Yi Xiaoqian and Wang Xiaowan were certain that something extremely significant must have happened during Si Lingxi’s birthday banquet this time.
Extremely significant!
Otherwise, Lu Zheng could not possibly have suddenly acquired two more wives.
Lin Wan was perhaps understandable. Fellow townsfolk meeting in a distant land, giving in to passion in the moment. Though it did not quite fit Lu Zheng’s previous behaviour, it was not impossible.
But what was Si Lingxi’s status?
Even if they held Lu Zheng in the highest regard, they dared not imagine Si Lingxi lowering herself to marry, let alone sitting at the same mahjong table with other women.
…
Yi Xiaoqian and Wang Xiaowan were not familiar with Si Lingxi, and even less so with Lin Wan, so the two women did not force their company. They planned to wait for the decadal event at Peach Blossom Flat to seek opportunities to get closer. Thus, they only chatted warmly with Lin Wan for a short while, then stopped disturbing her and took their leave.
Lin Wan linked arms with Lu Zheng and smiled. “True ladies from refined families, exactly as I imagined.”
Lu Zheng nodded. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly turned to one side.
“What is it?” Lin Wan asked.
“Did you not want to see the fierce ghosts of this world? It seems there is no need to go to the Netherworld now,” Lu Zheng said.
Lin Wan’s eyes lit up. She hurriedly followed Lu Zheng’s gaze, but the street was bustling with people, and she could not spot anything unusual about anyone.
“Where? Who is it?” Lin Wan asked.
Lu Zheng lifted his chin slightly. “That woman carrying a basket, walking slowly.”
When Lin Wan looked again, she saw a woman dressed in coarse hemp cloth, her head covered with a cloth towel, a bamboo basket on her left arm, a bundle on her back, walking slowly along the edge of the street toward the north of the city.
However, the woman had her back to them, so Lin Wan could not make out her appearance.
“Painted skin?” Lin Wan’s eyes gleamed brightly.
“Painted skin,” Lu Zheng nodded, inevitably recalling that the first enemy he had encountered in this world was a corpse ghost skilled in the painted skin technique.
Lin Wan clenched her fists, excitement making her tremble all over. “She actually entered the city? Did you not say there is a City God here?”
“Hmm…” Lu Zheng pondered for a moment. “The City God Temple’s primary duty is to repel invasions from the Netherworld into the yang realm. Though it also deals with some ghostly matters in the yang realm, it cannot cover everything. Moreover… the City God Temple is, after all, a government institution. You cannot place too great expectations on them…”
Lin Wan was speechless. But if the City God Temple was slow to act, did that not give her a chance to gain some experience?
“Who is stronger between me and this corpse ghost?” Lin Wan could not help asking.
“About the same,” Lu Zheng said, rubbing his chin. “You are unlucky. This corpse ghost is stronger than the one I first met back then.”
“About the same is fine. Let me handle it this time!” Lin Wan said eagerly.
In the modern world, she could not defeat Lu Zheng, but others no longer required her to exert full effort. Now in Tonglin County, she finally felt that long-lost thrill.
“Alright!” Lu Zheng did not mind. Letting Lin Wan have some fun was no issue, especially since he would be watching nearby.
At that moment, the woman turned into a small alley and collided fully with a scholar hurrying out.
Then…
As delightfully predictable, the woman appeared weak and helpless, the scholar was stirred by desire, affection arose mutually, one human and one ghost hit it off at once. The woman behaved like a young wife who had found a saviour, following the scholar toward the north of the city.
Lin Wan blinked and could not help asking, “I remember you said this world has many stories of scholars killed by fierce ghosts?”
Lu Zheng nodded. “But there are even more illustrated books of romantic encounters.”
Lin Wan asked, “Will this corpse ghost make her move tonight?”
“Who cares when she acts!” Lu Zheng shook his head. “We cannot possibly trail her all day and night. Tonight we go directly and expose her identity.”
“Good!” Lin Wan nodded repeatedly.
Thus, the group followed from a distance and soon saw the woman arrive with the scholar at a secluded single-gate courtyard in a remote alley. As the scholar took out his key to unlock the door, the woman entered with him.
“A scholar living alone. Quite bold,” Lin Wan said incredulously. “Modern people would not casually bring someone home like that. Even if he does not suspect a fierce ghost, is he not afraid of a scam?”
Lu Zheng shrugged. “But try enough times, and you will eventually encounter someone who prizes lust over life.”
As the scholar closed the door, Lin Wan could no longer see inside, but Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi clearly sensed the woman allowing the scholar to embrace her. The two kissed and cuddled for a while, then the scholar released her voluntarily, saying he would prepare food for her.
“Alright, let us go. It is dinner time too. Madam Liu said we are all eating at the Liu house today. After dinner, we return. Perhaps we can even watch a live performance,” Lu Zheng said.
Si Lingxi could not help shaking her head. Lin Wan also felt a shiver of disgust.
…
When they returned to the Liu house, Shen Ying had already arrived. During the meal, Lin Wan mentioned the matter.
Knowing this was Lin Wan’s first time taking action, Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan both wanted to watch. Naturally, that included the fun-loving Liu Qingquan, and Du Yueyao, who was always inseparable from Liu Qingyan.
Seeing so many people ready to support her, Lin Wan felt the women’s kindness. She nodded and struck a heroic pose, clasping fists all around, which drew unrestrained laughter from Liu Qingquan. “Sister, you have your left and right hands reversed.”
Lin Wan, “…”
…
That night, dark clouds obscured the moon, and all around was pitch black.
After dinner, having settled the woman he had just met that evening in a side room to rest, Zhang Sheng lit a candle and sat in his bedroom-cum-study, reading aloud. Though his voice was loud, it lacked vigour, and his intonation was erratic. Clearly, his mind was elsewhere.
Swallowing, Zhang Sheng was somewhat distracted.
From the moment they entered, the woman’s behaviour showed she was no chaste maiden. However, he had put on an act of diligent night study. Going to her now, would it seem too hasty?
Just then, a fragrant breeze wafted in. Zhang Sheng looked up hurriedly and saw the girl who called herself Qiongniang carrying a bowl of fragrant tea to his bedroom door.
“Young master, the weather grows colder. Studying by candlelight, you are far too diligent.” Qiongniang wore only thin clothing, shivering in the autumn night wind. “This humble girl, grateful for your shelter, has nothing to repay. I specially heated a bowl of tea. Drink it while hot to warm yourself.”
“The wind is strong outside. Come in quickly!” Zhang Sheng rose hurriedly to welcome Qiongniang.
But at that moment, a whoosh of wind sounded. Qiongniang turned immediately. From the door frame, Zhang Sheng saw a woman in vigorous attire leap into the courtyard, carrying a gleaming goose-quill sabre.
“Corpse ghost! Reveal your true form! This grandma will act for heaven today and send you on your way!”
Utterly beautiful and stunning!
Heroic and valiant!
Zhang Sheng felt… he had fallen in love again…
