The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 376: Using a Lifetime of Acting Skills

Chapter 376: Using a Lifetime of Acting Skills

Zhi Mi felt like crying even more. Xuanyue Temple had poor incense offerings and couldn’t afford food. He had to urge Qingxu to go down the mountain to catch ghosts and earn money, often following to help. As his master was unreliable, it nearly cost him his soul to a vengeful ghost. In the end, it was Nanli who appeared just in time, retrieving his soul and defeating the ghost for good.

The household that hired them, seeing the ghost truly vanquished, generously rewarded them with twenty taels of silver. It was the most Zhi Mi had ever seen. He thought then that he needed to make all sorts of delicious food for Nanli to keep her around. That way, Xuanyue Temple wouldn’t lack incense offerings or funds, and he wouldn’t have to worry about starving.

Filled with guilt, Zhi Mi choked out, "Senior Sister, back then, I wasn’t entirely sincere in being good to you. I just wanted you to stay and help Xuanyue Temple with talisman drawing and ghost hunting."

Nanli blinked, "I know. Everyone has selfish motives, but your sincerity outweighed your selfishness. I could feel that."

Perhaps because, back then, she was a newcomer, whether Qingxu and Zhi Mi had selfish motives or not, they saved her. When they learned of her high skills in Taoism, they didn’t exploit her. Instead, they bought her clothes and made good food to keep her.

"Senior Sister!" Tears welled up in Zhi Mi’s eyes, and he felt an overwhelming urge to throw himself into Nanli’s arms.

Xie Beihan, quick to react, pulled him back and warned sternly, "Do you want to die? If the Ninth Prince finds out, you’ll lose your hand."

Realizing the potential danger, Zhi Mi quickly nodded. "Thank you, Lord Xie, for stopping me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have a hand to draw talismans anymore."

Xie Beihan grinned, "Then you should talk to Sixth Sister, so she won’t charge me."

Zhi Mi, sincere, said, "I can’t make decisions for Senior Sister. However much she charges, I’ll pay for you."

Xie Beihan’s eyes lit up, "Great! Zhi Mi, you’re the best."

Zhi Mi scratched his head, tears still on his face, "How am I great?"

He felt like a useless person.

Chu Shuo, arms crossed, advised, "If you’re paying for him, do you think my Sixth Sister will let you spend money?"

Zhi Mi, wide-eyed, looked at Nanli, "Senior Sister, is that true? You should charge whatever you need. I can pay!"

He didn’t want to hinder her earnings.

Nanli waved her hand, "I haven’t even drawn the talisman yet, and it might not work."

Zhi Mi pouted, feeling helpless, "But Senior Sister, you always say that, and you always succeed."

In his experience, every talisman she attempted was a success.

Nanli said, "This time, it’s more challenging. Really can’t say for sure."

The three exchanged glances, not believing her at all.

Despite her words, Nanli returned to her courtyard and had Qingyang investigate some matters. After a good night’s sleep, she had breakfast, then started reading the ancient books brought from the secret room.

Before long, she nodded repeatedly, "I understand!"

Rainbow and Chunbao were used to this scene.

Nanli used a message talisman to call Zhi Mi over.

Zhi Mi, though he hadn’t slept well, didn’t look tired. Entering the room, he saw Nanli had drawn a formation on the floor.

She beckoned, "Come, stand in the center."

Zhi Mi, curious, asked, "Senior Sister, what is this?"

"A contract formation. Stand in the center; the formation will draw a bit of your blood essence. I’ll transfer the formation to a talisman, making a contract talisman. You’ll be the only one who can move or open the object it’s attached to. This is the first version, so it’s a bit cumbersome. I’ll refine it to make it easier to use."

Zhi Mi, worried, asked, "Senior Sister, did you stay up all night thinking about this?"

It was his fault for making her so tired!

Rainbow smiled, "Don’t worry, little master. The princess went to sleep right after returning and thought of this only after breakfast."

Zhi Mi’s mouth twitched. So much for difficulty.

Nanli, eager, said, "Hurry, I need to test if it works."

"Senior Sister always says that."

Zhi Mi, without worry, stepped into the formation. Even if it didn’t work at first, a few tries would surely succeed.

But—

Nanli activated the formation, drawing a bit of his blood essence, and transferred the formation onto a talisman within moments.

Testing and refining the talisman went smoothly.

The box protected by Zhi Mi’s contract talisman couldn’t be opened or broken by anyone else.

Satisfied, Nanli nodded, "This contract talisman could sell for a thousand taels of silver."

Zhi Mi, impressed, admired her even more. He thought, "Senior Sister, your insights seem to have advanced, and your talismans are more complex and magical."

Nanli replied, "Indeed, I gained many insights from the ancient cultivation books."

Zhi Mi felt dazed. He had heard of cultivation but thought it long gone from the world, a futile pursuit.

But his Senior Sister was different! She was extraordinarily talented and smart. Perhaps she had a destiny with the celestial realm, able to open its doors again.

Wanting to follow her, he asked, "Senior Sister, can I read them?"

Seeing his eager eyes, Nanli seriously cautioned, "You can read about physical training. The rest would disrupt your mind and halt your progress. When you’re ready, you can read them all."

Zhi Mi, trusting her completely, nodded firmly, "I won’t peek. I’ll train hard and won’t let you down!"

Nanli smiled and nodded.

Just then, Rainbow reported, "Second Master has arrived."

Nanli went out to find Chu Hanming looking a bit pale but otherwise normal.

She handed him a True Word Talisman, "Uncle, don’t mess this up."

"Certainly," Chu Hanming replied, determined to use all his acting skills to avoid extra punishment. He took the talisman and, already acting, snuck out of the manor to the palace.

Soon, grand manager Wang found him.

"Lord Chu, you’re late again so soon after the last incident," grand manager Wang said with a fake smile. "Luckily, I smoothed things over for you, so your name didn’t go on the list."