When Second Madam Qi accompanied Qi Yuan to the estate, she was so startled by the villa before her that she took several steps back at once and could not help letting out a sound of surprise.
A five-bay, seven-frame structure, with copper gates on both sides, at a glance, it was clear that this estate was not an ordinary one.
She could not help frowning, somewhat uneasy as she glanced at Qi Yuan.
It was said that this estate had been gifted by the Eldest Princess.
Did the Eldest Princess really make such a grand move?
Qi Yuan also stepped back two steps to look at the estate, then let her gaze fall on a nearby alley. She looked at it thoughtfully before stepping up the stairs.
Earlier, when she said she was coming, Old Madam Qi had already sent Liu Zhong ahead to make arrangements. Now that he heard Qi Yuan had arrived, Liu Zhong hurriedly came out to welcome them, bowing to Second Madam Qi and Qi Yuan.
Liujin kept feeling that this estate looked somewhat familiar. Only after entering did he suddenly realize, unable to help exclaiming, “Wasn’t this estate formerly Cheng Wang’s?!”
Babao did not pay much attention. Following behind Qi Yuan, he focused on introducing his achievements from going to Longhu Mountain: “Miss, you don’t know, this time I handled a big matter…”
As he spoke, Liujin slapped his forehead. “Right, I remember now, this really was Cheng Wang’s estate before. Later, it seems because of violating taboos, the estate was confiscated into the national treasury.”
Qi Yuan stopped walking and turned to look at him. “You’re saying this was Cheng Wang’s estate before?”
Liujin had still been uncertain earlier, but now quickly nodded. “Yes! I remember clearly. Back then, every time Cheng Wang married a Wangfei, one would die. Later, one Wangfei even died at this estate. After that, many incidents happened here…”
Later, Cheng Wang died, and it was a death that stirred public outrage, so after his death, these estates were naturally confiscated into the national treasury.
Later, when Lu Mingan returned, Emperor Yongchang likely treated this estate as a reward and gave it to the Eldest Princess and Lu Mingan.
This time, Lu Mingan and the Eldest Princess transferred the estate again and gifted it to Qi Yuan.
Baizhi and Lian Qiao exchanged a glance, both somewhat nervous.
Second Madam Qi, upon hearing that people had died here, had no particular reaction.
Even if it was a haunted house, so what?
Ghosts could not be fiercer than Qi Yuan, none of that mattered.
She looked at Qi Yuan. “Yuan Jie’er, I’ll go take a look at the back courtyard.”
The estate was so large; although Liu Zhong said it had already been mostly cleaned up, Second Madam Qi still needed to inspect it herself.
Qi Yuan nodded and called Liujin over to ask, “The land surrounding this estate…”
Generally speaking, for such large estates, when wealthy families purchased them, they would also buy the surrounding land together.
Then they would lease it to tenant farmers for cultivation.
Cheng Wang had always loved amassing wealth; it was said he married Wangfeis for their dowries, which was why he killed one after another.
Someone like that, how could he let go of squeezing the common people?
Liujin immediately understood Qi Yuan’s meaning. After thinking briefly, he said, “This subordinate will go ask around.”
Qi Yuan gave a soft acknowledgment. The Eldest Princess herself had never come to this estate, much less known its detailed situation.
Knowing more would never be a bad thing.
She waved her hand.
Liujin turned and left.
Only then did Babao find the chance to move close to Qi Yuan, hurriedly saying, “Miss, I invited Daoist Wangyue from Longhu Mountain. The Daoist said your fate pattern is very good!”
He had been holding it in to death!
His master had ordered him to ride swiftly to Longhu Mountain to invite someone down the mountain to help Qi Yuan out of trouble.
Who knew that after coming down, there was no need to resolve anything anymore.
Because by the time he returned to the capital, Daoist Li, the one spreading demonic rumors, was already thoroughly dead.
But the intention of his master helping Miss Qi had to be delivered without discount!
Otherwise how could it prove his master’s usefulness?
Qi Yuan laughed. “Then I must thank you.”
Babao grinned and scratched the back of his head. “Miss Qi, you overpraise me. When Miss Qi is happy, my master is happy; when my master is happy, this subordinate is happy!”
Baizhi immediately could not help laughing.
Lin Yu and Han Ding both could not help exchanging glances, this kid really was something!
In front of Miss Qi, they always could not help being more cautious, but Babao was different, blurting whatever came to mind, and his skin was especially thick.
When Qi Yuan went to look for Second Madam Qi, the two of them dragged Babao away on either side, asking him to teach them the secrets of getting along with Miss Qi.
Qi Yuan ignored their playful noise. She went to her own courtyard and saw Second Madam Qi coming out from inside.
Seeing Qi Yuan, Second Madam Qi smiled and patted her hand. “Yuan Jie’er, Liu Zhong handles things properly. Everywhere has been cleaned thoroughly. You rode in the carriage all morning, rest first. I’ll go check on the kitchen preparing the meal.”
Liu Zhong, who had been called out, quickly said from the side, “This is all what this humble one should do.”
What a joke, recently that fellow Li Zhong had been extremely attentive too, clearly intending to replace him as chief steward.
How could that be allowed?
He was the one who had believed in the eldest miss from the very beginning!
No one was allowed to take his position.
Qi Yuan indeed smiled and nodded at Liu Zhong. “Steward Liu has been thoughtful.”
After saying that, she went straight into the room.
Inside, the furnishings were complete and the bed neatly arranged. When the window was opened, a red plum tree in full bloom could be seen, bringing a faint fragrance in the cold weather.
Baizhi busied herself pouring tea for Qi Yuan.
But Qi Yuan shook her head and said lightly, “No tea. I’ll sleep for a while first.”
Lian Qiao was somewhat surprised. “Miss, if you sleep now, I’m afraid you won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
“It’s fine. If I sleep now, then I don’t need to sleep tonight.” Qi Yuan smiled faintly. “There are many things tonight.”
For some reason, when Qi Yuan said this, both maids could not help shivering.
They had only arrived on the first night, was something already going to happen?!
But they were long used to listening to Qi Yuan; whatever Qi Yuan said went.
So upon hearing this, both of them quickly calmed down and went about their tasks. After Qi Yuan lay down, they withdrew from the room.
After stepping out, Lian Qiao still felt uneasy and tugged Baizhi’s sleeve. “Sister Baizhi…”
Baizhi knew what she wanted to say and comfortingly patted the back of her hand. “Relax. Don’t you know Miss’s temperament? Nothing will happen. If something really does happen, it will be someone else.”
Lian Qiao took a deep breath, pressed her lips together, and firmly responded yes.
When Qi Yuan woke from her sleep, the sky was already nearing evening. She sat up and heard the door creak open as Baizhi entered from outside.
Seeing Baizhi, she raised her brows. “Has Liujin returned?”
Baizhi quickly answered, “He has. He’s already been waiting for quite a while.”
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