A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 126 Fate

The Fragrance Dyehouse in the capital is much larger than the one in Shuiyun City.

However, being located in the West Market, it doesn't seem to be a top-tier fabric shop.

For Yu Xianghe, it was perfect.

The shopkeeper looked puzzled. "Miss, are you referring to black?"

"Correct."

"Yes! Of course we have it," the shopkeeper quickly led her into the side room. "Black is rare and not displayed in the shop. I'll arrange for someone to fetch it and bring it over right away. Please wait a moment, young lady and young master."

"Excuse me."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all."

After the shopkeeper left, a servant brought in tea. Shen Zhuoci looked around at the fabrics on the wall and asked, "Most young ladies like peach pink, so why does this young lady like black?"

"Then consider me special."

These words left Shen Zhuoci feeling helpless. He stepped over, sat down, and poured himself a cup of hot tea. "Miss, there's no need for you to be so hostile towards me. I really want to be your friend, what do you say?"

Standing behind Xiang He, Zhu Nan kept a watchful eye on her. Xiang He casually picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Your Highness doesn't want to be friends with me, but rather with Sui An, right?"

Despite his carefree attitude, he is very perceptive and discerning. He knows that He Sui'an is no ordinary person and has a good chance in the upcoming exam. It is only natural for him to try to win him over.

Moreover, He Sui'an was an abandoned son of the He family, and many people looked down on his status. Shen Zhuoci kept getting close to him, so it was impossible for him to have no ulterior motives.

However, the purpose behind this remains to be seen.

When Xiang He spoke frankly, Shen Zhuoci's eyes held a hint of disdain. "Both you and he are interesting. I like to associate with interesting people."

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Your Highness." Xiang He poured him a cup. "No matter what Your Highness's purpose is, Sui An has his own path to success to walk, and you can't control him."

A slight glint appeared in Zhu Nan's silent eyes, but he remained silent.

These words made Shen Zhuoci smile. "Look at what you're saying. If I really had an ulterior motive, with my help, he could reach the top even faster."

The words have been made quite bluntly. Regardless of his purpose or whether it was a test, Shen Zhuoci has already set his sights on He Suian.

From He Suian's attitude towards him, Xiang He could guess a thing or two.

His gaze deepened, and Xiang He rarely showed a genuine smile. "You can tell him these things."

"When he passes the imperial examination with flying colors, I will hold a banquet at Qionghua Pavilion to celebrate."

The probing between the two stopped there. Xiang He turned her head to look outside the door, where the shopkeeper had already led people in.

“Young lady, we only have two bolts of black cloth, and there’s very little demand for them, so we won’t make more. If you’re not in a hurry, the dye shop can dye you a new bolt.”

Two bolts of cloth were already placed on the table. Xiang He reached out and touched them; the textures were similar. "May I unfold them and take a look?"

"of course can."

The two servants each pulled out a piece of cloth, and Xiang He selected one at a glance.

"How much is this?"

The shopkeeper waved his hands repeatedly, "It's a pleasure to have the young master here, and it's rare that the young lady likes it. Consider it a gift from our shop."

Xiang He was already reaching into his purse. "I can't give this away. Tell me honestly how much silver it costs. It's better for me if we settle the payment on the spot."

"This……"

Shen Zhuoci glanced at it and said, "Tell the truth."

"Yes..." The shopkeeper bent over and briefly described the fabric, "This fabric is Yun brocade from Xiang Ran Fang. Black is easy to dye but the process is complicated, so it will be more expensive than ordinary colored fabric. The price is eighty-eight taels."

Without saying a word, Xiang He took out a silver note and said, "Shopkeeper, do you know which tailor shop is good? Preferably one with good needlework skills."

"That's a good coincidence. Our esteemed customers all go to Qingcai Shop. One of the embroiderers there is very skilled. You should go and have a look."

"Thank you."

After the shopkeeper returned twelve taels, Xiang He handed the cloth to Zhu Nan, and the three of them left the dye shop together.

Yin Zhong approached from a distance, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "Your Highness, the Prince is looking for you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhuoci clicked his tongue lightly, "I was hoping to spend a whole day traveling with you..."

Xiang He nodded to him, "Your Highness, please wait."

"..." Shen Zhuoci waved his sleeves and turned around. "I'm leaving. I'll come find you another day."

Xiang He didn't reply, but just watched his figure disappear into the distance before turning and walking towards Qingcai Manor.

Zhu Nan took a few steps closer and asked, "Miss, what exactly is the young master's purpose?"

"It's just a matter of winning him over. As for his specific purpose, he will naturally explain it once Sui'an passes the imperial examination."

Zhu Nan didn't press further; he only needed to report today's events to the young master.

The two women, each lost in their own thoughts, arrived at the tailor shop. A lady from the shop came out to greet them, "Miss, do you need clothes made?"

Xiang He handed her the cloth, saying, "Please make me a wide-sleeved robe, to fit my size."

The lady in the shop smiled and nodded, "Such a single color, what style would you like to embroider, young lady?"

"Do you have pen and ink? I can draw it out and you can see if you can embroider it. The price is negotiable."

"This way, you two, please."

Xiang He will draw the styles of the hem, sleeves, and collar of the garment.

The lady in the shop noticed it was strange, but she didn't ask. After all, it was the customer's design, and she couldn't embroider the same design on other clothes.

"It's all embroidered with red thread, when can we get it?"

"The embroidery is fairly simple; you can pick it up in three days."

Xiang He took his measurements, determined the length and width of the sleeves, left a deposit, and left Qing Tailor Shop with Zhu Nan.

Upon returning to the He residence, Xiang He began preparing dinner.

After dinner, Xing Ji went out again. He has been away from home frequently lately, but Xiang He doesn't ask him about it.

After washing up, she prepared incense and candles, and set up a table and chairs outside, with fruit and refreshments on the table.

"You two should eat less..."

Jinghua Shuiyue was eating fruit when she casually handed one to her, saying, "You rarely come out, won't you have some, young lady?"

"I've already eaten." Xiang He casually summoned the four ghosts. "You all continue to keep watch tonight."

"Yes."

"Young lady, we've searched for two nights but haven't found any demonic aura. Is she not in the capital?"

Xiang He gently rocked on the recliner, gazing at the twinkling stars in the night sky. "The mountain god said she has a high level of cultivation, so she might be hiding her aura. Let's not rush to find her; she'll appear when she's about to."

"Girls always like to talk about fate."

“Fate brings us together,” she said, rubbing the edge of the mirror with her hand. “I am also connected to you by fate.”

"Yes, yes, will you be chanting scriptures again tonight, young lady?"

"Tonight I..." A lump formed in my throat, my leisurely demeanor masked by a chilling aura, "...Go after the Four Ghosts!"

"Yes!"

Mirror Flower Water Moon also suddenly stood up, looking in the same direction as Xiang He, "It's appeared again, what exactly is that..."

Just now, another flash of dense yin energy appeared, this time even faster than before.

Xiang He had already stood up, looking at the leaves swaying in the wind on the mountain, her brows furrowed slightly, "I don't know, they always appear so suddenly... I probably won't be able to find them this time either."

Zhu Nan stood behind Ling Mei and asked, "Why did you send the four ghosts to chase after them, Miss?"

"Let's see where it finally disappeared; perhaps we can find something there."

Although ghosts and monsters are everywhere, such a dense yin energy is definitely unusual. I wonder what exactly happened in the capital city that caused such a massive amount of yin energy to wander around...