After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

There are backup inside Lingshui City.

Yin Huaixi returned to the familiar streets without breaking a sweat.

Sang Che did not rest at the inn, but instead had someone drive him to the front of a secluded house.

The servant at the gate was jolted awake the moment he saw Yiyun alight from the carriage.

He quickly opened the door and said with a warm smile, "Sister, are you hungry? I'll have someone prepare some food right away."

Yiyun lifted her skirt.

She was still not used to wearing Han Chinese clothes, but she obeyed the Holy Maiden's command that when in an unfamiliar place, one should adapt to local customs.

To avoid attracting attention.

"Remember to prepare plenty of food."

The servant received the order.

You're about to step over the threshold.

But then Yiyun called her back.

"Go to the street and buy some fine pastries; the saintess will need them."

Having been by Sang Che's side for so long, Yi Yun had long since grown accustomed to it. This was not someone the Holy Maiden needed; rather, it was someone the Holy Maiden cherished in her heart.

...

The hem of her skirt swayed.

Yin Huaixi got off the carriage, her shoes landing on the bluestone pavement, and she felt somewhat familiar with the street.

This place was once the site of residences for several wealthy families in Lingshui City. Unfortunately, bad luck struck.

These families all suffered misfortunes, forcing them to sell their houses, built with their life savings, at low prices.

Nobody comes to this street except for a few people who simply can't afford a house.

Rumor has it that this place is haunted, and the remaining few households cannot sleep peacefully every night. They have to go there to burn incense and pray to Buddha and invite Taoist priests to perform rituals year after year.

Only then can I sleep peacefully for a moment.

Unexpectedly... the haunting of this place has a hidden story behind it.

Sang Che's "rest stop" is also here.

Yin Huaixi had heard from his servant that once when he was late returning from an errand, he passed by this place and saw a faint blue flame floating in the air.

I was so scared I almost peed my pants.

Thinking it was the legendary "ghost fire" coming to claim his life, he was so frightened that he carried a lantern and ran all the way back to his mansion without even daring to breathe.

Now it seems that these "ghost lights" might have been Sang Che instructing insects to light up the air in order to scare passersby.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

That's absolutely true.

"Good child, now that you're here, don't wander off."

"If you get caught by the snake catcher, do you expect me to come and get you?"

Sang Che gently touched the head of the small red snake with her fingertips, stroking its small teeth and red scales as she spoke softly.

The little tooth felt extremely comfortable being touched, curled its tail, and slowly rested on Sang Che's arm, its snake body slightly shrinking to indicate that it understood its master's meaning.

Despite the desolate scene outside the street, the house is a hidden paradise.

Yin Huaixi gazed at the pavilions, towers, bridges, flowing water, and emerald ponds, secretly marveling at the sight.

This surpasses even the grandeur of the Yin residence.

Sang Che really knows how to enjoy life and how to live well.

"This place isn't far from the Yin residence, Huaixi...should know that?"

A warm breath rose from the back of her neck, and Yin Huaixi stiffened. She was a native of Lingshui City, so she was very familiar with the city's layout.

Even if Sang Che had been to Lingshui City, she didn't stay there for long periods of time, so how would she know... that it wasn't far from the Yin family's mansion?

Could it be that Sang Che had stayed here before, and even started... spying on her without her knowing?

The thought swirled in her mind, and Yin Huaixi's breath caught in her throat. Yes.

Sang Che should have known her identity long ago, so why didn't she make a move when she was in the city? Was it because she didn't believe in the prophecy?

Recalling the moment she was captured and taken to the cave, Yin Huaixi didn't know whether to feel fortunate or unfortunate.

Sang Che did not initially intend to capture her. As the holy maiden of Miao territory, she had been arrogant since childhood, but had become a crippled and useless person.

Of course, she didn't believe that her own eye condition, which she was helpless to treat, would be rewritten because of one person.

But because she was a holy maiden of the Miao region, she understood that the gods pitied her and cherished her.

Only then will an imperial edict be issued.

I won't lie to her.

After learning that his men had captured her, Sang Che rushed over to "rescue her from dire straits."

Do not…

Her troubles stemmed from this man; if it weren't for Sang Che, she would have lived a very comfortable life back then.

As for the "past lives and present lives" that Sang Che kept mentioning, Yin Huaixi hadn't read that extra chapter. She had only vaguely seen some readers complaining in the comments section that the extra chapters of "past lives and present lives" were too toxic and very unfriendly to people with fragile hearts.

Yin Huaixi didn't click on it.

...

After saying this, Yin Huaixi stood still without taking any action.

Sang Che then placed his hand on it.

The little tooth cleverly swam to Sang Che's neck. It hovered obediently like an ornament, not even daring to flick its tongue.

It was afraid that if it made even the slightest unnecessary movement, it would be slapped away by Yin Huaixi, that unreasonable woman, and thrown into the pond in the distance.

Swimming with the fish in the water!

Why isn't Huaixi replying to me?

"Am I wrong about what I said?"

Sang Che's gentle inquiry made Yin Huaixi waver again.

Sang Che had spies in every part of the city, and he could send his Gu worms to explore places the Miao people couldn't go.

It's not surprising that Sang Che knows all this, so why should she be so paranoid?

Her fingers unconsciously shifted; the pills Yin Huaixi hid in front of her chest were given to her regularly by Hua He.

As if anticipating that Yin Huaixi would try to dismantle the pill's formula, Hua He had told Yin Huaixi not to even consider it. She needed to change the formula after taking the medicine for a while, otherwise... Sang Che would notice.

That's true.

Yin Huaixi had long anticipated that Hua He would be on guard, so the pill formula she had dissected was only for reference.

Compared to Hua He, Yin Huaixi wanted to pry out the secret from Sang Che.

Sang Che would not lie to her. If there was a question she didn't want to answer, she would simply ignore it and not give a direct response.

If you can't get the answer directly, you have to use the process of elimination.

Now, Sang Che's trust in her is growing stronger every day, and before long, Yin Huaixi will be able to gradually extract information from her.

Turning around, Yin Huaixi looked at Sang Che's slightly dazed eyes and said softly, "You're right... However, once we get to Lingshui City, it's not good to stare at people like that."

"If you're looking at street vendors, that's fine; they'll just tell you to buy more things."

"But if you keep staring at the young masters and ladies of wealthy families like that, Ah Che, you're going to get a beating."

Hearing her bring this up, Sang Che smiled faintly.

"So, according to Huaixi's suggestion, what should I do to avoid getting beaten?"

Pulling out a white veil from somewhere, Yin Huaixi tiptoed and gently tethered her sleeves to tie it on Sang Che.

"Don't move."

"I'll cover your eyes with this cloth, you'll feel better... and you won't be staring at people like that, begging to be beaten."

I can't see those eyes.

Yin Huaixi's restless heart was soothed; of course, she did this out of self-interest.

She no longer wanted to be captivated by Sang Che's every move and smile; it would be much better if she couldn't see her eyes.

The medicine Huahe gave me shouldn't be taken too often.

Yin Huaixi would only drink one pill with tea when she was truly unable to bear it any longer, her mind was clouded, and she was feeling agitated.

The sweltering heat hit Sang Che's nose as she let Yin Huaixi tie a thin cloth around her eyes.

Just as Yin Huaixi was about to pull away, Sang Che suddenly moved closer to her and placed a crisp, loud kiss on her cheek.

The sudden sound made Yin Huaixi's heart pound like a drum.

The attendants who followed Sang Che in all turned away in unison, not wanting to peek at the two of them.

Even Little Tooth closed its eyes, its tail swayed slightly, and it moved away.