However, Bai Sheng was contemplating whether to tell Lu Ye about her and Qin Zheng's transmigration.
After a moment of thought, she decided against it for the time being, as many things were still unclear, and most of it was her speculation. She would wait for a more opportune moment.
She knew Lu Ye was Qin Zheng, and Qin Zheng was Lu Ye. That was enough.
It was only at this moment that Bai Sheng finally understood why she had liked Lu Ye the moment she first saw him. It was because Lu Ye was Qin Zheng, and no matter who Qin Zheng became, she would have fallen for him.
If Lu Ye were not Qin Zheng, Bai Sheng might not have fallen in love with him at all. For the ten years after Qin Zheng disappeared, Bai Sheng had never fallen in love with any other man. Even if a man was exceptionally outstanding and handsome, she could no longer feel her heart flutter.
Regarding the strange occurrences between her and Lu Ye, Bai Sheng planned to subtly consult her master.
Master Awu was proficient in witchcraft and might have some knowledge of ghosts and spirits. Regardless, she was the person closest to such matters in Bai Sheng's life.
On the few days after New Year's, her family was gathered together, feasting and having fun, living a carefree life.
Bai Sheng created several wooden tokens in her spatial dimension and taught everyone to play Dou Dizhu and Dajisheng. After that, her family was engrossed in the games.
Prince Yu, along with Lu Ye and Ji Chenghe, played Dou Dizhu. He swore he would make Lu Ye sweat at the card table, but instead, he was the one who was thoroughly beaten.
Prince Yu had not won a single hand since they started playing.
Lu Ye had an excellent memory and could quickly count cards. Prince Yu secretly kicked Ji Chenghe, signaling him to let him win, even to the point of "flooding" the game, but even then, he couldn't defeat Lu Ye.
Ji Chenghe was a man of integrity and initially didn't want to throw the game. However, if he didn't, Prince Yu would demand his "blood." Thus, he completely lost his composure at the card table.
The two of them played without any scruples, which made Qiu Bian and Er Ren deeply sympathetic towards Lu Ye. They occasionally helped Lu Ye at crucial moments.
Awu, Azhong, and Aji were also engrossed in their games, almost to the point of neglecting food and sleep.
Bai Sheng finally found an opportunity when Awu went to the latrine behind the septic tank. She quietly followed her and blocked her at the entrance of the outhouse.
Awu was just tying her trousers. Bai Sheng poked her head in, pinching her nose, and said, "Master, your disciple has something to ask."
Awu was startled. "My heavens, what's so important that you, Sheng'er, have followed me to the latrine? Aren't you afraid of the smell!"
Bai Sheng nodded. "It's very important."
"Then hurry and speak. I still need to play cards," Awu said, finishing tying her waistband and walking out.
Bai Sheng released her nose, looked around, and lowered her voice slightly. "Master, do you believe in souls and ghosts in this world?"
Upon hearing this, Awu's expression flickered slightly, a strange glint in her eyes. She glanced at Bai Sheng and asked, "Why are you suddenly asking such a question, Sheng'er?" Did she remember something?
Bai Sheng chuckled. "Disciple is purely curious. Master, tell me, are there really ghosts?"
Awu lifted her face and said softly, "I believe there are."
Seeing Awu's firm affirmation, Bai Sheng's heart skipped a beat. "Then, Master, is there a situation where a person's soul travels to another world and then comes back?"
Awu heard this and suddenly grabbed Bai Sheng's arm, her eyes shining. She asked urgently, "Sheng'er, have you... have you remembered something?"
"Remembered what?" Bai Sheng was bewildered by her master's sudden excitement.
"You..." Awu looked into Bai Sheng's eyes. Not finding the answer she desired, she sighed softly. "Never mind. It's probably not time yet."
"Master, remembered what? Not time for what?" Bai Sheng felt her master's words held a hidden meaning.
Awu coughed lightly, a flicker of evasion in her eyes. She vaguely replied, "Uh... uh... nothing. It's just not time for you to understand that there are ghosts in this world."
Seeing her master's evasive and perfunctory response, Bai Sheng became suspicious.
Her master asked if she remembered anything, but she had never lost her memory. So, what was there to remember?
Could it be that the original owner knew her master, and because she occupied the original owner's body, the original owner "forgot" her master?
If that were the case, her master should have told her, right? But her master had never mentioned knowing the original owner.
Ah, ah, ah, Master is truly strange, Bai Sheng shook her head frantically in her mind.
Never mind Master, figuring out the matter between her and Lu Ye was more important.
"Master, can a person's soul really travel to another world? And then come back?"
Awu lowered her eyes and nodded. "Probably."
"Then, why is that? How is it done?" Bai Sheng pressed.
Awu looked at Bai Sheng and said earnestly, "Disciple, the matters of this world are inherently unusual. Cause and effect are merely the cycle of the heavenly way. There's no need to dwell on the root cause of many things. Grasp the present, and act according to destiny, and you will not lose your way."
"Yes, I understand, Master," Bai Sheng nodded. Her master meant that all causes and effects have their own destiny, and when the time comes, everything will become clear.
Bai Sheng decided not to dwell on it anymore. In any case, Lu Ye was Qin Zheng, and that was already a great kindness from the heavens for her.
"Disciple, Master is going to play cards. Let's talk later!" With that, Awu scurried back.
Bai Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the small saplings, vegetable patches, orchards, nurseries, and rows of houses everywhere, her heart suddenly felt clear.
No matter what had happened between her and Lu Ye, or Qin Zheng, in the past, they were both alive now and living happily together. That was wonderful. Why add to her own troubles?
Time always passed quickly when one was having fun. In the blink of an eye, it was the day the workshop was to resume work.
Bai Sheng instructed the workshop to speed up production. Once the second batch of products was ready, she would take them back to the capital.
During the Lunar New Year, she had further improved the preservative for her skincare products, extending the shelf life of the masks and creams to eight months.
This meant that there would be no more rush for product warehousing and transportation in the future.
Lu Ye pulled Lu Xing, Xiao Ma, Zhu Gan, Gou Dan, Cheng Tuo, and Chi Bao aside and asked them if they genuinely wanted to venture out with him.
"We sincerely do!" The six youths nodded heavily.
"Never regret it?"
"Never regret it!" the youths stated with firm conviction.
Lu Ye smiled. "Very well. You all go back first, arrange your current affairs, find your replacements, pack your belongings, and when my wife is ready, we will set off for the capital."
The six youths were all extremely excited. They had never imagined that they would have the opportunity in their lives to leave Tianshui Town and venture into the most prosperous capital city of Great Xia Kingdom.
Each of them eagerly ran off to arrange their tasks.
These individuals were the main force of the guard team. Ma San felt a deep sense of reluctance, but since they were following the master to venture out, he would naturally give them his full support.