The Glory

Маdam Zhou rаisеd аn еуebrow. "Hоw сould she misсarry fоr nо rеаsоn? Сould it be thаt you failed to takе gоod сarе оf Соncubinе Меi?"

Тhе maid wаs so frightened thаt shе immediаtely knelt оn the ground, kоwtowing frantiсаllу tо Маdаm Zhou. "It wasn't this sеrvаnt's fault! Соnсubine Мei sаid shе saw a ghоst, thаt somеone wantеd to harm her сhild. Аt first, wе thought thе concubinе hаd а nightmarе, but whо knеw... whо knеw thаt not lоng аfter, thе cоncubine stаrted blееding hеavilу."

Ноw сould she havе seen a ghost for nо reason? Аt these wоrds, evеrуonе grew somewhat puzzled, and their expressions turned grave. The New Year had just passed, and everyone was quite superstitious about ghosts and spirits. Hearing the maid's words, they instinctively began to think that some deity or spirit had been offended. Madam Da Zhou's expression changed. "Are you sure you saw clearly? You must not speak carelessly about such matters. If what you say is true, but if there is even a single false word, you will not be spared!"

"This servant dares not utter a single false word." The little maid was so terrified her face turned ashen. "Sister Jiao Meng was also there at the time. The concubine can ask Sister Jiao Meng."

"Where is Jiao Meng?" Madam Zhou frowned. "Someone, bring Jiao Meng here."

Jiao Meng was quickly brought over. Madam Da Zhou repeated what had just been said, and Jiao Meng's expression also changed. What she said was exactly the same as the maid's earlier account. Now, everyone believed it was the work of ghosts and spirits. In an instant, panic spread rapidly.

"What should we do? Offending ghosts and spirits brings great misfortune." As Madam Zhou spoke, she covered her face and began to weep. "No wonder everything in the mansion has been going wrong lately. What should we do?"

Madam Da Zhou patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, sister. Matters of ghosts and spirits are not entirely without solution. We just need to find a highly skilled daozhang to perform a ritual. It will be fine, everything will be fine."

Han Yan looked at her with a faint, mocking smile. "It's just that this daozhang who travels the world—who knows where he is now."

Madam Zhou glanced at Han Yan and said, "I heard that a Jingxu Zhenren arrived in the capital some days ago. This daozhang possesses profound spiritual power and is revered by thousands. Why not invite him now? Let Jingxu Zhenren properly expel the unclean things from our mansion and protect the peace of our household."

Zhuangshan had no idea what the Zhou sisters were actually planning, so for once, she quietly watched the drama unfold. Aside from a few who might have known the inside story, such as the Seventh Prince, those unaware of the undercurrents truly thought this was an excellent solution.

Han Yan smiled. "Auntie, you are truly confused. Since that daozhang is so esteemed, how could we possibly invite him? I'm afraid we will only be disappointed."

The Seventh Prince said meaningfully, "What's so difficult about that? Take my name card and invite Jingxu Daozhang over. Since something has happened at the Zhuang residence and I am present, I should also take charge of the matter."

Han Yan almost couldn't hold back her laughter. This Seventh Prince was really going with the flow, but that was exactly the response she wanted. Today, they were going to stir up a big commotion, and the Seventh Prince shouldn't think he could stay out of it. Either way, they would drag him down into the water as well.

Han Yan smiled. "It was Han Yan who failed to consider this properly. Then, please proceed."

After the Seventh Prince's men actually took the name card and left, everyone continued to wait for news from Zhuang Shiyang behind the closed door regarding Concubine Mei, while also awaiting the arrival of the esteemed Jingxu Daozhang.Seventh Prince's gaze swept over Han Yan almost imperceptibly. Though she appeared to be waiting, she remained exceptionally calm and composed. Such composure... Seventh Prince's brows unconsciously furrowed. Yet aside from her calmness, Han Yan revealed no other emotions whatsoever. Even the two maids beside her showed no signs of anything unusual, seemingly unaware of the underlying situation. This only deepened Seventh Prince's suspicions, leaving him bewildered by her attitude.

Han Yan paid no mind. Today's events were nothing but a play staged specifically for her benefit. Naturally, she was happy to watch the show—what could be better than enjoying a performance without paying any price while achieving her own goals? All she needed to do was speak a few words at the right moment during the spectacle to add fuel to the fire.

In less than half an incense stick's time, Zhuang Shiyang emerged from Concubine Mei's room. Everyone crowded around to inquire. With a grim expression, Zhuang Shiyang explained the general situation: it was confirmed that Concubine Mei had miscarried, and the midwife said it should have been a boy. Zhuang Shiyang was naturally devastated. As someone who valued offspring greatly, he had placed boundless hope on the child in Concubine Mei's womb. Losing a child in middle age was already a tragic affair, but the sorrow didn't end there. The physician said the cause of the miscarriage was unclear—it seemed as if the fetus had slipped away inexplicably. At first, Zhuang Shiyang flew into a rage, thinking the physician was talking nonsense. But when the midwife said the same, and after hearing the account from Concubine Mei's personal maid, Zhuang Shiyang began to believe it might be fate. Was heaven denying him his own child? While lying in bed, Concubine Mei kept repeating one phrase: "Don't take my child, you evil spirits! Get away!" Each cry was piercingly mournful. Though she had already fallen unconscious, these delirious shouts sent chills down Zhuang Shiyang's spine.

Seeing Zhuang Shiyang's pale face, Madam Zhou stepped forward. "Master, please don't worry too much. I heard it might be the work of ghosts or spirits. Seventh Prince has already ordered servants to fetch the renowned Jingxu Daozhang. If there truly are any evil entities, he can subdue them."

"Jingxu Daozhang?" Zhuang Shiyang was momentarily taken aback but still bowed to Seventh Prince. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Seventh Prince waved his hand, indicating it was nothing to fuss over.

Everyone continued waiting quietly. After a while, a servant hurriedly led a man dressed as a Daoist priest over. Upon seeing the crowd, the man promptly bowed.

He was a middle-aged man with a goatee, looking rather lean and wearing a gray Daoist robe. Though it was a Daoist robe, upon closer inspection, one could see golden threads embroidered along the edges. His movements carried an air of celestial grace, but his face was far from righteous—with rat-like eyes and an eagle-like nose, he exuded a sinister and cunning aura. His gaze lingered on Madam Da Zhou and Zhuangshan, and though he tried hard to conceal it, a lecherous glint still seeped through.

Madam Zhou quickly stepped forward. "This must be Jingxu Daozhang. Thank you for your trouble."Jingxu Daozhang clasped his hands together toward the crowd: "I have already heard about the matter. Everyone, please remain calm. If there truly are demons and monsters causing trouble in this residence, I will naturally be able to subdue them. There is no need to panic."

Zhuang Shiyang, however, could not hold back any longer and hurriedly addressed Jingxu Daozhang: "What you say is absolutely right, but what should we do now?"

In the Great Dynasty, discussions of ghosts and deities were always taken extremely seriously. A burly man might not fear a murderous madman, but if the opponent turned into a ghost or deity, he would be terrified, his face turning ashen. Zhuang Shiyang had already panicked upon hearing that it might be ghosts and deities causing trouble. Now that he had finally found a lifeline, he was naturally desperate for any solution and believed Jingxu Daozhang's words without a doubt.