Chapter 24-Part 2

Old Madam Duan and Duan Wenyin watched the scene, their hearts twisted in distress.

Duan Wenyin, feeling pity for her mother and brother, spoke urgently: “Little Taoist, I apologize for my inappropriate words earlier. Please do not take them to heart. Regardless of how Eldest Son was infected with the poisonous insect, since it is from Qingyun Temple, could you please help us with the antidote as soon as possible?”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi shook their heads: “The medicine powder has been locked away by my senior brother. Only he can access it. Even if we rush back to the temple now, we won’t be able to help. The only solution is to find my senior brother.”

Old Madam Duan’s eyes lit up: “Can you two Taoists tell me where Shizi is now? Quickly, prepare the carriage. Let the master personally go and invite him.”

The events in the main hall soon reached the front, and the Duan family, in order to save face, initially considered moving Duan Ningyuan and Madam Duan to the inner courtyard.

However, Duan Ningyuan and Madam Duan were in such torment that with every step, even their flesh and skin trembled.

Not to mention moving to the inner courtyard, it was impossible for them to even step out of the other hall.

The servants had no choice but to find a rope to bind them, but were too afraid of the poisonous insect to approach.

With no other options, the Duan family sealed off the main hall and invited the guests to the main hall instead.

Fortunately, the Duan family was skilled in managing their household, and the hall was soon prepared for the gathering. The banquet was well-arranged, with performers coming and going in front of the hall.

The guests, hesitant to leave out of politeness but eager to see how the Duan family would handle the situation, mostly stayed to drink and enjoy the festivities, with only a few leaving.

The men sat in the east hall, and the women in the west hall, separated by several large, six-panel lacquered screens depicting flowers and birds, allowing them to enjoy the banquet together without losing decorum.

Teng Yuyi and Du Tinglan sat at Old Madam Duan’s lower table, both with good appetites.

Du Tinglan wasn’t fond of drinking, so she focused on her meal, while Teng Yuyi leisurely drank quite a bit of wine.

The calamus wine was delightful, filling her mouth with fragrance.

As the guests dined, they all kept their ears tuned to hear back from the servants sent by Princess Jingde.

Every time a servant entered or exited the courtyard, the guests’ expressions subtly changed.

Soon, someone exclaimed, “They’ve arrived, they’ve arrived.”

The servant hurried over to Old Madam Duan: “The master has invited Shizi. Shizi has just dismounted.”

Voices soon echoed from the front of the hall, and the Duke of Zhenguo entered with Lin Chengyou.

The Duke of Zhenguo, known for being a learned general, was over forty years old, his bearing imposing. The other man, dressed in a light blue round-collared robe and a white jade belt at his waist, exuded a lazy and carefree demeanor—none other than Lin Chengyou.

The Duke of Zhen Guo’s voice boomed like a bell: “I truly did not wish to disturb Your Highness Shizi, but hearing that only Shizi can resolve this poison, I had no choice but to lower myself to seek your help.”

Lin Chengyou replied: “What are you saying, Duke? Even without General Duan’s matter, I should have come to congratulate the old madam on her birthday.”

Princess Jingde happily stepped forward: “Brother!”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi quickly followed.

Lin Chengyou glanced at Ah Zhi: “Is it fun?”

“Extremely fun,” Ah Zhi replied.

Lin Chengyou chuckled.

He had spent the whole day searching for traces of the demon.

When he heard that Ah Zhi had run out of the palace, fearing she might encounter something dangerous, he immediately sent Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi to her aid.

Seeing that his sister was oblivious to her reckless behavior, he purposely sighed: “Looks like you’ve grown up. You can come out and find fun by yourself now. You don’t need me to take you with me anymore. Go find someone else to play with.”

Princess Jingde pouted: “No, I only want my brother. How can anyone compare to my brother?”

The Duke of Zhenguo laughed: “The princess and Shizi are becoming more alike.”

Lin Chengyou ruffled Ah Zhi’s hair and then looked toward the main hall: “Is the old madam here? I’d like to wish the birthday star a long life.”

The Duke of Zhenguo was honored: “After Shizi helps my son with the poison, if you’re not in a rush, do stay for a drink before leaving.”

Old Madam Duan, not daring to delay, hurriedly rose with trembling hands: “Quickly, show Shizi to his seat.”