Chapter 12 I, a humble servant, will guide you all.
Pei Xueyi stretched and said lazily, "Then let's do it this way."
Jiang Geyun suddenly realized that the others were different from her and did not have the idea that Cheng Xi would definitely act with her.
That's normal.
She nodded, accepting the arrangement.
Fourth Madam Yu Niang stepped forward, wrung out the handkerchief in her hand, smiled shyly at the three of them, and said, "This humble servant will lead the way for you."
Jiang Geyun left the banquet hall with Fourth Madam Yu Niang and walked to the right after exiting the door.
Just then, she realized she was being watched and instinctively looked back into the hall.
Pei Xueyi was leaning against the table talking to Xiangniang, while Xie Jiming and Mu Jin seemed to be listening attentively.
Only Cheng Xi seemed to be watching Jiang Geyun the whole time, waiting for her to turn around, and when she finally looked at him, he smiled gently at her.
*
No lamplight can compare to sunlight.
The manor appears to be illuminated by lights at night, but like the plum garden, there are other unlit areas.
Both times, Yao Ji led the way to the banquet hall, and Jiang Geyun did not notice anything unusual. At this time, Jiang Yu led the three of them along another route, and an unusual place along the way quickly caught her attention.
It is a building that looks like an ancestral hall.
The building is located on the central axis of Yunling Mountain Villa. It has four slopes and eight sides, with roof ornaments at both ends. The interior exudes a sandalwood fragrance, and from the outside it looks like an ancestral hall.
The reason why it is described as "like an ancestral hall" is because Jiang Geyun discovered something unusual: the words "Wealth from all directions, all requests will be granted" are inscribed on both sides of the building's entrance.
It is consistent with the countless eerie temples in the town at the foot of the mountain.
After a moment's thought, Jiang Geyun turned to Jiang Yu—also known as the Fourth Madam "Yu Niang"—and asked, "May I ask, Madam, is that the ancestral hall within the manor?"
Her pointing made Jiang Yu's face turn pale. He forced a smile and said, "No, that is... that is the mountain god temple that protects this place."
It wasn't appropriate for Xie and Pei to interrogate Jiang Yu; Jiang Geyun was clearly more approachable.
Her eyes met Pei Xuexiao's, and after confirming their respective plans, she feigned confusion and asked, "Why is the mountain god temple built inside the manor?"
Jiang Yu, recovering from Jiang Geyun's "surprise attack," regained some color in his face and spoke with greater composure: "Bai Lang has a special respect for the mountain god and built this temple in the manor for daily offerings."
Jiang Geyun asked curiously, "Do you have to go every day?"
Jiang Yu nodded slightly. Her movements were always cautious, as if she was afraid of disturbing something. "Every day at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), Bai Lang always goes to make offerings."
“I see,” Jiang Geyun said with a smile. “As expected of the manor lord, he is very wealthy. It is unheard of to build a temple in the manor.”
After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Yu replied in a low voice, "No, no."
Jiang Geyun had been watching Jiang Yu the whole time, so she naturally noticed her pause. Jiang Yu was probably surprised that Jiang Geyun didn't press her for more information.
You're too optimistic.
Jiang Geyun smiled faintly.
The mountain villa was covered by snow. The corridors had roofs and snow sweepers inside, but the area outside was difficult to take care of, especially the gardens with flowers and plants. Therefore, the places that people could visit were limited.
The floor of the corridor gradually became slippery due to the snow that had been blown in here. Although it was unknown whether the Sixth Madam "Zhi Niang" was actually weak, the Fourth Madam Jiang Yu's health was undoubtedly not strong.
Before long, a chill crept in, and Jiang Yu stopped several times to cover his mouth and cough lightly. A servant handed him a hand warmer, and he put on a cloak.
Seeing the three people turn to look at her, Jiang Yu smiled wryly and said, "I'm sorry, my health is weak, I can't stand strong fragrances, and I can't stand wind, cold, or heat..."
Jiang Geyun said, "We have been traveling day and night for the past few days and have not fully recovered. We cannot stand for long. Would you please take us to rest for a while, Madam?"
If Pei Xueyi were here, she might ask, "I'm fine, Ayun, are you tired?"
Pei Xuexiao clearly understood Jiang Geyun's meaning and immediately echoed, "That's right, thank you for your trouble, Madam."
Jiang Yu knew the three people meant well, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
Perhaps it was the biting cold wind, or perhaps it was embarrassment, or perhaps both, but she said, "You're too kind, everyone."
After saying this, Jiang Yu waved to the servants, whispered a few instructions, and then turned to the three of them, saying, "Come with me."
After the three of them followed Jiang Yu into a small pavilion, which was surrounded by curtains, a charcoal brazier was placed in the center of the pavilion, and hot tea was already on the table.
The group moved at a brisk pace, demonstrating the high efficiency of the manor's servants.
One side of the curtain was lifted, perhaps for ventilation, or perhaps to enjoy the view.
Jiang Geyun looked around.
As she entered the pavilion last, she casually lowered the curtain that had been lifted, instantly separating the four people inside from the servants outside.
Inside the pavilion, the only sound was the soft rustling of falling snow.
Jiang Yu turned his head blankly, about to say something.
Jiang Geyun said first, "There's something I'm not sure if I should say." Before Jiang Yu could reply, she continued, "I have some medical knowledge, and it seems that the lady's body is... shrouded in an aura of death."
He had a smattering of medical knowledge, referring to his superficial understanding of medicine; he was shrouded in deathly aura, indicating that he looked sickly and weak, covered in bandages.
Jiang Yu let out a brief "Ah," and said bitterly, "Is that so?"
After saying that, she lowered her head again and murmured, "Is that so?"
Pei Xuexiao glanced at Jiang Geyun but said nothing.
No one stopped her. Jiang Geyun leaned forward and gently pressed down on Jiang Yu's arm, asking with concern, "This injury must be the culprit. Madam, could you tell me how this injury came about?"
Jiang Yu hesitated for a moment, then said, "To be honest, this injury was for offering to the gods."
Jiang Geyun pressed further, "Is it the mountain god?"
Jiang Yu nodded: "Everyone in the village knows that although the mountain god is efficacious, it requires blood sacrifice. My three previous wives all died because of blood sacrifice..."
I see.
Jiang Geyun asked, "This morning, the Fifth Madam was angered by what I said. Was it because of this?"
Jiang Yu unconsciously twisted her handkerchief, saying, "She probably doesn't know. She and Zhi Niang arrived late, so they probably haven't been exposed to these things. It's understandable that she's upset..."
At this point, Jiang Yu glanced at Jiang Geyun and, seeing that she looked perfectly normal, relaxed a little: "I suppose she thinks the girl's words are unlucky."
Jiang Geyun frowned and asked Jiang Yu for confirmation: "She doesn't know? It's because Madam is here that Fifth Madam is safe, isn't it?"
Jiang Yu hesitated for a moment, then did not answer.
Jiang Geyun continued, "Then she should know about this. A person should know why their life continues. If she cannot accept the facts because of so-called reluctance or unwillingness, then she should not accept this gift."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu hurriedly said, "No, no! This was my own choice!"
Jiang Geyun asked, "Aren't murderers exonerated just because the victim consented?"
Pei Xuexiao, who had been observing for a long time, said: "No, the 'Zhou Law Commentary' states in the chapter on 'theft' that relatives can beg on behalf of the victim to reduce or exempt the punishment, let alone the victim's own volition."
Jiang Geyun remained silent.
She's talking about conviction, who's talking about sentencing?
There's nothing more to say about places with poor rule of law!
“Moreover,” Pei Xuexiao said, looking at Jiang Geyun, “it is not appropriate to interpret this matter as a ‘murderer’ and a ‘victim’.”
Indeed, Jiang Geyun agreed in her heart.
However, Pei Xuexiao's words were somewhat inappropriate for the occasion.
For example, Xie Jiming had clearly seen through Jiang Geyun's attempt to elicit information and cooperated well, occasionally cracking a joke.
Something's not right... Logically speaking, Pei Xuexiao should be able to understand as well, so why is she suddenly making things difficult?
This interruption pulled Jiang Yu out of the context constructed by Jiang Geyun. After a moment of bewilderment, she finally calmly said, "Yes, please don't tell them either..."
Jiang Yu stood up, the chair scraping against the floor with a sickeningly loud sound, startling even herself.
After calming herself down, she said to the three of them, "You gentlemen must be..."
Before Jiang Yu could finish saying what she wanted to say, someone lifted the curtain.
A peach-pink patch stands amidst the white snow.
Yao Ji bowed and said, "Greetings, everyone."
Jiang Yu hurriedly stepped forward and helped Yao Ji up, saying, "There's no need for that, Miss Yao Ji. Is something the matter?"
Yao Ji stood up as Jiang Yu suggested, nodded in agreement, and turned her gaze to Jiang Geyun, saying, "The Master ordered me to call Miss Jiang. I have offended you in many ways today, and I hope you can apologize to me in person."
Pei Xuexiao said coldly, "Do you only call me Miss Jiang?"
Yao Ji said, "Yao Ji will go with you, Miss."
That means there's no one else.
Jiang Geyun pondered for a moment, then stopped Pei Xuexiao from speaking and said, "I'll trouble Miss Yaoji to lead the way."
Pei Xuexiao frowned and whispered to her, "Why are you like this this time... Never mind," he said to the crowd, "we will pay our respects to the Master of the Manor together later."
*
Walking behind Yao Ji, Jiang Geyun couldn't help but reflect.
She was indeed getting a little impatient.
Deadline for death, Cheng Xi's safety, the strange occurrences in the manor, Xie Jiming's unusual behavior...
She had written down many things, countless pieces of information swirling in her mind, but she couldn't find a clear clue; anxiety and confusion piled up in her heart, impossible to clear.
Jiang Yu seems like a very good starting point.
If I miss this opportunity to "visit the park with friends," I don't know when I'll have another suitable chance.
As she pondered, Jiang Geyun looked at Yao Ji, who was leading the way in front of her. The distance between the girl and her was gradually increasing.
Wait, zoom out?
Someone as considerate as Yao Ji shouldn't have failed to notice Jiang Geyun's stride or the unusual changes in her distance from the guests, right?
Jiang Geyun was puzzled and quickly took a few steps to catch up with Yao Ji.
...and then it got a little further away.
Jiang Geyun was certain that Yao Ji didn't want to get too close to her.
Based on the talent that Jiang Geyun discovered not long ago during the soul-summoning ceremony, and her past peaceful life in the Yunshui Temple haunted by evil spirits...
This is not a good sign.
Yao Ji, who exactly are you...?
The journey was not far, and the two walked quickly, so Yao Ji soon brought Jiang Geyun to their destination.
The housekeeper's usually composed demeanor cracked slightly. She visibly breathed a sigh of relief before saying to Jiang Geyun, "Miss Jiang, please wait here for a moment."
Jiang Geyun looked around.
She was led to an inner room of a house.
With the bamboo curtain half-rolled up, a variety of fragrances wafted through the room, just like every corner of Yunling Manor, creating an almost hallucinatory feeling.
Apart from that, there's nothing particularly special about it.
Jiang Geyun nodded and said, "Thank you for your help, Miss Yaoji. May I ask where Master Bai is at this moment?"
Yao Ji took a few steps back, bowed, and replied, "The Master will arrive shortly."
Previously, when Yao Ji was leading the way, she clearly paid special attention to Jiang Geyun's condition, but she was closer to the others. However, because there were many people at the time, it was not noticeable.
This time, with no one else around, her resistance to Jiang Geyun was impossible to hide, which piqued Jiang Geyun's interest.
Jiang Geyun took a few steps closer to Yao Ji, making a gesture to help her, and said, "Will Miss Yao Ji wait with me?"
Yao Ji immediately stood up and stepped back, saying respectfully, "Yao Ji needs to be summoned by Madam. If Miss Jiang minds, Yao Ji can send someone to wait with you."
“No need,” Jiang Geyun chuckled and shook her head. “I’ll trouble Miss Yaoji to lead the way for me.”
Jiang Geyun wasn't just being polite; she was worried that if Yao Ji really called for help, she didn't know what kind of person Yao Ji would bring.
Yao Ji was clearly rational, but what if the monster she summoned was irrational? "Let's wait together..."
No way! She only has vague "talent" right now; she doesn't know any real fighting skills at all!
As for the system?
They're utterly useless.
Jiang Geyun was unsure of how Yao Ji perceived her.
She just wanted to go to the capital even more, and wanted to use the Xuandu Bureau to discover her talent.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Clouds, grow up!
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