The moon moves across the sky, and the stars shine brightly.
Inside the carriage of the heir's mansion, there is a touch more warmth than in An Xingzhi's place.
Ning Yuwang is engrossed in a storybook. It's another tale of a female protagonist being bullied by a hypocritical innocent - looking girl.
However, this one is different from the ones she has read before. The female protagonist doesn't rely on the male protagonist's status and means to survive.
She is reborn. Then she severely punishes the villains and even dumps the male protagonist, living a carefree and unrestrained life.
It makes Ning Yuwang's eyes sparkle. How satisfying!
Once she gets rid of Ning Yuqin, she'll be just like this female protagonist, roaming freely in the world.
Yan Zhao is sitting quite close to her, but he has no idea what's on her mind.
He pours a cup of fragrant tea affectionately. The delicate floral aroma, mixed with the faint scent on his body, completely catches Ning Yuwang's attention.
She puts down the storybook and feels a bit guilty about her previous decision.
Yan Zhao is so charming. She actually didn't include him in her plan.
"The tea you made, my lord, is really delicious."
"If my lady likes it, I'll make tea for you every day."
Ning Yuwang's words are laced with a touch of guilt and a gesture of friendliness. Although Yan Zhao doesn't understand the reason, he still raises his eyebrows and accepts it.
His fingers are slightly cool, but he warms them with the teacup first. Only when the coolness fades does he reach out to hold Ning Yuwang's hand.
When he does, the corner of his mouth curls up in a gentle smile, as if he is extremely satisfied.
Outside the carriage, A Er is driving with a stiff face.
A Da and Lian Zi are eavesdropping on the conversation inside the carriage. In contrast, A Er looks extremely proper.
"With such beauty in front of him, the heir will surely ignore the doctor's advice today!"
A Da says leisurely, "It seems you're bound to win today."
Lian Zi nods in agreement, "Brother Er, remember to buy me osmanthus cakes if you win!"
A Er's mouth twitches slightly, "Okay!"
He has no idea that he has fallen into A Da's trap again. He is happily imagining his first victory.
It is a quiet and peaceful night, but there is a gentle melody of the zither in the air, melodious, graceful, and lively.
Ning Yuwang is startled. She suddenly puts down the fragrant tea and asks, "My lord, did you hear the zither music?"
But Yan Zhao acts as if he hears nothing. He looks at her innocently and says, "What zither music?"
His expression doesn't seem fake.
Then this zither music is played just for her!
She taps the table with her slightly bent fingers, her eyes downcast in thought.
The zither music is vaguely familiar, assailing her like a wave.
Her heart seems to be responding to the music, excited and passionate.
"What a familiar tune."
Ning Yuwang frowns and presses her temples. She has been in a deep slumber for too long and has forgotten too many things.
Even if she searches all her memories, it's hard to find the origin of this familiarity.
Inside the carriage, the faint scent suddenly becomes stronger.
It's not the smell of the fragrant tea. It's more like the scent on Yan Zhao's body is intensifying.
But when Ning Yuwang leans closer to Yan Zhao and takes a light sniff, his body still has the same faint and pleasant scent as before.
Although it's similar to the suddenly strong scent in the carriage, it's not as intense.
The strong scent comes with the zither music!
Ning Yuwang suddenly realizes that the person behind this must be determined to lure her over.
"Wanwan, what's wrong?"
Yan Zhao seems completely unaware. Just as he couldn't hear the zither music, he can't smell the strong scent either.
"You go back to the mansion first. I'll be back soon!"
The scent is luring Ning Yuwang, but she is so eager to know the source of the scent and the story behind it.
She gives a soft order and is about to leave.
But Yan Zhao grabs the corner of her sleeve, "Wanwan, I'll go with you."
For some reason, his fingers turn cold again. Ning Yuwang is worried that his body can't bear it. "It's too cold at night. You're weak. Don't catch a cold."
She refuses him.
Yan Zhao's long eyelashes flutter, looking a bit aggrieved, "Wanwan?"
Ning Yuwang smiles faintly, but her eyes show no room for doubt, "Wait for me to come back!"
"Let Lian Zi go with you?"
Yan Zhao makes a concession, but Ning Yuwang still shakes her head, "She can't keep up with me."
Right. His wife is extremely capable!
Taking Lian Zi with her would only prevent her from showing all her skills and might even hold her back.
Yan Zhao lowers his eyes, "Then come back soon, my lady!"
After Ning Yuwang leaves, Yan Zhao drinks up the remaining tea in one gulp.
A Er understands his intention and quietly follows.
In less than half a cup of tea time, A Er comes back. "My lord, I lost track of the heir's wife!"
A Er has the best light - footed skill among them.
Ning Yuwang only said that Lian Zi couldn't keep up with her. At that time, A Er, who was outside, didn't quite take it seriously.
No matter how capable the heir's wife was, her light - footed skill must be inferior to his.
Unexpectedly, in such a short time, he couldn't even catch a glimpse of Ning Yuwang.
Yan Zhao doesn't say a word. He lowers his eyelashes, lost in thought.
The moment Ning Yuwang said she was leaving, he felt a rebellious feeling welling up in his heart. He didn't want her to go.
But Ning Yuwang is straightforward. If he doesn't explain everything clearly, she won't understand.
It takes so long that even A Da and Lian Zi notice his low mood. Then Yan Zhao says in a low voice, "Back to the mansion!"
In the night, Ning Yuwang's figure flits through the darkness. She follows the strong scent and the zither music and finally stops in a remote alley in the westernmost part of the capital.
She looks around. Her former self once begged in the capital for a year and had been to this place.
The Poor Alley.
As the name suggests, it's a place where the poor and down - trodden live.
It's in a remote location and the rent is cheap, attracting all kinds of people.
There are poor scholars, small vendors, brothel thugs, and bodyguards from the escort agency.
Ning Yuwang frowns. She doesn't mind the dilapidated and poor state of this place.
But there is a faint evil aura lingering above the Poor Alley, making her feel uneasy.
Even in the dead of night, as soon as she steps into the Poor Alley.
There are still furtive glances following her from the dark.
Her intuition tells her not to go any deeper!
But Ning Yuwang is not the kind of person who backs down in the face of difficulties.
Moreover, those who are sizing her up are just ordinary people. Even without her spiritual power, they are no match for her.
She strides into the depths of the Poor Alley without hesitation.
The Lu Mansion.
Ning Yuwang stops and observes. The zither music is coming from this mansion.
She carefully examines the Lu Mansion. Compared with the dilapidated houses she saw outside the alley.
This one is extremely clean, only a bit old. It looks like a proper household.
The owner seems to like dragons very much. Whether it's the iron lock on the main gate or the eaves of the roof, there are all kinds of dragon - shaped ornaments.
But Ning Yuwang doesn't feel a sense of intimacy. Instead, she feels it's a bit contrived.
Yes, very contrived!
It's as if it's all for her to see.
"Knock, knock, knock."
In the dead of night, the knocking on the door is filled with a sense of quiet eeriness.
The zither music suddenly stops, followed by footsteps that first quicken and then slow down, filled with hesitation.
A man in white opens the door and peers out, his eyes full of caution. "May I ask who you're looking for, miss?"
Ning Yuwang replies simply and directly, "Looking for you."
The man shrinks back in terror. It takes him a long time before he can't help but lean out again to size up Ning Yuwang.
In the moonlight, her beauty is even more striking. She is like a celestial being. Looking at her clothes, the beautiful brocade is so luxurious and exquisite that it could buy his entire mansion.
The man swallows nervously. Could she be the legendary ghost beauty that appears at midnight?
"I, Lu, have never met the miss before. May I ask why the miss is looking for me?"
Ning Yuqin scoffs, her tone laced with sarcasm, "Didn't you lure me here?"