Lover

“Since the artifact is unharmed, I should take my rest and return tomorrow.”

“Farewell.”

Li Xintian did not linger; he turned and departed.

“Junior Brother, don’t go after him,” Puming said, stopping Pudu as he was about to pursue Li Xintian.

“Amitabha,” Pudu replied with a bow.

At the Hong Residence.

“Scholar Li, it’s late, why aren’t you resting? What are you doing here?” Little Die, carrying a basin in her hands, saw Li Xintian sitting on a stone bench absentmindedly.

“So it’s you, Little Die.” Li Xintian had just returned from Yunxiang Temple. He turned to look at her, having been deep in thought.

“I had nothing to do and couldn’t sleep, so I came to sit in the courtyard.”

“But it’s late. Why are you fetching water?” Li Xintian asked.

“Scholar Li, are you close with the master?” Little Die sat down beside him and asked.

“Yes, why do you ask?” Li Xintian nodded.

“You haven’t answered—why are you out so late fetching water?” he continued.

“Ah, ever since Yu Bao got pregnant, there hasn’t been a day of peace. Now even the madam has been driven away. I regret persuading her to stay in the first place,” Little Die said.

“I understand the situation. Yu Bao is pregnant, so it’s natural for her to feel unwell and temperamental. You should be more accommodating. Pregnancy brings its own emotions,” Li Xintian consoled her.

“Shh, I think there’s a stranger in the house,” Li Xintian said, his keen ears catching a faint sound on the wind.

He stood and walked to the main gate of the courtyard, Little Die following closely. There, they saw Yu Bao. Li Xintian signaled Little Die to remain quiet.

“Where’s the money?” A young man, sly and rat-faced, rubbed his hands together as he saw Yu Bao.

“Zhao Liang, everything of value in the house is here. I’ve given you all of it,” Yu Bao said, throwing a bundle to Zhao Liang. “Stop coming to me every few days, do you hear?”

“You only give me a little each month—how could that be enough?” Zhao Liang weighed a pouch from the bundle in his hand, ignoring Yu Bao’s words.

“I’m just a concubine. How could I have so much money?” Yu Bao replied irritably.

“What do you suggest then?” Zhao Liang continued. “We’ll have to find a way to squeeze a good sum out of Hong Tianyun.”

“Are you mad? He’s the county magistrate! Aren’t you afraid he’ll have you arrested?” Yu Bao retorted anxiously.

“I’ll give him a great gift, and take some money off him,” Zhao Liang said menacingly.

“Shh!” Yu Bao stopped him quickly. “Keep your voice down. If anyone hears, you'll be in trouble.”

“I know, don’t worry.” Zhao Liang finished, then grabbed Yu Bao’s arm. “Come here, darling, give me a kiss.”

Yu Bao shook him off roughly. “Look at you! Luckily the master’s gone to see Lady Heng, and I sent that maid Little Die away. He’ll be back soon.”

Li Xintian listened from the shadows, and as Little Die sneaked a peek, he pulled her back and signaled for silence.

Little Die suddenly recalled the time they ransomed Yu Bao, and thought to herself, “Heavens! So they’re in cahoots!”

Her hands slackened in shock and the basin crashed to the ground with a clang.

Li Xintian reacted quickly, grabbed Little Die, and hurried away with the basin.

“This is bad, we’ve been discovered! What should we do?” Yu Bao panicked at the sound. “Should we just run away?”

“Run? This is Hong Tianyun’s estate; how could we escape?” Zhao Liang replied hastily.

“But what if the truth comes out?” Yu Bao said, frantic.

“If we’re to run, we need to get the money first. That person was far enough away—he probably didn’t hear our conversation. No matter what, we must never admit a thing. You’re carrying the Hong family’s child—that’s your greatest asset. If things go wrong, we’ll find a way to get a large sum and then flee.”

“For now, go back to your room immediately. Don’t let Hong Tianyun find out you ever left. Understand?” Zhao Liang said, having calmed himself.

Li Xintian led Little Die away.

“That man—do you know him?” Li Xintian asked after they reached a safe spot.

“I’ve seen him. He tried to sell Yu Bao to pay his debts before. Madam pitied her and ransomed her. Who would have thought they were working together?” Little Die nodded.

“So that’s how it is. They’re nothing but swindlers. The child she carries probably isn’t your master’s. No wonder they drove your madam from the house,” Li Xintian said, finally grasping the truth.

“I have to tell the master right now,” Little Die said, turning to find Hong Tianyun.

“Little Die, go rest first. I’ll handle this. Your master will listen to me; if you go, they might turn the tables on you. The matter will be settled soon enough.” Li Xintian pulled her back.

“All right,” Little Die agreed and left.

“Fraud exists everywhere,” Li Xintian mused after Little Die departed.

He went straight to the Hong residence gate to wait for Hong Tianyun’s return.

It wasn’t long before he saw Hong Tianyun approaching, accompanied by Lü Zhong.

“Tianyun, you’re just in time. I have something to discuss with you,” Li Xintian greeted them.

“Zhi Xian, you’re still awake at this hour? Is something urgent? Why not come inside and talk?” Hong Tianyun said.

“It’s nothing urgent, really. I’ll wait a few days and come find you; you should get some rest,” Li Xintian replied, realizing he had no concrete evidence and didn’t want to alert the culprits.

“As you wish, Zhi Xian. Rest well,” Hong Tianyun replied, thinking nothing of it.

“Lü Zhong, you should rest as well,” he added, turning to his companion.

“Yes, sir, you too,” Lü Zhong replied with a fist salute, then took his leave.

At the Earth God’s Temple.

“You’re here,” the Earth God said to Li Xintian.

“What do you want with me?” Li Xintian asked, regarding the white-haired, crane-browed deity.

“There’s nothing much. I just wanted to warn you—the judges of the underworld will be coming soon. Since you destroyed the ghost officer, you should be careful,” the Earth God said, stroking his beard.

“Are you teaching me how to do things?” Li Xintian’s eyes grew cold. “Or is this a threat?”

The Earth God chuckled. “Don’t misunderstand. I mean only that you should know your limits. If you destroy a ghost officer, you must report the reason afterward. The reason you’ve had no trouble so far is because you possess righteous energy. Do you understand?”

The Earth God wasn’t angered, but smiled as he spoke.