“I understand. Thank you, Mother!”
Xie Zhaofan immediately beamed with joy. Her appearance made Madam Shen both frustrated and amused; she could only reach out and lightly poke her daughter’s forehead.
Although the Great Zhou was still an ancient dynasty, the restrictions on women were far less severe than some of the feudal dynasties in Xie Zhaofan’s memory. The social atmosphere was relatively open.
It was not uncommon for noble young misses in the capital to go out in small groups of three or five for recreation. Shopping, flower viewing, boating on the lake, or listening to opera were all very common.
As long as they were accompanied by maids and guards, very few people would find it inappropriate.
Especially in a place like the capital, where the powerful and wealthy congregated, it was ordinary for young men and women to occasionally run into each other on the streets.
What truly mattered was the identity and family background of both parties; as for the rule that men and women had to be separated by ten thousand li, it wasn't that exaggerated in the Great Zhou.
Madam Shen’s current attitude toward Xie Zhaofan was also significantly better than before. Perhaps the bowl of medicated soup from the other day truly moved her, or perhaps her daughter had changed so much recently that she, as a mother, was gradually starting to feel a sense of closeness again.
Before they departed, she actually pulled a ten-tael silver note from her sleeve and tucked it into her daughter’s hand.
“Take this. Buy something you like; don’t always think about saving money.”
Xie Zhaofan’s eyes immediately lit up as she looked at the silver note in her hand.
“Mother, you’re the best!”
She gave a particularly sweet smile and gave Madam Shen a brief hug before she led Chunxing and several estate guards out the door in satisfaction.
After settling into the carriage, she couldn't help but look at the silver note in her hand again. She sighed inwardly—having a mother really did make a difference.
While the main purpose of this outing was to find some items that could ward off evil for Xiangling, this trip to Zuixian Restaurant naturally couldn't be skipped either.
After all, in the original host's memories, the dishes at Zuixian Restaurant were famously delicious throughout the capital. It was said that many high-ranking officials and dignitaries liked to host banquets there, and even some members of the royal family occasionally visited.
Since Xie Zhaofan had transmigrated, she had been eating the handiwork of the Prime Minister’s residence’s cooks. Although it was exquisite, it ultimately lacked a certain sense of novelty.
Since she had a rare chance to come out today, she naturally wanted to taste the truly top-tier cuisine of this era for herself.
As for the things to ward off evil, she maintained a casual, wait-and-see attitude.
Along the way, she had the guards and Chunxing inquire about where the famous experts in the capital were, which temple's statues were effective, and what kind of so-called blessed sacred objects or protective amulets were available.
She didn't expect to definitely solve the problem; at the very least, she wanted to get a clear picture of the situation first.
The carriage traveled along and soon arrived at the well-known City God Temple in the capital.
This City God Temple saw immense incense offerings. Even though it was still early, many devout believers were already entering and exiting the temple gates. The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, and the sounds of bells and sutra chanting could be heard from time to time.
Xie Zhaofan specifically instructed her attendants not to reveal their identity as the Prime Minister’s residence; the lower the profile for this sort of thing, the better.
If Xie Chongshan found out that the Second Young Miss of the Prime Minister’s residence had sneaked off to a City God Temple to seek exorcism and ghost-warding, he would undoubtedly give her another lecture.
She didn't want to go looking for trouble.
However, even without revealing her identity, Xie Zhaofan’s temperament and entourage were enough to show that she was no ordinary commoner girl.
The Temple Manager saw her walking in with her maids and guards from a distance and immediately greeted her with a face full of smiles.
“Has this young miss come to offer incense and pray for blessings?”
“You could say that.”
Xie Zhaofan didn't beat around the bush and said in a lowered voice, “My maid here seems to have attracted some unclean things recently. I wanted to ask if there are any experts here who understand techniques for exorcising evil.”
The smile on the Temple Manager’s face faded slightly.
Clearly, he hadn't expected that this delicate-looking noble miss had come specifically for such a matter.
He pondered for a moment before speaking respectfully. “While I know a thing or two, I wouldn't dare show off my meager skills before the young miss. However, there is indeed a Zhengyi Daoist staying at our temple lately. He normally performs exorcisms and rites for the pilgrims and has quite a few methods. If the young miss doesn't mind, I can introduce you.”
“Then I’ll trouble you.”
Xie Zhaofan nodded and gave Chunxing a look.
Chunxing understood and pulled a piece of broken silver from her sleeve to hand to the Temple Manager.
Upon receiving the silver, the smile on the Temple Manager’s face became even more sincere.
He had originally thought these noble misses were all haughty and looked down on others, but he hadn't expected the one before him to be not only polite but also very generous. His impression of Xie Zhaofan instantly improved by several degrees.
He immediately led them toward the back courtyard in person.
Not long after, everyone met a middle-aged Daoist dressed in gray robes.
The Daoist was about forty years old and sported a classic goatee. His hair was bound with a wooden hairpin, and he held a horsetail whisk in his hand. Standing there, he truly possessed a transcendent, sage-like aura.
Xie Zhaofan couldn't help but mutter in her heart.
His image was quite professional, but she didn't know how good his skills actually were.
Seeing people approaching, the Daoist put down the scripture scroll in his hand. His gaze landed on Chunxing, and his brow soon furrowed slightly.
“Young lady, have you been unable to sleep lately, or perhaps been plagued by nightmares?”
Chunxing’s eyes widened instantly.
“How did the Daoist know?”
The Daoist didn't answer but simply asked her to sit down. He carefully observed her complexion and the look in her eyes before asking about what had happened.
Chunxing naturally didn't dare hide anything; she recounted the origin of the bronze ornament and the strange things that had occurred during this time in full detail.
By the time she finished, the Daoist’s expression had become exceptionally grave.
“Where is that object now?”
Chunxing instinctively looked toward Xie Zhaofan.
Xie Zhaofan stood to the side with a calm expression, having no intention of speaking at all.
Chunxing could only steel herself and say, “I… I didn’t bring it.”
“You didn’t bring it?”
The Daoist was clearly taken aback.
You're certain that something so eerie has caused trouble, yet you didn't even bring it for him to see?
“Where is that object now?”
Chunxing’s voice grew smaller and smaller.
“I gave it to someone else.”
“...”
The Daoist fell silent immediately.
He looked at Chunxing and then at Xie Zhaofan. He couldn't help but have an extremely absurd thought.
Just how big of a grudge do you have with that person to give such a thing to them?
Of course, he absolutely wouldn't dare say that out loud.
After a moment of silence, he could only say solemnly, “Without seeing the object with my own eyes, it is indeed difficult for me to judge whether a malevolent entity is attached to it. However, judging from your spirit, there were indeed signs of being disturbed by yin-evil things before, and…”
His gaze darkened slightly.
“The connection between you and that object doesn't seem to have been completely severed.”
Chunxing’s face instantly turned deathly pale.
“What?”
She had originally thought that she and Xiahe had completely rid themselves of that eerie thing, but the Daoist’s words were like a basin of cold water being poured over her from head to toe.
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