The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 318: They’re Just a Bunch of Crap

Chapter 318: They’re Just a Bunch of Crap

Only then did Nanli finally relax completely.

Ye Siheng, feeling both amused and helpless, remarked, "A’Li, even the storage rooms in the palace are running out of space."

After all, he had quite a collection of his own things too.

Nanli shrugged, "What can we do? My second brother can’t send his stuff to his future in-laws."

Ye Siheng found it both frustrating and funny. Only an old-fashioned stickler like Prime Minister Lu could possibly keep Chu Shuo in line.

As for himself, since this was his brother-in-law’s hobby, he would naturally support it.

The palace had many courtyards; they could simply convert a few more into storage rooms.

Ye Siheng, after spending the day out with Nanli, still had official business to attend to and returned to the Imperial Supervisory Office.

Nanli, after a few bites of food, didn’t idle. She instructed the servants to remove the valuable items and replace them with simpler bedding and furnishings.

The Taoists had no reason to just stand around; after being assigned rooms, they began organizing and setting things up themselves.

Though the items were replaced with ordinary ones, they were already quite satisfied.

Ever since no one came to Sanqing Temple for incense and talismans, they had struggled with food and clothing.

Even when roof tiles broke, they had no money for repairs.

Now, having such good accommodations was an enormous blessing!

By the time everything was finished, the moon was bright and the stars sparse.

Nanli created a schedule for them, detailing times for exercise, studying, and practicing talisman drawing.

The three senior Taoists felt a bit awkward.

Ming Chong rubbed his hands together and asked, "Your Highness, do we... do we also have to follow this?"

Their faces fell immediately.

At their age, the idea of getting up early to do coursework was embarrassing to say the least.

"Of course," Nanli replied without hesitation. "You were already out of breath after working for a while. You must exercise early in the morning."

Though they found it difficult, they had come here to atone, not to enjoy themselves, and could only agree.

Nanli continued, "From now on, you will take turns going out to patrol each day. If you encounter any evil spirits harming the people, you may act directly to deal with them. If you run out of items like peachwood, talisman paper, and cinnabar, I will ensure they are replenished. Use them without worry."

Hearing this, the three were full of resolve, clenching their fists, eager to go out immediately to patrol and find any evildoers to make amends for their sins.

However, they overlooked an important issue.

Ming Qin pursed his lips and, after a moment of hesitation, lowered his voice, saying, "Your Highness, but we... we three have previously practiced dark arts and have been tainted by evil energy. Now, we find it difficult not only to draw righteous talismans but even to use them properly."

They all hung their heads.

When they first entered the sect, their master had repeatedly warned them against dabbling in dark arts, as once one strayed, it was hard to return.

They had been blinded and forgotten their master’s warnings, ending up in this state, deserving of their fate.

Nanli, having already scolded them before, didn’t feel like wasting more words.

She walked to the table, dipped a brush in cinnabar, and, with focused intent, drew three talismans in one go.

As she drew, everyone gathered around.

Nanli was renowned for her skill, with each talisman worth a fortune, and they were eager to witness it firsthand tonight.

The junior Taoists, with less knowledge, couldn’t tell what kind of talisman it was.

But the three senior ones recognized them immediately as talismans for suppressing evil energy--something not just anyone could draw without a certain level of cultivation!

Their master could draw them, as could the Qi Nation spy, Ming Xu, but they themselves had failed repeatedly and had resigned themselves to their limitations.

But Nanli wasn’t even twenty years old!

And she had drawn three in a row!

Nanli set down the brush, showing no sign of fatigue, and said, "Keep these on you. This way, the evil energy won’t affect your abilities. Although I can remove this energy, these are the consequences of your own misdeeds. I won’t help you with that, so don’t even think about asking."

The three were astonished once again.

To suppress such energy was already impressive, but to be able to remove it entirely?

No wonder both officials and commoners sought the Ninth Princess for help; compared to her, they were just a bunch of crap!

"Your Highness, we will remember your great kindness!" Ming Chong respectfully performed a Taoist salute.

The other two followed suit.

To achieve this outcome was more than they could have hoped for; they dared not ask for more.

Nanli nodded slightly, seeing them put away the talismans and feeling reassured that the evil energy had been suppressed. She took one last look at their faces and felt completely at ease.

At the Imperial Supervisory Office

The night had deepened.

Ye Siheng had just finished reviewing urgent documents and instructed Qing Feng to prepare the carriage.

Qing Feng had just stepped out when a Black Armor Guard hurried in.

"Your Highness, several officials and heads of noble families are here. They say they have urgent matters and wish to see you."

Ye Siheng closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. After a busy day, his handsome face showed a hint of weariness.

"Is Lord Xue among them?"

The Black Armor Guard thought, how could the prince be so perceptive?

Seeing Ye Siheng lift an eyelid, he quickly replied, "Yes."

Ye Siheng had already anticipated the reason.

He waved his hand lightly, signaling the guard to bring them in.

The officials and family heads entered, looking anxious.

Upon seeing Ye Siheng, they felt a bit intimidated, but Lord Xue, worried about his daughter, spoke first: "Your Highness, our daughters went to Tianfo Temple for incense offerings today. A servant reported back that bandits had abducted them on the way. We humbly request that you dispatch the Black Armor Guard to rescue them."

Ye Siheng rested a hand on the armrest, supporting his chin with one hand. His voice was calm and indifferent, contrasting sharply with their urgency:

"Missing persons should be reported to the Shuntian Office. The Imperial Supervisory Office does not handle such cases."

Lord Xue hastily added, "If we report this to the Shuntian Office for a bandit crackdown and rescue, the entire capital would know about it. Your Highness, they are still unmarried young ladies!"

Others quickly voiced their agreement.

For the sake of their families’ reputations, they could only implore Ye Siheng for help, knowing that the Black Armor Guard was exceptionally discreet.

Ye Siheng couldn’t help but chuckle softly, "Unmarried or not, what does that have to do with me?"

"Your Highness, are you really going to stand by and do nothing?" Lord Xue exclaimed.

"First, this case doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Supervisory Office. Even if you report it to my elder brother, I would have no guilt. Second, I’ve always been cold-hearted. Why should I trouble myself over a few unrelated individuals?"

Ye Siheng’s words were clear and concise.

Hearing them, the officials felt their hearts sink, unable to refute a single word.

But Ye Siheng was right.

To help would be a kindness, but not helping was simply his duty.

Ye Siheng added, "However, I can have Qing Feng assist the Shuntian Office prefect in the rescue. Bandits near the capital shouldn’t pose a significant threat; rescuing the captives shouldn’t be too difficult."

However, the officials exchanged glances and subtly shook their heads.

They had already discussed on their way over that if Ye Siheng refused, they wouldn’t pursue the rescue.

"In that case, we won’t trouble you further, Your Highness." Lord Xue cupped his hands in a gesture of respect. "We will take our own soldiers to handle the rescue."