A Pawn's Passage

Determined to find the source of the dragon qi leakage, Qi Xuansu combed through every corner of the royal palace. Dragon qi was not like Taiping coins. It could not simply be carried away by hand.

Normally, altars or formations were needed to channel dragon qi. But in this case, the mastermind had used Yin-Yang People as living vessels. Thus, Qi Xuansu’s investigation focused on the real cause of death of those palace eunuchs.

The seven eunuchs’ bodies were long gone. Any traces left in the palace had likely vanished as well. Still, Qi Xuansu had no choice but to press on.

Qi Xuansu asked, “Princess Chen, you’ve lived in the royal palace for years, so you must have looked into this. Before their sudden deaths, did those eunuchs show any signs of abnormality?”

Chen Jianqiu composed herself before replying earnestly, “When the first few eunuchs died suddenly, I didn’t think much of it. But when it kept happening, I began to pay attention and found that each of them had visited two places in particular.”

As she spoke, she took out a map of the royal palace and spread it open before Qi Xuansu.

At a glance, Qi Xuansu felt a jolt of familiarity. The entire palace, from its central axis to the three great halls, was a scaled-down replica of the Imperial Capital’s royal palace. Even its main gate bore the same name. It was no wonder the Yu Kingdom called itself the Mini Central Plains.

Beyond Wu Gate was the Taiye Lake, which had a bridge leading to Dachao Courtyard and Taisheng Hall, and then the Grand Palace Gate.

Past the Grand Palace Gate was the Governance Hall, flanked by the Virtue Hall to the east and the Martial Hall to the west. Behind it was the largest building, the Sincere Hall, with the Chaste Hall and Bright Hall at its sides. Further back was the Heavenly Purity Hall, flanked by the Ceremonial Office and the Mental Cultivation Hall.

All these halls were along the main central axis; beyond them was the inner court, including the Emperor’s and his consorts’ residences and the royal gardens.

Besides the central axis, there were east and west wings as well.

The east wing was relatively spacious. From south to north were the Ancestral Temple, the 24 Inner Offices, a wide expanse of water, and a manmade islet called Yingzhou. It was different from the Taiping Sect’s Yingzhou Island.

The west wing was packed with buildings. From south to north were the Xianlin Pavilion, Shi Temple, and Xing Temple. The Xianlin Pavilion was the royal archive.

Beyond the Xing Temple was the Fengxian Hall, followed by the Shouzhi Palace.

Finally, at the farthest northern end was the Changning Palace, where the Queen Dowager resided.

Chen Jianqiu pointed at the map. “All of those eunuchs had visited Changning Palace and Shouzhi Palace before they died.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “Have we sent people to investigate?”

One of the Spirit Guards reported, “Shouzhi Palace has already been inspected. It’s unoccupied, but there are traces of formations that had been destroyed on purpose. Most of it can no longer be identified.”

Qi Xuansu continued, “What about Changning Palace?”

The Spirit Guard hesitated before saying, “Given the potential political sensitivity, we didn’t go there.”

Qi Xuansu did not rebuke him. He merely nodded. “Then I’ll go myself.”

Chen Jianchou asked, “Second Deputy, should we bring any Spirit Guards along?”

Qi Xuansu thought for a moment before replying, “Princess Chen will lead the way. The rest of you stay here because if too many follow, it’ll look like I’m storming the palace. Moreover, there are women there, so it would be unseemly.”

He then turned to give orders. “Chou Zheng, head back to Shouzhi Palace and see if there are any details we might have missed.”

Chen Jianchou nodded. “Yes, Second Deputy.”

Qi Xuansu had not brought Ke Qingqing today because she remained at the Water Palace assisting Xu Jiaorong with Sun Yaoping’s arrangements.

He brought Chen Jianchou instead, trusting his sharp investigative instincts. After all, this man had once tracked down Wu Luo’s lair single-handedly. That alone spoke for his skill.

Chen Jianchou led the Spirit Guards toward Shouzhi Palace again, while Qi Xuansu and Chen Jianqiu made their way to Changning Palace to visit the Queen Dowager.

On the way, Chen Jianqiu briefed Qi Xuansu on the Queen Dowager. Her name was Yang E, born to one of the Yu Kingdom’s most powerful noble houses. She was the mother of the current King and was once the Queen.

Thus, Qi Xuansu had to show her some deference for appearance’s sake to avoid offending anyone.

Chen Jianqiu explained, “The Queen Dowager played a part in my father’s turn toward the Buddhist path. But she’s not a devout Buddhist. Instead, she believes in everything—Buddhism, Daoism, Western goddesses, even the local witchcraft and rituals of Nanyang, you name it. Honestly, I think she’s similar to those people from the Heavenly Court.

“Oh, I’ve also heard that she’s not exactly...reserved. Rumor has it that she keeps a lover, even at her age. But I truly don’t know what to say about that.”

In those years, the Queen Dowager had vehemently opposed the Yu King’s marriage to Chen Jianqiu’s mother, so the princess’s relationship with her grandmother had long soured and even turned hostile.

Thus, Chen Jianqiu felt no hesitation in speaking ill of her grandmother before Qi Xuansu. It was not slander, but cold hard facts.

Qi Xuansu made no comment. He had his own judgment and would not take others’ words at face value.

Led by Chen Jianqiu, Qi Xuansu entered Changning Palace.

This palace was a replica of the Great Xuan Imperial Palace’s Ningshou Palace.

The first courtyard featured rocky terraces and pavilions, forming a natural landscape with flowing streams and winding channels. Beyond the flower gate was the second courtyard, with several ornamental lake stones as scenic accents. The third courtyard held the Emerald Pavilion with a front garden of sculpted stones, connected by covered walkways to the study and lounge behind, offering different layers of scenery and elegance.

Queen Dowager Yang was at the Emerald Pavilion.

Chen Jianqiu thought it was proper form for the Queen Dowager to receive them at the entrance. But Qi Xuansu disliked such displays. Instead, he had a eunuch announce his visit, stating simply that Second Deputy Qi Xuansu of the Poluo Daoist Mansion requested an audience.

The eunuchs relayed the message and hurriedly ushered him inside.

The interior of the pavilion was exquisitely crafted. The floor was woven from bamboo mats, wisteria and plum blossoms were carved into the walls, decorated with dyed jade shaped into plum petals and bamboo leaves. The eaves were inlaid with bamboo and jade ornaments, the panels carved with a hundred deer in procession, and the screens were embroidered on both sides with transparent silk threadwork. Every detail was a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

Qi Xuansu’s gaze finally landed on Queen Dowager Yang.

The Daoist Order forbade female Daoists from indulging in excessive anti-aging. But outsiders did not have to follow such rules. Queen Dowager Yang had clearly mastered the art of preserving youth. She appeared no older than thirty, with shimmering eyes that were stern yet alluring. She wore simple silk robes that made her seem like a common matron.

It was a stark contrast with the Yu King, who looked haggard and gaunt. When placed side by side, no one would believe they were mother and son. Perhaps husband and wife, or maybe even father and daughter, were more believable.

This made Qi Xuansu begin to believe Chen Jianqiu’s words that the Queen Dowager was far from ordinary.

Some naive flowerbed Daoists might call it disrespectful to speculate about others based on appearance. But flowerbed Daoists knew nothing of the world’s harshness, as they were perched high on their moral pedestals and were often blind to reality.

When faced with true villains, flowerbed Daoists would be the first to suffer for their gullibility, the kind to be sold off to mine ore in the New World and still thank their captors for it.

Qi Xuansu spoke calmly. “Queen Dowager Yang, my name is Qi Xuansu, the newly appointed Second Deputy of the Poluo Daoist Mansion. I have been granted full authority to investigate the dragon qi leakage. So I ask for your understanding in advance if my duty leads to any offense or discourtesy.”

The Queen Dowager rose gracefully and offered a slight bow. “Second Deputy Qi, your name precedes you. Though I am a secluded woman of the inner palace, I have long heard your name resounding like thunder in my ears.”

Qi Xuansu smiled faintly. “Since you already know who I am, I’ll spare the pleasantries and cut to the chase. I’m here to inquire about the seven chief eunuchs who have died in rapid succession. According to my findings, every one of them visited Changning Palace before their deaths. Can you offer me a reasonable explanation?”

Queen Dowager Yang’s face showed a flash of astonishment. “Is that so? I had no idea.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “It’s fine if you can’t recall past events. We can perform an Earth Qi Recall to reveal the truth of their visits.”

The Queen Dowager fell silent.

Qi Xuansu did not press her.

After a pause, Yang E let out a soft, almost playful laugh.

At some point, a faint mist began to fill the Emerald Pavilion. The scent that drifted through the air was oddly familiar. It was the same fragrance that often clung to Lin Yuanmiao.

Qi Xuansu’s expression hardened slightly. “It’s Soul-Returning Incense.”

The Queen Dowager said, “From what I’ve heard, not even Heavenly Beings or Pseudo-Immortals are immune to Soul-Returning Incense. It robs them of their cultivation for a brief time.”

Qi Xuansu quickly regained his composure and said evenly, “You’re right. Even a Pseudo-Immortal cannot ignore its effects. With enough of this incense, even a Longevity-stage Immortal could be stripped of power for a short while. But only the Daoist Order could procure such a quantity.”

Yang E laughed. “I knew you would come over sooner or later, so I had no choice but to take this precaution. I hope you’ll forgive my rudeness.”

Qi Xuansu said nothing.

She added, “I suppose you’re thinking that with this much incense, your cultivation is merely weakened, not abolished. So it would still be effortless to kill me now if you wish, right?”

Qi Xuansu did not deny it, acquiescing to the statement.

The Queen Dowager continued, “Second Deputy Qi, your cultivation is far beyond mine. I’m merely a fragile woman who can only achieve things through others, not by my own strength. What I lack in power, I make up for in foresight. So aside from this Soul-Returning Incense, I have other contingencies.”

As she spoke, a squad of Green Phoenix Guards marched into the pavilion. They had not inhaled the incense, so their cultivation remained intact. Their first act upon entering the pavilion was to snuff out the burning sticks of Soul-Returning Incense.

Chen Jianqiu’s face turned pale with fury. “Yang E, are you plotting rebellion?!”