Chapter Six: The Jiang Family’s Sinister Curse

If one wished to ascend to great heights, one must first rely on one’s own learning and talent, second on traveling the renowned mountains and rivers both within and beyond the flourishing Tang realm to accumulate one’s knowledge, and third on the attitude of those in power. Of course, this third reliance is the decisive factor, but the first two are the foundation upon which all rests. The cultivation of scholarship begins with inner refinement; only after nurturing one’s inner qualities does one set out to learn from the world, enriching one’s experience through both internal and external cultivation.

If one succeeds in learning, one may attain a government post within the halls of power, and after retiring, write books and establish one’s name as a scholar of the age. Such a life is the aspiration of every learned man, and naturally, Li Zisheng was no exception. Thus, it was only prudent to plan well for the future.

In the pursuit of learning, one must read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles. The Travelogue could be called the essential handbook for any student venturing abroad; it was a geographic atlas commissioned by the Taizong Emperor, and every traveler owned a copy. The one in his uncle’s hands was far more than its original edition, for it now included years of journeys and business records from both his grandfather and uncle, making it an exceedingly precious possession. Obtaining it would be a great aid in his future studies abroad.

“Old Li’s wife, Old Li’s wife!”

“What is it, Madam Zhang? Why so flustered?”

Li Zisheng’s myriad thoughts were abruptly scattered by the loud voice outside; he decided to step out into the courtyard to see what was happening.

“Old Li’s wife, do you have any rice from the bottom of the jar, any floral clothes you don’t wear, and some of the wood ash from a few days ago?”

Upon hearing these words, Li Zisheng noticed the faces of his grandmother, aunt, and the others change drastically. He, too, sensed the sudden tension in the air.

“Mother, what’s going on? Why do Grandmother and the others look so anxious?” he asked, full of curiosity, sidling up to Madam Wang and feigning childish innocence as she rummaged around.

Hearing this, Madam Wang hurriedly covered his mouth.

“It’s the Yellow Immortal, don’t take offense—children don’t know any better. You shouldn’t ask questions, go back inside and play with your cousin Xiu and Sister Jiang, and don’t make any trouble.”

But Li Zisheng was no true seven-year-old child. Upon hearing the words “Yellow Immortal,” he immediately realized that Madam Zhang must have encountered some supernatural affair. As someone with a modern education, he was not swayed by such beliefs, but in these ancient times, where ignorance and superstition still ruled, such matters could truly threaten lives.

Even in flourishing Tang, such things were not only believed but fervently so. Li Zisheng knew well that during the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras, tales of spirits and the supernatural reached even the emperor’s ears. The imperial court was thus; how much more so among the common folk?

Although Li Zisheng did not believe in these things, he went along with Madam Wang regardless, lest he needlessly worry his mother and create trouble.

“Madam Zhang, don’t worry, just go to the east end of the village and fetch Old Madam Wang—her powers are renowned.”

“Yes, my husband and I have already gone to fetch her. On the way, she told me to borrow these items from ten households. That’s why I came. I won’t stay—do come by when you have time.”

Li Zisheng knew well who this Old Madam Wang was; his own frail health had given her many opportunities to cheat the family out of money, as had the wandering Taoist who changed his name. The elders in the family revered these fortune-tellers, but before he occupied this body, he had drunk Old Madam Wang’s yellow talisman water almost every day. The original owner of the body was likely poisoned by it. After he came, he fell ill much less often, and the household attributed it to the efficacy of the talisman water, thanking the old woman profusely. Li Zisheng had long wished to expose her deceit, but seeing his small, weak body, he could only endure.

He wondered who would be the next victim of Old Madam Wang’s schemes.

He paid the matter no further mind; even if he wished to intervene, he would have no means to do so.

He returned to his room and immersed himself again in the Travelogue, which proved to be a veritable treasure of a book. While reading with great interest, he forced himself to remember the famous places beyond the Tang borders, laying plans for his future.

“Jiang Ling! Jiang Ling! Are you there? Hurry home—something’s happened at your house!”

Li Zisheng heard his aunt calling anxiously for Sister Jiang and sensed at once that something was wrong.

“What is it, Aunt?”

“Go home and check on your little sister. Your father and mother are frightened out of their wits.”

At once, Li Zisheng felt that trouble was afoot. His aunt’s anxious calls, together with Madam Zhang’s earlier visit—Jiang’s house was right next door to Madam Zhang’s—made it clear that Old Madam Wang had shifted the disaster onto their household, most likely blaming little Jiang Yan. Li Zisheng instantly saw through the situation and, without a second thought, ignored his grandmother’s attempts to stop him and followed the worried Jiang Ling to her home, with his cousin Xiu in tow.

His grandmother and Madam Wang, seeing this, followed along, full of worry.

“Oh, this wretched old woman can’t go on! Who would have thought, after all these years as neighbors, that you’d bring calamity upon us! The Jiang family, you’re something else! Truly remarkable!” At the door, Li Zisheng heard Madam Zhang’s wailing accusations and his heart went cold. Just as he suspected, Old Madam Wang was to blame.

A fierce light appeared in Li Zisheng’s eyes as he focused on Old Madam Wang, who was gesticulating wildly in the courtyard, leaping about as she performed her act. This time, no matter what, he would see her punished—even if it meant exposing himself.

“Evil spirit! Evil spirit! Jiang Heng, hand over your little daughter at once! The evil spirit has been reborn and is bringing disaster to Tianshui Village. This cannot be ignored!” Old Madam Wang relentlessly stoked Madam Zhang’s hysteria.

“Jiang Heng, your daughter Jiang Yan is an evil spirit! She has offended the Yellow Immortal and brought harm to my precious grandson. If anything happens to him, your family won’t have a day of peace! I’ll fight you to the end for this!” With that, Madam Zhang grabbed a broom and struck at Jiang Heng.

Caught off guard, Jiang Heng was struck and began to bleed.

“Father, Father!” Jiang Ling and Jiang Liu, on the verge of tears, looked anxiously at him.

The Jiang family were honest folk who had always lived in harmony with their neighbors. Jiang Liu and Jiang Ling were terrified by the commotion, their eyes brimming with tears, helplessly watching Jiang Heng. The neighbors dared not intervene—who would want to get involved in a dispute over evil spirits and the Yellow Immortal? Who would risk inviting such trouble upon themselves?