Chapter 31: Master Ethereal

Early the next morning, the group set out, traveling without rest toward Suzhou. At last, four days later at midday, they arrived outside the city gates.

Suzhou was the most prosperous region in the southern lands of the Dasheng Empire, where wealthy merchants and aristocratic families gathered in abundance. The carriage halted before the towering city gate, and Shen Qianmo lifted the curtain to look outside. The gate stood grand and imposing, with a constant flow of travelers passing through; its bustle rivaled the capital’s.

While the carriages queued to enter the city, Xie Mingyu sent Bi’an to inquire, “Cousin, my young master wishes to know whether you would like to pay your respects to the Old Master at the academy first, or rest at the Xie residence?”

After a brief consideration, Shen Qianmo replied, “Let us go to the academy first.” Master Ethereal was the highest elder of the Xie family, and it was only proper to greet him before all else.

Thus, after entering the city, the company went straight to the Biyue Academy, nestled at the foot of Wangyang Mountain in the eastern district.

Stepping down from the carriage, Shen Qianmo looked up at the signboard, where four bold, flowing characters spelled out “Biyue Academy,” inscribed personally by the late Emperor Mingxiao. The academy was built against the mountainside, its pavilions and gardens hidden amidst ancient towering trees, exuding a tranquil, refined charm. What a delightful place! she thought in earnest.

The vermillion gate swung open. Led by Xie Mingyu, Shen Qianmo, Meng Yuanheng, Feng Ze, Lu Ziqing, and the others passed through winding corridors, arriving at a secluded bamboo house deep within the academy. An elderly servant greeted Xie Mingyu at the door, bowing respectfully, “Young Master, you’ve arrived.”

Xie Mingyu nodded, “Uncle Fu, has Grandfather awakened from his midday nap?” Master Ethereal’s daily habit was to rest for half an hour after lunch.

Just as Uncle Fu was about to answer, an aged voice sounded from within, “Is that Mingyu? Come in.”

“Yes, Grandfather.” Xie Mingyu respectfully responded, “I’ve also brought several guests. Would you be willing to see them?”

“Let them all come in,” Master Ethereal replied after a moment’s pause.

With a soft creak, Uncle Fu opened the bamboo door, ushering everyone inside. The first thing Shen Qianmo noticed was a room filled with ancient books and scrolls. Then she saw a thin, dignified old man with white hair and beard, seated upright upon a bamboo couch, a sheepskin tome in his hands, his gaze calm as he looked upon them.

So this was the famed scholar, her maternal grandfather, Master Ethereal? Shen Qianmo thought his presence was exactly as she had imagined.

Master Ethereal was a great Confucian of his age, learned beyond compare. All who studied under him—regardless of birth or status—were treated equally; his character was lofty, and his reputation, unmatched. Thus, even figures such as Meng Yuanheng, Feng Ze, and Lu Ziqing, who were either of noble rank or held great power, showed him the utmost respect, bowing with due reverence.

Though Master Ethereal’s eyes were gentle, there was a wisdom within them that seemed to see through all things, lending an air of inescapable pressure. When his gaze lingered briefly on Prince Xuan, seated in the wheelchair, he paused for a moment, then turned to Shen Qianmo. Noting her features, reminiscent of Xie Yun in her youth, he was suddenly moved by emotion. His daughter had been ill-fated, leaving the world far too soon; this granddaughter must have endured much hardship.

Thinking thus, he spoke with paternal warmth, “You must be Mo’er. Come, let your grandfather have a good look at you.”

Seeing Master Ethereal, Shen Qianmo too felt a touch of familial affection. In her modern life, she was an orphan with no kin; the original Shen Qianmo, living in the Duke’s Manor, had neither a loving father nor mother. Family affection had long been a luxury for her. Yet here, she felt a happiness in being remembered and cherished. She stepped forward, knelt before Master Ethereal, and said, her voice choked with emotion, “Mo’er greets Grandfather.”

“Good, good.” Master Ethereal repeated, clearly moved.

When the greetings were done, Master Ethereal asked Xie Mingyu and Shen Qianmo to remain for conversation, while the others were led by Uncle Fu to a nearby sitting room.

After calming herself, Shen Qianmo and Xie Mingyu recounted all that had transpired in Yunzhou. At the mention of the Wuji Sect, Master Ethereal frowned slightly, surprise in his tone, “I did not expect that after nearly fifty years, the Wuji Sect would resurface. It seems unrest is on the horizon once more.”

“If the Wuji Sect seeks to revive the former dynasty, their first step must be to sow chaos, shaking the Dasheng Empire’s morale and creating opportunities for themselves. Judging by their previous actions—inciting scholars and officials to rebel, assassinating the top scholar in public, coercing the Mistress of the Flower Moon Palace to kidnap Yunzhou’s literati—they appear to be targeting the scholar class first. That is why the Xie family would be their next target,” Shen Qianmo offered her thoughts.

“Indeed, I agree with Mo’er,” Xie Mingyu concurred. “The Wuji Sect is elusive and cunning. I only fear what they might attempt at Grandfather’s birthday banquet.”

“The enemy hides in shadow while we stand in the light. For now, all we can do is remain calm and adapt as needed,” Shen Qianmo said, a cold glint in her eyes.

Master Ethereal nodded, showing his appreciation for Shen Qianmo’s composure and decisiveness.

Though anxious for the safety of the Xie family and the academy, Xie Mingyu did not lose his head. He immediately displayed his resolve and sense of duty, saying to Master Ethereal, “The Wuji Sect trains deathsworn assassins and excels at disguise and mind-bending arts. I wish to investigate the academy’s students and see if any seem suspicious.”

In recent years, Master Ethereal had withdrawn from the academy’s daily affairs. Xie Mingyu’s father, Scholar Songyue, preferred to travel the land, rarely spending time at home. Thus, the academy’s responsibilities now fell largely to Xie Mingyu, whom Master Ethereal trusted completely.

After Xie Mingyu took his leave, Master Ethereal kept Shen Qianmo behind.

Xie Mingyu had already written to inform him of Shen Qianmo’s situation at the Duke’s Manor. Now, seeing the scar on her face with his own eyes, he sighed inwardly and said, “Mo’er, you have suffered much these years. Now that you are here, stay in the Xie household for a good long while. I will send word to the Duke’s Manor myself.” This was Yun’s only flesh and blood, his only granddaughter—how could he allow others to mistreat or neglect her?

Shen Qianmo was moved. She could tell the old man before her truly cared for her. The Dowager of the Duke’s Manor had been kind to her as well, but Shen Qianmo knew that the old lady’s concern was not from the heart but rather for the sake of the old Duke’s promise and the family’s reputation. She sincerely thanked Master Ethereal, “Thank you, Grandfather.”

“By the way, why is Prince Xuan traveling with you? Though you are betrothed, was not the wedding postponed?” Master Ethereal asked, somewhat puzzled.

Moreover, from his earlier observation, it seemed Prince Xuan did not regard Mo’er with indifference.

Suddenly recalling something, he asked, “Mo’er, do you know who led the campaign to eradicate the Wuji Sect all those years ago?”

Shen Qianmo shook her head.

Master Ethereal was silent for a moment before continuing, “It was the second Prince Xuan, Meng Baichuan, whom the late emperor appointed. At just eighteen, proud and spirited, he led a hundred thousand troops straight to the Wuji Sect’s stronghold in Dingzhou, annihilating them without mercy.”

At that time, Master Ethereal had been studying in Dingzhou and saw firsthand the execution of Wuji Sect members by Meng Baichuan’s forces, their heads displayed on the city walls. Though Meng Baichuan had acted under imperial orders, his methods were brutally severe.

Suddenly, Shen Qianmo understood. “So, the Wuji Sect bears a blood feud against the House of Xuan. Prince Xuan’s journey south must be to probe the Wuji Sect’s current state.”

Meng Yuanheng truly is a man of deep scheming! But why would he risk traveling with his illness unhealed? And why accompany her specifically? Was it to protect her along the way?

“Earlier, I sensed some difference in Prince Xuan’s attitude toward you. What do you think of him?” Master Ethereal asked, his tone meaningful.

Shen Qianmo met his gaze calmly. “Though I do not yet love him, I do not dislike him either.”

“That is well,” Master Ethereal nodded. “Since the Emperor has bestowed this marriage, barring unforeseen events, you will become Princess Xuan. Only…”

He paused, then added, “I noted that while Prince Xuan’s expression was calm, there was a faint air of violence between his brows. Be cautious in the future.”