The Double

Ji Shuran shook her head, "I never have."

"Daoist Master," Consort Li propped herself up and said, "Do you mean that my sister has also been tainted with evil spirits? Is it brought over from her residence?"

"Most likely," Daoist Master Kongxu stroked his long beard and said, "Think carefully again, has nothing strange occurred at your residence? Or perhaps a strange person?"

After pondering carefully again, Ji Shuran suddenly looked disturbed. This expression, when caught by everyone present, prompted Lady Chen Ji to say, "Shuran, have you thought of something?"

Ji Shuran hesitated to speak, "No... nothing." She seemed reluctant to speak, and it was clear to anyone with eyes that she seemed to prefer keeping it to herself.

Having watched enough of the excitement, Empress Dowager Liu, who had a few nieces sent to the palace herself, was frustrated that Emperor Hongxiao only favored Consort Li, leaving her nieces unable to be of any use. She had rushed here today thinking Consort Li was going to die, only to be disappointed that it was all for naught. Considering the current empress was no match for Consort Li’s favor and basically just a figurehead, Empress Dowager Liu thought that with Consort Li’s narrow escape from disaster, she would likely swagger around the palace for some time to come.

Empress Dowager Liu said, "I know not why you hide and keep secrets." With a huff through her nose, she bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and Emperor Hongxiao and returned to her own chamber. Empress Dowager Liu was always arrogant and domineering, much like Princess Yongning’s temperament, thus no one dared to chide her for her action.

After Empress Dowager Liu left, Consort Li also urged Ji Shuran, "Shuran, whatever difficulty you have in speaking, you clearly hesitated earlier. The emperor is here now; if there is anything, the emperor will decide for you."

After thinking it over, Ji Shuran shook her head firmly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but truly nothing unusual has happened in my residence, and as for the evil spirits, I know not where they came from. To speak of living under the same roof as an evil entity, I am deeply anxious and don’t know where the fault lies."

"If it is inconvenient for the lady to speak openly," Chongxu Daoist Master said thoughtfully, "you may lead me to your residence. A visit there and I will naturally discern what the issue may be."

"This..." Ji Shuran was startled, but Consort Li already took up the conversation for her. Consort Li said, "If the Daoist Master visits the Jiang Residence and by chance sees the evil spirit, he naturally can help to exorcise it. If he sees nothing, then consider it just a visit, and that too would be a cause for joy. Your Majesty," she looked meaningfully at Emperor Hongxiao, "may we have your permission?"