A’Nan marveled at Qingye’s efficiency.
Jiang Zhaoxue remained seated, staring absentmindedly at the newly placed jade porcelain vase in the distance.
It was a white jade porcelain vase, delicately carved with orchids, its texture intricate and exquisitely beautiful.
She gazed at the vase, pondering Pei Zichen’s words.
“I cannot judge someone as evil before anything has even happened.
“I choose to trust people, not fate.”
Trust people?
Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the white porcelain vase before her, feeling a bit lost.
If she were to trust people, then Pei Zichen as he was today would never reach the future she had foreseen.
Although taking Pei Zichen away was uncertain, clearing his name was not difficult.
After all, with so many disciples present, it wouldn’t be hard to get one of them to tell the truth.
Even if the disciples of Lanyue Peak refused to betray Gao Wen, Gu Jinglan was still alive.
As long as Gu Jinglan spoke up, overturning the case would be effortless.
In the original story, although the situation was different, Pei Zichen could have been exonerated if Shen Yuqing had believed in him and investigated further.
But Shen Yuqing had been too fixated on eliminating his romantic rival
He wanted Mu Jin Yue to give up on Pei Zichen, so he used the case as an excuse to condemn him.
But would Shen Yuqing do the same now?
If it was the Shen Yuqing she knew, he absolutely would not.
He was not someone who would frame others for personal reasons.
Even though he disagreed with her beliefs regarding the Book of Fate and could be stubborn, Pei Zichen was right about one thing
Shen Yuqing was just and impartial.
He had led Lingjian Immortal Pavilion for nearly a century and had never once abused his power.
Should she trust him?
Jiang Zhaoxue pondered.
A’Nan noticed her deep in thought and asked curiously, “Master, what are you thinking about?”
Jiang Zhaoxue snapped out of it and looked up.
“What is it?”
“You haven’t explained yet,” A’Nan reminded her.
She quickly continued, “Why didn’t you bring Pei Zichen back today?
“Was he unwilling?
“If he refused, you could have just knocked him out and carried him away!”
“You think I could knock him out in the Punishment Hall’s water dungeon?”
Jiang Zhaoxue sighed.
“You’re overestimating me.
“If there was even a hint of combat there, the fluctuation of spiritual energy would be immediately detected.
“Besides, even if I knocked him out and took him away, he would be unwilling.
“I can’t control him for a lifetime.”
“You’re already thinking about a lifetime?!”
A’Nan was shocked.
Jiang Zhaoxue paused, feeling suffocated.
She couldn’t help but ask, “Did you and Qingye have the same teacher?”
“Different teachers, but the same master.”
A’Nan answered honestly before steering the conversation back.
“So… you’re not planning to kill him anymore?”
“I can’t bring myself to.”
Jiang Zhaoxue fiddled with the oracle turtle on the table and admitted truthfully, frowning.
“Why can’t he just be a little worse?”
If he were just a little more corrupt, she could easily justify her decision.
But no
Not only was he not evil, but he had an endless supply of righteous ideals.
It made her chest itch
Like she was growing a conscience.
“So, what’s your plan now?”
A’Nan asked curiously.
“Is he willing to go with you?”
“He said that if I could clear his name and get Shen Yuqing’s approval, he would leave with me.”
Jiang Zhaoxue sighed.
A’Nan quickly caught on.
“So the real issue is Shen Yuqing.”
Clearing Pei Zichen’s name depended on Shen Yuqing’s actions
And getting permission to take him away also depended on Shen Yuqing’s decision.
No matter what, Shen Yuqing was the key.
Jiang Zhaoxue thought about Pei Zichen’s words and took out her transmission jade token.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally sent him a message.
“Shen Yuqing, come to Yunfu Mountain for dinner tomorrow night.”
Silence.
No response.
One moment of bravery, a lifetime of withdrawal.
Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it.
He had always been like this.
He never replied.
Whether he came or not depended entirely on his mood.
All she could do was wait.
An endless wait.
But this time, she had no patience for that.
She needed a definite answer.
Adjusting her tone, she tried again.
“Shen Yuqing, didn’t you ask me to investigate the demon cultivators from Penglai Island in Wuyue Forest?
“I have a lead.
“Come back.”
Still, no response.
Jiang Zhaoxue’s anger flared.
She threw aside the transmission jade token and started thinking of a way to bypass Shen Yuqing entirely.
Could she work around him?
Yes.
Although Shen Yuqing controlled Pei Zichen’s fate in the sect, he was not the ultimate authority.
The real power belonged to the one in the back mountain
Shen Yuqing’s master.
The founder of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion
Grandmaster Gujun.
Grandmaster Gujun had long withdrawn from worldly affairs, but if Shen Yuqing wasn’t present, she could go directly to him.
And Grandmaster Gujun had been her father’s close friend.
He prioritized the interests of the sect above all else.
He had personally arranged her marriage into Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.
As long as there was enough benefit, he wouldn’t refuse to let Pei Zichen go.
Without Shen Yuqing, she could easily clear Pei Zichen’s name.
Then, using the excuse of needing an Ice Spirit Root to counteract Fire Poison, she could take Pei Zichen away.
Negotiating with Grandmaster Gujun was far easier than dealing with Shen Yuqing.
But there was one problem
“How do I get rid of Shen Yuqing?”
“Lie to him, of course!”
A’Nan immediately suggested.
“Send Mu Jin Yue to trick him!
“It’ll work like a charm.
“In the novel, she had him wrapped around her finger!”
Jiang Zhaoxue paused, instinctively resisting the idea.
A’Nan saw her expression darken and cautiously asked,
“What’s wrong?
“You don’t want to?”
“It’s not that…”
Jiang Zhaoxue hesitated, feeling unsure.
“I just don’t trust Mu Jin Yue to pull it off.”
“Why not try and see?”
A’Nan urged.
Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment.
That made sense.
Without further hesitation, she stood up and headed toward Luoxia Peak.
A’Nan marveled at Qingye’s efficiency.
Jiang Zhaoxue remained seated, staring absentmindedly at the newly placed jade porcelain vase in the distance.
It was a white jade porcelain vase, delicately carved with orchids, its texture intricate and exquisitely beautiful.
She gazed at the vase, pondering Pei Zichen’s words.
“I cannot judge someone as evil before anything has even happened.
“I choose to trust people, not fate.”
Trust people?
Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the white porcelain vase before her, feeling a bit lost.
If she were to trust people, then Pei Zichen as he was today would never reach the future she had foreseen.
Although taking Pei Zichen away was uncertain, clearing his name was not difficult.
After all, with so many disciples present, it wouldn’t be hard to get one of them to tell the truth.
Even if the disciples of Lanyue Peak refused to betray Gao Wen, Gu Jinglan was still alive.
As long as Gu Jinglan spoke up, overturning the case would be effortless.
In the original story, although the situation was different, Pei Zichen could have been exonerated if Shen Yuqing had believed in him and investigated further.
But Shen Yuqing had been too fixated on eliminating his romantic rival
He wanted Mu Jin Yue to give up on Pei Zichen, so he used the case as an excuse to condemn him.
But would Shen Yuqing do the same now?
If it was the Shen Yuqing she knew, he absolutely would not.
He was not someone who would frame others for personal reasons.
Even though he disagreed with her beliefs regarding the Book of Fate and could be stubborn, Pei Zichen was right about one thing
Shen Yuqing was just and impartial.
He had led Lingjian Immortal Pavilion for nearly a century and had never once abused his power.
Should she trust him?
Jiang Zhaoxue pondered.
A’Nan noticed her deep in thought and asked curiously, “Master, what are you thinking about?”
Jiang Zhaoxue snapped out of it and looked up.
“What is it?”
“You haven’t explained yet,” A’Nan reminded her.
She quickly continued, “Why didn’t you bring Pei Zichen back today?
“Was he unwilling?
“If he refused, you could have just knocked him out and carried him away!”
“You think I could knock him out in the Punishment Hall’s water dungeon?”
Jiang Zhaoxue sighed.
“You’re overestimating me.
“If there was even a hint of combat there, the fluctuation of spiritual energy would be immediately detected.
“Besides, even if I knocked him out and took him away, he would be unwilling.
“I can’t control him for a lifetime.”
“You’re already thinking about a lifetime?!”
A’Nan was shocked.
Jiang Zhaoxue paused, feeling suffocated.
She couldn’t help but ask, “Did you and Qingye have the same teacher?”
“Different teachers, but the same master.”
A’Nan answered honestly before steering the conversation back.
“So… you’re not planning to kill him anymore?”
“I can’t bring myself to.”
Jiang Zhaoxue fiddled with the oracle turtle on the table and admitted truthfully, frowning.
“Why can’t he just be a little worse?”
If he were just a little more corrupt, she could easily justify her decision.
But no
Not only was he not evil, but he had an endless supply of righteous ideals.
It made her chest itch
Like she was growing a conscience.
“So, what’s your plan now?”
A’Nan asked curiously.
“Is he willing to go with you?”
“He said that if I could clear his name and get Shen Yuqing’s approval, he would leave with me.”
Jiang Zhaoxue sighed.
A’Nan quickly caught on.
“So the real issue is Shen Yuqing.”
Clearing Pei Zichen’s name depended on Shen Yuqing’s actions
And getting permission to take him away also depended on Shen Yuqing’s decision.
No matter what, Shen Yuqing was the key.
Jiang Zhaoxue thought about Pei Zichen’s words and took out her transmission jade token.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally sent him a message.
“Shen Yuqing, come to Yunfu Mountain for dinner tomorrow night.”
Silence.
No response.
One moment of bravery, a lifetime of withdrawal.
Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it.
He had always been like this.
He never replied.
Whether he came or not depended entirely on his mood.
All she could do was wait.
An endless wait.
But this time, she had no patience for that.
She needed a definite answer.
Adjusting her tone, she tried again.
“Shen Yuqing, didn’t you ask me to investigate the demon cultivators from Penglai Island in Wuyue Forest?
“I have a lead.
“Come back.”
Still, no response.
Jiang Zhaoxue’s anger flared.
She threw aside the transmission jade token and started thinking of a way to bypass Shen Yuqing entirely.
Could she work around him?
Yes.
Although Shen Yuqing controlled Pei Zichen’s fate in the sect, he was not the ultimate authority.
The real power belonged to the one in the back mountain
Shen Yuqing’s master.
The founder of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion
Grandmaster Gujun.
Grandmaster Gujun had long withdrawn from worldly affairs, but if Shen Yuqing wasn’t present, she could go directly to him.
And Grandmaster Gujun had been her father’s close friend.
He prioritized the interests of the sect above all else.
He had personally arranged her marriage into Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.
As long as there was enough benefit, he wouldn’t refuse to let Pei Zichen go.
Without Shen Yuqing, she could easily clear Pei Zichen’s name.
Then, using the excuse of needing an Ice Spirit Root to counteract Fire Poison, she could take Pei Zichen away.
Negotiating with Grandmaster Gujun was far easier than dealing with Shen Yuqing.
But there was one problem
“How do I get rid of Shen Yuqing?”
“Lie to him, of course!”
A’Nan immediately suggested.
“Send Mu Jin Yue to trick him!
“It’ll work like a charm.
“In the novel, she had him wrapped around her finger!”
Jiang Zhaoxue paused, instinctively resisting the idea.
A’Nan saw her expression darken and cautiously asked,
“What’s wrong?
“You don’t want to?”
“It’s not that…”
Jiang Zhaoxue hesitated, feeling unsure.
“I just don’t trust Mu Jin Yue to pull it off.”
“Why not try and see?”
A’Nan urged.
Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment.
That made sense.
Without further hesitation, she stood up and headed toward Luoxia Peak.