Capture the Jade (Attacking the Jade) - Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Teng Yuyi thought to herself that this was a fine chance to demand the antidote, only it was a pity that she could not risk distracting Lin Chengyou at this moment.
Jian Xi shouted, “Corpse demon! You crave human hearts because your body is incomplete and your spirit is flawed. But have you ever wondered why, after devouring so many hearts, your chest cavity is still empty?”
The corpse demon’s eyes shifted, then in the blink of an eye returned to that coquettish and playful look.
“Old man, what are you saying?”
The faces of the Daoists could not conceal their fear.
Four of Lin Chengyou’s Sun-Scorching arrows had already pierced into the corpse demon. If it had been any other demon, it would be suffering unbearably by now, yet the corpse demon still replied without faltering.
“You were born of evil, and evil corrodes the heart. Even after another hundred years, even if you eat another hundred hearts, you will still be a rootless, bloodless monster. Never will you cultivate the righteous path, never will you walk upright beneath heaven and earth.”
The smile vanished from the corpse demon’s lips.
Her face grew so dark that water seemed ready to drip from it.
The Taoists rejoiced, exchanging glances.
They quickly bit their fingertips and once again urged the formation.
“Take advantage of the weakness, let all ways return to the origin.”
Before the words had finished falling, sword-light poured out, merging into a stream of resplendent true qi that surged toward the corpse demon.
The radiance was dazzling and impossible to look upon directly. It struck her body, forcing a groan of pain from her.
The Taoists were overjoyed and pushed their sword qi to the utmost, chanting incantations as they swiftly circled the formation.
But before the sword qi could bind her body, it vanished into nothingness in an instant.
The Taoists could no longer endure.
They all spat out fresh blood together.
Teng Yuyi’s heart pounded wildly in fright.
So the demon’s rage had only been feigned.
She did not understand Taoist arts, but since the Five Beauties had chosen to use them against the corpse demon, surely they must have been Dongming Temple’s secret skills.
Who would have thought that, once turned against the corpse demon, they would be completely useless.
The corpse demon giggled.
“Fun, fun, you really have many tricks. Any more? It has been so long since so many people played with me. I will take you all home, twist off your heads, and play kickball with them.”
Her laughter tinkled like bells.
In the stillness of the night it sounded chilling beyond words.
Suddenly Lin Chengyou called out, “Feng Abao, do you even still have a home?”
Her smile stiffened.
She rolled her eyes toward Lin Chengyou.
He smiled.
“Oh? So your real name is indeed Feng Abao.”
The corpse demon stared at him coldly.
A yin wind whirled about her feet, tugging her skirt and chilling the air, as if at any moment a storm of wild wind and rain might descend.
Lin Chengyou sighed.
“In life, imprisoned in the palace. In death, turned into an undying monster. Truly a pitiful fate. Feng Abao, you cannot have wished for this either.”
Her hands drooped at her sides.
Crimson nails shot forth, lengthening in an instant to their fullest, curling back into her palms like spiraling shells.
“I wanted to pity your background. Unfortunately, without evil, there can be no corpse demon. If your nature were not twisted enough, death would not have made you into one. You must have harmed many in life, must you not? In daylight we searched the ruins of the Fanchuan palace. Guess what we found…dozens of female skeletons buried in every corner of the palace. Each died differently. You were the mistress of that palace. Were these people you ordered killed? Palace maids? Did you kill them because they displeased you?”
Her face remained blank, but the arrow at the center of her brow began to tremble, nearly falling loose.
Lin Chengyou smiled.
“So young, yet already so bloodthirsty. Did your parents never restrain you? Oh, I forgot. You died at sixteen. Did you ever even meet your real parents? To live your whole life hidden away from the light, must not have been easy.”
The corpse demon’s fury had clearly reached its limit.
Her eyes turned blood-red.
Her lips parted to reveal two sharp white fangs.
Her nails stretched outward once again, looking like living red mandala blossoms.
Her body trembled as she wept like a little girl.
“You are so mean! You are the worst! I will dig out your heart and liver and grind them into meat paste to eat.”
Lin Chengyou released his fifth arrow.
Like a shooting star, it sank deep into her throat.
Her expression spasmed.
She glared at him, trying to move toward him, but her body could no longer endure it.
Her joints stiffened like iron, her skin reeked of burning stench.
Her voice grew strange, as though stuffed with cotton, though still with a childish ring.
She rasped hoarsely, “If you had not provoked me on purpose, these petty tricks would never have harmed me. Just wait, I will not spare you. I will chew you into bone dust and swallow you. You big villain. All of you are big villains.”
Teng Yuyi shivered.
Even at such a moment, the corpse demon’s appearance remained innocent and pure, yet she knew that when this creature turned vicious, it surpassed all the demons of the world.
Lin Chengyou pulled out the sixth arrow from his quiver and sneered.
“I am only treating you as you treat others. And where do you think you still have a chance? Tonight I will send you on your final journey, grind your bones to dust, and save the world from you crawling back out to harm people again.”
The arrow left the bowstring with a swish, shooting straight toward the corpse demon’s eye.
Her eyeballs bulged, her complexion turned the ashen gray of a corpse.
She thrashed in frenzy, but even her neck could not move.
Perhaps she knew that death had come upon her, for she burst into loud sobs once again, the sound so grating it was like sharp tools scraping across a wall.
Teng Yuyi covered her ears, only wishing Lin Chengyou would kill the corpse demon quickly.
But just then, a thick stench of blood spread through the air.
The treetops suddenly rustled as something swooped down from above, snatching the corpse demon away.
The creature had a crimson beak and emerald tail, its body clad in yellow feathers.
With wings spread wide, it was as broad as a kite.
Looking closely, one could see its wings were stained with blood, and its flight was crooked and twisted.
The Taoists were alarmed as though facing a great enemy.
“Golden-Robed Gentleman?”
Lin Chengyou’s face darkened.
At once he turned his bow and arrow, and with a swish shot an arrow at the creature.
“How did it break into the Heavenly Net? Does it not value its life?”
“Not good, its greatest skill is escape. We must not let it carry the corpse demon away.”
The five Taoists whirled their swords into blossoms in midair, their bodies leaping as they pursued from all directions.
Lin Chengyou’s arrows never missed.
One pierced into the back of the Golden-Robed Gentleman, instantly soaking its feathers with blood.
Yet its speed did not falter.
It even soared a few spans higher.
“Trying to run?” Lin Chengyou stepped onto a tree trunk, leaping up with his qi.
Unexpectedly, someone was even faster.
With a hateful voice, that person shouted, “You will not escape.”
The newcomer’s movements were agile and powerful.
With one leap and one pull, he dragged the Golden-Robed Gentleman down from midair.
Teng Yuyi was shocked.
It was her father.
Teng Shao’s face was deathly pale, clearly wounded.
The Golden-Robed Gentleman opened its beak with a sharp cry and swept its wings toward Teng Shao.
Teng Yuyi feared her father would suffer, so she drew her sword in haste and ran forward.
But Lin Chengyou dropped back to the ground, blocking her path.
A talisman flared between his fingers, which he flicked onto the Golden-Robed Gentleman’s back.
Before the creature could seize Teng Shao, he had already rolled away to safety.
As the Golden-Robed Gentleman made to chase, the talisman rode the wind and struck from behind.
Knowing its power, the creature had no choice but to avoid it.
At once it transformed into human form, clutching the corpse demon as it rolled across the ground.
When it rose again, it was a handsome young man with flowers pinned in his hair.
The Taoists quickly surrounded him, each taking a position.
Yet the Golden-Robed Gentleman spread his left arm, releasing a cloud of golden mist.
The Taoists cried out in alarm. “This is highly poisonous. Shizi, quickly step aside.”
But Lin Chengyou did not retreat.
Instead he darted past the golden mist toward the outer wall.
“Do not be fooled. This is only a trick of concealment. After them, quickly.”
The Taoists suddenly understood.
They hurriedly chased after him with their swords.
When the mist finally cleared, the ground was indeed empty.
Looking up again, a golden shadow flashed past as the Golden-Robed Gentleman flew through the treetops toward the outer wall.
Lin Chengyou chased relentlessly, hurling talismans again and again, each one narrowly dodged by the creature.
The Golden-Robed Gentleman laughed loudly.
“Why trouble yourself so? You brat, do you really think I fear you? Even if you catch me, what then?”
Lin Chengyou sneered.
“Since the two of you came uninvited, you must leave something behind before you go. I will not ask for much. Just leave me your claws and the corpse demon.”
“What an arrogant brat. Take whatever you want, but that depends on whether you have the ability.”
Before the words had even fallen, a fierce gust of wind struck forward.
The Golden-Robed Gentleman had not expected it, never imagining that Lin Chengyou could still fire an arrow while in pursuit.
If that arrow struck its face, even if it did not die, it would lose half of its life.
Just then, a tender white arm suddenly shot out from its embrace, five fingers spreading wide to snatch at the golden arrow.
Lin Chengyou’s heart sank.
The corpse demon had been silent, and he assumed it could no longer move.
Who would have thought that even with such grave injuries, it could still make a move.
The Taoists behind were dumbfounded.
This thing was truly unnatural.
Lin Chengyou’s six arrows had clearly damaged its body and skin, yet in such a short time it had managed to heal itself.
The arrow carried tremendous force.
Even though the corpse demon had regained some of its vicious strength, its nails were still sliced clean off.
The flesh of its hand split open, oozing a stench of burning.
The corpse demon wailed miserably.
“It hurts, it hurts so much… my nails! I will eat that rotten brat, no, I will chew him to pieces and feed him to the dogs.”
Its voice was both childish and domineering, full of anger.
With a single move, it diverted the force of Lin Chengyou’s arrow.
The long arrow only grazed the Golden-Robed Gentleman’s face, leaving just a shallow cut.
Its flight was not hindered.
With a few swift leaps, the Golden-Robed Gentleman landed on the outer wall.
Lin Chengyou could not allow it to escape right before his eyes.
Yet firing that arrow had slowed him, while the Golden-Robed Gentleman moved as swift as the wind.
Chasing all the way to the wall, Lin Chengyou was still a step too late.
In the blink of an eye, the two monsters vanished into the vast night.
Teng Yuyi ran to check on Teng Shao.
Teng Shao was still a little dazed.
Looking up and seeing Teng Yuyi, he reached back and helped her up.
“Child, are you all right?”
His shoulder was soaked in blood, and his eyes carried a complex emotion, seeming both angry and sorrowful.
Teng Yuyi guessed that her father had also been under bewitchment, and that it was most likely related to her mother.
She shook her head to show that she was completely unharmed.
Once he confirmed that his daughter was safe, Teng Shao nodded with reddened eyes.
“Good.”
His face was pale, his expression uneasy.
His shoulder was badly injured, yet he did not even glance at the wound.
Supporting him, Teng Yuyi at first only felt worried.
Gradually, suspicion arose.
She had never seen such an expression on her father’s face before, as though beneath a calm lake hid great undercurrents.
She wanted to ask what exactly he had seen, whether his wound was from before the bewitchment or after.
But in the next instant, Teng Shao regained his usual sternness.
His sharp gaze swept the surroundings as he said in a deep voice, “Lin Chengyou will probably keep pursuing for a while. The estate must not fall into disorder. Let us first return to Songtao Court and see.”
Teng Yuyi could not speak, and she was also worried about her cousin and Juesheng and Qizhi’s safety.
She gave her father a doubtful glance but did not press him further.
Half an hour later, most of the guards in the estate had woken up.
Steward Cheng also arrived with men at Songtao Court, though they all still felt dizzy and weak.
Juesheng and Qizhi were rushing about, busy feeding everyone talisman-brewed soup.
The first thing the corpse demon had done after entering the estate was to bewitch the two of them.
At first they managed to stay clear-headed, but later they could no longer resist.
After waking, upon hearing that their senior brother was still out pursuing the demon, they immediately began preparing detoxifying soup.
Teng Shao, after all, was a man seasoned in many battles.
He quickly steadied himself, and after sitting down, he gave instructions to the stewards for everyone to carry out their duties.
Under his command, order was soon restored within the residence.
Steward Cheng brought a physician, and while Teng Shao sat in the courtyard having his shoulder bandaged, Teng Yuyi came out of the house supporting Du Tinglan.
As she lifted her gaze, she saw Lin Chengyou returning from outside with his quiver on his back, the five Taoists trailing behind him, each shaking their heads with a sigh.
Juesheng and Qizhi did not dare step forward, but Teng Shao pushed the physician’s hand aside, rose to his feet, and asked, “Shizi, were you able to trace the monster’s whereabouts?”
“No.”
Lin Chengyou’s usual air of nonchalance was gone, his face dark with frustration.
“As always, it came and went without a trace.”
Teng Shao ordered the servants.
“Quickly, serve tea to the Shizi and the five Daozhangs.”
The five Taoists each drank their tea in a single gulp and shook their heads with sighs.
Tonight’s plan had been calculated nearly step by step.
Not only had they protected Teng Yuyi, who was used as bait, they had also successfully captured the corpse demon.
Yet though they had been only one step away from destroying it, in the end it still escaped.
“The greatest flaw tonight was underestimating the bond between the Golden-Robed Gentleman and the corpse demon. As soon as we saw the corpse demon sneak into the estate, we laid the Nine Heavens Fire Ring outside the grounds, designed to deal with bird demons, certain that the Golden-Robed Gentleman would never dare risk its life to break through. Who would have thought that for the sake of rescuing the corpse demon, it truly did charge in. Alas, those two monsters are exceptionally cunning. Next time, I fear it will no longer be possible to lure them into the trap.”
“What disheartening words are those?”
Lin Chengyou tilted his head to study the sky.
“The corpse demon treasures its appearance above all else. It has been out for quite some time and was injured tonight. Now it desperately needs to replenish its vital essence. It will not be able to remain hidden for long. I expect it will soon come out again to harm people.”
“Shizi speaks the truth.”
Jian mei, busy with refreshments, pointed toward Lin Chengyou.
“Do not forget that the Golden-Robed Gentleman was also injured, and its wounds are no lighter than the corpse demon’s.”
Jian xian said, “According to the records of unusual beings preserved in our temple, the Golden-Robed Gentleman is known only for lust and cunning. I have never heard of it being loyal. When we set the trap for the corpse demon, by reason it should have stayed far away.”
Jian tian grimaced as if with a toothache.
“Could it be that they are cultivating some demonic path together, one that grows in power only if they remain side by side? If separated, they would be unable to continue their practice. Otherwise, how could a heartless and treacherous demon and a cruel and venomous corpse demon ever have joined forces in the first place?”
Lin Chengyou turned to Teng Shao.
“General Teng, we can now confirm there are three targets the two monsters have set their sights on. One is the courtesan Gejin of the Caifeng Tower, the other is Juan Erli. And the last is your daughter. Gejin, I hear, is not only the overseer of Caifeng Tower but also an exceptional beauty who is likely quite skilled in poetry and letters. As for the one called Juan Erli, I am told she was purchased at great expense by her adoptive mother, so she should not be lacking either. And as for your daughter—”
Lin Chengyou glanced at Teng Yuyi with a strange smile.
“Naturally, she too is a beauty who could shame fish and eclipse geese.”
Though he said so, the look in his eyes made it clear: this was only lip service, for in truth, she was nothing special.
Juesheng and Qizhi widened their eyes slightly.
Lady Teng’s appearance was in no way inferior to Juan Erli’s or Madam Gejin’s.
Was there something wrong with their senior brother’s eyes?
Teng Yuyi sneered inwardly.
“I wonder how skilled your daughter is in poetry and prose. If not in that, then how is her zither playing?”
Lin Chengyou said, “I do not know why the corpse demon chose those three, but although it drained many of blood after its appearance, it never once took a heart. This shows that the first heart holds extraordinary significance for it. Tonight’s failure makes capturing them even more difficult. I have an idea, but I must first discuss it with General Teng.”
Teng Shao’s expression grew solemn.
“Tonight, thanks to the protection of the Shizi and the Taoist masters, my daughter has remained safe and sound. Whatever you have to say, just tell me. As long as it can rid us of those two creatures, I am willing to give my full support.”
Lin Chengyou said, “Though the corpse demon can move about in the daytime, it grows strongest at night. Tomorrow in daylight I will lead people to search in and around the city. If we still cannot find it or the Golden-Robed Gentleman, then we will have no choice but to ask your daughter to remain at the Caifeng Tower for a few nights.”
Stay at the Caifeng Tower? Teng Yuyi was startled.
The others understood at once.
At present, it was impossible to know who the corpse demon might select as the offering of its first heart.
To prevent accidents, the three women would have to be gathered in one place.
Moreover, Caifeng Tower had always been considered the most suitable location for dealings with yin forces, precisely because its grounds were steeped in yin energy.
To subdue yin with yin made it an excellent place for demon suppression.
The question was whether Teng Shao would agree to let his daughter live in a brothel.
But after a moment’s thought, Teng Shao resolutely said, “As long as it saves my daughter, there is no need to quibble over such trifles. However, I have one condition. Either the Caifeng Tower must temporarily close, or my daughter cannot show her true face.”
Lin Chengyou said, “The Caifeng Tower has long since closed its doors, but there are still many guests, procuresses, and courtesans within. If Lady Teng goes, she will of course have to be in disguise.”
Du Tinglan still felt dizzy and nauseous, but her mind was already clear.
She could not help but ask Teng Yuyi, “Ah Yu…”
It was, after all, a brothel.
How could a daughter of a noble family take residence there?
Teng Yuyi thought for a moment, then picked up a chopstick and wrote on the tray: Last time, the Shizi said that the corpse demon is malicious and vengeful. If I go to the Caifeng Tower, I do not know whether it will come after my father and cousin instead.
Teng Shao said to Teng Yuyi, “father will accompany you to the Caifeng Tower. As for how Lan’er is to be settled, we must leave that to the Shizi and the Taoist masters.”
Lin Chengyou said, “General Teng, tonight you have seen for yourself the methods of the corpse demon. Numbers are of no use, they only waste my talisman soup. And just now you were wounded by the Golden-Robed Gentleman. The corpse demon craves fresh blood. The moment it scents the blood on you, its power will instantly swell. Therefore you must not only refrain from going, but also stay as far from Lady Teng as possible.”
Teng Shao hesitated.
“This…”
“She may bring one or two highly skilled guards with her. Any more will only cause trouble. Besides, Lady Teng’s worry is valid…the corpse demon has endless tricks. Until it is captured, anyone who has crossed paths with it must also be properly secured.”
The crowd was full of doubts.
With both the Taoists of Qingyun Temple and Dongming Temple already deployed, where in Chang’an could there still be a safe place against the corpse demon?
The answer revealed itself the next day.
Just past noon, Lin Chengyou sent a message saying that after leaving the Teng estate, they had searched everywhere for the demon’s lair, from midnight until now, but found nothing.
Teng Yuyi was to disguise herself early, and Juesheng and Qizhi would escort her to the Caifeng Tower.
As for Teng Shao and the others, Lin Chengyou had made other arrangements.
The letter had barely arrived at the Teng estate when two monks came to call.
They introduced themselves as senior disciples of Yuanjue, the abbot of Dayin Temple, and said they had been entrusted by Lin Chengyou to bring Teng Shao, Du Tinglan, and the others to Dayin Temple for refuge.
When Teng Yuyi heard the name Dayin Temple, her heart skipped wildly.
In her previous life, when she had gone there with the Empress to observe a fast, it was at that temple she received the news of her father’s death.
Du Tinglan said in surprise, “Uncle, I’ve long heard that Master Yuanjue is a famous enlightened monk, but I’ve never heard of any ties between the Shizi of Cheng and Yuanjue.”
Teng Shao, while ordering Steward Cheng to quickly invite the two monks inside, explained, “Abbot Yuanjue and Taoist Qingxuzi are old acquaintances. Back in the day, the two of them once subdued a great demon in Chang’an together. Now that Taoist Qingxuzi is not in the city, it is not strange for the Shizi to seek Yuanjue’s help.”
Teng Yuyi felt a little relieved.
With her father and cousin under the protection of a renowned monk, she need not worry about them falling into the corpse demon’s clutches.
She returned to the inner courtyard, found the Hu clothing she had worn last time, fastened the jeweled belt, and stuck on a false beard.
Teng Shao also sent a message to the Du residence.
When Madam Du and Du Shaotang heard what had happened, they came immediately.
After hearing the full story, they knew they could not go to the Caifeng Tower and add to the chaos, so they insisted on accompanying Du Tinglan to the temple to observe the fast.
Before they departed, Juesheng and Qizhi stood at the Teng gates distributing medicinal pills.
“These are pills our master refined at the temple,” Qizhi said.
“They have protective power. Our senior brother asked us to give each of you one.”
The pills came in different colors.
The one given to Teng Yuyi was pale pink.
She held it up to her nose and sniffed.
A faint fragrance of plum blossoms drifted from it.
After everyone swallowed their pills, the group set out in full force.
Teng Shao personally escorted Teng Yuyi to the Caifeng Tower.
He was still uneasy, but mindful of Lin Chengyou’s warning, he did not dare get too close to his daughter.
Leaving Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu to guard her, he made several rounds inspecting the tower before finally departing with the two monks for Dayin Temple.
The Caifeng Tower had been closed for several days, and its front gate looked deserted.
As soon as Teng Yuyi entered, she saw E Ji coming down the stairs.
After only a few days apart, E Ji’s cheeks had grown thinner, but her face lit up with delight.
Lifting her skirt, she hurried down the stairs cheerfully.
“Well, well, am I seeing things? Isn’t this Young Master Wang? During the days our tower has been closed, Young Master Wang never once came by. You’ve had me worried sick. What brings you here today, missing Juan’er Li, or Baozhu?”
Teng Yuyi smiled brilliantly and handed the prepared tray to Steward Cheng.
With a calm expression, Steward Cheng said, “Last time, our young master entrusted Madam E to take good care of Juan Erli and Baozhu. How has Madam E been looking after them?”
E Ji covered her mouth with a round fan and laughed.
“They are my daughters. Even if Young Master Wang hadn’t said so, I would have cherished them as dearly as the flesh of my own heart. Young Master does not know, ever since that monstrous incident in the tower, several of the young ladies fell ill with fright, and I myself suffered days of stomach troubles.”
Juesheng and Qizhi lowered their heads in embarrassment.
That was clearly because you fought to eat the Heart-Clearing Pills.
That day, our senior brother..annoyed that you kept trying to push Juan Erli toward him, so deliberately tricked you. You didn’t know any better and actually fell for it. Even we couldn’t stop you.
E Ji asked curiously, “Young Master Wang, your voice—”
Teng Yuyi cast her a sidelong glance.
E Ji had spent years in the pleasure quarters and was adept at reading faces.
She immediately changed her words with a smile.
“Our master said two honored guests would be coming to stay for a few days. Surely that refers to Young Master Wang?”
Before she could finish, the curtains of the side room lifted, and He Mingsheng came out.
Clad in silk and brocade with a headscarf, at a glance he could almost pass for a scholar—if not for his overly plump figure.
In his left hand he carried a tally plate, in his right a folded ledger.
Seeing Teng Yuyi, he narrowed his smiling eyes.
“I did not know Young Master Wang would grace us today. Forgive me for failing to greet you properly. The shizi has already given instructions, and the chambers are prepared. Please, Young Master Wang, come with me.”
Teng Yuyi glanced at the handwriting on the paper.
Despite the man’s stench of money, his calligraphy was bold and vigorous.
She stroked her false beard: Lead the way. Oh, and be sure to summon Juan Erli and Baozhu.
E Ji nodded repeatedly.
“At once, I shall do as you say. With the hall closed these past few days, the girls’ skills are going dull. Let them play a tune or two, it will also ease young master’s boredom. What drink does young master wish to have?”
Teng Yuyi thought of the dragon balm wine from last time, and the craving in her stomach began to stir.
She was about to instruct E Ji to bring half a pot, but Steward Cheng said, “My young master’s chill has not fully healed, his throat is hoarse and he has difficulty speaking. The imperial physician instructed that he must not touch alcohol. Listening to music is fine, but let us forgo the wine.”
Teng Yuyi glanced at Steward Cheng.
His eyes were half lowered, as if completely unaware of her gaze.
Teng Yuyi helplessly withdrew her look.
Steward Cheng was not like others.
These days he would surely watch her every step.
In hindsight, she should have pushed him back to her father’s side.
Anyway, Huo Qiu would not dare to interfere with her, and as for Duan Fu, he obeyed her every command.
Unfortunately, Duan Fu’s arm was still broken and healing.
He Mingsheng led the way.
“Ever since that strange incident, the Shizi has strictly ordered us to close the hall. No receiving guests, and no one in the building may go out. These past few days I have eaten without appetite, fearful that monster might appear again. Thankfully, all has been quiet.”
Teng Yuyi thought for a moment and wrote: How is Lady Gejin?
“Gejin? She is much better. Last time the monster abducted her, but thanks to the Shizi’s timely rescue, with medicine she is already mostly fine.”
As they spoke they reached the rear garden.
Just as they stepped onto the terrace of Yicui Pavilion, they heard a woman singing.
Her voice was as clear as a mountain spring, high notes like a breeze passing through bamboo, rustling like a dragon’s song, low notes like honey poured into the heart, tender and intoxicating.
Teng Yuyi could not help feeling a little entranced.
Last time at Caifeng Tower she had not had a chance to properly appreciate the performers’ skills.
Just by hearing this voice, she knew the tower’s reputation was well earned.
“That is Lady Yaohuang practicing her voice,” E Ji said proudly.
“She is the finest singer in Pingkang Ward. Before the tower closed, countless guests came just for her.”
Teng Yuyi thought to herself: Yaohuang, Gejin, Weizi… all names taken from varieties of peony.
She remembered Gejin the most because her face was ruined by the so-called vengeful ghost.
Next was Weizi, because that night she threw a fan at Lin Chengyou’s feet.
As for Yaohuang and the others, she only recalled that they were beautiful.
He Mingsheng and E Ji led them to a suite.
The room directly faced Gejin’s quarters, and beside it lived several of the tower’s most celebrated performers.
To be fair, Caifeng Tower was fairly spacious, but with so many performers already living there, it was impossible to build new quarters on short notice.
He Mingsheng had no choice but to rearrange and clear out three of the finest rooms.
Steward Cheng frowned slightly, but he knew this was only a temporary measure.
For now, survival was the only concern.
There was no chance to be choosy.
Teng Yuyi walked around the room, finding it clean and elegant, and nodded with satisfaction.
He Mingsheng said with a smile, “I personally oversaw the preparations. The bedding and furnishings are all brand new. Young Master Wang may rest assured. The room to the left is for the two stewards, the room to the right for the two young Taoists. If there is anything lacking, tell me at once.”
Teng Yuyi drew out a gold ingot from her sleeve and handed it over with a smile.
[This is for our lodging and meals these next few days. Please take extra care of us, Master He.]
He Mingsheng’s eyes lit up.
“Young Master Wang is too generous. Though I am but a humble merchant, I do enjoy befriending men of spirit. Young master’s free and unrestrained manner is precisely the sort I admire. I have long wished to make your acquaintance, but felt unworthy to presume. That young master is willing to stay in my humble abode is my greatest fortune. How could I accept money?”
Even as he spoke, his hand reached out of its own accord to take the gold, grinning ear to ear as he accepted it.
Then he led Juesheng and Qizhi to the neighboring rooms.
Not long after he left, angry voices suddenly echoed in the corridor.
Teng Yuyi turned her head and saw that the door across from her, madam Gejin’s room, had opened.
A tall maid stumbled out carrying a wash basin.
Inside, the woman’s voice still rose sharply, scolding her.
The maid responded meekly, but once outside she curled her lip with contempt.
Looking up, she noticed Teng Yuyi and her servants watching.
Immediately she replaced her expression with a broad smile, bowed politely to Teng Yuyi, and turned to leave.
Teng Yuyi had seen this maid before.
She recalled her name was Qingzhi,Gejin’s chief maid.
Her looks were fair enough, though her skin was rather dark and coarse, and her manner a bit simple.
It seemed that the one shouting inside the room was Gejin.
Most likely, after her disfigurement, she was in low spirits and so vented her anger on her personal maid.
From Qingzhi’s contemptuous expression, it was clear that she too had long been dissatisfied with her mistress.
Teng Yuyi and Steward Cheng exchanged a look.
As the saying goes, “When power is lost, followers scatter.”
This madam Gejin, once a courtesan of renown, could never have imagined that once her looks were ruined, even those by her side would begin to despise her.
Before long, E Ji arrived leading Juan Erli and Baozhu, chatting as she set food and drink on the table.
Following Steward Cheng’s instructions, there was no wine, only tea and sugarcane juice with light refreshments.
E Ji smiled broadly.
“Serve Young Master Wang well, do not embarrass yourselves.”
Juan Erli and Baozhu answered obediently.
As soon as E Ji left, two round heads popped up at the doorway.
“Young Master Wang, we are settled as well.”
Teng Yuyi beckoned to Juesheng and Qizhi.
They entered cheerfully, but when they saw Juan’erli and Baozhu inside the room, they grew a little stiff.
Spreading their Daoist robes, they sat cross-legged on the mat.
“The five Taoists from Dongming Temple are already on their way back. They should arrive first. Our senior brother went to the palace, he will be here soon.”
Teng Yuyi pushed the refreshments toward them.
Lin Chengyou went to the palace? At this time, should he not be busy searching for the corpse demon and the golden-robed gentlemen?
Juesheng popped a candied chestnut into his mouth and whispered, “Senior brother escorted Princess Azhi into the palace.”
Qizhi sipped some sugarcane juice.
“Yesterday, the corpse demon was struck six times by senior brother’s arrows and he nearly ground it to dust. It must hate him deeply, and is sure to cause trouble for Princess Azhi. Senior brother feared an accident, so as soon as he returned, he sent her away.”
Teng Yuyi stroked the lotus-leaf cup in her hand.
She had thought Lin Chengyou would send Azhi to Dayin Temple for safety, yet he had sent his sister into the palace instead.
Dayin Temple had Abbot Yuanjue, but who in the palace understood Taoist arts?
A sudden thought struck her.
It was said that the Emperor himself had been raised by Taoist Master Qingxu, and before reclaiming his rightful lineage, had lived at Qingyun Temple.
Surely, he was well-versed in Taoist methods.
Could the master in the palace be the Emperor himself?
Teng Yuyi glanced at Juan Erli and Baozhu and asked with a smile, “It has been several days since we last met. Are you both well?”
Juan Erli and Baozhu were tactful and did not ask why Teng Yuyi could not speak.
They only expressed gratitude.
“Thanks to young master’s protection, these past few days the madam has not beaten or scolded us.”
“That is good.”
Teng Yuyi nodded and wrote, “And what of madam Gejin across the way?”
Juan Erli and Baozhu hesitated and said nothing.
Teng Yuyi looked at Huo Qiu.
He went to shut the door, while Steward Cheng smiled kindly.
“Now you may speak.”
Baozhu sighed.
“Madam Gejin is not well. The day she drank the talisman soup from the Daozhang, her fever did break, but ever since she has been plagued by nightmares. It is said that she has not had a single restful night’s sleep. By day she has no appetite. After only a few days, she has grown terribly haggard.”
Juesheng and Qizhi could not help but say, “The demon poison in her body has already been cleared. By reason, it should not be this way. Did your place not summon a physician to examine her?”
“We did,” Baozhu clutched the flute tightly, “but the physician could not find anything unusual. He only said that Gejin was frightened and needs peace and rest.”
Teng Yuyi wrote, “And the scars on her face? Have they shown any signs of healing?”
Juan Erli looked toward Juesheng and Qizhi.
“The Taoist priest from Qingyun Temple who saw Gejin’s wounds said they were caused by a vengeful ghost. Our mistress has not treated her too poorly and even procured many salves for regenerating skin and dispelling bruises. But they had no effect. The wounds look as though they will scar.”
Teng Yuyi pondered.
No wonder Gejin was so gloomy.
She asked again, “These past few days, has anything strange happened in Caifeng tower?”
The two shook their heads together.
“Since that night, the Caifeng tower has been very quiet. No one has been thrown into the hallway in the middle of the night, and there has been no talk of a ghost knocking on doors over and over again.”
Baozhu suddenly added, “That is not quite right. I heard that Qingzhi has also been plagued by nightmares recently. The maids who share her room could not stand her nightly screams and have gone to the madam to complain several times.”
Teng Yuyi deliberately wrote, “And who is Qingzhi?”
“Gejin’s maid. Lady Teng should have seen her last time. She is dark-skinned and rather tall.”
Teng Yuyi rose.
“Madam Gejin lives in the room opposite, does she not? I will go take a look at her.”
Juan’erli and Baozhu looked a little flustered.
“Madam Gejin has locked herself inside and refuses to see anyone. Allow us to knock on her behalf. If she still refuses, young master must not take offense.”
They soon returned and shook their heads sadly.
“Madam Gejin will not see anyone.”
Teng Yuyi pointed her silver chopsticks at Juan Erli.
“And you? Last time you were not only abducted by the golden-robed gentleman but also dragged into an illusion. How have you been recovering these past few days?”
Juan Erli looked somewhat dazed and quickly lowered her lashes.
“Thank you, young master, for your concern. I am occasionally a little muddled, but at night I have slept rather peacefully.”
Everyone in the room recalled Lin Chengyou’s suspicions from the previous evening and secretly compared Juan Erli’s appearance with Teng Yuyi’s.
Even Teng Yuyi herself could not resist studying Juan Erli a few times.
At first glance there was a faint resemblance, but upon closer inspection, their features were not the same.
In this way Teng Yuyi settled into the Caifeng Tower.
She called for one of He Mingsheng’s stewards and set a fixed allowance for meals each day.
She dined with Juesheng and Qizhi, while Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu were arranged elsewhere.
Once everything was in order, Teng Yuyi noticed the day was already late.
She strolled into the garden and discovered that the small Buddha hall had been sealed off.
She had wanted to go inside and see the formation that once suppressed the corpse demon, but from afar she already felt an oppressive chill.
After shivering several times for nothing, in the end she dared not step inside.
It happened to be the dinner hour when E Ji sent someone to ask where the meal should be set out. Teng Yuyi instructed that it be laid in the main hall of the front building.
There were quite a few people in the front building.
The performers had been shut in their rooms all day, so when mealtime finally came, they were eager to linger outside as long as possible.
The hall was bright with flowers and willows, and seven or eight beauties with green-black hair and rosy cheeks were seated inside.
When they saw Teng Yuyi, they did not shy away but instead laughed freely among themselves.
Teng Yuyi returned their gaze with ease, but Juesheng and Qizhi both flushed scarlet.
Teng Yuyi pulled them to sit at the side and pointed to the dishes on the table.
Her meaning was clear: I had them make extra vegetarian dishes just for you. Try them.
Juesheng and Qizhi quickly waved their hands.
“Lady Teng, please eat. We should not intrude. Our senior brother will be here soon, and we are waiting to dine with him.”
Teng Yuyi feigned surprise.
“If Lin Chengyou sees you eating at the same table as me, will he eat you alive?”
Juesheng and Qizhi shook their heads like rattles.
“It is improper. If senior brother sees, he will not be pleased.”
Teng Yuyi set down her teacup and sighed deliberately.
Qizhi asked in puzzlement, “Lady Teng, why do you not eat?”
Teng Yuyi dipped her silver chopsticks in water and slowly wrote: A whole table of food has been prepared, yet you refuse to eat. I cannot bear to waste this grain and fare.
Qizhi quickly said, “Then perhaps Uncle Cheng and Brother Huo can eat.”
Juesheng tugged at Qizhi’s sleeve. Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu were already seated at another table behind them and had already begun eating.
“Then… then invite those ladies over there to eat.”
But he swallowed his words halfway, for the courtesans were already flushed and clearly well-fed with food and wine.
Teng Yuyi wrote again: You have been hungry for a long while. Eat first.
Juesheng and Qizhi shook their heads firmly.
“It is fine. We can endure.”
Teng Yuyi wrote: Night has already fallen. The corpse demon and the golden-robed gentleman may appear at any moment. If you lack the strength to leap and wield your swords, what if you let them escape again?
Juesheng and Qizhi wavered.
“This…”
Teng Yuyi lifted the lid of a tureen.
The fragrance of the taro custard rose in warm steam, drifting straight into their noses.
She personally ladled a bowl for each of them and wrote: Catching demons comes first. Fill your stomachs. Your senior brother will not blame you.
The two struggled inwardly.
Hunger they could endure, craving they could endure as well, but what Teng Yuyi said made sense.
If the corpse demon came, they would not have a chance to eat all night.
Without strength, the task might fail again.
After waiting a little longer and still not seeing their senior brother arrive, they had no choice but to sit down and say, “We will follow Lady Teng’s advice and have a bite first.”
Just as they finished eating that bowl of taro custard, Lin Chengyou arrived.
He Ming-sheng followed close behind, asking, “Has the Shizi eaten yet? I will have food prepared at once.”
“No rush.”
Lin Chengyou glanced casually into the hall and walked toward Juesheng and Qizhi.
The courtesans stopped laughing, their bright eyes fixed on Lin Chengyou.
This Shizi was different from the disguised “Young master Wang.”
He was a true man, handsome as jade, graceful and pleasing to the eye.
Unfortunately, he was not easy to approach.
Despite his carefree appearance, last time he had even snubbed a beauty like Wei Zi.
Juesheng and Qizhi were eating happily when they suddenly realized the entire hall had fallen silent.
They turned their heads and, startled, quickly put down their bowls and chopsticks.
“Senior brother!”
Lin Chengyou lifted his robe and sat down, smiling.
“I told you to wait for me, and you started eating on your own?”
Juesheng rubbed his hands in panic.
“We hardly ate at all. We were waiting for you the whole time.”
Lin Chengyou looked at the dishes on the table.
“Hardly ate at all?”
The rice was gone, and the soup bowl was nearly empty.
Qizhi lowered his head.
“Senior brother, we could still eat more.”
“Still eat more? Aren’t you afraid of bursting?”
Through the rim of her teacup, Teng Yuyi glanced at Lin Chengyou.
This man still refused to detoxify her, so she certainly would not mind if he dropped dead from anger.
Yet, hearing him scold Juesheng and Qizhi, she instinctively wanted to defend them.
She wrote: I forced them to eat. You, as their senior brother, did not show up for so long. How could they keep starving themselves?
Lin Chengyou said, “Fair enough. Then should I thank Lady Teng for her generous hospitality?”
Teng Yuyi smiled lightly and said nothing, but the meaning in her eyes was clear: if you do not mind the leftovers, you may as well have a few bites.
“Not yet.”
Lin Chengyou let out a short laugh, pulled a bundle from his robe, and tossed it onto the table.
He said to Juesheng and Qizhi, “This, surely, you cannot eat now.”
Their eyes lit up.
“Longcong Pastries.”
The pastries were green in color, clearly bought from the marketplace.
Having been kept in Lin Chengyou’s robe, they still retained a trace of warmth.
With tears in their eyes, the two reached eagerly for them.
“Senior brother knew we loved these, so you specially went to buy them?”
Lin Chengyou stopped them.
“You are overthinking it. I picked them up in passing. You have eaten enough already, so do not force yourselves. Better leave them for someone else.”
(T/N: Longcong Pastries = a kind of green-colored pastry favored by the Tang people.)
