Part 1: A Dream Within A Dream / Rebirth of Ill Fated Concubine

Chapter 028 Murder Intent

Lu Zhu was a girl bought from outside. She was sold to human traffickers by relatives after her parents died. She travelled all over the country and met many people. She was very smart. After a short time together, Zi Su and Lian Qiao became very close to her.

Because there were female relatives such as Jiang Ruan, Qian Wanli arranged Li Mi and another yamen runner to escort Jiang Ruan back to Capital City in order to please Wang Yushi. 

They got along well all the way. Lu Zhu was lively and talked about the strange things she had seen when she followed the human traffickers all over the country. Perhaps she was born optimistic, and everything she said was full of interest. She didn't look depressed at all. Only she knew the sadness in it. 

Zi Su and Lian Qiao naturally understood that one of them was gentle and the other was outgoing. The three of them chattered and it was very lively. Jiang Ruan leaned against the carriage, holding a book, and had a good time.

Most of the two-day journey had passed. After resting tonight, they might be able to reach Capital City at noon tomorrow.

Li Mi and another yamen runner Xiao Ma followed Wang Yushi in another carriage. It was getting dark. Li Mi heard that there was a temple ahead. Seeing that there was wilderness everywhere, it was difficult to find an inn. After asking Jiang Ruan's opinion, he decided to stay overnight.

The temple was quite large, but the incense was not very prosperous. It might be located in the deep mountains and wilderness. There were very few people who burned incense, and even there were not many monks coming and going.

Zi Su and Lian Qiao had not been to the temple for a long time. When Zhao Mei was still there, they often took Jiang Ruan to Putuo Temple to pray for blessings. After Zhao Mei passed away, Jiang Ruan went to the farm and her life became increasingly harsh. She had neither time nor money. 

The incense money was also money. Asking for the blessing of the Bodhisattva also had to pay a price.

Lu Zhu was not unfamiliar with the temple. While Zi Su and Lian Qiao were cleaning the room, she had already walked around the entire temple according to Jiang Ruan's instructions and brought back some vegetarian dishes. Asking Jiang Ruan to eat while it was hot, she also explained the layout of the temple to Jiang Ruan in detail.

Night had fallen. Wang Yushi, Li Mi and the other two were arranged to live on the other side of the temple because they were male relatives. Li Mi was a little hesitant, but he thought that the reputation of the young lady was the most important, and although the temple was spacious, there was still time for anything.

Lian Qiao used scissors to cut the wick that had grown in the oil lamp, and the light seemed brighter. Jiang Ruan put down the book in her hand and rubbed her forehead.

"Miss, it's so late, shouldn't you rest?" Zi Su asked. Jiang Ruan had rested at this time in the past few days, but today she was very energetic and had no intention of going to bed.

"No hurry, there is still a good show tonight." Jiang Ruan smiled slightly. Thinking of what she asked Li Mi in the carriage before: "Sir, is this temple the only way back to Capital City?"

"Yes," Li Mi replied, "And there is only this temple within a radius of dozens of miles."

Retracting her thoughts, she heard Lian Qiao curiously ask: "What good show?"

"Dew drops." Jiang Ruan said.

Lu Zhu pushed the door open and said with a smile: "It's all done, girl."

It was late at night in winter, the night was like a thick fog, and the temple fell into a dead silence, with only the sobbing sound of the wind.

The lights were all off, leaving only a pale waning moon reflecting the snow. In an instant, a large dark cloud passed by, blocking the weak moonlight firmly. There was only complete darkness under the sky.