The mayor read the letter to the end. Sure enough, Sect Master Xie requested that his disciple Huang Rang succeed to the position of Huang family head.

The other clan elders examined Huang Shu’s crimes one by one. Setting aside how detailed the records were, even if there had been no evidence, they would have had nothing to say.

—Xie Hongchen’s prestige was not something these small families dared question aloud.

With such an incident occurring, and with his personal letter besides, how would the other clan elders dare make things difficult?

The mayor immediately said: “Everyone, do you all understand clearly?”

The other clan elders also said one after another: “Congratulations to you all, you have finally obtained a wise and enlightened family head.”

Having finished speaking, the clan elders wore affectionate expressions and each took out gifts they had prepared.

“Ah Rang, you come from Immortal Tea Town and have taken a renowned teacher as master. Your future prospects are boundless. You must not forget us old folks…” Their manner was amiable, and their gifts were even more valuable.

Each person acted as if they cared for their most valued junior.

Huang Rang did not decline these gifts. She carried the respectfulness that a junior should have and greeted each clan elder in turn.

Though her brothers and sisters were so angry they blew their beards and glared, they were also helpless.

These clan elders had watched the Huang family’s ditch of filthy water for so many years. Those deeds that Huang Shu had done—did anyone within four villages and eight townships not know of them? And among the children under Huang Shu’s knee, how many were good ones?

The Huang family was not respected among the neighboring families.

But now, the clan elders enthusiastically waited for Huang Rang to carve the family head’s seal, and even sent people to help her take inventory of the Huang family’s wealth, farmland, and improved varieties.

With this group of shrewd people supervising, what tricks could the other Huang family members play?

Three days later, all the money and goods of the entire Huang family were recorded in registers. Various contracts and receipts were also sorted by category and handed over to Huang Rang neat and orderly.

The clan elders even waited until she had finished carving the seal before taking their leave.

Huang Rang had become the true family head of the Huang family. Though her brothers and sisters had objections, they no longer dared openly oppose her.

Yet all of this could not make Huang Rang happy.

—During the spring planting season, the one who came to coordinate the improved varieties was not Di Yiqiu.

He did not come.

That dog bastard, he still did not come.

In the capital, on the underground first floor of the Circular Integration Tower.

Di Yiqiu had planted the seeds Huang Rang gave him separately in a flower pot, watering them daily.

The rare variety in that pot indeed sprouted. At first the bud was still small, but in just two or three days, it shot up in size.

Only when it took shape a bit did Master Jianzheng realize what it was—foxtail grass.

Yes, a pot of wild, disheveled foxtail grass.

She had been so mysterious, just to send a pot of this? Master Jianzheng combed through these fuzzy grass tassels. Apart from being more luxuriant, this thing seemed to have no extraordinary qualities.

Only that saddleback caterpillar was happy, constantly rolling around in it, playing with great delight.

Days gradually passed. Di Yiqiu did not go to the Immortal Tea Town appointment.

Firstly, given his current physical condition, if he went, he would likely only invite ridicule. Secondly, trapped so long in the Circular Integration Tower, he did not know the sun and moon. He had no idea at all that spring planting season had already arrived.

The lower floor of the tower seemed to have even time isolated outside.

And at this time, in Immortal Tea Town, at the Huang family home.

Huang Rang dug out that jar of wine from the corner of the small courtyard, cradling it as she walked out of Immortal Tea Town.

—Dog bastard, how dare you be so ungrateful! Since you won’t come, then just wait for this old lady to come feed you!

Huang Rang did not delay. She rushed all the way to the capital and had to obtain travel permits before entering the inner city, which truly took several days.

She finally arrived at the entrance of the Si Tianjian Bureau and originally wanted to get a good look at the gate to facilitate nostalgia. But just as she reached the entrance, Huang Rang frowned.

—At the Si Tianjian Bureau entrance, many… young ladies had gathered.

Yes, young ladies. Old and young, fat and thin, all kinds.

Every young lady craned her neck, curiously peering inside.

Huang Rang naturally also squeezed into the crowd, but after looking for a long time, saw nothing.

She could only squeeze to the front of the guards and say: “This young brother, I have urgent business seeking an audience with Master Jianzheng. Please announce me.”

That guard rolled his eyes and said: “Our Master Jianzheng does not receive visitors. Leave quickly!”

As he spoke he was about to drive her away. Huang Rang had no choice but to retreat, and carelessly stepped on the foot of a young lady behind her.

“Ah, my apologies.” Huang Rang quickly said.

But that young lady pursed her lips, smiling with quite deep meaning: “Are you also here to see Master Jianzheng?”

“Also?” Huang Rang immediately caught that word and asked: “What do you mean by ‘also’?” She looked around and saw a crowd of young ladies standing on tiptoe, looking around randomly.

Huang Rang asked: “You all… don’t tell me you’re all here looking for Master Jianzheng?”

That young lady giggled and said in a low voice: “Stop pretending. Everyone knows about that matter. The whole capital has heard about it. What’s there to be shy about?”

But I don’t know about it. Huang Rang’s heart skipped a beat as she asked: “What matter?”

That young lady said quietly: “What other matter could there be? Didn’t you hear that our Master Jianzheng ‘has a treasure’—when not in use he wraps it around his waist to avoid impediment to movement!”

What the—

Huang Rang was stunned: “This—is there actual proof?” Also, even if such a thing were true, how could it be spread until everyone knew about it?

That young lady, seeing she truly had not heard, immediately became excited: “Of course there is! The Embrace Zither Pavilion has twelve popular young ladies, nicknamed the Twelve Months. All twelve of these young ladies have seen it, and they’re still spreading the word everywhere now!”

This—

Huang Rang lowered her head to look at the jar of wine she was holding, feeling her brain was insufficient.

Was it because of the viper’s blood that changed his constitution?

No, that’s not right. She remembered that back when she was cultivating varieties in the palace’s side gardens, she had sent Dai Yue to find Di Yiqiu. At that time when Dai Yue returned, she had mentioned Di Yiqiu’s matter of having relations with twelve women in one night.

Could it be natural endowment?

This matter was unknowable, since she had never paid attention before.

Huang Rang squeezed back to the front of the guards and said: “This elder brother, I am Huang Rang, the personally transmitted disciple of Sect Master Xie of Yuhu Xuanzong, seeking an audience with Deputy Jianzheng Li of the Si Tianjian Bureau!”

As she spoke, she presented the calling card of Yuhu Xuanzong.

Who would have thought that to come find Di Yiqiu, she would actually need to use Xie Hongchen’s card.

That guard, hearing she was from Yuhu Xuanzong, indeed did not make things difficult anymore and said: “Please wait a moment, Immortal Elder. This humble one will go inside to announce you.”

Huang Rang hummed in acknowledgment, answering absent-mindedly.

The young ladies beside her were still discussing in whispered fragments.

The content was simply… indescribable.

Fortunately, before long, Deputy Li rushed over.

Seeing Huang Rang at a glance, he hurried forward: “Miss Ah Rang, please come in, please come in.”

Huang Rang followed him inside, her mind still confused and muddled. She could only ask: “Your Master Jianzheng… is he well?”

Seeing her, Li Lu felt as if the goddess he had admired for many years had come to visit him.

He quickly said: “If Master Jianzheng knew that Miss Ah Rang had come, he would definitely be overjoyed! These days he has missed you so much, he has had no appetite for food or tea, and has grown noticeably thinner overall.”

He exerted his utmost capacity for exaggeration, yet Huang Rang still listened absent-mindedly.

“Is that so?” Huang Rang wanted to ask about the rumors but truly felt too embarrassed. She could only say: “Is Master Jianzheng at the Si Tianjian Bureau?”

Li Lu naturally did not know her thoughts and said at once: “He is still in the palace, but… but…”

Huang Rang saw his difficulty and asked: “Is it inconvenient to visit?”

“No, no, no.” Li Lu said, “It’s just that Master Jianzheng is still ill, and I fear frightening you, Miss.”

Huang Rang understood.

Who would have thought that after so long, Di Yiqiu still had not been able to recover his normal human appearance.

Outside the dream, she had also heard Di Yiqiu mention this matter, but it was just lightly described, glossed over. And now, she had personally walked through this time, yet was separated from him by palace walls and high towers.

She spoke with utmost sincerity: “If he can receive visitors, then please, Deputy Li, take me to see him. Appearance and such matters, it doesn’t matter.”

Li Lu still hesitated. Of course he wanted to take Huang Rang there, but what if she really was frightened—then Master Jianzheng would not even have this bit of hope left.

Huang Rang saw his expression and immediately understood. She said: “Deputy need not worry. I… I have seen him before. I think it won’t be more terrifying than that time.”

Li Lu was stunned. He looked toward Huang Rang. Huang Rang smiled and nodded at him.

That afternoon, in the imperial palace.

Li Lu brought Huang Rang all the way to the Circular Integration Tower.

Qiu Shengbai was examining today’s medicinal prescription. Looking up, he saw Huang Rang.

He stared at Huang Rang, scrutinizing her carefully. Huang Rang’s face carried a smile as she curtsied lightly toward him: “Greetings to Medical Director Sir.”

“Hmph, it’s you, girl.” Qiu Shengbai snorted through his nose, yet involuntarily stood up and led her down into the tower’s lower level.

Li Lu very perceptively realized that Qiu Shengbai was not worried that Huang Rang would be frightened.

Huang Rang, cradling the wine, stepped into this dark and shadowy realm.

The current imperial princes and princesses, after gradually having their blood replaced, had begun showing signs of photophobia. Many of the candles here had been removed.

This place was swept and cleaned diligently, yet still had a lingering medicinal smell that could not be dispelled, both salty and bitter.

Huang Rang surveyed these prison cells. Inside were confined all kinds of people—tall and short, fat and thin, men and women, old and young. Every one of them carried an aura of death, and even the occasional turn of a head was eerie and terrifying.

Di Yiqiu’s cell was at the entrance.

He had his back to the wall and did not turn his head.

Clearly, he was not as familiar with Huang Rang’s footsteps as Huang Rang was with his.

Huang Rang stood before the bars, silently observing his back.

The swelling on his body had not yet subsided. His entire person looked ugly as a monster.

Where was there even half a trace of handsome appearance?

“Di Yiqiu.” Huang Rang softly called out this name.

In the small cell, Di Yiqiu’s spine suddenly went rigid. For a long time he did not turn around. Huang Rang clearly wore a smile, yet tears glimmered in her eyes.

Outside the dream, Di Yiqiu had lived alone in the official residence of the Si Tianjian Bureau’s Xuanwu Division for over a hundred years.

During those long days and nights, had he countless times returned to this dim cell?

Drowning in suffering, unable to find liberation?

In this life, Huang Rang had encountered people who mostly brought things upon themselves, deserved what they got. Thus she rarely felt heartache for anyone.

But at this moment, she began to pity this person.

His life had been terminated at nineteen.

The one who walked out of this cage would no longer be that naive youth.

Huang Rang waited for a long while. Di Yiqiu refused to turn around.

Qiu Shengbai simply opened the cell door. Huang Rang turned her head to glance at him and Li Lu, asking: “Can you two step away for a bit?”

Both were baffled. Qiu Shengbai said: “Letting you come in is already showing mercy. Where do all these demands come from?”

“All right then.” Huang Rang could only say: “Then I have one more question. If I consume his saliva, will I be poisoned?”

“The toxicity is mild.” Qiu Shengbai thought for a moment and said: “His poison is now in his blood. His constitution is not yet mature.”

Huang Rang nodded and ducked into the cell.

Qiu Shengbai pondered for quite a while before finally realizing what was strange—wait, why would you consume his saliva?!

He looked toward Li Lu—did you hear what that woman just said?

Deputy Li’s face showed anticipation!

Inside the cell, that saddleback caterpillar was lying on official documents sleeping.

Upon hearing Huang Rang’s voice, it had already struggled to climb up. It crawled all the way before Huang Rang, preparing to climb up her shoe.

Huang Rang picked it up: “Already this fat, huh?”

That saddleback caterpillar twisted its brightly colored body. Huang Rang casually placed it aside on the twin-snake fruit. Next to the twin-snake fruit was also a pot, in which was planted the seed Huang Rang had given to Di Yiqiu.

That enormous seed had grown like a foxtail, a fuzzy mass, and it was unclear what it was.

It had already grown this big—cultivated very well!

Huang Rang’s gaze lingered briefly upon it, then she came before Di Yiqiu.

“What are you here for?” Di Yiqiu slowly asked.

He still refused to turn around.

But this time, he was actually much better already.

He wore clean black robes. The black robes were voluminous, covering his entire person. Thus his back only looked fat, not terrifying.

Huang Rang raised the wine jar in her hand: “I said that during this year’s spring planting season, I would treat you to wine.”

Di Yiqiu’s voice was icy as he said: “I won’t drink.”

Huang Rang broke open the mud seal of the wine jar. Seeing this, Li Lu hurried to find bowls for her.

Who knew, Huang Rang tilted her head back and took a mouthful of wine, then she suddenly lunged forward and forcibly turned Di Yiqiu around.

Di Yiqiu only felt heat upon his lips as that crisp, clear fine wine entered his mouth.

Along with it came the deep scent of roses.

And also… extremely warm and soft lips and tongue.

The beauty carried fragrance, her warm breath brushing his face.

Master Jianzheng drew in half a breath all at once, it caught in his throat, creating the illusion that his heart had stopped beating.

That wine entered his throat. His Adam’s apple rolled slightly as he swallowed it all down.

The beauty in his arms was warm and soft as jade, her hair’s sweet fragrance swirling in disorder. Before Di Yiqiu’s eyes, all he saw was strange and dazzling light. Outside the bars, Qiu Shengbai cried “Aiya!” and hurriedly covered his eyes and retreated out.

Huang Rang paid no attention. She pressed forward step by step, and Di Yiqiu retreated step by step.

Finally, his back was against the wall again.

Huang Rang’s gaze locked onto him. She tilted the wine jar slightly and took another small sip of wine. She drew close to Di Yiqiu and used her tongue tip to gently apply the sweet wine onto his lips.

“I said that during spring planting season, I would treat you to wine. If you would not come, I would come to you. If you would not drink, I would feed you.” Her red lips pressed against the contour of his left ear as she spoke softly.

Di Yiqiu trembled with each word she uttered.

Li Lu brought in a bowl. Seeing the scene inside, he backhanded himself across the face. After slapping himself, he turned and left.

The beauty was soft, fragrant jade. Di Yiqiu’s hands slightly extended, then slowly withdrew. He restrained himself—not even a single embrace.

Huang Rang was inwardly surprised—how could he have so little courage? He had relations with twelve women in one night. Had those twelve beauties not fed him wine?

How unprofessional! That silver was truly wasted.

Right, the rumors outside said that he, he—

Huang Rang’s gaze moved downward, glancing toward his waist.

Unfortunately he was currently very swollen, and the black robes were voluminous, so it was hard to see clearly.

And asking him this question at this moment would probably be like rubbing salt in a wound.

Huang Rang could only extend her hand and randomly felt around his waist.

Di Yiqiu noticed. He finally asked: “What are you looking for?”

His voice was hoarse, his breath scorching hot, as he asked softly: “What do you want? A magical artifact? Design drawings? Or some other treasure?”

“Ah?” Huang Rang guiltily withdrew her hand. “Why do you ask that?”

Di Yiqiu lowered his eyelids and said: “No need to evade. When I am in such a state, you still act this way. If not seeking these things, what else could you desire?”

Uh. Huang Rang was very conflicted: “This is not easy to say.”

Di Yiqiu’s brows and eyes lowered as he still said softly: “Speak. Say what you seek, and I will give it to you to take away.”

“No, no, no, no…” Huang Rang said repeatedly, “Cannot take it, cannot take it.”

So valuable?

Di Yiqiu frowned. Huang Rang, fearing he would say something shocking again, quickly said: “I, I just came to find you to drink wine. Really.”

She held the wine jar before Di Yiqiu and said: “This jar of wine has been brewing for many, many years. Many, many years. I have always been reluctant to open it. Originally when my elder sister married, I wanted to drink it together with her. Unfortunately there was no suitable opportunity.”

Di Yiqiu glanced at that wine and said: “Since it is so precious, why send it here? You… between us, we don’t seem to be very familiar.”

When he said this, Huang Rang became interested.

She said: “No, no, this is exactly the most precious moment. Perfect to match this wine.”

Her honeyed sweet words seemed to come effortlessly.

Di Yiqiu stared at that wine jar, his gaze seeming to melt into the amber-like wine. Huang Rang held the wine jar out to him: “Have another mouthful.”

The wine’s fragrance filled the entire cell, so mellow even the candlelight seemed drowsy.

Di Yiqiu accepted the wine jar. The shackle rings on his wrists were still there, clanking with his movements. But at this moment, this sound also did not seem so unpleasant.

He tilted his head back and gently took a sip of wine.

In the past, to maintain the steadiness of his hands, he never drank alcohol.

Today, he tasted the flavor of this wine.

It was rich, smooth, and sweet, the fragrance lush and abundant, like a beauty’s warm, moist, soft lips and tongue.

It was a taste that, for his entire life, he could never forget.

This wine was not strong, but Di Yiqiu still became drunk. He truly was not good at drinking.

Huang Rang helped him to the small bed, saying: “If drunk, then sleep.”

Di Yiqiu’s eyes were drowsy as he said: “Are you leaving?”

Huang Rang helped him lie down, saying: “I will come again.”

Di Yiqiu’s consciousness was already very hazy, but he still asked: “Why do you treat me this way?”

Huang Rang simply also lay down, resting her head on his shoulder, looking at the ceiling of the cell: “These days are hard to endure, but I hope that when you think of them in the future, you can incidentally recall a little bit of goodness. I have fallen into the abyss for so long, receiving much care. This is… repayment.”

Di Yiqiu felt drowsiness surge over him. He closed his eyes and said: “I don’t understand.”

Huang Rang placed her palm over his forehead, saying: “No need to understand.”

Di Yiqiu knew that when he woke, this person along with her warmth would disappear. He forced himself to say one last sentence: “But what exactly do you want?”

Huang Rang thought for a moment and said: “I am studying arts at Yuhu Xuanzong. I want you to come see me. You come see me, all right?”

“All right.” Having answered this word, Di Yiqiu fell into deep sleep.