Chapter 89: Stop 23: Jujube

Chapter 89: Stop 23: Jujube

Ming Yiyang was in a terrible mood, and his tone reflected his agitation:

"Where's Mai Zeyu?"

Diao Qingchang took a deep breath before delivering the grim news:

"He's... gone."

In the brief silence that followed, Ming Yiyang instinctively reached for his inner pocket but, remembering Yan Qiling was still beside him, he withdrew his hand and composed himself before asking:

"How did it happen?"

Diao Qingchang placed his hand on the blue Udumbara flower tattoo around his neck, averting his gaze:

"Yesterday, I took them to the Wen family. When we passed by the wilderness, we burned ghost money as a precaution. I used the excuse of checking on the health of Young Master Wen for the Bai family, so they entertained everyone who came with me and even arranged rooms. Yu Kui and Mai Zeyu shared a room."

He turned around, seemingly expecting Yu Kui to provide a more detailed account.

Yet, this man was huddled in the corner, curled up tightly with his head lowered stubbornly, refusing to speak as if he had been utterly frightened.

Diao Qingchang couldn't bring himself to scold someone in such a state. He could only continue relaying the story:

"Anyway, Yu Kui said that in the middle of the night, he heard a cat meowing and immediately turned off the light to go out. Mai Zeyu was sleeping more soundly and got up a step too late; he ended up being locked inside."

Upon hearing this, Yu Kui, who was huddled in the corner, reacted strongly and repeated in panic:

"It wasn't me... I didn't close the door... I didn't..."

Feeling Yan Qiling's gaze sweeping over, the previously silent Lin Yongjian softly explained:

"Ever since we found him this morning, he's been like this... a bit disoriented."

Yan Qiling nodded slightly and continued listening to Diao Qingchang:

"Well, when we went to open the door later, it was already locked on its own. It had nothing to do with Yu Kui. Yu Kui claims he tried to pull the door open, but for some reason, Mai Zeyu just couldn't get out."

"The noise he made was quite loud, and all of us who were arranged around the area were awakened. The three of us, big guys that we are, went over to push the door, but it was as tight as an oyster; we couldn't budge it."

The door was eventually opened by Wen family's butler, Yi Xi, though in the dim blue light, only two crimson shadows dangled in the center of the illuminated room.

Upon closer inspection, they realized they were two embroidered shoes barely hanging on their owner's feet.

Following the shoes upward, they saw Mai Zeyu, resplendent in phoenix crown and brocade wedding gown.

His face was painted with the traditional red bridal makeup, his large copper eyes bloodshot, nostrils flared, and his complexion had turned a dusky purple from asphyxiation. His lips, stained with vermillion, were wide open, revealing a tongue that hung down to his chin.

The saliva on the tongue had congealed into a translucent, egg-white-like liquid, yet the bright red "Jujube" character inked on it remained undisturbed.

Beneath the brocade gown, one of his right arms was nowhere to be seen.

It seemed to have been violently torn away, leaving a pool of blood beneath the stool.

"Diao Qingchang sighed once more, concluding his narrative. "That's why the final clue he left behind was the character 'Jujube,' referring to the fruit."

"Jujube," echoed Diao Qingchang.

Ming Yiyang pondered the word, savoring its meaning:

"This character wasn't left by Mai Zeyu himself, but rather it comes from the Master of the Void, or... the rules of the Master of the Void."

Yan Qiling, beside him, took out the red slip of paper once more. With his slender fingers, he unfolded it and examined it meticulously.

As his eyes quickly scanned the rule that read, "Leave the room immediately when you hear a cat's meow, even at night," his fingers, which were about to turn the page, paused slightly.

After a moment of deliberation, he said,

"The rules on the red slip have changed."

Everyone's expressions shifted, and they gathered around in a flurry, all looking at the red slip.

On it, the original rule that read, "Leave the room promptly when you hear a cat's meow, even at night," had been hastily crossed out with what seemed like a charcoal pen.

Following the crossed-out text, tiny, meticulous script added a new clause: "If tapped on the shoulder at the fifth watch of the night, immediately exit the room. If unable to leave, remember to mimic a cat's meow."

After reading, Lin Yongjian concluded with a complicated expression,

"It seems that as long as one person dies, the rule will be updated. Perhaps it will persist until all of us are gone."

Yi Hongda's usually smiling face was now tinged with gravity,

"In fact, there's one more thing... We just found out this morning. Didn't they say that Wen Family's young master was severely ill? But this morning... he seems to have passed away. Do you think this marriage can be called off now?"

Ming Yiyang sneered, looking coldly at these people who were oblivious to the sinister aspects of life. A hint of mockery curled on the corners of his lips,

"Who says the dead cannot be married? Now, the Wen and Bai families will likely push through with the wedding even more."

Yi Hongda's face fell,

"...So you share Diao Qingchang's opinion, thinking that this marriage might turn into a ghost wedding?!"

"In fact, I was thinking before that it might not just be a ghost wedding..."

Lin Yongjian slowly shared his thoughts, his gaze subtly sweeping past Yan Qiling beside him.

"Madam Old Bai no longer cares about the brides' lives; as long as their bodies remain intact... they hold value to the Bai family," the translator rendered.

Yi Hongda found it hard to believe. "The 'people' in this world seem quite reasonable. Would they really treat them like that?"

"Diao Qingchang reminds you not to forget that this world was crafted by the Master of the Boundless Realm," came the prompt response. "Reasonableness is but an illusion created by the Master. It could be used to silently eliminate them. Lowering your guard is the worst thing you can do."

"And Mai Zeyu has already paid the price. Still, you think this world makes sense? My friend, such hasty assumptions are irrational. Take responsibility for your own life."

Yi Hongda fell silent. He wasn't entirely naive, but the realization that everything he'd experienced thus far was leading to a dead end was difficult to accept.

Yu Kui trembled throughout, unable to participate in the decision-making process. Mentally, he seemed half incapacitated.

Shiwenguang, who had been listening like a mere prop in the background, finally shared the tale of the "Women on the Graves."

"Actually, when we passed by the graves last night on our way to the Wens... I felt like there was someone sitting beside me. But since I scattered money and had Mr. Diao's talisman with me, that person never got too close..."

"After it left me, I could see more clearly... It seemed to be a woman, sitting barefoot on a grave, muttering about not having shoes or something..."

He looked a little fearful as he continued, "Thankfully, I didn't engage in conversation with it, or I might have been taken."

Upon hearing his description, Yan Qiling turned his gaze toward him, silently observing without any visible reaction. Then, he suddenly asked, "Did it ask you for shoes?"

Shi Wenguang was startled at first, then shook his head frantically. "I didn't dare talk to it. Anyway, I ignored it completely. It kept singing beside me, but I couldn't make out a single word."

"I see," Yan Qiling nodded, his expression indicating understanding.

"It's wise to ignore it. After all, in this world of endless chaos, anything can happen."

By rights, they could have conversed further on the matter of the barefoot woman.

Yet, before they could delve deeper into the conversation, Ming Yiyang had already warily leaned against the wall.

"Someone is approaching,"

He turned to meet Yan Qiling's gaze.

Upon receiving the subtle cue from Ming Yiyang, he promptly climbed over the wall and left. Lin Yongjian cast a glance back at Yan Qiling before following Ming Yiyang to escape in the same manner.

One by one, the others departed, leaving only Shiwen Guang and Yan Qiling behind. As they were both originally accountants, it was quite natural for them to stay together.

The intruder turned out to be the clean-shaven Xi Yi butler.

Yan Qiling suddenly recalled that the butler of the Wen family seemed to be called Yi Xi.

Xi Yi had arrived with an intimidating presence, but when he saw that there were only the two of them, his arrogance immediately subsided, replaced by a awkwardness akin to a commoner unsure of how to behave around nobility.

He maintained his composure, forcing a smile as he asked,

"May I ask, gentlemen, why are you here? Have the accounting matters been settled?"

"Not quite,"

Yan Qiling replied effortlessly, as if it was his birthright to stand there.

"I merely recalled some errors in Miss's dowry records. Hence, I sought Mr. Shi's assistance to check the storeroom. Little did we expect that the Bai family's grand architecture would lead us astray."

Xi Yi's fake smile was pasted stiffly on his face,

"Oh, I see. Why didn't Mr. Yan ask a servant to guide you? Perhaps our servants' inadequate service has left you with an unfavorable impression?"

Undeterred, Yan Qiling's impeccable smile remained unwavering,

"Nonsense. Financial matters are inherently confidential, especially when they involve the details of two families' accounts. It wouldn't be appropriate for too many to know. That's why Mr. Shi and I decided to venture out alone."

"Who could have guessed that the Bai family's estate is so vast, with its circular moon gates causing confusion. If only we had known, we should have requested a servant to accompany us from the start."

In the brief exchange, Xi Yi quickly realized that the other party was also a master at evading questions, and continuing this roundabout conversation would likely lead nowhere.

So he shifted his focus to Shi Wen Guang beside him:

"I've heard that Mr. Shi accompanied Mr. Diao back from the Wen family this morning. I wonder what your thoughts are on the two families' accounts?"

Shi Wen Guang hadn't expected Xi Yi to direct this question at him.

After all, when Diao Qingchang had brought them back, only a servant had let them in through the back door. Logically speaking, it was unlikely for anyone else to know about their mid-journey departure... Even if someone did know, they should be asking Diao Qingchang, not him. What was the point of asking him?

Unconsciously pushing up his glasses, Shi Wen Guang whispered,

"I... don't have any opinions. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with these accounts."

As soon as he finished speaking, he realized that his words contradicted Yan Qiling's previous excuse. His eyes darted around anxiously, and he hurriedly tried to rectify the situation:

"Umm, but since Mr. Yan said there are issues with the accounts, we should still check the numbers in the storeroom."

Xi Yi spoke with a meaningful tone:

"Oh... I see. Then it seems Mr. Yan has some concerns with the accounts, isn't that right? If Mr. Yan feels it necessary, Madam is always available to 'discuss' the detailed records with you, wouldn't you agree?"

Yan Qiling smiled subtly, his lips carrying a gentle breeze of the forest:

"There's no need to bother Madam with such trivial matters, it's just a minor discrepancy. However, I'm diligent and reluctant to see any disagreement arise between our two families due to a small mistake. Oh, by the way, I believe Madam would recall the account regarding Young Master Bai from yesterday..."

Xi Yi's expression shifted slightly.

This time, it was Yan Qiling's turn to convey a profound meaning:

"It seems that Madam hasn't mentioned this matter to you? After our heartfelt conversation yesterday, Madam promised not to interfere with anything I do in the Bai family. So, is Madam planning to renege on that agreement?"

Xi Yi sensed an inexplicable sense of threat, instinctively taking two steps back. The fake smile on his face began to falter, and for once, it appeared more genuine:

"I see... I see that Mr. Yan has such an arrangement with Madam. My apologies for my intrusion; I'll immediately report back to Madam and no longer disturb the two of you."

He glanced aside, and a quick-witted servant promptly stepped forward, bowing respectfully to them.

Xi Yi forced a smile:

The child is rather clever. Let him escort the two gentlemen to the storage room for an audit.

Yan Qiling's willowy phoenix eyes narrowed into a charming smile as he said warmly,

"In that case, many thanks to Steward Xi Yi."

-

Since early morning, the four trapped in the embroidery room had sensed something amiss.

The Bai family hadn't sent them any food or water since dawn.

At first, they could endure, but as time passed, Yue Pengpeng's stomach began to grumble, and she couldn't hold out any longer. She wanted to go out in search of food but was stopped by the guards at the door.

The guards claimed that breakfast was still being prepared and refused to let them leave.

Su Shuhao tried to bribe one with her golden hairpin, but to her surprise, the guard remained steadfast.

Breakfast seemed to be "in preparation" until noon without any sign of it appearing. Not only that, when Yue Pengpeng opened the door again, she found there was now an additional guard posted outside!

Si Shuhao attempted to contact Ming Yiyang through the back window, but as soon as she opened it, she was met with another guard's expressionless face!

It seemed the Bai family was determined to trap them inside the house.

Closing the window, the four of them discussed in the inner chamber.

Liao Xinya, gazing at the empty teacup, suddenly spoke amidst the chatter of the other three:

"I believe there might have been some unforeseen incident with the Wen family."

The room fell silent for a moment.

The cool and rational voice of the young girl echoed on the floor, soothing yet unsettling:

"Yesterday, the Bai family's willingness to provide us with food and drink indicates that they see value in keeping us alive. Although Old Lady Bai torments Si Shuhao, she doesn't dare damage her face."

"According to Yan Qiling, this is because the Bai family places great importance on the alliance with the Wen family. They're afraid the Wens might find an excuse to call off the marriage, so while they torment Si Shuhao, Old Lady Bai is clear about what she wants."

"But today is different."

Yue Pengpeng grew anxious under her words, licking her dry lips as she asked eagerly:

"So what should we do now? Could it be that the Wen family has decided against the alliance with the Bai family? That's why the Bai family plans to starve us to death?"

Su Bo shook her head gently, exchanging glances with Si Shuhao. Both saw the answer in each other's eyes.

Liao Xinya continued her analysis undeterred:

"No, if the Wen family doesn't want an alliance with the Bai family, Old Madam Bai wouldn't keep the two young misses in the embroidery room. She would have already sent us all to the Wen family, even if it meant causing a scandal, just to have them accept the two young misses."

"The current situation... there's only one possibility. The marriage will still take place, but... they no longer need living young misses."

Yue Pengpeng sat with wide-eyed confusion, while Si Shuhao calmly revealed the truth:

"I reckon the one from the Wen family is... dead."

Su Bo let out a shallow sigh:

"Yes, the Bai family might be planning a ghost marriage."

Yue Pengpeng shot up from her chair in disbelief, grabbing her own cheeks in distress:

"Does that ghost marriage… the maid, she will also be…?"

The other three looked at her calmly. Though no words were spoken, the messages conveyed through their six eyes left her with a clear understanding of the answer.

They were all in the same boat, and none of them could escape.

Yue Pengpeng felt a chill run through her veins.