Chapter Fifty-One: Finding the "Catalyst"

In the end, Meng Yun still leapt onto the bed in the room with the others, and Fu Bao, along with the three little cubs, watched in stunned silence as the trio danced wildly before them, mouths agape in shock. Old Lin, annoyed by their endless antics, corralled the three into a single room. “Let them do as they please,” he thought. Third Brother Lin declared that his wife’s dancing was wonderful, though he didn’t understand it at all. As for Old Lin, seeing his wife and daughters causing mischief together, he was reassured—they wouldn’t be wreaking havoc elsewhere. Before leaving, he locked the door, and the courtyard was instantly much quieter.

Old Meng and his companions arrived several days later, having searched many villages in the meantime. Not a single person matched the birthdate and time given by Master Wuneng, not even the big yellow dog at the entrance to the village was spared. By the time they reached here, Old Lin decided to rest at his daughter’s place for a few days—his old back had suffered enough these past days.

“Oh my! You’re doing this too?” Han Hua, catching the strong scent of sandalwood in the courtyard, immediately knew her cousin’s family was conducting some sort of ritual. Over the past few days, the trio had witnessed countless ceremonies, each one different. Old Meng was speechless and, as he was about to enter the courtyard, he was blocked by a black dog. Then, pain shot through his foot—he looked down to see a… plump… duck, perhaps, rubbing its pointed beak against his shoe.

Old Meng winced in pain. As he looked, the “fat duck” raised its head with pride and let out a triumphant quack. Old Meng was bewildered—are duck beaks supposed to be pointed? Had he remembered wrong? And why did it only peck him?

After Fu Bao had fussed in Old Meng’s arms for quite a while, she began to complain, “Grandpa, mother’s dancing is all wrong—it doesn’t look nice at all. It’s definitely not supposed to be like that,” her small mouth chattering nonstop.

Old Meng wondered, “What does a child know about how it’s supposed to be?” After some cordial greetings, Bai Zhanshuang explained her purpose, handing over the envelope she held and hoping for help in the search. Old Lin, once a scholar, was respected by the villagers and took the envelope. Upon seeing the birthdate and time, Old Lin was struck by a sense of familiarity.

Third Brother Lin, upon hearing that his father-in-law and prime minister uncle had arrived, hurried back from the estate. No sooner had he entered the house than he was met with a powerful aura and a triple-toned hum that reverberated in his ears.

Third Brother Lin felt aggrieved. “Ahem! Sanlang, you’ve come at the right time. Take a look—I keep feeling this birthdate looks familiar. Come see!” Old Lin rescued his son from the battlefield.

Taking the envelope and glancing at it, Third Brother Lin’s brows furrowed. “This…”

“What about it? Do you know? Speak up,” Old Meng couldn’t bear Third Brother Lin’s hesitance.

Bai Zhanshuang realized there might be a breakthrough—finally, a solution! Third Brother Lin glanced at Old Meng, feeling troubled—this was his own daughter’s birthdate.

“Sanlang, could it be…?” Old Lin noticed his son’s hesitation and guessed the truth.

Old Lin’s gaze turned toward Fu Bao, nestled in Old Meng’s arms. In that moment, everyone understood.

Fu Bao? Why was everyone staring at her? She felt shy.

In the end, Fu Bao was taken away, along with the “duck.” As for the ginseng spirit, it watched the Lin family, who were sobbing uncontrollably, and felt a little tipsy.

“Is it really necessary? It’s just catching a loach,” the ginseng spirit thought. The man full of righteous energy had said it was according to Master Wuneng’s method, so nothing would happen. There was no need for the chubby girl to exert herself—just the fat bird was enough.

Lying atop the courtyard tree, the ginseng spirit scoffed at their fuss. Moreover, that fat monk had directly said he wanted the bird beside the chubby girl—why create suspense?

The ginseng spirit leisurely turned its head and saw Gu Yun lurking beneath the tangle of climbing vines atop the wall.

The little ginseng sighed—this one just wouldn’t go away!

At that moment, Fu Bao had no idea just how heartbroken the Lin family was. Gazing at the calm river, she was delighted, clutching the plump “duck” in her arms.

“Wow! It’s so beautiful! Can I play in the water here?”

Old Meng replied, “No.”

Though Old Meng trusted Master Wuneng’s method would keep his granddaughter safe, he still worried. He held her tightly in his arms, feeling it was the safest way.