A young lady related by marriage, surnamed Xie, arrived at the Imperial Advisor’s mansion.
This news spread throughout the capital city of Ying.
It was indeed a rare occurrence.
Everyone knows that the current Imperial Advisor, Wei Yun, has not a single female servant in his residence. Even though he is now twenty-two years old, he has always been without even a concubine by his side.
Rumors in the marketplace even went as far as to say that the Imperial Advisor’s mansion was a bachelor’s temple.
There were even rumors suggesting that Imperial Advisor Wei Yun might have a preference for the same sex.
And now, suddenly, there was a female guest in this “monk’s temple,” which naturally sparked a lot of discussions.
Even within the forbidden palace, rumors began to circulate.
Everyone was speculating about what kind of person this young lady related by marriage in the Imperial Advisor’s mansion was.
They couldn’t see the young lady themselves, but people often saw Wei Bo, a servant from the Imperial Advisor’s mansion, busily purchasing items for a woman’s use, jewelry, clothes, and even delicacies and toys, all prepared for her.
Thus, many people speculated that the Imperial Advisor held this young lady in high regard.
One day, after Wei Bo finished his shopping, he hurried back to the Imperial Advisor’s mansion.
He arranged a table full of snacks for Xie Tao and brought out the toys and gadgets that the noble ladies of prominent families loved to play with, not even missing out on a child’s tambourine.
“…”
But Xie Tao still shook the tambourine a couple of times.
Seeing Wei Bo smiling with his eyes squinted and his white beard trembling, she also laughed along.
This room was prepared by Wei Yun, who instructed Wei Bo to arrange it. Unlike the simple furnishings of the other rooms in the mansion, this room was decorated with heavy drapes, shelves against the wall with glass vases holding peacock feathers, and paintings of various immortals drawn by famous artists hung on the walls.
Even the flowers placed in the room were carefully selected expensive varieties by Wei Bo.
Not to mention the incense burning in the incense burner, which was especially precious.
“Master Wei, did you buy too much?” Xie Tao nibbled on a pastry and asked cautiously.
Wei Bo, still smiling naively, said, “Miss, don’t worry. Buying these things didn’t cost much!”
While they were talking, a young man dressed in brocade entered from outside.
He was holding a jade fan in the middle of winter, wearing a sky-blue robe, with gentle eyes and a smile on his lips.
“Old servant greets the young master.” Upon seeing the visitor, Wei Bo hurriedly greeted him with respect.
The visitor was Qi Ji.
Qi Ji had also heard about the rumors of the young lady related by marriage at the Imperial Advisor’s mansion and came here to see for himself.
Wei Jing naturally couldn’t stop him, and by now, he probably had already gone to the study to inform Wei Yun.
Qi Ji, smiling, stepped through the doorway and, upon meeting Xie Tao’s curious almond eyes, carefully observed the newcomer cousin at the State Preceptor’s mansion, who was currently the center of discussion.
“You are Yanchen’s little cousin?” Qi Ji, without any formality, walked over, nodded to Wei Bo, and then sat down opposite Xie Tao.
“Yanchen?” Xie Tao didn’t quite catch on.
Qi Ji raised an eyebrow, saying, “Yanchen is Wei Yun’s courtesy name. How come? You, his little cousin, don’t know?”
It was the first time Xie Tao had heard that Wei Yun also had a courtesy name.
She silently repeated “Yanchen” to herself, thinking it sounded quite nice.
“Which place are you from, little cousin?” Qi Ji stretched out his hand, took a piece of pastry, and ate it, asking.
“Yecheng.”
Xie Tao answered.
These past few days, Wei Yun had already made her memorize the background of this miss cousin, and now she was able to respond fluently.
“I heard that the cousin has not been in good health?” Qi Ji continued to observe her.
“Mm…” Xie Tao stuffed a pastry into her mouth.
Qi Ji, however, said, “But looking at you, little cousin, how come you seem to be quite healthy?”
Xie Tao froze for a moment, before she could answer, Wei Bo preempted, “Young Master, the miss has gotten much better now.”
Qi Ji nodded, “Oh… I see.”
“Qi Mingxu, have you got nothing to do?”
Just then, a cool voice suddenly came from outside the door.
The three people inside turned their heads to see Wei Yun standing at the door, dressed in a crimson brocade robe, with a cold, pale face that looked very indifferent. His eyes glanced at Qi Ji sitting opposite Xie Tao, seeming somewhat displeased.
“Wei Yanchen, you better not think of using my father to pressure me. How is it? You secretly bring a little cousin back to the mansion, and I can’t come to see what this little cousin looks like?” Qi Ji sat on the stool, showing no intention of standing up.
“Have you seen enough?”
Wei Yun walked in, “If you have, then leave.”
“I want to stay and have dinner with you.” Qi Ji still sat steadily on his stool.
“Qi Mingxu.”
Wei Yun frowned and glanced at him again.
“Alright,”
Qi Ji smirked, stood up, and looking at Xie Tao, said with a smile, “Little cousin, next time your brother Mingxu comes to see you, I’ll bring some tasty treats for you. Coming to see you empty-handed today, it’s quite rude of me.”
Having said that, Qi Ji grabbed Wei Yun’s sleeve and dragged him out.
In the yard, Qi Ji finally stopped and turned to look at Wei Yun, his usual gentle smile gone, his expression especially serious.
He asked, “Wei Yanchen, what exactly do you want to do?”
“Why would you say that, Young Master?” Wei Yun straightened his wrinkled sleeve.
“People may not know, but do I not know? Where did you get this cousin from?” Qi Ji said in a low voice.
“Can’t it be a long-lost relative?” Wei Yun said lightly.
“A long-lost relative?”
Qi Ji laughed, “What relatives do you, Wei Yun, have in this world?”
Although he was unclear about Wei Yun’s past identity, he knew that since he met Wei Yun, Wei Yun had been alone.
Yet, Qi Ji’s words were unusually sharp, like a knife stabbing into Wei Yun’s chest.
But Wei Yun seemed to have little reaction.
Instead, he tugged at the corner of his lips, “Indeed.”
Qi Ji paused, feeling that his words just now might have been too much, and then said, “I just want to know, who is this girl who suddenly appeared?”
He said, “Yanchen, you and I are friends, I hope you can tell me.”
“Why do you have to know these things?” Wei Yun asked him in return.
Qi Ji was silent for a moment, then said, “Yanchen, you once told me, no matter the purpose, you would never involve innocent people.”
At this point, Wei Yun finally understood Qi Ji’s meaning.
“Things are not as complicated as you think.”
Wei Yun looked up at the copper bell swaying in the wind under the eaves not far away, “I won’t let her get involved in those matters.”
If possible, Wei Yun also wished to hide her in the house, not letting her go out, not letting the outside world know anything about her.
Thus, many unnecessary troubles could be avoided.
But, he could not bear to do so.
Just as he was curious about the world she came from, she was also full of anticipation for this world.
But there were so many eyes watching him, watching the Imperial Advisor’s Mansion.
Such a suddenly appeared Miss Cousin would inevitably attract attention from all sides.
The many visiting cards for Miss Cousin delivered by Wei Jing were the best proof.
Fortunately, the gold dust incense that works for three hours was exactly the best way to protect her.
At this moment, Qi Ji looked at Wei Yun, and was slightly stunned.
It was as if he had discovered something, but he was not sure.
“So… who is this Miss Cousin, exactly?”
Qi Ji tentatively asked.
“…”
Wei Yun didn’t know how to start.
“Could it be?” Qi Ji’s eyes widened a bit.
He had a guess in his heart.
Wei Yun turned and walked away.
Qi Ji watched his back and suddenly laughed. He shouted, “Wei Yanchen! Why are you running? Shy?”
Then he saw the person walk even faster.
“It really is like this?”
Qi Ji shook his head, murmuring with disbelief in his eyes.
When Wei Yun entered Xie Tao’s room, he saw her lying on the table doing homework, while Wei Bo was making a charcoal fire.
“Sir.”
As soon as Wei Bo saw him come in, he bowed and called out, then hurriedly left.
He thought himself to be quite a discerning old man.
Much more so than the simple-minded Wei Jing.
At that moment, Wei Jing, who was in the courtyard, suddenly sneezed.
“Wei Yun, I have so much homework…”
Xie Tao held a pen, lifting her head from the workbook, looking pitifully at him.
When she lifted her head, Wei Yun saw a bit of black mark on her face.
It must have been from pressing her face against the workbook.
He sat down beside her, then reached out to hold her chin, lowering his head and leaning in closer.
Xie Tao, with her chin held by him, stiffened as he moved closer.
Her face embarrassingly began to heat up, and she couldn’t help but blink continuously.
“You you…” She could hardly speak.
What is he going to do?!
Xie Tao didn’t even dare to breathe.
But he just stretched out his other hand, gently brushing her cheek with his fingertip.
Watching the mark slowly fade until it disappeared, Wei Yun finally let her go, showing her the faint black mark on his finger, then picked up a cup of tea, sipped it, glanced at her with a smile that was not quite a smile, “What did you think I was going to do?”
“…” Xie Tao touched her cheek and didn’t speak.
Feeling a bit embarrassed.
Xie Tao lowered her head and continued with her homework.
“Do you also not have to go to school tomorrow?” Wei Yun suddenly asked her.
Xie Tao nodded.
“Then I’ll take you out tomorrow.”
Wei Yun said.
Xie Tao suddenly raised her head and looked at him, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling again.
“Really?!” She asked excitedly.
Wei Yun nodded gently.
Xie Tao was overjoyed, throwing her pen aside and without thinking, she threw herself into Wei Yun’s arms. “That’s great! Wei Bo said there’s a noodle stall that makes really delicious noodles! But they’re not as good when taken away, I want to try them!”
“And there are freshly made sugar cakes!”
“Ah, roast duck!”
“And there’s more! Chestnut roasted chicken!”
Xie Tao said, her mouth watering.
From the moment she hugged him, Wei Yun’s spine stiffened, and his ears turned red.
Xie Tao was talking non-stop when she caught sight of the suspicious red on Wei Yun’s ears.
“Huh?”
She blinked her eyes and couldn’t help but reach out and pinch his earlobe.
It felt somewhat hot?
Wei Yun was already dazed.
The moment her fingers touched his earlobe, his mind went blank for a moment.
Then, he quickly grabbed her hand, locking her in his arms as if he was a bit frustrated, he gritted his teeth, “Is my house short of food for you? Haven’t you eaten enough of these things?”
“…No, not really.”
Xie Tao was locked in his arms, her nose filled with his cool fragrance.
His crimson robe made his face appear even more flawless, like jade. When he looked down at her with his eyelids lowered, his long eyelashes cast a shadow, and there seemed to be a faint blush at the corners of his eyes, adding a seductive charm that she had never seen before.
How could he… be so unfairly handsome?
In that moment, Xie Tao felt like she could hear her own heartbeat, speeding up with each beat.
The cold wind blew in from outside the window but was blocked behind him, only causing his thick black hair to flutter, a few strands falling in front of her, brushing her cheek with a silky cool touch that was slightly itchy, making her want to reach out and scratch it.
But at that moment, she didn’t dare.
Wei Yun saw her nervously pursing her lips, her eyes flickering, and she seemed too afraid to look at him. For some reason, he suddenly reached out and maliciously pinched her cheek.
The force was not light, but not too heavy either.
It was still a bit painful.
Suddenly, Wei Yun let her go, allowing her to sit back on her own stool, and straightened his expression, pointing at her workbook on the table, “Write quickly.”
Xie Tao, covering her face, glared at him angrily.
But then he stuffed a pastry into her mouth.
She bit it resentfully.
Huh?
Chestnut cake.
Delicious.
Wei Yun watched her lower her head to start doing her homework, and he inexplicably let out a sigh of relief.
The warmth by her ear seemed not yet to have subsided, and even the fingers that had pinched her cheek moments ago seemed to still retain the softness of her touch.
He gently caressed his fingertips.
This time, Xie Tao was doing her homework when she returned to her rented cabin.
Now she was calm enough.
In the evening, when Xie Tao left the residential area to buy vegetables from the supermarket, she saw all the scenery around her start to become increasingly blurry, and the sidewalk tiles under her feet turned into bluestone slabs.
This time, she walked into the small tavern herself.
No longer was it Xie Lan dragging her in.
“Yo, little Tao Tao is here.” Xie Lan, wearing flip-flops, hurried to help her carry the non-woven bag filled with ingredients as soon as he saw her enter.
Old Xi, seeing her, also took off his reading glasses and said with a smile, “We have dinner tonight.”
“…”
Xie Tao chuckled dryly.
When the three of them sat down to eat, Xie Tao still didn’t manage to get any meat.
Not a single piece.
But she was obviously not at all discouraged.
Because all she could think about was going to visit Yingdu tomorrow.
After dinner, when Xie Tao was about to leave after cleaning up the dishes and utensils, Old Xi called her to sit down at the table.
Then, she heard Old Xi say, “Tao Tao, starting tomorrow night, let Xie Lan teach you magic techniques.”
Magic techniques?!
Xie Tao’s eyes widened in disbelief, pointing at herself, “I… can learn that too?”
“You can also choose not to learn,”
Old Xi smiled gently, “It’s all up to you.”
Xie Lan, munching on an apple, said, “Not learning would be stupid.”
“…” Xie Tao glared at him.
“Why glare at me? If you don’t learn, you’re a big idiot!” Xie Lan tugged at her ponytail.
“I want to learn!”
Xie Tao elbowed Xie Lan in the waist, then quickly told Old Xi.
In fact, she also thought that not learning would be very foolish.
Old Xi nodded, seemingly very satisfied with this answer. He was willing to give this girl, who had once had a good fate but ultimately missed it, such an opportunity.
“So, first, you need to have your own spiritual weapon, just like Xie Lan.”
“What’s a spiritual weapon?” Xie Tao asked curiously.
Old Xi did not speak but looked towards Xie Lan, with a somewhat meaningful smile in his eyes.
Xie Lan stiffened, unable to bite into his apple anymore.
“Xie Lan.” Old Xi seemed to be reminding him of something.
Xie Lan turned his head and met Xie Tao’s openly curious eyes. He hung his head, and after a long while, reluctantly stretched out his hand.
Then, Xie Tao saw a red cord wrapped with gold thread magically appear in his palm.
“What is this?” Xie Tao blinked her eyes.
Xie Lan’s voice sounded a bit listless, “…a spiritual instrument.”
This is a spiritual instrument?
Xie Tao couldn’t quite believe it, so she asked, “Then, how do you use this?”
Xie Lan lifted his eyes, catching sight of Old Xi covering his mouth with a teacup to hide his smile, glaring at Old Xi before taking a deep breath.
Then Xie Tao saw Xie Lan, sitting beside her, actually tying the ends of a red string together.
And then…
He began to perform cat’s cradle?!
Xie Tao was dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, in another dimension, Wei Yun was sitting in front of a desk, with Sheng Yueqi standing opposite him.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Sheng Yueqi asked him.
Wei Yun put away the blueprint, “If I don’t do this, how can I lure her out?”
“According to the current course of society, this dam blueprint of yours is something that shouldn’t exist,”
Sheng Yueqi continued, “If you really present it to Emperor Qi He, it might disrupt the temporal order, and you might attract fatal trouble.”
He knew very well that the woman would not be lenient with time travelers who maliciously exploit future achievements ahead of their time.
Because such actions could cause significant historical changes, and she would never allow such situations to happen.
Wei Yun’s eyes were downcast, his expression unclear, only scoffing, “Even if I don’t do this, doesn’t she also want to get rid of me?”
“Let her come,”
His grip on the blueprint tightened, his knuckles whitening, his eyes cold as frost, “Anyway, I definitely have some matters to settle with her.”
But when Wei Yun had just called Wei Jing in and handed the blueprint to him.
A blue light appeared out of nowhere.
Wei Jing hadn’t even left the room when he was bound by the blue light to the door.
???
This was the second time Wei Jing was stuck like this by such strange blue light, unable to move.
He couldn’t help but show a shocked expression.
Wei Yun watched the woman’s figure gradually become visible, her purple crystal earrings especially striking.
His eyes, dark and deep, suddenly let out a silent, cold laugh.
Unexpectedly, she had come so quickly.
