Xiangzhou Arc: Soul Transmigration to Another World Chapter 25: Teasing Words

Shen Jianzhou’s brow furrowed with a hint of confusion as he asked, "Why?"

He knew that had he arrived a moment later, she would have met a tragic end. Yet, she would rather leave these men to be dealt with by the authorities than allow her own guards to execute them. With this thought in mind, he held back Zuo Wenshan, who was ready to take action.

"Your Highness, do you remember what you told me that day?" Ye Qiaoqiao smoothed her disheveled clothes and spoke with a respectful air.

Which day was she referring to? Shen Jianzhou pondered, frowning. "If you have something to say, just speak plainly."

"Your Highness, you once said, 'Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.' That is the first point. Furthermore, the aura you carry is not suited for bearing karmic retribution; that is the second. Therefore, matters of slaughter are not for you to handle personally. It is best left to the magistrate's office," Ye Qiaoqiao said, her words earnest and her logic clear.

A trace of admiration flickered in Shen Jianzhou’s eyes. He had not expected that the seemingly fragile, sharp-tongued Ye Qiaoqiao would possess such a grand and profound perspective. Her insight was truly rare, far beyond that of an ordinary woman.

He gave a slight nod. "What you have said is very much in line with my own thoughts."

He then commanded Zuo Wenshan in a low voice, "Notify the magistrate's office. Ensure they handle this with complete impartiality and uncover the person behind all this."

"Yes, Your Highness," Zuo Wenshan replied, stepping back. As he did, he couldn't help but cast several glances at Ye Qiaoqiao. To think that a mere woman could change the Crown Prince's mind with just a few words—she was truly... extraordinary.

Meanwhile, Hanxiang had run to the magistrate's office to report the incident. When she returned with the bailiffs, she found the thugs lying on the ground as if struck by some force. Seeing her mistress conversing with a man in white brocade robes, her anxious heart finally settled. Thank goodness her mistress was safe!

She turned to the officials behind her and said, "My lords, these are the ruffians who came to cause trouble at the entrance of our Shenji Miaosuan Pavilion!"

The lead bailiff glanced at the plaque. Hadn't this been called the Chen Family Estate before? How had it become the "Shenji Miaosuan Pavilion" so quickly? When his eyes landed on the man beside Ye Qiaoqiao, they widened in shock. That gentleman appeared to be the honored guest received by the magistrate himself—it looked to be the Crown Prince.

The lead official, possessing a sharp eye for status, immediately ordered his men, "Go! Seize them at once. We must treat this case with the utmost importance."

"Understood!" the bailiffs replied and moved to carry out the order.

Hanxiang ran happily toward Ye Qiaoqiao, intending to tell her the thugs were being taken away, but upon seeing the man's face, her words became a stuttering mess: "C-Crown Prince..."

Shen Jianzhou glanced at her dismissively, his expression indifferent.

Ye Qiaoqiao, busy talking to the Prince, caught Hanxiang’s eye and signaled for her to withdraw. Hanxiang, only too happy to leave, blurted out, "My lady, please continue; this servant will take her leave," and hurried away.

Once Hanxiang was out of earshot, Ye Qiaoqiao asked, "Your Highness, have you come today regarding the matter I promised you three days ago?"

"Indeed. The three days are up. If you still cannot find a way to resolve the black aura clinging to me, those one hundred thousand taels of gold will be forfeit." Shen Jianzhou’s eyes held a smile, looking quite smug. He seemed to be hinting that since she took the job for the gold, she wouldn't see a penny if she failed.

How could Ye Qiaoqiao not know? Fortunately, he was joking about the money rather than her life. But since they were joking, she decided to give him a taste of his own medicine.

She chuckled softly. "Having accepted your commission, Your Highness, I no longer concern myself with that gold."

"Why is that?" Shen Jianzhou clearly didn't believe her.

Ye Qiaoqiao continued to smile. "As I said before, 'Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.' If you disregard the lives of the people, then even if I turn that black aura into purple, it will be of no use."

He had expected her to say something new, but it was the same sentiment again. Since she had said it twice, he supposed he should reflect on himself. However, she still hadn't told him if there was a way to resolve the black aura, so he asked, "I will reflect on your words. But to return to the point—is there a way to solve the black aura?"

"There is. The Four Symbols Return to Origin Array," Ye Qiaoqiao said, teasing him.

A glint of hope appeared in Shen Jianzhou’s eyes. "The Four Symbols Return to Origin Array? What kind of array is that?"

Ye Qiaoqiao explained, "The Four Symbols, as the name suggests, represent the Black Tortoise of the North, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Azure Dragon of the East. But to activate this array, certain items are required."

"What items?" Shen Jianzhou asked curiously.

"You will need spiritual wood from the East, the fire of a Vermilion Bird, Black Obsidian, and a golden White Tiger. These things shouldn't be difficult for the Crown Prince to acquire, should they?" Ye Qiaoqiao curled her lips into a playful smile. *Let's see how you like being toyed with!*

"Difficult, they are not. But will this array truly change the black aura?" Shen Jianzhou asked, sounding skeptical.

"No, this is merely a method to stabilize one's destiny," Ye Qiaoqiao shook her head. Then, she smiled and asked, "Your Highness, have you forgotten that the black aura stems from your destiny having been stolen and swapped?"

Shen Jianzhou seemed to realize something, his eyes widening in sudden understanding.

Ye Qiaoqiao added a mocking tone to her voice. "But since your destiny has been swapped, even if you stabilize it, you would only be stabilizing someone else's fate..."

"Then why did you tell me about the Four Symbols array?" Shen Jianzhou, feeling played, grew impatient.

Seeing he was agitated, Ye Qiaoqiao decided she had achieved her goal and stopped teasing him. She curled her lips into a smile and explained earnestly, "Everything must be done step by step. If I didn't tell you these things, how would you understand the full scope of the situation? Right?"

"Fair enough. Continue," Shen Jianzhou said, his impatience fading as if he had read the woman's little game.

Seeing his expression soften, Ye Qiaoqiao continued, "The key to this matter is to uncover exactly who is behind the theft of your destiny."

"Do you have a lead?" Shen Jianzhou pressed.

Ye Qiaoqiao chuckled. "That is something you must ask yourself, Your Highness."

"Ask me? How would I know!" Shen Jianzhou was utterly perplexed.

"Your Highness, try to recall: those clippings of hair and nail parings that have fallen from you—where have they gone?"

"Those things... are they not handled by the servants?" Shen Jianzhou frowned, questioning her line of inquiry. He added, "Why would I concern myself with such trivialities?"

"That is exactly it," Ye Qiaoqiao replied. "Besides the Four Symbols Return to Origin Array, there is another called the Four Symbols Divine Aura Destiny-Altering Array. That technique is used by someone who knows your exact birth date and time; they use your hair and nails to lay out a formation similar to the Big Dipper, thereby successfully swapping your destiny with another's."