Bab 7: Do You Dare to Deceive the Chu Family?!
The shopkeeper pretended to inspect the goods and said, “These are not from my store. Duofu Shop never sells substandard or counterfeit goods.”
Chu Shuo’s face turned red with anger. “You… these were clearly purchased from your store!”
“The goods have been sold; and how can this young master prove that he didn't switch them?. Our store was established by Taoist Ling Yuan of Sanqing Temple to provide convenience to customers in need, and we've always being doing business with integrity. If this young master wants to extort money, you have come to the wrong place!” The shopkeeper brushed his sleeves and spoke coldly.
Many of the customers who were also faithful believers of Taoist Ling Yuan, and they began to insult Chu Shuo: “You have hands and feet, yet you still come to extort money. Get lost!”
“That’s right, Taoist Ling Yuan’s talismans are the most effective. How could his store sell fakes!”
"Where does this young master come from? Has his family never taught him the value of honesty? Is he not frightened of repercussions for falsely accusing Taoist Ling Yuan?"
“…”
There were many vulgar and offensive remarks.
Chu Shuo’s expression grew increasingly unpleasant.
Nanli's gaze remained indifferent as she asked calmly, “Shopkeeper, are you certain these are not from your store?”
The shopkeeper wanted to deny it, but the words slipped out of his mouth, “They are from my store. For customers who know nothing about Taoism, I always sell these substandard and counterfeit goods.”
The crowd erupted in astonishment.
What was going on?
“Selling these goods, does Taoist Ling Yuan know about it?” Nanli asked again.
“Of course…” The shopkeeper wanted to cover his mouth, but the words still escaped, “Of course he knows, it was his idea.”
Nanli sneered, “So the highly skilled and respected Taoist Ling Yuan actually instructed others to sell substandard and counterfeit goods.”
The shopkeeper wanted to refute with lies, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t speak.
Large beads of sweat formed on his forehead, but he couldn’t break through.
He opened his mouth again, “If I don’t sell them to those outsiders, how can Taoist Ling Yuan and I make fortune of ot?!”
The onlookers were in an uproar.
With such dishonest business practices, they would never come to this store to buy talismans again.
At this moment, the shopkeeper’s face had turned pale.
He knew well that the young girl before him possessed some ability and didn’t dare to argue with her any further, fearing that he would only dig himself into a deeper hole.
“Here's your compensation!” The shopkeeper wanted to throw the banknote in Chu Shuo’s face.
But Nanli stepped forward. Her gaze was harsh and intimidating, which should not be seen in a girl her age.
The shopkeeper trembled and respectfully handed over the banknote, “I was momentarily confused and sold these defective product. I beg the young master for his forgiveness.”
Chu Shuo snorted and took the banknote. “Fine, I won’t hold it against you!”
The shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief and quickly closed the store, not daring to open for business for the next half month.
Then the siblings went to another store to buy the yellow paper and cinnabar they need.
On the way home, Chu Shuo was particularly delighted.
“Young sister, how did you make him tell the truth?”
“Just a hidden truth-telling talisman,” Nanli replied, bringing her fingers together and retrieving the truth-telling talisman.
She performed a hand seal, and the truth-telling talisman appeared in her hand.
Seeing this incredible scene, Chu Shuo widened his eyes and wanted to ask for one or two to play with.
“Don’t play with it, or it will diminish my cultivation,” Nanli said seriously.
If they used the Taoist arts for evil purposes, they would eventually be punished by the heaven.
Chu Shuo, upon hearing this, dared not ask for it anymore.
He wanted his younger sister to always be this formidable.
…
Marquis Zhenbei Mansion.
Xie Beihan saw a peace talisman dropping out of his cloak while changing clothes.
It must have been secretly placed there by Chu Shuo.
Though he didn't believe in such things, it was a good intention from his friend, so he carried it with him.
He had a pond full of koi fish that he personally fed every day.
As it was getting late, a beautiful woman dressed in the attire of a maid from the residence suddenly caught his eyes.
He wanted to catch up and ask if she would be willing to become his concubine.
Never did he expect that as soon as he took a step forward, a wave of scorching heat surged through his chest.
This sudden sensation quickly brought Xie Beihan back to his senses. What lay before him was not a beautiful maid, but clearly the pond within the estate.
Startled, he stepped back and surveyed his surroundings. The maids and servants were all far away. If he were to fall into the pond, even if he drowned, no one would notice in a short time.
Xie Beihan touched his chest and retrieved a talisman of protection, feeling the lingering warmth gradually dissipate.
“Brother!” Xie Beizhe hurriedly approached him from distance, “What happened? I’ve been calling you for several times. Didn’t you hear?”
“I… I think I have encountered an evil omen,” Xie Beihan replied, still shaken.
Xie Beizhe noticed the talisman in his brother’s hand and immediately chuckled, “When did my esteemed brother start believing in such things? Did you buy it from the Duofu Shop?”
Xie Beihan had heard of the reputation of Duofu Shop. “What happened?”
“Duofu Shop has been selling inferior and counterfeit goods to its customers. The news has spread throughout the streets and alleys. Many people now claim that the talismans and seals sold there are useless. Brother, I believe there is no such thing as encountering an evil omen in this world. It must be that you haven’t rested enough,” Xie Beizhe explained.
Xie Beihan found his brother quite reasonable. He believed that Nanli had returned from the mountain and was playing tricks to extort money from him.
He nodded, “Then I shall return to rest first. Remember to have Father inspect your studies.”
Xie Beizhe obediently replied, “I understand, Brother. Rest assured.”
As he watched his elder brother walk away, Xie Beizhe quickly concealed his smile, and his gaze turned ice-cold.
Although Xie Beihan had spoken those words, he still placed the talisman under his pillow before sleeping, seeking peace of mind.
Late at night, a wisp of black mist drifted in through the window, heading straight for Xie Beihan’s bed.
The black mist seemed to transform into a rope, coiling tightly around his neck and constricting rapidly.
Unable to breathe, Xie Beihan abruptly woke from his slumber. He tried to grab the black mist rope around his neck, but couldn’t even touch it.
He was on the verge of suffocation, with no strength left to struggle.
Recalling the talisman by his pillow, he exerted all his strength and finally managed to touch it.
A golden light flashed and the black mist dispersed.
Xie Beihan coughed intensely.
However, the black mist didn't vanish and repeatedly attacked him. Each time the talisman shielded him, the vermilion ink on its surface grew dimmer.
The night guards arrived to investigate after hearing the ruckus inside the room but were unable to see the black mist. All they saw was the heir, who was terrified and holding the talisman as if possessed.
“Go and invite the Sixth Miss from An'yang Marquis Mansion… No, I’ll go by myself! Quickly, prepare the carriage!” Xie Beihan shouted.
Soon, Xie Beihan boarded the carriage and headed towards An'yang Marquis Mansion.
However, on the way, the black mist launched another fierce attack, and the vermilion ink on the talisman completely faded away.
Xie Beihan tumbled out of the carriage, once again entangled by the black mist around his neck, his eyes rolling back.
The coachman and servants had no idea what had happened, and it appeared to them that Xie Beihan was strangling himself.
Just as they were at a loss, a luxurious black carriage arrived from behind. The curtain was lifted and a string of peach wood prayer beads flew out, dispersing the black mist perfectly.
Xie Beihan regained his breath, his face pale. He saw the figure sitting in the wheelchair on the specially crafted carriage. The man wore a black robe with exquisite golden embroidery, particularly vivid with lifelike dragon patterns.
Under the cold moonlight, that handsome face seemed unattainable, exuding innate nobility.
Xie Beihan felt as if he had found a lifeline. His nose tingled, tears welling up in his eyes. “Nin… Ninth Prince!”
It was Ye Siheng who had come to his rescue that night!
Hadiah
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