After finishing her meal, QingWu went to find Xiao Chenyuan, not forgetting to bring the cloak he had left behind the previous night.
This time, she entered his study unimpeded. Elderly Attendant stood guard at the door, his face still stern. Upon seeing her, however, he reluctantly gave a curt nod of respect. "Your Highness."
QingWu raised a brow. "What's gotten into you today? So polite?"
Elderly Attendant ground his teeth but did not say anyting further.
With a hum, QingWu strode inside, finding the man seated at his desk, buried under a mountain of official documents. She couldn't help but click her tongue, genuinely feeling that the current Crown Prince, a useless figurehead, wasn't half as busy as Xiao Chenyuan.
Her eyes swept the room and landed on a potted plant by the window. The tiny ginseng spirit slumped its leaves dejectedly but began to tremble as soon as she entered the room.
Xiao Chenyuan finished annotating the document in his hand before looking up. He saw her vigorously rubbing the tiny ginseng's leaves, her expression filled with mischievous glee like an overgrown child.
"Didn't you say you had something to discuss?" he prompted.
QingWu tilted her head, tossed the cloak onto a nearby chair, and strolled over, glancing at the mountain of documents. "All done?"
"There's still time."
Seeing how occupied he was, she got straight to the point. "I want you to give the little mountain spirit a proper name."
Xiao Chenyuan raised a brow, mildly surprised. "That's it?"
"Yup! Hurry up and think of one. Write it down for me now."
For him, this was a trivial matter, not even worth mentioning. However, seeing her serious expression, he took a sheet of fine paper, smoothed it out, and, after a brief pause for thought, began writing. His brushstrokes were bold and robust, the characters exuding strength and elegance.
They say one's handwriting reflects their character. Looking at Xiao Chenyuan now, QingWu couldn't see much of his past self. But his handwriting... it hadn't changed.
"Heng Lu," she read aloud. "What does it mean?"
"In the forests and mountains, Heng Lu safeguards the woods. The name represents a guardian, a title of duty and protection."
QingWu's expression grew subtle as she muttered inwardly. Did Xiao Chenyuan realize the significance of such a name when he chose it? Was it deliberate?
The Judge's Brush chimed in, "That little mountain spirit sure is lucky!"
"Do you find the name unsuitable?" Xiao Chenyuan asked, noticing her peculiar look.
QingWu shook her head. "Not at all. I just think it's fascinating how fate works. Perhaps this name signifies a destined bond between you and the little mountain spirit."
She stepped closer, picked up the paper, and, once the ink had dried, folded it into a paper crane.
"Heng Lu, the name of a guardian. Go now." With a gentle tap of her finger, the paper crane spread its wings and flew out the window, dissolving into a streak of light that disappeared into the distant mountains.
At the moment the name was bestowed, the foul miasma shrouding Shiying Mountain—now Heng Lu Mountain—was swept away by a gentle breeze. In the dilapidated mountain shrine, a divine radiance burst forth. A faint silvery laugh echoed through the night wind as fine rain fell, revitalizing the trees and plants, bringing them to vibrant life.
Simultaneously, Xiao Chenyuan heard a soft "Thank you," as if carried by the wind, leaving him momentarily dazed. He felt a strange clarity in his mind, as though a purifying breeze had swept away the lingering malice that clung to him.
"What was that just now?" he asked.
"The little mountain spirit received your blessing."
"Blessing?" He was surprised. "Wasn't it just a name?"
QingWu shrugged, grinning. "Same difference! By naming the mountain spirit Heng Lu, you granted it the title of a protector. From now on, it bears the responsibility of guarding that place. For the spirit, this is a tremendous opportunity. If it succeeds in protecting the land, it might one day ascend to become a deity."
"Congratulations, Your Highness. You've forged a great karmic connection!" QingWu teased with a sly wink. "Aren't you thrilled? Grateful? Come on, praise me! Say, 'You're amazing, Your Highness!'"
Xiao Chenyuan nearly gave in to her antics, the words on the tip of his tongue. Catching himself, he steadied his emotions and gave a measured nod.
"Your Highness, you've done well."
QingWu: …That's it?
Disappointed, she pouted. "Didn't you study with esteemed scholars in your youth? Can't even manage a proper compliment?"
"I'll owe you one."
QingWu gave him a look of pure disbelief. "Owe me? Sure! Write a formal note!"
"And don't forget, you also owe me half of your newfound fortune."
Xiao Chenyuan frowned, though there was a trace of amusement in his tone. "Such shameless habits."
Somewhere deep inside, the act of writing IOUs felt oddly familiar to him. Who else used to insist on doing this?
Although he spoke critically about QingWu's many faults, Xiao Chenyuan still picked up his brush and wrote out the agreement. However, as the conversation shifted to the topic of "ill-gotten wealth," his brows furrowed, revealing a hint of gloom.
QingWu glanced at him. "Did you visit the Xie family today? Judging by your expression, it didn't go well. That Xie family youth's aura is still clinging to you."
The movement of Xiao Chenyuan's brush paused slightly, and he responded with a faint "Mm."
QingWu found it peculiar. The Xie family was the maternal household of the late Crown Princess, and she distinctly remembered that Xiao Chenyuan used to have a close relationship with them. But now… was he turned away at the door?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Elderly Attendant announced from outside, "Your Majesty, Lady Mu has returned and seeks an audience."
QingWu's eyes lit up. "So soon?"
She had assumed Mu Ying would stay overnight at the Minister of Revenue's residence and return no earlier than the next day. Without hesitation, she left Xiao Chenyuan behind and strode out to meet Mu Ying.
In the courtyard, Mu Ying stood waiting. When she saw QingWu, she froze for a moment, her expression complicated. Yet soon, her resolve strengthened. Xiao Chenyuan followed at a slightly slower pace, only to see QingWu already approaching Mu Ying.
"Madam Mu, you've returned so quickly. Was everything resolved smoothly?" QingWu asked.
"Very smoothly," Mu Ying exhaled deeply, her brows finally easing. Her gaze toward QingWu was filled with gratitude.
Noticing the excited look on Lü Qiao's face behind Mu Ying, QingWu deduced that Mu Ying hadn't suffered any losses during her visit.
"Does Lady Mu have something to present to me?" Xiao Chenyuan inquired.
Mu Ying hesitated, glancing at QingWu, before retrieving a roll of records from her sleeve and presenting it with both hands.
Xiao Chenyuan took the records, glanced through them, and his expression darkened. Sensing QingWu's curiosity, he handed the records to her. As QingWu read through them, her smile disappeared.
The records contained detailed accounts of human trafficking, specifically involving children.
QingWu instantly thought of the skeletal remains of children at Shiying Mountain and the vengeful spirits she saw in the ghost mirror.
Mu Ying spoke solemnly. "When my mind was unclear, Wang Sheng and Madam Zhou never avoided discussing matters in my presence. Each time I regained clarity, I recalled their conversations and discovered they were engaged in trafficking children. Over the years, I recorded everything I overheard."
"According to Wang Sheng and Madam Zhou, they were merely intermediaries, delivering the children to Shiying Mountain, which serves as a base of operations. The ones responsible for the abductions belong to another faction."
Mu Ying paused, her gaze complex as she looked at QingWu. Yet QingWu chuckled, "The Ministry of Revenue's Madam Luo."
The clues had all connected.
The Ministry of Revenue's Madam Luo and her steward handled the abductions, while Wang Sheng and Madam Zhou from the Minister of Revenue's residence acted as middlemen, delivering the children to Shiying Mountain. There, the children's physical bodies were fed to mountain demons. Some souls were seized before death to be sacrificed to the so-called ghost emissary Qu Huang, while others were consumed by the ghost mirror.
What a sinister collaboration between humans and spirits!
QingWu turned to Xiao Chenyuan. "With the records Lady Mu provided, the truth behind the child trafficking and murders is now clear!"
Hearing their exchange, Mu Ying realized she had delivered the records into the right hands. At the same time, QingWu's calm demeanor reassured her. The exposure of these records would undoubtedly seal Wang Sheng's fate, but it also meant dire consequences for Yun Houxing and others.
During her visit, Mu Ying had already demanded a divorce from Wang Sheng. Naturally, he refused and tried to detain her forcibly, but with Lü Qiao and Xiao Chenyuan's black-armored guards by her side, she was safe.
Upon learning of this, Xiao Chenyuan merely instructed Mu Ying to stay at the Manor for now.
After Mu Ying departed, QingWu remarked, "The people backing the Ministry of Revenue are undoubtedly connected to those two wicked Taoists. Have we uncovered their origins?"
"Yes," Xiao Chenyuan replied, glancing at her. "The Temple of Cloud's Origin."
QingWu raised a brow. "What kind of place is the Temple of Cloud's Origin?"
"A Taoist temple on the outskirts of the city, situated on Cloud's Origin Mountain. Its incense offerings are prosperous, and many of the capital's elite frequent it for prayers and blessings."
QingWu nodded, but seeing Xiao Chenyuan's expression, she sensed his dissatisfaction with the outcome.
"Follow the trail. Sooner or later, we'll uncover the truth," she said, her curiosity about Mu Ying's earlier encounter growing. She moved to follow, but Xiao Chenyuan stopped her.
"Aren't you forgetting about the agreement?"
"Oh, right! I still want it!"
"Accompany me on an outing tomorrow, and I'll give it to you when we return."
QingWu's beautiful eyes widened. "You're bargaining with me now? What a shameless man you are!"
Seeing her exaggerated indignation, Xiao Chenyuan's mood inexplicably lightened. "Yes, thank you for the compliment, My Queen."
QingWu: Excellent! Another grudge added to the list! Xiao Chenyuan, your days are numbered!