Chapter One

  Just a few days after moving in, Xianyi still felt a bit uneasy. She didn't know how long Jinfenghua would continue to play this game of going from house to house. Now that Han Niang had passed away, who else could hold onto Jinfenghua? She couldn't fathom his motives or understand his ambitions. At present, he seemed like a child who had been locked up and suddenly released into the world, naturally feeling refreshed. But after the novelty wore off, who would he become?

  But that's not what Xianyi is most worried about, she's actually most concerned about her own state, being more excited and curious than fearful and withdrawn, she wants to see Jin Fenghua's future, even if it's especially dangerous...

  However, as time went by and she became more familiar with her surroundings in the new house, Xianyi's laziness began to resurface. Her bad habit of taking things easy made her start living a comfortable life, and she threw those worries into the corner of her heart where they couldn't be seen.

  Now Xianyi sleeps in every day until she wakes up naturally, and apart from tasting delicious vegetarian food, she can also take Biyi out for a walk from time to time. She doesn't have to serve her mistress, nor does she have to be afraid of the eldest sister-in-law, nor does she have to tidy up the messy affairs in the main house, nor does she have to guard the rules all day long. She is just like the women of all the small wealthy families nearby, peaceful and rich, which is exactly the life she and her mother had always hoped for.

  Such a life is also more novel for Jin Fenghua, who usually goes out early in the morning and returns home in the evening. Most of his time is spent wandering around the alleys of the town, either observing or participating in the ordinary life of this ancient town, savoring the joys and sorrows of the people, trying to blend in, disguising himself as a gentle, shy, and introverted rich son, kind and handsome, liked by the surrounding neighbors.

  Xian Yi also had times when she went out with Jin Fenghua. Sometimes it was just the two of them, accompanied by Bi Xi and a young servant, strolling over the narrow bridge, visiting the vegetable market to buy some odds and ends. Other times, they would visit neighbors, chatting with the wife of the wine shop owner about family matters, or go to a bookstore in Linqing County to pick out new books and buy writing materials. Life was as ordinary as could be. However, even if Xian Yi enjoyed this fake peace, there were always reminders of Jin Fenghua's extraordinary nature, such as the servants at home who knew martial arts, the occasional carrier pigeons that flew in, or Jin Fenghua returning at night with a faint scent of blood on her body.

  Xian Yi didn't ask Jin Fenghua about those messages, and Jin Fenghua didn't mention them either. But today was special, after receiving the message, Jin Fenghua called Xian Yi to the main house. Xian Yi was initially puzzled but didn't delay and went to the main house, just in time to see Jin Fenghua put down the paper in his hand, a hint of mockery at the corner of his mouth.

  "The capital city is asking when we will return?" Jin Fenghua put down the paper and pointed to the chair beside him, saying casually.

  Xian Yi knew in her heart that Jin Fenghua would never come back, so she didn't panic. She slowly walked over to the chair, lifted her skirt and sat down, without saying much.

  "Mrs. Cao had a miscarriage." Golden Windhua waved his hand, and Bi Xi went down. He turned his body to lean against Xian Yi, staring into her eyes and said.

  Xian Yi was only slightly surprised, and then suddenly understood. Before they left, the lady and Cao Niang had already started making a fuss. Cao Niang suspected that the lady had done something underhanded, while the lady thought that Cao Niang was framing her. Only an onlooker could see the strangeness of it all, thanks to the lady's trust in Zeng Niang.

  It is said that Fenhe, who was beside Cao Niangniang, was jealous of Cao Niangniang's favor and had previously tried to frame her for adultery when she was pregnant. However, Cao Niangniang pretended to agree but did not actually do it. In a fit of anger, Fenhe put red flower in the medicine. Jin Fenghua held the paper slip with white jade chopsticks and shook it: "It happened twice, the first time was unsuccessful, so she framed the Eldest Madam, the second time was successful, but also got caught."

  Xian Yi twitched the corner of her mouth.

  Jinfenghua leaned forward, stroking the chin of his immortal robes, and tilted his handsome head saying: "You don't believe me?"

  "If it's said that Fen He wants to be a concubine, I believe it, but if it's said that the old master's concubine is too ridiculous, she's only twelve years old. Afraid that even her menstruation hasn't come yet, how can she be so eager to become the old master's concubine?" Xian Yi said with a hint of disdain while stroking Jin Fenghua's hand.

  "No, such a superficial truth that even you, a young lady, don't believe in, and yet Master actually does, and he's going to get himself killed like this... tsk, tsk..." Golden Wind's sleeves fluttered lightly as she watched the paper slip on the tea table fly up and turn into ashes, her heart involuntarily trembling slightly.

  "It's not like we're going back just because of a few questions." Jinfenghua stood up and walked to Xianyi, picking up a strand of her black hair, seemingly joking: "Anyway, there's still time, might as well visit some relatives and have some fun."

  It's really like that, Linqing Town is not big, and the clan leader knows that Jinfenghua has returned to Linqing. However, Madam Gou still hasn't received any news until now. It can be seen that Jinfenghua temporarily doesn't want to deal with her, so she didn't let the news reach Madam Gou's ears. This is also something that Jinfenghua would do. The only thing is that there is still time... Xianyi's eyes dimmed slightly, and indeed, such a comfortable life won't last long.

  "Do you like days like this?" Jin Fenghua gently pulled on Xianyi's long hair, forcing her to lift her head and look at him. He then used his other hand to stroke Xianyi's cheek, which was so tender it seemed as if he could pinch out water from it.

  "I like it." Xian Yi was very honest and didn't say anything just to flatter, but deep down she knew that Jin Fenghua liked her for telling the truth.

  "I like it too." Jin Fenghua slowly pulled up his immortal clothes, hugging them in his arms, gentle to the point of not resembling a madman who had killed countless people. "I've always wanted to live this kind of life, maybe since my past life I've thought so, but once my heart is blackened, it's blackened, no matter how much I wash or pretend, that's someone else, not me."

  Xian Yi leaned into Jin Fenghua's arms, even though she felt the intense negative emotions emanating from him, she didn't dare to offer any comforting words. She was slowly getting used to living by Jin Fenghua's side, and in order to live a stable and long life, she had to understand his temper and know his bottom line.

  "You were left to me by my mother, so as long as you want, no matter how many mistakes you make, I can spoil you. But there's only one condition: don't think about leaving or betraying me. I think you won't be able to afford the price of that, because if it were someone else, I might have a change of heart and let them die quickly. But as for you... " Jin Fenghua stroked Xianyi's head with his most gentle tone, saying the most ruthless words: "I will make you live worse than death."

  Xian Yi thought she had gone crazy, if it were another woman who heard these words, she would have been scared out of her wits or even hated the person to the point of wanting to drink their blood and eat their flesh. But instead, she let out a sigh of relief, because Jin Fenghua had drawn a line in the sand for her, one that she most wanted to know about. As a result, she no longer needed to be on tenterhooks whenever she was with him. After so many days of being together, Xian Yi clearly understood that unless Jin Fenghua didn't say it out loud, once he said something, it was as good as gold, and would never change.

  The girl in his arms relaxed slightly, and Jin Fenghua's eyes shone brightly, her reaction was so different from others, but he felt that she should have reacted this way before speaking, strange yet exciting to the point of trembling.

  "Xian xian... don't die too early."

  Xian Yi thought Jin Fenghua would go see Auntie first, but unexpectedly he took her to the farthest village from Linqing County in a horse-drawn carriage the next day. Only when she got on the carriage did she realize that it was the old home of Old Master Jin and now the residence of Second Master Jin's mother and wife and children. Second Master Jin is the second son of Old Master Jin, also a concubine-born illegitimate child, who has always been disliked by the old lady. It is said that this auntie was also a strong-willed person when she was young, but unfortunately, she was born at the wrong time. The country is still in an era where legitimate and illegitimate children are clearly distinguished, and her husband's sons all died young, while the legitimate eldest master is glorious and unlimited. She can only live with her daughter-in-law and grandson in their old home as a village woman, relying on the land allocated to her by the eldest master. After all, why should the glory of someone else's son shine on this concubine?

  When Xian Yi and the others arrived at the entrance of Lao Jia Village, they asked around and only then did they learn that Madame had not been living in the old mansion. Instead, she had taken her family and moved out to live separately. Even if she was being unreasonable and causing trouble, the head of the Jin family didn't dare to respond. After all, the ancestral home had always been controlled by the legitimate descendants, while the illegitimate ones were not allowed to borrow it even if no one lived there. Given that Master Jin held an official position in the capital, the village chief and nearby neighborhood chiefs were already trying to curry favor with him, so how could they possibly help Madame cause trouble? Moreover, Madame had not been left homeless on the streets; she had been allocated a separate courtyard to live in. Whether it was from a legal or emotional standpoint, Master Jin had done everything perfectly, leaving no room for criticism.

  Jinfenghua is a sight to behold, a sight that makes men want to commit crimes. Whether he wears plain clothes or silk brocade, he cannot conceal his aura, just like a golden peony in a light ink landscape, dazzling the eyes and captivating the soul.

  Xian Yi let out a sigh, pulled Jin Fenghua behind him and coughed dryly, then asked with a smile the little boy who was still somewhat sober beside him: "Little brother, where does Old Jin's second concubine live?"

  That little guy saw the immortal clothes and was dazed again, then saw the immortal clothes take out a piece of candy, immediately put it in his arms, pointed to the back of his head and said: "Just live on the slope behind Shitoufang."

  Everyone seemed to be awakened by his shout, the children looked at the sugar cubes with envy, the adults were ashamed of their previous indecent behavior, and time, which had been still a moment before, began to flow again. Bi Xi distributed some sugar cubes to the other children under Xian Yi's guidance, while the adults intentionally or unintentionally inquired about Jin Fenghua's background. However, when they heard that Jin Fenghua was the son of Master Laolai and Mistress Han, most people showed a disappointed expression, which shows that Mistress Han still had good relationships with the villagers, but Master Laolai was too powerful, so they didn't dare to say much.

  At this time, one of the children was sharp-eyed and saw a rough-dressed peasant woman walking out of a field nearby, shouting: "Auntie Jin, you have guests at home!"