A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 136 Qi Sui

Inside the He residence, someone was busy in the kitchen.

Jiang Xinyue was cutting meat and had Xiang Huiying wash vegetables. She would occasionally glance outside and say, "He'er is really amazing. She even knows the young master..."

Xiang Huiying sat on a small stool, glancing around occasionally. "In just over a month, He'er has already met so many people..."

"Of course, the longer you stay in Beijing, the more people you'll get to know."

"I think that young master is quite easygoing; he shouldn't be difficult to get along with, right?"

"It's not difficult, just don't say anything carelessly," Jiang Xinyue said, slicing the meat open with a knife. "If we're careful with our words, we won't get beaten up."

"..."

The group sat outside, while Qi Xin, who had already prepared a bundle, was preoccupied with Xiang He's large umbrella. "Miss, when will you open it and ask?"

"What's the rush? Try Xinyue's cooking later."

Wang Rongxing, standing nearby, couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's in your umbrella? Brother Qi seems to have been talking about it for a long time."

Xiang He glanced sideways at him indifferently, "Something's fishy."

"..." Wang Rongxing scoffed at those words, "I know there are ghosts, but I'm not afraid now..."

"They've become bolder."

After repeatedly falling silent, Wang Rongxing didn't want to talk to her anymore. He got up and went to the kitchen, taking the initiative to keep an eye on the fire.

The three of them were whispering among themselves, while the four people outside remained expressionless.

Xiang He placed the large umbrella on the table. "I have a question that I hope Prince Shen can answer."

Shen Zhuoci, who was sipping tea, slightly raised his eyes and smiled, "May I ask, young lady?"

"Is the Imperial Advisor a formidable figure?"

He twitched his hand holding the teacup slightly, put it down, and sat down casually. "I don't know how to say it, but he handles all the sacrificial rites and such in the palace."

"Has anything special happened? Like being able to control the wind and rain or something?"

He Sui'an frowned, suppressing a smile. "Calling the wind and rain? Do you think he's a god?"

Seeing his barely suppressed smile, Xiang He glanced at him, rested her chin on her hand, and lightly tapped the large umbrella with her fingers. "Has he ever succeeded in performing rituals to pray for rain?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhuoci frowned and pondered deeply. "When Yu the Great brought peace and prosperity to the country, he always prayed for a prosperous and strong nation. If there was ever a time when that was truly the case, it was the former Grand Preceptor."

His eyes lit up. "Why are you suddenly asking about the Imperial Advisor? Is there some... secret?"

"So, you—cough! The emperor trusts the current imperial advisor, which means he's truly capable?"

Shen Zhuoci narrowed his eyes and then smiled, “The current Imperial Preceptor is the former’s last disciple, so he naturally has some skills.”

"Oh~"

Seeing her sudden realization, Qi Xin asked curiously, "Miss, why did you suddenly ask about the Imperial Advisor? Is there some connection?"

“No,” Xiang He waved his hand, “I was just asking.”

"I do not believe."

Xiang He rolled her eyes. "Believe it or not. Stop chatting and go help. Can't you see those two young girls busy in the kitchen? You men aren't lifting a finger, are you just waiting to be eaten?"

Qi Xin was stunned. He Sui'an had already stood up and laughed, "You're planning to keep this from your seventh sister?"

"Let nature take its course. It's not too late to explain if we see it."

Ultimately, it's best to avoid being discovered by acquaintances. Once a lie is told, countless more need to be told to cover it up, which only causes trouble for yourself.

The group went to help, and even though Xiang Huiying repeatedly declined, Xiang He still stepped in to help.

She washed a towel and handed it to Shen Zhuoci, saying, "Everyone's busy, Zhuoci, why don't you wipe the table?"

Shen Zhuoci was slightly taken aback. He called him by his name, indicating that he considered him a friend. He smiled kindly and was about to accept the gift when someone snatched it away.

Xiang He's actions terrified Qi Xin, who quickly took the handkerchief and began wiping himself. "Miss, you are truly bold, actually making the young master do chores..."

Shen Zhuoci wanted to take the handkerchief back, but Qi Xin wouldn't give it to him, so he could only shrug and smile bitterly, "There's nothing I can do, I wanted to help too."

"Couldn't you at least move a bench?"

Qi Xin dashed into the hall, shouting, "I'll do it!"

Xiang He was speechless. This guy was taking over all the work, making the young master act like a king.

She picked up a handkerchief and wiped the table. "Where are your guards?"

"Something happened."

"Oh," Xiang He turned and walked towards the kitchen, "Come and bring the dishes."

Shen Zhuoci laughed out loud, "You're not being polite at all."

"Everyone has to use their hands to eat here."

Whether he's a prince or the emperor, since we're friends, we should treat each other as friends. There's no need to distinguish between high and low status.

Shen Zhuoci could tell that Xiang He didn't show condescension or belittle others; she treated everyone equally.

He strode forward to catch up with Xiang He, "If you saw the emperor, would you kneel down?"

She stopped walking, turned to He and looked at him seriously, "I still have to kneel. I have a family to support, and I don't want to be executed along with my entire clan."

Different societies have different natures, so one still has to follow the crowd. She only acted this way because Shen Zhuoci was easy to get along with.

-

We had a great time tonight, and we've all gotten to know each other.

Shen Zhuoci praised Jiang Xinyue's cooking skills. Xiang He was also surprised by her excellent skills, thinking that she only knew how to run a restaurant. She never expected that she had also inherited the family's culinary skills.

Seeing that they were having a great time chatting, Qi Xin had already glanced at He several times.

"Seventh Sister, you and Xinyue should go back and wash up first. We still need to boil water tonight."

Xiang Huiying wanted to refuse, but Jiang Xinyue had already gotten up and pulled her along, "Let's do it together, we still need to make the bed! Rongxing definitely doesn't know how to make a bed, and I don't know much about it either, you'll have to teach me."

"Alright, we're tired today, let's head back now. I have to get up early tomorrow to go to Qingcai Manor!"

Jiang Xinyue coaxed Xiang Huiying away, and Wang Rongxing, feeling sleepy and yawning, followed. "You two chat, we'll head back first. We'll leave the door open for Brother Qi."

"Thank you..."

After they had walked a distance, Qi Xin looked at He with shining eyes, "Please, young lady!"

"What's the rush? They're not going to run away." Xiang He picked up the large umbrella, stood up, and walked to an open space. "Don't get too close, after all, they're spirits."

The group watched her from afar. He Sui'an lightly tapped his palm with his folding fan, his gaze lingering on He.

She held the large umbrella horizontally in front of her, her right hand pressed to her lips as she murmured, "Nine stars in harmony, sun and moon united, yin and yang in communion, sensing all things..."

As her voice faded, the large umbrella in her hand was enveloped in a soft glow.

She opened the large umbrella, and wisps of yin energy drifted out, forming a dark mass that floated in mid-air.

Qi Xin rushed over anxiously, but Xiang He folded up her umbrella and blocked his way, saying, "Don't rush, not everyone here is your family."

"The Qi family sent out a ghost to speak."

The surging yin energy seemed to be debating which one should appear. After a while, a yin spirit floated out and gradually transformed into a human form.

This ghost had a dignified appearance, with distinct features that exuded a sense of righteousness, but his brows and eyes were filled with worry.

"Father……!"

The name that came out of his mouth made Xiang He step aside to let him pass. With a wave of the large umbrella, the yin energy behind Qi Sui dissipated a little.

"Xin'er..."