Chapter 23: A Clear Path of Love

Jiang Yu’s grave expression pulled Qu Wanqing out of her sweet reverie. She followed his gaze, but saw only an ordinary ancient tree, its lush, leafy branches casting a cool shadow under the sun.

"What is it?"

As they stepped out of the courtyard, the previously noisy crowd fell into a deathly silence. Every eye was fixed on them, filled with awe, curiosity, and even a hint of adoration. Qu Wanqing felt a surge of secret satisfaction. When she had first transmigrated here, these people had wanted to tear her limb from limb; now, they had no choice but to treat her with reverence. She smiled slightly, head held high, gracefully accepting their gazes as if she were standing at the pinnacle of her life. This was her—Qu Wanqing, Niohuru Wanqing.

Jiang Yu gently took her hand and led her to a quiet corner. His tall frame shielded her from the crowd as he pulled her into an embrace, his deep eyes burning with affection. "Wanqing..." he whispered, his voice low and husky against her ear, "you have no idea how terrified I was of losing you..."

Suddenly, he stopped, his gaze shifting to something behind her, his expression changing instantly. "Wanqing, look..." Qu Wanqing followed his gaze. Behind the crowd, Taoist Liu and Mother Ma were hunched over, trying to shrink away like quails. She sneered; it was time to reveal the truth.

"Dear neighbors and townsfolk!" Qu Wanqing cleared her throat, her crisp, resonant voice capturing everyone's attention. "Today, I am going to reveal a shocking secret!" She paused deliberately, watching the terrified expressions of Taoist Liu and Mother Ma, and teased, "Are some people starting to tremble in their boots yet?" She then slowly pulled a stack of papers from her sleeve—the very evidence of Taoist Liu’s collusion with the mastermind, along with testimonies regarding Mother Ma accepting bribes and spreading rumors.

An uproar erupted in the crowd: "Good heavens! What an unexpected twist!" "I knew Madam Qu wasn't a jinx; someone must have been behind this!" The crowd surged toward the pair in a rage, shoving and shouting, "Taoist Liu, you old fraud, come out and face your end!" The two turned deathly pale, trembling uncontrollably.

Clerk Qin was stunned, realizing he had been blinded by appearances and had wronged Qu Wanqing. He approached her and bowed deeply. "Madam Qu, I was blind and misjudged you. Please, be the bigger person and forgive this old man." He offered an exquisite gift with both hands. As Qu Wanqing took it, a moment of hesitation flickered in her heart, but she smiled faintly. "Clerk Qin, you are too kind. To recognize one's mistake and correct it is a great virtue." The crowd praised her magnanimity.

Qu Wanqing surveyed her surroundings, basking in the admiration and feeling internally smug. Jiang Yu watched her tenderly, holding her hand tightly, their fingers interlaced.

Just then, Clerk Qin leaned in and whispered to Qu Wanqing, "Madam, I fear this is not over yet..." No sooner had he spoken than a figure darted out like an arrow, charging straight at her. It was the lackey who had previously been controlled by supernatural forces before being saved by Jiang Yu. Now, his eyes were bloodshot, and he waved a broken wooden club, barking like a mad dog, clearly intent on a suicide attack.

"Wanqing, watch out!" Jiang Yu lunged in front of her, snapping his folding fan open to block the strike. The lackey looked deranged, yet his moves were vicious. Jiang Yu had initially underestimated him, but he was caught off guard by the man's explosive strength. When the club grazed his arm, Jiang Yu frowned, his eyes turning cold. The surrounding crowd gasped, their cries constant.

The lackey continued his frenzied assault. Jiang Yu grew vigilant, suspecting a much larger conspiracy. When the lackey kicked up dust to obscure Jiang Yu’s vision, Jiang Yu flicked his fan to shift the wind, then flashed forward. With lightning speed, he disarmed the man, twisted his wrist with a sharp *crack* to break the club, and delivered a kick to the man's abdomen. The lackey went flying and couldn't get back up. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

Qu Wanqing looked at Jiang Yu, her eyes filled with pride and love. Seizing the moment, she began to explain the supernatural occurrences. She recalled her own past fear of such things, yet she had strived to uncover the truth. "Therefore, there are no ghosts or spirits in this world—it was all human doing!" The crowd had a sudden realization, looking at her with newfound admiration.

Just then, Qu Wanqing caught a fleeting shadow in the distance out of the corner of her eye. Her heart skipped a beat. She tugged on Jiang Yu’s sleeve, her gaze locked firmly on the direction where the shadow had vanished.