Time flew by in a blink.
Qian Fangxue and the others, who were the least involved, were the first to be released. Two days later, Ye Jueyao and the others were also released one after another.
Thanks to Xie Huaiyue's "care", although Dali only took their statements according to the procedure and didn't torture them, the shrill cries of other prisoners during the day, along with their bloody, charred - flesh and bone - exposed appearances, had already scared them so much that they dared not open their eyes and their legs trembled.
At night, all kinds of snakes, insects, rats and ants took turns to appear.
Apart from slightly poisonous creatures like spiders, centipedes and rats, there were also all kinds of green caterpillars and fat worms in summer. They came one after another, crawling softly around them when they finally fell asleep, often scaring them into screaming. They would also be scolded impatiently by the jailers.
After days of mental torture and sleepless nights, they looked haggard and dazed when they left. It was not until they reached the prison gate that they came to their senses. They cried and scrambled back with their families.
During the time they were in prison, the garden that Yi Yuan gave to Ye Xi was almost ready.
Ye Xi sent Lingyan to Ye Mansion to get things that might be related to her background and Sai Xing's indenture. Meanwhile, she went to the garden with Yi Yuan.
They set off from the back door of the prince's mansion and entered the garden through its back door.
Along the way, there were pavilions, waterside pavilions, blue - tiled roofs with upturned eaves; knocker - doors, arch bridges winding and turning, rockeries, strange stones, red flowers and green willows. From time to time, they met uniformly - dressed maids who bowed to them one after another. It was a scene of luxury and elegance.
Especially the main wing - room. The long corridor in front was broad, and the courtyard below was elegant. There were rare flowers and exotic herbs, precious jade - like trees; the layout was clean and fragrant. There was a small door on the side of the bedroom. After passing through a short enclosed corridor with windows, there was a huge room with a hot - spring pool.
The pool was carved from white jade, and the floor of the room was paved with marble. Inside, there were fresh flowers, fragrant creams, jade pillows, long couches, painted wooden beams, standing copper mirrors and all other necessary items.
Ye Xi was stunned. She secretly thought that she had to earn more money, otherwise she might not even be able to afford to maintain this courtyard.
However, her joy far outweighed her little worry.
After all, getting such a large garden made Ye Xi smile even in her dreams at night.
She didn't have much time to be happy when the Grand Tutor Cao sent someone to convey a message, saying that he felt sorry for Ye Xi. The Guo family had searched high and low but still couldn't find her marriage - matching horoscope. But Ye Xi should rest assured that as long as she didn't want to get married, he would definitely cancel the engagement for her.
When Sai Xing heard the news, she was the first to be dissatisfied. She muttered:
"How could the horoscope just disappear? I think the Cao family just wants to protect Cao Sheng and force Miss to marry into their family."
Ye Xi was happily packing her things. Hearing this, she smiled and said:
"If someone else said this, it would be okay. But since it's the Grand Tutor Cao's words, they are trustworthy."
"If it really can't be found, I guess that as soon as the matter between Cao Sheng and Ye Jueyao spread, Zhao E took the first step and hid my horoscope."
"She knows her husband and father - in - law too well. She knows that they are honest and loyal people in essence. Even though she can deceive Cao Dexiu with her eloquence, the Grand Tutor Cao won't be at her mercy."
"What should we do then?" Sai Xing said angrily. "Are we just going to let that Mrs. Cao manipulate us?"
"Definitely not," Ye Xi sneered. "Let's wait and see what attitude my 'good mother' and 'good elder sister' will take."
Just two days after she said this, a young servant from the prince's mansion came to report early in the morning that Qian Fangxue had come to the prince's mansion to visit Ye Xi's injury.
Ye Xi paused the hand that was wiping her face and said with a smile:
"Look, here she comes. Alright, let's go. There's still a lot of acting to do."
The wound on Ye Xi's forehead was not serious at first, but she had bled a lot at that time. Coupled with Yi Yuan's deliberate show, everyone thought that her wound was deep to the bone and her face was disfigured.
Now they had to act the whole thing out. The two of them first asked Lingyan to smear the wound to make it look bloody and terrifying. They quickly wrapped it thickly with several layers of bandages, and then applied thick powder on her face to make her look weak and sickly, as if the wound was hard to heal. Then, supported by Sai Xing, Ye Xi went to see Qian Fangxue with tear - filled eyes.
"Mother..." As soon as she saw Qian Fangxue, Ye Xi's tears fell one by one.
She looked like a girl who had suffered a great deal of grievance and had nowhere to pour it out.
Qian Fangxue quickly stepped forward, looking kind and heart - broken, and said softly:
"My Xi'er, how's your wound? Does it still hurt?"
Ye Xi just kept shaking her head and sobbed without saying a word.
[Stupid girl, say something! If you don't pour out a single bit of your bitterness, how can I find the right approach according to your words?]
Seeing that Ye Xi just kept crying and didn't answer, Qian Fangxue had to speak up herself:
"Alright, alright, stop crying. Mother knows you've suffered. Mother will take you home now, okay?"
Ye Xi pouted and said sadly:
"I don't want to go back. Elder sister, elder sister she..."
"Nonsense!" Qian Fangxue frowned sternly, then coaxed her softly again:
"Let's not talk about the dirty rumors about your elder sister outside being all groundless fabrications. With your current status as the future daughter - in - law of the Cao family and Cao Sheng's fiancée, living in another man's mansion so openly, what will happen to your reputation? How can you get married in the future?"
[Not going back? How can I drug and control you if you don't go back? Dream on!]
Although Qian Fangxue seemed caring and considerate in words, Ye Xi had heard her inner thoughts clearly.
Still trying to drug me? Hehe - maybe I'll even give you this chance.
Ye Xi half - lowered her eyelashes to hide the glint in her eyes, and said with a touch of despair in her voice:
"Get married? Mother, my appearance is ruined. I'll never be able to get married in my life..."
"No, no..."
While comforting Ye Xi verbally, Qian Fangxue was actually muttering in her heart -
[Really ruined? That's just perfect! Now let's see if you still dare to cancel the engagement with the Cao family. As long as you obediently marry Cao Sheng, Yaoyao's reputation will be saved.]
Qian Fangxue couldn't help showing a bit of a genuine smile and said:
"It doesn't matter. Young Master Cao is a man of noble character. You two still have an engagement. He will never despise you because of your disfigured appearance."
"Mother!"
Ye Xi looked up in shock, her big watery eyes full of disbelief.
"Cao Sheng and elder sister did such a shameless thing! How can you still want me to marry him?!"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Qian Fangxue was also angry. "Can't you feel how Young Master Cao has treated you on weekdays? Don't you know how your elder sister has treated you?
"Now, just because of a few idle remarks and baseless speculations from outsiders, you start to doubt the two people who love you most! If they knew you were speculating and slandering them like this, they would be heart - broken."
Ye Xi suddenly let go of Qian Fangxue's hand, took two steps back with a bitter smile, and said:
"Speculation? Mother, when elder sister and I were in danger at the same time, Cao Sheng didn't even think and immediately hugged elder sister! Where did he put me then?!"