Tang Wanqing looked at Wen Zheng in astonishment. Just because of Nuonuo’s words, he had smashed the golden compass that never left his side without a second thought—how reckless.
She held Nuonuo even tighter, her mind racing about how to settle the matter without implicating Nuonuo if Wen Zheng later blamed her.
Something strange happened. Unlike the box, the compass did not emit Black Qi, but a coin-sized round object fell out from inside.
The thing was pitch black, appearing eerily out of place against the golden compass.
Wen Zheng picked it up, glanced at it, and his pupils instantly contracted. Then, he bowed respectfully to Nuonuo and said with immense gratitude, “Little immortal, thank you for saving my life.”
Tang Wanqing was startled. “Lord Wen, this is too much. Nuonuo is just a child; she cannot accept such a grand gesture.”
“Madam Lin, you may not know this, but if not for the little immortal’s guidance today, I would not have lived much longer,” Wen Zheng replied, still bowing with sincere expression.
Nuonuo shot Tang Wanqing a proud look, her eyes seeming to say, “Auntie, I was right, wasn’t I? Praise me~”
Her adorable yet smug expression made Tang Wanqing unable to resist pinching her little cheek. She said to Wen Zheng, “Nuonuo is only three years old. It must have been a coincidence. Lord Wen need not take it to heart. Today, I came uninvited firstly to inquire about this box.
Additionally, I would like to invite Lord Wen to the manor to see if there are any other Evil Spirits.”
If not for the general’s manor’s reputation, Wen Zheng might have suspected Madam Lin was deliberately mocking him.
He coughed awkwardly and said, “Madam Lin, with Nuonuo here, even the most deeply hidden Evil Spirits cannot escape detection. You need only follow her instructions.”
Whoever could employ such a vicious method as the Heart-Devouring Nightmare was certainly no ordinary foe. With the enemy in the shadows and the general’s manor in the open, Wen Zheng’s sudden visit might alert them, whereas Nuonuo’s words would not raise suspicion.
After hearing Wen Zheng’s explanation, Tang Wanqing also found it reasonable. She already knew Nuonuo was no ordinary child, and with Wen Zheng’s words, she felt even more assured.
Thus, she prepared to take her leave with Nuonuo. Wen Zheng untied an exquisite little flute from his waist and handed it to Nuonuo, saying,
“This flute is made from the horn of an ancient divine beast, the qilin. Its sound can pierce the clouds, and it is said that if played by a destined person, it can summon all beasts. Today, Uncle gives it to you. With this, you may freely enter and leave the Qintianjian. If you ever need anything, come find Uncle.”
Nuonuo happily accepted the flute and said sweetly, “Thank you, Uncle.” Before leaving, she still asked worriedly, “Uncle can handle that bad thing, right?”
Only after receiving an affirmative answer did Nuonuo follow Tang Wanqing back to the general’s manor with peace of mind.
Wen Zheng rubbed the blackened coin in his hand, his eyes filled with complexity. No wonder he had made no progress for so long, and even his stargazing and divination had become inaccurate.
He had once suspected his talent had dried up, but it turned out a villain had been scheming behind his back, suppressing his Qi Fortune and Wisdom Root. To tamper with the compass he kept close to his body—he would have to thoroughly investigate the people around him.
For so long, he had been completely unaware, yet that little child had spotted the problem at a glance. Once he was through this busy period, he would have to seek her guidance properly.
In the carriage, Tang Wanqing was still puzzled as to why Lord Wen was being so polite to Nuonuo.
She asked Nuonuo, “Why did Lord Wen say you saved his life?”
Nuonuo was seriously playing with the Kylin Flute Wen Zheng had given her. Hearing her aunt’s question, she also found it strange and said in her childish voice,
“Nuonuo doesn’t know either. That gold coin was suppressing Uncle’s Wisdom Root and stealing his Qi Fortune. If it wasn’t dealt with, Uncle wouldn’t be able to practice astrology or divination anymore and would just be like an ordinary person. That wouldn’t take his life.”
Hearing Nuonuo’s explanation, Tang Wanqing understood everything. For the Director of the Qintianjian to lose the ability to practice astrology, predict fortunes, and foresee auspicious or inauspicious events—that would be worse than killing him. No wonder Wen Zheng was so grateful to Nuonuo.
Tang Wanqing felt increasingly fortunate. It must have been the blessing of the Lin family ancestors that allowed her to encounter Nuonuo. Now that Qingyi was safe and she herself had regained her spirits, it was time to return and restore order to the household.
As soon as the carriage stopped at the entrance of the General’s Manor, the steward nervously came forward to report, “Madam, Old Madam Lin has returned and asks that you go to Jinggu Garden at once.”
Tang Wanqing’s heart stirred. Three years ago, after the upheaval—her husband and two sons missing, her daughter dying in childbirth, and her relationship with Yi’er becoming irreconcilable—her mother-in-law had been deeply affected. Unable to bear the memories in the main residence, she had retreated to a separate estate. If she were told the news of Yi’er’s recovery, she would surely be overjoyed.
Thinking of this, Tang Wanqing eagerly took Nuonuo’s hand and said, “Nuonuo, Auntie will take you to meet a kind grandmother. She will definitely like our Nuonuo very much.”
“Okay!” Nuonuo replied happily. Having been raised by her own grandmother, she had a natural affection for the elderly.
As soon as Tang Wanqing entered Old Madam Lin’s room, the old lady sternly commanded, “Kneel down.”
Bewildered, Tang Wanqing glanced at her mother-in-law and obediently knelt before asking, “Mother, why is this?”
“I know you have suffered greatly these years, so I turned a blind eye to many things. But I never expected you to be so ungrateful. Yi’er is your own son, the only remaining bloodline of the Lin family. How could you act so recklessly?”
After her furious outburst, Old Madam Lin nearly choked on her breath, leaving Tang Wanqing frantic and at a loss, hurriedly trying to console her. “Mother, you’ve misunderstood. I had my reasons for doing this.”
With Shen Rumei standing nearby, Tang Wanqing did not want to reveal that Nuonuo had cured both her and Qingyi.
Old Madam Lin, solely concerned with her grandson’s safety, was in no mood to listen. Further influenced by Shen Rumei’s slander, Tang Wanqing’s words only fueled her anger.
With a darkened expression, she scolded, “What reason could justify you disregarding Yi’er’s life and rushing straight to Songtao Garden? Three years ago, you nearly scared him into Soul-scattering.
“All these years, though you missed Yi’er, you still knew your limits. Was today’s abnormal behavior because of this little girl?”
Old Madam Lin’s gaze fell upon Nuonuo. The little girl before her was as delicate as carved jade, soft and utterly adorable.
But the thought that such a young child could incite Wanqing to provoke her precious grandson made Old Madam Lin set aside her compassion. She asked coldly, “Was it you who made Wanqing rush recklessly to Songtao Garden?”
“Yes, Grandma. Auntie missed her little brother, and little brother missed Auntie too. A mother and child should be together.”
Nuonuo lifted her little face, beaming with pride. She had helped her little brother drive away the bad thing—surely this grandmother would praise her too.
But Nuonuo’s eager, praise-seeking expression only fueled Old Madam Lin’s anger further. Shen Rumei seized the moment to whisper beside her, “Madam, this child is so young yet already skilled at sweet-talking. My sister-in-law was deceived by her in just the same way.”