A Pawn's Passage

Qi Xuansu suddenly handed his Novice License to Ke Qingqing and said, “Deacon Ke, Deputy Hall Master Zhang wants to speak with you.”

Zhang Yuelu had long known about Ke Qingqing because Qi Xuansu never hid anything from her. It was not because he was henpecked but simply due to mutual honesty.

Ke Qingqing was overwhelmed with surprise and honor upon hearing this. After all, that was the legendary Zhang Yuelu.

No matter how capable Qi Xuansu might be, there had always been backbiting that he was living off a woman, especially since he had once served as Zhang Yuelu’s subordinate. Usually, it was male superiors with female subordinates, so it was rare to see the roles reversed.

Ke Qingqing carefully accepted the Novice License. Whatever Zhang Yuelu was saying on the other end, Ke Qingqing responded like a child in the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, nodding repeatedly and obediently saying yes.

Gao Mingyin watched the scene unfold before him with countless thoughts passing through his mind.

No one could blindly trust or dismiss rumors. People often said that Mage Qi had powerful backing, but it could have just been a smokescreen, using someone else’s name to bluff. After all, there were plenty of Daoists in Ziwei Hall, and not all of them had someone like Sage Donghua backing them.

There had also been a case of some people impersonating scions of cabinet ministers, successfully scamming local government officials. That was because local officials thought it was better to believe it than risk the consequences of not believing it. If the claim turned out to be false, the worst-case scenario would be losing some money. But if it were real, the consequences could be catastrophic. Even the sharpest officials would not dare act rashly without confirming things multiple times. But cabinet ministers were too high-ranking, so how could they easily verify this information? By the time the truth was confirmed, the scammers would have already been long gone with well-fed bellies.

That was why, when rumors claimed that Qi Xuansu was close to High Mage Zhang, Gao Mingyin had not believed it. He just assumed it was hearsay. But seeing it now with his own eyes, he realized it was all true.

If it were true, then Shi Bingyun was considered Qi Xuansu’s elder. That explained why she had given him so much authority.

Gao Mingyin could not pinpoint his emotions. In the end, he let out a long sigh.

Meanwhile, Qi Xuansu was quietly observing Ke Qingqing. He had long noticed that Zhang Yuelu held particular influence among women. Many became visibly emotional upon seeing her, like Qin Xiang, who was not even a true Daoist. Now, Ke Qingqing was reacting the same way, which confirmed Qi Xuansu’s earlier suspicions. His beloved truly was legendary.

Qi Xuansu mentally took note of this, planning to bring it up the next time he and Zhang Yuelu teased each other, just to see how she would react.

Soon, Zhang Yuelu finished her instructions to Ke Qingqing and voluntarily ended the conversation.

Qi Xuansu stowed away his Novice License and casually asked, “What did Deputy Hall Master Zhang say?”

Still caught up in her excitement, Ke Qingqing hesitated for a moment before saying, “Forgive me, Superintendent...Deputy Hall Master Zhang told me not to tell you.”

Qi Xuansu did not mind this. He did not think Zhang Yuelu would place a spy by his side. If she were going to, she certainly would not do it right in front of him.

Soon after, the group returned to the Yuhuang Palace. Qi Xuansu instructed the Spirit Guards to take the detainees to the Nether Prison for interrogation, without the use of torture.

Meanwhile, Qi Xuansu returned to his office and changed into a casual robe, planning to interrogate Gao Mingyin himself the next day. However, Ke Qingqing came to report the arrival of a visitor. Her expression was oddly conflicted.

Qi Xuansu was standing before a mirror, adjusting the collar of his robe. Compared to the hechang, this casual robe was far more comfortable, making it better suited for everyday wear. However, it was not easy to put on alone. Usually, it required assistance. Unfortunately, only Ke Qingqing was present, so he decided to manage it himself.

Without much thought, Qi Xuansu asked, “Who is it?”

Ke Qingqing replied softly, “A Li family member.”

“Someone from the Taiping Sect? The Li family and I aren’t quite enemies, but we certainly walk different paths,” Qi Xuansu said while continuing to adjust his sleeves. “It’s not that I go out of my way to provoke the Li family. You should know that Young Master Li Tianzhen has always held a grudge against me because of Deputy Hall Master Zhang. If he had the chance, he’d bury me without hesitation.”

Ke Qingqing let out an awkward chuckle. Of course, she knew. Li Tianzhen had once pursued Deputy Hall Master Zhang and ended up being driven out of the Jade Capital. The very thing Li Tianzhen failed to accomplish, Superintendent Qi had succeeded in. Wouldn’t that make Li Tianzhen seem inferior? No man could swallow such a loss, let alone a proud scion of the prestigious Li family. So Qi Xuansu was not being cynical; he was simply stating the hard truth.

Once Qi Xuansu was satisfied with his appearance, he finally turned around.

This was a habit cultivated during his time at the Upper Palace. The fifth-generation Grand Master had near-obsessive standards for attire, despising messy robes and unconventional clothing. Everything had to be uniform and meticulous. At formal occasions, a hechang could not have a single crease, and the headdress should be neat, with not a hair out of place. The soles of one’s boots also had to be spotless.

Qi Xuansu had developed these habits from a young age at the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. But after years wandering the world, he had grown lax. It was not until he spent three months of training at the Upper Palace again that his discipline was restored, and the old habits returned.

Ke Qingqing teased, “Superintendent, you’re dressed so neatly. Did you already know someone was coming to visit?”

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “You’ll understand once you get promoted to fourth rank and get to train at the Upper Palace. You can wear old clothes, but they must be clean and tidy. Otherwise, you won’t be able to graduate.”

Ke Qingqing only smiled. She was still quite a ways from reaching the fourth rank and dared not compare herself to her superior.

Only then did Qi Xuansu ask, “So who’s the visitor?”

Ke Qingqing lowered her voice to almost a whisper, “It’s the famous Li Qingnu!”

Qi Xuansu was not surprised. Madam Qi had mentioned it to him quite a while ago, suggesting he meet with Li Qingnu and establish a connection. But he had been busy handling cases and had not had time to deal with such matters. Since Li Qingnu had not come to visit earlier, he assumed she was still in Bohai Prefecture. Her visit today likely meant she had just returned to the Imperial Capital.

He finally understood the odd expression on Ke Qingqing’s face. First, Li Qingnu had sent him a gift, and now, she was personally visiting him. He was a rising star in the Daoist Order and a powerful superintendent, and Li Qingnu was the Finest Courtesan well-known in the Imperial Capital. Since ancient times, beautiful women had been gifted to worthy men, so it was only natural that Li Qingnu’s presence would stir some speculation.

Qi Xuansu suddenly asked, “Were you planning to tip off Deputy Hall Master Zhang?”

Ke Qingqing was caught off guard, her gaze flickering. He had clearly hit the mark. She had indeed considered it, though it was no more than a fleeting thought.

Qi Xuansu did not hold it against her. Instead, he righteously said, “Well, a gentleman fears nothing. I’ve nothing to hide. But you’d best be careful. I doubt Deputy Hall Master Zhang ordered you to spy on me. She may not appreciate a tattletale, and if you end up licking the wrong boot, Deputy Hall Master Zhang isn’t nearly as forgiving as I am.”

Ke Qingqing forced a smile. “I wouldn’t dare, Superintendent Qi.”

Qi Xuansu dismissed her. “Go invite our guest in.”

Ke Qingqing quickly turned and left the room.

Qi Xuansu picked up a hairpin and tucked it into his topknot, murmuring to himself, “Little girl, you’re not nearly my match when it comes to bluffing.”

Then again, he thought he was not Madam Qi’s match either because he had always been played like a fiddle. The way Madam Qi looked at him was probably much like how he looked at Ke Qingqing. Realizing this, he could not help but laugh at himself.

Qi Xuansu went to the reception hall. Before long, Ke Qingqing led someone inside.

When he saw the visitor, Qi Xuansu scoffed inwardly. I’ll be damned!

Li Qingnu wore a thick cloak with the hood pulled low, hiding her face in its shadow. She looked like a cultist straight out of a Western novel. As if that was not enough, she even wore a veil and sunglasses. Her dressing was not quite Eastern, and not quite Western, just completely out of place.

Qi Xuansu stood up and remarked, “How scared are you to be seen?”

Li Qingnu lowered her hood, took off her sunglasses, and lifted her veil, revealing her beautiful face.

“This is the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion, so it’s best to keep a low profile,” Li Qingnu replied. “I’m not a member of the Daoist Order. Though I have some ties to it, I’m at best a half-outsider.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “So that’s why you chose to come after dark?”

Li Qingnu said nothing, silently acknowledging it.

Qi Xuansu sighed. He gestured for her to sit, then tore open a talisman to cast a privacy barrier, preventing anyone from eavesdropping.

Only then did Li Qingnu speak. “I’d only just arrived in the Imperial Capital when I heard your name buzzing around about how Young Master Gao was brought to justice and how Justice Qi has earned praise all over the North City.”

Qi Xuansu tugged at the corner of his mouth. “That sounds like a Li family way of speaking—no foul words, but laced with sarcasm.”

Li Qingnu laughed. “You’re right. That came from none other than Li Tianzhen.”

“Oh, I didn’t think my little deeds would trouble such a noble figure. How disgraceful of me.” Qi Xuansu quipped.

Li Qingnu teased, “Now that sounded very much like the Li family’s way of speech. Anyone overhearing might think you were their long-lost adopted son.”

Qi Xuansu cleared his throat. “Well, let’s get down to business. Madam Qi should’ve spoken with you, right?”

Li Qingnu huffed. “How could I possibly disobey Her Grace’s will? At her word, I rushed from Bohai Prefecture to the Imperial Capital. Honestly, Bohai Prefecture is far more comfortable. The Imperial Capital’s just suffocating.”

Qi Xuansu suddenly remembered something. “That girl...”

Li Qingnu immediately knew he was referring to Liu Hu.

“Don’t worry,” Li Qingnu replied. “I personally escorted her to Liaodong. Luckily, the journey was uneventful. I have yet to congratulate you on your promotion to the fourth rank! You sure have a bright future.”

“Thanks,” Qi Xuansu replied.

Their conversation now carried less formality and more of a friendly tone. After all, they would be working together moving forward, and judging by how Madam Qi addressed Li Qingnu so intimately—always calling her Qingnu—Madam Qi likely regarded her as a daughter. Qi Xuansu wondered if he was the older sibling among them.

Qi Xuansu asked, “Did Madam Qi tell you the specifics of the matter?”

Li Qingnu blinked and countered, “She didn’t tell you?”

Qi Xuansu was momentarily speechless. Between him and Madam Qi, issues around Taiping coins often meant that total transparency was not guaranteed.

Li Qingnu read his expression instantly and chuckled. “I get it. Madam Qi’s trying to skim your Taiping coins again. Fine, I’ll be the good guy and fill you in. Madam Qi received word that the Taiping Sect and the Court of Palace Attendants are scheming something big. The Qingping Society’s job is to ruin their plans.”