Chapter 21

"I'll definitely stop by Keke Shop when I get the chance." Kebi rose with a smile.

"You're always welcome." Rao Ke had just sealed a major deal with Kebi, and she was in high spirits.

Kebi had other matters to attend to, so he dragged Kebeigi along, exchanged a few pleasantries, and took his leave.

As soon as they were gone, Ke Enli swept Rao Ke away.

"Aren't you in charge of the banquet? Why are you slipping away so early?" Rao Ke didn't care much about anything else, but she did care about their advertising plans.

Ke Enli didn't even look back. "If we don't run now, we won't be able to once everyone surrounds us. Don't worry about the promotion—I've left it to my brother."

Rao Ke was satisfied with that answer, so she didn't press further.

"So where are we going now?"

"To my mother's place." Ke Enli thought for a moment and realized that was the only place he could go.

Rao Ke nodded indifferently. It wasn't like she knew her way around the palace anyway.

Ke Enli wound his way through the palace until he brought Rao Ke to an exceptionally luxurious and exquisite residence.

At that moment, Ke Enli's mother, Mero, was having dinner, when she looked up and saw Ke Enli barging in with Rao Ke in tow.

Rao Ke's first impression of Mero was that of an orchid in a deep valley—fresh, elegant, and serene, with a demeanor as tranquil as still water.

Mero merely gave a soft smile as the head maid quietly instructed one of the other maids, "Prepare two more place settings."

"Have a seat." Ke Enli guided Rao Ke to the table and immediately picked up his utensils to dig in.

"These are all Keke Shop products. How do they taste, Mother?"

Mero smiled faintly. "Delicious."

She then turned to look at Rao Ke and gave her a gentle smile. "You must be Rao Ke. Ke Enli has told me about you. Thank you for looking after this child."

Rao Ke shook her head. "Not at all, not at all."

Mero smiled and served Rao Ke some dishes. While the two of them enjoyed a warm, cordial conversation, Ke Enli had nothing on his mind but the food.

"By the way, weren't you supposed to be hosting the banquet today?" After chatting for a while, Mero suddenly remembered and spared Ke Enli a glance.

Ke Enli was too absorbed in his meal to care. "I left it all to big brother."

Mero gave him a helpless look. "You child..."

"Don't worry, leaving it to big brother is way more reliable than leaving it to me." Ke Enli grinned with narrowed eyes.

"So that's the reason you snuck off and left me just a note?!" First Prince Ke Enyin suddenly appeared behind Ke Enli, sporting a smile.

"Cough, cough! What are you doing, big brother? You scared me!" Ke Enli's eyes held no apology for his brother—only complaints about being startled.

Ke Enyin and Ke Enli looked extremely alike, though Ke Enyin was slightly more handsome and leaner.

Ke Enyin smiled lightly, shoved Ke Enli aside, then sat down and began eating at a leisurely pace.

Ke Enli couldn't be bothered to argue with his childish older brother, but he did need to ask about the important stuff. "Big brother, how did the advertising go?"

"No idea. I just read the script you wrote."

"Is the banquet over now?" Mero looked at Ke Enyin and asked.

"Not yet. Everyone's still chatting. I got bored, so I slipped away." Ke Enyin looked completely nonchalant.

Rao Ke accepted the orange juice Mero handed her, thinking to herself that these brothers really were alike.

Mero clearly understood her two children very well and said nothing more, quietly sipping her juice.

Mero seemed to genuinely like Rao Ke. Not only did she chat with her at length, but before they left, she reluctantly told Rao Ke to come visit her whenever she had the chance.

Sitting in the carriage, Rao Ke looked at the red velvet box in her hands, which contained a pair of red ruby silver earrings Mero had given her, along with a matching hairpin.

Mero had clearly chosen them with care—simple accessories suitable for everyday wear. And Rao Ke genuinely loved them.

"My mother really likes you. She's not like her usual self at all." Ke Enli said with a smile. "She's always wanted a daughter. She was actually pretty disappointed when she gave birth to me."

"The queen really is gentle." Rao Ke genuinely liked Mero too.

As the carriage started moving, Rao Ke could still chat with Ke Enli, but soon she began to feel unwell.

Noticing Rao Ke's poor complexion, Ke Enli told the coachman to slow down.

Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt.

"What's wrong?" Ke Enli asked with a frown.

"Your Highness, there's a witch outside!" The coachman's voice trembled.

Rao Ke pulled herself together and quickly explained, "That might be my teacher. I have something to attend to tonight, so I'll have to head off. I probably won't be coming back tonight."

Ke Enli didn't ask any questions and simply reminded her, "Alright, stay safe."

After saying their goodbyes, Rao Ke stepped out of the carriage and spotted Chrisley draped in a black cloak.

Seeing Rao Ke get off the carriage, Chrisley's initially cold face broke into a smile, like the first thaw of winter ice.

"Teacher!" Rao Ke ran over to Chrisley's side.

Chrisley looked at Rao Ke all dressed up and praised her, "You look lovely all dressed up."

Rao Ke raised her chin with a smug little smirk. "Not too bad, I guess."

"Let's go. She's been waiting for a while!" Chrisley curled her lips, then took Rao Ke's hand. The next second, the two vanished from where they stood.

Inside the carriage, Ke Enli drew the curtain back down. Only after seeing the two disappear did he signal the coachman to drive on.

Chrisley brought Rao Ke to the foot of a black tower.

Chrisley lightly knocked on the door of the black tower, and it opened on its own.

Then, a fluffy little white ball carrying a broom suddenly appeared in front of the two of them. "Long time no see, Lady Chrisley!"

"Long time no see, Little Ball~" Chrisley greeted the little ball with a smile.

Little Ball turned to look at Rao Ke and immediately brightened. "You must be the newly born little witch! I'm Little Ball. Pleased to meet you!"

Rao Ke patted Little Ball. "I'm Rao Ke. Pleased to meet you too."

Little Ball's white fluff suddenly turned a light shade of pink. "Lady Ma Xianjie is already waiting on the third floor. Let me take you there!"

"Thank you for the trouble." Rao Ke pulled out a bunch of candy and snacks and gave them to Little Ball as a welcome gift.

Before arriving, Chrisley had already explained to Rao Ke that the host they were visiting today was the witch Ma Xianjie.

Apart from Ma Xianjie, the black tower was home to only the house-elf Little Ball and the fairy Lilith.

Ma Xianjie loved all kinds of flowers and plants, so Rao Ke had prepared some seeds for flowers, plants, vegetables, and fruits.

Little Ball loved all kinds of sweets, so Rao Ke had prepared a big gift package of candy and snacks.

Lilith loved making delicious food, so Rao Ke had prepared several cookbooks, covering everything from mains to desserts, from ancient to modern, Chinese to foreign.

Little Ball hopped and skipped along the way, leading the group. Rao Ke and Chrisley followed behind, and after a short walk, they reached the top floor.

"Knock, knock!"

"Lady Ma Xianjie, the guests are here!" Little Ball jumped up and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

With a calm, steady female voice, the tightly shut door swung open on its own.

Rao Ke followed Chrisley inside.

The room wasn't large—it was even a bit cramped, cluttered with all sorts of odds and ends—but it wasn't dirty or messy. Instead, it had a peculiar sense of comfort.

Ma Xianjie, dressed in a white robe, was lounging in a rocking chair. Only when she saw Chrisley and Rao Ke come in did she sit up properly.

Chrisley found a spot and sat down, motioning for Rao Ke to do the same. "Why are you still such a slob?"

Ma Xianjie shook her head in disagreement. "How is this sloppy? This is the most perfect arrangement for these things. I can find whatever I want with the greatest ease."

Chrisley teased, "If anyone found out the state advisor of the Beastman Kingdom lived like this, their jaw would drop."

"No one will know except you two." Ma Xianjie rolled her eyes, then looked at Rao Ke with a warm, kind smile. "So you're Keke. What an adorable child."

Rao Ke smiled back. She never would have imagined that the mysterious, powerful, reclusive state advisor Ke Enli had told her about was actually just a simple homebody who rarely went out.

Ma Xianjie grew more fond of Rao Ke the longer she looked at her. She let out a wistful sigh. "If I'd known, I would've gone to Adventure Forest for a visit myself."

Chrisley raised her chin smugly. "Oh please, someone like you who can go centuries without leaving the house wouldn't possibly go out for a stroll."

"Besides, Keke's attribute matches mine perfectly. I was the first witch to discover her." Chrisley could barely contain her smugness. "Ah, I'm nothing like you folks who still don't have disciples~"

Ma Xianjie expressionlessly hurled a pillow at Chrisley. She really couldn't stand seeing that woman so pleased with herself.

"Oh, right. Have I not told everyone yet?" Chrisley pulled out her Astrolabe. "Let's take a photo, and let everyone get to know Keke."

Ma Xianjie fell silent for a moment. "Careful you don't get jumped."

Chrisley couldn't care less. She had Rao Ke sit between the two of them, snapped a photo, and posted it to the witch group chat.

*Has a New Witch Been Born Today? (13)*

Chrisley: image.jpg

Chrisley: Oh my, who was it that met a newly born little witch, and who was it that took her in as a disciple?

Chrisley: Turns out it was me~ (smug laugh.jpg)

Ma Xianjie: ...

Dolin: ??

Maggie: ??

...

A few simple messages from Chrisley were like a depth charge, blowing up the previously calm group chat.

After showing off, Chrisley directly turned off her Astrolabe, completely ignoring the group chat that was now in chaos.

"You're something else." Ma Xianjie looked at the Astrolabe that kept pinging nonstop, then simply switched it to silent mode.

"By the way, don't forget to add Keke to the group." Ma Xianjie reminded her.

Chrisley waved her hand. "I know, I'll add her later."

Ma Xianjie smiled at Rao Ke, then pulled out the gift she had carefully prepared.

Rao Ke smiled and accepted it. Before coming, Chrisley had told her that if Ma Xianjie gave her a gift, she could just take it without hesitation.

Rao Ke took out the gift she had prepared for Ma Xianjie. On top of the original gift she had prepared, Rao Ke had also added a set of bean bag chairs.

Apparently, Ma Xianjie absolutely adored the bean bag chairs. And, of course, the seeds Rao Ke had brought were also met with great delight.

Rao Ke also took out the gifts for Little Ball and Lilith and set them aside.

Chrisley looked at Ma Xianjie with a hint of envy. "Humph, enjoy it while you can. I haven't even received a gift from Keke yet."

"Really? What an honor." Ma Xianjie curled her lips into a smile at that.

It was already quite late, so Rao Ke and Chrisley guiltlessly decided to stay the night.

Little Ball prepared two rooms for them.

Rao Ke looked at the group photo of the three of them on her Astrolabe, thought for a moment, then posted it to her Space feed.

At the same time, at the Keke Shop in Adventure Forest, Xue Jiali looked at the restocking list compiled by Heitang, placed the order on the mall section, and sent it to Rao Ke.

Not even a second later, Rao Ke approved it.

Xue Jiali noticed a new post on Rao Ke's Space, tapped into it, and saw the group photo.

Seeing Rao Ke dressed up so beautifully for once, Xue Jiali couldn't help but smile. "Having a good time, huh."

Over the next few days, Chrisley took Rao Ke and Ma Xianjie all around for sightseeing.

"Hey, did you hear? All those fancy products the nobles are into these days come from some border shop called Keke Shop!"

"Really?!"

"Of course it's true! My uncle's son's classmate's mother works as a maid at Count Vincent's estate."

"That's as good as gold!"

...

Not far away, Rao Ke pulled at the hood of her cloak to shield her hair, sipping her juice at a leisurely pace.

The promotion plan was a resounding success. The nobles of the capital had become utterly enamored with Keke Shop's products, and the buzz was now gradually spreading to the common folk.

Rao Ke had been enjoying her time in the capital, and business at the Keke Shop was especially good.

Even though the nobles were too lazy to make the trip themselves, there were always people willing to make the journey to the Keke Shop to purchase goods in order to curry favor with the nobles.

Even shopping cards had sold quite a number, and the progress bar on Rao Ke's upgrade quest had jumped significantly.

"The food in the capital has gotten so much better lately. All thanks to you, Keke." Ma Xianjie took a sip of her juice and nodded in satisfaction.

Rao Ke shook her head. "It's not all thanks to me."

Rao Ke knew that the Beast Emperor had made a deliberate effort to promote the Keke Shop.

"We've played enough. We're heading back the day after tomorrow." Chrisley was lazily fiddling with her Astrolabe.

Ma Xianjie was a bit reluctant to see them go. "Can't you stay a few more days?"

"What's the matter? If you miss us, just come find us in Adventure Forest~" Chrisley winked.

"Alright then, when I have the time, I'll come visit you guys." Ma Xianjie said with a smile.

The three of them chatted, sipped their juice, and admired the scenery together.

Since they were planning to head back, Rao Ke decided to buy some gifts for the others—for Zhima Hu, Xue Qiu, and Xue Jiali, who had been working hard to watch over the shop, as well as Mo Duoya, Ailier, and the rest.

Choosing gifts really was a major undertaking, especially for someone with choice anxiety like Rao Ke.

For Beilika and Ailier, Rao Ke carefully picked out two gorgeous silk shawls. For Mo Duoya, she chose a gleaming black leather whip. And for Peilin, a sharp and exquisite dagger.

As for the gifts for her other friends, Rao Ke was nearly cross-eyed from comparing options over and over.

In the end, only Xue Jiali's gift remained, and Rao Ke was genuinely torn.

Finally, at a jewelry shop, she picked out a serpent-shaped hairpin and a hair ornament set with a diamond-shaped emerald pendant.

Rao Ke always felt they suited Xue Jiali perfectly.

After going through all the gifts she had bought today, Rao Ke nodded in satisfaction and stashed them in a small corner of her Space Ring.

Just as she was about to wash up and rest, Rao Ke received a message from Ke Enli.

"Rao, are you free? My father, the emperor, would like to meet with you."