Master Heyun frowned slightly, clearly finding it difficult to pinpoint a target due to the large number of people. He stared silently at the Feng Compass for a long time before looking up and asking, "Recently, there have been a series of major events and disasters in the manor. This jinx must have been a participant in each of them."
Aunt Ming, Aunt Hong, Aunt Hua, and even Aunt Liu breathed a sigh of relief. They all held a "whatever" attitude towards supernatural matters like Buddhism and Taoism, believing in them if they existed and not believing if they didn't. However, this Taoist priest He Yun looked very strange, and they were afraid that he would point the wrong person to them, and then they would be the ones to suffer.
Old Madam Ning pursed her lips and said, "The concubines in the mansion can be ruled out, which leaves only the Madam and the young ladies and mistresses in the mansion."
Master Heyun nodded, his eyes gradually clearing, clearly having grasped the situation: "The most important point is that this person recently experienced a life-or-death ordeal. It was because of this ordeal that his body became weak, giving the jinx an opportunity to take advantage of him. Is there anyone in the manor who has experienced such an event? Who is it?"
Ouyang Rou suddenly screamed, trembling, "Yes, yes! Third Sister was seriously injured in the back garden. At the time, the doctor said there was no hope. But Third Sister suddenly woke up. We were all very surprised. It was her! It was her! She's a jinx reincarnated, here to bring chaos to the General's Mansion! All the recent troubles in the mansion are caused by her. She's the one who made the mansion never peaceful and caused Eldest Sister's tragic death. She's a jinx! Arrest her and beat her to death!"
☆、092、Ouyang Zhide's Wrath!
As soon as Ouyang Rou's scream subsided, the hall fell silent. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Ouyang Yue, their expressions filled with suspicion, fear, and disgust. Even Ouyang Zhide stared blankly at Ouyang Yue.
Ouyang Yue squinted at Ouyang Rou, then glanced at the two seemingly respectable Taoist priests. Her lips were pursed, and she remained silent. The Taoist priest was right about one thing: she had indeed been resurrected in another's body; she wasn't truly a person here. But, humph, jinxes! How could they even come up with such a thing? Ouyang Yue smoothed her sleeves, seemingly oblivious to Ouyang Rou and the Taoist priest's words, remaining extremely calm.
Ouyang Rou's eyes flashed with a venomous malice: "I never expected it to be Third Sister. Third Sister really is a jinx descended to earth to bring disaster to the world." Then she suddenly shook her head and said, "No, she is not Third Sister. Third Sister was killed by this jinx long ago. She is clearly a demon who possessed Third Sister's body and was the culprit who killed Third Sister."
Aunt Hong added, "That's right. Before, the Third Miss hit her head on the ground and bled profusely. The doctor said she couldn't be saved. How could she suddenly wake up? It's illogical. At the time, we thought it was lucky, but we never expected that it was all caused by this jinx descending to earth to harm people. Poor Third Miss, she went to the back garden for no reason and fell so badly. It must have been this jinx who bewitched her into self-harm and dying, so that she could take over the Third Miss's body. It's all the fault of this jinx."
Aunt Hua's face paled, and she glared hatefully at Ouyang Yue: "You jinx! Yes, it's this jinx! You killed my child too!" Even the most absurd claims can find a basis in reality if one is willing to consider the underlying reasons. Aunt Hua was filled with hatred at the thought of losing her protective charm. She remembered that her miscarriage had started after drinking the medicine Ouyang Yue had brought her. Although the investigation seemed to have nothing to do with Ouyang Yue, now she wondered who could say it wasn't related? If it weren't for this jinx, she might have avoided this disaster. Conversely, she could have avoided it, but because of this jinx, she suffered an undeserved calamity. Her child, her trump card in this family, her protective talisman—all were lost because of this jinx. Aunt Hua trembled with rage. "I said my child has always been perfectly healthy, how could she suddenly miscarry? It's all because of you, you jinx! You're the jinx! You should catch this jinx, turn her into a wooden doll, and burn her alive to stop her from harming people!"
Madam Ning frowned and said in a deep voice, "I never imagined that our grand General's Mansion would be so ravaged by this jinx! Master, do you remember when Caiyue got angry with you at Mingyue Pavilion? At that time, Caiyue only felt a rush of heat to the top of her head and didn't have time to think about anything else. It wasn't until I returned to Shanyu Pavilion that I came to my senses. Since then, Master, have you ever seen me be disrespectful? Thinking about it now, it's really strange. At the time, I thought I was just confused from anger, but now I realize that I was jinxed by this jinx, causing my relationship with you to become distant. It's truly unforgivable!" Madam Ning was very angry, but her eyes were filled with an indescribable coldness as she looked at Ouyang Yue. As for whether she was jinxed or really confused from anger, who would care about her now? No one!
"So, the eldest young lady's death is even more inextricably linked to the third young lady. That day at the Ning Mansion, the third young lady suddenly fainted, and the second young lady helped her down to rest. Who knew that the eldest and second young ladies would one after another be possessed by evil spirits and faint, which led to the scandal. But the third young lady, who was originally unconscious, miraculously recovered completely. This was already strange, and now that I think about it, she really is a jinx." Aunt Ming's face was half-covered, but she didn't speak ill of her. Especially now that only half of her face was visible, her left eye glared angrily, making her appear even more terrifying and frightening than the others. Aunt Ming was furious. Generally speaking, trembling all over, she said, "I know Miss's temperament. She's a very determined person, how could she suddenly commit suicide? Besides, with something like this happening in the Ning Mansion, the marriage between the General's Mansion and the Hong Mansion is basically settled. Even if Miss feels ashamed, at least she has a place to belong. Compared to the Second Miss... that's much better. Why did she choose to commit suicide at this time? I really can't understand it. It turns out, it was all the work of a jinx. Poor Miss, she died so unjustly." Aunt Ming was unable to move while sitting in her chair. If she could, she would have already run down and beaten Ouyang Yue. Aunt Ming didn't mention her injuries. After all, the evidence of her drugging Aunt Hua was conclusive. If she said too much, she would implicate herself. Aunt Ming wasn't that stupid. Now that she was certain Ouyang Yue was a jinx, she was doomed to die today!
"Yes, yes, no matter what bad things happened during this time, the Third Miss was always there. One thing after another, how could it be such a coincidence? This is not a coincidence at all. This is evil spirits bringing disaster to the General's Mansion." Aunt Hua said shrilly, her gaze towards Ouyang Yue was vicious, as if she wanted to swallow her whole.
Old Madam Ning's face was gloomy. The more she thought about it, the colder it became. She wasn't at the manor when Ouyang Yue fell in the back garden and was on the verge of death; she had only heard that it was a near-death experience, and that Ouyang Yue had survived. She hadn't taken it seriously. But recalling the events before and after her return to the manor, she felt increasingly uneasy about the whole affair. Ouyang Rou's loss of virginity, followed by offending the Second Princess in the palace, Ouyang Rou falling into the water, Ning Zhuangxue being murdered, Rui Yuhuan almost being disfigured by Ouyang Yue upon arrival, the shameful scandal at the Ning family's birthday banquet, Ouyang Hua's secret suicide, all contributed to the irreconcilable conflict between the General's Mansion and the Hong Mansion. They had also offended the Crown Prince, and the scandal at the General's Mansion spread. Ouyang Zhide, who had returned with merit, received neither reward nor punishment. Aunt Hua had finally conceived after so many years, being cautious and eagerly anticipating her pregnancy, but she miscarried so easily. Aunt Ming was blinded and crippled as a result, and then Ouyang Yue arrogantly led people to smash up her courtyard. Later, Ouyang Tong was taken in by Ning Shi and her health had greatly improved, but she suddenly swallowed gold and almost died. That's not all. Yu Huan went to the Five Elements Temple with them this time and actually injured her face so badly that she was quite disfigured.
Old Madam Ning felt a chill run down her spine. In all of these events, Ouyang Yue's presence was unmistakable. It wasn't a matter of doubt; it was an undeniable fact. There couldn't possibly be so many coincidences in this world. Ouyang Yue must be a jinx sent to harm humanity, and she chose their General's Mansion as her first target, causing their current predicament. She had to be eliminated to ensure the future peace and prosperity of the General's Mansion.
"Guards, seize this beast and hack him to death immediately!" Thinking of this, Old Madam Ning shouted, waving her hands urgently at the servants and pointing at Ouyang Yue repeatedly, her voice stern and cold.
The servants in the manor were terrified as they listened to their masters recount recent events. They trembled and tried to grab Ouyang Yue, but Ouyang Yue raised her head with a faint smile on her face. The smile was clearly beautiful and lovely, but it sent chills down their spines and made them break out in a cold sweat. They were even more convinced that the Third Miss was indeed a demon, and that her appearance was definitely not normal.
Old Ning immediately shouted, "Quick, quick, grab her! Otherwise she'll escape!" Old Ning screamed in fright.
Ouyang Zhide frowned, feeling somewhat agitated. Looking at Ouyang Yue's faint smile, which only made her seem colder, he became even more flustered. Nevertheless, he shouted, "Stop!"
Old Madam Ning shouted at him, "Even at a time like this, you still care about this beast? Do you want to kill everyone in the manor before you stop? Don't you think about what's happened recently? She's definitely a jinx, a plague god! Do you still want to continue spoiling her like this, ruining everyone? Ouyang Zhide, how could you be so unfilial? Are you trying to kill me?!"
Ouyang Zhide's face was grim, his eyes sweeping over Ouyang Yue with an uncertain expression. As a military general, Ouyang Zhide didn't believe in such superstitious beliefs; otherwise, the Buddhist concept of karma and retribution would have already come back to haunt him. But disbelief aside, the two Taoist priests' sudden arrival and the facts laid bare before him made things difficult. Although Yue'er's personality hadn't changed much, her actions had become more arrogant. For example, her cooking skills were questionable. Previously, Yue'er would never have cooked; she would probably have run away as soon as she entered the kitchen. This matter was indeed suspicious in many ways.
But he also had his doubts. Yes, Yue'er seemed to have changed somewhat, but she had become more caring, smarter, and more outstanding. All of this was very similar to her back then. She was such an exceptional woman, pursued and adored by countless young men in the capital, and he was one of them. Back then, she was equally adept in the drawing room and the kitchen. While she might not have been an expert in everything from astronomy to geography, her knowledge and literary talent were certainly on par with the average scholar. Otherwise, she wouldn't have become one of the most beautiful women in the Langya Continent. A daughter born to such a woman should naturally inherit her talents. He had readily accepted Yue'er's changes at the time, believing that these were things Yue'er should naturally possess.
Is it possible that everything will change only if a jinx descends to earth to harm people? Ouyang Zhide really didn't want to believe it. Was Yan'er's child destined to be like this? Why was she a jinx? But the recent events in the manor... his mother and Ning Shi were right. Are there really so many coincidences in the world? Yue'er must have been involved in every single one of them. This is truly...
Ouyang Yue could see the struggle in Ouyang Zhide's eyes. His expression changed several times before he finally said, "The saying about ghosts and gods is a matter of belief; if you believe, they exist, if you don't, they don't. You all stay in the inner quarters all day long, instead of thinking about how to discipline yourselves properly. When you make mistakes, you try to blame these absurd things. It's ridiculous. Ask yourselves honestly, are you all without fault in the things that have happened? Shut up."
Old Madam Ning was furious. She looked at Ouyang Zhide with a look of utter disappointment: "Look at yourself! The facts are right in front of you, yet you still speak up for her. Do you still dare to say she's innocent? I think you've been bewitched by this beast, which is why you're siding with this vicious slut. Wake up! Kill this beast immediately to ensure the safety of the General's Mansion."
Ouyang Yue smiled faintly at Ouyang Zhide. She was actually a little pleased that Ouyang Zhide was still speaking up for her at this time. If it were her in this situation, she would definitely have wavered in the face of so many layers of evidence. But he chose to speak up for her, and Ouyang Yue would appreciate his protection at this moment.
But when she glanced at the others in the hall again, a layer of frost gradually covered her eyes, until no one could discern her expression; only an infinite coldness remained, chilling to the bone. Standing beside Ouyang Yue, Dongxue could feel the immense pressure Ouyang Yue exerted. For a moment, she even felt her throat tighten, wanting to speak but unable to utter a word. This young lady was truly terrifying, and her aura was astonishing; she had only ever felt such power in front of her master…
Ouyang Yue slowly walked towards Daoist Heyun. The latter looked at the girl who was smiling gently as she approached, but for some reason his heart suddenly tightened and his whole body tensed up. He felt a strong sense of intimidation. He had been wandering the world for so many years and had never encountered such a girl. How could she have such an aura?
Ouyang Yue looked at Daoist Heyun, her voice as gentle as if she were speaking to an executioner who had pushed her to hell: "Daoist Heyun is clearly a person of profound Daoist skills. I'll greet you here first."
Master Heyun's heart tightened even more. This girl seemed even more sinister now. Shouldn't she be making a scene, arguing that she wasn't a jinx, listing evidence to prove herself, or begging her elders to intervene? Why was she smiling like an observer, her attitude towards him so friendly it made him uneasy? Master Heyun was nervous, but he still nodded and said, "You wicked creature, stop your futile resistance. You have brought such calamity upon the General's Mansion. You must pay for your sins. Allow me to take you in first, so that you may suffer the torments of reincarnation to atone for the many sins you have committed in this life."
Ouyang Yue's eyes crinkled into a wider smile, her voice clear and crisp: "Master Heyun insists that I'm possessed by a jinx, but what evidence do you have?"
Master Heyun said in a deep voice, "Do we need more evidence? The people in the General's Mansion are already the best evidence."
Ouyang Yue's smile remained unchanged, but her eyes were as cold as ice: "So that means there is no solid evidence." Just as Daoist Heyun was about to refute, Ouyang Yue asked, "Since Daoist Heyun comes from the number one Daoist temple in the Great Zhou, he should naturally know the great name of the abbot of Baiyun Temple, right?"
Master Heyun stared coldly at Ouyang Yue, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. He was about to say something, but he knew all too well: "This is Zizai. Master Lingyun, the abbot of Baiyun Temple, is my grandmaster."
“Yes, I have always been quite fond of Buddhist and Taoist teachings, and I have long admired Master Lingyun. I have never had the opportunity to visit him. However, I am very concerned about Baiyun Temple because of my faith. I have heard that Master Lingyun has three disciples. Although they do not have the prestige of Master Lingyun, they are still considered to be among the most senior Taoists. Is this true?” Ouyang Yue asked sincerely. Master Heyun frowned slightly, while Ouyang Rou and Rui Yuhuan in the hall were getting anxious. If this continued, something unexpected might happen. The two wanted to stop her, but they could not stop Ouyang Yue from discussing Taoism with Master Heyun, as that would be disrespectful.
Master Heyun nodded and said, “Of course, my grandmaster Lingyun’s three disciples, Daoming, Daoxuan and Daozong, are also highly respected and accomplished in Taoism. My master is Daoming, the head of the three. Although I have some understanding of Taoist magic, I am far inferior to my master and my two uncles, and I am worlds apart from my grandmaster Lingyun.”
Ouyang Yue shook her head in disagreement: "In my opinion, the cultivation of Tao is about constantly comprehending the secrets of heaven in order to seek the Great Tao. However, it is judged by the amount of heavenly secrets one has mastered, not by one's cultivation level. If Daoist Heyun himself has such thoughts, it means that your Dao heart is not firm enough, indicating that you have distracting thoughts and are entangled in worldly affairs." Daoist Heyun's expression changed, and his eyes turned cold as he looked at Ouyang Yue. Ouyang Yue looked at him calmly, but continued, "Since Daoist Heyun is a disciple of Master Daoming, he must also know that Master Daoming and Master Daoxuan have always been on good terms, but because Master Daozong entered the sect the latest among the three disciples, has the best comprehension, and is the most favored by Celestial Master Lingyun, they are somewhat at odds."
Master Heyun immediately felt a sense of vigilance: "My master is a highly accomplished Taoist, how could you ordinary people possibly understand him? These are merely the result of mortals' delusions. My master has a harmonious relationship with his two senior uncles, and there is absolutely no such thing as animosity between them."
Ouyang Yue blinked in surprise: "Huh, so even Daoist Heyun didn't know about this? It's really suspicious that you say you're Daoming's disciple. This is probably not a secret in Baiyun Temple. It's really suspicious that you, the so-called disciple of Daoming, didn't know. It's really suspicious of your true identity."
Master Heyun pursed his lips, his mind churning. Ouyang Yue was right. Even if these things weren't common knowledge, they weren't exactly secrets. At least the people in Baiyun Temple wouldn't be unaware of them. And he had spent a lot of money to extract the information. If he refuted it, it would definitely affect the authenticity of his identity. Master Heyun said in a deep voice, "As my master's prized disciple, I am naturally very clear about this matter."
Ouyang Yue nodded: "I see. Master Heyun was unwilling to tell the truth before because of the reputation of Master and Uncle. Master Heyun's respect for his teacher is truly admirable."
Master Heyun smiled slightly and said, "As a disciple, these are all things I should do."
Ouyang Yue nodded vigorously, her face full of admiration. "I've also heard that Master Daoming has an excellent skill in brewing wine. Even the Empress Dowager loves it very much, and when she needs some, she has to send someone to Baiyun Temple to ask for it." Just as Daoist Heyun was about to answer, Ouyang Yue asked again, "By the way, I've heard that Master Daoming's specialty is brewing peach wine, which is sweet and sour and can not only prolong life but also improve appetite and digestion." These rumors were already circulating, so they were certainly true. Heyun frowned, about to speak, but Ouyang interrupted him again, "However, Master Daoxuan's favorite wine is plum blossom wine brewed by Master Daoming, and Master Daozong's favorite is osmanthus wine. Is that true?" Ouyang Yue looked at Daoist Heyun expectantly, like the most loyal believer in the world. Master Heyun was taken aback, then nodded and said, "You're right."
"Huh?" Ouyang Yue exclaimed in confusion, "Master Heyun, are all of these real? You're not mistaken?"
Master Heyun was getting a headache from Ouyang Yue's pointless questions. His main purpose in coming today was to link Ouyang Yue with the jinx so that he could get rid of her. He hadn't expected her to ask so many questions and drag things out. Master Heyun's gentle expression was starting to soften, but he was already getting impatient: "That's right, absolutely true, you beast! Stop pretending to delay. Surrender obediently, and I'll give you a quick death."
Ouyang Yue's eyes narrowed, her expression turning grim: "You charlatan! You dare to come to the General's Mansion and spout nonsense to swindle money, causing such a commotion! You're the shameless jinx! Everything you've said is a lie. You're not a Taoist priest from Baiyun Temple at all. If you were truly a disciple of Master Daoming, how could you not know that Master Daoxuan, who was on good terms with Master Daoming, preferred mixed fruit wine instead of plum blossom wine? And Master Daozong disliked osmanthus wine; he preferred plum blossom wine. Speak! Who are you? Who sent you to the General's Mansion to stir up trouble, daring to maliciously frame me and even impersonate a disciple of Baiyun Temple, the foremost Taoist temple in the Great Zhou? This is disrespectful to Baiyun Temple! If the Empress Dowager finds out, she will surely kill you as a warning to others!"
Master Heyun was startled, and even Ouyang Rou was taken aback. Her eyelids twitched, and her hands clenched tightly. Ouyang Yue had actually caught her red-handed. Of course, she knew that Master Heyun wasn't a disciple of Baiyun Temple, because this person was someone she had deliberately brought to frame Ouyang Yue. Previously, Heyun had spent a lot of money to gather information from Baiyun Temple, but it was impossible to find out the details about masters like Lingyun Celestial Master, Daoming, Daoxuan, and Daozong. Naturally, there would be omissions and errors. Who knew that Ouyang Yue knew these things? It was truly a miscalculation.
He Yun's heart skipped a beat, and he was also very puzzled. Ouyang Yue knew a lot about him. He had been traveling in the martial world for many years and was quite knowledgeable. He suppressed his shock and said, "You beast, I almost fell for your trick. You kept asking questions, but I was only paying attention to whether you were trying to cheat me. Naturally, I did not think deeply about the meaning behind your words. I did not expect that you, you beast, were indeed cunning and actually plotted against me."
Ouyang Yue raised her eyebrows and said, "Oh, what Daoist Heyun means is that you know that Master Daoxuan likes to drink mixed fruit wine, while Master Daozong likes plum blossom wine, and that this is true. Are you sure?" Ouyang Yue's doubtful expression immediately made evil thoughts flash in Heyun's heart. He shouted, "Of course it's true. You beast, don't delay any longer. I will execute you on the spot right now."
Ouyang Yue laughed loudly: "What a self-proclaimed enlightened master! He's spouting utter nonsense. Since Master Daozong is at odds with Master Daoming, how could he possibly drink the flower wine brewed by Master Daoming himself? Master Daozong hates drinking fermented rice wine the most. How can you, a grand-disciple of Baiyun Temple, not even know this? As for what kind of fermented rice wine Master Daoxuan and Master Daozong actually like to drink, that's all made up by me. You've changed your story again and again just to follow my words, completely unaware of the truth. You absolutely cannot be a Taoist from Baiyun Temple. You've tricked and deceived my general's mansion. You must have borrowed the courage of heaven! Today, I'll see who takes whom down!"
Suddenly, Ouyang Yue made her move, her hand half-clenched into a claw shape, and stabbed towards He Yun's eyes. He Yun had just come back to his senses from Ouyang Yue's words and hadn't even had time to resent Ouyang Yue for playing tricks on him when he felt a strong wind in front of him. He immediately realized what was happening and dodged to the side, shouting fiercely, "This beast is indeed enraged! Jingyun, quickly seize her! We must execute her on the spot today to prevent her from harming the world. Come and help your master!"
Suddenly, Jingyun, the disciple following Heyun, moved. His eyes flashed with ice swords, and his punches were as fierce as tigers and leopards, attacking Ouyang Yue from behind. Ouyang Yue was focused on fighting Heyun and had no time to pay attention to what was behind her. Just as Jingyun was about to strike Ouyang Yue's shoulder, Dongxue suddenly flashed from the side and swung her palm.
"Smack!" Jingyun's arm was jolted and she immediately pulled it back, but she had already kicked out and swept her leg towards Dongxue's face. Dongxue turned around and dodged, her hand like a chicken claw grabbing at Jingyun's ankle, while her other hand hooked and twisted something. Jingyun was startled and immediately swung her palm from behind. Dongxue's face turned cold and she raised her leg backward, blocking Jingyun's palm strike. "Smack!" The crisp sound of the hand and leg colliding was so loud that it seemed to vibrate the eardrums of those who heard it.
The people of Anhetang were shocked by this change. Ouyang Yue suddenly pointed out that He Yun was a fake Taoist priest with an undeserved reputation. They were full of doubts, but the next second they started fighting. The fight was so fierce that they couldn't even see the movements clearly.
Of course, this didn't include Ouyang Zhide and his henchman, Hei Da. The two were slightly alarmed; they hadn't expected Ouyang Yue to have such a skilled maid. Judging from her agile reactions and ruthless attacks during the battle, she was clearly not someone an ordinary family could raise. Even Hei Da, who had followed Ouyang Zhide into battle, wasn't confident he could gain any advantage over this maid. Ouyang Zhide was even more astonished by Ouyang Yue's skill. Although Ouyang Yue lacked internal energy, her attacks were even more cunning than Dong Xue's. Despite the lack of internal strength, her ability to deflect attacks and then launch counterattacks gradually strained He Yun, forcing him to retreat and dodge repeatedly.
He Yun's eyes flashed with a cold light. His right hand suddenly gripped the compass in his left. In the next instant, a flash of white light appeared in the air as he drew a sharp sword and thrust it towards Ouyang Yue's chest. Ouyang Yue was caught off guard and quickly retreated several steps to dodge. However, He Yun suddenly covered Ouyang Yue with the compass in his left hand. Ouyang Yue's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately had a bad premonition. He Yun turned his left hand, and several sharp daggers were immediately thrust into the compass with a "swish, swish, swish," and he stabbed at Ouyang Yue with great speed.
This He Yun was a man of the martial arts world, and he was obviously very experienced in actual combat. He could not deal with Ouyang Yue’s tricky close combat, but he could win with his weapons. The compass dagger and the sword came at the same time. Because the movement was so fast, Ouyang Yue had no choice but to raise his hand to block. At the same time, he swept his leg down to try to strike first.
The dagger on the compass was clearly aimed at Ouyang Yue's fair fist, but for some reason, its movement suddenly changed. The compass seemed to be sucked in by Ouyang Yue, unable to move. He Yun was startled and used all his strength to push it backward. However, this momentary mistake gave Ouyang Yue ample time. Ouyang Yue's eyes flashed coldly, and she stretched out her leg and kicked He Yun's knee hard. "Crack!" The sound of bones breaking echoed in the hall. He Yun screamed in pain as his left leg was bent forward in a half-folded position, and his body fell straight backward. Ouyang Yue stared at him coldly. Although she had no internal energy, the close combat skills she learned in her previous life were not just for show. Every move she made was aimed at the vulnerable parts of the body. If someone was hit hard by her, there was only one word: "injury" or "death"!
"Bang!" At the same time, Dongxue swept her long leg and hit Jingyun's face hard. Jingyun flew through the air and crashed into Heyun, who was lying on the ground. The two of them screamed and fell to the ground at the same time.
A brief silence fell over the hall, then Ouyang Rou screamed, "This beast is so powerful! Someone come quick! Fire arrows! Shoot her dead!" Ordinary servants only had simple defensive weapons; bows and arrows were not their primary means of carrying. However, Ouyang Zhide, being a military general, had some subordinates in his household, so naturally, his household differed from others. But there were limits; exceeding them would arouse the royal taboo. Therefore, unless the general's household faced imminent destruction, bows and arrows would not be used.
Ouyang Yue's heart skipped a beat, but Ouyang Zhide immediately shouted, "Shut up!" His eyes, fixed on Ouyang Rou, were chillingly cold. Ouyang Rou immediately shut her mouth, but the unease in her heart only grew stronger. How could this be? She had clearly connected all the events in the manor together, devising a brilliant plan that would surely have Ouyang Yue's demise. Yet, she had escaped. How could this be? She immediately cried out, "Father, Third Sister is possessed by a jinx! Didn't you see? She even dared to harm the Taoist priest! She's a wicked beast, a wicked beast that will bring ruin to my General's Mansion! You mustn't be soft-hearted! Kill her quickly! We can't let her become a threat!"
Ouyang Yue coldly stared at Ouyang Rou: "Second sister, have you been bewitched? I just confirmed that this Taoist priest is definitely not from Baiyun Temple, but a charlatan. Second sister has always been very clever, how come you've suddenly become confused, willing to be deceived by a charlatan, and even vowing to kill your own sister? Second sister, your heart is despicable!" Ouyang Rou shook her head, about to say something, when Ouyang Yue narrowed her eyes and looked at Ouyang Zhide, "Father, I'm sure you can see clearly, now only you can clear Yue'er's name."
Ouyang Zhide stood up, his chilling aura causing everyone in the hall to change their expressions. Ouyang Zhide was enraged. He walked over, picked up the weapon He Yun had been holding, and suddenly, without warning, plunged the sword into He Yun's shoulder. Blood spurted out, and He Yun screamed, collapsing to the ground in a sorry state. Ouyang Zhide, filled with hatred, stomped hard on He Yun's injured shoulder, roaring, "Speak! Who sent you to kill Yue'er? Speak now!"
He Yun's face turned pale. Ouyang Rou, sitting in the hall, could no longer remain seated, slumping weakly in her chair, her hands gripping the armrests tightly, her expression extremely tense. Rui Yuhuan's expression also changed. After leaving the Five Elements Temple, she had secretly spoken with Ouyang Rou. Although she didn't know exactly how Ouyang Rou would deal with Ouyang Yue, seeing Ouyang Rou's confident demeanor, she believed it was definitely a vicious scheme—a scheme to make Ouyang Yue die a gruesome death. Having just suffered a great loss and harboring deep resentment towards Ouyang Yue, she naturally wanted to help, and incidentally, take revenge.
Her transgressions at the Five Elements Temple couldn't go unpunished. Upon her return, she naturally wanted Old Madam Ning to stand up for her and punish Ouyang Yue. Moreover, this wasn't just for her sake; Ouyang Rou had also instructed her to do it. They had planned this all along, determined to make Old Madam Ning herself say that Ouyang Yue was a jinx, only then could they achieve their goal. Everything had gone smoothly until now; Old Madam Ning had reprimanded Ouyang Yue, giving her a small sense of satisfaction. However, their aim wasn't just for Old Madam Ning to scold Ouyang Yue and be done with it, so she hadn't investigated the matter further. She hadn't expected Ouyang Zhide to suddenly lash out at her and threaten to send her out of the manor, which made Rui Yuhuan somewhat worried.
However, Master Heyun and Jingyun arrived at just the right time. She didn't know much about Master Heyun's affairs. At first, she genuinely thought he was a real Taoist, because his demeanor and speech were exactly like a true Taoist. She was secretly pleased, thinking it was heaven's help that such a Taoist had come to her aid. But the more she looked, the more she felt this Taoist was completely targeting Ouyang Yue. She naturally understood that this was probably the scheme Ouyang Rou had mentioned—a scheme so brilliant she almost applauded it. Rui Yuhuan was waiting to see Ouyang Yue's pathetic face before her death, but unexpectedly, things turned around so quickly. Before she could even ponder the hidden meaning in Ouyang Yue and Master Heyun's words, the two started fighting, which also angered Ouyang Zhide. Had they discovered something? No, she felt there was no mistake in anything. No, as long as they insisted that Ouyang Yue was a jinx, everything would return to normal.
Rui Yuhuan calmed herself down and said with a worried look, "General, how can you be so disrespectful to Daoist Heyun? Daoist Heyun saved the General's Mansion entirely out of the principles of a Daoist practitioner. He was just performing a ritual. Your sudden intervention will not only damage Daoist Heyun's Daoist practice, but will also bring disaster to the General's Mansion. General, please stop immediately."
Old Madam Ning's heart skipped a beat, and she exclaimed, "De'er, stop right now! Get back quickly and let the Taoist priest take care of this wicked beast, Ouyang Yue. After this is over, you will have to apologize to the Taoist priest. How could you act so impulsively?"
Ouyang Zhide roared, "Shut up!" Then he raised his leg and slammed it down, stomping hard on He Yun's shoulder. He Yun's face turned ashen with pain. Ouyang Zhide said coldly, "Open your eyes and take a good look. This sword, this dagger on the compass—would a true master use such harmful things on his cultivation tools? This person is clearly a wicked and malicious individual. He answered Yue'er's questions incoherently and contradictorily. He's not a Taoist from Baiyun Temple at all; he's clearly a charlatan. Do you still dare to believe him?"
"Bang!" Ouyang Zhide kicked He Yun's shoulder hard. His foot was covered in blood, but it was not enough to quell the hatred in Ouyang Zhide's heart.
Ouyang Zhide's anger stemmed from a touch of guilt. He had previously believed the thief's lies, convincing himself that Yue'er might truly be a jinx. He genuinely felt that the successive misfortunes in the manor, all related to Ouyang Yue, were too coincidental to be mere coincidence. Even though he felt Ouyang Yue resembled her so much, his heart had indeed wavered. He had left Yue'er alone in the hall to face the accusations of everyone, and to confront a cunning swindler like He Yun alone. Ouyang Zhide felt guilty. Furthermore, his deep affection for Ouyang Yue only amplified his anger. He Yun, in pain, clenched his teeth, cold sweat pouring from his forehead, his body trembling uncontrollably. Jingyun, who was next to him, was in no better shape. After he was knocked down, Dongxue had been holding his neck with her foot, and he was having difficulty breathing. He couldn't save himself or Heyun. The two of them were like fish on a chopping board, completely at the mercy of others.
Ning's eyes flickered slightly, her face full of regret. She was so close, but why was that little bitch Ouyang Yue so eloquent that she found a way to save herself? This Daoist Heyun was really stupid. He had drawn his sword and dagger, but he still couldn't hurt Ouyang Yue. In the end, he ended up in this state. He was utterly hateful.
Aunt Hua and Aunt Ming both looked regretful and angry. Only Aunt Liu breathed a sigh of relief. After what had happened, she couldn't help but suspect Ouyang Yue. Everyone has their own interests, and she was also wondering if Ouyang Yue would cause trouble if she were really executed as a jinx. Most importantly, would Tong'er's safety be in danger? If Ouyang Yue was alright, it would only benefit her.
Aunt Hong was utterly panicked. How could He Yun and Jing Yun, with their exceptional martial arts skills, be subdued by two girls, Ouyang Yue and Dong Xue? How could this be? Looking at the two girls lying miserably on the ground, Aunt Hong felt a chill run down her spine. Would she betray them? No…no, it shouldn't be, after all…after all…
Ouyang Zhide, however, had lost his patience. He thrust his sword down again, and with a "thud," another bloody hole appeared on He Yun's other shoulder. The pain made his vision go black, and he was about to faint. Ouyang Zhide snorted coldly and stomped on him mercilessly. He shuddered in pain again, unable to faint even if he wanted to, suffering excruciating agony.
Ouyang Yue looked at him coldly: "Heyun... oh, I can't call you Daoist anymore. You're just a wanderer in the martial world. The rules of the martial world are that you don't easily antagonize people from the imperial court or government. It's not in your interest, and you wouldn't get involved so casually. I have no grudge against you, so why did you put on this show to frame me? I think you must have a reason. The most likely possibility is that someone bribed you to stage this framing of me, and that person is most likely someone from the General's Mansion, and they're right here in the hall, aren't they!"
He Yun was suffering greatly and his mind was gradually becoming unclear. Suddenly exposed by Ouyang Yue, he instinctively looked up at the hall. The hall instantly fell into a repressive silence!
☆、093, they pulled a dirty trick!
Everyone held their breath, especially those who had always harbored ill will towards Ouyang Yue. Their hearts skipped a beat, and they were all very worried. This was what was called a guilty conscience. Their malice towards Ouyang Yue made them feel guilty. Who knew if He Yun would suddenly have a fit of madness and point the wrong finger at them? If that happened, they would be in trouble. They had never seen Ouyang Zhide so angry before, and they could imagine how uneasy they were, even though they appeared calm on the surface.
He Yun cried out in pain, his heart filled with hatred. He had been involved in this kind of shady business for nearly twenty years, possessing exceptional skills and a ruthless nature. Few could afford to wrong him, and he had always been able to protect himself. When Aunt Hong approached him, he readily agreed. He thought it was just a little girl with a notorious reputation in the capital. No matter how capable she was, she would be as easy to deal with as a shrimp in his hands. Hadn't he done this kind of thing countless times before? Those he planned to frame always ended up being secretly executed by the mansion as demons, or, if they were kinder, exiled, only to be ambushed and killed along the way. In short, his targets always met the same fate: death. There were no exceptions.
But today he stumbled at the hands of this girl he had never taken seriously. Is this the saying, "He who walks by the river will eventually get his shoes wet"? He Yun was indignant, but the direction he looked towards was the center of the main hall of Anhe Hall.
Someone gasped, staring incredulously at Old Madam Ning, because He Yun was looking directly at her. Old Madam Ning, who had been sitting calmly in the hall, suddenly swayed and glared angrily, saying, "What do you mean, Daoist He Yun? I have never seen you before. Are you trying to frame me?"
He Yun's eyes were indeed a little blurry. He blinked and stared intently at Old Madam Ning, his expression changing slightly. Then, he glanced sideways at Old Madam Ning's side. Old Madam Ning breathed a sigh of relief. She really thought that this Daoist He Yun was all talk and no action, and was actually trying to frame her. But before she could even feel happy, she heard someone in the hall say incredulously, "It's...it's Miss Rui..."
Old Madam Ning was startled, but then she saw Rui Yuhuan standing beside her, with Fen Die carefully supporting her. The latter's face was deathly pale, her hands trembling as she clenched them together, her teeth slightly clenched, staring blankly at He Yun. Sensing everyone's gaze upon her, Rui Yuhuan's expression grew even more unpleasant. Her voice sharp, she immediately shook her head and said, "Daoist He Yun, don't talk nonsense! I... I don't know you at all! What do you mean by this? You want to falsely accuse me to clear your name? I will absolutely not comply with your wishes." Her expression seemed indignant, yet also tinged with guilt, after all, she had been involved in this matter.
A surge of shock ran through Rui Yuhuan's heart. Why was this damned Taoist priest staring at her at a time like this? This matter had absolutely nothing to do with her. If he looked at her like that, wouldn't everyone else think it was related to her? She was truly innocent! Rui Yuhuan's expression was uncertain as she glared at Ouyang Rou, who had already lowered her head, obscuring her expression. However, the lower half of her face revealed a stiffness in her expression, clearly indicating that she was also struggling internally, no better off than Rui Yuhuan. But what did it matter? She hadn't done anything wrong. Would she take the blame for Ouyang Rou?
How could that be!
Rui Yuhuan's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes narrowed slightly. It would be quite easy for her to clear herself of this matter. She didn't know this charlatan at all, and Ouyang Rou's overt and covert interactions would inevitably leave clues. Moreover, Ouyang Rou had entered the General's Mansion with an unusual purpose, and she absolutely wouldn't allow herself to be rejected by the people of the General's Mansion now, ultimately being kicked out. Thinking of this, Rui Yuhuan immediately shouted, "He Yun, you charlatan, who exactly instructed you to frame Miss Ouyang? Confess the truth!"
Aunt Hua couldn't help but sneer, "Tell the truth. Didn't Daoist Heyun confess before? He's under the master's control now. He shouldn't be lying at a time like this. There are so many people in Anhe Hall, why didn't he look at anyone else, but he saw you? Hehehe, this is really puzzling."
"Yes, yes, I also find it very strange. If it's strange that so many things have happened in the manor recently, it's inextricably linked to the Third Miss. But thinking back, the Third Miss has always been like this. Although she seems even more arrogant lately, the Master has just returned to the manor, and the Third Miss is so favored by the Master. With a powerful backer, it's normal for her to be a little arrogant. Anyone would be a little arrogant in her position." Aunt Hong's eyes flashed as she immediately chimed in, "But Miss Rui is different. Ever since Miss Rui entered the manor, there has been no shortage of chaos. It's said that the Third Miss is involved in everything that happens in the manor. Now that I think about it, Miss Rui is also a suspect."
Aunt Hua exclaimed in surprise, "Suspicion? What suspicion?"
Aunt Hong seemed startled by her own words. Upon hearing them, she was suddenly shocked and instinctively said, "Didn't this person just say there was a jinx in the manor? Think about Miss Rui's experiences, and then think about the jinx. The so-called jinx is someone who can bring bad luck to those around them. Miss Rui's mother died early, and most of her relatives also died young. After that, she depended on her father for survival, and General Rui became her only support. But this support died on the battlefield. Is it really such a coincidence? With Miss Rui's beauty and youth, most people would have already settled down. She hasn't had any destined marriage yet. Doesn't that make people suspicious? Then, when she arrived at the manor, she was almost slashed on the face. The scene at that time, tsk tsk tsk..." Aunt Hong squinted as she recalled, and at the same time, she also brought everyone else to think about the various events that happened when Rui Yuhuan first entered the manor.
Although she lavishly bought many expensive gifts for everyone, unfortunately, she didn't receive any good in return. The concubines in the mansion should have been grateful for Rui Yuhuan's gifts, but the thought of the difference between them and the madam and young ladies, even though it was according to seniority, still made them very uncomfortable. Furthermore, Rui Yuhuan was now spoiled rotten by Old Madam Ning, which was itself a source of great jealousy. Thinking of Rui Yuhuan, they instinctively harbored a degree of malice. Then there was the memory of Rui Yuhuan's face being scratched, and Ouyang Yue bringing out the finest skincare product, Jade Cream—a rare find even among the palace ladies. Remembering Rui Yuhuan's attitude then, it was clearly not a good thing.
She caused chaos as soon as she entered the mansion, and everyone in the mansion, except for Old Madam Ning, could see that Rui Yuhuan had feelings for Ouyang Zhide from the beginning. She was only fifteen years old, in the prime of her youth and beauty. Although she had no background, if she wanted to marry into an ordinary family as the principal wife, it would definitely not be a problem as long as Old Madam Ning made some connections.
At that time, Rui Yuhuan had the idea of submitting herself to Ouyang Zhide and becoming his concubine. Would a truly good girl from a good family willingly debase herself like that? Let alone Rui Yuhuan, even if we count all the concubines Ming, Hong, Hua, and Liu, if they could, would they willingly marry into a household where the legitimate daughter of a prestigious family was constantly dominating them? Of course not, but the reality forced them to accept it, and they also had their own helplessness. Rui Yuhuan knew that the situation in the household was already complicated, but she couldn't hide her feelings at all. If Ouyang Zhide hadn't been completely uninterested in taking her in, Rui Yuhuan would definitely be a concubine in the general's mansion by now.
Thinking of this, everyone except Old Madam Ning looked at Rui Yuhuan with some hostility. Madam Ning's eyes were cold. She had never liked Rui Yuhuan from the beginning. Later, she inexplicably gained Old Madam Ning's favor, which far exceeded that of Concubine Ming and Ouyang Hua back then. This was because Old Madam Ning was so indulgent towards Rui Yuhuan that she could spoil her in any way. This had long made Madam Ning feel strong hostility and vigilance towards Rui Yuhuan. However, she had never found an opportunity to deal with Rui Yuhuan. Now, however, was a perfect opportunity.