Jin Shanyao chuckled, "It's good that you're uncomfortable. This house is like a tree hollowed out by insects. It looks lush and tall on the outside, but it's already rotten inside. It's only a matter of time before it collapses."
Meng Anzhi: "Auntie, is there really something wrong with this house?"
"It can be big or small, it all depends on what the Ji Residence chooses..."
At dinner time, Qiao Qingran came to the side courtyard. "Miss Jin, my father-in-law heard you were coming and specially prepared a banquet to welcome you."
Jin Shanyao chuckled, "Very well... I'd also like to meet the head of the Ji Household."
The group got up and walked towards the main hall.
Inside the main hall, only the third branch of the Ji Household and the two elders of the Ji Household were present. When Old Madam Ji saw Jin Shanyao arrive, she smiled and said, "It must be Miss Jin, come and sit down."
The maidservant stepped forward and pulled out chairs for Jin Shanyao and the two children. After they were seated, she brought out a copper basin, knelt down beside Jin Shanyao, and placed the basin with warm water and a few dried flower petals floating on it.
Jin Shanyao glanced at Qiao Qingran washing her hands out of the corner of her eye, and followed suit, putting her hands into the basin. After she finished washing, a maid handed her a clean towel.
The two little ones touched the soft silk cloth, secretly marveling at how extravagant it was. Such fine cloth was being used to wipe their hands, and these etiquette rules were things they had never encountered before. They were both curious and had to pretend to be unperturbed.
The copper basin was removed, and the dishes began to be served one after another. The dishes were plentiful, and the bowls and chopsticks were exquisite. No one spoke throughout the entire process, and it was not until all the dishes were served that Master Ji picked up his wine glass.
His features were hidden in the black mist, a smile playing on his lips. "I've heard that Miss Jin is skilled in both divination and medicine; it's truly rare. It's an honor for the Ji Residence to have her visit my home today."
Jin Shanyao her wine glass, was taken aback... " Master Ji, are you sure you're happy to see me?"
Is it because my own strength has declined, or is the other party too arrogant?
"Of course, Miss Jin must have real talent to be so popular with Old General Fu," Master Ji.
Praising her skills through Evil Dao means is no different from provocation! It's like Master Ji pointing his finger at her and yelling, "Come here!"
Thinking of this, Jin Shanyao's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and she said coldly, " Master Ji, you'd better know the King of Hell."
Master Ji was slightly taken aback, unsure of what he had said wrong, and chuckled, "Miss Jin is too kind. Come, let's eat."
I'm not afraid of you, I'll just eat.
As the banquet began, everyone chatted about this and that. When they learned that she was raising two children alone, Old Madam Ji sighed with emotion.
After several rounds of drinks, Master Ji dismissed his attendants and, changing the subject, tentatively said, "To be honest, the Ji Household has recently encountered many misfortunes. Our descendants are in poor health, and their careers are hindered. It seems that there are evil forces at play behind the scenes."
Having heard that Miss Jin is proficient in esoteric arts, I am willing to offer you a large sum of money and the Ji Household's connections in the imperial court, hoping that you can protect the Ji Household and help Ji Household overcome its difficulties.
Jin Shanyao chuckled playfully, " Master Ji is joking. What evil spirits could possibly be in this mansion?"
Master Ji's gaze sharpened slightly. "Are you sure there are no evil spirits in the manor?"
"Of course," evil spirits are malevolent ghosts that disturb the peace of a household, and the Ji Residence obviously does not have such things.
Seeing that Jin Shanyao's expression was serious and he didn't seem to be lying, Master Ji breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought Jin Shanyao had some great skills, but it turned out he was nothing special.
He initially considered giving up on winning over Jin Shanyao, but then changed his mind when he thought about the power of the two medicinal mountains and the talismans.
Master Ji's tone turned arrogant, "Miss Jin may not know this since she's from out of town. There are so many officials in the capital; even a falling brick could kill a fourth-rank official."
Jin Shanyao her head, thinking... What does he mean??? What does killing a fourth-rank official have to do with her?
Did Master Ji mock her for coming from a small town?
This is outrageous! Jin Shanyao her hand in protest, "So what if he's a fourth-rank official? Su Wenqian may be a fourth-rank official, but his extraordinary good fortune can dazzle you."
Seeing her staring intently at him, as if she had lost her soul, Master Ji couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips, "If Anzhi Hall wants to gain a foothold in the capital, she can't do it without someone backing her."
"I've had many connections since I started my official career. If Anzhi Hall encounters any problems in the capital, she can certainly ask me for help."
"I understand now. They're trying to collect protection money. They're shameless. She hasn't even come to the capital to develop her career yet, and they're already trying to collect protection money from her. "Jin Shanyao couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Master Ji's face darkened instantly. "Is Miss Jin rejecting me?"
"Otherwise what?" The Qingzhou Prefecture collects protection money with a stick, but you just spout nonsense. You're really looking down on us.
Master Ji's face turned ashen. He had held a high position for many years and was always fawned over and respected, but today he had encountered a complete idiot.
He gritted his teeth and spat out, "Ungrateful," then turned and left.
Jin Shanyao looked at Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci, "Did he insult me?"
The two little ones nodded in unison. Jin Shanyao her eyes and said with a hint of melancholy, "He's issuing me a challenge!" Having been in the mortal realm for so long, this is the first time someone has challenged her magic.
I'm so excited... What's going on?
She stood up, ready to challenge Master Ji, but was stopped by two servants who gestured for Jin Shanyao to proceed.
Jin Shanyao thought they were going to the martial arts training ground, and excitedly followed the servant with her two children. When they arrived at the gate of the side courtyard, the servant stopped.
"Miss Jin, the master says the Ji Household does not welcome you. Please leave."
Jin Shanyao stood there, stunned. "Isn't this supposed to be a magical duel?"
"I don't understand what you're talking about, young lady. Please leave the Ji Residence quickly."
Only then did Jin Shanyao realize what was going on. She'd been kicked out! "Go, call Qiao Qingran over here."
She wanted to settle the service fee, then kill Master Ji to avoid losing both her money and her husband.
The young servant of the Ji Household, who was often favored by the third branch of the family, thought for a moment and said sincerely, "Miss Jin, can you wait outside the mansion? If I don't kick you out, I won't be able to explain it to the master."
It was not Jin Shanyao's place to make things difficult for the weak. She nodded, took all her belongings, and left the Ji Residence. The oxcart had already been thrown out and was lying haphazardly on the ground.
She stepped forward, helped the oxcart up with one hand, harnessed it, and sat cross-legged on the oxcart with her two children, staring at the plaque of the Ji Residence mansion without saying a word.
Soon, Third Madam Ji came running out, panting, and pressed herself against the oxcart, "Miss Jin, Miss Jin... you can't leave!"
Jin Shanyao smiled and said, "Don't worry, you're my employer. As long as you want to continue our cooperation, I won't leave."
Qiao Qingran breathed a sigh of relief, "I hope you won't blame me for what happened today." She didn't know what was wrong with her father-in-law; he was usually a very gentle person, so why did he suddenly kick her out?
She lifted her skirt and sat on the oxcart. "I have a house in the capital. Come and stay with me." After saying that, she slapped the ox's rump. When the ox didn't move, she was a little puzzled. She knew that Jin Shanyao always drove oxen this way.
Just as she was about to slap him a second time, the cow's tail suddenly swept over, nearly slapping her hand. Startled, she quickly withdrew her hand and looked sheepishly at Jin Shanyao.
Jin Shanyao shouted to the old ox, "Let's go..." As soon as he finished speaking, the oxcart slowly moved forward.
Qiao Qingran stared in disbelief, silently adding in her mind, 'They're gone.'