A flicker of discomfort crossed Jiang Xunbai’s face, vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
His voice was barely above a whisper, yet every word carried clearly to Lu Qingtang’s ears:
“Does Miss Lu know how that mountain demon who forced you into marriage died?”
Lu Qingtang took a sharp step backward. Jiang Xunbai closed in on her again, his gaze fixed intently on her, not missing the slightest change in her expression.
Lu Qingtang turned her face away, directing her attention toward Jiang Yijie and Su Lingyao walking shoulder-to-shoulder ahead. She replied matter-of-factly: “Of course I know. Wasn’t that mountain demon killed by you, Second Young Master Jiang?”
She continued: “Not just me—Big Brother Jiang and Sister Su know about it too. Could it be that you’ve forgotten, Second Young Master?”
The girl’s eyes sparkled with mischief, yet her expression remained utterly serious, as if Jiang Xunbai genuinely suffered from poor memory.
After all, Jiang Xunbai had already admitted to killing the mountain demon. If he were to retract his statement now and it was later discovered that she was the one who killed it, he wouldn’t escape suspicion either.
He had only himself to blame for admitting it in the first place.
Moreover, Lu Qingtang suspected Jiang Xunbai wouldn’t suddenly change his story. If he had intended to do so, he wouldn’t have covered for her earlier in front of Jiang Yijie and Su Lingyao.
Well done.
The corners of Jiang Xunbai’s lips curved upward, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
“Miss Lu, you certainly have a silver tongue.”
Lu Qingtang detected the sarcasm in his words but showed no annoyance. Instead, she smiled cheerfully: “You flatter me. I’m nowhere near as skilled at sudden mood shifts as you, Second Young Master.”
“Hah—”
Jiang Xunbai let out a cold laugh, his anger peaking. He was about to say more when Jiang Yijie’s gentle voice interrupted: “A-Xun, Miss Lu, what are you two doing back there?”
Jiang Yijie turned to look at the young man and woman standing unusually close, his face breaking into a radiant smile. After speaking, he exchanged a knowing look with Su Lingyao.
Lu Qingtang lifted her ill-fitting wedding dress and followed behind Jiang Yijie and Su Lingyao. Jiang Xunbai watched the girl’s comical attempt to run while holding up the long hem of her dress, pausing briefly before following after her.
“Elder Brother, I’m coming.”
Cold sweat beaded on Lu Qingtang’s back. For some reason, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Jiang Xunbai was targeting her.
A cannon fodder character was just cannon fodder—how could they ever compare to the male and female leads?
Look how well the male and female leads treated her, while he alone seemed determined to pursue her relentlessly.
A few steps behind Lu Qingtang, Jiang Xunbai’s consciousness was flooded with the system’s incessant warnings: [Warning! Character Lu Qingtang’s current favorability is -4. Host must complete tasks seriously!]
The typically icy mechanical voice carried a tone of exasperation. Jiang Xunbai’s eyes darkened.
Why was it dropping even further?
As if reading his mind, the system continued: [To romance a character, you must move her with love and warmth her heart. Does the host understand?]
Jiang Xunbai lazily lifted his gaze. Not far away, the girl was turned sideways speaking with Su Lingyao. Her animated expression and long, thick eyelashes—still damp with the morning mist—made her appear even more pure and clear.
Could a girl who smiled like a blooming flower truly lack love?
Seeing that he remained silent, the system directly tossed a book at him. Jiang Xunbai took one look and his face shifted between green and white, his heart burning with fury.
On the cover, flamboyant characters spelled out the title: “101 Methods of Seduction.”
Jiang Xunbai: “…”
“Sister Su, you’ve traveled north and south capturing demons—you must have experienced countless thrilling moments and have many unforgettable stories, right?”
Lu Qingtang lifted her skirt, smiling beautifully, her lovely eyes filled with yearning.
Who wouldn’t yearn for a mystical world where a single sword could shatter all magic?
Su Lingyao tilted her head, searching her mind for something interesting. Jiang Yijie chuckled, “Occasionally, there are amusing things, but most of the time, danger outweighs the fun.”
Su Lingyao nodded, “Take this Skin-changing demon, for example. She has been harming the mortal world for a long time. We’ve been tracking her for over a month, but she is endlessly elusive and unpredictable. To this day, we still haven’t managed to subdue her.”
As she spoke, a trace of guilt appeared on her face. Jiang Yijie patted her shoulder and comforted her gently, “A-Yao, this isn’t your fault or mine. It’s just that this Huapi is too cunning. We will catch her eventually.”
Su Lingyao said softly, “I just hope that fewer people will suffer at the hands of the Skin-changing demon in the coming days…”
Lu Qingtang’s eyes shifted, and a bold idea began to form in her mind.
Task One was only half complete, which meant the main characters still couldn’t bring her along. But if she proved useful to them in capturing the Skin-changing demon, wouldn’t they fully agree to let her stay with them?
Though this venture was risky, it was also an opportunity. Not to mention she still had two chances left with her golden finger, and both the male and female leads would surely do their best to protect her. The worst-case scenario would be losing one chance to “summon the divine beast.”
Thinking this, Lu Qingtang said, “Sister Su, I have an idea that might lure out the Skin-changing demon.”
“Oh?”
Her words caught the attention of not only Jiang Yijie and Su Lingyao but also Jiang Xunbai, who had been following them at a leisurely pace.
“Use me as bait. Perhaps we can draw out the Skin-changing demon.”
“No.”
The other three spoke in unison.
Lu Qingtang tried to persuade them, “Look, once the Skin-changing demon sets her sights on someone, she doesn’t give up easily. As long as she sees me, she’s bound to come back for me…”
Although she had used “summon the divine beast” right in front of the Skin-changing demon, it had been an emergency, and Jiang Xunbai had arrived moments later. Lu Qingtang was betting that the demon didn’t realize she was the one who summoned the beast.
“No, this is far too dangerous. Qing-Tang, you’re just an ordinary mortal with no strength to defend yourself. You can’t take such a risk.”
Su Lingyao was still hesitant.
Lu Qingtang’s eyes drooped slowly, her expression sorrowful, “Sister Su, please listen to me. If we don’t capture her this time, many more defenseless mortals like me will fall victim.”
Her voice was sincere, her expression earnest, but Su Lingyao remained worried. Jiang Yijie also set aside his gentle demeanor and asked, “Miss Lu, do you understand how dangerous this is?”
Lu Qingtang nodded, then gave them a radiant smile, “I know, Big Brother Jiang, but I trust that you’ll protect me, right?”
Jiang Xunbai chuckled softly, “Right, I’ll protect you.”
He turned to Jiang Yijie and said, “Brother, Miss Lu makes a valid point. As long as Huapi remains at large, many more people will suffer.”
“But…”
“Don’t worry, brother. I’ll stick close to Miss Lu and ensure her safety.”
As soon as Jiang Xunbai finished speaking, he heard the system’s voice in his mind: 【Congratulations, host. The current favorability of character Lu Qingtang is -3/100. Please keep up the good work.】
The corners of his lips lifted slightly as he turned, only to see Lu Qingtang raise her eyes and offer him a faint smile.
Her smile was captivating—her brows and eyes curved gently, her cheeks dimpling with shallow pear-dents, radiating an exquisite liveliness.
Lu Qingtang hadn’t expected that Jiang Xunbai, who had been finding fault with her since their first encounter, would actually speak up for her.
Whether he did so to expedite capturing the Skin-changing demon or simply to accommodate her, as long as it aided her objective, Lu Qingtang felt grateful.
Jiang Yijie and Su Lingyao had no choice but to agree. To avoid arousing the Skin-changing demon’s suspicion, they split up upon entering Wangshui Zhen. Jiang Yijie and Su Lingyao went to find an inn to stay, while Lu Qingtang set off to search for her maid. Jiang Xunbai followed her at a leisurely pace, ensuring she wouldn’t be snatched by the Skin-changing demon along the way.
Following the original storyline, Lu Qingtang found her panicked maid in an inn.
The moment Jingchun saw Lu Qingtang, she burst into tears and rushed toward her. “Miss, you’re finally back! Last night, I followed your orders to buy apricot blossom pastries, but when I returned, you were gone. I waited all night and was about to return to Gusu to seek help, wuwuwu—”
Lu Qingtang patted her back reassuringly. “See? I’m perfectly fine.”
Only then did Jingchun release her. Staring wide-eyed, she exclaimed, “Miss! Why are you wearing a wedding gown?! I know you don’t like Young Master Bai, but you—”
Lu Qingtang hastily covered Jingchun’s mouth, fearing she might blurt out everything.
Jiang Xunbai might still be outside; it was better to be cautious.
“Alright, alright, Jingchun, don’t overthink or speculate.”
Lu Qingtang tried signaling with her eyes, but her maid failed to grasp the hint.
“Miss, Miss, what’s wrong with your eyes?” Jingchun asked anxiously.
Lu Qingtang: “…”
Lu Qingtang sighed and finally said, “Jingchun, let me speak first.”
Seeing her unharmed, Jingchun obediently replied, “Go ahead, Miss.”
“Here’s what happened…”
It took Lu Qingtang quite some time to fabricate an explanation.
Fortunately, Jingchun wasn’t particularly sharp and was easily fooled.
Once Jingchun was convinced, Lu Qingtang changed out of the long, heavy wedding gown and into her own clothes.
Since they were luring the Skin-changing demon, she needed to wander around, making it seem like an opportunity had arisen.
With that in mind, Lu Qingtang prepared to leave with Jingchun. But just as her hand touched the door, it was pushed open from the outside.
Lu Qingtang looked up and met a pair of captivating peach-blossom eyes. Her gaze drifted to the teardrop mole at the corner of the youth’s eye before shifting away. But when she saw what he was wearing, her heart jolted in shock.
Standing at the door was a frowning youth, his expression impatient. He wore a jade-green dress, his hair bun slightly askew. Yet, paired with his strikingly handsome face, he somehow exuded the freshness of a young maiden.
Indeed, Jiang Xunbai was dressed in women’s attire. With his naturally rosy lips, fair complexion, and exceptional beauty, he carried an unexpected charm in such garb.
Not only Lu Qingtang but even Jingchun behind her was stunned.
Jingchun murmured, “Miss, when did you meet such a beautiful young lady?”
Before Lu Qingtang could explain, Jiang Xunbai grabbed her hand and led her out of the room. He whispered, “I will take your maid’s place to ensure your safety.”
Hearing this, Lu Qingtang felt a surge of gratitude. Jiang Xunbai was actually quite considerate—she had assumed he would simply toss her a few Fu Zhi (Talisman Papers) and follow from a distance. To her surprise, he had actually dressed in women’s clothing to personally accompany her in luring the Skin-changing demon.
Turning to Jingchun who had hurried after them, she instructed, “Jingchun, don’t go anywhere. Stay obediently at the inn and wait for my return.”
With that, she descended the stairs alongside Jiang Xunbai.
Lu Qingtang couldn’t help but study Jiang Xunbai. The outfit he wore now somewhat resembled her own dress. Aside from being slightly taller, standing beside her, they almost looked like sisters at first glance.
Jiang Xunbai’s cheeks burned with embarrassment—he had never felt so humiliated in either of his lifetimes.
Originally, he had only intended to give Lu Qingtang some Fu Zhi for self-defense, but he couldn’t shake his worry. Lu Qingtang was a delicate woman who couldn’t even restrain a chicken. Even if he had doubts about this persona of hers, what if something truly happened to her?
Despite his reluctance, he had grudgingly put on the women’s attire.
Just as he was inwardly cursing his own decision, the system’s voice abruptly sounded: 【Congratulations, Host. Favorability from character Lu Qingtang: 1/100. Please keep up the good work.】
Jiang Xunbai froze, then suddenly glanced down at Lu Qingtang, unexpectedly meeting her innocent, lively eyes.
So this is what she likes…
Author’s Note:
Jiang TangTang: So this is what she likes… (Doesn’t understand but respects it)
Tangtang: So this is what he likes… (Doesn’t understand but respects it)
Seeking comments and nutrient solutions =(^.^)=[Laughing heartily][Please!]