Jiang Yunxi curled her crimson lips, speaking meaningfully, “I have calculated that you will definitely marry a princess consort in the future.”
That was why she had said what she just did.
“You’re probably going to be wrong this time. This prince will absolutely not marry a princess consort,” Zhan Beiyuan said with absolute certainty. He had always planned to remain alone until old age. If it weren’t for his father’s critical illness, there would have been no marriage.
“I have never miscalculated before,” Jiang Yunxi declared with full confidence.
Zhan Beiyuan raised an eyebrow, replying coldly and arrogantly, “It seems this prince will have to smash your reputation this time.”
Jiang Yunxi smiled ambiguously, “Oh, then I’m quite looking forward to it.”
She just didn’t know if she would still have the chance to see it.
Eunuch Qin watched the two with smiling eyes, “Prince Han, Miss Jiang, the Retired Emperor requests that you bring the children to the palace this evening for dinner. This old servant has delivered the message and will now return to the palace.”
After speaking, he bowed and turned to leave.
If he were to tell the Retired Emperor about their conversation just now, the Retired Emperor would be overjoyed.
It must be said, Miss Jiang truly has skill.
After that Fu burned yesterday, she immediately drew four more Fu and placed them in the four directions—east, south, west, and north. Later, she performed acupuncture on the Retired Emperor. Today, when the Retired Emperor woke up, he was clear-headed and refreshed, looking full of vitality.
“You take the children to familiarize themselves with the prince’s estate. This prince has official duties to attend to first and will return in the evening to pick you up,” Zhan Beiyuan said before leaving.
Jiang Yunxi grabbed his sleeve and said, “Attend to your official duties first. Use any spare time you have to spend more time with Momo and Mianmian. They are your children after all; you should learn how to be a father.”
She wanted him to build a deep bond with the children.
Although he had a sense of responsibility,
it wasn’t enough.
Zhan Beiyuan looked at the fingers clutching his clothes—slender and fair. After she released him, he said, “This prince will spend more time with them.”
Perhaps it was the wonder of blood ties, but he didn’t dislike the two children. After spending some time with them at Yingguo Gongfu, that awkward sense of unfamiliarity had already disappeared.
Seeing him leave, Jiang Yunxi turned back to the courtyard, planning to take the two little ones to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the prince’s estate. This would be their home from now on.
That morning, two super sensational events occurred in the capital!
The first was that the supposedly heirless Prince Han had suddenly produced a pair of five-year-old dragon and phoenix twins, and the royal family had publicly acknowledged their status.
The second was that Jiang Yunxi, the true eldest daughter mistakenly swapped at Yingguo Gongfu, had returned. The key point was that she was the biological mother of Prince Han’s children.
However,
Prince Han had acknowledged the children’s status but had not proposed marriage to Jiang Yunxi.
Instantly, the entire capital was abuzz with discussion.
Most people were mocking Jiang Yunxi. It was said she was a Taoist priestess from Qingxu Temple. As for Qingxu Temple, they had never even heard of it.
Probably a small, obscure Taoist temple.
No wonder Prince Han was unwilling to marry her.
With his immense power and noble status, why would he marry the lost eldest daughter of Yingguo Gongfu?
…
Marquis Wenxin Estate.
“Is this the place?” Jiang Yunxi patted the pouch hanging at her waist. She had asked the female ghost in red to stay inside; otherwise, she couldn’t come out during the day.
“Yes, this is it,” Xie Sirou’s voice was filled with hatred.
Normally, when she wanted to come here, she couldn’t get close at all. Lu Ze’an had invited a master to set up formations around Marquis Wenxin Estate and placed ritual tools inside the house because he was afraid. Even though he had long ago created an evil formation to suppress her entire family’s souls and spirits in the Dry Well.
“I will take you inside now. Leave the rest to me. I will rescue the souls and spirits of your family members.” Jiang Yunxi made her promise.
Xie Sirou was immensely grateful. “Thank you, Miss Jiang. I can only repay your great kindness in my next life.”
Jiang Yunxi strode to the entrance and addressed the gatekeeper. “Is Lord Lu at the estate?”
“Who are you? Do you have a prior appointment?” The servant looked her up and down. The woman was dressed in snow-white robes, her skin as pure as ice and jade, like a plum blossom blooming in the depths of winter—aloof, stunning, and proud.
“My name is Jiang Yunxi. Go tell your master the words ‘Dry Well’ now. He will understand. You must tell him, or the consequences will be severe.” Jiang Yunxi spoke with a serious expression.
Seeing how frightening her words sounded, the servant immediately went inside to report.
Jiang Yunxi walked to the main gate and spotted the statue directly ahead. She sneered inwardly. It seemed this Marquis Wenxin was truly afraid; otherwise, he wouldn’t have placed a statue right opposite the main entrance to ward off Evil Spirits.
She scanned the courtyard again, noting the layout and some hidden ritual objects.
A moment later.
Two servants emerged.
“Miss Jiang, is it? My master invites you inside,” the steward said with a beaming smile.
“Please lead the way,” Jiang Yunxi replied indifferently.
The steward gestured for her to follow.
In the main hall of the Marquis Wenxin Estate.
Lu Ze’an sat bolt upright, his face thoughtful. A flash of ruthlessness quickly passed through his eyes. What did the other party mean by specifically mentioning the words “Dry Well”?
Jiang Yunxi?
The name sounded somewhat familiar. Soon, he remembered. Two sensational incidents had occurred in the capital that morning, causing quite a stir. Naturally, he had heard about them during lunch.
The true daughter who had returned to Yingguo Gongfu was named Jiang Yunxi, and she was also the mother of Prince Han’s child.
It was said she came from an obscure Qingxu Temple.
Thinking she was merely a priestess from a small, unknown temple, his tense body gradually relaxed.
“Master, Miss Jiang is here,” the steward announced as he entered the main hall.
Lu Ze’an nodded, signaling for him to leave first.
The steward quickly departed.
“Lord Lu, your estate has many layouts and ritual objects in place. Are you guarding against Evil Spirits?” Jiang Yunxi got straight to the point. The man appeared dignified and scholarly, yet she hadn’t expected him to be so ruthless.
“Miss Jiang noticed?” Lu Ze’an’s heart, which had just settled, tightened again. He had assumed she was only a half-baked practitioner. Little did he expect that she would immediately recognize the arrangements he had specially commissioned from a master.
Jiang Yunxi said confidently, “It’s nothing to me.”
Lu Ze’an smiled faintly. “May I ask what brings Miss Jiang to the estate?”
“You know very well how your first wife died ten years ago,” Jiang Yunxi said, her gaze icy as she looked at him.
“The Jingzhao Yin Office has records from ten years ago. Lady Xie accidentally fell into the water and drowned,” Lu Ze’an replied calmly. So she had come because of the incident from a decade ago.
Jiang Yunxi’s face was full of scorn. “During your struggle, she fell into the water. At first, you were frantic to save her, but you soon hardened your heart and watched as Lady Xie was swallowed by the water. You erased the footprints from your struggle before quietly leaving.”
Lu Ze’an’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart was roiling with turmoil. “Miss Jiang, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Since Marquis Lu refuses to admit it, I can only resolve this matter my own way. By the way, Xie Sirou told me quite a lot.” Jiang Yunxi said with a profound smile.
Upon hearing the latter half of the sentence, Lu Ze’an’s expression still changed.
Xie Sirou?
Wasn’t her soul and spirit Suppressed/Sealed there?