Chapter 5: The Beginning of the Demon Hunt—Part 2

Yusang approached, just as she was about to reach out to pick up the strand of hair, but Yan Qige was quicker.

He had already picked up the hair and held it under the candlelight.

The black strand had a slight hint of dark red, and when he brought it closer, a faint fragrance emanated from it.

If he guessed correctly, it was likely a woman’s hair.

“Aren’t you afraid there might be another trap this time?”

Yusang asked in an annoyed tone, watching Yan Qige closely.

“Aren’t you standing right beside me?”

Yan Qige replied without looking up, still examining the strand of hair between his fingers.

“I saved you once because you saved me earlier. Don’t think I’ll save you again,” Yusang retorted, crossing her arms and pouting.

“Then I’ll just pull you in front to block the hidden weapons. That way, I’ll still be safe.”

“You… you…” Yusang was so furious she could barely speak.

Hearing her stammer, Yan Qige finally put down the strand of hair and slowly lifted his head to look at her.

With a faint, teasing smile, he said, “I’m fine, Miss, so there’s no need to keep calling me.”

“Your name is Yan Qige, right? Tomorrow morning, I’ll tell the county magistrate that you’re a con artist from the martial world. Even though you can use spells, you’re still just a mortal. If the magistrate orders the constables to arrest you, I doubt you could use spells to treat them all as demons and kill them.”

“Go ahead and try. Let’s see if the constables catch me first, or if I eliminate the bamboo demons behind the manor faster.”

“You know about them?”

“They’ve never harmed any mortals, and I have no intention of making things difficult for them. As long as you don’t say the wrong thing, they can continue living their carefree lives.”

Yusang was deeply annoyed at being threatened by a mortal but couldn’t think of a better solution.

She swallowed her anger and reluctantly said, “Fine.”

Yan Qige nodded in satisfaction, then turned and began examining the room with his lantern, wiping dust from a zither stand with his finger.

“This room hasn’t seen a living person in a long time. Do you know who used to live here?”

Yusang was also inspecting the room.

She was about to mention that it was Madam Lu’s residence, but she hesitated and said, “I’ve only been in the manor for a day, so how would I know? And even if I did, why should I tell you? You were threatening me just now.”

“Such a grudge-holding little demon.”

“Wrong, a demon with integrity.”

Yan Qige ignored Yusang’s retort.

After circling the room a few more times, he returned to the table with the burning white candle.

He carefully set the fallen paper figure back upright and then left the room with his lantern.

When Yusang reached the doorway, she saw Yan Qige’s tall, white-clad figure and the light of his lantern fading into the night.

Her expression grew serious as she pulled out a hairless jade brush from her sleeve and examined it.

Only when she heard the rooster crow did she quickly close the door and return to her quarters.

The next morning, Yusang attended to the old madam, helping her get dressed and washed. The old madam seemed to have had a rough night; her mood was worse than ever.

From the moment she began dressing until she finished breakfast, she kept complaining. She said that someone had been talking incessantly in her ear all night, preventing her from sleeping, and that something had been crawling all over her bed.

She blamed the servants for not washing her bedding properly.

Yusang forced herself to smile and endure the old madam’s temper. After finally getting her to finish breakfast and sit in the courtyard for tea, Yusang was about to return to the room to strip the bedding for washing when she saw the steward hurrying toward the old madam.

“Madam, there’s a visitor.”

Before the old lady could respond, a familiar voice came from the entrance of the East Courtyard.

“Good day, Madam.”

Yan Qige entered, dressed in a water-blue robe with wide sleeves and a dark belt adorned with a scented pouch and a carved ornament.

He had exchanged his lantern for a folding fan made of jade ribs, and with his handsome features, even Yusang couldn’t help but be momentarily captivated by his beauty as he emerged from the dewy flowers.

“Oh, it’s Master Yan.”

The old madam, who had been in a foul mood, suddenly smiled and shakily stood to greet him.

Yusang secretly frowned, thinking that Yan Qige was indeed a trickster, deceiving even the elderly.

“You’re too kind, Madam. I left in such a hurry yesterday that I didn’t get a chance to chat with you. I’m here today to catch up if you have some free time.”

“Of course, of course.”

Yan Qige looked around, gesturing with his fan to the surroundings.

“Your manor is exquisitely arranged, with lush greenery. I wonder if I might have the honor of exploring it?”

The old madam nodded and extended her arm for Yusang to support.

Yusang had no choice but to assist the old madam as they headed toward the courtyard entrance.

The county magistrate place wasn’t large, with a simple layout resembling the characters for “sun” and “eye.”

The upper left corner housed the main hall and offices of the county magistrate and constables. On the right were the kitchen and servants’ quarters, followed by the East Courtyard, where the old madam lived, the garden, guest rooms, and a Buddhist hall.

Finally, in the West Courtyard was where Madam Lu resided.

As they walked, Yan Qige observed the layout without saying much or glancing at Yusang.

It wasn’t until they reached a stone path that the old madam suddenly spoke up. “There’s nothing much to see ahead, Master Yan. You don’t need to go further.”

Yan Qige turned to look at her, a puzzled expression on his face.

Using his fan, he lifted the branches blocking the path and saw a courtyard surrounded by pink walls, with a white marble archway engraved with the words “West Courtyard.”

Frowning slightly, Yan Qige asked the old madam who lived there.

Her face turned pale as if she didn’t want to talk about it, and she sighed, “That’s where my daughter-in-law, Madam Lu, lives. She’s not well, both mentally and physically, and has a difficult temperament. She doesn’t like people approaching her.”

Yan Qige’s expression shifted subtly, and he glanced at Yusang with a look that seemed to say that even if she wouldn’t tell him, he could still find out about the West Courtyard from someone else.

He then asked, “Madam, could you tell me more?”

“Five years ago, my son was dismissed from his position, and our family was exiled. She lost her child during the upheaval and became unable to have children. After a severe illness, her temperament changed, becoming irritable and strange. Fortunately, the emperor had a change of heart and made my son a county magistrate, but my daughter-in-law has never recovered.”

“I see…”

Yan Qige murmured thoughtfully, a slight smile on his lips.

Then he turned and said, “Madam, you must be tired. It’s best if you rest now.”

The old madam was indeed exhausted and nodded in agreement.

Yan Qige’s subtle change in expression didn’t escape Yusang’s notice.

She guessed that the county magistrate probably knew more about this matter and made a decision in her mind.

However, she showed nothing on her face, merely lowering her head and supporting the old madam as they walked back.

Just as Yusang turned to leave, she heard Yan Qige say something that struck her like a bolt of lightning..