Jiang Qingwan was too lazy to ask for the divination paper back, and turned to walk towards the backyard.
Zheng Chengye stared at her retreating figure, feeling both anxious and angry.
Most women would be ashamed and indignant if he said that.
But Jiang's indifference shows he has an extremely thick skin and knows nothing of propriety or shame.
He stuffed the Xuan paper into his pocket, waiting for an opportunity to hand it over to Mo Yunhan so he could punish him properly.
Only after watching Jiang Qingwan leave completely did he return to the Shuya Courtyard where the Song family resided.
I saw Yun Xiaoran as soon as I reached the gate of the courtyard.
He happily went to greet them immediately.
"Sister Xiaoran."
Yun Xiaoran had just been rebuffed by Song Yushu and was still fuming. When she saw his eyes darting around, she deliberately covered her eyes with her handkerchief and turned her head to wipe them before forcing a smile and greeting him, "It's Chengye. Is the Imperial Academy on holiday today? Why are you back at this hour?"
The two are less than three years apart in age and have a very close relationship.
Seeing her so pitiful, and thinking of the words on the imperial edict, as well as Jiang Qingwan whom he had just met, Zheng Chengye felt even more heartache and anger.
"Sister Xiaoran, my cousin likes you so much, he must have been blinded by someone for a moment. Don't be sad, I will definitely help you and I will never let that Jiang family bully you."
Yun Xiaoran was worried about how to proceed, but upon hearing this, she deliberately shook her head with red eyes.
"I'm already very happy to hear you say that. Don't get involved in this matter anymore, I'm afraid it will affect your relationship with your mother."
"My mother?" Zheng Chengye asked, puzzled. "My mother has always treated you like her own daughter, and she must have been hoping that you would become her principal wife."
He was young and studying at the Imperial Academy, so he devoted himself to his studies. On his days off, he would only go back to his residence to get some clean clothes. He lived a simple life.
Song Yushu had not revealed a single thing about the Yun family to him.
Therefore, he was completely unaware of the grudges involved.
Yun Xiaoran's expression became increasingly hesitant and timid.
“My aunt misunderstood me, thinking that I was trying to force Brother Yunhan into marriage and disregard the reputation of the Prince’s Mansion. I was just unwilling to be a concubine, and the Empress Dowager felt sorry for me, so she bestowed upon me a royal carriage, wedding dress and phoenix crown and sent me here, but... she did more harm than good.”
She picked up the handkerchief again and wiped the corner of her eye.
Zheng Chengye felt increasingly distressed.
“My mother is a kind and gentle person, how could she be so harsh on you? I’ll go and find out.”
He wanted to rush into the yard.
Yun Xiaoran immediately grabbed him.
“You don’t understand, Chengye. You really shouldn’t get involved in this matter. I’m afraid… I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”
Her behavior only fueled Zheng Chengye's suspicions.
"Sister Xiaoran, why have you all become so strange? Why did my cousin suddenly decide to marry such a dissolute woman as his principal wife? Why didn't Mother stop him? And you, why did you become a concubine? Please tell me, what happened?"
Yun Xiaoran seemed helpless after his question, so she tugged at his sleeve and deliberately lowered her voice, saying, "Jiang... knows Xuanmen techniques and her methods are unpredictable. Listen to me, don't provoke her."
Zheng Chengye was shocked.
But all the mysteries are solved at this moment.
"I see. Does your cousin know? Why didn't you tell him? He's so wise and capable, he would surely have noticed."
Yun Xiaoran shook her head.
"She is the Taoist priest whom Brother Yunhan invited. No one knows why. I always feel that Brother Yunhan's personality has changed drastically after he met her, which is really worrying."
Zheng Chengye always regarded Mo Yunhan as an omnipotent god in his heart, and respected and admired him even more than his father Zheng Qing.
But now, this god is being dragged into a quagmire by the unscrupulous Jiang family without even realizing it, how could he not be terrified?
"What should we do then?"
Seeing that he had taken the bait, Yun Xiaoran immediately reassured him, "This can't be rushed. If I weren't worried about Brother Yunhan and you, I definitely wouldn't be in such a hurry to enter the manor as a concubine. I just went to see your mother, hoping to have a reunion dinner today and personally cook a dish that Brother Yunhan used to like, which might win back his heart, but I was rejected. I... I'll find another opportunity."
She sighed softly and prepared to leave.
Zheng Chengye was focused on helping her at that moment, so he had no reason to doubt her good intentions.
"That's easy, I'll help you. Just wait for my good news."
Yun Xiaoran, however, looked worried.
"No, your mother will be angry with you if she finds out."
“I’m not a child anymore. This is something you and I know, and no one else will ever know.”
Zheng Chengye extended his pinky finger and made a pinky promise with Yun Xiaoran, just like when they were children, before hurriedly entering Shuya Courtyard.
Looking at her pinky finger, Yun Xiaoran slowly curled the corners of her lips.
It really is like finding a new path after a dead end.
With Zheng Chengye's help, half of what was going to happen that night was already done.
...
Inside Huai Tower, Mo Yunhan didn't see Jiang Qingwan, but instead received a letter delivered by carrier pigeon.
"Since the princess is not coming, the divination has been completed. Your subordinate is going to carry out the task!"
They didn't even mention the location.
After observing the situation, Ye Qi solemnly drew a conclusion.
"It must be that Su Liuer didn't pay extra."
Mo Yunhan glanced at him speechlessly.
Just then, the sound of creaking and turning of latches came from the uneven bookshelves behind me. A moment later, one of the shelves snapped open.
Ye Qi immediately stepped forward, took out the secret letter inside, and handed it to Mo Yunhan.
Mo Yunhan unfolded the book, read its contents, and his brows furrowed instantly.
"Go to Xuanling Mountain."
Ye Qi was stunned.
"Xuanling Mountain, isn't that where the imperial tombs are located? What are you doing there, Your Highness?"
Mo Yunhan offered no explanation and tossed the secret letter into the burning coals.
The writing on it was swallowed up by the flames.
“There are spirit foxes in Xuanling Mountain that can transform into human form.”
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