“Isn’t it because of that White Tiger Ring?
The master was so anxious he almost kicked the bucket,” said another man with a scar on his face, who didn’t seem as fierce as the first two.
He sighed softly, “We’re just doing what we’re paid for, digging up graves to find the ring.
If there’s really a treasure, we brothers might get a share, right?”
“But big brother, the ring wasn’t in the grave at all. The master wants us to dig up other ancestral graves, which is a huge disrespect to the dead. Do you think we might… get haunted?”
the man in gray clothes said worriedly.
“Haunted? Damn it, we’re already haunted by poverty, why fear a ghost? If you don’t have money to eat, you’ll end up a starving ghost!”
The man rudely grabbed the wine jar brought by the waiter and drank heartily, exclaiming in satisfaction.
Xi Fuhong listened to their conversation, feeling uneasy.
She put down her chopsticks and was about to leave when suddenly a chill ran down her spine, and she found herself unable to move, frozen on the stool.
Her eyes darted around, trying to speak but unable to.
What’s happening?
I can’t move?!
“The White Tiger Ring indeed wasn’t in the Baili ancestral grave, but…”
the man referred to as big brother said with a dark expression, “even the Baili family’s corpse isn’t in the grave.
I find this strange, so let’s not tell the master for now.
Just say the ring isn’t in any other graves either.”
“Can corpses walk? Strange, they’ve been dead for a hundred years. Could they have turned into monsters?”
the short man scratched his head.
“I don’t think they’ve turned into monsters.
Have you forgotten?
Bi Xuan Palace is also involved in this.
With their sinister skills, making a few corpses move is no problem,” big brother smirked.
“But those eerie women can’t hope to challenge the righteous path.
Hmph, the secret treasure of Tiger Dragon Cave can’t fall into the hands of those cultists.”
“Big brother is right! What should we do next?”
the man in gray clapped his hands in admiration.
“Let’s report back to the Baili family and inform the alliance leader to decide,” the men laughed heartily, and their conversation turned to idle chatter, which Xi Fuhong didn’t pay much attention to.
She just wanted to leave quickly.
Strangely, once the men changed the topic, she could move again.
Her chopsticks fell to the ground, and as she bent to pick them up, her shadow suddenly split into two, one of which darted upstairs to the guest room.
Xiao Qiyu, who had been meditating, stood by the window, lost in thought.
When the shadow entered the room, she seemed to sense it and turned around.
With a flick of her slender finger, the shadow leaped from the stone wall like a living thing, swaying like thin paper as it approached Xiao Qiyu.
The shadow got so close it almost touched her, and after a moment, she clenched her hand, causing the shadow to vanish without a trace, leaving the room in eerie silence.
“Miss Xi, if you have time, would you care to accompany me for a walk?”
Before her vision could focus, Xi Fuhong heard these words.
Lying in bed, still drowsy, she looked at Xiao Qiyu, who had appeared by her bedside, thinking she was dreaming.
It wasn’t until Xiao Qiyu’s warm fingers brushed her eyelids that Xi Fuhong snapped awake.
“Xiao, Xiao girl?!”
she exclaimed, blushing as she sat up, embarrassed to face her.
Xiao Qiyu withdrew her hand, apologizing, “I thought Miss Xi was still asleep…
my apologies.”
“Uh…
it’s fine, no need to apologize,” Xi Fuhong said as she saw Xiao Qiyu step back to give her space to get out of bed.
She quickly found her outer clothes and put them on, saying, “You mentioned wanting to go out, right? Let’s go for a walk then.”
She was too happy to hear Xiao Qiyu’s invitation to refuse.
She had thought Xiao Qiyu was avoiding her yesterday, but now she felt embarrassed for her own girlish worries.
After a quick wash and tying her hair, she tried to make herself look less like a little beggar, though her clothes were still worn and old, making her feel a bit ashamed next to the neatly dressed Xiao Qiyu.
“Um… is there something you want to buy?”
Xi Fuhong asked as they left the inn, seeing the bustling street and unsure whether to head north or south.
To avoid getting separated, Xi Fuhong took the initiative to hold Xiao Qiyu’s hand, who just smiled gently and said, “No worries, let’s just wander.”
“I see a lot of girls up ahead, why don’t we join the fun?”
Xi Fuhong suggested, seeing a group of girls laughing around a stall, and Xiao Qiyu nodded in agreement.
Curious about what the girls were looking at, Xi Fuhong saw a young man at the stall holding a porcelain bottle, calling out his wares.
“Come on! Top-quality rouge and powder! Freshly arrived from Huainan City!”
The small table was filled with porcelain bottles of various sizes, some clay pots, all exuding a sweet fragrance.
Xi Fuhong found it quite novel.
The women around her were smiling, picking up the pots to look and sniff, whispering to each other.
The mingling scents of countless flowers made Xi Fuhong dizzy.
Before Xiao Qiyu could speak, Xi Fuhong quickly led her away to an open space.
She had almost fainted from being squeezed by the crowd, and once in the fresh air, she took deep breaths, forgetting the decorum expected of a young lady.
Xiao Qiyu stood by, still silent, and found a stone to sit on gracefully.
Xi Fuhong caught her breath and suddenly smelled a sweet scent she recognized from Que Yi City—candied hawthorn!
Yes, that was it!
She looked around and saw two children holding candied hawthorns, making her mouth water.
Checking her pockets, she realized she had no money to buy any, so she could only watch the children walk away.
“Miss Xi, shall we find a tea stall to rest?”
Xiao Qiyu asked as she walked over to Xi Fuhong.
“Sure, if you want tea, let’s go!”
Xi Fuhong replied, thinking there might be snacks with the tea.
Seeing a small tea house at the corner of the street, she led Xiao Qiyu over.
The tea house was simple, with a straw roof and wooden poles for support, but it was in a great location, facing the street and by the river.
The breeze from the river made it cool even in summer.
Xiao Qiyu ordered a pot of tea and bought two pastries, drinking the tea herself and giving the pastries to Xi Fuhong.
“These pastries are delicious, even better than the ones in the valley,” Xi Fuhong said, taking a big bite and savoring the sweet flavor.
Xiao Qiyu sipped her tea and smiled, “These pastries are quite common. Does Miss Xi not often visit the city?”
“Ah? No… um…”
Xi Fuhong blinked awkwardly and said, “Please don’t laugh, but I’ve spent ten years in the valley and haven’t been to many cities.”
Afraid Xiao Qiyu would mock her for her lack of experience, Xi Fuhong blushed and lowered her head.
But Xiao Qiyu wasn’t like Shi Cuiyan, who joked lightly.
She just smiled and nodded, “It’s fine. Many women in the city don’t leave their homes until they marry. Miss Xi’s travels are already quite remarkable.”
“Do you really think so?”
Xi Fuhong was surprised, forgetting to address her as ‘Miss.’
Hearing Xiao Qiyu’s praise made her heart soar.
She wasn’t completely useless after all.
If her grandmother saw her handling things on her own, she’d be so proud!
“Does Miss Xi underestimate herself?”
Xiao Qiyu smiled, “Miss Xi is kind-hearted and helpful, which is rare in this world. Don’t belittle yourself. It’s just unfortunate that you’ve been burdened by me, and I feel quite guilty.”
“Xiao girl! I promised to help you, and I haven’t even found anyone to ask about the way to Li Jiang Mountain, so how could I leave?”
Xi Fuhong quickly explained, “I’m not as kind and helpful as you say. I just happened to meet you on the road.”
