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At three o'clock in the night, a feathered arrow broke through the window and hit the carved pillar beside Jiang Si's bed.

The nightingale charm tied to the tail of the arrow glowed with an eerie blue light in the moonlight.

Jiang Si woke up instantly. The moment her fingertips touched the talisman, a familiar spiritual power fluctuation made the saint totem on her back slightly hot.

This is a special communication symbol used by the Nanwu Nightingale Sect. Besides Su Ning, the only one who knows that she carries a totem is that damn annoying Yu Qi?

"Yu Qi..." She clenched the talisman, and a red light flashed in her eyes.

This is clearly a test for her?
[Jiang Si, are you really going? Or do you really want to be the Southern Crow Saint?] Su Ning's voice followed him like a shadow.

Jiang Si held the talisman close to the candle flame and said, "Liu Yan'er from Tianxiang Pavilion is from the Nightingale Sect. She might know the origin of the Saint Maiden Totem. Besides, I just want to find out the specific situation."

The candle flame suddenly exploded, and Su Ning's figure emerged in the flames: [Aren't you afraid this is a trap?]

Jiang Si raised his eyes and said something meaningful, "Compared to this, I am more afraid of not knowing my past."

[Alright! Anyway, your rebirth is to find the answer.]

At dawn, Jiang Si had already changed into men's clothes, but ran into Zhen Heng, who was sweating profusely, in the front yard.

The frail scholar was struggling to swing a bronze sword, his movements as clumsy as a lame crane.

"Brother Zhen, what are you doing?"

Zhen Heng hurriedly put away his sword, but accidentally cut his wrist: "Fourth, Fourth Sister! I... I also want to learn martial arts..."

Blushing, he pulled out a bunch of dew-covered orchids. "Also, this is something I saw when I went up the mountain to collect herbs yesterday. I thought it might be useful when you're making perfume."

Jiang Si took the orchid and noticed that his palms were covered with bloody scratches from thorns.

In her previous life, Zhen Heng had also silently protected her like this, but ended up being demoted and exiled.

"Thank you, Senior Brother." She said softly, "But martial arts training is not a one-day job, why don't you..."

"I know I'm clumsy." Zhen Heng suddenly looked up, with a determination in his eyes that she had never seen before, "But I don't want to watch you fall into danger and be powerless to do anything."

In the morning light, drops of blood from his wrist dripped onto the bluestone slab, just like the bloody fingerprints she had left when she was forced to sign the contract at the birthday party that day.

……

In front of the Tianxiang Pavilion, Jiang Si was stopped outside by the madam: "Miss Liu is not seeing guests today!"

"Just say that Jiang Zhan from the Duke of Dongping wants to see you." Jiang Si was well prepared and handed over a silver ingot.

The madam weighed the silver and sneered, "Master Jiang's face is not enough! Unless..."

She suddenly lowered her voice and asked, "Are you from the Nightingale Sect?"

Jiang Si's heart skipped a beat.

Just as he was about to answer, a familiar voice came from behind him: "How about adding the badge of the Duwei Division?"

Yu Qi appeared behind her in a dark blue suit at some point, and the red rope on the ebony dagger at his waist was particularly eye-catching.

Jiang Si's breathing stopped, and he couldn't understand why he came?

Suddenly she realized that Yu Qi might have been secretly watching her every move.

"Master Yu..." The brothel owner, who had been so arrogant just now, suddenly became half a head shorter. "Please come in!"

In the private room, Liu Yan'er looked at the two through the beaded curtain. "What rare guests! The Deputy Magistrate of the Capital Guards and the Fourth Young Lady of the Dongping Marquis's Mansion have come together. Could it be that I have broken some law?"

Jiang Sifu bowed and said, "I've heard that Master Liu is an extraordinary master of the art of incense, so I've come here today to ask for your advice."

"Oh?" Liu Yan'er's eyes flicked between Yu Qi and Jiang Si, "Then is Master Yu also here to learn perfume making?"

Yu Qi stood with his arms folded: "I am not interested in the art of incense, I am just worried about Miss Jiang's safety."

Liu Yan'er chuckled: "In that case..."

She clapped her hands, and two maids brought incense burners. "How about Miss Jiang have a private chat with me? How about Master Yu and Master Jiang have tea outside?"

Incense curled up in the air, and Yu Qi and Jiang Zhan soon fell asleep.

Liu Yan'er flicked her fingertips, and a barrier enveloped the inner room. "Now, you may state your true intentions."

Jiang Si took out the Nightingale Talisman from his sleeve and said, "Zhao Yu from the Nightingale Sect branch has been ordered to track down the whereabouts of the Saint Maiden Totem."

Liu Yan'er's eyes flashed: "Proof?"

Jiang Si was well prepared and read out a secret message in Nanwu language.

This was something she secretly learned when Yu Qi was interrogating the Nightingale Sect assassin in her previous life.

"So they really are one of us." Liu Yan'er's expression eased slightly. "Did you say you discovered the Saint's totem?"

"It's on a noblewoman from Northern Zhou." Jiang Si lowered his voice. "But this woman has never been to Nanwu. Why does she have the totem of a saint?"

Liu Yan'er pondered for a moment: "Unless it's a bloodline awakening. Ancient books record that a true saint can foresee the future and lead the revival of Nanwu."

She suddenly leaned closer and asked, "Have you ever seen her use her powers?"

"No."

Outside the bead curtain, Yu Qi, who should have been unconscious, had his eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.

……

On the way back home, the sound of hurried horse hooves broke the tranquility of the street.

Cui Mingyue rode a chestnut horse recklessly, knocking vendors and people off their horses along the way.

"Get out of the way! Lowlife!" She whipped the old man selling candy figurines, "How dare you stand in my way!"

Jiang Zhan was furious: "Stop!"

He rushed forward and grabbed the reins.

"Brother!" Jiang Si's face turned pale.

It was this scene in his previous life that led to Jiang Zhan being assassinated by the Princess's Mansion.

Cui Mingyue raised his whip and sneered, "Where did you come from? You bastard! Do you know who I am?"

"Everyone is equal under the emperor's feet and before the king's law!" Jiang Zhan did not give in.

Jiang Si suddenly knelt on the ground: "Princess, please forgive me! My brother is reckless, and I am willing to take the punishment for him!"

This kneeling caused an uproar in the street.

Cui Mingyue was stunned for a moment, then turned into anger: "Humph! Why are you pretending to be pitiful here!"

She spurred her horse towards Jiang Si, "Today, this princess will..."

A blue shadow flashed by, and Yu Qi grabbed the bridle in mid-air, flipping the galloping horse over!
Cui Mingyue screamed and fell down, and Yu Qi grabbed her wrist.

"Seven..." Cui Mingyue suddenly fell silent, as if she recognized something.

Yu Qi's eyes were icy. "Princess Cui committed a crime in the street. The Metropolitan Guards have the right to question her."

He glanced at the onlookers and said, "If you have any grievances, you can go to the government office to testify."

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Jiang Si looked up and met Yu Qi's complicated gaze.

At that moment, she seemed to see a flash of gold in his eyes, just like... the color of Su Ning's eyes when he was angry?
……

In the Princess's Mansion, Cui Mingyue eavesdropped through the crack of the study door.

"What? Yu Qi is the Seventh Prince Jing Heng?" The eldest princess' voice was filled with suppressed anger. "Didn't the Imperial Observatory say that he had already..."

"Princess, I saw it with my own eyes," Madam Xu whispered. "The way he subdued the princess was exactly the same as the personal guards of the virtuous concubine back then."

"Hmph! No wonder His Majesty has been acting so strangely lately." The eldest princess suddenly fell silent. "Go investigate the connection between the Duke of Dongping's residence and the virtuous concubine. Especially any information about that Jiang Si."

"Yes! Princess."

Cui Mingyue outside the door quietly retreated, her heart pounding.

Then she grabbed Madam Xu who was passing by and asked with a puzzled look on her face, "Madam, is the person father is thinking of...surname Jiang?"

Aunt Xu was horrified: "Where did you hear this, Princess?"

"Don't worry about it, just answer me, okay?"

"My Lady, please forgive me for not knowing this. This kind of secret cannot be speculated on."

"Humph! I didn't realize that you, Madam Xu, are quite loyal."

"My Lady, I have something important to attend to, so I will leave for now."

"..."

……

At the same time, on the top floor of Tianxiang Pavilion, Liu Yan'er sprinkled the scented powder prepared by Jiang Si into the water.

Before the powder came into contact with water, flame patterns appeared, exactly the same as the emblem of the saint recorded in ancient books.

She narrowed her eyes, "It's her! Come! Prepare the sedan chair, I want to see the Imperial Master."

……

At this time, Jiang Si stuffed the life-saving amulet into Jiang Zhan's protective sachet: "Don't go out for a month, otherwise..."

"I know! I know!" Jiang Zhan curled his lips, "You are becoming more and more like an old woman."

"I'm doing this for your own good!" Jiang Si suddenly raised his voice, then quickly softened. "Brother, just think of it as... just think of it as considering me, okay?"

Jiang Zhan ruffled her hair and said, "Alright! But you have to tell me, where did you get this talisman? Did the man in white give it to you?"

Jiang Si was silent for a moment: "He is dangerous, but... he can protect you and me."

"Huh! I suddenly realized that you've been acting so mysterious lately."

After Jiang Zhan left with the life-saving amulet, Jiang Si's questioning voice rang out in his heart, "Suning, why don't you just give him the power? I believe you can do it easily."

"Your brother has a capricious personality. If he becomes powerful, he will only bring about greater trouble."

"Indeed! No wonder you call yourself a devil. It turns out you understand human nature so well."

"Jiang Si, it seems you still haven't forgotten Yu Qi?"

"I……"

"Don't try to hide it from me, because it's impossible. Don't forget that your soul is in my hands."

"Master, don't worry! Jiang Si will never betray you."

"Then we'll see."

……

The next day, at the blind date dinner specially arranged by Mrs. Zhen, Jiang Pei had a very pleasant conversation with Lin Bianxiu from the Hanlin Academy.

Jiang Si was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Madam Zhen suddenly grabbed her hand and said, "My dear, you worry so much about your sister. Have you found your own life-long event?" Jiang Si was speechless for a moment.

Madam Zhen patted the back of her hand and said, "Although Heng'er is dull, he is sincere. You young people should talk more."

"..."

In the pavilion, Zhen Heng was so nervous that he knocked over his teacup: "If Fourth Sister feels this is offensive, just think of it as a joke."

Jiang Si took the initiative to change his words, "Brother Zhen, I have always regarded you as my brother, without any other feelings mixed in."

The light in Zhen Heng's eyes dimmed, and he forced a smile and said, "It is a blessing for me, Zhen Heng, to be the elder brother of my fourth sister."

"..."

Behind the rockery, the ebony dagger in Yu Qi's hand suddenly made a buzzing sound.

He stared at the two people chatting happily in the pavilion, and a strange burning sensation surged in his chest, as if something was about to break through the seal.

Longdan hurried over: "Seventh Master! The scorpion breeder has confessed. The reason why the Princess's Mansion bought the 'Immortal Tour' is..."

Yu Qi raised his hand to stop him, and finally glanced at the pavilion: "Let's talk about it when we get back."

"Yes! Master Qi."

……

The atmosphere in the pavilion suddenly froze.

Yu Qi's sudden appearance caused the teacup in Zhen Heng's hand to tremble slightly, and the tea splashed onto the stone table.

"What's the matter, Lord Yu?" Zhen Heng stood up and stood in front of Jiang Si. This weak scholar showed a rare toughness at this moment.

Yu Qi's eyes passed over Zhen Heng and turned to look at Jiang Si: "The Capital City Office has a case and needs Lord Zhen's assistance in the investigation."

"Now?" Madam Zhen came out from behind the rockery, fanning herself gently. "Master Yu, you're so clueless. Didn't you see my son talking to Miss Jiang?"

"Mother." Zhen Heng suddenly interrupted, "Since this is official business, your son should cooperate."

"..."

Then he turned to Yu Qi and said, "Since Lord Yu is here, why don't we go to the government office together to be a witness?"

The two men's eyes met in the air, and Jiang Si seemed to see invisible sparks flying.

Finally, Yu Qi nodded: "Please."

After the two left, Madam Zhen sighed, "This Lord Yu seems to treat you, the Fourth Miss, a little differently!"

Jiang Si forced a smile and said, "Madam, you are worrying too much! Lord Yu is just busy with official business."

She lowered her head to adjust her skirt so that Mrs. Zhen wouldn't see the red light flashing in her eyes.

When Yu Qi approached just now, the Saint Totem behind her was so hot that it almost burned.

……

The pomegranate flowers in the east wing are in full bloom.

Jiang Zhan and Lu Chuchu sat side by side on a stone bench, one of them telling stories of the underworld with a lively expression on his face, while the other was eating snacks with his cheeks bulging.

"Later, my brother knocked the bandit leader off his horse with a single blow of his sword. It was actually me who shot him with a hidden weapon from behind a tree!"

Jiang Zhan laughed so hard that he accidentally spat out half a cake.

As the two of them were laughing, a cold snort came from behind the pillar.

"How disgraceful in broad daylight!" Xiao came out with a gloomy face. "Jiang Zhan, you are the eldest son of the Dongping Marquis's mansion. How can you chat and laugh happily with such a vulgar woman?"

"Aunt, please be careful with your words!" Jiang Zhan stood up suddenly. "Miss Lu is the daughter of General Huaihua. She once single-handedly saved an entire village!"

"What?" Xiao choked.

She originally wanted to take the opportunity to stir up trouble in front of Old Madam Jiang, but she didn't expect that this wild girl had such an identity.

What's worse, Old Madam Jiang was being supported by her maid and standing outside the moon-shaped door. She obviously heard the entire conversation.

"General Huaihua?" Old Madam Jiang paused with her dragon-headed cane. "But General Lu Zhen? During the battle in Northern Frontier, I once sewed a battle robe for him."

Lu Chuchu quickly saluted: "My father often mentions the old lady's kindness!"

Seeing the situation reversed, Xiao Shi hurriedly said, "Mother, this girl is too accustomed to the underworld. She might lead Zhan Er astray."

"Shut up!" Old Madam Jiang suddenly shouted, "I haven't even asked you about your involvement in Pei'er's marriage!"

"..."

Jiang Zhan then realized that before Jiang Pei got married, Xiao Shi actually wanted to secretly replace her daughter with a sixty-year-old salt merchant as his second wife!

"Second Aunt!" Jiang Zhan was shaking with anger, "Sister Pei is your biological daughter!"

Xiao slumped to the ground with a deathly pale face.

The image she had painstakingly built over the years collapsed at this moment.

……

In the back office of the Duwei Division, Yu Qi stared at the pot of crabapple that had been returned on the desk, his brows knitted into knots.

"Seventh Master, I clearly saw Miss Jiang accept the flowers!" Long Dan said aggrievedly, "Who knew her maid would give them back?"

Yu Qi gently stroked the petals with his fingertips.

He planted this crabapple tree in the other courtyard himself, and this morning he specially chose the one that was in full bloom.

Could it be...that she doesn't like it?
"Prepare the horses." He grabbed the ebony dagger, "Let's go to the Duke of Dongping's mansion."

"Yes! Master Qi."

As soon as I left the yamen, I heard noise on the street.

A group of women came running from the direction of Jiangxuexuan crying, followed by Chi Ruiying who was holding a broom.

"What's going on?" Yu Qi stopped a passerby.

The passerby curled his lips and explained, "Hey! They said that the Jiang family's rouge made her face rotten, but I know the leader. She's a servant girl in the Princess's mansion!"

Yu Qi's eyes flashed.

Is Cui Mingyue seeking revenge?

At this time, the front door of Jiangxuexuan was in a mess.

Jiang Si was squatting on the ground picking up the debris, and she didn't even bother to tidy up her half-loose hair.

Lu Chuchu angrily waved her dagger: "Those bitches! They clearly smeared pepper spray on themselves."

"Chu Chu." Jiang Si stopped her softly, "Go and help Rou'er count the losses."

Yu Qi stood at the corner of the street, looking at Jiang Si's straight back.

She could have used her demonic power to punish those people, but she chose to bear the consequences silently.

How many different faces does this woman have?
Late at night, when everyone was asleep, Jiang Si was worrying over the account book.

Today's disturbance plus the compensation almost drained the shop's working capital.

Ah Man hesitated to speak, "Miss, why don't you pawn the headgear given by the old lady?"

Jiang Si shook his head.

That was my grandmother's dowry, how could...

Suddenly, a "woooo" sound came from outside the window.

The military dog Erniu pushed the window open with his head, holding an oil-paper bag in his mouth.

When Jiang Si opened it, he saw a thick stack of banknotes!
"This..." She flipped to the bottom and found a note: "First emergency - Seven"

The handwriting was sharp, very much like that person's usual style.

Jiang Si's eyes felt hot and he suddenly became alert.

Yu Qi's salary is limited, where does all this money come from? Could it be...

"Erniu!" She grabbed the oil-paper bag, "Take me to find your master!"

A quarter of an hour later, Jiang Si, covered in dust, crawled into the backyard of the Duwei Division through the dog hole.

Yu Qi was practicing swordplay when he saw her suddenly appear. He was unable to retract his sword in time and the tip of his sword brushed past her temples, cutting off a few strands of her hair.

The two of them froze at the same time.

In the moonlight, the dust on Jiang Si's face and the messy hair looked inexplicably cute. Yu Qi's Adam's apple moved: "Miss Jiang Si, what are you doing?"

"I can't take the banknotes!" Jiang Si stuffed the oil-paper bag into his hand and said, "Did you go to borrow money from a loan shark?"

Yu Qi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly chuckled, "Don't worry! This is the reward I got for suppressing bandits."

He paused, "It counts as my investment."

Jiang Si was about to refuse, but Yu Qi suddenly stepped closer: "Miss Jiang, would you rather take the orchid grass that Zhen Heng gave you than accept my help?"

The jealousy in these words made Jiang Si's ears burn.

"Thank you, sir." She took a half step back and forced herself to remain calm. "The dividend will be settled monthly."

When she turned around, she didn't see the golden light flashing in Yu Qi's eyes, which was exactly the same as when he subdued Cui Mingyue that day.

Three days later, Jiang Zhan was complaining bitterly in the martial arts training ground.

Yu Qi’s “special training” almost cost him his life.

"Raise your wrist!" Yu Qi hit Jiang Zhan's elbow with a wooden sword. "The enemy will show no mercy!"

Jiang Zhan bared his teeth and said, "Master Yu, do you have any objections to me?"

Yu Qi didn't answer, but increased his strength.

He remembered Jiang Si's miserable appearance when she crawled through the dog hole that day, and how she knelt down to protect her brother.

This heartless young man, does he know how much his sister has done for him?
"Come again!" Yu Qi said coldly, "Until you can withstand ten of my moves."

In the corridor in the distance, Jiang Si looked at this scene and touched his chest unconsciously.

The way Yu Qi taught Jiang Zhan reminded her of the young man who died blocking an arrow for her in her previous life.

Jiang Si clutched his clothes tightly.

She knew that the pact with the devil was like a sword hanging over her head.

But at least at this moment, watching her brother's martial arts improving day by day under Yu Qi's guidance, she could temporarily deceive herself that everything was getting better.

Although Suning has been telling Jiang Si that this rebirth was only to find out the truth, the investigation during this period has become more and more confusing.

...(End of chapter)