Xiangzhou Arc: Transmigration of the Soul to Another World Chapter 30: Getting Mixed Up with a Madwoman Like Her!

Shen Jianzhou was slightly taken aback. What on earth was this woman thinking?

He couldn't help but muse to himself: one moment he felt she was intelligent, the next he felt she was just another social climber.

Seeing the disdain flicker across Shen Jianzhou’s brow once more, Ye Qiaoqiao knew he must have misunderstood. She had no choice but to explain: "Your Highness, the dark aura surrounding you requires observation. Only by watching it can we identify who has stolen your destiny. The manifestations appearing on you, combined with the subtle clues leaking from the other party, will help you track that person down."

Hearing this, Shen Jianzhou nodded slightly, as if he had gained some insight. He realized that everything Ye Qiaoqiao was doing was entirely for the sake of the strange dark aura trailing him.

After a moment of contemplation, he agreed in a low voice: "That is possible. What identity do you wish to hold by my side?"

"I don't need an identity," Ye Qiaoqiao replied crisply, turning down the offer straightforwardly.

A trace of surprise crossed Shen Jianzhou’s eyes. "Why?"

Ye Qiaoqiao met his gaze steadily and said softly, "Your Highness, the positions you could offer are nothing more than those of the inner palace. For someone like me, who only knows how to divine fortunes, such roles do not align with the professional ethics of a diviner."

Shen Jianzhou frowned, lost in thought. He truly had not expected her to state her identity as a diviner so bluntly, nor that she would be so indifferent to status. It seemed his previous disdain had been a misunderstanding.

"Since Miss Ye has her own plans," he said, "how about I appoint you as my Chief Advisor?"

An advisor? That sounded rather good. It was said that in ancient times, the role of an advisor was highly respected and held great prestige. Surely, a position granted by the Crown Prince himself must be something extraordinary.

Thinking this, Ye Qiaoqiao lifted her chin slightly, her eyes brimming with delight as she responded crisply, "I accept, Your Highness."

"Then it is settled. From now on, you must stay by my side." A strange, indescribable emotion welled up in Shen Jianzhou’s heart. It felt as if, by gaining the help of such a remarkable woman, he had struck gold.

"Very well," Ye Qiaoqiao replied softly.

The fringe trees in the courtyard were in full bloom, their branches lush and heavy with clusters of flowers. The eyes of Ye Qiaoqiao and Shen Jianzhou met, then turned toward the trees. For a moment, a subtle and unique atmosphere permeated the air, wrapping around them like wisps of thin silk. It was as if, by some hidden destiny, they now shared a single path forward.

Han Xiang and Zuo Wenshan, being highly tactful, quietly withdrew, leaving the tranquil space to the two of them.

In the quiet, Shen Jianzhou broke the silence: "Miss Ye, in truth, the reason I came to Xiangzhou this time..."

Ye Qiaoqiao’s eyes curved into crescents, brimming with a knowing smile as she watched him. She already had an inkling. "Your Highness, are you perhaps trying to say who this person you are looking for is?"

Shen Jianzhou was stunned; the shock surged through him like a tide. This Ye Qiaoqiao was as insightful as if she could read his very thoughts. With just a slight hint, she understood everything, sparing him the need to explain. Even more astonishing was her ability to foresee what he was about to say.

He felt a bit dazed, unsure whether to call her a master diviner or a shrewd woman who excelled at reading men’s hearts.

"How did you know?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Your Highness, look at these fringe trees. They are in full bloom, the petals as white as snow. While the flowers themselves are not particularly unique, when applied to human affairs, this 'flower' is like 'speech'—even without a mouth, it is hard to conceal, as if it were whispering something," Ye Qiaoqiao said, looking up at the blossoming trees instead of counting on her fingers as she usually did.

Shen Jianzhou was truly taken aback. He never expected that simply by looking at the trees, she could divine his hidden intent. "But how did you know that was what I was going to talk about?"

"When I entered Magistrate Dong's manor, Your Highness, your gaze was fixed upon me. I thought about it—aside from the topic we left off on last time, I couldn't think of anything else that would leave you so perplexed that you felt compelled to seek me out and speak your mind." She displayed a delicate sensibility, her eyes sharp and luminous.

"How is it I never noticed you were this insightful before?" Shen Jianzhou raised an eyebrow, filled with disbelief.

Ye Qiaoqiao covered her mouth and laughed. "Should I say that I was a pearl covered in dust, or that Your Highness simply lacked the eyes to see?"

"Ye Qiaoqiao, you think quite highly of yourself!" Shen Jianzhou felt ashamed. He thought to himself that this woman was incredibly thick-skinned, and she was the first person to dare provoke him without fear of imperial power.

"Yes, Your Highness. If I didn't hold myself in high regard, you might think you were the sun, shining with such brilliance that everyone else must look dim in comparison." She blinked, her expression full of mischief.

Shen Jianzhou was rendered speechless. After a long while, his face flushed a deep red, and he could only manage two words: "Nonsense!"

"Now, back to business, Your Highness. Have you found out where this important person is from?" Ye Qiaoqiao asked with a gossipy glint in her eye.

In truth, she felt quite pleased to see the Crown Prince being teased. After all, who would have thought that the wise and mighty Prince could be mocked like this? But then again, he was the one who started with a look of disdain. If he wanted to blame someone, he could only blame himself for provoking such a "mad" woman.

Seeing her acting so "manic," teasing the heavens and him alike, Shen Jianzhou felt less than pleased. But since she had asked, he replied, "The person I am looking for... is actually you."

"Me?" Ye Qiaoqiao looked surprised, full of doubt. What did this have to do with her?

Shen Jianzhou spoke slowly: "The reason I left that day was to give myself time to search for other women in Xiangzhou, to see if there were any others as extraordinary as you. Because the person I need is a woman who can aid me."