Chapter 27: The Magistrate’s Summons and a Bitter Past

“Absolutely, yes!”

The officer who had just demanded, “Who are you?” quickly bowed his head in affirmation.

His colleagues had been rather gleeful about their assignment, and he hadn’t thought much of it then, but who would have imagined they would truly encounter such a troublesome person here?

“Cangxuan, what do you think?”

“First, let’s inquire about the matter at hand.”

Master Yang stroked his beard and nodded, then, seeing that the two still hadn’t moved despite his words, he cleared his throat softly.

The other officer, however, proved more astute; upon hearing the cough, he immediately spilled everything he knew, as if pouring out beans.

“The county magistrate has sent us to invite Master Yang and the Young Lady to a small gathering in the county seat, ostensibly concerning the demonic entity in the town. Given the clear governance of our dynasty, it is indeed unseemly for a demonic entity to act brazenly in broad daylight.”

“Does he suspect that demonic entity is connected to the two of us?”

Master Yang cast a sidelong glance at the officer, while Jí Yào, standing nearby, made as if to draw his blade and strike, terrifying the officer into trembling like chaff in a sieve, prompting him to beg for mercy repeatedly.

“No, no, absolutely not! It was Young Master Qin! When the matter was reported, he falsely claimed it originated here, and the county magistrate, left with no other recourse, sent us two here!”

“Yes, yes, exactly, the county magistrate dispatched us here precisely to clear your names, Master! Please, investigate thoroughly!”

Jí Yào snorted coldly, sheathed his blade, and stepped back to the side.

Master Yang and Qíngyǔ exchanged a glance, and only then did the young woman step forward to stand before the two officers.

“Have either of you been anywhere unusual lately?”

The two officers dared not even lift their heads, fearing to incur the wrath of the noble figures before them.

“No, no, no, we rode here early this morning, not daring to rest even once on the journey.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right, we’ve only been stationed in the county seat recently, haven’t gone anywhere else.”

The young woman observed the faint crimson thread subtly attached to both officers within her ink-wash vision, and a few thoughts stirred within her.

If their words were indeed true, then it was likely that wicked cultivators and malevolent demons were truly wreaking havoc in the county.

“You two may leave first.”

Qíngyǔ pondered for a long time, then reached out to remove the demonic influence that clung to the two officers.

The officers immediately felt a great lightness in their bodies, and their muddled thoughts cleared considerably.

“But this…”

The more foolish of the two still wanted to say something, but was immediately cut off by his companion.

“Cough, cough, then we shall take our leave. The county magistrate awaits your presence in the city.”

“Go, deliver this letter as well, and tell him that I will make the trip.”

While the young woman was speaking, Master Yang had retrieved paper, penned a letter, and now came forward to hand it to the more astute officer.

“Thank you for the letter, Master!”

“It’s a minor matter. Now go.”

Accepting the letter with profuse thanks, the two officers, who had initially harbored grievances, immediately turned and departed, moving smoothly and without any hesitation.

It was as if their earlier unpleasantness at the Yang residence’s gate had never occurred; only two diligent and reliable officers remained.

***

Once they had left, Jí Yào thoroughly checked the surroundings before closing the gate, and only then did Master Yang and Qíngyǔ return to their seats in the hall.

“May I inquire if the Young Lady is willing to make a trip to the county city?”

“Indeed, I must go.”

Since those two had been tainted by evil thoughts, if she didn’t investigate the matter in the county city to understand its true nature, she would forever harbor doubts.

“It seems I have implicated the Young Lady.”

Master Yang offered a wry smile and cupped his hands in apology, then poured himself another cup of clear tea.

“Not at all.”

Qíngyǔ shook her head, gesturing towards the direction the two officers had departed.

“Both of them were touched by malevolent energy; even if you weren’t going, this humble Daoist would still have to go and investigate.”

“Malevolent energy, you say…” Master Yang murmured, then suddenly thought of his daughter. “Would my daughter need to accompany us as well?”

“That won’t be necessary. She has only just embarked on the path of cultivation; it would be difficult for her to contend with demonic entities.”

“Alas, it’s a pity that our family’s reputation in that town has always been poor. I fear that if the Young Lady accompanies me, she too will acquire a bad name and ill repute.”

Qíngyǔ looked at the apologetic Master Yang with some surprise. “This humble Daoist had always assumed the Yang family’s reputation would be better in the county.”

“On the contrary, our reputation is actually better in *this* town.”

Master Yang recounted that when he had taken the imperial examinations years ago, the county magistrate’s son had been on the same success list as him.

Both having studied under the same master and passing the examinations together, they naturally went on to the subsequent tests as companions.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, the county magistrate’s son, who had been held in high regard, ultimately failed to pass, while Master Yang himself ascended to the highest ranks, passing the imperial examination in one fell swoop and catching the emperor’s eye.

The county magistrate’s son became deeply despondent, drank heavily in private, and upon returning, had a massive argument with Master Yang, which ultimately led to an unhappy parting of ways.

Subsequently, when the top scholar returned to his hometown, the county magistrate avoided him whenever possible, outside of official duties.

And because the old county magistrate was a capable and good official, the county residents largely assumed Master Yang had committed some wrongdoing, spreading no small amount of gossip.

“I only regret that I was young and arrogant then, overly complacent, and failed to console my friend,” Master Yang lamented.

Master Yang shook his head.

“Later, when I was demoted, the county’s animosity intensified, with many even branding me a treacherous minister who brought disaster upon the nation and its people.”

“That is quite unexpected.”

Qíngyǔ had initially assumed that Master Yang had merely failed to assist his local community, making the town’s ill words understandable, but she had never imagined such a situation in the county itself.

Master Yang offered another bitter smile and cupped his hands.

“May I ask if the Young Lady intends to depart with me today, or…?”

“There’s no rush. Given that those two carried your letter, I imagine it won’t reach the county magistrate until this afternoon.”

“Tomorrow, then?”

“Yes, and I can also make a set of clothes for Little Girl.”

“What, what?!”

Little Girl, who had been huddled behind a small mound, heard that something concerned her and quickly tossed aside the stone in her hand, wiped her hands carelessly on her clothes, and ran over.

“She said she’s making clothes for you.”

Seeing her eagerness, Qíngyǔ chuckled helplessly and reached out to pinch her small cheek.

“I wonder if the Young Lady has all her needlework supplies?”

“Hmm, you needn’t trouble yourself with that, Master.”

Master Yang pondered for a moment, pointed to a small room in his backyard, and continued, “My household still possesses some bestowed silk and satin. If the Young Lady does not mind, you are welcome to take as much as you need.”

“I bought a few pieces of cotton cloth yesterday; that should be sufficient.”

“Ah, how can a few pieces of cotton cloth suffice? My old bones couldn’t possibly use all those materials. Young Lady, please, just take a look.”

Unable to refuse Master Yang’s insistence, Qíngyǔ could only follow him to the storeroom and select a few more pieces of silk.

These materials, besides everything else, felt cool and smooth as water in her hands, making them quite suitable for undergarments.

Even though Little Girl hadn’t grown up yet, and Qíngyǔ herself was quite ordinary, making some protective garments first would still be beneficial.

Seeing that Qíngyǔ had finally accepted some items, Master Yang happily stroked his beard and then called for Little Four to prepare a delicious meal.

It wasn’t until dinner that Yang Qingqing, who was deeply engrossed in cultivation, emerged from her room. She respectfully bowed to Qíngyǔ, inquired about her father’s well-being, hastily ate a few mouthfuls, and then rushed back to her room to continue her practice.

“She certainly has a strong Dao heart.”

“Alas, I was much the same in my youth, reading books for an entire day, determined to achieve that official title.”

“That is quite like you, indeed.”

“I’m like Mama too!”

Little Girl, stuffing rice into her mouth, quickly added that remark after hearing the adults’ conversation.

Hearing this, Master Yang and Qíngyǔ exchanged a glance, then burst into hearty laughter, leaving the girl looking utterly bewildered.

“What are Mama and Uncle laughing at?”

“We’re laughing because you’re so adorable.”

Qíngyǔ reached out to ruffle her hair, unable to suppress another laugh.