After that incident, Huang Rang never saw Di Yiqiu again.
As time gradually passed, at the end of May, she finally submitted the twin serpent fruit saplings. She delivered quite a large quantity, yet Shi Wenyu did not summon her. He merely had Eunuch Fu escort her back to Immortal Tea Town.
On the day Huang Rang left, the weather was clear and fine. Sunlight draped over everything like a golden veil, covering the entire palace complex. Eunuch Fu led the way, guiding her and Dai Yue through the palace corridors.
On a distant pavilion, a figure stood.
Huang Rang knew, but she did not raise her head to look. She deliberately slowed her pace, taking a very long time to walk through this small pathway. This mortal world was desolate, the years long and endless. There would always be some nights without stars or moon.
And those who traveled alone through the leaking night could only be strong.
On the distant Wen Jing Pavilion, Di Yiqiu leaned against the railing, gazing in that direction.
He wore a black robe, the garment oversized with a hood that wrapped him up tightly from head to toe. He hid behind this mass of darkness like a monster unable to face the light.
That distant figure grew smaller and smaller, finally becoming a black dot that disappeared at the end of the palace path. Di Yiqiu gripped the railing tightly, lowered his head, and once again saw his own purple-black hands.
“You should be recuperating properly, not wandering about,” came a voice from behind him.
Di Yiqiu’s spine stiffened. He wanted to kneel, but his legs simply could not bend. He could only say, “This humble subject… pays respects to…”
“No need.” The newcomer wore black and white Daoist robes, holding a whisk in hand—it was none other than Emperor Shi Wenyu. Compared to an emperor, he seemed more like an enlightened immortal. He walked slowly to Di Yiqiu’s side, similarly gazing downward.
“I know you all have suffered these days,” he said, each word calm, showing neither much sorrow nor joy. “But lift your head and look at these ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains. Beneath the brocade splendor, how many bleached bones lie?”
He raised his hand, lightly placing it on Di Yiqiu’s shoulder, and said, “Now the immortal sects are powerful while the court is weak. The people’s hearts all turn toward the immortal sects. If we do not seek change, sooner or later we will be devoured by this fierce tiger. Since ancient times, any reform has required a price.”
Di Yiqiu finally asked, “So we are all the price?”
Shi Wenyu withdrew his hand from his shoulder and said, “You are the pillars of the court. Only by transforming your constitutions can the Si Tianjian compete with the immortal sects in the shortest time. Looking across the realm, there is no better treasure than serpent blood.”
Di Yiqiu stared at him, trying to see even a trace of a father’s compassion on his face. But there was none.
“Father Emperor.” Di Yiqiu revived this form of address and asked, “Those who died in the Yuanrong Tower—have you looked at them even once? They are all your own flesh and blood. Have you thought of any one of them?”
Shi Wenyu did not look at him, only saying, “I have already given all my blood and tears to the realm.”
So, you have not.
Di Yiqiu lowered his gaze. Shi Wenyu said, “Sooner or later, you will know that I am right. If the court cannot command the immortal sects, then it must have the strength to oppose them. Otherwise, how can we stabilize the realm? Rest well, for your own sake, and for the sake of all the people and the nation.”
With that, he turned and left.
Di Yiqiu quietly watched him go. The spring cold came biting, and he began to cough violently. The blood poison flared, and his entire body began to ache intensely—like ten thousand ants tearing at him, like raging fire consuming his flesh.
He slid down along the railing to sit on the ground, silently curling into a ball of black shadow.
—
Immortal Tea Town.
When Huang Rang returned to the Huang family with Dai Yue, the rewards from Shi Wenyu had arrived at the Huang household one step ahead of her. Huang Shu came out to greet them, beaming with joy: “My Little Ten is truly capable. She hasn’t even returned yet, but His Majesty’s rewards have already arrived first.”
How could Huang Rang not know his temperament? She immediately made a graceful bow to Huang Shu, saying, “What capability does your daughter have? It is all thanks to Father’s excellent guidance.”
Huang Shu laughed heartily, then said, “These past two years, you’ve let Dai Yue take credit for all the breeding accomplishments. As your father, I found it quite strange. So my daughter had such a brilliant scheme! Now you’ve turned the tide, and His Majesty and the Eighty-Sixth Prince must both be very satisfied, yes?”
Beside them, Dai Yue lowered her head, seeming to understand something, her eyes filled with resentment.
For five years, Huang Rang had let her gain fame—so it was only to use her as a stepping stone! But thinking carefully, this was quite possible. Huang Rang had always been someone who valued fame and profit. How could she be so kind as to benefit her for nothing?
It turned out she was waiting for her to make a fool of herself in public!
She bit her teeth secretly.
And Huang Shu continued, “So, has the Eighty-Sixth Prince petitioned His Majesty about when you two will wed?”
Huang Rang took his arm, and despite the disgust in her heart, her face wore a sweet and gentle smile: “With Father’s wisdom, why should you care about this tiny place like Immortal Tea Town? Arang is Father’s daughter, so naturally she too harbors great ambitions. Father can rest assured—your daughter has more thorough plans.”
“You don’t plan to marry the Eighty-Sixth Prince?” Upon hearing this, Huang Shu’s expression immediately darkened. “Have you gone mad? Right now, besides the court, who else can grant Immortal Tea Town as a fief to the Huang family?! Don’t think that just because your wings have hardened you amount to anything. Without my approval, you are nothing!”
A fierce intent showed in his eyes. Huang Rang held his arm and shook it, acting coquettish: “What are you saying, Father! Even if your daughter marries out, she must still wait for the right price. Right now, besides the court, there is another person who can pay an equally high price. Your daughter has only one father. If she suffers grievances in the future, besides Father, who else can stand up for her? Your daughter is not foolish—how could she go against Father?”
These words pleased Huang Shu. He snorted and said, “At least you understand. By the way, that lowly servant Dai Yue has caused such a huge mess that gossip is already spreading everywhere. Yesterday, there was actually a family willing to buy her. In my opinion, why not just sell her off?”
Beside them, Dai Yue’s face turned pale. People like them were worth less than livestock in Huang Shu’s eyes. Now seeing that her reputation was damaged, the only thing Huang Shu could think of was to quickly sell her for a good price.
He didn’t even mention to whom he planned to sell Dai Yue.
Upon hearing this, Huang Rang only smiled and advised, “Father, regarding Dai Yue’s matter, your daughter has her own plans. I will certainly not let Father suffer a loss.”
Huang Shu, hearing her oppose him again, immediately said, “After this trip out, you’ve certainly developed more of your own ideas! Why don’t you tell me—given the current situation, who else is there for you to scheme after?”
Huang Rang leaned close to his ear and whispered a name.
“Xie… him, eh?” Huang Shu frowned slightly, then looked at his daughter. Huang Rang’s eyes were like spring water, her glances flowing. Huang Shu thought for a moment, probably finding it worthwhile, and said, “If you have a plan, you might as well try. But regarding the Eighty-Sixth Prince, you must also keep him on the hook. Better than losing both prospects.”
Such words—how could they sound like a father instructing his daughter? Yet he spoke them as if they were perfectly natural, without any concealment.
Huang Rang gently helped him walk into the house, saying, “Naturally. Father can rest assured.”
In the main hall, more than a dozen chests were arranged neatly. Upon seeing them, Huang Shu immediately felt pleased. He opened one of them, and a flood of golden light poured out, gilding him like he was plated with gold. Inside, row upon row of gold ingots were stacked neatly and orderly.
Huang Shu was in high spirits and no longer dwelt on the earlier matter. He waved his hand, saying, “You’ve worked hard these days. Go and rest.”
Huang Rang knew he did not want her to see Shi Wenyu’s rewards. She tactfully made a courtesy and turned to leave.
As she walked outside the main hall, an official came forward holding a small chest, saying, “Tenth Miss, this is from Jianzheng.”