Chapter 71

  "What's this about a marriage?" Wang Xifeng's beautiful face changed expression: "Ping'er, did you really hear clearly? Did Second Uncle really send someone to take me to the capital? And also arranged a marriage for me?"

  Ping'er immediately retracted the smile on her face as soon as she saw Wang Xifeng's serious expression; Ping'er had always been Wang Xifeng's personal maid, others might not know, but Ping'er was very aware of it.

  The changes in the young lady of our own family over the past two years have been seen by Ping'er one by one. Although she didn't say anything with her mouth, there was a feeling in her heart that although the young lady of our own family still looked like before, but inside, she had become a completely different person.

  Before, the eldest daughter of our family was like a boy, arrogant and illiterate; since she got sick more than two years ago, her whole temperament has changed by 180 degrees.

  In more than two years' time, Wang Xifeng transformed from an illiterate and arrogant young lady to a perfect lady; although the eldest daughter of her family still acted with her usual neatness and efficiency, every move she made showed elegance with a hint of warmth.

  Uh... actually Ping'er wanted to say that it's only suitable for a born beauty, she doesn't know if she's just being paranoid; she always feels that her own young mistress has a kind of enchanting power in every move she makes; of course! These are things that Ping'er only dares to think about in her own heart, she doesn't have the guts to gossip about her master's strengths and weaknesses behind his back.

  Moreover, when the eldest daughter of the family couldn't even recognize a single character, she was already being doted on by the old master and mistress as if she were their precious treasure; now this eldest daughter not only excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but has also dabbled in poetry and song; the old master and mistress have long regarded the eldest daughter as a treasured pearl, who dares to risk their life by speaking nonsense.

  "In response to Miss's words, I indeed heard clearly; Wang the steward is probably now reporting to Master and Madame." Ping'er said respectfully.

  "Is that so?" Wang Xifeng's right hand began to tap unconsciously on the table, since her soul had occupied this body called Wang Xifeng; she had been trapped in this small space.

  This big gate and courtyard are indeed dignified, the Wang family was originally a wealthy and influential family; although these four families are no longer as prosperous as they were in the past, this proverb also says; even a rotten boat has three thousand nails, a thin camel is bigger than a horse; even if it's already fallen, the Xue Shi Wang Jia four families still can't be underestimated.

  Especially these four big families have always been connected by marriage, and they are all related to each other; when one prospers, the others prosper too, and when one declines, the others decline together, even if they no longer have the prestige of their ancestors in those days; they are also very powerful among the wealthy and aristocratic families.

  Wang Xifeng, as the eldest daughter of the Wang family, naturally wouldn't venture out of the house; um... before Qingling took over her body, Wang Xifeng would occasionally think of ways to sneak out and take a stroll; who let her be that illiterate female rascal?

  But since Wang Xifeng started learning piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, Wang Xifeng's father and mother became even more unlikely to let Wang Xifeng go out and show her face; so Wang Xifeng was heartbroken, being trapped in this high-walled backyard.

  Wang Xifeng... or rather, the nine-tailed fox Qingling who had taken over her body, never forgot her hatred for Jin Guang; what made her even more obsessed was searching for that scholar from her past life; this had always been a knot in the heart of the nine-tailed fox Qingling, and also her demon barrier.

  But if she can't leave this mansion, where will she go to find that stinky Taoist priest to avenge her hatred; and where will she go to find the lover of her past few hundred years?

  Wang Xifeng's brain quickly turned over, perhaps this time was her own turning point; however, it was just a cup of tea time, Wang Xifeng already had an idea in her heart.

  "Quickly, Ping'er!" Wang Xifeng stood up and walked out with a gentle swaying gait.

  Ping'er's face was shocked: "Miss, where are you taking me?"

  When did the girl from our own family become so overbearing? Ping'er's eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and a hint of confusion flashed in her eyes; she couldn't understand her own sister more and more, but her feet didn't dare to stop; she closely followed Wang Xifeng without missing a step.

  Wang Xifeng walked out while smiling and answering her own maid's words: "Ping'er, you silly girl, don't you remember? Today I haven't even gone to pay respects to the old master and mistress; taking advantage of this spare moment, let's go to the front to pay our respects to the old master and mistress."

  How are you? Or should I ask about your husband and wife at home?

  Ping'er's foot slipped and she almost fell over, startled by Wang Xifeng's words; the mistress was shocked... Is this really their own daughter?

  Ping'er swallowed a mouthful of dry saliva, uh... How could she not know that her own elder sister was so filial?

  Are you kidding me? Although Wang Xifeng has indeed changed a lot over the past two years, the current Wang Xifeng is no longer the same as she was two years ago; the Wang Xifeng who didn't even recognize a few big characters now recognizes characters and can play the piano, chess, books, and paintings, but this cannot represent the young lady of our family; all she knows how to do is go to greet her father and mother every day.

  Of course! Besides Wang Xifeng's own reasons, her parents-in-law, Old Master Wang and Madame Wang, also played a significant role; their own daughter had always been someone who couldn't get up early, so it was necessary to send someone to pay respects in the morning. They pitied their daughter for having to get up so early to pay respects, so they would naturally avoid it if possible.

  To put it in Ping'er's own words, please calm down - the young ladies of our household can be counted on one hand all year round; no wonder Ping'er was frightened by Wang Xifeng's words.

  Wang Xifeng turned her head and looked at Ping'er with a seemingly smiling yet not quite smiling expression, saying: "What's the matter? Dead girl, your young mistress is not a man-eating tiger; do you need to be so startled?"

  "I dare not!"

  Ping'er lowered her head and muttered, "Miss, you're not a tiger; but you're even more frightening than a tiger."

  Ping'er thought of the maid named Cui'er who was beaten to death by Wang Xifeng two years ago. Cui'er had been serving Wang Xifeng for many years, starting from the age of seven, and had been by her side for a full ten years. Yet, she was mysteriously beaten to death by Wang Xifeng's order.

  As soon as she thought of this, Ping'er involuntarily shuddered; the reason why Cui'er was beaten to death back then still hasn't been dared to be mentioned by anyone until now, and it has added a few more points of taboo to this matter.

  Actually, Ping'er didn't know that the maid named Cui'er who died back then was really quite innocent; at that time, the nine-tailed fox Qingling had just possessed Wang Xifeng's body for a short while and naturally easily revealed her true nature; this also had to do with Cui'er being unlucky, coincidentally it was discovered by Cui'er unintentionally.

  Cui'er had been arranged to serve by Wang Xifeng's side since she was seven years old. Although Cui'er and Wang Xifeng were nominally mistress and servant, they were actually as close as sisters. Especially Wang Xifeng, who was always extremely arrogant towards her subordinates, but was exceptionally good to Cui'er, no matter what delicious food or fun things there were, she would always remember to save a share for Cui'er.

  So Cui'er was the first to notice something unusual about Wang Xifeng. At first, Cui'er didn't think much of it; she simply thought that her own young lady had finally begun to take shape. Later, as time passed day by day, more and more clues emerged from Jiuweihuli Qingling, eventually arousing Cui'er's suspicion.

  At that time, the nine-tailed fox Qingling had just occupied Wang Xifeng's body, and her soul had not fully merged with Wang Xifeng's body; if the body and soul could not truly merge, then the nine-tailed fox Qingling might suddenly disappear at any time.

  Although the nine-tailed fox Qingling was not very satisfied with Wang Xifeng's human body, after all, a human body could not be as strong as that of a demon; however, compared to being a wandering soul, the nine-tailed fox Qingling was still quite satisfied with Wang Xifeng's body; after all, if one could live, who would want to die?

  In order to quickly merge Wang Xifeng's body with her own soul, Jiuweihu Qingling thought of an ancient legend in the Qingqiu Fox Clan.

  It is said that three pints of extremely pure and extremely yin blood, as well as six pints of extremely pure and extremely yang blood are used; the numbers three and six originally represent infinite cycles, and when added together they equal nine, which represents endlessness. Once one has soaked in this extremely pure and extremely yin and yang blood for twelve hours on a night when the moon is full, using the profound yin energy of the moon, one can truly merge their body and soul.

  Cui'er, because she had suspicions about Wang Xifeng in her heart, began to secretly follow Wang Xifeng; this following was unexpected, and it actually allowed her to witness the process of Wang Xifeng killing someone with her own eyes. Under great shock, Cui'er accidentally made a noise that startled Wang Xifeng, which led to the later event of Cui'er being beaten to death.

  It can only be said that Cui'er was unlucky. If it wasn't for Cui'er discovering her own secret, Wang Xifeng might not have taken action against Cui'er. At that time, the nine-tailed fox Qingling had already occupied Wang Xifeng's body, but the original owner's emotions still lingered in the body and hadn't completely disappeared.

  Although Wang Xifeng had already changed her mind at that time, her body still had feelings for Cui'er; if it wasn't because Cui'er witnessed the process of killing someone with her own eyes, Wang Xifeng would not have thought of killing Cui'er.

  "Ping'er, what are you daydreaming about? Hurry up and catch up." Wang Xifeng looked at Ping'er with dissatisfaction and scolded her.

  Ping'er was promoted to be Wang Xifeng's senior maid after Cui'er died, originally Ping'er was just a second-class maid; after Cui'er died, there was one less senior maid serving Wang Xifeng; Wang Xifeng thought that Ping'er had been doing quite well in her daily work, so she promoted Ping'er to fill the vacancy left by Cui'er.

  But... a sharp glint flashed in Wang Xifeng's eyes, and Ping'er, this little maid, had recently become more and more unscrupulous; she would have to be severely disciplined.

  "It's a girl!"

  Ping'er naturally sensed the displeasure in Wang Xifeng's voice and didn't dare to slack off, following closely behind her within three steps; having learned from Cui'er's previous lesson, Ping'er naturally didn't dare to be neglectful again.