“Still, it is the Master’s broad mind and clear insight that shines through.”
County Magistrate Zhou sighed in admiration, his gaze sweeping over the three people in the courtroom who looked as if they had lost their closest kin.
Just as he was about to pronounce the verdict, his eyes caught Lu Qiancha’s thoughtful expression.
Stirred in his heart, he cupped his hands and said, “Master, regarding this case before the court, may I ask if you have any valuable opinion?”
“It’s not exactly a valuable opinion, just some thoughts at most.”
Lu Qiancha shook his head and replied.
“Please speak, I am all ears.”
County Magistrate Zhou lowered his posture further.
“All three parties bear fault in this matter.”
Lu Qiancha spoke steadily, “However, in my opinion… it might be best to award Liu Ping to Li Da.”
“Oh?!”
County Magistrate Zhou’s brows furrowed slightly. His internal scales had long tilted—Li Da was the aggressor, Liu Ping was unfaithful; their actions far surpassed Liu Wu’s violent misconduct.
He had intended to severely punish both Li and Liu, return Liu Ping to her original husband, and mete out further penalties.
But now, he dared not voice this thought openly. Instead, he cautiously asked, “May I inquire, Master… why is that?”
“County Magistrate, please observe.”
A clear light flowed in Lu Qiancha’s eyes as he spoke with discernment, “Liu Ping’s affections are not with Liu Wu, and what Liu Wu seeks is not a wife’s love, but a partner to manage the household and continue the family line, correct?”
“Master’s insight is sharp indeed.”
County Magistrate Zhou nodded.
“So, what is the root cause of the problem?”
“Nothing more than… ‘money’.”
County Magistrate Zhou smiled bitterly.
“Exactly!”
Lu Qiancha nodded, a trace of clarity flashing in his eyes. “If Liu Ping is awarded to Li Da, and Li Da is fined a substantial sum to be paid to Liu Wu, mandated for the purpose of remarriage…”
He paused briefly, his meaning profound: “The wife who lost her husband is compensated, the husband who seeks a wife’s affection gets what he desires, and the greedy man obtains what he wants.”
“Each party gains what they need, and grievances dissolve. Isn’t that a… ‘Perfect Solution’ in the human world?”
A thunderous clarity struck County Magistrate Zhou’s mind, like clearing clouds to see the moon.
Li Da was a scion of the Chengnei Wealthy Gentry; a heavy fine from him was like plucking a hair from a bull.
Liu Wu was poor, and with such a generous sum, finding a new wife would be effortless. Three parties benefit… and balance is truly achieved.
“Wonderful! Truly wonderful!”
County Magistrate Zhou was thoroughly convinced, cupping his hands once more. “Master, your words have awakened those lost in dreams! I… shall now judge impartially!”
He struck the judgment wooden block with a bang, loudly pronouncing the verdict, turning Lu Qiancha’s “Perfect Solution” into golden words spoken in court.
Upon hearing the judgment, the three below the dais all showed expressions of having their wishes fulfilled—Li Da secretly pleased to escape disaster and keep his prize, Liu Wu quietly happy with the heavy sum in hand, and Liu Ping relieved to be freed from suffering.
In the end, amid shouts of “Mighty!” and complicated gazes, the crowd left the courtroom.
***
A short while later, inside the county office.
With fragrant tea served, County Magistrate Zhou’s expression grew solemn.
“Master, you are so knowledgeable. I wonder… have you ever heard the old tale of the ‘Peach Blossom Paradise’ in Jiangling City?”
“I have never known it. Please, tell me more.”
Lu Qiancha shook his head slightly, his gaze tightening.
County Magistrate Zhou took a deep breath, lowering his voice with a hint of mystique. “It is said that centuries ago, a Tao Gong accidentally entered a pure land.
Upon return, he wrote ‘Tao’s Miscellaneous Notes on the Peach Blossom Spring,’ which says:
‘At the end of the forest, the water runs out; after walking several hundred steps, the view suddenly opens up, revealing fertile flatlands, peach groves stretching a thousand miles, winding paths, mulberry and bamboo, and neatly arranged houses.
Thus, he led his family into it, living there in seclusion, disregarding time, sharing eternal life…’”
Hearing this, Lu Qiancha inwardly scoffed: what cultivation world Tao Yuanming?
“Master,” County Magistrate Zhou’s worry was now visible, “I suspect the recent strange disappearances of over twenty people… may be connected to that elusive, dreamy… ‘Peach Blossom’!”
“County Magistrate means… they all disappeared while searching for the Peach Blossom Paradise?”
“Yes.”
County Magistrate Zhou nodded gravely, cold sweat forming at his temples.
“What’s worse, I have sent elite constables to investigate the trail… but three squads, five men in total… vanished like stones sinking in the mud—never to return!”
“Ah!”
“Do you know where these people disappeared?”
Lu Qiancha asked again.
“Of course! But that place…” County Magistrate Zhou’s face showed reverence and fear. “Is no ordinary spot, Master. Please follow me to take a look!”
Horse hooves clattered over blue stone paths, winding through streets and alleys until they stopped before a sea of bamboo.
The scene made Lu Qiancha raise an eyebrow—it was not the lush green bamboo forest she imagined, but an endless stretch of withered bamboo stalks, yellowed and lifeless, branches and leaves scorched.
The whole grove swayed in the wind, emitting dry, cracking rustles.
Lu Qiancha looked around, unable to hide her surprise, asking, “Why has this bamboo forest withered so thoroughly?”
“Master,” the accompanying Shiye hurriedly bowed, speaking clearly, “this is the ‘Withered Yellow Bamboo’ calamity. Bamboo differs from wood; its roots are called Bamboo Rhizomes, deeply buried underground, spreading like dragons and snakes.”
“Normal bamboo forests bloom once every sixty to one hundred and twenty years. When flowers bloom and seeds form, they nourish birds and beasts. Yet bamboo is rigid in nature, almost foolishly so!”
The Shiye spoke with reverence, continuing, “Before blooming, the Bamboo Rhizomes grow wildly, expanding territory, roots tangled like a spider’s web.”
“Over time, these rhizomes crush each other, fighting for soil gaps, spring veins, and resources—like thousands of soldiers fighting to cross a single-log bridge!”
“Above ground, old bamboo is uncut while new shoots block the sun. Leaves shade the sky, old and new stalks can’t absorb the sun’s essence… eventually, leaves thin and fade, the whole grove’s vitality is lost, leaving only this… desolate yellow wasteland!”
“That shouldn’t be so. If it were true, the bamboo forest should have perished completely,” Lu Qiancha frowned, probing further.
“Master may not know,” the Shiye respectfully replied, “although the bamboo forest dies, it still strives to bloom and preserve seeds. When the rainy season arrives, overnight, it can bloom green again.”
“I see, much appreciated.”
Lu Qiancha nodded. Essentially, these bamboo spread underground through Bamboo Rhizomes. When rhizomes are too dense and entangled, they compete for underground space, water, and nutrients, causing all to wither together.
But when the bamboo dies and seeds, once the rhizomes rot and the dead bamboo becomes fertilizer, the rain allows new shoots to break through, starting a new cycle.
“Not at all! Not at all! I speak nonsense and bring laughter upon myself before the Master!”
The Shiye shivered with fear, waving his hands frantically, nearly bowing down.
Lu Qiancha did not bother arguing. Her voice was calm, “You all may return first. If danger lurks here, I may have the ability to escape, but I cannot protect you all.”
***
County Magistrate Zhou hesitated a moment, then solemnly cupped his fist to Lu Qiancha, vaulted onto his horse, and said, “Master, take care.”
He then led his men back to the city, knowing that they were more a burden than help beside Lu Qiancha. It was better to return separately for safety.
After the sound of hooves faded, Lu Qiancha removed her disguise and walked slowly into the bamboo forest.
Walking among the fully yellowed grove, Lu Qiancha clicked her tongue in amazement. She had seen green bamboo forests before, but never one so yellow.
After walking for half a day, fatigue crept in. Everywhere she looked was nothing but withered yellow. The initial novelty gave way to tedious monotony.
She scanned the surroundings again and again with her Ling Shi, but found no abnormalities.
The sky darkened; dusk fell like lead.
***
After nearly two more hours with no results, Lu Qiancha stopped.
She casually chopped a few withered bamboo stalks and lit a campfire in a relatively flat clearing.
The crackling firelight danced, illuminating her thoughtful face.
In her paws was a freshly caught mountain chicken.
Plucking feathers and cleaning, she skewered it over the fire, controlling the roasting with Ling Shi. The sizzling fat and the aroma of meat rose together.
She hummed an off-key tune, finding a wild serenity amid this dead forest.
Just as the chicken’s scent spread, her Jade Token suddenly chimed.
Lu Qiancha’s Ling Shi scanned; an unread message appeared.
Xun Xue: “Where have you gone off to play?”
Lu Qiancha replied: “Out doing the Zongmen Mission.”
Not long after, the buzzing sounded again.
Xun Xue: “Going out to play and not bringing your mom? QAQ!”
Lu Qiancha looked at the last “QAQ” and could almost see that mock-pitiful, tearful face through the Jade Token.
Her mouth twitched silently.
Coming out to take missions… wasn’t it exactly to avoid this “Mother Dearest”?
Recalling the earlier scene of bloodline resonance with Xun Xue, a wave of panic rose within her.
If she truly, as Canxin said, had wholly become Xun Xue’s little wolf cub—an idiot who only knew comfort— How would Master view her? How would Gantang see her?
Would they treat her as an outcast, distance themselves, despise, or even… abandon her?
She did not know the answer.
But just these fragments of possibility flashing through her mind stirred a helpless anxiety deep in her heart.