Chapter 71: That Note Was From You, Right?
The carriage slowly drove toward the small alley, and soon Jiang Ruanxi arrived at a courtyard in the Capital.
This small courtyard was part of her dowry that came with her. After meeting Bian Du at Guangming Temple back then, she arranged for him to stay here.
Letting him wait for his Master here while settling down in the area.
No one knew about this courtyard; only she knew, so it was very safe.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, Bian Du was already waiting for her at the door.
“Madam, you’ve arrived. My Master is waiting for you.”
Jiang Ruanxi nodded and followed him inside.
They passed through the courtyard and arrived at the door of a room.
“Master, my calamity has come.” At the door, Bian Du said faintly to the inside.
Jiang Ruanxi was stunned, and the corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily.
But she didn’t pay it any mind.
“Come in.”
After entering, sandalwood incense wafted in the room. On a pear wood bed, a Daoist who appeared immortal-like with a Taoist air, dressed in gray clothing, was sitting cross-legged in meditation.
A few seconds later, the Nameless Daoist slowly opened his eyes, and Jiang Ruanxi respectfully curtsied slightly to him.
“Master Wuming.”
“Still half left.”
Jiang Ruanxi looked at him doubtfully, but before she could ask, Bian Du’s expression changed drastically.
“Master, last time I checked Madam’s fate, there were still six-tenths left un-devoured. How is it that in just a few short days, half has already been devoured?”
Jiang Ruanxi then understood what he meant by “half.”
But her eyes couldn’t help showing some shock.
In that case, even if she killed Jiang Xuerou and Lin Ningkun, or even the Jiang family members, it wouldn’t help?
Could she still not stop that person from exchanging fate with her?
Jiang Ruanxi felt extremely disappointed in her heart.
“Please guide me out of this confusion, Master.” Jiang Ruanxi said sincerely.
The Nameless Daoist calculated with his fingers, then sighed, “Forget it. It’s also the disaster caused by my unworthy disciple. This old Daoist will help you once.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Jiang Ruanxi was delighted; there was a way to change her fate back.
“Don’t thank me so quickly. Defying fate and changing destiny is originally not easy, and the dangers involved are not something ordinary people can bear. Whether it succeeds or not all depends on you.”
“Master, wasn’t it said that stopping that person from occupying my fate would suffice? How did it become defying fate and changing destiny?” Jiang Ruanxi asked puzzled.
The Nameless Daoist’s expression also grew solemn.
“This person has now occupied most of your fate. It’s impossible to reverse it now.”
He calculated with his fingers again and said, “Unless you change your own fate, then there won’t be any matter of him exchanging fate with you.”
Jiang Ruanxi’s expression grew even more solemn. “Master, what should I do?”
Having been reborn once, if she couldn’t escape such misfortune, then there was no point in her revenge.
Rebirth, only to live as miserably as in her previous life, was not what she wanted.
The Nameless Daoist stroked his beard, looking profound and inscrutable. “This old Daoist has lived for most of his life and has never encountered such a situation. I still need to study it.”
Seeing Jiang Ruanxi’s disappointed gaze, the Nameless Daoist continued.
“However, Madam need not worry. The medicinal herbs you donated are a great act of kindness. Although I can’t temporarily calculate the exact location of the person behind it, I can use your good deed to set up an array that will deter that person from continuing to erode your fate, buying time for Madam.”
Jiang Ruanxi was delighted.
As long as there was a way, there was still hope.
“However, this old Daoist still needs to prepare a few things. Give me five days, and I will definitely give Madam an answer.”
“Thank you, Master. If there is anything you need, just say the word, and I will do my utmost to accomplish it for you.”
After she left, Bian Du frowned and stepped forward.
“Master, why didn’t you directly tell Madam that the person capable of exchanging fate must have a blood-related kinship with her; otherwise, it’s simply impossible.”
The Nameless Daoist shook his head, his face growing solemn.
“No, you don’t know that there is a kind of fate in this world: born with Seven Killings, severing emotions and desires. If such a person wants to exchange fate with someone, they can do so even without blood relations. However, people with the Seven Killings fate are inherently ominous and cannot live past their twentieth year.”
The Nameless Daoist calculated with his fingers and suddenly became shocked. “Strange, truly too strange. I’ve lived to such an age and have never seen such a bizarre phenomenon. Go prepare the altar for me. Your Master is going to perform the ritual now.”
“Yes, Master.”
After coming out of the small alley, Jiang Ruanxi was filled with countless thoughts.
Suddenly, a carriage stopped in front of her.
“Madam, it’s the Crown Prince.” Hong Ye reminded.
“This subject wife has seen Your Highness the Crown Prince.” Jiang Ruanxi curtsied to him.
The Crown Prince lifted a corner of the curtain. Although it was only early autumn, the weather was gradually cooling.
The Crown Prince didn’t know if he had just recovered or what, but he was wrapped in a white fox fur cloak, which made his originally noble face appear even more otherworldly.
“Marquis of Dingning’s Wife need not stand on ceremony.” He coughed softly. “I wonder if we could borrow a moment to speak.”
Jiang Ruanxi was stunned.
Normally, as a woman, she shouldn’t be alone with another man in private, or idle gossip would ruin her.
The Crown Prince saw her hesitation and said faintly, “Madam, rest assured. The place we’re going has excellent privacy and won’t harm Madam’s reputation.”
Having been reborn once, Jiang Ruanxi naturally wasn’t afraid of gossip. Plus, since the Crown Prince had said so, she didn’t act pretentious and nodded to him.
After the Crown Prince mentioned a place, he drove off directly. Jiang Ruanxi arrived a bit later and was led straight into a concealed private room.
After sitting down, facing the elegant and handsome Crown Prince, Jiang Ruanxi was somewhat absent-minded.
“Does Madam have something on her mind?” the Crown Prince asked impassively.
“Not really. This subject wife is just apprehensive. Your Highness the Crown Prince attends to myriad state affairs daily, yet has come to find me. I wonder what the matter is.” Jiang Ruanxi said softly. “As an inner courtyard woman, I’ve never seen such a grand scene and am truly a bit nervous.”
“Madam need not be overly modest. You are very capable.” The Crown Prince poured her a cup of tea and said faintly.
Jiang Ruanxi’s heart jolted, not understanding the Crown Prince’s words.
“Not to mention that the medicinal herbs you gifted helped me greatly, and you even helped me uncover the mastermind behind the plague and bring Jiang Changjun to justice. Your contributions are indispensable.”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince is too kind. These are all things this subject wife should do.” Jiang Ruanxi said with a pale face.
Rather than saying she was helping the Crown Prince, it was more like she was using him.
“Madam, at Putuo Temple, that note was sent by you, wasn’t it?”
The light words carried a tone of certainty as they drifted into Jiang Ruanxi’s ears, making her heart race.
“How could it be? Didn’t Your Highness have someone verify the handwriting? That note was not from this subject wife’s hand.”
On the surface, she remained calm, but under the table, Jiang Ruanxi’s hands had clenched into fists from tension.
