The Entire Harem has Transmigrated - Chapter 15

When the first group entered the Qian Family Old Residence, Qian Shengjin had the lowest expectations for Ruan Qingqing.

She was young, beautiful, and looked delicate and adorable, like a flower bud about to bloom or a dewdrop clinging to a leaf at dawn. She resembled many of the world’s beautiful things, but nothing like a capable exorcist, demon slayer, or ghost hunter.

It wasn’t until the ghost manifested and everyone else panicked, while Ruan Qingqing calmly performed her Metaphysical Arts, that Qian Shengjin realized how wrong he had been.

Indeed, appearances can be deceiving. Among all the people present, only this young girl who looked the least like a Master possessed true skill.

With this realization, Qian Shengjin kowtowed deeply to Ruan Qingqing again, his voice trembling as he pleaded, “Master, please save me! I’m willing to pay a massive reward!”

Ruan Qingqing clapped her hands dismissively, glanced at the collapsed figures, and said calmly, “Get these useless ones carried out first.”

The butler immediately summoned servants to carry them away. Only then did Ruan Qingqing turn to Qian Shengjin and say, “You can get up too.”

The butler helped Qian Shengjin sit in a chair, his legs still trembling, clearly in poor health.

Ruan Qingqing glanced at him once before averting her gaze, turning toward the door, and flexing her fingers.

Half a minute later, Ruan Qingqing stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her crimson lips parting slightly. “The female ghost is named Bai Xiulian, born in the year of Jiyou. She loved red dresses and enjoyed drinking. She died in the great fire at the Qian Family Old Residence twenty-one years ago, at the age of thirty-one. Driven by lingering resentment and deep-seated anger, she transformed into a malevolent ghost, haunting your dreams nightly and disrupting your peace. Fortunately, a Wandering Master happened to pass by at the time and cast a spell to suppress her. However, the ghost’s resentment was too profound to be completely dispelled. The Master returned annually to reinforce the spell, but tragically, he passed away just a few months ago.”

Tears welled in Qian Shengjin’s eyes as he nodded repeatedly, his frail body trembling. “Master, your words are absolutely accurate.”

“I can help you completely destroy this malevolent ghost,” Ruan Qingqing said, “but it will take some time.”

Qian Shengjin declared generously, “Master, name your price! If you can save my life, I’ll give you all my wealth.”

To his surprise, Ruan Qingqing’s expression immediately turned cold, her face flushed with anger. “The Metaphysical Sect’s duty is to capture demons and exorcise ghosts! How dare you try to insult me with such worldly possessions? It seems I’d be better off not helping you at all!”

With that, she turned to leave, sweeping her sleeves aside.

Qian Shengjin, terrified, tumbled from his chair and frantically ordered his butler to stop her, all the while apologizing profusely. Seeing his sincere remorse, Ruan Qingqing’s expression softened slightly.

“Since you genuinely seek help, I suppose I can show some leniency,” she said, handing Qian Shengjin a talisman. “I noticed the dark circles under your eyes and calculated with my fingers. It’s clear you’ve been tormented by this malevolent ghost, unable to sleep soundly for ten consecutive nights. This talisman will guarantee you eight hours of peaceful sleep. Place it under your pillow, and you can rest now.”

Qian Shengjin thanked her profusely. He initially planned to return to his own room, but Ruan Qingqing insisted he stay here, assuring him that her ritual and watchful presence would ensure his safety. He agreed to remain and instructed the butler to treat them with utmost care.

Ruan Qingqing, however, had no intention of lingering. Once she confirmed Qian Shengjin was asleep, she planned to leave with Yu Yunfei.

The butler naturally tried to dissuade them, but Ruan Qingqing smiled knowingly. “Stop pretending to be a ghost,” she said.

The butler’s expression remained unchanged. “I don’t understand what you mean, Master,” he replied calmly.

Ruan Qingqing cut straight to the point. “Miss Bai’s soul has been wandering this old mansion for twenty-one years, constantly eroded and suppressed by the formation. Her power has long since dissipated. She couldn’t possibly be the cause of Qian Shengjin’s torment. His insomnia and string of misfortunes are primarily the result of human intervention.”

The butler chuckled. “Even if it is human intervention, what does that have to do with me?”

“You’re the one behind it,” Ruan Qingqing said, blinking innocently, a faint smile curving her lips. “Because I’m a true Master. I can see through it.”

The butler scoffed dismissively. “Evidence?”

Ruan Qingqing replied calmly, “I don’t need evidence. Besides, I have no intention of exposing you. If I had revealed your involvement to Qian Shengjin earlier, do you think you could have escaped unscathed? After all, every action leaves a trace. You can’t possibly believe your schemes were truly flawless, can you?”

The butler remained silent, his gaze flickering.

Ruan Qingqing sighed. “You’re quite pitiful, really. For twenty-one years, you aided the wicked, only to recently realize you’d been deceived, supporting the wrong person and harboring hatred for the wrong target. Now you’re consumed by guilt and regret, desperate to make amends and avenge her. But what’s the point? She’s already gone.”

The butler trembled, his eyes snapping up, his lips twitching uncontrollably.

“The female ghost I summoned today was her. You should be able to recognize her, right? This time, it’s not one of those actors you hired,” Ruan Qingqing said, leading Yu Yunfei toward the exit. She paused at the door, adding, “If you want to see her again, you’ll listen to me and not make any rash moves.”

Even as they left, Yu Yunfei remained utterly bewildered.

Ruan Qingqing had placed a talisman on her forehead and instructed her to close her eyes. Throughout the entire ordeal, Yu Yunfei saw nothing, felt nothing. She was stunned when Qian Shengjin suddenly knelt before Ruan Qingqing, begging, “Master, save me!” Later, watching Ruan Qingqing calmly tell fortunes, being revered and treated like a master, she was even more perplexed.

Still, true to her acting roots, Yu Yunfei dutifully maintained her role as the elderly woman until they returned home. Only then did she finally ask, “Qingqing, how are you so amazing? How did you do all that?”

Ruan Qingqing tossed her head back, puffed out her chest, and declared proudly, “I’m just that extraordinary now.”

Li Qianxuan, who had been waiting for ages, greeted them upon their return. “Back so early?”

“I was hungry and wanted to come back and have lunch with you,” Ruan Qingqing said, handing Yu Yunfei makeup remover. “Besides, seeing A-Yun with such heavy makeup and having to hunch over to play an old woman all day really broke my heart. I thought it would be best to bring her back early.”

She turned to Li Qianxuan. “Qianxuan, you’ll still accompany me to the Qian Family Old Residence this afternoon, right?”

Yu Yunfei gasped in shock.

Li Qianxuan readily agreed, but Yu Yunfei threw a tantrum.

“Your Majesty,” she protested, “I know you like to play fair, but this is too much! I won the dice roll fair and square—how can you switch partners halfway through? That’s not fair!”

Ruan Qingqing went over to coax her. “Be a good girl,” she said gently.

She genuinely felt sorry for Yu Yunfei, hating to see her wear such heavy makeup. But without it, their plan would fall apart.

The main goal of their scheme at the Qian Family was to strip Bai Qiaoying of her backing and ultimately remove her from the lead role in The Legend of the Great Qian’s Consort Shu, giving Yu Yunfei her revenge. With the plan halfway executed, tonight’s phase was critical. If Qian Shengjin realized that the person Ruan Qingqing had brought was Bai Qiaoying’s rival, any mention of Bai Qiaoying would instantly shatter his trust in her.

There was no need to take such a risk.

Though reluctant, Yu Yunfei had to agree. Her eyes brimming with affection, she bid Ruan Qingqing a lingering farewell, her clinginess becoming unbearable for Li Qianxuan, who promptly flicked her forehead.

By the time Ruan Qingqing led Li Qianxuan to the Qian Family Old Residence, Boss Qian was still unconscious. Ruan Qingqing briefly explained the events that had transpired in the house.

The world bustles with activity, all driven by profit. The Qian Family’s story was no different, ultimately revolving around the pursuit of wealth.

Twenty-two years ago, Qian Shengjin’s father suddenly fell ill and died, leaving his entire estate to his second wife—Qian Shengjin’s stepmother, the late Miss Bai Xiulian. Childless and without greed, Bai Xiulian treated Qian Shengjin with great care.

“But even if she wasn’t greedy, someone else was, right?” Li Qianxuan guessed the outcome.

“Yes,” Ruan Qingqing said, her voice tinged with sorrow. “Such a good woman, schemed against and burned alive, leaving not even a complete body.”

Li Qianxuan, known for her unwavering hatred of evil and her straightforward nature, asked bluntly, “Was Qian Shengjin the one who plotted against her? How can you help such a vile person exorcise ghosts?”

“Who said I was actually going to exorcise ghosts?” Ruan Qingqing replied, cradling her teacup, her eyes gleaming with a hint of nostalgia. “When I first began studying metaphysics, the Imperial Preceptor taught me that just as humans are divided into good and evil, ghosts and spirits are the same. As Metaphysics Masters, we can’t blindly destroy demons without understanding their origins. Our true path lies in using our abilities to right the world’s injustices, that is the Dao we must uphold.”

Ruan Qingqing continued, “Rest assured, I won’t harm Bai Xiulian. Qian Shengjin is merely a tool to be used.”

“I knew Your Majesty had the kindest heart,” Li Qianxuan said. “Did you learn your current skills from the Imperial Preceptor?”

Ruan Qingqing nodded.

Li Qianxuan pursed her lips. “Why would she teach you that?”

“She taught me the principles, but I could never grasp her level of understanding,” Ruan Qingqing explained. “Her heart encompassed the entire world, while I only wished for the well-being of those around me. Moreover, during my time in the Qian Dynasty, I only learned theoretical knowledge. In reality, I couldn’t even touch the threshold of metaphysics. Now, I don’t know why I’ve suddenly become so skilled and exceptional. If I could see Jiang Li again, I would truly want to ask her about it and spar with her, even if…”

Even if she’s forgotten me.

Li Qianxuan: “What?”

Ruan Qingqing shook her head and said no more.

Li Qianxuan took a sip of tea, then asked curiously, “Speaking of which, how old is Jiang Li anyway? When I met her when I was three or five, she looked to be in her early twenties. Later, when I turned twenty, she still looked the same. Add to that her mystical arts and unfathomable abilities, and sometimes I really think she’s some ancient demon who’s taken human form.”

Ruan Qingqing retorted angrily, “The Imperial Preceptor is not an ancient demon!”

Li Qianxuan quickly apologized, “Alright, alright, I misspoke.”

Ruan Qingqing lost her parents at birth and was raised single-handedly by Jiang Li. Li Qianxuan understood Ruan Qingqing’s deep affection for her.

To appease Ruan Qingqing, Li Qianxuan added, “Don’t worry. If we ever see the Imperial Preceptor again in this lifetime, I’ll treat her with the respect due to an elder. After all, raising you alone couldn’t have been easy for her. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her your mother. Qingqing, I’ll join you in honoring her.”

Ruan Qingqing: “???”

What is she talking about? I’ve never thought of Jiang Li as my mother! What is Li Qianxuan even saying?

I’m going to die of anger.