After being reborn, her aloof ex-husband and her crazy deceased husband got into a fight.

Gan Cai'er was able to detect the problem because Jueming had been discussing the differences between the south and north of Dayong during his morning class. In his lengthy discourse, he mentioned two places: Danzhou and the northern frontier.

And coincidentally, Gan Cai'er is very familiar with both of these places.

One is the prefecture where her hometown, Qingshui Town, is located, and the other is the place where she spent three or four years in her previous life.

At first, Gan Cai'er listened with great interest and was completely absorbed in hearing about the familiar local customs and strange tales. But gradually, she began to feel that something was amiss.

Jueming said that Danzhou Prefecture holds lively temple fairs during festivals, and shadow puppetry is very popular at these fairs, even more so than in the north.

While shadow puppetry is popular in Kedan Prefecture, people prefer to watch live-action village operas.

And then there's Northern Xinjiang. Jueming said that they also hold lantern festivals during the Lantern Festival in Northern Xinjiang, but they don't know how to solve lantern riddles. Also, they don't eat tangyuan (sweet rice balls) during the festival; they eat mutton hot pot instead.

In northern Xinjiang, the Lantern Festival falls during the freezing cold, with snowstorms raging and breath freezing solid. People there try to stay indoors as much as possible during winter; how could they possibly hold a lantern festival? The lanterns would freeze and crack! Anyone who has been to northern Xinjiang would never say such a thing.

Gan Cai'er didn't know whether the other places Ming mentioned were true or false, but he definitely hadn't been to these two places. Why would he lie and say he had been to places he hadn't been to?

Is it all just to scam a few vegetarian meals from Ciyun Temple?

Obviously not. With his eloquence, he could easily make a living as a storyteller.

Zhu Xiaoxiao's expression was solemn, indicating that she had also sensed something amiss.

She said, "Much of what this person said is untrue."

Gan Cai'er nodded: "I suppose he was sent by Madam Mei."

Zhu Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment and said, "He looks energetic and in high spirits. He probably doesn't know that he will lose his life because of this."

Gan Cai'er tilted her head and said, "You mean, he might have been tricked too?"

"Of course. Otherwise, even if Madam Mei promised him mountains of gold and silver, he would still have to be alive to spend them."

“Why don’t we go and remind him? That way, Mrs. Mei’s plan will fall through,” Gan Cai’er suggested.

“No,” Zhu Xiaoxiao objected. “The promises Madam Mei made to him are ones he can see. What we tell him is something he can’t see, so he won’t believe it at all.”

“Such a profit-driven person, who would harm others for money, would definitely betray us the moment he turns his back.”

Gan Cai'er thought about it and felt that Zhu Xiaoxiao made sense.

"Xiao Xiao, you go back first. I'll figure out a way to handle this."

"What do you want to do?" Zhu Xiaoxiao asked.

"Don't worry, I won't do much. I'll just find a few capable helpers," Gan Cai'er replied.

After Zhu Xiaoxiao left, Gan Cai'er went to a secluded spot, picked two leaves, put them to her lips and blew on them, producing a few short and sharp sounds.

Xuan Qing was shocked and almost fell headfirst off the hidden roof beam.

How did this young lady from the Lan family know the communication language of the Xuanying Guards?!

Xuan Qing didn't have time to think deeply. The moment he heard the flute's sound, his body instinctively flew over.

Seeing that the person who came was Xuan Qing, Gan Cai'er felt a little more at ease, thinking to herself that Meng Yu really cared about Mei Wanqing's matter. Gan Cai'er knew Xuan Qing. Although he was not among the top experts of the Xuan Ying Guard, he was one of the captains of the Xuan Ying Guard and was known for his cautious and meticulous style.

"Madam Lan, where did you learn to play this flute?" Xuanqing asked.

"Your third young master taught me this. He said that if Miss Mei has an emergency, she can play this tune, and someone will come to her aid." Gan Cai'er didn't even blink as she started making up lies again.

Xuan Qing looked at her with suspicion, as if something was amiss, yet it also seemed quite logical. He cautiously asked, "Madam Nalan, is there something you need my help with playing the flute?"

"Please keep a close eye on Qiaoque and Jueming. These two might conspire to harm Miss Mei," Gan Cai'er said.

Xuan Qing was slightly surprised. Qiao Que? Wasn't that Miss Mei's personal maid? However, Gan Cai'er's request coincided with the task Meng Yu had given him, so it wasn't an unreasonable request.

Xuanqing nodded slightly, said "I understand," and left.

Gan Cai'er then returned to "Bamboo Forest Villa" with peace of mind.

Xuanqing informed Meng Yu of Gan Cai'er's request that very night.

"Qiaoque is actually Mei Wanqing's maid?" Meng Yu frowned. He knew this maid; she was efficient and quick-witted, Mei Wanyin's most trusted personal maid. So, she was Mei Wanqing's person?

Previously, Gan Cai'er had insisted that Mei Wanyin had harmed Mei Wanqing, which he hadn't quite believed. But now, he was beginning to waver. Perhaps, he really hadn't really understood his wife from his previous life.

"Let's do as she says for now. Also, send more people to investigate Jueming's background."

Therefore, Xuanqing put Qiaoque under surveillance. He then discovered that, as Gan Cai'er had said, her relationship with Jueming was very close, and they must have known each other for a long time.

On the tenth day after Mingjue arrived at Ciyun Temple, late that night, a subordinate came to report to Xuanqing that Qiaoque was on her way to Jueming's room. Xuanqing's expression hardened, and she immediately flew over.

Qiaoque knocked on Jueming's door with a strange rhythm. When Jueming opened the door and saw that it was Qiaoque, he smiled and let her into the room.

As soon as he entered the house, he pulled Qiaoque into his arms and began to grope her, a lewd smile on his face, completely unlike his upright and dignified demeanor during the day.

Qiaoque struggled half-heartedly, saying, "Xiao Lang, don't do this. It wouldn't be good if someone saw us."

Jueming chuckled lecherously, "What's wrong with that? Once I've taken your young lady in, you'll naturally be one of my women. Come here, my little darling, let your husband pamper you properly."

"But you'll have to win over the young lady first." Qiaoque grabbed Jueming's mischievous hand, then took out a small porcelain bottle from her bosom and placed it in his hand.

"Tomorrow evening, when the young lady is copying the scriptures, I will clear the area around the Zen temple. You should act accordingly."

Jueming gripped the porcelain bottle tightly in his hand and said, "What about the deposit we agreed on? You know, I gave up all my long hair to act in this play."

"Hehe, take it!" Qiaoque laughed and took out a stack of silver notes. Xuanqing and the others were too far away to see the denominations, but they heard Qiaoque say again, "Once this is done, even greater wealth and glory await you."

Jueming laughed heartily, pocketed the silver notes, and then hugged and pinched Qiaoque for a long time before letting her go.

Qiaoque went out the door, walked to a secluded spot, spat on the ground, and cursed angrily, "Pah, shameless filthy slut! How dare you covet this young lady! You're not worthy!"

Xuan Qing dared not delay and sent the message back to the Duke of Wei's mansion that very night. Meng Yu rubbed his sleepy eyes, his temper flaring.

"What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Reporting to the Third Young Master, Jueming and the others are going to make their move tomorrow."

So, Xuanqing reported everything she had heard and seen that day to Meng Yu. Meng Yu, propping her drowsy head up, thought for a while, then nodded.

"Okay, I understand. You can go back now."

After saying that, he stood up, waved his hand, went back into the house, and went to sleep.

Huh?! That's it?

Xuan Qing stood rooted to the spot, completely incredulous. He had gone through all that trouble to rush down the mountain to report the situation, and all he got in return was such a dismissive remark?!

So what should we do next? Should we arrest them or leave them alone?

The next day, when Gan Cai'er saw Mei Wanqing, her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes were fixed on the red gold filigree peony hairpin in Mei Wanqing's hair.

"Xiao Hong, go back and get that hairpin for me right away," Gan Cai'er said in a deep voice.

Xiao Hong also saw the hairpin in Mei Wanqing's hair, so she responded crisply and ran back to the Bamboo Forest Courtyard.

Gan Cai'er decided to stay with Mei Wanqing all day and not leave.

Even though Gan Cai'er had made thorough preparations and was extremely careful, Mei Wanqing still managed to catch them in the act of adultery.