Chapter 53

Chapter 53

“Who are you people?”

Faced with the unfamiliar faces who had come calling so suddenly, the Wang Residence’s household servant was extremely cautious, opening the main gate only a narrow crack.

“It is already late. The master is not receiving guests.”

As he spoke, he moved to shut the door and send them away.

But Ren Fengjue raised a hand and braced it against the gate, saying bluntly, “Tell your Gentleman Wang that I have a way to solve the trouble he is currently facing.”

The servant’s expression changed the moment he heard this. Not daring to hesitate, he immediately went inside to report.

Before long, the residence gates were thrown wide open, and Gentleman Wang, his hair completely white, actually came out in person with a cane in hand.

He was, after all, a man with sharp eyes. The instant he saw Ren Fengjue, he dropped to his knees in a fluster.

“Lord… Lord Ren, how is it you?”

Ren Fengjue lifted his arm slightly in a gesture for him to rise, then said with complete seriousness, “I heard strange things have been happening in your household, so I invited a Daoist Master here to assist you, sir.”

At those words, Gentleman Wang’s expression turned unpleasant as well.

He first looked Yan Zhengchu over, clearly not trusting him, then sighed softly. “To be honest with you, I have already invited several wandering charlatan physicians to take a look, but none of them were of any use.”

At the side, Yan Zhengchu immediately covered his lips and gave a light cough. “How can you compare I, this humble Daoist, to those ‘wandering charlatan physicians,’ Gentleman Wang?”

“I, this humble Daoist, am the foremost senior disciple under Celestial Master Tianji of Yunhe Mountain…”

Gentleman Wang had never heard of such a place, but he could not very well slight the Young Marquis, so he offered a few perfunctory words of praise.

“A pleasure, a pleasure.”

Yan Zhengchu could tell the man did not trust him. A faint displeasure rose in his heart, and he said, “Further talk is useless. Why not invite us inside, Gentleman Wang, and let us see what is truly going on?”

“Yes, yes. Please come in, both of you.”

As he led the two of them toward the reception hall, the vast estate lay steeped in dusk, its silence tinged with something faintly uncanny.

After they were seated in the reception hall, Gentleman Wang ordered a servant to serve tea. Only then did he say, “The strange happenings in this household actually began with the new bride, Madam Cui…”

Young Master Wang had only just married last month. His bride was also the daughter of a wealthy family, surnamed Cui.

The Cui and Wang families had long had business dealings, so the match could be considered one between families of equal standing.

As for Miss Cui, not only was she outstanding in appearance, her temperament was also gentle.

By all rights, during the early days of marriage, the couple should have been deeply affectionate.

But just a few days ago, Miss Cui, who had always been good-tempered, suddenly went mad for no reason.

“My daughter-in-law, Madam Cui, had always been refined and mild in the month since she entered the household. I do not know what happened, but she suddenly went insane. The moment she sees anyone, she beats and curses them.”

“Even I… was nearly scratched by her.”

“It frightened my son so badly that these days, he dares not remain at home for even a moment.”

Hearing this, Ren Fengjue could not help frowning. “Gentleman Wang, you mean your son is not in the residence right now?”

Gentleman Wang seemed to think it only natural. “That is right. I was also afraid Madam Cui might hurt someone…”

“But she is, after all, his newly wedded wife. For him to hide instead when something like this has happened is rather unbecoming of his duty as a husband.”

Gentleman Wang echoed awkwardly, “Lord Ren’s reprimand is most correct, but that Madam Cui…”

Before he could finish, Yan Zhengchu interrupted him. “The reason Madam Cui suddenly became like this is likely inseparable from your son.”

Gentleman Wang’s face darkened slightly. “What makes you say that, Daoist Master?”

Yan Zhengchu deliberately did not answer. “May I meet this Miss Cui, Gentleman Wang?”

“This…”

Gentleman Wang hesitated before saying, “It is not impossible, but if Madam Cui loses control and injures you, Daoist Master, I am afraid I cannot bear the responsibility.”

“There is no need to worry.”

As Yan Zhengchu spoke, he stood up directly. “If it is not inconvenient, please lead the way, Gentleman Wang.”
Though Gentleman Wang still had his reservations, the moment he saw Ren Fengjue rise as well, he knew this was someone they had to see.

He summoned a servant and gave a few instructions. Only then did the group head toward the inner residence.

But what neither Yan Zhengchu nor Ren Fengjue had expected was that the Wang family had locked Madam Cui alone in a side room, with four servants taking turns keeping watch over her.

By then, night had fallen completely. The servant guarding the door opened it with trembling hands, and inside, Madam Cui sat with her hair disheveled, actually tied to the bed.

The moment she heard someone approach, Madam Cui began to scream herself hoarse. Just from her voice alone, one could feel the resentment and hatred pouring out of her.

Ren Fengjue was stunned by the sight. His brows drew together at once, and he suppressed his anger as he coldly questioned Gentleman Wang. “What is the meaning of this?”

Gentleman Wang hesitated outside the door, not daring to enter. “We truly had no other choice. We were afraid she would hurt someone, so we tied her up…”

Yan Zhengchu’s face darkened as well. “She is already being affected by the Baleful Qi of the Soul-Nurturing Pearl. Her hostility is heavy to begin with. By doing this, you will only deepen that hostility and make her be ‘eaten’ even faster.”

As he spoke, he drew a talisman in the air and struck it toward Madam Cui.

A flash of golden light passed, and sure enough, Madam Cui quieted down.

“I have temporarily suppressed her Baleful Qi with a spell. Untie her.”

He gave the order, but the servants only looked at one another. Not a single one dared take a step forward.

Not until Ren Fengjue barked sharply, “Did you not hear him? Untie her!”

“Yes…”

Two servants exchanged a glance, then went forward shaking. In a flurry, they untied the ropes around Madam Cui and immediately darted aside.

Yan Zhengchu stepped forward and gave a slight bow. “Forgive the offense, Young Madam.”

His gaze swept over her. Then he moved closer, pressed his right index and middle fingers together in a hand seal, and touched them to Madam Cui’s forehead.

Under the glow of golden light, Madam Cui’s eyes flew open, and a wisp of black qi shot out from within.

Yan Zhengchu struck out with his left palm and silently recited an incantation. A copper coin flew from his sleeve into midair and actually sucked that black qi inside.

At the same moment, Madam Cui suddenly sprang upright on the bed and spat something from her mouth.

A pearl fell to the floor and split into two halves.

Everyone in the room was shocked beyond words.

Just then, however, a voice came from outside the door. “Father, what are you all doing here?”

Ren Fengjue and Yan Zhengchu turned around at the same time. A man stood beneath the corridor, and behind him stood a timid-looking woman.

But the instant the woman raised her head and saw Ren Fengjue, her face turned deathly pale.

She instinctively took a step back and turned to leave, only for her footsteps to suddenly stop.

By the light beneath the eaves, they saw Xia Ximo standing at the courtyard entrance under the hanging-flower gate, coldly watching everything.

“So it is Miss Simeng…”

Ren Fengjue walked out of the room with his hands clasped behind his back. As he looked over, the first person he noticed was Xia Ximo, and he paused almost imperceptibly.

Only then did he continue, “I did not expect to see you here as well. What a coincidence.”

When Young Master Wang, Wang Rui, heard him call out Simeng’s name, his expression immediately darkened.

“And who are you?”

Gentleman Wang immediately scolded, “Mind your manners! This is Lord Ren of the Ministry of Justice.”

Hearing that he was an official, Wang Rui felt somewhat guilty. He did not dare confront him directly, and instead turned to ask his father, “What is he doing here?”

Ren Fengjue said nothing, but Yan Zhengchu clicked his tongue.

“You said you were too frightened to come home, but it turns out you were off fooling around with a girl from Hongxiu Pavilion?”

“And you even dared bring her home so openly?”

“Gentleman Wang, with your son’s conduct, are you not afraid he will disgrace your family name?”