Wei Chao and his wife, leading their guest, stopped not far from the pavilion, careful not to disturb Du Wenhui and her companion.
“That must be the lady of the house, right?” Mingshu gestured towards a slender woman, “May I meet her?”
Two figures were visible in the pavilion, their outlines barely discernible. Mingshu had guessed based on intuition.
“That’s right,” Liu Shi confirmed.
Mingshu nodded. The ghostly disturbances Liu Shi had asked her to investigate had indeed started in Madam Wei’s quarters.
The troubles began late last year. Initially, Madam Wei suffered from recurring nightmares for several days, leaving her disoriented. The dreams always featured the same content. The Wei family summoned doctors, but even after several doses of calming medicine, her condition didn’t improve. By spring, Madam Wei developed sleepwalking symptoms, invariably ending up near the well in the backyard, muttering incomprehensible words that terrified her attendants.
The Wei household initially treated this as a mere illness. However, things escalated when Madam Wei started claiming ghostly encounters – fleeting white shadows at her window, hanging figures under the eaves, and even pale-faced women smiling eerily at her by the pond or behind rockeries during the day. Terrified, Madam Wei became bedridden. Wei Xian, skeptical of supernatural phenomena, summoned imperial physicians to treat her for delirium, prescribing daily medication.
By February, the ghostly occurrences intensified, affecting not just Madam Wei but others in the household – from servants to masters, including the Second Madam Wei. Everyone began encountering spectral shadows, and strange incidents multiplied. Chickens in the kitchen were found brutally slaughtered one morning, their blood forming the character for “death.” Wei Xian’s concubine’s pet birds mysteriously died. A maid was nearly pushed into a well, and some awoke to find themselves sleeping near rockeries instead of in their beds. Even the Second Madam Wei had several encounters, seeing a child in red robes in the garden or hearing crying from behind her quarters, leaving her sleepless with fear.
These events threw the Wei household into panic. Last month, Wei Xian finally relented and invited a Taoist priest to perform an exorcism, but to no avail – the strange phenomena persisted. Second Madam Wei Liu Shi secretly consulted a local fortune-teller, who insisted that to resolve the haunting, they must first uncover its cause. This led Liu Shi to invite Mingshu.
They weren’t investigating people, but ghosts.
Since the incidents began with Du Wenhui, Mingshu wanted to meet the First Madam. After explaining her intentions to the Second Master and his wife, Wei Chao sent a servant to announce their presence.
The servant bowed at the foot of the pavilion’s stone steps before addressing Du Wenhui: “Madam, a Taoist cultivator has requested an audience outside our residence today. The Second Master and his wife, impressed by her abilities, have invited her in to investigate. They’re currently by the lotus pond. The Second Master sent me to ask if you’d like to meet her?”
Du Wenhui and Madam Xu both stood up, peering out of the pavilion. They could only see a woman dressed as a Taoist priestess.
“Wenhui, why don’t we invite her over? I’m curious to hear what these charlatans have to say,” Madam Xu suggested, skeptical of such fraudsters.
Du Wenhui considered for a moment and was about to agree when the elderly maid standing silently beside her suddenly spoke up.
“Madam, the Master instructed that you shouldn’t strain yourself over such matters, as your health has only recently improved. There’s no need to meet this trickster.”
The maid, nearly fifty, wore a deep gray robe that made her wrinkled face appear bloodless. Only her eyes, cold and piercing, fixed on Du Wenhui.
Du Wenhui shrank slightly under her gaze and said, “In that case, let’s forget it.”
Madam Xu immediately frowned, glancing at the old maid before saying, “This maid seems to have quite the authority, making decisions for her mistress.”
The old maid quickly bowed her head, replying, “This servant is merely following the Master’s orders to take good care of the Madam.”
“Take care? More like moni-“
“Ruyi, stop!” Du Wenhui interrupted Madam Xu mid-sentence. She took Xu’s hand and said, “Let’s do as Mama Lu suggests.” She gave Xu a pleading look, and Xu reluctantly complied.
In truth, Madam Xu had many questions about her visit to the Wei family. She hadn’t seen Du Wenhui in a long time, and their previous meetings were usually outside the home. She was unaware of Du Wenhui’s situation in the Wei household. These past two days, she noticed that all the familiar faces around Du Wenhui had been replaced.
She remembered that when Du Wenhui married into the Wei family, she brought many maids from her maiden home. Now, not one remained, not even her once-trusted personal maid.
Madam Xu was perplexed but couldn’t ask such questions in front of the Wei family servants. She also couldn’t find a moment alone with Du Wenhui, as Mama Lu was always nearby, claiming to be following Wei Xian’s orders to personally attend to Du Wenhui.
Now that Du Wenhui had spoken, Madam Xu, as a guest, couldn’t interfere further. She could only silently fume at Du Wenhui’s passive nature, watching helplessly as the servant returned to reject the Second Branch’s request.
Mingshu didn’t get to meet the Wei family’s first lady as she had hoped.
The second branch couple only walked her around the pond before leading her away from the East Garden. Mingshu suggested visiting the sites of the reported ghostly incidents. Just then, someone came looking for Wei Chao, so he asked Liu Shi to show Mingshu around while he attended to other matters.
This suited Liu Shi perfectly, as she could speak more freely with Mingshu without Wei Chao present.
Liu Shi first took Mingshu to see the chicken coops in the kitchen. The kitchen adjoined the East Garden, with a fenced area for poultry. When they arrived, the cook was mixing feed for the chickens. Liu Shi approached Mingshu to inquire about the incident.
The cook described the scene from a month ago, though all traces had been cleaned up since then. Mingshu only asked, “Is the coop usually locked? Can anyone besides the kitchen staff enter?”
“Lock the coop? Who’d bother coming here to step in chicken droppings?” the cook replied, implying that anyone could access the area.
Mingshu nodded without further questions and asked Liu Shi to take her to the next location.
On the way, Mingshu inquired, “Second Madam, does the First Madam manage the household affairs?”
“No, my sister-in-law is delicate and tires easily. She lacks the energy, and my brother-in-law, being protective, doesn’t allow her to manage household matters,” Liu Shi responded.
“I’ve noticed the strict order in the household. Whoever manages it must be quite capable. If not the First Madam, is it you?” Mingshu complimented.
“Don’t mention it. My brother-in-law handles all household expenses. I have no say in it. To be frank, he makes all decisions, big and small. We can’t intervene,” Liu Shi sighed as they walked.
“Really? Commander Wei personally manages the household?” Mingshu was surprised, as it was uncommon for men to handle domestic affairs.
“Yes, my brother-in-law is capable and runs the house like a military camp. Anyone who makes a mistake faces consequences, including my husband. Everyone fears him and dares not misbehave,” Liu Shi explained.
“So, the servants were also personally selected by Commander Wei?”
“Yes, they’re all his people.”
This explained why the haunting was so frightening. With all staff being Wei Xian’s people, the likelihood of internal sabotage seemed low.
As Liu Shi continued discussing the household situation, she led Mingshu to several reportedly haunted locations. Finally, they arrived at the west wing rooms.
The west wing housed Wei Xian’s concubine, who had kept birds in cages along the corridor for entertainment. Like the chickens, these birds had met a tragic end on a rainy night.
“Speak of the devil,” Liu Shi muttered as they turned into the corridor.
Mingshu followed her gaze to see a graceful woman ahead. About 25 or 26, she had a casually styled hairdo, thin eyebrows, and alluring eyes. She wore a peach-red bodice with a pale yellow robe, revealing a patch of snow-white skin. Her waist was slender, and her movements were seductive and eye-catching. She stood with arms crossed, watching a servant place newly bought birds into empty cages.
“Reeks of the fox spirit,” Liu Shi spat, disapproving of her demeanor.
The woman, giggling and seemingly teasing the servant, turned to see Liu Shi. With a half-smile, she said, “Oh, it’s little sister-in-law.”
“BAh my real sister-in-law is in the garden. You have no right to call me that,” Liu Shi retorted, showing no respect.
This concubine, named Yan Shao, came from a courtesan background. Wei Xian had met her at a brothel during a drinking session with colleagues and, taking a liking to her, had bought her freedom.
Yan Shao, apparently used to Liu Shi’s cold treatment, smiled and said, “I serve your brother-in-law, so I’m at least half a sister-in-law to you. Calling you little sister-in-law isn’t inappropriate.” Seeing Liu Shi about to curse again, she quickly turned to Mingshu, “What a pretty young lady. Who’s this? Little sister-in-law, are you finding a companion for your younger brother-in-law?”
“How dare you! Keep talking nonsense, and I’ll tear that mouth of yours,” Liu Shi raged.
Yan Shao raised an eyebrow and reached for Mingshu’s sleeve. “These Taoist robes are nice. Tell big sister where you got them. I might get a set too. They’d have a special charm in the bedroom, sure to enthrall the master…”
Her increasingly vulgar words made even Mingshu blush. Mingshu stepped back to avoid her grasp but accidentally bumped into a servant behind her.
The servant steadied her. Mingshu turned and said, “Thank you.”
The servant quickly let go and stepped back. His gait was odd, seemingly lame. Mingshu looked closer and realized half his face was scarred as if burned by a hot iron. Noticing her gaze, the servant hurriedly lowered his head, apparently self-conscious about his appearance, and quickly excused himself.
Yan Shao, losing interest, sauntered back to her room, slamming the door shut.
Seeing Liu Shi about to curse again, Mingshu hastily asked, “Second Madam, are these bird cages always hung in the corridor like this?”
“Yes, that vixen always keeps them out here, never putting them away,” Liu Shi replied.
Watching the limping servant leave, Mingshu inquired, “Who was that man? I thought the household rules were strict, with male servants not allowed in the inner quarters without summons. How can he enter?”
“Oh, him. My brother-in-law brought him back three years ago. His name is Ding Xuan. He’s…” Liu Shi paused awkwardly before whispering to Mingshu, “He’s a eunuch expelled from the palace for some offense. His foot and face were injured there, which is why my brother-in-law trusts him in the inner quarters. He’s my brother-in-law’s eyes and ears here.”
Mingshu nodded in understanding.
Having toured most of the garden, Liu Shi led Mingshu back to the second branch’s side garden, where Wei Chao had just returned from his business.
“My elder brother just sent word that he’s been invited to a banquet with colleagues and likely won’t return tonight. Let’s have the Taoist stay in our quarters tonight. We can explain the situation to my brother when he returns tomorrow and decide then,” Wei Chao said.
Mingshu bowed, thinking this turn of events fortunate.
Liu Shi added, “You’ll have to make do with the side room tonight. See if you can hear any strange noises. My maids and I often hear odd sounds, sometimes there, sometimes not. My husband always says we women are scaring ourselves, but he sleeps too deeply to hear anything. It’s been miserable for me, unable to sleep night after night.”
The side room was next to the main room, so if Liu Shi could hear the noises, Mingshu surely would too.
“Alright,” Mingshu readily agreed.
Night fell gradually, and the street lamps lit up one by one.
The Lu family’s gate was already closed. Madam Zeng had prepared a few dishes as usual, and she sat down with Lu Chang for dinner. Lu Chang was not talkative; usually, it was Mingshu’s cheerful chatter that brought laughter to their meals. Today, without Mingshu, mother and son found their dinner rather bland.
It was strange to think that for over a decade, the two of them had lived this way. Yet in less than half a year, Mingshu had completely changed the household atmosphere.
Lu Chang put down his chopsticks after eating only half a bowl of rice.
Previously, when he left home for the academy, Mingshu would always be there waiting for him upon his return. This time was different – he was at home, but Mingshu was not.
His mind wandered.
Everywhere he looked, he saw traces of her.
“Where are you going?” Madam Zeng asked as she finished her meal and was about to clear the dishes, suddenly noticing Lu Chang running towards the door.
“Mother, I’ll be back soon,” Lu Chang hastily replied, disappearing into the night.
Madam Zeng watched for a long while, then shook her head.
She sighed, realizing her son had grown up.
No longer under his mother’s wing.
As night fell, the small storage room was hastily converted into a temporary living space. A makeshift bed frame and a simple desk filled the cramped quarters, illuminated only by the dim glow of an oil lamp. Beneath its feeble light, Ming Shu diligently recorded the information she had gathered during the day.
Although Lady Wei had tasked her with investigating supernatural occurrences, Ming Shu remained skeptical of ghosts and spirits. She suspected human involvement in these so-called hauntings and planned to focus her inquiry on the Wei household staff. However, this proved challenging, as Wei Xian had carefully selected his servants, who remained tight-lipped. They divulged little beyond the ghost-related incidents, making it difficult to uncover any additional information.
The Wei family affairs were indeed thorny.
After hours of poring over her notes, Ming Shu’s eyes grew sore. Frustrated by her lack of progress, she chewed on her brush handle, her brow furrowed in concentration. The stuffy room only added to her growing irritation. Seeking respite, she stepped out and wandered to the deserted western wall, staring absently into the inky darkness of the garden.
Suddenly, a clear flute melody drifted over the wall.
Ming Shu’s eyes widened in recognition.
The sound came from a leaf whistle, its tone bright and pure. Though simple, the familiar children’s tune was pleasing to the ear.
The gentle notes floated over the high wall, reaching her attentive ears.
Almost instantly, Ming Shu identified the melody.
On their journey to the capital, Lu Chang played this very tune while driving the carriage. He had even attempted to teach it to her.
Lu Chang was just beyond the Wei compound wall.
“Brother,” Ming Shu whispered, quickly plucking a suitable leaf from the nearby foliage.
She pressed it to her lips and blew forcefully, producing only discordant sounds. Despite Lu Chang’s lessons, she had never mastered the skill. Yet, these imperfect notes were enough. The melodious whistling from beyond the wall abruptly ceased, only to resume moments later.
Each note seemed to soothe her troubled mind.
Ming Shu knew her brother had recognized her response. As her agitated thoughts calmed, she tucked the leaf into her robes and settled on a stone at the base of the wall. Smiling, she listened to Lu Chang’s private concert, and her heart suddenly filled with envy for the girl who had captured her brother’s affection.
For a man as reserved as Lu Chang, his love, once given, would surely be the epitome of tenderness…
If only she could find a man like her brother, how wonderful that would be!
As the night deepened, the melodious flute from beyond the compound walls gradually faded. The city fell silent, its lanterns extinguishing one by one.
Lady Xu finished her evening ablutions and prepared for bed. Her maid helped her settle in, then snuffed out the candles before quietly leaving to dispose of the used water. Though tucked in, sleep eluded Xu.
A gust of wind sent tree shadows dancing across the window, inexplicably reminding her of the rumors about the Wei family’s haunted estate. Despite Du Wenhui’s assurances that these were merely baseless gossip, Xu found herself longing for the familiarity of her own home.
The silence was oppressive. Xu realized her maid, who had only stepped out to empty the water, had been gone far too long. Having left home in anger, Xu had brought only this one trusted servant. Now, she was entirely alone.
Feeling uneasy, Xu rose to relight the candles, planning to extinguish them once her maid returned.
Just as she located the tinderbox, a shadow flitted across the paper-covered window. Assuming it was her maid, Xu called out.
The figure didn’t respond. Instead, it continued to move – no, float – past the window. Xu’s heart raced as she realized this was no ordinary movement. Frozen in fear, she watched silently as the figure approached the door. Without visible motion, a knocking sound suddenly echoed through the room.
Paralyzed with terror, Xu dared not move, fearing she might provoke the entity.
After a moment, the lantern outside her room abruptly went dark. The figure and the knocking vanished, leaving an eerie silence in their wake.
Her maid had still not returned, and the quiet was increasingly unnerving.
Xu cautiously inched towards her bed, hoping to hide beneath the covers. She no longer wished to light the candles. Suddenly, something violently struck the window facing the corridor. Xu turned to see a ghastly pale face pushing through the torn paper screen.
Panic overtook her. With a piercing scream, Xu flung open the door and fled into the night.
Meanwhile, Ming Shu had returned to her room after enjoying Lu Chang’s impromptu concert. In high spirits, she extinguished her lamp and lay down to rest, still fully clothed.
Suddenly, a haunting sound broke the silence – a mix of infant cries and feline yowls, intermittent and unsettling.
Recalling Lady Liu’s words, Ming Shu quickly rose and stepped outside, nearly colliding with Liu, who had also emerged from her room.
“Did you hear that? That’s the sound!” Liu exclaimed, her face pale.
As they listened, the noise subsided. Ming Shu pondered for a moment before saying, “I’ll go investigate.” Borrowing Liu’s lantern, she set off in the direction of the mysterious sound.