For the next few days, Qi Qingyao waited for the eighteenth of the twelfth lunar month. She taught her children how to read as she concocted some poison with the medicinal herbs. Jiang Yeqian and Si Jin both returned to the village to help out with work.

After a few days of work, Qi Yuancheng's funeral was finally over.

The atmosphere within the old Qi family became very gloomy. No one dared bring up the Eleventh Daughter's name, it was as if her name was something that brought misfortune.

Qi Yuancheng's death was a huge blow to the old Qi family, especially to Qi Boli and Madam Wu. Madam Wu also no longer talked about trying to get money from Eleventh Daughter and Qi Boli had even less to say. As for Madam Guo, her days were spent with tears washing her face as she carried her children around. Madam Guo had been gossiping with the married ladies in her neighborhood behind the scenes during her free time, talking about how everything was Madam Wu's fault and that it was Madam Wu who caused her husband's death. If it had not been for Madam Wu pressuring their family to demonize Eleventh Daughter, none of this would have happened.

There was a rift between Madam Guo and Madam Wu. The once close mother and daughter-in-law now no longer talked to each other.

It was close to the new year's yet there was no ounce of festivity within the old Qi family.

In contrast to the icy atmosphere of the old Qi family home, the villagers were looking forward to the completion of the new house. The village head and several neighbors would often go over to chat and joke around with the masters. The atmosphere was joyous and harmonious.

It was finally the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Qi Qingyao was extremely excited when the first morning rays arrived. One moment she was tidying this, another moment she was taking care of that—she just could not sit still. Si Jin asked her if she was alright, if she was feeling under the weather, but Qi Qingyao shook her head and said that it was nothing of the sort. She was just excited!

Si Jin gulped and looked down.

After thinking for a moment, he took the initiative to tell Qi Qingyao, "Sister, I—I won't be going to the ghost market."

"Why not?" asked Qi Qingyao.

"Because…"

Si Jin thought for a moment but could not come up with a reason. He could not simply say that he would be completely different from the others if he were present at the ghost market, and that someone would recognize his specialty when the time came. He racked his brains for a bit before turning his head and spotting the children who were learning their words. With a flash of inspiration, Si Jin immediately said, "The children will still be at the inn and I'm afraid that they might run into trouble with no one to protect them."

Qi Qingyao accepted this explanation. "Then you can stay behind at the inn and take care of the children."

"Alright~!"

Si Jin smiled happily.

Jiang Yeqian, who was leaning against the window, saw Si Jin smiling broadly as if he had just experienced a massive wave of relief. He could not stop his expression from sinking.

He had gotten Bai Mei to run a background check on Si Jin, who still had not gotten back to him until now. That was not a good sign!

If the Zhaixing Administration could not find any details about one singular person, that could only mean that the person was not a person at all.

If they were an ordinary human, there was no reason why they would not have left any trace of themselves on the mainland.

Not only that, the youth in front of him did not want to go to the ghost market, which was a subtle clue. Could it be that he was not a human… However, even if he was not, he could still walk beneath the sunlight during the day, which ruled out the possibility of him being some ghost, let alone some wild mountain gremlin.

When the sun began to set, Qi Qingyao and Jiang Yeqian carried the goods and exited through the back of the inn before getting onto a carriage. The children and Si Jin stood by the window as they waved at the two outside the back door.

Qi Qingyao also made a farewell gesture toward them and promptly boarded the carriage.

Jiang Yeqian, who had donned the ox mask, was the designated driver. He set the carriage into motion and swiftly led them in the direction of Bailong Temple.