Please proceed to the hermitage for cultivation.

The farce came and went as swiftly as a passing storm. The moment the Taoist uttered those words, the crowd scattered like startled birds and beasts, none daring to approach the Ink Courtyard again. Even Danqing was forcibly dragged away by Madam Duan.

Gu Fei sat alone beneath the eaves, watching the ashes left by the burned talisman papers at her feet. She remained motionless, from the warmth of day to the chill of night, her skirts brushing quietly around her as if she had turned to stone. Only when Nurse Ku returned did she finally turn her head and say softly, “Nurse Ku, it seems I won’t be staying in the Gu household for much longer.”

The Taoist’s final words, that the place closest to immortals and gods was neither a temple nor a nunnery—none of these were places she wished to go.

Nurse Ku had already heard about the day’s events. She turned and lit the brass lady-shaped oil lamp in the hall. The sallow hue of her face, illuminated by the hazy light, seemed to glow with a kindly warmth. “Don’t worry, miss. You are destined to rise from the Gu family. Such petty tempests are nothing. Tell me, have you ever feared anything?”

Gu Fei smiled. These days, she felt as if she had walked through the depths of hell itself, experiencing the cycle of life and death, tasting every bitterness the world had to offer. Now, not even death frightened her—what, then, could she possibly fear? “If the day ever comes when you stand against me, Nurse Ku, that is when I’ll truly be afraid. There is no one who knows me better.”

Nurse Ku was left speechless, unable to answer. Who could foresee the future with any certainty?

Gu Fei took in every nuance of Nurse Ku’s expression and understood her heart. “Still, after what happened today—if I do nothing, everyone in this household will think I’m easy to bully.”

Nurse Ku wheeled her toward the flower hall. “What does miss intend to do?”

Gu Fei only smiled, saying nothing. Instead, she mused ambiguously, “That Taoist has some tricks up his sleeve, enough to fool people. He must have come from somewhere—let’s look into his origins first.”

Nurse Ku agreed, a hint of relief on her face. As long as Gu Fei did not surrender and give in to despair, many would surely come to regret crossing her in the future.

Indeed, it took only a few days for rumors to sweep not just the Gu household but the entire city of Yizhou. Overnight, everyone seemed to know the tale: Gu Fei was a monster in human guise. The scandal of Second Master Gu bringing home an illegitimate daughter had already been the talk of the town; now, with the misfortunes that followed—the disaster at the Gu family’s ink workshop, Master Gu Zhong’s sudden illness—all manner of petty slander was heaped upon Gu Fei, as if burning her at the stake might finally put matters to rest.

To preserve the family’s peace, Lady Cui, the matron, treated the Taoist as an honored guest, claiming his presence would ward off evil. She only waited for a suitable place to be found before sending Gu Fei away for good.

Gu Fei made no move, eating and sleeping as she pleased, quietly tending her injured leg. But within days, Danqing returned, her cheeks red and swollen, looking utterly battered and forlorn.

Gu Fei did not question her, only exchanged a glance with Nurse Ku. At a time when everyone else avoided the Ink Courtyard as if it carried the plague, Danqing alone ventured back—her intent truly worthy of contemplation.

And so, the Ink Courtyard reverted to its old ways, with only Danqing and Nurse Ku tending to Gu Fei. No other servants appeared, and no one dared set foot inside.

Three days later, at noon, Madam Duan stormed into the Ink Courtyard with a retinue of maids and guards, barking orders as soon as she entered. The maids began hauling out every item Gu Fei had ever used, even chairs to be chopped to pieces on the spot.

Danqing, furious yet helpless, watched as Gu Fei’s belongings were tossed outside, nearly driven to tears. She pushed Gu Fei’s wheelchair to a corner of the courtyard, unsure what to do, and looked about for Nurse Ku—who was nowhere to be found.

“Miss, how can they do this to you… You’re a perfectly good person…” Danqing bit her lip, her voice trembling with indignation.

Gu Fei’s expression remained untroubled. Watching Madam Duan strut about like a self-important rooster, she remarked carelessly, “Why be upset? However they move things out now, they’ll move them back in soon enough.”

Danqing did not comprehend, but seeing the calm and serenity in Gu Fei’s eyes, she felt suddenly reassured.

Madam Duan, of course, overheard her. Twisting her embroidered handkerchief, she strutted a few steps closer and spat contemptuously, “Hmph, I said it before—bearing the name of a Gu family daughter is no simple matter. We’ve treated you well for half a month; now, it’s time to send you to a nunnery outside the city. The carriage is already waiting at the gate. Don’t cling to the Gu family any longer!”

Gu Fei did not spare her a glance. Instead, she dusted imaginary specks from her skirt and said to Danqing, “This is how bullies behave. Have you learned, Danqing? When fortune turns, and I rise to power, you’ll have your chance to swagger like this.”

Danqing couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Madam Duan’s face darkened, her deep-set lines growing more severe. She pointed at the wheelchair and ordered the maids, “That chair belongs to the Gu family as well—take it and chop it for firewood. We don’t need its bad luck lingering here.”

Hearing this, Gu Fei’s lips curled into a frosty, razor-sharp smile, and Danqing spread her arms to shield her.

The two maids hesitated, glancing at each other uncertainly, but finally stepped forward to obey.

“Stay back—don’t come any closer!” Danqing shouted, standing between them and Gu Fei, eyes flickering with defiance as she stared at Madam Duan.

Madam Duan only sneered. “What are you waiting for? Are you really afraid of a cripple? She’s a jinx—a monster! If we don’t drive her out today, she’ll bring disaster to the master and mistress tomorrow!”

No one noticed the sweet, deadly smile creeping across Gu Fei’s lips as she listened, her fingers tracing slow circles along the fabric of her dress.

On the third circle, her hand paused, and suddenly a maid burst into the courtyard, skirts flying, shouting at Madam Duan, “Madam Duan, something terrible has happened—my lady needs you—my lady—”

Catching sight of so many people, the maid swallowed her words, hastily switching to a vague summons. Her expression was frantic.

Madam Duan’s face instantly stiffened. She shot Gu Fei a venomous glare, eager to order her minions to finish clearing out the courtyard, but the maid leaned in and whispered urgently. Whatever was said made Madam Duan’s expression change dramatically. She had no time for Gu Fei now, and hurried off toward the main house, dragging the maid with her.

The guards and maids left behind looked at one another, uncertain whether to continue dismantling the Ink Courtyard.

Gu Fei’s almond-shaped eyes curved with hidden malice as she laughed softly, “Push me to the main house, let’s have a look.”

Danqing paused, startled, then hurried to obey, pushing the wheelchair after them.

With the main antagonist gone and no clear orders, the maids dispersed. A few gossipy ones gathered in small groups, whispering eagerly among themselves.