Anlu served as the administrative center of De’an Prefecture, under the jurisdiction of the Huguang Provincial Administration. Originally, the current Emperor Jiajing was the Prince of Xingxian and had established his princely residence in Anlu. Consequently, he showed particular favor to his birthplace, contributing to the region’s growing prosperity and economic vibrancy.
Mei Qing and Bi Zhen, having traveled a long way, showed no signs of weariness or fatigue. Instead, their clothes were clean and fresh, and their demeanor was calm and composed.
“Qing, what are you thinking about?” Bi Zhen softly asked, noticing that Mei Qing seemed a bit distracted.
“Twenty years ago, we were both born in this place, though naturally we didn’t know each other back then,” Mei Qing smiled. “Who would have thought that twenty years later, we’d coincidentally meet in the capital, become a couple, and get married? Don’t you think there’s something fated about all this?”
Bi Zhen nodded and said, “To be honest, the first time I saw you, I felt there was something special about you. But back then, I certainly didn’t think about marrying you.”
“If you didn’t want to marry me, why were you sending me so many flirtatious glances?” Mei Qing teased. “You almost made me fall off my chair.”
Bi Zhen protested, calling Mei Qing a liar, and playfully punched him repeatedly, like a drumbeat, as the two laughed together on the street, drawing curious glances from passersby.
“Alright, I’ll let you off this time,” Bi Zhen laughed. “So where should we go first?”
Mei Qing thought for a moment and replied, “Let’s leave a mark for Hou Shen and the others, then we can go see my father in Tai’an first.”
Bi Zhen lightly hit him again and said, “At least you have a heart. Originally, this time Mei Qing came to Anlu. Lu Bing and Uncle Zhong did not object, in fact, they thought it was natural. Especially Uncle Zhong insisted on accompanying Mei Qing to visit. In the end, Lu Bing persuaded Uncle Zhong, saying that since the two of them had not found anything after so many years, it was obvious that their line of thinking must have been wrong. If they followed along, they might actually affect Mei Qing. It would be better to let Mei Qing take charge, which might lead to new insights and discoveries.
Although this was the case, the two were still very concerned and sent Hou Shen with a few people to accompany Mei Qing mainly to help him deal with all sorts of mundane affairs. In addition, Uncle Zhong specially called Hou Shen aside and whispered something to him, speaking in a very mysterious manner.
After making their decision, the two left a mark at a prearranged spot near the city gate with Hou Shen. In fact, with their cultivation levels, they could easily have used other methods to send a message to Hou Shen. However, Mei Qing did not want to reveal too much in front of others, and since Hou Shen was accompanied by other members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Mei Qing decided to handle it using the ordinary methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
After completing the major task, the two left the city and found a secluded spot to summon their spirit cranes and set off toward Bi Zhen’s mother’s residence.
The place where Bi Zhen’s mother lived and cultivated was in the northwest of Anlu, known as Baizhao Mountain. In Anlu, the southeastern part was flat and fertile, while the northwest was mountainous, with deep ravines and steep cliffs. Baizhao Mountain was a famous scenic spot among them.
In fact, according to Lu Bing and Uncle Zhong, the Mei Valley, where Mei Qing’s mother had lived, was also in Baizhao Mountain. Mei Qing’s intention to visit Bi Zhen’s mother first was also partly motivated by a desire to investigate the cliffs where his mother had lived.
However, when Bi Zhen referred to Baizhao Mountain, she used a different name, calling it “Bi Mountain.”
“Why do you call it Bi Mountain? Just because your name is Bi, do you have to name the mountain after yourself?” Mei Qing teased.
“That’s not it at all,” Bi Zhen laughed. “You’ve got it completely backwards. Actually, ancient people called Baizhao Mountain ‘Bi Mountain.’ Later, when I was born in this place, my mother named me Bi after the mountain.”
Since Bi Zhen had seen Mei Qing control the spirit crane, she had been very fond of this magical technique and had always wanted to learn it. However, this technique required the foundation of the Divine Thunder Method of the Shenzhao Sect; otherwise, it was impossible to use. Because of this, Bi Zhen had been quite unhappy for several days. Finally, Mei Qing, using all his skills, managed to forge a spirit crane for Bi Zhen through the Heart-Forging Method.
The spirit crane Bi Zhen now rode was a gift from Mei Qing. Although it couldn’t be conjured from paper like Mei Qing’s, its appearance and function were identical. In fact, it might even be superior in terms of energy efficiency and maneuverability.
Therefore, Bi Zhen cherished it dearly and kept asking Mei Qing to practice flying with her along the way.
Unfortunately, Bi Zhen, as a female pilot, was somewhat inadequate. She either flew too high or too low, occasionally crashing into mountains and getting stuck in trees. The most frustrating incident was when she tried to perform acrobatic maneuvers with the spirit crane, flipped over, and nearly caused both of them to fall into the river below for an icy bath—if not for Mei Qing’s quick reflexes.
Because of this, Bi Zhen was very upset and even accused Mei Qing of giving her a fake product. Fortunately, under Mei Qing’s guidance, her skill in controlling the crane gradually improved, and she became more and more enthusiastic about it, quickly forgetting her anger.
Now, the two of them were leisurely flying through the deep valleys of Baizhao Mountain. It was still early in the year, just after the New Year. Although Anlu was much warmer than the capital, it was still north of the Yangtze River, and the weather was quite cold. Most of the trees had shed their leaves, and the mountains were a mix of yellow and green, with thick layers of fallen leaves covering the ground. Despite the bright sunshine, the deep valleys still carried a chill.
Looking upward, Mei Qing noticed the faint outline of overlapping eaves and flying corners at the mountaintop and asked Bi Zhen, “Are we heading to the very peak of the mountain?”
Bi Zhen shook her head and said, “No, that’s the Xuanwu Temple, dedicated to Zhenwu. My mother wouldn’t live there.”
“Zhenwu?” Mei Qing asked in surprise. “Isn’t Wudang the main temple of Zhenwu?”
Bi Zhen laughed and said, “Just because Wudang has a temple for Zhenwu doesn’t mean Bi Mountain can’t have one too. Our current Emperor Taizu and Chengzu both revered Zhenwu. There are thousands upon thousands of Zhenwu temples throughout the land. Although Wudang is the most famous, there are still many others.”
“Ask me why I dwell in Bi Mountain, I smile but do not answer, my heart at ease. Peach blossoms float away with the flowing water, a different world apart from the mundane.”
“Originally, the Immortal Poet Taibai had lived here for a long time,” Mei Qing said in surprise as he read the cliff inscription.
Bi Zhen smiled and said, “Li Bai’s wife was from this area. He built a house in Bi Mountain and lived there for ten years. You’ll see soon enough; in fact, my mother’s residence is right next to Taibai’s old home.”
“You two came to visit me on your happy occasion, which I regret not being able to attend. It’s a relief to see you now,” Bi Zhen’s mother smiled gently.
Unlike Bi Zhen’s young and eccentric grandmother, her mother was gentle and kind. However, in terms of appearance, she was somewhat less striking.
Objectively speaking, Bi Zhen didn’t look much like her mother but bore a strong resemblance to her grandmother. Thinking about this, Mei Qing couldn’t help but wonder: it was fine that they looked alike, but he hoped Bi Zhen’s personality wouldn’t end up being like her grandmother’s.
The more he looked at his gentle and serene mother-in-law, the more Mei Qing felt a sense of danger. It was clear that Bi Zhen’s personality wasn’t at all like her mother’s but was instead very similar to her grandmother’s.
Why couldn’t Bi Zhen inherit her grandmother’s looks and her mother’s temperament? Mei Qing thought to himself with a touch of melancholy.
“Mother, look at this gift that Qing specially chose for you,” Bi Zhen said happily. “He made it himself. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Mei Qing had put a lot of thought into selecting a gift for his mother-in-law. After much consideration, he decided to make a jade ruyi scepter himself. He asked an old friend in the trade to help him find a piece of ancient jade, and then he carved it himself. Fortunately, with his deep cultivation, carving jade was as easy as splitting bamboo, making the task much easier.
Bi Zhen was quite surprised and asked when he had learned this skill. Mei Qing thought for a moment and replied with four words: “Born with the knowledge.”
“I believe you were born knowing how to wet the bed, but don’t try to brag about this,” Bi Zhen retorted.
However, Bi Zhen was clearly quite impressed with Mei Qing’s craftsmanship. She even insisted he make her a jade pendant and forced him to inscribe several magical arrays on it to ensure it would keep her warm in winter and cool in summer, as well as purify her body and protect her. Only then did she let him off the hook.
When Bi Zhen’s mother saw the jade ruyi, she couldn’t help but look at Mei Qing with a hint of surprise. With her high cultivation and refined taste, she immediately recognized the ruyi’s exquisite craftsmanship and its rarity as a magical artifact. Either of these qualities alone would have been impressive, but the combination of both was truly exceptional. Hearing Bi Zhen say that Mei Qing had made it himself, she couldn’t help but regard him in a new light.
“This little girl, Bi, has never been properly disciplined and has always been a source of worry for me. Now that she’s entrusted to you, I hope you can be patient with her,” Bi Zhen’s mother said with a smile, clearly satisfied with Mei Qing.
Mei Qing nodded repeatedly, secretly amused by how direct people in the cultivation world could be, without the need for excessive pleasantries. He responded, “Now that I’ve married Zhen as my wife, I naturally regard her as a treasure, and I will never abandon her. Auntie can rest assured.”
Bi Zhen proudly said, “The person I chose can’t be wrong. Mother, you can rest assured.”
Bi Zhen’s mother smiled and shook her head, saying, “Self-praise doesn’t suit you; you should be ashamed.”
Anlu served as the administrative center of Dean Prefecture, under the jurisdiction of the Huguang Provincial Administration. Since Emperor Jiajing, the current ruler, was once the Prince of Xingxian and established his residence in Anlu, the area has received considerable favor, leading to a thriving local economy and a scene of prosperity.
Mei Qing and Bi Zhen arrived without any signs of travel fatigue, their clothes fresh and their demeanor composed.
“What are you thinking about, A Qing?” Bi Zhen asked softly, noticing Mei Qing’s distracted state.
“Twenty years ago, both of us were born here, though we surely didn’t know each other then,” Mei Qing chuckled. “Who would have thought that after twenty years, we’d meet by chance in the capital and become husband and wife? Don’t you think there’s a bit of fate in that?”
Bi Zhen nodded, “From the first moment I saw you, I felt there was something special about you. Though, I never thought I’d end up marrying you.”
“Didn’t want to marry me, yet you were throwing flirtatious glances,” Mei Qing teased. “You nearly knocked me off my feet.”
Bi Zhen playfully denied it, her fists drumming on Mei Qing as they laughed together on the street, drawing the attention of passersby.
“Alright, I’ll let you off this time,” Bi Zhen said with a smile. “Where shall we go first?”
Mei Qing thought for a moment, “Let’s leave a mark for Hou Shen and then go see my Tai’an, how about that?”
Bi Zhen lightly hit him again, “You do have a conscience. It seems both Lu Bing and Uncle Zhong didn’t oppose your coming to Anlu, thinking it quite natural. Especially Uncle Zhong, who insisted on coming with you. But Lu Bing persuaded him, saying that since neither of them had figured anything out over the years, their approach must be flawed. Coming along might just hinder you. It’s better to let you handle it alone, perhaps you’ll uncover something new.”
Despite this, they were still uneasy and had Hou Shen accompany you with a few others, mainly to help with mundane matters. Uncle Zhong also had a private word with Hou Shen, though what was said remains a mystery.
After deciding, they left a mark at a prearranged spot by the city gate. Given their skills, they could have communicated with Hou Shen in other ways, but Mei Qing preferred not to reveal too much in front of others, especially since Hou Shen was accompanied by other members of the Imperial Guard. So, they used the usual methods of the Imperial Guard.
With the main task completed, they left the city, found a secluded spot, and summoned a spirit crane to head towards Bi Zhen’s mother’s residence.
Bi Zhen’s mother lived in a place of cultivation northwest of Anlu, known as Baizhao Mountain. The southeast of Anlu is flat and fertile, while the northwest is a continuous range of deep mountains and valleys, with Baizhao Mountain being a famous scenic spot among them.
Actually, according to Lu Bing and Uncle Zhong, the Mei Valley where Mei Qing’s mother once lived is also within Baizhao Mountain. Mei Qing suggested visiting Bi Zhen’s mother first, also intending to explore that cliff.
Bi Zhen referred to Baizhao Mountain differently, calling it Bi Mountain.
“Why call it Bi Mountain? Just because you’re called A Bi, you name the mountain after yourself?” Mei Qing joked.
“Not at all,” Bi Zhen laughed. “Actually, Baizhao Mountain was anciently called Bi Mountain. I was born here, and my mother named me A Bi after it.”
Since seeing Mei Qing control the spirit crane, Bi Zhen had been fascinated by this magic and wanted to learn it. However, it required the foundation of Shenxiao Thunder Magic, which she lacked, leaving her frustrated for days. Finally, Mei Qing used all his skills to craft a spirit crane for Bi Zhen through heart refinement.
Now, the spirit crane Bi Zhen rides is Mei Qing’s gift. Except for not being able to fold paper into a crane like Mei Qing, its appearance and use are identical. In terms of conserving true essence and smooth operation, it might even be superior.
Thus, Bi Zhen cherished it greatly, always pulling Mei Qing to practice flying.
Unfortunately, Bi Zhen was quite an unqualified pilot, often flying too high or too low, occasionally crashing into mountains or getting stuck in trees. The most absurd incident was when she flipped the crane while showing off, and if not for Mei Qing’s quick reflexes, they would have ended up in the river below.
Bi Zhen was quite dissatisfied, accusing Mei Qing of giving her a fake. Fortunately, under Mei Qing’s guidance, her crane-driving skills gradually improved, and she became more and more delighted, naturally forgetting her anger.
Now, they flew leisurely through the deep valleys of Bi Mountain. It was just after the New Year, and although Anlu was warmer than the capital, it was still north of the river, with a chilly climate and mostly leafless trees. The mountains were a mix of yellow and green, with fallen leaves covering the ground. Despite the warm sun, there was a slight chill in the deep valleys.
Mei Qing looked up and saw faintly the overlapping eaves and flying corners of a building at the mountain top, asking Bi Zhen, “Are we heading to the summit?”
Bi Zhen shook her head, “No, that’s the Xuanwu Temple, dedicated to the True Warrior. My mother wouldn’t live there.”
“The True Warrior?” Mei Qing was surprised. “Isn’t Wudang the True Warrior’s domain?”
Bi Zhen laughed, “Just because Wudang has a True Warrior Temple, doesn’t mean Bi Mountain can’t have one? Both the founding emperor and the Chengzu Emperor revered the True Warrior, and there are thousands of True Warrior Temples across the land. While Wudang is the most famous, there are many others.”
“Ask me why I dwell in Bi Mountain, I smile without answering, my heart at ease. Peach blossoms flow with the water, a different world, not of mortals.”
“So, the great poet Li Bai also lived here for a long time,” Mei Qing read the cliff inscription with surprise.
Bi Zhen smiled, “Li Bai’s wife was from here. He built a house in Bi Mountain and lived here for ten years. You’ll see soon, my mother’s residence is next to Li Bai’s old house.”
“I couldn’t attend your wedding, which I regretted. But now that you’ve come to see me, it saves me from worrying,” Bi Zhen’s mother said with a smile.
Unlike Bi Zhen’s young and eccentric grandmother, her mother was gentle and kind, though not as beautiful.
In fact, Bi Zhen’s appearance didn’t much resemble her mother’s but was quite similar to her grandmother’s. Thinking this, Mei Qing silently hoped that while Bi Zhen might look like her grandmother, her temperament wouldn’t follow suit.
But the more he saw his gentle and serene mother-in-law, the more Mei Qing felt a sense of danger. Clearly, Bi Zhen’s personality didn’t take after her mother at all but was much closer to her grandmother’s.
Why couldn’t she look like her grandmother but have her mother’s temperament? Mei Qing lamented inwardly.
“Mother, look, this is a gift A Qing specially chose for you,” Bi Zhen was clearly very happy. “He made it himself, isn’t it beautiful?”
Mei Qing had put a lot of thought into choosing a gift for his mother-in-law. Finally, he decided to make a jade Ruyi himself. He asked an old friend in the trade to select an ancient piece of jade and then worked on it himself. Fortunately, with his deep cultivation, carving jade was like splitting bamboo, making it much easier.
Bi Zhen was quite surprised, asking when he had learned this craft. Mei Qing thought for a long time and answered with four words: “Born knowing it.”
“I believe you were born knowing how to wet the bed, but this, no need to boast,” Bi Zhen retorted.
But obviously, Bi Zhen was quite impressed with Mei Qing’s craftsmanship, even pestering him to make a jade pendant for her, and forcing him to set several arrays on it to ensure it was warm in winter and cool in summer, and could also cleanse and protect the body, before letting him off.
“Rare, rare,” Bi Zhen’s mother looked at the jade Ruyi with a surprised glance at Mei Qing. With her high cultivation and discerning eye, she immediately recognized the exquisite craftsmanship of the jade Ruyi and its rarity as a magical artifact. Either quality alone would be ordinary, but combining both was truly rare. Hearing that it was made by Mei Qing, she couldn’t help but hold him in higher regard.
“A Bi has been unruly since childhood, never giving me peace of mind. Now that she’s entrusted to you, you’ll have to indulge her a bit,” Bi Zhen’s mother said with a smile, clearly quite satisfied with Mei Qing.
Mei Qing nodded repeatedly, inwardly amused that in the cultivation world, people spoke more directly without the usual polite formalities, and responded, “Since I’ve married Zhen’er, I naturally consider her a treasure, never to abandon her. You can rest assured, Auntie.”
Bi Zhen said proudly, “The person I choose can’t be wrong. Mother, you can be at ease.”
Bi Zhen’s mother shook her head with a smile, “Self-praise isn’t modest.”
Then, turning to Mei Qing, she said, “Master Lu said you came here to investigate your origins?”
Mei Qing was startled, realizing that Lu Bing must have sent a message ahead, but was surprised that she referred to Lu Bing as “Master Lu.” It seemed his gentle-looking mother-in-law was actually more vindictive than Bi Zhen.
Mei Qing nodded, “Exactly. Knowing my mother’s whereabouts are unknown, how can I, as her child, not seek answers?”
“Good, good,” Bi Zhen’s mother nodded, “It’s rare to have such filial piety. However, I’m not very clear about the events of that year. I’ve been in seclusion for cultivation all these years and can’t help you much. But I have a few friends who are quite familiar with the local geography and culture. If you need, I can introduce them to you.”
Mei Qing was overjoyed. Although Bi Zhen hadn’t mentioned it, Mei Qing guessed that their family background wasn’t simple. Since his mother-in-law could recommend someone, it surely wasn’t an empty boast and would be of great help to him.
“Alright, you two can rest in the old house today,” Bi Zhen’s mother concluded, “If you need anything, A Bi can ask Second Aunt.”
Anlu was the administrative seat of De’an Prefecture, under the jurisdiction of the Huguang Provincial Administration. Since the current emperor, Jiajing, had established his residence in Anlu when he was the Prince of Xingxian, he showed considerable favor to his birthplace, which significantly boosted the local economy, creating a scene of prosperity.
Mei Qing and Bi Zhen, having traveled all the way here, showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, they were dressed in fresh clothes and appeared calm and composed.
“Qing, what are you thinking about?” Bi Zhen asked softly, noticing Mei Qing’s distracted state.
“Twenty years ago, we were both born in this place, though we certainly didn’t know each other then,” Mei Qing laughed. “Who would have thought that twenty years later, we would coincidentally meet in the capital and become husband and wife? Don’t you think there’s a bit of fate in this?”
Bi Zhen nodded and said, “From the first moment I saw you, I felt there was something special about you. But back then, I never thought I would marry you.”
“If you didn’t want to marry me, why were you flirting so much?” Mei Qing teased. “You almost made me fall to the ground.”
Bi Zhen denied it, playfully hitting Mei Qing with her fists, and the two laughed together on the street, attracting the attention of passersby.
“Alright, I’ll let you off this time,” Bi Zhen said with a smile. “Where should we go first?”
Mei Qing thought for a moment and said, “Let’s leave a mark for Hou Shen and then go visit my Tai’an first, what do you think?”
Bi Zhen lightly hit him again and said, “You have a conscience after all.” It turned out that when Mei Qing came to Anlu, neither Lu Bing nor Zhong Shu opposed it, and they even thought it was natural. Especially Zhong Shu, who insisted on accompanying Mei Qing. In the end, Lu Bing persuaded Zhong Shu, saying that since they hadn’t figured anything out over the years, their approach must be wrong. If they followed, it might affect Mei Qing. It would be better to let Mei Qing handle it on his own, which might lead to some unexpected discoveries.
Despite this, the two were still very worried and sent Hou Shen with a few people to assist Mei Qing with mundane matters. Additionally, Zhong Shu specifically called Hou Shen aside and gave him some mysterious instructions.
After deciding, they left a mark at a prearranged spot at the city gate. In fact, given their abilities, they could have used other methods to communicate with Hou Shen. However, Mei Qing didn’t want to reveal too much in front of others, especially since Hou Shen was accompanied by other members of the Imperial Guards. Mei Qing decided to use the usual methods of the Imperial Guards.
With the major task completed, they left the city and found a secluded place to summon their spirit crane. They set off towards Bi Zhen’s mother’s residence.
Bi Zhen’s mother lived in a place called Bai Zhao Mountain, located northwest of Anlu. The southeastern part of Anlu was flat and fertile, while the northwest was a continuous range of deep mountains and valleys. Bai Zhao Mountain was one of the famous scenic spots in the area.
In fact, according to Lu Bing and Zhong Shu, the Mei Valley where Mei Qing’s mother lived was also in Bai Zhao Mountain. Mei Qing suggested visiting Bi Zhen’s mother first, partly to conveniently explore the cliff in the area.
Bi Zhen referred to Bai Zhao Mountain differently from others, calling it Bi Mountain.
“Why do you call it Bi Mountain? Just because your name is Bi, you named the mountain Bi Mountain?” Mei Qing joked.
“Not at all,” Bi Zhen laughed. “Actually, Bai Zhao Mountain was called Bi Mountain by the ancients. Later, when I was born here, my mother named me Bi after the mountain.”
Since Bi Zhen saw Mei Qing controlling the spirit crane, she had been very fond of this spell and wanted to learn it. However, this technique required the foundation of the Shenxiao Thunder Method, otherwise it couldn’t be activated. Bi Zhen was unhappy for several days. Finally, Mei Qing used all his skills to create a spirit crane for Bi Zhen through mental refinement.
The spirit crane Bi Zhen now rode was Mei Qing’s gift. Except for not being able to fold paper into a crane like Mei Qing, its appearance and usage were identical. In terms of conserving true essence and smooth operation, it might even be superior.
Therefore, Bi Zhen cherished it dearly and often practiced flying with Mei Qing along the way.
Unfortunately, Bi Zhen was not a very qualified pilot. She either flew too high or too low, occasionally crashing into mountains or getting stuck in trees. The most ridiculous incident was when she tried to perform a trick and flipped the crane, nearly causing both of them to fall into the river below if Mei Qing hadn’t acted quickly.
Bi Zhen was very dissatisfied and accused Mei Qing of giving her a fake. Fortunately, under Mei Qing’s guidance, her crane-driving skills gradually improved, and she became more and more delighted, naturally forgetting her anger.
Now, the two were leisurely flying through the deep valleys of Bai Zhao Mountain. It was just after the New Year, and although Anlu was much warmer than the capital, it was still north of the river, and the weather was somewhat cold. Most of the trees had shed their leaves, and the mountains were a mix of yellow and green, with fallen leaves covering the ground. Despite the warm sun, there was still a slight chill in the deep valleys.
Mei Qing looked up and saw the faint outline of a multi-eaved building with flying corners at the mountain top. He asked Bi Zhen, “Are we going to the summit of this mountain?”
Bi Zhen shook her head and said, “Not at all. That’s the Xuanwu Temple, dedicated to the True Warrior. My mother wouldn’t live there.”
“The True Warrior?” Mei Qing was surprised. “Isn’t Wudang the True Warrior’s domain?”
Bi Zhen laughed and said, “Just because Wudang has a True Warrior Temple, doesn’t mean Bi Mountain can’t have one? The founding emperor and the Chengzu Emperor both revered the True Warrior. There are probably ten thousand True Warrior Temples across the country. Although Wudang is the most famous, there are many others as well.”
“I ask why I dwell in Bi Mountain, smiling without answering, my heart at ease. Peach blossoms flow with the water, a world apart from the mundane.”
“So the great poet Li Bai also lived here for a long time,” Mei Qing said, reading the cliff inscriptions with some surprise.
Bi Zhen smiled and said, “Li Bai’s wife was from here. He built a house in Bi Mountain and lived here for ten years. You’ll see it soon. In fact, my mother’s residence is next to Li Bai’s old house.”
“I couldn’t attend your wedding, which I regret. But now that you’ve come to see me, it saves me from worrying,” Bi Zhen’s mother said with a smile.
Unlike Bi Zhen’s eccentric grandmother, her mother was gentle and kind. However, in terms of appearance, she was slightly less attractive.
To be honest, Bi Zhen didn’t resemble her mother much but was very similar to her grandmother. Thinking of this, Mei Qing secretly hoped that while Bi Zhen might resemble her grandmother in appearance, she wouldn’t inherit her temper.
But the more he looked at his gentle and serene mother-in-law, the more Mei Qing felt a sense of danger. Clearly, Bi Zhen’s personality didn’t take after her mother at all but was quite similar to her grandmother’s.
Why couldn’t she inherit her grandmother’s looks and her mother’s temperament? Mei Qing thought with some melancholy.
“Mother, look, this is a gift Qing specially chose for you,” Bi Zhen said, clearly very happy. “He made it himself. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Mei Qing had put a lot of thought into choosing a gift for his mother-in-law. In the end, he decided to make a jade Ruyi himself. He asked an old friend in the trade to select an ancient piece of jade and then crafted it himself. Fortunately, with his deep cultivation, carving jade was as easy as splitting bamboo.
Bi Zhen was quite surprised and asked him when he had learned this skill. Mei Qing thought for a while and replied with four words: “Born knowing it.”
“I believe you were born knowing how to wet the bed, but this is just boasting,” Bi Zhen retorted.
However, Bi Zhen seemed quite impressed with Mei Qing’s craftsmanship and even pestered him to make a jade pendant for her. She also made him set up several arrays on it to ensure it would keep her warm in winter and cool in summer, as well as protect her body, before she let him off the hook.
“Rare and remarkable,” Bi Zhen’s mother said, looking at the jade Ruyi with a surprised glance at Mei Qing. With her high cultivation and discerning eye, she could see that the craftsmanship of the jade Ruyi was extraordinary, and it was also a rare magical artifact. Either of these qualities alone would be impressive, but having both in one piece was truly remarkable. Hearing that it was made by Mei Qing, she couldn’t help but hold him in higher regard.
“Bi has been unruly since childhood and never gave me peace of mind. Now that she’s entrusted to you, you’ll need to indulge her a bit,” Bi Zhen’s mother said with a smile, clearly quite satisfied with Mei Qing.
Mei Qing nodded repeatedly, secretly amused that in the cultivation world, people spoke more directly without unnecessary pleasantries. He responded, “Since I’ve married Zhen, I naturally consider her a treasure and will never abandon her. You can rest assured, Madam.”
Bi Zhen said proudly, “The person I chose will never be wrong. Mother, you can relax.”
Bi Zhen’s mother shook her head with a smile and said, “Self-praise without shame.”
Then she turned to Mei Qing and said, “Master Lu said you came here to investigate your origins?”
Mei Qing was startled, realizing that Lu Bing must have sent a message ahead. He was surprised that she referred to Lu Bing as “Master Lu.” It seemed that despite her gentle appearance, his mother-in-law was even more vengeful than Bi Zhen.
Mei Qing nodded and said, “Exactly. Since I know my mother’s whereabouts are unknown, how can I, as her child, not investigate?”
“Good, good,” Bi Zhen’s mother nodded. “It’s rare to see such filial piety. However, I’m not very clear about the events of that year. I’ve been in seclusion for cultivation all these years and can’t help you much. But I have a few friends who are quite familiar with the local geography and culture. If you need, I can introduce them to you.”
Mei Qing was overjoyed. Although Bi Zhen hadn’t mentioned it, he guessed that her family background was not simple. Since his mother-in-law could recommend someone, it must be of great help to him.
“Alright, you can rest in the old house today,” Bi Zhen’s mother finally said. “If you need anything, Bi can ask Second Aunt.”
Mei Qing nodded and said, “Indeed. Since I now know that my mother’s whereabouts are unknown, as her child, how could I possibly stand by and do nothing?”
“Good, good,” Bi Zhen’s mother nodded. “It’s rare to see such devotion. However, I don’t know much about what happened back then. In recent years, I have been in retreat, cultivating in solitude, so I may not be much help to you. However, I do have a few friends who are familiar with the local geography and culture. If you need assistance, I can introduce you to them.”
Mei Qing was overjoyed. Although Bi Zhen had never explicitly mentioned it, he had guessed that her family background was not simple. Since his mother-in-law was willing to recommend someone, it was definitely not an idle boast and would surely be of great help to him.
“Alright, you two can rest in the old house today,” Bi Zhen’s mother finally said. “If you need anything, Bi can ask her second aunt.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage