A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 196 Guess

The families had a lively meal together. When Tang Yixue was leaving, she kept saying that she wanted to stay since there were plenty of empty rooms in the He residence. He Suian firmly refused, and Tang Jingxian spoke more forcefully before she reluctantly left the He residence.

Xiang He watched them leave, then relaxed in the rocking chair. "Cooking, eating, and washing dishes—it's really hard work..."

Mrs. Su brought her a handkerchief to wipe her sweat. "You've all worked hard tonight, but you've given us a relaxing meal. It's wonderful."

It was rare to see Madam Su so relaxed. Xiang He pulled up a chair for her. "Mother, I've used up all the rice and flour in the courtyard. Remember to refill it when you get back." She sat up straight and said, "Also, I've asked Madam Zeng to keep the house key. You can go find her when the time comes."

"I understand," Madam Su leaned back in her chair and looked up at the sky. "Remember to write home often, and ask Xiao Yang to write home too. You're the only one he can rely on in the capital..."

Xiang He reached out and gently patted her knee. "Don't worry, Xiao Yang is under General Zhou's care. When he's not training, he'll come back here. In short, nothing will happen to him."

"Okay, it's late. Let's go back and wash up first. Don't stay up too late either."

"Know it."

As everyone gradually left, Zeng Yunqing and Wang Rongxing came over and sat down.

Xiang He lay down again, teasingly saying, "Miss Zeng, you're not planning to stay away for a while, are you? You haven't even married into the Wang family yet~"

As the rocking chair swayed, Zeng Yunqing scolded playfully, "What are you saying! I'm going back with them tomorrow. Rongxing has prepared extra carriages for us."

"Oh, so what do you want to say?"

Seeing her calm demeanor, Zeng Yunqing pursed her lips.

But the thought that had been on her mind immediately made her blush. "It's just... Rongxing will be going back with us tomorrow. He plans to go to the county government office with his parents to propose marriage..."

She spoke haltingly, her words tinged with shyness. Xiang He glanced upwards, while Wang Rongxing stood behind Zeng Yunqing, grinning foolishly.

Seeing that silly look, Xiang He looked away with disdain. "I know, who do you plan to entrust with looking after Yun Jin Pavilion? Is there a manager?"

Wang Rongxing plopped down on the stool next to him. "Of course there's a shopkeeper! I'm telling you so you can visit occasionally. Seventh Sister is so focused on embroidery, I'm a little worried about her..."

"Go, go, go."

Xiang He waved, and He Sui'an walked over, waving a folding fan. "What's wrong?"

As soon as he sat down, Xiang He pointed at Wang Rongxing and said, "He wants to go back to Shuiyun City to propose marriage. If Zhu Nan or Xing Ji is free, ask them to go to Yunjin Pavilion. I'm too lazy to go."

Wang Rongxing glared at Wang Rongxing with a reproachful look on his shoulder, "How can you be so lazy!"

“I have my own things to do,” Xiang He said, shrugging her shoulders to avoid his hand. “Anyway, I can’t guarantee that I will definitely go. Yun Jin Ge will naturally have people watching over it, so don’t worry. You’ll definitely make a fortune when you come back.”

“Of course I make money there. When you send Xing Ji there, if he encounters any members of the main family, just kick them out.”

Hearing this, Xiang He looked at him in confusion, "What, does the main family still dare to cause trouble now? Didn't Seventh Sister say that Master was watching over us?"

Wang Rongxing pursed his lips, "I'm just worried that if I leave, no one will watch the shop and they'll cause trouble. The two old masters are getting old, and we can't let them worry about the shop all the time."

"That's true. You can go back without worry. I'll make proper arrangements."

With Xiang He's agreement, Wang Rongxing nodded repeatedly, "Then we'll head back now. You must remember! We're leaving early tomorrow morning. We were thinking of staying a couple more days, but Aunt Su is in such a hurry to leave..."

"Everyone still has work to do, are we just going to abandon the business in Shuiyun City?"

Wang Rongxing rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to argue with you. I'm leaving."

After leaving the He residence, Zeng Yunqing stayed with the two girls, while Wang Rongxing bought a house at the entrance of the alley. Since everyone lived close by, their dinners together every night tasted much better.

The courtyard, which had been bustling with noise just moments before, now felt quiet and somewhat desolate.

Xiang He rubbed her eyes and lay there gazing at the sky, her eyes calm and serene. "Madam Ning recognized Mother, and they chatted for quite a while today."

His hand, which was waving a folding fan, paused for a moment. He glanced at her and saw the fine sweat on her forehead. He reached out to fan her. "Judging from your current posture, you probably didn't recognize me, did you?"

"I didn't recognize her, but who knows if she'll notice anything amiss? If she does notice something on my face, I'll be in for a lot of trouble later..."

Xiang He raised her hand and took the folding fan, fanning herself. "Besides, Seventh Sister said that the Ning family mother and daughter often go to Yun Jin Pavilion, so I'd better go there less often."

"Yes, Xing Ji will visit more often then."

Xiang He didn't want to deal with the Ning family, but they seemed intent on getting close to her. No matter how carefully she tried to avoid them, she was bound to run into them eventually.

"I will be attending court tomorrow, so be careful. Xing Ji and Zhu Nan will be with you. If there is anything, just tell them to do it."

Xiang He tilted her head slightly, meeting the gentle light in his eyes, and smiled, "That was your guard, but now he's mine."

“We’re not separated,” He Sui’an said, her eyes crinkling with tenderness. “Now that you’ve seen Wu Lu today, what are your thoughts?”

Almost losing herself in his gaze, Xiang He blinked twice and sat up, avoiding his eyes. "My only thought is that he seems to be trying to win us over..."

With both a recommendation and a personal visit, it couldn't have been just for a meeting.

The matter of reading the imperial edict was naturally handled by the eunuchs; there was no need for the national advisor to come in person. The ulterior motives behind this are intriguing.

“Same thought,” He Sui’an looked up at the branch where a black crow was perched. “If the border incident was his doing, why would you try to win him over knowing you are opposing him?”

"I don't know..." Xiang He yawned and stretched. "What about Xiaoyao? We've brought the enemy's people back; I'm sure an envoy will arrive soon, right?"

"Yes, he's under house arrest for now, and someone's watching over him."

“Alright,” Xiang He stood up and stretched. “Since I have some free time tonight, I’ll try to summon Ye Shuyao’s soul. I don’t know if she’s still alive.”

It's been more than two months since then, and I don't know if her soul has been imprisoned, just like the mother and son in the Fang family.

When the black crow in the tree saw Xiang He get up, it flapped its wings and circled once above her head before landing on her shoulder.

The two sat under the big tree, leaning against each other and watching.

Xiang He took out a piece of yellow paper and wrote down the same birth date and time as Xiang Lianhua on it with a brush.

With his hands forming a mudra in front of his abdomen, he concentrated his energy and murmured a spell, "The Heavenly Gate moves, the Earthly Gate opens, a thousand-mile-long child brings the soul... Yin and Yang are connected... The soul of Ye Shuyao, the daughter of the Junior Supervisor, come quickly."

The murmurs grew louder, "Ye Shuyao's soul, come quickly... Ye Shuyao..."

He shouted for a long time, but there was only the night wind blowing around him and no sound from the surroundings.

Just as Xiang He was about to give up, the black crow suddenly cawed.

She looked up sharply and saw the black crow's bright black eyes staring north, directly north.

Her brows furrowed, and she turned to face north, her hand still holding the seal. "Ye Shuyao's soul, come quickly."

Just as the night breeze was blowing gently, a sudden gust of wind swept in from the north.

Xiang He frowned, sniffed, and could smell a strange odor. "Ye Shuyao's soul, come quickly!"

As the sound faded once more, the strong wind abruptly stopped, and even the smell vanished.

"Black Crow!"

"Caw caw!" The black crow circled around and landed on my shoulder. "I can't see anything, but I know there's a strong feeling over there. I wonder if it's the soul the girl is looking for."

"North..."

He heard Xiang He's murmur and turned to look. "That's inside the imperial city."