Chapter 015: A Place to Hide

But Cui Mingzhu had used binding straps tightly, so she only appeared a bit plump; no ordinary person would suspect she was pregnant.

Then how did Shen Ningyuan know?

Because in the previous life, less than three months after her death, Cui Mingzhu proudly showed off her pregnant belly beneath the chaste widow’s archway, recounting almost everything in detail.

That was how Shen Ningyuan had gathered so much information.

Back at the Shen residence, she deliberately tested Cui Mingzhu, knowing full well that Cui couldn’t keep her composure and would reveal her secrets early.

And now, it seemed her prediction was correct.

Before Shen Ningyuan could ponder further, Cui Mingzhu hurried away, soon disappearing from sight.

Shen Ningyuan quickly followed at a careful distance, neither too close nor too far.

Along the way, Cui Mingzhu was extremely cautious, frequently glancing back to ensure no one was tailing her before continuing on.

This repeated several times, tiring Shen Ningyuan both physically and mentally.

Yet, seeing Cui Mingzhu so nervous, Shen Ningyuan knew this trip to the Shen family had not been in vain.

Unexpectedly, Cui Mingzhu didn’t go far.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she stopped in front of a secluded residence.

Cautious as she was, Cui Mingzhu stood before the gate, warily surveying her surroundings.

When she suddenly turned back, Shen Ningyuan quickly slipped behind a corner.

Crouching down, she used the branches and leaves of a potted plant to conceal herself, peering through the gaps to ensure no one was nearby before raising her hand to knock on the door.

Her knocking was unusual—three light taps followed by four heavier knocks.

After knocking, Cui Mingzhu anxiously waited by the door, her eyes darting around nervously.

It was clear she feared being seen coming here.

After a while, the door was pulled open from within.

Upon seeing the person inside, Cui Mingzhu’s eyes instantly lit up.

“Brother Yunchuan!” she called out eagerly.

But the figure inside wore a displeased expression upon seeing her.

In a cold tone, he said, “Didn’t I tell you not to come looking for me while I’m in hiding? What if someone sees you?”

Hearing this, Cui Mingzhu shook her head confidently, “Brother Yunchuan, don’t worry. I’ve been very careful. No one knows I came out.”

“Are you sure? Doesn’t anyone in the Shen family pay attention to you?” Ji Yunchuan asked skeptically.

Cui Mingzhu nodded again, “Brother Yunchuan, trust me. No one saw me.”

“Good, come inside quickly. Don’t let anyone see you!”

With that, Ji Yunchuan took Cui Mingzhu’s hand and swiftly pulled her inside the house.

With a loud “bang,” the door shut tight again.

Shen Ningyuan stood frozen, her nails digging into her palms as her breath grew rapid.

Only after a long moment did she slowly regain her composure.

She knew Ji Yunchuan was faking his death.

She knew he had been lurking somewhere all along, waiting for the right moment to strike at the Shen family.

But she never imagined Ji Yunchuan was hiding in a remote house less than a mile from the General’s residence!

The most dangerous place was, ironically, the safest place.

Ji Yunchuan had taken this principle to the extreme.

In other words, after her death in the previous life, Ji Yunchuan had been hiding here all along, secretly watching the Shen family and plotting their complete destruction.

At this moment, the fury swelling in Shen Ningyuan’s heart was nearly unbearable.

This time, Ji Yunchuan would never succeed.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Ningyuan slowly calmed her pounding heart.

She tiptoed to the back of the residence, climbing onto a nearby courtyard wall with the help of a low mimosa tree.

From here, she could clearly see everything inside the yard and hear their conversations.

More importantly, the thick branches of the mimosa concealed her presence perfectly; no one inside would notice her hiding there.

Once inside, Ji Yunchuan immediately gripped Cui Mingzhu’s hand nervously and asked urgently, “Zhu’er, why have you come? Has something gone wrong?”

Cui Mingzhu nodded. “Brother Yunchuan, Shen Ningyuan is not dead.”

“What?” Ji Yunchuan’s eyes widened.

“Did she drink the poison?”

“She did,” Cui Mingzhu gritted her teeth.

“The spies I sent saw her drink the poison and die from it before leaving, but Shen Ningyuan survived!”

“How is that possible?” Ji Yunchuan’s face changed instantly.

“That was He Ding Hong, a lethal poison that should have killed her!”

Now Ji Yunchuan was filled with doubt.

He could not understand what circumstance could have brought Shen Ningyuan back to life.

But in fact, Shen Ningyuan was indeed still alive.

While Ji Yunchuan frowned in thought, Cui Mingzhu continued, “Not only did Shen Ningyuan survive, but the Shen family, who had originally gone to the Ji family’s funeral, ended up bringing Shen Ningyuan back.”

“What?” Ji Yunchuan’s expression shifted again.

He sneered darkly, “Even if Shen Ningyuan isn’t dead, she still has to mourn me. How could the Shen family just take her away so easily?”

After saying this, Ji Yunchuan suddenly realized his words sounded odd.

What did he mean by Shen Ningyuan should still be mourning for him?

Such bad luck!

Spitting disdainfully, Ji Yunchuan anxiously looked at Cui Mingzhu, pressing for answers.

“Hurry and tell me, how did the Shen family take Shen Ningyuan away? She’s still the Ji family’s daughter-in-law. How could the Shen family just take her whenever they wished? What were our parents doing? Didn’t they stop them?”

Watching him question so naturally, Shen Ningyuan, hidden in the shadows, clenched her fists tightly, her hatred nearly bursting forth.

Ji Yunchuan!

I married you!

I was not sold to the Ji family!

Why can’t my parents bring me home?

Seeing Ji Yunchuan so anxious, Cui Mingzhu finally revealed the situation within the Ji family.

“Brother Yunchuan, the plan failed.”

“Not only did He Ding Hong fail to kill Shen Ningyuan, but she also discovered that Huan’er was the one who poisoned her. Now that the evidence is clear, Shen Ningyuan is merciless, forcing Uncle Ji and Aunt Ji to send Huan’er to the authorities to be punished!”

“Impossible!” Ji Yunchuan gritted his teeth. “They won’t hand Huan’er over to the authorities. Have our parents agreed to this?”

Cui Mingzhu shook her head. “Of course Uncle Ji and Aunt Ji don’t agree, but the Shen family is bullying them, insisting on sending Huan’er to a temple to become a nun—and it was Shen Ningyuan’s idea!”

“That despicable Shen Ningyuan! What a poisonous heart she has!”

Ji Yunchuan nearly lost his balance, cursing wildly.

Then, looking at Cui Mingzhu, he gritted his teeth and said, “Has Huan’er already been sent away? I have to send someone to bring her back!”

He started to move toward the door.

Cui Mingzhu grabbed him abruptly. “Don’t worry, Brother Yunchuan. Uncle Ji has bought some time, saying that after your seventh day memorial, Huan’er will escort you on your final journey before being sent away. For now, Huan’er is still safely with the Ji family.”

After speaking, Cui Mingzhu noticed Ji Yunchuan’s face darkened as black as ink.

Realizing she had misspoken, she hurried to correct herself, “Peh, peh, peh—it’s not now, but seven days later, seven days later she’ll be sent to Yun Chan Temple.”

Hearing this, Ji Yunchuan’s expression softened slightly.

“Seven days… then there’s still time. As long as we deal with Shen Ningyuan, the plan can proceed as usual!”

He made a throat-slitting gesture, his eyes full of murderous intent.

Hearing this, the hatred in Shen Ningyuan’s eyes flared even stronger.

She glared at Ji Yunchuan fiercely, wishing she could rush down and tear apart the ugly faces of these two vile people.

But… she knew it was not the time yet.

With that thought, Shen Ningyuan clenched her fists tightly, forcing down the surge of hatred.

Perhaps it was the intensity of Shen Ningyuan’s hatred that sent a chill down Cui Mingzhu’s spine.

Suddenly, Cui Mingzhu turned sharply and looked directly toward the mimosa tree where Shen Ningyuan was hiding.