The Purple Cloud Tower stood by the river, facing the Moon Lantern Pavilion across the waters.

After what had transpired earlier, no one dared take shortcuts anymore. They circled the bamboo grove to reach the main road, traveling for quite some time before arriving at the riverside. By the light streaming through the carriage window, Teng Yuyi examined the wound on her cousin’s palm. The blood mark remained unhealed – extremely fine yet deep. She had initially thought it was inflicted by the monster, but the more she looked at it, the more it resembled a cut from embroidery scissors.

“Sister-in-law, look at this,” she said.

Madam Du held Du Tinglan’s hand, examining it back and forth before saying with a trembling voice, “It was fine when we left this morning. It must have been that demon creature that broke the skin.”

Doubts multiplied in Teng Yuyi’s mind. The monster’s claws had been as large as palm-leaf fans – if it had intended to scratch, her cousin’s hand would have been torn to shreds. How could it have left only such a fine wound?

“Sister-in-law, did Elder Sister tell you she was planning to leave the temple?”

Tears welling up, Madam Du replied, “How could she have told me? I went to watch the performances up front. Your sister said she felt bored and wanted to rest in the Cloud Assembly Hall. I thought we’d return to the city after the shows, so I didn’t force her to come along. Who knew this child would leave the temple right after, and encounter such a dreadful thing?”

She paused momentarily before grabbing Teng Yuyi’s hand and asking in a low voice, “Dear child, you and your sister exchange letters – did she ever mention any young gentleman in her correspondence?”

Teng Yuyi had pondered this question hundreds of times, but she hadn’t seen her cousin for nearly half a year when the incident occurred. With their separation and her cousin’s cautious nature, such matters would only be confided in person, never committed carelessly to paper.

“Sister sends me various novelties every few days, but her letters mention nothing else. I wanted to ask you, Sister-in-law – has Sister shown any unusual behavior at home lately?”

Madam Du’s heart pounded as she considered this at length: “You know your sister – she’s always been steady and thorough. Even when encountering unpleasant matters, she never shows it on her face. Lately, I noticed she seemed somewhat dejected, so I paid special attention to her daily routine, but couldn’t spot anything amiss. A few days ago, hearing you were coming to Chang’an, she moved your bedding and quilts to her room. Every dish you’d ever mentioned to her, she arranged to have prepared in advance. Seeing her so happy, I didn’t think she had any troubles on her mind, so I let it be.”

She struck her chest in remorse: “I was so foolish! How could I leave her alone in the back garden with the temple full of all sorts of people? If we can’t save her, I won’t go on living either!”

Teng Yuyi gripped Madam Du’s shoulders: “We’ve secured Daoist Master Qingxu – how can we not save Sister? Sister urgently needs treatment now, and everything requires your decisions, Sister-in-law. If you lose your composure, how will we handle what’s to come?”

Madam Du was taken aback for a moment before wiping her tears and nodding: “Good child, you understand so well. Your aunt just lost her head from worry.”

Having steadied herself somewhat, she lifted the curtain to instruct her servants: “Send someone to the city immediately to notify the master and the eldest young master! The faster the better!”

Teng Yuyi brooded as she recalled the scene in the forest. Just then, the carriage passed by the Moon Lantern Pavilion, and she instinctively looked outside.

The pavilion blazed with lanterns and candles – the Jinshi banquet had begun.

The guests had all taken their seats, and the pavilion doors were tightly shut. There was no way to discern anything from outside, though she peered intently for quite some time before having to give up her suspicions.

Arriving at Purple Cloud Tower, an elderly palace servant came forward to greet them: “The Daoist Master was drinking in the tower earlier, but as soon as he heard the ball-striking game had begun at Moon Lantern Pavilion, he vanished. The Prince was worried about wasting time, so he had this old servant wait here while he went to the Moon Lantern Pavilion to find the Master.”

Madam Du hastily alighted from the carriage, saying, “We’re much obliged to His Highness for everything.”

The old palace servant had several sedan chairs brought over: “His Highness often remembers how General Teng once saved his life. Running into this situation tonight, returning such gratitude is only natural. Moreover, with several lives from your household at stake, even without the past connection, His Highness wouldn’t stand idly by.”

Just then, the evening wind lifted the sedan chair’s curtain. Du Tinglan choked on the breeze, her face taking on a ghastly golden-gray color before her nostrils flared and she vomited a large amount of black blood.

This condition was indescribably strange. Teng Yuyi and Madam Du’s hearts trembled as they wiped away the blood while saying anxiously, “She mustn’t catch the cold wind. Please hurry and lead us inside, Sir.”

The old palace servant had only known they’d encountered an evil entity, not that the situation was so dire. He quickly said, “Follow this old servant. The Second Young Lady of Director Dong from Wannian County was also frightened earlier. She was about to rush back to the city for treatment when she heard His Highness had invited a Daoist Master, so she had someone arrange for her to enter Purple Cloud Tower as well.”

Madam Du nodded. The Emperor’s grand feast usually only required officials of the third rank and above to accompany the drinking. Without an invitation from someone of status, ordinary officials couldn’t enter Purple Cloud Tower.

Besides the front tower for viewing the grand feast, Purple Cloud Tower had over ten pavilions of various sizes, covering quite an extensive area that could accommodate thousands.

The old palace servant didn’t lead them to the main tower, instead heading directly to the pavilions in the back.

While most officials’ wives were drinking at the banquet in the front tower, there were also many richly adorned noble ladies in the pavilions. In the past, when ladies became thoroughly drunk, they would often leave discretely by sedan chair. To avoid drawing attention, the old palace servant had specially prepared several chairs.

Passing through the central courtyard, string and wind instruments burst into song as nearly a hundred performers gracefully entered the courtyard to dance.

Teng Yuyi kept her eyes straight ahead, following closely behind the old palace servant.

Soon they reached Lanxia Pavilion, located in the northwest corner of the back garden. With artificial mountains in front and walls behind, people found its scenery lacking – usually only intoxicated ladies would linger there.

The old palace servant knew this place was quieter than others, so had specially reserved it for the injured.

Just as the group was about to enter the courtyard, someone suddenly cried out: “Why is there a man hidden in the sedan chair?”

Everyone halted. It turned out a palace servant had stumbled on the steps, accidentally jostling Duan Fu’s leg into view – his boot immediately identifying him as a male servant.

Teng Yuyi and Madam Du exchanged glances. Earlier, fearing complications, they had carefully covered Duan Fu’s sedan chair, which shouldn’t have revealed any flaws. They wondered why the palace servant had suddenly fallen.

The speakers were several bejeweled ladies wearing flower hairpins, supporting each other as they approached in an intoxicated state, apparently heading to Lanxia Pavilion to rest.

“Eunuch Wen, how can such a crude servant be allowed in the back garden? Hurry and drive this thing out!”

The old palace servant smiled and bowed: “This old servant has been discourteous. This is the lady of General Teng, the Huainan Military Commissioner, and this is Madam Du, wife of Doctor Du from the Imperial Academy. They encountered an accident on their way to the banquet tonight and urgently require treatment. When His Highness the Prince of Tun’an heard several people were injured, he went ahead to fetch the Daoist Master, ordering this old servant to arrange for the injured before leaving. Due to the urgency, we hadn’t time to notify everyone – I hope the young ladies won’t take offense.”

The ladies’ expressions softened somewhat: “So that’s how it is. We are naturally timid, and suddenly seeing a crude servant hidden in a sedan chair, we mistakenly thought someone had trespassed into the back garden. We were discourteous just now – please allow us to apologize.”

Teng Yuyi smiled gently, lifting the black gauze of her veil to bow in return: “We couldn’t possibly accept such courtesy. The situation was sudden and we were presumptuous – the fault lies entirely with us.”

Seeing her graceful charm, the ladies were immediately well-disposed toward her. Someone said in a low voice: “A few days ago, we heard about evil spirits causing trouble, with several young ladies dying one after another. Because there were no wounds on their bodies, the judiciary mistook it for death without illness. Only after many people reported it did the Court of Judicial Review become involved.”

Teng Yuyi was startled. In her previous life, there had never been any talk of evil spirits in Chang’an before her cousin’s death. Her cousin had clear strangulation marks on her neck – she was murdered by someone. Why did they say “no wounds on their bodies”? Could it be that the thing they encountered in the forest tonight wasn’t the same killer who had taken her cousin’s life in the previous world?

“Now that the Court of Judicial Review and Daoist Master Qingxu have been called in, whatever is causing trouble should be discovered soon. Lady Teng, you can leave this male servant outside to await treatment – why bring him into the courtyard?”

Madam Du smiled: “He can’t be exposed to cold wind. If left outside, I fear he won’t survive long enough for treatment. He was seriously injured protecting his master – how could we abandon him?”

The ladies looked doubtful: “But many ladies at the banquet are intoxicated. With this male servant lying brazenly in the courtyard, what if ladies come here to rest and are accosted by this servant?”

Eunuch Wen said: “It was all this old servant’s oversight. I thought only ladies were injured. Only when greeting Lady Teng and Madam Du at the gate did I learn a male servant was also hurt. Director Dong’s Second Young Lady has already been settled in Lanxia Pavilion, and we can’t move her elsewhere at the moment, so we must make do temporarily. But please don’t worry, young ladies – I’ve already ordered Zhaole Hall next door to be prepared. It will be ready in at most a quarter-hour.”

The ladies were starting to relent when suddenly someone asked: “What’s going on here?”

A beautiful woman sauntered into the courtyard, her bright eyes surveying everyone as she walked. With kingfisher feather ornaments in her hair and a dignified bearing, her manner was extraordinary.

The noble ladies hurried forward to bow: “Lady An Guo.”

Though Teng Yuyi hadn’t stayed long in Chang’an in her previous life, she had seen many officials’ wives. She vaguely recalled that after An Guo’s first wife passed away, he had married the widowed younger sister of the Li family of Zhao Prefecture as his second wife.

Lady Li was beautiful and had mastered music from a young age. Old Lady Li treasured this daughter like a pearl in her palm, requiring her to play the zither daily.

Lady Li was also filial, contentedly serving at her mother’s knee until marrying in her twenties – it should have been a rare good match. Who could have known her husband would die from falling off his horse less than three years after their marriage?

Lady Li returned to Chang’an in melancholy to travel. An Guo happened to encounter her and was instantly captivated, sending someone to propose marriage the very next day.

In Teng Yuyi’s memory, the young Lady An Guo was frail and disliked socializing, so she had never met her in her previous life. Only tonight did she realize Lady Li was so strikingly beautiful.

Someone explained what had happened earlier. Lady An Guo raised one elegant eyebrow: “Tonight all the pavilions are occupied. Only Lanxia Pavilion is vacant. If we can’t rest here to sober up, where else can we go? They forced me to drink quite a bit earlier – my heart is racing. If I don’t rest soon I fear I’ll fall ill.”

Eunuch Wen’s expression tightened. The wind was strong tonight and the light curtains of the sedan chairs couldn’t block much of it – he had witnessed this earlier. When Young Lady Du caught just a breath of wind, her face had become terrifying. If this male servant was left exposed to the wind, he would likely die very quickly.

Madam Du checked on Du Tinglan in the sedan chair – her breathing was faint and her limbs cold. They couldn’t delay any longer; she had to be carried inside immediately. But seeing Lady An Guo’s attitude, how could they get her to yield the courtyard?

“What are you waiting for? Throw him out – he won’t die. Just a crude servant, yet treated more preciously than his masters.” Lady An Guo seemed quite drunk. After speaking, she pressed her hand to her forehead and stumbled into the courtyard.

Madam Du was burning with anxiety and about to speak when Teng Yuyi smiled and spoke first: “My lady may not be aware, but Eunuch Wen arranged for the injured to be placed in the same courtyard firstly to facilitate the Daoist Master’s ritual when he arrives, and secondly to quickly investigate the evil spirit’s origins. This demon appeared mysteriously and possessed great magical power. If it isn’t subdued soon, who knows which family’s daughter might be the next victim?”

The ladies’ expressions changed. Lady An Guo stopped walking and turned back to study Teng Yuyi.

“You weren’t in the bamboo grove earlier,” Teng Yuyi continued, “so you don’t know how fierce that demon was. Its claws were this big – one swipe could take a life. When it pounced on people, it made not a sound.”

The people in the courtyard exchanged glances, fear deepening in their eyes.

Teng Yuyi said, “With such an evil spirit at large, Chang’an won’t know peace until it’s eliminated. Ladies might encounter it anytime they go out. Now we can only hope the Daoist Master can capture it quickly. But even with his heaven-reaching abilities, he must first save this old servant, because—”

Lady An Guo’s interest was piqued: “Forgive my poor judgment, but I truly can’t see what’s so special about this old servant. Tell me, why must the Daoist Master save him first?”

Teng Yuyi smiled sweetly: “The Daoist Master hasn’t encountered the demon yet. If he fights it without knowing its details, the demon might get lucky and escape. But this servant is different – he not only sees the demon’s appearance clearly but also knows how it attacks. As they say, know both yourself and your enemy. To catch the demon, we absolutely cannot lose this servant’s life. Not only must we keep him alive, but we must also find a way to wake him quickly.”

The noble ladies began to relent. Lady An Guo’s expression became inscrutable, but she seemed to have no intention of blocking them further.

“I forgot to mention one thing.” Teng Yuyi added seriously, “If this servant hadn’t sacrificed himself to block its attack, the demon might have already wreaked havoc in Purple Cloud Tower. Ruining the banquet would be a small matter compared to people getting hurt or killed.”

Everyone’s spines had long since gone cold and hearing these words, they nearly cried out. Teng Yuyi swept her gaze from left to right, and seeing the moment was right, naturally let Eunuch Wen carry the injured inside. When they reached the corridor, she turned and curtsied: “Thank you for your understanding, my lady.”

Lady An Guo’s languid eyes held a smile: “Whose daughter are you? I’ve never seen you in Chang’an before.”

While Eunuch Wen and Madam Du were busy settling the injured, Teng Yuyi was eager to enter the room but had to patiently smile and say: “In response to my lady, this humble one’s surname is Teng, daughter of Teng Shao, the Military Commissioner of Huainan.”

“So you’re General Teng’s daughter. I was unmannerly in my drunkenness earlier – if I said or did anything improper, I must first apologize to Lady Teng.”

Teng Yuyi feigned magnanimity: “You’re too kind, my lady. It was just a misunderstanding.”

Lady An Guo covered her mouth and laughed: “I know Lady Teng is still angry with me. Now that I’m sober and understand what happened, let me give you something nice to make up for my mistake.”

She untied a sachet from her waist and took out a small jade-colored porcelain bottle: “Last year, the Duke obtained this from Daoist Master Qingxu. It’s said to ward off a hundred poisons. Being rather timid, I’ve carried these pills with me since receiving them. Coincidentally, a few months ago when I went sightseeing in Weiqu with my wet nurse, we accidentally encountered an evil spirit. My nurse not only fell unconscious but her skin also changed color as if covered in golden sand. I was frightened but remembered these pills. In my panic, I fed her one, and she improved within half an incense stick’s burning time.”

Teng Yuyi was secretly alarmed – this description matched her cousin’s current symptoms exactly.

Madam Du and Director Dong’s housekeeper, who were inside, heard this and hurriedly lifted the curtain to come out.

“I don’t know what evil spirit you encountered, but Daoist Master Qingxu’s cultivation is profound, and his prescriptions should be able to drive away evil spirits. Take these to use – they might help ward it off for now.”

Madam Du was overjoyed. With her daughter’s life hanging by a thread and Daoist Master Qingxu yet to appear, these pills were like sweet dew to them. She hurriedly descended the steps and bowed deeply: “Thank you, my lady.”

Teng Yuyi’s mind was entirely on saving her cousin and Duan Fu. She immediately set aside her earlier mischievousness and properly bowed alongside Madam Du.

Lady An Guo had someone help them up, making light of the situation: “It’s only right I apologize for my drunken behavior. Let’s call this meeting by chance a fortunate one. The more I look at this child, the more likable she becomes. Come, lift your veil, and let me see you properly.”

Teng Yuyi obliged and lifted the black gauze, but as she glanced down, her gaze suddenly froze.

Lady An Guo’s every movement exuded charm as she took Teng Yuyi’s hand and said: “‘The splendor of all four directions is displayed in Guangling.’ Only after seeing a beauty like Lady Teng do I understand where Yangzhou’s famous reputation comes from. I’ve long wanted to visit Yangzhou, but my poor health hasn’t allowed it. Since we’ve formed such a connection, would Lady Teng be willing to tell us about the local customs?”

The ladies exclaimed in surprise: “We only knew Lady An Guo was unmatched in poetry, wine, and zither – we rarely see her so interested. Since the injured all have the life-saving medicine now, why don’t we go to the room next door to sober up and chat? We can leave when the Daoist Master arrives.”

Having just received such a gift, she could hardly say no. Madam Du was eager to go in and provide care, so she patted Teng Yuyi’s hand and said softly: “Go ahead. Your aunt will go inside to administer the medicine. You’re new to Chang’an – take this chance to get to know some young ladies. It will make moving in social circles easier later.”

Teng Yuyi stared at the hand Lady An Guo was holding hers with, her mind full of doubts. After considering for a moment, she forced a smile and agreed.

Surrounded, Teng Yuyi could only follow the ladies inside. But after just two steps, something fell from her belt with a clatter, rolling to Lady An Guo’s feet before stopping.

It was a round silver embroidered ball. Teng Yuyi blinked: “I’m sorry, that’s my sachet.”

She gracefully parted the crowd to pick it up, and while rising, “accidentally” bumped Lady An Guo’s right arm. Through the layer of soft fabric, she felt something hard underneath.

She was thunderstruck. Looking around the courtyard, she saw Director Dong’s housekeeper was already in a panic, and Madam Du was eager to share the pills with the woman. She stepped forward and snatched the medicine bottle: “Wait.”

Everyone was startled.

Teng Yuyi looked at the medicine bottle while keeping her ears alert to the surroundings. At some point, Lanxia Pavilion had become extremely quiet. Outside, where music should have been flowing, not even a whisper could be heard.

The situation was inexplicably eerie. Teng Yuyi suppressed the fear churning in her chest and said calmly: “My lady, my headaches, and I feel nauseous. I must have been affected by that thing’s evil energy. Would these pills work for me?”

“Of course they would.”

Madam Du finally came to her senses and hurried over to check Teng Yuyi’s complexion: “Yuyi!”

Teng Yuyi reassured her aunt: “Don’t worry, aunt. I’ll be fine after taking the medicine.”

She tried to twist open the medicine bottle and said helplessly: “I can’t open this bottle. Could my lady lend a hand?”

“That’s not difficult at all. Give it here.”

Teng Yuyi pointed to Lady An Guo’s right hand, which had remained hidden in her sleeve: “My lady, I haven’t seen you raise this hand since entering the courtyard. Could it be injured?”

Lady An Guo’s expression changed abruptly.

Teng Yuyi said earnestly: “I learned some foreign massage techniques from my father. If my lady doesn’t mind, perhaps I could take a look?”

As she moved to step forward, Lady An Guo’s tense face broke into a smile: “No need to trouble Lady Teng. I twisted it during a drinking game at the banquet and can’t use much strength. I’ve had this problem before – it will be fine after some rest.”

Teng Yuyi looked steadily at Lady An Guo: “My lady’s zither skills are renowned in Luoyang, and you’re accomplished with both reed pipes and konghou. Surely you take more care of your hands than most – why wouldn’t you seek treatment for an injury?”

Madam Du was startled, and everyone else showed confused expressions.

Lady An Guo tilted her head to look at her right arm, a smile playing on her lips. “Why do you think?”

Teng Yuyi pressed on firmly: “Because I don’t understand, that’s why I’m asking my lady.”

Lady An Guo beckoned with her left hand: “Come here, I’ll tell you why.”

Teng Yuyi glanced toward the courtyard entrance and realized with horror that the oriole songs and swallow calls from the waterside pavilion and corridor had vanished into thin air.

The entrance was as silent as a lonely grave – neither could the wind enter from outside nor could sounds from inside escape.

She broke out in a cold sweat and, rather than moving forward, secretly reached for the jade sword in her sleeve.

Lady An Guo noticed Teng Yuyi’s movement and, pulling a noble lady beside her close, said coyly: “Go, bring me whatever’s in her sleeve.”

The young lady was confused at first, then seemed to fall into a trance. After a moment’s daze, she walked woodenly toward Teng Yuyi, her joints stiff as if someone was controlling her from behind.

Teng Yuyi’s heart pounded as she tried to draw her sword, but suddenly a strange force like a thousand pounds fell on her shoulders, fixing her in place. No matter how she struggled, the sword scabbard wouldn’t budge an inch.

She forced a smile and said: “My lady, what are you doing?”

Lady An Guo adjusted the smoke-gray scarf in the crook of her arm, appearing perfectly at ease: “Lady Teng, I should be asking you that. What are you hiding in your sleeve?”

Teng Yuyi surveyed her surroundings. Her aunt and Eunuch Wen were nearby, but their eyes were vacant, all of them in a daze. She smiled coldly: “The monster from the forest has followed us here. I plan to cut off its left claw as well.”

Lady An Guo’s face looked as if she’d been slapped, rage exploding in her eyes.

Director Dong’s lady was too far away to see clearly, only knowing that after waiting so long, the life-saving pills still hadn’t reached her hands. Lady An Guo had kindly offered the medicine, yet Lady Teng was obstinately blocking it.

She stomped her foot: “Lady Teng, even if you don’t appreciate Lady An Guo’s kindness, why speak such discourteous words?”

Suddenly, someone laughed contemptuously: “Because she’s not entirely foolish.”

Before the words faded, something shot toward the courtyard from above, swift as a meteor and straight as an arrow, piercing through the thick night and striking hard at Lady An Guo’s face.

Lady An Guo was startled at first, then her face showed disdain. As the object approached, she gave a coquettish laugh and flicked her scarf, easily deflecting it.

Teng Yuyi was greatly disappointed. Though the person had shown an impressive presence, their attack proved ineffective. She had thought it was Daoist Master Qingxu, but it must be someone else.

She secretly glanced to the side. In the bright moonlight, someone stood beneath the courtyard wall, their lazy, composed manner hardly suggesting they had just suffered a setback.

Lady An Guo laughed behind her sleeve: “I thought it was some formidable magical weapon, but it’s just a polo ball. I often hear the Duke mention how playful the young master is – did you send this to play with me?”

The youth stepped forth in the moonlight, laughing: “Are you worthy?”

Lady An Guo’s eyes held spring water: “Young master came uninvited – that shows courage. But unfortunately, your skills are lacking. You’ve fallen into my trap as soon as you arrived. Whether you’re worthy or not isn’t for you to decide.”

The youth gave a derisive laugh. Lady An Guo lowered her gaze to look at her feet and her expression suddenly changed drastically. The unremarkable polo ball had split in two, and in a flash, a crimson-black insect emerged from within.

The insect twisted its body toward her five-colored cloud-pattern-raised shoes, then began circling her feet.

Lady An Guo’s face drained of color. This attack was impossible to defend against. If it had come through the air, she could have leaped out of the courtyard with her skills. Who would have thought this person would be so devious as to use illusion to deceive her first?

It was too late to escape now. She hatefully jumped backward.

But the insect seemed to have intelligence – when she jumped up an inch, it climbed up an inch; when she retreated an inch, it advanced an inch. Gradually lengthening and thickening, it suddenly transformed into an iron chain that bound her from head to toe.

“Having fun?” The youth had a beautiful voice, his laughter dripping with mockery.