The triumphant return of the Qingzhou generals was the talk of the capital, but it had nothing to do with me anymore. Every day, before the hour of the Rabbit, I was roused from sleep to pay my respects to the elders of the vast household. Afterward, I was sent back to the Grand Madam’s quarters to read, practice calligraphy, and learn needlework. The Grand Madam likely felt that since I had lost my mother at a young age, I lacked proper upbringing. She had Nanny Shui spend an hour each day instructing me in various points of etiquette, while simultaneously gossiping about the status of every prominent family in the capital and whether they had any sons of a marriageable age.
On this particular day, I was poking at an embroidery frame with tears of exhaustion in my eyes. Nanny Shui continued her lecture while the Grand Madam reviewed account books, occasionally chiming in with a comment. Suddenly, Wen Xiang’s voice drifted in from the front courtyard.
“Stop worrying about my sister Qi. Just give the things to me; I’ll pass them to my mother.”
“Sister, what did A-Qi say to cause such a misunderstanding?” Wei Qingming’s voice sounded helpless. “We’ve known each other since childhood; surely you can trust me a little.”
“Misunderstanding?” Wen Xiang asked, surprised. “Could it be we’ve misread the situation? Was it just a lovers’ spat?”
Wei Qingming feigned a serious tone. “Sister, watch your words. Marriage is a matter for our elders to decide.”
“Tsk, tsk. Look at you now. When you were little, you two were like fighting cocks, always avoiding each other. You’ve certainly changed now that you’re grown...” Wen Xiang was completely led astray by her words.
I was so incensed that I bent my needle and pricked my finger. I let out a sharp cry and stuck the fingertip into my mouth to suck away the blood. When Wei Qingming entered, she found me glaring at her while biting my hand. Acting as if nothing were amiss, she bowed to the Grand Madam and signaled her page to present the gift boxes. Aside from various precious furs and medicines from the north, she had specifically chosen a string of prayer beads carved from thousand-year-old giant clam shell from the North Sea. They were snowy white and lustrous, glowing with a faint, hidden radiance. The Grand Madam smiled and returned the gesture with several gifts of her own.
“Are you staying at home these days, or have you moved back to the Wei Manor?” the Grand Madam asked conversationally.
“I only went back for a look. I’ve returned to trouble my Fifth Cousin again.”
“Mmh. Your place is too lonely; it’s best for you to stay here with us.”
Wen Xiang chimed in, “What has Fifth Brother been busy with lately? I wrote to him last month asking for a few fox kits, but he must have forgotten.”
Wei Qingming smiled. “He didn't forget. It’s just that the Lotus-tail Foxes you mentioned are only recorded in ancient texts. No one knows if they still exist; they aren't the sort of thing one simply runs into. Even if we caught one, they are wild and untamable. I fear they wouldn't survive here.”
The Grand Madam frowned and scolded, “Always filling your head with such nonsense. Those are living creatures; you only want to torment them...” Seeing her mother start a lecture, Wen Xiang said impatiently, “Well, he didn't find them anyway!” She stood up and pulled me along. “Let’s go find Fifth Brother and demand our gifts.”
In front of Wei Qingming, the Grand Madam couldn't nag further, so she waved us away.
Having been stuck inside for three days, I was so elated I wanted to climb onto the roof and scream. I didn't even care that a person I despised was walking beside us. Wen Xiang laughed as I pulled her along. “Look at how stifled you were! You’re going mad. You’d better thank me.”
The Wen estate had nearly a hundred courtyards of various sizes. Its scale was considered medium-large for the capital, and the landscaping of each area had its own unique charm. I feasted my eyes as we walked. Just as I was enjoying myself, Wei Qingming drifted up behind me like a ghost.
“Since you’ve already cultivated an illusionary body, have you really never come out for a stroll?” she murmured.
I rolled my eyes at her, not deigning to respond. It was precisely because an "insider" like her lived here that I hadn't dared to make a move!
Wei Qingming shook her head and sighed. “You needn't guard against me like I’m a thief. I’m holding your secrets just as you hold mine. Why not make things easier for each other?”
I looked at her warily and huffed. “Don't think you can drag me onto your sinking ship. Who knows who would be making things 'easier' for whom?”
Wei Qingming gave that inscrutable smile again. By then, we had reached Wen Sili’s courtyard. From a distance, we could hear children giggling. Wen Sili was directing a flock of mountain finches into various formations, while several younger siblings under the age of ten clapped and chased the birds. Wen Xiang jumped into the fray, reaching out to Wen Sili coaxingly. “Fifth Brother, where are my foxes?”
Wen Sili gave her hand a loud slap. “There are none! Wei the Third and I froze on Mount Suoji for two days and found nothing.”
“Fine,” Wen Xiang said, her eyes lighting up as she saw the finches. “Then give me a little bird.”
The children immediately protested, each demanding one for themselves. Wen Sili, his ears ringing from the clamor of children hanging off his arms and even climbing onto his head, finally relented. “Alright, alright! One for each of you... but you must promise to take care of them. I’ll spank the bottom of anyone who mistreats their bird!”
The six birds were quickly divided. Since I wasn't familiar with Wen Sili, I was slow to speak up, and by the time I did, there were none left. Wen Xiang offered to give me hers, but I smiled and shook my head. “We live together; if you have one, I have one.”
The five children and Wen Xiang swarmed off to play. I sat down by a small pond in the courtyard, resting my chin in my hands as I watched the newly planted green lotuses in the water. Wei Qingming sat down beside me, looking perfectly composed. “Do you like them that much? You aren't planning to eat them, are you?”
I threw a punch at her, but Wei Qingming caught my hand with ease. She laughed. “I may not be your match in illusions, but you’re at a disadvantage when it comes to physical force.”
“Wei, can’t we just mind our own business?” I snapped, my patience exhausted. “I’m leaving as soon as the Second Young Master gets married. I won't get in your way. If you have time, why don't you go ponder something else? I would be eternally grateful!”
Wei Qingming narrowed her eyes, her tone turning a few degrees colder. “The way you speak, one would think I am intentionally harassing you. It was you who first interfered with my business, then slandered my character, and thirdly, humiliated me in public. Not to mention, you’ve disguised yourself as A-Qi to infiltrate the capital for unknown reasons. I could arrest you right now and throw you into the Ministry of Justice’s dungeons.”
I was a bit frightened, but I still shouted back with righteous indignation, “You’re the same! Do you really think your name is Wei? It’s the pot calling the kettle black!” Though my words were stiff, my body was already planning an escape, and my eyes involuntarily drifted toward where Wen Xiang had gone.
Wei Qingming didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She pressed a hand to her forehead and said, “You’ve truly made me lose my head. I was going to say that I’ve spent more time in the north; if you like those birds, I can have someone buy one for you.”
I was tempted, but I still said crossly, “Offering favors for no reason—you must be up to no good.”
“Who said it was for no reason? I happen to need your help,” Wei Qingming said with a faint smile.
“My help?”
“Yes. And in exchange, you’ll be able to step out of this great mansion. How about it?”
I thought about it for a moment. Relying on the various dharma treasures my master had given me for protection, I decided not to let her intimidate me and agreed. Wei Qingming looked relieved and even arranged to take me out the very next day under the guise of a sightseeing tour. It seemed the matter was quite urgent.
The next day, when I reached the western gate, Wei Qingming was speaking with several of the Wen young masters. Among them was a youth I hadn't seen before; he had a somewhat heroic aura, completely unlike the pampered dandies of the Wen family. When the brothers saw me, they greeted me with boisterous laughter, but the new youth’s face turned bright red, and he stumbled over his words. Wen Siyuan took the initiative to introduce him. “This is Lieutenant Xiao Xuelin. He’s been staying at our house recently.”
I had heard that by the Emperor’s grace, meritorious officers who lacked property in the capital were permitted to stay in the homes of high-ranking officials. I gave a polite bow. “Lieutenant Xiao, a pleasure to meet you.” Xiao Xuelin waved his hands frantically. “No, the honor is mine...”
The others roared with laughter. Wei Qingming finally cleared her throat and said, “It’s getting late. A-Qi and I have business. Let’s go.” She beckoned to me gently.
I said demurely, “I haven't been back in years and don't know how the capital has changed. I’ll be going for a stroll today.”
the brothers winked and nudged Xiao Xuelin’s shoulder. “A stroll! We’ll go too!” Seeing Wei Qingming’s darkening expression, they began to jeer, “Ah, we’re being tactless! You two go on!”
I hurried Wei Qingming out the door. Outside stood her page, Hong Lu, holding the reins of two snow-white celestial horses that had just begun to sprout wings. I gave a delighted cry and jumped forward to stroke their beautiful feathered wings. Wei Qingming said flatly, “I figured you’d prefer riding, so I didn't prepare a carriage.”
“Uh...” I chuckled awkwardly. Seeing that I only stroked them but didn't mount, she exposed me: “Oh, you don't know how to ride.”
“I can learn right now!” I said defiantly.
“Next time.” Wei Qingming seemed to have lost her patience; though her tone was calm, it carried a sense of urgency. She flicked her hand and summoned a flying litter. Green jade hung from its four corners, and its jade pendants chimed softly. It was draped in ethereal, soft gauze that fluttered even without a wind, hovering and swaying like a small boat half a man’s height off the ground.
My eyes widened. “Isn't flying forbidden in the capital?”
Seeing that his master was in no mood to talk, Hong Lu explained with a smile, “As long as it isn't too high, it’s fine. Look, Miss, there are plenty of litters like this on the streets.” Wei Qingming was already inside the litter. She reached out, pulled me in, and said, “Sit tight.”
Before I could even settle, the litter took off, moving so fast the street scenery became a blur. The gauze was as thin as a cicada’s wing and seemed purely decorative, yet it blocked the wind completely. The litter itself moved with incredible stability; I couldn't feel any swaying. Seeing the exquisite incense pouches hanging from the four pillars, I crawled over Wei Qingming’s legs to reach for one. Wei Qingming suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me back, saying coldly, “Don't touch things randomly.”
She was likely putting on an act in front of others, but this was her true face. The fall hurt, and I felt a mix of fear and embarrassment. I huddled obediently in the corner, not daring to move again. When we arrived, I looked up tentatively. Wei Qingming jumped down, pulled back the gauze curtain, and took my hand to help me out.
Only then did I notice that Wei Qingming was wearing a jade-green Daoist robe today. We had come to a Daoist temple. As they say, clothes make the man; in such elegant attire, a calculating and ruthless person like Wei Qingming actually appeared somewhat ethereal, as if she were detached from the mortal world. She even carried the proud air of a chosen one of heaven.
Seeing me staring blankly at her, Wei Qingming pointed to the three large characters on the plaque: "Wujing Sect."
“Weren't you going to report me to my masters?” she asked. “Go ahead.”
“Heh, I wouldn't dare.” I gave a mock-serious cough. “What do you need me to help with?”
Inside, high-ranking officials and nobles moved slowly about, offering incense. Daoists dressed similarly to Wei Qingming were busy presiding over various rituals, while young acolytes swept the courtyards. The people in the temple were clearly very familiar with Wei Qingming; they barely bowed, simply nodding in greeting before returning to their work. Wei Qingming led me to a secluded courtyard, pushed open a door, and went straight to the bedroom. A woman lay unconscious on the bed, her body covered in bandages. Her breathing was ragged and intermittent, as if she might die at any moment.
Wei Qingming signaled for me to examine her. I carefully channeled a strand of spiritual energy into her mind. After searching for a while, I said in shock, “Her mind has been scrambled into a mess. I can't make sense of anything.”
Wei Qingming seemed to have expected this. “Can you extract her memories?”
I hesitated. “I can try, but if I make even a slight mistake, this lady will become completely mindless. Moreover, she is three months pregnant; I must be even more cautious.”
“Can you tell anything else?”
“The person who performed the technique doesn't come from a legitimate lineage of illusionists. They used rogue methods.” I said disdainfully, “They must have used a massive amount of hallucinogenic drugs—even poisons—to achieve this effect.”
Wei Qingming seemed unaware of this. She gave a faint smile. “I see. That makes things easier.” With that, she struck a message talisman to summon her senior.
Unlike the message talismans used by rogue cultivators, hers didn't require paper. She traced her finger through the air in a fluid motion, and with a gentle flick, the golden, flowing runes flashed and vanished, sending the message.
Wei Qingming’s hands were long and fair, and her movements were graceful and effortless. Seeing me staring unblinkingly, she seemed to add a touch of performative flair to her actions. It was beautiful. I clapped my hands. “That’s so pretty! Can you teach me?”
“This is a sect technique. Every sect is different.”
“Oh...” I said, disappointed. “By the way, where did you learn your half-baked illusions? You seem to lack basic common sense.”
“From a rogue path,” Wei Qingming said, smiling without further explanation.
I stuck my tongue out at her. Suddenly, Wei Qingming asked, “Is your surname Feng or Su?”
“What?” I said warily. “I’m not telling you!”
“The only legitimate lineage of illusionists left is on Mount Gumeng. Naturally, you are a disciple of Perfected Master Huan Yi.” Wei Qingming looked at me as if I were a fool. “And the only demon disciples Master Huan took in are the three with the surnames Feng or Su.”
“You’re certainly well-informed,” I said proudly. “It seems the fame of our Mount Gumeng has grown so great it’s even reached the capital!”
***
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