The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 68: The Missing Fifth Child

Chapter 68: The Missing Fifth Child

With the issues at the academy resolved, everyone prepared to leave.

However, Mr. Wei, the headmaster of the academy, approached Nanli and requested her to set up a protective formation to ward off evil spirits from the academy.

Dealing with such formations was time-consuming and laborious, and Nanli i’s fees were usually high.

However, considering that the headmaster was a close friend of Master Yuanfan and her third brother was studying at the academy, Nanli pondered for a moment and decided to charge a symbolic amount of three hundred taels.

After spending the entire morning setting up the formation, they finally left White Egret Academy.

On their way back to the capital, Ye Siheng remarked, "I didn’t expect you to be skilled in setting up such protective formations. In that case, can you also repair the formation at the palace?"

"I should be able to, but the palace formation is quite extensive," Nanli replied.

The scale of that project was immense, and she couldn’t undertake it without a substantial sum of ten thousand or several thousand taels.

Ye Siheng only asked her to assess the situation, and if she could repair it well, money would be a trivial matter.

Jingzhou, an inn.

Crown Prince Qi was left with only two attendants, suffering heavy losses this time. He had just fallen asleep when he woke up drenched in sweat, shouting in fear.

One of his attendants rushed in and asked, "My lord, did you have a nightmare again?"

Prince Qi’s handsome face was still glistening with perspiration as he nodded and took out some copper coins, scattering them on the bed.

Examining the divination talisman on the coins, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Ah-Yuan is still safe."

The attendant knew that Prince Qi always had a recurring nightmare where his younger brother was either beaten to death or starved to death.

Every time he woke up, Prince Qi would perform a divination to ensure his brother’s safety.

"My lord," the attendant spoke, "The Daoist said that we would find the person we’re looking for in the capital of Mu. But we have been in the capital for a while now and haven’t found the Fifth Childe. Perhaps we should return."

"The Daoist’s divination never fails," a sinister glint flashed in Prince Qi’s eyes.

"But now the Prince’s plans have been repeatedly thwarted. It would be dangerous to continue staying here," the attendant continued persuading.

Prince Qi gritted his teeth, thinking of Ye Siheng and Nanli, wishing to tear them apart.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "I previously ordered the undercover guards to infiltrate Anyang Marquis Mansion. Was it done?"

The attendant nodded, "It has been taken care of, but the guard is currently working in the outer courtyard."

"That will suffice," Prince Qi sneered. "I will let Nanli taste the bitterness of losing loved ones."

Revenge was his consistent momentum.

Ye Siheng and his group first escorted Master Yuanfan back to the Wanfo Monastery before taking a detour back to the capital.

By the time they returned, news had already spread that the formation at the palace had been repaired.

When the Imperial Preceptor set up the formation, it was Master Ming Xu from Yuqing Temple who assisted him.

Therefore, Emperor Muwu invited Master Ming Xu to repair the formation this time. It took less than three days to complete the task, proving to be far more efficient than the useless group from the Sitian Pavilion.

Nanli couldn’t help but feel regretful.

She had missed the opportunity to earn money by visiting the academy.

However, this trip was not without gains. The headmaster didn’t have much silver, so he paid her with books on Daoist arts.

It would be enough for Nanli to study for a while and perhaps find a way to deal with the Black Tide.

As a studious daughter, Nanli should have made her parents proud.

However, in a few days, it would be her coming-of-age ceremony, and according to tradition, the young ladies of noble families in the capital would celebrate it extravagantly.

Not only her mother, but even Xiao Wanyi and Aunt Qian also wanted to host a grand banquet to showcase the exceptional beauty of the Sixth Miss of Anyang Marquis Mansion.

Upon hearing this, Nanli immediately refused, "There’s no need. I detest such banquets where I have to put on a smile for everyone."

Lady Shen furrowed her brows slightly, "How can that be? If we don’t hold this coming-of-age ceremony, people outside will only say that you are not presentable and that’s why we dare not let you meet others."

Aunt Qian chimed in, "Yes, they will also say that our residence lacks the funds to host a banquet."

Aunt Liang also advised, "Miss, consider it as an opportunity to meet the noble ladies and gentlemen in the capital. If you find someone compatible, it would be even better."

Nanli finally understood.

A marriage proposal was not the priority, but people would definitely assess her. It was customary.

No matter how much Chu Hanlin and Lady Shen loved her, they couldn’t keep her tied down forever.

Helplessly, Nanli shrugged and said, "But I am focused on cultivating Daoist arts, and my personal matters have always been secondary. I am not easily swayed by romantic encounters, even if they do happen."

Madam Shen’s heart clenched as she spoke, "You are but fifteen, there is no need to rush into seeking admiration. My main intention is to celebrate your coming of age, so that others may know that you are the precious gem of our Anyang Marquis Mansion."

Although she had previously brought her daughter to the palace, the number of people who had seen her daughter was still limited.

This time, she had the opportunity and she was determined to make it grand, so as to prevent anyone from looking down upon her daughter in the future.

Madam Qian and Madam Liang nodded in agreement, already discussing what attire to prepare for Nanli. Even Xiao Wanyi chimed in, and the three of them joyfully deliberated on the matter.

Nanli had no choice but to go along with their preferences.

The coming-of-age banquet was only a few days away, fortunately, Madam Shen had made preparations in advance, and everything in the mansion was proceeding smoothly.

Nanli had already learned proper etiquette, but Madam Qian and Chu Shuo insisted that the clothes she had previously worn were outdated and insisted on tailoring a new set specifically for her.

And what’s more, new clothes required new accessories, so the jewelry that arrived filled the entire storeroom.

Fortunately, Nanli would soon move to her new courtyard after the coming-of-age ceremony, otherwise, the storeroom would not have been enough to accommodate everything.

Nanli’s new courtyard had also been renovated and arranged early on, named "Qingliang Courtyard," its specifications and furnishings were no less inferior to the Yuerong Pavilion, and even surpassed it.

After a flurry of preparations, the long-awaited coming-of-age banquet finally arrived at the end of August.

Nanli wore a dark pink embroidered jacket on top and a light green brocade skirt on the bottom.

Her hair was styled in a lily bun, adorned with two jade and gem tasselled hairpins. The tassels were embellished with pearls.

Even the gemstone necklace around her neck exuded an air of wealth and elegance without appearing vulgar.

Nanli sighed repeatedly as she braced herself to receive the guests in this attire.

Apart from Madam Qian and Madam Liang, who could not attend the main banquet, her parents and siblings were all in the front courtyard, even her third brother from the academy had rushed back.

Although Nanli had been brought back from the countryside, she was still the sixth miss of the Anyang Marquis Mansion, so naturally, each family would attend to show their respect.

Even before the appointed time for the banquet, many guests had already arrived in the front courtyard.

As soon as Nanli appeared, she attracted the attention of many. Her face was slightly round, her eyes clear and bright, and her skin fair and flawless.

Today, after meticulous grooming, she resembled a delicate flower in full bloom.

Numerous young gentlemen approached her, their eyes brightening.

Meanwhile, Lu Yanyan, who had just been surrounded by many people, was now left empty-handed.

Her carefully crafted face instantly fell, and she exclaimed, "Why did Chu Nanli dress so enchantingly, for whom is she trying to impress?"

Lu Zheng stood beside her and glanced at her, saying, "She is the host, dressed appropriately and modestly, in accordance with proper etiquette. But you, attending someone else’s banquet, how can you wear such a vibrant red outfit?"