Chapter 6

I think I finally understand why Shen Yutang was able to deliver me to rebirth.

He truly is a good man.

Born into an illustrious family, noble in character, and always maintaining a sincere heart.

Later, in the Study Room, once when I was bored, I told him the story of the Skull Needle for Son.

“That child was doomed to a tragic end simply for being born a girl.”

“Young Master, I can’t understand. Tell me, why are women in this world so cheap in fate? Where does the fault truly lie?”

He was practicing calligraphy at the time. Hearing this, he looked at me and said seriously, “It is the fault of education, the fault of ethics, the fault of men. It is never the fault of the women of this world, and it should not be your burden.”

“…Young Master, do you know what you’re saying?”

Such shocking words, coming from a man’s mouth.

An official of the Imperial Court, a Flower Picking Scholar in a high position, saying that their codes and philosophies are wrong.

If word got out, who knows what kind of uproar it would cause.

I, a Jiangshi who has lived for more than two hundred years, was stunned by his words in that instant.

Male superiority and female inferiority has been a rule since ancient times.

Seas may change into mulberry fields, dynasties may rise and fall, but this idea remains-men do not question it, women do not question it.

Jiangshi certainly do not question it.

I stared at him wide-eyed, only to see him curve his eyes at me, place his index finger to his lips, and shush me.

Shen Yutang is truly handsome, with red lips and white teeth, eyes like starlight.

I never knew that even a Jiangshi could feel dizzy in the head, looking at someone with joy.

In this murky, worldly realm, there could still be such a person.

Unable to suppress my delight, I asked excitedly, “Young Master, are you staying in the Study Room again tonight?”

The Shen Family residence is large, and Shen Yutang’s Study Room is spacious as well.

There are several rooms inside and out, and even a bedroom for resting.

A few days ago, he got tired from reading and, instead of returning, slept here directly.

That night, I thought it was a good opportunity, insisting on replacing Qiushi to keep watch in the outer room.

When the night grew deep and the lights were out, I quietly walked over to his bedside and called out, “Young Master.”

In the dark, Shen Yutang was clearly startled. Realizing it was me, he seemed a bit nervous.

“Niannian? Why are you here?”

“I can’t sleep. It’s warm in Young Master’s room, but the outer room is too cold.”

“The outer room has bedding and a brazier. How could it be cold?”

“…I’m a little scared.”

“What are you afraid of?”

Shen Yutang couldn’t help but laugh at this, saying, “You can be afraid too?”

“Of course. I’ve been afraid of ghosts since I was little. Young Master, do you think there are ghosts in this world?”

Lowering my voice, I moved closer and climbed onto his bed.

But before I could get near him, he sat up abruptly, grabbed me, and pressed me down onto the bed.

My heart leapt with joy, thinking something good was about to happen.

The next moment, he pulled the quilt over me, wrapping me tightly, leaving only my bewildered head exposed.

Confused, I asked, “Young Master?”

Through the quilt, he pressed my legs with his knee, as if relieved, and laughed again: “This way, you won’t be cold.”

“Don’t be afraid. Even if there are ghosts and monsters in this world, a person with a righteous heart has nothing to fear. Isn’t that right, Little Niannian?”

Damn it, he called me Little Niannian.

He is so gentle.

In the darkness, with eyes that do not belong to humans, I could clearly see his bright eyes, with a gentle smile hidden within.

That deep, pleasant voice, warm as the spring breeze in March.

My mind was full of thoughts that at this moment, with the time and place just right, it was time for a Yin-Yang Union.

So I struggled to get up, wanting to move closer and kiss him.

But because he had wrapped me up like a silkworm cocoon and was pressing down on my legs, I couldn’t reach his lips no matter how hard I tried.

In the end, Shen Yutang laughed out loud, flicked my forehead, and then rolled out of bed.

“Go to sleep. I’ll sleep outside.”

I think Shen Yutang might like me.

When I told Fox Sister this idea, she stared at me, her whiskers twitching at the corner of her mouth.

At the time, she had transformed into a red fox, lying in my arms while I petted her.

“…I’d tell you to pee and look at yourself in the reflection, but you can’t even do that,” she said.

I snorted and explained, “You don’t know. For the past year, I’ve hardly left his side. Even when he goes out to visit his mentor, he takes me along. Whenever he sees something delicious or fun at the market, if I glance at it, he orders someone to buy it and gives it all to me.”

“So what? If he really liked you, how could you not have succeeded after a whole year?”

Mentioning this, Fox Sister just sneered.

She only recently came to my side. When she heard I hadn’t gotten close to Shen Yutang yet, she was shocked and disdainful, saying I had disgraced all the Spirit Monsters of the Mountain, unable to even sleep with a man.
I couldn’t help but defend him: “He’s observing filial mourning.”

Fox Sister snorted, “That’s just an excuse. In the end, it’s because you aren’t beautiful enough in your current state to tempt him.”

“Niannian, let me remind you, the longer you drag this out, the worse it is for you. You need to use some means.”

I thought Fox Sister was right.

But also not right.

She actually said I wasn’t beautiful enough.

Over the past year, with the intention of seducing Shen Yutang, I had changed quietly in the Shen Mansion.

There was a painting of a court lady hanging in his Study Room-a plump beauty.

I suspected he liked that type, so I modeled myself after her, gradually transforming from a sallow, thin girl into someone round and fair-skinned.

Until one day, Shen Yutang, surprised, pinched my cheek and exclaimed, “Niannian, stop eating, you’re about to turn into a ball.”

Only then did I realize I had unknowingly gone too far and become too fat.

After that, I started watching my diet, planning to slim down again without him noticing.

To figure out his preferences, I even went to ask him, “Young Master, how do I look now? Should I lose a bit more weight?”

Shen Yutang was drinking tea and nearly spat it out when he heard me.

His gaze lingered on me, somewhat awkwardly: “…You’d best be a bit more proportionate.”

Following his gaze, I saw my… rather large bosom.

In short, after all this fuss, I believed that my current appearance, though not as ethereal as Daomei Fairy back then, was lively and graceful. Among all the maids in the Shen Mansion, I was definitely the most striking.

There was no way Shen Yutang wouldn’t be moved. I decided to make another move.

That very day, I began to display my charm, wearing a long dress with colorful silk pleats, swaying my waist as I walked in front of him, occasionally casting him flirtatious glances.

Sure enough, Shen Yutang looked at me a few more times.

Later that day, he called me over and examined me closely.

“Niannian, you…”

I bit my lip, looking shy, secretly delighted.

But he frowned and changed the subject: “Are you possessed? Why can’t you walk properly, twisting and turning like an eel? And your eyes-do you have an eye disease? You’re blinking so fast…”

I looked at him resentfully and snorted.

Storming off in a huff, I heard him laugh behind me: “Shall I call a doctor to the mansion to check on you?”

Fox Sister was right. I thought to myself, I needed to show Shen Yutang something more impressive.

But just at that moment, his mother fell ill-and it was quite serious.

In fact, ever since Shen Father passed away, Madam Shen had been deeply affected and her health had never been good.

That autumn, she caught a chill and fell gravely ill.

They had invited every doctor in the city, even tried prescriptions from the imperial physicians in the Capital, but nothing worked.

It goes without saying how anxious Shen Yutang was.

I saw his eyes bloodshot from sleepless nights many times. In the end, I couldn’t help but say to him, “My family has a folk remedy that might cure Madam Shen.”

After that, I made a trip back to Deer Enclosure Mountain.

Together with Fox Sister, we caught the Elder Ginseng Spirit in the Mountain and plucked a few ginseng whiskers from it.

The Elder Ginseng Spirit cursed furiously, “You little brat, you troublemaker!”

Plucking its whiskers was like taking its life-this old fellow was truly stingy.

Fox Sister was originally unwilling to help me. She said I must have lost my mind, perhaps even fallen for Shen Qilang.

I didn’t understand what it meant to like someone. I only told her that Shen Yutang was destined to die. If I saved his mother now, I wouldn’t feel guilty when he died in the future.

Fox Sister sighed, patted my head, and said, “Niannian, never let yourself fall for him. You must know, that would be your doom.”

Of course, Fox Sister really underestimated me.

Shen Yutang truly was a good man.

Over the past year, no matter where he went, the people of the city greeted him warmly, addressing him as Young Master Shen (Seventh).

It was said that at the age of twelve, he had already started discussing with his father, persuading the local clans and noble families to grant tax exemptions to Merchants and to assign tenant farmers’ taxes by acreage.

Yuhang had become Fanxiong County, a sign of its prosperity.

Shen Yutang was kind, upright, and clear-headed.

Everyone around him, from Shen Father and Madam Shen to Qiushi and the other servants, were all good-hearted people.

Qiushi said that there was no one else in the world like the Young Master.

Naturally, I agreed.

But I wouldn’t miss my chance to exist just because he was a good person.

Because I, too, feared vanishing from this world. Ever since I was buried at the age of five, I had a desperate longing for life.

He may be a good person, but it is not my fault.