Chapter 351: Xiao Qing: My Home Was Stolen!

February 22nd, the Festival of Flowers.

On this day, when the flowers of Hangzhou were in full bloom, the people paid homage to the Immortal Maidens and wandered everywhere; among the most delightful gardens to visit were Yuhu, the Ancient Willow Grove, the Yang Mansion, and Yun Cave. With March approaching and the imperial examinations near, scholars from all over had flocked here to relax and cultivate their reputations, infusing the Flower Festival with a scholarly air.

At this moment, Gu Qing paid his respects before the statue of the Flower Immortal, offering lamps and fruit before her image. For this powerful ally, Gu Qing showed not the slightest neglect.

After making his offerings, Gu Qing straightened his robes. Bai Suzhen was now in Hangzhou, and Gu Qing intended to court her—so he paid close attention to his appearance. Once properly groomed, he locked the door and left.

Xu Xian had invited Miss Pei out for a stroll today and was not at the shop; thus, the Tongren Hall naturally closed.

"Gu Qing, Gu Qing…"

Amid the bustling street, Xiao Qing wore dark green attire, her hair tied high in a ponytail, looking crisp and efficient—strikingly different from the headscarves favored by contemporary scholars. When she drew near Gu Qing, she tilted her head, studying him, then smiled and asked, "Where are we going today?"

"Baojia Mountain, to see the peach blossoms."

Gu Qing replied.

This was during Xu Xian's leave; Gu Qing had casually asked him about the area, and upon hearing Xu Xian describe Baojia Mountain's peach blossoms as brilliant as brocade, he immediately expressed his desire to go. Before Xu Xian and Pei Yaoqin were officially married, Gu Qing would not let his guard down.

"Seeing peach blossoms isn't bad."

Xiao Qing nodded.

"Where have you been these past two days?"

Gu Qing asked curiously.

"A relative had an accident—I went to visit."

Xiao Qing lied vaguely. She had five spirits under her command who had followed her causing trouble, but lately Hangzhou had become too crowded with immortals; the five spirits, terrified, refused to stay. So she sent them all to remote places to lie low. After returning, she hadn't even gone home—she came straight to find Gu Qing.

At Baojia Mountain, peach blossoms blazed brilliantly. Gu Qing and Xiao Qing arrived, gazing at the countless branches and blooms—easily tens of thousands of mu. They climbed to a high point and looked down, taking in the entire surrounding area. Gu Qing, "casually," spotted Xu Xian—walking with Pei Yaoqin. His heart eased.

"My lord, gazing upon this scene—have you painted it?"

Bai Suzhen's voice, gentle and sweet, suddenly appeared at Gu Qing's side.

Xiao Qing turned coldly away and saw, atop the hill, a white-robed beauty: her features like a painted scroll, tender and compassionate; her skin luminous as jade. Even after five hundred years of cultivation, Xiao Qing had rarely seen such a beauty.

She looked exactly like Guanyin from a painting.

"This is Bai Suzhen, a disciple of Lady Lishan."

Gu Qing, seeing that the two lifelong sisters seemed unaware of each other, introduced them: "This is my good brother, Cen Biqing."

Bai Suzhen, with gentle grace, nodded and smiled at Xiao Qing. Gu Qing added that during Xiao Qing's absence these past two days, he had met Bai Suzhen—thus, the two sisters were now briefly acquainted.

"Miss Bai, have you found lodging in Hangzhou?"

Gu Qing asked with concern.

Bai Suzhen smiled softly and replied vaguely, "I live near Qingbo Gate."

"Small world—I live near Qingbo Gate too."

Xiao Qing disliked Gu Qing's concern and Bai Suzhen's gentleness; it felt too glaring. Her tone carried a hint of pique.

Bai Suzhen's gaze swept over Gu Qing and Xiao Qing, sensing something amiss. She smiled faintly and added, "I live in Shuangcha Lane, near Qingbo Gate."

Xiao Qing's eyes flickered. "Small world—I live in Shuangcha Lane, near Qingbo Gate too."

Bai Suzhen, sensing Xiao Qing wasn't lying, said, "I live opposite the God of Wealth Temple in Shuangcha Lane, Qingbo Gate."

???

Xiao Qing's composure cracked. "I live opposite the God of Wealth Temple too!"

Bai Suzhen sensed something odd. She lightly pinched her fingertips, using the technique of Lady Lishan's lineage to calculate. "I live in the large red-walled mansion opposite the God of Wealth Temple in Shuangcha Lane, Qingbo Gate—with stone lions outside."

Xiao Qing stared, dumbfounded, then snapped, "You live there! Where do I live?!"

Went to the countryside—and came back to find her home stolen?

Xiao Qing trembled with rage.

After calculating, Bai Suzhen's face flushed slightly. "You left earlier—I moved in later…"

They were sisters who could not bow to each other.

Gu Qing watched their expressions, about to suggest they form a sworn sisterhood here in the peach orchard, when a commotion arose nearby. He turned to see a group of flower-viewers: an elderly woman had suddenly fainted, leaving the crowd in distress.

"Let's go see."

Gu Qing stepped forward immediately; Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing followed. When Gu Qing reached the crowd, people recognized him and quickly made way. He pried open the woman's eyelids, examined her qi, and administered acupuncture. After a few needles, the woman on the ground groaned and stirred—then vomited, turning to one side and retching.

"What's wrong with her?"

An elderly woman nearby reached out to support her, patting her back to soothe her.

"Yi'an—it's just an old ailment."

The vomiting woman spoke. At those words, Gu Qing's body tensed. He studied the old woman closely: her face thin, hair white, clothing plain and unadorned. He was reminded of the bright young girl from the Tianlong world—braid tied, cloak wrapped.

"Madam Yi'an?"

Gu Qing ventured.

The old woman's gaze, heavy with sorrow, fixed on Gu Qing and nodded.

"I've read your poetry."

Gu Qing rose and looked at Li Qingzhao, now in her sixties. "Everything will get better."

The current Li Qingzhao had endured southern flight, widowhood, remarriage, divorce—her heart heavy with sorrow. Hearing Gu Qing's words, half her grief lifted. Without knowing why, she nodded. "I hope so."

"Clap, clap, clap, clap…"

Applause rang out. Everyone turned to see a tall, thin old man staring fixedly at Gu Qing. "I wondered why things had changed lately—so it was you, Doctor Gu, working behind the scenes."

Gu Qing looked at the old man. "Doctor Shi."

Doctor Shi had been mentioned to Gu Qing by Wang Fengshan of Qingyu Hall: a veteran physician of Hangzhou, capable of curing many mysterious ailments. Once treated by him, patients never recovered under another doctor's care—and their constitutions grew weaker.

Wang Fengshan had once warned Gu Qing against treating patients publicly. Gu Qing had shifted all his practice to private sessions, depriving Doctor Shi of many patients. Doctor Shi had been unable to determine the cause—until now, seeing Gu Qing's acupuncture.

"Doctor Gu, your medical skill is extraordinary—I've long admired your name."

Doctor Shi's tone and demeanor carried a hint of provocation. "But your reputation doesn't match your methods. They're underhanded."

"I've long admired your name too, Doctor Shi—for serving Qin Gui."

Gu Qing replied calmly. "You are exactly what your reputation claims: a glory to your family. When your soul returns to the netherworld, your ancestors will surely praise you in unison."

The moment "Qin Gui" was spoken, Doctor Shi's wind was cut off. "Exactly what your reputation claims… a glory to your family"—the crowd's gazes turned sharp and suspicious.

(End of Chapter)