NOVEL WEB
Chapter 51
Fang Changyue was somewhat shy by nature. Seeing Jiang Xiaoxiao staring at him, he smiled sheepishly, "Pardon me, I'm a fellow student of Brother Xie, Fang Changyue."
"I know," Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded. "We've met before."
The last time Jiang Xiaoxiao went to the gates of Luming Academy to pick up Xie Xun, Fang Changyue was too busy chatting with Xie Xun to notice her.
Today, with a closer look, she realized this girl was not only beautiful but seemed to possess something even more intense than what Xie Xun had, instantly dispelling the fatigue he had felt for months.
With guests around, Yang Ershun could no longer continue his meditation and hurriedly brought out stools from inside.
Afterwards, he went to the kitchen to assist Xie Xun.
Fang Changyue sat down in the courtyard.
Jiang Xiaoxiao glanced at him and casually asked, "Aren't your parents worried that you're out so late?"
"My parents passed away when I was very young," said Fang Changyue. "It's just my wife and me at home now."
Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded, realizing the suspicion against his wife grew stronger.
With Xie Xun's seal lifted, there was bound to be action in Yanjing City.
At such a critical juncture, Jiang Xiaoxiao should not have gotten involved with unrelated matters.
Yet she had a hunch that the ominous aura surrounding Fang Changyue, or rather, the entity beside him, was connected to her somehow.
Jiang Xiaoxiao had been part of the Heavenly Master's Mansion since birth.
To this day, she did not know who she was, where she came from, or whether her parents had any grievances that led them to leave her at Cangwu Mountain.
She was even more clueless as to why she was cursed to turn small every full moon night.
Today, Fang Changyue had actually intended to invite them for a meal, but Xie Xun called him over instead.
Feeling awkward, he told Xie Xun at the dinner table, "Tomorrow is our day off, Brother Xie. If you don't mind, come over to our place. After knowing each other for so long, I haven't even had a chance to treat you to a meal. It's quite embarrassing."
Xie Xun's reason for bringing Fang Changyue back was solely to let Jiang Xiaoxiao inspect the issue surrounding him, not because he intended to become close friends with Fang Changyue.
Just as Xie Xun was about to decline, Jiang Xiaoxiao beat him to it, "Sure!"
A smile appeared on Fang Changyue's face. "It's settled then. You two come over tomorrow."
He did not linger at Tong Hua Lane for long and left after the meal.
Yang Ershun went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
In the main hall, only Xie Xun and Jiang Xiaoxiao remained.
Xie Xun asked, "Do you need to go to their home in person?"
"I don't know why, but I have a feeling that the entity beside your fellow student is no ordinary thing. It seems to be intentionally luring me over."
As a cultivator, Jiang Xiaoxiao could not divine her own fortunes and had to rely on her intuition.
Her intuition was usually accurate.
Xie Xun understood. "Then I'll accompany you."
The next day, Fang Changyue came to fetch them personally.
Jiang Xiaoxiao noticed the ominous aura around him had intensified again.
It had just subsided significantly after meeting her yesterday.
To cause such a drastic change in Fang Changyue overnight, the only likely culprit was the person closest to him.
If yesterday was mere suspicion, today Jiang Xiaoxiao was almost certain that Fang Changyue's wife, Lady Li, had an issue.
Lady Li was a child bride purchased by Fang Changyue's parents and was two years older than him. She was very good at taking care of him.
After Fang Changyue enrolled at Luming Academy, Lady Li moved to the county for his convenience, doing housework and cooking for him.
Lady Li ran a small business to support Fang Changyue's studies, and the couple had a good relationship.
When they arrived home, Fang Changyue pushed open the courtyard gate with a joyful tone, "Wife, we're back."
Lady Li was squatting by the well washing vegetables. Upon hearing him, she looked up, her gaze meeting Jiang Xiaoxiao's.
Jiang Xiaoxiao frowned immediately.
She had not guessed wrongly - Lady Li had an issue, but she was not a spirit, rather... she had been possessed!
As the saying goes, a ghost had taken over her body.
Since leaving Cangwu Mountain, Jiang Xiaoxiao had never met a ghost that was not afraid of her.
Yet the one before her not only showed no fear but even smiled at her slightly.
Fang Changyue invited Xie Xun and the others inside and was about to roll up his sleeves to help.
"Fellow Student," Xie Xun said in time. "Let's chat for a bit. As for helping out, let Xiaoxiao do it."
"But... you're all guests. It's not right to have guests help out," Fang Changyue protested.
Before he could finish, Jiang Xiaoxiao had already gone out.
Lady Li had moved to the kitchen.
When Jiang Xiaoxiao entered, Lady Li was holding a knife, slicing meat.
"Little girl, have a seat," Lady Li said in a rather casual tone.
Jiang Xiaoxiao asked her, "Were you the one who lured me here?"
Lady Li smiled. "You really are as clever as they say!"
Jiang Xiaoxiao did not sense any killing intent from her, so she asked again, "Do you know me?"
"Not exactly, but I've known of your existence for a long time. I'm just here to take a look at you on someone's behalf."
She was a ghost, but who could she be acting on behalf of to observe Jiang Xiaoxiao?
Jiang Xiaoxiao felt there were many secrets behind Lady Li's words.
"Who are you exactly?"
"Who I am doesn't matter," Lady Li turned around and raised an eyebrow at Jiang Xiaoxiao. "The one who sent me to observe you said that when you go to Yanjing City, you'll face a great calamity. She hopes you'll return to the Heavenly Master's Mansion, or alternatively, you could come with me."
Of course, Jiang Xiaoxiao would not believe the words of a ghost.
If there really was a great calamity, her master would have warned her long ago.
"Well, little girl? Have you considered coming with me?" Lady Li said. "A highly skilled cultivator like you is rare in the underworld. Moreover, you are..."
As the words reached a critical point, Lady Li suddenly fell silent.
"What am I?" Jiang Xiaoxiao stared at her intently.
Lady Li waved her hand dismissively. "In any case, I've said what I needed to say. Whether you return to the Heavenly Master's Mansion or continue following that young man to Yanjing City is up to you. Of course, if you're willing to come with me, I'll be delighted."
As will she.
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