On the way back to the Prince’s Mansion.
Momo and Mianmian told Jiang Yunxi about what happened at the military camp.
After listening, Jiang Yunxi glanced at the man sitting upright. It seemed the father and his two children had gotten along very well—this was a good thing.
“Tomorrow, go to the military camp again with your father. Make sure to train hard and become stronger so you can protect Mother in the future,” Jiang Yunxi said with a smile.
“Okay!” Momo and Mianmian nodded obediently.
Zhan Beiyuan’s lips twitched slightly as he looked coldly at Jiang Yunxi. The children were still so young, yet she was already burdening them with such heavy responsibilities. Was this how a mother should act?
Suddenly, he grew curious about how she had raised the children all these years.
“How have you and the two children been living all these years?”
Seeing him take the initiative to ask, Jiang Yunxi was naturally happy to share.
“I played both the roles of mother and father. When they were infants, I was constantly flustered, having to get up at night to take care of them. During the day, I had to wash clothes, cook, and earn money.”
“When they could run and talk, I had to teach them reading and writing, as well as physical training. In short, there were endless worries. Fortunately, Momo and Mianmian are obedient and sensible.”
“Father, Mother took great care of me and my sister. You should treat Mother better. If it weren’t for Mother, you wouldn’t have been able to see such a handsome son and such a beautiful daughter,” Momo said seriously, sitting upright.
“Father, Mother is great and has had a hard time. You should protect Mother together with us,” Mianmian said sweetly, her eyes curved into a smile.
Jiang Yunxi winked at her son and daughter. They truly were her warm-hearted little superhero and her thoughtful little cotton-padded jacket.
She suddenly understood the Retired Emperor’s feelings—she also wanted to live for many more years!
Zhan Beiyuan glanced at the woman. He didn’t doubt her words. It couldn’t have been easy for a sixteen-year-old girl to raise two infants to the age of five.
“You’ve worked hard all these years.”
Regardless of what truly happened that night six years ago, it was indeed she who had raised Momo and Mianmian over the past five years. She had given more than he had.
“I’ve worked hard for five years. For the next five years, you should take more care of the children,” Jiang Yunxi seized the opportunity to say. By then, Momo and Mianmian would already be ten years old.
They would be able to take care of themselves.
“Alright,” Zhan Beiyuan did not refuse. The children were his, and he would not shirk his responsibilities.
During dinner.
Qi Yan brought over a piece of paper with the locations of all the Dry Wells in the capital recorded on it.
“Such efficiency,” Jiang Yunxi took it, not forgetting to praise. This was much better than asking around herself. Having connections was indeed a good thing.
“Miss Jiang, His Highness mobilized many people to investigate simultaneously,” Qi Yan said with a smile.
Jiang Yunxi put the paper away and smiled at Zhan Beiyuan. “Thank you.”
Zhan Beiyuan asked calmly, “When do you plan to start investigating each Dry Well?”
“I plan to start tonight,” Jiang Yunxi didn’t want to waste time. What worried her now was whether Marquis Wenxin would cause the souls and spirits of Xie Sirou’s family to vanish completely.
“Father, it’s dangerous for Mother to go alone. You should accompany her,” Momo said with a smile.
“Father, Mother is so beautiful. What if she encounters a ruffian?” Mianmian frowned, looking troubled.
“They’re just worrying unnecessarily. You…” Jiang Yunxi sighed. If she encountered a ruffian, wouldn’t it be the ruffian who suffered?
“This prince will accompany you,” Zhan Beiyuan interrupted her. Considering how she had taken care of the children for the past five years, and also because he wanted to see her abilities for himself.
“No need.” Jiang Yunxi didn’t want to trouble him.
“This matter has already reached the Jingzhao Yin Office, so I should handle it,” Zhan Beiyuan said seriously.
Jiang Yunxi: “…”
After dinner.
The two spent quite some time playing with the children before entrusting them to Qi Yan’s care, then left the prince’s residence together.
The first Dry Well wasn’t far from the prince’s residence. As soon as Jiang Yunxi approached it, she knew it wasn’t the place she was looking for. She then proceeded to check the second, the third…
Up until the seventh, none were the Dry Well she sought.
Zhan Beiyuan followed quietly without saying much, only occasionally glancing around. Although he couldn’t see anything, he always felt as if something was watching them.
Jiang Yunxi looked at the paper in her hand. There were still quite a few Dry Wells left. She glanced at Zhan Beiyuan and noticed him vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
“Don’t worry, there are no assassins.”
“I’m not looking for assassins,” Zhan Beiyuan withdrew his gaze.
“Then what are you looking at?” Jiang Yunxi smiled at him. Most people couldn’t see those souls and spirits that came out at night.
But tonight was a bit strange.
The streets were unusually crowded with souls and spirits, and they were all staring at them.
Zhan Beiyuan met her gaze. “Nothing.”
A flicker of mischief flashed quickly in Jiang Yunxi’s eyes. “Want to see?”
“No.”
But.
Jiang Yunxi suddenly pressed her index finger against his forehead.
Zhan Beiyuan: “…”
He felt a slight warmth at the center of his forehead, and then he saw a sight he had never witnessed before.
Many people.
To be precise, the souls and spirits of the deceased. Their gazes were fixed on him and Jiang Yunxi, their eyes indifferent, their faces expressionless.
“I don’t want to see this.”
“You’re already seeing it,” Jiang Yunxi said before walking away, heading to the next Dry Well.
Zhan Beiyuan’s handsome face instantly darkened like ink. “You made it so I can’t stop seeing this.”
Jiang Yunxi replied with a leisurely smile, “Can’t turn it off. You’ll stop seeing them after seven days.”
Zhan Beiyuan: “…”
He had to endure this for seven days!
Along the way, his handsome face remained tense, and an intimidating aura surrounded him, frightening the souls and spirits so much that none dared to approach.
What puzzled him was that the souls and spirits kept following them.
Jiang Yunxi was also puzzled.
She had gone out at night before to handle matters, but she and the souls and spirits had always kept to themselves—she did her work, and they went about their business.
Today, however, they followed her the entire way.
Suddenly, she gave a strange look to the cold, stern man behind her, who radiated an icy aura. Could it be because of him?
His fate was indeed quite unique.
Zhan Beiyuan noticed Jiang Yunxi’s odd look and returned it with a gaze as sharp as a knife.
Jiang Yunxi twitched the corner of her mouth. “I really can’t turn it off. Consider it an eye-opening experience for these seven days, Your Highness. After all, if others wanted to see, I wouldn’t let them.”
Zhan Beiyuan: “…”
He was convinced she did it on purpose!
The two visited a few more Dry Wells, but Jiang Yunxi still found nothing. As it grew late, they had no choice but to return to the prince’s residence.
“I have an idea that might help us find the Dry Well faster,” Zhan Beiyuan suddenly spoke up.
“What idea?” Jiang Yunxi’s eyes lit up.
Seeing her interest, Zhan Beiyuan shared his thoughts with her.
After listening, Jiang Yunxi said, “That’s indeed a good idea. We can give it a try. If it works, I’ll give you a reward.”
“What reward?”
“I’ll tell your fortune once. Just one copper coin will do.”
Zhan Beiyuan: “…”
Jiang Yunxi suddenly became very curious about him. Previously, using his Eight Characters of Birth, she could only see superficial aspects, unable to glimpse anything deeper.
This time, she wanted to make an exception and help him divine.
She wanted to know what kind of fate he truly possessed. Perhaps he would be a very special existence—the Ziwei Star?