The ice chamber doors swung open. Second Master Xie was hoisted up by the black-armored guards, his jaw nearly dislocated as elderly attendant crushed a block of ice into shards and shoved them into his mouth. He let out muffled groans, tears and snot streaming uncontrollably down his face.
QingWu reclined lazily on the stone steps, savoring a bowl of iced dessert while issuing casual instructions. "Baishui, are you even trying? Can't fit it in? Use a stick to prod it further into Second Uncle's mouth!"
"Look at your speed! The ice in his mouth is already melting, and you haven't even filled it up yet!"
"At this rate, how long will it take to thoroughly cleanse our dear Second Uncle's foul throat?"
Baishui the elderly attendant muttered under his breath, "Might as well just cut his tongue out. Washing his tongue with ice is such a waste of good ice!"
"How crude! Absolutely barbaric!" QingWu exclaimed dramatically.
She finished her third bowl of dessert with evident satisfaction, but her expression suddenly sharpened as a peculiar sound drifted faintly into her ears. She tilted her head to listen, her eyes narrowing.
The Judge's Brush let out a soft "huh?" remarking, "Isn't that an incantation? Someone's summoning spirits in the Duke of Dingguo's residence?"
QingWu rose gracefully to her feet. "Well, I'm full. Time for some exercise!"
She glanced back with a smirk. "Keep it on, and make sure my Second Uncle gets a thorough mouth rinse! Spouting filth like that is a disgrace to the Duke's family!"
Baishui acknowledged her command with a grin.
Lü Qiao and Hong Rui followed QingWu as she left. The steward nearby, thinking her antics were over, relaxed for a moment—only to freeze when she instructed the guards to continue. His face twisted into a bitter grimace.
"Your Grace, perhaps we could let the guards to take a break? At this rate, the ice cellar will be destroyed!"
QingWu chuckled, amused by his concern. "Ah, so you're not worried about Second young Master Xie, but your precious ice cellar?"
"Don't fret. The Dread King is rich. If it's ruined, just send him the bill."
She casually shifted responsibility before pointing in the direction of the sound. "What's over there?"
"That's the courtyard of Young Master Xie Ling," the steward replied.
Xie Ling? Xiao Chenyuan's unlucky younger cousin?
QingWu's interest piqued as she strode toward the courtyard. The steward hesitated to stop her but was interrupted by her cool warning, "Send someone to fetch your Duke. Any later, and you'll be hosting a banquet for your young master's funeral!"
In the Anping Courtyard, Xie Ling's residence, the atmosphere was jubilant.
The Duchess of Dingguo wiped her tears repeatedly with a handkerchief as the maids and older women around her chimed in with well-wishes.
"Young Master has truly turned misfortune into a blessing this time. Not only has he regained consciousness, but his mind has also brightened!"
"This great news must be relayed to the Duke and the matriarch immediately!"
The young boy sat upright on the bed, his restless eyes darting around. His hand, clasped tightly by the Duchess of Dingguo, fidgeted as he tried to pull it away.
"Mother, I'm hungry. I want to eat meat," he declared, swallowing hard as he spoke. Just as he was about to continue, the old Taoist in a yellow robe standing by the bed gave him a stern glare, and he promptly shut his mouth.
The Duchess froze for a moment, then broke into an elated smile. "Alright! Mother will have someone prepare it for you right away!"
Her son, who had always been foolish and dependent, now suddenly seemed sharp and lively. He had never expressed such initiative before, even for basic needs. Overjoyed, she wiped her tears, her mind too filled with gratitude to question further.
The Duchess rose and turned to the Taoist with a deep bow. "Many thanks, Master Baimei. You are a great benefactor to the Duke of Dingguo. I will forever be indebted to your kindness! Please, accept this token of our gratitude."
A maid swiftly brought over a box, revealing several hefty gold ingots alongside a thick stack of land deeds.
Master Baimei smiled serenely, exuding an air of otherworldly detachment. "Madam, there's no need for such formality. This is merely what we cultivators ought to do. As for these material possessions, I cannot accept them."
He made to leave, presenting the perfect image of an unworldly sage unmoved by wealth.
The Duchess was even more touched by his magnanimity and resolved not to let him leave empty-handed. She was about to insist on bestowing more lavish gifts when a commotion erupted outside.
"Who are you?!" a voice demanded in alarm.
The Duchess frowned, her gaze shifting toward the door, just as a strikingly beautiful woman entered, her attire resplendent. The steward of the manor trailed nervously behind her.
"Who are you, and why have you barged into my son's courtyard?" The Duchess's voice was sharp, though her questioning glare fell on the steward rather than the intruder.
The steward, beads of sweat forming on his brow, hesitated to explain. QingWu, however, spoke up without hesitation. "If the Duchess doesn't want your son dead, I suggest you expose this charlatan immediately."
The Duchess froze in disbelief.
The steward quickly interjected, "Madam, this is the Dread King's consort."
Master Baimei's expression shifted slightly but remained composed. "This humble Taoist greets the Dread King's consort. Might I ask what prompts such harsh accusations?"
"Indeed!" the Duchess added, her tone defensive. "Master Baimei is my son's savior, not some fraud."
Her displeasure was evident—anyone would be vexed if their moment of joy were so abruptly disrupted. QingWu's unannounced intrusion only exacerbated matters. In any household, such conduct would be deemed profoundly disrespectful.
Moreover, the Duchess was well aware of her husband's true sentiments toward Xiao Chenyuan. Her wariness and disapproval of QingWu were clear, her gaze laced with mistrust.
After all, the arranged marriage to Xiao Chenyuan was universally seen as an insult, compounded by QingWu's identity as the daughter of Yun Houxing, a source of contention.
"Are you certain the person who woke up is truly your son?" QingWu asked, her tone laced with biting irony.
Taoist Baimei's heart skipped a beat as his sharp gaze fell on QingWu, his previously serene demeanor subtly faltering.
The Duchess of Dingguo froze for a moment, only to be startled by a shrill scream from behind her.
"Get out! Make her leave! Get her out now!"
"Ahhh! Quickly! I want her gone!"
The "Xie Ling" on the bed was now in a state of frenzied hysteria, thrashing like a cornered animal with its fur bristling.
QingWu observed with a faint smile, her expression teasing and full of mockery.
The Duchess frantically tried to calm her son. Meanwhile, Taoist Baimei seized the moment and spoke, "Madam, the young master's soul has only just returned to his body and is still unstable. He cannot bear exposure to filth! Should he be frightened again, his soul might leave his body once more."
Horrified, the Duchess turned to QingWu with a strained expression, holding on to her decorum by a thread. "Dread King's consort, I must ask you to leave."
She gestured to the servants nearby. "What are you all standing there for? Escort her out! Now! "
The steward, drenched in sweat, recalled QingWu's earlier instruction to summon the Duke and felt conflicted. This unpredictable consort of the Dread King surely wouldn't stir up trouble without cause. Yet, the young master appeared perfectly fine now…
He braced himself for a confrontation, anticipating QingWu's usual tempestuous outbursts, only to be met with her shrugging indifference.
"Fine, I'll leave," she said lightly.
"But don't regret it later, Duchess."
After all, this unlucky fool was Xiao Chenyuan's cousin, not hers. She had done her part by warning them. If the boy's own mother refused to believe her, what else could she do?
A ghost like her hardly had the patience for excessive kindness. QingWu left decisively, leaving everyone inside momentarily stunned.
On her way out, she nearly bumped into someone.
Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with a pair of cool, refined eyes belonging to Xie Ziyuan.
Equally surprised to see her, Xie Ziyuan paused briefly before stepping aside. "Your highness."
QingWu blinked at him, momentarily taken aback. Her gaze lingered on his face—an exquisite visage sculpted like jade. She sighed inwardly.
Ah, well. He was her childhood crush, after all.
In a low voice, she said, "The charlatan inside has lured a spirit to possess your younger brother. Be careful, young master Xie."
A flicker of surprise crossed Xie Ziyuan's otherwise calm eyes, but before he could respond, QingWu had already left.
The Duchess, seeing her eldest son arrive, finally exhaled in relief.
"Ziyuan, come quickly! Ling'er is awake now. He even said he was hungry earlier!"
"All thanks to Master Baimei. You must properly thank him on my behalf!"
"That Dread King's consort, however, dared to sully the master's good name without reason!"
Taoist Baimei put on a magnanimous expression, waving away the Duchess's concerns.
Xie Ziyuan stepped inside, saying nothing as his eyes fell on the "Xie Ling" lying on the bed.
Since QingWu's departure, the boy had calmed down, but his behavior remained peculiar. His eyes darted around shiftily, his hands curling like claws as he scratched at himself from time to time. His muttering was incessant:
"Hungry… so hungry…"
"Meat… I want meat…"
The Duchess lovingly stroked his hair, her face brimming with maternal affection and concern.
Taoist Baimei, noticing Xie Ziyuan's intense scrutiny of "Xie Ling," felt a pang of unease. His prolonged silence was unnerving. Fearing exposure,Taoist Baimei hastily said, "Madam, I shall take my leave now."
The Duchess ordered the prepared gifts to be brought over once more. This time, Taoist Baimei did not decline.
As he walked past Xie Ziyuan, the young nobleman, who had remained silent since entering, spoke coldly:
"Master Baimei, I'm afraid you cannot leave just yet."