A few years passed, and Ni Manxin gradually grew up. To create a good environment for her, he married a recently divorced woman who was unable to bear children. This woman became the mother Ni Manxin mistakenly believed to be her own.
After entering the household, the woman indeed took good care of the daughter, and the family of three lived together until the wife’s illness and death brought changes.
Ni Manxin finally understood her father’s deep intentions and hugged him tightly, repeatedly saying sorry.
Ni Yuan spoke earnestly, “Child, although I don’t know what this is, seeing how much effort Tang Yubo has expended to obtain it shows how important it is—both for you and for him.
Remember, child, you must protect it well; it is surely an extraordinary object. I am nearing my end, and having you by my side in this life has truly made me happy. Otherwise, I would never have known what kind of life I might have led in that village.”
Ni Manxin held Ni Yuan and wept bitterly. At that moment, no amount of apologies could ease the guilt she felt toward her father.
Ye Yue lay on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the front door.
Since the day Ni Manxin hurriedly answered a phone call, she had not returned.
Where had Ni Chang gone? On a date? If he told the Monarch that Ni Chang had been away for days with that guy, he wondered how furious the Monarch would become. He decided to wait a little longer.
After waiting several more days, just as he was about to seek out the Monarch, he saw the tightly shut door swing open.
Ye Yue hurried to the door, imitating a dog’s bark a few times. Upon seeing that the visitor was Fang Yi, he turned away dejectedly, unwilling to spare her another glance.
Seeing how much Ye Yue disliked her, Fang Yi showed a trace of sadness on her face. She walked forward, picked Ye Yue up in her arms, and sat down on the sofa.
“Yan Lie, how long do you think it will be before we meet again?” Fang Yi said, lowering her head and continuously stroking his fur.
Yan Lie suddenly looked up at the princess, unsure why she was asking such a question today. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
Fang Yi stood up, patted her knees, and set Yan Lie on the ground. “I should go. It’s getting late. I’m off to find Dong Yue. Farewell for now, little one.” With that, she walked out.
Dong Yue was currently training new employees at the dessert shop. Unable to find the Monarch at home, Fang Yi thought he might be there.
Fang Yi approached urgently and called out, “Monarch.”
The people around looked at her strangely, unsure whom she was addressing. Only then did she realize she had used the wrong name.
Dong Yue had no desire to engage with her and tried to leave the front counter after finishing the training.
Fang Yi knew full well that Dong Yue detested her, but out of respect for the Jade Emperor’s dignity, he couldn’t drive her away and could only avoid her repeatedly.
Thinking that Ni Chang might be suffering at that very moment, she couldn’t help but shout after him, “Dong Yue, Ni Chang is in danger. You must go save her!”
Hearing this, Dong Yue immediately halted, turned around, and rushed up to Fang Yi, gripping her chin tightly with one hand. “You’d better explain this clearly. If there’s even the slightest falsehood, you’ll see how I deal with you.”
Fang Yi met Dong Yue’s gaze, moved his hand away, and calmly recounted the entire sequence of events.
After listening, Dong Yue became even more certain that his earlier judgment had been correct. As for who this Tang Yubo really was, he now had a clearer idea in his mind.Fang Yi watched as Dong Yue stood up and walked out, casually asking, “Monarch, are you going to find Ni Chang now?”
Dong Yue’s footsteps didn’t pause as he vanished after uttering the word “Netherworld.”
Bei Yin was just about to head to the Hall of the King of Hell for a game of chess when he saw Dong Yue hurriedly stride into the Hall of King Yama first. Noticing Dong Yue’s unusual behavior, Bei Yin quickened his pace and followed him inside.
King Yama, thinking the person entering was Bei Yin, stood up and bowed with a glance, saying, “Great Emperor of the Northern Yin, what brings you here this time?”
After a long silence without any response, he looked up to see Dong Yue standing before him, staring coldly.
He quickly knelt and approached: “Monarch, why have you come? Has everything in the mortal world been settled for you to return?”
Dong Yue said, “Quickly bring me the Book of Life and Death. I need to see when Ni Chang will pass away in the World of the Living.”
Bei Yin, eavesdropping outside the door, couldn’t hold back. From Dong Yue’s words, could it be that something had happened to Ni Chang?
But upon careful thought, with Dong Yue around, what danger could possibly befall Ni Chang?
King Yama tremblingly handed the Book of Life and Death to Dong Yue, who flipped through it as King Yama explained, “Monarch, I previously checked Ni Chang’s lifespan. She is destined to live for fifty more years, reaching the end of her mortal life at the age of eighty.”
As soon as he finished speaking, King Yama was stunned by what he saw. Just a few days ago, the Book of Life and Death had clearly stated Ni Chang’s cause of death, but today it was completely blank. Terrified, King Yama immediately knelt down to explain.
Dong Yue closed the book and said, “Ni Chang’s fate is being altered. You all need to be extra vigilant.”
Bei Yin rushed in, paying his respects to Dong Yue before eagerly asking, “Does the Monarch know the reason?”
Dong Yue stood by the window, hands behind his back, pondering for a moment: “I’m not certain if it’s him, or perhaps there’s an external force we’re unaware of working against us.”
Bei Yin paced back and forth: “Then isn’t Ni Chang in danger now? Whether she lives or dies is beyond our control. Won’t our Netherworld become a laughingstock in the future?”
Dong Yue replied without hesitation: “With me here, who would dare!”
At that moment, Yan Lie rushed back from the World of the Living. He had originally intended to inform his father about Ni Chang’s situation, but he hadn’t expected both Dong Yue and Bei Yin to be there.
Dong Yue looked at Yan Lie and said, “Don’t return to the mortal world either. If I’m not mistaken, Ni Chang will likely be back in a few days. Prepare a room for her to stay here with you!”
Bei Yin found it hard to believe: “No offense, Dong Yue, but Ni Chang is finally returning from the mortal world, and you won’t let her stay in your Grand Dusk Palace? Instead, you want her to live here in the Hall of King Yama? Is that appropriate?”
Dong Yue was unperturbed, but the happiest one was probably Yan Lie.
Once Sister Ni Chang returned, he would never have to go back to the mortal world to pretend to be a dog, barking now and then for no reason. How utterly embarrassing!
King Yama quickly ordered Black and White Impermanence to clean out the Side Hall in preparation for Ni Chang’s arrival.
Dong Yue said, “Wait here. I’m going to the World of the Living to check on Ni Chang and will return with her. Black and White Impermanence need not come looking for us.”
After King Yama acknowledged, Dong Yue vanished instantly.
Dong Yue, invisible, observed Fang Yi caring for her family at home like an ordinary mortal, feeling genuinely comforted.
When Fang Yi had told him she wanted to stay there, Dong Yue had thought she was up to some trick or making excuses again. He never expected her to be serious this time.
Fang Yi detected the familiar scent of sandalwood in the room and understood everything at once. As she watched an envelope containing a thick stack of cash materialize on the opposite table, she stood by the window and whispered toward the outside: “Thank you, Monarch!”
A faint smile tugged at Dong Yue’s lips upon hearing this. Without turning back, he hurried off toward the casino.