Ward 29

“Something that cannot be helped?” Mingyue asked.

Zhushu nodded. “More or less. I am bamboo by nature, so naturally I cannot move about freely. Before meeting him, I rarely took human form, as it would easily invite trouble. Earlier, you mentioned Kang Sheng got into a brawl at the tavern with other scholars, and afterward, instead of going to the clinic, he ran straight to the Deputy Minister’s estate. As it happens, the chief examiner for this imperial examination is the Deputy Minister’s own student. Kang Sheng naturally assumed the Deputy Minister had meddled behind the scenes—and indeed, he had.”

Zhushu arched her brows, gathered her skirts, and sat by the lakeshore.

“The top scorer was actually a child from the Deputy Minister’s concubine’s family. The Deputy Minister had promised that concubine long ago and happened to read Kang Sheng’s poems before the exam. He decided then to swap their answer sheets, leaving the outcome to fate. Unexpectedly, it let that child seize the first place. When Kang Sheng confronted him, the Deputy Minister felt a twinge of guilt, but Kang Sheng was so aggressive, loudly threatening to expose the matter to the Emperor and the people. The Deputy Minister grew furious, rescinded his intended compensation, and had Kang Sheng beaten and thrown out. Injuries old and new compounded, yet Kang Sheng stubbornly refused medical care, bought wine instead, and, heedless of the rain, drank as he wandered toward the city outskirts. I remember, the day I awoke, the first sight was him collapsed at the door of a ruined hut, so wretched, wine and blood mingling with rainwater, flowing all the way to my feet.”

“You went to help him?” Mingyue asked.

Zhushu shook her head, but before she could answer, Qin Shi’s voice came from behind: “Mistress, it’s time to go.”

Mingyue rose and extended her hand to Zhushu. Zhushu lowered her gaze for a moment, then suddenly smiled and took it.

Perhaps their previous conversation had broken the ice, for Zhushu no longer sat quietly in a corner of the carriage but drew closer to Mingyue and Qin Shi. After another seven or eight days, the party finally arrived at their destination, much closer than the previous Junzitang. Dismissing the coachman, Mingyue and Qin Shi followed Zhushu toward the outskirts.

It must be said, the capital of the Kingdom of Luo is a beautiful town. Perhaps good water breeds good people, for the women of Luo are notably more outstanding than those elsewhere. Walking through the suburbs, the eyes are greeted by vibrant greenery, and the ears by the gentle sound of flowing water.

Zhushu explained, “The capital’s moat is fed by a tributary drawn from the Luo River. The water is abundant, so the bamboo groves and forests here thrive. Besides me, many other beings of the demon race cultivate here.”

“Aren’t you worried that Daoist cultivators might capture you?” Mingyue asked in surprise.

Zhushu smiled lightly, her green skirt fluttering in the breeze. “There have been Daoist disciples before. But most of the demon race here live in their original forms, like me, rarely taking human shape or meddling in human affairs. Most cultivators turn a blind eye—though there are exceptions. Not long ago, I returned to Du’e Mountain to visit my kin, and upon my return, I heard that a group had come and slaughtered the demon race who remained. Some fled in fear after that; I was simply too lazy to move.”

“Do you know who they were?”

“A few were disciples of the Qionghua Sect, and some seemed to be from the celestial realm. I only heard this from others—I haven’t seen them myself.” Zhushu shook her head and stopped in front of a dilapidated house.

Mingyue rose on tiptoe and peered inside; it was indeed dilapidated. The tiles on the roof were sparse, ready to fall at any moment, and the windows at the front were half broken. On either side of the main house were two smaller rooms; the one on the right, likely a kitchen, was in better shape, while the one on the left was nearly collapsed. The small courtyard had little open space, save for a well and an old tree.

When Zhushu pushed the door open and entered, Mingyue dragged Qin Shi along, but as soon as they stepped inside, the stifling air made Mingyue sneeze uncontrollably. She clutched Qin Shi’s wrist tightly, eyes watering, until she finally recovered.

“Can anyone really live here?”

Zhushu continued inside, her gentle voice drifting from within. “It was much better before I left. I suppose these days he hasn’t been able to take care of it, and it’s returned to this state.”

“Unable to? What happened to Kang Sheng?” Mingyue followed, soon seeing a young man bedridden with illness. He was even thinner than Gu Qianrun, with sunken eyes, a pointed chin, and a sickly pallor to his face.

Zhushu didn’t answer immediately, but carried a copper basin outside. Soon she returned with water, and gently wiped the man’s cheeks and arms with a cloth.

“He’s suffering from old injuries. He never sought treatment for the wounds he received earlier, and with time, they became chronic. Fortunately, he’s begun taking medicine now; otherwise, his condition would be much worse.”

“So you intend to ask for a Lovesickness Charm for him?” Mingyue asked, somewhat puzzled. By rights, Kang Sheng now needed some emotion or conviction to sustain him.

Zhushu nodded, her hands never pausing. “I hope he will forget me…”

“What?” Mingyue’s voice rose in surprise, just as Kang Sheng on the sickbed slowly opened his eyes.

After a moment’s haze, Kang Sheng regained clarity; his eyes lit up, so dazzling, like a bright star suddenly appearing in the depths of a dark night. He looked at Zhushu and said, “Zhushu, you’re back. I thought you’d leave for good.”

“I won’t. I will never leave you.” Zhushu offered a gentle smile, and began to wipe Kang Sheng’s legs.

Kang Sheng seemed embarrassed; a faint flush colored his pale cheeks. He gently pushed Zhushu’s hand away, took the cloth himself, and said, “I can do it myself. Zhushu, once I’m a little better, let’s return to my hometown, shall we? It’s a small place, but the neighbors are all very kind. Even with my temperament in the past, few cared—they still helped me often. I’m sure they’ll like you.”

“All right, I promise you. I’ll go buy some medicine first, so we can return sooner… These two are guests I invited; they have a way to mask my demonic aura, so no one will bother us again. Stay in the house or fix yourself something to eat in the kitchen, all right?”

Kang Sheng nodded with a smile.

Zhushu lowered her gaze and stepped out, heading back toward the city. Mingyue followed and asked, “You lied to him?”

“…Yes, I lied to him. He won’t be happy living like that. It’s not the life he wants. He should live among people, let his talent shine for the world to see.” Zhushu replied, her voice colder than before.

Mingyue was unconvinced. “How can you be sure that’s what he wants?”

Zhushu paused, then said, “I’ve had a soul and consciousness for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. I’ve seen this story too many times. In the end, few ever escape regret.”

“Is that so?” Mingyue asked casually, and let the matter drop. After all, whatever happened didn’t affect her much; she only needed to do her part. Once in the city, Mingyue parted ways with Zhushu. “You go back and prepare. When you think the time is right, come find us at the largest inn in town.”

With that, Mingyue dragged Qin Shi away. She’d never been to Luo Capital before, so she seized the chance to explore.

Luo was rich in beautiful women; not only did the city boast many music and entertainment halls, but even the serving maids in the taverns were all stunning beauties, none less lovely than the others. After much coaxing, Mingyue managed to pull Qin Shi into a music hall. She had barely chosen a seat when she spotted a familiar silhouette; before she could look closely, that figure had already turned into a private room.