Chapter 98 Shen Qingying, Stop Pretending to Be Dead

Chapter 98: Shen Qingying, Stop Playing Dead

A Chan, quick as a flash, seized his hand, pulling the jade vial from Bai Xiuming’s loose grasp.

"Don't be so stingy. If Lord Shen found out, he'd be heartbroken."

"He's used to it." Despite his words, Bai Xiuming made no move to retrieve the vial.

A Chan snorted inwardly—such hypocrisy. Well, now that it was in her hands, it was hers.

Bai Xiuming watched as she darted back to the bed, rummaged through her pouch, and tucked the vial inside. He drawled, "Do you know the penalty for robbing an official of Great Xia?"

A Chan tied the pouch shut and replied dismissively without turning around, "Yeah, yeah~ Won't happen again."

Once her loot was secured, A Chan returned to sit beside Bai Xiuming, bringing with her a faint, pleasant fragrance.

She poured him a cup of water, offering it with both hands, and cooed, "Lord Bai, you’ve worked hard. Have some water."

Bai Xiuming gazed at her for a long moment before accepting the cup. Instead of drinking, he held the small cup, waiting for her to speak.

True to form, A Chan didn’t disappoint. After her initial flattery, she quickly revealed her true intention.

"Bai Xiuming, you killed that dragon ages ago. Why are you still holding onto that thing?"

"No use for it."

*You might not have a use for it, but I do.*

A Chan leaned closer and asked, "I heard you killed a lot of demons in Youzhou. So, do you have a lot of rare materials lying around with no use?"

Bai Xiuming tilted his head slightly, his deep-set eyes glinting with amusement. "Quite a few. Are you very interested in my assets?"

A Chan faltered. Should she say yes or no? Something about the question felt off.

Finally, she raised a single finger. "A little."

"Oh? Then I can’t tell you."

"Why not?" A Chan instantly sulked. Their last two collaborations had been so pleasant!

She’d even planned to make a list, hoping to get free supplies from him in the future.

Faced with A Chan’s dissatisfaction, Bai Xiuming completely ignored it, changing the subject instead. "Xiling has been unstable recently. Stay indoors more."

A Chan shot him a resentful look.

This feeling was utterly frustrating—like knowing there was a treasure mountain before her, but having no idea what treasures lay within.

Beneath her lingering gaze, Bai Xiuming remained unmoved, asking, "Understood?"

"Understood."

Clearly, he wasn’t going to say anything more. A Chan had no choice but to give up—for now.

If she failed this time, there’d be another chance. Sooner or later, she’d worm the details out of him.

Bai Xiuming stood, seemingly preparing to leave.

A Chan’s gaze followed him, and she suddenly asked, "Bai Xiuming, on the day of the betrothal, will you go to the Shen family to fetch Shen Yingzhu?"

Bai Xiuming looked down at her. "Otherwise?"

Originally, this step wasn't part of the plan, but now it had to be added. Otherwise, if the Flood Dragon Mother went berserk, Shen Zhuo and the others alone might not be able to control the situation.

Things had happened too suddenly, and the Bright Mirror Bureau's arrangements weren't yet in place, but it was of no great consequence; ultimately, it would benefit them.

As for the Prince of Xiling, he had his ways of dealing with him.

"Then be careful not to get snatched away by the Flood Dragon Mother," A Chan said, her concern utterly feigned.

*Too bad I can't personally witness the spectacle. That day is bound to be thrilling.* She practically vibrated with anticipation.

Suddenly, the candle in the room sputtered and died. A Chan let out a short "Ay!" In the darkness, silence reigned—Bai Xiuming was already gone.

"Couldn’t even say goodbye," A Chan grumbled, displeased by his abrupt disappearance.

After briefly weighing whether to relight the candle and organize her materials or just go back to sleep, she decisively chose the latter.

Feeling her way back to her bed, she settled in. Within moments, sleep claimed her again, and she drifted off.

Perhaps because she knew there were things to do, A Chan opened her eyes just after dawn.

Her attempt to fall back asleep failed, so she grudgingly got up to wash.

After breakfast, A Chan pulled Chen Hui into the bedroom to show off her new treasure.

Chen Hui noticed the clutter on the table and asked, "Did Lord Shen visit again last night?"

She was considering whether to temporarily stop taking the demon beast’s blood—otherwise, she slept too soundly and wouldn't even know if someone entered the courtyard.

"Not him. Bai Xiuming brought these." A Chan retrieved the pouch she’d tossed at the foot of the bed and, like a child showing off a prize, took out the jade vial to show her.

Chen Hui took the vial, a little surprised. It felt icy cold to the touch, but soon a warmth emanated from it, dispelling the chill.

Curious, she asked, "What’s inside?"

"Dragon's essence."

Chen Hui looked from the vial to A Chan, as if seeking confirmation: *Is it what I think it is?*

"Exactly what you’re imagining. This stuff is incredibly rare." A Chan sat back in her chair, smiling. "Bai Xiuming was surprisingly generous this time—this little vial should leave me half to spare."

"What do you plan to do with it?"

"Make a fragrant medicinal pill."

"You’re going to give it to... Miss Qingwu?"

"How could you tell?" A Chan asked.

She remembered that when Shen Qingwu had spoken to her, Hui Niang was still busy in the kitchen.

"Unless she had business with you, why would she send Huixue to help me?"

A Chan disagreed. Earnestly, she said, "I believe Huixue genuinely wanted to help."

*Who could resist Hui Niang's cooking?*

Chen Hui chuckled, "Are you starting to prepare the medicinal incense now?"

"Yes."

A Chan took out the bottle containing the Moonlit Toad’s drool and poured all of it into a bowl.

Chen Hui went to the kitchen to fetch tea oil and soaked the entire piece of Deathward Incense in it. The fragrance of the incense, once submerged in the oil, faded. After about an hour or so, the scent had completely dissipated.

Meanwhile, A Chan crushed three other spirit herbs with a mortar, extracting their juices and letting them settle.

Once all the ingredients were prepared, A Chan first took a fingernail-sized piece of the Deathward Incense, worked it into a paste, and then mixed it into the Moonlit Toad’s drool.

The drool, originally gray, turned milky white after absorbing the incense paste, with a faint luminescence.

At first, the mixture wasn’t sticky, but after repeated stirring, it gradually began to solidify.

A Chan scooped it out and had Hui Niang roll it flat with a rolling pin before shaping it into a bowl with her hands. Then, she took the light green juice from the mixed spirit herbs, quickly produced the jade vial, and poured half of the dragon's essence into it.

The moment the bottle was opened, even Chen Hui felt a surge of scorching heat, accompanied by a faint coppery tang.

However, once poured into the herbal juice, the smell transformed into a subtle, fresh fragrance of plants, and the texture thickened considerably.

A Chan poured the mixture into the molded Moonlit Toad drool, and Chen Hui swiftly sealed the opening, shaping it into a ball.

They set the finished ball aside to cure in the shade. Visible to the naked eye, the outer layer of drool mixed with Deathward Incense gradually shrank and hardened.

Hui Niang’s craftsmanship was excellent—the perfumed pellet she rolled was perfectly round. By the time it fully dried, the pill resembled a glistening pearl.

Even without leaning in, one could detect the blended fragrance of Deathward Incense and spirit herbs, fruit-like yet crisp.

Once the medicinal incense was ready, A Chan placed it in a silk pouch Hui Niang had sewn, waiting only for Shen Qingwu to retrieve it the next day.

The following day, Shen Qingwu arrived at their home once more, accompanied by Shen Huixue.

The two brought pastries, candied fruits, and fresh milk.

Seeing the milk, Hui Niang excused herself to prepare milk tea sweetened with honey, taking Shen Huixue along to help sample the brew.

Once they had left, A Chan took out the silk pouch and handed it to Shen Qingwu.

Shen Qingwu accepted the pouch, and before even opening it, she could already smell the fragrance. Carefully, she tipped out its contents. Unlike the dark incense pill she had imagined, this so-called medicinal incense looked more like a flawless pearl.

Were it not for the scent emanating from it, she might have thought A Chan had given her the wrong item.

"How do I use this? Just carry it with me?" Shen Qingwu asked.

"Right now, it’s just an ordinary perfumed pellet. When you meet the person, break it open."

"That simple?"

"Of course not." A Chan’s expression grew serious. "After crushing the incense, you’ll have only the time it takes an incense stick to burn to get far away. If you don’t put enough distance between yourself and the target within that time… you don’t want to know what a Fourth-Realm dragon in a frenzy looks like."

Shen Qingwu nodded. "I understand. Liufeng’s inner core is still in my possession—I won’t let anything happen to me."

She had taken the core out, and she intended to return it safely. Otherwise, what would become of her Huixue?

Seeing this, A Chan said no more. She had done all she could—the outcome depended on Shen Qingwu.

After their brief exchange, Hui Niang and Shen Huixue returned with the milk tea sweetened with honey. The four of them sat around the table, enjoying the pastries and the sweet drink, and the afternoon passed quickly.

Two more days later, early in the morning, the sound of gongs and drums echoed outside. Irritated, A Chan kicked the door open and asked Hui Niang, who was splitting firewood in the yard, "Hui Niang, what’s going on out there?"

Stacking the split wood neatly, Hui Niang replied calmly, "What else? Today is the betrothal ceremony of Xiling's Crown Prince—a celebration with the people. There are several parades marching through the streets, distributing bridal confections and tossing coins."

Only then did A Chan remember what day it was.

"Xiling's Royal Prince must truly value this betrothal banquet. The Shen estate must be bustling right now, no?" She glanced toward the gate, though she couldn’t see anything, as if envisioning the lively scene at the Shen manor.

Early that morning, Shen Qingwu and Shen Huixue had risen to groom and attire themselves. By the time they finished, the envoy sent by Shen Zhiheng had already arrived.

The messenger was Shen Zhiheng’s trusted confidant, someone Shen Huixue had known since childhood—a clan cousin of the Shen family named Shen Shunian.

Shen Qingwu asked him to wait briefly, saying she needed to retrieve an important gift of honor. Shen Shunian seemed to grasp her implication, his face flushing with anticipation.

A short while later, when she reappeared, an ornately embroidered pouch hung from her belt.

Noticing the additional pouch and a sachet, Shen Shunian said nothing, merely bowing respectfully as he ushered both Shen Qingwu and Shen Huixue into the Shen family’s carriage. He then mounted his horse to lead the way.

Inside the carriage, mother and daughter exchanged hushed words.

Sitting close, Shen Huixue suddenly noticed that her mother’s usual fragrance had changed—novel yet pleasing.

"Mother, did you change your scent?" she asked.

Shen Qingwu paused briefly before smiling. "Yes, A Chan gave me this perfumed pellet. I liked the fragrance, so I put it in my sachet."

Shen Huixue nodded in agreement. "A Chan’s art of incense crafting is quite good—she’s just not very diligent. Good thing she doesn’t rely on selling incense to make a living, or she’d starve."

Little did she know, A Chan had once been diligent—until she realized earning her keep was too difficult and opted for a different path: inheriting a fortune.

Shen Qingwu watched her daughter, who perked up at the mention of A Chan, and smiled faintly.

Her Huixue had forged a sisterly bond. In time, life would only get better.

"Why did Uncle send someone specifically to fetch us today—and even one of his own attendants?" Shen Huixue whispered.

"Perhaps he was worried I’d forgotten the way to the Shen manor and provided an escort."

The real reason Shen Zhiheng had sent someone? To ensure she brought the "gift of honor" with her.

Shen Huixue found the explanation odd but didn’t press further.

As the carriage drew closer to the Shen estate, Shen Qingwu suddenly said, "Huixue, later, I’ll need to speak with your uncle. Since you’re not familiar with the Shen family, pay them no mind. After meeting Shen Yingzhu, make your excuses and depart—and remember, you must get far away from the Shen residence."

Shen Huixue’s face fell. She caught the underlying meaning. "Mother, you—"

Shen Qingwu whispered in her ear, "Listen to me. Don’t worry—nothing will happen."

Apprehension still clawed at Shen Huixue. "Mother, whatever you’re planning, let me stay with you."

Shen Qingwu shook her head. "I’m going to meet an old friend. You can’t be there."

"But—"

"No buts."

Her mother’s will was ironclad. In the end, Shen Huixue could only acquiesce.

"Are you absolutely certain nothing will go wrong?"

Shen Qingwu couldn't help but laugh, her tone lighthearted: "What could possibly happen to me in the Shen family? Don't worry, my poison has already been neutralized. Nothing serious will happen."

Though Shen Huixue knew her mother was merely humoring her, she could only make a mental note that she must leave the Shen residence later.

Soon, the carriage came to a halt. Shen Shunian dismounted and stood beside it, helping Shen Qingwu step down.

At that moment, the vermilion gates of the Shen ancestral estate swung open. Zhao Shi, Shen Qingwu's elder sister-in-law, along with several female relatives from the Shen side branches, stepped out as if to greet guests.

Before they could even pass through the gates, they caught sight of Shen Qingwu, whom they hadn't seen in many years.

Though her husband had already informed her that her younger sister-in-law's health had improved, seeing her so suddenly still left Zhao Shi too surprised for words.

"Elder Sister-in-law, it's been a long time," Shen Qingwu stepped forward to greet Zhao Shi.

"I heard from your elder brother that your health had improved. It’s truly wonderful that you could come today," Zhao Shi said with seeming excitement—though how much of it was genuine and how much feigned, only she knew.

Shen Huixue watched from the side. She had never seen this aunt act so warmly toward anyone before.

Back then, wasn’t it this very aunt who had suggested sending her to the capital? At the time, she had even warned Shen Huixue to always remember the Shen family’s kindness toward her.

"As long as Elder Sister-in-law doesn’t find me presumptuous. Where is Elder Brother? I have some matters to discuss with him."

Seeing Shen Shunian following behind, Zhao Shi quickly understood the situation and whispered to her, "Your elder brother should be at the family shrine right now. Let Shunian take you there. As for Huixue..."

She hesitated for a moment. Someone of Shen Huixue’s status naturally had no right to approach the Shen family’s family shrine.

"Let Huixue go see Yingzhu first, then she can entertain herself afterward. Elder Sister-in-law needn’t trouble yourself with her."

This suited Zhao Shi perfectly. She nodded quickly. "Very well, I’ll have a maid take Huixue over right away."

As mother and daughter parted, Shen Huixue still gazed at Shen Qingwu with concern. Shen Qingwu waved her off and followed Shen Shunian away.

The Shen ancestral estate was situated in a rather remote location, nestled against a mountainside. While the front courtyard, where people resided, was still tolerable, the further back one went, the more gloomy the atmosphere became.

She only knew that the rear courtyard housed the Shen family’s family shrine, and beyond that, the area connected to the mountain was the family’s restricted area—ordinarily off-limits, at least to Shen Qingwu, who had never been allowed there.

After escorting Shen Qingwu, Shen Shunian waited outside the family shrine until Shen Zhiheng emerged, exchanged a few quiet words with him, and then departed.

"Qingwu, you’ve come." Once Shen Shunian left, Shen Zhiheng strode forward to greet her, his gaze briefly flickering to the sachet at her waist.

Shen Qingwu smiled and congratulated him. "Elder Brother, you look particularly impressive today. My congratulations."

"Haha, the same to you, the same to you." Shen Zhiheng couldn’t conceal his delight. Though he hadn’t managed to marry his daughter to the Second Young Master, the Prince's heir was still a good match. As long as she entered the Prince of Xiling’s residence, it would be a good outcome.

"I heard you met your elder sister-in-law at the gate. Why not join her in greeting the rest of the family?"

Shen Qingwu sighed softly. "Over a decade has passed in what feels like no time. I hardly recognize most of them now, and wouldn’t know what to say even if I did. Better to let it be."

"You think too much."

"Rather than endure their looks of pity, I’d prefer to hear their envious comments, like those from Shen Qingying..." She cut herself off, then asked hesitantly, "Elder Brother, is Shen Qingying... still alive?"

Shen Zhiyuan was surprised, then chuckled. "You still remember her?"

"Of course I do. We quarreled constantly since childhood—you could say we had quite a connection. Yingzhu is engaged now. Shouldn’t her aunt be here today?"

"She came, but like you, she prefers not to see anyone."

"Perfect. It’s been over ten years. I’ll go see if she’s gotten uglier." Shen Qingwu’s tone was casual.

Shen Zhiheng hesitated only briefly before Shen Qingwu asked pointedly, "Is it inconvenient for me to see her now?"

He quickly realized that his sister probably knew something about their father’s plans back then. There was no need to hide this from her.

Besides... she had brought the demon core today. There was no reason to bother her with small things.

He smiled. "You’re family. What’s the harm in meeting?"

With that, he led her around the family shrine toward the rear courtyard.

"Qingying is resting in the back courtyard. Times have changed—don’t start another argument with her the moment you meet."

"Understood."

The rear courtyard bordered the mountain. It was unnaturally quiet, without even a servant in sight.

Shen Zhiheng pushed open the gate and ushered Shen Qingwu inside.

When they reached one of the houses, he called out, "Qingying, I’ve brought Qingwu to see you."

The room remained completely silent. After a moment, Shen Qingwu suddenly spoke up. "Shen Qingying, have you become too ugly to show your face? Stop playing dead."

With a bang, the door swung open. A woman’s hoarse, bitter voice croaked from within: "Shen Qingwu... You’re still alive."