Chapter 115: Encountering a Clear Day Chapter 94: Seeing the Killer Intent

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Shaowei

Liu Qi

Mo Li, who had hurriedly followed from the courtyard, crouched by the food table and impatiently lifted the bamboo basket; seeing meat, cakes, and pastries inside, her eyes instantly brightened more than the oil lamps in the hall.

The house slave felt somewhat moved: this child had been angered into losing all human semblance, yet still persisted in standing watch at the shrine, and when returning to her den did not forget to bring game back for him and Mo Li.

Sitting cross-legged, the house slave opened his mouth to answer: "Xian Tai Gong is heavily guarded; I went back and forth four times before I saw that person. Their clothes and ages were all the same, and at first I couldn't tell which one it was for a moment; later I saw that one of them looked three parts like you, so I secretly watched her for half a day, and indeed heard others call her Feng Young Lady."

Shaowei didn't even bother to sit down, now furrowing her brow tightly: "Three parts alike?"

The house slave nodded and analyzed: "Before adulthood, a person's appearance changes with temperament and living habits; at this time she still looks three parts like you, but when she first entered the capital two years ago, she was probably five parts alike."

Shaowei's gaze turned icy: "I know who it is."

These past few days she had not only been angry, sad, conflicted, and resistant, but had also thought over many things repeatedly.

If Mother truly couldn't recognize people, then how exactly did the Feng Family confirm the other person's identity?

Perhaps they learned her age and appearance from those people on Tianlang Mountain, but relying on that alone surely wasn't enough...

Shaowei thought of the birthday wood token she herself had discarded.

That day she had left the wood token behind and departed, but did not immediately go far; instead she guarded not far from that stone house, needing to see General Ling take Mother away with her own eyes before she could rest easy.

And before General Ling arrived, she had seen some women and children in the zhai run to the stone house to seek Qin Fu's protection, Ming Dan among them...

At that time she had just awakened from death, her mood in utter chaos, unable to consider more detailed follow-up matters; now thinking about it, Ming Dan must have taken her birthday wood token back then. She and Ming Dan had never gotten along, so why would the other take her personal belonging?

Shaowei could not imagine Ming Dan's motives at that time, but after taking the wood token, the other had disappeared for a while, only entering the capital two years ago. Such a sufficient interval of time could not possibly be a misunderstanding born of haste, but rather more like an impersonation plan watched for a long time.

Shaowei had an absolute sense of self; she could not tolerate anyone stealing her identity, and anger was an inevitable emotion.

But beyond anger, a cold-light-like question flashed quickly through her mind—

Ming Dan, this sister whom she couldn't figure out at all whether she was one year older, one year younger, or the same age, left her with the deepest impression being that this person was very much favored by Qin Fu. Qin Fu, such a fierce and murderous person, would occasionally, when drunk and merry, laugh heartily and lift Ming Dan onto his shoulder; whenever that happened, Ming Dan would always, intentionally or not, smile at her.

Shaowei couldn't really read Ming Dan's mind, and she had no interest or time to figure it out. Afterwards, she knew all her thoughts were only on how to take Mother and escape.

And now thinking about it, since Ming Dan could win the favor of someone like Qin Fu, she must surely have a natural talent for getting along with people—was this also one of the reasons the Feng Family was willing to openly acknowledge her? The Feng Family probably pitied such a Ming Dan, and only disliked her from the previous life?

This thought only flashed by before being ground to pieces by Shaowei gritting her teeth. Even so, what did it matter? Anyway, she really disliked them.

Shaowei "thud" sat down; before her body even touched the mat on the ground, her legs were already crossed and lifted off the floor. The movement was so swift it made her two black hair braids bounce, and it also shook the house slave's mood, making him very worried she would shatter her tailbone just like that.

Seeing her complexion was normal through secret observation, the house slave then opened his mouth: "Are you going to abduct her?"

Although Shaowei had not formally laid it all out, the house slave had long wanted to understand the underlying connections, so there was no need to ask further. At this moment he only offered his most loyal attitude with a proposal.

How could Shaowei not want to abduct her right then, beat her first, and then question her clearly? But in the end she only gritted her teeth and said: "No, it will alarm the Feng Family and also Chiyang."

Once the Feng Family pursued the matter, she would inevitably be exposed; she would need to make excuses to the Emperor's side, and Chiyang's side would add many weaknesses and soft spots.

Granted, Ming Dan and she still looked three parts alike, but two completely strangers looking three parts alike was not uncommon; such a situation was nothing surprising.

But if Chiyang was sharp enough, or saw clues from fate and physiognomy, perhaps he would still suspect her origins because of Ming Dan. As long as she acted as if she knew nothing, didn't care at all, was sufficiently cold, and completely indifferent, Chiyang would not easily develop the thought of using the Feng Family to restrain her.

Conversely, once she became entangled, that would show she cared; caring would be used by enemies.

The Lu Hou Fu certainly had its own foundation, but what Chiyang oversaw was matters of ghosts and spirits, and it was best to stay as far away as possible.

She didn't want to add a weak point for herself, nor did she want to become anyone's burden, or be treated as a jinx again.

Anyway, she had already laid a retreat before the Emperor; better to make the false true, and simply regard everything before age eleven as forgotten and severed.

But one thing was one thing: even if she didn't want her things, they couldn't be possessed by others. If someone did evil under her identity and name, she could not tolerate it even more—

Shaowei said: "Afterward, leave someone near Xian Tai Gong to watch her. If she returns to the Hou Mansion, you must tell me immediately."

Although Ming Dan could not leave Xian Tai Gong without permission, she still had to be watched more closely. At the very least, Mother must not face any danger; otherwise it would be her fault.

"Good." The house slave nodded.

Recently he had been privately searching for usable people according to Shaowei's earlier proposal. Although he had lived alone for many years, he was in the jianghu and had a resounding reputation, so finding connections in this area was still easy, giving him an advantage over ordinary people from the start.

Raising people cost money. Shaowei had received rewards from the Taichang Temple this time, and he had also tried to slightly resume his old trade, diligently accumulating his family fortune.

In short, people to watch Xian Tai Gong could be had, but: "Is that all?"

The house slave asked uncertainly.

It wasn't that he had a dark mind and had to instigate something; it was just that this child was so calm it made him somewhat restless, very worried she would turn around and poke a huge hole all by herself again.

"Not just that." Shaowei's voice was somewhat muffled: "It's just that this is all we can do for now."

"Who made it so I am not a wandering knight at this moment, but a shrine wu nu, Hu Li."

A wandering knight could cause a scene and leave Chang'an, but Hu Li had many unfinished matters.

"But it's only temporary." Shaowei said firmly: "After I finish my business, before leaving I must definitely settle this account with her properly."

"If I die before finishing my business—" Shaowei looked up at the house slave, with a serious expression she instructed: "You will take her to Lu Hou and Shen Tu Furen in my place, let her reveal her own identity, and let the Feng Family decide how to handle her."

In short, the other must not be left as a hidden danger to harm Mother.

Shaowei's expression turned cold by another two degrees: "If she refuses to cooperate, kill her immediately, and let her go below to tell me personally."

She actually laid out her last words so comprehensively. The house slave pondered for a moment, nodded: "Good, remembered."

Shaowei was clearly still holding back a breath she couldn't disperse. She poured herself a bowl of tea and drank it clean with glug-glug-glug sounds, as if drinking strong liquor.

However, this anger only grew the more it was poured on. She could only add a sentence: "If one day I really can't stand her, we'll discuss it separately."

Hearing these words, Zhao Qie'an felt somewhat relieved instead, and comforted her with a sentence: "Don't worry, your life is very hard. She borrowed your identity, but may not be able to suppress this fate; perhaps she will pay the price herself."

Shaowei said nothing, only drank another bowl of tea heartily.

Zhao Qie'an racked his brains, changed an angle, and praised her: "You can endure this matter; it can be said your growth is rapid. If you keep growing like this, sooner or later you will be invincible under heaven. Come back to take revenge tomorrow; this capital will surely still have a big place for you."

It was originally not right to praise her so extravagantly, fearing it would only increase her arrogance. But thinking about it, the things this child had endured were truly sour and bitter. Now as her only wild parent, perhaps he shouldn't be stingy with words and spoil her a bit.

"I never thought of occupying any large or small place for long." Shaowei still held the empty bowl in her hand, but at this moment she had no arrogance, only saying: "I don't want to stay here; if we find her, we'll leave Chang'an immediately."

The house slave nodded unconditionally: "Mm, that's fine too."

Shaowei changed the subject and asked: "Has Zhu Zhi shown any movement recently?"

"Still having people seek doctors everywhere," Zhao Qie'an said. "Ordinary doctors don't work, so now he's tried inviting shamans to come to the door."

Shaowei said thoughtfully: "That day in the Imperial streamer I also revealed my skill in healing bones and injuries... Plus the rumors about spirit possession, if he's heard anything, sooner or later he'll come looking for me."

"Planning to strike when he comes to the door?" Zhao Qie'an said: "He's very suspicious; any doctor who gets close is examined again and again, and besides, he's seen you. Even if you luckily killed him, it would be hard to shake off suspicion, and arousing the Emperor's suspicion wouldn't be good."

Shaowei shook her head, about to say more, but suddenly turned her head, focusing her gaze toward the night outside the Hall, as if distinguishing something.

After a moment, she suddenly stood up and ran out flying.

Seeing this, Zhao Qie'an knew she must have heard some sound.

From the start, when you chased me and I ran with this child, he noticed her five senses were far sharper than ordinary people's, even he couldn't compare.

Later, after becoming familiar, he tried asking her whether these sharp five senses were innate or cultivated later.

She said neither; they came from luck.

Naturally, he was moved and asked for specifics. As they walked, she shared with him—when young she swallowed many poisonous pills, so her strength and five senses both grew abnormally, even to the point of being uncontrollable.

This uncontrollable thing wasn't just the five senses, but also the accumulated pill poison day by day, and her rapidly shortening lifespan.

Fortunately there was Jiang Fu, and the uncontrollable was brought under control.

After hearing this, Zhao Qie'an gave up hope; his age was already too late to be brought under control.

Shaowei, whose hearing was sharp to the point of being hard to control, vaguely heard one child's cry for help after another.

Under the moonlight, the wind sounded like ghostly wails; in the messy grass bush, a girl still wearing a tattered jacket was surrounded front and back by a middle-aged man and woman. The woman held a lamp, the man waited for a chance to pounce, grabbed the girl and lifted her up. The girl screamed and struggled, but was still tossed onto the burly man's shoulder.

The girl's eyes turned red with anxiety; she bit the man's neck in one mouthful. The man cried out in pain, then roughly clamped her under his armpit, cursing angrily: "If it weren't for this Zhang girl's skin, I'd have twisted your hands and feet off long ago! Be honest!"

The woman, while stuffing a cloth ball hard into the girl's shouting mouth, secretly rejoiced: "Picked up for nothing, what more could you be dissatisfied with? Hurry up..."

"She's one I raised; who allowed you to pick her up?"

A puzzled girl's voice suddenly rang out, startling the two people.

Looking back, it was a girl in black clothes with double braids; no one knew when she had approached, and not a sound had been heard!

There were rumors of ghosts here, but those in this line of work naturally weren't lacking in courage. The woman tried raising the lamp in her hand a bit higher; under the lamplight, they saw a delicate and spirited face. Her tense shoulders immediately relaxed—such a good complexion, she couldn't possibly be a ghost!

Just now she hadn't heard footsteps; probably she'd been busy catching people and hadn't noticed.

Since she was a person, there was nothing to fear anymore!

Seeing that the girl behind her still held a pottery bowl and had no one following, indeed traveling alone, the woman and man exchanged a glance. The former said with a half-smile: "This is our family's girl; we are her father and mother. The child was naughty and got lost, and today we finally found her... Since you say you've been looking after her these days, you should properly come to our home, so we can express our thanks!"

As the woman spoke, she lunged to embrace Shaowei in one grab. Amid the flickering lamplight, she laughed ferociously like a ghost.

Shaowei smelled an extremely strong and mixed scent of powder and perfume on her, as if it had seeped into her very being. Relying on the experience and knowledge accumulated while traveling with Jiang Fu, she determined this woman must be a Wang Hun from a brothel.

The woman wasn't tall in stature, but she believed she wasn't lacking in strength, especially since the one opposite was still a tender young girl.

But in the instant she lunged close, she vaguely sensed something slightly off. This girl looked too calm; could she be a fool...

"—Ah!"

The scream came faster than her inner voice. The woman was kicked and flew out, falling flat on her back on the ground.

The man was startled. In a flash, caught between advancing and retreating, the girl had already reached before his eyes and made the choice for him.

Shaowei moved with strange speed. One hand pressed on the man's shoulder where he held the girl. The man felt a strange force assault him, as if his bones were being crushed. He screamed and retreated a step; that side arm was forced to loosen. Before the girl fell, Shaowei bent down and caught her.

While holding the girl with one hand, Shaowei extended her right leg. The leg wind was like lightning, sweeping the man five steps away.

The two felt they had truly met a ghost. They scrambled up and fled.

"Did I let you go?"

The girl was put on the ground. Shaowei's tone was cold and disgusted. She snapped the pottery bowl in her hand into two halves; broken pottery shards flew.

The woman, running a bit slower, only felt a chill at her back. Something had stabbed into her. She staggered a few steps and fell down.

The man heard the noise and fearfully looked back. Only to see under the moonlight the black-clothed girl was like a ghost demanding life. Many women's faces flashed before his eyes, but he couldn't remember which one at all. He could only absurdly explain: "It wasn't me, you... you've mistaken me! Go find someone else! I..."

He hadn't finished speaking when blood suddenly surged into his mouth. At his neck was stuck that hard half of a broken pottery bowl. The blood flowing out was first caught full by that half bowl belly, then flowed out along the bowl rim as a line of blood.

The man fell to the ground. Shaowei turned her head and saw the girl sitting blankly in the grass. Clearly already free, she still hadn't bothered to pull the cloth ball out of her mouth.

"They weren't doing this for the first time." Shaowei seemed to say to the frightened girl, and also seemed to say to herself: "Then it should be the last time."

For these thieves who robbed women, she saw that they must be killed.

This would also save more women from being harmed, even being forced to give birth to bastards like her.

The house slave walked over unhurriedly, pushing a simple cart.

Shaowei raised her foot to leave, but was grabbed by the girl who knelt and threw herself around her legs.

Shaowei looked down in surprise and ordered her: "Let go."

The girl shook her head: "Mm!"

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