Love of Nirvana (Liu Shui Tiao Tiao)

Chapter 8 The Glorious Imperial CapitaL

Jiang Ci perched on a tree branch, surveying the vast expanse of the Prime Minister's residence. The compound stretched endlessly, with countless buildings and courtyards nestled within. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment at the sight.

Since regaining consciousness after her injury, Jiang Ci had overheard conversations among the household members. She realized that Pei Yan's act of saving her life was not out of pure benevolence. He harbored suspicions about her and intended to use her to track down the whereabouts of the Masked Person.

Though naive and carefree by nature, Jiang Ci was not entirely oblivious to the ways of the world. While she didn't know the exact nature of the grudge between Pei Yan and the Masked Person, she had no desire to be entangled in their affairs. Moreover, she was reluctant to reveal her origins to Pei Yan, fearing that if he were to find her Uncle-Master and Senior Sister, it would spell trouble. Having just managed to slip away from the Deng Family Village, she was thoroughly enjoying her freedom. The last thing she wanted was to be caught and dragged back by her Uncle-Master or Senior Sister. Though her Senior Sister had a gentle disposition, when truly angered, she could be even more terrifying than their late Master.

Furthermore, Pei Yan was shrewd and wielded considerable power. Jiang Ci worried that her involvement might bring unnecessary trouble to her Uncle-Master and Senior Sister. That would be a catastrophe she couldn't bear.

So, upon regaining consciousness, Jiang Ci had feigned confusion. She deflected An Hua's probing questions with subtlety and completely concealed her previous encounter with the Masked Person.

As her health improved over the past few days, thoughts of escape began to form in her mind. Suspecting that people were monitoring the courtyard, she had taken the opportunity to climb the tree, hoping to scout the layout of the residence. To her dismay, the compound proved to be vast beyond imagination, making the prospect of sneaking out seem as difficult as ascending to heaven. It was clear she would need to devise another plan.

Cui Liang, noticing Jiang Ci's prolonged stillness, called out, "Miss Ji!"

Snapping back to reality, Jiang Ci smiled and waved at Cui Liang before continuing her ascent. The bird's nest she sought was perched on a slender branch that couldn't support her weight. She stood on a slightly thicker branch, steadying herself with her Yuan Power as she inched closer to the nest. Just as her fingertips were about to touch it, a faint "crack" echoed, and the branch beneath her feet snapped. Jiang Ci plummeted straight down.

Realizing the danger, Jiang Ci frantically kicked her feet, hoping to land on the branches below. Unfortunately, these branches were equally fragile, breaking under her weight. As the wind whistled past her ears, she fell rapidly towards the ground.

In that instant of despair, an absurd thought flashed through her mind: she ought to ask her uncle master to divine her fortune, wondering why she seemed to be at odds with trees this year, repeatedly suffering misfortune because of them. As she fell, she instinctively closed her eyes, only to feel the rush of wind cease abruptly as she sank into a pair of strong arms.

Jiang Ci let out a long sigh of relief, patting her chest as she said, "Thank you, Young Master Cui."

However, it was Cui Liang's laughter that rang out, seemingly not from beside her. Jiang Ci's eyes flew open, and she let out a startled "Ah!" Her cry startled both Pei Yan, who was holding her with an amused smile, and Cui Liang, who stood a few steps away.

Wriggling out of Pei Yan's embrace, Jiang Ci exclaimed, "This is wonderful, truly wonderful!"

Pei Yan smoothed out his ice-blue silk robe, which had been wrinkled by Jiang Ci's sudden movement. He exchanged a glance with Cui Liang before asking with a smile, "This is the first time I've seen someone so elated after falling from a tree. Miss Ji, may I ask what have you so delighted?"