around blindly, remembering that the piece of paper Liu Ming''an had secretly put in there should be at the bottom.


    Found it!


    Jiang Ning felt the thin piece of paper at the very bottom of the box and gently pulled it out. Then, with a thought, she appeared in the bamboo house within her spatial dimension, where it was always bright.


    Eager to see what was written, Jiang Ning unfolded the paper, only to find a single line of poetry: "Water is the ripple of her eyes, mountains are the gathering of her brows."


    It was unmistakably Liu Ming''an''s handwriting.


    Jiang Ning knew the meaning of this poem. It was nothing more than a description of a woman''s eyebrows like distant mountains and eyes like autumn waves. But why had Liu Ming''an written this?


    Had he fallen in love with some girl?


    Memories of Liu Ming''an''s words and actions over the past few days shed through her mind, and Jiang Ning suddenly had a certain suspicion. Her usually calm heart began to beat uncontrobly.


    Jiang Ning slowly exhaled, clinging to a shred of hope as she pulled out the paper underneath.


    On the snow-white rice paper, "Jiang Ning" leaned against the door, looking at Jiang Ning, shattering herst illusion.


    Liu Ming''an was in love with her!


    No wonder.


    Everything made sense now.


    Jiang Ning stood there holding the two pieces of paper, feeling at a loss for the first time in her life.


    When Jiang Ning emerged from her spatial dimension, returned the two pieces of paper to their original ce, andy back down on the bed, the oblivious Liu Ming''an moved closer in his sleep, hugging her arm as he slept sweetly.


    "Why would you fall in love with me?" Jiang Ning turned her head to look at Liu Ming''an''s sleeping profile, her voice barely audible.


    After a long while, Jiang Ning''s low voice sounded again in the darkness, sounding like a resigned sigh.


    "You shouldn''t have developed these feelings for me."

 Chapter 58

    The next day, the rooster''s crow punctually arrived, waking Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an from their slumber.


    Today was thest day of the month, when the results of the lower degree candidate examination would be announced.


    "Zhao Instructor and the others should being in the afternoon," Liu Ming''an said to Jiang Ning after breakfast.


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning only responded with a brief "Oh," without saying anything more.


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback, feeling that Jiang Ning''s cold and distant demeanor had intensified significantly, as if they had returned to the first few days of their acquaintance.


    For the rest of the morning, Jiang Ning remained notably silent, responding with minimal words even when Liu Ming''an tried to engage her in conversation.


    An invisible, thick barrier had formed between the two, and as Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning, trying to guess the reason for this change, a hint of hurt appeared in his eyes.


    Jiang Ning knew that her sudden coldness had wounded Liu Ming''an, and she could only sigh inwardly.


    Liu Ming''an shouldn''t like her, she thought. He had no idea what kind of person she really was. Someone as kind and pure as him would surely be unable to ept her true self if he ever saw it.


    It''s better to cut ties cleanly than to prolong the inevitable pain, Jiang Ning had decidedst night. She wouldn''t respond to Liu Ming''an''s feelings, letting him end this infatuation on his own.


    Today, after getting the truth about her background from Zhao Instructor, she would leave.


    A young person''s affection is like the wind,ing quickly and leaving just as fast. Once she was gone and Liu Ming''an returned to his life without her, he would probably forget about her after a while, wouldn''t he?


    She would leave him over a hundred taels of silver, which should be more than enough to repay his kindness.


    As Jiang Ning thought about this, her heart sank a little, feeling a twinge of sadness.


    As expected, Zhao Instructor came in the afternoon, carrying arge brass gong. He walked to Liu Ming''an''s doorstep and struck it heavily three times.


    "Dong!" "Dong!" "Dong!"


    The deafening gong sound echoed throughout Lotus Flower Vige, drawing curious vigers of all ages who gathered inyers around Liu Ming''an''s courtyard.


    As soon as the crowd saw Zhao Qiang and considered the timing, they unanimously guessed the reason for the gong''s sound.


    "Liu Ming''an must have passed the examination and be a schr!" The crowd discussed excitedly.


    Liu Ming''an hade out to wait as soon as the first gong strike sounded, but Zhao Qiang ignored him, insisting onpleting all three strikes. Only when a crowd had gathered did he announce loudly: "The results of the lower degree candidate examination are out! Liu Ming''an has passed and be a schr! He can participate in the Provincial Examination at the county office on the sixteenth of next month!"


    "Excellent!" A burst of cheers and apuse erupted from the crowd. This was only the second schr to emerge from Lotus Flower Vige in nearly twenty years since Liu Ming''an''s father had passed away.


    Liu Ming''an was well-liked for his good nature and politeness, and most vigers were genuinely happy for him. Especially Third Great Aunt, who stood at the front of the crowd, feeling both excited and proud, as if her own grandson had achieved sess.


    On the outskirts of the crowd, He Yiyi smiled at Liu Ming''an upon hearing the news, but her eyes quickly clouded with sadness and bitterness as she remembered something. After a moment, she quietly turned and went home without a word.


    The vigers crowded around Liu Ming''an, offering congrattions and mentioning his father, muttering phrases like "like father, like son." Liu Ming''an, experiencing such a bustling scene for the first time, patiently dealt with everyone. It took about half an hour before the vigers dispersed one by one, finally giving him some peace.


    ording to custom, someone like Zhao Qiang who came to deliver good news shouldn''t leave empty-handed. Usually, they would be given twenty copper coins, equivalent to the price of a bowl of wine, aspensation for their trouble. Of course, wealthier families might give more, as generosity was always appreciated in such matters.


    Thus, after the crowd had dispersed, Liu Ming''an invited Zhao Qiang into the house.


    Liu Ming''an wanted to use this opportunity to inquire about Jiang Ning''s background, while Zhao Qiang had his own hidden agenda. On the surface, they maintained theirposure, one respectful and the other courteous, ying out the dance of social etiquette.


    Jiang Ning had been sitting inside the whole time. When she saw Liu Ming''an bringing Zhao Qiang in, she put down the book she was reading, gave them a cool nce, and then nonchntly returned to her reading.


    Zhao Qiang looked at the neatly dressed Jiang Ning sitting properly, finding it hard to believe that she was the same woman who had been barely surviving in a cage. But remembering the purpose of his visit, Zhao Qiang pretended not to notice, only ncing at Jiang Ning before averting his gaze.


    "Zhao Instructor, thank you for taking the trouble toe," Liu Ming''an said politely with a smile, handing thirty copper coins to Zhao Qiang.


    Zhao Qiang took the coins and quickly tucked them into his robe, responding, "It''s my duty. Thank you, Schr Liu!" His eyes, however, darted around, clearly pondering something.


    Just as Liu Ming''an was about to speak, Zhao Qiang quickly interjected, "Schr Liu, I''m a bit thirsty. Could I trouble you for a cup of water?"


    "Of course, just a moment. I''ll fetch it for you," Liu Ming''an replied.


    As Liu Ming''an was about to stand up, Zhao Qiang grabbed his arm. "The water vat is just outside, isn''t it? No need to trouble yourself, I''ll go get it myself."


    Without waiting for Liu Ming''an''s response, Zhao Qiang walked out of the room and approached the water vat outside the kitchen. He cautiously looked around, then took out a yellow paper packet from his robe. Opening it, he poured all of the white powder inside into the water vat.


    "Zhao Instructor."


    Worried that Zhao Qiang might drink the water and leave immediately, Liu Ming''an hurriedly followed him out with some silver. Seeing Zhao Qiang standing by the water vat, he called out.


    Unexpectedly, Zhao Qiang, guilty of his actions, was so startled by the call that his heart nearly leapt out of his throat. He quickly turned around, crumpling the paper into a tight ball in his fist. Only when he saw that Liu Ming''an''s expression was normal did he rx.


    "Sch-Schr Liu, if there''s nothing else, I''ll be going now, haha. It''s gettingte, and I need to return to the yamen, haha..." Zhao Qiangughed nervously, trying to appear calm as he made to leave the courtyard.


    Liu Ming''an hadn''t yet asked what he wanted to know. How could he let Zhao Qiang leave?


    So, as soon as Zhao Qiang took a step, Liu Ming''an blocked his way.


    Liu Ming''an spoke up, "Zhao Instructor, there''s something I''d like to ask you about."


    Zhao Qiang asked suspiciously, "What is it?"


    Liu Ming''an pointed towards the house and said, "I want to know where you got her from to sell. Do you know who she originally was, her identity, and why she was abused and sold?"


    Zhao Qiang''s suspicious gaze swept over Liu Ming''an, who maintained a gentle smile, revealing nothing of his thoughts.


    "Why are you asking this? Want to return her? No way!" Zhao Qiang replied impatiently, his mind preupied. He turned to leave again but was once more blocked by Liu Ming''an.


    "Schr Liu, don''t waste my time¡ª" Zhao Qiang''s words were cut short as a silver ingot appeared before his eyes, seemingly weighing a full tael. This sight made him swallow the rest of his sentence.


    Zhao Qiang hesitated only for a moment before snatching the silver from Liu Ming''an''s palm. He bit it, leaving clear teeth marks.


    "I got her from Blind Yang. By the time she reached me, she was in the state you saw when you bought her. I don''t know who she was originally. Blind Yang owed me money, so he gave her to me as coteral," Zhao Qiang said quickly in a lowered voice.


    Liu Ming''an quickly processed this information and then asked, "Who is Blind Yang?"


    "Blind Yang is in his fifties, a businessman in Qushui City who dabbles in everything. He was born with one eye that''s all white and can''t see, so he got the nickname ''Blind Yang.'' I don''t know his real name. He''s quite well-known in Qushui City. If you want to find him, just ask around in Qushui City and you''ll get information."


    Zhao Qiang spilled everything he knew, figuring that sharing this information wouldn''t cause any harm.


    Liu Ming''an nodded and sincerely thanked him, "Thank you very much, Zhao Instructor!"


    Zhao Qiang waved his hand nervously, said nothing more, and quickly left Liu Ming''an''s house.

 Chapter 59

    Zhao Qiang did not return to the government office as he had said. After leaving Liu Ming''an''s house, he went straight to a home in Lotus Flower Vige.


    "Chief Zhao, you''re here. Have a seat," said a burly man with a tiger-like build. If Jiang Ning were present, she would surely recognize him as Huzi, the bouncer from Gold Jade Hall.


    What Jiang Ning didn''t know was that this Huzi was actually from Lotus Flower Vige. His full name was He Zhenhu, the son of Aunt Li Er and husband of Li Xiangyun.


    That morning, when Aunt Li Er and Li Xiangyun saw He Zhenhu, who had been away from home for a long time, they were initially surprised and delighted. However, He Zhenhu barely acknowledged them, only shouting, "We''re having a guest this afternoon. Keep quiet and remember not to mention this to anyone else."


    Aunt Li Er felt uneasy upon hearing this. She knew her son worked at a gambling house and frequently visited brothels and taverns. She worried that the friend he mentioned might be some unsavory character, though He Zhenhu himself was no saint.


    Li Xiangyun had been having a tough timetely. Ever since she had provoked Liu Ming''an and woken up in the ce where He Wen had died, Li Xiangyun was convinced she had encountered a ghost. She was afraid to leave the house and spent her days in constant fear.


    Perhaps due to her obsessive thoughts, Li Xiangyun had actually dreamed of He Wen several times. Upon waking, she always felt as if she were possessed, breaking down in uncontroble sobs. At first, Aunt Li Er patiently tried tofort her, but as it happened more frequently, she grew irritated, saying Li Xiangyun was "just a nuisance who did nothing all day" and "an eyesore."


    Li Xiangyun lived in a daze, unsure of what to look forward to in life. When He Zhenhu suddenly returned home today, a glimmer of hope sparked in her heart. Unfortunately, her husband hadn''t even spared her a nce since he arrived, and even when she tried to initiate conversation, He Zhenhu remained indifferent.


    With this, Li Xiangyun''sst hope died.


    Zhao Qiang arrived at He Zhenhu''s house carrying a bronze gong, carefully avoiding people along the way as they had arranged.


    Upon entering, Zhao Qiang looked at He Zhenhu, then at the two women in his household. He nodded slightly as a greeting before sitting down on a stool by the door.


    "Chief Zhao, would you like some water? Something to eat?" He Zhenhu asked solicitously, remembering the instructions from Old Six Hu and Houzi.


    Zhao Qiang waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Don''t mind me. Go about your business." He then closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, motionless.


    He Zhenhu responded with a "Very well" and turned to go lie down on the bed to rest. As he reached the doorway, Aunt Li Er approached him, constantly ncing at Zhao Qiang while speaking in a hushed voice, "Huzi, how do you know Chief Zhao? What is he doing in our home?"


    He Zhenhu looked back at Zhao Qiang, who still had his eyes closed, and replied in an equally low voice, "Mother, don''t worry about it. Just let him sit there. It''s something that will benefit us."


    The room was too small for their whispers to go unnoticed. Though Zhao Qiang couldn''t make out exactly what they were saying, he knew they were talking about him.


    Zhao Qiang reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled paper that had contained medicine powder. He stared at it intently for a while before a bitter smile crossed his face.


    Although Zhao Qiang had lived half his life recklessly, at worst he had only engaged in petty theft as a child,mitted minor misdeeds, gambled, and drank as a wastrel. How had he ended up in this situation today?


    "It''s my own fault for being too greedy!" Zhao Qiang told himself.


    Zhao Qiang let out a long sigh and closed his eyes again, his mind involuntarily drifting back to that day.


    He owed Gold Jade Hall six thousand six hundred and fifty taels of silver, a sum he had never even dared to imagine before. There was no way he coulde up with that money, nor could he ever pay it back. He felt so desperate he wanted to cry.


    Fortunately, he had a good friend ¨C Houzi.


    Houzi was a loyal person. He told Zhao Qiang that Old Six was kind-hearted and suggested that he beg for mercy, saying there might be a chance to turn things around.


    When Zhao Qiang heard this, it was like seeing a ray of light in a dark dungeon. How could he refuse?


    He followed Houzi upstairs, where he was led to a room. Inside sat an elderly man with graying hair and a serious expression, appearing to be in his sixties and exuding an unapproachable aura.


    Zhao Qiang knew this must be the legendary "Old Six Hu," the owner of the dominant Gold Jade Hall, who had ruled the gambling world for years, unrivaled and legendary in the eyes of gamblers.


    Normally, Zhao Qiang would have been thrilled and excited to meet such a figure, but now he felt only trepidation.


    "Old Six, I have a friend here..." Houzi said to Old Six Hu with a fawning smile and utmost respect.


    Old Six Hu grunted in acknowledgment without looking up, continuing what he was doing.


    Seeing Old Six Hu''s demeanor, Zhao Qiang thought there was no hope. He became extremely anxious, his face turning pale. He looked to Houzi for help, but Houzi just smiled reassuringly and mouthed one word: "Wait!"


    Zhao Qiang managed to calm down a bit and continued to watch Old Six Hu nervously.


    Old Six Hu was holding tworge bowls filled with a colorful array of densely packed dice, seemingly forty or fifty in total. He then inverted one bowl over the other and began to shake them slowly.


    Zhao Qiang watched in awe, wondering what could possiblye of shaking so many dice.


    The three men in the room remained silent, with only the sound of dice ttering against each other like a sudden rainstorm.


    After a moment, Old Six Hu steadily set down the bowls and exhaled. He then removed the top bowl.


    Houzi and Zhao Qiang instinctively craned their necks to look inside.


    In the ck bowl, dozens of dice were arranged in neat circles. Except for the outer two rings where the numbers varied, all the dice in the center showed sixes.


    Zhao Qiang marveled silently, finally witnessing Old Six''s skill. He knew he couldn''t achieve such gambling prowess even if he practiced for a hundred years.


    Unexpectedly, Old Six Hu stared at the pile of dice with a grave expression. After a long while, he sighed and muttered to himself, "Fifty dice, and I can''t even roll three hundred points. How did she manage to roll three hundred and ny?"


    His words carried a sense of resignation mixed with lingering disbelief.


    Zhao Qiang didn''t understand what Old Six Hu was talking about, but Houzi''s eyes shed with understanding. The reason was simple: Houzi had witnessed this scene too many times in the past few days, and he was starting to wonder if his uncle was obsessed.


    Old Six Hu listlessly pushed the bowl aside and finally looked up, scrutinizing Zhao Qiang from head to toe.


    Zhao Qiang forced a smile on his face, meeting Old Six Hu''s gaze with a nod. After a moment, he heard Old Six Hu speak to Houzi, "Tell me, what''s the situation?"


    Zhao Qiang''s heart immediately leaped into his throat, like a criminal awaiting sentencing.

 Chapter 60

    When Houzi heard Old Six Hu''s question, he immediately told him about Zhao Qiang owing the gambling house over six thousand taels of silver. After exining, he sincerely pleaded on Zhao''s behalf, moving Zhao Qiang who was watching from the side.


    After listening, Old Six Hu frowned and shook his head, refusing: "It''s too much. If it were just a few taels or dozens, that would be fine. But six thousand taels is no small sum. Captain Zhao should face the consequences as he should."


    These words struck Zhao Qiang like lightning. His face instantly turned pale, devoid of any color. His knees buckled and he fell to the ground, kneeling before Old Six Hu.


    "Si-Six Lord, please have mercy. I can''t pay it back. Not in this life, the next, or even the one after that..." Zhao Qiang was on the verge of tears, begging Old Six Hu humbly.


    Old Six Hu remained unmoved. He nced at Zhao Qiang and said softly: "ording to thews of the Great Liang Dynasty, those who fail to repay debts are punished based on the amount owed. For someone like you, Captain Zhao, who owes over six thousand taels, it''s considered a massive debt. Do you know how the officials would sentence you?"


    Houzi chimed in at the right moment: "ording to our dynasty''sws, it would be 80 strokes of the cane, three years in prison, and then exile to serve in the military."


    As Houzi spoke, he secretly observed Zhao Qiang''s expression. When he saw Zhao''s face change from struggle to despair and finally to utter bleakness, a triumphant smile shed in his eyes.


    Although Zhao Qiang wasn''t a constable, he worked at the yamen and was more familiar with thew than ordinary people. He had known everything Houzi said, but hearing it from someone else was different. When others said it, it carried a sense of judgment.


    Old Six Hu got up from his low couch, walked over to Zhao Qiang, bent down to help him up, and patted his shoulder, saying: "Captain Zhao, I hear your uncle-inw is a clerk at the yamen. Perhaps he could find a way to reduce your punishment. Don''t worry too much."


    Hearing this, Zhao Qiang''s legs gave way and he fell to his knees again.


    It was precisely because his uncle-inw was a clerk with an official rank that he felt the world was crumbling around him when he got into trouble.


    A mere eighth-rank clerk, with the County Magistrate above him, was already walking on thin ice. What could he possibly do to help? If he tried to intervene, he might lose his official hat because of Zhao Qiang.


    "Six Lord, please don''t tell my uncle-inw. I beg you, save me. I''ll kowtow to you. I''ll never gamble again, never again..."


    As he spoke, Zhao Qiang bowed down, his forehead touching the ground, and gave Old Six Hu several resounding kowtows.


    Old Six Hu quickly squatted down to stop Zhao Qiang from continuing, while saying meaningfully: "Captain Zhao, I run a gambling house, not a charity. The gambling house has its rules. You win money when you''re lucky, you lose money when you''re not. If everyone were like you, wouldn''t I be penniless and sleeping on the streets by now?"


    Zhao Qiang''s face was deathly pale, his eyes bloodshot. He stared nkly at Old Six Hu, the light in his eyes gradually fading.


    Houzi, seeing that Zhao was sufficiently frightened, decided it was time for the next act. He spoke up: "Six Lord, please be merciful. Captain Zhao is a man who remembers kindness and will repay it. If you let him off this time, he will surely repay you in the future."


    Old Six Hu pondered silently, not answering.


    Seeing this, Houzi, looking anxious, also fell to his knees with a thud: "Six Lord, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Even if you drive Captain Zhao to his death, he still won''t be able to produce six thousand taels of silver. It''s better to leave some leeway, which is good for everyone."


    Zhao Qiang looked at Houzi with tears in his eyes, feeling at that moment that Houzi was his savior. He felt incredibly fortunate to have such a good brother as a friend.


    Old Six Hu stroked his chin, pretending to think deeply. He paced back and forth, and though it was only about half a cup of tea''s time, to Zhao Qiang it felt like years.


    "What you say makes sense," Old Six Hu finally said slowly. "Even if we send Captain Zhao to the officials, it''s still our Gold Jade Hall that loses out."


    Hearing a glimmer of hope in these words, Zhao Qiang''s eyes lit up. He immediately and eagerly dered: "Six Lord, if you let me off, I''ll serve you like an ox or a horse to repay you!"


    Old Six Hu hesitated, and after a long while, as if finally making up his mind, he let out a long sigh.


    Zhao Qiang heard him say: "Six thousand taels is really too much. You can''te up with it, and there''s no use in me pressuring you. So how about this: just give me one hundred taels as a token. We can''t let Gold Jade Hall do business at a loss, can we?"


    From six thousand taels to one hundred taels seemed like a world of difference. Zhao Qiang agreed without hesitation. It wasn''t until he had pressed his fingerprint on the IOU and walked out of Gold Jade Hall that he realized: one hundred taels was also an impossible sum for him. How could he possiblye up with one hundred taels?


    Zhao Qiang thought he had escaped death, but in reality, he was still in the abyss.


    Houzi had been sticking by his side the whole time. After leaving Gold Jade Hall, he cheerfully said to Zhao: "Six Lord is truly a good man. Captain Zhao, now you only need to gather one hundred taels of silver."


    Zhao Qiang looked at Houzi but couldn''t smile: "Brother Houzi, what if I told you I can''t evene up with one hundred taels of silver?"


    The smile on Houzi''s face froze, as if he had suddenly realized this possibility. He said with difficulty: "Captain Zhao, one hundred taels... surely you can scrape it together by borrowing from here and there?"


    But Zhao Qiang justughed bitterly: "Haha... Brother Houzi, although I have some reputation in Lingshan Town, it''s just that people recognize my face. Do you think I have that many friends I can borrow money from? And among the people I know, who can casually produce one hundred taels of silver? For me, there''s no difference between six thousand taels and one hundred taels."


    Houzi''s mouth twitched, a sh of mockery passing through his eyes. But in the next moment, he put on a look of sudden realization and pulled Zhao Qiang to a deserted corner of the street.


    Zhao Qiang watched as Houzi furtively looked around, peering in all directions, then lowered his voice and said mysteriously: "Captain Zhao, I know who has one hundred taels of silver. As long as you''re brave enough, this matter can be easily resolved."


    Recalling this, Zhao Qiang sat in He Zhenhu''s house, frowning painfully.


    He didn''t want to be a thief, but reality forced him topromise. He didn''t want to be beaten, didn''t want to go to jail, didn''t want his life to be ruined. So he chose to follow Houzi''s suggestion ande to Lotus Flower Vige to be a robber.


    As long as he got through this, Zhao Qiang thought to himself, he swore he would never set foot in a gambling house again for the rest of his life!


    Opening his palm, he looked at the yellow paper ball. The words of the pharmacy owner echoed in his ears: "This knockout drug of mine, just a small half can put down a bull! If used on a person, even a man of two or three hundred catties, I guarantee he''ll sleep for a day and a night!"


    The sky gradually darkened. Some families in the vige ate dinner early, and smoke from their kitchens had already started to rise.


    Zhao Qiang stretched his body, stiff from sitting for so long, and walked out of He Zhenhu''s house. Looking in a certain direction, he saw a wisp of smoke rising there as well.


    And that ce was none other than Liu Ming''an''s house.

 Chapter 61

    In the afternoon, after Liu Ming''an learned about Jiang Ning''s situation from Zhao Qiang, he immediately returned to the room and told Jiang Ning everything he had heard.


    "Qushui City... Blind Yang..." Jiang Ning softly repeated these words, lost in thought.


    Liu Ming''an was genuinely happy that things were progressing smoothly. He smiled at Jiang Ning and said, "I''ll be taking the provincial exam next month. The results should be out in about half a month, which means we have about a month''s time."


    "What do you mean, a month''s time?" Jiang Ning asked, puzzled.


    "In a month, when the provincial exam results are out, I should be able to pass and be a Juren. The metropolitan exam will be in early March next year. During this period, we can make a trip to Qushui City to investigate your background."


    Liu Ming''an spoke seriously about the n, clearly having thought it through beforehand. As he spoke, there was a faint smile in his eyes.


    Jiang Ning wanted to say "I''ll go by myself," wanted to say "You should live well on your own in the future," wanted to say "We''ll meet again someday." But looking into Liu Ming''an''s clear eyes, those hurtful words of farewell got stuck in her throat, and she couldn''t utter a single word.


    Forget it, Jiang Ning sighed inwardly. She''d leave him a note and slip away without saying goodbye, just like the first time she went up the mountain.


    Having made her decision secretly, Jiang Ning continued reading her book. Tomorrow, when she left, she nned to take only two taels of silver for emergencies, leaving the rest of the money for Liu Ming''an. After packing her clothes, she would set off for Lingshan Town and then find a way to get to Qushui City.


    These leisure books were bought to pass the time, and Jiang Ning wouldn''t take them with her to add to her burden. She''d leave them for Liu Ming''an to do with as he pleased.


    However, Jiang Ning couldn''t help but think that after she left, given Liu Ming''an''s cooking skills, he would likely revert to his former skinny self in no time, despite having put on some healthy weight from eating meat every day recently. The thought of him returning to that thin figure she first saw filled her with an indescribable feeling.


    After a while, Jiang Ning put down her book and went into the kitchen.


    They ate dinner as usual, and Liu Ming''an went to wash the dishes. When he came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands dry, he heard Jiang Ning say, "Liu Ming''an, can you teach me how to do my hair?"


    "Why do you suddenly want to learn how to do your hair?" Liu Ming''an asked, surprised.


    Because I''m leaving, so I need to learn how to do my own hair, Jiang Ning said to herself.


    "I just want to learn. Please teach me, just the simplest style will do," Jiang Ning said casually, reaching up to untie her hair ribbon. Her dark tresses cascaded down, falling over her shoulders.


    By now, the sun had set, with only thest crimson glow remaining on the horizon. The orange light shone through the window, enveloping Jiang Ning, making her appear as if she were immersed in a vibrant cloud, breathtakingly beautiful.


    Liu Ming''an stood rooted to the spot, gazing at this scene. Without realizing it, his heartbeat gradually intensified.


    "Liu Ming''an?" Jiang Ning called out, puzzled by his silence and stillness.


    Liu Ming''an snapped out of his brief trance, embarrassedly cleared his throat with a light cough, and turned his face away, not wanting Jiang Ning to notice anything.


    Liu Ming''an ced a mirror in front of Jiang Ning, then walked behind her. With one hand, he gathered all her hair, and with the other, he beganbing it from top to bottom.


    Liu Ming''anbed slowly, stroke by stroke. Neither of them spoke. At this moment, time seemed to turn into a gentle stream, flowing quietly past them. Liu Ming''an wished this peaceful, warm moment couldst forever.


    "Something simple, please. I won''t be able to learn anything tooplicated," Jiang Ning spoke again.


    Liu Ming''an looked at her cool, indifferent features reflected in the mirror, and the poem shed through his mind again: "Her eyes are like rippling water, her eyebrows like distant mountains."


    "Jiang Ning, actually, I could do your hair for you for a lifetime."


    As if bewitched, Liu Ming''an forgot his restraint and softly uttered these words, following his heart.


    As soon as the words left his mouth, their gazes met in the mirror.


    In the past, Liu Ming''an would have hurriedly averted his eyes, too flustered to look at Jiang Ning. Perhaps it was the brilliant glow of the evening that gave Liu Ming''an courage. This time, he didn''t look away. He smiled gently, his eyes full of tender, indescribable love.


    In the end, it was Jiang Ning who looked away first.


    The young man''s gaze was too intense, his emotions too pure. Jiang Ning felt she couldn''t bear it, and her hands resting on her knees unconsciously clenched into fists.


    "Liu Ming''an," Jiang Ning still didn''t look at him, struggling to speak, "You..."


    But before she could finish, there was a sudden "thud" as the person behind her copsed to the ground.


    "Liu Ming''an!"


    Jiang Ning was startled. She quickly crouched down and found that Liu Ming''an''s breathing was normal, his heart rate and pulse were fine, but he wouldn''t wake up no matter how much she shook him or called his name.


    Jiang Ning helped Liu Ming''an to the bed, carefully examined him again, and confirmed that there was nothing wrong with him; he had just fallen into a deep sleep.


    But for a healthy, strong young man to be looking at her lovingly one moment and then suddenly fall into a dead sleep the next ¨C this in itself was the biggest problem.


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, and a dagger suddenly appeared in her hand. Her entire body tensed like a fully drawn bow.


    Only drugs could make an awake person fall asleep so quickly!


    Who had drugged him? How had they administered the drug? Why had only Liu Ming''an been affected while she remained unharmed? Was it because of the space inside her?


    Jiang Ning closed her eyes, and everything that had happened during the day shed through her mind like a film reel.


    ...


    "Schr Liu, I''m a bit thirsty. Could I trouble you for a cup of water?"


    "The water vat is just outside. No need to trouble yourself, I''ll go get it myself."


    ...


    Jiang Ning''s eyes snapped open, a cold glint shing in them like an arrow.


    It must have been him!


    He was the only one who had entered the courtyard today and had direct ess to the water vat.


    Zhao Instructor, what was he nning to do?


    On the other side of Lotus Flower Vige, Zhao Qiang sat by He Zhenhu''s door, watching thest ray of sunset being swallowed by the mountains and wilderness, leaving the sky a pale gray.


    Zhao Qiang stood up, waited for about a quarter of an hour more, and then pushed open the door and left.


    After Zhao Qiang left, He Zhenhu poked his head out of the room. Seeing Zhao Qiang''s figure disappear in the distance, he immediately prepared to go out as well.


    "Zhenhu, what are you doing? It''s almost dark, why are you going out? You should rest early," Li Xiangyun said, trying her best to appear gentle as she watched her husband about to leave. She was afraid that He Zhenhu would return to town, back to the beds of those little harlots at the Red Apricot Tower.


    "Get lost!" He Zhenhu impatiently shook off Li Xiangyun''s hand on his arm, then warned her fiercely, "Stop meddling in my affairs! And don''t gossip! Otherwise, I''ll divorce you!"


    Li Xiangyun''s eyes suddenly reddened, unable to say anything. She could only watch as He Zhenhu left.


    After leaving the house, He Zhenhu walked straight towards the dense bamboo forest behind their home.


    The sky had darkened, and the bamboo forest was even darker, with only the "rustle" of bamboo leaves in the gentle breeze.


    "Monkey, monkey, monkey..." He Zhenhu called out in a low voice in the quiet bamboo forest.


    A momentter, a thin, tall figure emerged. In the dim light, one could only make out a prominent scar on his face and his sinister, downturned eyes.


    "Has he gone?"


    "He''s already left."


    After this brief exchange, the two men walked out of the bamboo forest together, then parted ways. One returned home, while the other headed towards Liu Ming''an''s house.

 Chapter 62

    When Zhao Qiang arrived at Liu Ming''an''s house, night had fully fallen.


    It was the end of the month, with no stars or moon in the sky. Liu Ming''an''s house was pitch ck and deathly silent, without a glimmer of light or a hint of sound.


    Zhao Qiang approached the yard, easily vaulting over the fence andnding inside. He then crept stealthily towards the main house.


    As he reached the passageway between the main house and another building, a rustling sound made his heart leap. He lit a candle he had brought and saw tworge rabbits in a cage on the ground, munching on vegetables. The noise hade from them.


    "Phew," Zhao Qiang exhaled, inwardly mocking himself for being as jumpy as a thief. Then he remembered therge packet of knockout powder he carried and felt his courage return. Shielding the candle with his hand, he pushed open the door to the main house.


    The door creaked softly as it opened, and the faint candlelight illuminated a small area inside.


    Zhao Qiang had already discreetly surveyed this room earlier in the day. It was sparsely furnished, and the most likely ce for money to be kept was therge chest by the wall.


    Eager to reach it, Zhao Qiang took a step forward. Suddenly, he heard the sound of something cutting through the air.


    Someone was there!


    Zhao Qiang''s eyes widened in shock. His body reacted before his mind could, leaping back two steps to avoid a fist aimed at his temple.


    "Who''s there?" Zhao Qiang shouted, his heart pounding wildly.


    The candle flickered violently, nearly going out. Zhao Qiang looked towards his attacker and saw a woman with disheveled hair, emanating murderous intent. In the night, she looked like a vengeful spirit risen from hell.


    Before Zhao Qiang could make out her features, the woman lunged at him, her leg sweeping towards his face.


    Zhao Qiang instinctively raised his arm to block, but the woman''s strength was surprising. Unable to withstand it, Zhao Qiang stumbled back several steps until he hit the wall. His arm went numb from the impact, and he dropped the candle, plunging the room into darkness.


    She''s a formidable opponent! This was Zhao Qiang''s only thought.


    Unable to see anything, Zhao Qiang''s heart raced as he strained to hear any movement in the darkness, every muscle in his body taut with alertness.


    Zhao Qiang was confident in his own abilities. His attacker had caught him off guard at first, but now that he was prepared, he was sure he could overpower her if she dared to attack again.


    She''sing!


    Zhao Qiang heard rapid footsteps approaching and readied himself to counter-attack. But from the corner of his eye, he caught a sh of white, moving too quickly to evade.


    A dagger!


    The woman had nned two moves ahead - one to engage him head-on, and another to strike from the side!


    Zhao Qiang cursed under his breath, making a split-second decision to choose the lesser of two evils. He abandoned his frontal defense to dodge the daggering from the side.


    "Thud!"


    Zhao Qiang retreated two steps, his knee hitting the edge of the bed. The dagger missed, but a fist connected solidly with his abdomen. It felt as if all his internal organs had been disced. Zhao Qiang couldn''t help but let out a groan of pain. But the woman gave him no time to recover, her next strike already whistling through the air towards him.


    Thinking quickly, Zhao Qiang grabbed the nket from the bed and flung it towards his attacker. Then, grasping the window frame, he leapt outside in one fluid motion and ran towards the yard exit without looking back.


    "Damn it all to hell! Where did this infernal woman learn to fight like that?" Zhao Qiang cursed inwardly as he ran.


    The person who had engaged Zhao Qiang inbat was, of course, Jiang Ning.


    After Liu Ming''an had fainted, Jiang Ning had guessed that Zhao Qiang would likelye during the night, though she couldn''t fathom his motives.


    To uncover the truth, Jiang Ning decided to turn his n against him.


    Since Liu Ming''an was unconscious, Jiang Ning didn''t want the schr to witness these unsavory events.


    Moreover, recalling Liu Ming''an''s mention that Zhao Qiang had gotten his job as a martial arts instructor at the magistrate''s office due to his fighting skills, Jiang Ning wanted to avoid identally injuring him during the confrontation. So she ced him on the bamboo bed in her spatial realm.


    After settling Liu Ming''an, Jiang Ning thought for a moment, then also moved the box containing their money into her spatial realm. Then she sat quietly in the darkness, waiting.


    As night fell, the intruder did indeed sneak in as expected. Jiang Ning had nned to catch him by surprise, but she hadn''t anticipated his quick reflexes. He managed to dodge her attacks and even used the nket to momentarily hinder her before escaping through the window.


    "Heh!" Jiang Ning let out a coldugh. Letting a tiger return to the mountain would only lead to future troubles. She never made such foolish mistakes.


    Zhao Qiang thought he could escape, but he had only taken a few steps after jumping out the window when the woman followed, leaping out and chasing him down quickly, clearly not intending to let him go.


    Zhao Qiang darted into the woods beside Liu Ming''an''s house, with Jiang Ning in hot pursuit, dagger in hand, only five or six paces behind him.


    As the two disappeared into the distance, a figure rose from beneath the fence outside the yard. Stroking his chin, he watched the direction they had gone, his eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of a sessful scheme.


    This person was none other than Houzi.


    He had tricked Zhao Qiang intoing to steal the money, but his true objective had never been those few coins. It was the woman with the veil.


    "What a pity!" Houzi sighed softly, his eyes full of malice.


    It was a shame that Zhao Qiang''s knockout powder hadn''t incapacitated the woman. Otherwise, today would have been herst day alive!


    Houzi climbed over the fence and entered the yard, then made his way into the main house.


    Like Zhao Qiang before him, Houzi lit a candle to illuminate the room.


    The house was empty. Although Houzi was puzzled about where the man called "Liu Ming''an" had gone, time was of the essence, and he couldn''t be bothered to investigate. He began ransacking the room.


    Judging by Zhao Qiang''s hasty retreat, he must have been discovered before he could steal anything.


    A hundred taels was no small sum, and Houzi still hoped to take the money back with him.


    However, the room was small, and even after thoroughly searching it twice, even looking under the bed, Houzi couldn''t find where the money was hidden.


    As time ticked away, Houzi grew increasingly anxious. He worried that the woman might return and catch him red-handed. She had spared his lifest time, but there was no guarantee she would do so again. Who would dare to gamble with their own life?


    Since he couldn''t find the money, there was no point in wasting more time.


    A gentle breeze from outside made the candlelight flicker, casting grotesque shadows on Houzi''s face as it twisted into a sinister grin.


    The candle me inched closer to the cotton bedding. As it touched the fabric, a small me sprang to life, quickly spreading along the fibers. The room gradually brightened as the fire spread from the bed to the wooden doors and windows...


    Houzi left the yard and watched his handiwork from afar, muttering "what a pity" several times.


    It was a pity that the woman wasn''t in the house. Otherwise, today would have been a perfect day.


    Humming a little tune, Houzi set off down the road leading away from Lotus Flower Vige, a spring in his step.

 Chapter 63

    Zhao Qiang ran deep into the forest. He thought he could shake off Jiang Ning, but in reality, she was getting closer and closer.


    "Huff... huff..."


    Zhao Qiang panted heavily, his forehead drenched in sweat, cursing inwardly.


    Is this damned woman really a woman? Howe she doesn''t seem tired at all?


    Zhao Qiang didn''t dare to pause for a moment, running forward frantically without looking back.


    However, on this dark and windy night, the forest was even more gloomy. Zhao Qiang stepped on piles of leaves, unable to see the path beneath his feet clearly.


    Suddenly, his foot caught on a protruding tree root. Zhao Qiang''s body lurched forward uncontrobly. Although he quickly regained his bnce, this momentary dy was enough for Jiang Ning.


    In that split second, Jiang Ning seized the opportunity, her left hand gripping a knife as she thrust it towards Zhao Qiang''s temple with all her might.


    If this strikended, Zhao Qiang would surely die on the spot.


    Zhao Qiang was well aware of this. Jiang Ning had caught up with him, and he couldn''t run anymore. He might as well face her head-on ¨C the oue was still uncertain.


    Having made up his mind, Zhao Qiang spun around on the spot, his body twisting sharply to the side, narrowly dodging the fatal blow.


    Just as he prepared to counterattack, a sharp pain shot through his left knee. Zhao Qiang instantly lost his strength and fell to his knees. Then he felt a cold sensation on his neck as an icy dagger pressed against his throat.


    "Still want to run?" Zhao Qiang heard the woman ask coldly.


    "Spare me! I won''t run anymore, please spare my life, nobledy!" Zhao Qiang''s panicked voice rang out. He seemed truly afraid of death, his entire body shaking like a sieve.


    Out of Jiang Ning''s sight, there wasn''t a trace of fear in Zhao Qiang''s eyes. Instead, the hand hanging by his side grabbed a handful of dirt mixed with sand and rotting leaves.


    "Please spare me, spare my life! I''ll never dare to do it again, never again..." Zhao Qiang continued to plead theatrically, his eyes darting about, quietly waiting for a chance to strike.


    "What exactly was your purpose?" Jiang Ning asked.


    "I-I was just greedy. I heard someone say you won over a hundred taels of silver at the Gold Jade Hall. I had evil intentions... I-I was wrong. I''ll never dare to do it again. Please be merciful and let me go..." Zhao Qiang said, half-truthfully and half-falsely, his tone of supplication very sincere.


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning said nothing, holding the dagger steady as she pondered the credibility of his words.


    Now!


    Knowing this was his chance, Zhao Qiang flung the handful of dirt and sand at Jiang Ning''s face.


    Jiang Ning sensed his movement the instant Zhao Qiang raised his hand. She immediately stepped back half a pace, turning her face to avoid getting sand in her eyes.


    Zhao Qiang seized the opportunity to stand up, clenching his fist and swinging it viciously towards Jiang Ning''s face.


    "Foolish!"


    Jiang Ning scoffed lightly, her right hand directly intercepting Zhao Qiang''s fist. She stepped back, using his force against him to neutralize his entire attack. Then she raised her knee, forcefully thrusting upward to strike Zhao Qiang''s abdomen.


    Still not giving up, Zhao Qiang swung another punch with his left hand as Jiang Ning held his right.


    Jiang Ning had lost patience with his persistence. She twisted the de in her hand, and with a "swish," the sound of cloth tearing filled the air. Zhao Qiang let out a pained groan, clutching his wounded arm.


    As soon as Zhao Qiang withdrew his hand, Jiang Ning didn''t hesitate. She grabbed his arm, applying force. Two clear "crack" sounds of bones colliding reached both their ears as Jiang Ning dislocated both of Zhao Qiang''s arms, leaving him with no chance to struggle.


    The dagger was once again at his throat, and Jiang Ning''s voice was even colder than before: "Still want to run?"


    Zhao Qiang closed his eyes briefly, resigned to his fate. "I won''t run. If you want to kill me, just do it. A quick death would be merciful."


    Jiang Ning slowly curled her lips into a smile. Before figuring out Zhao Qiang''s motives, she hadn''t nned on killing him.


    Jiang Ning knew Zhao Qiang had some fighting skills, so her initial knife strike had been a feint, designed to draw his attention. The real attack was at his feet, catching him off guard and destroying his foundation. This way, Zhao Qiang would have no chance to retaliate.


    Still, this man did have some skill, to be able to struggle with her for so long, Jiang Ning thought.


    Zhao Qiang anxiously waited for Jiang Ning''s next move. After a long while with no action from her, he had just opened his eyes to ask what she intended when a heavy blow struck the back of his neck, instantly knocking him unconscious.


    Jiang Ning tossed Zhao Qiang into her space and turned to head back home. Killing him outright could bring unnecessary trouble, especially since Zhao Qiang''s uncle was an official in the local government. In this era where "civilians don''t fight against officials," Liu Ming''an would likely be more adept at handling this situation than her.


    Jiang Ning nned to wake Liu Ming''an when she got home. However, as she emerged from the forest, still half a mile from home, she saw a ze of fire in the distance.


    Liu Ming''an''s house was on fire!


    The fire was fierce. Jiang Ning stared nkly at the mes roaring in the night sky, illuminating the surrounding area.


    A dog was barking furiously somewhere ¨C perhaps it was this barking that had awakened the sleeping vigers. Several people stood in front of Liu Ming''an''s house, discussing something in a flurry of voices, with the sound of crying mixed in.


    Someone must have entered the house after she and Zhao Qiang left and set it on fire!


    Fortunately, fortunately! Thank goodness she had put Liu Ming''an in her space beforehand.


    Jiang Ning felt a wave of fear wash over her, and the arm holding the dagger began to tremble slightly.


    When Liu Ming''an woke up, he found himself leaning against a tree, with Jiang Ning crouching in front of him, her face grim.


    "Jiang Ning, why am I sleeping here?"


    Liu Ming''an sat up, trying hard to recall what had happened earlier. He remembered he was about to teach Jiang Ning how to do her hair, but after that? He couldn''t remember anything.


    After bringing Liu Ming''an out of her space, Jiang Ning had given him some spirit spring water. In less than half a minute, he had slowly regained consciousness.


    "Liu Ming''an, listen to me carefully," Jiang Ning said with a serious expression. "Instructor Zhao coveted the hundred taels of silver we had. During the day, while you weren''t paying attention, he put a sleeping drug in the water vat, which is why you passed out. I was alert for certain reasons and nned to catch him in the act. Fearing you might get hurt, I carried you out in advance. That''s why you''re sleeping here now."


    Liu Ming''an listened in shock as Jiang Ning continued, "I confronted Instructor Zhao inside the house. I wanted to capture him, but he managed to escape. After I chased him down and subdued him, I returned here to find that someone had set the house on fire. Look..."


    As Jiang Ning spoke, her eyes were filled with a dark, troubled look.


    Liu Ming''an followed the direction of Jiang Ning''s finger and saw only a sea of roaring mes ¨C it was his home!


    Liu Ming''an sprang to his feet, no longer paying attention to Jiang Ning, and ran straight towards the nearly burned-out house.


    There wasn''t much of value in the house, but it contained his parents'' mementos and the witnesses to his budding feelings. To Liu Ming''an, these were worth more than gold.


    Jiang Ning watched Liu Ming''an''s retreating figure and lowered her eyes.


    In the end, she had still brought disaster upon Liu Ming''an.

 Chapter 64

    Liu Ming''an hadn''t even approached when he heard Third Great Aunt wailing heartbrokenly: "Oh, oh, Ming''an! How cruel is fate, just after passing the imperial examination, how could you be gone? Heavens above, you''re so unjust, so unjust..."


    Third Great-Uncle stood beside her, supporting Third Great Aunt and asionally patting her back tofort her, while also wiping his own eyes with his sleeve.


    Liu Ming''an looked again and saw that He Yiyi''s entire family had also arrived. Aunt Lin Er was wiping away tears, muttering "Poor thing, how could such a good person just be gone like this?" He Yiyi was crying inconsbly, crouched on the ground staring nkly at the mes, while her brother He Dong stood beside her with his head lowered.


    It seemed everyone thought he was dead. Liu Ming''an watched as people grieved for him, feeling waves of warmth surge through his heart.


    The first to discover Liu Ming''an was the Vige Head''s grandson - Zhuzi.


    "Brother Ming''an?"


    This call was filled with disbelief and irrepressible joy. Everyone turned their heads in unison to see Liu Ming''an standing perfectly fine behind them.


    "Ming''an!" Third Great Aunt cried out, rushing over with tears still on her face. She grabbed Liu Ming''an''s hand, turning him this way and that to examine him.


    "You''re alright, you''re alright... perfectly fine, nothing''s wrong, thank goodness, thank goodness..." Third Great Aunt''s voice trembled with emotion as she went from great sorrow to great joy.


    Seeing the old woman so distraught out of concern for him, Liu Ming''an was deeply moved. He quicklyforted her in a gentle voice: "Third Great Aunt, I''m fine, don''t worry."


    Everyone gathered around, and once they confirmed that Liu Ming''an was truly unharmed, the sadness that had been weighing on everyone''s hearts finally dissipated.


    "It''s good that you''re alright, it''s good that you''re alright," everyone said sincerely.


    Liu Ming''an nodded to them, then walked towards the burning area himself.


    "Ming''an, don''t go there, everything has burned down..." Third Great Aunt held him back, her brow deeply furrowed.


    Liu Ming''an looked at the house that had almostpletely burned down and said in a heavy voice: "I know, I won''t go in, I just want to look."


    "Ah~" Third Great Aunt sighed, not knowing what to say. She knew that Liu Ming''an''s parents'' belongings must have been inside.


    "Ming''an, where on earth did you go? Everyone was so worried about you," the Vige Head asked.


    Earlier, everyone had been too busy rejoicing over Liu Ming''an''s "resurrection" to overlook this question. But once the Vige Head asked, everyone''s attention focused on this issue, and they started asking Liu Ming''an all at once:


    "That''s right, Ming''an, where did you go sote at night?"


    "Ming''an, did you offend someone?"


    "Ming''an, what about that girl you bought? The one called Jiang Ning, she''s not in the fire, is she?"


    ...


    Liu Ming''an knew everyone meant well, but his mind felt like a bowl of porridge, unable to answer anything.


    "Liu Ming''an and I went to catch a thief."


    A cold female voice suddenly rang out from outside the crowd. Everyone looked towards the source of the voice and saw a girl with disheveled hair and a covered face. At her feety a person, with hands and feet bound by cloth strips.


    "It was this man, Zhao Instructor. He came to steal things and we caught him. Liu Ming''an and I chased after him and caught him. We didn''t expect he had aplices. It must have been his aplices who burned down our house," Jiang Ning said, kicking the person on the ground. The man showed no reaction, clearly having passed out.


    Everyone was shocked by this statement, their mouths hanging open. The Vige Head was the first to react, running to Jiang Ning''s side and crouching down to turn the prone man over, seeing his face clearly.


    "It really is Zhao Instructor!" the Vige Head called out, his tone full of disbelief.


    "How is this possible? Zhao Instructor is practically aw enforcement officer, how could hee to steal?" He Yiyi''s younger brother He Ping was young and couldn''t hold back his question.


    "That''s right, and Liu Ming''an''s family is so poor, what''s there to steal?" Old Lady Zhang chimed in.


    Although others didn''t say anything, Jiang Ning knew they had the same thoughts.


    "Anyway, the person has been caught. If you don''t believe it, you can wait until he wakes up and ask him yourself," Jiang Ning said coldly, sweeping her gaze across the crowd.


    The Vige Head stood up at this point. With such an incident urring in the vige, it was his responsibility to take charge of the situation.


    "It''s toote tonight, everyone go home and rest," the Vige Head first said to the others, then looked at Jiang Ning: "Early tomorrow morning, Zhuzi and I will apany you to report to the authorities, so the County Magistrate can give you justice."


    Logically, this Jiang Ning was bought by Liu Ming''an with money, but for some reason, the Vige Head felt that between the two of them, Jiang Ning was much more assertive. He felt that Jiang Ning was the one who could make decisions, so he directed these words at her.


    Jiang Ning looked towards Liu Ming''an, only to see him staring nkly at the gradually extinguishing fire of the house, lost in thought. He seemed enveloped in a thickyer of mncholy, oblivious to the voices around him.


    "Alright, thank you for your trouble, Vige Head," Jiang Ning responded politely.


    The crowd dispersed, each returning home to sleep. Third Great Aunt walked to Liu Ming''an''s side, her expression concerned: "Ming''an, don''t be too sad. Your parents in heaven would surely want you to be safe and sound above all else."


    Liu Ming''an managed a weak smile at the old woman full of loving concern, and replied: "Third Great Aunt, I understand."


    "So, with your house gone, where will you sleep tonight? Do you want to go back to your old home for the night, and then figure something out tomorrow?" Third Great Aunt asked again.


    Liu Ming''an shook his head, and seeing the old woman''s worried frown, heforted her instead: "Third Great Aunt, don''t worry about me. It''s veryte, the night is deep and the dew is heavy. You should go back and rest early."


    On the other side, the Vige Head had agreed with Third Great-Uncle to borrow his ox cart early tomorrow morning to transport Zhao Qiang to the government office. Meanwhile, Zhuzi helped Jiang Ning move Zhao Qiang under a big tree, tying him securely with cloth strips.


    Everyone had left, and the fire in the house was almostpletely extinguished, with only a few sparks dancing in the darkness.


    Jiang Ning walked to Liu Ming''an''s side, standing with him as they watched the house that had turned to ashes, not saying a word.


    "Jiang Ning, there are many things I can''t understand," Liu Ming''an suddenly turned his head, looking at Jiang Ning beside him.


    "What don''t you understand?" Jiang Ning asked casually, her mood not particrly good either.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t answer Jiang Ning''s question, just looked at her deeply, his eyes full ofplex, indecipherable thoughts.


    Why was I affected by the knockout drug while you werepletely fine?


    How were you able to subdue Zhao Instructor, who is quite skilled, so easily?


    Why did everything turn upside down after I just slept for a while?


    Jiang Ning could feel Liu Ming''an''s inquiring gaze on her face. She sighed silently and only said: "Liu Ming''an, no matter what, I will protect you. I will help you clear away anyone or anything that might threaten you."


    And then leave with peace of mind.


    Jiang Ning added thest sentence in her heart.


    Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning. They were so close, yet he had never felt they were so far apart. He felt he could never truly understand the girl he liked, who she really was.


    Jiang Ning heard Liu Ming''an sigh softly, but then he smiled gently at her and said: "Let me help you tie up your hair. It''s inconvenient to move around with it loose like this."


    "Alright."


    Jiang Ning''s hand, hanging at her side, moved slightly, and a dagger slid from her sleeve into her palm. With a "swish" sound, her hand moved swiftly, and another long strip of cloth was cut from the hem of her clothes. The strips cut earlier had all been used as ropes to tie up Zhao Qiang''s hands and feet.


    Jiang Ning handed the cloth strip to Liu Ming''an, then sat down on the ground, letting Liu Ming''an tie up her hair.


    It was now 3-5 AM, still two hours until dawn. This night felt somewhat long.

 Chapter 65

    Dawn broke.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning, who had not slept all night, walked into what used to be their home. The fire had long since extinguished, leaving only charred remains.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an went to where the box had originally been, but a beam was lying on top of it. Jiang Ning, seeing his intention, kicked the wooden beam aside with her foot.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The box had been burned to ashes. Liu Ming''an, not minding the dirt, searched through the area with his hands. After a while, he only found some ckened mirror fragments and a small, charred iron ring.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What''s this?" Jiang Ning asked, looking at the iron ring.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It''s from the slingshot my father made for me. It was for shooting birds, but I had terrible aim and never hit anything..." Liu Ming''an answered with a smile, his eyes filled with deep nostalgia.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning walked to other areas, kicking and prodding with her foot. In the kitchen area, there was a pile of broken porcin shards. Only therge iron wok and the fire tongs remained intact.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning discreetly turned her head to observe Liu Ming''an, noticing he was still trying to find more items. She quickly made a decision and walked to the back of the house, starting to dig a hole with her dagger.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was still lost in his thoughts when he suddenly heard Jiang Ning calling his name. He got up and saw Jiang Ning crouching somewhere, doing something.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What is it?" Liu Ming''an asked as he walked over.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He saw Jiang Ning take out a familiar box from a hole in the ground. When she opened it, inside were the gold and silver pieces.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "This..." Liu Ming''an was surprised.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning lied without changing her expression: "I buried this box behind the house yesterday. Fortunately, we''re not left with nothing. After reporting to the officials, we can go to town and buy a house."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was shocked by Jiang Ning''s foresight, murmuring, "Jiang Ning, you''re really so clever!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had already heard the sound of cattle. Without saying anything else, she discarded the cumbersome box and distributed the gold and silver pieces between their pockets. Then she said to Liu Ming''an, "Go wash your hands. The Vige Head and the others will be here soon."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The water vat, having always been ced outside the kitchen, hadn''t been burned, but it had cracked slightly due to the high temperature. There was still about half a vat of water left.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As the two walked towards the kitchen, there were two ckened lumps in the passageway. White bones and teeth were vaguely visible - they were the two rabbits.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What a pity. We should have just eaten them," Jiang Ning said, looking at the rabbits'' remains.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an looked at the ck ashes, his eyes filled withpassion: "Being burned alive must have been too painful."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning raised her eyebrows slightly, her voice barely audible: "Good thing they were just rabbits..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an washed the ash off his hands with the water, then wanted to wash his face. Jiang Ning reminded him, "Don''t let it touch your lips. This water contains arge amount of sleeping drug."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an paused, nodded, and carefully washed his face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After Jiang Ning had also washed her hands and face and put on her veil, sure enough, the Vige Head and Zhuzi arrived with an ox cart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ming''an, let''s go to the government office!" the Vige Head called out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhao Qiang, who had been tied to the tree, was now awake and struggling. Unfortunately, both his hands had been dislocated by Jiang Ning, so he had no strength. He could only kick wildly when Zhuzi and Liu Ming''an went to untie him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Get away! Get away! I''m not going to the government office! Get lost!" Zhao Qiang shouted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing Zhao Qiang being so unruly, Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes and pulled Liu Ming''an aside to prevent him from being kicked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Then everyone watched as Jiang Ning walked to the tree, coldly said "You don''t know what''s good for you," and then chopped the back of Zhao Qiang''s neck with her hand. The arrogant man immediately slumped over, unconscious again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning didn''t need anyone''s help. She bent down, grabbed Zhao Qiang by the cor, and dragged him onto the ox cart like a dead dog.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let''s go," Jiang Ning said calmly after finishing all this.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The Vige Head and Zhuzi, however, were stunned by Jiang Ning''s actions, looking at each other in disbelief.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhuzi, being a child, couldn''t hide his thoughts and secretly asked Liu Ming''an, "Brother Ming''an, the wife you bought is really fierce. Does she beat you often?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the past, whenever Liu Ming''an heard someone misunderstand his rtionship with Jiang Ning, he would always rush to exin. Now that he had recognized his own feelings, hearing Zhuzi say the word "wife" filled his heart with irrepressible joy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ahem!" Liu Ming''an cleared his throat with a cough, trying to hide his emotions, but his gaze towards Jiang Ning was incredibly gentle.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "She''s never beaten me. She''s very good to me," Zhuzi heard Liu Ming''an say.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhuzi showed disbelief and, after getting on the ox cart, still felt uneasy, sitting far away from Jiang Ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The group of five arrived at Lingshan Town, where people on the street all turned to look at their unusual procession.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The five went straight to the county government office. Jiang Ning looked up at the four characters "Baoji County Government" on the vermilion que, feeling somewhat emotional.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In her previous life, she had mostly lived in the shadows, doing evil deeds her entire life. Now, unexpectedly, she was entering the "police station" as a "victim". Life truly was unpredictable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As Jiang Ning was lost in these thoughts, the Vige Head had gotten off the cart and walked to therge drum beside the government office door. He took the drumstick and started beating the drum with a "dong dong dong" sound.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a while, three people came out from behind therge door. The man in front was short and pot-bellied, wearing a gauze cap. His expression was arrogant as he looked at the five of them and said, "Who''s beating the drum here?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The Vige Head bowed respectfully and said, "Your Honor, this humble viger is He Jizhong. I have a case to report."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, thene in and speak," the official said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ncing up, he saw someone lying on the ox cart behind them. The official asked again, "Who''s that? What''s going on?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The Vige Head answered again, "Your Honor, that is the thief we want to report. He tried to escape and has been temporarily knocked unconscious."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh~" the official drawled, then turned to the two yamen runners behind him and said, "You two, go bring him in."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, sir!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two yamen runners responded promptly and walked to the ox cart, lifting the unconscious man from both sides.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The official had been watching their movements, and when the two brought the so-called "thief" up, he finally saw the face clearly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Zhao Qiang?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The previouslyposed official instantly lost hisposure. He ran down the steps in a few strides, approached Zhao Qiang, and reached out as if to take him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two yamen runners, having recognized Zhao Qiang''s face, also looked uncertain.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The Vige Head seemed to have anticipated this scene. He bowed again and addressed the anxious official respectfully but firmly, "Clerk, this man is indeed the thief this humble viger wishes to report. Please, Your Honor, do justice for us!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning now understood that this clerk was Zhao Qiang''s uncle!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Everyone fell silent, watching the clerk. Under the public gaze, he had no choice but to handle the matter impartially.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Bring him in!" the clerk said, taking the lead in entering the government office.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, sir!" the yamen runners responded, carefully supporting Zhao Qiang as they entered, trying not to let him bump into anything.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The county government office upied a vast area. Directly opposite the main gate was a courtyard, and beyond the courtyard was the main hall.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The clerk was extremely anxious, frequently turning his head to look at Zhao Qiang, with obvious worry on his face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You say he''s a thief, so what did he steal?" the clerk still couldn''t believe it. His nephew, though mischievous as a child, had been brought to work at the government office as a martial arts instructor under his supervision. He hadn''t caused any trouble, and at most just gambled a bit and drank some alcohol. How could he have be a thief?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Your Honor, this humble viger doesn''t know the details. A viger reported that Instructor Zhao had stolen something and conspired with aplices tomit arson. As the vige head, I couldn''t turn a blind eye," the Vige Head answered honestly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    By now, the group had reached the courtyard. The clerk stopped upon hearing this and turned to face the others. "So you''re saying that one of you is making the usation?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Honor, this humble viger, Liu Ming''an, is the user."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Where''s your writtenint? Let me see it first!" the clerk extended his hand towards Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Well..." Liu Ming''an hesitated, having forgotten about this detail. He could only answer, "Your Honor, my home was burned down, and I didn''t have time to write aint."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The clerk frowned and said, "How can you make an usation without a writtenint? Go find someone to write one for you ande back tomorrow."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then what about this thief?" Jiang Ning asked the clerk, her gaze prating.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Temporary detention! Come back tomorrow with your writtenint, and we''ll hold another hearing," the clerk said irritably, waving his hand. The two bailiffs dragged Zhao Qiang towards the other side of the courtroom, and after a moment''s thought, the clerk followed them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 66

    Thewsuit couldn''t be filed today, so the four people dismissed by the clerk had no choice but to leave the magistrate''s office.


    "Vige Head, I''m sorry you and Zhuzi had to make this trip," Liu Ming''an said, turning to the Vige Head as they exited. "You can go back now. I''ll write up theint myself and submit it tomorrow."


    The Vige Head hadn''t expected their progress to be hindered by a single document. With no other options, he nodded in agreement and then consoled Liu Ming''an, "Don''t worry, Ming''an. The county magistrate is an upright and honest official. Even if Zhao Qiang is the clerk''s nephew, the clerk won''t dare to cover for him with the magistrate watching. He''ll see that justice is done for you."


    Liu Ming''an smiled and said, "I know."


    "Brother Ming''an, aren''t you going back today? Where will you stay now that your house has burned down?" Zhuzi, who had been quiet until now, couldn''t help but ask.


    Zhuzi was the Vige Head''s grandson, a 13-year-old boy whose full name was He Di, but everyone in the vige followed the Vige Head''s lead in calling him "Zhuzi."


    Zhuzi''s question made the Vige Head worry as well. "That''s right, Ming''an. Your house is gone. What are you going to do now? Why don''t youe back to the vige and we''ll fix up your old ce?"


    Liu Ming''an shook his head, not saying much except, "Don''t worry about me, Vige Head. I''ve already made arrangements. Have a safe trip back!"


    Knowing Liu Ming''an was a man with a n, the Vige Head didn''t press further. He and Zhuzi simply said, "Well, we''re off then," and headed back to the vige in their ox cart.


    Once the cart was out of sight, Liu Ming''an felt his stomach growl. They had rushed to Lingshan Town without even a sip of water, so he said to Jiang Ning, "Let''s find a ce to eat first."


    Jiang Ning was hungry too, so she nodded and followed Liu Ming''an down another street.


    Just as they turned the corner, Jiang Ning''s pupils contracted slightly. She paused, pretending to pick something up from the ground while ncing behind them. A man in gray athletic clothes, who had been peering out at them, quickly ducked back behind the wall, hiding himselfpletely.


    "This woman is indeed as formidable as Brother Hou said!" the man thought, breathing a sigh of relief.


    He had hidden so quickly, surely he hadn''t been noticed? Better head back now.


    With this thought, he swiftly retraced his steps.


    "What''s wrong, Jiang Ning?" Liu Ming''an asked, puzzled by her sudden crouch.


    Jiang Ning stood up, lowering her eyes. Her longshes concealed the dark look in her eyes. "It''s nothing. Let''s go eat, I''m hungry."


    Hearing this, Liu Ming''an didn''t press further and led her to the noodle shop they had visited before.


    As Jiang Ning followed Liu Ming''an, she nced back. The end of the street was empty, and she no longer felt that sensation of being watched.


    It seems he''s gone back to the Gold Jade Hall, Jiang Ning thought.


    She had clearly seen the man''s face, though it was unfamiliar to her. But while she didn''t recognize the face, she was very familiar with the clothes. They were unmistakably the uniform of the Gold Jade Hall''s enforcers.


    A faint murderous intent shed in Jiang Ning''s eyes. She thought she knew who had set that fire.


    After they finished eating, Liu Ming''an took Jiang Ning to a small shop called "Hundred Knowledges Tower."


    "This ce may look small, but it''s famous in Lingshan Town," Liu Ming''an exined to Jiang Ning. "Hiring, renting, buying and selling property, bartering, finding antique books and paintings, matchmaking... they do it all. Basically, you pay for information. They''re like the ''Thousand-Mile Eye'' and ''Favoring Wind Ear'' of Lingshan Town."


    Jiang Ning nodded, quite surprised. She hadn''t expected such a "real estate agency" to exist in this era.


    They entered the shop and paid fifty copper coins, saying they wanted to buy a house suitable for two people. In less than half an hour, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning had a new home on North Street in Lingshan Town.


    The previous owner of the house had reportedly gone to do business in another town, and after his business grew sessful, he had settled there, leaving this house vacant.


    When Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning went to see it, they found a modestly sized courtyard that showed signs of age. There were two bedrooms, a study, an outhouse, a kitchen, and a storage room. The courtyard had some flowers and nts growing in it, with arge porcin vat in the center containing water lilies about to bloom, giving the ce a serene and elegant atmosphere.


    The Hundred Knowledges Tower representative said the house cost thirty taels of silver. Jiang Ning agreed without hesitation.


    A house for thirty taels of silver, with only fifty copper coins as a mission fee," and such good quality¡ªwhat a bargain! It was so much better than those unscrupulous modern real estate agents!


    They had a house now, but to live in it, they needed pots, bowls,dles, and daily necessities.


    For the next half day, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an ran around buying everything they needed for the house. They spent nearly ten taels of silver in total, finally making their new home feel like a real home.


    "Ah, money flows like water!" As evening approached, Liu Ming''an, having finished their errands, sat on a stone bench in the courtyard and sighed, looking at the remaining seventy-odd taels of silver in the box.


    Jiang Ning sat on the other side, resting her chin on her hand as she poured a cup of water for each of them. "It''s alright. Save where we can, spend where we must. Don''t worry about it."


    "I''m never as open-minded as you," Liu Ming''an said, taking a sip of water and smiling slightly at Jiang Ning''s carefree attitude. "But it''s good that we''re living in town now. I can set up my stall every day."


    "If you set up your stall every day, when will you have time to study? Aren''t you still nning to take the provincial examination?" Jiang Ning immediately countered, then realized her words sounded a lot like saying, "If you y games every day, how will you get into university?"


    Liu Ming''anughed, "I''ve already memorized those books inside and out. But speaking of the provincial exam, I just remembered¡ªif I pass, the magistrate''s office will give me ten taels of silver. That''ll be enough for us to livefortably for a while."


    Jiang Ning was surprised, "The government gives out money?"


    She knew that in modern times, some ces would give rewards to students who got into good universities, but this was ancient times. Weren''t the ruling sses supposed to be trying to exploit themon people? Did they really understand such advanced concepts as "developing the country through science and education" and "strengthening the nation through talent"?


    Liu Ming''an nodded. Seeing Jiang Ning''s interest, he borated, "In the past, many schrs who passed the provincial exam couldn''t afford to travel to the capital for the metropolitan exam due to poverty, so they gave up. Prime Minister Nangong, concerned about the future of the country, specifically petitioned the emperor. The enlightened emperor then established this rule of giving money to sessful candidates, to ensure that more talented individuals could enter government service and serve the country."


    "This Prime Minister Nangong is quite capable. This is indeed a good policy that benefits both the country and the people," Jiang Ningmented.


    Liu Ming''an finished his water and stood up. "I''m going to write theint now. We''ve had a long day today, and we didn''t sleepst night either. Let''s try to rest early."


    As Jiang Ning watched Liu Ming''an''s back as he walked towards the study, she couldn''t help but think about everything that had happened that day.


    If it weren''t for Zhao Qiang and that fire, she would have left a note and been gone by now. But now she couldn''t leave¡ªfirst because of Zhao Qiang''s matter, and second because of the Gold Jade Hall issue. She needed to clear away all potential threats for Liu Ming''an. How else could she go to Quwater City with peace of mind?


    Jiang Ning also stood up. Seeing the sky slowly darkening, she realized it was gettingte. Time to make dinner.

 Chapter 67

    Zhao Qiang''s uncle was named Tang Youcai, a clerk at the Baoji County yamen with an eighth-rank minor official position. People in the yamen called him "sir," while others generally referred to him as "Clerk Tang."


    Clerk Tang was a typical mediocre official. Having worked in officialdom for over twenty years, he lived by the motto "seek not to achieve, but to avoid mistakes." He had spent most of his life in a state of half-confusion and half-awareness, never aspiring to climb the ranks, knowing full well the limits of his abilities.


    For this very reason, Clerk Tang neither ttered his superiors nor bullied his subordinates. He did his job conscientiously and could barely be considered an "honest official."


    The only time in his life he had ever used his position of authority was to arrange a job for his nephew Zhao Qiang within the yamen.


    He had thought life would continue peacefully like this, but who could have guessed that Zhao Qiang would silently get into trouble, ending up bound and delivered to the yamen to face charges.


    "Sigh!" Clerk Tang was getting a headache. After Liu Ming''an and the others left, he came to the jail cell and had been waiting for Zhao Qiang to regain consciousness.


    "Sir, why don''t you go attend to your business first? I''ll call you when Instructor Zhao wakes up," suggested a nearby jailer, seeing Clerk Tang sighing and waiting for so long.


    "It''s fine, don''t worry about me. I want to question him myself when he wakes up," Clerk Tang replied, waving his hand dismissively.


    Jiang Ning had hit hard, and Zhao Qiang didn''te to until nearly noon. His two dislocated arms had been reset by the jailers, and the knife wounds had been simply bandaged. Everything seemed okay, except for his uncle''s gloomy face ring at him.


    "Uncle, I..." Zhao Qiang dreaded this situation the most. He stammered a few words before trailing off, unable to continue. He could only hang his head, avoiding Clerk Tang''s reproachful gaze.


    "You..." Clerk Tang, seeing his nephew''s demeanor, swallowed the words that hade to his lips.


    In truth, Clerk Tang couldn''t say whether he liked or disliked this nephew. But his wife pitied Zhao Qiang for being orphaned and alone, and insisted that he help look after the boy. If he didn''t listen to her, she would make a fuss. For the sake of domestic peace, Clerk Tang had toply, however reluctantly.


    "Tell me, what exactly happened?" Clerk Tang finally asked in a deep voice after a while.


    Zhao Qiang, however, kept his head down and didn''t answer.


    Clerk Tang immediately recognized that Zhao Qiang''s pride was at work. Feeling that his kindness had been wasted on an ingrate, he angrily said, "For heaven''s sake, I''m begging you, Tang Youcai is begging you, alright? Just tell me the truth, did you really go to steal from someone?"


    "...Yes."


    Zhao Qiang''s voice was barely audible, but Clerk Tang heard it. Frowning, he continued to press, "What did you steal?"


    "Money."


    "How much did you steal?"


    "I meant to steal a hundred taels, but I was caught by that woman before I could get it."


    Clerk Tang''s frown deepened, and he couldn''t help raising his voice, "A hundred taels? You don''t have a wife or children to support, what do you need so much money for?"


    Zhao Qiang fell silent again.


    Clerk Tang was about to burst with anger, "You''re already sitting in jail, what could you possibly have left to hide, huh?"


    After a long internal struggle, Zhao Qiang finally spoke, "I owe gambling debts."


    "Gambling? How much do you owe?"


    "...A hundred taels."


    Zhao Qiang''s voice dropped even lower, but Clerk Tang was listening so intently that he still heard it. He wished he hadn''t.


    "A hundred taels? A hundred taels? A hundred taels?" Clerk Tang''s eyes bulged like brass bells as he repeated the question three times in disbelief.


    Zhao Qiang nodded weakly, "That''s only after my brother pleaded on my behalf to reduce it to just a hundred taels. Actually, I owed... I owed... six thousand six hundred and fifty taels..."


    In that instant, Clerk Tang felt the world spinning around him. His vision clouded with dark spots, and for a while, he couldn''t see anything clearly. His ears were buzzing as if thousands of bees had swarmed into his brain.


    One look at his uncle and Zhao Qiang knew he had upset him terribly. Seeing Clerk Tang clutching his head and looking about to copse, Zhao Qiang grew anxious. He quickly got up to support his uncle, patting his back to help him breathe while apologizing, "Uncle, I''ve been a fool. Don''t make yourself ill over this. Just forget about me, let them judge me as they see fit. Don''t let this trouble affect you..."


    In truth, Zhao Qiang''s feelings towards Clerk Tang were somewhatplex. He had no blood rtion to Clerk Tang; their connection was solely due to his aunt''s fondness for him.


    When Clerk Tang first started looking after him, Zhao Qiang knew that his uncle actually looked down on him. The reason was simple: at that time, Zhao Qiang spent his days idling about, pilfering here and there, looking every bit the small-time hoodlum. Even he looked down on himself. But Clerk Tang was still willing to take care of him, even going to the trouble of sending him to learn martial arts, and finally arranging for him to work at the yamen, giving him a stable job to earn a living.


    Now Zhao Qiang knew he had gotten into big trouble. The County Magistrate was a upright and impartial official. Clerk Tang, as his uncle, should have kept his distance to avoid suspicion. Coming to the jail to question him was already a risk.


    "Uncle, just forget about me. I''ll ept whatever punishmentes my way ¨C beatings, imprisonment, exile to the frontier as a soldier... You should go back now. Tell Aunt to think of me as dead. I''ll remember the kindness you both have shown me. In my next life, I''ll repay you as a beast of burden..."


    It took Clerk Tang quite a while to ept the fact that Zhao Qiang owed six thousand six hundred and fifty taels of silver. As soon as he regained his senses and heard Zhao Qiang speaking as if making hisst wishes, he became even more furious. He couldn''t help but raise his hand and give Zhao Qiang a hard knock on the forehead, "What kind of defeatist talk is that? Who''s the official here, you or me? The County Magistrate hasn''t even spoken yet, and you''re already sentencing yourself?"


    Zhao Qiang could hear the concern in Clerk Tang''s voice. He tugged at the corners of his mouth, feeling quite bitter inside.


    Clerk Tang had been so shocked earlier that he had lost hisposure, but now that he had calmed down, the more he thought about it, the more peculiar it seemed. He knew Zhao Qiang gambled, but it had always been harmless small bets. How had he suddenlye to owe so much money? And who was this "brother" who could reduce a debt of six thousand six hundred and fifty taels to just one hundred taels? How had Zhao Qiang managed to break into someone''s house to steal? And how did he know that someone in a vige would have a hundred taels of silver?


    "Now, I want you to tell me every single detail about how you came to owe this money, how you went to steal it, and who your aplices were. Remember, don''t leave out any detail!"


    Clerk Tang''s expression was serious, and his tone was uncharacteristically stern. Zhao Qiang didn''t dare anger him further, so he told Clerk Tang everything from start to finish, without holding anything back ¨C how he met Monkey, how he rued the debt, and how he went to Lotus Flower Vige to steal the money.


    To his surprise, Clerk Tang became even angrier after hearing the whole story. He was breathing heavily, his lips quivering with rage.


    "Despicable! Utterly despicable!" Clerk Tang said through gritted teeth.


    Zhao Qiang thought Clerk Tang was referring to him. Not daring to argue, he agreed, "Yes, I''m despicable. I deserve to die. Uncle, please don''t be angry. Be careful not to make yourself ill."


    "I''m not talking about you!" Clerk Tang looked at his foolish nephew, his eyes shing with pity. He let out a long sigh, "How can you be so stupid? You''ve beenpletely fooled, and yet you''re still grateful to the very people who tricked you. Ah, what a shame..."

 Chapter 68

    Although clerk Tang was a mediocre official who never strived for advancement, did the bare minimum in his work, and lived life carelessly, he had lived long enough and seen enough of the world''s strange urrences thatpared to the naive and foolish Zhao Qiang, he was quite the cunning old fox.


    Therefore, as soon as Zhao Qiang recounted his experience at the Gold Jade Hall, clerk Tang understood - he had fallen into a trap!


    "Despicable! Utterly despicable!" clerk Tang fumed, pacing back and forth in the cramped jail cell, wishing he could get his hands on that Old Six Hu and Houzi to teach them a lesson.


    Zhao Qiang didn''t understand what his uncle meant, so he asked, "Uncle, what scammers? Who are the scammers?"


    "Hah!" clerk Tang sneered. "Who else could it be? Naturally, it''s your dear brother Houzi whom you''re so grateful to, and his boss Old Six Hu."


    "Impossible!" Zhao Qiang refused to believe it.


    "Impossible? Ha! Then tell me, why would Houzi suddenlye to butter you up? Was it really just to help you find a wife? That was obviously just an excuse - he was trying to trick you into gambling at the Gold Jade Hall!"


    "And tell me, why would the Gold Jade Hall let you y five free rounds, and let you win every time? Did you really think it was because of your good luck or superior gambling skills? Those small initial wins were just to inte your ego, to make you lose touch with reality, all to lure you into ying that sixth round and saddle you with a massive debt!"


    "No... it''s not like that, Uncle. That''s just your spection. Houzi is truly a loyal friend. He even knelt down to plead for me," Zhao Qiang said urgently, trying to prove he wasn''t wrong, though something was wavering in his heart.


    "Knelt down to plead for you? Hahaha... my foolish nephew, haven''t you ever heard of ''feigning injury to gain trust''? Think about it - if you were the boss, would you give up 6,000 taels just because one of your subordinates said a few words?" clerk Tang said sarcastically.


    "That''s because... because Old Six knew I couldn''te up with 6,000 taels, so he did me a favor and only asked for 100 taels..." Zhao Qiang stammered.


    "Bah! Two conniving dogs working together!" clerk Tang cursed upon hearing this,menting to himself how calcting these two were. Their exnation sounded so reasonable - no wonder Zhao Qiang fell for it.


    "He not only knew you couldn''t produce 6,000 taels, he also knew you couldn''t produce 100 taels. He even knew that on the day of the lower degree candidate examination results, you would go to Liu Ming''an''s house. These two shameless scoundrels went to such great lengths just to use you to do these things, while keeping themselves out of it entirely, not a leaf touching their bodies."


    After confidently analyzing the situation, clerk Tang couldn''t help but curse "scoundrels" a few more times.


    "Why did they want me to steal the silver? What benefit is there for them?" Zhao Qiang still couldn''t understand.


    clerk Tang shook his head at Zhao Qiang, who was a head taller than him. He had only grown in height, not in brains.


    "Let me ask you this - you said you went to steal the money alone, got caught by that girl, then escaped to the woods and was knocked unconscious. Is this the truth?"


    Afraid clerk Tang would doubt him, Zhao Qiang quickly raised three fingers and said, "Uncle, I swear to heaven, if I''ve spoken even half a lie, may lightning strike me in two - vertically!"


    "Alright, I believe you. Then what if I tell you that Liu Ming''an''s house was set on fire that very night?" clerk Tang''s expression was very serious.


    "His house was burned down? Uncle, that absolutely has nothing to do with me," Zhao Qiang said firmly. "When I went to steal, I did light a candle, but that was only because the room was too dark and I couldn''t see anything. And that candle went out during my scuffle with that woman, I swear it''s true. It couldn''t have set the house on fire."


    "So, if you didn''t set the house on fire, that means someone else went to Liu Ming''an''s house after you and the girl left, and set it aze!" clerk Tang''s tone became mysteriously eerie, sending chills down Zhao Qiang''s spine.


    "Then... are Liu Ming''an and the others trying to pin the arson charge on me too?" Zhao Qiang thought this was what clerk Tang was worried about.


    "Ah, you really are a fool!" clerk Tang said, exasperated. "Think about it - if your knock-out drug had worked, wouldn''t Liu Ming''an and that girl still have been unconscious when you went to steal?"


    Zhao Qiang nodded, saying sheepishly, "That was the original n. I don''t know why the drug didn''t work..."


    clerk Tang, annoyed, raised his hand and knocked Zhao Qiang on the head again. He said seriously, "The fact that they weren''t drugged unconscious is your ancestors'' eighteen generations protecting you - it''s your tremendous good fortune!"


    Seeing Zhao Qiang''s confused expression, clerk Tang let out a long sigh and patiently exined, "If they had been unconscious, and you had stolen the silver and left, then when the arsonist cameter, they wouldn''t have just burned down a house..."


    clerk Tang paused, staring directly into Zhao Qiang''s eyes. "It would have been two lives! And both of those lives would have been on your head, Zhao Qiang!"


    Zhao Qiang instantly felt his scalp tingle, and it seemed cold sweat was running down his back.


    "This was their vicious n! Pretending to have you steal money, but actually using you as a tool for murder. If it came to light, people would only find out that you owed gambling debts, that you bought knock-out drugs, that you had the motive for murder and robbery, and the opportunity tomit the crime! While they could use you as a scapegoat and sleep easy themselves!"


    With every sentence clerk Tang spoke, Zhao Qiang''s face grew paler, until atst his entire face was as white as paper.


    The truth was so cruel, human hearts so terrifying. Brotherly affection turned out to be honey-lipped and dagger-hearted, respectful behavior turned out to be a knife hidden behind a smile!


    How frightening!


    "Uncle, what should I do?" Realizing the truth, Zhao Qiang now felt only despair.


    clerk Tang patted his headfortingly, a trace of helplessness passing through his eyes. "You did indeed go to drug them and steal, that can''t be denied. Tomorrow, Liu Ming''an will present hisint to the court, and the charges of arson and murder are very likely to fall on you as well..."


    "Uncle..." Zhao Qiang could no longer hold back, tears streaming from his eyes.


    Seeing him like this, clerk Tang felt pity. He paced back and forth in the jail cell, racking his brains to think of a solution.


    "p, p, p!"


    The sudden sound of apuse startled Zhao Qiang and clerk Tang, who were lost in their own thoughts. They turned their heads to see a young man in in clothes standing outside the cell, watching the two of them with great interest. His appearance was proper and dignified.


    Seeing the two look over, the young man slowly opened his mouth. His voice was steady andposed, inexplicably bringing to mind the words "authoritative" and "imposing."


    "Brilliant! Truly brilliant!"


    clerk Tang''s expression changed abruptly. He knelt down along with Zhao Qiang, bowing to the man and nervously saying, "Greetings, Lord Song!"

 Chapter 69

    The magistrate of Baoji County had the surname Song, with the given name "Ming".<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming was only twenty-seven years old this year, but he was already aplished at a young age. Eight years ago, he passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi schr. He gave up the opportunity to stay in the Capital City and instead requested to be sent to the small Baoji County as a seventh-rank county magistrate. He had been diligently working there for eight years, conscientiously protecting the people of thisnd so they could live and work in peace and contentment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming had a habit of visiting the prison periodically to check if there were any instances of jailers beating prisoners. After all, in the past, there had been many cases of jailers torturing prisoners for fun or threatening prisoners'' families for money.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Today, as usual, he was inspecting the prison cells when he unexpectedly saw clerk Tang and Zhao Qiang there.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "This morning, someone came to file aint, and the suspect is Zhao Instructor. Theinant didn''t write an official statement, so clerk Tang asked them to go back first, and then came to the prison to question Zhao Instructor himself," a nearby jailer stepped forward and quietly exined the situation to Song Ming.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Your Honor, should we call clerk Tang out? After all, they are rtives..." the jailer suggested, trying to gauge Song Ming''s thoughts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But Song Ming stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and still refused. He stood in the blind spot of the two men''s vision until he had heard their entire conversation, and then emerged from the shadows.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Clerk Tang and Zhao Qiang knelt nervously, waiting for Song Ming to speak.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the current situation, clerk Tang, as an official, had directly contacted the suspect in private without going through the proper channels, and had even bypassed his superior, the county magistrate. This was already considered overstepping his authority. If Song Ming were to report this, clerk Tang''s position as an eighth-rank clerk might be in jeopardy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Your Honor, please understand, this lowly official and Zhao Qiang absolutely did not conspire to fabricate testimony. It''s just that he is this official''s nephew, and I was anxious to understand the case. I momentarily lost myposure. Please forgive me!" Clerk Tang said, his forehead breaking out in a cold sweat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming was known for his upright and impartial character. Clerk Tang wasn''t afraid that Song Ming would use this opportunity to make things difficult for him, but he was worried that Song Ming might recuse him from the case to avoid any appearance of impropriety. If that happened, how could Zhao Qiang be saved?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming gave clerk Tang a cool nce and only said, "The prison is not a ce to discuss official business," before turning to leave.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Clerk Tang immediately stood up, intending to follow Song Ming.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Uncle, I won''t cause you any trouble, will I?" Seeing that clerk Tang was about to leave, Zhao Qiang quickly grabbed his sleeve and asked, his eyes full of worry and deep remorse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It''s alright!" Clerk Tang patted Zhao Qiang''s hand, reassuring him: "Magistrate Song is a good official. We have clear consciences, there won''t be any problem!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhao Qiang let go of his hand and watched through the prison bars as clerk Tang hurried out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming hadn''t gone far; he was waiting for clerk Tang in the courtyard outside the prison cells.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Aftering out, clerk Tang seemed less nervous when facing Song Ming alone, adopting a businesslike attitude: "Your Honor, may this lowly official boldly ask, how much of our conversation did you overhear?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming didn''t try to hide anything and frankly replied, "From beginning to end, without missing a word."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing this, clerk Tang actually smiled. If Song Ming had only heard half of the conversation, he would have been worried about misunderstandings due tock of context. Hearing it all was better; hearing it all meant he knew that he and Zhao Qiang weren''t conspiring to fabricate testimony, but merely analyzing the case.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "May I ask what Your Honor thinks of this case?" Clerk Tang asked with a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming could see clerk Tang''s desire to lessen Zhao Qiang''s crime, but he didn''t know much about the case and felt it would be biased to make a judgment based solely on the conversation between the uncle and nephew in the prison.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let''s wait until the officialint is submitted tomorrow before making any decisions," Song Ming said first, and then continued: "However, clerk Tang, let me give you a warning in advance. Even if all your deductions just now are true, and Zhao Qiang was deceived into stealing money, the facts remain that he abused his position to drug someone, broke into a civilian''s home, and intended tomit theft. These are indisputable facts. ording to thews of Great Liang, he will not escape a beating, and after that, he will certainly not be able to continue serving as an instructor in the yamen."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Clerk Tang had worked with Song Ming for eight years and knew the temperament of this county magistrate. He could guess some of his thoughts and knew that these words were a warning, telling him not to harbor any illusions about Zhao Qiang getting off scot-free.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So clerk Tang said no more, only responding, "Yes, then this lowly official will take his leave."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming gave a sound of acknowledgment, and after clerk Tang had bowed to him and straightened up, he added meaningfully, "Clerk Tang, I''m very curious. You clearly have a quick mind and meticulous thinking. Why do you insist on pretending to be a dull-witted mediocrity?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Clerk Tang was taken aback and hesitantly replied, "This lowly official doesn''t understand Your Honor''s meaning."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming chuckled lightly, "You heard just a few words from Zhao Instructor and were able to sense that something was amiss. Then, based on his ount, you were able to deduce the cause and effect of the entire incident in a matter of moments. With such case-solving abilities, why are you content to remain a mere eighth-rank clerk for twenty years? Isn''t this a case of ''a pearl hidden in the dust''?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Clerk Tang looked at this county magistrate, who was even younger than Zhao Qiang, and gave a wry smile, "Your Honor, you are heaven''s favored child, with exceptional talent and knowledge. If you had stayed in the Capital City after passing the imperial examination, you would surely have be an important minister by now. Your Honor has your choices, and this lowly official has his. It''s simply a matter of ''each to his own ambition.'' How can you speak of ''a pearl hidden in the dust''?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hahaha..." Song Ming suddenly burst intoughter. He had worked with clerk Tang for eight years, but this was the first time they had truly opened up to each other. He hadn''t expected that this clerk, old enough to be his father, would live his life with such rity and eptance.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing that they had nothing more to say, clerk Tang bowed again, "This lowly official takes his leave."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After watching clerk Tang walk away, Song Ming entered the back courtyard of the yamen, where the constables rested.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Go to Lotus Flower Vige and find a man called Huzi. If he''s not in Lotus Flower Vige, check Gold Jade Hall," Song Ming instructed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What Zhao Qiang had said earlier should all be true. As he said, he had stayed at Huzi''s house until nightfall, and Huzi didn''t know he was going to Lotus Flower Vige to steal money. Huzi had only let him stay at his house all afternoon because of Houzi.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Whether or not Huzi knew about Zhao Qiang''s n to steal, it was certain that he had some connection to Gold Jade Hall, and he was very likely to know about the inside story of the arson.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming lightly tapped his chin with his index finger, a habit he had when thinking.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The aspect of this case that interested Song Ming the most was the identity of the girl who had fought Zhao Qiang to a standstill. Just now, Zhao Qiang had repeatedly referred to her as "that woman," suggesting he didn''t know her name.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Moreover, Song Ming had a feeling that this murder case hidden beneath the theft case was rted to that girl!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Why didn''t he suspect Liu Ming''an? That was because Song Ming knew Liu Ming''an was a schr.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Baoji County had a total of six towns and thirty-three viges under its jurisdiction. This year, twenty-nine people had passed the provincial examination to be xiucai schrs. Only three of them came from viges, while the rest were from the towns. Therefore, Song Ming remembered the name Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 70

    Night was slowly falling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In her new home on North Street in Lingshan Town, Jiang Ning changed intofortable clothes, slipped a dagger into her sleeve, and pushed open the door to leave.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning? Where are you going?" Liu Ming''an sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, looking puzzled at Jiang Ning''s nimble attire.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The new house had two bedrooms, so Liu Ming''an no longer had reason to share a bed with Jiang Ning. Half an hour ago they had each retired to their rooms, and he thought Jiang Ning had gone to sleep. He didn''t expect to see her emerge in different clothes, looking as if she was heading somewhere.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had also assumed Liu Ming''an was asleep. Who knew he''d still be sitting in the courtyard? If she''d known, she would have used her spatial abilities to leave undetected.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning frowned and countered with a question instead of answering: "Why aren''t you in bed at thiste hour? Are you out here feeding mosquitoes?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "There are no mosquitoes this time of year," Liu Ming''an said with a smile. Then he averted his eyes slightly and lowered his voice: "I couldn''t sleep. The environment feels a bit unfamiliar."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Of course, it was mainly because Jiang Ning wasn''t sleeping beside him, and he wasn''t used to that. But Liu Ming''an didn''t dare say so, fearing she might kill him for it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow in surprise: "A grown man like you still needs to get used to a new bed?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an said nothing, and Jiang Ning casually added, "It''s fine, you''ll get used to it in a few days. Just try to adapt."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "By the way, you still haven''t said where you''re going," Liu Ming''an suddenly realized his question had been deflected.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had chosen this time to go out precisely to avoid Liu Ming''an, but she had unexpectedly run into him. Now that he was asking where she was going, she naturally had to lie.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I just wanted to take a walk around, see the surrounding streets and houses, so I don''t get lostter," Jiang Ning said very naturally.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an didn''t suspect a thing. He stood up and said, "Then I''ll walk with you. I can''t sleep anyway."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, Jiang Ning raised her hand and pressed it on Liu Ming''an''s shoulder, pushing him back into his seat. "What''s there to see in the dark? You should go to bed early."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With that, Jiang Ning turned to leave without waiting for Liu Ming''an''s reaction.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, you¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an felt something was off. He quickly stood up and reached out to grab Jiang Ning''s arm, but his hand touched something hard in her sleeve.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was the dagger!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, why are you carrying a dagger?" Liu Ming''an''s expression changed. Thinking back to Jiang Ning changing clothes, he gradually had an ominous feeling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Unable to avoid it any longer, Jiang Ning inwardly sighed and looked at Liu Ming''an, asking, "Have you finished writing theint?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I have," Liu Ming''an replied, realizing Jiang Ning was trying to change the subject again. He immediately pressed, "You still haven''t told me where you''re going, and why you''re carrying a dagger."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning still didn''t answer Liu Ming''an''s questions. Instead, she asked him three of her own: "Do you trust the government? Do you think the county magistrate can uncover the truth? Do you think that clerk will let his nephew face the consequences of his actions?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an understood. Jiang Ning didn''t trust others; she only trusted herself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "So? What do you intend to do?" Liu Ming''an heard himself ask, his voice as hoarse as if it were being squeezed from his throat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning knew she had frightened Liu Ming''an, but what could she do? Should she pin her hopes on government officials? After so many years of hunting in the darkness, the concept of fighting violence with violence was deeply ingrained in her bones.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "N, remember, there''s nothing that can''t be solved by killing!" The woman''s words seemed to echo in her ears again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What if there really is?" Jiang Ning remembered that at the time, she didn''t agree with this principle and had asked a counter-question.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But the woman had curled her lips, her eyes shing with bloodthirsty killing intent, and said, "If you think there is, then you certainly haven''t killed enough people!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning? Jiang Ning?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s voice prated her eardrums, pulling Jiang Ning out of the swamp of her past.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning came back to her senses to find Liu Ming''an gripping her arm, looking at her with eyes full of anxiety.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What happened just now? What were you thinking about?" Liu Ming''an asked, relieved to see Jiang Ning''s gaze no longer unfocused.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s appearance moments ago had been too rming¡ªa body full of killing intent, eyes dead and lifeless, like a fierce ghost struggling to crawl out of hell to im souls.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning tilted her head slightly to look at Liu Ming''an, her eyes seeming to hold shattered light: "Liu Ming''an, I''m the one who brought this undeserved cmity upon you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What?" Liu Ming''an didn''t immediately understand what Jiang Ning was saying.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It was I who provoked the people from Gold Jade Hall. The events ofst night were all aimed at me..." Jiang Ning paused, the fire seeming to ze before her eyes again. "They weren''t just trying to steal money; they wanted to kill! And all of this originally had nothing to do with you. It''s because of me that you got involved. Do you understand?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s voice was unlike her usual calm demeanor, carrying a slight, barely perceptible tremor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In Liu Ming''an''s memory, Jiang Ning''s voice had always been clear and crisp, like dewdrops from wild orchids in an empty valley falling onto stones. When had she ever shown such outward emotion?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, don''t say such things..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an wanted to say something, but Jiang Ning continued as if she hadn''t heard him: "You were just a schr, content to study, write, and pursue an official career. But you just had to buy me and bring me home. Someone like me, in Buddhist terms, hasmitted too many evil deeds. I carry karmic obstacles. I will only bring you misfortune..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an watched helplessly as Jiang Ning once again sank into her own thoughts, unable to escape. He called out to her anxiously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "...Since this matter started because of me, I should end it myself. Liu Ming''an, you''re a good person. Your hands are clean, but mine aren''t. I don''t mind if a few more¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning didn''t finish saying "lives," because Liu Ming''an reached out and pulled her into his embrace.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The warmth of another person''s body transmitted through their clothes. A faint scent of ink lingered in her nostrils. Jiang Ning initially wanted to raise her hands to push Liu Ming''an away, but in the end, as if possessed, she lowered them and docilely allowed him to hold her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had one arm around Jiang Ning''s waist and the other hand cradling the back of her head, holding her tightly against him. Looking at Jiang Ning quietly nestled in his arms, a pained expression shed across his eyes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    From Jiang Ning''s words just now, Liu Ming''an had detected self-doubt, self-negation, and self-loathing. Why would a girl in the prime of her youth live like this? She must have experienced some kind of trauma.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an also recalled the first time he saw her in the cage, covered in wounds yet still like an unyielding lone wolf¡ªcalm, sharp, and full of wariness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning," Liu Ming''an held her even tighter, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze in March. "Don''t have these strange thoughts anymore. You haven''t implicated me. Being able to know you is my greatest fortune."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The evening breeze began to rise in the courtyard. Jiang Ning didn''t struggle, allowing Liu Ming''an to embrace her fully.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an knew Jiang Ning harbored some extreme thoughts and patiently tried to persuade her: "The county magistrate is an upright and honest official. Trust me, even if he can''t uncover the truth, you shouldn''t..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an paused, remembering Jiang Ning''s martial skills that were no less than Zhao Qiang''s, and her action of carrying a knife out today. His heart inevitably sank.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Please don''t have any radical ideas, okay?" Liu Ming''an looked down at the expressionless person in his arms and inwardly sighed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning remained silent, offering no promise to Liu Ming''an. She had misjudged; both the monkey and Old Six Hu were not good people. With such individuals, if you don''t eliminate thempletely, they will undoubtedly cause endless trouble in the future.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a long while, Liu Ming''an seemed to sigh in resignation: "Jiang Ning, you shouldn''t be this kind of person."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s eyes flickered uncontrobly. This was the second time she had heard Liu Ming''an say these words to her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You still don''t understand. I was born this way." Jiang Ning finally spoke, her long eyshes lowered, hiding all expression. "I''m not a good person. When someone offends me, I just want to kill them, just like..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At this point, Jiang Ning broke free from Liu Ming''an''s embrace, her gaze firmly fixed on his eyes: "Like He Wen, who died back then."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s pupils contracted instantly as he looked at Jiang Ning in disbelief.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Do you know how he died?" It felt as if a wound in her heart was being torn open, but Jiang Ning recklessly poured salt on it: "I held his head down, pushed him into the pond, and watched him take hisst breath. Afterward, I tampered with the scene, leaving no trace for the coroner to detect..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Tonight when I went out, I was nning to kill again. Those two from the Gold Jade Hall provoked me, so I intended to make them the next victims of my de. I have the skill to kill, and even more so, the ability to walk away unscathed after the deed..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Human life is the cheapest thing in my eyes. This is who I am - born cold-blooded, numb, and cruel. Do you understand?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was so horrified by each word that he couldn''t utter a sound. He heard every word Jiang Ning said clearly, but he doubted his own ears, even believing it must be a nightmare.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 71

    This can''t be real, can it? Liu Ming''an thought.


    That beautiful Jiang Ning, that Jiang Ning who couldn''t do her own hair, that Jiang Ning who was a great cook, that Jiang Ning who panicked when her period came, that Jiang Ning with the cold personality who still took care of him... Was she really someone who regarded human life as worthless as grass?


    "Jiang... Ning..." Liu Ming''an felt as if someone was choking him, and with all his might, he could only utter these two words.


    The wind seemed to be growing stronger,pletely dissipating the warmth from the earlier embrace. Jiang Ning felt waves of bone-chilling coldness.


    "Today, you''ve finally seen me for who I truly am. This is... the real me!" As Jiang Ning said these words, her hand hidden behind her back clenched into a tight fist, her nails digging deep into her palm, nearly breaking the skin.


    You shouldn''t like someone like me.


    Jiang Ning took onest look at the dazed Liu Ming''an, inwardly mocking herself with a bitter smile, and turned to walk towards the door.


    "Jiang Ning!" Liu Ming''an quickly reached out to grab her, his voice filled with intense pleading. "Don''t go, I''m begging you, please don''t go, okay?"


    Jiang Ning looked at Liu Ming''an expressionlessly as he continued, "At least don''t go now, alright? Can we wait until after the court hearing tomorrow? There must be other ways besides killing..."


    Jiang Ning thought she could shake off Liu Ming''an''s hand without hesitation, but seeing the sorrowful expression on his face and hearing his humble plea, she found herself unable to ignore it. She was no longer a qualified assassin; she had grown soft-hearted.


    In the end, Jiang Ning returned to her room in front of Liu Ming''an.


    "Click!"


    The door closed, separating the two, but Jiang Ning felt that what stood between them wasn''t just a door, but an unbridgeable chasm.


    Jiang Ningy on the bed fully clothed, her eyes wide open in the darkness. Liu Ming''an''s eyes, filled with shock and heartache, lingered in her mind.


    As time slowly ticked by, for some reason, Jiang Ning recalled the scene of her first kill in her previous life.


    Was she seven years old then? Or eight? She couldn''t quite remember.


    That woman had thrown a dying man in front of her and then tossed her a dagger.


    "Kill him," the woman said, her red lips barely moving, her tone as casual as if she werementing on the nice weather.


    She picked up the knife, gripping it tightly with both hands, and walked step by step to crouch beside the man, her whole body trembling uncontrobly.


    The man, who had been in a semiatose state, opened his eyes at that moment. His gaze swept across her face, and then he burst intoughter. The dry, cracked lips split open from theughter, creating wounds that bled, staining his mouth and teeth red, making him look like a monster that had just devoured someone.


    "Hahaha..." The manughed for a while, then struggled to lift his head and mockingly said to the woman who had raised her, "Your sessor... seems to be useless. She''s trembling, she''s afraid, hahaha..."


    As soon as he finished speaking, she heard an icy question from above: "What are you waiting for? Too scared? If you''re too scared, then go die!"


    Jiang Ning had already forgotten how she felt at that moment. She only remembered that sheter gripped the dagger tightly with both hands and plunged it forcefully into the man''s neck.


    She would never forget those dying eyes that suddenly widened but gradually lost focus, nor would she forget the blood that gushed out from the neck when she pulled out the dagger.


    That blood was only about 30 degrees Celsius, but when it sprayed onto her face, it felt so hot that it seemed to burn through her skin and flesh.


    The jet of blood sprayed onto Jiang Ning''s head and face, blurring her vision with a crimson haze.


    She wanted to wipe it off with her sleeve, but the woman stopped her.


    "Don''t wipe it off! Remember this feeling well, get used to the taste of human blood."


    Jiang Ning lowered her hand woodenly, not wiping it off. She sat on the floor next to the man''s corpse. The woman left on her own, leaving her in that ce.


    The scalding blood gradually lost its heat after leaving the body. At first, it became sticky, with a strong metallic smell, and finally, it cooledpletely, hardening into clumps that matted Jiang Ning''s hair together.


    Returning to the present, Jiang Ning turned her head to look towards the door. She knew Liu Ming''an was still standing alone in the courtyard.


    What''s the point? Jiang Ning thought. They had always been pr opposites; their peaceful coexistence before was merely because she hadn''t revealed her true self to him.


    But perhaps it was for the best. Now that he had seen the truth, it wasn''t toote.


    Dawn broke.


    The faint morning light filtered through the window paper into the room. Jiang Ning sat up on the bed and opened the door. Liu Ming''an was standing not far from her room, watching her, his face somewhat haggard.


    They stared at each other silently for a long while. Suddenly, Liu Ming''an raised the corners of his lips at Jiang Ning and said casually, "Oh, you''re awake. Let me help you do your hair."


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, unable to understand what Liu Ming''an was thinking.


    Without waiting for her response, Liu Ming''an walked up to her, gently tugged at her arm, and led her to sit in front of the dressing table inside the room. He took out the mirror,b, and hair tie he had bought yesterday and began to do Jiang Ning''s hair.


    The situation was beyond Jiang Ning''s expectations. Liu Ming''an''s behavior left her puzzled, as if everything that happenedst night had never urred.


    "Aren''t you afraid of me?" Jiang Ning asked, looking at Liu Ming''an behind her through the mirror.


    Liu Ming''an, who was in the middle ofbing a strand of her hair, paused for a moment at her words. But in an instant, he resumed his actions, slowly and methodically finishing her hair before speaking. "Jiang Ning, I thought about it all nightst night, and I''vee to understand something."


    "Understand what?" Jiang Ning felt her throat tighten slightly.


    Liu Ming''an smiled at her gently as always: "I don''t know what kind of past you''ve had, and I have no right to judge your actions. But you''ve been good to me, you''ve never hurt me, and meeting you is still my good fortune."


    Jiang Ning''s heart trembled uncontrobly, and then she heard Liu Ming''an say softly, "And also, I feel very sorry for you."


    The young man''s dark, bright eyes flickered with sincere light, his face showing visible sympathy. Jiang Ning looked at him, and Liu Ming''an didn''t avoid her gaze, smiling as he met her eyes.


    Jiang Ning closed her eyes briefly, her emotionsplex and indiscernible. "You''ve really gone mad!"


    Why didn''t he stay away even after knowing what kind of person she was?


    Liu Ming''an was still smiling. He walked to Jiang Ning''s side and took her hand, pressing it against his chest.


    "Thump~ Thump~ Thump..."


    The young heart was beating strongly, one beat after another. Jiang Ning felt as if she had been scalded; her fingertips curled slightly, wanting to withdraw her hand, but Liu Ming''an''s hand held hers in ce.


    "I know what I''m saying. This is all what my heart is telling me, and it won''t lie to me," Liu Ming''an said with certainty.


    "You''ve really gone mad!" Jiang Ning repeated.


    "Then let me be mad," Liu Ming''an smiled and continued, gently but firmly, "I can be mad for you for a lifetime."


    These words, bordering on a confession, left Jiang Ning at a loss. The young man''s affection was sincere, pure, and intense. She could only flee in panic.


    "I''ll go make breakfast. We''ll head to the magistrate''s office after we eat."


    Jiang Ning abruptly pulled her hand away and walked towards the kitchen without looking back.

 Chapter 72

    The two arrived at the magistrate''s office at 7-9 AM, and because they were carrying a writtenint, they went directly to the main hall.


    Jiang Ning had always imagined the County Magistrate to be an old man, like those portrayed in many TV dramas - with small eyes, a mustache, speaking in an affected manner, biased in judgment, unable to distinguish right from wrong, ipetent, and easily bribed.


    When she actually saw Song Ming in his dark red official robes, standing straight with a dignified appearance, Jiang Ning realized she had been misled. Apparently, County Magistrates could be this young too.


    Clerk Tang presented Liu Ming''an''s writtenint. Song Ming took it, and without preamble, praised, "Schr Liu''s handwriting is quite good."


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback. Just as he was about to politely respond with "You tter me, sir," Song Ming lowered his head and began to read theint carefully. Liu Ming''an could only let it go.


    "Are you using Zhao Qiang of drugging, theft, and conspiring with others tomit arson and attempted murder - these three major crimes?" After a moment, Song Ming put down theint and asked Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an walked to the front of the magistrate''s desk, bowed with sped hands, and said, "That is correct. I humbly request the County Magistrate to uphold justice for thismoner."


    Song Ming grunted an acknowledgment and then said, "Very well, let''s begin the court session."


    Jiang Ning had seen many courtroom scenes in various films and TV shows. They usually involved a group of Government Officials thumping their sticks on the ground, chanting "Awe-inspiring!" in a drawn-out tone. Then the official would m his gavel on the table, re with bulging eyes, and bark, "Who stands before the court? State your name!"


    Now that she was actually here, for some reason, Jiang Ning felt likeughing.


    In this brief moment of distraction, two rows of Government Officials had already taken their positions on both sides of the hall, all wearing stern expressions. Zhao Qiang, his hands bound in shackles, was also brought in and made to kneel beside Liu Ming''an.


    Jiang Ning stood in the waiting area by the entrance. Her gaze swept from Liu Ming''an to Zhao Qiang, then to clerk Tang sitting to the right of the magistrate''s desk, ready to take notes. She understood that the role of the clerk was probably equivalent to that of a Legal Advisor.


    However, this dynasty was slightly better than those depicted on TV in one aspect - the user didn''t have to kneel. Therefore, both Liu Ming''an and she were standing properly.


    "Is the man kneeling before the court surnamed Zhao, given name Qiang?" Song Ming asked.


    Zhao Qiang answered "Yes," and Song Ming continued, "The person beside you is using you. Do you want this official to question you point by point, or would you prefer to speak for yourself?"


    "This offender will speak for himself," Zhao Qiang replied. He then recounted in detail how he met Houzi, owed money at the Gold Jade Hall, and drugged and robbed people in Lotus Flower Vige. His ount left both Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning astonished.


    They had both assumed that Zhao Qiang would deny the charges because of clerk Tang''s influence, or even counter-use Jiang Ning and the others of false allegations. They had expected to spend a great deal of effort arguing back and forth. They never imagined that this man would confess so easily.


    Jiang Ning, in particr, had even mentally prepared herself for the possibility of Zhao Qiang being acquitted, and her having to resort to killing him afterward. The actual oue was far beyond her expectations.


    Jiang Ning nced again at clerk Tang and noticed that while Zhao Qiang was confessing his crimes, the clerk''s brows were deeply furrowed, creating a deep crease between them. He shook his head and sighed while continuously writing something on paper.


    Wasn''t this clerk going to try to save his nephew? Was he really so impartial? Jiang Ning wondered, perplexed.


    This was the second time Song Ming had heard Zhao Qiang''s ount, and his expression remained unchanged. He merely summarized, "ording to what you''ve said, youmitted these evil acts because you were instigated by others?"


    Zhao Qiang bowed low, touching his forehead to the ground in a kowtow to Song Ming, saying, "What this offender has said is absolutely true. I hope Magistrate Song will see clearly!"


    Song Ming shifted his gaze from Zhao Qiang. Jiang Ning thought he was going to question Liu Ming''an, but to her surprise, he looked at her instead.


    "Youngdy,e forward. This official has some questions for you," Jiang Ning heard Song Ming order.


    Jiang Ning obediently walked to stand beside Liu Ming''an, and heard Song Ming ask, "What is your name?"


    "Jiang Ning."


    Clerk Tang stopped writing and looked up. Song Ming noticed this from the corner of his eye and asked further, "Which characters are used for your name?"


    "The ''Jiang'' from ''ginger'', and the ''Ning'' from ''focusing one''s attention''."


    Hearing this, clerk Tang wrote down the two characters for "Jiang Ning" on his paper.


    Song Ming looked at Jiang Ning standing straight and proper before the court. Although her face was veiled by a gauze, the coldness in her eyes and the sharp aura about her confirmed his suspicions from yesterday.


    Song Ming asked routinely, "This official only asks you this: have you had any grudges with Old Six Hu, Houzi, and others from the Gold Jade Hall?"


    Jiang Ning''s eyes flickered for a moment, surprised that this magistrate was quite perceptive. She then raised her eyes and looked directly at Song Ming without evasion: "Yes."


    "How did this grudgee about? Tell the truth."


    Although she disliked being spoken to in amanding tone, this County Magistrate seemed capable, so Jiang Ning didn''t take offense. She recounted her experience at the Gold Jade Hall in detail, naturally omitting the part where Houzi nearly had his throat slit for following herter.


    This was the first time Liu Ming''an had heard about this part of Jiang Ning''s experience. He knew before that she had gone to the Gold Jade Hall and won money, but he hadn''t realized there were so many twists and turns in the process.


    When Jiang Ning mentioned winning against Old Six Hu with fifty dice, clerk Tang couldn''t help but look up, first at Jiang Ning, then at Song Ming, with a questioning look in his eyes.


    Song Ming caught clerk Tang''s gaze and signaled with his eyes for him to speak his mind.


    Clerk Tang leaned towards the magistrate''s desk and asked in a lowered voice, "Magistrate Song, this is clearly nonsense. Should it still be recorded in the official testimony?"


    Song Ming lightly stroked his chin. Indeed, rolling fifty dice to get three hundred and ny points seemed too incredible.


    "It''s true, I can testify. What she said is true," Zhao Qiang, kneeling on the ground, suddenly spoke up.


    Although clerk Tang had intentionally lowered his voice, the hall wasn''t thatrge, and the three people below could hear his words clearly.


    Song Ming and clerk Tang didn''t believe Jiang Ning''s ount, but Zhao Qiang remembered what Old Six Hu had said after rolling the dice that day when he went upstairs.


    Old Six Hu had said, "With fifty dice, I couldn''t even roll three hundred points. How did she manage to roll three hundred and ny points?"


    At that time, Zhao Qiang was too anxious to think much of it, but now he realized that the "she" Old Six Hu referred to must have been this woman called Jiang Ning.


    Hearing this, Song Ming and clerk Tang exchanged a nce. Song Ming gave clerk Tang a slight nod, and thetter, having no more objections, continued writing with his head down.


    After Jiang Ning finished her ount, Song Ming had a moment of realization: "So that''s how it was! You humiliated Old Six Hu in front of so many people and then swaggered out with over a hundred taels of silver. It''s understandable that he would hold a grudge."


    "Bang!" Song Ming picked up his gavel and struck it, shouting, "Bring someone here!"


    The leading Government Official from the left row stepped forward, bowed, and said, "At your service."


    "Go to the Gold Jade Hall now and bring the owner Old Six Hu and the bouncer Houzi here for questioning."


    "Yes, sir."


    After the official left to carry out the order, the hall fell silent for a moment.


    Jiang Ning lowered her eyes, mentally rehearsing possible scenarios that might unfold next and how to respond to them. While she was deep in thought, someone lightly touched the back of her hand.


    She turned her head to see Liu Ming''an with a slight smile. Given that they were in court, he didn''t dare to be too expressive, but the unmistakable joy in his eyes was unconcealed, as if tiny stars had fallen into them.


    Jiang Ning looked at him for a while, then averted her gaze. Something in the depths of her heart was breaking free from its restraints, surging forth.

 Chapter 73

    After about half an hour, the government officials brought in Houzi and Old Six Hu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As the two men entered, Jiang Ning could feel their gaze quickly sweep over her before they bowed respectfully.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "This humble citizen, Old Six Hu, pays respects to Magistrate Song!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "This humble citizen, Hou Zehua, pays respects to Magistrate Song!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming casually observed the two men, while clerk Tang''s eyes were practically shooting mes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    These two scoundrels, working together to deceive Zhao Qiang!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    If not for the formal setting, clerk Tang would have loved to smash the inkstone on his desk over their heads.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hou Zehua, Old Six Hu, do you know why I''ve summoned you here?" Song Ming asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "In response to Your Honor, this humble citizen does not know. However..." Houzi grinned, putting on an obedient fa?ade, "If Your Honor has any questions, this humble citizen will certainly answer truthfully andpletely, and cooperate fully."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning nced sideways at Houzi, her eyes turning cold.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This type of sly character ¨C she should have stabbed him to death earlier instead of letting him go back to ry a message to Old Six Hu!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As she was thinking this, she felt another touch on the back of her hand. Unsurprisingly, it was Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Turning her head, Jiang Ning saw Liu Ming''an looking at her with a solemn expression, his eyes filled with concern and sympathy. He mouthed to her:<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Don''t be like that," he said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning looked away, lowering her eyes, and quietly listened to Song Ming''s interrogation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hou Zehua? Your nickname is Houzi, right?" Song Ming said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, this humble citizen got this nickname because my surname is Hou, and I''m thin," Houzi answered honestly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Do you know the youngdy beside you?" Song Ming asked again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Houzi turned his head, putting on a show of looking Jiang Ning up and down, "I do, she''s the gambling table heroine, haha..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Do you have any grudges against each other?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Houzi tly denied it: "No!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming made noment and asked Old Six Hu, who was standing to the side, "What about you, Master Hu? Do you have any grievances with this youngdy?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Old Six Hu bowed and said, "In response to Your Honor, this humble citizen is of a simple nature and never makes enemies with anyone."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning suddenly recalled a corrupt official she had seen in her previous life who had embezzled several hundred million. The voice password for his advanced safe was: "Be selfless and serve the people."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Perhaps Old Six Hu could be sworn brothers with him, Jiang Ning thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Beside her, clerk Tang also turned red with anger upon hearing this, but could do nothing except shoot a vicious re at Old Six Hu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Damn it, this scoundrel is truly shameless! Clerk Tang cursed inwardly, his handwriting bing messier than usual.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Miss Jiang Ning says that on the fifteenth of this month, she entered the Gold Jade Hall and yed dice with you, causing you to lose over a hundred taels of silver. Master Hu, you''re not upset about this at all?" Song Ming inquired further.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was only then that Old Six Hu and Houzi learned that this woman was called "Jiang Ning."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Not at all!" Old Six Hu said with an open expression, "In a gambling house, winning and losing is normal. How could I take such a trivial matter to heart? Besides, to have the opportunity to face off against a skilled yer like Miss Jiang Ning ¨C I couldn''t be happier. How could I be upset over a few taels of silver?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Mingughed, half-genuinely and half-mockingly praising, "Master Hu has such magnanimity. With this breadth of mind and temperament, it''s no wonder the Gold Jade Hall has dominated Lingshan Town for so many years."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Your Honor tters me. This humble citizen merely adheres to the principles of ''honest business and goodwill towards others'' in carrying out my duties," Old Six Hu replied smoothly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming looked at the old fox before him and asked with a cold smile, "Such fine words about honest business and goodwill! Then why did Master Hu scheme to make Zhao Qiang owe gambling debts?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Old Six Hu suddenly raised his head, his face full of surprise, "Your Honor, what do you mean by this? The gambling debts that Instructor Zhao owes to the Gold Jade Hall urred in full view of everyone. That night, there were so many people present ¨C Your Honor can ask any one of them. It was all because Instructor Zhao himself was greedy and bit off more than he could chew, that''s why he ended up owing so much money..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At this point, Old Six Hu''s face was full of grievance, "This humble citizen even reduced his debt from six thousand six hundred and fifty taels to just one hundred taels. Who would have thought that no good deed goes unpunished? To think that in Your Honor''s eyes, this has be a scheme to frame him. s... this world truly disheartens good people!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A dark light shed in Jiang Ning''s eyes. She never expected Old Six Hu to be such an aplished actor, putting on such a convincing performance!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ncing up, she saw that clerk Tang could barely hold his pen steady, gritting his teeth as he stared at Old Six Hu, the flesh on his face trembling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming tapped his chin with his index finger and followed Old Six Hu''s words, "Since Master Hu is such a good person, I won''t question you further. Hou Zehua, why did you instigate Zhao Qiang to steal money from Lotus Flower Vige?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Houzi panicked and said, "Your Honor, this is a false usation! This humble citizen has never done such a thing!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhao Qiang, who had been hanging his head all this time, looked up at his "good brother" with aplex expression.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh? You didn''t tell Zhao Qiang to go to Lotus Flower Vige to steal money?" Song Ming asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Lotus Flower Vige? This humble citizen is neither from Lotus Flower Vige nor has ever been there. How could I have told Instructor Zhao to go steal money?" Houzi denied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming smiled slightly, "Your stories don''t match up. Zhao Qiang said that when he couldn''te up with one hundred taels of silver, you told him that there was someone named Liu Ming''an in Lotus Flower Vige whose family had one hundred taels, and you encouraged Zhao Qiang to boldly go and steal it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "False usation! False usation! This is a terrible false usation!" Houzi said with a face full of indignation, "This humble citizen never said such things, and doesn''t even know any Liu Ming''an. I don''t understand why Instructor Zhao wants to drag me down with him!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhao Qiang watched Houzi''s heartfelt performance, a self-mocking smile appearing on his lips. This was his "good brother."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh? Then how did Zhao Qiang know that family had money? He doesn''t seem to have been to Lotus Flower Vige before either..." Song Ming said softly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Houzi bowed and said, "This humble citizen doesn''t know the answer to that question. However, it seems that this youngdy and this gentleman are together. At the time, everyone saw this youngdy winning money at the Gold Jade Hall. It wouldn''t be surprising if Instructor Zhao had heard about it somewhere."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hmm, that makes sense!" Song Ming nodded, seemingly in agreement, then immediately asked, "You just said you''ve never been to Lotus Flower Vige?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Absolutely true!" Houzi said firmly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming stopped questioning these two and picked up his judge''s mallet, striking it once, "Bring in He Zhenhu."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Houzi and Old Six Hu''s faces froze for a moment, and they exchanged a subtle nce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning hadn''t heard this name before, but since the surname was "He" and the name contained the character for "tiger," she had a certain guess in her mind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was pondering why He Zhenhu had been brought into this when he suddenly felt his hand being lightly tapped twice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There was no one else beside him except Jiang Ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an turned his head and heard Jiang Ning asking in an extremely low and quick voice, "Does He Zhenhu have a nickname called ''Tiger''?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an nodded, but he couldn''t understand why Jiang Ning would ask this.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having received a confirmatory answer, Jiang Ning quickly connected all the pieces in her mind. The arsonist must be either Houzi or Tiger!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 74

    He Zhenhu had no idea how the officials had found him. When he was taken from his home, Li Xiangyun and his mother kept crying and asking what crime he hadmitted, but he couldn''t answer.


    Thinking it over, He Zhenhu guessed it might be rted to Liu Ming''an''s house being burned down.


    But all he had done was shelter Zhao Instructor at his home for an afternoon, and go to the bamboo grove to inform Monkey. Even if something had happened, surely he couldn''t be med for that?


    With this reasoning, He Zhenhu felt a bit more at ease. When he arrived at the courthouse and saw Old Six, Monkey, Liu Ming''an, and the woman who had knocked him unconscious all present, He Zhenhu knew his guess was correct.


    Jiang Ning noticed that Song Ming''s posture changed slightly when He Zhenhu entered the courtroom. His previously upright sitting position shifted, with one hand resting on the armrest and his body slightly tilted, appearing less severe and more casual.


    "This humble citizen He Zhenhu greets Magistrate Song!" He Zhenhu bowed with cupped hands. He could feel several gazes upon him, and his heart began to race.


    Song Ming picked up his teacup with one hand, took a small sip, and then spoke with a smile, "Zhenhu, that''s quite a powerful name. Were you born in the Year of the Tiger by any chance?"


    He Zhenhu was taken aback by this unexpected question but answered honestly, "Yes, I was."


    "What a coincidence! I was also born in the Year of the Tiger," Song Mingughed heartily, seeming quite excited. He continued, "Which month were you born in?"


    "September."


    "Oh, then I''m one month older than you. I was born in August. Are you married?"


    ...


    He Zhenhu was confused about the situation. Why wasn''t the county magistrate asking him about the case, but instead making small talk?


    It wasn''t just He Zhenhu; Old Six Hu, Monkey, and Liu Ming''an were also perplexed. Why did the county magistrate suddenly seem so approachable, without any air of authority?


    Only Jiang Ning slightly curved her lips, as she was all too familiar with this interrogation technique.


    Interrogation is a crucial part of investigating a case. Throughout history, as legal systems have be more sophisticated and countries around the world have ced greater emphasis on human rights, traditional interrogation methods that cause physical and physiological harm to suspects have gradually been phased out to avoid "forced confessions" as much as possible.


    As time progressed, the process of obtaining urate testimony from suspects became increasingly challenging, leading to a greater focus on researching and applying psychological methods in interrogation.


    In modern interrogation theory, the questioning techniques of the interrogator and the ability to interpret the psychological activities of the person being interrogated are equally important.


    Song Ming''s behavior employed the simplest technique of lowering the psychological defenses of the person being interrogated.


    When He Zhenhu entered the courtroom, he came with the psychological expectation of being questioned by the county magistrate. Therefore, he was vignt, guarded, and mentally defensive. Under these circumstances, any answer he gave would be the result of careful consideration after weighing the pros and cons.


    That''s why Song Ming rxed his body and sat at an angle before He Zhenhu came in, weakening his "official authority."


    Then, Song Ming stopped referring to himself as "this official" and instead used "I," reducing the gap between "official" and moner" and blurring the distinction in their status. He smiled and chatted about various topics, gradually allowing He Zhenhu to lower his mental guard.


    During this seemingly casual conversation, there was also skill in the way Song Ming spoke.


    If he had only asked questions like "How old are you?", "Are you married?", or "How old is your child?", the person being interrogated would find it strange and could easily detect that the interrogator was trying to get close, which could backfire.


    Song Ming handled this well. He not only asked questions but also shared a bit about his own situation after each question. This would slowly make He Zhenhu realize that this official was a person just like him, alive and real, with his own joys and sorrows, nothing too intimidating.


    As for why Song Ming only used this psychological technique on He Zhenhu and not on Monkey or Old Six Hu, Jiang Ning thought it was probably because, based on Zhao Qiang''s testimony, Monkey and Old Six Hu were already cunning individuals.


    Old Six Hu and Monkey had worked together to lure Zhao Qiang into their trap, so their involvement with each other was surely much deeper than with He Zhenhu.


    He Zhenhu seemed more like the final link in their n, chosen to participate mainly because he was from Lotus Flower Vige.


    For this reason, if they had to choose one person among the three to breakthrough for a confession, it would definitely be He Zhenhu.


    This young county magistrate indeed had some skills, although his application was a bit rigid and deliberate. But for He Zhenhu, it should be enough, Jiang Ning thought.


    As Jiang Ning had predicted, He Zhenhu at first suspected the county magistrate had taken the wrong medicine, feeling nervous and uneasy. But after a while, he realized they were just chatting about everyday matters, and this county magistrate seemed quite approachable, listening attentively to everything he said. The two seemed to be getting along well, and He Zhenhu gradually forgot he was in a courtroom, bing bolder.


    When Jiang Ning saw that He Zhenhu was no longer hunching his shoulders, dared to look directly at Song Ming while speaking, and had unconsciously adjusted his stance to a morefortable position, she knew this interrogation was ready to conclude.


    "...So, did your wife visit Lotus Flower Vige before you got married?" Song Ming asked.


    "She came several times. I always went to pick her up. She seemed quite docile back then. Who knew she''d turn into such a nag now?" He Zhenhu answered with a frown, clearly recalling some unpleasant memories.


    "I see," Song Ming continued without changing his tone, "Has Monkey ever been to Lotus Flower Vige?"


    "Yes, he has!" He Zhenhu answered without thinking.


    Jiang Ning nced towards Monkey and Old Six Hu, seeing their expressions change dramatically. Monkey, in particr, shed a fierce look, disregarding the setting, and shouted directly at He Zhenhu, "What nonsense are you talking about? When have I ever been to Lotus Flower Vige?"


    He Zhenhu suddenly came to his senses, realizing he had let something slip. He immediately waved his hands frantically at Song Ming, saying, "No, no, no... Your Honor, I made a mistake. Monkey has never been to Lotus Flower Vige. I¡ª"


    "Bang!"


    The sound of the judge''s gavel cut off the rest of He Zhenhu''s words in his throat. He realized Song Ming had changed. That face no longer held any trace of the earlier smile; instead, it was a stern, intimidating face of an official.


    "Hou Zehua, how dare you be so impudent in the courtroom?" Song Ming red at Monkey, his voice severe.


    "Magistrate Song, I''ve been wrongly used. I spoke in haste. Please investigate thoroughly!" Monkey''s voice was urgent.


    "Hah! Wrongly used..." Song Ming turned to the panicked He Zhenhu and asked, "He Zhenhu, I ask you, was what you just said about Hou Zehua visiting Lotus Flower Vige true or false?"


    He Zhenhu remembered the warnings from Old Six Hu and Monkey and was about to deny it, but just as he uttered the word "It''s," he heard Song Ming continue in a low voice, "I remind you, if what you say is false, then you are giving false testimony and deceiving this official, as well as falsely using others. Your crime will bepounded, and ording to thew, you will be subject to fiftyshes and six months'' imprisonment."


    He Zhenhu''s forehead was covered in cold sweat, his lips trembling, his face turning pale.


    "Moreover, the fire at Liu Ming''an''s house a few days ago was an attempted arson and murder. You hadn''t been home for days, yet you happened to return that very day. This official finds you highly suspicious."


    Song Ming spoke again, and for He Zhenhu, this was thest straw that broke the camel''s back.


    Everyone present saw He Zhenhu''s knees buckle as he fell straight to the ground before Song Ming. Then he said, "This humble citizen did not lie. Monkey... he dide to Lotus Flower Vige! Just the day before yesterday!"


    Monkey''s face turned ashen in an instant. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides, veins bulging on his arms, and the hatred in his eyes was chilling.

 Chapter 75

    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an left the magistrate''s office at noon, with everything proceeding more smoothly than they had anticipated.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He Zhenhu had imed that Monkey had followed Zhao Qiang to Liu Ming''an''s house yesterday, but Monkey vehemently denied it. Old Six Hu also testified that Monkey had spent the entire day at Gold Jade Hall. Neither side could prove the truth of their statements, but both were suspicious enough to be detained. More witnesses and testimonies would be needed before the next court session to reach a verdict.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "To prove that He Zhenhu''s testimony is true, it''s actually quite simple," Magistrate Song Ming had said. "Hou Zehua and Old Six Hu, if you two were nning to harm someone, you would have sent someone to gather information beforehand. I just need to spend some time asking around to find out."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an remembered how the faces of Old Six Hu and Monkey had turned as white as paper when Song Ming said this.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the end, Song Ming ordered all three men to be detained in jail, awaiting the next court session. He told Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning that they would be summoned for the next hearing, then struck his gavel and adjourned the court.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It seemed a favorable oue was imminent, Liu Ming''an thought with some relief. He turned to look at Jiang Ning, who appeared lost in thought, and unable to guess what was on her mind, he asked, "Jiang Ning, what are you thinking about?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s mood wasplex and difficult to discern. After a moment, she slowly replied, "I''m just feeling a bit emotional. I never imagined that one day I would be seeking justice through the ''legal system.''"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s expression stiffened as he recalled how Jiang Ning had wanted to go out with a knife to kill someone the night before.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, sometimes killing isn''t the only way to solve problems. There are righteous ways in this world to make bad people pay for their crimes. If you kill too much, you''ll lose yourself. I don''t want to see you be like that," Liu Ming''an said after some consideration.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning curled her lip slightly but said nothing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She knew Liu Ming''an was trying to use this incident to persuade her to put down her de, but how could a de beid down so easily?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Moreover, they had been fortunate to encounter an intelligent official this time, but who could guarantee such luck every time in the future?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having a knife and not using it was different from not having a knife at all. Jiang Ning couldn''t bring herself to ce her hopes entirely on others.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, in her previous life, she had killed out of necessity, purely to avoid death. Now that she had been given a second chance at life, she also wanted to escape that dark past and live out this life peacefully, day by day, meal by meal.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Since you''re so sincerely concerned for me, I can promise you that I''ll try my best not to kill in the future," Jiang Ning said, looking at the concern in Liu Ming''an''s eyes and offering amitment of sorts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing this, Liu Ming''an''s lips curved into an irrepressible smile. Then Jiang Ning added, "Putting down the knife doesn''t instantly make one a Buddha; it only leaves one vulnerable. I can only promise that I won''t harm those who don''t harm me, but if someone is bent on seeking death, I won''t hold back."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Good!" Liu Ming''an said with a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He could hear thepromise in Jiang Ning''s words. This was her second concession to him ¨C the first had been about going up the mountain, and now it was about killing. For someone as proud and strong as Jiang Ning to be willing to make concessions, did it mean that he held some significance in her heart?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The mere possibility made Liu Ming''an''s eyes crinkle with joy, his face beaming as he walked alongside Jiang Ning, his gaze bright and sparkling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing Liu Ming''an suddenly so happy, Jiang Ning was puzzled. "What are you so happy about? Did you not understand me? I meant that in the future, I might still have to¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, I''m just happy to see you," Liu Ming''an quickly interrupted, his voice as gentle as flowing water, his eyes full of affection.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Again with these words, again with that look, Jiang Ning thought to herself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Just as Jiang Ning was considering whether to warn Liu Ming''an, two men emerged from around the corner ahead, calling out excitedly when they saw them: "Brother Liu!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    They turned to look and saw two young men holding fishing rods, one of them carrying a bucket.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning didn''t recognize them, but Liu Ming''an did. It was Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhou, Brother Zhang!" Liu Ming''an eximed, pleasantly surprised to see them. He then turned to Jiang Ning and said, "These are the two friends I mentioned to you before."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    By the time he finished speaking, the two men had eagerly approached Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning. The one in blue clothes patted Liu Ming''an on the shoulder and said with augh, "Ha ha! Brother Liu, what brings you to town? Are you here on business?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Without waiting for Liu Ming''an to answer, his gaze shifted to Jiang Ning beside him. After a quick nce, he said, "This youngdy must be your sister, right?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning keenly noticed that when he said the word "sister," he seemed to emphasize it deliberately, and for some reason, his expression held a hint of teasing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an nodded and introduced them to Jiang Ning: "Jiang Ning, this is Zhou Yi, and this is Zhang Shun."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Then he turned to Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun and said, "Her name is Jiang Ning. Jiang as in ''ginger,'' and Ning as in ''tranquil.''"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun exchanged a smile, then bowed slightly to Jiang Ning, saying, "Miss Jiang Ning, it''s a pleasure to meet you!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nodded in response.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "By the way, Brother Liu, what brings you to town?" Zhang Shun asked, setting down the bucket he was carrying.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nced into the wooden bucket and saw it was full of lively fish, bothrge and small, of various species.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an wanted to answer but realized he didn''t know where to begin. Finally, he said, "It''s a long story, but in short, we''ve moved to town now. Our house is on North Street, not far from the Hong family. If you two want toe over for drinks and conversation, you''re wee anytime."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, that''s wonderful!" Zhou Yi eximed, pping his thigh in excitement. "Where exactly is your ce? Can wee visit tomorrow?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an didn''t answer immediately. Instead, he nced at Jiang Ning first, worried that she might not appreciate being disturbed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning felt Liu Ming''an''s questioning gaze and found her feelings difficult to articte.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She didn''t recall ever restricting Liu Ming''an''s friendships, so why was he acting as if she had the final say in their household?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s gaze swept over the three of them, and she suggested to Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun, "Our home is just ahead. Why don''t you twoe and sit for a while? It would be more convenient for you to chat there." After all, it did look a bit odd for the four of them to be standing in the street.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi was very tempted. He turned to look at Zhang Shun, and seeing no objection, he immediately broke into a smile. "Sounds great! We hope we''re not intruding."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When the four of them arrived at Liu Ming''an''s house, Zhou Yi had a sudden realization. "Oh, it really is close to my uncle''s ce. You all chat first, I''ll go to Fusheng Restaurant and have them prepare some dishes and wine. I''ll be back soon!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Before the others could react, Zhou Yi thrust his fishing rod into Liu Ming''an''s hands and dashed off, disappearing around the corner of the alley in the blink of an eye.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an watched Zhou Yi''s retreating figure vanish and chuckled, "Brother Zhou really is an impatient one!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhang Shun was used to it. "He''s been like that since I''ve known him."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After entering the courtyard, Jiang Ning went straight to her room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an followed her to the door and said, "You didn''t sleep wellst night. Get some rest, and I''ll call you when it''s time to eat."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mm," Jiang Ning responded, then closed the door, leaving Liu Ming''an and Zhang Shun to themselves.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When Liu Ming''an turned back, he saw Zhang Shun smiling at him meaningfully. "Brother Liu, I knew your painting skills were superb, but I didn''t realize they were this extraordinary."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhang, what do you mean?" Liu Ming''an was puzzled, wondering why Zhang Shun had suddenly brought up his painting skills.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhang Shun lowered his voice and said with a smile, "You''ve captured Miss Jiang Ning''s spirit perfectly in your painting."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Although only her eyebrows and eyes were visible now, the cold and aloof aura she exuded was identical to the feeling conveyed in Liu Ming''an''s painting.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an suddenly remembered the burned painting and the poem, feeling a pang of regret.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I can''t capture even a tenth of her essence. She''s much more beautiful in person than in my painting," he said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing Liu Ming''an''s response, Zhang Shun raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Brother Liu, are you admitting to having improper thoughts about Miss Jiang Ning?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, I like her very much," Liu Ming''an nodded with a smile, feeling his heart warm as he spoke these words.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhang Shun was genuinely surprised. Thest time they met, Liu Ming''an had stubbornly insisted he only saw Jiang Ning as a sister, but in just a few short days, he was now openly admitting his feelings.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hmm, not bad. You''ve got potential!" After a moment, Zhang Shun encouraged, patting Liu Ming''an on the shoulder.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "But she doesn''t like me..." After a while, Zhang Shun heard Liu Ming''an say in a somewhat dejected voice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What? This won''t do! How could such an adorable little brother be left to love unrequited?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhang Shun grasped Liu Ming''an''s hand firmly, dering with unwavering loyalty, "Brother Liu, I have experience in these matters. I''ll teach you, don''t worry!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 76

    Just as Liu Ming''an was deeply impressed by Zhang Shun''s intricate and detailed strategies for pursuing one''s love interest, Zhou Yi returned, followed by several waiters from Fusheng Restaurant, all carrying food boxes.


    "Brother Liu, Zhang Shun,e on! Let''s eat first! It''s midday, and we''ve been fishing all morning. I''m starving..." Zhou Yi called out loudly. Noticing Jiang Ning''s absence, he asked, "Hey, where''s Miss Jiang?"


    Liu Ming''an rose from the stone bench and said, "She''s resting. I''ll go call her."


    Just as he reached Jiang Ning''s door and was about to knock, the door opened on its own. Jiang Ning spoke, "I heard you."


    With Zhou Yi shouting so loudly, it would have been difficult not to hear.


    "Then let''s eat!" Liu Ming''an said with a smile.


    The three of them agreed that the lighting in the courtyard was good, so they carried the table from the living room outside. The waiters helped set up the dishes and utensils, then bid farewell to Zhou Yi, saying they would return in two hours to clean up before leaving the courtyard.


    There were four chairs in total, with each person sitting on one side of the table.


    "I wasn''t sure what Brother Liu and Miss Jiang like to eat, so I just ordered a variety," Zhou Yi said as he sat down and poured drinks for everyone.


    Liu Ming''an sat next to Jiang Ning. Noticing she was still wearing her veil, he leaned close and whispered, "Jiang Ning, you can take off your veil. They''re not from Lotus Flower Vige; it''s alright."


    Jiang Ning removed her veil as instructed. Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun looked over, their eyes filled with amazement.


    "She really looks like her!" Zhou Yi eximed.


    "What did you expect?" Zhang Shun replied with a smile, understanding what he meant.


    Jiang Ning''s brow furrowed slightly, notprehending what they meant by "looks like." She turned to Liu Ming''an, expecting him to exin, but instead, he picked up his chopsticks and ced a sticky rice ball in her bowl.


    "Here, try this!" Liu Ming''an said with a gentle smile.


    Mindful of the others present, Jiang Ning said nothing and began to eat.


    Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun, delighted to see Liu Ming''an, chatted as they ate, gradually learning about Liu Ming''an''s experiences over the past few days.


    "We''ve only been apart for a few days, yet so many unexpected things have happened to you, Brother Liu..." Zhou Yi remarked after hearing the story.


    Liu Ming''an just smiled without saying much. He had only briefly mentioned the incident of his house being burned down, saying that the authorities were still investigating, without revealing any information about Jiang Ning.


    "But the most important thing is that you''re both safe and sound!" Zhang Shun added.


    "Indeed, it''s fortunate that no one was hurt!" Zhou Yi agreed.


    Jiang Ning, who hadn''t touched the alcohol, excused herself after finishing her meal and returned to her room. She hadn''t slept for two nights and was exhausted.


    Liu Ming''an watched as Jiang Ning entered her room. When he turned back, he found Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun staring at him with mischievous grins.


    "Oh, Brother Liu, your eyes are practically hooked on her~" Zhou Yi teased, having already heard from Zhang Shun that Liu Ming''an had admitted to liking Jiang Ning.


    Liu Ming''an''s ears turned red as he quietly said, "Brother Zhou, please don''t make fun of me."


    "Hahaha..." Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun burst intoughter at Liu Ming''an''s embarrassed expression.


    Inside her room, Jiang Ningy on the bed, asionally hearing muffled snippets of conversation andughter. She smiled contentedly to herself.


    Liu Ming''an had been out of ce among the vigers in Lotus Flower Vige, with no real friends. It was good that he had found kindred spirits in Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun here in town.


    She thought optimistically that after the case was over and she left, even if Liu Ming''an felt sad, he would have these two brothers to keep himpany and cheer him up. He''d probably forget about her before long.


    With these thoughts, Jiang Ning drifted off to sleep as exhaustion washed over her like a tide.


    However, Jiang Ning could never have guessed that what she assumed to be friendly conversation about poetry, current affairs, or shared experiences between Liu Ming''an and his brothers was actually two enthusiastic older brothers giving hands-on lessons on how to pursue a girl.


    Zhang Shun was already married with children. ording to him, he had fallen in love with his wife at first sight and then used every trick in the book to make her fall deeply in love with him in just half a year.


    Although Zhou Yi wasn''t married, he imed to be a seasoned romancer. For him, winning a girl''s heart was as easy as eating and drinking. He boasted that several youngdies in the Capital City dreamed of marrying him.


    Liu Ming''an was dazed by their back-and-forth advice. After the meal, he ushered them into the study, respectfully serving them tea and imploring them to share their wisdom.


    "First of all, when pursuing a girl, you must be gentle, not crude. You need to make her see you as a true gentleman. Before you''re certain of her feelings, you absolutely cannot get physical, or she''ll hate you," Zhang Shun said earnestly after taking a sip of tea.


    Liu Ming''an nodded and wrote on a piece of paper:


    First principle: Be a gentle gentleman.


    "Secondly, you need to find opportunities to spend time together. Haven''t you heard of familiarity breeding affection? The more time you spend together, the more chances she has to see your good qualities, be attracted to them, and eventually fall for you," Zhang Shun continued.


    Liu Ming''an found this quite reasonable and continued writing:


    Second principle: Spend lots of time together.


    However, after writing this down, Liu Ming''an realized something was amiss. "Brother Zhang, I think I forgot to mention that we''ve been living together constantly. Back in Lotus Flower Vige, we ate together, lived together, and even slept in the same bed. Moreover... I''ve been holding her hand while sleeping..."


    Liu Ming''an''s voice grew quieter as he spoke, and his ears inevitably turned red again towards the end.


    "Pffft- cough cough cough... cough..."


    Zhou Yi suddenly choked on his tea and began coughing violently. Liu Ming''an quickly went over to pat his back and help him catch his breath.


    When he finally recovered, Zhou Yi stood up and tore Liu Ming''an''s "secret tips" in half. "Brother Liu, don''t listen to his nonsense. He was far worse than you back then. His wife is a distant cousin of mine. Sheter told me that she had liked Zhang Shun for a long time, but he kept dawdling and took forever to confess his feelings¡ª"


    "What?" The usually calm andposed Zhang Shun stood up in disbelief, urgently asking Zhou Yi, "Is what you''re saying true?"


    Zhou Yi realized he had identally let slip his cousin''s secret in the heat of the moment, but since the words were already out, there was no point in denying it.


    "It''s true. You just couldn''t understand a girl''s shy and reserved nature. Otherwise, your son would be five months older than he is now," Zhou Yi said.


    Zhang Shun was stunned for a moment before sitting down with augh. "So that''s how it was..."


    Zhang Shun''s gaze drifted to the window, his eyes filled with intense longing. Liu Ming''an watched him, feeling a twinge of envy.


    Zhou Yi then turned to Liu Ming''an, patting him on the shoulder. "Brother Liu, your situation is tooplicated. Zhang Shun''s advice won''t work for you. You need to listen to me!"


    Liu Ming''an wholeheartedly agreed, taking out a fresh sheet of paper to record Zhou Yi''s "sage advice."

 Chapter 77

    Jiang Ning awoke from her slumber just as the sun was setting. When she opened the door, she found Liu Ming''an standing outside with a stack of books in his arms, looking as if he had been waiting for a while.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What''s this about?" Jiang Ning asked, puzzled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an smiled and said, "Those strange tales you were reading earlier got burned, so I was worried you might get bored. I just went to the Ink Fragrance Pavilion and bought you over a dozen new books."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nced at the books in his hands. The cover of the topmost one read "The Ghost-Catching Chronicles of Grand Preceptor Yuan."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Thank you," Jiang Ning said, reaching out to take the books and cing them inside her room. When she came back out, she found Liu Ming''an still standing at the door, this time holding a box.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What''s that?" Jiang Ning asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an opened the box in front of her. Insidey a hairpin, its milky white color and smooth lines giving it a soft, lustrous appearance. The top was shaped like a camellia flower.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It''s for you. I thought it would suit you," Liu Ming''an said with a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning picked up the hairpin and turned it over in her hand. It was made of porcin and had some weight to it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Why are you suddenly giving me a hairpin?" Jiang Ning asked, perplexed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Uh, well, I saw it this afternoon when I was out with Brother Zhou and the others. I just thought you''d look beautiful wearing it," Liu Ming''an said, somewhat awkwardly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The idea of gifting a hairpin hade from Zhou Yi, who had advised: "If you want her to understand your feelings, you need to show that you care about her. Aside from the usual checking on her well-being, you should asionally make grand gestures. Give her things like cosmetics, jewelry, pastries, or clothes. Few girls would refuse such gifts."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So, Liu Ming''an had gone out with his two older brothers to carefully select this hairpin from a jewelry shop as a way to "make a grand gesture." On their way back, they had passed by the Ink Fragrance Pavilion and bought some books as well.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, let me help you put it on," Liu Ming''an said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Fearing she might refuse, he quickly ushered her into the room, sat her down on a stool, and deftly untied her hair ribbon.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Most of the time, Jiang Ning was quite indulgent with Liu Ming''an. It was just a hairpin after all ¨C she couldn''t say she liked it, but she couldn''t say she disliked it either. So she let Liu Ming''an have his way.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, this time Liu Ming''an seemed to be styling her hair in a moreplex manner. What usually took five minutes was now taking him nearly twenty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "There, it''s done. Let me hold up the mirror so you can see," Jiang Ning heard Liu Ming''an say excitedly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He lifted the mirror higher and tilted it downward so Jiang Ning could see her entire hairstyle.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The lower half of her hair was still loose, while the upper half was styled into a high bun with two small loops, looking both elegant and intricate. The hairpin was inserted at an angle, like a fleck of snow amidst dark clouds, adding a touch of allure.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Do you like it? It''s called the Flowing Clouds style. I learned it especially from thendy," Liu Ming''an said, reaching out to adjust the two loops, making them fuller. He added with a hint of regret, "I''m still a bit rusty. It''s not as pretty as when thendy does it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It looks very nice," Jiang Ning said graciously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m d you like it," Liu Ming''an replied, his voice brimming with barely concealed joy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing his expression, Jiang Ning suddenly had an epiphany, understanding the intention behind the books and the hairpin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was trying to win her favor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having realized this, Jiang Ning looked at the hairpin on her head with mixed feelings. The pristine white camellia in full bloom was like Liu Ming''an''s emotions ¨C passionate and pure.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi had arranged for Fusheng Restaurant to send over some dishes, and a few were still untouched. Liu Ming''an said he would go reheat them for dinner and told Jiang Ning to wait.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning agreed with a simple "Alright." After Liu Ming''an left her room, she slowly raised her hand to touch the hairpin in her hair. The cool sensation against her fingertips brought to mind Liu Ming''an''s face, full of gentle smiles just moments ago.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a long while, a barely audible sigh echoed in the room: "I think I''ve gone mad too..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning ate dinner with a heavy heart. After washing up and returning to her room, she lit an oilmp, removed the hairpin, and sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The white porcin took on a warm, yellowish glow in themplight, making the camellia flower look as if it were blooming in the early morning light.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Knock... knock... knock..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The sudden sound of knocking pulled Jiang Ning from her tangled thoughts. She looked towards the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There was no question as to who was knocking, but Jiang Ning remained seated, reluctant to move. Her mind was in such turmoil that she didn''t really want to face Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Knock... knock... knock..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The knocking continued. The person outside was patient, knocking steadily without rush. Then that familiar, gentle voice came through: "Jiang Ning, are you asleep?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With the lights still on in the room, it was clear she wasn''t sleeping. Jiang Ning sighed silently, ced the hairpin on the table, and got up to open the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What is it?" Jiang Ning asked, looking at Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an looked somewhat uneasy, his gaze shifting as he spoke, "Um, I identally spilled water on my bed earlier. It''s soaked through arge area..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow slightly, seeming to guess what he was about to say next.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "...Would it be alright if I slept in your room tonight?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What a clumsy excuse! What transparent intentions! Jiang Ning thought to herself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having finished speaking, Liu Ming''an anxiously looked at Jiang Ning''s expression. He found her leaning against the doorframe, a slight smile on her lips, saying nothing and just staring at him intently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Remember, Liu, you must find a way to sleep in the same bed as Miss Jiang Ning again. You two have slept together before, and if you''re separated now, won''t the distance between you grow?" Zhou Yi''s words echoed in his mind once more, giving Liu Ming''an a bit more courage.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He spoke again, "Jiang Ning, I promise I won''t crowd you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hah!" Jiang Ning couldn''t help butugh. Did Liu Ming''an have no self-awareness about his sleeping habits?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This light chuckle made Liu Ming''an''s heart skip a beat. Just as he was about to say something else, Jiang Ning turned and walked back into the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Come in," she said calmly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s heart soared. He hurriedly followed Jiang Ning into the room and climbed into bed, once again sharing a bed with her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The bed here was a bitrger than the one in Lotus Flower Vige. True to his word, Liu Ming''an didn''t crowd Jiang Ning after getting into bed. But Jiang Ning knew that while he behaved one way when awake, it was a different story once he fell asleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Come to think of it, Liu Ming''an hadn''t slept for two days. The night beforest, their house had burned down, and he and Jiang Ning had sat in front of it all night. Last night, after Jiang Ning had told him about her killing someone, his mind had been in such turmoil that he had stood in the courtyard all night.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Now he could finally get a good night''s sleep, but Liu Ming''an''s heart wouldn''t settle down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, are you asleep?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A soft question broke the silence of the deep night.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There was no response.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an gently turned over, gazing at Jiang Ning''s silhouette with a heart full of joy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Of course, Jiang Ning was awake. Having slept all afternoon, she wasn''t tired at all and was quite alert. She knew Liu Ming''an had been staring at her intently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A momentter, the person beside her stirred, inching closer to her, and then took one of her arms into his embrace.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning thought Liu Ming''an just wanted to hold her hand while sleeping as he had done before, but things seemed a bit different this time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Under the covers, Liu Ming''an felt for Jiang Ning''s hand. Then, very carefully, he extended his fingers, slipping them between hers, interlocking their fingers. Finally, content, he drifted off to sleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning opened her eyes in the darkness, turning her head to look at the sleeping Liu Ming''an. She wiggled her fingers slightly, feeling how tightly they were held. She felt her palm growing warm, the heat spreading throughout her body. It seemed her heart was warming up too.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 78

    As dawn broke, Jiang Ning was the first to wake, while Liu Ming''an still slumbered.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Light filtered through the paper windows into the room. Liu Ming''any on his side, his head gently resting against Jiang Ning''s shoulder as he slept peacefully, a smile lingering on his lips.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning gently extricated her hand, which had been held all night, and carefully got out of bed. After dressing, she nced at the camellia-patterned porcin hairpin on the table, tucked the hair on both sides of her face behind her ears, and headed to the kitchen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the kitchen, there was a basin half-filled with water containing two lively fish ¨C a grass carp and a bass. Jiang Ning recalled the bucket Zhang Shun had mentioned yesterday and realized the fish were a gift from them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Given the circumstances, she decided to make a simple fish slice porridge.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She lit the fire, boiled water, washed the rice, and put it in the pot. While the porridge was cooking, Jiang Ning began to prepare the fish.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The bass had fewer bones, with only one main bone and some small, serrated ones. Its tender meat made it perfect for porridge. As for the grass carp, she nned to make boiled fish for lunch.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning reached into the basin and grabbed the bass. With a swift strike of the knife''s back against its head, the fish twitched once and theny still.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She removed the gills, scaled the fish, cut open its belly, and removed the innards with practiced ease. After rinsing both the fish and the knife with adle of clean water, it was ready for slicing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Starting from the head and cutting towards the tail, she made a incision along the fish''s back, skillfully removing the entire fillet from the bone. She then sliced the fillet diagonally into thin pieces, which only needed to be marinated with a bit of ginger and salt.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had initially thought about frying the remaining fish head, tail, and bones before adding them to the pot, but with only one pot avable, it would be too inconvenient. She decided to simply discard them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a while, when the porridge had thickened, Jiang Ning stopped adding firewood to the stove. She scattered the fish slices into the pot, allowing the porridge''s heat to cook the meat. Finally, she sprinkled in a handful of chopped scallions and a pinch of salt before taking it off the heat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Just as Jiang Ning was about todle the porridge into bowls to cool, Liu Ming''an walked into the kitchen, greeting her with a smile and a soft "Jiang Ning."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "There''s no chicken here, I''ve overslept..." he said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The fish was a gift from them, I forgot to tell you yesterday..." he continued.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As Liu Ming''andled the porridge into bowls, he chatted incessantly with Jiang Ning, discreetly observing her expression. Seeing that she appeared normal, he gradually rxed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He couldn''t help feeling guilty. Last night, in a moment of impulse, he had decided to hold Jiang Ning''s hand while sleeping, nning to let go just before waking up. However, he had slept too deeply and woken upter than her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi had advised him that pursuing a girl with a reserved personality like Jiang Ning required patience and gradual progress; rushing things would only backfire. Thus, Liu Ming''an was on tenterhooks, worried that Jiang Ning might have noticed and found his actions disagreeable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Fortunately, Jiang Ning seemedpletely normal, suggesting that he must have unconsciously let go of her hand during the night.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an secretly breathed a sigh of relief as he brought the bowls and spoons to the table, joining Jiang Ning for breakfast.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The porridge was perfectly cooked, soft and fragrant with the rich aroma of rice. The fish slices were tender and delicate, their savory taste blending seamlessly with the porridge. Each spoonful was aforting delight that seemed to warm one''s entire being.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "This is delicious! Jiang Ning, your cooking is even better than the chefs at Fusheng Restaurant!" Liu Ming''an praised sincerely.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Is that so?" Jiang Ning responded casually.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Absolutely," Liu Ming''an affirmed with a smile, before adding meaningfully, "Whoever marries you will be blessed beyond measure!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Just because I can cook?" Jiang Ning asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "No, you''re wonderful in every way," Liu Ming''an replied earnestly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning paused mid-chew, her eyes flickering momentarily, but she said nothing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After the meal, Liu Ming''an took it upon himself to clean up the kitchen. Once finished, he went to Jiang Ning''s room, offering to help her with her hair again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This time, Liu Ming''an''s movements were much more practiced. Hepleted the hairstyle in half the time, and the result was even more elegant than yesterday''s.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "When I have time, I''ll go learn a few more hairstyles from that shopkeeper," Liu Ming''an said, admiring his handiwork on the cloud-like bun with satisfaction.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Over the next few days, their routine mirrored their time in Lotus Flower Vige. Jiang Ning read leisurely books while Liu Ming''an sketched and painted nearby. At night, he would find some excuse to sleep in her room, though he no longer dared to secretly hold her hand.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    On the fifth day of the lunar month, during the market fair, Liu Ming''an went out to set up his stall. He didn''t sell all of his calligraphy and paintings, earning just over two hundred copper coins in total.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Luck wasn''t on my side today. I only sold one piece," he said dejectedly upon returning home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Living in town had significantly increased their expenses, and if they only had this meager ie, they would soon run out of savings.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning walked over to Liu Ming''an and examined his remaining works.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The calligraphy was well-written, and the paintings were full of artistic conception. It wasn''t a question of product quality, but rather an issue of target audience.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I think you might want to consider a different approach," Jiang Ning suggested after setting down the scroll. "Lower the threshold a bit to appeal to a wider audience."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What do you mean?" Liu Ming''an asked, confused.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "In essence, create something more essible, something that the general public can easily appreciate," she exined.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an still looked perplexed. He didn''t think his work was particrly sophisticated; they were justndscape paintings meant to be aesthetically pleasing, weren''t they?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning borated, "How many ordinary people have the leisure to appreciatendscape paintings and calligraphy? Most can''t even read. To them, a steamed bun is more valuable than a priceless work of art. What you''re creating is beyond their daily needs, so your customer base is limited to a small minority."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an now understood but wasn''t sure how to change his approach. "So what should I paint?" he asked Jiang Ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Where there''s demand, there''s a market. You need to understand what themon people truly want," she replied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "But everyone is different, aren''t they?" he countered.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "There are alwaysmonalities," Jiang Ning exined patiently. "The essence of human existence is the pursuit of happiness ¨C it''s an irrepressible instinct. So, in your opinion, what constitutes a fulfilling life for the average person?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was guiding Liu Ming''an''s thought process. For someone from ancient times, modern market economy concepts could be overwhelming, but Liu Ming''an was quite perceptive. With just a few words from her, he was already beginning to grasp the idea.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What makes a life fulfilling?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After some thought, Liu Ming''an answered, "Having enough food and clothing, being surrounded by children and grandchildren, enjoying good health, and living a smooth, sessful life."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nodded in agreement. "That''s your starting point, then. For example, having enough food and clothing implies wealth, so you could paint the God of Wealth. Even those who can''t read would recognize and appreciate it as an auspicious symbol. But don''t be too conventional ¨C add your own twist. If others depict the God of Wealth holding gold ingots, you could paint him with a treasure bowl instead. With your artistic skills, you''d easily outshine crude imitations. How could such paintings not sell?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an felt as if he''d just had an epiphany. Excitedly, he grasped Jiang Ning''s hands. "Jiang Ning, you''re so clever! You know so much!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s lips curved into a slight smile as she replied, "You tter me."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an went straight to his room and, following Jiang Ning''s advice, created seven or eight new paintings.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When Jiang Ning came to call him for dinner, she found that he had painted various deities including Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy who grants children), Yuo (the God of Marriage), Shouxing (the God of Longevity), and Caishen (the God of Wealth). Gone were thendscapes and poetic scenes, reced by a pantheon of divine figures representing the most basic aspirations of ordinary people.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 79

    After dinner, Jiang Ning waited in her room for Liu Ming''an, curious about what excuse he woulde up with today.


    On the first night, he said water had been spilled on the bed. The second and third nights, he imed the nkets weren''t dry yet. Last night, he said a bat had flown into the room and it bothered him. She wondered what kind of excuse he would use tonight.


    "Knock, knock, knock."


    The door was tapped, and Jiang Ning got up to open it, looking at Liu Ming''an standing outside.


    Liu Ming''an had beening earlier and earlier each day. At this moment, it wasn''t even dark yet. Jiang Ning leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, waiting leisurely for him to speak.


    "Jiang Ning, I... I identally... spilled water on the bed again..."


    As soon as the words left his mouth, Liu Ming''an saw Jiang Ning chuckle softly.


    In the dim twilight, Jiang Ning was no longer just curling her lips slightly. Her eyes crinkled, filled with deep amusement, her mouth curved upwards, and a faint dimple appeared on her right cheek.


    This was the first time Liu Ming''an had seen such a radiant smile on Jiang Ning''s face. The cold, distant air about her had mostly dissipated, and she looked unbelievably beautiful.


    "Liu Ming''an, couldn''t youe up with a slightly more clever excuse?"


    Liu Ming''an heard Jiang Ning say this to him, her voice no longer indifferent and calm. It sounded like jade beads falling onto a te or a babbling brook, clear and pleasant to the ear. Especially when she said his name, her voice carried a hint ofughter. Those three simple sybles seemed to roll off her tongue, and when she spoke them, he couldn''t help but think of the word "alluring."


    "I must truly be going mad," Liu Ming''an thought.


    Jiang Ning reined in her smile a bit and stepped out of the doorway, now only one step away from Liu Ming''an.


    "Why aren''t you saying anything?" she asked.


    Liu Ming''an couldn''t speak. He stared at Jiang Ning, unable to look away, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of his chest.


    "Never mind,e in," Jiang Ning said, seeing Liu Ming''an''s dumbfounded expression. For some reason, her mood had improved as well.


    Liu Ming''an felt like he was floating as he entered. Even after the lights were out and he was lying next to Jiang Ning, he still felt like he hadn''t touched the ground, as if he were still floating in the air. His mind kept revolving around two thoughts:


    Jiang Ning had known all along that he was making excuses!


    Jiang Ning knew he was making excuses to sleep in her bed, and she was indulging him!


    Jiang Ning was so clever, surely she must have guessed his feelings?


    Liu Ming''an''s thoughts were in a whirl, and sleep eluded him. He turned to look at Jiang Ning.


    In the darkness, Jiang Ningy quietly on her back, her breathing steady, apparently fast asleep. Liu Ming''an carefully inched closer and, like the previous nights, took her hand.


    His heart racing, Liu Ming''an propped himself up on one elbow and gazed motionlessly at Jiang Ning.


    The room was dim, and Liu Ming''an couldn''t see clearly, so he leaned in closer, his face now just inches from Jiang Ning''s.


    He had once meticulously sketched this face with his pen, each stroke falling on paper and etching itself into his heart. Even though he could only see a blurry outline now, Liu Ming''an could imagine in his mind Jiang Ning''s eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and that dimple on her right cheek when she smiled earlier.


    Jiang Ning, Jiang Ning, Jiang Ning...


    Liu Ming''an repeated this name in his heart over and over, feeling something irrepressible welling up inside him, making him unable to resist the urge to get closer to Jiang Ning.


    Feeling Liu Ming''an''s warm breath on her face as he drew nearer, Jiang Ning inwardly sighed, unable to keep up the pretense any longer.


    Just as Liu Ming''an''s lips were mere inches from hers, Jiang Ning raised her free hand and ced it over the lower half of her face.


    The next moment, a gentle kissnded on her palm.


    Jiang Ning was still awake!


    Liu Ming''an''s body instantly froze, his eyes widening in shock, maintaining the position of kissing Jiang Ning''s palm without daring to move a muscle.


    "Liu Ming''an, you''re getting bolder and bolder. Aren''t you afraid I''ll hit you?"


    Jiang Ning''s somewhatzy voice rang out. She opened her eyes to see Liu Ming''an half-propped up above her. Perhaps due to guilt, Liu Ming''an didn''t dare breathe, and the hand holding hers was gripping quite tightly, causing Jiang Ning a bit of pain.


    "Not talking again?"


    Jiang Ning waited for a moment, and seeing that Liu Ming''an''s body was still as stiff as a board, she chuckled softly.


    "Jiang..." Liu Ming''an only managed to mumble one syble before he suddenly felt a force on his shoulder and a push at his knee. Losing his bnce, before he could understand what was happening, he found himself lying t on his back on the bed.


    In the next instant, Jiang Ning flipped over and straddled Liu Ming''an, one hand still firmly holding his, the other propping herself up beside his ear. They were so close their breaths mingled.


    Liu Ming''an''s mind wentpletely nk.


    "Why did you want to kiss me? Hmm?" Jiang Ning asked, feigning ignorance, with a barely detectable hint of amusement in her voice.


    Jiang Ning waited for a while, but hearing no answer, she half-jokingly threatened, "If you don''t speak up, I really will hit you..."


    Liu Ming''an stared dazedly at Jiang Ning above him, and after a long moment, he slowly said, "Because... I like you."


    Although she had known the answer all along, hearing Liu Ming''an say it out loud still made Jiang Ning''s heart flutter. She wanted to say something, but at this moment, it felt like she couldn''t utter a word.


    "Jiang Ning, I like you," Liu Ming''an repeated firmly, then brought their intertwined hands to his lips and kissed the back of Jiang Ning''s hand.


    Jiang Ning''s fingers twitched, as if she had been scalded, but Liu Ming''an held on tightly.


    "Jiang Ning, I want to marry you. I want tob your hair for a lifetime, wash your clothes for a lifetime, eat the meals you cook for a lifetime. I want to spend every day and night with you, grow old together. I want to share the same bed in life and the same grave in death."


    Jiang Ning''s long hair fell on either side of her face, seeming to trap them in this small world. The light was too dim for her to see Liu Ming''an''s expression as he spoke these words, but she felt her heart was inplete disarray.


    Liu Ming''an raised his hand to touch Jiang Ning''s face, murmuring again, "I like you, I like you so much, so very much..."


    As he spoke, Liu Ming''an''s hand moved to the back of Jiang Ning''s neck, slowly pulling her down towards him.


    Jiang Ning understood his intention and could have easily resisted, but she willingly allowed Liu Ming''an to guide her.


    In the darkness, the two drew closer and closer until finally, their lips met, and Jiang Ning received her first kiss in life.


    Having achieved his heart''s desire, Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning nestled obediently in his arms, allowing him to kiss her, and felt his heart melt into a pool of warmth.


    "Jiang Ning..." Liu Ming''an whispered against Jiang Ning''s lips, his heart fluttering.


    Pressed tightly together, Jiang Ning could feel certain changes in Liu Ming''an''s body and hear his thunderous heartbeat.


    Jiang Ning rolled off Liu Ming''an, feeling her face grow hot.


    Liu Ming''an reached out and pulled her back into his embrace, happily nting a kiss on Jiang Ning''s forehead.


    "Let''s sleep early. Tomorrow,e with me to the Hundred Knowledges Tower," Jiang Ning said, trying to appear calm.


    "Alright, but what are we going to do at the Hundred Knowledges Tower?" Liu Ming''an was still immersed in overwhelming joy, feeling a bit dizzy.


    "To ask how the two of us can get to Qushui City."


    To uncover the truth about her identity, eliminate potential threats, and spend the rest of her life peacefully with him.


    With these thoughts, Jiang Ning closed her eyes in Liu Ming''an''s arms, and they fell asleep in each other''s embrace.

 Chapter 80

    However, the next day, the two of them were unable to go to the Hundred Knowledges Tower as nned, because people from the magistrate''s office came, saying that court would be in session at 10 AM to handle their case.


    "We can finally put this matter to rest," Liu Ming''an said, looking at Jiang Ning with tender eyes full of warmth.


    Since waking up that morning, Liu Ming''an''s gaze hadn''t left Jiang Ning, constantly filled with passionate intensity. Jiang Ning had grown ustomed to it and simply replied, "Let''s go see how the county magistrate will rule on the case."


    As soon as they arrived at the magistrate''s office, they saw two women, one old and one young, anxiously wiping away tears outside the main gate.


    Liu Ming''an only nced at them briefly before looking away, but Jiang Ning stared at them carefully for a while.


    As it happened, Jiang Ning had seen both of these women before.


    The older woman was someone Jiang Ning had encountered on her first trip up the mountain. At that time, this woman had been discussing with Third Aunt whether Liu Ming''an was worthy of He Yiyi. Jiang Ning recalled that Third Aunt had called her "Aunt Li Er."


    As for the younger woman, Jiang Ning had an even stronger impression of her. She was the one who had tried to use menstrual blood for a cursete at night, whom Jiang Ning had knocked unconscious and dumped by the pond.


    What were these two doing here?


    Jiang Ning couldn''t guess, so she turned to Liu Ming''an and casually said, "Those two seem to be from Lotus Flower Vige. Aren''t you going to greet them?"


    Liu Ming''an frowned, remembering his argument with Li Xiangyun, and leaned close to Jiang Ning''s ear to whisper, "Those two are quite unpleasant. There''s no need to bother with them."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow in surprise. It seemed there was truly bad blood between them. Given Liu Ming''an''s typically good nature, for him to say such things, these women must surely be at fault.


    As the two entered the courtroom, several people were already standing below. Jiang Ning recognized one as Old Yu, the manager of Gold Jade Hall, and another as the shop assistant from the Chen Family Rice Shop. Another person looked familiar to Jiang Ning, and after some thought, she realized it was the waiter from Fusheng Restaurant who had served them when they bought rabbit.


    There was also another person, a young man who looked like a wealthy young master. He stood arrogantly off to the side, far from the others, with obvious disdain in his eyes.


    "Do you know that person?" Jiang Ning asked Liu Ming''an quietly.


    Liu Ming''an nodded and replied, "I saw him during the lower degree candidate exam. We''ve never spoken, so I don''t know why he''s here."


    "To testify!" Jiang Ning said softly.


    Soon after, Song Ming and clerk Tang arrived, and Zhao Qiang, Houzi, Old Six Hu, and He Zhenhu were brought into the courtroom.


    "Bang!" The judge''s gavel sounded, and the court session began.


    Jiang Ning guessed that these witnesses had likely already given their statements, and that the county magistrate was already fully clear on the case details. This court session was merely a necessary procedural step.


    Sure enough, each of them was called forward to be questioned publicly once more.


    Old Yu testified that Old Six Hu and Houzi were uncle and nephew, as close as father and son. Old Six Hu, harboring resentment after being publicly humiliated by Jiang Ning, had instructed Houzi and He Zhenhu to follow Jiang Ning, but they were unsessful. Later, he devised a gambling scheme to make Zhao Qiang umte huge debts.


    Old Yu also pointed out that Gold Jade Hall would stop at nothing for profit, sending thugs to suppresspetitors and using tricks to cheat with loaded dice. He described Old Six Hu as narrow-minded and cruel, holding grudges against anyone who won against him at the gambling table and seeking revenge. Previously, one person had their hand broken and subsequently fled Lingshan Town.


    The shop assistants from Chen Family Rice Shop and Fusheng Restaurant testified that people from Gold Jade Hall had asked them if they had seen a girl wearing a veil. The Chen Family Rice Shop assistant admitted to telling Gold Jade Hall''s people where Liu Ming''an lived.


    As for the young master-like figure, he also testified that Houzi had asked him if he had seen Liu Ming''an during the lower degree candidate exam and whether Liu Ming''an''s schrship was good enough to pass the provincial examination.


    Finally, He Zhenhu testified that on the day Liu Ming''an''s house was burned down, Houzi had already arrived at the bamboo grove in Lotus Flower Vige, instructing him to call for Houzi after Zhao Qiang left. He then saw Houzi walking towards Liu Ming''an''s house with his own eyes.


    The testimonies corroborated each other, making Old Six Hu and Houzi''s plot to harm others through indirect means evident.


    Jiang Ning looked at the two men kneeling on the ground. Both Houzi and Old Six Hu had their heads bowed, their faces showing a lifeless expression.


    "Old Six Hu, Hou Zehua, do you plead guilty?" Song Ming asked the two below.


    Old Six Hu raised his head, his face showing a defeated resignation.


    "This criminal pleads guilty, but all the crimes weremitted by me alone. Hou Zehua merely acted on my orders. I hope Your Honor will see clearly and justly."


    "Uncle!" Houzi turned to look at Old Six Hu in disbelief, not expecting him to take all the me upon himself.


    Old Six Hu ignored Houzi and continued to look at Song Ming, saying, "Hou Zehua lost both his parents, and I raised him. A child is like a nk piece of paper; what they be depends on what others write on it. Hou Zehuamitted these crimes because of my teachings. Tracing it to its source, all responsibility lies with me. I beg Your Honor to show him leniency."


    Jiang Ning could no longer see any trace of the haughty demeanor Old Six Hu had disyed when she first met him. Now, he was just a humble, subservient prisoner, an uncle solely focused on protecting his nephew.


    Jiang Ning slowly curled her lips. She hadn''t realized Old Six Hu was someone who valued family ties so much. However, even if Hou Zehua were spared, she wouldn''t let him off the hook!


    As Jiang Ning was lost in thought, Old Yu suddenly stepped forward righteously and knelt at the front of the courtroom: "Magistrate Song, don''t listen to his nonsense. Those two are cut from the same cloth, both equally vicious. It definitely wasn''t just Old Six Hu''s idea!"


    Jiang Ning carefully observed Old Yu and noticed a panicked look in his eyes, instantly understanding his intentions.


    Old Yu and Old Six Hu had likely been partners in crime for many years. Now that trouble hade, Old Yu was trying to save himself bying forward to denounce Old Six Hu and Houzi''s crimes. His goal was to ensure their downfall, for if Houzi were to escape punishment by some chance, he, as a traitor, would certainly not be spared. Therefore, Old Yu had to make sure they had no possibility of redemption.


    "Oh? Tell us more," Song Ming said, likely also guessing this man''s motives.


    "Your Honor may not know, but Old Six Hu was born with an extra finger, causing his parents to view him as a freak and bad luck. From a young age, they would beat and scold him, often leaving him to starve. If it weren''t for his sister, Hou Zehua''s mother, he wouldn''t have survived to this day."


    "Hou Zehua''s mother secretly fed him, barely keeping Old Six Hu alive until he was in his teens and able to fend for himself. Later, he made a name for himself in gambling houses with his skills. But one night, his family home caught fire, and both his parents perished. I used to think it was an ident, but now I wonder if it might have been deliberate..."


    "What happened next? How did he be involved with Hou Zehua?" Song Ming asked gravely, his voice tinged with anger.


    "When his parents died, his sister had just given birth and was in confinement. She and her husband rushed over from Spirit Wind Town in the middle of the night. The roads were slippery from heavy rain, and the carriage they hired plunged off a cliff. Their bodies were never found. The infant Hou Zehua was left with his grandparents, butter Old Six Hu came to take him and raise him himself. He never married or had children of his own..."


    "But how do you know they are equally vicious? Has Hou Zehua done something?" Song Ming inquired further.


    "Yes, Hou Zehua sees Old Six Hu as his own father and would seek revenge on anyone who disrespected him. The scar on his face is from when someone won against Old Six Hu at the gambling table and said, ''Is that all the skill Old Six has?'' Later that night, Hou Zehua took a knife intending to chop off the man''s hand. He was discovered, and the scar was left during the ensuing fight. He was only fourteen years old at the time..."


    "Your Honor, think about it. A fourteen-year-old child daring to carry a knife to harm someone¡ªhow could he possibly be innocent? I implore Your Honor to see clearly!" Old Yu finished, kowtowing heavily to Song Ming.


    "Old Yu, I''ve treated you well all these years!" Old Six Hu stared at the back of Old Yu''s head, his voice low and his eyes full of hatred.


    Old Yu felt as if there were thorns in his back and didn''t dare to turn around. He only looked at Song Ming, who said with righteous indignation: "I''ve long been disgusted by your behavior. Heaven''s justice is clear, and you deserve your punishment."


    "Hahaha... deserve punishment, deserve punishment... Hahaha..." Old Six Hu, no longer caring that this was a courtroom,ughed out loud, his eyes filled with destion.


    Yesterday, he was the legendary Old Six of the gambling table, respected and admired. Today, he was a prisoner condemned by all. The mockery and sarcasm from others were bearable, but the knife in the back from those close to him was truly heartbreaking.


    Enough, enough. It''s just one wretched life anyway. He had lived for nearly sixty years, and that was more than enough.


    But still...


    "Zehua, uncle has failed you. I shouldn''t have taken you from your grandparents. Those two old folks were right; I''m a born monster, bringing bad luck to others... If there''s a next life, uncle will be your beast of burden to repay you for this life!"


    Old Six Hu looked at Houzi beside him, tears glistening in his cloudy eyes.


    Clerk Tang brought the court evidence, and they all pressed their fingerprints and signed in turn.


    Song Ming pronounced the sentence ording to the Great Liang Laws: Houzi and Old Six Hu, with their notorious reputation and attempt at murder, were to be beheaded as thew demanded, with execution set for the year''s end. Zhao Qiang, who abused his position to drug others and trespassed into private homes with intent to steal, was sentenced to fortyshes and one year in prison, with his descendants barred from official positions for three generations. He Zhenhu, for tipping them off, was considered an aplice and sentenced to twentyshes. Old Yu, who knew of Houzi and Old Six Hu''s crimes but failed to report them, and participated in several key stages, was spared the death penalty but couldn''t escape punishment. He was sentenced to fortyshes and ten years in prison.


    Except for Old Yu, who loudly proimed his innocence, no one else objected.


    Clerk Tang, seeing the relieved smile on Zhao Qiang''s face, didn''t know whether tough or cry, and could only let out a long sigh.


    Jiang Ning, observing this oue, felt deeply moved.


    This time, her justice wasn''t something she had to fight for herself. It was given to her by thew. She stood in this courtroom, pure and unblemished!

 Chapter 81

    As Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning walked out of the magistrate''s office, He Zhenhu was still waiting to receive his punishment.


    Aunt Li Er and Li Xiangyun saw the two of theme out first and immediately approached them.


    "Liu Ming''an, where''s Zhenhu? Why are you out here while he''s still inside?" Aunt Li Er demanded with a hostile expression.


    Liu Ming''an replied as he walked, "Don''t worry, he''s been sentenced to twentyshes. He''ll be out once they''re done."


    "What?"


    Aunt Li Er and Li Xiangyun''s eyes widened in disbelief. Wasn''t He Zhenhu just taken in for questioning? How did it turn into a beating?


    Liu Ming''an couldn''t be bothered with them and led Jiang Ning towards the Hundred Knowledges Tower.


    "Liu Ming''an, stop right there! Exin yourself clearly. Did you lie to the County Magistrate? What does my son have to do with your house burning down? How can an educated person like you be so wicked..."


    Aunt Li Er pursued them relentlessly, and seeing that Liu Ming''an was ignoring her, she reached out to grab his arm. But before she could touch him, someone seized her hand.


    It was the veiled girl beside him.


    Aunt Li Er struggled with all her might but found that the girl''s grip was incredibly strong. She couldn''t break free no matter how hard she tried.


    "Let go of me, you rotten-faced bitch!" Aunt Li Er shouted, furious and out of options. She even lowered her head, attempting to bite Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning frowned in disgust, twisted Aunt Li Er''s arm, and spun her around.


    Aunt Li Er cried out in pain, "Ah! It hurts like hell! You rotten-faced bitch, when Zhenhues out, I''ll make sure he teaches you a lesson¡ª"


    "Smack!"


    A powerful pnded on her face. At the same time, Jiang Ning released her grip. Aunt Li Er was instantly knocked to the ground, half of her face red and swollen, with blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.


    "Mother!" Li Xiangyun, who had been standing nearby, was startled and quickly went to help Aunt Li Er up, looking at Jiang Ning with a mixture of hatred and fear.


    Aunt Li Er was stunned by the blow, but Li Xiangyun''s cry brought her back to her senses. Known for her sharp tongue and mean-spirited nature, she was feared by all the young women in Lotus Flower Vige. Now that she had been struck, Aunt Li Er, having regained herposure, lunged at Jiang Ning like a madwoman, wing and screaming, "You little wretch! How dare you hit me? I''ll fight you to the death!"


    Jiang Ning wrinkled her brow in disgust, caught her hands again, and delivered another p to the other side of her face.


    "What are you doing? How dare you hit my mother!" Li Xiangyun saw Aunt Li Er being struck again and pounced forward as well.


    The moment Jiang Ning saw this woman, she recalled the scene of her dropping her pants that day. Filled with revulsion, she didn''t even want to touch her. Instead, she kicked Li Xiangyun in the stomach, sending her stumbling backward and crashing into Aunt Li Er, who had just managed to get up.


    "Try anything else, and I''ll end you both!" Jiang Ning threatened coldly, her patience exhausted.


    Both women were bullies who only picked on the weak. Seeing that Jiang Ning was not to be trifled with, they could only slink away, supporting each other as they returned to wait at the entrance of the magistrate''s office.


    After dealing with these two, Jiang Ning noticed that Liu Ming''an was standing at the end of the street, anxiously looking around.


    Jiang Ning walked up to Liu Ming''an and patted him on the shoulder.


    Liu Ming''an jumped, startled, but rxed when he saw it was Jiang Ning. He smiled and asked, "Are you done?"


    "Why are you standing here? Ashamed of my rough behavior?" Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes and asked in an unfriendly tone.


    "How could I be?" Liu Ming''an grabbed her hand, his face showing a hint of grievance. "Jiang Ning, you''re wronging me. I was keeping watch for you."


    Jiang Ning: "..."


    Did she really need Liu Ming''an to keep watch for her?


    "This ce is too close to the magistrate''s office. If anyone passed by, I could warn you in time," Liu Ming''an exined earnestly.


    "...I appreciate the thought," Jiang Ning replied, then added, "Let''s go to the Hundred Knowledges Tower now."


    As they left the street, Jiang Ning looked back and saw the two women supporting a limping He Zhenhu as they walked in the opposite direction, seemingly still wiping away tears.


    "What''s the deal with those two just now?" Jiang Ning couldn''t help but ask.


    "Oh, them? They''re quite troublesome," Liu Ming''an exined casually. "The older one, Aunt Li Er, is He Zhenhu''s mother. She''s a very unreasonable person. The younger one, Li Xiangyun, is both Aunt Li Er''s niece and He Zhenhu''s wife. She''s just as unreasonable, and both of them love to gossip about others while being incredibly petty themselves."


    "So how did you offend Li Xiangyun before?" Jiang Ning asked again.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t want to repeat those unpleasant words to Jiang Ning, so he simply said, "Just a little verbal dispute." But as soon as he said it, he suddenly realized: how did Jiang Ning know he had offended Li Xiangyun?


    Remembering what Third Great Aunt had told him, Liu Ming''an turned to Jiang Ning and asked uncertainly, "She mentioned seeing a ghost before. Could it have been..."


    Jiang Ning admitted nonchntly, "It was me. She came to cause trouble in the middle of the night, so I just gave her a little lesson."


    Realizing that Jiang Ning had been protecting him for a long time, Liu Ming''an''s mood soared.


    As people bustled about the main street, Liu Ming''an looked around and then pulled Jiang Ning into a nearby alley.


    "What are you doing? Weren''t we going to the Hundred Knowledges Tower?" Jiang Ning asked, puzzled by Liu Ming''an''s actions.


    The person holding her hand stopped, turned around, and reached out to remove her veil.


    Jiang Ning''s vision suddenly darkened as Liu Ming''an''s face loomed close. Then, a gentle kissnded on her lips.


    Liu Ming''an closed his eyes, the corners slightly upturned, his long eyshes resting on his lower eyelids. This close-up view made Jiang Ning''s heart skip a beat.


    "Jiang Ning, thank you," Liu Ming''an said tenderly after parting from her lips, his eyes full of warmth.


    Jiang Ning pursed her lips, looking at Liu Ming''an''s intense gaze, and awkwardly averted her eyes. "Don''t waste time, let''s go to the Hundred Knowledges Tower first."


    Without waiting for Liu Ming''an to react, she snatched back her veil, put it on, and headed towards the main street outside the alley.


    Liu Ming''an called out "Wait for me" with a smile and quickly followed her.


    Inside the Hundred Knowledges Tower, the Boss listened to their request, then held up his right hand showing three fingers, followed by both hands showing ten fingers each.


    "Thirty copper coins, and I''ll tell you the route to Qushui City," the Boss said.


    Liu Ming''an nced at Jiang Ning, and seeing no objection, quickly paid the money.


    The Boss happily epted the coins, took out a piece of paper, and began writing while exining, "Qushui City is very far from Lingshan Town, spanning nearly half of the Liang Kingdom. To get there by carriage would take about half a month. First, you need to spend two to three days to reach Wine Selling Town, then five to six days to enter Maozhu County. From Maozhu County, follow the main road for about four days to reach Zhuangzhu Vige, and finally, after passing through Zhuangzhu Vige, another four to five days will bring you to Qushui City."


    The Boss finished writing and handed the paper to Liu Ming''an, then added, "If you and your wife are nning to go to Qushui City, I can offer some free advice."


    "Please, go ahead," Liu Ming''an said politely.


    "Wine Selling Town is famous for its alcohol. I send a carriage there every fortnight to buy wine and resell it to the various taverns in Lingshan Town, like Fusheng Restaurant. All their winees from my Hundred Knowledges Tower, and I make a profit on the price difference. If you two want to go to Qushui City, for 100 copper coins, I can have my people take you along when they go to buy wine, giving you a ride for part of the journey."


    "When do you usually send people?" Jiang Ning asked.


    "On the first and fifteenth of each month."


    Liu Ming''an was set to take the provincial examination on the sixteenth of this month, with resultsing out at the end of the month. If he passed and became a rmended schr, they could leave on the first day of the next month.


    The two exchanged a nce, understanding each other''s thoughts.


    Liu Ming''an smiled politely at the Boss, "That works. We''lle to find you on the first of next month."


    "We usually leave after lunch, around the hour of the Snake. Pleasee on time," the Boss said.


    "Alright."

 Chapter 82

    That morning, after first going to the government office and then to the Hundred Knowledges Tower, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning felt famished once all matters were settled.


    However, as they approached their home, they found Zhang Shun and Zhou Yi waiting outside the door, each holding arge food box which undoubtedly contained dishes from Fusheng Restaurant.


    "Brother Liu, Miss Jiang, I hope you don''t mind us dropping by unannounced," Zhou Yi greeted them with a smile as he saw the pair.


    "Not at all! I''m delighted you''re here," Liu Ming''an replied as he opened the door and invited them into the courtyard. Just likest time, he and Zhang Shun carried the table out to the yard and set out the dishes and utensils.


    After taking his seat, Liu Ming''an exined, "How long have you two been waiting? Jiang Ning and I were called to the government office, which dyed us. Please forgive us."


    "Not long at all, just about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea," Zhou Yi responded, then asked, "You went to the government office¡ªwas it about the case of who burned down your house?"


    "Yes, indeed," Liu Ming''an confirmed, then briefly recounted the details of the case.


    After they finished eating, Zhou Yi poured a cup of wine for Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning, then said, "Brother Liu, Miss Jiang, we actually came to bid you farewell."


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback, and then heard Zhang Shun say, "We''ll be departing for the Capital City tomorrow. We''ll meet again if fate allows."


    "Didn''t you both say you were nning to stay in Lingshan Town for a few months?" Liu Ming''an recalled Zhang Shun mentioning this when they first met.


    "Haha... Brother Liu, you have an excellent memory. That was indeed our original n," Zhou Yi said as he poured wine for himself and Zhang Shun. He continued, "What you don''t know, Brother Liu, is that apart from celebrating my uncle''s birthday, I came to Lingshan Town to escape my parents'' nagging. At home, they alwaysin that I''m not doing anything worthwhile, that I''m restless and they disapprove of everything I do. I argue with them constantly. But after being away for over a month, watching my uncle''s familyughing and joking every day, I''ve be quite homesick. Haha... I must seem ridiculous to you, Brother Liu."


    Zhou Yi bowed slightly to Liu Ming''an, somewhat embarrassed about expressing his homesickness.


    Liu Ming''an shook his head at Zhou Yi, indicating he wouldn''t mock him. His eyes held a faint mixture of envy and sorrow. He too wished he had parents to talk to, to bicker with, to live a noisy family life, but that was ultimately an unattainable dream.


    After Zhou Yi finished speaking, Zhang Shun added, "I also miss my wife and children dearly and am eager to return home. So I decided to leave with Zhou Yi."


    Liu Ming''an nodded and raised his wine cup, "Then I wish you both a safe journey. May we meet again if fate allows."


    The other three also raised their cups, said "Until we meet again," and drained their wine in one gulp.


    "Brother Liu, you''ll definitelye to the Capital City next year. When you do, remember to find me at the Jun Yue Restaurant on Xichun Road. We''ll have a proper drink then," Zhou Yi said, patting Liu Ming''an''s shoulder.


    Liu Ming''an agreed with a simple "Alright."


    Afterwards, the three men said their goodbyes. Jiang Ning had been listening quietly, and only when Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun were leaving did she get up to join Liu Ming''an in seeing them off at the door.


    Zhou Yi nced at Jiang Ning and smiled, "Miss Jiang, you can go rest. Let Brother Liu walk with us a bit further."


    Jiang Ning guessed they had something to discuss, so she nodded and returned to her room.


    As soon as Jiang Ning left, Zhou Yi eagerly pulled Liu Ming''an aside and asked, "How''s it going? Did you follow my advice?"


    Thinking of certain events, Liu Ming''an''s ears reddened slightly, and he only said, "Brother Zhou, don''t worry about me..."


    "How can I not? I promised to help you win Miss Jiang''s heart. Even though I''m leaving soon, I can leave you with three infallible strategies that will guarantee Miss Jiang falls deeply in love with you!" Zhou Yi dered, thumping his chest confidently.


    "That won''t be necessary..." Liu Ming''an refused with a bright smile.


    Perplexed by hisck of concern for such an important matter, Zhou Yi urgently said, "Don''t be shy, let me tell you..."


    Zhang Shun, however, had noticed something and interrupted Zhou Yi''s words: "Zhou Yi, I don''t think Brother Liu needs your strategies anymore. It seems they''re already in love."


    "What?" Zhou Yi looked at Liu Ming''an in disbelief, only to see him nod and say "Yes" with a face full of joy.


    "Haha... You rascal!" Zhou Yi patted Liu Ming''an''s shoulder, clearly pleased. "Well done! Very impressive! Much better than Zhang Shun!"


    Zhang Shun, innocently dragged into the conversation, smiled slightly and said pointedly, "At least better than some people."


    "What do you mean?"


    "What do you think?"


    "Are you mocking me?"


    "Yes."


    ...


    Seeing that the two were about to engage in a verbal sparring match, Liu Ming''an intervened, "Alright, brothers, take care on your journey. Until we meet again!"


    "See you in the Capital City," Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun gave Liu Ming''an a final pat on the shoulder, both as encouragement and a promise.


    After returning to the courtyard, it wasn''t long before a waiter from Fusheng Restaurant came to collect the dishes and food boxes, bid them goodbye, and returned to the restaurant. Liu Ming''an looked at the courtyard that had been filled withughter just moments ago, and suddenly felt a sense of emptiness, as if all warmth had left with his friends.


    Jiang Ning, perceiving his mood, casually quoted, "A bosom friend afar brings distantnd near."


    Liu Ming''an understood Jiang Ning''s attempt tofort him. He took her hand and said solemnly, "But I want to be with you always, not willing to part even for a moment."


    Jiang Ning''s lips curled into a smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Alright!"


    In the following days, Liu Ming''an took Jiang Ning''s advice and stopped paintingndscapes. Instead, he painted various auspicious subjects with good omens. On market day, dozens of paintings featuring Guanyin bringing children, the God of Longevity, the God of Wealth, the God of Literature, and the God of Marriage were sold out faster than Aunt Hui''s osmanthus cakes.


    "Oh my, Ming''an, I can finally understand what you''re painting this time. They''re truly beautiful!" Aunt Hui eximed, watching Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning busily attending to customers all morning.


    When Aunt Hui said this, Liu Ming''an only had a few paintings of the God of Literature left on his stall. Compared to those seeking children, wealth, longevity, or marriage, those seeking academic sess were in the minority.


    Liu Ming''an sold each painting for 100 wen, earning nearly five taels of silver in one morning. Hearing Aunt Hui''sment, he smiled and replied, "It was all Jiang Ning''s idea."


    Aunt Hui praised, "That girl is so clever!"


    Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning sitting at the stall, his smile soft and warm. "Yes, she''s the cleverest girl in the world!"


    Aunt Hui, being experienced in life, immediately noticed something in Liu Ming''an''s expression. She lowered her head, wrapped an osmanthus cake in oiled paper, and handed it to him, saying, "She''s not just a little sister anymore, is she? She''s your wife now, right?"


    Liu Ming''an took the steaming osmanthus cake, smiling a bit bashfully. "We''re not married yet, so not quite."


    "It''s only a matter of time!" Aunt Hui said with certainty. "You have your exam at the government office tomorrow, right? Do your best. Pass the provincial exam, then go to the Capital City to take the imperial exam. Then you can bring her home as your bride in grand style."


    Liu Ming''an agreed, "I will."


    "Ah, it''ll probably be hard to see you after this. Ming''an, take good care of yourself."


    Aunt Hui sighed, feeling quite reluctant to see him go. But then she thought that for someone like Liu Ming''an, it would be a shame if he stayed in this small town for life. So she put aside her feelings of parting sorrow and urged, "Alright, go on now. Take this osmanthus cake to your wife."


    Liu Ming''an smiled and responded with a cheerful "Okay."

 Chapter 83

    On the sixteenth day, Jiang Ning woke up earlier than usual.


    She intended to get up and make breakfast, but as soon as she rose, Liu Ming''an reached out and pulled her back into a tight embrace.


    "It''s still early, let''s sleep a bit more," Liu Ming''an mumbled with his eyes closed, not fully awake.


    "Aren''t you nervous at all? You''re taking the Provincial Examination today," Jiang Ning asked, puzzled.


    In her previous life, although Jiang Ning had never taken any exams herself, she remembered how most students were on edge during college entrance exam season. Even their parents couldn''t eat or sleep well, and they''d speak softly to their children, fearing that the slightest thing might affect their state of mind.


    So why was Liu Ming''an so calm, as if nothing was happening? Jiang Ning couldn''t understand.


    "Don''t worry, Jiang Ning," Liu Ming''an nuzzled the top of her head with his chin, his voice husky from sleep as he whispered against her, "I''ve got this under control. Trust me."


    Realizing she was more anxious than the candidate himself, Jiang Ning stopped fretting andplied with Liu Ming''an''s wishes, apanying him in bed until their usual wake-up time.


    After breakfast, Liu Ming''an unhurriedly took Jiang Ning''s hand and walked towards the government office.


    A notice had been posted outside the office days ago, stating that the schrs taking the Provincial Examination should enter the office at 9:45 AM. They weren''t allowed to bring anything; the government would provide all materials. Before entering, everyone had to undergo a body search.


    When Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an arrived at the office, a dense crowd had already gathered outside. Men and women, young and old¡ªit seemed most candidates had brought their entire families.


    Many people hade from other parts of Baoji County, staying at inns in town for a night and arriving early in the morning. Fortunately, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning had already moved to town; otherwise, they would have had to wake up extremely early in Lotus Flower Vige.


    Jiang Ning noticed she could easily distinguish between the schrs and their apanying family members.


    Those with nervous expressions, muttering to themselves, and asionally ncing towards the office were the schrs. Their family members kept their eyes fixed on their schrs, offering words of encouragement andfort. A few women even sped their hands together, bowing to the sky and praying, "Buddha bless us, God of Literature protect us."


    The scene was a vivid tableau of human nature in all its diversity.


    Liu Ming''an looked around as if enjoying a spectacle, showing no signs of anxiety. He leaned down and whispered teasingly in Jiang Ning''s ear, "If I were to sell my paintings of the God of Literature and Guanyin Bodhisattva right now, they''d be snatched up in no time."


    Jiang Ning was speechless.


    "Dong!"


    A sudden gong sound drew everyone''s attention. Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an looked towards the source of the sound to see an official standing sternly on the steps of the government office.


    Seeing that all eyes were on him, the official spoke in a booming voice: "All schrs, please line up here. You will be searched before entering the office."


    Then, two more officials brought out cubicles. The cubicles were square, draped with ck cloth, and could amodate four or five people. Jiang Ning realized these were for the body searches.


    More than twenty schrs had already lined up at the bottom of the steps. Jiang Ning, seeing Liu Ming''an still beside her, urged him, "Quick, go. I''ll wait for you here."


    Liu Ming''an turned to look at Jiang Ning, smiling brightly, but suddenly wrapped his arms around her in an embrace.


    In full view of everyone, Jiang Ning''s first instinct was to push him away, but Liu Ming''an spoke in a slightly muffled voice: "Jiang Ning, I won''t see you for nine days..."


    Jiang Ning''s hands, which were about to push him away, paused. Instead, she hugged him back, her eyes flickering as she made a decision in her heart: "It''s alright, I''ll be with you. Go on now."


    Liu Ming''an took her words as a jest. He finally let go of her and joined the queue, looking back at her repeatedly as he went.


    Jiang Ning watched Liu Ming''an enter the office, then walked to a secluded spot. With a thought, she entered her special space.


    Inside her space, Jiang Ning followed the schrs into the office. She found that they were led to a courtyard below the main hall. Tables were set up in the yard, with paper, brushes, and pre-ground ink on them. Officials stood in a circle around the courtyard, each wearing a stern expression.


    The scene was indeed intimidating. Jiang Ning looked towards the group of schrs; most of them looked as if they were facing a formidable enemy, barely daring to breathe. Liu Ming''an, however, had his eyes slightly lowered, lost in thought.


    After a while, the officials directed them to their seats. Liu Ming''an was in the back corner of thest row. Jiang Ning followed him, sitting on the steps of her bamboo house within the space, watching him through the red barrier.


    Liu Ming''an had previously told Jiang Ning that the Provincial Examination wouldst nine days, covering the Four Books and Five ssics, policy questions, and poetry and proseposition. Each section took three days.


    During these nine days, every move of the schrs would be under the watchful eyes of the officials. They would eat together, not allowed to speak to each other. Even when using the restroom, an official would apany them. At night, they would reportedly be taken to a charity hall to rest, with officials patrolling throughout the night.


    The first section covered the Four Books and Five ssics. Jiang Ning apanied Liu Ming''an, watching as he asionally furrowed his brow in thought, then put brush to paper. She couldn''t help but smile slightly.


    Three days passed in a blink. Jiang Ning only returned home to eat and sleep, spending the rest of her time apanying Liu Ming''an in her space. At noon on the third day, the officials collected their exam papers and distributed new ones for the second section on policy questions.


    Jiang Ning looked at the thick stack of papers, her curiosity piqued.


    In ancient times, these would certainly be graded by hand. But with sixteen days of exams, nine consecutive days of testing, finishing on the twenty-fifth, and results to be announced by the end of the month, would there be enough time to grade all the papers?


    Or perhaps, unlike in her time, the papers weren''t sent elsewhere for grading? Were they graded right here in the office?


    Jiang Ning followed the official collecting the papers to a house behind the main hall. She saw him hand the stack of papers to Song Ming, who took them and walked into a room where two elderly men were seated.


    "Old Qin, Old Chen, the papers from the first section on the Four Books and Five ssics have arrived. Thank you both for your hard work," Song Ming said respectfully to the two old men.


    The old men took the papers, each taking half the stack. Jiang Ning watched as they picked up their writing brushes, dipped them in cinnabar ink, apparently ready to start grading right there.


    "Don''t mention it, Magistrate Song. Prime Minister Nangong''s reforms to the examination system this year have actually made things much easier for us. We don''t have to go all the way to the prefectural capital anymore. It''s far more convenient than before, so it''s hardly a hardship," one of the old men said with a smile, stroking his beard.


    Song Ming nodded to the two elders and left the room.


    "But it''s hard to say whether these reforms are good or bad," the other old man said slowly. "In the past, when all papers were graded together at the prefectural level, all schrs were judged solely on their merits, regardless of their background. Now, with the requirement that each county must produce at least two sessful candidates, how many true schrs can those remote areas produce? I fear the quality of sessful candidates this year will be uneven, with the good mixed in with the mediocre!"


    "Prime Minister Nangong must have his reasons. In the past, most sessful candidates came from well-off, schrly families. It was hard for those from humble backgrounds to rise up. This new measure is meant to encourage students from poorer areas to study hard. Prime Minister Nangong has put a lot of thought into this!"


    "Sigh, I suppose so. Who knows if we can find two truly capable candidates among these twenty-nine schrs from Baoji County..."


    "Who can say? Let''s hope so. I''d hate to have to force myself to pick from a bunch of deadwood... Oh! I think we might have something here!"


    Suddenly, one of the old men''s eyes lit up, and he called out in excitement.


    The other old man quickly leaned in to look, and Jiang Ning couldn''t resist her curiosity either. She stood behind the two men, peering over their shoulders.


    On the snow-white paper, neat and tiny characters caught her eye. Jiang Ning recognized Liu Ming''an''s handwriting at a nce.


    "My, my! This schr is quite good! Clear thinking, elegant writing, profound insights, and excellent penmanship! Very good indeed!"


    The other man nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it''s excellent. Novel ideas, forward-thinking, with foresight. Judging by this first section alone, he''s certainly outstanding. We''ll have to see how he does in the next two sections..."


    "Let''s hope he doesn''t start strong and end weak, haha..."


    Jiang Ning left the room and returned to Liu Ming''an''s side, her mood greatly improved. Seeing him still writing earnestly, his thin lips slightly pursed and his profile handsome, she felt her heart begin to race uncontrobly.


    This was the schr she had fallen for!

 Chapter 84

    On the 25th day, the Provincial Examination came to an end.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As Liu Ming''an followed a group of schrs, some worried and some joyful, out of the government office, he suddenly felt the sunlight was a bit dazzling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Outside the gate, quite a few people were waiting. Upon seeing their schrs emerge, they immediately rushed over with concerned faces to greet them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "My child, you''ve suffered so much. Come home, and mother will make you something delicious..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "My dear husband, how did the exam go? Surely you''ll pass this time..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Young master, you must have passed this time. The master and mistress even had a fortune teller predict your sess..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Amidst the endless greetings, Liu Ming''an searched through the crowd but couldn''t find the person he had been thinking about day and night.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When he finally reached his doorstep and saw the rising smoke from the chimney, Liu Ming''an suddenly felt like a long-absent traveler who had finally returned to a warm haven after enduring countless hardships.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had justdled out the chicken soup she had been stewing. Hearing the front door being pushed open, her hands paused for a moment before her lips curled into a slight smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After setting the dishes on the table, Jiang Ning walked out of the room. Liu Ming''an was striding across the courtyard towards her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You''re back? Let''s eat," Jiang Ning said, leaning against the doorframe as she looked at the travel-worn Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    For the past nine days, Jiang Ning had been by Liu Ming''an''s side every day. She knew he hadn''t been eating or sleeping well, and with the intense mental exertion, he now looked quite haggard. So early this morning, Jiang Ning had bought a chicken to make soup, intending to nourish his body properly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing Jiang Ning''s voice, Liu Ming''an stopped in his tracks and stood there, silently gazing at her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What''s wrong? Don''t you recognize me?" Jiang Ning asked, raising an eyebrow at the motionless Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the next moment, Liu Ming''an took two quick strides to reach Jiang Ning, opened his arms, and tightly embraced her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, I''ve missed you so much."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    His slightly deep voice sounded by her ear, causing Jiang Ning''s heart to tremble. She hugged Liu Ming''an back and replied, "I know."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After embracing for a moment, Jiang Ning stepped back from his arms and carefully looked at the man before her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There were obvious dark circles under his eyes, which were bloodshot. Hisplexion had an unhealthy pallor, and a faint stubble had grown on his chin. He seemed to have lost some weight as well.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    An emotion called "heartache" grew in her heart. Jiang Ning reached out to touch Liu Ming''an''s face and said in a gentle voice, "Eat something and then get a good sleep. Whatever needs to be said can wait until you''ve rested."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an took the opportunity to grasp Jiang Ning''s hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. He softly replied, "Alright."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At the dining table, Jiang Ningdled a bowl of chicken soup for Liu Ming''an, discreetly adding some spirit spring water to it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, I think I did pretty well in the exam. I should be able to pass," Liu Ming''an casually mentioned while eating.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Of course you''ll pass!" Jiang Ning said with certainty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You have so much faith in me?" Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning with a smile, his eyes filled with sparkling light.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning, not wanting to say too much, simply responded with an "Mm."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In truth, Jiang Ning could be so certain because after the second session of policy questions, she had gone to listen to the two elderly examiners'' conversation again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At that time, the two elders were holding Liu Ming''an''s policy question paper, full of praise. One of them explicitly said, "This schr''s level is far beyond the others. It''s unbelievable that Baoji County could produce such a talent!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After carefully examining the paper, the other elder agreed, "As long as he doesn''t insult the imperial court or make any ideological mistakes in the third session of poetry, even if he turns in a nk paper, I believe he must have a ce on Baoji County''s examination list!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After the meal, Liu Ming''an inexplicably felt that his energy had been greatly restored. He went to the kitchen to wash the dishes, then helped Jiang Ning put up her hair, and was finally urged to go to bed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an slept until the next morning. Seeing him sleep so soundly, Jiang Ning didn''t wake him for dinner.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When he woke up after sleeping his fill, Liu Ming''an felt refreshed and alert, as if he had been reborn.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It''s the 26th today. In five days, we''ll be leaving this ce," Jiang Ning casually mentioned as she put down the book she was reading. Sinceing to this world, she hadn''t seen any scenery beyond Lingshan Town. The journey ahead was unknown, and she wasn''t sure what the oue would be.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing Jiang Ning''s slightly furrowed brow, Liu Ming''an reached out and gently massaged her forehead, slowly saying, "It''s alright. I''ll always be with you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning looked at his gentle eyes and sighed inwardly, forcing a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was naturally optimistic, always looking on the bright side of things. Jiang Ning was quite the opposite; she always prepared for the worst possible oues and adjusted her expectations ordingly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Right now, Jiang Ning was worried about her true identity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    If she was like the mute woman, a servant from a wealthy family who had made a mistake, that would be the best oue. Even if she were the descendant of a criminal official, or had spent eight years in prison for murder and arson in the past, Jiang Ning would still find it eptable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Her only concern was that she might have been sold due to the so-called crime of "great immorality." What if the original owner of her body was truly an unchaste woman? Wouldn''t that mean she might still have a husband?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The mere thought of this possibility made Jiang Ning feel uneasy, which was the reason for her worry.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Unaware of Jiang Ning''s thoughts, Liu Ming''an lowered his eyes in contemtion for a while before speaking, "Jiang Ning, would you apany me back to Lotus Flower Vige in a couple of days? I want to say goodbye to my parents."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning agreed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So, on the day before the provincial examination results were to be announced, Liu Ming''an took Jiang Ning with him, carrying prepared incense, candles, paper money, and some offerings for the deceased, and returned to Lotus Flower Vige.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When they arrived at the vige, it was just around noon, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Looking at this small vige where he had lived for neen years, Liu Ming''an felt a surge of nostalgia and reluctance to leave.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''ve always known I would leave Lotus Flower Vige someday. Since I was young, my father rarely let me do farm work. He was single-mindedly focused on making me study hard and take the imperial examinations to be an official. I don''t know where he got such strong conviction..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Before, I never thought this ce was particrly good or bad. It seemed that apart from Third Great Aunt caring for me a bit more, I didn''t have much of a rtionship with anyone else. Now that I''m about to leave, I suddenly feel that this little Lotus Flower Vige is quite nice after all..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s tone was quite sentimental, as if he was talking to Jiang Ning, yet also speaking to himself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning didn''t respond. A caged bird longs for its old forest, a pond fish misses its former stream ¨C most people have a deep attachment to their homnd. She could never truly understand this emotion, so she remained silent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Following Liu Ming''an to the cemetery at the foot of the mountain, Jiang Ning watched him kneel before his parents'' graves. She walked a distance away to avoid disturbing him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an burned paper money while talking. After half an hour, Jiang Ning saw him stand up and thought the memorial service was over. However, to her surprise, Liu Ming''an walked over to her, took her hand, and said softly, "Jiang Ning, I just told my parents that I''ve met the girl I want to spend my life with. Would youe and meet them?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning naturally wouldn''t refuse. She and Liu Ming''an understood each other''s hearts, and meeting the parents was appropriate. Although they were facing cold tombstones, it was still a form of closure for the living.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After leaving the cemetery, they went to visit Third Great Aunt.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The old woman had always treated Liu Ming''an like her own grandson. Knowing they were about to part, she couldn''t help but tear up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ming''an, you''ve made something of yourself. Your parents'' spirits in heaven will be proud... Take good care of yourself out there. This old woman will be waiting for the day you return in glory..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing Third Great Aunt''s sincere advice, Liu Ming''an nodded repeatedly in agreement.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As the two set foot on the path leaving the vige, Liu Ming''an turned back to look at this ce onest time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let''s go," he said after a moment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 85

    At the end of October, the results of the Provincial Examination were announced. The government office would post the notice at noon, and those who passed could enter to receive ten taels of silver.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an had finished lunch and were leisurely walking to the government office when they found the ce already crowded, a far cry from its usual quiet and solemn atmosphere.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Why does it feel like there are even more people than on the exam day?" Jiang Ning asked curiously, standing with Liu Ming''an at the outermost edge of the crowd.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "They''re here to watch the excitement. After all, it''s a big event that only happens once every four years," Liu Ming''an replied, unfazed. He had experienced this spectacle as a child when he came to town with his father.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "How are we going to squeeze in?" Jiang Ning worried, looking at the sea of heads before them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an smiled, "We don''t need to squeeze in. Don''t worry!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sure enough, as soon as noon arrived, an official pasted a red paper with ck characters on the wall outside the main gate. Before Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an could push their way through, someone shouted loudly, "There are two Provincial Graduates: Liu Ming''an and Wu Renjie!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In an instant, the scene erupted into chaos. Some people shouted, some cried, and others yelled in disbelief, pushing their way to the front to see for themselves, only to leave with ashen faces.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Among them, a man who looked to be in his thirties jumped three feet high, pping andughing uncontrobly, appearing almost manic.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah! I passed! I passed! Hahaha..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The woman beside him, presumably his wife, burst into tears upon hearing the news, eximing excitedly, "He passed, he passed, this is wonderful..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This scene inexplicably reminded Jiang Ning of the story "Fan Jin Passes the Provincial Exam," and she felt a twinge of mncholy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At this moment, the official who had posted the notice looked at the crowd below the steps, took a deep breath, and shouted, "Will the two Provincial Graduates please enter the office to receive their silver!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Me, me, me!" The man who had been overjoyed earlier immediately jumped up and waved his hand.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The crowd parted to make way for him. He seemed to be walking on air, his face glowing as he trotted into the government office.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, wait here for me," Liu Ming''an squeezed Jiang Ning''s hand, and after seeing her nod, he followed the other man into the office.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh my, this Provincial Graduate is so young!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The crowd seemed familiar with the first man but had never seen Liu Ming''an before. As he walked past, they were surprised by his youth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, howe I''ve never seen him before? Which family''s son is he?" someone else asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''ve seen him before. He''s not from town, he''s from the vige. He used to set up a stall by the bridge selling calligraphy and paintings," another person answered.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, oh, oh! Now that you mention it, I remember! It''s him! I never imagined a Provincial Graduate woulde from the vige this year..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning listened to them discussing Liu Ming''an, and for some inexplicable reason, her mood improved.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an entered the government office and was led to the front of the main hall by clerk Tang. Song Ming was standing there and, seeing him approach, pointed to the paper on the table: "Write your name and press your handprint, that''s all."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After Liu Ming''an did as instructed, clerk Tang put the ten taels of silver into a box and handed it to him, adding, "Inside is an official document with the government seal that proves your status as a Provincial Graduate. You''ll need to bring it to the Imperial City to participate in the Metropolitan Examination. Keep it safe and make sure not to lose it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Thank you, sir!" Liu Ming''an bowed respectfully.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "There''s no need for thanks, Provincial Graduate Liu," Song Ming said tly, then continued in a casual tone, "When I saw your exam paper that day, I knew that someone who could write such excellent calligraphy wouldn''t be limited to a small ce like Lingshan Town."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You tter me, sir," Liu Ming''an replied politely.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''ve also read your Provincial Examination paper. It was brilliantly written, with remarkable foresight, and most admirably, you have a heart for the country and its people."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Ming looked steadily at the young man before him, his eyes momentarily distant, as if seeing his younger self.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "That Wu Renjie will probably reach his peak with this Provincial Graduate title, but you''re different. So, let me give you some unsolicited advice. When you enter the Imperial City and find yourself riding high on sess, don''t be too quick to involve yourself in factional disputes. ying deaf and dumb, even feigning madness, is the best strategy. Only by protecting yourself first can you have the chance to realize those ideals and ambitions you hold."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was stunned by these words. He looked up at Song Ming, only to see him pick up the paper from the table and walk deeper into the hall.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Why would the county magistrate take such pains to tell him these things?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was utterly perplexed, and then suddenly remembered certain rumors he had heard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This county magistrate was said to have been a brilliant prodigy himself, but he willingly gave up high office and generous sry in the Imperial City, requesting toe to Baoji County as a magistrate. He had been here for eight years now. Some said it was because of his wife, others said he wanted to repay a debt of gratitude. There were many theories, but no one knew which was true.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Heh heh heh..." Clerk Tang, noticing Liu Ming''an''s confusion, first gave a meaningfulugh, then said, "Provincial Graduate Liu, Magistrate Song is not a man of many words. If you''re interested in what he told you today, remember it; if you don''t want to hear it, just let it go in one ear and out the other."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With that, clerk Tang turned and walked towards Song Ming''s direction, not waiting for Liu Ming''an''s reaction.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Even as he walked out of the government office gates, Liu Ming''an was still pondering the county magistrate''s words.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh my! Provincial Graduate Liu, may I ask how old you are? Are you married?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Suddenly, a shrill woman''s voice came from beside him. Liu Ming''an, lost in thought, was startled. He turned to see a middle-aged woman with heavy makeup, holding a red silk handkerchief.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "And you are?" Liu Ming''an was certain he had never seen this woman before.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh my, Provincial Graduate Liu doesn''t even know me, Shen Sanniang! But of course, you''ve been focused solely on studying the ssics, not concerning yourself with trivial matters. Otherwise, how could you have passed the Provincial Examination at such a young age? Isn''t that right? Hahaha..." The woman covered her mouth with her handkerchief, speaking in an affected manner.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Most of the crowd watching the excitement in front of the government office had dispersed, but a few remained. Seeing this scene, they kindly exined to Liu Ming''an, "Provincial Graduate Liu, this Shen Sanniang is the most famous matchmaker in Lingshan Town. Usually, people seeking her matchmaking services wear down her doorstep. Now that she''s actively approaching you, I''m afraid you''ll soon have good news, hahaha..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh yes, my reputation as Shen Sanniang isn''t just hot air!" Shen Sanniang patted her chest proudly, then turned to Liu Ming''an and said, "Provincial Graduate Liu, you''re young and promising, and quite handsome too. Just say the word, and I guarantee I''ll find you a beautiful youngdy. Once the match is made... hehe..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an noticed Shen Sanniang''s eyes fixed on the ten taels of silver in his hand, and instantly understood ¨C this matchmaker had her eye on his money.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Thank you, but no need," Liu Ming''an firmly refused and started to walk away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, oh, oh! Don''t go, Provincial Graduate Liu..." Shen Sanniang reached out and grabbed Liu Ming''an''s sleeve, continuing to chatter, "Provincial Graduate Liu, haven''t you heard the saying ''establish a family before establishing a career''? Having someone dear at home gives you a sense of belonging when you''re out in the world..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Really, there''s no need. Please go find someone else!" Liu Ming''an remained unmoved and continued to refuse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Shen Sanniang was skilled at reading people. If Liu Ming''an had yelled at her rudely, telling her to get lost, she would have known better and stopped pestering him. But seeing that this Provincial Graduate had a good temper, she naturally wanted to keep pushing. If she seeded, it would be a big business opportunity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Provincial Graduate Liu, listen to me. I''ve eaten more salt than you''ve eaten rice..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Shen Sanniang''s words poured out like beans from a split bag,pletely ignoring Liu Ming''an''s responses and continuing to tug at his sleeve incessantly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Liu Ming''an!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A cold female voice rang out. Liu Ming''an, who was struggling with Shen Sanniang, was startled. He looked up to see Jiang Ning standing not far away, watching them with obvious impatience.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You see?" Liu Ming''an suddenly smiled, pointing at Jiang Ning and saying to Shen Sanniang, "I already have a beautiful youngdy at home. There''s no need for your trouble."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Shen Sanniang looked at Liu Ming''an, then at Jiang Ning, momentarily stunned. Liu Ming''an took this opportunity to pull his sleeve from her grasp and walked towards Jiang Ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Reaching Jiang Ning''s side, Liu Ming''an took her hand, his fingers gently tickling her palm, and smiled, "Let''s go home."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 86

    The couple had only walked a few steps hand in hand when Shen Sanniang''s shrill voice rang out behind them: "Mr. Liu, if you want to take a concubine, you can ask me! I helped Provincial Graduate Wang find his two young concubines before, and they were such pretty little things..."


    Liu Ming''an''s face suddenly stiffened. He couldn''t fathom how someone could be so utterly tone-deaf to both words and facial expressions.


    With a darkening expression, Liu Ming''an turned around, intending to silence Shen Sanniang. However, this momentary pause was misinterpreted by her as interest. Delighted, she scampered towards them.


    "Hah!" Jiang Ning let out a soft snort, narrowing her eyes as she sized up the annoying matchmaker. Noticing some small pebbles by her feet, Jiang Ning kicked them towards where Shen Sanniang was about to step.


    In the next instant, Shen Sanniang''s footnded squarely on the pebbles. She lost her bnce and with a loud "thud," fell t on the ground.


    "Ouch! Ow ow ow..." Cries of pain erupted as Shen Sanniang''s entire face scrunched up in agony.


    Liu Ming''an was startled by this sudden turn of events. As he was contemting whether to help her up, a slender, fair hand reached out and grabbed his cor, pulling him away.


    "What are you looking at?" Jiang Ning said coldly. "Do you really want her to find you a couple of concubines?"


    Jiang Ning''s grip was strong, and of course, Liu Ming''an had no intention of resisting. He stumbled along, noticing a thinyer of anger in her eyes as they walked.


    Jiang Ning was angry!


    Liu Ming''an''s heart tightened. He hurriedly tried to cate her, "Jiang Ning, don''t listen to her nonsense. I don''t even know her. She approached me on her own. I didn''t pay her any attention from start to finish..."


    "Jiang Ning, don''t be angry. I definitely won''t take any concubines. I only like you..."


    "Jiang Ning, don''t stay silent. Say something to me. I''m scared..."


    "Jiang Ning? A''Ning? Xiao Ning? Ning''er? Xiao Ning''er..."


    As Liu Ming''an''s calls became increasingly sharine, Jiang Ning furrowed her brow. She stopped in a deserted alley and turned around, saying, "Shut up! Don''t call me that!"


    "Alright!" Liu Ming''an''s face instantly lit up with a smile as he nodded in agreement. But after a moment''s thought, he added, "I don''t want to call you by your full name anymore. How about I call you ''A''Ning'' from now on? A... Ning!"


    The two sybles "A''Ning" were uttered with infinite tenderness, as if filled with deep affection. Jiang Ning felt as if her heart had been scalded.


    Seeing Jiang Ning silent again, Liu Ming''an stepped forward and embraced her, speaking earnestly and solemnly, "A''Ning, don''t worry. What I just said wasn''t to appease you. I will never take multiple wives in this lifetime. If I ever break this vow, don''t hesitate ¨C just give me a knife to the heart."


    Hearing this, most of the anger in Jiang Ning''s heart dissipated. She raised her arms to return Liu Ming''an''s embrace, mumbling, "I wasn''t angry with you. I was just annoyed by that tactless matchmaker."


    "She really was tactless," Liu Ming''an wholeheartedly agreed. "I told her I have a beautiful youngdy at home, yet she still dared to chase after us. Anyway, let''s not talk about her anymore. Let''s go home and pack. We''re setting off for Wine Selling Town tomorrow."


    Beautiful youngdy?


    Jiang Ning, nestled in Liu Ming''an''s arms, felt her eyshes flutter.


    Back at home, despite saying they were packing, apart from two sets of clothes and Liu Ming''an''s writing materials, there wasn''t much else to bring.


    Considering that eating and drinking might be inconvenient on the road, Jiang Ning baked a few tbreads. Although the taste was ordinary, they were easy to carry and wouldn''t spoil easily.


    That night, the twoy in bed, spending theirst night in Lingshan Town.


    "Ah, we''ve barely lived in this new home for a few days. I haven''t even gotten to know all the neighbors, and now we''re leaving so soon..." Liu Ming''an sighed wistfully.


    Jiang Ning was indifferent to this, responding calmly, "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. You were bound to leave sooner orter. What difference does it make whether it''s earlier orter?"


    "You''re right!" Liu Ming''an smiled, pulling Jiang Ning closer and nting a kiss on her forehead.


    Jiang Ning, however, lifted her head and returned a kiss to Liu Ming''an. When they finally parted, both were a little breathless.


    "A''Ning, let''s sleep. Rest well. Once we''re on the road, it might be hard to get a good night''s sleep," Liu Ming''an said, his voice slightly husky as he gently pressed Jiang Ning against his chest.


    Jiang Ning was actually a bit puzzled. She knew Liu Ming''an liked her and desired her, but for some reason, the most intimate they had ever been was kissing. Liu Ming''an had never shown any intention of taking things further.


    Was he not mentally prepared? Or did he think the timing wasn''t right? Or perhaps he didn''t know how?


    Jiang Ning couldn''t figure it out. But the idea of pinning Liu Ming''an down and demanding, "Why won''t you sleep with me?"...


    Jiang Ning thought about it and realized she still couldn''t bring herself to do such a thing.


    The next day, they got up and had breakfast. Jiang Ning took advantage of the morning to speed-read through the pile of books Liu Ming''an had bought her.


    They had agreed to meet the owner of the Hundred Knowledges Tower at the hour of the Sheep (1-3 pm). After lunch, they shouldered their luggage, locked the door, and set off.


    When they arrived at the Hundred Knowledges Tower, it was exactly the hour of the Sheep. The owner came out to greet them, smiling, "You two are very punctual. Our carriage is ready. Please, this way!"


    Liu Ming''an handed the agreed-upon hundred copper coins to the owner and followed him for a few steps. Sure enough, a carriage was parked at the street corner.


    On the carriage shaft sat a man of about twenty, with an honest face and a shy demeanor. Seeing the two, he smiled awkwardly.


    The owner introduced him, "This is my shop assistant, called Fang Cheng. You can just call him Xiao Fang."


    Fang Cheng nodded at Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning, addressing them, "Young Master, Madam."


    The owner continued, "This carriage was bought to transport wine, not people. I''ve ced a long bench inside. It''s a bit old and simple, so please bear with it."


    Liu Ming''an cupped his hands towards the owner in gratitude.


    The carriage shaft was about waist-high. Just as Liu Ming''an was about to offer his hand to help Jiang Ning up, he saw her grab the wooden side of the carriage and leap up effortlessly. She then bent down at the carriage door, extending her hand to him, saying, "Come on!"


    Liu Ming''an: "..."


    The owner of the Hundred Knowledges Tower was also startled by Jiang Ning''s agile movement. After a moment, he praised, "Madam has such nimble movements!"


    Liu Ming''an suddenly felt a surge of pride, responding with a hint of smugness, "Of course she does." He then grabbed Jiang Ning''s hand without any hesitation, allowing her to pull him up into the carriage.


    The owner chuckled and wished the three of them "a safe journey." Then Fang Cheng called out amand and cracked his whip, setting the wheels in motion.


    The interior of the carriage was indeed old and simple as the owner had said. Apart from a long bench, there was no decoration, and the air was permeated with the scent of wine.


    After boarding, they opened the windows and watched the scenery slowly recede. Half an hourter, the tall stone tablet inscribed with "Lingshan Town" was left far behind.

 Chapter 87

    Fang Cheng was a young man of few words. After Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an boarded the carriage, he only said, "We''ve now left the boundaries of Lingshan Town" at dusk, and nothing more.


    As darkness fell, the carriage traveled along a deserted road. No viges or fields could be seen around them, as if they had entered an uncultivated wastnd.


    Liu Ming''an peered out the window and politely asked, "Young Brother Fang Cheng, aren''t we going to rest tonight?"


    A reply came promptly from outside the carriage: "Young Master, we will rest. The horses have been running half the day and need water and food. In about two hours, we''ll reach a riverbank where we''ll spend the night."


    Liu Ming''an responded with a simple "Alright."


    Sure enough, two hourster, the carriage stopped at a riverbank lush with wild grass.


    Jiang Ning, who had been sitting in the carriage for half a day on a hard bench without a backrest, was already quite ufortable. As soon as the carriage stopped, she immediately climbed out of thepartment, pushed off the shaft with her hand, and jumped down from the carriage.


    Jiang Ning had removed her veil after boarding the carriage. Having left Lingshan Town, she no longer needed to worry about encountering people from Lotus Flower Vige, so there was no need to wear it anymore.


    By the time Liu Ming''an gracefully descended from the carriage, supporting himself against the carriage wall, Jiang Ning had already run to the riverside to wash her hands.


    When Jiang Ning alighted from the carriage, Fang Cheng caught a clear view of her face and his eyes shed with amazement. He had assumed this woman was covering her face because of disfigurement or extreme ugliness, but he never expected her to be so strikingly beautiful.


    However, upon seeing Liu Ming''an emerge next, with his dignified appearance and upright posture, Fang Cheng thought that the two indeed made a well-matched pair.


    "Young Master, please wait here while I take the horse to water," Fang Cheng said as he began to undo the harness and reins from the horse. Seeing this, Liu Ming''an immediately went over to help.


    "We''re resting here tonight, right? Should we build a fire?" Liu Ming''an asked.


    Liu Ming''an''s friendly demeanor and gentle voice put Fang Cheng at ease, making him less formal than before. He smiled and said, "I used to build fires when I was alone. Young Master, please wait until I''ve watered the horse."


    Liu Ming''an helped Fang Cheng remove the carriage frame from the horse, then watched as he led the animal to the riverside. After the horse lowered its head to drink, Fang Cheng lengthened the reins and tied them to a tree by the river, allowing the horse to graze freely.


    Liu Ming''an suddenly realized he hadn''t seen Jiang Ning for a while. Hearing a rustling sound behind him, he turned to see Jiang Ning dragging several dry tree branches.


    "Madam, why are you gathering firewood?" Fang Cheng asked, quite surprised, as he returned from tethering the horse.


    "It''s no trouble, we''re all the same here," Jiang Ning replied casually.


    The branches were too long, so Jiang Ning grasped one end and snapped them against her knee. With a crisp "crack," the branches as thick as two fingers broke easily. In no time, she had broken the branches into suitable lengths for firewood.


    "You can light the fire now," Jiang Ning said to Fang Cheng, who nodded eagerly, inwardly feeling relieved.


    Earlier, when Fang Cheng heard from his boss that he would be giving two people a ride to Wine Selling Town, he had been quite annoyed. He had experienced simr situations before, where the passengers treated him like a servant, ordering him around and making the journey unpleasant.


    This time, when his boss told him to take two people along, Fang Cheng could only curse the "beast" in his heart and nod in agreement.


    However, to Fang Cheng''s surprise, this couple waspletely different from his previous passengers. The man was courteous, and the woman was quiet but capable. Neither of them caused any trouble; in fact, they even made things easier for him.


    Finally, I''ve met some good people, Fang Cheng thought.


    After lighting the fire, Fang Cheng watched the couple nibble on their dry biscuits and decided to share some of the braised beef his wife had made.


    "Young Master, Madam, please have some of this with your food. My wife made it, and it''s delicious!" Fang Cheng said, opening a greased paper package containing strips of beef.


    Appreciating his kindness, Liu Ming''an smiled and took two pieces along with Jiang Ning. They wrapped the beef in their dry biscuits, which was indeed much better than eating the biscuits alone.


    "Thank you, Young Brother!" Liu Ming''an said sincerely.


    Fang Cheng, being straightforward, replied, "Oh, Young Master, no need for thanks! I''m only doing this because I like you two. I never bother with the others I''ve transported before."


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.


    The act of sharing food brought the three closer together. With the long night ahead, they began to chat about various topics. Of course, it was mostly Liu Ming''an and Fang Cheng talking, while Jiang Ning listened without interjecting.


    It turned out that Fang Cheng wasn''t actually a man of few words; on the contrary, he was quite talkative.


    By the time night had deepened and Fang Cheng bid them goodnight before lying down to sleep, he had clearlye to regard Liu Ming''an as a friend.


    Fang Cheng slept fully clothed near the fire. Liu Ming''an turned to look at Jiang Ning beside him and found her staring absently into the mes.


    "What''s wrong? Are you tired? Why don''t you lean on me and sleep?" Liu Ming''an asked Jiang Ning in a soft voice, careful not to disturb Fang Cheng.


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning moved closer, and the two leaned against each other, spending the night sleeping under the open sky.


    When they set off again the next day, Fang Cheng had be much more familiar with the couple. As he drove the carriage, he would asionally introduce them to the names of ces they passed and share interesting local stories and rumors.


    The three arrived at Wine Selling Town on the third day.


    Shortly after entering the town, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning noticed that almost every household had severalrge wine jars disyed in their courtyards. A faint smell of alcohol permeated the air, and they frequently saw people drinking as casually as if it were water. They even spotted seven or eight-year-old children hugging wine jars, their faces flushed red from drinking.


    Liu Ming''an watched in amazement and couldn''t help but ask Fang Cheng, "Do even the children in Wine Selling Town love to drink?"


    Fang Chengughed heartily. "Young Master, the reputation of Great Liang Country''s wine country is not undeserved! Everyone in Wine Selling Town grows up soaked in wine jars. Don''t be fooled by their age ¨C these seven or eight-year-olds could easily outdrink five men like you!"


    As the carriage reached the main street, Fang Cheng suddenly eximed, "Oh!" and turned to the couple, saying, "If you''re not in a hurry to continue your journey, you could stay in Wine Selling Town for a couple more days and enjoy the wine festival."


    "Wine festival?" Liu Ming''an had never heard of such a thing.


    "The wine festival is a unique holiday in Wine Selling Town, considered even more important than the New Year. Most families here make their living by selling wine. Every year on the fifth day of the tenth month, the local government organizes a wine festival, inviting guests from all over to taste wine and enjoy themselves. It''s mainly to promote the local wines. Of course, with hundreds of wines and vors, the festival is also an opportunity for winemakers to showcase their products, exchange ideas, recognize their own shorings, make timely improvements, and progress together."


    "That sounds interesting," Jiang Ning said, her curiosity piqued. She turned to look at Liu Ming''an and saw that he too looked intrigued.


    "Then let''s stay for a couple more days and join in the festivities," Liu Ming''an said with a smile, looking at her.

 Chapter 88

    Fang Cheng parted ways with the couple at a winery.


    After they got off the carriage, Fang Cheng looked at them sincerely and said, "Young master, madam, I''ll buy some wine and dried food here before heading back to Lingshan Town. I don''t know if we''ll ever meet again, so take care on your journey!"


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning nodded at Fang Cheng, saying "Until we meet again," before watching him expertly drive his cart down another road.


    A fleeting encounter, followed by a swift goodbye. Liu Ming''an watched Fang Cheng''s cart disappear into the distance and muttered to himself, "We probably won''t see him again."


    "Let''s find an inn to eat first," Jiang Ning suggested practically, not as prone to mncholy as Liu Ming''an.


    Wine Selling Town appeared much more prosperous than Lingshan Town, with wider streets and more vendors lining the roads.


    Unfamiliar with the area, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning chose the nearest inn called "Destined Inn" and walked straight in.


    "Wee, esteemed guests! Please,e in!" A sharp-eyed waiter immediately greeted them enthusiastically. "Have youe from afar? Are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"


    "We''ll stay the night," Liu Ming''an replied. He nced around the crowded, noisy dining hall, realizing Jiang Ning probably wouldn''t like such an environment. He quickly added, "Please show us to our room first, and then bring the food up."


    "Certainly!" The waiter promptly agreed, leading them upstairs while inquiring about the type of room they wanted, what dishes they''d like, whether they needed a hot bath, and various other details, being extremely thorough and attentive.


    Liu Ming''an answered each question after consulting with Jiang Ning, eventually choosing a street-facing room with a good view. He asked the waiter to bring up some of the inn''s signature dishes and to prepare hot water for bathing after they finished eating.


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning had just set down their bags in the room when the waiter knocked, bringing their meal.


    The waiter ced arge bowl on the table and exined, "Sir, this is our signature dish - Drunken Chicken in Huadiao Wine. We use five-year-aged Huadiao wine! It also contains over ten kinds of Chinese herbs including ginseng, astragalus, hawthorn, and sanbai powder. It''s slow-cooked alternating between medium and low heat, making it both delicious and nourishing."


    "You use five-year-aged Huadiao wine for cooking?" Liu Ming''an was surprised.


    The waiter seemed to have anticipated this reaction and replied with a hint of pride, "Haha, sir, you don''t understand. In our Wine Selling Town, wine is the least scarce resource. A mere five-year-aged Huadiao is nothing. If you like, we can let you drink your fill of fifty-year-aged Huadiao!"


    "Truly worthy of being called the wine country of the Liang Kingdom!" Liu Ming''an eximed, genuinely impressed.


    The waiter then set down an earthen pot and said to Jiang Ning, "This is sweet osmanthus wine with glutinous rice balls. The soup is fragrant and sweet, and the rice balls are soft and chewy. I''m sure the madam will enjoy it."


    There was also a te of fried tofu with garlic sprouts, a dish of sour and spicy shredded potatoes, and a small bucket of rice. After cing everything on the table, the waiter said, "Please enjoy your meal. I''ll return in half an hour to clear the dishes," then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.


    Three dishes and a soup, two of which were rted to "wine." As Liu Ming''an was serving rice, he asked the person beside him, "Ning, do you drink alcohol?"


    Jiang Ning picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of the drunken chicken, answering, "I''ve never drunk before, but maybe I can hold my liquor well."


    "Why do you think that?" Liu Ming''an found it hard to believe.


    Jiang Ning curved her lips slightly but didn''t answer. Instead, she picked up another piece of chicken and ced it in Liu Ming''an''s bowl. "Never mind that, let''s eat. This chicken tastes good!"


    Jiang Ning wasn''t actually lying to Liu Ming''an. In her previous life as an assassin, she needed to stay alert at all times, so she never drank unless absolutely necessary. In this world, she truly hadn''t drunk any alcohol yet.


    But why did she think she could hold her liquor well? Naturally, it was because of the Blood Lotus Space within her. Thest time Zhao Qiang had tried to drug her with knockout drops, she hadn''t been affected at all. Jiang Ning had guessed that the space might eliminate negative external influences on her. The numbing effect of alcohol was simr to knockout drops, so Jiang Ning deduced that she would be able to drink without getting drunk.


    After they finished eating, the waiter indeed came on time to clear away the dishes. Then, two waiters brought in a bathtub, filled it with buckets of hot water, and said, "Please call us when you''re done bathing," before closing the door and leaving again.


    Jiang Ning hadn''t had the chance to bathe properly in the three days of travel, so seeing the steaming bathtub made her itch to strip off her clothes and soak in it immediately.


    However, just as she took off her outer garment, she casually turned her head and saw Liu Ming''an standing by the window, staring fixedly at the closed shutters, his face slightly red.


    Jiang Ning thought for a moment and understood what was on his mind.


    Once she was fully immersed in the bathtub, with hot water enveloping her body and all her muscles rxed, Jiang Ning noticed that Liu Ming''an was still staring at the same spot, his gaze unwavering. She couldn''t help but find it amusing.


    "Liu Ming''an," Jiang Ning suddenly called out, and saw him stiffen immediately.


    "N-Ning, what is it?" Liu Ming''an tried to answer calmly.


    Jiang Ning originally didn''t have anything to say, but hearing his question, she suddenly felt like stirring things up a bit.


    She reached out and knocked the dry towel off the edge of the tub onto the floor, then said, "The towel fell on the floor. I can''t reach it. Can you pick it up for me?"


    After speaking, Jiang Ning leaned back against the edge of the tub, waiting leisurely. It took a while before she saw Liu Ming''an slowly walking over, his head lowered, staring at the floor the entire time, not daring to look up even slightly.


    Why so reserved? Jiang Ning couldn''t understand.


    When Liu Ming''an picked up the towel and held it out at arm''s length, Jiang Ning suddenly grabbed his hand, pulling him to the edge of the tub. She asked, feigning ignorance, "Why are you afraid to look at me?"


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes inadvertently caught sight of Jiang Ning''s slender neck, delicate corbone, bare shoulders, and the exposed upper half of her snow-white chest. His face instantly turned crimson, and he quickly squeezed his eyes shut, feeling like he couldn''t even speak properly: "N-Ning, d-don''t tease me... let go..."


    "Hehe..." Jiang Ning chuckled softly, pulling him even closer. "I won''t! Answer me, and I''ll let go."


    Liu Ming''an, eyes still tightly shut, stuttered, "I-I''m afraid of... of offending you."


    Looking at Liu Ming''an''s appearance, as if he was the one being teased, Jiang Ning found it amusing: "You weren''t afraid of offending me when you found excuses to climb into my bed? You weren''t afraid of offending me when you secretly held my handte at night? And when you thought I was sound asleep and tried to steal a kiss, howe you didn''t think about the word ''offend'' then?"


    Liu Ming''an sighed, knowing that Jiang Ning wouldn''t let it go unless he exined clearly.


    He finally opened his eyes and looked at Jiang Ning.


    Due to the hot bath, Jiang Ning''s face was slightly flushed, her long hair wet and clinging to her cheeks. Her eyes looked moist in the steam, her deep gray irises reflecting Liu Ming''an''s ufortable expression, focused yet innocent.


    Jiang Ning only saw Liu Ming''an open his eyes and gaze at her steadily for a moment. Just as she was about to speak, he bent down, cupped her face in his hands, and in the next instant, a passionate, burning kissnded on her lips.


    This kiss was different from all the previous ones.


    Liu Ming''an was a gentle person, and his kisses had always been gentle too, like the soft spring breeze and gentle rain in March, gradually melting Jiang Ning''s heart bit by bit.


    But this time, Liu Ming''an kissed her urgently, heavily, and chaotically. As their lips and teeth intertwined, Jiang Ning could almost feel his restless heart.


    After a while, Liu Ming''an stopped. They were both breathing heavily, and Jiang Ning even felt a slight sting on her lips from the intensity of the kiss.


    "Ning, I want to marry you," Liu Ming''an said, his voice hoarse, after pecking Jiang Ning''s reddened lips once more.


    "So you think that before marrying me, we shouldn''t engage in marital activities?" Jiang Ning seemed to understand this ancient person''s thought process.


    "Yes, because I cherish you," Liu Ming''an said solemnly.


    "Then, what if..." Jiang Ning moved closer to Liu Ming''an''s lips again, kissing him lightly twice, and said in a seductive tone, "I want to sleep with you?"


    Liu Ming''an''s heart, which had just calmed down a bit, started racing again. His face and ears turned so red they seemed about to drip blood. He took half a step back, turning his face to the side, avoiding Jiang Ning''s gaze.


    Jiang Ning only heard Liu Ming''an''s voice, as quiet as a mosquito''s buzz: "Ning, please endure it for now. If... ahem, if you were to get pregnant, we''re still on the road, and you would suffer. I can''t bear that. Let''s wait until we''re settled."


    After finishing his words, Liu Ming''an felt he couldn''t stay in the room for another moment. He bolted for the door, calling out, "You bathe first. I''lle back in half an hour."


    Jiang Ning leaned on the edge of the bathtub, watching Liu Ming''an''s fleeing figure. A radiant smile bloomed on her face.


    This feeling of being cherished and valued was truly wonderful!


    However, Liu Ming''an did have a point. Her identity hadn''t been confirmed yet, and if she were to identally be pregnant, it would indeed cause manyplications.

 Chapter 89

    After the two of them had opened up to each other, Jiang Ning stopped overthinking and let things flow naturally.


    However, Liu Ming''an seemed to mistakenly believe that Jiang Ning was unsatisfied, often kissing and hugging her. After each kiss, he would gently smile, pat her head and face, and say soothingly, "Ning, be good!"


    Jiang Ning: "..."


    She really wasn''t in a hurry!


    These past couple of days, Liu Ming''an would go downstairs to chat with the Shop Assistant whenever he had free time, asking about local customs and inquiring how to get to Maozhu County.


    The night before the Wine Festival, Liu Ming''an returned to the room excitedly: "Ning, I''ve found out that the Destined Inn has its own winery and regrly delivers wine to Maozhu County. I''ve arranged with the owner that after the festival, when they deliver wine, they can take us along the way."


    "That takes care of another issue, great!"


    Jiang Ning, infected by Liu Ming''an''s smile, smiled back.


    The next moment, Liu Ming''an suddenly poked her right cheek with his index finger.


    "What are you doing?" Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, holding Liu Ming''an''s mischievous hand.


    "Nothing, just thinking you look beautiful when you smile."


    As he spoke, Liu Ming''an lowered his head slightly and kissed the spot he had just poked several times.


    When Jiang Ning smiled, there was a small dimple there.


    Caught off guard by the sudden sweet talk, Jiang Ning was momentarily stunned, then felt an indescribable joy welling up inside her.


    Being in a rtionship with Liu Ming''an seemed to bring happiness every day.


    The next day was the annual Wine Festival in Wine Selling Town.


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an were still asleep when they were awakened by the sound of firecrackers and gongs. When they got up, they saw it was just past 7-9 AM, and the sky was still a bluish-gray.


    The noise came from all directions, and sleep was certainly out of the question now. The two got up, washed, and went downstairs to the main hall for breakfast.


    "Young man, what''s all thatmotion outside?" Liu Ming''an asked as the Shop Assistant brought over fermented rice with eggs.


    "Haha... Did the noise wake you up, sir?" The Shop Assistant looked at the confused pair unsurprised and exined, "They''re inviting the Wine God."


    "Inviting the Wine God?"


    "Yes. Every year during the Wine Festival, there''s this ritual. Before dawn, they gather ny-nine people to carry wine from a hundred families, starting from the east end of town. They set off firecrackers, beat gongs and drums, and circle the main street of Wine Selling Town. Two weeks before this, they choose a seven or eight-year-old child to be the Wine Child. Everyone carries him along with the wine from a hundred families. He uses a tree branch to dip into the wine and sprinkle it on the crowd along the street. Whoever gets sprinkled with his wine will be blessed by the Wine God, and the wine they brew next year will definitely not spoil!"


    The Shop Assistant, knowing Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning were from out of town, enthusiastically exined to them. As he finished, he looked outside and eximed, "Oh! They''reing, they''reing! Hurry outside and get some wine mist on you, it''s a good omen!"


    Liu Ming''an turned to look at Jiang Ning, only to see her pick up her spoon and quickly finish the eggs in her bowl, her face showing excitement.


    "Hurry up and eat, I want to go!" Jiang Ning urged Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an smiled, forgetting about manners and wolfing down his food like Jiang Ning. As soon as he finished, he put down his bowl and pulled her towards the street outside the inn.


    The street was already crowded. Liu Ming''an held Jiang Ning close as they pushed throughyers of people, barely managing to stand steady at the front. The Wine God inviting procession was already approaching.


    The scene was indeed as the Shop Assistant had described. There were people carrying copper gongs and beating drums at the front and back of the procession. In the middle, over a dozen people carried something that looked like a sedan chair. But it wasn''t exactly a sedan chair - it had no cover or doors, just a frame made of bamboo and wood, with red silk tied all around it.


    A chubby-faced child sat on top of the frame, dressed in red clothes, his cheeks painted red, and a red dot on his forehead. Next to him was a wine jar even bigger than his body. The child held a leafy tree branch, which he dipped into the wine jar and then sprinkled on the heads and faces of people on both sides.


    Everyone stretched their arms up straight for the child to sprinkle them. Those who got sprinkled with wine had joyful expressions, muttering "Wine God bless," while those who didn''t get sprinkled anxiously shouted, "Wine Child! Wine Child! Sprinkle here, over here!" The child was kept busy turning this way and that.


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an were squeezed in the crowd when the child was carried past them and happened to sprinkle in their direction. Drops of wine fell on their faces, feeling a bit cool. Liu Ming''anughed and shouted, "Wine God bless!"


    "You don''t even brew wine, what is the Wine God blessing you for?" Jiang Ning teased him, curling her lips in amusement.


    As Liu Ming''an held Jiang Ning close and walked back to the inn, he whispered in her ear, "I hope the Wine God blesses Ning with a lifetime of happiness and peace."


    Jiang Ning''s eyes flickered, and her smile deepened.


    Back at the inn, it was still early, with the sky just beginning to brighten. The two sat in the lobby on the first floor, nning to go out and see the festivities of the Wine Festival once it was fully light.


    Seeing them return, the Shop Assistant came over with a teapot to pour water and struck up a conversation: "Did you two get sprinkled by the wine from the hundred families? This year, our Destined Inn contributed to that wine too."


    "We did, it was quite fun!" Liu Ming''an was in a good mood and chatted happily with the Shop Assistant.


    With nothing much to do at this hour and finding Liu Ming''an friendly, the Shop Assistant couldn''t help but chat a bit more.


    "Sir, you should go see the wine drinking contestter, that''s the most interesting part of the Wine Festival."


    "Wine drinking contest? What''s that?" Liu Ming''an asked curiously.


    "The wine drinking contest is an event held every year during the Wine Festival. As the name suggests, it''s a contest to see who can drink the most. It''s held in the open area at the east end of town, usually starting in the morning."


    The Shop Assistant patiently exined, and seeing Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning listening attentively, he added, "Anyone can participate in the contest, you just need to pay ten copper coins. The first-ce winner gets nine taels of silver and nine hundred and ny-nine copper coins, second ce gets five taels of silver and ny-nine copper coins, third ce gets three taels of silver and nine copper coins..."


    Jiang Ning''s eyes suddenly lit up ¨C a great opportunity to make money!


    "The most interesting part of the wine drinking contest is watching¡ª"


    Before the Shop Assistant could finish, someone at the next table shouted, "Waiter, bring some food!"


    "Coming! Please wait a moment, sir!" The Shop Assistant quickly responded, then hurriedly said to Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning, "You two should go see for yourselves. In any case, you won''t regret going. I have to get back to work now."


    Watching the Shop Assistant''s hastily retreating figure, Liu Ming''an took a sip of tea and asked Jiang Ning, "Shall we go take a look?"


    "Let''s go," Jiang Ning answered without hesitation. Not only did she want to go, but she also intended to win!


    The sky was already bright, and after finishing their tea, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an headed towards the east end of Wine Selling Town.


    The streets were crowded, much busier than market day in Lingshan Town. Shouts and calls could be heard everywhere, and the air was filled with the strong scent of wine. After walking half a street, they felt as if they were covered in the smell of alcohol.

 Chapter 90

    As the two of them walked to the east end of the town, people were already setting up the venue.


    It was a vast open space, which Jiang Ning estimated to be evenrger than a ser field. In the center of the area, a simple stage had been erected with a few chairs and tworge drums on it. Beneath the stage were rows upon rows of stacked wine jars.


    People were gradually gathering around. Two elderly men withpletely white hair stood behind them, casually chatting while shelling peanuts.


    "Hey, do you think Wang Mengzi will take first ce again this year?"


    "Who else could it be? It''s been five or six years in a row now. Nobody can outdrink him."


    "True. Most locals don''t even bother joining the fun anymore. It''s all out-of-towners who don''t know better, eyeing that bit of silver..."


    "Haha... They''re after the money, giving us some entertainment..."


    Liu Ming''an turned around and asked the two elders, "Grandfathers, what happens if someone can''t drink anymore but keeps forcing themselves? Couldn''t that kill them?"


    Jiang Ning had been wondering about this too. Alcohol poisoning was no joke.


    "Oh! What a handsome young man! Here, have some peanuts!"


    Instead of answering immediately, the old man smiled and offered Liu Ming''an a handful of peanuts from his pocket.


    Liu Ming''an quickly thanked him and epted with both hands, sharing half with Jiang Ning.


    The peanuts were homegrown, sun-dried, and dry-roasted with sand. They were fragrant and crispy. As Jiang Ning ate, she listened to the old man exin, "Everyone''s thought of that already. You''ll see in a bit. They won''t let someone who''s drunk keep forcing themselves to drink."


    More and more people arrived. By the time it was almost 9-11 AM, the ce was packed withyers uponyers of onlookers.


    A few men who looked like wealthyndowners walked onto the stage and sat down on the simple chairs. Two muscr men followed them and began beating the drums.


    "Boom! Boom! Boom!"


    The drumbeats were deafening and heart-pounding, gradually raising the atmosphere.


    More people emerged from the crowd, bringing dozens of tables and arranging them together. They then brought out bowls, lined them up densely, unsealed the wine jars, and poured the strong liquor into the bowls. The aroma of alcohol filled the air.


    "Grandfather, who are those people sitting up there?" Jiang Ning heard Liu Ming''an ask again.


    "Heh! Those are the owners of several big wineries in our town. All the wine down there is from them, and they''re also providing the silver for the top three winners. They''re sponsoring this drinking contest, not for anything else but to make their wineries famous!"


    After one old man patiently exined, the other eximed, "Oh! It''s starting, it''s starting!"


    The drumming stopped, and a man shouted loudly, "Those who want to participate,e over here and pay ten copper coins to get a red string tied around your wrist!"


    Liu Ming''an was still chatting with the two old men when Jiang Ning tapped him and said quickly, "I''m going to earn some money. Wait for my good news!"


    Before Liu Ming''an could say anything, Jiang Ning had already made her way through the crowd to the stage. She tossed ten copper coins into the wine jar and tied a red string around her wrist.


    Liu Ming''an looked anxious, but then he saw Jiang Ning waving her string-tied wrist at him from across the field.


    "Haha... Don''t worry, young man. There are plenty of girls and young wives joining in for fun. She''ll probably drop out after the first round," one of the old men behind him chuckled, trying to reassure Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an looked over and indeed saw several other girls and women who had also signed up, red strings on their wrists and eager expressions on their faces.


    "Anyone else want to sign up? Hurry up if you do, the drinking contest officially starts at 10:45 AM!" the man on the stage shouted again.


    When 10:45 AM arrived, another round of spirited drumming announced the official start of the drinking contest!


    As the drums fell silent, the man shouted, "All contestants, first drink five bowls each, then walk in a straight line around the stage to qualify for the next round! You can untie your red string and quit at any time!"


    Only then did Liu Ming''an notice that beneath the stage in the center of the field, two straight lines had been drawn with white lime.


    "What a clever method! No need to worry about people forcing themselves to drink and getting into trouble," Liu Ming''an praised.


    "Haha... There''s more clever stuff toe, just wait and see! Here, have some more peanuts!" The old man replied, stuffing another handful of peanuts into Liu Ming''an''s hand.


    Nearly two hundred people had signed up. After the rules were announced, Jiang Ning leisurely walked to the table and waited for the eager ones to finish drinking and attempt the straight line before she picked up her first bowl of wine and took a sip.


    What strong alcohol!


    Jiang Ning furrowed her brow, feeling her tongue burn. This wine must be at least 80 proof, even stronger than the vodka she had drunk in her previous life.


    Looks like I''ll have to cheat, Jiang Ning thought to herself.


    Jiang Ning brought the wine bowl to her lips, and the moment the liquid touched her mouth, she used her space ability to collect the wine, then pretended to swallow. Unnoticed by anyone, she finished her five bowls for the first round in this manner.


    Many who hade just for fun didn''t even finish their five bowls before untying their red strings and quitting. By the time Jiang Ning went to line up for the straight-line walk, only about a hundred people remained.


    While drinking, Jiang Ning hadn''t understood why the inn''s waiter said this drinking contest was interesting. But as she watched the man in front of her trying to walk the line, stepping his left foot onto his right and his right foot onto his left, swaying like he was dancing, making the officials on the stage and the surrounding crowd roar withughter, some even doubling over, she finally got it.


    It really was amusing!


    Jiang Ning walked steadily along the straight line for over a hundred meters. At the end, a young servant looked at her in surprise and said with a smile, "Congrattions, miss! You''ve passed the first round. That''s quite an achievement already!"


    Jiang Ning casually replied, "You''re too kind," and stood with her arms crossed, enjoying the spectacle of others attempting the line.


    She then witnessed people falling asleep after just one step, hopping in circles on one foot along the line, taking two steps forward then somersaulting backward, and some even vomiting all over the ground... The variety of antics was endless, each person''s performance unique, filling the venue with waves ofughter and a festive atmosphere.


    After the first round, two-thirds of the participants had been eliminated, leaving fewer than sixty people. Including Jiang Ning, only three women remained.


    Liu Ming''an looked worriedly at Jiang Ning, but seeing her face neither flushed nor breathless, looking asposed as ever, he remembered her im of being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk and tried to trust her.


    Jiang Ning is so clever, she wouldn''t do something foolish knowing it''s impossible. Liu Ming''an told himself.


    The people who had been pouring wine earlier returned to the tables, removed the empty bowls, set out new ones, and filled them again.


    "For the second round, each person drinks fifteen bowls, thenes to the front to thread a needle. We''ll count to ten, and anyone who hasn''t threaded the needle by then is eliminated!" the man on the stage announced the new rules.


    After listening, Jiang Ning walked to the table and began drinking.


    The people pouring the wine stayed nearby. Fifteen bowls were too many, so they needed to keep count to prevent cheating, such as drinking fewer bowls or secretly pouring wine on the ground when no one was looking. That wouldn''t be fair to the others.


    "One, two, three, four... fourteen, fifteen!"


    Jiang Ning drank all fifteen bowls in one go without even changing her expression. The young man counting for her was dumbfounded. He hadn''t seen such a good drinker in a long time, especially not one so pretty. Where did this female wine immortale from?


    Jiang Ning walked to the front of the stage. More than half of the contestants were still drinking. Someone handed her a needle and a thin thread and began counting: "One, two¡ª"


    "Done," Jiang Ning said before he could reach "three," holding up the threaded needle.


    "Huh? So fast? Congrattions! Please wait here, miss. We''re preparing for the third round," the young man said with a smile.


    "You''re the second woman I''ve ever seen who can drink like that," a gruff voice suddenly came from beside her.


    Jiang Ning turned to see a tall man with a bushy beard. He had just put down his needle and thread, his eyes clear of any drunkenness, only his cheeks slightly flushed.


    Seeing Jiang Ning look over, the man continued, "The first one was my drunkard mother."


    Faced with this unexpected conversation, Jiang Ning wasn''t sure how to respond. The man didn''t seem to have any ill intentions. After a moment''s thought, she simply replied, "Oh."

 Chapter 91

    Liu Ming''an watched as Jiang Ning entered the third round, feeling relieved.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "My goodness, young man, your wife is truly a case of not judging a book by its cover!" eximed two elderly men beside him, surprised by Jiang Ning''s performance. They had thought she was just there to join in the fun, not expecting her to have such an impressive drinking capacity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an smiled, overhearing others discussing nearby: "Whose daughter is that? She''s such a good drinker! And so pretty too..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "She''s mine!" Liu Ming''an answered in his heart, his gaze fixed on Jiang Ning with focused tenderness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Meanwhile, several participants had vomited halfway through and were escorted away. Only about a dozen people remained to attempt threading a needle. Many of them were dizzy, their vision blurred,pletely unable to see where the needle''s eye was. They fumbled with the thread, squinting as they jabbed at the needle repeatedly without sess, getting eliminated from thepetition.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, the audience found great amusement in watching these drunken attempts at needle threading. Laughter filled the air, creating a joyous atmosphere.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "There should be less than ten people left for the third round," the man muttered to himself. Perhaps feeling bored from the wait and with only Jiang Ning beside him, he turned to ask her, "Miss, where are you from? How did you train your alcohol tolerance? You''ve already surpassed 99.9% of men."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning felt a rare moment of self-consciousness and simply replied, "It''s natural," before pretending to watch others thread needles and walking away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The man''s guess was urate. After two rounds, only six people entered the third round. Apart from the two of them, the other four had very red faces and seemed close to getting drunk.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "For the third round, each person drinks one bowl in turns. If you vomit or can''t stand steady, you''re eliminated. You can quit anytime. After each person drinks three bowls, use chopsticks to pick out red beans from a mix of green and red beans. Those who finish within half a cup of tea''s time pass!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning and the man from earlier stepped forward, each downing a bowl in one go. The other four drank in turn without incident. By the second bowl, one person couldn''t hold it and vomited with a loud "Urgh!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning frowned and moved away from that person.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After three bowls, the five remaining contestants took turns picking beans. A small bowl of mixed red and green beans was ced before each of them. Jiang Ning picked up her chopsticks and steadily plucked out the red beans one by one, cing them in another bowl. When she finished, she saw that one person had knocked over their bowl, spilling beans everywhere, while another was randomly jabbing with chopsticks, unable to pick up a single bean.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Only three people remained on the stage, the top three of this drinking contest. Besides Jiang Ning and the Scruffy-faced Bearded Man, the third was a short, middle-aged man with a bright red face. Jiang Ning noticed his steps were already unsteady.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The three still needed to determine their rankings. Back at the table, after two more bowls, the middle-aged man let out a loud burp, the alcohol churning in his stomach. His face contorted in difort.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m done, I''m done," the middle-aged man waved his hands repeatedly, then said, "I''ll take third ce. I quit. Let these two battle it out. I concede."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Now only Jiang Ning and the Scruffy-faced Bearded Man remained. They continued matching each other bowl for bowl, drinking three bowls and then picking beans, repeating this twice without determining a winner.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "This girl is really something, to drink with Wang Mengzi for so long."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It looks like Wang Mengzi is getting drunk, but she hasn''t even blushed. Her alcohol tolerance is terrifying!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Listening to the discussions around him, Liu Ming''an couldn''t help but worry more. Even if it were water, wouldn''t drinking bowl after bowl make one''s stomach ufortable?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning downed another bowl of wine. Beside her, the Scruffy-faced Bearded Man picked up his bowl, managed to swallow a few mouthfuls, but finally resigned himself to putting it down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I give up!" the Scruffy-faced Bearded Man shouted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The drinking contest was over!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The crowd erupted in amazement. In all these years, Wine Selling Town had never seen a female drinking champion! And this female champion wasn''t even a local!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two men on stage immediately began beating their drums, the increasingly intense rhythm stirring up the emotions of everyone present.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The top three winners were invited onto the stage. Each was given a double-handled lotus-patterned cdon wine cup containing their prize money.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning said "Thank you," hugged the wine cup, and walked off the stage back to Liu Ming''an''s side, handing him the money: "Keep it safe."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Onlookers cast envious nces, admiring both the over nine taels of silver and the deep affection between the couple.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an smiled as he epted it: "Thank you, Ning."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After the prize money was distributed came the part themon folk enjoyed most. Two young men carried the wine jar that had previously held the registration copper coins onto the stage, while other workers brought out several thousand copper coins, arranging them on the stage.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At this point, the crowd began to push towards the stage. Liu Ming''an, worried Jiang Ning might get squeezed, held the wine cup in one hand and put his other arm around her waist, retreating to stand far outside the crowd.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Why are they pushing and shoving for no reason?" Liu Ming''an asked, quite puzzled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "To catch the money being thrown," Jiang Ning replied with a slight smirk.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As soon as she finished speaking, amidst the thunderous drumbeats, the winery owners on stage began grabbing handfuls of copper coins and throwing them to the crowd below. This small amount of money was insignificant to them; they mainly did it for the festive atmosphere.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing the smiles on the faces of those who caught the coins, Liu Ming''an found himself smiling too, infected by the joy: "No wonder the waiter said this was the most interesting event."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It really is quite fun!" Jiang Ning agreed, looking at the money they had earned.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When they returned to the inn, Jiang Ning noticed Liu Ming''an kept ncing at her stomach, intentionally or not.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What are you looking at?" Jiang Ning couldn''t help but ask. What was there on her stomach worth Liu Ming''an''s constant stares?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m just curious," Liu Ming''an replied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m curious why, after drinking so much wine, your stomach isn''t bloated at all. Don''t you feel ufortably full?" Liu Ming''an asked with genuine concern.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning couldn''t answer this question. After pondering for a moment, she simply said, "I don''t feel ufortable. You don''t need to worry."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing that Liu Ming''an wanted to ask more, Jiang Ning quickly added, "I''m hungry."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Without another word, Liu Ming''an went downstairs to order food.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The next few times Liu Ming''an tried to ask, Jiang Ning always found an excuse to change the subject subtly. Gradually, Liu Ming''an forgot about the matter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Now that they had ample money, and the inn''s boss was nning to deliver wine to Maozhu County three days after the wine festival, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning spent those three days exploring every corner of Wine Selling Town. They bought several new outfits, visited various restaurants and taverns to taste local specialties, and thoroughly immersed themselves in the local customs and culture.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    On the day of their departure, the couple went downstairs to check out. Their meals and lodging for the past few days had cost four taels of silver in total.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The horse-drawn cart for delivering wine was parked at the entrance, already loaded withrge boxes filled with straw to cushion the wine jars.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The boss had specially reserved a space near the cart door,ying out straw mats for Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning to sit on, offering them a ride to Maozhu County.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Because the cart was fully loaded with goods, the horse moved slowly. They traveled with frequent stops, finally reaching their destination after six days.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Wine Selling Town is famous for its wine. I wonder if Maozhu County is famous for its bamboo?" Liu Ming''an pondered this question.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Haha... Young master, you''ve hit the nail on the head!" the cart driverughed upon hearing this. "Our Wine Selling Town has wine everywhere, and this Maozhu County has bamboo everywhere. But once you''ve seen enough of it, it''s not as interesting as our Wine Selling Town..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an wasn''t sure if this was true and didn''tment either way. After all, they weren''t on this journey for sightseeing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    They would rest a bit in Maozhu County, and once refreshed, they needed to find a way to get to Qushui City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 92

    When they arrived in Maozhu County, it was mid-October and already quite cold.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two reached their destination at dusk and found an inn to stay. The first thing they did was ask for a tub of hot water to bathe.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let''s go out tomorrow to buy some thick clothes and inquire about the route ahead," Liu Ming''an said from behind the screen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning, soaking in the hot water inside the screen,zily responded with an "Mm-hmm."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The ancient way of traveling was truly unbearable. After the long journey by horse-drawn carriage, Jiang Ning felt like her entire body was falling apart. Even now, lying still, she could still feel the swaying motion of the carriage.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning silently added this grievance to the ount of the person who sold her. When she found the one who beat and sold her, she would definitely make them pay!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The next day, as the two went downstairs and looked around, they discovered that the carriage driver from Wine Selling Town was right - Maozhu County indeed had bamboo everywhere, and there wasn''t much else to see.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The streets were filled with a dazzling array of bamboo items. Beyond the usual bamboo mats, beds, fans, and curtains, there were wine shops selling bamboo leaf wine, street stalls offering bamboo tube rice, and even bamboo hairpins at the essories stands for women.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, when they saw someone selling insects from a wooden bucket, the inexperienced Liu Ming''an fell silent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The vendor split open a bamboo section, revealing a mass of white, writhing insects inside. With a bright smile, he carefully shook the insects into the wooden bucket.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Customers would reach into the pile of insects, scoop up a handful to inspect, while the creatures crawled out between their fingers and along their hands.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an felt his scalp tingle at the sight. Even after turning away, the image kept reying in his mind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Those are bamboo worms. Don''t be afraid, they can be fried and eaten," Jiang Ning kindly exined.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an looked around to make sure no one was nearby before asking in a low voice, "Aren''t those... maggots?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had noticed his furrowed brow and the expression of someone who had swallowed a fly. She thought Liu Ming''an was afraid of insects, but now realized he had misunderstood.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "They''re not maggots, they''re bamboo worms that grow inside bamboo. They''re quite clean," Jiang Ning exined, somewhat amused.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an nodded, finally feeling less disgusted. "Indeed, customs differ every ten miles, and even more so every hundred. I still have much to see and learn."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning followed Liu Ming''an as they strolled the streets, making inquiries while shopping for clothes. They received good news at a ready-made clothing store.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Thendy, upon hearing they wanted to go to Qushui City, pped her thigh excitedly and said, "Yesterday, a theater troupe came to buy fabric for costumes, and they said they were heading to Qushui City too. Theater troupes usually travel in groups of over a dozen people, so they must have carriages and horses. You two should go find the troupe leader and see if they can take you along..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an quickly thanked her. After each of them bought two sets of thick clothes and returned them to the inn, they followed the address given by thendy and found the theater troupe at arge courtyard house.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You want to go to Qushui City?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The troupe leader was a kindly old man in his sixties. He sipped water from a purple y teapot as he smiled at Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an, asking the question.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, we''d like to ask for your help, Master Cui. We don''t know the way," Liu Ming''an said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had learned from thendy that the troupe leader''s surname was Cui, with the given name Shan. He was said to be easy to get along with.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an took out a silver tael from his pocket and handed it over, then sincerely added, "We promise not to cause any trouble for you all."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Cui Shan looked at this handsome, refined, and polite young man,ughed heartily, and pushed the silver back. "We''re going the same way anyway, so it''s no trouble to take you along. It''ll be nice to have more people to chat with on the journey."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was delighted to hear this and was about to bow in gratitude when Cui Shan continued, "Don''t thank me yet. There''s something I need to say first."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Please, go ahead!" Liu Ming''an said respectfully.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Do you know that we need to pass through Zhuangzhu Vige on the way from Maozhu County to Qushui City?" Cui Shan asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, I do," Liu Ming''an nodded. The owner of the Hundred Knowledge Tower had told him the same.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "We''ll be stopping in Zhuangzhu Vige for two or three days. If you''re not in a hurry,e join us after breakfast on the third day, and we''ll set off together," Cui Shan said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an turned to look at Jiang Ning, who had already picked up the silver tael and ced it next to Cui Shan. She thanked him sincerely, "Thank you, Master Cui. We''ll be there. Please ept this silver as a token of our appreciation for tea. We''ll take our leave now."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hahaha... Well, thank you then!" Cui Shan wasn''t one to be coy. He epted the silver graciously and saw them to the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Three dayster, after breakfast, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning arrived at the house where Cui Shan and his troupe were staying.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The theater troupe consisted of twelve people, making it fourteen including Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning. The entire group had four horse-drawn carriages, carrying not only people but also boxes of musical instruments, costumes, and props.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Along the way, Cui Shan, having nothing else to do, often chatted with Liu Ming''an, sharing stories of his many years running the theater troupe and his travels across thend. His troupe members were tired of hearing these tales and didn''t pay much attention, but Liu Ming''an was an excellent listener. He listened attentively and gave timely feedback, which made Cui Shan take a great liking to the young man.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two got along so well that before half a day had passed, they were already addressing each other as "Uncle Cui" and "Ming''an," developing something of an intergenerational friendship.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As they neared Zhuangzhu Vige, Cui Shan said, "Ming''an, the vige head of Zhuangzhu Vige loves schrs. You''ll surely be treated as an honored guest when we arrive."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Indeed, this turned out to be true. When the group entered the vige and Cui Shan introduced Liu Ming''an to the old vige head, thetter''s eyes immediately lit up. He sped his hands and bowed, addressing Liu Ming''an as "Honored Schr Liu."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was startled by this reception. Cui Shan patted him on the shoulder,ughing heartily, and after a while, whispered to him, "The vige head probably wants to soak up some of your schrly aura!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What do you mean?" Liu Ming''an didn''t understand.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "This vige head tried to be a xiucai (entry-level schr) in his youth but failed the exams his entire life. He forced his two sons to take the exams, but unfortunately, neither of them had the aptitude for studying. Now he''s set his sights on his grandson. He invited us here to perform for his newborn grandson. Do you know which ys we''re going to perform?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an shook his head; he wasn''t familiar with opera.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Cui Shan''s eyes twinkled with mischief, and like a mischievous child, he counted off on his fingers for Liu Ming''an: "''The Top Schr Pays Respects to His Mother,'' ''The Top Schr as Matchmaker,'' ''The Butcher Bes Top Schr,'' ''The Saga of the Top Schr,'' ''Achieving Top Schr Rank''... We''ll be performing these over the next two days."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After hearing this, all Liu Ming''an could think of was the phrase "Top Schr."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hahaha... So he respects you, just ept it. The old man has a bit of an obsession, a lifelongplex... After we finish our performances, we''ll head to Qushui City together."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With that, Cui Shan left to direct the setup of the stage at the vige entrance.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was the first time Liu Ming''an had received such special treatment due to his schr status, and he still couldn''t quite understand it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, why do you think the vige head has such strong conviction?" he asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    To struggle for a lifetime, to force his sons to struggle, and now to ce such deep expectations on his newborn grandson.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning thought for a moment and said, "All trades are lowly, only studying is high."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an disagreed, "Schrs, farmers, artisans, and merchants - how can there be a hierarchy among them?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning looked at Liu Ming''an. The young man''s eyes were clear and pure, his gaze as innocent as a child''s, his thoughts simple and uplicated. It was evident that he had not yet been battered by the harsh realities of life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Even in a feudal society with clear ss distinctions, let alone in the modern world that proimed "all men are created equal," the differences between people were often greater than those between humans and dogs. Where was true equality to be found?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had not left Lingshan Town in his neen years, and his worldview was limited to the few ssics he had read. The darker side of the world had not yet had a chance to reveal itself to him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had no intention of trying to convince Liu Ming''an otherwise. An innocent heart was a rare and precious thing in this world, and she was willing to protect Liu Ming''an''s pure nature as much as possible.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the end, Jiang Ning changed the subject.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let''s go help Master Cui set up the stage. They seem to be short-handed."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 93

    The stage was set up on the evening of the first day after the group arrived. The Vige Head said they could start performing the opera the next day after ughtering the pig.<span>0


    "ughter a pig?" Liu Ming''an asked in surprise. Wasn''t pig ughtering supposed to happen on the 24th day of thest lunar month? Why now?<span>0


    Cui Shan exined, "This is Zhuangzhu Vige, it''s different here. First, he''s the Vige Head, so he starts the New Year celebrations by ughtering his pig first, to liven up the vige. Second, it''s also a way to celebrate his grandson''s one-month birthday, for good luck. People in this vige hope their children will grow up as fast as piglets, eating and sleeping well."<span>0


    Liu Ming''an felt he had learned something new again.<span>0


    In the evening, the Vige Head arranged for the opera troupe members to stay with different vigers, repeatedly instructing them to treat the performers well. He then enthusiastically invited Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning to stay at his home, saying he had prepared a room for them.<span>0


    "Go on, go on! The Vige Head has a big house!" Cui Shan said with a smile, looking at Liu Ming''an.<span>0


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning followed the beaming Vige Head to his house, thinking they were just staying for the night. It wasn''t until the Vige Head ced a small infant wrapped in a flowery cotton nket in their arms that Liu Ming''an realized he had underestimated the situation.<span>0


    The baby, only a few dozen days old,y in Liu Ming''an''s stiff arms, looking curiously at the strangers holding him with bright ck eyes. His little fists waved about as he made cooing sounds.<span>0


    Liu Ming''an held the tiny bundle, looking as if he was facing a formidable enemy. He didn''t dare move an inch and quickly turned to the Vige Head for help: "Vige Head, please take your grandson back. I''m afraid I might identally drop him..."<span>0


    "Oh, don''t worry, Liu the schr! Hold him with ease. My wife and I are watching, and so are the child''s parents. Let my Little Grandson soak up some of your schrly aura!" The Vige Head waved his hand dismissively, his entire face crinkling with his smile.<span>0


    Liu Ming''an turned to look at Jiang Ning, only to see her take two steps back, clearly not wanting any part of this.<span>0


    Left with no choice, Liu Ming''an continued holding the baby while negotiating with the Vige Head. After much back and forth, he finally managed to hand the child back after a quarter of an hour.<span>0


    "Phew!" Liu Ming''an let out a long sigh of relief. Although the baby was light as a feather, he felt as if he had been carrying arge rock.<span>0


    When they finally got to bed, Liu Ming''anined to Jiang Ning, "That Vige Head really scared me..."<span>0


    Jiang Ning chuckled and agreed, "Some people are like that. They think their children are perfect and assume everyone else will love them too."<span>0


    Liu Ming''an sensed something in her words and, remembering her earlier avoidance, hesitantly asked, "Jiang Ning, do you... not like children?"<span>0


    Jiang Ning wanted to say yes, she didn''t like children. In her longstanding impression, children were creatures that wailed at the top of their lungs and couldn''tmunicate. But thinking of the quiet, well-behaved infant from earlier, Jiang Ning realized her view was a stereotype.<span>0


    "They''re okay when they''re not crying," she said after a moment''s hesitation.<span>0


    Liu Ming''an responded with a "hmm," saying nothing more. But he silently told himself that if he and Jiang Ning ever had children, he would make sure to carry them far away when they cried, never letting the little ones disturb Jiang Ning.<span>0


    Early the next morning, just after Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning had finished breakfast, they saw several mening towards the Vige Head''s house carrying ropes and wooden poles.<span>0


    "Uncle Gui, we''re here!" shouted one burly man.<span>0


    The Vige Head''s family came out to greet them, all smiles, and led them towards the pigsty. Not long after, Liu Ming''an heard a series of pig squeals and the men''s voices.<span>0


    "Hey, hey, hey! Hold it down, hold it down! Grab the front legs, not the tail!"<span>0


    "Bring the rope! Quick, tie up these trotters... Where''s the pole? Thread it through, thread it through..."<span>0


    "Ready? Okay, on three! One, two, three!"<span>0


    When several men emerged carrying arge, trussed-up pig, it was Jiang Ning''s turn to be out of her depth. The modern woman had never seen anything like this before and, full of curiosity, she pulled Liu Ming''an along to follow.<span>0


    The pig looked to weigh about 300 pounds. Its four legs were tied, and it was suspended from a wooden pole with ropes. It squealed pitifully all the way, but the four men carrying it seemed to enjoy the noise, shouting as they walked: "Time to ughter the pig! Time to ughter the big fat pig!"<span>0


    The vige children all came out, following along, pping their hands and jumping as they echoed: "Time to ughter the pig! Time to ughter the big fat pig!"<span>0


    When Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an reached the vige entrance, they found quite a scene already set up.<span>0


    In the center of the area, arge cauldron had been set up, filled to the brim with boiling water. Next to the cauldron was a simple tform with a wooden board about the size of a door on top, and a wooden basin beneath it.<span>0


    Under a tree to one side, a bare-chested man was sharpening a knife on a stone pedestal. The de was as long as a forearm, narrow at the tip and sharp along the edge, looking quite hefty.<span>0


    "That''s a good knife for stabbing people!" Jiang Ningmented in her mind.<span>0


    The men carried the pig onto the wooden board, untied the ropes from its trotters, and each held down a leg firmly. The man who had been sharpening the knife stood up, walked over to the pig with the knife in hand, and seemed to be considering where to make the first cut.<span>0


    Jiang Ning was watching intently when suddenly her vision went dark. A warm hand covered her eyes, and Liu Ming''an''s clear voice sounded in her ear: "Jiang Ning, it''s going to be bloody. Maybe you shouldn''t watch."<span>0


    Jiang Ning: "..."<span>0


    Jiang Ning pulled Liu Ming''an''s hand away without a word, only to find him averting his gaze, looking ufortable.<span>0


    "Are you scared?" Jiang Ning btedly realized that schrs advocated "gentlemen stay away from the kitchen," which essentially meant they couldn''t bear to see animals being ughtered.<span>0


    Liu Ming''an said nothing, so Jiang Ning thoughtfully suggested, "It''s okay, why don''t you go find Master Cui? I''lle find youter."<span>0


    Jiang Ning was genuinely curious about how the pig ughter would unfold. After sending Liu Ming''an away, she found an empty spot to sit and focused intently on the butcher''s actions.<span>0


    The butcher kicked the wooden basin, positioning it just right under the pig''s head. He called out, "Hold it tight, boys," and then plunged the sharp knife at an angle into the pig''s neck.<span>0


    Blood gushed out instantly. The butcher slowly withdrew the knife while using his hand to prevent the blood from spraying everywhere. The blood was caught in the wooden basin as the pig convulsed a few times before dying.<span>0


    After the blood was drained, the Vige Head''s wife came over cheerfully to take away the wooden basin. Then several people gathered around the pig, each holding a ck iron scraper.<span>0


    "What are those?" Jiang Ning wondered, resting her chin on her hand as she pondered.<span>0


    She then saw someone use adle to scoop boiling water from the cauldron and pour it over the dead pig. Another person immediately scraped the area with the iron tool, efficiently removing the pig''s hair.<span>0


    So that was their ancient "hair removal tool"!<span>0


    Several people worked together, and after about half an hour, the cauldron of hot water was used up, and all the pig''s hair had been removed.<span>0


    Just as Jiang Ning thought the process was over, she saw the butcher cut off the pig''s head and then start to gut it. At this point, she remembered they still had to deal with the internal organs.<span>0


    But thinking about the smell of processing the innards, Jiang Ning lost interest. She got up to go find Liu Ming''an.<span>0

 Chapter 94

    Cui Shan''s theater troupe had been performing in Zhuangzhu Vige for two days, and Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an had been enjoying the feasts for two days as well.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When it was time to leave, the Vige Head asked Liu Ming''an to give his grandson a formal name. Liu Ming''an, thinking about how he had enjoyed free food and lodging for two days, agreed without hesitation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The child''s surname was Wei. Liu Ming''an thought for a moment and said, "How about ''Zhouhong''?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    While the Vige Head was still pondering the two characters, Liu Ming''an picked up a twig and wrote "Zhouhong" on the ground, stroke by stroke. He exined, "It''s taken from the phrase ''The oar stirs the spirits of fish and dragons, the boat charges through flocks of wild geese,'' meaning ambitious and extraordinary."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Excellent! That''s perfect!" The Vige Head pped his hands in delight, officially naming his grandson Wei Zhouhong.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two of them followed Cui Shan''s theater troupe towards Qushui City. The weather grew colder as they traveled, with winter approaching.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ming''an, little Jiang, I''d suggest you stay in Qushui City for now," Cui Shan advised. "Wait until after the New Year to go to the Capital City. After all, Qushui City isn''t far from there."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had only told Cui Shan that he needed to pass through Qushui City to take care of some business on his way to the capital for the imperial examinations, which was why Cui Shan made this suggestion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning pondered and said, "That''s not a bad idea, if everything goes smoothly."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an then remembered that Zhao Instructor had mentioned Blind Yang was somewhat famous in Qushui City. Since Cui Shan''s troupe came here every year, he wondered if they might have heard of him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Uncle Cui, have you heard of Blind Yang in Qushui City?" Liu Ming''an suddenly asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Blind Yang? Of course I''ve heard of him!" Cui Shan replied without hesitation, then asked, "Why do you ask? You''re not nning to buy people from him, are you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s eyes shed, and Cui Shan continued, "Well, I suppose you could buy a servant. It would make your life easier, not having to do everything yourselves."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Uncle Cui, do you know where Blind Yang''s ce is?" Liu Ming''an asked, gently patting Jiang Ning''s hand and smiling at her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I do. When we get there, I''ll have Little Li show you the way," Cui Shan said, genuinely fond of Liu Ming''an and not minding doing him another small favor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Little Li was the young man in Cui Shan''s troupe responsible for running errands. Liu Ming''an quickly expressed his gratitude, but Cui Shan waved it off, saying, "It''s nothing, really."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The day they arrived in Qushui City happened to be the end of the month. Counting the days, it had taken Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning exactly one month to travel from Lingshan Town to here.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Qushui City was called a "city" because it had city gates and walls. It was a necessary route from south to north to enter the Capital City, bordering the sea on one side and mountains on the other three. Thergest river in the Liang Kingdom flowed through it. It didn''t belong to any particr prefecture and had been an important military stronghold since the previous dynasty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Cui Shan pointed at the tall, imposing city gates in the distance and said to Liu Ming''an, "This is it, Qushui City. We''ll part ways once we enter the city. Let Little Li take you to find Blind Yang. Take care, both of you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having traveled together for over ten days, Liu Ming''an hade to view Cui Shan as a respected elder. Feeling reluctant to part, he said, "Uncle Cui, please take care as well. If I have the chance in the future, I''ll definitelye to Maozhu County to visit you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Cui Shan patted Liu Ming''an''s shoulder, saying "Good," and then the troupe separated from the two at the city gate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mr. Liu, let''s go. I''ll take you to find Blind Yang. His ce isn''t far from here," Little Li said with a grin, eager toplete his task and rejoin the troupe.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an thanked him, shouldered his pack, and followed Little Li with Jiang Ning. As they walked, they observed their surroundings and theyout of the area.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning found that this ce reminded her of a coastal city from her memories. There was a faint salty dampness in the air, characteristic of sea breezes. Various seafood and marine products were visible everywhere, and fishings could be seen drying by the roadside. Perhaps because it was a transportation hub with developed trade, the living standards of the people seemed higher, at least a notch above Lingshan Town.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Was she from this ce? Jiang Ning asked herself as she looked at the diverse crowd, but without any memories from her original self, this ce was nothing but unfamiliar to her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "We''re here. This is the ce, this mansion," Little Li suddenly announced.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning looked in the direction he was pointing. It was arge house on the street, with a que hanging at the entrance that read "Yang Residence."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''ll go catch up with the troupe now. See you!" Little Li bid farewell and dashed off.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an also looked up at the mansion. Located in the northern part of Qushui City, away from the center, it was a quiet spot in the midst of bustling activity. The property was spacious, with a vermilion-painted main gate and two pots of lucky bamboo at the entrance. It looked a bit gaudy but indicated a wealthy household.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an turned to look at Jiang Ning and found her expression unchanged. She had only given the ce a cursory nce before stepping forward to knock on the door using the brass knocker.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Thud! Thud! Thud!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The brass knocker struck the wooden door, producing a dull sound. Liu Ming''an''s heart began to race, though he couldn''t pinpoint the source of his unease.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a moment, there was a scraping sound from behind the door, like iron chains dragging across the ground. Then the door opened from inside, revealing a weathered face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The door was opened by an old woman withpletely white hair and a face deeply etched with wrinkles. Her eyes were lifeless, and when she looked at Jiang Ning''s face, Jiang Ning felt as if she was facing a soulless walking corpse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an stepped forward and asked politely with a smile, "Excuse me, is this..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Before he could finish, the old woman turned and walked away, hunched over. Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, noticing the unhealed whip marks on the woman''s hand and wrist, as well as the iron chains on her feet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s question was ignored, leaving him unsure of what to do as he stood before the open door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning, watching the old woman drag her chains away, said in a deep voice, "Let''s go in. We''vee this far."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With that, she stepped into the mansion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Not knowing where to go, the two followed the old woman. After a few steps, they saw several maid-like figures sweeping the ground and weeding. Without exception, they all bore injuries and wore shackles on their feet. Their gazes were vacant, their eyes devoid of the vitality of living people.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing these scenes, Liu Ming''an''s heart sank.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ning, did youe from a ce like this before?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As they continued following the old woman, they heard a child''s voice in the distance: "...nature, near alike; by practice, far apart. If not taught..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At this point, the old woman stopped, raised her hand to point in that direction, then shuffled away, dragging her chains.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an exchanged a nce, then walked around a decorative rock that was blocking their view. They found a small pavilion where a young, richly dressed woman sat holding a boy of about six or seven. They were reading from "The Three Character ssic."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an approached the pavilion, the woman noticed them. She patted the child in her arms and said lovingly, "Go y for now, dear. Mommy wille find youter."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The child got up from herp, nced at Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an, then ran off with his book.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Once the child was gone, the gentle smile vanished from the woman''s face, reced by a calcting, mercenary look.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She rose gracefully and approached Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an, immediately talking business: "Are you here to buy people? What kind of goods are you looking for? Did you see anyone you like in this household?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Both of them were shocked, recalling the shackled and injured people they had seen earlier, with their lifeless faces.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So those weren''t people, but merchandise to be selected and bargained for.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Just like... Jiang Ning when she was first in the cage!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 95

    Seeing that Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an didn''t respond, the woman assumed they weren''t interested in the old, weak, sick, and disabled people in the residence. She smiled slightly, not minding their silence.


    "Of course, if these people don''t meet your requirements, feel free to specify what you''re looking for. When my husband returns, I''ll inform him, and he''ll surely satisfy your needs," the woman promised confidently.


    "Your husband is Blind Yang?" Jiang Ning asked bluntly.


    The woman frowned, looking at Jiang Ning with suspicion. "Who else would it be? This is the Yang Residence. Are you really here to buy people or not?"


    "We''re not. We''re just here to inquire about some matters," Jiang Ning replied.


    "Hah! Wasting my time! Get out!"


    The woman''s expression changed, her eyes shing with disdain as she turned to leave.


    How could Jiang Ning let her go? She quickly blocked her path, holding out a piece of silver before her eyes. "We just want to ask you a few questions, Madam Yang. Why the anger?"


    Merchants are driven by profit, and Madam Yang was no exception. Seeing the money, her demeanor instantly changed. She smiled, taking the silver from Jiang Ning''s hand and weighing it. "Ask away. I''ll tell you what I can."


    "About three months ago, did you sell a woman to Lingshan Town?"


    Jiang Ning calcted the time. She had arrived in this world on the fifth day of the ninth month. ounting for the journey from Qushui City to Lingshan Town, it must have taken at least half a month. So, she must have been sold to Zhao Qiang by Blind Yang sometime in August. Today was already the end of October, so three months seemed about right.


    Madam Yang pondered for a moment, fiddling with the silver. After a while, she shook her head. "I don''t remember. I usually stay at home, taking care of the household. I''m not directly involved in selling people, mostly just helping my husbandmunicate with buyers."


    "Have you seen all the people who were sold?" Jiang Ning asked.


    Madam Yang answered, "Some I''ve seen, some I haven''t."


    "The woman I''m asking about had her hands and feet broken, countless whip marks on her body, and both cheeks burned with hot irons. Do you recall anyone like that?" Jiang Ning calmly described her own former condition, her gaze fixed on Madam Yang''s eyes.


    Madam Yang''s eyes lit up. She pped her hands, eximing, "Ah! I do remember her!"


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an exchanged nces. They were finally getting somewhere.


    "I don''t know where my husband got that woman from. She was barely alive. I even told him, how could we sell someone in that condition? She might die at any moment..."


    "But my husband said the woman had to be sold alive. He had promised someone..."


    "Her injuries were so severe, she was barely breathing. To keep her alive, we even made her ginseng soup to sustain her. We kept her here for over ten days, only selling her when her condition stabilized..."


    Liu Ming''an listened to every word with a pained expression, his eyes filled with undisguised sympathy as he looked at Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning, on the other hand, remained remarkably calm. The torture had been inflicted on the original owner of this body. It seemed the original owner hadn''t survived the journey, allowing Jiang Ning to take over this body.


    "Your husband said he promised someone she must be sold alive?" Jiang Ning asked quietly.


    "Yes, that''s what he said," Madam Yang confirmed.


    "Do you know who he promised?"


    "No, he didn''t say."


    "Then do you know where he got the woman from?"


    "I don''t know that either. He never said. However, he did go to the capital around that time. Perhaps he brought her back from there, but I can''t be sure." Madam Yang recalled Blind Yang''s travels, specting.


    "The capital..." Jiang Ning murmured these words softly. Then she heard Madam Yang continue, "My husband is away on business now. He''ll be back in about a month. If you want to know more,e back then. Remember to bring silver if you want answers."


    At this point, they could only wait for Blind Yang''s return.


    Jiang Ning turned to Liu Ming''an and said, "Let''s go."


    As they walked towards the main gate of the Yang Residence, they saw exquisite rockeries and pavilions, precious flowers and trees. Then they saw people wearing foot shackles. They couldn''t help but feel a sense of irony. Every brick and tile, every nt and tree here was bought with the proceeds of selling people. Everything was tainted with the stench of blood.


    As they approached the main gate, the childish voice drifted on the wind again: "At the beginning of man''s life, his nature is good. Their natures are simr, but their habits make them different..."


    Liu Ming''an no longer found the child''s voice endearing. To him, it sounded like some kind of death knell, chilling to the core.


    The sound was only cut off when the old woman who had opened the door earlier closed it behind them.


    Liu Ming''an looked up at the vermilion gate before him, his eyes filled with deeppassion.


    "Ning, if I ever have the power, I will abolish Great Liang''sws that allow buying and selling people! People shouldn''t be treated asmodities. People are people!"


    Jiang Ning could hear the determination in Liu Ming''an''s voice. She gave a slight smile.


    Liu Ming''an really was like a college student in an ivory tower, having never seen the dark side of society. Full of passion but naive, he was an idealist.


    Thus, Liu Ming''an couldn''t see that even ifws against selling people were abolished, what difference would it make? Ordinary people without power or influence would always exist asmodities. It was like this in feudal times, and it remained so in modern society that prided itself on being civilized, inclusive, free, and equal.


    They were nothing but the most insignificant specks of dust in the tide of history.


    But while Jiang Ning was pessimistic herself, she would never belittle Liu Ming''an''s dreams.


    "I believe in you," Jiang Ning said.


    Since they had to wait in Qushui City for Blind Yang''s return anyway, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an decided to follow Cui Shan''s suggestion and spend the New Year here.


    So, they found an inn and arranged for a long-term stay, temporarily settling down in Qushui City.


    This inn was called the Tidal View Inn, built not far from the seaside. From the window of Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an''s room, they could see the bay.


    When choosing the room, Jiang Ning didn''t care much herself, but seeing Liu Ming''an''s eyes sparkling as he gazed at the sea, she didn''t hesitate to book this "sea view room."


    Let Liu Ming''an, who had never seen the sea before, have his fill of the view, Jiang Ning thought.


    At mealtime, the dishes brought by the waiter were characteristic of the coastal region: seafood porridge, poached shrimp, and scallion-vored abalone. There was also a small dish ofplimentary cold appetizer: cold jellyfish strips.


    Liu Ming''an had never eaten these before. After tasting them, he was amazed.


    "Now I understand why so many people give up their stable lives to travel the world!"


    After eating and drinking their fill, Liu Ming''an contentedly chatted with Jiang Ning.


    "Oh? Why? Tell me," Jiang Ning asked, standing by the window watching the fishing boats.


    "Because the world is vast and varied, each ce unique and wonderful. Just reading books for a lifetime can''tpare to experiencing it firsthand!" Liu Ming''an said sincerely.


    Jiang Ning turned to look at him, praising, "Not bad insight!"


    Liu Ming''an smiled, then thought of something else, his smile fading slightly. "The food is great in every way, but it''s so expensive. This meal alone cost over a hundred wen. At this rate, I''m worried our silver won''tst."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, asking, "How much do we have left?"


    Liu Ming''an calcted carefully, answering, "Currently, we have about... eighty taels of silver between us. Given the prices in Qushui City, by the time we leave after the New Year, we should have about fifty taels left. It seems like quite a lot actually. Maybe I''m worrying unnecessarily."


    "Things will probably be more expensive in the capital. When ites to money, the more the better, naturally."


    Jiang Ning thought for a moment before speaking, then smiled involuntarily. It was hard to believe that one day she would be worrying about money. But then again, this was what ordinary people''s lives were supposed to be like, constantly concerned about daily necessities. It was certainly better than her previous life, where she was constantly thinking about how to survive.


    This was the life she had always dreamed of!


    "How about I buy some painting paper and sell some paintings? It''s perfect since we have nothing to do now. We can fatten up our savings a bit. What do you think?" Liu Ming''an suggested.


    "Sounds good."


    Liu Ming''an was a man of action. That very day, he took Jiang Ning out to buy materials for painting.


    Over the next few days, Liu Ming''an focused on creating artwork, while Jiang Ning, bored with nothing to do, went out to explore. She wanted to understand local prices to help Liu Ming''an set his prices, and also to scout locations where they could set up a stall.

 Chapter 96

    The weather was getting colder. On the tenth day after Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an entered Qushui City, light snow began to fall from the sky.


    "Winter has arrived," Liu Ming''an said as he opened the window and reached out to catch the willow-like snowkes.


    The light and pure snow melted instantly upon touching his palm, leaving only a cool, damp trace.


    Jiang Ning asked the Shop Assistant to bring up a stove and a copper pot. When it snows, hot pot withmb is the best meal.


    Jiang Ning ordered threerge tes ofmb. The meat was freshly cut, so it couldn''t be rolled like in modern times. Instead, it wasid out inrge, t pieces on the tes. She also ordered a portion of braisedmb trotters, a te of shrimp, and some side dishes.


    "Come and eat quickly. This meal costs half a tael of silver," Jiang Ning urged, having prepared bowls of chive flower sauce and sesame sauce.


    Liu Ming''an smiled softly and epted the bowl Jiang Ning handed him. As he took a bite of the freshmb wrapped in rich sesame sauce, with the unique fragrance of chive flowers lingering in his mouth, he instantly felt a warmth spreading through his body. The cold outside the window seemed to disappear.


    "This half tael of silver is well worth it!" Liu Ming''an eximed. In the past, he would have certainly been upset about spending so much money, but after being with Jiang Ning for a while, he had been imperceptibly influenced by her carefree attitude. Now he also felt that money should be spent when necessary!


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning scooped up another pair of chopsticks full ofmb for Liu Ming''an and said, "If we keep eating like this, we might be penniless by the time we leave Qushui City, so..."


    Jiang Ning paused, her delicate and sharp features revealing a feminine gentleness in the steamy atmosphere. Her usually cool voice sounded incredibly tender to Liu Ming''an''s ears.


    "Young Master Liu, would you mind going out to perform and earn money after the snow stops? It''s almost New Year''s, and couplets, fu characters, and door god paintings should fetch a good price!"


    Jiang Ning teased with a smile, the dimple on her right cheek appearing faintly. Liu Ming''an felt his heart flutter at the sight. He put down his chopsticks and reached out to poke her cheek.


    "Of course, I love nothing more than providing for our little family," Liu Ming''an agreed eagerly, his bright ck eyes reflecting Jiang Ning''s face, filled with mirth.


    Outside the window, snowkes danced in the air, while inside, the two ate steaming hot pot and chatted casually, creating a moment of infinite warmth.


    This first snow of the season was light and stopped falling by evening. There were no traces of snow on the ground, only damp patches reminding everyone that the year''s first snow had indeed fallen.


    The next day, Jiang Ning led Liu Ming''an, carrying the paintings he had made over the past few days, to a familiar destination.


    In just a few days, Jiang Ning had already memorized theyout and buildings of Qushui City.


    "Universal Blessing Temple?" Liu Ming''an looked at the temple before them, somewhat surprised.


    "Yes, this is the ce," Jiang Ning confirmed, then briefly shared what she knew: "Universal Blessing Temple was built during the previous dynasty, over three hundred years ago. It''s said to be very effective for praying for children, wealth, and marriage. Many people travel long distances toe here, making it a popr pilgrimage site."


    Looking at the steady stream of carriages and people at the entrance, Liu Ming''an had no doubt about the temple''s fame.


    But still...


    "Ning, is it appropriate to set up a stall here? Aren''t wepeting with the temple''s business?" Liu Ming''an worried.


    "It''s fine, look over there," Jiang Ning pointed to a specific area.


    Liu Ming''an followed her direction and saw a row of neatly arranged vendors near the side entrance of Universal Blessing Temple. The vendors'' tables all seemed to be uniform, about waist-high, covered with yellow cloth simr to monks'' robes, and densely inscribed with what appeared to be Buddhist scriptures.


    "What''s this?" Liu Ming''an was shocked, as he had never seen such an orderly market before.


    "If you pay 100 copper coins as an oil offering, the Monks of Universal Blessing Temple will provide you with a table like this. It''s basically a stall fee, and it seems quite reasonable," Jiang Ning exined. In fact, when she first came to this ce, she was also surprised to find such a "scenic area management" model in ancient times. These monks, supposedly detached from worldly affairs, were quite business-savvy.


    The two walked to the side entrance, paid 100 copper coins, and two monks brought out a table and set it up for them. Then, with palms pressed together, they said, "Amitabha, benefactors, you may use this table until midnight tonight."


    Liu Ming''an also pressed his palms together and replied "Amitabha." After the two monks left, he took a quick look at the vendors in the area. There were about fifty stalls selling various items: pastries, jewelry, sugar figurines, y figurines...


    Some stalls weren''t selling anything at all, just disying a Tai Chi bagua diagram and offering fortune-telling services. As they had walked by earlier, every few steps they heard calls from the side: "Young master, I see you have an extraordinary appearance. I''d like to offer you a free divination..."


    "One table for 100 copper coins, that''s at least five taels of silver a day, over a hundred taels a month, and more than a thousand taels a year," Liu Ming''an calcted, and after a moment, he couldn''t help but exim, "Universal Blessing Temple really knows how to make money!"


    Jiang Ning chuckled lightly and said, "Well, even living Buddhas need to eat. Don''t waste time now, quickly set up the paintings. Every moment wasted is several copper coins lost."


    Hearing this, Liu Ming''an agreed and hurriedly untied his bundle,ying out the paintings of immortals one by one on the table, waiting for passing customers to make their selections.


    Jiang Ning had inquired about the local prices, which were considerably higher than in Lingshan Town, so she had Liu Ming''an price each painting at 150 copper coins.


    Not long after they set up, a Middle-aged Woman came to buy a painting of Guanyin.


    "Oh, it''s painted so well! The great merciful Guanyin Bodhisattva, truly well-painted!" the woman murmured, holding the painting and bowing towards the temple with a devout expression.


    After the woman left, Liu Ming''an said with some regret, "If I had known you were bringing me to a temple, I would have painted more Bodhisattvas."


    Jiang Ning pocketed the money and said with a slight smile, "It''s fine, at least we don''t have to worry about losing money."


    When lunchtime came, since they had to watch the stall, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an bought some osmanthus cakes from the neighboring stall to stave off hunger.


    The osmanthus cake seller was a woman who looked to be in her thirties. Her clothes were neat and clean, her hair was meticulouslybed, and her face was friendly, though for some reason, a faint sadness seemed to linger in her eyes.


    The two continued selling until it was almost dark. They had sold most of the paintings, earning about six taels of silver. After deducting the cost of materials, they had made a profit of over four taels.


    "Let''s go back to the inn for dinner," Liu Ming''an said as he packed up the few unsold paintings and returned the table to Universal Blessing Temple. Then he led Jiang Ning back to their inn.


    "Next time, I should paint other Bodhisattvas instead of the God of Literature. When the twelfth lunar monthes, I''ll bring couplets and door god paintings to sell..."


    Since the paintings took time to create, they couldn''t go selling every day. The couple would visit Universal Blessing Temple every four or five days, earning a few taels of silver each time.


    Days passed leisurely. They were waiting for the New Year, and also waiting for Blind Yang to return.

 Chapter 97

    On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the couple visited the Yang Residence again. Madam Yang informed them that her husband had not yet returned and asked them toe back in a few days.


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an patiently waited for seven or eight days before returning, finally meeting the so-called "Blind Yang."


    The same old woman opened the door silently and led them to the pavilion. As Jiang Ning walked past the rockery, she immediately spotted Madam Yang nestled coquettishly in a man''s arms, speaking in a flirtatious tone.


    "Madam Yang," Jiang Ning called out, drawing their attention.


    Blushing, Madam Yang rose from the man''s embrace, gently pushing him as she said, "Husband, these are the two people who want to ask you some questions."


    Blind Yang turned his head, allowing Jiang Ning to clearly see his face.


    He was in his fifties, with dark skin, old enough to be Madam Yang''s father. His left eye was peculiar; upon closer inspection, one could see that where the pupil should have been, there was ayer of white opacity, cloudy and without focus.


    It must be congenital cataracts, Jiang Ning thought.


    She asked Liu Ming''an to wait outside the pavilion while she entered, cing a tael of silver on the stone table and offering a polite greeting: "Mr. Yang, it''s a pleasure to meet you!"


    Although he was a human trafficker, addressing him as "Mister" seemed appropriate.


    Blind Yang''s good right eye scanned Jiang Ning''s face, revealing a mix of amazement and greed, with a hint of infatuation. He then grinned and deliberately softened his voice, asking, "What do you want to know?"


    Jiang Ning frowned slightly. She was familiar with this kind of gaze from her previous life ¨C it was a man''s lustful desire for a woman''s body, nauseating and beastly.


    Murderous intent welled up in her heart, but Jiang Ning tried to control herself, only asking, "You used to drink and gamble with Zhao Qiang, the martial arts instructor from Lingshan Town. You must remember him, right? You sold him a woman whose hands and feet were all severed and whose face was rotting. Do you recall this?"


    Blind Yang hadn''t expected Jiang Ning to ask about this. He hesitated before answering, "I remember."


    Then, as if suddenly realizing something, Blind Yang''s expression grew tense as he asked, "Why are you asking about this? Is the woman dead?"


    Jiang Ning didn''t answer, instead continuing her questioning: "I just want to ask Mr. Yang where you got that woman from? Do you know her name? Where she lived? Do you know why she was sold? And do you know how she got those injuries?"


    Blind Yang instantly became wary, his voice turning unfriendly: "Who are you? Who sent you to ask these questions?"


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, estimating from Blind Yang''s reaction that the matter was not simple.


    Who exactly was the original owner of this body? Who were her enemies?


    "Mr. Yang, just answer the questions," Jiang Ning said, cing another piece of silver on the table.


    "Hah!" Blind Yang nced at the silver on the table with disdain. "You think you can get information from me with this little money?"


    "How much do you want, then?" Jiang Ning was willing to negotiate. If money could solve the problem, that would be ideal.


    "Heh heh heh..." Blind Yang suddenlyughed meaningfully, his eye moving from Jiang Ning''s face downward, his gaze almost tangibly sweeping over her jaw, neck, and settling on her chest.


    "Why need so much money? There are many things in this world more enjoyable than earning money." Blind Yang licked his lips, lowering his voice as his gaze returned to Jiang Ning''s face. "Youngdy, don''t you agree?"


    Liu Ming''an stood outside the pavilion, and Madam Yang stood behind Blind Yang. Neither of them noticed the undercurrent of tension in the conversation.


    Jiang Ning curled her lips, her eyes filled with coldness. She reached out, grabbed the silver from the table, put it back in her pocket, and walked towards the main gate, pulling along a confused Liu Ming''an.


    "Ning, aren''t we going to ask anymore?" Liu Ming''an thought they had simply failed to reach an agreement.


    "Let nature take its course," Jiang Ning said softly.


    Since he couldn''t understand polite conversation, she would use her most proficient method to get answers.


    Jiang Ning''s eyes darkened, murderous intent surging in her heart.


    If she were alone, Blind Yang would already be a dead man. But she had to consider Liu Ming''an; she couldn''t act on her whims. She could be a murderer or a fugitive alone, but she couldn''t ruin Liu Ming''an''s future.


    Although it felt somewhat restrictive, not as free as when she was an assassin before, but...


    When you''re in love, you have to be responsible for your boyfriend, Jiang Ning told herself.


    Meanwhile, inside the pavilion, Madam Yang saw the silver disappear and walked to Blind Yang''s side with some reproach, gently punching his shoulder. "Husband, it was just a matter of answering a few questions. Why did you let that silver slip away?"


    Blind Yang was still staring at Jiang Ning''s retreating figure until she disappeared from sight. He smacked his lips, muttering, "Beautiful! Such a beautiful person, truly too beautiful!"


    "Husband, what are you saying?" Madam Yang saw Blind Yang mumbling to himself, ignoring her, and yfully punched him a few more times.


    Blind Yang suddenly turned around, grabbing Madam Yang''s hand and then gripping her chin with his other hand, pulling her close to examine the face that once fascinated him.


    "Husband, why are you looking at me like this?" Madam Yang lowered her eyes shyly, her cheeks flushed. However, Blind Yang''s words made her heart sink.


    "It seems you''ve aged a lot since having the child. Your face isn''t as white or as soft as before, and there are wrinkles around your eyes..." Blind Yang spoke without regard for her feelings, focused solely on his observations.


    "Husband..." Madam Yang''s face froze, disbelieving.


    "I''m going out for a drink. Take care of Xuan''er at home."


    Blind Yang released her hand disinterestedly and walked towards the door.


    Madam Yang stood stunned in the pavilion, her face pale. She knew Blind Yang was definitely heading to the Spring Breeze Tower.


    She wasn''t Blind Yang''s original wife, but his second. After Blind Yang''s first wife and two children died of consumption, she had schemed in every possible way to entangle this old widower. In the prime of her youth, she married this man older than her father. If anyone imed it was out of affection, even ghosts wouldn''t believe it.


    What she had always wanted was not Blind Yang, this blind and ugly old man, but his money and thefortable life it could provide.


    She didn''t care how many women Blind Yang had outside, she only feared the appearance of a vixen who might sweet-talk her way into the Yang Residence, ending her good days.


    "Mother~" A child came running, hugging Madam Yang''s leg, snapping her out of her chaotic thoughts.


    "Xuan''er, be good!" Madam Yang crouched down, looking at her child with a loving smile.


    Fortunately! She still had her child.


    As long as she had her child, even if Blind Yang found countless mistresses, she would always be the mistress of the Yang Residence!


    Realizing this, a smug smile spread across Madam Yang''s lips as she stroked her son''s face. "Xuan''er, let Mother take you to study."


    "Where''s Father?" the child asked in a spoiled tone.


    "Never mind him! Mother is enough." Madam Yang said forcefully, picking up the child and heading inside.

 Chapter 98

    When Jiang Ning worked as an assassin, she was skilled in tracking, locating, investigating, wiretapping, and surveince.


    But that was in modern times, with various satellites,works, surveince systems, and big data at her disposal. In this ancient era, even a skilled cook can''t make a meal without rice. Her abilities couldn''t be put to use, so she had to resort to the most primitive methods of gathering information.


    She definitely needed to find Blind Yang again, but she couldn''t bring Liu Ming''an along.


    After returning from the Yang residence, Jiang Ning pretended to be unconcerned about her background. After lunch, she made an excuse to go downstairs for a stroll. Liu Ming''an was engrossed in painting a portrait of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, and only gently reminded her, "Dress warmly, be careful not to catch a cold."


    "Mm-hmm," Jiang Ning responded, then headed straight for the medical clinic once she left.


    "Doctor, I''d like to buy some sleeping aids," Jiang Ning said to the old doctor in front of her, following the pharmacy boy into the shop.


    The experienced doctor, having practiced medicine for many years, was skilled in observing, listening, questioning, and taking pulses. From the moment Jiang Ning entered, he had been carefully examining her facial features, making an initial diagnosis.


    Hearing Jiang Ning''s request for sleeping aids, the old doctor stroked his beard, somewhat puzzled: "I see that the youngdy has a rosyplexion and a radiant glow. You don''t look like someone suffering from insomnia."


    Jiang Ning replied without batting an eye: "I''m here on behalf of my husband. He often overthinks and can''t sleep at night. He looks quite haggard, so I''vee to buy some sleeping aids for him, hoping to help him sleep soundly until dawn."


    "Why didn''t hee himself? There are many causes of insomnia. It would be better if I could diagnose him in person to prescribe the right treatment," the old doctor said sincerely, with a healer''spassion.


    "He''s reluctant to seek medical help and doesn''t want toe," Jiang Ning said casually. "But I''m really worried about him and want him to get a good night''s sleep. Doctor, please just give me some medicine."


    The phrase "reluctant to seek medical help" was probably thest thing any doctor wanted to hear.


    Sure enough, after Jiang Ning said this, the old doctor stopped asking questions and simply instructed the pharmacy boy: "Give this young... " He had just said "youngdy" when he remembered she was here for her husband, so he quickly corrected himself: "Give this madam a few packets of sleeping powder."


    The pharmacy boy handed her five packets of medicine sealed in yellow paper. Jiang Ning felt them and realized they were powder. She asked the old doctor, "Does this sleeping powder have any taste?"


    "It has a slightly bitter taste, like tea," he replied.


    "Are there any side effects?" Jiang Ning asked again.


    "What are ''side effects''?" The old doctor was puzzled, having never heard this term before.


    Jiang Ning realized that in ancient times, there was no concept of "drug side effects" or "adverse reactions" from modern medicine. No wonder the old doctor looked confused.


    Jiang Ning rephrased her question: "Will this medicine harm the body when taken?"


    The old doctor now understood and stroked his goatee with a smile: "Madam need not worry. The herbs used in this are mild and harmless to people. However, all medicines have some toxicity, so it''s best not to use them long-term."


    Jiang Ning nodded, made a mental note, paid for the medicine, and returned to the inn.


    After dinner, Liu Ming''an was painting the Bodhisattva again. Jiang Ning helped grind ink for a while, and as she saw the sky gradually darkening, she brought Liu Ming''an a cup of water.


    "Have some water and take a break. Painting for too long can make your back ache and eyes strain," Jiang Ning said, handing the teacup to Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an straightened up, smiled at her, and took the water. After a couple of sips, he noticed something odd about the taste and frowned, asking, "Why does this water taste a bit bitter?"


    "The shop assistant said it''s water boiled with herbs that have a calming effect. It''s fine, just drink it," Jiang Ning said nonchntly.


    Liu Ming''an, not suspecting anything, finished the cup of water. He then chatted idly with Jiang Ning for a bit before picking up his brush again, intending to finish the portrait.


    However, for some reason today, as Liu Ming''an painted, his eyelids began to droop, his head felt dizzy, and drowsiness washed over him uncontrobly.


    Jiang Ning had been quietly observing Liu Ming''an''s reactions. Seeing this, she first yawned herself, then pretended to be sleepy and said, "I''m so tired. This calming tea seems quite effective. Why don''t we turn in early?"


    Liu Ming''an looked at the time. It was only the hour of You (5-7 pm), too early to sleep. But since both he and Jiang Ning were exhausted, they decided to go to bed.


    Jiang Ningy down with Liu Ming''an and found that he fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.


    The sky had darkened, with a crescent moon casting faint light.


    Jiang Ning silently got up, took a candle, slipped into her space, and left the inn undetected, heading towards the Yang residence.


    The Yang residence wasn''t in the center of Qushui City. It was far from the hustle and bustle during the day, and at night, the surroundings were even more quiet.


    Jiang Ning circled to the side of the Yang residence, emerged from her space, and looked at the nearly five-meter-high wall before her. She stepped back, took a running start, and using her forward momentum, kicked off the wall twice, grabbing onto the decorative tiles at the very top. Then, using the strength in her waist and legs, she swung her body up and over.


    There were trees inside the wall. Jiang Ning looked around, aimed for a clear spot, pushed off with her hands, and dropped down from the wall.


    The entire process took less than five seconds.


    Having sessfully entered the Yang residence, Jiang Ning entered her space again and began to explore theyout of the house, hoping to find Blind Yang alone.


    However, after circling around several times and thoroughly scouting the Yang residence, she couldn''t find any trace of Blind Yang.


    "Where has that old fool gone?" she thought.


    The idea of returning empty-handed tonight and having to drug Liu Ming''an again next time irritated her.


    But just as Jiang Ning had climbed back over the wall and taken a few steps away from the Yang residence, she suddenly saw someone stumbling towards her. As the person drew closer, Jiang Ning realized it was Blind Yang!


    "My luck isn''t too bad!" Jiang Ning smirked, muttering to herself.


    Blind Yang was drunk, his steps unsteady and faltering, walking as if he were treading on cotton.


    He had originally nned to sleep at Spring Breeze Tower, but when his usual favorite courtesan approached him coquettishly as always, he only felt annoyed.


    How affected and vulgar!


    He thought of the woman who hade to his residence today. How beautiful she was, with her cold eyebrows, cold eyes, cold words, cold voice, and cold demeanor. She stood right in front of him, yet he felt as if they were separated by vast waters and mountains.


    This was a true ice beauty, keeping people at arm''s length!


    The more Blind Yang thought about it, the more his heart itched. Looking at the heavily made-up,mon beauty in his arms, he felt not the slightest interest.


    He pushed away the coy woman and left Spring Breeze Tower. He had thought about gambling a bit more, but the night wind was cold, so he decided to go home and sleep.


    So Blind Yang walked home drunk, thinking about that woman, asionally chuckling to himself.


    However, at one point, Blind Yang suddenly felt a sharp pain at the back of his neck. Everything before his eyes seemed to flip upside down, and he heard himself hit the ground with a "thud."


    Then, his consciousness was uncontrobly pulled into a dark abyss.


    Home was just within reach, but he would never make it there.

 Chapter 99

    "Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh~"


    What was that sound?


    Blind Yang pondered, half-asleep and half-awake. The sound was so familiar, like the crashing of ocean waves.


    In the next instant, a sharp pain shot through his shoulder. Blind Yang''s eyes flew open, but the scene before him made him think he was still dreaming.


    Right in front of him was that beautiful yet cold face. In the dim candlelight, the beauty''s red lips parted slightly, her voice as cold as snow in the depths of winter.


    "Awake?" the beauty asked.


    "Hehe... a beauty in my dreams, this wine is good, so good!" Blind Yang grinned, gazing at that face in fascination. But he saw the beauty''s lips curl into a smirk as she raised her hand, a dagger glinting coldly as it plunged straight towards his arm.


    "Ah!"


    Blind Yang cried out, the pain dispersing the effects of the alcohol. He realized this was no lovely dream.


    As Blind Yang snapped out of his lustful daze, he finally noticed his predicament.


    He seemed to be in an abandoned ship''s cabin. The areas illuminated by candlelight revealed the decaying interior structure of the hull, with seawater seeping in beneath him.


    His hands were tied behind his back, and his feet were bound together with strips of cloth that appeared to have been torn from his own clothes.


    The woman before him held a knife in one hand and steadily held a candle in the other, clearly harboring ill intentions.


    "Where is this? What do you want?"


    Blind Yang, having lived for most of his life, quickly calmed down and questioned this woman he had only met once before.


    The one who had brought Blind Yang here was, of course, Jiang Ning.


    This abandoned fishing boat was specifically chosen by Jiang Ning. After questioning him, it would be perfect for disposing of the body.


    Jiang Ning didn''t rush to answer Blind Yang''s questions. Instead, she leisurely found a t spot, tilted the candle to drip a few drops of wax onto it, and then ced the candle on top before it solidified to secure it in ce.


    Now that she had control of the conversation, she wasn''t in a hurry. Blind Yang, however, would be anxious.


    "Who exactly are you? Why have you brought me here?"


    Seeing that Jiang Ning didn''t answer, Blind Yang demanded harshly. His voice sounded firm, masking his own unease.


    Jiang Ning didn''t want to waste words. She raised the dagger and ced it on Blind Yang''s shoulder wound. "Those questions I asked you during the day, you should still remember them, right? Answer them one by one yourself, don''t force me to take action."


    "What questions? I¡ªAh!"


    Blind Yang still wanted to negotiate, but Jiang Ning''s response was another cut to his wound.


    The smell of blood spread in this small space. Blind Yang shook all over from the pain, breaking out in a cold sweat despite the chilly weather.


    Blind Yang couldn''t help but look at Jiang Ning''s face. The woman''s expression waspletely nk, her eyes as cold as ice. Her entire being was as sharp as the knife in her hand.


    Blind Yang clearly realized that in this situation, he had no right to negotiate with such a person.


    "I''ll talk," Blind Yang said through the pain, wisely deciding to reveal everything he knew.


    "In early July this year, I went to the Capital City to sell some trinkets. Those things were dug up from other people''s graves, not meant to see the light of day..."


    "I found my elder brother Wei Fangxiong, who asked me to do something for him. It was to take that woman with severed hands and feet to sell. He said this woman was special, couldn''t be sold near the Capital City, had to be sold far away, preferably to a vige, and absolutely couldn''t be allowed to die..."


    "That woman was already on the verge of death. I brought her back from the Capital City, and to ensure she stayed alive, I even had my wife feed her ginseng soup for several days..."


    "In August, I went to Lingshan Town on business. Lingshan Town is far from the Capital City, so I thought of taking her along. Later, I gambled with Zhao Instructor, lost, and used that woman as coteral, telling him to sell her..."


    "That''s all, I don''t know anything else."


    Blind Yang finished speaking and stole a nce at Jiang Ning''s expression, hoping that now that this woman had gotten her answers, she would release him quickly.


    Jiang Ning carefully analyzed the information in Blind Yang''s words, and after a moment asked, "So you''re saying you were just entrusted to sell a person, and know nothing about that woman''s situation?"


    Blind Yang quickly nodded and said "Yes."


    "Tell me about Wei Fangxiong. Who is he, and how can I find him?" Jiang Ningmanded.


    Blind Yang answered obediently, "He''s like me, mainly makes a living selling people, asionally dabbling in other shady businesses. His home is in the Late Winter Road area of the Capital City, quite well-known. If you go there and ask around, you''ll know."


    "You''re not lying to me, are you?" Jiang Ning twirled the knife in her palm and held it to Blind Yang''s throat.


    "Mydy, I wouldn''t dare, I wouldn''t dare!"


    Blind Yang hastily replied. This woman might be beautiful, but she was terrifying. With two holes still bleeding in his shoulder, he didn''t dare harbor any improper thoughts now. He just hoped she would show mercy and let him go home.


    Jiang Ning carefully observed Blind Yang''s expression for a while, and after confirming he wasn''t lying, she withdrew the dagger.


    Blind Yang thought the matter was over and his heart leapt with joy. He began to tter her, "Mydy, you see, I''ve told you everything you asked. It''s so cold, please be merciful and let me go."


    "Hehe..." Jiang Ning suddenlyughed softly. In this dim, dpidated ship''s cabin, it inexplicably made Blind Yang''s heart crawl.


    "Mr. Yang, do you know how a body changes after death?"


    Jiang Ning asked a seemingly unrted question, and Blind Yang''s heart suddenly sank.


    "You probably don''t know, after all, it''s modern forensic knowledge. So let me tell you," Jiang Ning continued, still smiling faintly, though the smile didn''t reach her eyes. She went on, "First, within two hours after death, rigor mortis sets in. The body bes stiff as a board, like wood."


    "Then, within eight hours, lividity appears, looking like bruises as if the person had been beaten."


    "Within one to two days after death, due to various enzymes in the body, the tissue cell structure is destroyed and dissolved. The body softens again, and internal decay begins."


    "After thates the putrid smell. The stomach swells up, and the whole body expands to two or three times its original size. In modern forensic terms, it''s called the ''giant appearance''."


    Blind Yang didn''t understand what "modern" meant, or "forensics", or "medical examiner"... but he understood the word "corpse".


    He just stared fixedly at Jiang Ning, deep fear welling up in his right eye.


    "Mr. Yang seems frightened? I''m terribly sorry..." Jiang Ning lightly patted Blind Yang''s face with the dagger. There was still uncongealed blood on the de, which stuck to Blind Yang''s ashen face, looking somewhat eerie.


    Hearing these words, Blind Yang felt as if he had been granted a great pardon. Thinking her previous words were just a joke, he swallowed hard several times and forced a smile onto his face. "Mydy, please don''t tease me like that."


    "Heh..." Jiang Ning nced at him, knowing what he was thinking, and chuckled again.


    "But actually, what I just said wasn''t entirely urate, because the changes in a corpse are influenced by the environment."


    The dagger slowly moved downward, graduallying to rest on Blind Yang''s neck.


    "For example, if you throw a body in the water, it will float up in at most four days during summer. But in the winter of Qushui City, it would take... two... whole... months!"


    The cold de pressed against his neck, and Blind Yang felt the presence of death close at hand. It was as if a hand without warmth had passed through his chest and gripped his heart. He gasped for air inrge gulps, still feeling short of breath.


    "Don''t, don''t, don''t kill me! Please, please don''t kill me... Whatever you want, I''ll give it to you... Please, please..."


    Blind Yang begged, trembling, but then he heard herugh a few times, and then a voice like a ghost''s whisper:


    "Do you still think I''m beautiful now?"


    Blind Yang wanted to answer, wanted to beg for mercy, but he would never have the chance to speak again.


    The dagger sliced across his throat, and the strength rapidly drained from his body. He copsed powerlessly into the ship''s cabin.


    In thest moment of his life, the sound of ocean waves echoed in his ears.


    "Whoosh~"

 Chapter 100

    Jiang Ning threw the lifeless body of Blind Yang into the sea, entered her space, and returned to the inn.


    Just past midnight, Jiang Ning crept into the room by the moonlight streaming through the window. She removed her outer garments and slipped into the warm bed, embracing the sleeping Liu Ming''an as she closed her eyes.


    "Capital City..." Jiang Ning silently mouthed these words. She had a premonition that once they reached the Capital City, everything woulde to light.


    The next day, Liu Ming''an slept untilte morning before waking up.


    "This sleep-inducing tea is truly potent. It made me sleep for so long that I feel my bones have gone soft," Liu Ming''an joked as he ate his bted breakfast.


    Jiang Ning''s eyes flickered momentarily before she replied, "Then we won''t drink it anymore."


    Liu Ming''an picked up his brush and finished the Guanyin portrait he had started the night before. He ced it on the table to dry, where there were already over a dozen other portraits.


    "We don''t need to paint any more of these. Today is the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month. It''s time to write couplets. Let''s go buy some red paperter, and I''ll think carefully about what to write."


    Liu Ming''an pondered the content of the couplets, muttering to himself, "I wonder if the people of Qushui City love wealth more, or if there are more who pray for family harmony and perfect happiness..."


    "Why agonize over it?" Jiang Ning, hearing this, knew that Liu Ming''an''s thinking was limited again. She suggested, "Why don''t you bring your writing tools there and write in front of everyone? Write whatever they want. This way, it bes a performance too, which will surely attract people to watch. Once you draw a crowd, won''t business follow?"


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes lit up. He rushed over to Jiang Ning, hugging her tightly and nting three or four kisses on her face. "Ning, you''re so clever! I love you so much!"


    Jiang Ning bashfully rubbed the spots where she had been kissed, her lips curling up involuntarily.


    Afterwards, Liu Ming''an followed Jiang Ning''s advice. They bought a stack of nk red couplet paper, and early the next morning, after breakfast, the two headed to Universal Blessing Temple.


    "You''re here again?" The woman selling osmanthus cakes next to them greeted them with a smile.


    "Aunt Lan, business is booming, I see!" Liu Ming''an returned the smile.


    As luck would have it, their stall was always next to this osmanthus cake vendor. Since they didn''t return for lunch while manning their stall, the couple always bought osmanthus cakes to solve their midday meal problem. Through these interactions, they had be quite familiar with the woman.


    Perhaps because she reminded him of Aunt Hui who sold osmanthus cakes in Lingshan Town, Liu Ming''an felt a sense of warmth in his heart when he looked at the equally kind-faced Aunt Lan.


    Liu Ming''an nced at Aunt Lan''s stall and noticed she only had two trays of osmanthus cakes left. Surprised, he asked, "Aunt Lan, is business so good today? You''re almost sold out and it''s not even noon yet?"


    Aunt Lan smiled and exined, "I made less today. I have some errands to run."


    Liu Ming''an responded with an "I see" and didn''t pry further. He began setting up his own stall.


    The Buddha portraits sold quickly, with two or three being purchased in no time, but no one inquired about the couplets.


    "Ning, do people in Qushui City not hang couplets?" Liu Ming''an asked, puzzled.


    "That''s impossible!"


    When Jiang Ning had wandered around the city, she had seen many faded couplets that had been hung for a year. It definitely wasn''t for that reason.


    So what could be the reason?


    Jiang Ning rested her chin on her hand, thinking. She looked at the other stalls, remembering that she had seen couplet sellers when they arrived.


    "Here, take a sheet of paper and write what I tell you," Jiang Ning said to Liu Ming''an after a moment.


    Liu Ming''an immediatelyplied, spreading out the paper and picking up his brush. "Ning, what should I write?"


    "A schr on his way to the imperial examinations, short on travel funds, passing through your esteemed town. Writing couplets on the spot. Humbly request the support of the local folks."


    Jiang Ning had barely finished speaking when she noticed Liu Ming''an frozen, brush in hand.


    "Ning, isn''t this a bit... well, not quite right?" Liu Ming''an hesitantly asked, feeling deeply embarrassed about writing such a thing.


    Jiang Ning nced at Liu Ming''an, understanding that it was the so-called "schr''s integrity" at work. Sheughed softly, "Making money isn''t shameful."


    As Liu Ming''an was still struggling internally, Jiang Ning quickly leaned down and kissed him on the cheek, coaxing him, "Be good, write what I said."


    Liu Ming''an''s face reddened, instantly forgetting his reservations. He obediently did as he was told.


    Jiang Ning ced the written paper in front of the stall, weighing it down with the inkstone so that passersby could see it.


    Sure enough, after a short while, people began to gather around.


    "Oh! It''s a schr! A schr selling couplets?"


    Resisting the urge to flee, Liu Ming''an smiled warmly at the neer and bowed, "Thank you for your patronage, Big Brother! Would you like to buy a pair?"


    "Haha... Yes, I''ll buy a pair!" The manughed, then looked down at the stall in confusion. "Hey, where are your couplets?"


    "I''ll write whatever meaning you''d like, right now," Liu Ming''an replied.


    "Write it on the spot? Oh, good, good! I''ve never seen this before, how novel!" The man said, his face full of interest as he stroked his chin. "I run a restaurant. Write something fitting for that."


    Liu Ming''an said "Certainly," dipped his brush in ink, and wrote on the red paper:


    Upper line: Thriving business reaches the four seas


    Lower line: Delicious vors praised in three rivers


    Horizontal scroll: Wealth flows in abundance


    A schr writing couplets in public was undoubtedly a rare sight. In just this short time, several more people had gathered around, watching Liu Ming''an write intently.


    Liu Ming''an was handsome and dignified. When he wrote, his brush moved like a flying dragon and dancing snake, graceful and unrestrained. His movements were as smooth as flowing water,pleted in one breath. The scene was a pleasure to behold.


    By the time he finished writing this couplet and handed it to the Big Brother, a crowd of onlookers had gathered around the stall.


    "Ah, the calligraphy is so beautiful. How much is it?" The Big Brother, holding the couplet with its ink not yet dry, asked Liu Ming''an with satisfaction.


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback. He didn''t know how much to charge. He turned back to look at Jiang Ning, only to see her smiling softly, mouthing the words, "Whatever you think is fair."


    Although confused, Liu Ming''an followed her lead and said to the customer, "Whatever you think is fair."


    The Big Brother was also surprised, thenughed as he took out twenty copper coins and ced them on the table. "You young man, you really don''t know how to do business, haha..."


    Seeing this scene, Jiang Ning slowly curved her lips into a smile. She had noticed that the couplets at the neighboring stall were selling for only eight copper coins a pair.


    Liu Ming''an, because of his status as a schr, already had an advantage. Additionally, these couplets were, to some extent, "custom-made," setting them apart from the generic ones. In the buyer''s mind, it was reasonable for them to be more expensive.


    But Jiang Ning had specifically instructed Liu Ming''an to say "Whatever you think is fair," presenting an image of an inexperienced youth. This tactic of retreating to advance made customers feel that he was pure and kind-hearted, and they wouldn''t want to take advantage of him, leading them to pay more.


    With this customer setting the precedent, Liu Ming''an''s business became booming.


    A middle-aged man pushed to the front, his face full of joy. "Schr, I''m marrying off my daughter after the New Year. Write one for me!"


    Liu Ming''an picked up his brush and wrote:


    Beloved daughter receives blessings, the phoenix once graced her maiden chambers;


    Worthy son-inw brings good fortune, the dragon now approaches our virtuous gate.


    Horizontal scroll: Dragon and Phoenix bring auspiciousness


    "Oh my! This is wonderfully written!"


    Those in the crowd who were knowledgeable began praising as soon as the couplet was lifted. Hearing this, the man generously ced a handful of copper coins on the table and left, thoroughly satisfied.


    Jiang Ning roughly counted at least thirty coins.


    Another person called out, "Schr, I''ve had a son. Write one for me!"


    Liu Ming''an asked, "What is your surname?"


    "Li," the man replied.


    The ink brush fell, and a couplet appeared on the paper:


    Celebrating the Li family''s new qilin son, distinguished guests fill the hall;


    Congratting the precious home embracing a child of wealth and honor, the humble abode glows.


    Horizontal scroll: Blessed star enters the house


    Liu Ming''an had barely finished writing when, before he could even straighten his back, a woman''s voice was heard: "Schr, I want one for family wealth and peace..."


    Without even looking up, Liu Ming''an responded with a "Certainly" and once again put brush to paper:


    Heaven and Earth align, bringing wealth to the family;


    Peace and good fortune abound, blessings multiply for all.


    Horizontal scroll: Prosperous home, blessed people


    ...


    Jiang Ning stood by, helping to grind ink and collect money. As she watched Liu Ming''an busily working, there was a tender smile in her eyes that even she hadn''t noticed.


    To be honest, Jiang Ning quite admired Liu Ming''an. As soon as customers made their requests, he could pick up his brush and write perfectly fitting couplets without even a moment''s hesitation. Moreover, Jiang Ning had watched him write dozens of couplets all morning, and amazingly, not a single one was repeated.


    Jiang Ning gazed at Liu Ming''an''s profile as he wrote diligently, joy welling up in her heart.


    How could this man be so perfect in every way? It seemed the more she looked at him, the more she fell for him.

 Chapter 101

    Liu Ming''an spent the entire morning bent over writing couplets. By the time he finished thest pair, he could barely straighten his back.


    He had used up all the red paper he brought, and there were still several people who wanted couplets but couldn''t get them. They asked him, "Schr, will you being back tomorrow?"


    Seeing how exhausted Liu Ming''an was, Jiang Ning quickly answered for him, "He won''t be here tomorrow, please forgive us."


    When those people asked when he would return, Jiang Ning vaguely replied "in a few days," finally managing to disperse the crowd gathered around them.


    "Phew~ That was really tiring!" Liu Ming''an pounded his aching back and let out a long sigh.


    Jiang Ning counted the copper coins. Between selling portraits and couplets, they had made nearly four taels of silver.


    "You worked hard!" Jiang Ning put away the coins and smiled, taking Liu Ming''an''s right hand and gently massaging the muscles and joints with her fingertips.


    "It wasn''t hard at all. I told you, I love doing these things to support our family. With this money, we can eat hot pot several more times." Liu Ming''an smiled back at Jiang Ning, raising his other hand to poke the dimple on her cheek.


    Jiang Ning looked at him with a beaming smile, the corners of her eyes slightly curved, a tender look in her gaze.


    By now, they had missed lunchtime. Since Aunt Lan, who sold osmanthus cakes next to them, had left early, neither of them had eaten. When returning the table to the Universal Buddha Temple, they saw that the monk''s vegetarian meal looked quite appetizing. After a brief discussion, they decided to simply have a meal at the temple.


    The couple followed a monk from the Universal Buddha Temple to the dining hall. Along the way, they were surrounded by the fragrance of incense, the continuous sounds of bells, chanting, and wooden fish. As they passed by the Buddha halls, the solemn and majestic atmosphere, along with even a glimpse of the Bodhisattvas and Arhats inside, inspired a sense of awe.


    Liu Ming''an whispered in Jiang Ning''s ear, "Ah Ning, let''s look around here after we eat. I''ve never been to a temple before."


    "Sure," Jiang Ning agreed without hesitation. After all, they had nothing pressing to do back at the inn.


    So, after their meal, instead of rushing back, they took a leisurely stroll around the Universal Buddha Temple.


    Liu Ming''an was in high spirits, showing great interest in every Buddha hall. As they walked, he carefully read about the origin of each Bodhisattva and Buddha, then followed the crowd in paying respects.


    Jiang Ning didn''t believe in ghosts or gods, naturally not believing in Buddha either, but she apanied Liu Ming''an since he was enjoying himself.


    She told herself to think of it as a date. Modern couples go shopping or watch movies on dates, while she was visiting a temple and worshipping Buddha with Liu Ming''an in ancient times. It was more or less the same thing.


    The Universal Buddha Temple was vast with numerous Buddha halls. They started their tour from the east side, strolling leisurely. After an hour, they finally reached the main hall in the center of the temple.


    From a distance, Jiang Ning saw a group of people circling the main hall, which puzzled her. "Is this some kind of ritual?" she asked.


    An old man nearby heard her question and cheerfully exined, "Youngdy, you must be from out of town. There''s always been a saying about this Universal Buddha Temple. They say if you put your palms together, clear your mind of distractions, and circle the Great Buddha Hall thirteen times, you can make a wish to Buddha. It''s said to bless your family with good health and longevity."


    "Thank you for the exnation, sir," Liu Ming''an politely expressed his gratitude.


    The old man waved his hand with a smile and went off to light some incense.


    Liu Ming''an turned to Jiang Ning with an eager look on his face. "Ah Ning..."


    "You want to try it?" Jiang Ning asked, immediately realizing it was a redundant question.


    How could anyone believe such nonsense? Jiang Ning inwardly scoffed, but her face betrayed nothing. She simply said, "Go ahead then. I''ll look around elsewhere ande find youter."


    Liu Ming''an thought Jiang Ning was worried about getting tired, so he said "Alright" and joined the line of people circling the hall.


    The circumference of the main hall was estimated to be about 300 meters, and the people walking were moving slowly. Jiang Ning calcted that it would take Liu Ming''an about 40 minutes toplete thirteen rounds.


    It was too long to wait, so Jiang Ning thought about going back to sit in a pavilion they had passed earlier. However, after walking just a few steps, she spotted a familiar face.


    It was Aunt Lan, the woman who sold osmanthus cakes.


    Jiang Ning recalled the conversation between Liu Ming''an and Aunt Lan earlier that morning. The woman had said she had something to do today, which was why she closed her stall early. So this was what she meant ¨Cing to worship Buddha.


    Jiang Ning watched as Aunt Lan walked into a dimly lit Buddha hall. Looking up at the sign above the hall, she saw it was called the "Hall of Longevity."


    Jiang Ning remembered that the Hall of Longevity housed memorial tablets, which could be for both the living and the dead. As long as enough money for incense and oil was paid each year, the monks would light an oilmp for you and ensure it never went out.


    ncing back at Liu Ming''an, who was still circling the hall, Jiang Ning decided to walk towards the Hall of Longevity.


    She knew very well that Liu Ming''an was circling the hall to pray for her well-being. So she thought she might as well check out the Hall of Longevity. If the price was reasonable, she could consider getting a longevity tablet andmp lit for him as a gesture of reciprocation.


    As soon as Jiang Ning entered the Hall of Longevity, a monk by the door put his palms together and said, "Amitabha." He then asked, "Has the patrone to request a longevity tablet?"


    "How much does it cost?" Jiang Ning asked straightforwardly.


    The monk was visibly taken aback. Who would start with such a businesslike tone? Shouldn''t they ask about the procedure first?


    "Patron, money is but a worldly possession. We in the Buddhistmunity keep our six senses pure and do not concern ourselves with secr matters. We don''t conduct business," the monk replied after some thought, then added another "Amitabha."


    Jiang Ning remained silent, just staring at him steadily.


    Sure enough, the monk continued, "Requesting a longevity tablet and lighting a longevitymp is meant to umte blessings and virtue for someone the patron cares about. Buddha saves all living beings, even cutting his own flesh to feed eagles, demonstrating great love. We disciples of Buddha take our vows morning and evening, dedicating our lives to spiritual cultivation, all for the sake of allowing all beings under heaven to bask in Buddha''s light, to cultivate themselves and achieve salvation..."


    Jiang Ning listened to this lengthy speech with an expressionless face, feeling the urge to leave.


    "...Therefore, as long as the patron adds one tael of silver for incense and oil money each month, and sincerely worships Buddha, the person for whom the patron wishes to request a tablet will receive Buddha''s blessing. If they are living, they will have smooth sailing in all matters and enjoy longevity; if they have passed on, they will rest in peace in the underworld and be reborn into a wealthy family in their next life, living a peaceful and joyous life."


    Jiang Ning could certainly afford one tael of silver, but one tael per month would amount to twelve taels a year. Not to mention that she was about to leave for the capital soon, just thinking about how Liu Ming''an had worked so hard that his back ached to earn money, Jiang Ning couldn''t bring herself to spend one tael of silver on this intangible Buddha.


    It''s better to rely on oneself than on Buddha. She would protect her schr herself!


    The monk before her was still waiting for her response. Having made up her mind not to waste money on this, Jiang Ning walked further into the hall, saying perfunctorily, "Let me have a look first."


    But in truth, there wasn''t much to see in this hall. Rows upon rows of memorial tablets, countless oilmps. Jiang Ning inappropriately thought of a phrase: ghostly and eerie.


    After aplete circuit, Jiang Ning saw Aunt Lan kneeling on a prayer mat at the far end of the main hall. She had her palms pressed together, a look of devout sincerity on her face as she murmured something.


    Jiang Ning looked up and saw a longevity tablet in front of Aunt Lan. The ck wooden tablet had three characters written neatly in the center: "Nangong Ling". There was also a line of smaller characters beside it, but the light was too dim to see clearly. Jiang Ning guessed it might be something like a birth date and time.


    "Nangong..." Jiang Ning muttered to herself. This was the third time she had encountered this surname. The first two times were because of that "Chancellor Nangong", and this time it was because of an unfamiliar woman. She wondered if this surname wasmon in Great Liang.


    Jiang Ning quickly walked past Aunt Lan, catching snippets of the woman''s words: "...bless Ling''er with peace and safety year after year..."

 Chapter 102

    Days passed by unhurriedly. Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an had agreed to set out for the Capital City after celebrating the New Year in Qushui City.


    The two had already inquired about the routes from Qushui City to the Capital City. There were two options: one was purely by water, taking a boat from the dock, which would take ten days; the other was half by water and half bynd, first spending two days on a boat to Jinzhi City, then two days by carriage to enter the Capital City.


    Without hesitation, they chose the second route and nned to depart on the eighth day of the new year, as all passenger ships would be out of service before then.


    As the new year approached, Qushui City saw several more heavy snowfalls.


    When Jiang Ning was in modern times, she often heard people say that the festive atmosphere was fading, that the New Year was bing less interesting, and that the Spring Festival G was getting worse. But back then, she couldn''t imagine what celebrating the New Year in ancient times would be like.


    Now that she could finally experience it firsthand, Jiang Ning was particrly interested in the New Year celebrations. Most importantly, she was now an ordinary person with someone to spend New Year''s Eve with and stay up all night to wee the new year.


    From around the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, the entire Qushui City began to bustle with activity.


    Everywhere on the streets, one could see vendors selling candied hawthorns, shadow puppet shows, acrobatic performances, and people ying erhu and singing... Crowds gathered,ughing loudly and engaging in animated discussions in the icy, snowy weather, as if all worries and troubles had been left behind.


    "Ning, the waiter said there will be iron flower fireworks by the shore on New Year''s Eve. Let''s go watch," Liu Ming''an excitedly shared the news he had just learned as he returned to the room.


    "Iron flower fireworks? Sounds great!" Jiang Ning''s face lit up with a radiant smile, infected by Liu Ming''an''s enthusiasm.


    The next moment, Liu Ming''an predictably reached out and poked her right cheek.


    "You really are..." Jiang Ning chuckled, at a loss for words.


    On New Year''s Eve, the snow that had been falling for several days finally stopped. The two had a hot pot withmb for dinner, warming themselves from head to toe. After eating, they put on their cloaks and headed towards the shore.


    The streets were brightly lit, withnterns hanging everywhere. People came and went, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.


    When Liu Ming''an, holding Jiang Ning''s hand, arrived at the shore, it was already crowded with people.


    "Ning, it seems we arrivedte," Liu Ming''an said, somewhat disappointed as he looked at the sea of heads before them.


    "It''s alright, I''ll take you somewhere," Jiang Ning replied.


    Jiang Ning led Liu Ming''an away from the crowd to a higher ground. Although it was some distance from the shore and there were no other people around, it wouldn''t hinder their view of the iron flower fireworks.


    It was about 7:45 PM, and the sky hadpletely darkened. However, most of the people who came to watch the fireworks carriednterns, illuminating that section of the beach brightly.


    After a while, there was amotion in the crowd. Jiang Ning was too far to see clearly, but she guessed that the person in charge of the fireworks had arrived.


    Indeed, momentster, they saw someone in the middle of the crowd wielding something like an iron shovel, swinging their arm.


    "Bang!"


    In the next instant, thousands of burning iron filings burst into the air like sshing silver beads and dancing golden threads, exploding in the sky, brilliant and dazzling.


    "Bravo!" The cheers of the crowd drifted with the wind as Liu Ming''an smiled and embraced Jiang Ning.


    The spectacr sparks only lingered in the air for a moment before losing their luster like falling meteors, returning to darkness. However, new sparks continuously rose into the sky, eliciting cheers from the crowd.


    Jiang Ning only watched for a while before turning her gaze away, looking up at the face so close to her.


    Liu Ming''an was still intently watching the shore, the flickering sparks reflected in his eyes, making them seem filled with the light of countless stars, along with a gentle smile.


    "Liu Ming''an," Jiang Ning suddenly called out softly.


    "Ning, what''s¡ª"


    Just as Liu Ming''an turned his gaze to the person in his arms, Jiang Ning reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck, closed her eyes, and kissed him.


    "Bang!"


    Another loud noise, but Liu Ming''an couldn''t tell if it was the sound of the iron flower fireworks or his own heartbeat.


    His Ning, with her arms tightly around his neck, her body pressed close to his, her soft lips meeting his...


    Liu Ming''an felt he was going mad.


    Jiang Ning could feel Liu Ming''an''s momentary hesitation when she first kissed him, but within seconds, one hand cupped the back of her head, and the kiss suddenly intensified.


    The sound of exploding iron flowers and the cheers of the crowd continued to reach them, but they were long past caring, both lost in the depth of emotion the other offered.


    "Ning... Ning..."


    Liu Ming''an murmured incoherently, his lips and teeth seeking, and Jiang Ning yieldedpletely, offering no resistance.


    After the long kiss ended, Liu Ming''an gently pressed his lips to Jiang Ning''s and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Ning, marry me."


    "Yes!" Jiang Ning responded with a smile, her eyes glistening with a thinyer of moisture, causing Liu Ming''an''s Adam''s apple to bob involuntarily.


    "Ning..." Liu Ming''an pecked Jiang Ning''s lips twice more, calling out her name, but not knowing what else to say.


    Jiang Ning reached out and stroked Liu Ming''an''s face, saying softly, "Let''s go back."


    Liu Ming''an nodded. No matter how beautiful the scenery, he no longer had the heart to look. Rather than standing here in the cold wind, it was better to return to the inn.


    Hand in hand, they made their way back to the inn.


    At some point, firecrackers began to explode all over the street, announcing the end of the old year and the arrival of the new one.


    On the eighth day of the first lunar month, it was time to set out for Jinzhi City.


    Since arriving in Qushui City, they had bought many more winter clothes. The winter garments were thick and heavy, making their luggage much more than when they first left Lingshan Town.


    "You go check out, I''ll finish packing the rest," Jiang Ning said.


    They had already neatly folded their clothes, and Jiang Ning was counting their remaining silver. Estimating that they had spent quite a bit at this inn, she handed fifty taels to Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an took the silver and went down to the lobby to find the innkeeper to check out.


    The innkeeper responded with a "Certainly," took out the ount book, and after a series of rapid calctions on the abacus, said with a broad smile, "Young master, ites to forty-five taels and seven hundred wen. I''ve rounded it down for you, just forty-five taels will do."


    This price was about what Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning had budgeted for, considering they had stayed for over two months and hadn''t skimped on food.


    Liu Ming''an paid and turned to go upstairs when he caught sight of the teapot on the counter, suddenly remembering the cup of sleep-inducing tea.


    "Innkeeper, your inn''s sleep-inducing tea is very effective. Could I buy some?" Liu Ming''an asked the innkeeper.


    The tea had left a deep impression on Liu Ming''an. Drinking it made one drowsy and led to a dreamless sleep until dawn. It was a good thing to have. Although he didn''t need it now, it was always good to be prepared.


    To his surprise, the innkeeper looked bewildered: "What sleep-inducing tea? We don''t have such a thing in our inn."


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback: "How can that be? I drank it before. It was said to be water brewed with herbs that have a calming effect, with a slightly bitter taste..."


    The innkeeper waved his hand, stating firmly: "Young master must be mistaken. We''ve never offered such tea in our inn."


    "But..."


    Liu Ming''an wanted to say more, but the innkeeper added with a smile: "Besides, how could an innkeeper dare to sell such tea to guests? What if the guest slept too deeply after drinking it and lost valuable belongings? We''d have no way to exin ourselves!"


    His heart sinking, Liu Ming''an nodded and said nothing more, turning to go upstairs.


    The so-called sleep-inducing tea he had on the night they returned from the Yang residence had been brought to him by Jiang Ning!


    Liu Ming''an should have realized earlier. He and Jiang Ning had traveled all the way from Lingshan Town to Qushui City to investigate her identity, finally finding Blind Yang. Given Jiang Ning''s personality, how could she give up so easily?


    Jiang Ning had parted ways with Blind Yang on bad terms that day, then brought him the "sleep-inducing tea" that night to make him sleep deeply. She must have gone back to the Yang residence in the night!


    Liu Ming''an returned to the room with a heavy heart. Jiang Ning had already packed everything and handed him a bundle, a faint smile on her lips. "Let''s go, time to board the ship."


    "Ning, do we have to go to the Capital City now? If it''s not urgent, we could actually stay in Qushui City a while longer," Liu Ming''an said casually, though he had a certain suspicion in mind.


    Jiang Ning''s eyes flickered. If it were just for Liu Ming''an''s imperial examination, there would be no rush. Her eagerness to reach the Capital City was, of course, because she wanted to resolve matters as quickly as possible.


    "Didn''t we agree? We''d settle down early in the Capital City so you could focus on preparing for the imperial examination," Jiang Ning repeated her usual reasoning.


    Liu Ming''an knew he had guessed correctly - Jiang Ning had secretly gone to see Blind Yang, and the clues he provided were in the Capital City!


    "Alright, let''s go then," Liu Ming''an said after a moment. Though he didn''t know why Jiang Ning wanted to exclude him from this matter and no longer let him get involved, but... they''d take it one step at a time.


    Ning is a clever girl, she won''t do anything foolish, Liu Ming''an told himself.


    Jinzhi City, as its name suggested, was also an independent city, but under the jurisdiction of the Capital City. If Qushui City was the fortress in the hearnd of Great Liang, then Jinzhi City was Great Liang''sst line of defense.


    When Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning arrived here, this ce, like Qushui City, was still immersed in the New Year''s atmosphere.


    The two had originally nned to stay in Jinzhi City for one night before heading to the Capital City, but something unexpected happened.


    Liu Ming''an got seasick.


    Having never been on a boat before, Liu Ming''an started vomiting the day he boarded the passenger ship. After that, he couldn''t eat or sleep well, and visibly became weak and haggard. Even though Jiang Ning secretly fed him spirit spring water, it only provided temporary relief. As long as they were still on the boat, Liu Ming''an continued to suffer from severe seasickness.


    Fortunately, the boat journey onlysted two days. After disembarking, Jiang Ning quickly found an inn for them to stay, allowing Liu Ming''an to rest properly.


    The pair entered Jinzhi City in the afternoon. Liu Ming''an slept until noon the next day, and only after waking up hungry and eating a meal did his spirits return to normal.


    Jiang Ning gave Liu Ming''an some more spirit spring water to drink. Seeing him lively andpletely recovered, she finally felt relieved.


    "Ning, I''m feeling quite energetic now. We don''t need to dy our journey. Let''s head to the Capital City tomorrow," Liu Ming''an said to Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning carefully assessed Liu Ming''an''s condition and, seeing that he indeed looked spirited, nodded in agreement.

 Chapter 103

    While still on the boat, Liu Ming''an had overheard fellow travelers talking about an ancient tree in Jinzhi City that was over a thousand years old and considered a lucky charm by the locals.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At the time, Liu Ming''an was suffering from severe seasickness, so he didn''t pay much attention. Now that he had eaten well and regained his spirits, his curiosity was piqued, and he dragged Jiang Ning along to see it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The pair set out in the early evening, wandering around the city and inquiring about how to get to the Capital City. They had a quick dinner of two bowls of wonton soup at a street stall before leisurely making their way to the ancient tree.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As darkness fell, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning bought a rabbit-shapedntern and carried it as they walked towards the ancient tree.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What made this ancient tree extraordinary wasn''t just its longevity, but also the fact that it was a red bean tree.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Exquisite dice and red beans, do you know the bone-deep longing?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The locals referred to it as the "Tree of Yearning."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So when Jiang Ning reached the tree, she wasn''t surprised to find it covered in red ribbons.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, if only we had known to buy a ribbon to hang up too," Liu Ming''an said, looking at the red strips fluttering in the wind with regret.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning smiled but said nothing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    By now it was dark, and snow had started falling again. The ancient tree stood in a remote corner of Jinzhi City near the riverbank, with few people around.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After circling the Tree of Yearning, Jiang Ning looked at the increasing snowfall and suggested, "Let''s head back."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an nodded, reaching out to brush the snow from her hair, only for new snowkes to settle there momentster.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Worried that Jiang Ning might catch cold, Liu Ming''an looked around for something to shield her from the snow. He spotted some low-growing shrubs nearby withrge leaves.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning heard Liu Ming''an say, "Wait here for a moment," before watching him stride into the thicket, heading straight for one particr tree.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Instantly understanding Liu Ming''an''s intentions, Jiang Ning felt an irrepressible warmth spreading through her heart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The thicket was difficult to navigate, with some branches as tall as a person and possibly thorny. Jiang Ning stood at the edge of the path, watching Liu Ming''an make his way through, a deep smile ying on her lips.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah Ning!" Liu Ming''an suddenly called out, his voice urgent. Then he abruptly crouched down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s heart tightened, fearing something had happened to him. She quickly picked up thentern and stepped into the thicket.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When she was about five or six steps behind Liu Ming''an, Jiang Ning saw clearly that there was a person lying motionless on the ground, with a faint smell of blood in the air.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A murder case?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    While Jiang Ning was still considering how to persuade Liu Ming''an not to get involved, he had already started examining the person''s condition.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning sighed inwardly, almost forgetting that her schr was a good person ¨C after all, that''s why he had bought her and brought her home in the first ce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah Ning, he''s still alive! Just injured!" Liu Ming''an''s excited voice rang out again as he lifted the person from the ground, preparing to carry him on his back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You want to save him?" Jiang Ning asked, already knowing the answer as Liu Ming''an had started walking towards the path with the person on his back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah Ning, if we leave him here, even if he doesn''t die from his injuries, he''ll freeze to death. If I hadn''t encountered him, that would be one thing, but now that I have, I couldn''t live with myself if I just ignored him," Liu Ming''an said earnestly, aware of Jiang Ning''s cold-heartedness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning relented internally and held thentern up to illuminate the person on Liu Ming''an''s back. It was a young man with purple lips from the cold and dried blood at the corner of his mouth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let''s go to a medical clinic then," Jiang Ning said, leading the way with thentern. She remembered seeing one nearby when they had passed through earlier.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Dropping him off at the clinic would be enough, Jiang Ning thought. He was just a stranger, and whether he lived or died was up to fate. She certainly wasn''t going to waste her spirit spring water on him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, fate had other ns. The clinic was closed. Jiang Ning knocked on the door for a while, but there was no response.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let''s try another one. There was another clinic on the street where we had wonton soup," Liu Ming''an said, already starting to walk in that direction.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    That clinic was quite far, and it would probably be closed by the time they got there. Jiang Ning looked at the beads of sweat on Liu Ming''an''s forehead and made a decision, stopping him. "Let''s take him back to the inn. We''ll assess his condition ¨C if it''s not serious, we can call for a doctor in the morning. If it''s severe, I''ll save him."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback. "Ah Ning, you know medicine?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I can save him," Jiang Ning said with certainty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then why didn''t you earlier¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "He''s nothing to me. I don''t care whether he lives or dies. I just don''t want to watch you trudging through the snow carrying someone back and forth. Consider it his lucky day ¨C I''m fulfilling your act of kindness," Jiang Ning exined patiently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an stared at Jiang Ning for a moment before breaking into a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah Ning, you''re wonderful!" Jiang Ning heard him say.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The inn was not far. Liu Ming''an carried the man back to their room andid him on the bed. Jiang Ning then sent him downstairs to fetch hot water.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Once Liu Ming''an left, Jiang Ning ced the candle by the bedside to get a better look at the injured man.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He was dressed all in ck, his face pale. His heartbeat and pulse were present but weak.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The wound seemed to be in the abdominal area. Not knowing the extent of the injury, Jiang Ning took out a dagger from her space and cut open the man''s clothes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There were three knife wounds in total. Two were shallow, but the one on the lower left abdomen was deep, with flesh turned outward and still bleeding.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This man is really lucky to be alive! Jiang Ning thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Given the depth of the wound, under normal circumstances, he would have died from blood loss long ago. But he was injured on a bitterly cold winter day, and the low temperature had slowed his blood flow, allowing him to survive long enough to encounter the kind-hearted Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had promised Liu Ming''an she would save him, and she wouldn''t go back on her word. However, she couldn''t let him recover as rapidly as she had ¨C it would raise suspicions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So Jiang Ning fed him two drops of spirit spring water.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Yes, just two drops.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Not a drop more.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At that moment, Liu Ming''an returned with a bucket of hot water. Seeing the wound on the man''s abdomen, he was shocked. "Ah Ning, his injury looks severe."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning, not wanting to say much, simply reassured Liu Ming''an, "Don''t worry, he won''t die. Go ask the innkeeper for some needle and thread, scissors, strong alcohol, and clean gauze."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Although Liu Ming''an couldn''t understand what these items were for, he obediently followed her instructions and soon returned with everything.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning soaked the gauze in alcohol and cleaned around the wound. The sting of the alcohol caused the injured man''s body to twitch slightly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Then Jiang Ning threaded a needle, heated it over the candle me, and instructed Liu Ming''an, "Hold the candlestick up so I can see his wound clearly."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an did as he was told, bewildered, and then watched as Jiang Ning began to stitch the open wound.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hss!" The unconscious man''s body involuntarily shuddered, a faint sound escaping his throat as his tightly closed eyes slowly opened.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You''re awake?" Liu Ming''an asked excitedly, holding the candlestick.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing the voice, the man nced at Liu Ming''an, his eyes dark and wary, seemingly assessing his situation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "We found you injured in the snow and brought you here," Liu Ming''an quickly exined, seeing the man''s caution.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The man only looked at Liu Ming''an vigntly, not speaking, then turned his head to look at the other person in the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning saw his pupils contract sharply when he clearly saw her face. An expression of shock shed across his features, his mouth opening and closing without sound.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes. She could clearly see that the man''s lips formed two words.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It''s you!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 104

    Jiang Ning looked at Liu Ming''an, who was gazing worriedly at the strange man, and lowered her eyes slightly before speaking: "You should go to the medical clinic over there and buy two packets of medicine for external wounds. If they don''t have any, then forget it."


    Liu Ming''an didn''t question her and responded with a "Alright," before putting down the candlestick and leaving.


    Only Jiang Ning and the bewildered man remained in the room.


    Jiang Ning stopped her needlework and stared unblinkingly into his eyes.


    This person knew her, or more urately, he knew the original owner of this body.


    She had no memories, so the best approach now was to remain unchanged in the face of change.


    The man was also quietly gazing at Jiang Ning, his eyes showing a rapidly changing array of emotions, revealing hisplex state of mind.


    "Heh!" After a moment, it was the man who finally lost his patience. He tugged at the corner of his mouth and chuckled softly: "Third Miss Nangong, what a pleasure!"


    Jiang Ning slowly curled her lips into a smile. She wouldn''t need to go to the Capital City to find that human trafficker Wei Fangxiong anymore. What an unexpected gain!


    "Is that the man you eloped with just now?" Seeing that Jiang Ning didn''t respond, and knowing that he was currently at death''s door with his life in their hands, the man tried to tter them: "Handsome appearance, graceful demeanor, gentle and refined, with an extraordinary aura. Third Miss has good taste!"


    "But Third Miss, why didn''t you elope further away?" The man asked puzzledly, "Jinzhi City is too close to the Capital City, it''s easy to run into acquaintances¡ª"


    A sharp dagger was suddenly pressed against his throat, and the man immediately fell silent, his gaze fixed on the expressionless Jiang Ning.


    "Enough nonsense. From now on, I ask, you answer. If you dare to lie, I''ll kill you," Jiang Ning threatened coldly, moving the knife two inches closer, ready to slit his throat with the slightest movement.


    A look of surprise shed in the man''s eyes as he scrutinized the sharp-featured girl before him, who seemedpletely different from the timid person he remembered. Then he heard her ask, "Who am I?"


    The man was stunned, not expecting this question. He stared into Jiang Ning''s eyes and saw no trace of jest.


    "Nangong Ling, the third daughter of the Prime Minister''s Mansion," he answered, his mind racing to guess the possible situations.


    "Nangong Ling..." Jiang Ning murmured the name, feeling it was oddly familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere before.


    In the next moment, Jiang Ning suddenly remembered: in the Universal Buddha Temple of Qushui City, the name on the longevity tablet worshipped by Aunt Lan, who sold osmanthus cakes, was exactly this name!


    What was the rtionship between that Aunt Lan, whose eyes always carried a trace of sorrow, and the original owner of this body?


    If she had requested a longevity tablet and lit a longevitymp for Nangong Ling, why didn''t she recognize her?


    Seeing Jiang Ning''s gaze wander, as if pondering something, the man''s eyes flickered, and he said tentatively, "Third Miss, it seems you don''t remember me."


    Jiang Ning didn''t care about his probing. She wanted to get the answers she needed from this person who knew the original owner. It was impossible not to be discovered as unusual.


    Jiang Ning looked at him frankly and asked, "Who are you?"


    "What''s wrong with you? Have you forgotten everything?" The man seemed to understand something.


    As soon as the words left his mouth, the man felt a sharp pain on his neck. Although it was insignificantpared to the three stab wounds on his abdomen, the implication was vastly different.


    "I''m the one asking questions now," he heard this strange Nangong Ling say.


    "Yuwen Yan."


    Hearing this name, Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow: "If I''m not mistaken, there''s only one family with the surname Yuwen in this world, right?"


    The royal family.


    "That''s right, I''m the sixth prince of Great Liang, Prince Xiang Yuwen Yan," Yuwen Yan said, looking into Jiang Ning''s eyes.


    "So you''re actually a prince," Jiang Ning was somewhat surprised, but then she thought, the original owner was the daughter of the Prime Minister, a high-ranking official''s daughter and a well-breddy. She probably rarely left her home, so it would be unlikely for her to meet ordinary men.


    As a prince, this Yuwen Yan might have seen her at some banquet in the Imperial Pce.


    "Third Miss, have you lost your memory?" Although Yuwen Yan asked this, he was already quite certain.


    Jiang Ning nonchntly grunted in affirmation and put away her dagger.


    During their brief conversation, the wound on Yuwen Yan''s stomach had bled again, forming a pool of blood. His face was as pale as paper, and his voice was bing weaker. Jiang Ning knew that if she didn''t help stop the bleeding soon, this man might not survive.


    Since this person could be useful, she couldn''t let him die.


    Jiang Ning picked up the gauze again, dipped it in strong alcohol, and cleaned Yuwen Yan''s abdominal wounds. The alcohol stung the wounds, causing his whole body to tremble uncontrobly.


    "Bear with it, I''m saving you," Jiang Ning said.


    Yuwen Yan was very sensible and immediately endured the pain while expressing his gratitude: "Thank you, Third Miss."


    Jiang Ning picked up the needle again, held it over the me to sterilize it, and then said, "Don''t call me Third Miss in front of that person. My name is Jiang Ning now, remember that clearly."


    "Yes, Miss Jiang Ning," Yuwen Yanplied readily.


    The next moment, the sharp needle pierced through skin and flesh. The pain suddenly intensified, and Yuwen Yan gritted his teeth hard, his hands tightly gripping the bed sheet beneath him, almost tearing it.


    Jiang Ning hadn''t expected that she would be performing this kind of surgical suturing in ancient times. There was no disinfectant alcohol, no operating room, no specialized surgical needles and thread, and no anesthesia. Judging by how Yuwen Yan was shaking, she could tell how painful it was.


    But given the limited conditions, this would have to do.


    After all, it wasn''t Liu Ming''an suffering, so she didn''t feel any sympathy.


    However, Jiang Ning did admire this Yuwen Yan. She could imagine how painful it must be to have flesh sewn together and thread pulled through, yet this pampered prince didn''t make a single sound.


    It took Jiang Ning nearly a quarter of an hour to sew up all three stab wounds.


    Yuwen Yan was drenched in cold sweat, looking as if he had been pulled out of water. He felt like he had endured an endless torture. When he heard Jiang Ning say "It''s done," he finally rxed his jaw, tasting blood in his mouth.


    "The wounds will heal in about half a month. After that, you can remove the threads from the flesh. During these days, avoid strenuous activities, don''t eat spicy food, and be careful not to get the wounds wet when bathing," Jiang Ning instructed seriously, showing a rare hint of a physician''spassion.


    "Thank you... Miss Jiang Ning," Yuwen Yan''s voice was barely a whisper due to the ordeal. If Jiang Ning hadn''t been close by, she wouldn''t have known what he was saying.


    Seeing that Yuwen Yan was about to pass out from his severe injuries, Jiang Ning got up and poured a ss of water. She added a few drops of spirit spring water to it, then pried open his mouth and made him drink it.


    She still had questions to ask him, so he couldn''t faint now.


    The blood lotus space defiedmon sense, and the efficacy of the spirit spring water had long surpassed Jiang Ning''s understanding.


    Sure enough, after drinking this ss of water, Yuwen Yan, who had been barely clinging to life, visibly regained some strength. Even hisplexion wasn''t as pale anymore.


    "Tell me everything you know about me. All of it," Jiang Ningmanded, looking down at Yuwen Yan lying on the bed.


    Yuwen Yan looked at Jiang Ning, tugged at the corner of his mouth, and said with a bitter smile, "Miss Jiang Ning, I''m almost dead. Can''t you ask tomorrow? I can''t run away anyway, so why are you in such a hurry?"


    "Hah!" Jiang Ning let out a light scoff, her dagger back at Yuwen Yan''s throat: "Don''t try to y the sympathy card with me. Right now you''re just close to death. If you don''t talk, I''ll make sure you diepletely!"


    Yuwen Yan closed his eyes helplessly, unable to understand why this amnesiac Third Miss had changed so much, bing so unfeeling.


    "I''ll talk, I''ll talk..."


    Life was more important!

 Chapter 105

    Yuwen Yan took a deep breath and carefully pondered the appearance of the Third Young Lady Nangong in his memory.


    "We haven''t met many times, just a few brief encounters. Thest time I saw you was atst year''s New Year''s banquet. You came to the pce with Prime Minister Nangong. I saw you and your sister near the imperial garden. You both curtsied to me and greeted me, but there wasn''t any other conversation..."


    "You should have been sixteen or seventeen years old, I can''t remember clearly. I wouldn''t pay too much attention to a minister''s daughter, especially since you were born to a concubine."


    "Born to a concubine?" Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, instantly recalling phrases like "struggle between legitimate and illegitimate children" and "favoring a concubine over the principal wife."


    "Yes, you are Prime Minister Nangong''s daughter by a concubine. You have an elder legitimate brother and sister," Yuwen Yan said.


    "Go on," Jiang Ning said, mentally noting down this information.


    "As I recall, you seemed very timid. You were always shy when meeting people, never daring to make eye contact when speaking. You were quiet and unremarkable. It''s only because you were somewhat pretty and I have a good memory that I was able to recognize you just now..."


    "Thest time I heard news about you was a rumor circting that you had eloped with a man..."


    Yuwen Yan paused here and nced at Jiang Ning''s expression. Seeing no reaction, he continued, "This incident was quite embarrassing for the Prime Minister''s Mansion. Prime Minister Nangong was so angry he didn''t attend court for two days. He privately had people suppress the news and forbade anyone in the mansion from discussing it..."


    "But as a high-ranking official, he naturally had many enemies. Such family scandals couldn''t bepletely concealed. So in the Capital City, almost anyone with some background knew that the Third Young Lady of the Nangong family had eloped with a man..."


    Eloped? Jiang Ning frowned slightly.


    Given how badly the original owner had been tortured, could this elopement story be a cover-up?


    Or perhaps the original owner really did elope, but was tricked by her lover, simr to modern human trafficking cases?


    But that didn''t make sense either. Jiang Ning immediately dismissed this hypothesis. If it was purely for selling her, why ruin her face?


    Her injuries, the broken hands and feet, the disfigured face, and the specific instructions to Blind Yang to sell her far away - none of this seemed like it was just for money. It was clearly an act of revenge!


    If she hadn''t taken over this body, if she didn''t have the Blood Lotus Space and spirit spring water, even if that Nangong Ling had survived and been sold, even if she had been fortunately sold to a good person like Liu Ming''an, she would have been bedridden and useless for life, never able to return to the Capital City.


    So, the elopement must be an excuse! It was a pretext created by her enemy to exin her sudden disappearance. In this era where a woman''s chastity was considered more important than life itself, using such a malicious excuse of elopement after torturing and selling her was also a way to ruin her reputation!


    Who could it be?


    Their intentions were truly despicable!


    These thoughts shed through her mind in an instant. After sorting out the situation, Jiang Ning continued to ask, "Who did I elope with?"


    "I don''t know."


    "Then when did I elope?"


    "Hmm... I heard this news in August, so it must have been before that," Yuwen Yan recalled.


    August...


    Nangong Ling had died on September 5th, and that was when she, Jiang Ning, had taken over this body. It seemed this prince knew very little about the inside story.


    However, at least this saved her the trouble of investigating her own identity. When she returned to the Capital City, she could focus solely on finding her enemy.


    At this moment, hurried footsteps could be heard from outside. Jiang Ning knew it was Liu Ming''an returning. With a flick of her wrist, she put away the dagger and quickly leaned down to warn Yuwen Yan, "Don''t breathe a word to him, or I''ll kill you."


    Yuwen Yan nodded and smiled at Jiang Ning, "Don''t worry, Miss Jiang. I know how to behave."


    "Also, make up an identity for yourself. Don''t say you''re a prince," Jiang Ning didn''t want to see Liu Ming''an kneeling and bowing to Yuwen Yan.


    "Understood." Even if Jiang Ning hadn''t threatened him at knifepoint, Yuwen Yan wouldn''t have wanted to reveal his identity.


    "Ah Ning!" The door was pushed open, and Liu Ming''an walked in holding a porcin bottle. Perhaps because he had been running, beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.


    "The pharmacy near the wonton stall was closed too, but luckily I asked a passerby who directed me to another pharmacy. I ran there to buy this. It''s top-quality wound medicine," Liu Ming''an said, panting.


    Jiang Ning took the medicine bottle and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with her sleeve.


    Lying on the bed, Yuwen Yan watched as Jiang Ning, who had been cold and stern just moments ago, suddenly became so gentle and tender. His feelings were quiteplex.


    "How much was it?" Jiang Ning asked Liu Ming''an, holding the medicine bottle.


    "Um... one tael of silver," Liu Ming''an answered honestly.


    Jiang Ning nodded and then said, "Go downstairs and ask the inn keeper for another room. We''ll let him have this room tonight."


    Liu Ming''an nced at Yuwen Yan, smiled at him, and then left again.


    Jiang Ning walked to the bedside, opened the bottle, and sprinkled the pale yellow powder onto the stitched wound.


    "You heard everything?"


    Yuwen Yan was lost in thought and was caught off guard by Jiang Ning''s sudden question. "What?"


    Jiang Ning waved the medicine bottle in front of his eyes and said, "One tael of silver. This kind-hearted fool of mine doesn''t earn money easily. It''s all hard-earned. You''re a prince, surely you won''t take advantage of a poor schr?"


    Yuwen Yan was stunned for a moment, then chuckled.


    This Miss Jiang, who was so calcting and could change her demeanor faster than the weather, was far more interesting than the timid and shrinking Third Young Lady Nangong.


    "Rest assured, Miss Jiang. This prince is not one to forget kindness and gratitude," Yuwen Yan said solemnly.


    He could actually see that the man was the one who truly wanted to save him. This amnesiac Third Young Lady Nangong in front of him was a cold and ruthless person. If it weren''t for that man''s sake, even if he died in front of her, she might not have batted an eyelid.


    Jiang Ning applied the medicine powder to the wound just as Liu Ming''an returned.


    "Help him sit up. I''ll bandage his wound," Jiang Ning said to Liu Ming''an.


    "Alright." Liu Ming''an stepped forward to the bedside and carefully propped up the weak and powerless Yuwen Yan.


    Jiang Ning took a roll of clean gauze and wrapped it around Yuwen Yan''s waist twice, then tied it securely. Liu Ming''an then gently lowered him back down.


    "Thank you for saving my life, kind sir. My name is Yan Wenyu. May I know your esteemed name?" Yuwen Yan asked Liu Ming''an after lying back down.


    Liu Ming''an smiled and said, "You''re too kind, Mr. Yan. My name is Liu Ming''an. Our meeting is fated, and being able to save you is your good fortune. There''s no need to address me so formally."


    "Very well, Mr. Liu," Yuwen Yan replied with a smile.


    "Mr. Yan, how did you end up stabbed and copsed in the wilderness? Do you need us to report this to the authorities?" Liu Ming''an asked sincerely, looking at the wound on his abdomen.


    Such a severe injury was clearly intended to be fatal.


    A strange look shed quickly through Yuwen Yan''s eyes, but he still smiled and declined, "Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Liu, but even an upright official can''t adjudicate family matters. The authorities can''t handle my case."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow. It seemed there was a royal family feud.


    "Very well then. It''s gettingte, and you''re injured. Get some good rest, and we''lle check on you tomorrow," Liu Ming''an tactfully didn''t ask further. After all, they were strangers who had just met. Saving his life was enough to clear their conscience. As for the rest, everyone had their own way of living.


    Liu Ming''an helped Yuwen Yan cover up with the nket and ced a cup of water on the stool beside the bed, within easy reach. Then he blew out the candle and took Jiang Ning to the adjacent room.


    The room was pitch ck. Yuwen Yan moved his fingers, feeling the bandage wrapped around his waist, recalling his near-death experience that day.


    The thick nket on his body brought waves of warmth, enveloping his body that had been frozen in the bitter cold.


    "Liu Ming''an... truly is a good person!" After a long while, a soft exmation came from the darkness.

 Chapter 106

    Early the next morning, after breakfast, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning asked the waiter for a bowl of porridge. When they brought it upstairs, they discovered that the severely injured person was no longer in bed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Has he left?" Liu Ming''an looked at the empty room, quite surprised. How could someone so gravely wounded get out of bed?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "He probably has," Jiang Ning guessed it was likely the effect of the spirit spring water that allowed Yuwen Yan to regain mobility. As a prince who had been stabbed three times, he would naturally want to find a way to retaliate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s keen eyes spotted something on the table. Upon closer inspection, it was a jade pendant, deep green in color with cloud patterns along the edges and the character "Yan" engraved in small seal script in the center.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Why did he leave us a jade pendant?" Liu Ming''an picked it up, feeling its smooth and warm texture, clearly an extraordinary piece.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Perhaps he wanted to let us know he owes us a favor," Jiang Ning spected. This prince seemed quite considerate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an smiled at her words, "We don''t even know if we''ll ever meet again..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "If it''s meant to be, we''ll meet again," Jiang Ning said calmly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Since they no longer needed to care for the injured man, the two decided to proceed with their original n to travel to the Capital City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    That afternoon, after lunch, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning boarded a carriage bound for the Capital City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Two dayster, the carriage stopped in front of the city gates.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After two months of twists and turns, they had finally made it from Lingshan Town to here.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning looked up at the towering city walls, remembering the tormented soul who had died miserably in a foreignnd. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ling, I''vee back in your ce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "They say the Capital City is prosperous. I wonder what it''s really like," Liu Ming''an, unaware of Jiang Ning''s thoughts, excitedly watched the crowdsing and going through the city gates.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let''s go and see for ourselves," Jiang Ning smiled, pulling herself out of herplex thoughts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But after taking a few steps, Jiang Ning suddenly remembered something. She stopped and pulled out a veil she hadn''t used in a long time from her bundle and put it on.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah Ning, why are you wearing a veil?" Liu Ming''an asked, puzzled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was naturally afraid of encountering familiar faces, especially people from the Prime Minister''s Mansion. That would make things spiral out of control.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ling was already bearing the stigma of eloping with someone. If people saw her with Liu Ming''an, everyone would naturally assume he was the one she had eloped with.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had no power or status, just a poor schr. If Nangong Ling''s father became enraged and decided to punish him, even if Jiang Ning had the ability to protect him from physical harm, she couldn''t ensure his smooth progress in his official career.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In an era where reputation was everything, there was no other choice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning didn''t care about herself, but she wanted Liu Ming''an to remain pure and upright throughout his life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Forced to give Liu Ming''an a reason for wearing the veil, Jiang Ning wracked her brains for a moment before sheepishly saying, "I''ve heard there are many officials and nobles in the Capital City. I''m so... attractive, ahem, what if some rich young master sees me and tries to abduct me? It''s better to wear a veil as a precaution."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s intuition told him something was off about this reason. After careful thought, he realized Jiang Ning was probably afraid of encountering enemies in the Capital City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an sighed inwardly, reached out to adjust Jiang Ning''s veil, pulling it up a bit and arranging her hair to cover her smooth forehead, leaving only her eyes visible.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "This is better, no one will be able to see you at all," Liu Ming''an smiled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    If Ah Ning wanted to keep secrets from him, so be it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two arrived in the Capital City on the thirteenth day of the first lunar month. There were still three months until the imperial examinations, and after that, there would be the pce examination. All in all, they would need to stay in the Capital City for at least half a year before everything was settled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an remembered his promise to Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun. After entering the city, they found an inn to stay for the night. The next day, he took Jiang Ning and asked for directions to Xichun Road, where they found Zhou Yi''s family''s Jun Yue Restaurant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Before seeing Jun Yue Restaurant, Liu Ming''an had assumed it would be simr to Fusheng Restaurant, since they were owned by the same family.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When they actually arrived at Jun Yue Restaurant, Liu Ming''an realized the vast difference between the small Lingshan Town and the Capital City. The Jun Yue Restaurant before them was at least three timesrger than Fusheng Restaurant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As soon as they entered the restaurant, a waiter greeted them with a big smile: "Wee, guests. Are you here for a meal or to stay?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an smiled and said, "I''m here to find someone."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The waiter''s smile didn''t falter as he continued, "May I ask who you''re looking for? If I know them, perhaps I can help."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m a friend of Zhou Yi, I''m here to see him."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As soon as Liu Ming''an finished speaking, the waiter looked him up and down, then asked, "Sir, are you Mr. Liu from Lingshan Town?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was surprised and answered, "Yes, that''s me."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh my! Mr. Liu, we''ve been waiting for you! The young master instructed us this morning to inform him immediately when you arrived. Please have a seat here, and I''ll go call the young master right away." The waiter said excitedly, and before Liu Ming''an could respond, he had already dashed upstairs.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an watched the waiter''s figure disappear in the blink of an eye and couldn''t help but say to Jiang Ning, "This waiter has the same temperament as Brother Zhou, both so energetic and quick."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning smiled and picked up the teapot on the table to pour herself a cup of water. She lifted it to her lips before realizing she was still wearing the veil. Liu Ming''an was still curiously observing the decor of Jun Yue Restaurant, so Jiang Ning ced the cup in front of him and said, "Have some water."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Little Liu!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A loud shout suddenly came from behind. Liu Ming''an had just stood up and turned around when someone rushed over and hugged him tightly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Haha... Little Liu, you''re here! I didn''t expect you toe so quickly! This is wonderful!" Zhou Yi was so excited his eyes were dancing with joy as he patted Liu Ming''an''s back repeatedly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The guests in the hall all looked over, and upon realizing it was a scene of long-lost brothers reuniting, they smiled and returned to their meals.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhou, my back is going to be swollen from your patting," Liu Ming''an said helplessly, unable to bear Zhou Yi''s "enthusiasm."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Haha..." Zhou Yiughed as he released him, suddenly remembering Jiang Ning was still standing nearby. He quickly greeted her, "Sister-inw, long time no see!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing this form of address, Jiang Ning''s eyes curved into a smile as she replied with a hint ofughter in her voice, "Brother Zhou, it''s been a while."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Come,e, this isn''t the ce to talk. Let''s go up to a private room and chat while we eat..." Zhou Yi said as he tugged on Liu Ming''an''s sleeve, heading upstairs. At the same time, he turned back to Jiang Ning and said, "Sister-inw, please follow us."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi led Liu Ming''an all the way up to a private room on the third floor. He ordered the waiter to bring their signature dishes and spent the time waiting for the food asking about their well-being, acting like a caring older brother concerned about his younger brother and sister-inw.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When he learned that Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning were currently staying at another inn in the Capital City, Zhou Yi looked surprised: "Why aren''t you staying at my ce? We have plenty of rooms, why waste money elsewhere?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an said it wasn''t convenient and he didn''t want to impose, but Zhou Yi immediately flexed his wealth: "What''s inconvenient about it? I''m not going to squeeze in with you two, you''ll have your own space. My family owns properties in all four districts and eight streets of the Capital City. Where do you want to stay? Take your pick!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had never encountered such a situation and was at a loss for words. He had known that Brother Zhou''s family was well-off, but he hadn''t realized they were this wealthy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning remembered something, her eyes flickered, and she spoke up, "Brother Zhou, I''d like to stay on Late Winter Road."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Blind Yang had mentioned that Wei Fangxiong lived on Late Winter Road.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning guessed that Wei Fangxiong was probably just a trafficker, and it was very likely that, like Zhao Qiang and Blind Yang, Nangong Ling was already in that condition when he received her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But Wei Fangxiong was in the Capital City, and Nangong Ling was also from the Capital City, so he was likely thest link in this trafficking chain. If she could find him and ask who had handed Nangong Ling over to him, Jiang Ning could follow the trail and find the ultimate enemy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi agreed without hesitation: "Certainly! I have a small house on Late Winter Road. It''s quite secluded, perfect for you two to stay. It''ll be convenient for Little Liu to focus on preparing for the imperial examinations."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Thank you, Brother Zhou!" Jiang Ning thanked him sincerely.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    During the meal, Liu Ming''an asked about Zhang Shun.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi waved his hand and said, "My cousin is pregnant again. Zhang Shun was worried that the Capital City would be too cold for her pregnancy, so they''ve gone south to South Qiong, where it''s warmer now. If you hade two days earlier, you might have been able to have a meal together and say goodbye."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "That''s wonderful news!" Liu Ming''an smiled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "When he left, he specifically instructed me to take good care of you. He also said he broke his promise and asked me to apologize on his behalf first. He''ll apologize to you in person when he returns," Zhou Yi said as he drained a ss of wine in one gulp.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhou, you''re being too formal. There''s no need for such talk between us," Liu Ming''an said, holding Zhou Yi''s hand as he was about to pour more wine.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ha! I knew you''d say that. He didn''t believe me..." Zhou Yiughed with a hint of pride.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After the meal, Zhou Yi apanied them to the inn where they had made reservations. They packed their luggage, checked out, and then headed towards Late Winter Road.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "This is it, Brother Liu and sister-inw. You''ll be living here from now on. It''s quiet, and it''ll be convenient for me toe over for drinks," Zhou Yi said as he pushed open the door, entered the courtyard, and then handed the key to Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The environment was indeed tranquil, with neighbors rtively far apart, making it almost impossible to hear any noise. The courtyard was filled with bamboo, which rustled in the wind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Well, you can settle in here. I''ll head back now. Actually, when you arrived earlier, I was in the middle of doing the ounts. If my motheres back and finds out I haven''t finished, I''ll be in trouble..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi smiled sheepishly, gave a few more instructions about contacting him if they needed anything, and then took his leave.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 107

    After Zhou Yi left, Jiang Ning made an excuse to go out and buy rice and vegetables for dinner. She took a basket and went out, leaving Liu Ming''an alone in the house to clean and pack their luggage.


    When she came with Zhou Yi earlier, Jiang Ning had indeed seen an alley full of shops. Her im of going shopping wasn''t entirely a pretext, but her main purpose was to inquire about Wei Fangxiong.


    Just as Blind Yang had said, Wei Fangxiong was quite well-known in this area. When Jiang Ning asked while buying rice, she immediately got an answer.


    The rice shop boss, assuming Jiang Ning was also looking to buy a maid from Wei Fangxiong, enthusiastically gave her directions.


    "Wei Fangxiong? His house is right at the corner of that alley, with a stone pixiu statue at the entrance. You can''t miss it."


    Jiang Ning nodded, paid for the rice, and then bought some vegetables. On her way home, she deliberately took a detour through that alley to memorize the route.


    When she returned home, Liu Ming''an had already finished tidying up the room and was sweeping up the bamboo leaves on the floor.


    Seeing Jiang Ning return, Liu Ming''an put down the broom, walked over to take the basket from her hands, and ced it in the kitchen.


    "Finally, I can eat Ning''s cooking again!" Liu Ming''an said with a bright smile in his eyes.


    Infected by his mood, Jiang Ning''s lips curled into a slight smile. "We''ve been staying at inns most of the time these past few months. Didn''t the inn food suit your taste?"


    "It''s not the same. Your cooking is the best!" Liu Ming''an dered with conviction.


    Jiang Ning''s smile deepened, epting thepliment. "Alright then, eat more tonight."


    As it was still early, Jiang Ning apanied Liu Ming''an on another outing to the bookstore to buy the Four Books and Five ssics that would be tested in the imperial examination.


    "You haven''t studied since we left Lotus Flower Vige. Do you still remember this content?" Jiang Ning asked with some concern.


    Liu Ming''an smiled confidently in response. "Don''t worry, Ning. Even if I''ve forgotten, I''ll remember everything after reading it once more."


    Right, she had forgotten that Liu Ming''an was a top student.


    Jiang Ning recalled the two old people in Lingshan Town who hadvishly praised Liu Ming''an''s exam papers. It seemed their praise wasn''t exaggerated; her schr indeed had some real talent.


    Jiang Ning stopped worrying needlessly and started washing vegetables and rice to prepare dinner. Half an hourter, two dishes, a soup, and a pot of white rice were served. Liu Ming''an showed his appreciation by eating everything.


    After dinner and washing up, Liu Ming''an picked up his books to study after a long hiatus. He spread paper on the table, held a brush in his hand, and asionally wrote down a sentence or two.


    Jiang Ning sat beside him, grinding ink for a while. When she noticed it was getting dark, she went to the kitchen to brew a pot of tea.


    "Here, have some tea," Jiang Ning said, cing the teacup next to Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an put down his brush, smiled at her, and picked up the teacup.


    However, as soon as the tea touched his lips, Liu Ming''an frowned.


    The tea had a bitter taste, just like the "sleeping tea" Jiang Ning had given him before.


    Jiang Ning noticed Liu Ming''an''s hesitation when drinking the tea. Her eyshes fluttered as she casually said, "I bought this tea when I went to get rice. The shop owner said it''s this year''s new tea, so it might be a bit bitter, but it''s good for staying alert and clear-headed."


    Liu Ming''an sighed inwardly. His Ning was too clever, lying so smoothly. If he hadn''t already known the truth, he might have been fooled by this usible exnation.


    Jiang Ning kept watching Liu Ming''an, waiting for him to drink the "tea" so she could use the same trick again and sneak out at night to interrogate someone for the information she wanted.


    But Liu Ming''an sighed and put down the teacup. "Ning, I won''t drink it."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, about to ask "What''s wrong?" when Liu Ming''an suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace, making her sit on hisp.


    A pair of arms encircled her waist, and Liu Ming''an rested his chin on her shoulder. Jiang Ning couldn''t see his expression but heard his somewhat muffled voice near her ear:


    "Ning, do whatever you need to do, just be careful and stay safe. I won''t stop you... Don''t drug me anymore, I won''t interfere with your ns."


    Jiang Ning''s body stiffened. When had Liu Ming''an figured it out?


    Sensing her sudden tension, Liu Ming''an pulled back a little, looking at Jiang Ning with eyes full of tenderness. He reached out and gently poked her cheek. "It''s okay, I''m not angry with you."


    Jiang Ning felt somewhat awkward but couldn''t figure out where she had slipped up. "How did you know?"


    Liu Ming''an caressed her face and exined, "When I checked out of the inn in Qushui City, the manager of Tidal View Inn said they didn''t have that kind of tea at all."


    Jiang Ning thought to herself that she had been careless; she shouldn''t have said it was from the inn.


    Jiang Ning lowered her eyes, feeling guilty. Then she heard Liu Ming''an say with a smile, "You must have your reasons for doing this. I really don''t me you. If you don''t want to tell me, then don''t. I''m just worried about your safety. At any time, do your best, but please ensure your own safety above all."


    These heartfelt words made Jiang Ning feel even more remorseful. Her actions must have hurt Liu Ming''an.


    Not knowing how to make amends, Jiang Ning wrapped her arms around Liu Ming''an''s neck and kissed him hard.


    Liu Ming''an was stunned at first but then dly epted. Gripping her waist, their lips and tongues entangled as their hearts drew closer and closer.


    After a while, Liu Ming''an pulled away from those luscious lips, steadying his breath. His voice was somewhat hoarse as he said, "Ning, you can go now."


    Jiang Ning opened her eyes. Her usually cold gaze was now tinged with desire, like rippling autumn waters, filled with tender affection. The sight made Liu Ming''an''s throat involuntarily bob.


    Sitting on Liu Ming''an''sp, Jiang Ning could clearly feel certain changes in his body. At this virile age, Liu Ming''an had repeatedly suppressed his desires, and she couldn''t help but feel sorry for him.


    The hand that had been around his neck slowly moved downward. Before Liu Ming''an could react, that slender hand slipped under the hem of his robe.


    "Ning, what are you doing?" Liu Ming''an''s body jolted as he grabbed the mischievous hand.


    Jiang Ning smiled softly. In the dim candlelight, she looked like an enchanting spirit.


    Liu Ming''an watched as she leaned forward, pressing her lips against his again. She spoke seductively, "Liu Ming''an, you''re too good to me. I like you. I''m willing to do this for you..."


    Jiang Ning''s other hand covered Liu Ming''an''s, moving it away. Beneath the clothes, the hand that was skilled at wielding knives to kill began to explore territory its owner had never ventured into before.


    "Ning, don''t... don''t dirty your hands..." Liu Ming''an''s breathing waspletely erratic.


    "It''s not dirty. I''m doing this of my own free will..." Jiang Ning murmured softly. Then her red lips gradually moved down from Liu Ming''an''s chin, finally biting his Adam''s apple.


    "Snap!"


    Liu Ming''an clearly heard thest thread of his self-control break in his mind. He could no longer resist being pulled into the abyss of passion.


    This was truly... maddening!

 Chapter 108

    Jiang Ning administered the drug just after 5 PM, but due to an unexpected situation, she didn''t leave until almost 9 PM.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Tomorrow would be the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival. The moon in the sky was already nearly full, illuminating the world brightly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning recalled what had just happened, and her face was filled with an irrepressible smile. She loved how Liu Ming''an''s eyes were full of infatuation when he leaned in to kiss her at the end. She loved how that handsome face showed signs of being intoxicated by her, and the sweat that seeped from his forehead, and those uncontroble low pants...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning knew she was falling deeper and deeper. The word "love" was truly indescribable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She put on her veil and walked out with light steps. After entering her space, Jiang Ning headed towards Wei Fangxiong''s house.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Go quickly ande back quickly, Jiang Ning told herself. Liu Ming''an would definitely be waiting for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She sessfully climbed over the wall and entered Wei Fangxiong''s courtyard. Before Jiang Ning could steady herself, she suddenly saw several eerie green lights shing in the pitch-ck grove nearby.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What was that?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning knew the answer in the next second.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Woof! Woof! Woof!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Tworge wolfhounds barked furiously and charged towards Jiang Ning, their eyes fierce, ck mouths revealing snow-white teeth, looking as if they wanted to tear this uninvited guest to pieces.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s gaze sharpened, and in an instant, the dagger from her space was in her hand.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two dogs must have been trained, as they came running in a pincer formation, one from the left and one from the right. With their weight of nearly 100 kilograms and such high speed, even a robust adult male would be knocked to the ground by this tremendous impact force.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning made a split-second decision. She shifted her body slightly to the right, raised her foot, and kicked hard at the head of the dog on the left. At the same time, her right hand gripped the dagger horizontally and stabbed it fiercely upward into the neck of the other dog.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Bang!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yelp!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The sound of a dog hitting the ground came, followed immediately by the yelp of the other dog.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning pulled out the dagger. The stabbed dogy on the ground whimpering, while the kicked dog struggled for a few seconds before getting up again, barking "Woof! Woof! Woof!" and preparing to charge at her again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But Jiang Ning didn''t intend to tangle with it anymore. Her figure shed, and she slipped into her space.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Originally, she didn''t know Wei Fangxiong and wasn''t familiar with thisrge mansion, so the n was to search room by room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But the appearance of these two dogs saved her the trouble.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    These tworge wolfhounds must have been brought in to guard the house. Themotion just now would surely bring people out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sure enough, after a short while, several men dressed as servants ran out. Seeing one dog lying on the ground barely alive and the other barking in ce, the servants sensed something was wrong. Immediately, one of them ran in another direction, shouting, "I''ll go call the master."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning waited patiently. After a few minutes, several people crowded around an old man, walking hurriedly towards this direction.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Blind Yang had said that Wei Fangxiong was considered his elder brother. Blind Yang himself looked to be in his fifties, so this old man before her was undoubtedly Wei Fangxiong.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Master, it seems someone has broken in," a servant greeted Wei Fangxiong, pointing at the dog on the ground that was breathing heavily.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A servant holding antern stepped forward. The candlelight illuminated the dog, clearly showing the fresh blood gushing from its neck, which had already dyed its gray fur dark.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The other dog was still barking at the surroundings. Wei Fangxiong frowned deeply and questioned, "Did any of you see anyone?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Everyone shook their heads, saying it was like this when they arrived.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wei Fangxiong''s face was filled with suspicion. He took thentern himself and carefully examined the blood stains on the ground. Finding that the blood was only dripping in this one spot, his frown deepened.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "All of you, don''t sleep tonight. Guard outside the courtyard," Wei Fangxiong ordered the servants sternly after a moment, then took antern and headed off alone in a certain direction.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning quickly followed in her space.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He''s alone now, perfect!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wei Fangxiong walked into a courtyard and then entered a room that looked like it hadn''t been used for a long time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning followed closely behind, only to discover upon entering that the room was full of wooden boxes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wei Fangxiong walked straight to one of them, opened the lid with a "click," and golden light shimmered in the candlelight.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was a gold thread garment!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning suddenly recalled that Blind Yang had mentioned Wei Fangxiong and he would traffic some illicit items. Who knows which noble''s grave this gold thread garment was dug out from?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But none of that mattered now. Jiang Ning shed out of her space, and in an instant, the dagger stained with dog blood was at Wei Fangxiong''s throat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Feeling the cold de tainted with blood against his skin, Wei Fangxiong''s pupils constricted sharply. He wanted to turn his head in disbelief to see who it was, but he heard a warning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Don''t move, or this gold thread garment will be your burial clothes."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This room was some distance from the courtyard. Even if Wei Fangxiong shouted, no one would hear him, which was why Jiang Ning chose to follow him all the way into the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wei Fangxiong swallowed hard, not daring to move at all. His voice trembled as he asked the person behind him, "Who sent you to steal the gold thread garment? Was it Wang Ping? How much did he pay you? I can give you double, no, triple¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Enough nonsense!" Jiang Ning''s cold voice interrupted the old man. Who would want things from dead people? Especially these shady, illegitimate items. How unlucky!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m going to ask you a few questions. Answer me honestly. If you dare to lie..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I wouldn''t dare! I wouldn''t dare! Ask me anything, and I''ll answer. I guarantee I''ll tell you everything I know, without holding anything back!" Wei Fangxiong quickly spoke up before Jiang Ning could finish her threat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You''re quite sensible!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning chuckled lightly. As expected of someone who was Blind Yang''s elder brother, he was much more sensible than Blind Yang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Of course, of course. Please ask, ask anything you want..." Wei Fangxiong continued, trembling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Since that was the case, Jiang Ning didn''t want to waste time and asked directly, "In early Julyst year, Blind Yang from Qushui City came to the Capital City to find you. You handed over to him a woman with severed hands and feet and a rotten face, instructing him to sell her. You specifically emphasized that the woman should be kept alive and sold far away from the Capital City. You haven''t forgotten about this, have you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wei Fangxiong was stunned for a moment, until Jiang Ning casually asked, "Do you want to die?" Then he came to his senses and answered, "No, I haven''t forgotten. I remember."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Did you know that woman?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "No, I didn''t."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Were you the one who injured her?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "No, she was already in that condition when I saw her."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning said to herself, "As expected." Everything was just as she had guessed. This Wei Fangxiong was just a human trafficker; he also knew nothing about Nangong Ling''s identity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then who handed her over to you?" Jiang Ning asked the most crucial question.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wei Fangxiong hesitated for a moment but finally said, "It was the Ma Steward from the Prime Minister''s Mansion."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The Ma Steward from the Prime Minister''s Mansion?" Jiang Ning repeated softly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, yes, yes. He had someone bring me to a mansion in the suburbs of the Capital City and handed that woman over to me. The woman was barely alive at the time, just hanging on by a thread. He told me to sell her and insisted that she must be sold far away, preferably to some small vige. He said she couldn''t be allowed to die..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "And you just listened to him? You do whatever he tells you to do?" Jiang Ning''s voice was frighteningly cold.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I, I, I had no choice. He threatened me. He said if I didn''t do as he said, he would report to the authorities that I was privately selling burial items. In Great Liang, that''s a crime that wouldnd me in prison. I was forced into it..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As Wei Fangxiong said this, he sighed repeatedly. He should have known this matter wasn''t simple. Now look what happened, someone was holding a knife to his throat. He really had the worst luck. There were so many human traffickers in the Capital City, why did Ma Steward have to choose him? s!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Where is that mansion?" Jiang Ning asked again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I don''t know. I really don''t know. My eyes were covered both when I went in and when I left. But I''m sure it wasn''t inside the city because the carriage ride took over two hours, and thetter half of the journey was very bumpy. It couldn''t have been within the city," Wei Fangxiong said with certainty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Is there any other information?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What else... what else..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wei Fangxiong struggled to remember. Just as Jiang Ning was about to give up hope and knock him unconscious, he eximed, "Ah!" and continued, "Ma Steward also wanted to force-feed that woman a muting drug to poison her into silence. But she was unconscious, her jaw clenched tight, so he couldn''t get it in. He gave the drug to me instead, telling me to take it back and administer it. In the end, I lost the drug. I had intended to buy more from the pharmacy, but since that woman hadn''t said a word even when she woke up, and I was busy at the time, I forgot about it. It wasn''t until I handed her over to Blind Yang that I remembered..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Severed limbs!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Disfigurement!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Muted by poison!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Then sold off to a ce far from the Capital City!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning couldn''t help but feel shocked. Who could hate Nangong Ling so much? To make her life worse than death, and even frame her for eloping with someone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning didn''t know everything yet, but she could be certain of one thing: that enemy definitely wasn''t Ma Steward!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    No matter how bold a steward might be, he wouldn''t dare to torture the Prime Minister''s daughter, even if Nangong Ling was born of a concubine, even if she wasn''t favored. She was still his master!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ma Steward was merely a tool. Jiang Ning''s true enemy was the person wielding that tool!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "That''s all, I really can''t remember anything else. So..." Wei Fangxiong smiled stiffly, awaiting his fate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hmm, I''ve asked everything I needed to," Jiang Ning said nonchntly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wei Fangxiongughed ingratiatingly and negotiated, "Then, could you perhaps move the knife away? The de is sharp, it could easily hurt someone..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As he spoke, Wei Fangxiong cautiously raised his hand, intending to push the dagger away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Don''t move. The de is sharp, it could easily hurt someone..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The warning whisper was right by his ear, and the knife at his throat pressed closer. Wei Fangxiong was so frightened that he quickly raised his hands in surrender, "I won''t move! I won''t move!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Since Ma Steward could find you, you must be able to contact him too, right?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes! He likes to y with jade. I once sold him a jade cicada, and he told me I could find him if I had any good merchandise." Wei Fangxiong didn''t dare hesitate for even a moment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Good, then tomorrow¡ª" Jiang Ning paused, remembering that tomorrow was the Lantern Festival. Such a lovely night shouldn''t be wasted; it should be spent with the one you love.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So Jiang Ning changed her words, "The day after tomorrow, call him out. Have hime to your residence at 5-7 PM and stay for about an hour or two before leaving."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wei Fangxiong seemed to understand the implications of these words. He swallowed hard several times, cold sweat breaking out on his back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "If he doesn''te, you die. Do you understand?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I understand!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The knife finally moved away from his neck, but Wei Fangxiong still didn''t dare move, standing rigidly in ce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Come to think of it, I should thank you," Jiang Ning said with a hint of self-mockery. Thanks to this Wei Fangxiong, at least she hadn''t been muted by poison.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wei Fangxiong was confused and instinctively wanted to ask, when he suddenly felt a pain in the back of his neck. The next moment, he fainted, never having seen even a corner of the garment of the person behind him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning looked at the person lying on the ground, crouched down, and used Wei Fangxiong''s clothes to wipe the blood off the dagger. Then, using her spatial ability, she brazenly walked through the group of servants, reached the wall, and climbed over it to leave.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 109

    Jiang Ning stepped into the moonlight as she returned to her new home with Liu Ming''an in the Capital City.


    As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw warm yellow candlelight glowing from inside the house. Liu Ming''an''s silhouette was cast on the paper window, appearing to be bending over writing something.


    Jiang Ning felt a warmth in her heart as she pushed open the door and entered, immediately meeting Liu Ming''an''s gaze as he looked up at the sound.


    "Ah Ning."


    Liu Ming''an put down his brush and walked over, looking Jiang Ning up and down to ensure she was just as well as when she left. Only then did he rx.


    "There''s hot water in the kitchen. Go wash up quickly, it''s gettingte," Liu Ming''an said, not asking any questions.


    Jiang Ning smiled and replied "Alright" before heading to the kitchen.


    When she finished washing up and came out, Jiang Ning saw Liu Ming''an still intently sketching something. Curious, she walked over to look and saw it was a portrait of her.


    On the snow-white paper, "Jiang Ning" was leaning against a door, facing a sky full of rosy clouds, gazing quietly ahead.


    It was simr to the painting that had been burned, but this time the person Liu Ming''an painted didn''t have such a cold and distant expression.


    This "Jiang Ning" had a faint smile on her lips, a dimple barely visible on her right cheek. Her eyes were slightly curved, as if anticipating something.


    It inadvertently brought to mind the phrase "leaning on the door, longing for her love''s return."


    Liu Ming''an had also written a line of poetry beside it: "The water is the nce of her eyes, the mountains the gathering of her brows."


    Jiang Ning''s lips unconsciously curved upward, mirroring the expression in the painting without realizing it. "Why did you paint it again?" she asked.


    Liu Ming''an, who was in the middle of outlining the hem of Jiang Ning''s clothes in the painting, was startled by her words. "Ah Ning, how did you know I painted this before?"


    Hadn''t he never shown it to her?


    "What do you think?" Jiang Ning countered.


    "I can''t figure it out," Liu Ming''an said after thinking carefully, once again certain he had never shown it to her.


    Seeing Liu Ming''an''s bewildered expression, Jiang Ning felt inexplicably happy. She exined, "Your furtive movements when hiding things couldn''t escape me. Later, I noticed you acting strange, always stealing nces at me. I thought something might be wrong and wondered if it might be an IOU or something, so I opened it to look."


    "So... you knew that early," Liu Ming''an said, somewhat embarrassed.


    Thinking back to his behavior and words in front of Jiang Ning during that time, Liu Ming''an had thought he was hiding it well. He never expected his little secret to be seen through sopletely.


    It was... rather embarrassing.


    But then another thought struck him - Jiang Ning had known his feelings early on, but had never rejected his advances. Did that mean she had also developed feelings for him early on?


    At this realization, a wave of indescribable joy washed over Liu Ming''an, his eyes filled with warmth. "Ah Ning, I''m so d you''re willing to like me."


    Jiang Ning''s smile deepened. She nced at the nearly finished painting and urged, "Hurry and finish. I have something to tell you when you''re done."


    Liu Ming''an guessed Jiang Ning probably wanted to tell him about her background. He quickly agreed and finished thest bits of the painting in no time.


    Jiang Ning watched Liu Ming''an set down his brush, organized her thoughts, and tried to be as concise as possible.


    "I am the third daughter of Minister Nangong, named Nangong Ling."


    This first sentence startled Liu Ming''an. A minister''s daughter? Was his Ah Ning of such noble birth? Would he still be able to marry her smoothly?


    But soon Liu Ming''an had no time to let his mind wander.


    "This July, the steward of the Nangong household handed over Nangong Ling - that is, me - with my hands and feet cut off and my face disfigured, to the human trafficker Wei Fangxiong in the Capital City. After changing hands several times, I was sold to you..."


    "After I was sold, rumors spread in the Capital City that I had eloped with a man. It''s said my father was so angry he didn''t go to court for two days..."


    "That''s all the information I have at the moment."


    Jiang Ning finished speaking and looked at Liu Ming''an, finding his eyes full of pity and distress.


    "Ah Ning, how could this be? How could a precious youngdy from a minister''s family suffer such a fate?"


    Liu Ming''an gently caressed Jiang Ning''s face, his eyes full of love and pity.


    Although she spoke of these things lightly, her expression calm, Liu Ming''an''s heart ached terribly just thinking of the suffering she had endured.


    Jiang Ning sensed Liu Ming''an''s feelings and gave him a reassuring smile.


    She had only suffered for two days after transmigrating here. The one who truly suffered was Nangong Ling.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll get justice for myself," Jiang Ning said firmly, holding Liu Ming''an''s hand.


    "I believe in you!"


    Liu Ming''an now understood why Jiang Ning had kept this from him before. As a minister''s daughter, even if she had made enemies, those enemies would surely be powerful figures of high status, not someone a humble schr like him could provoke.


    Jiang Ning had kept it from him to avoid dragging him into it, intending to resolve the matter on her own.


    However, after the poisoning incident was discovered today, she realized he wouldn''t hinder her and thus told him everything to prevent any misunderstandings between them.


    Liu Ming''an sighed and pulled her into an embrace, earnestly enjoining her, "Do whatever you need to do, don''t worry about me. I just hope that you''ll remember to protect yourself at all times. If anything were to happen to you, I don''t know what I''d do..."


    Jiang Ning hugged Liu Ming''an''s waist tightly and murmured an "Mm" in response. "I already have a n. If all goes well, I should be able to resolve everything quickly. Don''t worry about me."


    How could he not worry?


    Liu Ming''an gently stroked Jiang Ning''s head. Seeming to think of something, he said, "Ah Ning, sometimes I think, if only you had your current abilities from the start, then you surely wouldn''t have been bullied. And with how quickly your wounds healed, you wouldn''t have had to suffer all that torment on the journey from the Capital City to Lingshan Town..."


    Jiang Ning''s body suddenly stiffened.


    Indeed, from Liu Ming''an''s perspective, it all seemed too illogical!


    How could someone with her formidable skills allow herself to be disfigured and have her hands and feet cut off? And how could someone whose body recovered overnight have remained in a dying state all the way from the Capital City to Lingshan Town? Why did she only recover after Liu Ming''an bought her and brought her home?


    "But I also have some despicable thoughts. If you had always been this capable, you as a nobledy from the Capital City and me as a country bumpkin, we probably would never have crossed paths in our entire lives... So I find myself selfishly rejoicing that I was able to meet you."


    Liu Ming''an seemed to have no desire to probe further. After saying this, he didn''t ask any questions, only lowered his head to ce a gentle kiss on Jiang Ning''s forehead.


    Feeling his careful cherishing, Jiang Ning''s heart trembled slightly. The thought of revealing everything about her transmigration, her dimensional space, her past and present lives, crossed her mind. After a moment''s hesitation, she chose to remain silent, only hugging him tighter.


    "Don''t think about these things anymore. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, our first one together. Let''s go to bed early, get plenty of rest, so we can go out and enjoy the splendor of the Capital City tomorrow."


    In the end, this was all Jiang Ning said.


    Liu Ming''an knew Jiang Ning didn''t want to discuss it further and obediently replied, "Alright."


    Outside the house, the moonlight was as cool as water, illuminating the ground with its clear radiance.

 Chapter 110

    In a mansion in the western district of the Capital City, a guard walked hurriedly to a room and gently knocked a few times.


    "Enter!" azy voice called from inside.


    The guard pushed open the door and walked to the bedside, respectfully addressing the upant as "Your Highness."


    Severalmps were lit in the room, illuminating the pale face of the person on the bed and the bandages wrapped around his exposed abdomen.


    A maid-like figure was carefully cutting away the bandages and cleaning the blood-stained wound with strong alcohol. She then took out a porcin bottle and sprinkled pale yellow medicinal powder on the wound.


    "Any news?" the man on the bed asked.


    This was Prince of Xiang Yuwen Yan, who had been rescued by Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an.


    He had been severely wounded in Jinzhi City and was on the brink of death. He had originally nned to rest for a few days, but on the second day after his wounds were stitched, he found his condition much better than expected. So after leaving behind his jade pendant, he forced himself to leave.


    The people who had stabbed him must have thought he was dead. He couldn''t dy; he had to return quickly to stabilize the situation and prevent years of nning from going to waste.


    "Your Highness, those two people entered the Capital City yesterday and stayed at Fi Inn for a night. Today they went to Junyue Inn, and then moved into a residence on Late Winter Road. We''ve found out that the residence belongs to Zhou Yi, the young master of Junyue Inn," the guard reported, keeping his head lowered.


    "Are you sure it''s them? Don''t make any mistakes," Yuwen Yan emphasized.


    "My brothers and I have all seen the portraits Your Highness provided. The man is definitely Liu Ming''an; we can''t be mistaken. The youngdy with him had her face covered, so we couldn''t see her features clearly, but her figure and bearing match Your Highness''s description."


    "Her face was covered?" Yuwen Yan recalled his conversation with Jiang Ning and smiled. "Of course it was!"


    The wound on his abdomen had been re-dressed with medicinal powder. Yuwen Yan allowed the two attendants to help him sit up, then took the bandages and wrapped them around his wound,yer byyer.


    After putting on his outer robe, Yuwen Yan got up and walked to his writing desk. As he moved, the wound on his abdomen pulled painfully, but his face showed no sign of difort. After all, this pain was nothingpared to when Jiang Ning had stitched his stomach with a needle.


    Yuwen Yan took several sheets of paper, and the maid who had applied the medicine earlier immediately came over to grind the ink.


    Momentster, several sheets filled with writing were folded into a yellow envelope. Yuwen Yan picked up his brush again and wrote "For Miss Jiang Ning" on the envelope, then handed the letter to the waiting guard.


    "Deliver this overnight. Be careful and don''t let anyone discover you," Yuwen Yan instructed seriously.


    "Yes, Your Highness."


    The guard saluted and left immediately.


    "Ah, I''ve finally repaid the Third Young Lady''s kindness," Yuwen Yan sighed to himself after the guard had gone.


    As for Liu Ming''an''s kindness, that would be harder to repay. He''d think about thatter.


    With these thoughts, Yuwen Yan stood up, supporting himself on the armrest of the chair. The maid helped him slowly back to bed.


    He needed to recover from his injuries as quickly as possible. He couldn''t give them any opportunity to take advantage!


    In the dead of night, all was silent.


    Suddenly, Jiang Ning heard a whistling sound in her sleep and instantly opened her eyes.


    The next moment, there was a "thud" from outside, as if something had embedded itself in wood.


    Someone was there!


    Jiang Ning became instantly alert. She made a split-second decision to ce the sleeping Liu Ming''an in the bamboo bed in her spatial realm, then took a knife and went out.


    All around was quiet. A full moon hung in the sky, illuminating a short arrow embedded in a wooden pir.


    The arrowhead was buried deep in the wood, and something was tied to the foot-long arrow shaft¡ªa letter.


    Jiang Ning crouched down, removed the letter, and nced at the words on the envelope. She had a guess about its contents. She pulled the arrow out forcefully and threw it into her spatial realm.


    Back in the room, Jiang Ning brought Liu Ming''an out of the spatial realm and carefully tucked him in. Then she slipped back into the spatial realm and, using the light there, began to read the letter.


    The letter had no salutation or formal structure. It was written like a ledger, but it told Jiang Ning the information she wanted to know.


    The letter read: "Prime Minister Nangong Ya and his wife Luo Siyi were deeply in love. Luo had a cousin named Cheng Qiwen who had loved her since childhood. After Luo married the Prime Minister, Cheng became resentful. During Luo''s pregnancy, he schemed to drug the Prime Minister and arranged for him to have a tryst with another woman. He then led Luo to witness the scene, causing her great distress and resulting in prematurebor, thus driving a wedge between the couple."


    "Cheng Qiwen waster found dead in a remote area. He had been beaten before his death, and his corpse had been mauled by wild dogs, leaving his face unrecognizable. The scene was extremely gruesome."


    "The Prime Minister and his wife''s rtionship was shattered. For three years after giving birth, the Prime Minister''s wife did not see her husband once. Later, when her father passed away, the couple came together to arrange the funeral, which led to their reconciliation."


    "The woman who had the encounter with the Prime Minister was named Lan Xu. She came from a respectable family and was also a victim of Cheng Qiwen''s plot..."


    Jiang Ning suddenly remembered Aunt Lan from Quishui City, and the ancestral tablet inscribed with "Nangong Ling". Some things were now clear without further exnation.


    "Lan Xu, unmarried and dishonored, was too ashamed to return home. She became a nun, butter discovered she was pregnant. In the twelfth month of the 21st year of Yuanning, on the ninth day, she gave birth to a baby girl named Lan Ling."


    The 21st year of Yuanning?


    Jiang Ning''s previous reading of those misceneous books hadn''t been in vain. She at least remembered some history of this dynasty. The 21st year of Yuanning was seventeen years ago.


    So Nangong Ling was seventeen years old.


    As for the date, the ninth day of the twelfth month, Jiang Ning also remembered it. That was the day she and Liu Ming''an had gone to sell couplets at Universal Blessing Temple, and then saw Aunt Lan at the Hall of Longevity.


    The whispered prayer "Bless Ling''er with peace year after year" seemed to echo in her ears, and Jiang Ning''s heart sank.


    That day had been Nangong Ling''s birthday. The mother and daughter had met again after seventeen years, yet neither recognized the other.


    Even the ancestral tablet Lan Xu had requested and the longevitymp she had lit had be futile. The daughter she had been thinking of constantly had already been tortured to death.


    Longevity, longevity, yet in the end, it was a short-lived beauty!


    "When the baby girl was five months old, she fell ill. Unable to afford treatment, Lan Xu took her to the Prime Minister''s Mansion. She knelt and begged Luo Siyi to take good care of her daughter, vowing never to set foot in the Capital City again for the rest of her life."


    "The baby girl became the Third Young Lady of the Prime Minister''s Mansion, Nangong Ling."


    After reading this, Jiang Ning let out a long sigh, feeling infinitely rueful.


    Nangong Ling''s life had been quite bitter.


    Her parents'' union was not born of love but of conspiracy. Except for her mother Lan Xu, no one had looked forward to her birth. Even as a youngdy of the Prime Minister''s Mansion, her existence was like a thorn in the flesh, constantly reminding the Prime Minister''s wife that her husband had once been intimate with another woman.


    No wonder Yuwen Yan had said Nangong Ling was timid, cowardly, and reticent. Growing up in such a family environment, with two legitimate older siblings, she was already unwee. She must have faced cold shoulders and neglect everywhere, and possibly even bullying from her brother and sister. And what about those servants who always followed the prevailing wind? Would they really treat her as the Third Young Lady? It''s likely that servant bullying was amon urrence.


    In modern times, Nangong Ling would probably be diagnosed with depression.


    Living like this, like a transparent person, always cautious and careful, Nangong Ling wouldn''t have tried topete with her brother and sister for favor. So why did she end up offending someone?


    There was onest page of Yuwen Yan''s letter. Jiang Ning, lost in thought, unfolded it.


    "The eldest son of the Prime Minister''s Mansion, Nangong Chenfeng, now twenty-two years old, has given up the pen for the sword and is guarding the border. He hasn''t returned for three years."


    "The second youngdy of the Prime Minister''s Mansion, Nangong Muyan, now seventeen years old, born nine months before the third youngdy, is waiting to be married. She wishes to be matched with Prince of Rui Yuwen Xuan."


    "Time was short, and this prince''s methods were limited. I was only able to investigate the above information to repay Miss Jiang Ning''s kindness in treating my wound. I hope you will forgive any shorings!"


    That was all.


    Jiang Ning put away the letter, storing it in her spatial realm. She slipped out of the realm and, in the moonlight streaming through the window, climbed into bed and hugged Liu Ming''an.


    First, she would sleep. Tomorrow, they would enjoy the Lantern Festival. After that, it would be time to settle old scores and repay debts.

 Chapter 111

    The Lantern Festival, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.


    This kind of festival usually bes lively only at night, so Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an were in no hurry to go out during the day.


    As evening approached, Liu Ming''an removed the hairpin from Jiang Ning''s hair, loosened her cloud-like bun, and braided four or five small its from her temples, wrapping them around her forehead and securing them at the back of her head. He then put a veil on her, leaving only her eyes visible.


    Liu Ming''an examined Jiang Ning''s transformed appearance with great satisfaction. "No one will recognize you like this!"


    Jiang Ning touched the veil on her face, her eyes flickering.


    Soon, very soon, she would be able to appear openly in the capital city, without having to go to great lengths to hide anymore.


    The capital had four districts and eight main streets. Both Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning were unfamiliar with the area, so they leisurely left their lodgings, walking and sightseeing aimlessly as they strolled.


    The sky hadn''tpletely darkened yet, but the shops along the street had already hung upnterns, illuminating the streets as bright as day.


    The streets were crowded with people, interspersed with various sedan chairs and carriages, creating a bustling atmosphere of people and vehicles.


    Stalls emitting steam were set up along the street, with shopkeepers bustling about, never losing the smile on their faces. White, round tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) were served in bowls to customers, who would scoop one up with a spoon, blow on it to cool it down, and then pop it into their mouths with a satisfied smile.


    "Ah Ning, do you want to eat some tangyuan?" Liu Ming''an asked Jiang Ning beside him, smiling at the scene.


    Jiang Ning was tempted, but there were too many people around. To be safe, it was better not to remove her veil.


    "Maybeter, when there are fewer people, we cane back," Jiang Ning said.


    Liu Ming''an immediately understood her concern and nodded, holding her hand as they followed the flow of people in a certain direction.


    They had heard earlier that there was antern festival on Jinse Street, which was very lively. Although they were unfamiliar with the area, following the crowd was always a safe bet.


    As the couple reached Jinse Street, they heard a gruff male voice from behind: "Hey! Make way, make way please! Thank you, thank you!"


    Jiang Ning turned her head at the sound. A burly man was pushing a cart full of winter plum blossoms about to bloom - red, yellow, and white ones, their fragrance wafting through the air. Clearly freshly cut from the branches, they were obviously being taken to a crowded area to sell.


    People instinctively made way, clearing a path ahead. Liu Ming''an also pulled Jiang Ning two steps towards the side of the street. The man kept thanking people as he passed by with his cart.


    Just then, Liu Ming''an felt someone bump into his back. The person then pushed past him, walking towards the center of the street as if no one else was around.


    Liu Ming''an looked closely and saw it was an elderly woman with graying hair.


    The cart was now dangerously close. The man pushing it was startled and shouted while pulling back on the handles, "Olddy, move aside! Move aside!"


    Worried that the old woman might get hit, Liu Ming''an let go of Jiang Ning and stepped forward to grab the old woman''s arm, pulling her back.


    Because it was in a busy market, the cart wasn''t moving very fast. The man managed to stop it and sighed with relief. He then looked at Liu Ming''an with some annoyance. "Young master, can''t you keep an eye on your elderly rtive? Jumping out onto the main road like that, nearly scared the life out of me."


    Liu Ming''an knew the man had misunderstood his rtionship with the old woman, but he didn''t bother to exin such a trivial matter, just smiling it off.


    The cart pusher, not wanting to waste time, called out "Giddyup!" and went on his way.


    Liu Ming''an released his grip, but the old woman still stared nkly ahead, her eyes unmoving as if lost in another world.


    The old woman was dressed in simple but neat clothes, her hair meticulously arranged. She looked to be well over seventy years old.


    Standing beside her, Jiang Ning could smell a faint scent of incense from the old woman''s clothes. ncing at her casually, Jiang Ning noticed golden hairpins in her hair, exquisite jeweled earrings on her earlobes, and a high-quality jade bracelet on her bony wrist.


    Jiang Ning was certain this old woman came from a wealthy or noble family, but for some reason, there was something odd about her overall appearance.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t have Jiang Ning''s professional habits. He just saw that the old woman was very elderly and kindly advised, "Grandmother, please don''t do this again. At your age, any bump or fall could be serious."


    The old woman seemed not to hear, her gaze fixed on a spot, but upon closer inspection, one would notice that her eyes were unfocused, like a soulless wooden puppet.


    Seeing the old woman''s condition, a term involuntarily shed through Jiang Ning''s mind: Alzheimer''s disease.


    "Grandmother! Grandmother!" Liu Ming''an called out again, waving his hand in front of the old woman''s face.


    This motion caught the old woman''s attention. Her eyeballs moved slightly, and she slowly turned her head to look at Liu Ming''an.


    "Grandmother, you shouldn''t go out alone in the future. The situation just now was too dangerous. You should bring your family members¡ª"


    Before he could finish, the old woman''s dull, numb eyes suddenly lit up. She grabbed Liu Ming''an''s sleeve and cried out, "Qingzhi!"


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback, but the old woman, having called out this name, now had tears welling up in her eyes.


    "Qingzhi, have youe back? Do you no longer me your mother? Qingzhi, my child, I''ve missed you so much..."


    The old woman''s eyes were brimming with tears, her expression filled with immense sorrow. As she spoke, she raised her hand, as withered as an old tree branch, trembling as she tried to touch Liu Ming''an''s face.


    Jiang Ning was unfazed by this, knowing that memory confusion and inability to recognize people weremon symptoms of dementia in the elderly. This old woman had probably mistaken Liu Ming''an for her son, though given her age, she was old enough to be Liu Ming''an''s grandmother.


    However, for some reason, the name the old woman called out seemed familiar to Jiang Ning, as if she had heard it somewhere before.


    Liu Ming''an took half a step back, avoiding the old woman''s hand, and said with a gentle smile, "Grandmother, you''ve mistaken me for someone else."


    "Qingzhi, do you still refuse to forgive me? Mother was wrong, I''ve regretted it for so many years. I shouldn''t have said those things to you back then..."


    "Grandmother!" A man''s voice called out from across the street, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps approaching.


    Jiang Ning turned to look and saw a man of about thirty years old, his expression anxious, with several servants in gray clothes following behind him.


    "Oh? Isn''t that Lord Lou?" A nearby vendor sellingnterns looked over upon hearing themotion and eximed with a hint of surprise in his voice.


    "Which Lord Lou?" The mask seller in the neighboring stall also looked up, but his view was blocked by thenterns.


    "Who else could it be? It''s Lord Lou Lianyu, son of Grand Preceptor Lou, the Deputy Chief of the Ministry of Justice."


    "Oh, I see. It''s Lord Lou. What''s he doing here?"


    ...


    Jiang Ning, being closer, clearly heard the vendors'' conversation. She looked at Lou Lianyu again, who had already approached with four or five servants.


    "Grandmother, let''s go home," Lou Lianyu said to the old woman.


    Perhaps due to his hurried arrival, Lou Lianyu''s voice was a bit unsteady, and he was slightly out of breath. Despite the cold weather, there was a thinyer of sweat on his forehead, and his servants were in a simr state.


    But the old woman paid no attention, her eyes fixed on Liu Ming''an, repeatedly calling out "Qingzhi."


    Liu Ming''an, realizing that the old woman''s family had arrived, tried to free his sleeve from her grip, but she held on tightly. Left with no choice, he addressed the man who had called out "Grandmother": "Sir, the elderlydy has mistaken me for someone else."


    Lou Lianyu had initially been focused solely on his grandmother''s safety, with no attention to spare for others. Hearing Liu Ming''an speak, he finally turned his gaze to the person his grandmother had mistaken.


    It wasmon for elderly people to mistake others, especially if they were tall, well-spoken, and appeared schrly - they would often be reminded of that person, even if they looked nothing alike.


    However, this time Lou Lianyu was caught off guard. When he clearly saw Liu Ming''an''s face, he too was stunned. The blurred image in his memory seemed to ovep with the young man before him.


    Liu Ming''an noticed the man''s gaze and asked, puzzled, "Sir, is something wrong?"


    Lou Lianyu snapped back to reality, realizing it was impolite to stare so intently. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "I apologize for my rudeness."


    Liu Ming''an smiled and replied, "It''s no matter," then heard Lou Lianyu continue, "My grandmother is advanced in years and sometimes has trouble remembering things and recognizing people. I hope the young master won''t take offense."


    Lou Lianyu hesitated for a moment before expressing his thoughts: "However, you do look remarkably simr to someone I once knew. Even I felt a bit dazed when I first saw you."


    "Objects can be identical, and people can look alike. It''s normal," Liu Ming''an replied nonchntly.


    Lou Lianyu nodded. Too much time had passed, and he had only been a child then. His memories were no longer clear, but these two people gave him such a simr feeling that he momentarily experienced the illusion of seeing an old acquaintance.


    Realizing this, Lou Lianyu stopped focusing on Liu Ming''an and stepped forward to support the old woman, gently coaxing her, "Grandmother, let''s go home. Everyone is worried about you..."


    The old woman was unmoved by Lou Lianyu''s words, only clutching Liu Ming''an''s sleeve with tears streaming down her face.


    Lou Lianyu patiently tried to persuade her, speaking softly and using various tactics. Finally, he tricked the old woman by saying he would go buy the sugar-filled pastries that Qingzhi loved. Only then did she reluctantly let go.


    "Qingzhi, don''t leave. Stay right here. Mother will go buy you sugar-filled pastries. Please don''t go anywhere!"


    The old woman kept looking back as she walked, her eyes seeking approval from Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an nodded and said in a gentle voice to the old woman, "I won''t leave."


    Only then did the old woman allow Lou Lianyu to support her as they walked away.


    After a few steps, Lou Lianyu looked back in Liu Ming''an''s direction, his eyes full of gratitude. He mouthed silently, "Thank you!"


    After the group had gone far, Liu Ming''an sighed and took Jiang Ning''s hand again, heading towards thentern festival.


    "Ning, I don''t know why, but seeing that old woman made me feel somewhat upset," Liu Ming''an said, his voice much lower.


    "It''s because you have a kind heart," Jiang Ning replied.


    Liu Ming''an smiled. Perhaps that was indeed the reason. It was difficult not to be moved by a frail elderly person weeping before him, seeing through him to remember her own son.


    After walking a couple more steps, Liu Ming''an casually mentioned, "It''s quite a coincidence, though. My father''s name was also ''Qingzhi.'' Maybe I really do have a connection with this old woman."


    In that instant, Jiang Ning remembered where she had heard the name "Qingzhi" before.


    On the tombstone at the foot of the mountain in Lotus Flower Vige, it said "In memory of father Liu Qingzhi." She had seen it three times but had only nced at it briefly each time.


    However, she wasn''t sure which characters made up the "Qingzhi" the old woman spoke of. It could have been "clear," "light," "beloved," "lean"... or perhaps "govern," "aspire," "wisdom"...


    Moreover, that person should have had the surname "Lou" and been from the capital.


    Everything seemed to be just a coincidence, and Jiang Ning didn''t want to dwell on matters unrted to them.


    Aheady the bustlingntern festival with its sea of people. This brief interlude was soon forgotten by the couple.

 Chapter 112

    "A thousand trees burst into bloom with the east wind at night, scattering stars like rain, as bejeweled carriages fill the fragrant roads. The phoenix flute sounds, jadenterns gleam, and fish and dragons dance all night long..."


    Jiang Ning silently recited this timeless verse as she walked hand in hand with Liu Ming''an into the Lantern Festival celebration at the foot of the emperor''s pce.


    Jinse Street was arguably the most prosperous ce in the Capital City. At the end of the long street was Jinse Lake, and on its shore stood the renowned Tianxiang Tower, a ce where countless officials and nobles lingered endlessly.


    However, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning were unaware of this information. It was only when they reached this spot that they discovered thentern festival actually circled around theke, with several exquisite painted boats floating on the water''s surface.


    "Holding antern festival by theke, aren''t they worried about people falling in?" Liu Ming''an couldn''t help but worry as he looked at the crowded scene.


    "Hahaha... Of course people will fall in! That''s what makes it fun!"


    A heartyugh came from behind them. Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning turned to see a man holding a seven or eight-year-old girl in his arms. He had obviously overheard Liu Ming''an''s concern and joined the conversation uninvited.


    "What''s so great about thisntern festival? I''ve seen enough of these shabbynterns. Ie here every year just to watch people fall in and then get fished out like dumplings, hahaha..." The man finished speaking and pinched his daughter''s cheek. "Nini, isn''t Daddy right?"


    "Fall in! Fall in!" The little porcin doll of a girl pped her hands and shouted, her face beaming with a smile.


    "Yes, good. Let''s go over there and wait to see how many people fall in this year!"


    The man finished speaking and, ignoring the strange looks from others around him, carried his child towards thekeside.


    "Oh my, teaching a child like that, I''m afraid he''s raising a little hellion..." A woman nearby who had overheard the conversation said with disdain, pulling her own son in the opposite direction while advising, "You should stay away from people like that in the future. Those who take pleasure in others'' misfortunes are not to be associated with..."


    The little boy, who appeared to be in his early teens, nodded seriously at his mother''s guidance.


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning exchanged nces, both seeing amusement in each other''s eyes.


    "It truly takes all kinds!" Liu Ming''an remarked.


    "To each their own, we needn''t agree," Jiang Ning concurred.


    But things indeed turned out as the man had said. After walking just a few steps, they saw someone slip and fall into theke. People at thekeside routinely extended a long bamboo pole towards him, and once he grabbed it, they pulled him ashore.


    Others around seemed ustomed to such sights, merely ncing over for a moment before returning to their own affairs.


    As Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an leisurely circled theke, they witnessed four falling incidents firsthand.


    At first, entering thentern festival was a dazzling experience, withnterns of various shapes and colors creating a spectacr, breathtaking scene. But after onep, Jiang Ning felt aesthetically fatigued.


    There were also activities like guessingntern riddles and matching couplets, with prizes for winners, but neither of them wanted to draw attention to themselves, so they were content just to watch.


    Just as the couple was losing interest and thinking about getting some tangyuan (sweet rice balls), drum beats and the twang of strings came from the painted boats on theke. Amidst the sounds of various instruments, a woman''s melodious singing voice drifted on the wind.


    "She''s here! Miss Kongfang ising out!"


    The crowd seemed to ignite in an instant, pushing towards thekeside. Liu Ming''an held Jiang Ning''s hand tightly, but they couldn''t resist thebined force of the crowd and were pushed to the edge of theke.


    Several sshes were heard as more people fell into theke, truly like dumplings being dropped into a pot.


    Liu Ming''an quickly grabbed onto a willow tree by theke about as thick as a bowl, steadying himself before pulling Jiang Ning into his arms. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.


    "Thest time I saw a scene like this was at the wine-drinking contest in Wine Selling Town, but those people were pushing to pick up money. I wonder what these people are pushing for?" Liu Ming''an whispered in Jiang Ning''s ear.


    "Well, we can''t leave now anyway, so let''s just watch," Jiang Ning replied.


    Jiang Ning actually disliked such crowded situations, with people packed tightly all around like enoki mushrooms. Fortunately, Liu Ming''an held her in his arms, shielding her from others, which made her feel less ufortable.


    They looked out at theke together. On the foremost painted boat, a woman dressed in thin silk with a light veil over her face cradled a pipa in her arms. She plucked the strings gently, her melodious singing voice continuously reaching the ears of the crowd.


    In this weather, with temperatures just a few degrees above freezing, dressed like that and in such a pose, Jiang Ning thought she understood the woman''s profession.


    She''s quite dedicated to her craft, Jiang Ning mused.


    As the song ended, the surrounding crowd burst into apuse. The woman slowly stood up and gracefully bowed to the people on the shore.


    A bejeweled woman emerged from a nearby boat and called out to the crowd on shore in an affected voice, "Gentlemen! On this auspicious Lantern Festival night, Miss Kongfang wishes to find a gant young man to apany her on the painted boat for some pleasant conversation. Which young master would like to volunteer?"


    As soon as she finished speaking, eager shouts erupted from all around.


    "Miss Kongfang, I have a pair of white jade bracelets for you!"


    "Miss Kongfang, I have a string of South Sea pearl ne I''d like you to ept!"


    "Miss Kongfang, my gift is a premium sandalwood prayer bead bracelet..."


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an were experiencing such a grand scene for the first time and looked at each other in amazement.


    "Just how stunningly beautiful must thisdy be?" Jiang Ning''s attention was fully captured by this spectacle.


    Liu Ming''an, however, was thinking of something else: "They''re so openly consorting with courtesans, don''t their families try to stop them?"


    As the painted boat gradually approached the shore, the crowd surged towards the bow. Liu Ming''an held tightly onto the tree trunk, which prevented them from being pushed to the front.


    Fortunately, the woman''s boat stopped quite far from this willow tree, and people rushed over there, leaving the area around them suddenly spacious. Liu Ming''an let out a long sigh of relief and took Jiang Ning''s hand, walking towards an area away from the crowd. "Ah Ning, there''s nothing worth seeing here. Let''s go get some tangyuan."


    They had only taken a few steps when arge, fat man came running towards them, followed by two servants in gray. One servant carefully held a brocade box, not daring to walk too fast, while the other carried arge bouquet of flowers, calling out, "Young Master, slow down! We''ll make it in time..."


    "Don''t... don''t waste your breath!" the fat man panted, his facial flesh quivering with each breath. He threatened menacingly, "If... if Kongfang''s boat is taken by someone else first, I''ll... I''ll beat you both to death!"


    The two servants were startled and quickened their pace.


    However, the servant holding the box was so focused on his master that he failed to notice what was beneath his feet. He stepped on a round wooden stick from a brokenntern on the ground, his foot slipped, and he lost control, falling forward. The box in his hand was flung out, heading straight for Liu Ming''an''s head.


    Jiang Ning, quick as lightning, pulled Liu Ming''an behind her and swung her leg in a sweeping motion. In the blink of an eye, the box was kicked back towards the fallen servant. The lid popped open upon impact, and a shower of jade fragments spilled out with a tter.

 Chapter 113

    "Ah! My jade lotus flower!"


    The fat man heard the sound and turned around to see this scene. Shocked and flustered, he hurried over to the servant''s side. Staring at the pile of shattered jade pieces and realizing it was beyond repair, anger rose within him. He viciously kicked the servant''s stomach several times.


    "Useless thing! What''s the point of keeping a worthless fool like you? Can''t even handle such a simple task..."


    The servant didn''t dare resist at all, curling up his body as much as possible while crying out, "Young master, please spare me!"


    This spectacle drew the attention of several onlookers, but the people around seemed to recognize this fat man. They just watched from afar, even their discussions deliberately hushed.


    "That Zhu Yuxuan is so cruel to his subordinates! Beating someone in the street, he''s really too arrogant and domineering..."


    "Well, his father is the Minister of Rites. Being ate-in-life only child, of course he grew up spoiled. It''s no wonder he turned out this way..."


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning heard these words clearly, understanding that the person before them was of noble status. Most importantly, he should have met Nangong Ling before.


    To avoid further trouble, Liu Ming''an took Jiang Ning''s hand and started walking towards the exit of thentern festival. But after just two steps, a sinister voice sounded from behind: "Did I say you could leave?"


    The servant holding the flowers, anticipating his master''s thoughts, immediately ran in front of Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an to block their path. Bullying them with his borrowed authority, he spoke: "You dare to walk away after breaking the young master''s things?"


    Jiang Ning turned back to look at the fat man called "Zhu Yuxuan", her eyes somewhat cold.


    The servant who had been kicked to the ground quickly got up. Though clearly in pain himself, he put on an act of utmost loyalty, shouting at the two with feigned indignation: "You two lowlymoners! Do you know how precious this jade lotus flower was? How dare you break it! Even if you forfeit your worthless lives, you can''tpensate for it!"


    After speaking, the servant immediately turned to look at Zhu Yuxuan, his face piling on a fawning smile, his voice tinged with grievance: "Young master, that lotus flower was safely ced in its brocade box. Even if it hit someone''s head, it shouldn''t have shattered. It''s all because this wench kicked it..."


    Hearing these words, the people around secretly sighed, thinking this unfortunate couple was in for trouble.


    Sensing the unfavorable environment, Jiang Ning ignored how the master and his two servants might react and tried to leave with Liu Ming''an.


    "You still dare to leave?" Zhu Yuxuan, seeing himself being ignored, became furious and shouted at the servant holding the flowers, "Old Ninth, stop them!"


    In fact, even without Zhu Yuxuan''s order, Old Ninth knew he couldn''t let these two go so easily. Otherwise, when they returned to the mansion, he wasn''t sure if he''d live to see tomorrow.


    Old Ninth threw the flowers to the ground and reached out to grab Jiang Ning''s arm.


    When picking on someone, always choose the easier target. The man next to her was a head taller than him, so grabbing the woman was the correct choice - this was what countless experiences had taught him.


    Unfortunately, sometimes experience can also be a mental constraint.


    Old Ninth never dreamed that he had picked the wrong soft target.


    Before his outstretched hand could touch Jiang Ning, his arm was suddenly seized, and a violent pain shot through his stomach. The next moment, his body was airborne, and he was thrown out. He thought he would crash heavily to the ground, but instead, he seemed to be caught by something soft and squishy.


    Just as Old Ninth was feeling relieved, Old Seventh pulled him up with a terrified expression, then anxiously called out to the person lying on the ground: "Young master! Are you alright?"


    Old Ninth''s face instantly turned ashen. That damned woman had thrown him onto Zhu Yuxuan!


    Zhu Yuxuan was seeing stars from the impact. His nose had been hit, and bright red blood stained his entire chin, dripping onto his chest, making him look utterly disheveled.


    "I''ll kill both of them!"


    Zhu Yuxuan''s eyes shed with intense hatred as he gritted his teeth and spoke, staring in the direction the two had left and ordering: "Chase them!"


    "Ah Ning..." Liu Ming''an, being pulled along by Jiang Ning, kept looking back, his eyes filled with undisguised worry.


    There were far too many people, and coupled with their unfamiliarity with the area, the two couldn''t move quickly. Jiang Ning knew the three would catch up soon. Her expression darkened, but she still said to Liu Ming''an without looking back: "Don''t worry, I''ll protect you."


    The son of a minister was a big trouble. They absolutely couldn''t act rashly. They had to think of a foolproof n to eliminate any future problems!


    While pondering this, Jiang Ning pulled Liu Ming''an towards the less crowded, secluded alleys. She deliberately slowed her pace, waiting for the master and his two servants to catch up.


    Not knowing the way, Jiang Ning just kept ducking into small alleys where there were no voices. When they walked into a certain dead-end alley with high walls on both sides, she knew this ce was the best choice.


    "Ah Ning, what are we doing here? Shouldn''t we hurry back? To avoid causing more trouble," Liu Ming''an, who had been letting Jiang Ning lead the way, suddenly stopped, feeling uneasy.


    Jiang Ning raised her hand to caress his face, soothing and deceiving him: "Let''sy low for a while, then leaveter. This way we won''t be caught by them."


    However, as soon as she finished speaking, the sound of pping came from the entrance of the alley, followed by Zhu Yuxuan''s sinisterughter: "Hahaha... You two really picked a good ce toy low!"


    Liu Ming''an''s heart jumped in rm, and he stepped forward to shield Jiang Ning behind him.


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow. Although it was unnecessary, this gesture was still quite precious.


    Zhu Yuxuan looked around, his expression growing increasingly smug: "Hmm, no vige in front, no shop behind, not bad at all!"


    Old Seventh stepped forward, smiling ingratiatingly as he showed off: "Young master, if we go a bit further ahead, we''ll be near Master Jia''s ce - you know, the one that caused such a stir recently. Ever since the Jia family was killed by their enemies - over ten people murdered - the locals in this area have all moved away. So, nobody wille here, hehe..."


    "Hahaha... Good! Very good!" Zhu Yuxuan wiped the nosebleed from his chin with his sleeve, his eyes shing dangerously as he looked at Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning. "You two ignorant fools! How dare you break my jade lotus flower and then throw me down? Old Seventh, Old Ninth, first break that man''s arms and legs, and then..."


    Zhu Yuxuan looked at Jiang Ning behind Liu Ming''an with a lecherous grin: "You two force yourselves on that stinking woman in front of this man, hahaha..."


    Hearing this, Liu Ming''an was furious. Forgetting his usualposure, he cursed: "You''re a real beast!"


    "You dare to insult me? Then I''ll have your tongue cut out too!" Zhu Yuxuan red and shouted.


    "You-" Liu Ming''an was about to say more when suddenly he felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck. His vision went ck, his consciousness scattered, and his whole body fell uncontrobly towards the ground.


    Jiang Ning reached out to catch him, propping the unconscious Liu Ming''an against the wall to sit.


    Zhu Yuxuan and his two servants were visibly stunned by Jiang Ning''s actions. Why did this woman knock out her ownpanion? What was going on?


    "Young master, has this woman gone mad?" Old Seventh and Old Ninth prided themselves on having seen all sorts of situations while following Zhu Yuxuan, but this was truly a first for them.


    Zhu Yuxuan thought for a moment, then said smugly: "This woman must not want her man to see her being vited, hahaha... How self-deceptive! Remember to wake that man upter..."


    After settling Liu Ming''an, Jiang Ning stood up and stared at Zhu Yuxuan''s face, which was piled with fat, her eyes full of mockery: "You look like a dead pig, and you talk and act like a stupid pig too."


    Zhu Yuxuan had always hated being called a "pig" more than anything. Hearing this, he trembled with rage, pointing at Jiang Ning and cursing: "You filthy woman, how dare you talk about me like that? You think covering your face like Miss Kongfang makes you as beautiful as her? You ugly freak! Trying to imitate your betters! Ugly people always cause trouble! I''ll make sure you beg for life but can''t live, beg for death but can''t die..."


    Jiang Ning curled her lips, her eyes filled with murderous intent, and coldly uttered two words: "Stupid fool!"

 Chapter 114

    Zhu Yuxuan''s father was Minister Zhu, a high-ranking official in the Imperial Court.


    Minister Zhu had led a smooth and sessful life, but he was unsatisfied in the matter of offspring. He had one primary wife and three concubines. His virtuous wife and beautiful concubines had given him a total of six daughters, but no son.


    Minister Zhu was anxious. Would the Zhu Family lineage end with him?


    Whenever he wasn''t attending court, he would take his wife and concubines to various temples to pray and make offerings. They had worn down the thresholds of every temple in the capital with their frequent visits. Their residence was stered with images of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy who grants children. They had even tried every folk remedy for conceiving a son.


    After the birth of two more daughters, heaven finally answered their prayers. His wife gave birth to a chubby baby boy. Minister Zhu was already forty-seven years old. Watching his son''s birth, he wept with joy and ran to the ancestral hall, kowtowing repeatedly: "Ancestors of the Zhu Family, our lineage will continue!"


    Minister Zhu named his son "Yuxuan." The character "Yu" represented the space of heaven and earth in all directions, while "Xuan" had multiple meanings including doors, windows, and study rooms. Together, the name implied literary and military talent, broad-mindedness, lofty ambitions, and righteousness.


    This child, born with such high expectations, was treated like a precious treasure. Minister Zhu was afraid to let him fall when holding him, afraid he might melt if kept in his mouth. He never spoke a harsh word to the boy, let alone hit or scold him.


    As Zhu Yuxuan grew older and started causing trouble, Minister Zhu, though troubled, remained optimistic. "He''s still young," he thought. "What child isn''t mischievous at this age? He''ll mature on his own when he''s older."


    It was this doting and indulgence that turned Zhu Yuxuan into the detestable figure he was now. Standing before Jiang Ning, he thought he had everything under control, unaware that death was silently approaching.


    Zhu Yuxuan, irritated by Jiang Ning''s contemptuous gaze, pped the shoulders of his servants Seven and Nine. "What are you standing there for? Grab this wench! I want to gouge out those dog eyes of hers first!"


    Jiang Ning, also impatient, didn''t retreat but advanced directly towards the two servants rushing at her.


    Seven and Nine, seeing her charge forward, thought she was trying to escape. They grinned, each reaching out to grab her arms.


    However, before they could touch even a corner of her clothes, Jiang Ning raised her hand, swiftly moving from left to right. A sh of cold white light passed before their eyes, and the next moment, their throats bore knife wounds. Blood gushed out, and the two fell straight down, instantly lifeless.


    Zhu Yuxuan, watching his two servants suddenly fall, hadn''t yet grasped what had happened when Jiang Ning was already in front of him. With a flick of her wrist, she changed the direction of her dagger and plunged it diagonally downward into his fatden belly.


    Intense pain suddenly radiated from his abdomen. Zhu Yuxuan felt all strength leave his body in an instant. He tried to scream, but the woman gripped his chin. With a "crack," his jaw dislocated, and he could no longer control his mouth or make a sound.


    "Fool!" he heard the woman curse again. He struggled to open his eyes, only able to see those cold, emotionless eyes.


    Jiang Ning pulled out the knife. Unable to support himself, Zhu Yuxuan fell backward. His massive body hit the ground with a "thud" in the empty alley.


    But in fact, that stab hadn''t hit any vital organs. He was too fat, his belly full of flesh. Jiang Ning had deliberately avoided a fatal spot, choosing a ce where he could still be saved.


    The reason for this, of course, was to stab him multiple times. What fun was there in killing with a single blow?


    More importantly, she needed to stage the scene and clear herself of suspicion. She couldn''t let Zhu Yuxuan die so easily.


    Now that she had control of the situation, Jiang Ning bent down and wiped the blood from the de on Zhu Yuxuan''s brocade robe. Then she walked back to Liu Ming''an''s side and safely ced him in her spatial pocket.


    When she turned back, Zhu Yuxuan had already dragged his bleeding body several steps towards the alley exit, exactly as Jiang Ning had anticipated.


    Jiang Ning walked unhurriedly to Zhu Yuxuan''s side as he slowly crawled on the ground. She kicked him over and once again plunged her knife into his stomach.


    Zhu Yuxuan''s eyes suddenly widened. The pain made his whole body tremble uncontrobly. In the moonlight, his face, which had been arrogant and domineering just moments ago, was now covered in cold sweat and drained of all color.


    And so, Jiang Ning stabbed him every now and then, until after half an hour, Zhu Yuxuan finally died in agony.


    Jiang Ning bent down, cut a piece of cloth from the dead man''s clothes, dipped it in the still-warm blood, and walked to the wall. Standing on tiptoe, she wrote a few words in blood:


    "Minister, long time no see."


    The woman had taught Jiang Ning that there were two methods to handle a crime scene. One was to erase all possible clues pointing to oneself, making the case impossible to investigate. This method was suitable for assassins like them, killing without leaving a trace, avoiding being targeted.


    The other method was the exact opposite ¨C deliberately leaving clues at the scene to mislead investigators and direct the case in apletely different direction, thus clearing oneself of suspicion.


    Jiang Ning was employing the second method this time.


    She and Liu Ming''an had quarreled with Zhu Yuxuan in public view. If he were to die just like that, even the dumbest investigator would call them in for questioning. Although Jiang Ning was confident she could remain unppable in court, she couldn''t guarantee that all the officials in ancient times were as simple as Song Ming from Lingshan Town.


    What if they tortured a false confession out of them to give Minister Zhu an exnation?


    Moreover, officials in the capital might have seen her face before. She wasn''t ready to expose herself and didn''t want to ruin her wellid ns because of these three fools.


    So, Jiang Ning left the blood writing on the wall, turning this idental homicide into a premeditated revenge killing, pinning the crime on someone who held a grudge against Minister Zhu.


    Furthermore, when killing the two servants and each time she stabbed Zhu Yuxuan, Jiang Ning deliberately used an awkward method. If modern forensic analysis were performed, the medical examiner would conclude that the killer was a left-handed man nearly 1.9 meters tall.


    Although she wasn''t sure if ancient coroners had such skills, Jiang Ning did her best to perfect the details.


    Because it was revenge killing, Zhu Yuxuan couldn''t be allowed to die easily. This was why Jiang Ning had dragged out his torture for half an hour. She personally had no interest in cruel killings.


    With the scene processed, Jiang Ning recalled what the woman had said about the three key elements in solving a case: witness testimony, physical evidence, and confession.


    The physical evidence wasplete, and there would be no confession. Therefore, she needed to create an "eyewitness" topletely clear them of suspicion in this murder case.


    Jiang Ning put away her knife and entered her spatial pocket. Liu Ming''an was sleeping quietly on the bamboo bed. She walked out of the bamboo house and sat on the steps, patiently waiting.


    This ce was indeed rarely visited. Jiang Ning waited until the moon was high in the sky before she heard the sound of a bamboo tube being struck.


    "Second watch of the night!"


    The neer was the Night Watchman. He didn''t enter the alley, only shouting from the open street outside.


    But this was enough for Jiang Ning.


    She emerged from her spatial pocket and silently walked to the alley entrance, no more than a hundred meters from the Night Watchman. Then she pinched the skin over her vocal cords...


    Being a Night Watchman required courage. After all, wandering aroundte at night wasn''t a job for the faint-hearted.


    The Night Watchman of Jinse Street had been doing this job for over a decade. But recently, after Master Jia had died in this area and the surrounding residents had moved away, not even a ghost could be seen here at night. He still felt uneasy every time he passed this alley.


    On this Lantern Festival night, the moon in the sky was so bright it hurt the eyes. The Night Watchman didn''t bring antern, carrying only his bamboo tube as he walked in the moonlight, feeling a bit more confident.


    However, as he approached a certain alley, he seemed to hear voices.


    The Night Watchman stopped and listened carefully. Indeed, someone was speaking. The voice was hoarse, clearly belonging to a burly man.


    "...Hahaha, Minister Zhu, this is what happens when you cross my master!"


    The Night Watchman''s heart tightened. Then he heard heavy footsteps, "thump, thump, thump," allowing him to imagine how tall and strong the walker must be.


    The sound of footsteps and voices gradually faded away from him. The Night Watchman''s heart was pounding, but unable to resist his curiosity, he turned and walked into the alley.


    A faint smell of blood lingered in the air. The Night Watchman swallowed hard, looking at the alley before him with a tightening throat. Mustering his courage, he called out, "Who''s there? Is anyone there?"


    No one answered.


    Reason told him he should turn back immediately, but curiosity gnawed at him like a hundred ws scratching his heart. The Night Watchman finally entered the alley, where he saw three lifeless bodies lying silently on the ground.


    "Ah! Murder! There''s been a murder!"


    The Night Watchman screamed, throwing down his bamboo tube and running towards the government office without looking back.

 Chapter 115

    This Lantern Festival did not pass peacefully.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When Liu Ming''an woke up, he found himself lying in his bed at home. Jiang Ning had pulled up a stool beside the bed and was watching him intently without moving.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After sitting up in bed, Liu Ming''an gently caressed Jiang Ning''s face, his eyes full of tenderness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning tilted her head, softly nuzzling Liu Ming''an''s palm with her cheek. She smiled at him and said, "You must be hungry. I''ve made some noodles. It''s not much, but it''ll do."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With that, Jiang Ning got up and went to the kitchen, returning with two steaming bowls of freshly cooked noodles. She had prepared the noodles first, then given Liu Ming''an the spirit spring water, so the noodles were still piping hot and not at all mushy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When she returned to the room, Liu Ming''an was already seated at the table.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Neither of them had eaten dinner, so they quietly ate their noodles without much conversation. Afterwards, Liu Ming''an went to wash the dishes in the kitchen, then boiled some water for them both to wash up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    By the time they finished washing up and got into bed, it was nearly 11 PM - 1 AM.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As always, Liu Ming''an reached out and pulled Jiang Ning into his embrace, stroking her silky long hair as he said softly, "Go to sleep, Ning. You''ve had a long day. Rest well."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning murmured an assent and closed her eyes in his arms.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Both of them tactfully avoided mentioning the incident in the alley.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an knew why Jiang Ning had knocked him unconscious, and what must have happened in the alley after he passed out. Jiang Ning knew that he knew.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What should have been a joyous Lantern Festival had been ruined by this undeserved cmity, souring the mood of the entire day. Jiang Ning felt those three deserved their fate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But Liu Ming''an was different. For someone who found even ughtering pigs too bloody, Jiang Ning couldn''t possibly kill people in front of him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Knowing about something was one thing; witnessing it firsthand was quite another.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The next day, the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning woke up intending to make breakfast, but Liu Ming''an stopped her. He left the house carrying a food box and a ceramic pot, returning a whileter with arge bowl full of tangyuan (glutinous rice balls).<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Even though the Lantern Festival has passed, we should still eat tangyuan," Liu Ming''an said as he went to the kitchen to fetch two bowls, dividing the tangyuan between them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The festival''s over. Where did you manage to buy tangyuan?" Jiang Ning asked curiously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an casually exined, "There''s always some left unsold. I asked around at a small stall and had them cook these specially for us. They''re filled with ck sesame and red bean paste. Try one."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an scooped up a plump white tangyuan with his spoon and held it to Jiang Ning''s lips. After she ate it, he asked, "How does it taste?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The tangyuan was soft and chewy, with fragrant ck sesame bits inside. The red bean paste was smooth, and the soup had a hint of rice wine that perfectly bnced the sweetness. With one bite, the vors lingered pleasantly in the mouth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nodded and said "Delicious" before picking up her own spoon to eat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an watched her with a smile, his eyes full of unconscious adoration.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After finishing their meal, Liu Ming''an resumed his usual routine of reading and writing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning sat nearby grinding ink, asionally stealing nces at Liu Ming''an''s profile when she had nothing else to do.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    To Jiang Ning, there was something captivating about Liu Ming''an when he was fully focused. Sometimes he would furrow his brow, other times he appeared deep in thought. He would carefully examine scrolls while muttering to himself, or pick up his brush to write a few lines... Jiang Ning observed his every movement, a faint smile constantly ying on her lips.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Liu! Sister-inw! Are you home?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At some point, a shout came from outside the courtyard. Liu Ming''an looked up from his books and smiled towards the main gate, saying, "Brother Zhou is here!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''ll go open the door."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning got up and walked towards the main gate. As soon as she opened it, Zhou Yi''s beaming face came into view.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Good morning, sister-inw!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhou."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    They exchanged brief greetings as Liu Ming''an finished tidying up his desk and came out. The three of them sat down on stone benches in the courtyard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh my, Brother Liu, sister-inw, after I went back that day, I''ve been rushed off my feet. For the past couple of days, my mother sent me to work in the outskirts of the capital. Today''s the first chance I''ve had to catch my breath... I haven''t been able toe see you. Have you settled in alright?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As soon as he sat down, Zhou Yi started chattering away like a cascade of beans. Liu Ming''an smiled and replied, "Everything''s fine. Thank you for your concern, Brother Zhou."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning got up to fetch a pot of water from the kitchen, then returned to her room to take a nap, allowing the two men to chat freely without worrying about her presence.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She needed to rest well, as she had ns to find Steward Ma tonight.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning, Ning..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After an indeterminate amount of time, Jiang Ning vaguely heard someone calling her name. She opened her eyes to find Liu Ming''an sitting by the bed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You''re awake? Come, let me help you with your hair," Liu Ming''an said with a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning made a sound of assent and got up from the bed to sit at the dressing table, allowing Liu Ming''an to style her hair.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "When did youe in? I didn''t hear a thing," Jiang Ning said casually, though she felt somewhat uneasy inside.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sinceing to this world, she had been living toofortably and had lost the vignce expected of an assassin. For Liu Ming''an to enter the room and sit by her bed without her noticing ¨C in the past, she would have died countless times over in such a situation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She wasn''t sure if this change was for better or worse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Thinking of this, Jiang Ning inwardly sighed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I just came in. It''s time for dinner, so I came to wake you," Liu Ming''an replied, unaware of Jiang Ning''s thoughts as he focused on arranging her hair.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Did Brother Zhou have food sent over again?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Recalling Zhou Yi''s usual way of doing things, Jiang Ning asked, and sure enough, received an affirmative answer from Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, and Brother Zhou said he wants to take me fishing this afternoon. Ning, do you want toe?" Liu Ming''an asked as he finished inserting the hairpin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You two go ahead. Don''t worry about me," Jiang Ning replied without hesitation. As she was about to leave the room, she added, "I have something to do tonight and probably won''t be back. Don''t worry about me."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an guessed it was rted to the Prime Minister''s Mansion. Unable to help, he could only nod and advise, "Please be careful!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I will," Jiang Ning promised solemnly, looking into his eyes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After the three of them finished eating, they sat in the courtyard for a while. A waiter from Jun Yue Restaurant came to clear away the dishes and brought fishing rods and a bucket.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Sister-inw, I''ll be taking Brother Liu out now," Zhou Yi said cheerfully to Jiang Ning as he pulled Liu Ming''an out the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhou, where are we going fishing?" Liu Ming''an asked with a smile as they left, carrying the fishing rod.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, you''ll see when we get there!" Zhou Yi was so excited he was practically floating as he walked. "It''s been so busy during the New Year period, I haven''t been able to fish for ages. Zhang Shun has left too, but luckily you''re here now. Today we''re going to fish to our heart''s content!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had rarely fished before, and he didn''t quite understand Zhou Yi''s enthusiasm for the activity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Was sitting there holding a rod for half a day really that appealing?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But seeing Zhou Yi''s eager expression, Liu Ming''an wouldn''t say anything to dampen his spirits. He had nothing else to do anyway, and he''d caught up on most of his reading. With Ning going out tonight, rather than staying at home worrying and letting his imagination run wild, he might as well go out with Zhou Yi. It would also give him a chance to ask about the happenings in the capital.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 116

    Zhou Yi led Liu Ming''an through the streets and alleys, chatting with him about various aspects of the Capital City along the way.


    They discussed which districts were home to the nobility, which streets had the best scenery, where one could listen to storytellers, and where to watch opera performances... all rather trivial matters.


    The Lantern Festival had passed, but thenterns on the streets hadn''t been taken down yet. However, they didn''t look particrly impressive in broad daylight.


    As the two were walking down a certain street, they noticed arge crowd gathering ahead, chattering excitedly with a mix of fear and excitement on their faces.


    Liu Ming''an nced around at the surroundings and realized this was Jinse Street, the ce where he and Jiang Ning had been cornered by those three servants yesterday.


    "Hey, what''s all thismotion about?" Zhou Yi asked Liu Ming''an curiously, noticing the crowd.


    "I have no idea," Liu Ming''an replied, his expression somewhat unnatural.


    Zhou Yi, being the type who loved to join in on excitement, said, "Let''s go check it out!" and promptly headed in that direction.


    Liu Ming''an lowered his gaze and remained rooted to the spot.


    A momentter, Zhou Yi returned with his eyes gleaming, and whispered to Liu Ming''an: "Brother Liu, it''s a murder case!"


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes flickered, and Zhou Yi continued mysteriously: "The deceased seems to be someone with connections. Even Master Lou from the Ministry of Justice hase to the scene personally."


    Just then, the crowd suddenly parted in the middle as several officials held them back. A man with an upright posture emerged from the alley.


    "Look! That''s Master Lou," Zhou Yi said, nodding towards the man.


    Liu Ming''an looked over and found Master Lou somewhat familiar. After careful consideration, he realized it was the grandson of the olddy from yesterday.


    "Is Master Lou skilled at solving cases?" Liu Ming''an turned to ask Zhou Yi, with a hint of barely noticeable worry in his eyes.


    "How would I know? I''m just a merchant; I don''t have much to do with officialdom," Zhou Yi replied.


    Seeing that they had witnessed enough of themotion, Zhou Yi pulled Liu Ming''an along as they continued walking, casually sharing what little he knew.


    "But this Master Lou is exceptionally brilliant! He was the top schr in the imperial examinations in the Fifth Year of Chongming. His father is the Grand Preceptor, and his grandfather was the former Grand Preceptor. A family of important court officials. Although he''s only the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice now, he''s bound to take over his father''s position sooner orter."


    At this point, Zhou Yi looked around cautiously, and seeing no one nearby, he boldly continued: "People say that as long as the Emperor of Great Liang bears the surname Yuwen, only members of the Lou family will sit in the position of Grand Preceptor."


    As they talked, the two arrived at a ce that was very familiar to Liu Ming''an ¡ª Jinse Lake.


    "Brother Zhou, is this where you brought me to fish?" Liu Ming''an asked, looking at the vast Jinse Lake before them.


    Last night, this ce had been packed with people, the bustling scene still vivid in his mind. After one night, apart from the tramplednterns on the ground, only a few people remained.


    "That''s right!" Zhou Yi nodded affirmatively, leading Liu Ming''an to a familiar spot with stone bs. He sat down, lifting his robes, and started to bait his fishing hook.


    Liu Ming''an smiled at Zhou Yi''s eagerness and mimicked his actions. After they both cast their lines into the water, he casually asked, "Brother Zhou, tell me about Prime Minister Nangong."


    "Prime Minister Nangong?" Zhou Yi asked in surprise. "Why are you asking about Prime Minister Nangong? Do you want to be his disciple?"


    No, I want to be his son-inw! Liu Ming''an thought to himself.


    But he couldn''t say that out loud, so he made up an excuse: "The Prime Minister and the Grand Preceptor are both heads of the civil service. You just mentioned Grand Preceptor Lou, so I was curious about Prime Minister Nangong."


    "Oh, I see." Zhou Yi didn''t suspect anything and tried to recall what he knew about the Prime Minister, but after racking his brains, he could onlye up with some street gossip.


    "Well, Prime Minister Nangong is a good official. They say he and his wife are deeply in love and he''s never taken a concubine. The Prime Minister''s wife is probably from an official''s family too. My father said she was a great beauty in her youth. They have a daughter, and Zhang Shun was fortunate enough to see her once. He said she was as beautiful as a goddess..."


    "Brother Zhang has seen the Nangong youngdy?" Liu Ming''an was startled.


    "Yes, Zhang Shun''s family has connections in official circles, and he said he had seen her."


    Liu Ming''an understood that Zhang Shun must have seen one of Jiang Ning''s sisters.


    "Brother Zhou, is there any other information about Prime Minister Nangong?"


    Zhou Yi furrowed his brow and thought hard for a while, but could only smile helplessly in the end. "Ah, Brother Liu, you''ve really stumped me. I''m not familiar with official circles at all. If Zhang Shun were here, he could tell you more details, but this is all I know."


    Liu Ming''an nodded and didn''t ask further. He turned his head to seemingly focus on the fishing float, but his mind was in chaos, unclear about what he was thinking.


    Meanwhile, in the courtyard on Late Winter Road, not long after Zhou Yi had taken Liu Ming''an out, Jiang Ning also put on a veil and left the house.


    She needed to make some preparations to try and resolve everything tonight.


    She not only wanted revenge but also to clear Nangong Ling''s name!


    Jiang Ning first went to a clothing shop and bought a set of mourning clothes. The coarse linen garment, entirely in stark white, looked eerie.


    Then she visited a shop selling rouge and powder, buying several boxes of brightly colored rouge and some tools for drawing eyebrows and applying lipstick.


    Finally, Jiang Ning went to the market and bought a live chicken.


    Returning home, Jiang Ning took the chicken to the kitchen, picked up a knife, and swiftly cut off its head, carefully collecting every drop of blood in a small bowl.


    Carrying the chicken blood, Jiang Ning recalled her miserable state when she had first transmigrated here, and began smearing the blood on the mourning clothes, creating a blood-stained garment.


    Next, Jiang Ning took up the pile of rouge, selecting a few to mix colors, and when satisfied, began applying it to her face. After finishing her face, she also decorated her exposed neck and hands.


    As the time approached 5-7 PM and daylight began to fade, Jiang Ning disheveled her long hair, put on the blood-stained clothes, and entered her spatial ability, heading towards Wei Fangxiong''s house.


    Fortunately, Liu Ming''an had been called away by Zhou Yi today, otherwise Jiang Ning would have worried about frightening him with her "ghostly appearance".


    She found it a bit strange, though. Given Liu Ming''an''s personality, even if he was having a great time with Zhou Yi, he wouldn''t forget toe home for dinner, would he?


    There was no time to dwell on such thoughts now. Jiang Ning knew Zhou Yi was a good person, and the two of them might have gotten too engrossed in fishing and lost track of time.


    Jiang Ning slowly made her way to the outside of Wei Fangxiong''s courtyard using her spatial ability, just in time to see a middle-aged man step through the gate.


    Behind the door, Wei Fangxiong greeted the man with a shifty smile, "Ah, Ma Steward, you''re here... Ha ha... Right on time, ha ha..."


    So this was Ma Steward.


    Jiang Ning quietly observed him. As expected of the Prime Minister''s household steward, he carried himself with a certain dignity, looking every bit like a master himself.


    "Where''s the jade gourd you mentioned? Where is it?" Ma Steward asked Wei Fangxiong impatiently as soon as he entered.


    Wei Fangxiong, both nervous and embarrassed, could onlyugh awkwardly and say, "Don''t rush, don''t rush,e with me," as he led the man inside.


    Jiang Ning, meanwhile, waited leisurely outside the courtyard.


    It was the sixteenth day of the month, and the moon seemed even fuller than yesterday.


    Jiang Ning idly raised her head, looking at therge, round moon through the blood-red barrier of her spatial ability, her thoughts unconsciously wandering.


    She wondered what Liu Ming''an was doing right now.

 Chapter 117

    Liu Ming''an was fishing, and with great sess.


    The wooden bucket he and Zhou Yi had brought was already full of fish of various sizes, including a turtle.


    Throughout the afternoon, Liu Ming''an repeated the motions of casting and reeling, gradually discovering the joy of fishing.


    When he came to his senses, the sky had already darkened. Liu Ming''an looked up and realized it was already dusk.


    "Brother Zhou, I need to head home. Are you going to keep fishing?" Liu Ming''an asked Zhou Yi as he put away his fishing rod.


    Zhou Yi had his fill of fun, and with the darkness setting in, it was getting chilly to sit there. So he stood up as well, saying, "I''m done too. Let''s go home!"


    The two men walked back carrying a bucket of fish. Zhou Yi btedly realized that he hadn''t eaten dinner yet.


    But that wasn''t the main issue.


    The key problem was that he had inadvertently caused Liu Ming''an to miss dinner at home too!


    "Brother Liu, will your wife be angry if you return home at this hour?" Zhou Yi asked, feeling a bit embarrassed. He didn''t know what kind of rtionship Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning had, but in his own home, if his father did something like this, he''d be sleeping in the guest room that night.


    Liu Ming''an smiled reassuringly at Zhou Yi, "It''s alright, Jiang Ning is very understanding."


    Most importantly, Jiang Ning was going out tonight, so there would be no one at home.


    As Liu Ming''an thought about this, he sighed inwardly, looking up at the bright moon in the sky, his heart filling with an indescribable worry.


    He hoped that Jiang Ning would be safe and sessful, Liu Ming''an thought.


    The two walked along Jinse Street for a while, chatting casually now and then. At a certain point, Liu Ming''an suddenly spotted a familiar figure in his line of sight.


    It was that olddy who had mistaken him for someone else!


    Liu Ming''an immediately recognized the confused elderly woman. She was still dressed in simple but neat attire. At this moment, she was standing alone at the corner where they had met yesterday, holding a paper package, looking as lost as a child, with a clearly sorrowful expression on her face.


    Liu Ming''an''s heart tightened. He handed his fishing rod to Zhou Yi, saying, "Brother Zhou, let''s part ways here. I have something to attend to. We''ll meet again another day."


    "Huh? I was nning to share half the fish with you," Zhou Yi looked at Liu Ming''an in surprise.


    "No need, Jun Yue Restaurant is close by, you can take them all there," Liu Ming''an said. He waved goodbye to Zhou Yi and started walking towards the olddy.


    Zhou Yi assumed he was just in a hurry to get home and didn''t think much of it. He took the rod and the bucket, turned his steps, and headed down a small alley connecting Xichun Road and Jinse Street.


    "Old Madam Lou, why are you here alone?" Liu Ming''an asked as he stopped beside the olddy.


    Yesterday, that Mr. Lou had called her "grandmother," so clearly this elderlydy must be the wife of the old Grand Preceptor.


    The olddy''s gaze was vacant, just like yesterday, and she didn''t seem to hear Liu Ming''an''s question.


    Liu Ming''an used the same trick as before, waving his hand in front of the olddy''s eyes to attract her attention.


    "Old Madam Lou, where are your maids and servants? Why aren''t they with you¡ª"


    Before he could finish, the olddy''s hand, like a withered tree branch, grabbed onto Liu Ming''an''s sleeve. Her cloudy eyes suddenly filled with tears.


    "Qingzhi!" the olddy called out with deep emotion.


    "Ah~ You''ve mistaken me for someone else again," Liu Ming''an smiled helplessly.


    "Qingzhi, mother bought you some sugar-coated nuts, look..." The olddy raised her other hand, offering the paper package to Liu Ming''an, her face showing a hopeful and pleading expression. "Won''t you stay? Won''t youe home with me?"


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback. He looked at the package of sweets, then at the olddy''s silver hair, wrinkled face, and her old, dim eyes. He understood this was a mother''s deep longing for her child, and felt a surge of sympathy.


    Liu Ming''an reached out and took a piece of candy from the package, putting it in his mouth. The sugar-coated nuts had a filling made of crushed peanuts, walnuts, melon seeds, and almonds, covered with ayer of sugar, fried in oil, sprinkled with white sesame seeds, and rolled in soybean flour. It was crispy, sweet, and fragrant in his mouth.


    "Is it good? You used to love these the most. I went to that special shop to buy them," the olddy said through her tears, but with a smile that revealed a hint of bitterness and heartache.


    "It''s delicious," Liu Ming''an answered with a smile, and saw the olddy immediately light up like a child.


    "Thene home with me. I''ll buy them for you every day," she said.


    Before Liu Ming''an could say anything more, the olddy urgently tugged at his sleeve, pulling him in another direction. She held on tightly, as if afraid he might break free.


    Liu Ming''an had initially intended to stay with the olddy until her family came to find her, but he hadn''t expected her to want to take him home.


    "Old Madam, let''s just wait here for a while..." he tried to say.


    The olddy ignored him, muttering "home" over and over as she kept walking forward.


    Well, I might as well escort her home, Liu Ming''an thought.


    After all, Jiang Ning wasn''t at home, and it was cold out with the wind picking up at night. He was worried about the olddy getting chilled.


    So Liu Ming''an said no more, allowing the olddy to hold onto his sleeve while he moved forward to support her as they walked in the direction she wanted to go.


    They walked through two long streets, leaving the bustling market behind. The number of stalls gradually decreased, and the restaurants and shops along the street were reced by spacious, grand mansions.


    Liu Ming''an remembered what Zhou Yi had said about theyout of the capital city. It could be roughly divided into four districts and eight streets. The four districts referred to the area closest to the imperial pce, divided into east, west, south, and north, where the wealthy and noble lived. The eight streets were outside the four districts, where ordinary citizens resided.


    As Liu Ming''an followed the olddy, their surroundings became increasingly quiet. He realized they must have entered one of the four districts.


    As they turned a corner, he saw two figures ahead who looked like maids, carryingnterns and searching anxiously. When they spotted the pair, their eyes lit up, and they rushed over in a few quick steps.


    "Old Madam!" The two maids, who looked about the same age as Liu Ming''an, were covered in sweat and out of breath as they approached.


    They first cast a wary nce at Liu Ming''an, then reached out to support the olddy''s other arm, trying to pull her to their side.


    "Old Madam, you went out again without telling anyone. The Grand Preceptor, the Young Grand Preceptor, the Madam, and the Young Madam have all been worried sick. Even the Young Master keeps asking, ''Where has great-grandmother gone?'' Oh dear..." One of the maids, with a round face, spoke in a slightly reproachful but gentle tone, her expression one of relief.


    Seeing that the olddy''s maids had found her, Liu Ming''an let go of her arm, intending to take his leave.


    But as soon as he stepped back, he saw the olddy brush off the maids'' hands and look at him pleadingly. "Qingzhi! Come home with mother, please. I''m begging you,e home..."


    The two maids exchanged a nce, realizing that the olddy was once again mistaking someone for her lost son.


    "Old Madam, he''s not who you think he is. You''re mistaken," the round-faced maid said, trying to support her again, but the olddy avoided her touch.


    "Qingzhi,e home with mother!" Tears welled up in the olddy''s eyes once more.


    The round-faced maid was about to persuade her again when the thinner maid pulled her back. "Yan Cui, it''s no use. Only the Grand Preceptor and the Young Grand Preceptor can convince her. We can''t do it."


    "Then what should we do, Hua Fei? Should I go call them out?" Yan Cui furrowed her brow, looking troubled at the scene before her.


    As the two were considering what to do, the olddy suddenly seemed to regain her rity and ordered them, "There''s no need for you to call anyone. I''ll go back myself. I want to tell them I''ve found Qingzhi."


    With that, the olddy forcefully pulled Liu Ming''an towards a mansion. The two maids could only follow, trying to cate Liu Ming''an, "Sir, we''re sorry for the trouble. Please don''t worry, once we reach the Grand Preceptor''s Mansion, the Grand Preceptor and the Young Grand Preceptor will persuade the Old Madam. You''ll only need to stay for a short while."


    Liu Ming''an responded with a nonchnt "Alright."


    He figured he might as well walk this extra distance, if only to indulge the olddy''s longing for her son.

 Chapter 118

    Liu Ming''an was pulled into the Grand Preceptor''s Mansion by Old Madam Lou.


    Along the way, the servants who had been searching for the olddy nced at them, discreetly observing the unfamiliar Liu Ming''an.


    Yan Cui and Hua Fei carriednterns in front to light the path, asionally turning back to say a word or two to Liu Ming''an: "Young master, once you see the Old Grand Preceptor or the Grand Preceptor, it will be fine. The old madam will listen to them. We''ve wasted your time, please forgive us!"


    Liu Ming''an smiled and replied, "It''s no trouble."


    After entering the main gate of the Grand Preceptor''s Mansion, Hua Fei gave Yan Cui a look. Yan Cui understood and ran off towards the inner courtyard to find someone.


    Judging by the old madam''s demeanor, she intended to bring this strange man to the study.


    The old madam might be confused, but as servants, they couldn''t afford to be. Who knew who this person was? The study contained many important things. If this young man harbored ill intentions and caused trouble under these circumstances, it would be disastrous.


    So Yan Cui went to call the Old Grand Preceptor and the Grand Preceptor to persuade the old madam. They could rify things while standing in the courtyard, and then she could politely escort this young master out of the mansion.


    Before Yan Cui reached the study, she saw the Grand Preceptor supporting the Old Grand Preceptor as they walked out. The Grand Preceptor hadn''t even changed out of his official robes, clearly having just returned from court discussions at the pce.


    "Yan Cui, has the old madam been found?" Grand Preceptor Lou Baili asked the maid rushing towards them.


    Yan Cui nodded and quickly exined the situation: "We found her, but she''s mistaken someone''s identity again. She brought back a young master, wanting to see you. They''ve already entered the mansion and are heading this way. Your servant came to inform you first."


    Lou Baili and the Old Grand Preceptor exchanged a nce, both seeing helplessness in each other''s eyes.


    This wasn''t the first or second time.


    In these past twenty-some years, they had lost count of how many "Qingzhis" the old madam had brought back.


    "Father, you wait here first, and I''ll go persuade Mother toe back," Lou Baili said, intending to hand the old man over to Yan Cui''s support while he went to find his mother, but he was stopped.


    "Let''s go see together," Old Grand Preceptor Lou Yuhuan slowly spoke, then muttered to himself, "Didn''t Lianyu say yesterday that she met someone who looked very much like Qingzhi? Perhaps she went out again today and brought back that person..."


    He was seventy-three this year and didn''t know how much longer he would live. The old madam had her obsessions, and so did he, except that he was still clear-minded with good hearing and eyesight.


    But there were times when he indulged in fantasy.


    Perhaps this time, the person really did resemble Qingzhi somewhat.


    They probably would never meet again in this life, but he wanted to see that person once more, even if there was only a slight resemnce.


    Lou Baili said nothing more and supported Lou Yuhuan as they walked out of the courtyard. When they reached the pavilion in the garden, they saw Hua Fei holding antern, guiding the old madam and a man with an upright posture towards them.


    The light under the corridor was dim, and Lou Baili and Lou Yuhuan couldn''t yet make out the man''s face clearly.


    "Mother''s not too far off this time. At least this person''s build and bearing are about eighty percent simr," Lou Baili said lightly, with a somewhat joking tone.


    "Indeed," Lou Yuhuan responded, looking at the figure with a somewhat dazed expression.


    As the three drew closer, Liu Ming''an''s handsome face came fully into Lou Baili''s view, and he no longer had any inclination to jest.


    The resemnce was uncanny!


    This person looked too much like him!


    The facial features were only about sixty percent simr, but the overall impression he gave was identical to that person.


    Lou Baili turned to look at his father and saw Lou Yuhuan with his mouth slightly open, a hint of moisture in his eyes.


    "Qingzhi..." Lou Baili heard his father murmur softly.


    The old madam saw the father and son and quickly walked over, pulling Liu Ming''an along: "Old man, Baili, I''ve found Qingzhi!"


    Liu Ming''an had already spotted the two men, and their identities were easy to guess.


    The elderly man over seventy must be the Old Grand Preceptor, and the man in his fifties wearing official robes must be the current Grand Preceptor.


    As amoner, Liu Ming''an should bow to officials, but just as he lifted his robe and was about to make any other move, he heard the Old Grand Preceptor hurriedly say, "No need to bow!"


    "I''ve brought Qingzhi back, brought him back..." the old madam repeated eagerly to the father and son, as if she had finally aplished a long-cherished wish.


    Liu Ming''an stood awkwardly in ce, just waiting for these two distinguished individuals to persuade the old madam so he could leave early.


    "Hua Fei, bring tea!" Lou Baili suddenly ordered, startling Liu Ming''an and the two little maids.


    "Hurry!"


    Lou Baili urged, and Hua Fei responded with a "Yes," handing thentern to Yan Cui before heading to the kitchen.


    "Young master, if you''re not in a hurry, please stay for a while longer," Lou Baili turned to Liu Ming''an after Hua Fei left, gesturing towards the nearby pavilion in invitation.


    "Grand Preceptor Lou, I..."


    Liu Ming''an wanted to refuse, but before he could finish, an old voice with a slight tremor came: "Young master, please stay for a cup of tea before you go."


    It was the Old Grand Preceptor who spoke.


    Liu Ming''an looked at this equally white-haired old man, feeling the intense gaze fixed upon him, and finally nodded.


    The four entered the pavilion and sat down. Three pairs of eyes were all fixed on Liu Ming''an, making him feel ufortable, especially with the old madam still clutching his sleeve and pushing a box of sweet-heart candies towards him.


    Hua Fei returned with the tea, and Lou Baili got up to walk to the old madam''s side, speaking to her in a low voice for quite a while. Afterwards, the olddy stuffed the paper package full of sweet-heart candies into Liu Ming''an''s arms, gazed at him regretfully several times, and then obediently allowed the two maids to support her as she left.


    Lou Baili returned to his seat, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of tea for Liu Ming''an.


    The head of all officials pouring tea for an unknownmoner made Liu Ming''an feel overwhelmed with the honor, knowing it was all due to his face. He hurriedly epted with both hands, saying, "Thank you, Grand Preceptor."


    Having maneuvered in officialdom for many years, the Lou father and son could gauge a person''s character at a nce.


    Now, with Liu Ming''an sitting properly upright, his gaze fixed only on the tea in front of him, they could naturally see that this young man was very nervous and ufortable sitting here.


    "Young master, please don''t take offense. It''s just that this old man misses his son too much and wanted to keep you for a cup of tea. There''s no other intention," Lou Yuhuan spoke slowly, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Liu Ming''an, as if seeing that dashing young man who once graced the Capital City.


    Liu Ming''an nodded, indicating his understanding, and then heard Lou Baili say, "Over the years, my mother has brought back many ''Qingzhis'', but you resemble him the most."


    This was the second time Liu Ming''an heard his father''s name from a member of the Lou family. He wanted to say that his father was also named Qingzhi, but after some thought, he decided against it.


    It seemed too deliberate, with a hint of trying to curry favor.


    "Young master, may I ask your name?" Lou Baili asked casually.


    Liu Ming''an politely answered, "My surname is Liu, and I am called Liu Ming''an."


    "Master Liu¡ª"


    Before Lou Baili could finish saying "zi", there was a sudden "crash" from beside him. It turned out that Lou Yuhuan had identally knocked over his teacup.


    Liu Ming''an and Lou Baili were drawn to the sound, discovering that the old man''s knees were soaked, with hot tea still steaming.


    Lou Baili was about to inquire about Lou Yuhuan''s condition when he saw him staring intently at Liu Ming''an. The Old Grand Preceptor, who had remained calm even when facing the Emperor in his prime, now spoke with a trembling voice.


    "Ming... an... is it the Ming''an from ''bright wisdom and courtesy, lifelong peace''?"


    Hearing the Old Grand Preceptor''s question, Liu Ming''an was too surprised to speak, as certain memories awakened in an instant.


    "Ming''an, do you know why your father gave you this name?" His father lifted him high, letting him straddle his shoulders, smiling as he asked.


    The young Liu Ming''an, tugging at his father''s hair, answered in his childish voice, "I don''t know."


    "Because your father hopes you will have bright wisdom and courtesy, and lifelong peace."


    It seemed to be one afternoon, at sunset, when the whole world was bathed in an orange glow. Liu Ming''an couldn''t clearly remember his father''s expression as he said these words, he only remembered the man''s voice, as gentle as a spring breeze.

 Chapter 119

    Lou Baili didn''t understand why Lou Yuhuan had such a strong reaction to Liu Ming''an''s name. He also didn''t know why Liu Ming''an looked so incredulous upon hearing this question.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan was still eagerly waiting for Liu Ming''an''s answer. After a moment, they saw the young man nod.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It is these two characters, and..." Liu Ming''an paused, a thought shing through his mind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He continued: "My father said the meaning behind giving me this name was exactly the eight characters you just mentioned - wisdom and courtesy, a peaceful life."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Now it was Lou Baili''s turn to be surprised. Both "Ming" and "An" weremon characters used in names, with various meanings. How could Lou Yuhuan urately state the meaning behind Liu Ming''an''s name?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Was this young man deliberately agreeing with him? To curry favor?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But when Lou Baili looked towards Liu Ming''an, the young man''s eyes were clear and bright, open and honest, without any trace of ttery or ingratiating behavior. Even when facing him, a high-ranking official, the youth remained neither servile nor arrogant, but polite andposed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Before Lou Baili could figure out the reason behind this, Lou Yuhuan was already tearful beside him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an watched as the old Grand Tutor rose from his seat and walked to his side. When he opened his mouth, his voice was choked with emotion: "Your name is Ming''an, Ming''an, Ming''an... He gave you this name... I knew it, how could there be two people so simr without reason..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan stared intently at Liu Ming''an, tears blurring his vision. In his daze, he recalled that afternoon when the whole family was in a flurry of excitement.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Father, sister-inw has given birth! It''s a boy! I''m an uncle now, and you''re a grandfather, haha..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, Father, have you chosen a name for my nephew?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Lianyu? Call him Lou Lianyu? Hmm~ That''s too literary, hard to pronounce! I''ll name my own children in the future."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "If I have a son, haha... I''ll call him ''Ming''an'', meaning wisdom and courtesy, a peaceful life..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Baili, seeing his father in tears, was greatly rmed and quickly stood up to inquire: "Father, what''s wrong?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an felt a tightness in his chest, that seemingly absurd thought from earlier seeming to be reality.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "My father''s name is... Liu Qingzhi. The ''Qing'' of green hills and the ''Zhi'' of arriving in session," Liu Ming''an stood up, looking at the old man before him, slowly speaking of the person in his memory, wanting to confirm something: "He had excellent calligraphy and could paint. He knew the Four Books and Five ssics by heart... He had a red birthmark the size of a broad bean on his right wrist."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an stopped there, because there was no need to say more. The expressions of the Grand Tutor and the Tutor said it all.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You are... you are Qingzhi''s child!" Lou Yuhuan seemed to use all his strength to utter thisplete sentence.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an sighed, allowing Lou Yuhuan to weep on his shoulder, unsure of his own feelings. He had thought that in this world, apart from Jiang Ning, no one else had any connection to him. Yet unexpectedly, in one night, he had gained so many rtives.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    And all these rtives were connected to his father who had passed away many years ago.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Why?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Why did his father, clearly born as the son of a wealthy official family, change his surname to be a rural viger?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Why did these family members seem to care so much about him, yet Liu Ming''an had never heard his father mention even a word about them?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Reuniting with rtives should be joyous, but Liu Ming''an felt a wave of bewilderment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Baili, watching his father cry tears of joy, felt a surge of emotion. He could only reach out and gently pat the old man''s back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan cried for a while, barelyposing himself. He turned away, using his sleeve to carefully wipe the tears from his face before turning back, looking at Liu Ming''an with an eager expression and asking: "Good child, where is your father? Where have you been living all these years? Who is your mother? Have you been living well? Do you have any siblings? How old are you now..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan''s questions came one after another. He wanted to make up for all the missing twenty-plus years of time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was stunned. How should he answer? Should he directly tell these two that Liu Qingzhi had passed away fourteen years ago?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Baili, seeing Liu Ming''an not answering, thought he might be having difficulty epting his newfound identity, so he suggested: "Father, Ming''an, it''s windy here. Let''s go to the study and talk slowly."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Good, good!" Lou Yuhuan agreed repeatedly, affectionately holding onto Liu Ming''an and saying: "Ming''an,e with grandfather to the study. We''ll talk slowly, no rush, we''ll talk slowly..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Grandfather...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an repeated this title in his heart, feeling an indescribable bitterness rising from within.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The saying "blood is thicker than water" was indeed not empty words. Once he realized these two people were blood rtives, Liu Ming''an couldn''t remain indifferent no matter how he looked at them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Alright," Liu Ming''an heard himself say. He also had many questions to ask. He wanted to know what kind of person his father, who had given him life, really was.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an stepped forward, helping Lou Yuhuan walk towards the study alongside Lou Baili. During this time, Lou Yuhuan kept his eyes fixed on him, his gaze a mixture of joy and sorrow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Once they were seated in the room, Lou Yuhuan eagerly repeated the questions from earlier. Liu Ming''an lowered his gaze, avoiding their intense stares, and answered what he could.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m from Lingshan Town, under Baoji County in the southwestern prefecture. I live in Lotus Flower Vige. My mother is also from Lotus Flower Vige, her name is He Shuyun."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I have no siblings, I''m my parents'' only child."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m neen this year, turning twenty in half a year."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "As far as I can remember, we''ve always lived in Lotus Flower Vige."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan''s eyes reddened again, nodding continuously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Are your parents still in Lotus Flower Vige now? Or did theye to the capital with you?" Lou Baili still asked this question.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan also looked at Liu Ming''an expectantly, waiting for his answer.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an raised his eyes, looking at those two pairs of hopeful eyes, feeling a dull ache in his heart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He slowly opened his mouth, his voice sounding as if it was being forcefully squeezed out of his throat: "My parents... have both passed away. I''m the only one left in the family."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What?" Lou Yuhuan and Lou Baili eximed in unison, their eyes full of shock, their faces suddenly turning ashen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Qingzhi, dead..." Lou Yuhuan murmured these words, two streams of hot tears falling down his face, which was filled with unbearable grief.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There was visible moisture in Lou Baili''s eyes too. That young man in his memory, always smiling gently, for so many years he had only thought they were separated by mountains and rivers, each living well, never imagining they were now separated by life and death.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "How did Qingzhi..." Lou Baili couldn''t bring himself to say the word "die."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an naturally understood what Lou Baili wanted to ask. He spoke heavily: "Fourteen years ago, he went hunting in the mountains, encountered a sh flood, his body was never found."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Encountered a sh flood, body never found..." Lou Yuhuan repeated these words, and after a while, suddenlyughed bitterly, his eyes full of destion: "Qingzhi! Did you n this? You''ve made me, with white hair, send off one with ck hair. You are truly unfilial!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having said this, he broke down in tears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 120

    "Father..."


    Lou Yuhuan covered his face and wept bitterly. His usually straight back bent in this moment, trembling with his sobs. Seeing this, Lou Baili felt heartbroken. He wanted to offer words offort, but when he opened his mouth and called out "Father," he didn''t know what to say.


    What could he say?


    To grieve with restraint?


    At over fifty years old, he was both a son and a father. How could he not understand a father''s heart?


    Even he wanted to cry for the young man who had called him "big brother" and died so young.


    Hearing Lou Yuhuan''s cries, Liu Ming''an''s heart felt heavy, as if weighed down by a stone. He knew some questions were inappropriate at this time, but he still asked: "What exactly happened? Why did my father choose to leave home?"


    He had such a bright future ahead, and a family who cared for him deeply. Why would he abandon everything to live out his life in Lotus Flower Vige under an assumed name?


    "Also, earlier, the Old Madam mistook me for my father. She kept apologizing to me, asking for forgiveness, saying she shouldn''t have said those things to me," Liu Ming''an recalled the old woman''s words and tentatively asked, "Did my father leave because of her?"


    Hearing Liu Ming''an''s questions, Lou Baili turned to look at this nephew he had never met before, unsure how to tell him about the shameful past events.


    "Ah~" Lou Yuhuan let out a long sigh, wiped the tears from his face, and rose to retrieve a wooden box from a cab behind his desk. He ced it next to Liu Ming''an with both hands.


    "You are his child. There are some things you should indeed know," Lou Yuhuan said, his voice heavy with an inescapable weight.


    Liu Ming''an looked at the box ced before him, guessing that the answer was rted to its contents.


    Taking a deep breath, Liu Ming''an reached out and opened the lid. Insidey a piece of white silk with writing on it.


    After more than twenty years, the white silk had yellowed slightly. Liu Ming''an carefully picked it up and unfolded it. Eight characters were written neatly on it:


    "Ask not of my return, my bones shall rest in the green mountains."


    Liu Ming''an''s pupils contracted sharply. This was his father''s handwriting, unmistakably. Even after so many years, he could recognize at a nce the handwriting of the man who had held his hand and taught him to write stroke by stroke.


    "This is what Qingzhi left behind before he left home. Who would have thought it would..."


    Be a self-fulfilling prophecy!


    Lou Baili closed his eyes briefly, wanting only toment the unpredictability of fate.


    He had thought Lou Qingzhi had left resolutely, that the two brothers would not meet again in this life until they reached the Yellow Springs. Who could have imagined that he would truly fulfill those words "bones shall rest in the green mountains"?


    Liu Ming''an finally understood what Lou Yuhuan meant earlier by "he calcted it right."


    Lou Yuhuan put away the white silk, carefully cing it back in the box. He stood up and returned it to its original ce. After sitting down again, Liu Ming''an heard the old man''s low voice: "I have three children in my life: Lou Baili, Lou Qingzhi, and a daughter named Lou Lvrou. Baili is eight years older than Qingzhi, and Qingzhi is two years older than Lvrou..."


    "Your grandmother always favored daughters, so after Lvrou was born, she doted on her excessively, even to the point of showing some bias..."


    "Lvrou had a spoiled nature and liked to y around, but she wasn''t bad at heart. Because Qingzhi had a good temper and was close to her in age, unlike Baili who would lecture her, Lvrou liked to cling to Qingzhi the most among the family. Wherever Qingzhi went, she would follow. The two were inseparable..."


    "We all thought it was just deep sibling affection between them. We never expected... never expected..."


    At this point, Lou Yuhuan''s eyes filled with tears again, his voice trembling uncontrobly.


    Seeing this, Lou Baili patted his father''s hand reassuringly and said, "Father, let me tell it."


    Lou Yuhuan nodded. Speaking of these things himself felt like tearing open a wound in his heart.


    "Lvrou developed romantic feelings for Qingzhi, but she knew it was an illicit love. She didn''t tell anyone, only confiding in her personal maid..."


    Liu Ming''an''s heart clenched painfully upon hearing this, as if someone had squeezed it tightly. Though he didn''t yet know the whole story, he could already foresee the tragedy that was toe.


    Sure enough, Lou Baili paused, then continued: "That year, Lvrou had just turned eighteen, and Qingzhi''s best friend proposed to her. He was a talented young man, outstanding in both family background and schrship. We were all very pleased with him..."


    "Lvrou cried bitterly. Qingzhi thought she didn''t like his friend, so he went tofort her, saying if she didn''t like him, they could find someone else, that there were plenty of good men in the world..."


    "The next day, to everyone''s surprise, Lvrou agreed to the marriage."


    "During that time, the entire Lou Mansion was busy preparing for the grand wedding. On the eve of the wedding, Lvrou..."


    Lou Baili''s hand on the table unconsciously clenched into a fist, veins bulging on the back of his hand, revealing the turmoil in his heart.


    "Lvrou, dressed in her phoenix crown and embroidered cape, hanged herself!"


    "The joyous asion turned into a tragedy. None of us understood why she did this..."


    "It wasn''t until the seventh day after her death when Mother caught Lvrou''s maid secretly burning something. When she went to look, it was all portraits of Qingzhi and a pile of love letters. That''s when we finally understood why..."


    "Mother, devastated by the loss of her beloved daughter, directed her anger at Qingzhi. In the heat of the moment, she said many hurtful things - that he had caused Lvrou''s death, that she no longer recognized him as her son, that there was no ce for him in the Lou family... She said many cruel words."


    "The man Lvrou was supposed to marry was also thunderstruck by this incident. He was devastated and heartbroken, severing all ties with Qingzhi..."


    "Faced with his mother''s rejection, his best friend''s abandonment, and his sister''s death, Qingzhi was deeply shaken. Finally, one night, he left behind those eight characters on the white silk - ''Ask not of my return, my bones shall rest in the green mountains'' - and left the Lou Mansion, left us all behind."


    "It''s been twenty-five years already..."


    Lou Baili''s voice was filled with indescribable emotion. Without realizing it, twenty-five years had passed. He had gone from a strong young man to a gray-haired old man over fifty.


    After hearing the whole story, Liu Ming''an fell silent and lowered his eyes. His gaze fell on the package of soft-centered candy on the table, feeling an overwhelming bitterness in his heart.


    His gentle and kind father had gone through such an experience?


    His sister died because of him, his best friend cut ties, his birth mother med him unjustly - and his father was only twenty years old then, the same age as Liu Ming''an was now. How could he not be disillusioned with this ce?


    At this moment, Lou Yuhuan took Liu Ming''an''s hand and looked into his eyes, saying: "After Qingzhi left, his mother was ovee with remorse. Ovee by grief, she fell seriously ill, burning with fever for three days and two nights. When she woke up, she developed a dissociative disorder, often talking to herself. Later, she would wander the streets looking for Qingzhi... Heaven rewards those who persevere - she found you. Good child,e back to your ancestral home. You should be called Lou Ming''an."


    Liu Ming''an looked at the old man, heaved a heavy sigh, then smiled and shook his head, firmly refusing: "No, since my father decided to take the surname Liu, I am his son, and I will always be Liu Ming''an."


    (The book title and cover may changeter. Loyal readers, please take note (???). Love you all~)

 Chapter 121

    Upon hearing Liu Ming''an''s response, Lou Yuhuan and Lou Baili were stunned.


    "Ming''an, your parents are no longer in this world, you''re all alone¡ª"


    Lou Baili''s words were interrupted by Liu Ming''an''sughter: "I''m not alone, I have the girl I love by my side."


    As Lou Baili was about to say something else, Liu Ming''an continued: "When my father was alive, he never mentioned a word about you. His ties with the Lou family ended in this lifetime, so why should Ie seeking rtives?"


    "Ming''an, are you saying you don''t acknowledge us?" Lou Yuhuan looked at Liu Ming''an, his eyes reflecting hurt.


    Liu Ming''an smiled gently at the old man: "You know I''m your grandson, and I know you''re my grandfather. I know the Lou family members are blood rtives. That''s enough. I won''t return to the Lou family, nor will I change my surname. My future children will also bear the surname Liu."


    Lou Yuhuan closed his eyes briefly, two clear tears slowly sliding down his weather-beaten face.


    Wasn''t this a form of severing ties as well?


    But he bore an inescapable responsibility for this oue.


    He had three children. Lou Baili was the eldest son, entrusted with important responsibilities and carefully taught from a young age, all to pass on his own burdens. Lou Lvrou was the youngest daughter, cherished and protected by the whole family. Only Lou Qingzhi, sandwiched in the middle, was often overlooked, even though he knew full well that Qingzhi''s talents were no less than his or Lou Baili''s.


    But Qingzhi was too understanding, a born gentleman, always elegant andposed, giving people the illusion that this person would never get angry, never be sad, that he would always remain so refined and gentlemanly.


    This also led to the tragedy years ago when the whole family gathered around the grief-stricken mother to console andfort her, while the mild-mannered young man was ignored, silently enduring his mother''s hurtful words, bearing this undeserved cmity alone.


    As a father, it was only after Qingzhi''s disappearance that he btedly realized how ipetent he had been.


    He truly had no right to ask for anything more.


    "Knock, knock, knock!"


    The door was suddenly rapped, and then someone pushed it open from outside.


    The three of them turned to look at the neer simultaneously. It was Lou Lianyu.


    Lou Lianyu''s eyes immediately fell on the young master he had seen yesterday, filled with confusion, but he still greeted Lou Yuhuan and Lou Baili first: "Grandfather, Father."


    After closing the door and approaching the table, Lou Lianyu suddenly realized that something wasn''t quite right. Why was his usually dignified and solemn grandfather holding back tears? Why was his father, who rarely showed emotions, furrowing his brows so deeply?


    Could all of this be rted to this person who looked like his second uncle?


    Before Lou Lianyu could open his mouth to ask, Lou Baili, knowing his son well, saw right through his thoughts and said directly: "Lianyu, he is your second uncle''s son, your cousin, named Liu Ming''an."


    Lou Lianyu turned his head towards Liu Ming''an in disbelief: "So it''s really..."


    "Then where''s Second Uncle? Where is he?" Lou Lianyu quickly followed up with another question, but found that all three people present fell silent.


    The silence at this moment was heart-stopping.


    Before Lou Lianyu could get an answer, Liu Ming''an stood up and politely said to the three: "It''s gettingte, and someone is waiting for me at home. I''ll take my leave now."


    "Ming''an!" Lou Yuhuan, worried that this farewell might be another permanent goodbye, cautiously asked, "Will you still be in the Capital City? Will I be able to see you again?"


    Liu Ming''an nodded under the old man''s hopeful gaze: "I''m one of this year''s imperial examination candidates. I''ll be staying in the Capital City."


    "That''s good, that''s good..." Lou Yuhuan said repeatedly, standing up as well. "Then let me see you out."


    "There''s no need. The night wind is strong, you should rest well, sir."


    Liu Ming''an said, about to leave, when Lou Baili called out to him again: "Ming''an, take this packet of soft-centered candy with you. Your grandmother went specially to buy it."


    Liu Ming''an turned to look at the paper package on the table, then after a moment, shook his head and told a lie: "I don''t like sweets."


    With that, he bowed to the three of them and turned to walk towards the main gate of the Lou Mansion.


    Lou Yuhuan stared nkly as Liu Ming''an walked away, his eyes filled with inconsble sadness.


    "Where''s Second Uncle?" Lou Lianyu asked again, his heart sinking uncontrobly.


    Lou Baili looked at his son and spoke heavily: "Fourteen years ago, buried in the green mountains."


    Lou Lianyu''s face instantly turned as white as paper. He swayed, steadying himself by gripping the back of a chair.


    "How could Second Uncle... such a good person..."


    Lou Lianyu mumbled, feeling as if his head was buzzing, like someone had forcefully punched him in the temple.


    Seeing this, Lou Baili could only sigh and step forward to pat Lou Lianyu''s shoulder.


    Lou Lianyu was his eldest son, but coincidentally, the first few years after his birth happened to be when the Emperor was purging the court. At that time, he and Lou Yuhuan, who was still the Grand Tutor then, were busy with official duties every day, rarelying home. During Lianyu''s early years, it was Qingzhi who took on the role of a father.


    Qingzhi was very patient with Lou Lianyu, ying with him, apanying him in writing and reading, taking him through the streets and alleys to buy various snacks and small trinkets, doing far better than Lou Baili, the real father.


    By the time Lou Baili finally had some free time and wanted to properly look at his son, he found that in the blink of an eye, that tiny baby once wrapped in a crumpled nket like a little monkey had grown to the height of his thigh, able to write and recite poems, clever and well-mannered.


    His son was good in every way, except that he kept calling "Second Uncle" and clung to Qingzhi all day, while being indifferent to him, his own father.


    Lou Baili felt somewhat sour at that time, and even a bit jealous of his brother.


    When Qingzhi left, Lou Lianyu refused to eat for several days, crying and shouting to bring Second Uncle back. It was then that Lou Baili understood how much weight the words "Second Uncle" carried in his son''s heart.


    "Sigh~"


    Lou Baili sighed again. He knew that over these years, Lou Lianyu had also been hoping to see Qingzhi again. Suddenly hearing the news of his untimely death, it was inevitable for him to be emotionally shaken.


    "Baili." Lou Yuhuan suddenly called out.


    Lou Baili turned back, hearing Lou Yuhuan say: "Send someone to inquire at Lotus Flower Vige, and also try to find out where Ming''an is staying in the Capital City."


    Actually, even without Lou Yuhuan''s instructions, Lou Baili would have done these things.


    "Also, write to Qiaoxi and Shuyu, ask them to return from Fragrant Leaf Temple as soon as possible. Our whole family should properly meet Ming''an. Tonight was too rushed..."


    Qiaoxi was Lou Baili''s wife, named Shangguan Qiaoxi, and Shuyu was Lou Lianyu''s wife, named Cheng Shuyu. The two women had just boarded the carriage to Fragrant Leaf Temple this morning.


    Lou Baili nodded, then heard Lou Yuhuan continue: "Let''s not tell your mother about these things. There''s a benefit to her being confused."


    The olddy had been searching for Qingzhi for over twenty years, and had also been remorseful for over twenty years. If she were to learn that he had long since passed away, what kind of heart-wrenching pain would that be for her?


    After giving these instructions, Lou Yuhuan seemed to have used up all his strength. The old Grand Tutor, who had been proud and unyielding all his life, at this moment appeared dejected, showing the weariness and frailty of old age.


    Lou Baili knew the grief in his father''s heart. He called for a servant to help the old man back to his room to rest.


    "You should go rest too. You''ve been investigating the case all day, don''t tire yourself out."


    After Lou Yuhuan left, Lou Baili spoke to the distracted Lou Lianyu with some concern.


    Lou Baili knew that Lou Lianyu was investigating the case of Minister Zhu''s son''s murder.


    Minister Zhu was an important court official. His only son was killed, along with two servants. The three of them, master and servants, died mysteriously in an alley on the night of the Lantern Festival. Moreover, the murderer was so brazen as to leave a blood-written message on the wall, taunting and warning. This case shocked the entire court and popce.


    Lou Baili''s dy in the pce today was also because of this case.


    Minister Zhu had wailed and cried at the pce gate, kneeling for a long time in the imperial study, begging the Emperor to surely catch the murderer and tear them to pieces, so that his son''s spirit in heaven could rest in peace.


    This was the natural emotion of a father, which everyone understood. But the problemy in the blood-written message left at the crime scene and the testimony of the night watchman.


    The blood message and the testimony directly pointed to someone who had a grudge against Minister Zhu as the culprit. Because of this, he went mad, wildly using anyone. Any official who had ever had a conflict with him was suspected of hiring an assassin to kill his son.


    Six months ago, due to matters rted to the renovation of the imperial tomb, Lou Baili had a few disputes with Minister Zhu in the imperial court. This time, he was targeted by Minister Zhu, and found himself quite troubled trying to prove his innocence in the pce. When he finally returned home, before he even had time to take off his official robes, he received the devastating news about Lou Qingzhi.


    Lou Baili felt both mentally and emotionally wounded, but he also knew that Lou Lianyu would be even more distraught than himself.

 Chapter 122

    Lou Lianyu, upon hearing Lou Baili''s words, weakly replied "Mm" and said, "Father, you should rest early too."


    With that, he dragged his heavy steps back to his own room.


    After washing up and lying in bed, Lou Lianyu felt his body was exhausted to the extreme, yet he tossed and turned unable to sleep. His mind kept reying memories of that person over and over.


    The second son of the Lou family, unparalleled in the world.


    This was how people in the Capital City described Lou Qingzhi back then.


    The entire Lou family was full of geniuses. The old Grand Preceptor Lou Yuhuan was born into a humble family but entered officialdom through the imperial examinations. Starting as a sixth-rank official with the title of Top Schr, he overcame numerous obstacles to reach the position of the current dynasty''s Grand Preceptor, adding a new noble family surnamed "Lou" to the Capital City.


    Lou Yuhuan''s eldest son, Lou Baili, was no less impressive. He too entered officialdom as a Top Schr, following the path his father had paved, rising rapidly in the political arena.


    When Lou Baili became the Top Schr, Lou Qingzhi was only twelve years old. But even then, he had already shown intelligence far beyond his peers, even surpassing Lou Baili at the same age.


    Lou Lianyu recalled his mother''s teasing words from years ago: "Lianyu, your second uncle could recognize a thousand characters at three, recite a hundred poems at four, and by ten, he could recite the Four Books and Five ssics backwards and forwards, quoting from various ssics, histories, and philosophical works with ease. Even the Emperor praised him as a once-in-a-century prodigy. You''re always running after him, but don''t just y around. Learn more from your second uncle, let him teach you to be smarter..."


    Such a brilliant second uncle, famous throughout the Capital City in his teens, skilled in calligraphy and painting. His brushwork was worth thousands in gold, yet when Lou Lianyu tore it up in y, he wasn''t angry at all. He just shook his head andughed, "My good nephew, you only dare to be so unruly with me. If it were your elder brother, he''d surely make you kneel and copy books, haha..."


    Everyone was waiting to see the second son of the Lou family enter the imperial court and stir up a storm, but unexpectedly, the Lou family''s third daughtermitted suicide on the eve of her wedding, and shortly after, Lou Qingzhi disappeared without a trace.


    The imperial examinations were just a month away, and everyone was expecting another Top Schr from the Lou family. But for over twenty years since then, the name "Lou Qingzhi" vanished from the world.


    "Second Uncle..." Lou Lianyu called softly in the darkness, feeling a stinging pain around his eyes. He felt wetness at the corners of his eyes.


    At 7:45 PM.


    Jiang Ning waited for Ma Steward, who came out of Wei Fangxiong''s house fuming with anger.


    "That Wei Fangxiong, how dare he mock me? Tricking me by saying he had a jade gourd, but it turned out to be a shabby stone carving!"


    Ma Steward walked away cursing, while Wei Fangxiong followed behind, trying to appease him with a ttering smile: "Oh my! Ma Steward, this old man made a mistake this time. I''m so sorry, truly sorry..."


    "Hmph! Stop with the empty words. Even if you were blind, Wei Fangxiong, you couldn''t mistake jade for stone. You''re clearly just toying with mete at night!" Ma Steward didn''t believe a word, his anger only intensifying at this poor excuse.


    "s~ How could Ma Steward say such things? I wouldn''t dare..."


    Before Wei Fangxiong could finish, Ma Steward had already stepped out of his courtyard, flicking his sleeves and striding away.


    The smile on Wei Fangxiong''s face vanished in an instant. He carefully leaned against the gate, peeking out to look up and down the alley. Apart from the departing Ma Steward, he couldn''t see anyone else.


    "Phew~"


    After closing the door, Wei Fangxiong leaned against it, rubbing his face sore from smiling, and let out a long sigh.


    After catching his breath, seven or eight servants approached, asking in hushed tones, "Master, everything is packed, and the carriage is ready. Shall we leave now?"


    "Go! Let''s go now!" Wei Fangxiong said decisively.


    The woman who came to find him the day before yesterday was terrifying. She came and went without a trace, no one saw how she arrived or left.


    If it weren''t for the deadrge wolf and the dog blood stains on Wei Fangxiong''s clothes, he might have thought it was just a nightmare.


    Now that he had lured Ma Steward out as the woman requested, Ma Steward was likely in grave danger. Wei Fangxiong didn''t know if that woman woulde back to stab him too.


    He was over sixty, with not many years left to live. He didn''t want to gamble with his life.


    So yesterday and today, Wei Fangxiong had been busy settling all affairs, and had someone send a letter to Blind Yang in Qushui City. He wanted to spend his remaining years peacefully in Qushui City, never again touching those shady, karma-depleting matters.


    After leaving, Ma Steward grew angrier the more he thought about it. He had rushed so farte at night full of expectation, only to see a piece of broken stone.


    "Damn that Wei Fangxiong!" Ma Steward couldn''t help but curse.


    As Ma Steward walked on, he suddenly felt someone pat his shoulder from behind. His heart leapt in shock, and he quickly turned around. In the next instant, the scene before his eyes changed dramatically.


    The alley disappeared, the cold night wind vanished, and the moonlight covering the ground was gone. The even stone bs under his feet suddenly turned into rough gravel.


    The dim night abruptly became bright as day, but why was the light red?


    Ma Steward looked up at the sky in confusion and saw that the sky was like an overturned bowl covering the entire world. There were no stars, no moon, no sun, and no clouds in that sky. There were onlyrge, lush, blooming blood-red lotus flowers, both enchanting and eerie.


    "What... is this?" Ma Steward''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    "Creak!"


    The sound of a door opening came, making Ma Steward''s heart pound. He turned to look towards the sound and only then noticed a small bamboo hut.


    Compared to the blood-red sky, the bamboo hut wasn''t much to look at.


    But the problem was...


    The door of the hut was slowly opening!


    Ma Steward stared intently at that door. He felt his throat tighten and swallowed hard several times. His heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly by someone''s hand, beating more violently with each passing moment.


    Finally, the door openedpletely, revealing nothing behind it.


    A false rm.


    "Huff~ Huff~ Huff~"


    Ma Steward panted heavily, feeling somewhat relieved. He raised his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from his face.


    However, he failed to notice that behind him, a person in tattered, blood-stained clothes with disheveled hair had curled their lips into a smile.


    This person was, of course, Jiang Ning.


    When people face the unknown, finding themselves in an unfamiliar environment, fear is inevitable.


    However, fear can be adapted to, and it tends to diminish over time.


    To fully release the fear in a person''s heart, you can''t give them any warning. You must catch them when their guard is down, confronting them with fear in the most unexpected way, leaving thempletely unprepared.


    "Which do you think is more frightening: a snake you see in the wilderness, or a snake that suddenly falls from a tree onto your neck while you''re walking along?"


    This was the example the woman gave when teaching Jiang Ning this lesson.


    The young Jiang Ning answered without hesitation: "The second one!"


    "Hehe..." The womanughed, both alluring and charming, then continued: "Actually, the most frightening is the third snake. That''s when you walk through a grove of trees, knowing snakes might fall from above. You''re on edge, constantly on guard, but you make it through the grove without seeing a single snake. Just as you''re sighing in relief, you hear a ''hiss'' next to your ear. You turn your head to see a snake, mouth full of venomous fangs, lunging at your face..."


    That woman taught Jiang Ning many things, but this passage alone Jiang Ning remembered crystal clear, word for word.


    Now, she was about to be that third snake!

 Chapter 123

    Ma Steward stared at the open-doored bamboo hut for a while, finding it empty without the monsters he had imagined, and breathed a sigh of relief.


    However, just as his mind began to rx, a sudden weight fell on his shoulder.


    Ma Steward turned his head to see a pale, whip-scarred hand resting on his shoulder.


    "Ah!"


    Ma Steward''s heart suddenly tightened. He whirled around to find a female ghost with disheveled long hair and a festering face standing behind him, motionless, staring at him. Two streaks of fresh blood ran from beneath her eyes.


    "Ah! Ghost! G-g-g-ghost..."


    Ma Steward''s legs gave way, and he copsed to the ground, trembling as he crawled towards the bamboo hut. The gravel dug into his palms and knees, but he paid no heed, focused only on getting inside the hut and closing the door to keep the female ghost out.


    To his horror, after crawling just a short distance, the female ghost followed. Her tattered white clothes were soaked in blood, a truly terrifying sight.


    "Don''te near... Stay away... I haven''t harmed anyone, don''te after me, please don''t..."


    Ma Steward''s entire body shook uncontrobly, and he was on the verge of tears.


    The ghost seemed to understand, stopping in her tracks, but then slowly opened her mouth: "Ma~ Stew~ard~"


    Her voice was both mournful and chilling, intensifying Ma Steward''s fear.


    "Don''t you recognize me?" the ghost spoke again, her voice tinged with a faint sigh.


    Hearing this, Ma Steward tried to steady himself and carefully examined the ghost before him.


    The female ghost wore a tattered white hemp dress, its sleeves stained red with blood. Her exposed handscked the color of the living, instead a deathly pale gray, with fresh, unhealed wounds on the backs.


    Her long hair hung loose, framing her face. Ma Steward summoned his courage to look at her face, seeing a ruined visage. Both cheeks bore palm-sized wounds, as if the skin and flesh had been seared off with a red-hot iron.


    Ma Steward''s eyes widened in recognition of this horrific face. He had seen it before.


    "Th-Th... Third Miss?"


    It took great effort to utter those simple words, and he understood why the ghost hade for him.


    "Ma Steward, you caused my death. I died so horribly, I cannot rest in peace. I''ll drag you down to hell with me..."


    Ma Steward saw a cold, murderous intent in the ghost''s eyes. With these curse-like whispers, the ghost moved towards him.


    "No! No! Third Miss, please spare me! Spare me..." Ma Steward pleaded, tears streaming down his face as he crawled backward.


    "Spare you? Why didn''t you spare me back then?"


    The ghost approached him, a cold, gleaming dagger suddenly in her hand.


    Ma Steward watched her raise the knife and stab towards his body. Survival instinct made him raise his hand to block, but he touched the ghost''s hand, cold as ice.


    The ghost easily pinned his hand and drove the dagger straight into his stomach.


    Pain surged through him instantly. Ma Steward''s eyes bulged as hey on his back on the gravel, the blood-red sky gradually losing its luster in his vision.


    Jiang Ning saw his gaze grow unfocused, knowing he was on the brink of death. In about fifteen minutes, this man would bepletely dead.


    Which meant she could take a short break.


    "Huff, huff, huff!"


    Jiang Ning withdrew her hand, stamping her feet and blowing hot breath into her palms to warm up her nearly frozen joints.


    It was so damn cold!


    Jiang Ning couldn''t help but curse.


    To maintain the ghostly illusion, she couldn''t wear too much. Standing in this frigid weather in thin, drafty rags for so long had left her whole body nearly numb.


    Jiang Ning quickly ran back into the bamboo hut, grabbed a thick cloak from the bed, and wrapped it tightly around herself, finally feeling some warmth return to her body.


    After donning the cloak anding back out, Jiang Ning circled Ma Steward. She hadn''t removed the knife, so there wasn''t much blood, just arge stain around the wound.


    As Ma Steward drew hisst breath, Jiang Ning poured some pre-prepared spirit spring water down his throat and simultaneously pulled out the knife.


    The wound healed at a visible rate. Jiang Ning waited patiently, and when she saw Ma Steward''s eyeballs start to move, she threw him out of the space, letting himnd in that alley.


    Ma Steward regained consciousness momentster.


    Opening his eyes, he saw a jade-white moon in the pitch-ck sky. Moving his fingers, he felt the cold, hard gstones. Looking left and right, he realized he was in the alley leading out from Wei Fangxiong''s house.


    He wasn''t dead?


    Was it all a dream?


    Ma Steward sat up and reached for his belly. It was intact, but his clothes had a hole, with a bloodstain around it.


    Not a dream!


    What on earth had happened?


    Hadn''t Third Miss turned into a vengeful ghost to im his life?


    Had Third Miss spared him?


    Ma Steward stood up, his heart pounding wildly. The empty alley seemed to echo with the sound of his heartbeat.


    Inside the space, Jiang Ning watched Ma Steward''s confused state with satisfaction. This was exactly the effect she wanted.


    And this was only the beginning.


    Ma Steward stood dazed for a moment, then suddenly took off running.


    This ce was too eerie, his experience too bizarre. He wanted to get back quickly and tomorrow, he''d invite a powerful monk to put Third Miss''s soul to rest.


    But he had barely run ten steps when his shoulder was tapped again. The next instant, he fell heavily onto the gravel, the scene before his eyes once again transforming into that strange ce.


    "Ma Steward, I died so horribly~"


    The female ghost''s voice came from behind him again. Ma Steward turned to see Third Miss walking towards him step by step, dagger in hand. Remembering the pain of being stabbed earlier, his face turned pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead.


    "Th-Third Miss, please spare me, please..."


    Ma Steward pleaded for mercy as he shrank back.


    The ghost remained unmoved, approaching him and plunging the dagger into the right side of his chest.


    Ma Stewardy helplessly on the ground, feeling his life ebb away drop by drop.


    Once, twice, three times...


    After waking up unharmed in the alley yet again, Ma Steward understood. Third Miss''s ghost would haunt him endlessly, torturing him, making him die and revive repeatedly, never finding peace.


    So on the fifth time entering the space, before Jiang Ning could even begin her intimidation, Ma Steward fell to his knees before her with a thud.


    "Third Miss, I''m just a servant. I didn''t dare disobey Second Miss''s orders. She forced me to do it! The guilty should be punished, please spare me! I truly know I was wrong..."


    Ma Steward finished speaking through tears and began kowtowing to Jiang Ning. He knocked his head forcefully, the gravel cutting his forehead until it was covered in blood.


    Ma Steward had begged for mercy as ast resort, not expecting it to actually work. But the female ghost seemed to stop, slowly lowering her raised dagger.


    Second Miss...


    Nangong Muyan!


    Jiang Ning''s lips curled into a slight smile. From Lingshan Town to the Capital City, after all this trouble, she had finally learned the identity of Nangong Ling''s true enemy.

 Chapter 124

    Ma Steward was still earnestly kowtowing, begging for a shred of mercy from the female ghost before him.


    After he had kowtowed dozens of times, he finally heard the ghost speak softly, her voice mournful and chilling: "Why is Second Sister so cruel? What did I do wrong?"


    "You did nothing wrong, Third Miss! You''re innocent!" Ma Steward immediately replied tteringly, "It''s all Second Miss''s fault for being petty and intolerant! You were the one harassed by the Prince of Rui, yet she turned it around and used you of seducing him. She harbored resentment - it''s all her fault! She deserves to die!"


    To save his own life, Ma Steward betrayed his masterspletely, putting on a righteous and hypocritical act that made Jiang Ning want to stab him again.


    "What about the Madam? Does she deserve to die?" Jiang Ning didn''t want to let anyone who harmed Nangong Ling off the hook.


    "The Madam... the Madam..." Ma Steward assumed the Third Miss had long been dissatisfied with Luo Siyi, so he went along with it: "Although the Madam was unaware of this matter, as the mistress of the household, she failed to properly raise her daughter. Producing such a ruthless daughter as the Second Miss - she deserves to die too!"


    Fine, ignorance is no crime. This person doesn''t need to be killed, Jiang Ning thought.


    "What about my father? Does he deserve to die?" Jiang Ning asked again.


    Although from what she had heard before, the Prime Minister Nangong was a good official and a good husband, he clearly wasn''t a good father to Nangong Ling.


    If he had been deceived in this matter, that would be one thing. But if he knew about it and still shielded Nangong Muyan, Jiang Ning would make him pay the price!


    Ma Steward was stunned. Was this ghost nning a massacre? He couldfortably let others take his ce in death, but the Prime Minister had saved his life. He couldn''t do this to him.


    "Th-Third Miss, the Prime Minister is truly innocent. He was inspecting the Jiangnan region during that time. The Madam doesn''t manage household affairs much, and Second Miss hadplete control over the mansion. The Prime Minister knew nothing about it! Third Miss, you can''t indiscriminately kill innocents in your revenge!"


    After finishing, Ma Steward kowtowed once more to Jiang Ning, hoping she would spare Nangong Ya.


    "I disappeared, and he didn''t evene looking for me. Clearly, he doesn''t care about me at all. How can you say he doesn''t deserve to die?" Jiang Ning probed.


    Since Nangong Muyan was in charge of the Prime Minister''s Mansion at that time, the rumor of Nangong Ling eloping must have been spread by her. So how did she make the Prime Minister not doubt this reason?


    There must have been others who said something!


    "It''s Dongmei who deserves to die! She deceived the Prime Minister, making him believe you really eloped. She''s the one who should die, it has nothing to do with the Prime Minister!" Ma Steward hurriedly exined.


    Jiang Ning could see that this Ma Steward didn''t care about anyone else in the Prime Minister''s Mansion, but he was fiercely loyal to Nangong Ya.


    "Do you want me to spare you?"


    After a moment, Ma Steward heard the female ghost ask this, and he immediately kowtowed repeatedly: "Third Miss, please spare me. I promise I''ll burn paper offerings and incense for you every day when I return. I''ll even invite some aplished monks to chant sutras for you, to help you reincarnate smoothly... as long as you stop haunting me. I was truly just following Second Miss''s orders..."


    Ma Steward thought his sincere pleas would move the female ghost, but as soon as he finished speaking, he heard a coldugh.


    "Hehe... Why would I want to reincarnate? I want the wicked to get their just deserts, I want to clear my name! Will you help me?"


    ''Getting just deserts for the wicked'' undoubtedly meant a vengeful ghost iming lives, while ''clearing her name'' probably referred to the eloping rumor.


    Ma Steward instantly understood the Third Miss''s intentions. As he hesitated, the person before him slowly raised a knife.


    "I''ll help! I''ll help! I''ll help!" Ma Steward threw caution to the wind - even being expelled from the Prime Minister''s Mansion was better than dying here. "Third Miss, spare me, and I''ll go back right away to tell the Prime Minister the whole truth. I''ll definitely clear your name, Third Miss!"


    "Ma Steward, don''t try to deceive me, or else..."


    Before Jiang Ning could finish her threat, Ma Steward started kowtowing again: "Third Miss, I wouldn''t dare! I wouldn''t dare!"


    The female ghost gracefully walked up to him. Ma Steward suppressed the urge to flee, remaining motionless in his kowtowing position.


    "Very well, you may go. But I''ll be watching you."


    Hearing these words, Ma Steward felt as if he''d been granted a royal pardon. He thanked her profusely, and then felt a hand on his shoulder. The next moment, he was kneeling in a dimly lit alley, with a bright full moon overhead.


    Ma Steward pushed himself up from the ground and set off on unsteady legs, heading out of the alley he had been walking through all night without finding an exit.


    This time, no ghostly ws suddenly appeared on his shoulder, and he didn''t return to that strange ce. He walked steadily, step by step, until he finally emerged from the alley.


    "Phew..."


    Feeling relieved at his narrow escape, Ma Steward leaned against the wall at the alley''s entrance, gasping for breath.


    The moonlight shone on him, and Ma Steward looked down to see that his blue clothes were soaked with blood, appearing dark. Four clear knife wounds reminded him of what had just happened.


    How could a mere mortal dare to resist ghosts and spirits?


    Ma Steward only rested for a moment before setting off towards the Prime Minister''s Mansion.


    Find the Prime Minister and confess everything.


    This was Ma Steward''s only thought.


    Jiang Ning, wrapped in her cloak within her space, followed Ma Steward all the way. After many twists and turns, they arrived at a mansion in the northern district of the capital.


    The mansion before her was imposing and magnificent, grand and spacious. Jiang Ning looked up at the characters "Nangong Mansion" and knew this was where Nangong Ling had lived for over a decade.


    Jiang Ning didn''t believe in ghosts and spirits, even though she had experienced the unscientific event of dying anding back to life.


    But at this moment, Jiang Ning hoped that there really was such a thing as "spirits in heaven" or "knowledge in theherworld." She hoped that the deceased Nangong Ling could know all of this, could see everything she was doing.


    Ma Steward didn''t enter through the main gate. He went around to a small side door and knocked "tap tap tap" for a while. A man''s voice came from behind the door: "Who is it?"


    "Old Zhong, open up, it''s me," Ma Steward called out.


    The door opened, and Jiang Ning saw a man about the same age as Ma Steward. Seeing him return, the man asked, "Ma Steward, why were you gone so long? Hey, why is there blood on your head? Did someone hit you?"


    "Ah, don''t ask. Is the Prime Minister in his study?"


    Jiang Ning followed Ma Steward through the door. Inside was a small path with plum blossoms nted on both sides, their fragrance filling the air. After a few steps was a covered walkway, with a pond below. Despite the cold winter, water lilies could still be seen in the pond. There were several buildings beside the walkway, and in the distance, artificial hills and pavilions could be seen in the moonlight.


    This was an exquisite and noble residence.


    "The Prime Minister just returned from the pce not long ago. He should be in his study. Are you going to see him?" Old Zhong answered, then asked another question.


    "Stop asking."


    Ma Steward repeated, then ignored him and hurried towards the study.

 Chapter 125

    Jiang Ning followed Ma Steward through the mansion for about half an hour before reaching the study.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The study was located in the southwest corner of the Prime Minister''s Mansion, very quiet, with winter plum trees nted outside.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A young man who looked like a guard was standing under the eaves outside the study. Seeing Ma Steward hurrying over, he stopped him and asked, "The master is busy. Ma Uncle, do you have something urgent?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The young man noticed the blood on Ma Steward''s clothes and forehead, frowning with a sh of surprise in his eyes, but didn''t ask further.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jin Yao, I have extremely important matters to report to the master. Please go and announce me."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning could tell that Ma Steward was being quite polite to this Jin Yao, suggesting he must be a trusted aide of Nangong Ya. It seemed Ma Steward was only responsible for managing the affairs of the entire Prime Minister''s Mansion, like one was a "personal secretary" and the other a "logistics department head."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jin Yao nodded and said, "Alright, wait a moment." Then he pushed open the door and went in.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a while, the door opened, and Jin Yao made a gesture of invitation to Ma Steward.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ma Steward cupped his hands in respect and walked into the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning followed inside, smelling the faint scent of incense at the doorway. The room was heated with charcoal, warm and cozy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Entering the room, Jiang Ning finally saw the legendary "Prime Minister Nangong," who was also the father of this body.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya, sitting behind the desk, wore a dark gray casual outfit and looked to be in his fifties. His features were stern and resolute, with an intimidating aura from years in a high position.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning examined this father carefully, then realized that she looked quite like him, having inherited almost all of his facial features, except for the face shape.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sigh, he really was her biological father.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning feltplicated. In her previous life, she had been an abandoned baby, first sent to an orphanage, then taken away by an organization around age five. She never knew who her parents were.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sometimes she wondered why the people who gave birth to her abandoned her, as she was a healthy baby without any defects or illnesses. After much spection, Jiang Ning guessed that perhaps her biological parents in her previous life couldn''t afford to raise her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Unexpectedly, in this new life, she had both a father and mother, giving her a chance to fill the nk parental figures in her heart. Although she had no expectations for familial affection, Nangong Ya and Lan Xu at least satisfied her curiosity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya was holding a letter, reading it. When Ma Steward entered, he shifted his gaze from the paper, looking up towards him. To his surprise, he saw arge, frightening bloodstain. The wound underneath the clothes must have been severe. Even his forehead was broken, covered in blood, looking somewhat terrifying in the dim candlelight.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Old Ma, where did you get injured like this?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya asked with concern. Earlier, when Jin Yao came in saying he had important matters to report, it must have been rted to these injuries.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ma Steward walked to the desk and knelt down with a thud: "Master, I deserve death! The Third Young Lady didn''t elope with someone, she was sold as a maid!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What did you say?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya stood up abruptly. These words were like a bolt from the blue, and he doubted his own hearing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ma Steward bowed his head to the ground: "Last year on Madam''s birthday, the Prince of Rui came to offer birthday wishes. After drinking, he harassed the Third Young Lady, and was caught by the Second Young Lady. The Second Young Lady thought the Third Young Lady was intentionally seducing him and harbored resentment. After you left for your inspection tour in Jiangnan, she tied up the Third Young Lady and took her to a house in the suburbs of the Capital City, and then..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ma Steward paused here, unsure if revealing those torturous methods would cause Nangong Ya to be so enraged that he''d order Jin Yao to kill him on the spot.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then what?" Nangong Ya asked coldly, trying hard to maintain hisposure, though his trembling voice betrayed him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning saw Nangong Ya''s hand gripping the edge of the desk, his knuckles white from the force, and his chest heaving. Seeing his furious gaze, she felt relieved.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He truly didn''t know.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    No need for patricide, that''s one piece of good news.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, that Prince of Rui truly deserved death!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning sat in front of the bamboo house, chin in hand, listening as Ma Steward stuttered on: "The Second Young Lady, she... she..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Speak!" Nangong Ya shouted impatiently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The Second Young Lady broke the Third Young Lady''s arms and legs, burned her face with a hot iron, and even tried to force her to drink a potion to make her mute... Finally, she had me find a human trafficker, and we sold her as a maid who hadmitted a grave error, to somewhere outside the Capital City..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya''s face turned terrifyingly dark. Ma Steward waited in fear for his punishment. After a while, he heard Nangong Ya call out to the door: "Jin Yao,e in!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The person outside responded and entered the room, standing respectfully with hands at his sides, waiting for orders.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Go and call Dongmei here, without rming anyone else," Nangong Ya instructed gravely.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jin Yao responded with a "Yes" and turned to leave.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, somewhat impressed by this father.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Even with anger surging in his heart, he could maintain rationality, not believing Ma Steward''s one-sided ount, but quickly calming down and thinking to confront someone else. Verifying the truth before making decisions was something few people could do.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    No wonder he could be Prime Minister, Jiang Ning thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This was good; she also wanted to see this "Dongmei," to recognize her face and avoid having to search for her blindlyter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a while, Jiang Ning heard two sets of footsteps outside, followed by a male voice saying, "Go in." Then the door opened, and a young woman who looked like a maid entered.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Dongmei first saw Ma Steward kneeling on the ground and was startled, not understanding the situation. When she walked to the desk, she lowered her head and called out "Master" to Nangong Ya.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing this young maid. His gaze was so sharp that it was hard to meet directly, and Dongmei unconsciously lowered her head, her heart beginning to pound.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Which year did you enter the mansion?" Nangong Ya asked, trying to soften his tone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "In response to the master, it was the summer of the 11th Year of Chongming."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, so it''s been over two years."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya nodded. He seemed to remember that Nangong Ling''s maid had left the mansion to get married at that time, so they found a new young maid for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Have you been serving the Third Young Lady since you entered the mansion?" Nangong Ya asked again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "In response to the master, yes."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya slowly exhaled, his voice deepening: "You said before that during my inspection tour to Jiangnan, the Third Young Lady met a young gentleman traveling from afar, fell in love, and eventually eloped with him. Now, tell me the details carefully."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning clearly saw Dongmei''s body stiffen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ma-Master, this servant... this servant doesn''t know much..." Dongmei''s voice became much softer.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You may not know much, but you must know something, right? You were her personal maid. Even if, as you say, the Third Young Lady sent you away every time she met with that person, you should at least know roughly when and how they met, right?" Nangong Ya stared intently at Dongmei, his eyes dark and unreadable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "In response to the master, they... they met a few days after you left for Jiangnan."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Where did they meet?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "At Xianyi Pavilion. This servant apanied the Third Young Lady to buy hair ornaments when they met. The Third Young Lady fell in love at first sight and was immediately flirting with him. After returning, she often snuck outte at night to meet him privately and told me not to tell anyone else..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As Dongmei spoke, Jiang Ning was close enough to observe her expression clearly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Dongmei was lying!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The right hemisphere of the human brain is mainly responsible for imagination and creativity, so when people fabricate lies, their eyes tend to look up and to the right; when recalling true memories, eyes tend to look up and to the left.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    People without training are unaware of this, and just now, Dongmei kept looking up and to the right.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Moreover, the frequency of blinking can also be an indicator of whether someone is lying. If a person needs to process arge amount of information in their brain, such as weaving a lie, their blinking speed and frequency generally increase.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In just a few short sentences, Jiang Ning counted that Dongmei blinked eleven times!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 126

    Jiang Ning looked at this personal maid of Nangong Ling, killing intent already rising in her heart.


    A servant betraying their master deserves death!


    "Hahaha..." Nangong Ya suddenly burst outughing, startling everyone.


    Jiang Ning was puzzled by his outburst, but noticed his eyes were full of destion and his face was dejected.


    "These words were all taught to you by Yan''er, weren''t they? You''ve memorized them well, exactly the same asst time. They sound wless at first, but upon closer inspection, they''re full of holes."


    Dongmei suddenly raised her head, panic shing in her eyes: "My lord, this servant is telling the truth."


    "The truth?" Nangong Ya''s eyes were full of mockery, the anger in his voice unconcealed as he sternly questioned: "You say the Third Miss personally told you that she was living a life worse than death in the Prime Minister''s Mansion, counting the days, that she wanted to pursue her own happiness, and even had you bring me a message saying she hated me, telling me not to look for her in the future, to consider her dead... Are these words also the truth?"


    Dongmei lowered her eyes, her fingers twisting her clothes tightly, hesitating before answering: "...Yes."


    Nangong Ya closed his eyes painfully, pressing his hand against his temple, and said softly: "Yan''er is truly my good daughter, knowing that only such words would throw a father into disarray, making me feel guilty and remorseful, unable to carefully consider the details, believing such nonsense about eloping!"


    Hearing Nangong Ya''s words, it was clear he knew something.


    Dongmei bit her lip, too anxious to speak.


    Nangong Ya walked out from behind his desk, standing in front of Dongmei, staring at her motionlessly: "Ma Steward is already kneeling here. If you tell the truth, I might still spare your life."


    The struggle in Dongmei''s eyes was in to see. Ma Steward seized the moment to speak: "Dongmei, don''t try to be clever. Think carefully about who really has the final say in this Prime Minister''s Mansion."


    "Thud!"


    Nangong Ya watched as the person before him fell heavily to her knees, then confessed: "My lord, the Third Miss didn''t elope. She was taken away by the Second Miss."


    Dongmei''s whole body trembled, not daring to raise her head at all, spilling out everything she knew in one breath: "On the second day after you left for Jiangnan, the Second Miss tricked the Madam to Fragrant Leaf Temple, then drugged the Third Miss and took her out of the mansion. This servant doesn''t know where she took the Third Miss."


    "And then you all conspired to say she eloped? Even spreading the news of her elopement far and wide before I returned..."


    Nangong Ya couldn''t continue. His sweet and obedient second daughter actually had such a vicious scheme.


    "My lord, this servant didn''t harm the Third Miss. It was all the Second Miss who taught me to say this. I didn''t dare disobey her orders..." Dongmei wept bitterly, trying hard to put on a pitiful appearance of someone who had been coerced.


    "You didn''t dare disobey her orders, but you dared to deceive me? Hahaha... Very well, very well!" Nangong Yaughed in extreme anger, his eyes already somewhat bloodshot.


    "Come here!" Nangong Ya shouted towards the door.


    Jin Yao knew thismand wasn''t just calling for him, so he quickly walked a few steps out of the study and called two servants to enter together.


    "Take this ve girl away, lock her in the woodshed under strict guard. One meal a day to ensure she doesn''t starve to death. We''ll settle ounts together when the Madam and Second Miss return from Fragrant Leaf Temple!"


    After giving the order, Nangong Ya turned his head, not wanting to look at Dongmei again.


    "My lord, spare this servant! It was all the Second Miss who forced me to do it, spare¡ª"


    Jin Yao, who had vaguely heard most of the conversation from outside the room, knew this maid hadmitted a grave error. Seeing that she still wanted to shout, he quickly took out the handkerchief he carried for wiping his hands, balled it up, and stuffed it into her mouth, cutting off her unfinished words.


    The servants responded with a "Yes," each grabbing one of Dongmei''s arms and dragging her away.


    So Nangong Muyan wasn''t in the mansion. Jiang Ning rested her chin on her hand, feeling somewhat disappointed. It seemed she would have to make another trip.


    Jin Yao was also preparing to leave with the two men, but was called back by Nangong Ya: "Go find Jin Hui immediately. Tell him to ride at full speed to Fragrant Leaf Temple, catch up with the Madam''s carriage, and have them return immediately."


    "Yes!"


    After Jin Yao left with his orders, only Nangong Ya and the kneeling Ma Steward remained in the study.


    "Where did you sell Ling''er?" Nangong Ya suddenly asked calmly.


    But Jiang Ning saw that his hands behind his back were tightly clenched into fists.


    Ma Steward had followed Nangong Ya for decades. He knew what kind of storm was brewing behind this calmness.


    Ma Steward once again prostrated himself deeply and told the truth: "I don''t know. I just followed the Second Miss''s instructions to find a human trafficker with some connections and had him sell the Third Miss far away, preferably to a vige in a remote area. But..."


    "But what?" Nangong Ya''s hands trembled uncontrobly. There were some things he dared not imagine.


    "But the Third Miss has already..." Ma Steward struggled for a moment, but thinking of that white-robed female ghost, he gritted his teeth and revealed everything that had happened tonight: "Died!"


    "What did you say?!"


    Nangong Ya''s voice suddenly rose, no longer able to contain the turmoil in his heart. He kicked Ma Steward, knocking him to the ground.


    Just as Ma Steward was about to get up, Nangong Ya rushed over, grabbed his cor, and pulled him up from the ground: "What did you say?"


    Nangong Ya''s eyes asked again, a sea of red.


    Sigh~


    Seeing this situation, Jiang Ning couldn''t help but sigh.


    She had been wrong before. She thought only Lan Xu, her birth mother, cared about Nangong Ling in this world. It turned out Nangong Ya cared about her too.


    Nangong Ling''s life wasn''t too bad after all. Although her parents didn''t love each other, they both loved her. It was much better than someone like herself, abandoned at birth.


    Nangong Ya''s kick had used his full strength. Ma Steward''s entire face was wrinkled in pain, but faced with the furious Nangong Ya, he dared not make a sound, only gritting his teeth to endure the pain.


    "Exin clearly! Wasn''t Ling''er sold? How do you know she''s dead? Speak quickly!"


    Nangong Ya frantically shook Ma Steward, like a wild beast gone berserk,pletely losing his usualposure.


    "The Third Miss, her ghost came to seek vengeance on me. She killed me four times, and brought me back to life four times. All this blood on me was her doing." As Ma Steward spoke, he recalled that eerie ce, undisguised terror in his eyes.


    "Are you joking with me?" Nangong Ya obviously didn''t believe it.


    Afraid that Nangong Ya wouldn''t believe him, Ma Steward hurriedly said: "My lord, it''s true. The Third Miss died with grievances and became a vengeful ghost. She''sing back to seek revenge on us. That''s why I chose to tell you everything."


    But Ma Steward didn''t tell Nangong Ya about the deal he made with the female ghost. The ghost truly wanted to kill him, but Nangong Ya wouldn''t, after all, given their many years of rtionship, and the fact that he was only an aplice in this matter.


    At this moment, Jin Yao pushed open the door and reported to Nangong Ya: "My lord, Jin Hui has already set out."


    Nangong Ya threw Ma Steward at Jin Yao''s feet and looked down at him, asking: "Who is this human trafficker? How can we find him?"


    "His name is Wei Fangxiong, living in the Late Winter Road area. I handed the Third Miss over to him on July 8thst year. At that time, the Third Miss''s hands and feet were all broken, she was covered in whip wounds, both sides of her face had been burned by hot irons, and she had been poisoned mute and couldn''t speak. Her characteristics were very distinctive. Any trafficker who handled her would surely know if asked."


    "Damn it!"


    Hearing about Nangong Ling''s miserable state, Nangong Ya angrily stepped forward and kicked Ma Steward viciously several more times.


    Even Jin Yao at the side widened his eyes in disbelief, unable to believe that the frail and timid Third Miss would suffer such a fate.


    "Come here!" Nangong Ya called out hoarsely, and the two servants from before appeared in the room again: "Take him and lock him up in the dungeon with Dongmei. Before Nangong Muyan returns, give each of them twentyshes every day!"


    Ma Steward widened his eyes, unable to believe that Nangong Ya would treat him like this.


    The two servants had alreadye forward to drag him away. Ma Steward crawled over with all his might and hugged Nangong Ya''s legs, weeping bitterly: "My lord, I know I''ve done wrong, I''ll never dare to do it again. Please spare me this time, considering all the years I''ve served you..."


    Nangong Ya''s eyes were full of disgust. He kicked him away again: "Years ago, when you were almost dead on the street, I took pity on you and brought you home. All these years, I''ve never mistreated you, yet this is how you treat my daughter. Loyalty? Did you count on me not killing you? Ridiculous!"


    As Nangong Ya''s words came out one by one, the light in Ma Steward''s eyes gradually dimmed.

 Chapter 127

    After Ma Steward was also dragged away by two servants, Jiang Ning looked at Nangong Ya, whose face had turned ashen, with mixed emotions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She hade for revenge, but her father was more decisive than she had imagined. Without her having to lift a finger, he had already dealt with two aplices, which was unexpected for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But upon reflection, Jiang Ning thought that if Nangong Ling''s spirit was watching from heaven, she would probably prefer to see her father avenging her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, these two were merely small fry. The real culprits were Nangong Muyan and the Prince of Rui. One was his own daughter, the other a prince of the current dynasty. Nangong Ya would surely be unable to deal with them, so she would take care of those two herself!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jin Yao, send people to find the Third Young Miss, and dispatch all avable manpower," Nangong Ya pressed his temples, his brows tightly furrowed as he instructed Jin Yao: "Bring her back alive if possible, but dead if necessary!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, sir!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Understanding the gravity of the situation, Jin Yao immediately left the room to dispatch personnel.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At this point, Jiang Ning also followed behind Jin Yao and left. As the door closed, she seemed to hear a sigh from inside the room: "How did ite to this..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Following the path back to the side entrance of the Prime Minister''s Mansion, it was nowte at night with the moon high in the sky. After climbing over the wall and leaving, Jiang Ning entered the space again and headed towards Late Winter Road.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Arriving outside her home, the main gate was closed but not locked. Jiang Ning knew this was Liu Ming''an''s way of leaving the door open for her. She pushed open the door and went in, scanning the interior, which was pitch ck with no lights on.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Just as Jiang Ning thought Liu Ming''an had already gone to bed, a person suddenly stood up from a stone bench in the courtyard and called out to her with joy, "Ah Ning!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was startled. Seeing Liu Ming''an walk over, she quickly took two steps back while raising her sleeve to cover her face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In her current ghostly appearance, she was truly afraid of scaring Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah Ning, what are you doing?" Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning''s actions with confusion, then noticed her attire and became even more surprised. "Why are you dressed like this?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let''s talk inside, it''s too cold out here," Jiang Ning said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Once they were inside and Liu Ming''an had lit themps, he discovered that not only was Jiang Ning wearing a tattered mourning outfit, but there were also spots of blood on her clothes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah Ning, are you hurt?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s heart raced with worry. His eyes filled with concern as he stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Ning''s hand, only to see her horrifying face in the next instant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When people are startled or shocked, screaming is an instinct, and Liu Ming''an was no exception.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Knowing how terrifying her face looked, Jiang Ning quickly raised her sleeve to cover her entire face. "Don''t be afraid, don''t be afraid, it''s fake, it''s all fake."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an calmed down a bit, and looking at her blood-stained clothes again, he thought of the dead chicken in the kitchen and seemed to understand something.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah Ning, did you go out dressed as a ghost?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, I was freezing to death," Jiang Ning didn''t intend to hide it from him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an suddenly found the person in front of him unbearably adorable. He reached out and pulled down Jiang Ning''s hand that was covering her face, leaning in to examine that horrifying face closely.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You''ve done quite a good job with the makeup," Liu Ming''anmented with a smile after a moment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning admired Liu Ming''an''s adaptability. Ma Steward had seen this face five times and was scared half to death each time, but Liu Ming''an was able to chat andugh casually after just a short while.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''ll go boil some water. You should take a nice hot bath to warm up," Liu Ming''an stroked Jiang Ning''s hair and turned to walk towards the kitchen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After washing up and getting into bed, Jiang Ning remembered the scene she saw when entering earlier and asked curiously, "Why didn''t you wait for me inside instead of outside in the cold?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an didn''t answer immediately. Instead, he reached out to touch Jiang Ning''s face and leaned down to kiss her forehead.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah Ning, actually, I had just returned not long ago," Liu Ming''an said after a moment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Were you fishing with Brother Zhou until sote?" Jiang Ning found it hard to believe.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "No, I came back from the Grand Preceptor''s Mansion."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The Grand Preceptor''s Mansion?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an made an affirmative sound and then recounted his chance encounter with Old Madam Lou, escorting her home, and subsequently discovering his father''s true identity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was speechless after hearing this, but Liu Ming''an held her tighter, his voice somewhat muffled: "Ah Ning, I had no idea my father had endured so much hardship. He severed all family ties, left home alone, came to Lotus Flower Vige, and died in his prime... None of this was his fault, yet he had to bear the brunt of this capricious fate."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an paused, then continued: "I feel sorry for him. I don''t know how to face the Lou family, and I''m not sure if the decision I made was right..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had always wondered how Liu Ming''an, a country viger, could possess such talent. After hearing his story, she finally understood. He had inherited it from his father ¨C like father, like son.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning hugged Liu Ming''an back,forting him: "It wasn''t your father''s fault. It was all because your aunt was too willful, your grandmother was too biased, your father''s good friend couldn''t distinguish right from wrong, and the indifference and indulgence of the other Lou family members. Your father leaving home and changing his surname ¨C they all bear responsibility for that. Your approach is correct, you needn''t worry."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s voice was very soft, and to Liu Ming''an, every word had a soothing effect on his heart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Actually, I don''t understand how someone could fall in love with their own brother," Liu Ming''an said after a while.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As a modern person, Jiang Ning had heard of all sorts of strange things, so this didn''t surprise her. She simply said, "In this vast world, nothing is impossible. With so many people on earth, there are bound to be a few exceptions."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then why did she agree to that marriage if she didn''t like my father''s friend? And after agreeing, why did shemit suicide before the wedding, harming both herself and others?" Liu Ming''an''s voice trembled slightly. If there was a culprit in this whole story, it had to be his aunt whom he had never met.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Lvrou.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Just thinking about this name made Liu Ming''an''s heart cold. His father''s sister had changed his father''s entire life at the cost of her own death.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I guess she probably wanted to wear a wedding dress once," Jiang Ning analyzed Lou Lvrou''s psychology and spected, "She knew her feelings were uneptable to the world, but she also didn''t want to marry someone else against her will. The phoenix crown and vermilion dress she wore before she died were worn for your father. Perhaps she felt that this was a kind of fulfillment."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was too shocked to speak, but upon careful consideration, this spection seemed incredibly reasonable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "She was too selfish. Just for her own whim, she hurt two families at once," Liu Ming''an''s heart felt heavy. He didn''t want to say anything harsh about the deceased, but this aunt was truly absurd.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Moreover, the Lou family will certainlye looking for you again. In the capital, with the Lou family''s status, it''s impossible for you topletely sever ties with them," Jiang Ning gave Liu Ming''an a warning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Even if Liu Ming''an had no intention of acknowledging his ancestry, the powerful and influential in the capital would be well aware of his identity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning suddenly felt that fate was ying tricks on them. She was the illegitimate daughter of a prime minister, and he was the grandson of a grand preceptor, yet they had met by chance in Lotus Flower Vige, thousands of miles from the capital, and after twists and turns, they had returned to the capital.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Perhaps, she thought, her original n needed to be changed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 128

    After Liu Ming''an said something else, Jiang Ning wasn''t listening carefully because she was thinking about another matter.


    "Liu Ming''an," Jiang Ning raised her head from Liu Ming''an''s embrace and said seriously, looking at him in the bright moonlight from the window, "I need to return to the Prime Minister''s Mansion!"


    Liu Ming''an''s body suddenly stiffened. Before he could say anything, Jiang Ning continued: "I''ve figured it out. The person who harmed me was my second sister, Nangong Muyan. Her aplices were the mansion''s steward and my maid Dongmei. And the whole incident was caused by Prince of Rui Yuwen Xuan harassing me when he was drunk."


    "Ah Ning..." Liu Ming''an called her name but didn''t know what else to say.


    "I will handle everything, and then marry you with pride as the Prime Minister''s daughter. Trust me, okay?" Jiang Ning didn''t want to say more. Her n involved too much bloodshed, so she could only say this much.


    Liu Ming''an remained silent for a long time. Just as Jiang Ning was about to say something more, his voice, mixed with a sigh, came from above her head: "Ah Ning, be very careful."


    "I will," Jiang Ning solemnly promised.


    A gentle kiss fell on her lips. Jiang Ning could feel Liu Ming''an''s sadness. When the kiss ended, she said softly, "The high walls of the Prime Minister''s Mansion can''t keep me in. I can sneak out to see you."


    "Be very careful," Liu Ming''an repeated.


    "Mm-hmm."


    The next day, after breakfast, Liu Ming''an asked, "Are you leaving now?"


    Jiang Ning smiled and nodded.


    She didn''t know when Nangong Muyan would return, so it was best to get back before they did.


    "Take care of yourself and eat properly. Don''t just eat porridge like you did before I came," Jiang Ning instructed worriedly. She was truly afraid Liu Ming''an would go back to eating only porridge for every meal.


    "Alright," Liu Ming''an agreed, his eyes filled with intense reluctance to part as he looked at Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning opened the door and left. Liu Ming''an stood motionless in ce. A momentter, he ced his hand over his beating heart, feeling only emptiness there.


    At 9-11 AM, Jiang Ning arrived at the gates of the Prime Minister''s Mansion.


    Seeing this mansion again in daylight, it seemed even more solemn and imposing. Eight steps of bluestone led up to a wide space before the dark red main gate, which had copper rings as thick as thumbs.


    Without any hesitation, Jiang Ning climbed the steps, walked to the gate, and reached out to grab a copper ring to knock.


    "Dong! Dong! Dong!"


    The copper ring struck the wooden door, producing a muffled sound. After a while, a voice called from behind the door: "Coming~"


    Jiang Ning heard someone removing the door bar, then the heavy gate was pulled open from inside, revealing the face of a middle-aged man.


    It was "Old Zhong," who had opened the door for Steward Mast night.


    Old Zhong slowly pulled the door open, thinking it was probably someoneing to ask the master for a favor. He was considering how to send them away when he saw the face of the person outside and his pupils suddenly contracted.


    "Th-Third Young Miss!" Old Zhong was so surprised he couldn''t close his mouth.


    Old Zhong vaguely knew something had happened in the Prime Minister''s Mansionst night, rted to the Third Young Miss, but he didn''t know the full story. In any case, the Prime Minister had been furious, and Steward Ma was now locked in the dungeon. Old Zhong had benefited from the misfortune and was now the mansion''s steward.


    Now, seeing the Third Young Miss who had disappeared for half a year standing perfectly fine at the door, Old Zhong held onto the door, only able to stare at her nkly.


    "Are you going to keep me outside?" Jiang Ning asked, looking at Old Zhong who remained motionless.


    "No, no!" Old Zhong hurriedly pulled the door open wider and respectfully made way: "Third Young Miss, pleasee in, pleasee in..."


    Jiang Ning stepped over the high threshold into the mansion and asked, "Where''s my father?"


    "The master has gone to court. If there''s nothing urgent, he should be back in about an hour," Old Zhong quickly answered.


    "Where''s Jin Yao?"


    "Master Jin Yao left early in the morning. He''s not in the mansion."


    Jiang Ning nodded, indicating she understood. Jin Yao must have gone to follow Wei Fangxiong''s lead to look for her.


    Jiang Ning only knew the way to the study and had no idea about theyout of the entire Prime Minister''s Mansion. After entering, she walked a few steps leisurely and then asked, pretending not to know: "Where''s Dongmei?"


    "Uh... well..." Old Zhong smiled awkwardly, not knowing how to respond. Only when Jiang Ning asked again did he hesitantly answer: "Third Young Miss, Dongmei made a mistake. She can''t serve you anymore."


    "Oh, I see. Then find me another maid," Jiang Ning said amodatingly.


    Old Zhong had been afraid she would ask further questions. Hearing her say this, he nodded repeatedly: "Of course, of course. Third Young Miss, please wait here. I''ll go call a few maids for you to choose from."


    Jiang Ning responded with an "Mm," and watched Old Zhong walk away. She then walked to the wall and looked up at the red plum blossoms in full bloom.


    She didn''t have Nangong Ling''s memories, and that was a fact that couldn''t be changed no matter what. But if handled properly, "amnesia" could also be a tactic, a means to explore people''s hearts.


    Jiang Ning waited for about a quarter of an hour before Old Zhong returned, followed by seven or eight maids with lowered heads and eyes.


    "Third Young Miss, please choose one to serve you closely," Old Zhong said, having the maids line up in a row as he walked behind Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning casually raised her hand and pointed to the one at the very end: "Her, then."


    Old Zhong responded with an "Alright," walked over, and waved his hand: "The rest of you can go back to your duties!"


    As the others dispersed, the maid from the end was brought before Jiang Ning.


    Old Zhong introduced her: "Third Young Miss, her name is Xiaoru. She''s been working in the kitchen until now."


    Xiaoru raised her eyes and quickly nced at Jiang Ning before lowering her head again, curtseying to her: "This servant greets the Third Young Miss."


    Jiang Ning turned to look at Old Zhong and said, "I''ll go back to my room to rest first. Come find me when my father returns."


    Old Zhong nodded and said "Yes," then heard Jiang Ning instruct Xiaoru: "Lead the way."


    As the mistress and servant walked away, one in front and one behind, Old Zhong watched the graceful figure of the Third Young Miss and btedly felt something was odd.


    Since when did masters walk behind servants?


    Moreover, the Third Young Miss used to always hunch her shoulders and lower her head, speaking timidly with a small voice when talking to others. Howe she now carried an indescribable air of authority thatmanded respect? It was a very familiar feeling, but Old Zhong couldn''t quite ce it.


    When Old Zhong saw Nangong Ya return from court at noon, he looked at the Prime Minister in his official robes with a stern expression, and a thought shed through his mind: the Third Young Miss from earlier carried herself with an air very simr to the master!


    Jiang Ning followed Xiaoru to a small courtyard in the Prime Minister''s Mansion, which was also filled with plum blossoms.


    After entering, Jiang Ning looked at the room that had been empty for several months yet was free of dust, understanding that someone had been regrly cleaning it.


    Jiang Ning asked Xiaoru for confirmation: "After I left, was it my father who arranged for someone to clean the room?"


    Xiaoru nodded and said, "Yes, the master also instructed not to move anything in here."


    "Mm, you can go now. I''ll rest for a while," Jiang Ning wanted to send Xiaoru away so she could look around Nangong Ling''s living space alone.


    After Xiaoru left, Jiang Ning got up and slowly walked around the room.


    On the dressing table were several simple jade hairpins, along with earrings, flower hairpins, and bracelets, all in very simple, unobtrusive styles. The wardrobe contained various dresses, shoes, and socks for all four seasons, mostly in in, light colors with simple, conservative designs.


    From the dressing style,bined with Yuwen Yan''s impression of Nangong Ling, Jiang Ning deduced that she was a person with a rather closed-off inner world. She didn''t want to draw attention to herself in crowds and had always been trying to minimize her presence.


    There was also a stack of books on the bookshelf. Jiang Ning went over to look and saw that the outermost row contained the Four Books and Five ssics, along with other ssics of history and philosophy. In an inconspicuous ce inside were a pile of misceneous books.


    Jiang Ning picked up one of them and saw "The Tale of the Red-Robed Fox Spirit" written on the cover. She couldn''t help but chuckle lightly: "You and I are worlds apart, but we share this one hobby. I suppose that makes us kindred spirits in a way."


    With time to spare and not knowing when Nangong Ya would return from court, Jiang Ning, having nothing else to do, took the book andy down on the small couch to pass the time.

 Chapter 129

    "But then the woman flickered, revealing a red fox tail behind her..."


    Jiang Ning was engrossed in reading the book when hurried footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard.


    "My lord," called out the maid named Xiaoru.


    Nangong Ya had arrived!


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, set the book aside, and got up from the bed. She walked towards the door and as she opened it, she saw Nangong Ya rushing over, with Old Zhong following behind.


    "Ling''er!"


    Nangong Ya was still in his official robes, having clearly run straight here upon entering the house, not even catching his breath. Now he stood two steps away from Jiang Ning, staring at her in shock and joy.


    Jiang Ning looked at this man whose features resembled her own, secretly took a deep breath, and put on a smile, pretending to be obedient as she spoke: "Father, I''m back."


    Nangong Ya gazed fixedly at the calmly smiling Jiang Ning before him, his throat tightening as he felt his eyes growing hot.


    "It''s good that you''re back, it''s good that you''re back..."


    The eloquent Prime Minister found himself tongue-tied in front of his lost and returned daughter, unable to say anything beyond those words.


    Jiang Ning didn''t share his sentimentality. She hadn''te to the Prime Minister''s Mansion to perform some "father-daughter bonding" act.


    "You two, go down first. I have something to discuss with Father in private," Jiang Ning said to Old Zhong and Xiaoru.


    After Jiang Ning spoke, neither of them moved, as Nangong Ya was still present and a young miss couldn''t make such decisions.


    "Go on," Nangong Ya said without turning around, his expression somewhat grave.


    Old Zhong and Xiaoru silently withdrew from the courtyard, leaving the space to the father and daughter.


    "Let''s talk inside," Jiang Ning said, turning to walk into the room and sitting down at the table.


    Nangong Ya was stunned by this, unable to react for a long time.


    The reason was simple: the Nangong Ling before him was too unfamiliar!


    In his memory, the Nangong Ling who timidly called him "Father" never dared to look him in the eye, let alone speak to him so calmly. Whenever she saw him, she would always keep her head bowed low, even hiding from him at a distance. Although he had never spoken harshly to her, Nangong Ling was inexplicably afraid of him.


    But the daughter before him now was so different. She wasn''t afraid of him, she didn''t even respect him, otherwise she wouldn''t have entered the room and sat down on her own. Though she was smiling, Nangong Ya, with his extensive experience in reading people, could tell how much sincerity was in that smile.


    But Nangong Ya quickly pushed this peculiarity to the back of his mind. The more pressing question now was why Nangong Ling had suddenly returned home? What had happened in these past few months?


    After Nangong Ya sat down at the table, before he could ask anything, Jiang Ning spoke first: "Father, I was beaten, my limbs broken, my face disfigured, and I was sold. Fortunately, I met a kind person who healed me and brought me back home."


    Nangong Ya instinctively looked at her face. Of his three children, although Nangong Ling was an ident, she resembled him the most.


    That young, delicate face wore no makeup, the skin fine and fair, smooth as congealed cream, without a single blemish.


    Nangong Ya''s suspicious gaze fell to Jiang Ning''s arms, then moved downward, but her legs were hidden by the table.


    Jiang Ning knew what Nangong Ya was looking at and slightly curled her lips. This father was much harder to fool than Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an was more lovable.


    Jiang Ning spared a moment to think of that person, and the smile on her lips deepened.


    "Ling''er, is what you''re saying true? Where is this kind person? I''d like to meet them," Nangong Ya said after a moment.


    In fact, with the testimonies of Ma Steward and Dongmei, Nangong Ya believed Nangong Ling''s words, but he couldn''t see any signs of injury on her body, which was too incredible. It was one thing for broken limbs to be healed, but how could a disfigured face be restored so perfectly? Was there really such a miraculous medicine?


    Jiang Ning avoided answering and instead stared at Nangong Ya, asking in return: "Father, aren''t you going to ask who did this to me?"


    Nangong Ya''s pupils constricted, his hand on the table unconsciously clenching into a fist.


    Jiang Ning inwardly sneered, answering her own question: "My head was also injured. I''ve forgotten many things. I only remember that I''m Nangong Ling, the third young miss of the Prime Minister''s Mansion, your daughter. I can''t recall anything else clearly."


    As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Ning saw Nangong Ya''s shoulders rx, his expression softening considerably.


    "Father has already investigated," Nangong Ya said slowly, avoiding Jiang Ning''s gaze. "It was Ma Steward and your maid Dongmei who did it. Father will avenge you."


    "Hehe..." Jiang Ning lowered her eyes, her long eyshes hiding the mockery in them. She covered her mouth andughed lightly, pretending to be naive as she thanked him: "Thank you, Father."


    Things had turned out as she expected. Even between biological daughters, there were differences.


    If Nangong Ya had finally discovered that Nangong Ling had truly been tortured and sold by Nangong Muyan, dying miserably in a foreignnd, perhaps the guilt in his heart would have made him feel cold and angry towards Nangong Muyan. But at most, it would have been a minor punishment; Nangong Muyan would definitely have remained unscathed in the end.


    But now that "Nangong Ling" had returned unharmed, Nangong Ya''s guilt had been almostpletely worn away. He would only want to settle the matter quietly.


    After all, she wasn''t the child of the woman he loved. There was responsibility, but no fatherly love. Jiang Ning understood this.


    "Who is this kind person who saved you? Where do they live? Father wants to thank them properly," Nangong Ya asked again.


    But Jiang Ning had lost patience for this pretense. She replied coldly: "I don''t want to tell you now. You''ll know in the future."


    These words were impolite, not how a daughter should speak to her father. Nangong Ya frowned, his eyes inquisitive: "Ling''er, your personality has changed a lot."


    "Oh? Has it?" Jiang Ning said carelessly, with pointed meaning: "Perhaps it''s because I''ve died once!"


    Hearing these lukewarm words, Nangong Ya felt somewhat irritated, as if something had slipped out of his control.


    "By the way, Father, how do you n to deal with Ma Steward and Dongmei?" Jiang Ning raised her eyes to look at Nangong Ya as she asked.


    A sh of severity passed through Nangong Ya''s eyes: "I will have them killed!"


    Jiang Ning probed: "Why don''t I go see them? I want to ask why they did this to me."


    "That''s not necessary!" Nangong Ya refused outright, then hesitated for a moment before finding a seemingly reasonable excuse: "They were merely blinded by greed. I''ve already had them locked in the dungeon, and that''s no ce for a youngdy like you. Father promises you, those two won''t live past tomorrow!"


    "Oh."


    Jiang Ning understood clearly that Nangong Ya feared the two might reveal the true mastermind to her. He wanted Ma Steward and Dongmei to take all the me, protecting Nangong Muyan''s spotless reputation.


    What a loving father! Still thinking about family harmony.


    Jiang Ning had no desire to argue further with Nangong Ya. She rested her chin on her hand and dismissed him: "Father, I''m tired. I want to rest for a while. You can go attend to your business."


    Nangong Ya was stunned again. This feeling of being ordered around was too strong. He felt uneasy and wanted to say something, but seeing Jiang Ning already walking towards the bed, he swallowed his words.


    "Alright, Ling''er, rest well. Remember to eat when you wake up. If you need anything, just tell the maids, or you can find me."


    Nangong Ya tried to show some concern before leaving, but Jiang Ning had alreadyin down on the bed and gave no response.


    Hearing Nangong Ya walk away, Jiang Ning opened her eyes on the bed, staring motionlessly at the canopy above. After a long while, she sighed.


    The human heart cannot withstand testing.


    From the moment she learned that the original owner was Nangong Ling, Jiang Ning knew she would eventually return to this Prime Minister''s Mansion.


    Nangong Ling was dead, and she had be Nangong Ling. She couldn''t possibly spend her whole life hiding behind a veil; she needed to settle things with the Prime Minister''s Mansion.


    It''s just that this time, ns had changed, and she had returned to the mansion much earlier than she had originally intended.


    The change was because Nangong Muyan wasn''t in the mansionst night. Jiang Ning didn''t know when she would return, but she certainly didn''t want to miss the drama of Nangong Muyan confronting her father, Nangong Ya.


    She very much wanted to know how Nangong Ya would question Nangong Muyan, and after getting the answers, what kind of punishment he would give Nangong Muyan.


    Ultimately, it all came down to one thing: Jiang Ning wanted to know how much Nangong Ling truly weighed in her father''s heart.


    In the past, Jiang Ning wouldn''t have cared about such things. She believed in repaying grievances with grievances and settling scores directly. Nangong Muyan had crippled her limbs, ruined her face, and wanted her to live out the rest of her life in misery. ording to Jiang Ning''s original n, she should have simply paid Nangong Muyan back in kind.


    Perhaps it was because she had be Nangong Ling, understanding her brief life starved of love, that Jiang Ning inexplicably developed this obsession. She wanted to explore, on behalf of that departed soul, how much affection her birth father truly had for her.


    It was for this reason that, even knowing that returning to the mansion at this time would leave her vulnerable, Jiang Ning still came back.


    "Nangong Ling, are you watching?" Jiang Ning softly asked the empty air. Only silence answered her.

 Chapter 130

    As Nangong Ya walked out of Jiang Ning''s courtyard, Old Zhong and Xiaoru were waiting outside, along with Jin Yao.


    "The Third Miss has gone to bed. Go in and attend to her well, prepare food and don''t let her go hungry. If she needs anything, ask Old Zhong directly and try to fulfill her requests," Nangong Ya said to Xiaoru.


    Xiaoru nodded and replied "Yes," then curtsied to Nangong Ya before turning to enter the courtyard, waiting outside the door.


    "From now on, you''ll be the mansion''s steward. You may go about your duties now," Nangong Ya said, dismissing Old Zhong. Then he turned to Jin Yao and said, "To the study."


    "My Lord, the Third Miss, she¡ª" Jin Yao began eagerly as soon as they entered the study, wanting to understand clearly. Just yesterday, Ma Steward had said Nangong Ling was as good as dead, with a ruined face and severed limbs, sold off to some distant ce. How had she returned perfectly fine today?


    Nangong Ya cut off Jin Yao''s words and asked, "Did you find out anything on Late Winter Road?"


    Jin Yao nodded, "There was indeed a human trafficker there called Wei Fangxiong, but he fled the capitalst night. Our men caught up with his carriage this morning and interrogated him. What Ma Steward said seems to be true. But Wei Fangxiong ims he handed the Third Miss over to a blind man named Yang in Qushui City. He doesn''t know anything beyond that."


    Jin Yao paused, then continued, "I was about to return and gather more men to go to Qushui City when Old Zhong told me the Third Miss had returned. So I didn''t give the order, wanting to seek your decision, my Lord."


    Nangong Ya remained silent for a long while. Jin Yao asked again, "My Lord, shall we continue the investigation?"


    "Ah~" Nangong Ya sighed, waving his hand. "No need. We''re short on manpowertely anyway. Let''s end it here."


    Most importantly, the situation had be clear ¨C it was his second daughter who, out of jealousy, had brutally harmed her own sister.


    Even now, Nangong Ya was unwilling to believe that Nangong Muyan, who had always been well-mannered, clever, and sensible, could be such a vicious person behind closed doors.


    "When will the Madam''s carriage arrive home?" Nangong Ya asked Jin Yao.


    Jin Yao thought for a moment and said, "They left after lunch yesterday, traveled for half a day. Jin Hui rode fast to catch up with them, so he should have reached them by now. They''re expected to arrive tomorrow morning."


    Nangong Ya pondered for a moment, then said, "When they arrive tomorrow, don''t mention that the Third Miss has returned. Bring the Madam and Second Miss directly to the study."


    Nangong Muyan hadmitted the grievous sin of harming her own sister. He couldn''t pretend nothing had happened. As a father, he had failed in raising his daughter properly. He would take this opportunity to discipline her thoroughly.


    "Yes, sir," Jin Yao acknowledged.


    "The Third Miss has forgotten many things. She doesn''t remember who harmed her. I only told her about Ma Steward and Dongmei. Be careful not to let anything slip. Warn the others who know as well. Not a word of this must leak out."


    Nangong Ya spoke gravely. He had lied to Nangong Ling to prevent the situation from escting and to avoid damaging Nangong Muyan''s reputation if word got out.


    After all, she was the daughter he had doted on since childhood. Even if she had made a mistake, it was enough for Nangong Ya to discipline her himself and make her mend her ways. Family shame must not be known to outsiders.


    As for Nangong Ling, he would treat her better from now on. He admitted to himself that he had neglected her before. He would find her a good husband in the future and ensure her a life of wealth and prosperity.


    After Jin Yao left, Nangong Ya slumped into his chair, gently massaging his temples with his fingertips. He felt utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.


    There were too many questionable points about this incident that he couldn''t wrap his head around, no matter how hard he tried.


    First was Ma Steward. Why did he suddenly confess? Why was he so certain that Nangong Ling was dead? How did he end up covered in blood without any visible wounds?


    Then there was Nangong Ling''s return today. How coincidental that justst night he had learned the truth, and early the next morning Nangong Ling had returned unharmed?


    Severed hands and feet, poisoned mute, a ruined face ¨C could all these be cured within a few months? Was there really such miraculous medical skill in this world?


    Who was this so-called "kind-hearted person"? Saving the Prime Minister''s daughter was no small favor. Even if they asked for an official position, Nangong Ya would have agreed. Yet this person hadn''t appeared. Didn''t they want to seek any benefit for themselves?


    Nangong Ya''s mind conjured up Nangong Ling''s image again. The former timid, fearful, and shy girl, and the currentposed, indifferent, and aloof one ¨C the two versions of Nangong Ling alternated in his mind. He couldn''t help but question himself: Could someone''s personality change so drastically that not a trace of their former self remained?


    Nangong Ya felt a headacheing on. One question after another tangled in his mind like a knotted ball of thread. He prided himself on his intelligence, yet he couldn''t see through the intricacies of this situation.


    But a voice in the depths of his heart told him: A storm is brewing!


    He felt an inexplicable unease, though he couldn''t pinpoint its source.


    "Ah~"


    He would have to take things one step at a time. He hoped he was just being overly cautious.


    On the other side of the Prime Minister''s Mansion, Jiang Ning, who had gone to bed in front of Nangong Ya, got up shortly after he left.


    Xiaoru, hearing movement, came in to inquire, "Third Miss, would you like to eat?"


    Jiang Ning made an affirmative sound, and Xiaoru went out, returning shortly with a food box containing three dishes and a soup.


    After finishing the meal, Xiaoru cleared away the bowls and chopsticks and took them back to the kitchen. When she returned, she heard Jiang Ning ask, "Have Second Sister and Madam returned?"


    "Not yet," Xiaoru answered.


    They haven''t returned yet. That''s a bit troublesome, Jiang Ning thought.


    She was isted in the mansion with no one to give her inside information. It seemed she would have to go "stake out" herself.


    Jiang Ning thought for a moment and said, "Then apany me on a walk around the mansion."


    She would scout out theyout first, which would be convenient for her nster.


    This maid called Xiaoru was quite honest. She answered all of Jiang Ning''s questions, and even though she seemed puzzled by the Third Miss''s unfamiliarity with the Prime Minister''s Mansion, she only showed it on her face without asking anything.


    Jiang Ning was quite satisfied with this.


    The two wandered around the mansion for nearly an hour. Jiang Ning secretly noted the locations of various courtyards and learned about the distribution of servants from Xiaoru''s words.


    Interestingly, Nangong Ling''s courtyard was isted on one side, while Nangong Muyan''s and her elder brother''s courtyards were adjacent to the main courtyard. Thisyout clearly showed the family dynamics: a family of four, plus Nangong Ling as an afterthought.


    Along the way, they constantly encountered other servants who would bow their heads and call out "Third Miss" to Jiang Ning. After passing by, however, they would cast curious nces at her, mixed with a few whisperedments.


    Jiang Ning couldn''t be bothered to care. As they walked along the path leading from the main gate to the study, she spotted a stone table in a nearby plum blossom grove. She knew this was the ce she had been looking for.


    When Nangong Muyan returned, whether she went to the study or her own courtyard, she would have to pass through this section. This inconspicuous stone table deep in the plum blossom grove was the perfect stakeout spot.


    Jiang Ning walked over, the faint fragrance of plum blossoms lingering in the air, fallen petals scattered on the ground.


    "The environment here is quite nice. Xiaoru, go to my room and bring the book on the table. I''ll sit here for a while."


    Xiaoru responded with a "Yes" and turned to leave.


    Jiang Ning brushed the petals off the stone bench and sat down by the table, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed towards the main gate, her eyes filled with a cold light.


    She was truly eager to meet this Nangong Muyan.

 Chapter 131

    The eighteenth day of the first lunar month, early morning.


    "Whoa!"


    At the coachman''s call, an elegant and spacious carriage came to a halt in front of the Prime Minister''s Mansion.


    A young man rode on horseback behind the carriage. Seeing it stop, he dismounted swiftly and strode to the door, knocking on the brass ring.


    Momentster, Old Zhong opened the door with a yawn. Upon seeing the visitor, his demeanor immediately became respectful. "Lord Jin Hui, have the Madam and Young Miss returned?"


    Jin Hui gave a curt nod, helping Old Zhong push the main gate fully open before stepping aside to wait for the passengers to disembark.


    "The Master called in sick today and didn''t attend court, just to wait for the Madam and Second Young Miss to return," Old Zhong whispered, leaning closer to Jin Hui.


    "What exactly happened? Why the urgency to summon the Madam and Young Miss back?" Jin Hui asked, his face etched with confusion as he watched four people¡ªmistress and servants¡ªdescend from the carriage.


    Old Zhong shook his head, his expression inscrutable. "It must be something significant."


    In the plum blossom grove, Jiang Ning saw Old Zhong rushing towards the main gate. She set down the book in her hand and waited for a moment, soon spotting several people walking in her direction.


    Obscured by the plum blossoms and the distance, Jiang Ning couldn''t make out their faces clearly, only catching snippets of muffledints.


    The voice belonged to a young woman.


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes and rose, addressing Xiaoru beside her, "You can return to the courtyard first. I''ll stay here for a while."


    "Yes, Miss."


    After Xiaoru had left, Jiang Ning slipped into her dimensional space.


    Atst, she could see the face of her enemy.


    Jiang Ning walked to the edge of the plum grove, where the group had already arrived.


    Leading the procession was a woman in her forties, dressed in fine silks, her demeanor dignified. A warm smile graced her well-preserved face, making her appear younger than her years. She was turned slightly, engaged in conversation with a man in ck attire.


    Luo Siyi.


    Jiang Ning silently repeated the name in her mind.


    The man speaking with Luo Siyi bore a face somewhat simr to Jin Yao''s, though hisplexion seemed rather haggard. Recalling the conversation she had overheard two nights ago, Jiang Ning realized this must be Jin Hui, who had gone to chase after the carriage.


    From Jiang Ning''s vantage point, she could see a young woman at Luo Siyi''s side, dressed in a goose-yellow gown and holding her arm, though her upper body was partially obscured.


    Clearly, this was Nangong Muyan.


    "...Jin Hui, you really don''t know anything?"


    A somewhat petnt voice rang out as the young woman linked arm-in-arm with Luo Siyi turned to the side, tilting her head to look at Jin Hui. Her face was now fully visible to Jiang Ning.


    It was a face captivating enough to bewitch one''s soul¡ªdelicate features, moth-like eyebrows, a perfect nose, and cherry lips. Most striking were her eyes, which seemed to curve slightly when she spoke, naturally alluring.


    How could this be?


    The moment Jiang Ning clearly saw that face, her mind went nk, as if struck by lightning. Certain voices from her memories seemed to echo across time and space, reverberating in her ears.


    "My codename is N, and you''ll take over this codename in the future. Don''t disappoint me, or I might just kill someone..."


    "Kill him! What''s wrong? You don''t dare? If you can''t do it, then die!"


    "N, remember this: there''s nothing that can''t be solved by killing... If you think there is, it just means you haven''t killed enough!"


    "Close your eyes and sleep. You''ll never feel pain again, just like me..."


    "The national treasure, the Blood Lotus Seed? Sounds interesting. N, go and fetch it for me..."


    ...


    Nangong Muyan actually had a face identical to that woman''s!


    Jiang Ning stared intently at that face, watching as she frowned, pursed her lips, or acted coquettishly with Luo Siyi. Her eyes were full of youthful willfulness,pletely unguarded.


    She is not her.


    Jiang Ning clearly realized this point and slowly exhaled.


    It must be a coincidence, right?


    But this coincidence was far too startling.


    Jiang Ning reached up to touch her own face. She had originally looked just like Nangong Ling.


    She had swallowed the Blood Lotus Seed, allowing her to be reborn and transmigrate to this world. That woman should still be alive and well, and after her death, she would train the next "N."


    "Ah~ I''m exhausted. What''s the big deal that made Father skip court and call us back?" Nangong Muyan''s voice came again. She pouted, her face showing a hint of grievance.


    Jiang Ning frowned slightly. Seeing such an expression on that face was truly bizarre.


    "You''ll know when we get there. Your father must have his reasons for doing things. Yan''er, don''t be willful," Luo Siyi said immediately, her voice gentle and soft, her eyes full of motherly love as she looked at Nangong Muyan.


    "Mother, you always side with Father. Hmph!" Nangong Muyan said somewhat angrily, releasing Luo Siyi''s arm and running ahead towards the study.


    "Yan''er!" Luo Siyi called out, a slightly helpless smile on her face as she quickened her pace to follow. "This child..."


    As Jiang Ning watched the mother and daughter, for some reason, the image of that figure kneeling in the Pce of Longevity shed through her mind.


    Lan Xu, Nangong Ling''s birth mother, must have been such a gentle and loving mother too.


    In Jiang Ning''s n, after settling scores in the Capital City, she was to return to Qushui City to find Lan Xu, assuming Nangong Ling''s identity.


    As for what to say or do upon meeting Lan Xu, Jiang Ning hadn''t quite figured out yet.


    Never mind, focus on the task at hand first.


    Jiang Ning pushed aside these misceneous thoughts and followed the mother and daughter into the study, where Nangong Ya was already waiting with a dark expression.


    "Father~ We''re here! What''s the matter?" Nangong Muyan asked with a grin, looking at Nangong Ya.


    Nangong Ya nced at his daughter, his expression inscrutable, then shifted his gaze to the maid behind the two women. "Aunt Ying, you may leave. Close the door behind you."


    Aunt Ying, a woman in her forties who appeared to have been serving Luo Siyi for a long time, curtsied and silently withdrew.


    Nangong Muyan''s maid, Xiao Qing, was about to follow suit when Nangong Ya called out, "You stay!"


    "Yes, sir." Though puzzled, Xiao Qing obediently remained in ce.


    The room now contained only Nangong Ya, Jin Yao, the mother-daughter pair of Nangong Muyan and Luo Siyi, the maid Xiao Qing, and the invisible Jiang Ning.


    "Husband, why have you summoned us? What''s the matter?" Luo Siyi stepped forward, looking at Nangong Ya, her eyes filled with deep affection.


    Nangong Ya gazed at his beloved wife, his expression softening slightly. He took her hand, gently caressing the back of it with his thumb in aforting gesture. "Siyi, you must be tired from the journey."


    Luo Siyi smiled and shook her head, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze. "It''s not tiring at all. But you, the dark circles under your eyes are so heavy. You haven''t been sleeping well these past few days, have you?"


    Faced with such a tender and loving wife, Nangong Ya''s eyes were filled withplex emotions.


    After a moment, they heard Nangong Ya speak in a deep voice: "Siyi, Yan''er has made a grave mistake. Don''t say anything for now, just listen."


    Nangong Muyan was the first to cry out: "Father, what are you talking about? What mistake have I made?"


    Nangong Ya released Luo Siyi''s hand and walked to stand in front of Nangong Muyan. He stared at her unwaveringly, his eyes filled with both pain and disappointment. His voice was chillingly cold as he uttered a single, brief sentence: "You sold Ling''er, didn''t you?"

 Chapter 132

    Nangong Muyan''s face turned pale as she staggered back a step.


    The maid behind her also looked panic-stricken, suddenly lifting her head to nce at Nangong Ya, then at Nangong Muyan, before lowering her gaze and wringing her hands forcefully.


    "Husband! What are you saying?" Luo Siyi''s anxious voice came from behind.


    Nangong Ya ignored her, stepping forward to stare at Nangong Muyan as he continued, "After I left for Jiangnan, you tricked your mother into leaving as well, then took Ling to the vi in the suburbs, didn''t you?"


    "You beat her, broke her limbs, burned her face with a hot iron, and forced her to drink a potion to make her mute. Then you had Ma Steward find human traffickers to sell her far away from the Capital City, isn''t that right?"


    "You also colluded with Ling''s maid Dongmei to spread rumors that she had eloped with someone. You made sure this gossip spread like wildfire throughout the Capital City before I returned, didn''t you?"


    As Nangong Ya spoke, he grew increasingly angry and heartbroken. Seeing the panic on Nangong Muyan''s face, he knew he hadn''t wrongly used her in the slightest.


    His own daughter was a vicious woman!


    "Father¡ª" Nangong Muyan struggled to defend herself, but in the next instant, a resounding pnded on her face without mercy.


    This p made Jiang Ning''s heart skip a beat, for no other reason than Nangong Muyan''s face always reminded her of that woman. She simply couldn''t imagine that woman being pped.


    The force of an enraged man was not something a sheltered youngdy like Nangong Muyan could withstand. She was knocked to the ground by the p, half of her face swelling up instantly, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. Her gaze was nk, clearly stunned by the blow.


    "Yan''er!" Luo Siyi, who had been too shocked by Nangong Ya''s earlier revtions to react, finally came to her senses at this p. She cried out and quickly moved to Nangong Muyan''s side, crouching down to help her up.


    "Mydy, don''t move," Nangong Ya forcefully pulled Luo Siyi to her feet, shielding her behind him. Without turning back, he said, "Nangong Muyan has deceived her parents and brutally harmed her sister. Her thoughts are so malicious that if I don''t teach her a proper lesson, I''ll be failing Ling and disgracing the ancestors of the Nangong Family!"


    "Husband, could there be a mistake? Might you have misunderstood something?" Luo Siyi tugged at Nangong Ya''s sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears, looking utterly pitiful. The sight made Nangong Ya''s heart ache.


    "Mydy, I wish it were a mistake, but the evidence is irrefutable," Nangong Ya softened his voice, gently wiping away the tears on Luo Siyi''s face.


    Luo Siyi cried even harder, looking at her daughter sprawled on the ground, then at her husband before her. She could do nothing but weep.


    Nangong Ya then turned his gaze to the trembling maid, Xiao Qing, standing to the side. Before he could speak, the maid herself fell to her knees with a thud, her head bowed so low it nearly touched her chest, her forehead beaded with cold sweat.


    "You''re her personal maid. You know everything, don''t you?" Nangong Ya questioned.


    Xiao Qing shook like a sieve, her mouth opening and closing, but unable to utter a single word.


    But what this reaction meant, everyone knew all too well.


    Nangong Ya had little patience for a mere maid. "Jin Yao, take her away. Deal with her the same way as Ma Steward and Dongmei."


    Xiao Qing looked up in terror, crying out, "My lord, it was all the young miss''s orders, everything was¡ª"


    Before she could finish, Jin Yao gagged her mouth and dragged her away.


    Only the family of three remained in the room, with nothing but Luo Siyi''s soft sobs breaking the silence.


    Nangong Muyan struggled to her feet on her own, half of her face swollen high, a crimson bloodstain at the corner of her mouth.


    "Hah! I did it all, so what? Are you going to beat me to death for that bastard child?" Now that things hade to this point, what was there left to deny?


    Nangong Muyan looked at Nangong Ya, her eyes full of defiance.


    "You!" Nangong Ya''s breath caught in his throat, enraged by her nonchnt tone. He raised his hand high, poised to strike again.


    "Go ahead, hit me!" Nangong Muyan jutted out her chin, not backing down but moving forward instead, thrusting her face closer. "Come on, beat me to death if you can!"


    "Yan''er!" Luo Siyi cried, rushing forward to pull Nangong Muyan back. "Don''t, don''t talk to your father like this..."


    Nangong Ya''s chest heaved rapidly, but the raised hand eventually lowered.


    "Why?" Nangong Ya looked at Nangong Muyan and asked, "Is it because of the Prince of Rui? You''d harm your own sister just for a man?"


    "The Prince of Rui? Hahaha..." Nangong Muyan suddenly burst intoughter, her eyes full of mockery. "Who cares about him? That was just a lie Ma Steward and I made up. Only fools would believe such nonsense!"


    Nangong Ya wanted to ask more, but he saw the daughter he remembered as obedient now looking at him with a twisted face, spitting out words through gritted teeth: "Father, it''s all your fault!"


    Nangong Ya was stunned, seeing the hatred in Nangong Muyan''s eyes, unable to believe these words wereing from the daughter he had always doted on.


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. This drama was turning out to be even more intriguing than she had imagined.


    Nangong Muyan continued, "On Mother''s birthday, did you think I didn''t hear what you said to Jin Yao?"


    Nangong Ya''s expression became momentarily confused. He only remembered drinking a lot that day. What had he said to Jin Yao?


    Nangong Muyan showed no fear, looking straight at Nangong Ya as she poured out the words that had been pent up in her heart for so long: "You said that Nangong Ling was introverted and not good at socializing, so you needed to find her a good family, to ensure she would livefortably for the rest of her life..."


    "Heh..." Nangong Muyanughed coldly. "I thought that would be the end of it, but then you actually said that this child looked the most like you, that you felt guilty towards her. You said you''d prepare a dowry for her equal to mine, to let her husband''s family know that she too was a youngdy of the Nangong Family. Hahaha..."


    Nangong Muyan''sughter held a hint of destion. As sheughed, tears began to fall. "But that''s not what you said before. You used to say I was your only daughter. Why are you going back on your word now? Why are you considering so much for that bastard child? Don''t you know that her very presence in our household is an insult to my mother?"


    Nangong Ya''s face turned extremely ugly. He had no idea that he himself had caused all of this.


    "You think I like the Prince of Rui? Bah! I couldn''t care less! But why can''t you make decisions about my marriage? Why must I marry a man I don''t like and share him with so many other women?"


    "You''re the legitimate daughter..." Nangong Ya murmured.


    How could the legitimate daughter of the Chancellor marry ording to her own wishes?


    The Emperor was now elderly, and three princes were vying for power. The Prince of Rui was the weakest among them. To maintain a bnce of power and stabilize the court, the Emperor had arranged for Nangong Muyan to marry the Prince of Rui. As a subject, how could he utter a single word of refusal?


    "Why?" Nangong Muyan screamed hysterically at Nangong Ya. "Why does she get to marry into a good family just because she''s a concubine''s daughter, while I, the legitimate daughter, have to marry into Prince Rui''s Mansion and be a sacrifice in you men''s power games?"


    Nangong Ya''s lips twitched, his heart filled with bitterness. "So you me me. If you me me, why didn''t youe to take revenge on me? Why did you have to hurt Ling?"


    "She deserves to die!" The hatred in Nangong Muyan''s eyes was undisguised. "Didn''t you say she looks like you? So I destroyed that face! You said you wanted to find her a good family, didn''t you? No need to trouble yourself, I, as her sister, personally found one for her. I specifically instructed that she be sold alive to those small viges. I heard that in ces where men can''t afford to marry, several of them would share one woman. She must be living quite well now, probably already pregnant¡ª"


    "p!"


    A hand struck her face, and Nangong Muyan turned her head, staring nkly at Luo Siyi who had just lowered her hand. She murmured, "Mother, you hit me?"


    "p!"


    Luo Siyi raised her hand again, delivering another p to Nangong Muyan''s face.


    Even Jiang Ning, observing this scene, was somewhat dumbfounded.

 Chapter 133

    Nangong Muyan covered her face, tears sliding down her swollen cheeks.


    Seeing this, Jiang Ning''s mind wandered inappropriately.


    She had never seen that woman cry before, nor had she seen her howl, rage, or lose herposure. In her memory, that woman mostly looked at people with a half-smile, her eyes seemingly full of deep emotion, but in reality, containing a bone-chilling coldness.


    That woman was a born killer, always better at killing than Jiang Ning.


    Thanks to Nangong Muyan, this face now disyed so many vivid expressions, giving Jiang Ning quite a show.


    How interesting, Jiang Ning thought. It''s worth it to see this drama unfold!


    "Mother," Nangong Muyan looked at Luo Siyi with eyes full of grief, "Even you won''t stand on my side?"


    Luo Siyi''s eyes were red from crying, the disappointment and heartache evident on her face: "How could you be so vicious? You''re a woman too, how could you do such a cruel thing to her?"


    "Hah! I''m vicious?" Nangong Muyanughed self-mockingly, "Mother, don''t you dislike her too? She''s father''s child with another woman. You''ve never looked at her properly. I got rid of her from the mansion, why are you ming me now?"


    "Yes, I don''t like her," Luo Siyi closed her eyes briefly, recalling the nightmarish scene from over a decade ago, her face filled with pain, "Nangong Ling is innocent, and so was her mother. I don''t like her, but I don''t hate her either. The one who should have died, died seventeen years ago..."


    Nangong Muyan let out another coldugh, "How hypocritical! When Nangong Ling was five and called you ''mother'', didn''t you punish her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall?"


    "I was the one who punished her," Nangong Ya spoke gravely, "The reason wasn''t because Ling called her mother. It was because a servant had instigated Ling to ask your mother if she had killed Ling''s birth mother."


    He continued, "Your mother is a hundred times kinder than you. Even the idea of preparing an equal dowry for Ling was her suggestion."


    Nangong Muyan was stunned, looking at the couple in disbelief. After a moment, she burst intoughter, "Hahaha... Well, well, you''re all good people, and I''m the viin. Hahaha..."


    Nangong Muyanughed wildly for a while, tears glistening on her face. She raised her sleeve and wiped her face forcefully, her expression showing a resolve that Jiang Ning couldn''t quite understand: "Then I''ll be the viin to the end. None of us will have a good time!"


    With those words, Nangong Muyan gave Luo Siyi and Nangong Ya onest look, then pushed open the study door and ran out.


    "Nangong Muyan, stop right there!"


    Nangong Ya shouted, but Nangong Muyan didn''t hesitate for a moment, disappearing in the blink of an eye.


    Just as Jiang Ning was about to follow, Jin Yao returned, head lowered, reporting to Nangong Ya, "Sir, everything has been taken care of."


    "Good, go prepare the family punishment, then bring Nangong Muyan to me in the ancestral hall! I must teach her a lesson!" Nangong Ya said angrily, looking in the direction Nangong Muyan had fled.


    Jin Yao responded with a "Yes" and left again.


    Seeing this, Jiang Ning also paused, deciding not to rush. She would wait and see what Nangong Ya''s family punishment entailed.


    "Husband..." Luo Siyi approached with a face full of sorrow, grabbing Nangong Ya''s sleeve. Her voice was mournful and choked with sobs, "How did Yan... how did she be like this? We didn''t raise our child well. It''s our fault, all our fault..."


    Nangong Ya embraced Luo Siyi lovingly,forting her softly, "Siyi, it''s my fault, not yours. Fortunately, Yan is still young. We''ll use this opportunity to educate her properly. Hopefully, she can change."


    Luo Siyi wept on Nangong Ya''s shoulder, "You''ve surely sent people to find her, right? We must bring her back! No matter what happened, we must bring her back!"


    Jiang Ning knew that the "her" Luo Siyi referred to was herself.


    Nangong Ya responded with a "Mm," gently raising his sleeve to wipe the tears from Luo Siyi''s face, "Don''t worry about Ling''s matter, I''ll tell you about itter. Let''s go to the ancestral hall first, and let Yan face the punishment she deserves."


    Luo Siyi nodded, then heard her husband continue, "I''ve failed in educating our daughter. I should also ask forgiveness from our ancestors..."


    Jiang Ning patiently waited as the couple talked for a while, finally following them out of the study towards the ancestral hall.


    The ancestral hall wasn''t far from the study. Jiang Ning had seen it from the outside during her casual stroll yesterday. The door had always been closed, and inside, as expected, should be the ancestral tablets of the Nangong family.


    When Jiang Ning followed Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi to the ancestral hall, Old Zhong was waiting outside. Seeing them approach, he said, "Sir, Madam, the family punishment has been prepared. Jin Yao has gone to find the second young miss."


    Nangong Ya nodded, holding Luo Siyi as they walked in.


    Upon entering, in the dim ancestral hall, the first thing visible was a collection of ck ancestral tablets. On the altar at the front, there was an incense burner with three lit incense sticks.


    Jiang Ning was very curious about what this "family punishment" might be. Looking around, only the whip next to the altar seemed to fit the bill.


    So the family punishment was just a whipping?


    That simple?


    Jiang Ning was greatly disappointed.


    But then she thought, one couldn''t expect Nangong Ya to kill his own daughter. Some beating was better than nothing.


    Let Nangong Ya beat Nangong Muyan first, then Jiang Ning would find an opportunity to repay Nangong Muyan with the same treatment she had given Nangong Ling. That seemed like a good n.


    As Jiang Ning was perfecting her future ns in her mind, she saw Jin Yao running back in a panic, his face as white as a sheet. A bad feeling welled up in her heart.


    "Where is she?"


    Nangong Ya frowned, seeing Jin Yao return alone. Hadn''t he ordered Jin Yao to bring Nangong Muyan for punishment?


    "The second young miss, she..." Jin Yao''s voice trembled terribly. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to calm down andplete his sentence, "She hanged herself!"


    Jiang Ning sprang up from in front of the bamboo house, cursing "Damn it" under her breath. Ignoring the reactions of others, she ran towards Nangong Muyan''s courtyard.


    She finally understood the source of Nangong Muyan''s resolute demeanor when she left, and the meaning behind her words "I''ll be the viin to the end. None of us will have a good time."


    Nangong Muyan was using her own death to punish her parents!


    "Damn it!"


    Jiang Ning cursed again. How spoiled she was, feeling justified when harming others, but having such poor psychological resilience when discovered. All she knew was to seek death. What an idiot!


    Jiang Ning wouldn''t allow Nangong Muyan to die just like that. She hadn''t received her due punishment yet. How dare she die so easily? She couldn''t be let off so lightly!


    "Ah!"


    Upon hearing the news, Luo Siyi let out an uncontroble scream, her body falling backward. Fortunately, Nangong Ya supported her with his body.


    "Siyi! Don''t scare me, Siyi!" Nangong Ya felt as if he had been struck by lightning, but seeing Luo Siyi on the verge of copse, he forced himself to remain calm.


    "Go... go..."


    After steadying herself, Luo Siyi opened her mouth, tears streaming down her face, unable to form aplete sentence. She just pulled at Nangong Ya, urging him in one direction.


    Understanding his wife''s intention, Nangong Ya supported her as they hurried towards Nangong Muyan''s courtyard.


    Jiang Ning arrived first, seeing Old Zhong, Jin Hui, and several servants guarding outside the courtyard. She found an unupied corner of the wall and emerged from her space, about to step inside.


    "Third young miss?" Jin Hui looked at Jiang Ning who had appeared there, greatly surprised.


    Seeing Jiang Ning about to enter the room, Jin Hui quickly reached out to stop her, "Third young miss, you can''t¡ª"


    "Get lost!"


    Jiang Ning, burning with anger, grabbed Jin Hui''s cor. Seeing Old Zhong also trying to intervene, she threw Jin Hui towards Old Zhong and quickly walked in herself.


    Jin Hui hadn''t expected Jiang Ning to be so strong. Caught off guard, he was thrown back, colliding with Old Zhong. The two stumbled back three or four steps before barely managing to steady themselves. When they looked up again, Jiang Ning had already entered the room.


    Nangong Muyan had hanged herself using several pieces of clothing tied together. She had already been taken down and was lying motionless on the bed, without a trace of life.


    Jiang Ning walked forward, feeling Nangong Muyan''s chest with her hand. No heartbeat. She then felt for a pulse at the neck. Nothing.


    She waspletely dead!


    Jiang Ning''s heart sank uncontrobly, but she still refused to give up. She walked to the table, filled a cup to the brim with spirit spring water, then propped Nangong Muyan up against her chest. Forcefully prying open Nangong Muyan''s tightly closed mouth, Jiang Ning tilted her chin up and poured the water into her mouth.


    When a person is dead, they cannot swallow.


    The water that was poured in flowed back outpletely, not a single drop remaining inside. It trickled from the corners of Nangong Muyan''s mouth, soaking both their clothes.


    Jiang Ning''s heart plummeted to rock bottom.

 Chapter 134

    Just as Jiang Ning was about to pour a second ss of water, Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi walked in.


    The couple was startled to see Jiang Ning there, but upon noticing the lifeless Nangong Muyan in her arms, they had no time to question anything else.


    "Yan''er, Yan''er, my Yan''er..."


    Luo Siyi''s eyes were swollen and red, her tears seemingly endless. She rushed to the bedside and snatched Nangong Muyan''s still-warm body into her arms, wailing loudly.


    "Heavens! Heavens! Why do this to me? Yan''er, please don''t scare your mother, wake up, please..."


    Luo Siyi''s heart-wrenching cries echoed through the room. Nangong Ya''s face was also streaked with tears. He shuffled towards the bed like a frail old man, his steps as heavy as if they weighed a thousand pounds. He reached out to touch Nangong Muyan''s face.


    That face, once as beautiful as peach blossoms, nowy still with closed eyes. Having died by hanging, her face bore the grayish tinge of death, though it wasn''t yet pronounced. Both cheeks bore red finger marks, with the left side more severely swollen ¨C the result of Nangong Ya''s p.


    "Yan''er..."


    Nangong Ya''s voice was as hoarse as if his throat had been scraped by countless rough stones, sounding inhuman. He touched that face, his other hand gripping the edge of the bed. His entire body bent forward, head hanging low, as if all strength had been drained from him.


    Nangong Muyan, your revenge isplete!


    Jiang Ning thought resignedly, silently rising to stand aside, quietly watching this scene of parents burying their child.


    A deep sense of helplessness washed over Jiang Ning. She could no longer avenge Nangong Ling.


    As the crying continued, Jiang Ning watched the grief-stricken couple and the deceased Nangong Muyan. For some reason, she recalled something that woman had once told her.


    She had said, "What we call fate ¨C living is luck, dying is destiny."


    When was that?


    Jiang Ning thought for a moment. It must have been after her first mission, when she had killed a somewhat well-known phnthropist named Jiang something Tao. The woman had said this to her upon her return.


    Jiang Ning remembered that when the woman spoke those words, there was a hint ofpassion in her eyes that Jiang Ning couldn''t quite understand.


    Even now, Jiang Ning didn''t understand the meaning behind those words. Perhaps the woman had been drunk that day.


    "Yan''er! How can your mother go on living without you..."


    Luo Siyi''s heart-rending cry brought Jiang Ning back to her senses. She raised her hand to massage her temples, feeling a headacheing on, and turned to leave.


    Just as Jiang Ning took a step, she suddenly felt a tremor within her internal space.


    Jiang Ning could sense that the sky filled with blood-red lotuses was twisting and copsing, as if desperately resisting some external force.


    On the barrier-like screen, all the slowly floating lotuses now rushed towards the highest point in the sky as if gone mad.


    When all the lotuses had gathered in one ce, Jiang Ning clearly felt something resonating with this space.


    What on earth was happening?


    Jiang Ning massaged her temples, utterly perplexed. This space had never shown any abnormal activity since she discovered it.


    The wailing continued in her ears. Jiang Ning decided to return to her room to enter the space and investigate properly. However, as she casually nced up, she thought she saw Nangong Muyan''s lifeless hand, hanging off the bed, twitch its fingers.


    Jiang Ning''s heart skipped a beat. She stared intently at that spot, doubting her own eyes yet hoping.


    Perhaps the spirit spring water really did have the power to bring the dead back to life?


    If so, she might still have a chance to exact her revenge personally.


    Inside the space, the blood lotuses had converged into a bright red dot. Jiang Ning felt more and more distinctly that the unknown pulling force was growing stronger with each passing moment.


    Nangong Muyan''s finger moved again!


    This time, Jiang Ning saw it clear as day!


    "Yan''er?"


    Nangong Ya called out in disbelief. He had been touching Nangong Muyan''s face and saw her eyshes flutter.


    Nangong Ya, suspecting his tears had blurred his vision, quickly wiped his eyes with his sleeve. Looking back at that face, he saw Nangong Muyan''s eyeballs slowly moving.


    "Yan''er!" Nangong Ya cried out in shock and joy, immediately patting Luo Siyi''s shoulder incoherently, "Siyi, Siyi, Yan''er''s eyes are moving, they''re moving, they''re moving! She''s not dead, she''s not dead!"


    Jiang Ning returned to the bedside, staring intently at Nangong Muyan.


    Luo Siyi stopped crying, half-believing, half-doubting, and moved back a little. But she had cried so much today that everything she saw was blurred with ayer of afterimages. She couldn''t see the changes Nangong Ya spoke of; she could only hope and pray for a miracle.


    Three pairs of eyes watched Nangong Muyan with utmost attention.


    The next moment, Nangong Muyan''s long eyshes fluttered again, and then those tightly closed eyes opened. Her eyes shed with a cold light, like arrows, with undisguised killing intent.


    Jiang Ning''s pupils contracted sharply. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her head; the only word she could think of was "absurd."


    She knew that look all too well.


    This wasn''t Nangong Muyan!


    It was... her!


    The moment "Nangong Muyan" opened her eyes, she saw Luo Siyi holding her. She violently pushed Luo Siyi away, while her hand swiftly brushed past Luo Siyi''s hair.


    In an instant, Luo Siyi''s plum blossom jade hairpin was in "Nangong Muyan''s" hand. Jiang Ning watched as her wrist flicked, the hairpin lunging towards Luo Siyi''s neck with a fierce attack.


    In that split second, Jiang Ning''s body reacted before her mind could. She yanked Luo Siyi away with one hand while grabbing "Nangong Muyan''s" wrist with the other, stopping her action.


    "Second Sister!"


    Jiang Ning called out in a deep voice, her eyes filled with warning.


    "Nangong Muyan" looked at Jiang Ning, shock filling her eyes as she recognized her face.


    Jiang Ning took advantage of the moment to take the plum blossom jade hairpin from her hand and throw it to the ground, but she kept one hand firmly gripping her wrist.


    All these changes happened in the blink of an eye. Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi hadn''t yet reacted until the plum blossom jade hairpin fell to the ground, breaking into two pieces with a crisp "crack," bringing them back to their senses.


    "You... were trying to kill your mother?"


    The joy Nangong Ya had felt at his beloved daughter''s resurrection vanished in an instant, reced by this terrifying realization. He stared at "Nangong Muyan," his eyes bulging, his chest heaving.


    "Nangong Muyan," however, ignored himpletely, focusing only on Jiang Ning.


    The scene was too unexpected. Jiang Ning struggled to maintain herposure. Where Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi couldn''t see, she tapped a rhythmic pattern on the underside of "Nangong Muyan''s" wrist.


    It was the organization''s secret code.


    "Situation ¡ªplicated, do ¡ª not ¡ª move ¡ª rashly"


    "Nangong Muyan" obediently lowered her eyes, contemting the current situation.


    "Say something! Were you really trying to kill your mother? You beast!"


    Seeing her not respond, Nangong Ya asked again, his voice filled with anguish. As he finished speaking, he raised his hand high, about to p "Nangong Muyan''s" face.


    "Nangong Muyan" suddenly looked up, eyeing Nangong Ya''s hand. A smile yed at her lips, but her eyes were filled with cold, undisguised killing intent.


    This was getting out of hand. Wasn''t this courting death?


    Jiang Ning, the only one aware of the true situation, watched with mounting rm.


    Before that hand could fall, Jiang Ning quickly intercepted Nangong Ya: "Father, Second Sister must not be thinking clearly. She doesn''t know what she''s doing. It wasn''t intentional."


    As Nangong Ya was about to say something more, Jiang Ning pushed both him and his wife out of the room. "Let me talk to Second Sister first. We can discuss everything elseter."


    The door mmed shut with a "bang," leaving Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi staring at each other in utter confusion.


    Jiang Ning turned around after closing the door to find "Nangong Muyan" already standing in front of her, her eyes filled with deep confusion: "N, what''s going on?"


    Jiang Ning walked to the table and sat down, pouring herself a ss of water. After drinking it leisurely, she looked at "Nangong Muyan," who had also sat down at the table. She tugged at the corner of her lips and, instead of answering, asked, "Did you die? How did you die? Tell me about it."

 Chapter 135

    "Nangong Muyan" watched as Jiang Ning poured tea and drank water, then heard her counter-question. She smiled and said, "Negotiation psychology? N, don''t y these games with me. I taught you everything you know. This feels like my left hand trying to outwit my right."


    "No, I''m genuinely thirsty," Jiang Ning said, pouring herself another cup.


    At this moment, Nangong Ya, who was locked outside, knocked on the door. "Ling''er, let your father in."


    Jiang Ning looked towards the door, thought for a moment, and replied, "Father, please take your wife back to rest. I need to talk to Second Sister first."


    Nangong Ya said something else, but Jiang Ning ignored him, repeating the same response. Finally, Nangong Ya had no choice but to leave with Luo Siyi.


    The morning had been too overwhelming for Luo Siyi, and she couldn''t take any more. Nangong Ya needed to settle her first.


    When it was finally quiet outside, "Nangong Muyan" looked at Jiang Ning and said just two words: "Time travel?"


    Jiang Ning nodded, got up, walked to the dressing table, found a mirror, and tossed it to her.


    "Nangong Muyan" picked up the mirror and carefully examined the face in it. After a moment, she put it down and looked at Jiang Ning with a half-smile. "N, it seems you arrived here a bit earlier than me. So, I''ll trouble you to introduce the characters to me."


    "Sure," Jiang Ning nodded without hesitation, then changed the subject. "But you have to answer my questions first."


    "Nangong Muyan" chuckled softly, leisurely poured herself a cup of tea from the pot on the table, took a few sips, and then spoke slowly, "Your wings have grown strong."


    "Mm-hmm." Jiang Ning admitted frankly, "They''ve been strong for a long time. Ever since I reced you as N, I''ve never been afraid of you."


    "Nangong Muyan" looked her up and down,ughed again, but this time with a hint of admiration in her eyes.


    "I sent you to get the blood lotus seeds. ck Snake betrayed your whereabouts, and that exhibition was a trap. When I found out, I wanted to warn you, but it was toote. You had already gone in, and allmunication signals were blocked inside. I had to rush there myself to save you."


    At this point, "Nangong Muyan''s" eyes shed with a fierce light. "It turns out that trap was set for both of us. I had just sneaked into the secret room where the blood lotus seeds were kept when I saw you surrounded by a bunch of people with guns. Before I could do anything, you detonated the bomb, and then I died."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. "You came specially to save me?"


    "Nangong Muyan" smiled indifferently. "If you don''t believe me, that''s fine."


    "So you came here right after you died?"


    "No, I think I''ve been dead for a while," "Nangong Muyan" recalled. "It felt strange, like my soul was floating in clouds and mist, but I couldn''t remember anything clearly."


    "Then why did you try to kill Luo Siyi just now?" Jiang Ning asked. Fortunately, she had reacted quickly to stop it, otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.


    "Who? You mean the woman who was hugging me? I had just regained consciousness, and my memory was still stuck at that exhibition. I thought I hadn''t died. When I woke up and saw a woman in ancient clothes, I thought it was one of ck Snake''s tricks."


    "Alright." Jiang Ning had no more questions. It seemed they had died on the same day, but she had arrived in this world first.


    "Nangong Muyan" reminded her, "It''s your turn to tell me about the characters here."


    "Okay, listen carefully. I''ll only say this once."


    Jiang Ning wrote "Nangong Muyan" with her finger on the table. "This is your name."


    "Nangong Muyan? Sounds nice. Alright, I''ll go by that from now on." Nangong Muyan adapted quite well.


    "This is a dynasty that doesn''t exist in the history we know..."


    Jiang Ning, like an NPC, meticulously exined the historical background and character backgrounds to Nangong Muyan. Then she described her own situation: "I''m now Nangong Ling, your sister. You were previously a malicious woman..."


    Nangong Muyan carefully noted down everything Jiang Ning said. When she finished, Nangong Muyan asked, "So, I''m a bad woman now, and my father wants to whip me? Andter I have to marry a prince?"


    "That''s right," Jiang Ning nodded in confirmation.


    Nangong Muyan held her teacup silently, as if pondering something.


    "What are you thinking? Continue killing?" Jiang Ning probed Nangong Muyan''s thoughts. "You can kill if you want. If Nangong Ya wants to beat you, you can kill him, and while you''re at it, kill everyone else in the household. He''s the Prime Minister, so the court will send people to arrest you afterwards, but you can keep killing. After all, no one can stop you."


    Nangong Muyan stared at Jiang Ning for a while, then smiled. "N, your way of persuading people toy down their swords is quite unique."


    Jiang Ning said nothing, sipping her tea in small mouthfuls, waiting for her answer.


    "I''ve decided..." Nangong Muyan took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "After taking this beating, I''ll be a good, proper youngdy, living a carefree life to the end."


    "This body is so good!" Nangong Muyan continued with feeling. "Not even eighteen yet, young and healthy, with parents, money, leisure, power and influence. No more living in fear just to survive, no more worrying about knives in the dark or scheming plots. I just need to eat and sleep like a pig... What''s one beatingpared to all that? It''s a bargain!"


    Jiang Ning smiled. This choice was within her expectations.


    People like them who had lived in darkness for so long all deeply craved stability and warmth.


    With such a good family background and loving parents, Nangong Muyan''s life was bright and full of sunshine. She wouldn''t let herself return to the darkness.


    Nangong Muyan then turned to look at Jiang Ning, saying somewhat meaningfully, "You seem to smile a lot more now. You''re no longer just a sharp knife; you have a human touch about you."


    Jiang Ning was taken aback, then heard her ask unexpectedly, "Are you in love?"


    Before Jiang Ning could speak, Nangong Muyan had already read everything from her expression. She smiled and said, "Looks like I''m right."


    This person''s eyes were too sharp. Jiang Ning had been trained by her for over a decade; every move she made was transparent to her.


    Seeing Jiang Ning''s guarded look, Nangong Muyan smiled again. That face should have looked charming and alluring when smiling, but with both cheeks swollen and five clear fingerprints visible, it looked somewhatical.


    "N, don''t worry, I won''t interfere with your romance. You''re not an assassin anymore. If you want to date, go ahead, don''t hold back. Besides, didn''t you say your wings have grown strong? I can''t control you anymore. I''m just curious who your boyfriend is..."


    "Don''t call me N," Jiang Ning said. "And don''t be nosy."


    Nangong Muyanplied readily: "Then what should I call you? That man just now called you Ling''er, should I call you that too? Or should I call you Third Sister?"


    "...Whatever."


    To be honest, both these names sounded odd to Jiang Ning.


    "Oh, alright, Third Sister," Nangong Muyan chose a name, then asked another question. "Do you know what''s the deal with those blood-red lotus flowers?"


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, her hands on her legs slowly clenching into fists. It seemed their soul transmigration to this world was rted to the blood lotus seeds.


    Earlier, because Nangong Muyan''s resurrection was too shocking, Jiang Ning had been busy controlling the situation and had no time to pay attention to the state of the space inside her.


    Now, hearing Nangong Muyan''s question, Jiang Ning sensed the space within her body and found that it had returned to its original state.


    Jiang Ning didn''t answer directly, but instead asked a question that had long been on her mind: "I can''t understand why you, being perfectly fine, insisted on making me get the blood lotus seeds for you? Just because it''s supposedly a national treasure? But you''re not a person who''s greedy for money or curious about oddities..."


    She had thought this question would never be answered, but unexpectedly, they had met in this world by chance.


    "Because..." Nangong Muyan smiled and started unbuttoning her clothes.


    Jiang Ning was puzzled, but saw Nangong Muyan pull down her cor. Above her heart, on her snow-white chest, was a voluptuous red lotus flower. The entire pattern was about the size of an egg, exquisite and vivid, as if growing out of her flesh.


    "This thing indeed came along," Nangong Muyan looked down and said, unsurprised.


    "This is¡ª"


    Before Jiang Ning could finish speaking, footsteps were heard outside the door.


    The two exchanged a nce. Nangong Muyan refastened her clothes and said in a low voice, "We''ll talkter. I''ll go face them one by one first."


    Jiang Ning nodded. The sound of footsteps was already very close. She stood up and opened the door. Nangong Ya had his hand raised, about to knock, with Jin Yao and Jin Hui standing behind him.


    "Ling," Nangong Ya frowned as he looked at Jiang Ning, still unable to understand what she was trying to aplish with this act.


    Jiang Ning knew he had questions, but she had no intention of exining anything to him. She simply stepped aside, allowing Nangong Muyan to walk out from behind her.


    Jin Yao and Jin Hui looked at Nangong Muyan, their eyes filled with astonishment. They had seen her hanging from the ceiling beam, and when they took her down, they had confirmed that she waspletely dead.


    Now, Nangong Muyan stood before the two brothers, very much alive, with clear strangtion marks still visible on her neck. It gave them an inexplicable, eerie feeling in their hearts.


    "Father, your daughter acknowledges her mistake and is willing to ept punishment," Nangong Muyan said obediently, presenting a docile and repentant demeanor. It was a stark contrast to her earlier hysterical state, making Nangong Ya feel as if the situation was surreal.

 Chapter 136

    Inside the Junyue Inn on Xichun Road, Zhou Yi was busy clicking away on an abacus, bncing ounts in a fifth-floor office.


    "Knock knock!"


    The door was tapped symbolically twice, followed by a bright female voice: "Son, I''ming in!"


    The door opened, and a smartly dressed woman walked to the desk. Looking at Zhou Yi, who didn''t even raise his head, her eyes were full of admiration: "Oh! My son is so capable! Such a good boy!"


    "Mom, if you have something to say, just say it. I''m busy, I don''t have time to chat with you."


    Zhou Yi nced up at Hong Yuanping, who had already sat down nearby, then returned his gaze to the ount book.


    "Oh, I actually do have something!"


    Seeing that Zhou Yi wasn''t paying attention to her, Hong Yuanping continued on her own: "My good son, do you remember that small courtyard our family owns on Late Winter Road?"


    "I remember. I told you, I gave it to my brother and his wife to live in," Zhou Yi replied while continuing to work the abacus.


    "That''s exactly what I want to talk about." Hong Yuanping sighed, with a hint of helplessness: "Today, Old Wu came to me and said someone wants to buy this house..."


    Zhou Yi stopped what he was doing and looked at his mother, asking, "You didn''t sell it, did you?"


    Hong Yuanping smiled and continued, "Of course I didn''t agree at first. I remembered you said your brother was living there, and besides, our family doesn''t need that bit of money."


    "Then there''s no problem," Zhou Yi nodded and went back to his abacus.


    "But..." Hong Yuanping spoke again, with some hesitation.


    "But what? Mom, can''t you say everything at once?" Zhou Yi rubbed his eyes. After looking at the ount book for so long, his eyes hurt, and he weed a break.


    Hong Yuanping leaned in closer, unconsciously lowering her voice: "But son, do you know who the buyer is?"


    Without waiting for Zhou Yi to speak, she answered her own question: "It''s the Lou Family! The Lou Family of Grand Preceptor Lou! The Lou Family wants to buy our house, how could I not sell? So I came to find you right after handing over the deed. You need to go quickly and tell your brother and his wife that they can''t live there anymore. Our family has other courtyards, just find them another one."


    Hearing this, Zhou Yi''s eyes widened, and he blurted out involuntarily: "What''s wrong with this Lou Family, they¡ªmmph!"


    Hong Yuanping mped her hand tightly over Zhou Yi''s mouth, scolding him in a low voice: "You little brat! Are you tired of living? How dare you insult an imperial official? And the Lou Family at that! Do you have enough heads to be chopped off?" Not satisfied with just scolding, she raised her hand and gave him a hard knock on the head.


    Zhou Yi rubbed his head, feeling a bit scared. He stood up from behind the desk and said to Hong Yuanping: "Mom, I''ll go find Brother Liu now."


    "Mm, go on then. Have them move out as soon as possible. We''re justmon folk, it''s best not to get entangled with officials," Hong Yuanping instructed.


    Zhou Yi grunted in agreement and hurriedly walked out, pushing open the door.


    He rushed all the way from Xichun Road to Late Winter Road. Arriving at the small courtyard, he raised his hand to knock on the door, calling out: "Brother Liu! Brother Liu! Are you home?"


    Almost as soon as he finished speaking, the door opened from inside, and Liu Ming''an called out with a smile: "Brother Zhou." Then he stepped back to let him in.


    Zhou Yi entered the courtyard and immediately noticed that the stone table used for drinking tea and chatting was covered with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. He was quite surprised, which exined why Liu Ming''an had opened the door so quickly.


    "Brother Liu, why are you studying and writing out here? Isn''t it cold?"


    Zhou Yi sat down at the table and asked as he watched Liu Ming''an close the door and walk over.


    "The light is better outside, and it''s a bit stuffy indoors," Liu Ming''an casually answered, then went into the room to pour a cup of water for Zhou Yi.


    "Haha... I see. I thought you might be waiting for someone specifically."


    Zhou Yi was indeed thirsty and gulped down the water in one go after speaking. He didn''t notice that Liu Ming''an had paused for a moment at his words.


    "Brother Zhou, would you like more?" Liu Ming''an asked as he put down the water cup.


    "No, no, I''m not thirsty anymore. I came to tell you something."


    Zhou Yi was about to mention the Lou Family matter when he suddenly realized he hadn''t seen Jiang Ning. He nced inside the room and lowered his voice to ask, "Is sister-inw sleeping again?"


    In Zhou Yi''s impression, Jiang Ning seemed to love sleeping during the day, at least he had encountered this twice.


    Liu Ming''an neither confirmed nor denied, only asking what the matter was.


    "Brother Liu, it''s like this. My mother told me that this courtyard has been bought by the Lou Family. You know, when officials want to buy something, how dare we, as mere businesspeople, refuse? So now this courtyard belongs to the Lou Family."


    Zhou Yi took a breath, his face showing some apology: "I''m sorry, Brother Liu, but you can''t live here anymore. You and sister-inw will have to move. Our family has many other properties, where would you like to live? How about Yuqin Street? We have a residence there too, it''s very quiet..."


    Liu Ming''an smiled and shook his head: "Brother Zhou, there''s nothing to be sorry about."


    Liu Ming''an knew the Lou Family hade, but he couldn''t leave here for the time being, otherwise Jiang Ning wouldn''t be able to find him when she returned.


    He was just worried about how to tell Zhou Yi about his connection to the Lou Family.


    "Knock! Knock! Knock!"


    At this moment, there was another knock at the door. Zhou Yi stared at the door, muttering, "It can''t be the Lou Familying to im the house, can it?"


    Liu Ming''an got up to open the door, but Zhou Yi had already walked over ahead of him.


    As soon as the door was pulled open, Lou Lianyu stood there in casual clothes. Seeing Zhou Yi, and then Liu Ming''an behind him, he quickly guessed the identity of the person in front of him.


    "Are you Young Master Zhou Yi, the young owner of the Junyue Inn? I am Lou Lianyu, pleased to meet you!"


    Lou Lianyu politely greeted Zhou Yi, giving him a respectful bow.


    Zhou Yi had thought it would be a servant at most, who could have imagined that Lou Lianyu himself woulde!


    Zhou Yi stood frozen for a moment, not knowing how to react, until Lou Lianyu bowed to him in a gesture of equals. He suddenly came to his senses, eximing: "This humble one greets Lord Lou." He was about to kneel down.


    Lou Lianyu quickly stopped Zhou Yi, walking into the courtyard and closing the door: "No need for such formalities. Today I''m just here as an elder brother visiting his younger brother, not as any lord."


    Visiting his younger brother?


    Hadn''t his mother only given birth to him?


    There were only him and Liu Ming''an here, so that meant...


    Zhou Yi''s head was spinning, feeling like he hadn''t quite grasped the situation. Yet he saw Lou Lianyu walk past him and ask Liu Ming''an with a friendly smile: "Ming''an, how have you beentely?"


    Liu Ming''an hesitated for a moment between addressing him as "Lord Lou" or "Elder Cousin," but finally chose thetter: "Elder Cousin, thank you for your concern. I''m doing well."


    With his suspicions confirmed, Zhou Yi stood to the side with eyes as wide as copper bells, looking from Liu Ming''an to Lou Lianyu, suddenly feeling very out of ce.


    Liu Ming''an hadn''t ignored Zhou Yi, knowing he felt awkward standing there. He patted Zhou Yi''s shoulder and said: "Brother Zhou, I''m sorry for troubling you toe all this way. I''lle to the Junyue Inn to find youter. You should head back first."


    "Oh, oh," Zhou Yi was more than happy toply. He bowed to Lou Lianyu saying, "Lord Lou, I take my leave," and dashed off in a sh.


    It wasn''t until he had left Late Winter Road that Zhou Yi slowed his pace, slowly reaching down to pinch his leg.


    "Ouch!"


    It wasn''t a dream. His dear Brother Liu really did have an impressive background!

 Chapter 137

    After Zhou Yi left, Liu Ming''an faced Lou Lianyu alone, feeling quite ufortable himself.


    "Cousin, pleasee in and have a seat."


    Liu Ming''an made a "please" gesture, then led Lou Lianyu into the house and sat down in the living room.


    "Let me get you some water."


    Liu Ming''an was about to move, but Lou Lianyu stopped him: "Ming''an, don''t bother. I''m still on official business, so I''ll just say a few words and then leave."


    After Liu Ming''an sat down, Lou Lianyu got straight to the point: "Grandfather and Father asked me toe see you. Ourst meeting was too rushed, and there are many people at home you haven''t met yet, so they''d like to invite you back for a meal together... If you''re willing, you could also stay at the mansion for a while."


    Lou Lianyu paused, but remembering Lou Yuhuan''s instructions, he continued: "If you''d like, that is."


    Lou Lianyu thought Liu Ming''an would at most refuse thetter half of the invitation, but to his surprise, he shook his head and said apologetically: "Cousin, I''m sorry, but I can''t leave here right now."


    "Why?" Lou Lianyu didn''t understand. What did he mean by "can''t leave"?


    Liu Ming''an didn''t want to say much, only: "I''m waiting here for someone to return. I''m afraid if I leave, she won''t find me when shees back."


    As he said this, there was a faint longing in Liu Ming''an''s eyes. Seeing his expression, Lou Lianyu suddenly remembered his father mentioning that Liu Ming''an had said there was a girl he loved.


    "I can have someone stay outside the courtyard. If she returns, they can inform you immediately. How about that?" Lou Lianyu suggested.


    Liu Ming''an still shook his head, saying a bit embarrassedly: "I want to see her first thing when she returns."


    Lou Lianyu pressed his temples, feeling a headacheing on. He really hadn''t expected his cousin to be such a romantic.


    Just as Lou Lianyu was considering how to continue persuading him, Liu Ming''an spoke again: "Cousin, I''ll be in the Capital City anyway. There''s no rush, is there? We''ll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future."


    After Liu Ming''an finished speaking, he noticed Lou Lianyu staring at him intently, as if examining a suspect, seeing through himpletely.


    "Ming''an, how can one not be eager when reuniting with family?" Lou Lianyu sighed, the disappointment evident in his eyes. "You''re not eager simply because in your heart, you don''t really consider us family. If I''m not mistaken, you don''t even want to be associated with the Lou family anymore, do you?"


    These words, if acknowledged, would be too hurtful; if denied, would be too insincere.


    Liu Ming''an chose to remain silent.


    In this moment, silence spoke volumes.


    Lou Lianyu also fell silent as he stood up and walked towards the main door, with Liu Ming''an following to see him out.


    Just before leaving, Lou Lianyu turned back, looking at Liu Ming''an''s face that so resembled a person from the past, his eyes a bit dazed: "You really are very much like Second Uncle, not just in appearance, but in personality too. You both seem gentle and kind, but when ites to taking action, you''re upromising..."


    Liu Ming''an knew Lou Lianyu was referring to his father''s departure from the family years ago. He smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying.


    "Here, take this."


    Lou Lianyu took out a piece of paper from his sleeve. Liu Ming''an guessed it was the deed to this courtyard house and epted it.


    "This house is now in your name," Lou Lianyu exined, then after a moment''s thought, added: "It''s a small gesture from Grandfather, but it seems it might have been unnecessary. You and that Zhou fellow are much closer than you are to us."


    Finally, Lou Lianyu waved his hand, said "I''m leaving," and stepped out of the courtyard.


    "Take care, Cousin."


    Liu Ming''an offered a polite farewell, closed the door, turned back into the house, put away the deed, and then took out a nk piece of paper to write:


    Ning, I''ve gone to Jun Yue Restaurant to find Brother Zhou. I''ll be back soon.


    He ced this note in a conspicuous ce inside the house, then locked the door and left the courtyard, heading towards Jun Yue Restaurant.


    Lou Lianyu was right;pared to the Lou family, Zhou Yi was far more important to Liu Ming''an.


    Just as he approached Jun Yue Restaurant, a waiter ran over from the entrance, smiling broadly as he said to Liu Ming''an: "Master Liu, the young master asked me to wait for you outside."


    Liu Ming''an remembered this waiter; he was the one who had called for Zhou Yi the first time he and Jiang Ning came to Junyue Inn.


    Liu Ming''an smiled gently at him and said: "Thank you for your trouble."


    "Oh, Master Liu, you''re too kind! It''s nothing..."


    The waiter, still smiling, led Liu Ming''an upstairs. Zhou Yi, who had been doing ounts, immediately tossed aside his abacus and ledger when he saw him, walking over to pull him to the table to sit down.


    After the waiter closed the door and left, Liu Ming''an waited for Zhou Yi to ask him questions, while Zhou Yi was afraid of asking something he shouldn''t and waited for Liu Ming''an to speak first. Thus, the two just stared at each other, neither saying a word for quite some time.


    Finally, Liu Ming''an, unable to contain himself any longer ¨C after all, he needed to hurry back in case Jiang Ning returned ¨C broke the silence.


    "Brother Zhou, if you have questions, just ask. We''re brothers, there''s no need for hesitation."


    These words gave Zhou Yi more confidence, and he asked what he was most curious about: "Brother Liu, you''re from the Lou family? Lou Lianyu is your brother?"


    Liu Ming''an nodded and exined concisely: "My father is the younger brother of Grand Tutor Lou. He left home and changed his surname due to certain reasons. In terms of blood rtions, I am a member of the Lou family. Lou Lianyu is my cousin, Grand Tutor Lou is my uncle, and the old Grand Tutor is my grandfather."


    "My goodness..." Zhou Yi looked at Liu Ming''an in disbelief, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg due to his shock.


    Liu Ming''an found his expression amusing but continued: "Brother Zhou, I only learned about these things aftering to the Capital City. Some past events are not convenient for me to share, please understand. In any case, I won''t be returning to the Lou family. I will always be Liu Ming''an."


    At this point, Liu Ming''an reached out and patted Zhou Yi''s shoulder, just as Zhou Yi had done to him before: "Brother Zhou, I don''t want things to be awkward between us. With Brother Zhang gone, you are my only friend in the Capital City."


    Zhou Yi was deeply moved. He grasped Liu Ming''an''s hand, his heart and mind full of loyalty: "Brother Liu, what are you saying? I was worried that with your newfound noble status, you might not want to associate with a mere merchant like me anymore. You''re my favorite little brother! Since you put it that way, we''ll be lifelong friends. From now on, I''ve got your back in the Capital City!"


    Liu Ming''an smiled brightly: "Great, thank you, Brother Zhou!"


    After saying this, Liu Ming''an added a reminder: "Brother Zhou, I don''t want this matter to spread. Please¡ª"


    "Don''t worry, I promise to keep it secret. I won''t breathe a word of it, not even to my own mother!" Zhou Yi interjected.


    "Thank you very much, Brother Zhou."


    With matters rified, Liu Ming''an stood up to take his leave: "Brother Zhou, I have something to attend to, so I must head home now."


    "Oh?"


    Zhou Yi was quite surprised. Why such a hurry?


    "Brother Zhou, I know you''re busy too, so I won''t disturb you further. Farewell."


    Liu Ming''an had reached the door when Zhou Yi, suddenly remembering another matter, hurried after him: "Brother Liu, are you still going to live in that house? If you don''t want to, I can find another ce for you."


    Zhou Yi wasn''t stupid; he could tell that Liu Ming''an wasn''t too fond of the Lou family.


    Liu Ming''an knew Zhou Yi was sincerely considering his welfare and looked at him gratefully: "Thank you, Brother Zhou. That ce is quite nice, and I''ve gotten used to it. I''m toozy to move. Let''s leave it as is."


    "Alright then."


    Zhou Yi didn''t say more. He apanied Liu Ming''an downstairs and saw him off outside Junyue Inn, only returning to the ounting room to continue his work after Liu Ming''an had disappeared from sight.


    Liu Ming''an hurried home, his heart full of anticipation.


    Perhaps, he thought, when he pushed open the door, Jiang Ning would be standing in the courtyard, smiling and asking: "Liu Ming''an, where did you go?"


    Just imagining this scene made Liu Ming''an quicken his pace.


    However, when he actually pushed open the door, the courtyard was empty, just as he had left it. The note he had written was still in its original ce, unchanged.


    Liu Ming''an slowed his steps as he walked over, crumpled the paper into a ball, and repeatedly squeezed it in his hand.


    "It''s only been a few days, how could she be back so soon?"


    Liu Ming''anughed self-mockingly, sighed, and muttered to himself.


    "But still..."


    A momentter, a soft voice echoed in the quiet little courtyard, quickly dispersed by the wind.


    "Ning, I really miss you..."

 Chapter 138

    The ancestral hall of the Prime Minister''s Mansion was built with the consultation of feng shui experts.


    Located in the southwest corner of the mansion, the hall faced south with its back to the mountains and overlooking water. The surroundings were bnced on all sides, designed to bless future generations with prosperity and protect the Nangong Family''s longsting sess.


    As night fell, Jiang Ning finished her meal and excused herself to sleep. After her maid Xiao Ru left, she avoided people and climbed up the rockery on the side of the ancestral hall. She then slipped in through a narrow window.


    The two guards stationed at the door remained oblivious.


    Nangong Muyan was kneeling properly before the altar, writing something incessantly. She didn''t seem surprised by Jiang Ning''s arrival.


    Earlier that day, Nangong Muyan had been taken away by Nangong Ya. Jiang Ning had wanted to follow and watch, but Jin Yao had asked her to return to her own courtyard.


    Knowing she''de back in the evening anyway, Jiang Ning decided to rest in her room and conserve her energy. As night approached, she climbed through the window into the ancestral hall.


    "What are you doing?" Jiang Ning walked to Nangong Muyan''s side and picked up a piece of paper. It was covered with phrases like "Repay private wishes, acknowledge private favors" and "Be diligent but not frugal, lest wealth stem from extravagance." The words left her confused.


    Nangong Muyan continued writing without pause, replying coolly, "The family precepts and rules of the Nangong Family. I have to copy them a hundred times."


    "He didn''t beat you?"


    "He did. Thirty-oneshes. He wanted to continue, but Old Zhong called him away. Sounded like some official business."


    Nangong Muyan dipped her brush in ink and continued, "Before he left, he told me to copy the family rules and said I''d have to stay here for a month to properly atone to our ancestors."


    "Huh!" Jiang Ning let out a light scoff, her eyes full of derision.


    Nangong Muyan nced up at her, a yful smile on her face. "It seems little sister isn''t satisfied with the severity of this punishment..."


    Jiang Ning pulled over a cushion and sat beside Nangong Muyan, asking, "Do you know how grave Nangong Muyan''s offense was?"


    "Do tell," Nangong Muyan replied with a smile.


    "There''s not much to say. I came back to kill her, but before I could act, she hanged herself. Instead, you showed up..."


    Jiang Ning felt frustrated just thinking about it, feeling as if she''d been tricked.


    "Well, I''m sorry about that," Nangong Muyan paused, turning to look at Jiang Ning with a radiant smile. "Although you don''t seem too happy to see me, I''m quite d to see you, hehe..."


    Knowing the personality of the person before her, Jiang Ning didn''t take it seriously and got to the main reason for her visit: "What''s the deal with that blood lotus on your chest?"


    "I don''t know. It seems I was born with it."


    When discussing serious matters, Nangong Muyan''s smile faded a bit, her expression turning solemn: "It''s not a birthmark. Sometimes I can even feel it has some kind of connection with me. That''s why when I heard about the blood lotus seed, I asked you to get it. I wanted to see if there was any connection between the two."


    "Why haven''t I ever seen that mark on you?" Jiang Ning was curious. In her previous life, she had seen Nangong Muyan in low-cut dresses or spaghetti straps many times, but she couldn''t recall seeing that lotus on her chest.


    As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Ning saw Nangong Muyan looking at her as if she were an idiot: "Did you forget there''s something in this world called concealer?"


    Jiang Ning: "..."


    She really had forgotten.


    "I saw many lotus flowers before I died. What about you?" After a while, Nangong Muyan asked.


    "Mm, I saw them too."


    Jiang Ning replied, lowering her eyes thoughtfully.


    She had originally worried that since both she and Nangong Muyan had been resurrected in this world, perhaps others who were present at that time might havee too?


    At least now it seemed there was no need for such concern. Nangong Muyan was here because she had some inherent connection to the blood lotus, while Jiang Ning was here because she had swallowed the blood lotus seed. They had both established some mysterious connection with the "blood lotus."


    She had her space, but what about Nangong Muyan?


    Jiang Ning couldn''t help but look over at Nangong Muyan, only to meet her gaze.


    "When Nangong Ya was beating me, I roughly learned from him what this person had done before. Dismemberment, disfigurement, poisoning to muteness, sold to a small vige..."


    Nangong Muyan spoke softly, her affectionate eyes fixed on Jiang Ning''s face, not missing a single change in her expression. "You hadn''t arrived then, had you? When did youe? It must have been after Nangong Ling''s death, right? But even if Nangong Ling died, howe there''s not a single trace of her injuries on you? It''s quite strange..."


    Jiang Ning met Nangong Muyan''s gaze calmly, a faint smile on her face, but her eyes were cold.


    This woman was very clever and knew her well. Lying in front of her would be self-deception.


    The two silently faced off for a long time. After a while, Nangong Muyan chuckled and returned to copying the family rules: "Never mind. You''re all grown up now, it''s normal to have your own little secrets. I won''t worry about it unnecessarily. I''ll just focus on being a good youngdy."


    "You''re really okay with that?" Jiang Ning expressed her disbelief.


    Nangong Muyan put away the filled paper and took a new nk one before slowly saying: "In the past, I taught you things about killing. This time, let me teach you something good."


    Jiang Ning unconsciously sat up straight.


    Nangong Muyan began to speak, but unexpectedly recited a Buddhist verse:


    "Spring brings a hundred flowers, autumn a bright moon,


    Summer brings cool breezes, winter snow that croons.


    If idle concerns don''t cloud your mind,


    This is the best life you''ll ever find."


    In the dim candlelight, Nangong Muyan knelt upright, holding her brush and writing earnestly. As she recited the Buddhist verse, her gaze remained fixed on the tip of her brush. Her unhurried voice made Jiang Ning think of the phrase "peaceful years."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, looking at the calm and serene Nangong Muyan, unable to shake off the sense of incongruity: "Are you really going toy down your knife and be a Buddha?"


    Nangong Muyan chuckled again: "No, I just mean to live my own life well from now on and not worry unnecessarily."


    Before Jiang Ning could respond, Nangong Muyan continued: "But considering I''ve raised you for so long, I''ll say a bit more. People like us can never trulyy down our knives. Having a knife and not using it is different from not having a knife at all. Do you understand?"


    "I understand." Jiang Ning''s eyes flickered. She thought the same.


    The ancestral hall fell silent for a moment. Jiang Ning watched Nangong Muyan fill another sheet of paper and curiously asked: "You don''t know Nangong Muyan''s handwriting. Aren''t you afraid people will notice something''s off if you copy like this?"


    Hearing this, Nangong Muyan put down her brush, massaged her sore fingers, and then, under Jiang Ning''s watchful gaze, rolled up her sleeve.


    On her snow-white arm, three or four bright red whip marks were clearly visible. The skin had broken and bled, but the wounds were shallow and had already scabbed over.


    "When he was beating me, I deliberately used my arm to block a few times, and I intentionally wrote the characters a bit distorted. This way, if the writing looks different from before, there''s an exnation."


    Nangong Muyan lowered her sleeve and smiled at Jiang Ning: "Even if he suspects something, so what? Could he possibly imagine that the core inside this skin has been reced?"


    "Besides, I''ll be confined here for a month. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. After a month, when Ie out, it would be understandable if my personality has changed greatly, especially if it''s for the better. If I be an obedient, sensible, and considerate good daughter afterward, what could he possibly be dissatisfied with?"


    Jiang Ning realized she had been worrying unnecessarily. Any problem she could think of, the woman in front of her would have considered even more thoroughly.


    "Well then, carry on with your copying."


    Having said all she needed to, Jiang Ning stood up and climbed back out through the window she had entered from.

 Chapter 139

    A moon hung in the pitch-ck sky, though it was no longer as bright as in previous days.


    After sneaking out of the ancestral hall, Jiang Ning stood in the moonlight for a moment, contemting where to go next.


    Nangong Muyan was dead. So were Ma Steward, Dongmei, and even Xiao Qing, the maid who had kept silent about what she knew.


    It''s all over now, Jiang Ning told herself.


    A subtle fragrance wafted through the air. Jiang Ning turned her head to see several red plum trees in full bloom by the wall. The hazy moonlight fell upon the vibrant petals, as if draping them in a thin veil.


    Liu Ming''an.


    The name suddenly surged into her mind. Jiang Ning envisioned that handsome, gentle face, and longing crashed over her like a flood bursting through a dam, leaving her defenseless.


    She wanted to see him.


    Go see him!


    Jiang Ning walked to the wall, about to climb over it when she glimpsed the blooming red plums. She paused, walked to the branches, and stood on tiptoe to break off a few stems.


    Gathering the broken flowers together, Jiang Ning looked around, found a pliable de of grass, and used it to tie the stems into a bouquet. She then tossed it into her spatial storage.


    Havingpleted this, Jiang Ning stepped back, about to take a running start when a surprised voice called out from behind: "Third Young Miss?"


    Jiang Ning turned at the sound. Jin Yao stood by the path holding antern, apparently justing from the study.


    It was normal for the boss''s secretary to greet the boss''s daughter, so Jiang Ning nodded to Jin Yao, nning to act once he left.


    Unexpectedly, Jin Yao stood still with hisntern, looking as if he wanted to chat with Jiang Ning.


    "Has the Third Young Miss had dinner?"


    "...Yes."


    "Is the Third Young Miss here to admire the plum blossoms?"


    "...Mm."


    "The plum blossoms in the mansion are especially beautiful this year. Does the Third Young Miss enjoy them as much as the Madam does?"


    "...Mm."


    "Where is your maid, Xiao Ru?"


    "..."


    "Third Young Miss¡ª"


    Jiang Ning lost patience and stared directly at the man before her. "Jin Yao, what exactly do you want to ask?"


    Jin Yao wasn''t usually talkative. This stream of small talk was just preamble, meant to close the distance between them so he could ask his real questions without seeming abrupt.


    Unfortunately, Jiang Ning wasn''t ying along.


    Jin Yao was taken aback. Seeing the cold detachment in Jiang Ning''s eyes, he finally believed what Jin Hui had told him about how different the Third Young Miss had be.


    "Third Young Miss, how have you been these past few months?"


    As soon as Jin Yao finished speaking, he saw Jiang Ning''s lips curl into a mocking smile.


    "If you want to ask, Nangong Ya shoulde ask in person. If you''re just curious, why don''t you investigate yourself?"


    Nangong Ya?


    The Third Young Miss referred to her own father this way?


    Before Jin Yao could process this, Jiang Ning, tired of talking to him, took a running start and nimbly scaled the wall right in front of him.


    Jin Yao stood stunned for a good while before reacting. He climbed the wall after her.


    The street outside was empty, with no sign of Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning no longer had any expectations of Nangong Ya, that biased and ipetent father. She didn''t care what Jin Yao might report to him, and thus didn''t even bother to put on an act.


    Once out of the Prime Minister''s Mansion, Jiang Ning''s thoughts returned solely to Liu Ming''an, the earlier interruption quickly forgotten.


    Without pause, she made her way to Late Winter Road. The closer Jiang Ning got to that courtyard, the faster her heart raced.


    "Having seen my love, how can I not be joyful?"


    Jiang Ning had only half-understood this line of poetry before. Now, deeply immersed in these feelings herself, she realized how aptly the ancients had captured the essence of "emotion."


    In the courtyard on Late Winter Road, Liu Ming''an had finished dinner and his evening wash. He carried amp as he stepped out of the house. Just as he crossed the threshold, a soft thud came from near the wall, as if something had fallen.


    Liu Ming''an sensed something and looked up. There stood the girl he''d been thinking of day and night, holding arge bouquet of plum blossoms, smiling brightly at him.


    "Liu. Ming. An."


    Jiang Ning enunciated each syble of his name. Though just three simple characters, they seemed to have echoed a thousand times in her heart before being spoken. To Liu Ming''an, it sounded like a voice from a dream.


    Liu Ming''an stood motionless, staring at Jiang Ning, as if trying to determine whether the scene before him was real or imagined.


    In the moonlight, the two gazed at each other silently, time seeming to stand still.


    Jiang Ning waited a moment. Seeing Liu Ming''an still in his dazed state, her smile deepened. She pretended to sigh andined, "Ah, I thought you''de over and hug me..."


    As she spoke, Jiang Ning began walking towards Liu Ming''an with her flowers.


    If the mountain won''te to me, I''ll go to the mountain.


    Jiang Ning had only taken two steps when that previously frozen figure suddenly moved. Like a gust of wind, he rushed over and pulled her into his embrace.


    "The plum blossoms¡ªmmph!"


    Jiang Ning tried to move the flowers aside, but her chin was tilted up, and a passionate kiss descended upon her lips.


    "The flow¡ªmmph!"


    Jiang Ning attempted to struggle, but Liu Ming''an''s lips and tongue thoroughly sealed her words.


    Oh well, it''s just a bunch of flowers.


    Jiang Ning gave up on other thoughts, closed her eyes, and surrendered to the kiss filled with infinite tenderness.


    The bouquet of blooming red plums, caught between their young bodies, was crushed and trampled, though neither paid it any mind. Crimson petals scattered on the ground at their feet, as if a red rain had fallen. The lingering floral fragrance hung in the air, adding a touch of amorous sensuality to their surroundings.


    The fervent kisses spoke of their longing more eloquently than words. After what seemed an eternity, the joy of reunion gradually settled in their hearts through this passionate embrace.


    "Ah Ning," Liu Ming''an gently caressed Jiang Ning''s face, his forehead pressed against hers, his entire being consumed by her presence. His voice hoarse, he said, "I''ve missed you so much."


    After the kiss, Jiang Ning''s lips were even more alluring than the fallen plum blossoms. Liu Ming''an watched as those lips parted, and heard her softly reply, "So have I." His throat bobbed involuntarily, his eyes darkening.


    Ah Ning, you''re too enticing.


    His body had long since reacted. Liu Ming''an lowered his gaze, no longer daring to look at the person before him, and tried to step back. To his surprise, Jiang Ning held him tightly.


    "Why are you retreating?" Jiang Ning chuckled softly. Due to their recent kiss, a thin mist of desire clouded her eyes. When sheughed, her gaze rippled enticingly, like a bewitching spirit.


    "I''m not... not retreating..."


    Liu Ming''an''s ears turned red, his eyes darting about nervously. Seeing this, Jiang Ning felt a mischievous urge to tease him.


    Her hands, originally around Liu Ming''an''s waist, moved up to encircle his neck. Jiang Ning slowly leaned towards his ear and breathed, "Liu Ming''an, if I wanted to sleep with you, would you resist?"


    The next moment, Jiang Ning was satisfied to see that patch of skin turn from light pink to deep crimson, as if about to drip blood.

 Chapter 140

    Jiang Ning buried her face in Liu Ming''an''s shoulder,ughing silently, her body trembling, causing Liu Ming''an''s heart to quake.


    A gentle hand caressed Jiang Ning''s face, fingertips lightly tracing her cheek with infinite tenderness and cherishment.


    "Ning''er, can we wait until after we''re married to talk about these things?" Liu Ming''an''s doting voice sounded in her ear.


    Jiang Ning lifted her head to look at him, smiling as she asked, "So when do you n to marry me?"


    His fingers moved to her rosy lips, pressing down ever so slightly. In the next instant, Liu Ming''an leaned in and nted a quick kiss before pulling away.


    "After I take the imperial examinations and secure an official position, then I''ll propose to the Prime Minister."


    Liu Ming''an spoke seriously, but Jiang Ning frowned at his words. "Why bother with him? What right does he have to meddle in my affairs?"


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback, confused. "Ning''er, didn''t you say before that you wanted to marry me as the Prime Minister''s daughter?"


    "That was then, this is now," Jiang Ning said with a gentle smile. "I have no connection to the Nangong Family anymore. You don''t need to worry about any Prime Minister, understand?"


    Liu Ming''an didn''t understand, but he nodded anyway.


    "In that case, when do you want to marry me?" Jiang Ning continued her earlier question.


    "Ning''er, I''ve always wanted to marry you, but I want to bring you home in a grand wedding procession. I don''t want to shortchange you."


    Hearing Liu Ming''an say this, Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow slightly. How much longer would that take? And it sounded so troublesome.


    Liu Ming''an lowered his head slightly and kissed her again. This time he didn''t pull away, but murmured against her soft lips: "I wish to match your virtue, to walk hand in hand aspanions. If I cannot soar with you, it will be my undoing."


    The hand that had been caressing Jiang Ning''s face trailed down her arm and grasped her hand, pressing their intertwined fingers against Liu Ming''an''s chest.


    "Thump~"


    "Thump~"


    "Thump~"


    The beating of his heart caused vibrations in his chest, transmitted through their palms pressed against his clothes. Jiang Ning felt her own heart resonating in sync.


    She gazed into Liu Ming''an''s eyes, those bright ck orbs reflecting her face, his expression utterly serious and solemn.


    In that moment, all of Jiang Ning''s yful thoughts vanished without a trace.


    Seeing Jiang Ning fall silent, Liu Ming''an worried he had said something wrong. He called out an anxious "Ning''er," only to see her staring straight into his eyes. After a moment, she spoke: "It''s too much trouble. Marriage is between the two of us. I don''t need a grand procession, borate headdress and robes, or all those formal ceremonies and matchmakers. Liu Ming''an, I only need you!"


    Liu Ming''an was stunned. Jiang Ning smiled softly and continued, "Since we''re going to get married anyway, why not do it sooner? How about today?"


    Without waiting for Liu Ming''an to react, Jiang Ning pulled him to kneel in the courtyard. "With heaven and earth as our matchmakers, the stars and moon as our witnesses, Liu Ming''an, I marry you and be your wife. Do you ept?"


    Liu Ming''an turned to look at Jiang Ning. The moonlight illuminated her face, making it appear dreamlike and ethereally beautiful.


    And all of this felt like an exquisite dream.


    Jiang Ning waited a while without hearing Liu Ming''an''s answer. She narrowed her eyes and threatened, half-jokingly, "You''re not going to say anything at a time like this? Do you want a beating?"


    Liu Ming''an suddenly smiled, feeling a burning sensation in his eyes.


    This wasn''t a dream!


    It was real!


    The girl he loved was willing to marry him!


    "Ning''er, I..." Liu Ming''an''s voice was choked with emotion. He took a deep breath, trying hard to calm the turmoil in his heart.


    "How could I be so fortunate..."


    The cool moonlight poured down upon the world, illuminating the couple kneeling upright in this small courtyard, like a silentpanion.


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning gazed at each other in silence, their eyes filled with nothing but each other.


    By the time they stood up, they had be husband and wife.


    "Ning''er..."


    Liu Ming''an pulled Jiang Ning close, once again pressing his lips firmly against hers, pouring all his inexpressible emotions into this one kiss.


    Jiang Ning closed her eyes and responded, her body pressed tightly against Liu Ming''an''s. The cold winter night wind seemed to bypass them; she only felt her entire body burning up, especially the heart in her chest, so hot it felt like it might melt.


    After what seemed like an eternity, the two separated, panting. Liu Ming''an''s eyebrows and eyes were filled with undisguised joy. He reached out to caress Jiang Ning''s face, his eyes brimming with unconcealed love: "Ning''er, you''re my wife now."


    "Mm." Jiang Ning tilted her head, nuzzling Liu Ming''an''s palm with her cheek.


    "Then you can sleep with me now."


    "...Huh?"


    What was that about?


    Jiang Ning was dumbfounded, but Liu Ming''an simply scooped her up in his arms and steadily carried her towards the bedroom.


    Even as Liu Ming''anid her on the bed and a flurry of kisses rained down, Jiang Ning was still pondering whether she had really seemed that desperate before.


    Surely Liu Ming''an didn''t think she had married him tonight just to do this?


    Suddenly, her lips were gently bitten, snapping Jiang Ning back to reality. Their clothes were already half removed.


    "Ning''er, don''t space out..."


    Liu Ming''an''s somewhat husky voice sounded by her ear, followed by a passionate kiss on Jiang Ning''s slender jade-like neck.


    In that instant, Jiang Ning felt as if a switch had been flipped inside her. An endless wave of embarrassment washed over her; she could feel her face burning red, and her body seemed to lose all strength, her limbs turning to jelly.


    "Liu- Liu- Liu Ming''an, maybe we should... should rest first today..."


    For the first time in her life, Jiang Ning couldn''t string together aplete sentence due to shyness, and she didn''t even know where to look.


    Liu Ming''an paused his kisses and propped himself up to look at the person beneath him, who was avoiding his gaze. He seemed to understand something.


    "Ning''er, be good, don''t call me Liu Ming''an..."


    Liu Ming''an kissed Jiang Ning''s lips, one hand already caressing the smooth skin of her slender waist.


    "Be good, call me... husband..." Liu Ming''an coaxed gently, his voice unlike its usual mellow tone, now carrying an indescribable depth.


    Jiang Ning felt not just her face, but her entire body burning as if on fire. Looking at Liu Ming''an''s unfamiliar, passionate gaze, her head began to spin.


    "Be good, say it once, and I''ll do as you say..."


    Liu Ming''an lowered his head to kiss Jiang Ning''s face again, his voice tinged with impatience.


    Jiang Ning opened and closed her mouth several times, her eyes filled with unmistakable embarrassment and annoyance.


    Liu Ming''an waited patiently. After a long while, he finally heard a voice as faint as a mosquito''s buzz from beneath him:


    "Hus... band..."


    This was too much!


    Only after calling out did Jiang Ning btedly realize they were alreadypletely unclothed, and judging by Liu Ming''an''s state, he had no intention of stopping.


    "You lied¡ªmmph!"


    Liu Ming''an silenced her with a fierce kiss on those red lips.


    "Ning''er, be good, from tomorrow on, I''ll do whatever you say..."


    ...


    Outside, a light rain began to fall, wetting the scattered red plum blossoms in the courtyard, making them look a bit bedraggled.


    Fallen and ground to mud, yet still fragrant.


    This faint plum fragrance spread throughout the small courtyard, a unique warmth of winter. However, in one corner, spring passions were boundless. Amidst the sound of rain, there seemed to be faint human voices.


    "...Ning''er, be good, call me that again..."


    "Get lost! Mmph¡ª"


    "...Ning''er, I love you so much..."


    "Shut up! Take your hand away first! Mmph mmph¡ª"


    "Ning''er..."


    "Ning''er..."

 Chapter 141

    After leaving Liu Ming''an''s courtyard, Lou Lianyu headed back to the Ministry of Justice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Several days had passed since Zhu Yuxuan''s case, and there was still no progress.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Minister Zhu had been crying in the imperial study for days, weeping bitterly each time as if he intended to cry until the end of time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The Emperor, having just recovered from a long illness, was already in a foul mood. Hearing someone wailing in his ear every day only worsened his temperament.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When the Son of Heaven is irritated, his subjects suffer.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The people of the Ministry of Justice were the first to bear the brunt of it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As the Deputy Minister of Justice, Lou Lianyu fared better, as the lower one''s rank, the less responsibility one bore. His superior Yuan Kaizhi, however, as the Minister, was summoned by the Emperor daily to report on the case''s progress in Minister Zhu''s presence. When it became clear that the investigation had made no headway, Minister Zhu would wail andment, forcing the Emperor to put on a show of admonishment, repeating the same few phrases over and over.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "To daremit murder right under the Emperor''s nose, and to kill the only son of an important court official at that! It''s utter disregard for thew! Minister Yuan, I order you to lead the Ministry of Justice in solving this case quickly, bringing the culprit to justice, and giving Minister Zhu an exnation!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What could Yuan Kaizhi say? He could only y along with His Majesty''s act.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As a veteran official who had served for many years without aligning himself with any faction, loyal only to the Emperor, he saw certain matters more clearly than others.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This case, urring at this particr time, likely delighted the Emperor deep down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The Emperor was aging and declining, the heir to the Great Liang throne had not been named, and various factions in the court were maneuvering against each other, waiting for an opportunity to strike.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The Emperor''s illness had made some fools believe the time was ripe, and they had acted rashly, even daring to attempt an assassination of the Prince of Xiang, Yu Wenyan, in Jinzhi City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The older one gets, the more one clings to power, and emperors are no exception. What the Emperor hated most was others coveting his position.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Even if it was his own son, what difference did it make?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The true identity of Zhu Yuxuan''s killer wasn''t important; a dead man could be used to make a point.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Yuan Kaizhi understood this clearly, knowing the case would soon reach a conclusion, but he didn''t share these thoughts with Lou Lianyu, who was earnestly investigating.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Lianyu returned to the Ministry of Justice and went straight to the morgue.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the harsh winter cold, ice blocks were ced in the morgue to preserve the bodies. Entering the room sent a shiver through one''s body.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Lord Lou," the coroners in the room bowed respectfully upon seeing Lou Lianyu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Lianyu gestured for them to rise, tightened his cloak, and circled the bodies of Zhu Yuxuan and his two servants. He asked, "Coroner Ling, have you found anything?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Coroner Ling, whose full name was Ling Xianzhang, was in his fifties. He had followed in his father''s footsteps to be a coroner at sixteen, and there was no one in the capital with more experience in examining corpses than him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ling Xianzhang shook his head, his face etched with frustration: "It''s a very tricky case!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ling''s apprentice, Zhang Zhu, chimed in: "Lord Lou, we can''t deduce much more from the bodies. The killer is experienced, their method of killing is very clean..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhang Zhu paused, pointing at the dark bruises on the necks of the two servants, and continued: "These two weren''t the target. They were killed with a single stroke, the wound deeper on the left and shallower on the right, lower on the left and higher on the right, deep enough to see bone."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As he spoke, Zhang Zhu made a fist with his left hand, as if holding a knife. He raised his hand halfway and quickly shed from left to right, bottom to top: "The killer did it like this, killing both men in an instant, giving them no chance to fight back."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Lianyu pondered for a moment before summarizing: "So we''re still at the same conclusion as before - the killer is left-handed, very strong, moves swiftly, and is quite tall, at least a head taller than these two servants, which means over seven feet three inches, correct?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ling Xianzhang grunted in agreement and walked to the center of the morgue, where Zhu Yuxuan''s massive bodyy on a wooden bed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The body was covered with a white cloth. Ling Xianzhang pulled it back, revealing Zhu Yuxuan''s corpse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The naked body was an eerie pale, with seven stab wounds on the abdomen, dark red and almost ck. There were multiple scrapes and bruises on the shoulders, arms, and face, and faint postmortem lividity had appeared on the fleshy neck.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The killer''s target was Zhu Yuxuan; killing the two servants was just incidental," Ling Xianzhang said, staring at the seven wounds with a grave expression. "He first killed the two servants with one stroke each, without pause, then rushed to Zhu Yuxuan. Still using the same knife, he twisted his wrist, changed his grip, and stabbed here¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ling Xianzhang pointed to one of the wounds and pursed his lips: "See, this was the first stab. He pulled the knife out immediately and dislocated Zhu''s jaw, preventing him from crying out. s..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Lianyu also examined the wound. It was very deep, with flesh curling outwards. One could imagine the torrent of blood that must have gushed forth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ling Xianzhang then lifted Zhu Yuxuan''s hand to show Lou Lianyu. All ten fingers were damaged, with nails bent outwards and covered in blood.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "After Zhu Yuxuan fell, he crawled on the ground. I''ve seen the bloodstains at the scene; he crawled more than once. The killer did this intentionally. None of the stab wounds were actually fatal on their own. Zhu Yuxuan ultimately died from blood loss."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ling Xianzhang put down Zhu Yuxuan''s hand, mentally reconstructing the scene from that night: "The killer first murdered the servants, then stabbed Zhu Yuxuan once, dislocated his jaw, and watched him crawl on the ground. After a while, he kicked him over and stabbed him again, continuing to watch him struggle for life. When Zhu had crawled a few steps away, another stab... Seven stabs in total, with an entire hour passing between the first and thest!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The room fell silent for a long while before Ling Xianzhang sighed and covered Zhu Yuxuan''s body with the white cloth again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Decisive in action, meticulous in thought, cruel in method, and calm in demeanor... a formidable character," Lou Lianyu remarked, ncing at the ring white cloth, his mood growing heavy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ling Xianzhang nodded, repeating his apprentice''s words: "Lord Lou, we can''t deduce much more from the bodies. You''ll need to investigate other aspects of this case."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Lianyu grunted in acknowledgment and turned to leave the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Other aspects?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The eight-character message written in blood on the wall and the night watchman''s testimony had already pointed towards Minister Zhu''s rivals. The Ministry of Justice had thoroughlybed through Minister Zhu''s rtionships over the past few days, arranging investigations into anyone suspicious. Hopefully, it would yield some results.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Lianyu had only walked a few steps when he ran into Yuan Kaizhi, who had just returned from the pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Minister Yuan," Lou Lianyu bowed respectfully.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He knew Yuan Kaizhi must have been summoned to the pce again for questioning. His superior had always treated him well, and Lou Lianyu felt somewhat guilty. As Yuan Kaizhi approached, Lou Lianyu offered: "Minister Yuan, why don''t you let me report to the Emperor tomorrow? You''re not as young as you used to be, and it can''t be easy for you to go back and forth between the Ministry and the pce."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Yuan Kaizhi looked at the young man before him. Lou Lianyu appeared haggard, with bloodshot eyes, dark circles underneath, and stubble on his chin ¨C clear signs of exhaustion andck of rest.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In contrast, Yuan Kaizhi, who had been running back and forth every day as the Minister of Justice, looked much better than Lou Lianyu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Yuan Kaizhi suddenly felt a pang of sympathy and pulled Lou Lianyu aside, speaking in a low voice: "Stop investigating. There''s no need!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Confused, Lou Lianyu listened as Yuan Kaizhi continued: "Don''t ask me why. If you really don''t understand, go home and ask your father."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Lianyu stood there, stunned. Before he could say anything more, Yuan Kaizhi patted his shoulder and advised: "Go home and get some rest. You''ve worked hard these past few days."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Yuan Kaizhi pushed Lou Lianyu''s shoulders, guiding him towards the main gate. He then waved his hand: "Go home. Don''t worry, I''ll handle things here."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 142

    Lou Lianyu returned to the Lou Mansion. Before he could reach the study, he encountered his mother Shangguan Qiaoxi and his wife Cheng Shuyu on the way.


    "Lianyu, what did Ming''an say? When is heing?" Shangguan Qiaoxi asked eagerly.


    When she had married into the Lou family years ago, Lou Qingzhi was just a 12-year-old boy. In her memory, that youngd always politely called her "sister-inw" with a gentle demeanor.


    Later, after she gave birth to Lou Lianyu, Lou Baili was so busy with court affairs that he barely had time to set foot at home. It was Lou Qingzhi who ran around taking care of all the household matters, big and small.


    Shangguan Qiaoxi genuinely regarded Lou Qingzhi as her own brother. When he left home years ago, she cried for several days. Afterwards, she would go to the Fragrant Leaf Temple every year to pray. After asking Buddha to bless her family with health and peace, she would always add in her heart: "Bodhisattva, please bless Lou Qingzhi with longevity and freedom from worries for years toe!"


    Unfortunately, fate had other ns.


    Upon returning home and learning that Lou Qingzhi had died fourteen years ago, Shangguan Qiaoxi couldn''t help but break down in tears once again.


    She understood that the dead cannot be brought back to life, but this made her especially eager to meet Lou Qingzhi''s child. She had heard that the boy named Liu Ming''an looked very much like him.


    Hearing his mother''s question, Lou Lianyu suddenly remembered this matter but didn''t know how to respond.


    His wife, Cheng Shuyu, also looked over at him.


    When Cheng Shuyu married into the Lou family, Lou Qingzhi was already long gone from the household. But she knew that her husband had always been thinking about this uncle of his.


    Cheng Shuyu had learned about the incident from 25 years ago from Lou Lianyu. As an outsider, she could better understand the choices made by Lou Qingzhi and Liu Ming''an.


    Seeing Lou Lianyu''s silence, Cheng Shuyu seemed to understand something: "Lianyu, is your cousin unwilling toe back?"


    Lou Lianyu sighed, nodded without saying anything more, and turned to walk towards the study.


    In the study, Lou Baili was handling official business while Lou Yuhuan sat at the table ying chess by himself.


    Seeing Lou Lianyu enter, both men looked up, eagerly awaiting his news.


    With two intense gazes fixed upon him, Lou Lianyu pressed his temples, feeling a headacheing on.


    "Ming''an... he said he needs to wait for someone in that courtyard and can''t leave. I guess it''s that girl he likes."


    The light in Lou Yuhuan''s eyes immediately dimmed. The chess piece he had been fingering fell onto the board with a "thud," disrupting the entire game.


    Lou Baili turned to look at his father''s expression, feeling uneasy but not knowing how tofort him.


    The room was silent for a long while before Lou Yuhuan smiled faintly and slowly began picking up the ck and white chess pieces one by one, returning them to the box. "This child really is like him..."


    "Grandfather, should I go again in a few days?" Lou Lianyu suggested after some thought.


    "We certainly need to go, but not just you alone," Lou Yuhuan said, putting away the chess pieces and standing up. He walked to the window, gazing out at the courtyard as he made his decision.


    "It''s the Lou family who owes Ming''an, not the other way around. We should have been the ones to pay him a visit in the first ce. We were indeed discourteous this time."


    Lou Baili and Lou Lianyu exchanged a nce before saying in unison, "Then let''s go together."


    Having made the decision, Lou Baili looked at Lou Lianyu and arranged, "In a couple of days, after you''ve wrapped up the Zhu Yuxuan case at the Ministry of Justice, we''ll go see Ming''an together. Your mother wants to meet him too. Shuyu can stay home to take care of your grandmother and Yi''er."


    Lou Lianyu''s eyes flickered upon hearing this, realizing his father also knew some inside information.


    "Father, why do you think that case will be resolved in a couple of days? The Ministry of Justice hasn''t found any leads at all."


    Lou Lianyu looked at Lou Baili, utterly confused as to why his father and Yuan Kaizhi were so certain.


    Lou Baili hesitated, unsure whether he should exin.


    As a father, he understood Lou Lianyu well. After achieving the top score in the imperial examinations, Lou Lianyu could have directly entered the Ministry of Revenue, but he chose the Ministry of Justice instead. Lou Baili knew then that his son had a strong sense of justice and a desire to punish evil and promote good.


    But affairs of the court wereplex and unpredictable. How could there be so much clear-cut right and wrong? It was nothing more than various factions fighting like dogs.


    "Baili, tell him! He''s a father himself now, why are you still treating him like a child?" Lou Yuhuan ordered when he saw Lou Baili''s indecision.


    "Sit down," Lou Baili gestured to the chair by the table. After Lou Lianyu was seated, he began, "Some time ago, there were rumors in the pce that His Majesty was gravely ill. Not long after, the Prince of Xiang was nearly assassinated in Jinzhi City."


    Lou Lianyu''s brow twitched, surprised that he hadn''t known about this.


    "With no crown prince established, the Princes of Xiang, Rui, and Lin form a tripartite bnce of power. His Majesty used this illness to test people''s loyalty. The Prince of Lin was the first to make a move. When he realized the Emperor was fine, he tried to withdraw, but His Majesty won''t let him retreat unscathed."


    "But the Prince of Lin''s mother is the Noble Consort who holds sway over the six pces, and his maternal grandfathermands military power. He already had the best chance, so why would he do this?" Lou Lianyu''s confusion deepened.


    "The prince is tired of being a prince and wants to be emperor!" Lou Yuhuan interjected, gazing at the gloomy sky through the window without saying more.


    "Minister Zhu is the Prince of Lin''s man, and as luck would have it, his son''s killer happens to be his rival. As long as someonees forward and throws mud at the Prince of Lin''s confidant, the prince''s faction will inevitably suffer a setback and won''t be able to stir up any trouble for some time."


    "With his only son killed, Minister Zhu will surely be estranged from the Prince of Lin. It''s a n that kills two birds with one stone, so why not do it?"


    After finishing his exnation, Lou Baili looked at his son''s haggard appearance with some heartache. "That old fox Yuan Kaizhi must have seen through it all long ago. He''s been running around not doing any real work himself, but left you at the Ministry of Justice earnestly investigating the case. Ah, you''re too honest, what''s the point?"


    Lou Lianyu''s lips twitched into a wry smile, seemingly unconcerned. "After all, three lives were lost."


    "Zhu Yuxuan was no good person. He''d done plenty of bullying and harassing. His death was well-deserved," Lou Baili said, a sh of disgust in his eyes as he thought of that fat man.


    "It''s raining," Lou Yuhuan suddenly said softly, reaching his hand out the window to feel the cool drizzle on his palm. "This is the first rain of the year..."


    At the same time, in a mansion in the northern district of the imperial city, Nangong Ya, who had just returned from the pce, listened to Jin Yao''s report with utter disbelief in his eyes.


    "You''re saying that Ling climbed over the wall and left right in front of you?" Nangong Ya''s eyes were wide with shock.


    Jin Yao nodded. If he hadn''t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn''t have believed it either.


    "Actually... Jin Hui also told me that the Third Young Miss grabbed his cor and threw him out..."


    Nangong Ya''s eyes grew even wider.


    "My lord, I feel... the Third Young Miss is quite different from before," Jin Yao continued, recalling Jiang Ning''s cold eyes and how she had directly called Nangong Ya by name. "It''s as if she''s be apletely different person."


    Nangong Ya sat there in a daze, recalling the events of the past few days. In his heart, hepletely agreed with Jin Yao''s words.


    The formerly timid and shrinking Nangong Ling, who wouldn''t dare meet anyone''s eyes, was nowhere to be seen since her return home this time.


    "Jin Yao, dispatch two groups of people. One group to find the Third Young Miss, and the other..." Nangong Ya stared into Jin Yao''s eyes, giving a solemn order, "Go to Qushui City, find the human trafficking ring, and investigate all the way down. I want to know exactly what Ling experienced during these past few months!"


    "Yes, sir."


    As Jin Yao left to carry out his orders, Nangong Ya sat alone in his chair for a long while before slowly rising to head towards the main courtyard.


    He should go check on Luo Siyi.


    Ling was causing worry on one side, while Yan was even more unruly on the other, even making her mother fall ill from anger.


    Thinking of this, Nangong Ya felt utterly exhausted.


    As he stepped out of the room, the fine drizzle fell on his face, and Nangong Ya suddenly realized it was raining.

 Chapter 143

    The first rain of the year continued until midnight.


    Raindrops pattered on the roof tiles, making a "shh-shh" sound. Countless droplets gathered and flowed down the eaves, dripping onto the porch below.


    Unfortunately, Jiang Ning didn''t hear any of thismotion.


    She felt like a boat tossing in a storm, her body repeatedly thrown up and down by the waves. She was dizzy and intoxicated, unable to suppress the soft moans escaping her lips.


    "Ning..."


    Liu Ming''an''s breathless call reached her ears again. Jiang Ning, her eyes half-closed, could clearly see beads of sweat slowly sliding down his chiseled face, gathering at his jawline before dropping onto her.


    Jiang Ning felt as if she''d been scalded. She tried to move, but her waist was firmly held, impossible to break free.


    "Ning..."


    Moist kisses fell on her lips countless times, apanied by the same repeated phrase: "Be good, won''t you call me husband once more?"


    Jiang Ning opened her eyes. The former coolness and detachment in her gaze had long since vanished, reced by an unconscious allure.


    Her rouge lips parted again, weakly uttering two words: "Get lost!"


    "Hehe... Ning, I love you so much!"


    Liu Ming''an adored her like this, unable to resist lowering his head to kiss those alluring lips again.


    "Ning..."


    "Ning''er..."


    "Little Ning..."


    Liu Ming''an started calling out various endearments, making Jiang Ning feel even hotter. She could only close her eyes, refusing to look at him.


    However, with her eyes closed, her other senses became more acute. Jiang Ning was forced to open her eyes again.


    "Can you... mmm... stop with the random names?"


    Jiang Ning''s breath was ragged, yet she attempted to reason with an impassioned man.


    Liu Ming''an immediately responded: "Sure, if you call me once more."


    "...Get lost!"


    He was actually trying to bargain with her!


    At a certain moment, Jiang Ning felt as if she''d been thrown into the clouds. She couldn''t see anything except a dazzling white, like starlight or moonbeams.


    "Ning..."


    A gentle kiss fell on her lips, and warm fingers caressed her face. As Jiang Ning gradually came back to her senses, she found herself drowning in Liu Ming''an''s intense gaze.


    "Ning, I love you..."


    Liu Ming''an''s breathing had not yet steadied. He reached out to brush Jiang Ning''s sweat-dampened hair to one side, then ced a soft kiss on her brow.


    Jiang Ning struggled to open her eyes to see him clearly, but felt so exhausted she could barely lift her eyelids. It seemed that if she closed her eyes, she would fall into a deep sleep.


    Liu Ming''an''s state was theplete opposite of Jiang Ning''s. His heart was full of indescribable emotions, without a hint of sleepiness.


    In the faint candlelight, he gazed at the beloved girl before him, his eyes full of desire, unwilling to even blink.


    Half-asleep, Jiang Ning felt the person beside her leave, and the temperature seemed to drop suddenly.


    After an unknown time, she felt herself being lifted and ced into a bathtub.


    Hot water enveloped her aching body, and countless kisses fell on her face. Jiang Ning drifted off into a deep slumber.


    Outside, the rain had stopped at some point.


    The moon had reappeared, and though not very bright, its light still reflected off the puddles on the ground with a pure radiance.


    After cleaning Jiang Ning up, Liu Ming''an quickly washed himself in the hot water. When he finished tidying everything and returned to the bedside, he saw Jiang Ning sleeping peacefully. He felt his heart meltingpletely.

 Chapter 144

    After leaving Nangong Ya''s study, Jin Yao went straight to the side courtyard where the guards of the Prime Minister''s Mansion resided.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Thew stipted that officials could have guards in their households for protection, but the number was strictly limited. As the Prime Minister, Nangong Ya was only allowed eight guards. Besides him and Jin Hui, there were six others.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, eight people were far from enough. Where there''s a policy, there''s a countermeasure. The Prime Minister''s Mansion officially had only eight guards, but the actual number was anyone''s guess.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jin Yao found Sheng Jing, who was drinking, and got straight to the point: "The Prime Minister has ordered an investigation into the Third Young Miss''s whereabouts and experiences during her months of disappearance. You should leave for Qushui City tomorrow with two others."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sheng Jing had been part of the team that pursued the human trafficker Wei Fangxiongst time, so he was the perfect choice to lead this mission.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sheng Jing didn''t say much, just nodded in agreement.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "We need to find out where the Third Young Miss was ultimately sold, who she encountered along the way, and how she finally returned to the Capital City... Everything, no matter how trivial, must be uncovered," Jin Yao instructed seriously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Don''t worry, boss. I''ll leave first thing tomorrow morning. I''ll take Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu with me. We''ll send word as soon as we find any useful information," Sheng Jing replied, then drained his cup of wine in one gulp.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jin Yao grunted in acknowledgment and turned to go to the next room to find Jin Hui.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother, what''s the matter?" Jin Hui was about to go to bed but quickly scrambled up when he saw Jin Yao enter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The Third Young Miss climbed over the wall and left the mansion tonight. It doesn''t look like she''ll being back. Take a few men tomorrow to find her."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Cl-climbed over the wall?" Jin Hui doubted his ears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, right in front of me. She climbed faster than I could," Jin Yao admitted reluctantly. It was a fact that the Third Young Miss was more agile at wall-climbing than he was.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ignoring his brother''s shock, Jin Yao continued, "Sheng Jing, Xiao Wu, and Xiao Liu have been assigned to go out. I can''t leave, and at least two people need to stay with the Prime Minister. That means besides you, there''s only one more person avable to search for the Third Young Miss."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Who knows where the Third Young Miss might have gone? How are we supposed to find her with just two people?" Jin Hui felt overwhelmed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This question stumped Jin Yao as well. After some thought, he said, "For now, search within the Capital City. The Third Young Miss probably hasn''t left yet. As for manpower, you two will have to manage. Do your best. Remember to keep a low profile and don''t make a big fuss. Many eyes are watching the Prime Minister right now."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After arranging everything, Jin Yao left the room and headed towards his own quarters. Halfway there, a fine drizzle began to fall from the dark gray clouds.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Passing by the ancestral hall, Jin Yao noticed a figure carrying arge box and holding something in their arms entering the hall. Squinting to get a better look, he realized it was Aunt Ying, Luo Siyi''s maid.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two servants at the entrance of the ancestral hall tried to stop her, but they lowered their hands as soon as they raised them, watching as Aunt Ying pushed open the door and went inside. The two men stood under the corridor, looking at each other in bewilderment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jin Yao smiled at this scene, the phrase "A doting mother spoils her child" shing through his mind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The Second Young Miss''s ruthlessness and cruelty were ultimately the result of Luo Siyi and Nangong Ya''s excessive indulgence.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But none of this was his concern. As the rain grew heavier, Jin Yao wiped his face, withdrew his gaze, and hurried back to his room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Inside the ancestral hall, Nangong Muyan watched Aunt Ying enter, discreetly looking her up and down, matching her to the description of "Aunt Ying" that Jiang Ning had given her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Second Young Miss, the Madam sent me," Aunt Ying said softly as she stood beside Nangong Muyan, who was kneeling on a prayer mat. Her eyes were filled withplex emotions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan stopped writing and looked up at her with a faint smile. "How is my mother?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Aunt Ying sighed, crouched down beside Nangong Muyan, and opened the box she was carrying. She took out a small bowl containing fragrant chicken soup with rice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan hadn''t felt particrly hungry before, but now, smelling the aroma, she suddenly felt ravenous.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Aunt Ying moved the paper and pen on the altar table to one side, then ced the small bowl in front of Nangong Muyan and handed her a spoon.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Second Young Miss, please eat. The Madam instructed me to make this for you. Eat while it''s hot; it doesn''t taste as good when it''s cold."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan nodded repeatedly, saying "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm," and began eating with the spoon.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Aunt Ying pulled over a prayer mat and sat beside Nangong Muyan, watching her eatrge mouthfuls with her head bowed. Knowing she must be starving, Aunt Ying couldn''t help but sigh again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The Madam fell ill from anger. The doctor prescribed some calming medicine, and she''s still resting in bed now."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan paused her chewing for a moment, then heard Aunt Ying continue to chatter, "I don''t know exactly what mistake you made, Second Young Miss, but the Prime Minister has always loved you the most. For him to punish you like this, and for even the Madam not to speak up for you, you must have done something really out of line this time..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Indeed, I deserve it," Nangong Muyan said, then continued eating.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Now that she had be Nangong Muyan, she had to enjoy the benefits of this identity and also bear the consequences of her previous sins.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was a fair trade.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah, well... Even though the Madam isn''t pleading on your behalf, she still worries about you. The Prime Minister ordered that you go hungry for two days, but the Madam couldn''t bear it. That''s why she sent me to bring you food."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan finished herst bite, wiped her mouth, and replied with a smile, "Please thank my mother for me."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "There''s no need for such formalities between mother and daughter," Aunt Ying said as she tidied up the table. "The Madam only hopes that you truly realize your mistakes, reform yourself, and don''t do anything wrong again."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mm-hmm, alright," Nangong Muyan agreed obediently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Aunt Ying then took out a small jar about the size of her palm from the basket. She opened the lid to reveal a grass-green ointment that smelled medicinal.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Second Young Miss,e, take off your clothes. I''ll apply the medicine for you," Aunt Ying said, looking at Nangong Muyan.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "This... is it necessary?" Nangong Muyan hesitated. It was just a small injury, did it really need medicine?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Aunt Ying assumed Nangong Muyan was just being shy. She put the jar aside and reached out to undo her clothes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan was startled. "!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Were they really this close?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''ll do it myself!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    They were both women, so it wouldn''t matter if she saw.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan obediently took off her clothes until only her undergarment remained, theny face down on the table, revealing the red marks on her back, waist, and arms. The sight made Aunt Ying''s heart ache.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The Prime Minister was too heavy-handed. It even broke the skin. Really..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Aunt Ying gently blew on the wounds, then scooped up some ointment and applied it softly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The wounds had been burning before, but as soon as the ointment was applied, they felt cool and quitefortable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan shifted her body to lie morefortably, then turned her head to look at Aunt Ying''s tearful expression, unable to understand.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Was this what they called "the beating falls on you, but the pain is in my heart"?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Aunt Ying continued to give thoughtful reminders: "Second Young Miss, if the wounds itch, you absolutely must not scratch them. It would be terrible if they left scars. You''re getting married in a few months, after all."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Married? To the Prince of Rui?" Nangong Muyan''s body suddenly stiffened. She seemed to have forgotten about this.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes,st year the Emperor arranged the marriage for you. They''re just waiting for you to turn eighteen, then the imperial edict will be issued. You''ll be a princess then, so you can''t cause trouble like this anymore..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "That''s good," Nangong Muyan replied with a smile, her response seemingly unrted to the topic. Her expression was thoughtful.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Aunt Ying finished applying the medicine to all the wounds and watched as Nangong Muyan got up and put her clothes back on. She then handed her another package.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The nights are cold. The Madam asked me to bring you this cloak. Use it as a nket when you sleep so you don''t catch a chill."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Alright."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The door opened and closed as Aunt Ying left with the wooden box.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan held the thick fabric in her hands for a long while before chuckling softly, "Now that''s a real mother... I''ve hit the jackpot..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 145

    Jiang Ning slept deeply.


    When she woke up, Liu Ming''an was sitting by the bed, his eyes full of affection and his face beaming with a smile.


    "Ah Ning."


    The two words she had heard countless timesst night echoed in her ears. Certain scenes seemed to rey before her eyes, and Jiang Ning shrank further into the nket, covering most of her face, leaving only her eyes exposed.


    Jiang Ning avoided Liu Ming''an''s burning gaze, letting her eyes fall on his hand resting on his knee. However, in the next moment, she suddenly recalled how that hand had grabbed her, caressed herst night...


    Ugh~ too embarrassing to remember!


    Jiang Ning closed her eyes briefly, finally deciding to stare at the canopy above the bed.


    "What time is it?"


    As soon as she spoke, Jiang Ning realized her voice was noticeably hoarse.


    "It''s almost noon. I''ll go get you some water."


    Liu Ming''an answered, got up to fetch a ss of water from the kitchen, and when he returned to the room, Jiang Ning had already dressed herself and thrown back the covers to get up.


    Before Liu Ming''an could say anything, Jiang Ning snatched the water from his hand and drank it all at once. As she drank, Jiang Ning tilted her chin up, revealing a slender neck, her skin as white as jade with spots of red plum blossoms.


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes darkened slightly, and he clenched his fist, coughing lightly as he turned his head away.


    When Jiang Ning put down the ss, Liu Ming''an hadposed himself. He picked up a hairpin and smiled at her, "Ah Ning, let me help you with your hair."


    "Oh."


    Jiang Ning responded dryly, lowering her eyes to stare at the floor, suddenly unsure of how to interact with Liu Ming''an.


    Looking at the awkward person in front of him, Liu Ming''an found his newlywed wife utterly adorable. Unable to contain his joy, he stepped forward, embraced her, and lifted her delicate chin to kiss her.


    Jiang Ning''s eyes widened in surprise.


    The warm, moist sensation on her lips, Liu Ming''an''s features so close, his long eyshes fluttering slightly, like little hooks teasing her heart.


    "Thump! Thump! Thump!"


    Jiang Ning heard her heart pounding like a drum.


    Liu Ming''an kissed her for quite a while before leaving her lips, his forehead pressed against hers, his voice as soft as a spring breeze, "Ah Ning, don''t be so ufortable. We''re husband and wife now."


    Husband and wife...


    Jiang Ning repeated these words in her heart, her lips curving up involuntarily.


    "Yes, we are husband and wife."


    Jiang Ning firmly repeated, looking straight into Liu Ming''an''s eyes, then tugged at his cor and pecked his lips, "You said yesterday that you''d listen to me from now on. Does that still stand?"


    "Of course it does! Absolutely!" Liu Ming''an covered Jiang Ning''s hand that was grabbing his cor, his eyes smiling, "Mrs. Liu, I''ll listen to you from now on."


    "That''s more like it."


    A bright smile spread across Jiang Ning''s face as she gazed into Liu Ming''an''s eyes, both of their eyes filled with an love so deep it couldn''t be dissolved.


    In the end, Liu Ming''an still helped Jiang Ning with her previous hairstyle, because his beloved wifeined, "My head feels heavy when all the hair is pinned up."


    Liu Ming''an, of course, had toply.


    While this side was experiencing newlywed bliss, with the couple deeply in love, on the other side, someone was scratching his head in frustration and worry.


    Jin Hui held a folded portrait in his hand, randomly found a roadside teahouse, and ordered a bowl of cold tea on this chilly day.


    Li Jiu, who had been running around with him all morning, plopped down beside him, dejected: "Brother Hui, how are we supposed to find her in this huge capital city? We''re like headless flies!"


    Li Jiu, being the youngest, was the most impatient. Without waiting for Jin Hui to speak, he continued, "We''ve asked all over Yuqin Street and Zhuxia Road near the Chancellor''s mansion this morning, and no one has seen the Third Miss. Where on earth could she have gone?"


    After a fruitless morning, Jin Hui himself was feeling irritated. With Li Jiu''s constant muttering, he felt a nameless fire building up inside him.


    The waiter brought the tea, and Jin Hui picked it up and gulped down half the bowl. Only then did he feel the fire in his heart subside.


    "Don''t rush. The capital isn''t that small, but it''s not that big either. The Third Miss is strikingly beautiful, anyone who''s seen her would surely remember."


    Jin Hui tried tofort Li Jiu with kind words, while also trying to convince himself.


    "What if the Third Miss has already left the capital? Or what if she''s still here but hiding and noting out? We could search for a lifetime and never find her..." Li Jiu waspletely hopeless. He added with a sigh, "Ah, if only our master had awork of shops throughout the capital like the Lou Family. With such extensive connections, we''d probably find the Third Miss in less than half an hour..."


    The waiter brought tworge baskets of steamed buns. Jin Hui picked one up and stuffed it into Li Jiu''s mouth, silencing his chatter, "Stop trying to ck off. Even if we can''t find her, we still need to search thoroughly first. How else can we report back to the master?"


    Li Jiu nodded, taking a big bite of the bun, his cheeks puffed out. Jin Hui patted his shoulder and said, "Eat up. This afternoon we''ll check other ces. She''s a grown person, someone must have seen her."


    After a quick lunch, the two men set out again with the portrait, asking around until they reached Xichun Road.


    Li Jiu looked up at the luxuriously decorated inn before them and asked Jin Hui, "Brother Hui, would the Third Miss stay at an inn instead of going home?"


    "Stop talking nonsense. Let''s go in and ask."


    Jin Hui couldn''t be bothered with him and strode towards the ce with a sign that read "Jun Yue Restaurant". Li Jiu had no choice but to follow.


    "Oh, wee, gentlemen! Pleasee in!"


    The greeter at the door enthusiastically weed Jin Hui and Li Jiu, "Gentlemen, are you here for a meal or to stay?"


    Jin Hui waved his hand, "Don''t mind us, young man. Go about your business. We''re here to ask about someone."


    Li Jiu followed Jin Hui inside, looking at the crowded hall, and whispered, "Brother Hui, who should we ask? Should we ask everyone here one by one?"


    Hearing this stupid question, Jin Hui raised his hand and knocked Li Jiu on the head, "Did you grow only in height and not in brains? Of course we''re going to ask the manager."


    Seeing Li Jiu still unconvinced, Jin Hui patiently exined, "These inn and restaurant managers, which one of them isn''t talented? If you pass by them once, they''ll remember you for at least ten days, if not more."


    "Not to mention how striking the Third Miss''s appearance is," Jin Hui added.


    Li Jiu rubbed his head, grinned, and ttered him, "Brother Hui, you''re so smart!"


    With that, Li Jiu volunteered to go ask the manager, but when he looked towards the counter, he was puzzled, "Brother Hui, why is the manager of this restaurant so young? He looks like a young master."


    Jin Hui looked over and indeed saw a young man in blue clothes standing behind the counter, looking no older than twenty-five.


    "Let''s go ask first and see. You can''t always judge a book by its cover." Jin Hui also felt something was off, but they hade this far, they couldn''t just leave.


    Zhou Yi behind the counter had long noticed these two strange customers whispering to each other, but he didn''t pay much attention. Running a business meant weing all kinds of guests; he had seen all sorts of odd characters.


    Anyway, Manager Li had gone to the toilet with a stomachache, and Zhou Yi was just passing by, filling in for him for a while before heading back upstairs.


    Li Jiu walked up to the counter, putting on what he thought was a friendly smile. He first bowed slightly to Zhou Yi, then as usual, took out a few copper coins and ced them on the counter, "Manager, excuse me, I''d like to ask you something."


    Zhou Yi nced at the copper coins, smiled, and pushed them back, "You''re too kind, sir. I don''t even know if I can help yet. Please, go ahead."


    Li Jiu unfolded the portrait in his hand and ced it in front of Zhou Yi, his eyes filled with a glimmer of hope, "Have you seen this youngdy?"


    Zhou Yi lowered his gaze to look. The woman in the portrait had exquisite features, delicate and charming, truly a stunning beauty!


    Although the artist who drew this portrait wasn''t very skilled - even the mouth was crooked - Zhou Yi recognized her at a nce. It was his sister-inw, Jiang Ning!


    Zhou Yi''s smile froze for a moment, his eyes flickered, and he imperceptibly took a breath before shaking his head at Li Jiu, "I haven''t seen her."


    Li Jiu sighed in disappointment and was about to put away the portrait when Jin Hui behind him stepped forward, staring into Zhou Yi''s eyes, "Are you sure you haven''t seen her? Please take another good look, manager."


    Zhou Yi lowered his head and looked several more times, then said with certainty, "Sir, I really haven''t seen her. This youngdy is so beautiful, if I had seen her, I would remember her for a lifetime."


    Jin Hui smiled and reached into his pocket, taking out two taels of silver and cing them near Zhou Yi''s hand. "Sorry for the trouble. We''ll be going now!" With that, he grabbed Li Jiu by the cor and left.


    Once they were outside Jun Yue Restaurant, Li Jiu asked in confusion, "Brother Hui, why did you give him so much money? We didn''t get any useful information. A few copper coins would have been enough."


    Aliali: 6720f54c2bffb2b7bc4c0e56


    Jin Hui raised his hand and gave Li Jiu another hard knock on the forehead, exasperated. "Don''t you have any brains? Can''t you even read people''s expressions? That manager has definitely seen the Third Young Miss!"


    "Huh?" Li Jiu was dumbfounded.


    Jin Hui didn''t want to exin further and pulled Li Jiu to stand not far from Jun Yue Restaurant. "He''s not only seen her, but he might even have some kind of rtionship with the Third Young Miss. Otherwise, he wouldn''t go to such lengths to cover for her."


    "Then why don''t we just grab him and question him?" Li Jiu didn''t understand why they were just standing there doing nothing.


    "Thwack!"


    Another knock on the head, and Li Jiu covered his head with a look of grievance.


    Jin Hui''s face darkened with anger. "In broad daylight, with so many people around, you want to grab him? On what grounds? Whatw has he broken? And what official are you? Besides, have you forgotten the master''s orders not to make a big fuss about this?"


    Li Jiu was stunned by the barrage of questions, but his peripheral vision caught a figure in blue walking out of Jun Yue Restaurant. He quickly pointed and said urgently, "Brother Hui, stop scolding me, he''sing out!"


    Jin Hui looked and indeed saw the manager hurrying out, his steps quite rushed.


    "Quick, follow him!"

 Chapter 146

    Zhou Yi hurried towards Late Winter Road without stopping, his heart filled with worry the entire way.


    He remembered that back in Lingshan Town, Liu Ming''an had told him and Zhang Shun that he had bought Jiang Ning.


    At the time, Zhou Yi didn''t think much of it, assuming Jiang Ning was probably a maid from some wealthy family who had made a mistake and been sold off. If Liu Ming''an liked her, so be it, it wasn''t a problem.


    But now someone was actually going around asking questions with Jiang Ning''s portrait!


    What did this mean?


    It meant that Jiang Ning''s past wasn''tpletely severed!


    This could very likely bring trouble to Liu Ming''an!


    "Sigh~"


    Zhou Yi let out a deep breath, wondering how he should tell Liu Ming''an. He seemed to like Jiang Ning so much that he probably wouldn''t let her go even if disaster struck.


    But he couldn''t stay silent either. Zhou Yi truly regarded Liu Ming''an as a brother, and he couldn''t stand by and watch cmity approach without saying a word.


    At the very least, he should give him a heads up, Zhou Yi told himself.


    As for what decision Liu Ming''an would make after knowing, that would be his own business.


    After dinner, Liu Ming''an was reading a book scroll as usual, with Jiang Ning sitting beside him grinding ink. They would asionally exchange nces, their eyes intertwining, both filled with deep affection.


    "Brother Liu! Brother Liu!"


    The sound of knocking and shouting from outside the courtyard shattered the intimate atmosphere.


    Liu Ming''an smiled helplessly: "Brother Zhou always makes such amotion when he arrives." He was about to get up.


    Jiang Ning had already stood up before him, pressing her hand on his shoulder: "I''ll go open the door."


    Jiang Ning walked out of the study and into the courtyard, immediately noticing the red plum blossoms scattered by the wall.


    After a night of wind and rain, the vibrant red petals had wilted somewhat, falling to the ground and mixing with mud and sand, inexplicably evoking a sense of pity.


    What a pity, Jiang Ning thought, it was the first time in all these years she had given flowers to someone, yet Liu Ming''an hadn''t even nced at them.


    But in the next moment, thinking of the reason why Liu Ming''an hadn''t had time to look at the flowers, a flush of embarrassment surged through Jiang Ning''s heart.


    "Brother Liu! Are you home?"


    Zhou Yi''s shout brought Jiang Ning back to her senses. She walked to the door and opened it, revealing Zhou Yi''s face full of anxiety outside.


    "Sister-inw?"


    Zhou Yi was visibly startled to see Jiang Ning, his eyes showing a hint of panic.


    Zhou Yi had originally nned that if Liu Ming''an came to open the door, he wouldn''t enter the courtyard, but would secretly pull him aside to exin the situation clearly, letting Liu Ming''an make his own decision.


    Who knew it would be Jiang Ning!


    "Sister-inw, I... I''m looking for Brother Liu..." Zhou Yi said evasively, not daring to look at Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning looked at Zhou Yi''s behavior with suspicion, wondering if these two brothers had some secret they couldn''t let her know.


    "Haha..." Zhou Yiughed awkwardly, "Is Brother Liu at home?"


    Just as Jiang Ning was about to answer, she suddenly caught sight of two people peeking around the corner of the alley not far away. When they saw her looking, they quickly hid themselvespletely behind the wall.


    Jiang Ning''s eyes instantly turned cold.


    Although the two had hidden quickly, she still recognized one of the faces.


    Jin Hui!


    "Brother Zhou, Liu Ming''an is in the study. You go find him. I''m going out to buy something."


    After saying this, Jiang Ning grabbed Zhou Yi''s sleeve and pulled him inside the door, while she herself stepped out of the courtyard.


    Jin Hui and Li Jiu, who had followed Zhou Yi, exchanged smiles at the corner of the alley, feeling incredibly pleased.


    "Brother Hui, it really is the Third Young Lady! I can''t believe we found her so quickly! This is great!" Li Jiu opened the portrait in his hand, grinning from ear to ear, amazed at how smoothly things were going.


    Jin Hui also let out a long sigh of relief, his expression very rxed: "Yes, our luck is not bad! We can go back and report to the master now."


    "Huh?" Li Jiu looked at Jin Hui in surprise: "We''re just going back like this?"


    Jin Hui nodded: "The master only told us to find the Third Young Lady, not to bring her back. Now that we''ve found where the Third Young Lady lives, we need to wait for further orders from the master¡ª"


    "Thinking of leaving so soon?"


    A cold female voice suddenly sounded beside them. Jin Hui and Li Jiu whirled around to see the Third Young Lady they had been discussing, standing with her arms crossed and an expressionless face, looking at the two of them. They had no idea when she had arrived, as she hadn''t made a sound.


    "Th-Third Young Lady?" Li Jiu''s eyes widened in shock.


    Jiang Ning hadn''t met Li Jiu before. Seeing him holding a piece of paper with what looked like a portrait on it, she walked over and snatched it to take a look. Sure enough, it was a drawing of her.


    "Who drew this?" Jiang Ning asked coolly.


    It was so ugly, her mouth was drawn crooked. It couldn''t evenpare to half a finger of Liu Ming''an''s work.


    Li Jiu quietly replied "I drew it," only to see Jiang Ning tear the paper to shreds.


    Ignoring Li Jiu, Jiang Ning stared directly at Jin Hui and asked: "nning to go back and report? And then send people to capture me?"


    Jin Hui quicklyposed himself and bowed to Jiang Ning: "Third Young Lady, the master is just concerned about you. You left without a word, and he was worried you might be in danger. That''s why he sent us to find you."


    "Hah! Concerned..." Jiang Ning sneered. Although she knew this was the truth, she found it strangely ironic.


    "Then you go back and tell him to forget he has this daughter. I''m doing very well now and don''t want to have any more entanglements with the Prime Minister''s Mansion. Moreover..."


    Jiang Ning paused, then continued: "I''ve already changed my name. From now on, there''s no such person as Nangong Ling in this world. If he wishes, he can build a grave for Nangong Ling."


    Hearing this, Jin Hui and Li Jiu raised their heads in disbelief, shocked to the point where they couldn''t close their mouths as they looked at Jiang Ning speaking these words so calmly.


    Jiang Ning turned to leave after speaking, but after a few steps, she heard Jin Hui''s voice from behind: "Third Young Lady, wait!"


    Jin Hui pulled Li Jiu and walked up to stand in front of Jiang Ning: "I can''t ry these words for you. Severing ties with the master isn''t as simple as you think."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, looking at Jin Hui without speaking.


    "Third Young Lady, blood is thicker than water. How could a father truly abandon his child just because of a few harsh words?"


    Jin Hui felt Jiang Ning was being too naive and tried to persuade her gently: "Besides, if I were to tell the master these hurtful words, he definitely wouldn''t believe them. When you went missing before, your maid Dongmei used the same tactic to deceive the master."


    "You mean, you want me to go and say it to his face?" Jiang Ning pondered, thinking it made sense.


    Jin Hui nodded. He didn''t really understand why there was such aplicated father-daughter rtionship, but getting the Third Young Lady to return home was always a good thing.


    "Tch, how troublesome!" Jiang Ning pressed her brow, suddenly feeling that being an orphan in her previous life wasn''t so bad.


    Jin Hui stood patiently waiting. After a good while, he heard the Third Young Lady slowly speak: "Then you two wait here for a moment. I''ll go tell my husband."


    Jin Hui and Li Jiu were once again dumbfounded.


    After Jiang Ning went inside, Li Jiu nudged Jin Hui''s arm, stuttering so badly he couldn''t form aplete sentence: "Hui-Hui-Hui-Hui..."


    "Stop with the ''Hui''! Straighten out your tongue!" Jin Hui was getting a headache.


    Li Jiu swallowed hard several times before whispering: "Brother Hui, I think the Third Young Lady is going to anger the master to death!"


    Jin Hui frowned but didn''t respond, because he was thinking the same thing.


    "How did the Third Young Lady be like this?" Li Jiu continued talking to himself: "She used to be so shy and timid, afraid to look at people. Now when she speaks, I feel like I''m standing in front of the master himself. Her aura is so strong..."


    Jin Hui''s frown deepened: "Not just that, she was able to grab my clothes and throw me out!"


    "What?"


    Li Jiu waspletely stunned.

 Chapter 147

    When Jiang Ning returned to the study, Zhou Yi was anxiously saying something to Liu Ming''an.


    Seeing Jiang Ning push open the door, Zhou Yi immediately closed his mouth.


    "Ning, where did you go?" Liu Ming''an walked over and asked Jiang Ning, his eyes filled with worry.


    As soon as Zhou Yi told him that someone was asking around with Jiang Ning''s portrait, Liu Ming''an immediately knew it was people from the Prime Minister''s Mansion looking for her.


    But Jiang Ning had told him before that she had no connection with the Prime Minister''s Mansion anymore. The contradicting statements left Liu Ming''an confused about the situation.


    Jiang Ning looked at the two brothers, guessing the situation fairly urately. She smiled gently at Liu Ming''an and said reassuringly, "It''s nothing. You can tell Brother Zhou the truth, so he doesn''t worry about you."


    Zhou Yi looked at Jiang Ning, then at Liu Ming''an, with a bewildered expression.


    Liu Ming''an nodded slightly, and then heard Jiang Ning continue: "There are two people outside the courtyard, sent by my father. They probably followed Brother Zhou here secretly."


    Zhou Yi''s eyes widened instantly: "They followed me? How did they find out? I clearly said I didn''t know you..."


    Seeing Zhou Yi''s somewhat guilty expression, Jiang Ning smiled andforted him: "Brother Zhou, it''s not your fault. The situation isn''t as serious as you think."


    Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning and sighed almost imperceptibly: "Ning, are you going back again?"


    "Yes, I left rather hastilyst time. This time I''ll go back to rify things. I need to make a clean break with that ce."


    Jiang Ning saw Liu Ming''an frown and chuckled lightly: "Don''t worry, I''ll be back soon."


    "Alright, I''ll wait for you." As Liu Ming''an spoke, he reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.


    After Jiang Ning left, Liu Ming''an pressed his hand on Zhou Yi''s shoulder, pushing him to sit down in a chair, then brought a cup of water and ced it beside him: "Brother Zhou, don''t worry, let me exin slowly..."


    Jin Hui and Li Jiu were waiting right outside the door. As soon as Jiang Ning opened it, the two approached, calling out "Third Young Miss," their eyes unable to resist peeking inside, curious about what her "husband" looked like.


    Jiang Ning closed the door behind her and smiled slightly: "Keep looking, and I''ll gouge out your eyes!"


    Jin Hui and Li Jiu simultaneously shrank their necks, instantly averting their gaze - one looking up at the sky, the other staring at the ground, pretending nothing had happened.


    "Let''s go, don''t waste time." Jiang Ning nced at them and started walking towards the Prime Minister''s Mansion. The two hurriedly followed.


    Old Zhong opened the door. Seeing Jiang Ning return again, he had just uttered a "Third-" when he heard her ask: "Is my father in the study?"


    Old Zhong replied, "The master is in the main courtyard with the madam."


    Jiang Ning nodded and headed towards the main courtyard.


    Old Zhong watched her retreating figure, utterly confused. He turned back to ask Jin Hui and Li Jiu behind him: "What''s going on?"


    But Jin Hui stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and said mysteriously: "Uncle Zhong, don''t ask. It''s really... tooplicated!"


    Jiang Ning went straight to the main courtyard, where she ran into Aunt Ying, Luo Siyi''s maid, who was holding an empty medicine bowl.


    "Third Young Miss? Why are you here?" Aunt Ying looked at Jiang Ning in surprise.


    In Aunt Ying''s memory, the Third Young Miss and the madam had a delicate rtionship, but they never interfered with each other. The madam didn''t want to see her, and she never came to the main courtyard.


    "Is my father inside? Could you please call him for me?" Jiang Ning stood by the wall with her arms folded, looking at Aunt Ying.


    Aunt Ying looked at the indifferent Jiang Ning, feeling a strong sense of unease. She frowned and said, "Third Young Miss, the madam is ill, and the master is keeping herpany. If you don''t have anything important, it''s best not to stay here."


    "Heh heh heh..." Jiang Ning suddenlyughed, slowly circling around Aunt Ying, a faint killing intent in her eyes: "You, a mere servant, not only disobey my orders as your master but even try to teach me what to do..."


    "Third Young Miss, that''s not what I meant!" Aunt Ying''s heart jolted, and she hurriedly exined, feeling somewhat uneasy at the sight of this version of Jiang Ning.


    "Did you always speak to me like this before?" Jiang Ning stared into Aunt Ying''s eyes and asked: "Did Luo Siyi teach you this?"


    "Ling''er?"


    A man''s voice came from the courtyard. Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow and looked up to see Nangong Ya standing at the doorway, staring straight at her. He then strode towards her.


    "Get lost," Jiang Ning said softly to Aunt Ying.


    Aunt Ying looked at Nangong Ya, then at Jiang Ning, and left the courtyard with her head lowered.


    Nangong Ya quickly walked up to Jiang Ning, first looking her up and down to ensure she was unharmed, which eased his mind.


    But then, remembering how Jiang Ning had climbed over the wall and stayed out all night, anger rose in his heart again. He questioned her sternly: "Where did you go? What are you hiding from me? What exactly do you want¡ª"


    Jiang Ning looked at Nangong Ya standing before her. The concern in his eyes was genuine, as was his anger. She had long since understood that as a father, he had a sense of responsibility towards Nangong Ling, but there was little paternal love.


    "Father, I''vee back this time just to say a few words to you. Once I''m done, I''ll leave."


    Jiang Ning interrupted Nangong Ya, disregarding his expression, and continued on her own: "I don''t like this ce, I don''t like any of you, and I don''t want to be the Third Young Miss of the Nangong Family!"


    Nangong Ya''s face suddenly changed, unable to believe what he was hearing.


    "I''ve already changed my name and be someone else. From now on, just pretend I don''t exist in this world, or pretend that I''m dead. Don''te and disturb my life again."


    Nangong Ya''s body swayed, and he took two steps back before steadying himself. Clinging to a glimmer of hope, he spoke: "Ling''er, what are you saying? Are you joking with Father?"


    Jiang Ning looked at Nangong Ya, whose face had turned a bit pale, tugged at the corner of her lips, and shook her head firmly: "I''m not joking. Every word is from the bottom of my heart!"


    "Don''t send people to look for me anymore. I''m doing very well."


    Jiang Ning, seeing that she had said everything she needed to, turned to leave. After taking a few steps, she remembered something and stopped, but didn''t turn back: "Oh, by the way, I''m already married. No need for you to worry about that anymore."


    Nangong Ya watched Jiang Ning''s gradually retreating figure, as if something had frozen him in ce, unable to make any movement or utter any sound.


    It wasn''t until muchter that he returned to the room like a marite.


    Luo Siyi was leaning on the bed, her face sickly and her expression haggard. But when Nangong Ya walked in, dispirited, hisplexion looked even worse than hers.


    "My lord, what''s wrong? What happened?"


    After years of marriage, Luo Siyi could tell at a nce that something was amiss with Nangong Ya. She asked, full of concern.


    Nangong Ya looked at his wife on the bed, his eyes suddenly growing hot. He stepped forward and held her tightly in his arms.


    "Siyi, I''m not a good father. I didn''t raise Yan''er well, and I didn''t take good care of Ling''er. They both hate me, they all hate me..."

 Chapter 148

    Jiang Ning walked from the main courtyard towards the main gate, happening to pass by the ancestral hall.


    Two servants were sitting on the steps outside the ancestral hall, whispering something. Jiang Ning stood there for a moment, then circled around to a nearby rockery and climbed in through the window.


    "Did youe specially to see me, little sister?" Nangong Muyan looked at the person climbing through the window, smiling charmingly. "I''m so touched..."


    Jiang Ning walked to Nangong Muyan''s side and looked at the thick stack of papers on the table, asking, "How many times have you copied it?"


    "Thirteen times now," Nangong Muyan answered, putting down her pen and rubbing her wrist.


    "That''s pretty fast. You might be able to leave once you finish," Jiang Ning said, pulling over a cushion and sitting down at the edge of the table.


    "How could that be?" Nangong Muyanughed. "I''m the unfilial daughter who made my own mother ill with anger. To atone for my sins, I n to copy the Buddhist scriptures another hundred times to pray for my mother''s blessings."


    Jiang Ning was momentarily at a loss for words.


    Nangong Muyan ced apleted sheet of paper in the upper left corner and turned her head to look at Jiang Ning. Just as she was about to say something, her eyes suddenly shed.


    The next moment, Nangong Muyan''s hand shot out as swift as lightning, aiming straight for Jiang Ning''s neck.


    Jiang Ning reacted instantly, grabbing Nangong Muyan''s wrist to stop her movement, and asked coldly, "What madness are you up to?"


    Jiang Ning knew very well that Nangong Muyan had no reason to kill her, and there was no killing intent in her earlier action.


    Nangong Muyan allowed Jiang Ning to hold her hand, but her gaze fell on Jiang Ning''s neck. She smiled meaningfully, her eyes full of teasing, "Little sister, what are those red spots on your neck?"


    Jiang Ning abruptly let go of Nangong Muyan''s hand, about to reach up to adjust her hair to cover it, when she heard the other woman continue to tease her with ill intent, "Surely they can''t be mosquito bites?"


    "They''re not," Jiang Ning answered seriously.


    Jiang Ning knew that if she showed any sign of embarrassment, the person in front of her would have achieved her goal. So instead, she leaned in closer, fully exposing the marked skin to Nangong Muyan''s view.


    "They''re love bites, left from intimacy between a man and a woman. Satisfied now?" Jiang Ning said with a smile, sessfully seeing Nangong Muyan''s expression freeze.


    "Tch, no fun," Nangong Muyan pouted, losing interest and averting her gaze. She then set aside her joking mood and asked, "What did youe to see me about?"


    "I''ve severed ties with Nangong Ya. I probably won''t being back here in the future. You and I will live our separate lives from now on. I came to say goodbye to you as well."


    Jiang Ning calmly spoke these words. Her severance of ties with Nangong Ya was a farewell to the past at the Prime Minister''s Mansion as Nangong Ling. Coming to the ancestral hall to see Nangong Muyan was a farewell to her past life as N.


    From now on, she would just be Jiang Ning.


    Nangong Muyan understood Jiang Ning''s thoughts clearly. After a moment of silence, she asked her question, "Even if this father wasn''tpetent enough for Nangong Ling, you''re not someone who craves fatherly love. Why give up being a well-off youngdy? Is it for that man? Do you want to live a good life with him?"


    Jiang Ning neither confirmed nor denied, only saying, "I''ve said what I came to say. I''m going home now."


    "Hey, wait!" Nangong Muyan called out to Jiang Ning. "Will you still go by Nangong Ling in the future?"


    "Jiang Ning."


    "Jiang Ning?" Nangong Muyan repeated the name in disbelief. "Isn''t that the identity you had before you died?"


    Jiang Ning nodded, "Yes, the one you made up - some archaeology master who studied overseas."


    "Aren''t you afraid it''s unlucky?" Nangong Muyan looked at her with a somewhat helpless smile.


    Jiang Ning spoke indifferently, "It''s just a name. There''s no need for so much fuss."


    "True, just a name," Nangong Muyan picked up her pen again, dipped it in ink, and began copying. She casually said, "But it''s quite a coincidence, you really are surnamed Jiang."


    "Oh?" Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, showing some curiosity. "Wasn''t I an abandoned baby?"


    "Well... how to put it, not entirely," Nangong Muyan put pen to paper, while asking, "Your father was a phnthropist named Jiang Yuntao. Does that name ring any bells?"


    "I remember it. He was the first person I killed on a mission," Jiang Ning said, resting her chin on her hand as she watched Nangong Muyan write. She spoke as if chatting idly, as if talking about something inconsequential.


    Nangong Muyan nced sideways at Jiang Ning, seeing no fluctuation in her emotions. She smiled, not surprised.


    "Your mother was a fresh university graduate, pretty, who joined your father''spany after graduation as his assistant. They got involved, and she became his secret lover."


    "Oh, I forgot to mention, your father was nearly fifty then, married with children. He was still a model husband in public. His eldest son was the same age as your mother. An old bull eating tender grass, you know. One after money, one after looks, quite a match!"


    Jiang Ning made a sound of acknowledgment, indicating she was listening.


    "But your mother wasn''t very smart. After getting pregnant with you, she thought she could use you to gain legitimate status. Your father''s first wife found out, had her beaten up, and almost forced her to have an abortion. Luckily, she didn''t seed."


    At this point, Nangong Muyan sighed wistfully, "If you had been aborted, how dull this world would be!"


    Jiang Ning couldn''t be bothered with Nangong Muyan''s intermittent fits of entricity and urged, "If you''re going to tell a story, tell it properly. I''m in a hurry to get home."


    "Alright~" Nangong Muyan agreed and continued, "Your mother gave birth to you in secret, but didn''t want to raise you, so she left you at an orphanage and found herself another sugar daddy."


    "Being a mistress is a profession that relies on youth and beauty. After six or seven years, your mother''s looks faded, and she remembered you. She went to the orphanage to find you, thinking of taking you to the Jiang family to get some money..."


    Jiang Ning thought back to where she was at six or seven years old, and realized she was already in N''s hands by then - that is, with the person in front of her.


    "And then?" Jiang Ning asked, though she already knew the answer in her heart.


    "Do you need to ask? I killed her, of course," Nangong Muyan replied with a smile.


    Jiang Ning listened to all this without the slightest ripple in her heart, as if hearing someone else''s story.


    "But just because I knew your father''s surname was Jiang,ter on, whenever you needed to create an identity for a mission, I gotzy and just used this sound. Didn''t you notice that most of the time your surname was Jiang, Jiang, or Jiang?" Nangong Muyan asked Jiang Ning again.


    Jiang Ning thought carefully and realized it was true, but who would have made such a connection?


    "Now that the story is over, I''ll¡ª"


    Jiang Ning was about to say goodbye, but Nangong Muyan interrupted her, smiling alluringly, "Little sister, I told you this story to let you know that N''s life has a beginning and an end. It''spletely over now."


    Nangong Muyan stared into Jiang Ning''s eyes, her gaze filled with deep amusement, "You died, I died too. We met again in another world with new identities. Why do you have to cut ties with me so cleanly? It''s quite saddening..."


    Jiang Ning frowned and asked in return, "Is there any need for us to maintain a connection?"


    "Oh my! Those words break my heart. After all, you know, over all these years, everything I''ve tried to raise has died, even cacti. You''re the only one I''ve sessfully raised. In this world, apart from myself, you''re the one I love most."


    "You''re treating me like a pet?" Jiang Ning felt like punching someone.


    "What are you thinking? You''re a living, breathing person!" Nangong Muyan wore an expression that was half-smiling, half-not. "It''s just that I don''t know anyone else here. I want toe y with you."


    "You''re sick!" Jiang Ning couldn''t be bothered with her anymore and climbed out the window herself.


    Watching the window open and close, Nangong Muyan leisurely stood up, smiling and cursing, "You ungrateful little thing!"

 Chapter 149

    "This woman is too vicious!" Zhou Yi eximed, pping the armrest of his chair in anger inside a house on Late Winter Road.


    "Brother Zhou, don''t be upset," Liu Ming''an said, seeing how angry Zhou Yi was. He got up and poured him a ss of water. "Ning is very clever. I believe she''ll handle it well."


    Zhou Yi had been cursing for a while and was parched. He drained the ss in one gulp, then continued ranting, "It''s too much! How dare she do such a terrible thing to my sister-inw! If she were in front of me right now, I''d give her a good thrashing!"


    As he spoke, Zhou Yi mmed his fist on the table with a loud "thud" that sounded painful.


    In truth, Liu Ming''an hadn''t told Zhou Yi about Jiang Ning''s initial injuries of severed limbs and a disfigured face. He had only mentioned that Nangong Muyan had sold Jiang Ning and caused her some superficial wounds.


    After all, the terrifying speed at which Jiang Ning''s wounds healed was a secret that couldn''t be shared with anyone.


    But surprisingly, even with such a watered-down description, Zhou Yi was still fuming with righteous indignation.


    Liu Ming''an felt a warmth in his heart and poured Zhou Yi another ss of water. "Brother Zhou, Ning doesn''t want to be associated with the Prime Minister''s Mansion anymore, so please¡ª"


    "Don''t worry, I promise to keep my mouth shut!" Zhou Yi interrupted before Liu Ming''an could finish, then took a few more sips from his water ss.


    "But, Brother Liu, the fate between you and sister-inw is truly miraculous. It''s as if it was arranged by heaven. What''s that called again?" Zhou Yi rubbed his face, his mind muddled by anger, unable to recall the phrase.


    Liu Ming''an smiled and said, "A match made in heaven."


    "Yes, yes! A match made in heaven, a perfect pair, meant for each other, a divine arrangement!" Zhou Yi rattled off four phrases, feeling his mind sharpening again.


    Liu Ming''an''s face lit up with a radiant smile. He loved hearing others say how well-matched he and Jiang Ning were.


    "Brother Liu, when are you two getting married? I must give you a grand gift!" Zhou Yi asked with a grin, his eyes sparkling with excitement.


    Liu Ming''an''s lips curled up in an unstoppable smile. "Brother Zhou, we''re already married. Ning is my wife now."


    "What? You got married without inviting me?"


    This question made Liu Ming''an hesitate for a moment. After a brief pause, he decided to tell the truth: "Ning said a wedding was too much trouble, so she just married me with heaven and earth as witnesses, and the stars and moon as testimony."


    "What?" Zhou Yi was stunned. After a long moment, he said seriously, "Brother Liu, you can''t consider marriage a hassle. It''s a once-in-a-lifetime event. It''s one thing for sister-inw to be so casual about it, but as a man, you shouldn''t let a girl just casually be your wife like that."


    Liu Ming''an nodded, acknowledging the advice. "Brother Zhou, that''s what I was thinking too. I n to hold a proper wedding ceremony after I finish the imperial examinations, once everything is settled. I just haven''t told Ning yet."


    "You rascal... that''s more like it!" Zhou Yi''s expression softened a bit as he patted Liu Ming''an''s shoulder. "Remember to invite me when the timees!"


    "Of course! You''re my elder brother, after all!" Liu Ming''an said with a smile.


    Zhou Yi took another sip of water and sighed wistfully, "Brother Liu, you''re so lucky. I never imagined that sister-inw, who seems as cold as ice, would be so unconventional as to marry you without even a wedding ceremony... "


    "Mm, I didn''t expect it either," Liu Ming''an thought of Jiang Ning, his eyes and brows filled with irrepressible joy. "Maybe Ning just likes me too much!"


    "Tsk!" Zhou Yi looked at Liu Ming''an''s lovestruck expression and felt a twinge in his teeth.


    As Liu Ming''an continued to think fondly of Jiang Ning, he suddenly noticed Zhou Yi had moved closer, staring at his face as if examining some rare object. It made Liu Ming''an feel uneasy.


    "Brother Zhou, why are you staring at me like that?" Liu Ming''an asked nervously.


    "Brother Liu, you''re quite handsome," Zhou Yi said out of the blue, startling Liu Ming''an.


    Fortunately, he quickly followed up with, "Although I''m not as good-looking as you, I''m not ugly, right? I have a nose and eyes, all in the right ces..."


    Although Liu Ming''an didn''t know why Zhou Yi was saying this, his kind heart prompted him to reply without hesitation, "Brother Zhou, you''re handsome and talented. Don''t doubt yourself."


    Zhou Yi nodded and sat back down. "Not only that, I''m also very wealthy."


    "I''m filial to my parents and respectful to the elderly and kind to the young."


    "I''m also humble, courteous, and of good character."


    Zhou Yi thought for a moment and added two more of his good qualities.


    Liu Ming''an: "..."


    What was Brother Zhou up to?


    Just as Liu Ming''an was feeling perplexed, Zhou Yi suddenly turned to him with a woeful expression. "I''m so great, why don''t any girls like me?"


    Liu Ming''an: "..."


    "Brother Zhou," Liu Ming''an asked, puzzled, "When we were in Lingshan Town, didn''t you tell me that several girls in the capital dreamed of marrying you?"


    Zhou Yi smiled slightly. "You must be remembering wrong."


    "No, I remember it very clearly," Liu Ming''an said firmly.


    "If I say you remembered wrong, then you remembered wrong," Zhou Yi smiled at Liu Ming''an, his voice carrying a hint of gritted teeth. "Are you going to argue with your big brother?"


    "Yes, I remembered wrong," Liu Ming''an quickly agreed, getting the hint.


    The room fell silent for a moment. Zhou Yi stroked his chin, frowning thoughtfully.


    Liu Ming''an watched from the side, several times on the verge of speaking but holding back.


    This was the scene Jiang Ning saw when she pushed open the door.


    "Ning, you''re back." Liu Ming''an''s eyes instantly lit up as he rose to greet her.


    "Everything''s been cleared up," Jiang Ning said, knowing what Liu Ming''an wanted to ask and answering before he could.


    "Good," Liu Ming''an replied with a smile, his eyes filled with twinkling light.


    Zhou Yi also stood up. Seeing the loving couple, he thought it best not to say anything.


    But watching the pair holding hands and gazing at each other lovingly, Zhou Yi felt as if ants were crawling all over him. Feeling ufortable staying there, he simply stepped out of the room and into the courtyard.


    This small courtyard was bought by Zhou Yi two or three years ago. He liked how quiet the area was, perfect for escaping his parents'' nagging. He only stayed here asionally for a day or two.


    Now, a gentle breeze rustled the bamboo leaves. Zhou Yi walked to the edge of the courtyard wall and looked up at the straight, verdant bamboo.


    Huh?


    What was that?


    A sh of goose yellow suddenly appeared in his vision. Before Zhou Yi could get a clear look, a dark shadow came hurtling towards him.


    "Thud!"


    The next moment, Zhou Yi heard the sound of his head hitting the stone b. His vision went dark, and then he felt a weight on top of him.


    "Oh no! I''m so sorry, this body''s physical condition is too poor. Are you alright?"


    A woman''s voice reached his ears. Zhou Yi, clutching his head, came to his senses and found himself lying on the ground with someone sprawled on top of him.


    It was a woman.


    And quite a pretty one at that.


    The woman pushed herself up off the ground. Just as she steadied herself, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an, who hade out to investigate themotion, looked in their direction.


    "Why are you here?" Jiang Ning asked, eyeing the unexpected visitor warily.


    Nangong Muyan.


    "Brother Zhou!" Liu Ming''an, seeing Zhou Yi lying on the ground, rushed over in a few quick strides to help him up. "Brother Zhou, what happened to you?"


    Jiang Ning followed, quickly assessing Zhou Yi''s condition. Seeing that he was still alive, she let out a big sigh of relief, then turned to Nangong Muyan with a hostile expression. "What were you trying to do to him?"


    "Uh... it''s a misunderstanding." Nangong Muyan didn''t want to admit that, as an assassin, she couldn''t even climb over a wall properly. It was too embarrassing.


    But this body belonged to a delicate youngdy, with weak limbs and insufficient core strength. She felt like crying.

 Chapter 150

    After Liu Ming''an helped Zhou Yi stand up, all three pairs of eyes fell on Nangong Muyan simultaneously.


    "Hehe..." Nangong Muyan faced their gazes with a forced smile that didn''t reach her eyes.


    Her dramatic entrance had left her at a disadvantage, causing her to lose the upper hand.


    This was truly a miscalction.


    "Youngdy, why have you appeared in my home?" Liu Ming''an asked Nangong Muyan with furrowed brows.


    Zhou Yi rubbed the back of his head where he had hit it,ining, "Why did you climb over the wall to get in? You nearly crushed me to death!"


    Nangong Muyan turned her head to look at Jiang Ning: "Aren''t you going to introduce us?"


    Hearing this, Liu Ming''an and Zhou Yi''s gazes fell on Jiang Ning once again.


    Jiang Ning felt a headacheing on. After a long moment, she finally spoke: "Nangong Muyan, my second elder sister."


    As soon as the words left her mouth, two voices rang out simultaneously, one from Liu Ming''an and one from Zhou Yi:


    "Nangong Muyan?"


    "The evil woman?"


    Nangong Muyan looked at the two men ring at her in anger, feeling somewhat confused about the situation. She turned to look at Jiang Ning again.


    Jiang Ning pointed at Liu Ming''an: "Liu Ming''an, my husband."


    Then she pointed at Zhou Yi: "Zhou Yi, our elder brother."


    After the introductions, Jiang Ning looked at Nangong Muyan and asked, "What exactly are you here for?"


    "To see where you live."


    "Now that you''ve seen it, isn''t that enough? Why did you need to climb over the wall toe in?"


    "Well, since I was already here, I thought I''de in and say hello."


    Jiang Ning cursed "she''s crazy" in her heart, and directly stepped forward to grab Nangong Muyan''s sleeve, pulling her towards the main gate.


    "Hey, hey, hey! Little sister, a guest should be weed¡ª"


    Before Nangong Muyan could finish speaking, the gate mmed shut in front of her with a loud "bang."


    "Sigh~ You ungrateful little thing. To think I was worried about yourck of dating experience, afraid you might be deceived by a man''s sweet words. I came to check things out for you..."


    Nangong Muyan looked at the tightly closed door, talking to herself. She deeply regretted that back then, she had only taught her how to kill people, and should have also taught her about human rtionships and social etiquette.


    Not understanding manners at all!


    After closing the door, Jiang Ning looked at the confused faces of Liu Ming''an and Zhou Yi, knowing they didn''t understand why this malicious second sister woulde to visit her.


    Unable to reveal the truth about time travel, and not wanting to whitewash Nangong Muyan''s reputation, Jiang Ning thought for a moment and decided she could only y the role of a saint.


    "She has already realized her mistakes and received due punishment. I have forgiven her."


    Seeing the two brothers'' looks of disbelief, Jiang Ning struggled to maintain a calm expression on her face, putting on an air of magnanimity: "Everyone makes mistakes. We can''t negate a person''s entire being because of one error. We should give her a chance to reform. Let bygones be bygones. In life, one must learn to let go..."


    Jiang Ning''s words gave herself goosebumps. As soon as she finished speaking, she felt as if she was glowing with a Buddhist aura.


    Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning suspiciously, lost in thought.


    From what he knew of Jiang Ning, these words were definitely not sincere.


    But Zhou Yi beside him believed it to be true and had already started eximing: "Ah~ Sister-inw, you''re just too kind-hearted. It''s easy for people to take advantage of you."


    Jiang Ning forced a smile: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. It''s better to forgive and forget."


    "Ah, you really are..."


    Zhou Yi shook his head and sighed, full of helplessness. In the end, he could only say: "Then don''t associate with her in the future. One must always be cautious of others. Even kindness should have its limits. Just focus on living a good life with Brother Liu. If you have any difficulties,e find me. Although my family is just in business, we''ve been in the capital for many years and have some connections..."


    Feeling a wave of warmth in her heart, Jiang Ning smiled genuinely: "I''ll remember that, Brother Zhou."


    Zhou Yi thoughtfully gave a few more words of advice to the young couple before taking his leave.


    The couple wanted to invite him to stay for dinner, but Zhou Yi politely declined, saying he had matters to attend to at the restaurant. They could only see him off.


    After closing the door, Jiang Ning could tell from Liu Ming''an''s expression that he hadn''t believed a word of her saintly speech earlier.


    "Liu Ming''an, I don''t know how to exin it to you."


    Jiang Ning began, feeling troubled. The situation was tooplex, involving past lives and present, supernatural elements ¨C it wasn''t something that could be exined in just a few words.


    Moreover, she didn''t want to tell Liu Ming''an so much.


    Liu Ming''an smiled gently, not surprised. He stepped forward and embraced her, making the decision for Jiang Ning: "Then let''s not talk about it. Don''t dwell on it."


    A soft kissnded on her forehead as Liu Ming''an''s clear, pleasant voice sounded again with a hint of amusement: "Ah Ning, as long as you''re by my side, I don''t care about any of these things."


    He was so understanding; it was quite touching.


    Jiang Ning thought she should kiss him.


    So she grabbed Liu Ming''an''s cor and leaned in.


    To her surprise, Liu Ming''an took a step back, avoiding her.


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, about to question him, when Liu Ming''an reached out to stroke her hair, saying soothingly: "Ah Ning, it''s not even dark yet. Be patient for a while."


    "...Huh?"


    Since when did kissing require waiting for nightfall?


    Howe she didn''t know about this?


    Liu Ming''an caressed her face again, continuing in a soft voice: "Be good, don''t rush!"


    Jiang Ning: "..."


    While the young couple was having this mimunication, on the other side, Zhou Yi, who was walking towards Jun Yue Restaurant, was knocked unconscious at the entrance of an alley.


    Nangong Muyan stepped forward to support the man who was about to copse on the ground. Then, with one hand under Zhou Yi''s knees and the other around his back, she lifted him up in a princess carry.


    When she had followed Jiang Ning here earlier, she had taken the opportunity to scout out the surrounding area and knew there was an empty house nearby.


    Nangong Muyan carried him for a few steps, feeling like her arms were about to break off. She couldn''t help butin: "He''s so heavy!"


    This body''s strength was really too poor. It seemed that after returning, she would definitely need to train properly. At the very least, she couldn''t make mistakes like falling on someone while climbing over a wall again.


    After much effort, she finally carried him to the abandoned courtyard. Nangong Muyan took out a silk handkerchief from her bosom, tore it into strips, and tied Zhou Yi''s hands behind his back to a tree.


    It had rained the night before, and a broken tile vat in the courtyard had collected water. Nangong Muyan scooped up a handful of ice-cold water and sshed it directly onto Zhou Yi''s face.


    The unconscious man was startled awake by the shock, instantly opening his eyes.


    "Awake now?"


    Zhou Yi, who had just regained consciousness, was still a bit dazed. He instinctively looked towards the voice and saw Nangong Muyan standing in front of him with a grin.


    "Nangong Muyan!"


    Zhou Yi''s eyes suddenly widened. He tried to move, only to realize he was tied to a tree.


    Looking around, he recognized this as the abandoned courtyard on Late Winter Road. He had been here before, chasing a stray cat.


    So, this meant...


    He had been kidnapped?


    "What do you want? You''re not going to beat me up and sell me off too, are you?" Zhou Yi red at the woman in front of him, his eyes filled with anger and fear.


    "Hehe..." Nangong Muyanughed ambiguously, then stepped forward and ced her hand on Zhou Yi''s chest, carefully wiping the water off her hands on his clothes.


    "Now you''re using me as a towel?"


    Zhou Yi was so angry he wanted to hit her. He tried hard to move his wrists, but found they were tied too tightly. When he didn''t move it was fine, but as soon as he did, the rough tree bark scraped painfully against the back of his hands.

 Chapter 151

    After wiping her hands dry, Nangong Muyan took a step back, looked at Zhou Yi, and chuckled lightly again: "Stop ring. I just want to ask you a few questions, then I''ll let you go."


    "I won''t say anything!" Zhou Yi immediately replied firmly.


    "Oh? So uncooperative?" Nangong Muyan raised an eyebrow, her smile growing even brighter. Combined with her face as beautiful as peach blossoms, it only made people think of the word "alluring."


    "Won''t you at least listen to what I want to ask?" Nangong Muyan continued.


    "You must have evil intentions. You see that my sister-inw is doing well now, so you want to harm people again!" Zhou Yi spoke with conviction.


    "Not at all, I just want to check on my sister''s situation," Nangong Muyan said, looking a bit innocent.


    "You''re fooling no one," Zhou Yi felt his intelligence was being insulted.


    "Really."


    "I don''t believe you!"


    "How about I swear an oath? If I''m lying to you, may my father be struck by lightning."


    "I won''t believe you even if you swear!"


    "Then what will make you believe me?"


    "I won''t believe you no matter what! Give up on that idea!"


    Nangong Muyan looked at Zhou Yi, who had turned his face away and refused to look at her anymore. Her eyes grew colder: "I was going to talk to you nicely for her sake..."


    Zhou Yi sensed something was wrong and turned his head back to look at Nangong Muyan. He found that there was not a trace of a smile left on her face, and those beautiful eyes that were once full of emotion now held only coldness.


    "You''ve really exhausted all my patience..."


    Zhou Yi heard Nangong Muyan speak softly, and for some reason, his heart began to pound.


    Nangong Muyan stepped forward and slowly reached out her hand towards Zhou Yi...


    "W-what are you doing?"


    Zhou Yi''s voice trembled slightly as he tried to back away, but he was tied up tightly and could only watch helplessly as Nangong Muyan''s hand inched closer to him.


    "Now you''re scared?"


    Nangong Muyan curled her lips into a smile, and under Zhou Yi''s anxious gaze, she reached her hand to his waist...


    Then, she yanked off his belt in one swift motion!


    "What on earth are you trying to do?" Zhou Yi was shocked and dismayed.


    "Why the rush? You''ll know soon enough."


    Nangong Muyan casually replied, then unhurriedly opened Zhou Yi''syers of winter clothing, pulling them down to his elbows, leaving him with only oneyer of undergarment.


    "Y-y-you... Are you trying to take advantage of me?" Zhou Yi was suddenly terrified.


    "Take advantage of you?" Nangong Muyan''s face filled with disgust upon hearing this. "You wish!"


    Zhou Yi was filled with fear,pletely unsure of what was happening. He watched as Nangong Muyan raised her hand, licked the back of it, then held it high in the air with her eyes closed, as if in deep concentration.


    Is she... performing some kind of sorcery?


    Zhou Yi nervously swallowed several times, feeling a chill run down his spine.


    After a while, Nangong Muyan lowered her hand and opened her eyes, turning to look at Zhou Yi with a radiant smile: "The perceived temperature is 3 degrees Celsius, southwest wind at level 3, air humidity around 50 percent..."


    Is this some kind of spell incantation?


    Zhou Yi couldn''t help but shrink his neck, not daring to speak.


    "I know you don''t understand," Nangong Muyan smiled slightly, appearing both affectionate and bewitching, yet instinctively making Zhou Yi feel danger.


    Her slender fingers hooked onto the cor of Zhou Yi''s remaining undergarment: "I just want to tell you that in weather like this, if I strip you naked and tie you here for a night, you''ll freeze to death. That''s all."


    With a flick of her fingers, thest piece of clothing on Zhou Yi''s body was also torn open. His bare skin was exposed to the cold wind, and as the wind blew, all warmth seemed to dissipate. He felt himself shivering uncontrobly.


    "You wicked woman, how can you be so evil? Aren''t you afraid of karmic retribution?" Zhou Yi''s teeth chattered from the cold as he cursed through gritted teeth.


    Nangong Muyan dismissed this with a smile and simply asked: "Now, are you ready to hear what I want to ask? As long as you answer truthfully, I''ll help you put your clothes back on."


    Zhou Yi remained silent, turning his head to one side with a look of tragic heroism on his face. However, he heard Nangong Muyan begin to ask: "How old is Liu Ming''an?"


    Huh?


    This question seemed answerable.


    Zhou Yi turned his head back and said quietly, "Neen."


    "Tsk tsk tsk, an older sister-younger brother romance!"


    Nangong Muyan''s eyes gleamed with excitement as she spoke, while reaching out to help Zhou Yi put his undergarment back on. "What does he do for a living?"


    Zhou Yi hesitated for a moment, thinking this question also seemed safe to answer: "He''s a schr, already a sessful candidate in the imperial examinations, preparing for the metropolitan examination."


    Nangong Muyan nodded and helped Zhou Yi put on anotheryer of clothing.


    Though twoyers of clothing did little for warmth, at least they blocked the cold wind. Zhou Yi felt a bit better, but was puzzled about why Nangong Muyan was asking these questions.


    "What do his parents do? Are they harsh people? Do they have many rules? Would they make life difficult for a daughter-inw? Are there other people in the family? Are the family members kind? Are they easy to get along with?" Nangong Muyan fired off a series of questions in one breath.


    "His parents are both deceased, and in the family..." Zhou Yi hesitated for a moment before continuing, "There''s no one else, just him."


    "Hehehe..." Nangong Muyan suddenlyughed, her eyes rippling with charm, captivating yet chilling Zhou Yi to the bone.


    Those hands reached out again, and Zhou Yi thought she was going to help him put on more clothes. Unexpectedly, with a flick of her wrists, she tore open the twoyers he was wearing, leaving Zhou Yi once again exposed to the cold wind.


    "Lying to my face, you really have a death wish," Nangong Muyan snorted, walking to the broken pottery urn and scooping up a handful of water, which she then sshed onto Zhou Yi''s body.


    "Ah!" Zhou Yi hissed from the cold, feeling like his body was about to go numb.


    Nangong Muyan returned to Zhou Yi''s side, using his clothes to wipe the water off her hands, and said with a smile: "I''ll give you one more chance. Answer the previous question again."


    "His parents really are dead!" Zhou Yi was on the verge of tears. What kind of female demon was she?


    "Hmm, I believe that part. You lied about the second half," Nangong Muyan stared directly into Zhou Yi''s eyes.


    "There really are other people in his family, but I can''t tell you. Anyway, they''ve cut ties, and he and my sister-inw only have each other now."


    "You won''t tell me?"


    Seeing Nangong Muyan''s smile again, Zhou Yi put on a face of resignation to his fate: "I promised my brother Liu. Even if you freeze me to death, I won''t tell you!"


    "You''re quite loyal!" Nangong Muyan gave Zhou Yi an appreciative look and helped him put on twoyers of clothing again. "Last question, and then I''ll let you go."


    "Has Liu Ming''an ever visited a brothel?" Nangong Muyan asked Zhou Yi seriously.


    This question was the most important.


    Given Jiang Ning''s personality, that Liu Ming''an definitely wouldn''t dare to take a concubine. Therefore, Nangong Muyan was worried that he might have previously indulged in carnal pleasures andter used sweet words to trick Jiang Ning into marrying him.


    In her previous life, she had only taught Jiang Ning how to kill, never about matters of love, though she herself had no experience either.


    But it was precisely someone like Jiang Ning, who was naturally cold and hadn''t experienced much genuine emotion, who would be most likely to fall deeply once she did develop feelings, losing her usual judgment and decisiveness.


    "What are you saying? How could Brother Liu, such a pure and kind person, ever visit a brothel?"


    Zhou Yi was somewhat angry and shouted at Nangong Muyan. In his heart, even putting Liu Ming''an''s name together with the word "brothel" was an insult to Liu Ming''an.


    Nangong Muyan looked at Zhou Yi without speaking, seemingly trying to judge whether he was telling the truth or not.


    "Why are you looking at me like that? I''ve never been to one either! I''m still a pure... man," Zhou Yi shouted indignantly.


    "Who asked about you?"


    Nangong Muyan was momentarily speechless.


    The questions were finished, and the sky was growing dark. Nangong Muyan knew that if she didn''t return soon, she might be discovered. So she walked behind Zhou Yi and untied the silk scarf binding his hands.


    "I''m leaving now. Put your clothes on properly and leave by yourself."


    With that, Nangong Muyan left without looking back, showing no mercy.


    Zhou Yi stood there with his clothes in disarray, watching Nangong Muyan leave without a backward nce. He raised his hands to look at the two red marks on his wrists where the bindings had cut into his skin, and felt a surge of grievance.


    Why was he so unlucky?

 Chapter 152

    Jin Hui and Li Jiu were once again summoned to Nangong Ya''s study.


    Inside the room, besides Nangong Ya, Jin Yao was also present.


    As soon as Jin Hui entered, he noticed Nangong Ya sitting in his chair, not as upright and proper as usual, but somewhat wilted, supporting his head with his hand, suddenly showing signs of age.


    "Sir," the two greeted Nangong Ya with a bow, then heard him speak in a deep voice: "Tell me everything about how you found Ling Er, and what happened after you found her, from beginning to end."


    "Yes, sir."


    Jin Hui recounted the events in detail. After he finished, Nangong Ya remained silent for a long time, with only a heavy expression of sorrow appearing on his face.


    "Ling Er... she hates me so much!"


    Hearing these words, Jin Yao looked towards Nangong Ya. The candlelight flickered in the night, making it difficult to see his expression as he spoke, but Jin Yao could see his hand tightly clenched into a fist on the armrest of the chair.


    "Sir, the third youngdy¡ª" Jin Yao wanted to say some words offort, but was interrupted by Nangong Ya raising his hand.


    "No need to say more, I understand everything. She''s determined to sever ties with me."


    Nangong Ya let out a long sigh, as if trying to expel all the emotions pent up in his heart. "Jin Hui, Li Jiu, I want you two to investigate the... the so-called husband Ling Er mentioned. Find out who he is, what he does, and whether his family background is respectable. Don''t disturb them, investigate secretly, and report back to me when you have the information."


    After Jin Hui and Li Jiu received their orders and left, Nangong Ya forced a bitter smile. "Jin Yao, what kind of daughter gets married without telling her father? Without parental consent or a matchmaker''s arrangement, they''ve made their own match. How is this any different from eloping?"


    "You''re right, sir," Jin Yao responded.


    "Even if she hates me so much, I still need to involve myself in this matter. As long as that man is of respectable background and a good person, even if he''s just amon merchant orborer, I''m willing to give Ling Er a grand wedding. Even if... afterwards, Ling Er still wants to sever all ties with me, I''ll ept it."


    After speaking, Nangong Ya leaned back in his chair, staring nkly at a spot in the void, lost in thought.


    Jin Yao remained silent, apanying him in the quiet. The room was eerily still until hurried footsteps disturbed the silence.


    "Sir, something terrible has happened! The second youngdy has disappeared!"


    A servant''s anxious shout came from outside the door. Nangong Ya suddenly stood up from his chair and strode towards the door, which Jin Yao had already opened.


    "What did you say?" Nangong Ya asked urgently.


    "I went to bring the second youngdy her meal and found the ancestral hall empty. But we''ve been guarding the door of the ancestral hall constantly, and we didn''t see the second youngdy leave at any point."


    "How can a living person just vanish into thin air?" Nangong Ya was furious and anxious, feeling a buzzing in his ears.


    Seeing that Nangong Ya''s eyes were reddening, Jin Yao quickly spoke up, "Sir, let''s go and take a look first."


    "Let''s go! To the ancestral hall!"


    Nangong Ya set off running towards the ancestral hall, with Jin Yao and the servant hurrying to keep up.


    Watching Nangong Ya''s somewhat panicked steps, Jin Yao felt sympathetic.


    These two youngdies, why did they have to cause so much trouble? One after another, it seemed like they were going to worry Nangong Ya to death. Could they have been born to settle some karmic debt?


    When the three arrived at the ancestral hall, another nervous servant was standing outside. Seeing them approach, he timidly called out, "Sir."


    The door of the ancestral hall was half-open. Nangong Ya, disregarding the others, took the steps three at a time and pushed the door open. There, he saw Nangong Muyan kneeling properly in front of the altar, quietly writing with a brush.


    Hearing themotion, Nangong Muyan turned her head and gave Nangong Ya an obedient smile. "Father, is something the matter?"


    All four men were stunned.


    Nangong Ya turned back to the two dumbfounded servants, questioning them sternly, "What''s going on?"


    "This..." The two servants looked at Nangong Muyan, then at Nangong Ya, before dropping to their knees. "Sir, we absolutely did not deceive you. The youngdy really wasn''t here earlier!"


    Nangong Ya looked back at Nangong Muyan, who was smiling lightly. "Father, I was writing earlier and got tired. I identally fell asleep and rolled under the incense table. It''s normal that they didn''t see me."


    As she spoke, Nangong Muyan pointed to therge incense table where the ancestral tablets were ced. The table was covered with a ck cloth that reached the ground, and if someone were hiding underneath, they indeed wouldn''t be visible.


    Upon closer inspection, Nangong Muyan''s pale yellow dress was indeed covered in dust, looking quite dirty.


    It had been a false rm. Nangong Ya let out an imperceptible sigh of relief.


    "Go back to your quarters to clean up and change your clothes, then return here to continue copying the family rules," Nangong Ya said to Nangong Muyan.


    "Yes, thank you, Father," Nangong Muyan replied with a submissive demeanor.


    An odd feeling lingered in Nangong Ya''s heart as he examined the demure Nangong Muyan in the candlelight of the ancestral hall. Something felt off.


    How had that daughter who had red at him with hatred and defied him hysterically suddenly be so obedient?


    She hadn''t made a sound when beaten, kneeled when told to kneel, copied the family rules when ordered to do so, without any resistance. And now she was actingpletelypliant to his wishes.


    Nangong Ya felt disoriented, staring at Nangong Muyan for a long time before leaving.


    After Nangong Ya left with Jin Yao, Nangong Muyan chuckled softly and brushed the dust off her clothes.


    It was all Zhou Yi''s fault for dawdling and wasting time. If he had been honest from the start, she wouldn''t have had to crawl under the table.


    When Nangong Muyan returned to her quarters to bathe, she discovered that Old Zhong had found her a new maid named Ming Pei. She was only thirteen years old, spoke in a soft voice, and seemed timid.


    "Ming Pei, when did you enter the household?" Nangong Muyan asked the little maid.


    "Young Miss, this servant was bought and brought in just a few days ago," Ming Pei replied.


    "Oh, I see," Nangong Muyan said, losing interest when she realized she couldn''t get any useful information. She fell silent.


    Although she was currently being punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall and everything seemed manageable for now, there woulde a day when she would need to go out.


    What if she encountered people she used to know outside, but couldn''t remember a single name? What would she do then?


    The thought worried Nangong Muyan. She tapped her head, silently addressing someone in her mind.


    Couldn''t you have left me with some memories?


    After bathing and changing her clothes, Nangong Muyan returned to the ancestral hall and remembered something more important¡ªimproving her physical fitness.


    She couldn''t ept bing a weak woman incapable of defending herself!


    Taking off her cumbersome clothes and removing the jewelry from her head and wrists, Nangong Muyan stood lightly dressed in the ancestral hall and began her physical training.


    The space was limited and there was no equipment, but for this frail body, what she could do was enough.


    Stretching, high knee lifts, jumping jacks, horse stance squats, sit-ups, nks...


    Nangong Muyan worked herself into a sweat in the small ancestral hall, while the two servants guarding the door outside watched the jumping shadow cast on the doors and windows, doubting their own eyes.


    "The second youngdy... she hasn''t gone mad, has she?" one of them asked in a low voice.


    "Should we tell the master about this?" the other hesitated.


    "Well... let''s not. The master only told us to guard the door."


    "You''re right."

 Chapter 153

    Night slowly descended.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After dinner and washing up, Jiang Ning was about to show Liu Ming''an the letter sent by Yuwen Yan when she was suddenly lifted up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What are you doing?" Jiang Ning asked, her arms around Liu Ming''an''s neck, confused.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an looked at her in the dim candlelight, his voice carrying an indescribable tone: "Ning, it''s dark now."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "So what if it''s dark?" Jiang Ning didn''t understand.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was even more confused: "Weren''t you impatient earlier? Just now in the courtyard..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Before Liu Ming''an could finish, Jiang Ning suddenly understood everything, and her face flushed bright red.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Liu Ming''an, what are you thinking?! I just wanted to kiss you! Nothing else!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was exasperated by Liu Ming''an''s train of thought. How could he think of her as so... so lustful!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh? Just that..." Liu Ming''an said, somewhat disappointed, putting her down as she wished.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s face was burning red. She quickly stepped back, but Liu Ming''an pulled her close by the waist.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an lowered his head slightly, looking at Jiang Ning who was so close, his lips curling into a smile: "Ning, didn''t you want to kiss me? Come on then!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With that, Liu Ming''an obediently closed his eyes, looking like he was waiting to be favored, making Jiang Ning''s heart race.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "No, no, not anymore. Liu Ming''an, don''t, don''t be like this..." Jiang Ning felt like she was stuttering.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing this, Liu Ming''an opened his eyes and chuckled softly. His voice was low, unexpectedly stirring in this moment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "But Ning, I want to kiss you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning only heard this sentence before the hand on her waist tightened, pulling her into Liu Ming''an''s embrace. Her chin was lifted, and a warm kiss followed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning closed her eyes, her heart beating uncontrobly. A vague thought shed through her mind: she had been teased by Liu Ming''an!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a long while, the kiss reluctantly ended. Liu Ming''an pulled away, looking at Jiang Ning with a tender, lingering smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ahem, now that we''ve kissed, let''s get to business," Jiang Ning said, averting her eyes and trying to appearposed. She then walked to a nearby box, pretending to rummage through it, and handed Liu Ming''an the letter that Yuwen Yan had sent earlier.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an took it, walked to the candlelight, unfolded the letter, and quickly scanned it. The more he read, the more serious his expression became.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning, are you going to find your mother?" Liu Ming''an asked after a moment, putting down the letter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nodded, then asked Liu Ming''an, "Do you remember Aunt Lan, who was selling osmanthus cakes when we set up our stall at the Universal Blessing Temple in Qushui City?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an seemed to realize something, looking somewhat incredulous: "Could she be..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, she''s my birth mother," Jiang Ning confirmed Liu Ming''an''s guess, then continued, "That time when we were wandering around the Universal Blessing Temple, you went to circle the main hall to pray for blessings. I was bored and walked into the Hall of Longevity. I happened to see her dedicating a longevity tablet to Nangong Ling and lighting a longevitymp..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning paused, with some emotion: "But at that time, I didn''t know I was Nangong Ling. I didn''t recognize her, and she didn''t recognize me. She even prayed for my safety year after year..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an stepped forward and embraced her, saying firmly, "Ning, I''ll go with you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Qushui City was a four-day journey from the Capital City, and there were still more than forty days until the March imperial examinations. There was plenty of time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning smiled and agreed with a "Okay."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She didn''t want to stay in the Capital City, this ce of right and wrong, anymore. On one side was the Lou family, on the other was the Prime Minister''s Mansion. Who knew when many troublesome matters would arise? Going to Qushui City with Liu Ming''an for a peaceful period was just right.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two hugged quietly for a while, then Liu Ming''an picked up the letter, looking at thest page curiously: "Ning, who is this person calling himself ''Little Prince''? Which prince do you know?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Prince Xiang, Yuwen Yan, the sixth prince of Great Liang. He''s the one we rescued in Jinzhi City."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, so it''s him!" Liu Ming''an suddenly understood, and then remembered he still had a jade pendant left by Yuwen Yan: "No wonder the jade pendant he left us has the character ''Yan'' on it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "So Ning, when shall we depart?" Liu Ming''an asked again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning thought for a moment and said, "I want to go as soon as possible. Tomorrow we''ll prepare dry food and find a good carriage. Then you can go and inform Brother Zhou. How about we leave the day after tomorrow?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Alright," Liu Ming''an had no objections.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So the next day, they proceeded ording to n.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning stayed at home to knead dough and make pancakes, preparing food for the two-day journey to Jinzhi City. Liu Ming''an left early in the morning for the market to find a carriage heading to Jinzhi City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    They still chose to go to Jinzhi City first, then take a boat to Qushui City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, what Liu Ming''an didn''t know was that while he was looking for a carriage, Jin Hui and Li Jiu, who hade from the Prime Minister''s Mansion, had found the deed to the house where he and Jiang Ning were living on Late Winter Road at the Capital City Prefecture Office.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya had just returned from court and entered his mansion when he noticed Jin Hui and Li Jiu looking at him anxiously, as if they had something to say.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Thinking of the task he had assigned to the two, Nangong Ya frowned and said, "Let''s talk in the study," leading Jin Hui and Li Jiu towards the room. Jin Yao hurriedly followed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What have you found out?" Nangong Ya asked urgently as soon as he entered the study, not even taking time to sit down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Sir, we went to the Capital City Prefecture Office to check the property deeds. We found that the owner of the house where the Third Miss is currently living is named Liu Ming''an. He''s not from the Capital City. The husband the Third Miss mentioned should be this person."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Liu Ming''an..." Nangong Ya repeated the name, searching his memory for a moment, confirming that he had never heard of this person before.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What does he do? How old is he? Does he have any concubines? Where is his home? Who are his parents..." Nangong Ya followed up with a series of questions, but Jin Hui and Li Jiu shook their heads: "Sir, time was pressing, we haven''t found out these details yet."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then what use is it if you''ve only found out his name?" Nangong Ya was somewhat angry.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Sir, while investigating Liu Ming''an, we discovered he has a connection with the Lou family," Jin Hui quickly shared the important information, seeing the situation wasn''t good.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The Lou family?" Nangong Ya looked surprised.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, the Lou family. The house originally belonged to the Zhou family, but the Lou family bought it and changed the owner to Liu Ming''an. So as soon as we heard this news, we hurried back to report," Jin Hui said seriously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya''s expression became grave. The Prime Minister''s Mansion and the Grand Preceptor''s Mansion were two major forces in their own right, each minding their own business.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Now, with undercurrents surging in the court and various factions openly and secretly contending, at this crucial moment, the Lou family had interfered in his family''s affairs. Could this whole thing be a trap set by them?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jin Yao, Jin Hui, quick, prepare. Come with me to bring Ling back!" Nangong Ya was somewhat panicked, but more so furious: "If the Lou family dares to extend their reach here, they shouldn''t expect to get away unscathed!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Meanwhile, in the Lou mansion, a guard hurriedly entered the study: "Old Grand Preceptor, Grand Preceptor, Young Master, news from the Capital City Prefecture Office - Nangong Prime Minister''s people are investigating Young Master Liu''s affairs!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What?" Lou Yuhuan mmed the table and stood up angrily: "What does that old fool intend to do with Ming''an? How dare he!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Baili stepped forward to support his father, patting his back to calm him: "Father, don''t be anxious. We''ll go find Ming''an immediately and settle him safely. We absolutely won''t give Nangong Ya any opportunity to take advantage!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Grandfather, Father, I''ll go too," Lou Lianyu chimed in.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Good, the three of us will go together!" Lou Yuhuan said gravely.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 154

    Liu Ming''an spent the morning running around, finding a carriage that would go to Jinzhi City tomorrow. He negotiated the price and agreed on the departure time.


    Near noon, he went home for lunch, nning to go with Jiang Ning to Jun Yue Restaurant in the afternoon to bid farewell to Zhou Yi. This way, Zhou Yi wouldn''te looking for him to go fishing or for any other reason only to find him gone.


    As they were preparing to leave, two groups of people ran into each other in the alley of Late Winter Road.


    "Nangong Ya?"


    The Lou family group was the first to spot Nangong Yaing from the other end. They stopped in their tracks, their faces filled with disbelief.


    They really hadn''t expected Nangong Ya toe looking for Liu Ming''an in person, and with two guards no less. Was he nning to kidnap him?


    After the initial shock, anger quickly took over.


    "The Prime Minister really thinks highly of our Lou family!" Lou Yuhuan said sarcastically, heavily thumping his cane on the ground. He stood tall with his chest out, his face as cold as water, exuding the aura of a powerful minister.


    On the other side, Nangong Ya, who hade with Jin Yao and Jin Hui, looked at the Lou family members with equal surprise on his face.


    To use Ling against him, these three generations actually came together! What a grand gesture!


    Hearing Lou Yuhuan''s mockery, Nangong Ya assumed the Lou family was angry because their scheme had been exposed. He immediately let out a coldugh, folded his arms behind his back, and retorted, "Grand Preceptor is joking. It''s your Lou family who thinks highly of me."


    "That''s right, Prime Minister''s tactics are so impressive, who wouldn''t look up to you? But I advise you to give up on this idea! I was already an official when you were still a baby. You''re still too green to y mind games with me!"


    Lou Yuhuan looked at Nangong Ya with utter disdain, as if he were looking at a clown.


    These words infuriated Nangong Ya. They had schemed against him and still wanted him to give up? They even dared to use their years of service to pressure him? The Lou family was truly shameless!


    "Grand Preceptor, I''ve always respected you, thinking you were virtuous and upright. I never imagined you''d stoop so low! Let me tell you, it''s your Lou family who should give up. Since I''m here today, you''d better put away those dirty thoughts of yours!"


    "You dare use us of having dirty thoughts? You''repletely twisting ck and white, how shameless!"


    "I''m talking about your Lou family! You''re despicable, behaving like dogs and pigs!"


    "You!"


    Lou Yuhuan was furious. He pointed at Nangong Ya, his finger trembling uncontrobly, his whole body shaking slightly.


    Nangong Ya red back, not backing down at all.


    Lou Baili and Lou Lianyu quickly stepped forward, standing on either side of Lou Yuhuan. Lou Baili reached out to support him, softly persuading, "Father, don''t let your anger harm your health. We''re all here now, no matter what sinister plot he has, it won''t seed!"


    Lou Yuhuan nodded, took several deep breaths, red fiercely at Nangong Ya a few times, then allowed Lou Baili and Lou Lianyu to support him as he walked towards Liu Ming''an''s residence.


    "Jin Yao, Jin Hui, follow them!" Nangong Ya said through gritted teeth as he watched the three generations.


    Both parties arrived at the courtyard gate almost simultaneously. They stood on opposite sides, ring at each other, then snorted coldly before each raising a hand to knock on the door.


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an were about to set off for Jun Yue Restaurant to find Zhou Yi when the door was knocked with a "thump thump thump".


    "Could it be Brother Zhou?" Liu Ming''an said, looking at the door.


    "No, when has Brother Zhou evere without shouting ''Brother Liu''? How could he just knock without saying anything?"


    "And..." Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, her expression showing some wariness, "There''s more than one person knocking outside."


    Hearing this, Liu Ming''an''s heart skipped a beat, but then he sighed helplessly, "Let''s go see. It''s either the Lou family or the Prime Minister''s mansion, it can''t be anyone else."


    Liu Ming''an held Jiang Ning''s hand as they walked to the door. He raised his hand to open thetch, and in an instant, six pairs of eyes from outside fell on the two of them.


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an both felt a chill in their hearts.


    "Ling!"


    Nangong Ya didn''t recognize Liu Ming''an, but seeing him holding Jiang Ning''s hand, he first red fiercely, then walked into the house and pulled Jiang Ning to one side. "Ling,e back home with Father. They''re in cahoots, they mean you harm. Whatever you have to say, we can talk about it at home..."


    The three members of the Lou family were dumbfounded. They had, of course, seen the third youngdy of the Nangong family before.


    So, the girl Liu Ming''an said he loved was actually Nangong Ling!


    The three generations looked at each other, then at Liu Ming''an, then at Jiang Ning on the other side, btedly realizing that things might not be as they had thought.


    Jiang Ning was pulled to one side by Nangong Ya, listening to his iprehensible words with a bewildered expression.


    Liu Ming''an was also confused about the situation, but he couldn''t let people stand at his doorstep, so he politely invited the three Lou family members in: "Grandfather, Uncle, Cousin, pleasee in!"


    This small courtyard had never been so crowded. Liu Ming''an and the three Lou family members remained silent, listening to Nangong Ya''s earnest words to Jiang Ning.


    "Ling, if you hate me, I don''t me you. But Father can''t stand by and watch you be in danger. Do you know that the so-called husband you found, Liu what''s-his-name, was definitely sent by the Lou family to seduce you? This is the trap they''ve been meticulously setting..."


    Liu Ming''an: "..."


    Seduce... Was his father-inw''s choice of words always this exquisite?


    "Father, what are you talking about?" Jiang Ning brushed off Nangong Ya''s hand, looking at him in confusion.


    Jin Hui, standing behind, immediately exined, "Third Young Lady, this Liu Ming''an was sent by the Lou family. They must have evil intentions, wanting to use you against the Prime Minister!"


    "Well..." Lou Yuhuan pulled Liu Ming''an over at this point, his face full of a kind smile, and spoke to Nangong Ya, "Inw, haha, I think there''s been some misunderstanding between us."


    "Who''s your inw?" Nangong Ya looked at Lou Yuhuan, who had suddenly changed his demeanor, with suspicion all over his face.


    "Hahaha... It turns out we''ve been fighting amongst ourselves, family not recognizing family!"


    Lou Yuhuan''s smile was warm, even the wrinkles on his face exuded a sense of benevolence, making Nangong Ya feel uneasy.


    "Grand Preceptor, what trick are you trying to pull now? Let me tell you, if you want to fight, fight me in the court. I''ll oblige. Using women and children is too despicable, it''s beneath contempt!" Nangong Ya pulled Jiang Ning behind him, looking at Lou Yuhuan vigntly.


    Lou Yuhuan directly pushed Liu Ming''an in front of him: "This is my grandson, my own grandson."


    Nangong Ya''s eyes widened. He looked at Liu Ming''an, then at Lou Baili beside him.


    Lou Baili knew what Nangong Ya was thinking and exined, "He is the child of my second brother, Lou Qingzhi. He''s my nephew."


    Lou Lianyu added, "He''s my cousin."


    Nangong Ya certainly remembered Lou Qingzhi. They were in the same batch of examinees. Of course, if the Lou family hadn''t fallen from grace causing Lou Qingzhi to disappear overnight, how could he have be the top schr that year?


    Hearing the three Lou family members speak like this, Nangong Ya looked over at Liu Ming''an, examining him carefully from head to toe. He found that he did indeed look very simr to the brilliant second son of the Lou family who had once been the talk of the capital.


    Liu Ming''an felt a bit nervous under Nangong Ya''s scrutiny. They say that a father-inw looking at his son-inw grows more satisfied the more he looks, but he didn''t know if that was true or false. He was certainly feeling anxious. After some thought, he bowed respectfully to Nangong Ya: "Father-inw."


    Nangong Ya''s face immediately stiffened.

 Chapter 155

    After Liu Ming''an called out "Father-inw," he remained bowing without straightening up. Everyone present didn''t know what to say, just waiting for Nangong Ya to speak.


    Nangong Ya''s expression changed several times, and he didn''t respond for a long while. Finally, Jiang Ning couldn''t bear it anymore and tugged at his sleeve, reminding him, "Dad, he''s addressing you."


    Nangong Ya looked back at his daughter before reaching out to help Liu Ming''an stand up.


    "Hahaha..." Lou Yuhuan looked at Nangong Ya''s displeased expression and said with augh, "My inw, we didn''t know that the person Ming''an was fond of was your daughter before we came. We only heard that you were investigating Ming''an, and we were worried, so we rushed here. Hahaha... It turns out it was all a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding!"


    Lou Baili, thinking of the earlier confrontation between the two parties in the alley, cupped his hands towards Nangong Ya and bowed, "I apologize for any offense earlier. I hope the Prime Minister won''t hold a grudge."


    After all, they were the groom''s family, and it was appropriate to show magnanimity and apologize first.


    Nangong Ya wasn''t a narrow-minded person, and besides, the actual situation was much better than he had anticipated. He had nothing to be dissatisfied about, so he returned the gesture, "I also apologize for any offense. Please forgive me!"


    "My inw, since we''re both here today, and these two children truly like each other, why don''t we take this opportunity to settle their marriage?" Lou Yuhuan suggested. He had already figured out that when Liu Ming''an told him about having a beloved girl, the two had probably been together for a long time. Now that they were in the same room, who knows if they had already consummated their rtionship.


    Nangong Ya nodded, forcing a smile on his face, "Very well, let''s settle it today."


    This Liu Ming''an seemed to be a fine young man, with the Lou Family behind him. It could be considered a match of equal status with his family. The key was that Ling liked him, so he had no objections.


    But while he had no objections, Jiang Ning did.


    Seeing that Nangong Ya had already started discussing auspicious dates with the three members of the Lou Family, Jiang Ning couldn''t help but interrupt their conversation, "Don''t bother. I won''t return to the Prime Minister''s Mansion, and I don''t need you to arrange this wedding for me."


    Liu Ming''an immediately followed up, "I won''t return to the Lou Family either. Grandfather, you don''t need to worry. I will bring Ah Ning home as my bride myself."


    Everyone was stunned, looking at each other in bewilderment.


    Who could have imagined that this young couple would both want to sever ties with their families?


    The situation was unfavorable, and it was necessary to seize the initiative. Lou Yuhuan immediately questioned Nangong Ya, "What did your Prime Minister''s Mansion do to my granddaughter-inw?"


    Nangong Ya wasn''t to be outdone, "I''d like to ask, what did your Lou Family do to my son-inw?"


    Lou Yuhuan pressed on, "Don''t think I don''t know about those elopement rumors spread by your second daughter, and those few people who recently died in your mansion... It''s you, as a father, who didn''t do well, making my granddaughter-inw lose heart."


    Nangong Ya stood his ground, "Don''t think I don''t know why Lou Qingzhi left home years ago without a trace, and that Liu Ming''an isn''t even from the capital... It''s your Lou Family who wronged them, father and son, that''s why my son-inw wants to cut ties with you."


    The two went back and forth, hitting each other''s sore spots. The scene became tense, and the others dared not speak.


    "Stop arguing," Jiang Ning said, her head aching from their verbal sparring. "Liu Ming''an and I are already husband and wife. I don''t want to have another wedding ceremony. You can all go back to your homes."


    Hearing this, Nangong Ya and Lou Yuhuan simultaneously ceased fire and turned to persuade her.


    "Ling''er, you can''t be so reckless. No matter how much you hate me, we must have a wedding ceremony! I must be involved in this!" Nangong Ya said firmly.


    Lou Yuhuan agreed, "My granddaughter-inw, your father is right. We must have a wedding ceremony! The three letters and six etiquettes, the three matchmakers and six gifts, none can be omitted. If you can''t stand your father, let our Lou Family handle everything. We can provide both the dowry and the betrothal gifts, giving you a grand wedding!"


    Hearing these words that seemed to be stealing his thunder, Nangong Ya became furious, "What are you saying? Are you implying that our Prime Minister''s Mansion can''t afford a dowry?"


    "My granddaughter-inw doesn''t want anything to do with your Prime Minister''s Mansion. Can''t you see that? You''re just embarrassing yourself!"


    "Well, my son-inw doesn''t want anything to do with your Lou Family either. Howe you didn''t notice that? You''re the one embarrassing yourself!"


    How did they start arguing again? Jiang Ning rubbed her temples, her head about to explode. Liu Ming''an had somehow made his way to her side and softly asked, "Ah Ning, shall I make the decision?"


    Jiang Ning quickly nodded.


    Liu Ming''an walked between the two men and calmly said, "Grandfather, Father-inw, please hear me out."


    "Speak!" The two men, who had been ring at each other, gave him face.


    Liu Ming''an first addressed Nangong Ya, "I will, after the imperial examination, marry Nangong Ling ording to the rituals of Great Liang, with a proper ceremony. I won''t let her simply follow me without formalities."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow; she didn''t know Liu Ming''an had such ns.


    Nangong Ya nodded, increasingly satisfied with this son-inw.


    Liu Ming''an then turned to Lou Yuhuan, "Grandfather, there''s no need to worry about me. Ah Ning is marrying into the Liu family, bing Mrs. Liu."


    The implication was that it had nothing to do with the Lou Family.


    Lou Yuhuan''s expression changed instantly, a hurt look in his eyes.


    Lou Lianyu, unable to bear seeing his grandfather''s hurt expression, turned to Liu Ming''an and asked, "Ming''an, you''re marrying the Prime Minister''s daughter. You''re penniless now. Without relying on the Lou Family, how will you marry the Third Miss? With this tiny house? It can''t even fit eight sedan chairs, let alone amodate the ten-mile long dowry from the Prime Minister''s Mansion."


    Jiang Ning was about to say she didn''t care, but Nangong Ya pulled her hand, "As a man, he should stand tall and proud, not have the woman amodate him in everything."


    Liu Ming''an seemed to have considered this issue long ago, so he just smiled slightly, without a moment''s hesitation, "Cousin, doesn''t the Top Schr get a Top Schr Mansion? I''ll use that mansion to marry Ah Ning."


    The three members of the Lou Family were shocked and didn''t know what to say. Nangong Ya, however, let out a heartyugh, his eyes clearly showing approval.


    "Ming''an, Qingzhi was brilliant, and you, being his child, I know you''re certainly not inferior..." Lou Baili looked at the young man, inevitably thinking of that spirited person from the past.


    But Lou Baili changed his tone, saying, "However, you grew up in the countryside after all, and Qingzhi passed away early. Relying solely on self-study, you can''tpare to those students from noble families who have been carefully educated since childhood."


    Lou Lianyu followed his father''s words, "Among those participating in the imperial examination this year, there''s one who was called a prodigy at the age of six, with talentparable to your second uncle''s at that time. The title of Top Schr is almost certainly his."


    Liu Ming''an lowered his eyes, as if considering how to respond. Beside him, Lou Yuhuan sighed and made a decision, "Ming''an, your grandfather has a way to give you a chance topete for the Top Schr title."


    Everyone''s gaze fell on Lou Yuhuan as he slowly walked in front of Nangong Ya and bowed deeply to him.


    Nangong Ya was greatly surprised and quickly stopped Lou Yuhuan''s gesture, "Old Grand Tutor, you bowing to me is too much honor for me to bear."


    Lou Yuhuan straightened up and looked at Nangong Ya, saying, "This old man would like to request the Prime Minister to arrange for Ming''an to attend sses at the Imperial Academy."


    Everyone understood Lou Yuhuan''s intention.


    The Imperial Academy was where princes, imperial grandsons, and children of important court officials studied. The lecturers there were all highly knowledgeable talents. If Liu Ming''an could enter, as long as he had sufficient aptitude, he would surely make rapid progress, far better than studying at home with just a few books.


    Moreover, Lou Yuhuan and Lou Baili would asionally go there to give lectures.


    Nangong Ya turned to look at Jiang Ning, then nodded in agreement, "I''ll go and arrange it as soon as I return."


    However, Liu Ming''an thought of his and Jiang Ning''s n to go to Quishui City and was about to say something when Jiang Ning secretly hooked her finger in his palm and whispered, "Liu Ming''an, this is very good."


    Lou Yuhuan continued, "But this alone is not enough. You''ll study for a few dozen days, while others have been learning for over a decade. Therefore, Ming''an, you need toe to the Lou Family after your sses. We have three Top Schrs in our Lou Family - myself, Baili, and Lianyu. We will teach you together."


    Nangong Ya chimed in, "Coming to the Prime Minister''s Mansion is fine too. I''m also a Top Schr, I can teach you as well!"


    Lou Baili nced at him indifferently, saying with an ambiguous tone, "You''d better not."


    "Don''t look down on me!" Nangong Ya said angrily.


    Lou Baili averted his gaze and said no more. After all, his father had just asked for a favor from someone else, so it was better not to offend them for now.


    The matter was thus settled, and Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning saw their guests out of the courtyard.


    When only the two of them remained in this small world, Liu Ming''an reached out and pulled Jiang Ning into his embrace.


    "We''ve still ended up entangled with those two families after all. It seems we truly couldn''t avoid it," Jiang Ning sighed with some emotion.


    "It''s alright. We''re still us," Liu Ming''an said softly.


    As he spoke, he ced a gentle kiss on Jiang Ning''s forehead.


    With their parting imminent, his heart was filled with reluctance to let go.

 Chapter 156

    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an decided to pay a visit to Jun Yue Restaurant.


    One was heading to Qushui City, while the other was entering the Royal Academy. They felt it necessary to inform Zhou Yi of their ns.


    Upon arriving at Jun Yue Restaurant, the same enthusiastic waiter greeted them: "Young Master Liu, are you here to see the young boss? Please wait, I''ll call him right away!"


    After a short wait, Zhou Yi came running down from upstairs. He greeted them with a cheerful smile and, as usual, led them to a private room upstairs to talk.


    "Brother Zhou, I''vee to bid you farewell," Jiang Ning said after taking a seat.


    "What?" Zhou Yi, who was pouring tea, startled at the news, spilling some water. "Where are you going? Aren''t you supposed to take the exams?"


    "Not both of us, just me. I''m going to Qushui City. I have some personal matters to attend to," Jiang Ning said, reluctant to discuss Lan Xu''s situation.


    Zhou Yi nodded, understanding the term "personal matters" meant he shouldn''t pry further. Instead, he asked with concern, "Sister-inw, are you going alone? What about Brother Liu?"


    Hearing the question, Liu Ming''an replied, "Brother Zhou, I''m going to study at the Royal Academy. I won''t be staying at the house on Late Winter Road as often. I came to tell you personally to avoid any confusion if youe looking for meter."


    Zhou Yi''s first thought was that he''d lost his fishingpanion. Then another concern struck him: "Sister-inw, are you sure you''ll be alright traveling such a long distance alone? Should I help you rent a carriage? Maybe hire a couple of guards?"


    Jiang Ning shook her head, smiling as she replied, "Brother Zhou, thank you for your kindness, but don''t worry. Everything''s been arranged. I''ll take good care of myself."


    Seeing that Zhou Yi was about to say more, Liu Ming''an interjected, "Brother Zhou, there''s no need to worry. Ah Ning knows what she''s doing."


    "Alright, if you both insist. Sister-inw, just be extra careful!" Zhou Yi knew they were both strong-willed individuals, so he didn''t press further. Instead, he invited them to stay for dinner as a farewell gesture.


    By the time Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning returned to their small courtyard after dinner, night had fallen. A crescent moon hung in the inky sky.


    After washing up, Liu Ming''an helped Jiang Ning pack her belongings and ced them on the table. He then smiled at her and said, "Ah Ning, now I really need to teach you how to do your hair."


    "Alright, teach me the simplest style," Jiang Ning agreed.


    Liu Ming''an led her to sit in front of the mirror, loosened her hair, and patiently exined and demonstrated the process step by step.


    It was only then that Jiang Ning realized that styling her hair was actually quite simple. She had just grown ustomed to relying on Liu Ming''an''s help.


    "I''ve got it," Jiang Ning dered after trying it herself twice.


    "Ah Ning is so clever!" Liu Ming''an praised sincerely, bending down to nt a kiss on her cheek.


    The affectionate praise, the gentle kiss, the warm candlelight, and the loving gaze ¨C at this moment, all these elements wove an inescapable. Jiang Ning willingly became its captive, wrapping her arms around Liu Ming''an''s neck and kissing him passionately.


    A faint mncholy of impending separation flowed quietly between them. As their lips and tongues intertwined, certain emotions became impossible to suppress. Before they knew it, they had fallen onto the bed, most of their clothes already discarded.


    "Ah Ning, you''re still here beside me, but I''ve already started missing you."


    "Then remember me well tonight..."


    At that moment, the battle was in full swing, with one side about to retreat without a fight.


    "Ah Ning, we can''t. You have a long journey tomorrow. You should sleep early!" A husky voice rang out as desire was restrained by reason.


    Jiang Ning opened her eyes in a daze, her passion already ignited. How could she heed such words?


    Besides, even if they overindulged, wasn''t there a sip of spirit spring water that could cure any physical difort?


    Her jade arms held the retreating Liu Ming''an in ce. The beauty, with seductive eyes and fragrant breath, uttered an ill-timed threat: "Liu Ming''an, if you dare stop now, you''ll never get another chance in this lifetime!"


    The retreating army, unable to withstand the verbal provocation from the other side, rallied its troops and charged forward.


    The two armies shed, one side fierce and determined, while the other was hesitant and restrained, making it difficult to fight to their hearts'' content.


    Jiang Ning employed her usual tactics, embracing the person above her, and boldly spoke without shame: "Liu Ming''an, just likest time..."


    The invading army paused, uncertain and hesitant. Then came a seductive, soft whisper:


    "Husband..."


    "Husband~"


    "Hus~band~"


    In an instant, fighting spirit soared, unstoppable and fierce, forcing the defending army to retreat step by step, no longer able to put up a fight.


    The defending army threw down their armor and weapons, regretting their provocation, but it was toote. The enemy''s overwhelming fighting spirit had been roused and could not be quelled without a great ughter.


    As they conquered territory, there was no room for mercy or gentleness.


    At a certain point, arrows rained down, and the defending army fled in panic, with nowhere to hide. They could only watch helplessly as they fell, powerless to resist.


    This intense battlested until midnight before the troops were finally called back.


    The bed curtains swayed gently, the scene full of passion and beauty.


    Liu Ming''an looked at the exhausted Jiang Ning and sighed helplessly, "Ah Ning, you really... shouldn''t have tempted me like that..."


    Jiang Ning, though physically drained, was filled with joy. She mumbled softly, "But I wanted to!"


    "Alright, sleep now..."


    Outside, the stars and moon gradually sank towards the west, as day and night imperceptibly changed ces.


    The carriage Liu Ming''an had found was headed to Qushui City to buy medicinal herbs. The driver agreed to take a passenger along the way to earn some extra money, charging half a tael of silver for the two-day journey.


    The carriage was set to depart early in the morning. Liu Ming''an, carrying the packed luggage, escorted Jiang Ning to the city gate where the carriage was waiting.


    The drivers were a middle-aged couple, honest folk. When they heard that only one of the young couple was traveling, they immediately offered to refund half the fare.


    Liu Ming''an stopped the man''s hand as he was about to return the money, and instead asked politely, "Brother Li, Sister Li, please take good care of my wife along the way."


    "Of course, of course! Don''t worry, Young Master Liu!" Li Yuan, seeing that he couldn''t persuade Liu Ming''an, had no choice but to keep the money and return to the carriage, waiting quietly with his wife for the young couple to say their goodbyes.


    It should have been a moment of holding hands, gazing at each other, and expressing their deepest feelings before parting. But with peopleing and going around them, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning exchanged a nce, both faces breaking into gentle smiles.


    "Remember to eat properly, alright?" This was what Jiang Ning worried about most.


    "I will," Liu Ming''an replied, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I''ll be waiting for your return."


    They had said everything else duringst night''s passionate moments. The couple shared onest smile, everything understood without words.


    The carriage wheels rolled forward, kicking up a cloud of dust. Liu Ming''an stood in ce, watching until the carriage grew smaller and smaller, bing a tiny ck dot in the distance before disappearing from view. Only then did he turn and walk back alone to the house on Late Winter Road.

 Chapter 157

    The carriage arrived in Jinzhi City on the afternoon of the second day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After parting with the couple, Jiang Ning carried her bundle to the same inn asst time and requested a room. After finishing her meal and freshening up, she went out to confirm the passenger ship to Qushui City for the next day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Once everything was arranged, the sky had turned a faint grayish-ck. As Jiang Ning walked from the dock back to the inn, she realized halfway that she was being followed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The person tailing her was unskilled, almost a novice, with no sense of caution. Jiang Ning easily got a full look at the person''s face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was a slovenly man, unkempt and unsavory in appearance, with eyes fixed on Jiang Ning in a lustful gaze. His intentions were obvious.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Time to kill again, huh?" Jiang Ning sighed, feeling somewhat helpless. After being with Liu Ming''an for so long, she had grown to despise bloodshed and murder.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The man was also a coward. With other pedestrians around, he didn''t dare to do anything, only following Jiang Ning at a distance, waiting for an opportunity to strike.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning gave him this chance, changing her course towards the thousand-year-old tree outside the city.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was a good ce for murder; even the Prince of Xiang had nearly died there. It could be considered a ce of auspicious feng shui.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As the man watched Jiang Ning walk further away from the main road, he grew increasingly excited. When they reached the lush red bean tree, with no one else around, he could no longer contain himself. He rushed up to Jiang Ning, rubbing his hands together with a lewd grin, spouting vulgar words.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hehe... little miss, out sote? Were you waiting for big brother?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning let out a light chuckle, her dagger already in hand. "You''re quite eager to die, aren''t you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As soon as the words left her mouth, the man saw a sh of silver before his eyes. The next instant, a searing pain shot through both his eyes, and the world before him suddenly vanished, leaving only an endless darkness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah! My eyes! Ah¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The dagger shed across his throat, abruptly silencing his agonized screams. The man fell straight down, blood gushing from his neck, with two horrifying bloody holes where his eyes had been.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning bent down, using his clothes to wipe her de clean, then slipped into her spatial realm and left the scene.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Murdersmitted on impulse were always difficult to solve. She had no prior connection or grudge with this man, and there were no clues left at the scene. Even if the body was found there, no one would suspect her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Back at the inn, Jiang Ningy on the bed, finding it hard to fall asleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What was Liu Ming''an doing now?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What should she say when she sees Lan Xu?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Her thoughts were in disarray, leaving her restless.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Meanwhile, in another part of the Capital City, Liu Ming''an was sighing as he looked at the olddy before him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You''re mistaken. I''m not Qingzhi."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After saying this, Liu Ming''an pulled back his sleeve that had been grabbed, bowed respectfully to Lou Baili and Lou Lianyu behind him, and then left without hesitation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Qingzhi!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The olddy wanted to chase after the departing young man, but Lou Lianyu and Lou Baili quickly moved to support her, trying to persuade her gently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mother, he''s not Qingzhi. Let''s go back to your room and rest."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Grandmother, you''ve mistaken him for someone else again. Yancui, Huafei, take the old madam back to her room!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As the two maids were about to approach, the old woman brushed their hands away. Her expression was sorrowful, her eyes half-confused and half-clear. "If he''s not Qingzhi, then who is he? Why does he look so much like Qingzhi?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Lianyu answered calmly, "He''s a friend of mine."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Lies!" The olddy looked at her grandson and demanded sharply, "I saw himing out of the study. Which friend of yours has such privilege to enter your grandfather''s study? And even have your father see him off when he leaves?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing the olddy''s expression, Lou Lianyu knew she was lucid at the moment. He felt uneasy and looked towards Lou Baili.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Baili also realized the situation. He just wanted to muddle through this moment, knowing she would forget everything after a while.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, before Lou Baili could speak, the olddy had already started towards the study. "I want to ask Lou Yuhuan myself. I want to get to the bottom of this!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The study door was pushed open. Lou Baili, Lou Lianyu, and the two maids who had followed, had exhausted all their persuasions along the way, but the old woman ignored them. She walked straight into the room and closed the door, shutting everyone out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Father, what should we do?" Lou Lianyu was uncharacteristically flustered, looking helplessly at Lou Baili.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Baili stared at the closed door, his brows tightly furrowed. "I don''t know either."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    How did she happen to see him?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Why did her condition improve at this moment?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It seemed as if everything had been arranged by heaven. Lou Baili let out a deep sigh, cing his hope in Lou Yuhuan. "Let''s hope your grandfather can handle this well."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Inside the room, Lou Yuhuan was intently studying the policy essay left by Liu Ming''an when the door was suddenly pushed open. He looked up to see his wife, Wang Lanzhi.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Wang Lanzhi had several people behind her, but before Lou Yuhuan could ask what had happened, she raised her hand and closed the door, shutting everyone else out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mydy?" Lou Yuhuan was greatly puzzled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Who was that young man just now?" Wang Lanzhi stared directly into Lou Yuhuan''s eyes as she asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mydy!" Lou Yuhuan was shocked, instantly understanding what had transpired. Seeing Wang Lanzhi''s serious expression, he knew she was in her right mind at the moment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "He looks too much like Qingzhi, too much..." Wang Lanzhi murmured, her eyes unknowingly filling with tears. "You must have noticed his resemnce to Qingzhi too, right? Could there be two people in this world who look so alike? He was even allowed into your study. Lou Yuhuan, tell me, who is he?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan''s heart was filled with bitterness, not knowing where to begin. After a moment of hesitation, he stammered, "He''s just a young man, don''t think too much about it. Please, go back to your room and rest."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Lou Yuhuan!" Wang Lanzhi suddenly shouted, two clear streams of tears rolling down her cheeks. "When we got married, you promised you would never lie to me in this lifetime. I''ll ask one more time, who is he?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mydy, he..." Lou Yuhuan opened his mouth, struggled for a long while, and finally chose to tell the truth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Perhaps the painful rity was more suitable for this mother who had been living in regret for half her life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "His name is Liu Ming''an. He is Qingzhi''s child, his only child."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then... what about Qingzhi? Why hasn''t hee back?" Wang Lanzhi asked softly, some things she had never dared to think about.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Qingzhi... died fourteen years ago." Lou Yuhuan said each word slowly, his voice indescribably sorrowful.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    These few short words were like a sharp knife piercing Wang Lanzhi''s heart. An immense grief suddenly overwhelmed her, and she was powerless to resist it. She felt the world spinning, shattering around her in that moment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Lanzhi!" Lou Yuhuan rushed forward to support his copsing wife, anxiously calling out to the door, "Lianyu, Baili,e in quickly!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The people waiting outside rushed into the room in an instant, surprised to see the olddy unconscious.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Father, did you tell her everything?" Lou Baili asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan nodded, watching as Lou Lianyu carried Wang Lanzhi towards her courtyard. He earnestly instructed the two maids, "Take the old madam back to her room and take good care of her."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Yancui and Huafei responded with a "Yes" and hurriedly followed Lou Lianyu''s steps.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Father, why did you..." Lou Baili still couldn''t understand. It was his father who had told them to keep it from Wang Lanzhi before, and now it was also his father who voluntarily revealed the truth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Your mother is ill, not foolish. Ming''an will inevitably have to face her in the future. Even if we don''t tell her now, she will find outter."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "But..." Lou Baili wanted to say that they could keep it hidden for as long as possible. Theter she knew, the less pain she would suffer. Wasn''t that better?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A father knows his son best. Lou Yuhuan understood Lou Baili''s thoughts, after all, he had thought the same way before.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "But Baili, we can''t keep it hidden. Ming''an and Qingzhi look too alike. Your mother had already guessed it and came to question me. She just wanted confirmation."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Father and son both fell silent, knowing in their hearts that some sins needed to be atoned for.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "When mother wakes up, she will probably want to see Ming''an..." Lou Baili said slowly after a long while.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Don''t go disturbing Ming''an. We''ve finally managed to establish a slight connection with him by using his fondness for Nangong Ling to get him to visit the Lou mansion asionally. Don''t push this child away again because of this..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Baili nodded in agreement. "Then the next time Ming''anes, I''ll instruct Yancui and Huafei to keep a close eye on mother, and try our best to prevent them from meeting."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hmm," Lou Yuhuan walked to the table, picked up the essay Liu Ming''an had left behind once more, and handed it to Lou Baili. "Ming''an is an exceptionally intelligent child. He''s no less brilliant than Qingzhi. What Qingzhi couldn''t aplish, he will certainly be able to do!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Baili took the piece of paper and quickly scanned it, inwardly shocked: "He doesn''t need our teaching at all! He could win the top schr title on his own!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''ve known that for a while. Lianyu and I have both seen his provincial exam papers."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then why did you..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Why did they work in concert to bring him to the Imperial Academy? Was it to pave the way for his official career?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Firstly, it''s to do Nangong Ya a favor, letting him y the role of a caring father, to see if he can repair his rtionship with Nangong Ling. In this world, having a patron is always better than having none. I hope their young couple''s path will be smoother in the future."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Secondly, I have my own selfish reasons. I want to see more of this grandson. I''m still foolishly hoping that maybe, just maybe, he might acknowledge his ancestral roots..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 158

    On the day the passenger ship arrived at Qushui City, a fine drizzle fell from the sky.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning went to the Tidal View Inn, where the innkeeper recognized her at a nce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh? Lady Liu? What brings you back to Qushui City?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At the time, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an had stayed at this inn for over forty days. The innkeeper had a keen eye, and given the couple''s striking appearance and demeanor, he had left a deep impression on them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning wasn''t in the habit of exchanging pleasantries with people. She simply said "I''d like a room" in a cool tone, then asked, "Is the room we stayed inst time still avable?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The innkeeper nodded eagerly, saying "It''s avable," to which she replied, "I''ll take that one."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Returning to this ce hadn''t actually been that long ago, but because so much had happened in the interim, and Liu Ming''an wasn''t by her side, Jiang Ning had a strange feeling of being in a different world altogether.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She got up and walked to the window, pushing it open. The fine rain drifted into the room on the breeze, falling on her face and hands with a slight chill.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The nearby sea surface rippled with the fine rain, and from the fishing boats on the shore came asional shouts of men, snippets of conversation carried by the wind into the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hey, Third Brother, how was it today?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ho! Luck was good, caught a few big ones..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning watched for a while, then closed the window and threw herself onto the bed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was nearly dark, so Lan Xu must have closed up shop by now. She''d go find her tomorrow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As for what to say or do once she found her, Jiang Ning hadn''t figured that out yet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The gentle rain continued all night, bringing with it waves of coolness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After Jiang Ning got up, she dressed neatly, then called for the waiter to bring hot water. After washing up, shebed her hair, nning to go downstairs for breakfast before heading to Universal Blessing Temple.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When she reached the ground floor hall, some early-rising diners were already seated. The inn''s waiters were bustling about, and upon seeing Jiang Ning, one approached with a grin, asking, "What would thedy like to eat?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "White porridge, steamed buns, spring rolls¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Just as Jiang Ning finished speaking, an astonished shout came from nearby: "Third Young Miss!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Several gazes instantly fell on Jiang Ning. She looked towards the voice and saw three men inbat attire sitting at the next table, all staring at her in disbelief. One of them even had half a steamed bun dangling from his mouth, forgotten mid-chew.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She didn''t recognize any of them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning looked at them expressionlessly, trying to guess their identities.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Before she could figure it out, the three men had already picked up their bowls and chopsticks and sat down at her table. One with a full beard dismissed the waiter standing nearby, saying, "Whatever she ordered, go get it. Don''t just stand there."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The waiter responded with a couple of "Oh, oh"s and walked away, while Jiang Ning silently observed the three men before her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Third Young Miss, what are you doing in Qushui City? Shouldn''t you be at the mansion?" the bearded man asked, looking at Jiang Ning with confusion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Another younger man with a baby face pushed a basket of red sugar flower buns towards Jiang Ning, saying cheerfully, "Third Young Miss, please eat first, don''t go hungry. We haven''t touched this basket yet."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing that they meant her no harm, Jiang Ning lowered her guard a little and told the truth: "Who are you? I''ve lost my memory, I don''t remember any of you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The bearded man pped his forehead. "Oh, I forgot, the master told us about this."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning understood now. These men were sent by Nangong Ya; they were from the Prime Minister''s Mansion. Taking a closer look at their attire, they appeared to be guards.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Guards from the Prime Minister''s Mansion appearing in Qushui City ¨C was it for official business, or to investigate her whereabouts at that time?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    These thoughts shed through her mind, but Jiang Ning remained impassive as she picked up a red sugar bun and began slowly peeling and eating it, waiting for the bearded man to speak.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Third Young Miss, I''m Sheng Jing, a guard from the mansion," the bearded man said, pointing to himself. Seeing Jiang Ning nod, he then pointed to the baby-faced man: "His surname is Cui, he''s fifth among us guards, you can call him Xiao Wu."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sheng Jing then pointed to the remaining man and introduced him: "His surname is Chi, he''s Xiao Liu."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Xiao Liu looked at Jiang Ning, smiled shyly, and called out "Third Young Miss," then pushed the steamer of crystal dumplings in front of him towards her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Madam, your breakfast¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The waiter returned with a tray, walking up behind Jiang Ning. As soon as he opened his mouth, Sheng Jing suddenly stood up and shouted angrily, "What madam? Our young miss isn''t married yet, don''t address her wrongly!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sheng Jing was built like a bear, towering over the waiter by more than a head. His shout nearly scared the waiter into dropping the tray, and other diners in the room couldn''t help but look over at their table.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Sheng Jing, sit down."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning spoke wearily, and after the trembling waiter had set down her breakfast, she exined, "He didn''t address me wrongly. I already have a husband."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The three men''s eyes widened in an instant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning couldn''t be bothered with their expressions. She picked up her spoon, scooped up some white porridge, blew on it, and put it in her mouth. As she ate, she asked, "What are you doing here? Is it some official business?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu simultaneously looked towards Sheng Jing, who hesitantly answered, "The master, he instructed us toe here to handle something."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning pretty much understood. It was rted to her, probably following Wei Fangxiong''s lead to find Blind Yang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Unfortunately, Blind Yang was still soaking in the sea, likely to float up only when spring came.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning said no more and quietly ate her breakfast. Seeing this, the three men resumed eating as well, quickly finishing the food in their bowls, then sat up straight, waiting for Jiang Ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "If you have business to attend to, go do it. Why are you watching me?" Jiang Ning nced at the three of them, feeling ufortable being stared at while eating.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Third Young Miss, what are you doing in Qushui City?" Sheng Jing asked again. It was too strange ¨C a youngdy from a noble family appearing here alone, without any guards. It didn''t make sense no matter how you looked at it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sheng Jing thought for a moment and asked another question: "Does the master know?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning suddenly smiled, only answering thetter question: "He doesn''t know."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The three men exchanged nces, at a loss for words.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning swallowed herst spoonful of porridge, put down her spoon, and looked at Sheng Jing. "I know why you''re here and what you''re doing. I don''t care to interfere with you, and you shouldn''t interfere with me. Let''s pretend we never met today, to avoid trouble."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With that, Jiang Ning stood up and walked towards the inn''s exit. The three men behind her were stunned for a moment before hurriedly chasing after her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Third Young Miss, you''re a woman alone in an unfamiliar ce, we can''t just ignore you..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "That''s right, Third Young Miss,e back with us. The master must be very worried about you..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Third Young Miss..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The three men called out like they were summoning a lost soul. Jiang Ning was getting very annoyed and turned into an empty alley.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The three men following Jiang Ning saw her suddenly stop and thought she had changed her mind. But then she pointed behind them and asked, "What''s that?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The three instinctively turned around. There was nothing behind them. When they turned back, Jiang Ning had already taken a running start towards a nearby wall. In the next instant, her body soared through the air, flipped over the wall, and disappeared.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Holy mother!" Xiao Wu cried out, looking as if he''d seen a ghost.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sheng Jing and Xiao Liu weren''t faring much better.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When they finally reacted and climbed over the wall themselves, they found an empty space on the other side that led to another street, but Jiang Ning was nowhere to be seen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Jing, what do we do now?" Xiao Wu swallowed hard, looking bewildered. In fact, he still hadn''t recovered from the shock of seeing the Third Young Miss scale a wall.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let''s go back to the inn and wait, and ask the innkeeper for some information," Xiao Liu suggested.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sheng Jing turned back to look at the wall, which was as tall as two men, with a grave expression. He grunted in agreement.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    No wonder the master had sent them to investigate the Third Young Miss''s experiences. This was all too bizarre.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 159

    The Universal Blessing Temple was no longer as bustling as it had been during the New Year. There were far fewer carriages and pedestrians in front of the gate, and many fewer stalls set up on the side street.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning spotted Lan Xu among the cluster of stalls at a nce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu looked the same as ever - her clothes were simple but neat, her hair impablybed. She always smiled warmly when someone came to buy osmanthus cakes, and sat quietly when there were no customers, a faint trace of mncholy in her eyes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Watching Lan Xu from afar, Jiang Ning couldn''t help but think of Luo Siyi, far away in the Capital City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Both were women, but Luo Siyi had a harmonious marriage, two children, and had been cherished for half her life. When troubles arose, she would only cry in Nangong Ya''s arms.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    And Lan Xu?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A scheming plot had ruined her life. An innocent girl had inexplicably lost her chastity, given birth to a daughter hoping they could rely on each other, only for heaven to y a cruel joke on her, forcing her to send Nangong Ling back and leave her hometown toe to Qushui City, making a living by selling osmanthus cakes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The stark contrast made Jiang Ning''s heart sink inevitably.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning stood motionless for a long while, steeling herself before slowly approaching.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu had just sent off a customer and was lowering her eyes to put the copper coins into the money pouch when she looked up to find a young woman standing before her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Miss Jiang! It''s you!" Seeing a familiar face, Lan Xu was pleasantly surprised. She nced around and asked, "Where''s your Mr. Liu, the sessful candidate? Why isn''t he with you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    To Lan Xu, the gentle and polite Liu Ming''an had left a deeper impression. Back then, Jiang Ning had set up her stall next to him, only showing warmth and a gentle smile when looking at Liu Ming''an, while remaining cold and distant to others, not easy to approach. Lan Xu hadn''t spoken much with her, mostly chatting with Liu Ming''an instead.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning smiled faintly and answered earnestly, "He''s in the Capital City preparing for the examination. I came alone."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh? You two are so close, I''m surprised you''d be willing to part. It must be for something very important," Lan Xu remarked with a sigh.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nodded, "It''s a very important matter. I had no choice but toe."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu smiled, about to say something when an elderly person carrying a child approached the stall. They nced down at the light yellow cakes in the steamer and said, "I''ll take one."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning stepped aside to avoid blocking her business.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu deftly wrapped a cake in oiled paper and handed it to the child in the elder''s arms with a smile. "Here you go, little one. Hold it carefully."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The child started eating immediately. The elder smiled fondly at the child, took out ten copper coins from their pocket, ced them on the table, and walked away carrying the child.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu said her usual "Take care," put the money in her pouch, and looked up to chat with Jiang Ning, only to find her staring absently at the steamer of osmanthus cakes on the table.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Miss Jiang? Are you hungry?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu asked with a smile, picking up an osmanthus cake, wrapping it in paper, and cing it in Jiang Ning''s hand.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning looked at the cake in her hand and asked, "How many can you sell in a day?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu, treating it as idle chat, casually answered, "Ah, it''s not like during the New Year anymore. I make about fifty cakes a day now. On a lucky day, I can sell them all. On a bad day, I might have ten or more left, which I give to people around here. Fortunately, after the Lantern Festival, the table fee at Universal Blessing Temple dropped to fifty wen."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning made a sound of acknowledgment and took a bite of the wrapped cake.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The osmanthus cake was soft and delicate, with the unique fragrance of osmanthus. It wasn''t very sweet, but just right for Jiang Ning''s taste.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was calcting.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Selling fifty cakes a day at most, ten wen per cake, after deducting the stall fee and costs, and considering that the coastal area had frequent rain preventing business, earning five taels of silver a month would be the limit.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, Qushui City had high living costs. Even with frugal daily expenses, it was still a significant ouy. How could Lan Xu save any money this way?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Moreover, she had dedicated a longevity tablet and lit a longevitymp for her, which cost one tael of silver every month.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu waited for Jiang Ning to finish eating before asking, "Miss Jiang, are you here at Universal Blessing Temple on business? You should go attend to it, don''t let me dy you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nced at the osmanthus cakes in the steamer. It was still early, and Lan Xu had only sold a few cakes. It would probably take until the afternoon to sell out. Besides, this ce was crowded and not suitable for a reunion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I don''t have any business," Jiang Ning shook her head and continued, "I''ll just stand here for a while. I won''t affect your business, will I?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "No, you won''t," Lan Xu shook her head with a smile, but she found it a bit strange.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning had just told her she had very important business, but now she said she had nothing to do. Her words contradicted each other.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    And for some reason, she felt that Jiang Ning seemed much gentler than before, no longer giving off that aloof air that kept people at a distance.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    asionally, when Lan Xu nced at Jiang Ning, she even caught a hint of docility in her demeanor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning stood beside the table, watching Lan Xu busy at work, rehearsing in her mind how to reveal the truth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ah...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    No matter how Jiang Ning thought about it, imagining herself sighing andmenting, she still felt that no opening would be good enough.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She truly had no experience in this. If only she had thought to ask Nangong Muyan beforeing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu had truly believed Jiang Ning would only stand there for a while, but as noon approached, Jiang Ning still hadn''t left.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu felt increasingly perplexed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But business was exceptionally good today. Perhaps it was because Jiang Ning stood nearby. She was beautiful, and passersby couldn''t help but nce at her a few times, drawing attention to the small stall. Usually, at this time, half of the osmanthus cakes would still be left, but today they were almost sold out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Another half hour passed, and Lan Xu sold thest osmanthus cake. She turned back to see Jiang Ning still standing motionless in the same spot, her eyes downcast, lost in thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Miss Jiang, it must be thanks to your blessing that the cakes sold so quickly today!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There was a hint of cheerfulness in Lan Xu''s voice. Without waiting for Jiang Ning''s response, she put the steamer and oiled paper on a small stool on the ground as usual, hung the money pouch on herself, and was about to pick up the Universal Blessing Temple''s table to return it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Let me! Wait here for a moment, I have something to tell you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning took over the task, effortlessly carrying the table to the side entrance of Universal Blessing Temple and returning it to the monk there.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When she returned to the side street, Lan Xu was waiting, holding the steamer in her arms with the small stool hanging from her elbow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Thank you, Miss Jiang," Lan Xu first thanked Jiang Ning for helping with the table, then asked, "What did you want to tell me?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning reached out again, taking the steamer from Lan Xu''s arms before saying, "It''s not convenient to talk here. Can we go to your home?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu was taken aback. This was too unusual. They were almost strangers, having only exchanged greetings a few times. What could they possibly have to discuss?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I really have something very, very important to tell you. Can you take me to your home, please?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning saw the wariness in Lan Xu''s eyes clearly, and her own gaze unconsciously took on a pleading look.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Faced with such a gaze, Lan Xu''s heart suddenly softened, and she nodded.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 160

    Lan Xu''s home was very close to Universal Blessing Temple, just half a street away, about a 7-8 minute walk.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was a secluded little courtyard, located in the deepest part of that neighborhood, far from the surrounding neighbors, as if it had been independently partitioned off.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu walked up to the locked wooden door, took out her key to open it, and entered first, smiling as she weed Jiang Ning: "The house is rather modest, I hope Miss Jiang Ning won''t mind."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nced around. Directly opposite the main gate were several rooms, which appeared to be the kitchen, bedroom, living room, and toilet, with probably another room for storage. Though small, it seemedplete and quite exquisite.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The ground of the small courtyard was paved with green bricks. On one side, severalrge winnowing baskets were supported by bamboo frames, drying something. Jiang Ning caught the sweet, cloying scent of osmanthus in the air and knew that it must be osmanthus flowers being dried.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She was only a bit curious as to why there were still osmanthus flowers at this time of year.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    On the other side of the courtyard, only half of the area was paved with bricks. Near the wall, the ground was still bare earth, carefully turned over and nted with vegetation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning took a casual nce and only recognized green onions and lettuce, along with some thin, white little flowers she couldn''t quite make out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu led Jiang Ning to the kitchen door, reached out to take the steamer from her arms, and brought it inside to set it down, saying at the same time: "Miss Jiang, please go sit in the living room for a moment. I''ll pour you a cup of water. If you don''t mind, we can have lunch hereter."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning obediently walked to the so-called living room and sat down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This living room seemed to have never been used for guests. There was only one stool by the table, which still had a pile of oiled paper and a pair of scissors on it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu came out with a cup of water at this moment: "Here, have some water."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After cing the cup near Jiang Ning''s hand, Lan Xu cleared the items from the table, put them on a small side table, then went to the corner to fetch another stool and sat down beside Jiang Ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning slowly drank the water cup by cup until it was finished, let out a long breath, and looking at Lan Xu whose eyes held a questioning gaze, chose the most direct approach.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I came from the Capital City specifically to find you. I have another name, called Nangong Ling!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The smile on Lan Xu''s face instantly froze, her eyes trembling violently, her lips beginning to quiver.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning smiled and reached out to hold Lan Xu''s shaking hand, firmly telling her: "I am your daughter, Nangong Ling."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Large teardrops rolled one by one from Lan Xu''s eyes, as if they cost nothing. She was no longer just shaking her hand, but her whole body was trembling slightly. Several times she opened her mouth, but couldn''t utter even a singleplete word.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But Jiang Ning could still make out from her lip movements that Lan Xu was calling "Ling''er".<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A hand shakily raised, reaching towards Jiang Ning''s face, moving extremely slowly, as if carefully probing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning smiled and leaned her face forward a bit, allowing that calloused, somewhat rough hand to rest on her face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ling''er..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Those two sybles were finally voiced. Lan Xu''s tears fell like rain as she stood up and pulled Jiang Ning into her embrace.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It''s my Ling''er, my Ling''er... You''ve grown so big, I''m so useless, I didn''t recognize you at all..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning leaned into Lan Xu''s embrace, her arms around her waist, a smile on her lips.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This mother truly loved her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It took Lan Xu a long time to barelypose herself. She sat back down on the stool, tightly holding Jiang Ning''s hand, carefully examining this daughter she had been separated from for seventeen years. As she looked, tears involuntarily fell again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mother, why don''t we eat first? We can talk properly after we''ve eaten."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning raised her sleeve to wipe Lan Xu''s tears, but they couldn''t be dried, which is why she made this suggestion. At least to divert her attention for a while.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu nodded repeatedly, choking out a response: "Ling''er, what do you want to eat? Mother will make it for you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When she had parted from her daughter years ago, her Ling''er was only five months old, not yet weaned. She had never had the chance to cook a meal for Ling''er in her life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Anything is fine, I''m not picky about food," Jiang Ning replied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "How can that be?" Lan Xu wiped her face, walked to the living room door without further ado, took arge basket and hung it on her arm, then turned back to Jiang Ning with eyes full of love: "You sit at home, I''ll go buy some groceries. I''ll be back very soon, very soon..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Before Jiang Ning could say anything, Lan Xu had hurriedly pushed open the main door and left.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When Lan Xu returned, the basket on her arm was packed full. She entered the door, called out to Jiang Ning "Ling''er, sit for a while longer, I''m going to cook," and then plunged into the kitchen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning wanted to go in and help, but was pushed out: "You sit, just sit. I just want to cook a meal for you with my own hands."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning sighed inwardly and obediently went back to sit, but seeing Lan Xu''s posture as if she was about to prepare a grand feast, she couldn''t help but advise, "Don''t make too much, we can''t finish it all."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu responded with "Alright, alright," but continued until she had prepared six dishes and a soup. Only when Jiang Ning entered the kitchen and firmly stopped her did she reluctantly cease.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A small table was set full, definitely too much for two people to finish, but Jiang Ning tasted every dish and praised each one. Throughout the meal, Lan Xu''s eyes reddened several more times.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After the meal, Jiang Ning volunteered to wash the dishes, but was predictably chased out by Lan Xu again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Once everything was tidied up, mother and daughter could finally have a calm conversation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ling''er, when Schr Liu chatted with me earlier, he mentioned that you all came from Lingshan Town. How did you end up there?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu asked worriedly. This question had been on her mind for a while. Nangong Ling was the daughter of the Prime Minister, how could she have ended up in Lingshan Town?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Thinking it over, Lan Xu''s heart arrived at one possibility: that the Prime Minister''s Mansion hadn''t raised her, but had given her to someone else to raise.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu''s eyes reddened again. Jiang Ning didn''t know what she was specting, but telling the truth would likely cause her to cry again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After much consideration, Jiang Ning said: "Mother, don''t worry about these things. The important thing is that we''ve found each other now. I don''t want to be the third youngdy of the Prime Minister''s Mansion anymore. From now on, it''s just us mother and daughter, and that''s enough."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing this, Lan Xu''s eyes filled with tears again: "Ling''er, is it... is it that they weren''t good to you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I can''t say they were good, nor can I say they weren''t. It''s just that I was an outsider in that Prime Minister''s Mansion. Having you and Liu Ming''an is enough for me," Jiang Ning said sincerely.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu nodded tearfully, her eyes full of self-reproach: "It''s my fault, all my fault for being useless. Back then, I could only send you back. You must have suffered so much all these years..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mother, it''s not your fault. I don''t me you," Jiang Ning said with a sigh. "You were never wrong. You were innocent."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu''s tears suddenly gushed forth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 161

    In the days that followed, Jiang Ning gradually learned some of the details of the past from Lan Xu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu''s family ran a small business in the Capital City selling cosmetics and perfumes, with a few shops that did quite well. At the age of fifteen, Lan Xu was deceived by Cheng Qiwen into the Prime Minister''s Mansion under the pretext that the Prime Minister''s wife wanted to buy cosmetics. After losing her chastity, Lan Xu was overwhelmed with pain and shame, unable to face her family. She attempted suicide several times butcked the courage to carry it out. Eventually, she fled to a nunnery on the outskirts of the Capital City, where she shaved her head and became a nun, nning to spend the rest of her life in solitude with the ancientmps and Buddha.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, fate had other ns. Two monthster, she discovered she was pregnant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning''er, I wanted to take an abortion potion at that time," Lan Xu said, looking at Jiang Ning with a bitter smile. Even now, recalling those past events brought her nothing but endless pain.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "But when I had the potion ready and was about to drink it, I smelled the bitterness and suddenly felt nauseous, as if my stomach was churning. I used to take medicine without batting an eye..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "In the end, I forced myself to drink half a bowl, but I couldn''t take it anymore and vomited everything out..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I smashed the bowl and wailed. At that moment, I thought, it must be this child, it wants toe into the world, it wants me to be its mother..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    And so, Lan Xu decided to give birth to the child, a child that would be hers alone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The nunnery was not particrly affluent, but the nuns were kind-hearted. Upon learning of Lan Xu''s decision, they supported her, helping her buy herbs for a safe pregnancy and taking good care of her. They even worried that she wasn''t getting enough nutrition and bought meat to make soup for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning''er, the abbesses were living bodhisattvas. Without them, I might have died long ago. That''s why I named you Lan Ling, because the nunnery was called Fuling Temple. Every time I see you, I remember their great kindness!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When Lan Ling was born, the entire nunnery was overjoyed. This new life brought a sense of hope to the otherwise deste ce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Unfortunately, the good times didn''tst long. When Lan Ling was five months old, she contracted a strange illness, running high fevers and vomiting everything she ate. The nuns of Fuling Temple pooled their money to hire a doctor, who prescribed medicine that improved Lan Ling''s condition. However, the doctor said the illness required two months of continuous medication to be cured.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The medicine was too expensive, and they couldn''t afford it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I held you and cried all night, feeling like my eyes would go blind. You were so small, how could you suffer so much in such a short time in the world? I wished I could trade my life for your health and safety..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning sighed softly, gently wiping away Lan Xu''s tears with her sleeve: "Mother, it''s not your fault. You''ve done everything you could, more than enough."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The rest of the story unfolded as Yuwen Yan had written in his letter. Lan Xu knelt for a long time at the Prime Minister''s Mansion with her child, and Lan Ling eventually became Nangong Ling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When Nangong Ya learned he had another daughter, he was stunned beyond words. He had originally nned to have Lan Xu take the child and leave after she was cured, but his father, Nangong Ling''s grandfather, intervened.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "How can the bloodline of the Nangong family be left to wander? This child will henceforth be called Nangong Ling, the third youngdy of the Prime Minister''s Mansion. I''d like to see who dares to object!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Did they force you to leave the Capital City?" Jiang Ning asked quietly, a sh of coldness in her eyes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "No, I left on my own!" Lan Xu quickly replied, fearing Jiang Ning might misunderstand. "I knew your situation in the Prime Minister''s Mansion would be awkward. The Prime Minister''s wife has her own children, and I was afraid they wouldn''t treat you well. So I went to beg the wife, and I made a vow that I would never set foot in the Capital City again, asking her not to mistreat you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing Jiang Ning''s silence, Lan Xu continued, "The Prime Minister''s wife is a good person, really! She admitted to me that she doesn''t have the heart to treat you as her own, but she wouldn''t take it out on a child. From now on, she is the Prime Minister''s wife, and you are the third youngdy of the Prime Minister''s Mansion. You have no connection to each other."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "When I was leaving the Capital City, the Prime Minister''s wife knew I had no money and gave me one hundred taels of silver for my journey. I returned to Fuling Temple and left half the money with the abbesses. With the rest, I wandered to Qushui City, bought a house, and settled down..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu''s eyes filled with gratitude as she spoke. "The Prime Minister''s wife has been more than kind to me. I cannot break my vow. So... Ning''er, I cannot return to the Capital City with you!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mother! Don''t be so stubborn," Jiang Ning pleaded, feeling a headacheing on.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It had been over ten days since they had recognized each other as mother and daughter. Jiang Ning had been urging Lan Xu to leave with her, promising to take care of her with Liu Ming''an, but Lan Xu repeatedly refused. Today, after recounting these past events, she once again firmly declined.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning''er, I have no other desires in life, only to wish for your happiness and safety. Now that I see you growing up beautiful, sensible, and well-behaved, and having found a good man to spend your life with, I have no regrets."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning sighed again. Alright, she decided not to press the matter for now. She would stay with her for a while longer. If necessary, she could always knock her out and take her away. After all, on her wedding day, Lan Xu must be seated at the high table.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Earlier, Jiang Ning had returned to the inn to pack up and check out. She encountered the three guards from the Prime Minister''s Mansion again and managed to shake them off. Since then, Jiang Ning had been staying at Lan Xu''s house.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu seemed to want to make up for the lost years, preparing delicious meals for Jiang Ning every day and not letting her do any housework. Even when Jiang Ning felt bored and wanted to sweep the courtyard, Lan Xu would snatch the broom away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning''er, rest. I''ll do it. Go y by yourself."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was being pampered into a delicate youngdy who didn''t lift a finger.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning walked to the edge of the courtyard, where a small plot ofnd had been set aside for growing flowers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Snow-white, fingernail-sized flowers hung on slender stems, resembling a string of tinynterns.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    They were lily of the valley.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning recognized these flowers. In her previous life, Nangong Muyan loved tending to nts and small animals, though she had a knack for killing anything she tried to nurture.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "s, maybe I''ve killed too many people, and the killing aura is too strong. That''s why nothing I raise survives," Nangong Muyan had once said, looking at a dead cactus. She was only ten or so at the time, and Jiang Ning was still very afraid of her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The young Jiang Ning, feeling uneasy, wondered if she shouldfort the frowning assassin over her dead nts. But Nangong Muyan soon smiled and said, "Oh well, dead is dead. As long as you grow up, that''s all that matters."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A gentle breeze passed by, causing the lily of the valley to sway gently, like a silent wind chime. Yet, the air was filled with the sweet scent of osmanthus.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Days passed by in this simple and warm manner. Jiang Ning ate and slept at Lan Xu''s house, feeling bored and idle most of the time, often thinking of Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Then, on a day in March, the government suddenly posted an announcement: The heir to the throne of Great Liang had been appointed, and it was none other than Prince of Xiang, Yuwen Yan.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What was going on? Jiang Ning was puzzled. Nangong Ya had said the Emperor wanted to maintain a bnce among Prince of Xiang, Prince of Rui, and Prince of Lin. Why would he appoint a crown prince at this time?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    While apanying Lan Xu to sell osmanthus cakes, Jiang Ning used the excuse of needing a drink to sit in a bustling tavern for a while.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In such ces, men often drank and talked loudly about current events, mixing various news, much like gossiping vige women.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The appointment of a crown prince was a major event. The tavern was abuzz with discussions about it. Jiang Ning ordered a pot of wine, a te of braised beef, and a dish of peanuts, finding a discreet corner to sit in. Soon enough, she heard what she wanted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mao San, you just came back from the Capital City. Do you know why Prince of Xiang was appointed as the crown prince?" someone asked in a hushed voice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Discussing state affairs was a capital offense, but curiosity often got the better of people.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As soon as this was said, the attention of the tavern shifted to the old man called "Mao San."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Alcohol gave people courage, and being the center of attention was another kind of strength. Mao San took a sip of wine, nced around, and his face showed a hint of pride.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "The Crown Prince was appointed by the Emperor. How could I, a mere businessman, guess what the Emperor is thinking?" Mao San said, pretending to respond to the person who asked, but his voice was loud enough for everyone in the shop to hear. "But there''s another matter I know about, and I wonder if there''s any connection. It''s been the talk of the Capital City..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Mao San smacked his lips, sighing andmenting, then slowly took a few sips of wine, leaving the eager listeners on the edge of their seats.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What is it? Spit it out already!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Stop beating around the bush! Just tell us!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Mao, please, just say it!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having teased the crowd enough, Mao San finally spoke in a mysterious tone, "The Prince of Rui is dead! He died a horrible death! He was sliced hundreds of times, like a fish fillet, and when his body was found, his mouth was stuffed with his own flesh!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ooh..." A collective gasp echoed through the room, and everyone fell silent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s chopsticks paused mid-air as she picked up peanuts, her expression grave.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There was no need to guess who was behind this method of death.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But wasn''t the Prince of Rui betrothed to her?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Even if she didn''t want to marry, a single stab would have sufficed. There was no need to torture him like this.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What on earth has happened in the Capital City?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 162

    "Dr. Sun, how is she?" In a bedchamber of the Lou Mansion, Lou Baili anxiously inquired as Sun Huaiyi put away his acupuncture needles.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sun Huaiyi sighed, his expression grim. He took Wang Lanzhi''s withered hand to check her pulse again, then sighed once more.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Lord Lou, I''m afraid my limited skills are of no use here. The old madam already suffered from dementia and is advanced in years. This brief moment of lucidity, coupled with such a tremendous shock, has wounded her spirit deeply. She seems to have lost the will to live."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Baili looked at Wang Lanzhi with a pained expression. She remained motionless as before,pletely unresponsive, not even moving her eyes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "s," Lou Baili let out a long sigh. His mother was finally paying the price for his mistakes, but the cost was far too great.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ever since fainting from the grief of learning about Qingzhi''s death, Wang Lanzhi had been in this state upon waking - neither crying nor smiling, neither agitated nor calm. She was like a soulless walking corpse. Maids had to force her mouth open to feed her, and doctors had to prescribe medication for her to sleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In just one month, the olddy who used to run about calling for Qingzhi had wasted away to skin and bones.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Her cheeks werepletely sunken, just skin stretched over bone with no flesh visible, resembling a skeleton. This made her eyes appear evenrger, but her gaze was murky and vacant, a chilling sight to behold.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Everyone knew that Wang Lanzhi was slowly dying.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Though she still breathed and her heart still beat, she was no different from a living corpse, surrounded by an imprable aura of death.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sun Huaiyi packed up his medical kit and bowed to Lou Baili. "I shall take my leave, my lord." As he walked out, he found Lou Yuhuan leaning on a cane by the door, having stood there for who knows how long.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Old Master!" Sun Huaiyi bowed again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Dr. Sun, there''s no need for formalities," Lou Yuhuan said, reaching out to steady him. He then looked into Sun Huaiyi''s eyes and asked, "Tell me honestly, how much time does my wife have left?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Well..." Sun Huaiyi hesitated, knowing many nobles considered such talk taboo. He feared incurring their wrath.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan sensed Sun Huaiyi''s concern. "Don''t worry, Dr. Sun. I''m prepared for the worst. Please, speak freely."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sun Huaiyi bowed again, keeping his head low. Steeling himself, he answered truthfully, "The old madam has at most one month left."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The man before him remained silent for a long while. Sun Huaiyi didn''t dare raise his head, anxiously awaiting a response. Finally, Lou Baili''s voice came from behind: "Yan Cui, please see Dr. Sun out."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, sir," a young woman''s voice replied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sun Huaiyi felt immensely relieved. He bowed to both men, saying "I take my leave," and followed the maid called Yan Cui towards the mansion''s exit.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Only father and son remained. Lou Baili looked at Lou Yuhuan''s grief-stricken face and opened his mouth to say, "Father..." but found himself at a loss for words.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan gazed into the distance. After a long while, he murmured, "That direction... it''s southwest, isn''t it?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Baili understood the meaning behind this seemingly random question. Lingshan Town was under the jurisdiction of the Baoji County Government, whichy to the southwest. That was where Qingzhi had spent thest few years of his life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "After Ming''an finishes his exams, let''s go there as a family," Lou Yuhuan said heavily. "We''ll bring your mother''s ashes with us."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Father!" Lou Baili''s eyes suddenly reddened.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "If your mother were still conscious, she would want this. To be buried in the green mountains alongside Qingzhi - she would ask for nothing more."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lou Yuhuan gazed long at the sky in that direction. The light and clouds reflected in his eyes, revealing boundless sorrow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Baili, you should go now. Ming''an will be here soon, and it''s your turn to teach him today. Don''t tell him about any of this mess. The metropolitan examination is in a few days; we shouldn''t affect his mood." Lou Yuhuan turned back, earnestly instructing his son.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After Lou Baili left, Lou Yuhuan entered the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    One month left. They had been husband and wife for a lifetime, and now Wang Lanzhi was dying. He didn''t know how much longer he himself would live.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an finished his sses at the Imperial Academy and came to the Lou Mansion as usual, entering the familiar study.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    For the past few dozen days, three generations of the Lou family had taken turns tutoring him, not just in academic subjects andposition, but also in the ways of officialdom, principles of conduct, and the current political situation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an studied diligently, his mindset quite different from before.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, today Liu Ming''an sensed that Lou Baili seemed preupied as he lectured, his words sometimes disjointed and inconsistent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When the lesson ended, Liu Ming''an returned to his residence on Late Winter Road. As expected, he found Zhou Yi waiting at the door with a jug of wine.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    For many days now, Zhou Yi had appeared punctually at this time. Liu Ming''an had grown ustomed to it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He opened the door and let Zhou Yi in without saying much. Zhou Yi sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard. Liu Ming''an brought out cups, which Zhou Yi filled. Then, regardless of whether Liu Ming''an drank or not, Zhou Yi downed cup after cup until he was thoroughly drunk.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an frowned at Zhou Yi, who looked much more haggard. He wanted to say something but ultimately swallowed his words.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Because he knew nothing he said would make a difference.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    About a month ago, Zhou Yi had suddenly shown up at his courtyard with wine. Liu Ming''an had happily gone to greet him, wanting to chat, but found Zhou Yi in a daze, ignoring him and focused solely on drinking.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhou, what''s happened?" Liu Ming''an had asked with concern, seeing Zhou Yi''s unusual behavior.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Liu, I''m in a bad mood. Don''t ask. I just want to drink some wine here and leave when I''m done," Zhou Yi had replied listlessly, eyes downcast. After that, he didn''t speak another word until he drank himself into oblivion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Of course, Liu Ming''an wouldn''t let Zhou Yi sleep in the courtyard. He half-dragged, half-carried him to the empty room that was always avable, wiped his face, took off his shoes, tucked him in, and only then returned to his own room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Everyone has moments of dejection, and everyone has secrets. So although Liu Ming''an was curious, he didn''t pry further, thinking that given Zhou Yi''s typically carefree and energetic personality, he''d probably feel better after sleeping it off.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But this time, Liu Ming''an had guessed wrong.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The issue troubling Zhou Yi was clearly much more serious than he had imagined.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When Zhou Yi showed up with wine for the third day in a row, Liu Ming''an was beside himself with worry.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhou, I consider you my own brother. What''s happened? Won''t you tell me? Maybe we can figure something out together?" Liu Ming''an had pleaded, humbling himself to get Zhou Yi to open up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi had paused in his drinking and turned to look at Liu Ming''an for a moment. A bitter smile crossed his lips. "Brother Liu, why don''t you have a drink with me?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had quickly agreed, thinking Zhou Yi might confide in him after drinking. But he was wrong again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Liu, forget it," Zhou Yi had stopped Liu Ming''an from pouring more, hugging the wine jug to himself. "You still have to take the imperial examination. You can''t risk getting drunk and muddled. Let me drink alone!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhou!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had been desperate. In his heart, Zhou Yi was his closest friend, like an elder brother. He couldn''t bear to see him so dispirited.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhou, how about I skip the Imperial Academy tomorrow and we go fishing instead?" Liu Ming''an had suggested. Zhou Yi loved fishing so much; perhaps it would cheer him up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "No!" Zhou Yi had shouted vehemently, tly refusing. "I''ll never go fishing again, not for the rest of my life!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had noticed how Zhou Yi emphasized the words "fishing" with particr force.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After that, Zhou Yi came with wine every day, drinking himself into a stupor and falling asleep where he sat. Liu Ming''an would have one cup with him, then carefully carry him to bed once the wine was gone. They had fallen into a kind of unspoken routine.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Tonight was no different. Zhou Yi drank quietly while Liu Ming''an sat with him after finishing one cup.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Soon the wine jug was empty, and Zhou Yi was drunk. Liu Ming''an went to Zhou Yi''s side, put his arm over his shoulder, and helped him towards the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Bastard! You bastard!" the semi-conscious man cursed over and over. Liu Ming''an''s ears were growing numb from hearing it so often.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Brother Zhou, who on earth has offended you? Won''t you tell me? Even if I can''t help directly, I could ask the Lou family to intervene on your behalf. If you''d just tell me..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an coaxed gently, as if soothing a child, hoping Zhou Yi might reveal the truth in his drunken state.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Bastard! You''re a bastard! I hate you..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi was still immersed in his own thoughts, cursing incoherently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 163

    The imperial examination was scheduled for March 11th, and Jiang Ning nned to return to the Capital City on March 5th.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Everything was arranged; she just needed Lan Xu to agree.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mother,e back to the Capital City with me," Jiang Ning had said this countless times.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ling''er," Lan Xu smiled helplessly, looking at Jiang Ning with eyes full of love, "Please stop trying to persuade me. Go back by yourself and live a good life with Mr. Liu. I''ll pray for your happiness in Qushui City."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning wanted to say more, but Lan Xu held her hand and spoke from the heart: "This time has been the happiest of my entire life. I can die without regrets!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning closed her mouth, realizing that further words were useless. She would have to take action.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But the person before her was still her mother, and Jiang Ning felt that knocking her unconscious would be somewhat unfilial. After much deliberation, she suddenly remembered she still had a few packets of sleeping powder.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The old doctor had sold her five packets at once. She had used two on Liu Ming''an, leaving three, which was perfect.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    On the morning of the 5th, after breakfast, Jiang Ning brought Lan Xu a cup of tea.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    They had agreed yesterday not to sell osmanthus cakes today, but to visit the temple and recite some scriptures. Lan Xu had dly agreed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mother, have some tea. I brought this tea leaves specially from the Capital City," Jiang Ning lied with a straight face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Alright."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu didn''t suspect anything and drank from the cup. Although she found the tea vorless and quite bitter, she thought it must be because Jiang Ning had brought it, so she dismissed her concerns and slowly finished the entire cup.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu told herself that her inability to appreciate the tea''s vor must be because a mountain boar couldn''t appreciate fine food. It couldn''t be the tea''s fault!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning watched Lan Xu drink the water and smiled softly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She had mixed all three packets of powder into it, so the bitterness should have been obvious, yet Lan Xu didn''t suspect a thing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In less than a quarter of an hour, Lan Xu fell into a deep sleep at the table. Jiang Ning immediately began rummaging through drawers and cabs, packing their belongings.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    They had quite a lot of things between the two of them, but it wouldn''t make sense to carry nothing. After some thought, Jiang Ning symbolically hung two bundles on her arm, putting the rest in her spatial storage.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After everything was packed, Jiang Ning bent down to carry Lan Xu on her back, locked the door, and headed towards the dock.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    People stared along the way, but Jiang Ning pretended not to notice. Once on the boat, when curious fellow passengers gathered to inquire, Jiang Ning offered the exnation she had prepared in advance.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "My mother suffers from a strange illness. She often falls into a deep sleep for no reason and can''t be woken up no matter how we try. I''m taking her to the Capital City this time to seek treatment."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Her words were sincere, and coupled with the fact that Jiang Ning appeared to be a frail young woman shouldering such a responsibility, it truly moved and impressed people.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu woke up on the second evening after boarding the ship. The power of three packets of sleeping powder taken together was indeed strong; she had slept for two days and one night straight. When she woke up, she found herself lying in an unfamiliar ce that was swaying violently, and for a moment, she couldn''t understand what was happening.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mother, you''re awake. Here, have some water," Jiang Ning''s voice sounded nearby. Then Lan Xu was helped to sit up, half-leaning against the headboard, with a cup of water brought to her lips.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The water was mixed with spirit spring water, sweet and refreshing. After drinking the whole cup, Lan Xu''s foggy mind, dulled by the long sleep, instantly cleared. Then she realized something was amiss.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ling''er, where are we?" Lan Xu looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, feeling a bit uneasy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "We''re on a boat. We''ll reach Jinzhi City tomorrow, and then take a carriage to the Capital City," Jiang Ning answered with a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ling''er!" Lan Xu''s emotions suddenly red up, looking at Jiang Ning with disapproval.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Before she could say anything, Jiang Ning spoke first: "Mother, I''m going to marry Liu Ming''an this year. I hope that when I bow twice to my parents, it will be to you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu''s eyes trembled violently, and then she heard Jiang Ning continue: "Isn''t it tradition for the mother tob the bride''s hair and give blessings? Mother, you wouldn''t want to see me marry with disheveled hair, would you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The conflict in Lan Xu''s eyes was unmistakable. Every word Jiang Ning spoke struck her heart; how could she remain unmoved?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "But I made a vow... Ling''er, a person who breaks their word is no better than an animal. Moreover, if I go back and happen to encounter someone from the Prime Minister''s Mansion, I..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As Lan Xu spoke, her eyes reddened. Jiang Ning quicklyforted her: "Mother, it''s alright, don''t think about the past..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After Lan Xu''s emotions had calmed a bit, Jiang Ning made a decision: "The Capital City, as its name suggests, only refers to the four districts and eight streets within the city walls. Mother, why don''t you go to the outskirts? To Fuling Temple. You can stay there. This way, you won''t be breaking your vow, and you definitely won''t run into anyone from the Prime Minister''s Mansion."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "But this, this¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu wanted to say that this behavior seemed like self-deception, but Jiang Ning interrupted her: "Fuling Temple has shown great kindness to both of us. After all these years, don''t you want to see how those nuns from back then are doing?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu finallypromised.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A dayter, the passenger ship docked at Jinzhi City. The two rested in the city for a night, and the next day they boarded a carriage, saying they were going to Fuling Temple.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Fuling Temple was built many years ago by a woman from the capital.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was said that this woman came from a wealthy family. One day, while fishing near the sea with her husband and son, they were caught in a sudden storm. As their boat capsized, the father and son used all their strength to push her onto a floating piece of wood, but they themselves were swallowed by the raging waves, their bodies never to be found.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In an instant, her oncerge family was reduced to her alone. This devastating disaster made her want to end her life, but then she thought about how her husband and son had fought with all their might to save her, and she felt she couldn''t die.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the end, the woman, her heart as cold as ashes, sold all her possessions and built this Fuling Temple on a mountain in the outskirts of the capital.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At this point in her story, Lan Xu paused and pointed to a nearby mountain, telling Jiang Ning, "Ling''er, it''s right there."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Fuling Temple was built halfway up the mountain. The nuns there didn''t rely on alms for their livelihood. Fields were cultivated at the foot of the mountain, and various fruits and vegetables were grown on the mountainside, all tended to by the nuns. It was more like a self-sufficient utopia.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Actually, the women here aren''t really considered true nuns. Every woman whoes here has her own tale of hardship. They''re not wholly devoted to Buddha. Besides chanting sutras and striking wooden fish, they have to do a lot of farm work to support themselves. This ce just provides these women with a refuge from the world."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As they walked up the small path towards the mountain, Lan Xu continued to exin to Jiang Ning: "When I came here at sixteen, they didn''t ask any questions. They just let me in, and no one ever asked about my past afterwards."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was surprised. So this Fuling Temple was actually a shelter for women. It embraced everyone''s shameful past, using the guise of bing a nun to provide them with a safe haven.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Women understanding women, women saving women.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In such a feudal and backward era, this powerful and vigorous female force left Jiang Ning in awe.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 164

    "So much has changed over the years..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu gazed at the renovated gate before her, which appeared much wider and taller than she remembered. The courtyard walls were now made of blue bricks instead of the original bamboo fence, and stone bs paved the ground in front of the main gate, clean and tidy. She thought to herself that on rainy days, there would no longer be muddy water dirtying one''s shoes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''ve grown old. I wonder if they still remember me..." Lan Xu felt a surge of apprehension as she approached her hometown. She hesitated, standing outside the gate of Fuling Temple, muttering to herself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mom, you''re only in your thirties. You''re still young!" Jiang Ning said, pulling Lan Xu through the open gate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Behind the gate was a courtyard with a lush bodhi tree. Directly opposite the entrance stood the main Buddha hall, housing a statue of Buddha. The sound of chanting emanated from within, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Surrounding the main hall were likely the living quarters of the nuns, with rooms neatly arranged in a circle. One could faintly see vegetable plots behind the buildings.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Everything looked different from the dpidated Fuling Temple in Lan Xu''s memory. She stood rooted to the spot, overwhelmed by a sense of bewilderment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Amitabha~"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Suddenly, an elderly voice came from behind. The mother and daughter turned to see an old nun in gray robes standing not far away. She stood with her hands sped together in greeting, her expression calm and serene. A broom as tall as half her height leaned against her, indicating she had been sweeping when she noticed the two visitors.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Master Pu Xuan!" Lan Xu choked up at the sight of her, then rushed over without regard for Jiang Ning, falling to her knees before Pu Xuan. "Disciple Ming Zhen pays respects to Master!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ming Zhen?" Pu Xuan was astonished. She quickly helped Lan Xu up and examined her closely, finally recognizing her face. "It really is Ming Zhen!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Master, it''s me, it''s me..." Lan Xu nodded tearfully, then called out to Jiang Ning, "Ling''er,e here quickly!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning obeyed, approaching the two. Lan Xu pushed her in front of Pu Xuan, saying, "Master, this is Ling''er. Do you remember? The Ling''er you delivered with your own hands."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ling''er?" Pu Xuan looked at Jiang Ning standing before her, tears glistening in her eyes that were as calm as ancient wells. "Little Ling''er has grown into a youngdy! How wonderful, how wonderful... You and your mother have been reunited, how wonderful, how wonderful..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning didn''t know how to address the elderly woman before her and could only stand there with a sweet, obedient smile on her face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ming Zhen,e, let''s go to the meditation room. We have so much to catch up on, and there are many others who have been thinking of you and your daughter..." Pu Xuan said, leaning her broom against the wall. She then took Lan Xu''s hand in one of hers and Jiang Ning''s in the other, leading them towards the back of the main hall.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two quickly moved to support Pu Xuan. Along the way, they encountered several young nuns who, upon seeing the three walking together, neither questioned nor stared, but simply greeted Pu Xuan with a "Master Pu Xuan" and sped hands before going on their way.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "After you left, Prime Minister Nangong''s father sent people to renovate our Fuling Temple, saying it was to thank us for taking care of his granddaughter..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Both Jiang Ning and Lan Xu were surprised by this revtion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning, in particr, was amazed that her grandfather, whom she had never met, had done such a thing for her and her mother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Pu Xuan continued, patting Lan Xu''s hand, "Over these past ten years or more, Fuling Temple has seen many new faces. We now have nearly forty people here, much more than when you were here."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu smiled, reminiscing about the past with deep nostalgia in her eyes. "When I first came, there were only thirteen people here. Are they all still doing well?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Pu Xuan''s expression stiffened slightly, her eyes flickering. "Birth, old age, sickness, and death - life is impermanent. Of that group of nuns, including myself, only seven remain."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu''s smile faded, her expression bing dazed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The meditation room was behind the main hall. Pu Xuan called out to a passing nun, "Ming Xin, go and ask Pu Jing, Pu Kong, Pu Hui, Hong Min, Hong Zhi, and Ming Chen toe to the meditation room."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After Ming Xin left, Pu Xuan looked at Lan Xu and said consolingly, "Ming Zhen, you know, before you came, Ming Chen was the youngest at over thirty. For us old bones, after seventeen years, to still have half of us alive is already a blessing from Buddha."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu nodded with reddened eyes, listening as Pu Xuan continued, "We personally saw those who passed on to their final rest. You needn''t be sad."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, Master. Your disciple understands," Lan Xu replied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Soon, those whom Ming Xin had gone to call arrived one by one at the meditation room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Several of them recognized Lan Xu at a nce, and when they learned that Jiang Ning was the little girl from back then, they all crowded around, calling her "Little Ling''er" one after another.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Amitabha, our Little Ling''er has returned! Buddha be praised, Buddha be praised!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Little Ling''er and Little Ming Zhen, mother and daughter reunited..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Little Ling''er has grown up and be so beautiful, how wonderful!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning found herself surrounded by the elderly nuns, her hands being held in turn, with one or two even reaching out to touch her face. Each of them looked at her with the same undisguised love as Lan Xu, their eyes and words full of affection for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Enveloped in such intense love, Jiang Ning felt her eyes sting for the first time in her life. She had originally only intended to apany Lan Xu here, unaware that this ce held such deep ties to her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu couldn''t control her tears, crying uncontrobly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In a sense, Fuling Temple was no different from home to her. These people were family to both her and Jiang Ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Little Ming Zhen, why are you crying? This is such a joyous day!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Pu Hui, the eldest at eighty years old, still saw Lan Xu and Jiang Ning as children.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m... I''m just too happy..." Lan Xu sobbed, answering brokenly, "I''m just... just so happy to see you all... I thought I''d never see you again in this lifetime..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah~ Silly child," Pu Hui tapped Lan Xu''s head lightly, then opened her arms and embraced her. "Didn''t Buddha say? Cause and effecte full circle, life is death, and death is life. All phenomena arise from causes and conditions, all phenomena cease due to causes and conditions..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As the old woman''s words, filled with Buddhist wisdom, sounded in her ears, Lan Xu''s heart gradually calmed, and her tears finally stopped.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    By now it was nearly noon, and Pu Xuan suggested that the two stay for a meal at the temple. Jiang Ning and Lan Xu naturally agreed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    All the nuns knew of the mother and daughter''s past ordeals. Now that they had returned to Fuling Temple together, regardless of the reason or how long they would stay, none of that mattered to these elderly women.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So when, after lunch, Jiang Ning prepared to leave while Lan Xu chose to stay, no one expressed curiosity or tried to make her stay. They simply called out, "Little Ling''er, be careful on your way down the mountain."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    To have met once was already a great fortune.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning descended the mountain step by step, unsure of her own feelings.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In this ce, almost cut off from the world, there were so many people who loved her and wished her well. She didn''t know how to respond to such genuine affection.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 165

    Fuling Temple was a couple of hours'' carriage ride away from the Capital City.


    After descending the mountain, Jiang Ning rented a horse carriage in the nearby town and didn''t arrive at the outskirts of the Capital City until well past the ninth hour.


    It would take another half-hour to walk from the city gate to Late Winter Road.


    After many days, returning to this small courtyard, Jiang Ning was filled with emotions.


    The sky was already turning gray, and it would probably be dark soon.


    There was no one at home. Jiang Ning put away her luggage and walked around the house. It was almost the same as when she left¡ªeverything was clean and tidy. The only thing out of ce was the pile of wine jars by the wall.


    Could it be that Liu Ming''an missed her so much that he couldn''t contain his longing and drowned his sorrows in wine?


    Standing in the courtyard, Jiang Ning spected on her own when suddenly she heard footsteps outside the courtyard.


    Liu Ming''an!


    In that instant, Jiang Ning clearly heard her own heartbeat. Joy surged over her like a tidal wave, and she didn''t even have time to discern whose footsteps they were before she rushed to the door and flung it open.


    "Liu¡ª"


    Jiang Ning''s joyful voice stopped abruptly when she saw Zhou Yi.


    Zhou Yi, who was carrying a wine jar at the door, looked pleasantly surprised upon seeing Jiang Ning: "Sister-inw! You''re back from Qushui City!"


    Jiang Ning quickly regained herposure, smiling faintly at Zhou Yi: "Brother Zhou, I''m back. Come in and sit."


    Zhou Yi nodded, carrying the wine into the courtyard and sitting down on the stone bench in the yard.


    Jiang Ning looked at Zhou Yi, her eyebrows knitting tightly.


    Why had Zhou Yi be so thin?


    And he looked so troubled,pletely different from the carefree Zhou Yi she used to know.


    Looking at the wine he was carrying, it was exactly the same as the jars by the wall, indicating that he had been drinking with Liu Ming''an all this time.


    Before Jiang Ning could ask, Zhou Yi spoke first.


    "Sister-inw, you''re back. Brother Liu must be very happy. If nothing unexpected happens, he should be home in about two quarters of an hour. Let''s go to Jun Yue Restaurant together. I''ll treat you to a feast to wee you back."


    "Alright, thank you, Brother Zhou," Jiang Ning replied, deciding to ask Liu Ming''an first.


    After that, the two sat in silence.


    Zhou Yi lowered his eyes, his gaze fixed on a spot on the ground, looking very mncholy, which made Jiang Ning even more curious.


    Two quarters of an hourter, footsteps indeed came from outside the courtyard.


    Liu Ming''an arrived at the door, puzzled as to why he hadn''t seen Zhou Yi today. Just then, the door was pulled open from the inside, and a figure suddenly threw themselves into his arms.


    Liu Ming''an was pushed back a couple of steps by the force, and before he could react, a voice he had longed for day and night sounded muffled from his embrace:


    "Liu Ming''an, I miss you."


    "Ning!"


    Liu Ming''an pushed the person in his arms away slightly, and upon seeing that face, an uncontroble surge of emotion burst forth. He cupped Jiang Ning''s face and kissed her deeply.


    Jiang Ning closed her eyes and epted Liu Ming''an''s passion, but she vaguely felt like she had forgotten something.


    Zhou Yi, who had followed over, saw the two passionately kissing and couldn''t bear to look, his face turning red. He quickly turned around and went back to the stone bench in the courtyard.


    This couple is really... too much!


    Zhou Yi closed his eyes and pounded his head, trying to shake the image out of his mind.


    After a while, Jiang Ning''s passion subsided, and she finally remembered what she had forgotten.


    She had forgotten about Zhou Yi!


    Liu Ming''an, still not satisfied, continued to explore her lips, but Jiang Ning pushed him away, panting: "Stop, stop kissing. Brother Zhou is in the courtyard..."


    Jiang Ning''s face was crimson, feeling a sense of shame as if caught by a parent while dating.


    Liu Ming''an was taken aback, understanding.


    "Ning..."


    Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning and smiled softly, poking her cheek with his finger.


    So cute~ Liu Ming''an couldn''t help thinking.


    "Stopughing!" Jiang Ning was a bit annoyed: "Brother Zhou is taking us to dinner. It''s all your fault for wasting time!"


    "Alright, it''s my fault."


    Liu Ming''an obediently admitted his mistake and then took Jiang Ning''s hand to enter the courtyard.


    Zhou Yi, sitting with his back to them on the stone bench, was staring nkly at the bamboo by the wall.


    "Brother Zhou," Liu Ming''an called out with a smile.


    Zhou Yi turned around and stood up, pretending nothing had happened: "Let''s go, to my restaurant."


    The three of them walked towards Jun Yue Restaurant, with Zhou Yi leading the way and Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning following behind.


    "Brother Zhou seems off. What happened to him?" Jiang Ning whispered to Liu Ming''an, her voice barely audible.


    Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning, a sh of surprise on his face. He hadn''t expected her to notice so quickly.


    "Speak up, why are you just looking at me?" Jiang Ning urged.


    Liu Ming''an''s smile faded slightly as he whispered back: "Ning, I don''t know. Brother Zhou has been like this for a month."


    Jiang Ning frowned, and then Liu Ming''an continued: "About a month ago, Brother Zhou starteding to me with wine every day, saying he was in a bad mood, but he wouldn''t tell me anything. He just kept drinking to get drunk. I''ve exhausted all my words, saying all the good things I could, but he wouldn''t tell me anything."


    Hearing Liu Ming''an''s description, it seemed quite serious. Jiang Ning genuinely considered Zhou Yi as an elder brother and decisively made a decision: "Later, you keep himpany drinking, and I''ll try to get it out of him."


    "Alright," Liu Ming''an immediately agreed.


    Arriving at Jun Yue Restaurant, they went to their usual spot. Zhou Yi had a table of dishes prepared and ordered several jugs of wine, then invited Jiang Ning: "Sister-inw, eat more. Brother Liu and I have already eaten."


    Jiang Ning "um"ed in response and picked up her chopsticks to eat. Meanwhile, Liu Ming''an began to execute their n: "Brother Zhou,e, let''s have a few drinks."


    "Brother Liu, you have to study tomorrow. Don''t drink, okay?" Zhou Yi looked at him disapprovingly.


    "Ning is back, I''m happy. I''ll take a day off tomorrow, don''t worry," Liu Ming''an said half-truthfully, filling both their cups: "Come, Brother Zhou, let''s drink to our hearts'' content tonight!"


    "Alright, since you say so, let''s drink until we drop!"


    Jiang Ning watched Liu Ming''an with some satisfaction. Yes, teamwork is much morefortable than going solo.


    But soon Jiang Ning changed her mind.


    Because after two cups of wine, Liu Ming''an just "thudded" and copsed onto the table.


    Zhou Yi was stunned, pushing Liu Ming''an: "Brother Liu, Brother Liu, what''s going on? Are you already drunk?"


    Liu Ming''any on the table, unresponsive.


    Zhou Yi then looked nervously at Jiang Ning, feeling guilty for getting the man drunk in front of his wife.


    Jiang Ning: "..."


    Looks like I have to step in.


    Jiang Ning quickly finished her meal, went to Liu Ming''an''s side, and helped him to a small couch in the room.


    Zhou Yi stood up awkwardly, waiting until Jiang Ning had settled Liu Ming''an before cautiously speaking: "Sister-inw, I''m sorry, I really didn''t expect..."


    "It''s okay, Brother Zhou, he''s like this," Jiang Ning smiled, interrupting Zhou Yi''s apology, and sat down in Liu Ming''an''s seat, pouring wine into a cup: "Brother Zhou,e, I''ll drink with you. Thank you for preparing this feast for me."


    Jiang Ning said and downed the wine in one go.


    Of course, she didn''t really drink it but used her spatial ability to store it.


    Zhou Yi drank as well, seeing her pour more wine and quickly stopped her: "Sister-inw, don''t drink too much, it''s not good for you."


    Jiang Ning smiled and still poured the wine: "Brother Zhou, I have a good tolerance. When I passed through Wine Selling Town, I won the top prize in the wine-drinking contest."


    Zhou Yi''s eyes widened. He knew about Wine Selling Town, a famous wine-producing ce in the Liang Kingdom. If Jiang Ning could win the top prize in the wine-drinking contest, she must have an incredible capacity.


    Jiang Ning drank three cups in a row, her tone extremely sincere: "Brother Zhou, these three cups are for you. You are an elder brother to Liu Ming''an and me for life."


    Zhou Yi was moved and drank three cups as well.


    Jiang Ning drank another three cups: "Brother Zhou, these three cups are to thank you. When Liu Ming''an and I first came to the Capital City, we were strangers. It was all thanks to your care and support."


    "Sister-inw, it''s the least I could do. I''m your elder brother, after all," Zhou Yi said as he drank the wine in his cup.


    "Brother Zhou, these three cups of wine are to thank you, a personal thank you from me. Liu Ming''an has no parents or siblings, and you are to him like a brother, a close friend. As his wife, I sincerely appreciate your presence in his life."


    ...


    And so, under Jiang Ning''s persuasive words, cup after cup, several jars of wine were consumed. Zhou Yi''s eyes zed over, his speech slurred.


    Seeing the moment was right, Jiang Ning couldn''t wait to ask, "Brother Zhou, you look so haggard, have you lost money in your business recently?"


    "No, no!" Zhou Yi denied emphatically.


    "Or is someone in your family sick?" Jiang Ning probed further.


    "No... no, my father and mother are both lively and in good health!"


    Having ruled out two possibilities, Jiang Ning pondered what else could cause such a profound sadness. Her gaze fell on Zhou Yi''s noticeably thinner face, and a thought suddenly struck her.


    Could it be "For her, I''d grow thin without regret, consumed by love"?


    "Brother Zhou," Jiang Ning softened her voice, prompting, "Do you... really like her?"


    "Smash!"


    The wine cup shattered on the ground, pieces flying. Zhou Yi, his eyes bleary with drink, shouted at Jiang Ning, "Nonsense! I would never, never like a woman like her. She''s a damn... damn... bastard!"


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, finding the root of the issue.


    But it wasn''t quite the love-struck scenario she had imagined; it seemed moreplicated, even involving curses.


    Jiang Ning pressed on, seizing the moment, "Why do you call her a bastard? I think she''s very nice."


    Zhou Yi looked at Jiang Ning with frustration, his teeth gritted, "Sister-inw, how can you, how can you defend her? She hit you, sold you... such a wicked woman, she''s a damn bastard!"


    Jiang Ning''s eyes instantly turned cold.


    "Brother Zhou, what exactly did Nangong Muyan do to you?" Jiang Ning asked softly.


    But Zhou Yi copsed onto the table, unconscious, only muttering "bastard" over and over.

 Chapter 166

    Jiang Ning looked at the two drunk men in the room, sighed, and prepared to clean up the mess.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She first poured a cup of spirit spring water into Liu Ming''an''s mouth to wake him up. Then, pointing at Zhou Yi, Jiang Ning said, "Put Brother Zhou on that couch to sleep. Let the inn''s servant know, and we''ll head back for tonight."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing "head back," Liu Ming''an thought Jiang Ning hadn''t gotten any information either. He nodded and did as she said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Momentster, the two of them left the inn with antern, slowly walking towards the courtyard on Late Winter Road.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning''er, today is the ninth. I''ll be taking the imperial examination in two days, and then we''ll be apart for nine days..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning heard the reluctance in Liu Ming''an''s voice. She had originally nned to go ask Nangong Muyan about Zhou Yi''s situation tomorrow, but now she thought it wouldn''t matter if she dyed it by a day. She decided to apany Liu Ming''an tomorrow instead.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Back in the small courtyard, after washing up and lying down on the bed, Liu Ming''an reached out and held Jiang Ning tightly in his arms.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After so long with just a thin quilt and lonely pillow, he could finally sleep while holding the person he loved. Liu Ming''an was overjoyed and said with a smile, "Ning''er, tell me about what happened when you went to Qushui City."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Alright," Jiang Ning replied with a smile, and then recounted in detail everything that had happened during their time apart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Of course, she saw no need to mention casually killing a lecher in Jinzhi City.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After listening, Liu Ming''an sighed softly. He lowered his head to kiss the center of her brow, his voice in the darkness more gentle than a spring breeze: "If it weren''t improper for a man to enter Fuling Temple, I''d really like to thank each of those nuns one by one for bringing ''Little Ling''er'' into this world."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The words "Little Ling''er" were whispered right next to Jiang Ning''s ear, the warm breath tickling her skin, making her ear feel hot.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Don''t call me that!" Jiang Ning punched Liu Ming''an''s shoulder lightly. "They''re my elders, so they can call me Little Ling''er, but you can''t."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It was too mushy; Jiang Ning felt ufortable at the thought of Liu Ming''an calling her that.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Alright," Liu Ming''an was very obedient and immediately changed his form of address: "Mrs. Liu."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You¡ªmmph!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A passionate kiss fell upon her lips, silencing any words she hadn''t yet spoken.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After the kiss, Liu Ming''an felt his longing from the past days had finally beenpensated.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Now you tell me about what happened in the Capital City," Jiang Ning said, nestling obediently in Liu Ming''an''s arms.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Of course!" Liu Ming''an readily agreed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There wasn''t much to say about Liu Ming''an''s own experiences, as his days were quite routine. During the day, he attended sses at the Imperial Academy. In the afternoon after school, he went to the Lou Family''s house for private tutoring sessions with the three top schrs. In the evening, he returned to the courtyard to drink with Zhou Yi. Every day was like this, with hardly any variation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh, right. After you left, the Prime Minister came looking for you. When he found out you weren''t here, he asked me. I only told him you had left the Capital City on business, nothing else," Liu Ming''an remembered and reported this to Jiang Ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mm, good," Jiang Ning responded absent-mindedly, then asked about what she was more concerned with: "Do you know the inside story about the crown prince''s appointment? And Prince of Rui, I heard he died. Are these two events rted?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "His Majesty values his power, so he has been dying the appointment of a crown prince. He deliberately created a situation where Prince of Lin, Prince of Rui, and Prince of Xiang were in a three-way bnce, keeping each other in check..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Although Liu Ming''an was surprised that Jiang Ning was curious about such matters, he still shared all the information he had.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Previously, Prince of Xiang was assassinated in Jinzhi City. It was done by Prince of Lin, and the Emperor found out. Since Prince of Lin has the strongest backing among the three princes, the Emperor pinned the death of Minister Zhu''s son on the father of one of Prince of Lin''s concubines. This move served two purposes: it weakened Prince of Lin by cutting off one of his arms, so to speak, and it turned Minister Zhu against Prince of Lin, further diminishing his power."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Grandfather told me that the Emperor''s actions essentially eliminated Prince of Lin''s chances of ascending to the throne. So from that point on, only Prince of Xiang and Prince of Rui were leftpeting."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "But recently, Prince of Rui died. Although Prince of Rui''s birth mother, Consort Jing, was of low status, she was the Emperor''s favorite. Prince of Rui was also the Emperor''s most beloved son, and he even arranged for the Prime Minister''s daughter to be his princess to help him consolidate power."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "When news of Prince of Rui''s death came, Consort Jing went to see the body and was frightened out of her wits. The Emperor also copsed on the spot and was unconscious for a day and a night. After he woke up, he probably felt disheartened. A couple of dayster, he issued an edict appointing the crown prince."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s focus was on another matter: "I heard Prince of Rui died horribly? How horrible was it?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She intended to analyze Nangong Muyan''s state of mind based on the degree of Prince of Rui''s torture.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    From what Jiang Ning knew of Nangong Muyan, if she simply didn''t want to marry, she would have given Prince of Rui a quick death. She definitely wouldn''t have tortured him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Prince of Rui must have done something to enrage her!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning''er, it''s too inhumanly cruel. Maybe it''s better if you don''t know," Liu Ming''an said, shuddering at the memory of those descriptions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Tell me, tell me..." Jiang Ning wrapped her arms around Liu Ming''an''s neck, gently rubbing her cheek against his chin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The coquettish act was very effective; at least Liu Ming''an had no resistance to it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Prince of Rui''s eyes were gouged out, his ears, nose, and tongue were cut off, his ten fingers were chopped off one by one, and over five hundred pieces of flesh were cut from his body. The killer even stuffed some of the flesh pieces into his mouth, perhaps forcing him to eat himself... It was horrifyingly cruel. Even the coroner didn''t know where to start with the autopsy."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Where did Prince of Rui die?" Jiang Ning asked again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "He died in his own bedchamber. One of his concubines died with him, but she was killed with a single sh to the throat and wasn''t tortured."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This was the correct way to kill, Jiang Ning thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan, like Jiang Ning, was a person who disliked troublesome things. If something could be resolved with one cut, she would never make two.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    From what she knew so far, the time of Prince of Rui''s death was very close to when Zhou Yi first came to drink with Liu Ming''an, and both of these events were connected to Nangong Muyan.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning knew there was a secret hidden behind all this, but frustratingly, she knew too little. No matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn''t figure out what was really going on.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She had to ask Nangong Muyan in person!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning didn''t care whether Prince of Rui was dead or alive, but she cared very much about Zhou Yi.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning''er, it''ste. Let''s sleep," Liu Ming''an said softly, stroking Jiang Ning''s hair.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning murmured in agreement, pushing aside her chaotic thoughts and falling asleep peacefully in Liu Ming''an''s arms.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    On the tenth day of the third month, thest day before the imperial examination.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning didn''t go anywhere that day, just staying in the small courtyard to enjoy their quiet time together.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The peaceful and warm day passed quickly. Early on the morning of the eleventh day of the third month, Liu Ming''an left with the official document proving his status as an examination candidate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning''er, wait for me toe back," Liu Ming''an said as he was leaving.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nodded, grabbed Liu Ming''an''s cor, and kissed him on the cheek. Then she smiled and said, "Go on, I''ll be waiting for you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After Liu Ming''an''s figure disappeared from sight, Jiang Ning locked the door and also left the courtyard, heading towards the Prime Minister''s Mansion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 167

    "Dong~ Dong~ Dong~"


    The brass ring knocked against the wooden door. After a moment, following a drawn-out "Coming~", the heavy door was pulled open from inside. Old Zhong saw who it was and looked quite surprised.


    "Third Young Miss! How did you..."


    Jiang Ning stepped inside, leaving Old Zhong''s voice behind her as she walked straight towards Nangong Muyan''s courtyard.


    Halfway there, two more surprised exmations came from the side: "Third Young Miss!"


    Jiang Ning turned her head for a nce. Oh, it was Jin Hui and Sheng Jing.


    After nodding to the two of them, Jiang Ning continued walking towards that courtyard without stopping.


    "The Third Young Miss is back, I must go tell the master!" Jin Hui left Sheng Jing behind and hurried off towards the study.


    Before Jiang Ning got close to the courtyard, a melodious sound of a zither drifted out from inside. It was a familiar tune. She listened carefully and recognized it as "Fishing Boat Song at Dusk."


    A 20th-century melody,monly used as background music for weather forecasts. There was no need to guess who was ying it.


    Jiang Ning entered the courtyard and, as expected, saw Nangong Muyan ying the zither in the small pavilion. Outside the pavilion stood the maid who had served her before, Xiaoru.


    The moment Jiang Ning entered the courtyard, Nangong Muyan looked up and nced at her.


    Seeing her walk towards the pavilion, Nangong Muyan calmly instructed, "Xiaoru, you may leave."


    Xiaoru turned around and only then saw Jiang Ning. She quickly bowed her head respectfully and said, "Third Young Miss."


    "Go about your business," Jiang Ning said, looking at Xiaoru.


    Nangong Muyan continued ying the zither, not pausing even when Jiang Ning sat down opposite her and stared at her.


    Her slender fingers plucked the strings, pouring out a melodious tune that made one envision the vast expanse of water reflecting the setting sun, with fishermen leisurely rowing their boats, gradually disappearing into the distance on the river''s surface.


    "You seem to be in a good mood!" Jiang Ning said coolly after listening for a while.


    Nangong Muyan curled her lips into a charming smile: "If only you''d give me an old-fashioned phone that can y Tetris..."


    Jiang Ning fell silent. She wanted to y too.


    Nangong Muyan nced at her again, smiling somewhat ruefully: "Now I understand why ancient people had such lofty interests. ying zithers, chess, calligraphy, and painting,posing poetry and songs all day long¡ªthey were just bored out of their minds."


    "That''s exactly it," Jiang Ning agreed.


    "Do you regret it now? When I tried to teach you back then, you had neither talent nor patience. Now that you''re in ancient times, how do you pass the time? Surely not with constant lovemaking?"


    As soon as Nangong Muyan finished speaking, she saw Jiang Ning''s ears turn red and immediately burst intoughter.


    "Stop talking nonsense! Just focus on ying your zither. When you''re done, I have something to ask you."


    Jiang Ning hated it most when Nangong Muyan teased her with words, making her feel like a child.


    "Alright~"


    Nangong Muyan agreed and stopped talking, concentrating on ying the zither.


    When the piece ended, Nangong Muyan withdrew her hands, picked up the teapot to pour herself a cup of water, and asked with a grin: "What is it?"


    Jiang Ning stared into her eyes and got straight to the point: "You and Zhou Yi¡ª"


    "Crash!"


    Jiang Ning watched the teacup shatter in Nangong Muyan''s hand. Before she could finish the second half of her sentence, she saw all traces of a smile vanish from Nangong Muyan''s face, reced by a murderous look in her eyes. Her voice was chillingly cold: "Did he tell you everything?"


    It had been a long time since Jiang Ning had seen such an expression on Nangong Muyan''s face. She was momentarily stunned, but after a moment, she shook her head and told the truth: "He didn''t say anything. He just drowns his sorrows in alcohol every day. I noticed something was wrong with him, so I coaxed some information out of him. I only knew it had something to do with you, that''s why I came to ask you."


    Nangong Muyan exhaled imperceptibly, her expression softening a bit. She poured herself another cup of water and said nonchntly, "Don''t ask anymore, and don''t mention this person in front of me again."


    "What exactly did you do to him? Zhou Yi would never provoke you on his own. You must have done something to him!"


    The more Nangong Muyan tried to hide it, the more Jiang Ning wanted to get to the bottom of it. At least if she understood the facts, she could treat the problem ordingly and not let Zhou Yi continue to be so depressed.


    "Hah!" Nangong Muyan let out a meaningful snort. "N, I''ve taught you before, don''t meddle in affairs that don''t concern you."


    Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, then smiled.


    Nangong Muyan calling her "N" at this moment was a warning.


    But wasn''t this kind of warning also a sign of guilty conscience?


    They knew each other too well. As soon as Nangong Muyan saw Jiang Ning''s expression, she knew she hadn''t intimidated her. Making a quick decision, she stood up to leave.


    "Zhou Yi''s matter is not something I can ignore. He''s my brother, and I will definitely get involved!"


    Jiang Ning also stood up, reaching out to grab Nangong Muyan''s shoulder to make her stop.


    Nangong Muyan shifted her body, avoiding Jiang Ning''s hand. Anger shed in her eyes as she gathered strength in her arm, aiming an elbow strike at Jiang Ning''s abdomen while simultaneously raising her leg to sweep across Jiang Ning''s face.


    Jiang Ning knew this set of moves was meant to force her back, but unfortunately, the speed and strength of Nangong Muyan''s current body were far inferior to before and posed no threat to her.


    So instead of retreating, Jiang Ning advanced, blocking the hand aimed at her abdomen and gripping Nangong Muyan''s arm, forcefully pulling her to the side.


    Nangong Muyan immediately lost her bnce. Her leg attack missed, and she fell to the ground following the force of Jiang Ning''s pull.


    "Ling''er, Yan''er! What are you doing?" Nangong Ya''s angry shout suddenly rang out from outside the pavilion.


    Jiang Ning ignored him, only staring at Nangong Muyan on the ground as she said, "I don''t want to fight with you. Tell me the truth."


    Nangong Muyan frowned, supporting herself to get up, but suddenly a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. She felt her vision go dark as her consciousness was involuntarily pulled into an abyss.


    "Hey!"


    Seeing Nangong Muyan''s face turn as white as paper in an instant, Jiang Ning was shocked. She quickly crouched down to support her in her arms, only to see her brows tightly knitted even in unconsciousness, looking as if she was in great pain.


    "Hey! What''s wrong with you? Wake up!"


    Jiang Ning anxiously patted Nangong Muyan''s face, but the person in her arms showed no response at all.


    "What are you doing? What on earth are you doing? What''s wrong with Yan''er?"


    Nangong Ya rushed into the pavilion with Jin Yao and Jin Hui, shouting at the top of his lungs. He was so angry that his voice was trembling, showing none of theposure he usually maintained in front of others.


    Jiang Ning picked up Nangong Muyan in her arms and walked towards the bedroom, saying coldly, "What use is your shouting? Why don''t you go fetch a doctor for her instead?"


    Nangong Ya''s breath caught at this indifferent attitude, nearly making him faint.


    He had heard from Jin Hui that the Third Young Miss had returned, and he hade happily to see his daughter and ask why she had left for Qushui City without saying goodbye. But who would have thought that as soon as he arrived, he''d see his two daughters fighting, followed by his second daughter being pushed to the ground and losing consciousness, and his third daughter ignoring himpletely and carrying the other away.


    Nangong Ya stood rooted to the spot, feeling a buzzing in his head as if he had been hit with a blunt object.


    "Master, I''ll go call for Li Jiu," Jin Hui said.


    Seeing that Nangong Ya was about to lose hisposure, Jin Hui took the initiative without waiting for orders and ran towards the side hall where the guards lived.


    Seeing this, Jin Yao also hurriedly spoke up tofort him, his eyes filled with deep sympathy: "Master, don''t worry. Let''s go inside first and wait for Li Jiu toe and examine the Second Young Miss. It''ll be alright."


    Nangong Ya took several deep breaths to steady himself: "Let''s go."

 Chapter 168

    Jiang Ning carried Nangong Muyan to the bed and stood beside her with a solemn expression.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Was Nangong Muyan''s body really this fragile? She had fainted just from being thrown down once?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    While Jiang Ning was considering whether to give her a cup of spiritual spring water, Nangong Ya entered with Jin Yao. They rushed to the bedside and stared motionlessly at Nangong Muyan.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Why were you two fighting?" Nangong Ya asked in a deep voice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning continued looking at Nangong Muyan, ignoring him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After waiting a while without getting an answer, Nangong Ya''s anger rose. Just as he was about to scold them harshly, Luo Siyi''s anxious voice sounded from outside: "Yan''er!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Turning around, they saw Luo Siyi and her maid Aunt Ying rushing in, hurrying to the bedside. Behind them, Jin Hui arrived with Li Jiu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yan''er, what happened to you? Don''t scare your mother like this, Yan''er..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Tears welled up in Luo Siyi''s eyes as she carefully reached out to touch Nangong Muyan''s face, calling her name repeatedly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Siyi, don''t panic. Let Li Jiu examine Yan''er first," Nangong Ya said, helping Luo Siyi up andforting her in a gentle voice. Then he urged Li Jiu, who was carrying a medicine box: "Hurry!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Li Jiu nodded and walked to the bedside, crouching down. He opened his medicine box and first took out a pulse diagnosis pad, cing it under Nangong Muyan''s wrist. After covering her hand with a thin gauze, he extended his fingers and began to carefully take her pulse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jin Hui was curiously looking on when Jin Yao tugged at his clothes and asked in a low voice, "Why did the madame?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "When Li Jiu and I wereing over, we ran into her. She saw us running to the second young miss''s courtyard with the medicine box and insisted on asking. What could I do but tell her?" Jin Hui replied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jin Yao rubbed his brow, his right eyelid twitching. He had a feeling that something big was about to happen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning watched Li Jiu taking the pulse, somewhat surprised that this foolish-looking guard possessed such skill.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Several pairs of eyes fell on Li Jiu as he ced his fingers on Nangong Muyan''s wrist. The next moment, his eyes widened in disbelief.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What''s wrong? What''s wrong with Yan''er?" Nangong Ya''s heart tightened as he hurriedly asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I-I-I..." Li Jiu''s mind was in turmoil, and he could only stammer: "I need to take a good look, let me feel again..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Li Jiu''s expression became much more serious. He took a deep breath and once again ced his fingers on Nangong Muyan''s wrist. After feeling for a long time, his brows furrowed deeper, his eyes full of shock and trepidation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What did you find? Speak up!" Nangong Ya, who had been on tenterhooks for so long, lost his patience and shouted at Li Jiu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This shout woke up the unconscious Nangong Muyan.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was the first to notice. She walked to the bedside and helped her sit up, cing a pillow behind her back so she could lean against the bed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yan''er, you''re finally awake. You had your mother so worried!" Luo Siyi sat on the edge of the bed, holding Nangong Muyan''s hand and speaking with deep concern.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mother, I''m fine," Nangong Muyan replied to Luo Siyi. Then, turning her head and noticing so many people crowded in her room, she raised an eyebrow: "What are you all doing here?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "We came to see what''s wrong with you," Jiang Ning helpfully exined.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What could be wrong with me?" Nangong Muyan asked, puzzled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Would you suddenly faint if nothing was wrong?" Jiang Ning pointed at Li Jiu: "Ask him, he took your pulse."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan pondered for a moment. Her fainting earlier was indeed unusual, so she turned to Li Jiu: "Tell me, what''s wrong with me?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    All eyes fell on Li Jiu. He stammered for a long time before finally saying, "Maybe... we should call another doctor to take a look?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Speak!" Nangong Ya and Nangong Muyan said in unison.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Li Jiu was still hesitating when Luo Siyi looked at him gently and said, "Little Jiu, just tell us what pulse you felt. Even if you''re mistakenter, the master won''t punish you. Your hesitation is only making us more anxious."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Li Jiu swallowed hard, his head bowed low, not daring to look at anyone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Everyone waited patiently for a while longer before hearing Li Jiu slowly say, "What I felt was... a pregnancy pulse! About a month along!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning suddenly looked at Nangong Muyan, only to see her eyes sh fiercely, looking as if she had been struck by lightning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Something''s off, Jiang Ning thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ah!" Luo Siyi cried out, then her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Siyi! Siyi!" Nangong Ya hurriedly embraced her, then angrily kicked Li Jiu: "What nonsense are you spouting! How could you detect a pregnancy pulse in an unmarried youngdy? What kind of doctor are you!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I-I-I... It really was a pregnancy pulse, I checked several times, and it was always a pregnancy pulse..." Li Jiu was on the verge of tears. His family had been doctors for three generations, and he had grown up immersed in medical knowledge. He wouldn''t make such a basic mistake in pulse-taking.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    But it was precisely because he had detected a pregnancy pulse in an unmarried youngdy that he had been so hesitant to speak earlier.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya''s chest heaved uncontrobly. He looked at Nangong Muyan, trying hard to soften his tone: "Yan''er, Li Jiu''s skills are inadequate. He''s talking nonsense, isn''t he?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan was stunned for a moment, thenughed lightly: "Of course, how could I possibly be pregnant?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya felt as if he hade back to life in an instant, feeling immensely relieved. He was about to say, "Father will find a good doctor to check your pulse again," when Nangong Muyan spoke again: "I clearly drank the Contraceptive Decoction..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Heavens! What sin have Imitted to deserve this?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This was Nangong Ya''sst thought before he fainted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Master!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Master!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    ...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The scene instantly descended into chaos. Jiang Ning looked at the dazed Nangong Muyan with aplex expression, then reluctantly spoke up to stabilize the situation: "Take my father and the madam back to their room and take good care of them. Li Jiu, go with them and see if they need any calming medicine. I''ll have a good talk with Second Sister. Don''t disturb us."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes," everyone responded, relieved to have found someone to take charge.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Li Jiu, being thest to leave as he had to pack up his medicine box, hesitated at the door. In the end, his medical consciencepelled him to turn back and say a few words: "Second Young Miss, your pregnancy seems unstable. You should rest and take care¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Before he could finish, a pillow flew towards Li Jiu''s face, apanied by a shout of "Get out!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Li Jiu shrank his neck and scurried away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning closed the door, walked to the table to pour a cup of water, added some spiritual spring to it, and handed it to Nangong Muyan, her voice unusually gentle: "Drink some water first."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan woodenly epted it and drank it all at once, unaware that she had just consumed a pregnancy-stabilizing medicine.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning pulled a stool from the table and sat by the bed, looking at Nangong Muyan. She had a good guess of what had happened.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It''s Zhou Yi''s, isn''t it?" Jiang Ning asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan carelessly threw the teacup on the ground. A crisp "crack" echoed in the room. She closed her eyes, and for the first time, Jiang Ning saw a look of dejection on her face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 169

    Jiang Ning wasn''t sure why Nangong Muyan and Zhou Yi had engaged in intimate rtions, but she was certain that neither of them had done so willingly.


    "Things havee to this point, what is there that you can''t tell me?" Jiang Ning said after sitting quietly for a moment, seeing that Nangong Muyan kept her eyes closed.


    Nangong Muyany motionless for a long while before opening her eyes and reaching for something by the bedside.


    "Thud!"


    An objectnded at Jiang Ning''s feet. She looked down and saw it was a small dagger.


    "Ancient knives are too dull," Nangong Muyan said softly, her eyes filled with murderous intent. "If I had modern craftsmanship, I guarantee I could slice three thousand pieces of flesh from his body..."


    Jiang Ning knew this "he" referred to the Prince of Rui, Yuwen Xuan.


    Nangong Muyan, Yuwen Xuan, Zhou Yi - what exactly had happened between these three?


    Before Jiang Ning could ask further, Nangong Muyan began speaking:


    "I have a grandmother who is a nobledy. On the seventh day of the second month, it was her sixtieth birthday. As her granddaughter, I naturally had to attend. Although the Emperor hadn''t yet issued the decree for our marriage, it was only a matter of time. So Yuwen Xuan, as my future husband, also went to the Luo Mansion..."


    Nangong Muyan exhaled deeply, her hands clenched into fists. "At the Luo Mansion, Yuwen Xuan drugged me with an aphrodisiac!"


    "How could you..." Jiang Ning couldn''t believe this was the reason. Drugging someone seemed too crude a method to work on someone like Nangong Muyan.


    Nangong Muyan gave a self-mocking smile. "The drug was in the lotus seed porridge. My mother personally brought it to me, and she had received it from my personal maid Ming Pei. I truly didn''t suspect anything..."


    "Ming Pei?" Jiang Ning caught the key point.


    "A new maid who had recently entered the household. She was bought by Yuwen Xuan and has already been dealt with by me."


    "Why would the Prince of Rui drug you? Weren''t you two engaged? Was he that impatient to have you?" Jiang Ning found it strange.


    "Heh... If you think a prince capable of vying for the throne is just a fool obsessed with women, then I can only say you''re the fool!"


    The words were harsh, but Jiang Ning told herself not to argue with a pregnant woman.


    "Yuwen Xuan is very calcting. He didn''t do it to have me; on the contrary, he did it to ruin my reputation!"


    Nangong Muyan''s gaze was terrifyingly cold. Jiang Ning had no doubt that if Yuwen Xuan were in front of her now, he would be sliced to pieces again.


    "He drugged me and arranged for an adulterer at the same time. Then he nned to bring a group of people to catch us in bed, so that in front of everyone, I would change from the respected daughter of the Prime Minister to a shameless harlot!"


    Hearing this, even Jiang Ning felt murderous. Yuwen Xuan truly deserved his fate.


    But there was still something Jiang Ning didn''t understand. "It''s said that the Prince of Rui''s birth mother was of lowly status, so his position was weakpared to the Prince of Lin and Prince of Xiang. That''s why the Emperor betrothed you to him. By doing this, doesn''t he no longer want the Prime Minister''s support?"


    "Hah!" Nangong Muyan sneered again. "I told you, sister, don''t think of him as a fool. He''s a man of deep scheming..."


    "Yuwen Xuan''s actions were precisely to better secure the Prime Minister''s support while ensuring he wouldn''t have future troubles."


    "First, Yuwen Xuan knew that Nangong Muyan didn''t like him."


    "Last year, he pretended to be drunk and harassed Nangong Ling, which revealed that Nangong Muyan didn''t care for him at all and even disliked him."


    "Later, when he discovered that Nangong Muyan had sold out Nangong Ling and used extremely cruel methods, he realized that Nangong Muyan was a vicious woman..."


    "As the Prime Minister''s daughter marrying a prince, if Yuwen Xuan were to ascend the throne one day, there could be no other Empress but Nangong Muyan."


    "Yuwen Xuan neither wanted a vicious woman to be the mother of the nation, nor did he want the Prime Minister, as the Imperial Father-inw, to interfere in politics and be too powerful. So there was only one solution - to make Nangong Muyan unworthy of the position of Empress."


    "This was one reason why he wanted to ruin my reputation."


    Jiang Ning was shocked by these malicious thoughts. Yuwen Xuan truly embodied the saying "a man without venom is not a true man."


    However, looking at Nangong Muyan and thinking of how the Prince of Rui died, she also felt that the saying "a woman''s heart is the most poisonous" was equally true.


    "What''s the other reason?" Jiang Ning asked eagerly.


    "If a woman bes a ruined flower in public, bringing shame to her family, and then her fianc¨¦ appears, deeply in love, saying he doesn''t care and still wants to marry her - how many people could resist such tenderness?"


    "Moreover, if Yuwen Xuan disregarded public opinion and married me despite my not being pure, wouldn''t the Prime Minister''s family be grateful to him? Wouldn''t he then have the Prime Minister''s power firmly in his grasp?"


    "At that time, he would at most give me the position of Secondary Consort, or even just a concubine, and our entire family would be overwhelmed with gratitude. He might even gain a reputation for being benevolent. Don''t you think this is a brilliant strategy?"


    Jiang Ning slowly digested this massive amount of information, and couldn''t help but marvel at the Prince of Rui''s cunning.


    But using such schemes on Nangong Muyan meant he had to pay the price for his actions.


    "So... you were under the influence of the aphrodisiac, ran out and... Zhou Yi..." No wonder Zhou Yi had been so depressed. He had been "taken advantage of" in this way.


    Nangong Muyan got a headache just hearing "Zhou Yi''s" name. "I never intended that. I ran out of the Luo Mansion just wanting to get home quickly and throw myself into water..."


    "That drug was too potent. I was already dizzy halfway there. Later, when I saw ake, I jumped in without thinking..."


    The icyke water in early February sobered up the burning Nangong Muyan somewhat, but unfortunately...


    "Who knew that lunatic Zhou Yi would be fishing by theke!" Nangong Muyan punched the bed forcefully.


    Jiang Ning could guess what happened next.


    "Damn it!" Nangong Muyan still couldn''t help cursing when she recalled it. "Zhou Yi thought I was trying tomit suicide, so he jumped in after me, grabbing and hugging me tightly. I was already in agony, and his actions were like adding fuel to the fire..."


    "I kicked him a few times, trying to push him away, but he thought I was drowning and actually... actually gave me mouth-to-mouth resuscitation!"


    Jiang Ning was speechless.


    "So I dragged him to the nearest inn, stripped off his clothes, and pushed him onto the bed..."


    "Stop, stop, stop!" Jiang Ning quickly interrupted Nangong Muyan. "No need to say anymore. Let''s end it here, end it here."


    Nangong Muyan''s mouth had gone dry from talking. She licked her lips, and Jiang Ning poured her another cup of spirit spring water. After she finished drinking, Jiang Ning asked, "Didn''t you say you drank the Contraceptive Decoction? Howe you''re pregnant?"


    "I don''t know," Nangong Muyan said listlessly. "After I slept with him, I sent him to buy medicine from the pharmacy. I''m sure he didn''t tamper with it. He hates me so much, he would never want me to bear his child..."


    Nangong Muyan slowly ced her hand on her belly, looking slightly dazed. "Where did it go wrong?"


    "No contraception is 100% effective, not even in modern times."


    Jiang Ning sighed. In her previous life, Nangong Muyan, like her, had her uterus removed.


    If it were an ordinary girl, she would have suspected pregnancy when her period was thiste. Only Nangong Muyan would overlook such a thing.


    "What are you going to do?" Jiang Ning asked after a while.


    "What to do..." Nangong Muyan repeated the question, but had no answer for a long time.

 Chapter 170

    The room fell silent for a moment, with neither Jiang Ning nor Nangong Muyan speaking.


    Jiang Ning felt somewhat emotional, realizing that ultimately, it was the real Nangong Muyan who had sown the seeds of evil, causing the Nangong Muyan before her, who had taken her ce, to reap the bitter fruits.


    In this whole story, Zhou Yi was the most innocent.


    But given the current situation, Jiang Ning didn''t know what she could do for Zhou Yi.


    "Zhou Yi..." Nangong Muyan looked at Jiang Ning at this moment, tugging at the corner of her mouth, and asked, "Did he call me a bastard?"


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow but didn''t speak, though the answer was obvious.


    "He kept cursing me in bed, repeating that one word over and over," Nangong Muyan pressed her temples and continued, "I''ve truly wronged him..."


    "You''ve given him psychological trauma," Jiang Ning remembered Zhou Yi''s thin frame and that pile of wine jars, frowning, "He was once a sunny, cheerful young man, and you''ve made him depressed and gloomy. You''re truly heinous!"


    "Sigh..." Nangong Muyan sighed, not knowing what to say.


    "What about Zhou Yi? How can I help him?" Jiang Ning asked again.


    "When did you be a neighborhood busybody? Men and women are different, you can''t help. You might as well let that husband of yoursfort him. He''ll get better with time..." Nangong Muyan fell back on the bed powerlessly, staring at the canopy with lifeless eyes, her mood tooplex to describe.


    "I guess that''s all we can do," Jiang Ning said after pondering for a moment.


    When Liu Ming''an returns, she''d ask him to spend more time with Zhou Yi, helping him emerge from the gloom as soon as possible.


    Now that everything had been rified, staying any longer would serve no purpose. Jiang Ning bent down to pick up the dagger from the ground and tossed it next to Nangong Muyan, "Keep the knife safe. I''m heading home now."


    There was no response. Jiang Ning took a couple of steps, then turned back to offer a suggestion, "Don''t get physical like you did today, and don''t climb walls anymore. Your body is quite delicate now, be careful not to affect the baby."


    "Get lost!"


    Another pillow came flying, which Jiang Ning dodged with a sidestep. She smiled, took a step out of the room, and walked towards the exit of the mansion.


    Jiang Ning returned to the small courtyard on Late Winter Road.


    The imperial examination was organized by the Ministry of Rites, simr to the provincial exam,sting nine days in total. This meant Liu Ming''an would only return home on the twentieth day of the third month.


    Thinking about spending these days alone in an empty house, and possibly being disturbed by people from the Prime Minister''s mansion, Jiang Ning immediately decided to pack a few clothes and go to Fuling Temple, returning on the neenth day of the third month.


    Lan Xu and the other nuns were delighted to see Jiang Ning, affectionately calling her "Little Ling''er" repeatedly, and upon her arrival, they eagerly held her hands asking, "Are you tired?", "Are you hungry?", "Are you thirsty?"...


    Jiang Ning obediently answered each question, and Pu Xuan waved her hand at the crowd, "Alright, disperse, disperse, let Little Ling''er have a private chat with her mother."


    After her cheeks were gently pinched by several aged hands, Jiang Ning smiled as she watched the nuns scatter before following Lan Xu into a room.


    "Ling''er, what made youe here?" Lan Xu asked with a beaming smile, her eyes soft with warmth as she looked at Jiang Ning.


    "Liu Ming''an went to take the exam, and I was bored being alone, so I came to see you. I''ll go back in a few days."


    Lan Xu''s side room wasn''trge, and the furnishings were simple. Apart from a bed, table, cab, and a few stools, there was nothing else.


    Jiang Ning noticed a bamboo basket on the table filled with various threads and needles. Upon closer inspection, she saw a piece of red fabric with its edges already locked with golden thread, but no pattern on it yet.


    "Mom, are you embroidering a bridal veil for me?" Jiang Ning was somewhat surprised.


    "Yes," Lan Xu smiled and asked, "What pattern does Ling''er like? Mandarin ducks ying in water? Flowers and a full moon? Flying birds wing to wing? Dragons and phoenixes in auspicious union? Or something else? I was just pondering which one would look best, and hadn''t started stitching yet. It''s perfect that you''re here, you can choose one yourself."


    For some reason, Jiang Ning felt her cheeks burning as she heard these words.


    Although she and Liu Ming''an had already consummated their marriage, the thought of wearing a wedding dress to marry him still brought out that subtle shyness unique to brides from the bottom of her heart.


    "Mom, I''d be happy with just this piece of red cloth, as long as it''s from you," Jiang Ning said sincerely.


    "What nonsense..."


    Lan Xu looked at Jiang Ning disapprovingly, stroking the red cloth with a hint of emotion in her eyes.


    "Marriage is the biggest event in a woman''s life, it only happens once, and not a single detail can be overlooked."


    Jiang Ning looked at the faint smile in Lan Xu''s eyes and suddenly realized that the person before her had never been married in this life. She had be a mother before she was even prepared to be a wife.


    Jiang Ning sighed inwardly, perhaps for Lan Xu, making her daughter''s wedding perfect could make up for some regrets.


    With this in mind, Jiang Ning put aside other thoughts and held the red cloth, pondering seriously, "Mom, I don''t really like any of those you mentioned. I want toe up with my own idea."


    "Alright, take your time thinking about it. Let me know when you''ve decided," Lan Xu looked at Jiang Ning with eyes full of love, then pointed to the open space outside the window and said with a smile, "I''m going to weed the eggnt patch first."


    "Oh, I''lle with you. I can think while we work," Jiang Ning quickly said.


    It was Jiang Ning''s first time doing farm work. She couldn''t tell the difference between eggnt seedlings and weeds, but fortunately, Lan Xu exined it to her in detail.


    The plot behind the house was neither too big nor too small. The mother and daughter pair bent over, working efficiently, and in less than half an hour, they had cleared all the weeds, leaving only sparse eggnt seedlings swaying in the wind on the brownish-yellow soil.


    After washing their hands, they returned to the room. Lan Xu reached out to Jiang Ning''s head, "Your hairpin is almost askew." She adjusted it slightly.


    Upon hearing the word "hairpin," Jiang Ning suddenly had a sh of inspiration. She had it!


    "Mom, let''s embroider camellias on the veil, camellias intertwined with willow branches."


    Jiang Ning''s voice was jubnt, her eyes filled with deep smiles, making Lan Xu smile along with her.


    "I understand the willow branches, that''s for Liu the schr, but what''s the meaning of the camellias?" Lan Xu asked.


    Jiang Ning raised her hand to touch the hairpin in her hair, somewhat shyly lowering her eyes, her voice bing softer, "The hairpin he gave me is in the shape of a camellia. It''s... it''s like our token of love, I suppose."


    "Wonderful, let''s embroider that!" Lan Xu immediately decided.


    Having made the decision, Lan Xu immediately started to walk out of the room, "Ling''er, it''s been a long time since I''ve done embroidery. I''m afraid I might not do it well. I need to go learn some stitching techniques from my senior sister. You amuse yourself..."


    Like a parent instructing a child before leaving home, Lan Xu said these words and only left contentedly for another side room after seeing Jiang Ning nod.


    Over the next few days, Jiang Ning spent a pleasant and fulfilling time at Fuling Temple.


    Spring was approaching, and the nuns were busy turning the soil, weeding, nting vegetables, watering, and fertilizing...


    As the youngest in the temple, Jiang Ning volunteered to be the strongestborer here, earnestly experiencing agricultural culture for once.


    Originally, the nuns thought that as a pampered youngdy with delicate skin, she wouldn''t be able to handle such rough work and was just ying around.


    But to everyone''s surprise, Jiang Ning workedpetently and enthusiastically, neverining of hardship or fatigue, and even worked efficiently, astonishing everyone.


    The venerable nuns grew even fonder of her, constantly calling out "Little Ling''er" at every opportunity. Upon learning of her uing marriage, they all agreed to help make her wedding dress and embroidered shoes.


    "Little Ling''er, what pattern would you like on your wedding dress?" Venerable Nun Mingchen, known for her excellent embroidery skills, asked Jiang Ning with a smile.


    "Hmm... lily of the valley flowers," Jiang Ning said, thinking of the patch of lily of the valley that Lan Xu had nted in Qushui City.


    Lily of the valley, Lan Ling, this was her name.


    "Good, lily of the valley is beautiful. We''ll embroider lily of the valley for Little Ling''er."


    As Venerable Nun Mingchen spoke, she reached out and pinched Jiang Ning''s cheek, "Time flies so fast, our Little Ling''er is getting married..."


    Jiang Ning smiled silently, her heart filled with warmth.


    Except for Liu Ming''an not being by her side, everything about this ce was perfect.

 Chapter 171

    After Jiang Ning left the Prime Minister''s Mansion that day, Nangong Muyany motionless on her bed for hours, until Nangong Ya entered the room with Luo Siyi.


    Luo Siyi sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes red-rimmed. She gently caressed Nangong Muyan''s face, calling her "Yan''er" without saying much else.


    Nangong Ya stood by the bed, his face dark with worry, his brows so tightly furrowed that the crease between them could have trapped a fly.


    "Was it the Prince of Rui?" Nangong Ya asked gravely.


    "No," Nangong Muyan replied, her eyes shing with obvious disgust.


    Nangong Ya let out a long sigh of relief, his expression softening slightly as he pulled up a stool and sat by the bed.


    "Then who was it?" he asked again.


    Nangong Muyan closed her eyes, clearly unwilling to answer.


    "At this point, beating or scolding you won''t change anything," Nangong Ya said, his voice heavy with resignation. "I just want you to tell me who the father of this child is..."


    Nangong Muyan remained silent. Luo Siyi began to sob, "Yan''er, were you forced? It wasn''t voluntary, was it? Tell your father. If someone hurt you, he''ll surely seek justice for you!"


    "Your mother is right!" Nangong Ya''s hands clenched and unclenched on his knees, his tone less severe. "Yan''er, if you were forced, tell me. I''ll have that person torn to pieces!"


    "Nobody forced me," Nangong Muyan finally spoke, intending to take all the me to stop their questions. "On the contrary, I was ovee with lust. I used my status as the Prime Minister''s daughter to coerce him into sleeping with me. It wasn''t his fault."


    "You... you... you!" Nangong Ya exploded with rage, leaping to his feet and raising his hand to p Nangong Muyan.


    "Husband!" Luo Siyi threw herself over Nangong Muyan, crying out, "What''s done is done. What good will beating her do? Besides, she''s carrying a child. How can you be so heartless? We should think of a solution instead..."


    "Siyi, move aside. This shameless creature needs to be taught a lesson. If I don''t, I''ll be letting down the ancestors of the Nangong Family!" Nangong Ya reached out to pull Luo Siyi away, but the protective mother''s anger red.


    "Nangong Ya, ''Failure to teach is the father''s fault!'' Yes, Yan''er made a mistake, but as her father, are youpletely meless? You''re the one truly letting down the Nangong Family ancestors!"


    Hearing his usually gentle wife''s rebuke, Nangong Ya''s hand froze in mid-air. A look of defeat crossed his face, and after a moment, he slumped back onto the stool, silent.


    Nangong Muyan, watching her father being scolded, had just mentally cheered "Go, Mom!" when Luo Siyi turned back to her, staring into her eyes. "Yan''er, tell me, who is he?"


    "Mom, what good would it do to tell you? You''re not nning to have him arrested and forced to marry me, are you?"


    Nangong Muyan had spoken offhandedly, but seeing Luo Siyi''s serious expression, she realized she''d guessed correctly.


    "Mom, please don''t!" Nangong Muyan panicked, hurrying to dissuade Luo Siyi. "Let''s not ruin his life, okay? You don''t know how much he hates me. Making me marry him would be..."


    Nangong Muyan''s words trailed off as Luo Siyi slowly stood up. Before either Nangong Muyan or Nangong Ya could react, she pulled out her hairpin and pressed it against her own throat.


    "Siyi! What are you doing?" Nangong Ya''s eyes bulged, trying to stop Luo Siyi, but she shouted, "Don''t touch me!"


    "Mom!" Nangong Muyan sat up abruptly, rmed. "What are you doing? We can talk about this. Don''t resort to¡ª"


    The silver hairpin pierced the skin, and a streak of bright red blood trickled down Luo Siyi''s fair neck, staining her sky-blue cor a dark color. The sight was unbearable to Nangong Muyan.


    "It''s Zhou Yi!" Nangong Muyan surrendered. "The child is Zhou Yi''s."


    "Who is Zhou Yi?" Luo Siyi didn''t lower the hairpin.


    "I... I don''t know." Nangong Muyan told the truth. She had only met Zhou Yi twice before sleeping with him¡ªonce when she knocked him down while climbing over the wall at Jiang Ning''s house, and once when she knocked him out and tied him up in an abandoned courtyard. She genuinely knew nothing about Zhou Yi''s identity.


    But Luo Siyi thought Nangong Muyan was trying to hide something again. Her wrist moved, about to push the pin deeper. Nangong Muyan was on the verge of tears. "Mom, I swear I''m not lying to you. I really don''t know!"


    "You only knew his name and you still..." Luo Siyi was incredulous.


    "I... I..." Nangong Muyan knew she needed a usible reason. Gritting her teeth, she said, "It was love at first sight! I fell head over heels for him the moment I saw him! I was so bewitched, I didn''t ask anything else, just his name!"


    Luo Siyi and Nangong Ya''s faces froze simultaneously. They both wondered if this Zhou Yi might be some kind of demon to have enchanted their daughter so thoroughly.


    "Then draw his portrait. I''ll send people to find him," Nangong Ya said, looking at Nangong Muyan with aplex expression.


    Nangong Muyan hesitated, and Luo Siyi raised her chin, pushing the hairpin back into the wound she had just made. "Yan''er, do you want to watch your mother die in front of you?"


    Nangong Muyan immediately capitted. "I''ll draw! I''ll draw right now!"


    She got out of bed and walked to the table, took out a piece of paper andid it out. Nangong Ya volunteered to help grind the ink, but she quickly refused, "No need, I''ll use eyebrow pencil."


    She only knew how to sketch, not paint with a brush.


    Nangong Muyan made a few quick strokes with the eyebrow pencil, outlining Zhou Yi''s features, then handed it to Nangong Ya.


    Nangong Ya took the drawing and looked at it. The man in the picture had sharp features and a three-dimensional face, barely qualifying as a "handsome young man," but he was far from the breathtakingly beautiful man Nangong Ya had imagined.


    "You fell in love at first sight with someone who looks like this?" Nangong Ya was deeply perplexed and shocked. "I was better looking than him when I was young. Your taste¡ª"


    "Shut up!" Luo Siyi threw down the hairpin and shouted at Nangong Ya. "Why are you still talking nonsense? Go arrange for people to find him!"


    The once-powerful minister meekly closed his mouth and left the room with the drawing.


    After Nangong Ya left, Nangong Muyan looked at the frosty-faced Luo Siyi and smiled ingratiatingly. "Mom, don''t be angry. You should go find Li Jiu to treat your wound. It would be a shame if it leaves a scar."


    Luo Siyi gave Nangong Muyan a long, meaningful look. "Behave yourself from now on. Don''t do anything improper again."


    "I promise! If I misbehave again, I''m a turtle''s egg!" Nangong Muyan raised three fingers without hesitation, as if taking an oath.


    In the end, Luo Siyi said nothing more. She gave Nangong Muyan onest profound look before leaving.


    "Ah... there goes my gentle mother..." Nangong Muyan sighed deeply, lying back down on the bed, feeling utterly exhausted both physically and mentally.


    The more Nangong Muyan thought about it, the worse she felt. Thinking of the one who had started all this, she wished she could drag Yuwen Xuan out of his coffin and whip his corpse.

 Chapter 172

    Nangong Muyan thought that in a city asrge as the Capital City, it would take at least two or three days for the Prime Minister''s Mansion''s people to find someone with just a portrait. However, unexpectedly, Zhou Yi and his parents were invited to the mansion that very afternoon.


    Luo Siyi stood to the side, instructing Xiaoru: "Pick out a more vibrant outfit for her, and style her hair up higher to make her look more spirited."


    "Yes," Xiaoru responded.


    Nangong Muyan sat woodenly, allowing Aunt Ying to apply her makeup and style her hair, while listening to Luo Siyi''s detailed instructions: "When Zhou Yi''s parents arrive, speak sweetly and smile demurely. Remember to address them as Uncle and Aunt."


    "I understand," Nangong Muyan replied listlessly.


    "Once they''re seated, go pour the tea. Use a gentle voice and say ''Uncle and Aunt, you must be tired from your journey, please have some tea.'' Then stand quietly behind your father and me, and don''t speak out of turn."


    "I understand."


    "And don''t stare at Zhou Yi with those lustful eyes of yours. Don''t scare him away."


    "...I understand."


    Just as Luo Siyi was about to say more, Jin Hui came running in hurriedly, calling from the doorway: "Madam, Second Young Miss, they''re here! They''ve entered the mansion!"


    "Quickly, quickly!"


    Luo Siyi urged Xiaoru and Aunt Ying, joining in herself. The three of them bustled about in a flurry, and finally, after half a cup of tea''s time, they led Nangong Muyan out the door toward the reception hall.


    But they were alreadyte. Zhou Yi''s family was already seated inside, with Nangong Ya wearing a stiff smile while entertaining the guests.


    Hong Yuanping and Zhou Zhili were truly anxious and restless at this moment.


    They had been at their restaurant going over ount books with their son, discussing next month''s purchasing ns, when several guards iming to be from the Prime Minister''s Mansion arrived. They respectfully stated that the Prime Minister had matters to discuss and requested all three of them to visit the mansion.


    How could they refuse?


    The couple exchanged worried nces, their eyes filled with nothing but concern and confusion,pletely unaware of how their honest business dealings could have caught the Prime Minister''s attention.


    Their overlooked son Zhou Yi, however, had remained silent since hearing the word "Prime Minister," and now sat in the reception hall with his head slightly bowed, his expressionplex and indecipherable.


    After inviting the Zhou family to be seated, Nangong Ya discreetly observed his potential second son-inw.


    Well, he looked better in person than in the portrait, quite handsome indeed, but not enough to make Nangong Muyan lose her head at first sight and want to... want to... Ah!


    Nangong Ya sighed inwardly and pped the armrest of his chair. The sharp "pak" made Hong Yuanping and Zhou Zhili jump.


    The couple immediately stood up, trembling, and Zhou Zhili bowed to Nangong Ya, asking, "May this humble citizen know why Your Excellency has summoned us?"


    Nangong Ya knew the vast social gap between their families - one schrly, one merchant - and understood that Zhou Yi''s parents must be terrified. He quickly put on what he considered his most genial and friendly smile, saying to them, "Master Zhou, Madam Zhou, please sit, please sit. Don''t stand on ceremony, make yourselves at home..."


    The couple felt strange but sat down as told, though they kept their backs ramrod straight, clearly ill at ease.


    Nangong Ya beckoned to Jin Hui, calling him over to whisper an order: "Go hurry them along!"


    Jin Hui nodded, but just as he stepped out the door, he saw the group arriving. He quickly stopped and stood outside with Xiaoru, Aunt Ying, and the others, leaving the reception hall to the family members.


    Zhou Yi was lost in his own thoughts, oblivious to the sounds around him, until a familiar female voice reached his ears: "Uncle and Aunt, please have some tea!" He suddenly snapped back to reality, turning to see that hateful woman standing there with a bright smile, serving tea to his parents.


    "Nangong Muyan, what are you up to now? What are you plotting?"


    Zhou Yi stood up emotionally, ring at Nangong Muyan as he questioned her.


    His parents were stunned, having no idea how their son had be acquainted with the Prime Minister''s daughter, and apparently had some conflict with her.


    Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi were also taken aback before exchanging a nce, understanding each other''s thoughts.


    They had previously suspected that Nangong Muyan might have imed she forced Zhou Yi to protect him, but seeing his defensive hostility now, it seemed that must have been the truth.


    Four pairs of eyes fell on the two of them. Nangong Muyan maintained her smile and put her hand on Zhou Yi''s shoulder: "Let''s sit down and talk about this."


    Zhou Yi brushed her hand away and stepped back, keeping his distance.


    "Young Master Zhou, please sit, please sit. We mean no harm," Luo Siyi gently persuaded.


    "Son, sit down, sit down. This is the Prime Minister''s Mansion!" Hong Yuanping added.


    Zhou Yi sat down reluctantly, turning his face away, unwilling to look at Nangong Muyan anymore.


    Nangong Muyan saw his obvious disgust but smiled indifferently and returned to stand beside Luo Siyi.


    Seeing the situation temporarily stabilized, Nangong Ya took a deep breath and slowly began: "Master Zhou, Madam Zhou, I apologize for suddenly requesting your presence today, but there is an important matter to discuss..."


    Pointing at Nangong Muyan, he chose his words as carefully as if he were speaking to the emperor: "This is my second daughter, Nangong Muyan, who will turn eighteen in a month. She has studied the four arts since childhood and is reasonably well-educated. Her appearance is proper, and her character... her character is virtuous and gentle, refined and intelligent, beautiful both inside and out..."


    Nangong Muyan listened to her father''s false advertising, not knowing what to say.


    Meanwhile, Zhou Yi''s parents held their teacups with bewildered expressions, wondering what the Prime Minister was getting at.


    After praising Nangong Muyan like a merchant overselling their wares, Nangong Ya finally said: "Therefore, we invited you here today to discuss the marriage between your son and my daughter."


    With a "crack," Hong Yuanping''s teacup fell and split in two. Zhou Zhili fared no better, spilling most of his tea on his leg. Both were so shocked they couldn''t close their mouths, doubting their own ears.


    Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi flew into a rage, jumping up and pointing at Nangong Muyan, about to curse: "You still want to marry me? You damn¡ªmmph!"


    Nangong Muyan rushed over quickly and covered his mouth just in time.


    Looking at his furious re, Nangong Muyan chuckled, keeping his mouth firmly covered, and turned to the four confused people with a smile: "You all continue your chat, we''ll have our own conversation."


    She then dragged Zhou Yi out by his cor.


    "What are you doing! You bastard! Let go of me! Let go..."


    "Don''t make a fuss, let''s just talk properly..."


    As their voices faded away, Hong Yuanping and Zhou Zhili sensed something was wrong and tried to follow, but Nangong Ya stopped them: "Master Zhou, Madam Zhou, please remain seated. I guarantee your son will be fine!"


    Their concern for their son outweighed their fear of authority, and Zhou Zhili looked directly at Nangong Ya, voicing his confusion: "Your Excellency, what exactly is going on? How did my son be involved with your daughter?"


    "Uh..." The eloquent Prime Minister, known for his wit and wisdom, was at a loss for words. How could he exin with dignity that his daughter had lusted after amoner, forcibly seduced him, and was now pregnant, leading to this hasty marriage proposal?


    While Nangong Ya was still organizing his thoughts, Luo Siyi chose to be direct: "To be honest, our daughter is carrying Zhou Yi''s child."


    This statement caused a huge stir. Zhou Zhili and his wife''s jaws dropped again, seemingly wide enough to fit an egg.


    "This... this... this..." Hong Yuanping stammered, unable to form aplete sentence.


    "It''s absolutely true," Nangong Ya said, feeling his face burn with embarrassment. "We wouldn''t joke about our daughter''s virtue."


    Luo Siyi continued: "It''s been a month now, and we need to arrange the marriage quickly. Otherwise, the pregnancy will start to show. We hope Master Zhou and Madam Zhou can understand."

 Chapter 173

    Zhou Yi cursed all the way while Nangong Muyan ignored himpletely, dragging him straight into her room and mming the door shut with a loud "bang."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Nangong Muyan, what exactly do you want?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi red at the person before him in anger, straightening his disheveled clothes, only then realizing he had been dragged into a room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    And there was even a bed inside!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi immediately became terrified, one hand clutching his cor, the other holding his belt, as he backed up against the door: "Don''t you dare!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan smiled slightly, looking at Zhou Yi''s appearance of a chaste man ready to die for his virtue, and felt an urge to hit him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You misunderstand," Nangong Muyan said with a somewhat gritted smile, "I''m not going to sleep with you this time, don''t worry. I just want to discuss our marriage."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I won''t listen!" Zhou Yi refused tomunicate, dering firmly, "I won''t marry you either, give up on that idea! A woman like you¡ª"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m pregnant." Nangong Muyan casually interrupted him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi''s righteous words came to an abrupt halt, his eyes widening in disbelief at what he had just heard. After a while, he finally found his voice again: "Preg... preg... pregnant?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan''s smile faded as she nodded seriously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Is... is... is it... mine?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan wanted to hit him again. She took a deep breath, silently repeating "stay calm, live long" several times in her heart before speaking: "I''m not some loose woman, you''re the only one I''ve been with."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    And in fact, he was the only one she had been with in both her lifetimes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "How is this possible? Didn''t you drink the contraceptive medicine?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He had given the medicine to the inn''s servant at the time, instructing them to brew it and send it up, then went home himself without actually seeing Nangong Muyan drink it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I did drink it," Nangong Muyan knew Zhou Yi was suspicious and exined further, "If I wasn''t going to drink it, why would I have bothered asking you to buy it?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then how did this happen..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi stood in a daze, his hands falling limply from his cor and waist, something breaking in his eyes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Who knows?" Nangong Muyan sighed, saying helplessly, "I only found out I was pregnant today, and then my mother threatened to kill herself. I had no choice but to tell them about you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi fell silent, lowering his eyes to stare motionlessly at Nangong Muyan''s t stomach, feeling as if fate was ying a cruel joke on him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan looked at him, noticing he had indeed be much thinner than before. Previously, he had seemed somewhat foolishly carefree, but now that he was thinner, his features were more defined, making him appear more like a mature and steady man.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan also knew that Zhou Yi hated her, and all of this was an undeserved disaster for him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Thinking of this, she felt an unusual pang of guilt.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "After you marry me, I won''t interfere with your life. You can keep as many concubines as you want, is that eptable?" Nangong Muyan solemnly promised.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi nced up at her, tugging at the corner of his mouth self-mockingly: "Our Zhou family doesn''t have the custom of taking concubines."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then how about I help you set up a separate residence for someone outside?" Nangong Muyan suggested sincerely. "As long as they don''t find out, I can even help cover for you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Just shut up, I don''t want to discuss this with you. Let me have some quiet for a moment." Zhou Yi was in no mood for this.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan obediently fell silent, crossing her arms as she waited for Zhou Yi to recover from the massive shock.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After waiting patiently for a long while, the person before her finally spoke, his voice as soft as a murmur: "Nangong Muyan, you''re really a bastard, how can you be so awful? Did I owe you something in my past life..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan: "..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In this world, only Zhou Yi could curse her to her face without making her want to kill him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After another moment, Zhou Yi let out a long sigh, as if making up his mind, and raised his eyes to look at Nangong Muyan: "I will marry you, but there are some things we need to rify first."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Setting ground rules, I understand. Go ahead."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After all, she did owe him, so Nangong Muyan''s tolerance for Zhou Yi was unusually high.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "First, you can''t bully my parents."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan quickly nodded: "Of course not."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "My family has many houses in the capital. After we marry, you can choose whichever one you like. My parents won''t live with us - you officials have too many rules, and my parents wouldn''t befortable with that."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, yes, yes!" Nangong Muyan couldn''t ask for better - she didn''t want to deal with any mother-inw rtionship either.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Second, you can''t have any ill intentions toward my sister-inw anymore. Stay away from her and Brother Liu in the future, and stop doing evil things."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Alright." It would be difficult for her to do anything to Jiang Ning now anyway.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "And... you can''t bully me either."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan''s heart seized - what kind of evil woman did Zhou Yi think she was!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Especially... you can''t force me to do that kind of thing with you again..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi continued, making Nangong Muyan''s breath catch and her blood pressure spike.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So in Zhou Yi''s eyes, she wasn''t just venomous, but also a lustful person...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "...Anyway, in the future, I''ll be the father, you''ll be the mother, and we''ll live peacefully while raising the child properly."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Now that sounded more reasonable, Nangong Muyan thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I agree to all of it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When they returned to the sitting room after clearing things up, both sets of parents had already settled on the wedding date and were discussing the timing of the betrothal gifts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing Nangong Muyan and Zhou Yi walk in side by side, four pairs of eyes looked over with concern, though mainly at Zhou Yi, given how strongly he had resisted earlier.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "We''vee to an agreement," Nangong Muyan saw through everyone''s thoughts clearly. "We will get married."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi immediately breathed sighs of relief, feeling as if a great burden had been lifted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hong Yuanping and Zhou Zhili looked at their son, then at Nangong Muyan standing to the side. Even if they had something to say, the timing wasn''t right, so they could only swallow their words.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Then, dear inws and Zhou Yi, please stay for a simple meal at our manor," Luo Siyi suggested with a smile. "Marriage is no small matter, and since we''re all arranging our children''s weddings for the first time, we should discuss more to avoid any oversights."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The Zhou family naturally had no objections.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Minister Nangong, Minister Nangong!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A somewhat shrill voice came from outside the hall, followed by hurried footsteps. Everyone looked up to see Old Zhong leading in a pale-faced, beardless man wearing eunuch''s robes and holding a horsetail whisk.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Eunuch Liu!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing this trusted eunuch from the emperor''s side, Nangong Ya immediately went to meet him, asking, "Has something happened?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Eunuch Liu hesitated upon seeing so many people in the room and avoided answering directly, only saying anxiously, "My lord, pleasee to the pce with me immediately!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Very well!" Nangong Ya agreed, then turned back to instruct Luo Siyi: "Siyi, please take care of entertaining our guests."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Yes, don''t worry about it," Luo Siyi nodded.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Ya apologetically cupped his hands toward Zhou Yi''s parents, then quickly left with Eunuch Liu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan watched her father''s departing figure, feeling that something major was about to happen. It wasn''t until five dayster, when the bells rang in the imperial city and she knelt before the Taiji Hall wearing mourning clothes as a member of a high official''s family, that she realized her premonition had been correct.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At that time, Jiang Ning was still bent over watering vegetable seedlings halfway up the mountain at Fuling Temple.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Two men wearing official''s robes and gauze caps came galloping on horseback. From a distance, Jiang Ning saw them tie their horses at the foot of the mountain and hurry up toward Fuling Temple without a moment''s rest.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A momentter, those two figures appeared again, and continuous bell tolls began to echo through the mountains, one after another in a regr rhythm, like an eternal chant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two men mounted their horses and rode away. Standing in the vegetable patch, Jiang Ning suddenly recalled some content from the leisure books she had read:<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "During national mourning, all temples, monasteries, and shrines within a hundred li of the capital must toll their bells thirty thousand times..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "All citizens of the imperial city must wear in clothes for a hundred days, and no music or marriages are allowed..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "All matters such as sacrificial ceremonies, court celebrations, and imperial examinations shall be postponed for one month..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Thinking of this, Jiang Ning quickly picked up her empty water bucket and headed up the mountain.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The imperial examinations had been suspended; she needed to go back to find Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The drum beats seemed to pound against people''s hearts one by one. Watching the birds startled from the mountain forest, Jiang Ning felt as if she was witnessing the calm before a storm.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 174

    In the seventeenth year of Chongming, the emperor passed away, and the people mourned deeply.


    ording to thew, the crown prince would ascend the throne a monthter and change the era name the following year.


    Jiang Ning returned from Fuling Temple to Late Winter Road, finding the courtyard empty.


    Today marks the sixth day of the imperial examinations, which have already held two sessions. However, due to the national mourning, these sessions were invalidated and will need to be restarted a monthter after the new emperor''s coronation.


    Thinking of Liu Ming''an''s imminent return, Jiang Ning put down her bundle and picked up a basket to head to the market.


    The bustling market, usually lively, was today eerily silent. Everyone spoke in hushed tones, and the streets were filled with people dressed in shades of ck, white, and gray. Even the women had removed their conspicuous gold hairpins and earrings, recing them with in ones.


    As Jiang Ning made her purchases and headed back, chaotic footsteps suddenly echoed from the houses on either side of the street.


    The noise was too loud to be made by just a few dozen people.


    Jiang Ning''s heart skipped a beat. The next moment, she saw soldiers in armor brandishing swords pouring out of the houses. Hundreds of them gathered instantly, their faces stern and filled with murderous intent. The surrounding civilians scrambled to avoid them.


    A coup!


    The word shed through Jiang Ning''s mind as the soldiers filled the street, their eyes fixed on the front, where a dark-skinned man stood.


    "Move, to the Examination Hall!"


    A hoarse, thunderous voice rang out, striking fear into Jiang Ning''s heart.


    The examination venue was the Examination Hall!


    The history of this world she had read before suddenly surfaced in her mind: In the twenty-ninth year of Tianyu of the previous dynasty, the deposed crown prince, Ruan Yongfeng, staged a coup during the examination period. He first killed the emperor and four adult princes, took control of the pce, and then captured over a thousand officials'' families and candidates in the Examination Hall...


    In front of Taiji Hall, Ruan Yongfeng ughtered the five hundred and thirty-two candidates of that year, then killed over three hundred family members of officials from the fifth rank upwards. Finally, he forced the court officials to acknowledge the fake imperial decree transferring the throne to him as genuine, thereby ascending to the throne...


    Was history about to repeat itself?


    Jiang Ning clenched her fists tightly. She absolutely could not let Liu Ming''an be a victim of this power struggle.


    No one, absolutely no one!


    Meanwhile, inside Taiji Hall, Nangong Muyan''s knees were numb from kneeling. She shifted slightly, and Luo Siyi immediately whispered, "Yan''er, endure for another half hour, and we can return to the mansion."


    Nangong Muyan hummed in acknowledgment, sighed, and nced at the group of chanting monks.


    The Liang Kingdom valued Buddhism highly. When the emperor passed away, his body was ced in a cold jade coffin, and the so-called enlightened monks from Fragrant Leaf Temple were invited to chant scriptures for three days and nights before he could be buried in the imperial mausoleum.


    During this period, princes, consorts, and ministers of the fifth rank and above had to wear white and kneel beside the coffin, resting for a maximum of two hours each day. The family members of the ministers, kneeling on the outermost side, only needed to keep vigil for half a day.


    Nangong Muyan had never knelt for so long. The sounds of consorts'' wailing, the indistinct chanting of the monks, and the distant continuous bell tolling mixed together, making her feel irritable.


    But she knew that what truly bothered her was that with the emperor''s death, the capital city was under a hundred-day ban on music and weddings. The marriage she had negotiated with the Zhou family a few days ago had to be postponed. She would either marry while pregnant or with a child in her arms.


    Either oue was equally bothersome to her.


    Nangong Muyan sighed again, bored, and her eyes roamed, analyzing the microexpressions of the weeping consorts, princes, and ministers to see who was genuinely crying and who was putting on an act.


    In front of her, Nangong Ya knelt straight, his face showing obvious grief. His eyes were downcast, his mouth tightly pressed, and the muscles on the right side of his face contracted more than the left, clearly feigning sorrow.


    Thinking of her father, an old man, having to kneel for two more days, Nangong Muyan felt a bit more at ease.


    In front of Nangong Ya, closer to the coffin, knelt Crown Prince Yuwen Yan and several princes and princesses.


    Yuwen Yan waspletely turned away from Nangong Muyan. After ncing at him, she looked to the side and was surprised when she saw one person.


    He appeared to be around thirty years old, kneeling beside the crown prince, likely a prince.


    Nangong Muyan ran through the information about the royal family in her mind and guessed his identity.


    Second Prince, Prince Yuwen Jin.


    While other princes bowed their heads in silent mourning, only Yuwen Jin stared straight at the emperor''s coffin, his head held high.


    What intrigued Nangong Muyan even more was that this man showed no trace of sorrow on his face. Instead, a faint smile yed on his lips, and his narrow, slit eyes were filled with malevolence and hatred, tinged with a hint of satisfaction.


    Father-son discord wasmon in the royal family. Nangong Muyan looked at Yuwen Jin, who seemed happy about his father''s death, and curled her lips, not paying much attention before shifting her gaze to others.


    Time ticked by. Just as Nangong Muyan had analyzed the faces of everyone within sight, an inappropriatemotion faintly reached the hall from outside.


    Nangong Muyan listened carefully. It was noisy, with many people shouting and screaming, and the sound of metal shing.


    The others in the hall had not yet heard it, but as the noise grew louder, drowning out the chanting and bell tolling, it clearly reached everyone''s ears, breaking the tranquility.


    Before the hundreds of people in the hall could even ponder the source of the disturbance, a blood-soaked guard with a sword stumbled in, shouting hoarsely, "Your Highness the Crown Prince! Chang Jian has rebelled!"


    "Ah? Chang Jian has rebelled!"


    "Isn''t Chang Jian the father of Prince Yuwen Jin''s wife?"


    "Could it be Prince Yuwen Jin..."


    Startled by the news, everyone followed Yuwen Yan in standing up, their eyes turning to Yuwen Jin by the coffin, who burst intoughter.


    "Hahaha... Everyone, today I emte the ancient sages and stage a coup like Ruan Yongfeng!"


    The name Ruan Yongfeng meant something to everyone.


    Yuwen Jin mocked the crowd, who dared to be angry but not to speak, feeling even more triumphant. Hisughter grew increasingly wild, almost doubling over as he leaned on the emperor''s cold jade coffin, pounding it with a resounding "bang bang."


    Everyone was silent, either shocked or fearful. The bell tolling and chanting stopped, leaving only Yuwen Jin''s maniacalughter echoing in the hall.


    "Second Brother, why go to such lengths?" Yuwen Yan asked with aplex expression, only for a sword to be ced at his neck.


    "Why go to such lengths? Your Highness the Crown Prince asks why? Hahaha..."


    Yuwen Jinughed until tears came to his eyes: "Need I ask? Because I want to sit on the dragon throne too. I don''t want to slink off to my fiefdom after you ascend, writing memorials to you for greetings during festivals, living a life of servility..."


    "So you are willing to bear eternal infamy and be this traitor?"


    "Hahaha... Only you foolish, rigid people see others'' curses as a flood. I don''t care at all. Besides, history is written by the winners. As long as I secure the throne, who dares to curse me?"


    There was no point in further discussion, so Yuwen Yan fell silent.


    Nangong Muyan watched Luo Siyi, who was trembling like a sieve, her arm painfully gripped by her. She patted her shoulder and whisperedfortingly, "Mother, don''t be afraid. This is men''s business. Let''s stand far away; nothing will happen."


    "Yan''er, you forget," Luo Siyi''s face was ashen, her voice trembling: "Ruan Yongfeng first killed the candidates and then the officials'' families..."


    "Killed the candidates?"


    Nangong Muyan''s gaze sharpened. If she remembered correctly, Liu Ming''an was a candidate in this session!


    Just then, a group of soldiers with swords entered menacingly, herding men and women separately into tight clusters. The timid women and children were already screaming in fear.


    Nangong Muyan held the nearly fainting Luo Siyi with one hand and clenched a silver hairpin with the other, her cold gaze fixed on Yuwen Jin, who wasughing triumphantly in the hall, sending chills down one''s spine.


    "Father-inw! Hahaha..."


    Yuwen Jin walked towards the leading middle-aged man,ughing heartily: "With Father-inw''s help in this great cause, it is truly a blessing for me!"


    Chang Jian also "haha"ughed, and the father-inw and son-inw seemed to see endless wealth and power beckoning to them.


    Afterughing for a while, Chang Jian said, "Lin Wei has already brought over those five hundred and thirteen schrs, they are waiting outside the hall."


    The ministers were in an uproar; Yuwen Jin''s imitation of Ruan Yongfeng was indeed going to be aplete imitation.


    Nangong Ya and the three Lou fathers and sons all thought of Liu Ming''an among those schrs.


    Lou Baili, with a de at his neck, tried to dissuade, "Your Highness, the Prince of Lin, please reconsider! Since ancient times, those who ascend the throne without proper legitimacy rarely end well..."


    Nangong Ya followed up, "Schrs are the foundation of the nation. If Your Highness ughters them all, the whole world will know of your brutal reputation. Even if you ascend the throne, you will lose the hearts of the people."


    Yuwen Jin turned to look at the two who spoke, smiling ambiguously, "The Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor, truly models of the officials, indeed very loyal!"


    "The Lou family only serves a wise ruler!" Lou Baili replied with a solemn face.


    "Hehe... what a loyal servant of a wise ruler!" Yuwen Jin sneered, then looked at Nangong Ya, "Prime Minister Nangong, what about you?"


    "I serve the people of the world!" Nangong Ya answered, looking straight at Yuwen Jin.


    "Good, good, good!" Yuwen Jin pped his hands andughed, "The ancestors of the Yuwen family set a rule that the new emperor''s ascension requires the Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor to announce it to the world. So please tell the people of the world that before his death, the Emperor said he wanted to depose the Crown Prince and make me the heir, how about it?"


    Nangong Ya and Lou Baili naturally would not agree, "The Great Liang''s dynasty cannot be handed over to a traitor."


    Yuwen Jin was not surprised by this, nodding as if seriously, "Both of you are benevolent, I''m sure when the blood flows like a river and the corpses pile up like mountains outside the Taiji Hall, you will change your mind."


    Hearing Yuwen Jin say such things so casually, everyone''s hearts sank.

 Chapter 175

    Outside the Taiji Hall, Liu Ming''an and hundreds of schrs were forced at swordpoint into a corner, their hearts filled with boundless sorrow.


    As learned men, how could they not understand what their current situation meant?


    Imperial power was crumbling, and their corpses would pave the way.


    While wails and pleas for mercy echoed around him, Liu Ming''an stood woodenly, gazing beyond the pce gates.


    Ning...


    Memories of days past flooded his mind, and Liu Ming''an lowered his eyes, a smile ying at his lips.


    Life had been worth living, he thought.


    "Your Highness, spare us! Please spare us..."


    The cries suddenly erupted, snapping Liu Ming''an back from his memories to find many of his fellow schrs kneeling around him.


    Looking up at the white jade steps, he saw that soldiers had intimidated the mourners inside the hall toe out. The wide corridor was packed with trembling people, and Liu Ming''an recognized several familiar faces with a quick nce.


    Yuwen Yan, Lou Baili, Nangong Ya, Lou Yuhuan, Lou Lianyu, Nangong Muyan...


    Among them were also many great schrs who had taught him during his time at the Imperial Academy.


    Men and women were lined up on opposite sides. A burly middle-aged man stepped forward first, and upon seeing the gathering of frail schrs below, he broke into a heartyugh and praised the one who had led the raid on the examination hall: "Linwei, well done!"


    "Thank you for your praise, Father!" Chang Linwei beamed with pride.


    "Don''t kill me! Don''t kill me! I''ll do anything you say! Anything!"


    A terrified schr in the crowd began screaming hysterically, recklessly pushing aside those around him as he tried to throw himself at the jade steps to beg for mercy.


    Liu Ming''an looked at him with pity. The man was in his forties, his temples already graying. He had likely spent half his life preparing for the imperial examinations, how could he ept dying like this?


    Before the schr could take two steps, Chang Linwei frowned, muttering "noisy" with obvious irritation. With one swing of his long sword, a head rolled on the ground, blood spraying forth, shocking everyone present.


    "Ah!"


    The sheltereddies had never witnessed such a bloody scene. Many fainted with screams, while those who remained conscious were scared half to death, their faces pale and tears streaming down their cheeks.


    Nangong Muyan held the unconscious Luo Siyi, her eyes full of helpless resignation. What a mess this was - why couldn''t she have just a few peaceful days?


    Pretending she might faint as well, Nangong Muyan helped Luo Siyi lean against the railing. Since their group consisted only of women and children, merely seven or eight guards with swords were watching them, and even they weren''t paying much attention, their gazes directed elsewhere.


    After settling Luo Siyi, Nangong Muyan looked toward the group of schrs. With over five hundred people gathered in one ce, from her vantage point she could only see a sea of ck heads, making it impossible to distinguish individuals. But she knew Liu Ming''an was among them.


    Well, there was no choice - she had raised him after all, and she couldn''t just watch Jiang Ning be a widow.


    To catch a bandit, first catch their leader.


    Nangong Muyan inconspicuously moved closer to the hall entrance, calcting the timing of her strike.


    Inside the hall were only the Prince of Lin, the Crown Prince, and two guards holding swords to the Crown Prince''s neck. Nangong Muyan gripped her silver hairpin tightly, nning to strike when the Prince of Lin emerged.


    When the schr''s head fell, Yuwen Yan''s eyes shed with hatred at the sound: "Second Brother, Father''s body isn''t even cold yet, your actions are truly treasonous!"


    "Sixth Brother, I''m acting precisely because his body isn''t cold yet, don''t you understand?"


    Yuwen Jin walked slowly to the cold jade coffin, staring at the corpse dressed in dragon robes inside as he smiled: "Once he''s truly in the imperial tomb and you''ve ascended the throne, it would be toote for me to do all this."


    Yuwen Yan looked at his back and suddenly smiled with a hint of resignation: "If you want the throne, I can give it to you directly. Why needlessly ughter the innocent?"


    Yuwen Jin turned back in surprise: "You''ll give it to me?"


    "Yes, I''ll give it to you. I can write a deration right now, criticizing myself as unworthy and ipetent, requesting to be stripped of my position as Crown Prince..."


    "Hahaha..." Yuwen Jin interrupted before Yuwen Yan could finish: "Do you take me for a fool? You''re just trying to buy time until the troops stationed outside the capitale to your rescue!"


    His thoughts exposed, Yuwen Yan swallowed the rest of his words.


    The troops outside the capital could arrive within half a day. They were his loyal followers, and as long as he was still alive, they wouldn''t let Yuwen Jin''s plot seed.


    But judging by Yuwen Jin''s behavior, he wasn''t foolish enough to leave such a huge risk.


    "Acting so righteous and benevolent," Yuwen Jin looked at Yuwen Yan and sneered: "I''vee this far, why should I take the long way around?"


    Yuwen Jin stepped forward, meeting Yuwen Yan''s eyes, his mockery clear: "You''re still trying to stall for time? I won''t leave myself vulnerable to future troubles. But since you''re ying at being so wise and righteous, I''ll spare your life for now. After you watch those hundreds of schrs die, then I''ll send you on your way¡ª"


    A sharp pain shot through his neck as blood gushed forth. Yuwen Jin''s eyes widened in shock as he tried to turn his head, but all strength instantly drained from his body. He copsed to the ground, his eyes remaining open in death.


    Before the two guards couldprehend what had happened, their throats were also shed open. They didn''t even have time to cry out before they fell.


    The situation reversed in an instant. Yuwen Yan stared at the suddenly appearing Jiang Ning, watching in shock as she killed three people in the blink of an eye.


    "Third Lady," Yuwen Yan struggled to speak: "How did you..."


    "No time for talk!"


    Jiang Ning nced outside the hall. Apart from Nangong Muyan smiling meaningfully by the door, no one had noticed what had happened here yet.


    "Once Chang Jian dies next, those rebels will be leaderless, and you, Crown Prince, should step up to your role."


    Yuwen Yan quickly nodded: "Don''t worry!"


    However, before Jiang Ning could act, Chang Jian turned to look into the hall. Nangong Muyan, who had been crouching nearby, suddenly rose, nimbly slipping past the sword-wielding guards and violently stabbing her silver hairpin into his carotid artery.


    "Father!"


    At the bottom of the steps, Chang Linwei watched this scene with bulging eyes, especially as Nangong Muyan kicked the corpse down after killing him.


    Blood flowed down the white jade steps as Chang Jian''s body tumbled to the bottom. Chang Linwei rushed over, his heart filled with grief: "Father! Father!"


    "Kill her! Kill her! I want this woman cut into a thousand pieces, ground into meat paste!"


    Chang Linwei had gone berserk, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Nangong Muyan, looking as if he wanted to y her alive and drink her blood.


    The guards on both sides of the corridor had just begun to move at hismand when two people walked out of the Taiji Hall side by side. Amanding male voice rang out, thunderous in the moment: "This Prince would like to see who dares to act rashly!"


    This stern shout made the guards pause, and then everyone saw clearly who had emerged.


    It was Yuwen Yan,pletely unharmed.


    At his side, Jiang Ning, emanating a fierce killing intent, held a corpse in one hand. Walking to the steps, she, like Nangong Muyan before her, kicked it down.


    The body tumbled down along the bloody trail tond beside Chang Jian. Chang Linwei recognized it as Yuwen Jin.


    "The traitors Yuwen Jin and Chang Jian have been executed. If you surrender now, you may be spared!"


    Yuwen Yan''s gaze swept across the crowd, his voice resonating like a great bell, making hearts tremble.


    "Don''t listen to him, he''s lying! Don''t listen!"


    Chang Linwei shouted at the guards who were slowly lowering their weapons, having already be somewhat deranged.


    "This Prince knows you were coerced and had no choice but to participate in this treasonous act. As long as you return to the right path and atone for your crimes through meritorious service, I promise, as Crown Prince, that your families will not suffer for your crimes of rebellion."


    Yuwen Yan added another weight to tip the scales of the wavering hearts. Momentster, someone dropped their sword and fell to their knees with a thud.


    One, two, three... ten, a hundred...


    Finding himself isted, Chang Linwei threw back his head andughed: "Hahaha... the victor bes king, the loser a bandit! The victor bes king, the loser a bandit!"


    As his words fell, he raised his blood-stained sword onest time, but this time it would taste his own blood.


    Four corpsesy sprawled beneath the Taiji Hall, marking the end of this attempted coup.


    Those schrs who had brushed shoulders with death had the look of survivors written all over their faces - some were weeping, othersughing hysterically.


    In the crowd, Liu Ming''an stood eerily quiet, starkly out of ce, his gaze fixed intently on the figure standing on the steps.


    Ning hade to protect him.

 Chapter 176

    ording to the historical records of the Liang Kingdom:


    On the seventeenth day of the third month in the fourteenth year of Chongming, Emperor Liang Jing passed away. On the same day, the Prince of Lin, Yuwen Jin, along with Chang Jian and his son, attempted to seize the pce.


    During the imperial examinations of the third month, the rebels captured 513 examination candidates, attempting to force court officials to recognize their legitimacy.


    Later, amoner woman named Jiang Ning single-handedly killed Yuwen Jin, while the Prime Minister''s daughter Nangong Muyan subsequently killed Chang Jian. Seeing the tide turn against them, Chang Jian''s son Chang Linweimitted suicide in front of the Taiji Hall.


    The coup was thus quelled, with casualties including 280 imperial guards and one examination candidate.


    On the twentieth day of the third month, Emperor Liang Jing was buried in the imperial tomb...


    On the seventeenth day of the fourth month, the new emperor ascended to the throne, changing the reign name to Zhaoguang, and in the following year implemented...


    On the same day, His Majesty issued an imperial decree: In recognition of themoner Jiang Ning''s meritorious service in saving the throne, His Majesty adopted her as his sworn sister, bestowed upon her the imperial surname "Yuwen," renamed her Yuwen Ning, granted her a princess''s mansion, and conferred the title "Princess Hening," as she became known toter generations.


    The Prime Minister''s daughter Nangong Muyan, for her merit in executing the traitor Chang Jian, was granted marriage to the Capital City merchant Zhou Yi, with the wedding set for the twenty-first day of the sixth month. On the wedding day, His Majesty personally attended to give his blessing...


    On the ninth day of the sixth month, when the pce examination results were announced, His Majesty saw that the new top schr Liu Ming''an possessed exceptional talent and refined bearing, and specially arranged his marriage to Princess Hening. After consulting the almanac for an auspicious date, the wedding was set for the eighth day of the eighth month...


    ...


    "Ling''er, wake up! How can you oversleep on your wedding day?"


    Lan Xu''s anxious voice rang out as she pulled away the nket from the person in bed, yanking Jiang Ning up.


    "Mother, there''s no need to wee the groom, why get up so early?" Jiang Ning mumbled, grabbing back the nket and preparing to fall back asleep.


    "Oh my, you must get up early on your wedding day! This only happens once in a lifetime,e on, get up..."


    After Lan Xu''s gentle coaxing and many sweet words, she finally got her daughter up.


    Bathing, changing clothes, hair styling, applying makeup... quite a fuss indeed.


    By the time Jiang Ning was dressed in her wedding attire, wearing the phoenix crown and seated in her chamber, it was alreadyte morning.


    "This phoenix crown is so heavy!"


    As Jiang Ning raised her hand to adjust it, Lan Xu stopped her: "Don''t fidget with it. This was given by His Majesty - no matter how heavy it is, you must bear it."


    "Alright~ I won''t move it," Jiang Ning replied with a smile.


    Fearing she might have missed something, Lan Xu inspected her daughter from all angles, wearing an irrepressible smile that gradually gave way to glistening tears.


    "My Ling''er looks so beautiful!"


    Hearing the choked voice, Jiang Ning said with a smile, "Mother, don''t cry! You''ll be sitting in the ce of honor with so many people watching - red eyes won''t look good."


    Only Lan Xu would be sitting in the ce of honor. She would have no more connection with the Prime Minister''s mansion - this was Yuwen Yan''s way of showing gratitude.


    After killing Yuwen Jin that day and quelling the rebellion, Yuwen Yan had met privately with Jiang Ning.


    "Third Young Lady, you''ve saved me twice now."


    At that time, Yuwen Yan was just two days away from ascending the throne, yet he bowed deeply and respectfully to her.


    Jiang Ning stepped aside to avoid his bow: "You should know, I didn''te specifically to save you."


    Yuwen Yan smiled: "Lady Jiang Ning''s personality hasn''t changed one bit... In that case, I owe Schr Liu another debt of gratitude, and I haven''t even repaid his life-saving grace from Qushui City..."


    "Want to repay the favor?" Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow and asked.


    "Yes."


    Jiang Ning thought for a moment. She and Liu Ming''an wanted for nothing - except a wedding. And since both Nangong Ya and the Lou family had said they would interfere, she could use imperial power to handle things.


    "Then after your ascension, arrange the marriage between Liu Ming''an and me," Jiang Ning said, then added: "Don''t arrange it under the identity of Nangong Ling - I don''t want any connection with the Prime Minister''s mansion."


    An imperial decree arranging marriage carried more weight than any matchmaker''s efforts and would save a lot of trouble.


    Yuwen Yan agreed without hesitation.


    However, Jiang Ning hadn''t expected Yuwen Yan to adopt her as his sworn sister and grant her the title of "Princess Hening," directly elevating her status so that even Nangong Ya would have to bow to her now.


    After Jiang Ning left the imperial study, Yuwen Yan summoned Nangong Muyan, simrly bowing to her and expressing his desire to show gratitude.


    "I don''t seem tock anything," Nangong Muyan pondered before asking, "What did my third sister ask for?"


    "She asked me to arrange her marriage," Yuwen Yan answered truthfully.


    Nangong Muyan gave a lightugh: "Then I want you to arrange my marriage too."


    Yuwen Yan: "..."


    The Prime Minister''s two daughters were truly unique.


    Yuwen Yan hadn''t thought much of it at first, assuming Nangong Muyan might have her eye on some noble''s son and was too shy to speak of it. He never expected she wanted to marry a merchant.


    After the marriage was arranged, rumors circted in the streets suggesting that although the Prime Minister''s eldest daughter had helped secure the throne, the emperor married her to a merchant because he feared she might be empress, which would allow the Nangong family to gain too much power at court and threaten his position.


    Hearing these rumors, Yuwen Yan''s mouth twitched, but he couldn''t exin anything and had to bear the reputation of being ungrateful and suspicious.


    It wasn''t until Nangong Muyan''s wedding day, when Yuwen Yan came to the Prime Minister''s mansion and saw her swollen belly, that he finally understood why thisdy had asked to be married.


    Now, sitting in the Princess''s mansion watching Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an bow to heaven and earth, Yuwen Yan couldn''t help but keep ncing at the bride''s waist. After discreetly observing for quite a while without noticing anything unusual, he felt somewhat disappointed.


    Yuwen Yan turned to look at Nangong Muyan. Six months pregnant with a visible bump, she stood with a man carefully supporting her waist, keeping her separated from the crowd around them.


    Seeing the genuine smile on Nangong Muyan''s face, the question that had been bothering him surfaced again.


    He hadter discovered that it was Nangong Muyan who had sold out Nangong Ling and even spread rumors about an elopement. By all rights, they should have been mortal enemies, but for some reason, he felt their rtionship was closer than most.


    Even stranger was that in his memory, Nangong Muyan had been willful and temperamental, while Nangong Ling had been timid and fearful. Yet during Yuwen Jin''s coup, the murderous intent of these two sisters had been identical, the coldness in their eyes indistinguishable - for a moment, one might have thought they were the same person.


    Yuwen Yan nced at Nangong Ya, standing at the edge of the crowd, whose face disyedplex emotions like a theatrical performance - joy, sentiment, satisfaction, bitterness, eptance... and something indefinable.


    At his daughter''s wedding, this father wasn''t sitting in the ce of honor to receive the newlyweds'' bows - he was here today merely as a subject attending a princess''s wedding.


    Yuwen Yan truly couldn''t understand the people and affairs of the Nangong family - indeed, every family had its own difficult story to tell.


    "Escort them to the bridal chamber!"


    "Excellent!"


    With the master of ceremonies'' final call, cheers erupted from the crowd, pulling Yuwen Yan from his scattered thoughts.


    With the ceremonyplete, the banquet followed. Yuwen Yan knew his presence made everyone ufortable and unable to rx, so he rose, spoke a few ceremonial words, and returned to the pce with his personal guards.

 Chapter 177

    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning each held one end of the red silk, escorted by four maids as they walked towards their bridal chamber.


    Along the winding corridor, Liu Ming''an gripped the red silk tightly, unable to resist stealing nces at the person beside him.


    What caught his eye was the bridal veil covering Jiang Ning''s head.


    Unlike the typical patterns of dragons and phoenixes or mandarin ducks at y, Jiang Ning''s veil was embroidered with camellia flowers entwined with willow branches.


    The moment Liu Ming''an saw the pattern, he realized that this veil must have been personally chosen by his beloved Ning.


    Thinking of the meaning behind the pattern, Liu Ming''an''s gaze softened like a pool of water.


    Just then, a gentle breeze lifted a corner of the veil, and Liu Ming''an caught a glimpse of that fair, delicate jaw and those lips as red as vibrant flower petals, reminding him of countless times he had kissed them before.


    The wind died down, and the veil''s fluttersted but a moment, yet Liu Ming''an felt the pool in his heart stirred with endless ripples.


    "May the newlyweds enter their chamber, blessed with many children and long life!"


    The maids suddenly sang in unison, snapping Liu Ming''an out of his reverie. They had arrived at the door of their bridal chamber.


    As the couple stepped inside, the maids cheerfully called out, "Left foot first, right foot follows, may love and devotion forever follow!"


    Inside the room, following the maids'' instructions, Liu Ming''an sat on the left side of the bed while Jiang Ning sat on the right, as the maids continued, "Man on left, woman on right, may fortune and longevity fill their nights!"


    Two maids then helped an elderly woman with white hair enter the room. She was Lady Ling, wife of the former Deputy Minister of Personnel, now eighty-three years old. She had borne four sons and two daughters, living a lifetime of devotion with her husband - their blessed union was known throughout the court.


    Lady Ling approached with a smile, holding a ceremonial beam. She gently tapped Liu Ming''an''s head, chanting, "Handsome groom and beautiful bride, may your union forever abide!"


    She then turned to Jiang Ning, tapping her head as well, reciting, "As you be his cherished wife, may love apany you through life!"


    A maid stepped forward with a tray, and Lady Ling ced the beam upon it, concluding the "heart''s content" ceremony.


    Liu Ming''an listened to all the blessings with an unwavering smile.


    Being experienced in such matters, Lady Ling noticed Liu Ming''an''s eyes practically glued to Jiang Ning, and thoughtfully arranged, "Everyone out now, let the Imperial Son-in-Law and Princess have some privacy."


    The maids filed out, with Lady Ling being thest to leave. At the doorway, she turned back to add, "My Lord, please sit for just a moment, don''t miss the banquet."


    "Of course, thank you, Lady Ling!" Liu Ming''an replied with a smile.


    Once the door closed, Liu Ming''an moved to sit beside Jiang Ning and promptly removed the veil covering her face.


    Jiang Ning had long felt Liu Ming''an''s burning gaze and wasn''t surprised by his action, meeting his eyes with a gentle smile.


    The crimson wedding dress made her features appear like a painting, breathtakingly beautiful. Liu Ming''an couldn''t even wait to speak before following his heart''s desire, cupping her chin and leaning in for a kiss.


    Just as their lips were about to meet, he felt resistance at his shoulders. Jiang Ning leaned back slightly, avoiding the kiss, lowering her eyes shyly and mumbling, "I''m wearing lip rouge... it''s bitter."


    Hearing this, Liu Ming''an first froze, then burst outughing.


    His dear Ning was so adorable!


    "You dareugh at me?"


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, wiped the red rouge from her lips onto the back of her hand, then suddenly pushed Liu Ming''an down onto the bed. Seeing his upturned lips, she fiercely kissed him.


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes suddenly welled with tears, rming Jiang Ning, who quickly pulled back to ask, "What''s wrong? Why are you crying from a kiss?"


    "It''s not that," Liu Ming''an held her slender waist close to him while reaching behind his head, pulling out several lotus seeds and peanuts, "Ning, you bumped my head against these - it hurts~"


    Jiang Ning was momentarily speechless, just watching as Liu Ming''an blinked away his tears, then pulled her head down for a precious, deliberate kiss.


    Liu Ming''an closed his eyes, kissing her earnestly, the pool in his heart no longer merely rippling but surging with powerful waves.


    "Ning, I''ve finally married you."


    Liu Ming''an restrained himself as he ended the kiss, looking at Jiang Ning with deep affection.


    Dazed from the kiss, Jiang Ning hadn''t heard clearly, only seeing Liu Ming''an''s captivating gaze and wanting to kiss him again.


    "Ning!"


    Liu Ming''an pressed his index finger against those soft lips, stopping Jiang Ning''s advance, his eyes dark with emotion, "Be good, wait for my return."


    "Alright," Jiang Ning obediently agreed.


    Liu Ming''an helped her up and carefully removed her phoenix crown, setting it aside as he gently coaxed, "If you''re hungry, eat something; if you''re tired, sleep. Don''t worry about the rules, just make yourselffortable."


    "Go on now, I''m not a fool," Jiang Ning pushed him toward the door.


    Liu Ming''an smiled, opened the door, and left.


    After he departed, Jiang Ning removed her heavy wedding dress, shook the bedsheet to clear off the longan, lotus seeds, peanuts, and dates onto the floor, then took off her shoes and socks and climbed into bed to sleep.


    She had risen too early and was very tired - if she didn''t sleep now, she mightck energy tonight.


    How could sheck energy on her wedding night?


    Jiang Ning fell into a deep sleep until, at some point, she heard a gentle call: "Ning, Ning, wake up for the wedding wine..."


    Jiang Ning opened her eyes to find Liu Ming''an half-propped above her, wearing an indulgent smile.


    "Is everything finished outside?" Jiang Ning asked.


    Her current status was different from before; their wedding had drawn many guests, both familiar and unfamiliar. Fortunately, Yuwen Yan had sent people to help with the arrangements, or it would have been quite troublesome.


    As she spoke, she rose from the bed. The August weather was rather hot, and she had stripped down to just her undergarments while sleeping. As she sat up, her clothes gaped open slightly, revealing a generous expanse of her jade-like neck and below to Liu Ming''an''s view.


    Seeing this, Liu Ming''an quickly helped adjust her clothes while answering, "More or less. Butler Li is there, he''ll handle everything properly."


    Jiang Ning nodded, put on her shoes, and walked to the table, where she picked up both cups of wedding wine that Liu Ming''an had poured and drank them in one go.


    "Ning!" Liu Ming''an stared at the empty cups in shock, "That wine was meant to be shared between us..."


    "I know," Jiang Ningughed, pulling the dumbfounded man toward the bed, "Your alcohol tolerance is too poor, so I drank for you - it''s all the same."


    Liu Ming''an wanted to argue that one cup wouldn''t make him drunk, but Jiang Ning pushed him onto the bed and looked down at him, her voice both enchanting and inviting: "On our wedding day, is drinking wine all you want to do..."


    A gentle kiss fell on his lips, and Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning in this state, his eyes filling with mirth.


    The dragon-phoenix candles burned through the night, the room filled with endless passion.


    The red veil that had fallen to the floor wasn''t particrly noticeable among the scattered red garments, but the willow branches entwined with camellia flowers took on the meaning of eternal vows in this intimate atmosphere.

 Chapter 178

    The wedding of Nangong Muyan and Zhou Yi was set for June twenty-first, a few days after the hundred-day national mourning period.


    After the imperial edict was issued, the Prime Minister''s Mansion and the Zhou family began preparing for the rted matters - the wedding dress, the bridal sedan chair, dowry, and betrothal gifts... Both families were busy attending to every detail.


    Meanwhile, Luo Siyi forced Nangong Muyan to go to Jun Yue Restaurant to "cultivate feelings" with Zhou Yi.


    "Yan''er, you can see that Zhou Yi doesn''t like you yet. As the saying goes, for a man to chase a woman is like climbing a mountain, but for a woman to chase a man is like passing through a thin veil. You fell for him first and then forced him into this situation, so you''re in the wrong. You need to be more proactive, spend more time with him, let him see your good qualities, and feelings will develop naturally over time..."


    Standing in the ounting room of Jun Yue Restaurant, Nangong Muyan looked at Zhou Yi''s stunned face while Luo Siyi''s earnest advice echoed in her ears. She found it somewhat amusing that she never dreamed she would be pursuing a man one day.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Zhou Yi watched Nangong Muyan walk in, his eyes showing obvious wariness as he instinctively covered his cor.


    Seeing Zhou Yi''s defensive and vignt expression, Nangong Muyan felt a surge of inexplicable anger rise within her. Taking a deep breath, she tried to remain calm as she walked to the table, sat down, and poured herself a cup of water. She drank half of it slowly before regaining herposure.


    "Why aren''t you saying anything? If you''re not going to talk, I''m leaving." Zhou Yi felt very anxious, rising from his seat, nning to escape and leave the room to Nangong Muyan.


    However, he had barely reached the door when he was pulled back by his cor.


    Nangong Muyan pushed him back into his seat. Looking at his expression as if avoiding a venomous snake, she chuckled softly, gripped Zhou Yi''s chin, and leaned forward slightly. Their eyes met, the distance between them merely inches apart ¨C close enough that she could kiss him just by lowering her head.


    Some unpleasant memories surfaced, and Zhou Yi''s face turned pale at her actions. He wanted to push her away but remembered she was pregnant. His hands stopped midway and dropped awkwardly. He could only turn away his gaze, sitting stiffly, looking somewhat pitiful.


    Nangong Muyan pressed further, lowering herself even more until their breaths mingled, then slowly said, "I missed you, so I came to see you."


    As she finished speaking, Nangong Muyan saw Zhou Yi''s expression as if he had swallowed a fly, and she burst outughing, her mood inexplicably improving.


    Seeing Zhou Yi getting all puffed up with anger, Nangong Muyan knew when to stop. She returned to her seat and said casually, "Just go about your business, don''t mind me. I''ll just sit here for a while, and when it''s time, guards wille to escort me back to the mansion."


    Zhou Yi looked at her half-believingly, then heard Nangong Muyan add, "But you have to treat me to a meal."


    "You''re staying that long?"


    Zhou Yi was shocked, thinking she meant to stay just for a moment, but now she was nning to stay for a meal.


    Nangong Muyan covered her mouth and smiled, nodding. She then watched as Zhou Yi''s expression changed several times before finally epting his fate and returning his attention to what he was doing before.


    The room fell quiet, with only the clicking of the abacus and the soft sound of turning pages.


    At first, Zhou Yi kept ncing at Nangong Muyan, but seeing that she was just idly looking around without causing trouble, he gradually rxed and focused entirely on his work, eventually forgetting there was another person in the room.


    Nangong Muyan sipped her water slowly, and after surveying the room out of boredom, her gaze settled on Zhou Yi''s face.


    Zhou Yi was seriously checking the ounts, one hand flipping through the ledger, the other working the abacus, his expression focused and undistracted. Surprisingly, Nangong Muyan found him quite pleasing to look at.


    It was early April, early spring, and the weather was getting warmer with gentle breezes.


    Since bing pregnant, Nangong Muyan had been fortunate to avoid morning sickness, though she did be more prone to drowsiness than before.


    In the quiet room, feeling peaceful, Nangong Muyan watched him until drowsiness overcame her. The sound of the abacus became muffled, like hearing shoreline songs from underwater, separated by a subtle, ethereal barrier.


    After finishing the ounts of the suburban tenants, Zhou Yi nned to take a water break. Looking up, he saw Nangong Muyan sleeping sweetly at the table, using her arm as a pillow.


    Zhou Yi walked quietly to Nangong Muyan''s side and, after some hesitation, bent down and called out, "Hey, don''t sleep here, you''ll catch a cold."


    No response.


    Zhou Yi called several more times, but the sleeping person didn''t move. He then pushed her arm gently: "Nangong Muyan, don''t sleep here..."


    Still no response.


    "Sleeping like a pig..."


    Zhou Yiined softly, his face showing conflicted emotions, not noticing the sleeping person''s eyshes flutter slightly.


    Finally, unable to leave her there in good conscience, Zhou Yi bent down and carefully lifted her in his arms.


    Zhou Yi was steadily carrying her toward the adjacent room when he saw a waiter standing outside the door holding several ledgers.


    "Young Master, Uncle Li asked me to bring these ount books, hehe..."


    The waiter looked at Nangong Muyan in Zhou Yi''s arms with a teasing smile.


    Everyone in the Capital City now knew that their Jun Yue Restaurant''s young master was the son-inw of Prime Minister Nangong, arranged by imperial edict no less. It was quite prestigious, and recently, all of the Zhou family''s businesses had improved significantly.


    "Put them inside," Zhou Yi said casually as he walked into the nearest room.


    He asionally slept here when he didn''t feel like going home, so there was a bedroom next to the ounting room.


    Zhou Yi gently ced her on the bed, thoughtfully removed her shoes, covered her with a nket, and then inexplicably stood by the bedside for a moment.


    Nangong Muyan was undeniably beautiful; he had known that since their first meeting. However, this person was too wicked ¨C after learning what she had done to Jiang Ning, even her stunning beauty appeared repulsive in Zhou Yi''s eyes.


    Not to mention what she had done to him afterward...


    If possible, Zhou Yi wouldn''t want anything to do with this person, but fate was cruel. Now she was sleeping peacefully in his bed, carrying his child, and in everyone''s eyes, she was his wife-to-be.


    Sigh...


    Zhou Yi sighed inwardly, leaned down to tuck in the corner of the nket, walked to the window to close it, and returned to the next room.


    As the footsteps faded away, the peacefully sleeping person opened her eyes, showingplete rity. She looked around, recognizing this as Zhou Yi''s room, and a smile appeared in her eyes.


    This person was quite interesting, all awkward and somewhat cute!


    Nangong Muyan snuggled into the nket, closed her eyes, and fell asleep again until more than an hourter when the door opened and Zhou Yi came to the bedside, shaking her shoulder saying, "Stop sleeping, get up for dinner, wake up..."


    To maintain her "sleeping like a pig" persona, Nangong Muyan deliberately waited a while before pretending to wake up groggily.


    "Zhou Yi?" The newly awakened person rubbed her eyes, sat up on the bed, looked at the nket covering her, then nced around the room curiously asking, "Where am I? How did I end up sleeping here?"


    Zhou Yi replied irritably, "My room. You fell asleep at the table and wouldn''t wake up no matter how much I called you, so I brought you in here."


    "Oh, I see," Nangong Muyan acted as if suddenly understanding, looking at Zhou Yi with a bright smile, her eyes full of mischievous cunning: "Thank you for carrying me in."


    She emphasized the word "carrying," exposing Zhou Yi''s little secret, making his face freeze.


    Nangong Muyanughed, got up from the bed, her well-arranged hair slightly disheveled from sleep. She raised her hand to remove her hairpin and quickly put herself back in order.


    Zhou Yi stood aside waiting, and seeing that she had fixed her hair, was about to take her to dinner when Nangong Muyan suddenly moved closer and quickly kissed his cheek.


    The warm lips touched briefly and left, like flower petals falling from a branch into flowing stream water.


    "What are you doing!"


    Zhou Yi exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his eyes wide and round, retreating three or four steps toward the door. He even raised his sleeve to vigorously wipe the spot where she had kissed him, trying to erase that strange sensation.


    "Just thanking you, wanted to give you a kiss."


    Nangong Muyan observed his tant disgust without any annoyance. Instead, she tilted her head and smiled innocently.


    "Is this how you show gratitude? This isn''t thanks - it''s betrayal! I shouldn''t have helped you at all. Should have just let you catch a cold sleeping on that table!" Zhou Yi was so angry he could barely form coherent sentences.


    "Is it really that serious? It was just a kiss..." Nangong Muyan couldn''t understand his reaction. They had already shared a bed, so what was the big deal about a kiss?


    "Do you think you can just kiss me whenever you want?"


    Zhou Yi was furious, wiping his face vigorously again.


    Seeing that Zhou Yi was about to rub his face raw, Nangong Muyan quickly grabbed his hand and softened her voice to coax him: "I''m sorry, then. How about I give you a warning next time?"


    "There won''t be a next time!" Zhou Yi yanked his hand away and said through gritted teeth, "You''re not allowed to kiss me ever again!"


    "Alright, alright! I was wrong, and I won''t kiss you anymore. Please don''t be angry..." Nangong Muyan tried to soothe him, deciding it was better to calm him down first. It wouldn''t be fun to tease him too much at once.


    Seeing Nangong Muyan''s sincere apology and good attitude, Zhou Yi''s anger subsided considerably. Just as he was about toy down more ground rules to prevent future incidents, like no hugging or touching, the person in front of him spoke in a soft voice: "Zhou Yi, I''m hungry."


    "Then... let''s go eat."


    Zhou Yi paused, swallowing those house rules, nning to emphasize them to Nangong Muyan after their meal.


    Zhou Yi led her to a private dining room where dishes were alreadyid out on the table. There was a good mix of meat and vegetable dishes, all appetizing in appearance, aroma, and taste. Just the smell made Nangong Muyan hungry.


    "I wasn''t sure what you''d like to eat..."


    Before Zhou Yi could finish speaking, Nangong Muyan had already sat down, picking up her chopsticks while responding, "I''m not picky about food. I''m easy to feed."


    Since bing pregnant, besides being sleepy all the time, Nangong Muyan had developed another condition - she would get terribly hungry. It had something to do with blood sugar levels; whenever she felt hungry, she would experience uncontroble heart palpitations that would only subside after eating something immediately.


    That''s why by the time Zhou Yi sat down with his bowl, he turned to see that Nangong Muyan had already eaten half of hers.


    After finishing half a bowl of rice, that feeling of impending starvation subsided, and Nangong Muyan let out a breath, finally able to eat more gracefully.


    "By the way, where are Uncle and Aunt? I haven''t seen them," Nangong Muyan asked casually.


    "They''re at the shops. We need to change some shop managers, check ounts, and handle staff transitions," Zhou Yi replied offhandedly.


    "Your family owns shops?"


    "Not many, just thirty or forty."


    "Thirty or forty shops in the Capital City isn''t many? What do you sell?"


    "A bit of everything - grain, wine, silk and fabric, cosmetics, jewelry, pawnshops, and some properties we just rent out for ie."


    "You''re a rich heir!"


    Nangong Muyan was surprised. She had thought Zhou Yi''s family just ran restaurants, but they were actually major merchants. No wonder Zhou Yi had told her they had many houses and she could choose whichever she liked to live in.


    "What heir?" Zhou Yi hadn''t heard the term "rich heir" before.


    "It means your family is really wealthy," Nangong Muyan exined.


    "Oh."


    They fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of chopsticks and bowls clinking.


    After finishing their meal, Zhou Yi called a waiter to clear the table, then returned to the ounting room with Nangong Muyan naturally following behind.


    Well-fed and rested, Nangong Muyan was in high spirits. She sat in her chair, staring intently at Zhou Yi with obvious interest, continuing their earlier conversation: "It''s quite rare that your parents only had one child, given how much business your family has."


    "My mother almost died giving birth to me. My father couldn''t bear to see her suffer again, so they only had me," Zhou Yi exined, then nced at Nangong Muyan''s belly before adding, "What''s so strange about that? I''ll only have one child too."


    Nangong Muyan understood his meaning and quickly responded, "You can take concubines, have as many children as you want. I won''t interfere."


    "I''ve told you, our Zhou family doesn''t take concubines."


    "Rules can be broken. If you like, you can take as many-"


    "Shut up! I don''t like it. Having you as my only wife is enough."


    Zhou Yi didn''t want to discuss such nonsense and red at Nangong Muyan, cutting off her words.


    Nangong Muyan obediently fell silent, smiling with curved eyes.


    ''Having you as my only wife'' - it sounded almost like sweet talk.


    Zhou Yi looked at her smiling face in confusion,pletely unaware of what she found so amusing.


    The afternoon passed peacefully until Jin Hui and Li Jiu came to pick up Nangong Muyan around dusk.


    The two guards stood outside, first calling out "Miss" to Nangong Muyan, then respectfully addressing Zhou Yi as "Young Master-inw."


    Since Jiang Ning had be Princess Hening, there was only one youngdy in the Prime Minister''s Mansion, so they no longer needed to add "Second" before Nangong Muyan''s title.


    Zhou Yi looked at these two guards with more joy than if he''d seen the God of Wealth himself.


    Finally, Nangong Muyan was leaving!


    Nangong Muyan clearly saw the delight on his face and smiled slightly. When she reached the door, she turned back and said, "I''ll take my leave for today, but I''ll be back tomorrow."


    The joy on Zhou Yi''s face vanished in an instant.

 Chapter 179

    As soon as Nangong Muyan returned to the Prime Minister''s Mansion, Aunt Ying called her to the main courtyard. Luo Siyi was waiting eagerly for her, and immediately asked when she entered, "Yan''er, how did it go?"


    There were pastries on the table. Nangong Muyan grabbed a chestnut cake and nibbled on it slowly while answering, "What can be aplished in just one day? Hearts don''t change that quickly. It''s more interesting to take things slowly."


    Hearing this, Luo Siyi expressed clear disapproval: "How can we afford to be slow? You''re getting married in two months, and I don''t want to see my son-inw unwillingly bowing to me."


    "Mother, don''t worry. I''m not even worried..."


    As mother and daughter chatted back and forth, when dinner time came and the maids had set the table, Nangong Ya walked in, looking overjoyed as he addressed Luo Siyi: "Siyi, I''ve received Chen Feng''s reply. He''ll be back in a few days."


    "That''s wonderful!" eximed Luo Siyi, who hadn''t seen her son in three years. She turned to Nangong Muyan, "Yan''er, did you hear that? Your brother ising back for your wedding ceremony."


    Nangong Muyan pretended to be happy: "Yes, yes, I heard! Brother ising back, that''s wonderful!"


    Ah, how troublesome, why does he have toe back? She had already failed at ying the role of the good daughter, and now she had to act as the good sister too?


    Nangong Muyan thought gloomily.


    Due to the news of Nangong Chenfeng''s return, both Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi were beaming with joy. Nangong Muyan smiled through dinner, and when she nned to return to her own quarters, the couple stopped her to give some advice.


    "Yan''er, don''t forget to visit Zhou Yi tomorrow. These things require persistence - let him see your sincerity," Luo Siyi advised earnestly.


    "But remember to maintain proper boundaries. A youngdy must still preserve her dignity," Nangong Ya added.


    "Don''t put on airs like a granddy waiting to be served. asionally, you can pour him tea or serve him food, show him your virtuous, gentle, and understanding side..."


    "And remember, you can''t let your desires get the better of you. You''re carrying a child now, and the first three months are crucial. Some things absolutely cannot be done!"


    Nangong Ya''s blunt words stunned both Luo Siyi and Nangong Muyan.


    "Why are you saying such things? Yan''er isn''t foolish!" Luo Siyi elbowed Nangong Ya,ining.


    "I just think she''s capable of such things..." Nangong Ya defended himself.


    Seeing the conversation getting more and more outrageous, Nangong Muyan quickly interrupted: "Oh my, Father, Mother, I''m exhausted. I need to go to bed."


    Before they could say anything more, Nangong Muyan left for her quarters with Xiaoru.


    The sky was dark, and Xiaoru walked slightly ahead of Nangong Muyan, holding antern to light the way.


    When they reached the main door, just as Xiaoru was about to open it and light themps, Nangong Muyan stopped her: "You go rest first. Just have them bring hot water in half an hour."


    Xiaoru responded with a "Yes," handed thentern to Nangong Muyan, and turned towards a small side room.


    Nangong Muyan nced at the scattered leaves on the steps, pushed open the door, and wasn''t surprised to see Jiang Ning sitting inside.


    "Your signal was terrible," Nangong Muyan criticized while lighting themp.


    "It doesn''t matter, as long as you understood it," Jiang Ning replied indifferently.


    "What brings you here?" After lighting themp, Nangong Muyan sat down at the table and looked at Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning got straight to the point: "What did you do to Zhou Yi this time?"


    "What do you mean, what did I do?"


    "He went drinking with Liu Ming''an again, cursing you as a bastard. You must have done something."


    Nangong Muyan suddenlyughed. Zhou Yi was so amusing, running to Liu Ming''an forfort after being upset by her.


    "You''reughing?" Jiang Ning didn''t understand. "Didn''t you tell me before that you''d maintain a cordial rtionship with Zhou Yi as husband and wife just for appearance''s sake and to raise the child? What''s the meaning of bullying him now?"


    "I didn''t bully him," Nangong Muyan thought of Zhou Yi''s reaction to being teased andughed heartily. "I just kissed him once."


    Jiang Ning frowned, almost able to guess what had happened: "Zhou Yi is a very innocent person. If you don''t like him, don''t tease him. Wouldn''t it be better to just get along peacefully?"


    "Sister-inw, don''t be so fierce~" Nangong Muyan poured a cup of water for Jiang Ning with a yful smile.


    Since Jiang Ning had abandoned her identity as Nangong Ling, she had started calling her sister-inw like Zhou Yi did. It was quite interesting how she went from being a sister to a sister-inw.


    "I''m being very serious with you," Jiang Ning took a few sips of water, her expression somewhat stern. "Zhou Yi was already unfortunate enough to meet you. Even if you like to tease people, there should be limits."


    Nangong Muyan stared at Jiang Ning for a while, then covered her mouth and smiled: "In the past, I was always the one teaching you and lecturing you. Who would have thought that aftering to this world, our roles would reverse? How interesting!"


    "Changing the subject? Using such a basic conversational tactic on me? Don''t tell me pregnancy really does make one foolish for three years?"


    "Uh..." Nangong Muyan was momentarily speechless.


    Jiang Ning actually didn''t know how to persuade Nangong Muyan. She wasn''t good at this sort of thing. This person had always maintained a carefree, yful attitude toward life, and it would probably be difficult to change her mindset with just a few words.


    "Don''t hurt Zhou Yi. He''s innocent in all this. He''s never wronged you."


    In the end, that was all Jiang Ning could advise.


    Nangong Muyan nodded repeatedly, but once Jiang Ning had left, she sighed and slumped onto the table.


    Why was everyone trying to teach her how to behave? Luo Siyi and Nangong Ya were one thing, but now even Jiang Ning was lecturing her. Life really was...


    Ah~ Zhou Yi was still the most fun.


    Because of the contrast with these three people, Nangong Muyan increasingly appreciated Zhou Yi''s charm, so early the next morning, right after breakfast, she eagerly rushed to the Jun Yue Restaurant.


    Zhou Yi had also just finished breakfast not long ago. Seeing her arrive, he was somewhat surprised: "You''re here so early?"


    "I just missed you so much."


    Nangong Muyan stared at him with a grin, sessfully making Zhou Yi''s expression turn somewhat unpleasant.


    "Can you stop saying such strange things? Can''t you act normal?"


    Seeing Zhou Yi''s annoyance, Nangong Muyan quickly changed the subject: "Are your parents not here today either?"


    "They went to the estate."


    "Your family has an estate?"


    "Yes, several in the suburbs," Zhou Yi saw that she seemed interested and borated: "These estates are connected to the shops - wine brewing, textile weaving, growing melons, fruits and vegetables, raising chickens, ducks, fish, pigs, cattle, and sheep."


    "Wow~ That''s amazing!" Nangong Muyan genuinely eximed. No wonder Zhou Yi was always busy with his abacus.


    Hearing her praise, Zhou Yi looked at Nangong Muyan''s sparkling eyes and felt inexplicably pleased: "If you''d like, you can go stay there for a few days. I''ll let them know to take good care of you."


    And then you won''t keep bothering me, Zhou Yi added in his heart.


    How could such a small scheme escape Nangong Muyan''s notice?


    Grabbing Zhou Yi''s sleeve, Nangong Muyan''s eyes crinkled with a deep smile: "Then I want you toe with me."


    "I''m very busy. Go by yourself," Zhou Yi said, pulling his sleeve back.


    "Are you really that busy?" Nangong Muyan didn''t believe it.


    "Yes, I can''t spare even a moment."


    "Oh, can''t spare even a moment?" Nangong Muyan raised an eyebrow and mercilessly exposed his lie: "Then how did you have time to go fishing before?"


    The previouslyposed person suddenly turned cold upon hearing these words, his voice bing stiff: "Don''t go."


    After saying this, Zhou Yi remained silent no matter what Nangong Muyan said, focusing solely on his ounting.


    Ah, how troublesome, Nangong Muyan thought worriedly as she looked at Zhou Yi''s stern face. She had traumatized him so much that even the word "fishing" triggered him. She really was terribly sinful!


    The early spring sunlight nted through the window. Nangong Muyan rested her chin in her hand, staring intently at Zhou Yi, while he kept his head down, flipping through ount books and clicking away at his abacus.


    After watching for a while, drowsiness overcame her, and just like yesterday, she fell asleep with her head resting on her arms.


    Constantly being stared at so intensely, Zhou Yi naturally sensed it, but he didn''t want to deal with this person anymore. He simply buried himself in his ount books and abacus, hoping that out of sight would mean out of mind.


    Until a certain moment, Zhou Yi sensed something and looked up, only to find that person sleeping sweetly on the table again.


    After a brief hesitation, Zhou Yi still got up and walked to the table. With yesterday''s experience in mind, he had given up on trying to wake Nangong Muyan and directly carried her to the next room.


    As he gently ced her on the bed, before Zhou Yi could withdraw his hands, he felt a sudden force on his clothes. Caught off guard, his upper body sank downward,nding squarely on Nangong Muyan, his lips brushing past her cheek before ending up near her ear.


    Light, gleeful giggles echoed in his ear, and pressed against her soft body, Zhou Yi could feel Nangong Muyan''s frame trembling withughter.


    Zhou Yi scrambled to push himself up and retreated five steps from the bed. The supposedly sleeping person had already opened her eyes and was looking at him with a tilted head, grinning like a cat that had caught its prey. "Zhou Yi, you just kissed me, you know."


    "Nangong Muyan! You, you, you..."


    Zhou Yi was furious but wanted to scold her. Yet remembering she was carrying his child, he couldn''t bring himself to curse, and could only angrily wipe his mouth with his hand.


    "Hmm, I''m a scoundrel."


    Nangong Muyan casuallypleted his sentence, touching the spot on her face where he had brushed against, smiling brightly at Zhou Yi. "You can scold me to my face, I don''t mind. Just don''t go drinking with Liu Ming''an anymore. Too much alcohol is bad for your health."


    Zhou Yi was stunned. How did she know he went to see Liu Ming''an? And thatst sentence - was it concern?


    Nangong Muyan hugged the nket and yawned, her eyes misting over, her voice bing muffled, "I''m going to sleep now. Don''t forget to wake me up for meals."


    The questions stuck in his throat, and Zhou Yi watched as she closed her eyes, feeling that his emotions were easily stirred by her. Nangong Muyan was always cheerful and smiling, effortlessly able to infuriate him.


    After standing there for a while, Zhou Yi helplessly turned to leave. After taking two steps, he noticed the window was wide open, so he went back to close it, leaving just a small gap.


    He swore to himself that he definitely wouldn''t carry her again tomorrow.


    Zhou Yi returned to the next room, making calctions on his abacus while silently vowing to himself.


    The next day, when Nangong Muyan entered the ounting room, she saw a bed ced in the middle of the room and nearly doubled over withughter.


    "Haha... Zhou Yi, how did you... haha..."


    Nangong Muyanughed so hard her stomach hurt, holding onto the door as she crouched down, unable to evenplete a sentence.


    How could there be someone like Zhou Yi in this world? He was just too adorably amusing!


    Zhou Yi watched her silently with a dark face, also wondering how there could be someone like Nangong Muyan in this world, who could go crazy at any moment.


    In the ounting room, besides Zhou Yi''s desk for calctions, there had originally been another table, meant for when his parents came to check the ounts together. Nangong Muyan had been sleeping on that table the past couple of days.


    Now that table had been removed and reced with a bed, making the entire room appear much more cramped. Especially since the bed was an ornate chaise lounge with purple-pink gauze curtains and jade-carved flowers, covered with a light blue vine-patterned quilt -pletely out of ce in this room.


    Nangong Muyanughed until tears came out. Zhou Yi held back again and again until he couldn''t anymore. He got up, walked to the door, pulled her up from the ground, dragged her to the bed, and said coldly, "You''ll sleep here."


    Nangong Muyan quickly nodded, not daring to disappoint his thoughtfulness.


    "Behave yourself, and don''t pull any more tricks."


    Nangong Muyan nodded again, took off her shoes, lifted the covers, andy down, appearing to be the perfect picture of obedience.


    Seeing her being sensible, Zhou Yi''s expression softened, and his tone became gentler: "Sleep now, I''ll wake you up when it''s time to eat."


    Nangong Muyany on the bed, looking up at him with eyes full of sparkling mirth: "Alright, alright~"


    Zhou Yi lowered the raised gauze curtains around the bed and returned to his desk to continue his work.


    For some reason today, even with the bed, Nangong Muyan couldn''t fall asleep. She felt an inexplicable excitement in her heart that made her somewhat ted. Shey on her side, secretly lifting a corner of the gauze curtain, watching Zhou Yi motionlessly for half the day,pletely without drowsiness.


    When it was about time, Zhou Yi came to wake her for lunch. She pretended to be in deep sleep as he called her, and after eating, she went back to happily watching him.


    The day passed peacefully this way. After Li Jiu and Jin Hui came to pick up Nangong Muyan, Zhou Yi looked at the bed and felt quite pleased with his own cleverness.


    Although when he was arranging for this bed, he had endured strange, meaningful looks from all the waiters at Jun Yue Restaurant and Manager Li that made his scalp tingle, but thinking about how smoothly the day had gone, Zhou Yi felt it was worth it!


    After sending Nangong Muyan away, Zhou Yi contentedly ate his dinner and had just returned to the ounting room when he saw his parents standing by the door, staring at the bed with unpredictable expressions that made one nervous.


    "Father, Mother, you''re back... let me exin..."


    Zhou Yi greeted them awkwardly. The scene was indeed easy to misunderstand. Just as he was about to exin, Zhou Zhili heavily pped his back, ring angrily: "You unfilial son! Are you that impatient? With so many rooms avable, you can''t be bothered to walk a few extra steps? You had to fool around in the ounting room?"


    Hong Yuanping also kicked his leg: "She''s still carrying a child, and you''re so consumed by lust that you''ve be less than human? You good-for-nothing!"


    Zhou Yi suddenly felt so wronged he could cry.

 Chapter 180

    Nangong Muyan returned to the Prime Minister''s Mansion with Li Jiu and Jin Hui, heading to the main courtyard as usual to have dinner with Luo Siyi.


    However, just as she stepped into the courtyard today, a figure darted over with lightning speed, joyfully calling out "Yan''er," followed by heartyughter as he pulled Nangong Muyan into a tight embrace.


    This must be Nangong Chenfeng, she thought to herself as she nestled obediently in his arms.


    "Hey, Chenfeng, Yan''er,e inside to talk. Don''t just stand out here," called Luo Siyi as she walked out, watching the embracing siblings with a gentle smile.


    Nangong Muyan wiggled free from Nangong Chenfeng''s embrace and said with a smile, "Brother, let''s go inside."


    "Alright!"


    Nangong Chenfengughed heartily, grabbing Nangong Muyan''s wrist as he walked inside. Passing by Luo Siyi, he wrapped his other arm around her, leading them both forward.


    Inside, Nangong Ya was pouring wine when he saw his son walking in with one hand holding his sister and the other arm around their mother. His eyes suddenly grew warm ¨C their family of four was finally reunited after three years.


    "Chenfeng,e sit next to Father. Today, we father and son shall drink together!" Nangong Ya set down the wine cup with a sharp p.


    "Hahaha... Father, you can''t outdrink me!"


    Nangong Chenfeng swept aside his robes and sat next to Nangong Ya. Before anyone could speak, he picked up his wine cup and drained it in one go. "Father, Mother, your son has been away from home for three years, unable to fulfill his filial duties. This cup is to beg your forgiveness!"


    "Silly child, why say such things?"


    Tears welled up in Luo Siyi''s eyes as she listened. Looking at her son who had spent three years toughening up at the border, seeing how his once fair face had be weathered and resolute, feelings of heartache, contentment, and pride burst forth from her heart all at once.


    Nangong Muyan ate quietly without speaking, knowing she had no part to y in this scene ¨C she just needed to focus on eating.


    "How long will you stay this time?" Nangong Ya asked.


    "I''ll leave about ten to fifteen days after Yan''er''s wedding."


    Nangong Ya nodded, "So about three months then."


    "You were at Xiyu Pass just a few days ago. By rights, you shouldn''t have arrived until the day after tomorrow. How did you get here two days early?"


    "The day after tomorrow is Yan''er''s eighteenth birthday. I wanted to get back early, so I traveled day and night, riding hard without rest."


    Hearing this, Nangong Muyan looked up from her bowl and nced at Nangong Chenfeng, noting the dark circles under his eyes and the bloodshot look that confirmed his words.


    A chicken leg appeared in Nangong Chenfeng''s bowl. He turned to look as Nangong Muyan said with a grin, "Brother, you must be tired from your journey. Get some good sleep after dinner."


    Nangong Chenfeng was visibly moved. He reached out to pinch her cheek, his voice full of emotion: "Ah, Yan''er has grown into a youngdy, bing more and more thoughtful."


    "More than just a youngdy ¨C she''s about to be a mother," Luo Siyi gave Nangong Muyan a reproachful look, sighing as she thought of all the outrageous things she had done.


    "Hahaha... Then I''m going to be an uncle, how wonderful!"


    Nangong Chenfeng had already learned about this from Nangong Ya''s letters. He had no particr thoughts about it, just pure joy.


    "It''s a shame I won''t be able to see my nephew''s birth," Nangong Chenfeng said regretfully.


    "You''ll have plenty of chances to see him," Nangong Muyan replied with a smile, then smoothly redirected the conversation to her brother: "Brother, you''re not getting any younger. When are you going to find me a sister-inw?"


    Nangong Chenfeng''s expression changed as three pairs of eyes turned to him simultaneously.


    "Yan''er is right. Chenfeng, you''re not young anymore. You should think about finding a suitable girl," Luo Siyi advised earnestly.


    Nangong Ya quickly chimed in, "When I was your age, I had already been married to your mother for three years..."


    Nangong Muyan watched this marriage-pushing drama with great amusement. After finishing her bowl of rice, she announced "I''m going to bed" and left with a smile, leaving Nangong Chenfeng to deal with the situation himself.


    After washing up and lying in bed, Nangong Muyan thought about her uing birthday.


    She had heard from Luo Siyi long ago that her birthday would be celebrated within the mansion, with few outsiders attending. Besides the people from the Prime Minister''s Mansion, only a few rtives from the Luo Family woulde.


    Nangong Muyan smiled silently at the bed canopy above her. There was one more person she wanted to invite personally, and she nned to shamelessly ask for a birthday gift too.


    "Zhou Yi," in the ounting room of Jun Yue Restaurant, Nangong Muyan leaned over the desk, her eyes filled with unconscious anticipation, "Tomorrow is my birthday. Will youe to the mansion?"


    "No," Zhou Yi answered without looking up, "ording to Great Liang''s etiquette, a man shouldn''t enter a woman''s home three months before marriage to protect her reputation."


    "What reputation is there left between us?" Nangong Muyan asked in genuine surprise.


    Zhou Yi''s hand paused on the abacus, then continued as if nothing had happened: "Some customs should still be observed, otherwise it would damage the reputation of your Prime Minister''s Mansion."


    A brief silence fell over the room as Nangong Muyan quickly considered whether to use force or gentle persuasion. After a moment, she chose thetter.


    "Zhou Yi, pleasee..."


    A hand touched Zhou Yi''s face as a soft, gentle voice sounded in his ear. Zhou Yi looked up in rm to find Nangong Muyan''s slightly pleading eyes.


    Those watery eyes stared at him unblinkingly, as if nothing else in the world mattered but him.


    "Zhou Yi, pleasee, it''s fine, my parents won''t mind, our whole family would be so happy..."


    The hand on his face caressed him as if touching a priceless treasure, her soft warm fingertips brushing against his cheek. Combined with those speaking eyes and the slightly doleful tone in his ear, Zhou Yi felt bewitched in that moment and inexplicably nodded, saying "Alright."


    Almost the instant he spoke, those moist eyes exploded with overwhelming joy, and if one looked carefully, there was a hint of triumphant satisfaction in them.


    This man really responds better to gentleness than force.


    Wait, no ¨C force works too! It just tends to get me called a "bastard" and isn''t as effective as being gentle.


    As these random thoughts ran through Nangong Muyan''s mind, her lips curved up high: "You promised yourself."


    Although he had a distinct feeling of being tricked, the words were already spoken, so there was no use overthinking it. Zhou Yi simply nodded in agreement: "Don''t worry, I''lle."


    "Will you bring me a birthday gift?" Nangong Muyan pressed her advantage.


    "Yes, yes," Zhou Yi nodded along, and seeing her beaming face, pointed to the bed behind her: "Go rest now, I''ll call you when it''s time to eat."


    "Alright!" Nangong Muyan climbed onto the bed contentedly, unable to suppress her smile.


    Zhou Yi nced over and sighed internally.


    Because of that bed, he had nearly beenbeled a dissolute rake by both his parents yesterday. Fortunately, everything was exined clearly in the end.


    Though his father''s p had been quite heavy, and his mother''s kick had left a bruise on his leg.


    Ah...


    While working on the ounts, Zhou Yi thought to himself that he and Nangong Muyan must have conflicting zodiac signs. Yet somehow, when his mother had taken their birth dates to a master forpatibility reading, the man had dered them a match made in heaven, perfectly suited for each other.


    He must have been lying through his teeth for that bit of silver!


    The day passed quickly, and with her goal aplished, Nangong Muyan was in high spirits without any mischievous thoughts. She even decided to leave after lunch without waiting for Li Jiu and Jin Hui to escort her, wanting to give Zhou Yi time to prepare her gift.


    Although it was broad daylight in the capital, one couldn''t be too careful. Zhou Yi, worried about her safety, still arranged for two sturdy waiters to escort her home.


    Both Luo Siyi and Nangong Chenfeng were surprised to see Nangong Muyan return so early.


    "Yan''er, why are you back so early today? You haven''t quarreled with Zhou Yi, have you?"


    Luo Siyi asked worriedly, as this was now her biggest concern.


    "No, no," Nangong Muyan quickly responded, afraid they might misunderstand. Sheunched into an exaggerated exnation: "We''re deeply in love, as close as can be, how could we quarrel?"


    Luo Siyi''s expression froze as she gave Nangong Muyan a long, skeptical look, clearly not believing a word.


    Nangong Chenfeng, unaware of all these inner circumstances,ughed heartily and said, "I''m relieved to see your rtionship is so harmonious. Yan, I was just telling mother that I would go to Jun Yue Restaurant to pick you up instead of Li Jiu and Jin Hui, and take the opportunity to see my brother-inw. I didn''t expect you''d return by yourself, haha..."


    Nangong Muyan smoothly continued the conversation: "Brother, no need to rush. I''ve already invited him toe tomorrow."


    "Yan?" Luo Siyi frowned upon hearing this: "That doesn''t seem quite proper..."


    "Mother~" Nangong Muyan whined in a coquettish tone, "Then it''s also improper for me to visit him every day."


    "If no one from the Luo Familyes tomorrow and Zhou Yi visits you, I would be delighted and wouldn''t have any objections. But your grandmother and two uncles are very traditional people who strictly follow etiquette. I''m worried..."


    So it was because of the Luo Family.


    Contempt shed across Nangong Muyan''s eyes before she consoled Luo Siyi: "Mother, this is the Prime Minister''s Mansion, this is the Nangong family''s home. The Luo Family members are guests here. If they dare to criticize me to my face so tactlessly, I''ll throw them out one by one."


    "But..."


    "Mother, I think Yan makes sense," Nangong Chenfeng chimed in to help: "Among the Luo Family, only grandmother truly wants to see her granddaughter. You know very well what the others'' intentions are ining to the Prime Minister''s Mansion. Why should we care about the opinions of such insignificant people?"


    Luo Siyi thought of her two brothers, how they sent dancing girls to Nangong Ya seeking promotions, and how her elder brother even wanted to arrange his daughter''s marriage to Nangong Chenfeng. Disappointment and disgust shed across her face. If it weren''t for her mother''s favoritism toward her sons, she wouldn''t want anything to do with her two brothers.


    "You''re both right," Luo Siyi finally understood, holding Nangong Muyan''s hand with a smile, "Zhou Yi is my son-inw, and it''s natural for him toe on my daughter''s birthday. Tomorrow, if anyone dares to object, Chenfeng, you throw them out!"


    "That''s more like it!" Nangong Chenfeng pped andughed.


    Nangong Muyan had never had any particr yearning for "birthdays" because previously, no one remembered or cared, even she would forget.


    This was the first proper birthday celebration she would have in her two lifetimes.


    The mansion had been undergoing thorough cleaning since yesterday. Maids and servants were busy trimming plum blossoms, pulling weeds, sweeping fallen leaves, and wiping furniture... Kitchen staff had risen early to prepare ingredients, wash and cut vegetables, prepare dishes, make soup, and knead dough...


    Nangong Muyan found Old Zhong, who was directing the workers, and earnestly instructed: "Butler Zhong, when Zhou Yi arrives, remember to send someone to notify me immediately."


    "Yes!"


    "Even if hees with the Luo Family members, you must attend to him first, understand?" Nangong Muyan added.


    "Rest assured, young miss. I''ve noted it down and won''t slight the young master in the slightest!" Old Zhong solemnly promised.


    After Nangong Muyan walked away, Li Jiu, who had overheard their entire conversation, approached and marveled at her retreating figure: "Our young miss is truly devoted to the young master!"


    Old Zhong, who couldn''t stand idle people now, immediately assigned him a task: "Less idle talk, go polish the que above the main gate."


    "Oh." As Li Jiu left with his assigned task, Old Zhong called a servant to keep watch outside the main gate.


    Zhou Yi arrived at the Prime Minister''s Mansion around mid-morning. As soon as he approached, a servant came forward from afar to respectfully greet him as "young master."


    Zhou Yi nodded, and the servant quickly ran back through the main gate. Soon after, the mansion''s butler came out to wee him, his face wrinkled with smiles: "Young master, you''ve arrived. Pleasee in, pleasee in."


    Zhou Yi felt somewhat overwhelmed by the reception. Just then, two spacious carriages stopped at the entrance, their walls decorated with red rosewood strips forming the character "Luo," making the upants'' identity immediately apparent.


    "Butler Zhong, please attend to the others. Don''t worry about me."


    Zhou Yi knew that the Luo Family was Nangong Muyan''s maternal grandfather''s family, and they were officials who should rightfully be received by Old Zhong, the butler.


    As a mere merchant himself, he wasn''t particr about such formalities; any servant could show him the way.


    However, Old Zhong beckoned to several servants by the door while staying close behind Zhou Yi, taking the opportunity to convey Nangong Muyan''s intentions: "Young master, the young miss specifically instructed that among all guests, you are the most honored."


    Zhou Yi was startled by these words.


    Old Zhong continued cheerfully: "I''ve already sent someone to inform the young miss. She shoulde to wee you personally."


    Catching a glimpse of a figure rushing over from the corner of his eye, Old Zhong stroked his beard with a smile and bowed to Zhou Yi: "The beauty approaches. I shall take my leave now."


    "Zhou Yi!"


    A clear, crisp voice called from behind.


    Zhou Yi turned around to see Nangong Muyan running toward him, holding up her skirts, her face adorned with a bright smile like the morning sun rising on this mild spring day.


    "Slow down!"


    Zhou Yi watched her anxiously, walking quickly toward her, and only breathed a sigh of relief when Nangong Muyan stood properly before him.


    "Why are you running so fast?" Zhou Yi''s tone was somewhat reproachful - how could a pregnant woman be so careless?


    Nangong Muyan replied without hesitation: "Because I wanted to see you quickly."

 Chapter 181

    Without any warning, Nangong Muyan pulled Zhou Yi into her room. After closing the door, she cheerfully pushed him to sit by the table.


    "At least let me go greet your parents," Zhou Yi said helplessly. It was terribly improper to enter a youngdy''s chamber without even seeing the hosts first.


    "It''s fine, it''s fine!" Nangong Muyan said with an excited smile, asking eagerly, "Where''s my gift?"


    Looking at her sparkling eyes, Zhou Yi couldn''t help but wonder why a youngdy from a noble family, who must have seen all sorts of rare treasures, would be so excited about his gift.


    Despite his confusion, Zhou Yi reached into his robes and took out a delicately carved wooden box. "I didn''t have much time, so I could only choose something small. If you don''t like it¡ª"


    Before he could finish saying that she could throw it away and he''d get her something elseter, Nangong Muyan snatched the box. "I like it, I like it! I like anything you give me!"


    Seeing her jubnt expression, Zhou Yi was infected by her enthusiasm, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.


    Inside the box, nestled in soft ck velvet, was a translucent white jade bracelet.


    In her previous life, Nangong Muyan had studied jade appraisal for a mission where she had to pose as an expert, so she immediately recognized this as premium mutton-fat jade.


    The bracelet had a soft, lustrous sheen. When sunlight fell upon it, it reflected tiny sparkles of light, as if covered by ayer of dreamy gauze, creating an ethereal effect.


    "I thought the quality was decent enough to suit you, so I got it for you," Zhou Yi exined as he watched her open the box.


    Nangong Muyan didn''t care about the value of Zhou Yi''s gifts at all; to her, a jade bracelet was no different from a wooden one.


    She took out the bracelet, ced it in Zhou Yi''s hand, and extended her own arm with a bright smile. "Then help me put it on."


    "Put it on yourself," Zhou Yi refused without hesitation.


    Helping her put on a bracelet would involve too much physical contact¡ªthey weren''t that close.


    "Zhou Yi..."


    Nangong Muyan was well-versed in dealing with Zhou Yi by now. She immediately softened her voice and looked at him earnestly. "Please help me put it on?"


    Zhou Yi stared at her for a moment. Nangong Muyan met his gaze without hesitation, keeping her hand extended, clearly not nning to give up until she got her way.


    "Sigh..."


    After a while, Zhou Yi gave in with a sigh. He took her delicate white hand in one of his and used the other to slip the bracelet onto her wrist, indulging her whim.


    "Are you satisfied now? Can we go out? Your maternal grandfather''s family is here, and it''s not proper for you to hide in your room..."


    Zhou Yi tried to reason with the willful youngdy, but she ignored his words, raising her wrist to examine the bracelet from different angles.


    "There are patterns on it!"


    Nangong Muyan was surprised. The bracelet appeared smooth at first nce, but upon closer inspection, it revealed hidden intricacies. Both sides were carved withplex, delicate flowers¡ªsuch craftsmanship must have required extraordinary skill.


    Nangong Muyan leaned in closer and carefully examined the patterns, discovering they were blooming epiphyllum flowers. The petals and stamens were lifelike, and carved in mutton-fat jade, they matched the natural color of the flower, making them appear almost alive.


    Zhou Yi made an affirming sound, and seeing her enthusiasm, he borated: "This flower is quite rare in Great Liang, but it''smon in the Eastern Ling Kingdom. It blooms once every three years, only at midnight, with an intense, soul-prating fragrance, but wilts within moments, making it particrly precious..."


    Nangong Muyan nodded along¡ªshe knew all this already.


    Zhou Yi paused, ncing at her as she fondly caressed the bracelet, a smile spreading across his lips. "Because it only blooms at night, in the Eastern Ling Kingdom, it''s called ''Muyan,'' with ''Mu'' meaning dusk, the same ''Yan'' as in Nangong Muyan."


    Nangong Muyan''s eyes trembled violently, her heart suddenly pounding like a drum.


    Damn it!


    Zhou Yi was flirting with her!


    She took a deep breath and pressed her fingers to her carotid artery, counting silently: one, two, three... eleven, twelve.


    In five seconds, her heart had beaten twelve times!


    In other words, her heart rate had shot up to one hundred and forty-four because of Zhou Yi''s single sentence!


    Numbers don''t lie. Nangong Muyan closed her eyes briefly, with only one thought in her mind: she had fallen into her own trap...


    Actually, there had been signs earlier, like that day when she unusually stayed awake, happily watching Zhou Yi like a stalker for an entire day.


    She had thought she was still in control, just ying around with him, until this moment when her thundering heartbeat finally forced her to admit¡ªshe had fallen for him!


    Zhou Yi stared nkly as Nangong Muyan suddenly pressed her fingers to her neck, then closed her eyes with a rueful expression. Thinking something was wrong, he quickly moved closer and asked, "What''s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"


    Hearing his concerned voice, Nangong Muyan opened her eyes and stared intently at Zhou Yi.


    Zhou Yi felt unnerved by her stare and stammered "What''s wrong?" Nangong Muyan suddenly broke into a gentle smile.


    "It''s not so bad..." Nangong Muyan murmured to herself, making up her mind at this moment, her smile showing a hint of eptance.


    Zhou Yi waspletely confused by her words and was about to ask what she meant when Nangong Muyan moved closer, looking at him seriously with a solemn tone: "Zhou Yi, I''ve changed my mind."


    "What?"


    "If you dare take a concubine, I''ll kill you!"


    "Huh?"


    Zhou Yi waspletely caught off guard¡ªhow did they suddenly get to this topic?


    "I''ll make you wish you were dead. First, I''ll cut out your tongue, then gouge out your eyes, slice off your ears and nose, cut off your manhood, then skin you alive, cover you in honey, break your limbs, and throw you into the dense forest..."


    Zhou Yi listened to these horrifying threats with a nk expression, thinking to himself: she''s gone crazy again!


    "No concubines, understand? You can only marry me in this lifetime..." Nangong Muyan reached out to touch Zhou Yi''s face, her eyes showing a hint of obsessive determination.


    Zhou Yi grabbed her hand, too angry to remain seated. He stood up from his chair and words burst out of him like rapid-fire: "Nangong Muyan, what''s wrong with you? When did I ever say I wanted concubines? You''re the only one who keeps bringing it up, and now you''re warning me? I''ve always said I''d only marry you, only you, can''t you understand that? You''re beingpletely unreasonable!"


    Nangong Muyan looked at his angry face, listened to his gritted teeth, and felt the dark, twisted thoughts in her heart ebb away like the tide.


    "Zhou Yi..."


    Nangong Muyan stood up as well, her smile blooming again like flowers. Ignoring his dark expression, she stepped forward and threw herself into his arms, holding him tight.


    "What are you doing? Let go! We can talk without hugging! Who said you could hug me!"


    After being inexplicably threatened and then suddenly embraced by Nangong Muyan, Zhou Yi''s anger only grew. He tried to push away the person in his arms, but she clung to him like glue. No matter how he pulled at her hands or pushed at her shoulders, she wouldn''t budge an inch.


    After struggling for a while and realizing he couldn''t win in terms of strength, Zhou Yi changed tactics and tried to reason with her: "Nangong Muyan, we can talk this through properly. Stop with all this hugging, it''s not proper. Will you please let go?"


    Nangong Muyan giggled in his arms, looked up at him with autumn-pool eyes full of affection, and said, "Sure, if you kiss me once."


    "No way!" Zhou Yi tly refused.


    Nangong Muyan wasn''t bothered by this rejection at all, maintaining her smile as she negotiated with Zhou Yi: "Just one kiss, and I''ll let you go."


    Zhou Yi remained unmoved.


    They remained in this standoff, staring at each other, until there came a "knock knock knock" at the door, followed by Nangong Chenfeng''s hesitant voice: "Sister, brother-inw... are you... done? Father and Mother asked me to call you, it''s almost time for dinner, please hurry..."


    Some words were too embarrassing for a man like Nangong Chenfeng to say. He stopped awkwardly, feeling that his message should have been clear enough - this lovey-dovey couple should know their boundaries.


    Inside the room, Zhou Yi had been tense since hearing the knock on the door. When he heard the question "Are you done?", his entire body turned as red as a cooked shrimp, from his ears down to his neck.


    He red fiercely at Nangong Muyan and growled in a low voice, "Won''t you let go?"


    Nangong Muyan replied equally quietly, "No, not unless you kiss me first."


    Why was this person so unreasonable? Zhou Yi felt like he was being driven mad by her.


    "Yan''er, ahem, hurry up, I''m waiting for you outside."


    Nangong Chenfeng''s urging was undoubtedly torturous for Zhou Yi. Being the more bashful one, he eventually surrendered in this standoff.


    Nangong Muyan watched him intently as he bit his lip with a resigned expression and lowered his head to kiss her cheek. A triumphant gleam shed in her eyes.


    Zhou Yi had only intended to brush his lips against her cheek, but the person in his arms tilted her head, meeting his lips with hers.


    The soft, warm sensation made Zhou Yi''s eyes widen in shock, and he instinctively tried to pull back.


    Just as he retreated slightly, two slender arms wrapped around his neck, holding him firmly in ce. Those warm, moist lips pressed heavily against his, and something slipped into his mouth, sweeping past his teeth, entwining with his tongue, trying to drag him into an abyss of passion.


    Zhou Yi stood there dumbfounded, his mind in chaos, surrendering his defenses in the blink of an eye.


    Nangong Muyan kissed him with intense focus. He could see her slightly curved eyebrows and eyes so close to him, feel her passionate, lingering kiss on his lips, and her soft body clinging to his, yet he had no idea how to respond.


    Nangong Muyan herself didn''t know if this was how lovers were supposed to kiss. She only knew that when their tongues met, her heart burned with desire.


    When the surging waves in her chest had somewhat subsided, Nangong Muyan remembered Nangong Chenfeng waiting outside. Suppressing her desire to continue, she moved her crimson lips to Zhou Yi''s ear, kissed his cheek, and whispered in an intimate tone, "Zhou Yi, I love the gift you gave me, and I love you too."


    Zhou Yi''s nk stare wavered, and something seemed to burst throughyers of walls in his heart, rushing forth.


    Nangong Chenfeng was leaning against the railing, contemting whether to call out again when the door opened from inside. His sister emerged, pulling along a blushing man, and said with curved eyes and a bright smile, "Brother, this is Zhou Yi, the man I''m going to marry."


    Upon seeing Nangong Chenfeng, Zhou Yi suddenly came to his senses and respectfully bowed, calling out "Big Brother."


    Nangong Chenfeng''s eyes swept over the pair, lingering on their lips for a moment, guessing most of what had happened inside. He reached out to steady Zhou Yi, saying casually, "We''re family now, no need for such formality."


    Zhou Yi lowered his eyes guiltily. Facing this sharp-eyed brother-inw, he felt like he''d been caught in anpromising position.


    "Let''s go to the living room."


    Seeing Zhou Yi''s difort, Nangong Chenfeng spoke lightly and took the lead.


    Nangong Muyan quickly pulled Zhou Yi along, "Brother, wait for us."


    When the three arrived at the living room, therge round table was already full of people. Nangong Muyan scanned the room and saw that besides Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi, eight people from the Luo family were present.


    Ten pairs of eyes simultaneously fell on the three neers, particrly on Nangong Muyan and Zhou Yi behind Nangong Chenfeng.


    In the main seat sat a kindly elderly woman with silver hair - Luo Siyi''s mother, Madam Zhao, a third-rank nobledy of the court.


    Seeing the three enter, Madam Zhao spoke first, with a hint of reproach in her voice, "Yan''er, where did you run off to? It''s your birthday, yet you left everyone here waiting. That''s not proper behavior."


    Nangong Muyan seated Zhou Yi next to Nangong Chenfeng, then went to sit between Madam Zhao and Luo Siyi, responding coquettishly, "Grandmother, what''s so important about my birthday? Today is just an excuse to invite you over. You''re the real guest of honor!"


    "Hahaha... you clever girl, always so quick with words!" Madam Zhaoughed heartily.


    The atmosphere at the table was harmonious. Luo Siyi had already briefed everyone before their arrival, and the other members of the Luo family were quite tactful, focusing on ttering Nangong Ya while politely ignoring Zhou Yi. The birthday celebration proceeded pleasantly.


    After the feast, when the Luo family members were saying their goodbyes, Zhou Yi also prepared to leave.


    "Zhou Yi, why not stay for dinner? You could even spend a night or two here."


    Nangong Muyan grabbed his sleeve, looking reluctant to part.


    "No, I have matters to attend to," Zhou Yi pulled his sleeve free.


    "Then I''ll go back to Jun Yue Restaurant with you."


    "It''s your birthday today, you should spend more time with your family."


    Zhou Yi pressed her back into her chair, quickly bowed to the other three members of the Nangong family, and hurriedly fled through the door, his departure resembling an escape.


    "Zhou Yi, let me at least see you out!"


    Nangong Muyan still cheerfully chased after him.


    Inside the room, Nangong Ya, Luo Siyi, and Nangong Chenfeng exchanged nces, all feeling rather bemused by the situation.

 Chapter 182

    Nangong Muyan chased Zhou Yi all the way to the entrance of the Prime Minister''s Mansion.


    "Zhou Yi, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"


    Nangong Muyan grabbed Zhou Yi''s sleeve, asking a question she already knew the answer to.


    Zhou Yi avoided eye contact, not daring to look directly at Nangong Muyan, and repeated his usual excuse: "I have urgent matters to attend to, I must go."


    His awkward, contradictory behavior made Nangong Muyan secretly amused. Why was Zhou Yi so endearing?


    Nangong Muyan tried to keep her voice steady as she gently said, "Alright, take care."


    She knew she couldn''t be too pushy now; Zhou Yi needed time to process things.


    Zhou Yi had expected more back-and-forth, but was surprised by Nangong Muyan''s unexpected normalcy. Feeling relieved, he pulled his sleeve free and ran out of the mansion without looking back.


    Nangong Muyan watched until he disappeared around a street corner before returning to the sitting room, her heart full of joy.


    Three pairs of eyes followed her as she entered. Nangong Chenfeng, always eager for entertainment, teased: "It seems your talk of mutual affection and inseparable love was false. My brother-inw clearly can''t wait to get away from you, tsk tsk!"


    Nangong Ya let out a cold snort: "Not a shred of a youngdy''s dignity! Where have all your etiquette lessons gone?"


    Luo Siyi followed with worried questions: "Yan''er, we asked you to spend time with Zhou Yi to develop feelings, but why does he seem even more resistant to you now than before?"


    Nangong Muyan raised an eyebrow, then lifted her hand to show off the white jade bracelet on her wrist. She waved it at the three of them with a radiant smile: "Father, Mother, Brother, isn''t my bracelet beautiful?"


    The three were momentarily stunned.


    Before they could respond, Nangong Muyan beamed with joy: "It''s a birthday gift from Zhou Yi~"


    Nangong Ya, Luo Siyi, and Nangong Chenfeng: "..."


    Who had asked her about that?


    "It even has carved flowers on it. Zhou Yi said they''re Twilight flowers from the Eastern Ling Kingdom - the ''mu'' from twilight and the ''yan'' from my name. Isn''t that thoughtful?"


    The room fell silent.


    Nangong Muyan wasn''t deterred by their cold response. She just wanted someone with ears to share her overwhelming joy with; she didn''t necessarily need a response.


    "Zhou Yi might not love me that much yet, but..." Nangong Muyan paused, then continued with absolute certainty: "It''s only a matter of time!"


    After this monologue, Nangong Muyan stroked the bracelet and turned to leave: "Well, I''m done talking to you all. I''m tired and going to bed."


    As Nangong Muyan left with light steps, Nangong Chenfeng looked at his parents''plex expressions and burst outughing.


    After three years apart, his sister had be even more interesting. Yesterday when Jin Yao and Jin Hui told him she had turned the Prime Minister''s Mansion upside down, he hadn''t believed it. Now it seemed mostly true.


    Hisugh drew his parents'' attention, and Nangong Chenfeng quickly made his escape: "Father, Mother, I have an appointment to drink with Minister Pei from the Ministry of War. I must go."


    "Ah..."


    After a while, the couple exchanged nces and sighed helplessly.


    "A mere bracelet makes her act like such a fool. We have plenty in our treasury, but she never takes those," Nangong Ya said, getting a headache remembering how his daughter had treasured the bracelet.


    "You don''t understand! It''s not about how nice the bracelet is, it''s about who gave it to her!" Luo Siyi, being a woman herself, naturally understood her daughter''s feelings.


    "Yan''er haspletely fallen for Zhou Yi. Even if he picked some roadside grass and wove it into a ring, she''d probably wear it happily."


    These words made Nangong Ya''s heart ache. Had his precious daughter be so humble for a man?


    "Why is she so fond of that Zhou boy? Especially when he doesn''t even like her back. She keeps trying to warm up to his cold shoulder. If word gets out, it''ll be embarrassing for me as Prime Minister."


    "Who knows? Well, let it be. She''s happy with it, and children must find their own path..."


    Nangong Muyan was unaware that her "disy of affection" had caused Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi to sigh repeatedly. She went straight to her room, threw herself on the bed, and rolled around in her nkets, but couldn''t find sleep.


    It felt like a rabbit was bouncing in her heart, making it impossible for her to stay still.


    Shey on her back, raised her hand, and stared at the bracelet on her wrist in the dim light filtering through the bed curtains. The smile never left her face.


    "Zhou Yi..."


    Though they''d been apart for less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she already missed him.


    Meanwhile, Zhou Yi, the object of her thoughts, hurried back to his residence on Xichun Road after leaving the Prime Minister''s Mansion.


    Although his family owned several properties throughout the capital, Zhou Zhili and Hong Yuanping mostly lived on Xichun Road. It was the old family house left by his grandfather, conveniently located near both Jun Yue Restaurant and their shops.


    As for their other properties in the city''s four districts and eight streets, they had bought them at low prices when the original owners were desperate to sell, seeing the good locations. They would then sell them at higher prices when buyers came along, making a profit. If they couldn''t sell, it didn''t matter - the houses weren''t going anywhere.


    When Zhou Yi returned home, Hong Yuanping and Zhou Zhili had finished lunch and were chatting casually while digesting their food in garden loungers. After days of running around, the couple was enjoying their rare leisure time, and seeing their son made them even happier.


    "Didn''t you go to wish your future daughter-inw happy birthday?" Hong Yuanping teased.


    They knew that yesterday Zhou Yi had rushed to four or five jewelry shops, saying he needed to choose a gift.


    Zhou Yi gave his mother a sideways nce, muttered "I''m back after giving my wishes," and walked straight to his courtyard without stopping.


    "Hey, what kind of attitude is that!"


    Hong Yuanping was about to stand up, pping the armrest of her chair, but Zhou Zhili quickly stopped her.


    "Now, now, don''t be angry. Looking at his state, he was probably bullied by our future daughter-inw. You know she''s rather... well, lively. Maybe she got too excited and started getting physical with our son, this and that..."


    Hearing this, Hong Yuanping realized he had a point. Their merchant family''s connection to the Prime Minister''s Mansion wasrgely thanks to Nangong Muyan''s "liveliness."


    "Our son seems unhappy. Should we ask him about it? We can''t just let him be bullied, can we?"


    Hong Yuanping''s anger turned to worry as she looked toward Zhou Yi''s courtyard, uncertain what to do, and could only ask her husband.


    Zhou Zhili patted her hand, appearingpletely at ease: "Don''t worry. We shouldn''t interfere in young people''s affairs. Let him make his own decisions."


    Zhou Yi returned to his room, sent away the maids who were cleaning, closed the door, sat at the table, and gulped down a cup of water. Finally, he let out a long sigh.


    Walking to his bed, Zhou Yi fell onto it without even removing his shoes. The thick, soft brocade nket supported him, allowing his nerves to rx somewhat, and he could finally process the events of the past half day.


    "Zhou Yi, I love your gift, and I love you too..."


    "And I love you too..."


    "I love you..."


    "Love..."


    Nangong Muyan''s whisper in his ear echoed in his mind like a spell. Zhou Yi pounded his head, trying to shake out these words, but it was futile.


    In fact, as time passed, he could even recall the shiver that ran through his skin when Nangong Muyan''s warm breath touched his ear as she spoke those words.


    And before those words, that kiss...


    Zhou Yi absently touched his lips, which seemed to still retain that warm, moist sensation - Nangong Muyan''s essence.


    He vaguely remembered that day at Jinse Lake, when in the cold water, he saw Nangong Muyan break free from his grip. Thinking she was drowning, he had pressed his lips to hers to give her air.


    Though both instances involved lip contact, why did these two experiences feel worlds apart?


    Was it because the water in Jinse Lake had been too cold?


    Butter, when Nangong Muyan had taken him to the inn and aroused his desires with her lips and tongue, forcing him to be intimate with her, he had only felt grief and anger then.


    What exactly was different this time?


    Zhou Yi couldn''t understand.


    The only thing he was certain about was that Nangong Muyan had genuinely fallen for him!


    His earlier n of peacefully raising their child together would be impossible now.


    "What should I do..."


    Zhou Yi stared at the bed canopy above him, his mind a tangled mess of thoughts like a ball of intertwined threads he couldn''t cut through or untangle.


    Just thinking about Nangong Muyaning to see him tomorrow, likely wanting to embrace and kiss him again, made his heart race with anxiety.


    After much deliberation, Zhou Yi finally made up his mind. He suddenly sprang from his bed and rushed out in a flurry.


    That''s it, he needed to hide somewhere!


    So the next day, when Nangong Muyan pushed open the door to the ounting office, she found Zhou Zhili sitting behind the desk working with an abacus.


    "Uncle, where is Zhou Yi?" Nangong Muyan asked with a sweet smile.


    "Hahaha... he had some business to attend to and isn''t here. Shall I arrange for someone to escort you home?"


    "Where did he go? I''ll go find him."


    "He went to Mulberry Leaf Town outside the capital. We have an estate there, more than a hundred li away from the city."


    "Why did he go there?"


    "That foolish boy! He said he was getting headaches, backaches, and eye strain from all the ounting work, so he went there to rx and enjoy the scenery for a while."


    "When will he return?"


    "Probably in ten to fifteen days."


    Zhou Zhili''s tone became somewhat reproachful - that rascal had run off without a word, leaving all the work to him.


    "I see," Nangong Muyan replied with a faint smile, politely bidding farewell to Zhou Zhili. "Uncle, please don''t let me disturb your work. I''ll head home now."


    "Ah, alright. Let me have two waiters escort you."


    Zhou Zhili thought this daughter-inw was beautiful and well-mannered, of noble birth yet without any aristocratic airs. He couldn''t understand why Zhou Yi didn''t like her. But what he didn''t see was that the moment Nangong Muyan stepped out of the ounting office, her smile vanished, reced by a terrifying coldness in her eyes.


    How dare you, Zhou Yi!


    Nangong Muyan couldn''t suppress the dark, obsessive thoughts flooding her mind - thoughts of binding him up, breaking his legs, ensuring he could never escape from her again...


    "Young Madam, the master asked us to escort you home."


    A man''s voice sounded behind her. Nangong Muyan took a deep breath, pushing down her tumultuous thoughts. She turned to see two waiters from Jun Yue Restaurant.


    "Thank you for your trouble."


    "You''re too kind, Young Madam. Shall we go?"


    Upon returning to the Prime Minister''s Mansion, Nangong Muyan went straight to the side courtyard where the guards resided.


    "Li Jiu, you''lle with me to Mulberry Leaf Town."


    Nangong Muyan didn''t know the way, and being pregnant, she couldn''t go looking for Zhou Yi alone. She needed a guard to apany her, both for convenience and to put Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi''s minds at ease.


    Among the guards, Li Jiu, who knew medicine, was the best choice.


    Li Jiu responded with a "Yes" and went to find Old Zhong to prepare a carriage. Meanwhile, Sheng Jing felt something wasn''t right and went to inform Luo Siyi.


    Just as the carriage stopped at the main gate and Nangong Muyan was about to board, Luo Siyi came running with Aunt Ying, out of breath: "Yan''er, Yan''er, what are you going to do in Mulberry Leaf Town? How could you leave without saying a word? Do you want to worry your parents to death?"


    Li Jiu, sitting on the carriage, jolted at these words - heavens, so Madam didn''t even know about this!


    "Mother, I''m sorry."


    Nangong Muyan felt somewhat guilty, having been so focused on finding Zhou Yi that she''d forgotten about this.


    "What are you going to do in Mulberry Leaf Town?" Luo Siyi demanded.


    "Um... to find Zhou Yi." Nangong Muyan hesitated before deciding to tell the truth.


    "Zhou Yi ran away?"


    "Yes."


    "Is he trying to escape the marriage?"


    "He wouldn''t dare!"


    Luo Siyi understood then - most likely Nangong Muyan had been too enthusiastic, constantly pursuing him, making Zhou Yi ufortable enough to flee to another ce to avoid her for a while.


    "Yan''er, maybe we shouldn''t go. It''s beneath your dignity."


    Luo Siyi hesitated as she advised. Though she usually indulged Nangong Muyan, even she found this a bit too much.


    "Mother, I must go!" Nangong Muyan remained adamant.Aliali: 673eb950c4f3f33ac4ee7f08


    The thought of not seeing Zhou Yi for ten to fifteen days was ridiculous. Touching the bracelet on her wrist, Nangong Muyan thought to herself that Zhou Yi would definitely be hers!


    "You''re carrying a child, and the journey will be bumpy. I''m worried about you."


    "That''s why I asked Li Jiu to apany me."


    Nangong Muyan nced at Li Jiu, giving him a meaningful look. Li Jiu understood immediately and chimed in: "Madam, please don''t worry. I will take good care of the Young Miss and ensure she reaches the Young Master safely."


    Luo Siyi sighed, walked to the carriage door, and lifted the curtain to look inside. She turned to instruct Aunt Ying: "Go fetch two thick quilts toy down. These seats are too hard and ufortable."


    Aunt Yingplied, and Luo Siyi held onto Nangong Muyan to give further instructions: "Yan''er, don''t rush. I''ll have the kitchen pack some food for you to eat on the way."


    Indeed, there was no need to hurry now. Nangong Muyan nodded, and after everything was properly arranged, half an hourter, the carriage finally set off under Luo Siyi''s concerned gaze.


    The carriage moved slowly, at this pace they would probably reach Mulberry Leaf Town by sunset. Nangong Muyany among the quilts, touching the bracelet on her hand as drowsiness overcame her.


    Zhou Yi, you can''t escape.


    This was Nangong Muyan''sst thought before she drifted off to sleep.

 Chapter 183

    Nangong Muyan woke up feeling hungry.


    The carriage was still swaying as it made its way forward. She lifted the curtain to look outside, and the scenery was no longer the familiar streets of the Capital City.


    "What time is it?" Nangong Muyan asked Li Jiu while eating some pastries.


    "Ah, young miss, you''re awake."


    Li Jiu nced back at her, and seeing her eating, slowly pulled the carriage to the side of the road to prevent her from choking.


    "We''ll reach Mulberry Leaf Town in about an hour and a half. It''s a small town, and you''ll be able to see the young master soon."


    Li Jiu knew what Nangong Muyan really cared about, and after answering, he took out some tbread from his bundle on the carriage shaft and began eating.


    Nangong Muyan''s eyes curved with a smile ying on her lips. After methodically finishing a piece of chestnut cake, she dusted off her hands to remove the crumbs.


    "He just left me behind like that. Li Jiu, do you think I should give him a beating when I see him?"


    Nangong Muyan was still feeling quite vexed as she chatted with Li Jiu.


    Li Jiu paused mid-bite and turned to look at his mistress with her pleasant expression, suddenly remembering that she was the one who had killed Chang Jian with a hairpin during the pce coup.


    "M-miss, perhaps the young master had important matters to attend to..." Li Jiu felt some sympathy for Zhou Yi and tried to speak up for him.


    Nangong Muyan let out a light snort, finishing another piece of chestnut cake before continuing, "And here I was thinking of taking things slowly, wearing him down gradually, but this man chooses to learn things the hard way."


    Li Jiu caught a hint of her meaning but dared not speak. As a guard, it was better to y deaf and dumb about matters between his masters.


    But Nangong Muyan suddenly turned to him, looking him up and down before asking, "Do you have a girl you like?"


    "Yes, I do."


    "What do you like about her?"


    Li Jiu hesitated for a moment, then replied somewhat embarrassedly, "It''s not just her, but them."


    Nangong Muyan was momentarily taken aback, having almost forgotten that this was ancient times where multiple wives and concubines weremon.


    "Then what kind of girls do you think men generally like?"


    Li Jiu understood the intent behind her question and, thinking of his impression of Zhou Yi, tentatively said, "I think someone with a simple mind would probably like a girl who treats him well."


    Nangong Muyan fell silent for a moment, reflecting on whether she had treated Zhou Yi well.


    She should have been quite good to him, right?


    Zhou Yi had called her a bastard so many times, and she hadn''t taken offense - anyone else would have been stabbed to death eight hundred times over by now.


    Li Jiu quickly finished his tbread and offered Nangong Muyan some advice: "Miss, a beauty''s tears can break a man''s heart."


    Nangong Muyan raised an eyebrow - was he suggesting she cry in front of Zhou Yi?


    She had acted pitiful and coquettish in front of Zhou Yi before, but she had never cried. Perhaps it was worth trying.


    "If it works, I''ll have Butler Zhong give you three months'' worth of wages as a reward."


    "Thank you, miss!"


    Li Jiu was overjoyed, never having dreamed that being a guard could earn him matchmaker''s money.


    Because of this promised reward, for the rest of the journey, Li Jiu gave Nangong Muyan detailed instructions on "the art of managing men." He exined in minute detail how his various sweethearts usually handled him, including his own analysis and insights, along with numerous positive and negative examples, making it sound like an academic report.


    Nangong Muyan listened with particr attention, and if she had had paper and brush, she would have taken notes.


    The carriage arrived at Mulberry Leaf Town near dusk.


    The town got its name from therge number of mulberry trees nted there. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the air was cold and humid, making it a perfect summer retreat, though it was rather cold now in early spring.


    The Zhou Family estate was located in a mountain basin, mainly employing people to grow mulberry trees and raise silkworms. After the silkworms made their cocoons, the silk was woven into products to be sold in city shops. They also had a small winery that made mulberry wine.


    This estate provided jobs for many people in Mulberry Leaf Town and thus had quite a reputation. When Li Jiu asked around, someone immediately gave him directions. After another half hour of travel, they finally found Zhou Yi.


    Zhou Yi was standing beside a leafy mulberry tree picking and eating mulberries when Qu Xiaowu came running over, calling out, "Young master, someone from the city is here to see you."


    The estate was managed by Qu Xiaowu''s family, with Zhou Yi being their young master.


    Zhou Yi was surprised by this news - people from the city surely meant visitors from the Capital City, but who woulde looking for him?


    Before he could fully process a sudden thought that crossed his mind, a clear, crisp voice called out from nearby.


    "Zhou Yi!"


    His heart leaped at that voice. Zhou Yi looked up to see Nangong Muyan running toward him, holding up her skirts, but she stopped a few steps away, staring at him intently with a hint of sadness on her face.


    Zhou Yi swallowed the mulberry in his mouth, standing motionless, unsure of what to do.


    "Zhou Yi..." the person before him called out again in a intive tone, wearing an injured expression. Then she lowered her eyes, and in the next moment, tears as big as beans began falling like broken strings of pearls.


    She''s crying?


    She''s really crying!


    Zhou Yi was greatly startled and rushed to Nangong Muyan''s side in a few quick steps,pletely flustered: "Hey, don''t cry, we can talk about this, don''t cry, don''t cry..."


    Li Jiu, who had just parked the carriage, appeared behind Nangong Muyan and looked at Zhou Yi while shaking his head and sighing: "Young master, the miss has been crying all the way here and hasn''t eaten anything. And in her condition, expecting a child... ah, such a shame!"


    Zhou Yi''s heart clenched at these words, and he awkwardly raised his sleeve to wipe away Nangong Muyan''s tears, but the tears flowed like a spring, and he couldn''t dry them.


    "Please stop crying."


    "Nangong Muyan, please stop crying!"


    "I''m begging you, alright?"


    Zhou Yi was beside himself with anxiety, but Nangong Muyan showed no sign of stopping. Her eyes and nose were red from crying, yet she made no sobbing sounds, just biting her lip and silently shedding tears, looking as if she had suffered the greatest injustice in the world.


    Qu Xiaowu, standing to the side, watched the scene in astonishment, thinking that his young master must be a heartless scoundrel who had wronged thisdy so badly that she had to chase him all the way here.


    Li Jiu, seeing that his mistress was performing excellently, knew he was no longer needed. He grabbed Qu Xiaowu and half-dragged him away, saying, "Brother,e on, please show me to my quarters."


    After the two left, Nangong Muyan continued crying for a while, but Zhou Yi only circled around her, speaking softly and trying tofort her while wiping her tears. She was so frustrated she could have ground her back teeth to dust.


    This fool, why wouldn''t he just take her in his arms andfort her properly!


    There was no help for it - if she cried any more, her eyes would be swollen tomorrow. Nangong Muyan lifted her head, called out "Zhou Yi" in a hoarse voice, and threw herself into his arms.


    Zhou Yi froze, looking down at the person sobbing in his arms. After a moment''s hesitation, he stiffly raised his arms, one hand around her waist, the other on the back of her head,pletely enveloping her in his embrace.


    "Don''t cry anymore. It''s my fault."


    Nangong Muyan heard his sighing words and slightly curved her lips in a smile.


    "Zhou Yi..." Nangong Muyan raised her head from his embrace, looking at him with tear-filled eyes. Her red lips parted as if to say something, but then her brows furrowed and she fainted.


    "Nangong Muyan! Hey! Hey! What''s wrong? Wake up! Wake up..."


    Zhou Yi was panic-stricken, his eyes filled with uncontroble rm. He swept her up in his arms and strode quickly toward the house. Seeing a silkworm worker on the way, he shouted without regard for propriety: "Go fetch a doctor! Quickly, get a doctor!"


    The silkworm worker trembled at his shout, and the Nangong Muyan in his arms had her eyshes flutter slightly.


    Had she taken it too far?


    Li Jiu had said that to make a man fall in love with her, she needed to make him feel sorry for her first, but she felt that Zhou Yi seemed more frightened than anything else.


    Zhou Yi kicked open the door and ced her on the bed. Just as he was about to go out and hurry the doctor along, the person on the bed slowly came to, grabbing his sleeve and weakly calling out "Zhou Yi."


    "You''re awake!"


    Zhou Yi was overjoyed, his anxious heart settling considerably. Seeing Nangong Muyan trying to sit up, he quickly pressed his hand on her shoulder, his voice uncharacteristically gentle: "Don''t move yet, just lie down. I''ll go find a doctor to examine you."


    "I''m fine." Nangong Muyan struggled to get up - what doctor did she need? She wanted to get up and snuggle into his arms; she hadn''t had enough of his embrace earlier.


    "Listen to me!" Zhou Yi firmly held her down.


    Nangong Muyan had no choice but toply.


    Soon after, Li Jiu knocked on the door outside: "Young master, I heard the youngdy fainted. Let me check on her."


    Zhou Yi instantly rushed to the door and pulled him in: "Quick, see what''s wrong with her."


    Li Jiu responded "Yes, young master, don''t worry," while ncing at Nangong Muyan and cing his fingers on her wrist.


    After a moment, Li Jiu withdrew his hand and said with an affected manner: "The youngdy is suffering from emotional stagnation and liver qi stagnation. Upon seeing the young master earlier, her emotions became turbulent, causing her blood to rush up, which led to her fainting."


    Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi became instantly anxious - didn''t this mean that Nangong Muyan''s illness was entirely his fault?


    "Then what should we do? Does she need any medicine?"


    Li Jiu now only regretted not having a beard to stroke mysteriously, which would have made him appear more profound.


    "Young master, the youngdy''s ailment is of the heart. Matters of the heart need heart remedies. As long as the youngdy''s mood improves and her qi flows smoothly, this illness will heal without medicine."


    After saying this, Li Jiu cupped his hands in farewell and left, leaving the space for Nangong Muyan to work her magic.


    Nangong Muyan sat up in bed, seeing Zhou Yi standing beside it with his head lowered and a face full of guilt, she internally eximed: This has gone too far!


    "Zhou Yi, I''m fine, don''t worry..."


    Nangong Muyan lifted the nket and got out of bed, hurriedly speaking as she walked to Zhou Yi''s side.


    While she had indeed wanted Zhou Yi to feel concerned for her, she found she couldn''t bear to see him in such a depressed state. She preferred the silly, easily flustered Zhou Yi.


    Zhou Yi raised his eyes to look at her steadily, and after a moment, he sighed and, to Nangong Muyan''s surprise, pulled her into his embrace.


    This was the first time Zhou Yi had hugged her on his own initiative!


    Her heart skipped a beat. Nestled in Zhou Yi''s embrace, Nangong Muyan didn''t know where to put her hands and feet. The warmth of another person''s body transmitted through their clothes, and her heart was pounding at this moment.


    "It''s my fault."


    Zhou Yi''s muffled voice came from above her head: "From now on, if you want to hug me, just do it. If you want to kiss me, just do it. Whatever you want - I won''t dodge anymore. Just... don''t be unhappy."


    "Bang!"


    Nangong Muyan clearly heard the sound of fireworks exploding in her heart.


    She slowly raised her hand to her neck: one, two, three, four... eleven, twelve, thirteen.


    Very good, this time her heart rate reached one hundred and fifty-six.


    This person truly knew how to captivate her.


    Just as Zhou Yi finished speaking, he noticed the person in his arms covering her neck again. After a while, Nangong Muyan looked up at him, her tear-stained eyes still rimmed with red.


    A pair of arms wrapped around his neck, and Zhou Yi understood her intention. He cooperatively lowered his head, and the next moment, a gentle kissnded on the corner of his lips.


    "Zhou Yi, you really make it impossible for me to resist..."


    Zhou Yi only heard Nangong Muyan murmur this like a dream, and then a passionate kiss pressed against his lips, just like yesterday.


    The moment Nangong Muyan kissed him, she decided to give up using any schemes or tactics on Zhou Yi.


    It didn''t matter if Zhou Yi didn''t love her, it didn''t matter at all. As long as this person stayed by her side forever, that would be enough.


    True to his word, Zhou Yi didn''t resist at all, obediently holding her as she kissed him to her heart''s content.


    Only after a long while, when Nangong Muyan finally pulled away, did he quietly ask, "Are you done kissing? If you''re done, let''s go eat."


    Looking at Zhou Yi, whose ears had turnedpletely red, Nangong Muyan buried her face in his shoulder, unable to contain her amusement.


    "Zhou Yi, you''re such a wooden block."


    Yet he was a wooden block who knew how to charm people.


    Zhou Yi didn''t understand, only thinking about how Li Jiu had said she''d been crying all the way and hadn''t eaten, worried she might be hungry.


    "Let''s go eat, don''t let yourself go hungry."


    Zhou Yi repeated, and fearing she might misunderstand, added: "We can kiss after eating too." His ears turned even redder after saying this.


    "Alright, alright, let''s eat."


    Nangong Muyan didn''t know whether tough or cry - how had she fallen for this person, who was such an adorable fool?


    Zhou Yi led her toward the dining area, taking the opportunity to introduce her to the estate.


    "My great-grandfather was from Mulberry Leaf Town. He started from nothing on this estate and built up the Zhou Family business..."Aliali: 673eb950c4f3f33ac4ee7f08


    Nangong Muyan nodded repeatedly - so Zhou Yi wasn''t second-generation rich, he was fourth-generation rich.


    "That hillside is the mulberry field, mainly for growing mulberry trees. The leaves are used for raising silkworms, and the berries for making wine..."


    Nangong Muyan looked where Zhou Yi was pointing, realizing it was the same ce where she had fainted from crying earlier.


    "You can eat the mulberries directly too, they''re quite sweet. Have you tried them before?"


    Of course Nangong Muyan had tried them, but she deliberately said no.


    "Then I''ll take you to try themter."


    "Yes, yes!"


    Zhou Yi smiled unconsciously and pointed ahead, where there was a row of nearly identical houses: "Those are for raising silkworms. Once the cocoons are formed, they''re taken to thoserger buildings next door to be made into silk products for sale. The big building at the end is the winery. Those buildings have a hollow level underneath - that''s the wine cer. I''ll have to let you try the mulberry wine sometime..."


    Zhou Yi''s voice was steady and unhurried as he patiently exined the operation and production of the estate to Nangong Muyan. His demeanor showed a confidence and ease she rarely saw in him, oddly reminding her of those modern businessmen who discussed matters over wine with natural grace and strategic minds.


    The mountain breeze felt cool on her face, but as Nangong Muyan looked at this somewhat unfamiliar Zhou Yi, she felt her own face growing warm.

 Chapter 184

    Behind the silkworm room was a dining hall, a small two-story building.


    Zhou Yi led Nangong Muyan inside, and a chorus of greetings immediately rang out from the first floor.


    "Young Master!", "Young Master!", "Young Master!"...


    Zhou Yi wore an appropriately pleasant smile, nodding in acknowledgment to each of the managers having their meals.


    After the greetings, everyone''s inquiring gazes fell on Nangong Muyan standing beside Zhou Yi. Their expressions varied, but all contained unmistakable curiosity, though none dared to ask questions.


    They all knew that their young master was to be the son-inw of Minister Nangong.


    Yet today, a beautiful young woman hade looking for him. ording to Qu Xiaowu, she had arrived in tears, crying so hard she could barely breathe, which had greatly distressed their young master.


    Thus, a rumor began to circte: the young master had taken a mistress! Perhaps fearing discovery by Miss Nangong, he had tried to end things, but the mistress had desperately followed him here, and his heart had softened. They spected he might use this estate to keep her as his secret lover.


    Now, watching Zhou Yi brazenly bring her to dine, they discreetly observed Nangong Muyan and unanimously thought: Indeed, she was beautiful - no wonder the young master would take such a risk.


    Nangong Muyan had noticed their strange nces but couldn''t quite understand why. She decided to ignore them and followed Zhou Yi upstairs to the second floor.


    "The food here is quite simple, nothing like Jun Yue Restaurant. I''m not sure if it will suit your taste¡ª"


    Before Zhou Yi could finish, Nangong Muyan interrupted: "I''m not picky about food. I''m very easy to please."


    This was the second time he''d heard her say this. Zhou Yi chuckled softly, thinking it was indeed a virtue that the youngdy wasn''t fussy about food.


    On the second floor, members of the Qu family were dining. When Qu Xinggui, Qu Xiaowu''s father, saw Zhou Yi arrive, he immediately stood up and walked toward the kitchen, calling out: "The young master is here, please serve the meals!"


    A voice responded from inside, and shortly after, the food was brought to the table.


    Zhou Yi and Nangong Muyan sat at a separate table near the window, where they could enjoy the view while dining.


    The Qu family sat at arger round table nearby. Qu Xinggui had one wife and two concubines, four sons and two daughters. The entire family depended on Zhou''s estate for their livelihood, so they were extremely respectful toward Zhou Yi.


    From the moment Zhou Yi entered, the Qu family members ate quietly with their heads down, trying not to make any noise or even nce in their direction, showingplete respect for their master.


    After they finished their meal and went downstairs, Qu Xiaowu was waiting at the door. When they emerged, he approached and asked in a low voice, "Young Master, should I arrange a room for this youngdy?"


    "Of course!" Zhou Yi replied, puzzled that he would even need to ask.


    Someone gently tugged at his sleeve. Zhou Yi turned to see Nangong Muyan looking up at him with watery eyes, her clear ck and white pupils seeming to speak a thousand words.


    Zhou Yi paused, wondering if she meant what he thought she meant.


    "Wait a moment."


    Zhou Yi said to Qu Xiaowu, then pulled Nangong Muyan aside a few steps and asked uncertainly, "Do you... want to share a room with me?"


    Nangong Muyan nodded.


    Zhou Yi heaved a heavy internal sigh.


    In his twenty-some years of life, this was the first time someone had so recklessly tried to get close to him. Zhou Yi couldn''t quite sort out his feelings about it.


    He wanted to say something about "reputation," "propriety," and "decorum," to persuade Nangong Muyan to abandon this idea, but his instincts told him it would be useless - she simply wouldn''t listen.


    They gazed at each other silently, the struggle evident in Zhou Yi''s eyes. Finally, after a moment, he let out a breath and made his decision: "Alright then."


    He had already promised to let her hug and kiss him as she pleased; surrendering a bit more of his principles didn''t seem to matter much now.


    Nangong Muyan had been prepared to argue her case, but she hadn''t expected Zhou Yi to agree so readily, which quite surprised her.


    As time passed, the sky grew dark, and looking out the window toward the mulberry trees on the mountain, only shadowy silhouettes were visible.


    After washing up, Nangong Muyan watched Zhou Yi as he stood motionless by the window, and silently curved her lips into a smile.


    "Zhou Yi."


    A soft call came from behind. Zhou Yi turned to look and saw Nangong Muyan standing by the bed. She had removed her hairpins and ornaments, her ck hair cascading over her shoulders. She had also taken off her outer garments, wearing only her inner clothes, revealing half of her delicate corbone below her fair neck.


    In the dim candlelight, Nangong Muyan smiled at him, her eyes full of tender affection, her gaze so focused it bordered on infatuation.


    "Aren''t youing to bed? I''m getting sleepy."


    As she spoke, Nangong Muyan raised her hand to cover a yawn, the bracelet on her wrist catching the yellowish candlelight, making Zhou Yi''s eyes flicker.


    "I''ll just close the window ande."


    Zhou Yi turned away, taking a deep breath of the cool air from outside, barely managing to calm his rising emotions.


    Nangong Muyan observed his actions, and seeing that he showed no signs of escaping through the window, she happily climbed into bed.


    Sharing a bed - how exciting!


    Nangong Muyany in bed watching Zhou Yi remove his outer clothes, blow out the candle, and walk over step by step. She couldn''t suppress her smile.


    Zhou Yiy down stiffly on the very edge of the bed, so far out that he wasn''t even covered by the nket.


    Looking at him lying there straight as a board, Nangong Muyan couldn''t help butugh: "Zhou Yi, you can move closer. I''m worried you''ll fall off if you turn over."


    Zhou Yi gave a dry "Oh" and moved in about a hand''s width.


    "Come a little closer."


    "Oh."


    "Just a bit more."


    "Oh."


    ...


    With each of Nangong Muyan''smands and Zhou Yi''s corresponding movements, they finally managed to get him from the edge to actually being on the bed, though there was still an arm''s length between them.


    A warm body pressed against Zhou Yi''s side, and at the same time, the soft nket was draped over him. A soothing whisper came to his ear: "Don''t be afraid, I won''t do anything like that to you."


    Nangong Muyan still had her reservations, worried that their one intimate encounter had be a psychological trauma for Zhou Yi.


    Although Zhou Yi was now amodating her because of her pregnancy, she feared that deep down, he still rejected her closeness.


    "I''m not afraid," Zhou Yi tried to rx, but his throat was still tight as he earnestly exined, "I''m just not used to it. I''m ustomed to sleeping alone."


    "Not afraid?"


    A hand tentatively moved to his cor, slender fingers barely touching the skin beneath his inner clothes before being firmly grabbed by another hand.


    "Don''t tease me, you''re pregnant now," Zhou Yi''s somewhat annoyed voice rang out in the darkness. "Later...ter you can do as you please!"


    Nangong Muyan trembled withughter. Zhou Yi, pressed against her, could feel her body shaking, and the extraordinarily soft sensation transmitted through their two thinyers of clothing. When he realized what it was, he felt as if he''d been suddenly thrown into a furnace, his entire body burning up in an instant.


    "Nangong Muyan, stop shaking!" His gritted words carried a hint of hoarseness. Zhou Yi was, after all, a normal man, and couldn''t withstand such temptation.


    Hearing Zhou Yi''s suddenly deepened breathing, Nangong Muyan tactfully moved away a bit.


    The night was different from the day; they indeed needed to mind their boundaries.


    Zhou Yi closed his eyes, trying his best to banish distracting thoughts, and only after quite a while did he return to normal.


    He had just opened his eyes, ready to persuade the person beside him to sleep, when he heard Nangong Muyan''s voice again, full of anticipation.


    "Zhou Yi, do you want to feel our baby?"


    Zhou Yi was startled: "The baby?"


    Nangong Muyan made an affirmative sound, directly grabbed his hand, lifted her inner clothes, and pressed his hand against her belly.


    Her skin was as smooth as fine silk. Zhou Yi''s first instinct was to withdraw his hand upon touching it, but then he heard her voice beside him, tinged with amusement: "I just noticed yesterday that my belly has started to show a tiny bit."


    Zhou Yi''s withdrawing motion paused, and after a moment''s hesitation, he carefully felt her stomach.


    Soft, t, firm, like smooth jade...


    After feeling for quite a while, Zhou Yi hadn''t detected any baby, but had managed to make his breathing irregr again.


    "Were you trying to trick me?" Zhou Yi btedly realized.


    "Absolutely not!" Nangong Muyan felt wronged. "I can feel it myself, it''s a bit more rounded than before."


    Zhou Yi felt around again but still couldn''t tell the difference.


    He turned to his side and used his other hand to feel as well, but still couldn''t detect anything.


    "I remember that pregnancy usually starts showing at three to four months. By my calction, you''re not even three months along, right?" Zhou Yi recalled when Zhang Shun''s wife was pregnant.


    Nangong Muyan quickly calcted the dates in her mind and replied, "Including today, our baby should be eighty-two days old."


    "Almost three months..."


    Zhou Yi felt emotional, thinking that in half a year, this child would be born into the world. It would grow from a tiny bundle into a bigger baby, from a babbling infant into aughing and crying cherub, and would call him father in its sweet little voice...


    At this thought, Zhou Yi''s heart began to race, and a surge of emotion coursed through his body. His hand, still resting on Nangong Muyan''s belly, moved again, carefully feeling once more.


    Perhaps it was psychological, but this time he seemed to actually feel what she meant by "a bit more rounded."


    This was his child!


    "Nangong Muyan," Zhou Yi called her name with great solemnity, "thank you."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the person lying quietly beside him letting him feel her belly grabbed his hand, moved it from her abdomen to her waist, and snuggled into his embrace.


    "If you''re thanking me, don''t use my full name. It sounds so formal."


    Herining voice was soft. Zhou Yi pulled down her lifted undershirt to cover her exposed waist and abdomen, then embraced her again.


    "Then... should I call you Muyan? Or would you prefer me to call you Yan''er like your family does?"


    Zhou Yi understood what this change in address meant.


    "Call me Muyan!"


    Nangong Muyan responded joyfully, hugging Zhou Yi''s waist and nuzzling his chest affectionately. "Zhou Yi, what would you like me to call you? A''Yi, or... Brother Yi?"


    Zhou Yi''s breathing became erratic at that sweet "Brother Yi," and his ears grew hot. He heard himself stammer, "No- no need, just, just call me Zhou Yi."


    A hand pressed against his neck, and after a moment, Nangong Muyan''s amused voice sounded near his ear: "Zhou Yi, your heart is racing."


    With his heart rate at 120, it was clear that Zhou Yi wasn''tpletely indifferent to her.


    "Of course!" Zhou Yi had no reason to deny it. "With a soft, beautiful youngdy in my arms, what man except a monk or a eunuch could remain unmoved?"


    The "beautiful youngdy" giggled at his words, her delicate body trembling, causing Zhou Yi to be flustered again. He quickly held her tighter and pleaded, "Muyan, don''t move, don''t move, let''s sleep, don''t move..."


    Nangong Muyan obediently stayed still for a while, and when Zhou Yi''s breathing had steadied somewhat, she revealed her heart.


    "Zhou Yi, I have feelings for you."


    Zhou Yi''s breath caught, and his arm around her waist suddenly tightened.


    Nangong Muyan waited for a long time, and finally received a "I- I know."


    She contentedly closed her eyes and fell into deep sleep in his warm embrace, unaware that Zhou Yi''s heart continued to pound like a drum, both awake and flustered, barely managing to drift off to sleep in the middle of the night.


    Early the next morning, while Nangong Muyan was still sleeping, Zhou Yi had already awakened. After getting up quietly and tidying himself up briefly, he left the room and went to Li Jiu''s quarters.


    "Young Master?" Li Jiu looked at Zhou Yi standing at his door with sleepy eyes, somewhat confused.


    "I have a question for you."


    "Please ask, Young Master."


    Li Jiu looked at the somewhat serious Zhou Yi, anxiously wondering if the young miss''s act of ying pitiful had been exposed.


    "How long does it usually take for a woman''s pregnancy to show?" Zhou Yi had pondered this question during his sleepless night.


    "There''s actually no fixed time, it varies from person to person. Generally, it shows at three to four months, but some people might show earlier orter due to personal factors."


    After exining carefully, Li Jiu looked at Zhou Yi curiously: "Young Master, why do you ask?"


    Zhou Yi, now much more relieved, smiled and replied, "Your young miss says her belly has started showing, and I was worried there might be something wrong, so I came to ask."


    "It''s showing already?"


    Li Jiu was incredulous - wasn''t it not even three months yet?


    He then wondered if this might be another of the young miss''s lies to gain Zhou Yi''s affection?


    But what if it was true?


    This wasn''t normal. Li Jiu became anxious, remembering his promise to the madam to take good care of Nangong Muyan.


    Li Jiu stepped out of his room: "Young Master,e, let me check the young miss''s pulse."


    Zhou Yi nodded, thinking it would indeed be more reassuring to check.


    Nangong Muyan woke up to the creaking sound of the door opening. Zhou Yi walked to the bedside, and seeing her eyes open, helped her up: "Come, get dressed properly. Li Jiu is outside, let him check your pulse."


    Nangong Muyan asked while getting dressed, "You went to find Li Jiu?"


    "Yes."


    "What for?"


    "You''re showing earlier than others, I was worried, so I went to ask."


    "Oh, alright."


    Li Jiu waited outside for a while, and when Zhou Yi called him, he entered.


    Nangong Muyan was sitting at the table, having already rolled up her sleeve to expose her wrist. He called out "Young Miss" and ced his fingers on her pulse point.


    Unlike yesterday''s pretense to deceive Zhou Yi, this time Li Jiu concentrated intently, carefully feeling the pulse, his face serious.Aliali: 673eb950c4f3f33ac4ee7f08


    Zhou Yi watched him feel for a long time without withdrawing his hand, and his heart began to rise with worry, concern evident on his face.


    Li Jiu checked several times before finally confirming. He withdrew his hand, his face breaking into a smile, and cupped his hands in congrattion to the couple: "Congrattions, Young Miss and Young Master, it''s twins."


    "Twins?"


    Zhou Yi was both shocked and delighted, unconsciously looking at Nangong Muyan''s belly - there were actually two children?


    "Yes, twins. That''s why the Young Miss is showing earlier than others, but Young Master need not worry, both the Young Miss and the children are doing well."


    After speaking, Li Jiu himself breathed a sigh of relief - he had truly been worried that something might be wrong with the young miss.


    "Good, good, good."


    Zhou Yi nodded repeatedly, untied his money pouch from his waist, took out several pieces of silver and pressed them into Li Jiu''s hand: "Please go to the dining hall and bring our meals. Take this silver for some wine."


    Li Jiu was overjoyed - this couple was more generous than the other, this trip had truly been worthwhile!


    After Li Jiu left, just as Nangong Muyan stood up, Zhou Yi pulled her tightly into his embrace: "Muyan, we''re having two children..."

 Chapter 185

    Ever since learning that Nangong Muyan was carrying twins, Zhou Yi''s smile hadn''t left his face.


    His feelings now werepletely different from how they were at the beginning.


    When he first heard about Nangong Muyan''s pregnancy at the Prime Minister''s Mansion, he felt only shock and bewilderment, even feeling that fate was ying tricks on him, with none of the joy that typicallyes with impending fatherhood.


    But now, after spending time with Nangong Muyan, he had epted the fact that this woman would be his wife and was prepared to spend his life with her.


    At this point, hearing anything about the children made joy burst from his heart like a fountain, making him feel as happy as a child himself.


    After Li Jiu brought breakfast, Zhou Yi attended to her by serving porridge and peeling eggs, not even letting her handle small tasks like picking up chopsticks, insisting on handing them to her himself, making Nangong Muyan feel like she was being treated like an empress.


    "Muyan, let''s return to the Capital City," Zhou Yi expressed his thoughts after she had finished eating.


    "Hmm? Why so soon?"


    Nangong Muyan was reluctant, thinking that they had only shared a bed yesterday, and going back would mean living separately again.


    "Mulberry Leaf Town can''tpare to the Capital City. The food and amenities aren''t as good as the Prime Minister''s Mansion. I''m worried I can''t take proper care of you here."


    Zhou Yi spoke sincerely, thinking that while he could manage anything, Nangong Muyan was a delicate youngdy from a noble family, and now pregnant with their children. He worried that the simple life of Mulberry Leaf Town might be too rough for her.


    Understanding his concern, Nangong Muyan grabbed his hand earnestly and said, "It''s alright, Zhou Yi. I''m not as delicate as you think. Didn''t Li Jiu say everything was fine? You''re taking excellent care of me. I like it here, where it''s just the two of us. I want to stay here longer."


    "But..."


    Before Zhou Yi could continue, Nangong Muyan pressed her finger to his lips, stopping him mid-sentence: "Didn''t you promise yesterday to take me mulberry picking?"


    Zhou Yi yielded with resignation: "Alright then. Wait here while I take these dishes to the dining hall, then I''ll take you to the mulberry field."


    Nangong Muyan''s eyes curved with happiness as she responded with a simple "okay."


    As Zhou Yi got up to clear the table and packed the dishes into the food box, he had just stepped out when Li Jiu appeared from nowhere and snatched the box from his hands, startling him.


    "Young master, how could we let you handle such trivial matters? Let me take care of this. You just stay with the youngdy."


    Li Jiu grinned obsequiously as he carried the box toward the dining hall.


    Hearing themotion, Nangong Muyan came out and watched Li Jiu''s retreating figure,menting, "He''s quite clever!"


    Zhou Yi nodded in agreement, making a mental note to give him some wine moneyter.


    With nothing else to do, Zhou Yi turned to Nangong Muyan and said, "Shall we go pick mulberries then?"


    "Yes, yes!" Nangong Muyan responded with eager anticipation.


    They walked side by side toward the mulberry field. The mountain breeze carried moisture against their faces as Zhou Yi exined unhurriedly: "The mulberry leaves for silkworms need to be clean and fresh, without any moisture. Since there''s still dew on the leaves now, we''ll need to wait about an hour before they send people to pick them."


    Nangong Muyan looked at the empty mulberry field, thinking it was perfect that no one was around.


    Zhou Yi felt a touch on his hand that hung by his side. Looking over, he saw Nangong Muyan smiling brightly. Under his puzzled gaze, she took his hand, intertwining their fingers tightly together.


    Zhou Yi stopped in his tracks. Nangong Muyan swung their joined hands, asking innocently, "What''s wrong?"


    "Nothing."


    After a moment, Zhou Yi smiled and squeezed Nangong Muyan''s hand, leading her forward.


    Just as they entered the mulberry field, Nangong Muyan heard snuffling sounds from the nearby grass. Before she could think about it, Zhou Yi called out, "Big Yellow!"


    "Woof!"


    A response came immediately from the grass, followed by arge yellow-backed, white-faced dog that emerged wagging its tail. In an instant, it was at their feet, whining excitedly and asionally lifting its front paws off the ground, clearly overjoyed.


    Zhou Yiughed heartily and patted the dog''s head. Big Yellow''s alert ears rxed slightly as it tried to lick his hand with its ck tongue.


    "Hey, no licking," Zhou Yi pulled his hand away and happily asked the dog, "Why are you here alone?"


    "Woof!"


    "Where''s your Xiaoliu?"


    "Woof!"


    "Have you eaten yet?"


    "Woof!"


    ...


    Standing to the side, Nangong Muyan watched the man and dog with aplex expression, thinking they both looked rather silly.


    After chatting with Big Yellow for a while about various matters, Zhou Yi suddenly remembered someone was standing beside him.


    He turned to Nangong Muyan and, pointing at the ginger-colored dog, formally introduced them: "Muyan, this is Big Yellow."


    Nangong Muyan: "...Oh."


    Zhou Yi then took Nangong Muyan''s hand and ced it on the dog''s head. Big Yellow was very friendly, nuzzling its furry head into her palm and licking her hand a few times with its ck tongue.


    Nangong Muyan felt like hitting someone - she hade here pretending to pick mulberries but actually wanting to spend romantic time together, not to pet a dog!


    Zhou Yi,pletely oblivious to a young woman''s thoughts, looked at the continuously tail-wagging Big Yellow and seriously introduced: "Big Yellow, this is my bride-to-be, Nangong Muyan. From now on, treat her just like you treat me - no biting, no barking at her, understand?"


    The phrase "bride-to-be" instantly dissolved any annoyance Nangong Muyan felt, and her heart couldn''t help but fill with sweetness.


    Nangong Muyan sighed, patted the dog''s head twice, and thought with both resignation and eptance: she really had fallen hard for this man.


    "Big Yellow! Where did you run off to?"


    A somewhat childish voice called from behind the dense mulberry trees. Big Yellow barked twice and ran in that direction, returning momentster followed by a little girl about ten years old.


    "Young Master, so you''re here!"


    The girl wore her hair in two braids and carried a bamboo basket containing freshly picked, plump mulberries. Seeing Zhou Yi, she grinned, wiping sweat with her sleeve while greeting the young master.


    "Xiaoliu, I knew you''d be nearby," Zhou Yi smiled back.


    Big Yellow ran back and forth between Qu Xiaoliu and Zhou Yi, tail wagging non-stop, then circled behind Zhou Yi and Nangong Muyan, nudging their legs with its head as if trying to herd the three people together.


    Remembering her parents'' instructions to respect the Zhou family members, Qu Xiaoliu worried that the thoughtless dog might anger Zhou Yi. She quickly grabbed the scruff of Big Yellow''s neck, holding the dog beside her, andmanded sternly: "Sit!"


    Big Yellow whimpered once and obediently sat down, ck tongue lolling out as it panted.


    Seeing the dog settle down, Qu Xiaoliu approached them, looking at Zhou Yi before fixing her gaze on Nangong Muyan''s face with amazement.


    "Young Master, did you bring your mistress to pick mulberries?"


    The little girl asked innocently, not realizing how Zhou Yi''s expression suddenly changed: "Who told you she was my mistress?"


    Nangong Muyan was also surprised - how had she be Zhou Yi''s mistress?


    No wonder people had been looking at her so strangely yesterday. In this world, a mistress ranked even lower than a concubine. At least taking a concubine involved a contract and a proper ceremony, while keeping a mistress was purely for pleasure.


    Zhou Yi''s expression was serious, his tone severe, unlike his usual gentleness. Qu Xiaoliu''s face turned pale with fright.


    Seeing the little girl biting her lip and her eyes darting around nervously, Zhou Yi realized he had scared her. At her age, she probably didn''t even understand what a mistress was, surely just repeating what she''d heard from others.


    "Xiaoliu, she is my..." Zhou Yi pointed to Nangong Muyan, thought for a moment, and chose words a child would understand: "She''s my wife, the mother of my children, not a mistress."


    Wife, mother of my children.


    Nangong Muyan wanted tough despite the situation.


    Qu Xiaoliu nodded meekly, then heard Zhou Yi ask gently, "Who''s been saying she''s my mistress?"


    "Everyone''s saying it," Qu Xiaoliu lowered her eyes, looking somewhat wronged.


    "I see. It''s not your fault. You can go y now."


    Zhou Yi patted the little girl''s shoulder. Qu Xiaoliu handed him the basket full of mulberries that was hanging on her arm, quickly said "For the young master and young mistress to eat," and ran off with Big Yellow.


    After they disappeared, Zhou Yi turned his head worriedly, only to find Nangong Muyan smiling like a blooming flower beside him.


    "How can you still smile? Aren''t you angry?"


    Zhou Yi was truly puzzled - how could a nobledy from a prestigious family still smile after being mistaken for a mistress!


    Nangong Muyan shook her head, indicating she really wasn''t angry.


    As a modern person, she didn''t have such strong ss consciousness. Whether it was about being a primary wife, concubine, or mistress - such a misunderstanding wasn''t worth dwelling on. Instead, she was touched by how Zhou Yi defended her.


    "Ah, you really are..."


    Zhou Yi looked at Nangong Muyan, at a loss for words.


    "If you don''t mind, I mind. During lunch, I''ll rify things with them and stop them from gossiping about us behind our backs."


    Hearing Zhou Yi say this, Nangong Muyan nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, whatever you say."


    Having made up his mind, Zhou Yi stopped dwelling on it. Remembering their purpose ofing to the mulberry field was to pick mulberries, and since Qu Xiaoliu''s basket was already full, there was no need to work harder. He then led her back.


    Passing by the dining hall, only a few cooks were inside preparing lunch.


    Zhou Yi walked to the water vat, helping Nangong Muyan wash her hands while also rinsing the mulberries, before returning to their room.


    "Here, eat."


    Zhou Yi ced the mulberries in front of Nangong Muyan, while also grabbing a few for himself to eat.


    After he finished the few in his hand, he noticed Nangong Muyan sitting motionless, staring at him with eager eyes, looking like she had something to say.


    Zhou Yi swallowed hard under her gaze, trying to figure out what the youngdy was thinking. After a while, inspiration suddenly struck: "Do you want me to feed you?"


    Nangong Muyan shyly nodded.


    "You should have said so earlier," Zhou Yi didn''t resist at all, picking up a mulberry and bringing it to Nangong Muyan''s lips. "Just say what you want directly. I can''t read minds, I won''t always be able to guess."


    The dark purple mulberry touched her slightly parted lips, and a soft pink tongue darted out from between them, skillfully curling around the fruit and drawing it into her mouth. Her red lips closed as she began to chew slowly.


    Zhou Yi watched this scene, his eyes darkening slightly, and his fingers jerked back as if burned.


    Just now, Nangong Muyan''s tongue had touched his fingertips.


    Nangong Muyan caught his subtle change of expression from the corner of her eye, and deep amusement shed in her eyes.


    Good, her calcted seduction was finally having some effect.


    After swallowing the sweet mulberry in her mouth, Nangong Muyan propped her head up with one hand, looking at the ufortable Zhou Yi with a slight smile, her tonezy as if she hadn''t fully awakened: "Zhou Yi, I want more."


    Zhou Yi said nothing, just picked up mulberries one by one to feed her until she said "no more" after eating her fill.


    Of course, except for that first seductive berry, the rest were eaten normally.


    After all, the mulberries were really quite delicious.


    Nangong Muyan licked her lips contentedly, feeling drowsy. Just as she was about to say she wanted to lie down for a nap, she felt Zhou Yi''s gaze fixed unwaveringly on her face, full of interest.


    "What is it?"


    Nangong Muyan asked hopefully, wondering if Zhou Yi had finally noticed her beauty and fallen in love with her?


    Zhou Yi leaned in closer, his voice softening with a coaxing tone: "Muyan, stick out your tongue."


    What a strange request! She had never heard anything like it in her life.


    Though puzzled, Nangong Muyan rarely received requests from Zhou Yi, so after a moment''s thought, sheplied.


    As soon as her tongue came out, Zhou Yi burst intoughter, thoroughly amused, leaving Nangong Muyanpletely bewildered.


    "Haha... you ate too many mulberries, your tongue is ck, now you haha... look just like Big Yellow, haha..."


    Nangong Muyan''s smile instantly froze on her face, her teeth nearly grinding together.


    This person really... had no idea how to talk to people!


    Zhou Yi couldn''t stopughing. Nangong Muyan couldn''t see it herself, but he could - not only was her tongue stained ck, but her lips were also tinted purple-red from the juice, andbined with her confused look just now, she was absolutely adorable.


    Zhou Yi continuedughing obliviously until his cor was suddenly grabbed, and that hand dragged him to the bed, forcefully pushing him down.


    "Muyan, don''t be angry, you''re much cuter than Big Yellow..."Aliali: 673eb950c4f3f33ac4ee7f08


    Zhou Yi struggled to get up, but Nangong Muyan pounced on top of him, giving an ambiguousugh: "You dareugh at me? Then I''ll turn you into Big Yellow too."


    With those words, the person on top of him pressed down on his shoulders and fiercely kissed him.


    Her slick tongue slipped into his mouth, carrying the faint sweetness of mulberries. Zhou Yi was stunned for only a moment before wrapping one arm around her waist and cing his other hand behind her head, holding her firmly in his embrace as his lips and tongue met hers.


    Zhou Yi''s response made Nangong Muyan''s kissing falter for a moment. She suddenly opened her eyes, looking incredulously at the features so close to her, her heart filled with joy like "finally seeing the moon after the clouds part."


    Zhou Yi was kissing her back!


    Did this mean Zhou Yi hadpletely epted her? That it was no longer just her one-sided love?


    "Muyan, I think I''ve... fallen for you too."


    Noticing the person in his arms freeze, Zhou Yi opened his eyes and murmured against her lips, his eyes full of love.


    Their eyes met, and Nangong Muyan could clearly see the affection in Zhou Yi''s gaze. After a long moment of eye contact, she broke into a smile and closed her eyes again, kissing him urgently and messily.


    How wonderful, this person was finally hers...

 Chapter 186

    At noon that day, Zhou Yi led Nangong Muyan into the dining hall, where they were greeted with the usual chorus of "Young Master" from everyone present.


    Zhou Yi swept his gaze across the crowd, maintaining a neutral expression, and raised his voice so everyone could hear: "I forgot to introduce you all yesterday - thisdy beside me is my bride-to-be."


    That was all that needed to be said. Everyone present was intelligent enough to understand. The young master, who was usually friendly and approachable, was now speaking to them with such a serious expression because he had clearly heard about their gossip regarding his "mistress."


    The crowd nervously nced at Zhou Yi and Nangong Muyan''s expressions, forcing awkward smiles and offering stiffpliments.


    "Haha... Young Master and Young Mistress are truly a perfect match!"


    "Yes, yes, a talented gentleman and a beautifuldy, meant to be together!"


    "Haha... And their rtionship is so loving - they''re like celestial lovers, making everyone envious!"


    Nangong Muyan couldn''t be bothered with these irrelevant people. She tugged at Zhou Yi''s hand, "Let''s go eat."


    Zhou Yi nodded and led her upstairs.


    In the days that followed, now that they had confessed their feelings to each other, their rtionship became exactly as Nangong Muyan had previously boasted - deeply in love and inseparable.


    They would kiss and embrace at every opportunity, going everywhere together, sleeping and waking together. Nangong Muyan''s eyes curved with joy every day,pletely content and wishing she could spend her entire life with Zhou Yi in Mulberry Leaf Town.


    On the seventh day of the fifth month, after breakfast, Nangong Muyan looked at Zhou Yi eagerly.


    "Zhou Yi, I want to eat mulberries. Could you pick some for me?"


    Zhou Yi couldn''t resist her soft, sweet tone and immediately nodded: "Alright, wait for me inside."


    As soon as he left, a triumphant smile shed in Nangong Muyan''s eyes. She went out and found Li Jiu.


    Li Jiu had been quite happytely, spending his days leisurely without much work to do, receiving tips for delivering meals to the young master and mistress. Except for not having a sweetheart of his own, he was living like an immortal.


    But too much idleness wasn''t good. That''s how it was for Li Jiu - thisfortable life was like warm water, nearly softening his bones. Back at the Prime Minister''s Mansion, Sheng Jing used to urge him to practice martial arts daily, which annoyed him greatly at the time. Now with no one pushing him, he actually took the initiative, finding an empty space to practice his skills after meals.


    When Nangong Muyan arrived, Li Jiu had just finished a set of martial arts moves.


    "My Lady," Li Jiu wiped his sweat as he walked over, "What can I do for you?"


    "Check my pulse."


    Nangong Muyan sat down on a nearby stone bench and rolled up her sleeve, exposing her wrist.


    Li Jiu thought she might be feeling unwell and hurriedly came over to check her pulse. Finding it perfectly normal, he asked in confusion: "My Lady, you and the baby are both fine. Is there something troubling you?"


    "Well... it''s like this..."


    Nangong Muyan gathered her thoughts before exining her purpose: "Zhou Yi and I were intimate on the seventh day of the second month, after which I conceived. Today is the seventh of the fifth month, exactly three months. I''ve heard that during the third to sixth months of pregnancy, couples can be intimate, so I came to ask you about this..."


    Li Jiu was dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning.


    What kind of charm did the young master possess that made the youngdy so impatient? And how could a youngdy ask such an intimate question so calmly?


    Fortunately, he was the only one present. If Nangong Ya were here, he would probably faint from shock again.


    "Is my pregnancy stable enough now? Can I be intimate with him?" Nangong Muyan stared at Li Jiu and asked frankly.


    Her directness made Li Jiu blush deeply.


    Li Jiu had never met such a bold woman in his life, but duty-bound as a physician, he had to answer professionally: "My Lady, it is possible, but since you''re carrying twins, you need to be more careful than others. It''s better to err on the side of caution."


    This ambiguous answer was unsatisfying. Nangong Muyan raised an eyebrow, determined to get a clear answer: "So is it possible or not?"


    "Yes, yes," Li Jiu nodded repeatedly, then added, "Just need to be careful about certain things."


    "What things?" Nangong Muyan pressed.


    "Uh... careful about, well, um..." Li Jiu was nearly paralyzed with embarrassment. Why did he, a guard, have to handle such matters?


    "I''ll add three more months of bonus pay for you when we return." Nangong Muyan knew exactly how to handle people.


    Li Jiu immediately overcame his shyness and advised seriously: "My Lady, during intimacy, the movements shouldn''t be too vigorous, and if you feel any difort, you must stop immediately. Also, be mindful of positions - don''t let the young master put pressure on your belly."


    "How could he press on my belly if he''s lying down?"


    Nangong Muyan didn''t understand - after all, she would be the one on top of Zhou Yi.


    Li Jiu was speechless, feeling he knew far too much.


    Having gotten her answers, Nangong Muyan prepared to return to her room. After taking a few steps, she remembered something and turned back, looking at Li Jiu with a meaningful smile: "Li Jiu, you wouldn''t tell my parents about any of this, would you?"


    Li Jiu clearly saw the threat in Nangong Muyan''s eyes and immediately raised three fingers in oath: "Rest assured, My Lady, only heaven, earth, you, and I will know about this. I''ll keep it absolutely secret and won''t breathe a word to anyone!"


    "Good, you understand!" Nangong Muyan praised him and gracefully walked away.


    Back in her room, Zhou Yi hadn''t returned yet. Nangong Muyan went to the door and gazed toward the mulberry fields. After waiting for about half an hour, she finally saw his familiar figure.


    "Zhou Yi!"


    Nangong Muyan lifted her skirts to meet him, but Zhou Yi quickly called out: "Don''t move!" and hurried to her side.


    "Why are you running around? You''re going to be a mother soon, don''t you know to be careful?"


    His concerned scolding made Nangong Muyan''s lips curve into a smile as she confessed: "But when I see you, I just can''t help wanting to run to you!"


    This sudden deration made Zhou Yi''s ears turn bright red. His heart felt like it had been scratched by a cat''s paw - he felt less than a man if he didn''t do something.


    He took Nangong Muyan''s hand and led her back to their room. As soon as the door closed, he eagerly kissed those red lips that spoke such enticing words.


    Nangong Muyan never rejected Zhou Yi''s advances and immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, responding passionately.


    When they finally separated, breathless, Zhou Yi put down the still-dripping bamboo basket and earnestly told her: "Don''t run anymore in the future. Just call for me, and I''ll always run to you."


    The wooden block has finally opened up! Nangong Muyan thought, her heart soaking in honey-sweet happiness. She held him tighter, nuzzling his neck, deeply moved: "Zhou Yi, how can you be so good..."


    Zhou Yi smiled, his heart meltingpletely.


    He had always thought himself a decent person - from a wealthy family, filial to his parents, sincere to his friends, with no vices like gambling or visiting brothels. But he never thought he could be good enough to make the Prime Minister''s daughter devotedly attach herself to him.


    With Nangong Muyan''s status and beauty, she could have her pick of princes, nobles, and distinguished family heirs. Zhou Yi, merely a merchant''s son, didn''t know what qualities he possessed that could have caught her eye.


    His marriage to Nangong Muyan was marrying above his station.


    "Zhou Yi, I want to possess you..."


    The person in his arms whispered again, making Zhou Yiugh: "You already possess me."


    "It''s not enough..."


    Nangong Muyan said softly, and seeing Zhou Yi''s confusion, decided not to borate. Instead, she looked at the bamboo basket on the table and changed the subject: "Zhou Yi, I want to eat mulberries."


    "Alright, let''s eat," Zhou Yi led her to sit at the table and began feeding her: "These should be thest mulberries of the season. After this period, there won''t be any more until next year."


    Nangong Muyan chewed the fruit, noting that it wasn''t as sweet as before and had less juice.


    "Then let''se back next year!"


    "Alright!"


    After making this promise, Nangong Muyan ate a few more berries before saying she was sleepy and going to bed.


    At noon, after Zhou Yi woke her for lunch, she went back to bed to continue sleeping.


    "Why are you so sleepy today?" Zhou Yi wondered, wasn''t she usually only sleeping for one morning?


    "Ah, I just want to sleep!"


    Of course, Nangong Muyan wouldn''t tell him about tonight''s ns. She pulled the nket over herself, intending to get enough sleep during the day to ensure she''d have energyter.


    Zhou Yi tucked in the corners of her nket and was about to leave the room when his sleeve was caught. Looking down, he saw Nangong Muyan smiling up at him with a suggestion: "Zhou Yi, why don''t you take a nap too?"


    "I won''t sleep. If I sleep too much now, I won''t be able to sleep tonight," Zhou Yi refused.


    That was exactly what she wanted - for him to be unable to sleep tonight. A glimmer of mischief shed in Nangong Muyan''s eyes as she yfully tugged at Zhou Yi''s hand, "But I want you to hold me while I sleep, Zhou Yi~"


    "Why are you being so clingy today..."


    "I''m only clingy with you, Zhou Yi."


    "Alright, alright, I''ll sleep..."


    Zhou Yi''s heart melted at her sweet words. He took off his shoes and got into bed, pulling her into his embrace and gently patting her back. His voice was incredibly tender: "There, there, Muyan, sleep now." He closed his eyes as well.


    The weather was neither hot nor cold this time of year, and after a good meal, it was hard not to feel drowsy in bed. Holding her in his arms, Zhou Yi couldn''t resist the wave of sleepiness that washed over him, and he drifted off in the afternoon light.


    Nangong Muyan had never been so eager for nightfall before. After dinner, she watched as the sky gradually darkened, her heart beating faster with each passing moment.


    She finished washing up early and sat on the edge of the bed. When Zhou Yi entered the room, she eagerly pulled him toward the bed.


    Zhou Yi wasn''t sleepy at all, but thinking Nangong Muyan was tired again, he went along with her wishes andy down.


    When he tried to blow out the candle before getting into bed, she stopped him.


    "Zhou Yi, let''s keep the light on. I like having some light around."


    Nangong Muyan''s words carried a deeper meaning, but Zhou Yi didn''t yet understand their implications.


    It wasn''t until he got into bed that he realized something was different.


    "Muyan!" Zhou Yi grabbed her wandering hand, his voice tense: "Kisses and hugs are fine, but don''t touch there!"


    By then, Nangong Muyan''s hand had already slipped inside his cor, pressing directly against his chest.


    Hearing his words, she gave a softugh, then in the next moment, she rolled on top of him, her lips pressed intimately against his: "Zhou Yi, I want to...pletely... possess... you!"


    Zhou Yi''s mind reeled as he suddenly understood all her unusual behavior today.


    "Muyan, we can''t!" Zhou Yi firmly held her hands, his tone resolute.


    "Why not? Don''t you want to? I know you do..."


    Along with her seductive whisper, she bit his lip - it hurt a little, but in this moment, the pain was like throwing kindling onto a fire.


    "Zhou Yi, I love you, and you say you love me. Since we''re in love with each other, shouldn''t we do everything that lovers do..."


    "I want you so badly, Zhou Yi. I think about it day and night, constantly..."


    "Zhou Yi, just give in to me..."


    Her soft lips traced down his jaw inch by inch. Zhou Yi summoned hisst bit of rationality to break free from this carefullyid trap of passion, his voice hoarse: "You''re still carrying our child, we can''t!"


    The lips that had been exploring his throat stopped. Zhou Yi thought she had finally listened to reason and just as he breathed a sigh of relief, Nangong Muyan burst into giggles against his chest.


    "So that''s what you were worried about! You should have said so earlier!"


    In the candlelight, Zhou Yi could only see her eyes sparkling, filledpletely with his reflection.


    A kissnded near his ear, followed by a soft, wet tongue wrapping around his earlobe: "Zhou Yi, don''t worry. I asked Li Jiu about it - as long as you don''t put pressure on my belly, it''s fine."


    "Re-really?" Zhou Yi felt his mind buzzing, holding onto hisst thread of restraint.


    "Really. If it weren''t for the baby, this would have happened much sooner."


    Zhou Yi clearly heard thatst thread of restraint snap in his mind.


    Her warm body snuggled into his embrace. Following her instructions, he woodenly removed both their clothes until they werepletely bare. Then her delicate hands pressed against his chest, and their passionate encounter began...


    When the storm of passion finally subsided, the beauty copsed powerlessly into the man''s tight embrace. They held each other in silence, slowly savoring the afterglow of their shared ecstasy.Aliali: 67409081c4f3f33ac40a029f


    Zhou Yi was the first to regain his rity, gently stroking the bare back of the woman on top of him, now covered in a light sheen of sweat.


    "Muyan, are you ufortable anywhere?"


    Zhou Yi was still worried - after all, this was his first time experiencing passion''s pleasure, and he feared he might have lost control and hurt Nangong Muyan.


    Nangong Muyan hummed contentedly, her jade-like arms wrapping around Zhou Yi''s neck again as shezily pecked at his chin, lookingpletely satisfied.


    "Zhou Yi, it felt wonderful!"


    The satisfied sigh that escaped her lovely lips was both indirect and instantly made Zhou Yi''s breathing irregr again.


    Yet the temptress wasn''t done with her seduction, as she smacked her lips and nibbled at his corbone: "I''m just a little tired, but I''m so happy. I''ve finallypletely possessed you."


    The fire that had just settled in Zhou Yi''s body roared back to life at these words, burning hotter and hotter until he felt he might melt entirely.


    "Muyan..." the man''s husky voice rose in the passion-filled bed chamber: "Shall we go once more?"


    Nangong Muyan couldn''t have wished for anything better, eagerly agreeing: "Yes!"

 Chapter 187

    Some things, once started, are hard to stop.


    This was exactly the case with Zhou Yi and Nangong Muyan.


    Although they had already been intimate before, that first time had been reluctant for both of them, and they hadn''t experienced the wonderful taste of passion.


    Now things were different. Their hearts were connected, and when their bodies intertwined, their hearts clung tightly together, both lost in the deep affection given by the other.


    Zhou Yi was only twenty-two, at an age when his blood ran hot, and he was most susceptible to temptation. During the day, when clear-headed, he would always remind himself that Nangong Muyan was still carrying their child, and that some things should be done in moderation. After all, they would spend their whole lives together after marriage - there was plenty of time.


    However, at night, when Nangong Muyan would persistently entice him, a few words from her would defeat his resolve, and they would fall together into the abyss of passion.


    The couple spent their nights in passionate embrace, almost forgetting about all matters in the Capital City.


    It wasn''t until mid-May when Li Jiu arrived with Nangong Chenfeng that they suddenly remembered their wedding was only a little over a month away.


    "Brother?" Nangong Muyan looked at Nangong Chenfeng in surprise. "Why are you here? Have youe to fetch me?"


    Nangong Chenfeng nced at her slightly protruding belly, his tone rather helpless: "Muyan, you''ve been gone for over twenty days without sending any word home. Father wanted to call you back long ago, but Mother kept persuading him to wait until today."


    "Mother is so good!" Nangong Muyan said sincerely.


    The four of them set out for the capital that day. Zhou Yi sat with Nangong Muyan in the carriage, while Nangong Chenfeng rode his horse, and Li Jiu sat as the coachman.


    As the wheels rolled forward, Nangong Muyan lifted the curtain to look outside, watching the lush green fields slowly recede behind them. She felt a touch of reluctance in her heart: "Zhou Yi, I like this ce."


    Zhou Yi immediately responded: "We cane back after we''re married."


    Nangong Muyan gave a softugh and lowered the curtain to look at him.


    Having been nourished by love during this time, she had bloomed like an exquisite flower in full bloom. Nangong Muyan''s features were naturally alluring, and this nce was full of charm, her eyes containing endless waves of tender affection that instantly made Zhou Yi''s breath catch.


    Zhou Yi pulled her into his embrace, letting her straddle him, holding her still-slender waist as he tilted his head up and coaxed softly: "Muyan, give me a kiss."


    For some reason, Nangong Muyan suddenly remembered that day at the Jun Yue Restaurant when she had yfully kissed Zhou Yi''s face.


    Back then, Zhou Yi had been angry like a bristling cat, rubbing his face red and pretending to be fierce as he warned her never to kiss him again.


    That huffing "Do you think you can just kiss me whenever you want?" still echoed in her ears. The man who had once avoided her like the gue was now looking at her with eyes full of love, asking for a kiss.


    Nangong Muyan burst intoughter, cupped Zhou Yi''s face in her hands, and closed her eyes to kiss him.


    She loved this man, loved embracing him, kissing him, and doing even more intimate things with him.


    The carriage moved slowly, and this stretch of road was uneven. Nangong Chenfeng rode his horse in front of the carriage, making casual conversation with Li Jiu. Their voices drifted into the carriage, giving the kissing couple a feeling of doing something secretive.


    Zhou Yi gently licked those tender lips, feeling as if the emotions filling his heart were about to overflow.


    "Zhou Yi, do you know why I like Mulberry Leaf Town?"


    A soft moan escaped from between Nangong Muyan''s teeth, audible only to the two of them.


    Zhou Yi caught her escaping tongue, entangling with it for a while before reluctantly moving away, then nibbled on her jade-like earlobe: "Because in Mulberry Leaf Town, youpletely possessed me, isn''t that right?"


    The person in his arms giggled, her body soft as water: "Zhou Yi, when did you be so clever?"


    "What? Did you always think I was stupid?" Zhou Yi pretended to be angry, taking the opportunity to bite her neck.


    "Ouch~ Who taught you that move?"


    Nangong Muyan pushed away the face buried in her neck, quite surprised. This gesture was quite provocative; if it had been at night, she would have definitely pressed herself against him.


    "You taught me!" Zhou Yi''s eyes were full of deepughter as he held her in his arms.


    Zhou Yi knew the answer about Mulberry Leaf Town because asionally, in moments of intense passion, Nangong Muyan would cling to him at the height of pleasure, her eyes filled with almost crazy possessiveness: "Zhou Yi, you''re mine, you''re mine alone!"


    When Nangong Muyan said these words, her possessiveness, like a beast guarding its territory, startled Zhou Yi. When he met her gaze, he always felt as if she would devour him whole.


    Although Zhou Yi could never understand where Nangong Muyan''s obsession with him came from, he didn''t mind it at all, and even rather enjoyed it.


    After all, who could resist a woman whose heart and eyes were filled only with thoughts of you?


    "I am yours, yours alone," Zhou Yi wouldter answer Nangong Muyan.


    And usually after saying this, that night would not end early.


    "Zhou Yi," the person in his arms called out softly again, still unsatisfied as she pressed her lips against his once more: "One more kiss, it won''t be so convenient once we''re back in the Capital City..."


    Zhou Yiughed helplessly: "Alright, whatever you want."


    The carriage entered the Capital City at dusk. Nangong Chenfeng instructed Li Jiu to take a detour through Xichun Road to drop Zhou Yi off at home first.


    "Alright, alright, stop looking. You''ve been together for over twenty days, can''t you bear to be apart even for a moment?"


    Nangong Chenfeng nced at his sister who was hanging by the carriage window, gazing longingly after Zhou Yi, and though heined, the question rose in his mind again.


    What was it about Zhou Yi that made Nangong Muyan like him so much?


    Besides being of simr age and looking good together, these two had nothing inmon. It was bewildering how they had ended up together.


    And it was Nangong Muyan who had pursued him - truly inconceivable!


    Zhou Yi had already disappeared from view, and Nangong Muyan heard Nangong Chenfeng''s teasing, lowered the curtain, and made no response.


    Upon returning to the Prime Minister''s Mansion, as soon as she stepped through the main gate, Nangong Muyan found Luo Siyi and Nangong Ya waiting there.


    "So you still remember toe back? Have you forgotten your surname?"


    Nangong Ya looked at his daughter who had been chasing after a man for half a month without returning home, and made a cool, sarcasticment.


    "Father, my surname is Nangong, I haven''t forgotten," Nangong Muyan responded yfully, sessfully making Nangong Ya''s face darken a few shades.


    Luo Siyi came forward to hold her hand, looking her over from head to toe before smiling gently: "Muyan, is everything well?"


    Nangong Muyan nodded obediently and exchanged a few words about family matters before suddenly remembering something: "Oh right, Father, Mother, I''m carrying twins."


    "Twins?"


    The couple was shocked in unison. Nangong Muyan made an affirmative sound: "Li Jiu checked, everything is fine, just that I might show earlier than others. The wedding dress probably won''t be able to hide it."


    The wedding was set for the twenty-first of June. Originally, they thought that at four months, the loose traditional wedding dress wouldpletely hide the pregnancy from the guests, but with twins, the belly would be quite noticeable after a month, making it difficult to conceal.


    "If it shows, then it shows," Nangong Ya said unconcernedly. "Even if you walk down the aisle with a child in your arms, what of it? This marriage was blessed by the Emperor himself - who would dare to gossip?"


    Nangong Muyan cheerfully responded with a "good."


    "Let''s not talk about this now, go eat first, then rest early. Pregnant women tire easily."


    Luo Siyi led Nangong Muyan toward the main courtyard, while also calling for Nangong Chenfeng to follow.


    During the meal, Luo Siyi asked about Nangong Muyan and Zhou Yi''s rtionship: "Muyan, does Zhou Yi still dislike you? How have you been getting along these days?"


    Nangong Ya and Nangong Chenfeng also looked over, and they watched as Nangong Muyan started ying with the bracelet on her wrist, grinning foolishly: "Oh my, Zhou Yi loves me the most now, we get along wonderfully!"


    Seeing that they seemed unconvinced, Nangong Muyan quickly finished the food in her bowl, and without further exnation, just said she was tired and wanted to sleep, then returned to her own courtyard with a smile.


    There were again a few leaves scattered on the steps. As usual, Nangong Muyan sent Xiaoru away and went in by herself. Jiang Ning was sitting at the table, drinking a cup of cold tea, lost in thought.


    "Sister-inw, why do you keeping here instead of staying with Liu Ming''an?" Nangong Muyan sat down at the table and teased Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning set down her teacup, her eyes lingering on Muyan''s belly with a conflicted expression.


    Knowing her too well, Nangong Muyan''s smile faded and her tone grew serious: "What is it? Is it about Zhou Yi?"


    Jiang Ning looked straight into her eyes and asked with unusual seriousness: "Do you like Zhou Yi?"


    Nangong Muyan raised her eyebrows in surprise.


    "Do you like him?" Jiang Ning asked again, adding, "Not the way you say you like me, but romantic love between a man and woman."


    "Do you like him?" Jiang Ning persisted with the question.


    Nangong Muyan knew she wouldn''t havee here without reason. After a moment''s thought, she answered candidly: "My feelings for him go beyond mere liking..."


    The person before her wore a faint smile, with a tender light in her eyes like flowing water - an expression Jiang Ning had never seen on that face before.


    "I love him!" Jiang Ning heard Nangong Muyan dere with absolute conviction.


    Jiang Ning let out a heavy breath, her expression softening.


    "Now can you tell me what''s going on?" During their conversation, Nangong Muyan had considered all possibilities but still couldn''t guess why Jiang Ning hade.


    "Zhou Yi came to see me and Liu Ming''an," Jiang Ning said slowly, watching Nangong Muyan. "Just recently. He said he''d just returned with you from Mulberry Leaf Town."


    Nangong Muyan nodded to confirm this but wondered internally why Zhou Yi would seek out Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an immediately upon return.


    "Zhou Yi came to apologize on behalf of Nangong Muyan."


    Nangong Muyan''s eyes flickered - she knew which "Nangong Muyan" Jiang Ning meant.


    "In Zhou Yi''s mind, Nangong Muyan was someone who hurt Nangong Ling - which means he believes you hurt me." Jiang Ning felt a headacheing on thinking about theseplicated rtionships. After all, who could have guessed that both of them had switched souls?


    "And then?" Nangong Muyan''s voice sounded strange, almost trembling.


    "Zhou Yi said he loves you, that he will be your husband and the father of your child. So he wanted to take responsibility for your past mistakes."


    "I told him it was all in the past and didn''t matter, but Zhou Yi insisted... He knelt before me and, despite my attempts to stop him, kowtowed three times."


    Jiang Ning struggled to say these words. She viewed Zhou Yi as an older brother, and remembering that scene pained her deeply.


    Nangong Muyan suddenly felt her eyes stinging, everything before her bing blurry.


    "Why is he such a fool?" Nangong Muyan''s voice was tight, as if squeezed out.


    Seeing her tears, Jiang Ning sighed and raised her sleeve to wipe them away: "Thank goodness you love him too."


    This exined why Jiang Ning had been so insistent on asking that question earlier. She had feared Nangong Muyan might just be toying with Zhou Yi, ying with his feelings while he offered such sincere devotion.


    Fortunately, Zhou Yi''s genuine feelings hadn''t been misced.


    "Zhou Yi promised me that after marrying you, he would never let you do evil again."


    Nangong Muyan gave a bitterugh, feeling resentment toward the previous "Nangong Muyan" for the first time: "Why is he such a fool? That wasn''t even me..."


    After a moment of silence, waiting until the tears had stopped, Jiang Ning suggested: "Why don''t you tell him the truth? Tell him you''re someone else, that the real Nangong Muyan is dead, that you didn''t do those things."


    Nangong Muyan refused without hesitation: "It''s toote now. It would just sound like an excuse to avoid responsibility."


    Besides, was her previous identity any better than Nangong Muyan''s?


    An assassin with blood-stained hands, bearing the weight of so many lives - even more contemptible than Nangong Muyan.


    "So you''ll let him believe you''re a malicious woman?" Jiang Ning couldn''t understand Nangong Muyan''s choice.


    Nangong Muyan closed her eyes, touching the bracelet on her wrist, recalling her moments with Zhou Yi. After a long while, she made her decision: "If he has a preconceived notion of me as a bad woman, then I can spend a lifetime showing him that I''m not that person."Aliali: 67409081c4f3f33ac40a029f


    Jiang Ning knew she couldn''t change this woman''s decision. To be fair, if she were in Nangong Muyan''s position, she wouldn''t know what to do either.


    "It''s your choice," was all Jiang Ning finally said before leaving.


    Nangong Muyan sat motionless for a long time, until Xiaoru came to knock and tell her the hot water for washing was ready.


    Later, lying in bed, Nangong Muyan stared at the canopy above in the darkness, Jiang Ning''s words echoing in her mind.


    She could picture the scene: Zhou Yi, face filled with guilt, kneeling straight before Jiang Ning, then bending forward to touch his forehead to the ground...


    Nangong Muyan felt her heart aching.


    She couldn''t bear to see Zhou Yi like that.


    "Zhou Yi..."


    The soft whisper echoed in the darkness. As Nangong Muyan finally drifted off to sleep, touching her bracelet, she had only one thought:


    She would be good to Zhou Yi for the rest of her life.

 Chapter 188

    On the wedding day of Zhou Yi and Nangong Muyan, the sun shone brilliantly in the sky.


    The grand bridal sedan chair departed from the Prime Minister''s Mansion, making its way through the bustling streets before arriving at the Zhou Family residence.


    With the Prime Minister''s daughter getting married, half of the Capital City hade to witness the spectacle.


    "My goodness! How magnificent!"


    "How could the Prime Minister''s daughter''s wedding be anything but grand? Especially since this marriage was blessed by His Majesty!"


    Themon folk couldn''t help but marvel at the wedding procession.


    ording to Great Liang customs, if the bride had brothers, they would escort her to the groom''s home. This showed both the natal family''s regard for their departing daughter and served as a reminder to the groom that the bride had strong family backing.


    If the bride had no brothers, the groom would have to personallye to wee her.


    Without question, Nangong Muyan''s case fell into the first category.


    Leading the procession was Nangong Chenfeng, mounted on a tall steed.


    To make a grand showing for Nangong Muyan, Nangong Chenfeng had specially donned his military uniform and gathered eighteen of his friends in the capital to form a cavalry escort.


    The white-robed general led his eighteen stalwart men in an impressive disy, followed by the steady crimson sedan chair. Behind it stretched an endless line of dowry bearers, creating a magnificent spectacle that seemed to go on forever!


    The onlookers, who hadn''t witnessed such grandeur in ages, discussed excitedly with flushed faces as if the joyous asion was their own.


    "Who''s the groom anyway?" someone in the crowd asked curiously.


    Someone quickly replied: "I heard he''s a merchant."


    "What? The Prime Minister''s daughter is marrying a merchant? You must be joking!"


    Those who hadn''t known were quite shocked by this news.


    "It''s true. He''s a merchant surnamed Zhou, quite wealthy actually. The Jun Yue Restaurant belongs to his family."


    "No matter how rich he is, it''s still not a suitable match!" someone shouted. "Miss Nangong is worthy of being an empress, why marry her off to be a merchant''s wife? What was Prime Minister Nangong thinking..."


    "Who knows? These are matters for the nobility. Wemoners should just enjoy the spectacle and not meddle..."


    Inside the sedan chair, Nangong Muyan heard thesements and took arge bite of her apple with a "crunch," chewing furiously as if venting her frustration.


    These ignorant people had no idea how wonderful Zhou Yi was.


    Nangong Muyan thought indignantly while touching the white jade bracelet on her wrist, taking another bite of the apple.


    When the bridal sedan stopped at the Zhou Family''s main gate and the wedding attendant cheerfully reached into the sedan, Nangong Muyan suddenly remembered that she wasn''t supposed to eat the apple - it was meant to be ced on the altar alongside the ruyi scepter prepared by the groom''s family, symbolizing peace and prosperity.


    Nangong Chenfeng dismounted and took his ce beside Nangong Ya and Luo Siyi. After seeing Nangong Muyan off from the Prime Minister''s Mansion, the couple had been brought over by the Zhou family''s carriage via another route, ready to receive the newlyweds'' ceremonial bows at the altar.


    Zhou''s father and Zhou''s Mother stood on the other side of the gate, which was crowded with guests - both Zhou Yi''s business associates and Nangong Ya''s court colleagues.


    The Zhou family''s business connections were extensive, and when those shrewd merchants heard that young Zhou Yi was marrying the Prime Minister''s daughter, they all flocked to attend, regardless of past rivalries or conflicts. After all, the Zhou family wouldn''t turn anyone away on such a joyous asion.


    As for Nangong Ya''s side, being the Prime Minister meant he had many who curry favor with him, and naturally, these officials had to attend his daughter''s wedding.


    Thus, officials and merchants, who rarely mixed, found themselves gathered for this wedding. Though each group looked down on the other - the merchants finding the officials too aloof, and the officials considering the merchants beneath them - they kept to opposite sides, thankfully amodated by the Zhou residence''s spacious grounds.


    When the bridal sedan arrived,yers of people surrounded the entrance, with Zhou Yi standing in the center. Countless eyes scrutinized him, some inquiring, some disdainful, and others envious or jealous, but he paid them no mind, focusing solely on the sedan chair.


    The sedan chairnded safely, ready for the ceremony.


    The ruyi scepter had already been ced on the square red wooden altar, waiting only for the bride''s apple.


    The wedding attendant reached in for a while, and getting no response, assumed the bride was shy - something she''d seen often. She coaxed gently, "Young bride, please hand me your apple."


    Nangong Muyan hadn''t expected to cause a mishap at her own wedding, but there was nothing to be done now. Gritting her teeth, she picked up the thoroughly eaten apple core and handed it out.


    An apple core... still counted as an apple, right?


    Under everyone''s watchful eyes, nearly a hundred pairs of eyes watched as the attendant received a tiny apple core. The previously noisy crowd fell momentarily silent.


    Zhou Yi immediately understood what had happened and couldn''t helpughing, regardless of the asion.


    Fortunately, the wedding attendant was experienced enough to recover quickly from her surprise. With a bright smile, she ced the apple core alongside the fine jade ruyi on the red wooden altar carried by the maid, announcing loudly: "Apple in belly, harmony shall dwell!"


    Zhou Yi and Nangong Muyan thought simultaneously: This person deserves a bonus!


    As the maid carried the "peace and prosperity" symbols inside, Zhou Yi followed instructions to kick the sedan chair''s curtain twice, then was handed a red silk ribbon with arge red flower in the middle, the other end held by Nangong Muyan.


    The crowd followed the newlyweds to the ceremonial hall, where both sets of parents were already seated at the altar, watching the two red figures approach with smiles. Hong Yuanping and Luo Siyi, in particr, had tears in their eyes.


    Just as the couple took their positions and the ceremonial master drew breath to call "First bow to Heaven and Earth," a sharp voice announced: "His Majesty arrives! Princess Hening arrives!"


    With the Emperor''s arrival, everyone in the courtyard knelt facing the gate.


    Several agile armed guards escorted Yuwen Yan, dressed in casual attire, into the courtyard. Jiang Ning followed two steps behind, walking alongside Liu Ming''an.


    "Rise, all of you!" Yuwen Yan called out clearly, thenughed heartily after everyone stood up. "I''ve juste to share in the wedding wine today, please don''t stand on ceremony."


    Despite his words, with Emperor Yuwen Yan present, everyone except the most seasoned court officials remained tense and nervous.


    Under her veil, Nangong Muyan couldn''t see clearly but could feel a familiar gaze fixed upon her.


    It was Jiang Ning.


    Had shee specifically to watch her get married?


    Nangong Muyan smiled silently - this person was bing more and more human.


    Bowing to Heaven and Earth, bowing to parents, the couple bowing to each other, entering the bridal chamber...


    Nangong Muyan followed each of the ceremonial master''s instructions,pleting all the wedding rituals, and after all the fuss, finally sat down on the marriage bed.


    After Zhou Yi distributed the reward money and dismissed everyone from the room, he turned to find his bride had already lifted her veil and was sitting at the table, peeling longan fruit.


    "Are you hungry?"


    Zhou Yi sat beside Nangong Muyan, helping her peel the fruit and feeding her the flesh.


    "A little, and I''m tired too. We got up early today, and I didn''t even get to nap this morning."


    Nangong Muyan spoke while chewing, her words slightly muffled, sounding somewhatiny.


    Zhou Yi chuckled softly and stood behind her, helping remove her phoenix crown and then her hairpins and earrings. "I''ll have someone bring you some foodter, you can sleep after eating."


    "Alright," Nangong Muyan agreed, knowing Zhou Yi, as the groom, still needed to go out and attend to the guests until nightfall. She couldn''t help but add worriedly, "Don''t drink too much."


    "Don''t worry, I''ll pretend to be drunk."


    Zhou Yi turned to leave but suddenly felt his clothes being tugged. He looked back at Nangong Muyan questioningly, only to see her licking her lips and smiling brightly at him.


    "Zhou Yi, give me a kiss before you go."


    Her coquettish tone scratched at Zhou Yi''s heart like little ws, and he couldn''t possibly say no. Without hesitation, he bent down to kiss her lips.


    The subtle sweetness of longan spread between their lips as Zhou Yi kissed her intently and Nangong Muyan responded passionately. Their lips and tongues remained entangled until the wedding attendant called from outside: "Young master, it''s time to attend to the guests. There will be plenty of time tonight."


    Zhou Yi barely regained hisposure and gently bit those persistently approaching lips, softening his voice to soothe: "Tonight, I''ll do whatever you wish!"


    When the wedding attendant was about to knock, the door opened from inside, and the groom emerged, calling to a maid nearby: "Bring some food for the young mistress."


    "Yes," the maid responded promptly, heading toward the kitchen.


    Zhou Yi made his way to the front hall, and as soon as he appeared, someone spotted him and shouted cheerfully: "The groom is here!"


    Yuwen Yan had already left, but Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an were still present. Seeing the crowd of people approaching Zhou Yi with wine cups, Jiang Ning curved her lips into a smile and stepped forward to shield him: "Come, let this princess drink with you all!"


    Zhou Yi could have cried from gratitude - his sister-inw was truly loyal!


    After that day, everyone in the court knew that Princess Hening could drink endlessly without getting drunk. She single-handedly defeated all those who wanted to toast the Prime Minister''s son-inw, yet didn''t even show a hint of flush on her face.


    The eighteen strong men Nangong Chenfeng had brought were specially selected from the military camps outside the capital, each known for their drinking capacity, intended to help shield his brother-inw from excessive drinking.


    Unexpectedly, his former third sister had stepped forward first, volunteering to take on this task.


    Nangong Chenfeng looked at Jiang Ning, then at Nangong Ya, furrowing his brows, feeling there were many things he couldn''t understand.


    He knew Jiang Ning had killed someone during Yuwen Jin''s attempted coup, earning merit and being granted the title of princess, but he couldn''tprehend how his once timid third sister had acquired such capabilities.


    Moreover, why was she titled as moner Jiang Ning"? Why had shepletely severed ties with the Prime Minister''s Mansion?


    After returning home, Nangong Chenfeng had asked Nangong Ya these questions, but his father had remained silent for a long while, his face showing indescribable sorrow, only telling him that Nangong Ling no longer existed in this world.


    Nangong Ya''s expression had made Nangong Chenfeng too heartbroken to pursue the matter. Heter asked Luo Siyi, but she too was tight-lipped, refusing to reveal anything.


    During his three years away from home, his family must have undergone earth-shattering changes.


    Nangong Chenfeng couldn''t say he liked or disliked Nangong Ling; rather, this third sister had never really existed in his eyes. Since he couldn''t get any answers, he decided not to ask anymore. After all, in his heart, he only cared about their family of four; Nangong Ling was merely someone who shared his blood.


    Now that this dispensable third sister had be an untouchable princess, Nangong Chenfeng smiled and raised his wine cup to approach her.


    For the sake of their sibling rtionship, they should share a few drinks.


    "Your Highness, this subject toasts to you!" Nangong Chenfeng said coolly, draining his cup in one go.


    Jiang Ning looked at Nangong Ya''s only child, and though unsure of his intentions, she matched his drink, speaking diplomatic words: "General, your loyalty to the country and protection of Great Liang''s stability deserve my toast instead."


    The banquet dispersed at dusk. Thanks to Jiang Ning''s impressive drinking feat, Zhou Yi, as the groom, hadn''t touched a drop of wine throughout.


    When he returned to the bridal chamber, Nangong Muyan had already woken from a nap and was yfully spinning the bridal veil on her finger like a performer.


    "Zhou Yi!"


    As soon as he closed the door, someone pressed against him, followed by warm lips capturing his own, tasting him briefly before quickly pulling away, too fast for him to respond.


    "You haven''t been drinking?" Nangong Muyan seemed surprised.


    So that was why she had kissed him. Zhou Yi suddenly felt peculiar, lifted her up and ced her on the bed, kissing her thoroughly before answering: "Not a drop. Sister-inw blocked all the drinks for me."


    "How thoughtful of her!" Nangong Muyan''s eyes curved in satisfaction.


    "Yes, sister-inw is both kind and considerate, so you must never bully her again!"


    "Then can I bully you instead?"


    "Of course, I love being bullied by you..."


    Zhou Yi skillfully undressed herpletely, then stripped himself bare, pulling her on top of him. The spring night was long, perfect for lovers'' pleasure.


    After their passionate encounter, Zhou Yi suddenly remembered something they had forgotten.


    "Muyan, we forgot to drink the ceremonial wedding wine."


    Zhou Yi held her soft body, looking at the marriage cups on the table with an amused expression.


    As soon as he had entered the room and encountered his beauty''s embrace, he had been too eagerly drawn to bed to think of anything else.


    "Oh, we were supposed to drink that, but I''m pregnant and can''t have alcohol. You drink it, then kiss me - that can count as my share."


    Herzy voice resonated against his chest, making Zhou Yi''s thoughts wander. He carefully pulled her closer: "I don''t think this wine is absolutely necessary."


    "Hmm?" Nangong Muyan didn''t understand - hadn''t he brought it up first?Aliali: 6743211ac4f3f33ac42e7315


    Zhou Yi tilted her chin up and pressed against her soft lips, whispering: "A moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold pieces..."


    "Yes,e here!"


    The dragon and phoenix candles burned brightly in the room, illuminating the fragrant atmosphere.


    ......


    Five monthster.


    Apanied by two clear infant cries, Zhou Yi and Nangong Muyan became parents to twin girls.


    Though exhausted from childbirth, Nangong Muyan burst into tears at the sight of their children - these little bundles were hers and Zhou Yi''s babies!


    Zhou Yi crouched beside the bed, holding her hand and gently wiping away her tears: "Muyan, thank you!"


    Nangong Muyan looked at Zhou Yi and cried even harder.


    In this world, she had love and children - how fortunate she was to have it all.

 Chapter 189

    When Jiang Ning learned that Nangong Muyan was pregnant with Zhou Yi''s child, on her way to Fuling Temple, she thought about how she and Liu Ming''an would have children someday too.


    But she didn''t want to be a mother so early - she was only seventeen, and Liu Ming''an was just twenty. They hadn''t had enough time to enjoy their life as a couple yet.


    Later, when Yuwen Jin attempted to seize the throne, Jiang Ning entered the pce for Liu Ming''an''s sake. After the rebellion was quelled and peace was restored, she shared her thoughts with Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Ming''an immediately became distressed: "Ning''er, are you saying you don''t want me to touch you anymore?"


    "No, no," Jiang Ning hurriedly exined, "I just don''t want to have children yet."


    "Then are you nning to drink contraceptive medicine afterward?" When Liu Ming''an thought of this possibility, he immediately objected, "Ning''er, all medicine has its toxicity. If that''s what you''re thinking, I''d rather not touch you at all."


    "That''s not it either," Jiang Ning leaned in and kissed him, then briefly exined about ovtion periods and safe periods: "Women have certain days each month when they''re most likely to conceive. We just need to avoid those days."


    Although the rhythm method wasn''t entirely reliable, it was the best contraceptive option avable in this era. If she got pregnant anyway, then they would have the baby.


    Liu Ming''an finally rxed, pulling her into his arms for a kiss before asking softly, "So, is today okay?"


    Jiang Ning calcted mentally, then nodded with a blush. The next moment, she was lifted and ced on the bed.


    "Liu Ming''an, it''s not even dark yet!"


    As Jiang Ning struggled to get up, everything suddenly went dark - he had covered her eyes with his hand. His gentle voice whispered in her ear, "Ning''er, close your eyes and it will be dark."


    How was this any different from hiding one''s head in the sand?


    Jiang Ning didn''t know how to respond, but soon she was too distracted to think about such things, focused only on receiving Liu Ming''an''s passionate attention.


    In the midst of their passion, Jiang Ning vaguely heard Liu Ming''an''s voice, heavy with breathing: "Ning''er, I thought I would die in Taiji Hall, never to see you again..."


    As he spoke, his grip on her waist tightened. Jiang Ning blinked hard, clearing some of the passion-induced moisture from her eyes, and saw the fear in Liu Ming''an''s eyes.


    "Liu Ming''an," Jiang Ning held him tighter, her voice firm, "I promised I would protect you. Don''t be afraid. I will always protect you."


    "Ning''er..."


    A passion-filled whisper escaped from the swaying bed. Jiang Ning could no longer formplete sentences, her broken whimpers silenced by his lips...


    And so, to avoid pregnancy, they settled into a routine of forced abstinence for half the month and passionate intimacy for the other half.


    At this time, Yuwen Yan had not yet ascended to the throne, and Liu Ming''an''s imperial examination had been postponed to the twentieth of April due to the period of national mourning.


    The couple lived peacefully in their courtyard on Late Winter Road. Due to the dynastic change, the capital''s officials were all extremely busy, and neither the Lou family nor the Chancellor''s mansion hade to disturb them. Everything seemed to have returned to how it was back in Lingshan Town.


    Untilte March, when Lou Lianyu came knocking with red-rimmed eyes, looking at Liu Ming''an with desperate pleading: "Grandmother is down to herst breath. Ming''an, she wants to see you."


    Liu Ming''an froze, the image of that frail old woman with silver hair shing through his mind.


    "How..." Liu Ming''an could hardly believe it. It hadn''t been long since she had grabbed his sleeve, calling him Qingzhi. How could she be at death''s door so soon?


    Lou Lianyu knew what Liu Ming''an was confused about and fought back tears as he exined: "Thest time she saw you, she was lucid. She asked Grandfather about it and learned of Second Uncle''s death. Since then, she hasn''t spoken or eaten, surviving only on medicinal broths."


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes flickered. He had been in and out of the Lou household regrly, yet he hadn''t known about this.


    "She''s having her final moment of rity, holding on purely for thisst wish. Ming''an, I beg you to see her..."


    Liu Ming''an felt torn, two emotions pulling at him.


    Objectively speaking, the Lou family had treated him with utmost kindness, each member trying their best to make up for their past wrongs against Liu Qingzhi. By all rights, Liu Ming''an shouldn''t refuse a dying person''s request.


    But on the other hand, whenever Liu Ming''an thought of this "grandmother," he couldn''t help but remember how she had driven his father away twenty years ago with her cruel words. Liu Qingzhi held an irreceable position in his heart, and because of this, Liu Ming''an could never forgive her.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t know what to do. He turned back uncertainly to find Jiang Ning standing behind him, a gentle smile on her lips and soft light in her eyes.


    "Ming''an, when death approaches, all rights and wrongs will be reduced to ashes..."


    Before Lou Lianyu could say more, Liu Ming''an turned to Jiang Ning and took her hand: "Ning''er,e with me."


    It was time for him to have closure with the Lou family. He needed to hear these deathbed confessions, so that when he stood before Liu Qingzhi''s grave in the future, he could tell him that his mother had spent half her life in regret, and that the unfair treatment he had suffered had been repaid in its own way.


    Jiang Ning nodded, gripping Liu Ming''an''s hand tightly as they entered the Lou residence together.


    Wang Lanzhi''s condition was worse than Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an had imagined.


    The person before them had almost no flesh left, like a skeleton wrapped in loose clothing, without a hint of color in her face - only ashen gray. Yet her eyes were bright, unnaturally so, fixed unwaveringly on the doorway as her lips moved silently, forming the names "Qingzhi" and "Ming''an."


    The Lou family members surrounded her, tears in their eyes, with soft sobs echoing through the room. Lou Yuhuan held her tree-branch-like hand, repeatedly calling "Lanzhi, Lanzhi."


    When Liu Ming''an entered with Jiang Ning, everyone turned to look at them.


    "Lanzhi, Ming''an is here, Ming''an is here!"


    Lou Yuhuan spoke urgently, pulling Liu Ming''an to her side before stepping back.


    Seeing Wang Lanzhi in this state, Liu Ming''an felt an indescribable sourness in his heart.


    It was human nature - even if this person had no connection to him, watching a life slowly slip away before his eyes, Liu Ming''an couldn''t help but feel moved.


    "Grandmother."


    Liu Ming''an crouched beside Wang Lanzhi, taking the hand that was struggling to rise, and looked up at her: "I''m here."


    "Qing...zhi..."


    The hoarse voice squeezed out of her throat was more like a breath - if Liu Ming''an hadn''t been so close, he might not have heard it at all.


    Wang Lanzhi painfully turned her eyes toward Liu Ming''an, with tangible sorrow in them: "Ming...an..."


    Liu Ming''an nodded, holding her hand a bit tighter, his voice as gentle as ever: "Grandmother, it''s me. I''m Liu Ming''an, Liu Qingzhi''s son."


    Two clear tears suddenly fell, and Wang Lanzhi opened her mouth, forcing out the words that had weighed on her heart for half a lifetime: "I''m... so... sorry..."


    With those words, the force that had been sustaining her suddenly dissipated. Her head tilted to one side as she closed her eyes forever.


    "Great-grandmother!"


    A seven or eight-year-old boy broke free from his mother''s grasp, pushing Liu Ming''an aside to throw himself into Wang Lanzhi''s arms, sobbing uncontrobly: "Great-grandmother, don''t sleep, Great-grandmother, wake up, wuu wuu..."


    Crying sounds came from all around. Liu Ming''an stood up and walked to Jiang Ning''s side, his face somewhat pale.


    His gaze swept across the roomful of mourning Lou family members, and as he watched them weep, he felt an oddly liberating sense of relief.


    Jiang Ning held Liu Ming''an''s hand, looking at him with concern. After a long while, he finally turned to her and said, "Ning''er, let''s go home."


    Jiang Ning nodded, and as they turned to leave, Lou Yuhuan called out: "Ming''an, I n to cremate your grandmother''s remains."


    In Great Liang, people believed in burial as the proper way to rest, so Liu Ming''an frowned, finding it strange.


    "Why?" he asked.


    Lou Yuhuan looked straight into Liu Ming''an''s eyes and exined his intention: "I n to take her to Lotus Flower Vige and scatter her ashes on the green mountain where Qingzhi is buried."


    Liu Ming''an lowered his eyes, remaining silent.


    "Ming''an, after you finish your examinations,e back with us. I want to see where Qingzhi married and had his child. I think your grandmother would have wanted that too..."


    Lou Yuhuan hadn''t noticed Liu Ming''an''s expression and continued speaking until the young man before him suddenly looked at him and called out "Old Grand Tutor."


    Lou Yuhuan stopped mid-sentence, this form of address making him flustered.


    Liu Ming''an took a deep breath, making his decision: "Old Grand Tutor, my surname is Liu, and so was my father''s."


    Lou Yuhuan staggered, stumbling back several steps.


    "Ming''an!" Lou Baili, seeing his father about to copse, quickly went over to support him.


    Liu Ming''an bowed deeply to them, saying with utmost solemnity: "Do not ask when I''ll return, for my bones shall rest in the green mountains! Please do not disturb myte father anymore."


    Liu Ming''an left with Jiang Ning without waiting for their reaction.


    Upon returning to their residence on Late Winter Road, as soon as they entered, before Jiang Ning could say anything, Liu Ming''an pulled her into a tight embrace.


    "Ning, when we have children, we must raise them well."


    Liu Ming''an''s voice was very low. Jiang Ning sighed, hugging him back, awkwardlyforting him: "We will. Liu Ming''an, you''ll be a good father."


    Their children would never experience the tragedy of the Lou family.


    "Ning, after we''re married, let''s visit Lotus Flower Vige. I want to tell them everything..."


    "Alright."


    "I also want to see Third Aunt, Third Uncle, and Aunt Hui. Last time we left too hastily; this time I want to say a proper goodbye."


    "Alright."


    After making these promises, time flowed like water. Many things happened in the following months: the new emperor ascended the throne, Jiang Ning became Princess Hening,pletely severing ties with the Chancellor''s mansion; Liu Ming''an, as expected, achieved the highest score in the imperial examinations, and the emperor blessed their marriage, making him the Princess Consort...


    A few days before the grand wedding, Jiang Ning finally convinced Lan Xu to move into the Princess''s mansion after much persuasion.


    The mansion''s steward, maids, and guards all knew she was the Princess''s birth mother, but weren''t sure how to address her.


    Usually, a princess''s mother would be a pce consort, but Jiang Ning was ofmon birth who had been granted the imperial surname. Lan Xu had never married, so calling her "Old Madam" wouldn''t be appropriate, yet there were no other suitable honorific titles.


    Finally, Lan Xu herself resolved the awkward situation by saying: "Just call me Aunt Lan!"


    The nuns at Fuling Temple made Jiang Ning''s wedding dress and embroidered shoes, while Lan Xu prepared her bridal veil.


    On the wedding day, as she watched Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning bow to her during the "second bow to parents" ceremony, she could no longer hold back her tears.


    Her dear Ling was getting married, beautifully wed to the man she loved, with an honorable status - she would never be bullied again.


    After the newlyweds entered their chamber, Lan Xu walked to a deserted corridor, nning to have a good cry, but unexpectedly, Nangong Ya had followed her.


    "Was it you who made her sever ties with me?"


    Nangong Ya stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the woman before him, asking in a deep voice.


    He actually couldn''t remember what she looked like - too much time had passed. He never wanted to recall that reckless night, and the woman he had shared that brief encounter with had long been forgotten.


    Until today, when his daughter was getting married, and he, as her father, could only attend as a subject, while the so-called Princess''s birth mother sat in what should have been his ce at the ceremony. Only then did he suddenly remember her existence.


    Lan Xu''s appearance momentarily dazed Nangong Ya, followed by a flood of questions.


    How had Ling found her? When had they recognized each other? Was Ling''s dramatic change in personality rted to her mother?


    Nangong Ya stared directly at Lan Xu, seeking answers.Aliali: 6743211ac4f3f33ac42e7315


    Lan Xu wiped away her tears upon hearing his question, her lips curling into a somewhat mocking smile: "Chancellor, have youe to interrogate me?"


    Looking at the man before her, it would be a lie to say she felt no resentment.


    She had been a pure and innocent girl whose life was ruined by a scheme, and when she finally had a daughter to rely on, fate had cruelly separated them.


    She had originally thought it would be fine for her child to live as a well-provided-for youngdy in the Chancellor''s mansion, but Ling had chosen to sever all ties with the Chancellor''s household.


    Although Jiang Ning had never spoken of any grievances she suffered at the Chancellor''s mansion, Lan Xu knew that if she hadn''t been unhappy there, she wouldn''t have made such a decisive break.


    Thinking of this, Lan Xu''s attitude wasn''t very friendly. She looked directly at Nangong Ya and countered: "Shouldn''t you know better than me why Ling wanted to cut ties with the Chancellor''s mansion? I entrusted my child to you, but you didn''t treat her well. How dare youe questioning me?"


    "I never mistreated her!" Nangong Ya hurriedly exined: "She is my daughter, and even though she wasn''t born as I had expected, she is still my daughter. From childhood, whatever my other daughter had, she nevercked - on this, my conscience is clear!"


    "Heh," Lan Xuughed sarcastically, not bothering to waste more words, only saying: "Keep your clear conscience if you wish. From now on, there may be Lan Ling, Jiang Ning, and Yuwen Ning, but there will never be a Nangong Ling again."


    Lan Xu turned and left after speaking - on such a joyous day, she couldn''t let an irrelevant person spoil the mood.


    The morning after the wedding night, they were supposed to eat tangyuan. She needed to check if the fillings had been properly prepared.

 Chapter 190

    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning departed from the capital a month after their wedding.


    Lan Xu, who knew of their ns beforehand, thoughtfully reminded them to "be careful on the journey" and mentioned that she would stay at Fuling Temple since it would be lonely in such arge mansion by herself. She said she would wait for them to pick her up upon their return.


    Jiang Ning sent a guard to escort her to Fuling Temple, and then went with Liu Ming''an to visit the Zhou family and inform Zhou Yi.


    Before marrying Zhou Yi, Nangong Muyan had toured all of his residences in the capital with him, but ultimately chose to live in the old mansion on Xichun Road because flower beds could be seen everywhere, and there was even a specially designed garden at the back of the residence. This greatly appealed to Nangong Muyan, a flower enthusiast who couldn''t even keep a cactus alive.


    When the couple arrived in the courtyard after being announced by the doorkeeper, they heard the sound of a zither ying "Evening Song of the Fisherman." However, the melody was quite messy, like that of a beginner.


    From a distance, Jiang Ning wondered why Nangong Muyan''s ying skills had deteriorated so much - was it pregnancy affecting her mind? Or perhaps it was Zhou Yi ying?


    Only after passing through the archway into the inner courtyard did Jiang Ning understand why the ying was so poor.


    Indeed, Nangong Muyan was ying the zither, but her attention was clearly elsewhere. Zhou Yi sat beside her, resting his chin on his hand, watching her with a smile and asionally feeding her grapes from a fruit te.


    True to her teasing nature, Nangong Muyan would yfully bite Zhou Yi''s fingertips each time he offered her a grape, then mischievously wink at him, prompting him to lean in and nt a kiss on her alluring face.


    Amid giggles andughter, the zither music becamepletely chaotic...


    Jiang Ning quickly averted her eyes - no wonder the ying was so terrible.


    Noticing their arrival, Nangong Muyan removed her hands from the strings and pushed away Zhou Yi, who was still trying to kiss her. She turned her head to see Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an.


    "Young Master Liu and sister-inw are here," Nangong Muyan said quickly, pointing outside the pavilion. She then traced her finger along Zhou Yi''s palm suggestively, saying in an intimate tone, "Let''s attend to our guests first, we can kiss moreter."


    Zhou Yi looked in the direction she pointed, where Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning stood side by side, though their gazes were fixed on a cluster of chrysanthemums by the path, deliberately avoiding looking their way.


    Zhou Yi''s ears turned red with embarrassment as he looked at Nangong Muyan with a slightly reproachful expression. She just grinned and gave him another quick peck on the lips before turning to their guests withpleteposure, saying, "Brother Liu, sister-inw, pleasee sit with us."


    The couple moved at her invitation, maintaining neutral expressions as they entered the pavilion and sat at the table.


    "Brother Zhou, sister-inw," Liu Ming''an nodded in greeting to the couple.


    Zhou Yi got up and moved the zither to the railing, then returned to pour tea for both guests and pushed the fruit te toward them.


    "Brother Liu, are you not busy these days?" Zhou Yi asked casually.


    After achieving the top score in the imperial examinations, Liu Ming''an had been granted marriage into the royal family and given a position in the Hanlin Academy, where he worked with historical texts and ssics. The role kept him away from court politics and power struggles, which suited his personality well.


    "No, it''s quite rxed," Liu Ming''an replied, then exined their purpose: "We came today to bid farewell to you both, as we''re heading to Lotus Flower Vige."


    "What? So soon?"


    Zhou Yi was quite surprised. He knew Liu Ming''an would eventually return to Lotus Flower Vige, where he was born and raised, to pay respects at his parents'' graves now that he was married and established in his career.


    He just hadn''t expected it to be so soon.


    "Zhang Shun sent me a message a few days ago saying he was returning to the capital. With you leaving, us three brothers won''t be able to gather together again," Zhou Yi remarked with regret. "I was hoping we could all go fishing together... ah, what a shame!"


    Liu Ming''an smiled when he heard about fishing, knowing his friend had moved past his old troubles: "When Brother Zhang returns, he won''t leave easily. Since we''re all in the capital, there will be plenty of time in the future."


    Seeing the men chatting happily and finding no opportunity to join the conversation with Jiang Ning, Nangong Muyan stood up, holding her belly: "You two brothers can continue talking here. I''m feeling a bit tired - sister-inw, would you escort me back to my room?"


    Jiang Ning responded with a "mm" and went to support Nangong Muyan''s arm.


    "Muyan, should I have a maid escort you instead?" Zhou Yi stood up, always worried when these two were alone together.


    "Brother Zhou, it''s fine. You two can continue chatting, just call us when it''s time for dinner," Jiang Ning said as she led Nangong Muyan toward her chambers. While Zhou Yi continued to watch anxiously, Liu Ming''an walked to his side, looking thoughtfully at the two women''s retreating figures.


    "Brother Zhou, don''t you think they''re actually very simr?" Liu Ming''an asked softly after a moment.


    That day beneath Taiji Hall, one had killed Yuwen Jin and the other had killed Chang Jian. When Liu Ming''an had watched them from among the crowd of schrs, seeing the identical murderous intent in both women, he felt as though they were the same person.


    Although Jiang Ning had never exined anything to him, based on his understanding of her, it was strange that Nangong Muyan remained unharmed after Jiang Ning''s visit to the Chancellor''s mansion, despite how cruelly she had tortured Jiang Ning. Even the gentle concern in her eyes when supporting Nangong Muyan just now seemed genuine.


    There was a connection between these two women that he couldn''tprehend, and it ran very deep.


    Liu Ming''an always chose to trust Jiang Ning - if she didn''t want to exin, he wouldn''t ask.


    Zhou Yi was also stunned by this question. After the women disappeared from view, he turned to Liu Ming''an and shared his thoughts: "Brother Liu, I''ve always felt that Muyan isn''t the type of person who would harm your wife."


    Liu Ming''an didn''t know how to respond, given what he knew about Jiang Ning''s past situation.


    Zhou Yi continued: "Do you remember when she climbed over the wall into your courtyard? Actually, when I was heading home that time, she knocked me out and kidnapped me."


    "This happened? Did she hurt you?" Liu Ming''an asked anxiously.


    Zhou Yi recalled the incident where Nangong Muyan had threatened to tie him to a tree and let him freeze to death - that should count as harm, right? It had certainly frightened him badly.


    But now that Nangong Muyan was his wife, he chose to avoid that detail and only answered: "Her main purpose wasn''t to hurt me, but to ask me some questions."


    "What did she ask? About Ning?" Liu Ming''an naturally assumed.


    But Zhou Yi shook his head: "She asked about you."


    "Me?" Liu Ming''an frowned, not understanding why Nangong Muyan would ask Zhou Yi about him.


    "Yes, she asked how old you were, what you did for a living, about your family situation, whether your parents were easy to get along with, if they were harsh people, if they had many rules, whether they would make life difficult for a daughter-inw, and also..."Aliali: 6743211ac4f3f33ac42e7315


    Zhou Yi paused before revealing the final question: "She also asked if you had ever visited brothels."


    "This..." Liu Ming''an was at a loss for words.


    "Brother Liu, do you think these are questions an enemy would ask?" Zhou Yi gazed at him meaningfully.


    "No, these are questions that only family or close friends would ask."


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes grew dark, finding the rtionship between the two women increasingly unclear.


    Zhou Yi patted his shoulder and sighed: "Brother Liu, I initially thought she was a venomous woman and tried to stay as far away from her as possible. But after spending more time with her, something inside kept telling me she wasn''t that kind of person. Though I still don''t understand why she would do those things to your wife..."


    "If you think I''m lying to defend her, to absolve her of guilt, you don''t have to believe me. Brother Liu, I''m sincere-"


    Liu Ming''an interrupted Zhou Yi''s unfinished words: "Brother Zhou, I believe you!"


    Liu Ming''an sat back down at the table and took a sip of tea. Seeing Zhou Yi still looking troubled, he offeredfort: "Brother Zhou, I don''t believe this just because of you - I also trust Ning and her decisions. I only know that you are my brother and Nangong Muyan is my sister-inw. As for past events, whatever secrets they may hold, if they don''t wish to speak of them, we shouldn''t ask. Let''s just let it go."


    "Brother Liu!" Zhou Yi was moved once again.

 Chapter 191

    Jiang Ning was unaware that Liu Ming''an had once again unconditionally amodated her. She was slowly helping Nangong Muyan back to her room, her nerves taut and her breathing light.


    Nangong Muyan was seven months pregnant with twins, her belly sorge that she couldn''t see her feet when she looked down.


    With each step up the stairs, Jiang Ning''s heart pounded in fear, her expression one of impending doom, which made Nangong Muyanugh uncontrobly.


    "Why are you more nervous than me? What are you afraid of? There''s no need to be so cautious."


    Jiang Ning nced at therge belly and ignored her teasing: "Some pregnant women can miscarry just from twisting an ankle. It''s better to be careful."


    "Do you think I''m that fragile?" Nangong Muyan was quite surprised. What kind of weak image did she have in Jiang Ning''s eyes now?


    "You fainted just from a casual move with me. How strong do you think you are?"


    "Alright, alright, then make sure you hold me steady." Nangong Muyan didn''t want to bring up these embarrassing incidents.


    Finally, after safely delivering her to the room, Jiang Ning let out a deep breath.


    Nangong Muyan sat on a stool, reaching for the teapot. Jiang Ning quickly snatched it away, poured tea for her, and handed it to her.


    "Oh, you''re getting more and more considerate!"


    Nangong Muyan held the teacup with a smile, her eyes curved in satisfaction as she looked at Jiang Ning.


    "Stop talking nonsense and drink up. Then go to bed." Jiang Ningmanded without expression.


    "I can''t sleep without Zhou Yi holding me. Just chat with me."


    "Why are you so clingy?" Jiang Ning couldn''t believe these words came from her.


    Nangong Muyan nodded repeatedly, unabashedly admitting: "I''m only clingy with Zhou Yi."


    Jiang Ning had nothing to say. She felt she no longer knew this person.


    "What do you want to talk about?" Jiang Ning eventually gave in. Sitting here waiting for Zhou Yi to call them for dinner seemed silly, so chatting for a while to pass the time was fine.


    "Hmm... what to talk about?" Nangong Muyan thought carefully. She and Jiang Ning didn''t have much to talk about.


    In the past, she had shared various knowledge with this person, centered around the theme of "killing." Now, in this peaceful world, she really didn''t know how to converse with Jiang Ning like a normal person.


    "How about I tell you how I won Zhou Yi''s heart?" Nangong Muyan suddenly had a brilliant idea, her face full of eagerness.


    "I don''t want to hear it." Jiang Ning directly poured cold water on her enthusiasm.


    "Then how about you tell me your love story with Liu Ming''an?" Nangong Muyan wasn''t discouraged and enthusiastically suggested another topic.


    "I won''t talk about it." Jiang Ning remained unmoved.


    "Oh, you''re really not fun at all. Zhou Yi is the best..."


    Nangong Muyanined, and just then, she felt a slight movement in her belly. She lowered her head gently, cing her hand softly on it, her eyes filled with tenderness.


    Jiang Ning watched this Nangong Muyan, and the image of the former person full of sharp killing intent shed through her mind.


    "Tell me about your child." Jiang Ning felt a bit emotional. They had bothe out of the darkness and found their own light.


    "The child isn''t born yet. What is there to talk about? I''ll tell you some pregnancy precautions instead. After all, you''ll have to go through this experience too."


    Jiang Ning pondered for a moment and nodded: "That''s fine."


    After dinner at the Zhou residence, Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning took their leave. They still had to arrange the preparations for their return to Lotus Flower Vige.


    As they left, Zhou Yi saw them off at the door, handing over two jars of wine: "Sister-inw, this is mulberry wine from my estate, brewed ten years ago and opened this year. The taste is quite good. Take it back and try it."


    Zhou Yi always remembered Jiang Ning''s heroic act of taking his ce in drinking at his wedding. Someone who could drink so well must like wine.


    Jiang Ning epted the wine jars without hesitation and sincerely thanked him.


    Upon returning to their residence, they arranged the carriages, horses, and apanying guards. Liu Ming''an then made a trip to the pce.


    His official position was insignificant and very leisurely, but since he would be away for several months, he needed to inform someone.


    As he left the Imperial Academy, he unexpectedly ran into Lou Lianyu carrying a stack of thick documents.


    "Brother-inw!" Lou Lianyu saw him and walked over with a smile to exchange pleasantries: "How have you beentely?"


    "Everything is fine, thank you for your concern."


    Liu Ming''an replied with a smile, casually ncing at the documents in Lou Lianyu''s arms, where he spotted a very familiar name among the dense text.


    Zhu Yuxuan.


    "Lou Shaoqing, are you busy with some official business?" Liu Ming''an asked casually.


    Hearing him inquire about this, Lou Lianyu sighed: "It''s about two murder cases this year that remain unsolved, with no leads at all. The deadline for investigation has passed, so the Ministry of Justice has decided to seal the case files and reopen them when there are new leads."


    "Two cases? Which two?"


    Liu Ming''an seemed quite interested. Lou Lianyu liked this cousin of his, and the case wasn''t a big secret, so he answered: "One is the case of the son of Minister Zhu being killed in an alley on the fifteenth day of the first month, and the other is the case of Prince Rui Yuwen Xuan being assassinated in his mansion on the tenth day of the second month. Both cases are very serious, involving the deaths of people of high status, yet they remain unsolved..."


    Liu Ming''an "oh"ed and didn''t ask further, but Lou Lianyu thought he was curious and continued: "Although these two cases seem unrted, I always have a hunch that the murderer is the same person."


    Liu Ming''an''s heart tightened. He knew it was impossible. Zhu Yuxuan was indeed killed by Jiang Ning, but when Prince Rui died, Jiang Ning was in Qushui City. She had no reason to kill him.


    "Why do you think that?" Liu Ming''an still asked.


    Lou Lianyu couldn''t exin it clearly. Intuition was something that couldn''t be articted.


    The two parted ways at a corner of the pce. After a few steps, Liu Ming''an was called back by Lou Lianyu.


    "You''re going back to Lotus Flower Vige, right?" Lou Lianyu asked, his tone certain. Without waiting for Liu Ming''an''s response, he continued: "Please tell my uncle for me that I always remember his teachings."


    Liu Ming''an replied: "Alright."


    As he was about to leave the pce, Liu Ming''an suddenly remembered that Prince Rui had once been engaged to Nangong Muyan. If Prince Rui hadn''t died, Nangong Muyan would have be the Princess of Rui.Aliali: 6743d32ec4f3f33ac438d8b1


    "But I always have a hunch that the murderer is the same person..."


    Lou Lianyu''s words echoed in Liu Ming''an''s mind, along with what he had said to Zhou Yi a few hours earlier.


    "Zhou brother, don''t you think they are quite simr?"


    Also, the date Zhou Yi started bringing wine jars to him was the eighth day of the second month, while Prince Rui died on the tenth day of the second month.


    Various thoughts surfaced in Liu Ming''an''s mind. He stopped and stood still, trying to sort them out, but found many things still unclear.


    "Oh~ Brother-inw, why are you standing here? Is there something on your mind? Shall I help you with anything?"


    A sharp voice pulled Liu Ming''an back to reality. He looked at the eunuch in front of him and politely smiled: "No need to trouble you, I''m fine."


    As the sun gradually set, the sunset''s afterglow painted the sky in brilliant colors.


    Liu Ming''an walked back to his residence under the orange-yellow light, thinking about returning to have dinner with Jiang Ning.


    There was no need to think about the unclear matters. Everything was good now, wasn''t it?

 Chapter 192

    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an set off from the Capital City on the tenth day of the ninth month, apanied by two guards, Qi Feng and Chen Hao.


    Although Jiang Ning didn''t need protection, having the two guards around made things easier for tasks like driving, running errands, and carrying luggage.


    The four of them took a boat to Jinzhi City, where Liu Ming''an''s seasickness persisted.


    Jiang Ning and Qi Feng helped him to a guesthouse to rest, while Chen Hao went out to buy a carriage in preparation for their journey to Qushui City.


    "Princess, why don''t you go to the government office or the post station to have them amodate you?"


    Qi Feng was puzzled. He thought that as soon as they revealed their identity, they would be surrounded by attendants. He couldn''t understand why Jiang Ning insisted on finding a guesthouse on her own.


    Jiang Ning helped the listless Liu Ming''an onto the bed and exined simply, "Because this is the path we once walked together."


    Qi Feng understood and then heard Jiang Ning instruct, "You can go rest. Don''t worry about us. I''ll call you when we''re ready to leave."


    "Yes."


    As Qi Feng was about to leave, Jiang Ning thought for a moment and added, "Call me ''Madam'' and my husband ''Master'' from now on. Don''t reveal our identities. I don''t want any trouble."


    "Yes."


    After the others left, Jiang Ning immediately went to the table, filled a cup with spiritual spring water, and brought it to Liu Ming''an.


    "Liu Ming''an, sit up and drink some water. You''ll feel better."


    Jiang Ning ced the cup on the bedside table and sat down, helping Liu Ming''an to sit up and lean against her.


    "Ah Ning, I feel terrible. Just let me lie down..."


    Liu Ming''an said weakly, his brow furrowed and his face pale.


    Jiang Ning brought the cup to his lips, her voice gentle, "I know you''re not feeling well, but drink the water."


    "I don''t want to. I''m afraid I''ll throw up."


    Liu Ming''an turned his head and buried his face in Jiang Ning''s neck. He felt dizzy and nauseous, wanting to lie still and recover.


    "You won''t throw up. The water will make you feel better." Jiang Ning patiently coaxed.


    Liu Ming''an remained silent, his eyes closed as if asleep, until Jiang Ning called his name twice, and he responded weakly, "Even speaking is painful for me now..."


    Warm breath brushed against her skin. Jiang Ning looked down at the uncooperative Liu Ming''an, thought for a moment, gentlyid him back on the bed, then took a sip of water herself, but didn''t swallow it. She leaned down and pressed her lips to his.


    Feeling the moist softness of her lips, Liu Ming''an reflexively responded with his tongue, only to find Jiang Ning feeding him a sweet mouthful of water, forcing him to swallow with her tongue.


    "Do you have to make me feed you like this?" Jiang Ning murmured against his lips without pulling away.


    Suddenly, the man beneath her curved his lips, and an arm wrapped around her waist. Liu Ming''an''s eyes sparkled with clear delight, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam!"


    "Do you feel better now?"


    Jiang Ning asked, and after receiving an affirmative answer from Liu Ming''an, she immediately threatened, "Next time, I''ll beat you up!"


    Before the words were finished, a hand pressed against the back of her head, and Jiang Ning was pulled down. Her lips were captured in a familiar, passionate kiss that always made their hearts race.


    After a long, tender kiss, Jiang Ning was still immersed in the lingering warmth of the embrace when she saw Liu Ming''an smiling like a fox, confident and proud, answering her earlier threat, "Ah Ning, I know you wouldn''t bear to hit me."


    Jiang Ning tried to look stern, "Are you so sure?"


    "Of course!" Liu Ming''an poked her slightly flushed cheek, finding her irresistibly cute, "I''m your husband, after all. I know you love me the most!"


    His words were full of pride. Jiang Ning stared at him for a moment before finally bursting intoughter.


    "Alright, Husband~" Jiang Ning got up from the bed and pulled the nket over him, "You rest now. I''ll ask the innkeeper to cook some porridge. You haven''t eaten much these past few days, your stomach must be upset."


    "Okay." Liu Ming''an stopped fussing and obediently closed his eyes.


    Although he no longer felt dizzy or nauseous, after two days on the boat with little food or sleep, he was both tired and hungry, needing to recover.


    Jiang Ning went downstairs to order food from the waiter, asking him to bring it when it was almost dark.


    Just as she was about to return to her room, Chen Hao came back from outside. Seeing Jiang Ning, he immediately approached and bowed, "Master¡ª"


    "Call me Madam."


    "Yes, Madam," Chen Hao corrected himself and continued, "The carriage is ready, and I''ve checked the route. We can leave at any time."


    "Good, I see. Go rest. I''ll call you when we''re ready to leave."


    Jiang Ning nned to stay in Jinzhi City for two days to let Liu Ming''an recover before heading to Qushui City. Besides, after two days of boat travel, she wanted to rest as well. There was no rush to travel now.


    After a good meal and a sound sleep, Liu Ming''an was back to his lively self the next day, eager to take Jiang Ning to see the thousand-year-old tree.


    "What''s so special about it? Just an old tree."


    Jiang Ning was reluctant. She had once killed a lecherous man there and found the ce inauspicious.


    But Liu Ming''an kept pulling her hand, calling her "Ah Ning" over and over. When she didn''t respond, he came closer and kissed and hugged her, making her soften and agree.


    Seeing her nod, Liu Ming''an happily pulled her into another embrace and kissed her for a while.


    "Ah Ning, that''s a tree of love. They say if a loving couple writes their names on a red silk and ties it to the branches, they''ll meet again in their next life."


    After the kiss, Liu Ming''an solemnly began to recount what he had heard, and from his sleeve, he took out a folded red cloth. Unfolding it, Jiang Ning saw it was a long strip with two names written in delicate script: Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning.


    "When did you prepare this?" Jiang Ning looked at Liu Ming''an''s eyes, filled with a gentle smile, feeling she couldn''t resist him.


    "When we left the Capital City." Liu Ming''an answered truthfully.


    So it was premeditated. Jiang Ning thought, a smile spreading on her lips, the dimple on her right cheek making Liu Ming''an lean in for another kiss.


    "Let''s go, stop fooling around."


    Jiang Ning stopped the persistent man, taking his hand and heading out.


    At the stairs, they met Qi Feng and Chen Hao carrying wine jars. Seeing their masters, the two guards immediately approached respectfully, "Master, Madam, are you going out?"


    Jiang Ning nodded, "You don''t need to follow."


    The tenth day of the ninth month in Jinzhi City was neither cold nor hot. The sunlight fell gently on them, not as scorching as in summer, but warm and soothing.


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an walked hand in hand slowly, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the market. The vendors'' calls echoed around them, and in this noisy scene, they both felt a deep sense of peace.


    "Liu Ming''an, do you still believe in reincarnation?"


    Jiang Ning thought of the red silk in his sleeve and the legend of the tree of love, finding his naive belief somewhat amusing.


    Liu Ming''an knew what Jiang Ning was asking about. He stroked her palm with his thumb, making her feel ticklish and try to pull away, only to be held tighter.


    "Ah Ning, I don''t really believe in it, but what if?"


    Liu Ming''an looked at her, his gaze so focused it seemed nothing else existed, "If there is an afterlife, I hope I''m still lucky enough to meet you."


    "Do you like me that much?"


    "Yes, you''re more important than my life," Liu Ming''an said solemnly, "I''ve thought about it. If I die before you, that''s fine, but if you go first, I''ll surely follow."


    Jiang Ning didn''t know how to respond. Faced with such deep affection, any words seemed inadequate.


    The tree of love was in the suburbs, a twenty-minute walk away. Without hesitation, Jiang Ning turned and pulled Liu Ming''an back to the inn.


    "Ah Ning, aren''t we going?" Liu Ming''an asked, puzzled, as he was pulled back by his sleeve.


    Jiang Ning walked into the room without a word, mming the door behind her with a loud "bang." Seeing Liu Ming''an still in a daze, she took matters into her own hands, pushing him onto the bed and following suit by pressing herself on top of him.


    "Ning, you..." Liu Ming''an seemed to understand her intentions.


    "The tree isn''t going anywhere; we can visit it anytime," she said, lowering her head to kiss him. Herst words dissolved between their lips: "But right now, I want to sleep with you..."


    Liu Ming''an had never seen Jiang Ning like this before, like a zing fire that threatened to consume him. In the past, she had always been shy in bed, with him guiding everything. But today, everything was reversed.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t understand why, but he certainly enjoyed it.


    "Ning, call me ''husband''?" Liu Ming''an gripped her slender waist, pressing her closer to him, making their bodies fit together more tightly.


    In the past, getting Jiang Ning to call him "husband" required some effort, coaxing her repeatedly to get his wish. But today, his little wife seemed to have changed her nature. As soon as he finished speaking, he heard her soft, breathless voice spill from her alluring lips: "Husband..."


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes darkened instantly: "Good girl, call me again!"


    "Husband..."


    Why was she being so obedient today?


    Liu Ming''an briefly pondered the cause and effect, hoping this state of affairs could continue. But before he could figure it out, the hands that had been propping up on his chest wrapped around his neck, and the warm, soft body pressed against him, whispering in his ear: "Do you want to hear more? Husband, husband, husband..."


    Oh no, his heart was racing, and he felt like he might die right there.


    That was Liu Ming''an''sst thought before his reasonpletely crumbled.


    The passionate affairsted from the afternoon until nightfall, leaving both of them exhausted but their hearts still racing with excitement.


    Liu Ming''an gently brushed the sweat-drenched hair from Jiang Ning''s forehead, nting a kiss on her brow.


    Jiang Ning''s eyes were closed, her longshes resting on her lower eyelids, her entire face flushed with desire. Her breathing was still a bit hurried, looking utterly exhausted.


    Liu Ming''an kissed her lips with tender affection, his voice soft as ever: "Ning, are you hungry? Should I go downstairs and get you something to eat?"


    Hearing his voice, Jiang Ning''sshes fluttered, and she opened her eyes to look at him, her gaze filled with seductive charm, like a siren luring him in.


    "Just hold me a little longer..." Jiang Ning mumbled, nuzzling closer to Liu Ming''an''s embrace.


    Feeling Jiang Ning''s attachment, Liu Ming''an''s heart melted like water, tightening his embrace around her.


    Half an hourter, when Liu Ming''an was about to ask his earlier question again, he realized that Jiang Ning had fallen asleep in his arms.


    Neither of them had eaten, and they were both drenched in sweat. Liu Ming''an had originally nned to go downstairs, bring up some food, ask the innkeeper for hot water and fresh sheets, and then sleepfortably. But now, with his beloved wife peacefully asleep in his arms, he couldn''t bear to move, fearing he might disturb her dreams.


    Oh well, we''ll deal with it tomorrow.


    Liu Ming''an pulled the quilt that had been pushed to the edge of the bed over their naked bodies and, embracing the fragrant, smooth skin, fell into a contented slumber.


    The next morning, Jiang Ning woke up from hunger.


    Opening her eyes, she found herself nestled in Liu Ming''an''s embrace,pletely naked. The wild events of the previous day shed through her mind, and Jiang Ning felt a wave of embarrassment.


    She tried to move to get up and put on her clothes, but that stirred Liu Ming''an.


    "Ning, are you awake?"


    His voice was still hoarse from sleep, and the words whispered in her ear made Jiang Ning''s ears tingle and feel hot.


    "I''m so hungry," Jiang Ning said softly, with a hint ofint, sounding like a yful pout to Liu Ming''an.


    "I''m hungry too," Liu Ming''an helped her sit up, taking the opportunity to caress her smooth, jade-like skin, a smile ying on his lips. "Let''s get up and eat, then take a bath and change our clothes."


    Jiang Ning nodded, bending down to pick up the clothes scattered on the floor when a sharp pain in her waist and an unmistakable sensation reminded her of how intense things had been the day before.


    Her face flushed again, and her movements became stiff.


    Liu Ming''an, on the other hand, was in high spirits, quickly dressing himself and then enthusiastically helping her with her clothes and hair. He then led her downstairs, ordering avish spread of delicacies.Aliali: 6744814f3f33ac44271f6


    "Ning, eat more!"


    A golden, crispy spring rollnded in Jiang Ning''s bowl. As she picked it up and took a bite, the man beside her gazed at her with deep affection, his voice full of concern: "You must have been exhausted yesterday. Next time, I''ll be on top¡ª"


    "Shut up! Eat your food! If you say another word, I''ll punch you!"


    Before he could finish, a steamed bun stuffed with brown sugar was shoved into his mouth. Liu Ming''an blinked at the suddenly fierce woman, feeling a bit wronged.


    What was going on? Yesterday, she had been sweet and soft, calling him "husband," but today she was acting like she didn''t know him.


    Liu Ming''an chewed the bun slowly, covertly observing the person who was almost burying her face in her porridge bowl, utterly perplexed.


    Jiang Ning took a while to calm down, then took another sip of millet porridge, starting to n the trip to Qushui City.


    But as she calcted, she realized something monumental.


    Yesterday... was probably the fertile period...


    Jiang Ning''s heart tightened with panic. She had a bad feeling.

 Chapter 193

    After learning about the possibility of being pregnant, Jiang Ning was worried all day. However, as she always kept her emotions hidden and maintained her usual demeanor, Liu Ming''an didn''t notice anything unusual.


    After lunch and a brief rest, Liu Ming''an brought up his earlier suggestion to visit the Wishing Tree, and Jiang Ning naturally agreed.


    It was September, with pleasant weather and gentle breezes - perfect for an outing.


    As one of Jinzhi City''s major attractions, the ancient tree was crowded with visitors during the day. Countless young men and women came to tie red silk ribbons to its branches, making lifetime vows and praying to meet again in their next lives.


    When Liu Ming''an led Jiang Ning there, he was startled by the crowd: "Why are there so many people?"


    He had hoped to tie the ribbon and then hold her in his arms for some intimate moments, but that wouldn''t be possible with so many onlookers.


    Unaware of Liu Ming''an''s private thoughts, Jiang Ning had no interest in staying long in crowded ces. She urged him as ifpleting a task: "Take out your ribbon and tie it up. Then we can head back to the inn."


    At the mention of "back to the inn," Liu Ming''an''s mind shed to certain intimate scenes, and he nodded eagerly: "Alright, wait here, Ning."


    Liu Ming''an walked over excitedly, took out the ribbon from his sleeve, and tied it to a higher branch. Instead of leaving immediately, he muttered under his breath: "I want to grow old with Ning, and I wish we''ll never be apart in all our lifetimes..."


    His voice was so soft that only he could hear it, the words dispersing in the wind.


    Standing at a distance, Jiang Ning could only see Liu Ming''an''s smiling face, his lips moving slightly as he gazed longingly at the ribbon bearing their names.


    "Ah! It hurts!"


    A sudden cry of pain came from behind. Jiang Ning turned to see a woman in green clothes who had fallen by the roadside, clutching her ankle, her face contorted in pain.


    Several people nearby moved to help her, and a man hurriedly ran over from beneath the tree, his face full of concern and distress: "Shuangshuang, what happened? How did you fall?"


    "Husband," the woman looked at her spouse with slight tears in her eyes, "I wasn''t watching where I was going and twisted my ankle on a stone."


    "It''s alright, I''ll carry you home," the manforted her while crouching down, waiting for her to climb onto his back before steadily carrying her toward the city.


    "Ah, what a loving couple!" someone sighed as they watched them leave.


    "Is there anyone whoes here who isn''t in love?" another person added.


    "That''s true..."


    While Jiang Ning was still watching the departing couple, a familiar hand took hers, and a warm, familiar voice spoke near her ear: "Ning."


    "Back to the inn?" Jiang Ning softly asked the man beside her.


    Liu Ming''an nodded but didn''t move. Instead, he reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his gaze tender and loving, making Jiang Ning''s heart flutter.


    "Ning, let me carry you back?"


    Liu Ming''an gently poked her cheek, making the serious suggestion.


    "Hmm?" Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, knowing he was inspired by what they''d just witnessed, and couldn''t help butugh: "I haven''t twisted my ankle, why would you need to carry me?"


    "Because I''ve never carried my wife before. Ning, please indulge me."


    Seeing the earnest expectation in Liu Ming''an''s dark eyes, Jiang Ning''s heart softened, unable to refuse.


    As the gentle breeze blew, Jiang Ning restedfortably against Liu Ming''an''s broad back, closing her eyes.


    "Liu Ming''an, am I heavy?"


    From behind came her question, making Liu Ming''an chuckle as he adjusted her position: "Not at all, you''re light as a feather."


    Jiang Ning made a soft sound of acknowledgment and fell silent, nuzzling his back slightly and tightening her hold on him, making Liu Ming''an feel as though he was carrying a cat.


    As they walked further, Jiang Ning heard children''s voices nearby.


    "Hee hee... Look, look! Such a grown-up being carried, how embarrassing!"


    "Maybe the sister is hurt..."


    "Wang Xiaohu, you don''t understand, he''s carrying his wife, hee hee... carrying his wife..."


    Jiang Ning opened her eyes and looked toward the voices. Several children were watching them curiously from the street side, chattering non-stop.


    "Ning, don''t mind the children," Liu Ming''an''s voice came at the right moment.


    "I''m not that petty," Jiang Ning muttered, but looking at the children brought back her earlier worries.


    "Sigh..." Jiang Ning let out a soft sigh, feeling as if a stone was weighing on her heart.


    Hearing her sigh, Liu Ming''an''s heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "Ning, why are you sighing? What''s wrong?"


    Jiang Ning didn''t want to mention the possibility of her pregnancy - it was all spection without any evidence, and would sound like needless worry. But hearing Liu Ming''an''s question, she couldn''t help wanting to say something.


    After thinking for a moment, she asked quietly, "Do you prefer boys or girls?"


    "I prefer you," Liu Ming''an replied without hesitation.


    "Stop joking!" Jiang Ning gave his shoulder a light punch. "I''m being serious!"


    "I am serious too," Liu Ming''an turned his head to look at her, appearingpletely sincere: "I don''t particrly like children, but I love you. As long as it''s your child, our child, just thinking about it being the continuation of our lives together - how could I care whether it''s a boy or girl?"


    "Continuation of life..." Jiang Ning repeated these words thoughtfully.


    "Yes, isn''t that what children are - the continuation of their parents'' lives?" Liu Ming''an looked back at the road, his tone broad and transcendent: "Everyone must die eventually, bing nothing but dust, with no more ties to this world."


    "But having children is different. They are their parents'' flesh and blood. When we die, our children remain in this world. They will remember us, miss us, and continue to witness the world''s beauty in our ce."


    "It''s natural instinct, not just for humans but for all animals. It flows in our blood - the continuation of life, generation after generation."


    Jiang Ning remained silent for a long while. Seeing the confused look in her eyes and thinking about yesterday''s timing and today''s talk about children, Liu Ming''an could guess what was on her mind.


    "Ning, don''t be afraid."


    Liu Ming''an''s voice was gentle, but his eyes were determined: "I''ll always be by your side. We''ll face everything together."


    Jiang Ning gazed at him steadily, feeling a bit more confident.


    "I know you''re not ready to be a mother, and that''s fine. If you are pregnant this time, I''ll take the baby whenever it cries so it won''t disturb you. You won''t have to stay up all night feeding and changing diapers - we''ll hire wet nurses and nannies. I''ll handle discipline if the child misbehaves, and never let it upset you... Don''t be afraid."


    Liu Ming''an''s words undoubtedly lifted a weight from Jiang Ning''s heart. She curved her lips in a smile and changed the subject casually: "When did you be such a smooth talker? Has being an official for a few months corrupted you?"


    Following her lead in changing the topic, Liu Ming''an teased back: "Well, I am a top schr after all. How could I not have some skill with words?"


    Though meant as a joke, his words made Jiang Ning lower her eyes, her tone notably sadder: "Liu Ming''an, do you resent me? Resent that I cut short your official career, that after achieving top honors in the imperial examinations, you''re now stuck in an insignificant position?"


    "Ning, what are you saying?" Liu Ming''an frowned,pletely puzzled.


    "Because I became a princess, and you married me, it practically ended your career as an official. I know you have a heart for serving the country and its people, but¡ª"


    "Ning!"


    Liu Ming''an, now just steps away from the inn, turned his head with unusual firmness: "Be good, let''s talk about this when we''re in our room."


    Jiang Ning obediently fell silent, letting Liu Ming''an carry her to their room and set her down on the bed.


    Liu Ming''an sat beside her on the bed, seeing the guilt in her eyes, and felt remorseful that he hadn''t addressed this misunderstanding earlier.


    "Ning, listen to me!"


    Liu Ming''an caressed Jiang Ning''s face, his voice urgent: "That''s not true. Don''t overthink it. Marrying you is my greatest fortune in three lifetimes. I''ve never regretted it for a moment."


    "There must be some regrets, right?"


    Jiang Ning believed Liu Ming''an''s words, but she often thought back to that day in Qushui City, when he had earnestly vowed to abolish Great Liang''sws on human trafficking.


    Back then, his eyes had sparkled with the innocence of a child, as brilliant as the rising sun.


    "No regrets. I''m very content with everything now."


    Liu Ming''an continued to deny it, pulling her into his embrace as he confessed: "Ning, I actually changed long ago..."


    Jiang Ning''s head rested against Liu Ming''an''s chest, hearing both his steady heartbeat and his calm voice above.


    "When you went to Qushui City to find Mother, I spent every day traveling between the Imperial Academy and the Lou Family. The three members of the Lou Family taught me a lot, not just the knowledge needed for the imperial examinations, but also their years of experience as officials."


    "I used to think being an official was too simple. I thought it was just about following thew, being fair, not ttering superiors or bullying subordinates, and honestly doing my duty. But the Lou Family told me that the most important thing in officialdom is to be diplomatic - knowing how to speak appropriately to different people, reading superiors'' intentions, maintaining authority over subordinates, being flexible, and staying clear of trouble while gaining advantages..."


    "That''s when I realized I wasn''t suited for the political machinations of the court."


    This was the first time Jiang Ning had heard Liu Ming''an exin his change in thinking, and she was quite surprised.


    "On the day of the pce coup, I thought I was going to die. The other candidates were crying, and honestly, I wanted to cry too, because I would never see you again..."


    "Then you came, and I watched you from beneath Taiji Hall. I realized that in this life, I only wanted to spend my days peacefully with you, without getting involved in any more conflicts..."


    Liu Ming''an held her tighter, nuzzling the top of her head affectionately with his chin: "Ning, so you really don''t need to worry. I''m very satisfied with my current position."


    "Really? How satisfied?" There was a hint of amusement in Jiang Ning''s voice.


    Hearing that her tone was no longer gloomy, Liu Ming''an felt relieved. He lifted her delicate chin and ced a kiss on her lips.


    "The Hanlin Academy is mostly filled with unambitious old men. Every day, besides drinking tea, ying chess, keeping birds, and writing poetry, their favorite thing to do is open history books andment on historical figures from various dynasties, discussing imperial secrets and pce gossip. Working there often makes me feel like I''m listening to storytellers in a teahouse."


    Jiang Ning finally felt at ease, her face brightening with a smile. Liu Ming''an found her irresistible and kissed her directly.


    After spending another night in Jinzhi City, they set out for Qushui City.


    Chen Hao was very thorough in his arrangements, carefully selecting their carriage. While ordinary-looking on the outside, the interior was elegant and fragrant, with soft animal fur on the seats and long-haired rugs hanging on the walls. Worried that the master and mistress might get bored during the journey, there was a small table inside, with drawers containing a chess set and some leisure books.


    "This is much morefortable thaning to the capital."


    After boarding the carriage, Liu Ming''anmented while setting up the chess board on the small table.


    Jiang Ning was still looking outside through the curtains when she suddenly heard him say: "Ning,e y chess with me."


    "Alright, but I''m terrible at it. You''ll have to go easy on me."


    Jiang Ning took the white pieces Liu Ming''an handed her, warning him in advance.


    In modern times, Nangong Muyan had taught her various games - Go, Chinese chess, Five-in-a-Row, Military Chess, international chess... She had learned them all to some extent, but she had little natural talent and learned rather rigidly.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t mind: "Don''t worry, Ning. My chess is awful too. My father only taught me a bit when I was young, and this year I yed a few games with those old men in the Hanlin Academy. They all looked down on me, especially Attendant Reader Liu, who said my chess was worse than his five-year-old grandson''s..."


    Liu Ming''an spoke casually, but Jiang Ning couldn''t help butugh at the thought of him being out of ce among his colleagues due to his poor chess skills.


    Pleased to have made herugh, Liu Ming''an continued sharing embarrassing stories: "I was stubborn about it at the time, and Attendant Reader Liu was quite serious too. A few dayster, he actually brought his grandson to the Hanlin Academy and had me y against the child..."Aliali: 6744814f3f33ac44271f6


    "What happened then?" Jiang Ning asked with a bright smile.


    "Then I waspletely destroyed, and the story spread throughout the Hanlin Academy."


    Jiang Ning''s eyes crinkled withughter, never having imagined Liu Ming''an would have such amusing experiences in the Hanlin Academy.


    Liu Ming''an wasn''t embarrassed at all, instead poking the dimple on Jiang Ning''s cheek and pleading yfully: "Ning, maybe you''ll be the one who needs to go easy on me."


    "Fine, I''ll give you a three-piece handicap!" Jiang Ning promised generously.


    After all, she had been taught by Nangong Muyan herself - surely she couldn''t be worse than Liu Ming''an?


    Soon Jiang Ning couldn''t smile anymore. As Liu Ming''an''s ck pieces surrounded and pursued hers, forcing her into retreat, she suddenly realized something.


    When Liu Ming''an said he was bad at chess, he wasparing himself to people who spent their days studying arts and culture. She, who had only learned the basics, was truly terrible.


    After the game, Liu Ming''an was shocked: "Ning, were you feeling sorry for how much I lose at chess and deliberately letting me win?"


    "Shut up! I don''t want to talk! Let''s y again!"

 Chapter 194

    Qushui City was raining.


    Every year in September, as autumn arrives, Qushui City experiences a continuous rain thatsts nearly a month, usually extending into early October. Last year, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an visited Qushui City in November, missing the rainy season. This time, however, they were not so fortunate.


    The rain made the roads slippery, making it inconvenient for the carriage to travel. Since they were not in a hurry, they decided to stay and wait for the rainy season to pass. Thus, they had already been in Qushui City for half a month.


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an chose to stay at the Tidal View Inn again, in the same room, and even the inn''s staff remembered them. Their exceptional looks and their extended stayst year made a deep impression on the inn''s staff.


    The rainy weather made the air damp and cold, with dim light even during the day, so candles were lit in the guest room.


    Jiang Ning stood by the window, watching the fine rain threads drift into the vast sea, and slowly ced her hand on her stomach.


    Her menstrual cycle had been dyed by five days, something that had never happened before. Since arriving in this world, thanks to the spiritual spring water, Jiang Ning''s health had been excellent, never falling ill, and her menstrual cycle had been remarkably regr.


    But this time, it was dyed by five days. Jiang Ning knew what this meant.


    She watched the rain for a while, feeling increasingly restless. Turning her head, she saw Liu Ming''an sitting on the small couch, fiddling with a chessboard, now holding a chess piece, pondering where to ce it.


    "Liu Ming''an!"


    The voice, filled with anger, came from the window. Liu Ming''an flinched, the chess piece falling onto the board with a "click," and looked up in surprise. Jiang Ning had already rushed to his side, pushing him down and pinning him on the couch.


    The chess pieces scattered noisily on the floor, but Liu Ming''an paid no attention, only focusing on the face so close to his.


    "Ah Ning, do you... want to sleep with me?"


    Seeing her posture, Liu Ming''an reasonably guessed, his eyes sparkling with obvious anticipation.


    Since Jiang Ning had a premonition of pregnancy in Jinzhi City, they had not had intimate rtions for half a month. Liu Ming''an would hold her every day, kissing and caressing her, even teasing her until her face turned red, but at the crucial moment, he would always be stopped. He had endured for half a month.


    Now that Jiang Ning was the one initiating, Liu Ming''an''s heart leaped with joy, his mouth curving into a wide smile. Before the person on top could respond, he continued on his own: "Alright! I agree!"


    As soon as the words left his mouth, his hands had already quickly untied Jiang Ning''s belt.


    "What do you agree to? Do I need your permission to sleep with you?"


    Jiang Ning mercilessly pulled out the two hands that had slipped into her clothes, pressing them firmly on the couch, not allowing Liu Ming''an to move further.


    Liu Ming''an, pinned like a piece of meat on a chopping board, became even more excited.


    His body couldn''t move, but his mouth didn''t stop: "You''re right, Ah Ning. You''re my wife, it''s natural for you to sleep with me, no need for my permission. Come on, don''t be shy, I''m ready, absolutely cooperative..."


    Jiang Ning was about to be driven mad by this man. Her mood was already bad, and he kept babbling, full of lewd thoughts.


    Thinking about how she had been seduced into losing track of time, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy at this age, Jiang Ning was furious. Seeing that never-ending mouth, she lowered her head and bit it fiercely.


    "Ouch!" Liu Ming''an winced in pain: "Ah Ning, be gentle, I''m your husband..."


    Seeing him in pain, Jiang Ning couldn''t help but soften, gently licking the bitten lip.


    Liu Ming''an''s breathing immediately became heavy. He broke free from the hands holding him down, pulling her tightly into his embrace, and his hot lips and tongue pressed forward.


    Jiang Ning obediently nestled in Liu Ming''an''s arms, allowing him to kiss her. The kiss seemed to have a soothing power, gradually calming the unease and irritation in her heart.


    After the kiss, Liu Ming''an lifted her horizontally and walked towards the bed, but she tightened her arms around his neck and whispered, "My period hasn''te this month."


    Liu Ming''an stopped in his tracks, all his passion fading in an instant.


    He looked down, seeing Jiang Ning''s head resting on his shoulder, her eyes drooping, slightly biting her lip, her expression somewhat dazed.


    "Ah Ning..." Liu Ming''an gently kissed her forehead, not knowing what to say, his heart filled with joy, confusion, worry, and mncholy.


    Liu Ming''an ced Jiang Ning on the bed as if she were a priceless treasure, then got on himself and pulled her into his embrace, remaining silent for a long time.


    Jiang Ning had once told him that they nned to consider having children in four or five years. This child came too unexpectedly, and Jiang Ning waspletely unprepared, caught off guard.


    "Ah Ning, should I go get a doctor to check?" After a long while, Liu Ming''an tentatively asked.


    "It''s only been ten days or so, a pulse check won''t show anything," Jiang Ning mumbled, burying her face in Liu Ming''an''s chest, findingfort in his warmth.


    "Then maybe..." Liu Ming''an wanted to say maybe she wasn''t pregnant, maybe it was just a dyed period.


    Jiang Ning knew what he was thinking. When her period was dyed by one or two days, she had also thought so, but now it was five dayste, and there was no other possibility except pregnancy.


    "Liu Ming''an, you have to trust my judgment, I''m definitely pregnant," Jiang Ning hugged Liu Ming''an tighter, her voice muffled, her mood obviously low.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t know how tofort her, could only pat her back gently, while one kiss after anothernded on her forehead.


    After an unknown amount of time, the breathing of the person in his arms became steady. Liu Ming''an looked at Jiang Ning, who had fallen asleep, and also slowed his own breathing, afraid of disturbing her.


    The wind from outside blew in, carrying a hint of autumn''s chill. As Liu Ming''an gently pulled the quilt to cover their bodies, his gaze involuntarily lingered on Jiang Ning''s t stomach.


    Previously, he had only focused onforting Jiang Ning''s emotions and hadn''t had time to think much. Now that Jiang Ning was asleep in his arms, he finally realized, btedly, that he was going to be a father!


    There was a child there!


    A child of his and Jiang Ning''s!


    This thought appeared in his mind, and Liu Ming''an''s heart began to beat violently, his hands trembling as he held the quilt.


    Liu Ming''an put the quilt aside, lifting his trembling hand slowly towards Jiang Ning''s stomach.


    The sleeping person''s abdomen rose and fell rhythmically. Liu Ming''an''s hand moved very slowly, the short distance of half an arm''s length taking nearly half an hour, his fingertips barely touching Jiang Ning''s clothes.


    Earlier, when Jiang Ning had pinned him down, his belt had already been untied. Now, Liu Ming''an held his breath, his fingers moving slightly, carefully bypassing the outermost robe, slipping under the inner garment''s hem, avoiding the bra, and finally, his palm pressed unhindered against the smooth skin.


    Child...


    Liu Ming''an thought of this word, his heartbeat elerating. He remained motionless in this position, his gaze fixed on that spot, his face showing a smile he wasn''t even aware of.


    Jiang Ning woke up the moment Liu Ming''an''s hand touched her, but she didn''t make a sound, just watched as Liu Ming''an ced his hand on her stomach, his expression changing from stunned to delighted, eventually breaking into a silly grin.


    Like a fool.


    Jiang Ning thought, a faint smile appearing on her lips.


    The rain outside continued, the raindrops hitting the windowsill with a "rustling" sound.


    Jiang Ningy in Liu Ming''an''s arms, his warm hand on her stomach, the worries caused by the unexpected pregnancy gradually dissipating in the sound of the rain.


    "Liu Ming''an."


    A soft call suddenly sounded in the quiet room. Liu Ming''an''s gaze shifted from Jiang Ning''s stomach to her face, his eyes filled with endless affection.


    Defeated by his gaze, Jiang Ning reached up to hook her arms around Liu Ming''an''s neck, pulling him down. As their lips met, she heard herself say, "I''ll try my best to learn to be a good mother..."


    The rain in Qushui City stopped on the seventh day of October. After a long period of overcast skies, the heavens finally cleared, and sunlight bathed the ground, carrying the salty scent of the sea in the air.


    The rain had stopped, but the umted water on the roads had yet to dry. Liu Ming''an refused to continue the journey, insisting that they wait until the muddy roads werepletely dry.


    "It''s okay, we can go early and return early," Jiang Ning suggested, knowing that Liu Ming''an was concerned about the bumpy journey potentially harming her, given her recent pregnancy. However, she felt she wasn''t that delicate and had experienced no adverse effects since bing pregnant, eating and sleeping as usual.


    "No way!" Liu Ming''an was resolute. "Or we could just head back to Jinzhi City and return after you give birth."


    "No, we''re not going back," Jiang Ning refused. They were already halfway there, and returning would only meaning back again, which was a hassle.


    "Then you should listen to me and wait until the roads are dry before setting off."


    "Alright, alright."


    Jiang Ning couldn''t argue with him and had to agree.


    The journey from Qushui City to Lingshan Town, without any rest, would take about half a month. But given Liu Ming''an''s current level of concern, the trip was likely to take nearly a month.


    Since the rain had stopped, Jiang Ning, feeling bored at the Tidal View Inn, decided to take Liu Ming''an to Lan Xu''s courtyard to see the lily of the valley nts that had been nted especially for her.


    Ever since Jiang Ning brought Lan Xu to Jinzhi City, no one had set foot in this courtyard.


    Before sending Lan Xu to Fuling Temple, Jiang Ning had informed her that their journey would pass through Qushui City and asked if there was anything from her old home that she wanted to take back to Jinzhi City, considering she had lived there for over a decade.


    Lan Xu had waved it off casually, "What could there be? Ling''er, that was just a temporary stop. There''s nothing worth missing. Now, Jinzhi City has my daughter, son-inw, and the abbesses at Fuling Temple. That''s my home now. You can just sell that courtyard. The deed is in the bottom drawer of the bedside cab."


    The courtyard, left unvisited for over half a year, showed signs of neglect. The lock on the door had rusted a dull red, and weeds had grown on the steps on either side.


    Jiang Ning looked at the closed gate, remembering the day she had locked it after carrying the drugged Lan Xu out of the house. The key had long since been lost.


    "Jiang Ning, how do we get in?" Liu Ming''an asked, looking at the lock with concern.


    Normally, Jiang Ning might have kicked the door open, but now that she was pregnant, she couldn''t be so rough. Instead, she pointed to a nearby stone and instructed Liu Ming''an to smash the rusty lock with it.


    The stone nged against the lock, and Liu Ming''an nced around nervously, feeling a strange sense of guilt despite breaking into his mother-inw''s property. Fortunately, after a few hits, the lock "clicked" and half fell off, dangling from the door. Liu Ming''an pushed the door open and followed Jiang Ning inside, closing the door behind them.


    The courtyard was as Jiang Ning had expected, with grass growing between the cracks in the stone tiles. The plot where the lily of the valley had been nted was also a mess.


    "There''s nothing to see," Jiang Ning muttered, then stood in the courtyard for a moment before pulling Liu Ming''an away.


    "Do you want to sell this courtyard?" Liu Ming''an asked.


    "No, we don''t need the money now. Let this courtyard stay here," Jiang Ning said, ncing back at the secluded ce, which had been Lan Xu''s home.


    Liu Ming''an suggested, "We should have Qi Feng fix the lockter."


    Jiang Ning nodded, ready to return to the inn with Liu Ming''an, when a distant bell rang.


    "It''s Universal Blessing Temple," Liu Ming''an said, looking in the direction of the sound, though the walls of the alley blocked most of the view, revealing only a corner of the temple.


    Hearing "Universal Blessing Temple," Jiang Ning''s eyes flickered, and some memories shed before her: in the dimly lit Eternal Life Hall, Lan Xu kneeling before rows of eternal life tablets, murmuring, "May Ling''er be safe and sound every year..."


    "I want to visit Universal Blessing Temple," Jiang Ning told Liu Ming''an.


    "Alright, let''s go."


    Liu Ming''an assumed she wanted to revisit the ce, but he didn''t expect Jiang Ning to head straight to the Eternal Life Hall, leaving him in the pavilion outside to wait.Aliali: 6744814f3f33ac44271f6


    The Eternal Life Hall remained as quiet and dim as ever, with the scent ofmp oil slightly overpowering.


    "Are you here to request an eternal life tablet?"


    The same monk fromst time stood at the entrance of the hall, seeing Jiang Ning enter, he sped his hands together and said "Amitabha" before starting his business.


    Jiang Ning ignored him and walked to the spot where Nangong Ling''s tablet had been. As expected, since Lan Xu had left and no one was paying for themp oil, the tablet and themp had been removed.


    "Can the removed tablets be found?" Jiang Ning asked the monk.


    "Those within a year are still kept. May I ask whose tablet you are looking for?"


    The monk had seen this many times. The monthly cost of amp oil for an eternal life tablet was not something everyone could afford continuously. If someone couldn''t afford it, the tablet would be removed and stored in a small warehouse at the back of the hall for a year. If not renewed within that time, it would be chopped up for firewood.


    Hearing that the tablet was still there, Jiang Ning felt relieved. She reached into her robe and pulled out a palm-sized token, dangling it in front of the monk with a golden thread: "Do you recognize this?"


    The monk looked closely and saw a gold-iid jade token, square with phoenix feathers carved around the edges, and the words "Hening" engraved in the center.


    "Princess Hening?" The monk looked at the person in disbelief.

 Chapter 195

    Having privileges is always better than having none.


    Jiang Ning was now deeply experiencing this truth.


    When she showed her token proving her princess status and exined her purpose, the monk immediately became extremely deferential. He hurried to the small storage room behind the Hall of Longevity and retrieved Nangong Ling''s memorial tablet. He carefully wiped off the dust with his sleeve and respectfully ced it on the highest tform in the center of the hall. Without her having to ask, he assured her that this tablet and its eternalmp would remain forever at the Universal Blessing Temple.


    "Does the Princess have any other requests?" the monk asked after showing his attentiveness.


    Jiang Ning just stared at the three characters spelling "Nangong Ling" on the ck tablet and said softly, "I wish to be alone for a while."


    "Of course, this humble monk shall take his leave." The monk bowed with sped hands and backed out of the Hall of Longevity, taking it upon himself to stand at the bottom of the steps outside to prevent others from entering.


    Left alone in the hall, Jiang Ning raised her head and gazed at the small memorial tablet for a long while before slowly speaking: "Nangong Ling..."


    "I went back to the Prime Minister''s Mansion in your ce. I learned that your enemy was Nangong Muyan, and I exposed her true nature to your father..."


    "But before I could make her suffer the same fate she inflicted on you, she took her own life. I''m sorry..."


    "Your father did care about you, but he didn''t love you enough. He failed you, so I severed ties with the Prime Minister''s Mansion..."


    "I found your birth mother Lan Xu. She has been thinking of you all these years. I brought her to the capital and treated her as my own mother. You can rest assured..."


    Jiang Ning spoke softly to the memorial tablet. Though she didn''t believe in ghosts and spirits, at this moment she wished there really was such a thing as "spirits in heaven."


    "If there is a next life,e be my little sister. I will protect you well!"


    The eternalmp in front of the tablet flickered, illuminating the small text beside it: The ninth day of the twelfth month in the twenty-first year of Yuanning.


    In two more months, Nangong Ling would have turned eighteen.


    Jiang Ning sighed, took onest look at the tablet, and said softly: "Rest in peace, Nangong Ling."


    Walking out of the Hall of Longevity, the sunlight outside was bright. Having stayed in the dim light for so long, Jiang Ning found it rather dazzling.


    She squinted for a moment to adjust, only then noticing Liu Ming''an waiting outside the hall with a smile on his lips.


    "Ah Ning," Liu Ming''an came forward and took her hand, asking gently, "Shall we return to the inn now?"


    "Mm." Jiang Ning nodded slightly.


    The monk silently followed behind them until they reached the entrance of the Universal Blessing Temple, where he bid them farewell with a "Amitabha" before returning.


    Liu Ming''an held Jiang Ning''s hand as they walked at a leisurely pace, his eyes thoughtful.


    He remembered Jiang Ning telling him that Lan Xu had set up a memorial tablet and eternalmp for her at the Universal Blessing Temple. Now that she had abandoned her identity as Nangong Ling, why did shee back to the Hall of Longevity?


    "At this rate, we can depart in two days."


    Liu Ming''an was lost in his random thoughts when he suddenly heard Jiang Ning say this.


    He turned to look at her walking in the sunlight - her features as delicate as a painting, her face like peach blossoms and plums, a faint smile on her lips. Her waist-length ck hair was arranged by his own hands, and the inexpensive camellia hairpin she wore was his gift. She even carried his child in her womb.


    "What are you smiling at?" Jiang Ning asked, puzzled by his inexplicable grin.


    Liu Ming''an tickled her palm and said in a voice as gentle as spring breeze through willow branches: "Ah Ning, I love you."


    No matter how many secrets you keep from me, I love you.


    The sudden confession caught Jiang Ning off guard. After some thought, she decided to reciprocate: "I love you too."


    The couple exchanged nces as they held hands on the busy street, finally both breaking intoughter.


    The carriage set out in the early morning two dayster, heading toward Maozhu County.


    On the sixth day, they passed by Zhuangzhu Vige.


    They could hear themotion from far away. Jiang Ning rememberedst year''s lively pig-ughtering feast and lifted the carriage curtain. Sure enough, the wide space at the vige entrance was filled with men, women, old, and young, with arge pot steaming away.


    "Ah Ning, would you like to stop here?" Liu Ming''an asked, seeing her interest.


    "No," Jiang Ning lowered the curtain. "Last year when you were just a sessful candidate, the vige chief treated you as an honored guest. Now that you''re the top schr, I''m afraid he''ll keep you here to teach his grandson until you''ve helped produce another top schr."


    This was clearly a joke, and Liu Ming''an just smiled without taking it seriously.


    Jiang Ning simply wanted to hurry along. It was now mid-October, and she hoped toplete everything and return to the capital before the ninth day of the twelfth month. Lan Xu had probably been waiting all these years to celebrate her birthday with her.


    As the carriage passed the vige entrance, Liu Ming''an heard the piercing squeals of pigs and couldn''t contain his curiosity. He lifted the curtain again, just in time to see several strong men carrying arge fat pig with wooden poles as thick as bowls, while the vige chief followed behind them happily, holding a small child.


    The child was chubby with round, bright eyes that looked everywhere, constantly babbling.


    "Is that Wei Zhouhong?" Liu Ming''an could hardly recognize him.


    Jiang Ning looked as well and nodded in confirmation: "Should be, the age matches."


    "How amazing! Last year he was only this big..." Liu Ming''an said, making a gesture with his hands. "In just a year, he''s grown so much!"


    Jiang Ning found his naivety rather adorable: "Children change every day, they grow very quickly."


    Liu Ming''an lowered the curtain, still marveling: "It''s so incredible..."


    Jiang Ning was reading a leisure book and didn''t respond, but after a while, she saw Liu Ming''an reach out to gently stroke her belly.


    "It''s too early, what do you expect to feel?" Jiang Ning said with resignation.


    "Ah Ning, after our child is born, I want to paint a picture every day to record all the changes," Liu Ming''an said with great anticipation.


    Hearing this, Jiang Ning suddenly felt yful and wanted to tease him.


    While Liu Ming''an was still touching her belly, his chin was suddenly gripped and lifted. Jiang Ning''s flower-like face drew closer, her expression somewhat mischievous.


    "We''ve been together for so long, yet you''ve only painted two pictures of me..."


    Liu Ming''an blinked, and the next moment his lips were bitten - not painfully, but enough to create a tingling sensation that made his heart itch.


    "My husband, that''s not fair~"


    In such a situation, it would be a waste not to do something. Liu Ming''an smiled, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her into hisp. He lowered his head and kissed those red lips.Aliali: 6744814f3f33ac44271f6


    When the kiss finally ended, those ravished lips had be even more brilliant. Liu Ming''an smiled and responded: "Ah Ning, I paint the child because you said children change every day. I''m afraid I''ll forget what it looked like at three months when it''s six months old, or what it looked like at six months when it turns one year old, so I need to paint it down."


    Another kissnded lightly on her lips, lingering for a moment before parting: "But you''re different."


    "How am I different?" Jiang Ning asked in return.


    A well-defined hand caressed Jiang Ning''s face, warm fingertips starting from her forehead, moving down slowly, tracing her nose bridge, pressing against her lips, and finally settling on her chin, two fingers holding her jaw.


    Jiang Ning met Liu Ming''an''s eyes, and for a moment thought the waves in his eyes were identical to the sea outside Quishui City.


    "Ah Ning, you''re always in my heart. I will never forget what you look like, so I don''t need to paint you."


    "Besides, I always feel I make you look less beautiful in my paintings. You''re the most beautiful girl in the world, and no one can capture your beauty."


    These sweet words made Jiang Ning''s eyes curve with joy, her heart as sweet as if filled with honey.


    "You schrs are just smooth talkers!" sheined verbally, but her hands honestly pulled him down for another kiss.


    "But these are my true feelings..." Liu Ming''an managed to defend himself in the brief intervals between their intertwined kisses.

 Chapter 196

    When they arrived at Maozhu County, autumn was already in full swing.


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning rested at an inn for the night. The next day, they sent their two guards to purchase some gifts, and all four of them headed to Cui Shan''s theater troupe.


    Liu Ming''an still remembered his old friend. When they parted in Qushui Cityst year, he had promised to visit when he had the chance. Now that they were passing through, how could he not stop by?


    They found their way to the residence following their memory. Before they even got close, they could hear Cui Shan''s powerful voice berating someone from afar.


    "What kind of singing is that? Huh? What are you singing? And your hand position¡ªwhat''s that about? Is this how your master taught you? If you want to make a living here, do it properly. I don''t keep people without talent..."


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning exchanged nces, both somewhat surprised. Last year during their journey together, Cui Shan had been a gentle old man. They hadn''t expected him to be so imposing when training his students.


    After thinking for a moment, Jiang Ning said, "Well, in opera, one minute on stage takes ten years of practice offstage. You have to live up to the audience''s expectations and maintain your reputation. The fundamentals must be solid."


    "True, strict teachers produce outstanding students," Liu Ming''an agreed, then stepped forward to knock on the door.


    The scolding inside ceased at the sound. After a moment, they heard footsteps approaching.


    The door was opened by Little Li, who handled errands for the troupe¡ªthe same one who had guided them to find Old Yang the blind manst year.


    "Young Master Liu? Miss Jiang?" Little Li was quite surprised to see them.


    Cui Shan nced toward the door and hurried over: "What are you shouting about? This is Princess Hening and the Prince Consort!" He was about to kneel, lifting his robe.


    The people behind him, who had been going about their business, rushed to the door when they heard this, also preparing to kneel in greeting.


    Liu Ming''an quickly caught hold of Cui Shan, keeping him firmly in ce: "Uncle Cui, there''s no need for that. Don''t stand on ceremony¡ªI''m just here to visit you..."


    Jiang Ning also quickly spoke up: "Please, no need to kneel!"


    Seeing their reaction, Cui Shan realized they were still the same as before, so he didn''t insist. Following Liu Ming''an''s lead, he stood up and turned to Little Li: "What are you standing there for? Quickly go make tea for the Princess and Prince Consort."


    Little Li darted off to the kitchen. Liu Ming''an walked into the courtyard with Cui Shan, smiling: "Uncle Cui, please don''t keep calling us Princess and Prince Consort. Just call me Ming''an like before."


    "Hahaha... you kid!" Cui Shan didn''t stand on ceremony anymore, patting Liu Ming''an''s shoulder with a heartyugh. "You became the top schr and Prince Consort, yet you''re still as modest as ever, without any airs!"


    Jiang Ning directed Qi Feng and Chen Hao to set down the items they were carrying on the table: "Uncle Cui, these are some things we bought for your troupe, just a small token."


    "Ah, young Miss Jiang is still so thoughtful with proper etiquette!" Cui Shanpletely set aside the barriers of status and began chatting with the two young people, his heart filled with joy at reuniting with old friends.


    Seeing how approachable these two distinguished guests were, the other troupe members also rxed. After all, they had spent half a month together before, so they were old acquaintances. Without waiting for Cui Shan''s instructions, they had already started bringing out snacks and fruits to serve their guests.


    "Would you two stay for a meal? I can go prepare some dishes?" the martial female role actor of the troupe suggested with a smile.


    Jiang Ning nodded in thanks, then heard Cui Shan say with some emotion: "Ah, I knew you would return to Lingshan Town in glory, but I didn''t expect you''d remember this old man ande specially to see me!"


    "Uncle Cui, you took such good care of us on the way to Qushui Cityst year. I won''t forget that kindness," Liu Ming''an said sincerely as he poured tea for him.


    "What kindness? It was nothing," Cui Shan waved his hand dismissively.


    Liu Ming''an smiled, and Cui Shan continued: "Your timing is quite good. If you hade a few dayster, we would have been on our way to Qushui City."


    "Don''t worry, Uncle Cui. I remembered when you usually go to Qushui City each year, so we made sure toe before then."


    "Hahaha... I see, Ming''an, how thoughtful of you!"


    The two continued their conversation, with Jiang Ning asionally joining in, creating a harmonious atmosphere.


    After everyone had enjoyed a lively meal together, when it was time to say goodbye, Cui Shan walked Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning to the door.


    "Ming''an, when I heard you became the top schr and Prince Consort, I was so happy¡ªas happy as if my own son had achieved such sess!"


    Cui Shan had had some wine during the meal, so his speech was a bit loose, but his words came straight from the heart.


    "I know that after this journey, you''ll probably settle down peacefully in the capital. There are many noble people in the capital, and I''m just a theater troupe manager who doesn''t understand all the twists and turns of those wealthy households. I just hope you and Miss Jiang can live peacefully and safely."


    Liu Ming''an nodded: "Uncle Cui, though we''ll be far apart, please take care of yourself!"


    "Of course! Don''t worry!" Cui Shan patted Liu Ming''an''s shoulder once more before returning to the courtyard.


    Afterward, their carriage continued southwest, briefly stopping at Wine Selling Town where they rested at an inn for one night before continuing their journey the next day. Traveling at a steady pace, they finally reached Lingshan Town in early November.


    When the stone marker bearing the words "Lingshan Town" appeared before them, growing closer, Jiang Ning suddenly felt a wanderer''s homing emotion in her heart.


    Even she couldn''t exin clearly where this feeling came from. After all, she had only stayed in this ce for just over two months, had lived in the capital much longer, and had no one here she particrly missed. Yet this small town gave her a sense of familiarity.


    Later, when Jiang Ning thought about it carefully, perhaps it was because Lingshan Town was the first ce she had stayed aftering to this world, like the first sky a newborn bird sees when it opens its eyes¡ªprofoundly meaningful.


    It was here that she became Jiang Ning, met Liu Ming''an, and transformed from a mere killing de into a person.


    Lingshan Town was the birthce of "Jiang Ning" as an identity.


    "Ning, remember we still have a home here?" Liu Ming''an looked at the streets that remained exactly as he remembered them, feeling quite emotional about this ce where he had lived for neen years.


    "Of course I remember. It cost thirty taels of silver back then¡ªenough to buy ten of me."


    Liu Ming''an immediately poked her cheek with augh: "Don''t make suchparisons. You''re priceless."


    The carriage dropped them off at their courtyard house on North Street, then Qi Feng and Chen Hao drove off to find an inn to stay at.


    "Why is there so much dust here?" Jiang Ning asked in confusion after getting off the carriage.


    Liu Ming''an was also puzzled. This alley should have had few visitors, and even after being untended for over a year, there should only be fallen leaves, not dust. Moreover, there were small wooden sticks stuck all along the wall crevices.


    "Well, I''ll sweep it up with a broomter," Liu Ming''an said, deciding not to dwell on it.


    When they had left, Liu Ming''an had wrapped the key in oiled paper and hidden it in a brick crevice outside the main door. He reached over to feel for it¡ªit was still there, though it proved useless as the lock had rusted and would need to be broken.


    Since it was his own door he was breaking, Liu Ming''an felt no guilt. However, after just a few loud bangs, a male voice called out impatiently behind them: "What are you two doing? Trying to steal something in broad daylight?"


    They turned around in surprise to find a familiar face.


    "Brother Fang Cheng?"


    It was the clerk from the Hundred Knowledges Tower who had taken them from Lingshan Town to Wine Selling Town.


    Fang Cheng''s jaw dropped when he recognized them: "Young Master Liu?"


    He immediately pped his forehead: "Ah! No, Top Schr! No, wait¡ªPrince Consort!"


    As Fang Cheng btedly tried to kneel in greeting, Liu Ming''an quickly stopped him: "Brother, there''s no need for ceremony. We''re here quietly, please don''t spread the word."


    Fang Cheng looked at Liu Ming''an, then at Jiang Ning, and nodded.


    Having met a familiar face, Liu Ming''an was in no hurry to enter anymore. He pointed at the courtyard Fang Cheng hade from: "Is that your home? What a coincidence that it''s right next to our courtyard¡ªquite close to the Hundred Knowledges Tower."Aliali: 67467efbc4f3f33ac45e4cd7


    Fang Cheng grinned: "Prince Consort, I just bought this courtyard this June. I don''t work at the Hundred Knowledges Tower anymore."


    "Oh? Then how do you make a living now?" Liu Ming''an asked casually.


    "I actually have to thank the Princess for her guidance," Fang Cheng bowed to Jiang Ning. "Remember when we were traveling to Wine Selling Town? I offered you all some braised beef that my wife made. Princess, you mentioned it was delicious and suggested that we could consider selling it at a stall. That''s what got me thinking."


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, recalling that moment. Though she had only made thement in passing, it was Fang Cheng''s own merit that he had managed to turn it into a sessful business.


    "Later, when my wife became pregnant, I could only spend seven or eight days at home each month while working at the Hundred Knowledges Tower. I didn''t want to continue that way, so I tried my hand at selling beef. To my surprise, it worked really well. I earned much more than I did as a waiter, so we moved from the vige to the town."


    As he spoke, Fang Cheng bowed again to Jiang Ning with gratitude.


    "You don''t need to thank me. This is all due to your own capabilities," Jiang Ning said coolly, then looked at the ash-covered ground and asked, "Brother Fang Cheng, do you know why there''s so much ash outside our courtyard?"


    "Oh, Princess, you might not be aware, but ever since the Prince Consort became the top schr in the imperial examinations and married you, the news spread to Lingshan Town. Those schrs now look up to the Prince Consort as their role model, and your courtyard has practically be their temple of learning. All this ash is from the incense they burn when theye to pay their respects."


    Liu Ming''an was speechless, finally understanding what those small wooden sticks in the wall cracks were.


    Jiang Ning was also rendered silent by this news. She never imagined that one day her home would be something akin to a "historic site" for admirers.

 Chapter 197

    Liu Ming''an finally broke into his own house and entered the courtyard. He initially thought about sweeping away the incense ashes at the doorway, but considering he would only stay for two days, he decided against it.


    The small courtyard looked much the same as when they left, except it was now covered with dead leaves and bird droppings. Spider webs adorned the eaves and windows, and everything inside was coated in dust. Jiang Ning couldn''t even find a clean ce to sit.


    "I think we should stay at an inn instead..." Jiang Ning touched the musty bedding, which felt damp and had small spiders crawling on it. She knew she wouldn''t be able to sleep there.


    Liu Ming''an nodded in agreement.


    They stood in the courtyard for a while, taking a careful look at what was once their home, then closed the door and headed toward the Fusheng Restaurant, taking the opportunity to observe the streets of Lingshan Town along the way.


    Although a year had passed, time hadn''t left much of a mark on this small town. The shops remainedrgely unchanged, just as Liu Ming''an remembered them.


    The couple walked hand in hand at a leisurely pace until they both stopped simultaneously at a particr spot.


    The two-story building that once housed the Gold Jade Hall had been converted into a shop selling fabrics, silk, and ready-made clothes. The shop doors were wide open, with someone who appeared to be the owner enthusiastically greeting customers.


    What made them pause was the shop assistant measuring and cutting fabric with scissors and a wooden ruler ¨C it was none other than Zhao Qiang.


    Liu Ming''an and Jiang Ning exchanged surprised nces.


    Zhao Qiang had been tricked by Monkey and Old Six Hu into going to Lotus Flower Vige to drug people, nning to steal money at night. He had been sentenced to forty strokes of the cane and one year in prison, with his descendants banned from official positions for three generations. He had lost his position as a training instructor at the magistrate''s office, and by their calctions, he must have just been released from prison recently.


    "He had good martial arts skills. I thought he would be a bodyguard or security guard, but I never expected him to be a shop assistant."


    Jiang Ning took a couple of looks and pulled Liu Ming''an away when she noticed Zhao Qiang beginning to look toward the door.


    It was already afternoon when Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an arrived at the Fusheng Restaurant. They booked a room and then sent Qi Feng and Chen Hao to buy some spirit money and incense.


    "Buy some sugar-filled pastries too," Liu Ming''an added after some thought.


    "Yes, sir." The two servants departed while Liu Ming''an took Jiang Ning back to their room. After dinner, they enjoyed afortable bath with hot water before going to bed.


    "I wonder how everyone in Lotus Flower Vige is doing now?"


    Liu Ming''an idly yed with Jiang Ning''s hand, his voice filled with anticipation.


    "We''ll see them tomorrow. Let''s get some rest now."


    Unlike Liu Ming''an, Jiang Ning was always somewhat detached when it came to others. She didn''t share the same sentimentality and just wanted to sleep now.


    "Alright, let''s sleep." Liu Ming''an understood her personality and said no more, pulling her into his embrace before quietly closing his eyes.


    Early the next morning, a horse-drawn carriage stopped at the entrance of Lotus Flower Vige.


    A man carrying a hoe on his way to the fields looked on curiously as two guards stepped down from the carriage carrying some packages. Then the carriage curtain lifted, and a striking couple emerged, both exceptionally good-looking and well-dressed.


    Just as Liu Ming''an helped Jiang Ning down from the carriage, they heard a "thud" a few steps away. Turning their heads, they saw He Wu dropping his hoe and kneeling before them.


    "This humble citizen pays respects to Princess Hening and the Prince Consort!"


    "Brother Wu?" Liu Ming''an quickly stepped forward to help him up. "There''s no need for such formality. We''re just here for a visit."


    Just as Liu Ming''an helped him up, Aunt Lin Er, who was carrying a basket, saw them and also dropped to her knees: "This humble woman pays respects to Princess Hening and the Prince Consort!"


    Liu Ming''an felt a bit of a headache. He had deliberately chosen this time thinking everyone would be busy in the fields, but who would have thought they''d be greeted with kneeling right upon entering the vige.


    Jiang Ning helped Aunt Lin Er up, knowing that such gestures would be inevitable during their visit, so they might as well have them spread the word.


    "Please go about your business, and if you see others, please let them know there''s no need for formal greetings."


    "Yes, yes, yes..." He Wu and Aunt Lin Er nodded repeatedly but remained rooted to the spot. Only after Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an headed toward the foot of the mountain with their two guards did they pick up their things and take a deep breath.


    On their way to the mountain''s foot, they encountered several more vigers, all of whom immediately knelt upon seeing them. Liu Ming''an initially tried to stop them but eventually gave up when he realized it was futile. At least he hadn''t seen Third Great-Uncle and Third Great-Aunt among them.


    Those kneeling in the fields heard only a "no need for formalities" and dared to look up, seeing the group of four walking steadily toward the green mountain.


    They watched Liu Ming''an''s retreating figure with mixed emotions. Justst year, he had been one of them, an insignificant viger, but now he had transformed into an untouchable noble. Even though his voice remained gentle and his manner friendly, things were undeniably different...


    After their initial amazement, the vigers felt mostly relief that they hadn''t mistreated Liu Ming''an before, sparing themselves from potential retribution. Otherwise, they might have ended up like the two women from the Li family, who had fled with their tails between their legs.


    Liu Ming''an didn''t notice theseplex gazes or know their thoughts. With each step toward the burial ground at the mountain''s foot, his heart grew heavier.


    He had established himself and married well, wanting for nothing, yet his parents, who should have been enjoying their golden years and family happiness, were now buried in yellow earth. He couldn''t even fulfill his basic filial duties.


    Qi Feng and Chen Hao handed the packages to Liu Ming''an and tactfully remained on the small mound at the edge of the burial ground, keeping away the vigers who had followed to watch.


    Jiang Ning stood before the tombstone, unconsciously looking up at the verdant mountain. It stood there silently, like a long-sleeping giant. asional birds flew in and out of the forest, their wing beats bringing brief sounds that only emphasized the mountain''s tranquility. Like gentle rain falling into the vast sea, stillness was the mountain''s true nature.


    Liu Ming''an was also gazing at the mountain, but he wasn''t seeing the trees or birds. His gaze was unfocused, his eyes filled with deep nostalgia.


    If not for that ident, what would their family be like now?


    Liu Ming''an stared for a long while, his eyes unconsciously growing moist, when he heard a soft, somewhat cool voice.


    "Father, Mother, I am Jiang Ning, your daughter-inw. Ming''an and I havee to visit you."


    The voice brought Liu Ming''an back from his thoughts. Looking down, he saw Jiang Ning had already lit the incense and was slowly burning the spirit money piece by piece.


    "Ning..." Liu Ming''an crouched down beside her, his voice carrying a barely noticeable tremor.


    Seeing him like this pained Jiang Ning. After burning all the spirit money in her hands, she reached out and squeezed his hand firmly. "You should talk to your parents. I''ll wait for you over there."


    Liu Ming''an nodded, watching her walk to the low mound before slowly taking out some spirit money and lighting it.


    "Father, Mother, a lot has happened this year. Let me tell you everything..."


    "Let me start with the good news. Father, Mother, I achieved the highest score in the imperial examinations, and I married Ning. She''s now Princess Hening, and thanks to her, I became a Prince Consort with afortable position in the Hanlin Academy..."


    Liu Ming''an''s eyes and lips curved into a slight smile as he continued: "Ning is pregnant. Father, Mother, I''m going to be a father too! If you were still here, you''d be so happy, wouldn''t you?"


    The mes licked at the yellow spirit money, consuming it to ashes in moments.


    Liu Ming''an opened the paper package, revealing a full bag of sugar-filled pastries, and ced them before the tombstone.


    "Father, I never knew you loved sugar-filled pastries until..." he hesitated over the form of address before continuing, "until Madam Lou told me."


    "Father, I met the Lou family. I know who you are now, and I know what you went through."


    The faces of the Lou family members shed through his mind, finally settling on Wang Lanzhi''s lifeless face at her death.


    "I didn''t return to the Lou family. I''ve kept the surname Liu, and my children will be Liu too."


    "I used to call them Grandfather, Uncle, and Cousin, butter I thought it better to make a clean break. Now the Lou family members are just colleagues to me."


    "I helped decline the Grand Tutor''s wish to scatter the Old Madam''s ashes on this mountain. I figured since you haven''t mentioned them even once in all these years, you must havepletely cut ties with them in your heart. Since boundaries were drawn, they''re strangers now, and why should strangers disturb your peace..."


    "Father, do you think I was too heartless?"


    A mountain breeze gently swept by, lifting several half-burned joss papers. The bright yellow papers swirled in the wind, dancing in the air before falling back to their original spot, where they were consumed by the mes.


    Liu Ming''an stared at the joss papers that had twirled in the air, and suddenly smiled: "Father, Mother, is this your way of speaking to me?"


    The heaviness in his heart dissipated at that moment. Liu Ming''an stopped burning the papers one by one, instead dumping the remaining stack directly onto the mes. The fire suddenly zed brighter, casting a warm glow even on the cold tombstone.


    "Oh yes, Father, Lou Lianyu asked me to tell you that he''ll always remember your teachings."


    "I''m actually quite jealous of him. You taught him for eight years, but only taught me for six. You were so learned - if only you could have taught my children too, our Liu family might have produced a few more top schrs..."


    "If only you were still here..."


    Jiang Ning waited with Qi Feng and Chen Hao for about half an hour, watching as Liu Ming''an formally knelt before the tombstone and kowtowed three times before rising to join them.


    Liu Ming''an returned to Jiang Ning''s side and habitually took her hand: "Let''s go see Third Great-Uncle and Third Great-Aunt."


    Jiang Ning pointed to the nearby woods, and when Liu Ming''an looked up, he realized almost everyone from the vige hade.


    The vige chief, noticing Liu Ming''an had spotted them, approached with a beaming smile. He bowed somewhat nervously to the couple, but before he could speak, Liu Ming''an cut him off: "Vige Chief, no need for formalities. We''re just here for a visit and don''t need any special treatment. Please go about your business. We''ll just visit Third Great-Uncle and Third Great-Aunt before leaving."


    The vige chief repeatedly nodded, saying "alright," but when he heard thest part, he responded: "Your Grace, you won''t be able to see them."


    "Why not?" Liu Ming''an''s heart tightened as some unpleasant possibilities shed through his mind.


    "Third Great-Uncle passed awayst winter. Third Great-Aunt was left alone, so her daughter, worried about her, took her to Apricot Blossom Vige."


    Liu Ming''an didn''t know whether to feel relieved or remain anxious. He barely noticed how the vige chief and the vigers departed, his mind consumed by the thoughts that "Third Great-Uncle had died" and "Third Great-Aunt had left."


    "Is Apricot Blossom Vige far from here? If you want to visit her, I can go with you."


    Jiang Ning''s voice rang beside his ear. Liu Ming''an looked at the concern in her eyes and smiled slightly, saying nothing else except, "Let''s return to the inn first."


    The four of them walked toward where their carriage was parked at the vige entrance. After walking for a while, Jiang Ning sensed someone following them. Looking back, she saw it was the Mute Woman, and behind her was a kind-faced man carrying an adorable child, though the man walked with a limp.


    "Mute Woman? Why are you following us?" Jiang Ning stopped and asked.


    Hearing this question, the Mute Woman broke away from her husband and child, rushed forward, and when still a few steps away from Jiang Ning, fell heavily to her knees and kowtowed.


    "What are you doing?" Jiang Ning was puzzled: "Is there something you need help with?"


    The Mute Woman hurriedly shook her head, afraid Jiang Ning might think she was trying to curry favor.


    The man behind her answered on her behalf: "She''s thanking the Princess."


    Jiang Ning understood and helped her up: "That was so long ago, and besides, didn''t you already thank us by bringing us vegetables? No need to thank us again."


    Back at the inn, Liu Ming''an tried to figure out the connection between Jiang Ning and the Mute Woman but couldn''t piece it together. Fortunately, he wasn''t one to dwell on such matters, so he let it go.


    Later, they visited Aunt Hui. Perhaps because Lan Xu had once made a living selling osmanthus cakes too, Jiang Ning now felt particrly close to this kind-hearted woman.


    Aunt Hui was both surprised and delighted to see them. She personally prepared a table full of dishes, offered many caring reminders during the meal, and when it was time to part, knowing she might never see them again in this life, she couldn''t help but shed tears.


    "Ming''an, you and the Princess must take good care of yourselves!"


    Liu Ming''an nodded solemnly.Aliali: 67467efbc4f3f33ac45e4cd7


    Jiang Ning knew that besides Aunt Hui, Third Great-Aunt was the person Liu Ming''an cared most about in Lingshan Town. She wanted to apany him to Apricot Blossom Vige to visit the kind-faced olddy, but Liu Ming''an refused.


    "The road to Apricot Blossom Vige isn''t easy to travel. Ning, please wait for me at the inn."


    Jiang Ning said she wasn''t that delicate, but Liu Ming''an insisted. In the end, Qi Feng apanied him while Chen Hao prepared for their return to the capital.


    Liu Ming''an set out for Apricot Blossom Vige before dawn and returned at dusk.


    "Third Great-Aunt is doing well, spending her days taking care of her little grandson. She''s living afortable life." Liu Ming''an was relieved to see the olddy still as cheerful as before.


    "Oh, and Third Great-Aunt told me something else. After news spread that you had be a princess, He Zhenhu and Li Xiangyun''s family, worried about our revenge, moved to another county."


    Liu Ming''an couldn''t help butugh when he heard this news, and Jiang Ning also burst into giggles: "Such small-minded people, who even remembers them?"


    "That''s what happens when you have a guilty conscience."


    Liu Ming''an poked her little dimple and kissed it several times: "Now that we''ve seen everyone we needed to see, we can return to the capital."


    "Yes, let''s go back to the capital!"

 Chapter 198

    "Here, this is the person."


    A photograph was ced on the ss table in front of the young girl. She nced at it, seeing a man in a formal suit, appearing to be around sixty years old, passionately speaking behind a row of microphones.


    "Kill him, and you''ll be N afterward."


    The woman who handed over the photo curved her lips in an alluring smile. After seeing the girl nod, she picked up a watering can and went to the balcony to water her newly purchased hyacinths.


    Jiang Ning was fourteen years old at the time.


    That was the first task N had given her.


    To let her rece her and be the new N.


    Jiang Ning took the photograph back to her room. An hourter, she had learned the key information about the target.


    Jiang Yuntao, male, Han ethnicity, 61 years old, married with a son and daughter, harmonious marriage, known as part of the industry''s "Hero Couple," Chairman of Jiang Group, renowned entrepreneur and phnthropist, founder of the Guardian Angel Foundation...


    Jiang Ning infiltrated the Jiang Group''s internal system and found his schedule.


    September 6th, City H, Royal G Hall, charity banquet.


    A mixed crowd - that would be her opportunity to strike.


    This wasn''t Jiang Ning''s first kill. By the age of eight, N had already made her take lives.


    But those were just training; this was a mission.


    N had taught her many ways to kill invisibly. This time, Jiang Ning chose to use poison, making this man, who already had heart problems, die of a myocardial infarction. Everything would be perfect.


    When she returned to N''s side, the woman was still on the balcony, watering her beloved hyacinths with nutrient solution.


    "Finished?" N asked casually.


    "Yes, I watched him die beforeing back."


    "How do you feel?" N asked again.


    "Nothing."


    The girl''s cold voice rang in her ears. N turned to look at her and suddenly gave a softugh: "He let you be N. This is your destiny, and it was his destiny too."


    "Destiny?" Jiang Ning didn''t understand why this woman was saying such things; it sounded mystifying.


    "What we call destiny - living is luck, dying is fate."


    When saying this, N''s eyes held a trace of pity as she looked at Jiang Ning.


    Jiang Ning didn''t want to discuss such matters further and only asked: "If I''m N from now on, who are you?"


    "Me? Hehe, who knows, anyway I..."


    The casual words seemed to fade away gradually. As Jiang Ning tried hard to hear what else she said, the scene before her suddenly shifted, changing to the basement of an abandoned building. Stagnant water covered the floor, with drink bottles, foam lunch boxes, and stic bags left behind by workers long ago floating on the surface.


    The air was filled with the stench of decay, dirty water, and a heavy smell of blood.


    When Jiang Ning walked in, she was frozen by the sight before her.


    A man was tied kneeling to an unconcreted steel cage. Sunlight filtered through the uncovered drainage opening, and Jiang Ning clearly saw that his ears and nose had been cut off, his eyes were bloody holes, and his open mouth had no tongue - just a bloody mess.


    His upper body was bare, his shoulders bleeding profusely from dozens of thin slices of flesh carved away with a sharp surgical de.


    Jiang Ning couldn''t help but swallow, struggling to steady herself as she tried to recognize the blood-covered face, realizing it was ck Snake''s disciple, codename Silver Fox.


    "Why are you here?"


    The woman wore a typical hospital white coat, though it was now stained with blood. She turned to nce at Jiang Ning, yfully twirling the surgical knife in her hand.


    "What happened to him?" Jiang Ning tried to ask casually: "You''ll offend ck Snake if you treat him like this."


    "Oh, really? Then let him be offended."


    The woman raised her lips in disdain, her enchanting eyes smiling seductively while murderous intent raged in their depths.


    She didn''t answer Jiang Ning''s question, turning back to continue slicing into Silver Fox''s body, one cut after another.


    Thin slices of flesh mixed with fresh blood rolled into the dirty water, the smell of blood permeating their small space.


    With each cut, Silver Fox would shudder. If he still had a tongue in that open mouth, he would surely be screaming endlessly.


    This was the first time Jiang Ning understood what it meant to be "unable to live or die."


    After an hour, Silver Fox was barely breathing, numbed by the pain.


    Though the woman hadn''t injured any vital spots, he had lost too much blood. Jiang Ning knew he would onlyst another half hour at most, with no chance of survival.


    "N, he had those kinds of thoughts about you."


    The woman seemed to have had enough fun and put away her knife. Walking to Jiang Ning''s side, she gazed at the barely human Silver Fox, admiring her handiwork while exining: "He coveted your beauty, wanted to imprison you. He''d already found a ce and bought all the tools, just waiting for a chance to drug you. Unfortunately, he wasn''t very clever, and I found out."


    Jiang Ning turned to look at her in disbelief, then heard her sneer: "Heh, not knowing life from death, daring to have such disgusting thoughts about my person!"


    The blood-stained surgical knife was held out to Jiang Ning.


    She said: "The final cut, you do it."


    Jiang Ning didn''t hesitate, taking the knife and with a flick of her wrist, sent it flying straight into Silver Fox''s throat. Blood gushed out...


    The red was particrly striking in the dim basement. Jiang Ning blinked, and in the next second, the scene before her changedpletely again.


    The smell of blood vanished, the putrid water disappeared, and she found herself standing in a secret room, somehow holding a small, exquisite wooden box, while ck-d men with guns surrounded her, all aimed at her.


    "So this is the infamous assassin N, feared in both legal and criminal worlds? Not so impressive after all."


    The leader sneered, his eyes filled with the pleasure of trampling a strong opponent.


    "Hand over the national treasure, and I''ll leave your corpse intact."


    Jiang Ning knew there was no escape, so she chose to take these people to hell with her.


    "BOOM!"


    A massive explosion rang out. She saw huge blood-red lotus flowers appear before her eyes, her consciousness gradually dispersing. She knew she was experiencing death.


    "Zing zing zing!"


    In her final moments of death, she heard the sound of a zither.


    A zither?


    Jiang Ning suddenly opened her eyes, and Nangong Muyan''s smiling voice mixed with the zither sounds reached her ears: "Awake now?"


    So it was a dream.


    Jiang Ning hadn''tpletely escaped the thoughts from her dream. She stared at Nangong Muyan - the same person who had worn a blood-stained white coat and tortured Silver Fox in the basement was now wearing an emerald green traditional dress, smiling as she plucked the zither strings, without any trace of killing intent or hostility.


    "Why are you staring at me like that?" Nangong Muyan felt Jiang Ning''s intense gaze and looked up from the strings, only to notice her still-shaken expression.


    "Did you have a nightmare?" Nangong Muyan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.


    Before Jiang Ning could speak, a hand pressed against her neck, and after a moment, the other woman said: "Your heart rate is at 144! What frightening thing did you dream about?"


    "I dreamed about you."


    Jiang Ning answered casually, making Nangong Muyan''s expression freeze.


    Jiang Ning picked up the teacup from the table, wanting to drink some water to calm herself, but it was snatched away just as it reached her lips.


    "It''s cold. Inte pregnancy, it''s better to drink warm water."


    Nangong Muyan poured out the cold tea outside the pavilion and instructed Xiaoru to bring a pot of hot water.


    Through these actions, Jiang Ning finally fully awoke, her heartbeat gradually returning to normal.


    The scenes from her dream were all events from her previous life. Now she wasn''t N anymore; she was Jiang Ning, married to Liu Ming''an and eight months pregnant with his child.


    Today, Liu Ming''an, Zhou Yi, and Zhang Shun had arranged to go fishing together. Feeling bored at home, she hade to Zhou Mansion to learn the zither from Nangong Muyan but had identally fallen asleep.


    When a cup of appropriately warm water was handed to her, Jiang Ning drank half of it while Nangong Muyan kept watching her, clearly expecting an exnation for her earlier words.


    "It''s nothing really, just dreamed about some things from the past."


    Jiang Ning didn''t want to borate on the details, knowing that Nangong Muyan wouldn''t want to remember those things either.


    However, she couldn''t help but reflect on fate''s arrangement. Nangong Muyan had killed the silver fox for her sake, earning the ck snake''s hatred. In the end, the ck snake set a trap, intending for them both to die horrible deaths, but by some twist of fate, they were instead transported to this world, where they lived as ordinary people.


    Nangong Muyan nodded, having guessed the content of her dream. Without pressing further, she spoke from experience: "Pregnancy hormones can cause significant changes in your body, making it easy to get lost in wild thoughts."


    Jiang Ning slowly finished her cup of water before hearing the question, "Are you still learning?"


    "No, I''m really not talented at it," Jiang Ning admitted self-awareness.


    Nangong Muyan agreed: "Indeed, teaching you was exhausting."


    The melodious sound of the zither filled the pavilion again. After listening for a while, Jiang Ning frowned: "Why are you still ying ''Fisherman''s Song at Dusk''? Can''t you y something else? This tune always reminds me of the weather forecast."


    "You''re so annoying! You''re not paying to listen, yet you''re so picky and full ofints!"


    Though Nangong Muyanined, she still indulged Jiang Ning. Her fingering changed, and the originally gentle and leisurely melody suddenly became passionate and inspiring, with an overwhelming momentum that seemed to transport listeners from the lotus-filled waters of Jiangnan to a battlefield thick with killing intent.


    Jiang Ning''s lips twitched, surprised that she had switched to "Prince of Lanling Entering Battle."


    Her belly, which had been quiet all afternoon, seemed awakened by the stirring melody. Jiang Ning felt the little one inside kicking and punching restlessly. She couldn''t help butugh softly, lowering her head as if talking to herself: "You like this tune, do you? I wonder if you''ll be a mischievous child?"


    "Who knows? Maybe a general who''ll fight in battles and be a noble, bringing glory to the Liu family," Nangong Muyan teased.


    Jiang Ning ced her hand on her swollen belly, her eyes full of hope and motherly love: "I only wish for a peaceful life for this child."


    Before the song ended, Jiang Ning noticed someone approaching. She and Nangong Muyan looked up, expecting to see the three fishing brothers returning, but instead saw Su Hui, Zhang Shun''s wife and a distant cousin from outside the Zhou Yi''s five ns.


    Beside Su Hui was a little boy around four years old, Zhang Shun''s eldest son, Zhang Haozhi.


    "Cousin, pleasee in and sit," Nangong Muyan warmly invited.


    Due to their husbands'' rtionships, these three women often met and were quite familiar with each other. Besides Jiang Ning and Nangong Muyan, Su Hui was a gentle, understanding woman who was older than both of them. Having married and had children earlier, she always felt like an elder sister to them.


    As Su Hui and Zhang Haozhi entered the pavilion, Jiang Ning had already poured water for both mother and son.


    "Thank you, Aunt Liu!" Zhang Haozhi thanked her in his childish voice.


    "You''re wee."


    Jiang Ning smiled at him. Strangely enough, she hadn''t particrly liked dealing with children before, and even when she first became pregnant, the thought of bing a mother had made her anxious.


    But as her belly grew day by day and the child developed within her, perhaps due to the hormones Nangong Muyan mentioned, she developed a feeling called "maternal love."


    She began looking forward to the child''s birth and the prospect of raising it for the next decade and more. When she saw other people''s children, especially well-behaved and polite ones, her heart would soften.


    Nangong Muyan had twin daughters, but they were only a few months old and prone to crying, so Jiang Ning chose to keep her distance.


    Zhang Haozhi, nearly four years old, was exactly the kind of likable child Jiang Ning appreciated.


    Seeing Zhang Haozhi curiously eyeing her belly, Jiang Ning took a chestnut cake from the table and handed it to him.


    "Zhang Shun just sent word that the three brothers caught lots of fish, and asked me toe here so we could all have dinner together. That''s why I brought Haozhi along," Su Hui exined with a smile after sitting down.


    "Wonderful!" Nangong Muyan ced her zither on the railing''s tform and rested her chin on her hand, smiling with curved eyes: "I''ve been craving grilled fish for ages. Since we have nothing else to do, I''ll cook myself."


    "Then I''ll show off my skills too and make a fish porridge for you both," Su Hui added.


    As Jiang Ning listened to their conversation, her eyes twinkling with amusement, she was about to speak when Zhang Haozhi cheerfully asked her: "Aunt Liu, is it a brother or sister?"


    "We don''t know yet," Jiang Ning answered seriously.


    Nangong Muyan teased the child: "Haozhi, do you prefer a brother or sister?"


    Zhang Haozhi thought for a moment: "A sister."


    The three women all knew why - Zhang Shun''s second child was also a boy, so the child probably wanted what he didn''t have.


    Nangong Muyan asked knowingly: "Why do you want a sister?"Aliali: 6747c480c4f3f33ac46fd021


    The child answered earnestly: "Because Aunt Liu is beautiful, so her daughter must be a great beauty!"


    "Hahaha..." The innocent words of a child made all three womenugh.


    Soon after, the three fishermen returned with their buckets.


    Nangong Muyan and Su Hui supported Jiang Ning as they went to look. The bucket contained severalrge fish and a turtle.


    Liu Ming''an put down his fishing rod and came to support his wife. Jiang Ning nced at the fishing line and asked curiously in a low voice: "Can this kind of line catch such big fish?"


    It seemed the line would break before pulling up suchrge fish.


    Liu Ming''an looked at his two elder brothers chatting with their wives, then leaned close to Jiang Ning''s ear and revealed the truth: "The fish were bought from the market. We fished all afternoon and only caught one turtle."


    Just as Jiang Ning was about tough, Liu Ming''an showed his concern: "How are your zither lessons with sister-inw going?"


    "Um..." Not wanting to admit herck of talent to her beloved, Jiang Ning thought quickly: "I find the zither uninteresting. I''d rather learn calligraphy and painting from you."


    Liu Ming''an immediately agreed happily: "Of course! I''ll teach you hands-on until you master it!"

 Chapter 199

    It was the height of summer, the hottest time of the year.


    Jiang Ning knew she would wee her child during these sweltering summer days. She and Liu Ming''an were filled with anticipation and had made all the necessary preparations.


    A month before the due date, both the midwife and wet nurse had been selected and moved into the residence.


    Lan Xu apanied Jiang Ning daily, meticulously inquiring about her health condition. Mother and daughter were practically inseparable except when Liu Ming''an was present.


    Finally, on a stuffy afternoon, the baby was born sessfully.


    "Congrattions, Princess! Congrattions, My Lord! It''s a baby girl!" the midwife announced eagerly.


    Jiang Ning managed a weak smile and looked toward Liu Ming''an, who was still holding her hand. She noticed he seemed not to have heard, his eyes fixed on her with concern.


    "Liu Ming''an, we have a daughter. Did you hear that?" Jiang Ning spoke slowly, tears welling up in her eyes without her realizing it.


    Liu Ming''an knelt beside the bed, nodded, and pressed her hand against his cheek.


    "Ning''er, I heard. We have a daughter. I heard."


    When he spoke, Jiang Ning realized his voice was choked with emotion.


    The midwife brought the cleaned baby to Jiang Ning''s side for her to see. The wrinkled little bundle hadn''t even opened her eyes yet, with just a few wisps of hair on her head, looking quite ugly.


    Jiang Ning felt somewhat devastated at the time, unable to understand how she and Liu Ming''an, both good-looking people, could have such an ugly baby.


    But since it was her own child, Jiang Ning didn''t reject her too harshly, and still dutifully learned to be a good mother.


    However, the ugly little baby gradually began to change. On the fourth day after birth, she opened her eyes, which were beautiful - bright and sparkling like two ck grapes, taking after her father.


    By one month, the ugly baby hadpletely transformed. The face that had resembled a little old man at birth had be fair and smooth. Her face was round, she rarely cried, and loved to smile with drool running down her cheeks, making her quite endearing.


    Lan Xu couldn''t bear to put her little granddaughter down. Except for letting the wet nurse feed her, she insisted on doing everything else herself, refusing to let others help.


    Jiang Ning knew Lan Xu was making up for the regret of being separated from her own daughter years ago.


    After the baby was born, Liu Ming''an barely had a good night''s sleep. On one hand, he needed to care for Jiang Ning during her confinement period; on the other hand, he was preupied with choosing a name for their daughter.


    He pored through historical texts and ssics, wanting to give his daughter a beautiful, meaningful, and unique name. He came up with hundreds, even thousands of names, only to reject them one by one, feeling none were worthy of his precious daughter. The process left him noticeably thinner.


    Finally, they named her Liu Jinxing.


    "To know you is the fortune of my life."


    This child, carrying the love of Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an, grew day by day.


    As Liu Ming''an had promised earlier, he drew a picture of Liu Jinxing every day. These drawings were carefully stored in a box, which the couple would often take out to look at during their leisure time.


    Jiang Ning eagerly counted down the days until her baby''s first full month, when she could finally end her confinement period.


    Thanks to the spiritual spring water, Jiang Ning hadn''t suffered much during childbirth. She even felt she could get out of bed the same day she gave birth, but Liu Ming''an and Lan Xu wouldn''t allow such recklessness.


    Though Liu Ming''an knew little about women giving birth, Lan Xu had experience, so he followed her guidancepletely.


    These two worked together to keep Jiang Ning strictly confined, insisting sheplete the full month of postpartum confinement properly.


    Under these circumstances, Jiang Ning was nearly moved to tears of joy when the confinement period finally ended.


    Liu Jinxing''s full-month celebration was kept simple, with just one table of guests at their residence, inviting only the Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun families.


    Everyone gathered around the red wooden crib, gazing at the fair and tender baby, chattering away.


    "Aunt Liu, little sister is so cute!" Zhang Haozhi stared at Liu Jinxing with envious eyes.


    "Haha... Cousin, why don''t you have another daughter for Haozhi? Look how eager he is," Zhou Yi teased.


    "He already has three sisters - your two and Liu''s one. That''s plenty enough," Zhang Shun brushed it off.


    Nangong Muyan stared for a while before musing, "Oh, she looks just like my two. Do all babies look the same?"


    Su Huiughed, "Well, you and Sister Liu are like sisters after all..."


    Liu Ming''an lifted the baby up so they could see her better. Liu Jinxing wasn''t shy at all, her eyes darting around curiously as she made baby sounds.


    "Little Jinxing, I''m your Uncle Zhou!"


    Zhou Yi extended his finger, which was grabbed by the soft little hand, making himugh heartily.


    "Brother Liu, your daughter is quite bold, unlike my two who cry at the sight of strangers."


    Jiang Ning smiled, remembering when she visited Zhou''s house to see Nangong Muyan''s children.


    When she approached their crib back then, the two previously quiet babies immediately changed expression and started wailing, giving her quite a fright.


    When Liu Jinxing reached her hundredth day, the family visited Fuling Temple.


    Of course, as a man, Liu Ming''an couldn''t enter the nunnery as it would be taboo.


    He only escorted the three generations of women to the foot of the mountain, bowed three times toward the temple gate, then returned to wait patiently in the carriage.


    The nuns at Fuling Temple made a "hundred blessings" garment for Liu Jinxing, sewn from a hundred pieces of monastic cloth. Each piece was meticulously embroidered with the character for "blessing," and oncepleted, the garment was ced before Buddha for forty-nine days of sutra chanting and blessings, showing their sincere devotion.


    Jiang Ning was deeply moved and bowed repeatedly to the nuns. Lan Xu told her that she too had worn such a garment as a child.


    "When I took you to the Chancellor''s mansion, you were wearing a hundred blessings garment. I wonder where that garment is now. What a pity - it had lily-of-the-valley flowers that I embroidered on it."


    As Lan Xu spoke, there was a hint of mncholy in her eyes, but seeing the nuns happily ying with Liu Jinxing, she found peace.


    "Even after Jinxing outgrows this hundred blessings garment, we must keep it safe for her."


    Jiang Ning nodded solemnly, "Mother, don''t worry."


    As first-time parents, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an were enthusiastic about every change in Liu Jinxing''s development.


    Liu Jinxing could lift her head at two months, roll over at three months, and at five months, her first tooth appeared. Though it was just a tiny white speck, Liu Ming''an was overjoyed. While fishing with Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun, he would smile every time he thought about it, not even noticing when fish bit his hook.


    His two brothers wanted to tease him about it, but thinking back to when they first became fathers, they realized they hadn''t been much better.


    By seven months, Liu Jinxing could sit up by herself.


    Liu Ming''an kept his promise to Jiang Ning, teaching her calligraphy and painting throughout her pregnancy. Unfortunately, the deeply in love couple often got distracted - one teaching half-heartedly, the other learning absent-mindedly. They would often write just a few characters before their eyes would meet, and the next moment they would be kissing.


    As a result, after more than half a year, Jiang Ning''s calligraphy showed no improvement.


    Today, Liu Ming''an was again drawing Liu Jinxing''s portrait while Jiang Ning ground ink for him.


    Since learning to sit, Liu Jinxing no longer liked lying down. She now sat in her little bed wearing a tiger-head cap sewn by Lan Xu, looking around curiously.


    "Jinxing, be good, look at Father!"


    Liu Ming''an was about to draw her eyes, but saw she was looking down at her nket. He called out to her gently.


    The child looked over at his voice, smiling to reveal two tiny front teeth. Seeing drool about to drop, Jiang Ning grabbed a handkerchief and walked to her side. Just as she bent down, the baby uttered a few unclear words that were no longer just "yi" or "ya."


    "Look... look... look..."


    Jiang Ning froze - it was thest word from Liu Ming''an''s previous sentence.


    While wiping the drool, she tried coaxing Liu Jinxing: "Jinxing, say ''Mother!''"


    Liu Jinxing looked at her with bright ck eyes, opened her mouth, and spoke unclearly: "Mother..."


    Liu Ming''an immediately dropped his brush and rushed to the little bed, lifting Liu Jinxing high with a broad smile: "Good Jinxing, now say ''Father,'' say ''Father.''"


    The little mouth opened again and called out: "Father..."


    "Haha... my good daughter! You''re daddy and mommy''s good girl!"


    Liu Ming''an was so excited that he lifted the tiny person up and spun her around several times. Liu Jinxing held onto his hair without any fear,ughing even more joyfully.


    Finally, Jiang Ning noticed she was about to drool again and had Liu Ming''an put her down.


    "Ning, Jinxing can call us daddy and mommy now!" Liu Ming''an could barely contain his surging emotions as he pulled Jiang Ning tightly into his embrace. "Our daughter can call us daddy and mommy!"


    "I heard it, I heard it with both ears."


    Jiang Ning hadn''t been quite so excited at first, but infected by Liu Ming''an''s passionate emotions, she couldn''t keep the smile off her face.


    That day, the couple didn''t go anywhere. They just stayed by the bed, continuously encouraging Liu Jinxing to call them daddy and mommy until the usually energetic child was so tired she fell asleep.


    Liu Jinxing learned to crawl at eight months, and she was also weaned at eight months.


    By her first birthday, she had grown into a delicately beautiful baby girl. She no longer just unconsciously repeated single words like before; now she could speak simple phrases on her own. Of course, the words she said most often were "daddy," "mommy," and "grandmother."


    In Great Liang''s customs, children had to participate in the Zhuazhou ceremony on their first birthday.


    Lan Xu had been talking about it several days in advance. Jiang Ning had seen it on television before, and she had also attended when Nangong Muyan''s twins had their first birthday celebration with the same ceremony. It involved cing meaningful objects in a circle on the ground, putting the child in the middle, and letting them grab something. Then everyone would yfully specte about the child''s future.


    It was mainly for entertainment.


    She remembered that of the Zhou family''s twin girls, the older sister had grabbed an abacus, suggesting she would be meticulous with calctions and expand the Zhou family business. The younger sister had grabbed a steamed bun, making everyoneugh until they were bent over.


    "Grabbing a bun means you''ll never want for food or clothing. Yueer knows how to enjoy life, while Xinger will earn the family fortune. So you''re just going to live an easy life at home, aren''t you?"


    Zhou Yi held one child in each arm and then pretended to sigh: "Why didn''t either of you grab the fishing rod? Don''t you want to go fishing with daddy? Ah..."


    Zhou Yi''s father immediately gave him a smack on the back, looking disapproving: "What''s a young girl doing fishing? She''ll get tanned and won''t look pretty. Just have another child, a son this time."


    "Yes, yes, yes!" Zhou Yi agreed repeatedly. "I''ll work hard with Muyanter¡ªouch!"


    Before he could finish speaking, Nangong Muyan pinched his waist, making Zhou Yi grimace in pain.


    Jiang Ning chuckled softly at the memory of the Zhou family''s lively scene as she helped Lan Xu prepare for Liu Jinxing''s Zhuazhou ceremony.


    The first birthday celebration was still kept intimate, with only Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun''s families attending, making it a small gathering of friends.


    There were only a few traditional items for a girl''s Zhuazhou ceremony, but Lan Xu prepared each one with great care.


    "Grabbing needle and thread shows she''ll be virtuous, grabbing books means she''ll be a talenteddy, grabbing an abacus means she''ll be clever with calctions, grabbing a bun means she''ll never want for food or clothing, grabbing a ruler means she''ll have good judgment, grabbing gold ingots means endless wealth, grabbing jewelry means she''ll be a great beauty..."


    As Jiang Ning listened to Lan Xu exining the meaning of each item, she had a thought and ced a dagger among them.


    "Oh no, Ning, this won''t do! Knives and swords carry too much negative energy; girls shouldn''t touch them."


    Lan Xu tried to remove the dagger, but Jiang Ning stopped her: "Mother, have you forgotten how I became a princess?"


    "Grabbing a dagger represents good health and not being bullied by others," Jiang Ning dered, following the same pattern of exnation while forcing her logic.


    "You silly girl!"


    Lan Xu poked Jiang Ning''s forehead but ultimately gave in, though she wasn''t too worried.


    Children are usually attracted to bright colors and items with scents, so Lan Xu assumed the dull-colored dagger was just there for show.


    The same few people attended: Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun''s families, plus Zhang Haozhi who wanted to see his little sister.


    Lan Xuid out a thick quilt on the ground, covered it with a red circr cloth, and arranged all the Zhuazhou items on it.


    When everyone had arrived, Lan Xu ced Liu Jinxing in the center of the red cloth and pushed Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an back a bit to prevent them from influencing the oue.Aliali: 6747c480c4f3f33ac46fd021


    "Grandmother... Daddy..."


    Liu Jinxing babbled these words as she crawled toward one side under the watchful eyes of everyone.


    "Oh, is little Jinxing going for the abacus too?" Zhou Yi crouched down and whispered. "Then she could make a pair with our Xinger."


    "Shh!" Nangong Muyan put a finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet.


    The others also thought Liu Jinxing was going for the abacus, but she crawled between the abacus and the dagger, reached out to grab Zhang Haozhi''s sleeve who was crouching down watching, and then giggled as she tried to put the sleeve in her mouth.


    "This..." Everyone fell silent for a moment.


    "Sister Jinxing grabbed me, what does that mean?" Zhang Haozhi allowed Liu Jinxing to hold onto him as he looked up at his parents.


    Su Hui quickly crouched down and gently stopped Liu Jinxing from biting the sleeve, then picked up Zhang Haozhi and handed him to Zhang Shun. She smiled softly and said, "Little Jinxing made a mistake, that doesn''t count. Let''s try again."


    "Cousin is right, let''s do it again," Zhou Yi agreed.


    This time went more smoothly, and Liu Jinxing grabbed the dagger.

 Chapter 200

    As seasons came and went, Liu Jinxing grew day by day.


    From her earliest memories, she knew she was the youngdy of the Princess''s Manor. Her father was Liu Ming''an, her mother was Jiang Ning, and she had a grandmother named Lan Xu.


    Her grandmother doted on her the most, often making her delicious treats, helping her with her hair and clothes, making her look pretty, and even personally crafting her clothes, shoes, handkerchiefs, and the fragrant sachets she wore at her waist.


    Besides these three family members whom she saw daily, Liu Jinxing had two uncles, one surnamed Zhang and one surnamed Zhou.


    Uncle Zhou had a wife who looked like a celestial maiden. Liu Jinxing called her Aunt Zhou, and she was the most beautiful woman Liu Jinxing had ever seen besides her mother.


    Aunt Zhou had two daughters who were only eight months older than Liu Jinxing - Zhou Ruxing and Zhou Siyue. The adults called them "Star" and "Moon."


    Uncle Zhang had a gentle wife, Aunt Zhang, and two sons named Zhang Haozhi and Zhang Huaiyue. Zhang Huaiyue was about the same age as Liu Jinxing.


    The two uncles often visited her father, and their wives would bring their children along to chat.


    Among the five children, Liu Jinxing was the youngest. Her mother wanted her to call the others "brother" and "sister," but she refused since Zhou Ruxing, Zhou Siyue, and Zhang Huaiyue were all around her age.


    She only willingly called Zhang Haozhi "Brother Haozhi" because he was taller than her. She called all the others by their given names.


    When Liu Jinxing was two, her father began teaching her to recognize characters. At three, he taught her how to hold a brush and write characters stroke by stroke. By four, he was teaching her poetry.


    But her father didn''t just teach her alone.


    Uncle Zhou brought Zhou Ruxing and Zhou Siyue over, patting her father''s shoulder saying, "Brother Liu, whether you''re teaching one or three, it''s all the same. Why don''t you teach my two girls as well?"


    After her father agreed, Uncle Zhang came the next day with Zhang Haozhi and Zhang Huaiyue: "Brother Liu, whether you''re teaching three or five, it''s all the same. Please teach my two boys too."


    And so, the Princess''s Manor often had five children sitting in a row, with Liu Ming''an sitting on a chair in front, diligently teaching them.


    Her mother wouldugh then: "Your father looks just like a kindergarten principal now."


    Liu Jinxing didn''t understand and asked what a kindergarten principal was, but her mother just smiled without answering.


    However, her father still had duties at the Imperial Academy and wasn''t always free. Moreover, both Aunt Zhou and Aunt Zhang said it would tire him to teach every day.


    Later, the adults agreed that each family would hire tutors for basics, and her father would lecture them on the Four Books, Five ssics, and other ssical texts every five days.


    But Liu Jinxing found it boring to study alone and preferred learning with her brothers and sisters. The other four felt the same way.


    After discussion, the adults arranged for the five children to rotate between houses for lessons - two days at the Zhou residence, two days at the Zhang residence, and two days at the Princess''s Manor.


    Sometimes, Aunt Zhou and her mother would teach them arithmetic, like multiplication tables - knowledge that even her father didn''t possess. Among them, Zhang Huaiyue was the best at it, and Liu Jinxing once heard Aunt Zhou stroking his head and sighing: "This mind of his, he should be a mathematician."


    Liu Jinxing grew up this way, studying and ying with herpanions.


    Besides the Zhou and Zhang residences and her own home, Liu Jinxing frequently visited Fuling Temple.


    The people there were different from others she knew - they had shaved heads and wore in gray clothes.


    But Liu Jinxing loved it there because everyone was fond of her, calling her "little Jinxing" and referring to her mother as "little Ling''er."


    "Mother, why do they call you little Ling''er?" Liu Jinxing found it curious.


    Jiang Ning stroked her head and told her, "Because mother has another name - Lan Ling."


    "Wow! Mother has two names! That''s amazing!"


    Jiang Ningughed at this sillyment: "That''s nothing special."


    But Liu Jinxing thought it was incredible and wanted two names for herself.


    This idea wouldn''t leave her mind, but she didn''t tell anyone because she wanted to surprise her parents by suddenly announcing her second name.


    Four-year-old Liu Jinxing wracked her brains trying to think of a new name, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t figure out how to choose one. So she secretly went to Zhang Haozhi for help.


    "Brother Haozhi, I want another name."


    Zhang Haozhi was eight years old and quite tall. To Liu Jinxing, he seemed like a young adult. Her father said he was clever with his studies and would surely pass the imperial examinations in the future.


    "Why do you want another name?" Zhang Haozhi was puzzled.


    Liu Jinxing hugged his leg and pleaded, "Oh, don''t ask so many questions, just help me think of a pretty name!"


    Zhang Haozhi had to agree and asked what kind of name she wanted. Liu Jinxing said she wanted a beautiful one.


    "My mother''s second name is very pretty, I want one like that. Also, the second name shouldn''t have the surname Liu."


    "Oh? Then what surname do you want?"


    Zhang Haozhi had thought of two names with the surname Liu, but was surprised that Liu Jinxing wanted to change her surname too.


    "Hmm... let me think," Liu Jinxing pondered for a while but couldn''t decide. "Why don''t I use your surname?"


    "That works."


    Zhang Haozhi just wanted to get it over with. Remembering a line from the Book of Songs he had memorized yesterday - "There is a beautiful person, pure and graceful" - and since Liu Jinxing was a little beauty herself, it seemed fitting.


    "How about Zhang Qingwan?"


    "Zhang Qingwan..." Liu Jinxing repeated it, not sure if it was good or bad, but she trusted Zhang Haozhi wouldn''t deceive her.


    "Perfect! My second name will be Zhang Qingwan!"


    After finishing lessons at the Zhang residence, Liu Jinxing happily returned home and ran to her parents'' courtyard.


    "Father! Mother!"


    As soon as Liu Jinxing entered the courtyard, she saw her mother suddenly push her father back, her face as red as a tomato. When she got closer, she noticed her mother''s lips were also red.


    "Why are you running so fast?" Jiang Ning tried to sound natural as she watched her daughter being lifted up by Liu Ming''an.


    Liu Jinxing, nestled in Liu Ming''an''s arms, announced excitedly while waving her arms and legs: "I have two names now!"


    "Oh? What''s your other name?" Liu Ming''an pinched her chubby cheek.


    "Listen carefully..." Liu Jinxing said proudly: "My other name is Zhang Qingwan!"


    Liu Ming''an was confused, not understanding what his little girl was up to, but Jiang Ning immediately realized that she thought having two names was impressive, so she had created another name for herself.


    Jiang Ning quietly exined the situation to Liu Ming''an, who suddenly understood. Liu Jinxing was still in his arms, blinking expectantly at them both, so Liu Ming''an yed along: "Wow! My dear daughter, you have two names, that''s amazing!"


    "Hee hee hee..." Liu Jinxing beamed with pride.


    After her excitement subsided a bit, Liu Ming''an asked: "How did youe up with this name? Did Zhang Haozhi give it to you?"


    The characters "Qingwan" were from the Book of Songs, and Liu Ming''an knew immediately that she couldn''t have thought of it herself. Combined with the surname Zhang, it had to be Zhang Haozhi''s doing.


    "Yes, yes!" Liu Jinxing nodded, hugging Liu Ming''an''s neck in admiration: "Father, you''re so clever to know that!"


    "Of course, though your father doesn''t have two names like us, he''s still very impressive," Jiang Ning said, pinching Liu Jinxing''s round cheek.


    Liu Jinxing giggled: "Then I''ll ask Brother Haozhi to give father another name too, so we''ll all have two names!"


    "Uh..." Liu Ming''an''s face stiffened as he firmly refused: "I don''t want one!"


    "Why not? Don''t you want to be more impressive, father?"


    Seeing the child about to persist with her questions, Jiang Ning took her from Liu Ming''an''s arms and changed the subject: "Why don''t you go find grandmother? She''s made some treats for you."


    "Really? I''m going right now!" Liu Jinxing''s eyes lit up, and she pattered out of the courtyard, with her maid hurrying after her.


    "She runs quite fast!" Jiang Ning watched Liu Jinxing''s retreating figure and smiled, "Just like a little bunny."


    As soon as she finished speaking, a familiar arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a warm embrace. Warm fingers tilted her chin up as an intimate voice whispered in her ear, "Ning,e, let''s continue."


    Thinking about how their daughter had almost caught them earlier, Jiang Ning blushed and punched Liu Ming''an''s shoulder, "Back to the bedroom. Don''t get handsy with me outside anymore."


    "Alright!"


    Liu Ming''an pulled her along, though once they were in the room, it wouldn''t stop at just a kiss.


    Meanwhile, Liu Jinxing bounced her way to Lan Xu and told her about having two names as well.


    Lan Xu responded with a warm smile, pulling the child onto herp. She undid Liu Jinxing''s messy pigtails that hade loose from running and redid them with red hair ties.


    "Thank you, grandmother!" Liu Jinxing sweetly expressed her gratitude.


    "You''re wee." Lan Xu tapped her nose affectionately, eyes full of love.


    In truth, Liu Jinxing''s favorite and closest person was Lan Xu. She hadn''t often slept with her parents, but until she was five, she had almost always slept with Lan Xu.


    Lan Xu would sing lubies, recite nursery rhymes, tell her stories, fan her in summer, and hold her close in winter so she wouldn''t feel cold.


    Liu Ming''an was deeply grateful for his mother-inw''s dedication, sometimes feeling inadequate as a father, but Lan Xu would wave it off, saying, "Oh, what''s there to discuss between family? I love Jinxing, I''m happy to have herpany."


    But Lan Xu had another consideration: she knew her daughter and son-inw were deeply in love, and having a child between them would make it inconvenient for intimate moments. So she kept Liu Jinxing by her side, giving the young couple their space, hoping perhaps in a few years she might have another grandchild to dote on.


    On this day, it was time for lessons at the Zhou residence. The guards from the manor escorted Liu Jinxing to the Zhou family''s gate before departing.


    As Liu Jinxing followed a maid toward the study courtyard, she became distracted by the flower beds along the way.


    "Wow! How beautiful!" She changed course and ran to the blooming flowers. "How did so many flowers suddenly appear? They weren''t herest time!"


    To Liu Jinxing, both the Zhou and Zhang households were as familiar as her own home, and she remembered exactly how all the flowers and trees usually looked.


    The maid, who treated Liu Jinxing with the same respect as her own young mistress, exined, "Young Miss Liu might not know, but in a month it will be our young madam''s birthday. These flowers were specially brought in by the young master from elsewhere. They''re particrly beautiful and attract many butterflies."


    Liu Jinxing knew that by "young master" she meant Uncle Zhou, and "young madam" referred to Aunt Zhou.


    A golden butterfly fluttered up from the flower bed, captivating Liu Jinxing. Forgetting all about her tutor and lessons, she chased after it.


    "Oh, Young Miss Liu, please be careful!" The maid followed anxiously, worried she might fall.


    The startled butterfly flew erratically through the garden, through an archway, and into another courtyard.


    Liu Jinxing, focused only on looking up at the butterfly, didn''t notice her surroundings until she suddenly collided with someone around a corner.


    "Watch out!"


    As she was about to fall, the person quickly grabbed her arm and steadied her.


    The maid who had followed hurriedly bowed, respectfully addressing the man: "Prime Minister."


    After regaining her bnce, Liu Jinxing looked up at the person she had bumped into and sincerely apologized, "I''m sorry for running into you. Are you hurt?"


    "I''m not hurt, don''t worry," Nangong Ya smiled, knowing a four-year-old couldn''t have much impact.


    Then he asked curiously, "Whose child are you? How did you end up here?"


    Liu Jinxing answered honestly, "I''m from the Princess''s manor. I came here to catch butterflies."


    Nangong Ya''s expression instantly froze. He took a deep breath and slowly crouched down to meet Liu Jinxing at eye level.Aliali: 67484551c4f3f33ac476734a


    "Are you... Liu Jinxing? Princess Hening''s daughter?"


    Though he didn''t really need to ask, Nangong Ya could already tell by looking at the little face before him.


    Among his three children, Jiang Ning had resembled him the most, and Liu Jinxing shared five parts of her looks. In this young face, Nangong Ya could see his own bloodline.


    This was his granddaughter whom he had never met.


    When he learned that Jiang Ning had given birth, Nangong Ya had actually sent his calling card to the Princess''s manor, hoping to see his daughter and granddaughter, but was unsurprisingly refused.


    Jiang Ning had only been made a princess for saving the Emperor''s life; she wasn''t truly part of the Yu Wen Family. She never attended pce banquets or socialized with other officials'' wives, choosing instead to live a secluded life these past few years, making it nearly impossible for Nangong Ya to see her.


    Even the name "Liu Jinxing" he had learned only by specifically asking Liu Ming''an at the Hanlin Academy.


    Liu Jinxing looked at Nangong Ya crouching before her and obediently answered, "Yes, I''m Liu Jinxing."


    Remembering what the maid had called him earlier, she asked with a smile, "So you''re the Prime Minister? Then you must be Zhou Ruxing and Zhou Siyue''s grandfather!"


    Nangong Ya opened his mouth, wanting to say he was her grandfather too, but something made him hesitate. A shadow of sadness crossed his eyes, and he swallowed the words.

 Chapter 201

    In her previous life, Jiang Ning had no control over her fate, bing nothing more than a de meant for killing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Now as a mother, she had no demands for Liu Jinxing, only wanting her to grow up safely and happily, to live as a privilegeddy free from worries throughout her life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Until one day, when Zhou Yi went fishing again with Liu Ming''an and Zhang Shun, Jiang Ning took Liu Jinxing to the Zhou family residence, where she discovered Nangong Muyan training her two daughters.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two sisters were only six years old at the time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When Jiang Ning arrived, Nangong Muyan was leading her daughters in warm-up exercises. Upon seeing Jiang Ning, she stopped and walked over, while the two little girls conscientiously began runningps around the courtyard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Wow! What are they ying? I want to join too!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing eagerly followed behind the two older girls, but after just twops, she was already out of breath.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning estimated the courtyard''s size - onep should be about 200 meters.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The two sisterspleted tenps, then helped each other cool down before following their maid back to their quarters to bathe. Liu Jinxing followed them with a bright smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan sat leisurely in the pavilion, pouring tea for herself and Jiang Ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You''re not nning to..." Jiang Ning''s expression darkened considerably.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When she first came under N''s control at age five, she was too young to handle intense training. Back then, this person before her had taught her various knowledge while focusing on physical conditioning - one kilometer, two kilometers, three kilometers, five kilometers... By the time she could sessfully run twenty kilometers, her formal assassin training began.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Now watching Zhou Ruxing and Zhou Siyue running around the courtyard with well-controlled breathing and steady rhythm, it was clear that Nangong Muyan had been training them for some time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What are you thinking?" Nangong Muyan nced at her, knowing exactly what was on her mind. She patted the bench, gesturing for her to sit down and stay calm.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan pushed a teacup toward Jiang Ning: "These are my own daughters. I cherish them more than anything - how could I make them walk the same path we did?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning rxed slightly, then heard Nangong Muyan continue leisurely while sipping her tea: "I''m just helping them build up their physical fitness, andter I''ll teach them some fighting and self-defense. I don''t want my daughters to be delicate, fragile nobledies - at the very least, they should be able to protect themselves when encountering bad people."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Besides, in this era, the average life expectancy is only around sixty years. I want my children to be healthy and long-lived."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning''s heart stirred strongly, remembering how Liu Jinxing had gotten tired after just a few steps. She made up her mind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Just as she had drunk half her tea, someone snatched her cup, eagerly refilled it, and handed it back. When Nangong Muyan turned to look, she saw Jiang Ning wearing an unusually docile smile, looking quite strange with such an innocent expression.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Why are you smiling so suspiciously?" Nangong Muyan didn''t even dare drink her tea.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning looked at her expectantly: "Since you''re already teaching two, teaching three wouldn''t make much difference. Why not teach Liu Jinxing as well?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Oh? Won''t you teach her yourself?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I only have experience learning, not teaching. I''m afraid I might be too harsh and hurt the child. It''s better if you do it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning was being honest. While she would have been happy to handle basic physical training for Liu Jinxing herself, learning fighting and self-defense required professional guidance. Otherwise, it would be easy to identally harm a child. Bruises and sprains would be considered minor injuries - serious mistakes could lead to lifelong disabilities.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Nangong Muyan considered this and nodded in agreement.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "However, it''s too early to discuss this now. I n to start teaching them when they''re thirteen or fourteen, when their bodies are more developed and physically capable. If you still want Liu Jinxing to learn these skills in a few years, just send her to me then."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning smiled and said "Alright."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Six-year-old Liu Jinxing waspletely unaware of her mother''s good intentions. All she knew was that after visiting the Zhou family that day, her mother told her she would need to runps around the princess''s mansion just like the Zhou sisters.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing initially thought it was just y and didn''t take it seriously. But the next morning, her mother dressed her infortable clothes and made her runps.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Of course, Jiang Ning understood the importance of gradual progress. She nned to start Liu Jinxing with 800 meters at a slow pace. However, the little girl proved disappointing - she was exhausted halfway through and refused to take another step.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mother, I... I can''t breathe, my legs hurt... please let me stop..." Liu Jinxing pleaded pitifully, gasping for air.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "We''re going so slowly already, just hold on a bit longer! Be good, and after you finish, your grandmother will make you something delicious."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning knew all beginnings were difficult. She used abination of coaxing and encouragement to get Liu Jinxing toplete onep. By thest 200 meters, the little girl was on the verge of tears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Mother, did... did I do something wrong? Why are you punishing me like this?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning remained stone-hearted and unmoved, directly grabbing her arm and forcing her to finish the run.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Alright, alright, we''re done for today. Go take a bath."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Once Liu Jinxing caught her breath, Jiang Ning returned to her gentle motherly demeanor and took out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat, but the little girl angrily pushed it away: "Mother, you''re so mean! I''m never talking to you again!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing ran crying toward Lanxu Court without looking back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning put away the handkerchief, watching her figure disappear from sight, and muttered to herself: "Look at that - she still has enough energy to run so fast?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    While Jiang Ning was considering whether 800 meters might be too little, Liu Jinxing had thrown herself into Lan Xu''s arms, crying so hard she could barely breathe.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Grand... grandmother... Mother... Mother is bullying me... waaah..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu had never seen Liu Jinxing cry like this before. Her heart ached immediately, and she wiped the girl''s tears while gentlyforting her: "Jinxing, Jinxing, don''t cry. Tell grandmother what happened."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing stuttered through an exnation of how her mother forced her to runps, making Lan Xu furrow her brows.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu didn''t understand why Jiang Ning would put the child through this, but she knew Jiang Ning wouldn''t do something like this without reason.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    While she was still pondering this, Liu Jinxing tugged at her sleeve pitifully and pleaded: "Grandmother, Mother said she''s going to bully me like this every day from now on. Please go scold her! Tell her to stop doing this to me, and I''ll forgive her just this once."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Alright, alright! Stop crying, I''ll go talk to her."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu calmed her down and had a maid take Liu Jinxing to bathe and change clothes while she went to ask Jiang Ning about the situation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing, thinking she had found an ally, finally stopped crying and went with the maid.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Half an hourter, she came back with her hair still wet to have Lan Xu help herb it. As soon as she entered, she eagerly asked: "Grandmother, did you already scold Mother?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu simply said: "Come, let''s sit down andb your hair first."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing obediently sat on the stool, when suddenly Lan Xu asked her: "Jinxing, do you know why your mother is Princess Hening?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Isn''t a princess just a princess?" Liu Jinxing had never thought about this question before. As far as she could remember, her mother had always been Princess Hening.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Lan Xu smiled gently and exined in the simplest terms: "She wasn''t born a princess. She became one because she protected the Emperor, and in gratitude, he gave her this noble title."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Really? Is that how it happened?" Liu Jinxing''s eyes grew round with surprise.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Your mother is different from me and most other women. She isn''t weak - she can protect herself and others."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Wow! Mother is amazing!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    By now her hair wasbed, and Lan Xu held Liu Jinxing''s hand, speaking earnestly: "Jinxing, I just spoke with your mother. She''s not trying to torment you. You''re the child she carried for ten months - she would never harm you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing nodded uncertainly, still confused: "Then why is she forcing me to do things I don''t want to do?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Because she can''t protect you forever. She wants you to be healthy, to live a long life, and to have the ability to protect yourself."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Protect yourself..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing still didn''t fully understand, but she firmly etched the word "protect" in her heart. She also believed what Lan Xu said - that Jiang Ning wouldn''t harm her, and everything was for her own good.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    From that day forward, Liu Jinxing no longer resisted the training Jiang Ning arranged for her. She dutifully circled the princess''s mansion every day and performed what they called "stretching exercises."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It wasn''t until she was eight years old that Liu Jinxing truly understood the meaning of "protect."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At eight, Liu Jinxing gained a brother named Liu Jingwei.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When Jiang Ning told her that she was carrying her future brother or sister in her belly, Liu Jinxing''s first reaction was: "That''s wonderful! Finally, there will be someone younger than me!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing could barely sleep that night from excitement. In the months that followed, she would spend time each day staring at Jiang Ning''s belly, eagerly anticipating the little one to grow and enter this world, so they could call her "sister."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Her brother was born in a season when osmanthus flowers filled the air with their fragrance. During Jiang Ning''sbor, Liu Jinxing wanted to enter the delivery room but was stopped by Lan Xu: "Children shouldn''t see these things. Just wait patiently."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing wanted to protest that she wasn''t a child anymore - she was about to be a sister - but seeing the grave expressions on the adults'' faces, she didn''t dare make a fuss. Instead, she anxiously paced outside the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Fortunately, the wait wasn''t long. After less than an hour, Liu Jinxing''s wish came true - she became a sister.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an now had both a daughter and a son.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the second year after Liu Jingwei''s birth, the Imperial City experienced its heaviest snowfall in a century. The entire pce, inside and out, was nketed in snow, creating a vast white expanse as far as the eye could see.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The snow continued to umte until February before slowly melting. During this time of heavy snow, Liu Jinxing''s favorite activity was building snowmen with her brother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    By then, Liu Jingwei was over a year old and could call out "Sister, sister."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having studied for several years, Liu Jinxing had learned the phrase "the eldest sister is like a mother." Every time Liu Jingwei called her, she felt like a grown-up, responsible for taking care of this person who called her sister.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    One day, Liu Jinxing carried Liu Jingwei to y by the lotus pond in the mansion as usual.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The lotus pond had frozen over, with the sleeping lotuses and golden-red koi fish trapped beneath the ice and covered by snow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an had been distressed about it: "Poor fish, I fed them every day. They had grown so big and looked so festive, and now they''re all gone."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning consoled him rather unromantically: "It''s alright. When the ice thaws, you can retrieve them for burial. They''ll rest in peace, and that will conclude your karmic connection."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The lotus pondy below a corridor, surrounded by carved stone pirs and tablets, with only one opening where more than ten stone steps descended, designed for cleaning the pond.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing carried Liu Jingwei down these frozen steps, yfully entertaining the baby,pletely unaware of her footing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    While fresh snow is soft and fluffy, repeated stepping canpress it into slick ice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing stepped onto such an icy patch, her foot twisted sideways, and her body suddenly lurched toward the stone steps. It happened so quickly that the maid behind her had no time to react.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    No one knew how frantically her heart was beating in that moment, or how terrified she was. In that split second, all she could do was hold Liu Jingwei tightly to her chest, protect his head with her hands, and tumble down the steps.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Sharp pain shot through her head, face, hands, feet, and other parts of her body. She heard the boy''s crying and the maid''s screams, smelled the metallic scent of blood. Ignoring her own injuries, as soon as she stopped rolling, she immediately tried to check on Liu Jingwei, only to find that one of her arms was in excruciating pain andpletely useless.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Young Miss! Young Master!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The maid rushed over crying, first picking up Liu Jingwei, then trying to help Liu Jinxing, whose face was covered in blood.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0Aliali: 67486d4f3f33ac47890df


    Liu Jinxing pushed herself up with her good arm and, seeing Liu Jingwei crying uncontrobly, anxiously shouted to the maid, "Quick, check if my brother is hurt!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Themotion attracted passing guards, and momentster, Jiang Ning and Liu Ming''an hurried over, their hearts clenching at the sight of Liu Jinxing''s bloodied face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an ran down the steps, scooped up Liu Jinxing, and rushed toward the courtyard. Jiang Ning took Liu Jingwei from the maid and followed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Jinxing hadn''t cried when the pain made her vision go dark, but now, seeing her parents, she finally couldn''t hold back her tears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Father, it''s all my fault! I dropped my brother, it''s all my fault!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s heart ached at the sight of blood on his daughter''s face and exposed hands: "Be good, Jinxing, don''t talk about that now. Mother and Father are here."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When they reached the room, Jiang Ning wanted to examine Liu Jinxing''s injuries, but heard her plea: "Mother, please check on my brother first. He''s still crying - please see if he''s hurt!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "He''s fine, just scared. You protected him very well," Jiang Ning replied, having already thoroughly examined Liu Jingwei on the way and pieced together what had happened from the scene.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Hearing this, Liu Jinxing smiled through her tears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    From that day forward, Liu Jinxing truly understood the meaning of "protect."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0

 Chapter 202

    Long after, Zhou Yi identally discovered the reason why Nangong Muyan had gotten pregnant despite drinking the contraceptive soup.


    On the hundredth-day celebration of Jiang Ning''s second child, their group gathered at the Princess''s mansion. At lunchtime, the maids served winter melon meatball soup. The soup was steamed in earthen pots, one serving per person, and the aroma was enticing. Just as Zhou Yi lifted the lid to take a sip, a retching sound came from beside him.


    "Ugh~"


    Everyone at the table turned to look as Nangong Muyan covered her mouth and ran towards the door.


    "Mother!"


    "Muyan!"


    Zhou Yi and his two daughters immediately chased after her, while the others, after a moment''s hesitation, also stood up and went to check on the situation.


    Nangong Muyan felt nauseous as soon as the meat soup''s aroma entered her nose. When she reached outside, the winter''s cold wind hit her face, and the urge to vomit instantly vanished without a trace.


    "Mother, what''s wrong?"


    "Mother, are you sick?"


    Zhou Ruxing and Zhou Siyue ran to Nangong Muyan''s side with worried expressions, lifting their identical faces to look at her.


    Nangong Muyan waved her hand and was about to say she was fine when Zhou Yi approached and asked concernedly, "Muyan, what''s wrong?"


    Nangong Muyan looked around and saw that everyone had followed them outside, making her feel embarrassed. "It''s nothing, nothing. I just felt suddenly nauseous. Maybe I ate something bad yesterday."


    "Could you be pregnant?" Su Hui looked at Nangong Muyan and said, "When I was pregnant with Zhang Haozhi, I had morning sickness quite often."


    Nangong Muyan''s heart skipped a beat as she realized her monthly cycle hadn''te this month.


    As it turned out, this was indeed the case.


    Zhou Yi hadn''t expected thating to attend Liu Ming''an''s son''s hundred-day celebration would result in him having another child.


    Although he had been a father before, bing one again made Zhou Yi smile from ear to ear.


    Nangong Muyan was initially happy too, butter found it hard to smile as this child was quite troublesome.


    From the day they discovered the pregnancy, for the next three months, she would vomit at the mere smell of meat - whether it was pork, chicken, or fish. No matter how the cook prepared the ingredients, she couldn''t tolerate any of it, forcing her to live like a vegetarian nun.


    When spring came with its warm weather, her condition finally improved.


    After being cooped up for three months, Nangong Muyan couldn''t wait to take Zhou Yi to Mulberry Leaf Town as soon as the spring days turned pleasant.


    Since their marriage, they had made it a habit to stay in Mulberry Leaf Town for a while almost every year, just the two of them, away from everyone else.


    The town hadn''t changed much over the years, except that Qu Xiaoliu had grown from a little girl into a young woman and was now betrothed.


    And Big Yellow, who had slowly be an elderly dog over the long years, now loved nothing more than sleeping in the sun on the mulberry field ridges, no longer as lively as before.


    When Nangong Muyan and Zhou Yi arrived at Mulberry Leaf Town, Qu Xiaowu came out to receive them as usual.


    "Who are those people? What are they doing?" Zhou Yi asked Qu Xiaowu curiously, noticing a group of strangers carrying hoes in the mulberry field.


    "Oh, young master, they''re herb merchants, here to dig up some old mulberry tree roots for medicine."


    "Mulberry roots can be used as medicine?"


    Just as Zhou Yi finished speaking, a man who appeared to be the leader smiled and joined in from a few steps away: "Of course they can. Mulberry roots can clear heat and calm convulsions, dispel wind and promote cirction. They''re effective in treating convulsions, red eyes, toothache, and injuries from falls and impacts - it''s truly a good medicinal ingredient."


    The speaker wore brown work clothes and had somewhat dark skin, about the same age as Zhou Yi. Seeing how thoroughly he had answered his question, Zhou Yi smiled gratefully at him: "I never expected that a herb merchant would be so knowledgeable about the medicinal properties of his wares. It''s truly admirable."


    The herb merchant scratched his head embarrassedly when Zhou Yi praised him, grinning: "Haha... Young Master Zhou is mistaken. I''m not knowledgeable about all medicinal properties, I just remember everything about mulberry roots."


    "Oh? Why is that?" Zhou Yi''s curiosity was piqued.


    Nangong Muyan, who had been patting Big Yellow''s head, also looked up, ready to hear the story.


    "Ah, it''s actually a sad story..."


    The herb merchant had barely begun when Zhou Yi, worried about intruding on personal matters, was about to say "never mind," but the man continued on his own.


    "Actually, I wasn''t always a herb merchant. I used to be an apprentice at a medicine shop in the capital, nning to be a doctor and save lives."


    "I paid ten strings of cash as an apprenticeship fee, learning about herbs from my master, memorizing their properties, attending to customers in the shop, helping prepare medicines, and doing odd jobs."


    "Everything was going well until one day, a young gentleman rushed into the shop asking for a contraceptive soup."


    "Master wrote the prescription and gave it to me to prepare, but I wasn''t paying attention and mistook mulberry root for Ligusticum wallichii! That one mistake changed the effectiveness of the contraceptive soup."


    "Master discovered it during the evening inventory check and berated me severely, saying that carelessness in medicine could cost lives. He said if I could mistake mulberry root for Ligusticum wallichii today, would I mistake arsenic for sleeping powder tomorrow? That night, he returned my apprenticeship fee and told me to leave..."


    The man sighed several times as he spoke, clearly still not over it.


    Nangong Muyan suddenly remembered that she had once drunk an ineffective contraceptive soup, and some suspicions shed through her mind.


    "Do you remember what that young gentleman looked like?"


    "What he looked like?"


    The man was surprised by the young madam''s question but tried to recall anyway. After a moment, he shook his head: "It''s been so many years, I''ve forgotten. However, hehe... he had definitely just gotten out of a woman''s bed, there were bite marks on his neck. That''s actually why I kept looking at him, which distracted me and made me mix up the medicines..."


    Zhou Yi suddenly froze and turned to look at Nangong Muyan, his eyes filled with disbelief.


    During their first intimate encounter, Nangong Muyan had bitten his neck because she was inexperienced and in pain.


    "Was the medicine shop called Huichun Tang? Near Jinse Lake?" Zhou Yi asked, trying to maintain a casual expression.


    "Yes, how did Young Master Zhou know?"


    Zhou Yi made a casual excuse: "Just a guess. Do you remember which year and season it was?"


    "Ah! Of course I remember, I''ll never forget this for my entire life! I even remember the exact date!"


    Zhou Yi and Nangong Muyan''s hearts both skipped a beat.


    "It was the seventh day of the second month in the fourteenth year of Chongming."


    As soon as the herb merchant finished speaking, he noticed the couple exchanging smiles with expressions he couldn''t quite understand.Aliali: 67487676c4f3f33ac4792458


    Just as he was about to ask why they were smiling, Zhou Yi untied his money pouch and ced the entire thing in his hands.


    "Young Master Zhou, what is this?"


    The pouch felt like it contained nearly ten taels of silver, and the herb merchant felt uneasy about epting it without having done anything to deserve it.


    Zhou Yi generously said, "Keep it. We were destined to meet, and I find you agreeable. Consider this small sum as treating you to a drink."


    "Then many thanks, Young Master Zhou!"


    After they returned to their room and closed the door, Nangong Muyan immediately dove into Zhou Yi''s embrace, holding him tight.


    "Zhou Yi, he truly was our benefactor. Without him, we might have..." Nangong Muyan couldn''t continue. She had loved Zhou Yi for so long that she couldn''t imagine how she would live without him.


    Zhou Yi kissed her forehead, also feeling somewhat emotional: "We should also thank that bite you gave me, which distracted him. Though honestly, you bit really hard back then, it hurt terribly."


    "That was because you weren''t cooperating at the time, kept moving around, making it hurt so much for me. I just wanted you to suffer a bit too."


    Zhou Yiughed: "Well then, tonight I''ll cooperate properly to make it up to you..."


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