Chapter 56

In her drowsy sleep, she found herself in another youthful embrace, faintly hearing a man cough.
“Tan Yu, take good care of your little sister.”
“Master, I will! I’ll make sure she suffers no harm ever again!” The young boy, still inexperienced, assumed the role of elder brother, meticulously caring for his sister.
Including making sure she took her bitter, head-clearing medicine every month.
Remembering this, the bitter taste returned to Shen Qing’s mouth, making her frown.
Later, when Shen Qing was eight, her master succumbed to a poison contracted while saving the common people.
On the verge of death, Qian Zimo summoned his two disciples and performed divinations for them.
As Shen Qing said, when the divination results were revealed, the young Liu Jiyue knelt in tears, speaking with strength and sincerity.
“Tan Yu only wishes to be like Master, slaying demons and protecting the righteous, even if the power is small, to dedicate himself to a world of peace and safety!”
The eleven-year-old boy, still physically immature, wore a plain blue robe. His slender back resembled a willow in the wind, yet his posture was upright, and his eyes shone with unwavering determination.
Using the Xiao Liu Ren divination, Master declared: “Great Safety.”
From then on, Liu Jiyue remained steadfast, fulfilling his promise day after day. Wielding his sword, he traveled among the masses, and wherever it pointed, evil retreated.
But Shen Qing’s case went awry.
As a child, she had no grand ambitions, only a simple wish: she said, “I just want Master, Senior Brother, and Mother’s family to live peacefully, without having to take bitter medicine every day like me.”
Qian Zimo’s heart ached, and at parting, he used the legendary divination method, expending all his cultivation.
Yet the result was an empty hexagram.
This meant only one thing: someone had already used divination to calculate Shen Qing’s fate beforehand. Who it was, no one knew, even Shen Qing, who had lived two lifetimes, did not know.
In the central hall, Liu Siyuan maintained a posture for a long time. Being elderly, he was beginning to tire, a thin sheen of sweat forming on his brow.
After an unknown length of time, someone in the hall said, “Minister Liu, there’s no need for such formalities. Why perform this grand ritual for me?”
Upon hearing this, Liu Siyuan slowly rose, cupping his hands. “Your Highness, please do not jest with this old servant.”
“In fact, I summoned you today for an important matter.” Li Daoxuan said truthfully.
Liu Siyuan’s face betrayed nothing, neither haughty nor humble. “I am at Your Highness’s command.”
“I hear Minister Liu is fifty-six this year, yet has a fifteen-year-old daughter, named… Liu Wanxiu?”
At the mention of his daughter, Liu Siyuan’s expression faltered ever so slightly, then he continued: “Indeed, I have a daughter named Wanxiu. However… recently, misfortune struck. My daughter’s soul was seized by an evil spirit, and she remains unconscious. Forgive me, Your Highness, for daring to ask, but why do you inquire?”
Li Daoxuan’s lips curved slightly. “How convenient. I specialize in treating demonic afflictions. If your daughter has been touched by some evil, perhaps I can tell at a glance. Liu Siyuan, why not let me take a look at your daughter’s condition?”
Upon hearing this, Liu Siyuan immediately knelt and said, “I am grateful for Your Highness’s kindness! But my daughter’s status is humble. I fear disturbing Your Highness would be disrespectful. I beg Your Highness to reconsider!”
“Reconsider?” Li Daoxuan asked lightly, “But I heard just a few days ago that Madam Liu was in great distress and sought aid at my residence, claiming her daughter’s life was in danger and begging me to intervene.” If not for Liu Siyuan’s consent, Madam Liu would never have dared risk offending the prince to knock on the gates of the Cang Palace.
“So why the change today?”
“Your Highness, it was my wife who sought out Lady Shen of Xuanshi Pavilion. My daughter was treated by Lady Shen. Although she is still unconscious, her body has visibly improved. She should regain her soul soon, so I dare not trouble Your Highness to intervene again.”
Liu Siyuan groaned inwardly. Seeing Li Daoxuan suddenly ask about his daughter, he feared that this lawless man might insist on barging into the Liu residence to “diagnose” her himself.
Li Daoxuan was unperturbed. “I am happy to help. How could that be a burden?”
This man truly lived up to his reputation, wild and unrestrained, paying no heed to rules. Heir to the emperor’s favor, even the Censorate counted for nothing.
Liu Siyuan immediately broke out in sweat, regretting ever allowing his wife to seek help at Li Daoxuan’s residence.
Seeing Liu Siyuan hesitate, Li Daoxuan continued for him: “Rest easy, Liu Siyuan. Shen Qing is my fiancée. Her affairs are my affairs. Since your daughter is still unconscious, let me take a look, she might awaken under my care.”
He issued instructions: “I will not enter your residence, to preserve your daughter’s dignity. There happens to be a guesthouse next door. Have her delivered there today.”
Behind the screen, Shen Qing nearly coughed out loud. He was so reckless, making such a move publicly.
Though the intention was to protect Madam Liu from demonic harm, the act was brazen. Shen Qing could not fathom why Li Daoxuan would act so blatantly.
He could have quietly instructed Liu Siyuan to transfer the girl, or dismissed surrounding officials when summoning Liu Siyuan, but now, every official’s ears perked up in shock, as if they’d overheard a state secret.
Once they left the room, Li Daoxuan’s already mixed reputation would worsen further.
Without waiting for Liu Siyuan to reply, Li Daoxuan said imperiously, “I am tired. You idle people may leave.”
One by one, the group exited, leaving a worried Liu Siyuan at the end. As he pondered what to do, a figure blocked his way.
It was a young, fair-skinned guard, unfamiliar to him. The guard’s smiling eyes were disarmingly kind. “Liu Siyuan, Your Highness has more questions regarding Yuanchun Pavilion.”
Liu Siyuan’s eyes narrowed. Alarm bells rang in his mind. “May I ask, guard, what exactly does Your Highness wish to know about the pavilion?”
The guard smiled faintly. “You’ll know when you go.”
Returning to the main hall, only the kneeling Madam Xing, the delicate young master, and Li Daoxuan remained.
“Your Highness, spare me! I truly don’t know who Ah Chou is! That Old Madam Ah Si keeps to herself and is a bit strange. There are so many people in the pavilion, how could I possibly know whom she mingles with!”
One must remember: words are the least trustworthy thing in the world, second only to ghostly tales.
Shen Qing seized Madam Xing’s wrist, lifting it high, revealing the golden bead she had previously given her. Shen Qing’s voice rang sharply: “Go look at the proclamations of the Dali Court. How many criminals claim ignorance daily? Shall their crimes be erased just because they deny everything?”
Being equated with criminals, under the gaze of the Fourth Prince, Madam Xing trembled, fearing she would be sent to the executioner’s prison.
She hurriedly removed the golden bead chain from her wrist. “I never meant to take the gentleman’s things. Please, forgive me!”
Shen Qing cast her a cold glance, then arched her lips, bending slightly to meet her eyes. “Do you know this gold-covered bead is from Persia, a Southern Ocean pearl worth a thousand gold pieces each? Twelve in a string, you could buy an entire street’s worth of shops with them.”
Madam Xing froze, her outstretched hand wavering. Shen Qing caught the hesitation, raising an eyebrow. “What, you’re reluctant to return it now?”
“I…”
“You carry even what I casually gifted, plotting to gain more profit, while the daughters in the pavilion were harmed, you only worry about covering it up to protect your business. You even secured the belongings of Haitang and Shanchai before news of their master’s death spread.”
“Good Madam Xing, a truly greedy false mother, calculating every penny.”
Shen Qing’s words cut deep. She had lured laborers cheaply, protected her own people, yet now even the smallest misstep could expose her.
Madam Xing hadn’t anticipated Shen Qing investigating how she handled Haitang and Shanchai’s belongings. Her face contorted, half-smile, half-cry. “Even so… it’s been so long… I really don’t remember.”
Thanks to Li Daoxuan, Shen Qing could easily get what she wanted; the subordinates were efficient, delivering information in no time.
However, Madam Xing refused to divulge anything about Ah Chou. Shen Qing sighed, sitting back in the Grand Tutor’s chair. Supporting her chin, she said to Li Daoxuan, “Your Highness, she won’t speak. There’s nothing I can do.”
Li Daoxuan looked at her. Shen Qing blinked brightly, mischief sparkling in her eyes.
He curved his lips, playing with his sword. “What shall we do?”
Shen Qing frowned. “She is below me. Her refusal is insubordination. Offending her is offending you. A mere false mother dares show disrespect? She should be killed.” She made a throat-slitting gesture.
A cold gleam shot out, the black sword in Li Daoxuan’s hand unsheathed, almost scorching Madam Xing’s eyes.
She collapsed to the ground but quickly scrambled back, kneeling and bowing, tears streaming. “Spare me, Your Highness! Spare me!”
She was almost touching his shoes with her face.
“Move another step, and you will be executed on the spot.”
Having faced life and death, her mind wavered.
Shen Qing smiled. “Your Highness, after dealing with this useless woman, promise me one thing?”
“Speak.” Li Daoxuan brushed his robe.
“I want Yuanchun Pavilion.” She said.
“You see, Yuanchun Pavilion sits on Pingkang Street, a bustling area full of officials and merchants. Business is booming. If I take over, I’ll open a clothing store, making a fortune.”
She hugged his hand, pouting. “Please, Li A-man.”