Ji Shuran raised her head to look at Jiang Yuanbai.

At this moment, she was muddled, as if awake yet not awake. Fear mixed with resentment made her speak without choosing her words. Only when she came to her senses did she realize she had said things she shouldn’t have said.

Once spoken, the words left no room for reversal. Moreover, words spoken under such circumstances seemed even more like true confessions. A sense of desperation suddenly arose in her heart.

How had it come to this? Today, everything was supposed to be a performance—a performance she herself had orchestrated. As for how it would end and what the result would be, she should have been the one to decide. But now, with everything in ruins and no way to salvage the situation, it had far exceeded her expectations.

She didn’t even know how to remedy it.

She didn’t particularly believe in ghosts and spirits. Regarding supernatural matters, from the moment she bribed Ye Zhenzhen’s maid to harm Ye Zhenzhen before she was even married, she had lost all reverence for the divine. In this world, regardless of what methods one used, only by relying on oneself could one enjoy everything desired. If one was weak, one would be slaughtered.

She never played the role of a pious believer. Hadn’t all these years passed just fine? Those so-called weak and kind people—whether Ye Zhenzhen or Jiang Yue’er, even her past lover and her own flesh and blood—had long turned to dust. Only she still lived as splendidly as brocade flowers, blissfully happy.

Was all of this… about to end?

“You killed my Yue’er…” Concubine Hu’s voice was especially mournful. “You killed my Yue’er! You even killed Madam! How can you have such a vicious heart!”

Ji Shuran turned to look at Concubine Hu.

The woman who was once beautiful as a flower had now become nothing but a hysteric madwoman. If Jiang Yue’er had a spirit in heaven, why hadn’t she vindicated herself earlier? Now Concubine Hu had nothing—wasn’t she still inferior to her!

A malicious smile appeared on Ji Shuran’s face. She said, “How can you blame me? Blame Jiang Yue’er for her short life! Even if I hadn’t killed her, she wouldn’t have lived many years! What good is being reborn as a concubine’s daughter? Better to leave early and reincarnate anew. In the next life, be born into a good family, become a legitimate daughter, and enjoy endless wealth and honor. You should thank me!”

“Outrageous! Outrageous!” Old Madam Jiang trembled with rage. She pointed at Jiang Yuanbai. “This is the wife you brought home!”

Jiang Yuanbai was speechless.

What could he say? Just as Old Madam Jiang said, Ji Shuran was the wife he personally chose. He saw her intelligence and grace, as if she were his soulmate. He saw her gentleness and charm, the vivacity so different from Ye Zhenzhen. This wife who completely satisfied his preferences turned out to be such an ugly and unbearable person. In the name of love, she was full of filth.

Because of this woman, he had lost his first wife, lost his eldest daughter, and been separated from his second daughter for many years. Jiang Yuanbai felt like a fool, having been toyed with by Ji Shuran all these years. He laughed coldly. “Good, very good!”

“Master.” Ji Shuran looked at him, tears suddenly surging forth. She said, “This concubine has wronged you, but this concubine truly admires you. After all these years, can’t Master feel this concubine’s heart?”

“Yes, after all these years, even a stone should have been warmed. But,” Jiang Yuanbai looked at her expressionlessly, “you make me feel disgusted.”

Ji Shuran then looked toward Jiang Youyao. “Youyao, help Mother speak, help Mother speak!”

Jiang Youyao looked at Ji Shuran and couldn’t help but step back, pulling her sleeve corner free from Ji Shuran’s grasp. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to help Ji Shuran, but what Ji Shuran said about the past was truly too shocking. Jiang Youyao knew clearly that after this incident, her mother would probably face severe punishment. She couldn’t run into trouble at this critical juncture—at least not now. Ji Shuran already had the crime of adultery and had even borne a bastard child. If Father thought she too was the adulterer’s offspring and implicated her, she would probably never be able to stand firm in the Jiang household again.

Ji Shuran always felt that Jiang Youyao wasn’t steady enough in her actions and couldn’t fully analyze pros and cons. This time, however, Jiang Youyao could quickly weigh the situation and make a decision. But her growth not only failed to comfort Ji Shuran—it chilled her heart instead.

Was this the daughter she had treasured in her palm?

Jiang Bingji had long been frightened by the sudden turn of events and was crying loudly. But this time, Old Madam Jiang, who usually doted on him, didn’t immediately embrace him for comfort. She merely coldly ordered the wet nurse to take Jiang Bingji back to his room.

Jiang Li stood up.

She had been speaking with her head lowered all along. Now she suddenly raised her head, expressionless, like a fierce ghost, approaching Daoist Master Chongxu step by step. Daoist Master Chongxu was so frightened he retreated repeatedly, actually tripping and falling to the ground. His two hands supported his body as he slowly backed away.

Jiang Li’s steps didn’t stop. She walked toward him step by step. Daoist Master Chongxu seemed to see someone coming to claim his life. Terrified, with tears and snot flowing, extremely disheveled, he said, “This humble one is just trying to earn a living… It was… it was Consort Li who told this humble one to come to the household to exorcise evil. I never intended to offend anyone. Please, all you older siblings, show mercy and spare this humble one…”

Everyone looked at him in astonishment.

What was happening? Why did this Daoist’s words make him sound like a fake Daoist?

The Jiang family members suddenly understood. What Daoist Master Chongxu implied was that Consort Li asking him to come exorcise evil wasn’t coincidental. Why he came to exorcise evil was probably targeting Jiang Li from the start. This Daoist was originally a fake Daoist, but unexpectedly encountered real evil entities today. Though these evil entities seemed to be people originally from the Jiang household, or people killed by Ji Shuran.

Jiang Li suddenly stopped, her body limply collapsing. Tong’er cried out in alarm. She and Bai Xue rushed forward to support Jiang Li, only to see Jiang Li’s eyes tightly closed, as if she had lost consciousness.

“Master, Young Lady has fainted. Please send for a physician to examine Young Lady.” Tong’er cried, “Young Lady cannot have any more incidents.”

Only then did Jiang Yuanbai come to his senses. “Get the calling card and quickly fetch a physician!” He had already lost one daughter and couldn’t lose another. Moreover, regarding the events of years ago, he was the one who had wronged Jiang Li. Now that the truth was revealed, he had no face to meet Jiang Li. How could he let anything more happen to her?

At this moment, the black clouds dispersed. The candle flames in the courtyard were also scattered by the wind. The wind dispersed the clouds and brought light. The courtyard brightened greatly, no longer ghostly and sinister as before. It seemed to have vitality again, the eerie atmosphere completely swept away. Now that it was bright, there seemed nothing to fear.

Only there were people who wouldn’t stop crying.

Concubine Hu was crying, and Baoqin was crying too. Jiang Bingji’s cries came distantly from inside the room. Ji Shuran was also crying. In the entire courtyard, ghosts and wolves howled—quite lively. But not a single person felt happy about it.

Daoist Master Chongxu hid behind a tree. His heart was pounding terribly. He hadn’t expected there would be so many secrets in this household. He had exorcised evil for many wealthy families—exorcising the ghosts in people’s hearts. As long as those people believed that Daoist Master Chongxu had eliminated the fierce ghosts for them and that those they had killed could no longer claim their lives, the ritual was foolproof. Even so, Daoist Master Chongxu never actively inquired about families’ secrets.

The more one knew, the faster one died. Today, however, he had heard so many secrets of the Chief Minister’s household. He feared that even if he repeatedly promised not to reveal this matter, his life would still be in danger. And there was… his crime of deceiving the Emperor.

He had to quickly leave the capital, leave the Jiang family, to preserve his life.

For now, no one paid attention to Daoist Master Chongxu. Jiang Yuanbai coldly ordered Ji Shuran to be taken away and confined, not allowed to step outside her door. He then accompanied people to see the physician, having them examine what was wrong with Jiang Li. Since Jiang Li had already collapsed limply to the ground, those mysterious voices no longer appeared. Presumably they had left. Though uncertain whether they had left the Jiang household, it wouldn’t be too late to have someone perform rituals later.

Too many things had happened today.

Concubine Hu was helped back to her courtyard by Baoqin. As she left, she held in her hands Jiang Yue’er’s small toys that Jiang Li had dug from the flower bed, her steps unsteady. Jiang Yuanbai watched her retreating figure, seeming to want to say something, but in the end sighed and withdrew the voice that wanted to call out to her.

He had truly wronged her. As a husband and father, he had failed too greatly.

The physician who came to examine Jiang Li was startled upon seeing her. Jiang Li was bleeding from her nose and mouth—quite frightening. But after taking her pulse, he was very puzzled. Jiang Li had nothing wrong with her, only some blood deficiency and weakness, as if she had been frightened. As for the cause of the bleeding, it was unclear. In any case, it had now stopped. Brewing some body-strengthening medicinal soup for her to drink would be fine.

But Jiang Li slept for an entire day and night.

When she woke, only Bai Xue was accompanying her.

The room was filled with sweet medicinal fragrance—medicine to strengthen the body that was sweet and not very bitter. Jiang Li sat up. Bai Xue was dozing at the table. Seeing Jiang Li rise, her drowsiness immediately vanished. “Young Lady! You’re awake!”

Jiang Li looked outside. It was already evening. She said, “How long did I sleep?”

“A day and a night.” Bai Xue said worriedly, “This servant thought Young Lady would continue sleeping. My heart was very worried. Master called several physicians who all came to look. They all said nothing was wrong. Fortunately, Young Lady has now awakened. This servant’s heart can settle.”

For the usually honest Bai Xue to say such a long passage was already rare, showing she had been truly frightened this time. Jiang Li smiled. “It’s fine.” Before this, she had already hidden a wax pill in her teeth containing medicine that could make one drowsy. Though she could also pretend to faint, she always felt that performing to such an extent would be too tiring. Better to be lazy and use something real.

She looked around. “Where’s Tong’er?”

“She went to Old Madam’s place to get things. While Young Lady was sleeping, Old Madam and Master had people send over many items—fabrics, tonics, food, and such. Master even had someone send a box of banknotes.” Bai Xue said, “This servant was stunned.”

After Ji Shuran’s past crimes were exposed before everyone, Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai would naturally feel guilty toward her. These things were nothing more than compensation. Thinking of this, Jiang Li couldn’t help but feel some regret. If the real Second Miss Jiang saw this scene, she would surely be very happy. What a pity that until her death, Second Miss Jiang hadn’t been able to explain her grievances clearly to the Jiang family.

Perhaps she had explained, but no one believed her.

The truth came too late. Sometimes missing the chance meant a lifetime. Jiang Yuanbai wanted to compensate, but for the rest of his life, there would never be another opportunity. This was heaven’s punishment for him.

Jiang Li was about to ask what else had happened these past days when she suddenly noticed a white flower pinned in Bai Xue’s hair. She paused, reaching out to touch it. “Why are you wearing this?”

Seeing Jiang Li look over, Bai Xue lowered her head and hesitated, wanting to say something but not saying it. Jiang Li’s brows gradually furrowed. “What happened?”

“Concubine Hu…” Bai Xue said, “Concubine Hu is gone.”

Jiang Li’s eyes widened. Before she fainted, Concubine Hu had been perfectly fine. Now that the truth about what Ji Shuran did to Jiang Yue’er back then had been revealed, how could she be gone?

“Concubine Hu returned to her courtyard that evening. The next morning when Baoqin woke, she discovered Concubine Hu had hanged herself. Before leaving, she left a letter for Master. After reading it, Master said nothing and shut himself in his room, not letting anyone in.” As Bai Xue spoke, she sighed. “After finally enduring until now and finding the true murderer for First Miss, why couldn’t she think it through?”

“She didn’t fail to think it through,” Jiang Li said. “She wanted to cut off all of Ji Shuran’s escape routes.”

Concubine Hu was probably tired of waiting. Ever since Jiang Yue’er died back then, she had been waiting for an opportunity—an opportunity for revenge. All these years, she became a hysteric madwoman who couldn’t accomplish anything, while Ji Shuran had both son and daughter, sitting firmly as the first branch’s mistress. Continuing like this would make people feel that good people don’t last while scourges persist for a thousand years.

Ji Shuran was cunning. The Ji family still had Ji Yanlin, and if Consort Li intervened to save her, Ji Shuran might not be unable to find a lifeline. So Concubine Hu decided to make her own death the final straw that crushed Ji Shuran. The deaths of Concubine Hu and Jiang Yue’er meant Jiang Yuanbai could never be at peace again. And the final letter she wrote to Jiang Yuanbai was simply to make Ji Shuran die faster.

This woman, who lived her entire life as a concubine without any inner-quarters scheming, instead let her own daughter become a sacrifice. She probably used the first and last time in her life to employ schemes and strategies to complete this final performance in the inner quarters.

Jiang Li couldn’t say what she felt. Concubine Hu had clearly known early on that Ye Zhenzhen was harmed by Ji Shuran, yet in the end chose to protect herself wisely, saying nothing. If she had spoken early on, if she had made people discover Ji Shuran’s true face earlier, Jiang Yue’er wouldn’t have been placed in such danger.

But where in the world was there medicine for regret?

“Baoqin, who was by Concubine Hu’s side, said that the night before Concubine Hu left, she told Baoqin to thank Young Lady well. Young Lady’s great kindness would surely be repaid in the next life.” Bai Xue said.

“People push things they cannot do to the next life.” Jiang Li smiled bitterly. “Having to bear this life’s debts in the next life—how tiring.”

She thought of what she had said to Ji Heng, also readily speaking of repaying in the next life. How similar was that to Concubine Hu?

Still, thinking of Concubine Hu, Jiang Li’s heart felt somewhat uncomfortable.

She sighed. Just then, the door was pushed open and Tong’er walked in from outside.

Seeing Jiang Li sitting up and talking with Bai Xue, Tong’er was so happy she almost jumped. She ran to Jiang Li’s side like a gust of wind. “Young Lady, you’re finally awake! You scared this servant to death… From now on, whatever Young Lady wants to do, you must tell us servants. This servant didn’t sleep all last night, afraid something would happen to Young Lady…”

Jiang Li smiled and patted her head. “It’s fine. Besides, I’m someone who’s been possessed by a ghost. Aren’t you afraid?”

“Not afraid.” Tong’er answered righteously. “Even if there are ghosts, those ghosts come to claim the lives of the villains who harmed them. Young Lady is so good—if a ghost possesses Young Lady, it’s because they want to use Young Lady to seek justice for them. What Young Lady did was a meritorious deed.”

Originally quite an inauspicious matter was made to sound like something good by this little maid. Jiang Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, only saying, “How is it that all the good words have been said by you?”

“It’s true,” Tong’er said. “As the saying goes, it’s not that there’s no retribution—the time simply hasn’t come. Hasn’t the time come for the Ji family woman to repay her debts? I heard that this time Old Madam wants to severely punish the Ji family woman. When the Ji family came to take her back, Old Madam refused and even exposed all those shameful things the Ji family woman did in front of them. The Ji family members were unconvinced at first, but Master said he would thoroughly investigate to the end. He even said if necessary, he would report to the authorities and become someone who righteously eliminates relatives for the greater good. When the Ji family heard Master wanted to report to the authorities, they stopped mentioning taking the Ji family woman home and left dejectedly.” Tong’er patted her chest. “Young Lady was sleeping then and didn’t see, but this servant saw it with her own eyes. It was truly satisfying!”

“How can the Ji family have the face to do such things?” Bai Xue said with disdain. “Having killed so many people, they still want to take the Ji family woman home as if nothing happened? Even in us common people’s homes, such things require a life for a life.”

“Exactly.” Tong’er said, “Did they really think that having someone in the palace means the Ji family can’t be dealt with?”

Jiang Li looked at Tong’er, finding her words rather interesting. She asked, “How so?”

“Even if their family has a lady in the palace, she might not be able to protect herself right now.” Tong’er said, “Didn’t that wretched Daoist Master Chongxu admit in front of the entire household that he’s a fraud? He wanted to run afterward, but our people later found him hiding in an inn in the capital, not yet having left the city. Master had him bound. Without sending him to the Capital Magistrate, today Master had an audience with the Emperor—I don’t know what he said. This servant estimates that such a major matter, with this Daoist Master Chongxu having committed the crime of deceiving the sovereign, Master definitely won’t help cover it up. If the Emperor knows someone deceived him, how angry would he be? Consort Li can’t escape being implicated either, since both times she was ‘saved’ by him.”

Tong’er spoke mockingly, and everyone in the room could hear the sarcasm in her words. Jiang Li tapped her forehead. “You’re so mischievous.”

“In any case, this time they tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead. Old Madam still doesn’t know how to deal with the Ji family woman, but Young Lady, do you know? Jiang Youyao is truly disgusting. Even Jiang Bingji still pleaded for the Ji family woman, but Third Miss never once went to see her—never mind seeing her, she hasn’t even mentioned her once. It’s as if saying the Ji family woman’s name would dirty her mouth. Though the Ji family woman is vicious, she treated Third Miss quite well. They’re still birth mother and daughter, yet they have this little affection—less than strangers.”

Jiang Li’s smile was faint. “Ji Shuran has always been cold toward others. Jiang Youyao, influenced by what she sees and hears, naturally developed a selfish character. Jiang Youyao acting this way is entirely Ji Shuran’s teaching. Not surprising.”

Tong’er pursed her lips. Thinking of something, she asked Jiang Li, “What does Young Lady think they’ll do to the Ji family woman this time?”

“Adultery, harming female relatives, harming descendants, framing the legitimate daughter—whichever one is brought out, Ji Shuran has no other way to survive. So,” Jiang Li lowered her eyes, “it’s time for her to pay with her life.”

Both Tong’er and Bai Xue fell silent.

After a long while, Bai Xue asked, “Will Master execute the Ji family woman?”

“Yes. But he’ll cover it up somewhat. Seek some other charge so the Ji family can save face.”

“Then can the false accusation that Young Lady caused her miscarriage be cleared?” Tong’er asked. “Back then it was clearly the Ji family woman who schemed against Young Lady, yet for no reason Young Lady was delayed all these years.”

“Tong’er, some things have no resolution.” Jiang Li said, “If they want to clear my name, Ji Shuran’s adultery and even pregnancy would be discovered. This is the Jiang family’s disgrace. Domestic shame cannot be made public. For the greater good, the Jiang family cannot possibly go this far for me. They’ll only compensate me privately.”

“Young Lady is truly too wronged.” Bai Xue shook her head. She knew Jiang Li spoke the truth, but her heart still felt indignant for Jiang Li.

“There are many helpless things in the world.” Jiang Li said, “Some can be fought for, some can only be swallowed with broken teeth and blood. At least now, making Ji Shuran pay with her life is already very good. Moreover, it’s far from just this.”

“What do you mean?” Tong’er asked.

“Jiang Youyao and Jiang Bingji, I’m afraid, will have difficulty gaining Jiang Yuanbai’s affection for a very long time.” Just seeing Jiang Youyao and Jiang Bingji would make Jiang Yuanbai think of Ji Shuran, think of that bastard child, even think of the innocently deceased Jiang Yue’er. Though one shouldn’t transfer anger, Jiang Yuanbai was an ordinary person, not a saint. In the inner quarters, having been deceived and concealed by Ji Shuran for so long, his self-esteem had already vanished.

Setting aside Jiang Bingji, with Jiang Youyao’s temperament of not knowing forbearance, she would soon harbor resentment toward Jiang Yuanbai. Without Ji Shuran guiding her from behind, however Jiang Li thought about it, the end of the road Jiang Youyao traveled wouldn’t lead anywhere good.

However, she wouldn’t be kind enough to warn her about it.

After talking with Tong’er and Bai Xue for a while, they feared delaying Jiang Li’s rest. They said they would first inform Old Madam Jiang, then arrange a meeting with Old Madam Jiang and the others tomorrow.

After Tong’er left, Jiang Li sat leaning against the daybed, thinking through the events of the past few days, confirming there were indeed no mistakes.

However, the ventriloquist master Zhao Ke found had indeed done better than she imagined. And those magic-trick-like black fog, wind that arose without cause, jumping paper figures—these weren’t done by Daoist Master Chongxu. They were probably also done in passing by that master. Precisely because of these tricks that made people fearful, under those circumstances, they deeply believed in “having ghosts.”

Actually, doing this was somewhat risky, because from now on, Jiang Li herself would carry the past of “being possessed by a ghost.” If word spread, people would avoid her. But temporarily, aside from those in the Jiang household, no one else knew. Presumably Old Madam Jiang would also have people handle everything well so the news wouldn’t leak.

Jiang Li had no other choice. The wrongs Ji Shuran committed were truly too many. To explain them item by item would waste too much time. And she didn’t have much time to spend on the Jiang family’s inner quarters. Princess Yongning might strike at her any time, Shen Yurun was still climbing higher, and Prince Cheng was watching covetously.

She had to use her energy on people who were harder to deal with.

Just as she was thinking, a “knock knock” tapping sound came from outside the window.

Jiang Li walked over and opened the window. Zhao Ke stood outside.

“I didn’t blow the whistle,” Jiang Li said.

Zhao Ke seemed choked by her words for a moment. “The Lord asked this subordinate to relay a message to Second Miss.”

Ji Heng? Jiang Li said, “What is it?”

“Tomorrow afternoon at the Ye residence. The Lord is waiting for you.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li said in surprise, “The Ye residence?” The Ye residence was where Ye Shijie lived. How did Ji Heng end up at Ye Shijie’s residence? He couldn’t have dragged Ye Shijie onto his pirate ship too? Thinking of this, Jiang Li’s expression became more serious. “How would Ye Shijie be together with your master?”

Zhao Ke: “…” Why did Second Miss Jiang show such a disgusted expression? As if his own lord was some sticky thing that couldn’t be shaken off? Even if Ye Shijie truly served the Lord, he should feel honored. What kind of reaction was this?

He said, “No, it should just be convenient to meet at the Ye residence.”

Jiang Li: “He treats the Ye residence like the Jiang residence?”

Zhao Ke: “…Perhaps.”

Jiang Li felt stifled. Ji Heng truly was a lawless and willful person. He could enter and exit the Jiang residence as if entering uninhabited territory, so naturally he could do the same at the Ye residence. But knowing this, she wondered what Ye Shijie and Ye Mingyu would think.

“What exactly does your master want with me?” Jiang Li asked. “If there’s official business, you can relay it to me. Currently, I have many troubles and many people are watching me. I shouldn’t bring trouble to your master.”

Zhao Ke: “…” Though Second Miss Jiang spoke seriously as if it were true, he could clearly see that Second Miss Jiang’s implied meaning was—if there’s nothing important, don’t disturb her.

“Regarding Daoist Master Chongxu’s matter, please thank your lord for me.” Jiang Li also felt her previous words were somewhat excessive. She paused, then added, “When I have free time, I will certainly personally visit your lord and thank him with generous gifts.”

“The Lord didn’t invite Second Miss to the Ye residence to hear Second Miss’s thanks.” Zhao Ke felt it was still necessary to explain for his master. He said, “The Lord wants Second Miss to meet someone.”

Jiang Li paused. “Who?”

“The Northern Yan’s foremost divine physician,” Zhao Ke said. “Perhaps someone who can cure County Magistrate Xue.”