Chapter 76

That night, Yiling indeed dreamt of Xin Shaoyan.

His face had become blurry, leaving only a vague outline.

It seemed like they spoke quite a bit, but after waking up, Yiling couldn’t remember a single word.

In the morning, Yiling felt lost for quite a while.

When she recalled the word “Ning Ning” she had heard the previous night, a chill ran through her body.

Even if it were just a hallucination, it wouldn’t have appeared for no reason.

Xin Shaoyan had been dead for six years. How could he appear on such a mundane night, especially when Yiling hadn’t thought of him at all?

Soon after, he appeared in her dream again.

If not for the presence of a ghost, this could only mean that Xin Shaoyan had visited her in a dream.

Although she didn’t know what his spirit’s intention was, they had been acquainted and even betrothed. Yiling decided to burn incense for him and comfort his spirit.

However, Xin Shaoyan’s identity was sensitive, so she couldn’t openly honor him.

On an ordinary day, if she suddenly lit incense in public, she wouldn’t be able to explain it.

Luckily, Mallow was easily persuaded.

That night, Yiling dismissed Mama Cao and asked Mallow to prepare some incense and candles. 

The two of them headed to the most remote Fengyu Pavilion in the Xie residence.

There was a patch of wasteland below, and after Mallow quickly cleared away the weeds, she extinguished the lantern’s wick and said, “Madam, it’s ready.”

Yiling stepped forward, lit the spiritual incense first, and placed it neatly into the ground.

The surroundings were pitch dark, and only a few sparks of light from the incense could be seen.

Yiling closed her eyes and raised the incense high.

She had once mistakenly thought that these men had suffered because of her, but after going through life and death, she realized that Xie Hengzhi had never cared about the young lady of the Yi family.

These consecutive hardships seemed like pure misfortune, as if fate were playing with her.

But those few men…

Yiling sighed. The first incense was offered to Xin Shaoyan, who had passed away and could not awaken.

They had known each other since childhood. Although Xin Shaoyan often made her angry, she had to admit he was also very kind to her.

Especially after their families had arranged the marriage, Yiling, who had just turned fifteen, found Xin Shaoyan more and more agreeable whenever she saw him, knowing that he would be the one she would spend her life with. She no longer minded his mischievous flaws.

Her mother had said that men only became mature and steady after they got married.

Unfortunately, she had never been able to wait for that day.

When she learned of Duke Dianyuan’s plot to rebel, Yiling felt as though the world had collapsed.

She had desperately sought help from relatives, asking them to extend a hand, but when they learned it involved Duke Dianyuan, they all kept their distance.

Later, even her parents locked her away and swore to sever all ties with the Duke’s family.

At that time, Yiling was just a powerless woman, and with the evidence so clear, there was nothing she could do.

Yiling didn’t know if Xin Shaoyan had any regrets, but with things as they were, she could only hope that in his next life, he would be born into a good family and live a peaceful, disaster-free life.

After placing the incense in the ground, Yiling stared at the rising smoke and suddenly thought of something, asking Mallow to light another incense.

This second incense was for her fiancé, Cui Zongheng, who, although unfamiliar to her, had been formally betrayed to her.

He had a handsome face and real talent, but he had chosen to take such a risk, ending up with his bones scattered. It was truly pity.

“May he live an upright life in his next life after reincarnation.”

After bowing three times, Yiling thought for a moment and then asked for another incense stick.

This time, she dedicated it to the truly married Xue Shengan.

May he, in his next life… no, it seems like he’s not dead yet.

But he is rather unfortunate.

After much opposition from his mother, he finally married, but before he could even drink a cup of wine, he went to the battlefield.

Then, he became a “widower,” and his future marriage could only be a remarriage.

Although Yiling later saw through Xue’s mother’s true nature and had mixed feelings, Xue Shengan was still a good man.

She could only pray for his safety on the southeastern coast.

The last incense stick.

Yiling turned around and bowed to the defeated wind and rain pavilion.

After finishing the incense, Yiling didn’t hurry to leave.

She was afraid that the sparks from the spring fire might set the grass and trees on fire and also worried about being discovered.

So, she and Mallow quietly stood to the side, waiting for the incense and candles to burn out.

After all, it was a ritual for the deceased, and the place was especially remote, with no light in sight.

Every time the grass rustled slightly, Yiling felt a chill down her spine.

After the last incense stick went out, she hurriedly had Mallow light the lantern so they could leave.

Mallow was also somewhat afraid. She blew on the fire stick several times, and when she lit the lantern wick, her hands were trembling slightly.

After lighting it with great difficulty, the two of them turned around, only to see two men in black who had suddenly appeared from somewhere.

Yiling’s heart skipped a beat, and she was about to drag Mallow to run.

But when she reached out, she found the space beside her empty.

Looking up again, she saw Mallow had already taken two steps forward and was angrily confronting the two sneaky men. “Stop! Who are you?”

The two men in black indeed stopped in their tracks.

They turned their heads, their faces illuminated by Mallow’s lantern.

At first glance, Yiling thought the man in the front had regular features, and he didn’t look like a bad person.

But upon a closer look, her eyes widen in shock.

This… this isn’t… Isn’t this her husband stationed on the southeastern coast, Xue Shengan?

Looking at the man beside him, Yiling’s eyes almost popped out.

This is the imperial scholar Cui Zongheng, who had once been engaged to her and died during his exile!

The surroundings were filled with the cold wind, and the scent of incense and candles still lingered in the air.

… This time, they were really ghosts!

Yiling’s vision went black, and she collapsed onto the ground.

Half an hour later.

Xie Hengzhi rushed back, sitting by the bed, looking at the unconscious Yiling with a furrowed brow.

“What exactly happened?”

All the servants had gone out, leaving only Mallow behind.

She nervously explained, “I… I accompanied the lady to wind and rain pavilion to burn incense and pray, then two men in black appeared, and the lady fainted from fright.”

Why burn incense and pray for no reason?

But now was not the time to investigate these things. Xie Hengzhi pursed his lips and, after a long moment, said, “Do not speak a word of today’s events.”

Mallow agreed.

If she had to speak of it, she wouldn’t know what to say either.

She had never seen those two men before, nor did she know their identities. Was she supposed to tell others that her mistress fainted upon seeing strangers?

After Mallow left, Xie Hengzhi sighed heavily as he looked at Yiling.

What a coincidence—of all the people, she had to run into those two.

He sat in silence for a while until the person on the bed finally stirred and woke up.

He lowered his head and asked softly, “Are you feeling better?”

Yiling opened her eyes, and when she met Xie Hengzhi’s gaze, she appeared dazed.

After a moment.

“There’s a ghost!” She suddenly sat up, grabbing Xie Hengzhi’s hand. “There’s a ghost in this mansion!”

Xie Hengzhi took a deep breath, and before he could respond, Yiling said, “It’s that… that imperial scholar, Cui Zongheng. He died long ago, but I just saw him!”

After saying that, she looked around in a panic and said, “Mallow saw him too!”

Xie Hengzhi closed his eyes and said in a deep voice, “It’s not a ghost.”

“… Huh?”

Yiling didn’t understand, still looking confused. “W-what do you mean it’s not a ghost?”

“I mean,” Xie Hengzhi looked at Yiling and spoke slowly, “He’s not a ghost. He didn’t die.”

These simple words were hard for Yiling to process.

“He… he didn’t die?” Her eyes cleared for a moment, then doubt filled them again. “You mean, I didn’t see a ghost?”

She lowered her eyes and thought carefully about the scene, still finding it hard to believe.

“But he died on the exile road, didn’t he? What do you mean he didn’t die?”

“And that, that Xue Shengan, I just saw him too. Did he die as well?”

Xie Hengzhi: “…”

It seems like it would take some time to explain.

He turned and called out, “Dao Yu.”

Before long, the door to the bedroom opened, and two men walked in cautiously.

“Don’t come any closer!”

Yiling immediately hid behind Xie Hengzhi, pressing herself tightly against his back, her forehead against his shoulder, too afraid to look at the two men.

This made things awkward for both Xue Shengan and Cui Zongheng.

The two men exchanged an awkward glance before looking at Xie Hengzhi, unsure of what to say.

Helpless, Xie Hengzhi turned around and gently turned Yiling’s face toward them.

“Look carefully. He’s not a ghost.”

Yiling still refused to move, clinging tightly to Xie Hengzhi’s arm.

After a long while, she slowly opened one eye.

Cui Zongheng, understanding that “ghost” must have referred to him, raised his hand and spun around in place.

He then laughed and said, “Madam, look at me; I’m a living person, not a ghost.”

Perhaps because Xie Hengzhi was standing in front of her and also because Yiling was pressed tightly against him, able to feel his body warmth, she gradually began to sense reality.

She carefully examined Cui Zongheng, noticing that he appeared completely normal, with a shadow under the lamp. Finally, Yiling felt somewhat reassured and dared to open her eyes.

She then turned her gaze to the side at Xue Shengan, her expression becoming quite complex.

However, Xue Shengan, of course, didn’t understand why this woman was looking at him like that. He scratched his head and then, mimicking Cui Zongheng, raised his hand and spun around.

“Madam, I’m not a ghost either.”

Cui Zongheng scoffed lightly.

Sensing the grip on his arm loosen, Xie Hengzhi nodded towards the two of them, signaling them to step back and leave.

He then turned to Yiling and asked, “Do you believe it now?”

It really didn’t seem like a ghost.

Yiling lowered her hand, her gaze still dazed.

After a long pause, she said, “So… Cui Zongheng came back from the dead?”

Xie Hengzhi replied, “…He was never dead.”

He continued, “He did almost die during the exile, but I had someone save him.”

Yiling blinked, as if she understood a bit more.

“Then, how did Xue Shengan end up back in the capital? Isn’t it a capital offense for military officers to return without orders?”

Xie Hengzhi hadn’t expected Yiling, still dazed, to ask such a pointed question.

It seemed… She really did care about her only husband, who had once gone through the wedding ceremony with her.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Xie Hengzhi lowered his eyes and said, “The war in the southeast has subsided. He recently learned of some longevity medicine news over there, and with the Emperor’s permission, he led troops on a secret search. Now he’s back to report.”

“…Oh.”

Yiling nodded, still confused.

To prevent her from asking more questions, Xie Hengzhi said at that moment, “In any case, you must not speak about their matters.”

He wasn’t sure if she had understood, but he emphasized, “Otherwise, our lives will be in danger.”

Yiling immediately nodded. “I won’t say anything!”

There were pressing matters to attend to, so Xie Hengzhi couldn’t stay long.

Seeing that Yiling’s fear had subsided, he quietly observed her for a moment, then stood up and said, “You should rest for now.”

Xie Hengzhi had been gone for quite some time, and Yiling remained in the same position, unmoving.

What kind of mess was all this?

Cui Zongheng hadn’t died, and now Xue Shengan had suddenly returned to the capital.

On the other side.

After Cui Zongheng and Xue Shengan came out of their chambers, they waited for Xie Hengzhi in the study.

When he entered, both of them immediately approached him.

Today, there were important matters to discuss, but after all that had happened, Cui Zongheng had a question that he couldn’t understand.

“My Lord, your wife…?” He asked. “According to logic, she should never have seen me, so how did she know I was the dead top scholar?”

Xie Hengzhi, with his hands behind his back, walked past him and glanced at him.

“Perhaps it’s because you, Scholar Cui, look like Pan An. Your portrait has been spread all over the country.”

Cui Zongheng raised an eyebrow when he heard this.

It seemed that this was the only explanation.

But for some reason, the tone of the Lord seemed a bit sarcastic.

As Xie Hengzhi sat down at the desk and started to examine the letters they had brought, Xue Shengan looked out the window, sighing for no reason.

Xie Hengzhi raised his eyes.

“What’s wrong with you now?”

Xue Shengan mumbled, “Nothing, I just… seeing how you and your wife were so close just now, it reminded me of my late wife.”

Xie Hengzhi: “…”

Before he could speak, Cui Zongheng sneered.

“It was my late wife.”

“Oh?”

Xue Shengan shot him a sideways glance, “Did you two ever go through a wedding ceremony?”

“What’s the difference?”

Cui Zongheng replied, “She never called off our engagement, so her marriage to anyone else doesn’t count.”

“You’re already dead; why does she still need to call off the engagement with you?”

“If I hadn’t died, could she have married you as a second choice?”

“Second choice?”

Xue Shengan hated the way Cui Zongheng put it. At that moment, his competitive spirit flared up.

 Since there was no proof, he stepped forward and started to make up a story.

“She even wrote to me personally, saying she fell in love with me at first sight!”

“A joke, someone like you, Lord Xue…”

Cui Zongheng brushed off his clothes and said, “She could have dictated the letter, but she told me in person that she was deeply in love with me!”

“You!”

The two of them argued fiercely until they both looked toward Xie Hengzhi.

“My Lord, you be the judge!”

Xie Hengzhi, who had been holding back for a long time, closed his eyes and tightened the letter in his hand. He finally spoke, “Get out.”