The carriage fell into silence for a moment.
Shen Quxian's expression changed from anger to blankness and then to an ashen hue. His lips parted and closed several times, but no words came out.
Fortunately, he had sent away the servants around when asking the questions. There were only the four of them and that simple - looking man inside.
Knowing the family scandal, Ye Xi didn't dare to stay any longer. After saying that she had heard and known nothing today, Ye Xi quickly found an excuse to take her leave.
Seeing Shen Quxian in a bad mood, Shen Zhou didn't try to keep her either. He just insisted on giving the silver to Ye Xi.
Unable to decline further, Ye Xi had no choice but to accept it and leave.
Running away quickly with Saixing, Ye Xi felt that it seemed life - threatening to continue this "fate - querying" business.
She weighed the heavy package in her hand and decided to hire some bodyguards from a martial - arts troupe.
Just as she was making plans, Saixing moved closer to Ye Xi and said:
"Miss, I took a look at the people who wanted to 'query their fates' from us today. It seems that there are people from the State Uncle's Mansion."
Ye Xi gave Saixing a sidelong glance:
"Oh? Can you read now?"
Saixing: ……
"Miss~" Saixing grinned and started to act coquettishly. "I don't recognize other words, but because there's a marriage engagement between the State Uncle's Mansion and you, I recognize some words related to it."
"Humph~ You don't need to do this in the future."
Ye Xi poked Saixing angrily and then carefully looked through the stack of papers.
Sure enough, she saw the words "State Uncle's Mansion". The registered name was Li Chunlan. Ye Xi knew this person. She was the dowry maid of Cao Sheng's mother back then and was called Nanny Li by everyone in the State Uncle's Mansion.
Moreover, because she had paid enough silver, Nanny Li had been ranked first.
The thought of the State Uncle's Mansion wanting to "query their fates" from her made Ye Xi want to laugh.
You know, Mrs. Cao had never had a good look at her. She had openly and secretly belittled Ye Xi and told everyone that Ye Xi was not worthy of Cao Sheng.
In Mrs. Cao's eyes, Cao Sheng was the nephew of the queen. He was a close official to the emperor and a relative of the royal family. Ye Xi, the second legitimate daughter of a second - rank official, and that official being a minister of rites who had nothing to do with military or money matters, was simply not presentable in Mrs. Cao's eyes.
If it were Ye Jueyao, it would be understandable. At least her beauty and talent were well - known in the capital. But unfortunately, under the long - term deception of Ye Jueyao and Qian Fangxue, Ye Xi not only looked ugly and rustic but also had no talent to speak of. If it weren't for the consideration of Grand Tutor Cao, Mrs. Cao would never have agreed to the marriage between Ye Xi and Cao Sheng.
Mrs. Cao had given Ye Xi a hard time every time Ye Xi visited the State Uncle's Mansion. She would always set rules for Ye Xi. Ye Xi hadn't even married into the family yet, but she had already suffered a lot from Mrs. Cao. And unfortunately, Cao Sheng always asked Ye Xi to be patient, saying it was "for your own good". Otherwise, she would be laughed at for being impolite after she got married.
Bah! It was really disgusting.
Ye Xi couldn't help but spit.
"Saixing," Ye Xi waved secretly. "Find a way to tell Tongyun, Eldest Sister's personal maid, that the Cao family intends to marry me off soon and has already started looking for an auspicious day."
That night -
"What did you say!?" Ye Jueyao's voice suddenly rose. Her beautiful face was slightly distorted.
"Impossible! Cao Sheng was still at the poetry gathering with me during the day. He defended me in every word. How could he suddenly want to get married? Moreover, is Mrs. Cao that easy to deal with? She would never let this go so easily."
"I also find it strange, miss." Tongyun looked concerned for Ye Jueyao.
"To find out the truth, I went to inquire at the State Uncle's Mansion. A maid beside Mrs. Cao told me that Mrs. Cao did find a powerful nun outside. She will go to the State Uncle's Mansion tomorrow to 'query the fate' for Mrs. Cao."
"Query the fate?" Ye Jueyao was full of doubts. "What is that? I've never heard of it."
Tongyun gently shook her head and said:
"I don't know either. It's said to be a new way of fortune - telling that just emerged these days. People on the street are all talking about it, making it sound very mysterious."
"Humph~ It's just a trick to deceive people." Ye Jueyao was very disdainful.
However, although she said so, she still felt a bit uncertain.
Gently combing her hair, Ye Jueyao paced back and forth:
"Go, Tongyun. Send a message to Young Master Cao now, saying that I haven't seen Miss Cao for a long time and will come to visit tomorrow."
"Yes." Just as Tongyun was about to take the order and leave, Ye Jueyao suddenly said:
"Wait. How about the movements in the Prince's Mansion today? Does Ye Xi know about this?"
"Everything in the Prince's Mansion is normal, but the prince seems to have gone on a long - distance trip." Tongyun answered one by one. "According to the news from Qingyuan, the second miss doesn't know that the State Uncle's Mansion wants to marry her off yet."
"Good. Let her go to the Prince's Mansion as usual and don't let her know about the State Uncle's Mansion. Otherwise, if she spreads the news and Grand Tutor Cao knows that Mrs. Cao has given in, I'm afraid we won't be able to stop Ye Xi's marriage."
"Yes, miss."
Tongyun quickly took the order and left.
Ye Xi slept well all night. She got up full of energy the next day. After paying respects, she went to the Prince's Mansion.
On the contrary, Ye Jueyao had dark circles under her eyes, obviously not having slept well.
Ye Xi knew that the news had reached Ye Jueyao's ears. She went to the Prince's Mansion first to see Yi Yaofeng.
Now Yi Yaofeng was far from being as closed - off as before. He was willing to read and write.
After chatting with him for a while, Ye Xi arranged the books and homework for Yi Yaofeng. Then she found an excuse to change clothes with Saixing and went to the State Uncle's Mansion.
They didn't enter through the main gate of the State Uncle's Mansion but went through the side gate and walked around several times until they directly reached Mrs. Cao's courtyard.
After exchanging greetings, Mrs. Cao showed an unusual amiable expression:
"To be honest with you, Immortal Aunt, the matter I want to ask today concerns the reputation of the State Uncle's Mansion. Please keep it a secret."
"Don't worry, madam," Ye Xi said in a rough voice.
"Querying the fate consumes a great deal of my spiritual energy. After each query, I must take a peerless spiritual medicine to make up for it. And the side - effect of this medicine will make me forget the matter of the 'fate - querying'.
"However, this spiritual medicine is quite expensive. As long as I have enough silver to buy the medicine, I won't be able to remember the 'fate - querying' matter even if I want to."
This was almost an explicit hint.
Mrs. Cao's well - maintained face stiffened slightly:
"I understand. Nanny Li, bring the purse for the Immortal Aunt."
Saixing weighed the purse and slightly nodded.
Ye Xi understood and pretended to make hand gestures:
"May the Heavenly Lord bless! Let's start then."
Mrs. Cao gave Nanny Li a look. Immediately, a maid brought up a beautiful woman.
The woman was trembling. After being brought up, she didn't even dare to raise her head and just sobbed softly while kneeling on the ground.
Seeing the woman's pitiful appearance, Ye Xi couldn't bear it and said:
"Sit at the table and put your hand on the table with your palm facing up. Otherwise, I can't 'query your fate'."
The woman didn't dare to say a word. She just timidly glanced at Mrs. Cao. After getting Mrs. Cao's signal, she carefully sat on the low stool and put her hand on the table as Ye Xi said.
Ye Xi randomly made a few hand gestures, gently stroked the woman's trembling hand, and asked Mrs. Cao:
"I wonder what you want to ask, madam?"
After dismissing the other maids, Mrs. Cao changed her lazy appearance just now. She leaned forward slightly, sat upright, and said sternly:
"I want to ask whether this slut has had an affair with someone or not?"
"When did this dirty business start?"
"Whose child is in her belly!"