Chapter 118: A Person of Nobility

Qingliu’s stomach gave a sudden, audible rumble. The old woman’s face immediately broke into a warm smile. "The sky has darkened; why don't you two young ladies come inside to rest your feet? If you don't mind the coarseness of my humble tea and rice, stay for supper before heading back."

"Then we shall impose upon you, Madam."

"I will escort you back to the Taoist temple."

Wen Jing and Ji Changge spoke at the same time.

The old woman looked from Wen Jing to Ji Changge, seemingly understanding something, and then smiled gently. "Just call me Wuxin. Come inside and we shall talk."

"As you wish, Lay Practitioner Wuyou," Wen Jing replied.

Wen Jing caught a glimpse of the stern look in Ji Changge’s eyes and felt a flicker of curiosity. She certainly did not mistake this old woman, whom the young Duke Ning called his aunt, for a mere peasant. However, it was clear that Ji Changge did not want her lingering here.

Observing Wen Jing’s resolute gaze, Ji Changge sighed softly. He recalled what she had said that night; though it sounded absurd, she was truly no longer the submissive Wen Qiniang he once knew. A person could not change so drastically without cause, and perhaps that was precisely why he...

Affection does not arise without reason, yet it can grow deep and profound.

Inside the room, under the dim lamplight, sat a man. His features bore a resemblance to those of Lay Practitioner Wuyou, and he appeared to be roughly Ji Changge’s age.

"This is... my other nephew, Dongsheng," the old woman said.

The man named Dongsheng looked up, his gaze sweeping over Wen Jing. Seeing no trace of prying intent in her eyes, he looked away.

Wen Jing noted the fabric of Dongsheng’s clothes, which were far from those of an ordinary household. Furthermore, he sat in the seat of honor, and given that he was someone Ji Changge would accompany, Wen Jing could guess his identity.

"I shall go check the pot. You all sit," the old woman said.

"Aunt, please sit. I will go," Ji Changge said, casting a glance at Wen Jing.

Wen Jing said, "Qingliu, let us go and help."

With that, the two followed Ji Changge into the small kitchen.

"Leave as soon as you finish eating," Ji Changge said coldly.

"Naturally," Wen Jing replied.

"That long flute... is it truly a sacred relic?" Wen Jing asked in a low voice.

Ji Changge glanced at her. "Could a sacred relic be a fake? It is just... it was not bestowed upon you at the time."

Who exactly is Lin Bai? Wen Jing wondered to herself.

"Bring it out," Ji Changge instructed Qingliu.

"Which family do you come from, young lady? How did you end up lost in these wild mountains alone?" Wuyou asked, looking at Wen Jing.

"In reply to the lay practitioner, my father is Wen Qiran, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites," Wen Jing replied.

*Clatter!*

The chopsticks fell from Wuyou’s hand. The man named Dongsheng looked up, his gaze cold as he fixed it on Wen Jing.

Realizing her lapse in composure, Wuyou quickly smiled. "I have had a few brief encounters with Lord Wen in the past. I had not expected you to be the daughter of an old acquaintance. If my memory serves, did Lord Wen not leave the Ministry of Justice to serve as a magistrate in a county under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou Prefecture?"

"That is correct. Later, by the grace of the Emperor, he returned to the capital three months ago."

"I see," Wuyou nodded, her expression softening slightly.

Watching Wuyou’s reaction, Wen Jing mused. Why was Wuyou so well-versed in her father’s affairs? And why did she look relieved upon hearing he had been transferred back? Could she know something?

"It is getting late; I shall escort you back," Ji Changge said as he stood up.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lay Practitioner. I shall not trouble you further. I will come to visit again in the future," Wen Jing said, rising to take her leave.

"My aunt prefers peace and quiet. Unless there is a pressing matter, do not come to disturb her," Dongsheng, who had remained silent until now, said in a flat tone.

Wen Jing merely smiled faintly. "Since the lay practitioner has no children by her side to serve her, I merely wished to keep her company and discuss Taoist philosophy. How could that be a disturbance?"

Dongsheng’s expression shifted, his gaze like a sword aimed at Wen Jing, but he found she had already turned her face away, refusing to look at him.

Ji Changge felt as if he were struggling to breathe and hurriedly said, "Let us go, say no more."

Wen Jing bowed slightly and walked out.

Once outside, Ji Changge let out a long breath. Qingliu looked at Ji Changge’s expression of relief with bewilderment, wondering who those two people could be to shake the young Duke Ning to such an extent.

Wen Jing smiled slightly. She was even more certain of Dongsheng’s identity now.

A full moon hung in the night sky, casting a white glow over the ground. Ji Changge carried a lantern, and the three of them walked toward the Taoist temple.

"Do not come here again," Ji Changge said quietly, his tone brook no refusal.

Wen Jing did not respond. Not only would she continue to come, but she suspected her future visits would be frequent.

"Where did you get that long flute?" Ji Changge asked.

"It was a gift from an old friend," Wen Jing said, not wanting to involve Lin Bai.

Ji Changge was not displeased, merely saying, "The Emperor bestowed that upon my fourth uncle years ago."

Wen Jing was startled. Fourth uncle?

"Is that old friend of yours a master of swordsmanship?" Ji Changge asked, probing.

Wen Jing shook her head. She had never seen Lin Bai carry a sword. "To tell you the truth, my friend is my master, Lin Bai. Aside from being highly skilled in medicine, there is nothing particularly unusual about him."

"Lin Bai?" Ji Changge murmured. "Is he handsome? Is he around forty years old?"

Wen Jing shook her head. "He is handsome, certainly, but he looks no older than you."

Ji Changge was clearly disappointed. "Then it is not my fourth uncle. If the sacred relic has fallen into other hands, could it be that my fourth uncle..."

"Perhaps it was stolen by a thief and then sold to my master, Lin Bai," Wen Jing offered as comfort.

"That is impossible. My fourth uncle treats that flute as his life. Furthermore, he is a master of the sword; ordinary thieves could never get close to him. Unless something happened, the flute would not have fallen into others' hands," Ji Changge said, looking troubled.

Images flashed through Wen Jing’s mind. When they were at the Yangzhou Prefecture office, Lin Bai had left a note and rushed away the moment he heard the young Duke Ning was coming. Was it because he did not want to cross paths with Ji Changge? Moreover, her senior brother Tianya had once mentioned that Lin Bai was not as young as he appeared. Could Lin Bai truly be Ji Changge’s fourth uncle?

But since Lin Bai did not wish to acknowledge this nephew, Wen Jing kept her thoughts to herself. Lin Bai had his own reasons, and since he was nowhere to be found, there was no point in saying more.

"The temple is just ahead. It is not convenient for me to enter. Take the lantern," Ji Changge said, handing the lantern to Qingliu.

"Thank you, Young Duke," Wen Jing said with a bow.

"Go on in," Ji Changge said flatly.

A figure stood by a window, watching the three of them in the distance.

Wen Jing and Qingliu slipped quietly into their room, breathing a sigh of relief. Thankfully, no one had noticed.

"Are you aware that returning late is punishable?"

A voice spoke quietly from outside the door, startling Qingliu so much she nearly jumped. Wen Jing was also slightly taken aback; she turned to see Ruan Qinglian walking in.

"Holy Maiden, we lost our way in the woods and happened to meet the Young Duke, which is how we managed to return," Wen Jing said truthfully. She believed Ruan Qinglian must have seen them, which was why she had come to "hold them accountable."

The corners of Ruan Qinglian’s mouth curled into a smile. "Do not wander off in the future; it is easy to get lost in the mountains. Tomorrow is your hair-pinning ceremony, so get some rest."

"Farewell, Holy Maiden."

Qingliu breathed a sigh of relief. This Holy Maiden was erratic and mysterious; she had nearly scared her to death just now.

...

Early the next morning, Wen Jing calculated the time and arrived outside the palace where the Abbess Feng lived to wait. After the hair-pinning ceremony, she would be a legitimate Taoist nun. She did not know when she would be able to return home. She did not exactly dislike life at the temple, and if not for the insufferable nuns, she might have actually enjoyed the tranquility of the place.

Wen Jing waited for about an hour, but Abbess Feng had yet to appear. The auspicious hour was fast approaching, yet Mingqing and Mingyuan simply stood by, not intending to enter the palace to inquire.

Qingliu couldn't help but say, "Two Taoist sisters, could you please go in and check? The auspicious hour is almost over; why has the Abbess not appeared?"

Mingqing glanced at Qingliu impatiently. "One cannot enter or exit the Abbess’s palace at will. Just wait. The Abbess will appear when she wakes up. Why are you in such a rush?"

Qingliu knew it was useless to argue with these mean-spirited nuns and fell silent.

Wen Jing checked the time. The auspicious hour had passed. She turned to Qingliu and said, "Let's go."

Watching them walk away, Mingqing strolled slowly into the palace.

"Abbess, that little wretch has left," Mingqing called out.

No one answered from within.

"Abbess?" Mingqing called twice more.

Mingxiu looked at Mingqing and said, "Could something be wrong? Let’s go in and see."

Mingqing nodded, and the two pushed the door open. It was unlocked.

"Ah!"

Hearing the ear-piercing scream that tore through the air behind her, Wen Jing was startled. With her forensic instincts, the sound was so horrific she wondered if someone had died.

"Young Lady, should we go back and check?" Qingliu asked.

Wen Jing shook her head. "This is a place of trouble. Back to our room."

Qingliu nodded. She had always thought Wen Jing had a passion for cases, but upon reflection, these nuns were not good people. It was better to avoid trouble than to invite it, and it was safer to pretend she hadn't heard anything. Otherwise, she would have to carry the kit and follow her mistress to examine those bloody, mangled corpses again.

Not long after they returned to their room, Ruan Qinglian arrived. She looked at Wen Jing and said softly, "The Abbess is dead."

Wen Jing looked shocked. "How did the Abbess die?"

Ruan Qinglian sighed. "The Abbess spent her whole life cultivating the Tao, only to die in such a..."

Wen Jing’s eyes narrowed. Could it be another dismemberment case?

A moment later, Ji Changge walked in, his face slightly pale. However, he was alone; Dongsheng had not come with him.

"Qiniang, this time... I must trouble you again," Ji Changge said.

Ruan Qinglian looked at Wen Jing, seemingly unaware of what connection she could possibly have to this case.

"Take me to see," Wen Jing said. Regarding the flute, she owed Ji Changge a favor; she would consider this the repayment. Originally, she had not wanted to meddle in the affairs of the temple, as she had always felt there was an unspoken, uncanny strangeness about the place.