Chapter 22-Part 5

In the main hall, Du Shaotang was anxiously pacing back and forth.

Upon seeing Teng Yuyi, he rushed over and whispered, “Cousin Yuyi, you’re finally back! Mother and Father are almost going crazy with worry.”

Teng Yuyi silently resented this; if it weren’t for Lin Chengyou not allowing her to return home, her uncle and aunt wouldn’t have had to worry all night.

Du Shaotang asked repeatedly, “Cousin Yuyi, did you really go to the Caifeng Tower last night? When the Shizi of Prince Cheng sent someone to deliver the message, we thought he was lying. But that person is a trusted attendant of the Prince Cheng’s residence, so we couldn’t disbelieve him. Shizi said you were drinking and seeking pleasure at the Caifeng Tower. What exactly happened?”

“It’s too complicated to explain in a few sentences. Where are Uncle and Aunt now?”

“They’re in my sister’s room. Mother asked me to wait outside, and she said to take you to see them when she saw you.”

The two hurried to the backyard, where Du Yuzhi and Madam Du were anxiously pacing in the room, while Du Tinglan stood under the corridor, her face full of worry as she looked outside.

Du Shaotang ran over first, saying, “Cousin Yuyi is here.”

Du Tinglan rushed down the steps in two or three strides, and Madam Du came out upon hearing the voice, “It’s good that you’re back.”

The group entered the room together, and Du Shaotang unexpectedly saw the large beard on Teng Yuyi’s face, startling him into a backward lean.

“Why are you dressed as a man? What kind of conduct is this?!”

Madam Du was also extremely anxious, saying, “Child, what happened last night…?”

Teng Yuyi took the sugar syrup offered by her cousin and drank it all in one go, sighing, “Uncle and Aunt, don’t worry. Last night’s events were truly unexpected.”

She then took out the jade sword, saying, “I got this sword unexpectedly while traveling to Chang’an. It’s said to be a Taoist treasure that can drive away ghosts and eliminate evils. For the past six months, I’ve often encountered malevolent spirits and couldn’t sleep well at night. Since obtaining this sword, all evil spirits around me have disappeared. Aunt, you saw how effective this sword was at the Ziyun tower last time.”

Madam Du nodded in surprise, “I’ve been meaning to ask about this sword. I got so busy these past few days that I forgot to ask.”

Teng Yuyi continued, “For some reason, this sword suddenly lost its spiritual energy. I went to Dongming Temple to inquire, and the Taoist priests there said only the priests at Qingyun Temple could help restore its spiritual energy…”

She explained everything that happened last night in one breath, of course omitting and altering some details to avoid worrying her uncle and aunt.

“If Uncle doesn’t believe it, he can inquire at Pingkang Ward. Shizi and those officials should still be at the Caifeng Tower, and haven’t left yet.”

Du Yuzhi stroked his beard repeatedly, “If that’s the case, you should have at least informed Uncle and Aunt before you left.”

Teng Yuyi replied with confidence, “I haven’t returned to Chang’an in a long time and sincerely wanted to go out for a stroll. I thought I would be back soon, but I didn’t expect to encounter such an incident.”

Du Shaotang timidly interjected, “Father, this can’t be blamed on Cousin Yuyi. You know how the Shizi is; if he wants to do something, there’s no stopping him.”

Seeing her father’s expression soften, Du Tinglan curiously picked up the jade sword and asked, “So, did you break the spell?”

“I did.”

Teng Yuyi gently stroked the jade sword’s emerald body, “If I encounter any malevolent spirits again, I’ll show my cousin how to slay a demon in person.”

Du Tinglan jumped in fright, “There’s really no need for that! Before you could slay the demon, I would faint from fear! Besides, going forward, everything should be peaceful, and how could we encounter any more evil spirits?”

Du Shaotang squeezed closer, asking, “Cousin Yuyi, are there really demons at the Caifeng Tower? Did you see them at that time? What did the demon look like?”

Du Yuzhi, despite his authority, didn’t interject but simply approached, intrigued by what his wife and children were discussing, and curiously examined the jade sword with Du Tinglan.

Madam Du took the opportunity to say to Teng Yuyi, “You’ve been busy all night, and you still have that beard on your face. Quickly go wash up and change your clothes. After breakfast, have a good sleep.”

When Teng Yuyi finished bathing and came out, Du Yuzhi and his son had already returned to the front yard, while Madam Du was busy arranging lunch.

Only Du Tinglan was waiting for her in the room.

Du Tinglan said gently, “Don’t be fooled by Father’s fierce demeanor. He went out looking for you several times last night. After returning home, he advised Mother to rest while he stayed outside waiting for news. He only relaxed when he heard you were fine.”

Teng Yuyi sighed, “How could I feel at ease? It was difficult to finally leave the Caifeng Tower this morning, and I rushed home without stopping.”

Du Tinglan pushed and nudged Teng Yuyi with concern, “Look at you; your eyes are barely open! Quickly go to bed and sleep. By the way, I heard that the old lady of the Duan family has a birthday today. Duke Zhenguo Mansion sent us an invitation.”

Teng Yuyi looked at Du Tinglan and said, “Sister, you already know?”

“Mother told me about what happened that night. I never expected that the Duan family could be so despicable.”

Teng Yuyi slowly climbed into bed.

Her cousin was kind and gentle, never losing her temper, but this was the first time she had sternly scolded someone, and it happened to be Duan Ningyuan.

“No one should make you suffer such grievances.”

Du Tinglan tucked in Teng Yuyi’s quilt, “It’s a good thing to see through the true nature of this hypocrite early. This marriage must be called off. Fortunately, Uncle will return to Chang’an in a few days. The sooner this matter is resolved, the better. Tonight, we will accompany you to the old lady’s birthday banquet.”

While arranging Teng Yuyi’s hair, she got up and said, “Let’s talk more when you wake up. I’ll go out for now. You should rest well.”

Teng Yuyi rested her arm under her cheek, watching her cousin walk around the room.

Du Tinglan lowered the bed curtain and quietly walked to the window, closing the latch before leaving, fearing that the maids in the yard might make noise.

The room fell silent and dim.

Teng Yuyi felt drowsy and had just closed her eyes when suddenly a small voice came from nearby, “Hey.”

Teng Yuyi sprang up, pulling aside the curtain and looking around the room, but there was not a single person in sight.

The voice came again from behind her, “Don’t look for me; I’m right here.”

Teng Yuyi was startled and accidentally fell off the bed.

In shock, she turned to look, only to see a tiny old man, about two inches tall, sitting on the bed.

This old man had a white head and a weathered face, dressed in a short gray linen robe.

Despite his old age, his cheeks were rosy and glowing, with three strands of silver beard dangling from his chin, giving him a somewhat ethereal appearance.

However, his eyes were as small as green beans, and his expression was slightly harsh.

The old man was reclining against the pillow with his legs crossed, exuding an overall sense of laziness.

Teng Yuyi was thoroughly astonished; she had never seen a tiny person like this before.

Where on earth did he come from?

Moreover, she had hidden so many talisman papers given to her by Jue Sheng in her clothes, and yet they were utterly ineffective.