Chapter 212 Auspicious Omen from Heaven

In the last few days of June, Xi Jianan, who was far away in Jingzhou, finally met his confidant Xi Zhong again. This was several days earlier than he had expected. Looking at his confidant, who was disheveled, Xi Jianan had a bad feeling. He hurriedly poured a glass of water and handed it to Xi Zhong, asking in a deep voice:

"But...but what happened in the capital?"

Xi Zhong took the tea and drank it all, then smiled and said, "Master, don't worry, I will tell you slowly."

After recovering, Xi Zhong quickly told the story of his return to Beijing, and every word he said shocked him.

Xiao Ji was restored as a prince and given the title "Zhao". His daughter was asked to be the principal wife. His family was now the legitimate wife of Prince Zhao. Xi Jianan was both happy and worried. He was happy that his daughter became the principal wife, but worried that if the prince found out about the exchange, he didn't know what kind of wrath the Xi family would have to endure.

However, the next moment, there was a sudden turn of events. "The prince has long known that the princess is not the same one."

Xi Jianan's pupils dilated instantly, "This...what on earth is going on?"

Xi Zhong summarized what he heard from Qingwu Xiaoji and told Xi Jianan, which made Xi Jianan's eyes go dark. Fortunately, Xi Zhong later told him that the two of them had a good relationship and didn't mind this matter, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

"The prince treats the princess very well, my lord, don't worry. However, the prince asked me to convey his approach to this matter..." Xi Zhong handed the letter hidden in his arms to Xi Jianan.

This method is the one Xiao Ji once said. It is an indisputable fact that the two sisters were swapped. Most people in the Xi family can recognize the two sisters, so they can only advance the time of the two sisters' swap and fabricate the fact that the two were swapped before they got married. In addition, they can set things right and restore Qingwu's identity as the eldest daughter of the Xi family.

After reading Xiao Ji's letter, Xi Jian was silent for a long time, and his pounding heart slowly calmed down. He went around in his mind for several times, but he couldn't think of a better way than this. He finally sighed, "This is fate..."

It's a shame to say that it was because he spoiled Tong'er too much and raised her by his side that the sisters got out of order. Now that fate has taken a turn, it will finally get back on track.

Moreover, he was originally worried that this matter would be discovered by Xiao Ji and would lead to his wrath, but now he was moved by his daughter's character and conspired with him to put an end to the matter, which means that he really would not vent his anger on the Xi family.

Thinking of his daughter Qingwu, Xi Jianan's eyes were filled with both relief and gratitude, as well as guilt and unspeakable frustration. A pair of twin sisters, who had developed such virtues under his nose, grew up in the countryside, but they were as upright as the phoenix tree, which could fall from the sky.

At this time, Xi Jianan couldn't help but want to meet the old man who raised his daughter and ask her about the issue of parenting.

But no matter what, he was still happy. This terrible disaster caused by his wife and daughter would soon come to an end because of his other good daughter and Prince Zhao's tolerance.

As long as he returns to Beijing at the end of the year, the father-in-law and son-in-law will discuss it carefully, find a way to have someone leak it, and then the two of them will come out to explain, and the matter will be completely settled.

"...Also, I asked you to plead for my wife and that evil girl. Did you help?"

Although he called her a wicked girl, his heart still ached. Xi Zhong nodded and said, "The princess agreed, but the prince..."

How could Xi Zhong dare to ask Xiao Ji for mercy? He was too embarrassed to even see a son-in-law. He waved his hand and said, "As long as Qingwu agrees, that's fine."

But this was just a psychological comfort, which meant that he, as a father, had some face in her eyes. If she really retaliated, how could he, as a father, have the face to stop her?

But within a few days, Xi Jianan received another letter. This letter was delivered by the Yang family at full speed. It was a letter from the Yang family to Xiao Ji, which instantly made Xi Jianan alert. He opened the envelope and compared the handwriting of the two letters before reading it carefully.

After reading a letter, Xi Jianan raised his eyebrows, paced back and forth in the study, and finally clapped his hands and sighed. He then lowered his head to read the contents of the letter and called Xi Zhong.

Xi Jianan leaned close to Xi Zhong's ear and whispered something. Xi Zhong's eyes widened instantly, and he looked at his master in disbelief: "Master, this... this is..."

"Shh..." Xi Jianan made a hushed gesture, "Just do whatever I tell you to do. No need to say anything else."

Xi Zhong had no choice but to nod in agreement and retreated tremblingly. Xi Jianan watched him leave, his eyes gazing through the window at the sky outside as he muttered to himself, "This sky... is about to change."

Seven days later, shocking news spread throughout Jingzhou City.

"Sir!" The governor's guard hurried into the study. "An old fisherman from Longqian Beach in Jiangling County fished up an ancient bronze tripod this morning! It even has an inscription. No one in the county government dares to touch it, so I've come to ask you to take a look!"

Xi Jianan paused with his brush, ink dripping onto the rice paper. He looked up in feigned surprise, "Is this really true?"

When Xi Jianan and his subordinates arrived at the riverside, it was already crowded with onlookers. The bronze tripod, about half a man's height, was carefully placed on a red cloth. Its body was intricately carved with cloud and thunder patterns, and its three legs, standing on top of each other, looked incredibly imposing.

"Please look here, sir." The county magistrate smiled attentively and pointed to the inside of the tripod. "This writing is extraordinary."

Xi Jianan leaned over to take a closer look and saw eight simple seal characters cast on the inside of the tripod's belly: "Longevity equal to heaven, and everlasting blessings." Even more surprising was a small seal engraved on the bottom of the tripod: "Made by the Emperor of Daye."

"This is..." Xi Jianan's voice was a little surprised, "This was made by the Ye Dynasty five hundred years ago!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Sima beside him exclaimed in surprise and read out a passage from the history book: "In the fiftieth year of Emperor Hui's reign, the emperor reached eighty years old. Feeling that the mandate of heaven was long-lasting, he ordered the casting of nine 'Wanshou Ding' statues, one for each of the nine provinces. Could this inscription be made by Emperor Hui?"

The officials gathered around and began to discuss the situation. Emperor Hui of the Ye Dynasty, though not a founding emperor, was a rare example of longevity in history, having passed away at the ripe old age of eighty-two. The artifacts he left behind were often considered auspicious signs of longevity, especially the inscription on this tripod...

If it is really one of the nine tripods, then this is incredible! Everyone knows that the current emperor is over fifty years old and is pursuing longevity.

Rushing to deliver it on the day of His Majesty's birthday, presenting this tripod, it is certain to bring prosperity to the government! For a time, officials were envious, so much so that no one thought it was inappropriate for Xi Jianan to send the tripod directly to the capital.

"Quick! Prepare the carriages and horses. I will personally escort this tripod to the capital to see the emperor!" Xi Jianan ordered loudly, then turned to Sima and said, "Immediately report to the court and report that Jingzhou has seen a sign of longevity and good fortune, a heaven-sent auspicious omen!"