Teng Shao picked up the portrait and slowly paced beneath the lamplight.

Teng Yu’yi put down her brush and suddenly asked, “Father, do you know any Daoist arts?”

Teng Shao froze: “Why do you suddenly ask this?”

“Father only needs to tell me whether you do or not. I want to inquire about some matters of the Dao.”

Teng Shao replied gently, “Of course, Father doesn’t know any Daoist arts.”

Teng Yu’yi thought silently that Father’s expression seemed genuine. Then who had helped her with this evil technique? Ever since learning of her origins from Xiaoyan, she had carefully considered everyone close to her, feeling none of them could know such sinister Daoist arts. After much contemplation, only Father, who frequently campaigned abroad, might have encountered something extraordinary during his travels.

But now it seemed unlikely it was Father’s doing.

“I often hear people say that those who survive great calamities carry traces of yin energy from their brush with death. My strange prophetic dreams must be related to this – carrying yin energy naturally attracts ghosts and spirits.”

This explanation addressed why she kept encountering evil spirits.

“So in my view, there’s no need to seek out Abbot Yuanjue. These dreams come mysteriously – if Abbot Yuanjue discovers something, it may not work in our favor. The identity of the black-robed person remains a mystery. Until we uncover who they are, I’d rather not let slip even the slightest hint to outsiders, even the high monks of Dayin Temple.”

Teng Shao remained silent in contemplation. While this concern had merit, his daughter had encountered far too many evil spirits lately. How could he, as a father, simply stand by and do nothing?

Teng Yu’yi added: “Besides, as your daughter just mentioned, the Prince of Cheng was so troubled by the bell last night that he specifically set up formations inside and outside his residence. His master is Daoist Master Qingxu, whose Dao techniques are exceptionally profound. With these formations protecting us, why seek out Abbot Yuanjue? Each additional person who knows about your daughter’s condition means one more risk. Moreover, what if unfavorable rumors about your daughter spread through the capital—”

Teng Shao cared nothing for such matters – he only worried for his daughter’s safety. If her situation improved in the coming days, that would suffice. But if she continued to frequently encounter spirits, he would risk taking her to Dayin Temple regardless.

He quickly made his decision: “We can set this matter aside for now, but there are important matters to guard against in the capital this year. Abbot Yuanjue might suddenly enter closed-door meditation any day, and then we wouldn’t be able to see him even if we wanted to. We can wait a while longer at most, but if things don’t improve, Father must take you to Dayin Temple soon.”

Teng Yu’yi started: “Important matters to guard against in the capital? Why do you say this?”

Teng Shao pondered briefly. Many court officials weren’t even clear about this matter. If he hadn’t served as General of the Left Guard in the capital for several years in his youth, he wouldn’t have accidentally learned this imperial secret.

Recalling his daughter’s strange dreams, he knew there was one thing he must confirm quickly.

“First tell Father, since you dreamed of Peng Zhen’s rebellion, did you see when he would raise his army?”

Teng Yu’yi calculated: “He should make his move around mid-year, with the court officially ordering his suppression next year in early February.”

A flash of astonishment crossed Teng Shao’s eyes.

“Why do you ask this, Father?”

Teng Shao nodded slowly: “It seems Peng Zhen has calculated the timing of his rebellion well. If he rebels this year, it coincides exactly with when His Majesty needs to activate the formation to treat his illness. With His Majesty weak from illness and unable to manage state affairs, Peng Zhen’s chances of success would be greater.”

Teng Yu’yi was greatly shocked – she had never heard that His Majesty harbored a hidden illness.

“What illness does His Majesty have?”

Teng Shao’s expression grew complex as he walked to sit behind the desk: “Remember last time Father told you that His Majesty grew up in the Azure Cloud Temple before being recognized by his ancestors?”

“I remember.”

Teng Shao continued: “His Majesty’s birth mother, Imperial Consort Hui, was a favored consort of the Late Emperor. When she was pregnant with His Majesty, the Late Emperor had not yet ascended to the throne. Upon learning of Imperial Consort Hui’s pregnancy, the Late Emperor immediately requested to have His Majesty named as the future Crown Prince of the Prince’s Manor. This provoked the jealousy of another of the Late Emperor’s consorts – Imperial Consort Yi, who was also pregnant at the time. To secure her favor, she conspired with a eunuch, expending countless efforts to set up a deadly trap.

“When Imperial Consort Hui went into labor, she died in childbirth due to Imperial Consort Yi’s scheme. The newborn His Majesty was switched by Imperial Consort Yi’s people and taken outside the Prince’s Manor. Just as they were about to kill and bury him, Daoist Master Qingxu happened upon the scene. Daoist Master Qingxu was originally an old acquaintance of Imperial Consort Hui and immediately concealed his identity to intervene and save His Majesty. After the rescue, fearing pursuit by Imperial Consort Yi’s people, Daoist Master Qingxu changed his name and identity, taking His Majesty to live in seclusion at Azure Cloud Temple.

“Daoist Master Qingxu gave His Majesty the name ‘Ahan’ and taught him Daoist arts, raising him with great care. The Princess Consort of Cheng was another disciple of Daoist Master Qingxu who also grew up in Azure Cloud Temple, as close as siblings with His Majesty.

“When Imperial Consort Yi learned someone had saved Imperial Consort Hui’s child, she used the deceased Imperial Consort Hui and His Majesty’s birth charts to create an extremely vicious ‘Seven Killings Infant Binding Formation,’ using Imperial Consort Hui’s wrongful death resentment to suppress His Majesty’s spiritual roots. Because of this, no matter how Daoist Master Qingxu taught him, His Majesty’s mind remained far duller than normal.”

Teng Yu’yi shuddered – using a mother’s essence in a formation to restrain her son? Setting aside how tragically Imperial Consort Hui and her son had suffered, what kind of heart must Imperial Consort Yi have had to devise such a cruel scheme?

“This situation didn’t see a turning point until eighteen years later. That year, Daoist Master Qingxu, Abbot Yuanjue, and the Prince and Princess Consort of Cheng finally joined forces to locate Imperial Consort Yi’s formation eye. They purified the wronged soul of Imperial Consort Hui who had fallen into demonic cultivation, and uncovered the truth of how Imperial Consort Yi had harmed the mother and son.

“The Late Emperor was furious with Imperial Consort Yi. Not only did he order her immediate execution, but he also stripped all her children of their titles. Learning that Imperial Consort Hui had fallen into demonic cultivation due to the formation’s harm and could not reincarnate even after successful purification, the Late Emperor asked Daoist Master Qingxu to activate a formation to exchange Imperial Consort Yi’s fate with Imperial Consort Hui’s. This way, Imperial Consort Yi would never be able to reincarnate, while Imperial Consort Hui could successfully transition to her next life.”

Teng Yu’yi grew increasingly shocked – so eighteen years ago, someone in Chang’an had already used the so-called “life exchange technique,” and the person who presided over the exchange formation was none other than Daoist Master Qingxu.

In that case, could the Azure Cloud Temple be storing secret manuals containing the “life exchange technique”?

“His Majesty was harmed by the Seven Killings Infant Binding Formation for eighteen years. Though he could recover his intelligence once the formation was broken, the residual killing energy in his body would flare up every few years. Fortunately, although Imperial Consort Hui had become a demonic entity, she recognized that Ahan before her was her son. Before her purification, she willingly offered up her spirit-binding tablet. As she was the ‘demon’ in the formation’s eye, the demon’s willing offering of the spirit-binding tablet meant the Seven Killings Infant Binding Formation was no longer a formation to ‘harm the son’ but one to ‘protect the son.’

“The spirit-binding tablet split in two – one-piece merged into His Majesty’s body, while the other merged into Prince Lan Xiao of Cheng, who was present at the time. With these two spirit-binding tablet pieces protecting him, even though the killing energy in His Majesty’s body flares up every three years, it cannot harm his mind. As long as the spirit-binding tablets unite when the formation is activated, the killing energy will immediately settle.”

“If the other spirit-binding tablet piece is in the Prince of Cheng’s body…” Teng Yu’yi contemplated, “That means the Prince of Cheng must be present every time the formation is activated to detoxify His Majesty?”

“Yes,” said Teng Shao. “His Majesty cannot be separated from the other spirit-binding tablet piece for his entire life. If the formation is not aligned at the proper time, the killing energy would endanger His Majesty’s mind. Others might harbor evil intentions, but Prince Lan Xiao of Cheng is upright and honorable, and Princess Consort Qu values loyalty and righteousness deeply. For these eighteen years, the couple has never slackened in protecting His Majesty’s formation. Thanks to their years of wholehearted protection, His Majesty has remained healthy and sound.”

Teng Yu’yi was secretly alarmed. No wonder Lan Chengyou carried himself with such dignity that no other noble youth in Chang’an could match – it turned out there was such a deep bond between His Majesty and the Prince and Princess Consort of Cheng.

“So now you should understand why His Majesty and the Empress so deeply cherish all three Lan siblings. Beyond the natural affection between relatives, there is also gratitude and reciprocation for their master-sister and her husband’s years of mutual protection and support.”

Teng Yu’yi nodded, lifting the long-cold teacup beside her and taking a sip to calm her shock.

Teng Shao continued: “This matter should never have leaked, but when Daoist Master Qingxu and Abbot Yuanjue purified Imperial Consort Hui back then, many important ministers were present. Even though the court kept it strictly confidential, some whispers still escaped afterward. Counting the years, it’s time to activate the formation again this year. The exact day His Majesty will have an episode remains a mystery, but regardless, the Prince and Princess Consort of Cheng will certainly return to Chang’an before then. It’s no surprise Peng Zhen chose to rebel this year – if he can find a way to prevent the Prince of Cheng and His Majesty from joining the formation, His Majesty would be powerless to command the suppression of the rebellion, greatly increasing Peng Zhen’s chances of success.”

Teng Yu’yi pondered this, realizing Peng Zhen must have been plotting this for years. No wonder so many rebels versed in evil arts had suddenly appeared in Chang’an in her previous life. At least now she had informed Father, so he wouldn’t be completely unprepared.

Moreover, she remembered that in her previous life, His Majesty had not only remained healthy but personally commanded the campaign to suppress the rebellion, showing that Peng Zhen’s scheme had ultimately failed.

Just as she was about to speak, another vision flashed before her eyes.

That time, because Lan Chengyou had sealed her Xiaoyan sword, she had experienced an extraordinarily long nightmare. In the dream, she not only relived everything before her death but also saw events that occurred three years after.

She remembered her wandering spirit drifting through Father’s memorial temple, where she saw many eunuchs who came to clean. During their idle chat, someone suddenly rushed in with news that Lan Chengyou had been hit by a poisoned arrow from a spy while facing off against the Tibetans in Fufang Prefecture. Though Lan Chengyou had immediately captured the spy, the powerful poison on the arrow had quickly taken effect. Knowing he couldn’t survive, Lan Chengyou had instructed his subordinates not to tell Daoist Master Qingxu.

Yet the news still reached Chang’an. The Prince of Cheng and Daoist Master Qingxu, sick with worry, had rushed to Fufang overnight…

At this thought, Teng Yu’yi’s heart began to race. She didn’t know what happened afterward, as she was soon awakened by an aged voice.

She hadn’t known Lan Chengyou’s ultimate fate. She had initially thought it was just a dream, since she hadn’t experienced any of this in her previous life, and she couldn’t understand who in the capital could hate Lan Chengyou enough to take his life. But now she wondered if that scene in the temple might be a premonition.

Calculating the timing, three years later would coincide exactly with when His Majesty was due for an episode. The location being the distant Fufang Prefecture meant the Prince and Princess Consort of Cheng and Daoist Master Qingxu would have to leave Chang’an to save Lan Chengyou.

If something happened to Lan Chengyou, it would be difficult to say whether the Prince of Cheng and Daoist Master Qingxu could return in time to join the formation. If so, the killing energy in His Majesty’s body would inevitably disturb his mind.

If the ruler faltered, the court would surely be shaken.

She hurriedly told Father about this dream.

“The court successfully suppressed the rebellion, Peng Zhen’s faction was eliminated, the Shuofang Army successfully repelled the Tibetan forces, Lan Chengyou successfully lifted the siege of Fufang, victory reports came from all directions – but then suddenly someone plotted against Lan Chengyou. If His Majesty has an episode at that time, the Prince and the Daoist Master might not make it back in time.”

Teng Shao was indeed greatly alarmed.

“Could it be a Tibetan spy?”

“In my dream, I only vaguely heard that the spy had been in Lan Chengyou’s army for quite some time. When the spy struck at Lan Chengyou, it seemed no one was on guard.”

A great wave surged in Teng Shao’s heart. For a mere soldier to suddenly strike at his commander, there must be someone pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Striking at Lan Chengyou would naturally draw the Prince of Cheng and Daoist Master Qingxu away from Chang’an.

It was indeed a plan to kill three birds with one stone. If his daughter’s dream was true, then besides Peng Zhen, there might be others in court plotting rebellion.

Peng Zhen was in the open, while that person remained hidden.

Teng Shao paced back and forth in deep thought. Even though he now completely believed his daughter’s words, he needed time to sort through his thoughts.

“As for the Prince of Cheng’s side, Father will send someone to warn him immediately. The Prince is a cautious man; once he knows, he will surely take every precaution,” Teng Shao said.

Teng Yu’yi breathed a sigh of relief.

“Once the Prince receives the news, the court will also be prepared. Though we only know of Peng Zhen’s rebellious intentions now, Father will begin investigating the other person behind this as quickly as possible.”

Teng Yu’yi hurriedly said: “For someone to quietly set up such a scheme, their depths and strategy are truly remarkable. Father, you—”

“Father understands.” Teng Shao looked at his daughter with satisfaction. Without realizing it, his daughter had grown almost to his shoulder height. Though father and daughter had spent the entire night discussing dreams filled with swords and bloodshed, he as a father felt unprecedented peace of mind.

He rolled up the portrait: “It’s late, go back to your room and sleep. What you’ve told me is very important. Let Father think it over carefully tonight.”

This conversation between father and daughter had lasted two hours. By the time Teng Yu’yi returned to her courtyard, it was nearly midnight.

Strangely, Teng Yu’yi didn’t feel tired at all. The dark secrets in her heart had found their place, and Father’s resolute gaze made her feel she was no longer a lone spirit walking in the night. The tension in her mind could finally relax; at least she wouldn’t have to worry about assassination even in her dreams.

Her heart full and thoughts peaceful, she fell into an unprecedentedly sweet sleep.

She didn’t know how long she had slept when a light tickle on her nose woke her.

“Get up, you little sleepyhead.” Her sister’s smiling voice came from beside her ear.

Teng Yu’yi opened her eyes drowsily to see a pair of clear, gentle eyes.

She lazily rolled over: “Sister, don’t disturb me, let me sleep a bit longer.”

“Still sleeping? The young Daoist has arrived.” Du Tinglan fished her sister out from under the covers.

Teng Yu’yi’s drowsiness instantly vanished as she hurriedly got up to wash and dress.

Juesheng and Qizhi were waiting in the garden. Seeing Teng Yu’yi and Du Tinglan approach, they happily said: “Lady Teng, Lady Du.”

Teng Yu’yi smiled broadly: “Oh my, I overslept and kept you waiting. Butler Cheng has already prepared breakfast, let’s go eat first.”

This had been arranged by both parties the day before. Juesheng and Qizhi nodded happily. Lady Teng seemed to be in especially good spirits today, looking fresh and energetic. They handed the lacquered box they were carrying to Teng Yu’yi: “This is for Lady Teng.”