The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife-Chapter 18: The Dimness of Peach Blossom Palace

As if a gust of evil wind swept through, it reached Madam Liang’s side, enveloping her in a chilling breeze that caused pain in her chest.

She clutched her chest, and suddenly her vision darkened, the voices of the people around her becoming increasingly muffled.

Chu Huan and Chu Yang, the two brothers, were at a loss, unsure of what to do to help their mother.

Suddenly, someone beside them spoke, “Third Brother, Fourth Brother, step aside!”

Instinctively, they made way, and they saw Nanli producing a brush from somewhere, its appearance showing signs of age, devoid of any cinnabar stains.

Yet, as it touched Madam Liang’s hand, it drew red symbols on her back.

It was the Heaven Star Brush!

The symbols seemed to emit a red light that quickly took effect, instantly alleviating the pain in Madam Liang’s chest, allowing her to catch her breath.

Everyone in the room, except for Madam Chen, felt a sense of relief.

Chu Hanlin finally believed it.

His daughter wasn’t just a simple-minded girl; she possessed genuine talent.

The thought brought a bitter taste to his heart.

His daughter had achieved such power in just half a year at the observatory, undoubtedly enduring much hardship.

Chu Ye felt even more heartbroken.

With his sister’s remarkable abilities, there would be no need for his protection in the future.

“Thanks a lot, Sixth Sister,” Chu Huan and Chu Yang expressed their gratitude in unison, their faces and eyes filled with appreciation.

They had been terrified when they saw Madam Liang’s life hanging by a thread.

“Let’s assist her in resting outside,” Nanli wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Chu Hanlin was about to settle the score with Madam Chen when the midwife suddenly exclaimed, “Madam Chen is hemorrhaging!”

Nanli wasn’t surprised; this was the price Madam Chen paid for her vow.

However, the malevolent deity failed to fulfill her wish, leaving Madam Chen with half a life.

Chu Hanlin, still feeling some compassion, immediately called for Doctor Hu to provide treatment.

As Nanli had predicted, Madam Chen’s bleeding stopped, but her body had completely deteriorated from the ordeal.

This time, Chu Hanlin didn’t hesitate; he had Madam Chen sent to the village, while Chunmei was immediately put up for sale.

Before Madam Chen’s hemorrhage, she had fainted, and her jade pendant had already fallen to the ground.

Nanli picked it up, and the malevolent aura dissipated significantly.

Seeing that Mammy Cheng was about to take Chunmei away, Nanli intervened and asked, “Chunmei, how did Madam Chen obtain this jade pendant?”

Chunmei swallowed hard, “Sixth Miss, it happened when we were out one time. A sorcerer intercepted Madam Chen and said he had a connection with the Green Dragon Bodhisattva, and he gave it to her as a gift.”

“A sorcerer?” Nanli continued to inquire, “What did he look like?”

No matter how hard Chunmei thought, she couldn’t recall the sorcerer’s appearance, and she was on the verge of tears due to her desperation.

She wanted to to something to make up for what she had done and avoid being sold to a destitute place.

Seeing her in such a state, Nanli knew that the sorcerer had tampered with them, making it impossible for them to remember his features.

After noon, everyone had lost their appetite and returned to their respective courtyards. Chu Hanlin went back to Yuerong Pavilion, changed into clean clothes, and came out to find his daughter sitting in the side hall.

Looking at his daughter’s petite figure, his empty heart was immediately filled, and he hurriedly said, “Set the table, don’t let the miss go hungry.”

The maidservants entered one after another, quickly filling the table with food.

After Chu Hanlin and Madam Shen took their seats, Nanli dismissed the maidservants.

“Mother, the wooden carving and the jade pendant have the same malevolent aura, indicating they were made by the same person,” Nanli straightforwardly stated.

This person must hold a deep grudge against the Chu family.

Madam Shen had already paid attention when she heard Nanli’s question earlier.

Now, upon hearing her daughter’s words, her face immediately darkened.

Chu Hanlin was puzzled, and Shen explained the recent illness of the Old Lady.

After hearing it, his expression became grave, and he said, “So, the Hundred Jade Guanyin wasn’t a random gift to your grandmother; it was intentional.”

Someone wanted to destroy us!

“This person has some skills to create these two cursed objects,” Nanli became slightly interested.

Chu Hanlin’s face turned icy, and he declared, “Rest assured, I will soon expose this person.”

This clandestine individual was likely one of his political enemies.

With just one or two cursed objects causing such unrest in the household, it was evident how malicious they were.

Nanli asked again, “Father, have you ever offended anyone together with Marquis Zhenbei?”

She suspected that the same person was behind both incidents.

“No,” Chu Hanlin shook his head, “Marquis Zhenbei is the uncle of the Crown Prince. We merely have a superficial acquaintance.”

He is open-minded and as long as his son follows the rules, he will not hinder the younger generation from making friends.

Madam Shen said, “This matter must be resolved as soon as possible. In two months, Ye’er will have to marry the young miss from the Xiao family.”

“Mother, there’s no need to worry. Evil spirits are not easily cultivated. That person is incapable, so he will likely remain quiet for a while. As long as father and mother remind the household staff not to casually invite any deities or Buddhas into our home, nothing will go wrong,” Nanli reminded.

The future sister-in-law is the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Rites, known for her grace and beauty.

Madam Shen made a mental note and nodded.

That child is indeed of the Chu family bloodline. After finishing their meal, Chu Hanlin went to the Xianghe Courtyard to report this matter to the Dowager.

With a daughter who possesses knowledge of Taoist practices, there is no need to hire someone for the rituals.

Choosing an auspicious day, Chu Hanlin and his wife took Nanli to the Wanfo Temple. After offering incense for the child’s burial, Nanli went to the temple’s backyard to find Master Yuan Fan and asked him to help with the chanting and salvation of Liu Ru, so that she could be reincarnated sooner.

Master Yuan Fan, with a kind and compassionate expression, said, “Miss Chu, you haven’t offered incense yet.”

“I know!” Nanli helplessly took out the silver coins she had earned over the past few days and placed them on the table.

“You’re a monk, and yet you’re so greedy for money.”

Ignoring her sarcasm, Master Yuan Fan happily counted the silver coins.

After arranging the silver coins, he said, “Miss Chu, your great kindness and virtue will be forever remembered by this humble monk.”

“If it weren’t for the tedious and boring task of salvation, I wouldn’t have earned this money for you,” Nanli sat on a stool, blew on the foam of her teacup, and took a sip.

Master Yuan Fan stroked his beard and smiled, “Miss Chu, you still have a sharp tongue. Without your silver coins, those children in the mountains wouldn’t have enough to eat or wear. You are their foster parent.”

Even in times of peace, many children lose their parents and wander the streets.

Buddhist practitioners, with compassionate hearts, have adopted many children and built houses in the mountains to provide them with shelter.

But compassion alone cannot sustain them. Even with the money from incense offerings, it is difficult to support such a large expenditure.

It’s unclear how Nanli learned about this, but she had already sent money twice before, and this was the third time.

After taking another sip of tea, Nanli placed the teacup down and said, “Your words give me goosebumps.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Nanli borrowed a book of exorcism scriptures and took her leave.

Master Yuan Fan got up to see her off, watching her receding figure and murmuring, “Her previous affection destiny was dim and lifeless, but now, she radiates a radiant glow. It seems she has encountered her destined one. I wonder if she knows...”

Well, if they were destined, true lovers would naturally stay together for a lifetime, growing old together. An old man like him didn’t need to concern himself with such worldly matters.