Chapter 2

The guest beneath the opposite pavilion had a pleasing enough face, with a fine pair of Phoenix Eyes. The eyeliner drawn to the outer corners was long and upswept, but her expression was cool, making her appear intelligent and sharp, dignified without anger.

She was also wearing a Horse-Face Skirt with a red satin base, the skirt panels a golden hue. The style was perfectly proper, yet a red-and-white camisole peeked out from under a plain white cross-collar long robe. It made her look strikingly alluring, yet restrained and self-possessed—a body full of contradictions.

Wu Yinyu was a regular at the Cuihui Eight Treasures Pavilion, so she naturally knew that most of the guests in the VIP pavilions upstairs held extraordinary status. The strange thing was, despite living in Wise City for years, she had never seen someone like this.

If this person lived permanently in Wise City, Wu Yinyu should have met her. And if she had met her, she should have remembered. After all, even this casual glance now was making it hard for her to look away.

The attendant followed Wu Yinyu’s gaze, then shook her head. “Sorry, Young Miss, I don’t have the guest list.”

“Have you seen her before?” Wu Yinyu had originally planned to leave after buying that jade, but now she lingered for a long time. She even pinched a bit more tobacco and stuffed it into the pipe bowl.

The attendant considered it for a moment. “That Young Miss seems to be a first-time visitor. I have no impression of her.”

Wu Yinyu propped her elbow, bringing the mouthpiece to her lips, then exhaled curling white smoke. “She didn’t bid on anything, and now she’s leaving?”

What a coincidence. She had just won the jade, and the person beneath the opposite pavilion was already leaving. It was as if she hadn’t found what she desired and had no interest in the rest of the auction.

Yet, when that jade was being auctioned, she hadn’t bid on it at all.

“Perhaps something came up,” the attendant said. Then, noticing Wu Yinyu was still looking that way, she hesitantly leaned closer and whispered, “Shall I check the guest list for you, Young Miss?”

This was actually against the rules. Wu Yinyu knew this well, yet she still said with a smile in her eyes, “If it’s no trouble.”

The attendant withdrew, leaving Wu Yinyu alone in the pavilion to drink her tea.

The freshly brewed Snow Bud had almost gone cold by the time the attendant hurried back. In her hands, she carried pastries and nuts, as if she had simply taken a detour to fetch snacks for the guest. It would give her an excuse if anyone asked.

“Did you find out?” Wu Yinyu leaned against a red pillar, looking down below the opposite pavilion. It was now empty; only a lonely teacup sat on the table.

The attendant whispered, “It’s the Young Miss of the Yu family. She was previously on Tranquil Isle and only returned to Wise City last month.”

The Yu family was also one of the Five Gates, though their strength wasn’t considered great. After the Liu family’s decline, outsiders mocked that the Five Gates had become Four, and the Yu family naturally became the last among those four.

In reality, there wasn’t much difference between the Yu and Liu families. The only distinction was that the Yu family still had inheritors, whereas the Liu family didn’t even have descendants left, relying merely on a few old employees to hold things up.

“The Yu family, huh.” Wu Yinyu turned around. “What’s her name?”

The attendant replied, “Yu Zezhi. Outsiders say this Young Miss of the Yu family returned specifically to succeed as Family Head. From now on, the Yu family will answer to her.”

Wu Yinyu’s eyes brimmed with interest. She mused, “Zezhi… Lotus, is it? That would be a red lotus then. Quite fitting for her.”

As she spoke, she began walking out. She had intended to go verify the goods, but just then, a message arrived on her phone.

She looked down to check, her brows furrowing slightly. Seeing the attendant following, she turned back with a smile and said, “Later, have that jade delivered to the Wu residence on my behalf. I’m leaving first.”

“Young Miss, don’t you want to collect your purchase?” the attendant asked hurriedly.

“Something’s come up.” Wu Yinyu walked slowly, matching the lazy, languid tone of her speech.

She paused, turned her head, and instructed, “Next time that Young Miss of the Yu family comes, give me a call.”

The attendant nodded in agreement.

Outside the Cuihui Eight Treasures Pavilion, a male attendant hurriedly held an umbrella for Wu Yinyu. Only after she closed the car door did he fold the umbrella and retreat.

The driver in front asked, “Young Miss, back to the Wu residence?”

Wu Yinyu rolled down the window. The upward curve of her lips drooped into a line. When she wasn’t smiling, she looked rather unapproachable. “Go to City First Hospital.”

The driver asked no questions and drove straight to the hospital parking lot.

After getting out of the car, Wu Yinyu headed directly to the VIP ward. The moment she stepped out of the elevator, she saw members of the Lu family.

The current head of the Lu family was nearly ninety years old but still hadn’t passed on the position. It was said that the younger generation in the Lu family was rather incompetent. In this regard, they might be worse off than the Yu family—at least the Yu family had someone to whom they could pass the torch.

The person Wu Yinyu saw wasn’t the Lu Family Head, Lu Dongqing, but his good-for-nothing grandson.

Lu Yiqi was utterly frazzled by this matter. He gave a few dry laughs and said with extreme politeness, “Please don’t mention this to my family, especially my grandpa. He’s never liked Lu San going to the Cuihui Eight Treasures Pavilion, and Lu San fainted right inside it. If he finds out, Lu San will get his legs broken for sure.”

Wu Yinyu, still holding her long smoking pipe, glanced into the room and teased, “Even if I don’t say anything, he’ll find out. There were so many people at the auction. Can you gag them all?”

“I have a way.” Lu Yiqi signaled with his eyes.

Wu Yinyu had no choice but to ask, “Alright, what’s going on?”

Lu Yiqi hesitated, as if he wanted to speak but stopped himself. He simply moved away from the door and said, “Could you take a look?”

The honorific pleased Wu Yinyu greatly. She immediately pushed the door open and saw Lu Sansheng lying on the hospital bed.

Lu Sansheng lay motionless with his eyes closed, still in a deep coma. His lips were bright red, though, not like someone unconscious from physical weakness.

Wu Yinyu removed her shawl and sat directly on the edge of the bed. She crossed one leg, studying Lu Sansheng carefully. Then she handed her long pipe out. “Hold this for me.”

Lu Yiqi quickly took it, even using both hands. Now, his hopes were all pinned on Wu Yinyu; he didn’t dare show the slightest negligence.

“What did the doctor say?” Wu Yinyu lifted Lu Sansheng’s eyelid to look.

“The hospital can’t figure it out at all. It’s the same old problem.” Lu Yiqi gave a dry laugh.

Wu Yinyu gave a sardonic smile. “You brought him to the Cuihui Eight Treasures Pavilion today, didn’t you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so nervous.”

Lu Yiqi simply laughed awkwardly, not daring to respond.

Wu Yinyu, however, knew exactly what was wrong with Lu Sansheng. This Third Young Master of the Lu family had suffered from a Soul instability since childhood. His Soul would easily leave his body at the slightest provocation. The Lu family had expended considerable effort many times to call his Soul back.

However, it had been a long time since Lu Sansheng had such an episode. She heard they had found a way to firmly nail his Soul in place. Even extreme joy, sorrow, or fright couldn’t dislodge it from its vessel—unless his Lifespan was nearing its end.

But right now, Lu Sansheng’s body was still warm. He didn’t look like someone on the verge of death at all.

This matter was quite suspicious. Wu Yinyu folded her arms, turned to look at Lu Yiqi, and said, “If this works out, I want that teacup you won last month.”

Lu Yiqi forced himself to part with his treasure. “Deal. Please, go ahead.”

Wu Yinyu stood up, taking back the pipe he was holding reverently. She lifted her chin and said, “Open the memo on your phone.”

Though puzzled, Lu Yiqi did as told, his fingers hovering over the screen, ready to type.

“I can’t help you with this, or Elder Lu will definitely come after me. But I can tell you what to do.” Wu Yinyu glanced sidelong at the person on the bed, then continued, “Find one more person. Take a Weighing Beam and use it to lift one of Lu Sansheng’s shoes. On a tray, place some Gold and Silver Spirit Ingots smeared with Chicken Blood. The other person walks alongside, carrying a lantern, heading towards the Cuihui Eight Treasures Pavilion.”

“And then?” Lu Yiqi typed frantically, his fingers aching before he suddenly remembered—why wasn’t he just recording this?

“Scatter Glutinous Rice along the way. Toss Five Emperor Coins to ward off evil and lead the path, so he doesn’t get eaten by wild ghosts on his way back.” Wu Yinyu chuckled softly. “The one holding the lantern should call out Lu Sansheng’s name. The one holding the Weighing Beam should answer from the side. Don’t stop until you reach the Cuihui Eight Treasures Pavilion. Afterwards, return to the hospital, if Lu Sansheng still hasn’t woken up.”

Lu Yiqi, burning with anxiety, asked, “Then what do I do?”

Wu Yinyu’s smile turned mischievous, and she said slowly and softly, “Then you honestly tell Lu Dongqing everything.”