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Shen Lantang was puzzled, but she kept her face innocent. Her wide almond eyes looked soft and guileless as she asked brightly:

"Why do you ask, Father? It was my first time meeting Master Xuanxin. I only thought he had the bearing of an immortal and an extraordinary presence. Beyond that, I know nothing."

Xie Heng sighed. She was wary of me after all.

He had held important posts for years and had his own way of judging people. Though Shen Lantang was his daughter-in-law, he did not expect her to trust him at once and lay everything bare. If she gave her trust so easily, it would hardly be precious.

Well, he was the one asking for her help. He ought to be honest first.

"Lan Tang, you are a daughter-in-law of the Xie Family, so there are things I won't hide from you. The Xie Family owes its prosperity to the favor of three successive emperors. We have always been loyal to the sovereign and the country. We have never formed factions with other princes or taken sides. Now a treacherous man has gained His Majesty's ear. Not only has he coaxed His Majesty into granting him land and building him a palace, he has repeatedly meddled in state affairs. My fellow officials and I fear that, if this continues, the disaster of Huairui will befall Jing again. I want him removed, but I have no grounds to act."

Xie Heng looked at her. "You know without my saying it that the man is Xuanxin."

Shen Lantang stiffened slightly and lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.

"My wife told me about your trip up the mountain to pray for blessings. I also heard that you asked about Xuanxin afterward and took a particular interest in the Pregnancy-Safeguarding Talisman. That talisman truly puts lives at risk. One word from that charlatan has caused suffering throughout the land. But even if the court bans the sale of Pregnancy-Safeguarding Talismans, charms for safe childbirth and child-rearing will take their place. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Shen Lantang understood. How could she not? Yet hearing her father-in-law speak so openly, holding nothing back, shook her deeply—and left her a little wary.

In her mind, she was herself, and the Xie Family was the Xie Family. At most, they were "partners." She had spent little time with this father-in-law and spoken to him even less. She had never expected such candor from him. What was so special about her that a man like Xie Heng would see her differently?

Still, being treated like someone special feels pretty great. Heh, now I'm embarrassed~

Xie Heng had been worrying over her guarded thoughts and how to put her at ease. Then he heard her sudden embarrassment and nearly choked. At a time like this, how could she still be thinking about such nonsense?

He continued solemnly, "The matter of Xuanxin is of grave importance. I have never believed in ghosts or gods, but I know nothing of the Mystic Arts and had no idea where to begin. Lan Tang, if you know anything, you must tell me truthfully. On behalf of the people, I thank you in advance."

Xie Heng regarded Shen Lantang with gentle, steady eyes. His words could not have been milder, yet she felt as though he could see the secrets at the bottom of her heart. She could not bring herself to meet his gaze.

She thought of his reputation among the people, then of how he conducted himself day to day. In those few moments, she made up her mind.

"Father."

Shen Lantang raised her eyes to Xie Heng and said with perfect composure, "I understand what you mean. Since you've been so frank with me, I won't hide it any longer. When I saw Xuanxin perform his 'magic' on the mountain, I knew he was a charlatan."

Xie Heng froze, then hurriedly pressed her. "How did you know?"

"Because I've read a book called Chemistry!"

"Chemistry? What sort of book is that?"

"It records tricks and methods used by frauds through the ages. I loved reading all sorts of books as a child and happened across it once. It's been so long that I've forgotten many parts, but every trick Xuanxin demonstrated was in it. I still remember how they work, more or less."

Shen Lantang had spent an entire night coming up with this plan. To expose Xuanxin, she would have to reveal things no book of this age contained. But she had no intention of doing it herself. She knew what happened to the bird that stuck its head out.

She had planned to find someone to act for her. With the means at her disposal, though, finding a person who could fool the imperial family without a hitch would not be easy. Now that Xie Heng had come to her seeking cooperation, she was happy to go along with it.

She had even prepared an explanation. If anyone asked how she knew these "arts," she would say, "Chemistry."

Yes, it was all "chemistry." Everything came from "chemistry." She had learned it by studying chemistry, so she wasn't lying.

Besides, she really had forgotten most of it. Who remembered every single thing they had learned in chemistry? As for that book, who knew what corner it had been shoved into?

If anyone asked where the book was, she would say she had happened across it as a child and had long since forgotten where. In the end, was any of that a lie?

Shen Lantang felt entirely justified.

Xie Heng was about to ask where the book Chemistry was now when he heard her thoughts. He paused. Where was the book? Had she forgotten or not? If she wasn't lying, why couldn't she say? She could at least tell him when she had last seen it!

But where Chemistry was could wait. Xie Heng refocused and asked:

"So you can expose that charlatan's tricks?"

Shen Lantang said confidently, "I can."

"Good!"

Xie Heng knew His Majesty was not ignorant of Xuanxin's ties to the Fourth Prince. He protected Xuanxin because the man possessed abilities that seemed inexplicable. As long as he had those abilities, His Majesty would imagine he could refine elixirs that might, if not grant immortality, at least prolong his life.

Once his lies were exposed, His Majesty would cast him aside.

"But I need a little time."

"Very well. Take the time you need. If you need any help, just tell me."

Ranking list

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Time-travel and rebirth romance

Devoted love

Jiang Ciyu

Mind Reading

Salty Fish