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"Some people wake up one day to find incredible marks on their bodies. These are neither scratches nor bruises, but rather signs that something has touched you while you were asleep!" As Xing Ruyi spoke these words, Wang Yanxing instinctively grasped his right arm. Above his arm, there was a scar that had appeared in recent days, shaped like five fingers, with a bluish-purple hue tinged with black. When touched, it produced a slight burning sensation.
Xing Ruyi caught sight of Wang Yanxing's movement and asked, "Can I see it?"
Wang Yanxing hesitated for a moment before rolling up his long sleeve to reveal the scar. Xing Ruyi gestured roughly and said, "It looks very much like a woman's hand."
Madam Wang stared at the scar and shook her head. "It's not me; I would never scratch my husband's arm carelessly."
"Of course it's not you, Madam. Common people wouldn't leave such a mark either. This scar has faint traces of burns, and Hui Niang was indeed burned to death."
"Were they really burned to death?" Wang Yanxing grasped the scar.
"Not only was she burned to death, but she was also alive when it happened," Xing Ruyi sighed. "After you left, Hui Niang gave birth to a son. Because she couldn't afford a midwife, she gave birth by herself, using heated scissors to cut the umbilical cord while lying in a pool of blood. By the time Si Niang arrived after hearing the news, she was already unconscious from fever for three nights, as if she had walked through the halls of the underworld. The child was born prematurely and was weaker than other babies, making him prone to illness. Hui Niang took great care to raise him for half a year, but he caught a cold and passed away after several days. Unable to bear the blow and filled with guilt, Hui Niang went mad after crying for a long time."
"And then what happened?"
"A widow attracts much gossip, especially one who is somewhat attractive and has gone mad. In Sister-in-law Village, although the people are simple and honest, there are still some rogues like Ma Tao. He lured Hui Niang into the woods with the intent to assault her, but Hui Niang fought back fiercely, determined to protect her purity. In her moment of danger, she even saved a child from their village who had fallen into a trap. Fearing exposure, Ma Tao incited the villagers to burn Hui Niang's home. Hui Niang thought the pillow inside was her child and rushed in without regard for the flames. Once inside, she never came out again. The fire raged for an entire night; when it finally subsided, the villagers found only a charred corpse and pooled their money together to bury her alongside that poor child."
"What did Hui Niang want from me?" Wang Yanxing said with slight irritation. "I did not acknowledge that child; just like my wife’s case, she gave birth after I divorced her—who can be sure that child is mine? Moreover, High Heat was set by the villagers; if she wanted revenge, she should have gone after Ma Tao or those villagers from Sister-in-law Village! I may have given her a divorce letter, but I also transferred all my property and land to her; I have been more than generous towards Hui Niang."
"Wang Yanxing!" Xing Ruyi initially did not want to lose her temper but couldn't help it after hearing his remarks. "As a man, don't you know whether that child in Hui Niang's womb is yours? Fine! If you doubt Hui Niang's words so much, we can do a blood test to clear her name and give that child justice. And do you truly believe you are blameless? The so-called property you speak of consists of dilapidated houses that can't even withstand wind and rain! As for your land—it was mortgaged long ago when you didn't have enough money for your exam trip to Beijing! Wang Yanxing, do you realize how ugly your words sound right now?"
"Ruyi," Madam Wang interjected sharply, "please mind your words! Even if my husband treated Hui Niang harshly, it is not for an outsider like you to judge!"
"Fine! Very well! If that's how it is, then I won't keep either of you here at my Rouge Pavilion." Xing Ruyi extended her hand in a gesture of dismissal. Madam Wang gritted her teeth and dragged Wang Yanxing out.
As soon as they left, Xing Ruyi stormed into the back hall and threw herself into the arms of Fox.
"Did you suffer injustice? Are you feeling upset? Do you want your husband to help you take revenge?"
Xing Ruyi shook her head, feeling somewhat frustrated. "I set up that trap for so long and patiently waited, finally luring this unfaithful man here. But before I could even give him what he wanted, I lost my temper. Now look, he has been driven away, and the things I painstakingly prepared may go to waste."
"Is that the thing you had Shengzi dig up from the grave?"
"Yes, Hui Niang's pomegranate red skirt! I used ghostly techniques to transform the pomegranate red skirt into Soul-Calling Water."
"Do you want Wang Yanxing to visit Hui Niang in the underworld?"
"A few days ago, I received a ghostly message from Cui Fujun, informing me that a good family has been arranged for Hui Niang, and she will be reincarnating soon. Hui Niang is too deeply attached; I worry that after her reincarnation, her obsession will remain and lead to further complications. As for Wang Yanxing, whether he can return after drinking the Soul-Calling Water and entering the Underworld depends on his fate. It's just a pity that I was too impatient and let Wang Yanxing's shameless remarks provoke me. Before I could even take out the Soul-Calling Water, I ended up driving him away. Perhaps this is fate!"
"There’s no such thing as fate; it’s only about what my Fox Demon wants to do or not do." The fox tapped her nose lightly. "Where's the Soul-Calling Water?"
"It's on the counter outside." Xing Ruyi grabbed the fox's sleeve. "What are you going to do?"
"Of course, I'm going to help you deliver the Soul-Calling Water. Didn't you just say that Hui Niang is about to reincarnate? We don't have much time." The fox transformed into another appearance. At this moment, he wore Taoist robes, with delicate brows and phoenix eyes, looking just like an imaginary figure.
Xing Ruyi couldn't help but laugh. Looking at the fox's appearance, she said, "Fox, do you know you're quite mischievous!"
"A fox isn't mischievous; a Fox Demon doesn't love," he replied. "Besides, that imaginary figure is mysterious and may not be a good person!"
Xing Ruyi nodded silently, but the fox had already disappeared from the room.
On the street, the fox transformed into an imaginary figure and stopped Wang Yanxing's carriage. "Excuse me, is this carriage carrying Lord Wang Yanxing?"
"Who are you, Daoist?"
"I am Mo Xu You!" The fox lightly raised his whisk and bowed. "I observed from afar and saw dark mist swirling above your carriage; it seems there must be some trouble in your residence. Furthermore, seeing your pale complexion and vacant eyes suggests you are entangled in nightmares. That is why I took the liberty to inquire."
"The Daoist is not wrong; Yan Xing has indeed been troubled by nightmares these past few days. But how does the Daoist know about these matters? Also, how do you know my name?"
"A person of cultivation practices the Great Way. Anyone who has gained something can initially lose their essence. As for me, it is not difficult to know your identity; I only need to ask the pedestrians on this street whose carriage it is, and I would know. Although Luoyang City is large, there are not many new carriages, and there are even fewer as distinctive as yours. Rest assured, I stopped you only to dispel misfortune, not to seek wealth. I have something here that can alleviate your worries."
"What is it?"
"I call it Liao Fan Water, derived from the meaning of transcending the mundane. You only need to keep this by your side, and the nightmares will dissipate! If you take a couple of sips, you will have your wishes fulfilled and completely resolve your past with that woman."
"Daoist?"
"Shh! I already know what you desire. As for the woman I mentioned, you are certainly aware of her without me needing to elaborate. This Liao Fan Water, I will give to you today; whether you use it or not is entirely up to you. I take my leave now, and please take care!"
The fox spirit lightly tossed the bottle containing Soul-Calling Water towards the carriage. Wang Yanxing instinctively caught it but heard Madam Wang softly ask from within the carriage, "Husband, have you ever forgotten Hui Niang?"
"Hui Niang is dead. What difference does it make whether I remember or forget? My lady, why must we dwell on these matters at this moment?"
"If so, then what the shopkeeper said is also credible? The reason we have been married for many years without a child is neither due to your health nor my frailty but because we have not reached a deep emotional connection yet. Most of the affection between us has been merely a facade, hasn't it?"
"Such conjectures! How can you believe them? If you doubt me, let us visit a physician together another day; you will know the truth." Wang Yanxing, feeling aggrieved, jumped down from the carriage: "My lady, you must be tired; please return home and rest early. As for me, I still have some official matters to attend to; do not wait for me for dinner."
Madam Wang opened her mouth but also sulkily lowered the curtain.
"Winter Spring, let's go! We are returning home!"
Wang Yanxing watched as the carriage disappeared into the distance and looked at the bottle in his hand. He unconsciously headed towards Li Siniang's Tavern. From afar, he saw the tavern's flag fluttering in the wind and stopped in his tracks, merely watching from a distance. He vaguely remembered that during their first year of marriage, he had taken Hui Niang back home, but she had excitedly brought him to the Tavern instead. At that time, Li Siniang's husband was still alive; the four of them drank under the moonlight and consumed half a jar of Peach Blossom Wine until they woke up the next day still feeling dizzy. Hui Niang blushed as she timidly offered him a hangover soup; he took just one sip and smiled at her. That made Hui Niang's face turn red as she hid behind Si Niang. Looking back now, perhaps he was happiest then? That drunken night was almost the craziest experience of his life.
Now, Peach Blossom Wine still wafted its fragrant aroma, yet he could no longer find that shy girl who used to drink with him, sing for him, and prepare hangover soup for him.
"Hui Niang, in your last moments of life, are you also resenting me, hating me?" Wang Yanxing tightly gripped the water bottle and called over a nearby child, stuffing two silver coins into his hand. "This one is for you, and take the other one to buy me a jar of Peach Blossom Wine!"
"Why doesn't the uncle go himself? Is this silver fake?"
Wang Yanxing smiled and patted the child's head. "Nonsense, how could the silver given by your uncle be fake? I'm an official, a proper court official."
"If it's not fake, then why doesn't the uncle go himself?" The child looked up with a stubborn and serious expression.
"That's because your uncle had a quarrel with the tavern owner. She refuses to sell wine to your uncle, so I need you to help!"
The child bit the silver coin to confirm it was real, then stuck out his tongue at Wang Yanxing. "Uncle is lying; clearly, you have your eyes on Si Niang and want to buy wine to win her favor. But when you got close, you got scared. Even though Si Niang is very beautiful, she has a fierce temper. Even my father can't handle her; with that kind of temperament, no man can gain the upper hand."
Wang Yanxing could only smile wryly as he squatted down, looking into the child's bright, twinkling eyes. If he and Hui Niang had a child, he would probably be around this age too.
"Are you really not going to help your uncle buy wine?"
"Of course I will! With ready silver in hand, why wouldn't I take it? Just wait here; I'll bring back a jar of Peach Blossom Wine shortly. By the way, can I keep the leftover silver from buying the wine?"
"I'll give it all to you!"
"Uncle, you can't go back on your word! Adults who go back on their word turn into dogs!" The child said as he dashed toward Li Siniang's Tavern. Wang Yanxing watched from a distance as Si Niang spoke with the child, who pointed back at him. He hurriedly hid behind a nearby willow tree.
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