Chapter 3

Leaning against the bed was a person in red clothes—the same person Gu Tingshuang had seen in front of the Shizi’s courtyard that afternoon.

“Gongzi?”

Ting Shu followed behind Ning Shiting and saw him stop. Then, they proceeded into the garden together.

The Shizi’s Residence and Qing Wang’s Residence were next to each other, connected and occupying the western side of the palace.

Ting Shu thought Ning Shiting wanted to go in and have a look, so he softly stopped him, saying, "Gongzi, let's come back another time. This is the Shizi’s mansion. The Shizi... he has a strange temper and doesn't like to be disturbed. When you entered the residence, the Wangye ordered me to familiarise myself with the place and manage the affairs two months in advance to prevent you from being wronged. However, only on the Shizi’s side..."

Ning Shiting withdrew his gaze and turned his inquiring look towards Ting Shu.

"The Shizi doesn't like being disturbed. He has lived alone since he was ten. I arranged two guards to go over, but the Shizi said he didn't need them. However, he is all alone and can't even stand up by himself, so I still sent people over."

Ting Shu thought for a moment and then seriously told him, "The Shizi is reclusive and probably won't get along with the people in the residence. But if you, Gongzi, don't take care of the Shizi’s residence, others might spread rumours that you're mistreating him. Initially... the Shizi was not even going to return to the residence on the wedding night, and there were already some unclean words. Moreover, coming here to the Shizi as a concubine... This is your first time entering the residence and you have to come as a concubine. This grievance you have to endure, I..."

"Ting Shu." Ning Shiting gently interrupted him.

Ting Shu paused, confused, "Ah?" 

"He's a good child. In the future, leave his affairs to me." Ning Shiting said. "If anything happens, tell me first."

Ting Shu still didn't understand, "What could happen?"

Gu Tingshuang was fourteen that year.

It had been four years since his spiritual roots were stunted, and his cultivation remained at the Foundation Establishment level.

On the first night, Ting Shu came to manage the residence, he heard from other servants in Qing Wang's Residence: their Shizi had a strange and unpredictable temper and usually didn't like to interact with people.

Before he was ten, Gu Tingshuang had exceptional celestial spiritual roots and was considered Qing Wang's most prized successor. It was well known that celestial spiritual roots were the most precious and rare talents in the cultivation world, and it was not guaranteed that even one celestial spiritual root would appear in a hundred years.

Although Gu Feiyin usually didn't manage affairs and seldom returned to Xizhou due to fighting for the Emperor, Gu Tingshuang grew step by step into a heavenly prodigy under his gentle mother's guidance.

At that time, whether it was the Xianzhou Debate, the Sword Trial, or the Spirit Beast Taming Conference, Gu Tingshuang was always present. Everyone in Xizhou praised the Shizi of Qing Wang, believing that Gu Tingshuang would be no less impressive than his father when he grew up.

Other young immortals were still in their mortal bodies at the age of ten, far from the Foundation Establishment, and their meridians were not yet open. But Gu Tingshuang had already reached the Foundation Establishment and could use his spiritual sense to subdue beasts. He often had significant insights into the ways of cultivation. However, his excellent roots and cultivation foundation were forever suspended in the state of his ten-year-old self.

To this day, no one can explain what happened. Some say it was a trap by the demon realm, while others say it was heaven's jealousy of talent that led such a promising person to encounter the most potent poison miasma in millennia.

Qing Wang's Residence suddenly lost its Wangfei and a Shizi who hadn't grown up.

Overnight, the once-grand Qing Wang's Residence seemed desolate. Every plant and tree there lost its vitality due to the fall of its masters, and its male master had not returned to see it for many years.

Gu Feiyin did not return even when the Wangfei was buried. He had no feelings for his first wife, and the funeral was handled with the help of the Immortal folk of Xizhou.

Gu Tingshuang made an appearance at the funeral, looking thin and frail, unable to move from his wheelchair. The poison in his body hadn't been completely cleared, and he couldn't speak at that time.

That was the last impression the people of Xizhou had of him.

In the following four years, Gu Tingshuang shut himself off from the world, and no one knew what he had become.

When Ting Shu arrived, everything he sent was piled up and left to rot. The maids and guards were driven away by the fourteen-year-old boy's wolf cubs—where he got those wolf cubs, no one knew.

The ancient white wolf pack had always been a scourge in Xianzhou.

Although, calling it a scourge wasn’t entirely accurate.

The white wolf pack occupied the mountains. After their king, a white wolf with golden eyes, died a thousand years ago, the remaining wolves lost their leader and wandered aimlessly. They had spiritual sense, could understand human speech, and possessed deeper spiritual power than many spirit beasts, far more intelligent than ordinary beasts and mounts.

However, it was precisely because they were so smart that no one had ever tamed them. With ancient blood, the wolves acted like humans but were much more cunning. They often played tricks on immortals for fun, sometimes leading to the death of the immortals. Thus, the people of Xizhou always avoided them.

Now Gu Tingshuang had somehow gotten a white wolf cub, which was prone to attacking people. There were rumours that the young Shizi, depressed due to his disability, had become delusional and thought he was one of those snow-white beasts.

The people in the residence were not afraid of Gu Tingshuang, the child in the wheelchair, who couldn't even catch a chicken. They were afraid that killing a wolf cub might bring a thousand ancient white wolves seeking revenge.

Gu Tingshuang's gloomy temperament and lack of favour from Qing Wang meant that gradually no one was willing to take care of him.

"Ai." Ting Shu thought about this and felt both pity and regret. He solemnly told Ning Shiting, "The Shizi is very pitiful. If you want to help him, let me do it. I'm afraid you'll be bullied." 

"I won't be." Ning Shiting patted his head, thought of something, and instructed, "When I return to the wedding chamber later, have the people around my courtyard withdraw. Don't leave anyone. Tonight, I'll handle my incense; make sure they stay far away."

A familiar scene flashed in his mind.

From memories that seemed like a dream, of a past life.

—Gongzi! Fortunately, the guards were there yesterday. The Shizi broke in, and you weren't harmed. It scared me to death.

—But those guards outside were all bitten to death by the Shizi’s wolves... Don't go out yet; don't dirty your eyes.

Ning Shiting sighed softly and patted Ting Shu's shoulder, "The farther... the better."

Following his instructions, Ting Shu dismissed everyone around the courtyard.

After doing all this, the boy ran over to report and hesitated, "Gongzi, do you really not need anyone to stand guard? You can't fight..."

Ning Shiting was silent for a while, then told him, "That handkerchief from the day, clean and dry it with marigold paste tonight. If you really want embroidery on it, bring it to me tomorrow. I'll draw the pattern for you, and you can have the embroiderers follow it."

Ting Shu's eyes lit up at the task and ran off happily.

The room quieted down.

Ning Shiting had just been pressed to sit on the red wedding quilt by Ting Shu and finally had a moment to look around.

The room was arranged as a bridal chamber, likely for some years.

The room was small, with an elegant and antique flavour. Those unaware wouldn't know that years ago, a high-born young lady sat here, married, and gave birth to a boy with celestial spiritual roots.

Strangely, although he hadn’t in the past life, in this life, he had such a feeling.

As if through the mysterious underworld of space-time, he became that woman or the woman was speaking to him with downcast eyes.

"My son's courtesy name is Yinbing, given by me."

"He used to be so good."

The dim light and the red wedding veil in his peripheral vision suddenly became scarlet and piercing. At first glance, it was a complex, dense fabric; at second glance, it seemed like a sea of fire, rushing straight up, as if to engulf the heavens and earth.

—A’Ning!

—Drink it!

—We will be together for eternity...

Ning Shiting's pupils enlarged slightly. He raised his hand to lift the veil but couldn't complete the motion. At that moment, he felt as if he was in a nightmare, paralysed, unable to even blink.

.𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟.

At night, the deserted courtyard was silent.

A fluffy, round little wolf wandered through the dark garden, its small paws pattering.

It was scouting ahead.

When encountering hidden pools of water or steps, it would return and nudge the legs of the person in the wheelchair, signalling him to change direction.

Gu Tingshuang's eyes had residual effects.

The poison miasma ten years ago didn't blind him, but since then, he saw everything through a layer of white fog.

Only at night, through the clear moonlight and stars, could he see the faint contours of the plants and trees under the moonlight.

This was something no one else had noticed.

Fortunately, he had the little wolf. The wolf was his eyes.

Exiting the Shizi’s residence and taking the main road, it was only a short distance to the main courtyard of Qing Wang’s residence. The two places were very close. When Gu Tingshuang was young, he felt sorry for his mother, who had to cross a long distance to bring him snacks, so he had a straight path built between the Shizi’s residence and his mother's quarters in the Wangfei’s mansion.

In the cool summer, mother and son often strolled along this path, and played hide-and-seek, followed by loudly calling maids and guards.

Those memories were now distant.

So distant that the face of the woman in his memories was gradually fading, like wildfire slowly extinguishing in the snow.

How long would it be before he forgot all the people who had brought warmth to his life?

The afternoon rain had stopped, but it was even colder at night. Recently, snow demons had appeared in Xizhou. Around this time in previous years, there would still be lingering summer heat, but now it was so cold that even the celestial flowers and grasses were almost frosted.

There was no one near the courtyard, not even a guard or a maid. In the distance, the plants swayed in the darkness, and the pavilions and towers layered one after another, appearing like ghostly shadows.

Only that one room had its lights on.

The closer they got, the more excited the little white wolf became.

It perked its ears, panted continuously, and gently pawed at its owner’s leg—it sensed there were living beings inside the house, and something unusual.

This wasn’t the usual excitement of encountering prey.

Gu Tingshuang placed his hand lightly on the wolf’s nose, closed his eyes, and focused for a moment. Suddenly, his expression changed, and he pushed his wheelchair forward faster. When they reached obstacles like stairs or thresholds, the wolf would fetch planks to lay over them, allowing him to move unimpeded into the room.

The door was pushed open.

The air inside the room was exceptionally cold. If the courtyard felt like autumn’s chill, inside it was as cold as the depths of winter, unusually so.

As someone entered, the dim candlelight suddenly flared up brightly.

Leaning against the bed was a person in red clothes—the same person Gu Tingshuang had seen in front of the Shizi’s courtyard that afternoon.

They wore a magnificent wedding robe—intricate and beautiful, adorned with pearls and jade— unparalleled across all of Jizhou.

The person beneath the red veil appeared to be asleep.

But on closer inspection, something seemed off. The usually fierce little wolf sensed something ominous and didn’t pounce forward as it normally would. Instead, it retreated a few steps, its fur standing on end.

Gu Tingshuang sensed something was wrong and felt a sudden, inexplicable unease in his heart.

He pointed his sword at the person by the bed and shouted, “Get out of my mother’s room!”

There was no response. The person by the bed remained there, seemingly lifeless.

Gu Tingshuang’s suspicions grew, and he rolled his wheelchair closer, reaching out to push the person. “—What’s wrong with you?”

At his touch, the person on the bed collapsed softly. At that moment, the red veil fell aside, revealing a delicate mask of pearls and jade, and a pair of misty eyes.

Ning Shiting’s fingers moved slightly, and he murmured, “Nightmare…” 

“What?”

Gu Tingshuang looked around warily. At that moment, the intense cold in the room seemed to slowly recede, like ice and snow meeting the sun.

The white wolf’s fur relaxed, its ears drooping, tail up, and it returned to Gu Tingshuang’s side.

In that instant, Gu Tingshuang seemed to understand something.

Hatred and anger flared in his eyes as he grabbed the person on the bed by the collar, lifting him to eye level.

The blade pressed against the other’s throat, just inches from piercing the thin, pale skin.

The young man’s voice was nearly furious, “What do you want to say? My mother never spoke a harsh word in her life, she wouldn’t turn into a vengeful ghost after death!”

He reached out and tore away the obstructive veil. The edge of the golden silk veil snagged on the other’s silvery-white hair, pulling out some strands with his rough movement.

He was met with clear, quiet eyes.

A Jiaoren.

According to texts, Jiaoren had fair skin, beautiful features, soft bodies, and silver or blue-white hair. They were gentle by nature, with enchanting voices, and did not harm people.

Ning Shiting’s eyes were calm, giving a sense of silent peace as if he harboured a benevolent compassion for the world.

His pale skin looked sickly, his wedding dress dishevelled, hair falling down, revealing a slender neck with faint blue veins underneath.

He looked young, not much older than Gu Tingshuang.

Sixteen?

Seventeen?

He seemed fragile enough to be crushed easily, yet he gazed at Gu Tingshuang calmly and steadily.

As if unaware of the blade at his throat, or the wolf ready to snap his neck at any moment.

Ning Shiting’s chest slowly eased from its icy tightness as he was held by his collar.

He spoke softly, “A remnant of soul.” 

“What…” Gu Tingshuang pressed the blade closer, leaving a faint red mark on Ning Shiting’s neck. 

“The Wangfei worried about the Shizi, so she stayed here, unwilling to pass on. Gentle in nature, she doesn’t practice dark arts or wish to harm anyone, leaving only a remnant of her soul.” Ning Shiting’s voice was soft and gentle, “The Wangfei doesn’t want my life; she probably only wishes for me to take good care of the Shizi.” 

“Do you think I believe you?” Gu Tingshuang’s eyes grew colder, “Married into Qing Wang’s mansion at seventeen, you wouldn’t survive without some tricks. If you think a pitiful act will spare you, you’re wasting your time.”

Despite his words, the blade eased slightly and was sheathed.

Gu Tingshuang then gripped Ning Shiting’s jaw, his eyes devoid of emotion, “First, get out of here and move to the west study; second, if you use my mother to manipulate me again, I won’t let you off.” 

“Speak.” 

The person under his grip frowned, seemingly in pain, even his eyes filling with watery light.

Gu Tingshuang thought he was hurting him, making him unable to speak.

Loosening his grip slightly, he saw Ning Shiting’s lips move.

“You… can’t touch me, I’m poisonous.”

Gu Tingshuang’s eyes lowered.

His fingertips, where they had touched Ning Shiting’s jaw, were quickly turning blue and purple, showing a frightening toxicity. 

At that moment, he recalled a legend.

It was said that the northern ice plains of the immortal realm were the habitat of the Snow Jiaoren. Snow Jiaoren were naturally immune to all poisons, leading to their being hunted for use as medicine or cauldrons, nearly driving them to extinction.

In recent years, it was discovered that if Snow Jiaoren were subjected to a reverse process—having their tendons pulled, bones shaved, and infused with various poisons, then soaked in medicinal baths over time—the Snow Jiaoren would absorb the poison, becoming toxic from skin to bone, yet remaining unharmed themselves. This method was similar to creating living poison vessels.

However, the survival rate of such vessels was low, often succumbing to the pain of the poison. Snow Jiaoren, being celestial beings, had stronger constitutions and could survive in the poisonous environment.

Such a Snow Jiaoren, on the battlefield, would be a deadly weapon.

The Jiaoren before him… was a living poison vessel.

The Author has Something to Say

A’Dong: Shizi I have arranged a rather special wife for you. There’s good and bad news—which do you want first?

Shuangshuang: Bad news.

A’Dong: Every time you touch him, you'll get poisoned.

Shuangshuang: And what about the good news?

A’Dong: You’ll be saved every time!

Shuangshuang: …