Jiang Zhaoxue slept deeply and soundly. When she woke up yawning, her entire body felt refreshed and comfortable.

When spiritual power circulated smoothly, it felt exactly like this—as if she had painlessly run a marathon, exhilarating and satisfying.

Although last night she had lost almost all memory from the moment the fire poison began, judging by the results, Pei Zichen should have…

She got up yawning, and heard Pei Zichen’s voice from outside, as if he had been waiting for quite some time: “My Lady, are you awake?”

“Ah… ah?”

Jiang Zhaoxue responded instinctively, then came to her senses and couldn’t help asking A’Nan: “Does he not sleep?”

“Young people need less sleep,” A’Nan emerged from under the covers, shook all its feathers, and said comfortably, “Last night felt so good.”

It shared sensory perception with Jiang Zhaoxue, especially spiritual power and soul perception, which were particularly sensitive.

Pei Zichen had exceptional fortune. The more he bound with Jiang Zhaoxue, the more fortune they would share. Last night, probably due to the spiritual power transmission, A’Nan felt as if a tremendous fortune had descended from the heavens and struck it, making it dizzy and disoriented, like drinking ten jars of strong liquor—thrilling!

One person and one bird were refreshed and in high spirits. Jiang Zhaoxue fumbled to put on simple clothing and called to Pei Zichen: “Come in.”

Pei Zichen pushed open the door, and the maids filed in one after another. Jiang Zhaoxue naturally extended her arms, allowing the maids to dress her.

The sound of the maids arranging water basins clinked and clanked. Jiang Zhaoxue sensed a familiar fragrance approaching her side. After sniffing, she asked curiously: “Huh? You’re using my sachet?”

Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue’s question, Pei Zichen lowered his eyelashes slightly and said gently: “This morning, I took the liberty of asking My Lady for it. My Lady’s fragrance—this disciple greatly appreciates its main notes and plans to go find some pine incense today to blend with it.”

Listening to this, Jiang Zhaoxue had no particular recollection, but generally understood. Pei Zichen had been coveting the formula for the incense she used for quite some time, but had been too embarrassed to ask. Perhaps last night after her guidance, he had become bold enough to ask for something he liked.

The incense she used wasn’t particularly feminine anyway. If blended with pine incense, it would indeed suit a man.

The first time she met him, she knew he paid attention to such minute details—that’s how he could make such a flamboyant entrance. Now that he could reclaim his preferences, she was quite pleased and responded: “I’ll give you the formula for the incense I use later. You can have someone make it.”

As she spoke, the maids finished dressing her. She went to wash up, and after finishing, she sat at the vanity table and began asking casually: “Weren’t you tired last night? Why did you get up so early today?”

Hearing this, everyone paused. Pei Zichen waved at those around them, and the maids all withdrew.

Hearing the surrounding sounds, Jiang Zhaoxue voiced her confusion: “Huh?”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. He walked behind Jiang Zhaoxue, picked up the comb beside her, and began combing her hair, saying gently: “My Lady, among the nobility of the mortal realm, rules are strict. For you to ask me such a question in front of others is not appropriate.”

“My asking is inappropriate, but you combing my hair is appropriate?” Jiang Zhaoxue raised an eyebrow.

Pei Zichen glanced at the person in the mirror with a smile and responded: “That’s why I had them all leave.”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t understand this train of thought.

Pei Zichen arranged her hair into a bun, explaining patiently: “My Lady is a divine maiden of Penglai. There is no reason for My Lady to adapt to their rules. If they wish to gossip, it’s better to have them leave. With this disciple here, I shall serve My Lady myself.”

“You serve me?”

Listening to this, Jiang Zhaoxue felt Pei Zichen trying different arrangements with her hair and suppressed a laugh: “The first disciple of the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s Pavilion Master—besides wielding a sword, can you also serve others?”

“No.”

Pei Zichen glanced at the person in the mirror, speaking honestly, then added: “But I can learn.”

Hearing him speak so seriously, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat guilty. She felt it was somewhat improper to have recruited someone else’s chief disciple to do odd jobs for her, so she advised: “It’s not really necessary…”

“My Lady is wandering outside with this disciple. I cannot provide My Lady with the same luxurious life as before, but whatever I can do for My Lady, I should learn. Previously, I was always concerned with propriety,” Pei Zichen finally finished arranging Jiang Zhaoxue’s hair, took a hairpin from the side, and inserted it into Jiang Zhaoxue’s locks, saying earnestly, “letting My Lady suffer was my pedantry.”

“It’s fine, I haven’t really suffered.”

Jiang Zhaoxue understood his thoughts and was quite gratified. But thinking about how he used to be awkward even pulling her hand once, needing to use a handkerchief to transmit spiritual power, she feared that comforting him would bring back his troublesome, fussy nature. She quickly added: “But you’re right—as long as one has a clear conscience, there’s no need to care about so many rules. Just do what you want to do.”

“My Lady is correct.”

Pei Zichen finished styling her hair, then turned his eyes to the makeup brushes on the table and asked tentatively: “May this disciple apply makeup for My Lady?”

“Go ahead.” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately said, “I can’t do it anyway.”

“Before…” Pei Zichen picked up the eyebrow pencil, thinking through all the people on Mount Yunfu, and lowered his eyes to draw Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyebrows, “did Fairy Qingye help My Lady apply makeup?”

“You know about her too?” Jiang Zhaoxue laughed.

“I often saw her following you before.” Pei Zichen patiently drew her eyebrows.

Jiang Zhaoxue said casually: “She’s a honey badger who only knows how to fight. Where would she get such skills? The one who used to apply my makeup was her sworn younger brother Qingmo. He’s a male fox.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s hand trembled. Jiang Zhaoxue immediately said: “Did you draw it crooked?”

“Just a little.” Pei Zichen gently wiped it away, patiently saying, “I’ve heard that among demon cultivators, males are skilled at makeup.”

“Isn’t that the truth?” Jiang Zhaoxue laughed, “Males need to take wives, so they must compete in beauty and splendor. Only among human cultivators do women love to apply makeup.”

“But you like it too.”

In his seven years at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, he had never seen her without makeup.

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke with considerable pride: “Because I was born with an immortal body. Although I have beast nature, it’s not much. Besides, I’m this beautiful—wouldn’t it be a shame not to dress up more?”

“My Lady is right.” Pei Zichen’s voice carried a hint of laughter, then he seemed to probe: “Did… Master agree?”

“Of course he didn’t agree.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue thought of those years and couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “When I married into Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, he left that very night. After a few days, the ancestor persuaded him to return. Early one morning, he saw Qingmo applying my makeup and immediately attacked and injured him. Fortunately, I protected him. Then he scolded me, saying I was shameless. I found it strange—I was just applying makeup, not going to bed. What was he so worked up about? According to his logic, this was a matter between husband and wife. But the first time I applied makeup, it was Qingye who did it for me. Wouldn’t that mean Qingmo and I had been married for seven or eight years? And it wasn’t just Qingye who applied makeup for me. When Qingmo was on leave, there was Little Butterfly, Jade Bird… all the good makeup artists in Penglai are male demons. According to his logic, I truly had abundant romantic fortune.”

“What happened after?”

Pei Zichen was curious. Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone weakened a bit: “Well… later I still listened to him. It was his territory, his rules were paramount. Qingmo, Xunmo, Little Butterfly, Cuishan… all the male demons who came with me were forbidden from entering the inner chambers. They had to announce themselves before entering.”

Jiang Zhaoxue continued, inexplicably feeling somewhat uncomfortable, her tone growing fainter: “Female demons like Qingye had to wear long robes, layer upon layer. They couldn’t expose their arms or anything below the neck. They had to speak with honorifics, conduct themselves with proper steps, careful and cautious. But we’re demons—we could never learn the ways of Central Province. At Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, we remained untamed in our demon nature. He often said I acted frivolously. I found it laughable. We demon cultivators may act frivolously, but once we’re together, one person is one person. Human cultivators may have strict rules, but they marry this one and then take that one as a concubine. I really don’t know what those rules are actually for.”

Pei Zichen listened quietly and finally finished drawing Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyebrows.

Her complexion was fair and needed no powder. Pei Zichen simply applied some rouge lightly.

Jiang Zhaoxue was a bit nervous: “You… you’re not doing anything reckless, are you?”

If the blush was applied too heavily, that would be too embarrassing.

She warned: “Although I’m blind, I still have some dignity. If you’re practicing, fine, but don’t go too far!”

“My Lady, rest assured,” Pei Zichen saw her nervousness and suppressed a laugh, “Lingjian Immortal Pavilion had courses in painting. When I completed it, I was the top of that year.”

Oh, he had artistic training.

Jiang Zhaoxue relaxed and waited for Pei Zichen to finish her makeup completely. He studied Jiang Zhaoxue’s features and said softly: “My Lady, from now on, you need not suffer the grievances of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion anymore.”

“Yes.” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled, “I’ve left. No one can control me now.”

“In the future…” Pei Zichen hesitated, “may I accompany My Lady back to Penglai?”

Speaking thus, fearing she would be suspicious, he added: “This disciple greatly yearns for Penglai’s customs.”

“Sure.” Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was delighted, “You’re the first Lingjian Immortal Pavilion disciple to recognize Penglai!”

“Penglai is wonderful.” Pei Zichen said earnestly, “I like it very much.”

The two spoke as they rose, and Jiang Zhaoxue led Pei Zichen to have breakfast together.

In the morning dining hall, both Qian Sisi and Ye Tianjiao were present. Qian Sisi was drinking tea while Ye Tianjiao was having congee. Seeing the two enter, Ye Tianjiao’s eyes swept over them, noticing Pei Zichen following behind Jiang Zhaoxue, and he seemed to want to speak but stopped himself.

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled as she walked to the table. Pei Zichen supported her as she sat down, handed her chopsticks, announced the dishes on the table today, and began serving her food.

Ye Tianjiao kept staring at Pei Zichen’s every move. Previously he hadn’t felt anything was wrong, but ever since last night when he learned of Pei Zichen’s thoughts, now he found everything about Pei Zichen suspicious.

He looked at Pei Zichen, then at Jiang Zhaoxue, with an expression of having difficulty speaking.

Qian Sisi observed him from across the table and asked curiously: “Second Young Master Ye, why do you keep looking back and forth between Immortal Master Jiang and Young Daoist Lord Pei?”

At Pei Zichen’s words, he raised his eyes. Ye Tianjiao instantly felt the threat of death pressing on his neck. He took a deep breath and quickly buried his head in his congee: “Nothing, they’re just too beautiful—blinding my eyes.”

“Tianjiao’s words are getting more and more interesting.”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled as she drank her congee. Qian Sisi sipped her tea and asked casually: “What are the plans for today?”

“Wait.” Jiang Zhaoxue wasn’t in any hurry.

Qian Sisi found this strange: “Wait? Wait for what?”

“Mm…” Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment, then raised her head to look at Qian Sisi, “Yesterday when Young Master Ye was here, I didn’t feel comfortable asking you, but now I need to confirm with you again.”

“What?”

“I’m not going to kill Song Wuya,” Jiang Zhaoxue said sincerely, “will you still cooperate with me?”

Hearing this, Qian Sisi was stunned, then said in shock: “Wait, I thought what you meant yesterday was that he would perform the ancestral ritual at the altar, then we’d trick him out—I’d be responsible for killing while you’d be responsible for stealing the treasure. So you’re actually planning to really save him?”

“Taking someone’s things,” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled, “if I don’t do something, how can I feel right about it?”

“Then…” Qian Sisi was momentarily speechless, hesitating, “but I still want to cooperate with you.”

“But I don’t want to kill the future Son of Heaven.” Jiang Zhaoxue spoke sincerely.

Qian Sisi thought for a moment, then immediately said: “Not killing is fine too. I don’t necessarily have to kill him.”

“Then what do you want to do?” Ye Tianjiao was curious.

Qian Sisi’s expression grew serious: “I just wanted to pull off something big, become famous throughout the land, and make it my golden reputation in the future! If you’re not killing anyone, then—”

Qian Sisi extended her hand: “Name your price. Gold-medal assassin, at your service through fire and water.”

Looking at Qian Sisi’s pale hand, Ye Tianjiao looked up in shock: “Didn’t you say he destroyed your sect and you two couldn’t coexist under the same sky?”

“My relationship with my boss wasn’t even good,” Qian Sisi said frankly, “when I kill people to make a name for myself, I need to find some righteous reason, right? Now if the price is right, I can sell out my reputation too.”

“You’re really…”

“Deal.”

Pei Zichen agreed immediately.

Everyone looked over in surprise to see Pei Zichen take out a banknote from his sleeve, place it in Qian Sisi’s hand, and say earnestly: “Then I’ll trouble Miss Qian to protect My Lady together with me. If I have any oversights, I hope Miss Qian will look after her.”

Seeing this banknote, Qian Sisi immediately became serious, raised her hand in salute: “Jiang Zhaoxue is my life-and-death friend. I will protect her with my life!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue let out a snort of laughter.

Then she tapped the table: “Alright, it’s settled then. Let me explain briefly. The Third Prince promised me that as long as his ancestral ritual at the altar succeeds and he gains his ancestors’ recognition, he’ll give me the Lingxu Fan. So we need to ensure his ancestral ritual succeeds. Last night I gave his sachet to Young Master Ye and asked him to do two things. The first was to quietly bring the Third Prince’s sachet to the altar. I used a talisman to perform a proxy inquiry to his ancestors on his behalf. The sachet carries his aura—if the Song ancestors recognize him, the sachet will be fine, and his ancestral inquiry will be fine too. But if the sachet burns…”

“It proves the Song ancestors don’t recognize him either.” Qian Sisi immediately understood.

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded: “But he has the fate of a true dragon. If his ancestors don’t recognize him, it can only mean his destiny has been tampered with. The one most likely to tamper with him would be in the palace, and to have such power, the most likely thing I can think of right now is…”

“A malevolent wraith.”

Pei Zichen spoke, and Jiang Zhaoxue nodded.

Qian Sisi and Ye Tianjiao didn’t understand, but Pei Zichen and Jiang Zhaoxue knew that according to records, thirteen years from now, the mortal realm would see the emergence of a calamitous wraith named Xinluoyi.

A wraith significant enough to be recorded in the annals of the True Immortal Realm couldn’t possibly form in a single day—there must have been signs earlier.

Zhuang Yan was seduced by a woman in red. Although Zhuang Yan died, that woman never even showed her face.

Malevolent wraiths—as long as there were human hearts and desires, they could easily be reborn from corrupted earth.

Four years ago, the Yuan Luogong appeared, she fell into a temporal rift, and after that Song Wuya was determined to have a flood dragon fate. The timing was too coincidental.

Connecting all the signs, what could affect the fortune of a true dragon… very likely, it was Xinluoyi.

But Jiang Zhaoxue wasn’t certain, so she only said: “So I gave Young Master Ye a talisman. This is an evil-testing talisman written by my elder brother, a Mahayana-stage talisman cultivator. After Young Master Ye brings it into the palace, if there really is a malevolent wraith in the palace, the talisman will sense it.”

“Then…” Ye Tianjiao listened, somewhat apprehensive, “my brother won’t be in trouble, right?”

“Your brother now has an official position with corresponding protective deities, and furthermore, he’s under my patronage—I naturally protect him.” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled, “Rest assured, with his fortune, ordinary evil spirits wouldn’t dare approach him, and those with brains wouldn’t want to provoke him either.”

Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao felt somewhat relieved.

Then he asked curiously: “What if there really is a malevolent wraith in the palace?”

Jiang Zhaoxue listened, considering carefully: “Then it depends… on what level of malevolent wraith it is. The talisman will change from white to red. The deeper the red, the heavier the wraith’s malevolent energy. If it’s red… that will be somewhat difficult to handle.”

As they spoke, hurried footsteps sounded from outside, followed by the sound of servants bowing in greeting. Ye Wenzhi rushed into the room, his voice trembling slightly: “Immortal Master Jiang…”

“Mm?”

Jiang Zhaoxue grasped Pei Zichen’s hand. Pei Zichen understood and shared his vision with her. She then saw Ye Wenzhi walk before her, somewhat agitated: “Today, according to your instructions, I brought His Highness’s sachet to the altar. As soon as the sachet reached the altar, it burned.”

“Ah…” Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao was somewhat disappointed.

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded—this was within expectations.

“As for the talisman…”

Ye Wenzhi’s expression was grave. He took out the talisman Jiang Zhaoxue had given him. Jiang Zhaoxue lowered her eyes to look.

The talisman was completely crimson, almost dripping with blood.

She looked at the talisman and sighed.

“Money is hard to earn, and shit is hard to eat.”