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"Is it that old woman?"
Huang San nodded.
"That's right, it's her! Ding the Shopkeeper found it strange; the well at his door had been there for a long time. When the house was built, Ding's husband thought it was inauspicious to have a well in the yard, so they deliberately moved the wall back by ten feet. This left the dry well and the tree beside it intact. Concerned about the safety of those coming in and out of the residence, Ding the Shopkeeper even had a stone slab placed over the well. However, he did not know when this stone slab was removed or when the old woman entered the well. Regardless, the source of why the local dog was throwing things into the well had been found.
Grateful for the dog's loyalty, Ding the Shopkeeper instructed the Clerk to bring the old woman up from the bottom of the well. After careful questioning, he learned that her home was on the street and that she also sold fish. Once he confirmed her address, Ding the Shopkeeper personally took the Clerk to return the old woman and her dog to her home.
When the old woman's sons and daughters-in-law opened the door, their expressions were clearly not right. The old woman herself seemed unwilling to go back, but Ding the Shopkeeper did not notice this and assumed it was a touching reunion between mother and children. After leaving some loose silver coins, he departed. About half a month later, while passing by the old woman's home on business, Ding the Shopkeeper went to visit only to learn that she had passed away. The loyal dog that had protected her during her life was also nowhere to be found. Ding the Shopkeeper felt relieved and did not think much of it as he left for home.
However, just as Ding the Shopkeeper was about to head to the Underworld, he unexpectedly saw this old woman at his bedside, and she was actually the vengeful spirit that had murdered his wife and children. Filled with grief and anger, he spat out a mouthful of blood."
"At this point in the story, I feel a bit confused," Xing Ruyi said, propping her chin up and tilting her head towards Huang San. "Ding the Shopkeeper saved this old woman from the bottom of the well; by all accounts, he is her benefactor. Even if we assume she is an ungrateful person who does not remember Ding's kindness in rescuing her from the well, how could she repay his kindness with harm by killing his wife and children? Could there be some hidden truth here?"
Huang San nodded and sighed deeply.
"Ding the Shopkeeper's misguided good intentions harmed others and ultimately led to his own demise. A good person fell into a dry well without even asking why before sending her back to her son's house, unaware that she had been pushed into that well by her own son and daughter-in-law. Shortly after returning home, she was poisoned again; as for that dog, it did not escape its fate either. When Ding the Shopkeeper visited, her sons and daughters-in-law were enjoying what remained of that dog.
As for this old woman, she was originally just an ordinary person who felt quite resentful towards Ding's good intentions and privately blamed him for her misfortune. Thus, she transformed into a vengeful spirit seeking revenge. This once peaceful Ding family was ruined just like that."
"Now that Ding the Shopkeeper is dead, even if this old woman harbored resentment, she should go where she belongs. Why then has this once peaceful Ding family become known as a haunted house?"
Huang San lowered his gaze with a smile: "The entire Ding family was wiped out under such mysterious circumstances; ordinary people would naturally be too afraid to live in that house anymore. Moreover, there are rumors circulating that at midnight, an old woman can often be seen coming out of Ding's residence, walking to the well, smiling back before leaping in. As these rumors spread more widely, fear naturally grew among people."
With that, Huang San stood up and bowed respectfully to Xing Ruyi and the foxes.
"It's getting late; Huang San takes his leave and wishes Supreme Deity and Madam a restful night."
Xing Ruyi nodded, watching Huang San leave, then leaned closer to the fox and asked mysteriously, "Do you think the story Huang San just told is credible?"
The fox shook its head and embraced Xing Ruyi. "Whether it's true or false doesn't concern us. The most important thing right now is that you should go to sleep."
Xing Ruyi stuck out her tongue, lay down on the fox, and peacefully closed her eyes.
Xing Ruyi fell asleep in the fox's embrace, sleeping very soundly. Sister Tiger finished her meditation and opened her eyes. First, she glanced at Xing Ruyi in the fox's arms, then said to the fox, "Brother, why didn't you tell Consort Rui that everything that weasel said was a lie?"
"Truth or lies make no difference to us. As for your Consort Rui, what she heard was merely a story. That weasel harbors fear towards us and wouldn't dare do anything. How about you? Is your injury feeling better?"
"Much better. The Yokai Yuan Shen sent by the weasel is quite good for recovery. However, it feels a bit unfair that we easily obtained what he worked so hard for; he might hold a grudge against us." Sister Tiger stood up. "Rather than waiting for others to scheme against us, I might as well go see what this weasel is planning."
"Alright!"
The fox softly agreed, covering Xing Ruyi's ears with its hand.
"Be quick and come back; your Consort Rui will wake up if she can't sleep for even a moment."
"Brother, you protecting Consort Rui like this makes Sister Tiger envious. If I hadn't left Qingqiu back then, would it be Sister Tiger being protected by you today?"
"That won't happen!" The fox raised its gaze. "You have your own fate; even if it goes wrong, it won't lead you here."
A hint of disappointment crossed Sister Tiger's eyes. As she walked towards the door, she turned back and said to the fox, "Brother, did you know that when I first met Liu Ming, I thought his profile resembled yours somewhat? Of course, he can't compare to how handsome you are."
The fox glanced at Sister Tiger but did not respond.
Sister Tiger smiled gently and pointed to the sleeping Tiger Child on the bed: "Please take care of Tiger Child, Sister Tiger will be back soon."
The dilapidated Mountain God Temple was filled with a chilling wind.
Huang San leaned against the temple door, watching Sister Tiger approach slowly, his eyes lifting at the corners as he asked, "Have you found what you were looking for?"
Sister Tiger shook her head: "His heart is not with me!"
"You already knew that, didn't you?" Huang San stepped closer to Sister Tiger, tracing her facial contours with his finger: "When we first met, you told me that demons do not understand true love, which is why you stubbornly wanted to marry a mortal. As a result, you ended up in such a miserable state. Now, can you tell me what true love really is?"
"To have a devoted partner, Never Part in Old Age!" Sister Tiger murmured with a bitter smile: "It's just a pity that I cannot find it, and neither can you."
"Whether you find it or not, I, Huang San, am not concerned with that. But you came to this Mountain God Temple to see me for what reason? It can't just be to reminisce, can it?"
"Do you believe I'm here to kill you?" Sister Tiger raised her hand, gripping a tiger-shaped dagger.
"I believe! Why wouldn't I?" Huang San looked at the knife in Sister Tiger's hand: "I believe you're here to kill me, but I also believe you can't bring yourself to do it. At least not right now. After all, between us, there’s not only our past affection but also the favor I owe you for helping you today. Sister Tiger, surely you don't want to be that ungrateful person?"
Sister Tiger sheathed the dagger and smiled silently.
"That's right, I still can't bring myself to kill you."
"I knew you'd hesitate; after all, I, Huang San, was once your man." Huang San tenderly caressed Sister Tiger's cheek: "So, what do you want from me?"
"You're asking knowingly," Sister Tiger huffed softly: "Aren't you also working for that person? Your earlier story was good, but besides Xing Ruyi, no one else has been able to deceive me. The destruction of the Ding Family was because you had your eyes on that place, and that old lady was originally one of your chosen ones. Am I right?"
"It seems you are also working for that person. Not bad, the old lady is the one I have chosen, and the Ding Family is also my selection. After all, it is rare to gather such a group without toxicity; it saves time and effort to please that person. Why wouldn't I, Huang San, take advantage of this?"
"Greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, doubt—by this logic, besides the old lady and the three members of the Ding family, you have also killed another person. Who is that person?"
"Does it matter who? What matters is that we are all working for that person, helping him gather the Five Poisons."
"I'm not like you!"
"Our purposes may differ, but what we do is not much different." Huang San glanced at Sister Tiger. "I just didn't expect Master to help us so much. Searching for her a thousand times in the crowd, yet she comes right before us! So, how about joining forces with me tonight?"
"Are you trying to ruin that person's plans? I remember he did not instruct us to take Xing Ruyi's life."
"I recall that you, Sister Tiger, are not so obedient. In my view, what you fear is not whether that person will be angry because you took Xing Ruyi's life without permission, but rather that your brother will never forgive you after this. We have shared good times; I understand your calculations. After all, Xing Ruyi is just a mortal; at most she will live for a hundred years or so. By then, there will naturally be no gap between you and your brother. However, Fool, your brother never liked you in the first place. Even without Xing Ruyi, there will be no blossoming between you two."
"My affairs are none of your business!"
"I never intended to meddle!" Huang San replied lazily. "Rest assured, what happened earlier was merely a formality. I came to convey a message from that person."
"What message?"
"That person will require something from you in the future. He can temporarily agree to your requests, but you will also need to help him with another matter."
"What matter?"
"The emperor's star is dimming and has shown signs of falling. The current Crown Princess, once known as Luling Consort, has been bedridden for many days. That person instructed you to hurry to the Rouge Shop and enter the palace in her place. As for what happens next, when you arrive in the capital and meet that person, he will naturally discuss it with you. I estimate that your brother and his mortal wife will also come to the capital soon. This is both part of that person's plan and intention."
Sister Tiger's gaze darkened as she asked, "What is that person really plotting?"
"Only Heaven knows, and he knows. How could you and I possibly know what he is planning? For the sake of our past friendship, I advise you to follow his arrangements. Don't forget, you are already a mother now."
Huang San disappeared into the Mountain God Temple.
At the Ding Family Old Residence, Xing Ruyi felt a chill and suddenly sneezed, realizing she was still in a dream.
It seemed she had returned to the Reincarnation Wheel, but this time, she stood behind the Empress.
The Empress's aged presence was increasingly evident, yet her gaze remained fixed on the back of the Empress. On the magnificent dragon robe woven with Golden Thread and silver threads, a single character "doubt" was clearly visible.
It was well-known that the Empress was suspicious, but she did not understand why this character appeared on her.
She turned to look at the spot where Chang Tai had originally stood, only to find that the Chang Tai who should have been facing her now only presented his back. On that back, the character "greed" was prominently displayed.
Greed? Did it refer to his fickleness, his tendency to forget old loves for new ones, or did it indicate that he would later take her daughter-in-law Yang Yuhuan for himself?
Xing Ruyi shook her head and looked at Moxuyou. Moxuyou also stood still, but his body had transformed into a black hole.
Xing Ruyi called out softly and woke up from the Nightmare. She murmured the fox's name until its hand rested on her forehead, calming her inner turmoil.
"Did you have a Nightmare?"
The fox asked gently.
Xing Ruyi half-opened her eyes and nodded.
"I had a nightmare, a very strange but also terrifying nightmare."
"It's okay, I'm here!" the Fox said, holding Xing Ruyi a little tighter.
"Thank goodness you're here!" A sweet smile appeared on Xing Ruyi's lips as she lifted her gaze to look at the Fox's face. However, she was surprised to find a nearly transparent character floating above the Fox's head: "Infatuated"!
A chill ran down from the top of her head, and Xing Ruyi suddenly sat up. When she looked back at the Fox's head, there was nothing there.
She rubbed her eyes and heard the Fox's puzzled voice.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She lowered her hands, feeling a vague sense of unease in her heart. "Fox, can we go back to Rouge Shop? I want to see my Xing, and I also want to check on Si Niang."
"Sure, I'll accompany you back to Rouge Shop!"
The Fox replied, feeling a strange sensation rising in his heart. Instinctively, he squeezed the jade pendant he wore, which was a gift from Mother Empress when he left Qingqiu.
(THE END)
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