Chapter 128: The Art of Voodoo Curses

Watching Jiang Lan’s smile, Kong Kong wiped his mouth and said, "The Heir is here. Please, take a seat."

Jiang Lan smoothed his robes and sat down. "This meditation cushion is quite comfortable."

Xi Chi, standing to the side, carefully inspected the cup and the water before pouring a drink for Jiang Lan. "My Lord."

Jiang Lan took the cup and waved a hand. "Keep watch at the door."

"Understood, my Lord."

Once Xi Chi had closed the door, the posture of dignified composure Kong Kong had maintained immediately collapsed.

"Why has the Heir come in person? I was planning to pay you a visit tonight. You really shouldn't have troubled yourself." Seeing Jiang Lan glance at the fruit on the table, he immediately waved his hand to push the entire platter forward. "My Lord, please, have a taste. These are fresh fruits brought as offerings by the spirits of the mountain. They may not be as exotic as those in the post house, but they are fresh. Try some; if they suit your taste, I will bring you more next time."

Jiang Lan tasted one of the bright red cherries and praised, "They are indeed excellent."

Seeing Kong Kong waiting to the side without eating, Jiang Lan pushed some of the cherries toward him. "You have some as well."

"Thank you, my Lord."

"I came today for two reasons. First, because you mentioned in front of everyone today that I had been cursed. My aunt is worried about me, so she sent me to ask what exactly is going on and if there is a way to break it. Second, today’s events were highly suspicious, and you are the only one I am familiar with who went into the palace for the confrontation. Tell me, what was the attitude like inside the palace regarding this matter?"

Kong Kong hurriedly swallowed the cherry in his mouth and said, "Well, actually, I only heard the first half before I left the palace. But this matter could be interpreted as either grave or trivial. If grave, it’s treason and regicide; if trivial, it’s merely a frame-up against a Duke’s Heir. However, the Empress Dowager seemed absolutely furious about both. Especially when she saw that wooden doll—her eyes became bloodshot, it was terrifying. Her entire demeanor changed."

"Later, several imperial physicians were called in for a joint consultation. Of course, I thought that since I’d been standing there for so long, I might as well lend a hand. After all, he is your blood relative, my Lord; I couldn't just let him pass out."

Jiang Lan nodded, signaling him to continue.

"Later, after she lost control of her emotions a few times, the full sequence of events was finally clarified. However, I noticed that the Empress Dowager was extremely tense regarding the Emperor. That doll is truly sinister; it wasn't made for play. Perhaps the culprit was afraid the fake wouldn't be realistic enough and specifically sought out a master of the dark arts to craft it."

Jiang Lan recalled the doll, which Hai Cen had held tightly in her palm. She hadn't looked at it closely, but she vaguely remembered a mass of purple-black mist swirling around it. It was no ordinary doll; it indeed radiated a dark energy, just as Kong Kong had said.

"My cousin, born to my aunt after she endured such hardships, is naturally cherished. But such evil objects don't work just by having a birth date; they require a trace of that person's essence, such as hair or a personal item. I recall the doll had none of those things. Even if it were sinister, it shouldn't have been able to trigger witchcraft. So why did I see black mist on it?"

"My Lord, you also feel that the doll is strange, don't you?"

Jiang Lan nodded. "Yes, it is indeed strange."

After downing a cup of water poured by Xi Chi, Jiang Lan pondered her own abnormal reactions when the doll was discovered. Could it be that this doll also affected the blood relatives of its target?

Jiang Lan had little research into these dark arts, and this Great Chen had its own set of occult traditions. Since there was an expert sitting across from her, she asked him.

Kong Kong was momentarily stumped by the question. After thinking for a long time, he stammered, "I, this humble spirit, haven't seen this kind of situation often, but one cannot rule out the possibility, especially since..."

Seeing Kong Kong looking up at her, Jiang Lan narrowed her eyes. "Why so?"

"My Lord, you are an exception yourself. Perhaps things that are normal for others might take on a different nature when it comes to you."

Jiang Lan thought about it and felt there was some truth to that. Perhaps it was because of her own unique existence that she was affected by the witchcraft aimed at a blood relative. If that were the case, did the original owner of this body really share blood ties with the Jiang family? Or more accurately, was there some blood connection between her and the Emperor, Chen Qing? Or perhaps neither...

Regarding the doubts in her heart, Jiang Lan felt the answer was just ahead; it would come to light in time.

"Let's put the matter of the doll aside. You said I was cursed—that was just a random remark, right?" When Jiang Lan had met with Kong Kong in the garden of the Western Mansion, they had agreed to perform a charade. However, this claim of a curse had not been part of the plan.

Looking at Kong Kong’s determined expression, Jiang Lan was slightly surprised. "Could it be that someone really did cast a curse on me?"

Kong Kong nodded firmly. "I have been using the name of Master Kong Kong to bluff and deceive for all these years; such tricks cannot escape my eyes."

Seeing the confident Kong Kong, Jiang Lan asked, confused, "Why didn't you say anything back in the garden?"

Kong Kong recalled, then widened his eyes. "I didn't! At that time, my Lord, there was nothing on your head."

Jiang Lan thought deeply. If so, someone must have tampered with her afterward. If someone in the household had wanted to obtain her personal belongings or hair, they could have done so long ago. Its sudden appearance today must mean that someone among the group who visited earlier today had managed to acquire a personal item of hers.

But who could it be? Among that group, only a few eunuchs, Deputy General Yuan, and Head Eunuch Hai had entered her courtyard. Rong Mu? Would a master like him really go to such lengths?

"My Lord!"

"What is it?" Jiang Lan was deep in thought when Kong Kong tapped her arm and called out.

Jiang Lan looked at Kong Kong, who was staring at her in astonishment. "Have you been possessed?"

"No, my Lord! Your head!"

"What are you talking about?" Jiang Lan looked at him, confused. "Speak clearly."

Kong Kong swallowed hard. "My Lord, that aura of misfortune—that curse—it is slowly vanishing."

"What exactly is this thing? How can it just disappear on its own?" Jiang Lan asked, puzzled.

"It looks like someone has broken the witchcraft for you, my Lord."

Jiang Lan waved her hand. "If it's broken, then it's fine. I've been too busy lately to go looking for the one who cast it."

"My Lord, you are truly detached from worldly desires!" Kong Kong gave a thumbs up. "Amazing!"

While Jiang Lan tucked the cherries into her pocket under Kong Kong's gaze, she said, "I didn't have time to ask earlier, but two of my relatives came to see you last night. Did you see them?"

Kong Kong choked on his water, coughing for a long while. "Relatives? My Lord, please don't tease me. You are so powerful—you were able to save both a dragon and a dragon spirit. Why bother claiming kin with dragons? No matter how powerful the Dragon Clan is, in my eyes, they don't compare to even a ten-thousandth of you."

Jiang Lan rolled her eyes. They were relatives, after all.

"Did Chi Feng settle them in properly?" Jiang Lan asked.