It was still a rainy day. Song You had been sitting on the first floor brewing tea and reading to pass the time. He looked at the maid, who had walked in and greeted him, as he asked helplessly, “Why have you come again?”

“Madam says that you must have realized that Miss Wanjiang is not human, but because of your kind heart and possible reservations, you chose not to take action,” the maid said, bowing again. “I have come specifically to ask you to take action and bring peace to the capital.”

“I never said that.”

“Please take action.”

“Please go back.”

“How much silver do you want? Madam can fulfill any amount.”

“Please seek the assistance of another expert.”

“In recent days, Madam has been unable to eat or sleep, growing increasingly thin. You have a shop with a sign saying ‘Exorcism and Extermination.’ Are you really going to watch Miss Wanjiang cause trouble for Madam? Aren’t you going to exterminate her?”

“You misunderstand. I only deal with exorcizing demons and warding off evil spirits. Exterminating rodents is my cat’s specialty. And the only things we exterminate are rats,” Song You said, looking at the persistent maid. He shook his head inwardly, feeling both displeased and helpless against her repeated disturbances.

After a moment of thought, he said, “However, I do have a method to alleviate your mistress’s troubles.”

“What method? Please instruct me!”

Song You said, “I’ve heard there is a minor ghost in the northern regions, only two chi tall and with an ugly appearance. It’s called the Hideous Ghost, and it naturally harms people. If you catch the Hideous Ghost, take its heart and liver, boil a tael of nine-leaf Paris herb[1], and add two qian of Winter Solstice cicada pupa.

“Then, when the first snow of the following year falls, simmer the mixture into it. This will be able to solve Madam's problems.”

“Sir, do not use things that are impossible to achieve to evade me,” the maid said. “Though I am simple, I know that the Paris herb has seven leaves per branch, cicada pupa is not available in winter, and snow cannot last until the next year. Moreover, where would we find a northern minor ghost?”

“You are very knowledgeable,” Song You said respectfully.

No wonder she was the Madam’s trusted maid.

“You may not be aware that the nine-leaf Paris herb refers to the heal-all. If you dig three chi into the ground during the Winter Solstice, you can find the winter cicadas. By the time the snow that falls at midnight on New Year's Eve touches the ground, the year has already passed,” the Daoist said to her.

“In the northern regions, during the hottest time when the yin and yang intersect, a fated person who carries a mirror and travels at night can see the Hideous Ghost.”

“Can this method break the enchantment of Miss Wanjiang?”

“It can reduce jealousy in the heart.”

“…” The maid immediately pursed her lips in silence. After a moment, she bowed and said her farewells, then left and returned to the carriage.

The rainwater pattered against the oilcloth, making a steady drumming sound.

“Sigh…” Song You shook his head and sighed. He picked up his tea again, holding his book in one hand while glancing at the ink on the page, and then at the rain outside.

It should be time for the rain to stop, right? This time of year was quite suited for sleeping.

“Go!” The driver outside shouted, and the carriage gradually moved away.

***

The rain had stopped, and the weather was clear and dry. Amid the clatter of wheels, the carriage approached.

The broad city walls of Changjing slowly came into view.

The driver was a round-faced servant, and beside the carriage, a young martial man on horseback with a sword at his side walked alongside. Suddenly, the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing the face of a frail-looking middle-aged scholar. ṟ

The servant immediately turned around to report, “Master, we’ve arrived in Changjing.”

“We finally arrived…” Cui Nanxi squinted at the city walls ahead, feeling a deep sense of emotion.

A few years ago, he had been dismissed from the capital. Although it was unjust, he had been disheartened at the time, wishing only to resign from office and immerse himself in nature. Little did he know that he would encounter such extraordinary events later—traveling with an immortal, sleeping on a mountaintop through an entire year in the human realm in one night.

When he left, he was gifted an immortal’s elixir. Since then, he had never fallen ill, no matter how cold the weather became.

Fortunately, everything was well with his family when he returned home.

He had heard that his elderly mother, upon learning of his supposed demise, had cried for several nights in grief and fell seriously ill. She recovered, and upon hearing the news of his miraculous return, was so surprised that she fell ill again.

In any case, he was finally back in the capital.

Although the Ministry of Personnel had yet to assign him any official position and he knew why the emperor had called him back, he remained confident and felt as if he had returned to his original, spirited self.

“

Cough cough…

” A coughing sound came from behind.

Cui Nanxi quickly lowered the curtain and turned around to tend to the situation.

The journey had been arduous, but since taking the immortal's elixir, his health had been consistently great without much issues. He had a much better time traveling now than during his journey from Changjing to Pingzhou. However, his wife was quite frail, and had suffered quite a bit.

The carriage slowly descended the slope, moving out of the picturesque scene. Upon reaching the city gates, they entered the city smoothly.

Changjing was bustling with activity, and many officials had to rent accommodations. However, since Cui Nanxi had been personally summoned by the emperor, the emperor naturally had a place arranged for him.

Friends Cui Nanxi had made during his time in Changjing had long received his letter. By the time he arrived at his residence, several friends had come to welcome him.

These people were perhaps the greatest gain from Cui Nanxi’s years of service in Changjing—purely honorable friendships and scholarly acquaintances who had neither severed ties with him because of his dismissal nor grown distant due to the years of separation.

“Haha, Brother Cui!”

“Brother Cui, you’ve finally returned!”

From a distance, people greeted him by cupping their hands.

Cui Nanxi quickly alighted from the carriage, returned the gestures by continuously cupping his hand, and said emotionally, “Brother Zhao, Brother Zheng, Brother Liu, it’s been a long time. I’m surprised you still remember me.”

“Of course!” one official responded. “Brother Cui, quickly unpack your things. We pooled our money and booked a table at Yunchun Restaurant. Let’s have a good meal and drink this afternoon to celebrate your return and welcome you back. We also want to hear about your encounter with the immortal in Pingzhou. The whole of Changjing is very curious about it!”

“Indeed! Let’s go quickly!”

“Brother Cui, hurry up! Do you need any help?”

“…”

Cui Nanxi felt another wave of emotion.

After unloading his luggage and settling his wife as well as arranging for the official carriage to be returned to the post station by his servant Hong Xiu, Cui Nanxi went to Yunchun Restaurant for the banquet.

Among Changjing’s scholar-officials and literati, there were many who yearned for eternal life and the Immortal Dao, especially those talented and refined individuals for whom the pursuit of eternal life and Immortal Dao was as elegant as their love for tea and music.

Moreover, the strange event of a year having passed below the mountain after he spent just a night on the mountain seemed even more imbued with an aura of the celestial than immortality or flying through the skies. His old friends were extremely curious about his experiences on Yunding Mountain in Pingzhou, their anticipation palpable.

As Cui Nanxi enjoyed the food and drink, he recounted his experiences. Everyone listened with envy and fascination.

“Brother Cui, your experiences are bound to make countless literati in Changjing envious. This journey of a lifetime has been worthwhile…”

“It’s a pity that even the immortals in poetry never had such an experience as you, Brother Cui!”

“Brother Cui, your vast knowledge and deep scholarship must be why you encountered an immortal. If it were someone else, they probably wouldn’t have such fortune. Regardless, having the favor of an immortal means your journey is destined to be extraordinary.”

“Indeed, indeed…”

The group exchanged words of admiration.

Cui Nanxi, however, shook his head. “Please, do not exaggerate my accomplishments. I am self-aware enough to know that my encounter with the immortal and opportunity to bathe in his immortal’s aura as well as receiving his guidance and elixir is merely a stroke of luck.

“On the contrary, I am merely a worldly person and fail to recognize an immortal even when face to face with one. It is truly laughable and shameful.”

His friend asked, “Didn’t you mention that the immortal took on a mortal guise and wandered the world? Do you think the immortal might come to Changjing?”

“Not everyone has the same fate with immortals as Brother Cui.”

“Ha ha…” The group raised their glasses and enjoyed the evening.

Cui Nanxi shared stories of Pingzhou’s landscapes, such as the

gong

pears, which were so common they were unsellable, and the Mirror Island Lake crabs, which were so fresh in autumn that they were considered a luxury only for the nobility of Changjing but were merely ordinary food to satisfy their hunger for the poor near Mirror Island Lake.

He spoke of the starlight reflecting on the water, the four seasons on one mountain, and the poverty in Shizu County, expressing regret for not doing more for the people before his journey to Yunding Mountain. He recounted his return to his official post after his descent from the mountain and how he planned to contribute further.

His friends also shared news from Changjing.

They spoke of demons and ghosts becoming rampant, attacking government officials, which shocked and angered Cui Nanxi. They mentioned that the City God of the City God Temple had finally begun to take action, capturing many demons and ghosts, which Cui Nanxi praised.

They also revealed that the unrest in Changjing was caused by a bamboo demon that had been lurking for years. The State Preceptor’s divination led to the eradication of all

xiangfei

bamboo in the city, thus removing the bamboo demon, which Cui Nanxi found quite astonishing.

“It’s a pity, since there are so many bamboos in Changjing. They might take until next year to regrow. But since the bamboo demon had been lurking in Changjing for years, those behind it must have been plotting for a long time.”

“Indeed.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

After a lengthy meal filled with food, drink, and reminiscing, accompanied by music from a troupe of entertainers, they spent nearly four hours enjoying themselves from noon into the evening. Eventually, they helped each other back to Cui Nanxi’s residence with unsteady steps.

At the entrance, they found a carriage waiting with a eunuch who was coldly staring at them.

“...!” The group immediately sobered up.

Everyone here held positions in Changjing where it was difficult to rise to high office or be demoted, and their reputations were already established. They neither needed to curry favor with eunuchs nor feared them. But seeing him waiting here and knowing that Cui Nanxi had been personally summoned back to Changjing by His Majesty, they could roughly guess the purpose of his visit.

Fearing they might delay their friend's prospects, they dared not be negligent. They quickly straightened up and greeted him with a cup of their hands and a bow.

“May I ask what business you have here?”

“Mr. Cui, you’re quite busy, eh? You just returned to the capital, and you’re already out socializing. You probably haven't even had a chance to sit down, have you?”

“Forgive me, I haven’t seen my friends for years.”

“The Emperor has heard of your return and has summoned you to the palace for an audience. I’ve been waiting here for quite some time.” The eunuch glanced at Cui Nanxi. “You’ve just been drinking; please change your clothes and freshen up. We wouldn’t want to keep the Emperor and the State Preceptor waiting too long.”

“Yes…” Cui Nanxi quickly stepped over the threshold, tripping slightly as his friends followed him inside.

“Brother Cui, you’re indeed extraordinary. You just arrived in Changjing and have already been summoned to the palace, it seems you’re destined for high office.”

“Don’t tease me, Brother Zhao.” Cui Nanxi shook his head, fully aware of the situation.

The pursuit of Immortal Dao and eternal life was not only their aspiration but also that of the Emperor. However, even the most accomplished cultivators, like the State Preceptor, were still far from true Immortal Dao.

The tales of a year passing below the mountain after he had spent a night on the mountain were beyond the imagination of ordinary mortals. The Emperor must have heard such rumors, which was why he summoned him back to the capital.

After changing and freshening up, Cui Nanxi followed the eunuch into the palace.

Cui Nanxi had also prepared himself mentally. He knew that the news of his encounter with the immortal on Yunding Mountain would surely reach Changjing. Whether it was the Emperor or the current State Preceptor, they would definitely summon him to verify the truth.

Therefore, after returning from Yunding Mountain, he did not immediately submit a memorial to the court expressing his desire to lead the compilation of a great encyclopedia documenting all the world's affairs and things based on his lifelong knowledge. He decided to wait for this day as making his request in person would naturally carry more weight.

Upon reaching the palace entrance, he disembarked and walked. After crossing half of the imperial palace, he arrived at the Qingming Hall. The Qingming Hall was usually where the Emperor met with ministers alone, which suggested that this audience was not so formal.

As expected, after the announcement, Cui Nanxi entered the Qingming Hall and saw the Emperor of Great Yan dressed in black and gold robes reclining on a long couch and eating fruit. The State Preceptor, dressed in ordinary Daoist robes, stood to one side. There was also a tall and robust man present. The three of them had apparently been talking before he entered, and now they all looked at him.

Cui Nanxi quickly bowed. “I pay my respects to Your Majesty, and to the State Preceptor.”

“Rise.” The Emperor raised a hand and asked, “Official Cui, why do you have a scent of alcohol about you?”

“Your Majesty, I have been away from the capital for several years and have missed my old friends greatly. When I arrived at the post station on my way back, I sent them a letter. By the time I arrived, they were already waiting for me and hosted a banquet to welcome me. Not knowing Your Majesty’s summons, I drank a few cups. Please forgive me.”

“Haha, it’s of no consequence. Official Cui, you’ve been away from the capital for so long and can still maintain such deep friendships with your old friends. It is truly commendable.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“The journey to Pingzhou must have been arduous for you.”

“Your Majesty, although the journey to Pingzhou was long and difficult, I found it quite rewarding and did not feel it was arduous.”

“Oh? What rewards have you gained?”

“From the land and its people, I have seen not only the landscapes of Pingzhou but also the lives of its people.” Cui Nanxi answered honestly, “Shizu County is very poor, and its people are struggling. I saw the hardships of their lives, but also their resilience and aspirations for a better life. It is these qualities that contribute to the prosperity and strength of our Great Yan.

“However, I have also come to realize that the citizens of Great Yan are not only those in the prosperous capital but also those in remote areas. To elevate Great Yan to a higher level, we must take care of every cun of land and every citizen.”

“Well said! Very well said!” Hearing this, the Emperor sat up, glancing at the State Preceptor beside him. “It seems that sending Official Cui on this trip was indeed the right decision.”

The State Preceptor took a deep breath, somewhat resigned, but still cupped his hands in agreement. “Lord Cui is indeed knowledgeable and talented. Your Majesty’s decision to send Lord Cui to Pingzhou was exceedingly wise. The gains from Lord Cui’s journey will surely benefit Great Yan and its people.”

Cui Nanxi knew full well that the Emperor would not be concerned with such a minor official as himself. His demotion had been due to offending the prime minister, and whether this journey was a blessing or a misfortune was not up to the Emperor’s discretion.

Cui Nanxi could only cup his hands and respond, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s support.”

“There’s no need for excessive courtesy,” the Emperor said. “I also heard that you traveled to Yunding Mountain in Pingzhou and encountered an immortal. After spending a night there, you found that a whole year had passed by the time you descended the mountain. Is that true?”

“Indeed, it is true.”

“Could you please elaborate on the details?”

“Certainly.” Cui Nanxi thought for a moment and began to recount the story.

Finally, they were getting to the main topic.

1.

Paris

is a genus of flowering plants described by Linnaeus in 1753. ☜