Chapter 20: Dong Family Fortress

Dong Family Fortress spanned forty hectares, with clear springs, lush forests, water mills, and fish ponds. The architecture was luxurious and extravagant, with all the tiles cast in copper. From afar, it appeared golden and dazzling.

At this moment, Miss Dong Biling, the third daughter of the Dong family who had just returned from the funeral, was washing her hands with fresh milk in her room. Even the basin she used to wash her hands was gilded. Beneath her feet lay a snow-white mink fur rug. Mink fur, often referred to as “soft gold,” is known for its three unique qualities: “the wind blows through the fur but makes it warmer, snow falls on the fur but melts away, and rain falls on the fur but doesn’t wet it.” It is extremely rare and difficult to obtain. However, she paid no heed to it, treating it merely as a carpet underfoot.

Behind her, both the bedding and curtains were made of cloud brocade. Cloud brocade is soft and delicate with a good luster. The large floral patterns are intricate and beautiful, with warp and weft threads interweaving to form different designs. It is even more opulent and luxurious than what is used in the imperial palace.

After washing her hands, she sat by the bed, leisurely trimming her nails amidst the intricately carved beams and painted pillars.

Her face displayed a sudden relaxation after days of tension. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel sorrow over her sister’s death; rather, fear had surpassed grief.

She harbored no doubt about her sister eating people because she had personally witnessed her sister’s madness on the mountain that day, nearly killing herself.

Later, she escaped, and shortly after, her sister conceived a ghost fetus that night, transforming into a completely different person. Dong Biling had grieved and lamented, but it was all in vain. Only with Dong Yezhen’s death could Xianliang City restore its former peace.

She still felt a sense of relief at her sister’s demise.

Just as Dong Biling finished trimming her nails and took a bite of the freshly delivered honey lotus cake brought by the servants, a commotion erupted in the courtyard. Along with the sounds of fighting came a man’s pleading voice.

“Dear lady, spare my life—I have no enmity with you, why do you torment me so!”

“What’s happening outside? How noisy!” Dong Biling frowned lazily.

A maid went out to take a look and then returned to report, “A Daoist has arrived outside, accompanied by a doctor, and they’re arguing with Master Ma.”

“Arguing? Why?” Dong Biling furrowed her brows again and asked, “Has Father returned?”

“The master is still handling the aftermath and won’t be back until evening.”

“What about the eldest young master?”

“The young master is with the master and hasn’t returned either.”

“I see. Help me up and let’s go take a look.” After saying this, Dong Biling propped herself up.

Lately, she had been feeling tired, indulging in spicy and sour foods when idle, sleeping more hours than awake. If it weren’t for the lack of a head of the household, she wouldn’t bother with such trifling matters.

Dong Biling changed her clothes, pushed open the door, passed through the garden, and headed to the front courtyard.

As soon as Di Jiang and her group arrived at Dong Family Fortress, they ran head-on into Master Ma.

Master Ma’s hair was neatly tied back with a wooden hairpin, slicked down meticulously, combined with his shifty eyes, making him appear somewhat disreputable. At one glance, Zhong Xu and the others realized this person was a complete charlatan.

“Where did this wild village woman come from, so reckless?!” Master Ma scowled instinctively, speaking rudely, which infuriated Wen Yao. Without hesitation, she grabbed his two wisps of beard and beat him up.

Master Ma never expected that a little girl could possess such strength. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t pull her off his back and could only endure her sitting atop his head, punching left and right.

“You…you! Do you know who I am?! Get off immediately! Ow ow! My bones are about to fall apart... If you don’t get off, I won’t be polite! Watch me kill you!”

Master Ma grimaced in pain, but Di Jiang and Zhong Xu showed no intention of stopping her. Changsheng stood by, laughing heartily, almost cheering them on.

“Ow ow, dear lady, I surrender, please stop hitting me! Another punch and I’ll fall apart...” Master Ma’s face was full of tears, appearing pitiful. However, thinking about how he had someone disembowel Dong Yezhen alive, Di Jiang and Wen Yao found it utterly intolerable!

Wen Yao hit him harder, and soon Master Ma was bruised and battered.

“Everyone stop!” At this moment, a stern shout came from beneath the corridor.

Looking up, they saw an elegantly dressed woman walking gracefully, wearing a dress woven from the feathers of a hundred birds.

“That’s actually a Hundred Birds Skirt?” Seeing the newcomer, Di Jiang’s eyes lit up.

“What’s a Hundred Birds Skirt?” Zhong Xu asked.

“A Hundred Birds Skirt is a dress woven from the feathers of a hundred kinds of birds. It’s rarely seen in the world. In the past, it was worn only once by Emperor Taizong’s empress during a celestial ritual. To think, here we can see such a treasure!”

The Hundred Birds Skirt swayed in the wind, presenting different colors from various angles—front view one color, side view another, under sunlight yet another, and in shadow another. Moreover, the shapes of a hundred birds were visible, making it an invaluable treasure sought after by many.

The arrival looked like an immortal fairy from the nine heavens, elegant and unparalleled.

However, evidently, the owner of the skirt, Dong Biling, didn’t consider this dress particularly precious or rare. To her, it was just one of many dresses, not worth mentioning.

“Miss, you’ve come just in time! Please help me!” Master Ma wailed, “I don’t know where these wild villagers came from, attacking me without any etiquette. I’m your honored guest; you must save me!”

Dong Biling furrowed her brows, “Master Ma possesses martial arts skills; how could a mere girl overpower you? You must be joking.”

Master Ma’s face turned red and white alternately, then he cried, “My martial arts skills are true, but this wench is incredibly strong! I really can’t match her!”

Hearing this, Dong Biling was astonished. She scrutinized the group carefully and said, “I’ve seen you before.”

“Hmm?” Di Jiang looked at her puzzled.

Dong Biling pointed at Di Jiang and Wen Yao, “I’ve seen you two. Over two years ago, we met twice at an inn in Yunmeng Marsh.”

Upon hearing this, Di Jiang suddenly understood.

Why did Dong Yezhen seem so familiar?

Wait… Doesn’t this mean Dong Yezhen is indeed not dead?! Back then, it wasn’t her imagination playing tricks.

“Wen Yao, get down!” Di Jiang softly commanded, and obediently, Wen Yao jumped off the Daoist.

Master Ma sighed deeply, too exhausted to even curse.

Di Jiang glanced back at Dong Biling, feeling time had flown by like a white horse passing through a crevice. When they first met, Dong Biling was still an innocent young girl. Now, after just over two years, she had completely transformed.

Her face no longer bore the youthful innocence but was filled with fatigue, perhaps due to Dong Yezhen’s death. However, what emanated from her wasn’t the air of an inexperienced young lady but an aura of authority and oppression. She now carried the demeanor of a mistress of the household.

“Lovely maiden, your servant is also strikingly beautiful. Bi Ling couldn’t forget you, and we often talked about you with my brother and sister,” Dong Biling smiled faintly, glancing at Zhong Xu and Changsheng, then said, “But where is that splendidly dressed young master?”

Only then did Di Jiang recall that the splendidly dressed young master she mentioned should be Wu Rui’an.

Wen Yao snorted, “You’re not remembering us; you clearly miss that young master, don’t you?”

“Wen Yao, show some respect.” Di Jiang gave her a glare, causing Wen Yao to pout discontentedly and turn her head away, unwilling to look at her.

Dong Biling, however, didn’t get angry. Nodding, she said, “An elegant and peerless young master naturally evokes yearning. But today, I merely asked casually; no need to dwell on it.” She finished, curiously inspecting Wen Yao several times, then said, “I remember two years ago, you seemed just like this. How is it that after two years, your appearance... hasn’t changed at all?” As she spoke, she gestured with her hand near her chest, implying, “I’ve grown almost two heads taller than you; your development is quite slow…”

“You!” Wen Yao puffed her cheeks, unwilling to argue with her. If not for Di Jiang holding her back, she would have torn Dong Biling’s mouth off to eat with wine!

“Sister, don’t be angry. I was just joking,” Dong Biling covered her mouth and laughed, “Guests are guests. Since you’ve all come to Dong Family Fortress, let’s consider ourselves family. Any grievances between you and Master Ma can be set aside for my sake.”

“How could I have any grudge against him?! The one with a grudge against him is your Dong family!” Wen Yao blurted out, earning another murderous glare from Di Jiang.

Subsequently, Di Jiang smoothly defused the situation, smiling, “This servant of mine talks too much nonsense; please don’t take her words to heart, Miss.”

“Thank you, kind Miss.” Dong Biling nodded and then addressed the sighing Master Ma, “Master Ma, what do you say?”

“Enough, enough, I won’t argue with children!” Master Ma rolled his eyes, continuing to groan and massage the bruises inflicted by Wen Yao.

Dong Biling smiled slightly and then turned to Di Jiang, “May I ask what brings you to Dong Family Fortress?”

“My brother and I passed through your esteemed land, admiring the grandeur of Dong Family Fortress, and thought to visit. We seek a place to stay and rest for a while.” Di Jiang lowered her gaze modestly, appearing very respectful.

Dong Biling had seen Di Jiang before and knew her group was certainly of noble birth, unlikely to harbor ill intentions. Naturally, she wouldn’t oppose their lodging and said, “Tonight, there will be a banquet at our clan. If you don’t mind, join us for a drink to bid farewell to Sister Yezhen.”

“Miss Dong… how did she suddenly pass away?” Di Jiang feigned ignorance, frowning and asking.

“This…” Dong Biling felt this wasn’t something to be proud of. Seeing Di Jiang unaware of the details, she casually fabricated a reason, lightly saying, “My elder sister fell ill suddenly and passed away.”

“Is that so? May the Miss find comfort.” Di Jiang nodded, consoling her.

“Thank you.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Master Ma had regained some strength. While Di Jiang and Dong Biling chatted, he scrutinized these four outsiders thoroughly.

He noticed Zhong Xu’s handsome and upright features, sharp eyebrows, and bright eyes, exuding a spirit of vigor. Although he remained expressionless and silent, he possessed an innate pride and a touch of otherworldly grace, unmistakably a practitioner of Daoism.

“This Daoist friend, I am Ma Wenshan, disciple of Feixing Temple in Jiangbei. May I ask whom you follow, and where you usually practice?” Ma Wenshan put on airs, speaking with arrogance, seemingly confident in his sect.

Zhong Xu, upon hearing this, remained expressionless and taciturn, calmly replying, “Closing one’s door is akin to seclusion in the mountains; one can practice Dao anywhere. I can practice wherever I am.”

After Zhong Xu finished speaking, even Wen Yao couldn’t resist applauding him, “Daoist Zhong clearly isn’t an ordinary Daoist! You’re worlds apart from charlatans like him!”

“You!” Ma Wenshan was so enraged he blew his whiskers and glared, nearly slapping Wen Yao across the face.