When Pei Zichen woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

He had never slept this late. His whole body lay in bed, his mind groggy and hazy. Vaguely recalling what happened last night, he was so shocked he suddenly sat up.

What had he done?

He actually… actually embraced Jiang Zhaoxue, and even used spiritual power to send his emotions to Jiang Zhaoxue, wanting to “share” them with her?

He knew all too well what this could lead to. He…

Panic filled Pei Zichen’s heart, and for a moment he didn’t dare go out.

However, the panic lasted only a moment before he heard the laughter of four people outside—Jiang Zhaoxue, Qian Sisi, Ye Tianjiao, and Li Xiuji. Pei Zichen froze, then heard Jiang Zhaoxue say loudly: “Pei Zichen, if you’re awake, come out. Don’t laze around in there.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen didn’t dare linger. Knowing that Jiang Zhaoxue had heard him wake, he quickly washed up, changed clothes, and pushed open the door.

After stepping out, he saw four people sitting at the table playing mahjong.

Li Xiuji wasn’t even as tall as the table. He had several books stacked under his stool to reach table height, but he still had proper form,努力学着大人的模样思考.

Jiang Zhaoxue was quite casual, with her legs crossed, one hand resting on her leg, the other tapping a tile on the table. When Pei Zichen came out, she didn’t even look, only saying: “We already ate with Young Master Ye this morning. You go eat first. Tianjiao has already sent people to gather information. You can rest for the day.”

In just a few sentences, Jiang Zhaoxue had arranged everything, looking composed as if nothing had happened last night.

Hearing her words, the slight panic Pei Zichen felt upon waking gradually subsided. Looking at the woman bathed in sunlight, he couldn’t help but smile, respectfully saying: “Yes, Female Sovereign, please enjoy yourself.”

With that, he went to eat first. As soon as he left, Ye Tianjiao quickly leaned over, urgently asking: “Elder Sister, what did you do to him?”

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Zhaoxue asked strangely.

Qian Sisi tapped her tiles, saying carelessly: “He’s smiling like he just got laid. You didn’t sleep with him last night, did you?”

“Say one more word of nonsense, and today I’ll make sure you leave without even your underwear.”

Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at her. Qian Sisi gasped, thinking of this morning’s battle results, and hurriedly said: “I was wrong. It’s me who got laid. I’ll never talk nonsense again.”

Jiang Zhaoxue snorted coldly, played a tile, and said to Ye Tianjiao: “We chatted for a while last night. He’s in a good mood.”

“Being able to chat with you, of course he’s in a good mood.” Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao thought for a moment and said: “I’m in a good mood too!”

Jiang Zhaoxue was amused by him and urged him to play, secretly glancing at Pei Zichen sitting in the dining room. The young man was clearly different from usual, his whole aura much gentler and brighter.

Jiang Zhaoxue lowered her eyes, concealing some of the smile in them, and continued playing with everyone.

After playing for a while, Pei Zichen finished eating and returned to stand behind Jiang Zhaoxue.

Seeing him return, Jiang Zhaoxue tilted her chin toward Li Xiuji: “Go, replace this child.”

“No!” Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue wanted to replace him, Li Xiuji immediately resisted, “Aren’t I playing just fine? It’s not like I can’t play. Why replace me?!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue paused. She had to admit, although Li Xiuji was young, he was very clever. He learned mahjong immediately upon being taught, so she really had no reason to replace him.

It was just that with Pei Zichen standing there, she felt somewhat apologetic. Turning back to look at Pei Zichen, she saw him smile and say: “Female Sovereign, I’m fine just watching you all play.”

“See, brother even said so!”

Hearing this, Li Xiuji played a tile aggressively, looking at Jiang Zhaoxue indignantly: “I’m not leaving!”

“Alright, alright.” Seeing Pei Zichen had no objections, Jiang Zhaoxue also settled down, yawning: “You play. Play if you want to play.”

The group lazily played mahjong. Pei Zichen stood behind Jiang Zhaoxue, using his shadow to shield her from the sun that was too harsh.

Jiang Zhaoxue sat in his shadow. She couldn’t see anything and could only know her tiles by touch, but she still played brilliantly, leaving Qian Sisi and Ye Tianjiao with no way out.

While everyone played, Qian Sisi asked Jiang Zhaoxue: “You went to see that shark-person this morning. What did he say?”

“Knows nothing,” Jiang Zhaoxue thought about this morning’s interrogation results and responded: “Said he took advantage of the chaos to jump into the water, then suddenly appeared in your sack. I estimate that when you were running, he just happened to be by the water. The Lingxu Fan probably swapped nearby objects and switched him in.”

“Oh,” Qian Sisi nodded, curiously asking: “Then what about the person?”

“Severely injured. I sent him to a medical clinic.” Ye Tianjiao said casually, “Those people really aren’t human. He had so many injuries.”

Thinking of what they saw in the Taotie Tower last night, both Qian Sisi and Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but fall silent for a moment.

After a while, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help saying: “How can something like the Taotie Tower exist…”

“There are many.” Qian Sisi’s tone was indifferent, “One Taotie Tower requires how much supply to support it—think about where the supply comes from. This is the capital, which is considered good. You should go see the border regions.”

“The border?” Ye Tianjiao looked over curiously, “You’ve been to the border?”

“Where haven’t I been?” Qian Sisi laughed lightly, “A wandering assassin like me goes to many places.”

“Then,” hearing this, Pei Zichen stood behind Jiang Zhaoxue and asked curiously, “Since that shark-person said nothing, what do we do now?”

“Wait.” Jiang Zhaoxue played a tile and said calmly: “Song Wuya is a prince. Having entered the Taotie Tower, there must be a result. Elder Young Master Ye has already gone to court. When he returns, we’ll know where Song Wuya is, and we can go find him.”

The group played mahjong while waiting for Ye Wenzhi. In the afternoon, when Ye Wenzhi returned home to eat, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately greeted him with a full smile upon hearing of his return, saying happily: “Quickly, quickly, go welcome the Young Master!”

With that, Qian Sisi quickly helped Jiang Zhaoxue up, and the two jogged toward the entrance. Qian Sisi lowered her voice: “Didn’t you say this one’s from the Hanlin Academy and might become Prime Minister in the future?”

“That’s right.” Jiang Zhaoxue lowered her voice: “Flatter him well, and you’ll have unlimited prospects!”

Hearing this, Qian Sisi immediately got excited. Just as Ye Wenzhi entered, she and Jiang Zhaoxue greeted him radiantly together: “Lord Ye~~”

Ye Wenzhi was startled by the two women rushing toward him. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue, he reacted and quickly bowed: “Immortal Master Jiang.”

Then he greeted Qian Sisi: “Miss Qian.”

“Young Master Ye has returned.”

Jiang Zhaoxue attentively tried to take Ye Wenzhi’s official hat. Amused by her, Ye Wenzhi handed the hat to a servant beside him. Knowing what Jiang Zhaoxue wanted to ask, he walked inside with her, saying gently: “Immortal Master Jiang, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Not long at all, not long.” Jiang Zhaoxue quickly waved her hand, “Waiting for you, I’m willing to wait however long.”

After all, this was the great benefactor who gave her seven lifetimes of merit. Her attitude had to be good.

Hearing this, Ye Wenzhi smiled with pressed lips and raised his hand: “Please.”

The group went to the dining hall. Jiang Zhaoxue was helped to sit beside Ye Wenzhi, with Pei Zichen sitting next to Jiang Zhaoxue, serving her food.

After Ye Wenzhi sat down and the dishes were served, he dismissed the servants. Jiang Zhaoxue sensibly set up a barrier and hurriedly asked: “Young Master Ye, what was said at court today?”

“As Immortal Master Jiang predicted,” Ye Wenzhi’s expression became serious as he said earnestly, “The Tianji Academy accused the Third Prince of being caught at the Taotie Feast last night, suspecting him of being the tower master of the Taotie Tower.”

Hearing this, everyone except Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen froze.

Qian Sisi looked bewildered: “What’s going on? Is the Tianji Academy blind?”

“It’s not that the Tianji Academy is blind,” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled, “When two princes compete, naturally the Tianji Academy must choose a worthy tree to perch in. Song Wuya using himself as bait has only three possible outcomes: either capture the Crown Prince and use this to bring him down; or he gets assassinated in the Taotie Tower; or there’s one more…”

Jiang Zhaoxue tapped the table, thinking: “The Tianji Academy was bait the Crown Prince deliberately gave to Song Wuya. If Song Wuya appears in the Taotie Tower, even if he doesn’t die, as long as the Tianji Academy insists he was captured and brought back, he can’t explain clearly. Not to mention now they’re accusing him of being a major criminal of the Taotie Tower—even if they didn’t accuse him of anything, just appearing in the Taotie Tower would completely destroy his reputation. But why would the Tianji Academy help the Crown Prince?”

“The Tianji Academy believes in heavenly mandate.” Pei Zichen spoke up, explaining: “Whoever has true dragon energy, they believe is the next monarch. No matter what the monarch does, they will support him.”

“Oh.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, understanding: “Then it seems the one with dragon energy is the Crown Prince?”

“Not necessarily.” Pei Zichen frowned slightly, “When I met the Third Prince before, he seemed… to have it too.”

This surprised Jiang Zhaoxue somewhat. After thinking, she only said: “No matter. I’ll know when I see them.”

Hearing their conversation, Ye Wenzhi’s expression grew somewhat heavy.

Sensing Ye Wenzhi’s emotions, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly turned back and considerately inquired: “Why is Lord Ye troubled?”

“The Crown Prince lacks virtue,” hearing this, Ye Wenzhi sighed, “If the true dragon energy truly lies with the Crown Prince, I fear… the Great Xia’s national fortune will come to an end.”

“Brother, shut up quickly!” Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao was startled and hurriedly said, “You dare say such things? I wouldn’t dare!”

Ye Wenzhi looked helplessly at his foolish younger brother. After thinking, he only turned to Jiang Zhaoxue and said: “Immortal Master Jiang, if there’s an opportunity, I still hope Immortal Master Jiang can save the Third Prince and see whether the Third Prince…”

Ye Wenzhi held onto hope: “Is the true dragon.”

“Rest assured.” Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it, “I will definitely go see him. Now there’s just one problem.”

“Where is he?” Qian Sisi hit the core issue directly.

“The heavenly prison.” Ye Wenzhi worried, thinking: “Currently the old officials are trying to find ways. His Majesty has imprisoned him in the heavenly prison, guarded by the Tianji Academy.”

“The heavenly prison…”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it, tapping the table: “The heavenly prison has the divine beast Bi’an guarding it, plus the Tianji Academy watching. Moreover, Shen Yuqing will definitely be keeping an eye on Song Wuya. Going to see Song Wuya won’t be easy.”

“For such nobility, the Tianji Academy won’t guard them personally. Generally it’s single person, single room, and the guarding disciples usually only have Core Formation cultivation. As long as Female Sovereign can directly enter the room and activate the Shanhe Bell barrier, you won’t be discovered.”

Pei Zichen considered this.

Jiang Zhaoxue also pondered: “The divine beast Bi’an also has times to rest. If someone can coordinate with me from the inside, placing the formation I give them in the heavenly prison, I can find a way to make it sleep for a period of time. The greatest danger is actually Shen Yuqing…”

“Exactly,” thinking of that sword energy in the mountain forest, Qian Sisi said with lingering fear, “Your ex-husband is too terrifying. If you make him leave, he’ll know even if a fly passes by.”

“Then…” Ye Tianjiao thought about it, “How do we get him to leave?”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and looked up at Ye Wenzhi: “Does Lord Ye have people in the heavenly prison?”

“I can arrange it, but… what does Immortal Master Jiang want to do?”

“I’ll give you a formation drawn on paper. Your people will carry the formation I give them on their bodies, placing them in the four directions of the prison—east, south, west, and north. After that I’ll activate the formation and gamble on whether I can make Bi’an fall asleep. As long as Bi’an sleeps and Shen Yuqing isn’t there, the Tianji Academy’s Core Formation disciples can’t stop me.”

“Understood.” Hearing this, Ye Wenzhi nodded: “A small matter. But my person rotates as supervisor once every seven days. His next time as chief supervisor is in three days.”

Three days from now…

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly realized that three days from now, after nightfall past the hour of chou, would be exactly when her fire poison flared up.

However, if things went smoothly, she could resolve Song Wuya during the day and deal with the fire poison at night. It shouldn’t be a major problem.

“Then three days from now.” Jiang Zhaoxue considered it, “Three days from now, we act at the hour of xu. Young Master Ye’s person brings the formation in. The rest are responsible for luring away Shen Yuqing. I’ll enter the heavenly prison myself and set up a formation in Song Wuya’s cell to shield against Bi’an. After that, what to do… we’ll discuss at length.”

“You’ve said it well,” Qian Sisi thought about it, then said, “But how do we lure away that thing Shen Yuqing?!”

“Two methods. First, start with Mu Jinyue.”

“I’m afraid we can’t.” Qian Sisi pondered, “Last time I stabbed Mu Jinyue. I estimate he’s got her tied to his belt, taking her wherever he goes.”

“You don’t understand. Zichen,” Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at Pei Zichen seriously, “It’s time to use you. Do you still have Mu Jinyue on your communication jade token?”

Pei Zichen froze for a moment, suddenly feeling somewhat uneasy, inexplicably responding: “I… I forgot to delete her…”

“That’s good then.”

Jiang Zhaoxue immediately said: “When the time comes, you use the communication jade token to call Mu Jinyue and quietly lure her out. If she brings Shen Yuqing, you run. If she comes alone, you take her hostage, force Shen Yuqing to come, then run.”

“Can we get away?”

Qian Sisi was doubtful.

“I’ll give you a mirror image formation. Zichen opens it inside. You can play hide-and-seek with him in the space. Unless he breaks the formation with one sword strike, otherwise he’ll have to deal with you for a while.”

“What if he breaks it with one strike?”

Ye Tianjiao leaned over, also curious.

Jiang Zhaoxue sighed: “In the formation eye I give you, I’ll set up another transfer formation. If at the beginning you can take something from Mu Jinyue’s body and place it in the center of the formation eye, this formation will link with Mu Jinyue. If Shen Yuqing violently destroys the formation, it will severely injure Mu Jinyue.”

“Brilliant!” Qian Sisi clapped, “Looking at how he takes that little disciple everywhere, he definitely won’t dare.”

“During this, Sisi and Second Brother Ye will both wear my clothes, disguised as me, playing with him in the formation, disturbing his mind, trying to delay the time it takes him to find the formation eye.”

“Good!”

Everyone agreed together. Qian Sisi suddenly remembered: “But what if Mu Jinyue doesn’t come?”

“Rest assured.” Jiang Zhaoxue glanced meaningfully at Pei Zichen and smiled: “She’ll definitely come.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen froze, not understanding Jiang Zhaoxue’s words: “Female Sovereign?”

“You’ll understand later. Alright, that’s settled then.” Jiang Zhaoxue clapped her hands, “These few days, everyone eat well and drink well. Come, let’s raise our wine cups. For the Young Master Ye and Second Young Master Ye who sheltered us, cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Ye Tianjiao happily raised his cup, and everyone took a drink.

After drinking, everyone ate a lively meal, then scattered.

Jiang Zhaoxue led Pei Zichen and Li Xiuji back to her courtyard together. Along the way, seeing Pei Zichen say nothing, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat strange: “What’s wrong? Not happy enough?”

The words “no” were about to come out instinctively, but facing Jiang Zhaoxue’s smiling eyes, Pei Zichen hesitated for a moment before finally speaking honestly: “I feel… Master’s Wife really likes Young Master Ye.”

“Of course I like him!”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke decisively. Pei Zichen couldn’t speak for a moment.

Jiang Zhaoxue recalled the moment when seven lifetimes of merit filled her body and said blissfully: “He gave me seven lifetimes of merit. There’s no better, kinder person than this!”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen froze, then realized: “Master’s Wife likes him because he gave Master’s Wife seven lifetimes of merit?”

“Otherwise?”

Jiang Zhaoxue asked strangely: “What else would I be after? He likes Zhuang Yan, and even slept with her. If I didn’t know, that would be one thing. But I already know—if I still liked him, wouldn’t thinking about it make me sick?”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue turned back: “Being fooled once is enough. I’m not sick. Why would I choose someone who has someone else in their heart when I have choices?”

“Master’s Wife is right.” Pei Zichen followed behind Jiang Zhaoxue, lowering his eyes, “If Master’s Wife is to like someone, it should be someone devoted wholeheartedly.”

“But it’s too early to talk about this now.” Jiang Zhaoxue said earnestly, “Right now the most important thing is to raise you well, raise you properly, raise you to be upright and pure.”

“Convenient for slaughtering.”

A’Nan’s voice suddenly rang in Jiang Zhaoxue’s mind. Jiang Zhaoxue cursed harshly: “Shut up, don’t ruin the mood!”

“Master’s Wife,” hearing this, Pei Zichen smiled, “Before Master’s Wife meets someone she likes, will you always stay with this disciple?”

“I will!” Jiang Zhaoxue said decisively, “Now let’s go buy you something.”

“Buy what?”

“A ceremonial crown.” Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it, pulling Li Xiuji and Pei Zichen out the door, “Before, I always thought about crowning you at your coming-of-age ceremony, but I’ve been busy, busy, busy without end. While we have time these two days, I’ll go have one made for you. After we finish this job.”

Jiang Zhaoxue turned back to smile at him: “I’ll crown you.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen stared blankly at the woman before him.

His heart surged. Watching Jiang Zhaoxue put on a disguise artifact, he couldn’t help but reach out his hand and gently take hold of hers.

Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look at him. Only then did Pei Zichen realize what he had done.

He lowered his eyes, pretending to be calm: “Master’s Wife, I’ll hold you as we walk.”

“What else?” Jiang Zhaoxue found it strange. When they went out, he always held her and Li Xiuji to make it easier for her to see things and to better disguise them as a family of three.

Hearing her words, Pei Zichen smiled softly.

He held Jiang Zhaoxue and Li Xiuji as they walked along the road, his heart filled with the flourishing sun. Watching Jiang Zhaoxue select a ceremonial crown for him, thinking of the time ahead, he said softly: “Master’s Wife, after we get the Lingxu Fan, where shall we go?”

“Wherever the Su Guangji tells us to go.”

“What if there’s nowhere to go?”

“Then we’ll go wherever you want to go and wander around.”

The two casually discussed destinations. Pei Zichen’s heart was quite happy.

After ordering the crown and returning, when Pei Zichen turned off the lights and went to bed that night, the Yuan Luogong finally couldn’t help but speak: “Hey, kid, you’re just going to sleep?”

“Otherwise?”

“You absorbed my power!” The Yuan Luogong said urgently, “If you absorbed it, why aren’t you refining it? Won’t you cultivate?”

“It was only for emergencies. Why would I practice?”

“You…” The Yuan Luogong’s eyes widened, “You’re playing me, kid?!”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. The Yuan Luogong was bewildered: “No, don’t you want power?”

“I’d rather Master’s Wife not be afraid of me.”

“But this way you can’t beat your master!” The Yuan Luogong said excitedly, “What can you do as a useless person?”

Pei Zichen paused, then said: “Why would I compete with Master?”

“What if Jiang Zhaoxue runs off with Shen Yuqing?”

“Master’s Wife said,” Pei Zichen’s tone was gentle, thinking of the future made him especially soft, “she’ll always stay with me.”

“That’s because your master wants to kill you, so she has to run with you. What if your master doesn’t want to kill you anymore? When you return then, do you think you’ll still have the good days of riding immortal cranes, drinking wine, and holding hands? You probably won’t even get to see her!”

Just like in the past at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, when he went to Yunfu Mountain, he needed layer upon layer of notifications, finally standing outside her great hall, respectfully kneeling to relay messages for Shen Yuqing.

That ordinary time in the past, under the Yuan Luogong’s words, suddenly became extraordinarily terrifying.

He didn’t want to think deeply about it. He only closed his eyes, turned over and said: “I am one abandoned by heaven. How can the Book of Fate change so easily? Before changing fate, Master will never let me go. You needn’t say more. Thank you for helping me save Master’s Wife, but I won’t practice your technique.”

“Why?” The Yuan Luogong couldn’t understand.

Pei Zichen responded calmly: “Your technique easily makes people indulge their nature, kill indiscriminately and desire excessively. Practicing this technique easily harms others.”

“But if you can maintain your nature…”

“Why should others’ safety become a stone to temper my nature?” Pei Zichen asked back firmly.

The Yuan Luogong was momentarily speechless. After a moment, he laughed loudly: “Good, good, good! You truly are the person I seek! With this nature of yours, you’re most suitable!”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. The Yuan Luogong didn’t force him either, only laughing: “Rest assured, you’re not as clean as you think. In the future you’ll have times when you need me. Pei Zichen,” the Yuan Luogong leaned close to his ear, saying softly, “What kind of thing you are in your bones, you know better than anyone.”