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"Previous engagement?" Liu Haiyan paused for a moment. "I vaguely heard my parents mention it, but that was many years ago."
"Many years ago..." The new Wife tightened her grip. "Just because it was many years ago, does that mean you have forgotten? Didn't you ever ask what happened to the girl with whom you were betrothed back then?"
"Well..." Liu Haiyan hesitated, the image of that delicate face flashing through his mind. After a long pause, he sighed and asked, "Is it really important?"
"Isn't it important?" The red veil on the new Wife's head slowly slipped down, but Liu Haiyan turned away.
"It's getting late; you should rest early!"
The new Wife stared at his back, which was not as upright as she remembered but slightly hunched. Her hand slowly reached toward his neck, her nails gradually lengthening and darkening. Finally, the red veil fell away, and her face flickered in the candlelight, appearing both faint and clear.
It was Winter Pearl's face, filled with sorrow and resentment. She was unwilling to accept that after waiting for him for so many years and doing so much for him—even sacrificing her mother's life—he could only ask her lightly, "Is it really important?"
The black nails were now close to Liu Haiyan's skin; with just a little pressure, they could pierce his veins, and everything from the past could truly vanish like smoke.
At that moment, Liu Haiyan spoke again.
"Actually, I don't even know if it's true. I once dreamed of a girl named Winter Pearl who claimed to be my wife and had waited for me for many years. After waking up, I secretly sent someone to look for her. I thought that if she truly existed in this world, I could never agree to the marriage my mother mentioned. But when the person returned, he told me that I did have a fiancée, but she had passed away long ago.
I think I will probably never find her in this lifetime.
I once thought about whether I should wait for her like she waited for me. But that thought only lingered in my mind for a moment. I am the only child of the Liu Family; besides love, I have responsibilities—the responsibility to continue the Liu Family line. So what I owe her can only be repaid in the next life."
Liu Haiyan slowly turned around but did not open his eyes to look at his new Wife. "If you regret this, I can give you a divorce letter. You don't have to be bound to me for your remaining life, just as my remaining life will always be tied to her. If you mind, there's no need to force yourself!"
Winter Pearl cried; she smiled at Liu Haiyan and softly said, "Take care!"
The Vengeful Spirit left the room, leaving only the new Wife, who sat there in a daze, feeling shy.
By the Naihe Bridge, Xing Ruyi watched as Winter Pearl unhesitatingly picked up the bowl of Meng Po soup.
"Ruyi, thank you!"
"The road ahead, you will have to walk alone," Xing Ruyi pointed to the opposite bank of the river. "If you have any unfulfilled wishes, you can give them to me, and I will do my best!"
"I have none! After drinking this bowl of soup, everything I have experienced in this life will be forgotten." Winter Pearl gazed at the Meng Po soup in her hands. "The only person I feel sorry for in this life is my mother. If I had been more obedient, she wouldn't have met such a tragic end."
"There's nothing wrong with that," Xing Ruyi comforted Winter Pearl. "Life is so bitter; look at you. After drinking this bowl of Meng Po soup, you'll have to line up for reincarnation. In your next life, you'll still experience all the joys and sorrows of life. Your mother, at least, won't have to suffer anymore."
Winter Pearl smiled knowingly and tilted her head back to drink the bowl of Meng Po soup.
Liu Haiyan lived another ten years in the mortal realm, leaving behind a son and a daughter for the Liu Family. When he passed away, he left a letter for his wife, telling her that if she met someone suitable, she could remarry; everything belonging to the Liu Family was her dowry.
By the Naihe Bridge, when he picked up the bowl of Meng Po soup, he couldn't help but ask, "Was there once a girl named Winter Pearl who came here to drink Meng Po soup? Is she well? Will she be happy in her next life?"
Receiving a positive answer from Meng Po, he laughed heartily and drank the bowl of Meng Po soup.
Now, let us turn back time to the night when Xing Ruyi sent Winter Pearl away.
After returning from the underworld, Xing Ruyi felt even colder. She had Deer Lady bring in a brazier and wrapped herself in a large cotton blanket while nestling beside it.
The fox took Yin Yuan out to hunt. As Yin Yuan grew older, he required more energy. However, there were only a few monsters around Luoyang; those that were kind couldn't be eaten, and there weren't many evil ones. So this time, the fox planned to take Yin Yuan to a slightly farther place, estimating they wouldn't return until tomorrow afternoon.
Thinking of Winter Pearl's gaze and that smile when she left, Xing Ruyi always felt a bit uneasy in her heart. Coupled with the matter concerning Yin Yuan, she increasingly believed that going to Qingqiu was a good idea.
With worries on her mind, she couldn't sleep at all. Just as she was about to call Li Mao over to tell her a story, he appeared as if he had sensed her thoughts.
"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear! Hurry up and tell me a story, I’m feeling restless and can’t sleep."
"The shopkeeper has worries too?"
"Of course! I'm human, you're a demon. If you can have worries, why can't I?" Xing Ruyi tugged at the quilt around her. "As the shopkeeper, I have plenty of worries. For instance, what if my Rouge shop isn't doing well? What if business is too good and I can't keep up? What if the fox is too handsome? What am I supposed to do about Yin Yuan's rations? And you and Deer Lady can't just stay here forever, right?"
"Got it, so the shopkeeper wants to drive me and Deer Lady away," Li Mao said with a mischievous grin, daring to provoke Xing Ruyi for once.
"Driving you away is normal; after all, assistants aren't exactly in short supply. But I can't bear to part with Deer Lady. Even if I want to in my heart, my mouth won't allow it." Xing Ruyi yawned. "Hurry up and tell me a bedtime story that can help me fall asleep."
"Are you sure the shopkeeper has time to listen to stories?"
"What? Did a customer come in?" Xing Ruyi glanced into the courtyard. "I remember we close before sunset. Has the shop changed its hours without me knowing?"
"It's Si Niang from Li Family Tavern!" Li Mao pointed with his chin. "If it were anyone else, we could just chase them off, but tonight it's Si Niang. If she doesn't come to report, wouldn't the shopkeeper skin me alive?"
"Good thinking!" Xing Ruyi got up, tossed the quilt onto the bed, and pointed at the brazier on the floor. "Bring that over too; I'm freezing!"
"Not just that; Deer Lady has also placed another brazier in the hall so you won't get cold," Li Mao said while quickly picking up the brazier.
As soon as they entered the hall, they saw Si Niang pacing back and forth. Hearing their footsteps, she hurried over and grasped Xing Ruyi's hand tightly, speaking quickly: "Fox Demon, you must save my nephew."
"Don't rush! Don't rush! Take your time!" Xing Ruyi had rarely seen Si Niang so anxious, and coming at this late hour surely meant something was wrong that she couldn't handle.
"It's urgent! If we delay, someone might really die!"
Si Niang was crying in her panic, and the more anxious she felt inside, the less she could express it verbally.
Xing Ruyi patted her hand and instructed Li Mao, "Go prepare a warm carriage."
Then, turning to Si Niang, she said, "There's no need to panic. We'll travel while you explain. First, calm yourself down and clarify what happened. Otherwise, your state of mind makes me uneasy too."
"Oh dear!" Si Niang hit her knees in frustration and took several deep breaths until her emotions gradually settled.
Once they were on the carriage, she finally revealed the whole story.
Si Niang's maternal family had a brother who treated her very well. Although they were not biological siblings, their bond was just as strong. This brother lost his wife early on and was left with a son and a daughter. The son, Li An, had just turned fourteen this year. It was this Li An who had gotten into trouble.
"What kind of trouble can a fourteen-year-old kid get into?" Xing Ruyi immediately realized that they were in the Golden Tang Dynasty, not in her own time. In her era, a fourteen-year-old was still just a child, but here he was already considered an adult. Some eager families had even arranged marriages for boys his age. "Calm down first; let's see what exactly happened to your nephew Li An."
"Oh dear! It's all a disaster!" Si Niang sighed and pounded her knees in frustration. "My brother had high hopes for this child. Years ago, Li An was quite promising; whether it was studying or writing, he received praise from his teachers. At twelve years old, he passed the county examination. If it weren't for this current incident, he might have become the next Top Scholar."
"Young talents often meet untimely ends; perhaps it’s because the expectations placed upon them were too great that he got into trouble." Xing Ruyi thought of similar cases from her own time. Many young people labeled as "talented" ended up being ordinary adults or even failures because their parents focused too much on their achievements while neglecting their character development and other aspects.
"The Fox Demon may have a point; however, Li An's current troubles are unrelated to his studies," Si Niang continued, brushing her hair back. "Look at me; I've misled you. Li An actually went through an incredibly bizarre experience. I suspect his current situation is related to that incident; he must have been possessed!"
"Possessed?"
"Well! An'er met a young lady while he was at the academy. However, he faced strong opposition from that lady's family. That family has held high positions for generations, while my brother is just an ordinary man from a wealthy family, which makes it impossible for him to pursue her. Because of this matter, my brother also put some pressure on An'er. Who would have thought that these two kids actually agreed to die together."
"Die together?"
Xing Ruyi widened her eyes and muttered to herself: Wow, what a dramatic plot.
"And then?"
"The girl died, and An'er hesitated at the last moment because he was scared and ran away."
"So, that girl became a vengeful spirit, haunting Li An every day, demanding that he keep his promise and die with her, right?"
"How did you know that, Fox Demon?"
"I guessed. I've seen a lot of plots like this before."
"I knew it! This matter must be handled by you, Fox Demon." Li Siniang sighed, probably aware that Li An's behavior in this situation was indeed quite embarrassing.
"What about now? Li An sees the Vengeful Spirit every day demanding his life!"
"Well, yes and no!" Li Siniang nodded first, then shook her head: "An'er watched helplessly as the girl he liked died in front of him, yet he didn't have the courage to follow her without hesitation. When he returned home, he fell seriously ill."
"Death also requires courage. I can only say that Li An loves himself more." Xing Ruyi shook her head: "That girl was foolish to die for Li An; it really doesn't add up."
"To be honest, I also look down on An'er and have scolded him harshly for this matter. But what can be done? He is my brother's only son. No matter how good my relationship with my brother is, I am still not his biological aunt. Even if I were his biological aunt, it's not easy to bring up such matters."
"Then why are you in such a hurry to find me, especially at this late hour?"
"I may say I don't care, but can I really ignore it? Besides, it's my brother who came to look for me. Sigh!" Li Siniang sighed heavily. "After An fell seriously ill, his spirit has not been good. The reason is that wherever he goes, he always sees that girl. That girl keeps calling him, asking him to come down and accompany her. Her pale face and terrifying smile have gradually turned An's guilt and love into fear.
Later on, he hardly dared to leave his room; he just curled up inside because as soon as he stepped outside, he would see that girl. According to my brother, An has become so emaciated that he hardly resembles a person anymore. If we don't save him soon, I'm afraid he won't last much longer."
"I thought it was something life-threatening; turns out it's just this." Xing Ruyi yawned. "I wouldn't normally get involved in such matters because every cause has its effect. Li An owes a debt and should repay it himself. However, for your sake, Si Niang, I will help him a bit. Just a word of caution: my method can help him keep his life, but it’s not without its flaws. You know that everything comes at a cost."
"I understand! Right now, I don't ask for anything else; I just want to help him preserve his life and let him live peacefully for the rest of his days—at least not let a parent bury their child."
"This is simple. When you go back later, tell your brother to prepare a paper effigy made in Li An's likeness. Then prick its index finger and place the blood on the forehead of the effigy. After that, dress the effigy in Li An's clothes and let it die in the same manner they had planned before."
"Are you saying to let the effigy replace An?"
"Yes!" Xing Ruyi nodded and signaled Li Mao to stop the carriage. "I'll leave it at that. Let Li Mao accompany you back; if anything unexpected happens, he can handle it. By the way, my method can help Li An keep his life, but it will cause him to lose one soul and one spirit; he will have no hope of becoming a top scholar in this lifetime."
"I understand!" Si Niang nodded slightly. "This can be considered a punishment for An!"
Xing Ruyi had nothing more to say and simply indicated for Li Mao to drive on.
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