Chapter 107 Chapter 107 is the only genuine version...
Mr. Zhang was skeptical at the time.
At the temple fair, he saw Zhou Jinnuo, who was surrounded by a circle of maids and old women. She was dressed in luxurious clothes, with pearls and jade on her head. She had a kind of superior pride, and he fell in love with her at first sight.
He gave her the lantern with the talisman paper on it.
She looked at him doubtfully and asked the maid beside her to give him a piece of silver.
After she left, he quietly followed her and heard her say to the maid: "That scholar must be trying to earn his salary. The imperial examination is not easy, it's just a piece of silver. Take this lantern and play with it."
She was exactly like those women who flattered his power and rejected his marriage proposal.
He followed her all the way, and later, she fell in love with him at first sight. Unfortunately, her family members were all snobs and looked down on him.
Mr. Zhang coaxed her into eloping.
He vowed, "Don't worry, I will treat you well."
Officials' families are all very concerned about their reputation. They eloped first, and then the matter was settled, so her family had no choice but to marry her to them.
For the sake of face, she will definitely give him a large dowry to support him until he becomes successful.
If he gets engaged, she will be his wife; if he gets married, she will be his concubine. When he passes the imperial examination, he can just give Zhou Jinuo a concubine. With his talent and character, as long as he gets fame, he can even marry a princess!
The more Mr. Zhang thought about it, the more beautiful it became. He then coaxed her, "My mother is looking forward to you coming into our Zhang family every day."
"By the way, where's your bag?"
He looked left and right, and saw that she had nothing in her hands, which made him feel a little unhappy.
However, Sanbai's eyes rolled around and he noticed Qingmei standing behind Zhou Jinnuo. He thought excitedly: This must be his maid in the future!
Why did you only bring one?
Zhang Xiucai held Zhou Jinnuo's wrist and said affectionately, "Even though you didn't bring any dowry, I won't despise you. My mother has prepared red candles for us, and we will have our wedding night tonight..."
"Meow!"
Bang!
A loud slap hit him on the face.
Zhou Jinnuo shook his hands, muttering to himself with empty eyes: "Mom is right, I must be possessed by evil spirits."
If she wasn't possessed by evil spirits, how could she fall for someone with such evil thoughts in his head?
The cool breeze of the summer night blew against her face, dispelling the last trace of chaos in Zhou Jinnuo's mind. Her eyes were clear, and all the messy infatuation and confusion were gone.
Zhou Liulang had been worried for most of the day, but he finally let go after hearing the slap and wiped the cold sweat from his head.
This slap made Mr. Zhang so angry that he swung his fist at Zhou Jinnuo.
"ah!"
Zhou Jinnuo was startled. She had no time to hide and could only cover her face with her hands. However, the expected pain did not come. She slowly let go of her hands and saw that Qingmei grabbed Zhang Xiucai's raised arm.
"Bitch, let me go!"
"I am your uncle-in-law. If you, a lowly slave, dare to be rude to me, I will ask your master to beat you to death."
He still thought Qingmei was Zhou Jinnuo's maid, and she shouted and struggled loudly.
Gu Zhizhuo walked over from the alley. She walked straight up to Zhou Jinnuo and asked bluntly, "Who gave you the talisman?"
"Talisman." Zhang Xiucai swallowed his saliva, his eyes dodging. "What talisman? I don't know what you are talking about."
"The talisman you put in the lantern. Who gave it to you?"
Mr. Zhang's face turned pale. Thinking back to that slap, there was nothing he didn't understand.
He shouted guiltily, "No! You've made a mistake."
His face was burning with pain, and he thought hatefully: Zhou Jinnuo is also a woman who flatters the powerful and curries favor with the powerful. He treats her so well, yet she can easily change her mind.
That person clearly said no one would find out! Liar.
"I have no idea."
Mr. Zhang gritted his teeth and refused to admit it.
He was also familiar with the law. Once he admitted it, the consequences would be the loss of his official title at the very least, and imprisonment and exile at the worst.
But as long as they don't admit it, the Zhou family will never report it to the police. The Zhou family's daughter almost eloped with me. If they dare to take it to court, I will just talk nonsense and no one will have any face!
"Qingmei."
Gu Zhizhuo gave a wink, and Qingmei pinched his wrist and threw him to the ground. She had been in the East Factory for so long that she had learned some methods of forcing confessions.
For example, cat and mouse.
Mr. Zhang fell heavily face down. He got up in pain and spat out a bloody tooth, then ran away without looking back.
He was so scared that he kept looking back while running. He was not paying attention and his shoulder hit the outer wall of the teahouse.
Click.
A barely audible sound exploded beside my ears.
Gu Zhizhuo shouted: "Be careful!"
She quickly grabbed Qingmei and Zhou Jinnuo and ran back.
Boom! There was a loud noise beside my ears, and the teahouse collapsed.
Dust was flying all over the sky, choking people and making them cough continuously.
Zhou Liulang ran over, so scared that he couldn't even speak. He held a folding fan in front of them and fanned it desperately, trying to blow away all the dust.
"What happened?"
"The house collapsed!"
"Someone's trapped underneath!"
There was chaos everywhere, and the roar of the collapse attracted everyone around.
The dust gradually cleared.
Gu Zhizhuo covered his nose and looked towards the teahouse. The two-story teahouse had collapsed and all the walls had collapsed. Zhang Xiucai was trapped under these layers of bricks and stones.
A lot of people gathered around and made a lot of noise. Some shouted to call the police, while others tried to move the bricks and stones away to save people.
Only Mr. Zhang's head and one arm were exposed. His arm was twisted at a strange angle. No one knew where he was injured. Blood was constantly flowing out, and the red was particularly glaring under the light of the lantern.
Zhou Jinnuo's eyes widened, his face turned pale, and his knees went weak.
Gu Zhizhuo covered her eyes and said softly, "Don't look."
Zhou Liulang couldn't believe it. He asked belatedly, "Sister, fourth sister, are you all okay?" His voice trembled.
If they had been closer... just thinking about it made him so scared that his heart almost stopped.
"No."
When the teahouse collapsed, Miss Gu stood in front of him and then covered her eyes with her hands.
Although she knew what happened, she hardly saw those horrific scenes.
The sister of the Gu family is such a nice person.
"Meow."
Zhou Jinuo hugged the cat and comforted it: "Don't be afraid, your sister is here."
"It's backlash."
Gu Zhizhuo stared at Zhang Xiucai and explained in the simplest terms, "It's karma."
Evil spells like the Zhuyin Mantra are too easy to involve cause and effect.
The moment Zhou Jinnuo is completely free from the spell, Zhang Xiucai, who used the talisman, will suffer backlash.
So that's it! Zhou Liulang understood, and he said bitterly, "Serves you right!"
If they hadn't asked Master Qingping for help, and if the fourth sister had really eloped with him, her life would have been over.
Using this kind of evil magic to harm a girl is no different from kidnapping. He deserved to be smashed to death.
"I'll go take a look."
Gu Zhizhuo handed Zhou Jinnuo to Zhou Liulang, and did not forget to turn her face to the other side to prevent her from seeing it. He walked straight to Zhang Xiucai and simply felt his pulse.
The person was still breathing, but his pulse was almost gone.
Even gods cannot save him.
Passersby and nearby residents were still busy moving bricks and stones to rescue the man. Gu Zhizhuo half-crouched down and inserted a silver needle into the man's crown, holding on to his last breath. He asked, "Who gave you the talisman?"
"Save me, please..."
His chaotic eyes were filled with fear.
"Who gave it to you?"
Gu Zhizhuo would not give any hope to someone who could not be saved.
“Yes, yes…”
Mr. Zhang stretched out a finger and pointed forward desperately.
"yes……"
His voice paused, and as he drew his last breath, he stared with his eyes wide open in death.
"The police are here!"
"Officer, here!"
"Hurry, hurry."
Several patrol officers rushed over upon hearing the news. When they saw the collapsed teahouse and the people trapped underneath, they were all stunned. There hadn't been an earthquake, and the surrounding houses were all fine, so how could this one have collapsed?
"It's hopeless."
Gu Zhizhuo pulled out the silver needle and left after saying that.
The squad leader wanted to ask what was going on, but Zhou Liulang called out to him, "Brother Liu."
"It's Mr. Zhou Liu." The squad leader turned around and bowed with a smile, "You're here too."
For a dandy like Zhou Liulang, there was no one he didn't know well. He put his arm around the foreman's shoulder and said warmly, "I saw the teahouse collapse with my own eyes. If you have any questions, just come to my house and ask me."
Zhou Liulang threw a purse over and said, "Brothers, please have a drink."
Okay!
"Mr. Zhou, you are busy."
The squad leader shouted, "Carry the person out first."
"Does anyone recognize him? Does anyone know where the teahouse owner lives?"
"Be careful, don't collapse again!"
Zhou Liulang retracted his gaze and said, "Fourth sister, you and Miss Gu go back first. I'll stay and take a look."
This place is a red-light district, and there are people everywhere. If he stays any longer, he will definitely be beaten to a pulp by Brother Can. Just thinking about it makes him feel painful.
They turned into a small alley, some got on the carriage, some led the horses, and after watching them leave, Zhou Liulang turned back.
Gu Zhizhuo said nothing along the way. When they returned to the courtyard, she flicked her whip and leaned back on the beauty couch. Moonlight poured through the window, casting mottled shadows on her face.
Qiongfang quietly lit the light and poured her a cup of warm water to relieve the summer heat.
After drinking the water in one breath, Gu Zhizhuo held the back of his head with both hands and fell back, leaning against the soft big pillow.
I didn't expect the backlash to come so quickly.
It was so fast that I didn't have time to ask him where the talisman came from.
Gu Zhizhuo closed his eyes in deep thought, tapping lightly on the beauty's bed with his fingertips.
After thinking for a while, she simply stood up and sat cross-legged, taking out the abacus she had brought with her.
In order for the hexagrams and lines to be effective, there are actually many limitations.
The closer the bloodline is to her, the harder it is to predict their fate.
Similarly, when it comes to Taoists, the hexagrams and lines will become inaccurate.
Gu Zhizhuo could only start from Zhang Xiucai and work his way forward bit by bit.
Keep telling fortunes and calculating.
Hmm.
Gu Zhizhuo stared at the result of the counting with a strange look on his face.
Qingmei came over and looked at it for a while: "Girl, what does this mean?"
She has been with the girl for so long, but she still can't understand these things.
"The upper hexagram is a marsh, and the lower hexagram is..."
Qingmei's eyes were dull.
Gu Zhizhuo smiled and said in simple terms, "From the hexagram, it seems that Zhang Xiuren failed the exam and became arrogant and thought his talent was not appreciated, which led to him becoming cynical. Then, he met a noble person."
Qingmei stared at the black wooden signs, completely confused as to how she had figured it out.
Her eyes sparkled as she pressed on, "What else?"
Gu Zhizhuo pointed at one of the counting sticks and said, "From the hexagram, this nobleman believes that his life is so miserable because there is no woman willing to marry him, serve him, bear children for him, and take care of his sick mother. Therefore, the nobleman is offering him a marriage."
Qingmei looked away from the abacus and blinked.
"Right, that's so confusing." Gu Zhizhuo pushed the counting sticks aside and yawned. "I guess I'm just too tired and my calculations are wrong."
Three drum beats were heard outside.
"It's three o'clock in the morning, girl, you should go to bed quickly..."
Qingmei's voice gradually became softer, and she made a gesture to Qiongfang to keep quiet.
She fell asleep.
Qiongfang asked softly, "Should we wake up the eldest girl and have her sleep in the inner room?"
"Let her sleep. She's a light sleeper. If you wake me up, I'm afraid she won't be able to fall asleep again." Qingmei went inside and brought out a thin quilt and covered her with it. "You go and rest too. I'll just watch over her."
Gu Zhizhuo turned over and buried his face in the pillow.
The incantation was extremely exhausting, comparable to a long acupuncture session. She slept until three quarters past noon, and then hurried to Ronghe Hall.
After greeting, the lady's eyes were filled with even more disdain than the day before. Finally, she couldn't help but nag, "Look at you, you're out all day and you're so tanned." Every word she said was filled with dissatisfaction. "Chen'er said he'd ask someone to propose marriage in a few days, and you're so tanned, don't you think it's okay?"
The lady raised her sleeves to cover her face, she could hardly bear to watch any more.
It was also because Chen'er had a good temper that he let her do whatever she wanted.
How could it be so black! That's too much. Unconvinced, Gu Zhizhuo acted coquettishly and coaxed the lady into giving him a large box of pearl powder.
Apply on your face at night!
Coming out of Ronghetang happily, Gu Zhizhuo's face was completely free of fatigue. She planned to go to the place where Zhang Xiucai set up his stall, but after taking a few steps, Gu Zhijiao hurriedly called her from behind.
"Big sister."
So, Gu Zhizhuo stopped, turned around and waited for her.
After a while, Gu Zhijiao ran over and asked, "Big sister, are you going out today?"
It was rare for Gu Zhijiao to come to see her, so Gu Zhizhuo said, "Nothing, it's okay if you don't go out. Let's go sit in the pavilion in front."
Anyway, Mr. Zhang is dead, it won’t take long.
As she spoke, she took Gu Zhijiao's hand.
It is now mid-July and the sun is scorching. Just walking outside can make you sweat profusely.
The pavilion is built by the water, with an ice basin inside and a layer of gauze around it to keep out the heat. When you lift the gauze and go in, you'll feel a burst of coolness.
"Hurry and sit down."
Gu Zhizhuo asked the maid to bring some fruit juice and a bowl of fruit ice with ice cubes.
After she drank a few sips and wiped the sweat off her face with a warm handkerchief, Gu Zhizhuo casually waved his fan and asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"
Her voice was soft, and the wind from the round fan felt cool on her face. Gu Zhijiao smiled shyly and took out a piece of silk paper folded in half.
"This is it."
"I don't know if you need it, so I brought it to you for you to see."
She leaned forward, with a look of anticipation and some trepidation on her face.
Gu Zhizhuo picked up the silk piece and just opened it halfway when her eyes suddenly lit up. She was very familiar with the pattern, which was exactly the same as the one that Xie Jing had left in Tianxi Tower last time.
When the silk paper was fully unfolded, there was indeed a complete diagram of the crossbow structure on it.
"This is?"
Gu Zhijiao pursed her lips and said, "That day, I saw my elder sister was watching, so I drew it silently."
Gu Zhizhuo repeated in disbelief, "You drew it silently?"
Gu Zhijiao nodded.
She was extremely curious: "When did you see the full picture?"
"When His Royal Highness the Third Prince came back to get it, he hurriedly pinched only a corner. When the silk paper unfolded, I saw it."
Gu Zhizhuo recalled it and it seemed to be true. But it only took a breath or two for Xie Jing to fold the silk paper and put it in his sleeve pocket.
Gu Zhijiao said softly, "Since I was a child, I have never forgotten any calligraphy or painting I have seen once."
"Photographic memory?!" Gu Zhizhuo pulled her hand and almost jumped up in surprise, "Second sister, you are amazing!"
Gu Zhizhuo has a good memory, but he is still far from having a photographic memory.
Moreover, Jiaojiao, this can no longer be considered as just a photographic memory?!
Gu Zhijiao's eyes curved, and she smiled shyly, covering her lips with her hands: "Big sister, will this work?"
Gu Zhizhuo spread the silk paper on the eight-immortal table and pointed it out to her: "This should be a repeating crossbow."
After seeing the complete drawing, Gu Zhizhuo confirmed that the one on the drawing was the Shenbi crossbow that he had used in the imperial guards in his previous life.
She still remembered that at the emperor's birthday banquet, Ji Nan Ke, then the Crown Princess, presented a repeating crossbow as a birthday gift. Ji Nan Ke said it was called the Divine Arm Crossbow, which she had made herself and could fire ten arrows in a row. After having someone test it, the emperor was ecstatic and praised Ji Nan Ke as a great fortune star.
Ji Nanke was the most popular person at that time.
This should be a few years later.
Unexpectedly, in this life, Ji Nan Ke actually took out the divine arm in advance.
Or is it because she is not as successful as in her previous life, so she wants to use the divine arm crossbow to save the situation?
That's right. Ji Nanke always seemed to know some strange and bizarre things: crossbows, cowpox, salt drying methods, new textile machines...
Seeing her deep in thought while touching the blueprint, Gu Zhijiao did not interrupt her. Gu Zhijiao was always patient and could enjoy herself even when sitting alone.
"The way of Heaven is to reduce the excess and replenish the deficiency."
Gu Zhizhuo recited these words silently.
Master often said that the Way of Heaven is emotionless, so it will always rationally decide the best path for the world.
It chose Ji Nanke.
Because Ji Nan Ke was taken over another person's body, she will bring help to the world that no one else has.
Therefore, heaven gave her great fortune and helped her become the Crown Princess, thus influencing the imperial power and improving the people's livelihood.
Gu Zhizhuo put down the drawing, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
This repeating crossbow was definitely not designed by Ji Nan Ke. At most, she just copied it, so it has a fatal flaw that she did not discover.
Knowing that something is so but not knowing why it is so is of no benefit to the world.
Heaven is wrong.
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