Xiangzhou Arc: Transmigration of the Soul, Chapter 24: Last Time Was to Kill Her, This Time Is to Save Her

In other words, one could now attempt to locate the Crown Prince and use the Four Symbols—the Eastern Spirit Wood, the Vermilion Bird’s Fire, the Black Profound Stone, and the Golden White Tiger—supplemented by the Crown Prince’s Eight Characters, to stabilize his destiny.

For someone as wealthy and influential as Shen Jianzhou, these items were not difficult to obtain. The real challenge, however, lay in first finding the person who had swapped the destinies. Without identifying that individual, any Four Symbols Origin-Returning Array performed would be futile.

Looking at the book on the "Four Symbols Divine Energy Destiny-Altering Array," which lacked a conclusion, Ye Qiaoqiao pondered. Perhaps she should try it on the night of the full moon. With this thought, she set down the ancient text and stepped outside.

It was then that she discovered people armed with blades and clubs had arrived to cause trouble at her "Qiaoqiao’s Miraculous Calculation Pavilion."

Observing the burly, coarse-featured man before her, Ye Qiaoqiao raised an eyebrow. She had wondered who would dare to challenge her, but it turned out to be nothing more than a brute with neither money nor status, relying solely on raw strength. His attire—a wrinkled, short shirt paired with loose trousers, the waistband unfastened—clearly suggested he had recently indulged in carnal pleasures.

Ye Qiaoqiao arched a brow and asked softly, "You have trespassed on my property; what is your purpose?"

The man, his hair disheveled and matted against a forehead unwashed for a fortnight, wore a malicious smirk as he stated his intent: "Girl, I heard you have long since divorced that scholar Chen and opened this 'Miraculous Calculation' shop. Why don't you calculate when I shall have some romantic luck?"

Ye Qiaoqiao sneered inwardly at these words, though her expression remained calm as she scrutinized him once more. The man was burly and robust, but his aura was vulgar and reckless, his clothes in disarray, and he faintly exuded a mix of cosmetic powder and the lingering scent of recent intimacy.

"As for your romantic luck, I fear it has already blossomed in the lap of luxury just moments ago, has it not?" Ye Qiaoqiao remarked with a mocking curve to her lips.

The man clapped his hands and laughed. "The young lady is sharp! Indeed, I have just come from such a place. Now, tell me, what do you think I shall do next?"

Ye Qiaoqiao extended her slender fingers and performed a quick calculation. Her expression turned cold. "Surely you don't intend to smash my sign and then force me to apologize to you and your bedfellow?"

The man was stunned. Was he being toyed with by a joint effort of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, or did this Ye Qiaoqiao truly possess some ability? "How did you know?"

Ye Qiaoqiao’s face was icy. "Naturally, I calculated it."

The man felt a tremor of fear, but he kept up his bravado. "Hmph, so what if your calculations are accurate? Today, I am going to smash your sign! I will capture you and tie you up!" He then commanded his men, "Lads, charge! Smash this sign for me!"

Ye Qiaoqiao didn't hesitate to shout, "Uncle Zhang!"

Upon hearing her voice, Uncle Zhang immediately grabbed a tool and resolutely engaged the burly men in a struggle. The assistants behind him followed suit, clashing with the intruders.

As fragments of her previous life flashed through her mind, Ye Qiaoqiao recalled the voice of a man who had repaid her kindness with malice. He had said, "Master, you are correct. It is just that this impending disaster of blood and steel shall fall upon you today."

Fortunately, even now, she had a group of people who would charge into the fray for her.

Hearing the commotion, Hanxiang rushed out. Upon seeing the chaotic scene, her face turned deathly pale. Her mistress’s calculation was truly accurate; someone had indeed come to cause trouble. But with so many of them, how could they possibly cope?

Fortunately, although Uncle Zhang was over fifty, his movements remained agile. He wielded a wooden club, fighting desperately against the attackers.

"Mistress!" Hanxiang shouted in panic when she saw a blade swinging toward them, shielding Ye Qiaoqiao to ensure she wasn't harmed by the wild strikes.

Watching the chaotic brawl, Ye Qiaoqiao felt helpless. If this continued, there would be heavy casualties. Time was of the essence. She grabbed Hanxiang and pushed her aside, shouting, "Go report this to the authorities! I will hold the line here."

"Mistress!" Hanxiang was reluctant, fearing for her safety. But when she saw Uncle Zhang’s club split in two and him collapsing to the ground, tears welled up in her eyes. She turned and sprinted toward the depths of the alley to alert the magistrate’s office.

Seeing Uncle Zhang fall, Ye Qiaoqiao rushed into the fray just as a blade was about to descend upon him, throwing her body over his to shield him from the steel.

Suddenly, several silver needles whistled through the air, striking the burly men with pinpoint accuracy. In an instant, all the attackers collapsed.

A man in flowing white robes descended slowly from the sky. His robes, elegant as cloud brocade, fluttered in the wind, making him appear like an immortal. His dark, lustrous hair was held by an exquisite jade pin, revealing a remarkably handsome face—it was Shen Jianzhou.

His gaze toward Ye Qiaoqiao became profound. "Well? Even when reporting to the authorities, you couldn't think of me?" His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a hint of imperceptible majesty and playfulness.

The blade had not struck her. Ye Qiaoqiao scrambled up from the pile of fallen men in a disheveled state and looked at Shen Jianzhou with great embarrassment. "Why are you here?"

The difference between this time and the last was that last time he had come to kill her, and this time, he had saved her.

Shen Jianzhou raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Naturally, I came on business. I just didn't expect that upon arrival, I would witness such a scene." He then ordered Zuo Wenshan, who was nearby, "Go and deal with those people."

"Yes," Zuo Wenshan replied. He leaped down from the rafters to dispose of the thugs.

Those on the ground, struck by the silver needles, had their pressure points sealed and were unable to move, though they could still speak. Seeing Zuo Wenshan approaching to finish them off, and realizing they had provoked someone they shouldn't have—especially seeing the man above with his peerless grace and the commanding presence of a king—they immediately cried out for mercy. "Spare us! We only took a job; we truly didn't know this woman was your person. Had we known, we would never have dared to act!"

Shen Jianzhou acted as if he hadn't heard them, his eyes lingering solely on Ye Qiaoqiao, who had just climbed to her feet.

Ye Qiaoqiao caught the key phrase in their pleas: "took a job"? So, these people had been sent to cause trouble for her intentionally? Indeed, her calculation yesterday that someone would stir up trouble had come true today.

However, if these people were killed... the consequences would be unimaginable.

Thinking of this, she spoke with a cold expression, stopping Zuo Wenshan’s advance. She looked up at Shen Jianzhou on the rafters and said, "Your Highness, please wait. It would be better to leave this matter for the magistrate to interrogate."