Zhu Xingxu, focused on observing the layout, jumped in fright.
She turned and saw Pei Xie, letting out a relieved sigh.
“You scared me to death.”
Pei Xie approached, and there was no scent of fruit.
Zhu Xingxu had not eaten fruit in the temple last night since she couldn’t bathe there.
“Why are you out? It’s dangerous outside.”
Pei Xie knelt beside her on the mat, eyes fixed on the Three Purities.
Feeling slightly guilty, Zhu Xingxu said, “Um… I couldn’t stay there, so I thought I’d come out to pray a little.”
Pei Xie: “I see. Miss Zhu is truly sincere.”
He did not turn his head.
Zhu Xingxu pretended not to hear and also looked up at the Three Purities.
The statue of the Primordial Celestial Venerable was entirely coated in smooth lacquer.
She had never climbed a tree before, let alone such a golden statue.
Even standing on a table was unrealistic; the deity’s hand was high up.
Even if she managed to reach it, getting down would be a problem.
Zhu Xingxu suddenly regretted not learning some light-footed martial arts from wandering heroes.
That way, she could have scaled it in an instant.
Or… maybe descend the mountain first? Train in light-footed skills and come back later?
She had no idea how long that would take.
Recently, Madam Xu’s gaze at her had been dark; could she be thinking of marrying her off somewhere?
Zhu Xingxu stared at the Vermilion Bird jade plaque in the Primordial Celestial Venerable’s hand, her thoughts wandering.
Pei Xie noticed her gaze and looked up.
“You want that?”
Zhu Xingxu snapped back to reality, hesitated, then nodded.
Would he have a way to get it?
Pei Xie frowned. “Why do you always want such strange things?”
Zhu Xingxu gave a dry laugh, realizing it did seem a bit odd…
Pei Xie told her it was a relic from the previous dynasty.
Zhu Xingxu was stunned.
He glanced at her. “Legend says whoever obtains it will gain supreme wisdom.”
Hmm… feels like a brain upgrade pill.
Zhu Xingxu asked, “Then why place it here?”
Pei Xie: “Only here—those who want it won’t dare take it.”
Zhu Xingxu frowned.
“The priests here are all skilled…” he paused, “hard to approach.”
Judging from his expression, it was more than just skill.
Zhu Xingxu felt a chill. So even if she mastered light-footed skills, she still couldn’t get it?
Maybe add long-distance running too?
Light-footed skills + endurance, flying off like an aircraft.
She knew she was overthinking, but the disappointment lingered.
Seeing her downcast, Pei Xie remained silent.
This wasn’t something anyone could take. After a long silence, Zhu Xingxu got up to leave.
“I’m going. See you next time.”
Pei Xie did not speak, and was also standing.
He suddenly recalled how Zhu Xingxu had obediently bowed to Madam Xu yesterday.
It seemed her true self had only been revealed to him.
Zhu Xingxu returned to the side hall, distracted.
The noblewomen and madams had begun chatting in small groups.
Madam Xu was no exception, speaking with a woman Zhu Xingxu didn’t know.
The noblewomen had split into two odd factions.
One led by Ji Qingqing, surrounded by several others.
The other was Ji Chiying, sitting alone.
Ji Qingqing waved at Zhu Xingxu, but she had no desire to associate with the original story’s second female lead.
She ignored her and sat on an empty couch beside Ji Chiying.
In the original story, Ji Qingqing had caused Ji Chiying many troubles—isolating her, framing her, and pretending to be pitiful before the Third Prince.
The Third Prince always fell for it, like a clueless fool.
Seeing Zhu Xingxu ignore her, Ji Qingqing snorted and continued chatting with her group.
Zhu Xingxu sat, thinking of solutions.
Ji Chiying, feeling a little upset from Ji Qingqing’s isolation, saw that Zhu Xingxu didn’t join the other side, and decided to sit beside her.
Zhu Xingxu didn’t notice her approach.
Ji Chiying spoke softly, “We met last time, right?”
She had to sit there; there was nowhere else in the hall she could go.
“Yes, I remember.”
Zhu Xingxu felt a bit of fondness for her.
The original story was an old-fashioned romance, preaching suffering as healthy.
In college, Zhu Xingxu had cried under her blanket reading it.
But thinking back, maybe it wasn’t that intense.
She was a corporate worker; she was the one who should be crying.
Ji Chiying smiled and continued chatting.
“You’re the daughter of the Minister of Revenue?”
Zhu Xingxu nodded. Ji Chiying looked a little lonely.
“How nice… you could always grow up with your parents.”
Seeing Ji Chiying’s expression, Zhu Xingxu felt sorry for her.
She told her, “My birth mother died when I was born.”
Ji Chiying was surprised, glanced at Madam Xu, then back at her, realizing they didn’t look much alike.
“I… I’m sorry… I didn’t know…”
Zhu Xingxu shook her head. “It’s fine, I don’t even remember.”
That was the truth. They fell silent, unsure what to say.
Ji Chiying asked softly, “Do you know the Third Prince?”
Her voice was so low only they could hear.
Zhu Xingxu recalled the figure she had seen on the boat.
“No, I don’t.” She was familiar with the Fifth Prince, though.
Unfortunately, Ji Chiying didn’t ask about him, and Zhu Xingxu’s thoughts drifted.
Nearby, Ji Qingqing saw Ji Chiying had company and was unhappy.
“Zhu Xingxu, come here.”
Zhu Xingxu frowned. Ji Qingqing, likely used to being spoiled, was angry Zhu Xingxu didn’t move.
“Come on, Zhu Xingxu.”
Ji Chiying grabbed her hand, pleading silently.
She wanted someone to be with her.
Zhu Xingxu, as wished, waved her hand. “I’m not going.”
Ji Chiying’s eyes lit up.
Ji Qingqing was unhappy, raising her voice: “Last chance, Zhu Xingxu, come!”
Zhu Xingxu rolled her eyes. Was something wrong with her brain?
Ji family’s master was the Minister of Works, same rank as Zhu Mingli; how could she give orders?
Even if Zhu Xingxu didn’t sit with Ji Chiying, she wouldn’t.
Given Ji Qingqing’s past behavior, Zhu Xingxu didn’t know if she might suddenly harm her.
Seeing her unmoved, Ji Qingqing sneered: “Fine, just wait.”
Zhu Xingxu silently cursed, poured herself tea, and offered some to Ji Chiying.
Late at night, Zhu Xingxu’s heart stirred again.
Would the person she saw yesterday come again?
Could he be the murderer?
Tossing and turning, she couldn’t sleep.
Ji Chiying, sleeping beside her, also had an image she couldn’t shake.
Hearing Zhu Xingxu, she softly asked, “Do you want to change clothes?”
Unable to sleep, Zhu Xingxu sat up: “Let’s go.”
The restroom was nearby. They explained to the guards at the door and headed there.
Zhenguo Temple’s restroom was a proper room, not a pit latrine.
Ji Chiying went first, then Zhu Xingxu.
Finishing, she was about to leave when another voice sounded.
“We will meet again.”
It seemed to be the Third Prince. Ji Chiying seemed shy, murmuring something.
Her voice was too soft; Zhu Xingxu couldn’t hear.
She waited outside the room for a while.
If she disrupted the original story’s lead couple, there could be serious consequences.
Ah, she should have kept her distance from Ji Chiying…
After a while, the two outside seemed more engrossed.
Zhu Xingxu nearly exploded with anger. What could they possibly be talking about at the latrine!
She inhaled deeply, preparing to intervene. As her hand touched the door, a hand covered her mouth and nose.
The palm was sweaty, the smell almost suffocating her. The person dragged her toward a corner.
Zhu Xingxu struggled, tossing the sedative from her pocket onto his face.
Yes, the drug Pei Xie had given her; she hadn’t returned it.
It worked! The man paused, removing his hand from her mouth and nose.
She tried to run but was still held. The person wore a mask, eyes glaring at her.
Crap… not only did she fail to subdue him, she angered him.
Ji Chiying and the Third Prince were outside; she tried calling them, but was muffled again, only able to make small noises.
Outside, the two were too absorbed in their conversation to hear.
Zhu Xingxu struggled more.
The man whispered, “I don’t want your life. Be quiet!”
Only then did she stop. Not because of his words, but because she felt the cold blade at his waist.
She needed to survive to return home.
Seeing her still, he relaxed slightly, though he continued to hold her.
The Third Prince finally left; Ji Chiying noticed Zhu Xingxu hadn’t emerged and whispered, “Xingxu, are you okay?”
The man moved his hand, drew a dagger, pressing it against her back.
Zhu Xingxu had to say, “I… My stomach hurts. You go first; I’ll be a moment.”
Ji Chiying worried: “I have some medicine, want me to give it to you?”
She wanted to come in.
The dagger pressed deeper.
Zhu Xingxu shivered, “It’s fine, I’ll be out soon. You go first.”
Ji Chiying seemed reluctant to leave alone: “I’ll wait here. You come out when you’re done.”
Zhu Xingxu was touched; friends mattered most when the Third Prince wasn’t present.
“No need. I don’t know how long it will take. You go first.”
She repeated this three times. Ji Chiying frowned but left.
“Okay, hurry up. The assassin isn’t caught yet.”
She walked away.
Although telling her to leave, Zhu Xingxu secretly wished Ji Chiying would bring the Imperial Guards crashing in.
What rotten luck.
Ji Chiying went, yet the man did not lower the dagger.
Seeing the sedative at her feet, he snorted, crushed it, and kicked it several times.
Zhu Xingxu watched sadly.
Next time, she’d ask Pei Xie for more.
One hand held the dagger at her back, the other grabbed her arm, moving her slowly out of the boudoir.
Zhu Xingxu went first. As she stepped out, she collided with Pei Xie, patrolling with his men.
Tears nearly fell from her eyes. The cold dagger made her shiver.
Pei Xie saw her and stepped forward.
“What are you doing here?”
Zhu Xingxu: “I… came out.”
Seeing her expression, he assumed she was finished and said, “Let’s go. I’ll escort you back. It’s dangerous at night.”
How she wished to agree. But she couldn’t.
“My stomach hurts again… need to go one more time.”