After being reborn, all I want to do is run away.

Chapter 285 A strange combination of circumstances

"I won't be coming tomorrow," Li Xiaoyi said to the old man who was lying in a rattan chair, engrossed in reading an ancient book.

"Hmm!" the old man replied softly.

According to Ji Yunfan, the old man had been the keeper of the library since his father was a child, and had also been his and Cangli Wang's teacher. No one knows exactly how long he stayed in the library.

When she first arrived, she had planned to try and get some information out of the old man, but he didn't seem to be able to speak, so she had to give up on the idea.

Just as she was about to leave, the old man suddenly threw the book he was holding at her feet.

Li Xiaoyi picked up the book with some doubt. Just as she was about to open it to take a look, she suddenly heard a series of rhythmic footsteps coming from outside. She had no choice but to put the book in her storage ring.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here?" Li Xiaoyi asked, somewhat puzzled. The old man rose from his rattan chair and stood respectfully to the side.

"I heard from Yunfan that you are very fond of books from the Seven Kingdoms period. I wonder how much you have learned during this time?"

“Very rare, even books from the Seven Kingdoms period are hard to find here.”

"There aren't many people left who can still read the script from the Seven Kingdoms period. I do know a few characters from that time, but I don't understand their meaning. I wonder if Miss Li could help me explain them?"

"It is my honor to be able to help Your Majesty!" The old man's strange behavior just now made Li Xiaoyi feel that things might not be so simple.

"Alright!" Cangli Wang dipped his finger in water and wrote two words on the table.

Li Xiaoyi looked closely and discovered that it was the word "True Source," which gave her a sudden shock.

"I wonder if Miss Li recognizes these two characters?" Cangli Wang asked with a smile.

Li Xiaoyi frowned and replied, "I seem to have some recollection of it, but I can't quite remember what it means. Please give me some more time, Your Majesty, and I will definitely find out the meaning of these two words for you."

"Then I look forward to good news from Miss Li."

"Actually, I have come here today to discuss something with you. Tomorrow is my cousin Yunfan's birthday, and the Queen wishes to trade a drop of your white crane's essence blood as a gift. I wonder if you, Miss Li, would be willing?"

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but that white crane is not actually my property, and I am afraid I have no right to give away its essence blood."

Upon hearing this, the old man's cloudy eyes flickered.

"Is that white crane not your spirit pet? In that case, I will not insist."

However, the Queen said that the little girl really wants to see your white crane, so I hope you can go to Mo Li's birthday banquet with Yun Fan tomorrow.

"Xiao Yi will go with His Highness the Crown Prince tomorrow."

"That's good. I still have some things to discuss with the Keeper of the Archives. Yunfan is waiting for you outside."

"Then Xiao Yi will take her leave now."

"Go!"

After Li Xiaoyi left, Cangli Wang said coldly to the old man, "I'll give you one day to find out if those two characters are in the ancient books she translated."

"Xiao Yi, did Father force you to provide Xiao Bai's essence blood?" Ji Yunfan asked with some concern.

"Your Highness need not worry. His Majesty did not insist. He simply asked me to take it with you to the birthday banquet."

"Really? Xiao Yi, you want to come with me to Mo Li's birthday party?" Ji Yunfan asked excitedly.

"I have already promised His Majesty, but I am a little tired now, so I should go back as soon as possible!"

Li Xiaoyi was now filled with worry. The book the old man had thrown at her was an ancient book that she had translated. Among all the texts she had translated, there was a high probability that the words "true source" would appear.

Although she didn't know what Cangli King's purpose was, she had a feeling that if Cangli King found out that she was lying to him, her situation would be very dangerous, and it was time for her to leave Cangli King's capital.

Since King Cangli has asked her to attend tomorrow's banquet, his purpose is probably to prevent her from leaving the capital. If she leaves now, wouldn't that prove that she has something to hide? Perhaps there are already experts monitoring her.

Moreover, since the old man in the library reminded her with books, she felt that he would help her cover up the matter.

After the two left the palace, the guards from the Crown Prince's residence immediately came up to them and whispered something to the Crown Prince.

"What?! This is utter nonsense!" Ji Yunfan was furious.

"Xiao Yi, you go back first. I have some urgent matters to attend to."

"Mm!" Li Xiaoyi nodded gently.

After giving Li Xiaoyi an apologetic smile, Ji Yunfan hurriedly left with several guards.

"Are you sure the white crane that was taken away by the people from the Hua family is the same white crane from our manor?" Ji Yunfan asked anxiously.

“I asked him too, but he said that there probably isn’t another white crane like that in the entire Cangli Kingdom. Even if he were blind, he wouldn’t mistake it.”

"Damn it! Get me a horse, I'm going to the Hua Mansion right now."

……

At this moment, Shen Xu and He Yu were enjoying the various snacks that Steward Wang had brought them. They tasted quite good, but he felt they were still too sweet.

However, Tsuruha really liked them and kept eating them one after another.

Shen Xu would normally stop his son from eating so many sweets, but with He Yu, all he could do was indulge him.

But just because he doesn't stop it doesn't mean no one will. "Snacks are always available, but eating too much at once isn't good for your health!"

Manager Wang looked at He Yu with a kind expression, but then glared at Shen Xu with a sharp look, forcing him to avoid her gaze.

"These snacks are so delicious, I ate too many without even realizing it," Tsuruha muttered.

Upon hearing He Yu's words, Shen Xu requested, "Please make some extra when we leave; I'd like him to eat on the way."

"Great!" Tsuruha immediately laughed.

"It's no big deal. Can you describe what Young Master Wei looks like now? I'm afraid I won't recognize him," Manager Wang asked nervously.

"Uh... that's easy, but would you like to meet Zhong Wei's mother?" Shen Xu asked with a smile.

"Ah? Miss is here too?" Manager Wang was overjoyed.

"No, what I mean is I can recreate their appearance for you. Would you like to try?"

"Of course I want to! But how do I try?" Manager Wang asked, somewhat puzzled.

"That'll work!"

Shen Xu pointed lightly, and the mist immediately enveloped Steward Wang, with two figures, a man and a woman, slowly emerging from the mist.

"Miss~" Manager Wang looked at Madam Zhong in front of him and his eyes welled up with tears. He hurriedly stepped forward to hold her hand, but her hand passed right through him.

This situation made her realize that everything in front of her was an illusion, but she still couldn't stop her tears from flowing down her face.

After a while, Shen Xu dispersed the fog that had enveloped the area, revealing Steward Wang wiping away tears with a handkerchief.

"Thank you!" Manager Wang said to Shen Xu, his eyes red.

"You're welcome, consider it a return gift of snacks," Shen Xu replied with a smile.