The morning sun shone throughout the mansion, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The courtyard was warm, and the autumn wind had weakened, so it didn't feel like a knife cutting into one's face.
Zhu'er came in from outside, then lifted the beaded curtain and saw that Ji Wushang had already gotten up, so she said, "Miss."
"Well, how are things going? Where is the mourning hall set up?" Ji Wushang asked. Although Zhang Xiuniang was not from General Ji's mansion, she was entrusted to Ji Dingbei by a friend. As the person entrusted with the matter, and since Zhang Xiuniang died in the mansion, he should at least set up a simple mourning hall. Even if it's disrespectful to the deceased, he should at least put on a show for the servants in the mansion and pretend to be benevolent.
“Miss, the mourning hall is set up in the Jade Tea Hall in the backyard. Master doesn’t want anyone to make a fuss about it, saying it should be kept simple,” Zhu’er said.
"Okay." Ji Wushang nodded. That's good too; it will make things much easier to tidy up!
After washing up and having breakfast, Ji Wushang changed into plain clothes before heading to the Yuming Hall in the backyard. When he arrived, he heard some people from the embroidery workshop crying.
Ji Wushang went inside and looked around. Aunt Bai, Ji Meiyuan, and Ji Yinxue were not there. Aunt Qin and a group of people from the embroidery workshop were burning some paper money, while He Ming and several embroiderers were crying.
Ji Wushang stepped forward without speaking, then knelt before Zhang Xiuniang's spirit tablet, clasped his hands together in prayer, and said, "Xiuniang, in your spirit in heaven, please bless us to find the murderer as soon as possible and help you avenge your death!" Ji Wushang kowtowed several times as he spoke.
When Heming and the other embroiderers saw this, they all said, "What the young lady says is right. The embroiderers will definitely bless us."
"Mm." Ji Wushang responded, then knelt down to the side and helped burn the ingots.
At this moment, Ji Meiyuan came over, supported by Bao Qi, with several maids following behind her. However, Aunt Bai was nowhere to be seen.
Ji Wushang, puzzled, asked, "Second Sister? You're better? You can get out of bed now, that's wonderful. Hmm, where's Aunt Bai?"
"Greetings, Aunt Qin and Eldest Sister." Ji Meiyuan bowed to them, then stood up and said, "My aunt said that she is pregnant and cannot enter this mourning hall, otherwise she will be tainted by evil spirits."
"What evil aura! She was already carrying a cursed child, what evil aura could she possibly have! Maybe it's her cursed aura that's bringing misfortune to everyone in our household!" someone muttered. The surroundings were silent, but everyone present could hear it!
Upon hearing this, Ji Meiyuan immediately became angry, "Who, who said that! Step forward!"
When she woke up, she heard some maids in the courtyard whispering about this so-called "lone star of heaven," and that Abbot Huiyuan said that it was indeed the evil aura brought by that "lone star of heaven" that had affected Ji Meiyuan's health, which was why she had been lying in bed all this time!
Ji Wushang looked up and said seriously, "What? Who said that? Was anyone speaking just now?" Ji Wushang glanced coldly at the people around him, "Who just spoke?"
"He didn't say a word!"
"No!"
"He didn't speak."
...
Hearing their words and seeing their reactions, Ji Meiyuan was speechless with anger. "You, you!"
Baoqi and the maids were also surprised.
"This servant..."
"Hmm?" Ji Wushang frowned as soon as Baoqi was about to speak, and snorted coldly at her, "Baoqi, did you hear anyone speaking? Point them out, point them out, and I will punish them! If you can't point them out, don't blame me for thinking you're causing trouble at the embroiderer's mourning hall! Don't blame me for getting angry and disowning you!"
Baoqi immediately withdrew. He had heard it, but couldn't point it out; he hadn't seen which mouth it was!
Seeing this, Ji Wushang smiled at Ji Meiyuan and said, "Since Auntie didn't come, then forget it. Since Second Sister is here, let's pay our respects to the Embroiderer first! So that the Embroiderer can bless you with peace."
“…Yes!” Ji Meiyuan hesitated before answering, then immediately took three incense sticks from the maid on the other side, lit them, made a gesture of bowing, and then stuck the incense sticks in the incense.
"I'm not feeling well, so I'll head back first," Ji Meiyuan said, giving them a sidelong glance.
Ji Wushang nodded, "Go!"
Aunt Qin also said, "Be careful on the road."
Ji Wushang watched her walk away and snorted coldly. Aunt Bai has a guilty conscience and dares not come, so I'll make a note of the preparations for today's mourning hall! I'll send them to her tonight!
Ji Dingbei came out of the courtyard and entered the Yuming Hall. Everyone saw him and immediately bowed, saying, "Master (Father)."
"No need for formalities!" Ji Dingbei waved his hand, dismissing them from the ceremony. He then walked to Zhang Xiuniang's coffin, took the three sticks of incense offered by the maid, lit them, and said, "Xiuniang, Xiuniang, you should have had a more beautiful life. But fate has played a cruel trick on you. Alas, well, may you be reborn into a good family!" Ji Dingbei seemed to have something he wanted to say, but he held back.
Ji Wushang studied Ji Dingbei's expression. It seemed to be regret, and also, heartache? Ji Wushang had some vague guesses.
Ji Dingbei left shortly afterward.
Ji Wushang turned to look at Aunt Qin, wondering if she knew the intricacies of the matter. He had a feeling that his father and this Zhang Xiuniang were somewhat involved.
"Aunt, there are some things I'm unsure whether I should ask or not," Ji Wushang said softly.
Aunt Qin looked at her and then nodded. "I'll tell you later." Clearly, she knew what Ji Wushang wanted to ask.
Ji Wushang nodded.
After a while, servants came and carried away the coffin. Then, according to custom, Zhang Xiuniang was buried in the ancestral graveyard of General Ji's mansion. Ji Wushang asked why she wasn't buried in the Zhang family's ancestral graveyard. The servant replied that it was Ji Dingbei's idea.
Ji Wushang asked no more questions.
After a long day of commotion, the crowd finally dispersed. Ji Wushang noticed that Aunt Qin was standing to the side as if waiting for him, so he went over to her.
"Miss, let's go forward and talk in the pavilion," Aunt Qin said, then ordered the servants to clean up the Jade Tea Hall and restore it to its original state.
Ji Wushang nodded, and the two of them went to the pavilion together.
It was a bit windy and chilly in the pavilion, so Ji Wushang had someone bring over charcoal, which immediately warmed the pavilion up. Aunt Qin had some snacks brought in and placed on the table, then dismissed the maids who were guarding outside the pavilion before saying, "Young Miss, I know what you want to ask. Are you asking about your father and Zhang Xiuniang?"
"Hmm, I feel like my father and Zhang Xiuniang have a deep friendship." Ji Wushang wasn't sure about their relationship, so he used the word "friendship."
Aunt Qin nodded. "Your father and Zhang Xiuniang's father were on good terms. Originally, he wanted to marry her as his sixth concubine, and Zhang Xiuniang agreed. However, Aunt Bai disagreed. At the time, she threatened to kill herself if the master dared to marry Zhang Xiuniang! She was pregnant with the third young lady at the time, and the master was soft-hearted, so he delayed the matter. As a result, they ended up on the battlefield."
When the master returned home, Zhang Xiuniang's family had fallen on hard times. Feeling unworthy of him and fearing Concubine Bai, she remained outside. It was only through the kindness of the old lady that the master was allowed to bring Zhang Xiuniang into the mansion. However, the feelings of the past were gone, and although Zhang Xiuniang still harbored feelings for the master, she couldn't bring herself to speak to him. Thus, the matter was delayed.
Ji Wushang nodded in agreement. So, Zhang Xiuniang must have loved her father, but Aunt Bai interfered, which led to this situation. And now, Aunt Bai has even caused her death! Aunt Bai should feel guilty!
"Then, Aunt, did you object to Father marrying Zhang Xiuniang back then?" Ji Wushang asked tentatively.
"Me? How could I have thought about all that back then? Aunt Bai was really ruthless! Your mother was sick and couldn't really fight back against Aunt Bai. Sigh, more or less, it was Aunt Bai who interfered, which is why Zhang Xiuniang never got married."
"Oh, I see." Ji Wushang nodded. "Thank you for telling me these things, Aunt."
"If you want to know, just ask me," Aunt Qin said with a smile.
Ji Wushang nodded. Was Aunt Qin now on his side? She had practically seized power in the inner quarters. With just a word from her father, she could be promoted to the position of wife, which was exactly what she wanted.
Aunt Qin looked at her and smiled, "Miss, you should smile more often, that will make you even more beautiful."
"Hehe." Ji Wushang forced a smile, chatted with her for a few minutes, ate some snacks, watched the sunset, and then they each returned to their courtyards.
As soon as Ji Wushang returned to Xinyuan, Zhu'er and Xian'er immediately came forward, "Miss, what should we do tonight?"
"Proceed according to the original plan, get everything ready!" Ji Wushang glanced back at them.
Tonight, I'm going to scare her half to death!
Night fell, and the cold moonlight shone on the courtyard, adding a touch of silver. The surroundings were quiet, and occasionally, the sound of the wind could be heard.
Aunt Bai lay in bed, her sleep restless. Her mind was constantly racing with thoughts; every now and then, one person would float into her view, and every now and then, another would jump out from nowhere, scaring her half to death!
"Waaah...waaah..." Suddenly, this sound rang out from somewhere, startling Aunt Bai awake. She broke out in a cold sweat.
Opening her eyes, Aunt Bai nervously surveyed her surroundings. Only after confirming that no one was around did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Just then, Aunt Bai felt someone tap her on the back. Aunt Bai's entire body tensed instantly! Good heavens, what was that?!
"Someone come here!" Aunt Bai shouted, but immediately, someone suddenly jumped out from in front of her!
This person is none other than Zhang Xiuniang! Her face is swollen, her eyes are wide open in death, staring at Aunt Bai! She is dressed entirely in white, but her lower body is... barefoot!
Aunt Bai was terrified!
She knelt on the ground, pleading, "Spare me! Spare me! I..." As Aunt Bai knelt and kowtowed, her mind was racing. Was this the same thing that happened with Aunt Qin last time? Was someone playing tricks on her?
He glanced upwards out of the corner of his eye to see if Zhang Xiuniang was really a ghost, but to his surprise, he didn't see a single person!
Cold sweat streamed down Aunt Bai's forehead and into her eyes, tasting salty and bitter, but Aunt Bai didn't bother to wipe it away.
Is this really a ghost?
Just then, Aunt Bai heard a voice say, "Bai Aomei, you ordered your servants to kill me and push me into the lotus pond to drown. You owe me a life!"
Aunt Bai suddenly felt a chill on her neck; a pair of hands were tightly gripping her!
☆、133 Judgment in the Underworld! Steal her three souls! (Climax)
Aunt Bai exclaimed in surprise, "I, I'll let go, let go!" But those hands were ice-cold, like demonic hands from hell! They were determined to strangle her and drag her to hell!
Let go? Ridiculous! When you were harming people, did you ever think that one day someone would come and strangle you like this? Ji Wushang hid in the shadows, scoffing inwardly.
At this moment, Aunt Bai was desperately trying to remove the cold hands that were choking her neck, but those hands were tightly gripping her neck. "Give me back my life! Give me back my life!"
"I, I, cough cough, let go, let go!" Aunt Bai struggled frantically, her heart filled with fear, feeling like she was about to die!
But suddenly, the hand on her neck disappeared!
Aunt Bai collapsed to the ground, panting. But before she could finish, a legless person approached. Aunt Bai froze, then looked up to see Zhang Xiuniang, who was dressed beautifully and smiling sweetly. "Auntie," Zhang Xiuniang said, "do you still remember Xiuniang? You've ruined me terribly! You've prevented me from being reborn! Humph, so the King of Hell has specially allowed me to claim your life! You'd better accept your death!" Zhang Xiuniang had been speaking happily at first, but the more she spoke, the more hateful she became!
When I stretched out my hands, I was surprised to find that both my arms were swollen from being soaked in water!
Aunt Bai stepped back, saying, "I... I did nothing wrong to you! Now that you're dead, you can rest in peace!"
“I could have married Brother Ji, but because of you, I’ve been left alone in my empty room! You’ve made me restless! You vicious woman, you deserve to die a horrible death! You deserve to die a horrible death!” Zhang Xiuniang said at this moment.
Aunt Bai cried out in terror, "I...I...it's because the master refused to marry you, it has nothing to do with me!"
"Sister Bai, do you remember me?" The moment Aunt Bai lowered her head, she saw another pair of embroidered shoes placed in front of her! Aunt Bai's old face turned deathly pale! Weren't these Aunt Xie's embroidered shoes?
She looked up abruptly and saw Aunt Xie, her face and head covered in blood! She was floating in mid-air, looking at Aunt Bai with a bitter smile!
"Ah!" Aunt Bai was so frightened that she wanted to crawl under the bed.
Ji Wushang looked at her and immediately gestured to the plainclothes guards that Tie Feng had brought. They immediately stepped forward silently, grabbed Aunt Bai's legs, and pulled her out! Ji Wushang and the others immediately hid in the shadows again.
"I once said I would curse you with my life, curse you to never have a peaceful life, curse your descendants, that the men will be slaves for generations and the women will be prostitutes for generations! Aunt Bai, I've come to take your life today! Haha! You vile woman, you plotted against me and caused my tragic death! Now, take my life, take my life!" Aunt Xie said resentfully, and immediately strangled Aunt Bai to death. At this moment, her bloodied hand reached out to grab Aunt Bai.
Aunt Bai was so shocked that her eyes rolled back and she fainted.
Seeing this, Ji Wushang immediately gestured, and "Aunt Xie" carefully stepped forward, checked her breathing to see if she was faking dizziness, and only made the gesture when she saw that she was really dizzy.
Ji Wushang immediately emerged from the darkness. "Perform your act well today! We're only halfway there! Take Aunt Bai to my father's Pine Garden and let him see what kind of person she really is!" According to the previous plan, Ji Dingbei would definitely be able to see clearly what kind of person Aunt Bai was! This time, let Aunt Bai be completely destroyed!
All the people they brought nodded, and then they quickly carried Aunt Bai out. After settling things in the East Garden, they headed towards Ji Dingbei's Pine Garden.
Pine Garden was surrounded by the East, West, South, and North Gardens, and it wasn't far. Ji Wushang quickly led his men to the Pine Garden. Ji Wushang gestured to Tie Feng, knowing that Ji Dingbei was highly skilled in martial arts and wouldn't easily submit. The most direct method was to make him unconscious so he would know everything in his dreams. Since he believed in the Heavenly Star of Loneliness, he would definitely believe the words of the King of Hell and the Black and White Impermanence!
Upon receiving the order, Tie Feng immediately crawled towards Ji Dingbei's pine garden. Seeing that Ji Dingbei was asleep in bed, Tie Feng promptly blew rosemary into his room. After observing that Ji Dingbei seemed to be sleeping even more soundly, Tie Feng nodded and left.
Unexpectedly, Ji Dingbei opened his eyes and looked at Tie Feng's figure outside the window! To his surprise, what he saw was Ji Wushang!
Ji Dingbei was stunned. What was Wu Shang planning to do? Why would he order Tie Feng to drug him? If he hadn't been so vigilant, he would have definitely been drugged!