Lang Jiuchuan had heard from Jiangche in passing that a son of the Tantai imperial house had entered Huguo Temple and taken monastic vows — but she had never imagined that this person would be entangled with Lady Lu.

Huguo Temple was a place of flourishing incense and devout worship. Abbot Xuanneng was a monk of genuine attainment. That such conduct could occur within a temple under his supervision was a befouling of the sacred — the most inauspicious of things.

Out of consideration for her friendship with Abbot Xuanneng alone, Lang Jiuchuan could not let it pass.

A deeper chill gathered inside the carriage. Lang Zhengping gave a shiver and said, “Calm yourself. Huguo Temple is a holy Buddhist site with thriving incense offerings — no one would dare commit such defilements within the temple itself, however bold they might be.”

He refilled Lang Jiuchuan’s tea and continued, “Lady Lu and that Xuanming — whatever passed between them was before he took his vows. The man’s birth name is Tantai Xi, and his mind is not quite right. He has a taste for other men’s wives… ahem, ahem.”

He glanced at Lang Jiuchuan. “You are a young lady, and I ought not be telling you any of this — I would not wish to sully your ears.”

“I have heard worse, and I am no child. Go ahead and speak.”

Seeing that she did not mind, Lang Zhengping went on. “Tantai Xi is a member of the imperial clan. He was said to have been strikingly handsome from a young age, and grew up into the very picture of a dissolute pleasure-seeker — with tastes that differed from ordinary men. He had a particular fondness for married women, and was the sort who acted on every passing whim without restraint. He was eventually pressed into marriage, after which he only grew worse. His family turned a blind eye once he had produced a legitimate heir. It was around this time that he became entangled with Lady Lu. Then one day, with no warning, he declared he had found faith in Buddhism and wished to renounce the world — and threatened to take his own life if refused. He was thus permitted to shave his head at Huguo Temple and take the dharma name Xuanming. By that time, Lady Lu was already with child by him. What could she do? She had no choice but to swallow her tears and bear the child.”

“So Lady Lu’s monthly visits to Huguo Temple on the first — she was not secretly meeting with that false monk?”

Lang Zhengping said with scorn, “That child carries the blood of the Tantai line. Even after becoming a monk, Tantai Xi could not bear the austerities of monastic life. He set up a small private retreat at the foot of Huguo Temple’s hill — drinking wine as he pleased, reciting sutras, eating both vegetarian food and meat as the mood struck him, keeping a beauty at his side, living in chaos — all while declaring that the Buddha resided in his heart. I have heard, however, that in recent years he has genuinely turned to cultivation and self-refinement, and has moved back to reside within Huguo Temple proper. As for Lady Lu’s unwavering monthly visits to offer prayers — it is nothing more than reminding him of what passed between them and that there is a child in the world, in hopes that he will offer some measure of protection.”

Lang Jiuchuan’s brow furrowed.

“But for all his dissolute ways, the man does have a genuine affinity with Buddhism — he is capable of crossing over spirits and expelling evil,” Lang Zhengping went on, drumming his knuckles absently against the table. “I suspect it may be something in the bloodline — that is perhaps why the private retreat at the foot of the hill was tolerated by Huguo Temple. I have been wondering: could that talent for spiritual cultivation run in the blood, and is that why the Lu Family’s fourth son was sent to the Rong Family to learn their arts?”

“The Tantai are also of the mystic lineage — why go so far afield?” said Lang Jiuchuan. “And surely if the child were connected to the Tantai, it would be easier for the fourth young master of the Lu Family to receive instruction from them directly?”

Lang Zhengping shook his head. “You are underestimating Tantai Xi’s legitimate wife — she should be called the Princess Consort of Yanping Commandery by now. With her standing in the way, the fact that Lady Lu and that fourth son have not been quietly done away with is mercy enough.”

Lang Jiuchuan looked out. The commotion had subsided. Lady Lu, her face hidden behind a handkerchief, was being supported by her attendants as she departed. She had been thoroughly humiliated.

“Based on what you have said, the Lu Family will fall into ruin over this. Will the monk Xuanming not intervene?”

Lang Zhengping replied, “Lu Changxue’s downfall is assured — bribery, the substitution of inferior materials that caused two children’s deaths in a charitable hall under his supervision. As the official overseeing those renovations, he cannot escape. Add to that the matter of keeping a mistress — his personal conduct is a disgrace. Censorate Investigator Ye will certainly see to it that he is utterly ruined. As for that wicked woman — Lu Changxue himself publicly denounced her moral failings, so her false virtuous mask has been torn away. We shall see what follows.”

The two carved walnut pieces moved rapidly through his fingers as he spoke, his voice going cold. “Whatever the outcome, the Lang Family will strike while she is down and grind her into the mud, making it impossible for her to remain in Wu Jing. That much is certain.”

As if concerned Lang Jiuchuan might misunderstand, he added, “She dared to use such underhanded methods against our family patriarch, with the intention of destroying the entire Lang Family. I am repaying her in kind — that is simply cause and effect. I would not call it using our position to bully others.”

“Just make sure they cannot find anything to use against you,” said Lang Jiuchuan.

Lang Zhengping brightened considerably. “I have no real means of going after that mystic Rong clan — I can only prune away some of its branches in the mortal world.”

A subtle ripple of thought moved through Lang Jiuchuan’s mind. Quietly and briefly, she read his birth chart for good and ill fortune — small auspiciousness, no great calamity. She let it be.

“The entertainment is over. Do as you wish — I am going to buy some timber.”

“Is it here in this alley? Let me come along and have a look, and then we can return to the manor together,” Lang Zhengping called out, hurrying to stop her.

“I still have somewhere else to go. Go back to the manor first.” Lang Jiuchuan hopped down from the carriage, gave a wave of her hand, and walked toward the lumber shop.

Lang Zhengping had no choice but to lean from the carriage doorway and call after her, “If you have no silver on you, just charge it to the Marquis household account — have them come to collect payment at the manor.”

Lang Jiuchuan curved her lips in a small smile.

Fu Qi said, “Your first uncle seems to care for you quite a great deal.”

Lang Jiuchuan replied, “Love me, love my usefulness, perhaps. And partly — I am of use to him.”

Fu Qi was taken aback.

“Does it seem as though family members calculating too much among themselves? But the human world is like this — especially within great clans. Where is there no calculation? Toward those who are useful, whether man or woman, there will always be a little more tolerance and consideration. Resources too will flow toward the useful — is it unfair? But that is reality.”

Lang Jiuchuan entered the lumber shop and was immediately met by a shop assistant. “Miss, what kind of timber are you looking for?”

She swept her gaze around the interior. “Manager Zhuang Quanhai recommended this place. Do you have any other timber in stock?”

The assistant’s face lit up at the mention and promptly led her to the rear courtyard. “There is more stock back here — please have a look and see if anything suits you. If not, tell us what it will be used for and we can source it from our partner suppliers. Common grades, top-grade golden silk nan wood, anything you need — we can find it.”

Lang Jiuchuan smiled and followed him into the rear courtyard. There she saw a figure browsing among the lumber — an aura of deep death energy clinging to her, and a male presence shadowing closely behind, his entire form swathed in yin energy.

Apparently sensing that Lang Jiuchuan could see him, the male figure drifted over, and said in a chilling, sinister tone, “You can see me, can you not?”

Lang Jiuchuan did not respond.

The figure’s expression darkened. He spread both hands wide and lunged toward her.

Fu Qi emerged from the Xiaojiu Pagoda. The fierce killing energy in his hand solidified into a long blade, which he swept down toward the figure. “How dare you!”

Ahh—

The figure let out a blood-curdling shriek and recoiled in terrified retreat. As Fu Qi appeared, a cold yin wind swept through the courtyard — though it died away quickly. Still, everyone present shuddered involuntarily.

Why has it suddenly gone so cold?

The woman shrouded in death energy turned around. Her eyes were like ancient still water — dull and lifeless, filled with an indescribable, bottomless despair.

She had already chosen her timber and was making her way past Lang Jiuchuan when she caught a quiet murmur, just for her ears:

“In the western quarter, in Xunxiang Alley, there is a Myriad Affairs Shop — where a lady’s troubles may be resolved.”