Chapter 19: Master Zhang

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By the time the attendants of the Empress Dowager and the Empress had left, it was already the late hours of the night. Nurse Qin was just about to lock the door when she suddenly saw Xiao Huaqing leaning against the doorframe, his face dark and grim.

"Where is the Princess Consort?"

Seeing the heir apparent, Nurse Qin felt a bit intimidated and quickly said, "The Princess Consort has already retired for the night. If the Young Master has any matters, please come tomorrow."

Xiao Huaqing snorted coldly and strode inside without hesitation. Just as he was about to enter the room, Nurse Zhang stopped him. "Young Master, it is late; please show some respect."

Filled with anger and having nowhere to vent it, Xiao Huaqing shoved Nurse Zhang aside and snarled, "I’ve shown you some respect, yet you forget your place. You’re just an old hag, and you dare block me?"

With that, he angrily pushed aside the curtain and entered.

Inside, Lin Yue was soaking her feet. Hearing the noise, she looked up, their eyes met, and a flicker of embarrassment crossed Xiao Huaqing’s face. He quickly turned away.

But thinking about Lin Yue secretly meeting with the Emperor—clearly an illicit affair—he lost all restraint and blurted, "Are you so restless you’ll touch anyone? Meeting secretly in the prince's mansion, have you no shame?"

With a sudden crash, the foot bath basin fell to the floor, shattering the silence.

Xiao Huaqing was doused with a basin of foot-soaking water and stared at Lin Yue in disbelief. "You... how dare you..."

Lin Yue snapped, "Why shouldn’t I? Xiao Huaqing, I’ve shown you respect, haven’t I? Breaking into my room at this hour, who do you think you are?"

"If you’re not thinking straight, I’ll help you sober up. Next time you dare to barge in without permission, I’ll tie you up and send you to the palace."

"Get lost!"

Hearing the angry shouts, the servants quickly dragged Xiao Huaqing out.

He still refused to believe Lin Yue would treat him like this. His heart was gripped by panic and helplessness, a faint ache tightening inside.

Did Lin Yue really not like him anymore?

That thought suffocated him. Unable to hold back, Xiao Huaqing shouted, "Lin Yue, you’ll regret this!"

With a loud bang, Lin Yue smashed the basin.

"You unfilial wretch, get lost!"

Seeing the dented copper basin, Xiao Huaqing’s heart sank completely.

At that moment, he suddenly felt he had lost something. He stood there, lost and helpless, until someone pushed him out and the heavy door slammed shut, jolting him awake.

“Shameless! And still dares to call herself Princess Consort!”

“Exactly. I thought the rumors outside were false, but it turns out the one lacking restraint is the heir apparent.”

“Hmph, such a wicked son!”

The voices of disdain were unabashed, like buckets of cold water poured over his head.

Though it was Lin Yue who was truly unrestrained, these people refused to see it and instead condemned him.

Could they all be allies of the Emperor’s uncle?

Yes, that must be it!

Xiao Huaqing pounded on the door, screaming, "Lin Yue, you’ll regret it! That man can never give you a proper status!"

Inside, Lin Yue covered her ears and complained to the system: [Just let him die.]

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System: [He carries the main storyline mission in this world, which is to rescue the Great Wei empire from the hands of corrupt eunuchs.]

Lin Yue: [Isn’t this supposed to be a brainless romance? Why is there a main mission?]

System: [The male lead’s value must be demonstrated.]

Lin Yue: [So if I save Great Wei, won’t he lose his main mission and become sidelined?]

System: [In theory, yes, but I’m not sure in practice.]

Lin Yue: [...]

…

Late at night, Luo Qingyu rode swiftly to the Qingcheng Taoist Temple.

The young Taoist guarding the mountain gate saw Luo Qingyu holding the Prince’s official seal and immediately led him to a guest room to rest.

Soon after, a young man dressed as a Taoist came to meet him.

The two exchanged smiles, greeting each other like old friends.

“Qingshan.”

“Qingyu.”

“Where is your master? I have urgent matters to discuss.”

You Qingshan said, “My master is in seclusion. I don’t know when he will come out.”

“What?” Luo Qingyu felt defeated; could he not see him either?

At that moment, a young Taoist hurried over. “Senior Brother, the master has come out of seclusion. He wants you to bring Commander Luo to him.”

You Qingshan was amazed; his master had been in seclusion for three years...

“Let’s go. Looks like my master sensed you were coming.”

They soon arrived to see Master Zhang, the head of Qingcheng Temple. When the Great Wei was founded, his master, Zhang Xinghuai, guided the emperor to seize a dragon vein.

The founding emperor honored him as the national teacher, and all called him the Celestial Master.

Now, a hundred years after Great Wei’s founding, his master had long passed away. The title had passed down to this third generation, yet everyone still called him Celestial Master. His true name was unknown; he went by the Taoist title Qingchengzi.

He had once traveled far to cultivate for twenty years on Qingcheng Mountain and only recently built the temple outside the capital city on a high mountain, named Qingcheng Taoist Temple.

Luo Qingyu had met Master Zhang three years ago. At the time, Master Zhang paused upon seeing him, then examined his bone structure and said, “This child is born noble; he should not have been born into servitude.”

His mother quickly added, “Yes, yes, he’s been freed from slavery, is hardworking, and stays close to the Prince. He’ll surely achieve something.”

Master Zhang smiled silently, but his warm and kind eyes left an unforgettable impression on Luo Qingyu.

Those were the eyes of a wise man, capable of calming the soul, as if a few words of advice from him could last a lifetime.

By the waterfall in the back mountain stood a tea house, dimly lit with an indulgent tea aroma.

Master Zhang sat there leisurely, surrounded by mist and water vapor, giving off an ethereal aura like a sage living beyond the mortal world.

Luo Qingyu dared not be rash and knelt at a distance. “Luo Qingyu of the Prince’s mansion comes to seek an audience with the Celestial Master.”

Master Zhang looked up, smiling gently, with a warm gaze. “Come, speak.”

Luo Qingyu rose and followed You Qingshan.

You Qingshan offered tea, and Luo Qingyu felt honored, also noticing a strange fragrance in the tea house that soothed the soul, calming him without realizing it.

Only then did he notice that Master Zhang’s appearance was unchanged from three years ago—still gentle and peaceful.

Three years had brought no alteration; could it be that Taoists truly knew the secret to immortality?

Just as Luo Qingyu was pondering, Master Zhang asked, “Did you come because of the Prince or the Princess Consort?”

Luo Qingyu quickly replied, “Because of the Prince, but it also concerns the Princess Consort.”

“I... can actually hear the Princess Consort’s heart. She says the Prince will face danger during the heavy snow sealing the mountains this winter.”

“Such strange matters are only heard in stories. Qingyu feels uneasy and came to seek the Celestial Master’s guidance.”

Upon hearing this, Master Zhang’s eyes suddenly brightened. Stroking his beard, he laughed heartily, “Ahahaha, so it is.”

Three hundred years... the flowers bloom alike every year, but people change over a century.

He thought there’d be no such chance anymore, but the opportunity spoken of by his master had indeed appeared.

Luo Qingyu hurriedly asked, “Celestial Master, don’t you find this strange?”

You Qingshan nearby said, “You underestimate my master. Back when he was in Shu, he even captured—”

“Qingshan, don’t scare our guest.”

You Qingshan chuckled, “Yes, disciple understands.”

Luo Qingyu: “...So, what did he capture? Ghosts?”

Could the Princess Consort be possessed by a ghost?

At that moment, Luo Qingyu’s hair stood on end.

Unexpectedly, Master Zhang lightly brushed his cheek with a duster, and Luo Qingyu instantly felt refreshed, the fear vanishing.

Startled, Master Zhang stood. “Let’s go. I will accompany you back to have a look.”

“The Princess Consort is probably... her main soul has returned to its place. You can hear her heart because you are fated with her. Do not make this known.”

Luo Qingyu asked nervously, “Isn’t it possession?”

Master Zhang smiled, “Ghosts fear yang energy. Besides, she’s been in the mansion so long, she would have long since turned to dust.”

Luo Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Otherwise, I truly wouldn’t know what to do.”

Traveling through the night, they reached the city gate.

Luo Qingyu said, “We’ll have to wait until dawn to return to the mansion. I’ll start a fire; please rest a moment, Celestial Master.”

Master Zhang linked arms with Luo Qingyu. “No need.”

Before Luo Qingyu could finish speaking, a whirlwind swept over him, blinding him.

When Master Zhang released him, Luo Qingyu nearly fell, opening his eyes to find himself at the Prince’s mansion gate.

Rubbing his eyes to be sure he wasn’t seeing things, he stammered, “B-but the Princess Consort should be asleep.”

Master Zhang said, “I’ll meditate in your room and wait until morning to meet the Princess Consort.”

Luo Qingyu nodded, and as he looked up again, Master Zhang had vanished.

After that experience, Luo Qingyu kept quiet and returned to his room.

Sure enough, Master Zhang was meditating inside, with Luo Qingyu quietly keeping watch until dawn.