CHAPTER 265: CHAPTER 264: SOUL CAPTURING TALISMAN!

"Big Brother!"

Luu Shaoqi abruptly looked up at him, his eyes filled with deep sorrow, and he suppressed his emotions as he said, "Fine, I will take my mother and leave the Luu Family, find a place far away from Shangjing, and pray for you."

Ms. Lu cried, "No, my son, you still have a bright future ahead. Shaochen, don’t drive Shaoqi away."

Mr. Lu couldn’t bear it and said, "Shaochen, it wasn’t Shaoqi who did wrong, why must you drive him away?"

Luu Shaochen turned his head and said coldly, "Does that mean the suffering I’ve endured all these years was for nothing?"

Yu Nianzhao gave Mr. Lu a sharp look, "Shouldn’t you be the one reflecting the most?"

Mr. Lu’s face turned ugly as he defensively said, "What does this have to do with me?"

"You married her and didn’t cherish her, leading to a series of subsequent events. You are the real culprit."

Yu Nianzhao showed no kindness, "Every time something like this happens, men always hide beautifully behind women. How can there be so many good things in the world?"

"You!"

Mr. Lu was furious but had no way to retaliate against Yu Nianzhao.

After all, Yu Nianzhao had just saved their entire family and was also the fiancée of Prince Su.

No matter which way he looked at it, he couldn’t afford to offend her.

Luu Shaoqi shook his head and resolutely said, "Mother, this is my decision. Please don’t say any more. To me, you who gave me life are the most important person, and everything you did was for me. Accompanying you and repaying your debt is only right."

"Shaoqi..." Ms. Lu was very moved.

"By the way, Zhaozhao, if a destiny is exchanged, can it be retrieved?"

Song Caiwei was still preoccupied with this matter. She finally understood why Luu Shaochen’s fate was so tumultuous—it turned out his destiny had been stolen.

"If the identity of the other party is confirmed, perhaps we can try."

"Can it be found?"

"That’s why trapping that malevolence was necessary. I knew you couldn’t stop worrying about Luu Shaochen."

Yu Nianzhao teased, and Song Caiwei’s cheeks turned red.

With the malevolence restrained, the distortion in the surrounding air intensified, and the temple behind them disappeared in an instant, leaving only a deep pit in the ground, filled with bones.

"We’ve retrieved the person, let’s head back first."

Yu Nianzhao glanced at the sky and reminded them.

"Alright."

Song Caiwei was shivering, uncertain whether it was from fear or the wind.

Luu Shaochen immediately took off his coat and draped it over Song Caiwei.

Their intimate moment was observed by Mr. Lu, who nodded slightly and said, "Seeing your mutual affection, it is indeed true that this matter was targeted by malevolence, causing misunderstandings. After I’m free tomorrow, I will personally visit Mr. Song to tell him the exchange is off."

Song Caiwei nodded with flushed cheeks, "Okay."

The servants escorted Song Jiling and Song Caiwei back to the Song Mansion.

Luu Shaoqi packed his belongings and left the Luu Family with Ms. Lu.

Before leaving, Luu Shaoqi turned to look at Luu Shaochen and left a message, "You will always be my big brother. Farewell, big brother!"

Ignoring Mr. Lu’s attempts to stop him, he thanked Yu Nianzhao and left with Ms. Lu without looking back.

Luu Shaochen darkened his gaze, watching the direction they left, unable to regain his senses for a long time.

What was once the lively Luu Family suddenly became silent.

"Miss Yu, what should I do next? Can I live normally after my destiny was stolen?"

Luu Shaochen gathered himself, respectfully saying, "To be honest, I’ve suspected that someone might have tampered with my destiny. I visited the Qingyun Taoist Temple, and they gave me a talisman, telling me to replace it every few months."

He untied a sachet from his waist, taking out a talisman from it.

"This is... a Soul Capturing Talisman!"

Yu Nianzhao stared at it for a while, furrowing her brows, "This is not an Exorcism Talisman at all. The Soul Capturing Talisman affects your soul. How long have you been wearing it?"

Luu Shaochen pressed his lips and replied, "Two or three years. Is this thing really that bad?"

"Of course, soul capturing is obviously harmful. Don’t buy it again in the future!"

Yu Nianzhao’s eyes turned cold, "It seems like the person who stole your destiny is also connected to the Qingyun Taoist Temple. It is highly likely the Daoist mentioned by the malevolence is from there."

"Are they secretly doing such acts?"

Luu Shaochen clenched his fists, filled with anger.

"Not just the Qingyun Taoist Temple."

Yu Nianzhao rubbed her brow and led Luu Shaochen to the outside of the Duke Luu Mansion.

"Duke Luu Mansion?"

Luu Shaochen was alarmed upon seeing the plaque of the Duke Luu Mansion. He wasn’t foolish, so he gritted his teeth and asked, "Are you saying my destiny was stolen by..."

"Chu Wenjun is surrounded by a dense purple aura, akin to that of a true dragon emperor. This isn’t right! It’s not his own. Do you understand?"

Yu Nianzhao looked at Luu Shaochen with clear eyes, "Your destiny is most certainly placed on Chu Wenjun. Do you want to take back your destiny?"

Luu Shaochen’s handsome face tensed, and he nodded without hesitation, "Of course, I want to reclaim what rightfully belongs to me!"

"Excellent!"

Yu Nianzhao smiled, snapping her fingers to have Wei Zhao release the malevolence.

"Is it here?"

Yu Nianzhao asked, "Is the person you previously cooperated with inside?"

The malevolence was very weak, wandering outside the high walls for a while.

"It seems like a formation was set here, concealing the ghostly aura inside, but I can sense that the Daoist’s aura is indeed within."

"Alright, Jiu, you may eat it."

Yu Nianzhao spoke indifferently. Having used the malevolence, it no longer served a purpose.

Jiu popped out a snake head and devoured the malevolence in one bite before it could react.

Yu Nianzhao turned to Luu Shaochen, smiling, "Welcome to our alliance!"

Luu Shaochen nodded slightly, "Happy cooperation!"

---

Under the concerted efforts of the Luu Family and the Song Family, what happened that night went unnoticed.

The Luu Family announced that Ms. Lu wasn’t feeling well, and Luu Shaoqi accompanied her to the manor for recuperation, and no one suspected anything amiss.

Luu Shaochen began to make his mark in the court, earning the appreciation of Chu Wenjun, and their relationship developed rapidly.

Meanwhile, new blood was being introduced in Shangjing.

Many officials aligned with the Empress Dowager’s faction were quietly being dealt with.

Yu Nianzhao harvested quite a few evil spirits.

During the sweltering summer, the Empress’s belly swelled like a balloon.

She summoned Yu Nianzhao to the palace for a chat and suggested going to the Summer Palace to escape the heat.

As they left the palace, gongs and drums filled the street with joyous sounds.

"Good news! Good news! The palace has announced the top three successful candidates: the top scholar, the second place, and the third place have all been chosen!"