The Soul-Restoring Copybook

[Story complete]

He was a son born of a concubine, raised from childhood in the Cold Palace.

The other princes had long studied under the Grand Tutor, memorizing the Four Books, Five Classics, and literary masterpieces. He played in the mud in the palace.

The other princes had long studied military strategy and tactics, speaking fluently about practical matters. He played in the mud in the mountains.

The other princes had long studied martial arts and swordplay under master instructors. He played in the mud by himself.

One day, in a dream, he saw a man dressed in black standing on a mountaintop. With sharp brows and bright eyes, his long hair flowing, the man wielded his sword with effortless grace, like a dragon surging out of the sea.

The next day, he began imitating the hero from his dream, sword in hand. The moves were etched in his memory, as if he had received personal instruction. With every move, his understanding deepened, and his technique grew ever more polished.

One day, the emperor summoned him to the throne room. The emperor was reviewing memorials at his desk, his vermilion brush moving up and down, without so much as glancing at the son of a concubine kneeling below, waiting for orders. The floor of the great hall was bitterly cold, the chill spreading from his knees throughout his body.

"Xiao Shu, I hear that south of the Western Sea, by the banks of the Quicksand River, beyond the Redwater and before the Blackwater, there is a mountain of immortals. On its summit, immortals descend like clouds, and a hundred gods welcome them. If you find this mountain and sincerely beg one of those immortals for a pill, I can live forever and escape the mortal realm. Then your work will be done. How wonderful would that be?" In the great hall, the people were cold, the voice was cold, and the heart was colder still.

The road to finding the immortals was long. Who could have expected him to encounter a painted-skin ghost woman? He had planned to capture her, but discovered that she was an award-winning actress. So he threatened her with poison and ordered her to impersonate a wandering Daoist priest and enter the palace. In truth, he wanted to investigate the truth behind the death of his mother, Consort Lan.

*

The murder of Master Li, the robbery of the imperial tomb, the appearance of Hongyu, and the golden-thread peony discovered in the tomb: a vast conspiracy lies behind this string of events.

In this classic multiple-choice mystery, who is Xiu He, an important member of the Ghost Moon Cult? The Noble Consort, Consort Shu, or someone else?

*

Fang Shu is taken to the underworld by a grim reaper. The King of the Underworld says, "You've been dead for a long time. Hurry up and reincarnate." Fang Shu is baffled.

After checking several times, the Book of Life and Death says he can live to be a hundred!

This bizarre mistake didn't happen without reason. What exactly is going on? Let me tell you all about it~

[Bonus scene] (A sweet little story that is out of character with the original~)

Jiang Moli: Give me the antidote. (Holds out her hand.)

Fang Shu: I told you, there is no antidote. But there is a person.

Jiang Moli: Who?

Fang Shu: (Blushing, silent, fidgeting with his fingers.)

Jiang Moli: You've gotten bold. Now you're speaking in riddles?

Fang Shu: My dear wife, I made these mung bean cakes with red spider lilies. Hurry and try one~ (Expectant look.)

Jiang Moli: How many times have I told you... I want the antidote. I'm a ghost. I don't eat this stuff... (Rubs her forehead.)

One true pairing, 1v1.

Theme: No one is superior or inferior. All beings are equal.