Chapter 91: “He Clearly Resembled Me, A Bit of Venting”
“By this purple jade thumb ring, you may contact me. When the time comes, I will also be able to find you through it.”
“Of course, if you encounter difficulties, you may also exchange it for some silver at any pawnshop.” Emperor Mingde smiled gently, unconcerned by Shen Yanzhou’s somewhat rude demeanor.
“That does sound rather nice.” Shen Yanzhou nodded slightly, his expression calm as he accepted the purple jade thumb ring.
Emperor Mingde ignored his little action and said, “The Demon Suppression King has always been cautious, leaving no trace in his deeds. If you can obtain evidence of his rebellion, you can use that ring to contact me.”
“No problem.”
This time, Shen Yanzhou agreed without hesitation.
That so-called “evidence” was, in truth, not important. For those who sought to condemn, pretexts were never lacking. At present, Shen Jingxiao’s position was irreplaceable.
Even if Shen Yanzhou truly submitted evidence of Shen Jingxiao’s conspiracy, it would most likely end up unresolved.
The Bureau of Immortal Inspection did not actually wish to topple Shen Jingxiao completely — they merely desired the fat morsel in his hands, to annex and control the hidden sects of the Southern Border.
Only with such “evidence” could they more effectively impeach and seize power in court...
...
Shen Yanzhou did not linger in that private room for long.
He rubbed the purple jade thumb ring, excused himself, and left — only to toss it directly into his Sumeru Ring afterwards.
Whether that man was truly the one from the Golden Luan Hall or not, he disliked being secretly watched.
Since he could not discern the thumb ring’s nature for now, he would set it aside.
When Lin Qingcang awoke again, he could ask him.
Or perhaps Tantai Yuxian might be able to discern something — though Tantai Yuxian might not necessarily tell him the truth.
“Your Majesty, why did you hand over the Purple Qilin Thumb Ring to Shen Yanzhou just now? That’s the key to opening the Purple Qilin Cavern!”
“And you said... you’ve confirmed that Shen Yanzhou is really...?”
After Shen Yanzhou left the room—
Lord Wei finally approached Emperor Mingde, unable to suppress his confusion. His eyes held a mixture of curiosity and unease.
“I can’t quite make sense of it...”
Emperor Mingde looked toward the direction Shen Yanzhou had disappeared, his gentle expression replaced by one of deep complexity — his gaze filled with emotion, wonder, and barely contained joy.
He said nothing more, only flicked his wide sleeve — and an ancient bronze mirror, glimmering with divine light, floated into view. The mirror exuded flowing radiance, interwoven with faint threads of immortal brilliance, as though it had fallen from the ancient immortal realm itself.
Mirror of True Reflection.
It was a secret treasure personally retrieved by Lord Wei from the imperial treasury — capable of tracing one’s true origin.
“This...”
Lord Wei held up the Mirror of True Reflection and peered inside — and froze, utterly dumbfounded.
At first, he had fetched the mirror at His Majesty’s command to discern Shen Yanzhou’s true appearance, to ensure the Demon Suppression King had not orchestrated a deceitful scheme.
After all, a man had suddenly appeared bearing an uncanny resemblance to the woman His Majesty had once loved most deeply. What ruler would not be suspicious?
Especially when that man was the so-called “false heir” of the Demon Suppression King — now infamous throughout the imperial capital.
“How can this be...”
Lord Wei murmured to himself, unable to lower the mirror for a long while.
At that moment, the mirror reflected Shen Yanzhou’s current appearance — yet it was changing before his eyes. His features shifted — more handsome, more refined, so strikingly
beautiful that even women might envy his face. To call him “unparalleled in beauty” would not be an exaggeration.
If the man they had seen before merely resembled Lady Qingshu in bone structure and expression—
Then the reflection within the Mirror of True Reflection made it unmistakably clear: he was indeed Lady Qingshu’s child.
“Those brows and eyes — exactly like his mother’s...”
“And that nose and mouth — clearly resemble mine.”
Emperor Mingde gazed upon the image in the mirror, his eyes softening unconsciously.
Most of his attention earlier had been fixed upon the Mirror of True Reflection. At his cultivation level, his mind could handle countless tasks at once — reviewing memorials even as he fought to restrain the surging emotions in his heart.
His and Qingshu’s child was still alive. Truly alive. It was an unbelievable miracle.
“There’s no mistake... absolutely none...”
Lord Wei’s astonishment still hadn’t faded.
Having served Emperor Mingde for many years, the instant he saw Shen Yanzhou’s true face within the mirror, he knew beyond doubt — this was the child of His Majesty and Lady Qingshu, perfectly inheriting both their finest traits.
But soon, confusion arose in his mind.
Why did Shen Yanzhou’s current appearance differ so greatly from what was reflected in the mirror?
“This child must have been saved by some great master, who used a secret technique to alter his growth, allowing him to mature into his present form.”
“If not altered, his true appearance should be the one shown in the Mirror of True Reflection,” Emperor Mingde said quietly, seeming to sense Lord Wei’s question.
“What kind of great master could possess such means? That child back then was...” Lord Wei’s voice trembled with disbelief.
The infant, long confirmed dead and supposed to be buried in the Soul-Calming Coffin of the Floating Sky Temple — now lived within the capital under the identity of the Demon Suppression King’s false heir.
Emperor Mingde fell silent, his gaze unfathomably deep and conflicted.
He could not comprehend, nor reason out, who could have done such a thing.
But... to see that the child he had with Qingshu still lived — that alone was enough for him.
“Even if his growth was altered by secret arts, that can only last for a time. When his martial cultivation deepens, he will naturally return to his true form. In time, he will regain his original appearance.”
Emperor Mingde’s tone softened — as if enlightenment had dawned upon him.
Now he finally understood why Shen Jingxiao had never noticed the resemblance between Shen Yanzhou and Qingshu all these years.
Perhaps this transformation had only recently begun.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty — congratulations indeed.”
Lord Wei’s expression brightened completely, offering a heartfelt bow of joy.
To gain another son — especially when the Emperor could no longer sire heirs — was certainly a blessing beyond measure.
“Yes... it’s worth celebrating. Had I known all this earlier, I would never have allowed this child to suffer so many years in the capital, right beneath my eyes...” Emperor Mingde sighed softly, his eyes filled with tenderness and regret.
“Shen... no, that’s not right...”
Lord Wei faltered, unsure how to address Shen Yanzhou now.
Emperor Mingde merely waved his hand with a smile, unconcerned with such trivialities — his mood far too buoyant to care.
“Now that we know, it’s not too late. If Qingshu knows in the underworld, she would surely be happy.”
“After returning to the palace, have all records of what this child has experienced over these years — no matter how big or small — submitted to me.”
“I want to know how he has lived all these years.” Emperor Mingde’s heart was filled with a faint sense of bitterness and guilt.
Twenty years of concealment and self-denial — the hardship and suffering of it all were known only to that child himself.
……
Night fell.
At Yuxian Pavilion, in the riverside cottage as before, the lifted curtain revealed an inner hall with a long table laid out in a grand banquet. The table was covered with all kinds of wine and delicacies, while bamboo mats were spread across the floor.
Shen Yanzhou lounged with a woman in each arm, the scent of powder and perfume filling his face.
The two women serving him — one plump and charming, called Chun Kui, and the other cool and alluring, known by the stage name Ning Yu.
Several other young girls, brimming with spring-like charm, were also present.
Some peeled fruit for him, others poured his wine.
Some massaged his shoulders and legs, and the bolder ones tugged their collars slightly downward, revealing fair, delicate skin and the curves of their chests, glowing like polished jade under the candlelight.
Although Shen Yanzhou was no longer the Heir of the Demon Suppression King, his identity still remained a ladder to fortune for the courtesans of such establishments — a chance to turn from sparrow to phoenix.
“Aunt Ran, the river breeze is rising, and it’s getting cold outside. Why not come in for a few cups of warm wine to heat yourself up?”
Shen Yanzhou, reclining upon a pair of pale thighs, called out toward the doorway.
He knew Ran Yi had followed him. Ever since the Immortal Officer from the Bureau of Immortal Inspection arrived at the Prince’s Mansion earlier that day, she had shadowed him all the way. She lingered outside the Bureau for a long while without showing herself, and in the end followed him here to Yuxian Pavilion.
When it came to surveillance, she truly did her duty.
Ran Yi stood quietly outside the small cottage, leaning against the pavilion’s railing, wrapped tightly in a large cloak. From within came Shen Yanzhou’s laughter and the girls’ playful giggles, but she seemed not to hear a thing.
The courtesans of Yuxian Pavilion all took her to be Shen Yanzhou’s personal guard, so they let her wait outside undisturbed.
“Young Master, drink less. Too much wine and indulgence harm the body. It’s late — you should rest soon.”
Hearing Shen Yanzhou’s call, Ran Yi replied with her usual charming, gentle smile.
“It’s not even the Hai hour yet — still early.”
“How about Aunt Ran joins me for a drink?”
But before she could answer, the door behind her opened. Shen Yanzhou stepped out, reeking of wine and powder, holding a cup in hand.
Ran Yi pursed her lips in a smile. “If you drink too much, what if something goes wrong?”
“And as the saying goes — after wine, passions stir. Aren’t you afraid, little glutton, that Aunt might just eat you up?”
“Oh? There’s such a good thing?” Shen Yanzhou laughed.
Ran Yi rolled her eyes at him, her expression full of allure. Beneath the lantern light along the corridor, her fair face beneath the cloak glowed faintly red, like porcelain.
Unable to resist his insistence, she feigned reluctance — only to have her wrist caught and be led into the inner room.
“You all may leave. Aunt and I shall have a proper drink.”
Shen Yanzhou waved his hand, dismissing the courtesans inside.
“Just a man and a woman alone — your intentions aren’t pure.”
Ran Yi’s beautiful eyes shimmered like liquid light. Once inside, she removed her cloak, revealing a graceful, full figure accentuated by a black gauze dress, her every curve laced with dangerous allure and quiet dominance.
She shifted slightly, found a clean cup, and filled it for herself.
“Did Aunt Ran not also refuse to leave?”
Shen Yanzhou, guessing her thoughts and knowing she had worries, poured himself another cup, and the two began to drink together, one cup after another.
By the time the wine jars around them were empty—
Ran Yi set down her cup, shook her head, and sighed deliberately. “The wine here at Yuxian Pavilion still can’t compare to that of the Southern Border. It isn’t strong enough.”
“How strong must it be to count as strong?” Shen Yanzhou asked.
“The kind that burns your organs the moment it goes down your throat — your scalp tingles, and your whole body feels like it’s steaming. That’s what I call strong...” Ran Yi seemed to drift into memory as she spoke.
“What’s the point of such wine? A few sips and it’s unbearable.” Shen Yanzhou shook his head.
“You don’t understand. Only such wine can suppress the fire inside.” Ran Yi’s lips curved into a sultry smile. She leaned closer to his ear, almost pressing herself against him. Her breath was laced with warmth and wine as it brushed past his skin.
“Is Aunt Ran feeling very fiery now?” Shen Yanzhou asked.
Ran Yi shot him a glare. “I’ve been holding in this fire for years. What do you think?”
“Which is harder to suppress — the fire, or the death curse?” Shen Yanzhou asked again.
Ran Yi fell silent at once, as if he had spoiled the mood, and tapped the empty wine jar beside her.
After a moment, she sighed helplessly. “Young Master, to bring that up at a moment like this — don’t you think that’s a bit much?”
“I don’t think so. I’m only curious — and concerned.”
“Because of the death curse, you’ve had no choice but to follow Shen Jingxiao’s orders and spy on me. But surely, he gave you more instructions. He must have assumed I’d try to turn you against him — to have you seize control over me instead.”
“You four fiends — aside from the death curse, he must have other means to control you. And each of you has your own value. In his eyes, your value is almost spent...” Shen Yanzhou said, without the slightest attempt to hide his words.
Ran Yi — one of the Four Fiends — was the only woman among them.
She was beautiful, dangerous, and filled with seduction. She could be called a born enchantress; no man could resist her charms. Yet to this day, she remained untouched.
Because, to Shen Jingxiao, she was a weapon — the most exquisite weapon to deal with men.
“Go on.”
Ran Yi looked at Shen Yanzhou, her bright eyes like flawless gems, crystal clear and gleaming with a gentle, teasing light.
She didn’t refute a single word.
“What’s there to say? Does Aunt Ran think a few words from me are enough to turn you? Or that I could shake the loyalty Shen Jingxiao has cultivated in you all these years?” Shen Yanzhou asked.
He never believed he could truly turn Ran Yi to his side — even if he could somehow remove the curse upon her.
For this death curse was different from the Nether Curse — it was personally created by Shen Jingxiao himself, and only he could undo it.
In a sense, the Four Fiends’ loyalty to Shen Jingxiao was beyond question.
“Still, shouldn’t you at least try? What if you actually could?” Ran Yi smiled, her tone light.
“I do want to try. I can’t help you with the death curse for now, but as for the fire you’ve been holding in all these years — I can help you vent it.” Shen Yanzhou said earnestly.