RWNEFE -Chapter 673 Xu Qingshan of Ghost Valley!

There were indeed others in the room. Shen Lanxi had brought together officials selected from various departments to discuss, based on local customs and unique regional specialties, ways to help the local people grow wealthier.

Liu Yanhui took the lead and pointed out, “There’s nothing much left to improve in Fengze County. The waterways here are abundant. Years ago, fisheries and livestock farming were already developed, and even the rice varieties planted have been improved.”

“If there’s anything that needs reform, it’s the taxation along the route. Dried chicken and duck products transported from here to other regions must pass through the newly built waterways and multiple docks, and the taxes collected are quite substantial.”

Shen Lanxi replied, “Although the court’s expenditures no longer rely on taxes for support, tax reductions have at most been granted to the common people. Merchants, on the other hand, are still operating for profit…”

The discussion lasted until the moon was high in the sky. Shen Yuanjing, who had been waiting outside for a long time and had no idea when it would end, eventually went to rest.

The next morning, no longer willing to wait, Shen Yuanjing went to request an assignment after breakfast.

“Your Majesty, everyone else has duties to carry out. Only I have none. I, too, wish to share some of Your Majesty’s burdens.”

Shen Lanxi said, “You’ve long been stationed at the borders. On this trip, I intended for you to rest properly. Since you can’t sit idle, go ashore and investigate cases.”

Although Shen Yuanjing did not particularly want to disembark, he was delighted to hear there were cases to investigate.

After all, the results would be reported directly to His Majesty. This assignment was no less important than Zhou Cheng’an’s.

When they once again encountered commoners crying out for justice, Shen Yuanjing disembarked.

…

“Your Majesty, we have been traveling for sixty days. In two more days, we will reach the end of the waterway. So far, we have received 1,200 petitions from the people. Among them, those verified as true…”

Shen Lanxi listened quietly without speaking.

A small boat rowed from the main ship toward the shore.

“Third Brother, Fifth Brother, Seventh Brother, Eighth Brother…”

Shen Lanxi called them one by one.

They bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty!”

A bright smile bloomed on Shen Lanxi’s face. “Has Master come down from the mountain?”

Third Brother Yin Zi laughed. “Master had long wanted to descend the mountain. Last time, he had already packed to come help you, but unexpectedly, you resolved the problem yourself.”

There was regret in his voice.

Fifth Brother Feng Wu added, “Don’t listen to him. Although Master didn’t come out last time, when he saw that you had resolved the matter of the fake Ghost Valley successor, he was deeply gratified.”

Seventh Brother Jiang Wuya smiled. “Master said he has nothing left to teach you. You have surpassed your teacher.”

Shen Lanxi maintained her gentle smile.

“I’ve missed Master as well. One purpose of this southern tour is to visit him—and all of you, my senior brothers and sisters.”

Jiang Wuya laughed. “Then let’s go. Don’t keep Master waiting.”

After riding for another half hour, they arrived at a residence deep within the mountains.

This was one of Ghost Valley’s strongholds.

An immortal-looking man stood at the entrance, accompanied by several men and women, clearly waiting for some time.

“Master, your disciple pays respects!”

Shen Lanxi knelt and performed the formal ceremony of apprenticeship.

Xu Qingshan stared at her—so different now from the person in his memory—for a long moment before finally smiling and helping her up.

“You are now the sovereign of a nation. There is no need to bow to a recluse like me.”

“I should be the one paying respects to you.”

As Xu Qingshan spoke, he moved to kneel. Yin Zi, Feng Wu, and the others stepped forward to stop him, but Xu Qingshan pushed them away.

“The rites between ruler and subject must not be neglected. Even if you are now favored ministers in imperial service, you must not grow arrogant through favor.”

The disciples lowered their heads, listening carefully to the reprimand.

Jiang Wuya glanced at Shen Lanxi silently, his eyes filled with confusion and deep contemplation.

“This subject, Xu Qingshan, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”

Shen Lanxi’s gaze was calm, her presence steady.

“Rise.”

Xu Qingshan pushed himself up.

With a smile, Shen Lanxi said, “Master, I wish to speak with you alone.”

A flicker passed through Xu Qingshan’s eyes. What was meant to come has finally come, he thought.

A woman who had ascended the imperial throne could hardly be someone kept in the dark.

“Your Majesty, please follow this humble subject inside.”

The members of Ghost Valley looked at one another as though guessing riddles.

After the two entered the residence, the others finally voiced their confusion.

“Why are Master and His Majesty acting so strangely today?”

“Could it be because they haven’t seen each other in so long?”

Jiang Wuya shook his head inwardly. No—that wasn’t it.

He had always believed Ghost Valley was the Emperor’s backing. Now, it seemed that might not be the case.

Inner chamber

The two sat down, each occupying one side of the table.

“Master, please have some tea.” Shen Lanxi lifted the teapot and poured tea for Xu Qingshan, just as she had when she was still in Ghost Valley.

Steam rose from the cup—it had just been refilled with hot water.

Xu Qingshan took a sip and suddenly sighed.

“You already know?”

Shen Lanxi replied, “There has always been something I found strange. With the minds of Huang Yu and Zhou Xinrou, they could not have devised such a meticulous plan. Yet I could never find the strategist behind them. Master, don’t you find that odd?”

Xu Qingshan smiled faintly. “Indeed, it is odd.”

Shen Lanxi continued, “The Thatched Cottage lineage has remained hidden for too long. In the eyes of the world, it had nearly ceased to exist. After Yuan Lang descended the mountain, he was eager to prove the Thatched Cottage’s worth—to secure its place in the world. That would be fitting behavior for a recluse.”

Xu Qingshan lowered his eyes, weariness gradually spreading across his face.

“You were the finest student I ever taught. You have once again brought the name of Ghost Valley before the world.”

“So, Master,” Shen Lanxi asked, “when you met me back then and took me as your disciple—was it intentional?”

Xu Qingshan closed his eyes, recalling the past carefully.

“No. At that time, I wasn’t certain whether you had the aptitude.”

“So I was merely a casual move on the chessboard?” Shen Lanxi asked lightly.

Xu Qingshan replied, “Let me teach you one more lesson: there are no idle pieces on a chessboard. Even the most insignificant piece has its use.”

“Then, Master,” Shen Lanxi asked, “who was the most crucial piece you chose at the beginning?”

Xu Qingshan did not hide anything. Whatever his most outstanding disciple asked, he would answer.

After all, this disciple had fulfilled his grand ambition—raising Ghost Valley once more to mythic heights.

“Zhou Ruyuan.”

Shen Lanxi laughed outright. She had guessed Zhou Xinrou, or perhaps some inconspicuous prince—but never the most prominent one, Zhou Ruyuan.

“Unfortunately, Master was disappointed.”

Xu Qingshan’s voice turned cold. “He was indeed unfit for great responsibility. Fortunately, I have never made only a single preparation.”

“That certainly suits Master’s resourceful style,” Shen Lanxi replied.

“When I was young and full of ambition,” Xu Qingshan said, “I had aspirations of my own. Yet because of Ghost Valley’s rule of choosing a lord to serve, I was unable to realize them.”