Chapter 73: The Demonic Dao
The next day, Xun Shu slept until noon.
When she opened her eyes, she stared at the pale yellow curtains overhead for a long moment before she remembered where she was. She sat up, half-closing her eyes for a moment, then brushed aside the strands of hair clinging to her forehead. Slowly, she rolled out of bed, treading barefoot on the cool floor. She carefully walked to the window and opened it.
The capital was dry, and even the air was much fresher. A faint floral scent mingled with the air, pouring into the house and dispelling the gloom that had accumulated overnight, allowing Xun Shu to fully awaken.
The opening of the window was like a signal, instantly spurring the quiet waiting crowd into action. Maids streamed into the room, helping Xun Shu wash and groom. Xun Shu wasn't used to being waited on, but she remained obedient, allowing them to do whatever they wanted.
Several maids entered the room carrying clothes, smiling and introducing, "Her Royal Highness the Princess doesn't know your measurements, so she's prepared a few dresses based on the Second Young Lady's figure. Please take a look at whichever one you want to wear today, and wear it for now. We'll have someone come to take your measurements later."
Xun Shu's eyes swept over the clothes in front of her. They were all made of fine materials she had never worn before. They felt smooth to the touch and must have felt very cool. She pointed to the most plain, lotus-pink dress at the edge. "Let's wear this one. Please tell your sister and His Highness that there's no need to go to all this trouble. I have clothes, but I've been on the road all these days and haven't had time to wash them. Once I wash them, you can wear them again."
The maid smiled and said, "The young lady's old clothes have been cleaned and can be worn anytime you want. It is just a token of your Highness's kindness, so I hope you will not refuse."
Xun Shu sighed and nodded: "Then thank His Highness for me."
Breakfast had already been prepared, and it was filled with exquisite snacks that Xun Shu had never seen before. After she sat down at the table, she asked the maid beside her, "Has Third Brother left yet?"
"The Third Young Master went to court early this morning and he probably won't be home until noon."
Xun Shu didn't ask any more questions, lowered his head and concentrated on eating. After he had eaten and drunk his fill, he didn't delay any longer and took A Shui and Yu Chang away from the Pingyang Marquis Mansion before noon.
The carriage of the Marquis' Mansion was too conspicuous. Yu Chang knew her purpose today, so she picked out a carriage that the servants used when they went out to buy things, which was just big enough for Xun Shu and A Shui to ride in.
The residence of the Lord of the Hall of Eternal Life was located east of the capital, a residence personally chosen for him by His Majesty upon his ascension to the throne. Guards patrolled the perimeter, and even pausing briefly at the entrance would attract the guards' attention, let alone sneaking in.
Yu Chang drove closer, not daring to stop. He slowed down his pace when passing the main gate of the mansion. Xun Shu in the carriage lifted a corner of the curtain, secretly looked around the whole house, and took in the surrounding environment.
Just as the carriage was about to depart, the tightly closed gate of the mansion opened from the inside, and several people emerged. The leader wore a dark Taoist robe over a plain gauze dress, with two yin-yang fish painted on his chest. He looked to be in his forties or fifties, his face pale and his brow furrowed. Behind him followed two young Taoists, their gazes fixed on the people ahead.
The Taoist priest in front stumbled as he crossed the threshold, nearly falling. The two Taoist priests behind him quickly supported his elbows and helped him stand steady. Their eyes swept around fiercely. Xun Shu hurriedly lowered the curtains to block their view.
Before leaving home today, Xun Shu had a fortune-telling done, which had been a minor blessing, and it had come true at this very moment. She had originally only intended to visit the residence of the Lord of the Hall of Eternal Life and speculate where Jiang Zheng might be imprisoned, but she hadn't expected to see the Lord of the Hall of Eternal Life in person.
She recalled the rumors she had heard a few days ago about the Lord of the Hall of Eternal Life being ill, and it looked as if he was seriously ill. It was a pity she was too far away to see clearly, otherwise she would have loved to have read his fortune.
Ah Shui sat aside, watching her movements, and whispered, "Is this the person who instigated the Saint Maiden Blessing Ceremony in Ningyuan Village?"
Xun Shu paused and shook his head. "That shouldn't be the case. The Saint Maiden's Blessing began decades ago. Judging by this man's age, he probably wasn't even born then. Besides, the villagers say the Saint Maiden's Blessing was an idea from the Sitian Pavilion. There's no evidence to prove it's connected to the Changsheng Palace."
"But they didn't stop it, did they?" Ah Shui wiggled his lip and continued, "When the Divine Palace was renamed the Hall of Eternal Life a few years ago, the Hall of Eternal Life sent disciples to observe the ceremony. They must have known the truth about the Saint's blessing. Isn't he the Imperial Master? If he knew, why didn't he stop such a cruel spell?"
Ah Shui, unaware of the snakefish, assumed it was all just ordinary magic. Xun Shu paused for a moment, then mumbled, "Perhaps they have other motives. The Hall of Immortality now has His Majesty's support, making it immensely powerful. But good cannot prevail over evil, and what they're doing now is merely prematurely draining their energy. Once that energy runs out, everything will be over."
Xun Shu didn't want to provoke anyone from the Hall of Immortality. She was alone and weak, and even if she called on her few remaining brothers, it would only mean a few more people would die for the Hall of Immortality. She just wanted to find Jiang Zheng, then hide away somewhere where no one from the Hall of Immortality could find her, and live out her life in peace.
"But how many people will die before that?" Ah Shui stared at the curtains, his eyes seemingly able to see through them, seeing the countless people on the street. "What happened in Ningyuan Village shouldn't be a special case, right? Daliang is so big, how many people have been deceived by them in the invisible corners, and lost their lives in vain because of them?"
Xun Shu was stunned.
Snakehead fish are hard to find, and there might only be one in Ningyuan Village, but what Ah Shui said is not without reason...
What should I do...
The demon's carriage quickly passed theirs and sped off towards the imperial city. Xun Shu and his companions had no reason to linger any longer, so after a few turns, they returned to the Marquis's residence.
When getting off the car, Xun Shu asked Yu Chang, "Maybe we could send someone to sneak into his house and look for Uncle Jiang?"
Yu Chang shook his head. "You just saw it too. His house is heavily guarded. Inside and outside, there are people patrolling the house twelve hours a day. And most of these people are from the Imperial Guards. They are very skilled in martial arts. It's almost impossible to sneak into the house without alerting them."
Xun Shu didn't hold out much hope, so he just nodded and said softly, "Thank you, I understand."
The carriage stopped at the side door of the Marquis' Mansion. After a few people got off and walked a few steps inside, they saw a group of people walking hurriedly with strange expressions passing by.
Xun Shu was curious about what was going on, but before he could open his mouth, Ah Shui went up to inquire. A moment later, he returned and said in a low voice, "The doctor just came and said that the concubine in the mansion is pregnant. The Marquis was very happy, but his joy didn't last long. The Princess summoned the Marquis to the courtyard, and the two had a big argument and left on bad terms."
The concubine in the mansion is pregnant?! Didn't Li Xuanhe say yesterday that the princess turned a blind eye to the matter of taking concubines, but only forbade concubines to have children? Now that the concubine is pregnant, was it her own idea, or was it the Marquis's intention?
Xun Shu had originally not wanted to get involved, but then she realized that the princess was Li Xuanhe's mother and had taken good care of her. Now that she was living in her residence, it seemed only natural that she should offer some words of comfort. She hesitated for a moment, then compromised, saying, "Yuchang, can you take me to the princess's courtyard?"
Yu Chang didn't ask any more questions and led Xun Shu to the Princess's courtyard, the same place Xun Shu had been the previous night. Many people were standing in the courtyard, and their reactions varied upon seeing Xun Shu. Some frowned slightly, while others showed joy. Xun Shu didn't bother to think about what others were thinking and whispered, "Is the Princess okay?"
The nanny accompanying the eldest princess was surprised that Xun Shu would come here at this moment and ask such a direct question. She was stunned for a moment. But when she thought of the girl she had watched grow up, now so heartbroken in her room, she hurriedly said, "The girl has come at the perfect time. Her Highness is depressed and has driven all the servants out of the room, but she likes the girl very much and may be willing to see her. This old servant will pass on the message for the girl."
Xun Shu blinked, but before he could say anything, the nanny had already hurried off to pass on the message. A moment later, she returned happily, saying, "His Highness is willing to see you." She lowered her voice, "Please give your Highness a few more words of advice, so that His Highness doesn't get hurt by these trivial matters."
Xun Shu nodded in confusion, not knowing what was going on, and was pushed into the main room under everyone's expectant gaze.
The doors and windows of the house were tightly shut, making it slightly darker than the courtyard. Everything in the room was normal; there were no broken porcelain pieces on the floor, and the scattered items on the ground were still neat and tidy, quite different from what Xun Shu had expected.
When the princess saw Xun Shu walk in, she did not move and continued to sit calmly at the table, as if nothing had happened. Only the blush in the corners of her eyes had not yet faded, revealing some of her emotions.
"Isn't it ridiculous?"
The eldest princess' voice was a little hoarse, obviously she had just been crying. Xun Shu asked in confusion, "What's so funny?"
The eldest princess raised her eyes and fixed her gaze on her. "I am the eldest princess of Daliang. Outside of this mansion, except for my royal brother and his wife, everyone who sees me must bow to me. Who dares to contradict my opinion? Yet, in this mansion, I am being bullied like this. Now, even a concubine dares to contradict my opinion... Isn't it ridiculous for me?"
Xun Shu scratched her head and expressed her doubts: "Your Highness, since you are so unhappy living here, why don't you leave?"
The eldest princess was stunned: "Leave?"
Xun Shu nodded, and spoke as directly as ever: "Third brother told me the reason why Your Highness married into the Pingyang Marquis's mansion. But now, His Majesty has ascended the throne and the government is stable. Last night, I saw that your relationship with Pingyang Marquis was cold. You probably don't like him that much, right? Since there is no reason to stay in this house, why don't you leave? The princess's mansion should be more spacious than here, right? It's your house, and living there must be more comfortable than living here. Why don't you move back?"
"If I move back, what will He'er do..."
Xun Shu was increasingly bewildered. "What does this have to do with him?" As she finished speaking, she realized what the princess meant and quickly added, "The Crown Prince position isn't his. I see that Your Highness has no intention of competing for it, and he has no interest in it either. If you're worried about him being bullied, there's no need. He's skilled in martial arts and very clever, so no one can tell when he lies. Besides, he's your son, so naturally he can move back to the Princess's Mansion with you."
The princess burst out laughing, her stiff body finally relaxing a bit. She sighed, "If only things were that simple. I've been with the Pingyang Marquisate for decades, and we're deeply tied together. Some ties aren't so easily severed."
Xun Shu didn't know what to say for a moment. After thinking for a long while, he slowly said, "I've never been to the capital before and have never met anyone from the royal family. I thought the princess was extremely powerful, with the royal family's support behind her. She could do whatever she wanted, and everyone had to listen to her. Even after getting married, she was different from ordinary women and didn't have to serve her parents-in-law or husband. Now it seems that I was naive. It turns out that even as a princess, her life is still so difficult..."
The eldest princess was stunned, and her chaotic mind gradually became clear.
Yes, she was the eldest princess. No matter where she was, the etiquette between the monarch and her subjects came first, and nothing else mattered. If she was truly upset, she could just vent her anger. She had endured marrying a widower for her brother's sake, endured for so many years, endured until her father's death and her brother's succession, endured until the old Marquis of Pingyang passed away, and she had also expanded the Li family and even accepted the throne of Crown Prince falling to someone else. She had endured enough, why should she endure more?
There is no such thing as an unbreakable connection. It just depends on whether you have made up your mind and whether you have the determination.
Perhaps this day should have ended long ago.
The princess looked at Xun Shu, her eyes becoming increasingly kind. She took Xun Shu's hand, held it, and asked softly, "My dear, what do you think of He'er? Do you like him? Don't worry, I'm not a stubborn woman who is prejudiced against family status. If you like He'er and are willing to marry him, I will prepare everything for you and will not let anyone bully you."
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