Chapter 36

So this Jiaoren was causing trouble again.

The Baili clan of the Ice Plains, also known as the Ice Mayfly Clan, was one of the millennial’s most prestigious families in all of the Immortal Continent. The Baili family had honed the unique constitution of the ice mayflies to perfection. Some had risen to the rank of General due to their military acumen, others through their bravery in battle. However, the Baili clan was the only family that maintained its status by raising undead warriors.

In their efforts to propagate the species, the purest ice mayflies—those with an intangible, blade-like body—were the most prized. The more the original form could blend into its surroundings, the more esteemed the mayfly became. Any offspring with an impure bloodline were deemed defective and cast out.

When Ting Shu was born, he was afflicted with a disease that turned his entire body a bluish-black colour. The Baili family abandoned him in the wilderness of the Northern Sea. It is said that Baili Hongzhou pleaded with his parents to keep Ting Shu but was ultimately unsuccessful. Many years later, Baili Hongzhou, having inherited the family leadership, devoted himself to finding his younger brother. Unexpectedly, he did find him, and even more surprisingly, Ting Shu, once considered defective, had grown into the purest and most gifted ice mayfly.

The day after Ting Shu left, Baili Hongzhou’s large army arrived. The Immortal Chief’s Mansion had returned the military edict days earlier, likely having discerned Baili Hongzhou’s true intentions and wisely chosen not to compete for this credit. They handed off this hot potato as quickly as possible. Ning Shiting had the Qing Wang Mansion meticulously prepared to receive the distinguished guests, setting up military relief provisions in an orderly manner.

Bai Hongzhou’s troops had come from the north, having just repelled an invading noble force. They were on their way back south to their base and would stop for about three days. Ning Shiting arranged the military relief tents, set up hundreds of them, and provided spiritual medicines, spirit stones, and artefact repairs, as well as healers, all in advance. Silver was also allocated. Those severely injured were brought to the mansion and treated with Soul Returning Incense, while those who had just died were treated with Soul Returning Incense. Every step was meticulously planned, and even Gu Tingshuang, who usually found fault with Ning Shiting, had no objections after reviewing the plan.

Since yesterday afternoon, after waiting for him at the end of the road, the icy tension between the two seemed to have thawed—at least, on Gu Tingshuang's part. Ning Shiting, as usual, brought a food box to find him and mentioned the military relief arrangements.

"Once the army is settled, General Baili will come to the mansion to drink ice wine. By tradition, the family head should receive him. Since Qing Wang Dianxia is not here, you, as the master of the mansion, should…"

"I’m not going. You’re much better at handling these things, aren’t you?" Gu Tingshuang squinted his eyes. "I despise these back-and-forth dealings. Since you enjoy showing off in front of my father, you handle it. Don’t bother me with such matters in the future."

Ning Shiting hesitated to speak.

Gu Tingshuang glanced at him, slightly annoyed, but it wasn’t pure impatience, just a casual inquiry, "What’s the matter?"

Ning Shiting smiled and said, "I was thinking, once Qing Wang Dianxia recovers and becomes the master of the mansion, and eventually takes control of Xizhou, he’ll inevitably have to navigate official matters. It might not be a bad thing to experience and adapt to it in advance."

"You're so confident that I’ll inherit the Qing Wang Mansion?" Gu Tingshuang replied. "I’m not like you. I don’t care for such wealth and status. I’d rather retreat to the mountains and live among the wolves than deal with those disgusting people outside."

Ning Shiting sighed softly, "That would indeed be good. If Dianxia truly dislikes it, then leave it to me."

Gu Tingshuang found these matters tiresome, but something about Ning Shiting’s words piqued his interest. He couldn’t quite explain why, but it felt like Ning Shiting was hinting at something more. After pondering all afternoon, he sent Hulu to tell Ning Shiting, "Save me a seat."

When Baili Hongzhou arrived, it was dusk, and the army had almost finished resting. Ning Shiting went out, returned from overseeing the military relief efforts, and, as a member of the Qing Wang Mansion, invited the general back to the residence.

Gu Tingshuang sat in a wheelchair, positioned in the centre of the main hall after the main chair had been removed. He wore his most formal royal attire, befitting his station, a deep red robe, which exuded authority. His posture was upright, and when he held himself straight, there was a faint trace of the young man who had once astonished Xizhou a decade ago.

Ning Shiting, neither arrogant nor servile, gracefully led the guest into the mansion. His demeanour was elegant and composed, not that of a master, but of a humble servant. He consistently referred to the Qing Wang as the master and, when mentioning Gu Tingshuang, would lower his eyes and respectfully call him "Young Master."(1) This pleased Gu Tingshuang.

When Ning Shiting led Bai Hongzhou inside, he first bowed to him, obediently and gently addressing him as "Dianxia." This moment of pride reached its peak when such a beautiful and outstanding person stood there, with his entire being showing submission and pride in Gu Tingshuang’s name.

Gu Tingshuang thought that it was no wonder that his father kept Ning Shiting by his side for so many years. It wasn’t that others hadn’t bowed to him before, but there was something about this Jiaoren—when he performed this act, his every look was endearing, as if he would willingly give his heart to you, making you want to crush and destroy him. Although it was just a fleeting moment, a mere reflection in his eye, Gu Tingshuang vaguely sensed it—"Having this person in hand" would be an immense temptation, enough to make one’s spine tingle and scalp prick.

"I’ve long heard that Xizhou is a land of talented and resourceful people, and it seems Qing Wang knows how to train them well. Just on the way here, we heard the common folk asking what we were doing. In the past, whenever there was a military relief effort in Xizhou, it caused a stir, but this time we passed through without the commoners even noticing. That’s all thanks to the Qing Wang Mansion."

Baili Hongzhou’s features resembled Ting Shu’s, and although he was a general, he was not the burly and broad-shouldered type one might imagine. He was a lean and fit man with pale skin, clearly a distinguished figure among the ice mayflies. His every move exuded a swift and decisive energy.

Ning Shiting smiled, "The general is polite."

When Bai Hongzhou reached the hall, he first glanced at Gu Tingshuang. By Qing Wang’s rank, Gu Tingshuang was slightly lower, but his status was significant. The people of the Immortal Continent were pragmatic and knew better than to judge by rank alone. How they treated Qing Wang’s Shizi was equivalent to how they treated Qing Wang, despite rumours suggesting Qing Wang’s Shizi was a "cripple" and not favoured by Qing Wang. If this were true, it would be worth considering. Whether they treated Qing Wang’s Shizi well or poorly could catch Qing Wang’s attention.

After a brief look, Baili Hongzhou withdrew his gaze and prepared to bow slowly. However, Gu Tingshuang, observing him calmly, interrupted before he could speak, "The general knows I have difficulty moving, so forgive me for not rising to greet you. Please excuse my lack of propriety."

The young man’s eyes held a playful glint, a half-smile as if he knew what was going through the visitor’s mind. He didn’t say much else, but that gaze was unsettling. Baili Hongzhou hadn’t expected to hit a soft wall with this disabled Shizi and felt slightly displeased. He turned to Ning Shiting and said with a smile, "Ning Gongzi, managing such a large Qing Wang Mansion alone must be quite chaotic?"

Ning Shiting, seemingly oblivious, merely smiled and replied, "It’s not difficult to serve the Shizi. The Wangye and Shizi handle matters themselves; I only follow orders."

The meal proceeded with polite conversation. Normally, when Ning Shiting and Gu Tingshuang were together, it was already quite dull. Now, with the addition of Baili Hongzhou, who smiled without warmth, Gu Tingshuang felt stifled.

He glanced at Ning Shiting. Ning Shiting wasn’t one to talk much ordinarily, but when it came to business, he became surprisingly talkative. This was likely one of the tactics of those skilled in the art of manipulation—smiling with hidden intentions, speaking in riddles, all commonplace.

Baili Hongzhou seemed distant toward Ning Shiting, perhaps due to hearing rumours about his poisonous Jiaoren identity. His attitude wasn’t particularly warm, only somewhat perfunctory. Although he kept referring to Ning Shiting as his "benefactor" and thanked him for taking care of Ting Shu, it was clear that the favour Ning Shiting had done by rescuing Ting Shu and bringing him along had already been repaid by his efforts in military relief.

Baili Hongzhou said, "Gongzi’s service in the military relief this time will surely be remembered by the Immortal Emperor. The Qing Wang Mansion has contributed greatly."

Ning Shiting simply smiled, persistently pouring wine and ordering more dishes with great hospitality. He then asked, "General, are you in a hurry to head south? If not, why not stay at our residence for a few days? If you come and go in such a rush, the Wangye might blame me."

Baili Hongzhou replied, "There's no need. The Wangye and I are both men of the military, we don’t care much for these formalities, but I still appreciate your kindness, Ning Gongzi."

Gu Tingshuang was increasingly frustrated as he watched Ning Shiting's behaviour. This dinner left him feeling deeply unsatisfied, and he had no patience for the two of them playing verbal games. Finding an excuse, he put down his chopsticks and left.

Outside the courtyard, Hulu was waiting. Upon seeing Gu Tingshuang, he smiled knowingly, "Dianxia," as if he had anticipated that Gu Tingshuang would leave early, unable to endure the situation inside.

Gu Tingshuang was annoyed. "What are you smiling at?"

Hulu replied, "Ning Gongzi asked me to wait here for you. He was worried when you said you would attend yesterday and regretted asking you to come. He thought this kind of event was boring and that you, being still young, didn’t need to be here."

So this Jiaoren was causing trouble again.

Young?

He was already fourteen, and in a few days, he'd be fifteen. In the famous noble families of the Immortal Continent, weren’t young masters expected to take on responsibilities as early as eleven or twelve?

Gu Tingshuang said, "They are stuffy and bureaucratic, with inflated official airs. I have no interest in mingling with them. It’s all too fake."

Hulu glanced back at the lights of the banquet, remaining silent. The sound of the wheelchair’s wheels quietly scraping against the stone pavement filled the night.

After a while, Gu Tingshuang added, "This person, Ning Shiting is too fake."

"He trusts that Baili Hongzhou, thinking that just by entrusting that kid to him, everything will be fine. But in my view, that man is calculating, cold, and hypocritical, hardly someone with good intentions. We’ll see in the end who turns out to be the fool, him or me."

Hulu said, "Both you and Ning Gongzi have valid points, but who can say for sure what will happen? The situation with Ting Shu Gongzi also shows that people have different fates."

Gu Tingshuang just lowered his eyes to the smooth ground, which reflected the moonlight in the night, shimmering brightly. He murmured softly, almost to himself, "I’m the fool."

Foot Notes

1. 少主人 (Shǎo zhǔrén), young master.