Volume 1, Chapter 9: Eerie and Bewitching

Two days later, the dust had settled.

No one knew how Fu Zhixun had managed it, but the eleven people who had harmed Yun Qing years ago, including Nanny Tang, were one by one beheaded by the executioner of the Jingzhao Prefecture on charges of murder.

Blood flowed across the ground.

The pot of pink peonies seemed to soak up the blood, turning a dark, purplish red. Soon after, a purplish-red liquid seeped from the petals, trickling down the leaves. It looked exactly like tears of blood, a truly terrifying sight. Even the executioner, who was accustomed to killing without a blink, felt a chill run down his spine at this eerie scene.

Ming Shu, with a calm expression, picked up the peony plant and left the execution grounds.

The cycle of karma was complete; it was time for her to send Yun Qing to the netherworld. She selected an auspicious burial site with excellent feng shui, buried the entire pot of peonies, and burned a few secret talismans. As the ashes scattered and a "thank you" that only she could hear echoed in the wind, she knew Yun Qing had departed.

This matter was now finished.

What Ming Shu had to face next was how to establish herself in the Marquis's estate and how to survive in this world of a melodramatic novel.

Ming Shu cast a sidelong glance at Fu Zhixun beside her. He showed no sign of speaking. Understood—she would speak then.

"As you can see, I understand geomancy and feng shui. I can tell fortunes, alter feng shui, and exorcise ghosts. I will not cause you any trouble. If you need help, I can do whatever lies within my power. I only ask to be allowed to stay peacefully in the Marquis's estate."

Ming Shu’s expression was entirely sincere. A man like Fu Zhixun would never be led by his heart; trying to win him over with beauty would certainly fail—not to mention that in her current sickly state, she could hardly pull off such a scheme.

So, she would demonstrate her value! She would impress him with her formidable abilities and her earnest attitude.

Fu Zhixun turned his head and gave a faint smile. "The capital is crawling with nobles. You want to stay peacefully in a dilapidated Marquis's estate?"

Ming Shu’s heart skipped a beat. She could guess what he was thinking. A court official, with the Crown Prince bent on possessing her, yet she had chosen him, a minor official. A fallen princess who possessed the ability to purify vengeful spirits—what exactly were her motives?

Ming Shu took a quiet breath and met his gaze directly. "That day at the Zichen Palace, the feng shui of the spot where you stood was most favorable to me. I had no choice but to pick you."

It was not because you were the most handsome. Nor was it because you are the future Grand Chancellor. You really shouldn't overthink it—as you said, what could I possibly gain from this broken-down estate?

Fu Zhixun’s gaze was sharp, but Ming Shu did not panic; she remained neither humble nor pushy, neither dodging nor flinching.

Fu Zhixun’s lips curled slightly in a cold, mirthless smile. "I hope you haven't chosen wrongly. Also, remember your own words: do not bring trouble to the Marquis's estate."

He walked away without another word.

***

Ming Shu understood that this response meant she had likely passed the test. Before she could even exhale, Fu Zhixun’s indifferent voice drifted back: "Uncle Zhao, don't forget to collect the costs for the medicine and the consultation."

Ming Shu: "..."

Fine, believe what you want! I’m not in your debt; I’ll pay you back!

***

After returning, Ming Shu slept for three days and three nights. Every day, Uncle Zhao would come to perform acupuncture and bring a pile of herbs for Muxi to decoct. Muxi, having come from the imperial palace, could tell that these medicines were worth a fortune. She looked distressed—how could they ever repay such a debt?

Just as she was fretfully brewing the medicine, a middle-aged woman stormed in with her nannies and maids, fuming with rage.

"Get your cursed mistress up! She’s harmed my children so terribly, and now she’s hiding in her room playing dead? Not a chance!"

The woman began cursing nonsensically. Muxi’s fiery temper flared. "Watch your tongue! Who are you calling cursed? I see your forehead is dark with ill fortune; it’s you who are cursed!"

"You little slut, how dare you curse your mistress! I’ll tear your mouth apart!"

...

Ming Shu was awakened by the noise. She opened her eyes and sighed with regret. Although purifying Yun Qing’s vengeful spirit had been dangerous, it had boosted her cultivation significantly. If she could have meditated for two more days, she would have reached the next level. But cultivation, in the end, was a matter of "fate," and since she was interrupted, her fate had simply not yet arrived.

She put on her robes, tied her long hair back loosely, and opened the door.

The chaotic courtyard suddenly fell silent. Everyone stared at her blankly. Even Muxi, who was scuffling with two nannies, looked stunned. Ming Shu subconsciously glanced down at her clothes; she hadn't dressed incorrectly...

"So the greatest beauty of the Nanning Kingdom is actually this beautiful..." A young maid at the courtyard gate blurted out, only to be glared at fiercely by the middle-aged woman, who added, "Looking like a demon!"

Ming Shu: "..." She was a practitioner of the righteous path, not some demonic entity; where did they see any "demonic aura"?

"You are—" Ming Shu found the cursing woman somewhat familiar.

"You should call me 'Second Aunt'!"

Ming Shu remembered: it was the mother of those two bratty children. "Second Aunt, is something the matter?"

Ming Shu’s face darkened as she pulled Muxi away from the two nannies. Seeing that she wasn't hurt, her expression softened slightly, and she reached out to tuck away Muxi’s disheveled hair.

"You don't know what you've done?" Lady Cheng glared at Ming Shu.

Ming Shu felt displeased. Was it that hard to just speak plainly? However, having promised Fu Zhixun not to cause trouble, she decided not to increase her Second Aunt’s irritation and chose to guess instead. She scrutinized the woman’s face, and her expression gradually grew solemn. There was a scent of death—corpse qi—on her Second Aunt’s brow.

"Are you mute? Tell me, what poison did you plant in Dashan and Xiaoshu! Dashan has had a fever all night, and Xiaoshu says his whole body hurts and has been crying and screaming. My two healthy children haven't had a moment of peace since you entered this estate..."

"Let’s go see the two children," Ming Shu interrupted, seeing that her Second Aunt had no intention of stopping.

"What is there to see! You still want to do something to Dashan and Xiaoshu? You..."

"Do you want the poison cured or not?" Ming Shu stared at the corpse qi on her Second Aunt’s face and said earnestly, "If we go too late, people will die."

"So you admit it! What does our Marquis's estate owe you? You won't even spare two five-year-old children! If anything happens to Dashan and Xiaoshu, I’ll fight you to the death!"

Though Lady Cheng continued to curse, her pace did not slow down. Passing the outer courtyard, Ming Shu saw Uncle Zhao drying fish. After a moment’s thought, she asked him to bring his medicine chest and accompany them.

To her surprise, Uncle Zhao looked at her with confused eyes. "Young Madam, this old servant knows nothing of medicine."

Ming Shu paused, and Muxi looked even more bewildered, as if wondering if the person who had been treating the Princess for the past few days was actually a ghost. Uncle Zhao continued to dry his fish, unbothered.

Ming Shu understood: Fu Zhixun’s people answered to no one but him.

"Why are you dawdling? Hurry up!" Lady Cheng urged impatiently from the front.

"Tell my husband I’ve gone to Second Aunt’s place; there might be deaths," Ming Shu said to Uncle Zhao before following. She didn't expect Fu Zhixun to help her, but as the Third Young Master of the Marquis's estate, he should at least manage his own household affairs, right?

***

The Second Branch lived in the West Courtyard.

The four-sectioned courtyard was decorated with an antique flavor; the roof ornaments and stone carvings along the paths were clearly old, unlike anything from the present era. Ming Shu had loved visiting museums in her past life and couldn't help but take a few extra looks.

As they reached the inner courtyard, the hoarse crying of children could be heard. Lady Cheng rushed in, and seeing the young boy sitting in the courtyard in only his undergarments, wailing, she rushed forward to embrace him and cursed the servants: "Are you all dead?! The Fifth Young Master is sick from the cold... Oh!"

Xiaoshu screamed and struggled violently in her arms, actually pushing her over.

"Second Madam, the Fifth Young Master says there are monsters in the room and refuses to stay there no matter what. When I tried to dress him, he said there was blood on his clothes and even bit me..." The wet nurse held a small jacket, her face full of anxiety and worry, with clear red bite marks on her hand.

Lady Cheng looked at the child, who was crying until he was hoarse, her heart aching. She suddenly pointed a vicious finger at Ming Shu: "Why are you still standing there! Hurry up and cure the poison!"

Ming Shu stared at Xiaoshu, her brow furrowed. Sure enough, a faint layer of corpse qi was beginning to cloud over the child’s face. But a few days ago, it hadn't been there.