“How so? Is it a special destiny?” Bai Ci could only guess along those lines.
Lin Wenyu nodded. “He carries the righteous energy of the Scholar's Dao. How does that saying go again? Anyway, you can just think of him as the Wenqu Star descended to earth.”
Bai Ci suddenly understood. She recalled the special skill on Xu Qinghe’s panel called “Literature Carries the Dao.”
“A stroke of the pen condenses deep affection and lingering rhythm; a sheet of elegant writing stirs the world.”
She had originally thought this was just a description of Xu Qinghe's exceptional writing skills and the infectious quality of his work, but she hadn't expected it to have such destined implications.
When Madame Xu said her child was the Wenqu Star descended to earth, she hadn't been boasting; she was simply stating a fact.
Though, she likely didn't understand the true nature of this fact herself.
Otherwise, no matter how desperate she was to resurrect her child with the help of the Double Snake Cult, she would have maintained some degree of wariness rather than adopting such a completely submissive, pleading posture.
She just didn't know whether Xu Qinghe's death was an accident or murder.
Having figured some things out, Bai Ci looked at Lin Wenyu. “I understand. What are your specific arrangements? How do you need me to cooperate when the time comes?”
And so, she explained the details.
Lin Wenyu explained the entire action plan finalized by Xiang Jinsheng, down to the very last detail.
Bai Ci listened quietly, then mentally ran through the sequence to ensure she had memorized every step. “I've got it all.”
Hearing Bai Ci repeat it back, Lin Wenyu was completely reassured. She reached into her clothes and pulled out a small, plain brocade pouch. It was tied with a fine cotton string, its craftsmanship simple.
She solemnly handed it to Bai Ci and explained, “This is a pill Boss had me give you. He said it was refined using a player skill, so it doesn't count as an item. You can use it.”
After explaining its origin, she cautioned, “You need to take this on the day of the assembly before you arrive at the venue. After that, avoid eating anything served at the assembly as much as possible.”
Bai Ci took the pouch. What exactly was in the food at the assembly had already been made very clear when Lin Wenyu was explaining the plan.
Under these circumstances, if she still dared to eat anything there, she would be worse than a fool.
However, she didn't argue and simply accepted it calmly. “I'll keep that in mind.”
With her task complete, Lin Wenyu made a swift exit.
Three days flew by in the blink of an eye, and in no time, it was the fifteenth of June.
The weather that day was exceptionally clear—a brilliant, cloudless blue sky stretching as far as the eye could see.
The entire city was decorated with lanterns and banners. Everyone was eagerly discussing the grand scale of the West Mountain Water and Land Dharma Assembly. Carriages and horses flowed in an endless stream, creating a picture of peace and harmony.
In the afternoon, while Bai Ci was practicing her calligraphy in the courtyard with Jinghong, a maid's voice suddenly came from outside.
“Young Madam, Madame requests your presence. You are to accompany her to West Mountain for the Water and Land Dharma Assembly. We must depart immediately.”
Hearing this, Jinghong stopped fanning.
She had been complaining earlier about wanting to see the assembly, but she hadn't had the chance.
First, as Bai Ci's personal maid, she had to stay by her side to serve her. But Bai Ci? Madame Xu had ordered her to recuperate quietly and hadn't allowed her to leave the estate for a long time.
Second, while large crowds were certainly lively, they also made accidents more likely, and she didn't dare go wandering around by herself.
Now that the opportunity had arrived, she was naturally overjoyed and prepared to follow Bai Ci.
Before Jinghong could even ask about the itinerary, the maid continued.
“Madame specifically instructed that because the journey is long and the assembly venue will be crowded and chaotic, we will be bringing more guards. There is no need for Miss Jinghong to accompany us. You may remain in the courtyard.”
This was rather strange.
Jinghong sensed that something was off. Even if they were trimming down the entourage, how could they leave out the personal maid?
Could Madame be dissatisfied with the Young Madam and planning to do something to her?
She immediately thought of the dark rumors she had heard about other noble households.
Though filled with anxiety, she dared not speak up against the mistress's orders. She could only look at Bai Ci with deep worry.
Bai Ci seemed not to notice her worried gaze and nodded agreeably. “I understand. I will come with you now.”
Just before leaving, the Young Madam whom Jinghong cared for so much finally turned her head and noticed her worry.
But how could this Young Madam from the countryside know anything about the dark secrets of prominent families? She didn't think much of it and even gently reassured her.
“Wait for me in the courtyard. I am going with Mother, so there is nothing to worry about.”
No, she had to go ask the Young Lady for help; hopefully, it would do some good.
Jinghong thought to herself that for the Young Lady's sake, Madame might abandon whatever plans she had.
Poor Jinghong only found out after arriving at Xu Zhaoyue's courtyard that all the masters of the Xu estate had been taken to attend the West Mountain assembly.
And that ordinary afternoon would be the last time she ever saw Bai Ci.
Meanwhile, Bai Ci followed the messenger maid out of the courtyard and arrived at the carriage waiting in front of the estate gates.
The Xu family carriage was already prepared to depart. Madame Xu sat inside, an irrepressible mix of anxiety and anticipation hidden between her brows.
Beside the carriage, Xu Jingan stood tall and straight in a green robe, while Xu Zhaoyue wore a pale pink dress. The siblings had been waiting for some time, clearly intending to travel with them.
Seeing Bai Ci approach, Xu Zhaoyue instinctively took half a step forward. Her eyes betrayed an undisguisable worry, but with servants present, she dared not say anything.
The group boarded the carriages one by one, and the horses set off toward West Mountain outside the city.
The government had hired workers to repair ancient temples outside the city, and the area currently undergoing renovation was precisely West Mountain.
On the surface, it appeared that because the repairs on West Mountain were complete, the Governor had simply gone with the flow and organized this assembly.
Compared to the truth, however, this widely accepted explanation completely inverted cause and effect.
They traveled in silence, and the carriage soon arrived at the foot of West Mountain.
Taking advantage of the brief window when Madame Xu got down first, Bai Ci leaned slightly, lowered her voice, and quickly warned the siblings beside her.
“Do not consume a single thing at the assembly today. Keep that in mind.”
The time between Madame Xu stepping down and the next person was very short, leaving no time to explain the reasons to them in detail.
Nor could she explain; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to account for how she had obtained this information in the first place.
Fortunately, even without concrete evidence, both siblings were the obedient sort when it mattered most—especially when it came to their eldest brother.
Since Bai Ci had spoken, they believed her and intended to comply fully.
Today, West Mountain was completely different from its usual self. From the foot of the mountain to both sides of the path, blessing banners hung everywhere, and various incense sticks and offerings were piled high. People streamed back and forth in an endless crowd.
Several white-browed eminent monks stood along the mountain path, chanting sutras and offering blessings. The atmosphere was incredibly convincing. Anyone who saw it would think it was nothing more than a grand, orthodox Water and Land Dharma Assembly.
After Madame Xu stepped down, she kept a close eye on Bai Ci as she got out of the carriage.
The moment Bai Ci stood on her feet, Madame Xu stepped forward and firmly grabbed her wrist, terrified that she might slip out of her sight for even a second.
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