Chapter 96: The Choice Returns

The door opened.

Xing Jue half-supported Si Yao as he led her inside.

Si Yao set the key down by the doorway and let her gaze drift inch by inch across the modest two-bedroom apartment. Then she curved her lips in a faint smile. “So filthy.”

Xing Jue had kept the house, but not the care a keeper ought to show.

It had gone seven years without a proper cleaning, let alone any renovation.

...

Whenever she ran into trouble, Yan Zhiming would almost always be the first to step forward and offer help.

Indeed, Shangguan Mingzhu’s face could no longer be described as merely ugly; it was hideous, a ferocious mask like a demon from a painted scroll.

Guo Liang still took precautions, casually snatching up the rolling pin from the kitchen. Then he slowly opened the door a crack and peeked out.

No gold nest or silver nest could compare to one’s own humble den; she still felt more at ease living with Yu Zimo. Yu Zimo indulged her in everything. He never constrained her, never scolded her. She could do whatever she pleased.

“Five minutes? That’s more than enough. Red Queen, let’s move out!” Ye Kai said, his face alight with excitement.

“In just a few minutes, an unknown virus will erupt on this planet. You are fortunate to witness the birth of a dead star.” Dr. Hilaire lifted his cane with elegant grace, like a warrior bringing about the end of the world.

Yet the man was old, and she could not argue with him. If anything went wrong, she must not let it be pinned on her.

As soon as those words were spoken, most of those present were shocked again. What kind of question was that? Gong Yuxin killed your whole family, and you are asking what crime she committed?

She escaped criminal liability by claiming mental illness! How could she possibly not know that?

Good heavens, Prince Si Yao had always given people the impression of being arrogant, cold, and impossible to approach. No one had ever seen him smile.

“Brother Dazhuan, then do you know what my greatest regret in this life has been so far?” Yu Yin asked tentatively.

In the last battle at Jingshi Mountain, Zhang Bo had saved his life, so he was deeply grateful to him and revered him like a deity.

It had been so long since she had last had a nightmare, but now, just after parting from Zhong Ming, the fear inside her was already beyond her control.

But this was Xie Ruixiang’s first time managing the household, and with the countless chores of a great mansion before the New Year, it was only natural that she would become flustered and overwhelmed. In any case, no matter how busy she was, it had nothing to do with Shu Yan, who was as carefree as a person unburdened by office. And no matter how chaotic things became, the blame could never be laid on Shu Yan, who had taken the initiative to keep her distance.

“Thank you!” Anna said excitedly, clutching Xia Fangyuan’s hand. She had come to borrow money because she was utterly out of options, and she had originally thought Xia Fangyuan would bear her a grudge over what had happened before. Unexpectedly, Xia Fangyuan was still willing to lend to her.

Bai Li knew nothing at all. Even if she had been born and raised here, she might not necessarily know, let alone someone who had only arrived not long ago.

A few days ago, the emperor had posted an imperial proclamation saying that the prince consort’s concubine had fallen ill with a strange disease, one that even the imperial physicians in the palace could do nothing about. Princess Jingjia, gentle and virtuous, had entered the palace to petition for an edict: anyone who could cure the concubine’s mysterious illness would receive a generous reward, and might even be appointed directly as head of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

I could not see his expression, so I had no idea whether he was angry or excited at that moment, but if it were me, I suppose I would have been furious beyond measure.

He also felt that this jade ruyi was a hot potato: its usefulness was inferior to the Pearl That Calms the Sea, its power inferior to the Treasure-Falling Coin, and it was an item belonging to a sage. To suppress it would only waste his strength in vain.

There had once been a few fools who did not believe in fate and tried to sneak in, only to be blasted into nothing but dust the moment they entered.

Only, with many elite experts from the School of Doctrine suppressing them from behind, Longji and Yang Chan were effectively facing the combined strangulation of several Golden Immortal masters.

By his understanding, since that soup carried the aura of life essence, then as the main ingredient used to make it, the hazel grouse meat should contain an even richer concentration of that same substance.