After hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Yes, but that’s inevitable. He is already killed, what else can be done?"
"So please, Third Lady, shelter me."
Upon hearing this, Third Miss Hua responded, "You killed Feng Si and angered Feng San, do you think I dare to shelter you?"
Chen Jie replied, "Although I haven’t known Third Lady for long, I’ve seen the spirit of chivalry in you, just like..."
Third Miss Hua looked at Chen Jie, "Just like what."
"Oh, nothing, just a big brother I know in the town."
Third Miss Hua asked, "What’s the name of your big brother?"
Chen Jie’s face changed and said, "Nothing in particular, just a farmer."
As Chen Jie spoke, a black pendant accidentally fell from his sleeve. The pendant was made of ordinary black stone, very common and seemingly worthless.
But when this pendant dropped,
Third Miss Hua’s expression changed instantly, and she looked at Chen Jie.
Chen Jie quickly pocketed the pendant, as if it had fallen unintentionally, not wanting it to be seen.
His technique was clumsy. Normally, Third Miss Hua would have seen through it at a glance, but when she saw the pendant, her mind went blank, filled only with thoughts of that man.
Chen Jie put the pendant away; it was given to him by Ni Wenjun.
Back then, when he wore Ni Wenjun’s human skin mask to feed the Commandery Princess, Ni Wenjun feared Chen Jie wouldn’t look convincing enough, so he didn’t just give him the mask but also a small pendant. When they parted later, Ni Wenjun didn’t take it back, just mentioned keeping it as a memento.
Chen Jie had been carrying it as a memento ever since.
Today, the System mentioned that Third Miss Hua liked Ni Wenjun, so she might recognize his belongings, and once she recognized this item, Chen Jie could save a lot of explanations and easily gain Third Miss Hua’s trust.
He wasn’t wrong, Third Miss Hua indeed recognized the pendant.
"Can I please see that pendant?"
Chen Jie hesitated for a long time, but Su Yunjin, understanding his thoughts, intervened, "Husband, Sister Hua has been kind to us; you should let her have a look."
Chen Jie handed over the pendant; Third Miss Hua looked at it seriously. It was indeed his.
This pendant, he said, was carved by his father for him and his brother to play with in their childhood, one for each. He’d always carried it, though the carving was ugly, purportedly a tiger but resembling rather more a rat.
However, Ni Wenjun always wore it.
And now it had ended up in his hands.
Third Miss Hua’s gaze sharpened, a terrifying chill piercing Chen Jie.
It felt as if he was being targeted by some monstrous beast, a fear he had only ever felt in the presence of his adoptive father.
Was it Energy Transformation?
Was Third Miss Hua an Energy Transformation Master?!!
At that moment, it was Chen Jie’s turn to be shocked. He had guessed that Third Miss Hua was no ordinary person, but he hadn’t realized just how extraordinary she was, knowing that Energy Transformation Masters in Mianshui County were of the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ level.
Was this Third Lady within the Thirteen Grand Protectors, or external to them?
Chen Jie pondered in his heart.
Third Miss Hua’s voice was cold as she said, "Where did you get this item from?"
"Your friend, does he surname Ni?"
"No, not Ni. His surname is Zhang, called Old Zhang."
At this, Third Miss Hua frowned, "Old Zhang, fine. Since you are unwilling to tell me the truth, then..."
As she spoke, she swiftly reached out to grab Su Yunjin.
Chen Jie gasped in shock and swiftly slapped to save Su Yunjin,
but he was repelled three steps back by the Protective Gang Qi around Third Miss Hua.
Energy Transformation!
Indeed, this was the Protective Gang Qi only an Energy Transformation Master possessed!
In that moment, Third Miss Hua gripped Su Yunjin’s shoulder, looking at Chen Jie, "Chen Jiusi, tell me where you got this, or you believe I won’t hand your wife over to Feng San!"
"Don’t, don’t, Third Lady, we have no grievances, why must you harm me ."
Third Miss Hua said, "Answer my question, where did you get this?"
"I told you, it was given by someone."
"Is the person who gave it to you surnamed Ni!"
Third Miss Hua looked at Chen Jie.
Chen Jie was silent for a moment then nodded slightly, "Yes, it is."
Third Miss Hua continued, "What is your relationship with him, allowing him to give you such an important item?"
Chen Jie pondered for a moment then said, "If I tell you, can you let my wife go? Even if you send me to the officials, please don’t implicate my wife, she knows nothing."
Su Yunjin called out, and the two exchanged a look.
All of this was within Chen Jie and Su Yunjin’s calculations, Chen Jie had prepared for this recognition scene, anticipating various reactions from Third Miss Hua, including this one.
Therefore, he and his wife had discussed it in advance, and did not appear nervous.
Third Miss Hua slightly frowned, "Don’t worry, Yunjin and I are sisters. Just tell the truth, I promise she’ll be fine."
Seeing this, Chen Jie responded, "Actually, Ni Wenjun is my older brother. Originally..."
Chen Jie recounted his acquaintance with Ni Wenjun, how he had saved Ni Wenjun’s life, and how they had sworn brotherhood.
Third Miss Hua slowly let go of Su Yunjin’s shoulder.
She slowly sat down, "Such a dangerous affair, I truly owe you a lot, Jiusi."
Saying this, Third Miss Hua stood and bowed deeply to Chen Jie.
Chen Jie was startled, "Third Lady, what are you doing?"
Su Yunjin also hurriedly helped Third Miss Hua up, "Sister Hua, what is this?"
Ms. Hua spoke, "Don’t stop me, this bow I give is a sincere thank you to Jiusi for saving my Wenjun."