Where Immortals Once Walked

Chapter 597: The Yao Family’s Sincerity

In any case, his royal father would inevitably scold him. If so, he at least had to teach Fushan Yue a vicious lesson and complete the purpose of his trip down to the Lower City!

Anyone going up to or down from the floating islands had to pass through Startled Swan Crossing.

They would wait right on Fushan Yue’s only route and catch him there.

Wanted to complain? Take a beating first!

What he did not expect, however, was that the other party would actually not come at all!

Another hour passed, and dawn broke. Another squad of palace guards hurried over. The moment they arrived, they glared. “Why are you blocking this place?”

“The Crown Prince ordered us to find someone.”

“Find whom?” the other side snapped. “More than a dozen officials have already seen you standing here. They all thought something major had happened on Tianxin Island! Your actions in the Lower City have already alarmed the palace. Just now, the Crown Prince and the Grand Protector[1] were both summoned by the Lord Emperor. You’re to enter the palace and await questioning as well!”

The Crown Prince’s guards could only answer, “Yes.”

“What are you still standing there for? Come with us!”

* * *

Two hours earlier.

He Lingchuan sat in the dining hall on the second floor of an inn, legs crossed, watching lightning coil through the sky like dragons and serpents while countless crystal beads fell from above through the open window.

“Hey, after the floating islands were built, does lightning from the sky no longer strike the Lower City?”

Fushan Yue paused, then thought about it. “I’m not sure. I never really paid attention to that.”

In any case, he was not the one being struck.

The exquisite breakfast had been completely wasted on Fushan Yue. He wolfed it down, wiped his mouth, and said, “I’m going to Tianxin Island.”

The sky was not yet bright, and he completely intended to complain until heaven and earth went dark.

He Lingchuan did not even turn his head, only waving behind him in farewell.

Fushan Yue put on his rain cloak and was about to leave with a dozen subordinates when a guard suddenly rushed in to report, “Your Highness, the Minister of Finance has arrived.”

Fushan Yue paused. “The Minister of Finance?”

Several people walked in from the torrential rain outside. The one in the lead removed his oilskin cloak, revealing none other than Yao Mao, Lingxu City’s Minister of Finance.

When one spoke of the elixir of youth case, it was impossible to avoid also mentioning the Minister of Finance’s household. He Lingchuan looked down and saw that this high official had a square face and thick eyebrows that flew upward, carrying an imposing dignity even when he was not angry. At one glance, he was plainly someone long accustomed to standing in high places and issuing orders.

He was not yet fifty. His hair was thick and black, and a single vertical crease marked the center of his forehead, proof that he often frowned.

The person beside him had bright eyes and white teeth, and He Lingchuan recognized her as well. It was none other than Yao Xingning.

She was the eldest daughter of the Minister of Finance, as well as Cen Boqing’s wife.

She did not look much like her father, though that was perhaps fortunate for her.

Below, Fushan Yue raised a hand to brace against the railing, then jumped straight down from the second floor, landing before the Minister of Finance before cupping his hands.

“Lord Yao, what wind and rain blew you here?”

In age and seniority, he was the junior. If the Minister of Finance had visited him under ordinary circumstances, Fushan Yue should have taken the stairs down, bowed properly, and exclaimed, “Ah, Elder, why have you come in person? Your presence brings honor to my humble place.”

Instead, he jumped down from upstairs and spoke with open sarcasm.

Who said he did not now have the standing to do so?

As expected, Yao Mao did not mind in the slightest. He even returned the greeting, his expression solemn as he said, “I was shocked to hear of the happenings at your Mount Pan Residence. Was Your Highness injured?”

He probably meant to look concerned, but no matter how one looked at his face, it failed to look so.

“What does Lord Yao think?” Fushan Yue opened his arms and turned a full circle in front of him, his attitude flippant.

“Your Highness, I brought my daughter here to clarify that this matter has nothing whatsoever to do with my family!” Yao Mao’s stance was clear.

Yao Xingning also stepped forward. “Crown Prince Huan murdering people and setting fires at your Mount Pan Residence was absolutely not done at my instigation! Ever since returning to Lingxu City from Baishajue, I have not seen Crown Prince Huan once.”

The Beijia Crown Prince’s name was Wu Huan.

Fushan Yue drew out a long, slow “ohhh” before saying, “I see.”

He said only those two words, then shut his mouth.

They presented nothing but two empty claims, though perhaps those claims in and of themselves could be considered nothing as well.

“If Xingning truly did such a thing, what benefit would it bring my family? Cen Boqing’s case is supported by ironclad evidence. It can no longer be overturned.”

The moment Yao Mao said this, Yao Xingning’s expression changed slightly, but he ignored it.

“Even without benefit, venting anger would feel good. There are plenty of people in this world who enjoy harming others without helping themselves.” Fushan Yue remained unmoved. “I have a survivor here who said that when Crown Prince Huan killed my servants, it said viciously that it was taking revenge for ‘Little Xing’!”

Yao Xingning closed her eyes. A vein bulged at Yao Mao’s temple, but he ultimately said, “Crown Prince Huan is too young and easily incited. It grew up alongside Xingning, and their affection runs deep. However, after Xingning returned to Lingxu City, the Lord Emperor forbade her from visiting Crown Prince Huan. That is why Crown Prince Huan has been unhappy these past days.”

Fushan Yue said flatly, “It was unhappy, so it killed my people and burned Chiyan’s residence?” Is this old man bringing up Crown Prince Huan to try and pressure me?

The Minister of Finance meant that Crown Prince Huan’s rage and violent killing had not been provoked by Yao Xingning, but precisely by the lack of Yao Xingning’s companionship and soothing presence.

“Your Highness, we are victims as well. Someone is secretly trying to divert disaster toward us. Let neither of us fall into a villain’s scheme.” The Minister of Finance emphasized the point again.

“What is true, and what is false? I’m getting a little confused.” Fushan Yue spread his hands. “I stayed at the post station, and the post station was bombed. I stayed at my Mount Pan Residence, which Chiyan purchased, and then the residence had people murdered and fires set. Half of the estate has been burned to ash! I only came to Lingxu City to follow the progress of the elixir of youth case, doing official business in an official manner. How did I end up with people so eager to grind me into dust?”

The “elixir of youth case” was now a blistering wound in the Minister of Finance’s heart. No one in his household dared mention it. However, Fushan Yue deliberately stepped right on that pain and stepped several more times.

“That person deserves death ten thousand times over!”[2]

“This incident truly should not have occurred. I feel deep sorrow for Your Highness’s losses.” The Minister of Finance sighed. “Since Your Highness has lost your residence in the Lower City, my family is willing to offer a property on Mount Baiyun, called Fragrant Snow Residence, for Your Highness to rest your feet.”

The Mount Pan Residence had already been transferred by Fushan Yue to He Lingchuan, but outsiders did not know that. They still believed it was the Chiyan Crown Prince’s official residence in the Lower City. Thus, the destruction of the Mount Pan Residence was seen as extremely vile in nature, almost a frenzied slap across the face of the State of Chiyan.

Yet within his words, the Minister of Finance firmly framed the Mount Pan Residence as Fushan Yue’s private property. He was trying to shrink a major matter into a minor one.

Fushan Yue gave a faint smile. “Minister of Finance, since you’re defending your innocence, why compensate me with a residence?”

“At the end of the day, this matter arose because of Cen Boqing. My daughter had no eyes and chose this husband, who has brought nothing but trouble and ruin. Not only has he dragged our whole family into the mire, but he has also caused Your Highness to suffer collateral damage!” The Minister of Finance glared at Yao Xingning, not concealing his anger. “From that perspective, my family bears responsibility!”

Fushan Yue cursed inwardly, old fox, but outwardly said coldly, “Many thanks for the Minister of Finance’s kindness. However, Chiyan is not yet so poor that we cannot buy a residence to shelter ourselves!” He then added slowly, “As for how this matter should be concluded, that rests entirely with the Lord Emperor!”

Empty words showed no sincerity. Did they want to persuade him to let it go with just a couple of sentences?

The Minister of Finance sighed deeply. “Your Highness, rest assured. My family will certainly assist in finding the mastermind behind this!”

Fushan Yue said meaningfully, “The Minister of Finance should simply help himself.”

Yao Mao added, “Heaven-Reaching Peak will likely summon us soon. Your Highness, let us first go to see the Lord Emperor. We will stay in frequent contact afterward!”

Fushan Yue gave a curt “Mm,” still cold.

The Minister of Finance and his daughter braved the rain and left. Soon, He Lingchuan heard hoofbeats outside, growing fainter and fainter.

The State of Chiyan had booked out the whole inn the previous day, so there were no other guests. Fushan Yue jumped back up to the second floor and said to He Lingchuan, “Interesting. The Minister of Finance has never once been this pleasant to me. In the past, whenever I saw him, he kept all joy and anger hidden, with his eyes practically growing out of the top of his head.”

“He needs something from you.” As the true victim and a spectator of the entire spectacle, He Lingchuan smiled. “No one’s spine is completely unbendable.”

“He brought Yao Xingning through the rain just to inform me that this wasn’t their doing.” Fushan Yue understood perfectly. “Crown Prince Huan suddenly rushed down to make trouble for me. It’s almost certain that the Lord Emperor will summon the father and daughter. They came here first only to greet me and state their position. They didn’t throw out any real benefits.” He then added, “That large estate on Mount Baiyun, Fragrant Snow Residence, covers at least three to five times the area of the Mount Pan Residence. Its gardens don’t even need to be mentioned, and inside are several hot springs with different medicinal properties. I heard that one of the springs is exceptional for brewing wine and making pastries. Also, the reason it was named Fragrant Snow is that the place is filled with white magnolias and fringe trees[3]. In summer and autumn, the trees are covered in pure white blossoms, like frost and snow blanketing every branch, their fragrance drifting for kilometers.”

“Fragrant Snow Residence is a property of the Yao Family. Its value can’t be compared with the Mount Pan Residence at all. Supposedly, even Yao Mao himself likes it very much and stays there for two months every year. How about I get it as compensation for you?” Fushan Yue patted He Lingchuan’s shoulder. “But when I come to Lingxu City in the future, I’m staying there.”

He Lingchuan smiled. “No rush. Let’s wait and see.”

Fushan Yue stared at him for a long while before raising a thumb. “You brat. You’re truly black-hearted.”

By now, he understood He Lingchuan somewhat. Seeing his expression and attitude, he knew He Lingchuan’s appetite was not small.

In plain terms, the Mount Pan Residence was only a medium-large estate. If not for the issue of Chiyan’s face, it would not have even counted as a true luxury residence in the Main City District.

If anyone else received the Yao Family’s Fragrant Snow Residence as compensation, they would probably laugh in joy until their jaws ached.

As for the servants killed in the residence, Fushan Yue had never taken them seriously. However, a murder case occurring inside the Mount Pan Residence would certainly reduce its value.

Looking at it that way, Fragrant Snow Residence seemed even more tempting.

He asked He Lingchuan, “How much of the Minister of Finance’s words do you believe?”

“Not one bit until he proves his innocence.” He Lingchuan sipped his tea. “Every enemy we have in Lingxu City can claim that dealing with us brings them no benefit. Besides, one more name needs to be added to the suspect list in heavy ink.”

Fushan Yue crossed his arms. “You mean the true culprit behind the elixir of youth case?”

He Lingchuan nodded. “We’ve caused them so much trouble. If they don’t seize a chance to retaliate, wouldn’t they feel bad?”

“They’re being pursued relentlessly by Deputy Cloud Envoy Bai. They still have time to retaliate against us?”

“There’s more than one of them,” He Lingchuan said seriously. “If Yao Xingning truly didn’t complain to Crown Prince Huan, then who told him? The person who handled this matter has probably wiped away all traces. Even the palace won’t find it easy to investigate.”

He Lingchuan poured himself another cup of hot tea. “By the way, aren’t you in a hurry to go up to the floating islands?”

“Not anymore.” Fushan Yue’s eyes narrowed. “Let the relevant people go first. I can wait in line.”

1. See note at the bottom of the chapter. ☜

2. I’m honestly not sure who says this, as it could be any of them and it would sound alright. Otherwise, I would either clarify with an “XXX said” or simply combine it with the next paragraph. ☜

3. These are specifically Magnolia denudata and Chionanthus retusus, respectively. Search them up! I found them really pleasant to look at :) ☜