Chapter 4

Pingjiang Prefecture has endured for over two hundred years, and now it has a new name: Suzhou Prefecture.

Shen Qilang and his party came from the Capital, passing through Suzhou Prefecture on their way back to their ancestral home in Yuhang.

For now, they were staying at an inn in the city.

Speaking of Shen Yutang, three years ago he achieved third place in the imperial examination as the Flower Picking Scholar. Now, he serves as a Hanlin Academy Reader in the Capital. At such a young age, he is already a sixth-rank official of the Imperial Court.

The Shen Family is a prestigious clan, but he acts with humility. On this journey home, he didn’t bring too many people.

The market streets were packed and lively, with vendors’ cries resounding in an endless stream.

Late at night, the stars and moon shone together, and lanterns stretched for ten miles.

Painted pleasure boats glided over the water, their colors reflecting brightly. Inside the boats, the pipa played continuously, with courtesans singing the “Plum Blossom Prelude”-

“Flowers stir sorrow, reflected by the moon, morning clouds radiant.

Sipping jade dew, fragrant and secluded, wanting to hide yet revealed, bashful and tender.”

Fox Sister and I stood at the bow of a boat, holding a twenty-four rib oil-paper umbrella, looking toward the pavilions and towers not far away, and at the figure by the window on the second floor of the inn, graceful as orchids and jade trees.

Cloud brocade wide-sleeved robe, crow-blue round collar, edged in black.

Above, an incomparably handsome face.

The mingling of lantern light and moonlight reflected in the water, shimmering brilliantly.

On that man’s extremely fair skin, it seemed as if light flowed.

Hair black as a crow, brows and eyes slender and distinct, a face like the bright moon, a complexion like spring’s first bloom.

Just for appearance alone, I thought he was even better looking than Fox Sister.

Fox Sister said there was no comparison; she was enchanting, while Shen Qilang’s beauty held a man’s handsomeness and spirit-something a delicate beauty did not need.

Once I confirmed that he was Shen Yutang, I licked my little sharp fangs and said to Fox Sister, “Wait for me here, I’m going to bite him to death.”

On the way, I had already made up my mind: the Night Patrolling Deity is ultimately not the same as us, and we can’t listen to his brothers’ words.

Fox Sister was right; since retribution was inevitable, why waste so much time with him?

If I kept delaying, I might just get exorcised by him.

Just as I was about to leave, Fox Sister grabbed me: “Niannian, what are you doing? What do you mean by ‘going to bite him to death’?”

“Sigh, you talked about Yin-Yang Union, draining his yang energy, but I don’t know how. If I just bite him, he’ll get corpse poison and definitely die. Why make it so complicated?”

“Don’t be reckless. He’s a noble son, the Emperor’s Flower Picking Scholar. If an official of the Imperial Court dies strangely, do you think they won’t investigate? Then Heavenly Thunder will pursue you, mortals will hunt demons. Not only will you have nowhere to hide, but everyone else will be implicated and suffer.”

“…It’s that serious?”

“Of course. I think in these two hundred years, you’ve only increased your Cultivation, not your brains.”

Fox Sister shot me a disdainful glance. “Listen to me, just sleep with him a few times. Once his yang energy is drained, he’ll waste away like he’s sick, and he’ll die quietly.”

“All right, but I don’t know how to do Yin-Yang Union. You come with me and teach me.”

“You don’t need to know. He’s a man, he knows everything.”

Fox Sister squinted her eyes and smiled, her pupils swirling mischievously. Then she leaned in close and whispered something in my ear.

I nodded seriously, looking as if I had suddenly understood.

Then, with a shake, I transformed into a fairy-like gown of clouds and feathers.

Late at night, the sound of the pipa still drifted from the riverside outside the window.

When I appeared before Shen Yutang, I wore an enchanting smile, raised my fingers in a showy orchid pose, and struck a pose of a fairy descending to the mortal world-

“Shen Lang…” I called out sweetly.

Following Fox Sister’s instructions, as long as he looked into my eyes, I could cast an illusion, making him believe it was all a dream.

That noble son was sitting by the window, drinking alone, his figure slightly cold and aloof. When he looked up at me, his face was as stunning as a startled swan.

Then the surprise in his eyes faded, and gripping his wine cup tightly, he looked at me hesitantly: “Who are you, miss? How did you appear here?”

Shen Yutang was not only handsome, but his voice was also so pleasant, extremely melodious, like a gentle breeze brushing the heart.

I straightened my expression and said seriously, “I am but a little immortal under Lady Shangyuan. Yesterday, passing by Deer Enclosure Mountain, I saw Shen Lang-handsome and brave, and with the heart of a bodhisattva-even burying the white bones on the tree. I couldn’t help but admire Shen Lang, and my feelings grew uncontrollable, thus, thus, like the Xiang King’s Divine Maiden, I am both a cloud in the sky and rain in the heavens…”
Damn it, Fox Sister’s instructions were too long-I couldn’t remember the latter half at all.

I pinched my fingers in an orchid pose, my eye twitching a little, and my mouth twitching too.

But Shen Yutang suddenly laughed, his eyes curving as he looked at me and said, “Your humble servant lingers on the sunny side of Mount Wu, beyond the high hills, by morning I am the fleeting cloud, by night the wandering rain.”

“Yes, yes, that’s it. Let me share a pillow with you.”

Overjoyed, I dropped my orchid fingers, eagerly lifting my skirt as I walked toward him.

Then I sat right in his lap, hooked my arms around his neck, and breathed into his ear, “Shen Lang, are you willing?”

Shen Yutang was rather charming, slipping one arm around my waist, leaning his forehead against mine. His long lashes, dark as raven feathers, lowered so close I couldn’t read his expression.

He chuckled, “How could I refuse, when favored by an immortal like you?”

His breath was warm and fragrant, tinged with a restless hint of wine.

So it wasn’t just my illusion technique that was working after all.

He was clearly somewhat drunk.

I reached to untie the sash at his waist, recalling Fox Sister’s words, and bent to press my lips to his.

His arm tightened abruptly around my waist, then relaxed again as he half-opened his glittering black eyes to gaze at me.

Fox Sister said I didn’t need to do anything. Just untie his belt and kiss his lips-he would take over, and we would naturally complete the Yin-Yang Union.

But reality was nothing like that.

He watched quietly as I undid his belt and kissed his lips, lounging back with a lazy, smiling demeanor.

Very cooperative, but doing nothing at all.

Instead, when I fumbled with his sash, he laughed out loud, “The immortal is a bit inexperienced-clumsy with her hands.”

I grew anxious and snapped at him, “Shut up!”

He paused, then smiled even more broadly. His body shook with silent laughter as he held his forehead. “So fierce.”

In my two hundred years as a Jiangshi, I had never suffered such humiliation. For a moment, I was quite angry. I leaned toward his neck, baring my sharp fangs menacingly against his skin.

Thinking of Fox Sister’s advice, I didn’t dare bite for real, so I just ground my teeth against his neck with controlled force.

Shen Yutang grunted, tilting his head back slightly. His hand cupped the back of my head, exposing his tempting neck and collarbone, letting me gnaw at him as I pleased.

After a while, I must have rubbed him raw with my teeth; he took a long breath and murmured, “Gentler, immortal.”

Satisfied, I let go of him, still working at his belt. The moment I got it undone, I couldn’t hide my delight.

But just then, he suddenly pulled me close, rolled over, and pinned me against the chair.

I stared wide-eyed at him. Our eyes met. He smiled, the corners of his eyes tinged faintly red.

“Thank you for your favor, immortal. But my father has passed away, and I have returned home to observe three years of mourning. I am obliged to decline your kind intention.”

His voice was low and husky, his eyes shimmering, as if tinged with regret.

Looking at me with those dark eyes, he continued, “Now that you have sought me out, could you at least tell me your name? Or perhaps… come again after three years.”

“…I am Daomei Fairy, under Lady Shangyuan.”

Yes, I, Li Niannian, am just an unlucky kid.

Back on the boat, I found Fox Sister and complained, “He told me to come back in three years.”

Fox Sister rolled her eyes. “Do you really think you can wait three years?”

“I’m not sure I can.”

“Silly girl, you believe what a man says?”

“But he really was wearing mourning clothes under his robe, going home for a funeral. Can that be faked?”

“The funeral is real, but people are the most hypocritical creatures. They uphold propriety on the surface-three years of filial piety for a father-but few last that long. Privately, they eat, drink, and make merry all the same.”

“So what should I do now?”

“Go with him to Yuhang-you’ll have plenty of chances.”

Fox Sister was well-traveled in the mortal realm, having bewitched countless men.

Naturally, I had to listen to her.