Enterrement fantôme

Chapitre 3

Master Nan's ancestral home was Linyi, Shandong. He was originally a minor county official, deeply loved by the local people for his incorruptibility. Later, he was summoned to the capital to serve as an official. One day, on his journey, several bandits suddenly appeared. Although Master Nan had hired some bodyguards, the bandits were too skilled, and his bodyguards were either killed or injured. Master Nan was a scholar with no physical strength, his wife was a simple woman, their children were five years old (Nan Bin and Nan Shan were four), and Ning Yue was only recently born; the entire family consisted of women and children. Just at this critical moment, a chivalrous man happened to pass by. He possessed superb martial arts skills and not only saved Master Nan's entire family but also escorted them all the way to the capital.

This chivalrous man was named Sun Zhaoxuan, and he was originally a wealthy merchant from the south. Master Nan and his wife wanted to repay him, and when they learned that he only had one son, they wanted to arrange a marriage between their children. However, he declined, saying that the children were still young and they would discuss it later.

Since they couldn't become in-laws, they could still be friends! Ever since their parting in the capital, Master Nan hadn't forgotten his debt of gratitude. He invited Sun Zhaoxuan to the capital and secured him a position in the court, hoping they could serve together. However, Sun Zhaoxuan said the officialdom was treacherous, and he was a free spirit, preferring business to officialdom, fearing he would disappoint Master Nan's good intentions. Master Nan thought everyone has their own ambitions, so he had no choice but to let it go. But since he was already there, he decided to keep him at the Nan residence for a few more days so he could properly enjoy the sights of the capital.

During his stay at the Nan residence, Sun Zhaoxuan unexpectedly discovered that Nan Bin possessed extraordinary martial arts talent, believing that with proper guidance, he would one day become a dragon among men. At that time, the imperial court was promoting scholarship over martial arts, so Master Nan was reluctant to let Nan Bin learn martial arts. He wholeheartedly wanted Nan Bin to study Confucianism and Mencius, so that he could pass the imperial examinations, become a high-ranking official, and bring glory to his ancestors. However, his wife strongly supported this, and Nan Bin himself wanted to learn. After much persuasion, Master Nan finally agreed.

From that time on, Nan Bin formally became Sun Zhaoxuan's disciple and began learning martial arts. Nan Bin was exceptionally intelligent and quick to learn, progressing rapidly. Master Sun Zhaoxuan, being a man who valued talent, imparted all his skills to him. Later, Master Sun also brought his only son, Sun Chenlin, to live with him. Madam Nan brought up the matter of a marriage alliance between the two families again, and this time Master Sun could not refuse and had to agree.

Although Ling'er was young then, she remembered it very clearly. The worst one was Nan Shan, who often bullied Brother Sun Chenlin. Every time this happened, Ning Yue would stand up for him and uphold justice. In fact, Ning Yue's "standing up for justice" was nothing more than going to Master Nan and his wife to complain about Nan Shan, so Nan Shan always called Ning Yue a "girl who talks nonsense"! Now, when Ling'er thinks about these things, she still finds them funny.

Soon after, a change occurred in the court. Master Nan was framed by a villain and imprisoned in the imperial prison. In order to help Master Nan clear his name, Master Sun died in the process. Fortunately, the emperor was discerning and finally gave Master Nan justice.

After Master Sun passed away, Sun Chenlin was left all alone. He was still young and had no other relatives, so you can imagine how he felt at the time. Master Nan and his wife always felt sorry for him, so after discussing it, they decided to raise him well to adulthood, to comfort Master Sun's spirit in heaven.

Master Nan was a man who valued literature over martial arts. He wholeheartedly wanted Nan Bin, Nan Shan, and Young Master Sun to pass the imperial examinations. Nan Bin, with his excellent martial arts skills, entered the palace and became the commander of the Imperial Guard. Nan Shan was kind-hearted but simply not cut out for studying. His master and mistress didn't force him and could only let him develop as he pleased.

"A son-in-law is like half a son." Sun Chenlin was exceptionally intelligent and showed a business mind from a young age. He possessed the same talent as his father and was also a good student. Therefore, Master Nan placed all his hopes on Sun Chenlin and hinted that if he could pass the imperial examination sooner, he could marry Ningyue sooner.

Ningyue and Sun Chenlin's relationship was progressing well; she was determined to marry no one but him, and he was determined to marry no one but her. Ling'er and Madam Nan were well aware of this. Of course, it wasn't unreasonable for Master Nan, a high-ranking official, to hope his son-in-law would also become an official. Perhaps it was due to Sun Chenlin's bad luck, failing the imperial examinations three times, that he became extremely dejected. In his twenties, he was neither good at literature nor martial arts, and felt ashamed to remain in the Nan household. Five years ago, one night, he resolutely left a letter and departed, saying he would go out and create his own world, returning one day to marry Ningyue. He disappeared without a trace. This caused Ningyue great suffering; she spent her days in tears, depressed and ill. And that Mr. Sun was none other than Sun Chenlin.

After hearing this story, Ximei sighed and said, "So our young lady already has a husband. No wonder Madam is never in a hurry for her to get married."

"No one knows a daughter better than her mother. How could Madam not know Ningyue's feelings?" Ling'er murmured, "This time it's all good! I met Brother Sun. It seems Ningyue's illness will be cured soon! What's wrong with you?"

Ling'er noticed that Xi Mei's eyes were staring intently at her head, as if searching for something. "What's wrong? Is my hair messy?"

"Where's your hairpin? I clearly saw you wearing it today."

"Is the hairpin gone?" Ling'er touched her hair with her hand. "Was it worn too deep and got into my hair?"

"Stop the carriage!" Xi Mei shouted, and the carriage came to a stop.

"Sister Ling, please stand up quickly, take off your cloak, and search carefully."

Ximei and Ling'er searched the place thoroughly again, even looking under the seats and cushions, but still couldn't find it.

"Stop looking, let's talk about it when we get back to the manor," Ling'er said.

"No!" Xi Mei said urgently, "If you lost something, it must be my fault!" She then went to look for it again.

"Perhaps I fell into the sedan chair just now?"

“Impossible,” Ximei said firmly. “I clearly saw you wearing it outside Ruyi Tower just now! Oh dear! It must have fallen out! That was a gift from Madam! What am I supposed to say if Madam asks?” She was so anxious that tears were about to fall.

Just then, the coachman asked from outside, "Miss Ling, Steward Xu is asking if you have something to say?"

"It's alright, it's alright, let's get going!" The driver urged the carriage to move forward again.

"Sister Ling, are we giving up the search?"

Ling'er pulled Ximei to sit down again before saying, "Forget it, if it really fell outside, it probably won't be found. If Madam asks, I'll just say I lost it myself, and it has nothing to do with you. Besides, it's not worth delaying our trip to the city for a small hairpin!"

Hearing Ling'er say that, Xi Mei had no choice but to give up.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [11]: After returning to the South Mansion, as soon as I got off the carriage, Mingmei from the Madam's room came to deliver a message, "Sister Ling, you must be tired from your journey. Madam is waiting for you in the flower hall."

"Thank you for your trouble, sister. I'll go right away!" Ling'er took the account book and went to see the madam.

Ling'er arrived at the flower hall, where Madam Nan was sitting upright in a grand chair. She had been a beauty in her youth. Now, a few faint crow's feet had appeared at the corners of her eyes, but her face was still dignified and beautiful. Her figure was slightly plump, and her hair was jet black. Thanks to her good maintenance, one could still see the charm she had in her youth.

"Madam, Ling'er is back!" Ling'er said, about to perform a deep bow. Madam Nan looked at Ling'er with affection, nodded and smiled, "It's good that you're back, please rise!"

Madam Nan pulled Ling'er's hand and sat down with her. "Let me see her first. Hmm! This little Ling'er is getting more and more beautiful. Did this trip go smoothly?"

"Thanks to Madam, everything is going smoothly! How is everything at home?"

A faint sense of helplessness rose on Madam Nan's face. She sighed softly and said, "It's always the same. Master and Bin'er have both gone to court, and Shan'er has gone off to play somewhere again." Nan Shan loves to play. Sometimes he'll be gone for days. He deliberately avoids Master Nan. He's been scolded by Master Nan countless times for playing.

"How's Ningyue? Is she feeling any better?" This was what Ling'er was most concerned about. (Ningyue had been frail and sickly since childhood, and the madam feared she wouldn't survive, so she allowed Ling'er to call her by her name.) "Don't you know her health? It fluctuates, but it's gotten worse over the past month or so." Madam Nan sighed deeply, "Alas! This child is just too worried!"

"Madam, there's no need to worry. Good fortune will surely protect you! Ningyue will definitely recover!"

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. You've had a hard time on this trip. Leave the account book here so I can take a look. Go back and check on Ningyue. She's worried about you every day. We can talk about it tomorrow!"

Leaving the flower hall and walking west, following the long corridor to its end, and passing through the garden, you will find "Wangyue Residence," where Ningyue lives, which is also Ling'er's boudoir. It is now winter, and all the flowers and plants in the garden have lost their color, with only a few pine and cypress trees still standing tall, exuding some inconspicuous green.

She could already see the moon gate of Wangyue Residence; she was about to meet Ningyue. Overjoyed, Ling'er hurried to the gate, but just as she was about to push it open, a tall figure suddenly blocked her way.

"Young Master! What are you doing here?" Ling'er looked at Nan Bin in surprise.

"Ling'er, you're back! I've been waiting for you for ages!" Nan Bin said with a beaming smile. "I've been thinking about you every day, hoping you'd come back. Mother said you'd be back today, so I've been waiting here!"

"Waiting here all this time?" Ling'er lowered her face, avoiding eye contact with him, and instead looked around.

"What's up?"

Nan Bin took out a pure white jade bracelet from his sleeve and handed it to Ling'er, saying, "This is for you!"

Ling'er took the bracelet and examined it for a while. "I don't want it!" she said, then handed the jade bracelet back.

"You don't like it?" Nan Bin asked disappointedly, and Ling'er shook her head.

"Then keep it, it's worthless!" Nan Bin refused to take it back.

"Not valuable? If I'm not mistaken, this is a Hetian white jade bracelet, it's quite valuable!" After saying that, Ling'er placed the jade bracelet in Nan Bin's hand.

"Just accept it!" Seeing that Ling'er was determined not to accept it, Nan Bin picked up the jade bracelet and tried to force her to put it on.

"Young Master!" Ling'er abruptly pulled her hand back and said sternly, "Please have some self-respect!"

"Ling'er!" Nan Bin looked at the bracelet and then at her, and said in astonishment, "Don't you understand my heart? We will be together sooner or later!"

"We'll be together sooner or later!" These words struck Ling'er's heart hard. She murmured Nan Bin's words, feeling helpless and lost.

Ling'er, what's wrong with you? Didn't you tell yourself yesterday, 'If you can't change something, learn to accept it,' and that you should start learning to accept him? How come you've forgotten all those words in just one day? What are you trying to do?

In a short while, Ling'er made a decision.

"Alright, I'll accept it!"

Ling'er took the jade bracelet from Nan Bin's hand and put it on herself, then held up her wrist and waved it in front of Nan Bin a few times. Her lotus-root-like forearm blended seamlessly with the snow-white jade bracelet, leaving Nan Bin mesmerized!

The Moon Gazing Residence was eerily quiet, without a sound. Ling'er was puzzled. Just as she stepped inside, her eyes were suddenly covered by a blindfold. "Qingmei, let go!" Ling'er gently patted the small hands covering her eyes. "Do you still want what I brought back?"

A light, crisp laugh rang out, and several maids ran out.

"Xuemei, Yanmei, Dongmei, how are you all? I really missed you!" Ling'er was overjoyed to see her long-lost best friends.

"Where's Ningyue? You've all come out, who's staying with her?" Ling'er asked worriedly.

"Please don't worry, Sister Ling!" Xuemei said, "Xiaomei is with Miss right now!"

Xiaomei was the most attentive maid in Wangyue Residence, and with her accompanying Ningyue, Ling'er felt much more at ease.

"Sister Ling!" At this moment, Xi Mei returned from outside, her face full of grief. She said, "I just went to look for the hairpin, but I still couldn't find it. I'm afraid it's really lost!"

"Alright, it's no big deal!" Ling'er said nonchalantly. "If it's lost, it's lost. It's no big deal!"

Several maids surrounded Ling'er, chatting and laughing, asking her all sorts of questions.

"I'm going upstairs to check on Ningyue. We'll chat again later. I didn't bring you anything this time, just a few Suzhou embroidered handkerchiefs. I'll fetch them in a bit, and everyone can choose one!"

The maids said in unison, "Thank you, Sister Ling!"

This has become a tradition. All the girls know that whenever Ling'er goes out, she always brings back some good things for everyone. Who wouldn't like such a Ling-jie?

Ling'er arrived at the inner hall where Ningyue lived and quietly walked to the door. The door was not closed, and Ling'er peeked inside through the light gauze curtain.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [12]: Ningyue lay half-reclined on the bed, her long-term illness had left her beautiful face pale. After not seeing her for several months, Ningyue appeared even weaker, her beautiful eyes looked lifeless, and there seemed to be a cloud of sorrow between her brows.

"Miss, it's time to take your medicine!" Xiaomei brought a bowl of unidentified medicine to Ningyue's lips.

"I won't eat it, the smell makes me nauseous!" Ningyue covered her nose and pushed the bowl away.

"Good Miss, please drink it. Good medicine tastes bitter, doesn't it?" Xiaomei pleaded. "If you don't drink it, not only will we not be able to explain it to Master and Madam, but Sister Ling will also blame us when she comes back."

"Aren't you afraid of Ling'er's wrath, but not my wrath?" Ningyue said angrily, her temper becoming increasingly volatile lately.

"I'd rather die than eat this! I've eaten so much deer antler and ginseng, and it's all the same! Take it, do with it as you please!"

Xiaomei was truly in a dilemma; she couldn't simply do whatever Ningyue said with the bowl of medicine. Seeing this, Ling'er felt heartbroken.

"Ningyue, I'm back!" Ling'er lifted the curtain and entered.

Looking at Ling'er, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, Ningyue's eyes welled up with tears. She grabbed Ling'er's hand and said reproachfully, "Why did you only come back now?" As soon as she finished speaking, tears streamed down her face, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Just when Xiaomei was at her wit's end, Ling'er returned, and Xiaomei felt as if she had seen a savior.

"Sister Ling, it's good that you're back. Miss refuses to take her medicine, please try to persuade her!"

"Xiaomei, you've worked so hard!" Ling'er picked up a handkerchief and wiped Ningyue's tears while saying to Xiaomei, "The sisters are distributing handkerchiefs. Why don't you go and choose one too? I'll do it here."

After sending Xiaomei away, Ling'er closed the door. She wasn't in a hurry to persuade Ningyue to take her medicine; instead, she took out a handwritten note from her sleeve and placed it in front of Ningyue.

"What is this?" Ningyue asked.

"You can tell at a glance," Ling'er said mysteriously.

Ningyue hesitantly opened the envelope and took out the letter. When she saw the familiar and bold handwriting, her whole body convulsed. Her lips moved slightly. She glanced at Ling'er but did not speak. In just an instant, her tears fell again.

Ling'er didn't know how to comfort her. Ningyue hadn't cried a single day in the past few years, crying in the morning and at night, from minor illnesses to major ones, and then to serious ones. Putting aside the amount of medicine she took and the money spent, everyone in the family was worried sick about her.

Ningyue, still sighing, began to read the letter. After reading only two lines, her tears suddenly intensified, gushing out like a flood bursting its banks. Ling'er didn't try to comfort her; she simply poured a cup of tea and placed it on the small table beside her, handed her a handkerchief, and then closed the door and left.

Exhausted from a day's journey, Ling'er fell asleep early. In the middle of the night, she vaguely heard the door open, and a woman in white entered. She took off her shoes, climbed into bed, and nestled beside Ling'er, softly saying, "Ling'er, I can't sleep. Can you talk to me for a while?"

Ling'er knew without guessing that Ningyue had come in. How could she possibly sleep tonight? She forced herself to stay awake, rubbed her eyes, and moved her body further in to make room for Ningyue.

When they were little, the two often slept like this, but in recent years Ling'er had been constantly traveling, and they rarely had the chance to sleep together anymore. Ningyue's eyes were already swollen from crying, like two walnuts. She murmured, "He said he's doing very well, and his business is doing quite well!"

Ling'er knew that Ningyue didn't really want to tell her anything; she just needed someone to confide in. Ningyue continued, "He'll be coming to the capital for a while after the New Year. He said if I haven't forgotten him... then, then..." "Then what?" Ling'er pressed.

"I just...I just wanted to meet him once, but he didn't want my parents to know," Ningyue said. "He's never married; he's been waiting for me!"

Ling'er could feel Ningyue's tears welling up again, and comforted her, saying, "Aren't you waiting for him too!"

"Ling'er, can I ask you for a favor?" Ling'er sensed something amiss in her words and asked, "You want to see him?"

"I'm so sick, I'm afraid I don't have long to live," Ningyue said sadly. "I have no other wish but to see him one last time. If I could, I would die without regret!"

Under the moonlight, tears still stained Ningyue's pale face, she looked pitiful and seemed to be telling a story.

"Please don't think like that!" Ling'er said urgently. "Don't worry, I will definitely help you!"