Chapter 107

Chapter 107

You could only really feel how deep the Wang family estate was from the inside. Tang Liu was led by Wang Deqi through three gates and around four bends before they finally stopped.

"Master, I've brought him."

As soon as Wang Deqi finished speaking, a deep, urgent male voice boomed, "You are Tang Liu? Born in the Yigeng year, on the sixteenth day of the fourth month, at the mao hour?"

"Yes," Tang Liu feigned a mix of nervousness and barely concealed excitement. "May I ask why Master Wang has summoned this humble one?"

Wang Zhuang did not answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Master Daoist, what do you make of this man?"

Beside him stood a Daoist priest with crane-like hair, pine-straight posture, and a silver beard. Upon hearing the question, the priest slightly closed his eyes, his fingers pinching together as he performed a silent calculation, murmuring incantations under his breath. Just as Wang Zhuang grew impatient enough to urge him, the priest opened his eyes and began circling Tang Liu at a measured pace.

Tang Liu felt a gaze sweeping over him, as if trying to see through his very soul. He didn't know much about this Daoist, only that his religious name was Yuan Song. In his previous life, this man had frequently, both openly and covertly, stuffed talismans on him, attempting to use him against the evil entity. However, this priest's spiritual cultivation didn't seem particularly high; he couldn't do anything to the evil entity anyway. In his previous life, after Tang Liu died, the priest had set up a grand formation to try and exterminate the entity, though Tang Liu didn't know the outcome.

*Even a Daoist priest wasn't afraid of it, yet it chased me all the way to the underworld and nearly got beaten to death by the underworld guards. Dragging a nearly dissipated soul back to the mortal realm to face an extermination formation probably wouldn't end well.*

The only thing Tang Liu knew for sure was that after his death, the evil entity went berserk, harming many living beings, accumulating heavy killing karma, which attracted the underworld guards and ultimately led to its complete annihilation.

*What was the point?*

Tang Liu didn't understand. Tang Liu sighed.

This sigh finally made Squire Wang lose his patience.

"Well? What is the verdict?"

Yuan Song finally stopped pacing, stroked his long beard, and said, "This youth has no reliance on the six relations, his fate holds no wealth, no power, no proper marriage bond. Excellent."

"..."

If he weren't putting on an act, Tang Liu would have really liked to spit in disdain.

Unlike his reaction, Master Wang was visibly overjoyed upon hearing this. He immediately clapped his hands together and exclaimed loudly, "Heaven has not forsaken my Wang family! To think I actually found one!"

Huh?

What did that mean?

As Tang Liu pondered, he heard Master Wang's voice grow slightly distant, as if intentionally lowered. However, his hearing was sharp, and he caught every word clearly.

"Master Daoist, is this man's birth characters truly compatible with...?" Master Wang's tone was full of hesitation and doubt. "This man is just a beggar, and blind at that... Would... even look upon him? My daughter's life depends on this. If this fails, what will become of my daughter?"

"Master, rest assured, they are absolutely compatible. This humble Daoist stakes his head on it; there is absolutely no mistake."

*Tch, this old ox-nosed priest can't even calculate a fake set of birth characters, yet he dares to stake his head on it.*

Tang Liu himself didn't know his real name or birth date. Probably because he was born blind, he was abandoned while still in swaddling clothes. Later, an old beggar picked him up. When he was old enough to walk, he followed the old beggar into the trade of begging. Since the old beggar's surname was Tang, and he was found under a willow tree by the Laishui River, he was named Tang Liu. As for his birth date, they used the time he was found.

Therefore, using a fake birth date to form a ghost marriage with the evil entity didn't worry Tang Liu in the slightest.

*It's invalid anyway, I'll just run when the time comes.* But before running, he had to find a way to extinguish the evil entity's covetous designs on Wang Guiyu, lest Wang Zhuang and Yuan Song keep thinking about destroying it. He also couldn't let anyone else form a marriage bond with the entity; otherwise, not only would an innocent life be lost in vain, but the evil entity would also have a fatal weakness fall into Wang Zhuang and Yuan Song's hands.

After all, *his* birth characters were fake, but the birth characters of the others participating in the groom selection were as real as they could be.

While these thoughts raced through his mind, Master Wang and Yuan Song finished their whispered discussion. Tang Liu had just sensed someone standing before him when the next moment, Master Wang's robust voice rang out: "Young Brother Tang, I presume you have already heard about my daughter's situation. I won't beat around the bush. Your birth characters are compatible with my daughter's; it is a match made by heaven. You are the only one who can save her."

Tang Liu put on a show of being terrified: "How could someone like me be worthy of Miss Wang?"

"Ah, this is heaven's decree; there is no question of worthiness," Master Wang said. "My daughter is now at death's door; we must not delay. It is best to select a date for the wedding soon. I see you have no parents, so I will take full charge of the wedding arrangements. Rest assured, as this is my daughter's marriage, while the ceremony may be expedited, it will not be simplified."

Having achieved his goal, Tang Liu felt greatly relieved inside, but he still maintained the facade on his face, hurriedly putting on an expression of immense gratitude: "I leave it entirely to Master Wang's discretion!"

Master Wang laughed heartily, then added, "However, before the wedding, we must follow propriety; the bride and groom cannot see each other. I will arrange a side room for you. Stay there peacefully and wait for the wedding. If you lack anything or need anything, just ask Deqi. Deqi, take good care of Young Brother Tang. Since Young Brother Tang cannot see, you must stay close to him. If he gets hurt, bumps into something, or any other mishap occurs, I will hold you responsible."

Wang Deqi hastily agreed and said to Tang Liu respectfully, "Mr. Tang, please follow me."

Tang Liu followed him out. Wang Zhuang had likely received him in the main hall. There had been a unique scent of fragrant wood in the air. Now, that scent faded, replaced by a stronger fragrance of flowers. Sounds from all directions became lively—the sound of water, wind, the low murmurs of men and women chatting. Tang Liu even heard people discussing him.

News traveled fast in a large manor. No sooner had Wang Zhuang settled on him as the son-in-law than everyone in the estate knew about it.

"Hmph, you really stepped in dog shit, getting chosen by our master," Wang Deqi said, his tone completely different from the respectful one he used before Master Wang, now dripping with sourness. "But I warn you, my young mistress would never take a liking to someone like you. Once the young mistress recovers, you leave obediently, divorce her, and don't covet what isn't yours."

The thought that Tang Liu, with just nine copper coins, had transformed from a destitute beggar into the Wang family's prospective son-in-law—not only gaining a beautiful wife like his young mistress but also forcing Wang Deqi himself to bow and address him humbly—made Wang Deqi's heart sour with envy.

*If only I hadn't been greedy for those nine coins, I wouldn't have let this stinking beggar climb over my head now.*

"Brother Deqi, rest assured. Although I haven't read many books, I know my place. I came here neither daring to covet Miss Wang nor to covet Master Wang's wealth. I will leave once I've repaid the kindness." Tang Liu was completely unfamiliar with the layout inside the Wang residence. With no one guiding him now, he could only use his bamboo cane to feel the way and move forward slowly. Hearing Wang Deqi venting his sourness ahead without caring for him at all, he cursed inwardly but continued verbally, "But Brother Deqi, how have you become so distant from me in just the time it takes for a few sticks of incense to burn?"

"I wouldn't dare. You are now Mr. Tang, and soon you'll be the Tang son-in-law. I, the son of a servant, how could I presume to address you as a brother like the master does?"

*So he's a home-born servant.*

Tang Liu lifted his foot to step over a threshold. "But I already consider Brother Deqi a close friend. I am a person of the lowest class, yet Brother Deqi was willing to patiently listen to me and recommend me. You, like Miss Wang, are a rare kind soul in this world. As the saying goes, a true friend is hard to find. What's wrong with us addressing each other as brothers in private? If you find it awkward, we can just use our names directly."

Wang Deqi's tone softened a bit. He snorted, "That's natural. If I hadn't taken pity on you, forget becoming a son-in-law, you wouldn't even have gotten through the gate. Turn right ahead, it's just a few more steps."

After walking several dozen steps, Tang Liu was led into a side room.

"This is where you'll stay. Don't go wandering around. If you need anything, tell me. If any accidents happen or you offend the concubines or senior maids, I can't bear the responsibility."

Tang Liu touched his stomach. "Is there a kitchen nearby?"

He could already smell firewood and roast chicken.

Wang Deqi rolled his eyes (though Tang Liu couldn't see it). "Wait."

Along with the food, a big tub of bath water and a change of clothes were delivered.

"Eat first, then take a bath later. The water's all poured for you. The clothes are on the left side of the tub. The soap and towel are next to the clothes. Remember to wash thoroughly... You know how to bathe, right? No one here is going to serve you."

Tang Liu's mind was full of roast chicken. Hearing this, he uttered a series of affirmative noises, shooing Wang Deqi away.

As soon as the sound of the side room door closing echoed, Tang Liu eagerly grabbed the roast chicken and started devouring it.

He hadn't eaten for several days; his stomach was so empty it felt sunken. Right now, he could probably eat an entire ox. Wang Deqi's mouth might be sharp, but he wasn't a bad person. He had sent over three roast chickens, a plate of grilled pork, a plate of soy-braised beef, and a pot of clear wine.

Tang Liu ate until his hands were greasy, his eyes brimming with hot tears.

*Heaven knows how many years it's been since I've had such a hot meal.*

He finished every bit of the delivered food, leaned back in the chair, patted his fully rounded stomach, and let out a contented burp.

*Since I'm going to marry a ghost anyway, I might as well fill myself up before meeting it.*

*Might as well take advantage of the Wang family while I can.*

With his stomach full of food and wine, drowsiness began to wash over him. Tang Liu yawned, thinking it wouldn't hurt to take a nap before bathing. So, he picked up his bamboo cane, felt his way to the bed, and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Outside, Wang Deqi waited and waited. Seeing that half an hour had passed without any sound of water from inside the room, he couldn't help but feel worried.

Might that beggar have drowned himself in the bathtub because he'd never used one before?

Remembering Master Wang's instructions, he quickly pushed the door open and went in. He saw that the previously tidy table was now in complete disarray. A small mountain of gnawed chicken bones was piled up, the tabletop was dotted with oil stains and puddles of spilled wine, and the dishes were haphazardly stacked. The bathtub beside it remained untouched; the soap and towel were placed exactly as they had been half an hour ago. Meanwhile, Tang Liu was lying on the clean bed, sound asleep, still wearing those tattered rags of indeterminate original color. He hadn't even taken off his shoes, his two feet propped up on the footrest.

Wang Deqi saw stars before his eyes. Furious, he strode over. When he spotted the dirty, broken bowl and bamboo staff—who knows how much filth they had touched—resting on the bedding, he was absolutely furious.

"Stinking beggar! Wake up! The water's gone cold!"

Tang Liu rolled over, turning his face toward the wall, his voice slurred with sleepiness. "Stop shouting. Cold is cold."

Wang Deqi's eyes blazed with anger. "You... you! With your ruffian ways, how could you possibly be worthy of my young mistress? I'm going to tell the master right now to dismiss you! I refuse to believe you're the only beggar in the whole wide world whose birth characters can be used."

Tang Liu jolted awake. All drowsiness and drunkenness vanished instantly. *This won't do*, he thought. He hurriedly scrambled to sit up, offering an apologetic smile. "Brother De Qi, don't be angry. It's just that the food and wine you brought were so delicious, I couldn't help indulging a bit too much. I have a low tolerance for alcohol, so I ended up falling asleep. Besides, I'm thick-skinned and tough; washing with cold water is no big deal."

"Who cares whether you use cold water!" Wang Deqi's anger hadn't subsided. "If it weren't for the master's orders, I wouldn't care if you used cold water or boiling water—even if you died, it'd be none of my business! But if you catch a chill and fall ill these next few days, delaying my young mistress's wedding, and the master blames me, I'll be the one in deep trouble! And if you eat like that at the wedding banquet and make a spectacle of yourself in front of outsiders, you'll have me to answer to!"

Tang Liu thought to himself, *What wedding banquet? As if there'll be any guests.* While silently grumbling, he stood up. "I was thoughtless. I'll do better, I promise."

Wang Deqi snorted. "You'd better."

After saying this, he called a maid to change the bedding, clean the table, and add hot water to the tub. Once the maid had quickly and deftly finished tidying up and left, he said, "Hurry up and wash. No more slacking off." Only after receiving Tang Liu's response did he turn to leave. Passing by the bathtub, he noticed there was only one bar of soap on the nearby shelf. He paused, frowning. *Is one bar enough for this beggar?*

So he went out and brought in another bar of soap before leaving with peace of mind.

After Wang Deqi left, Tang Liu ambled over to the bathtub, took off his clothes, and sank into the water, immediately letting out a comfortable sigh.

He enjoyed the hot bath for a while, then picked up the soap and began scrubbing himself from head to toe.

He didn't know what was added to the soap, but it had a strong, pleasant floral scent, completely different from the natural soap leaves he had used before. Moreover, because it contained high-quality lard, it felt smooth and soft to use. As he washed, Tang Liu marveled at how different life was for wealthy families.

He washed himself thoroughly from head to foot, front to back. Getting out of the tub, he grabbed the towel to dry off. During the process, he must have bumped into something; there was a soft, muffled thud as something fell to the floor. The heat of the bath had rekindled his buzz, so he didn't hear the sound. After drying himself, he fumbled to put on his clothes, then thought about calling Wang Deqi in.

As soon as he took a step, he suddenly stepped on something soft and slippery. Before he could react, his left foot slid forward with the object, and his whole body lost control, falling backward. He let out a cry of "Aiyo!" The sound was still hanging in the air when the back of his head hit something sharp and hard, then slammed heavily onto the floor.

His last thought before losing consciousness was, *What thing harmed me...*

Outside, Wang Deqi listened to the splashing water sounds inside, thinking, *This time it should be fine.* Unexpectedly, not long after, there was a series of thuds and crashes. He froze, then burst through the door to find Tang Liu lying unconscious on the floor, a wet bar of soap near his feet.

Wang Deqi saw stars before his eyes again.

*This guy is definitely my jinx.*

He frantically called for help, moving Tang Liu to the bed and summoning a doctor. The ensuing ruckus disturbed Master Wang, who was still in the front courtyard, resulting in a severe scolding for Wang Deqi. It took an hour before things settled down.

Not daring to stray far again, Wang Deqi plopped down on the footrest after everyone left, keeping close watch over Tang Liu. With nothing else to do, he took the opportunity to study Tang Liu and was surprised to find that, once cleaned up, this beggar actually looked quite presentable.

Eyes were eyes, nose was nose. He was a bit dark-skinned, but his facial features had a rather handsome, youthful quality—thick eyebrows, a high nose bridge, full lips, and a sharp jawline. Though his frame was too thin, he had long limbs, and with the layers of robes draped over him, he was actually decent to look at.

Wang Deqi found him slightly more agreeable. However, when Tang Liu woke up the next day, Wang Deqi's expression remained far from friendly.

"Ancestor, you're finally awake. You really know how to cause trouble; you almost got me killed."

Tang Liu groaned, clutching his head. A dull, throbbing pain pulsed from the back of his skull, as if a little hammer were occasionally tapping inside.

Hearing an unfamiliar voice, he asked, "Who are you?"

Wang Deqi's expression changed. "Me, Wang Deqi. Still not clear-headed?"

"I don't care if you're De Qi or De Ba, did you hit me?"

Wang Deqi's heart immediately sank. *Oh no*, he thought, *has he lost his marbles from the fall? How am I going to explain this to the master?*

He rapidly pondered countermeasures, momentarily forgetting to reply. Tang Liu, meanwhile, couldn't be bothered to pursue whether this person had actually hit him. Pressing his head, he waited for the most intense wave of pain to pass before his mind cleared a bit. Then he caught a faint scent of medicine and an indescribable fragrance. The soft sensation beneath him didn't feel like lying on the damp stone pavement of Beggars' Alley.

"Where is this?"

*Dead, dead, I'm really dead now.*

Wang Deqi's mind raced. *No matter what, I can't let the master find out something's wrong.*

"This is the Wang residence. A few days ago, our master was seeking a son-in-law. Your birth characters matched our young mistress's, so you were chosen to be her husband. A date has been set for you to marry our young mistress. You fell while bathing earlier and hit your head, so your memory is a bit fuzzy. The doctor said it's nothing serious; just rest for a few days and you'll be fine. So for now, all you need to do is listen to me and prepare properly for the wedding. You don't need to worry about anything else."

Wang Deqi said all this in one breath, then took a long inhale. "Understood?"

Tang Liu was stunned after hearing this.

*There's such a good thing in this world?*

He knew about the Wang family's search for a son-in-law. It had caused quite a stir throughout Tushui County, even making business in the marketplace sluggish, much to the hardship of him and beggars like Liu Que. The days when they usually collected the most alms had suddenly become deserted.

But how, out of the blue, had he been struck by this enormous stroke of luck, becoming the Wang family's golden son-in-law? Just a moment ago, he had been lying idly in Beggars' Alley.

And besides...

"My birth characters?"

He was a foundling with unknown origins; where would he have birth characters?

"Yeah, the hour of Mao on the sixteenth day of the fourth month in the year of Yi Geng. You told me that yourself."

Oh, the time when the old beggar found him.

Could it be that he had used that moment as his birth date to participate in the Wang family's search and was selected?

But that's a fake birth date! He'd heard the Wang family was seeking a son-in-law to perform a *joyous event* to cure Miss Wang's illness. How could that possibly work?

Tang Liu was considering whether to tell Wang Deqi the truth to avoid harming Miss Wang in the end, but he was also afraid that if he told the truth, the Wang family might simply beat him to death. Just then, he heard Wang Deqi say, "While you were unconscious, the Taoist priest has already calculated an auspicious date: the sixteenth of this month, three days from now. You have a lot to do these three days, but don't worry, I'll arrange everything. You just need to do as I say."

"..."

Tang Liu was silent for a moment. "How has Miss Wang's health been these past few days?"

*Don't let the *joyous event* fail and end up hastening Miss Wang's death instead.*

"Strangely enough, you really do seem to bring good fortune to our young mistress. Since the auspicious date was set, her spirits have greatly improved, and her symptoms have also gotten better. But don't think you can get arrogant because of this. You said yourself that you came here to repay a kindness, that once our young mistress recovers, you'll take the initiative to divorce and never cling to her, otherwise may you die a horrible death."

Tang Liu fell silent.

*He* said that?

*When did he become so conscientious?*

Knowing himself, those words were probably just a lie he casually spun to achieve his goal. For one, he didn't remember any kindness between him and the Wang family at all. Even if there was, at most, the Wang family had given him some silver or food a few times. But he was a beggar! Begging was a beggar's natural right. If every almsgiver was considered to have shown him kindness, then his benefactors would be spread across the entire county.

Secondly, although he was blind, he had heard about what kind of person Wang Guiyu, the Wang family's only daughter, was: a peerless beauty, delicate as a willow, with a heart of a bodhisattva. Marrying such a woman, he'd be willing to divorce only if the sky rained red and horses grew horns.

If, in the end, this marriage truly didn't work out, the Wang family was wealthy; he'd have to extort a hefty sum before leaving. There was no such good deal as him being used for free to perform a *joyous event* for someone.

As for dying a horrible death? Pah, hadn't he heard the saying: better to be a ghost who died full than a starving soul?

Since Miss Wang's health had improved, his last shred of concern vanished. He simply agreed, "Of course, I would never cling."