After hearing those words, Gao Yiye felt her cheeks grow warm, a faint blush spreading across her face.
"The chief wife of Tianzun?" she murmured softly. "This… how could someone as insignificant as me possibly be worthy of such a role?"
San Shier frowned slightly and waved his hand.
"Why are you blushing? You are missing the point entirely. I am asking you to portray Madam Li, not the wife of Tianzun. Master Li is merely a fictional identity, a person who does not truly exist."
Gao Yiye lowered her eyes, her voice hesitant.
"But even so, he would still represent Tianzun, would he not?"
San Shier froze.
He did not dare argue against that reasoning.
In the end, he could only smile bitterly.
"Miss Yiye, you do not need to worry so much. Simply observe more and speak less. Leave everything else to me. If Tianzun gives any instructions, you may quietly relay them, and I will adjust accordingly."
Gao Yiye hesitated.
This plan had been conceived without prior approval from Tianzun. Even though San Shier meant well, she could not help but wonder if acting so boldly would be disrespectful. The thought alone made her face flush even deeper.
At that moment, a gentle voice descended from above.
"This is quite interesting. Go ahead and try it."
Gao Yiye's head snapped upward in surprise.
"Tianzun… you truly permit this?"
Li Daoxuan's voice drifted down calmly.
"I permit it."
Gao Yiye's face turned crimson, as though even a drop of blood might emerge from her skin. She lowered her head immediately, her voice barely audible.
"This humble one… obeys."
Li Daoxuan quietly closed the lid of the diorama box, concealing himself from her sight. A faint chuckle escaped his lips as he watched from outside.
"The little girl is shy. How amusing."
San Shier, upon receiving Tianzun's approval, felt a great weight lifted from his heart.
Ever since Cheng Xu had inquired about the origins of Gao Family Fortress, this matter had lingered heavily in his mind. A fortress of such scale, with walls reaching nine meters in height, could never remain hidden forever. Sooner or later, the authorities would demand an explanation.
Ignoring their questions was not an option.
Using force to silence those who asked was even less acceptable. Such behavior belonged to the demonic path, not the righteous path. Tianzun would never approve of such methods.
For this reason, San Shier had spent considerable time crafting a believable narrative.
Now, it was time to see whether his carefully constructed story could withstand scrutiny.
He quickly instructed Gao Yiye to change into the finest garments available in the village. These clothes had been given to her by Mrs. San, and they carried an elegance far beyond anything she had worn before. He also helped her apply delicate makeup, enhancing her natural beauty.
Finally, he reminded her to remain silent and maintain a dignified bearing.
To his surprise, when she simply stood without speaking, she truly resembled the noble chief wife of a great household.
Before long, Liang Shixian and his entourage arrived outside Gao Family Fortress.
The ten bailiffs and thirty assistants accompanying him were newly appointed. Their arrogance had not yet taken root, and they conducted themselves with restraint and discipline as they followed their magistrate.
Liang Shixian observed the villagers carefully.
To his astonishment, not a single person appeared gaunt or starving. On the contrary, everyone seemed healthy and full of vitality. A few individuals even appeared slightly plump.
He could hardly believe his eyes.
Only recently, he had been drafting a memorial filled with sorrow, describing the suffering of Chengcheng County's people. Yet here, in this village, the residents appeared well-fed and prosperous.
His aide leaned closer and whispered, "This village appears exceptionally wealthy."
Liang Shixian nodded slowly.
"That is good," he said. "It means there may still be hope."
As he spoke, the massive gates of Gao Family Fortress opened.
San Shier stepped forward confidently to greet them, dressed in a long robe that enhanced his bearing. A faint smile rested on his face as he cupped his hands in greeting.
"Esteemed Magistrate, your presence brings great honor to our humble residence."
Liang Shixian immediately recognized him as a steward or manager of the household. Returning the gesture politely, he asked, "And this estate belongs to whom?"
San Shier chuckled softly.
"This is Gao Family Village, and this grand residence belongs to Master Li. I serve as the Li family's steward. My name is San Shier."
Liang Shixian had only recently assumed office and had not yet memorized the names of all prominent families in the region. For the moment, he saw no reason to doubt him.
However, when he looked up at the towering fortress walls, he could not help lowering his voice.
"Your Li family appears to possess remarkable foundations."
San Shier's smile widened, his expression filled with pride.
"Naturally. My Master Li is no ordinary person. The Li family has resided here for more than a thousand years."
Liang Shixian's heart trembled.
A thousand years.
That would place their origins in the Tang Dynasty.
A great aristocratic family from the Tang era, bearing the surname Li, and located here in Shaanxi.
A terrifying possibility emerged in his mind.
Could they be descendants of the Tang imperial clan?
A chill ran down his spine.
San Shier continued calmly.
"Master Li has journeyed to visit the immortals and is not currently present. As his steward, I must welcome you in his place. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."
Liang Shixian nodded quickly, not daring to show offense.
Still, he was unwilling to leave without accomplishing his purpose.
"Is there anyone else in the residence with authority?"
San Shier inclined his head.
"The chief wife remains in the manor. She did not accompany Master Li."
Liang Shixian felt a flicker of hope.
If he could secure disaster relief funds from her, it would greatly ease his burden.
"In that case, I would trouble you to introduce me."
"Of course. Please follow me."
San Shier led the way inside.
They passed through a narrow stone passage, its smooth walls rising high on both sides. After the recent rainfall, the air inside felt cool and still, creating a subtle sense of pressure that weighed upon the visitors.
Liang Shixian maintained his composure, but the bailiffs behind him grew increasingly nervous. Walking through such an imposing estate, they feared that even the slightest mistake might cost them their lives.
After passing several courtyards, they arrived at a watchtower.
The third floor served as Gao Yiye's residence. The second floor was used for storage. The first floor, however, had been converted into an ancestral hall.
Originally, this space would have housed ancestral tablets. However, Gao Family Fortress had no such lineage.
Instead, San Shier had commissioned a sculptor to create a statue of Tianzun.
The statue now stood majestically within the hall.
On either side hung a couplet:
"May a thousand years of incense honor heaven and earth."
"May ten thousand generations of sacred smoke illuminate sun and moon."
At the center stood a tablet bearing the inscription:
"Reverently established for our Ancestral Master, the Divine Seat of Dao Xuan Tianzun."
Liang Shixian understood immediately.
This was not merely an ancestral hall.
This was a hall dedicated to a family deity.
The name was Dao Xuan.
The surname was Li.
Li Daoxuan.
Liang Shixian's mind raced.
He searched through every fragment of historical knowledge he possessed, recalling ancient records and forgotten genealogies.
Then, suddenly, realization struck.
Li Daoxuan.
A member of the Tang imperial clan.
One of the Eight Pillars of State during the Western Wei and Northern Zhou periods.
A cousin of Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
Liang Shixian drew in a silent breath.
What an overwhelming lineage.
San Shier observed his reaction and knew instantly that his deception had succeeded.
Suppressing his satisfaction, he gestured toward the stairs.
"Esteemed Magistrate, please follow me. The chief wife awaits on the third floor."