Hearing these words “Happy New Year,” Jiang Zhaoxue finally remembered what she had promised when they came down from Sword-Asking Manor.

They were to rush back to celebrate the New Year.

On the day he became sect leader, she had coaxed him down the mountain. Thinking about it now, if he had already awakened, then from the moment they descended, he already knew they couldn’t return.

Yet he still made this wish.

Thinking of the moment she agreed to this, she slowly relaxed her constantly tense muscles, completely abandoning the thought of resistance, allowing him in his sea-like gentle kiss to slowly and tentatively invade her consciousness sea with his divine sense.

Actually, from the moment he returned, she knew his thoughts.

He simply didn’t believe she had forgotten, or even if he believed it, he wanted verification.

And the simplest method of verification was naturally soul-searching. But this method of forcibly entering another’s consciousness sea could easily completely destroy the other’s consciousness sea. Those whose souls were searched would either die or go mad.

But the prerequisite for all this was that the consciousness sea was forcibly broken into.

And her relationship with Pei Zichen was special precisely in this regard.

Whether it was the Fate Attendant contract or the Soul-Locking Formation, they made their divine souls connected. Plus, their divine souls had fused countless times before. Unless she forcibly erected defenses, her consciousness sea had almost no obstacles for Pei Zichen.

And in an unconscious state, her consciousness sea was most likely open to him.

This was roughly what he was betting on, so he wanted to enter her consciousness sea while she was unconscious to search her memories.

She could choose not to open her consciousness sea to him. This would prove that even in those four years, she had never truly given him her trust—that every time their consciousness seas fused, it was a conscious, deliberate opening.

Originally, that had been her plan, but…

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the fireworks he was sharing with her through synesthesia, her eyelids trembling lightly.

She didn’t know why—perhaps because of that promise, or perhaps for other reasons—she still let him step into her consciousness sea.

Pei Zichen’s divine soul fell into her consciousness sea. The first thing he saw was the sleeping A’Nan.

A’Nan was Jiang Zhaoxue’s spirit beast, formed from her divine soul. When Jiang Zhaoxue slept, A’Nan naturally slept.

Pei Zichen’s heart settled somewhat. Then he moved forward, coming to where Jiang Zhaoxue stored her memories, scanning all her existing memory fragments.

Jiang Zhaoxue silently controlled those fragments, taking all the memory fragments he shouldn’t see and hiding them in places he couldn’t find, then letting him search.

Memories scattered throughout Jiang Zhaoxue’s consciousness sea. Pei Zichen closed his eyes. Strands of light bloomed from his body, instantly connecting to all of Jiang Zhaoxue’s memory fragments.

Her memories instantly flooded into his mind. He frantically searched for those four years.

But there was nothing.

Nowhere had them!

In Jiang Zhaoxue’s consciousness sea, those four years didn’t exist.

She wasn’t lying to him. She truly didn’t remember.

How could this be?

Pei Zichen frowned, unwilling in his heart.

When the Sword-Asking Manor disciples’ divine souls entered reincarnation, Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression looking at him was clearly wrong.

If Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t know about those four years, why would she look at him with such pitying eyes?

If Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t know about those four years, why was she nervous when he came to her room tonight?

He didn’t believe it.

Pei Zichen opened his eyes, looking at the deep darkness ahead. After thinking, he stubbornly walked deeper.

Seeing him move forward, Jiang Zhaoxue instantly tensed.

The depths were precisely where she hid her memories. There was no reason to let him wander freely. Just as she was about to expel him, knocking sounds suddenly came from outside.

Pei Zichen’s movements instantly stopped. Jiang Zhaoxue also froze. Then she heard Shen Yuqing’s voice come from outside the door, saying warily: “Jiang Zhaoxue, have you gone to sleep?”

Hearing the visitor was Shen Yuqing, Jiang Zhaoxue’s heartbeat suddenly raced. Pei Zichen looked up coldly, staring at the silhouette on the window paper.

“Jiang Zhaoxue, if you don’t respond, I’m coming in.”

Shen Yuqing’s voice accompanied the exploding fireworks sounds, clearly ringing outside the window. Jiang Zhaoxue was so frightened she nearly bolted upright from the bed, then quickly suppressed herself, begging Pei Zichen to leave quickly.

She couldn’t open her eyes now. If she opened them, not only would everything just done be wasted, but because she had deliberately done all that, it would be even more inexplicable—all efforts wasted.

And Pei Zichen clearly also knew her predicament. He turned his eyes to look at her. His hand climbed up from her arm through his sleeve. The tentacle-like black qi drilled into her dress, saying quietly: “If you don’t open your eyes, I won’t leave. If Master sees…”

Pei Zichen leaned down halfway, covering her ear: “That wouldn’t be good, would it?”

A’Nan became anxious: “Master, if Shen Yuqing comes in, this is finished.”

Jiang Zhaoxue still didn’t speak.

She knew Pei Zichen still wouldn’t give up.

He was gambling, gambling on that slim chance, testing whether she was awake.

The two were at a standoff. Shen Yuqing’s voice sounded outside the door: “Three.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart beat rapidly.

Pei Zichen stared unwillingly at the woman before him who seemed completely oblivious to everything, listening to the increasingly faint fireworks sounds outside.

“Two.”

Shen Yuqing raised a finger. The sound of drawing a sword rang out. Pei Zichen’s hand suspended in his sleeve unconsciously clenched.

“One!”

The moment the sound “one” appeared, Pei Zichen pulled Jiang Zhaoxue’s clothes back to their original state. The bed curtains simultaneously fell, and he vanished instantly!

His presence completely disappeared the moment before, and the next moment Shen Yuqing burst through the door!

The instant he entered, only emptiness remained in the room. Shen Yuqing warily surveyed the surroundings, then his gaze fell on Jiang Zhaoxue’s tightly closed bed curtains. He sheathed his sword and strode forward quickly.

Hearing Shen Yuqing approach, Jiang Zhaoxue swallowed, calming her overly rapid heartbeat. The moment Shen Yuqing lifted the bed curtain, she pretended to have just awakened, raising her eyes in surprise.

Their four eyes met. Shen Yuqing froze.

Jiang Zhaoxue sat on the bed in a silk nightgown clinging to her body, ink-black hair cascading behind her. She seemed to have just woken up, looking somewhat dazed.

Her eyes rippled like water, her lips especially vivid in color. Shen Yuqing’s throat tightened. He somewhat hastily lowered the bed curtain, quickly explaining: “I just sensed someone in your room. When I called to you without response, I thought something had happened to you…”

“Oh.”

Jiang Zhaoxue adjusted her clothes, also relaxing considerably. She lifted the curtain and got out of bed, pretending vigilance as she looked around, frowning: “I was too tired today and slept deeply. I didn’t notice anything.”

As she spoke, Mu Jinyue’s anxious voice came from outside: “Master, what happened?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue looked over. At a glance she saw Mu Jinyue standing at the door, and behind her…

Was Pei Zichen who had just arrived.

Pei Zichen was neatly dressed, as if he had just awakened, dressed, and rushed over. He raised his hand in salute: “Master, Master’s Wife.”

Seeing Pei Zichen, Jiang Zhaoxue’s muscles instinctively tensed. She didn’t know how Pei Zichen could arrive so quickly, but since even Mu Jinyue had come, if he didn’t rush over, that would indeed invite suspicion.

She pretended composure and turned her head, looking at Shen Yuqing, continuing: “What did you sense just now? I opened the Mountain-River Bell tonight. If someone intruded, I should have sensed it.”

She should have sensed it.

It was just that Pei Zichen also counted as her magical artifact. The Mountain-River Bell hadn’t blocked Pei Zichen, which gave him the opportunity to bind her.

Thinking of this, Jiang Zhaoxue’s teeth itched. She couldn’t help secretly glancing at Pei Zichen, pondering that as he acquired more magical artifacts, he had more methods.

Yuan Luogong… Spiritual Void Fan… She needed to find an opportunity to properly discipline him.

She pondered secretly in her heart. Shen Yuqing was also somewhat stunned by her question.

Only then did he react—Jiang Zhaoxue had opened the Mountain-River Bell.

The Mountain-River Bell was Penglai’s divine artifact. With the Mountain-River Bell present, he couldn’t possibly sense the situation in Jiang Zhaoxue’s room.

Just now when he came over…

It was only intuition.

He couldn’t explain why he had this intuition. He could only say: “Perhaps I sensed wrong.”

He opened his mouth to admit fault, and everyone relaxed.

After everyone was silent for a moment, Pei Zichen took the initiative: “Master should rest first. This disciple will repair the door.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart jumped. She couldn’t help cursing internally: “He’s still not leaving!”

“How could he possibly leave Shen Yuqing to repair the door?” A’Nan asked, seeing Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t understand. “Or are you going to repair the door?”

Jiang Zhaoxue was rendered speechless by the question. She sighed, only able to say: “Fine, repair it however you want.”

She chatted secretly with A’Nan, glanced at Shen Yuqing, and urged: “Go to sleep, old man.”

With that, she walked to the bedside herself.

Seeing she was about to sleep, Mu Jinyue bowed and took her leave. Shen Yuqing glanced at her, nodded to Pei Zichen, then returned to his own room.

After they all left, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly pretended fatigue and entered the bed curtains. The curtains separated her from Pei Zichen, and only then did she finally feel somewhat at ease. But she still felt Pei Zichen was watching her.

Fortunately, Pei Zichen didn’t take the opportunity to linger. After repairing the door with a spell, he stood at the doorway, saying respectfully: “Master’s Wife, the door is repaired. This disciple will take his leave first.”

Hearing this, seeing he had no intention of causing trouble, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately felt relieved. She acknowledged with a sound: “Alright, rest well.”

At her words, Pei Zichen didn’t move.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart grew alert. She couldn’t help worrying what tricks he was up to.

Sure enough, after a moment, she heard Pei Zichen’s voice: “Master’s Wife, ordinary insects fear cold, but demon insects don’t fear winter and have been quite rampant lately. This disciple has prepared insect-repelling spirit grass and itch-relieving spirit ointment. Please don’t find it troublesome, Master’s Wife—use them as soon as possible.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat confused.

Demon insects?

What demon insects?

Before she could react, she heard Pei Zichen set something down and leave.

When she heard the door close, Jiang Zhaoxue instantly realized something. She immediately rushed down from the bed and ran to the bronze mirror. Sure enough, she saw red marks on her neck.

Though not obvious, somewhat similar to insect bites, Jiang Zhaoxue still immediately drew in a sharp breath, cursing internally—bastard!

She wasn’t sure for a moment whether Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue had seen it. Then she thought, so what if they saw? As long as it wasn’t connected to Pei Zichen and didn’t disrupt his speed in obtaining divine artifacts and growing stronger, she’d even admit to having a lover.

“I’ve thought of the person for you.” A’Nan spoke. “What do you think of that ‘senior’? Anyway, if Shen Yuqing goes seeking revenge, he might not be able to find the person, and even if he finds them, he might not be able to win.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue rolled her eyes, but also thought it wasn’t bad.

Just that right now they were far from that step. She still quickly took Pei Zichen’s ointment, examined it thoroughly, and applied it to all the relevant spots.

All their belongings were with Pei Zichen. Only he truly had such things. No wonder he dawdled so long insisting on delivering this medicine.

After finishing busy work, Jiang Zhaoxue finally breathed a sigh of relief, heavily falling on the bed, looking at the bed curtains.

“He shouldn’t come again, right?”

A’Nan hopped to the headboard: “He’s tested so many times now. He should give up, right? We didn’t leave any flaws, right?”

“He won’t come again.”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the bed canopy, recalling the fireworks from earlier.

Pei Zichen left at the moment the last firework burned out.

She wasn’t certain whether he left because he’d pushed to the limit, or whether he had been waiting for the very moment the fireworks burned out.

Watching this scene of fireworks also fulfilled the promise from the illusion realm to accompany him for the New Year.

“He shouldn’t come again.”

Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes, turning on her side to embrace the blanket.

She had wanted to sleep quietly, but after holding back for a moment, she still couldn’t help fiercely punching the blanket several times.

A whole group of people, saying they’d come to her room and then just coming.

When she later took back both the Spiritual Void Fan and Yuan Luogong and became a Ninth Realm Fate Master whose words became law, whoever dared enter her room, she’d hang them up and beat them!

After a round of punching and kicking the blanket, Jiang Zhaoxue finally vented her anger. Feeling somewhat comfortable in her heart, she embraced the blanket again and peacefully fell asleep.

But the two adjacent rooms both had sleepless nights.

Pei Zichen sat in darkness, watching fireworks continuously exploding in the air, listening to the Spiritual Void Fan’s chatter: “Master, your actions just now were truly too reckless. According to the True Immortal Realm situation in your memory, our cultivation methods are practiced by demonic cultivators. If you felt Lady Jiang might be awake, you should have quickly retreated. Otherwise, if she realizes you practice demonic cultivation and joins with Shen Yuqing to kill you, what then?”

“I know she wasn’t awake.”

Hearing the Spiritual Void Fan’s words, Pei Zichen watched the fireworks, saying calmly: “I just held onto a slim hope.”

“What kind of hope is this?” The Spiritual Void Fan didn’t understand. “If she was truly awake…”

“That would be the outcome.” Pei Zichen spoke. Everyone froze.

“Either kill me or love me. Whichever path,” Pei Zichen raised his eyes and smiled, “both are good outcomes.”

These words shocked both the Yuan Luogong and Spiritual Void Fan present. The Spiritual Void Fan reacted, saying urgently: “Master…”

“But it was also a momentary impulse.” Pei Zichen knew what the Spiritual Void Fan worried about. He smiled soothingly, turning to look at the continuously blooming and withering fireworks illusion, saying slowly: “She went to such lengths to save me—how could she want to end with such a conclusion? My life is hers. Since she doesn’t want me to die, I shouldn’t make things difficult for her. Moreover… I already have four years.”

A trace of a smile appeared on Pei Zichen’s face. Looking at the fireworks illusion, he murmured quietly: “She didn’t forget me on purpose. That she was willing to give me this dream is enough.”

Pei Zichen watched the fireworks. With a pinch of his fingers, the fireworks instantly vanished. The room returned to complete darkness.

He sat in the darkness. After a long time, he said calmly: “I’ll watch over her. As long as she’s living well, that’s enough.”

On the other side, in Shen Yuqing’s room, he sat on a meditation cushion.

His mind was full of Jiang Zhaoxue’s appearance from earlier. She sat on the bed. The entire bed curtain was filled with her fragrance. She looked up at him, her eyes carrying rippling moisture.

Every time he thought of this, he would hastily open his eyes and re-enter meditation. Moments later, the same scene would appear.

After this happened repeatedly, he simply gave up, directly stood up, cast a spell on himself, and went straight to sleep.

As a result, the same scene appeared in his dreams. But this time, different from when awake, he walked forward and pulled open her clothing.

A clear, bright red kiss mark appeared on her neck. His pupils constricted sharply as he suddenly woke up.

He panted lowly in the darkness, completely unable to control himself, constantly recalling.

Whether there really was that red mark on Jiang Zhaoxue’s neck.

Whether he had seen wrong.

If there was…

Then tonight in that room, there might not have been no one.

Only that it was someone Jiang Zhaoxue wished to keep.

The three people each harbored their own thoughts, but all fell asleep before dawn.

Jiang Zhaoxue wasn’t like sword cultivators. After toiling for two days, once she slept, she completely couldn’t wake up. She almost slept past lunch before waking to Mu Jinyue’s knocking.

“Master’s Wife?”

Jiang Zhaoxue groggily opened her eyes, looking at the warm light outside the bed curtains, responding vaguely: “Mm?”

“Master’s Wife,” hearing Jiang Zhaoxue respond, Mu Jinyue quickly said, “It’s past noon. Master had this disciple come ask if you’re well.”

“Mm…” Jiang Zhaoxue made a sound from her nose, holding the blanket. After pausing a while, she said: “I’m fine. Let me doze a bit more, then I’ll get up.”

As she spoke, Jiang Zhaoxue relaxed. A’Nan jumped out from the blanket, happily saying: “Master, a new day has begun! Get up!”

Jiang Zhaoxue yawned and got up. Coming out from the bed curtains, climbing out, she saw someone standing outside the window. From the figure, it should be Mu Jinyue.

She just stood guard at the door, doing nothing. Seeing this, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately missed the past.

Not to mention the times at Penglai and the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion—Qingye had always followed her. When she woke up in the morning, there was never this kind of being left hanging.

Later, when she and Pei Zichen wandered outside, Pei Zichen had taken on all the work, ensuring her food, clothing, and shelter. Every day when she opened her eyes, Pei Zichen had arranged everything.

Now that Shen Yuqing had come, Pei Zichen as a male disciple definitely couldn’t come forward to serve her, and Mu Jinyue was Shen Yuqing’s precious darling. Jiang Zhaoxue sighed and could only get up herself, directing A’Nan: “Go, get me a towel.”

At her words, A’Nan was somewhat shocked, pointing at herself with her wing: “Me? A crow? Get you a towel?”

“Don’t worry, your beak can still throw stones to drink water.”

Jiang Zhaoxue walked to the basin and washed her face.

A’Nan was helpless. She went to the side and picked up a towel for Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue quickly finished washing up and pushed open the door to go out.

After coming out, Mu Jinyue saw Jiang Zhaoxue and froze. She had never seen Jiang Zhaoxue with such simple hair ornaments and clothing… not exactly disheveled, but somehow not quite neat enough.

Seeing her daze, Jiang Zhaoxue folded her hands in her sleeves, glanced at her and said: “What are you looking at? Are you stunned by Master’s Wife’s beauty?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Mu Jinyue heard Jiang Zhaoxue’s mockery and quickly said: “This disciple is just waiting here.”

“Where are your master and Pei Zichen?”

Seeing no one in the courtyard, Jiang Zhaoxue stepped outside. Mu Jinyue followed Jiang Zhaoxue, hurriedly saying: “Master is waiting in the hall for Master’s Wife to go eat. Senior Brother just went out, saying he was looking for someone.”

At her words, Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat curious: “Looking for someone?”

Who would Pei Zichen be looking for so early in the morning?

But she’d know when Pei Zichen returned later, so Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t think much about it. She followed Mu Jinyue out and saw Shen Yuqing sitting at the table waiting for her.

As soon as Jiang Zhaoxue came out, Shen Yuqing kept studying her.

Jiang Zhaoxue sat openly under his gaze, taking her seat and directly speaking: “First it was Mu Jinyue just now, now you’re looking—are you two a pair?”

These words made Mu Jinyue’s face somewhat awkward. Shen Yuqing frowned, also somewhat embarrassed: “Don’t speak nonsense.”

Jiang Zhaoxue shrugged and took some congee from the table herself.

Mu Jinyue stood behind Shen Yuqing, not daring to sit. Shen Yuqing glanced at her and said directly: “Sit.”

At his words, Mu Jinyue carefully glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t object, she sat across from Jiang Zhaoxue, which was right beside Shen Yuqing.

Once Mu Jinyue sat down, when Pei Zichen returned, only the spot beside Jiang Zhaoxue remained. He saw this from afar and froze. Reaching the table, he raised his hand in salute, saying respectfully: “Master, Master’s Wife.”

“Sit.” Jiang Zhaoxue pointed her chopsticks at the spot beside her.

Seeing this, Pei Zichen immediately said: “This disciple will sit at another table.”

“Tell us what you went to do.” As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she glanced at Mu Jinyue across from her. “Besides, Jinyue is sitting. If she can sit, why can’t you?”

These words made Pei Zichen pause. He raised his eyes to glance at Mu Jinyue, seeming to feel it wasn’t proper.

Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Zhaoxue said: “Sit down!”

Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone grow heavy, Pei Zichen finally thought for a moment, bowed and said: “This disciple has important matters to report. I apologize for the offense to Master and Master’s Wife.”

With that, Pei Zichen sat down.

Jiang Zhaoxue immediately pressed: “What did you go do so early in the morning?”

“This disciple went to find the roster of all children under fifteen from Life and Death Manor.”

Pei Zichen spoke. Jiang Zhaoxue paused, holding her chopsticks, somewhat at a loss for a moment.

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing understood his meaning and frowned: “For a chance encounter, life and death are ordained by karma and heaven. Why be so persistent?”

“This disciple is foolish and doesn’t understand the Heavenly Dao. I only follow human sentiment.” Pei Zichen spoke properly, taking out the roster from his sleeve and pushing it for Jiang Zhaoxue to see, saying seriously: “There’s a twelve-year-old child inside named Li Xiuji.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes instantly widened.

She looked at Pei Zichen in shock, suddenly remembering four years ago when she had sent Li Xiuji away before the ancestral ceremony at the altar.

At that time, the four-year-old Li Xiuji had stayed up all night wanting to hear stories.

He was so small, yet he already understood everything. He knew he was about to be sent away, knew he was about to leave, so he seized every moment to be with her. Only at the very last moment did he burst into tears.

His crying still echoed in her ears, begging Jiang Zhaoxue: “Big sister! Don’t leave me behind, big sister! Take me with you, I’m very good! I won’t trouble you! Take me with you! I’m scared! I’m scared!”

This crying overlapped with those pleading eyes of that child yesterday.

Li Xiuji…

It was actually Li Xiuji!

Jiang Zhaoxue’s throat ached. Guilt instantly overwhelmed her. She gripped her chopsticks tightly, thinking of yesterday, suddenly realizing something and hurriedly saying: “That’s not right. If it’s Li Xiuji, how could he have fallen to this state?”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in shock: “What about his adoptive parents? What about his fortune?”

When she saw that child at Life and Death Manor, he had no fortune whatsoever.

And back then, Li Xiuji’s adoptive parents were carefully selected by them. How could he have fallen to this state?

“This is all the information Life and Death Manor has about him.”

Pei Zichen knew what Jiang Zhaoxue was thinking. He raised his hand and pushed the materials over.

Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed them and quickly looked through them. Inside was a contract selling Li Xiuji into slavery.

Li Xiuji was originally a free citizen, but with this sale, he completely became part of the lowly class.

And on this contract that ruined his life, it was clearly the names of that pair of adoptive parents.

It was his adoptive parents who had sold him.

Jiang Zhaoxue reacted, anger instantly rising. Then she discovered two more slave contracts.

In these eight years, Li Xiuji had been sold three times. Moreover, each place he was sold to was more cruel than the last.

The first adoptive parents sold him to a wealthy household as a slave.

After two years, that household sold him to Nanfeng Hall.

But as soon as he entered Nanfeng Hall, he killed someone and was thrown into prison. However, someone bailed him out and sold him to Life and Death Manor.

“Reportedly, he brought misfortune to each household, so he could only be resold again and again. Finally, after entering prison, Life and Death Manor bailed him out.” Pei Zichen spoke, his tone growing heavy. “Because of his killing at Nanfeng Hall, the Life and Death Manor people valued him. He was young but ruthless. After Life and Death Manor redeemed him, they used his life and death for gambling every day.”

A child not yet ten years old, every day caged with wild beasts, with large men, with all kinds of people condemned to death, to see if he could survive—making this the basis for gambling.

“But he survived every time. His fame grew larger and larger. Many assassin organizations came seeking to cultivate him. Life and Death Manor refused to release him, only making the gambling matches bigger and bigger. There are too many lives on his hands…”

Someone cultivated this way—no matter what fortune he had, he couldn’t grasp it, couldn’t have it.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue understood. This was why when she saw the twelve-year-old Li Xiuji, she couldn’t see his fortune at all.

Because his fortune had already been strangled by himself in repeated killings.

“But why would this happen?”

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help speaking out, yet as she spoke, she already had an inkling.

Pei Zichen also understood. He said with certainty: “Because someone is intercepting and killing such people of great fortune.”

Li Xiuji’s suffering wasn’t coincidental.

Just as it wasn’t coincidental that Ye Wenzhi met Zhuang Yan.

Just as it wasn’t coincidental that Song Wuya was judged by the Tianji Academy as a false dragon.

From the moment Li Xiuji was born, when all Fate Masters determined him to be a solitary and inauspicious fate, someone had already been manufacturing his suffering.

It was just that Jiang Zhaoxue repeatedly intervened.

When he was born, she won against all the Fate Masters for him, changed his fate reading, allowing his parents to keep him for three years.

When he was four, she rescued him from human traffickers, found adoptive parents for him, and extended his life for several more years.

But ultimately, this time…

She couldn’t save him.

The dining table suddenly grew cold. Shen Yuqing’s gaze wandered between the two of them.

This was time without him. He even needed to think to understand clearly.

His heart felt troubled. He felt he was making a mountain out of a molehill, yet thinking of last night, he couldn’t help being concerned.

His gaze swept over Jiang Zhaoxue’s neck—empty, nothing there. He wondered if he was overthinking, yet couldn’t control his overthinking.

He simply lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a while, always feeling unwilling.

She knew Li Xiuji’s birth date and time. She hurriedly used Li Xiuji’s birth information to divine a reading.

Though Li Xiuji’s fortune had been stripped, it didn’t mean there was no way out. Though the vengeful evil could kill him in an instant, it was also hard to say there weren’t other possibilities…

Jiang Zhaoxue held hope in her heart. She tossed the copper coins. When the hexagram appeared, Jiang Zhaoxue froze.

Mu Jinyue beside her was somewhat curious: “Master’s Wife, what hexagram is this?”

“The Stripping Hexagram.”

Shen Yuqing saw it at a glance. He raised his eyes to look at Jiang Zhaoxue, wanting to say something, but seeing Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression, he forcefully held back.

Jiang Zhaoxue quietly looked at the hexagram. Pei Zichen beside her raised his eyes to look at her. After thinking, he said: “I’ll go look again today.”

Jiang Zhaoxue responded quietly. The table fell silent. After a long time, she stood up: “Forget it. I’ve lost my appetite. I’ll sleep some more.”

With that, she tossed down her chopsticks and turned to leave.

Mu Jinyue was stunned, asking puzzled: “Didn’t Master’s Wife just wake up?”

“She’s not sleepy. She’s sad.”

Shen Yuqing spoke.

His words had barely fallen when he heard Pei Zichen across from him call softly: “Master.”

Shen Yuqing raised his eyes to see his usually gentle disciple, his eyes carrying a touch of coldness, quietly watching him: “So you knew all along?”

Shen Yuqing paused, unable to understand what Pei Zichen was saying for a moment.

He only observed Pei Zichen, then saw this disciple quietly watching him, saying seriously: “Since Master understands human hearts, many things shouldn’t be done beyond propriety.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Yuqing asked coldly.

Pei Zichen glanced at Mu Jinyue, only saying: “According to Pavilion Rule 371, when elders dine, juniors cannot eat at the same table.”

“Are you lecturing me?” Shen Yuqing was somewhat uncertain.

Pei Zichen raised his eyes, saying firmly: “You are bullying her.”

Shen Yuqing froze, immediately understanding who his “her” referred to.

He stared at the young man before him with shock and uncertainty, then heard Pei Zichen say seriously: “An elder occasionally granting a seat is a disciple’s honor. But if special privilege becomes permanent, Master, that’s overstepping bounds.”

“Senior Brother doesn’t mean that.” Hearing this, Mu Jinyue finally understood Pei Zichen was talking about her. She said frantically: “When I first came to the mountain, I had difficulty swallowing eating alone, so Master…”

“If Master feels rules aren’t important,” Pei Zichen completely ignored Mu Jinyue’s words, saying directly: “Then why not abolish the pavilion rules? Let everyone disobey them, lest Junior Sister appear too special, causing Master’s Wife to misunderstand and generate displeasure.”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue stiffened. Pei Zichen directly stood up, bowing his head: “This disciple has other tasks. I’ll take my leave first.”

With that, Pei Zichen stepped outside. Shen Yuqing spoke abruptly: “Who is displeased—you or her?”

Pei Zichen paused. After hesitating a moment, he only said: “Master’s Wife doesn’t understand cultivation world rules, but I do. Master,” he turned to look at Shen Yuqing, “I won’t tolerate others bullying her, much less insulting her.”

“What’s your status?”

Shen Yuqing questioned directly.

Pei Zichen couldn’t speak. In that moment, infinite bitterness spread through his chest.

He stared at the person before him. Under Shen Yuqing’s scrutinizing gaze, he spoke with difficulty: “Master’s Wife’s grace toward me is as heavy as a mountain. This disciple pledges eternal gratitude,” Pei Zichen lowered his eyes, “yet cannot repay her kindness.”

Shen Yuqing didn’t speak.

He looked at the clearly adult young man before him, suddenly thinking of what happened in Jiang Zhaoxue’s room last night. He unconsciously wanted to question why he had arrived later than Mu Jinyue last night.

Mu Jinyue’s martial skills weren’t good. Hearing the commotion, she should have arrived slower than him, yet he was a step behind Mu Jinyue.

But before speaking, he suddenly noticed the marriage bond on his finger.

Shen Yuqing’s movements paused. He frowned slightly, somewhat surprised: “You’re married?”

At these words, Mu Jinyue looked over. She had long wanted to ask this but didn’t dare speak. Now that Shen Yuqing asked, she clearly looked somewhat anxious. As if fearing to know the answer, yet wanting to know.

Pei Zichen’s expression didn’t change. He said calmly: “Yes.”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue’s face paled slightly.

But Shen Yuqing fell silent.

Since Pei Zichen had tied a marriage bond, then it had nothing to do with his speculation.

After all, his marriage bond was still on Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand. A person couldn’t tie two marriage bonds simultaneously.

If it were Jiang Zhaoxue, Pei Zichen couldn’t even connect a marriage bond.

Since it wasn’t Jiang Zhaoxue, last night…

Shen Yuqing instantly resented his wild thoughts. What kind of person was Pei Zichen, and what was Jiang Zhaoxue’s status?

No matter what, it shouldn’t be these two.

Pei Zichen… was probably just repaying kindness.

Shen Yuqing’s heart cleared. He nodded, saying quietly: “I understand.”

Seeing him acknowledge this, Pei Zichen raised his hand in salute: “This disciple will take his leave first.”

Turning to leave, Pei Zichen quickly went out to continue pursuing Li Xiuji’s whereabouts. But Jiang Zhaoxue sat in her room, divining again.

No matter how many times she divined, it was always the Stripping Hexagram.

The Stripping Hexagram, Li Xiuji… was probably gone.

This was the third time she had encountered Li Xiuji.

Also the third time she had encountered Xinluo Yi.

Before, she had been wondering why Xinluo Yi appeared in Shu. But if Xinluo Yi was chasing Li Xiuji, then it made sense.

Then why would Xinluo Yi chase Li Xiuji?

Was she chasing Li Xiuji specifically, or just chasing people of great fortune?

If it was Li Xiuji, then now that Li Xiuji was dead, her next target—who would it be?

Xinluo Yi… Song Wulan.

Jiang Zhaoxue turned the copper coin in her hand, remembering the fragments of the Voice Transmission Talisman on the mud, anger burning in her heart.

For the first time since coming to the past, she so wanted to kill someone.

Xinluo Yi.

Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes.

With her heart set on killing Xinluo Yi and Song Wulan, she cast another divination.

After the hexagram was cast, the copper coin spun rapidly on the table but never fell.

Watching the coin not fall, A’Nan was somewhat puzzled: “Eh, why does it keep spinning but never land?”

“Because.”

Jiang Zhaoxue stared at the copper coin, vaguely seeing a distant figure in blue robes sitting on a rock, folding fan lightly tapping his lips, smiling yet not smiling as he turned to look at her.

This was an image Song Wulan transmitted to her.

She understood his meaning, saying seriously: “Someone is competing with me for control of heaven and earth.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue slapped the copper coin down. The image instantly vanished. Jiang Zhaoxue snorted coldly.

What kind of trashy heaven and earth control—wasn’t it all just a slap away?

Thinking this, Jiang Zhaoxue turned back to meditate.

By dinner time, she finally recovered her mood. Just as she was preparing to call Pei Zichen out for a good meal, the moment she opened the door, she saw Pei Zichen standing at the entrance, saying respectfully: “Master’s Wife.”

Hearing this form of address, Jiang Zhaoxue still felt somewhat awkward.

On her face, she still had to pretend composure and nod, saying casually: “You’re back?”

At her words, Pei Zichen’s eyelashes trembled lightly. Hearing this “you’re back,” he suddenly felt his heart ache, yet also felt everything didn’t matter.

He responded quietly: “Returned a quarter hour ago. This disciple searched along the river and road again, only finding some torn clothing.”

Hearing this was also within Jiang Zhaoxue’s expectations. She nodded: “Set up a cenotaph and bury them.”

“There’s one more thing.” Pei Zichen spoke. Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look, then heard Pei Zichen say: “Miss Qian has arrived.”