“What is she doing there?” Zhou Zhili asked with evident displeasure.
The servant timidly replied, “This… I’m not entirely sure… but I heard she met with Qingtuan Daozhang.”
Upon hearing that name, Zhou Zhili grew even more unsettled.
“You may leave.”
He dismissed the servant impatiently, his mood growing increasingly complicated.
“Father, Xuandi Guan is an extremely popular temple. Even high-ranking officials and nobles find it difficult to secure an appointment there. Qingtuan Daozhang is renowned throughout Dizhou—even members of the imperial family struggle to get an audience with him. What method did Gu Ruanci use to have him personally receive her?”
Zhou Yuzhi’s feelings were indescribable. In his view, Gu Ruanci should have returned in a state of destitution and desperation.
Without the protection of their Jing’an Houfu, what right did she have to live well?
“We’ll know once we see for ourselves…” Zhou Zhili’s eyes flickered as an idea came to him.
At Xuandi Guan, Gu Ruanci had settled Ye Hesheng’s memorial tablet and was sitting there chatting leisurely with Qingtuan Daozhang.
“Senior Brother, under your leadership, Xuandi Guan has indeed grown more influential over the years.”
Qingtuan Daozhang, in his fifties, sported the classic Daoist beard, exuding an air of immortality and wisdom, with exceptionally sharp eyes.
He lifted his teacup and smiled modestly.
“Little Junior Sister, despite your youth, you have fully mastered our master’s medical skills—that is the true talent.”
Gu Ruanci smiled without replying, taking a light sip of the Phoenix Dan Cong tea, which at Xuandi Guan was typically reserved only for the imperial family.
“You may leave your birth mother’s memorial tablet here without worry. The departed, freed from suffering, surely wish for your happiness as well.”
Qingtuan Daozhang’s words carried a clear implication.
Gu Ruanci did not conceal her intentions: “Since I have returned to this treacherous Dizhou, I intend to face those who wish me unhappiness head-on—to personally destroy their homes and extinguish their joy. Only then will I find true happiness.”
Upon hearing this, Qingtuan Daozhang did not dissuade her. Instead, he replied very frankly, “Hmm, since they make you unhappy, it means their existence conflicts with you. If you need help, your senior brother can assist you in dealing with them.”
Gu Ruanci showed no surprise. Those from their sect all acted according to their hearts, maintaining a foundation of kindness and never blaming themselves for others’ mistakes.
“The trouble with Junior Brother Zang should be resolved by now. A few days ago, people from Jing’an Houfu came to offer incense, praying for Laofuren’s swift recovery and for Zhou Qinzhu to have a smooth life after her Ji-ji. After they left, I immediately went to apologize to the Three Pure Ones. When the forest grows large, all sorts of rotten birds try to fly in and take a look. How dare people like the Zhou Family light incense before them and shamelessly make requests…”
Nong Chun and Cang Xia, standing behind Gu Ruanci, nearly burst out laughing. If others saw the revered Qingtuan Daozhang speaking so bluntly and crudely, they would likely think it an illusion.
They chatted for a long while until a commotion arose outside.
Soon after, a young Daoist acolyte rushed in.
“Temple Master, people from the Chengfang Junying have arrived, claiming a thief has fled into Xuandi Guan.”
Qingtuan Daozhang’s expression turned serious, though the claim was rather absurd.
“Who is leading them?” he asked.
“It appears to be Jing’an Hou’s heir, Zhou Yuxiu.”
The acolyte’s answer confirmed the suspicion Gu Ruanci had left unspoken moments earlier.
The Zhou Family truly remains as lowly as ever.
“Senior Brother, they’re here for me…”
“Regardless of who they’re after, those who resort to such methods are nothing but petty individuals.”
As Qingtuan Daozhang’s words fell, someone spoke at the entrance: “My apologies for the disturbance today, I hope the esteemed daozhang will not take offense. I am merely ensuring the safety of Xuandi Guan.”
Hearing such hypocritical words, Gu Ruanci inwardly sneered.
She did not move, remaining seated calmly as she continued sipping her tea.
When Zhou Yuxiu entered, his first sight was the renowned Qingtuan Daozhang, looking at him with an unperturbed expression.
Not daring to meet Qingtuan Daozhang’s gaze, he apologized again: “My sincerest apologies, Qingtuan Daozhang. I failed in pursuing the intruder, allowing him to trespass into your esteemed temple. I beg your indulgence to permit us to conduct a search…”
Qingtuan Daozhang did not refuse: “Naturally. The Chengfang Junying has always been meticulous and rigorous in its duties. Even the newly appointed captain, the heir of Jing’an Houfu, is so dedicated to his responsibilities. For such a vast temple as Xuandi Guan, despite any shortage of personnel, the heir personally insists on conducting the search without delay—truly admirable.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuxiu felt a pang of guilt.
Just as he was about to explain, his gaze shifted past Qingtuan Daozhang and landed on Gu Ruanci, who was sitting there leisurely savoring her tea.
With a single glance, he recognized her as his younger sister.
After all, her face was nearly identical to Mother’s from years past—there was no mistaking it.
“Zhou Qingran!”
His teeth clenched instantly.
Gu Ruanci glanced at him nonchalantly: “It seems Jing’an Hou did not convey to you that my name is Gu Ruanci. I am the legitimate daughter registered in the Gu family genealogy and have no relation to your Zhou Family. Regardless of the reason for your attitude, Zhou Shizi, addressing me by the wrong name, you should restrain your emotions.”
Zhou Yuxiu immediately understood that what his father and second brother had said was true—his long-lost younger sister had indeed grown increasingly unruly.
“You truly are less sensible than you were as a child, daring to speak to your elder brother in such a manner. And what about her? Ten years without a word, she has never fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother. The only one she took away, she raised into this disgraceful state. Now she pushes you into Shouguo Gongfu, using you to climb the social ladder. Why doesn’t she show herself?”
Zhou Yuxiu’s tone was harsh. Recalling what his father and second brother had said, the sight of Gu Ruanci filled him with anger.
“You mean Mother? I just settled her here and was expressing gratitude to Qingtuan Daozhang. What, do you wish to see her?”
Gu Ruanci’s relaxed and natural tone struck Zhou Yuxiu as deeply ironic.
“She certainly schemes well, sending you into the Guo Gong’s mansion to become a young lady while she hides in a place like this seeking peace and quiet, waiting to mock our Houfu, isn’t that right? You and your mother haven’t returned for so many years, yet the moment you enter Dizhou Cheng, you insist on stirring up trouble for our Zhou Family until there’s no peace. Are you pleased with yourselves?”
Gu Ruanci gracefully set down her teacup, slowly rose, and walked over to Zhou Yuxiu.
Watching that face so strikingly similar to Mother’s draw closer, Zhou Yuxiu felt as if he were reliving a past life.
“What do I have to be pleased about? All of you from Jing’an Houfu are still alive, aren’t you?”
Zhou Yuxiu understood the implication behind her words and grew even angrier.
He hadn’t expected his father’s earlier description to be an understatement—she truly had become this malicious.
He was about to say more when Zhuang Hefeng, who had just finished paying respects to Ye Hesheng, approached.
“How can the people of Jing’an Houfu be so lacking in propriety, cornering my daughter here to say such things?”
Upon seeing Zhuang Hefeng, Zhou Yuxiu’s imposing demeanor diminished by half.
“Greetings to Lady of the State Duke…”
The people behind him, who had been bewildered earlier, now found themselves in an awkward and unbearable situation, caught between a rock and a hard place.
If they had known earlier that following Zhou Yuxiu would lead to dealing with such private matters, they would never have come along, even if beaten to death.