Chapter 34: Evil Spirits (Part 1)

Chapter 34: Evil Spirits (Part 1)

Qi Hongzhuang sent Guo Guzi and a coachman to gather information, and they were indeed siblings, both surnamed Guo.

Le Wuya addressed them affectionately as Sister Guo and Brother Guo, chatting amiably as he coaxed the pair straight into the yamen as if they were the moon itself.

The yamen runners were utterly bewildered and turned to ask Wenren Yue, "Are these our magistrate's mother-in-law and father-in-law?"

Wenren Yue shook his head in confusion and followed along.

Then, he witnessed another side of Le Wuya.

Le Wuya had a persuasive charm. With sparkling eyes and deft hands, he cheerfully ushered the two into a warm room, ordering tea, pastries, and hot towels for washing up to be brought—all prepared and presented to perfection.

Brother Guo was simple and honest, unaccustomed to such treatment from an official. He lost his composure, merely rubbing his hands together, nodding, and smiling.

Guo Guzi barely withstood this wave of enthusiasm, speaking bluntly: "Magistrate, we siblings came here to assess the situation. If matters succeed, it will be a joy for all; if they don’t, please don’t take offense."

Le Wuya nodded obediently: "Fair enough."

He handled the situation with perfect tact. His demeanor was neither condescending nor sycophantic, but exuded an air of endearing charm.

Guo Guzi’s usually cold expression softened a little.

She asked, "Magistrate, please be honest. Tonglu and Nanting are far apart. Why would you go far instead of near, seeking cooperation with the County Mistress?"

Why?

Of course, because it's the easy way out.

But he couldn’t say that.

Le Wuya took a deep breath, looked at Guo Guzi, and said earnestly, "Alright, since you’re direct, I’ll drop the formalities."

"This small county has limited resources and little arable land. We have two hundred mu of mountain land. First, the soil is too sandy for many crops; second, even if we forced it, it wouldn’t meet the county’s grain needs. So I’m thinking, for Nanting’s land development, we shouldn’t aim for quantity but quality."

"Nanting is built by the river, blessed with geographical advantages. Using trade to enrich the people is the best strategy."

Guo Guzi nodded inwardly.

The County Mistress kept a group of female attendants; only those who studied poetry and history in her women’s school and mastered skills could go out on business.

She had some insight and knew Le Wuya was right.

Le Wuya asked candidly, "I come from a family of merchants and know that to open up a market for goods, you must meet the buyer’s desires. Let me ask you, Sister Guo: if you were a refined scholar wanting to buy a few camellia plants, would you go to a flower market well-regarded by literati, or seek them out on a barren mountain in a remote county?"

Guo Guzi didn’t answer, but she knew the answer.

Le Wuya said, "Scholars and gentlemen love to liken themselves to flowers and plants. Camellias, with their noble character, have always been their favorite, hence their high value. If I just plant flowers blindly, even if I cultivate a world-class variety like the Eighteen Scholars, no one would seek it out, and it would be wasted. But cooperating with the County Mistress changes everything."

Guo Guzi understood his meaning: "Magistrate Wenren means to use the County Mistress’s name to establish the reputation of these camellias?"

"Exactly." Le Wuya nodded. "The County Mistress has a chivalrous reputation, moving heaven and earth with her filial piety, known far and wide. If these camellias are blessed by her fame, they’ll soar on phoenix wings. This way, her family’s skill won’t be lost, and her talent won’t be wasted. If the planting fails, I’ll bear the loss myself, and the County Mistress won’t suffer a single cent. If, by her fortune, we cultivate good varieties and reap rewards, I won’t be stingy with money, and she can name these flowers after herself, letting her fame be passed down through the ages."

Le Wuya laid out the pros and cons, discussing benefits, and made his speech utterly compelling.

Brother Guo, soft-hearted, was already swayed, looking eagerly at his sister.

Guo Guzi also approved of the plan, but she maintained her stance, not forgetting the purpose of her visit: "Magistrate, I understand. Please take us to see the mountain. When I return and report to the County Mistress, we’ll discuss further, alright?"

Le Wuya naturally had no objection: "Good. Shall we go now?"

The Guo siblings were efficient, and off they went.

Le Wuya had Wenren Yue stay behind to organize documents and took them to the barren mountain.

After surveying the land and collecting soil samples, sealing them properly, the siblings were ready to return to Tonglu immediately.

Le Wuya tried to detain them: "Stay for a meal before you set out?"

Guo Guzi smiled: "No need. Once your business is settled, there will be plenty of chances to eat together."

Since she was so decisive, Le Wuya didn’t insist.

On the way down the mountain, Guo Guzi casually asked again, "If you want to grow the finest camellias, it’s best not to introduce existing varieties. Using grafting techniques to create new breeds is the better strategy. The County Mistress enjoys this hobby and has successfully grafted a few nice varieties. May I ask, Magistrate, which camellias do you like best? So I can report back."

Le Wuya had done his homework and replied, "Jade Belt Purple Robe and Cinnabar Purple Robe—these two have auspicious meanings, symbolizing promotion and rapid advancement, much loved by officials. ... Peony Camellia and Yuchi Red have beautiful forms; grafting them together would likely be good."

Finally, he added humbly, "I’ve only crammed some basic knowledge, just scratching the surface. The final decision will be up to the County Mistress."

"What a coincidence," said Guo Guzi.

Le Wuya asked humbly, "How so?"

Guo Guzi: "The varieties you chose are all red flowers."

Le Wuya paused mid-step.

"According to what you said earlier, Magistrate, you plan to name these camellias after the County Mistress..."

Guo Guzi looked at his profile: "May I ask if you know that the County Mistress’s name contains the character 'Hong' (red)?"

Indeed, he shouldn’t know the County Mistress’s personal name.

Le Wuya let out a silent sigh.

...Careless.

He should have known that Sister Qi’s people were at least half shrewd.

Le Wuya turned back, smiling: "Is it really such a coincidence? I thought, given the County Mistress’s fiery nature, red suits her best. I stumbled upon it by chance."

Guo Guzi studied his expression but found no trace of deceit, so she nodded: "Yes, indeed, a coincidence."

After half a day of discussion and survey, it was already evening.

The evening clouds blazed like fire, burning the world red.

Le Wuya stared at the setting sun until his eyes grew hazy. It felt like he was back in his previous life, on his wedding night, staring at the dragon-and-phoenix wedding candles until his eyes ached.

The candles were a gift from the emperor, exquisitely carved.

Knowing they would burn until dawn and then turn into a mess of melted wax, Le Wuya found it rather dull.

A splendid beginning that ended in a sorry mess—Le Wuya felt as if the candles were pointing a finger at him and scolding him.

People say the wedding night, passing the imperial exam, and meeting an old friend in a distant place are life’s great joys.

But in Le Wuya’s eyes, none of these could bring him delight.

After being severely injured, Le Wuya didn't think much about his own future.

Unexpectedly, while he wasn't giving it a thought, the Emperor had already made good plans for him by marrying his newly adopted daughter to him.

With gold paving the ground, a dowry procession stretching ten li, and thousands of acres of fertile land, the Emperor's favor for the couple was more than clear.

However, on such a splendid night, the two faced each other in silence.

While Le Wuya was intently watching the candlewick spark, Qi's daughter beside him suddenly spoke: "My lord."

Le Wuya turned his head and met her gaze.

Even with her thick, vibrant makeup, Qi's daughter's gaze still had a plain look.

She said softly, "My lord, should we not consummate the marriage?"

Le Wuya raised an eyebrow: "?"

She reminded him, "I am still in mourning."

Le Wuya thought for a moment and realized it was indeed true.

"I mentioned it once to the old woman who taught me etiquette. She didn't listen to anything I said, just told me to follow the rules."

"...She said, as the Emperor's adopted daughter, I didn't need to observe mourning." Qi's daughter's words held no resentment, only calmness. "...Otherwise, it would be bad luck."

Qi's daughter's attitude was not one of consultation, but just letting him know.

Since his new wife was so straightforward, Le Wuya saw no need to be coy.

He hopped off the bed, grabbed an orange, and tossed one to Qi's daughter.

He asked, "What's your name?"

Qi's daughter lowered her head to peel the orange: "They gave me a new name: Xiaoshu."

"And your original name?"

"My mother called me Dani, or eldest girl." Qi paused. "My younger sister was called Erni, or Xiao'er."

Le Wuya said "Oh," and recalled something: "By the way, did they fix Xiao'er's grave?"

Qi's daughter glanced at Le Wuya: "It's been repaired. The new county magistrate had both my mother's and Xiao'er's graves repaired as soon as he took office."

Le Wuya sighed, "How thoughtful. Truly, the Emperor's grace is boundless."

Qi's daughter gave an enigmatic laugh: "Yes, the Emperor's grace is boundless."

When Le Wuya said this, half a percent was sincere, three percent was acting, and the remaining ninety-six and a half percent was pure lip service.

He knew the Emperor, having just lost his mother, had come across Qi's case. It suited his purpose perfectly, so he was naturally eager to praise and promote her.

If truth be told, he was the one who had actually saved her life.

But only the Emperor had the power to lift her from a lonely, imprisoned girl selling camellias to a commoner princess.

The Emperor's favor was immense—he even adopted her—so everything she had came from him. She ought to be grateful and serve him with all her heart.

To put it bluntly, Le Wuya suspected that Qi's daughter, who had no roots or foundation and whose honor all depended on the imperial family, had been sent by the Emperor to keep an eye on him.

Even so, Le Wuya still had no intention of being wary of Qi.

First, he considered himself upright and aboveboard, not afraid of anyone spying.

Second, Qi's mother had died, and before the mourning period ended, she was taken from Tonglu to the unfamiliar capital, married to a stranger; it was truly pitiful.

Le Wuya wanted to be kind to this elder sister who had lost her mother and was alone in a strange place.

He mused, "Dani, Dani... it sounds like a childhood name. How about giving you a formal name?"

Qi's daughter: "The old woman said the husband is the wife's guide; whatever name is given, it's all up to my lord."

Le Wuya leaned back on the bridal bed and tossed a segment of orange into his mouth: "Guide or not, I don't care about that. If you ask me, Dani is just fine. But this name—do you only want your mother to call you that?"

Qi's daughter didn't respond; she just turned her head and gave Le Wuya a serious look.

Le Wuya had been busy all day, and now his whole body ached. Seeing that this girl was neither shy nor distant, he lazily curled up on the bed and let his mouth run loose again: "So? Your husband is pretty good, isn't he?"

Qi's daughter rarely relaxed her guard a bit and nodded: "He is indeed good."

Le Wuya: "...Then can I not sleep on the floor?"

Qi's daughter: ?

Le Wuya hugged his quilt and slowly edged toward the inner side of the bridal bed, complaining pitifully: "I'm not trying to trick you—it's just that I was injured before. If I catch a chill, I'll get a cold, chest pain, and my bones will ache. Then you'd have to take care of me, which would be so troublesome."

Qi's daughter was indeed someone who spoke her mind directly: "But I don't want to sleep on the floor either."

Le Wuya suggested: "Then let's just sleep together? You on the outside, me on the inside, with a pillow in between?"

Qi's daughter agreed, so she got up to remove her makeup.

After sitting down in front of the mirror, she stared at her reflection for a long time, motionless.

She suddenly said, "I've never looked this beautiful before. If she could see me, she would be glad."

Who "she" referred to went without saying.

She pointed to her face, which for once held a touch of delicate beauty, and asked Le Wuya: "What should I call this kind of makeup?"

Le Wuya rolled on the bed, wrapping himself into a thin quilt roll, and lay on his stomach looking at Qi: "In the Ballad of Mulan, it says, 'When the elder sister hears the younger is coming, she faces the door and applies her red makeup.' This is just like that."

He knew there were many suggestive poems and songs about "red makeup" that would fit their newlywed situation, sweet to the ear.

But after thinking it over, Le Wuya felt that this line probably suited her heart the best.

This yuefu poem was simple and easy to understand; Qi could grasp its meaning.

A thin layer of tears glistened in her eyes: "Good. She can see it, and Xiao'er can see it too. How wonderful."

But Qi was indeed strong by nature.

The tears swirled in her eyes and then vanished.

She turned around, her calm gaze even more resolute in the candlelight: "'Red makeup'..."

"From now on, I will call myself Hongzhuang."

...

However, Le Wuya still preferred to call her Sister Qi.

Others teased them for calling each other "big sister" and "little brother" so openly, but Le Wuya knew they had practically become real siblings.

During her mourning period, Le Wuya moved in a soft couch and shared the room with her.

After the mourning period ended, they continued as before, neither of them ever bringing up the matter of sharing a bed again.

But these "siblings" were not so pure, with the emperor meddling in their relationship.

He knew that Sister Qi would occasionally write some words and send them to the palace under the pretense of reporting her safety.

He didn't mind; he taught her calligraphy face to face.

Soon, Sister Qi's calligraphy became even better than his.

Le Wuya was best at imitating others' writing; just a glance at someone else's work and he could mimic their brushstrokes, but he let his own handwriting go wild, becoming atrociously ugly.

When he had social engagements and got headaches from drinking, Sister Qi would brew him hangover tea.

When his old injuries flared up and he couldn't get out of bed, Sister Qi would bring a bowl of preserved fruit, coaxing him to take his medicine, threatening to pour it down his nose if he didn't take it fast.

That was the last home Le Wuya had in his past life.

Fake, yet warm.

...

After seeing off the Guo siblings, Le Wuya stood in the dust for a long time before slowly walking back to the yamen.

When the siblings arrived, his heart was full of joy.

But when they left, they stirred up a bellyful of unpleasant thoughts.

He did feel like drowning his sorrows in drink, but this body clearly couldn't hold its liquor.

He still remembered the last time he accidentally got drunk and splashed wine all over Master Chen.

This body needed careful tending. If Wenren Yue ever regretted his decision and made a fuss to come back, he would have to return it.

Even if just for him, he had to take care.

While Le Wuya was planning to find a secluded spot to hide and collect himself, he had already arrived at the yamen gate.

A cheerful voice rang out: "Oh, the magistrate is back!"

Before Le Wuya could react, constable He Qingsong rushed up excitedly: "Magistrate, an envoy from the capital has come. Deputy Magistrate Sun has already brought him into the yamen offices."

Le Wuya had to put aside all his sorrow: "An envoy from the capital? Do you know who it is?"

"Yes!" He Qingsong nodded vigorously, "It's the Imperial Guard officer who accompanied us to the Xiaofu coal mine on the night of the trial! The one who uses firearms!"

Jiang Jiugao?

Le Wuya stepped into the hall and saw Jiang He, left dazed by Deputy Magistrate Sun's incessant small talk.

No matter how good Deputy Magistrate Sun was at reading people, he couldn't figure out what this unflappable Imperial Guard officer was thinking.

But Le Wuya could tell that Jiang He, who had never met such a talkative person, was intimidated and looking for a place to hide.

Seeing Le Wuya return, Jiang He suddenly stood up, his face remained expressionless, but a flicker of excitement showed.

For some reason, every time he saw Magistrate Wenren, he would feel an inexplicable rush, as if the taciturn young man who once rode at Tianlang Camp on the frontier was leaping with joy inside him.

Le Wuya entered the hall, greeted him, and asked directly: "Lord Jiang, may I ask what brings you here?"

Jiang He, being a military man, was more accustomed to such straightforward exchanges: "Someone from the capital sent me to deliver a gift."

He handed over a thick letter sealed with wax.

Le Wuya took it, and as soon as he held it, he felt it wasn't like a letter.

When he opened it, his eyes were nearly dazzled.

Inside was a thick stack of crisp hundred-tael banknotes, stacked solid as a little brick!

Le Wuya's eyes lit up, all worries swept away: "May I ask who?"

Before Jiang He could say more, he had already guessed.

...Probably that moneybags who didn't know what to do with his gold.

But this time he was wrong.

Jiang He replied: "It's the Sixth Prince."

Le Wuya froze: "Who?"

He distinctly remembered that his student was not given to extravagance; his brushes, ink, and paper were the standard issue for princes, and his palace was as stark as a snow cave—unlike the Seventh Prince, who was obsessed with luxury and even had sword hilts encrusted with jewels.

But how could this be considered not understanding luxury?

Not only did he hand over thousands of silver taels without a second thought, but he also knew enough to use hundred-tael notes instead of thousand-tael ones, stacking them into this thick wad. Giving it to him in front of Deputy Magistrate Sun was practically boosting Le Wuya's standing.

Sure enough, Deputy Magistrate Sun standing nearby was staring wide-eyed.

Good heavens!

He had only heard of local officials bribing capital officials, who wouldn't even flinch—he had never heard of money flowing the other way!

Le Wuya was stunned; it took him a while to ask: "Did the Sixth Prince send a letter? What should I do with this silver?"

"No note, just a verbal message."

Jiang He cleared his throat and replied: "This silver is to fund Magistrate Wenren's road and bridge construction in Nanting. When I come back, I hope the roads will be smooth. To reach you even a moment sooner would be the greatest joy in life."

Jiang He recited the Sixth Prince's words in a calm, detached tone, thinking that the Sixth Prince really treated Magistrate Wenren generously.

Jiang He was guileless and saw Magistrate Wenren as the young general he once knew.

Seeing him treated well gave Jiang He a strange comfort.

As for Le Wuya's inner shock, Jiang He had no clue.