A Pawn's Passage

The Water Palace was vast, accommodating the offices of the Great Sage of the Poluo Daoist Mansion, the Second Deputy, and several other Deputy Mansion Masters. It also contained formal ceremonial halls, grand dining chambers for entertaining guests,

and the residences of the Great Sage and the Second Deputy.

Some Deputy Mansion Masters did not reside within the Sheji Palace, as they had bought their own estates elsewhere. However, they still had residences reserved for them within the palace.

As night fell, one of the lakeside halls of the Water Palace blazed with light, its glow scattering across the lake.

Tonight, the halls were filled with guests.

Since there were too many attendees, the banquet was held in a Western-style reception format.

Qi Xuansu was the undisputed center of attention, surrounded by flatterers like stars circling the moon. It was much like the Imperial Preceptor during the grand banquet in Fenglin.

Qi Xuansu held a cup of amber-hued rice wine, using the traditional Central Plains style three-legged bronze goblet. He raised his cup only occasionally, maintaining the reserved poise befitting a Second Deputy, exuding an air of confidence. However, no one dared show the slightest dissatisfaction.

In truth, Qi Xuansu was not entirely accustomed to being the star of the show. Having long played the supporting role and always the one standing beside others, he felt awkward now that he had suddenly become the main figure that everyone surrounded. The difference was enormous.

He possessed considerable autonomy and authority as a Second Deputy and was not merely a subordinate to the Mansion Master. Instead, a Second Deputy was one of the three balancing powers within the Daoist Mansion. That was why Shi Bingyun could confront Li Ruoshui openly and why Li Tianlan could stir up storms in the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion.

In other words, aside from the Great Sage of the Daoist Mansion, as long as the other three—Mansion Master, Chief Deputy, and Second Deputy—agreed to a policy, it would move forward even without reporting to the Golden Tower Council.

Thus, this sea of guests was not really here for Qi Xuansu, but for the power he now held with his office.

Just then, a figure appeared. It was unexpected, yet somehow inevitable. As she entered, many guests instinctively stepped aside and opened a pathway for her.

It was Qi Muyu, the younger sister of Qi Jiaozheng, Sage Wanmiao. In her youth, she had been one of the legendary figures of the Daoist community, like Shi Bingyun.

Qi Muyu walked straight toward Qi Xuansu, her face lit up with an alluring smile.

Qi Xuansu did not move from his spot. “Daoist Qi, your speed is impressive.”

“Actually, I spend nearly 6 months of the year here in Poluo,” Qi Muyu said, holding a glass of red wine in her hand. “I’ve bought myself a small estate here. If you don’t mind, you’re welcome to visit me anytime, Second Deputy Qi.”

Qi Xuansu replied perfunctorily, his tone distant. “Sure.”

A young lady in a lotus-pink blouse and a pale green pleated skirt stood beside Qi Muyu. She was tall and fair-skinned, seemingly a little older than Little Yin. But unlike that mischievous little imp, this girl carried herself with the refined grace of an aristocratic lady.

The girl’s bright eyes fixed on Qi Xuansu, studying him intently with curiosity.

Qi Xuansu glanced at her and asked, “Who might this young lady be?”

Qi Muyu introduced her. “This is the Yu King’s daughter, formally ennobled by the Great Xuan Court as Commandery Princess Furui. We’ve been friends for years, despite the difference in age.”

The young lady lifted her skirt slightly with both hands. One foot glided gracefully back as she curtsied in Western fashion.

“My name is Chen Jianqiu. It’s an honor to meet you, Second Deputy Qi.”

Though the Daoist Order did not reject Western learning and even absorbed some of it to balance the influence of Confucianism, the Central Plains customs still held sway in matters of etiquette.

For Qi Xuansu, extending his hand to Zhang Yuelu back then had already been a bold step. Kissing one’s hands or cheek during a greeting was considered taboo, acts that could easily lead to duels or even death.

Only then did Qi Xuansu notice the faint green tint in Chen Jianqiu’s pupils, the slight curl in her dark hair, and her startlingly fair complexion. It was unlike the sun-kissed hues common in Poluo. It became clear at once that she was of mixed heritage with half Western blood.

It was not so unusual. In the height of the Qi Dynasty, there had been no shortage of foreign courtesans and Western merchants in the capital. Now, under the Great Xuan Dynasty, such diversity was even more common and perhaps even greater than before.

Qi Xuansu asked calmly, “Miss Chen, what relation do you have with Chief Deputy Chen of the Poluo Daoist Mansion?”

“Chief Deputy Chen is my aunt,” Chen Jianqiu replied frankly.

Qi Xuansu showed no surprise. The Chen family was the royal house of the Yu Kingdom. The Daoist Order could effectively strengthen its control over Poluo by absorbing members of that clan.

Qi Muyu said softly, “Jianqiu came to see you because she has a request.”

Qi Xuansu gave Qi Muyu a slightly surprised glance. In Daoist custom, modes of address revealed much, often more than words themselves. Even Great Sage Lan, who was two generations his senior, never presumed to call him by name. That privilege belonged only to elders who were close to the junior.

To be honest, Qi Muyu reminded him faintly of Madam Qi, who often treated him like her own son. However, neither had ever torn away that final thin veil between them.

Even though Poluo did not observe etiquette as rigidly as the Central Plains, Qi Muyu was still a woman of Central Plains upbringing. So, to address Chen Jianqiu directly by name carried the meaning of a familiar elder. It revealed that their bond went far beyond ordinary friendship. They were certainly much closer than friends.

Since Qi Muyu had spoken personally, Qi Xuansu could hardly refuse her. If he wished to establish himself in Poluo, he would need as many allies as possible, and the Qi family was certainly a power worth courting. Chen Jianqiu’s connection to Chen Shuhua was of little concern, since there were always subtle webs of rivalry among those of royal bloodlines. Sincerity between them was never to be expected, and some were even openly hostile to each other.

Qi Xuansu handed his wine goblet to Ke Qingqing, who had been quietly following beside him. “Let’s talk in the lounge.”

By now, the banquet was winding down. Qi Xuansu had already greeted every guest,

and most were now chatting in small clusters. Thus, his brief departure would not cause a commotion.

Poluo, as a maritime crossroads, had long served as a hub of trade. Its loose customs controls meant that Western goods poured in by the shipload. While such luxuries were far beyond the reach of commoners, they had become trendy among the upper class.

When the three entered the private lounge, Qi Muyu produced a box of cigars. She raised a brow in silent inquiry toward Qi Xuansu, offering him a stick.

For some reason, Qi Xuansu suddenly recalled the time he had given Madam Qi a stick of cigar back in Jinling Prefecture. But in turn, she had later bought him his new residence in Taishang Place. An inexplicable pang of guilt passed through him at that moment.

So, he shook his head slightly and declined the offer.

The lounge was furnished with a set of sofas. Qi Xuansu took the center seat of the largest sofa, which was typically the host’s seat.

Qi Muyu seated herself on a single armchair beside him, lighting a cigar of her own. A wisp of smoke curled upward, softening the lines of her face behind a gauzy veil.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Jianqiu sat opposite Qi Muyu and said earnestly, “Second Deputy Qi, I came to see you because there’s been something strange happening in the royal palace lately.”

Qi Xuansu did not ask what the strange thing was. Instead, he asked, “Why come to me in particular?”

Chen Jianqiu glanced at Qi Muyu before replying, “Because I suspect it’s connected to my aunt. She’s very close to the Sage of the Poluo Daoist Mansion. The Great Sage of the Poluo Daoist Mansion takes no interest in worldly matters, so I haven’t had the chance to meet him.”

That was true enough. A Virtuous Great Sage of his level was not someone that one could hope to meet. Even Qi Xuansu could not see him without cause. Unless the Great Sage summoned him first, he would first have to go through Xu Jiaorong, wait for her to report to her superior, and then wait again for formal approval before a meeting could even be scheduled.

That made Qi Xuansu the best—or rather, the only—choice. No doubt, Chen Jianqiu had already heard from Qi Muyu that he was at odds with the Wang family. More importantly, Qi Xuansu was the Golden Tower Council’s envoy to Poluo.

In other words, he could be the bringer of justice.

That fit Qi Xuansu’s suspicions that the relationships within royal bloodlines were always delicate and dangerous.

Perhaps he could also utilize the tension between Chen Jianqiu and Chen Shuhua as the perfect breakthrough point for his main mission.

Of course, Qi Xuansu would not so easily take Chen Jianqiu’s words at face value. That was why Chen Jianqiu had invited Qi Muyu to act as a middleman. After all, Qi Jiaozheng clearly stood on the side of Sage Donghua, a fact made evident when the Earthly Preceptor had sent Qi Jiaozheng to visit the Dazhen Mansion on his behalf.

Qi Xuansu’s expression remained inscrutable. “What exactly is this strange matter you speak of?”

Chen Jianqiu replied, “My father—the King—has fallen ill. But his sickness is strange. He’s fainted several times. Each time, he would remain unconscious for long stretches, and when he woke up, he said that while he was asleep, he would always dream of the same thing. It was a vast red lake with a black mountain hanging upside down in the heavens and a colossal bodhisattva. The first time he dreamt, the bodhisattva was just a tiny speck in the distance. But with each recurring dream, he found himself closer and closer until he could nearly see its face clearly. The bodhisattvas of the Central Plains wear white robes, but this one is clad in blood-red garments.”

At that, Qi Xuansu turned his gaze toward Qi Muyu. Having lived in Poluo for years, she would surely know something about this.

Qi Muyu, holding her cigar delicately between three fingers, spoke through the drifting smoke. The embers flickered faintly as she inhaled.

“The Daoist Order has always had one hard measure of worth, which is cultivation level.

Even Sage Donghua’s brother, who has not advanced in his cultivation, has been stuck in mediocrity all these years. For Chen Shuhua to become Chief Deputy of the Poluo Daoist Mansion, her cultivation must be formidable. Her half-brother, the King of the Yu Kingdom, may not match her natural gift, but even with elixirs forcibly enhancing his cultivation, he should not be far behind. He’s likely at the Xiaoyao stage, roughly on par with Sage Pei.”

Qi Xuansu’s expression grew grim.

This was clearly no ordinary possession by a malevolent spirit. For a dream infiltration to pass so flawlessly and ensnare a Xiaoyao-stage Heavenly Being without leaving a trace and within the heavily warded royal palace would require at least a Zaohua-stage Diviner. Such a feat could not have been achieved without help from inside.

After a brief silence, Qi Xuansu asked, “What does Chief Deputy Chen say about this? As the King’s sister and the Chief Deputy Poluo Daoist Mansion Master, she can’t remain indifferent about it.”

Chen Jianqiu shook her head slightly. “My aunt doesn’t seem very concerned. She merely said that Father has rushed his cultivation, which caused a qi deviation. A few elixirs and some rest will make him well again.”

Qi Xuansu mused, “So it’s precisely because of what she said that you’ve begun to suspect her.”

“Yes.” Chen Jianqiu nodded firmly.