Morning light filtered through the windows as Bai Shuangshuang woke from her dreams and stretched.
Last night, there had been no disturbance from Mo Zhuozhuo, yet she still hadn’t slept well.
‘Am I… getting used to a different bed?’
Lady Zhao’s bed was definitely more comfortable to sleep in.
She turned her head to glance at Zhao Qingyue.
Still asleep.
She decided to get up first, gently closing the door behind her as she left.
Before long, Qiu Yue approached, holding a talisman in her hand.
It was the most basic “Message Talisman,” equivalent to a letter between cultivators, except it was more convenient for both reading and writing.
Bai Shuangshuang crushed the talisman and closed her eyes to absorb its contents.
Last night, she had sent several cultivators from the Flying Immortal Platform to investigate the spirit fields and spirit mines of Lingxi County.
Now, the results were in.
According to the calculations, the actual output was at least half more than what the county had reported to the Prince’s Mansion.
In other words, these people had pocketed at least a third of the spirit rice and spirit stones.
And this was just for the spirit fields and mines near the county town.
In more remote, ungovernable areas, the embezzlement would only be worse.
A single leaf can herald the autumn.
“These bastards really deserve to die.”
Bai Shuangshuang spoke slowly as she digested the information.
But they had only inferred that there was embezzlement.
As for where the hidden spirit rice and spirit stones were stashed, that was still unknown.
Furthermore, some of the spirit fields and spirit mines were even concealed by spells, making them difficult to investigate for the time being.
It was clear that some immortal sects, lured by huge profits, were willing to bear immense karmic consequences to cover up for these people.
Cultivators were still human; if the profit was big enough, their hearts would waver.
“Let’s go, head to the streets. It’s time to welcome our guests.”
Si Hour | Lingxi County Market
A long table was set up in the middle of the street, draped with a plain white tablecloth.
On it, several plates of pastries and a pot of clear tea were arranged neatly.
Black-armored elite soldiers were arrayed around the perimeter.
Their silver spears stood like a forest, sealing off the entire street.
The commonfolk were held back at the edge, standing on tiptoe to look inside.
A sea of heads bobbed and swayed.
Bai Shuangshuang sat in the main seat, with Zhao Qingyue on her right.
Qiu Yue sat one seat away from her.
She held a teacup in her hand, not drinking, her gaze calmly fixed on the street corner.
The first to arrive was the county magistrate.
His surname was Shen, given name Mingyuan.
He was in his forties, with a lean face, wearing an official robe that had been washed to a pale color.
He walked to the table and, with neither arrogance nor servility, cupped his hands in a bow toward Bai Shuangshuang.
“Your subordinate, Shen Mingyuan, greets Special Envoy Bai.”
Bai Shuangshuang nodded slightly.
Shen Mingyuan then turned to Zhao Qingyue and performed a proper bow.
“I greet the Commandery Princess.”
Zhao Qingyue waved her hand but said nothing.
Shen Mingyuan straightened up and cast a glance at Bai Shuangshuang, a look of curiosity, or perhaps appraisal, mixed with a hint of relief that finally, someone had come to clean up this mess.
He sat down at the edge of the table, picked up his teacup, and took a sip, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.
Bai Shuangshuang understood now.
This magistrate had been sidelined for so long that he had learned to keep his head down and stay safe.
The second to arrive were Bai Yongchang and Lin Shi.
Bai Yongchang wore a half-new long gown, his hair neatly combed, yet it couldn’t hide the anxiety etched on his face.
Lin Shi followed behind him, her eyes red-rimmed, her hand tightly gripping her husband’s sleeve, as if afraid she might rush forward and embrace her daughter if she saw her.
“Shuang’er… Special Envoy Bai.”
She opened her mouth, her voice a little hoarse, barely managing to correct herself.
Bai Shuangshuang looked at them, and a sudden softness touched her heart.
She nodded, her voice low.
“Sit.”
Lin Shi’s tears nearly fell.
Bai Yongchang tugged her gently, and the two of them sat down at the table.
Once seated, Lin Shi’s gaze never left Bai Shuangshuang’s face.
Her lips moved several times, but in the end, she said nothing.
Bai Shuangshuang could see she had a thousand words to say, but this was not the time.
The third to arrive was Liu Wenyuan.
He was dressed in a brand-new official robe, his jade belt glinting in the sunlight.
His steps were unhurried, his chin slightly raised.
But his composure lasted only until he saw the row of black-armored soldiers lining the street.
The silver spears gleamed coldly in the sun, dazzling him.
Liu Wenyuan’s footsteps faltered.
“Your subordinate, Liu Wenyuan, greets Special Envoy Bai, greets the Commandery Princess.”
His voice was steady enough, and the depth of his bow was just right—neither overly respectful nor deliberately dismissive.
Bai Shuangshuang said nothing, just looked at him.
Liu Wenyuan straightened up, turned, and sat down at the table, his back ramrod straight.
He held his teacup firmly, whether feigning calm or genuinely confident was anyone’s guess.
His son, Liu Mao, had been dragged out of a brothel’s dog hole last night by Qingluan and her people.
Liu Wenyuan knew this.
So he was filled with anger, but he couldn’t vent it.
At least, not now.
The crowd of onlookers grew larger.
“Is that the Foolish Maiden of the Bai family? The one in the official robe?”
“Don’t call her a foolish maiden anymore. She’s the Prince’s Special Envoy now!”
“Who’s that next to her?”
“That’s the Commandery Princess of the Jingnan Prince Manor! Didn’t you see the county magistrate bowing to her too?”
“The Commandery Princess came in person? Who exactly is this Bai Shuangshuang?”
“Who is she? She’s the Commandery Princess’s right hand! Haven’t you heard? The Commandery Princess deployed the Prince’s own guards for her.”
The murmurs surged like a tide.
“Lord Liu!”
A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, loud enough for everyone on the street to hear.
“Why isn’t your son here today? Tuckered out from crawling through dog holes?”
A roar of laughter erupted.
Liu Wenyuan slammed his teacup down hard on the table, splashing tea everywhere.
He whipped his head around to glare at the direction of the voice, his gaze dark and venomous.
The laughter died down, but didn’t completely fade away.
Liu Wenyuan took a deep breath, turned back, and squeezed out a smile for Bai Shuangshuang.
“Special Envoy Bai, crass commoners. Do forgive them.”
Bai Shuangshuang looked at him but didn’t respond.
Liu Wenyuan’s smile froze on his face.
Bai Shuangshuang picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, then set it down.
Her eyes swept over everyone seated at the table.
“And where is the Head of the Bai family?”
She asked.
Bai Yongchang’s expression shifted slightly as he said in a low voice.
“The family head is unwell and couldn’t come. He asked me to attend in his stead.”
Bai Shuangshuang raised an eyebrow.
‘As if I can’t see through that? He’s just throwing my parents to the wolves.’
“Unwell?”
She repeated the two words, her tone light and airy.
“Someone come!”
“Here!”
A soldier stepped out from behind her, clasping his fist.
“Take a few men and go to the Bai residence to invite the family head.”
Bai Shuangshuang paused.
“Carry him here if you have to!”
Several soldiers acknowledged the order and left.
Bai Yongchang opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again.
Lin Shi gripped her husband’s hand tightly under the table.
They exchanged a glance but said nothing.
The onlookers began to murmur again.
“The Bai family head is probably in for a rough time this time.”
“Serves him right! The Bai family has done so many terrible things over the years. Someone should have put them in their place long ago!”
“Shh—keep your voice down! Who knows if someone from the Bai family isn’t in the crowd right now.”
Soon enough, the crowd at the street corner parted to make way.
Bai Jingtang had arrived.
His robes were slightly disheveled, his belt was crooked, and his hair was more unkempt than usual.
Clearly, the process of “inviting” him hadn’t been very gentle.
But he had come.
Bai Jingtang’s face was ashen.
His gaze swept over the long table, pausing for a brief moment on Bai Shuangshuang’s face before darting away.
He took a deep breath, walked to the table, and cupped his hands in a bow.
“Bai Jingtang, Head of the Bai family, greets Special Envoy Bai.”
His voice was steady enough, but Bai Shuangshuang noticed that his hands were trembling slightly inside his sleeves.
Clearly, he wasn’t as tough as Lord Liu.
“Wasn’t the family head unwell?”
Bai Shuangshuang looked at him, her tone indifferent.
“Then how come you came as soon as you were invited?”
Bai Jingtang’s face turned even darker.
His lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing and sat down at the far end of the table.
The food was served.
Eight hot dishes, four cold plates, and a few warm jugs of wine.
But no one picked up their chopsticks.
Shen Mingyuan drank his tea slowly, unconcerned.
Liu Wenyuan stared at the teacup in front of him, his expression gloomy.
Bai Yongchang and Lin Shi were restless, stealing glances at Bai Shuangshuang from time to time.
Bai Jingtang kept his head down, his expression unreadable.
Bai Shuangshuang waited for a moment, then picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of osmanthus cake, and placed it in Zhao Qingyue’s bowl.
“Commandery Princess, please, have a taste.”
Zhao Qingyue glanced at her, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly.
She picked up the cake, took a bite, and squinted her eyes.
“Not bad, but far inferior to the ones at the National Academy.”
“We’re out and about. We’ll have to make do.”
“Fair enough.”
Zhao Qingyue picked up a piece of meat and directly held it to Bai Shuangshuang’s lips.
“Open up.”
Bai Shuangshuang opened her mouth and accepted it.
The two of them went back and forth, acting as affectionately as sisters.
“This Commandery Princess is way too good to Bai Shuangshuang, isn’t she?”
“Haven’t you figured it out? Bai Shuangshuang is just riding on the Commandery Princess’s coattails.”
“A dog that takes advantage of its master’s power, sure. But she’s got the ability to do it, so what can you do about it?”
Bai Shuangshuang heard them and the corner of her mouth curved up.
This was exactly the effect she wanted.
Qiu Yue ate her meal with single-minded focus.
She didn’t quite understand all these political games and subtle maneuvering.
As far as she was concerned, her only job was to protect Bai Shuangshuang’s safety.
As for who was feuding with whom or testing whom, that had nothing to do with her.
She ate and drank as she pleased. If a fight came, she would step in.
Bai Shuangshuang glanced at her and couldn’t help but smile.
“Miss Qiu Yue, slow down. No one’s going to take your food away.”
Qiu Yue looked up, her cheeks puffed out, mumbling.
“Huh? Oh, okay.”
Then she went right back to eating.
Bai Shuangshuang’s gaze shifted from Qiu Yue and fell upon the crowd.
She searched for a moment, her eyes finally landing on a familiar face.
Xi Chun.
She stood at the very front of the crowd, wearing a faded blue cotton dress.
It seemed she had rushed over as soon as she heard the news, not even having finished her work.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, her lips trembling slightly, her gaze fixed on Bai Shuangshuang, as if afraid she might suddenly disappear.
Bai Shuangshuang beckoned her over.
Xi Chun was startled and pointed at herself.
Bai Shuangshuang nodded.
Xi Chun, flustered, walked out of the crowd and approached the table.
She didn’t know whether to stand or sit, not even knowing where to put her hands.
“Sit.”
Bai Shuangshuang patted the empty seat beside her.
“Your servant would never dare…”
“I told you to sit, so sit.”
Xi Chun bit her lip and carefully sat down, perching on the edge of the seat with her body tense, as if ready to spring up at any moment.
Bai Shuangshuang picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of braised pork, and placed it in Xi Chun’s bowl.
“Eat.”
Xi Chun looked down at the piece of meat in her bowl, and tears fell, plopping into the bowl.
She remembered the old days, when Bai Shuangshuang was still a fool, and she used to secretly hide good food for her.
Whenever the little fool took it, she would mumble, “Thank you, Mama Xichun,” with her eyes crinkling in a smile.
Now, it was Bai Shuangshuang’s turn to serve her food.
Xi Chun picked up her chopsticks.
Her hand was still trembling, and it took her several tries to pick up the meat.
She shoved it into her mouth, and as she chewed, the tears fell even harder.
Bai Shuangshuang watched her, the corner of her mouth curling up.
She tilted her head slightly, her lips moving silently, forming a few words.
Xi Chun understood.
“Mother.”
Her face instantly turned bright red.
Back when Bai Shuangshuang was a fool, calling her “Mother” had embarrassed her, but she could handle it.
After all, the little fool didn’t know anything.
Everything she said sounded like a child babbling.
But now, Bai Shuangshuang was no longer a fool.
And here she was, in broad daylight, in front of the entire county, mouthing “Mother” to her.
Xi Chun’s face was so red it could fry an egg.
Bai Shuangshuang watched her reaction and laughed silently.
The onlookers didn’t understand, but Xi Chun’s reaction piqued their curiosity.
‘What’s wrong with this maid? What did the Special Envoy say to her? Why is she blushing like that?’
Zhao Qingyue looked at Bai Shuangshuang and raised an eyebrow.
Bai Shuangshuang gave her an innocent look in return.
Zhao Qingyue didn’t press further and went back to eating her food.
But under the table, she gently kicked Bai Shuangshuang.
Qiu Yue finally looked up from her bowl.
She glanced at Bai Shuangshuang, then at Zhao Qingyue, and finally at Xi Chun.
She blinked, not understanding, and went back to eating.
The atmosphere at the table was delicate.
Some ate with relish.
Some sat as if on pins and needles.
Some kept their heads down in silence.
Some nursed their teacups, pretending everything was fine.
Bai Shuangshuang put down her chopsticks, picked up her teacup, and swept her gaze over everyone seated.
The drama was only just beginning.