Chapter 29: Receiving Another Invitation from the Chen Family

Elsewhere, court had adjourned in the imperial palace, and officials were filing out one by one.

Guo Xiang hurried forward, blocking the path of a eunuch. The emperor also halted.

He knelt solemnly, bowing deeply with a loud thud, and said, “Your Majesty, this subject has an important matter to report.”

Two days earlier, the young master of the Fang family had approached him, subtly probing if he knew the truth about his son’s death.

Guo Xiang recalled his son mentioning a “divine being helping him,” and surmised this person must be connected to that claim. Trusting Fang Xunli’s intentions, Guo Xiang laid out everything openly.

Sure enough, Fang Xunli possessed incriminating evidence against the Lin family.

Even if his son’s case currently lacked proof, investigating the Lin family could surely uncover leads.

Before long, Fang Xunli, waiting at the designated location, was brought into the palace by a young eunuch.

Kneeling in the grand hall, Fang Xunli appeared composed as he held out documents and ledgers.

“Fang Xunli, son of Fang Zhan, presents evidence of the Lin family’s corruption and abuse of power on behalf of the wrongfully deceased Xu Cheng, formerly the Grand Secretary.”

He then calmly recounted the murder of the Mr. Xu and the threats faced by his eldest son.

Just as he finished, the commander of the Dragon Shadow Guard arrived to report on Lin Xu’s confession from the streets.

That day, the Lin family residence was surrounded by the Dragon Shadow Guard, leaving no escape.

A search of the Lin estate uncovered vast amounts of gold and silver, and all the male members of the Lin family were imprisoned.

As they were escorted through the city, the two charred and blackened figures among them caught the attention of the townsfolk, who burst into laughter. The sound spread along the procession’s route.

Among the crowd was Lord Nie, father of Madam Xu and Lin Xu’s in-law. He laughed the loudest, failing to recognize his in-laws until his son’s servant whispered a reminder. His laughter froze, and he realized he might soon face demotion as well.

Rumors of the Lin family receiving divine retribution quickly spread through the alleys.

Hearing of this, the emperor became even more cautious and issued strict orders for a thorough investigation of the Lin family.

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Qin Xuan felt relief wash over her when she learned of the Lin family’s capture. The heavy burden in her heart was finally lifted, leaving her with a newfound ease and cheerfulness.

The schemes of the second household had failed. Her son Xunli was safe.

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The Next Morning

In high spirits, Qin Xuan busied herself with sewing a wedding quilt, occasionally sharing a laugh with Nanny Lei.

After watering the lush flowers and plants in the courtyard, Hong Xiang washed her hands and joined in to help.

Under the shade of a tree, the three of them sat on the lounge chairs, working on their tasks while chatting leisurely.

Before long, a maid brought in an invitation.

Qin Xuan paused her work to unfold it. It was from the Chen family, inviting the entire family to attend Old Madam Chen’s birthday banquet.

Chen Susu was about to make her move.

Qin Xuan took a deep breath, her fingernails pressing lightly against the gilded invitation, leaving crescent-shaped indentations.

A spectacle like this wouldn’t be complete without Old Madam Meng’s personal involvement.

She turned to Nanny Lei. “The old madam’s condition hasn’t improved?”

Nanny Lei replied, “It’s said to still be severe.”

Qin Xuan fell silent for a moment before handing the invitation to Hong Xiang. “Inform all the residences about this later.”

The evils Old Madam Meng had committed weren’t limited to just this one incident. How could they not use this opportunity to let everyone know?

However, evidence for some past misdeeds might be impossible to find due to the passage of time.

For example, the incident where Er’er fell from the rockery. After hearing the whispers of the heart, Qin Xuan had Nanny Lei investigate in secret, but nothing came of it.

After much thought, she decided to focus her efforts on Nanny Zhang.

That woman had helped Old Madam Meng commit many wrongs and likely knew the most, perhaps even holding onto something for self-preservation.

If she could turn Nanny Zhang against Old Madam Meng, it would be twice as effective with half the effort.

She had already instructed Nanny Lei to look into Nanny Zhang, hoping to uncover something useful.

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At Mingyue Residence

Fang Yuean was playing in the residence under a tree with Er’er, molding clay figurines.

Huai Ze mocked her: “Aren’t you too old to be playing with mud?”

Fang Yuean retorted, “I’ve seen plenty of sourpusses like you.”

She was now a mortal, just five years old, and even by immortal standards, she was still a child. Why couldn’t she play?

Happily engrossed, she even took off her shoes and socks, stomping on the soft mud with gusto.

Er’er, silent as ever, focused on shaping the clay in her hands. Then, holding up her creation, she showed it to Fang Yuean and whispered in her ear, “Huai Ze.”

Fang Yuean looked at it and exclaimed, “Oh, look! A sour bird! It’s exactly like you!”

Then, smiling gently at Er’er, she said, “You’re amazing, Er’er.”

Huai Ze twitched his mouth. “Stop pretending. She can hear our conversation. She already knows you’re not some gentle sister but a raging bull.”

He glanced at the clay figurine in Er’er’s hands and begrudgingly said, “Keep it for me. When we leave reincarnation, give it to me.”

Fang Yuean laughed. “What a rarity! This is the third ‘treasure’ you’ve asked me to hold for you. My space is practically a storage for your junk now.”

The first two were the two sugar figures from a few days ago.

Huai Ze protested. “Junk? These are mementos of my experiences in each life as a mortal!”

Er’er carefully placed the clay figure on a stone to dry under the sun.

Fang Yuean rolled her eyes.

She remembered how, in their first life, Huai Ze had cried like a wolf, begging her to store a giant rock weighing several hundred pounds in her space.

Yes, just an ordinary rock.

Huai Ze had said it was the first place he had ever rested as a mortal.

Then there was a straight wooden stick, an oddly-shaped leaf, dog fur, and so on.

At the time, Fang Yuean’s spiritual power had been entirely sealed, and she could only use a small portion of her space—yet she had ended up storing a bunch of random junk for him.

Er Er inquired about Huai Ze’s preferences again and molded a few things he liked out of clay.

Fang Yuean, on the other hand, crafted clay figurines of Er Er, Qin Xuan, and Fang Xunli. She had not yet met her elder sister and father but planned to sculpt them in the future.

At this moment, Guo Lang appeared in Mingyue Residence, wearing a cheerful expression.

“Great King, the clay figures you made are so lifelike. Could you make one for me, too? I’ll keep it for my parents. Would that be alright?”

Guo Lang wasn’t sure why someone would insist on being called by such a peculiar title, but since they did, he obediently complied.

Fang Yuean, feeling unusually generous, glanced at the maidservants watching them from nearby and lowered her voice, pretending to speak to Er Er. “Of course, no problem.”

Guo Lang beamed with joy, sitting on a large stone nearby. His excitement was evident as he said, “Great King, do you know? His Majesty plans to personally interrogate the Lin family.”

Fang Yuean kept molding her clay figures. “Mm.”

Guo Lang, thrilled, floated over to her side and crouched next to her. “Great King, my parents want to express their gratitude to you. They would like to invite you to our home for a meal. Would you be willing to come?”

Fang Yuean quickened her work. “I want stir-fried lamb and grilled clams. Go home and let them know; I’ll head over once I finish here.”

“Alright!” Guo Lang agreed enthusiastically before vanishing from the Residence.

After finishing Guo Lang’s clay figurine, Fang Yuean feigned fatigue, asking Hong Ye to help wash her hands and feet. Then, she went inside with Er Er to rest.

Once the servants had left the room for a while, Fang Yuean climbed out of bed. “Er Er, help me cover for this. I’ll bring you something tasty when I get back.”

Er Er nodded obediently.

The pig’s nose from the last pork head her sister brought home had been delicious.

On the way to the Guo family home:

Fang Yuean asked, “I noticed Guo Lang’s spectral form is fading. Does this mean he’s about to reincarnate soon?”

Huai Ze replied, “No later than tonight at midnight.”

Fang Yuean was puzzled. “The Lin family investigation, even at a swift pace, would take at least a month or two to uncover everything and sentence the guilty. Why is Guo Lang leaving so soon?”

Huai Ze explained, “He is a wronged soul, not a vengeful spirit. Once his heart finds peace, he naturally moves on.”