Chapter 64

Chapter 64

“Aside from the effects of talismans, when else can mortal eyes see ghosts?”

At that question, everyone in the main hall reacted-except for Ren Fengjue and Yan Zhengchu, who remained composed.

The housekeeper, Ren Cong, and the servant, A’chun, both looked startled and couldn’t help pricking up their ears.

After all, they had never seen a ghost before…

They were just about to listen closely when Ren Fengjue gave a light cough and instructed, “Uncle Ren, A’chun, you may withdraw for now.”

“…”

There was nothing they could do. If their young master did not allow them to listen, then even with ears, they were not permitted to hear.

Ren Fengjue then said to Xia Ximo, “Miss Xia, why don’t we sit and talk?”

Xia Ximo entered the hall and, still paying no mind to etiquette, sat down directly beside him.

With the servants dismissed, Lord Ren had to personally pour a cup of tea and set it before her.

Yan Zhengchu took in the scene and couldn’t help smiling before he said, “Aside from talismans, certain ritual artifacts and Daoist hand seals can do the same.”

“Of course, there are also folk rumors. For example, wiping one’s eyes with willow leaves dipped in dew, or smearing crow’s tears around the eyes, is said to allow one to see ghosts for a short time. Whether any of that actually works is hard to say.”

Xia Ximo picked up the tea and took a sip. “Everything you’ve mentioned only lets someone see ghosts temporarily?”

“Yes. Like the Transformation Talisman I sold you last time, it can only last for half an incense stick’s worth of time.”

Xia Ximo nodded, then asked, “Then what if a person lives under the same roof as a ghost?”

Yan Zhengchu paused, his brows drawing together as his expression turned solemn. “I’m afraid that wouldn’t work…”

“If a human lives with a ghost, over time, yin energy will become excessive while yang energy wanes. Once the yang can no longer suppress the yin, that person may suffer soul separation.”

“A soul leaving the body is already an extremely dangerous matter. If no one with profound magic is there to summon it back, that person will die on the spot, beyond even the help of immortals.”

At this point, Yan Zhengchu also took a sip of tea before continuing, “But you said living under the same roof as a ghost? Could you mean…”

Xia Ximo said, “Able to see, able to speak, no different from a living person.”

At that, not only Yan Zhengchu but even Ren Fengjue was slightly startled.

“Now that is strange…”

Yan Zhengchu rose to his feet in some excitement and asked, “How long have this person and the ghost been together?”

“Half a year.”

“And this person is still alive and well?”

Daoist Yan exclaimed in astonishment, “That’s more than a hundred and eighty days! A soul lingering in the mortal world for forty-nine days will already be scattered to the winds, and after absorbing yin energy for that long, this person is still alive?”

“Yes.”

Yan Zhengchu was stunned for quite some time before finally reaching a conclusion. “It seems this person either has help from an expert, or there is something in the mortal world they absolutely cannot let go of.”

“I’ve heard that when a person is on the verge of death, if their heart and mind are linked with a soul, they can break through the barrier between yin and yang.”

Xia Ximo fell silent for a moment.

Something they absolutely could not let go of… That was probably the obsession with finding the true murderer and taking revenge, wasn’t it?

Yan Zhengchu couldn’t help asking again, “I’ve only ever seen such a thing mentioned in my grandmaster’s Demon-Slaying Notes. Where did you encounter someone like that, Miss Xia?”

Xia Ximo did not want to answer. She only said, “I was just asking.”

She was about to rise and return to her room when, as if remembering something, she turned back and said four words to Ren Fengjue: “Two days left.”

Ren Fengjue smiled and nodded, watching her leave.

In Yan Zhengchu’s eyes, the two of them were exchanging meaningful glances, speaking in riddles, and had even said something he could not understand at all. Naturally, he was nearly dying of curiosity.

He couldn’t help asking, “What little secret are the two of you hiding? Could you perhaps tell me?”

Ren Fengjue glanced at him, still modest and courteous. “Since it is a secret, naturally I cannot tell the Daoist Master. Forgive me.”

“…”

When Xia Ximo returned to the East Courtyard Guest Room, Tianqing brought over a bowl of ginseng soup as usual. Only after watching her drink it did Tianqing begin preparing the things she needed to wash up.
Strangely enough, though the two of them had only spent a few days together, they had already settled into an easy harmony.

Tianqing had grown used to Xia Ximo’s taciturn nature and did her utmost to attend to every detail.

Xia Ximo, too, had grown used to Tianqing’s way of serving her. It was fussy, but comfortable.

She had also grown used to sleeping in a soft, warm bed, breathing in a calming fragrance that soothed the mind.

That night, she had a dream.

In the dream, she stood atop a mountain, gazing out at the vast sky and drifting clouds, at the towering peaks and distant waters.

The wind tugged at the hem of her clothes and lifted her long hair.

A youth in white sat with his back to her, head lowered as he played an ancient zither.

The notes rang clear and cool, mingling with the breeze and the flowing mountain spring before drifting into her ears, bright and pleasing.

When the song ended, the youth turned back, but his features were blurred.

“Mogu, after this parting, do you think there will ever be a day when we meet again?”

She did not answer. Instead, she slowly turned her back to him.

In an instant, the sky darkened.

A frantic, disordered cry for help suddenly rang beside her ear.

“Save me, miss, save me!”

“Someone is trying to kill me!”

“I’ll give you those ten ingots of gold. Please, save me! Save my wife…”

She whipped around, and a face bleeding from all seven orifices filled her vision.

Xia Ximo opened her eyes. It was already bright outside the window.

The incense burner that had been placed by the bed had somehow toppled to the floor, scattering ash everywhere.

She asked Wuyou, “Did any ghosts come by last night?”

Wuyou shook his head. “No. But you probably had a dream last night, right?”

Xia Ximo did not deny it.

That had likely been no ordinary dream.

Perhaps she would have to visit yesterday’s abandoned house again.

When she left the East Courtyard, Ren Fengjue was also about to go out. Because the two-wheeled carriage he usually used had been too badly damaged and taken away by Ren Cong for disposal, the only usable carriage in the residence at present was a four-wheeled one.

Seeing that she seemed to be going out as well, Ren Fengjue took the initiative to ask, “Where are you going, Miss Xia?”

Xia Ximo replied, “East Market.”

Ren Fengjue turned and instructed Axia, “Go to East Market first.”

Although the carriage was spacious enough, after Xia Ximo climbed inside, she still instinctively took the main seat.

Ren Fengjue did not mind in the slightest and simply sat to the side.

Now that the two of them were alone together, he finally had the chance to say what he had not managed to say yesterday.

“About the gold yesterday… Miss Xia, you needn’t take it to heart.”

Xia Ximo replied, “I haven’t taken it to heart.”

Ren Fengjue was afraid he had phrased it too tactfully and that she might not understand, so he said plainly, “What I mean is, you don’t have to pay me back.”

“Mm.”

She answered with a faint, indifferent expression.

As if that were only to be expected.

Ren Fengjue considered his words again. “And even if you and I break off the engagement, if you still wish to remain in the capital…”

“Probably not.”

Xia Ximo said, “I won’t stay for long. Sooner or later, I’ll leave.”

By leave, she meant leaving the mortal world.

But when Ren Fengjue heard it, an inexplicable feeling stirred in his heart.

He paused slightly. “That is all right. Even if you leave, you needn’t worry about money.”

Xia Ximo glanced at him as well.

As their eyes met, the atmosphere inside the carriage somehow became strange.

Fortunately, just then, they arrived at the entrance of East Street, and Axia brought the carriage to a stop.

She got down directly. Ren Fengjue asked again, “Miss Xia, do you have money on you?”

“Mm.”

Whenever she went out, Tianqing would tuck a few pieces of broken silver into her purse.

If there were no carriage to take her, she could hire one herself.

“Good.”

Watching her figure recede into the distance, Ren Fengjue finally turned and instructed Axia, “Don’t go to the Ministry of Justice yet. Go to Zhongshu Menxia.”