“Where do we even look?”
Jian Lanfeng had never met the ghost bride before.
“You’re the key.”
Jian Lanfeng: ???
After leaving the inn, Jian Lanfeng led them to the home of Jian Lanxin’s friend—a village nestled in the Wuxi Mountains.
They assumed Jian Lanxin had already left. But when she saw them, her shock was unmistakable.
“Brother… Brother Jiang Feng? What are you doing here? Brother, you should be with—”
She immediately clamped her mouth shut.
She was definitely hiding something.
“Should be with who?” Jian Lanfeng’s gaze darkened.
Of course, she couldn’t tell the truth. She shook her head. “Nothing.”
When Jian Lanxin noticed Li Qiao, her expression soured. “Brother, you stood me up for her?”
Not only did she know Li Qiao—she disliked her.
That much was obvious.
Li Qiao remained expressionless. She had no interest in Jian Lanxin—only in what was behind all this.
“Lanxin, tell me the truth. What are you hiding from me?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Brother, has someone been gossiping to you? I’m your real sister.”
“Exactly. Which is why I don’t understand why you’d betray me.”
Jian Lanfeng’s heart ached.
All the evidence pointed to one thing: the ghost marriage had been orchestrated by Jian Lanxin.
He suppressed his anger, but his eyes burned with confusion.
Jian Lanxin shook her head frantically. “Brother, I’d never hurt you! You’re my own brother—how could I?”
“Lanxin, it’s time to come clean. You tricked Lanfeng into signing that contract with his blood. He’s bound to a ghost bride now. If we don’t break the marriage pact by midnight, he’ll die.”
Jiang Feng watched Jian Lanxin’s face pale in horror.
“I… I didn’t—”
She hadn’t known.
Jiang Feng rolled up Jian Lanfeng’s sleeve, revealing a deep red mark circling his wrist.
Proof.
They’d barely escaped with their lives.
With every accusation, Jian Lanxin’s face grew whiter.
“No… That’s not what happened! Li Youwei said it was just her cousin looking for a partner. I saw the cousin’s photo—she was beautiful. I thought… she’d be perfect for my brother…”
So she’d handed over everything—his personal details, even his birth chart.
Li Youwei’s cousin claimed their compatibility was flawless—a marriage that would bring prosperity to future generations.
She’d just wanted her brother to be happy!
Tears streamed down Jian Lanxin’s face. “Brother, I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to—Li Youwei lied to me!”
Jian Lanfeng was furious, but knowing his sister hadn’t intentionally betrayed him eased some of the pain.
“Where is Li Youwei now?”
Li Qiao’s sudden question startled Jian Lanxin mid-sob.
She glared at Li Qiao, who ignored her anger and said bluntly, “If you don’t want your brother to die, start talking.”
Was that a threat?!
Jian Lanxin nearly exploded, but Jiang Feng cut in. “Just tell us. This is for Lanfeng’s sake.”
What was going on?
Since when did they take orders from Li Qiao? Could she actually deal with ghosts?
After a brief hesitation, Jian Lanxin muttered, “This is Li Youwei’s relative’s place. Her cousin’s family lives at the foot of the mountain—the Zhao household.”
Zhao.
The three instantly recalled the innkeeper’s words.
The ghost bride had to be that Zhao family’s vengeful spirit.
The Zhaos had agreed to her demands to free themselves—and Li Youwei had helped set the trap for the Jian siblings.
The truth was out.
Jian Lanxin erupted in fury.
She’d trusted Li Youwei as a sister—never imagining she’d sell out her own brother.
“What now?” Jian Lanfeng asked.
“We go into the Zhao house.”
“Easier said than done! They know their plan failed—how do we even get in? And if there’s really a ghost… Brother, let’s just leave,” Jian Lanxin pleaded, trembling.
“If we run, Lanfeng dies,” Jiang Feng reminded her sharply.
Jian Lanfeng’s gaze stayed fixed on Li Qiao. She had to have a plan.
While they argued, Li Qiao studied Jian Lanxin with an odd intensity that made her squirm.
“Dr. Jian, she’s the solution.”
Li Qiao pointed at Jian Lanxin.
…
Ten minutes later, the four stood at the foot of the mountain.
The Zhao mansion loomed imposingly, its grand red doors shut tight, twin crimson lanterns hanging above.
“I… I can’t…” Jian Lanxin whimpered, turning tearfully to her brother. “There’s a ghost in there! I’m scared!“
“You caused this mess. You fix it. Lanfeng can’t step foot in there—the ghost bride will drag him straight back to the altar. Li Qiao barely got him out last time,” Jiang Feng said, blocking her escape.
Which was why Jian Lanxin had been chosen to enter.
But this shrimp was shaking like a leaf.
In this state, she’d never pull it off.
“Qiaoqiao—”
A familiar voice cut through the tension.
Li Qiao turned to see Li Shaoxing and Shen Kuo approaching—and instantly, she had an idea.
“Third Brother… I need you and Shen Kuo for something.”
Li Shaoxing’s eyes lit up.
This trip was worth it!
But as Li Qiao briefed them, Shen Kuo finally understood why she’d called him along.
Li Shaoxing had a ghost-hunting spirit.
He did not.
“Can I… not?” Shen Kuo ventured.
Li Qiao simply smiled at him.
He shut his mouth.
With the two men bolstering their group, Jian Lanxin found some courage.
Putting on a polished smile, she knocked on the Zhao gate. After introducing herself, the Zhao steward eyed them suspiciously—but let them in.
“Lanxin, what brings you here?”
“I… I woke up and couldn’t find my brother. Youwei, didn’t you say he was on a date with your cousin? It’s been a whole night—they couldn’t have disappeared, right?”
Jian Lanxin played her part perfectly.
Li Youwei’s smile twitched. “Young people in love… who knows where they wandered off to? Lanxin, we just have to wait.”
You lying snake!
After all the trust she’d placed in her—!
Then Li Youwei noticed Shen Kuo, and her eyes gleamed.
This lapdog had chased her here? And who was the guy in the cap and mask?
Whatever. Probably another spoiled rich kid like Shen Kuo.
Useless heirs were worthless, no matter their family name.
Li Youwei had no patience for deadweight.
Now that they were here, Jian Lanxin insisted on meeting the Zhao parents.
Li Youwei hesitated, then said she’d “ask.”
Soon, she returned, all smiles.
They were to stay the night—the Zhaos would host their “future in-laws” properly once free.
Once Li Youwei left, Jian Lanxin locked the door, pacing anxiously.
“What do we do? What do we do? I’ve got a really bad feeling about this…”
“Where do we even look?”
Jian Lanfeng had never met the ghost bride before.
“You’re the key.”
Jian Lanfeng: ???
After leaving the inn, Jian Lanfeng led them to the home of Jian Lanxin’s friend—a village nestled in the Wuxi Mountains.
They assumed Jian Lanxin had already left. But when she saw them, her shock was unmistakable.
“Brother… Brother Jiang Feng? What are you doing here? Brother, you should be with—”
She immediately clamped her mouth shut.
She was definitely hiding something.
“Should be with who?” Jian Lanfeng’s gaze darkened.
Of course, she couldn’t tell the truth. She shook her head. “Nothing.”
When Jian Lanxin noticed Li Qiao, her expression soured. “Brother, you stood me up for her?”
Not only did she know Li Qiao—she disliked her.
That much was obvious.
Li Qiao remained expressionless. She had no interest in Jian Lanxin—only in what was behind all this.
“Lanxin, tell me the truth. What are you hiding from me?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Brother, has someone been gossiping to you? I’m your real sister.”
“Exactly. Which is why I don’t understand why you’d betray me.”
Jian Lanfeng’s heart ached.
All the evidence pointed to one thing: the ghost marriage had been orchestrated by Jian Lanxin.
He suppressed his anger, but his eyes burned with confusion.
Jian Lanxin shook her head frantically. “Brother, I’d never hurt you! You’re my own brother—how could I?”
“Lanxin, it’s time to come clean. You tricked Lanfeng into signing that contract with his blood. He’s bound to a ghost bride now. If we don’t break the marriage pact by midnight, he’ll die.”
Jiang Feng watched Jian Lanxin’s face pale in horror.
“I… I didn’t—”
She hadn’t known.
Jiang Feng rolled up Jian Lanfeng’s sleeve, revealing a deep red mark circling his wrist.
Proof.
They’d barely escaped with their lives.
With every accusation, Jian Lanxin’s face grew whiter.
“No… That’s not what happened! Li Youwei said it was just her cousin looking for a partner. I saw the cousin’s photo—she was beautiful. I thought… she’d be perfect for my brother…”
So she’d handed over everything—his personal details, even his birth chart.
Li Youwei’s cousin claimed their compatibility was flawless—a marriage that would bring prosperity to future generations.
She’d just wanted her brother to be happy!
Tears streamed down Jian Lanxin’s face. “Brother, I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to—Li Youwei lied to me!”
Jian Lanfeng was furious, but knowing his sister hadn’t intentionally betrayed him eased some of the pain.
“Where is Li Youwei now?”
Li Qiao’s sudden question startled Jian Lanxin mid-sob.
She glared at Li Qiao, who ignored her anger and said bluntly, “If you don’t want your brother to die, start talking.”
Was that a threat?!
Jian Lanxin nearly exploded, but Jiang Feng cut in. “Just tell us. This is for Lanfeng’s sake.”
What was going on?
Since when did they take orders from Li Qiao? Could she actually deal with ghosts?
After a brief hesitation, Jian Lanxin muttered, “This is Li Youwei’s relative’s place. Her cousin’s family lives at the foot of the mountain—the Zhao household.”
Zhao.
The three instantly recalled the innkeeper’s words.
The ghost bride had to be that Zhao family’s vengeful spirit.
The Zhaos had agreed to her demands to free themselves—and Li Youwei had helped set the trap for the Jian siblings.
The truth was out.
Jian Lanxin erupted in fury.
She’d trusted Li Youwei as a sister—never imagining she’d sell out her own brother.
“What now?” Jian Lanfeng asked.
“We go into the Zhao house.”
“Easier said than done! They know their plan failed—how do we even get in? And if there’s really a ghost… Brother, let’s just leave,” Jian Lanxin pleaded, trembling.
“If we run, Lanfeng dies,” Jiang Feng reminded her sharply.
Jian Lanfeng’s gaze stayed fixed on Li Qiao. She had to have a plan.
While they argued, Li Qiao studied Jian Lanxin with an odd intensity that made her squirm.
“Dr. Jian, she’s the solution.”
Li Qiao pointed at Jian Lanxin.
…
Ten minutes later, the four stood at the foot of the mountain.
The Zhao mansion loomed imposingly, its grand red doors shut tight, twin crimson lanterns hanging above.
“I… I can’t…” Jian Lanxin whimpered, turning tearfully to her brother. “There’s a ghost in there! I’m scared!“
“You caused this mess. You fix it. Lanfeng can’t step foot in there—the ghost bride will drag him straight back to the altar. Li Qiao barely got him out last time,” Jiang Feng said, blocking her escape.
Which was why Jian Lanxin had been chosen to enter.
But this shrimp was shaking like a leaf.
In this state, she’d never pull it off.
“Qiaoqiao—”
A familiar voice cut through the tension.
Li Qiao turned to see Li Shaoxing and Shen Kuo approaching—and instantly, she had an idea.
“Third Brother… I need you and Shen Kuo for something.”
Li Shaoxing’s eyes lit up.
This trip was worth it!
But as Li Qiao briefed them, Shen Kuo finally understood why she’d called him along.
Li Shaoxing had a ghost-hunting spirit.
He did not.
“Can I… not?” Shen Kuo ventured.
Li Qiao simply smiled at him.
He shut his mouth.
With the two men bolstering their group, Jian Lanxin found some courage.
Putting on a polished smile, she knocked on the Zhao gate. After introducing herself, the Zhao steward eyed them suspiciously—but let them in.
“Lanxin, what brings you here?”
“I… I woke up and couldn’t find my brother. Youwei, didn’t you say he was on a date with your cousin? It’s been a whole night—they couldn’t have disappeared, right?”
Jian Lanxin played her part perfectly.
Li Youwei’s smile twitched. “Young people in love… who knows where they wandered off to? Lanxin, we just have to wait.”
You lying snake!
After all the trust she’d placed in her—!
Then Li Youwei noticed Shen Kuo, and her eyes gleamed.
This lapdog had chased her here? And who was the guy in the cap and mask?
Whatever. Probably another spoiled rich kid like Shen Kuo.
Useless heirs were worthless, no matter their family name.
Li Youwei had no patience for deadweight.
Now that they were here, Jian Lanxin insisted on meeting the Zhao parents.
Li Youwei hesitated, then said she’d “ask.”
Soon, she returned, all smiles.
They were to stay the night—the Zhaos would host their “future in-laws” properly once free.
Once Li Youwei left, Jian Lanxin locked the door, pacing anxiously.
“What do we do? What do we do? I’ve got a really bad feeling about this…”
