Hearing these words, Jiang Yu’s nose tingled with emotion.
The relationship between her and Pei Xiao could no longer be described as good or bad.
But these matters were not for outsiders to know.
Jiang Yu sniffled, “No, everything’s fine.”
Meng Yanqing stole a glance at her profile—her eyes were red, and her long, curled lashes veiled the emotions in her gaze.
It reminded him of when she was frightened by the caterpillar he caught as a child, looking utterly wronged.
Back then, she would cry and hit him, unlike now when she buried everything in her heart.
After all, they were now strangers who had passed each other by.
Meng Yanqing couldn’t force her to confide in him, so he changed the subject: “Are you heading down the mountain? My carriage will arrive soon. Let me give you a ride.”
Jiang Yu looked down at the foot of the slope.
It was already dawn, with wisps of smoke rising from the villages below, painting a scene of serene tranquility that stirred longing.
But none of this belonged to Jiang Yu.
Meng Yanqing could only take her as far as the capital—wouldn’t that be walking right into a trap?
Calming herself to think, Pei Xiao hadn’t actually seen who was peeking in the Buddha hall earlier; his harsh words were likely just meant to intimidate.
Meng Qingyao hadn’t exposed her either. If she acted as if nothing happened, she might just avoid disaster.
But if she ran away today, it would seem like a guilty conscience, and everything would become irreparable.
Pei Xiao would show no mercy.
Jiang Yu still had her family behind her; she couldn’t act so recklessly.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Yu bowed slightly: “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I must return and wait for my husband.”
“Yu’er!”
As Jiang Yu turned to leave, Meng Yanqing suddenly grabbed her sleeve, then realizing it was improper, slowly released it.
He stood up and handed a jade pendant to Jiang Yu. “If you ever need any help, you can come to me.”
What he gave her was a Royal Residence Pass; most people in the capital would still show some respect to the Thirteenth Master.
Jiang Yu hesitated for a moment, and Meng Yanqing added, “Even Pei Xiao wouldn’t dare disregard me completely.”
These words served as a reassurance to Jiang Yu.
She no longer refused, offering a bow: “Thank you, Your Highness. This commoner is deeply grateful.”
They exchanged no further words, simply gazing at each other before Jiang Yu turned away first, leaving absentmindedly.
She still needed to find a way to dispel Pei Xiao’s suspicions about her.
Meanwhile, in the small Buddha hall.
Pei Xiao stood with his hands behind his back under the statue of Buddha, looking down disdainfully at Meng Qingyao’s corpse, but no one emerged to respond.
His expression grew frostier.
Earlier in the Buddha hall, there had indeed been no unusual movements, yet he felt that Meng Qingyao’s gaze had changed before she died—from despair to some form of entrustment.
Pei Xiao’s intuition told him someone was watching nearby, so he sent a signal, ordering Qian Ren to have the Thousand Blade Sect search the entire mountain for any suspicious individuals.
Unfortunately, they found nothing.
Lost in thought, Pei Xiao cleaned the blood off his White Jade Bodhi Beads. “Investigate all the worshippers who have visited Azure Cloud Temple recently.”
“But…”
Qian Ren wanted to say that the comings and goings at Azure Cloud Temple were numerous, and most were nobles and royals—investigating them would be difficult.
But Pei Xiao insisted, “Find out everything.”
Meng Qingyao’s idle gossip was like a bomb; once spread, it would cause an uproar.
Therefore, no matter who was hiding in the shadows, anyone who had heard these rumors must die!
Not a single witness could be left alive.
Pei Xiao narrowed his eyes, like a gray wolf hunting in the vast desert, exuding a chilling aura. “Whoever it is, kill first and report later!”
Knowing his master’s temperament, Qian Ren said no more and bowed to carry out the task.After dealing with Meng Qingyao, Pei Xiao returned to the meditation room.
As he reached the doorway, dark clouds once again gathered in his heart.
He glanced toward Jiang Yu’s room, his chest feeling tight.
Indeed, there was still an unresolved trouble inside the room…
Pei Xiao stood with his hands behind his back at the door, lost in thought for a long time.
Jiang Yu stubbornly refused to admit she had seen Meng Qingyao, while Meng Qingyao, that cowardly wretch, denied meeting Jiang Yu even with her last breath.
Could it be that the two truly never met?
But if they hadn’t met, where did Jiang Yu go after sending him away?
Just as he was pondering, a coughing sound came from inside the room.
A young monk hurried over upon hearing the noise. As he brushed past Pei Xiao, he felt a chilling aura.
The young monk paused mid-step, his shoulders trembling involuntarily. “Oh, it’s Lord Pei. Your wife has a severe fever. I’m bringing her medicine.”
A steaming bowl of medicine was presented before Pei Xiao, the vapor carrying a bitter scent.
Pei Xiao frowned. “My wife has a fever?”
“Yes, the wound on her leg has worsened, and she’s been running a high fever for half an hour now.”
“Half an hour?”
“Exactly! By all accounts, she should have woken up after taking Master Huijue’s medicine, but she remains drowsy and doesn’t look well…”
Pei Xiao lifted his eyelids coolly. The young monk swallowed hard and fell silent.
“I’ll take it in.” Pei Xiao took the medicine and pushed the door open.
Jiang Yu lay on the bed, her cheeks flushed red from the fever. Her rapid breathing echoed in the cramped room.
Pei Xiao stepped forward and touched her forehead—it was burning hot!
How could she be this ill?
He helped her sit up and held the medicine bowl. “Yu’er, drink this first.”
His breath carried a faint chill of dew and a subtle hint of blood. Jiang Yu couldn’t help but tremble violently.
She did have a high fever, but her unconsciousness was feigned.
Only if Pei Xiao believed she was unconscious would he not suspect she had gone to the back hill and witnessed his murder.
Yet the image of Meng Qingyao’s severed head remained vivid in her mind—Jiang Yu couldn’t forget it.
Pei Xiao seemed to carry the lingering scent of the rouge Meng Qingyao often used, an eerie reminder.
Goosebumps rose all over Jiang Yu’s skin.
But Pei Xiao, noticing her alternating chills and fever, assumed her condition had worsened and went to find Great Master Huijue.
At that time, Huijue was bent over, preparing ointment in the courtyard.
Hearing hurried footsteps, Huijue didn’t look up but teased, “Finally starting to worry?”
“What’s wrong with her? Didn’t I ask you to look after her?” Pei Xiao had no patience for banter.
“Don’t you know what’s wrong with your own wife?” Huijue countered instead of answering.
Pei Xiao’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Huijue stood up, patted Pei Xiao’s shoulder, and whispered beside him, “She’s unwilling. You should ease up on her.”
“What nonsense are you talking?”
“You just checked her pulse. She’s suffering from extreme fright—why is that?”
When Huijue had gone to check on Jiang Yu at Pei Xiao’s request, he found the room in disarray, with torn fabric scattered on the floor.
What had happened in the room was self-evident.
“You and Lady Jiang used to get along so well. Why the sudden conflict?”
Pei Xiao felt somewhat bewildered himself and muttered, “She might have heard some rumors. I’m not sure…”
“I’ve told you before—you can’t wrap fire in paper. Be careful, or you’ll get burned playing with fire!” Huijue shook his head and sighed. “Some things are better confessed to her openly. The outcome might not be as bad as you fear…””Huijue!” Pei Xiao knew he was about to spout more foolish words and coldly interrupted him: “Do you think a woman could burn me to death?”
Huijue choked back his words.
Even now, he still refuses to turn back!
At a loss for words, Huijue nodded in response: “Yes, yes, yes. Back then, neither the fires from Grand Tutor Pei’s household nor Duke Jiang’s managed to burn you dead. Instead, you ended up becoming their son-in-law! Of course you wouldn’t be so easily burned to death!”
Pei Xiao’s expression turned grave.
Ignoring this, Huijue continued: “You, Lord Pei, fear nothing. Tormenting your wife is nothing, and losing her in the future would be a trivial matter too.”
“Enough!” Pei Xiao gripped the Jade Bodhi Beads on his wrist, his fingertips turning white.
An intense killing intent radiated from his entire being, as if a single spark could ignite a prairie fire.
This stubborn mule wouldn’t listen to anything!
Huijue fell silent. The two stood side by side under the corridor, gazing into the distant horizon, each lost in their own thoughts.
After a long while, Huijue spoke first: “So what do you plan to do with Lady Jiang now?”