Chapter 26

With the little silver wolf darting around and chasing butterflies nearby, his identity was almost unmistakable.

The next day, Gu Tingshuang woke up early and saw a plate of snacks already on the table.

The box was the usual one Ning Shiting used, made of Huangli Immortal Wood(1) with two layers. The top layer had iced snowflake pastries and lotus seed cakes, while the bottom layer contained small jars of dried meat and fruit, and sometimes a small bowl of refreshing porridge.

It was a heavy box. Everyone in the estate knew that while the snack supply for the Shizi’s Mansion had never been neglected, Ning Shiting still insisted on delivering it himself whenever possible.

Today, Ning Shiting had come early and left before Gu Tingshuang had even gotten up.

Sitting at the head of the bed, Gu Tingshuang looked down at Lingjiao, who was respectfully putting on his boots for him, and asked, "What is he up to again? Why did he come so early today?"

Lingjiao replied, "Dianxia, the Gongzi posted a notice outside today. He is going to set up a Civil Affairs Hall on the estate. Starting today, they'll gradually begin helping the villagers with their matters."

"So soon?" Gu Tingshuang asked, "Has he finished reading the Xizhou Chronicles?"

Lingjiao thought for a moment and said, "The people at Ting Shu’s study said that the Gongzi read it three times, dividing it into volumes on strategies, tax systems, spiritual medicine resources, and several other categories, all filled with notes. When the Gongzi isn't going out, he's been working on this in the study all the time. You know, the Gongzi isn't someone who practices cultivation, and his constitution isn't as good as an ordinary immortal. He was seriously ill just a few days ago, and now he's busy again, seemingly still not fully recovered, often dizzy and sleepy."

Hulu, holding up the snow rhinoceros belt Gu Tingshuang was going to wear today, interjected, "But the Gongzi also said that the immortals need someone to manage their affairs, and the Immortal Chief's Office might not handle everything properly. That's why he hurriedly did this. The Gongzi has a kind heart. But we all suspect it might also have to do with the Wangye’s orders. The Wangye always acts swiftly and decisively, and since the Gongzi is his close attendant, naturally, 'married to a rooster, he follows the rooster; married to a dog, he follows the dog'…"

Lingjiao laughed, "What a terrible analogy to use and embarrass yourself in front of the Shizi! Have you cleaned the tables and chairs outside? Hurry up and go do it."

But Gu Tingshuang coldly said, "People are never satisfied. Why bother helping those fools outside?"

Hulu and Lingjiao fell silent.

They finished dressing him, groomed the little wolf, and, as usual, withdrew to the courtyard to tend to the nearby flowers and pond.

This time was usually when Gu Tingshuang would practice his skills, and he didn't like them walking around and disturbing him.

However, today Gu Tingshuang didn't go to the back to train. He called the little wolf and casually said, "I will start fasting for two days today. No need to prepare my meals for the evening."

"Yes, Shizi."

Watching Gu Tingshuang's wheelchair disappear through the gate, Lingjiao curiously asked Hulu, "Where is the Shizi going so early?"

"Probably to find the Gongzi."

Hulu cast a spell, creating a small paper figure to help him clean the table, and muttered softly, "The Gongzi is kind-hearted, and the Shizi is too. In the past, whenever the Gongzi came, the Shizi would tell him to leave. Now he doesn't eat meals, but he finishes all the snacks."

Lingjiao leaned in and asked, "Isn't that good? Then why doesn't the Shizi want to go out whenever the Gongzi asks him to go with him?"

“You’ve forgotten? At that time, the Wangfei's funeral was organised with the help of the people of the Immortal Continent. Afterwards, many people took advantage of the wake to steal many offerings, including burial items from the Wangfei's coffin... The people outside are truly... Later, we searched everywhere, going door to door, but we couldn't recover everything. Among the missing items was a string of Buddha jade beads that the Wangfei often held in her hand. These beads were formed from the five trees and six flowers of Nirvana over a thousand years and were used for protection. They still have yet to be found."

Lingjiao slapped his forehead, "Oh, oh, it’s like this—I remember now. You don't need to say more, I remember, that's when the Shizi stopped going out."

Then he sighed, "The Shizi is really pitiful too. The Wangfei didn't leave many things behind."

The Civil Affairs Hall of the Qing Wang's mansion had been abandoned for a long time. Although it had only been four years since the mistress passed away, when the Wangfei was alive, the Immortal people adored her and came to her for help without needing to go to the public hall.

The Qing Wang's mansion would always help with whatever it could, whether it was mediation or other assistance.

At that time, the Wangfei sometimes indulged in laziness, wanting to sneak out with her friends for a few days, and would leave matters for Gu Tingshuang to handle.

Even at five or six years old, he already had a basic understanding of the Immortal Continent’s tax system, various Immortal medicines and artefacts, and different divine clans. When faced with more complex issues, like disputes over immortal medicine yields or territory, he would stay up late with the Xizhou Chronicles, studying and calculating.

He was the smartest child in all of Xizhou. The intricacies adults tangled over in the ledgers, he could grasp with one look.

The Civil Affairs Hall was not within the Qing Wang's mansion.

According to the original design, it was a three-entry courtyard separately enclosed outside the Qing Wang's mansion, located right next to the main gate.

Just as Gu Tingshuang reached the front yard, he heard the lively noises from outside.

The servants of the mansion were running back and forth, each carrying a tray with refreshments and tea.

Someone called out, "Hurry up, hurry up, there are more and more people outside. The Gongzi instructed us to pay extra attention. If they haven't been called yet, write their details down. If it's not a major issue, have Ting Shu Xiao-Gongzi handle it directly."

Soon, a servant came running and asked, "Hua Qiu-Jiejie, there's someone outside saying their home was burned by Samadhi True Fire, and a small spirit beast is still inside. People outside are afraid to go in. Is this a major issue or a minor one?"

Hua Qiu waved her hand, "A minor issue. Gongzi summoned several water spiritual root cultivators into the mansion earlier in the morning. Send them over, and don't forget to register it."

The little wolf, unafraid of people and fond of excitement, became immediately thrilled upon seeing so many people outside. It spun in place and dashed off far away before gleefully returning to Gu Tingshuang, almost unable to contain its joy.

But Gu Tingshuang showed no intention of moving.

He raised his eyes to look at the red-lacquered main gate.

There was nowhere else in Xizhou where such a grand and imposing mansion gate could be found. The Gu family crest depicted some kind of beast, crafted by artisans using Xiushan jade(2) and Nine Heavens’ gold according to ancient texts, which were fashioned into door knockers and handles.

However, no one knew exactly what kind of divine beast it was. This family crest had been passed down for generations. The Gu family went through seven consecutive generations of decline, almost reaching the point where they had no celestial roots. If it hadn't been for Gu Feiyin single-handedly revitalising the family, even this door knocker might have been sold off.

The emblem resembled both a tiger and a dog, but it was generally considered to be a dog, matching the Gu family's seal. It was believed to be a crest bestowed upon the Gu family by the Immortal Emperor's ancestors, intended to remind the Gu family to be as loyal and obedient to the emperor as dogs were to their masters.

Gu Tingshuang, who deals with a pack of wolves, had always looked down upon the servile nature of dogs. He stared at the mansion gate for a while before his icy gaze moved away.

"My heavens, is that person over there the Shizi?"

Meanwhile, the guards stationed by the gate also noticed the unusual scene on his side.

Gu Tingshuang sat upright in his wheelchair, exuding a noble yet cold demeanour, exactly like the rumoured Shizi.

With the little silver wolf darting around and chasing butterflies nearby, his identity was almost unmistakable.

It was no wonder they were unprepared.

Gu Tingshuang rarely ventured beyond a certain area within the mansion, never coming to the front yard. The guards and servants stationed at the front yard and main gate, who regularly switched shifts, had never seen the Shizi in person.

All they had heard were rumours that the Shizi had not left the mansion for four years, was arrogant and reclusive, and had recently flayed and de-boned a servant who had defied him—not someone to be trifled with.

However... now it seems that this master intended to go out?

The servants and maids walking between the Civil Affairs Hall and the main gate all used the small side paths.

The rule of the Shizi's mansion was that whenever the master was passing through, the main gate had to be opened; this was proper etiquette.

Ning Shiting had opened the main gate when he went out in the morning.

Gu Tingshuang remained motionless, silent, just staring at the main gate with dark, deep eyes. No one could tell what he was thinking.

The sounds outside were so clear.

The bustling marketplace, the daily chatter, the immortal citizens in line discussing the oddities of Xizhou—he could even hear an elderly man at the end of the line with a hunched figure, holding a fluttering celestial pigeon. The bird's wings rustled softly as it struggled.

In that instant, he seemed to be transported back to his childhood, when the Wangfei took him to the immortal market.

Someone would clear the way ahead, and people would follow behind. His mother dressed him up as a little girl, with a gentle yet slightly mischievous smile in her eyes: "You always refused to come with me to choose perfumes and spices. Today, we are not mother and son; we are mother and daughter, so you can accompany me to the perfume shop."

Reluctantly following behind her, he pouted, his cheeks puffed up like big red apples.

The voices of others, the bustling market sounds, the laughter and running of children, were all so clear.

The little wolf seemed eager to come out and play, wagging its tail and running in circles around his wheelchair, its paws tapping rhythmically on the ground.

After a while, seeing that he remained still, the wolf probably realised it was not allowed to go out today. Its ears drooped in disappointment.

Gu Tingshuang gazed at the main gate for a while before indifferently withdrawing his gaze. He reached out to touch his wheelchair, intending to turn around and leave.

“Let's go, Little Wolf. We don't need to worry about him. Let the Jiaoren meddle as he pleases.”

However, at that moment, there was a sudden commotion outside, and the sound of a woman crying and shouting could be heard. It startled the birds perched on a tree within the mansion.

Though the crying was loud, it was indistinct and hysterical, making it difficult to understand what was being said. The noise of onlookers quickly drowned out the shouts of the guards trying to maintain order.

Gu Tingshuang frowned. “What’s happening?”

There was no one within ten feet of him except Hua Qiu, who immediately treated Gu Tingshuang's question as a command. She hurried out to check and quickly returned to report, “It’s the Gongzi dealing with a dispute outside. A woman demanded Soul Returning Incense from him, and when she didn't get it, she started causing a scene and gathered a crowd to accuse him of being heartless…”

“That’s so, ah.”

Gu Tingshuang responded without much reaction.

This kind of situation was predictable.

Ning Shiting was young, delicate, and even his voice was gentle and clear, making him appear easy to bully.

When it came to handling these matters, Gu Tingshuang had seen the nature of these celestial citizens a decade ago. There were good and bad ones, and dealing with the difficult ones wasn't something a pretty-faced scholar could solve by simply calling them “ignorant.”

The situation outside was urgent, and Hua Qiu was anxious, but with Gu Tingshuang present, she was supposed to stay and serve him according to the rules.

Yet, the young man glanced at her lightly, saying, “You may go.”

Hua Qiu, feeling relieved, quickly ran out to help.

Gu Tingshuang, however, did not turn back. He directed his wheelchair towards the main gate. Without a word, he calmly raised his eyes and signalled the Little Wolf to follow.

The guards on either side were still stunned but quickly snapped to attention and moved to open the gate.

The mansion's gate had two layers, each with a latch. The inner one had to be opened first, followed by the outer gate guarded outside.

The inner guards pounded on the gate. “Open the gate! Open the gate!”

Outside, curses soon followed. “Have you lost your minds? Without the master’s command, the gate stays closed! Gongzi is still handling affairs nearby!”

The shouting from outside was loud, but the response from inside was louder, “It’s the Shizi going out! Open the gate!”

There was immediate silence from outside.

With a thunderous rumble, the heavy gate slowly began to open.

A gentle breeze swept through the courtyard, lightly tousling the young man's hair.

Footnotes

1. 黄梨 (huánglí) is a real kind of wood—Yellow Pear Wood. It is a very expensive type of wood with rich amber tones and beautiful patterns that look like “ghost faces”.

2. 岫岩玉 (Xiù shān yù) is a real kind of jade which has a deep green colour.