Unlucky Coincidence

For three consecutive days, Ning Chen had been washing clothes and doing odd jobs in the back courtyard of Lingyan Pavilion, never once venturing into the front hall. Aside from Li'er occasionally coming to chat with him, few others ever came to the back courtyard.

The opulence of the front hall and the desolation of the back courtyard would form a stark contrast as dusk fell. The moment the lanterns were lit, Lingyan Pavilion would reveal its utmost grandeur. In the red-light district, it was always a gentle haven where men lingered, reluctant to leave.

At that time, the back courtyard was the quietest. Ning Chen liked to gaze at the stars. He always felt that there was a star in the sky that was his home. Though he hadn't found it yet, he believed he eventually would.

He wondered what kind of place he had arrived at. If this wasn't his original Earth, why could he still see phenomena like Yinghuo Shouxin, which should only be visible on Earth?

Looking at the myriad stars in the sky, Ning Chen's eyes were clouded with confusion, and his heart was even more so. Amidst the countless stars and a crescent moon, why couldn't he see that most familiar blue memory?

Tired of searching, weary of counting, Ning Chen shifted his gaze to the moon in the sky. He carefully distinguished that the moon in this world was indeed different from his previous life's; it had a faint reddish hue, looking as if shrouded in a layer of bloody mist, so illusory as to be unreal.

He heard that this world was created by deities, and the moon in the sky was formed by an ancient creator deity. The Eternal Night Divine Cult worshipped this legendary sole deity and always believed that the deity would return one day.

Ning Chen didn't like this legend. If deities truly existed, then what was the belief he had held dear his entire previous life?

Deities were more valuable living in legends; humanity didn't need them.

The Cultivation Technique Mu Chengxue gave him was very difficult to practice. There were too many parts he couldn't understand, and even the parts he could understand showed no effect after several days of practice. However, he believed that accumulating little by little would eventually show results.

Indeed, by the fourth day, he could actually feel a faint wisp of airflow circulating along his meridians. With each circulation, the airflow would slightly increase.

Ning Chen was overjoyed; he truly was a peerless genius, one in a hundred or eighty years.

However, he didn't know that true essence needed techniques to be effective. The golden paper did record them, but unfortunately, he couldn't understand it.

And Mu Chengxue's original intention was merely for him to strengthen his body, so even though she knew he likely wouldn't understand anything beyond the first few lines, she had no intention of teaching him.

Ning Chen didn't pay it any mind. It wasn't that he was magnanimous, but rather that he simply had no idea about any of this. As long as he knew his practice was showing results, he didn't care about anything else.

And so, he worked during the day and cultivated at night, continuing this for nearly half a month. Ning Chen enjoyed his peace, unaware that major events had already unfolded outside.

Li'er still came every day as usual to bicker with him, but unfortunately, facing Ning Chen's sharp tongue, she was undoubtedly defeated every time. Sometimes, in a fit of pique, she would bare her little tiger teeth, bite him hard, and then happily run back to the front hall.

Ning Chen didn't even know how many tooth marks were on his arm, but he never learned his lesson, always managing to provoke the little girl until her teeth itched with just a few words.

Their bickering had become commonplace. Even if she was furious the day before, it couldn't stop Li'er's enthusiasm for running to the back hall. One time, when she mentioned the widespread rumors outside, Ning Chen paused for a moment, but ultimately dismissed it. He was out now, so these matters had nothing to do with him. Let Changsun and the others worry about it.

But two days later, Ning Chen discovered something that truly gave him a headache.

His only pair of shoes was ruined...

When he fled, he brought a change of clothes but forgot his shoes. This pair of shoes had lasted so long but finally met its heroic end. This time, he couldn't avoid going out.

But he had no money!

The money the shopkeeper gave him had all been repaid to Yue Hanyi. Now he didn't have a single penny. Forget buying shoes, he couldn't even afford insoles.

Taking advantage of the peaceful morning, Ning Chen went to the front hall, looking left and right for Yue Hanyi.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Li'er saw Ning Chen enter early that morning and aggressively approached him to ask.

"I want my wages," Ning Chen said, righteous. He had worked for so many days; they couldn't just give him nothing.

Li'er looked at Ning Chen as if she had discovered a new continent, disbelievingly saying, "You actually have the nerve to ask for wages?"

"Hehe," Ning Chen chuckled nervously, knowing he was in the wrong, but he couldn't just not ask for wages. He had simply stitched up his shoes, but they wouldn't last much longer.

"Sister Yi isn't here; you'll have to wait until she gets back," Li'er was defeated by Ning Chen's thick skin. She hadn't expected that besides his mouth, his face was also so shockingly brazen.

"Then Li'er, could you lend me some money? I need it urgently."

Ning Chen struggled for a moment, then finally, somewhat awkwardly, spoke up. How embarrassing; he had actually stooped to borrowing money from a little girl.

"Why?" Li'er was first stunned, then suspiciously eyed him, as if guarding against a swindler.

Looking at Li'er's gaze, Ning Chen felt his dignity insulted. He indignantly said, "What kind of look is that? I just need to borrow money to buy a pair of shoes. Do I look like the kind of person who borrows money and doesn't return it?!"

Li'er looked down at Ning Chen's shoes, thought for a moment, and then asked, "You need to go out and buy shoes?"

"Mm," Ning Chen nodded very emphatically.

"Wait a moment."

As her voice faded, Li'er scurried into her room, retrieved some silver, and then gave some instructions to a few maids before skipping back.

"Alright, let's go."

"You're coming too?" Ning Chen asked curiously.

Li'er looked at him disdainfully and said, "You owe a hundred taels of silver. If you run off, how will I explain to Sister Yi when she gets back?"

"..." Ning Chen was speechless. Did he look like that kind of person? Did he?

Lingyan Pavilion was located in the most prosperous part of the Imperial City. Ning Chen was dazzled by the sights. Li'er followed behind him, her eyes cautiously fixed on him, afraid he might run off.

"Li'er, I told you, I won't run away."

Ning Chen stopped, turned back, and repeated helplessly. He didn't know how many times he had said this, but Li'er just wouldn't believe him.

"You never know," Li'er didn't believe Ning Chen's words at all. A hundred taels of silver was enough to buy several of her.

The little girl didn't believe him, and Ning Chen had no other choice, letting her follow behind.

After walking for a long time, Ning Chen's body suddenly stiffened, and his expression froze, as if he had seen a ghost.

Li'er hadn't expected Ning Chen to stop so abruptly. Carelessly, she bumped into him, and immediately clutched her red forehead in pain, her face full of anger: "What are you doing?"

"Don't speak," Ning Chen snapped back to reality, quickly covered the little girl's mouth, and half-pulled, half-dragged her to a fortune teller's stall nearby to hide their bodies.

Hidden behind the fortune teller's spread, Ning Chen carefully watched the front, not daring to breathe. How could she be here?

"Wuwu," a muffled sound came from beside him. Li'er's mouth and nose were covered, making it hard for her to breathe. Her face flushed red as she struggled.

Seeing this, Ning Chen quickly let go, a hint of embarrassment on his face. He'd almost forgotten about the little girl.

"Are you trying to suffocate me?!" Li'er gasped for several breaths, furious. She reached out and hit him hard, fuming.

"Shh, keep your voice down," Ning Chen put a finger to his lips, shushing her. He nervously glanced at the graceful figure not far ahead, praying he wouldn't be discovered.

"What's wrong?" Li'er was drawn by Ning Chen's gaze and looked over, but found nothing unusual.

"An enemy is chasing me."

Ning Chen casually blurted out a lie, but it was close enough. If he got caught and dragged back, he'd at least lose a layer of skin, if not his life.

"Young master, would you like a fortune reading? To predict your luck, or to resolve bad omens? If it's inaccurate, you don't have to pay," the middle-aged fortune teller at the stall asked at that moment.

"I don't have any money."

Ning Chen refused without hesitation. Trying to trick him? Don't even think about it!

"I can give you a free reading, young master," the middle-aged fortune teller smiled slightly, unconcerned.

Ning Chen ignored him, continuing to observe the enemy. Why isn't this woman leaving yet? Could it really be that the Eldest Grandson specifically sent her to catch him?

"Is the young master hiding from someone?" the middle-aged fortune teller chuckled.

"Duh," Ning Chen replied disdainfully. Does he even need to read fortunes for that? Even a blind man could see it.

"A woman," the middle-aged fortune teller added.

"En." Ning Chen remained unmoved. There are only men and women in this world. If it's not a man, it's a woman. It's not surprising if he guessed correctly.

"From the palace," the middle-aged fortune teller continued.

"En, en?" Ning Chen first responded, then froze, looking at the big swindler in surprise. He's got some skills! To guess that correctly.

"Young master, was everything I said correct?" the middle-aged fortune teller asked with a light laugh.

"Heh heh," Ning Chen gave a perfunctory laugh. What's there to be so proud of? Just two correct guesses and he thinks he's an oracle? Damn, this sign really does say 'Oracle'.

Seeing that Ning Chen still didn't believe him, the middle-aged fortune teller continued, "Young master, forgive my bluntness, but what is meant to be will be, and what is not meant to be should not be forced. Cause and effect are determined by heaven; it's not something you can hide from, no matter how much you try."

After waiting a while, Ning Chen saw the graceful figure in the distance finally leave. He breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at the fortune teller, and pointed to his nose, saying, "Tell me where I'm from."

The middle-aged fortune teller was startled and said, "Judging by your accent, young master, you should be from the capital."

"Bullshit, I'm from Earth!"

As his words fell, Ning Chen grabbed Li'er and quickly dashed away. He couldn't stay here; it would be terrible if he got caught.

Li'er was confused by their conversation and hadn't fully processed it yet. Seeing Ning Chen turn back, she subconsciously asked, "Why are we going back? Aren't we buying shoes?"

"No, we're not buying them. My life is more important," Ning Chen replied nervously.

"Oh," Li'er didn't understand what was happening, but seeing his anxious expression, she obediently followed him back.

When they reached the Lingyan Pavilion, Ning Chen looked left and right, and seeing no one paying attention, he pulled Li'er and ran inside in two steps. Then, he let out a huge sigh of relief. That was close. Good thing he had sharp eyes.

"Are you tired? Have some tea."

Amidst a soft, pleasant voice, a cup of tea was offered. Ning Chen was parched, so without thinking, he took it and drank it all in one gulp, saying thanks:

"Thank you."

"Pfft!"

As the tea entered his mouth, Ning Chen suddenly spat it out, turning around with a shiver. He stammered, "Qing... Qing Ling-jie."

"You found a pretty good hiding spot, it took me a while to find you."

Qing Ling replied blandly. There was no anger or displeasure visible on her beautiful face, yet it still scared Ning Chen so much he didn't dare breathe.

Ning Chen remembered very clearly that he had tied Qing Ling up when he ran away, thoroughly offending this woman. He was definitely dead this time.

His thoughts raced, trying to figure out how to escape, but as soon as he remembered Qing Ling's skills, he dismissed all those suicidal ideas.

"Alright, you've played enough after being out for so many days. It's time to come back with me." Qing Ling's tone was undeniable. She glanced at Ning Chen, her eyes clearly warning him. If he didn't behave, she wouldn't be polite.

Ning Chen shivered inwardly and tentatively asked, "Is Her Majesty angry?"

"What do you think?" Qing Ling was so angry she laughed instead. How dare this guy even ask.

Ning Chen immediately shook his head like a rattle drum. "I'm not going back! Her Majesty will chop off my head!"

"Now you know to be afraid," Qing Ling wished she could slap this boy to death. Falsely conveying the Empress's decree, stealing palace artifacts, and privately escaping the palace—each of these was a capital offense. This guy, however, had committed all of them at once.

"I know," Ning Chen quickly nodded.

Seeing Ning Chen's anxious expression, Qing Ling didn't want to scare him further. Her tone softened slightly. "You come back with me first. Her Majesty has already suppressed the matter to save your life. When you go back, apologize properly to Her Majesty. As for the specific punishment, that will depend on Her Majesty's mood."

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