Daoqi Huangcheng

Chapter 6. Song Chen, but the inheritance left to me by my deceased husband.

The next day, early in the morning, Song Chen shamelessly ate a meal outside the Imperial City Gate. He patted his empty bag, walked out onto the street with nothing in his pocket, and headed towards the city gate, listening to the conversations of the people on the street as he walked.

This once again proves that if you want to gather information, simply taking a walk on the street will definitely not be effective.
Near the city gate, Song Chen watched the oxcarts and crowds coming in and out. These people were also quick to enter and exit, and no one was saying anything that he wanted to know.

The sun shifts to a lower position, basking in the intense sunlight.

Song Chen's stomach rumbled again.

The free food at the outer gate of the Imperial City Temple was only free; there wasn't much oil in his mouth. Perhaps it was because it was noon, and he was walking on one of the bustling streets of the capital, where the aroma of cooking fires wafted out from both sides.

The aroma of delicious food made Song Chen swallow hard.

There was a languid young lady, just out of bed and tired from washing, leaning against the railing of a brothel, gazing into the distance. Song Chen felt a surge of heat rising within him.

He took a deep breath, suppressed these restless thoughts, and then found a corner, ready to finish the two steamed buns he had "packed" that morning, taking advantage of the aroma of meat wafting from the restaurant not far away.

After all, he was going out to investigate, so how could he possibly turn back to Huangcheng Temple halfway through?

After finishing his steamed bun, he went to wander around the area around General Que's mansion to take a look.

He walked into a corner, took out a steamed bun, took a bite, then inhaled the aroma of meat, thinking to himself, 'It's a white flour bun after all; the texture is just so good.'

Just then, he suddenly heard a "Hey" coming from not far away.

Song Chen protected the steamed bun, looked up, and met the eyes of a young woman.

The young woman, dressed in green, glanced at his movements with her bright eyes and couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.

Song Chen readily accepted the steamed bun and asked, "What brings you here, young lady?"

The young woman said, "I am Chunxiang, a maid of the Que family. I heard you went to the east of the city and have been looking for you here for a long time. Are you Song Chen?"

Song Chen nodded.

The young woman named Chunxiang said, "Come with me, the madam wants to see you."

Chunfeng Tower.

A private room.

The door opened, then closed again.

Inside, a woman wearing a white veil covering her face and a conical hat, dressed in a crimson robe, had a graceful figure, full breasts, and fair skin exposed on the outside.

The woman was sitting by the window, watching the bustling streets of the capital. Hearing the door open, she turned her head, her gaze settling on the young man who walked in through the white veil. She pointed to the seat opposite her and uttered a single word in a refined manner: "Sit."

Song Chen asked excitedly, "Could it be Mr. Shenyun's wife in person?"

The woman said, "It is indeed the widow."

Song Chen became even more excited, his voice trembling as he said, "Mr. Shenyun risked his life to save me, I... I really don't know how to repay this great kindness."

The woman's lips, hidden behind her white veil, seemed to curve slightly in satisfaction before she asked, "Do you really intend to repay this debt of gratitude?"

Song Chen said, "Please give your instructions, Madam."

The woman said, "My deceased husband was not a member of General Que's main family, but rather a member of a branch family. Since you were saved by my deceased husband, would you be willing to join my family?"

Song Chen's expression remained calm, and the corners of his mouth almost curled up.

The woman's few words had already given him a clue about the predicament of Mr. Shenyun's lineage.

Without Mr. Shenyun, this lineage is likely to lose its former glory. Madam is asking for a return of favor, hoping to give this lineage a glimmer of hope for its future revival.

Otherwise, the lady would never have gone out in person and waited for him in this Spring Breeze Pavilion. This shows her anxiety, her precarious situation, and the decline of talent in her lineage.

He wanted to seek guidance from the very last minute, to find a source of inspiration.

The lady also needs to plan for the future.

He and his wife were truly a perfect match.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Even if it's a fallen general like Que who has divided his family, it's still entirely possible to protect him.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Song Chen bowed deeply and said, "It is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask. I was chosen by Master Shenyun, so I should be Master Shenyun's disciple."

Seeing his reaction, the woman softened her tone and clapped her hands gently. Only then did the maid outside the door go to serve the dishes. The woman said, "I heard that you were once wandering the streets of the capital. I didn't expect you to be so eloquent."

Song Chen replied, "I've overheard quite a few stories told by storytellers."

The woman smiled, then said in a deep voice, "Your late husband saved you because he valued your talent and hoped you could show it and not let him down. I've ordered some side dishes. After you finish eating, come with me to a place. I want to see your talent for myself."

A few moments later, one dish after another was served.

The woman casually picked at a few bites, then stopped eating. Song Chen, without any ceremony, devoured all the food on the table.

The exquisitely prepared food made him devour it.

This was the best meal he had ever eaten since he traveled through time.

The woman was not angry at all when she saw him eating so sloppily; on the contrary, she was quite patient and happy.

After a hearty meal, Song Chen boarded a carriage and followed Madam Shenyun into the Shenyun Manor. He was then secretly taken to a secluded room.

The secret chamber was entirely made of mountain stone, presenting a heavy, deep black feeling and a sense of tranquility. Standing here, the noise of carriages and horses seemed to fade away.

In the center of this place is a stone lotus platform, on which sits a piece of crystal-clear jade the size of a pigeon's egg.

The woman said, "This is a spirit stone, a natural crystallization of spiritual energy. My late husband bought it intending to cultivate himself. Since you are my late husband's disciple, see if you can absorb a trace of spiritual energy. This can be considered a preliminary test."

While the Imperial City Temple conducts a unified test, each family, especially those with cultivators in charge, surely has its own testing methods.
The woman flipped her hand, and another box slid out.

"There is a book on basic Qi gathering in the box. My late husband said that if one has the aptitude, one can gather a wisp of spiritual energy within three days. With this energy, one can silently extinguish a candle flame a hundred feet away."

Song Chen solemnly accepted the book.

The woman said, "Someone will bring you food for three days. I will come looking for you after three days. Don't disappoint me."

Song Chen nodded.

The Shenyun Mansion soon received the corpse of its master.

Upon receiving the devastating news, the people in the household rushed back from all directions, dressed in mourning clothes, and gathered around the coffin to keep vigil.

People from the other branches of the family, and even from the main family, also came.

During this time, Madam Pei Qianxue of Shenyun dealt with the comings and goings of people one by one.

She and Que Shenyun had a son named Que He and a daughter named Que Chan, both of whom are now fifteen years old. They were both tested and found to have no aptitude for cultivation, so they took over the family business early on and began to learn how to run it.

When the son and daughter returned, they wept bitterly in front of their father's coffin. The son rolled up his sleeves and angrily said things like, "Dad is dead. What right does that brat have to ask Dad to save him? He hasn't even come today. I'll make him pay." The daughter was sobbing.

Pei Qianxue was already having a headache, and seeing her children being so disobedient only made it worse. Just when she had finally managed to calm the two of them down, she was greeted by the Third Master of the main family.

This Third Master was the third brother of General Que, holding a high position and great power. After completing the funeral rites, he and Pei Qianxue went into the inner hall, took a sip of tea, and said, "Shenyun died because of slaying demons. His Majesty will soon bestow a generous pension upon him, which will be no small amount."

Pei Qianxue tearfully recounted her grievances.

After hearing this, Third Master added, "No one wants to see something like this happen. But since it has, some things will follow. Madam, you are a person who knows the rules."

He glanced longingly at the direction of the main gate outside the courtyard and said, "That plaque is old and should be replaced."

Pei Qianxue was prepared and said, "Third Master is right."

Third Master was taken aback. Who would so easily agree to move out after dividing the family property? Who wouldn't try to delay as long as possible? After all, living here wasn't just about having a place to live, but also about wielding power.

He closed his eyes slightly, picked up the teacup he had put down, took another sip, and said, "Speak, is there anything I can help you with? Let me make it clear beforehand, I have a lot of things to do, so don't mention anything that isn't just a small favor."

After a while.
late at night.

Pei Qianxue rubbed her temples wearily. Soon, she heard a dog barking outside the door, accompanied by footsteps.

A beautiful and petite woman in a white dress was being dragged along by a fierce black dog that was only half her height. She quickly walked into the back hall, saw Pei Qianxue, and called out, "Sister, please accept my condolences."

This is Pei Qianxue's younger sister, Pei Qingyue, who is eight years younger than her.

Pei Qianxue closed the door and then told her sister about the things that had happened recently and her plans.

Pei Qingyue understood, and then asked, "Sister, do you want a marriage alliance?"

Pei Qianxue said, "Blood and bodily fluids are the foundation of intimacy. Song Chen is the legacy left to me by my late husband, so naturally I want him to marry into my family."

Pei Qingyue asked, "Are you planning to marry Chan'er to him?"

Pei Qianxue pondered for a moment and said, "Song Chen is currently gathering qi in the secret chamber. Little sister, you know that. One who can comprehend the meaning from a painting may not necessarily become a cultivator."

Pei Qingyue nodded. That's how she is. She can absorb qi, but she can't retain it. She can only be a celestial talisman guard.

Pei Qianxue said, "If Song Chenruo is unable to absorb the essence of the spirit stone, I will marry Chan'er to him."

Pei Qingyue paused for a moment, then asked, "What if he could?"

Pei Qianxue looked at her younger sister and said, "Then I'll marry you off to him."

(End of this chapter)