The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 251: Uncle, What Sorcery Have You Used?

Chapter 251: Uncle, What Sorcery Have You Used?

Zhi Mi shook her head. "Nothing strange has happened. It’s just that an annoying rich young master has visited the shop several times, asking me to set up some kind of feng shui array for wealth accumulation or to give him talismans for attracting money."

Nanli, familiar with such people, grew worried since Zhi Mi was still young and might not be able to handle such a situation. "And then?"

"I told him his fate does not favor easy wealth. Without working diligently, money would never find its way into his pocket," Zhi Mi replied. "He got extremely angry, accused me of being incompetent, and tried to wreck the shop. Fortunately, the prince had stationed secret guards nearby. As soon as he caused trouble, the guards intervened."

Nanli sighed in relief.

Zhi Mi continued, "Later, I found out he’s the grandson of the Duke of Ming, a notorious gambler who has squandered most of the family fortune."

Nanli raised her eyebrows, feeling a touch of pity.

Many wealthy families accumulated their fortunes over decades, but a single useless descendant could squander it all. Often, these families had amassed their wealth through less-than-honest means, accruing numerous karmic debts, leading to descendants coming to collect these debts. This was the cycle of karma. No matter how powerful the sorcerer, they could not alter the fate of such families.

The Marquis Zhenbei’s household had been bustling for days, preparing for Xie Beihan’s grand wedding. Fortunately, assistance from the palace ensured the wedding proceeded without any mishaps. However, when Xie Beihan went to fetch his bride, his stern expression made it clear to onlookers that the rumors were true—he was being forced into this marriage.

The bride’s family, not originally from the capital, found their standing diminished even further by the groom’s unwilling demeanor. But before the bride could be brought in, Empress Xie and Ye Chengyan arrived.

The guests knelt in deference.

The Empress quickly urged everyone to rise, saying there was no need for such formalities.

No need for formalities? Though Ye Chengyan had experienced imprisonment and dethronement, he was still the legitimate heir of Emperor Muwu’s only son. With the Emperor’s health failing, it was only a matter of time before Ye Chengyan ascended to the throne. The guests could only proceed with extreme caution, fearing any misstep.

As the bride was delayed, the Empress, noticing the guests’ unease, sighed and decided to take a walk. It had been thirty years since she left the palace, and the garden had been renovated several times, now bearing little resemblance to her memories.

On the path, she encountered Ye Siheng and Nanli. The Empress smiled broadly. "I didn’t expect to see you here."

They greeted her respectfully.

Ye Siheng said, "It’s quieter here, and I find that guests are more at ease without my presence in the front courtyard."

"Indeed, I feel the same," the Empress agreed.

They decided to stroll together. It was early summer, the weather was pleasant, and a gentle breeze blew. Suddenly, Nanli noticed a sachet on the ground, emitting a peculiar aura that caught her attention. She picked it up and, without opening it, knew it contained a talisman for maintaining one’s soul.

Though Ye Siheng could see the aura, he couldn’t discern its nature. "What is this?" he asked.

Ye Chengyan glanced at the sachet, recognizing the embroidered pattern. "Mother, this looks familiar."

The Empress stepped closer. "It’s your uncle’s. I embroidered four of these—two for you and your father, and the other two for your uncle and Beihan. The Marquis’s sachet has the same design."

"Yes, it’s Uncle’s," Ye Chengyan recalled.

Nanli wondered why the Marquis’s sachet contained such a talisman. However, knowing it wasn’t harmful and respecting the Marquis’s privacy, she handed it to the Empress. "Please return this to him."

Just then, a servant hurried over. Seeing the Empress holding the sachet, his tense expression relaxed. He quickly bowed and explained he was sent by the Marquis to retrieve the sachet.

The Empress, touched by her brother’s attachment to the sachet, said warmly, "Take it to him quickly."

The servant took the sachet and turned to leave but was stopped by Nanli. "Wait."

The servant turned stiffly, his voice trembling. "What else does the princess command?"

"The talisman’s power inside the sachet has weakened significantly. It can hardly help the Marquis now," Nanli said solemnly.

The servant looked at Nanli in shock. The sachet was sealed, yet she knew it contained a talisman. Remembering the Marquis’s instructions, he said, "It’s just a safety talisman. We can replace it with a stronger one later. The Marquis values the sachet because it was made by the Empress."

Seeing his reluctance to speak the truth, Nanli hesitated to press further, considering the significance of Xie Beihan’s wedding. If something went wrong, it would be disastrous.

"The auspicious hour is near. Without a stronger talisman, the Marquis’s condition will deteriorate. Do not conceal the truth any longer," she insisted.

The servant, increasingly astonished, found himself unable to respond. The Empress and Ye Chengyan were equally baffled.

Ye Siheng intervened. "Lead the way."

The servant, under pressure, led them to the study. He dared not enter, fearing the Marquis’s wrath. The room, though lit by sunlight, felt cold and oppressive. The Marquis sat in a grand chair, his face pale and lifeless, devoid of any vitality.

He seemed unconscious, and without the sound of his heavy breathing, they might have thought his soul had already departed. The Empress, shocked and distressed, called out tearfully, "Brother! What’s wrong? I’ll summon the imperial physician immediately."

Barely conscious, the Marquis opened his eyes and, seeing the crowd, wanted to lash out but lacked the strength. He tried to sit up straighter but found it impossible. Ye Siheng instructed the servant to hand over the sachet.

With the sachet, the Marquis’s condition improved slightly, though he was still far from healthy. Ye Chengyan, astonished, asked, "Uncle, what sorcery have you used?"

Having suffered from dark magic before, Ye Chengyan was particularly sensitive and distraught.

The Marquis, glancing at the group, frowned deeply. "I’m fine. Don’t ask more questions."

He attempted to stand but was too weak.

Nanli said, "Marquis, your soul is increasingly unstable. In less than half an hour, it might leave your body."

A soul departing the body meant death.