Chapter 38: Breaking the Greed He Thinks She's Like a Jade Dew Dumpling
Xiangshan Temple.
Abbot Dewang looked at the four Taoist priests in front of him and said in a trembling voice, "Four Taoist priests... it's better not to perform this ritual to exorcise evil spirits." He was really afraid that if any more evil spirits were leaked, the Xiangshan Temple would be sealed by the saint.
"This Taoist priest never does things halfway!" Bai Ruxue waved her hand. "Rest assured, Abbot Dewang! With the four of us here, no evil spirits dare approach Xiangshan Temple. The previous incident was simply due to the damage to the talisman paper, which allowed the evil spirit to leak out. This time, this Taoist priest will personally 'supervise' and will ensure the death of these old demons."
He's afraid because of you guys around him!
"This...this..." Abbot Dewang was growing increasingly worried. Looking at the four Taoist priests before him, who were full of confidence, he had no choice but to speak, "Then I'll trouble you four Taoist priests."
In front of him, Hei Rutie, holding a magical instrument, circled around the bronze statue that had previously leaked evil spirits, investigating. He then heard laughter from outside the temple not far away. He turned to look at Abbot Dewang, as if to ask why the place was so lively today, but found that the place where Abbot Dewang had stood was now empty.
Abbot Dewang was really scared, so he took advantage of the time when the four Taoists entered the courtyard to run to the side room and hide.
*
Outside Xiangshan Temple, there is a temporary palace.
Today marks the Waking of Insects, the beginning of spring. In previous years, flowers bloomed most abundantly in this area of the capital's suburbs, especially the vibrant peach blossoms. Therefore, every year after the Rain Water, the Empress would hold a banquet here to entertain the ministers and their families.
Spring arrived early this year, and after a few heavy rains, the hills were ablaze with blossoms, a truly delightful sight. With the spring breeze came an invitation to a flower viewing banquet, delivered to the ladies—Luo Qingling was no exception.
Last night, along with the invitation to the flower viewing banquet, came a letter from the borderlands, stating that my father's condition had worsened and that if he didn't return to Beijing for treatment, he might not survive the year. Although it was already spring, the borderlands were still freezing cold, especially at night.
Luo Qingling hadn't forgotten her ultimate purpose in coming to the capital—to have her father transferred back to the imperial court so the imperial physician could promptly treat him. She'd been delayed by a demonic presence a few days earlier, spending days traversing the outskirts of the capital. By the time she realized she'd lost some time, she'd lost some time. She needed to quickly find a noble person who could help the Luo family and secure her father's return to the capital.
The flower viewing banquet is a rare opportunity.
"This lady looks quite unfamiliar. Who is she from? Is she from the capital?" Under the corridor, the woman's voice behind him was gentle and with a hint of smile.
Luo Qingling looked back. The woman was taller than the man, and her long, cyan gown made her look even more like a young master. She didn't know who she was, but she looked like another noble lady attending the banquet. Luo Qingling nodded slightly and was about to answer when she saw a familiar figure walk around the Begonia Gate and head straight towards her, standing in the corridor.
"Qingyi is so restless that she's made friends with other ladies behind my back?" Deng Yesi walked in from Haitang Gate, joking as he walked, "It seems I don't need to introduce you. This is the lady Luo I mentioned to you."
After not seeing her for half a month, Deng Yesi showed no trace of her initial dejection. Her complexion was now rosy and healthy, suggesting she had recovered quite well. Luo Qingling thought to herself, a smile spreading across her face as she greeted her, "Madam Deng..."
"I haven't seen you for a few days. Why are you so distant from me?" Deng Yesi warmly shook Luo Qingling's hand and smiled at her. "The person you just spoke to is Duan Qingyi, the daughter of the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, Lord Duan."
Deng Yesi extended a finger and tapped Duan Qingyi's shoulder. Duan Qingyi pretended to be pushed away, holding his shoulder and taking two steps back. He deliberately frowned in displeasure, but couldn't suppress the upward curve of his lips. One could tell at a glance that Deng Yesi and Duan Qingyi must be close, otherwise how could they playfully play with each other so familiarly?
"My name is Duan Qingyi. You can follow Ye Si and call me Qingyi." Duan Qingyi smiled, then raised an eyebrow and approached Luo Qingling, who was half a head shorter than her. She lowered her voice and asked, imitating the young master in the capital, "Madam Luo, do you mind if I call you Qingqing?"
"Why would I mind? Qingyi, just do whatever you want." Luo Qingling swallowed the three words "Madam Duan" that were on the tip of his tongue.
She had just arrived in the capital, so naturally she had no close friends. If she hadn't accidentally saved Deng Yesi, she would probably be admiring the flowers alone at the banquet. While she was thinking, Duan Qingyi naturally put his arm around Luo Qingling and led her and Deng Yesi to the courtyard.
The three of them went hand in hand to the depths of the palace to admire the flowers. The flower windows under the corridor were closed, and no one knew who was in the room.
I don’t know who is sitting in the room behind the stained glass window.
The side rooms of the palace.
"Sister, is this Madam Luo the woman who followed Prince Rong'an to catch monsters?" Jiang Shiyun said with a pout, clutching her handkerchief.
"He's just a peasant from the frontier. Why do you care so much about him?" Jiang Mengyun drank her tea expressionlessly. Seeing her sister Jiang Shiyun's unhappy face, she put down her teacup and continued, "Don't worry. The Empress recently asked Aye for your portrait again. I'm afraid you will have to become the Prince's Consort even if you don't want to."
"Sister, what are you talking about!" Jiang Shiyun blushed.
Seeing this, Jiang Mengyun took a sip of tea and said nothing.
Who in the capital couldn't see her sister Jiang Shiyun's feelings for Prince Rong'an? She'd say that while the prince might be handsome, his unruly temper... Jiang Shiyun probably couldn't handle it. But Prince Rong'an was a good husband. After all, there were only a handful of men in the capital who had reached that age without taking concubines.
Moreover, it has been three years since the Crown Prince passed away, and the current Saint only has one son, Prince Rong'an. In addition, the Saint has always doted on this youngest son, so the throne will sooner or later belong to Qin Yanheng. If his sister Jiang Shiyun really marries him and becomes a princess, she will become the queen, second only to the emperor, in a few years.
Furthermore, their father, Jiang Wangui, was the Minister of the Central Secretariat, and marrying a daughter of their family to a prince would be a perfect match. If her younger sister were to become a successful man, she, as the elder sister, would at least benefit from it - by then, she could have as many concubines as she wanted!
Thinking of this, Jiang Mengyun became more and more satisfied. She quickly put down the teacup in her hand and approached her sister Jiang Shiyun with excitement: "Sister, I think there is no young man in the capital who is more handsome than Prince Rong'an. Since the Queen Mother is willing to match you two, why don't you listen to me and..."
After hearing this, Jiang Shiyun, no matter how shy she was, couldn't help but be curious. She pricked up her ears and leaned over. As the two of them whispered shoulder to shoulder, Jiang Shiyun's face became increasingly red, her eyes filled with anticipation of marrying into the royal family and becoming a princess.
That’s Qin Yanheng, the little prince from a wealthy family. Who in the world can compare to him?
Jiang Shiyun also thought her sister's suggestion was very good. She tilted her head, adjusted the gold hairpin on her bun with her hand, then stood up and left.
*
In the capital, the Prince's Palace.
Qin Yanheng was half lying on the couch with his face up, an ancient book covering his face, and he was dozing with steady breathing.
The Golden Dragon Sword is still in Luo Qingling's hands, and the saint's assignment to him to go on a southern tour cannot be delayed. In addition to the official business that requires him to go out, Qin Yanheng has been sitting in the study for the first time in a long time, looking through ancient books, thinking about how to untie the ties that bind the two of them, otherwise he would have to go south with Luo Qingling.
How can this be possible!
Not to mention the fact that they were alone, Luo Qingling had "bad intentions" towards him, and after spending several months together, she was probably trying to get her way. Although he didn't know what her purpose was in approaching him, was he the kind of person who would be easily taken advantage of?
The more he thought about it, the more he drifted away. Qin Yanheng straightened up and forced himself to come back to his senses. Lately, for unknown reasons, a demonic aura has inexplicably appeared in the capital. First, a demon possessed the newly crowned top scholar, Du Yubai, and then a corpse demon... Where did this demonic aura come from?
Qin Yanheng couldn't figure it out. If he had to explain, the only connection between the two was Xiangshan Temple. Maybe he needed to go to Xiangshan Temple in person to find out the truth.
"Your Highness," someone from the palace reported, "The Empress ordered you to go to the palace to enjoy the flowers this morning. It's almost noon now, you..."
Yes, today the Queen Mother is hosting a banquet for the noble ladies of the capital at the temporary palace near Xiangshan Temple to enjoy the spring blossoms. But while it's called flower viewing, who wouldn't know that the Queen is using this opportunity to see him?
It's so annoying.
Didn't he tell his mother a long time ago that he didn't want to travel with anyone in this life? Why didn't his mother give up?
Qin Yanheng lay back on the couch with an expressionless face, feeling exhausted.
Wait... Since it's a flower viewing banquet, Yu Lu Tuanzi should be there, so he might as well go. Of course, Qin Yanheng was very sure that he didn't go to the palace for Yu Lu Tuanzi. He just wanted to find her and quickly untie the shackles of the Golden Dragon Sword. He didn't go there just for Yu Lu Tuanzi.
"Prepare your horses. I will be back soon."
Qin Yanheng got up and left in a hurry, not realizing that he had so naturally called Luo Qingling "Yuletuanzi".
*
Temporary palace.
The cool breeze blew gently, the blossoming trees swayed, and peach blossoms occasionally drifted down in the wind, barely missing a few petals that landed in the girl's hair. Deng Yesi smiled and raised his hand to pick the petals off Luo Qingling's head.
Perhaps it was because this place was close to Xiangshan Temple, and there had been rumors in Beijing recently that Xiangshan Temple was haunted. Currently, apart from Luo Qingling and the other two, no one came here to appreciate the flowers, so it was a quiet place.
"Qingling has just reached the age of marriage. Has your family arranged for a suitable young man to meet you?" Duan Qingyi approached with a gossipy look on his face. Honestly, with Luo Qingling's looks, the threshold of her home would have been trampled down by a matchmaker long ago.
"I……"
Luo Qingling was about to speak when she heard a strange cry from behind the flowers. The voice sounded familiar. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw a round belly bulging out from the top of the wall. Her eyes widened as she looked upward.
Taoist Master Bai Rushue?
Bai Ruxue finally managed to sit firmly on the wall. Then, she turned around and saw Luo Qingling, her face full of worry. She shouted, "Madam Luo, don't come over here!"
Just when Luo Qingling was confused, a voice as black as iron came clearly from behind the red wall, with a bit of trembling: "There is evil energy leaking from the underground of Xiangshan Temple. Right now, it is impossible to determine the direction!"
Is there something evil again?
Luo Qingling hurriedly drew his Golden Dragon Sword, his eyes fixed on the secret door behind the red wall, fearing a demon might burst out. Deng Yesi and Duan Qing were about to drag Luo Qingling away when they heard a scream from inside the secret door.
"Someone come quickly, there is a monster——" The female voice was miserable and crying.
Oh no! A woman is trapped inside!
Luo Qingling didn't have time to talk to Deng Yesi and the others. She flew out and rushed towards the secret door where the female voice came from without looking back. Just when she was about to reach the door, she saw the secret door being opened from the inside.
The person inside must be the woman who just asked for help!
Luo Qingling hurriedly reached out to pull the person out of the secret door, but the woman held her hand tightly and even had the urge to take her into the secret door as well.
The golden dragon sword in his hand flashed, and a force pulled the woman out. Luo Qingling wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but someone pushed her back hard. She staggered forward a few steps and fell into the secret door.
In a trance, a black shadow flashed before my eyes.
The man, wearing a golden python robe, was extremely luxurious. He put his powerful arms around her from behind, but he was still a step too late, and they both fell to the ground.
The secret door behind him closed with a "bang", and the voices of "young prince" were also locked outside.
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