Before leaving, Yuan Qi added, "If the child is safe and sound, you should still stay away from the child. The child is too young, and prolonged exposure to your yin energy will make the child sick."
Cuixiang nodded reluctantly: "I will listen to the Heavenly Master. I will watch them from afar. As long as they are well, I will not disturb them."
Yuan Qi hummed in agreement, then took out two amulets from his cloth bag and handed one to Baozhu and one to Baoniu: "Keep these close to your body; they will protect you from evil spirits."
The older sister-in-law who had just spoken up for Cuixiang also came over with a forced smile: "Young Taoist priest, I'd also like to get a peace talisman. How much does one cost?"
Without thinking, Yuan Qi blurted out, "Three coins each."
"Three coins? That's not expensive at all."
Everyone present took out their money and bought a good luck charm, some for their children and some for their families. They did this not for any other reason than that they knew Cuixiang was around, and they were just being cautious, better safe than sorry.
Yuan Qi sold a lot of peace charms.
Ma Wu was on the verge of tears. He regretted inviting Yuan Qi. Wasn't he just asking for trouble?
A woman around forty years old, dressed in coarse cloth, stopped Yuan Qi: "Young Taoist priest, my daughter-in-law just gave birth to a grandson last month. Could you name him?"
Another middle-aged man asked from the side, "Young Taoist priest, my son wants to join the army. He can eat his fill and maybe even become an officer. But I'm worried that he'll get killed on the battlefield. Young Taoist priest, can you tell me whether my son should go or not?"
Several people surrounded Yuan Qi, and Yuan Qi made an exception and gave each of them one hundred coins, patiently answering their questions.
When Yuan Qi left, he had accumulated a great deal of merit.
Another fruitful day.
By the time they returned to the Jiang residence, it was almost dark.
Jiang Juncai dismounted from his horse, took the cage off the horse, handed it to the servant beside him, and instructed, "Take good care of it."
Seeing that he was in a very good mood with a beaming smile, Yuan Qi asked curiously, "Brother, what have you been doing?"
Jiang Juncai laughed heartily: "Isn't it because we're going to the Feng family to present the betrothal gifts in a few days? The betrothal gifts require a pair of live geese, which I caught myself."
Yuan Qi said, "No wonder you're so happy, brother. You're getting married. Congratulations, brother."
Jiang Juncai chuckled and followed Yuan Qi inside: "Seventh Sister, what have you been doing? You're either out early and back late, or you lock yourself in your room and disappear. I don't know what you're busy with all day. Mother has been nagging me about it several times."
Yuan Qi chuckled and said, "I'll just wander around and see what fun places there are in Kyoto."
Jiang Juncai pretended not to know that she was setting up a fortune-telling stall outside, and suggested to her: "Your second brother has something fun going on recently. He is going to go dragon boat racing with the Fifth Prince. If you are bored, why don't you go with him?"
"Okay, when?" Although the soul in Yuan Qi's body had lived for three lifetimes, it could never get rid of its habit of loving to watch the excitement, especially since this body was still young, and loving to play and watch the excitement was in its nature.
"About half a month later. He's been training with the Fifth Prince these past few days, working very hard."
Upon entering the courtyard, Yuan Qi saw that it was filled with boxes, each tied with red ribbons, creating a festive atmosphere. Lanterns and decorations were everywhere, just like during the Chinese New Year.
Jiang Juncai explained, "The betrothal gifts are too many, so we need to prepare them in advance."
Yuan Qi heard about this a couple of days ago; the Jiang family was really extravagant with 360 loads of betrothal gifts.
Jiang Juncai's fiancée is Feng Caiyi, the eldest daughter of the Feng family.
The Feng family is the second-ranked of the four great families of Rongguo, far superior to the Jiang family in every aspect. Moreover, Crown Prince Xiao Yi's birth mother is a daughter of the Feng family.
The emperor wanted to use the Feng, Bai, and Jiang families to counterbalance the Xiangli family, and even to weaken the Xiangli family's power, but unfortunately, his efforts over the years had little effect. The Xiangli family still overwhelmingly surpassed the combined power of the other three families.
Xiangli Mingzhu had Kong Qing from Wuji Palace choose the auspicious day for the betrothal, but didn't let Yuan Qi see it.
Yuan Qi didn't care; she didn't want to get involved in Jiang Juncai's affairs.
As they passed the front hall, Jiang Bailu and Jiang Songlu were watching the household stewards take stock of the betrothal gifts.
Seeing Yuan Qi approaching, Jiang Bailu blocked her path: "Where have you been? Why are you out so early and coming back so late?"
Yuan Qi retorted bluntly, "What did you do today?"
Jiang Bailu immediately retorted, "What I do is none of your business!"
Yuan Qi replied matter-of-factly, "Yeah, what I did is none of your business." Then she left.
Jiang Bailu snorted angrily: "Those who grow up wild outside have no manners or upbringing. A young lady like you should stay at home and cultivate your character instead of running around outside all the time. When you grow up, no one will marry you!"
Jiang Songlu pouted and said, "It seems like Ninth Master has taken a liking to her."
Jiang Bailu said sarcastically, "Young Master Jiu doesn't know who she is. If he knew she was so wild and never home, he wouldn't have fallen for her."
Jiang Songlu immediately nodded in agreement: "That's true, the Xiangli family has very strict rules."
Speaking of the Xiangli family, Jiang Bailu remembered something: "The dragon boat race is in a few days. I heard that the Xiangli family also built a dragon boat this year. I just don't know if I will be able to see Master Jiu."
Women in Rongguo consider it an honor to marry into the Xiang family. Although Jiang Bailu was engaged to the Crown Prince, she had this idea before the engagement. The Ninth Prince was her ideal man.
Although Xiangli Youming was younger than her, she didn't care at all.
Jiang Songlu tilted her head and grinned mischievously: "As long as we send a message to Master Jiu, telling him that Yuan Qi will also be going to the dragon boat race to watch the fun, maybe Master Jiu will go too."
Jiang Bailu's eyes lit up: "Yes, that's a good idea, let's do it that way."
Yuan Qi returned to Peony Residence and saw the courtyard full of medicinal herbs. She had a terrible headache. No, she had to pretend she didn't see them and rest for a few days.
As soon as she entered the house, Jiang Bailu and Jiang Songlu followed her.
Yuan Qi ignored the two of them, took the basin from Green Bamboo and washed his hands, then took the tea from Red Fir and took a sip.
Jiang Bailu asked her fiercely, "Didn't you see us come in? Why aren't you acknowledging us?"
Yuan Qi said lazily, "If I ignore you, will you stop talking? Just say what you want to say, I'm busy."
She sat down on the daybed, sighed comfortably, and lowered her head to drink her tea.
Jiang Bailu was very dissatisfied: "This is really going too far. Is this how you talk to your older sister? Have you forgotten all your manners?"
Jiang Songlu tugged at her: "Forget it, let's not argue with her, let's get down to business."
Yuan Qi lowered her head and drank her tea, completely ignoring the two of them; she knew they weren't up to anything.
Jiang Bailu sat down and had Green Bamboo serve her a cup of tea. Holding the teacup, she waited for Yuan Qi to ask her a question.
But Yuan Qi wouldn't speak, so she couldn't hold back any longer and took the initiative to say, "Consort Zheng in the palace is from the south and is very favored. She organized a dragon boat race, which is very lively. Since you don't know much about it, I'll take you there."
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