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墨書 Inktalez
Xing Ruyi silently watched Xu Liang, waiting for him to relieve himself in his own way.
As his slightly closed eyes opened, Xu Liang's gaze, though filled with hidden pain, gradually became clearer.
"Just as we were about to leave, we heard a cry for help. It was a child a few years older than me. He was hiding in the reeds, looking at us with pleading eyes. I stepped forward and gently tugged at my parents' hands, hoping they would save the child. In fact, my parents acted as well. If it weren't for the child's later actions, that night might have turned out differently. But there are no 'ifs'; what was meant to happen still happened. After the child was rescued, he pointed underwater, indicating there was something left behind by his mother. Before she died, his mother had told him to take those things to find his uncle. His uncle was an official in Luoyang.
The items were retrieved—a box of jewelry, the kind that Madam Sisters often used. Although not particularly valuable, selling them could fetch a decent amount of Silver. I thought that box probably belonged to the child's mother. When they encountered river bandits, the child's mother pushed him along with that box into the river and told him to hide. If we hadn't shown up, that child might have drowned in the river, and the jewelry would have sunk to the bottom. But just like I said before, there are no 'ifs.'
On the way back, I fell asleep, and so did the child. But when I woke up, I found myself lying at home, and my parents looked troubled. I asked them where that brother had gone. They said he walked away after getting off the boat. However, my parents were not wicked people; it wasn't long before my father drunkenly revealed the truth: they had impulsively strangled that child and pushed him into the river before secretly keeping the box of jewelry. I don't know who suggested doing this first, but they indeed did it. Perhaps it was because my father couldn't keep a secret or because of unequal distribution of spoils; Hui'er’s father acted in secret. My mother knew full well but dared not say anything because she too would be captured by the Government Office.
Later on, my mother died as well. A few years later, I accidentally discovered that both my parents' deaths were related to Hui'er’s father. But so what? Like my mother back then, I dared not say anything because exposing the truth would be bad for everyone involved. Though I serve Buddha, I am still a mortal with selfish desires."
Xu Liang finished speaking and let out a long sigh. "Miss, please continue."
Xing Ruyi took a moment to collect herself before continuing her account of events.
"You learned about your parents' deaths by chance but had no way to confront Liu Laoshi or seek revenge; you also couldn't face Liu Rui again. So you sold your family property and went up the mountain to become a monk. Although Liu Laoshi is known for being honest, he is far from it; he must know very well why you chose to become a monk. Perhaps out of guilt or because Liu Rui is truly capable, he hasn't forced Liu Rui to seek In-laws again in over a year.
You unexpectedly encountered something on the street that stirred your heart again after you had finally calmed down before Buddha. The reason you brought your Shixiong along was that you feared losing control of your emotions; however, you never expected that your Shixiong also wore monk robes but lacked any Buddhist heart. Because of his hidden ailment and being ridiculed by others, despite having Master’s protection, he felt out of place among his fellow Shixiong and often took on the arduous task of begging for alms alone. With an unbalanced heart and drawn to worldly pleasures, your Shixiong's heart is likely far from Buddha and closer to demons."
"Since you already know this, why ask?" Xu Liang's face was filled with pain.
"Because the Government Office needs your honest testimony. Xu Liang, Liu Rui died a terrible death; you saw it yourself. At this time, it's not about covering for her but seeking justice on her behalf. If you die, everything ends for you; but what about those who truly caused Liu Rui's death? Should they roam free and find opportunities to harm others? On the road to Yellow Springs by Naihe Bridge, when you see Liu Rui again, how will you face her questions?"
"Miss, I beg you; please stop pressing him." Liu Rui's voice came from Xing Ruyi's sleeve.
Xing Ruyi sighed lightly and looked into Xu Liang's eyes. "Do you still want to see Liu Rui?"
Xu Liang raised his eyes but said nothing.
Xing Ruyi waved her hand, and suddenly both space and time froze. She turned coolly and saw a fox leaning against the wall smiling at her. "Hmm, your practice of using foxes to intimidate is quite good!"
Xing Ruyi stuck out her tongue at the fox and took out the Guanyin Scroll. She opened it and gently blew on it, causing Liu Hui to appear before her. Liu Hui looked at Xu Liang, her eyes red with tears. She wanted to walk over but, remembering her own lack of innocence, bit her lip and remained where she was.
"Xu Liang, brother, Hui'er’s death has nothing to do with you. Hui'er begs you to tell the truth to the adults, not to seek justice for Hui'er, but because Hui'er doesn’t want you to die for no reason."
"Hui'er, please stop. You are already dead; why should I continue living?"
"But even if I have to die, Hui'er doesn’t want you to do it in this way. You are not a murderer, nor are you the one who killed Hui'er. Hui'er doesn’t want you to come to the underworld with that identity." Liu Hui knelt on the ground. "Xu Liang, brother, do you know that those who die unjustly cannot be reincarnated? They can only stay at the Wishing Platform, waiting year after year, watching. Hui'er knows that in this life, there is no way for us to be husband and wife anymore, so let’s promise each other a future life, okay? Hui'er doesn’t want you to have no future life, and even more so, she doesn’t want her future life without you. If that happens, what’s the point of being reborn? What’s the point of Reincarnation? What’s the point of experiencing another round of human suffering?"
"Hui'er—" Xu Liang looked at Liu Hui and slowly reached out his hand.
Liu Hui dodged back and said, "Hui'er is no longer worthy of you in this life, Xu Liang, brother. Besides, you are human and I am a ghost; our paths are different in this life."
Suddenly, Liu Hui turned around to face Xing Ruyi and the fox. "Miss, Hui'er was violated by his senior brother; her death was also caused by him and has nothing to do with Xu Liang."
"I know it won't help; I'm not involved and I'm certainly not a witness. The officials won’t believe my words."
"Then—what should I do? How can I help Xu Liang?"
"Hui'er!" Xu Liang took a small step forward, looking at the ethereal Liu Hui as if she were an extremely precious jewel. "Do you really want me?"
Liu Hui nodded. "Xu Liang, brother, promise Hui'er that you'll live well. On Yellow Springs Road, Hui'er will be waiting for you; is that okay?"
Xu Liang's eyes filled with tears as he nodded. "Okay!"
Liu Hui smiled. She bowed deeply to Xing Ruyi and the fox. "Thank you, Ruyi; thank you, Young Master Yin. The time has come; Hui'er must go report to the underworld."
"Liu Hui!" Xing Ruyi took out a box of Sun Fairy Girl Ointment. "This box is new and can be used over there as well. The winds on Yellow Springs Road are strong; even if you have to wait, make sure you wait beautifully."
"Thank you, miss!" Liu Hui bowed slightly and vanished from sight.
The space returned to normal, and time also resumed its usual flow.
“Have you made up your mind?” Xing Ruyi asked Xu Liang softly as she looked at him.
Xu Liang nodded, “I’ve made up my mind!”
“Shengzi!”
“Did you ask?” Shengzi came in, rubbing his eyes. For some reason, he had suddenly felt a wave of fatigue.
“I asked. Xu Liang still has a case to present; take him to see the Official. Also, notify Brother Chang to capture Ming Kong!”
“Ming Kong Master?” Shengzi was puzzled. “What do we need to catch him for? Is he an accomplice?”
“Accomplice? He is the real murderer! Hurry up and have Brother Chang catch him. Once he’s captured, the truth will come out about White Fox. By the way, before questioning him, have Brother Chang give Ming Kong a True Heart Pill, so he doesn’t play tricks and deceive your Master, leading to a wrongful case.”
The True Heart Pill had been used once before during the interrogation of Yellow Weasel; it was given by the fox and seemed quite effective. Xing Ruyi’s eyes darted around as she thought about when she could also use this True Heart Pill to test the fox's sincerity.
The fox was clever enough not to miss what Xing Ruyi was thinking. It poked her forehead with its finger and said, “I made the medicine. Do you think it’s feasible to drug me?”
“It is feasible! I’ll give it to you, and you have to eat it obediently. If you don’t eat it, I’ll run away from home, and you won’t be able to find me!”
“Childish!”
“What’s wrong with being childish? I’m a mortal, and you’re a fox spirit. I’m already several thousand years older than you. If I’m childish, that’s my choice; I have every right to be open and aboveboard.”
“Fine!” The fox readily interrupted, “The True Heart Pill? Hand it over; I’ll eat it right now!”
Xing Ruyi rummaged through her sleeves, searching and searching, then dejectedly said, “It’s gone! I gave all of them to Brother Chang back then.”
The fox laughed, unusually happily. He stretched out his long hand and picked up Xing Ruyi, saying, "Now, there's no reason to run away from home."
Xing Ruyi tugged at the fox's clothing and laughed too, but her laughter was unusually strained.
The case of Butcher Liu Laoshi's daughter being murdered was once again brought to court. The difference this time was that there was originally one suspect, but now there were two; originally one monk, but now there were two monks.
The case itself was not complicated.
On that day, Liu Hui, who had gone out to buy supplies, encountered Xu Liang, who was descending the mountain to beg for alms. Considering Xu Liang's identity as a monk, Liu Hui invited him to a secluded place for a detailed discussion. Their conversation consisted of ordinary words exchanged between old friends reuniting, with nothing inappropriate said. However, unbeknownst to them, the monk Ming Kong harbored malicious intent.
He secretly imitated Xu Liang's handwriting and had been on the mountain for quite some time, missing the taste of chicken legs and wanting Liu Hui to help him make some. Originally, Ming Kong's plan might have just been to eat some meat without any intention of taking a life, but he did not expect Liu Hui to invite him out late at night.
Ming Kong had hesitations but considered that in the dead of night, Liu Hui might not recognize him as the impersonator of Xu Liang. Moreover, he thought that even if Liu Hui recognized him, he could excuse it by saying he was Xu Liang who was ill and had sent him to fetch the food. At the agreed time, he followed Liu Hui's letter and secretly climbed over the wall into the Liu Family residence. When Liu Hui heard a noise, she thought it was Xu Liang arriving as promised and hurriedly put on her clothes before going out.
Liu Hui and Xu Liang were childhood sweethearts and had mutual feelings for each other. Additionally, since Liu Laoshi was very strict in his supervision, Liu Hui feared she wouldn't be able to keep Liu Laoshi from discovering her absence. So while she pretended to sleep, she still took off her outer garments. Hearing the noise made her want to dress properly; she even considered washing her face with Sun Fairy Girl Ointment before going out. However, she did not expect that Liu Laoshi would also be awakened. In her panic, she could only throw on her clothes and rush out to pull Liu Laoshi back into his room while she hurried to the kitchen to find Xu Liang.
Fearing that she might disturb Liu Laoshi, Liu Hui did not light any lamps. Moreover, with the moonlight dimmed, Ming Kong and Xu Liang were of similar height and both wore monk robes. In her flustered state, Liu Hui failed to notice that the person before her was actually Ming Kong in disguise. She handed the cooked chicken legs to the fake Xu Liang and urged him to leave quickly. To avoid being discovered, Liu Hui even took it upon herself to keep watch over Liu Laoshi's room.
A gust of wind blew up Liu Hui's hair, revealing her beautiful profile while also lifting her clothing and showcasing her graceful figure. As Ming Kong watched this unfold, wicked desires suddenly arose within him. He embraced Liu Hui from behind and whispered in her ear. Believing it was Xu Liang, she did not struggle much at first and allowed Ming Kong to take advantage of her. It wasn't until Ming Kong let out a satisfied murmur that Liu Hui realized the person behind her was not Xu Liang at all.
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