Family Has No Price, Aunt Goes All Out (Seeking Reads)

"Of course we must treat it."

Bai Yuji stuffed a blood-replenishing Gu pill into his mouth. "However, your body showed too many abnormalities after taking the medicine yesterday. You had better be careful from now on. For the next few days, we will stick to conservative treatment and only replenish blood energy; your yang energy must not be excessive."

"I can accept not replenishing yang energy, but what about kisses?"

"..."

Bai Yuji rolled her eyes at him. "You aren't even replenishing yang, so what kisses do you want?"

Qin Muye was a bit angry. "You said you wouldn't let me lose immersion. Are you reneging on your word?"

Bai Yuji hurriedly tried to make amends. "It's your own fault for letting your imagination run wild. What if you suffer from insomnia again today? Let's focus on restoring your energy first..."

"And once my energy is restored, I can have kisses whenever I want?"

"Is that all you have in your head?"

"Am I not even allowed to think about it?"

"We'll talk about it when the time comes!"

Bai Yuji stood up in a hurry. "Remember to drink the medicine on the table. Dinner will be served soon, so go wash up."

With that said.

Ignoring Qin Muye's attempts to make her stay, she fled the room as if escaping.

As soon as she stepped out the door, she bumped right into Qin Yanying.

"Yuji, is Muye awake yet?"

"Just woke up!"

"Is he alright?"

"He's fine!"

Bai Yuji asked curiously, "Aunt, why is your face so red?"

Qin Yanying laughed heartily. "I just heard some good news, how could I not be flushed? Hey, Yuji, why is your face so red too? Did you hear the good news as well?"

Bai Yuji touched her own face; it was indeed burning.

It was all that little rascal's fault.

He said so many strange things yesterday, and today he was back at it, using those cloying words to tease her.

"The room was too stuffy."

She gave a random excuse and hurriedly asked, "Aunt, what is this good news?"

Qin Yanying pulled her straight into the room. "You know about that mysterious puppet master from yesterday, right?"

"I know!"

Qin Muye set down his medicine bowl and answered before anyone else could. "That guy was amazing. You could tell at a glance he was an expert. What happened to him?"

Qin Yanying said excitedly, "I heard that just a short while ago, that puppet master found their way to the Imperial Princess Mansion and has now become an official there."

"Hm?"

Qin Muye was puzzled. "What does the Imperial Princess gaining a powerful official have to do with us? The Imperial Princess isn't exactly close with the Qin Family, is she?"

"Too narrow! Your perspective is too narrow!"

Qin Yanying grinned broadly. "Think about it carefully. With so many people in the Qin Family, why are only the two of us here in the capital?"

This question was somewhat sensitive. Qin Yanying held a certain admiration for the Emperor, and some things were better left unsaid to avoid hurting feelings.

Qin Muye was in a difficult position, but after thinking it over, he whispered, "Isn't it because we're hostages?"

"Bullshit!"

Qin Yanying glared at him. "That's just what His Majesty uses to appease the political enemies of our Qin Family. The bond between your father and His Majesty is like that of brothers; how could he possibly be wary of our Qin Family?"

Qin Muye: "..."

No!

I didn't ask before precisely because I was afraid of hurting your feelings.

But good grief, you actually think that?

He was completely dumbfounded. Knowing that arguing would only invite a lecture from his aunt, he could only ask, "Then what do you think the reason is?"

Qin Yanying looked at him as if he were a disappointment. "Didn't I just say? It's to appease the political enemies of our Qin Family. You've been in the capital for so many years, I won't even mention your lack of political wisdom, but how have your ears stopped working too?"

Qin Muye: "..."

Bai Yuji's mouth twitched; she hadn't expected Qin Muye to be viewed this way in Qin Yanying's eyes.

She couldn't help but ask, "So Aunt, what does this have to do with the Imperial Princess?"

Qin Yanying's face was glowing. "Of course it has to do with her! Why hasn't our Qin Family returned home for so many years? Isn't it because the civil and military officials in the court are so immersed in the false prosperity of Ten Thousand Demons Coming to Court that they can't wake up?

Now in the capital, everyone advocates for continuing to use demons to control demons, while they just sit back and enjoy themselves.

Those with different opinions have all been demoted, except for the Imperial Princess!"

"If the Imperial Princess succeeds, how far could the return of our Qin Family to the Capital City really be?"

Qin Muye grinned. "Aunt, have you ever considered that the reason the Imperial Princess is allowed to stay in the capital is because His Majesty feels guilty toward his first Empress, and that is why he turns a blind eye to her?"

"Furthermore, the Imperial Princess holds no affection for the Demon Race only because her biological mother's death was linked to them."

"Think about it: while the Imperial Princess is tough on the Demon Race, she hasn't actually taken any real action against them."

"I don't care about that; there are benefits to be had regardless."

Qin Yanying stiffened her neck. "Besides, that puppet said it right at the gates of the Imperial Princess Mansion: joining the Imperial Princess Mansion this time is specifically to deal with the Demon Race. Doesn't that prove something?"

Qin Muye: "???"

What the hell!

I never said that!

The puppet clearly only said, "Imperial Princess, I'll follow you from now on," at the Imperial Princess Mansion. Even the so-called ambition was just a vague mention before it went inside to chat and sponge off their secret techniques.

What kind of nonsense is "joining the Imperial Princess Mansion is to deal with the Demon Race"?

He couldn't help but ask, "Aunt, who did you hear this from?"

Qin Yanying replied as if it were obvious, "The entire Capital City is spreading it. What do you mean, who did I hear it from?"

Qin Muye: "..."

How long has it been?

Less than half an hour, and it's already spread throughout the entire Capital City?

Someone is definitely spreading rumors on purpose.

But is this rumor targeting the Imperial Princess? Or is it targeting me, the puppeteer?

Or perhaps both?

They offended the Crown Prince just yesterday; could it be that Li Zhixuan is intentionally stirring up trouble?

Qin Yanying laughed heartily. "We should have done this long ago! Always thinking about wooing and dividing—the soldiers on the front lines are practically rusting away! Look at our Southwest; we haven't used a single Hu general or Demon Race soldier, yet we still keep the barbarians there in check, don't we? If nothing else, take Nanzhao for example..."

Qin Muye was startled and quickly spoke up to stop her: "Aunt!"

Qin Yanying was clearly too excited to pay him any mind. "Take that Nanzhao, for instance. Weren't they just dogs of our Great Gan in the past? Their royalty and nobility all studied our Central Plains culture. But they insisted on colluding with the Demon Race and invading our borders, and look, their country was wiped out! Serves them right!"

Qin Muye: "..."

Bai Yuji: "..."

Qin Yanying asked curiously, "Niece-in-law, why has your face turned pale again?"

Qin Muye quickly interjected, "Yuji was helping me prepare a new medicine earlier and tested the prescription herself; she must be feeling unwell."

Qin Yanying stroked Bai Yuji's cheek with pity. "Good girl, you've suffered! Once you marry into the Qin Family, we of the Qin Family will surely repay you well!"

Bai Yuji took several deep breaths, forcing a smile. "I will also repay you people of the Qin Family!"

"What's with this 'you people'? By then, we will all be the Qin Family."

"..."

"I've been so happy I've forgotten to eat! I'm going to the kitchen to hurry them up. Muye, you get up too!"

Qin Yanying hummed a tune as she walked out.

Only Bai Yuji remained, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Qin Muye was stunned. "Yuji, you..."

Bai Yuji didn't speak; she simply tidied up the empty medicine bowl and walked out without looking back.

In the process.

Her rapid, ragged breathing caused by anger was clearly audible.

Qin Muye: "..."

Family affection has no price tag.

Did my aunt just pull a point-blank ultimate move?

He suspected Qin Yanying was a game designer in her past life.

With a single sentence, she patched the bug that allowed him to occasionally romance Bai Yuji.

What a disaster!

Night.

Ghost Market.

The Buddha statue in the tavern's backyard.

As the formation twisted, Bai Yuji once again entered the secret space of the Nanzhao leadership.

The moment He Xifeng saw her, she panicked. "Princess, why do you look so terrible?"

"Nothing!"

Bai Yuji waved her hand wearily. "Great Elder, what is the reason for summoning me here today?"

He Xifeng said excitedly, "That madwoman sent a letter saying she has arranged a new plan for us, and we can take action in a few days."

"Hm? Why is that madwoman being so proactive this time?"

"This... this old woman does not know!"

He Xifeng thought for a moment. "However, I saw that woman's complexion was rosy; she must have found a wild man. Perhaps the puppet she bought at a high price..."

Bai Yuji shook her head. "She spent four thousand spirit stones in total, so that shouldn't be it. But that is not important; what is this new plan she mentioned?"

He Xifeng smiled until the wrinkles on her face bunched together, clearly brimming with excitement. "The partner of the Yayu's third son is pregnant. The couple will arrive in the Capital City a few days early. The female will consume young boys and girls to nourish the fetus, while the male will seek a Fortune Bead to pray for the unborn child's blessing.

The Yayu are notorious among the Northern States, yet they hold the rank of Earl in the Great Gan.

If Qin Yanying can be provoked into killing the Yayu's grandchild while it is still in the womb, the Demon Official will inevitably demand an explanation from the Emperor. On one side is the Demon Official, and on the other is the Qin Family; for all the vassal states, both are scourges.

No matter the outcome, it will be beneficial for the coalition of states.

As long as this credit can be attributed to you, Princess, you will surely gain supreme prestige.

That madwoman said she has already prepared the young boys, girls, and the Fortune Bead for us, and nominally, it will have nothing to do with her.

When the time comes, we will leak this information to Qin Yanying. Princess, you only need to stir the pot slightly, and the deed will be done!"

Bai Yuji: "???"

She could not help but widen her eyes.

Young boys and girls?

Fortune Bead?