The umbrella hit the ground with a "crack," and rain immediately pattered loudly against its surface.Chu Yunxi gripped Shi Wuxie's wrist tightly, the skin beneath his fingertips cool and smooth, like fine silk.He said sternly, "Attempting to murder your own husband, caught red-handed with the evidence—what do you have to say for yourself?"Shi Wuxie's gaze flickered for an instant, so quickly it was nearly imperceptible, but Chu Yunxi caught it.Yet he quickly composed himself and said calmly, "I wasn't trying to murder you."Chu Yunxi sat up, his grip unconsciously tightening until Shi Wuxie's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.He glanced at the pill on Shi Wuxie's fingertip and said coldly, "Then what is this?"Though he asked, he already knew the answer in his heart—it was nothing more than some kind of deadly poison.He had only pretended to faint, waiting precisely for this moment.Now that the evidence was in hand, let's see how this man tried to pass it off as an "accident"…"Anesthetic." Shi Wuxie's voice was very soft, nearly swallowed by the rain, but Chu Yunxi's sharp hearing caught it.Chu Yunxi froze, doubting his own ears. "What did you say?"Shi Wuxie looked up at him, maintaining his composed expression, and repeated clearly, "Anesthetic."Chu Yunxi: …"Not poison?"Shi Wuxie looked entirely candid, even showing a hint of confusion at the word "poison." "Of course not."Chu Yunxi stared at him in silence for a moment before understanding Shi Wuxie's intent. He raised his voice in disbelief: "You want to anesthetize me and dissect me?!"Shi Wuxie said earnestly, even attempting to persuade him, "My skills are masterful—I won't hurt you. And I've tested this drug repeatedly; it will keep you unconscious and completely pain-free for four hours."Chu Yunxi felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity, choking him speechless for a moment.Seeing his stunned, speechless expression, Shi Wuxie, in all innocence, actually held the pill up to Chu Yunxi's lips again, his tone sincere: "If you don't believe me, you can simply try it."Looking at the pill once again held before him, Chu Yunxi's pupils contracted sharply. He could already picture his own organs sorted into categories, floating in the faintly glowing glazed glass vats in Shi Wuxie's official's quarters.He shuddered, then snatched the pill away and flung it forcefully into the rain. With lingering anger, he said in a low voice, "Administering anesthetic to someone without their consent—doesn't that count as a crime?!"Shi Wuxie lowered his eyes, his thick lashes concealing most of the light in them, but Chu Yunxi still caught a trace of dejection there.Shi Wuxie said quietly, "I'd simply restore you before you woke up. Problem solved."Chu Yunxi stared at him in disbelief.A full day after transmigrating, Chu Yunxi finally discovered that his native language was speechlessness."You can cut someone open without leaving a trace? What about the wound?"Shi Wuxie looked up and said very seriously, "I would stitch it up properly. Besides, the Court of Judicial Review's physician is a master of treating external wounds, with his own secret medicines—he guarantees wounds healed within seven days, without even a scar left within a month."With that, the light in his eyes kindled again. He gazed at Chu Yunxi with a pure, burning anticipation: "Are you really sure I can't try?"The corner of Chu Yunxi's mouth twitched. After a long moment, he forced out two words through gritted teeth: "No!"Shi Wuxie's shoulders slumped slightly, his eyes full of disappointment. "All right."It was still that same expressionless ice-block face, yet Chu Yunxi somehow felt as if he could see a pair of invisible ears atop the other man's head, drooping down in disappointment.Chu Yunxi: …What was with that wronged look? He was the victim here, okay?Shi Wuxie bent down to pick up the umbrella, turned and stepped into the carriage, then extended a hand toward Chu Yunxi."Coming up?"Chu Yunxi looked at the outstretched hand—four slender fingers, distinct knuckles, like a piece of cold jade against the gray curtain of rain.Raising his eyes, he saw Shi Wuxie leaning slightly forward, a few strands of rain-dampened hair clinging to his temples. Water droplets slid down from the tips of his hair, trailed across his cheek, and finally disappeared into his slightly open collar, leaving a small patch of dampness in the hollow of his thin neck.Chu Yunxi's gaze lingered for a moment."This rain won't let up anytime soon. Shall I take you back to your family home?"The words "family home" snapped Chu Yunxi back to his senses, and he curled his lips in speechless exasperation.He didn't take the hand; instead, he lifted the hem of his robe and leaped neatly into the carriage.He sat down in the farthest corner, diagonally across from Shi Wuxie, arms crossed, looking out the window.The rain blurred the street scenery. He muttered to himself: such a perfect opportunity to strike—Shi Wuxie really had no murderous intent? Were those earlier encounters really just coincidence?Then he thought of that bolt of lightning just now. Though he didn't want to admit it, perhaps "the original owner was just a jinx" really was the only explanation.As he was pondering, Shi Wuxie's voice sounded in the quiet carriage: "So you weren't struck by the lightning just now?"Chu Yunxi glanced over and met Shi Wuxie's deep, dark eyes. After a pause, he gave an "mm."The faint light in Shi Wuxie's eyes suddenly brightened, and he almost immediately leaned in close, taking out paper and brush, his voice carrying barely concealed excitement and curiosity: "How did you do it?"As he drew near, Chu Yunxi caught that crisp scent of medicinal herbs again. Mixed with the damp air inside the carriage, it had a strangely calming effect.Chu Yunxi looked at Shi Wuxie's face, so close to his own. Those usually tranquil black eyes were now astonishingly bright, holding no scheming, no murderous intent—only a purity of curiosity so intense it was almost childlike.Against his better judgment, he spoke: "I sensed it in advance. Static electricity.""Static electricity?"Shi Wuxie seized on this unfamiliar yet vivid term, the light in his eyes growing even brighter.He immediately sat up straight and swiftly recorded in the notebook on his knee: [Three: Possesses extraordinary perception, with acuity beyond that of ordinary people…]Chu Yunxi raised a hand and pressed it to his brow.What was he even doing? Actually cooperating with a mad scientist's research on himself?"Anything else?" Shi Wuxie looked up again, questions coming one after another. "Have your other senses—vision, hearing, and so on—shown any changes compared to before? For instance, can you see in the dark? Can you hear faint sounds? Or distinguish more smells?"Chu Yunxi didn't feel like answering. He changed the subject: "You're taking me back to my fami—" He paused, swallowing the words "family home." "Back to the marquis's residence. Aren't you afraid I won't come back?"Shi Wuxie kept jotting something quickly in his notebook without even lifting his head as he replied: "No matter. If you wish to stay long-term, I'll stay with you."Chu Yunxi was taken aback. Looking up, he saw that as Shi Wuxie wrote, his pen tip paused slightly, and he unconsciously pressed the end of the brush against his lips. The thin, pale-pink lips were pressed into a small white mark by the pen shaft before springing back to their original shape. It looked… very soft.Chu Yunxi looked away and cleared his throat. "What if I… never go back? Are you going to freeload at the Marquis's residence for the rest of your life?"Only then did Shi Wuxie raise his eyes, his gaze calm and matter-of-fact. "We are already husband and wife[1]'Wife/lady' may be used for Chu Yunxi's marital role, but his personal pronouns remain he/him. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3533674_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3533674_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. Naturally, wherever you are, I will be."Chu Yunxi's breath caught.Then Shi Wuxie, still writing with his head lowered, added, "Besides, if I don't follow you, my research will be interrupted."Chu Yunxi: …He was utterly speechless. He leaned the back of his head against the carriage wall and began rubbing the bridge of his nose.Completely insane."Then…" Shi Wuxie's voice, eager for knowledge, came again. "This perception of yours—does it only erupt in moments of mortal danger, or is it also present in everyday—""Shut up." Chu Yunxi could bear it no longer.He turned his head to the other side, closed his eyes completely, and refused to communicate through his actions.Watching this posture of total resistance, Shi Wuxie's long lashes blinked slowly, as if puzzled. But he did not press further. He quietly withdrew his gaze, returned his attention to the booklet in hand, and occasionally lifted his pen to add a few notes.The carriage fell into silence.Before long, the sudden downpour ceased. The carriage wheels rolled over the rain-soaked bluestone road and stopped in front of the Marquis Anping's residence.Shi Wuxie had long since put away his booklet. Sensing the carriage had stopped, he lifted a corner of the curtain and looked calmly outside.Before the vermilion-lacquered main gate of the marquis's residence, a temporary altar stood out conspicuously, yellow banners fluttering. Three young Taoist acolytes circled the altar chanting incantations, while at its head, a long-bearded Taoist priest stood quietly before the altar, bearing a certain air of immortal elegance.A young man in luxurious brocade robes bowed deeply to the priest, his manner most respectful."Reverend Taoist, my younger brother died unjustly. Yesterday's corpse reanimation must have been due to his deep resentment. I beg you to exercise your divine powers and make sure that thing does not disturb the Marquis's residence's spiritual fortune."As he spoke, hidden by his sleeve, he swiftly pressed a gleaming gold ingot into the priest's hand.Satisfaction flashed through the long-bearded priest's eyes. He quickly and smoothly tucked the ingot into his sleeve, his expression growing all the more solemn and dignified as he declared in a ringing voice, "Rest assured, Young Lord! My lineage from Mount Qixia has enjoyed imperial favor for generations, and the Imperial Preceptor himself stands behind us. A mere wronged soul—what is that to fear? Once I complete this ritual, I guarantee the peace of the Marquis's household, undisturbed by sinister spirits."His voice was loud and clear, and the onlooking crowd heard every word, setting off a buzz of discussion."How badly has the Marquis's residence been haunted, that they've even called in people from Mount Qixia?""Haven't you heard? Their young son rose as a corpse at the Court of Judicial Review the night before last! The household sent someone to the temple to request help before dawn—even the Imperial Preceptor is to be asked to go to the Court of Judicial Review to 'capture the ghost'!"Amid the chatter, someone sighed, "Their own child died under mysterious circumstances, and instead of trying to comfort his spirit, the elder brother's first act is to hire a priest to exorcise him. Truly…""You can't say that either. What if it really is a vengeful spirit? What if it comes back to harm people?""Harming people? I heard that young master Chu has the gentlest, most timid temperament—he's afraid of stepping on ants when he walks. How could he become a vengeful spirit?""You don't know? The night before last, he turned the Court of Judicial Review upside down. The whole neighborhood's been talking about it.""But I heard the living King of Hell over at the Court already subdued that vengeful spirit. Someone saw it with their own eyes—that ghost was chased all around the courthouse by Lord Shi!"A very soft snort came from inside the carriage.Shi Wuxie lowered the curtain and turned to see Chu Yunxi resting his chin on his hand, leaning against the carriage window, listening with great interest.He stood up. "I'll go down and make things clear."But a hand with well-defined knuckles barred his way. "No hurry."He glanced sideways and saw Chu Yunxi staring out the carriage door, his amber eyes gleaming with excitement. "Something this fun—of course I get to go first."With that, he hopped down from the carriage before Shi Wuxie could move.Dressed in deep crimson, Chu Yunxi suddenly appeared against the gray, drab streetscape—dazzling and conspicuous."Y-young Master?!"The gatekeeper saw him first. His face went deathly pale as he stumbled backward, lips trembling. "A g-ghost—!"The cry exploded through the air. The Taoist priest before the altar froze mid-motion, and the onlooking crowd all turned their heads at once. The moment they saw who it was, an uproar broke out."It's young master Chu! The one who came back from the dead!""Heavens, he's out in broad daylight…"The crowd grew restless. Many shrank back in terror, while others couldn't help craning their necks to get a better look.Someone sharp-eyed spotted a figure in dark blue slowly stepping down from the carriage behind Chu Yunxi and cried out, "Look—it's Lord Shi! He's right behind the vengeful spirit—he must have subdued it already! Everyone, don't be afraid!"Chu Yunzhao, heir to the Marquis's household, saw who had arrived and his pupils contracted sharply. He instinctively wanted to back away, but steeled himself and forced himself to stay rooted in place.His face darkening, he shouted at the old Taoist, "Master! Subdue him, quickly!"Chu Yunxi's gaze locked onto Chu Yunzhao.So this was the elder brother from the original owner's memories—the one who had made his life difficult since childhood, the one who cursed him behind his back with his mother, calling him a jinx?His lips suddenly curved into a smile. "So it's my dear big brother." As he spoke, he walked step by step toward Chu Yunzhao. "Why are you so nervous, brother? Could it be you're worried I'll harm you?"That smiling face, in Chu Yunzhao's eyes, seemed to exude a ghostly menace beneath its beauty. His legs went weak, but he still snapped back, blustering to hide his fear, "If you died out there, then don't come back to plague the Marquis's household! Father married you off—you're a Shi now! If you want to ruin someone, go ruin that Shi Wuxie!"Chu Yunxi held back his laughter and said in an eerie voice, "But you're the one I want to ruin. Whatever shall we do?"As Chu Yunxi closed in, Chu Yunzhao's strained composure finally crumbled. He retreated half a step, clutching the Taoist's sleeve. "Master!"The long-bearded Taoist gave a cold snort and stepped forward, shielding Chu Yunzhao behind him. "You dare show yourself in broad daylight? Witness my power as I subdue you!"His left hand formed a hand seal as he chanted, "Boundless Heaven and Earth, lend me the power of the cosmos!"A yellow talisman burst into flame without wind, transforming into a streak of firelight that shot toward Chu Yunxi.The crowd gasped.Chu Yunxi didn't even lift his eyes. The instant the talisman fire drew near, he casually flicked his sleeve."Fss—"The flames were extinguished in an instant, dissolving into wisps of green smoke. Chu Yunxi covered his nose and mouth, waving away the talisman ash in disgust.The Taoist's face changed drastically. "It truly is a vengeful spirit!"Gritting his teeth, the Taoist snatched the coin sword from the altar, bit through the tip of his tongue, and sprayed a mouthful of essence blood onto the blade before thrusting it at Chu Yunxi.Yet Chu Yunxi didn't take a single step. The moment the Taoist raised the sword to strike, he simply raised a hand and swung."Slap!"A resounding slap landed on the Taoist's left cheek.The blow sent him staggering back two steps, the coin sword clattering to the ground. He clutched his face and looked up in horror—only to see that flash of red robes already upon him. Before he could react, a heavy kick to the shoulder knocked him sprawling at the base of the steps."A vengeful spirit? Would a vengeful spirit kick you like that?"Dizzy and disoriented, the Taoist had barely lifted his head before Chu Yunxi delivered another slap to his right cheek, forming a symmetric pair of handprints.Chu Yunxi grabbed him by the collar, hauling him half off the ground, looking down at him with disdain: "Would a vengeful spirit slap you like this?"The Taoist was completely dumbfounded.All around was dead silence. A moment later, gasps of cold air rippled through the crowd."Un—unbelievable! Even the masters of Qixia Mountain can't subdue it!""Run! This vengeful spirit is ferocious!"The commoners scattered in panic, huddling under the eaves at the street corners. The young Taoist attendants were scared out of their wits, tumbling and crawling under the offering table, clamping their hands over their mouths, trembling like leaves.Master… just got beaten up by a vengeful spirit!The long-bearded Taoist went rigid, eyes wide, staring up fixedly at Chu Yunxi. In his extreme terror, his senses sharpened. This face was porcelain white—but not the corpse-like pallor of the dead. The lips were pale, yet still held a trace of color.Most crucially, there was the warm breath exhaled with each word, and the slight rise and fall of that chest.Could it be…The Taoist's eyes moved woodenly, and from the corner of his gaze he caught sight of the dark teal figure standing motionless behind Chu Yunxi.The other had not uttered a single word from start to finish. Only a pair of eyes like black jade swept over coolly—calm and undisturbed, yet the Taoist still caught a flicker of a look that seemed to regard him as an idiot."You…" The Taoist's throat bobbed as he asked in a trembling voice, "Could it be that you're aliv—"Chu Yunxi sneered. "I'm your living daddy!"With that, he flung the Taoist aside, flicked his sleeves, and strode with hands behind his back over the Marquis's residence's high threshold.Shi Wuxie followed at a leisurely pace. As he passed the Taoist, he glanced down, his voice cold as a spring in winter: "Unable to even tell the living from the dead—it seems Qixia Mountain's reputation is mere empty talk." With that, he too lifted his robes and stepped inside.Only after both figures had completely vanished did the Taoist, slumped on the ground, snap back to his senses.His face went from white to green, then flushed red. He suddenly scrambled to his feet, pointing at Chu Yunzhao, furious: "What is the meaning of this, Marquis Anping's residence? Amusing yourselves at Qixia Mountain's expense?! That is clearly a living person—what evil were we summoned to exorcise?!"Trembling with rage, he yanked the young attendants out from under the offering table. Without even bothering to pack up his magical artifacts, he turned and boarded the carriage, slamming the curtain with a thunderous crash: "Back to the mountain! I shall report today's events in full detail to the Imperial Preceptor!"The carriage sped off in a cloud of dust.Chu Yunzhao stared in shock and disbelief at the spot where Chu Yunxi had vanished, his pupils suddenly trembling. "What? A living person?!"
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