Shen Cuiyu's gaze swept over the other group members in Liu Ruyan's carriage. They looked relaxed and even eager. Recalling Liu Ruyan's evasive actions during the incident of Ji San, a vague conjecture gradually emerged in Shen Cuiyu's mind - Liu Ruyan's ability to "divulge secrets ahead of others" might not be omnipotent. Instead, there might be some restrictions or costs that Shen Cuiyu hadn't discovered yet.
As for why Liu Ruyan still kept an eye on her... perhaps it was because there was something on her that Liu Ruyan must obtain or some goal she must achieve...
Zhong Shengwan didn't like Liu Ruyan because of the incident of Ji San. Now, she muttered "bad luck" and let down the carriage curtain.
The two carriages passed each other on the official road, blocking their probing looks.
The monotonous sound of the carriage wheels rolling on the road repeated itself, carrying the people with different thoughts towards the mysterious city of Linyu.
.........
After about two days' journey by carriage, they finally arrived in Linyu.
As soon as they entered the city, the disciples were almost speechless in admiration at the surrounding scenery.
Linyu was located in the south of the Yangtze River. In the golden autumn, the scenery was picturesque. Golden leaves fell from the sky with the wind, covering the ground thickly. They glistened in the sunlight. When one got closer and stepped on them gently, they would make a "creaking" sound. It was just like a natural paradise.
Dongfang Xiao couldn't stop sighing along the way. At the same time, she picked up many beautifully - shaped leaves and put them in her bag, planning to take them back to the Wanhsiang Academy to cherish.
The local people in Linyu were very simple - minded. There were many pomegranate vendors along the street. Seeing this group of young people with extraordinary bearing, the girls were graceful and the boys were handsome, they took a fancy to them.
A hearty aunt saw Pei Yu's gaze on her stall and then smiled and took the initiative to strike up a conversation:
"Are you a stranger, young master? You're so handsome! How about having a pomegranate? It's sweet and juicy. It can also bring you good luck, symbolizing many children and much happiness!"
After saying that, without waiting for Pei Yu's response, she deftly picked out a plump red pomegranate and threw it to him. Then she waved her hand, indicating that it was for free as a sample.
Shen Cuiyu watched from the side and imperceptibly curved her lips. She even looked forward to seeing Pei Yu at a loss because of the enthusiasm of the common people.
Unexpectedly, Pei Yu showed no sign of embarrassment on his face. Instead, he calmly caught the pomegranate, and his lips lifted slightly, showing a faint smile that could make people dazed.
He didn't look at the aunt but fixed his eyes on Shen Cuiyu beside him and clearly caught the smile on her lips that she hadn't had time to hide.
Shen Cuiyu's heart skipped a beat. She immediately had a bad feeling...
Sure enough, the next second, Pei Yu spoke again, with a hint of teasing in his tone: "Thank you, aunt. But... why did you give it only to me?" He looked meaningfully at Shen Cuiyu and raised his voice, "Isn't the girl beside me handsome?"
The pomegranate - selling aunt was stunned at first, and then laughed even more heartily: "Handsome, handsome! You two look like immortals in a painting when you stand together!"
The peddlers around kept complimenting. Even Shen Cuiyu, who was usually calm, felt a bit embarrassed by the praise.
Seeing Shen Cuiyu's slightly red ear tips, Pei Yu hooked his lips. Then he stepped forward, carefully selected a few pomegranates of the best quality by himself, and paid enough silver.
He turned around, took out the roundest and plumpest one, and naturally handed it to Shen Cuiyu.
Shen Cuiyu took the pomegranate. Somehow, she thought of the simple blessing of "many children and much happiness" from the aunt just now. She felt that the pomegranate in her hand was getting hotter and hotter...
When they found the residence of Li Jinghuai according to the address on the mission letter, there were already several people waiting in front of the door. They were all craning their necks, and the whole family came to greet them, which showed their respect and expectation for the disciples of the Wanhsiang Academy.
Although there were many figures in front, Shen Cuiyu immediately locked eyes on the person who had asked for help in this mission - Li Jinghuai.
She stood in the middle of the crowd. She should have been pretty, but now there was an ominous gloom on her forehead, and her face was ashen. Although she could still move freely, there was a faint gloomy black air lingering around her...
Not only Shen Cuiyu noticed it, but Zhong Shengwan and Dongfang Xiao also detected something wrong.
"Li Jinghuai looks like this... It's clearly a sign that she has exhausted her vitality and doesn't have much time left..."
Shen Cuiyu's gaze swept to the man who was carefully supporting Li Jinghuai. He was a man in his late twenties, wearing a Confucian robe. He had regular features, was polite in his manners, and had a gentle scholarly air between his eyebrows.
He was intimate with Li Jinghuai, so he should be her husband, Wen Zimo.
When the couple saw the light - blue disciple uniforms of the Wanhsiang Academy from afar, they immediately came to greet them.
"We received the reply from the Wanhsiang Academy a few days ago. Knowing that you celestial masters are coming, my wife and I are extremely grateful!" Wen Zimo stepped forward, speaking earnestly and even with a barely perceptible sob in his voice, "Please, celestial masters, use your supernatural powers to subdue the evil ghost that has been haunting my wife and save her life!"
Dongfang Xiao looked at this loving couple who had suffered such bad luck, especially Li Jinghuai's weak appearance. She couldn't help feeling pity and sighed in a low voice: "They're really a perfect couple... but they've suffered such hardships."
Pei Yu's gaze stayed on Wen Zimo for a moment. There was no emotion in his jet - black eyes, and he didn't immediately express any opinions.
Before Shen Cuiyu could respond, Liu Ruyan pretended to support the couple gracefully and said: "Don't worry, it's the duty of celestial masters to get rid of demons and defend the Tao. Moreover, as the reincarnation of the Black Goddess, I will do my best to prevent you from being separated."
As soon as she said this, it caused exclamations from the people in the Wen Mansion. Wen Zimo was also stunned for a moment. He sized up Liu Ruyan from top to bottom, and then became even more respectful to her. He almost wanted to enshrine her!
The group was led into the mansion by the couple. When they walked to a study courtyard, Shen Cuiyu suddenly stopped.
Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she silently sized up the whole row of pagoda trees neatly planted in front of the courtyard.
Pagoda trees, commonly known as the ghosts among trees, are extremely yin in nature. They are often planted beside tombs in the mountains and fields and rarely seen in the inner houses where living people live.
If it's just a simple preference, planting one or two would be fine. But how could the Wen family plant a whole row like this?
This mansion was originally located in a favorable position facing south, and the lighting should have been excellent. But this row of pagoda trees blocked the sunlight tightly, so there was an unusual cold air in the courtyard and the house.
At a glance, the branches were intertwined, and the tree shadows were strange and whirling. Living in such an environment all year round, even if there were no ghosts haunting, people were prone to have their yang energy decline and be invaded by yin energy.
According to the mission letter, Wen Zimo had visited many celestial masters. Didn't any of them point out that the layout of the mansion was wrong?