Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons

Old Madam Zhang rushed home in a rage. Wen Jiao's last fierce look kept flashing in her mind, causing her to break out in cold sweats. It was not until she saw Chen Guangrui coming back that she grasped at the life-saving straw: "E'er, I ran into Mantang Jiao at Jiang Liu'er's place!"

Chen Guangrui had been repeatedly frustrated these days. His official title was demoted. He wanted to do something, but no one dared to accept the gift from the Dragon King when he presented it to his superior. The other party's eyes were clearly lingering on the treasure, but he was still talking nonsense in a bland way: "You, you were confused and did something wrong, so you have to be punished. Just stay in Wenyuan Pavilion for a few years and avoid the limelight. You should first study hard and do something. The Holy Son of Heaven is shining with wisdom, and he can see it."

Chen Guangrui was timid and his face fell as soon as he turned around. He was confused and offended Yin Wenjiao, but didn't Yin Wenjiao do anything wrong? She lost her chastity, was not docile, and dared to instigate her father to suppress him. She had no morals at all. The emperor was also deceived by the treacherous ministers and even demoted him. It was a pity that Chen Guangrui, who was full of articles and loyal, was trampled into the dust!

All other options were blocked, which made Chen Guangrui full of expectations for Xuanzang. Upon hearing what Old Lady Zhang said, her originally lifeless face suddenly glowed with surprise: "What did she say? Did Jiang Liuer persuade her to reconcile with me? I knew that she was willing to break up with me, but she would never give up this son."

Seeing how much he was looking forward to it, Madam Zhang stammered for a few times before she told him what had happened before: "E'er, you didn't see it with your own eyes. She looked ten years younger all of a sudden. She looked just like when she served me tea when she first got married. She was so pretty. I don't know how her parents took care of her after she returned to her parents' home. I heard that the Prime Minister's Mansion is trying to arrange a marriage for her again. E'er, you have to hurry up. It will be too late if you marry someone else. Jiang Liu'er is very hateful. You can forget about his way. You have to think of another way to coax Mantang Jiao back."

As she kept talking, Chen Guangrui's face became increasingly gray, his eyes were dull, and he kept muttering in a low voice: "You only hate me and have no feelings? Return to youth? Want to marry again? How is it possible? This is not right, this is not right, this is not right... Mother, this is not right!"

He grabbed Madam Zhang's shoulders and shook her repeatedly: "Mantang Jiao wouldn't be so heartless, she couldn't bear to leave me! You said she has regained her youth? I know, she is a fox demon in disguise!"

Mrs. Zhang was pinched so hard that it hurt. When she heard him say such a ridiculous thing, she was about to refute him, but she met his eyes. In just one month, the handsome man of the past had become a destitute and frustrated man, with sunken cheeks and bloodshot eyes flashing with madness.

Mrs. Zhang's heart skipped a beat, and she didn't dare to refute him, fearing that a careless word would irritate her beloved son, whose mind was about to collapse.

The more Chen Guangrui thought about it, the more he felt that he had found the truth: "That's right, Mantangjiao really died when she hanged herself that day, and then the fox demon transformed into her appearance and replaced her. That's why her behavior changed drastically the next day. Not only did she tie up my concubine, she also ran back to her parents' home to complain and wanted to divorce me. This must be the case, mother, Mantangjiao is now a fox demon!"

He stood up suddenly and was about to run out, but Old Madam Zhang hugged him from behind and cried, "E'er, where are you going?"

Chen Guangrui's lips trembled as he raised a twisted and excited smile: "I want to subdue the demon."

Outside the window, Li Ah Man touched her belly which was not yet visible and murmured, "I really can't stay in this house any longer."

The sky was thick with evening mist, a few pure white petals of plum blossoms fell from time to time in the courtyard, and Li A'man's hands were slowly cooling down.

She put her fingertips into her sleeves, but the slightly thin spring shirt couldn't give her enough warmth.

A month ago, she had already taken a fancy to a piece of very bright red silk in the storeroom and planned to cut two cloaks. One for her and one for her sister. When Yin Wenjiao and Chen Guangrui divorced, they took away all the dowry, including the red silk that she liked. Now the Chen family is not as good as before. If she wants to make summer clothes in advance, she has to worry about her mother-in-law's face, not to mention a dispensable cloak.

This made her miss the days when Yin Wenjiao was her mistress, wearing gold and silver every day, and stuffing her trunk with all kinds of silk and satin clothes. She ordered dishes from the kitchen in different ways every day, and all the expenses were recorded in Chen Guangrui's account. But now, all the valuables in her room were moved away, and she couldn't even afford a decent hairpin on her head. All that was left for her was a box of clothes. It was because the people who collected the money didn't like the clothes that were worn, so they left them for her.

Li Aman clearly realized that if Yin Wenjiao wanted to crush her, it would be easier than stepping on an ant. It just depended on whether she wanted to or not. In her eyes, the belly she relied on was no threat at all. When Chen Guangrui himself was discarded by her, it would be useless even if she was pregnant with a dragon egg.

Li A'man was completely scared.

Last time, the husband forced Yin Wenjiao to hang herself, Yin Wenjiao caused him to lose his job, and the Chen family collapsed. This time, the husband wanted to make her a monster again. How would Yin Wenjiao deal with him, and how would the Chen family be retaliated? Li Ah Man didn't even dare to think about it.

She held her breath and tiptoed away. Fortunately, Chen Guangrui was going crazy on his own, and Old Lady Zhang was too late to pull him back, so he naturally didn't pay attention to the movement outside the window. After returning to her room, Li Aman thought about it for half the night. While the maid was sleeping, she wrapped up the money she had saved and the best clothes in the box in the dark, made a package and hid it under the bed. The next day, she got up and served Chen Guangrui and Old Lady Zhang dinner.

When Mrs. Zhang saw her recently, she thought of her elder sister who had run away with the family property. She also thought that without these two evil little goblins, Yin Wenjiao would be so angry that she would naturally not be in a good mood. If she was not pregnant with her future grandson, even the maids who served her would have to be withdrawn. Seeing her following beside her, and her cowardly look, Mrs. Zhang became furious and said angrily: "If you are pregnant, go back to your room and sleep, why are you standing here? Give birth to my grandson, and you will have a chance to look at men!"

Nenghong patted her on the back and signaled Li Aman to leave.

Li Aman shrank back and went back to her room like a quail. After Chen Guangrui left and the others were not paying attention, she sent the maid Biyu away. When she passed by Chen Guangrui's room, she saw that no one was in the room, so she stole Chen Guangrui's precious pearl and jade belt, put on her bag, quietly opened the door, and went straight to the Prime Minister's Mansion.