Jiang Zhengqing gave a light snort: "It's the Imperial Preceptor Xuanqing. Who else could it be but him? I've already discussed this issue with the heads of the Bai, Feng, and Xiangli families. The Feng family also has spies in the palace. The Emperor thinks that the four great families control the government, the Xiangli family controls the finances, and the entire Rong Kingdom is falling into the hands of the four great families."

"His Majesty began planning to eliminate the four great families several years ago. However, the leaders of the four great families are spread all over Rong Kingdom. They not only have people in the court, but their local power is also not to be underestimated. Several years have passed and His Majesty has no way to make a move. So he thought of using an evil technique to kill the four great families."

Jiang Zhengqing's eyes held a faint ruthlessness: "Since the Emperor is so ruthless, then we should proceed with our next plan."

He asked Yuan Qi for some paper figures and talismans, instructed his servants to take good care of Jiang Juncai, and then left.

Yuan Qi stayed behind to talk with Jiang Juncai.

Jiang Juncai recounted the events of that time: "When I turned my horse into this street, everyone around me suddenly disappeared, and many men in black appeared. Thanks to the talismans you usually give me, I was able to sense the danger in advance. Also, Miss Wen happened to be returning from outside and helped me. Please thank her for me. It was also thanks to the Glazed Sword that I was able to slay the evil spirits. Seventh Sister, if it weren't for you, even if my martial arts were the best in the world, I would still have died."

Yuan Qi smiled slightly: "It's just that my elder brother's life wasn't meant to end."

Jiang Juncai chuckled lightly. These days he had also come to believe in these superstitious things: "You're right, it's just my fate not to die."

Just then, Xiangli Mingzhu rushed over. She had gone back to her parents' home today and talked with her brother for a while, so she returned late. As soon as she got back, the servants told her that something had happened here, so she rushed over.

She noticed the bandages on Jiang Juncai's body and immediately became extremely worried.

Yuan Qi turned and quietly left, letting the mother and son have a proper talk.

Back at Peony Residence, Wen Zhujun was wiping the Soul-Returning Whip. Yuan Qi didn't need it, so he gave it to Wen Zhujun. He never expected it would be of such great help to Jiang Juncai today.

"My brother asked me to thank you on his behalf."

Wen Zhujun raised her head: "No need to be polite. I've been staying at your house and you've taught me so much. Although we don't have the title of master and disciple, you've already treated me as your disciple. When my master's elder brother is in trouble, I have no reason to stand idly by."

She brandished the Soul-Returning Whip in her hand: "This thing is quite useful. As long as it touches those puppets, they immediately disappear. It's truly worthy of being something you made; it's really effective."

"I got some medicine for Mr. Tushan. Green Bamboo took it to brew. Tushan Ang is also quite ill. He hasn't been at Yaoguang Pavilion these past few days. It was Xiao Hu who got the medicine for him."

Hearing this, the fox, who was sleeping on the chaise longue inside, ran out and looked at Wen Zhujun with concern: "How is he recovering?"

"I'm fine now. I just need to rest for a few more days before I can go to work at Yaoguang Pavilion," Wen Zhujun replied with a smile.

Yuan Qi patted the fox's head: "Don't worry, I went to see him when I had time. He has been running Yaoguang Pavilion for many years and knows best what medicine to take for himself. He recovered faster than you."

The fox was relieved and turned back to sleep on the chaise lounge.

When Green Bamboo returned from brewing the medicine, Red Fir also came back from outside carrying a food box.

Hongshan complained to Yuanqi, "I heard that as soon as Fifth Miss came back, she locked herself in her room and kept crying. I heard she's still crying now. Concubine Li knocked on the door for a long time, but she wouldn't open it. Second Young Master and Third Young Master have both gone over. Everyone says that Fifth Miss has been traumatized. Miss, you went out with Fifth Miss today, why is she crying?"

Yuan Qi said softly, "The man I love is getting married, and the bride isn't her. Anyone would be heartbroken."

Hongshan sighed, "So that's how it is. No wonder the Fifth Miss cried so much. If it were me, I would have cried too."

Jiang Jiulu locked herself in her room and cried, refusing to eat or drink. Li Guiqie and her two sons took turns trying to persuade her to think more positively at the door.

No matter how they tried to persuade her, Jiang Jiulu just couldn't let it go.

Fearing she might do something rash, Jiang Junjing had a servant kick the door open, and the three of them took turns guarding her, never leaving her side.

Several days passed in this way, and the news that Bai Fujun would be getting married next month came. The Jiang family received the invitation, but Concubine Li dared not tell Jiang Jiulu.

Li Guiqie also approached Yuan Qi several times, asking him to persuade Jiang Jiulu.

Yuan Qi said that she would be fine after crying for a few days. Concubine Li had no way to help her. However, Jiang Jiulu did stop crying after a few days, but she became much quieter and stopped visiting Yuan Qi. She spent her days in a daze in her room.

A few days later, Daoist Guangcheng and Yuan An came again and stayed in the guest courtyard of the Jiang residence.

Autumn arrived in the blink of an eye. Bai Fujun had married Li Jiaojiao, and Jiang Songlu was also engaged to Song Qingming, the grandson of Grand Secretary Song.

On the Double Ninth Festival, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, the emperor announced his abdication, allowing Crown Prince Xiao Yi to succeed to the throne. The new emperor ascended the throne and posthumously honored his father as the Retired Emperor.

Upon ascending the throne, the new emperor initiated sweeping reforms, first abolishing the position of Imperial Preceptor and reinstating the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, which had been in place for thirty years.

Xuanqing had no choice but to leave the palace and return to Wuji Palace.

Wuji Palace was no longer a royal Taoist temple, and coupled with the evil incidents that had occurred there, its popularity plummeted.

Yuan Qi, who set up a fortune-telling stall under the old locust tree on Tianshui Street, noticed that the incense offerings at Wuji Palace were not as plentiful as before.

That day, Xiangli Youming made a special trip to find Yuan Qi and invited her to visit the Xiangli residence to see how well he was wielding his whip.

Yuan Qi had just finished calculating the three hexagrams when he happily set off.

Upon arriving at Xiangli Mansion, Yuan Qi asked curiously, "Why has your second uncle been living in Xiangli Mansion all this time and refuses to move out? Isn't the usual rule that when the father dies, the son should separate from the family?"

Xiangli Youming sighed softly, "That makes sense, but Second Uncle said that before Grandfather passed away, he wanted the two brothers to unite and make the Xiangli family great. I think he just covets the position of family head and wants to seize this mansion."

He pointed in the direction of Xiang Lilin's residence: "Look, isn't the ghostly aura over there getting stronger and stronger?"

Yuan Qi glanced at it and realized it was true: "Your house has such a strong ghostly aura, it's easy to attract evil spirits. Has your family been safe these days?"

She looked around anxiously and discovered that the entire Xiangli Mansion was shrouded in a layer of ghostly energy, and it was quite thick.

Xiangli Youming said worriedly, "Strange things keep happening, so my father and brother asked me to invite you here. We have already discussed it. Second Uncle is practicing evil techniques, which are extremely harmful to the family. My father has already discussed with the elders to get rid of Second Uncle as soon as possible, but they are not entirely confident. They would like to ask you to assist them in secret."

Yuan Qi nodded and said, "Don't worry, Xiang Lilin will be punished by heaven for practicing evil techniques."