Chapter 28: Deceiving Others and Deceiving Yourself

"After sending Wu Zhu Liu to heaven yesterday, Master Jizhuang drank a few more cups, and then..."

The one-armed wizard said this while observing Wu Zhuang's attitude.

"The doctor said it was due to excessive drinking."

"I see." Wu Zhuang took off the black mask on her face, but the dim light still couldn't clearly illuminate her face under the hood.

"How can Master Jizhuang find shelter? Master Wuzhuang, please advise."

The armless wizard knelt in front of Wu Zhuang, supporting himself on the ground with one hand, trying his best to steady himself.

"Look up and look at me."

Wu Zhuang raised the lampstand and lit another candle, and her face became clear in the light.

The one-armed wizard saw Wu Zhuang's true appearance for the first time, and she looked completely different from any description in any legend.

This is just the face of a slightly swollen middle-aged woman, extremely ordinary.

The young wizard thought that if he met Wu Zhuang in the streets of Dadu, he would only judge based on her jewelry and clothes whether she was an official, the head of a family, or just a vendor selling flowers on the street with a basket.

"Did you see clearly?"

Wu Zhuang's voice was exceptionally youthful, as if she contained the soul of a young woman in her twenties.

The one-armed wizard was uneasy and didn't know how to answer Wu Zhuang's question, so he had to continue speaking according to what he had prepared.

"Is Master Wuzhuang going to leave the palace to preside over Master Jizhuang's ascension ceremony?"

"Heh." Wu Zhuang chuckled, "Don't bother."

"grown ups?"

The one-armed wizard was puzzled. Wu Zhuang was staring at him. Under the light, Wu Zhuang's eyes showed an indescribable reddish-brown color.

It was too close, the armless wizard suddenly realized, and he quickly leaned back as if he was avoiding a bottomless abyss.

Having just lost his left arm, he had difficulty maintaining his balance and fell straight to the ground, hitting the wound that had not yet fully healed.

The excruciating pain made every inch of his flesh scream.

He clenched his teeth to prevent himself from shouting out, and in just a moment, cold sweat soaked his black robe.

His mind was blank and his ears were filled with indistinguishable noises.

Wu Zhuang's voice was like a knife made of ice, which split his head cleanly and poured ice-cold water on his soul.

"Don't bother. It's not easy to find someone with a similar build to that fat guy in Dadu. Or have you already locked up a few pigs and fed them day and night?"

"Master Wu Zhuang..."

The armless wizard regained consciousness instantly, and even the pain from his wound subsided.

"You killed him."

Wu Zhuang's tone was so calm that the mage thought he had just stepped on an ant.

"yes……"

After hearing his confession, Wu Zhuang nodded.

He lowered his head and rummaged through the box at hand for a while.

"Come here, let me see if it's suitable."

Wu Zhuang waved at him holding a black mask.

The armless wizard used his only hand to support his body and moved forward, like a puppy that had just opened its eyes, and moved to the feet of its owner.

He raised his upper body and trembled as Wu Zhuang put the mask on his face.

"Exactly." Wu Zhuang smiled with satisfaction.

"From now on, you will be the shaman."

"Go ahead and do what you want to do."

*

When Qiu Xuan walked out of the old lady's courtyard, the sun had already risen.

Feifei had already left. The nanny sent by the eldest princess was not from the marquis's mansion and did not dare to provoke the princess. So when the time came, Princess Feifei could only go back to her room obediently and take those nourishing soups and medicines.

Zhemei was also left by Qiuxuan in the old lady's courtyard, doing the things she used to do with Qiuxuan.

Jing Youzhen and her brother were still arguing and had no time to pay attention to anything else.

Qiuxuan left all the noise behind and sighed comfortably in the cool morning breeze.

"Finally, peace and quiet."

The sunlight was dazzling, Qiu Xuan lowered his head to hide and caught a glimpse of two shadows on the ground.

"I almost forgot about you."

Qiuxuan turned around and smiled at Shiyue.

The young maid lowered her head in haste.

"Nothing to say?" Qiu Xuan asked.

Shi Yuetou shook his head like a rattle.

"Then let's go."

In the yard, Gan Tang was fiddling with the pots of tuberoses. Seeing Qiu Xuan coming back, she was delighted.

"Madam is back."

"Well, I'm going to rest for a while. Don't disturb me unless it's important."

"What is the important matter?" Gan Tang asked.

"Even if the sky falls, it's a serious matter." Qiu Xuan said as he pushed Shiyue towards Gan Tang, "Take her to get some food first."

"What will Madam eat when she wakes up?"

After closing the door, the familiar scent of jasmine in the room instantly makes me sleepy.

Qiuxuan curled up on the couch and took a nap.

I sleep in a mess and my dreams are also messy.

It was as if the snow and wind from the north blew into my dream, and everything was blurred by the snow.

She seemed to have dreamed of many people, but only saw one face clearly.

The face was held in her hands, with nothing underneath.

Qiu Xuan opened her eyes.

"Who was it?"

I have forgotten most of the dream.

"Madam is awake?" Gan Tang asked outside after hearing the noise.

"Come in."

"Friday and Li Tian are back."

They were the two guards who left the city with Liu Hui last night.

"That's good."

The second prince is a man of his word and a good man.

Qiu Xuan silently praised Jiang Jinhan in her heart.

"Madam, Liu Hui also wrote you a letter." Gan Tang handed the letter to Qiu Xuan, and then ran to the desk to get the knife for opening the letter.

Liu Hui wrote in a hurry.

She had indeed received a token from her mother, and now she was leaving for the North immediately.

"That's great." Qiu Xuan couldn't help but sigh.

"Madam, did Sister Liu Hui say anything good?" Gan Tang asked curiously.

"She's going to be reunited with her family."

"That's great." Gan Tang smiled sincerely, "I really envy Sister Liu Hui. I haven't seen my parents since I can remember."

"But I have a wife, it's the same."

Qiu Xuan was amused by her, and the slight depression in her heart disappeared.

She looked down, but she didn't expect that the second thing Liu Hui said was about her.

"My mother runs a medicinal herb business in the north and knows a lot of people. I believe some of these people must have seen Qiu Sheren's family. I will also spare no effort to help you find your relatives. Don't give up."

Qiu Xuan blinked, but because she didn't want Gan Tang to see the flaw, she had to continue reading.

"I've also told Ji Yao everything. Given his behavior, he'll definitely go to Qiu Sheren for confirmation, and there's bound to be a scene. I'm here to apologize to you on his behalf. Our situation has caused you so much trouble, and I'm grateful for your kindness. We'll renew our friendship when we meet again."

Qiuxuan put the letter back, opened the incense burner, hesitated for a moment, and then put the letter into her dressing table.

"Gantang."

"Madam, please give your orders."

"If Ji Yao comes to your house, just chase him out. If he makes a scene, tell him..."

Qiuxuan opened the window and the sun was shining brightly outside.

"Just say that instead of rolling around on the ground, why not go to the North to find her?"

"Yes, ma'am. If he comes, I'll chase him away with a broom."

"Go, call Shiyue in."