A peaceful courtyard in the mountains let out wisps of cooking smoke, along with the occasional sounds of Ying Ran chatting and laughing with Xu Liling.
It was early summer, and the weather was quite hot.
After dinner and a bath, still feeling restless from the heat, Ying Ran and Xu Liling lay on recliners in the courtyard to enjoy the breeze.
She nestled in his arms, and he held her with one hand while gently fanning her with the other.
The stars shone brightly, the moon was clear, and the cool night breeze blew in waves.
In such a mood, under such a sky—nothing disturbed this little immortal couple.
The Dragon Boat Festival was approaching.
Ying Ran and Xu Liling made some zongzi (rice dumplings) together and brought some to visit her parents.
Her father quite admired Xu Liling.
Xu Liling behaved with restraint and composure in front of her father, and with his fine looks, he fit her father’s ideal image of a scholarly man perfectly.
But in truth, Xu Liling didn’t like her father much.
The first time he met her father before their marriage, they seemed to get along very well.
But once they left the house, Xu Liling bluntly said, “If we get married, I don’t want to see him often.”
Ying Ran was confused.
“Why? You two talked so well—I thought you had similar interests.”
Xu Liling replied, “He talks too much nonsense.”
Ying Ran laughed, feeling reassured she had chosen the right man.
She scolded playfully, “That’s not very polite of you.”
What she didn’t know was that Xu Liling had already put it rather mildly.
The only reason he talked was because he was willing to make the effort—for her sake.
If that man weren’t her father, he wouldn’t have said a word to him.
He’d have kicked him aside without a second thought.
Back to the present—Ying Ran and Xu Liling arrived at the Spring Toad Academy with their gifts.
A young servant came to open the gate and called inward, “Miss and Master have returned!”
Usually, Ying Ran’s father, Qin Huan, would come out to greet his son-in-law.
But today, it was Ying Ran’s mother, Xu Qiugui, who appeared.
Xu Liling bowed in greeting, and Ying Ran called out “Mother.”
Xu Qiugui handed the gifts to the young servant and said warmly, “You didn’t need to bring anything!”
Ying Ran replied, “It’s nearly the Dragon Boat Festival. There’ll be many students visiting then, and Father will surely be busy. We figured we wouldn’t come during the festival itself.”
A trace of disappointment rose on Xu Qiugui’s face, and she sighed with mixed emotions.
“Your father’s always been so obsessed with his books… he’s just that kind of person. You…”
She didn’t finish. She understood why Ying Ran wasn’t close to her father.
Since she was little, Qin Huan had imposed strict rules—never letting her step outside the gates.
When he couldn’t control her anymore, even beatings didn’t work, so he let her go—but made her recite, write, and learn etiquette.
If she got it wrong, he beat her; if she didn’t do well, he still beat her.
They were just ordinary folks—why so harsh?
Other families didn’t do this.
But Qin Huan insisted that as a scholar, his daughter must be more disciplined and proper.
Ying Ran looked obedient, but she was strong-willed and stubborn.
She didn’t go out of her way to oppose her father, but if there was something she didn’t want to do, she absolutely wouldn’t—no matter what.
Her father still loved her—he would never actually hurt her.
So in the end, he had to let her go her own way.
But he also couldn’t let go completely.
The two had been butting heads since she was a child.
Xu Qiugui loved her daughter, but also loved her husband.
So she was always stuck in the middle, trying to mediate.
Thinking back on everything, Xu Qiugui sighed quietly.
Since Ying Ran had come home, she didn’t want to show any sadness.
She smiled and said, “Guan Yi came by today to visit your father, and brought an important guest. Your father is entertaining them now.”
Then she turned to Xu Liling.
“You should go too, help your father-in-law with the guests.”
Xu Liling glanced at Ying Ran and agreed.
Xu Qiugui took Ying Ran’s hand.
“It’s getting late. Let’s go help in the kitchen.”
But just then, Xu Liling came back and said, “She’s coming with me.”
He took Ying Ran by the hand and led her off.
Ying Ran shot him a look full of amusement.
He had clearly overheard her mother trying to get her into the kitchen, so he came back to ‘rescue’ her.
Xu Qiugui stood stunned for a moment, then laughed through her exasperation.
“This child…”
Ying Ran turned back to say, “Mother, you go rest too. We hired a cook, no need to wear yourself out.”
Xu Qiugui didn’t reply.
She usually didn’t cook—but knowing her daughter’s poor kitchen skills, she had planned to use this opportunity to get her to learn a thing or two from the chef.
But with her son-in-law like this, she figured she’d let it go.
In her heart, she felt a surge of emotion—Ying Ran had truly chosen a good husband.
Meanwhile, Xu Liling led Ying Ran into the reception hall.
Inside, they heard the sound of cheerful conversation.
“Our Yunshui County is so well-governed—it’s truly peaceful. Since I’ve started my post here, I haven’t encountered a single dangerous demon.”
It was Guan Yi’s voice.
“This place has always been peaceful. But over the past two years, there have been even fewer demonic disturbances. Aside from that recent horse demon incident, no one’s had any trouble.”
That was Qin Huan, speaking proudly.
Then a third, unfamiliar voice laughed and said, “That’s exactly why something feels off.”
Suddenly, his laughter cut off, replaced by a solemn tone:
“That’s not normal. No place can go two years without a single demonic event—unless…”
A pause.
“Unless something has happened here, something big, something terrifying enough to make all demons afraid to show themselves.”
The atmosphere turned heavy.
Ying Ran, hearing this, felt a twinge of fear and edged closer to Xu Liling.
He squeezed her hand to reassure her, and together they stepped into the hall.
Ying Ran called, “Father.”
Xu Liling bowed politely.
Qin Huan’s expression turned stern, but he nodded at Ying Ran and gave Xu Liling a slightly more relaxed smile.
He introduced them to the unfamiliar middle-aged man.
“Lord Dou, this is my daughter Ying Ran. And this is my son-in-law Xu Liling, also a learned scholar.”
Then he turned to Ying Ran and said seriously, “This is Lord Dou Ming from the Xuan Division in the capital. Hurry and pay your respects.”
Ying Ran did as instructed.
Dou Ming wore a robe patterned with nine-headed beasts.
His appearance was imposing and dignified. He nodded in acknowledgment.
But his eyes had been fixed on Xu Liling since the moment he entered—carrying an unmistakable intensity.