People noticed that the number of Daoist priests coming and going from the Xin residence had increased again.
Could it be that the young master of the Yushan County Magistrate’s family had fallen seriously ill once more?
The public was abuzz with speculation.
With such excellent looks and talent, being the son of an official, about to go to the capital for the imperial examinations with high hopes of success…it was just a pity he was rather sickly and frail, which also made it difficult to find him a suitable marriage.
Contrary to popular speculation, Xin Hexue was not merely facing difficulties in finding a suitable match; he had actually been directly betrothed to a ghost.
Moreover, it was entirely the ghost’s wishful thinking.
He had somehow provoked a mad male ghost who was fond of longyang.
**Longyang means relationships between men.
“I am not fond of longyang.” Whether it was because his expression was so obvious or because this ghost was very powerful, the ghost actually guessed his thoughts, and its low and hoarse voice clung to Xin Hexue’s ears like a spider’s web. “I only like you. Feel my heart, it’s pounding…”
Xin Hexue knew that their words could only be heard by each other. In the presence of others, Hen Zhen would always whisper such nonsense to him, while those around showed no reaction, even unable to see the shadow that constantly accompanied the son of the Yushan County Magistrate.
Xin Hexue pretended not to hear his words.
However, unfortunately, the cold treatment did not bore Hen Zhen. The colder Xin Hexue’s face was, the more Hen Zhen would cling to him; if Xin Hexue responded even a little, he would become ecstatic and reciprocate with tenfold enthusiasm.
Being haunted by a ghost was just like this.
If one had to blame someone, it was for provoking him in the past.
Hen Zhen kept talking, his affectionate words soon descending into vulgar territory. At first, he was casual and pleasant, but upon seeing an unfamiliar Daoist priest enter the room, setting up formations in all directions and wielding brushes and blessed water, his mood instantly plummeted.
His eyes became gloomy, and his throat burned with jealousy. “If you keep bringing other men into your bedroom, believe me, I’ll kill him.”
Xin Hexue: “…”
“You keep talking of killing and slaughter, truly an evil ghost.” Like spring water disturbed by a breeze, he frowned and walked forward to inquire from the Daoist priest, “Master, how is it…?”
Xin Hexue eagerly awaited the result.
It would be best if this ghost could be quickly sent off to the underworld for reincarnation, and no longer haunt him.
“Young master, do not be hasty.”
The master finished wielding his brush and setting up the formation, closed his eyes, and began chanting incantations. “Heaven and earth are natural, foul energies disperse. Within the cave is mystery and emptiness, bright and vast is the great origin……Misfortune and filth disperse, the Dao’s energy endures forever. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances!”
For a moment, silvery sparks seemed to flash in the room.
Soon, Xin Hexue noticed something was wrong.
As if seeing something very terrifying behind his closed eyelids, the Daoist priest trembled violently all over. His beard and the skin of his entire face shook, sweat beaded at his temples, and his hand forming the mudra was sweaty.
Suddenly, the Daoist’s eyes burned, “Ah!”
The moment he opened his eyes, two trails of bloody tears streamed down. Without time to clean up, he hastily bid farewell to Xin Hexue. With shaking legs, he exited through the western side gate, turning back as he took his leave from Xin Hexue to say, “Young master, th-this… this is not someone I can deal with. He, he…”
The Daoist priest rambled incoherently and wiped away his sweat. Looking at the pure and elegant young master before him that was like an unpolished white jade, he understood that he was the uncut jade meant to suppress this evil demon.
“He bears no intention to harm you. Since that is the case, if you try to banish him, it may backfire… Although he is not human, I carefully calculated: according to your young master’s birth characters and fate, he brings good blessings to you.”
“What exactly is he? A demon or a ghost?” Xin Hexue pressed.
That master wiped his sweat. “A demon, a great demon, an evil demon.”
Xin Hexue saw off this sixth master with frustration.
After the Yushan County Magistrate returned home from his duties and heard that his son had invited several Daoist priests to the residence, he asked anxiously, “What happened? Are you unwell somewhere?” Three days had passed, and Xin Hexue had completely recovered from his illness and his complexion was restored. Therefore, when the Yushan County Magistrate tested Xin Hexue’s forehead again, it was a normal temperature.
Not wanting to worry his elderly father, Xin Hexue made up an excuse and brushed it off, reassuring the Yushan County Magistrate so he could go rest at ease.
Returning to his room, Xin Hexue had already decided to treat a dead horse as if it were alive. He called a servant boy to fetch glutinous rice, realgar, beans, and blessed rice.
Hen Zhen watched as he muttered incantations while scattering beans around him.
Little fish is performing a shamanic dance~
What’s all this murmuring and muttering?
So pitifully earnest.
Hen Zhen’s heart softened at the sight, but his lower abdomen hardened.
Xin Hexue watched helplessly as the ghostly shadow remained unmoving, while a certain part of the lower abdomen inexplicably rose erect towards him.
He was so horrified that his pupils contracted sharply, and a mixture of shock and fury washed over him. He scolded, “So shameless, you beastly thing!”
Xin Hexue’s voice was clear and cold, like pearls striking jade, scolding Hen Zhen until flames of desire surged in his heart and rushed straight to the glans.
Hen Zhen agreed with him, speaking candidly, “This is indeed a beastly thing, yet it likes you very much. If you do not like it, come and step on it. Otherwise, I don’t know when it will finally calm down.”
Xin Hexue had only encountered friendly people since childhood; the worst in character was someone like Lin Zhixue. When had he ever seen such a persistent, lecherous demon?
His face turned pale and then red. He threw the whole basin of beans, spun on his feet, and left the room.
Hen Zhen knew he had angered Xin Hexue. As Xin Hexue left the room, he did not follow to be a nuisance.
Xin Hexue probably thought he was a bound spirit, and that once out of the room, all would be peaceful. Hen Zhen decided not to chase after him to also give him space to be alone.
He did not feel the slightest bit that he had been presumptuous.
His feelings for Xin Hexue were full of yearning and lust, brimming with a primitive and eerie animalistic nature.
Besides, what mortals call love and affection…isn’t it just about eating together and sleeping together?
He could give Xin Hexue everything, including this worthless life of his.
Apart from him, could those others do the same?
Could the bald monk do it? Could the poor scholar do it?
Why was Xin Hexue unwilling to bestow even a little love upon him?
Hen Zhen couldn’t understand.
Fortunately, he had always been too lazy to think deeply, surviving by instinct alone.
It was enough. If he couldn’t understand, he simply wouldn’t think about it. As long as he stayed by Xin Hexue’s side, it was sufficient.
Hen Zhen’s spiritual awareness, spread throughout the Xin residence, stirred, detecting an uninvited guest in the front hall.
The Prefect of Jiangzhou was over seventy years old, with graying hair at the temples. At this age and in this condition, he would likely petition the court for retirement in a couple of years.
His arrival prompted the Yushan County Magistrate to quickly support his arm, helping him sit down in the rosewood armchair in the front hall. Accompanying him were Lin Zhixue and three attendants.
The Yushan County Magistrate had servants serve tea. The two officials exchanged polite formalities back and forth, and then he began to probe the Prefect’s purpose for visiting.
The Prefect of Jiangzhou took a small sip of tea, his white beard fluttering as he exhaled leisurely. “I heard that at my grandson’s birthday banquet, your esteemed son fainted and fell ill. Truly, this old man failed in discipline, and my grandson was negligent in hosting. I specifically came to inquire whether your son is well?”
He then called an attendant to present three exquisite wooden boxes, each about half an arm’s length and a palm’s width. An attendant opened one and presented it. The Yushan County Magistrate looked down and saw it contained century-old ginseng roots as thick as a child’s arm.
At this time, he did not know the full details of that night’s events. Xin Hexue had only told him he drank wine, was exposed to wind, and was frightened by a water snake in the lake. He blamed Lin Zhixue for holding his birthday banquet on a lake boat.
Now, having received such a generous gift, the Yushan County Magistrate’s initial resentment towards the banquet host dissipated by seventy or eighty percent. “This cannot be blamed on Zhixue. The nights in August are inherently cool. Before my son went out, I was handling documents at the yamen and did not remind him to add warmer clothing.”
The Prefect of Jiangzhou chuckled. “Exactly. This old man brought this century-old ginseng so your esteemed son can nourish his body properly.”
The Yushan County Magistrate expressed his gratitude, also praising Lin Zhixue and inquiring, “I heard Zhixue fell into the lake. What happened? Is he fully recovered now?”
Lin Zhixue was anxiously trying to peer into the backyard through the door of the front hall. Hearing the Yushan County Magistrate’s inquiry, he snapped back to attention. “I have fully recovered, thank you for your concern, uncle. As for falling into the lake… I just had a bit of an argument with Hexue, and I misstepped and accidentally fell into the lake.”
Sensing some hesitation in his words, the Yushan County Magistrate became a little suspicious. The windowsill of that painted boat was so high; how could one misstep and fall into the lake?
But Lin Zhixue’s eyes suddenly lit up and he called out, “Hexue!”
The young man entered the hall, his tea-green robe swaying gently with his steps. Above, he wore a plain silk duijin lotus-patterned shirt with a mulberry-red lining. Seeing Lin Zhixue, his jade-like face became cold, yet this only made him even more captivating.
Lin Zhixue felt an itch in his heart upon seeing him.
Xin Hexue ignored Lin Zhixue, only greeting the elders and walking to the Yushan County Magistrate’s side. Seeing the generous gifts presented, he said, “Father, we cannot accept these.”
Xin Hexue said to them, “These are too valuable. We appreciate the sentiment, thank you for your concern.”
“No, these were specially sought out for you.” Lin Zhixue was already distracted and entranced the moment he saw him, “That night on the painted boat, brother was too impatient. Please don’t blame me.”
Xin Hexue was just about to refuse again when the Prefect of Jiangzhou spoke up. “Yuanzheng, look at this. Young people are so impatient, not steady like us who are older. But it’s alright; misunderstandings and conflicts can be resolved once talked out.”
Yuanzheng was the Yushan County Magistrate’s courtesy name.
The Prefect of Jiangzhou stood up, presiding over the situation. “Alright, since both elders are present today, please forgive Zhixue.”
He praised Xin Hexue and Lin Zhixue with one phrase after another, as if he had truly come to reconcile the two.
Finally, he revealed his true purpose. “Hexue lost his mother at a young age, with no support from his maternal family. Yuanzheng, you’ve worked all these years but remain a county magistrate, transferred from this county to that county, and your connections are dwindling. When the time comes to go to the capital for the examinations, even paying respects and presenting scrolls will be inconvenient to arrange. I was an official in the capital before and have many old friends there. If I may say, the Xin and Lin families share some fate. Zhixue values this friendship very much. If the two were to become sworn brothers, supporting each other on the path to attaining merit as officials, and even after achieving merit, they won’t have to worry about establishing their own families…”
How could the Yushan County Magistrate not understand after hearing this?
This wasn’t about reconciliation…it was about matchmaking!
Thinking of how his beloved son fell seriously ill these past few days, he trembled with anger. He smashed a teacup at Lin Zhixue’s feet, the silver shards splintering and splashing water everywhere.
“Absolutely impossible!” The Yushan County Magistrate immediately issued an order to see them out. “If the Lin family harbors such thoughts, please return! The Xin residence does not welcome you!”
The Prefect of Jiangzhou had always doted on his eldest grandson. This time he came with a determined mind to succeed. Seeing the Yushan County Magistrate’s attitude, he could not help but also grow angry, threatening, “Xin Yuanzheng, think clearly! Don’t fail to recognize goodwill!”
As he applied pressure on one side, Lin Zhixue on the other side started fawning over Xin Hexue. “Ah Xue, I’m truly sincere towards you…”
His hand was just about to touch Xin Hexue when it felt like he had been burned by something, turning red. He immediately cried out and retreated.
Looking up again, what met his eyes was a withered figure in red behind the hall door, walking towards him. The rouge-red dress looked very familiar. Suddenly, a north wind rose all around, and the entire room instantly became gloomy and desolate.
“Gu-Gu Lan…Why are you here?”
He asked with a trembling voice, his legs weak and every strand of hair on his body screaming…
Run! Run!
How could a dead person be here?!
Everyone’s attention was also drawn by his abnormality. The Prefect of Jiangzhou asked, “Zhixue, what’s wrong? Gu Lan? Didn’t Gu Lan run away years ago?”
‘No, no, she didn’t leave, she didn’t leave! Can’t you see?’
Lin Zhixue shouted inwardly, a cold chill running down his back. In the blink of an eye, the vengeful ghost had vanished from where she stood.
White bones climbed onto his shoulder from behind, pressing coldly against him. “Husband, do you still recognize me?”
“Ahh!!”
A scream tore through the tranquility of the Xin residence.
Lin Zhixue seemed to have been frightened out of his mind. He lost control of his bladder, while simultaneously foaming at the mouth and collapsing. The Prefect of Jiangzhou, anxious for his beloved grandson, also felt dizzy and disoriented for a moment, and could only have servants carry Lin Zhixue back to seek medical treatment.
The Lin family had come with such imposing force, yet ended in what could be called a farcical conclusion.
Xin Hexue stood in place, looking thoughtfully towards where Lin Zhixue had looked before going mad.
…..
“What happened just now? What did you do?”
Xin Hexue comforted his father and returned to his inner chamber.
Hen Zhen leaned casually against the desk. “My dear is truly clever, he guessed immediately that it was his husband’s doing.”
Xin Hexue wanted an answer, so he did not correct his wording. “Why did Lin Zhixue go mad?”
Hen Zhen: “I didn’t do anything. I merely let the wronged dead seek revenge for their grievances, allowing the maidservant he forced and strangled to death in his youth to climb out of the well.”
Seeing no satisfaction on Xin Hexue’s face, Hen Zhen straightened up. “What, do you think I’m a bad person now?”
So what if he was a bad person?
He was a demon; what was he afraid of?
But a voice in his heart said, No, don’t be afraid of me.
Hen Zhen did not realize he could be such a weak and passive person.
Xin Hexue could not see the changes in his expression and simply shook his head honestly. “I won’t judge whether what you did was right or wrong. If we are to speak of bad people, Lin Zhixue is the treacherous and evil one. Having done such things, his current outcome can only be said to be his own fault.”
Hen Zhen felt a relief in his heart and clapped his hands in great delight. “Yes. After death, this person should be reborn as an animal.”
He then restrained his smile. “So, have you fallen in love with me yet?”
Xin Hexue: “…”
Xin Hexue: “You are slightly better than Lin Zhixue, but when it comes to filthiness, you are second to none.”
Hen Zhen was shocked and eager to prove himself. “How can you compare me to him? That lecherous bastard, with his constant trips to the brothel, his damn parts must be already rotten. But I am a pure and innocent virgin!”
He hadn’t slept with Xin Hexue in this life, so wasn’t he still a virgin?
“If you doubt me, one day I’ll carve your name twice on my parts and wear a chastity lock.” Hen Zhen declared arrogantly, “I’ll let the whole world know they are the private property of Xin Hexue. Others cannot have even half a thought of coveting them.”
Xin Hexue was originally toying with a paper fan on the brush holder. On hearing this, his hand tightened, and the fan tore apart in his grip. “Shut up!”
He held the fan before his face, blocking Hen Zhen’s gaze. But the torn seam of the fan let in the light of dusk, which shone on his cheek like the quivering whiskers of an angry cat.
Hen Zhen, who had just risen one rank in his heart and was above Lin Zhixue, once again plummeted to the depths.
