Chapter 14: A Familiar Figure

"Mother, what are you saying? You came all the way from the old residence, the journey was long and surely very exhausting. We younger ones merely waited here—what hardship is there in that? Please, come in!" The smile on Jiang Clan's face faded slightly as she cursed inwardly: This wretched old woman, saying such things—if others heard it, they would surely gossip.

Chi Nan Yi followed behind Jiang Clan. She remembered that in her previous life, the original host had followed Jiang Clan to greet the old lady the moment she saw her. The old lady took an instant liking to her when she saw her, pulling her into the courtyard to chat every day. Even after Meng Qinghe returned to the Minister's Residence, the old lady still favored the original host the most, even ordering that Meng Qinghe was not permitted to enter the old lady's courtyard without being summoned.

As in her previous life, the old lady stayed in Yuelan Pavilion. Though Yuelan Pavilion was not the largest courtyard, its advantage was its seclusion. The old lady worshipped Buddha, and the small courtyard at the back was perfect for setting up a Buddhist hall. The old lady took a walk around the courtyard and was very satisfied.

"You are thoughtful. Making you go to such trouble for an old woman like me—I feel quite bad about it in my heart."

"Mother, you are too polite. This is filial devotion from your son and Jiang Clan."

The old lady nodded. At this moment, her gaze fell upon Chi Nan Yi.

"After so many years apart, this girl has grown into such a beauty." She waved at Chi Nan Yi: "Come here, let Grandmother have a good look at you."

Chi Nan Yi stepped forward and obediently called out Grandmother. The old lady nodded with satisfaction: "Looking at you fills my heart with joy. Second Sister, if you have nothing to do, come to Yuelan Pavilion and keep Grandmother company for a good chat."

"Yes." Chi Nan Yi felt somewhat helpless. In this life she had not ingratiated herself with the old lady the way the original host did, yet she still could not avoid catching the old lady's attention.

"Yes, cough cough cough…"

"Are you ill?"

"Yier fell into the water some days ago and has not yet fully recovered."

Hearing this, the old lady said with some heartache: "If that's the case, then rest and recover properly! Come keep this old woman company once you're better."

Hearing this, Chi Nan Yi could not help feeling puzzled.

Why was Grandmother so insistent on having her keep her company?

Just then, the servants carried over a large chest, inside of which was unmistakably an incense burner.

The moment Chi Nan Yi saw the incense burner, her pupils contracted sharply.

This incense burner…

In her memory, the old lady had a habit of burning incense every day. Especially when she was there keeping her company with idle chatter, the incense in the room never stopped.

That incense… was not right.

Though she could no longer recall exactly what that incense smelled like, her intuition told her that every time she came here, the incense in the burner was definitely problematic.

At this thought, a wave of cold ran uncontrollably through her entire body.

Looking again at the old lady's kindly, benevolent face, her stomach churned.

Indeed—able to produce an ungrateful wretch like Meng Hui, what kind of good person could she be?

Chi Nan Yi returned to her room and put away the pills she had prepared. She had wanted to give them to the old lady, so that after she left the Minister's Residence, the old lady might be able to use them.

Now it seemed these pills would be of no use.

Over the next few days, Chi Nan Yi went to pay her respects to the old lady every day. The incense in the burner showed nothing unusual—it was sandalwood, the kind used by all who worshipped Buddha.

"Could it be that I'm overthinking it?"

"Eldest Sister." Meng Qingyue walked over: "Is Eldest Sister going to Jingyue Temple too?"

"Jingyue Temple?"

Seeing her expression, Meng Qingyue smiled and said: "It seems Father hasn't told Eldest Sister yet. In a few days Father will take us all to Jingyue Temple. Second Sister and I are going to buy some things for the trip—just little trinkets. Would Eldest Sister like to come along?"

Hearing this, Chi Nan Yi suddenly remembered. In her previous life they had indeed gone to Jingyue Temple—nominally to burn incense and pray for blessings, but in reality that petty man Meng Hui had heard the Crown Prince would be going to Jingyue Temple to burn incense, so he deliberately brought them there to encounter the Crown Prince.

In the previous life, the Crown Prince had already heard the original host play the zither and had already developed feelings for her. Meeting her at Jingyue Temple, he felt even more that it was a heaven-ordained romance.

Thinking about it now, if not for the true and false heiress matter, the original host might have become the Crown Prince's principal consort.

One had to admit, her scoundrel of a father had gone to considerable pains.

"Eldest Sister, Eldest Sister?"

Chi Nan Yi snapped back to attention: "Alright, since you're going to buy little trinkets, I'll go out and have a look too."

The two of them put on veiled hats, boarded a carriage, and headed to the streets.

Chi Nan Yi had already been out a few times in the past couple of days, so she did not feel much about the things on the street. But Meng Qingyue had not left the residence in a long time, and found everything she saw very novel.

Chi Nan Yi followed behind her, walking absentmindedly.

Passing by the two grain shops she had visited before, sure enough, both had already shut their doors.

The people of Jingcheng had no choice but to detour two streets to buy grain at shops farther away.

"Did you hear? That haunted house has gained a few more bloody handprints on its door."

"I heard. It's truly terrifying."

"What ghost or god do you think that house offended? It's been vacant for so long and it's still haunted—could there be some grievance behind it?"

"I heard a piece of news, but you mustn't spread it!" a man said mysteriously: "That house was once the courtyard of the Bai family of Jingcheng. Do you know the Bai family? The Bai family's eldest daughter was the foremost beauty of Jingcheng. Later she entered the Palace and became Noble Consort, deeply favored by the Emperor. But for some unknown reason, she hanged herself. Do you think the haunting of that courtyard might be related to… this matter?"

Everyone covered their mouths, their faces turning pale with fright.

"You must not spread this around. If others find out, it will cost you your heads."

Everyone fell silent and nodded, the look of terror on their faces not yet fading.

Their voices were not loud, but Chi Nan Yi heard every word clearly.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. This should count as a secret of the Palace. To discuss it so openly—what exactly was this person's intention?

Through her veiled hat, she looked at the man. His appearance was extremely ordinary, the kind you would not be able to find if he fell into a crowd. However, the man had a small black mole on the left side of his neck, hidden beneath his collar. It would not normally be noticed—if not for his large movements revealing it, no one would have spotted it.

Now talk of ghosts and gods had spread through every street and alley. Wherever she went, there were people discussing this matter.

Chi Nan Yi rubbed her brow helplessly. She had only wanted a bit of convenience; she never expected that this talk of ghosts and gods would stir up such a huge uproar in Jingcheng.

Just then, a somewhat familiar figure flashed past before her eyes.

Chi Nan Yi's grip tightened. Why did this figure look so similar to Meng Qinghe?

According to the timeline of her previous life, the Chi Family should not have entered the capital yet. Meng Qinghe could not possibly appear here.

Could it be that she had seen wrong?

Just then, Meng Qingyue walked over: "Eldest Sister, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." Chi Nan Yi glanced at the servant behind Meng Qingyue, who was already carrying many bundles of various sizes.

"Big Sister, if there's nothing else, let's be on our way!"

"Alright."

Their carriage had just departed when a woman dressed in tattered rags appeared right where they had just been standing.

"Qinghe, slow down."