CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 75: CAN FOOLISHNESS BE CONTAGIOUS?

Mrs. Ling nodded repeatedly, "Yes, the Princess Consort is absolutely right. You need to have an eye for men. If the Princess Consort hadn’t passed by, you would have been dead by now."

Ling Xiangyun lowered her head shyly, "I understand, I’ve listened to everything cousin-in-law said. I won’t contact him anymore in the future."

"Hmm, just remember your own words!" Yu Nianzhao observed her face, "Your Red Luan star has yet to move, the right marriage hasn’t appeared yet, no rush, you’ll have plenty of opportunities later."

"Alright, I’ll listen to cousin-in-law." Ling Xiangyun said bashfully.

"What about me, what about me? Cousin... cousin-in-law, can you check if my Red Luan star has moved?"

Ling Shuhan, having witnessed Yu Nianzhao’s skills, naturally wanted to involve himself too. He reluctantly squeezed out the word ’cousin-in-law’ from between his teeth, even though Yu Nianzhao was younger than him, the family hierarchy held importance, and if he could have such a master read his fortune, wouldn’t it be wonderful.

Yu Nianzhao extended her hand towards him, "Fortune telling? I’m not free of charge, pay up first."

"Huh?" Ling Shuhan was bewildered, belatedly pulling out two pieces of silver from his pocket and handing them to her.

Yu Nianzhao accepted them unceremoniously, then observed his face and said, "Your Red Luan star is inactive, but your glabella is radiant, and your career palace is bright. Recently, you should focus on your career; you might just get a promotion."

"Huh? Promotion? There’s not even a hint of movement in my romantic fate?" Ling Shuhan sighed deeply, expressing regret.

He wanted to find a woman as skilled as Yu Nianzhao.

Mr Ling said solemnly, "A man should prioritize his career. If you get promoted, wouldn’t it be easy to find matchmakers proposing marriage?"

"That’s true, but... oh..."

"It’s about time, we should head back to the residence." Yu Nianzhao stood up, extending her hand to them without hesitation, "I’ve exorcized ghosts here today, and helped cousin Xiangyun regain her health and fortune. Payment is necessary."

Ling Xiangyun understood this point well, quickly saying, "Yes, I know. Even among brothers, accounts must be settled clearly. In metaphysics, this is called severing karma, preventing future disasters. Isn’t that right, cousin-in-law?"

"Hmm, that’s right!"

"Yes, exactly." Dongfang Chenyuan also added with a smile, "As the saying goes, spending money to avert disaster. If you don’t..."

Those in the know understand.

Mrs. Ling nodded in agreement, "Absolutely, payment must be given. Quickly present the silver and retrieve that box of jade marrow the general brought back from the frontier. All of it should be sent with the Princess Consort."

"Mm, whatever the wife thinks is appropriate, give that amount, not more, not less," Mr Ling said.

They were solving a major issue for the general’s residence, saving their precious daughter’s life, settling for any amount was right.

Seeing the boxes of silver and jade marrow, Yu Nianzhao’s smile brightened considerably, "No need to be so courteous with so much, I’ll take two boxes and leave the rest to be donated to the soldiers at the frontier."

Mr Ling was taken aback, then waved his hand, "How could that be right, if it’s a gift, it’s yours, Princess Consort."

"Right, since it’s mine, I decide its use. It’s just a small favor for the general to convey. It’s barely past New Year’s Eve, so use this silver coin to buy some necessities for the border soldiers. It’s a token of my goodwill."

Yu Nianzhao spoke with effortless grace, she understood the battles on the battlefield.

Although Mr Ling carried heavy killing intent, it was for defending the country, enveloping him with a faint layer of merit, he was a good general.

Mr Ling looked deeply at Yu Nianzhao, very moved, he clenched his fist, and cupped his hands towards her, "Alright, since the Princess Consort said so, I’ll use the remaining silver to purchase grain and send it to the frontier."

At this moment, Mr Ling truly admired Yu Nianzhao.

Mrs. Ling also smiled, "Wouldn’t you stay for dinner before leaving?"

"No, if Prince returns, he’ll be waiting."

"Oh... alright, I see." Mrs. Ling said with an ambiguous look and a smile, "Then Princess Consort, you must come to the general’s residence again next time. I’ll prepare some delicacies not found in Shangjing for you."

"Sure!" Yu Nianzhao blinked her beautiful eyes and added, "You don’t have to always call me Princess Consort. Since Xie Jiuxiao and I aren’t formally married yet, you can just call me Zhaozhao. Also, the house haunted by evil spirits needs a thorough cleansing. Use water infused with pomelo leaves and sprinkle it around the mansion. Prepare some Five Emperor Coins to hang at the doors. After a while, the evil at the general’s residence will dissipate."

Mrs. Ling’s eyes softened greatly. She held Yu Nianzhao’s hand and said, "Alright Zhaozhao, I’ll remember."

After Yu Nianzhao and the others left, Mrs. Ling leaned against Mr Ling, feeling a surge of emotions, "Zhaozhao is truly a good girl. It’s Prince Su’s fortune to have such a Princess Consort, only... the evil qi surrounding Prince Su... I’m now even more worried, he might delay Zhaozhao."

Yu Nianzhao was endearing and likable, Mrs. Ling now regarded her as another daughter and began to worry for her.

After all, Prince Su wouldn’t live past twenty-six, she feared Zhaozhao would truly become a widow.

"Don’t say that, having such a Princess Consort, Prince Su might just turn misfortune into blessing, so stop overthinking!"

"That’s also true..."

"I’ve heard she was originally the legitimate daughter raised in the countryside by the Marquis Wu’an’s mansion, now estranged from the Pei Family. Hearing rumors, I thought it was her problem, causing the Pei Family to cast her out. Now it seems, the problem might be with the Pei Family."

"Ah? There’s definitely a problem with the Pei Family. Why else would a perfectly fine daughter be raised in the countryside? Were their brains kicked by a donkey? The lady of Marquis Wu’an, when attending gatherings, always bragged about the daughter by her side as if showing off a treasure. How could they instead disregard and throw the other daughter back to the countryside? So biased, they can’t even hold a bowl level, how can they call themselves a mother?"

"I heard... the two children were switched from a young age. Zhaozhao is the true heiress, the one in the Pei Family is fake!"

"What? Then the couple’s brains must be addled, keeping a fake at home, severing ties with the real one? Just hearing it makes me furious. Zhaozhao must have endured so much injustice, really... next time I see the lady of Marquis Wu’an, I must indirectly lambast her to relieve my anger."

Mrs. Ling was genuinely enraged. If Yu Nianzhao were her daughter, she would surely cherish her more than anyone, Ms. Lien must really be out of her mind.

"Yes, my wife, I support you!"

After truly interacting with Yu Nianzhao, Mr Ling also found the actions of the Pei Family to be unethical, and decided to keep his distance from the family of the Marquis Wu’an in the future, lest their foolishness spreads!