Chapter 353 - 353: A Small Trick Can’t Withstood One Blow

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Ling’er pulled Qiao Mai to sit in front of the table. “Hehe, now that Mother is out of seclusion, we can do whatever we want.

Old Mistress Wang poured a cup of tea for Qiao Mai. “Girl, it’s up to you again.”

“Yes, leave it to me. Ling’er, tell Shopkeeper Niu to open the store tomorrow.

You can also open yours.”

“Yes, Mother.”

After Ling’er and Nanny Jin sat for a while, they left. With no outsiders in the room, Old Master Wang sighed softly.

“Girl, why did this happen? You should know, right?”

“The demonic aura is fake. It’s just an excuse to let the emperor deal with us, to remove the backing behind the Eleventh Prince. They know I have abilities, but they want to test how powerful I am. If they see me with the strength to rival the emperor, they will give up. Otherwise, the Eleventh Prince will be in danger.”

“Yes, that’s what I thought too.”

“Tomorrow, I will break the rumors. It’s just a small trick not worth mentioning.”

“We are getting old and can’t help you.”

“Rest assured. Stay in my house and enjoy your retirement. With me here, nothing will happen.”

Qiao Mai left Penglai Pavilion and stood at the entrance, observing the deserted street. Glancing around, she noticed some people lingering on the street, sneakily peering at her.

Upon seeing Qiao Mai, they quickly ducked their heads back, avoiding eye contact.

She casually took a peach and began to eat it. The peach was large, weighing two catties, and looked vibrant.

People who were spying from afar peeked again. Seeing this scene, they started whispering.

“Do you think Madam Qiao might be a peach spirit?”

“No way. She performs magic tricks in the palace, transforming mostly apples and watermelons. Maybe she’s an apple or melon spirit.”

“Forget it. I haven’t heard of those two spirits. Haha!”

Greeny, nestled in Qiao Mai’s hair, pouted. “Master, they say rumors are dispelled by the wise. What should we do?”

“It’s as simple as it gets. Didn’t that Taoist recognize the demonic aura around our house?”

“Are you suggesting?” “What’s the opposite of demonic aura? Auspicious energy, right?” “Purple energy?”

“Exactly. Can you make our house emit purple and golden energy?”

“That’s easy. Master, create a barrier around the house, and I’ll generate a cluster of purple and golden energy at the top.”

Qiao Mai smirked, waving her hand to cast a barrier over Lucky Garden. Greeny quietly flew away from her hair accessory.

In less than half an hour, the sky above Lucky Garden was enveloped in purple and golden energy, lingering for a long time. Those spying on Qiao Mai while also keeping an eye on the house were now in disbelief.

They thought their eyes were playing tricks on them. Rubbing their eyes vigorously, they couldn’t believe when Lucky Garden started exuding purple and golden energy.

When did Lucky Garden gain such an aura? This is a significant development! They needed to report it.

In broad daylight, this couldn’t be a fabrication. Emboldened by this revelation, some commoners boldly rushed into the streets around Lucky Garden.

They all looked up at the purple energy, gossiping in hushed tones.

“Damn, who spread the rumor that there is a demon in Lucky Garden? Demons are black, and this is purple. Purple is an auspicious sign; look, there’s even gold. Gold is a symbol of the royal family. I heard that the Eleventh Prince will marry Princess Tianshui. Isn’t this fulfilling the prophecy?”

“Yeah. Whoever spread the rumors, making me detour on my way home, always living in fear, scared me to death.”

“Motherf***er, I heard that every time there’s a disaster in the south, Mr. Yuan leads people to disaster relief, not spending a coin from the national treasury.

Madam Qiao makes money, which is used to help the disaster-stricken areas. How could she be a demon?”

“Exactly! They are such a good family. I think it’s just jealousy to say they are demons.”

In no time, the commoners began to denounce the rumor-monger, and the tide turned. The street was crowded with people, all coming to witness the purple and golden aura.

This was not something anyone could see whenever they wanted; in the eyes of ordinary people, it was a miracle.

On that day, the old emperor received the news. He also wanted to leave the palace to see it, but unfortunately, the street was full of people, and getting inside didn’t look optimistic.

Even Yuan Jiaqi and Yuan Haichuan had to squeeze through. If it weren’t for the assistance of Dongzhao and Dracaena, they wouldn’t be able to get home.

Upon arriving home, they noticed that Qiao Mai had come out of seclusion.

Both were overjoyed; the accumulated frustration of the past few months dissipated.

“Wife, you finally came out of seclusion. What about the purple and golden aura above our house?”

“I did it to dispel the rumors. Just a small trick.”

“It’s already dark outside, yet there are still so many people.”

“The rumors will break. By then, the emperor won’t have to be troubled.” “Because of this, Jiamei and Chuan’er’s marriage has been postponed.”

“Let’s just have it this year. There’s no rush for our son.” Chuan’er stood aside, his face red, feeling he was in the way.

“Mother, if nothing’s wrong, I’m going back.”

“Go ahead.”

At this moment, Yuan Jiaqi grabbed Qiao Mai’s hand and kept rubbing it.

“Is this related to the Eleventh Prince?”

“Yes.”

“I estimate that the emperor will come tonight. He and the empress have visited twice, but you were in closed-door cultivation. How did it go this time?”

“Not bad.”

“Is your cultivation getting higher and higher, increasing your lifespan?” Qiao Mai smiled; he finally asked.

“It’s okay. It’s just a few hundred years. If ordinary people pay attention to health, they can also reach that age. With me here, although we can’t live together, we can be buried in the same tomb.”

“No, I hope my wife can live a long life.”

“Alright, stop fishing for compliments from me. Even Immortals can’t live forever, let alone a cultivator like me.

The sky was pitch black in the evening, and people on the street gradually dispersed.

The old emperor didn’t bring the empress. He came alone with Yubao and arrived at Lucky Garden. Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi were waiting for him.

The carriage drove to the entrance of Yuexian Residence. The emperor got out of the carriage, walked quickly, and left Yubao behind.

As soon as he entered the living room, he sat directly at the lower end of Qiao

Mai.

“In-law, how did you create the purple and golden aura?”

“Immortal technique.”

“I’m so angry. Those ministers keep saying you’re a demon.”

“Where is Taoist Qingfeng healing?”

“Qingfeng Temple, on the Taihang Mountains in the south. It’s like spring all year round, better than the climate in the capital. It’s a good place for health preservation.”

“Who are there specifically?”

“There are two senior figures on the mountain who are said to have lived on the back mountain all year round and have not come down for three hundred years. Qingfeng is one hundred and sixty years old. He has six disciples, all of whom are not young anymore. They travel outside all year round, and each disciple takes turns to guard the temple. When one disciple returns, another one can go out for travels. Each journey cannot exceed ten years.”

“What abilities do they have?”

“Abilities? They can calculate divination, are exceptionally skilled in martial arts, and are unparalleled in geomancy.”

“Did they also evaluate the Feng Shui of your family tomb?”

“Yeah, by their seniors.”

“Humph, shouldn’t it be thriving for your Li family? How come it was almost destroyed?”

“Hehe, don’t I have you now?”

“Give me a map later. After Jiamei and Chuan’er’s wedding, I want to visit these old Taoists in person.”

“In-law, don’t be angry. I think it’s possible that he leaked the news, but it’s definitely not intentional.”

“Someone set him up. He is straightforward and accidentally slipped.”

“Pah, as a Taoist, it is his duty to keep secrets for others. If he reveals the Feng Shui he saw for your family and spreads it around, won’t it give those with ill intentions a chance?”

“In-law, although he had a moment of greed, I still understand his character.”

“I’ll know after I searched his soul?”

“In-law, if it’s really him, please show mercy.”

“Humph, it depends on whether he genuinely opposes me. If he wants me dead, why can’t I let him perish? We are in-laws.. How can you turn your elbow outward?”