Wife is hell

Chapter 97 Clinging to Jin's Thigh (8700 words)

The near-farce standoff has finally come to an end.

The group began to formally interrogate the old man.

The old man's wrists and ankles were chained with iron chains as thick as a thumb, and only a pair of cloudy white eyes were visible beneath his disheveled gray hair.

It looked like a dead fish.

Ke Linyue gently waved her folding fan and introduced Tang Jinxian, "This person is the Third Elder of the Spirit Sect, named Tong Geda."

Childhood rashes?
What a strange name.

Tang Jinxian raised her delicate chin at Jiang Mu: "Mu Jiang, you arrested him, so you interrogate him first."

Jiang Mu nodded and stepped forward.

Although Tong Geda was awake, he was like a puppet, staring blankly at the void in front of him without blinking, his breathing so light that it was almost inaudible.

There was even a trace of glistening saliva hanging from the corner of his mouth, making him look like a senile old fool.

"Name?"

Jiang Mu began his routine speech.

The old man did not react.

Why are you harassing ordinary people on the street?

The old man's eyes didn't even move.

No matter how Jiang Mu asked him questions, he did not respond at all, as if he were in another world.

"Ah."

A sneer rang out.

Gan Yuanyuan, who had previously lost face, was looking at him with disdain:
"Is this your method of interrogation? Don't even mention the Third Elder of the Spirit Cult, even if you asked any notorious bandit, you wouldn't get a single word out of him."

The others also wore mocking expressions.

Zhao Ke said:

"The members of the Spirit Cult have all practiced a secret technique that allows them to deeply hypnotize themselves and shut down their six senses. Ordinary instruments of torture have no effect on them, and without special means, it is extremely difficult to awaken them."

Even if you ask until dawn, he'll just treat you like a buzzing fly. Mr. Mu, don't waste your energy; you're just wasting everyone's time.

Hypnosis?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mu seemed to be deep in thought.

After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly pulled out a dagger.

Seeing this, Gan Yuanyuan's mockery deepened:

"What? You want to use torture? I told you, pain is useless. Our Xuan Shi Wei has interrogated more remnants of the Spirit Cult than you've eaten salt."

Even if you slowly sliced ​​him to pieces, he'd only think it was a mosquito bite…

"If you don't bark, no one will think you're mute."

Tang Jinxian said calmly.

Gan Yuanyuan clenched her fists, glanced at Ke Linyue's indifferent expression, and fell silent.

Jiang Mu turned to Tang Jinxian and Ke Linyue and said:

"My lords, my method of torture is rather unusual, and I don't want it to be copied. Would you please excuse me for the time being?"

Zhao Ke and others were somewhat dissatisfied.

What's there to learn from this piece of junk?

Tang Jinxian turned around first and walked out of the cell.

Ke Linyue's gaze swept over Jiang Mu, she smiled slightly, closed her fan, and nodded: "Alright. We'll wait outside. Master Mu, please don't keep us waiting too long."

With both bigwigs having made their stance clear, Gan Yuanyuan, Zhao Ke, and the others, no matter how unwilling they were, could only angrily follow them out.

Inside the dungeon, only Jiang Mu and the mentally challenged Tong Geda remained.

Jiang Mu did not rush to use the dagger, but instead took out the Donghuang Taichu Bell from his pocket.

He stared into Tong Geda's empty eyes and gently flicked them with his fingertip.

"jingle--"

The bell wasn't loud, but it sounded like a drop of ink falling into a clear water tank.

Ripples spread instantly throughout the dark cell.

The second ring of the bell distorted the air with visible sound waves, piercing Tong Geda's mind.

The old man's withered face twitched, as if it had been branded with hot tongs.

As the sound waves continued to attack, Tong Geda showed signs of pain.

It was as if a cold hand had forcibly reached into his cerebral cortex and begun to rummage about it.

The child had blisters on his forehead that bulged out like earthworms.

His deathly white eyes began to tremble.

Clearly, this kind of attack on the soul level is far beyond what his superficial self-hypnosis can withstand.

Jiang Mu suddenly changed the rhythm of shaking the bell.

The sound of the bell was like the gentle murmur of a stream.

The twitching on Tong Geda's face quickly disappeared.

His eyes became even more vacant than before, even revealing a hint of intoxication and enjoyment, as if he were immersed in some wonderful melody.

Seeing this, Jiang Mu's lips curled into a smile:

"Since you started the fire yourself, I'll add fuel to the fire for you."

Jiang Mu did not choose to forcibly "wake up" the other party, but instead followed the hypnotic force and conducted reverse hypnosis.

It's like pulling the other person out of their own dream and into the dream he's woven.

Feeling that the time was about right, Jiang Mu asked:
"What's your name?"

The old man's lips moved, and he woodenly uttered three words: "Tong Ergou."

"..."

Jiang Mu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

It turns out that "Tong Geda" is a pseudonym, and "Tong Ergou" is the real name.

Jiang Mu continued to press:

"Er Gouzi, what did you take away from the forbidden area of ​​Chongtian Temple a while ago?"

"They didn't take anything with them."

Tong Ergou's voice was flat and dull.

"Ok?"

Jiang Mu was stunned.

This was completely different from what he had expected.

Jiang Mu frowned slightly and asked suspiciously, "Are you a member of the Spirit Cult?"

"Yes."

What are you doing in the forbidden area of ​​Chongtian Temple?

“Rescue the leader,” Tong Ergou said. “Back then, when the leader of the Spirit Cult was killed, his remnant soul was imprisoned in the forbidden area of ​​Chongtian Temple.”

"Were they rescued?"

"No."

"Didn't you take anything else?" Jiang Mu persisted. "Check again, make sure there's nothing else."

"No," Tong Ergou replied, "I didn't take anything."

"Where's the painting? Do you have a painting?"

"A painting?" Tong Ergou's eyes remained blank. "I don't know what painting it is."

"Where's the apple?"

Tong Ergou shook his head again: "I don't know."

Jiang Mu's heart sank.

Could there be a mistake?
Unwilling to give up, he asked again, "Do you know Mu Qingshan?"

"do not know."

Damn it, I know nothing about it.

If Jiang Mu hadn't confirmed that the old man had been reverse-hypnotized, he would have thought he'd been tricked.

Jiang Mu changed his approach and asked, "How did you get into the forbidden area?"

“It’s the Holy Mother,” Tong Ergou replied. “The Holy Mother sent the Left Protector of the Spiritual Sect, saying that she would arrange everything for us and let us infiltrate the forbidden area.”

"Who is the Left Protector? What does he look like?"

Jiang Mu stared intently at the other person.

Tong Ergou said, "She always wore a cloak, which concealed her face. I have never seen her true face, but I know that she is a woman."

“Cloak…to cover up…”

Jiang Mu stood there, a guess forming in his mind.

He got it.

These are two completely different groups of people and two completely different cases!
No, this is all a setup!

That so-called "left protector" is most likely the real culprit in the Apple case.

This murderer exploited the brute force of the Spiritual Cult.

Jiang Mu quickly reviewed the events in his mind.

First, the murderer used Mu Qingshan as an inside agent for the Chongtian Temple.

Then, she contacted Tong Ergou and his group of Lingjiao remnants who were eager to save their master, promising to help them infiltrate the forbidden area in the name of "Holy Mother" and "Left Protector".

On the night of the incident, Mu Qing destroyed the forbidden area's formation.

The murderer let Tong Ergou and his group go in first, making a big show of "saving the cult leader's soul" in order to attract all the attention and defense forces of Chongtian Temple.

She herself, taking advantage of the chaos in the forbidden area, secretly sneaked in and took what she truly wanted.

That painting, or something else.

Tong Ergou and his group were nothing more than cannon fodder used by the "Left Protector" to divert attention and draw enemy fire.

Where is your "Holy Mother" now?

"Our Lady is usually elusive and rarely seen; she's the one who contacts us."

"How do you contact us?" Jiang Mu asked.

Tong Ergou gave some contact information.

It was simply a matter of sending messages through secretly contacted shops, marking other places, or using beggars.

Jiang Mu then asked a crucial question: "Does the Patrol Office have any of your people?"

"Have."

"Who?" Jiang Mu's spirits lifted.

However, Tong Ergou showed a pained expression, and his pupils even appeared to shatter.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Mu hurriedly shook the bell.

Tong Ergou finally calmed down.

But no matter how Jiang Mu tried to subtly inquire, Tong Ergou was unable to reveal the undercover agent's name.

Jiang Mu understood.

Clearly, the undercover agent's name is like a taboo switch; once it's turned off, it cannot be questioned through hypnosis.

"No wonder the Spirit Cult is so difficult to eradicate; they really have some tricks up their sleeves."

Jiang Mu continued to ask other questions.

-

Outside the prison at this moment.

Tang Jinxian leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, her long dress outlining her alluring curves, which were still eye-catching even in the dim prison light.

Zhao Ke and the others discussed amongst themselves, deliberately raising their voices.

"What does a lowly clerk know about interrogation? It's a waste of time."

"Yes, he thought these remnants of the Spirit Cult were just as ignorant as other prisoners."

"Young people just don't have brains."

"..."

Gan Yuanyuan couldn't help but look directly at Tang Jinxian and say:
"Chief Tang, your subordinate is dawdling around inside, wasting time. We finally managed to catch this old thief, and the remaining members of the Spirit Cult in Yancheng must have already been alerted."

If his delay in the interrogation led to the escape of the remaining members, he would be held accountable!

Tang Jinxian let out a cold laugh, her phoenix eyes filled with mockery:
“Gan Xuanshi, have you forgotten who was making a ruckus in the streets, causing a huge disturbance, as if afraid others wouldn’t know you were arresting people?”
With you making such a big fuss, the snake would have already run away.

Don't blame your incompetence on others. At least my people are trying to fix things, while you're just barking here.

"you--"

Gan Yuanyuan was choked speechless, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the knife hilt tightly.

Tang Jinxian, too lazy to look at her anymore, turned her gaze to Ke Linyue, who remained silent with a smile, and her voice turned cold:

“Deputy Governor Ke, let me make this clear from the start: if anything happens to Mu Jiang in the future, I will come after you.”

Ke Linyue smiled wryly, "Manager Tang, this is rather unfair."

"Fair?"

Tang Jinxian raised her chin, issuing a final ultimatum.

“Let me tell you what fairness is. Gan Yuanyuan had better get out of Yancheng immediately. If she doesn’t leave, I don’t mind submitting another memorial to the capital and making things even bigger.”

I want to see whether my reputation or her godfather's reputation is more important.

Ke Linyue's smile finally froze.

He glanced at the furious Gan Yuanyuan beside him, cursing inwardly:

"You pig-brain! Just because your godfather protects you doesn't mean you can act like a lawless person. Of all people to mess with, you had to provoke that tigress from the Tang family!"

In fact, given her status, Gan Yuanyuan shouldn't be afraid of a mere branch office manager.

After all, Gan Yuanyuan is a Xuan Shi Guard.

Although the Xuan Shi Wei is subordinate to the Capital Command, it is specifically responsible for apprehending reactionary forces such as the Lingjiao sect and does not participate in case investigations.

They were equivalent to the emperor's secret guards.

That is, the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

They even had the power to supervise the personnel of the patrol offices.

If it were any other local official in charge of patrolling the yamen, they would naturally show Gan Yuanyuan some respect, especially since Gan Yuanyuan's godfather is that favored eunuch in the palace.

No one dares to mess with them.

This is also why Gan Yuanyuan is so arrogant.

But Tang Jinxian was the only one she couldn't afford to offend.

Tang Jinxian was born into a family of loyal martyrs. Her grandfather and parents all died on the battlefield. Many of the generals were her grandfather's former subordinates, so she was much more powerful than Gan Yuanyuan in terms of status.

Moreover, her father-in-law was the former Grand Secretary, who once held immense power and had numerous protégés.

My mother-in-law is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Yu.

Under these circumstances, Gan Yuanyuan still dared to provoke him, and Ke Linyue even suspected that this woman had eaten too much pig manure.

Or perhaps... someone is deliberately instigating this behind the scenes?
Ke Linyue's eyes flickered.

After all, the current situation in the court is unpredictable.

Tang Jinxian, a woman standing at the center of controversy, is indeed easy to use for making a fuss.

After a while, Jiang Mu came out.

He handed a piece of paper covered with writing to Tang Jinxian.

"My lord, we've gotten all the information we needed to ask. Tong Geda, formerly known as Tong Ergou, has confessed to five secret contact points of the Spirit Cult within Yancheng."

After a pause, Jiang Mu added:
"Oh, right. He also said that they recently ambushed and killed a woman named Jiang Zhenzhen outside the city and took a spiritual object from her."

Of course, the story about Jiang Zhenzhen was purely fabricated and added by Jiang Mu himself.

Anyway, the question was asked during hypnosis, so Tonggeda won't remember it when he wakes up.

If Ke Linyue and the others go to interrogate again and can't find out anything, it's because they're not good enough, and it can't be blamed on Jiang Mutou.

Zhao Ke and the others were all dumbfounded, shocked by Jiang Mu's efficiency.

He actually managed to get the question out of him?

It's important to understand that getting the upper echelons of the Spiritual Cult to talk is harder than climbing to heaven.

Even these skilled interrogators need to expend a great deal of energy to successfully interrogate their subjects.

After reading the statement, Tang Jinxian's eyes flashed with surprise and admiration.

Seeing the astonished crowd, the woman's lips curled up slightly, a hint of smugness in her expression.

It seems to be saying, "Hey, you who were chirping crickets behind my back, why aren't you chirping anymore?"

She handed the paper to Ke Linyue.

Ke Linyue accepted it.

His expression changed after just one glance.

He could tell that these addresses were genuine contact points for the cult, and not something that could be made up on the spot.

Ke Linyue closed her folding fan and looked intently at Jiang Mu, as if trying to see through him.

After a long pause, he turned to Tang Jinxian, sighed softly, and said in a complicated tone:

“Lord Tang, now I finally understand why you protected him so much. I also believe that he did indeed play a significant role in those two cases of spiritual disasters.”

Tang Jinxian snorted softly, her snow-white neck slightly raised, "Good that you understand."

The woman was extremely satisfied with Jiang Mu's performance.

This kid really made me proud.

……

Ke Linyue and the others hurriedly took Tong Geda and immediately went to wipe out those contact points.

Outside the dungeon, only Jiang Mu and Tang Jinxian remained.

"Master Chief,"

Jiang Mu said, "The murderer in the Apple case should be the 'Left Protector of the Spirit Cult' that Tong Ergou mentioned."

But judging from her use of Tong Ergou and his group as cannon fodder, the Spirit Cult is probably disorganized and not united.

Tang Jinxian was somewhat disappointed: "Unfortunately, there are still too few clues."

There's no need to be too discouraged.

Jiang Mu comforted him, "The Lingjiao line is just circumstantial evidence. As long as we keep an eye on the line about Wen Xiuniang's corpse being 'replaced,' we're sure to find some clues."

Tang Jinxian hummed in agreement.

She glanced sideways at Jiang Mu, a hint of helplessness showing on her cold and beautiful face:
"You've really stolen the show today. But in the future, don't be so competitive. Learn from your Uncle An."

Ke Linyue is a hypocrite, a complete scoundrel; try to avoid conflict with him. He is the Deputy Commander of the Capital Command, essentially the second-in-command.

The Xuan Shi Guard was under his jurisdiction on behalf of His Majesty. Local officials, and even officials of the third rank or below in the imperial court, had to pay their respects to him.

Especially since Yancheng is not far from the capital, he is like an extension of His Majesty's arm; if he were to truly protect the city, few could withstand him. Furthermore, he is one of the nine Grandmasters of the Great Qian Imperial Palace, with a cultivation level reaching the twelfth realm and possessing four spiritual artifacts. Even if ranked last, he far surpasses many cultivators in the martial world.

"You're fine now that I'm protecting you. But if I'm no longer in Yancheng, you'll be in great danger."

So awesome?
Jiang Mu felt a chill run down his spine.

Looking at the woman before him, outwardly cold and aloof but inwardly fiercely protective of her own, he felt a warmth in his heart, suddenly grinned, and joked:
"That's simple. At worst, I'll cling to your coattails for the rest of my life, all the way to the capital, and never let go. If all else fails, I'll become your male concubine and be supported by you."

"loquacious."

Tang Jinxian spat lightly, her ear tips turning red, and said with a laugh, "If you really have such thoughts, I'll castrate you first."

"It seems the adults don't like me," Jiang Mu sighed.

Tang Jinxian moved her pink lips, about to tease her, but suddenly realized that the topic was inappropriate, so she swallowed her words back.

She raised her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, her fingertips unintentionally brushing against the corner of her lips.

The dim light from the lanterns under the eaves reflected on the water, making it shimmer like a touch of cinnabar on white jade, a sudden hint of spring amidst the cold beauty.

Jiang Mu's heart skipped a beat when he saw this.

For some reason, I had an urge to kiss him, but thankfully reason prevailed over the desire.

Jiang Mu, Jiang Mu, you were a traitor in your past life.

I must never offend my superiors in this lifetime.

Jiang Mu concealed his emotions and said in a low voice, "I will be more careful in the future."

"Ah."

Tang Jinxian nodded gently.

-

After saying goodbye, Jiang Mu walked out of the patrol office alone.

Night had fallen, and all the surrounding lights were silent.

Only the Milky Way hangs obliquely, and the moonlight, like a thin layer of frost, gently covers the rooftops and bluestone slabs.

Not far away, a series of slightly hurried footsteps suddenly came from behind.

"Mu Jiang, wait!"

Looking back, it was Tang Jinxian, lifting her skirt, chasing after him.

The woman wore a light silk cloak over her dress, and the hood slipped down, revealing a jade hairpin tucked diagonally into her hair.

"Anything else?"

Jiang Mu asked, puzzled.

"I'll take you back."

Tang Jinxian was slightly out of breath, her front hem rising and falling like gentle waves lapping against the shore.

"Huh?" Jiang Mu was taken aback.

"Gan Yuanyuan is a narrow-minded and vindictive woman."

Tang Jinxian said earnestly,
"Tonight, in front of Ke Linyue, force her to apologize and humiliate her. I'm worried that she might get so angry that she'll disregard the rules and secretly retaliate against you."

Jiang Mu chuckled: "My lord, you are overthinking it. I am capable of protecting myself."

"Don't be so smug!"

Tang Jinxian rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.

"It is true that your gun is a spiritual object, but activating a spiritual object consumes a lot of mental energy and cannot be used for a long time."

The woman said sternly, "Gan Yuanyuan is, after all, the Chief Envoy of the Mystic Realm. If she really wanted to fight you to the death, you wouldn't get away with it either."

Seeing that the other party insisted on giving it to him, Jiang Mu stopped trying to force him.

He looked at the empty street: "Then why not take a carriage? It's not a short walk back."

"I don't want to sit."

Tang Jinxian tidied her wind-blown hair. "Let's just walk around and... chat a bit."

Jiang Mu immediately realized that the latter half of the sentence was probably the female boss's main purpose.

The escort was a pretense; the real purpose was to have a heart-to-heart talk.

Jiang Mu said with some concern:

"My lord, it's the middle of the night, and a man and a woman alone together... If someone sees them, it could cause misunderstandings and damage your reputation."

"It doesn't matter."

Tang Jinxian gave a soft snort, lifted her small foot encased in her exquisite embroidered boots, and kicked a small pebble away from the roadside.

"People can say whatever they want. When has Tang Jinxian ever cared about such things?"

Jiang Mu stopped trying to persuade him.

If other women don't care, he cares even less.

The long street was deserted, and the moonlight spread across the ground like frost.

The two walked side by side on the quiet street.

The moonlight stretched their shadows long and thin, yet they were separated by an arm's length, like two rivers that refused to meet.

The atmosphere was tranquil, yet subtly ambiguous.

Tang Jinxian first chatted about business, but when they reached a weeping willow, she suddenly changed the subject and asked hesitantly, "Mu Jiang, what... do you think of me?"

view?

Jiang Mu paused for a moment, then turned his head to look.

Under the moonlight, the woman's profile was soft and delicate, and her curled eyelashes cast two gentle arcs on her snowy cheeks, as if it were just a casual question.

Jiang Mu's mind raced, and his instinct was to flatter him.

Tang Jinxian seemed to have anticipated this move and cut off the conversation: "I want to hear the truth."

"..."

Jiang Mu's flattery immediately got stuck in his throat.

He thought for a moment and then asked in return, "Then why do you, sir, want to enter the Patrol Office?"

This question seemed to have stumped Tang Jinxian as well.

She remained silent for a long time, so long that Jiang Mu thought she wouldn't answer.

"actually……"

She said softly, "I don't know either."

The woman stopped and looked up at the bright moon. Its gentle light shone on her face, making her phoenix eyes appear somewhat dreamy.

She raised her hand and gently tucked a strand of hair that had been blown to her lips behind her ear.

"Perhaps, I just want to find something to do. Or perhaps, I want to prove something. Beijing is too stifling."

She seemed to have started talking, her voice wavy:
"Actually, I didn't like my parents very much. They kept talking about loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, but they left me alone in the capital. Later, they died in battle on the frontier, and I didn't even get to see them one last time."

"But as I grew up, that resentment gradually faded. I didn't want to get married, but I came from a military family and had no one to rely on. It was His Majesty's decree, and as a subject, I had no choice but to obey."

She smiled.

Her smile, however, was like snowflakes falling onto a jade plate, melting away in an instant.

"It's funny to think about it now. At the moment of the wedding ceremony, I even thought, 'That's it. I'll just be a wife and mother, live a peaceful life. That seems pretty good.'"

"But I never expected that my husband would be assassinated before the wedding ceremony was even over. The first time I saw his face clearly was at his funeral."

"Isn't it ironic? I've almost forgotten what he looks like now."

Jiang Mu saw her fingertips trembling slightly and wanted to hold them, but in the end he only put his fingers into his sleeve.

“My in-laws treat me very well; they are truly good people. They both advised me to remarry and not to live a life of widowhood, wasting my youth. But I… am so tired, so very tired.”

Tang Jinxian took a deep breath and smiled serenely.
"On the contrary, I think it's quite nice this way, peaceful and quiet. I just live like this. On weekdays, those noble ladies and friends would invite me to go out and play, to stroll in the garden and admire the flowers, and to attend poetry gatherings."

Life was leisurely, not particularly interesting, but peaceful enough, with the occasional chance to show off and satisfy a bit of vanity.

Jiang Mu listened silently.

The woman continued walking forward, her steps extremely slow.

The hem of her skirt trailed over the bluestone, rustling softly like silkworms eating mulberry leaves.

At this point, Tang Jinxian probably realized she had said too much, and suddenly stopped, calming herself down.

She intended to stop there, but when she glanced to the side, she saw Jiang Mu listening attentively.

His gaze held none of the amazement and desire typical of men in the capital, nor any sympathy or pity; it simply silently accepted all her emotions.

Tang Jinxian suddenly felt somewhat relieved.

Over the years, she has never lacked people around her, but there has never been a single one she could confide in.

Although the eldest princess was her best friend, the other party was a member of the imperial family, and due to her status, there were some things she couldn't confide in her.

Tonight, after saying so much to Jiang Mu, the pent-up frustration that had been weighing on my chest for years has finally eased considerably.

Of course, Tang Jinxian didn't see it.

Qingyi, a bystander, was also listening attentively from the other side.

"Three years ago, I attended a 'Questioning the Dao Assembly.' I was hoping to make a name for myself and put those pedantic scholars to shame. I did make a name for myself, but..."

Tang Jinxian scoffed:
"As a result, I was ridiculed in public by a woman. She said I was 'pretentious and lacked substance.' Unfortunately, I couldn't refute her, because she was indeed very sharp."

"I was so angry when I got home that I lost my temper for the first time in my life and smashed a vase. But later, I calmed down."

Although the woman said her anger had subsided, her words still revealed her grievances and resentment.

It's clear that he still harbors resentment about this matter even after three years.

Women are very vengeful.

Especially if the other person is also a woman, then they'll be enemies for life.

Jiang Mu immediately became angry and said in a huff:

"Who is this bitch? Damn it, let me teach her a lesson. She doesn't know her place and knows nothing! My master is a woman of unparalleled talent."

"Listen carefully, stop talking nonsense!"

Tang Jinxian felt her frustration lessen somewhat, spat lightly, and raised her hand as if to hit him.

But then she realized that the action was like a couple playing around, which was not quite right, so she took the opportunity to tidy up her hair that had been messed up by the night wind.

Jiang Mu patted his chest:

"Don't worry, sir. Next time I run into that bitch, just shake me and I'll take her down."

"Hmph, if you really have that ability, you can cling to this powerful figure for as long as you want."

Tang Jinxian glanced at her with her beautiful eyes.

Jiang Mu's eyes lit up: "You said it yourself, adults should keep their word."

Tang Jinxian blushed, quickened her pace, and ignored him.

The fabric swayed gently with each step.

Its undulating curves resemble the tides under the moon, making one want to reach out and touch that swaying surface.

Tang Jinxian continued:
"Later, I came across some cases of spiritual disasters by chance, went to some disaster sites, and saw the victims who died tragically..."

I saw a little girl, no more than seven or eight years old, clinging to her mother's arm, crying but unable to make a sound.

At that moment, I suddenly felt an absurd sense of confidence. I felt like I could do something about it.

It's not about giving alms or donating money for incense; it's about personally uprooting these filthy things one by one, so that no innocent person in the world will suffer this kind of torment again..."

She looked down at her hands.

The moonlight made the back of my fingers appear translucent white, like the finest mutton fat jade, yet seemingly stained with an unseen crimson.

"When I returned home, I told my parents-in-law that I wanted to join the patrol office."

I thought they would scold me for being ridiculous. They thought it was disgraceful for a widow to not stay at home and observe chastity, but to show her face and deal with corpses and murder cases.

But to my surprise, they didn't object.

They even used their connections in the imperial court to arrange for me to be parachuted into Yancheng and directly appointed as the head of this department.

Tang Jinxian lowered her eyelids slightly:
"Maybe... they feel they owe me too much."

The woman chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"Actually, I don't know anything about solving cases. It's just a strange confidence that I can definitely solve all the cases of spiritual disasters."

Jiang Mu listened quietly to the woman's heartfelt words under the moonlight.

He didn't interrupt at all.

"To be honest, I didn't like it at first,"

Tang Jinxian frankly said, "I think we should start from the bottom and gradually learn from experience."

But my mother-in-law told me that given my background, if I really started from the bottom, all that social maneuvering and backstabbing would mean I'd never achieve anything in my life.

She sighed softly, "Looking back now, my mother-in-law really saw things more clearly than I did."

The moonlight fell on Tang Jinxian's cheek.

The flawless light blurred her silhouette to the point of being almost transparent.

Her collarbone was faintly visible at the collar of the cloak, like two crescent moons holding back the night.

I was afraid it would break at the slightest touch.

Jiang Mu was momentarily mesmerized by what he saw.

He could sense the immense pressure this woman, who appeared aloof and arrogant in front of others, carried.

He could also sense the confusion and self-doubt beneath her tough exterior.

Of course, Jiang Mu understood even better the purpose behind her suddenly speaking so many private words to him tonight.

It's simply a matter of showing the utmost sincerity and laying the truth out to him.

Let him truly join her.

That's exactly what Tang Jinxian thought.

She came to Yancheng full of enthusiasm, ready to make a name for herself, but was dealt a heavy blow that almost shattered most of her confidence.

He then prepared to investigate the case personally to enhance his prestige, but almost got himself into trouble.

If it weren't for Jiang Mu, she might be dead by now.

It can be said that Jiang Mu was like a ray of light that suddenly shone on her when she was most confused, bringing back all the confidence and courage she had lost.

This is why she was willing to offend Ke Linyue and defy the Chief Commander to protect Jiang Mu at all costs.

Jiang Mu was her light.

She would not allow this light to be extinguished.

Before they knew it, the two had arrived at the gate of An Chenghu's house.

"arrive."

Jiang Mu stopped in his tracks.

"arrive……"

Tang Jinxian looked up at the small courtyard gate, somewhat lost in thought, but more so filled with regret and disappointment.

Perhaps she wanted this path to go on for longer and longer.

"Would you like to come in and have a cup of hot tea, sir?"

Jiang Mu extended an invitation.

Tang Jinxian tugged at the cloak's ties with her fingertips, a shallow dimpling appearing on the back of her fingers, and gently shook her head:

"It's too late, I can't bother you."

The two were silent for a moment.

A gentle evening breeze swept by, swirling up a few fallen leaves.

The once bright crescent moon gradually disappeared into the clouds, making the night even darker.

Jiang Mu looked at Tang Jinxian, who seemed to want to say something but hesitated, and suddenly remembered a proverb from his past life.

When a beautiful woman reveals her vulnerability to you, it's not because she wants you to protect her, but because she wants you to help her hold the knife handle more firmly.

"Then go inside and get some rest."

After a long while, Tang Jinxian bit her lip, her snow-white teeth turning crimson.

A touch of crimson makes it even more vibrant.

"If Gan Yuanyuan or Ke Linyue cause you any more trouble, be sure to tell me immediately."

"I promise."

Jiang Mu nodded solemnly.

Tang Jinxian hummed in agreement, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

The crimson cloak fluttered gently in the night breeze.

Like the last light stroke of ink in a traditional Chinese painting, it is about to disappear into the night.

"Lord Tang!"

Jiang Mu suddenly shouted loudly.

"Ok?"

Tang Jinxian suddenly turned around.

His hood slipped down, and his long black hair cascaded over his shoulders.

The moonlight peeked out from behind the clouds and illuminated her face.

The woman stands at the boundary between light and shadow.

Her beautiful phoenix eyes were now filled with clear, watery light as she stared intently at him.

Jiang Mu walked up to the woman.

He reached out and adjusted her hood, which had been blown open by the wind.

Under the woman's astonished gaze, Jiang Mu imitated the Qingyi's tone, bowing deeply and drawing out the sound:

"If you do not abandon me, I am willing to serve you, my lord, at your service, holding your whip and stirring rod. From now on, I will brave any danger, at your command."

Tang Jinxian chuckled at his sudden, comical manner of politeness, but then straightened her face again.

"really?"

"really."

Her eyes sparkled with excitement, but her lips were deliberately pursed, revealing only a slight dimple:
"Okay, then—"

"That's a deal."

The woman revealed a sly look of triumph.

She took Jiang Mu's finger and made a pinky promise like a child, then turned and left.

"I will report your quota tomorrow."

As Jiang Mu watched her figure disappear back into the night, he suddenly wondered if he had been tricked.

Beauty can be a curse; the ancients were right.

do not care.

I'm definitely going to get this boss!

-

The author's words:
I wasn't originally planning to write so many heart-to-heart conversations between the two, because people thought it would be filler. But then I thought, I'm writing a harem novel, what's the point of writing a harem if I don't develop the relationship?

Anyway, I think there's nothing wrong with building a relationship first before getting on board.

(End of this chapter)