Capture the Jade (Attacking the Jade) - Chapter 22-Part 4
Chapter 22-Part 4
“Miss Teng, can we speak for a moment?”
“Get in the carriage.”
After spending some time with Teng Yuyi, Jue Sheng had already grown familiar with her and didn’t bother with formalities.
Once in the carriage, he said, “Qi Zhi asked me to bring this talisman to Miss Teng.”
“Talisman?”
Jue Sheng took out a drawing from his sleeve and said, “Miss Ge Jin has already awakened. Just now, my senior brother had her identify this drawing. Miss Ge jin said she recognized the well depicted in it, so my senior brother’s guess was correct: that demon uses living memories to create illusions.”
Teng Yuyi took a look; it was the abandoned courtyard she had painted.
“Qi Zhi saw memories of Juan Erli as a child, and what you saw, Miss Teng, was Miss Ge Jin’s memory. When you were on the second floor and saw the illusion, Miss Ge Jin was still in her own room, so the demon didn’t randomly abduct people but had set its target early on. We suspect these illusions are warnings—it creates the illusion before causing harm.”
Teng Yuyi understood: “You’re worried that the demon will come after me next?”
Jue Sheng nodded.
“Exactly. That demon once transformed into a flower-hairpin young man to poison you, and later took on Miss Gejin’s form to lure you. Although it has now slipped away, my senior brother feels the demon is very interested in you. After hearing this, Qi Zhi was quite worried and asked me to bring this talisman.”
He then took out a stack of talismans.
“Miss Teng, after you return, stick these on your doors and windows, and the demon won’t dare to intrude.”
At this point, Jue Sheng chuckled.
“Actually, with the jade sword protecting you, the demon wouldn’t easily come after you, but it never hurts to have some extra talismans on hand.”
Teng Yuyi took the talisman paper.
“Qi Zhi’s hand was injured, and yet…”
Jue Sheng waved his hand.
“You know how Qi Zhi is; he’s always overcautious. He says it’s better to be safe than sorry, so he insisted on drawing more talismans for you. But I also worry about his injured hand, so I only let him draw a few; the rest are done by me.”
Teng Yuyi quietly looked at Jue Sheng.
Seeing her suddenly silent, he felt a bit at a loss.
“Miss Teng…”
Teng Yuyi turned and took two boxes of pastries from the table.
“These are the jade dew dumplings my aunt made yesterday; try them and see if you like them. The other box is for Taoist Qi Zhi; can you help me deliver it to him?”
Jue Sheng’s eyes couldn’t help but wander over the lacquered boxes. “… My senior brother just treated us to breakfast.”
“What good is a single breakfast? Inside are Lingsha broth, vegetarian fillings; Taoist, feel free to eat.”
Teng Yuyi opened the box, and a fragrant aroma wafted out.
“Isn’t it fragrant?”
“Fragrant.”
Jue Sheng swallowed hard.
Without hesitation, Teng Yuyi stuffed the two boxes of jade dew dumplings into Jue Sheng’s arms.
“If you like them, I’ll send more to Qingyun Temple next time. Besides the lingsha broth my aunt makes, the cook in our Teng residence is also good at making pastries.”
Jue Sheng’s little face turned red with joy.
“Then thank you, Miss Teng! Oh, and please also thank Madam Du for me.”
Teng Yuyi suddenly remembered something.
“Was Miss Gejin’s injury truly caused by the ‘evil spirit’?”
Jue Sheng shook his head.
“Both Qi Zhi and I don’t think so, but my senior brother claims it was caused by a vengeful spirit. I guess he has his reasons for saying so. Miss Teng, don’t you find this Caifeng Tower rather strange? The couple who ran the wealth shop died under odd circumstances; the demon suppressed in the back courtyard is peculiar; and Miss Ge jin’s injury is also suspicious. There are so many oddities that are hard to comprehend. My senior brother has reported this to the official of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review; I expect a thorough investigation.”
“Your senior brother works at the Court of Jucidial Review?”
Jue Sheng was surprised.
“Miss Teng didn’t know?”
Teng Yuyi smiled.
Did she really have to know?
Jue Sheng chuckled.
“Last year, my senior brother went to take the Mingjing exam. Prince Cheng and his consort thought he was joking, but he unexpectedly ranked first in the exam. Then he passed the selection exam for the Ministry of Personnel and went to work at the Court of Judicial Review. Now my senior brother is the lowest-ranking judge at the Court of Judicial Review, often investigating cases in the streets.”
Teng Yuyi nodded.
Although the position of judge at the Court of Judicial Review was not high, it required familiarity with laws and the handling of criminal cases. After a term, one often got promoted to the position of supervisory imperial censor because it was a small job with great responsibilities, making it a coveted position for noble youths.
Jue Sheng stood up.
“Miss Teng, I need to get to Dongming Temple as soon as possible, so I’ll take my leave now.”
As he jumped off the cart, he suddenly poked his head back in.
“Almost forgot the most important thing! My senior brother asked me to tell you: Recently, avoid going out unnecessarily.”
Teng Yuyi frowned upon hearing Ling Chengyou’s name, but she smiled and said, “Understand.”
After Jue Sheng left, Huo Qiu resumed driving the carriage.
Just as they were nearing the Du mansion, a convoy approached.
Huo Qiu pulled on the reins.
“It’s Steward Cheng.”
Steward Cheng rushed over, dismounted, and said, “Miss, I returned to the residence this morning and heard you were trapped in a courtesan in Pingkang Ward for no reason last night. What happened?”
Teng Yuyi lifted the curtain of the carriage; seeing Steward Cheng drenched in sweat and anxious, she hurriedly replied, “I’m fine. I’ll explain everything when we get back to the manor. Has there been any news from the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence?”
Steward Cheng was the most capable aide under her father, and any news he gathered was usually reliable.
“There have been many rumors in Chang’an already, all saying that the young miss is about to be engaged to General Duan,” Steward Cheng said, his face turning pale.
“In my humble opinion, the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence is worried that what happened that night will spread, so they are intentionally leaking news everywhere. If they can get you married off soon, then naturally, no one will investigate the matter of General Duan and Miss Dong. I’ve heard that they are just waiting for the old lady of the Duan family to finish her birthday celebrations, after which the Duke will come to discuss the marriage with your father.”
Teng Yuyi chuckled coldly; it seemed the Duan family wanted to ruin her for the sake of Duan Ningyuan’s future.
She thought for a moment; last time at the entrance of Ziyun Pavillion, Duan Wenyin had mentioned the old lady’s birthday.
After returning, things had progressed rapidly, and she had almost forgotten about it.
“Today is the old lady of the Duan family’s birthday. How has the matter I instructed you to handle gone?”
Steward Cheng took out a package from his chest.
“Don’t worry; I’ve arranged everything.”
Teng Yuyi smiled as she received the package containing the itching bugs and handed Steward Cheng another package she had hidden in the carriage.
“This package contains powdered medicine; take it to prison for Dong Erniang. Remember to leave no traces, especially don’t let Duan Ningyuan find out.”
Steward Cheng hesitated.
If she wanted to poison someone, why also give an antidote?
But he figured the young miss had her reasons, so he accepted the packet of powdered medicine.
“Understood.”
Steward Cheng took out a card.
“This was sent by the Duan family a few days ago. Tonight, besides inviting you, they’ve also invited Master Du and his family. I’ve already prepared the birthday gift for the old lady of the Duan family.”
Teng Yuyi smiled and nodded.
“Tonight, I’ll make sure to celebrate the old lady of the Duan family’s birthday properly. Let’s head to my aunt’s residence first.”
Before long, they arrived at the Du residence.
Huo Qiu got out of the carriage to knock on the door.
The servant opened the door and saw Teng Yuyi.
He greeted her cheerfully, “Miss, you’re here so early! Did you rest well at home last night?”
Teng Yuyi nodded and quickly entered.
It seemed her uncle and aunt had made arrangements in advance; even the old servants at the Du residence were kept in the dark about last night’s events.
She pretended to remind Steward Cheng, “Move the things I brought from home inside.”
Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu replied, “Yes.”
