Chapter 48

Li Daoxuan considered Shen Qing’s words carefully, then said leisurely, “Whether you’re clever or not is beside the point for now, but it’s true that you’re hot-tempered and picky… oh, and that’s not all.” He shook his head. “You’re also vindictive, full of scheming thoughts, constantly plotting against others…”
By the time he reached the last part, seeing Shen Qing’s increasingly darkening expression, he pointed at her face. “See? Isn’t that a temper?”
“Heh heh.”
Li Daoxuan stopped at an appropriate moment and straightened his expression. “What Shen Qing says doesn’t matter, and I don’t care. What’s important is that you managed to escape right under Bai Shuisha’s nose and obtained a strand of his hair. That alone is enough.”
He examined the black hair closely, noting a section that had clearly been singed. “I don’t know how you escaped, but I imagine you must have angered him. Soon enough, he might come looking for you.”
Li Daoxuan had guessed correctly.
Shen Qing now fully understood his purpose in proposing cooperation. He didn’t need her to be especially clever or skilled; what he wanted, from start to finish, was a “bait” that would be useful to him.
He wanted bait to lure out Bai Shuisha, it didn’t matter who the bait was, or how clever. That’s why he said he didn’t care.
Shen Qing couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness, with a mind as capable as yours, it’s a pity you’re not in the Dali Court.”
Li Daoxuan: “Do you really think my time in Dongshan Temple was play? How many great demon cases in Chang’an did I solve? I imagine Shen Qing doesn’t know.”
Shen Qing looked up at him in surprise. “I truly didn’t know.” She really didn’t, her impression of him was of someone who, in early years, was rebellious, and later, cruel and destructive.
Li Daoxuan lowered his gaze slightly, eyes meeting hers. That glance made Shen Qing’s thoughts begin to drift.
In her previous life, her memories of Li Daoxuan were few: either watching the protagonist group flee in peril with a sword in hand, detached and aloof, or the image of him slaying demons, blood on his face, and the fierce eyes hidden beneath it.
Though those people weren’t good themselves, the decisive cruelty with which he killed, like a desperate, villainous man at his last end, left a lingering impression. The murderous aura at the corners of his eyes still made Shen Qing’s heart tremble.
Yet, somehow, as she spent more time with him in this life, that cold and cruel Li Daoxuan seemed like a faint wisp of smoke, growing more blurred in her memory.
The images of him slaying demons gradually felt like old dreams buried by time, occasionally rippling in the corners of her mind.
Shen Qing looked at the Li Daoxuan before her, trying to find traces of her previous-life memories in his eyes, but she only saw a profound mystery, like a bottomless, dark pool.
He was no longer the cold man with sword and murderous intent, but had gained calmness and restraint.
What had happened in between to turn a normally steady person into an emotionally unstable maniac?
Shen Qing realized that, in her previous life, Li Daoxuan had also been emotionally stable in his early years, only becoming a maniac later.
Why had she instinctively thought Li Daoxuan was always a madman?
What had happened in her previous life to change him so drastically? It definitely wasn’t because of her retrieving the Glass Heart, she remembered his personality shift happened mid-term. But what had occurred then? Why like this?
Her heart raced and a sudden, intense pain struck her head.
“Setting aside everything else, Shen Qing, have you decided whether you’re willing to agree?” Li Daoxuan asked.
“I…” Everything suddenly went dark. Shen Qing swayed to the side, instinctively clutching the desk.
What Shen Qing didn’t realize was that her face had turned alarmingly pale. Seeing this, Li Daoxuan frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Ding, host body abnormality detected. Activating protection mode.” A cold electronic voice sounded instantly.
Shen Qing’s vision cleared abruptly. Subconsciously, she said, “Hmm?” She touched her forehead. “Oh, it’s just the lingering yin-cold in my body. The chill isn’t fully gone yet; I’m just a bit dizzy.”
Li Daoxuan observed her teetering figure. “Shen Qing, your steadfast perseverance commands my respect.”
Shen Qing forced a smile. “Your Highness overpraises me.” Today, she had gained nothing, spent considerable time, and didn’t wish to linger. “I will consider what you said carefully.”
She needed a way to make Li Daoxuan see her not as mere bait, but as a valuable partner on equal footing.
Only then could the “grand plan” he spoke of truly come to fruition.
She thought for a moment. “Also, when I was summoning Lady Liu’s soul yesterday, I did notice something: Bai Shuisha was attracted by her lingering spirit.”
This clue caused Li Daoxuan to frown. He finally looked at Shen Qing seriously. But after releasing a subtle hint of allure, she added: “I’ll give you my answer next time we meet.”
She teased him, leaving him intensely curious, then withdrew just in time.
Li Daoxuan had sent away the person at the door, allowing Shen Qing to leave the document archives smoothly.
She wandered briefly in a few places, collected the necessary energy, and returned to Madam Liu.
Madam Liu wrung her handkerchief anxiously, waiting for Shen Qing. When she finally saw a familiar figure, she hurried forward. “Shen Qing! You’ve finally returned! My daughter can be saved!”
Shen Qing said, “The Shaqi has been gathered. If all is well, I’ll help your daughter’s spirit find peace.”
Shen Qing did not lie: part of a soul leaving the body indeed requires energy to stabilize the body, preventing the remainder from being taken by spirits. But she did lie on one point: the maximum time for a soul to remain outside the body is fifteen days; she told Madam Liu it was three days.
She wanted to quickly extract any clues about the “Xi Sang” demon from Madam Liu.
While the issue with Madam Liu was temporarily settled, Shen Qing had not forgotten one person:
The girl who had pushed Zhang Miaoyin into the water.
A faint smile appeared on Shen Qing’s lips as she said to Madam Liu, “However, I have one more unusual request.”
Madam Liu: “Please, Shen Qing!”
“Yesterday, two of my household servants went out to buy hu-bing [wheat pastries] for me, and unintentionally offended the patrolling martial officer. I hear they’ve been taken to the Dali Court’s prison.”
She frowned, full of guilt. “Those two have served my father loyally for most of their lives. They’ve cared for me since childhood. It was just that, in their hurry to fulfill my odd craving during my illness, they got into trouble with the officer. They are strong-willed; I worry they won’t comply easily while imprisoned. I wish to see them to calm their worries.”
Madam Liu hesitated. “So they are loyal Shen servants. It’s just a misunderstanding. Don’t worry, Shen Qing, I will instruct Young Master An to treat them well. Soon they’ll return home. But I see your weak condition; entering the hot-blooded prison may be too much for you.”
Shen Qing sighed. “Forget the prison. Even years ago, when following my senior brother to exorcise demons, I saw massacres and gutted corpses. I can’t bear the thought of those two being harmed. If I don’t see them to reassure them, my worry will only deepen, affecting my own mindset.”
Hearing that it could affect her mindset, Madam Liu’s expression changed. Normally, she would admire Shen Qing’s loyalty, but with her daughter’s safety at stake, she felt some resentment, this concern came at the wrong time.
She said, “Please wait regarding the prison. Once Young Master An delivers the noble guest, I’ll find a way.”
Shen Qing knew exactly who the “noble guest” referred to; once the prince was taken away, Shi Qinglan might also return to the prison, making things inconvenient for her.
“Madam, rest assured. No need to trouble Officer Liu. I have my own methods.”
At the Dali Court prison gate, two sleepy guards leaned against the peeling wall. The heat made them drowsy; their eyelids felt unbearably heavy.
A sharp cough instantly woke them. Looking up, they saw Madam Liu.
Fearing to offend her, they hurriedly hid their swords behind their backs. “Madam, why are you here? This place holds dangerous prisoners. Please, step aside!”
Madam Liu’s expression was grave as she gestured for them to follow her. “Stay with me briefly. Young Master An has entrusted me with a message. He is entertaining a noble guest and cannot come himself, so he asked me to inform you.”
The small guards wondered why the Madam had to come personally. But then thought: if it’s important enough for her to come herself, it must be very serious.
They quickly straightened their expressions and followed her.
Shen Qing also entered the prison.
The air inside was thick with blood, mixed with decay and despair. Damp walls were covered in moss; the only light came from a small window high above, no larger than a head.
The dim candlelight flickered, as if ready to go out at any moment. The stench of blood clung to everything, stimulating the senses and sending chills down the spine.
In this oppressive space, the prisoners’ pained cries and the clinking of chains made every shadow evoke a deep sense of hopelessness.
Shen Qing frowned, covering her nose and mouth with her sleeve as she moved inward, scanning for familiar faces.
Finally, two seemingly weak, average-looking middle-aged men came into view.
Their attire was neat, the cell floor covered with fresh straw, and they were not shackled.
Seeing them, Shen Qing quickly approached and whispered, “Master Wang, Master Song!”
The two men, who had been resting with eyes closed against the wall, immediately opened their eyes. They strode over to Shen Qing, separated by the thick wooden bars. “Lady! Why have you come to this filthy place yourself? Leave quickly, do not let this place dirty your eyes!”
Shen Qing said, “I’ll leave immediately!” She glanced back at the prison, where a bloodied and bedraggled figure rested. Judging by the face, it seemed to be a young girl.
“Any changes?”
The bearded man called Master Song lowered his voice. “No abnormalities for now.”
Shen Qing nodded and instructed, “Keep a close watch on her during this time. Protect her life. Don’t let anyone spirit her away to Yama without me noticing. If the case concludes in a month, find a way to bring her back to me, I will interrogate her personally.”
Her intuition told her that the mastermind would not sit idle. She feared that this only girl who knew the clue might be silenced inside the prison. So Shen Qing arranged for two of her household “shadows” to keep watch over her.
The so-called “shadows” of the Shen household were elite warriors personally chosen and rigorously trained by General Shen. Not only were they highly skilled in martial arts, but they were also fiercely loyal.
Shen Qing now had ten shadows. They obeyed only her orders; no one else’s, not even her father’s. In her previous life, all of them had been killed by the Xi Sang demon, yet even to the end, they guarded the Shen residence, protecting Shen Qing.
Shen Qing exhaled and said, “If necessary, prioritize your own safety. If you cannot defeat them, return home immediately. No lingering to fight.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Shen Qing reasoned that since the mastermind had already tried to frame Zhang Miaoyin by pushing her into the water, they would ensure all loose ends were handled. The Crown Prince demanded the case be closed within a month, so the final verdict might merely cite “personal jealousy” and be left unresolved.
Once the heat of the investigation passed, she would find a way to retain the girl and pry the truth from her herself.
Madam Liu spent a long while instructing the guards, sweat beading her forehead. When a cat’s meow sounded, she finally relaxed. “Remember, this is the Shen family’s young lady, the future Princess of Cang. Do not offend her!”
The guards responded, “Yes!”
Shen Qing walked away, and Madam Liu sent the two men off.
Successfully leaving the Dali Court, having pacified Liu Wanxiu’s spirit, Shen Qing returned to her own residence.
Along the way, she pondered the things she had seen in Liu Wanxiu’s spirit realm.
There was no record of Bai Shuisha’s origins in the archive today, indicating that someone had deliberately erased all traces of him.
This lead was thus cut off.
Yet, a glimmer of hope remained, she had found a clue regarding the Xi Sang demon in Liu Wanxiu’s realm.
Liu Wanxiu was likely the Xi Sang demon’s younger sister. Yet in Chang’an, everyone knew that Officer Liu and Madam Liu had a late-born daughter, cherished and pampered, and no one had ever heard of an elder sister.
Now, Liu Wanxiu’s lingering spirit had been seized by Bai Shuisha. Even if forcibly awakened, she would only see a stammering, foolish figure. When Shen Qing mentioned “elder sister” to Madam Liu, the latter looked utterly puzzled, as if such a person did not exist.
The only clue now lay at the Yuanchun Pavilion, by the pond with the floating boat.
She would have to make a trip there.
Suddenly, as if recalling something, Shen Qing stopped in her tracks.
A few days before the Shen family massacre, an extraordinary case had occurred at Yuanchun Pavilion.
Over a dozen people were flayed and thrown into the Huachun Pond in the back courtyard.
By the time the bodies were discovered, they had been mostly devoured by red koi, leaving only glimpses of bones.
What should have been a sensational case in Chang’an was overshadowed by news of the Shen family massacre a few days later.
She had almost forgotten this incident!