Please, Don’t Die - Chapter 30

The white-clad figure embroidered with gold vanished at the end of the road.

He Qingsheng looked up and saw the towering palace walls.

Where the white robes had passed, the sinister aura in the capital grew dense once more.

He Qingsheng had previously devoured nearly half of the more ferocious ghosts and evil spirits, but now the entire capital’s malevolent energy was surging again, as if making a strong comeback.

Standing beneath the palace walls, He Qingsheng noticed that the evil energy in the surrounding city was arranged in a deliberate, highly concealed pattern, clustering around these very walls.

No wonder she had found no anomalies while investigating the Imperial Preceptor’s residence.

Previously, due to the peculiar aura emanating from Yan Xingyi and his identity as the Imperial Preceptor, He Qingsheng had suspected him multiple times of being the sinister sorcerer behind the incidents in Jimo Town and with Madam Su.

Under the pretense of reminiscing, she had visited the Imperial Preceptor’s residence several times but found nothing amiss. It turned out she had been looking in the wrong place from the start.

The unusual aura on the Imperial Preceptor had been tainted by the palace.

And her junior brother’s trail had also disappeared within the palace.

This seemingly tranquil, forbidden palace must hold something abnormal.

A barrier of purple radiance blocked her from advancing further, an all-too-familiar chamber seal.

He Qingsheng tried several more times, but in her pure soul state, the purple barrier stood firm, preventing her entry.

She had no choice but to retreat empty-handed.

…

Jewelry Shop.

Zhuang Zhixing, seeing that Ying Qujie hadn’t struck, suddenly felt his knees give way and collapsed to the ground.

The servants accompanying him also fell to the ground one after another.

“I didn’t touch you. There are witnesses all around,” Ying Qujie said coldly, stepping around him to leave the crowd.

“You lowly scum, how dare you! Stop him!” Zhuang Zhixing, who had always been domineering, had initially planned to extort some money from him. But now, having been forced to kneel in public, he was humiliated and refused to let the matter go. “Anyone who stops him today can come to the Duke’s residence for a reward.”

The surrounding commoners gasped.

“The Duke’s residence?”

“It’s Duke Zhuang’s residence!”

The only person in the capital who could truly be called a duke was the founding hero and elder statesman of three dynasties, a man of immense power.

Whispers spread through the crowd, but a human wall formed nonetheless, blocking Ying Qujie’s path.

All were ordinary citizens.

Ying Qujie stopped and turned.

“What do you want?”

Shun Zi tried several times to help Zhuang Zhixing up from his knees, but to no avail.

Zhuang Zhixing could only look up at Ying Qujie, and realizing this only fueled his rage:

“You insolent wretch, how dare you humiliate me like this? Today, I will teach you a lesson you won’t forget.”

Under Ying Qujie’s icy gaze, his threats grew increasingly hollow.

On the third floor of a nearby tavern, Ying Yuanqi, leaning on the railing, noticed the commotion below. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the center of the disturbance was none other than his recently returned elder brother and the sole heir of Duke Zhuang. He hurried downstairs and pushed through the crowd.

“Please forgive him, Young Master Zhuang,” Ying Yuanqi stepped forward, helping Zhuang Zhixing up with a conciliatory smile. “It’s been a while since we last met. How about I host you for a drink today? Would you honor me with your presence?”

“What business is it of yours?” Zhuang Zhixing snapped, recognizing Ying Yuanqi.

He had often been scolded by his father for not measuring up to Ying Yuanqi’s achievements, so he had no patience for the latter’s interference now.

Ying Yuanqi feigned hesitation. “This is my elder brother. He meant no offense, Young Master Zhuang. I hope you can overlook this matter.”

Even as the heir of a duke, the Zhuang family’s current prestige relied entirely on the old duke’s legacy. In contrast, the Ying family had produced three generations of generals, their influence solid and undeniable. Ying Yuanqi reckoned Zhuang Zhixing wouldn’t dare slight the general’s household outright.

Zhuang Zhixing might be a spoiled young master, but he had been sternly warned by his father time and again not to provoke the children of court officials recklessly.

Upon hearing Ying Yuanqi’s words, his displeased expression softened considerably.

“So, it’s the eldest son of the Ying household. How rare to hear of you.”

Zhuang Zhixing narrowed his small, triangular eyes, sweeping them up and down Ying Qujie before landing once more on the wooden puppet in his hands.

“I merely took a liking to this puppet of yours, Eldest Young Master Ying. Who knew it would cause such a misunderstanding? Why not name your price? A simple transaction to clear the air.”

His words were shameless, but given his status, no one dared to openly challenge him.

Glancing at the puppet in Ying Qujie’s hand, Ying Yuanqi interjected, “If Young Master Zhuang is fond of such trinkets, I’ll have better ones sought out and carefully packaged before delivering them personally to the Duke’s residence.”

“You jest, my good friend. I find your elder brother’s possession already extraordinary, no need for such trouble.”

The implication was clear: nothing but Ying Qujie’s puppet would do.

“Not for sale.” Ying Qujie’s voice was icy, his expression dark.

When He Qingsheng returned, this was the exact standoff she walked into.

Ying Qujie stood rigidly in place, like a stubborn little flower enduring unfair treatment.

Seeing He Qingsheng return, his expression eased slightly.

“Oh? How did you get bullied the moment I stepped away?” He Qingsheng floated back into the little puppet.

Ying Qujie: “Where did you go?”

Though the question was perfectly ordinary, He Qingsheng seemed to hear a note of grievance in it, Where did you go? I was bullied.

He Qingsheng shuddered. “Stop whining.”

Ying Qujie, who had been ready to strike if she’d returned a second later: “?”

Unfazed, He Qingsheng elegantly smoothed her sleeves.

In full view of the crowd, without the slightest regard for the onlookers, she stood up in Ying Qujie’s palm and stretched her limbs.

Her emerald-green robes and blood-red jewels swayed faintly with her movements.

In an instant, the puppet’s once-lifeless features seemed infused with a soul, suddenly brimming with vitality. Yet an eerie aura emanated from her, sending chills down everyone’s spines.

“Kneel.” He Qingsheng unleashed her killing intent, her voice projecting outward.

Before the crowd could recover from their shock, Zhuang Zhixing’s knees buckled as if kicked, slamming heavily onto the ground, leaving him kneeling stiffly before Ying Qujie.

“Who do you think you are, trying to buy me?” He Qingsheng looked down at Zhuang Zhixing, her voice laced with menace.

Cold sweat drenched Zhuang Zhixing’s back as an icy pressure weighed him down, terrifying and suffocating. The chill coiled around his neck, leaving his mind blank. Survival instinct drove him to stammer apologies.

The bystanders were stunned by the sudden turn of events, frozen between the urge to scream and flee and the fear of drawing attention.

Even Ying Yuanqi watched He Qingsheng warily, his hand hovering near his blade.

He Qingsheng had always been capricious, but she rarely appeared in public, let alone caused such a scene.

Ying Qujie pondered for a moment before lifting her closer. “Enough playing.”

“Fine.” Seeing that the lesson had been delivered, He Qingsheng flicked her sleeve, dispersing the killing intent pressing down on Zhuang Zhixing. She turned back to Ying Qujie with a smirk. “For the sake of Physician Ying’s plea, I’ll spare you today.”

“Thank you, Immortal, for sparing my life! Thank you, Immortal, for sparing my life!” He collapsed to the ground, tears and snot streaming down his face, completely devoid of his earlier arrogance.

“Ah, there you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.” Yan Xingyi pushed through the crowd and walked up, effortlessly reaching out to take the small wooden puppet.

He Qingsheng had achieved his goal and had no intention of causing panic among the people, so he smoothly handed it over to Yan Xingyi.

“Oh, it’s the Imperial Preceptor. Then everything’s fine.”

“That scared me to death, I thought there were monsters in the capital.”

“Let’s disperse, everyone.”

The surrounding onlookers murmured among themselves, their fearful expressions quickly easing as the crowd gradually scattered.

Though the whispers were quiet, none of the present were ordinary people.

He Qingsheng smiled at Yan Xingyi. “You’ve got quite the reputation.”

“Don’t tease me,” Yan Xingyi replied helplessly, keeping his voice low. “It’s just the prestige of a feudal dynasty.”

“True enough,” He Qingsheng agreed wholeheartedly.

Ying Qujie, watching the two converse as if no one else were around, cleared his throat lightly.

He Qingsheng signaled Yan Xingyi to get to work.

Understanding, Yan Xingyi turned to the trembling Zhuang Zhixing on the ground and exclaimed dramatically, “Ah, my deepest apologies! A playful spirit from the Imperial Preceptor’s residence frightened the young master. Are you alright? Any serious harm?”

His tone was concerned, but he made no move to help the man up.

“No harm done. I didn’t realize it belonged to the Imperial Preceptor, my apologies for the offense.” Zhuang Zhixing forced a strained smile. “I hope the Imperial Preceptor won’t take it to heart.”

He shot a fierce glare at his attendant, Shun Zi, who hurried over to help him up. Staggering unsteadily, they made a hasty and humiliating retreat.

Ying Yuanqi, not wanting to burn all bridges, offered a brief farewell to Yan Xingyi and Ying Qujie before rushing after Zhuang Zhixing.

Ying Qujie discreetly retrieved the small puppet, straightening her clothes and hair ornaments.

Yan Xingyi praised Ying Qujie, “You’ve dressed her quite well, Physician Ying.” Then, tilting his head toward He Qingsheng, he mused, “Wouldn’t you say Physician Ying is practically the first ancient person to own a Barbie doll? Right, Barbie Xiao He?”

“Get lost,” He Qingsheng shot back with an eye roll. She was quite satisfied with her current outfit, at least it was better than the bloodstained white robes.

Ying Qujie pressed his lips together. He didn’t know what a Barbie doll was, but Yan Xingyi did. That knowledge belonged solely to them.

“Thank you, Imperial Preceptor, for resolving the situation. If there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave now.”

“Eh?” Yan Xingyi hadn’t finished chatting and wasn’t ready to let them go. “Don’t rush off, Physician Ying. What a coincidence, I’ve ordered the new grilled fish from Baiwei Tower today. I hear it’s quite delicious. Why not join me at my residence for a meal?”

“Sure.”

Before Ying Qujie could respond, He Qingsheng agreed first.

Ying Qujie was certain that even if he refused, He Qingsheng would still follow Yan Xingyi.

Might as well see what they’d been up to these past few days.

…

Yan Xingyi wasn’t in the habit of traveling by carriage, and Ying Qujie, with his exceptional lightness skill, was accustomed to walking.

With no hurry, by the time the two arrived at the Imperial Preceptor’s residence, it was already noon.

Servants had laid out the meal.

Ying Qujie and Yan Xingyi took their seats.

A small space was left at the corner of the table for He Qingsheng, who sat there propping her head up as she flipped through a book.

He Qingsheng was engrossed, and Ying Qujie could only catch glimpses of a few images, something like meticulous brushwork, but with an odd artistic style.

“Interested?” He Qingsheng turned slightly, allowing Ying Qujie to see the contents of the picture book.

He took one glance and immediately averted his eyes, sitting up straight and focusing intently on his meal.

“Absurd.”

Yan Xingyi tugged at the page, pulling He Qingsheng a little farther away. “Don’t tease him. Physician Ying has never seen an anime girl before.”

He Qingsheng, as if struck by a thought, teased, “Oh right, why don’t you submit it to the publishing house? Give the pure ancients a dose of 2D shock.”

Yan Xingyi shook his head helplessly. “Please don’t. While the Great Su Dynasty is indeed open-minded, it’s not that open. I don’t want to stir up trouble.”

The two shared a knowing smile.

Ying Qujie: “…”

He cleared his throat. “This fish is really good.”

“Rare to hear you praise food. It must be truly exceptional,” He Qingsheng remarked with amusement.

The fish on the plate was golden and slightly crispy, glistening temptingly. Beneath the skin, the flesh was tender and white, paired with red and green peppers and a numbing spice blend, so fragrant and spicy it seemed to fill the air. It was visibly delicious.

Ying Qujie usually preferred light flavors, but after a few bites, his thin lips were flushed red from the spice, making him particularly striking. He Qingsheng’s gaze lingered briefly before he looked away.

Yan Xingyi hissed through the heat, sighing regretfully. “Too bad my skills aren’t up to par. I couldn’t let you taste it right now, Xiao He.”

“What do you mean?” Ying Qujie set down his chopsticks and turned to Yan Xingyi.

Yan Xingyi lamented, “I’ve heard that beyond this realm, there’s a world of cultivation called the Twelve Walls, where countless cultivators seek their own paths. With three thousand great paths, surely among the Twelve Walls, there must be a way to let ghosts eat.”