Especially that dark eyeshadow, it exudes makeup without the need for additional adornment.
Xu Qing was amazed; this time the facial arts could not only make the deceased look lifelike but also revert their appearance to their youngest, most radiant days.
"The old madam of Youlan Garden, having no children, arranged for a member's iron token here, wanting the Funeral Shop to handle her affairs. She always claims that in her youth she was the top courtesan of Jin Sect, and even before entering the trade, she was a flower admired in ten miles around."
Xu Qing recalled the past when he went to Long Lamp Street with Zhu Huai'an and the Wu Family brothers.
Over twenty years ago, during his first investigation at Youlan Garden, the old madam was already around fifty. Now, she must be at least seventy or eighty.
Xu Qing rummaged through the funeral records, but her name wasn't there.
Instead, it was filled with the names of many childless courtesans.
Indeed, in the smoky world of pleasure houses, the majority die of illness or old age, left alone with no one to depend on.
Those who can leave the trade intact, finding a good partner, are only a few.
...
The next day, the sky was just beginning to brighten.
Underground Street was unusually quiet without the morning crow of a Golden Chicken, only a hen sitting on her nest by the stove.
After saying goodbye to Xuan Yu, Xu Qing set off for the Capital City with the black crow.
Grandpa Crow, hearing Xu Qing intended to bring him to the capital to meet the Emperor, was vehemently unwilling. Not to mention the protective fortune dragon guarding the Emperor inside and outside the Imperial City, the emperor's presence alone was beyond a mystical creature's approach.
"It's just a mid-level fortune dragon, not yet a great one. Grandpa Crow, there's no need to fear. This time we're meeting the Emperor as representatives of the Jin Sect's Immortal Hall, not as monarch and minister."
Xu Qing was reluctant to meddle in the court's affairs. In his eyes, the hundred-year prosperity of the Great Yan couldn't save this world.
As long as the great disaster isn't averted and the corpse spell isn't removed, the mortal world one day will be engulfed by ominous air, and one Zhu Huai'an couldn't prevent the sky from falling.
Only when clear air descends, making demons and monsters vanish and the ominous air recede, might a true golden age arrive.
Standing high above, Xu Qing saw farther and clearer compared to Zhu Huai'an who was entangled in the midst of chaos.
"Forget about the corpse spell, the hidden threat of the Ghost Law alone is enough to topple half the world. If you add the Ghost Realm within human hearts, how could the world ever be at peace?"
Riding the Chasing Mourning horse, Xu Qing sped through mountains and leaped over rivers, moving like the wind.
Though the Chasing Mourning horse hadn't fully mastered the Divine Techniques of the Vertical Earth Golden Light, its speed far surpassed ordinary flight techniques.
As Xu Qing passed Wanshou County, he reined his horse to a slow pace, watching tenant farmers planting wheat in the fields, recalling his own corn seeds.
"May I ask, old man, whose land is this, and on whose behalf do you till?"
Seeing Xu Qing's atypical attire, the old man hastily greeted, "This humble one owns no land. This is the land of the Dingyuan Marquis, and we are tenant farmers leasing these fertile lands."
"..."
Xu Qing frowned, and after inquiring deeply, learned that the vast fertile lands were rewarded to Wang Liang by the Zhu Emperor. However, Wang Liang hadn't forgotten his roots, with rent far below others, demanding only fifty pounds of coarse grain or three hundred copper coins per acre.
At a glance, it seemed fine, yet the lands owned by nobles and royalty weren't solely Wang Liang's. Others collected rent equating to a good two or three parts of a year's harvest, didn't they?
What if a year of disaster struck and farmers harvested nothing? How would they gather the rent then...
Xu Qing knew as long as Zhu Huai'an was there, even in a year of disaster, taxes and rents could be reduced. But when Zhu Huai'an was no longer in position, what then for Wang Liang's lands when passed down to his descendants?
Leaving Wanshou Village, Xu Qing ventured north, reaching the Capital City, where in the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the central gates of the Imperial City swung open. Imperial Guards carrying flags and gold melons cleared the way on all sides.
At the noon gate, surrounded by palace attendants, the imperial chariot with vermilion wheels and adorned canopy approached slowly, welcoming Xu Qing into the Imperial City.
Xu Qing, noting the grand spectacle, frowned deeply.
The black crow stood to the side, eyes wide, rendered speechless by the scene.
The central gate of the noon gate of the Imperial City was reserved for the Emperor alone, sparingly opened for significant ceremonies such as the Empress's grand wedding or the top scorers of the palace examination entering to view the Emperor.
Otherwise, officials, even of top grades, were required by protocol to use the east or west side gates according to their rank.
So how did his Sect Leader, neither empress nor top scholar, receive such privilege to use the central gate?
The black crow was more than just shocked by the Sect Leader's reception; it knew the Imperial City was safeguarded by the national fortune meant to subdue demons and specters. Yet standing beside the Sect Leader, it felt no discomfort, oddly sensing the city as if it were its own home, and itself, like...
Like the Grand Steward standing before the Emperor!
Xu Qing attempted to bypass the imperial chariot ahead, but the next moment, a ritual officer from the Directorate of Rituals arrived, holding the imperial decree and an imperial token, leading a ceremonial procession to intercept him.
"Your Majesty is receiving the Sage in person at the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Please, Sage, proceed to the chariot for the audience."
Facing the ritual officer coming forward to greet, Xu Qing came to a sudden realization in his heart.
Only a Grand Tutor of the Emperor possessed the qualifications for such honor; this procession welcoming him to the palace assuredly meant he'd be thoroughly entwined with Zhu Huai'an upon arrival at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
If not for wanting to keep Zhu Huai'an unafraid, uninfluenced in his plans for spiritual undertakings, he would've taken the black crow directly into Zhu Huai'an's quarters for a visit!