Chapter 20: Go Kneel in the Ancestral Hall

Wei Jianlang scoffed, “So, what did this Taoist priest find?”

“Of course he found something. He said the ghost was in Shen Shilang’s courtyard,” Wei Jianming quickly interjected. “Elder brother, don’t be skeptical. You haven’t been home, so you don’t know about the strange occurrences in our mansion lately.”

Wei Jianming hastily recounted the recent bizarre events to Wei Jianlang, but accidentally let something slip.

“You even went to Shilang’s courtyard to exorcise ghosts?” Wei Jianlang raised his voice in disbelief.

“The ghost was in his courtyard, so of course we had to go there,” Wei Jianming instinctively took a couple of steps back. “But he refused to let us in. He’s just a guest in our home, and that courtyard belongs to the Wei family. What right does he have to keep us out?”

“He wouldn’t let us in and even resorted to violence. Fine, we backed off and tried to perform the exorcism in the garden,” Wei Jianming complained, feeling wronged. “We were already being very accommodating, yet he still came to the garden and caused a scene!”

“Elder brother, do you still think he’s faultless?” Wei Ruyan chimed in.

Wei Jianlang could imagine the torment and pain Shen Shilang must have endured as they attempted to exorcise ‘ghosts’ right in his face.

“Father has repeatedly said that our household should not believe in such superstitions. Yet the moment Father leaves, you bring in a Taoist to perform some ridiculous exorcism!” Wei Jianlang felt so angry he thought he might faint. “Mother, how could you join them in this foolishness!”

Wei Jianlang then turned to Wei Jianming and Wei Ruyan: “It’s only due to Shilang’s good character that he didn’t beat you all!”

“Elder brother, truly, in the mansion…”

Before Wei Jianming could finish, Wei Jianlang took a deep breath, “Silence! You and Ruyan, both of you, go kneel in the ancestral hall!”

“Elder brother!” Wei Ruyan said tearfully, looking aggrieved, “Why should we kneel? We’ve done nothing wrong!”

“Do I need to summon Father back to personally order you to kneel in the ancestral hall before you’ll comply?” Wei Jianlang said coldly.

At the mention of Wei Zhaoxian, both Wei Jianming and Wei Ruyan trembled and dared not say more.

As the siblings were about to leave, Wei Jianlang called out, “Wait.”

They both turned, hoping Wei Jianlang had changed his mind.

Before their hopeful expressions could fully form, Wei Jianlang said, “Jianming, you said you encountered a ghost near Shilang’s courtyard at night. What were you and Ruyan doing near Shilang’s quarters at night?”

Wei Jianming couldn’t hide his panic, avoiding Wei Jianlang’s gaze as he stammered, “No… nothing!”

Wei Ruyan quickly added, “We were just taking a walk and passed by.”

Wei Jianlang said nothing, his gaze sweeping over their faces. “I see. Go to the ancestral hall.”

He then summoned his deputy, “Zhou Cheng, personally watch over them. Make sure they kneel properly and don’t slack off.”

“Yes, sir,” Zhou Cheng saluted and followed Wei Jianming and Wei Ruyan.

Madam wei wrung her hands nervously before finally gathering the courage to speak to Wei Jianlang: “Jianlang, while your brother and sister were wrong, isn’t this punishment too severe? Letting them know their mistake should suffice.”

“Mother,” Wei Jianlang said gravely, “I cannot disrespect you, so I dare not say much. But I hope in the future, you won’t indulge Jianming and Ruyan, or worse, join them in bullying Shilang.”

Madam wei’s expression changed dramatically, looking at Wei Jianlang in disbelief, “How is this bullying Shen Shilang? If he disapproves of bringing superstitions into our home, couldn’t he have expressed it properly?”

“Did you give him a chance to explain?” Wei Jianlang questioned, suppressing his anger with a facade of calm.

But to Madam wei, this suppressed calmness was even more unnerving.

“Mother, do you want me to report this to Father?” Wei Jianlang asked, his face tense and jaw clenched.

“No!” Madam wei quickly grabbed Wei Jianlang’s arm. “Don’t tell your father. Otherwise, your brother and sister…”

“I can keep this matter to myself,” Wei Jianlang said, noticing Madam wei’s relief with disappointment. “But Mother, please ensure nothing like this happens again.”

“Of course,” Madam wei quickly responded. “I’ll keep a close eye on them and prevent any further misconduct.”

“Mother, this applies to you as well,” Wei Jianlang said, dissatisfied that his mother seemed to exclude herself from blame.

“And myself,” Madam wei pressed her lips together.

As Wei Jianlang turned to leave, Madam wei called out, “Jianlang, where are you going so late?”

“I’m going to check on Shilang,” Wei Jianlang said as he strode away.

Madam wei stood at the doorway, watching Wei Jianlang’s figure disappear into the night. She turned to Liu Mama, expressing her discontent: “Look at him! He’s just returned, didn’t even sit down or have a sip of tea, didn’t change his clothes, and he’s rushing off to see that Shen Shilang!”

“One might think Shen Shilang was his real brother!”

“Madam!” Liu Mama quickly cautioned, “You shouldn’t say such things! Wouldn’t that give Shen Shilang an opportunity to solidify his position? Right now, he’s just a distant relative, which is perfect!”

“Yes, yes…” Madam wei nodded.

“Oh no!” Liu Mama suddenly exclaimed.

Startled by Liu Mama’s outburst, Madam wei clutched her chest, still recovering from the shock. “You scared me to death! What’s wrong now? Why are you so jumpy?”

“Madam, the eldest young master is going to Shen Shilang’s courtyard, but we haven’t arranged for anyone to attend to him there! If the eldest young master notices, he’ll surely be angry! He might… he might even tell the general!” Liu Mama looked panicked.

Madam wei finally remembered this important matter.

The commotion with the Taoist’s exorcism being discovered by Wei Jianlang, coupled with Wei Jianming and Wei Ruyan’s punishment, had left her too stressed to think of anything else, causing her to forget such a crucial detail.

“Quickly! Go find Steward Zhou and send someone to Shen Shilang’s courtyard immediately!” Madam wei hurried towards the door.

“Madam, I’ll go,” Liu Mama stopped Madam wei and rushed out.

As Wei Jianlang walked along the path to Shen Shilang’s courtyard, the incessant cicada chirping around him seemed particularly grating at that moment.

The cold moonlight illuminated the path, and as Wei Jianlang watched his shadow on the ground, his sense of guilt intensified.

As he walked, he suddenly heard a rustling sound.

Wei Jianlang didn’t stop, but his ears twitched slightly.

He turned his face slightly, catching sight of the shadows of the bushes trembling on the ground.

At that moment, there was no wind.

Without warning, Wei Jianlang abruptly retreated at a speed that left those around him speechless.