118: Weirdness everywhere

This time, when Shen Jianxing saw Su Mingyue, he always felt that something was off, but he couldn't quite pinpoint the reason.

However, his A Yue was as beautiful as ever, her eyes slightly downcast with a hint of tenderness, her nose bridge straight like a magnolia branch, exuding a gentle yet dignified aura.

Shen Jianxing looked at Su Mingyue, who was resting her head on his shoulder, as the morning light filtered through the carriage curtains, casting tiny golden specks on her face.

He couldn't help but reach out, but stopped just as his fingers were about to touch her cheek—a wisp of Immortal Qi gathered at his fingertips, gentlybrushremoving the dust from her hair.

"A Yue."

He called softly, "We're almost at Chang Sheng Village."

Su Mingyue mumbled a sleepy "Mmm," her voice soft and nasal.

She instinctively snuggled into his neck, then suddenly straightened up as if startled, her ear tips turning a faint red: "I... I fell asleep?"

"You slept for about half an hour."

Shen Jianxing smiled as he tidied her disheveled hair.

The carriage suddenly jolted, and Su Mingyue, caught off guard, tumbled into his arms.

Shen Jianxing instinctively wrapped his arms around her, but felt her body stiffen.

Following her gaze, Cuiliu's face was pale, as if she wasn't feeling well.

"Cuiliu?"

Su Mingyue called out in confusion.

The maid immediately lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz: "It's getting windy, Young Miss. Do you want to change your cloak?"

Shen Jianxing narrowed his eyes.

He finally pinpointed the source of the strange feeling; it was this maid. She always seemed out of place, made frequent mistakes, and was unskilled in her duties. Could such a maid truly take good care of her master?

And was such carelessness due to natural dullness, or was there another hidden reason?

He would ask A Yue about it privately later.

"By the way,"

He changed the subject, feigning indifference, "All the common people in Qingzhou now worship Lord Chuping. How about you come with me to the temple to offer sacrifices tomorrow, A Yue?"

Su Mingyue's fingertips felt slightly cold.

Lord Chuping was the guardian deity of Qingzhou, and more importantly, Shen Jianxing's savior. She had no reason not to go.

"I... do I need to prepare anything?"

"No need to prepare; sincerity is enough."

"Okay, Xingxing, you're so kind."

Su Mingyue froze after speaking. This childhood nickname hadn't been uttered in three years. For it to slip out now was like a honey pot, hidden deep in her heart, suddenly overturning.

Shen Jianxing's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Call me again? Call me Brother Xingxing!"

"No!"

Su Mingyue turned her face away, but couldn't hide the curve of her lips.

She reached out to push him, her palm pressing against his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat through his clothes, then recoiled as if burned.

"The stars and moon reflect each other, the waves and moon share their beauty. We are indeed a perfect match, a union of talent and beauty."

* * *

Early the next morning, Shen Jianxing came to pick up Su Mingyue to go to the temple.

Before they left, Cuiliu suddenly clutched her stomach, her face pale, and knelt before Su Mingyue.

"Young Miss, this servant caught a chill last night and has been suffering from severe abdominal pain this morning. I'm afraid... I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you."

Su Mingyue frowned and reached out to feel her forehead; it was indeed a bit warm.

"Then you should rest well at home; don't force yourself."

Cuiliu lowered her head, her voice weak: "Thank you, Young Miss, for your consideration."

Shen Jianxing stood by, his gaze coldly sweeping over Cuiliu. He still felt that her illness was suspicious.

Afraid to worship the gods? Could she really be a ghost?

But since Su Mingyue had already agreed, he didn't say much, only stating plainly: "If you're not feeling well, then rest up properly."

Cuiliu's body trembled, and she buried her head even lower: "Yes, Young Master Shen."

* * *

The temple in Nan Shu Village was located at the foot of the mountain on the northern side of the entire village.

Bluestone steps wound upwards, flanked by ancient green pines, with incense smoke curling, giving it a touch of Immortal Qi.

The children of the village loved to play in this vicinity, and the adults were happy to let them.

Su Mingyue followed behind Shen Jianxing, her skirt brushing against the fallen leaves on the stone steps, making a faint rustling sound.

She looked up at the temple above the steps, and for some reason, her heart beat a little faster.

"What's wrong?"

Shen Jianxing noticed her hesitation and turned to look at her.

Su Mingyue shook her head, forcing a smile: "Nothing, it's just... my first time worshipping a god, so I'm a bit nervous."

Shen Jianxing chuckled, reaching out and grasping her wrist: "What are you afraid of? I'm here."

His palm was warm, and his grip was neither too light nor too heavy, just enough to prevent her from pulling away.

Su Mingyue's fingertips trembled slightly, but she didn't pull away, letting him lead her upwards.

Upon reaching the temple, Shen Jianxing released her hand, took out a jade pendant from hisPregnantbosom, and solemnly hung it on the prayer rack in front of the temple.

He closed his eyes and murmured a few words, his expression devout.

Su Mingyue stood to the side, her gaze falling on the statue of Lord Chuping in the center of the temple.

The statue had a majestic face, piercing eyes, and held a long sword, as if it could see through people's hearts.

She suddenly felt a chill down her spine, as if something was staring at her.

"A Yue?"

Shen Jianxing turned to look at her, "Would you like to offer a prayer too?"

Su Mingyue snapped out of her daze and nodded reluctantly: "Okay."

She stepped forward, mimicking Shen Jianxing's posture of clasping her hands and closing her eyes, but her mind was in a turmoil, unable to calm down.

Just then, a cold gust of wind suddenly swept from the depths of the temple, causing the candlelight to flicker and incense ash to scatter.

Su Mingyue's eyes flew open, and in a daze, she seemed to see the statue's eyes... move.

Her breath hitched, and she instinctively took a step back, only to bump into a solid embrace.

Shen Jianxing held her shoulders, asking softly: "What's wrong?"

Su Mingyue's heart pounded like a drum, and she forced down the strange feeling, shaking her head: "Nothing, it might be... the wind is too strong."

Shen Jianxing looked thoughtfully at the statue, then lowered his gaze to her, his eyes deep: "If you're tired, we can go back now."

Su Mingyue nodded: "Okay."

* * *

On the carriage ride back, Su Mingyue remained silent.

Shen Jianxing turned his head to look at her, and suddenly asked: "A Yue, when did Cuiliu come to be by your side?"

Su Mingyue was startled, raising her eyes to him: "Two months ago, on the day of my coming-of-age ceremony, Father assigned her to me, and she stayed."

"Two months ago?"

Shen Jianxing tapped his fingertips on his knee, deep in thought, "What about Qingzhu before that?"

"She..." Su Mingyue's voice paused, her brows slightly furrowed, "She went back to her hometown to get married."

Shen Jianxing's gaze darkened: "Went back to her hometown to get married? Did you personally see her leave?"

Su Mingyue was taken aback by his question. She tried to recall, but found her memory somewhat blurry.

"I... I don't quite remember. I was ill at the time, and when I woke up, Qingzhu was gone. The butler said she had already left the residence."

Shen Jianxing's eyes grew colder.

Things seemed even more suspicious than he had imagined.

Typically, the head maid by a Young Miss's side in a prominent family was the master's confidante. Even if Qingzhu had made a mistake, her dismissal should have been decided by A Yue.

But from the current situation, A Yue seemed completely unaware of the inside story.

Everything felt eerie.

General Su had always doted on Su Mingyue. Although Su Mingyue had many sisters in her family, the future in-laws' favoritism towards Su Mingyue was well-known.

However, for a Young Miss from a prominent family to be so naive and simple was already very strange.

The more Shen Jianxing thought about it, the more he felt that everything was shrouded in an unsettling strangeness.