Reborn, the daughter of the Marquisate went crazy

Shengjing City, Suzaku Square.

The cold wind was howling and the snow was flying, but the square was already surrounded by people.

In the center of the square, the nine-foot-tall altar stood majestically, its bluestone outline looming against the snow, like a ladder reaching to the heavens. The eternal lamp atop the altar flickered with warm yellow light, like stars falling from the sky.

Taoist Lingxu stood on the top of the altar, his snow-white Taoist robe rustling in the cold wind, and his sleeves fluttering as if he was a banished immortal.

It was exactly three quarters past noon. He slowly raised his hand to the sky, and there seemed to be a bright white light flowing between his fingers, like mist and gauze.

"Xuanzong of Heaven and Earth, the root of Wan Qi..."

The deep chanting pierced the snow and wind, echoing across the square. Suddenly, forty-nine cinnabar talismans flew out from his sleeves, forming the Big Dipper formation amidst the falling snow.

Taoist Lingxu suddenly opened his eyes, pointing the peach wood sword in his hand toward the heavens. Forty-nine talismans converged on the sword's tip like rivers flowing into the sea, and suddenly, without a trace of fire, they ignited. A golden rainbow burst from the sword's tip, splitting the leaden clouds like a sharp blade.

Suddenly, everything was silent, the wind and snow stopped, and a long-lost ray of sunlight shone through the crack onto the earth.

The people below the altar were all dumbfounded, looking at Taoist Lingxu with fanatical and awe-inspiring eyes. Suddenly, a loud shout erupted from the crowd, and in an instant, like wind blowing through wheat waves, the people fell to their knees in worship, and the roar shook the sky: "Thank you, immortal, for your divine presence!"

Xie Qingli, disguised as a young Taoist child, stood in the shadow of the altar with her hands hanging down. A glimpse of the frantic piety on the faces of the common people made her heart sink. Although her master's grand ritual had dispelled disasters and misfortunes, the Chu royal family had never allowed anyone's prestige to surpass the imperial power. She was afraid that her master had been resented by the royal family.

She raised her eyes slightly, her gaze sweeping across the viewing platform. The Third Prince sat in the main seat, his face still adorned with that gentle, jade-like smile, but the cold glint that flashed in his eyes was like a poisoned blade, sending chills down one's spine.

On the altar, Taoist Lingxu fluttered his wide sleeves, lightly touched the edge of the altar with his toes, and his figure rose into the air like a crane, but paused slightly when landing.

Xie Qingli took a quick step forward, secretly using his internal energy to support his master's elbow and wrist with his left hand, while his right hand respectfully took the peach wood sword with lightning patterns on it.

Taoist Lingxu's fingers, hidden beneath his wide sleeves, gently pressed on Xie Qingli's wrist, as if silently comforting him, but he quickly withdrew. He flicked his whisk, straightened his clothes, and walked towards the viewing platform with a leisurely pace, the demeanor of a sage.

But when Xie Qingli looked up, she felt that her master's hair and beard had turned even more frosty, and that he had clearly aged a bit. Her heart clenched, as if it had been pierced by countless silver needles, but she could only lower her head slightly to hide the redness in her eyes.

The Third Prince stepped forward quickly and bowed deeply to Taoist Lingxu, his voice filled with joy. "Master, your all-encompassing magical powers truly astound me. It is truly a blessing for the nation that all people in the world can enjoy your protection."

Taoist Lingxu brushed his whisk lightly and bowed in return, "Your Highness, thank you for your compliment. Heaven's will is unchangeable. I am merely borrowing the east wind for now." He paused slightly before speaking aloud, "I have averted the snowstorm. I hope Your Highness will inform His Majesty and ask him to protect the Daoists throughout the world."

A hint of darkness flashed across the Third Prince's eyes, but soon it turned into a bright smile. "Master, you're worrying too much. Father is the Supreme Lord, and his words are golden. He will definitely keep his promise."

Taoist Lingxu nodded slightly, his voice calm and steady: "The matter here is concluded. I will take my leave first. Your Highness, take care."

Inside the inn's side room, Xie Qingli held the kettle in her bare hands, swirling the scalding hot tea in the celadon cup. Outside the window, a bustling crowd filled the air, faint cries of "Living Immortal" and "The Holy Lord has appeared!" Her fingertips trembled, and a few drops of tea splashed onto the table.

Taoist Lingxu took in the confusion between Xie Qingli's brows. He took a sip from his teacup before speaking slowly, "I'm wondering, Master, why did you choose to settle this matter in public when you could have found a quiet place?"

Xie Qingli pursed her lips slightly, watching the tender tea bobbing in the cup, thoughts swirling in her mind. After a moment, she raised her eyes and whispered, "Master's move... is to make this matter worse. Master has shown his divine power today, and the people are either in awe or in devotion. Even if the court doesn't intervene, they won't dare to slaughter the Taoist sect again."

She paused, a trace of worry flashing across her brows: "However, the royal family has always been narrow-minded. I'm afraid they won't tolerate Master doing this..."

Taoist Lingxu nodded slightly, his eyes as gentle as spring water in March. "My disciple is very intelligent and insightful, and what he said is absolutely correct. Although I am not afraid of the wrath of the temple, to avoid any further trouble, I will depart today."

He suddenly turned his head and looked towards the inner room, a hint of mischief flashing in his eyes: "Old friend, how long are you going to hide?"

Xie Qingli looked up in confusion, only to see an elegant scholar in a blue-gray gown slowly walking out.

He looked deeply at Taoist Lingxu, his throat moved slightly, and he finally said in a deep voice: "We have just met again, and you are leaving again. This farewell..." His voice stopped abruptly and turned into an almost inaudible sigh.

Taoist Lingxu waved his sleeves lightly, a smile on his lips: "Life is like duckweed, gathering and separation are impermanent. When fate brings us together, we will reunite over a cup."

He turned to Xie Qingli and said in a gentle voice, "This Mr. Chong Yan, although living in seclusion in the market, is truly a true Confucian scholar of our time. You should study the science of practical affairs with him, and you will surely be of great use in the future."

After Taoist Lingxu finished his instructions, he stood up and walked out of the inn. Surprisingly, the people who were waiting outside ignored him and let him walk leisurely through the crowd and gradually disappear.

Xie Qingli chose a house to house Mr. Chong and Taoist Wuyou. It was just across the street from Yingxueju on Jinxiu Street. Nestled deep in the alley, it was extremely quiet. From then on, Xie Qingli would set aside two hours every day to study there. But that's another story.

As dusk fell, Xie Qingli returned to Yingxue Residence in the last rays of sunlight. In front of the vermilion lacquer gate, a young maid in lilac clothing suddenly emerged from behind the stone lions and plopped down on the bluestone slabs. She tilted her tear-stained face upwards and sobbed, "Miss, please save my young lady."

Xie Qingli peered closely and recognized her as Fu'er, the maid who had risked her life delivering the letter for Sister Rong'er during the fight for A'niang's dowry at the Marquis's mansion. Fu'er was trembling slightly, and there were a few dead leaves in her hair, suggesting she had been hiding all the way here.

Xie Qingli's heart suddenly tightened, and he quickly leaned over to help the man up, saying softly, "Don't be afraid, go inside and talk slowly."

Inside the warm room, the charcoal fire lit up the room, filling it with a vibrant spring. Fu'er held the hot tea in her hand, her fingertips gradually turning red. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's: "I am only a maidservant in Miss Rong'er's courtyard. There are many things... I don't really understand."

Her fingers twisted the corners of her clothes unconsciously as she continued, "I only heard that at noon the day before yesterday, the Second Master suddenly brought people into the Third House's courtyard, saying that he had found a good marriage for Miss Rong'er. But for some reason, the Third Master smashed the teacup on the spot, and the mistress even overturned the table, pointing at the Second Master's nose and scolding him, and even clamoring to divide the family..."