Chapter 13 Pearls and Jade Spread from the Heart
After Yao Ji left, the inner room fell silent.
Out of sheer boredom, Jiang Geyun asked the system: "System, what is this part of the plot like in the original novel?"
System reply: [Of course, it was by displaying charm during a crisis that you successfully caught the attention of the beautiful manor lord and received a treasure from her.]
[Host, have you seen "Nie Xiaoqian"? It's the same principle.]
[The protagonist spends the night in a strange place, using his personality, abilities, and various charms to attract the attention of a beautiful woman. Moved by her beauty, the woman offers him everything she knows and even her body in return. This is basically how the story's storylines repeat themselves.]
After meeting the current owner of Yunling Manor, the thought of associating the word "manor owner" with a beautiful woman always gave Jiang Geyun an indescribable feeling of disgust.
However, judging from what the system said, it doesn't seem to be very interested in this kind of story.
Jiang Geyun asked, "What's wrong? You don't seem to like it?"
The system replied: [Nobody likes working.]
After a while, he added, "Host, do you really have to bring up my sad stories? If I'm sad, I don't want to be the only one who's sad."
After a moment's thought, Jiang Geyun decided not to continue.
After all, this system is of very poor quality.
She and the system are now like colleagues who are working together on a project but dislike each other. However, while most people would only complain about their colleagues in their hearts, she and the system truly have deadly moves against each other.
Jiang Geyun just wanted to make the most of the waste, but she didn't want it to hold a grudge against her now and then, and to retaliate against her from time to time.
Time passed as I interacted with the system back and forth.
Just as Jiang Geyun was growing somewhat impatient, a strange noise suddenly came from the front hall behind the screen—
First came a "thud," like a heavy object falling to the ground.
Then came the sound of many beads rolling down, like a fine drizzle, followed by the sound of the "raindrops" sliding on the ground.
Jiang Geyun frowned, stood up, took a few steps toward the front hall, and then stopped.
Whatever happened, going to see it alone is not a wise move...
Why don't we wait a bit?
It's not too late to take action once Pei Xuexiao and the others arrive.
However, her thoughts quickly became confused.
Jiang Geyun found that the scenery in front of her had become blurry, and her own body was swaying.
Her mind felt completely dry; she couldn't think of anything, and her lively thoughts gradually drifted away...
not good……
Jiang Geyun tried to take the dagger from her body, wanting to use it to hurt herself in order to stay awake.
But no one knows what exactly has put her in this predicament, and it seems to have come on very suddenly.
She vaguely remembered calling out "system".
However, she couldn't stay conscious at all and collapsed to the ground before she could pull out the dagger.
...
…………
Jiang Geyun woke up again, this time "awakened" by the system.
Of course, not through dialogue, but through pain.
The colic inside her body brought Jiang Geyun back to consciousness, and her memories before she fainted quickly flooded back. From the time she collapsed, it should have been less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Let's just say this system is of very poor quality!
Awakening from the pain, Jiang Geyun sighed and decisively used a dagger to cut off a piece of clothing, wrapping it around her mouth and nose.
The flower hall was filled with a rich fragrance, mixed with other scents that she couldn't immediately recognize, which was quite normal.
Aroma—that's the most likely culprit.
The system boasted, "See? The host clearly needed my help!"
You need help, but you don't need to worry about how you got into danger, right?
Jiang Geyun sneered and did not respond.
The fall had left Jiang Geyun with several dull aches and pains.
My ankle had just recovered and I got injured again... What bad luck!
She looked rather helpless and stood up, holding onto the chair next to her.
With this support, Jiang Geyun realized that there should be four matching chairs and tables in the inner room, but for some reason, there were only three when she arrived.
Rubbing her throbbing head, she realized that she now only had one option left—to leave the inner room, leave this room, and return to the open space outside.
Jiang Geyun slowed her breathing, but her movements were swift. She quickly emerged from behind the screen, and then was shocked!
Inside the flower hall lay the manor lord's corpse.
The deceased's skin was visibly purple and slightly swollen, and the clothes beneath him were soaked with something.
Judging from the color and condition, it is highly likely that the liquid soaking his clothes was blood seeping from his body.
The reason why it was still possible to tell that this was the manor owner and not someone else was twofold: firstly, the head of the corpse was still intact and the facial features had not changed much; secondly, the clothing and accessories were consistent with those of the manor owner.
In particular, the wooden beads scattered all over the ground were the Buddhist prayer beads that the manor lord always wore, and now they had all shattered and rolled on the ground.
In the center of the flower hall was a chair, and judging from its style, it was the one that was missing from the inner room.
Jiang Geyun subconsciously tried to take a deep breath to calm herself down, but then she realized that she couldn't take a deep breath here.
She looked toward the front door of the house and stepped around the corpse and prayer beads on the ground.
However, there were so many prayer beads that it was easy to slip if you weren't careful, which slowed Jiang Geyun down considerably.
Just then, a fresh, odorless breeze blew in through the doorway.
Jiang Geyun looked towards the door.
As expected, Yao Ji arrived with the rest of the group.
Not only Pei Xuexiao, Xie Jiming, and Jiang Yu, but also Cheng Xi and Pei Xueyi.
That's really hard to explain.
The fifth wife, Xiangniang, who was leading the group, was momentarily confused. When she finally saw the scene before her, she let out a piercing scream. Her hands trembled as she grabbed Yaoji and said:
"Quickly, arrest her!!"
*
The private prison on this estate is quite unique, somewhat different from Mirror Lake Prison.
Jiang Geyun looked around in all directions.
She is now in a place that feels more like a cage than a room.
She was surrounded by iron bars on all six sides, suspended in the air, with a deep black pool below.
Even if the lock is unlocked and someone jumps directly from the cage, they will most likely suffer serious injury or drown in the abyss.
It won't be as simple as just twisting your ankle then.
Jiang Geyun was certain that Yao Ji had clearly breathed a sigh of relief after stuffing her into the cage.
This place clearly has ordinary prison cells, but the housekeeper deliberately threw her into this one.
Jiang Geyun tried to negotiate with Yao Ji, saying, "Since the lord of the manor is dead, the person you were loyal to is no longer here, right? Why don't you leave me locked up and let the Night Watchers watch over me?"
Yao Ji was wary and didn't get any information out of Jiang Geyun. She simply said, "Miss Jiang, you can stay here with peace of mind."
It's a pity. Jiang Geyun originally wanted to test whether Yao Ji would deny the statement that "the object of her loyalty is dead." The manor lord died so easily, and Yao Ji and the servants were so calm...
Either it was a well-known fake death, with Gu Xiang simply acting, or there is someone else who truly controls the manor.
Unexpectedly, Yao Ji was so wary of Jiang Geyun.
But she really can't do anything!
Being afraid of her is useless, Yao Ji!
Jiang Geyun was locked high in the air. When she moved around a lot, the cage would inevitably shake, which would make her very uncomfortable.
So she had no choice but to remain still and slowly draw a :( on the iron fence beside her.)
When Pei Xueyi arrived at this special cell, this was the scene she saw:
The girl in the snow-white dress had a cold expression, like a lotus that doesn't touch the water, or like the lone sun and moon imprisoned in the sky. She was silently sorting out her thoughts, and it was difficult for outsiders to discern her true intentions.
If it were someone else, they might not have been willing to interrupt the girl in the white dress's thoughts, but it was Pei Xueyi who came.
Pei Xueyi smiled and called out loudly, "Miss Jiang!"
Jiang Geyun carefully adjusted her posture, looked at Pei Xueyi on the ground, and nodded to indicate that she had heard.
Pei Xueyi seemed somewhat concerned and said, "Thank you for your hard work, A-Yun."
A sweet voice echoed in the empty cell, tinged with a touch of etherealness.
Hearing this, it's really hard not to think to yourself, "It's not hard work, it's just bad luck."
Jiang Geyun swallowed the words she was about to say and only said, "No, I should obey the orders of you Night Watchers."
Although Jiang Geyun was ordered to be arrested by Gu Xiang, if those present were unwilling to cooperate, the two ladies, who had lost their leader and were in a panic, would certainly be unable to do anything.
However, Pei Xuexiao made the decision, allowing Yao Ji to obey Gu Xiang's orders and temporarily imprison Jiang Geyun in exchange for the three of them taking the lead in investigating the matter.
Pei Xuexiao said he would definitely investigate the truth of the matter, and if Jiang Geyun was innocent, the manor must release her immediately.
Pei Xueyi's voice was clear and bright, without a trace of gloom. Even from a distance that wasn't close, Jiang Geyun could hear it clearly. "My brother is really something. He always likes to use some kind of investigation and interrogation methods. He probably wants to be the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review more than the Night Watchman."
“A person without quirks is not worth befriending,” Jiang Geyun said, adjusting her voice and laughing. “Right now, my life is probably tied to Lord Pei’s ridiculous schemes.”
Pei Xueyi was somewhat surprised: "Does Ayun believe my brother can find out the results?"
No, she didn't believe it.
There was no disbelief.
Jiang Geyun did not answer Pei Xueyi's question, but only smiled at Pei Xueyi from afar.
Pei Xueyi, who was usually cheerful, suddenly stopped smiling and asked, "Ayun, why are you always so distant with me? You seem to get along so well with Cheng Jiao... I care about you so much, and I came to see you on my own initiative this time..."
The girl's voice sounded somewhat aggrieved, as if she had been rejected after giving her heart.
Indeed, Pei Xueyi acted very intimately towards Jiang Geyun along the way, revealing a lot of information to her both openly and subtly, which would be seen as a sign of closeness by anyone.
Especially given Jiang Geyun's dire situation, she should cling tightly to this "lifeline."
But Jiang Geyun did not show any intimacy beyond politeness.
Let alone showing the emotion one would show when facing Cheng Jiao, they probably weren't even familiar with the Abbot of Yunshui Temple.
Jiang Geyun was somewhat surprised by Pei Xueyi's question—not by the content of the question, but by the fact that Pei Xueyi had actually asked it.
There's nothing I can't answer.
Jiang Geyun said, "Perhaps it's because Miss Xueyi cares more about this matter than about my current situation."
Pei Xueyi fell silent.
Jiang Geyun suddenly became worried. She hadn't been too blunt, but perhaps it would be better for her not to offend Pei Xueyi right now.
After all, she was happy to be fed information.
Sigh, when it comes to interpersonal relationships.
Before Jiang Geyun could say anything more, Pei Xueyi spoke up: "I understand."
Then, she suddenly smiled brightly and said, "Then Ayun shouldn't trust my brother too much."
Jiang Geyun did not respond.
They were still quite far apart, and neither of them could see the other's expression clearly.
Pei Xueyi didn't receive a reply. After a few seconds, she continued, "My brother isn't really concerned about Ayun, but... has Ayun ever heard of 'raccoon dog'?"
Jiang Geyun, unaware of Pei Xueyi's intentions, slowly shook her head.
She couldn't recall any information about this animal from her memory.
...It should be an animal, right?
Pei Xueyi didn't mind and said, "It's a very rare thing. My brother raised one when he was a child and cherished it very much. He told me these past few days that Miss Jiang looks a lot like that raccoon dog."
—Quiet and well-behaved, especially when eating. Unlike other pets that are picky eaters, this one is very well-behaved.
Jiang Geyun was at a loss for words and frowned as she looked down at Pei Xueyi.
Pei Xueyi smiled and continued, "It's a pity that the raccoon disappeared later. My brother searched for it very diligently. Maybe that's why he loves solving cases so much now."
"..."
After a moment's thought, Jiang Geyun replied, "Did you find it?"
"Oh dear," Pei Xueyi said somewhat embarrassedly, "No... because that thing didn't disappear, nor did it cultivate into human form; it died. My family is keeping it from my brother and saying it just disappeared."
As they were talking, Pei Xueyi took something out of her bosom, a metallic gleam flashing by.
She said softly:
"He still doesn't know that thing is dead."
Jiang Geyun stared at the thing Pei Xueyi took out from her bosom, her gaze slightly narrowed.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Arriving steadily [fireworks]
I hesitated for a moment here about whether to use the description of "isolated sun and moon," which is very fitting, but the Cheng siblings have already used the imagery of the sun and moon...?
Then I thought again, wait a minute, I didn't use the sun and moon's true forms, but rather sunlight and moonlight for the Cheng siblings! And the most crucial point is green bamboo, so it's alright, let's support Yunmei's freedom to become the sun, moon, raccoon, tabby cat, camellia...!
Yun: No, I'm a human being! Am I not a human being?
-
Also: I recently checked in to accumulate Moonstones and found that someone gave me a gift. Thank you so much! [pleading emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
