Chapter 26: The Banquet Invitation Part 1

The houses on Lingyun Mountain were all built against the mountainside, and Purple Ying Pavilion had the most exquisite structure. It lacked standout features but excelled in its bright, sunlit transparency. Next door in Morning Cloud Pavilion, however, lush green woods and bamboo flourished. Spring scenery, autumn hues, evening clouds, and ancient trees—these were what Mu Chen took the most pride in.

He loved to play Go and often sat alone by the board, lost in deep thought with a contemplative expression. When Wei Lingci arrived, he was there by himself, with no sign of his disciple Zhou Man.

She sat naturally across from him, her slender fingers picking up a white stone. After staring at the board for a moment, she placed it cautiously and said, “You returned quite early. How was the scenery in the Imperial Capital?”

A trace of worry creased Mu Chen’s brow, but the corners of his mouth curved up. “It was fun. Right under the emperor’s feet, a place of lavish extravagance. Streets and alleys, wine shops and dance halls—I lingered endlessly, and my silver flowed out like water. It was beautiful, sure, but I saw things I shouldn’t have.”

His vaguely suggestive words made Wei Lingci’s fingertip pause, breaking the line of thought she had just formed. After pondering for a moment, her inspiration gone, she made a casual move. “Did you see a murder?”

Her one misstep gave Mu Chen the advantage. He placed his stone gleefully, pressing back against Wei Lingci, and chuckled, “Ah Ci, your looks haven’t changed over these years, but your mind has gotten sharper. A certain noble young master encountered assassins on his way home. The killers struck fast but only cut his arm. I wanted to step in and help—after all, our master is practically on the imperial payroll. But the Imperial Guards were quicker; it was Yuan Commander’s men who caught them in two moves.”

“Such a minor incident scared you? You rushed back without stopping.”

“No, no. A cut on the arm is nothing, just a bit of blood. A real man sheds blood but not tears—he wouldn’t go home crying. But the next day, I heard he was dead. It left me uneasy. Even as a bystander, I’m timid these days—I wouldn’t even step on an ant. I rode back day and night out of fear.”

His words carried hidden implications, and upon careful reflection, Wei Lingci’s eyes flashed with shock. “Do you know who did it?”

Mu Chen’s roguish charm flickered as he tossed a black stone into the air with his fingertip. It landed on a bamboo leaf, and the leaves rustled left and right in the wind. He stared at Wei Lingci and said in a low voice, “In the swamps of the Southwest Region, miasma fills the air—no one dares tread there. But a certain grass grows, fiercely poisonous. It can be made into a toxin far deadlier than any herbal poison, killing on contact.”

The Southwest was under Pingnan Prince Xun Yi’s jurisdiction—the meaning was clear. Wei Lingci looked at him puzzled. “You mean…”

Mu Chen tossed a second stone, making the falling leaves rustle louder. Unfazed, he continued, “There’s a tome on Lingyun Mountain that describes mixing this grass with ten other toxic plants to make an even more potent poison, deadlier than the grass alone. Victims die instantly.”

Wei Lingci didn’t question his words. Instead, she said, “Where’s the book?”

The leaves stopped falling, and the wind died down. Mu Chen spread his hands dramatically, grinning. “I want to live a few more years. I only peeked at Master’s book once.”

Wei Lingci lowered her gaze, holding her breath as she studied the board, her fingertip hovering over two central points. Mu Chen suddenly leaned in close, his breath warm on her skin, and whispered, “I checked. The book’s gone. It’s an ancestral record of Lingyun Sect—only the sect leader can see it.”

Mu Chen straightened up and twirled a stray lock of hair from beside her ear, admiring her faint, elegant brows that were hard to capture in a painting. Suddenly inspired, he reached to touch her cheek.

She had been distracted earlier, letting him gain the upper hand, but now alert, she slapped his hand away, numbing his knuckles. Unhappy, he grumbled, “Such a bad temper. I don’t want to marry you anymore. Go marry Eldest Senior Brother instead—you’re like a tigress. Just leave already.”

Wei Lingci was always politely aloof with everyone. Mu Chen felt his junior sister was right there before him yet impossibly distant, untouchable. Over the years, it made him wonder how someone could change so quickly.

Her detachment held a noble reserve, as if only toward her precious disciple did her eyes soften with extra warmth. He couldn’t help but complain, “Ah Ci, do you fancy that little disciple of yours? Wait till he grows up and marry him then.”

Mu Chen was wild and unrestrained, and their sibling-like banter had no boundaries—Wei Lingci knew this. But his words today rippled the calm waters of her heart. Suppressing the tremor, she said flatly, “Changqing is a girl. Don’t spout nonsense.”

Mu Chen’s jaw dropped in exaggerated shock, and he burst out laughing. “No wonder she’s so short. I thought the mountain food was bad, but it’s a girl! She hid it well. Wonder why she’s disguised as a boy?”

Wei Lingci’s expression remained unchanged. “I don’t know. I never asked. Maybe for fun.”

Children loved to play—these were harmless trifles. After laughing, Mu Chen sobered a bit, straightened his robes, and asked curiously, “Her background must be something. In the Imperial Capital, I overheard that Pingnan Prince’s young son is also named Xun Changqing. Ah Ci, you didn’t pick up a liability, did you? Pingnan Prince’s Mansion is already in turmoil.”

“A liability?” Wei Lingci’s lips curved slightly as she gazed at the misty bamboo grove, her expression freezing. “Senior Brother, by that logic, I’d be a burden to you, to Master, to Lingyun Sect.”

Mu Chen’s brows twitched, his face darkening. Knowing she’d taken offense, he apologized, “My fault… my fault. But I’m warning you—Xun Changqing probably won’t stay on Lingyun Mountain long. If you want to protect her, plan ahead. She’ll likely return to the Imperial Capital.”

“I understand. Senior Brother, just look out for yourself.” Wei Lingci set down her stone and turned to leave.