And the death contract, as the name suggests, lasts until death, whereas the previous one she signed was a life contract.
Yin Tingxue trembled uncontrollably.
"From now on, you will live under the name Yin Jiaoyu. Privately, I will still call you Tingxue. Once the heat dies down, I will change your name back."
Chen Yi looked at the frightened Yin Tingxue and softened his tone a bit.
But... the girl did not relax despite his change in tone.
Her delicate skin broke out in goosebumps, as pale as snow.
[Negative emotions: 85]
[Yin Tingxue negative emotion rewards: Three years of True Qi.]
Yin Tingxue was silent for a long time before replying in a trembling voice:
"Why... why must you treat me ?"
Chen Yi stared straight ahead and sneered:
"Did you really think that after serving me for eight years, you could regain freedom and live a carefree life?"
Yin Tingxue stepped back continuously. Her legs weakened, and she collapsed onto the ground.
Chen Yi took a step forward, his towering shadow enveloping her.
Her gaze was filled with sheer terror.
Perhaps, she thought that serving this mortal enemy for life was even more horrifying than plunging into the World of Ignorance of Buddhism.
Chen Yi grabbed Yin Tingxue's hand and forced her to hold a wolf-hair brush.
"Sign and seal it. Otherwise..."
Yin Tingxue abruptly looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice resolute:
"I won't sign! You... you might as well send me to the laundry bureau!"
Chen Yi simply said indifferently:
Upon hearing the name of her mother's frequented temple, Yin Tingxue froze. At first, she was puzzled why Chen Yi mentioned it, but then she heard something brutal.
"I won't mind setting it ablaze.
Just like you burned those three thousand taels of silver notes to ashes with a single fire."
Looking at his adversary, Chen Yi said indifferently.
[Negative emotions: 90]
[Yin Tingxue negative emotion rewards: Five years of True Qi.]
Yin Tingxue's face turned pale. It seemed she had never heard such excessive words before. She froze for a long time. Something welled up in her throat; she wanted to speak but couldn't produce a sound.
Finally, the ever-determined girl lowered her head, silent, and signed her name on the death contract, pressing her Seal onto it.
Chen Yi collected the death contract.
Tomorrow, he could visit the government office to find someone to vouch for him. Though it was against protocol, his identity as a Hundred-Household Officer of the West Factory enabled him to bypass many rules.
Moreover, even if Yin Tingxue knew this, she wouldn't dare to report him to the government.
The only thing she dared to do...
Chen Yi took a deep breath, reached out his hand, and gently touched her head.
Unexpectedly, she didn't fling his hand away as she had done at Yintai Temple; instead, she leaned slightly toward him, silent.
This uncharacteristic behavior... She was preparing to escape, and Chen Yi understood this.
Early the next morning, Chen Yi locked the door of the room.
Staring at the sealed door, Chen Yi took a deep breath, then turned around.
Before, he had never locked the door, because at that time, Yin Tingxue wouldn't even think of escaping.
But now, pushed so hard, the Saintess was likely already contemplating how to run away.
Walking slowly out of the courtyard, Chen Yi headed toward the West Factory.
Not long after Chen Yi left...
A tall, handsome man wearing an embroidered uniform appeared outside the courtyard door, his presence unnoticed. He carefully surveyed the surroundings as if scouting the area.
Staring at the closed door, Min Ning hesitated and wavered.
After a long while, Min Ning took a deep breath and walked up to the paper-covered window of the inner residence.
Min Ning licked his fingertips and poked a hole through the paper window, leaving an opening through which he peered inside.
By the desk, a girl as fair as frost or snow was biting her finger, writing something in blood on her sash.
She raised her eyes in alarm, coincidentally meeting Min Ning's gaze.