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Xing Ruyi was not unfamiliar with Sophora Honey. This type of honey is harvested in spring, has a light yellowish-white color, a moderate viscosity, and does not crystallize easily. When tasted, it carries a subtle fragrance of locust flowers.
In Yun Family Gathering, wherever one looked, there were many locust trees. Even though it was winter, wild bees occasionally flew by the town. This made it seem possible that Bai Jiao's claims were true. From a pharmacological perspective, Sophora Honey has effects such as dispelling dampness and promoting urination, cooling the blood and stopping bleeding, and lowering blood lipids and blood pressure. It can even be used to prevent strokes in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Additionally, it has the benefits of clearing heat, replenishing the body, detoxifying, and moisturizing, making it a common yet high-quality floral nectar.
"I know about Sophora Honey, but what does this have to do with the Hu Family's corpse puppet? What does it have to do with you?"
"Why not? This matter can be considered to have originated from me," Bai Jiao said with a light sigh. "The situation with the Hu Family is not particularly unusual in Yun Family Gathering, especially since you entered the city just as the Hu Family was holding a funeral. Given your habits, how could you not inquire about it?
The Hu Family originally sought out common people. The two brothers had very different temperaments. Hu Da had a rough appearance and an arrogant personality. Years ago, he worked as an official but ended up in prison for some wrongdoing and spent several years there. It was during that time that the Hu Family encountered a calamity; their only property was taken by others. The Hu Family's Second Son had no choice but to take his mother to sleep in a dilapidated temple, and at that time, I happened to be in that very temple.
Hu Family's Old Mother was already muddled due to illness. One night she opened her eyes and saw me, mistaking me for a Bodhisattva in the temple, and sincerely knelt down to worship me."
"That's not surprising; the White Maiden comes from Qingqiu and naturally carries some spiritual energy."
Yin Yuan finished gnawing on the chicken meat and was still picking at the smooth chicken bones.
"Even if there is some spiritual energy, isn't it evil spirit?" Bai Jiao said self-deprecatingly. "I just passed by; to save my daughter's life, I made a deal with her biological father. You can probably guess the content of the deal. Although I belong to the Spirit Snake Clan, before leaving Qingqiu, I had never killed nor thought of taking a mortal's life. That night in the dilapidated temple was also due to my inner conflict; Hu Family's Old Mother's kneeling undoubtedly gave me a new choice.
Taking advantage of her dazed state, I transformed into the appearance of a Bodhisattva in the temple and told her that since she worshipped me, I should help her. I gave her two options: first, I could help her heal but the Hu Family would have to wander without a home; second, she could die, but I could give the Hu Family a secret recipe that would help them rise again so that her two sons would no longer worry about food and clothing."
"Considering a parent's heart, it's clear that Hu Family's Old Lady chose the second option."
"In fact, regardless of which option she chose, the outcome would be the same. Given Hu Family's Old Mother's physical condition at that time, even if I helped her heal, she would only last another year or so. She probably understood this herself; hence she chose the second option."
"I think I understand now!" Xing Ruyi revealed an enlightened expression. "Everyone in Yun Family Gathering has been discussing how Hu Family's Second Son inadvertently obtained a prescription. And since you just arrived here with Sophora Honey—something everyone loves—it can be inferred that the prescription obtained by Hu Family's Second Son is this Sophora Honey given by you. Since acquiring this Sophora Honey, the Hu Family has established an unbeatable business and their lives have become increasingly prosperous, gradually becoming one of the top families in Yun Family Gathering."
"Yes! This Sophora Honey is for Hu Family's Second Son. Although the young lady carries a hint of makeup, there is also a faint medicinal fragrance mixed in, suggesting that you have some knowledge of medicine. Would you like to take a look at my Sophora Honey and see what it contains?"
Bai Jiao said as she handed the jar of Sophora Honey to Xing Ruyi. Xing Ruyi glanced at it and felt that this flower nectar looked no different from ordinary honey, but the scent was quite distinct.
"You've added something else to this Sophora Honey, but as a Fox Demon, I can't tell what it is."
"Indeed, you are a descendant of Bai Jiao; your eyesight is commendable." Bai Jiao covered the honey jar and glanced at the fox with her peripheral vision. "Ruyi may not know what is inside, but Young Master Yin must have already figured it out."
"It is Ghost Locust Honey from Qingqiu. This substance is a favorite of your Spirit Serpent Clan, so its presence here is not surprising."
"What is Ghost Locust Honey? Is it different from our Sophora Tree?" Xing Ruyi asked curiously.
"There is indeed a difference. The Ghost Locust absorbs the spiritual energy of the Spirit Serpent Clan and has a heavy yin energy. When it blooms, it produces seven colors of flowers, each with its own unique effects. If brewed into honey, it can aid the Spirit Serpent Clan in their cultivation."
"Young Master Yin is correct; Ghost Locust Honey does possess miraculous effects. If consumed by ordinary people and used properly, it can indeed cure many ailments, but that is just one aspect." Bai Jiao used her tail to scoop some honey and tasted it. "I have blended this Ghost Locust Honey with human Sophora Honey. If consumed by virtuous individuals, it will prolong life and eliminate diseases; however, if consumed by those with ill intentions, it will awaken their inner desires and become bait for me to exchange with Yun. This is one of the secrets hidden within the Hu Family."
"And the second? Is it related to Madam Hu's death?"
"Sort of!" Bai Jiao looked at the honey on her fingertip. "Madam Hu was married into the Hu Family after they rose to prominence or after reaching a cooperative relationship with me. Initially, what we were doing had nothing to do with her; she simply had too heavy a heart and developed thoughts she shouldn't have..."
Although the Golden Tang Dynasty had an open culture and women's status had improved compared to previous dynasties—allowing them to enter academies, take exams for Top Scholar positions, and serve as female officials—there were still things that could not be changed, such as the system of one husband with multiple concubines.
Hu Da was originally a rough man who had spent several years in officialdom. Although he was merely an Executioner, he had seen and learned quite a bit about the flirtations and romantic affairs in the bureaucratic world. After the Hu Family rose to prominence due to Hu Er's health issues, they entrusted all external matters to Hu Da. He was ruthless and efficient in his dealings without considering consequences, which suited Bai Jiao's intentions well.
Once a man has money and even a little power, he will eagerly seek out beautiful women for himself. Madam Hu became Hu Da's first target. Coming from an official family herself, Madam Hu was initially proud and looked down on someone like Hu Da; however, as she grew older and her beauty faded, she reluctantly submitted. When she first entered the Hu Family, Hu Da treated her well and catered to her every wish, allowing Madam Hu to enjoy over half a year of blissful days as a Fox Demon. Unfortunately, after just six months, Hu Da set his sights on a Songstress and brought her back to the Hu Family as a Concubine.
At first, Madam Hu did not pay much attention to the Songstress, even displaying a bit of the demeanor of the matriarch of the Hu Family, thoroughly enjoying the Songstress's morning and evening greetings, calling her "madam" on one side and "sister" on the other. However, it wasn't long before the Songstress became pregnant, and with the child elevating her status, she received much more favor. Madam Hu watched this unfold with resentment in her heart and took advantage of the Songstress's childbirth to send her Sophora Honey under the guise of concern.
The Sophora Honey itself was not problematic; when used in moderation, it was quite beneficial for pregnant women. Due to physical reasons, some women suffer from severe hemorrhoids during pregnancy, and consuming Sophora Honey can effectively alleviate this condition. If taken postpartum, it can also promote healing of the mother's wounds. However, Madam Hu's intentions were malicious; she had tainted the jar of Sophora Honey with deadly Aconite. The Songstress, already frail in health, succumbed upon contact, resulting in both her and her child's death.
Hu Da knew that both the Concubine and the child had been harmed by Madam Hu, but he could not find any evidence against her. Gritting his teeth and hardening his heart, he asked Hu Family's Second Son for Ghost Locust Honey to use against Madam Hu. Upon consuming Ghost Locust Honey, Madam Hu's insatiable desires were awakened, leading her down a path of self-destruction.
Coincidentally, although Hu Da was determined to make Madam Hu pay for the lives of his Concubine and child, he was also concerned about how to explain his wife's death to Madam Hu's maternal family. While he was troubled by this dilemma, he suddenly recalled rumors he had heard about a haunted well in Shijia Village. Conveniently, there was an ancient well in the new Hu Family residence as well. Thus, he devised a plan to create a false impression that Madam Hu had committed suicide by hanging herself from the well's support.
Bai Jiao then played along with this scheme, using a spell to turn Madam Hu into a Corpse Puppet. The Concubines that followed in the Hu Family were merely carefully selected bait. However, what Bai Jiao did not anticipate was that the cloud she nurtured with her own hands would ultimately be taken by Yin Yuan along with its Ghost Dan, disappearing just like that.
Bai Jiao looked up slowly and said, "Many things in this world seem incredibly complex at first glance. For instance, the past of the Yun Family and the past of the Hu Family, as well as my entanglements with both families. But once you peel back the layers, you realize that those things I thought required so much effort and careful planning were nothing but absurdities and farces.
I once thought that my connection with Yun would last through countless lifetimes; I am a demon while he is a spirit—I'm ageless while he is immortal. I also believed that my dealings with the Hu Family would continue indefinitely; although I did not personally kill Boren, they all died because of me. In the end, everything concluded so abruptly!"
With that said, Bai Jiao turned back with a calm smile and looked at Xing Ruyi: "Your appearance may very well be the true meaning of my journey in this world as Bai Jiao. Now I am tired; being human is exhausting enough as it is."
Bai Jiao expelled a white Inner Dan and gently presented it to Xing Ruyi: "This is my Inner Dan, what you refer to as Snake Dan. I give it to you in hopes that it will be useful."
"I don't want it!" Although Xing Ruyi was not part of the demon race, she understood the significance of this Inner Dan.
"Take it; it holds no value for me anymore." Bai Jiao smiled calmly before transforming into a White Snake. Before Fox Demon could speak again, the White Snake vanished from sight.
"Fox?" Xing Ruyi looked anxiously at the fox.
"This is her choice!" The fox raised its hand and grasped Bai Jiao's Inner Dan: "For her, perhaps being a snake is truly when she feels happiest."
"I always feel that something is off. The matters of the Yun family and the Hu Family sound simple, but I can't shake the feeling that there are still some things that haven't been sorted out."
"It's not that you haven't sorted it out; it's just that being in the midst of it makes it hard to see certain things clearly." The Fox brought Snake Dan and Ghost Dan to Xing Ruyi: "I believe that from the moment we appeared in the Golden Tang Dynasty, we have already been targeted by certain people. In the Divine Capital, you and I were still unaware, but by the time we reached Shixia Village, those hidden figures behind us were already getting impatient. Shixia Village, the Yun family, Yun Zhai, Yunji, Bai Jiao, the Hu Family, and even Lingzhang's death should all be part of their calculations and arrangements. We can even boldly speculate that your encounter with Si Niang and Lingzhang was originally part of this scheme."
Xing Ruyi stared blankly at the Fox, as if she saw a chessboard where she and the Fox were merely two pawns caught in a game.
A sudden gust of wind arose. On the tea table, the jar of open Sophora Honey released a faint scent of locust flowers.
Yin Yuan scooped a bit with his hand and put it in his mouth, grinning: "Even if this is a chess game and the players are quite skilled, if we pawns are not under their control, wouldn't that give them quite a headache?"
"What do you mean..." Xing Ruyi's eyes lit up.
"Father Fox just mentioned that since arriving at Shixia Village, their layout has clearly become somewhat chaotic, even appearing rough and hasty. What does this indicate? It means that Father Fox and Mother Fox Demon, as well as I, Yin Yuan, are not under their control. Even if they had set up their plans in advance, they can only adapt temporarily to our movements. That's why Mother feels some things are unclear and hard to understand. Conversely, they might not be doing any better at this moment. Do you remember that vague saying? Time is running out!"
Yin Yuan said playfully while winking.
Xing Ruyi understood and pointed at the place left by Bai Jiao, stretching lazily: "I think opening a branch of Ruyi Rouge here would be excellent."
The Fox nodded in agreement!
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