When Jiang Li received news from Jiang Yuanbai, it was already evening.

Jiang Yuanbai hadn’t directly stated that a Daoist would come tomorrow to exorcise evil spirits, but he did say that tomorrow everyone in the Jiang residence couldn’t leave the residence—they all had to stay inside.

Even with her eyes closed, Jiang Li knew what this meant. It was nothing more than catching turtles in a jar. Only when all the people were gathered could that Daoist Master Chongxu conveniently identify who was the “evil spirit demon.” However, Jiang Li also looked at Ji Shuran with new respect this time. Knowing that having a Daoist come to the residence to exorcise evil spirits out of nowhere wouldn’t make much sense, she used Noble Consort Li’s name. This way, publicly, it was Emperor Hongxiao’s order, which the Jiang family must obey. Privately, Noble Consort Li had been harmed by the same method years ago, so it was reasonable for Noble Consort Li to have such concerns.

Jiang Li stood before the window and blew the whistle. This time she didn’t avoid Tong’er and Baixue—they would gradually need to get used to the shocking things she did. Zhao Ke appeared in the room without drawing attention.

Tong’er and Baixue were startled. Seeing Jiang Li’s composed manner, clearly this wasn’t the first or second time she’d done this. They didn’t know what expression they should use at this moment. They just watched as Jiang Li asked Zhao Ke, “Has that person with outstanding ventriloquism skills been arranged?”

“Arranged,” Zhao Ke said. “He’s replaced one of the young servants in the residence. Tomorrow he’ll be guarding in the courtyard.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li asked curiously, “How did he replace him? Won’t the steward discover it’s a different person?”

Zhao Ke only said two words: “Disguise.”

Jiang Li suddenly understood, once again feeling that Ji Heng’s subordinates truly had vast supernatural powers. She had thought disguise was something that only existed in storybooks. To actually do it would be difficult as ascending to heaven. Zhao Ke saw Jiang Li’s expression and seemed to know she was thinking this way. He explained, “Ordinary disguise is difficult, but the young servant we found is just an ordinary person in the Jiang residence who normally doesn’t attract attention and no one pays much attention to him. Even if there are some differences, people won’t notice. If we disguised someone as a person who gets any attention, it would be discovered immediately.”

Jiang Li said, “I see.” In her heart, she felt somewhat regretful, having thought perhaps she could use this method as a shortcut. Now she could only dismiss that notion.

Tong’er and Baixue saw Jiang Li speaking naturally with this black-clothed man and could tell the black-clothed man seemed to be doing things for Jiang Li. Though afraid, they steeled themselves and said, “Miss, if tomorrow that charlatan really does identify you, will Master truly sit by and watch?”

Jiang Li hadn’t hidden things from the two maids, having told them about Ji Shuran’s likely plans for tomorrow. She herself would most likely be identified as an evil spirit harming the family. The two maids had worried until now, and with Zhao Ke still present, couldn’t help asking this question.

“Of course he will.” Jiang Li answered very calmly.

“But you… you’re his daughter after all.” Baixue found this somewhat hard to accept. Back in their hometown, if someone said she was an evil thing, her parents and siblings would definitely not believe it, to say the least.

“Daoist Master Chongxu is an expert.” Jiang Li wasn’t saddened by this at all. She even smiled and comforted them, “Since the other party is an expert, he must have quite a reputation among the people. What he says will naturally be regarded as gospel truth. Even if my father isn’t someone who believes in ghosts and spirits, Ji Shuran must have come prepared. There are too many suspicious points about me. If there’s no way to explain them clearly, the only explanation is that I’m a monster.”

“How is that possible!” Tong’er blurted out. “What right do they have to say that?”

Jiang Li’s smile faded somewhat. “Tong’er, not everyone is like you, having lived with me for eight years. I’ve been away from the Jiang family too long. That bit of familial affection and guilt is truly pitifully thin. I can’t deny it exists, but I know it’s very fragile and can’t withstand testing.”

Zhao Ke, who had been silently listening, looked at Jiang Li with surprise. A little girl of only fifteen or sixteen seemed to already hold no hope for human nature. Even regarding her own family, her tolerance was the most indulgent kind. On the surface it looked like she didn’t care, but in reality it was indifference. She was actually quite similar to his own master. But his master had developed such a temperament due to his background. Although Second Miss Jiang was also quite pitiful, it shouldn’t have reached this degree, should it?

As if she had already achieved great enlightenment.

Jiang Li looked at him. He quickly lowered his head.

“Miss, this servant sees that if Daoist Master Chongxu can do such things, he’s definitely not any real expert—just a charlatan. Moreover, he treated Noble Consort Li’s illness before, so he’s probably been Noble Consort Li’s person all along. Tomorrow shall we… shall we not expose his true face?”

Jiang Li said, “No rush. Face-slapping should of course be done when everyone’s watching. But you’re right—Daoist Master Chongxu is indeed just a charlatan.”

Zhao Ke was very quick and efficient at gathering intelligence. Although Daoist Master Chongxu was quite famous in Yanjing City, many years ago he had actually come to Yanjing City because he had a murder case hanging over him. When he was in his hometown, he had an affair with a married woman. When that woman’s husband discovered them, he killed the man in the ensuing struggle. He and that woman buried the man, then fled overnight. Along the way, they concealed their identities. Later, he met the wandering Daoist Chongxu and pretended to cultivate the Way and become his disciple.

That Daoist eventually died in a military conflict. Daoist Master Chongxu borrowed his master’s name, transforming into Chongxu. He came to Yanjing City and from then on swindled and deceived in Yanjing City. He looked very intimidating, appearing to have immortal bearing. Many people truly thought he was some kind of expert. Later, after gaining some fame, he encountered the matter with Noble Consort Li.

Although the matter with Noble Consort Li was difficult to investigate now, Jiang Li suspected that perhaps Noble Consort Li had orchestrated it herself. At that time, the consort who framed Noble Consort Li was competing fiercely with Noble Consort Li and was also quite favored by the Emperor. If not for the curse technique incident, who knows what position she might have fought her way to now. Because of Daoist Master Chongxu’s appearance, Noble Consort Li’s greatest enemy in the rear palace simply disappeared.

This might very well have been a scheme Daoist Master Chongxu and Noble Consort Li tacitly set up together. However, to dare meddle even in rear palace affairs—Daoist Master Chongxu’s audacity was truly too great.

“Since Noble Consort Li trusts Daoist Master Chongxu so much, having retrieved her life twice thanks to Daoist Master Chongxu, everyone in the palace knows. This way, when Daoist Master Chongxu’s identity is discovered, Noble Consort Li will be even more humiliated. She’ll also need to explain to the Emperor—why is that?”

“Most importantly, I need to make Ji Shuran regret it.” Jiang Li spoke gently. “Ji Shuran isn’t inviting help—she’s inviting the wolf into the house. I want her to play with fire and burn herself, to reveal her fox tail because of this expert, and then let her know this expert is fake.”

Zhao Ke’s heart went cold. He only felt that this Second Miss Jiang, who seemed gentle and harmless, had methods of tormenting people that weren’t as kind as her appearance.

Better to provoke her as little as possible.

…

The next day arrived quickly.

This day, Jiang Li rose neither early nor late, at just the right time. But unfortunately, today’s weather could be described as extremely terrible. Yanjing City’s winter days always had heavy snow. Today there was no snow, but early in the morning, the sky was extremely overcast. Heavy black clouds pressed down on the sky, almost hanging over the rooftops. It made people feel oppressed for no reason. Though it was clearly morning, it was as dark as evening.

Tong’er hid inside the room looking outside, saying quietly, “This weather is truly ominous.” She felt somewhat uneasy in her heart. Today was the day Daoist Master Chongxu would bring people to the Jiang residence to “exorcise evil spirits.” Although preparations had long been made, Tong’er still couldn’t completely let her heart rest, always feeling somewhat fearful.

In comparison, Jiang Li appeared much more calm. She even had Baixue style her hair in a double-bun style. With her delicate and clever beauty, this made her look even more like a lotus flower immortal child from celestial mountains, clear and untouched by worldly concerns. Tong’er studied her for quite a while before shaking her head and sighing, “If Madam Ji and that charlatan really accuse Miss of being a demon, it will be hard to convince people. What demon is born so ethereally? Don’t the demons written in storybooks all wear bright clothing, and the moment they appear they steal souls, bewildering people until they can’t find north?”

Baixue heard this and answered seriously, “You’re describing Duke Ji.”

Zhao Ke, lurking in the shadows, was listlessly listening to the movements inside the room when he nearly fell flat on his face at these words. He stared inside, not knowing what to say. His master who considered himself supreme above and below heaven! Here he was being discussed by a little maid. If these words got back to the Duke’s residence, who knew if his master would want to strangle the one who’d spoken them.

Jiang Li heard Baixue’s words and was also startled. When she recovered, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud with a “pfft,” saying, “What you say does make sense.”

Ji Heng was indeed skilled at bewitching hearts. Remember the first time she saw Ji Heng sitting on the nunnery eaves, it was precisely the season when peach blossoms bloomed profusely. A sheet of peach-colored splendor spread out, and he sat casually within it, beautiful to the point of harshness. Tong’er had almost mistaken him for a flower demon.

At that time, she had recognized Ji Heng at a glance and was still puzzled why Ji Heng would come to such a place. Looking at it now, it felt like a lifetime ago. She had long since left Qingcheng Mountain, and her relationship with Ji Heng had also become the current subtle balance—neither friends nor enemies. Both tacitly understood they couldn’t take another step closer, because another step closer would become dangerous. The future was unknowable, so they maintained this distance.

Fate played tricks on people.

“Let’s eat something first.” Jiang Li smiled slightly. “Daoist Master Chongxu’s arrival will take a while yet.”

Experts, you know, are accustomed to putting on airs. Especially one who had entered the palace and twice saved Noble Consort Li’s life. If he came too quickly, it would seem like he was rushing and losing face. Although Jiang Li didn’t quite understand, she didn’t mind either.

“Miss, the things you requested have all been arranged.” Baixue said. “They’re all placed in the garden bushes. Brother Zhao has already replaced everything Ji Shuran’s people put down.”

“Good.” Jiang Li smiled. “Now we can be at ease.”

…

An hour later, Old Madam Jiang’s maid came over, asking Jiang Li to go to Wanfeng Hall.

Jiang Li saw the time was about right, so she took her cloak and went to Wanfeng Hall with Tong’er and Baixue.

Before even reaching Wanfeng Hall, she heard Jiang Jingrui’s voice from inside, saying, “Tsk, our residence is perfectly fine. What evil is there to exorcise? What evil is there to exorcise? Inexplicable.”

Then came Lu Shi’s voice stopping him, “Jingrui, shut your mouth. This is His Majesty’s order.”

Jiang Jingrui fell silent.

Jiang Li lifted her foot and walked in. The discussions inside all came to an abrupt halt. Everyone looked toward her.

Ji Shuran stood with Jiang Youyao beside her, a nanny holding Jiang Bingji in her arms. Second branch’s Lu Shi and Jiang Yuanping had both arrived. One couldn’t tell what their views on this matter were. Jiang Jingyou was still a smiling chubby fellow, identical to Jiang Yuanbai. As for the third branch, the entire third branch had become much more silent. Whether or not it was because of Jiang Yu’e, the relationship between the third branch and the other two branches had become very awkward. Even when they met, they didn’t speak much. Jiang Yuyan was timid and cowardly by nature. She only glanced at Jiang Li once before quickly withdrawing her gaze, lowering her head to look at her own toes.

In addition, today in the residence, the masters—including concubines and chamber maids from each branch, big and small, favored or unfavored—had all arrived. It was said that last night an order was issued forbidding everyone in the residence, including young servants and maids, from leaving. It seemed this was to ensure Daoist Master Chongxu could perform his ritual.

Jiang Li also saw Concubine Hu.

Concubine Hu stood alone with her only maid Baoqin outside the crowd, as if forgotten by everyone, appearing particularly pitiful. The thin cotton robe she wore had already yellowed with age, and she wore no jewelry. Among the young concubines of the second and third branches, if no one spoke, she would definitely be mistaken for a servant attending a concubine.

Her gaze briefly crossed with Jiang Li’s in midair, then quickly departed, falling toward emptiness. She always had this dazed appearance. People were willing to show her sympathetic tolerance—she was someone with dementia, her mind wasn’t very clear. What more could be demanded of her?

But Jiang Li knew the opportunity Concubine Hu had been waiting for all these years was coming. Only Jiang Li saw the satisfaction and anticipation that flashed across Concubine Hu’s lips.

They were all waiting for the day when the truth would be revealed and revenge taken.

“Ah Li,” Jiang Yuanbai said, “today is the day Daoist Master Chongxu comes to the residence to exorcise evil spirits and perform rituals. Everyone in the residence must go through it.” He explained.

Jiang Li’s face showed just the right amount of surprise, seeming somewhat puzzled, but she didn’t ask much. Very quickly she nodded and said, “I understand, Father.”

Jiang Youyao wanted to needle Jiang Li with a few words. She was always displeased with Jiang Li. However, today Ji Shuran had already warned her in advance not to cause trouble, not to say a single extra word. Naturally someone would deal with Jiang Li.

Ji Shuran’s thinking was also simple. Although today’s scheme was her doing, from beginning to end, she wasn’t the one orchestrating it. Whether it was Noble Consort Li who suddenly fell ill in the palace, or Daoist Master Chongxu who coincidentally came to the capital, step by step arriving at this point to exorcise evil spirits—all were coincidences. In other words, if that little hussy Jiang Li was truly ominous and Daoist Master Chongxu failed this time, it definitely couldn’t be blamed on her. Because this matter had nothing to do with her.

Of course, Daoist Master Chongxu definitely wouldn’t fail.

Just then, a young servant outside reported, “Master, Daoist Master Chongxu has arrived.”

Old Madam Jiang said, “Let’s go out and see.”

This was Jiang Li’s first time seeing Daoist Master Chongxu. Speaking of which, when she was at Qingcheng Mountain, she had also encountered quite a few experts at temples and nunneries. For instance, that handsome monk Liaowu, inexplicably handsome yet appearing noble without evil aura. No wonder after the matter between him and Abbess Jing’an came out, it was so hard to believe. This Daoist Master Chongxu looked very much like he had that mysterious and unfathomable feeling of an expert.

He wore Daoist robes and cloth shoes, looked quite good, and importantly, between his brows appeared very upright. The moment Jiang Li saw Daoist Master Chongxu, she seemed to somewhat understand why back when Noble Consort Li was supposedly “harmed” by curse techniques and Daoist Master Chongxu discovered the clues, no one in the palace suspected Daoist Master Chongxu was a fraud. Simply because people’s eyes are easily deceived by appearances, and Daoist Master Chongxu happened to have a face that deceived people.

After Daoist Master Chongxu entered the Jiang family’s main gate, facing Old Madam Jiang leading such a large group of people forward, he remained neither servile nor overbearing. He only had the young Daoist boy by his side set up the ritual altar.

The young Daoist boy complied and left. Jiang Yuanbai greeted Daoist Master Chongxu and said, “Daoist Master specially came today to exorcise evil spirits for our residence. We’re deeply grateful.”

“Minister Jiang needn’t be so polite.” Daoist Master Chongxu returned the courtesy. “This is this poor Daoist’s duty.”

“You really can exorcise evil spirits?” Jiang Jingrui crossed his arms and said provocatively, “You’re not a fraud, are you? Yanjing City has many such frauds—like those who set up stalls on the street to tell fortunes. Eight out of ten who go out are fake.”

“Jingrui!” Lu Shi smacked his back. The little tyrant of the Jiang family speaking without restraint on ordinary days was one thing, but this was a Daoist Master acknowledged by the Emperor, and Noble Consort Li’s life-saving benefactor. If this got back to Noble Consort Li and she whispered some pillow talk to Emperor Hongxiao, forget about Jiang Jingrui—what if Jiang Jingyou wanted to enter officialdom and someone tripped him up? Even though Noble Consort Li was a Ji family person, Lu Shi clearly understood she didn’t get along with Ji Shuran. How could Ji Shuran wish her well?

Thinking about it made her feel stifled. Lu Shi could only sulk to herself.

Jiang Yuanping had to come out to smooth things over, saying, “My son is ignorant. I hope Daoist Master will be understanding. How embarrassing, how embarrassing.”

“It’s nothing.” Daoist Master Chongxu’s expression was serene. He smiled and said, “Your young master is frank and honest. Quite rare indeed.”

Jiang Jingrui snorted and turned his head away. Jiang Li looked at Daoist Master Chongxu. This person was also quite skilled with words. No wonder he could coax Noble Consort Li into being willing to promote him. Speaking of which, this person had made quite a fortune in reputation in Yanjing City relying on Noble Consort Li, which was also his own achievement. Looking at his appearance—bright and clear like the moon after rain—if he learned some other skills, he might not be unable to become another Jiang Yuanbai.

Jiang Li found it amusing.

Daoist Master Chongxu didn’t even glance at Jiang Li. His gaze only fixed on his ritual altar. His expression became somewhat more serious. He said to Jiang Yuanbai, “Minister Jiang, I won’t hide it from you. This poor Daoist, when I saw your wife in the palace last time, already felt evil energy eroding Madam Jiang’s body. That’s why I had the idea of coming to observe the Jiang family. Today, before this poor Daoist even reached your family’s gate, I discovered…” He hesitated and didn’t continue.

Before Old Madam Jiang could speak, Ji Shuran couldn’t help saying, “What did Daoist Master discover?”

“Your esteemed residence has black energy swirling above it. I fear there’s great evil running rampant. If not eliminated, there may be bloodshed.”

“Oh my!” Jiang Youyao cried out in fright. Jiang Yuyan was also somewhat afraid, but she just stood behind Yang Shi, revealing only half her body, her gaze somewhat uneasy.

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Originally, matters of spirits and ghosts were a case of believing if you wished, not believing if you didn’t. But in fact, people like Jiang Yuanbai who didn’t believe in ghosts and spirits were still in the minority. More people believed, especially more timid women.

Moreover, Daoist Master Chongxu spoke with such certainty, and his appearance didn’t seem false. Some people believed three parts of it.

“Is Daoist Master saying there are evil things in our residence?” Lu Shi asked. “But nothing strange has ever occurred in our residence.”

“Just because it hasn’t occurred doesn’t mean there isn’t anything,” Daoist Master Chongxu’s gaze swept over everyone in the courtyard, not even sparing those servants and maids. Those noticed by Daoist Master Chongxu’s gaze couldn’t help lowering their heads, not daring to meet his eyes directly, afraid this expert would say they too were entangled by evil things.

“Looking at your esteemed residence’s black energy, the evil spirit should have existed in the residence for a period of time. Hearing Madam say nothing strange has occurred in the residence, it seems no one has died recently either.” Daoist Master Chongxu’s brows were tightly locked. He pondered for a while before saying, “Therefore, this evil thing has been lurking in the residence for some time, but not yet a very long time. If it exceeds one year, the evil spirit will take form and ruin the family’s fortune. Then there will be bloodshed—which means everyone in your esteemed residence, high and low, may face mortal danger.”

At these words, everyone’s hearts grew cold again.

“Then… for no reason, how could evil spirits appear in our residence?” Ji Shuran asked. “As Daoist Master says, it seems this evil spirit hasn’t been here a full year yet. Could it have been attracted from outside?”

“That’s also quite possible.” Daoist Master Chongxu raised his horsetail whisk. “Perhaps someone attracted it from outside, or perhaps someone brought an unclean thing, drawing the evil thing above to follow the trail here.”

Everyone looked at each other.

Jiang Li only watched coldly. With just this, at most it could fool servants and make people’s hearts fearful, but it wasn’t enough to make people completely believe Daoist Master Chongxu. At least Jiang Yuanbai at this moment showed no expression of belief on his face. Jiang Li understood this wasn’t only because Jiang Yuanbai didn’t believe in ghosts and spirits to begin with, but also because Jiang Yuanbai felt Chen Ji Shi interfering in Jiang family affairs was slapping his face.

But there wasn’t much difference either way.

Lu Shi asked, “Daoist Master, what should we do now?”

“No matter.” Daoist Master Chongxu said, “Allow this poor Daoist to first investigate clearly where this evil spirit came from.”

At this moment, the ritual altar had been set up. The Daoist boy had arranged the peachwood sword, copper coins, red thread, cinnabar, yellow paper carved with strange runes, bells, and other items in their places. In the center was a square shape. Thin copper columns were inserted at the four corners. Between column and column, threads dyed red with cinnabar were pulled taut, just enclosing a square. Below each thread hung tiny bells.

Now there was no wind. Daoist Master Chongxu stood in the middle of this square, holding in one hand a long sword made of copper coins. He sat on an Eight Trigrams mat, closed his eyes, and muttered something incomprehensible under his breath.

Jiang Li watched this scene with great interest. Xue Huaiyuan was also someone who didn’t believe in ghosts and spirits. Formerly, Tong County was poor. In the entire countryside there were only two barefoot doctors. Poor people couldn’t afford medicine. Sometimes when children fell seriously ill, panic made them seek out so-called “spirit mediums.” Those spirit mediums would extract payment according to poor people’s family circumstances. What they could do was nothing more than “performing rituals” in people’s homes, chanting incomprehensible things, forcing people to drink talisman water mixed with incense ash and such. Xue Huaiyuan deeply loathed such things. You must know many children were delayed from receiving treatment this way and died as a result.

After Xue Huaiyuan took office in Tong County, he forbade such “spirit mediums” from appearing in Tong County again. At first, those spirit mediums still secretly went to people’s homes, refusing to change their ways. After Xue Zhao found out, he quietly played pranks, making those frauds have nowhere to hide. After many times, the common people understood that spirit mediums were just tricks to deceive people, and they stopped being fooled.

Although Xue Huaiyuan scolded Xue Zhao for being mischievous each time, regarding Xue Zhao’s pranks on spirit mediums, he always turned a blind eye. Seeing Daoist Master Chongxu like this now, Jiang Li somehow thought of past events again. She only felt that if Xue Zhao were here, she didn’t know what kind of prank he would devise to make Daoist Master Chongxu expose his true face himself.

However… her expression slowly cooled. Xue Zhao was no more, and she wouldn’t use pranks to interrupt Daoist Master Chongxu’s “ritual performance.”

She needed to watch him use all his tricks.

Daoist Master Chongxu muttered for a while. Suddenly, somehow, the bells hanging from the thin threads stretched between the columns suddenly slowly began to move.

At this moment there was no wind. Everyone standing in the courtyard felt it clearly. But they just watched those bells with their own eyes, first trembling faintly, then gradually becoming more urgent, clear enough that every person could hear, and growing louder and louder.

Jiang Youyao somewhat timidly clutched Ji Shuran’s clothing. She didn’t know what would happen today, only knowing that today Jiang Li would probably have bad luck, so she came with a gloating mindset to watch Jiang Li get into trouble. Earlier when she heard Daoist Master Chongxu speak of evil spirits, she was already somewhat afraid. Now, seeing the bells ring by themselves for no reason, she was even more frightened. She only felt the courtyard was eerily cold.

Today’s weather was already strange, with heavy black clouds. In the courtyard, the Daoist boy had lit thin incense sticks. Smoke swirled, making it seem even more ghostly. The servants couldn’t help standing a bit closer together. Even Tong’er and Baixue felt goosebumps rising on their backs.

At the back of the crowd, Concubine Hu couldn’t help clenching her fists. She only felt her palms were sticky—she was too nervous and had sweated too much. Yet her heart was ultimately uneasy. She looked again toward Jiang Li’s direction.

She saw Jiang Li standing beside Jiang Yuanbai, her expression still calm and gentle. Whether or not it was the lit firelight illuminating her face, Concubine Hu felt that in the girl’s pitch-black eyes, a fire also seemed to burn. It wasn’t fierce, wasn’t impulsive—it just quietly burned.

And then burned everything to ashes.

The bell sounds didn’t stop, but rather grew louder and louder. At the same time, on level ground, a gust of wind suddenly arose. But this wind seemed to have rules too—it blew for a while, then stopped.

Daoist Master Chongxu had already released his hand, but that copper coin sword didn’t fall. Instead, it trembled and stood upright.

Another round of gasps arose around them.

The copper coin sword was a treasure for exorcising evil, capable of slaying demons. Now, before everyone’s eyes, it had stood up by itself. Did this mean there really were evil spirits in the residence?

At this, even Jiang Yuanbai’s brows furrowed.

But Jiang Li sighed inwardly.

Without some real skills, how would Daoist Master Chongxu dare deceive even the current Emperor? This magic trick was truly divine.

The next moment, that copper coin sword suddenly changed direction. The sword tip pointed toward Jiang Li and charged fiercely toward her!

Author’s Note: I have a fever and feel terrible. Reminding all my darlings, the weather has been hot lately. When you come in from outside, don’t immediately set the air conditioning very low, or you’ll end up like me…