Xiangzhou Chapter: Soul Transmigrated to Another World Chapter 18: The Crown Prince Acts Rogue

This woman truly dared to speak her mind! Zuo Wenshan gasped in astonishment from behind.

He still remembered the last time someone spoke so boldly about the Crown Prince—it was the very same woman before him. Back then, she had compared the Crown Prince to a dog, and now she was claiming he was a man doomed to die?

Such impertinence, such reckless audacity, it was beyond belief.

Yet, when Ye Qiaoqiao spoke like this, Shen Jianzhou found himself somewhat convinced.

This was because what she said was identical to what the Astronomical Bureau had told him: the Ziwei star in the sky was dim and lifeless, while the Taoyin star shone brightly. Moreover, every full moon night brought him unbearable pain and large, red swellings all over his body.

Those who could decipher the heavenly mysteries said a dark energy was entwined around him.

However, the Astronomical Bureau was only responsible for astrology and interpreting the grand cosmic patterns; they could not resolve the enigma afflicting him.

Now, looking at the woman before him, Shen Jianzhou, naturally suspicious by nature, still harbored doubts about whether Ye Qiaoqiao could truly help him rid the dark energy.

He questioned her abilities.

Seeing that the Crown Prince remained silent for a long time, Ye Qiaoqiao said, “If Your Highness does not believe me, then consider my words never spoken. After all, I do not wish to bear the consequences of unknown fate.”

With that, she flickered to the left as if ready to leave.

Unexpectedly, Shen Jianzhou extended his right hand and blocked her path. His brows furrowed deeply as he spoke slowly, “What is it that you want?”

“Nothing at all. Please spare me!” Ye Qiaoqiao blurted out without hesitation.

In truth, she was already despondent inside. Though she possessed the wisdom of her ancestors, she did not want to recklessly reveal their powers.

She had learned her lesson the hard way: having once warned him kindly, she was nearly choked by silver needles.

And in the modern world, her fortune-telling had been so accurate that it had cost her her life.

One misfortune after another had taught her well what should or should not be said—especially since she was still unsure whether the Crown Prince was truly treacherous.

Thinking this, her resolve to leave only strengthened.

She reached out, grasped the Crown Prince’s sleeve, and tried to slip past under his arm.

Seeing the woman so intimate with the Crown Prince and him ignoring it, Zuo Wenshan suddenly pulled Han Xiang from behind Ye Qiaoqiao, pressing three silver needles just three millimeters from her throat, and shouted, “One more step, and do you still want to live, maidservant?”

“Miss~” Han Xiang cried out for help.

Han Xiang truly did not understand what she had done to offend this lord behind her. With silver needles pressed against her neck, she felt a flicker of fear toward the guards behind and the Crown Prince before her.

She completely lost the sharpness she usually displayed when confronting Chen Bai Lei.

“Does His Highness truly regard human life as worthless?” Ye Qiaoqiao’s cold gaze fixed on the man in the white brocade robe, as if trying to pierce through him and demand an explanation.

If he was indeed a faithless man who cared nothing for life or death, then it would be better to let him perish and spare herself from further sin and trouble.

“Wenshan,” Shen Jianzhou spoke slowly, looking at the woman before him whose eyes were frigid.

Seeing this, Zuo Wenshan had no choice but to withdraw the silver needles and release Han Xiang’s tightly held hand.

Freed, Han Xiang immediately ran to Ye Qiaoqiao’s side, then glared fiercely at Zuo Wenshan and cursed, “So skilled in martial arts, yet so despicably shameless!”

When Ye Qiaoqiao saw Han Xiang return to her side, she finally turned to the Crown Prince and gestured farewell. “Your Highness, we shall speak next time.”

With that, she took Han Xiang’s hand and started running forward.

But they had barely taken a few steps when the two men suddenly appeared, blocking their escape.

It seemed they would not be able to shake off these two today! Ye Qiaoqiao sighed inwardly.

Suddenly, she began to rant madly: “Ah, the wise and mighty Crown Prince, what a poignant and tragic life this is! Why must it be at odds with a humble girl like me?”

Zuo Wenshan’s face twitched, and Shen Jianzhou showed a trace of impatience but suppressed it, instead asking firmly, “I want to ask you: how would you solve the dark energy enveloping my body?”

“Want it solved? It’s simple. Give me one hundred thousand taels, and I will break the curse for you!” Ye Qiaoqiao blurted out.

One hundred thousand taels? Ha! She really dared to ask for money!

A trace of disdain surfaced on Shen Jianzhou’s face as he sneered, “How am I to believe you truly have the skill, and are not merely spouting nonsense to deceive those around me and seek personal gain?”

“Then why did Your Highness block my path? If you do not believe me, why ask me at all?” Ye Qiaoqiao’s eyes flashed with confusion and mockery.

Clearly, he had come to her for help, yet now he acted as if she were the one begging him for gold.

Truly, this was turning everything upside down!

Shen Jianzhou’s eyes gleamed with admiration—what a quick-witted woman!

Then, changing his tone from impatience to gentleness, he asked, “If I give you one hundred thousand taels, what will you do afterward?”

Upon hearing this, Ye Qiaoqiao smiled charmingly and replied softly, “Your Highness, rather than ask me what I will do, you should first ask yourself how to be a qualified Crown Prince!”

“Impertinent!” Zuo Wenshan burst out angrily.

Ye Qiaoqiao sneered with disdain. “What’s the matter? Don’t believe me?”

Shen Jianzhou waved his hand, signaling Zuo Wenshan to calm down.

Then he gazed deeply at Ye Qiaoqiao, as if pondering the meaning behind her words, and slowly said, “I will deeply consider what you have said. But if you truly have skill, why not demonstrate a bit first, so I may be convinced?”

Seeing this, Zuo Wenshan, though unwilling, could only remain silent and watch.

Ye Qiaoqiao calmly replied, “Your Highness, what would you like me to divine? Something known or unknown?”

“Unknown matters are intriguing, but since they are unknown, they require long-term verification and cannot showcase your abilities immediately. So let’s stick to something known,” Shen Jianzhou said after a moment’s thought.

Ye Qiaoqiao smiled faintly. Conversing with the Crown Prince was not too difficult—he understood the implications of her words quickly.

She asked, “Then, Your Highness, what known matter would you like me to divine?”

“Since ancient times, men have had three wives and four concubines. Today, you have regained your status as a divorced man. Why not tell me—how many concubines do I currently have in the Eastern Palace?” Shen Jianzhou narrowed his long eyes, a faint smile playing on his thin lips.

He was curious to see how this woman would divine that.

Hearing this, Ye Qiaoqiao wondered if the Crown Prince was joking. Why else would he ask her to divine the number of concubines?

Though she thought this to herself, she reluctantly stretched out her delicate fingers and began to calculate.

In an instant, she was stunned by the result, unable to believe what she had discovered.

Stammering, she said, “Your Highness, the concubines in the Eastern Palace... there is only one?”

As he had said, it was normal for men to have many wives and concubines, yet the Eastern Palace had only one concubine? That was utterly inconsistent with the status of the Crown Prince!