Three times married to Yama

"Outside," I replied truthfully.

He hesitated for a moment, then paused for two seconds before saying, "It's the same as saying nothing at all."

I immediately adopted a calm demeanor, looking directly at Yan Jinyue, and said in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant, "Actually, they are gifts I gave you."

Yan Jinyue was taken aback, a question mark seemed to slowly appear above his head. He slightly raised his chin, feeling as if he had been inexplicably amused.

"A gift? A gift of two ghosts for me?"

I nodded. "Yeah, does the Netherworld need more laborers? I think these two would be perfect."

"You gave me such a precious gift as Blue Spirit Star, I must reciprocate. If it's not enough, I can catch more and give you more later."

The two ghosts were already pressed to the ground by Yan Jinyue's oppressive aura. When they heard me say that I would send them to the Netherworld to do hard labor, they trembled even more and shook their heads frantically.

The boy and girl standing nearby covered their mouths as if they had overheard gossip. The girl whispered, "Good heavens, our Lady of the current lord is so kind-hearted. She actually sent a ghost to the lord."

"Yes, unlike those other ladies, who always tried to climb into the Lord's bed, I prefer this lady." The boy nodded in agreement.

?

No, is this something I can hear? I think I've overheard some incredible gossip.

Yan Jinyue's expression grew even colder. After glancing at the boy and girl, he said, "You two are too idle. Send these two ghosts to the Netherworld and forbid them from coming to the human world for a month."

The boy and girl wailed as they grabbed the two ghosts. They wanted to plead with Yan Jinyue for mercy, but a single glance from him silenced them.

Yan Jinyue raised her hand, and a black ring appeared on her slender fingers. The entire space rippled at that moment, and my head spun. I closed my eyes and shook my head.

When I opened my eyes again, a gray road appeared in the villa's garden. Beyond the road was an endless gray expanse, and a boy and a girl were reluctantly leading two ghosts along that road.

This must be the Yellow Springs Road leading to the Netherworld. Yan Jinyue truly lives up to his title as the Lord of the Netherworld; he can summon the Yellow Springs Road with a mere wave of his hand.

Seeing that I was still staring at the road to the underworld, Yan Jinyue's figure blocked my way. Seeing him standing in front of me like a wall, I looked up at him.

"I accept your gift, but I hope you'll be less scheming in the future."

I looked away and turned to walk towards the living room, "I can't understand what the Lord is saying."

I sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV as if nothing had happened, but then I heard Yan Jinyue's faint voice behind me.

"Is that so?"

A large, cold hand reached out from behind and touched my face. I didn't move and let the hand slide down to my neck.

As that large hand gripped my neck completely, his voice continued, "Ah Yin, a human neck is very fragile. It will break if I exert even the slightest force."

As I said that, the hand around my neck tightened, and I could breathe less and less air.

So keep your little schemes to yourself.

I didn't panic at all; I simply raised one hand and slid it across his wrist.

"What are you doing, Lord? Are you going to kill me? I only gave you a gift, why are you so angry?"

"If you don't like it, then I won't deliver it next time, okay?"

"What would you like to eat later? I'll make it for you."

I think I've figured out some of Yan Jinyue's personality, so my tone was calm and gentle, and I wasn't afraid of his threats at all.

"You..." Yan Jinyue's hand suddenly loosened.

As he released his grip, I was able to breathe fresh air again. I touched my neck and couldn't help but think to myself, Yan Jinyue is really strong. He probably pinched my neck so hard that it turned red.

"You are unlike any of my ninety-eight previous brides," he suddenly said again.

That's definitely different, because I'm fake.

"I won't be like them, please rest assured, Your Majesty," I replied.

Yan Jinyue moved swiftly, sitting down next to me with a chill in his air, and said, "I want to eat Wensi Tofu, the one you made yourself."

"Oh right, and there's also snow-white red bean paste."

Upon hearing about these two dishes, I froze and couldn't help but ask, "Yan Jinyue, are you serious?"

He sneered, "Do I look like I'm joking? Didn't you just ask me what I wanted to eat and you'd make it for me? What, are you going back on your word now?"

Even though my heart was filled with the clamor of Yan Jinyue, I still wore a smile on my face.

"How could I possibly go back on my word? It'll just take a little time. You just wait."

As I said this, I got up and went to the kitchen. I had made a promise, and I would keep it even if my hands got sore and broke.

To my surprise, Yan Jinyue came over to supervise me while I was cutting tofu.

"This flower isn't cut pretty enough, cut it again."

"It's broken, cut it again."

"It's not cut fine enough, cut it again."

"Too thick, cut it again."

"Re-cut".

"..."

Right now, only two words are echoing in my head: recut.

I felt my patience was running out. I wanted to grab some tofu and stuff it into Yan Jinyue's mouth, but suddenly I missed my clone.

Why is there such a big difference between the real person and their clone when it's clearly the same person? Is this what they call split personality?

After slicing out a perfect piece of tofu, I couldn't help but ask Yan Jinyue, "Lord, when will your clone return?"

Yan Jinyue's eyes flickered at the mention of the clone. "We are one. What, do you think the clone is easier to talk to?"

"That's true," I nodded subconsciously.

In an instant, I felt a bone-chilling cold sweep over my entire body. When I turned my head to look, Yan Jinyue was gone.

Even after I prepared the Wensi Tofu and Xuemian Red Bean Paste that Yan Jinyue specifically requested, he still didn't show up.

What happened? He left?

I only asked the clone a question, so why did he leave?

But if he leaves, will the one who comes back next time be a clone?

I think it's pretty good.

However, there is still one thing to do. I have arranged to meet Xia Zheng tonight.

I shouldn't have had much interaction with him, but now I have an idea.

Since Yan Jinyue wasn't there, I changed the meeting place to my home; I didn't feel comfortable meeting anywhere else.

Xia Zheng was incredibly excited to see me. "Master A Yin, have you changed your mind and are going to take me as your disciple?"

I smiled without saying anything, and pointed to the sofa, "Sit down first."

Xia Zheng sat down, looking at me excitedly and expectantly. "What does Master Yin want with me?"

Looking into his clear eyes, I smiled and said, "Actually, I can take you as my apprentice, but there's one condition."

"What are the conditions?!"

I took out the business cards I had made before; these understated yet luxurious gold-embossed cards had my name and number printed on them.

I handed my business card to Xia Zheng. "From today onwards, you are Master A Yin, and I am your apprentice and assistant."