【You vicious woman! You made me take the hit for you! You’re not human!】
【After all that sympathy I wasted on you!】
【…】
The male ghost had been cursing nonstop, but Shang Lingjun had no time to pay him any mind.
She had only wanted to conduct an experiment, and she had indeed gotten her answer.
She could hand over control of the body whenever she wished and reclaim it whenever she wanted. All control lay in her hands. The male ghost was entirely passive and could not seize her body unless she voluntarily let him have it.
That realization put Shang Lingjun’s worries to rest.
She had been afraid that this unfamiliar male ghost would take over her body.
Afterward, she had wanted to see whether she could force the male ghost’s soul out by slamming herself hard against something.
The result was obvious.
She had failed.
【Don’t be angry. I only wanted to see if I could knock you out of me. My head hurts so badly. Ow…】
Shang Lingjun had no choice but to soothe him. Now that control of the body had returned to her, her head was splitting, and she did not want to listen to the male ghost’s incessant chattering anymore.
【Oh…】
The male ghost thought about it and realized she had a point. He had only felt pain from that one impact; all the pain afterward had been borne by her.
After striking the pillar, Shang Lingjun had been carried to this side room. She did not even know whether anyone had sent for a physician.
The male ghost grunted twice, still deeply dissatisfied.
【You were far too hasty. They haven’t even been caught in bed yet. Words alone prove nothing, and it wouldn’t be difficult for them to turn the situation around.】
Shang Lingjun, however, remained perfectly calm. Her tone was light as she said,
【After I put on such a show in front of everyone, naturally someone would hurry to catch them in the act for me.】
Xie Zhaoqing’s father, Third Master Xie, was the third concubine-born son. He and Fourth Master Xie, the fourth concubine-born son, had different mothers and were on terrible terms.
Xie Zhaoqing was the only “male heir” in the Third Branch. The Fourth Branch would have been delighted to ruin the Third Branch’s future.
Shang Lingjun had seen it clearly just now. Madam Li of the Fourth Branch had rushed off to catch them in the act before she had even finished listening.
If Shang Lingjun had deliberately led everyone there herself, it would have seemed too obvious. Her identity as the victim would then have become questionable, and how could she demand compensation from the Xie family?
Besides, her strike against the pillar had been like pouring a bucket of hot oil onto a fire. It had caused the entire scene to explode and would certainly turn into a scandal known throughout the capital.
And by lying still after injuring herself, she had avoided the chaos outside and could temporarily evade anyone who wanted to cause her trouble.
Thus, this one blow had accomplished three things at once.
The male ghost clicked his tongue inwardly. The Xie family had actually married such a shrewd girl. Well, the Xie family must have owed her plenty in her previous life. Their present calamity was simply retribution.
【Then what kind of compensation do you want?】
Shang Lingjun arched an eyebrow. She was not afraid to let the male ghost know.
【Of course I want them to find me another husband. Just imagine—if Xie Zhaoqing has to respectfully call me Aunt-in-law in the future, wouldn’t that be satisfying?】
The Xie family’s Old Master had seven children. His eldest son, second daughter, and seventh son were the legitimate children of Old Madam Wei, while the others were born to concubines.
The seventh son, Xie Yan'an, was a notorious wastrel in the capital. Old Madam Wei had given birth to him late in life and spoiled him terribly. Unfortunately, he had suffered severe injuries the previous year and fallen into a coma. He still had not awakened.
Even the imperial physicians said there was no hope for him.
If Seventh Master Xie were not an unconscious invalid, Shang Lingjun would not have had the confidence to make such a demand.
If she got her wish, she truly wanted to see the expressions on Xie Zhaoqing’s and Xiao Jing’s faces!
The male ghost was so shocked that he could not speak. When he finally recovered, his voice broke.
【Who did you say you wanted to marry?!】
She actually wanted to marry… him?
Himself!
That was right. The male ghost was none other than the paralyzed, unconscious Xie Yan'an!
Xie Yan'an was utterly bewildered. His soul had inexplicably ended up inside his nephew’s wife’s body, which was strange enough. Now this nephew’s wife was actually declaring that she wanted to marry him?
He was already paralyzed, so how was it that someone was still setting her sights on him?
Shang Lingjun’s brows drew together.
【Why are you getting so worked up again? You’re always making such a fuss.】
【No… I just feel that… wouldn’t this be a little unethical?】
Xie Yan'an’s voice sounded somewhat awkward.
After hesitating several times, Xie Yan'an decided not to reveal his identity to Shang Lingjun for the time being. He would observe the situation first and decide later.
Shang Lingjun grew angry and snorted.
【What’s it to you?】
【…】
Xie Yan'an wisely shut his mouth.
…
Inside the bridal chamber…
“Oh, my goodness!”
Madam Li did not disappoint. She caught the two of them in bed while they were still in the middle of their passionate struggle!
“Fourth Aunt? What are you doing here? This is all a misunderstanding!”
Xie Zhaoqing and Xiao Jing were both utterly flustered.
“My dear nephew, even if you are Xiaohuan, you shouldn’t be carrying on with a man on your wedding night! Do you know that your newlywed wife struck her head against a pillar and tried to kill herself in the front courtyard? Wonderful! Now everyone knows about it. Where is the Xie family supposed to put its dignity?”
“What?!”
Xie Zhaoqing’s face instantly turned the color of pig liver. His anger surged, and he growled through reddened eyes,
“That bitch!”
Xiao Jing was even more devastated. His expression was uglier than if he had swallowed a dead fly.
Everything had happened so suddenly that they had completely lost their bearings. When had Shang Lingjun awakened? When had she run outside?
Xiaohuan?
How dare Shang Lingjun say that the two of them were involved in a homosexual affair?!
Disgusting!
And why had she gone and struck her head against a pillar for no reason? What an idiot!
It was over… Everything was over now!
…
The Xie family had been hit by a scandal of unprecedented proportions, and someone had nearly died besides. The guests had already begun taking their leave one after another.
Before the night was over, the story that Xiao Jing and Xie Zhaoqing were a pair of “lovers” would surely spread throughout the capital.
As for the bride, Shang Lingjun, who had struck her head against a pillar and tried to kill herself, she had become the pitiful victim in everyone’s eyes.
Shang Lingjun was so hungry that she ate all the fruit on the table. She had waited a long time, but no physician had come. The household was probably in such chaos that no one was paying her any attention.
So she simply bandaged herself as best she could. Fortunately, the bleeding was not severe.
【You still have the appetite to eat? You’re remarkably calm.】 Xie Yan'an’s tone was tinged with resentment.
Shang Lingjun had not eaten all day. Her stomach was empty, and she had injured her head as well. Of course she needed to replenish her strength and keep herself alert.
This matter was far from over.
【Just wait. The Xie family will be extremely grateful that I didn’t die. They’ll find a way to compensate me, and someone will be here soon. I’m only eating to restore my strength first.】
【Slow down. No one’s going to take it away from you.】 Xie Yan'an could not help reminding her.
What she said was true.
If she died, then the matter of the Xie family arranging a marriage for Xiaohuan and forcing the bride to her death on the very night of the wedding would be established beyond doubt.
By then, the younger generation of the Xie family would probably have their futures ruined. Even the reputations of several of the family’s masters as government officials would be dragged down with them.
Shang Lingjun did not want to eat so quickly either. The movement pulled at her wound and made it hurt. But she had no strength left in her body, she was injured, and someone would certainly come looking for trouble soon.
If she did not eat her fill, how could she contend with these people?
Creak…
Just as she was thinking this, someone pushed open the door.
Shang Lingjun turned toward the sound.
They were here!
She hurriedly wiped her mouth and straightened her posture.
But when she saw who had come in, her pupils contracted slightly.
It was her?
Why was this old lady here?
Shang Lingjun had assumed that the person who came would be Madam Qu or an elder from the main branch. She had never expected Old Madam Wei!
In her youth, Old Madam Wei had been known by the nickname “the Iron-Wristed Lady.” The severity with which she governed her household had been famous throughout the entire capital at its height.
Even now, despite her advanced age, the concubine-born sons and daughters still became like mice before a cat whenever they saw her, not daring to breathe too loudly.
She would not be easy to deal with.
Old Madam Wei entered with the support of an elderly nanny. After taking her time to sit down, she fixed Shang Lingjun with a sharp gaze, as though she could see straight through her.
“You made quite a scene and threw the entire Xie family into turmoil. Was your revenge satisfying?”