Even while Yuan Qi was setting up his stall, he was worried about how Kong Ling would be dealt with, and he also worried that the Emperor might confiscate Wuji Palace.
She waited all day but no imperial guards passed by to search Wuji Palace, and she was incredibly disappointed.
After performing the three divinations in the afternoon, she hurriedly returned to her residence, waiting for news from Jiang Zhengqing.
When Jiang Zhengqing returned in the evening, his face was expressionless, and Yuan Qi couldn't guess the outcome. She couldn't wait to ask, "Father, how did it go?"
Jiang Zhengqing said, "The Emperor originally didn't want to punish Kong Ling, saying that she was just looking for her things and that you stole her talismans and elixirs. How did such a trivial matter escalate to the court? Later, the four major families jointly impeached Kong Ling, revealing many things she and her senior brother had done. The Bai family and the Xiangli family even brought evidence. Only then did the Emperor have no choice but to punish Kong Ling, sentencing her to beheading. We suggested that this matter was closely related to Wuji Palace, but Kong Ling said that it was all her doing and had nothing to do with Wuji Palace. The Emperor didn't seem to intend to pursue the matter further."
Yuan Qi snorted, just as she had expected: "Father, the Emperor must have known about this all along. Perhaps he and the Imperial Advisor are plotting something. You don't know, I found Xiao Zhen's spirit in Kongling's residence. He said that the Emperor was dealing with the four great families. Didn't the Emperor investigate the matter of Wuji Palace secretly harboring Xiao Zhen?"
Jiang Zhengqing shook his head: "The Emperor said that the general guarding the city personally saw Xiao Zhen leave the city, and the one in Wuji Palace was not Xiao Zhen at all."
Yuan Qi laughed: "Doesn't he feel sad that his own son died? Wuji Palace is almost out of control under his leadership, and he's not angry at all?"
Jiang Zhengqing shook his head: "Who knows? Perhaps the Emperor has some deeper connection with Wuji Palace."
"Well, since Kongling is dead, Wuji Palace has lost another capable assistant. The next targets are Xuanqing and the Imperial Preceptor Xuanji. As for the Emperor, let him enjoy deceiving himself. He'll die on this sooner or later."
Yuan Qi grumbled a couple of times and then returned to Peony Residence.
Wen Zhujun didn't go out today. Seeing that she was looking downcast, she asked, "What could be affecting your mood?"
Yuan Qi explained the whole story: "...Based on your experience, do you think the Emperor and the Imperial Advisor are colluding?"
Wen Zhujun handed her a cup of tea: "It's hard to say. I feel that the Emperor is very dependent on the Imperial Advisor, or rather, the Emperor is reluctant to part with the Imperial Advisor. In the Emperor's heart, the Imperial Advisor is much more important than his own son. Otherwise, how could an ordinary person tolerate his subordinates killing his own child? Even if his own child makes a mistake, it is not up to outsiders to interfere."
Yuan Qi hummed in agreement: "I think so too."
She slowly took a sip of tea, and her mood improved considerably. After all, the emperor's actions had nothing to do with her.
Seeing her thoughtful yet somewhat unwilling expression, Wen Zhujun kindly reminded her, "You killed Kong Qing and Kong Ling in succession. Their master, Xuan Qing, will definitely seek revenge on you."
Yuan Qi glanced at her: "I'm just waiting for him to come to me. I've already sent a message to my master and told him about the recent events. He told me that this Xuan Qing is very likely his traitorous junior brother who has been missing for many years. He told me to wait patiently and to tell him as soon as Xuan Qing comes out to settle accounts with me, so that he can come and clean up the mess."
"I see. Are you sure now?"
Yuan Qi shook his head: "I'm not sure. My uncle who betrayed the sect is called Guang Shan, not Xuan Qing. I don't know if he changed his name or identity. I've never met Guang Shan. My master will have to come and take a look to know."
"Then you should have your master come sooner," Wen Zhujun joked.
Yuan Qi snorted: "When he comes and finds out how much silver I've earned recently, he'll definitely take it all. He's a vain person who cares about his image and likes to brag, so when outsiders ask me who my master is, I always say that my master is Daoist Chongxu."
Wen Zhujun was taken aback: "Are you sure your master won't be angry if you say that?"
Yuan Qi chuckled: "He can't live without me, he'll get over his anger in a little while."
Wen Zhujun stared wide-eyed, indicating her incomprehension.
Yuan Qi did not expect that a few days later, Daoist Guangcheng would come to his door with his disciple Yuan An.
Yuan An, carrying a bamboo basket on his back, followed behind Daoist Guangcheng with a simple and honest smile on his face.
When Yuan Qi arrived at the front hall, he saw Guang Cheng dressed in a dignified and otherworldly manner. He wasn't wearing a blue Taoist robe, but a white shirt, which complemented his gray hair and lean figure. He was also holding a whisk in his hand, looking quite like a hermit master.
His repeated chants of "May you have boundless blessings" stunned the gatekeeper.
The gatekeeper showed great respect to Daoist Guangcheng, letting him and Yuan An in directly, the two of them acting with great pomp and circumstance.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the Jiang residence.
Seeing their appearance, Yuan Qi gave them ample respect and immediately knelt down, saying, "Disciple greets Master!"
Daoist Guangcheng stroked his beard with a serious expression: "Hmm, get up."
He was completely different from the mischievous old man he usually was. Yuan Qi also played along, obediently standing up and even asking Green Bamboo to instruct the kitchen to prepare a table of delicious vegetarian dishes in front of his master.
Because Jiang Zhengqing had gone to the yamen and was not in the mansion, Xiangli Mingzhu came out to entertain Guangcheng Daojun.
When Xiangli Mingzhu met Guangcheng Daojun for the first time, she was amazed by his otherworldly demeanor and treated him with great courtesy. She thought to herself, no wonder he could teach such a capable disciple as Yuan Qi. This master looks like an immortal, so of course his disciple is amazing.
After lunch, Yuan Qi arranged for Daoist Guangcheng and Yuan An to stay in the guest room in the mansion, which was used to entertain distinguished guests. He also sent two clever servants to serve them, which was a great honor for his master.
When no one was around, Daoist Guangcheng revealed his true colors and asked Yuan Qi with great displeasure, "You've been performing rituals for so many wealthy families in the capital, you must have earned a lot of money, right? Why don't you send any of it to the Daoist temple? The temple is almost starving."
Yuan Qi looked at Yuan An, who chuckled and explained, "The Bai family and the Feng family both went to the Taoist temple to pray for blessings and make wishes. They said you said your master's name was Chongxu, and your master was furious. When did he change his Taoist name? How come he didn't know?"
Yuan Qi chuckled guiltily and pulled a box out of his cloth bag. Inside was a thick stack of silver notes, each worth one hundred yuan.
“Master, I’m just worried they’ll bother you. I’ve seen so many things, if they all come to you, you’ll be too busy to handle them all.”
Guangcheng Daojun snorted: "Then you can say another name, why did you make up Chongxu? Does Fusang Temple even have a Chongxu? Humph!"
He glanced at the box, then reluctantly took it. At a glance, it contained at least four or five hundred sheets.
“Master, I can’t make up the names of my fellow disciples. You can just say that my master has gone on a journey, right?” Yuan Qi had already thought of a reason.
Yuan An chuckled again: "That's what Master said."
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