Ye Xi handed the protective talisman around for them to inspect and continued, “I added a trace of a scent to these charms. It’s hardly noticeable to most people, but a specially trained bee will pick it up.”
“After what happened today, Luo Ji will keep his head down for a while. Give it some time, then we’ll follow the bee and catch him in the act.”
As the others sniffed and turned the talisman over, Ye Xi smiled faintly. “As for Lian Yi… children have to learn by themselves. Let her feel it for herself.”
She ran through the plan one more time, and by then it was nearly noon. Remembering what Yi Yuan had said that morning, Ye Xi excused herself to leave.
Qiao Yiting and the others were overflowing with gratitude. They’d rushed out without money, so fingers tugged at bracelets and hairpins came off—especially Su Xin. To repay Ye Xi for saving her and her mother, Su Xin slipped the string of eastern pearls she’d worn since childhood off her wrist and thrust it into Ye Xi’s hand.
They all pressed gifts on her until she finally accepted. As they turned to go, Qiao Yan lingered, waving her aunt out ahead before stepping closer to Ye Xi. “There’s one more person I’d like you to read, seer,” she said in a low voice. “But I don’t think she’d let you. Could you help me find a way?”
Ye Xi felt a small unease. “Which Miss does Qiao have in mind?”
“The girl—Xi—that stirred all the scandal at the Ye household not long ago.”
Of course. Ye Xi had expected it.
Qiao Yan couldn’t see Ye Xi’s expression, so she babbled on, “I just… I feel she has other motives.”
“Why? Forgive me for being blunt, Miss Qiao, but you and Miss Xi have never truly interacted. On what basis are you sure she’s dissembling?”
Qiao Yan flushed. “It’s not that. You don’t know—Prince Yu’an once did our family a great kindness.”
“He saved my eldest brother’s life,” she said, face softening with the memory. “My brother was born weak and, against all odds, desperately wanted to learn martial arts. He once sneaked away to study with a teacher and nearly died out on the road. It was Prince Yu’an who found him and brought him home. He taught my brother a sword form and told him, ‘The blade that kills a thousand is nothing compared to the general who moves troops like gods and wins a war with no bloodshed. If you cannot be a killer, learn strategy—there is another path.’”
She smiled, remembering. “That opened my brother’s world—and it made me notice Prince Yu’an. He’s a good man. I sincerely want him to be happy. If Miss Xi truly is right for him, I will bless them. But I’m not certain, and that uncertainty won’t let me rest.”
She looked at Ye Xi with earnest pleading. “Please, seer. Help me.”
A rush of conflicting feelings surged through Ye Xi—so sharp she couldn’t even manage petty jealousy. “You may rest easy, Miss Qiao. I know Miss Xi fairly well… she truly admires Prince Yu’an.”
This was the first time Ye Xi had ever said it so plainly: that she loved Yi Yuan. Even with Saixing and Ling Yan nearby listening, she felt a sudden self-consciousness at the confession.
“Really?” Qiao Yan’s eyes widened. “You asked the spirits?”
“I did. She truly likes him.”
Of course she had asked—Ye Xi had asked herself a hundred times over.
Qiao Yan’s shoulders sagged a little with relief, then she brightened with a small panic. “Oh no—did I act too quickly? I made a scene in front of so many people. Miss Xi will probably think I was picking on her out of jealousy for Prince Yu’an.”
“You should try to make amends,” Qiao Yan told herself aloud. “I’ll go now. Thank you, seer—I'll repay you properly later.” And with that she darted off, all apologies and flustered intentions, leaving Ye Xi’s outstretched hand empty save for the eastern-pearl bracelet swinging at her wrist—Su Xin’s gift jolting softly as she moved.
Saixing stifled a laugh. “Shall we go back to the residence?”
“That’ll do,” Ye Xi replied.
A clear, amused voice interrupted them, quiet and cool as winter thawing into spring. “Is this what you mean by a good meal?” Yi Yuan’s laugh caught them all off guard.
They turned to the doorway and saw him step in. The usual frost that masked his face had melted away, leaving unguarded joy plain on his features—his eyes bright as if stars had settled in them.
“You’re here?” Ye Xi went forward.
“When did you arrive? You’re in such a good mood,” she teased.
“Oh, I just got here.” He answered simply, though his gaze flamed.
How could he not be glad? He’d slipped in at noon hoping to find her—and he’d just heard her say, aloud, that she truly liked him.
Had the others not been present, Yi Yuan might have laughed out loud. He forced the smile down and took her hand. “Change your clothes. We’ll eat here. It’s not the same as Qunying Tower, but their lotus-style pork is remarkable. With the season turning, a bowl of lily soup will be perfect.”
“Alright.” Ye Xi looked at him, puzzled by his cheerfulness but relieved—she was, in fact, hungry. She changed quickly, they ordered a private room, and began to eat.
Midway through the meal, a bright, girlish voice drifted over. “A-Zhou, this lotus pork is divine. Thank you for thinking of me.”
Then another voice: calm and familiar. “No trouble. I’m glad you like it, Miss Yun.”
They all stiffened. Yi Yuan’s smile faltered as their tablemates looked toward the entrance. Yun Qianying—painted cheeks and polite warmth—was exactly the sort of presence that could dampen his mood.
“If you don’t mind, bring some of this back to my brother. He’s been buried in books for the autumn exams and’s wasted away—when Mother sees him, she’ll scold him for looking thin.” Yun Qianying’s laugh sounded carefree.
Shen Zhou tugged the corner of his mouth and said, “Of course. Your brother’s needs mustn’t be neglected.” Without waiting for protest, he rose and left the tea house.
He had been standing in exactly the right spot—near Yi Yuan’s private room—so his departure brought him within earshot of the others. Shen Zhou sighed in a small, constrained breath, rubbing his forehead.
“Sheng Yu,” he called softly. “Any progress on Yingying’s matter?”
Sheng Yu replied with respect, “We found something. Heyang County isn’t actually Miss Yingying’s hometown.”
“What?” A few chopsticks paused midair.
“She was brought to Heyang by a woman,” Sheng Yu continued. “We still need to dig deeper, but there was definitely someone who took her there.”