bgm: conspiracy

Su Manor, 17 Years Ago

“Madam Su, Sir Su invites you to tea this afternoon.”

Su Yan’er’s fingers trembled in the middle of her embroidery, causing her to prick herself. She immediately set her sewing aside and pressed on the wound, doing her best to calm her breathing.

“Is Sir Su feeling well enough to see visitors?” she asked lightly. “I thought he was seriously wounded after that fall.”

The servant girl from the main house only bowed demurely. “The physician said he’s much better. Sir Su feels amiss at not having fulfilled his filial duty and wishes to nurture the feelings between mother and son.”

“I, I see,” Su Yan’er stuttered softly. “If you could tell Miss Bai that I won’t be available when she drops by, I’d be much obliged.”

If possible, the servant girl bowed even lower. “Forgive me for the late notice, Madam Su, but Miss Bai told me to inform you that she will have to miss today’s appointment.”

Madam Su squeezed her fingers tighter. “Did she give a reason?”

“I believe she mentioned something about seeking out a wandering Daoist north of the valley. She sends her sincerest apologies.”

Su Yan’er bit her lip. Although she’d only known Bai Tingyao for a couple of years, the young woman had been an invaluable source of support, working tirelessly to find a cure for Su Yan’er’s sickly son. This was probably the third Daoist they’d tried between all the other priests, monks, and exorcists in Jiangnan. If all went well, the little boy would be cured with the help of his future sister-in-law one day.

But the problem was that Bai Tingyao wasn’t here now, leaving her with no buffer to deal with Su Shiyu. Her stepson from her husband’s first marriage was only a few years younger than herself...the reality was awkward no matter how she looked at it, even if the man treated her with all the proper courtesy and respect due a mother.

Moreover, Su Shiyu had simply stood by when the townspeople slandered her with all sorts of names after his father died. Even her old mistress Jing Xiali, the first Madam Su, had been dragged into the mess, giving Su Yan’er a terrible reputation as a homewrecker and attempted murderer. When news came that the young heir to the Su Clan had disappeared one day, she all but lost her wits sending people to find him. Yet what did he do after her retainers recovered him from the bottom of a cliff and brought him home?

Take his time getting better while saying nothing to refute the rumors that flared into wake after his survival! 

Nowadays Su Yan’er didn’t even dare to step out of the house. She was timid to begin with and only wanted a peaceful life. Perhaps it was this fear that drove her to do the one thing she regretted most of all, but there was no turning back now.

“I understand.” Su Yan’er put on her best smile and nodded pleasantly at the servant girl. “Tell Sir Su that I am truly touched he still thinks of this mother after his illness. I shall certainly drop by this afternoon.”

Step by trembling step, her only path now was forward.

—

Su Manor, Su Shimeng’s Quarters 

“Young Master Su, I can take your clothes for washing,” Ting’er said sweetly as she stood waiting outside the folding screen in Su Shimeng’s chambers.

“No need for that,” Su Shimeng’s voice carried out. “I’ll just burn these.”

“Hmm, burn?” Ting’er echoed. “Then should Ting’er have them taken to be cremated?”

“No, I’ll do it myself,” Su Shimeng frowned. Who knows how long that baby had been lying there dead? After touching her bones, it would be better to purify his garments while he disposed of them, just in case. “Get me a portable stove—no coals needed.”

Such things were kept in storage during the summer months, but Ting’er quickly complied. By the time Su Shimeng finished changing and came out from behind the folding screen, she had already instructed two young boys to set a small indoor stove on the floor of Su Shimeng’s bedroom. This time he’d opted to cover the bottom half of his face with a black cloth tied around his head.

If Ting’er found it strange, she didn’t comment. Su Shimeng dumped the dirty clothes in his arms into the stove, chanted an incantation, and pointed his fingers at the pile. The garments were instantly engulfed in a bright blue flame before burning to ashes. The servant girl watched with undisguised interest until Su Shimeng noticed her staring.

“Right, you’re big sister’s newest servant?” he asked offhandedly. “What happened to Rong’er?”

That was the name of Bai Tingyao’s previous servant before this one took her place. Su Shimeng had only seen Ting’er once before around the New Year’s, but they’d barely interacted then.

“Miss Rong’er retired to the countryside,” Ting’er answered. “She was getting on in years, so my mistress decided to let her go.”

“Is that so…” Su Shimeng frowned. “I never got to say goodbye.” If he recalled rightly, the woman was getting on into her middle age and had known him when he was still a child. 

“If Young Master Su misses Rong’er, Ting’er can ask mistress to let you see her,” Ting’er added helpfully.

Su Shimeng gave her a weird look. “I can just ask big sis myself,” he pointed out.

Ting’er cocked her head to one side before nodding. “Young Master Su is right, of course.” And then she held out a small bottle of cream towards him.

“....” Su Shimeng stared at the bottle, then at her, his voice flat. “What are you doing.”

“Miss Rong’er says that Young Master Su likes to use this every night,” Ting’er said humbly. “It’s for your face, young master.”

Su Shimeng instantly flushed. While it was true he had the habit of using facial cream at night, that was a detail he kept between Rong’er and himself. Even his sister-in-law didn’t know something so embarrassing!

“She told you?” he asked gruffly a second later.

Ting’er just smiled. Huffing to himself, Su Shimeng swiped the bottle and dabbed a few drops of cream on his skin. Who told him to be so sensitive even after he started cultivating? His face always got dry in the evenings so unless he looked after it, he’d get flaky patches the next day that Jingyue would tease him about…

“Lady Bai doesn’t know,” Ting’er said simply as he continued to moisturize. “Your secret is safe with Ting’er too, Young Master Su.”

“Who said it was a secret?” Su Shimeng grumbled back, but pocketed the cream before Ting’er could take it away. He was running out of his own, anyways.

Ting’er only smiled and went to take Su Shimeng’s sword which was resting on a shelf. The moment her fingers made contact with the scabbard, her expression froze before her eyes drifted towards the handle. But the reaction only lasted a moment; the next second she had straightened up to present the weapon to Su Shimeng again.

“Ahhhh hey, be careful with that!” Su Shimeng quickly took the scabbard from her hands and tucked it by his hip. 

“Hm? Is this a special sword, young master?” Ting’er blinked at him.

“It’s not a practice blade like those two guys’,” Su Shimeng muttered under his breath. He could buy Nan Wuyue carrying a disciple’s training sword around, but Mo Yixuan too? What kind of master was he, anyways? 

“It’s—well, I’ll just be in trouble if anything happens to it, all right?” Jingyue would kill me, for one thing.

Ting’er looked apologetic. “Ting’er apologizes for touching it without permission.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Su Shimeng waved her off, not wanting to fuss over a sword. “Anyways, you said sis told you to take me to the main hall?”

Ting’er nodded.

“Alright, let’s go then.” Su Shimeng opened the door of his chambers and got a face full of Mo Yixuan leaning against one of the pillars by the steps leading to his room.

“Daoist Mo? What are you doing here?” he asked as he stepped out. “Huh? That disciple of yours isn’t with you?”

Mo Yixuan uncrossed his arms and straightened up. “He’s within contact range. We finished early so I thought I’d see what you were up to.” His gaze drifted naturally from him to Ting’er behind him. “She helped you change?”

“No?!” Su Shimeng sputtered. “I changed myself. She was just waiting around.”

“I see,” Mo Yixuan was still staring at Ting’er. Before Su Shimeng could react, he suddenly dashed forward, took her by the wrist, and struck her with one finger in the center of her forehead.

“What the—hey!” Su Shimeng protested, but was pushed back by a subtle pressure that made him blanch. Is this guy crazy? Why’s he releasing his cultivation aura in a place like this!

“Ah…!” Unable to stand the pressure, Ting’er fell to her knees, tears prickling at the corner of her eyes. “S-sir Daoist, please release me!”

“Oi, what are you doing?!” Su Shimeng tried to stop Mo Yixuan, but the pressure from the peak lord was too great and kept him from advancing. Eighteen Hells, he’s stronger than I thought? Then why does he still carry around such a crappy sword?!

For his part, Mo Yixuan was completely focused on the girl before him, scanning her meridians and body for any trace of Yao or demonic qi. He had taken a leaf out of Nan Wuyue’s book by channeling a tendril of qi directly into her yintang acupoint to enter her body. A normal human would have no resistance to the probe but remained unharmed, while a demonic or Yao body would incur damage from such celestially attuned energy.

“S-sir Daoist!” Ting’er exclaimed again.

“Mo Yixuan!” Su Shimeng grew anxious. He was about to draw his sword when Mo Yixuan removed his hands and stepped back. Su Shimeng immediately ran forward to catch Ting’er as she collapsed. “What’s your problem?” he demanded.

“Confirming something,” Mo Yixuan replied. “She seems human enough.”

“You’re even suspecting the servants now?” Su Shimeng arched his brows. “You Star Pavilion types have your heads in the clouds too much!”

“As the newest member of Su Manor, she deserves closer scrutiny,” Mo Yixuan didn’t back down.

“Fine, but there are other ways to deal with that!” Su Shimeng shot back. "Let me take care of it next time!"

The other only looked at him with creased brows. “Only if you can handle it.”

“I’ll handle it fine,” Su Shimeng snapped before looking at the girl in his arms. “Ting’er, how are you feeling?”

The servant girl was as pale as a sheet, but otherwise managed a smile. “Ting’er is fine, young master. Please don’t worry about me.” She took in a few breaths before struggling to her feet and bowing to Mo Yixuan. “Sir Daoist, did you find what you were looking for?”

Mo Yixuan only swept his eyes over her. “Can you walk?” he asked.

“Whether it’s walking, jumping, or running, this servant shall do my best to fulfill this Daoist’s whims,” Ting’er said simply.

“Then run along to the main hall and tell Lady Bai we’ll be there shortly,” Mo Yixuan replied.

Ting’er’s smile wavered, but she bowed and acquiesced. “Yes, Sir Daoist.”

“Ting’er—” Su Shimeng began, but the girl ran off before he could stop her. He frowned at Mo Yixuan instead. “Are you satisfied now after assaulting the help?”

“She was mocking me,” Mo Yixuan replied as he gazed after Ting’er’s retreating form.

“Hah! I’d do the same in her place,” Su Shimeng scoffed. “No, that’s nothing—I’d probably insult you while I’m at it!”

“You’re not a servant like she is, so of course you’d think that way,” Mo Yixuan said plainly. “Those used to serving others wouldn’t speak so carelessly.”

From his experience working in corporate and climbing up the ladder, he knew how much more it paid to keep your head down before your bosses.

“So what now? You don’t like her being defiant?” Su Shimeng asked.

“She has too much pride for a simple servant.”

“She’s new.”

“And too much trust with her masters for hired help taken in just a year ago,” Mo Yixuan countered. “Nan Wuyue wasn't wrong. Something about her doesn't sit right.”

“Something about your mind doesn’t sit right with me either,” Su Shimeng scoffed. “Come on, let’s get going. I want to get my questions over with before you come up with more weird ideas.”

—

Ting’er got as far as a secluded corner of the gardens before she stopped to cover her mouth and cough. After a few muffled hacks, she lowered her arm to reveal a palmful of yellow petals in her hands.

“He caught me by surprise…” she muttered to herself, but her thoughts were elsewhere. 

I sensed the same strange energy on that Daoist’s sword too. Where did it come from? It has a familiar feel to it…

Luckily I hid my main core elsewhere, but that was a close call. Well, it won’t be long until night falls, anyways.

Then our Master will awaken for good.

Sensing movement from the two qi signatures she left behind, Ting’er resumed walking at a fast pace. It wouldn’t do if the two Daoists reached the main hall before her, after all.

—

Nan Wuyue found the cremation site in a small abandoned ditch behind some barren hills north of Su Manor. The smoke had clued him in, but the same bloodthirsty, metallic earthy scent was a dead giveaway. He had to breathe through his sleeve to avoid choking on it as he approached the pit where they’d thrown the bodies.

No wonder Bai Tingyao had to use such a strong fragrance to cover this up.

A pile of dark ashes greeted him from below. If there were any jade stones in the mess, it was impossible to see them, nor did he have time to try digging them out by hand. Look for anything off, his master had said. Nan Wuyue swept the perimeter of the ditch and didn’t find anything remarkable. The fires were ordinary, the bodies burnt to nothing. He considered heading back when a glint caught the corner of his eye in the fading light.

He quickly followed the source until he came upon another one of the tail-less statues resting between some rocks. It was old and covered in moss, obviously transported here from a different location. 

“What the…”

It must have been moved recently too… Nan Wuyue mused as he compared the base of the mossy statue to the dry stone and dirt around it. Again he stared at the pointed ears and long snout, along with the narrow, angular eyes.

This really isn’t a wolf, Nan Wuyue mused. Then a dog? No, I haven’t heard of any animal spirits or Yao tribes in that family. If they lived here before humans moved in, then they have to be at least centuries old and powerful enough to establish a stronghold...

His eyes traced the curves of the statue before coming to rest at its broken base.

Why would they cut off the tail? You’d think the head was more important if they wanted to cripple the spirits’ power. Did they leave that intact to avoid angering them like Su Shimeng said?

If that was the case, then the tail had to be important enough to warrant a second-best choice. Nan Wuyue narrowed his eyes and stared, sifting through two timelines’ worth of memories as he tried to guess the species of the statue.

A few minutes later, his eyes widened in realization.

...shit.

—

Dusk, Jiangnan Outskirts

“Innkeeper, do you have any rooms?”

“Ah? No can do tonight sir, we’re all full up!”

“Huh? How can that be? This is the middle of nowhere!”

"Most of the travelers are staying put on account of the Ghost Festival and all—not so lucky to travel today," The innkeeper scratched his head sheepishly. “And we've had a fair crowd coming in from the south...said something about the roads being blocked, so they had to rest up here.”

“Them too, huh…” His customers, a pair of traveling merchants, exchanged looks with a sigh. “What rotten luck. And there’s no other place for miles and miles.”

At a nearby table, a solitary traveler downed his wine as he listened to the trio speak. He seemed almost ethereal in the lantern-light in his robes of white tinged with pale blues and purples, though his hair was only tied up carelessly with a simple silk ribbon. A single dot accented the center of his forehead like a distinguished birthmark, giving him a noble air as he emptied his cup. When the merchants voiced their discontent once more, he finally spoke up.

“They can have my room.”

“Ah?” the innkeeper turned towards the voice and instantly bowed before his exalted patron. Although this guest had never ordered any meals, he’d drank his fill of the inn’s most expensive wines in the past three days. “Sir Daoist, there’s no need—”

The man raised a hand to silence him as he rose to his feet. “Rather, what kind of Daoist would I be if I idled away all my days at an inn?” He seemed to glide as he approached the two merchants and flashed them an easy smile. “Gentlemen, it’s the third room on the left upstairs. I’ve paid for the rest of the week, so stay as long as you like.”

The two merchants recovered from their initial shock to instantly stammer their protests. 

“No, no it’s all right, there’s no need—”

“How could we take the room of one so esteemed as yourself—”

“Have men all grown timid in the years since I’ve been gone?” the cultivator chuckled and shook his head. “Never mind that. Tell me about the town in the south—you said something’s blocking the roads?”

Sensing that he was here to help, the merchants immediately spilled their worries.

“That’s right! After dusk fell, a strange fog spread around the roads leading to Stonecut Valley Town.”

“It’s not just that road, but all the others too! Nothing can get in. We were supposed to arrive by nightfall but were forced to turn back.”

“Sinister business, on the night of the Ghost Festival...we wouldn’t even be traveling if it weren’t for urgent family affairs.”

“What kind of family affairs?” the man asked kindly.

“M-my brother,” one of the merchants stammered. “They say he died without explanation today. It’s an ill omen, that’s what it is.”

“My cousin too,” the other added softly. “I didn’t get details, but he passed away suddenly as well. It’s all too strange!”

“They’re both from Stonecut Valley?” 

“Yes, they’ve been working in the jade mines there. It’s the Su Clan’s—pays well, even serves the Middle Realm sects…” the first merchant trailed off before looking up with hopeful eyes. “Will Sir Daoist be willing to look into the matter?”

After asking a few more details and getting some directions, the man in white agreed to investigate and left the trio wishing him well. Still, as Shi Feng took to the skies, he couldn’t help repeating the name in his head.

Stonecut Valley...I’ve never heard of a place like that. But jade mines in the south—if I remember correctly, the highest-quality stones came from one place.

The Land of Qingqiu.

—

{extra} 

Ruyi: Today’s extra will not be a skit, but a PIECE OF ART!
Ruyi: CRP got featured in BL_Palace’s Newsletter for May so I got to get my very own chibis drawn! I chose 5 Years Later!Nan Wuyue x Mo Yixuan for the piece, so please enjoy it below!
Ruyi: I'll be adding this and other artworks for the series in CRP's ScribbleHub Glossary so you can always check it out there in the future. ^-^

Credits to the talented artist Killokii from ScribbleHub! 

Ruyi

thanks for all the feedback last chapter guys! so i’m going to tentatively try 3k chapters for a while to see how that goes. ^-^ in the meantime, i have two more questions for you:

1. would you like me to post on my profile whenever i update a new CRP chapter so you can see it in your notifs (if you follow my account)?
2. would you like SH to implement an optional “new chapter notification” option? (if so come upvote this thread on the SH forums lol)

as always, have a great day!