The Shaman Gives Me An Important Task

Xiao Yue looked up at her.

"W-what is it?"

The beautiful woman smiled and conjured an amulet from thin air. Hanging down from a thin silvery chain was a red, exquisite crystal. She gestured Xiao Yue to come closer and put the necklace around her neck.

"This crystal carries the resentment of the people who had died from General Long's blade. It will draw you to him. Kill him, Xiao Yue. Do not waste any chance."

Xiao Yue nodded. She clutched at the red crystal and said, "I will."

In her sleep, Xiao Yue moaned and kept mumbling, "I will. I will."

She opened her eyes and stared at the silk bed canopy in a daze for a while before propping herself up in a sitting position.

A dream?

Of all things, she had to dream about the shaman... Xiao Yue rubbed her eyes. That dream was a reminder, she thought. She must not be lulled into her new life.

Xiao Yue suddenly felt exhausted. She let herself fall back into the bed with a thud. And something else fell with a clinking sound on the bed. Xiao Yue peered at the thing.

She was looking at the amulet that she received from the shaman in the dream. Frantic, she grabbed at it and rubbed her fingers against it just to be sure that it was the real thing.

A faint glow emanated from the center of the red crystal, it felt slightly warm. Xiao Yue adjusted the position of the amulet and hid it under her clothes. The next thing she needed to do was find out where Long Zhao Xue was staying.

She did not need him to come to her anymore if she could pinpoint his position at all times and select the time to launch the attack. Xiao Yue steeled her resolution. She must not disappoint the shaman, Uncle Ma, her parents, the other tribesmen, and -women.

Long Zhao Xue did not have his own manor. He had always stayed with one of his wives to spend the night. According to Yu Fen, Long Zhao Xue had not been seen in any wife's manor as of recently, so where was he? Xiao Yue dreaded that he was wooing another innocent girl and courting her to be his fourth wife.

My, old lecher. Did he not have enough??? Not that Xiao Yue cared, but she was still on house arrest. It was not convenient for her to get in and out of the place as she wanted. Asking the First Madam for a leeway was akin to asking for a house arrest extension.

When Xiao Yue told Yu Fen that she was taking a walk that evening after dinner, she truly only went to take a walk across General Long's huge residence. Yu Fen insisted to walk with her, so the two of them made their way toward the other buildings. With the amulet tucked snugly inside her clothes, the warmth of the red crystal told Xiao Yue whether what she was searching was nearby.

Gossips were not necessarily false, Xiao Yue thought. Especially when they were circulated among the maids, who attended to their master's and mistress' very need. Xiao Yue did not need to enter the Second Madam's manor to know that Long Zhao Xue was not inside. The red crystal did not give any reaction.

Xiao Yue then moved to the First Madam's manor. No matter how unlikely it was, she had to check. First Madam was a strict person. After dinner, activities in her residence were limited to only what was necessary. A few maids hushed about to attend to her before she went to sleep, and the others remained in their quarters.

Xiao Yue approached the manor carefully. Her heart beat faster with every step because she was risking another punishment from the First Madam for her intrusion. She inched closer and closer, but there was still no reaction. After that, she could only give up and scan other areas for her missing husband.

Next to her, Yu Fen was a little confused.

"Young Lady, do you have any business with the First Madam?"

"Hm? No, I am looking for Long Zhao Xue."

Xiao Yue realized what she said only after she said it. She quickly slapped her own mouth and cursed herself in her heart. Yu Fen's lips formed an 'O' before she started grinning.

"Oh my. Young Lady, this maid is beyond happy that you are starting to think about spending more time with your husband. General Long is away on a war campaign. He won't be back for some time."

Xiao Yue gaped at Yu Fen. Huh? Long Zhao Xue was away? Why did Yu Fen not tell her from the beginning? Arghhhhhhhhh...!!!

Seeing her young lady upset about Long Zhao Xue being away from home delighted Yu Fen. She pulled at Xiao Yue's sleeve and coaxed her to go home like coaxing a little girl with candy.

"Young Lady, why don't I help you with this matter? The next time General Long comes home, I will inform you right away. How is that?"

Xiao Yue gave a stiff nod. She was aching to tell Yu Fen that she did not care even the slightest for Long Zhao Xue, but that would only hinder her from achieving her goal. Xiao Yue decided to endure the embarrassment.

Spring quickly turned into summer. Long Zhao Xue was still had not come back. Meanwhile, Second Madam's due date was quickly approaching. Everyone in the Second Madam's manor was highly nervous because it was the first child to be born to General Long.

First Madam as the main wife was also increasingly busy. Amidst all that, Xiao Yue led a  tranquil life with her maids and servants without a care for what was happening. The reason for that was because First Madam was still upset with Xiao Yue's past transgression, and no matter what Xiao Yue did, everyone still thought that she saw Second Madam as the main love rival.

Xiao Yue could not care less. In fact, she enjoyed being left alone. That unfortunately only lasted for two weeks, because then Xiao Yue was again summoned by the First Madam.