Not only that, but her eyes were also somewhat red, perhaps from having just seen her mother.

“What do you want to ask?” Du Tinglan steeled herself to ask, clearly unaccustomed to facing Wu Ji in such a state.

Wu Ji spoke coldly: “No matter how much I rack my brain, I can’t figure out where I revealed my weakness. I called you here today to ask if you had tampered with the room beforehand that night?”

Lin Chengyou glanced at Teng Yuyi, his gaze conveying a clear message – answer if you wish, there’s no need to respond if you don’t want to.

Teng Yuyi didn’t reply, instead quietly studying Wu Ji.

She looked very slowly, very carefully.

Before, she had only seen Wu Ji’s outer appearance, but this time, she wanted to see into this person’s very core.

The truth of her past life could never be uncovered, but as long as the perpetrator was the same person, their view on the same matter would surely be consistent. Therefore, some questions only needed to be asked face-to-face to understand. After examining Wu Ji for a long while, she slowly spoke: “I can answer this question for you, but before that, I need to ask you two questions first. As long as you answer honestly, you can immediately know the answer.”

Wu Ji was silent at first – why should one answer be exchanged for two? However, she also knew that if nothing had gone wrong that night, Lin Chengyou might not have been able to capture Wang Ao in time, and even if the investigation had led to her, there would have been no concrete evidence to implicate her.

All her careful planning had fallen apart that night, so she had to know the truth.

The answer was right before her eyes, and she couldn’t rest without knowing. After a moment of confrontation, she compromised: “Speak.”

“Suppose the Crown Prince fell in love with a certain court lady, and both the Emperor and Empress considered this young lady an ideal candidate for Crown Princess. This girl was still in mourning, yet the Crown Prince showed her special care and even revealed intentions to marry her after her mourning period. If you learned of this, would you have someone harm this girl?”

The room fell silent. The question seemed random – Du Tinglan listened in confusion, and even Lin Chengyou showed surprise on his face.

But perhaps because it involved the Crown Prince, Wu Ji thought for a moment and answered seriously: “If I hadn’t practiced evil arts, the answer might have been different, but since encountering these things that corrupt one’s nature, my temperament has grown more extreme day by day. As long as I could achieve my desires, I was willing to try any method. If the Crown Prince’s feelings couldn’t be reversed… how could I become Crown Princess without eliminating that girl? Even if I couldn’t immediately make up my mind, Master Jingchen would have encouraged me to take action.”

Teng Yuyi clenched her fingers – that was enough.

At this moment, it was no longer just suspicion in her heart; she finally heard the motive for her murder in her previous life directly from the killer’s mouth.

Her heart grew cold, yet her teeth gritted audibly.

Thinking of how she had drowned to death in ice water in her previous life, and looking at Wu Ji’s neither-human nor non-ghost appearance now, the words “karmic retribution” nearly escaped her lips.

Her heart was full of storms, but she didn’t realize her loss of composure had been caught by others. Catching Lin Chengyou’s gaze in her peripheral vision, she quickly steadied herself.

Wu Ji, however, fell into a daze, and after a good while, she said self-mockingly: “At this point, I have nothing to deny. But before I formally dealt with Master Jingchen, I had never harmed anyone. To win me over, Master treated me like her own daughter, teaching me self-defense and looking after me in every way. I was young then and didn’t know she harbored ill intentions. I mistook her for a good teacher and friend, often confiding my troubles to her. Sometimes even when my parents hadn’t been unfair, Master would tell me they favored my sister more. Plus, the evil arts she taught were extremely damaging to one’s nature, so naturally my actions became more and more extreme over time. Moreover—”

Her lips drooped: “To control me, they often secretly encouraged me to do bad things. The idea to harm my sister was suggested by Wang Ao, but in the end, I was nothing but a self-important puppet they used.”

Teng Yuyi’s gaze was sharp as a sword. Back at Caifeng Tower, Peng Yugui had said similar things before dying. The court was very clear about the various harms of practicing evil arts, which was why they had decided to eliminate the Wuji Sect faction.

But what did it matter to her how Wu Ji had been led astray? She only knew that she had died tragically at these people’s hands in her previous life.

Unfortunately, time was running short and there was another question to verify. She released her tightly clenched fist and feigned calmness as she continued asking: “That night at the Prince Cheng’s mansion feast, were you trying to steal my sachet?”

Wu Ji looked bewildered: “Steal your sachet?”

Teng Yuyi and Lin Chengyou exchanged surprised glances – could it not have been Wu Ji?

“I never stole your sachet,” Wu Ji said flatly. “I hadn’t even decided whether to deal with you, so why would I alert you? You underestimate me too much. I rushed to Prince Cheng’s mansion that night just looking for a chance to see the Crown Prince.”

Teng Yuyi pondered and nodded.

“What about my answer?” Wu Ji raised her eyes to look at Teng Yuyi.

Teng Yuyi raised her eyebrows slightly and asked in return: “Wasn’t the answer to my previous question?”

Wu Ji showed sudden understanding: “Could it be that you were worried the thief might strike again, so you left some kind of mark in the room every night?”

Teng Yuyi laughed mockingly: “In the end, we didn’t catch that little thief, but we caught you, the big thief. This truly shows that heaven’s net casts wide.”

Wu Ji’s chest heaved rapidly as she suddenly stood up, then collapsed back down dejectedly, hanging her head: “Enough. Without you, Teng Yuyi, I would have shown my hand somewhere else sooner or later. From how Wang Ao kept so many of my weaknesses, I knew that even if I escaped this time, I couldn’t escape their shackles in the future.”

“Alright,” Lin Chengyou said expressionlessly, “it’s your turn to answer questions.”

Wu Ji tugged at the corner of her mouth: “I remember the law code states that if an accomplice voluntarily provides information, the sentence can be reduced accordingly?”

Lin Chengyou: “The specific outcome depends on what information you provide.”

Wu Ji was silent for a good while: “That time when strange occurrences suddenly appeared at the Yuzhen Taoist Temple, I was also terrified. After staying home for several days, I couldn’t help but go to the temple to ask Master what had happened. Master had just returned from outside and seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood. She unusually drank quite a bit of wine and mysteriously told me that in a few months, Chang’an would face a great disaster, but she hadn’t yet figured out the cause of this disaster. I asked her what disaster it was, but she realized her drunken slip and refused to say more no matter what.”

Great disaster? Teng Yuyi and Lin Chengyou frowned simultaneously.

If it referred to Naizhong’s return, the disaster was imminent, so why say “in a few months”? And if Master knew there would be a great disaster, how could she not understand its cause?

After saying this, Wu Ji’s expression grew cold: “Is this information important enough?”

Lin Chengyou did not comment and turned to leave the prison with Teng Yuyi and Du Tinglan.

“Wait!” Wu Ji hurriedly crawled to the iron cage, “I haven’t finished speaking— I’ve already told my mother, that my sister’s remnant soul wasn’t thrown into the water that night!”

The three stopped in their tracks. Lin Chengyou seemed somewhat disbelieving: “Where is the remnant soul?”

Wu Ji said: “Hidden under my bed at the academy. Wang Ao said there were too many people around Qinglong Temple, and if Huo Songlin couldn’t escape in time, he might be caught on the spot. If my sister’s remnant soul in the wine jar was awakened in time, she would surely reveal who had plotted against her that night. If I was exposed, the entire plan would fail, so Huo Songlin’s wine jar contained Li Ying’er’s remnant soul, while my sister’s remnant soul was hidden by him under a bridge near Qinglong Temple. The next day I retrieved it and kept it at the academy. Today is the seventh day since the Buddha’s Bath Festival – if the ritual is performed in time, she can still be saved!”

Lin Chengyou’s expression grew stern: “Let’s go.”

Teng Yuyi hurriedly followed Lin Chengyou’s steps, but looking back, she saw Wu Ji still tightly gripping the prison bars, clearly full of discontent for not receiving a definitive answer from Lin Chengyou.

Teng Yuyi said to Lin Chengyou: “Wait a moment, I’ll say a few words to her before leaving.”

She quickly returned to the prison cage and spoke in a low voice: “You’ve been imprisoned for two full days without mentioning this, why speak of it today?”

Wu Ji hadn’t expected Teng Yuyi to return and studied her inquisitively: “Strange, you seem very curious about my affairs. But there’s no harm in telling you – I originally harmed my sister because I wanted to become Crown Princess. I was obsessed with the idea and got used by evil people. Now that I’m completely ruined, why would I still harm my sister? Besides—”

In her heart, Teng Yuyi completed Wu Ji’s thought – this way, how could her parents not soften their hearts and plead for her before the Emperor?

This was Wu Ji’s nature. Perhaps she hadn’t been so bad originally, but evil arts were such that once touched, there was no turning back. What started as three parts evil became ten parts evil.

Hoping to escape punishment this way?

“Give up that idea,” Teng Yuyi laughed coldly. “What does being the Minister’s daughter matter? I hear the Crown Prince himself has requested His Majesty to punish this case severely. And Master Jingchen, who was recently executed, had intentions of regicide. Now the entire court knows these cases involve treason, everyone is trying to distance themselves. Don’t even think about being released without charges – it would be fortunate enough if the entire Wu family isn’t implicated. Besides, you know better than anyone that if you hadn’t been caught this time, who knows how many more young ladies would have fallen victim to you? Adding it all up, execution by hanging isn’t excessive. Better stay well in the Grand Court’s prison – I hear it’s at least ten years of imprisonment.”

Wu Ji’s expression changed instantly, whether from hearing that the Crown Prince had also demanded severe punishment or from learning that her chances of escaping punishment were remote.

She watched Teng Yuyi’s departing figure with shame and anger, leaning forward to grab the prison bars: “Teng Yuyi, why do you hate me so much? I haven’t harmed you!”

This time, Teng Yuyi’s footsteps didn’t pause for a moment.

In the prison cell, only Wu Ji’s shouts echoed off the stone walls. No matter how white her knuckles turned from gripping the bars, the only response was her angry breathing.

***

Lin Chengyou had people escort Teng Yuyi and Du Tinglan home, while he rushed to Qingyun Temple to request the Master’s help.

After returning home, Teng Yuyi had people keep watch for news from the Wu family while privately pondering what Master Jingchen had meant by “great disaster.”

The next day, news came that Wu Xian had awakened, though she was much more dull-witted than before. Daoist Master Qingxu said that because her soul had been separated from her body for too long, her spiritual roots had been somewhat damaged. It would take at least two to three months before she could recognize everyone around her.

Upon hearing this news, Du Tinglan immediately arranged with Teng Yuyi to visit Wu Xian at the Wu residence.

Wu Xian’s room was already full of classmates, all speaking softly to her.

Wu Xian sat on the bed like a wooden post, meeting her classmates’ concerns with bewildered smiles. Her gaze was vacant, and she couldn’t remember a single classmate’s name.

When people spoke to her, she either stared blankly into space or turned her head in confusion, searching for something.

Deng Weili and Liu Siniang gently asked Wu Xian: “What are you looking for? Are you hungry?”

Wu Xian opened her mouth and said with difficulty: “Where’s… where’s A-Ji?”

The classmates looked at each other, collectively falling silent.

In the silence, Deng Weili’s lips twisted bitterly before forcing a smile: “You’ve been cooped up at home for many days, haven’t you? Would you like to go out for some fresh air? My maternal grandfather is celebrating his birthday in two days, why don’t you come to our house?”

Wu Xian smiled foolishly: “Oh.”

The classmates smiled along, and the room’s atmosphere grew warm again.

After a while, Deng Weili pulled Teng Yuyi outside and said: “You only returned to Chang’an this year and haven’t had much chance to enjoy yourself with us in previous years. I’ve already told everyone that you’re the guest of honor. The banquet at my house is in two days – come early.”

Teng Yuyi gave Deng Weili a sidelong glance: “Are you trying to slack off? Have you forgotten I’m even lazier than you? I’m good at drinking, but find someone else for drinking games and arrangements.”

The other classmates couldn’t help laughing. Deng Weili pinched Teng Yuyi’s cheeks: “Look at this one, the only one who dares to openly admit being lazy. Your usual laziness is one thing, but that night you must help me, or I’ll make trouble for you. I’m telling you now, you have to come early to help me receive guests.”

Two days later, Teng Yuyi dressed herself beautifully at home. Seeing it was getting late, she arranged to go to the Deng residence with her sister.

The maids enthusiastically led the sisters to the inner courtyard to find Deng Weili. Only then did they learn they were the first to arrive. Deng Weili was still dressing in her room, but upon hearing of their arrival, she was overjoyed and ran out to the corridor to welcome them.

The entire Deng household’s atmosphere matched Minister Deng’s style – everyone was lively and quick-spoken from top to bottom.

That evening, the Deng residence was filled with guests. The garden was full of elegant feminine figures. Teng Yuyi was surrounded by classmates, busy with “Double Six” when she suddenly felt the Xiaoya sword growing warm. Looking at the Xuanyin Bell, however, it was silent. Full of doubts, she excused herself to the washroom and left the flower hall.

After coming out, Teng Yuyi looked around, slightly relieved to see Duanfu following at a distance. She walked directly to a secluded spot behind a rockery in the garden and was about to summon Xiaoya when the Xuanyin Bell on her wrist suddenly rang. Teng Yuyi’s heart tightened as she moved to draw her sword, when suddenly a figure leaped down from the tree, saying softly: “Come here.”

“Young Master?”

The two crouched behind the rockery.

Teng Yuyi glanced up at Lin Chengyou. He wore a sapphire blue brocade robe with silver flower patterns, his eyes brighter than the moonlight overhead, his whole person radiating vitality – he could even be called beautiful.

“Put away your sword,” Lin Chengyou said softly after listening intently to the surroundings.

Teng Yuyi complied and whispered: “Young Master, was there an evil spirit nearby just now?”

“An earth demon passed by, but I’ve already captured it,” Lin Chengyou said. “By the way, since we’ve met here, there’s no need to send someone to notify you at the Teng residence. Tomorrow I’m going outside the city to catch a Chi Kuo – want to come along?”

“Yes,” Teng Yuyi’s eyes brightened. “Are there no more wicked spirits in the city?”

Lin Chengyou said: “Where would so many wicked spirits come from? Last time we finally gathered several dozen, and you killed them all.”

He paused, inwardly thinking this was bad – hadn’t he just clearly admitted that the previous group of wicked spirits had been arranged by him?

“I mean—” Lin Chengyou smoothly covered up, “I like to gather evil spirits in a group to fight because it’s more satisfying that way. Last time I happened to be tired, and the Juesheng Qizhi sword was defiled. I couldn’t find anyone else at the moment, which is why I let you fight that once.”

Teng Yuyi turned her face toward the rose bushes and made a noncommittal sound.

Lin Chengyou glanced at her and added seriously: “As it happens, I’m short-handed tomorrow too.”

Teng Yuyi nodded.

Lin Chengyou had nothing more to say and could only add: “I have other arrangements tomorrow, so you can come out early.”

“Alright.”

“Then I’m leaving. You have no other questions?”

Teng Yuyi shook her head.

Lin Chengyou didn’t move, feeling something was off.

Teng Yuyi turned to look at him: “Does Young Master have any other instructions?”

“No,” Lin Chengyou shifted his gaze. “The reason I’m taking you along this time is because Juesheng and Qizhi have other tasks tomorrow. Don’t read too much into it.”

Teng Yuyi nodded again.

Lin Chengyou was suspicious – tonight Teng Yuyi seemed somewhat different from usual. Surely she hadn’t noticed that he liked her? Her guard was so high; if she realized this, she might refuse to help him eliminate evil spirits.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Wasn’t I listening to Young Master speak?”

Lin Chengyou steeled himself and pointed to himself – the words “Do I look like someone who likes you?” nearly escaped his lips when suddenly someone approached from that direction. He quickly fell silent and pulled Teng Yuyi behind a tree without a sound.