Capture the Jade (Attacking the Jade/Inverted Fate) - Chapter 34
Chapter 34
He Mingsheng was dumbfounded.
After Lin Chengyou said those words, he sat back down and showed no intention of leaving.
Very soon, two beautiful women arrived surrounded by attendants.
The one on the left was named Wei Zi.
Her chest was full and snow white like frost, and when she walked her figure swayed with grace.
The other was a delicate and petite beauty named Yao Huang.
She carried the air of an aristocratic young lady.
What He Mingsheng had said was not false.
Both of them looked somewhat weary.
Wei Zi had painted her lips with a vivid red gloss, but it could not conceal her haggardness.
Yao Huang’s face was also thinner than before, though her spirit still seemed good.
She seemed to have applied some rare fragrance inside her sash, for when she moved a rich aroma filled the air.
When she came closer and opened her mouth to speak, her voice was as crisp as a golden oriole.
“I greet Your Highness the Shizi.”
Teng Yuyi had long been impressed by Yao Huang’s singing voice, and now, hearing her speak, felt it smooth as soft spring rain.
As she pondered this and turned her head, Juesheng and Qizhi were staring wide-eyed.
She knew she could not let them watch this spectacle any longer, so she quickly led the two back to the back courtyard.
Once inside the room, she smilingly poured them tea.
The senior brother openly consorted with courtesans and felt no shame, but the junior brothers were so flustered by it.
“Where did you two just go?” she kindly shifted the topic.
“Actually, we did not go far.”
Juesheng accepted the tea with both hands.
“First, Senior Brother and Officer Yan went to the fruit shop across the street to ask whether anyone had purchased preserved cherries. Then they went to a nearby jewelry shop to inquire further. In the end, they also wandered through the pawnshop. By the time they came out, it was already late, so Senior Brother and Officer Yan went to a nearby restaurant to eat.”
Fruit shop? Jewelry shop? Teng Yuyi sipped her tea.
That was not hard to guess, they must have discovered something in Qingzhi’s room.
But what was the matter with the pawnshop? Did Qingzhi pawn things before her death?
Qizhi took out several small packets from his robe.
“Lady Teng, please try this.”
Teng Yuyi saw that it was a packet of steamed bun, most likely bought by Lin Chengyou for his juniors.
She did not want to accept it, only smiling as she said, “You two keep it for yourselves. I do not care much for Hu food.”
Qizhi would not take no for an answer and stuffed it into her hands.
“This one is different. You will understand once you taste it.”
Juesheng nodded vigorously.
“This is the first time we have ever eaten this kind of steamed bun. We thought you all would like it too, so we brought back a few portions. Uncle Cheng, Brother Huo, these are for you.”
Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu laughed in surprise.
“We get some too?”
Holding the packet, Teng Yuyi thought to herself that although the money was spent by Lin Chengyou, the sentiment came from the two little Taoists, who had gone out of their way to bring it back for them.
To refuse would be too unfeeling, so she happily smiled and said, “Since it is the young Taoists’ token of thought, then let us eat it. There is no need for us master and servants to prepare lunch. This will be enough.”
She had just taken one bite when she froze.
“Eh, what filling is this?”
Juesheng and Qizhi’s eyes sparkled.
“You could not tell, right? We could not either. According to the Hu vendor, this has twenty or thirty different fillings. Besides mushrooms, flower-glutinous cakes, and curdled milk, there are many other ingredients we have never even heard of.”
Steward Cheng, who often walked the streets and was quite knowledgeable, was puzzled upon hearing this.
“Little Taoists, if a single steamed bun contains so many fine things, it would be difficult to set a proper price. If sold cheaply, the seller would lose money. If too expensive, no one would buy it.”
Juesheng explained to Steward Cheng, “Uncle Cheng, you do not know. The owner of this Hu shop is an old acquaintance of Senior Brother. When he saw Senior Brother come, he personally went into the kitchen to make it. Usually, it is not sold at all. No matter how much money is offered, he will not sell it.”
Teng Yuyi had only planned to take a few casual bites, but the more she ate the harder it was to stop.
The crisp freshness of the mushrooms and the sticky sweetness of the curdled milk blended together between her lips and teeth, making it impossible to let go.
As soon as one meal ended, she was already thinking about the next.
She wiped her hands and face clean with a towel, smiling as she asked, “Where is this shop located? Another day I shall buy a few portions for my cousin and aunt to try.”
“It is not far ahead. The owner’s name is Hemo. But Lady Teng, it is best you do not go. Hemo will not sell it, no matter how much money you offer.”
“Why is that?”
Juesheng waved his hand.
“This man has a strange temper. After making the steamed bun, he only came out to greet Senior Brother and then disappeared. If it had been anyone else, he likely would not have even shown his face. Officer Yan tried to speak with him, but Hemo completely ignored him.”
Teng Yuyi said nothing.
A Hu shop owner who hid himself within the marketplace must certainly be of solitary and lofty temperament.
Since he cared nothing for wealth, he likely did not regard power either.
Making the steamed bun himself was not to curry favor with Lin Chengyou but because he treated him as a true friend.
It seemed Lin Chengyou indeed had many friends from all walks of life.
“Since Officer Yan and your Senior Brother wandered to so many places, were they perhaps suspicious that Qingzhi did not take her own life?”
Qizhi scratched his head.
“We do not know. Neither Officer Yan nor Senior Brother said anything.”
Teng Yuyi said, “If Qingzhi was murdered, then would the killer not be mingling with us in the building as though nothing happened? When we raise our heads or lower them, we would see him, and perhaps he would even share a meal with us.”
Juesheng and Qizhi whispered, “Lady Teng, do you think Qingzhi was murdered?”
“I would not dare make rash assumptions. Last night your Senior Brother and the other Taoists lodged in the small Buddha hall, which is not far from that well. If Qingzhi was killed at the well, she would surely have struggled and cried out. With your Senior Brother’s sharp hearing, he could not have heard nothing. If she was killed elsewhere and then moved into the well, the distance was long and someone could very well have seen it. These days the situation is unusual, corpses may turn into demons and appear at any time. No matter how bold the killer, he would not choose this moment to strike. Therefore, I suspect Qingzhi took her own life.”
“But if it was suicide, why would Senior Brother invite his colleagues from the Court of Judicial Review to investigate?”
So Qingzhi’s death must indeed hold suspicious circumstances.
Teng Yuyi changed the subject.
“Since we have nothing to do now, why not call Baozhu and Juan Erli to sing a tune?”
Baozhu and Juan Erli soon arrived, though their faces looked terribly pale.
Teng Yuyi personally poured them tea and said gently, “I remember last time you said Qingzhi had been plagued by nightmares these days. Were you close with her?”
Baozhu held the cup and shook her head.
“I was not close to Qingzhi. Juan Erli was half a fellow townsman to her. With Qingzhi suddenly gone, Juan Erli has been uneasy all morning.”
Only now did Teng Yuyi notice that Juan Erli looked dazed.
Baozhu nudged her gently.
“The young master is asking you a question.”
Juan Erli came back to herself and said with sorrow, “In reply to you, I cannot truly claim to be from the same hometown as Qingzhi. It was only that back then we were both sold to the same human dealer. I am Hu by birth, but Qingzhi was sold from Xingyang. I remember Qingzhi always said she still had legitimate sisters at home, but sadly they became separated by accident. I was with her for a few months, and we became familiar. Later I was bought by Madam E, while Qingzhi was bought by Madam Wo, and after that we never met again until Caifeng Tower opened, and I saw her once more. Qingzhi told me that Madam Wo thought she was not beautiful enough. She bought her but never taught her any music or performance.”
Juesheng and Qizhi blinked in confusion.
From the sound of it, this Qingzhi actually wanted to become a courtesan?
Baozhu blushed and said, “Young Master may not know. The girls sold to brothels are doomed to tragic fates. Even if Qingzhi did not serve men, she could never marry into a proper household with honor. She was unwilling to spend her life doing rough labor in the brothel, so, so—”
Teng Yuyi understood.
Perhaps in Qingzhi’s eyes, becoming a famous courtesan was far more glorious than being a servant girl.
“I once asked Qingzhi if she had found her legitimate sisters after all these years. Qingzhi said she had not, but that Madam Wo treated her fairly well. As long as she worked diligently, she could save a few coins each month. Later, when Lady Gejin arrived, the household told Qingzhi to serve Lady Gejin.”
“In that case, Qingzhi did not seem like someone with the temperament to take her own life.”
Teng Yuyi recalled Lady Gejin’s devastated look that morning and could not help but ask, “Did Lady Gejin treat Qingzhi well?”
“Yes.”
Juan Erli nodded blankly.
“Lady Gejin was well read and courteous, and her temperament was very generous. The noble sons often gave her rare fruits and delicacies to win her favor, and she would always share them with those around her. When deer roasts or pickled fish were brought in from outside, she never kept them for herself alone. She had not been here long before everyone in the house liked her. Qingzhi often said she was fortunate to be able to serve such a lady.”
Baozhu suddenly said, “No, not entirely so.”
“Oh, could it be that there was discord between her and her mistress?”
“In the past it was fine, but Qingzhi said that after Lady Gejin was disfigured she became like a different person, often scolding her for no reason and sometimes even beating her. Qingzhi tended to Lady Gejin day and night, yet all she received in return was reproach. Because of this she often complained in secret, and once even begged Madam Wo to change her mistress. Madam Wo scolded Qingzhi harshly, saying she was ungrateful and without loyalty. When her mistress was in glory she flattered her in every way, but once her mistress fell into misfortune the first thing she thought of was climbing to another branch. What use is such a person? She should be beaten to death at once. Qingzhi was so frightened that she kowtowed and begged forgiveness, and from then on she never dared to bring it up again.”
Teng Yuyi thought for a moment.
“So it seems that when Lady Gejin had just met with her accident Qingzhi did not suffer nightmares, and only in these past few days did she start sleeping restlessly?”
Baozhu nodded.
“Qingzhi was one who used her strength but not her heart. When Lady Gejin was harmed by a fierce ghost everyone in the house was in fear, yet Qingzhi seemed fine. She only worried about Lady Gejin’s future and her own, saying that if Lady Gejin’s looks could not be restored then those rare delicacies and fine foods she used to enjoy by association would never be eaten again.”
Teng Yuyi clicked her tongue in astonishment.
This was not merely using strength without heart, it was utterly heartless.
Juesheng and Qizhi were puzzled.
“Why would someone of such a nature suddenly become restless in sleep? Qingzhi had nightmares night after night. Did those who shared her room not ask her why?”
“This… I do not know.”
Teng Yuyi gave a thoughtful sound.
The ranks among courtesans in the house were distinct.
Eji had spent so much money and effort, hoping Juan Erli and Baozhu could one day become courtesans of renown.
Qingzhi was just a servant girl, Eji would not allow them to become too close with her.
Teng Yuyi rested her chin on her hand.
“Enough, we have spoken much and it is tiring. It is too chaotic outside, rest here in my room for a while before leaving.”
Baozhu and Juan Erli looked uneasy.
“Young Master does not want us to play music?”
“Spare me the Hu tunes. Play ‘The Lotus Picking Song’ instead.”
The two answered together.
Juan Erli began to play the flute, and Baozhu followed by plucking the strings.
They had only played half a stanza when Baozhu suddenly froze.
“Baozhu?”
Baozhu’s face turned deathly pale for an instant, but she quickly recovered.
Looking at the tray of preserved cherries on the table she said, “I remember now. That time the mistress told me to deliver medicine to Lady Gejin. I knocked but there was no response, so I went to find Qingzhi. As soon as I entered I saw Qingzhi eating something. When she saw me come in she hurried to stuff the packet back under her pillow, but by accident spilled it all over the ground. I saw it was a packet of preserved cherries, so I paid it no mind. Now that I think of it, that packet was very heavy, clinking as though it contained hairpins or ornaments. While hurriedly putting it away, Qingzhi said, ‘I met an old acquaintance. This packet of preserved cherries was given to me by that person. I want to keep it as a memento, so I will not share it with sister.’”
“An old acquaintance? Did she say whether it was a man or a woman?”
“She did not. At the time Qingzhi was flustered and quickly pushed me out.”
“You suspect that Qingzhi had hidden something beneath the preserved cherries?”
Baozhu nodded.
“That way even if someone caught her they would only think she was sneaking food. If it had not spilled onto the floor I would not have noticed anything.”
“About how much was hidden?”
“Most likely only the top layer is preserved cherries, and underneath it is all jewels and such.”
Teng Yuyi secretly frowned.
No wonder Lin Chengyou had gone to inquire at the fruit shop and the jewelry shop.
Now this was interesting.
Where would a lowly maid get so many ornaments? Were they stolen or gifted by someone? It was one thing for Gejin to often share fruits and snacks, but could it be that she also divided hairpins and treasures among her maids?
At this moment someone suddenly called from outside, “Young Master Wang, Young Master Wang?”
Steward Cheng went to open the door.
He Mingsheng poked his smiling face inside.
“Young Master Wang, I have something I wish to discuss with you.”
Teng Yuyi was slightly surprised.
“What matter?”
He Mingsheng beamed.
“The Shizi wishes for Baozhu and Juan Erli to come over and serve him.”
Teng Yuyi froze.
“If I remember correctly, Lin Chengyou summoned ten ladies all at once. What, still not enough?”
Juesheng and Qizhi coughed dryly, wishing they could sink into the floor.
He Mingsheng sighed.
“Young Master Wang does not know, this is the young man’s first time, so naturally he is a little reckless. The Shizi said he wants to choose one who suits his taste in every way. He fears being dazzled by too many choices, so he wants to look at them one by one in a quiet place. I heard there are still a few beautiful courtesans upstairs who have not gone yet, so he asked me to personally invite them.”
Teng Yuyi said, “He can summon everyone in the whole house if he likes, but I have already spoken with Madam E, Baozhu and Juan Erli are mine now. I will not agree for them to serve anyone else. Tell Lin Chengyou to find someone else.”
He Mingsheng raised his head to wipe away sweat.
“Young Master Wang, this is all my foolishness. Let me first apologize to you. The Shizi insists on having the girls. He said if they are not sent over within half an hour, he will give me trouble. These days I am already in a terrible state, I cannot withstand more turmoil. Young Master Wang, as long as you are willing to let them go, I will repay you however you wish. The things that Madam E secretly accepted, I will return them all to you. How about that?”
Teng Yuyi glanced at Juan Erli and Baozhu.
Both kept their heads lowered in silence.
They clearly did not wish to be sent to serve a man, but since the master himself had come to ask for them, they dared not voice their anger.
Teng Yuyi was not softhearted like a Bodhisattva, but she had promised to keep the two of them safe.
It had only been a few days, how could she let them fall into Lin Chengyou’s hands?
She smiled.
“You sound so pitiful. Boss He, you are rich beyond measure, naturally you would not care about two pearls. But if you dare return my pearls today, tomorrow I will spread the word that the owner of Caifeng Tower goes back on his word. Let us see who dares to do business with you again.”
He Mingsheng cried miserably.
“Oh heavens, this is like immortals fighting while the little devils suffer. The Shizi cannot be reasoned with on that side, and you, Young Master Wang, will not yield on this side. I am stuck in the middle, about to be crushed to death. How about this, the Shizi is waiting for an answer. Please, Young Master Wang, come with me and explain it to him yourself.”
Teng Yuyi thought for a moment.
If Lin Chengyou wanted to take her people, he should have come himself to explain, but now was not the time for stubbornness.
If Lin Chengyou truly set himself against her, she might not be able to protect Baozhu and Juan Erli.
Juesheng and Qizhi kept quiet at the side, clearly feeling troubled as well.
Teng Yuyi suddenly had an idea and whispered to them, “There is something I need to discuss with you.”
After giving them some instructions, she raised her head and said to He Mingsheng, “Lead the way.”
The place was in the back courtyard, not far from the small Buddha hall.
It had originally been a little flower pavilion, temporarily converted into a side room.
Branches and leaves intertwined before the steps, making it an exceptionally quiet spot.
When Teng Yuyi arrived, Lin Chengyou was just coming along another corridor, with several people trailing after him, E Ji among them.
“Shizi.”
Lin Chengyou stopped.
“Have you gathered them all?”
He Mingsheng laughed. “The others are fine, only Juan Erli and Baozhu are giving some trouble.”
Juesheng and Qizhi glanced toward the side room.
The windows were half closed, and the vague outlines of lovely figures in rainbow dresses could be seen inside.
Their faces instantly flushed red.
They ran up to Lin Chengyou, tugged his sleeve, and said, “Senior brother, you must not do this.”
Lin Chengyou was calm as ever.
“What am I doing?”
“Senior brother has already summoned ten ladies. There is no need to call Juan Erli and Baozhu. They are good people. Senior brother, you cannot…”
The last two words were whispered like a mosquito’s buzz. Lin Chengyou touched his ear and realized they meant the word ‘spoil’.
He did not grow angry but laughed.
“I will ‘spoil’ them?”
Juesheng mustered courage and asked, “Senior brother, may I dare to ask you one thing. After you leave this room today, could you call their names from memory?”
“Why should I be able to call their names?”
Tsk.
Juesheng and Qizhi’s faces grew even more unpleasant.
They kept murmuring, “Senior brother, this is not right. These girls were sold to such a place and their lives are pitiable. Senior brother, you cannot add insult to injury.”
“Yes yes yes. If you seduce and then abandon them, that would violate Master’s teachings.”
Those were the phrases Teng Yuyi had taught them.
They had sat on the words and finally blurted them out.
Lin Chengyou was overwhelmed by the barrage of reproaches.
He wondered where they had learned this line about adding insult to injury and seduce and abandon.
His gaze fell on Teng Yuyi and he sneered, “So that is what is going on. It turns out to be Young Master Wang’s doing.”
Teng Yuyi stepped back inwardly, but Lin Chengyou had already come toward her.
When he reached her he looked down at her from above.
“Did you teach them to say that?”
Juesheng and Qizhi hurried to explain, “No, we heard Boss He speak to Young Master Wang when he came to plead. We heard it ourselves. These words were our own.”
Teng Yuyi smiled.
“Indeed I did ask the two young Taoists to intercede. The two women whom Shizi favors happened to be ones I had already taken a liking to in the past few days. I paid Madam E a large sum to prevent them from serving others for half a year. Shizi was not informed of this. Allow me to apologize to His Highness. Juan Erli and Baozhu truly cannot serve Shizi.”
Lin Chengyou nodded.
“You are unwilling to give them up, so you egged these two simpletons on to accuse me of bullying and violating women?”
“You misunderstand, Your Highness. The two young Taoists regard you as their model. They take pride in imitating you in every way. Today news of Your Highness consorting with courtesans spread like wildfire through the house. The boys are still young and cannot always reason things out. I feared they would become fixated, so I explained a few things for them. I never spoke a slanderous word, nor did I dare accuse Your Highness of bullying women.”
Lin Chengyou still smiled on his face but anger flared in his heart.
After a quiet night she had come to provoke him again.
He could imagine exactly how she had “explained” to the two fools.
Nothing good would have come of it.
No wonder Juesheng and Qizhi looked at him that way.
Whatever sort of bewitching words she had fed them had taken hold.
Teng Yuyi spoke gently.
“Your Highness is not unreasonable. Now that the matter is clear I beg Your Highness to be magnanimous and choose other beauties to serve.”
Lin Chengyou sneered.
“What if I insist on being unreasonable today?”
Teng Yuyi sighed.
“Juan Erli and Baozhu have never served anyone. They are clumsy in every way. If they are sent in to serve, they might well ruin Your Highness’s amusement. There are already a dozen beauties in the house. Why add Juan Erli and Baozhu to bring you trouble?”
Lin Chengyou looked up at the sky and thought seriously for a moment.
“That sounds reasonable. Unfortunately I said I wanted so many, and then not one can be missing. I understand what Young Master Wang means. He merely says I am forcing my will on others. Very well. I will ask them whether they are willing. If they agree of their own free will, will Young Master Wang still block them?”
Teng Yuyi thought to herself, with so many people serving the same man at once, only a fool would be willing.
She clasped her hands behind her back and lifted her chin.
“Then I shall go along with what Shizi says. If they are willing of their own accord, I will not stop them again.”
Lin Chengyou turned to ask Juan Erli and Baozhu, “Though many have been called today, I will choose only one. The one selected will receive a generous gift from me. Do you want to try?”
Behind them, E Ji kept winking at the two.
In her eyes, Lin Chengyou was no ordinary young noble.
If he wished, he could buy the entire Caifeng Tower without a second thought.
Since he was willing to have someone serve him, how could they let the chance slip away? Though many had been summoned today, only Juan Erli and Baozhu still had clean bodies.
If one of them caught Lin Chengyou’s favor, what future would they have to fear?
These two foolish children still did not move.
E Ji coughed loudly.
Juan Erli started as if waking from a dream, but her face turned pale.
Not only did she refuse to step forward, she even edged backward behind Teng Yuyi.
Lin Chengyou’s smile faltered.
Teng Yuyi could not hide the mockery in her eyes, the meaning clear—Lin Chengyou, do you truly think yourself a rare treasure? Look, there are plenty who do not want you.
Lin Chengyou gave her a sidelong glance, then turned to ask Baozhu, “And you?”
Baozhu said nothing.
Teng Yuyi looked toward her with satisfaction, but then froze.
Baozhu’s face was like a quiet blooming begonia, even the tips of her ears flushed red.
Lin Chengyou said in surprise, “So you are willing?”
Baozhu twisted the kerchief in her hands, casting a timid glance at E Ji.
Teng Yuyi could no longer smile.
E Ji was overjoyed.
“Your Highness, her name is Baozhu.”
Baozhu bowed slightly, leaving Teng Yuyi’s side to walk toward E Ji.
Lin Chengyou suddenly said, “Wait.”
Baozhu stopped in surprise.
Lin Chengyou sneered.
“Young Master Wang went to every length to protect you, yet you leave her and do not spare her a glance?”
Baozhu bit her lip and lowered her head even further.
Lin Chengyou cast a glance at Teng Yuyi.
“Young Master Wang, you see clearly now. You will not protect this one, correct? I will take her away.”
Juesheng and Qizhi wanted to chase after, but Teng Yuyi stopped them.
Her interest had waned.
“Forget it.”
She turned and walked a few steps when Lin Chengyou’s voice came from behind, speaking to E Ji.
“You go in too.”
E Ji had been holding Baozhu, whispering excitedly and clearly passing on some secret tricks.
Those words fell like thunder.
Baozhu stared in shock, while Juesheng and Qizhi stumbled on their feet.
E Ji was dumbfounded.
“Me?”
Even Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu, who had not spoken all along, were taken aback.
At first Teng Yuyi was startled, then suspicion arose in her heart.
Lin Chengyou calling so many people in at once, even including the elderly madam, could it be that he wanted to seek pleasure with courtesans?
With such doubts rising, she did not hurry to leave.
Juesheng and Qizhi stomped their feet and ran to Lin Chengyou.
“Senior brother.”
Lin Chengyou grabbed Qizhi’s ear and gave a ferocious grin.
“Just wait. Once I am done, I will settle accounts with you two.”
Juesheng and Qizhi were at a complete loss, staring blankly at Lin Chengyou’s departing figure.
Teng Yuyi glanced around and, seeing a nearby pavilion, pulled Juesheng and Qizhi over there.
Juan Erli, who had been glared at fiercely by E Ji several times earlier, found herself in an awkward position, unable to stay or leave, and in the end had no choice but to follow Teng Yuyi as well.
Lin Chengyou did not rush into the room.
He stood on the steps as though waiting for someone, until He Mingsheng invited over another ten or so women of striking beauty.
Only then did he push the door open and step inside.
The door closed, and the windows were also shut.
A cool breeze swept in, making the flowers by the railing rustle.
In the pavilion, everyone stared at one another wide-eyed.
Teng Yuyi forced a dry laugh.
“It is a little chilly. Why not go back inside?”
Juesheng and Qizhi leapt up.
“Senior brother told us to draw talismans. We were only halfway done. We should head back.”
Inside the room, He Mingsheng braced himself and said to Lin Chengyou, “Shizi, aside from Juan Erli and Ge Jin, all of the finest beauties in the building are here.”
There were already four waiting in the inner chamber, while the rest stood in the outer room.
The women exchanged glances, each one filled with puzzlement.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Lin Chengyou paced, examining each woman’s face carefully one by one.
At last he pushed open the door to the inner chamber and bent down to stir the water in the large wooden bath.
The bathwater was a light brown, giving off a strange and lingering fragrance.
“Almost ready. Get into the water and soak.”
The four inside felt their hearts thumping wildly, hesitating whether they should undress outside the wooden bath or once inside it, when they suddenly noticed that He Mingsheng was still in the room.
Strangely, Lin Chengyou had not told him to leave.
Not only did He Mingsheng stay, but several old Taoist priests also entered from the outer room.
Without so much as glancing aside, the old Taoists walked into the inner chamber and said in a solemn tone, “This old Taoist has arrived. I do not know why you have summoned us.”
Wei Zi and the others were shocked.
“Shizi?”
Lin Chengyou sat on a low couch by the window, took several gold ingots from his sleeve, and placed them one by one on the table, unhurriedly.
Then he raised his head with a smile.
“Get into the wooden bath with your clothes on. Whoever can hold their breath underwater the longest will receive this pile of gold as a reward.”
Teng Yuyi returned to her room and slept soundly.
It was only at dusk that she woke up.
Rising, she called Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu over and asked, “Have you ever pulled out beast fangs?”
Steward Cheng lifted his eyelids.
“Lady, what do you mean by this?”
“Just asking casually.”
Teng Yuyi spoke as if nothing was amiss.
“I heard beast fangs are extremely difficult to pull out. Is that true?”
Steward Cheng’s expression did not change.
“Earlier at noon in the front building, in order to learn the weakness of the corpse demon, Lady was even willing to use wine as bait. Now that Lady has just found out that its weakness lies in its fangs, you ask this old servant about pulling beast fangs. This old servant finds it strange, and asks that Lady explain.”
Teng Yuyi tilted her head at Steward Cheng, regretting bringing him along.
This man was meticulous to the extreme; nothing ever escaped his eyes.
She smiled mischievously.
“Uncle Cheng, there is something I have long wanted to ask you. Father said you had just passed fifty, so why is your hair and beard already white?”
This was true.
Steward Cheng’s hair and beard were snow white, but his eyebrows were especially long and black.
At a glance, it was as if someone had taken a brush dripping with ink and scribbled a few strokes on a piece of white paper.
Unmoved, Uncle Cheng smiled kindly.
“Ordinary young ladies are too frightened by such eerie matters to even ask, yet Lady investigates them in detail. Speaking of it, ever since Lady obtained that jade sword, you seem to have developed an interest in strange and supernatural things.”
Teng Yuyi corrected him.
“My sword now has a name. It is called Xiaoya.”
“Very well, the Xiaoya sword,” Steward Cheng immediately amended.
“When the corpse demon clung to Lady, the Master had no choice but to entrust you into the hands of the Taoist masters at Dongming Temple and Qingyun Temple. Matters of exorcising spirits are for the Taoists to handle. Lady must not risk yourself. If something were to happen, how would this old servant explain to the Master?”
Teng Yuyi patiently listened to his nagging.
“Uncle Cheng, in your youth you followed Grandfather into battle, and could be called a heroic figure. Now, having laid down your armor, you manage trifling affairs of the household. That is truly a waste of your talents.”
Steward Cheng’s face changed.
“This old servant and his family have long been indebted to the Master and Madam’s great kindness. My life has already been given to the Master. Not to mention managing trifles, even if it meant shedding my blood, it would be only right.”
Teng Yuyi could not help but laugh and cry.
“Uncle Cheng, we are just talking idly. Why speak in such a way? Even though you call yourself a servant, in my heart I have always regarded you as an elder. I will not hide it from you. The Taoist from Dongming Temple already told me last time, that the Xiaoya sword, as a Taoist spiritual weapon, was born to slay demons and evil spirits. Every so often, it must be nourished with such entities. If not properly maintained, one day it will turn into an ordinary object. Uncle Cheng, you are well read and knowledgeable, you must have heard such sayings.”
“This old servant has indeed heard of it.”
Teng Yuyi slowly caressed the sword hilt.
“Ever since I fell into the water, I have constantly had nightmares. Only with this sword at my side can I sleep peacefully. In these recent encounters with evil creatures, it was also thanks to it that I escaped danger. Therefore, I long ago resolved to maintain its spiritual power properly. But I do not know Taoist arts, nor do I know where to find evil beings to feed the sword. Now with the Taoists from the two temples here to exorcise demons, I do not want to miss the chance. Feeding the sword with two monsters would be best. If it proves too dangerous, I will not throw my life away.”
Most of this was true, she merely left out the part about “borrowing life.”
“This old servant understands.”
Steward Cheng thought for a while.
“Why not hand the sword to this old servant? My martial skills are not poor. When the Taoist masters subdue the two monsters, I will seize the chance to strike at their weak point.”
“That will not work.”
Teng Yuyi gave a bitter smile.
“This sword recognizes its master. Away from me, it is only an ordinary jade object.”
Steward Cheng paced the room a few times, narrowing his eyes.
“This old servant does recall one matter. Years ago when I returned to Chang’an, I happened to meet an old friend in the marketplace. He had just come back from garrison duty on the borders of Nanzhao. While drinking together, he mentioned having encountered the local Corpse King.”
Teng Yuyi’s heart stirred.
Again, it was Nanzhao.
“The Corpse King was also born with a pair of fangs. After being unearthed, it created havoc everywhere, launching night attacks on the camp and devouring many soldiers. A local shaman skilled in witchcraft offered a plan, saying that if two extremely tough and sharp zither strings were fashioned into loops and each loop fastened tightly over one of the Corpse King’s fangs, then dozens of soldiers pulling together at once could wrench them out. The general adopted this method, and indeed, they successfully eliminated the threat. The corpse demon is far stronger than the Corpse King, but since its fangs can extend and retract freely, they must have sockets. If there are sockets, that is the key. They certainly would not withstand being yanked out.”
Teng Yuyi thought for a moment and said, “It is indeed a good method. When I meet the Taoist masters later, I will discuss it carefully with them. But this is not something that can be done by the strength of one person. Even if the corpse demon is destroyed, to whose name will the merit of exorcising the evil be credited? Ah, troublesome, troublesome. Perhaps it is better not to think about the corpse demon and instead focus on that bird demon.”
As the master and servant were speaking, Huo Qiu called from the doorway.
“Lady, Baozhu requests an audience.”
Cheng Bo glanced faintly toward the door, poured Teng Yuyi a cup of osmanthus wine, then clasped his hands and slowly paced to the side.
Teng Yuyi lowered her eyes and took a sip.
“Let her in.”
Baozhu walked in slowly.
Her hair was soaked, her hairpin askew to one side.
Several strands of damp hair clung to her pale neck, making her appear pitiful and delicate.
It seemed she had just come out of the wooden bath, her clothes not yet dry.
She had tightly wrapped herself in a felt cloak, but even so, her lips were still pale from the cold.
Once inside, she looked tearfully at Teng Yuyi.
“I have come to beg Young Master’s forgiveness.”
Teng Yuyi’s face showed surprise.
“Why do you say this? What fault have you committed?”
Baozhu’s tears fell like beads breaking off a string as she slowly prostrated on the ground.
“Young Master went to such pains to protect me, but I was foolish to the extreme, unable to perceive Young Master’s intentions, needlessly causing you disappointment. I have now thought it through and know I was at fault. I hate myself for not being able to make amends. I only beg that Young Master not hold past grievances against me, and grant me one more chance to serve wine and play music at your side.”
Teng Yuyi studied the teacup in her hand and spoke slowly.
“So that is all. I thought it was something else. This is not your fault. The Book of Rites says: ‘In the mansion, speak of the mansion; in the storehouse, speak of the storehouse; in the court, speak of the court; in the office, speak of the office.’ You may not be of the scholar or commoner class, yet you must still seek to preserve yourself. Everything you do has its reasons. One could say you are pitiable as well. Earlier, the fact that you did not blame me for meddling was already good enough. How could I possibly blame you?”
Baozhu broke into a smile through her tears.
“Young Master does not stoop to take offense with me. I am deeply grateful. Living in a cage, everything I do is not of my own choosing. What happened earlier was not by my will, but because Madam E forced me. The Shizi of Prince Cheng, he… he—”
As she spoke, she raised her head, but her chest suddenly tightened.
Teng Yuyi was smiling at her, her eyes shining bright as cold stars.
Although the dislike was not brazenly displayed on her face, it was clear that she had already seen through all of Baozhu’s thoughts.
Sweat began to bead in Baozhu’s palms.
This lady disguised as a Hu person, who called herself Young Master Wang, had already reduced her to nothing but dust.
This was even more humiliating than when the Shizi of Prince Cheng had questioned her in public.
It was as if in Young Master Wang’s eyes, her every move was nothing but a joke.
She instinctively clutched her collar, faintly feeling that although Young Master Wang might have the means to protect her, once her heart turned cold, she could be more merciless than ice.
The past moments of shelter and defense could never again be expected from her.
Having lived peacefully these past days, Baozhu had nearly forgotten the taste of being beaten and cursed by her madam and the wine patrons.
She regretted trying to cling to a higher branch.
If only she had not harbored that bit of wishful thinking this afternoon.
At that time, she thought, since Young Master Wang was in truth a woman, even if she protected them for now, one day she might simply leave.
Only by catching the eye of the Shizi of Prince Cheng would there be any hope of escaping this hell.
Who would have thought that staking everything would instead bring her such humiliation.
Unwilling to end up empty-handed on both sides, she quickly squeezed out a few more tears and said, “Young Master Wang.”
Teng Yuyi heavily placed the teacup on the table.
Steward Cheng and Huo Qiu stepped forward.
“Baozhu, keep some dignity for yourself. Young Master has told you to leave, so go. Do not come again in the future.”
Baozhu’s lashes trembled slightly.
When she raised her eyes again, Teng Yuyi’s gaze already held coldness.
Her body shook, and she rose in disgrace.
