Chapter 49: The Taoist Performs the Ritual

Note: if You want to get access to 30+ advance chapters and get 7-days Free Trial Membership and unlock the full Story from the Shop join Patreon.com/flokixy > Thank you for believing in our work—we couldn’t do it without you! The next day, Su Li accompanied her mother for breakfast and then took a leisurely stroll with her in the courtyard to aid digestion. "Li'er, after the commotion in the West Courtyard yesterday, I can't help but feel they're up to no good again. Stay with me today and don't leave my sight." Since the West Courtyard had repeatedly caused trouble, Madam Su had become extremely wary of Xia Shi. Su Li supported her mother as they walked slowly, sensing her concern. "Mother, don't worry. Nothing will happen." After walking for a while, Su Li felt a bit tired. She had a maid bring a cushion to place on the stone bench before helping her mother sit down. Miaoyan approached with a small bowl of porridge. "Madam, please have some porridge." Madam Su had been suffering from morning sickness and hadn't eaten much earlier. Now, she was feeling a bit hungry. After tasting a spoonful, Madam Su asked, "What's in this porridge?" "Madam, since your morning sickness is severe, you can't handle anything greasy, but a vegetarian diet lacks nutrition. So, I added some minced meat to the porridge and used herbs to remove the greasy taste. This way, you get the nutrients without feeling nauseous." Soon, the small bowl of porridge was empty. Madam Su was pleasantly surprised to find that she didn't feel nauseous at all. "You've put a lot of thought into this," Madam Su said with a smile. Miaoyan took the empty bowl and replied, "My duty is to ensure you eat well and that the young master grows healthy." Since Madam Su's pregnancy symptoms began, she hadn't been able to eat properly. Every time she ate, she would vomit uncontrollably. Seeing Miaoyan's skill, Su Li quietly breathed a sigh of relief. "With you and your sister by Mother's side, I feel at ease." As they were talking, the sound of urgent bronze bells rang out. Su Li frowned. "Sister Wangxia, help Mother inside." The West Courtyard had already begun their scheme. Madam Su held her daughter's hand. "Li'er, come inside with me." Su Li nodded. "Alright, I'll help you." Madam Su went inside and chatted with her daughter while doing some needlework, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere. "Mother, take a break. Needlework strains your eyes." After an hour, Su Li reminded her. Madam Su nodded, put down her work, and stood up to stretch her slightly sore body. As lunchtime approached, Su Li's father returned. Madam Su was surprised. "Why are you back from work so early today?" Su's father handed his outer robe to a servant and went to support Madam Su. "Xia Shi sent word that Yue'er showed some improvement during the Taoist priest's ritual, so I came back to check." "Should we have lunch first, or will you go see her right away?" Su's father replied, "If you're hungry, go ahead and eat. Don't wait for me. You shouldn't go hungry." Madam Su said, "I had some porridge earlier and I'm not hungry yet. Li'er and I will wait for you." Su's father nodded. "Alright, I'll go take a look and be back soon." With that, he headed out. Su Li stepped forward. "It seems Father still cares deeply about Su Yue." Madam Su watched her husband's retreating figure. "After all, she is his daughter." Su Li didn't comment. Whether Su Yue was truly her father's daughter was still uncertain. When Su's father arrived at Su Yue's courtyard, he noticed talismans scattered along the path. Entering the courtyard, he found it filled with smoke and an eerie atmosphere. As soon as Xia Shi saw Su's father, she curtsied and whispered, "Master, you're here?" Her voice was soft, as if afraid of disturbing the Taoist priest's ritual. Su's father nodded, observing the platform set up in the courtyard. On the platform, a Taoist priest in robes was chanting incantations, busy with the ritual. Suddenly, the priest shouted, "Three true incense sticks to communicate with the divine, the three realms reveal their divine power. Light the incense!" A young acolyte lit three incense sticks, then stepped back, clasped his hands, closed his eyes, and began chanting. The priest suddenly spat out a mouthful of alcohol, and flames shot up high. Everyone around was startled. Su's father remarked, "This priest seems quite skilled." Xia Shi immediately added, "Master, this is Priest Wuxi from the Taiqing Temple. His powers are boundless. My Yue'er will be saved." Priest Wuxi suddenly opened his eyes, glaring fiercely ahead, and shouted, "What evil spirit dares to lurk here! I, the priest, command you to reveal yourself!" Xia Shi trembled and moved closer to Su's father, speaking softly, "There really is an evil spirit in our mansion. How terrifying." Su's father, seeing her delicate demeanor, patted her hand. "Didn't you say this priest is powerful? With him here, what is there to fear?" The priest continued his ritual, shouting, "This evil spirit's power is formidable, but today, with me here, it cannot escape!" He then performed a series of dazzling rituals, involving dog blood and fire-spitting. When he finally finished, Su's father stepped forward. "Is it done?" Priest Wuxi replied, "This evil spirit is cunning. It uses a living body as a disguise, making it hard to detect. But it was unlucky to encounter me. I now know where it hides." Su's father frowned. Did this mean the evil spirit hadn't been dealt with yet? Xia Shi quickly asked, "Priest, please tell us where the evil spirit is hiding." Priest Wuxi pointed. "In the southeast direction, directly opposite this courtyard, which is why it's affecting the second young lady." Xia Shi thought for a moment. "Southeast? Isn't that the eldest young lady's courtyard?" Su's father's face darkened. "Preposterous!" Priest Wuxi looked arrogant. "I cannot be mistaken. The evil spirit is definitely in the southeast. The longer it remains, the more harm it will cause to the host, draining their fortune. By then, it will be too late to save them." Su's father's expression grew serious. He didn't want to believe that his daughter was possessed by an evil spirit, but such matters were mysterious. It was better to be safe than sorry. If the priest was right, and his daughter was harmed because of his inaction, he would regret it for the rest of his life. Seeing his conflicted expression, Xia Shi casually remarked, "No wonder the eldest young lady has changed so much recently." Su's father thought about his daughter's recent behavior and turned to a servant. "Go and bring the eldest young lady here." Su Li had already received the news. Madam Su was furious and wanted to rush out. "That vile woman, using such a sinister method to harm my daughter! Does she think I'm made of clay? I'll go skin her alive!" Su Li quickly stopped her mother, smiling. "Mother, why are you so angry? We don't know who will end up suffering in the end. Stay in the courtyard and wait for me. I'll go see what's happening." Madam Su insisted, "No! I'm coming with you!" Su Li stopped her. "Mother, you're pregnant. It's chaotic over there. If someone careless bumps into you, it would play right into their hands. I promise I won't let myself be taken advantage of, alright?" Madam Su silently blamed herself for being useless and looked at her daughter. "Alright, but remember, don't let yourself be harmed. No matter what, the West Courtyard is just a concubine's quarters. You have the authority to sell her off if needed!" She then turned to Wangxia. "Wangxia, you go too. If anything goes wrong, come and tell me immediately!" Su Li smiled. "Mother, with Father there, do you really think I'll be at a disadvantage?" Madam Su replied, "Your father is good in many ways, but he doesn't understand the schemes of women in the inner courtyard." Su Li nodded and headed to Su Yue's courtyard with Wangxia and Siqin.