Chapter 159: Chapter 159
Tang Zhiyang, even in death, remained gentle and refined. He clasped his hands before Lien Wenhe and Mrs Lien and said, "Uncle and Aunt, please forgive my parents. It was my sudden passing that led them to such unfortunate actions. Zhiyuan and I are destined yet unbound; I only hope we have another chance in the next life."
"Alas, heaven envies the talented, we too grieve for you!"
Lien Wenhe shook his head with a sigh, "But to have done such reprehensible things to Zhiyuan, forgiveness is impossible. From now on, the Lien Family will sever all ties with the Tang Family."
Tang Zhiyang sighed softly, "I understand, Uncle."
He gazed deeply at Lien Zhiyuan, seeing her still trapped in the shadows of the recent events, unable to extricate herself, and his heart felt a twinge of loss.
His childhood sweetheart, they grew up together; it is false to say he doesn’t care for her. Yet, while he cherished her in life, how could he bear to let her enter this cold world to accompany him in death.
"Zhiyang, I can’t bear to lose you, my son. Just looking at you brings me joy. Can’t you stay at the Tang Mansion?"
Ms Tang forced herself upright, her crazed eyes fixed on Tang Zhiyang, beginning to entertain other thoughts again.
Tang Zhiyang shook his head, "Mother, death was my own choice. I did not want to be a bedridden person, forever unable to move. See, as a spirit, I am now free to move at will; in that moment, I felt liberated, except for the concern I have for all of you. As for Zhiyuan, we grew up together, and indeed I have feelings of fondness for her and feel guilty towards her. However, I would never have her give up on life for my sake. She is still young and has a future to navigate. You misunderstood my intentions when I mentioned her; I simply wanted to dissolve our engagement, letting her have the chance to find a suitable husband. Mother, let it go."
"How can I let it go? You are my first child, and I raised you to adulthood. I was looking forward to seeing you marry and have children, yet you left me so suddenly. My heart aches terribly." Ms Tang cried until her eyes nearly went blind.
"Enough, Mother, don’t you still have me? Stop making repeated mistakes."
Tang Zhishuo clenched his fists in anger, "Brother has already spoken his mind to you, Mother, stop being stubborn." This update ıs available on novel⸺fire.net
Ms Tang ultimately couldn’t hold herself together, crying uncontrollably, "Fine, Mother agrees with you."
Tang Zhiyang’s spirit began to fade considerably, and Mr Tang anxiously said, "What is happening? Why is Zhiyang’s soul becoming ?"
Their mutual obsessions have dissipated; he is preparing for reincarnation. Yu Nianzhao heard the ghost officers announcing the time to collect the soul.
"All in vain," Mr Tang slumped to the ground despondently.
"Zhiyuan, your father and mother are taking you home."
Lien Wenhe picked up Lien Zhiyuan, his gaze did not even linger on the Tang family as they prepared to leave the Tang Mansion.
As they passed by Yu Nianzhao, both Lien Wenhe and Shao were very grateful to her.
"Zhaozhao, thank you. Without you, we would have surely lost Zhiyuan. Your uncle owes you a favor. Rest assured, should anyone from the Pei Family or the Lien Family dare to harm you, I will be the first to oppose it." Lien Wenhe said solemnly.
"Yes, Zhaozhao, come back to the Lien Family with us. Once they know everything you’ve said is true, they will certainly treat you differently." Shao also added.
"Take her back to the mansion, here is a peace charm!" Yu Nianzhao placed the peace charm on Lien Zhiyuan and said calmly, "She was terribly frightened earlier and was also possessed by evil spirits. Let her go back and rest well."
"Okay, then remember to come to the Lien Mansion." Lien Zhiyuan clenched the peace charm; her fingernails had turned outward and bled from grasping the coffin board. Her expression was both haggard and frail, prompting Lien Wenhe to quickly take her away from this poisonous place.
"Zhaozhao cousin, I realize I used to know too little about you. Nonetheless, you saved my elder sister, thank you." Lien Yanran beamed a bright smile at her.
Yu Nianzhao glanced at her and said bluntly, "I do charge for exorcisms, so remember to send me silver when you have the chance."
Lien Yanran’s smile froze for an instant; she pursed her lips and conceded, "You truly know how to ruin the atmosphere. Alright, alright, you really are a little miser. Once we’re back, I’ll remind my parents to send you the silver."
As the Lien Family left, Xie Jiuxiao waved his hand.
The Dragon Shadow Guards kicked open the door and stormed in, tying everyone up.
"Prince, what is this about? No one died, so why arrest them?" Mr Tang regained his senses and managed a sycophantic smile.
"Ha, just because nobody died doesn’t mean nothing’s wrong? Your mere attempt to imprison me is already a grave offense; as for the exact punishment, speak of it in the imperial prison."
Xie Jiuxiao’s gaze turned icy, with a single look, the Dragon Shadow Guards began escorting the prisoners out.
Yu Nianzhao also casually extracted the evil spirit residing within Ms Tang and tossed it for Jiu Ying to consume.
"Prince, I was invited here. Why take me away as well?" Mr Yuan maintained his composure, though the sweat beads on his forehead betrayed his nerves, making it hard to see his anxiousness.
"The Qingyun Taoist Temple may be somewhat famous, but even an emperor must abide by the same laws as commoners. Besides, you are merely a Daoist," Xie Jiuxiao glanced at him coldly.
"What crime have I committed?" Mr Yuan protested defiantly.
"You attempted to kill indiscriminately and nearly caused the death of a young girl in her prime, does that not count as a crime?"
"They had a marriage contract, and since the ceremony was complete, the ghost marriage counts. As a Daoist, I was only bridging the gap between them—is that worthy of a crime?"
"Whether it counts is not for you to decide!" Xie Jiuxiao sneered, "Take him away!"
Mu Hongxuan seized Mr Yuan’s collar and began dragging him off.
"Prince, you cannot treat a Daoist this way. Qingyun Taoist Temple is renowned in the Great Chao Country, even the Empress Dowager is its devotee. Surely, they wouldn’t allow you to imprison a Daoist ..."
Mr Yuan’s indignant voice could still be heard even as it faded into the distance.
Yu Nianzhao formed a hand seal, spreading a beam of golden light across the Tang Mansion, purifying all evil Qi. The previously dark skies cleared, and a ray of sunlight bathed the earth, restoring normalcy.
Xie Jiuxiao took just a few steps before the Evil Qi exuded, seeming as if it sought to drown him in a deep abyss.
"Surely affected by those current evil spirits."
Yu Nianzhao snatched the sachet from his waist and took out the talisman within, "Indeed, the talisman’s color has faded to the point of near invisibility."
"Zhaozhao, I’m so cold." Xie Jiuxiao’s lips had turned pale, with coldness emanating from his bones.
Despite winter’s departure, Xie Jiuxiao’s breath nearly frosted the air solid.
"The Taiyin Evil is awakening, active now." Yu Nianzhao furrowed her brows tightly, opening his collar to reveal a mass of black mist roving inside his body.