The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 46

That night, I slept very soundly, as the days of travel had exhausted too much of my energy.

However, outside the inn, there was a figure who hardly slept all night, standing by the window, keeping watch over their carriage.

The capital of Jintian Prefecture is very close to the imperial city, just a two-day journey by carriage. Their destination was at the foot of Qingshi Mountain outside the capital, the ancestral home of Manager Xi: Song Village.

Qingshi Mountain is the closest mountain to the capital, with a Taoist temple halfway up called Qingshi Temple.

Perhaps because it’s not very efficacious, the temple doesn’t attract many worshippers, mostly just villagers from the surrounding areas at the mountain’s base.

The carriage driver didn’t leave after dropping Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan at Song Village. Instead, he greeted the villagers and dutifully escorted them up Qingshi Mountain.

It was said that the old clan leader resided in the Qingshi Temple halfway up the mountain and had been waiting for their arrival for some time.

The mountain path wasn’t particularly winding, and the stone steps were well-paved, though they became narrower as they ascended, eventually allowing only two people to walk side by side.

The carriage driver led the way, seemingly very familiar with the area.

Occasionally, villagers passed by, and Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan carefully observed their surroundings but found nothing unusual.

Qingshi Mountain isn’t very high, and after about half an hour, they reached the halfway point.

A quaint and serene Taoist temple came into view.

“I’ll leave you two here. I must return to Ninglin Prefecture now.” the carriage driver said, clasping his hands in a respectful bow before heading back down the mountain.

After he left, Bai Zhi couldn’t help but frown. “I don’t know why, but I’ve had this strange sense of déjà vu the entire journey.”

This feeling was similar to when they had just left the capital, rushing to Lingjue Manor, where everything had been meticulously arranged.

Although the current situation was different, the sense of being orchestrated felt eerily similar.

Wei Ziwan pursed her lips and said calmly, “Perhaps we should have gotten off the carriage midway.”

They shouldn’t have accepted Manager Xi’s kindness and come all the way to Qingshi Mountain.

“Well, we’re here now. Whether it’s a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair, we’ll only know by going in.” Bai Zhi said, raising an eyebrow, her youthful spirit showing for once. Perhaps being in the mountains had opened her heart.

It had to be said, compared to their time at Lingjue Manor, her mood had improved significantly.

Wei Ziwan’s lips curled slightly. “You’re right, husband. After all, we have nothing to lose.”

Bai Zhi paused, glanced at Wei Ziwan, and then silently looked away. If there were any concerns—

There hadn’t been any before.

But now, perhaps there were.

“Who says we have nothing? We still have over a hundred taels of silver.”

Wei Ziwan’s smile deepened, and she nodded obediently. “You’re right, husband.”

Bai Zhi turned her head without a word. She wasn’t someone who cared about money. What she was concerned about now was this woman.

After resting briefly outside the temple, the two walked in together.

Inside Qingshi Temple, there were no white-haired, youthful-looking Taoist priests. Instead, they saw female priests of various ages. Bai Zhi observed them and realized that the practitioners here were all women.

So, the clan leader of Song Village lived here in Qingshi Temple?

When they were led into a guest room and met a kind-looking elderly woman, their confusion was resolved.

The clan leader of Song Village was a woman.

“You’re Xi Er’s nephew? Surname Bai?” The old clan leader’s gaze fell on Bai Zhi.

Bai Zhi bowed respectfully. “Yes, junior pays respects to the clan leader.”

Should she call her “clan leader”? And was Manager Xi’s childhood name Xi Er?

The old clan leader didn’t correct her, nodding slightly before turning her gaze to Wei Ziwan. “Is this your wife?”

“Yes.” Bai Zhi replied calmly, and Wei Ziwan also bowed in greeting.

“Sit down. I have something to discuss with you.” the old clan leader said, pointing to the cushions on the floor.

Bai Zhi looked down and sat cross-legged beside Wei Ziwan.

“What instructions do you have for us?”

The old clan leader coughed lightly, her expression serious. “I have no children, and now I’m old and frail. I thought there would be no successor to the clan leader position, but it turns out there’s a junior who shares some bl00d ties with me. Stay here tonight, and tomorrow we’ll return to the village together…”

At first, Bai Zhi was confused, but soon she was stunned. This wasn’t what they had agreed on.

According to the old clan leader, the direct line of the Song clan ended with her. The closest relatives were the children of her aunt—Manager Xi and his late sister.

Manager Xi and his wife were deeply in love but had no children, while his sister had a son: Bai Zhi.

Wait, no. Bai Zhi snapped back to attention.

What was going on? Manager Xi’s nephew didn’t exist. Her current identity was fabricated.

Even if Manager Xi’s nephew were real, it wouldn’t be her. She was just an impostor. How could she take on the role of clan leader?

“Clan leader, I believe such an important responsibility should be given to a member of the Song clan.” Had the clan leader not realized? Instead of choosing from the Song clan members in the village, she was selecting an outsider.

Whether a real nephew or a fake one, they were still outsiders. Moreover, Bai Zhi was an impostor. She shook her head in disbelief.

The old clan leader also shook her head. “What matters isn’t the surname but the bloodline of our direct lineage. You carry half of our direct bloodline, making you more qualified than ordinary clan members to take on the role of clan leader.”

Seeing Bai Zhi’s reluctance, she suddenly smiled. “But it doesn’t have to be this way. There’s another person in the clan who shares our Song family’s direct bloodline. Only one of you can be chosen, and the one who performs better in the test will take on this responsibility.”

Bai Zhi felt relieved. This was simple. She already knew the outcome of the test—she would perform poorly.

“What will the test involve?”

The old clan leader smiled slightly. “A nation’s foundation lies in its people. Do you know what’s most important to the common folk?”

Bai Zhi’s lips twitched, and she replied with a hint of sarcasm, “Food is the priority for the people?”

This awful feeling—why was it so similar to Lingjue Manor? Ordinary villages should live ordinary lives. Why was the conversation suddenly about the nation’s foundation?

Fortunately, the old clan leader’s next words dispelled her doubts.

“Exactly. So, the test in our clan is to ensure the villagers are well-fed, primarily by managing the fields.” The old clan leader nodded approvingly.

Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan exchanged glances, both surprised. So, the test was about farming. At least it wasn’t something bizarre. They had been traumatized enough by Lingjue Manor.