Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C020

"Haunted?"

The maid, Chan'er, nodded repeatedly.

She was a slightly plump little girl, only thirteen years old, with a sweet tooth, a love for play, and a bit of a scatterbrain. Her father was a steward, and by rights, he should have been able to secure a better position, but because of her nature, she was sent to Wushuang's courtyard.

In any case, she wasn't required to do anything else, her duties were limited to running errands, delivering messages, and doing odd jobs. Everyone in the courtyard knew her personality, so no one bothered with her.

"Several people saw it. The ghost had very long hair, flowing loose, and wore a black robe. Some said it wasn't black, but that the robe was soaked in blood, making it appear black."

"How could it be related to Great Aunt?" Wushuang asked again.

This time, Chan'er was speechless. Yes, how could it be related to Great Aunt?

"But everyone says so…"

"Chan'er." It was Jianjia, her face stern as she walked in, glaring at Chan'er. "You finished your work, haven't you? You're just gossiping with Miss, what if you scare her!"

"I finished my work," Chan'er said with a wronged expression, "Besides, everyone knows about this…"

"You're still talking!" Jianjia was afraid Chan'er would blurt out something else, so she shooed her away. "Alright, alright, go play."

Chan'er pouted and ran off.

After Chan'er left, Jianjia came to comfort Wushuang: "Miss, don't listen to that girl's nonsense. There's no such thing as ghosts in this world, it's just those gossipy servants with nothing better to do."

She deliberately didn't mention Great Aunt, and Wushuang pretended to forget, saying: "I was just joking, don't be angry with Chan'er."

Jianjia chuckled dryly: "I was just afraid of scaring you."

But soon, she was proven wrong.

***

Changqing Hall was the courtyard where Old Madam resided.

At this moment, the courtyard was draped with yellow banners, a sacrificial table was set up, incense burners were placed, and several men in Taoist robes, holding ritual implements, chanted incantations while stepping in a ritualistic manner.

Inside the house, Old Madam was furious.

"I'm not afraid of living people, why would I be afraid of a dead one?"

Cao shi pleaded with a sorrowful expression: "Mother, I know you're not afraid, but the entire mansion is in a panic, just do it to ease their minds?"

"Then why are you doing it in my courtyard? If people don't know, they'll think I've done something wrong and am feeling guilty!"

"Wasn't it in your courtyard that the ghost was first seen? Besides, you even said 'she', and in this entire mansion, only you two have the deepest grievances, so naturally, it's more effective to do it here."

However, Cao shi dared not say these words, she could only meekly say that this was also for Mother's illness.

As soon as the word illness was mentioned, Old Madam's temper flared again.

Her whole body ached, especially her mouth. Her mouth wasn't just covered in blisters, it was also sore, her teeth ached, and even drinking water hurt, making her irritable and even more prone to anger.

"Grandmother, just bear with it, Mother is doing this for your own good." Mei Wuxia persuaded from the side, "This ritual won't last long, it'll be over soon."

Cao shi couldn't help but say: "There's another one tonight."

Old Madam immediately looked over, though she didn't speak, her eyebrows were already furrowed.

Cao shi quickly explained: "The daytime ritual is different from the nighttime one. The Taoist priest said the nighttime ritual is the most effective. One in the daytime, one at night, guaranteed to be peaceful and tranquil afterwards."

She didn't dare to say it, but the "Passing Ceremony" held that night had left the servants in a state of panic, with rumors spreading like wildfire. Many of them whispered that the great aunt's restless spirit was causing the commotion, all because her seventh-day memorial hadn't been performed.

Cao shi, while scolding them to stop spreading such nonsense, secretly took note of it. She mentioned it to the Taoist priest who was conducting the ceremony. The priest explained that the resentment was too strong, and since the deceased had passed away recently, one ceremony wouldn't suffice; two would be necessary.

Of course, the cost wouldn't be cheap. These two ceremonies alone drained a thousand taels from Cao shi's purse.

With insufficient funds, she couldn't turn to her mother-in-law for help. Instead, she instructed a maid to pawn one of her prized ornaments.

"Later tonight, call Third Miss over and have her watch from outside. You just rest peacefully, Mother. I'll make sure they keep it quiet, so it won't disturb you." Cao shi coaxed her cautiously.

How could she possibly sleep?

But upon hearing that Wushuang would be summoned, Old Madam's anger subsided. Though she put up a tough front, deep down, she was also afraid that the great aunt's spirit was seeking revenge.

***

Jianjia never imagined that while she was trying to protect the family's reputation, her mistress would turn around and slap her in the face.

When she heard about the evening ceremony and that Wushuang would be required to attend, Wushuang's head spun. Chunyan's hesitant words, though veiled and evasive, made it clear why Wushuang was being summoned.

In the end, even Cao shi believed that the haunting was connected to the great aunt's spirit.

Wushuang couldn't refuse. It was Cao shi's order, and she also felt a pang of guilt for not performing the seventh-day memorial for the great aunt. So, she agreed.

As night fell, Wushuang bundled herself in layers of clothing, topped with a heavy cloak, and went to the Changqing Hall with Meifang by her side.

Jianjia didn't accompany them. She claimed a stomach ache, but in truth, she was afraid. These past few days, the mansion had been shrouded in darkness after nightfall, and everyone was terrified of encountering the ghostly apparition.

When Wushuang arrived, the courtyard of Changqing Hall remained as it had been during the day. Yellow banners hung everywhere, and the incense in the braziers still smoldered, filling the air with a smoky haze.

The night was already dark, and the courtyard was dimly lit by a few lanterns hanging under the eaves of the main building and along the covered walkways.

Liuzhu explained that the Taoist master had instructed them not to light too many lamps.

Wushuang wasn't even allowed to enter the main building. Two maids rushed over, carrying a chair, which they placed in the southeast corner of the courtyard. They left as quickly as they came. The corner was shrouded in darkness, beyond the reach of the lanterns, but Liuzhu insisted that the Taoist master had chosen this spot and it couldn't be moved.

If it couldn't be moved, then she would have to sit.

After settling her, Liuzhu also left, leaving only Meifang standing beside Wushuang.

The scene was actually quite lively. More than a dozen Taoist priests were divided into two groups. One group stood in formation, holding ritual objects, shaking bells, and stamping their feet in a rhythmic pattern, chanting incantations. The other group sat cross-legged on cushions, reciting the "Scripture of Deliverance."

A gust of wind swept through the courtyard, causing the shadows of the trees to sway.

Instead of feeling reassured, Wushuang felt a chill run down her spine. The stories of ghosts and spirits that the maids used to tell during their idle moments flooded her mind.

She couldn't help but reach for Meifang's hand.

Meifang, confused, looked at her with wide eyes, as if asking what was wrong.

Wushuang felt a blush creep up her cheeks. Meifang wasn't afraid, so why should she be? She forced herself to sit still for a while, and gradually, her fear subsided.

The ceremony lasted for nearly an hour, culminating with Wushuang kneeling on a cushion, while a basin filled with yellow paper was emptied.

Once the ceremony was over, the servants of the Changqing Hall seemed to materialize out of thin air. Some approached the Taoist masters, offering to escort them out, while others began cleaning up the mess.

Seeing Third Miss standing in the corner, supported by her maid, Liuzhu hesitated for a moment before approaching her. "Third Miss, I'll find someone to escort you back," she said.

Before Wushuang could respond, Liuzhu called two young maids, but they immediately shook their heads, claiming to be too busy.

Liuzhu felt a pang of awkwardness. It was true that everyone was busy at the moment. The Taoist masters had only focused on the ceremony, leaving the cleanup to the servants.

To be honest, it was still fear. Now, every night, no one wanted to go out unless they were forced to. Even though two exorcism ceremonies were performed today, who knows if they worked?

In this situation, Wushuang couldn't ask anyone to escort her, so she and Meifang walked back together, holding lanterns.

***

Changqing Hall was some distance from Wushuang's residence.

Although they had lanterns in their hands and the moon was in the sky, after what had just happened, Wushuang couldn't help but be affected.

"Meifang, do you think there are ghosts in this world?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Wushuang realized she had asked the wrong person. If she had asked Xiaohong, Xiaohong would have been able to chat with her about it, but asking Meifang was like not asking at all.

But Meifang spoke.

"Gr-great aunt, won't, won't, hurt, hurt Miss."

So, was this saying that Meifang also believed in ghosts? Did she really think it was Great Aunt returning?

Wushuang pondered, then thought again, if it really was Great Aunt returning, she wouldn't need to be afraid, because Great Aunt loved her and would never harm her or scare her.

Thinking this way, Wushuang's courage grew.

Anyway, there was nothing to do while walking, and most people who walked at night would use words to bolster their courage. Wushuang said again, "If it really is Grandmother returning, I actually want to see her and talk to her."

She had never felt the warmth of an elder since she was a child. Cao shi seemed kind to her, but her words were sweet and her heart was bitter. Not to mention Old Madam. In fact, Wushuang was timid, and besides Master Qin's influence, Old Madam played a significant role.

"Grandmother, if you really have returned, remember to come and see me. If it's inconvenient to come, you can come to me in my dreams."

A gust of wind blew past.

There had been no wind before, but suddenly a cold wind swept over her, feeling particularly noticeable.

Wushuang instinctively stiffened her back. Could Great Aunt really have returned?

At that moment, a dark shadow drifted past her.

Wushuang hated herself for being sharp-eyed, why did she have to see so clearly? She not only saw that the ghost's hair was very long, but also that it seemed to be wearing a long robe with wide sleeves. Although it was just a shadow, she could tell it was a human form.

"Mei…"

At that moment, she realized that she had unknowingly let go of Meifang's hand, and the silly girl hadn't noticed she had stopped, still holding the lantern and walking forward with her head down.

She couldn't help but feel apprehensive. She could clearly feel the hairs on her arms standing on end, a shiver ran up her spine, exploding her goosebumps, and striking directly at her heart.

Suddenly, she felt someone embrace her from behind.

It was incredibly cold and eerie.

She could even feel the other person's breath, blowing against her ear.

"Finally—found you."

……

Meifang walked a few steps forward, only to realize that Miss wasn't following. She hurriedly turned around and looked back, only to see Miss standing four or five meters away from her, a tall dark figure embracing her from behind.

She was so anxious that she couldn't speak, she could only act. She rushed forward with the lantern, intending to pull the dark figure away from Miss.

At this moment, Meifang wasn't thinking about ghosts or anything. Even if it was a ghost, it couldn't hurt Miss.

She grabbed the other person's arm, and as soon as she touched it, she realized it wasn't a ghost, but the feel of a man's arm. She pulled, but couldn't move it. She pulled again, and a force came down her arm towards her.

Meifang considered herself to be very strong, stronger than most men, yet in this moment, she felt utterly powerless. If she raised her arm even slightly, she would be swept away by the force.

Wushuang, who had been stunned into silence, finally reacted.

She spun around and embraced the shadowy figure, her voice urgent, "Don't hurt her."