After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

Chapter 114 Qi Jinlan

"Cousin Xiyao, Cousin Yaoyao." A deep male voice rang out.

"Cousin Qi!" the two sisters called out.

The man walking towards them, dressed in a magnificent purple robe, was named Qi Jinlan. He had a sharp, angular face, fair skin that exuded masculinity, and his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes revealed an innate confidence and composure.

"I just got back from a trip, and I didn't expect to see you here. I brought you some gifts, so I can take them back with me."

The attendant moved swiftly and carefully to remove the gift box from the carriage, and Fuya accepted it with care.

Qi Jinlan was the son of the Duke of Zhenguo and the grand-nephew of the Empress Dowager. He loved doing business and was known as the "God of Wealth" by the people of the capital. He was also a royal merchant and contributed a lot to the national treasury every year.

The Empress Dowager and their maternal grandmother were cousins, so they called him cousin.

"Thank you, Cousin Qi."

Qi Jinlan would always bring them gifts whenever she went on a long trip. Ye Xiyao curtsied slightly, her smile gentle and charming.

"Cousin Xiyao, I'm sure you'll like this gift."

Qi Jinlan looked at Ye Xiyao, whose lips were slightly upturned, carrying a faint smile that made it impossible to guess what he was thinking, yet he couldn't help but be attracted to him.

Lu Yuanyou looked at the aloof man with wariness and then turned to Ye Xiyao.

He secretly felt annoyed. No wonder she pretended not to know him; there was someone better by her side.

Qi Jinlan was looking at Ye Xiyao, unaware that Ye Yaoyao was staring at him in a daze.

"Xiyao, who is this young master?"

Wow, today is my sister's day! People who admire her are showing up one after another.

My cousin Qi likes my sister, and every time I receive a gift, it's because of her.

Alas! After being sold into a brothel, my sister became fixated on Liang Xiaoze. After she married him, my cousin Qi was heartbroken and left the capital city.

Years later, upon learning of his sister's death, he used his immense wealth as bait to kill Liang Xiaozhe's entire family. The emperor, unwilling to lose this benefactor, spared his life, and he spent his remaining years alone at the grave of his beloved.

Ye Xiyao listened to Ye Yaoyao's thoughts but did not introduce Lu Yuanyou to him.

Lu Yuanyou felt a pang of disappointment, but he forced himself to remain calm and bowed, saying:

"I am Lu Yuanyou, a student who has come to the capital to take the imperial examination."

Qi Jinlan looked Lu Yuanyou up and down, then nodded slightly as a greeting.

"Young Master Lu, do you know my two cousins?"

Qi Jinlan's star-like eyes held a hint of scrutiny.

"We just...we just met."

Lu Yuanyou glanced at Ye Xiyao and answered, his eyes darting away, seemingly not daring to meet Qi Jinlan's rather oppressive gaze.

"There are some nice places in the capital city. Young Master Lu can visit them when you have time."

Qi Jinlan's lips curled up slightly as she spoke casually, but her words carried an undeniable air of authority.

"Yes, yes! I will when I have time."

Lu Yuanyou felt a surge of displeasure; this was a call for him to leave.

Qi Jinlan looked at Ye Xiyao and saw tears in her eyes. She asked with concern, "Xiyao, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just got some sand in my eye," Ye Xiyao blinked.

Qi Jinlan picked up a handkerchief and carefully wiped away the tears that rolled down her face, her movements as gentle as if she were cherishing a rare treasure.

Ye Yaoyao looked at Ye Xiyao strangely, her heart filled with doubt.

[System, what's wrong with my sister? I'm standing outside and no sand got into my eyes.]

Could it be that she also likes Cousin Qi? Seeing him now, all her longing overwhelmed her, and she burst into tears.

[Host, if your sister liked him, she wouldn't have married Liang Xiaozhe.]

Oh right! Then why was she crying?

System: Of course, we heard your thoughts.

Lu Yuanyou stood to the side, feeling like an unwanted person, and felt very uncomfortable. He said:

"It's very windy and dusty outside, Miss Ye, please return to your residence quickly. I won't disturb you any longer, I'll take my leave now."

"Young Master Lu, please take care!" Ye Yaoyao said to him.

[System, this Lu Yuanyou has met my sister before. I feel there's more to this than meets the eye.]

They went to Changping Town together, but Ye Yaoyao couldn't remember ever seeing this person before.

Ye Xiyao nodded gently, and Lu Yuanyou turned and left dejectedly.

Qi Jinlan watched Lu Yuanyou's retreating figure. He could tell that this man liked Ye Xiyao. He narrowed his eyes slightly, a barely perceptible cold glint flashing in them.

Upon seeing this, Ye Yaoyao quickly said, "He's just an insignificant person, cousin, don't mind him!"

Qi Jinlan smiled at Ye Yaoyao. This cousin had seen through his feelings and was on his side!

He reached out and patted Ye Yaoyao's head gently with a smile, praising, "Cousin Yaoyao is so thoughtful."

Ye Yaoyao was stunned when she was patted on the head.

Is this someone petting a kitten or puppy?

"Are you going back?" Qi Jinlan turned to look at Ye Xiyao, her eyes full of tenderness.

Ye Yaoyao answered quickly:

"Not yet, cousin. My sister is managing the shop right now. We're going to the embroidery shop to make cloth dolls."

"You're an expert at business. If you're not too tired, why don't you take your sister there?"

"Little sister, Cousin Qi has just returned from a long journey, he must be tired."

Ye Xiyao sighed helplessly. How could she not know what her little sister was thinking? She gave her a reproachful look.

"It's okay, I'm not tired. I'll go take a look." Qi Jinlan nodded.

"I just remembered I still have some medicinal herbs to process, so I'll head back first. Cousin Qi, please take care of my sister."

After Ye Yaoyao finished speaking, she quickly got into the carriage.

"Bye-Bye!"

Even after getting into the carriage, he didn't forget to lift the curtain and wave to them.

"What does Cousin Yao Yao mean by this?"

"She's saying goodbye to us!"

"Xiyao, why...why are you thinking of taking over the shop?"

Based on his understanding of Ye Xiyao, he knew she wouldn't do such a thing.

"It's nothing, I just feel that being kept hidden away and unknown to the world, I might as well do something practical. What do you say, cousin?"

"Yes! It's fine."

Qi Jinlan looked at her intently. Had something happened that he didn't know about while he was away for two months?

Ye Yaoyao returned home and happily entered Liu Yunshu's courtyard.

"Yaoyao, why did you come back alone? Where is your sister?" Liu Yunshu was doing embroidery.

"Mother, my sister is going to the embroidery shop with my cousin Qi."

"Jinlan is back."

"Yes!"

I'm going to have a brother-in-law!

Brother-in-law? Liu Yunshu almost pricked her hand, quickly put down the embroidery shed, and asked tentatively.

"Yaoyao, your older sister is all grown up now. Do you know if she has someone she likes?"

Liu Yunshu hopes that her children will find partners they like.

"I don't know, but I think Cousin Qi really likes my sister. Mother, I think they are a good match."

Cousin Qi will remain unmarried for life because of his sister.

"I think your cousin Qi is a good match." Seeing her daughter say this, Liu Yunshu agreed.

"Really! Then let's work together to bring them together."

[Her sister being with Cousin Qi could also change her fate.]

"Alright!" Liu Yunshu thought she should make a trip to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.