My Lady Always Lacks Ambition
Chapter 130 - 129: She is Skilled in Both Medicine and Face Reading

Chapter 130: Chapter 129: She is Skilled in Both Medicine and Face Reading

Canglan Villa.

Qi Qian was in the Old Princess Consort’s courtyard paying his respects, and seeing the Old Lady’s complexion becoming rosier, he felt a great relief in his heart and said, "I originally wanted to ask about Grandmother’s health, but seeing your complexion getting rosier day by day, I am relieved now."

In previous years at such times, the Old Lady would not leave her house, instead staying cuddled up with Mrs. Tang, and would not be wearing such thin clothes as she was now.

The Old Princess Consort smiled and said, "Master Xiao Qin’s medical skills are extraordinary. This old body of mine is much improved now, you can rest assured."

Qi Qian nodded.

At that moment, Ying Bei reported from outside that Huo Lang had returned with news, and Qi Qian hurriedly allowed him to enter.

Huo Lang came in and performed a bow first.

"Was the journey smooth? Did you manage to safely escort Master Buqiu?" Qi Qian asked.

Huo Lang clasped his hands in response: "Reporting to the master, the journey was smooth, and the master has returned to the Daoist Temple. Also, the master asked me to thank Her Highness for the gift and entrusted me to bring back a gift in return, please have a look, Your Highness."

He took out the small, elongated box given by Qin Liuxi from his chest and handed it over with clasped hands, and Nanny Zhao stepped forward to take it and opened it first, revealing a wooden hairpin inside, which surprised her.

"Your Highness, look at this."

The Old Princess Consort took it, pulled out the wooden hairpin, and exclaimed, "Is this a wooden hairpin?"

Huo Lang replied, "Speaking to Your Highness, the master mentioned that this is called the Peach Blossom Luck Pattern Hairpin, carved from Thunderstruck Wood, wishing Your Highness double prosperity, everything as you wish, and protection from all evil spirits."

Hearing this, the Old Princess Consort was pleased and examined the hairpin closely. The handle was shaped as a thin slice, with the end slim and elongate, the mid-part of the handle prominently carved with a peach, peach leaves, and a calabash, and the junction with the hairpin head carved with a Ruyi pattern. The tip of the hairpin was slim, with exquisite craftsmanship and polished smoothly.

"She even has such a skill, this craftsmanship truly is impeccable," the Old Princess Consort said, not sparing any affection as she flipped the hairpin over, a smile appearing on her face.

Not to mention the craftsmanship, just the implied meaning of this hairpin alone was delightful, let alone its being handcrafted. And Thunderstruck Wood can ward off evil, making this return gift indeed much more precious than many gold and silver jewels.

"She really did put thought into it, which makes my gift seem vulgar in comparison."

Qi Qian took the wooden hairpin from her and saw that it indeed was carved and polished from Thunderstruck Wood, but this craftsmanship?

He subconsciously pressed his hand to the talisman patch tucked on his chest, his heart felt sour.

Without comparison, there would be no harm. He originally thought his talisman patch was refined enough, but compared to this hairpin, it was worlds apart.

This Peach Blossom Luck Pattern Hairpin, it truly is a superior magic artifact!

And his, probably just a casually given token now?

Upon realizing this, Qi Qian was unable to describe his feelings, and he felt quite unwell.

Seeing his puzzled look, the Old Princess Consort took the hairpin back and inserted it into her own hair bun, saying, "A woman’s hairpin, I cannot give it to you."

Qi Qian forced a smile and responded, "Grandmother jests, I just feel that this hairpin is excellent."

Those words "excellent" squeezed out through gritted teeth.

"Did you encounter anything else?" he asked Huo Lang.

Huo Lang then recounted what he heard and saw at the inn: "... Indeed, that person spent a hundred taels to buy a peace charm, just don’t know if he’s alright now."

Alright?

At this moment, the man who bought the peace charm from Qin Liuxi was sitting terrified on the deck of a boat, his hands clutching the peace charm that had now turned to ash. As he looked at the bodies still floating on the water, his entire body trembled.

In the early hours, if it weren’t for the peace charm suddenly heating up and burning, startling him from his sleep, perhaps he would have died under a knife and become yet another body on the water.

Who would have thought that taking a water route could still result in an encounter with the Black Ship Family out to rob and kill?

"Brother Niu, let’s leave." Another person, clutching a bundle, came out from the cabin, his face pale.

Brother Niu stared blankly and lifted his head, saying, "A few days ago, that guard mentioned a Daoist Temple in Li City, what was it called?"

Qingping Temple?

Yes, he needs to go to Qingping Temple to add incense oil for the Grandmaster. Goodness, he had narrowly escaped death.

Huo Lang, oblivious to the peril of others, mentioned that Qin Liuxi had predicted the death of Hu Zi’s father. As soon as he finished speaking, Ying Bei came to report, having just received the message that Hu Zi’s father had passed away, and requested leave for the mourning and vigil.

Huo Lang: "!"

Qi Qian asked Ying Bei, "When did he pass?"

"It seems to be last evening. Hu Zi had just entered his home and after saying a few words, the man passed away. Don’t worry, master, Hu Zi’s father was also seventy-one."

Qi Qian nodded: "Let him not rush back. He can return after sorting things at home. Send some funeral arrangements there."

"Understood."

Huo Lang grew even more respectful of Qin Liuxi’s abilities, feeling the peace charms hidden in his chest were even more precious. From now on, his entire family would be believers of Qingping Temple.

Old Princess Consort and Nanny Zhao were also astounded, saying, "Her medical skills are outstanding, and who would have thought her Face Reading is so accurate too."

She then recalled what Qin Liuxi had predicted for her and dismissed everyone around her, speaking only with Qi Qian.

"Actually, she has also divined for Grandmother before, mentioning that if Grandmother travels north this year, her wishes may not be fulfilled."

Qi Qian was momentarily dazed: "What does Grandmother imply?"

"I mainly wanted to petition the Holy Emperor to appoint you as the Princely Heir of Prince Mansion, if that’s the issue..." Old Princess Consort frowned.

Qi Qian pursed his lips, saying, "Grandmother need not worry. A man’s ambition lies in all quarters. If the Holy Emperor has no intention to appoint me as Princely Heir, then I shall carve out my own destiny elsewhere."

Old Princess Consort sighed: "You are the eldest son; you are meant to inherit this position. If not for your mother queen’s obstruction, I would have petitioned long ago."

Qi Qian self-mockingly said: "If she obstructed it before, she will do so again in the future, favoring my younger brother even more."

Old Princess Consort huffed, showing unmistakable discontent.

Seeing this, Qi Qian reassured her: "Grandmother, don’t trouble yourself over this. Let’s leave it to fate. Even if I’m not the Princely Heir, can’t I still make my own way?"

Old Princess Consort sighed, "Let’s wait and see. So, shall we return to Shangjing?"

Qi Qian said, "The Holy Emperor sent a message instructing me to investigate the Qin Family. Once I have gathered information about the Qin Family, I will accompany Grandmother to Shangjing."

The Qin Family?

Old Princess Consort’s mind stirred, asking, "Which Qin Family? Why do you need to investigate them?"

"It’s about the former Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Qin Yuanshan. His old home is in Li City, which is also under the jurisdiction of Prince Ning Mansion. Due to a major mistake during the July ancestral temple sacrifice, the Holy Emperor was furious, ordered a family raid not only implicating all male members above twelve to exile, but also sent the Qin female family members back to their old home. The Holy Emperor’s concern is whether the Qin Family might be conspiring with others hence showing contempt for the Imperial Family, or if the Meng Family aims to kick them while they’re down."

Li City, Qin Family, and Qin Liuxi, who claimed herself as a criminal official’s daughter, also in Li City, isn’t this too coincidental?

Old Princess Consort looked askance at Qi Qian, asking, "Do you know who these female relatives of the Qin Family are?"

Qi Qian chuckled, "Female family members usually stay in the inner residence, I naturally don’t know, but this can be investigated."

Old Princess Consort picked up her tea, took a sip, leaned back on a large pillow, and said, "How intriguing, the very Master Xiao Qin who just saved your grandmother, is also surnamed Qin!"

Qi Qian, hearing this, felt a strange sensation surge again.

"Grandmother means..."

"My Lady, someone from Yi Garden Villa next door has sent a gift and wants to pay respects to my Lady on behalf of their young master." Nanny Zhao lifted the curtain and reported.

Old Princess Consort was surprised. Yi Garden?

Qi Qian stood up: "Could it be Yu Changkong has arrived?"