The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits
Chapter 381 - 385: The Demon’s Recompense (Part 8)

Chapter 381: Chapter 385: The Demon’s Recompense (Part 8)

Adding poison to food is child’s play in the presence of a demon—it’s much like brandishing a big sword in front of Guan Gong.

And who’s to say that the poisons of the mortal world would have any effect on the Carp Spirit anyway?

But a King Cup is a different matter altogether.

On the night Su Li arrived, she secretly refined a King Cup and, with a bit of camouflage in the food, actually deceived the Carp Spirit into ingesting it.

Initially, she’d wanted to strike a heavy blow during its Transformation Tribulation, yet she had not expected to keep it until now, becoming the contingency plan.

It certainly didn’t disgrace her scheme.

Now, isn’t it producing a splendid reaction?

Thinking of the news Jinbao had found out—that the Carp Spirit was beaten by the mortals she had looked down upon, and then thrown onto the streets—Su Li couldn’t help but chuckle gleefully.

She probably had never suffered such humiliation.

She must be seething with rage inside.

If anyone in the Su Residence spoke the slightest ill of her, she would strike back.

This Carp Spirit, with such a vengeful heart, now had been beaten viciously and couldn’t even retaliate. She must be ready to explode with fury on the spot.

Su Li guessed correctly; the Carp Spirit not only felt physical pain but also harbored extreme resentment.

With that, her supposed gratitude was tossed out of her mind.

She had no intention of repaying her debt now; it was settled.

The Carp Spirit attributed part of her current plight to her benefactor.

He was supposed to be the most benevolent, wasn’t he? So why didn’t he step forward to help a frail and needy girl?

Upon hearing from Jinbao that the woman who sold herself for her mother’s burial had disappeared after being beaten, Su Li simply responded with an indifferent "Oh."

She could sense the presence of the Child Cup, which meant that the Carp Spirit was now no more than a regular mortal, not worth worrying about.

If Yu Jiaolan would stop at this, Su Li had no intention of pursuing things to the bitter end.

Soon enough, Su Li’s thoughts about the Carp Spirit were pushed aside by the arrival of her cousin.

An old woman from the Old Madam’s quarters came and said that if Su Li was free, she should come over.

Su Li got herself ready and strode across.

From a distance, she could already hear the sound of laughter and cheerful conversation inside the room.

Aside from the Old Madam, there was a sweet and delightful voice that made a string of witty comments, causing the Old Madam to laugh heartily.

Su Li drew back the curtain and walked in.

Besides the Old Madam and her own mother, a beautiful girl turned around and joyfully called out, "Cousin."

The affection in her voice sounded quite natural.

It was obvious that this cousin and the original owner shared a very close bond, even closer than some siblings in other families.

Su Li responded with a beaming smile, "Cousin."

The Old Madam looked from her handsome grandson to her granddaughter whom she held by the hand, and her wrinkled face relaxed considerably.

"Jiaojiao, stay at our residence for a while longer; don’t rush off—your grandmother has missed you terribly... Your mother has agreed," she said.

"Alright, then thank you, Auntie," the girl replied.

During the conversation, Su Li took a moment to carefully observe Shi Jiaojiao.

No wonder even the Carp Spirit wanted to take Shi Jiaojiao’s place.

She really was exceptionally beautiful, with the kind of looks that even a demon would covet—one could only imagine her allure.

Shi Jiaojiao simply leaned against the side, and to those who caught a glimpse of her, they could only sigh with admiration, "What a beautiful and luxurious flower."

Not about temperament, conversation, or integrity... there was only one thought, and that was beauty.

Especially since Shi Jiaojiao was not only beautiful, but her etiquette and conversation were also well taught by both the Shi Family and the Su Family, which made it even harder for people to look away.

If it weren’t for the fact that people from both residences kept her hidden away, not wanting her to stand out, the title of the most beautiful woman in the Capital would undoubtedly belong to her.

Such a delightful girl continually raised the level of Su Li’s favorable impressions of her.

"Jiaojiao, come to the study with me later. I have something nice for you."

Beauty pleased Su Li’s eyes, and she didn’t mind reciprocating a bit.

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Shi Jiaojiao curiously flipped over the piece of yellow talisman paper in her hand.

"Cousin, are you saying you refined this yourself?"

Su Li smiled, "Yes."

"It’s highly effective for protection. Keep it on your waist every day, and it will ensure your safety."

Shi Jiaojiao forced a smile with some hesitation, "This, this... do Uncle and Aunt know that you..." Do they know you’re involved in such idle pursuits?

She didn’t finish her words, but Su Li understood her. He chose not to respond, only smiling mysteriously.

Whatever the case, it was a gesture of cousinly affection, so even though Shi Jiaojiao was very skeptical, she followed his advice and hung the amulet on herself.

Su Li: "You’ll definitely be grateful to me in the future."

Shi Jiaojiao: "..."

Was the cousin in front of her still the one who only read saintly books?

It had only been a few days since she returned home. How had her cousin transformed into this enigmatic figure?

Shi Jiaojiao’s wild guesses had coincidentally guessed the truth.

Su Li was truly not her original cousin.

After an awkward time in the study with Su Li, Shi Jiaojiao fled as if escaping.

Several days later, Su Li, who was busy drawing talismans in the study, was startled by Jinbao who burst in hurriedly.

A yellow talisman that was near completion got ruined as his hand jerked, causing sparks to ignite from the talisman paper, reducing it to ashes.

Good talisman paper was wasted.

The sudden change left Jinbao staring in shock, his intended words swallowed back, forgotten.

"Young Master..." The scene that had just unfolded was like a magic trick, overturning all of Jinbao’s expectations.

Su Li, casually clearing the black ash that had risen on the table, reprimanded, "What’s all this panic about?"

Jinbao repeatedly apologized and collected his thoughts before remembering why he had come.

"Old Madam’s carriage was involved in an incident."

Su Li: "Take it slow, what happened?"

Jinbao said, "Today, Old Madam took Miss to the Wanfo Temple outside the city to offer incense. During the journey, no one could explain—something happened. In short, Old Madam was so frightened that she fainted, and Miss was also quite traumatized."

"Now, the physician from the medical hall has already entered the residence."

Su Li lifted the hem of his robe and pushed away the chair in front of him, quickly walking towards Old Madam’s courtyard.

The entire courtyard was in chaos because of Old Madam’s fainting until Su Li’s mother arrived, scolded the disordered servants thoroughly, and issued a string of commands. Then, like a backbone had been given to them, the old women quickly restored the usual order and efficiency.

Su Li stepped in, his nose catching the faint scent of demon energy and a fishy smell.

He had been negligent.

He could no longer sense the movements of Child. He previously hadn’t noticed anything; clearly, the Carp Spirit had found some assistance.