Xin Jiuwei reached for it, but Qi Huaiyu slammed the box shut: "Jiuwei, we've known each other for a while, can't you just..."

"Can't what?" A cold voice came from outside the door.

Jueming entered slowly, his white monk's robe spotless in the sunlight, his prayer beads in hand. His gaze fell on the brocade box, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Qi Huaiyu's expression changed drastically, and he subconsciously hid the brocade box behind his back: "M-Master..."

"The object in Young Master Qi's hands," Jueming said calmly, "may this humble monk have a look at it?"

"This is a private matter for the Xin family!" Qi Huaiyu insisted on not backing down, but cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

Jueming remained silent, simply watching him. His gaze was as still as a deep well, yet it sent shivers down Qi Huaiyu's spine. After a moment of stalemate, he finally handed over the brocade box, albeit reluctantly.

"The hairpin was found in a hidden compartment under Madam Feng's bed," he said hastily. "She said...that there's a huge secret behind Madam Feng's death!"

Xin Jiuwei trembled, and the teacup in her hand fell to the ground with a "clatter".

Taking the opportunity, Qi Huaiyu stepped back a few paces, then turned back at the door and added, "I'll be waiting for you at the teahouse in the south of the city three days from now at noon. If you don't come... I'll sell this secret to anyone interested!"

After Qi Huaiyu left, Xin Jiuwei remained staring blankly at the broken hairpin.

Her mother died in childbirth, and in her past life she never doubted anything, but now...

"The hairpin is fake."

Jueming's voice startled her awake.

Xin Jiuwei looked up abruptly: "What?"

"The direction of the grass pattern is wrong," Jueming pointed to the hairpin head. "Your mother's habit is to have the leaf tips pointing to the right, but this one is pointing to the left."

Xin Jiuwei's heart skipped a beat. She took the hairpin and examined it closely, and sure enough, it was so. How could Jueming have known such a subtle difference?

How did you know my mother's habits, Master?

Jueming didn't answer, but instead said, "Qi Huaiyu has someone backing him. This whole thing is aimed at you."

Xin Jiuwei gripped the broken hairpin tightly, its sharp edge piercing her palm. She suddenly realized that she had changed many things since her rebirth, but she had never considered that there might be more to her mother's death than met the eye.

This realization caused her stomach cramps.

"What's the panic?"