Chapter 24

Instead of being poised, he exuded a kind of charming and spontaneous cheerfulness. His eyes were as resplendent as stars and the ginko continued to shed its golden reflections onto him. 

Ting Shu was upset with Ning Shiting.

Someone in the household noticed and, after a bit of inquiry, found out that Ning Shiting was planning to send Ting Shu back to his family.

Ting Shu stubbornly refused and hid away to cry, sulking and shutting himself in. He stopped attending to household affairs.

Hulu and Lingjiao laughed when they talked about it. Despite Ting Shu's outstanding skills and usual cold demeanour, making him quite formidable when managing the servants, he was still just a child at heart.

Hulu sighed, "After all, the Gongzi dotes on him like a little Shaoye. If it were someone else, not to mention a servant getting upset with their master, even saying something wrong would make their life very difficult."

Lingjiao added, "That's true, he really cares about him. Gongzi even went to console him. But looking at it, do you think Gongzi treats Ting Shu better or Shizi better, ah?"

"What are you saying, ne?"

A young voice came from behind them. Although distant, it was cold enough to send chills down their spines.

Hulu and Lingjiao quickly turned and greeted, "Dianxia, you’re out."

Gu Tingshuang had taken over two hours to finish his breakfast, leisurely eating the ice-skinned snowflake pastries he had retrieved while holding the remaining volume of "The Ninefold Spirit Mastery." He was especially at ease.

The little wolf had also trotted back halfway through, affectionately squatting at his feet.

It wasn't until late morning that Gu Tingshuang finally emerged from his room.

As he turned the wheelchair and emerged from his room, Gu Tingshuang overheard the two brothers quietly gossiping.

Gu Tingshuang had never liked Ting Shu, seeing him as a little brat who sided with the wrong people. During his time at the Immortal Chief’s residence, he had overheard a conversation between the Black-Faced Rakshasa and Su Yue, learning that the military commander passing through Xizhou was actually Ting Shu's long-lost elder brother. Sending Ting Shu back to his family at this time seemed reasonable.

Hulu and Lingjiao didn’t dare hide anything from him and recounted the whole gossip in detail.

Lingjiao said, "The Ting Shu Xiao-Gongzi cried so pitifully, but the Gongzi is truly heartless. Ting Shu sulked all morning, and by noon, the Gongzi had already prepared the deed of sale and the letter. Ting Shu Xiao-Gongzi will die of anger."

"Is that all?"

Gu Tingshuang, after listening, looked thoroughly uninterested.

He didn't care much about it.

A servant was just a servant, coming and going as fate dictated. It wasn’t worth lamenting over such things.

"You two can go. I'm taking the little wolf for a walk."

The little wolf, eager and playful, wagged its tail at his feet, as if asking if Gu Tingshuang wanted to use its body to go for a run.

Gu Tingshuang shook his head and pushed the wheelchair out of the courtyard himself.

The little wolf followed closely behind him.

Exiting the Shizi Residence, the man and wolf followed their usual route, first passing by the lotus pond and pavilions outside the residence, and then turning into the Baicao Garden.

The little wolf joyfully ran around while Gu Tingshuang controlled a butterfly, making it flutter playfully alongside the wolf. Sunlight streamed through the forest, illuminating the wolf's shiny fur as the butterfly danced around. Although there was no snowfall today, it was still quite cold. The little wolf, familiar with the area, found the hot spring pool Ning Shiting had visited before and jumped in with a splash. Gu Tingshuang hovered above the water, letting the rising steam envelop him.

The water in the spring flowed slowly, bubbling softly from the bottom. From Gu Tingshuang's perspective, the ground and sky seemed to stretch out before him, and the small pool of water turned into an unfathomably deep sea, filled with various medicinal whirlpools.

Everything was magnified by many times, including the sounds. He could hear the roar of the ocean, feel the vibration within the butterfly's body, and knew a gust of wind was blowing through the treetops.

Then came a slight tremor.

Despite the distance, the little wolf suddenly lifted its head, and Gu Tingshuang, perched on its ear, felt it stir underneath him.

"Ting Shu? Are you in there?"

It was Ning Shiting. The Jiaoren appeared on the other side, looking anxiously into the spring. He had obviously heard the sounds from within, assuming it was a sulking child.

But when Ning Shiting approached, he found the little wolf swimming and playing in the water.

As soon as the little wolf saw Ning Shiting approaching, it jumped out of the pool, dripping wet, and ran toward him. When it got close, it seemed to remember something and shook off the water, splashing Ning Shiting.

Ning Shiting instinctively stepped back and closed his eyes. The little wolf, feeling guilty, gently pawed at his knee and nuzzled him with its wet head.

Ning Shiting didn't scold it. He knelt down and asked, "Little wolf, have you seen Ting Shu? He's the child who carried you back today."

The little wolf shook its head honestly.

That Icy Mayfly was nowhere to be seen. Since it was naturally invisible and not that ability was not a part of many magic spell, finding it was indeed a challenge.

Ning Shiting looked disappointed. "So, it’s like this, ah..."

After a moment of silence, he patted the little wolf's head through his sleeve. "It's okay, you can go play now. Did you come here for a walk with the Shizi?"

The little wolf turned to look at Gu Tingshuang and let out a small howl, nodding its head.

Ning Shiting also noticed the butterfly flitting around behind the wolf. Knowing that butterflies often came to the hot spring pool for warmth during this season, he didn't pay much attention to it. He just said softly, "Have fun, I'm leaving now."

The little wolf wagged its tail and obediently sat in front of him, watching as he left the Baicao Garden.

It clearly wanted to follow Ning Shiting but stayed put because Gu Tingshuang was there, waiting for his direction.

Gu Tingshuang flew up to get a better view and watched Ning Shiting's departing figure.

Ning Shiting walked alone without Ting Shu accompanying him, looking rather thin and somewhat pitiful due to his chronic illness.

The little wolf gazed at the butterfly overhead, confusion evident in its pale eyes.

Suddenly, the butterfly fluttered erratically and flew away.

Realising that its master was no longer with the butterfly, the little wolf turned and sprinted back to find Gu Tingshuang, who was sitting in his wheelchair.

At the entrance of the Baicao Garden, Gu Tingshuang beckoned to it. "Come, let's go find him."

The little wolf joyfully leapt into his arms.

Gu Tingshuang had just seen that Ning Shiting was heading not towards his study but to a secluded courtyard in the north, which housed the Qing Wang's pharmacy and spice room. This place was somewhat remote, and he and the little wolf never went there, but Gu Tingshuang knew it was sometimes Ning Shiting's domain. When he was blending fragrances, he would have the servants leave and stay inside for a day or half a day.

He drove his wheelchair in that direction, with the little wolf nestled in his lap, continuously licking his fingers. When he gently swatted it away, it started licking Gu Tingshuang's face instead.

He then remembered that the clothes he was wearing today had been sent over from Ning Shiting's place. Before being delivered, they had been scented in the fragrance pavilion for a few days, and the scent was likely blended by Ning Shiting himself. It smelled the same as the fragrance he often wore, which was why the little wolf was particularly fond of it.

Annoyed by the constant licking, Gu Tingshuang picked up the little wolf and gently tossed it to the ground. "You little brute, eating at home while stealing outside."(1)

The little wolf seemed to understand that he wasn't truly angry and mischievously jumped back into his lap, but this time it refrained from licking him again.

As Gu Tingshuang had expected, Ning Shiting had gone to the apothecary.

The apothecary boys, who were responsible for cleaning and organising the place, had evidently been instructed by Ning Shiting to leave the courtyard and were now keeping watch from a distance.

Seeing Gu Tingshuang approach, they became a bit flustered—this place was remote, and Gu Tingshuang had never been here before. His sudden appearance initially made them fail to recognise him, but then they realised who he was—the one in the wheelchair accompanied by a silver wolf. This realisation made them even more nervous.

A guard stepped forward to block his path, stammering, "Dianxia, the Gongzi is inside and has instructed that no one is allowed to enter..."

Gu Tingshuang cast a cold glance at them, the icy look in his eyes making them fall silent.

"You'd better remember if this residence bears the surname Gu or Ning. The matters of the Wang’s residence are not for an outsider to dictate."

The little wolf, sensing his displeasure, also growled fiercely.

The two men did not dare to stop him any longer.

Gu Tingshuang wheeled himself into the courtyard.

The ground in the pharmacy courtyard was soft, unlike other places, without the opulent Jade Steps of Xiu Mountain. It was the most ordinary Eastern Mountain immortal soil.

However, all the sorted and refined medicinal residues were buried in the soil, and over time, the entire courtyard had developed a rich spiritual energy, with a strong medicinal fragrance that hit the nose upon entering. 

Among the various scents, Gu Tingshuang recognised one that he had smelled just yesterday. 

In the crisp, bone-chilling scent of the Soul Returning incense, the entire courtyard seemed to react, with vines swaying and rustling as they grew. 

Ning Shiting sat under the corridor, next to a towering ginko tree, its leaves casting golden shadows beside him. Occasionally, a breeze would stir, lifting his silver-white hair tinged with blue and the incense in his hand. 

Ning Shiting appeared lost in thought, resting his chin on one hand as he quietly watched the slow-burning, exotic incense. The sunlight filtered through the golden ginkgo leaves, casting a warm, delicate glow on his face, making him appear both warm and exquisite, with a faint hint of unnoticeable melancholy. 

Gu Tingshuang suddenly recalled Ning Shiting's words to Ting Shu yesterday as he described the legend of the Soul Returning incense.

"The Soul Returning incense is said to revive those in the underworld with its scent. The aroma can travel for hundreds of miles, and corpses on the ground can come back to life upon smelling it. It can heal decay and regenerate flesh, and it can also bring back the souls of the deceased."

"This incense was originally a divine object. Somehow, it found its way into the mortal world, used as tribute for emperors. There are legends of an emperor, ten years into his reign, who, missing his deceased concubine, lit the Soul Returning incense to see his beloved one more time..."

Gu Tingshuang wheeled himself over the soft, fragrant ground.

When the warm sunlight filtering through the ginkgo leaves' gaps illuminated Ning Shiting's cheek and then Gu Tingshuang's deep-set eyes, Ning Shiting finally noticed someone else had entered the courtyard.

The boy in the wheelchair looked at him and asked, "Who is it you wish to see? Do you truly believe this incense can bring the dead back to life?"

The little silver wolf joyfully leapt into Ning Shiting's arms.

Ning Shiting was momentarily stunned, then lowered his head with a smile.

"It's just a legend. I found it interesting and wanted to see if it was true. I used to know many good, kind people, but they all died."

"So you first created the Zhen Sandalwood Incense and then studied the Soul Returning incense?" Gu Tingshuang asked.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ning Shiting raised those deep, dark eyes with a hint of blue. They were bright and contained a slight hint of surprise.

Gu Tingshuang continued, "…Yesterday, the Little Wolf told me everything."

The Little Wolf in question let out a disgruntled howl, protesting Gu Tingshuang's lie. The clever little creature was afraid Ning Shiting would think it was ‘striking one’s children and reporting to the authorities’(2) and thus, stop paying attention to it.

After listening, the surprise in Ning Shiting's eyes faded. He continued smiling, but his eyes lacked their usual mirth, replaced by a faint sense of melancholy. "Zhen Sandalwood Incense can prolong life, and the Soul Returning incense can indeed revive withered a Teng Cypress. But I tried... It's just a legend. It can't bring back those who have been dead for years, nor can it allow you to see their souls. I had originally hoped... that the Soul Returning incense would work."

"You're not a mortal; you naturally know where the souls of immortals go after death. The fortunate ones reincarnate as immortals, the less fortunate become humans, and those even lower become soulless beasts." Gu Tingshuang sneered, "You're a grown man, don't you even know that much?"

This time, Ning Shiting didn't respond. He continued to look down at the burning Soul Returning incense in his hand, his expression tinged with a subtle sadness and confusion.

The usual calm and composed demeanour of Ning Shiting was gone, replaced by a vulnerable and fragile appearance that reminded Gu Tingshuang of the previous day's close proximity—the heartbeat and the trembling fingertips.

And that whisper, almost like a dream, saying he missed him.

Gu Tingshuang felt an inexplicable frustration growing in his chest.

This frustration had been brewing ever since Ning Shiting entered the mansion, and now, seeing Ning Shiting looking so frail and delicate, it felt like something was stuck in his throat.

He said, "The dead are dead. The living should take care of their families. My mother told me that we should always look forward and never look back. Instead of seeking ways to bring the dead back to life, it’s better to do good deeds for them so they can have a peaceful next life."

Ning Shiting replied softly, "Yes, I know."

Gu Tingshuang's frustration intensified. "Then stop showing that face to others!"

"Ah?" Ning Shiting was taken aback by his harsh tone, momentarily at a loss for words, simply staring at him in bewilderment.

Gu Tingshuang hesitated, feeling a pang of regret for his tone—indeed, it had been quite harsh.

Calming down, he said coldly, "There's no need for you to be disappointed. I'm cultivating spiritual awareness. The Soul Returning incense can only rekindle the weakening spiritual flame of those on the verge of disappearing, but for those who have been dead for many years and whose spiritual flame has completely dissipated, it won't work. If you have so much free time, you could try again. The Soul Returning incense isn't entirely useless. Ordinary immortals' spiritual awareness cannot perceive the five elements' activities and spiritual energy within objects."

Hearing this for the first time, Ning Shiting was somewhat surprised. "Is that so?"

Before Gu Tingshuang could answer, Ning Shiting muttered to himself, "So that's why… no wonder."

As the spoonful of Soul Returning incense burned slowly to ashes, Ning Shiting took out a cloth from the wooden box beside him and gently wiped it, then collected the remaining incense ingredients.

The wisps of blue smoke gently floated with the breeze he created, turning into mist when they touched his clothes, permeating the fabric and his skin with a bone-deep, refreshing fragrance.

Gu Tingshuang watched him for a moment, then asked, "The Little Wolf told me he met you looking for someone in the Baicao Garden. The servants said you were going to send away that Ice Mayfly?"

Ning Shiting nodded, "Ng."

"Are you upset because of that, or because of the Soul Returning incense?"

Without hesitation, these words slipped out.

Gu Tingshuang felt like slapping himself—when did he start caring so much about Ning Shiting's feelings?

Ning Shiting smiled gently, "Perhaps both."

He put away the incense box, stood up from the corridor, and looked at Gu Tingshuang.

Gu Tingshuang squinted his eyes, "This is why I say you're hypocritical. Clearly reluctant, yet still sending it away. Clearly marrying into the family for fame and fortune, yet wanting to appear noble in front of others."

Ning Shiting was slightly taken aback.

Gu Tingshuang's eyes twinkled with a hint of amusement, "How about we make a deal? You and I team up to get rid of my father. I'll give you the fame and fortune of the Qing Wang Mansion, and I want his life."

Ning Shiting's eyes widened slightly.

Gu Tingshuang calmly waited for his response.

Ning Shiting had pondered over his statement from last night about wanting to kill the Qing Wang for a long time. Ultimately, the only conclusion he could come to was that Ning Shiting did not love his father.

Entering the mansion as a concubine, upon the Qing Wang's death, all that would be gained were fame and fortune. The title of "Qing Wang's successor" would bring the entire estate of the Qing Wang’s Palace. It was widely known that Gu Feiyin never liked his own biological son, and upon his death, the responsibilities would fall entirely on Ning Shiting.

Gu Tingshuang never despised people who loved fame and fortune; they were good things. People with these ambitions often accomplish things better.

What he despised were people who pursued fame and fortune without admitting it, such as the hypocritical Ning Shiting.

Since he saw through this layer of his mind, Gu Tingshuang pondered stepping back and cooperating with Ning Shiting.

At least their current goals were the same.

Unexpectedly, Ning Shiting snorted out a loud “pūchī” with a clear and happy expression, dispelling the gloom and sadness that had just been in his eyes. It seemed like he had heard something joyful, laughing heartily.

Instead of being reserved, he exuded a carefree and charming cheerfulness, with sparkling eyes and curved eyebrows.

The haze and sadness were instantly swept away as if he had just heard something very funny and laughed freely and cheerfully.

Instead of being poised, he exuded a kind of charming and spontaneous cheerfulness. His eyes were as resplendent as stars and the ginko continued to shed its golden reflections onto him.

Gu Tingshuang remained motionless, staring coldly at him. "What is it?"

Ning Shiting suppressed his smile, looking gently at him, shaking his head. "I didn't mean that, Yinbing. That's not what I want."

"I heard it. Yesterday, you told me... you told the Little Wolf that you want to kill my father." Gu Ting Shuang asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll let it slip?"

"Shizi won't." Ning Shiting said quietly, seeming a bit helpless, unsure how to explain to him.

"I don't want just that... or rather, not only that," Ning Shiting said softly. "You don't need to worry, I will stand by your side. Dianxia, you will understand in the future."

In this year of Gu Tingshuang's life, he had not yet encountered any major events.

He actually didn't understand him. In his previous life, Gu Tingshuang rebelled and led the officials to depose the regent, using the serious slogan "Pacifying the Rebellion to Protect the King and Eradicate Evil."

Such slogans were shouted every year, and he actually didn't know what truly motivated Gu Tingshuang to kill his father.

He knew this child hated Gu Feiyin, and he also knew he had a violent and paranoid nature.

But he also knew that Gu Tingshuang originally did not love power. Compared to securing his throne, he always preferred to be accompanied by the wolves and the moon.

Dealing with people's hypocrisy and calculating various powers, all these were things Gu Tingshuang detested because they reminded him of his father's slickness and deceit. He would never compromise himself, but this path was predetermined, and everywhere he went was filled with long periods of concealment and enduring grievances.

He didn't know why he became like that in the end, and in this life, he could only try his best to resolve some of the hostility and paranoia within him.

At least he didn't have to go through such a tragic and lonely path again.

Ning Shiting bent down to pick up the Little Wolf, pet him, and then walked over to place him in Gu Tingshuang's arms.

"Shizi came over, is he worried about me today?"

He still had that gentle smile with his eyes curved.

Before Gu Ting Shuang could say the word "scram", he felt the Jiaoren’s hand gently stroking his scalp.

"Thanks."

"Shizi looks very handsome today. The colour of this outfit matches the Shizi's demeanour. Like an isolated, solitary pine, or like a mountain of jade on the verge of collapse, throughout Xizhou, there will never be a more heroic and handsome young lord than Dianxia."

He noticed the change in his appearance and tidied up from head to toe.

As Ning Shiting passed by him, just as the Jiaoren turned his back and left, Gu Tingshuang heard the sound of his own heartbeat.

Pūtōng pūtōng.

Foot Notes

1. 吃里扒外 (Chīlǐpáwài) is an idiom which is similar to “repaying kindness with a stab in the back”.

2. 打小报告 (Dǎ xiǎo bàogào) is a pejorative expression, similar to “tattletale”.