CHAPTER 244: CHAPTER 243: DEMONIC ENCHANTMENT?

Pei Yuanzheng saw Xie Jiuxiao’s figure leaving as well, and with a hint of hope, he stepped forward and asked, "Prince, my daughter will be marrying into Prince Su Mansion after autumn. I beg you, considering the blood relations between us, could you persuade Zhaozhao to get married from the Pei Family?"

If Yu Nianzhao’s wedding location ends up being in the residence gifted by the Empress.

How would the world ridicule the Pei Family? His dignity would be non-existent, trampled at will.

Xie Jiuxiao paused his steps, speaking coldly, "I have always respected Zhaozhao’s wishes, especially considering how the Pei Family has humiliated her. I have witnessed everything. It’s already merciful enough that I didn’t crush the Pei Family. You expect me to persuade her? Mr. Pei, perhaps you’re dreaming in broad daylight?"

Pei Yuanzheng’s face darkened; he knew Xie Jiuxiao spoke harshly, but never expected it to be so vicious!

He forced a smile and gathered his shattered pride, retorting, "Since the Prince is so heartless, there’s nothing more for me to say. I hope you won’t come calling me ’Father’ in the future."

He swished his sleeves and left, while Pei Yunqing stepped forward to bow and said, "Prince, please don’t mind what my father said. The past injustices were the fault of the Pei Family against Zhaozhao. I hope the Prince will care for and love Zhaozhao in the future."

Xie Jiuxiao glanced at him and lightly said, "Zhaozhao will be my wife, and I will treat her well without anyone else’s word."

Pei Yunqing smiled wistfully, "That’s good."

Xie Jiuxiao was disinclined to speak further with the Pei Family. He walked all the way to the Imperial Garden and saw Yu Nianzhao pressing her hand lightly on the Empress’s belly, her smile radiant like spring sunshine.

After dining in the Empress’s palace, Yu Nianzhao left with a satisfied belly.

Xie Yunzhe waited at the palace gate for Yu Nianzhao, "Zhaozhao, I have something to tell you."

Xie Jiuxiao’s gaze turned icy, "Xie Yunzhe, do you not want your tongue?"

Xie Yunzhe called again with difficulty, "Aunt!"

"Is there something you can’t say in front of your uncle?"

Yu Nianzhao blinked her beautiful eyes, holding the packaged palace snacks protectively, "You’re not here to steal my sweets, are you?"

These were Jiangnan treats made by the palace chef, each with exquisite taste, unavailable outside, and she always enjoyed them alone, not even sharing half with Xie Jiuxiao.

Xie Yunzhe displayed a peculiar expression, shaking his head, "How could I steal your sweets? It’s what I wanted to tell you after the lakeside meeting last time."

"About Pei Yunzhi?"

"Yes."

"Then speak openly, I have nothing to hide from Xie Jiuxiao, go ahead."

Yu Nianzhao’s sentence instantly brightened Xie Jiuxiao’s mood, leading to an uncontrollable smile.

Xie Yunzhe’s gaze dimmed considerably; he forced a smile and said helplessly, "Well, actually, I felt something off about Yunzhi. That day when Muyan fell into the lake, she was closest to me. Initially, I wanted to rescue her first, but in the water, an inexplicable attraction drew me towards Pei Yunzhi, and I saved her instead."

"So, the thing you wanted to tell me was this?"

"Yes, it seemed very strange, and when I asked her why both she and Muyan fell into the lake, she couldn’t explain."

"Were you influenced by her during the spring boat banquet as well?"

"Yes!"

Recalling this, Xie Yunzhe’s expression twisted, he clenched his fist and said, "At that time, it felt like my memories were being extracted, I couldn’t recall the engagement-breaking event and had inexplicable feelings for Pei Yunzhi, like she was my beloved, even though I only see her as a sister."

Yu Nianzhao said, "Hmm, there’s definitely something unspeakable with Pei Yunzhi affecting you. Given your destiny, you shouldn’t be touched by evil. Either she’s carrying a powerful magic artifact, or she has... a supernatural force with her."

"Supernatural force?"

Xie Yunzhe’s eyelids twitched, his voice trembled, "Indeed, it’s a supernatural force. She’s enchanted my father, willingly marrying into the mansion as a concubine, and what would happen to the mansion afterward? My mother finally regained her rightful position, I won’t let anyone harm her again."

Yu Nianzhao shrugged, "Unless you catch her, find the thing affecting her, or expel the evil spirit, there’s no alternative. For now, she hasn’t caused any deaths, so it doesn’t count as a wicked soul. Otherwise, I could have helped detain her."

With the Heavenly Dao above, she couldn’t casually capture souls.

Xie Yunzhe looked dejected, "Alright, if anything happens, I’ll have someone inform you, okay?"

"Sure!"

Yu Nianzhao agreed readily, and Xie Yunzhe left satisfied.

Back at Prince Su Mansion, Xie Jiuxiao was preoccupied, barely touching his meal, returning troubled to his room.

Inside the room, Yu Nianzhao waited and waited, and when Xie Jiuxiao still didn’t appear, she let her hair down and quickly put on shoes, running to Xie Jiuxiao’s room.

"Ziyin?"

Yu Nianzhao carefully pushed the door open, cautiously peering inside, suddenly noticing an unexpectedly low temperature in the room.

Her heart sank; she hurriedly stepped in.

Unable to find Xie Jiuxiao on the bed, she pursed her lips and moved to the inner room, where she saw the bare-bodied Xie Jiuxiao sitting in a bath barrel, radiating evil qi and cold air.

The bath barrel, supposed to be steamy, had already frozen, including Xie Jiuxiao’s muscular body and his face and hair, covered in a thin layer of frost.

"Xie Jiuxiao!"

Yu Nianzhao tightened her brows, shouted.

With the cold air around her, she approached, discovering the Buddhist beads he’s removed lying next to him, angrily snatched them up, and despite the freezing water, pulled his arm out and put the Buddhist beads back on his wrist.

On his chest, the Heavenly Yin Evil was recklessly twisting, seeming ready to break free anytime.

Accompanied by the return of the Buddhist beads, Yu Nianzhao also activated the divine power on the beads, and the Taiyin Evil finally calmed down.

"Xie Jiuxiao, you’re really seeking death!"

Yu Nianzhao’s eyes burned with fury, shook Xie Jiuxiao awake, glaring into his bewildered dark eyes, she harshly began to scold, "What are you doing? Didn’t I say you can never remove the Buddhist beads in any situation? Why take them off just for bathing? Is it fun? If I hadn’t come by suddenly, you’d have become an ice block, possessed by the Taiyin Evil without even knowing."

Upon hearing Yu Nianzhao’s irritated voice, Xie Jiuxiao’s soul finally returned.