Chapter 90: Stop 23: A Quarrel

Chapter 90: Stop 23: A Quarrel

As noon approached, Jiaolu brought her entourage for a visit.

A withered old woman, whose face resembled creased chrysanthemums, carried several trays filled with an array of sewing tools typically used by women.

She said with a warm smile,

"The Wen family places great importance on their connection through marriage with Miss Liao. Young Master wishes to request a pair of Mandarin Duck-themed sachets from each of the two young misses. Please ensure they are hand-sewn by the misses themselves within these next two days; do not delay."

Liao Xinya gracefully bowed and replied softly,

"I fear that the misses' needlework may not meet Young Master's expectations."

Jiaolu was unconcerned, her smile now tinged with an unyielding chill,

"The intricacy of the sachets is of secondary importance; what matters most is the sincerity expressed through the misses' own hands... If the sachets are not made by the misses themselves, Young Master Wen might decline them. Madam Lao has said that a miss who does not impress the Wens will no longer be considered part of the Bai family."

"Madam Lao cares for the misses. Once the sachets are completed, their daily provisions will remain unchanged."

She left after making her point and paying her respects, accompanied by her entourage of maidens.

Yue Pengpeng gazed at the two trays of tools on the table, utterly perplexed.

"What's the meaning behind asking you two to sew sachets and then have that Scholar Wen choose one? But isn't he dead? How can he make a choice?"

Liao Xinya picked up a piece of light purple cloth, her eyes calm and unruffled.

"When I was assisting my mentor with a rural folklore report, I came across a saying. There are three forms of spirit weddings," she explained.

"The first is pairing the remains of an unborn or underage girl with a deceased man, as the girl has not yet been 'given away' in marriage. Thus, following the 'command of parents and the words of a matchmaker,' their union can be consummated in the afterlife simply by burying them together."

"So, the remains of such young girls fetch the highest prices."

Her tone was detached, but the three listeners wore expressions of shock and astonishment.

"The second type involves using the remains of an adult woman or even stealing the bones of another man's wife for a spirit wedding."

"This would be more complicated, as it might involve the woman's previous spouse and could attract the attention of the judges in the underworld, resulting in a deduction of good deeds. This could instead bring calamity to the family, so the current spirit bridegroom must have a strong destiny to withstand any consequences."

"Not only that, divination must also be conducted. If the result indicates the woman's refusal, burying her will lead to endless troubles."

Si Shuhao was incredibly curious and couldn't help but interject,

"What did you study back then?"

Liao Xinya didn't hide anything and answered openly,

"I majored in Sociology. My research topic at the time involved some elements related to folk customs."

After answering the question, she continued explaining,

"The third type is a living person."

"No divination is needed for a living person. They only need to personally make something for their ghost spouse or offer a personal item as a gift, indicating their consent to the marriage. Afterward, they just need to cut off a lock of their hair and burn it along with the gifted item before the spirit, which essentially confirms the marriage in the afterlife."

Su Bo pressed his fingers tightly on the tabletop, his expression grave,

"So, the sachet Jiaolü asked us to embroider is the token of agreement for this ghost marriage?"

Si Shuhao glanced at the two trays.

"Well, this thing shouldn't be embroidered. Once it is, there's no turning back."

Yue Pengpeng, weakened by low blood sugar, had been on the verge of dozing off while listening to Liao Xinya's explanation. But upon hearing the rejection, he shot up abruptly, his anxiety mounting.

"No way! If you don't embroider, Elder Madam Bai would never consent to giving us food! Didn't the messenger just say that a lady not chosen by the Wen family is no longer part of the Bai family? They won't provide for us anymore... I'm starving to death here. Even if we don't eat, aren't you all thirsty?"

Suzhuo picked up the fabric and, after some contemplation, said:

"Here's an idea, how about I embroider one first and see if I can trade it for food. If I can, then Xiao Hao won't have to embroidered anymore."

"How could I possibly let you stitch this eerie thing alone?"

Si Shuhao dismissed her idea and picked up a pair of scissors.

"Never mind, I'll start sewing first."

Suzhuo looked at her hands, tightly wrapped in bandages.

"But your hand..."

"It's not a big deal. I'm handling a needle, not an ax. This little cut won't stop me from doing anything."

Si Shuhao picked up the embroidery needle and, after some effort, threaded it successfully.

However, when she attempted to use her limited knowledge of sewing to create a cloth pouch, she found her hand trembling uncontrollably, rendering her unable to sew.

Su Bo quickly took her hand in his to examine it.

"Is it starting to hurt?"

"No, but for some reason..."

Si Shuhao stared blankly at her quivering fingertips.

"I can't seem to stop it."

Liao Xinya promptly took the needle from her hand, and miraculously, her trembling subsided.

Others: ...

"Don't force yourself."

Liao Xinya straightforwardly returned the needle to its sewing kit and said,

"You're probably experiencing a stress response from being pricked. Subconsciously, you're afraid of needles, but you're not aware of it."

"Is that so?"

Si Shuhao became even more perplexed.

"Well... then what should we do now?"

Yue Pengpeng quickly turned to Su Bo, "Why don't we let Su Bo sew first? At least it would be a change of pace."

Just as Su Bo was about to agree, Liao Xinya shook her head.

"It can't be sewn. While it might provide temporary relief, it could lead to even bigger problems later on. We need to think of another approach."

Yue Pengpeng was furious. She glared at Liao Xinya with a huff but didn't say anything. She turned away and sat in a corner, remaining silent.

Suo Bo looked around, crossing his arms over his abdomen. He intertwined his fingers nervously and whispered,

"Perhaps I should just sew it up for now..."

To his surprise, Yue Pengpeng scoffed from a distance.

"Why ask for consent when you could just sew it up? If I were you, I'd have picked up the needle and thread already, wouldn't I? You're only asking to wait for someone to stop you, aren't you?"

Si Shuhao suddenly looked up, feeling that this girl's words were rather extravagant.

"You're quite skilled at nagging at us. If you're truly that hungry, why not just ask the guards for food? If your hunger is unbearable, I can let you embroider this sachet. This robe is easily removable; we'll give you our clothes. You can pretend to be Miss Bai - I'm sure you'll be fed better than we are."

Yue Pengpeng's voice rose, sharp as a dagger:

"The Unfettered Master had chosen the two of you as Miss Bai from the beginning. How is that my concern? Why should I be the one to embroider? You two are the ones with bad luck, yet you have the nerve to drag others down with you. Please, could you at least have a proper sense of values? I've really never seen anyone as twisted as you."

Si Shuhao was baffled.

"What does my straightforwardness have to do with values? If you're hungry, why must others sacrifice for your appetite? Since you're so eager to exchange your sachets for food, we're giving you the chance. What's the problem?"

"You're the one with issues if you insist on twisting values! You want benefits without taking risks, always pushing others to the front while you hide and freeload. You throw accusations at people the moment they don't meet your expectations. Are your family in the Jiangnan Leather Factory business, or is your father Huang He?!"

Si Shuhao spoke rapidly but clearly.

Yue Pengpeng, unable to refute, flew into a rage and stood up, ready to confront her.

"What gives you the right to attack me personally? Are you crazy? I..."

Liao Xinya and Su Bo stepped in front of her, sandwiching her between them.

Despite her injured hand, Si Shuhao wasn't short and rose to face the challenge fearlessly.

Yue Pengpeng glared at them through gritted teeth, realizing she couldn't gain an advantage. She turned and stormed out, slamming the beaded curtain behind her.

"I don't talk to idiots!"

Si Shuhao's voice echoed behind her.

"Try cursing at me again!"

Yue Pengpeng promptly shot back, "Idiot!" before dashing towards the door and abruptly opening it.

Si Shuhao had never encountered such an obstinate person. Fuming, she attempted to chase after Yue Pengpeng but was firmly held back by the two women beside her. Liao Xinya whispered,

"Be cautious, don't violate the rules."

Regaining her composure, Si Shuhao took a deep breath. She then heard Yue Pengpeng addressing the guards with a sugary tone,

"Miss's room is out of water. Could you two brothers kindly help us replenish it?"

The guards standing by the door seemed oblivious to her words, standing as straight as telephone poles.

Yue Pengpeng was not embarrassed; instead, she turned around with a smug expression.

As expected, the three fools could only glare at her resentfully, unable to do anything.

A surge of self-satisfaction with her wit filled her heart, and she deliberately raised her voice to repeat her request for water to the guard.

The guard at the door glanced at her coldly and replied in a formal tone:

"According to Madam's wishes, both young misses are being disciplined for their unruly behavior. They are not allowed to eat or drink until they finish sewing their bridal sachets. Once the sachets are done, food and water will be provided."

Yue Pengpeng shot Si Shuhao a look of resentment, implying "look what you've done," but then turned back to the guard with a bright smile:

"I'm not a young miss, so can't I go out to eat and drink?"

"The master is the master, and the servant is the servant. The glory of the master brings glory to the servant, and the harm to the master affects the servant. If the young misses are being punished, how can the maidservants escape punishment? Your rations will naturally be withheld as well."

"How... can this be?"

Yue Pengpeng tried to negotiate with the guard. Lifting her youthful face, she pouted and said:

"Nice brother, it won't hurt if you just let me go out to have a meal, would it?"

She then turned to the other guard, her tone sugary sweet:

"Such an obstinate elder brother, could you please persuade him for me?"

The two guards exchanged glances, then turned to Yue Pengpeng, who was fluttering her eyes at them. Surprisingly, they fell into deep thought.

Yue Pengpeng knew that her charm had taken effect.

To be honest, she wasn't boasting, but despite not being a stunning beauty, she had a winsome and fresh appearance. According to the boys in her class, she had a very "innocent" look.

Compared to a cold or strikingly beautiful appearance, her type of charm seemed to have a more significant impact on men.

If she had known it would have such an effect, she would have used it earlier.

Well, let those three foolish women starve inside. She would bid them farewell first.

Before she could return their condescending gazes with a sense of superiority, she heard the guard's icy voice:

"The puppet has defied the Lady's wishes and shall be dealt with according to the household rules. Ten strikes with a paddle as punishment."

"....WHAT!!!"

Yue Pengpeng turned with a start, staring at the other party in disbelief.

Perhaps it was because everything in this world seemed to follow its own inherent logic that she had almost forgotten they were in the Realm of Chaos.

The "people" here, no matter how human-like they appeared, abided by the logic of this chaotic realm.

Not fairness or justice as one might expect.

Nor seductive allure.