Fu Jiuque glared hatefully at the carriage but dared not say anything more.
When Yao Huiyi hurried over, lifting her skirt, she happened to see Fu Jiuque and his servant climbing up from the ground.
"Brother Jiuque!" Yao Huiyi exclaimed in shock, quickly stepping forward and pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the corner of his mouth.
Fu Jiuque, overwhelmed with shame and anger, pushed her hand away. "Leave me alone!"
The Hou Fu servants had completed their task. One of them turned back and sneered, "Young Master Fu, remember from now on—Zhaopinghoufu is not a place where you can act recklessly!"
Another chimed in, "Exactly! A toad lusting after swan meat—he should take a look in the mirror!"
Amidst their jeering laughter, the group swaggered away, leaving Fu Jiuque trembling with rage on the spot.
Yao Huiyi approached him again, comforting him, "Brother Jiuque, don’t take it to heart. They’re just servants who bully others by relying on their master’s power."
Fu Jiuque gritted his teeth. "Zhaopinghoufu may be mighty now, but I doubt they’ll stay proud for much longer!"
A glint flashed in Yao Huiyi’s eyes as she lowered her voice. "Brother Jiuque is right. To be honest, a few nights ago, I observed the stars and saw that the astrological position of Zhaopinghoufu has dimmed. Within half a year, a great disaster is sure to befall them."
Fu Jiuque was taken aback. "You can read the stars?"
Yao Huiyi smiled mysteriously. "Brother Jiuque, do you still remember the first time we met at the border? Back then, you were severely injured. If I hadn’t appeared in time, you probably wouldn’t be standing here today."
Fu Jiuque recalled that past. "Of course I remember. At that time, you appeared before me like a fairy descending from heaven."
"Actually, I am the Heaven-ordained Phoenix Maiden," Yao Huiyi leaned closer to his ear. "Because I am fated with Brother Jiuque, I descended to help you achieve great things."
Fu Jiuque widened his eyes, half-believing, half-doubting. "Heaven-ordained Phoenix Maiden?"
"Yes," Yao Huiyi nodded solemnly. "If not for this identity, how could I foresee the disaster of Zhaopinghoufu? And how could I have coincidentally saved you at the border back then?"
Recalling Yao Huiyi’s ability to predict the future, Fu Jiuque finally believed about seventy to eighty percent.
He grasped Yao Huiyi’s hand, speaking with deep emotion, "Huiyi, once I handle the matters at hand, I will marry you with great honor and splendor."
Yao Huiyi shyly lowered her head, but a flicker of triumph flashed in her eyes.
Jiang Yuwei had deliberately instructed the coachman to stop the carriage at the corner, never expecting to overhear this conversation.
What surprised her even more were Yao Huiyi’s inner thoughts.
"Xitong, check Fu Jiuque’s current favorability level," Yao Huiyi said in her mind.
[Fu Jiuque’s current friendliness level is 77 points. Reward: Health points +3.]
Yao Huiyi seemed quite satisfied. "It seems my Heaven-ordained Phoenix Maiden persona is very effective. With a little more effort, I should soon complete the first stage of the mission."
[Suzhu’s current mission progress: 28%. Ultimate goal: Empress.]
Yao Huiyi chuckled softly. "The people in this transmigration novel world are so easy to fool—they believe any made-up identity. Once I unify the world, let’s see who dares to look down on me!"
Jiang Yuwei listened in the carriage, her heart pounding with fear. Although she didn’t fully understand some of the terms, she clearly understood the words "Empress."
This Yao Huiyi actually harbored such grand ambitions!
Just then, she suddenly felt an itch in her throat and couldn’t help but cough.
Nansheng’s body was already weak, and the exhaustion from the journey only made things worse.
Nanny Wu quickly patted her back: "Miss, should we find a physician to take a look?"
Jiang Yuwei waved her hand, about to speak, when she heard Yao Huiyi's inner voice again.
"Xitong, where was the health value added? Why don't I feel anything?" Yao Huiyi asked in confusion.
[Health value has been distributed to the designated target.] Xitong replied coldly.
At that very moment, Jiang Yuwei suddenly felt a warm current surge through her entire body, and her previously weak limbs were suddenly filled with strength.
She moved her hands and feet in surprise, finding herself refreshed and invigorated.
Meanwhile, Yao Huiyi was still puzzled: "Strange, wasn't it said to reward health value? Why don't I feel anything at all? Could it be because it's too little to be noticeable?"
A thought stirred in Jiang Yuwei's heart.
Could it be that Xitong sent the reward meant for Yao Huiyi to her instead?
"Madam, your complexion looks much better," Nanny Wu said with pleasant surprise. "The coughing has completely stopped too."
Jiang Yuwei did not reply, only casting a meaningful glance in the direction of the alley.
"Let's go, to Xianguosi."
The carriage started moving again, and Jiang Yuwei leaned back, closing her eyes to rest.
If her speculation was true, then this Xitong did not seem to be entirely under Yao Huiyi's control.
Perhaps this was the key to dealing with Yao Huiyi.
…
Fu Jiuque limped along the road back to the residence.
Those fellows from Zhaopinghoufu had struck viciously, deliberately targeting the fleshy areas. If he hadn't protected his face, he probably wouldn't have been able to leave the house at all.
"That wretch Shu Nansheng, how dare she have her maternal family's people lay hands on me!" he muttered through gritted teeth, each step causing excruciating pain in his hip.
Passersby on the street pointed and whispered, making Fu Jiuque wish he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
After all, he was the eldest young master of the Fu family—when had he ever suffered such humiliation?
As he neared the main gate of Fu Fu, he deliberately detoured to the side entrance, fearing that the servants might see his wretched state.
Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, was dozing off. Hearing the commotion, he opened his eyes and nearly fell off his stool in fright.
"Young Master! What happened to you?"
"Shut up!" Fu Jiuque growled in a low voice. "If you dare spread this, watch your skin!"
Old Zhang quickly closed his mouth, shrinking his neck as he opened the gate for him.
Fu Jiuque endured the pain. A few passing maidservants hurriedly lowered their heads, pretending not to see him, and only began whispering among themselves after he had walked away.
Fu Jiuque was seething with anger. He had originally intended to return directly to his own courtyard, but halfway there, he changed his mind.
If his mother found out he hadn't brought Shu Nansheng back, she would surely question him. It would be better to take the initiative to report, while also complaining to let her know how arrogant Zhaopinghoufu had been.
Just as he reached outside his mother's courtyard, he heard unfamiliar voices inside.
Fu Jiuque paused his steps and quietly hid behind a pillar.
He saw his mother, Lady Fu, speaking with a eunuch who had a pale, beardless face.
That person was none other than Eunuch Liu from Consort Deng's palace.
"Lady Fu, Imperial Consort has said that for the flower-viewing banquet the day after tomorrow, you must invite the young madam and the second young lady of the residence to attend," Eunuch Liu said unhurriedly, holding his tea. "Her Majesty specifically instructed that the Shu family's daughter was watched by her as she grew up. It has been a long time since she last saw her, and she misses her dearly."
Lady Fu maintained a smiling face: "We are grateful for Imperial Consort's concern; it is their good fortune. However…" She paused, showing a troubled expression. "Nansheng has been feeling unwell these past few days and is afraid she won't be able to attend."
"Oh dear, Lady Fu, what a thing to say," interrupted Eunuch Liu with a faint, ambiguous smile. "Since Her Majesty personally named them, they'd have to crawl there if need be, wouldn't they? Besides, why is it that the Shu family girl just happens to fall ill at this very moment?"
The implication in his words could not have been clearer.
Lady Fu's expression shifted slightly, and she hurriedly replied, "You are absolutely right, Eunuch. I was being foolish. I will ensure they attend the banquet on time."
"That's more like it," said Eunuch Liu, setting down his teacup and rising to his feet. "I still have other households to deliver messages to, so I won't linger any longer."
Lady Fu personally escorted him to the door and discreetly slipped a purse into his hand.
Eunuch Liu weighed it in his palm, and only then did a smile appear on his face. After exchanging a few polite words, he departed with the young eunuch in tow.