Volume One, Chapter 18: This Princess—She Has Fallen in Love!

That night, Fu Zhixun sat under the lamp reading a book.

Fu Tian reported, “The Crown Prince’s men have come again. We’re keeping watch.”

Fu Zhixun uttered a brief “Hmm,” his gaze never leaving the scroll. Fu Tian was about to leave when a calm, emotionless voice came from behind him: “Kill them all. Blame the Third Prince.”

Fu Tian was startled and stopped abruptly. “Master…”

Fu Zhixun finished reading a chapter, set the book aside, and a faint glint of bloodthirstiness appeared in his usually cold eyes. “From now on, clear out all the cats and dogs spying on the Marquis’s residence. Don’t let them obstruct my view.”

“M-Master—”

“Do you want me to say it a second time?”

“Yes, I understand, sir!”

Fu Tian quickly slipped out.

Fu Zhixun picked up the book again, flipped the page, his expression cool and composed, the murderous gleam gone from his eyes.

*

That night, Ming Shu slept restlessly.

She constantly felt ghostly wails echoing in her ears—old spirits crying, new ones lamenting.

Upon waking early, the dark circles under her eyes made her look ghostlike.

Mu Xi wanted to help conceal them, but the two of them were impoverished and had no makeup or powders.

Helplessly, she asked Zhao Bo for two eggs, boiled them, and applied them as compresses on Ming Shu’s eyes.

While doing so, Zhao Bo arrived carrying two food boxes. “I’ve prepared chicken soup, Little Madam. Drink it while it’s hot…”

As he spoke, he opened the lid and brought out a bowl from inside.

Seeing this, a sudden idea flashed through Ming Shu’s mind.

She grabbed Mu Xi’s hand, stopping her from applying the compress, and stared fixedly at the bowl of chicken soup. “Put it back.”

Zhao Bo was taken aback. “This is free-range chicken, simmered for two hours with angelica, astragalus, and red dates—both delicious and nourishing.”

“Put it back.”

Zhao Bo’s mood soured. Was she afraid he’d poison it? He was the foremost divine physician in the martial world. Why would he poison anyone? Did she look down on him?

“Put the lid back on as well.”

Hmph, if you won’t drink it, so be it. I’ll just pour it out or feed it to the dogs!

“Open the lid and bring the chicken soup out.”

Zhao Bo glanced at Ming Shu oddly. Was she teasing him?

Ming Shu removed the egg compress and hurried over, staring at the closed food box. When Zhao Bo didn’t move, she opened the lid again, her gaze fixed on the steaming soup.

*

Zhao Bo was puzzled, and Mu Xi holding the eggs didn’t understand either.

But a look of relief slowly spread across Ming Shu’s face. She now knew how to repair the seal on the bronze Fang Zun vessel.

“Thank you, Zhao Bo!” Ming Shu brought out the chicken soup and some pastries, inviting Mu Xi to join her. “It’s delicious!”

Zhao Bo was a bit flustered, but Ming Shu then said, “Please tell my husband that I know how to handle Second Uncle’s matter now and would like him to come discuss it.”

Zhao Bo replied, “The young master left early this morning. I don’t know where he went.”

Ming Shu was not surprised. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Then find Second Madam and inform her exactly. Tell her we need a carriage and manpower.”

Cheng Shi hurried back in a flurry.

Ming Shu silently thought: In critical moments, women can be relied upon.

“What do you suggest we do?” Cheng Shi asked succinctly.

Ming Shu couldn’t help but feel a bit fond of this Second Aunt. As long as the children weren’t used against her, she was a fierce general’s daughter.

“Take the bronze Fang Zun and the Dragon Sparrow treasured sword to Guiyi Mountain. I will seal the Fang Zun.”

“Guiyi Mountain? That’s an imperial tomb site. Are you sure you want to go there?”

“Yes. Only Guiyi Mountain’s feng shui can seal the Fang Zun. And after sealing, the vessel must be buried there to prevent further trouble. I know the Forbidden Army guards the perimeter, so I asked Second Aunt to come.”

Cheng Shi thought of the unrest that would come if the Fang Zun remained unsealed and readily agreed, “Alright, I’ll make arrangements.”

After noon, Ming Shu and Cheng Shi’s party successfully entered Guiyi Mountain.

The imperial tomb lay along the main vein, but they went to a branch vein separated by three mountains.

In terms of feng shui, Guiyi Mountain was the dragon vein: the main vein represented the dragon’s head and body, and the branch vein Ming Shu chose was the dragon’s claw, perfect to clamp down on the Fang Zun.

As for the sealing method—

Inspired by the food box, Ming Shu abandoned repairing the damaged seal and instead layered another seal atop it.

Setting the bronze Fang Zun in place, Ming Shu took out a stack of yellow talismans, steeling herself. She cut a slash in her left palm, dipped her finger in blood, and with her spiritual essence inscribed the final incantation on the talismans.

“Second Aunt, Mu Xi, retreat to the mountainside. Remember, no matter what happens, do not come up. If the sealing formation is broken, I will be powerless,” Ming Shu warned solemnly.

Mu Xi asked worriedly, “When will you come down?”

“Not sure.” This sealing array calls upon the Nine Heavens’ mysterious thunder. Even my master has never done it. I’m only fifty percent confident.”

“If I’m not down by nightfall, Mu Xi, then you come up.”

Ming Shu smiled faintly, but Mu Xi’s face instantly paled.

The princess meant that Mu Xi should come up to finish her off if necessary...

“Princess!” Mu Xi grabbed her. “Maybe—” Never mind.

Ming Shu comforted her: “Feng shui masters walk between yin and yang. Nothing is ever completely foolproof. But don’t worry, I’m confident it will work. Though, just in case...”

She bowed to Cheng Shi. “Second Aunt, please look after Mu Xi.”

*

Cheng Shi was moved. “Rest assured.”

After a pause, she added, “If this succeeds, I will reward you handsomely!”

Ming Shu released Mu Xi’s hand. “It’s getting late. I must begin.”

Mu Xi looked back repeatedly, tears welling in her eyes. Cheng Shi gazed at Ming Shu standing in the wind arranging the talismans, admiration welling in her heart.

When she was young, she asked her father why soldiers went to war even though they might die.

Her father said: Protecting the country is the soldier’s duty; the battlefield is their home. They cannot refuse to go.

The feng shui master’s mission was to calm souls, dispel ghosts, and bring peace to the living world.

Cheng Shi looked toward the mountaintop—it was Ming Shu’s battlefield.

She liked this princess.

*

The wind quickened atop the mountain.

Ming Shu sat cross-legged at the center of the formation, fingers flying. Streams of pure energy flowed from her body, drawing the yellow talismans around her.

The talismans rose from the ground, swirling in the air.

The formation activated; the dragon energy of Guiyi Mountain flowed. Amid the raging wind came the sound of a dragon’s roar.

Ming Shu suddenly opened her eyes, pressing her hands together. “Break!”

The talismans blazed with dazzling golden light.

In an instant, wind rose and clouds gathered, swirling thick and heavy from all directions above her.

Deep within the thunderous clouds came a heavy rumbling.

Ming Shu’s heart fluttered with both hope and fear; the formation was half complete, and the most dangerous step was ahead.

She inhaled deeply, releasing a surge of pure energy. The talismans floating in the air caught fire.

At the same moment, a purple lightning bolt struck straight down just before the bronze Fang Zun, followed by a deafening roar like an earthquake shaking the mountains.

Ming Shu’s heart pounded, but she had no choice and no retreat.

Gritting her teeth, she pressed on.

Another bolt of heavenly thunder struck to the right of the Fang Zun.

The burning talismans fell to the ground, igniting dry branches and leaves. Thunder after thunder struck without pause.

When Fu Zhixun arrived, the mountaintop was ablaze with roaring flames.

“Zhixun, Ming Shu is up there…” Cheng Shi said. “She told us to wait here.”

Before she finished speaking, Fu Zhixun had already vanished into the night.