Three days later, Li Xiao confirmed that no one was following her, loitering around her house every day, and no one came to check on her. Only then did she finally relax and sleep peacefully.
But in her dream, she saw the scene of her mother being burned to death.
The heart-wrenching screams of pain seemed to be deafening. She would never forget it.
Those people said that her mother was a demon and brought disaster to the village.
Her mother could move things through the air, although she could only move and control some small objects.
Her mother told her that it was a gift from God.
Including her ability to touch a person's body and see the person's future; including her brother's ability to move things through the air …
But because of this ability, her mother was burned to death.
She and her brother escaped all the way to the capital. Her mother said that their father was in the capital.
But along the way, she gradually began to understand that her ability was not a gift from God, but a gift from the devil.
To get this gift, she had to exchange it for the fear of never seeing the light. Others would be afraid of her and would want to kill her.
For the unknown, many people originally did not look forward to it or bless it.
She was young, but on the way to the capital, she understood a lot.
When she woke up, it was already noon. She wiped the cold sweat on her forehead and sat on the bed in a daze for a long time. Only when she was hungry did she put on her clothes.
Her mother did not leave her much money. It seemed that she would have to set up a divination stall to make a living.
Perhaps her brother could also find her through the divination stall.
She knew nothing about her father. It would not be easy to find him.
After eating, Li Xiao went out to buy some rice. On the way back, she happened to meet a few neighbors who were buying vegetables together. Although the courtyard in this alley was very big, most of them were families of craftsmen. Although many of them could afford to hire servants, it was the mistress or the concubines who did the work themselves.
"How is it?
Are you used to living here? "The neighbor, Mrs. Zhao, asked while carrying a small basket of vegetables and meat.
"It's pretty good." Li Xiao answered shyly. She kept her head slightly lowered, appearing very shy.
She could not let down her guard against other people. It was better to keep a distance.
"Have you heard? Someone died in the courtyard next to yours. Two days ago, a lot of people in official uniforms came to investigate." Madam Zhao had a look of disdain.
"I heard that. It seems like no one is staying here these days," said Li Xiao.
"Ah, Granny Wang, the owner of that courtyard seems to be an official on duty at the Dali Monastery. He rarely comes here.
I don't know why he bought such a small and remote courtyard here. "Madam Zhao turned to ask Grandma Wang, who had also come to buy groceries.
It was said that Granny Wang used to work for the government. When she was old and could no longer serve others, she moved out to live on her own.
His son and daughter-in-law lived in a manor near the capital and would come to visit every few days.
"Why do you care so much? Don't know so much. Just take care of your own work."
Granny Wang said with a smile. Although she was scolding him, her tone was very gentle, and no one felt offended.
Madam Zhao did not mind. She smiled and said, "Recently, it's said that there's a demon in the capital who eats the unformed babies in pregnant women's stomachs."
"There are no demons in this world." Granny Wang snorted. She had heard of ghosts possessing people, but she had never heard of ghosts using knives to kill people and eat people.
"It's true. People have died in several families. They were all pregnant women. Their stomachs were cut open, and the unformed babies were dug out to eat." Madam Zhao looked terrified, and her voice could not help but become softer.
Li Xiao frowned when she heard that. Pregnant women?
Lady Liu was also pregnant … She still remembered that the wound on Liu Yunan's back was deep. If Liu Yunan had not fallen on Lady Liu, the knife wound might have been on Lady Liu's slightly bulging belly …
Li Xiao was a little absent-minded for the rest of the journey. She did not even pay attention to what the two neighbors said.
Pregnant women, C-section, baby … Liu Yunan …
Also … did she really see something moving in the shadows?
Was it a demon?
Was it a ghost?
Although Granny Wang said that it was impossible, but … even people like her who could foresee the future through skin contact existed. How could she be sure that there were no demons or ghosts eating babies?
She walked into her own alley in a daze. From afar, she saw a person standing in front of her courtyard.
He was tall and wore a dark purple robe. His long hair was tied up and he wore a thin crown.
The afternoon sun trapped his shadow by his feet, and it swayed slightly as he moved.
His back was facing them, and he seemed to be seriously looking at her door.
"Eh?
Little girl, there's someone at your door. "Madam Zhao pointed at the tall man standing in front of her.
Li Xiao resisted the desire to turn around and run away. Slowly, she pretended to be calm and took one step at a time …
When they were close, that person seemed to have heard their voices and slowly turned around.
He had a masculine appearance and a face full of righteousness, but his thick eyebrows were slightly furrowed. He looked a little dignified. To put it bluntly, he was a little fierce.
Li Xiao was startled. She stood still and did not move.
"Come and open the door," Chen Jue said impatiently. He had been standing there for a long time. His patience was running out.
Especially … it was not summer yet, but why was it so hot?
When Li Xiao heard this, she bowed to Madam Zhao and Granny Wang. She quickly walked over and opened the door.
Chen Jue did not say anything and walked in. It was as if this was not Li Xiao's house, but his own.
When he reached the courtyard, he looked around. "Why is it so small when it's next to Lady Liu's courtyard?"
How disgusting.
Li Xiao quickly put aside the rice she bought. Although it was only a small bag of rice, it was too heavy for her.
Chen Jue turned around and saw her putting the rice away. His eyes darkened.
Li Xiao was busy. She patted the dust off the chair and invited Lord Chen to sit down. She washed the cup and poured water for him to drink. She even took out the iced fruit … Although she hesitated because she could not bear to let him eat it, she finally washed it and put it in front of him.
Then she stood aside cautiously and looked at him. Her exposed big eyes blinked.
"Okay, don't act like you're paying tribute. I'm not here to catch you. Sit there."
Chen Jue waved his hand unhappily. Who was she trying to show off to by running around like a little bee?
Li Xiao sat down obediently. Her big eyes were still staring at Chen Jue. Although she was wary because she was afraid, Chen Jue felt like she was guarding against a thief.
"Why are you wrapped up like a dumpling at home?" Chen Jue pointed at her face and frowned like two upside-down machetes.
Li Xiao hesitated for a moment and then pulled off the cloth on her face.
"Isn't your hat heavy?" Chen Jue pointed at her hat again.
"…" Li Xiao glanced at him. After thinking for a while, she obediently took off her hat and put it aside.
Her hair was tied into a ponytail and wrapped in the hat. Now that she took off her hat, her ponytail swung out and swayed behind her head.
Chen Jue stared at her hair and face. Only then did he feel comfortable. It was such a hot day. Seeing her wrapped up like that, he felt stuffy for her.
Li Xiao was somewhat unable to raise her head. Her appearance had already brought her too much trouble and terrible things.
Although the person in front of her was a very powerful official, was a high official necessarily a good person?
"I don't like women. You don't have to be so scared."
Chen Jue stared at her impatiently. He picked up the cup and glanced at it. The cup was rough like a bowl, and there was no smell of tea at all …
"…" Li Xiao: You don't like women?
Huh?
He picked up the cup and looked at it. Then he put it down.
He looked around her house and yard. It was very small, but she lived alone, so it seemed very empty.
There was nothing in the yard, only a bumpy stone table and two wooden chairs.
He turned his head and looked inside the house. There was also nothing except for necessities.
How could she live such a miserable life?
"Your relatives are all dead?" Chen Jue asked casually.
Li Xiao nodded. She found that he was looking inside her house and didn't see her nod. Then she opened her mouth and lied, "Yes."
Chen Jue nodded and finally turned his head. "This morning, the body of a pregnant woman was found in North City.
In the deep house, there were servants patrolling day and night. Outside the pregnant woman's bed, there were maids keeping watch … but no one found the murderer. The next day, it was the maid who found the body. The body was lying on the bed, just like when she was sleeping. "
When he spoke, his eyebrows were still furrowed. He was unhappy and annoyed.
His long eyelashes fluttered slightly when he spoke and blinked. The shadows covered his eyes, making it difficult to see his deep emotions.