Chapter 9

Death comparison, discarded goods

Xiaohong's scream startled Shimei. Even the bravest of women would be terrified at the sight of corpses strewn about; the more delicate ones might have fainted already.

"What's going on?" Xiaohong clung to Shimei's wrist, "Shimei, let's report this to the authorities quickly!"

"Hmm..." Shimei nodded, but then heard Bai She's cool voice, "Jianghu vendetta, the officials won't intervene."

Saying this, he walked further into the temple.

In the temple courtyard lay five male bodies, each gruesomely slain with a cut throat, a single sword strike to the throat. Their twisted, horrifying expressions, bulging eyes, stiff limbs, and blood pooled on the ground were a ghastly sight.

Xiaohong, still young and hot-tempered, was barely coping with the scene, gripping Shimei tightly, "Shimei, it's so scary!"

Shimei, reluctant to gaze into the dead eyes of the corpses, turned her face away and patted Xiaohong's head.

Just as Xiaohong calmed down, they heard the sound of horse hooves approaching from outside.

In this desolate place, with an abandoned temple and corpses everywhere, who else would come at this time, if not the murderer?

Xiao Xiang Er and Chen Shi Mei stood at the door, both pale. Shi Mei instinctively looked back at Bai She...

Bai She, who was initially examining the corpse, suddenly stopped and turned his piercing, vigilant gaze towards the door.

Neither Shi Mei nor Xiao Xiang Er had ever encountered real jianghu figures. Bai She's naturally stern appearance and sharp gaze, like that of a hawk, made their hearts skip a beat. Both worried that if the real murderer arrived, a deadly confrontation with Bai She might ensue.

Xiao Xiang Er shivered and quickly pulled Chen Shi Mei aside, fearing they might get involved.

The sound of approaching horse hooves grew louder, and a lone rider appeared at the ruined temple entrance.

The rider's appearance took Shi Mei and Xiao Xiang Er by surprise – it was Qin Xiang Lian!

Qin Xiang Lian had intended to follow at a distance, but the path led to a secluded area and finally to a dilapidated temple, which troubled him.

What business did a man and a woman have in such a desolate place?

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Qin Xiang Lian decided to follow. Approaching the temple, he detected a strong scent of blood.

As a war-seasoned prince, Qin Xiang Lian was particularly sensitive to the smell of blood. Its intensity indicated that more than one person had died inside the temple.

Peering inside from the entrance, he saw Chen Shi Mei and Xiao Xiang Er hiding by the door, visibly startled to see him.

Bai She stood in the courtyard, glancing sideways at him. Qin Xiang Lian frowned slightly, recognizing the demeanor of a jianghu figure.

"Prince?" Chen Shi Mei, fearing a conflict between Bai She and Qin Xiang Lian, spoke first.

Bai She, unfazed by the title "Prince," simply knelt back down to continue examining the corpses.

Qin Xiang Lian dismounted and entered the temple, seeing the bodies in the courtyard, he asked Chen Shi Mei, "Have you gotten involved in a jianghu feud?"

Shimei shook her head in confusion, looking at Xiaohong for support.

Xiaohong glanced at Bai She, frustrated by his reticence. Qin Xianglian's words were indirect but clear to the wise: he suspected Bai She had entangled them in a jianghu vendetta.

Seeing Bai She silently examining the bodies and removing a sachet from each, Qin Xianglian observed intently.

Xiaohong, perplexed, asked Shimei why such burly men carried fragrant sachets.

Shimei was also puzzled, particularly as the sachets resembled the one Bai She had shown her, only differing in color.

Bai She nodded, agreeing with Xiaohong's observation, and commented on the unlikely presence of sachets on notorious bandits.

Xiaohong laughed at Bai She's blunt comment, quickly covering her mouth and looking at Shimei in amusement.

Shimei felt awkward; Bai She's directness would seem inappropriate if not for his serious demeanor.

Qin Xianglian, standing nearby, scrutinized Shimei and Xiaohong, filled with doubts.

He wondered if the woman before him was truly Chen Shimei. Although she looked the same, her demeanor and style were entirely different, lively and youthful.

Bai She compared the pink sachet he had with those from the bodies, appearing frustrated and uncertain.

Shimei offered to examine them, asking Bai She if she could take a look.

Bai She approached her, suggesting the sachets might contain similar fragrances.

As Shimei reached out to take them, Xiaohong cautioned her, reminding her they were from the deceased.

Shimei hesitated, her hand outstretched.

Bai She pulled a strip of white silk from his sleeve, placing it in Shimei's extended hand, then set the sachet on it.

Xiaohong observed Bai She's stoic demeanor with amusement, thinking many women must find him attractive.

Shimei, raised sheltered, rarely interacted with men. At home, she tiptoed around her father's moods and, later, strove for favor in King Qin's lofty presence.

She felt grateful for escaping the king's mansion, where her life would have been spent seeking affection.

Bai She's gesture warmed Shimei's heart, her first sense of genuine respect.

Distracted, Shimei examined the sachets, noting their identical embroidery, a sign of a single craftsperson.

Bai She, surprised, asked for confirmation.

Shimei, pointing to the sachets' edges, suggested experienced embroiderers could validate her observation.

Bai She, taking a lead, opened another sachet from a corpse and poured its contents into Shimei's hand, inquiring about the fragrance.

Shimei, lacking confidence, recognized some ingredients, pointing out animal-based scents like musk, different from Bai She's friend's sachet.

Bai She queried about the differences.

Shimei recalled from the incense book that animal scents could bewitch minds.

Bai She, puzzled, asked for clarification.

Shimei hesitated, recalling a fascinating note about fox scent from the incense book, capable of creating illusions, but felt awkward using Chen Shimei's knowledge.

Bai She's understanding deepened upon hearing her explanation.

He seemed enlightened, "So that's how it works."

Shimei remained silent as Xiaohong praised her to Bai She, claiming she was unmatched in matters of incense, earning her the title of "Incense Empress."

Bai She nodded, acknowledging he had heard of her reputation.

Shimei gently tugged at Xiaohong's sleeve, signaling her to stop boasting and not to reveal too much.

Qin Xianglian observed the exchange between Shimei and Bai She with a changing expression, feeling ignored. He recalled Chen Shimei's previous aggressive demeanor about incense, contrasting with her current modesty.

Shimei, already beautiful, now radiated a refined elegance, leaving Qin Xianglian perplexed about her true identity.

Bai She collected the sachets, prompting Xiaohong's curiosity about the dead men's identities.

Bai She hesitated before responding that they were notorious bandits, unknown to her.

Shimei, realizing the dead were those who had previously accosted them for the jade Buddha, recognized them as the brothers mentioned by the woman in red.

Xiaohong, relieved Bai She didn't elaborate, was thankful for his discretion, especially with Qin Xianglian present.

Xiaohong shot Shimei a look of relief, acknowledging their close call.

Shimei reassuringly patted Xiaohong's shoulder to calm her.

Bai She stepped outside, took out a bamboo tube, lit it with a fire starter, and launched it skyward, signaling with a loud whistle.

The signal arrow shot up, alerting his contacts.

Several figures in black quickly arrived, bowing to Bai She, addressing him as "Master."

Bai She nodded and ordered them to collect the bodies.

"Yes," the black-clad men quickly entered the temple, pulling out white cloths from their backpacks to wrap the bodies.

Seeing the bodies being handled, Xiaohong urgently pulled Shimei outside.

Once outside the temple, Shimei noticed Bai She standing alone in the distance, lost in thought with the sachet in hand.

Xiaohong, wary of Qin Xianglian nearby, wanted to guide Shimei towards Bai She.

Shimei stopped Xiaohong, shaking her head slightly in disapproval, prompting Xiaohong to look for a clean stone bench for Shimei to rest.

"Shimei."

At that moment, Qin Xianglian approached Shimei.

Shimei greeted him with a slight bow, "My Lord."

Despite feeling injustice for Chen Shimei, Shimei herself harbored no animosity towards Qin Xianglian. His royal background explained his arrogance, and Shimei’s lack of affection didn't equate to hatred, so she treated him with due respect.

"I have some questions for you," Qin Xianglian gestured towards a nearby grove, suggesting a private conversation.

Xiaohong was anxious, wondering why they couldn't speak openly.

Shi Mei wasn't afraid; she knew Qin Xiang Lian wouldn't dare harm her – at most, he might want to vent his frustration. But Xiao Xiang Er was different; if Qin Xiang Lian, in his anger, killed Xiao Xiang Er, Shi Mei couldn't hold him accountable. So she quickly stopped Xiao Xiang Er, who wanted to protect her, "Xiao Xiang Er, wait over there, let me talk with the prince."

Xiaohong, though worried, understood Shimei’s intention and squeezed her hand, signaling her not to fear.

Shimei followed Qin Xianglian into the woods,

Xiaohong hurried to Bai She’s side, ready to seek his help if Qin Xianglian attempted anything.

Just as they entered the woods and Shimei was pondering her responses, she felt a sudden grip on her wrist, as Qin Xianglian roughly pulled her closer.

Shi Mei was startled but strangely found herself calming down, staring into Qin Xiang Lian's cold eyes as he asked, “Who are you?”

Chen Shi Mei's heart skipped a beat, realizing how astute Qin Xiang Lian was!

Although Shi Mei was frail, like many unloved and ostracized women in history, she was not to be trifled with! Dropping her earlier meekness, she replied with a faint smile, “So, Prince Qin has completely forgotten his official wife, Chen Shi Mei, in just a few days?”

Qin Xiang Lian was taken aback, then burst into laughter, squeezing her arm a bit tighter. Feeling the softness and delicacy of her arm in his palm, he felt a pang of regret and said, “Then tell me, who is the woman buried under the ruins?”

Qin Xiang Lian's words were actually a ruse to test Chen Shi Mei.

Upon hearing this, Shi Mei's face changed color, thinking... Could it be? Was Chen Shu Mei's body still there? But after careful consideration, she found it unlikely! When she crawled out of the ruins, she was wearing Chen Shu Mei’s clothes!

Realizing this, she couldn't hide her surprise, but luckily she was quick-witted and followed his lead, asking, "Do you mean there was someone else in the perfume shop that day? Who died?"

Qin Xiang Lian's brow furrowed slightly, uncertain now. Was the person in front of him too clever to be deceived, or was this really Chen Shu Mei, transformed after a near-death experience?