Chapter 34: Why Do You Protect Her

Watching Bai Shu turn into a streak of light and depart, Ji Tianxin pondered—had she misspoken? In her previous life, Ji Tianxin had devoted herself solely to cultivation, never adept at conversation. With her formidable skills, anything she desired she simply took; none dared contest her. If she disliked someone, she either killed them or beat them. Over time, this forged her into a person of few words, her actions direct and blunt.

According to the memories she retained, this was… what people called emotional intelligence, perhaps?

Yet, a sudden thought crossed her mind. She had always believed that her rebirth was due to a fragment of her spirit escaping to this place, coincidentally allowing her to be reborn as the child in Li Xiaodie’s womb. But… in that situation, her spirit should have been dispersed. Now, her three souls and seven spirits were whole, her spiritual essence intact. It didn’t seem as though she had been shattered.

Could it be… someone gathered her soul and spirit for her after her death?

The notion flashed through Ji Tianxin’s mind only briefly. She disliked overthinking—if a problem couldn’t be solved, she simply set it aside. When she encountered it, she would deal with it then.

Perhaps because she had lived too long, she found herself indifferent and detached toward everything. The only thing that sparked her curiosity now was the identity of the person who ambushed her during her tribulation. To unravel this mystery, she would likely have to return to her original world.

She descended from the rooftop, landing in the courtyard as lightly as a white butterfly.

“Su Qing, candy,” she said, reaching out her hand.

Su Qing immediately hid the sweets behind her back. “Mistress just had some. I’ll give you more tomorrow. Master Bai said too many will ruin your teeth. For the sake of your teeth, even if you kill me, I mustn’t give you any!”

Ji Tianxin fell silent.

When Ji Yuanruo awoke, he heard Ji Yucheng’s cries from outside and immediately sat up, grabbing the attendant beside him.

“Where is my mother?! What’s happening in the manor?” Ji Yuanruo demanded in a low voice.

“T-the lady… Master has ordered a proper burial… Second Miss was injured and is… crying in the courtyard. As for Miss Tianxin, she is now residing in the manor…”

Ji Yuanruo’s eyes grew hollow, his gaze unfocused as if struck by a tremendous blow. He clenched his teeth and coldly asked, “Where is she staying?”

The attendant whispered, “Young Master, the General has forbidden anyone from mentioning this matter in the manor. The lady passed away from a stroke, and it has nothing to do with Miss Tianxin…”

“Why are you protecting her? Why!” Ji Yuanruo, furious, swept all the objects from the bedside to the floor.

The attendant was startled but had no time to persuade him before Ji Yuanruo seized him by the collar.

“Tell me, where is she?” Ji Yuanruo’s eyes were bloodshot, wild with rage.

“In… in… the Southern Garden…”

Ji Yuanruo shoved the attendant aside, leapt from bed, and rushed out.

Ever since Ji Tianxin moved into the manor, her residence had become a forbidden zone—almost no one dared approach. Even Ji Huailei avoided it; his relationship with Ji Tianxin was now like two wells that never cross. Unless absolutely necessary, Ji Huailei would rather not see Ji Tianxin at all.

As for the steward whom Ji Tianxin had kicked unconscious for an entire day, upon waking and hearing she had taken up residence in the manor, he fainted again on the spot.