Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 36

36: Are You Sure?

Huang Runfa

Following Jiang Ci’s plan, Pei Shiyuan was still waiting for news here.

After she asked the question about the substitute, Xi Lingxue stopped answering, and no one could tell what she was thinking.

Pei Shiyuan knew that Xi Lingxue had always been preoccupied with that female knight-errant and had been inquiring about her whereabouts. Apart from her, Xi Lingxue wouldn’t spare a glance for any other man.

But now, Gao Yi was clearly different.

Was she really being treated as a substitute?

Pei Shiyuan, being a martial artist, had excellent hearing. Soon, she heard the sound of wheels, seemingly stopping at the back door of the shop. The next moment, a three-long-two-short whistle sounded from downstairs.

Pei Shiyuan said, “They’re here.”

Xi Lingxue understood.

The two quickly went downstairs and indeed saw a carriage at the back door.

Jiang Ci had already taken off the servant’s outer garment and waved at them when she saw them coming, “Hurry.”

Xi Lingxue nodded and got into the carriage with Pei Shiyuan.

Inside, they saw a “sack” lying in the center, tied up with ropes, its mouth likely stuffed with something, wriggling and whimpering like a big worm.

No need to guess, this must be Yao Zhi.

At first glance, Xi Lingxue couldn’t help but feel a surge of fear, as the unpleasant memories of that night resurfaced. The cold beauty’s face turned pale, giving off a fragile, crumbling aura.

Pei Shiyuan, seeing this, was somewhat worried, “…Should we handle this?”

“No,” Xi Lingxue stared at the wriggling sack, her fingers clenched white, her gaze gradually turning cold, “I want to watch.”

She was afraid, but more than that, she was filled with hatred. She wanted to see the person who had wronged her get the punishment they deserved.

She was no longer the helpless princess of the past; she wanted to be the one holding the knife.

Pei Shiyuan admired Xi Lingxue, or rather, she appreciated her determination to seek revenge and not tolerate any wrongs. Such a strong-willed woman was rare.

Jiang Ci drove the carriage into a less crowded alley, turning into a dead-end where it was pitch black, with only the moonlight illuminating the path.

Jiang Ci stopped the carriage and threw Yao Zhi out, removing the sack and the cloth from his mouth.

Pei Shiyuan rubbed her fists and approached, not having had enough of beating him last time, she finally had the chance now.

Yao Zhi was still tied up, his eyes wide with fear. Looking past them, he saw a woman standing tall and graceful like a ghost, cold and resolute.

Yao Zhi instantly sobered up, his voice trembling, “Y-you’re crazy? My father is the Minister of Revenue! My aunt is Consort Yao! How dare you mess with me?!”

Jiang Ci kicked him, looking every bit the villain, “I’m messing with you, what are you going to do about it?”

Pei Shiyuan followed with another kick, “So funny, do you think I’m scared?”

The two rolled up their sleeves and really let loose this time, Yao Zhi rolled on the ground, covering his head and wailing.

“Gao Yi! Gao Yi! I’m your brother-in-law!”

“Pah!” Jiang Ci, tired from using her hands, switched to her feet, “I’m beating you because you dared to bully my wife! I’ll beat you until your face is unrecognizable, and the peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze!”

Pei Shiyuan paused, surprised, “You can compose poetry?”

Jiang Ci: “No, I’m just borrowing.”

Pei Shiyuan: “Don’t be modest, I’ve never heard this poem before.”

Jiang Ci: “There’s a lot you haven’t heard, let me recite—”

While kicking Yao Zhi, she started reciting the Three Hundred Tang Poems, from Li Bai, Du Fu, Wang Changling, to the vast deserts and long rivers, the moon setting and crows cawing, from “Spring sleep unaware, everywhere birds sing” to “Ten steps to kill a man, a thousand miles without leaving a trace.”

Xi Lingxue and Pei Shiyuan were both stunned, even Yao Zhi, who was being beaten, was dumbfounded.

She actually composed so many poems in a row?

And while beating someone?!!

When Jiang Ci finally stopped, exhausted, she noticed everyone staring at her in shock.

Jiang Ci, panting heavily, wiped her sweat with her sleeve, “…What’s wrong? Ask whatever you need to ask.”

Her reminder brought Xi Lingxue back to reality. Looking down at Yao Zhi, his face was already swollen like a pig’s head, probably even Yao Jin’an wouldn’t recognize his son now.

Xi Lingxue: “…”

Any fear had long since vanished. The next time she saw Yao Zhi, she wouldn’t feel the slightest bit of fear.

—She would only remember his pig-headed appearance.

Xi Lingxue steadied herself and pulled her thoughts back.

Dressed in black, she seemed to blend into the night, like a snow lotus on an iceberg, exuding a unique coldness.

Yao Zhi couldn’t help but shrink back. For some reason, he felt that the aura around Xi Lingxue was even more imposing than the two who had just beaten him.

Xi Lingxue said coldly, “Why were you in the imperial garden that day during the palace banquet?”

Yao Zhi, with a bruised and swollen face, struggled to speak, but he didn’t dare not answer, fearing more beatings. He stammered, “I-I accidentally heard the Crown Prince say that you went to the imperial garden alone, so I…”

He just wanted to meet Xi Lingxue alone, but things got out of hand, and even his memories were blurry. When he woke up, he was lying on the cold ground, in severe pain.

Xi Lingxue’s eyes darkened. Accidentally?

More like the Crown Prince did it on purpose, right?

So, that eunuch was also the Crown Prince’s man?

That day, the eunuch led her around the palace, but in reality, Yao Zhi had already arrived at the imperial garden from another path…

Jiang Ci was also surprised. Had the Crown Prince gone so mad as to target his own sister?

Was it because Xi Lingxue had stopped the assassins, and he held a grudge?

In the original book, the Crown Prince was narrow-minded and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, completely different from the silly daughter of the local landlord, Prince Duan.

Well, Xi Chenfeng, Jiang Ci thought to herself, since that’s the case, you and the Yao family can fall together.

…

Last night, they had thoroughly vented their anger, not even bothering to cover their faces.

Pei Shiyuan only started to worry after beating him up. Wasn’t this too arrogant? Although her mother was a general and Gao Yi was the Marquis of Dingyuan, both of high status, the person they beat was Yao Zhi, and the Yao family wasn’t to be trifled with.

Regarding this, Jiang Ci said not to worry, just go back and rest, do what you need to do.

Without surveillance, everything was fine.

Sure enough, early the next morning, Yao Jin’an went to Prince Duan to complain.

Yao Jin’an cried with snot and tears, “Your Highness! You must stand up for me! That Gao Yi is simply too much!”

Xi Lanhua listened for a while, feeling a headache coming on. She had drunk too much yesterday and hadn’t recovered yet.

“Is it really that bad?” she asked.

Yao Jin’an said, “Your Highness will see for yourself!”

With that, two servants carried in a stretcher.

Prince Duan leaned over to look and was almost sick to her stomach. “What is this dirty thing?!”

Yao Zhi, upon hearing this, almost spat out another mouthful of bl00d.

“This is my son!” Of course, Yao Jin’an also found it quite disgusting. He turned his face away and said, “Your Highness! I must have justice for this matter!”

Prince Duan frowned. She didn’t like Yao Jin’an and his son, but the Yao family was still her supporter. Gao Yi couldn’t just beat someone up like this! Internal strife was unacceptable!

Prince Duan said, “Someone, go and summon Gao Yi and Pei Shiyuan!”

Soon, the three arrived. Upon seeing them, Yao Zhi trembled with excitement, making muffled noises.

Yao Zhi: “Mmm mmm mmm!”

It’s them!

Prince Duan glanced at Jiang Ci and Pei Shiyuan, “Take a look for yourselves!”

Jiang Ci looked down at the unidentified object on the stretcher and exclaimed in surprise, “Wow, is it the end of the world? A pig-headed monster has appeared!”

Yao Zhi spat bl00d, his mouth and eyes twisted in anger.

Yao Jin’an’s face turned livid, “Gao Yi! Stop pretending! Don’t you recognize who he is? You actually took the princess and Miss Pei to attack my son in the middle of the night, beating him into this… this state! This is lawless, intolerable!”

Prince Duan didn’t want to look at Yao Zhi, feeling it was bad luck, “Well, Gao Yi, do you admit it?”

“Admit what?” Jiang Ci looked shocked, “Your Highness, listen to how absurd this is! I attacked him, and I brought the princess and Miss Pei along? Is that possible? The princess is delicate, and Miss Pei and I don’t get along, everyone in the court knows that!”

Prince Duan thought about it and realized it was true. At the palace banquet, it was clear to everyone how much Pei Shiyuan hated Gao Yi.

Pei Shiyuan said expressionlessly, “Last night, I was practicing martial arts with my mother until late at night and didn’t leave the mansion.”

Xi Lingxue pretended to cough weakly, her cold and beautiful eyes lowered, her gaze shimmering, charming and moving, “Last night, this princess and the Marquis went to bed early…”

Prince Duan’s eyelid twitched. She sniffed and indeed caught the scent of burnt charcoal on Xi Lingxue, stronger than last time.

This was Gao Yi’s pheromones!

They did it again?! Really, how could they be so addicted, with only a few days in between!

Jiang Ci also cooperatively held Xi Lingxue, looking heartbroken, “I’ve tired you out, I should have been gentler.”

Xi Lingxue turned around, “shyly” burying her face in Jiang Ci’s shoulder, leaning into her embrace.

Even though she knew it was an act, Jiang Ci couldn’t help but feel moved. Her palms were hot, and she tightened her grip around the woman’s slender waist, her nose filled with the fragrance of her hair, causing Xi Lingxue to tremble slightly.

Jiang Ci was certain that Xi Lingxue had feelings for her. This wasn’t wishful thinking; she had already kissed her.

Jiang Ci was confident, Xi Lingxue now liked her.

So, what did that damn rival count for?

“Ahem,” Prince Duan found it a bit too mushy and quickly looked away, “I also find this matter absurd.”

Yao Jin’an said indignantly, “Your Highness, how is this absurd? They are clearly giving false testimony!”

Jiang Ci was displeased and raised her eyebrows, “Minister Yao, watch your words. What evidence do you have to accuse me?”

Are you kidding? Do you have surveillance?

Yao Jin’an snorted coldly, “‘The face is gone, but the peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze,’ you are too arrogant, composing poetry while committing evil! The servants in my mansion saw it!”

Pei Shiyuan’s temple twitched, and she tightly pursed her lips to hold back.

Composing poetry while committing evil? Oh my, I’m about to burst out laughing!

Jiang Ci narrowed her eyes slightly. This old man actually pulled a “nonexistent witness” out of thin air. There were no servants present at the time.

Prince Duan, upon hearing this, pondered for a moment, “‘The face is gone, but the peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze,’ this line is wonderful!”

Her peripheral vision caught Yao Zhi’s pig-headed appearance, and she was slightly stunned. Indeed, the “face” was gone.

Yao Jin’an: ???

Is that the point?

The servant witness timidly spoke up, “Last night, Marquis Dingyuan didn’t just compose this one line, there were many more…”

He recited a few, and Jiang Ci found that they were indeed word for word. She hadn’t expected Yao Zhi’s memory to be so good.

Yao Jin’an: “Your Highness, these poems are not from anyone else, they were all composed by Gao Yi alone!”

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere at the scene became quite strange.

Pei Shiyuan touched her nose and looked up at the sky.

Prince Duan frowned, feeling that this matter was even more absurd.

With Gao Yi’s level, she knew it well. She was only good at fighting, and composing poetry? At the palace banquet, she couldn’t even utter a single line, causing much ridicule!

It was clear who was giving false testimony!

Jiang Ci sighed and said, “Minister Yao, not to be rude, but your method of framing is too ‘brilliant.'”

Yao Jin’an angrily said, “I am not framing you!”

“Enough, enough!” Prince Duan waved her hand impatiently, “Minister Yao, listen to yourself, who would believe this if it were told?”

“No, Your Highness, this matter is absolutely true!”

“Enough! It’s too early in the morning for all this noise, what a mess!”

Prince Duan’s head was buzzing. She was already feeling unwell, and in her anger, she kicked them all out.

She was starting to think that the Yao father and son might have some serious issues. She had heard before that Yao Zhi had some mental illness, acting crazy, and now it seemed to have spread to the father?!

…

After leaving the prince’s mansion, Pei Shiyuan was almost laughing hysterically, “Composing poetry while committing evil… I think it’s quite impressive, he’s complimenting you.”

Jiang Ci shook her head and sighed, “I suddenly realize how easy it is to drive someone crazy.”

Then she remembered Xi Lingxue, “Your acting has improved so much, it’s almost like the real thing, that’s the way!”

Xi Lingxue naturally took her arm and raised an eyebrow, “What can I do? Look who I’m with every day, it’s hard not to improve.”

The black lotus rarely showed a playful side, and Jiang Ci’s heart warmed. She couldn’t help but nuzzle her nose against the other’s, “Do you like being with me?”

Xi Lingxue felt ticklish and leaned back, “No.”

Jiang Ci laughed, “You’re just being coy.”

Xi Lingxue didn’t speak, nor did she pull away, letting her hold her hand, but quickly lowered her head to hide the faint blush on her cheeks.

Seeing the two interact like this, Pei Shiyuan’s mood was complicated.

She seemed to feel more sympathy for this demon, and of course, she also didn’t understand Xi Lingxue anymore.

If it was genuine affection, it felt like she was just using her as a substitute.

If it was fake affection, it didn’t seem like an act.

She had never seen Xi Lingxue act so shyly before, like a piece of ice about to melt, her eyes containing a hint of charm.

Pei Shiyuan felt that continuing to develop like this in such an unclear manner was not good for anyone.

“Gao Yi,” Pei Shiyuan took a deep breath and said, “Lingxue and I want to go to the temple to pray for blessings, do you want to come?”

Xi Lingxue stiffened for a moment, then immediately looked up, closely observing Jiang Ci’s reaction.

“Pray for blessings?” Jiang Ci didn’t notice anything and said excitedly, “Sure, when are we going?”