Chapter 38: Nine Treasures
Inside the Hui Xian Hall, shadows flickered.
Ling Xu knelt in the center, his Daoist robe disheveled, sweat pouring down his back. Large drops of sweat rolled down his cheeks, his eyes filled with panic and fear. His usual dignified demeanor, admired by many, had vanished without a trace.
Despite his usual eloquence, in the face of absolute power, his reputation was like a bubble, fragile and easily burst.
The current dynasty’s regulations were strict.
Becoming a monk or Daoist priest privately was illegal.
All monks and Daoist priests were under the court’s jurisdiction, registered, and had to follow the Emperor’s decrees for entering the Dao.
This Ling Xu was originally named Liu Shijuan, a young master of the Pengcheng Liu family, and was less than fifty years old.
He had committed murder and was wanted by the authorities. With no other options, he fled to Guiyun Mountain. By chance, Daoist Ling Xu had passed away. Desperate, he devised a plan, bribed Ling Xu’s personal attendant, and staged a substitution. From then on, he assumed Ling Xu’s identity and hid, using the excuse of secluded cultivation to avoid the world for three years.
Upon reappearing, he gradually performed “return to youth” and “white hair turns black” miracles, deceiving the world and gaining considerable praise. He even earned the court’s recognition, being occasionally invited to Chong Xuan Hall to lecture, becoming a model for Daoist practitioners under heaven.
This matter, though bizarre, was not complex upon reflection.
It was simply a deception.
He exploited the identity of a reclusive master and the reverence and credulity people held for the real Ling Xu, and his deception went unexposed.
Under Li Huan’s mild torture and casual interrogation, Liu Shijuan confessed everything. However, while he admitted to an affair with a married woman, he vehemently denied any involvement in the two cases at Qiong Tower.
“Your Highness, esteemed Minister, please investigate. I truly know nothing.”
Li Huan asked, “If you know nothing, then why did you go to the Xue Mansion and speak so convincingly?”
His voice was not loud, but it made Liu Shijuan tremble, wishing he could burrow his head into the ground.
“I merely… heard some gossip in the marketplace. Since the First Madam had invited me, I thought I could trick some money out of the Minister’s Mansion…”
Li Huan was not yet aware of the silk scarf found on the Daoist, but he had a general idea of what was happening. Liu Shijuan was so deeply entangled with the Xue family, and the “Eight Auspicious Star” that his Imperial Mother prided herself on was likely all fabricated.
He asked calmly, “What does Minister Xue think?”
Xue Qingzhi inwardly lamented, holding a hot potato, and replied cautiously:
“This matter is of great importance. In my humble opinion, it is not wise to jump to conclusions. This person has ill intentions, but he does not possess the ability to stir up such trouble; he is merely greedy. Regarding the Qiong Tower case, I doubt he has the courage. As for my wife… women in the inner chambers are short-sighted and have their petty schemes. I will handle it appropriately.”
Li Huan raised an eyebrow, a smile of unknown meaning playing on his lips.
At this moment, Xue Qingzhi was not seizing the opportunity to distance the Xue family from the case, but instead was helping a Daoist escape punishment?
Li Huan understood and smiled faintly.
“According to Third Master Xue’s account, the bandits from Lao Jun Mountain kidnapped him for ransom. Therefore, there would be no reason for them to impersonate Third Master Xue again to deceive the prefectural yamen.”
Xue Qingzhi nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, there must be a trick involved.”
Li Huan said, “I have already informed the Jingzhao Prefecture and dispatched guards to investigate the identities of the deceased. The forty-two districts and three hundred sixty-four alleys near Vermilion Bird Street, as well as places with mixed crowds like eateries, taverns, inns, and gambling houses, will be thoroughly searched. Let’s see what is hidden in the shadows!”
Xue Qingzhi was secretly alarmed.
Such a grand operation, was he intending to expose the Eastern Palace and avenge Lao Jun Mountain?
Li Huan glanced at him, seeing the old scoundrel’s fawning smile and few genuine words, and raised an eyebrow.
“Third Master Xue has safely returned. The Minister has family matters to attend to. I shall take my leave.”
He said this and stood up.
Xue Qingzhi also stood, asking nervously:
“Your Highness, how should this Daoist be dealt with?”
Li Huan looked at him with a half-smile, “Minister Xue, please handle it as you see fit.”
Xue Qingzhi breathed a sigh of relief, cupped his hands in a salute, bowing very low.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Ling Xu’s offense could be minor or major. If handed over to the Jingzhao Prefecture for legal proceedings, how would the files be written? Wouldn’t that give Old Yin an opportunity to find fault with him?
The hundred-year-old Xue family valued its reputation above all else. Xue Qingzhi did not wish for family scandals to be exposed.
Li Huan’s offer to let him handle it was met with immense gratitude, and he sincerely tried to persuade Li Huan to stay.
Li Huan waved his hand in refusal and strode out.
Xue Qingzhi followed him out, and Xue Yuechen was waiting outside.
Xue Sui stood beside her, motionless, like a maidservant.
Xue Yuechen glanced at Li Huan’s expression, suppressed her chaotic thoughts, and stepped forward slightly to bow.
“Your Highness, are you returning to your mansion now?”
She wanted to keep Li Huan at her family home for a meal to ease the tension.
“Grandmother just sent word saying she has prepared some of Your Highness’s favorite side dishes at Yue Shan Tang. Would you like to dine before returning?”
Li Huan’s tone was indifferent, “If the Princess Consort wishes to stay and accompany her family, then stay.”
Xue Yuechen’s heart tightened, and she inwardly despaired.
She wished she could stay and enjoy a few days of leisure at her maternal home. However, there were many matters in Prince Duan’s Mansion recently. Consort Yuan, relying on having given birth to a daughter and gaining the favor of Consort Xiao, was constantly trying to please Li Huan, determined to have another son.
If she stayed at her maternal home for a few days and returned to the mansion, her nest would likely be overturned.
Moreover, with the incident of the fake Daoist, Li Huan likely knew she was a fake “Eight Auspicious Star.” Even if he showed leniency due to their marital relationship, Consort Xiao, that tigress, would surely cause endless trouble for her.
She had no children to support her, and her position was precarious…
At this moment, it was crucial for Xue Liu to quickly gain Li Huan’s favor and bear him a child.
Xue Yuechen’s heart was in a panic, but her face maintained a proper smile.
“Your Consort’s priority is to serve Your Highness.”
As she spoke, she signaled Xue Sui.
She was indicating for Xue Sui to be clever and seize the opportunity to please Li Huan.
Unexpectedly, Xue Sui did not notice and walked directly towards Xue Qingzhi, bowing gracefully.
“I implore Father to restore my reputation.”
Her voice was clear, and her face was stubborn, enraging Xue Qingzhi, who immediately scowled.
Was she trying to embarrass him, her father, in front of Prince Duan?
He suppressed his voice and reprimanded her, “Why are you causing trouble at a time like this?”
Xue Sui smiled at him and slowly knelt down, her voice perfectly clear.
“My reputation has been notorious since childhood, all thanks to this Daoist. Now that the Daoist has come to slander me again, and I have been repeatedly humiliated, can I not seek justice for myself?”
The young lady’s back was straight. Her fair face, under the hazy lamplight at the eaves, was like a fragrant jasmine blooming under the moon, bathed in starlight, gentle and intoxicating. She looked beautiful yet stubborn, evoking an inexplicable sense of pity.
Xue Qingzhi wished he could strangle her to make her shut up.
“We will discuss this matter later. His Highness is here, do not be disrespectful…”
Xue Sui did not hide her intentions. She looked directly at Xue Qingzhi, her eyes sparkling like flowing light, “If Father is unwilling to plead my case before the Prince, where else can I seek justice if Your Highness is not here?”
Xue Qingzhi’s scalp tingled.
This Xue Liu was forcing his hand.
Seeing Li Huan looking over, he took a stiff breath.
“At dawn tomorrow, I will deal with Ling Xu and inform everyone in the mansion. You will not bear this stigma.”
Xue Sui: “What use is it if everyone in the mansion knows?”
Xue Qingzhi was furious, “What do you want?”
Xue Sui said, “Have Ling Xu escorted to the prefectural yamen for registration, so there is proof. If rumors arise in the future, I will have something to rely on. Otherwise, it all depends on people’s words. Who knows what the final rumors will be?”
Xue Qingzhi was so angry his head felt like it would explode.
“Get up first. I will surely give you a satisfactory outcome.”
Xue Sui did not respond for a long time.
Xue Qingzhi hurried forward a couple of steps and bowed to Li Huan.
“Your Highness, travel safely.”
A subtle expression flickered across Li Huan’s face. Finally, his gaze fell on Xue Sui’s straight back. He smiled faintly, suddenly clasped his hands behind him, and said to Xue Yuechen:
“Since the Old Madam has prepared a meal, it would be impolite not to accept her kindness. Stay and dine before leaving.”
Xue Yuechen’s fingertips grew slightly cold. “Thank you, Your Highness, for gracing us with your presence. Grandmother will surely be delighted.”
Xue Qingzhi was stunned for a moment, then put on a smiling face and gestured for them to proceed.
“Your Highness, this way, please!”
With Prince Duan present, no one else from the mansion was invited to Yue Shan Tang except Xue Qingzhi and the Old Madam. However, Xue Yuechen made an exception and asked Xue Sui to accompany them.
Before entering, Xue Yuechen had briefed her extensively on Li Huan’s preferences, fearing she might make a mistake. To her surprise, Xue Sui was remarkably adept, showing none of the awkwardness of an untrained woman. She appeared graceful and dignified, leaving Xue Yuechen with mixed feelings.
Li Huan ate sparingly, tasting only a couple of bites of each dish before finishing.
Xue Yuechen took a slight breath and smiled, “Earlier, I tasted Sixth Sister’s Nine Treasures Cake in Bi Tong Courtyard, and it was quite delicious. Would Your Highness like to try some?”
Li Huan remained noncommittal and casually asked:
“I’ve only heard of Eight Treasures, never Nine Treasures.”
Xue Yuechen glanced at Xue Sui.
Xue Sui, as if on cue, brought the pastries she had prepared earlier to Li Huan.
Li Huan examined them closely. After a moment, his cold gaze fell upon Xue Sui.
“They look quite unique. Is there any special significance?”
Xue Sui replied, “Replying to Your Highness, these Nine Treasures Cakes are all made from flowers and named after them. The golden ones are osmanthus. Every autumn, the sweet osmanthus fragrance fills the alley, hence the name ‘Golden Fragrance.’ The white ones are pear blossoms. In spring, pear blossoms bloom, white as snow, pure and elegant. Incorporated into the cake, they offer a fresh and refined taste, called ‘Snowstamen’…”
“The Nine Treasures extract the essence of flowers, each given a name: Golden Fragrance, Snowstamen, Peach Blossom, Luo Shadow, Lotus Dew, Chrysanthemum Rhyme, Bamboo Essence, Crimson Apricot, and Green Plum. Each has a distinct texture and flavor, from sweet and rich to fresh and crisp, each with its own merits.”
A prince raised in the palace, who had tasted delicacies from the finest chefs under heaven, had seen every kind of novelty. Xue Sui had no intention of trying to please him; this was purely a chance encounter, a casual remark. Yet, Li Huan frowned and stared for a long time, a hint of interest appearing in his deep eyes.
“Luoyang Red is extremely precious. To transport it from Luoyang so early in spring makes it even rarer. To use it in pastries, Sixth Young Lady has put much thought into it.”
Luoyang Red resembles roses, but its fragrance and color surpass those of roses. It was introduced from Luoyang and is very rare.
One had to admit, Li Huan’s observation was meticulous.
Xue Sui smiled faintly.
“Your Highness has a keen eye. Yesterday at the flower market, the flower seller gave me her entire basket, which happened to contain two of them.”
Li Huan picked one up and tasted it, nodding without further comment.
Xue Yuechen sat to the side, her hand clenching and unclenching, repeating the motion several times before managing a proper smile.
“Don’t let Sixth Sister’s quiet demeanor fool you. She usually keeps to herself, but who would have thought she has such skillful hands.”
Luoyang Red is the precursor to the rose, and another chapter
