Chapter Thirty-Two: The Little Princess of the Jiang Dynasty

"Master, they have all taken the poison you provided. Within seven days, they will have no strength to resist."
"Good, well done. Continue to stay close to Lady Jiang. Wait for my signal, and when the time comes, we will coordinate inside and out, catching them off guard!"
Shen Zhao stood with his hands behind his back before Shen Yueyu, while kneeling behind him was one of Lady Jiang's personal maids: Hongyue.
"Then let me congratulate you in advance, Master, on conquering the Kingdom of Jiang—or rather, the Emperor Shen!"
Shen Zhao was visibly pleased, leaving Shen Yueyu’s courtyard.
"Hongyue, the Empress has not treated you poorly. Why would you choose this path?" Shen Yueyu flipped through the book in her hand.
"Not poorly? Hongzhu and I entered the palace together, were both promoted to serve Lady Jiang in the Phoenix Palace, but she always favored Hongzhu. Every day, it was Hongzhu who attended her grooming and dressed her. When the young princess fell into the water, she called for Hongzhu. If I hadn't followed her closely, would anyone in the Phoenix Palace even know that Hongyue was also a chief maid?"
Shen Yueyu turned the page. "Your jealousy is so strong, but Lady Jiang has keen eyes, and she's a spiritual cultivator. Do you think your petty schemes can hide from her?"
She put down her book and looked at Hongyue with deep, black eyes. "Hongzhu has always been steady in her work, and she would never betray her mistress for mere benefit. So what makes you think you can compare to her?"
Unable to retort, Hongyue left the courtyard in dejection.
After being confined for several days, Shen Yueyu was frustrated and had nowhere to vent, so she shouted at Hongyue’s retreating figure:
"I see you still understand that a person needs dignity, just as a tree needs its bark. You only complain about being mistreated, but have you ever considered whether your actions are worthy of kindness?"
Hongyue quickened her pace. She was indeed lazier than Hongzhu and valued Shen Zhao’s promised rewards.
Shen Zhao had assured her that, if she succeeded, she would receive ten thousand taels of gold, leave the imperial city, reunite with her parents, and perhaps even find a good marriage.
Hongyue repeated these promises to herself.
At this point, whichever side she offended would mean death.
Shen Zhao had said he was absolutely confident, and once everything was done, she could go home.
Shen Yueyu watched Hongyue’s distant silhouette, lost in thought.
Little Nine, you’ll be safe, won’t you…
This was Jiang Jiu’s second visit to the National Preceptor’s residence.
Chong Li had left, leaving only a letter behind.
When Jiang Jiu reached the gate, the same guards were there as last time. Their words were similar, but added, "The Preceptor has left, but left a letter for you, Princess."

Jiang Jiu would never admit that, after finally seeing Chong Li, he had left again, stirring emotions she shouldn’t have: longing.
She walked to the bamboo grove. The ancient zither remained, but its master was no longer wandering nearby, and the small bamboo house behind seemed emptier, lacking the warmth of life.
She stroked the strings, still holding the warmth of Chong Li’s hands. The furnishings inside the hut were unchanged from her last visit, except for a single envelope with a lotus seal on the small table—the only token Chong Li left for her.
The handwriting was bold and free, the first line catching her eye:
"Lotus, open in person."
Jiang Jiu couldn’t help but smile. He left without sending a message, but left a letter—at least he cared a little.
She continued reading:
"Lotus, when you see this letter, I should already have left this world for another place. The Jiang Dynasty’s troubles are for you to resolve alone; this is your trial. I cannot reveal too much, but I’ve used certain means to guide you. I foresaw you would come here today, and also that in seven days you will face your destiny. Remember, you have only seven days. Succeed, and you may go to the next world, where I will wait for you."
Signed: Chong Li.
Jiang Jiu read the letter word by word. He’s heartless? He left her a letter. He’s caring? He only left a single letter?
Fuming, Jiang Jiu sat on the stone bench outside and played the zither in a fit.
"Zheng-dong-zheng-zheng, dong, zheng…"
The discordant music echoed through the residence, forcing everyone to cover their ears. This racket was so unpleasant, listening too long could make one deaf.
[Master! You’re tormenting everyone. This zither is so fine—if it had a spirit, it would have vomited by now…]
A sharp glance from Jiang Jiu, and her playing grew even fiercer.
Little Rascal danced chaotically in the space, eager for chaos. To be honest, Jiang Jiu’s look was truly frightening, so he took a closer look at the zither.
Good heavens, what a surprise!
The casually placed zither was made of rare phoenix wood!
Phoenix wood is heavy with spiritual energy and also with a sinister aura. Ordinary people cannot control it; only the purest of souls can play beautiful music upon it. To truly master the zither, one must earn its approval.
Right now, Jiang Jiu was in turmoil—she was being forcibly required to become the zither's master.
Jiang Jiu disliked being forced and refused, but the zither immediately trapped her. Only if her performance was recognized by the zither and she signed a contract with it could she escape.
Her head throbbed. If she kept touching things without care, she’d deserve to have her hand cut off!
She’d never learned the zither, didn’t understand basic scales or rhythms. The last time she’d played decently was entirely thanks to Chong Li's guidance.

Little Rascal was also blocked, utterly unreliable!
Taking a chance, Jiang Jiu calmed herself and tried to play the first note.
"Zheng"
Hmm? That sounded… promising.
"Zheng-zheng"
Try again?
"Zheng-zheng-bong!"
Ouch! That wasn’t right. How did Chong Li teach her before?
Left hand goes… right hand…
Damn, she forgot…
The zither, seeing her hesitate, sent a soundwave whipping like wind at her.
Caught off guard, Jiang Jiu was struck across the face, and a drop of blood appeared on her beautiful cheek.
She narrowed her eyes. The face is one’s pride, and now hers was marred.
Furious, Jiang Jiu plucked the strings wildly, sending waves of discordant music.
Little Rascal was terrified. Clearly, the master had unleashed her power.
The music grew ever harsher, more arrogant, more piercing, as if it could shatter bone and nerves.
[Master, wake up! You’re losing yourself!]
At that moment, Jiang Jiu blocked out all external interference, hearing and seeing nothing.
Suddenly, a beam of light enveloped her—pure, sacred, majestic. Words failed to describe its beauty.
Two black lotus petals rooted in her consciousness spun, emitting flawless white light that shone upon Jiang Jiu, instantly dispelling the madness!