Chapter 487: Sister-in-law, I have a Favor to Ask You First (Thanks to Banyan for the Monthly Ticket and Update)

Huo Xing’Er was thinking, helping to pull the small blanket up for the person in bed. Just as she did, her hand stilled. Her ears twitched slightly, and she asked in a low voice, "Who’s there?"

In the courtyard, Ji Youcheng, who had just leaped down from the wall, hurriedly stopped and called out softly, "Second Sister-in-law!"

Huo Xing’Er frowned, took her candle, and went out. "Third Brother! Where have you been so late?"

Third Brother Ji pulled a long face and, hastily cupping his hands towards Huo Xing’Er, said, "Second Sister-in-law, it’s not that I went anywhere specific; I just returned from outside. Second Sister-in-law, I’m here to ask a favor of you. You absolutely must promise me!"

At his words, Huo Xing’Er frowned in confusion. "What is it that you couldn’t say during the day? Why did you have to find me in the middle of the night?"

As the two spoke, they heard two CREAK sounds. They turned to look and saw that the doors to both Ji Youran’s and Zhu Xiuxiu’s rooms had opened.

Upon seeing Zhu Xiuxiu, Ji Youcheng quickly ran over. "I... I just got back from outside!"

Zhu Xiuxiu gave a cold snort and didn’t glance at him.

He then rushed to Ji Youran. "Second Brother, you have to believe me!"

Ji Youran’s hands were tucked into his sleeves. He gave Ji Youcheng a cool glance and said nothing.

"Do you have something to say or not?" Huo Xing’Er asked. "If not, I’m going back to my room!"

Ji Youcheng hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, yes! Second Sister-in-law, I don’t know what’s been happening to me lately. It seems I’ve encountered something unclean, and I’m constantly having bad luck."

Hearing this, Huo Xing’Er was furious. The argument with Zhu Xiuxiu from earlier that day was still fresh in her mind, and his words now only fueled her rage. "What does your encountering something unclean have to do with me? What business is it of mine?"

Ji Youcheng faltered, sensing that his Second Sister-in-law seemed particularly irritable today. However, he hadn’t expected Zhu Xiuxiu’s temper to be even worse.

"How does it have nothing to do with you?" Zhu Xiuxiu retorted. "Don’t you love meddling in other people’s business? You even stick your nose into other people’s marriages; shouldn’t you also get involved when Third Brother Ji encounters something unclean?"

Hearing Zhu Xiuxiu’s words, Huo Xing’Er felt her anger turn into exasperation. She was usually reserved and generally got along well with Wang Dongxue and Zhu Xiuxiu; normally, they had no conflicts. However, earlier that day, she had seen Zhu Xiuxiu trying to play matchmaker for the Seventh Young Master and Xie Pan’Er. In the heat of the moment, Huo Xing’Er had retorted with a few sharp words, and unexpectedly, a conflict had erupted between them.

"Zhu Xiuxiu!" Huo Xing’Er exclaimed. "Can you please think before you speak? Do I look like the kind of person who loves meddling?"

Remembering Zhu Xiuxiu’s fiery temper, Huo Xing’Er grew so incensed that she spun around and returned to her room.

Seeing her return to her room, Third Brother Ji immediately grew anxious. "Second Sister-in-law, don’t go back yet!" he shouted.

The only response he received was the sound of a door slamming shut – BANG!

Third Brother Ji felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

He had just received news this afternoon: a ship loaded with fabrics he was transporting from the south to the north had sunk due to a tornado the night before last. Fortunately, everyone on board was a good swimmer, so no lives were lost.

When he received the news, he was utterly devastated. The two boxes of gold were still missing, and now the shipment of fabrics was also lost...

Truly, when it rains, it pours...

He urgently arranged for his subordinates to handle the matter. After calculating the losses, he discovered that the deficit from this shipment was enormous—so great that even recovering the two boxes of gold wouldn’t be enough to cover it!

He was extremely anxious at the Bright Moon Pavilion. Then, he overheard some of the junior staff discussing the Pavilion’s feng shui. They speculated that perhaps the owner—himself—had encountered some malevolent spirits, causing his streak of bad luck, or maybe he had offended the God of Wealth. Although he had only paid scant attention at the time, he had, to his own dismay, found himself believing their words.