Chapter 187 She’s Not Sister Ah Chan at All…

Chapter 187: She’s Not Ah Chan at All…

The minor detour didn't spoil A Chan's good mood. By the time they reached the main street, the street performers were still setting up. So, she and Chen Hui first bought some fried dough cakes from a nearby stall to stave off their hunger.

It was already dusk when they finished eating and returned. The streets were bustling, and the acrobats finally began their performance.

They didn't leave Yongning Ward until half an hour before curfew, having spent every last copper coin on tips for the performers.

On the way back, A Chan discussed with Chen Hui the idea of another visit soon, and Chen Hui readily agreed.

A Chan chose not to sit inside the carriage. Instead, she sat beside Chen Hui, occasionally offering her pieces of peanut brittle she had bought from a stall earlier.

As the carriage passed Kaiming Ward, A Chan turned her head, gazing at the long wall along the street for a long moment. Noticing this, Chen Hui asked, "What are you looking at?"

A Chan pointed, "That’s the Lin family’s residence."

"The Lin family?" Chen Hui paused, then realized which family she meant. "Speaking of which, the emperor recently issued a general pardon. Was the Lin family also pardoned?"

"Yes. If all goes as expected, they should be arriving in the capital soon."

Two days later, a somewhat familiar guest arrived at A Chan’s shop.

A Chan was blending perfumes when the man arrived. Hearing him call her "Ah Chan," she didn’t immediately react.

As the man approached her with visible emotion, A Chan studied his features and suddenly recognized him.

The man was over forty, tanned and lean, but with well-defined features that resembled Ji Chan’s memory of Lin Shi.

Lin Shi’s eldest brother wasn't this young—this was Ji Chan’s second maternal uncle.

Ji Chan didn’t have many strong memories of her second uncle, as they rarely met. Their last encounter was two years prior, when he was still robust and jovial. Now, he looked much changed.

A Chan rose, a smile gracing her lips, and greeted him, "Second Uncle."

"Ah." Lin Chenghe responded, his eyes reddening. "You’ve truly suffered these past days."

They had returned home the day before. They had thought merely surviving the ordeal was blessing enough, not daring to hope for more. But then, an old colleague of his elder brother visited and suggested they reclaim their confiscated property from the authorities.

Hesitantly, they went—and to their surprise, all their belongings were returned intact.

After discreetly inquiring with officials, the elder brother learned their family had received such favorable treatment because someone influential had spoken on their behalf.

At first, they assumed it was the Marquis of Jinyang who had intervened. Only later did they discover the terrible things the Marquis had done after their family’s exile.

A Chan didn’t know what her second uncle had heard, but the pity in his eyes was unmistakable.

Uncomfortable with such displays of emotion, she reassured him, "Second Uncle, there’s no need to worry about me. Though it was difficult at first, Aunt Xiao Lin Shi took care of me, and I’ve been doing very well."

At the mention of Aunt Xiao Lin Shi, Lin Chenghe sighed, clearly aware of his younger half-sister’s fate.

"We were useless, unable to protect your mother and aunt, leading to their deaths."

"Don’t say such things, Second Uncle. If anyone is to blame, it’s only the wickedness of human hearts."

Lin Chenghe nodded repeatedly, marveling inwardly at how much his niece had changed. Once quiet and obedient, always following her mother’s lead, she now spoke with such calm composure. He could only imagine the hardships she had endured to become so composed.

A Chan invited him to sit and poured tea, then inquired about the Lin family’s affairs.

Lin Chenghe told her everything, even sharing a small incident from their journey back to the capital.

"On our way home, we encountered a demonic beast. Fortunately, an itinerant Taoist priest came upon us and saved us."

"How terrifying! Where is that priest now? He deserves our profound gratitude."

Lin Chenghe nodded eagerly. "Precisely! As it happens, the priest was also heading to the capital to visit friends. Your eldest uncle invited him to stay with us so we could look after him."

Here, Lin Chenghe couldn't help but smile. "Two days ago, the priest said our Xiao Jing has potential for cultivation and agreed to take him as a disciple."

"That’s truly wonderful news."

A Chan remembered that her second uncle had two sons and a daughter. The second son, Lin Wenjing, must be eight years old now. If he truly had cultivation talent, it was indeed a blessing.

After catching up on family matters, A Chan asked, "Has the family settled in yet? I’d like to visit Grandfather."

At the mention of his father, Lin Chenghe’s expression clouded with worry. "That’s actually why I came today. Your grandfather’s condition has worsened. Learning about your mother and aunt… he blames himself for misjudging character back then. I thought if you could visit, it might comfort him."

A Chan replied immediately, "Second Uncle, please don't be so formal with me. How about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow would be perfect. Coincidentally, Wenjing will formally apprentice under Taoist Priest Lu then. You can join the festivities."

"Then it’s settled."

A Chan chatted with Lin Chenghe for most of the afternoon before seeing him off. Knowing she’d visit the Lin family tomorrow, she began preparing gifts—fortunately, Chen Hui took care of it, saving her the effort.

The next morning, A Chan carefully selected a simple, elegant dress in Ji Chan’s former style.

Shortly after mid-morning, she stepped out of the carriage and knocked on the Lin family’s gate.

Having just returned to the capital, the Lin household had lost all its former servants. The newly hired gatekeeper didn’t recognize A Chan and asked her to wait outside while he announced her arrival.

Soon, Lin Chenghe came out personally to greet her.

Seeing the gifts, he feigned displeasure. "Silly girl, why bring presents to your own home? Don't be so polite."

A Chan teased, "These are for Grandfather. You wouldn’t dare embezzle my gifts, would you, Second Uncle?"

"You!" Lin Chenghe laughed. The night before, he’d told his family about Ah Chan’s changed demeanor, but they hadn’t believed him, thinking he was just trying to comfort them. Now they could see for themselves how well she was doing.

Lin Chenghe led A Chan to the main hall, now occupied by Ji Chan’s eldest uncle, Lin Chengli, and his family.

As they walked, he said, "You’ve come at the perfect time. The formal apprenticeship will begin soon, and your grandfather is here too."

Entering the main hall, A Chan immediately noticed the elderly man seated in the head seat—Ji Chan’s grandfather, Lin Hongxin. Thin and frail, his clothes hung loosely on his emaciated frame.

When Lin Chenghe brought A Chan in, Lin Hongxin grew visibly emotional. Holding onto the armrests, he tried to stand, managing only after two attempts, then took a few unsteady steps forward.

Lin Chengli, the eldest son seated to his left, hurried over to steady him.

"It’s Xiao Chan..."

"Grandfather." A Chan bowed, then greeted Lin Chengli, "Eldest Uncle."

Lin Hongxin looked A Chan over carefully, relieved to see she was doing well. Some of his guilt about his daughter eased. "Good... it’s good you’re safe."

Lin Chengli helped his father back to his seat, then invited A Chan to sit and chat with the old man about recent events.

A Chan mentioned in passing retrieving her mother’s dowry from the Marquis of Jinyang’s household and opening a shop in Changping Ward.

When she mentioned the Marquis of Jinyang's residence, Lin Hongxin was reminded of his own daughter again. His voice shook as he said, "If I had known—if I had known Ji Heng was such a heartless beast, I would never have married Yue Niang to him!"

Lin Chengli and his brother hurriedly soothed the old man, reassuring him, "Father, it's not your fault. People's hearts are fickle."

"Fickle? Nonsense! He was never a good man to begin with! When he sought her hand, he swore he'd be devoted to Yue Niang. And now? To bring his mistress into the household, he fabricated such vile slander against her, even abandoning their own daughter. He deserves to end his line!"

The Lin family could remain calm now only because they knew of the Marquis of Jinyang's misfortunes over the past year.

"This matter can't just be left like this. Even if Yue Niang is gone, Ah Chan will need her reputation when she marries in the future. Now that we're back in the capital and she has people to stand up for her, we must settle this score with the Ji family."

Ah Chan noticed her grandfather's words were met with silence from her eldest uncle, Lin Chengli.

It made sense. Though the Lin family had returned to the capital, they no longer held official positions. No matter how miserable the Marquis of Jinyang was, he was still a marquis. What power did the Lin family have to confront a noble household head-on?

"Grandfather, let's discuss this another time," A Chan interjected. She didn’t care much for reputation, nor did she want any further entanglement with the Ji family—otherwise, she would have agreed when Ji Zhuang came looking for her.

Lin Hongxin seemed about to say more, but A Chan quickly changed the subject. "I heard Wenjing is to be formally apprenticed today. Where is he and the Taoist priest?"

Lin Chenghe quickly responded, "I'll go see."

Before long, Lin Chenghe returned with a young Taoist priest in his early thirties, dressed in Daoist robes.

The priest had an extraordinary presence, his eyes bright and sharp. His steps were soundless as he walked—clearly, he had some cultivation.

After the priest entered, Lin Hongxin invited him to the seat of honor and introduced Ah Chan to him.

"This is my granddaughter, Ji Chan. This is Taoist Priest Lu, the savior of our Lin family."

When Taoist Priest Lu glanced at her, Ah Chan nodded in greeting. "Taoist Priest Lu."

The priest's gaze swept over her face before he gave a slight nod.

Once everyone was seated, a young boy was led in by a woman—Lin Chengli’s wife and their youngest son, Wenjing.

Ah Chan exchanged greetings with her second aunt, then turned to see Lin Wenjing staring at her with unfamiliar eyes.

"Wenjing," A Chan called, waving at him.

But Wenjing hid behind his mother without responding.

Lin Chengli’s wife awkwardly explained, "The child was frightened some time ago and hasn’t quite recovered."

A Chan didn’t mind. Children had poor memories anyway—after more than two years apart, he probably didn’t remember his cousin Ji Chan anymore.

With everyone present, the apprenticeship ceremony officially began.

The ritual wasn’t particularly elaborate. Taoist Priest Lu had simply requested a formal setting and time to accept Lin Wenjing as his disciple under the Lin family’s witness.

After drinking the ceremonial tea, the priest took out a token and handed it to Wenjing. "This is our school's token. Keep it safe. When your cultivation reaches a certain level, I will take you back to the school."

"This disciple will remember," Wenjing said, accepting the token with both hands before kowtowing to the priest.

The family looked on approvingly.

Ah Chan glanced at the token—it looked like an antique, suggesting the priest had some notable background.

After the ceremony, Old Master Lin began to flag but still wanted to talk with Ah Chan. She coaxed him into resting, promising to visit again the next day, before finally seeing him off.

A Chan stayed at the Lin residence until noon. Just as she was about to leave after lunch, a maid came running in, frantic, and cried to Lin Chengli’s wife, "Madam, something’s wrong! The young master is caught in a nightmare and won’t wake up!"

Lin Chengli’s wife dropped her chopsticks and ran out. Lin Chenghe, concerned for his son, turned to Taoist Priest Lu.

When Wenjing had been frightened by a demonic beast some time ago, it was the priest who had cured him.

Taoist Priest Lu stood with deliberate calm. "Let’s go see together."

His "together" naturally included Ah Chan. She could hardly leave at this point, so she followed them to the second branch’s quarters.

Lin Chengli’s wife had already arrived. She held her son, at a loss.

Wenjing’s eyes were tightly shut, his fists clenched, sweat beading on his forehead. Despite their calls, he wouldn’t wake—just as the maid had said, as if ensnared in a nightmare.

Taoist Priest Lu brought his hands together and intoned, "Awaken."

With a swift tap to Wenjing’s forehead, a dim silver light flickered, and the boy finally opened his eyes.

At first, he looked around in confusion—until his gaze landed on Ah Chan. Gripping his mother’s hand, he screamed, "Mother! A monster! She’s not Cousin Ah Chan—she’s a monster!"

At the same moment, Ah Chan heard a faint, brittle sound. Her gaze dropped to the turtle-shell amulet hanging at her waist.

The jade-white shell now bore a faint crack.

She remembered what the High Priest had told her when gifting it to her: *The white tortoise’s shell warns of approaching danger.*

When she first entered, the shell had given no warning. But after Taoist Priest Lu acted, it had.

What had the priest driven out of Wenjing?

And what had Wenjing dreamed to point at her and call her a monster?

What she had thought would be a simple family visit now seemed far more complicated.

Of course, no one took Wenjing's words seriously—they chalked it up to him confusing the unfamiliar Ah Chan for a monster from his nightmare in his frightened state.

Lin Chengli’s wife hugged her son, soothing him while shooting an apologetic glance at Ah Chan. "Wenjing, this child—"

Before she could finish, Wenjing wailed, pointing at Ah Chan and crying, "She’s a monster! Master, make her leave!"

The boy's screams were shrill. Taoist Priest Lu fixed Ah Chan with a searching look before saying gravely, "Miss Ji, perhaps you should withdraw for now."

Ah Chan held his gaze. The priest’s eyes held no evasion—only scrutiny.

Under the circumstances, staying would be improper. She turned to Lin Chengli. "Uncle, please take care of Wenjing. I’ll leave now and visit Grandfather again tomorrow."

"Of course. Let me see you out." Lin Chengli’s temples pulsed from Wenjing’s cries, but the boy was only a child—who could blame him? Today, his niece would have to endure the rudeness.

After escorting Ah Chan to the gate, Lin Chengli returned to the second branch—only to find the wailing had ceased.

Entering the room, he ribbed the still-sniffling Wenjing, "Aren’t you too big to be crying like this?"

"Uncle, she’s a demon! She’s not Cousin Ah Chan at all!"

Lin Chengli dismissed his nephew’s words. "That's enough foolishness. Don’t say such things in front of your cousin again—you’ll upset her."

But Wenjing shook his head fiercely. "Uncle, I’m telling the truth! She really is a monster! I saw—she had a tail!"

"It was just a dream."

"No! I saw in my dream how she killed Cousin Ah Chan and stole her body! When I came to, I saw her tail!" Wenjing spoke with such conviction that Lin Chengli's brow furrowed, glancing at his brother and sister-in-law, at a loss for words.

At this moment, Taoist Priest Lu spoke up, "Let Wenjing rest. We should go outside first."

Taoist Priest Lu exited the room first, followed by Lin Chenghe and his brother Lin Chengli.

After closing the door, Lin Chenghe, worried about his son's condition, asked urgently, "Taoist Priest Lu, what exactly is wrong with Wenjing?"

Taoist Priest Lu frowned, looking troubled.

Seeing this, Lin Chenghe grew even more concerned, thinking the priest might be holding back something hard to say, and pressed more urgently, "Please tell me the truth, Taoist Priest Lu. No matter what it is, I can accept it."

Instead of answering, Taoist Priest Lu posed another question, "How well do you brothers know your niece?"

The brothers exchanged glances. Lin Chenghe hesitated before nodding, "Before our family's troubles, Ah Chan would occasionally return with her mother. She was always a very sensible girl and got along well with Wenjing."

"That is precisely the issue," Taoist Priest Lu said gravely. "I took Wenjing as my disciple not only because he has talent for cultivation, but also because this child possesses spiritual insight. People with such insight often see things regular folks can't."

"What do you mean by that, Taoist Priest Lu?" Lin Chengli asked solemnly.

Taoist Priest Lu simply replied, "Though it may sound absurd, it would be best for you two to investigate whether the current Miss Ji has undergone any changes in personality compared to the Miss Ji you once knew."

The Lin brothers looked at each other, reluctant to suspect their niece. Yet, Taoist Priest Lu had indeed saved their entire family—a man of great capability. He bore no grudge against Ji Chan; why would he lie about this?