Volume 3: Ashes of the Peach Grove

Chapter 1: Jiudu River

By the Jiudu River on the outskirts of the capital, there stretches a vast peach grove. The peach trees line both banks of the river for dozens of miles, and when the flowers bloom, the scenery is nothing short of spectacular.

Di Jiang learned of this marvelous place from the daily songs of the orioles outside her window. Taking advantage of the sunny and warm weather, she set out with Shu Xiang, Wen Yao, and Zhu Chai for a spring picnic in this picturesque location.

Zhu Chai, who had never ventured outside before, was incredibly excited but moved cautiously, as though treading on eggshells. In his human form, he resembled a bamboo pole—gaunt, with a sallow complexion. Wen Yao spent the journey teasing him about how his appearance dragged down the overall aesthetic of Jian Su Clinic. However, Zhu Chai simply smiled and rubbed his hands together awkwardly, saying: “Being able to walk among humans as an ordinary person is already a blessing of three lifetimes. I care little for beauty or ugliness.”

At this, Di Jiang scolded: “Look at Zhu Chai’s insight—and then look at you? After all these years, you haven’t improved one bit. I might as well throw you into the backyard to be firewood!”

After this, Wen Yao didn’t dare tease Zhu Chai further, though inwardly she grumbled: “And yet you drool over Zhong Xu…” She kept this thought to herself, knowing that voicing it would make her life miserable for days to come.

The four continued walking for a while, and seeing that it was getting late, they found a patch of grass by the river. They spread out a blue-and-white floral tablecloth and arranged their prepared fruits and snacks neatly. Then, they sat around the food.

Basking in the sun and admiring the peach blossoms lining the riverbanks, they reveled in their carefree and leisurely day.

“This is the life I should be living…” Wen Yao took a deep breath of fresh air and devoured a plate of peach pastries.

Seeing the other three engrossed in their books, she felt a pang of envy. Moving closer to Zhu Chai, she asked: “I’m not surprised that Boss and Shu Xiang are reading, but why are you reading too? Let me see—Principles of Dietetics ? What kind of nonsense is this?”

Completely baffled, Wen Yao gave up on Zhu Chai and turned to Shu Xiang instead. Seeing that he was still reading History of the Three Realms , she found it even more boring.

Helpless, Wen Yao cautiously approached Di Jiang, who was sprawled on the floral cloth writing something. Curious, Wen Yao peeked over her shoulder and absentmindedly read aloud: “Pú tí sà duǒ… pó yé…”

What on earth was this? Utterly dull.

After glancing for a moment, Wen Yao returned to her seat. Looking around, she realized that everyone else was absorbed in their own worlds, completely ignoring her. Out of boredom, she reluctantly picked up the manuscript Di Jiang had already written. Skimming through it, she discovered that eighty percent of the characters were unfamiliar to her!

Was she simply ignorant, or was the boss deliberately being obscure?

“Boss, what are you writing?” Wen Yao couldn’t contain her curiosity.

“A report,” Di Jiang replied without looking up, continuing to write.

“What kind of report? For whom?” Wen Yao grew even more puzzled.

“Guess,” Di Jiang said, putting down her brush. She blew on the wet ink, then unfolded the freshly written section. Only then did Wen Yao realize that in such a short time, Di Jiang had filled an entire sheet of rice paper about ten feet long and a foot wide. The tiny characters were densely packed, none of them common words—except for the familiar phrase Great Compassion Mantra at the end.

“Boss, why are you copying Buddhist scriptures?”

“Just a whim,” Di Jiang replied lightly, tucking the manuscript into her sleeve. Picking up a strawberry and popping it into her mouth, she smiled: “To prepare for future gift-giving occasions. These can be given as gifts—they don’t cost me anything, yet they’ll please others.”

Wen Yao snorted disdainfully: “Who’d want this scrap of paper… Boss, you’re so stingy.”

“Young people need to learn frugality,” Di Jiang patted her shoulder, then leaned back and covered her eyes with a handkerchief, settling in for a nap.

Just then, a sharp whistling sound pierced the air. A figure clad in green robes flew overhead, carrying a long sword on his back—it was unmistakably Zhong Xu.

“Daoist Zhong—” Overcome with excitement, Wen Yao let out a loud shout. She failed to catch Zhong Xu’s attention but succeeded in waking Di Jiang.

“Where’s Daoist Zhong?” Upon hearing Zhong Xu’s name, Di Jiang immediately sat upright. Removing the handkerchief from her eyes, she scanned the horizon, but all she could see was a faint trace of his silhouette disappearing into the distance.

Zhong Xu hadn’t noticed them at all and had flown right over their heads.

His striking figure left hearts racing.

“He’s definitely the most handsome Taoist I’ve ever seen. He’d be perfect without those two whiskers,” Wen Yao gushed dreamily.

Di Jiang nodded absently in agreement.

“But I still prefer Prince Rui’an,” Wen Yao swallowed hard, forcing herself to reaffirm her loyalty to the prince. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked: “Boss, why did you tell Prince Rui’an you were already married when he asked if you were betrothed?”

“I am indeed married,” Di Jiang turned to her, her expression solemn.

“What?!” Wen Yao gasped in shock: “Why have you never mentioned this before? I thought you were just making it up to fool the prince!”

Di Jiang shrugged, smiling enigmatically, offering no further explanation.

Seeing this, Wen Yao understood Di Jiang’s unspoken message: pressing further would only elicit the response, “Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.”

Why invite unnecessary trouble?

Wen Yao angrily bit into an apple.

“Let’s go take a look,” Di Jiang stood up, stretching lazily. Turning to Shu Xiang, she instructed: “You and Zhu Chai stay here. It’s his first time out—let him enjoy himself longer, but make sure to return home before sunset.”

“Alright,” Shu Xiang nodded, resuming his reading.

With Shu Xiang’s protection assured, Di Jiang confidently led Wen Yao forward.

Along the way, Wen Yao couldn’t have been happier. Like a prisoner finally released after years of confinement, she marveled at everything she saw, lavishing praise on the peach blossoms.

“This beauty belongs only in heaven—how often does one encounter such splendor on earth? Boss, what do you think?”

“It’s here every year; we just missed it in the past.”

Wen Yao’s attempt to flaunt her knowledge was met with a cold splash of reality from Di Jiang. Unfazed, she pressed on, plucking peach blossoms as she went, adorning her hair with them. By the time they reached their destination, both she and Di Jiang’s heads were brimming with peach flowers.

Deep within the peach grove stood a grand red-lacquered mansion. Following the trail of Zhong Xu’s aura, Di Jiang had arrived here.

Two enormous bronze lions flanked the entrance, each holding a golden ball in its mouth. Even the roof tiles were made of bronze. The entire estate exuded wealth—its owner was clearly very, very rich.

“They say Taiping Prefecture has many wealthy families, but today we’ve truly witnessed the pinnacle of opulence,” Di Jiang remarked, folding her arms as she gazed reverently at the plaque above the gate, inscribed with the words “Yangchun Beacon Fire.” She added: “Yangchun Shanren was a renowned philanthropist in the capital, having passed away decades ago. I never imagined his legacy would be so vast. Just maintaining this stretch of peach groves alone likely costs more than what we spend in a year.”

“Is it really that extravagant?” Wen Yao wrinkled her nose skeptically. “It looks ordinary to me—just bigger than most houses.”

“Just a little bigger?”

“Mmm… much bigger,” Wen Yao conceded, shrugging dejectedly.

She had to admit—the gates alone were twice the size of Prince Rui’an’s mansion. The walls on either side stretched endlessly into the distance, and the depth of the estate was impossible to gauge from the outside. One would have to enter to truly understand.

Di Jiang noticed traces of firecrackers along the roadside, and the large red lanterns beside the plaque still bore the character “double happiness,” suggesting a recent wedding. Which young master had taken a bride?

Knock, knock, knock—Di Jiang rapped the brass knocker. After a long wait with no response, she knocked again, louder this time. Finally, a servant opened the door slightly, looking utterly exhausted.

“What business brings you here, miss?” he asked weakly.

Di Jiang was startled by his haggard appearance. His eyes were lifeless, his face sallow, with dark circles and heavy bags under his eyes. At first glance, he looked like someone who had been dead for days.

Di Jiang immediately sobered up, her expression grave. “Has anything strange occurred in your household recently?”

Upon hearing this, the servant perked up, his eyes gleaming. “How did you know?”

“I sensed ominous clouds hovering above your estate and detected a surge of demonic energy from miles away. I’ve come to help resolve your troubles,” Di Jiang declared earnestly.

Wen Yao, however, was utterly confused.

Without hesitation, the servant swung the gates wide open and ushered them inside, saying as they walked: “Ladies, you are clearly masters of great skill. This mansion has become exceedingly dangerous of late!”

Upon hearing this, Wen Yao raised her head and carefully surveyed the surroundings. She found no trace of the terrifying aura Di Jiang had described—there wasn’t even a hint of demonic energy.

The courtyard was bathed in spring warmth, flowers blooming and fragrances wafting through the air under the bright sun, exuding an almost righteous and serene atmosphere. It was like a hidden paradise—where could any spirits possibly be?

Could it be that the boss had gone mad with greed and resorted to the deceitful tricks of江湖 (jianghu) charlatans?

Despite Wen Yao’s swirling doubts, Di Jiang paid them no mind and continued addressing the servant: “Is this vast estate attended by you alone?”

“How could that be? I’ll lead you to the inner courtyard!” The servant quickened his pace, and Di Jiang and Wen Yao followed closely behind. After passing through a decorative screen carved with peach blossoms, they discovered that the inner courtyard was unexpectedly expansive—it was breathtaking in size.

Within the quadrangle were smaller courtyards, dividing the entire mansion into twelve smaller sections. Each section had its own gate, decorative screen, main hall, side rooms, and auxiliary chambers.

As they passed through each courtyard, peach trees lined the pathways, forming seas of blossoms on either side. Di Jiang couldn’t help but marvel repeatedly: “They say Yangchun Shanren was wealthier than an emperor—this proves it.”

Though meant as praise, the servant’s face fell, and he sighed three times before replying: “The current Yangchun Residence is vastly different from what it once was.”

“Oh? What exactly happened?”

“In the past, this residence was filled with people. Every courtyard had its master—all widows and children of Yangchun Shanren. But now… everyone has moved away or left. Only three courtyards in the innermost area are still occupied.”

“How could this happen?”

The servant hesitated, pausing for a moment before responding: “You’d best ask the mistress yourself. If she finds out I’ve been gossiping, she’ll skin me alive!”

Di Jiang gave an understanding smile and nodded: “Then please take me to see her.”

The three continued forward. As the servant led the way, his expression grew increasingly somber. He seemed to struggle internally, his face becoming heavier with each step closer to the innermost courtyard.

Finally, he stopped firmly in front of the main gate. Before knocking, the servant seemed unable to contain himself any longer. Leaning close to Di Jiang, he whispered softly in her ear: “To be honest, there are ghosts in this estate.”

“Oh?” Di Jiang was slightly surprised. Like Wen Yao, she hadn’t sensed anything unusual here.

Her earlier words had been pure fabrication—a bluff based on seeing Zhong Xu enter this estate. Wherever Zhong Xu went, there were always ghosts or corpses nearby.

Initially, she had assumed there might have been a funeral, but upon entering, she realized that wasn’t the case. Now that the servant mentioned ghosts, she could only conclude that these spirits were more skilled than herself…

But were there ghosts in this world with abilities surpassing her own? At least, she hadn’t encountered any yet.

“If the mistress asks, please don’t mention that I told you. She forbids anyone from discussing this matter,” the servant pleaded.

“Rest assured—I intended to bring this up with her anyway,” Di Jiang replied, setting aside her doubts and deciding to proceed cautiously.

Wen Yao trailed behind Di Jiang, glancing around curiously. Her mind wandered, calculating whether stripping the gold-plated decorations off the house could buy enough snacks to fill their entire home in Taiping Prefecture. She remained oblivious to Di Jiang’s concerns, and even if she did notice, she wouldn’t take them seriously.

With both the boss and Zhong Xu standing in front as shields, she could simply sit back and watch the show. If they encountered someone truly powerful, she could always rely on her skill at slipping away unnoticed.

Just then, the courtyard door suddenly opened from within. A man with a full beard stepped out, slightly startled upon seeing the trio. “Liu Si, who are they…?”

“Master Steward, they are experts!” Liu Si immediately sidled up to the steward, whispering a few words into his ear. The steward’s brows furrowed even deeper.

After Liu Si finished speaking, the steward barked loudly: “What kind of swindlers are these, spouting nonsense here? Hurry and throw them out!”

Liu Si trembled all over, then dropped to his knees, pleading desperately: “Master Steward, please understand! I haven’t slept well in half a month since the young mistress entered…”

“Silence! Another word, and I’ll beat you to death!” The steward glared fiercely, silencing Liu Si instantly. He then commanded: “Throw them out at once! Disgraceful fools!” With that, the steward slammed the courtyard door shut with a loud bang.

Liu Si shakily rose to his feet, sniffled, and said to Di Jiang: “Miss, I’m sorry. Pretend you never came today—I’ll escort you out.”

“…” Di Jiang and Wen Yao exchanged glances, utterly baffled by this unexpected outcome. They hadn’t even seen a person in charge and were already being thrown out. How strange.

Realizing Liu Si wasn’t someone with authority, they didn’t press further. Following him back along the same path, they decided to seek answers from Zhong Xu later.

By the time they exited Yangchun Residence, dusk had begun to fall. Following the river downstream, they returned to their picnic spot after about half an hour. However, the grassy area now held only a tablecloth and neatly arranged pastries—no trace of Shu Xiang or Zhu Chai.

“Where are Shu Xiang and Zhu Chai?” Wen Yao’s eyes widened in complaint. “These two are so lazy—they didn’t even clean up before leaving!” Grumbling, she began tidying up.

Di Jiang stood to one side, examining the scene closely. Not only had the pastries not been packed away, but Shu Xiang’s ever-present History of the Three Realms had also been left on the tablecloth. Worse still, one corner of the cloth was stained with an unknown black substance.

Di Jiang crouched down, wiped the black liquid with her finger, and rubbed it between her fingertips. After a moment, she brought it to her nose to smell. In the next instant, her body froze, her expression one of utter shock, remaining motionless for a long while.

Seeing Di Jiang’s strange reaction, Wen Yao hurriedly nudged her: “Boss, what’s wrong?”

Di Jiang finally snapped out of it, her face darkening as she muttered: “Go fetch me some soapberries.”

“Huh?”

“No questions—just go!”

“Yes!” Without another word, Wen Yao quickly used her magic to return to the clinic, grabbed some powdered soapberries from the laundry pool in the backyard, and rushed back. Handing the soapberries to Di Jiang, she asked: “Boss, what do you need these for?”

“Soapberries are for washing your hands, of course,” Di Jiang replied tersely, not even looking at her. She took the soapberries to the riverside, scrubbing her hands vigorously several times—three circles clockwise, three counterclockwise. Afterward, she sniffed her fingers, confirming there was no lingering odor, before finally relaxing and collapsing by the riverbank.

“Boss, what was that stuff? Was it really that terrible?” Wen Yao stood nearby, completely bewildered.

“You’ll know if you taste it,” Di Jiang smirked mischievously, her face dark enough to drip ink.

Seeing her expression, Wen Yao grew even more frightened, shaking her head vigorously: “If even the boss is scared like this, how could I dare try?”

“Hmph, at least you’re not completely stupid,” Di Jiang sighed deeply, suppressing her nausea. Finally, she murmured: “That was corpse oil.”