Tang Nian remained silent for a moment, afraid that she might miss some information if she said the wrong thing.

She found Choi Man-song's behavior increasingly strange.

Previously, Cui Wensong was unwilling to admit that he knew Song Shiyi, and Tang Nian never mentioned to Cui Wensong that she already knew his identity.

But today, Cui Wensong looked like a newlywed, as if his wife and children were the source of his happiness and warmth.

Tang Nian withdrew her gaze and turned to leave.

Everything has a cause and effect. The two contradictory scenes are either the result of manipulation behind the scenes, or the manifestation of resentment that has sprung from the obsession in his heart.

"Master Tang?"

Cui Wensong was still smiling, his eyes full of hope for life. He tied his coat belt as he followed, saying, "Are you going out now? I'm going to buy some tonics for my wife. I'll come with you."

Tang Nian nodded without hesitation: "Okay."

She had been there all day and hadn't yet met Song Shiyi, who lived on in rumors. She was really looking forward to it.

"Young Master Cui, please wait a moment. Ming Huan, come with me."

Seeing Minghuan walk out of the room with her, Tang Nian then closed the door.

"Minghuan, do you still remember why we came to Lancheng?"

"Sister Tang, have you caught a cold?" Ming Huan reached out to touch Tang Nian's forehead, but Tang Nian slapped his hand away.

"No."

"Young Master Cui says there are evil spirits in his and Madam Song's house. Would you please come and take a look?"

“Is that so…” Tang Nian murmured.

"I won't be with you."

Minghuan bent down and laboriously pinched his thighs, then rubbed his calves.

"I guess it's because I've been traveling these past few days and didn't sleep well last night. My legs feel a bit sore and I'm exhausted. I'd like to rest for a while, is that alright, Sister Tang?"

Tang Nian hesitated for a moment: "Be careful yourself."

She was on guard. Ming Huan was a Bifang, and he hadn't been this tired even when traveling back and forth to Kunlun. How could he suddenly be so weak?

Could it be the effect of the ghosts from last night?

Ming Huan didn't give her a chance to ask any questions before disappearing down the corridor in an instant.

"Let's go quickly."

Cui Wensong stood at the top of the stairs, smiling and urging him on.

Tang Nian nodded without changing her expression and quickly followed.

Not long after they left the inn, the surroundings gradually became desolate. Even though it was the time when the sun was rising the fastest, the whole street was dark and shrouded in a thin mist.

Tang Nian wanted to take a closer look at the shops along the street, but Cui Wensong was walking too fast, so Tang Nian had no choice but to follow.

Not far ahead, a conspicuous signboard for "Song's Pharmacy" hangs high.

There were many pregnant women sitting or standing at the store entrance, some touching their bellies and talking to people inside, others huddled together chatting quietly.

In the midst of the complete silence, that one spot appeared exceptionally harmonious.

Harmony borders on abrupt.

Tang Nian paused slightly, about to go over, when Cui Wensong called out to her.

"Master Tang, where are you going? The evil spirit is in my home."

Tang Nian memorized the location and features of the branch store and continued walking with Cui Wensong, casually asking, "If you want to buy tonics, why not stop at the pharmacy?"

Cui Wensong, however, seemed not to hear, his face always bearing that slight smile, staring fixedly ahead.

Tang Nian understood the situation and said no more.

Ten minutes later, the two knocked on the Cui family's door.

"And who is this?" The woman who opened the door was slightly pregnant.

“This is the famous Master Tang.” Cui Wensong stepped forward and gently put his arm around Song Shiyi’s shoulder, then quickly let go and led her inside. “Your health is special right now, so don’t always think about getting up too early to be busy.”

Song Shiyi said reproachfully, "Look how busy the pharmacy is, how can I take a break?"

After the group entered the house, Song Shiyi laid out the medicinal herbs to dry before pouring Tang Nian a cup of hot tea and greeting her with a smile.

Their behavior and demeanor certainly suggested happiness.

Tang Nian smiled and said, "Miss Song looks really good, with rosy lips and white teeth. She doesn't seem to be troubled by evil spirits."

Who doesn't like to be praised?

Song Shiyi sat down, supporting her waist, and smiled coquettishly, half-covering her lips: "Master Tang is too kind. Just call me Lady Song."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Tang Nian steered the conversation toward Cui Wensong: "Young Master Cui has not shown his face these past few days. I wonder if Madam Song is feeling unwell?"

“My husband, didn’t we have a disagreement the other day? I know what kind of person he is.”

Tang Nian was eager to hear this, so she continued, "What could possibly upset someone as gentle as Madam Song?"

The woman opposite him glanced at her husband and sneered, "What man would go to a brothel while his wife is pregnant?"

That makes no sense.

Tang Nian frowned slightly, recalling Cui Wensong from yesterday, who seemed quite credible.

Song Shiyi sighed, then quickly regained her gentle, smiling demeanor: "But he has now seen the error of his ways, so we should give him a chance to see what happens."

Tang Nian thought of many sarcastic words, but in the end she just smiled earnestly with the corners of her mouth turned up.

"I see. Madam Song is very generous."

How magnanimous she is! She even forgives her husband for going to brothels while she's pregnant. Her next step will probably be to build herself a temple, sit inside, and wait to be worshipped.

Not knowing whether the people in front of her were human or ghosts, Tang Nian wasn't in a hurry to anger them. Instead, she dealt with them and tried to gather information.

Song Shiyi clearly had her own plans. She chatted with them for a while, and seeing that the other two had a haphazard breakfast, she couldn't help but make a suggestion.

"It's rare for a Celestial Master to come all the way to Lancheng, how can I let you eat this? My cooking skills are quite good, Celestial Master Tang, would you like to stay and have a taste?"

"Thank you for your trouble, Madam Song."

Food can not only fill your stomach, but it can also kill silently. In many cases, it is a crucial clue. Even if she doesn't say it, Tang Nian will find a way to investigate.

However, the fact that Song Shiyi brought this up herself shows her attitude.

In the following days, Song Shiyi would occasionally do some housework, or go to greet pregnant women who came to her door because someone had opened the door for her. Overall, she wasn't very busy.

They can even free up time to prepare a proper lunch.

Feeling bad seeing her pregnant friend busy all by herself, Tang Nian also helped out while she cooked.

While helping out, you can also supervise and check on the situation in the kitchen.

"Master Tang is too kind."

As the last dish was finished cooking, Song Shiyi wiped the water off her hands on her apron and smiled somewhat embarrassedly: "I clearly said I was treating you, but you still have to do it yourself."

Tang Nian just smiled, watching Cui Wensong appear at the right time to pull out a stool for his wife.

"Madam Song, you're too kind. You're pregnant, how can I not worry? And Young Master Cui, seeing that you're already showing, how can he let you cook alone?"

She wanted to glean more information from their conversation, so she deliberately stirred up conflict between them.

"Master Tang, aren't you trying to get me into trouble?"

Cui Wensong first ladled a bowl of porridge for Song Shiyi and handed it to her, then went to serve her some food.

While taking care of his wife, he also had to respond to Tang Nian's words.

"I was worried before, but Shi Yi said that a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen. She insisted that she liked cooking and was willing to do it all herself, so I could only watch over her from outside, right?"