The speaker was Xie Xuanye, the Director of the Evil Suppression Bureau under the Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau.
He was no ordinary official of the Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau.
It was said that he entered the Evil Suppression Bureau at fourteen, beheaded a century-old corpse demon in the southern city at sixteen, and by eighteen, he could single-handedly suppress and slay three hundred yin soldiers.
Now only twenty, he had already been in charge of the Evil Suppression Bureau for three years.
As his words fell, the gazes of everyone in the hall instantly landed on Wu Ling.
Wu Ling timidly shrank back, but her small hand still pointed in the direction of the eighteenth prince.
She mumbled those few words indistinctly.
On the bed, the eighteenth prince’s little face was deathly pale.
The Empress’s eyes were red, her voice trembling.
“Director Xie, is this method truly feasible?”
Xie Xuanye stood in the hall.
His features were stern and cold, a black jade token engraved with evil-suppression patterns hanging at his waist.
Hearing this, he slightly lowered his gaze.
“Replying to Your Majesty, cinnabar belongs to yang, golden threads lock yin, and talisman water entering the throat can indeed be attempted.”
“However, the yin mark between the eighteenth prince’s brows is not ordinary evil energy, and this method is perilous, requiring this humble official to personally apply the talisman.”
The Emperor’s face was grave: “Granted.”
Soon, the palace servants brought top-grade cinnabar, golden threads, talisman paper, and a cup of clear water.
Xie Xuanye cleansed his hands, burned incense, and applied the talisman.
Wu Ling nestled in Old Mrs. Wu’s arms, but her eyes gradually brightened.
That’s right.
This was the method.
As long as she saved the eighteenth prince today, no one would ever bring up the matter of the border prophecy failing.
She was still the Auspicious Omen!
[Destiny is on my side!]
Hearing Wu Ling’s inner thoughts, Lin Shuang suppressed the wild joy in her heart and softly spoke.
“Your Majesty, Empress, Ling’er is young, how could she understand such things.”
“Perhaps it is Heaven taking pity on the eighteenth prince, thus speaking the method through Ling’er’s mouth.”
These words were spoken extremely cleverly.
They both credited the merit to Wu Ling and did not make their mother and daughter appear arrogant or boastful.
The eighteenth prince—this was the Empress’s most beloved little prince.
If the method Ling’er spoke of truly worked, who would dare look down on their mother and daughter in the future?
What Jiang family, what legitimate daughter of a military family.
They would all be trampled under their feet!
Xie Xuanye dissolved the talisman paper into the water.
The palace servants carefully lifted the eighteenth prince and slowly fed him the talisman water.
The Empress stared fixedly at the eighteenth prince’s face, her fingers nearly tearing the handkerchief to shreds.
Suddenly, the eighteenth prince’s small body convulsed violently, and he coughed up a mouthful of black blood.
Xie Xuanye’s eyes sharpened, a talisman paper flying from his fingertips.
In the blink of an eye, that pool of black blood was burned into a wisp of black smoke.
Simultaneously, the faint yin mark between the eighteenth prince’s brows visibly faded at a speed discernible to the naked eye.
The Empress stared blankly.
“It’s receding…”
A tear fell.
“It’s truly receding!”
The hall immediately erupted with barely suppressed exclamations.
“This child actually spoke the truth!”
“Could it be that this young lady of the Zhongbo Marquis’s household truly possesses a heaven-bestowed spiritual nature!”
Xie Xuanye retrieved the talisman paper, his gaze still cold and indifferent.
The Emperor looked at Wu Ling, remained silent for a moment, and finally spoke.
“Wu Ling of the Zhongbo Marquis’s household has rendered meritorious service in saving the prince.”
Lin Shuang lowered her head, her breath catching, almost unable to suppress the smile at the corner of her lips.
The Emperor continued: “Reward with one hundred taels of gold, two boxes of southern pearls, and four bolts of cloud-patterned brocade.”
The Empress looked at Wu Ling, her tone softening somewhat: “This child truly has a spiritual nature. In the future, when there is time, let the women of the Marquis’s household bring her into the palace to keep this Empress company for conversation.”
Wu Xiong and Lin Shuang abruptly looked up, the wild joy in their eyes almost impossible to conceal.
This was an honor countless noble young ladies in the capital sought but could not obtain!
Old Mrs. Wu hurriedly held Wu Ling and kowtowed.
Wu Ling’s small face was buried low, so no one saw the corners of her mouth gradually lifting.
Success!
…
News outside the palace gates spread faster than the wind.
In less than half a day, the entire capital knew about the rescue of the eighteenth prince.
The Zhongbo Marquis Estate, which had been secretly mocked just the day before, had now become a place of good fortune in everyone’s mouths.
In the front courtyard, Old Mrs. Wu was beaming so brightly that the wrinkles on her face seemed to smooth out, making her look ten years younger.
“I always said Ling’er was blessed.”
“Now, the rewards Ling’er has received are more than enough to cover the estate’s recent losses!”
“Those who dared gossip yesterday should open their eyes wide and see clearly now!”
Nanny Zhao quickly chimed in with flattery: “The Old Madam is right. Now, outsiders are saying that Miss Ling’er is an Auspicious Omen. She even saved a prince—who knows how much greater her blessings will be in the future.”
Old Mrs. Wu felt immensely pleased.
The resentment that had been festering in her chest because of Jiang Xiu these past days was finally released.
She snorted coldly.
“Does Jiang Xiu really think giving birth to a daughter makes her so remarkable?”
“A freak who didn’t even cry at birth—how could she compare to Ling’er in the slightest!”
Beside her, Wu Jiaojiao sat with a smug expression.
“Mother, in my opinion, a child like Ling’er shouldn’t be a concubine-born daughter.”
“Now that Ling’er has caught the eye of Her Majesty the Empress, she’ll surely be visiting the palace frequently in the future.”
“But if she remains a concubine-born daughter, it won’t sound respectable when mentioned outside.”
Wu Jiaojiao’s eyes gleamed as she pondered, finding the idea more and more reasonable.
“If she were registered under Jiang Xiu’s name and became the estate’s legitimate daughter, it would be proper and fitting.”
Old Mrs. Wu’s eyes lit up.
Yes, why hadn’t she thought of that?
If Ling’er became the estate’s legitimate daughter, it would be far more respectable for her to enter the palace, arrange marriages, or socialize with nobles in the future.
As for whether Jiang Xiu would agree…
Old Mrs. Wu sneered.
This was not up to her.
“Let’s go.”
Old Mrs. Wu stood up.
“To the side courtyard.”
Wu Jiaojiao immediately followed, her face brimming with excitement at the prospect of drama.
She couldn’t wait to see how Jiang Xiu would act tough this time!
…
In the side courtyard, Jiang Xiu was listening to Xing’er’s report.
“Madam, I’ve already investigated the shop in the west of the city and the manor in the suburbs.”
“The former shopkeeper of that shop is surnamed Qian. He has some difficulty walking, and his elderly mother is seriously ill, which is why he’s willing to sell.”
“Also, the manor is right next to your private residence, so it will be more convenient in the future.”
Jiang Xiu lowered her gaze to the account book, her fingertips lightly tapping the pages.
Just as she was about to speak, hurried footsteps sounded from outside.
Xing’er’s expression changed slightly, and she quickly put away the account book.
The next moment, Old Mrs. Wu and Wu Jiaojiao entered the courtyard, followed by a group of maids and matrons.
The maid at the front was holding the gold, southern pearls, and cloud brocade that the emperor had rewarded Wu Ling with.
The display was clearly meant to ensure no one missed the fact that they had just received rewards from the palace.
As Old Mrs. Wu entered, her back was even straighter than usual.
“Jiang Xiu.”
Her tone carried a hint of condescension as she spoke.
“Have you heard the news from the palace?”
Jiang Xiu looked up, her expression calm.
“I have.”
Wu Jiaojiao immediately chuckled, glancing disdainfully at Fu Fu sleeping on the nearby couch.
“Sister-in-law, don’t blame me for speaking bluntly.”
“Some children are naturally blessed and can bring honor to the family.”
“Others, however…”
She drew out her words, covering her mouth with a smile.
Xing’er’s eyes reddened with anger as she stepped forward half a step, instinctively shielding the small couch.
The young miss was still so little—how could she possibly be in their way?
“Madam’s words are far too hurtful.”
“The young miss is the legitimate daughter of the Marquis’s household—how can she be spoken of in such a manner?”
The smile on Wu Jiaojiao’s face faded slightly.
A mere maid, daring to speak up for that dead child?
“You are quite loyal indeed.”
As soon as the words fell,
Wu Jiaojiao raised her hand and slapped her fiercely.
“Smack—”
Xing’er’s face was knocked to the side, half of it already rapidly swelling and reddening.
Wu Jiaojiao shook her numb hand and sneered, “A lowly servant, daring to act the loyal servant in front of me?”