A risky move
"Ahhh! These two bitches...ahhh!"
The girl's sharp scream tore through the silent atmosphere. Feeling that this crazy roar was not enough to completely vent her anger, she suddenly waved her hand and swept all the scattered objects on the table to the ground.
The crackling sound continued for a while, and one of the bamboo pen holders rolled to the door and was pushed open by the door that had just opened.
"Get out of here!"
Yue Ningning had her back to the door and didn't know who was coming. She thought it was a clerk from her own bookstore, so she grabbed the book at hand and threw it over.
The boy dodged and the book hit the door with a loud bang, almost making a hole in it.
It was obvious that she had used all her strength. Si Jue looked a little unhappy, but he still said something caring: "What's wrong? Who made you so angry?"
The boy's cold voice drifted to his ears, like a poisonous snake.
Yue Ningning was shocked. Why was it him?!
"Zi'an!" She came forward joyfully, her slender, fair arm embracing the boy's. "You're here so early?"
Si Jue used to only appear late at night, so why did he dare to come to the bookstore before nightfall today? Although she had a way to hide both her and Si Jue's whereabouts, it was still better to be cautious.
"I heard there was some movement in the East Palace, so I came to see how things were going here."
Although Si Jue was accompanying Queen Dowager Xuan in the western suburbs palace, he did not miss any news from the capital, especially when he heard that Jing Yao asked Si Pei to find the original manuscript of "Hidden Dragon" for her.
"Then why are you asking me why I'm angry?" Yue Ningning pretended to be angry. Seeing this, Si Jue didn't say anything but smiled: "I advised you not to sell this book before. The risk is too great."
Yue Ningning could sense the subtle sting in his words, and a chill suddenly ran down her spine. She continued to act coquettishly, "I thought it was okay at the time... and if it weren't for Jing Yao's change, it definitely wouldn't have been so troublesome."
She only did what the system told her to do. The system said that this method could increase Si Jue's reputation, so she used it.
Yue Ningning was having trouble speaking out, but Si Jue saw it clearly: "That thing in your head is giving you instructions again."
"Um……"
Si Jue has always known her identity very well. When she saved Si Jue on their first meeting, he noticed something strange and guessed that she was not from this world. Yue Ningning wanted to say that she was almost thrown out to feed the wolves by this thing who turned his kindness against his will.
If the system hadn't stipulated that she had to support Si Pei, she would have wanted to replace him immediately.
However, this approach was not feasible, so from the very beginning of their cooperation, Yue Ningning was forced to reveal her identity and tried her best to persuade Si Jue - they would benefit from each other, and after the success, Si Jue would gain the world, and Yue Ningning would get the chance to be reborn and go home.
Although this direction is completely opposite to what the system said about using love to connect the two people's emotions, Yue Ningning feels that it is a good thing not to have to pretend deliberately.
It’s just that the plot given by the system said that Si Jue would fall deeply in love with herself, but Yue Ningning didn’t do that at all.
Si Jue had always been more like an indifferent bystander towards her. Although he seemed willing to play this tender and sweet scene with her, the scrutiny in his heart often made Yue Ningning shudder.
Moreover, he was not surprised at all about his identity as an outsider, and the system said that it did not find anything unusual in him. Yue Ningning could only comfort herself that it was because Si Jue was too smart and precocious that he was not surprised.
"So does it teach you how to deal with the current situation?"
Si Jue's tone was indifferent, but Yue Ningning felt a surge of resentment in her heart. If she could contact the system now, she wouldn't be throwing things around and getting angry.
Si Jue raised his hand and slightly pushed the girl who was leaning on him away. He walked to the desk and flipped through a few pages. "Didn't you destroy the original manuscript? How else can they check it?"
"But someone might have seen it, and it won't do us any good if Si Pei continues to investigate. Otherwise, all those people..."
"If you kill again, something serious will happen." Si Jue closed the book and didn't quite agree, even though he knew that this was probably just nonsense that Yue Ningning said out of anger.
Although this woman holds an omnipotent weapon in her hands, her mind is extremely unstable and she also has rebellious intentions towards him.
Si Jue knew Yue Ningning wouldn't disobey him, at least not on the surface. The thing in her head must have given her some kind of order, forcing her to obey him.
After Si Jue discovered this secret, the so-called big killer weapon was no longer a threat.
But he still had to coax her a little. If Yue Ningning collapsed and got into trouble or died, it would not do him any good.
Si Jue gently stroked the girl's hair: "Are they going to attack you over there?"
"No." Yue Ningning shook her head. "But all the bookstores have been closed down, so it might be soon."
She was now adamant that there was absolutely no such thing as a first edition, but Si Pei was certain that Jing Yao would not believe her. If she continued to persist, she would definitely be arrested and interrogated.
"There's clearly no evidence. Si Pei is really crazy."
She was furious, but Si Jue suddenly had an idea.
"Yes, he is indeed crazy." The young man curled his lips and sneered. Yue Ningning was suddenly startled by him. Si Jue turned his head to look at her: "Ningning, maybe your book can really create some momentum."
Yue Ningning frowned: "What do you mean?"
Why create another one if "Hidden Dragon" has been destroyed?
Si Jue held her narrow shoulders with his other hand: "I remember you said you can do anything?"
"Yes... but it doesn't include killing people out of thin air and-"
"You don't need that. I'm asking you about yourself."
The girl was stunned for a moment, and suddenly understood what he meant.
Maybe I'll have to use that trick again.
——
It is spring in the East Palace, with flowers blooming in all colors.
Jing Yao sent someone to pick some and brought them back to practice flower arrangement while he was bored accompanying Si Pei in reviewing memorials.
Seeing the spring flowers in full bloom, Jing Yao couldn't help but think that this year's Spring Festival Banquet was coming soon.
In his previous life, at the last Chunshu Banquet, Jing Yaogang was brought back to the East Palace. Because he was angry with Si Pei, he locked himself in the Yilan Palace and refused to go out. He also did not allow Si Pei to see him, let alone go to the Chunshu Banquet.
But she heard that in her previous life, the empress dowager wanted to choose a concubine for Si Pei at the banquet.
I wonder if there will be such excitement in this life.
"Your Highness!"
Eunuch Ming walked in quickly, his brows furrowed and his face showing a hint of worry.
Si Pei looked up displeased, and Jing Yao also found it strange. Eunuch Ming was an old servant in the palace, so he shouldn't be so rude.
"What's up."
Si Pei lowered his eyes, still looking at the memorial in his hand.
"Someone reported that the owner of Yushan Bookstore committed suicide by taking poison."
"What?" Jing Yao stood up suddenly, his eyes wide open in surprise.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince next to him didn't show any emotion. He even thought for a while before remembering who the person Eunuch Ming was talking about was.
"Why, did she commit suicide out of fear of punishment?" Si Pei shook his head. "She's dead, so what's the rush?"
Eunuch Ming stepped forward. "The shopkeeper left a suicide note, saying she was falsely accused of being disobedient by the royal family, and she couldn't bear the humiliation and wanted to die to clear her name. Although the owner was young, she was very famous. The people in the capital, Nanjun, and especially in Jiangru knew this girl. Now people are saying that Your Highness sealed off Yushan Bookstore without any evidence, forcing the young girl to death. They also say that you are..."
Eunuch Ming hesitated to speak and looked at Jing Yao who was in astonishment.
Jing Yao came back to her senses in a daze. What was there to not understand? This must mean that Si Pei was so stubborn and self-righteous because he believed her one-sided story.
"Right now, the rumors are getting more and more serious. Everyone is saying that the palace must give an explanation. Otherwise, if someone else is found guilty in the future, I'm afraid they will also disappear in this unclear way..."
Eunuch Ming was still a little tactful. The common people said that if Jing Yao didn't like Si Pei, she would kill whoever she pointed at. Would they, the common people, be able to survive?
Si Pei's expression suddenly turned cold: "Do you still need to ask me about this kind of thing? You know how to deal with it."
"yes."
Just as Eunuch Ming was about to leave, Jing Yao stopped him: "Wait, Eunuch Ming... Is Yue Ningning really dead?"
"Madam Jing, it's absolutely true. The city is in an uproar right now."
Jing Yao still couldn't believe it. Would Yue Ningning die so easily? Could it be that she and Si Jue had faked it?
She glanced sideways at Si Pei and happened to meet his eyes.
Si Pei also knew what she was thinking and nodded in understanding.
"She hasn't been buried yet, right?" Jing Yao calmed himself down and sat down, pinching a purple peony in his hand.
"Madam Jing has not been buried yet and is still in the mourning hall. I heard that many children from wealthy families who knew her have gone to pay their respects."
It seems that the noble families in the capital are also exerting pressure. In the eyes of others, this matter is Si Pei and Jing Yao's fault. Some people in the court have long been dissatisfied with her existence. It is impossible for them not to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to make a big fuss.
This is simply a handle that Si Jue can use against him.
Looking at it this way, it seems more like a deliberate scheme.
But it seemed that, for her and Si Pei, such a crude trap was too easy to see through. Jing Yao actually had a somewhat uneasy premonition...
But could it be that Yue Ningning is really dead?
No, that's impossible.
Yue Ningning is so important to Si Jue that even if she dies, Si Jue can inherit her power, but losing this right-hand ally is still a big blow.
And this said Yue Ningning committed suicide, how could it be...
Jing Yao would never forget those eyes full of mockery and ambition. How could a woman like Yue Ningning take her own life? Besides, Si Jue wouldn't let her commit suicide.
Whether it is true or not, it seems that I still have to go to Yue Ningning's funeral hall.
Yue Ningning's funeral will be open for three days. It is said that her parents died young and she has few relatives alive. The people who will handle her funeral are the ones around her.
In just a few months after she came to Shanghua, she had made the acquaintance of many dignitaries, and many people came to pay tribute to her. The gate of Yue Mansion was crowded with people coming in and out.
"Many of them are just following the trend, just to make a big deal out of it so they can get some publicity from the Crown Prince."
Jiang Jingfu whispered in Jing Yao's ear.
Jing Yao nodded and looked at the gate with a white banner hanging on it.
The girl was wearing moon-white clothes today and a white gauze hat, so her face could not be seen clearly.
Huo Zhuxin pulled them both into the door, and the gatekeeper stopped them to register as usual.
"The fourth lady of the Huo family, and the first and second ladies of the Jiang family."
The servant looked at Jing Yao, who was wearing a veil, with some embarrassment. Before he could speak, Jiang Jing said, "My sister has had a heat rash these past few days and can't see anyone. Is there anything wrong?"
"No! Please come in, ladies."
The servants hurriedly welcomed them in. Through the weft, Jing Yao could vaguely see the white lanterns and white cloths that dotted the mansion. The mourning hall was set up in the center of the backyard, where many people were burning paper for her. When it was their turn, Jiang Jing burst into tears, "We've known Boss Yue for a long time. Could you please let us go up and see her off one last time?"
The guy standing by saw that they were indeed familiar faces and agreed.
The three of them walked slowly towards the coffin in the middle of the mourning hall. In order to act more like Huo Zhuxin, he supported Jiang Jing from time to time.
The coffin was not closed. When Jing Yao saw the girl lying in the narrow coffin for the first time, he felt a sudden shock in his heart.
She knew that the body in front of her was real.
Before she could react, Jiang Jing had already rushed in crying. Fortunately, Huo Zhuxin and the servants who came over held her back.
The three of them hurriedly finished their worship and left the mourning hall.
"He's really dead, and I didn't touch the human skin mask."
Jiang Jing subconsciously touched her face in fear: "Looks like it really is her."
Jing Yao couldn't recover for a long time.
Yue Ningning... is really dead?
One of the people who had killed her in her previous life had died so easily. How could it be so sudden...
Jing Yao suddenly realized that she should be happy.
Yes, the girl nodded, she should be happy, the threat was reduced by half.
But how much impact will Yue Ningning’s death have on the outcome?
Jing Yao always felt that things were not as simple as she saw.
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