Chapter 102: Here to Help

At Mount Tian, in the Snow Bamboo Grove, a carrier pigeon fluttered down.

At this moment, Venerable Qiangui was instructing his disciples in their cultivation. Following several recent incidents, he realized he could no longer afford to delay; he had to quickly teach the four of them the essential spells they would need.

"Master, you have a letter. Can we take a break now?" Jilin said with a grin, looking at Qiangui. It was obvious he had long since lost the will to practice.

Lanshui cast a sidelong glance at him and remarked dryly, "With your level of focus, you can't even compare to our junior sisters."

Jilin curled his lips in discontent. "I do practice regularly, and quite hard too. I know far more spells than they do. Once we're on a real battlefield..."

"Once you are on a real battlefield, your opponent will wear you down to exhaustion," Qiangui interrupted with a smile, patting Jilin on the shoulder. "No matter how many spells you have at your disposal, you won't be able to cast a single one. A cultivator must constantly strive for perfection and press forward relentlessly. You've only lasted two hours and you're already whining? How do you expect to face a powerful foe alone? Will you rely on your junior sister to save you?"

Lianzi burst into giggles. "Second Senior Brother is someone I hold in high regard," she teased Jilin. "How can you fail to endure even this? Last time, Senior Sister fought the demon for hours on end and managed to escape unscathed. I wonder how Second Senior Brother would fare in her place?"

"Alright, go ahead and tease me!" Jilin retorted. "I actually like it. This is excellent motivation. I'll practice for ten hours straight just to show you all! I am the Second Senior Brother of the Snow Bamboo Grove, after all. Do you think I'd let a slip of a girl look down on me?"

"Lianzi was only joking, Senior Brother, please don't take it to heart," Xueze said gently. "In terms of cultivation, talent, and virtue, both you and Eldest Senior Brother are role models for us. You are indeed formidable. Master is right to make us practice hard—no pain, no gain!"

Qiangui smiled, looking at Xueze with great satisfaction. "It is still my Xueze who pleases me most. Despite everything she has faced, she has not succumbed to grief or despair. Instead, she has gained deep insights. She seems completely revitalized and driven. You all must learn from her."

"Ah, Master spends every day either praising Eldest Senior Brother or Xueze," Jilin sighed. "When will you spare a glance for Lianzi and me?"

"Second Senior Brother, Master cares about and praises me too!" Lianzi chimed in.

Lanshui chuckled softly and said to Jilin, "Our two junior sisters used to be just as playful and mischievous as you, but they have improved immensely and progressed rapidly. If Master doesn't praise them, should he praise you?"

Qiangui smiled in silence, focusing on the letter in his hand while letting his disciples banter.

"Ah, Beihua is truly plagued with troubles," he sighed.

"Master, what has happened?" Lanshui asked.

Qiangui looked at Lanshui. "Rise first. Another death has occurred in Beihua, and it is the Second Prince's mother. Go down the mountain and investigate whether she died of natural causes. I sense something is amiss. Even the Emperor of Beihua is being accused of the murder. This is clearly no simple matter."

Xueze gasped, rendered speechless by the shock. Everything had been fine when she left; how could this have happened?

Lanshui was equally perplexed. "The Emperor of Beihua? I thought he was a gentleman of integrity. Why is he facing such accusations?"

"I do not know. This letter is from Mufan," Qiangui replied. "Though it has little to do with us, it involves the imperial family of Beihua. Mufan is worried that the events of twenty years ago might resurface, and fears a coup. That is why he wrote. Once you go down the mountain, uncover the truth. If possible, clear the Emperor's name. We must not let Beihua fall into chaos again."

Lanshui glanced at the letter and was about to depart when Xueze stopped him.

"Senior Brother!"

Lanshui looked at Xueze, then glanced at the others standing nearby. He lowered his head with a smile. "What is it? Do you want to come along?"

Xueze shook her head. "Actually... some time ago, I—"

"Senior Sister!" Lianzi realized what Xueze was about to say. She rushed over to cover Xueze's mouth, pulling her away with a strained laugh. "Eldest Senior Brother, it's nothing, really! You should get going!"

Lanshui blinked in confusion. "What is going on?"

"The mission is of utmost importance, and there is no time to lose!" Lianzi said. "Leave Senior Sister to me, you can rest assured!"

Xueze shot Lianzi a look and whispered, "I wasn't going to expose you. Let go of me!"

What Xueze actually wanted to mention was the matter of Bluebird Lake, to caution Lanshui to be careful. Although there was nothing suspicious beneath the water, the surface was rigged with countless traps. Given Lanshui's intelligence, he would easily navigate the palace intrigue, so Xueze was not worried about Liu Li. It was only the vanished demon that weighed heavily on her mind.

Lianzi, however, was terrified that the others would discover her secret. She did not want Xueze to reveal anything, having already resolved to wash her hands of the matter. During her frequent descents to the mortal realm, she had only accompanied Fengnuan, never daring to utter a single word to Fengxing, knowing full well that they belonged to different worlds and could never be together.

"Senior Sister, you saw it yourself—it was just a bluff. Don't worry, and don't blame me!" Lianzi turned to the bewildered Lanshui. "Eldest Senior Brother, please, off you go!"

Jilin watched them, amused. "What is wrong with the two of them?"

Qiangui stroked his beard and turned to leave. "Lanshui, depart now," he instructed as he walked away. "Once you return, come see me with Xueze."

***

Meanwhile, at the West Sea Mansion, Yu Qixian made a sudden return.

Yu Qixian disliked returning to the West Sea Mansion. It was a domain dominated by women, and though he enjoyed the company of ladies and the pleasures of romance, he preferred not to seek them in a place like this. Furthermore, his shipping business kept him occupied, requiring constant networking and socializing, whereas the West Sea Mansion was far too remote and strict.

Thus, every time Yu Qixian returned, it portended some major event.

Heyu was always eager for his visits, as he brought the latest news from the outside world—especially the news she yearned for most. If she bribed him with her finest medicines, he would readily tell her whatever she wished to know.

Yu Qixian had just paid his respects to his mother and was packing his bags to leave when Heyu blocked his path at the door.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Master, what brings you back this time?"

"I was traveling with friends and helping them search for Lady Qu," Yu Qixian replied. "What is wrong with coming back to rest for a moment?"

"Nothing at all. The Main Hall hopes for your return every day, and so do I. By the way, have you used up the medicine I gave you?"

Yu Qixian glanced around, a flicker of delight in his eyes. "Have you prepared another batch?"

Heyu nodded. "But you must share some news with me before I—"

"No problem!" Yu Qixian agreed readily. "I met with Liu Li this time. They asked for my help in finding Qu Ling'er. A lot has happened in Beihua recently. As we speak, the man you care about might be on the verge of losing his throne!"

Heyu gasped, her face clouding with worry. "What happened? Is he alright?"

"For now, yes. But it's hard to say for how much longer."

"Why? Who could threaten him?"

"A consort dowager died in the palace—the mother of the Second Prince. Many people witnessed him holding Dowager Consort Shu's lifeless body. Although there is no direct evidence and the circumstances are highly suspicious, he might not be able to save himself this time."

Heyu stood frozen, anxiety etched onto her face, her mind in turmoil.

"Then... what can be done? Have you helped him?"

"We might be able to help him see the truth, but there is no evidence to convince the public. The Emperor of Beihua accused of murdering a consort dowager—do you think that is a minor charge? Besides, the Second Prince is no ordinary opponent. He will surely move against Liu Li."

"What about the Empress Dowager?" Heyu pressed. "She is the Emperor's mother and holds the reins of the court. Couldn't she resolve this with a single word? How hard could it be to find a scapegoat in the inner palace to take the blame?"

Yu Qixian smiled. "Your concern is clouding your judgment. If the Empress Dowager wanted to help Liu Li, would things have reached this state? For one, she has the power to prevent the news from spreading across the realm, yet she did not."

"Are you saying... the Empress Dowager is behind this? She would drag her own son down?"

Yu Qixian laughed aloud, sighing. "Such is the ruthlessness of women. You don't feel it here in the West Sea Mansion, but you would understand if you went to the imperial palace. This is precisely why I refuse to join the court or remain in the West Sea Mansion. Do you see now?"

"I must enter the palace!"

"What?" Yu Qixian stared at Heyu, taken aback by the intense mix of emotions on her face. "You care for him that much?"

Heyu grabbed his arm, asking urgently, "Do you have a way?"

Yu Qixian looked at her. Seeing the distress and sorrow of the beautiful woman before him, he couldn't help but feel pity. He sighed, "Why was I born with such a soft spot for women?"

"You do have a way, don't you? Tell me, quickly! I cannot stand by and watch him remain in danger."

"But his imperial harem is filled with beautiful women. Are you sure you want to go?"

Heyu frowned. "I am not going to join his harem; I am going to help him! I have no intention of becoming his consort."

"Oh? Are you certain that if the opportunity arose, you wouldn't want to enter his harem?"

Heyu fell silent, lost in thought.

"Well, time is pressing. Give me the medicine quickly, my ship is about to arrive!"

Heyu retrieved a vial from her sleeve and handed it over. "Here. Now, what is the plan?"

"Go find Qiudi. She will help you."

As she watched Yu Qixian walk away, Heyu stood in hesitation. What should she do?

*He wants me to ask Qiudi for help again,* she thought. *I have already troubled her so many times. I treated her as an enemy at the start, yet now I turn to her for everything. It seems one really must do more good deeds in life, if only to leave oneself a way out.*