“Brother, hurry inside. What if Sister Jiang can’t endure it and something happens?”
“The beauty even managed to get her hands on Aphrodisiac Bone Powder, eagerly throwing herself into your arms. Brother Hengyu, just go along with it! After all, you two are already discussing marriage—consider it an early wedding night, hahaha…”
“Propriety must not be neglected. Please, everyone, stop teasing me. A woman’s reputation is important. I ask that you keep this confidential. I will go in now and carry Miss Jiang back to my residence to summon a physician.”
“…”
Outside came the same teasing remarks as in her previous life.
In her past life, Jiang Jiuzi had returned to the capital from the northern border to get married.
In less than half a year, she was sentenced to death by waist severing, and the entire loyal lineage of the Zhenbei Marquisate was branded as traitors.
Jiang Jiuzi died with grievances unredressed, her soul drifting over the capital.
She watched as her husband, Song Hengyu, and his family climbed to wealth and status by stepping over the bones of the Zhenbei Marquisate.
Seven years later, when the new emperor ascended the throne, he cleared the name of the Zhenbei Marquisate. Song Hengyu’s family was thrown into prison and all sentenced to death by waist severing.
Watching them die miserably, she came back to life.
She had been reborn on this very day—the day she returned to the capital for the first time to attend a flower banquet and was drugged with Aphrodisiac Bone Powder.
Jiang Jiuzi caressed her slender waist, which had not yet been severed.
Smooth and graceful, with skin like congealed jade—how wonderful!
Jiang Jiuzi snapped out of her reverie about her smooth, slender waist.
She raised her hand, pulled the hairpin from her hair, and without hesitation, stabbed it into her fingertip.
The pain jolted her awake in an instant.
Her body, weakened by the Aphrodisiac Bone Powder, regained a bit of strength.
“Creak—”
Song Hengyu pushed the door open.
Suddenly, a small hand reached out diagonally, grabbed his collar, and yanked him inside while simultaneously slamming the door shut and bolting it.
Seeing Jiang Jiuzi’s flushed face and her seemingly eager demeanor, Song Hengyu secretly rejoiced.
If he carried her out looking like this, she would have to marry him whether she wanted to or not!
The Zhenbei Marquisate—he was determined to have it!
“Xiao Zi, don’t be afraid. I’ll take you home right now.”
Song Hengyu wore an expression of deep affection as he reached out to Jiang Jiuzi.
Jiang Jiuzi raised her hand and delivered a sharp chop to the back of his neck.
Before Song Hengyu could react, his body went limp and collapsed to the floor.
Jiang Jiuzi took out a handful of incense from her bosom and sprinkled it under his nose. Then, she turned and walked toward the rear window. She struck a hole in it, lifted her skirt, and leaped out through the opening.
The series of actions had already exhausted her strength.
She staggered to a small garden, her heart pounding like a drum, her legs too weak to lift.
Jiang Jiuzi clutched the hairpin, about to stab herself again, when she suddenly caught a whiff of a cool, faint fragrance.
This fragrance jolted her spirit.
It was precisely the rare, exquisite scent that could counteract the Aphrodisiac Bone Powder in her body.
Jiang Jiuzi looked up and saw a man striding toward her with a powerful, imposing gait.
His cloak fluttered in the wind, and his black robes were embroidered with gold.
A flicker of joy crossed Jiang Jiuzi’s expression.
She had seen this man before!
During her time as a ghost, she had drifted outside the city several times, unable to find her way home. It was by following him that she had returned.
He was an exceptionally good person.
Feeling reassured, Jiang Jiuzi rushed toward him, grabbed his clothes, and declared forcefully, “Stay with me for a while, young master, and I’ll pay you a hundred gold.”
Pei Linghan’s eyes sharpened, and he raised his hand to push her away. But then he caught sight of her flushed face, the sweat beading on her temples, and her rapid breathing.
Her delicate, elegant features also held a faint sense of familiarity.
He paused.
“Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. You will be rewarded for your kindness, young master.”
As she spoke, Jiang Jiuzi unconsciously buried her head against his chest.
This faint, cool fragrance was emanating from his heart.
Pei Linghan pressed a long finger against her forehead. “I don’t need good karma.”
His long fingers gripped the back of her collar, intending to lift her away.
Jiang Jiuzi had no desire to let her moving antidote leave. With one hand clutching his belt, she leaned forward, tightly wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Sorry about this, brother. If you dare push me away, I’ll call for help!”
Pei Linghan was both angered and amused.
Yet, her shameless demeanor overlapped with a certain little brat from his memories.
The Black Armor Secret Guards on both sides were horrified and moved to pull her away.
With a single glance, Pei Linghan made them retreat.
Looking at the girl before him who seemed eager to burrow into his chest, his eyes darkened. “You have quite the nerve, miss. Do you know who I am?”
“Who you are doesn’t matter. You just need to stay with me for a while.”
Not only did Jiang Jiuzi press against him, but her small hand also reached toward his chest.
There should be a string of beads hanging over the man’s heart. This faint, elegant fragrance was emanating from that string of beads—she wanted to see what it was.
Seeing her push her luck, Pei Linghan grabbed her wrist with one hand.
Jiang Jiuzi looked up, her eyes blazing. “Let me see what you’re wearing, and I’ll give you another hundred gold.”
Pei Linghan was angered and amused once more.
“Do I look like I lack gold?”
Jiang Jiuzi said softly, “Even if you don’t lack it, there’s no reason to refuse free gold. Only a fool would turn down gold.”
Pei Linghan: “…”
This girl still thought the capital was like the northern lands, where she could act recklessly as she pleased.
He lifted her by the back of her collar, carrying her like a chick, and strode inside.
Jiang Jiuzi didn’t struggle, but she remained persistent, still trying to reach for the beads in his chest. After several attempts without success, she finally gave up.
Fine, no need to fight over this moment.
Sooner or later, she would find out what those beads were.
She loved blending fragrances, and such a unique scent was an irresistible temptation to her.
Pei Linghan carried her into a side room, placed her on a long couch, and turned to leave.
Jiang Jiuzi grabbed his sleeve and refused to let go. “You took my silver, how can you abandon me like this!”
Pei Linghan’s brow twitched.
“When did I take your silver?”
Jiang Jiuzi said, “I already promised to give it to you, so it counts as you taking it. You have to stay and keep me company.”
Pei Linghan looked down at her shamelessness, composed and unhurried. “What if I don’t want to stay? What can you do?”
Jiang Jiuzi smiled faintly. “Then I’ll have to use some special methods.”
As she spoke, her small hand swept past the tip of his nose, bringing with it a delicate floral fragrance.
Pei Linghan swayed slightly, suddenly feeling his legs go weak.
Jiang Jiuzi yanked hard, pulling him down onto the long couch. In one swift motion, she straddled him, sitting directly atop the man.
Their positions reversed.
Jiang Jiuzi looked down at him, a wicked smile curling at the corner of her lips.
“Be good, young master. Once the Aphrodisiac Bone Powder in my system is neutralized, I’ll let you go. But if you struggle, I can’t guarantee what I might do to you.”
As she spoke, her small hand moved to his collar.
One, two, three…
After undoing three buttons, her fingertip hooked inside and pulled out a string of beads.
It was a strand of Millennial Agarwood.
Soaked in various extremely precious medicinal herbs, it had the effect of calming the mind and dispelling evil.
Jiang Jiuzi took the agarwood from him and tucked it into her own bosom, raising her eyebrows as she said:
“Borrowing your treasure for a bit. Wait here obediently, and I’ll return it to you in a moment.”
With the scent of Millennial Agarwood pressed against her chest, calming her heart, Jiang Jiuzi regained her strength. She rolled over and got off the man, then strode away.
Pei Linghan slowly sat up straight, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.
“This girl, still as wild as she was in childhood.”
However, her skill in blending incense had greatly improved. Even with the Millennial Agarwood protecting him, his body had still gone weak for a moment.
Pei Linghan raised his hand and leisurely fastened three of the knotted buttons.
With a surge of True Qi, his weakened body regained its strength, though there was an inexplicable, lingering warmth around his waist where the young girl had straddled him.
Pei Linghan gently touched his waist before stepping out of the room.
Jiang Jiuzi returned to the courtyard she had fled from earlier.
A crowd had already gathered outside the courtyard.
Song Yan stood blocking the entrance, her face flushed as she stammered, unable to find the right words.
“You… you can’t go in. Brother… Brother and Sister Jiang are inside!”