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Chaos suddenly erupted at Jiuli Temple. The incense worshippers outside noticed the smoke rising from the back courtyard and began to wonder what was happening.
Seizing the opportunity, Qingli slipped into another courtyard and soon found Li Jiuhua’s room. She knew it was his because she saw his portrait hanging on the wall, with a note indicating that he was the first master of Jiuli Temple.
Aside from the portrait, the room was filled with the ambiance of someone who had lived there, leading Qingli to conclude that it was indeed Li Jiuhua’s room. There were no arrays set up here.
Qingli searched the room thoroughly but found nothing useful. However, she did come across a booklet that listed several names, addresses, and identities. Although it didn’t seem significant, Qingli felt it might be useful, so she tucked it into her Qiankun bag before sneaking back to the front courtyard, blending into the crowd.
As she walked among the people, someone suddenly called out.
“Miss Su, are you here to offer incense at Jiuli Temple? What a coincidence!”
A well-dressed young man approached, holding a fan, his eyes warm and gentle.
The young man was Nangong Rui, the heir of the Prince of Xian’s Manor.
Qingli frowned slightly, noticing how he was staring at her and calling her “Miss Su.” She felt puzzled.
“Young Master, I don’t believe we know each other, and I don’t have the surname Su.”
Nangong Rui was taken aback. The unfamiliarity and confusion in Qingli’s eyes seemed genuine, leaving him a bit bewildered as well.
He tentatively asked, “Aren’t you Su Qingyue?”
Upon hearing Su Qingyue’s name, Qingli furrowed her brows. Why would he think she was Su Qingyue? Did they look alike?
She couldn’t help but think, “Why do you think I’m Su Qingyue?”
With that thought, she countered his question.
Nangong Rui was momentarily speechless, equally confused.
After a moment, he said, “Maybe I mistook you. I saw you from a distance and thought you resembled her.”
“From your tone, it seems you know Su Qingyue?” Nangong Rui questioned.
Qingli replied coolly, “That’s none of your business!”
Despite having a face identical to Su Qingyue’s, her temperament was entirely different, piquing Nangong Rui’s interest.
“How is that none of my business? I know Su Qingyue. If you know her too, that means we’re acquainted. What’s your name? Which family do you come from? I haven’t seen you in Nanyang City before.”
Nangong Rui had many questions, but Qingli didn’t want to engage with him. She simply turned and walked away.
Nangong Rui watched her retreating figure and smiled before heading down the mountain himself.
After finding Xue Nan, Qingli also made her way down the mountain.
As soon as they returned to the inn, Ziluo appeared, handing her a letter. “Miss Qingli, this is a letter from my young lady for you.”
Qingli nodded and took the letter, about to open it when she noticed Ziluo was about to leave. She hurriedly asked, “Is Qingyue doing well at home?”
After asking, Qingli felt it was somewhat inappropriate. How could she not be well at home? She was surprised by her concern for Su Qingyue.
Ziluo replied, “She’s fine, but her parents won’t let her go out.”
Qingli quickly inquired, “Why not?”
Ziluo explained, “This time, Miss snuck out. When she returned, her parents were very angry and forbade her from going out again.”
Qingli frowned. “How can Qingyue’s parents be so overbearing, restricting their daughter’s freedom?”
“Does Qingyue want to go out? Tell her that if she wants to, I can help. I’ll come to pick her up.”
For some reason, Qingli felt uncomfortable with the thought of Su Qingyue being wronged.
Ziluo smiled and nodded, “Alright, I’ll tell the young lady.”
After Ziluo left, Qingli opened the envelope. Su Qingyue had arranged to meet her the next day at noon at the pastry shop in the south of the city.
Qingli smiled, thinking it was good to know that Qingyue had her own plans instead of needing her to pick her up.
“Jie, it seems someone is watching us.”
Xue Nan, peering through the window, noticed a few suspicious figures casting glances in their direction.
Qingli was aware of this as well. She had sensed it on the way back down the mountain but had ignored them, realizing they were just minor characters.
“Let them watch. Don’t worry about it,” Qingli said calmly.
Xue Nan nodded, knowing Qingli’s abilities. He wasn’t concerned about anyone harming her. When it came to facing her, others were the ones who usually ended up at a disadvantage.
“Jie, I’ll go contact my brothers here and tell them to keep an eye out for the master of Jiuli Temple.”
Qingli nodded, “Go ahead.”
After Xue Nan left, Qingli, feeling bored, went out for a walk. However, she soon encountered the same young man she’d met at Jiuli Temple.
It dawned on her that the men who were following them earlier were sent by this man.
“What a coincidence, running into you again, young lady. It seems we’re destined to be together.”
Qingli frowned, sizing up the man before calmly saying, “What do you want?”
Nangong Rui smiled, “Nothing much. I just want to get to know you and make a friend.”
Qingli said coldly, “Young Master, I see a trace of in your brows, and your fortune is unfavorable today. It’s not a good day to be out. I advise you to go home.”
Nangong Rui was even more intrigued. “You know how to read fortunes?”
Qingli nodded, “Yes, I can read fortunes and tell fortunes. Would you like a reading? If I’m wrong, it’s free. A reading costs thirty taels of silver.”
Nangong Rui found it amusing. “Then tell me about my love fortune, when I will get married, and who my wife will be.”
Qingli rolled her eyes. “Young Master, your love fortune can be read, but I can’t tell you such specific details about your wife.”
Nangong Rui chuckled unconcernedly, “Alright, then just tell me about my love fortune. Can you tell me when I will get married?”
Qingli nodded, “Yes, I can. Pay up, and I’ll tell you right away.”
Nangong Rui gestured to his attendant, who immediately stepped forward and presented Qingli with a bulging pouch.
Qingli was satisfied. She said to Nangong Rui, “Come on, let’s sit down under that bridge. I’ll read your fortune for you. Standing here is too tiring.”
She pointed to a spot under the bridge near a few stone benches.
Nangong Rui nodded with a smile and gestured for Qingli to go first.
After they sat down, Qingli carefully examined Nangong Rui’s love palace. There was only one hidden line, but it was faint, almost invisible.
Qingli frowned slightly. This man didn’t seem destined for an early death, so why was his love palace like this? Could he be destined to be single for life?
Noticing her furrowed brows and serious expression, Nangong Rui found her incredibly captivating and couldn’t help but stare intently at her face.
Qingli withdrew her gaze, feeling his intense stare. Her expression turned cold as she said, “You have no love fortune. You might be single for life. Your love line is too weak, almost nonexistent.”
Nangong Rui dismissed it nonchalantly, “That’s okay, I don’t care about that kind of thing.”
“What is your name, young lady?”
From the second floor across the bridge, a pair of eyes focused on Nangong Rui and Qingli, assessing them.
Qingli knew from his demeanor that he didn’t believe her words. He was just toying with her.
She gave a cold laugh and said to him, “You want to know my name?”
Nangong Rui nodded.
Qingli glanced at the plum blossoms in full bloom by the riverbank and said to Nangong Rui, “Go pick the most vibrant blossom from the top of that tree and bring it to me, and I’ll tell you.”
Nangong Rui looked at the plum blossoms and instructed his attendant to pick one.
Qingli pretended to be displeased, “It’s more sincere if you pick it yourself, Young Master.”
Nangong Rui was skilled in martial arts and could easily pick a flower. Seeing Qingli’s expectant gaze, he chuckled helplessly, “Alright, I’ll go pick it.”
He used his light footwork to leap and pick the flower. Qingli couldn’t help but let out a mischievous smile. She picked up a pebble, infused it with internal energy, and aimed it directly at Nangong Rui’s knee.
In an instant, there was a resounding thud as Nangong Rui’s cry of pain and the sound of him falling into the water merged together.
Qingli couldn’t help but burst into laughter, but then she noticed a cold and exquisite face peering out from the window across the river. Her smile froze on her face.