Chapter 27: Funeral at the General's Residence
Because Zhan Lianjing was handsome, the aunt, who had never seen such a good-looking man before, treated him with particular kindness.
She slaughtered a chicken, and placed both drumsticks into Zhan Lianjing’s bowl.
Le Qianxue immediately sensed malice; was good looks enough to merit such special treatment?
But then, unexpectedly, Zhan Lianjing picked up a drumstick and offered it to Le Qianxue. “Here, you eat.”
Le Qianxue was momentarily stunned. “Why are you giving it to me?”
“You barely have any flesh on your bones. Eat more, put on some weight—when you carry me, it’ll be easier for you,” Zhan Lianjing replied in a calm, reasonable tone.
Le Qianxue glared at him. Did he really think her strength was so impressive, always planning for her to do his bidding?
She pushed the drumstick back to Zhan Lianjing. “I won’t eat it.”
The two engaged in a brief contest of wills, until the aunt remarked, “You two don’t look like siblings at all—more like a pair of little rivals.”
Both Zhan Lianjing and Le Qianxue were taken aback, exchanged glances, then looked away.
The aunt tidied her son’s room for them to rest in that night.
If they were truly siblings, sharing a room would be just about acceptable, but they weren’t related in the slightest; faced with one bed, what was to be done?
Le Qianxue looked at him and said, “Brother, you take the bed?”
Zhan Lianjing didn’t bother to refuse. He sat on the bed, lay down fully clothed.
He said, “You’ll sleep on the floor tonight. Don’t catch cold.”
Le Qianxue was seething with anger. Seeing him lying on the wooden bed, eyes already closed, his long eyelashes occasionally trembling, she touched her own face. She wasn’t unattractive, but Zhan Lianjing’s features were almost unnaturally refined. It seemed that being handsome did grant special privileges.
Le Qianxue didn’t sleep on the floor. She left the small room and lay down on the table to sleep.
But in the middle of the night, she suddenly felt a chill spreading across her neck.
In the darkness, she opened her eyes. Thanks to her long-standing resistance to hypnotic drugs, ordinary ones couldn’t render her unconscious.
Someone stood behind her, a knife pressed against her neck.
She dared not move; this person had formidable martial skills, entering in the dead of night without a sound.
“Master Yuan, Zhan Lianjing is gone!” someone called from behind. Le Qianxue caught the scent of blood in the air—those two villagers must have met with disaster.
She hadn’t expected to implicate two innocent people. But who was this person, intent on Zhan Lianjing’s life?
Wait—just now, the man was called... Master Yuan?!
Though homophones were common, Le Qianxue took note.
“Zhan Lianjing is nothing but a coward, leaving his woman behind and fleeing?” Master Yuan spoke softly, with a hint of mockery.
His blade was cold, but he hadn’t harmed Le Qianxue in the slightest.
The person behind spoke, “Master Yuan, this woman—”
He stepped forward and, seeing Le Qianxue’s face, hurriedly said, “Master Yuan! She mustn’t be harmed!”
---
“Oh? Why not?” Master Yuan sounded intrigued.
“She’s the one the master wants. She must not be injured in any way!” the man insisted.
Master Yuan pondered for a moment, then understood, sneering, “So it’s her. But what use is such a woman? The master may be overestimating her.”
He withdrew his knife. Since she was wanted by their master, he let her go.
The group left at once. Le Qianxue waited until the footsteps faded before standing up.
She didn’t bother to chase them, instead rushing to check on the couple. They had been killed with a single stroke to the throat, beyond saving.
Le Qianxue was annoyed—she’d concealed her aura, yet they’d tracked her down. And most coincidental of all, Master Yuan practiced gu arts; he must be the one Yin Susu was seeking, and sharing the surname Yuan could hardly be mere chance.
Unfortunately, Zhan Lianjing had vanished without a trace, which made her even angrier. He’d cared only for his own escape, leaving her behind, despite her having rescued him many times before.
Le Qianxue sighed, arranged the couple’s bodies, and at dawn left the small village.
The surrounding area was forested, rarely visited. Le Qianxue walked alone, parched by the scorching sun.
Fortunately, she encountered a merchant caravan. Upon inquiry, she learned they were bound for the capital as well. She handed over some silver, and the caravan agreed to take her with them.
It was the Yan family’s caravan—their business spanned three kingdoms, their wealth rivaling that of nations.
The caravan leader was the youngest brother of the Yan family head, named Yan Chuan. Though the family master was nearing fifty, Yan Chuan was only twenty.
“Miss Le, have some water.” Yan Chuan, riding his horse, tossed her a water pouch.
Le Qianxue sat atop the wagon carrying cargo, smiling, “Thank you.”
Yan Chuan was a forthright man. Knowing Le Qianxue was the eldest daughter of the general’s manor, he refused to accept her payment.
She drank a few sips, feeling much refreshed. She had been thinking of Zhan Lianjing, but now she let him go.
Turning her head, she noticed Yan Chuan had been watching her.
“I don’t stay in the capital often, but I’ve heard that Miss Le isn’t quite right in the head. Yet seeing you today, you don’t seem at all like the rumors.”
Le Qianxue, well aware of her notoriety in the capital, smiled lightly, “Most things heard are not true; what’s seen may only be the tip of the iceberg.”
Yan Chuan pursed his thin lips. “Miss Le, you’re actually quite interesting to converse with.”
Le Qianxue estimated it would take another two days to reach the capital, so she chatted with Yan Chuan to pass the time.
Yan Chuan, though young, had traveled the world for the family business.
Le Qianxue asked, “Yan Chuan, have you ever encountered anyone who practices gu arts?”
“Gu arts?” Yan Chuan was unfamiliar. “Sorry, I’ve never heard of them.”
Le Qianxue let out an “oh,” her expression complex. She was still pondering what Master Yuan had said the previous night. That “master” had set sights on her—could it be because they knew she was the Ghost Doctor?
After two days, Le Qianxue finally returned to the capital.
The general’s manor was draped in mourning.
Le Qianxue looked at the two large white lanterns at the entrance and was puzzled—who had died?
The guards at the gate, seeing Le Qianxue, stepped back several paces, “M-miss?!”
---
She arched her brow, already guessing the reason.
Le Qianxue smiled easily, saying, “Don’t worry, I’m not a ghost.”
She strode inside with confidence. Along the way, many who saw her were pale with fright.
The steward, Uncle Zeng, heard Le Qianxue had returned; his eyes were red as he hurriedly grasped her hands. “Miss! So you’re safe after all! Thank goodness!”
Le Qianxue glanced around—the manor was festooned with white cloth and lanterns, truly a spectacle.
She asked, “Uncle Zeng, who said I was dead?”
Uncle Zeng was somewhat resentful. “It was the second miss! She claimed you fell from Twin Cliff and that your body was lost. Madam Xu immediately arranged the funeral. I wanted to inform the master, but the emperor is soon returning to the capital, so the master went to meet him with the troops. He won’t be back for a couple of days. It’s all my fault for not restraining Madam Xu! And in your courtyard, things are even worse…”
He couldn’t bring himself to say more.
Le Qianxue listened quietly. So that was how it happened. She didn’t blame Uncle Zeng; even though Madam Xu was only a concubine, she had some authority.
A cold smile curled at her lips. Cursing her dead? Madam Xu was courting trouble.
In the Clear Rain Pavilion.
Madam Xu and Le Linglong shed not a single tear. Madam Xu looked at the spirit tablet, chuckled lightly, and thought, “Want to fight me? How naive!”
She turned and said, “Now that the eldest miss is dead, tidy up her courtyard. Move anything valuable to the flower hall! If anyone is dishonest, they’ll be thrown out of the manor immediately! And find the key to the pavilion’s small storeroom!”
The servants responded meekly and hurried off.
Le Linglong giggled, “Mother, heaven has eyes. I heard the fourth prince sent her many gifts, worth at least ten thousand taels.”
Madam Xu’s lips curled with pride. “That’s right—even heaven favors us. Now that she’s dead, her possessions are ours. Once I become the official wife, you’ll be the legitimate daughter of the general’s manor! No one will dare look down on you again!”
Le Linglong was thrilled. She was talented, but the palace was filled with people who scorned others.
Originally, she had the fourth prince’s support, but now Yu Nanfeng was infatuated with Le Qianxue, so she had to plan for herself.
Now that Le Qianxue was dead, she ought to go to the Temple of Guanyin to give thanks!
The servants placed all the valuables in the flower hall. Madam Xu quickly inventoried them and felt a surge of jealousy.
She had already pilfered much from Le Qianxue, yet there was still so much of value!
“The master is biased; he gave everything to Le Qianxue,” Madam Xu grumbled. “That wretched woman’s origins are unknown, yet the master adores her and pampers her daughter!”
Le Linglong was puzzled. “Mother, Le Qianxue’s mother’s origins are unknown? How did she marry father?”
Madam Xu was about to explain, when a voice drifted in from outside: “What’s this? Cursing me dead and trying to take my things? Madam Xu, your appetite is enormous!”
Madam Xu’s face turned pale at the sound.
Le Qianxue strolled in, saw the treasures in the flower hall—all hers.
A determined, icy glint flashed in her eyes, subtle but persistent, as she fixed her gaze on Madam Xu. Madam Xu shrank back two steps in fear, nearly falling. Thankfully, Le Linglong caught her, preventing embarrassment.
But Le Linglong could hardly believe it—a person who had fallen from a cliff now stood before them, unharmed. It was simply unimaginable!