Chapter 9 - Back in the Ye Mansion

"You are Xue Ziqi's father?"

Si Shen had wanted to ask this question the moment Xue RenJie appeared before him with the bracelet. It was hard for him to believe that the child—the younger brother who always trailed behind him, tugging at his sleeve and asking for sweets—was now married with a child of his own.

Xue RenJie blinked at the unexpected question, then composed himself to answer. "Yes, she is indeed my daughter."

Si Shen hummed in approval, his expression softening. "Daughters are nice. She's just like you."

Xue RenJie nodded, a fond look crossing his face at the mention of Xue Ziqi. Seeing this, Si Shen couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. He, too, had once longed for a wife and children. But now, such desires felt like a distant memory.

The pair had already discussed their next steps. Since the bracelet had been found with a maid of the Ye family, their investigation would begin there. Specifically, at the Ye mansion. But they had no reason to intrude without a valid excuse.

Xue Ziqi had only left the Ye Mansion a few days ago, and the haunting had been resolved. What reason could Xue RenJie have for visiting the Ye family so soon after his daughter's departure?

After a moment of thought, Xue RenJie assured Si Shen that he would handle it. Si Shen tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. "What magic are you going to show me?"

Xue RenJie shook his head. "No magic, just this."

By the break of dawn, they arrived at the gates of the Ye mansion, the rough terrain of the forest behind them. Despite the wild path, Si Shen couldn't help but admire Xue RenJie's immaculate white robes—unscathed and pristine. Even Si Shen, accustomed to the forest's thorns and brambles, had a few scratches here and there. Thankfully, his robes are black and he still looks somewhat presentable.

The familiar gates of the Ye family welcomed them, and the guards, alert and ready with drawn swords, stiffened as they noticed the cultivators. 

"State your intentions." 

Si Shen glanced at Xue RenJie, who remained calm and composed. With a smooth motion, he retrieved a plaque from his sleeve. A plague made out of ice with the character "Xue" carved into it, a token that only the direct descendants of the Xue family could have. 

The guards immediately relaxed, lowering their weapons and bowing in respect. A member of the Xue family was a distinguished guest. They hastily went to inform the Ye master, and soon, the two were escorted into the family hall.

Inside the Ye mansion's main hall, Master Ye greeted them, flanked by Young Master Ye and Young Lady Ye. Madame Ye was notably absent.

Si Shen's eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering for a moment on Young Lady Ye, who stood close to her brother, deliberately avoiding attention. He shifted his focus to Master Ye, who was enthusiastically greeting Xue RenJie. 

"What brings Second Master Xue to our humble home?" Master Ye asked, his voice warm.

Master Ye was a strong man in his late forties, with enough cultivation to have earned the position of a vessel family within the Xia family. His wife, Madame Ye, was renowned for her kindness and virtue. Their children were well-regarded, and a few marriage proposals had already come their way. It was the perfect cultivation family.

"I heard my daughter has completed her assignment and wished to follow up on the matter," Xue RenJie replied, his tone steady, unaffected by Master Ye's flowery words.

"A follow-up?" Master Ye raised an eyebrow. "The matter was already resolved by Young Lady Xue. There have been no complications."

"Second Master Xue, Young Lady Xue completed her duties perfectly and my mother has been recovering well after the evil spirit has been driven away. There are no faults with Young Lady Xue's work." Young Master Ye, eager to vouch for Xue Ziqi while Young Lady Ye nodded alongside her brother.

"I appreciate your praise," Xue RenJie said, his voice unwavering. "But as an elder of the family, it is my duty to confirm it with my own eyes. I cannot be partial towards her just because she is my daughter. I hope the Ye family would corporate." 

Xue RenJie cupped his hands, his request polite but firm. Master Ye stroked his beard thoughtfully. Though Xue RenJie could have used his status to pressure the Ye family, he didn't. Instead, he showed respect, giving the Ye master face.

Master Ye's eyes shifted to Si Shen, scrutinizing him for a moment before asking, "And this man is?"

Si Shen smiled as Xue RenJie introduced him. "This is my clan's guest cultivator. His name is Si Shen."

Si Shen stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. "A pleasure to meet you, Master Ye."

"Si Shen…" Master Ye murmured, his brow furrowing. "That's an unusual name." He cannot recall ever hearing of a person with such a name nor could he recall any cultivators with his face.

"Master Ye, can I take it as you have approved my request?" Xue RenJie's words dragged Master Ye from his thoughts on Si Shen's identity. 

Master Ye blinked a few times before nodding. "Yes, of course. The Ye family will be honored to host Master Xue and Master Si Shen for the duration of your stay. I will prepare a banquet to welcome-"

"No need," Xue RenJie interrupted smoothly. "This is a private matter. I wish to keep it private."

The emphasis on the word 'private' made Master Ye pause, and he quickly nodded in agreement. "Of course, of course. Do let me know if you require anything."

With that, the Ye master ordered servants to show them to their rooms.

Si Shen silently let out a relieved sigh as they exited the main hall. The identity of the second master of the Xue family is truly powerful and handy. With one word and everything is settled, with one family token, even if people find their demands unreasonable have to act like they are extremely willing. 

After settling into their rooms, the two exchanged a knowing look. Xue RenJie disappeared behind his door, while Si Shen entered his own room, briefly surveying the lavish furnishings. The Ye family didn't lack wealth. The bed was soft, and the room was beautifully decorated. Si Shen longed to sink into the pillows and enjoy a restful sleep, but a knock at his door interrupted his thoughts.

"Master Si Shen, this servant is here on the instruction of Master Ye to assist with your needs."

Si Shen opened the door to see a slender young woman in a flowing pink dress. Her pale shoulder was exposed, and her light makeup made her look more like a young miss than a servant. Si Shen wrinkled his nose at the scent of her perfume—it was subtle, but his sensitive nose couldn't tolerate it. He stifled the urge to sneeze and politely told her he wished to take a bath. Her eyes seemed to gleam at the request, and she curtsied before heading off to prepare the bath.

Si Shen eyed the retreating back of the servant girl and understood her intentions. Climbing onto the bed of a guest cultivator of the Xue Clan, Si Shen chuckled. Not a bad move. If Si Shen's guesses are right, they would probably send young lady Ye to Xue RenJie's bed. Just imagining the countless benefits of marrying into the Xue Clan's direct bloodline, Master Ye must be salivating. Even if his daughter was married into the Xue Clan as a concubine, it would still bring benefits to the Ye family.

When the servant returned with the bathwater, she fluttered her eyelashes and assisted Si Shen with the bath, her intentions painfully obvious. Si Shen stiffened but decided to indulge her.

"Is this temperature to Master Si Shen's liking?" The servant's words snapped Si Shen's attention back to her.

Si Shen dipped his fingers into the water and nodded, turning to face her. Since she had offered herself up so freely, he wouldn't reject her.

"Little girl is so capable, I should thank Master Ye for sending you to me." 

"Xiao Yue thank Master Si Shen for the praise but Xiao Yue is not a little girl. Master Si Shen should know that Xiao Yue is of marriageable age." The servant, Xiao Yue, said coquettishly as she folded Si Shen's robes in her arms for washing.

"Of marriageable age? I thought servants of big households like the Ye family are usually arranged with good matches and married out?" Si Shen showed a kind look as he gently probed.

What Si Shen said wasn't wrong. It was precisely for this reason that many sought employment with cultivation or noble families—they knew these families would care for their servants well. With their wealth, it would make them look bad not to do so. Typically, the mistress of the household would arrange marriages for the servants, ensuring they were matched with decent partners. Unless the servants rejected the match, they would usually marry this way.

Xiao Yue's expression faltered, and she lowered her gaze. "Madame Ye is unwell, there is nobody to handle such matters."

Si Shen raised an eyebrow. "Madame Ye is still sick?"

Xiao Yue nodded solemnly. "Yes. Though the haunting has been resolved, Madame Ye hasn't fully recovered and is still bedridden. We're all quite anxious, but Young Master Ye told me not to worry and that she will recover soon."

Si Shen hummed thoughtfully. "I see…"

Xiao Yue, suddenly remembered that she was not supposed to speak to outsiders about internal affairs, and jolted with a start. She quickly bowed. "This servant has spoken too much, this servant will leave now."

After she exited, Si Shen let out a soft sigh of relief. The strange chill left by her close proximity still lingered. Even in his previous life, he had never had a girl so close to him and the chills from when Xiao Yue had taken off his outer robes still lingered, making Si Shen extremely uncomfortable. The warm bath water slowly made him relax as he processed the information that Xiao Yue had unwittingly disclosed.

Madame Ye was still unwell. She is sick enough to be unable to greet guests in the main hall or handle minor household matters such as servant's marriages. Si Shen narrowed his eyes as he remembered the servant's words. The young master had reassured her that his mother would recover soon. 

Si Shen could not help but chuckle lightly, connecting the dots in his head. 

Perhaps it was time to pay Madame Ye a visit.