The Female Ghost
Duan Xu said he had no great reputation, but he was clearly too modest.
“Duan Shunxi? Who in the court doesn’t know him?”
The pearl in He Simu’s hand shone brightly in the moonlight as she sat on the rooftop of the magistrate’s mansion, draped in a cloak, one hand supporting her chin and the other holding the pearl, listening to the voices coming from inside.
“The Duan family has been prominent in the Imperial Academy for three generations, closely related to the imperial family. Duan Shunxi’s maternal grandmother was the former princess, elder sister to the previous emperor, and his father, Duan Chengzhang, resigned from office due to illness, having served as Minister of Rites. His family is a well-known scholarly lineage, and two years ago, he achieved the second highest score in the imperial examinations and entered the government service, showing great potential for the future.”
He Simu leaned against the rooftop, looking up at the bright moon. “And who is Duke Pei?”
“Oh, so you know about Duke Pei too, Grand Ancestor. Nowadays, there’s fierce factional struggle in the court. One faction is led by Minister Du, and the other is led by Duke Pei. Duan Shunxi’s father is a trusted confidant of Minister Du, so naturally, he’s also a member of Minister Du’s faction. Now that the emperor favours the appointment of young talents, Minister Du is old, and with Duan Shunxi’s influential background and Minister Du’s favour, he’s being groomed as a future prime minister.”
“However, he has a formidable enemy, the top scholar in the same year as him, now the Grand Adviser, Fang Xianye. Fang Xianye is from a humble background and was originally a retainer of Duke Pei. After achieving the top score in the imperial examinations, he naturally fell under Duke Pei’s banner. This lad is clever and meticulous, always putting pressure on Duan Shunxi.”
“At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the emperor, on a whim, invited talented individuals to discuss military strategy. This time, Duan Shunxi overwhelmingly defeated Fang Xianye and was greatly praised by the emperor. As a result, Duke Pei immediately submitted a memorial, suggesting that since Duan Shunxi has military talent, he should be given more opportunities to train. The emperor, in a moment of joy, appointed Duan Shunxi as a junior commander of the Yiwu Guard.”
“Duan Shunxi was originally an official in the Imperial Secretariat, on a smooth path towards becoming a prime minister. However, unexpected twists and turns occurred in his promotion. Despite being a civilian official, he was given a military position. With no foundation in the army, he was bound to make mistakes in commanding the Yiwu Guard. Fang Xianye seized the opportunity and with a written accusation, got him sent out of the capital to serve as a general in the Tabai Army. Unexpectedly, he encountered an invasion by the Huqi and the general of the Tabai Army died in battle. He was then appointed as the general of the Tabai Army in the face of danger.”
He Simu rubbed her temples, the pearl in her hand swaying. “I understand now. He must be someone everyone knows, a famous unlucky fellow.”
From being a candidate for prime minister from a prestigious family to ending up as a border general with no guarantee of safety, no wonder Meng Wan was like a lit firework, clamouring to protect Duan Shunxi.
He Simu looked at Duan Xu’s room not far away. The night was deep, but the room was still lit with dim lights, his figure casting a tall and straight shadow on the window.
“But I see this young general doesn’t seem to have any worries, always smiling, without complaining about his situation.” He Simu propped up her chin, casually saying, “Is he really so carefree and indifferent, going with the flow? In this world of fame and gain, after studying hard for success for ten years, doesn’t everyone want to become a prime minister?”
“If given the chance, even the emperor would probably want to. Haha. Duan Shunxi is known for his sunny disposition, always smiling at everyone, but what’s really going on in his mind? He comes from a distinguished background and is exceptionally talented. Wouldn’t he want to be above everyone else?”
“Ah… how boring.”
Everyone is busy seeking profit, and in this bustling world, everyone is after their own gain. This young general is just an ordinary mortal, trapped in this world of fame and fortune, going back and forth in life.
Once there was no one in the world like her uncle, arguably the most gentle and strong person she had ever seen. The Sword of Breaking Illusions had such a master, how could she settle for such a common man?
Meanwhile, in the room, Duan Xu, who was reading the military report, sneezed. The military officers in the room immediately looked at Duan Xu, one of them asking, “General, did you catch a cold in today’s heavy snow?”
Duan Xu shook his head, putting down the military report and staring absentmindedly at the lamp for a while before raising his eyes to the military officer.
“Qingsheng, have they caught the person who attempted to assassinate me today?”
Xia Qingsheng’s face showed embarrassment as he held his sword and replied, “Not yet. The assailant’s martial arts skills are high, and he escaped quickly. We lost track of him. General, in the future, you must always bring guards with you when you go out, otherwise, it’s too dangerous.”
Duan Xu disliked having attendants, which was well known in the southern capital. For someone of his status, even bringing along four or five servants was considered low-key, but he always preferred to travel alone.
He claimed that he had been robbed by bandits before, and the servant who had cared for him for several years had bravely helped him escape but died under the bandits’ knives. Out of nostalgia, he was unwilling to assign new servants.
This attitude gained him a reputation for being sentimental in the southern capital.
“High martial arts skill… The position he chose on the corner tower was very concealed. It’s impressive for him to aim at me from such a distance; indeed, he’s skilled.” Duan Xu directly ignored Qingsheng’s advice and said softly.
“Even if you were by my side, you might not have noticed the assassin.”
Duan Xu smiled lightly.
Moreover, what about an “ordinary” girl who knew nothing of martial arts?
As the moon rose to its zenith, Xue Chenying woke up from a nightmare but found the young lady was not in her room. He tentatively called out a few times but received no response. He then carried a candlestick and searched the courtyard again but still couldn’t find her.
He stood in place in a daze for a long time, the scenes from his nightmare seeming to reappear. Gradually, Xue Chenying became anxious. Holding the candlestick, he pushed open the door and ran out into the street, shouting, “Miss!”
Where did the young lady go?
Did she leave him because he ate too much?
Tears gradually moistened Xue Chenying’s eyes, and the street before him became blurred. He remembered his mother, father, and all the deceased relatives, all of whom disappeared one day after he woke up from a sleep, never to return, as if it were some ominous metaphor.
He opened his eyes, unable to see the person who might never be seen again in this lifetime.
Because of the snowfall during the day, the ground was covered in ice. Xue Chenying cried as he walked, accidentally slipping and falling.
The candlestick fell to the ground, the light extinguished with a soft “puff,” emitting a faint blue smoke.
Just as the light went out, a gentle female voice sounded, somewhat indistinct.
“Child, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Xue Chenying looked up. In the desolate and cold street, where all was silent, stood a young woman dressed in a green robe, about ten steps away from him.
The snowflakes that had just stopped began to flutter again. She stood in the darkness, only her delicate and exquisite silhouette visible, jade and emerald ornaments dangling from her ears, and a large jar with black and white infantile patterns cradled in her arms.
Xue Chenying staggered as he climbed up from the ground, looking around and seeing no one nearby, he felt somewhat uneasy standing there.
“I’m looking for someone,” he said softly.
The woman took a step forward, her footsteps silent as they treaded on the snow.
“Who are you looking for?”
With this step closer, he could now see her crimson lips, curled into a smile.
After hesitating for a moment, Xue Chenying answered, “I’m looking for… Miss He Xiaoxiao. Do you know her?”
“He Xiaoxiao? I know her very well. I know where she is. Mother will take you to her,” the woman took another step closer to Xue Chenying.
Xue Chenying involuntarily took a step back, instinctively sensing danger like a wild animal. Bewildered and cautious, he said, “My mother passed away long ago, and she doesn’t look like you. Why do you claim to be my mother?”
The woman fell silent, and the smile at the corner of her mouth slowly faded. The surroundings became eerily quiet, with only the sound of the chilly wind blowing through the street banners and signs.
The woman took another step forward, this time completely stepping into the light. Xue Chenying then noticed that her eyes were entirely black, without any whites. And on the jar she held, there were stains of blood everywhere.
Her delicate jade hands, stained with fresh blood, dripped down the jar from her palms, one drop at a time falling onto the snow-covered ground.
The surroundings were so quiet that it seemed one could hear the sound of these blood droplets hitting the snow.
She seemed to feel nothing wrong, blinking her pitch-black eyes and smiling gently as she spoke persuasively, “Not now, but it will be soon. Come on, come to Mother.”
Xue Chenying stared at the woman in shock, trembling all over.
Driven by instinctive fear, he wanted to turn and run, but his legs refused to obey. Xue Chenying could only futilely shout, “Don’t come any closer! I… I want to find Miss Xiaoxiao! She can… she can do magic!”
For exorcism, magic tricks were obviously useless, but Xue Chenying didn’t know what else could be scarier.
As the woman approached Xue Chenying, a sudden loud shout came from somewhere, startling the crows on the roof.
“Captain Meng, it’s her! She’s extremely suspicious! Violating the curfew and even injuring several of our brothers!”
A group of patrolling soldiers suddenly appeared from a nearby street, five or six of them standing between Xue Chenying and the woman, with Meng Wan leading the way.
She looked back at Xue Chenying, realizing that he was He Xiaoxiao’s younger brother. Then she turned her attention back to the strange woman in front of her, drawing her sword.
The woman had stopped advancing and wore an expression of displeasure.
Meng Wan looked into her pitch-black eyes, having never encountered such a bizarre situation before, and tightened her grip on her sword. “Is this woman possessed?”
“If you don’t want to die, step aside! Give me that child!” The woman’s face contorted into a hideous expression as she emitted a roar akin to that of a wild beast. Her nails rapidly elongated, and she opened her mouth to reveal sharp fangs.
Meng Wan’s hand trembled, feeling uncertain. As the woman lunged forward, she bravely held up her sword and shouted, “Old Xu, Old Wang, take this child away!”
In an instant, the woman’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened wide. Her pitch-black eyes were filled with disbelief, and her hostility turned into immense fear. The next moment, her legs gave out, and she knelt firmly on the ground, her sharp fangs and nails disappearing completely. She prostrated herself, trembling as if she were a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
Meng Wan maintained her posture with the raised sword, staring blankly at the woman kneeling before her, unable to understand how her attitude had changed so dramatically in an instant.
“Forgive… forgive me…” The woman was so terrified that she could hardly speak clearly, continually kowtowing without pause, hitting the ground with loud thuds as if she didn’t feel any pain.
“What… who are you…” Meng Wan looked warily at the woman, but before she could finish her sentence, a sudden burst of blue smoke enveloped the area, and the woman vanished without a trace.
The surroundings became quiet again, as if the woman’s appearance had been just an illusion.
“Mother, this woman is indeed a ghost!” One of the soldiers behind her exclaimed in astonishment.
“Look at the havoc caused by these barbarians! Such a heinous massacre will definitely attract unclean things!” The soldiers discussed among themselves.
Meng Wan turned around with lingering fear, intending to ask about Xue Chenying’s condition. However, to her surprise, she saw a figure at the end of the long street.
The person was wearing a light pink fur cloak and a hood, with a black veil flowing under the hood, obscuring their features. The newcomer stood silently amidst the falling snow, seeming to exude a heavy aura of darkness. The only vibrant thing about them was the flickering blue light around their waist.
This… was Duan Xu’s hood?
Meng Wan was stunned. Before she could speak to inquire, the figure suddenly burst into a heart-wrenching cry, as if a puppet had come to life. Sobbing uncontrollably, they ran to Xue Chenying, holding up their skirt and squatting down to stroke Xue Chenying’s little face.
“Chenying! You scared me to death! Are you alright? Sister is all alone now, and you’re my only companion. You can’t have any accidents!”
Xue Chenying, influenced by her emotions, threw himself into her arms, crying, “Wuwuwu, Miss Xiaoxiao, I came out to find you! But I met a strange woman, she was so scary!”
The wind lifted the black veil under the hood. Meng Wan watched the brother and sister embracing and crying, finally confirming that this girl was He Xiaoxiao.
“Just a moment ago, that monster was so arrogant, how did she suddenly disappear?” Old Xu from the patrol team asked in confusion.
Before Meng Wan could analyse it, He Simu cried, “It must be Captain Meng’s bravery and heroism that intimidated the evil spirit with your aura, so it dared not act rashly and had to flee!”
Meng Wan looked at the sword in her hand and then in the direction where the female ghost disappeared, uncertainly saying, “Is that so?”
The soldiers seemed enlightened and echoed in agreement.
“That girl is right. As fellow women, you are a female general defending the country, while she is a female ghost causing harm. Any ghost with a bit of dignity should be ashamed!”
He Simu stood up, wiping away tears as she held Xue Chenying’s hand. “Thank you, Captain Meng, for saving us siblings.”
Meng Wan sheathed her sword, frowning. “What were you thinking, letting your brother go out alone late at night? Don’t you know there’s a curfew?”
He Simu looked pitifully at her, twisting her fingers.
Meng Wan looked at the frail young girl before her, with her clear black and white eyes. She thought to herself that she might have been too nervous just now, leading to a misperception.
At that moment, when He Xiaoxiao stood at the end of the long street and the wind lifted her veil, she seemed to briefly see a pair of pitch-black eyes, similar to those of the female ghost.
It was probably just an illusion.
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