Chapter 68: Twin Phoenixes

Wu Ming had visited this place several times in his memories, and it was considered quiet and clean.

As soon as the carriage stopped, a quick-footed attendant wearing a white towel around his neck eagerly came out to greet them: “Will the two of you be staying overnight or just having a quick bite?”

“At this hour, where else could we possibly go?”

Wu Ming smiled and said, “Take my carriage to the backyard. Feed the horse well, using premium feed! And prepare a courtyard for me—I plan to stay for a few days!”

“Sure thing!”

Upon hearing this, the attendant’s face lit up with joy as he led Wu Ming and his servant to a secluded courtyard.

The courtyard contained several rooms, originally meant for a traveling family. Since Wu Ming and his servant were only two people, the space was more than sufficient.

“Master, why don’t you wash your feet first?”

In the Great Zhou dynasty, the east was considered the most honorable direction, so naturally, the eastern wing was reserved for Wu Ming. As soon as he entered, the innkeeper brought in a basin of hot water and smiled, saying, “Have a rest!”

“Hmph…”

Even Wu Ming, after a long journey, felt somewhat tired and uncomfortable.

After soaking his feet, he finally exhaled deeply, feeling much more relaxed and at ease. Lazily leaning back, he heard the innkeeper ask, “What would the young master like to eat tonight?”

“Hmm… Do you have any beef?”

“Unfortunately, we’re out of beef recently. However, we do have marinated pig’s head meat, pig ears, and pig tails. Would you like some?”

Wu Ming glanced toward Wu Tiehu, who was busy in the courtyard, and smiled. “Then bring a plate of pig ears, plus ten steamed buns. Also, shred a wind-dried chicken, stir-fry two vegetable dishes, and bring a pot of wine. That should be all!”

“Just a moment, Master!”

The innkeeper left and returned less than half an hour later with a tray of food, setting it out on the table, the aroma wafting through the air.

He also poured wine into a flask and cups, serving Wu Ming with great care.

“Alright, you can leave now. No need to attend me further!”

Wu Ming nodded, giving the innkeeper a silver coin as a tip, which immediately brought a wide grin to the man’s face as he respectfully withdrew.

Noticing Wu Tiehu still standing nearby, Wu Ming said, “Come on! Sit down and eat too!”

“Thank you, young master!”

Normally, Wu Tiehu wasn’t such a reserved person, but for some reason, in the presence of his young master, he always felt a certain sense of awe and dared not be careless.

Upon hearing Wu Ming’s invitation, he hesitated before sitting down and began eating a steamed bun with some pig ears.

He was extremely hungry, quickly devouring one bun in just a few bites, and after drinking a bowl of wine, he gradually relaxed.

Wu Ming ate his meal at a leisurely pace, noticing that the inn indeed had a good reputation. Not only had they prepared wind-dried chicken, but they had also stir-fried the chicken’s internal organs, feet, and vegetables together, creating a fragrant and appetizing dish.

However, after taking a couple of bites, Wu Ming stopped eating. Wu Tiehu, on the other hand, seemed to really enjoy it, devouring the dish rapidly.

“Master, call me if you need anything!”

After finishing his meal, Wu Tiehu excused himself. Wu Ming, however, summoned the innkeeper to clear the table and then went to a higher floor, leaning over the railing and gazing at the spiritual aura of the city.

Night had fallen, and the city was dotted with countless lights. Yet to Wu Ming’s eyes, there was a different kind of spectacle.

Activating his spiritual vision, he saw dark misty energy floating over the vast land. Within the city, faint white vapors gathered like rivers flowing together, intermingled with red light, and even specks of golden yellow interspersed within the red.

“No wonder this is the human realm’s fortune. The aura of this city is indeed quite impressive…”

Wu Ming murmured thoughtfully, “Just by looking at the city’s spiritual energy, I can tell that the current governor is doing a fairly good job!”

This was an important observation.

It was said that the Wang family had Wang Zhong, who had previously served as a governor and managed flood control, gaining the people’s respect, thus establishing their roots in the city. However, the imperial court was no fool and wouldn’t continue appointing members of the Wang family as governors. Otherwise, after a few generations, they would inevitably become independent feudal lords.

There had always been tensions between imperial officials and local powerhouses.

Therefore, in Wu Ming’s view, since the influential Wang family was his rival, the governor’s office might become a potential ally.

“This governor is named Li Zhen, right? I’ve heard he has a reputation for integrity and has done many good deeds, earning him the title of ‘Mr. Qingtian’ among the people… Hehe…”

A reputation for integrity and popularity among the people usually meant he had antagonized the wealthy families.

Although there were officials skilled in balancing interests and avoiding offending either side, such talents would never remain confined to a local post for long.

“Of course… one shouldn’t fully believe all the rumors circulating among the commoners… but the relationship between the governor and the Wang family, if not outright hostile, was certainly like opposing winds—eventually one side would dominate the other. Within this dynamic, perhaps lies my opportunity…”

Wu Ming withdrew his spiritual sight, already resolved to visit the city god temple, the Wang family residence, and the governor’s mansion the next day to observe their auras.

…

Meanwhile, within a grand mansion in the city.

This residence was quite impressive, with two large green stone lions guarding the entrance, exuding an imposing presence. Even the eyes of the stone lions gleamed faintly, indicating they had been blessed by high monks or Taoist priests to ward off evil spirits and misfortune.

Back in the day, just building these two lions and having them consecrated by experts had cost nearly ten thousand taels of silver!

Throughout the entire city, only one family could afford such grandeur—none other than the prestigious Wang family, whose ancestors had once served as governors and who now held the position of city guardian deity.

Amidst the pavilions, terraces, and elegant buildings, a study still glowed with lamplight.

The head of the Wang family, Wang Su, was dressed in a green robe, wearing a golden crown, with three long strands of beard, exuding great dignity.

“Father, your son respectfully requests an audience!”

A voice came from outside the door.

“Is that you, Yu? Come in!”

Moments later, a young man dressed in brocade robes, with a face as handsome as carved jade and eyes as bright as ink, entered with a respectful bow: “Your son greets you, Father!”

This was Wang Yu, Wang Su’s eldest son. It was said that his mother had dreamed of holding the sun in her hands while pregnant with him, hence his name.

At his birth, there had been unusual signs, and since then, he had displayed extraordinary abilities.

At five, he could understand literature; at seven, he could compose poetry. In the cultivation of Daoism, he had advanced rapidly, outshining all his brothers, both legitimate and concubine-born, firmly securing his position.

To outsiders, Wang Yu was the favored son, blessed with a powerful maternal clan and exceptional talent. In his twenties, he was already a promising young man, having reached the rank of a Daoist priest, with the potential to become a Daoist immortal.

Yet even a figure like him dared not breathe too loudly in the presence of his father, Wang Su.

“Father, regarding the incident in Yunping County, it was merely the reckless actions of a servant. I have already dealt with him severely!”

Only Wang Yu truly understood his father—the man who controlled the Wang family’s fate, held the lives of thousands in his hands, and had stood firm in the city for decades. He knew just how terrifying his father could be.

“Who was he? Was he killed?”

Wang Su finished writing a character and looked up, his gaze pressing down like a mountain.

“Your son has already punished him severely, please…”

Wang Yu gritted his teeth and knelt, his eyes showing a hint of stubbornness.

For a moment, father and son locked eyes, then Wang Su suddenly smiled: “Well done… Although the servant acted recklessly, it was ultimately for your sake. Handle it yourself. If you had handed him over, who would dare work for you in the future?”

He was very satisfied with this son.

If Wu Ming had been present, he would surely have praised these words as wise.

Just like in history, when Liu Bang entered Guanzhong first, Xiang Yu led his troops to attack. Zhang Liang asked Liu Bang who had encouraged him to enter Guanzhong, and Liu Bang replied: “A petty man advised me, saying, ‘Hold the pass and do not allow the feudal lords to enter, and you can rule all of Qin.’ So I listened.”

“Petty man” was a derogatory term, and he didn’t even specify who it was.

Yet at the Hongmen Banquet, Liu Bang said to Xiang Yu: “…Now someone has spread rumors, causing misunderstanding between us…”

Before the question was even posed, Xiang Yu immediately revealed the truth: “It was Cao Wushang, your left Sima (military advisor). Otherwise, how could I have come here?”

After returning, Liu Bang immediately executed Cao Wushang!

The difference and contrast were clear, which is why Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu and won the empire—certainly not by luck.

The principles of governing a country and managing a family are the same.

Seeing this, Wang Su felt pleased. This was the “magnanimity” of a ruler!

“Thank you, Father!”

Wang Yu bowed again, feeling relieved.

“Pity… Miss Wu Qing is indeed exceptionally talented. She managed to directly ascend to the rank of priest, breaking through the situation, and was even appointed as a high-ranking official to participate in this important matter… Hehe… The head of Yunping County is also quite a figure! I underestimated him before…”

Wang Su sighed.

Wang Yu felt a bit puzzled. Naturally, he understood how difficult it was to break through to the rank of priest. He admired Wu Qing for being a woman who had achieved this without external help, but only to a certain extent. He didn’t expect his father to take her so seriously, so he subtly inquired further.

“You don’t understand…”

Wang Su shook his head, gazing at the starry sky outside the window, and suddenly asked, “Do you know why our Chufeng Prefecture and the neighboring Nanfeng Prefecture both have ‘Feng’ (phoenix) in their names?”

“This…”

Wang Yu was well-versed in knowledge. After a brief thought, he had the answer: “It’s because both prefectures have produced empresses who became the queens of the empire, bringing forth the prosperity of the phoenix’s aura. There were also many concubines and noble ladies, which became a popular tale. Later, the names were changed, and the two prefectures were known as the ‘Twin Phoenix Prefectures,’ gaining some renown throughout the land…”

“You’ve read your history well!”

Wang Su smiled: “But do you really think this is just a coincidence or luck?”

Without waiting for Wang Yu to ask, he continued on his own: “Our ancestors investigated the geography of these two prefectures and found them to be a rare ‘Twin Phoenix Formation’—a configuration of supreme feminine fortune! It particularly nurtures women, which is why the beauty of women from these two prefectures is renowned throughout the provinces…”

“And these women are merely benefiting from a tiny trace of the phoenix’s aura…”

Wang Su’s expression turned excited, with a slight flush on his face: “Our ancestors studied the timing of the world and the dragon veins of the land, and knew that great changes were coming… During times of chaos, the pattern of these two prefectures would cause the phoenix’s aura to rise and soar, inevitably giving birth to noble women, and not just one… In Nanfeng Prefecture, a daughter of the Wu family has already emerged. And with the phoenixes flying in pairs, our prefecture must also have a prominent female…”

By this point, Wang Yu, even if he were foolish, would have understood: “So you’re talking about Wu Qing!”

“This girl comes from a humble background, yet she has soared to the heights. If it’s not because of her innate noble destiny, how could this happen?”

Wang Su smiled: “Such a girl with the phoenix’s fortune will be of great benefit to our family’s grand plans. You must seize the opportunity!”

Wang Yu’s face flushed with excitement as he bowed deeply: “Your son understands!”