Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 25

25: Walls Have Ears

After Yao Zhi left, Jiang Ci and Jin Yu laughed so hard for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, tears streaming down their faces, their faces flushed red.

Xi Lingxue watched as they doubled over with laughter, and even after returning to the room, they couldn’t stop, sitting on chairs only to slide off them.

Jin Yu: “I can’t take it anymore… I can’t think about it anymore, hahahaha!”

Jiang Ci: “Then why are you still laughing, hahahaha!”

Jiang Ci actually wanted to stop laughing too, but her mind kept replaying the earlier scene.

She would never forget the look of utter shock and shattered hope on Yao Zhi’s face after hearing the Black Lotus’s response, as if his entire world had dimmed.

Later, Yao Zhi made the same mistake she had—he tried desperately to prove he wasn’t delusional!

Yao Zhi threw a tantrum, shouting and making a scene right in the courtyard, thoroughly startling Doctor Xue.

Finally, the guards swarmed in to restrain Yao Zhi, and Doctor Xue inserted a silver needle, finally calming him down.

Jiang Ci had him carried back to the Yao residence.

That morning was truly a spectacular farce.

After lunch, Jiang Ci decided to take a nap, as her body was still somewhat fatigued.

Although the two of them lived together at night, Xi Lingxue still preferred to stay in the separate courtyard during the day, as there were some matters she needed to handle away from Gao Yi.

This separate courtyard was once where Gao Yi had confined her, desolate and dilapidated, neglected like a cold palace. After renovations, the courtyard was filled with precious flowers and plants, lush and serene.

Huang Fu had already prepared the compensation for the losses at the general store and the compensation from Wang Shichang, sending it to the Marquis’s residence. Huang Fu had little experience in business, so many matters required consulting Xi Lingxue.

Of course, this was also Xi Lingxue’s first time, so she was learning as she went.

The first general store was a experimental project, and overall, the profits were quite good. Plus, with the large compensation from Wang Shichang, she could consider opening several more branches.

After carefully reviewing the accounts, Xi Lingxue put down the ledger, her gaze unconsciously drifting to the pineapple cakes on the desk.

Jin Yu brought over a bowl of freshly brewed ginseng soup and placed it on the table, “Your Highness, the Marquis specifically asked for this to be prepared for you to nourish your body.”

At some point, the word “dog” had disappeared from the front.

Xi Lingxue’s slender, jade-like fingers picked up the spoon, gently stirring the soup. The rising steam seemed to veil her eyes in a mist.

Gao Yi…

She was finding it harder and harder to understand this person.

That strange physical twitching didn’t seem to be a sudden occurrence. Today, she realized that Gao Yi could actually control it at will.

His behavior was erratic but not foolish, his mind sharper than before, and his habits completely different…

Was this really a delusional disorder?

Could it be that Zhang Chengji had misdiagnosed this time?

Her heart wavered. Perhaps she should seek the answers herself…

Before drinking the ginseng soup, Xi Lingxue picked up a piece of pineapple cake.

This was something Gao Yi had specifically gone to a shop in the southern part of the city to buy. At first glance, it seemed no different from those found elsewhere, but after taking a bite, she discovered the crust was fragrant and crispy, the inside soft and chewy, and the pineapple filling perfectly sweet and tangy.

It was truly exceptional.

…

Jiang Ci’s nap lasted until evening, and upon waking, she could eat again, behaving like an omnivorous animal.

The original Gao Yi had a habit of practicing martial arts, but she did not. She would have liked to dance, but she was afraid of scaring people.

Perhaps it was due to the “calming medicine” she had taken, but her body, already prone to fatigue, now felt even more exhausted, making it hard to wake up.

Jiang Ci found it strange. Wasn’t Gao Yi known as the youngest war god of Yu, a top-tier Qianjun? Why was she so weak after crossing over… And this gland, it seemed to have no pheromones… like a Zhongjun, with no detectable scent.

Could something be wrong…

During the day, she had lied to Doctor Xue, saying she would recover soon, but in truth, Jiang Ci had no confidence at all.

She thought that if things didn’t improve, she might as well consult Zhang Chengji?

But then she remembered Xi Lingxue saying that glands were very private organs, and she felt she shouldn’t let just anyone examine them.

Tomorrow was another court session, so after dinner, Jiang Ci went to bed early.

Why did ancient people sleep at the first watch? She thought it must be because they didn’t have phones to play with.

Xi Lingxue finished her tasks, bathed, and changed clothes. When she pushed the door open, she saw Gao Yi with her eyes closed, breathing lightly, as if already asleep.

Xi Lingxue quietly closed the door, removed her outer robe, and was left in her thin, soft nightgown. The light-colored gauze draped over her fair skin, faintly revealing a hint of softness, as her ink-like hair cascaded down, a faint plum fragrance wafting through the air.

Jiang Ci suddenly opened her eyes.

“Can you help me check my gland?”

The sudden question made Xi Lingxue, who was about to blow out the candle, jerk her hand, nearly spilling the wax.

“Check… what?”

“My gland.” Jiang Ci said innocently. “I want to know if the wound has healed. I can’t see it myself, and others can’t either… so that leaves only you.”

She added, “Don’t worry, I don’t mind you looking.”

Xi Lingxue: “…”

This wasn’t about whether she minded or not.

“Rest well, and you’ll recover soon.” Xi Lingxue blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness, obscuring her deep gaze. “Sleep.”

Jiang Ci: “Oh…”

The two lay side by side on the bed, with enough space between them to fit a Jin Yu.

Xi Lingxue pulled the blanket up to her chest, staring into the void. After a while, she suddenly said, “…Shall we go to the general store tomorrow?”

The general store? Huang’s?

Jiang Ci certainly wanted to; she hadn’t yet confronted Huang Fu!

But she hadn’t expected the Black Lotus to extend the invitation herself.

However, knowing the Black Lotus as she did, Jiang Ci sensed there must be another motive.

After all, their relationship wasn’t that close yet, something Jiang Ci could feel.

Xi Lingxue, not receiving a response, added, “The glass ornaments I saw the other day were quite nice. I thought I’d go back and pick out a few.”

She was explaining, and explaining meant hiding something. Jiang Ci was now certain the Black Lotus was plotting something.

“Sure.” Jiang Ci said with a smile. “I’ll come pick you up after court.”

“No need for the trouble.” Xi Lingxue said. “Jin Yu and I will go directly.”

…

The next morning at court, Jiang Ci indeed didn’t see Yao Zhi.

He had taken sick leave.

This caused quite a stir, and as soon as court adjourned, ministers gathered around to inquire.

They were all there for the gossip.

They had heard that Councilor Yao had entered the Marquis’s residence standing but left lying down, suspected of having a delusional disorder.

To this, Jiang Ci responded: Not suspected, confirmed. I saw it with my own eyes.

Everyone was shocked. How could a perfectly fine person suddenly go mad?

Jiang Ci feigned sympathy, sighing, “The weather is unpredictable, and fortune is fickle. Life is full of uncertainties~”

The gossipy ministers sighed in unison.

Exiting the palace gates, Jiang Ci mounted her horse and headed straight for Huang’s general store.

On the way, she pondered Huang Fu.

That day, she had been too emotional, overlooking many details. But now, calm and reflecting carefully, she felt Huang Fu might not actually be a transmigrator.

If Huang Fu had some unspeakable reason for not revealing her identity or responding to the code words on the spot, what about afterward? Why hadn’t she contacted her?

If she were truly from the modern era, there were plenty of ways to communicate.

But Huang Fu hadn’t; she had been too quiet.

…So, if she wasn’t a transmigrator, where did those recipes come from? How did she know about face masks and glass?

Jiang Ci’s mind was a mess. These questions could only be answered by Huang Fu herself.

Perhaps because court had ended early, Jiang Ci didn’t see the Marquis’s carriage when she arrived at the eastern market.

The general store had a new signboard, and Huang Fu stood behind the counter, fingers flying over the abacus, too busy to look up. There seemed to be a few new clerks in the store, busy attending to customers.

Business seemed even livelier than before.

After the recent turmoil, the general store had actually benefited, gaining some fame in the eastern market.

Jiang Ci glanced inside but didn’t see Xi Lingxue or Jin Yu. She must have arrived early; they probably hadn’t left yet.

This was a good opportunity for Jiang Ci to have a private chat with Huang Fu.

After tying her horse to the railing outside, Jiang Ci stepped into the store, “Boss Huang, I’m back.”

A shadow fell before her, and Huang Fu paused, looking up to see Gao Yi in her court attire.

Just as the princess had said, she came directly after court.

Remembering the love songs this person had sung last time, Huang Fu felt a bit awkward, but recalling that she had a delusional disorder, she felt somewhat relieved. Besides, Gao Yi had helped a lot, and Huang Fu was grateful.

Putting down the abacus, Huang Fu bowed respectfully, “Marquis.”

Jiang Ci observed her expression and asked, “Is it convenient to talk in private?”

Huang Fu smiled, “Of course. If the Marquis doesn’t mind, we can go upstairs. There’s an empty room there, quieter.”

“Alright.” Jiang Ci said. “Please have the clerks keep an eye out and let me know when the princess arrives.”

Huang Fu: “Of course, I’ll inform them.”

Jiang Ci followed Huang Fu, the two walking one after the other up the creaky wooden stairs to the second floor.

The store wasn’t large, and the upstairs had only two closed rooms, not used for displaying goods.

Jiang Ci joked, “Boss Huang, why not utilize the second floor to sell other items?”

“It’s used for storing miscellaneous items.” Huang Fu said. “It’s a mess up there, not yet organized.”

Jiang Ci subtly glanced around, noticing Huang Fu heading to the right room, so she reached out to push open the door to the adjacent room.

It didn’t open at first.

Hearing the noise, Huang Fu reminded her, “Marquis, it’s this room.”

“Oh.” Jiang Ci asked casually, “Is this room locked?”

There was no lock on the outside, so was it locked from the inside?

Was someone inside?

Huang Fu’s gaze flickered, and she rubbed her fingers, mumbling, “There are some things stored inside.”

Jiang Ci nodded, thinking the door might be blocked by something, making it hard to open, so she didn’t press further.

The two entered the room and closed the door. The space inside wasn’t large, simply decorated. A set of chairs and a table stood in the middle, and behind a screen was a bed, clearly a place for rest.

With just the two of them and no outsiders, Jiang Ci asked, “Boss Huang, do you slack off at work?”

Huang Fu was momentarily stunned, then said, “Marquis, you jest. To slack off, one must go to the river. How could it be here?”

Jiang Ci scratched her face.

The river…

Heh.

She was now certain Huang Fu wasn’t a transmigrator.

Jiang Ci felt disheartened. The excitement she had felt that day was now replaced by disappointment. She had been so thrilled to find a fellow countryman, only to realize it was all in vain. She had even foolishly sung so many songs that day.

Thinking this, she called out to the system in her mind, [Are you there? I want to ask if there are any other transmigrators in this world.]

The system answered honestly: [I don’t know]

Jiang Ci: [You… what good are you?!]

No plot transmission, no golden finger, clueless about everything—was this system even reliable?

She was now seriously doubting whether the promises the system had made could be fulfilled.

Feeling stifled, Jiang Ci took a deep breath and said, “Boss Huang, actually, I came here to ask you, did you come up with those face masks, soaps, and glass yourself?”

Huang Fu quickly glanced at the wall next door, “Uh… since the Marquis asks, I’ll be honest. Those recipes were actually given to me by a mysterious person.”

“A mysterious person?” Jiang Ci immediately perked up, “Where is she? What does she look like?”

“She’s a mysterious person, so of course I don’t know.” Huang Fu said, watching Jiang Ci’s reaction, then tentatively added, “…The Marquis seems quite excited. Do you know her?”

At the same time, in the room next door, Xi Lingxue held her breath, focusing intently on the voices she heard.

“I’ve been looking for her for a long time. If the Marquis knows anything, could you tell—”

“I don’t know her.”

Xi Lingxue frowned slightly.

…You don’t know her?

Then why was Gao Yi so excited?

Were those recipes really something she had read in a book?

Jin Yu, watching her highness, was utterly confused.

She really couldn’t understand why they had sneaked here to eavesdrop. The person was clearly mad, how could her words be trusted?