Early the next morning, before dawn broke, Dai’er came looking for her after not seeing her return for a long time, and only then did she leave the ancestral hall.
On the way back, she felt dazed and disoriented, unable to stop thinking about the heart-stirring kiss from the previous night, and then recalling Ji Yuwei as she saw him upon waking in the morning.
His demeanor was natural and composed, without the slightest hint of awkwardness in his expression. Not only was the curve of his smiling lips perfectly maintained, but even the gentle gaze he habitually cast when looking at others remained appropriate, as if the heart-stirring kiss from the previous night had been nothing but her own illusion.
Returning to the courtyard, Wu Ping’an sat beneath the tree, frowning as she touched her steadily beating chest, slowly letting out a sigh. She soon felt relieved by Ji Yuwei’s reaction.
In truth, she was the same. Last night, her heart had stirred so intensely, yet upon waking in the morning, she felt too awkward to open her eyes first, afraid of meeting the young man’s affectionate gaze and unsure how to react. She had imagined the scenario for a long time in her mind, but the moment she opened her eyes and saw him, she felt no stirring of the heart at all—aside from embarrassment, there was no racing heartbeat or flushed cheeks.
Perhaps she and Ji Yuwei were similar in temperament.
Once Wu Ping’an understood this, the knots in her heart unraveled, and she turned to go back inside.
Dai’er was folding clothes and, upon seeing her enter, joyfully gestured to her. Afraid that Wu Ping’an might not understand, she moved very slowly. Even so, Wu Ping’an could only slowly guess the meaning from her deliberate motions.
Dai’er asked if there was anything else she needed to take, so she could pack it all together.
Wu Ping’an held Dai’er’s hand and smiled, saying, “No need to pack. We can just go home directly.”
In truth, the food, clothing, and daily necessities in the courtyard were all of the highest quality. Even if she couldn’t fully recognize their value, she could occasionally tell from the delicate gold threads on the hem of her skirt and the exquisite vessels placed in every corner of the room that these items were precious. However, these things belonged to Ji Yuwei, and since she was leaving, she naturally couldn’t take them with her.
But Dai’er’s question made Wu Ping’an think worriedly, and she asked, “I don’t have a large courtyard. My home is in a chaotic alley on the outskirts of Jianye, where all sorts of people gather. Would you prefer to stay at Ji Manor?”
Although she very much wanted to take Dai’er with her, she had forgotten to ask whether Dai’er was willing to leave this prosperous place and live in the slums with her. Selfishly, she wanted to take Dai’er, but from Dai’er’s perspective, staying at Ji Manor would undoubtedly be preferable. So, no matter what choice Dai’er made, she would agree.
Dai’er had grown accustomed to hardship. She knew better than anyone how miserable life could be for the lower class in the slums. Yet, when Wu Ping’an asked, she gestured with a bright smile: she was willing to follow Ping’an and wanted to stay with Ping’an.
Although Wu Ping’an’s selfish desire was satisfied, she also felt deeply guilty. She hugged Dai’er tightly.
Just as Dai’er was about to raise her arms to return the embrace, she tilted her head and caught sight of the ethereally handsome young man outside through the wooden window. Startled, she quickly lowered her hands and let out a series of “ah, ah, ah” sounds to alert Wu Ping’an.
Wu Ping’an followed her gaze and looked back.
It was Ji Yuwei.
Since Ji Cizhao had left, he had only knelt in the ancestral hall for a day and a night, returning at dawn to bathe and change clothes. Remembering that Wu Ping’an had said she wanted to leave the previous night, he had come over.
By the time Wu Ping’an stepped out of the room, he was already seated peacefully beneath the flowering tree.
The umbrella-shaped peach blossom tree had passed its peak blooming period, and many petals had fallen. The tender green buds on the branches stretched out, casting a refreshing, sun-shielding shadow on the ground. The young man remained as clear and bright as the breeze and the moon. Before his eyes even met hers as she emerged, his pale pink lips curved into a smile, and his eyes took on a fox-like glint.
“Wei was afraid Ping’an might still be frightened of Shadow Ghosts, so I came specifically to hang a yellow fu talisman mirror for Ping’an.”
His reason for coming was legitimate, but Wu Ping’an couldn’t help letting her gaze linger on his lips when she saw him. In truth, she had looked before, but that was because she found the shape of his lips beautiful. Now, however, it was because she remembered last night, and her heart felt awkward and unnatural.
She walked over slowly and sat at the opposite end of the stone table. Seeing the young attendant beside him holding a brand-new yellow fu talisman and bronze mirror, she shook her head and politely declined, “No need to trouble yourself.”
Ji Yuwei’s gaze sharpened slightly. He tilted his head slowly, his smile unchanged, waiting for her to explain why she refused.
Wu Ping’an said, “Actually, I plan to return home today.”
As she spoke, she kept an eye on Ji Yuwei, worried that he might find reasons to persuade her to stay. In her mind, she rehearsed several polite responses, but she saw him only lower his eyes, his smile fading as he pondered briefly. Then he lifted his face, which was so fair it seemed translucent. Beneath his slightly elongated double eyelids were a pair of jet-black pupils, as dark as the ghostly eyes Wu Ping’an had encountered the night before.
Ji Yuwei was not surprised, only expressing slight regret as he said, “Wei had thought Ping’an was joking.”
For a moment, Wu Ping’an didn’t know how to respond. She thought again of what he had said after kissing her yesterday and couldn’t help but feel her fingers go numb, wanting to grab onto something to ease the awkwardness.
Fortunately, after expressing his regret, his long brows relaxed, and his smile was like a gentle spring breeze. He did not say anything that would put her in a difficult position: “Ping’an’s desire to return home is only natural. Wei truly cannot use breath to detain Ping’an.”
Although Wu Ping’an knew he was kind-hearted, she still felt tense and suspicious during the brief moment she waited for his agreement. Now, hearing him speak these words softly and gently, she realized as she quietly exhaled that she still held some of the shadows from the books about him.
This realization made her laugh involuntarily.
Wu Ping’an rolled up her sleeve, revealing her wrist with the red mole, and placed it on the stone table. Her tone was light as she asked him, “Is your body able to extract breath today, young master?”
Ji Yuwei’s gaze lowered, directly fixing on the fair skin she had exposed by rolling up her sleeve. The bright red mole leaped vividly into view.
He stared at the red mole, his fingertips twirling a string of green jade prayer beads. Lost in thought, he shifted his gaze, following her wrist upward until it settled once more on her straightforward face. With a gentle smile, he said, “Does Ping’an remember what Wei said last night?”
Wu Ping’an thought he had said quite a lot last night, but fortunately, after asking, he continued on his own: “Actually, Wei does not wish to extract the remaining breath. If it were completely taken, Wei would have no reason to seek out Ping’an. After Ping’an returns home, Wei still wishes to come and find Ping’an, to play the qin and seek a kindred spirit in harmony.”
His words carried the spirited air of youth. He looked at her directly with an upright and graceful demeanor, everything he expressed clear beneath his eyelashes—frank yet not making her feel offended or awkward.
Hearing his persistence and gentle plea, Wu Ping’an suddenly had an epiphany. She realized where her wariness toward Ji Yuwei had always lain: in the frequent accidents that occurred during each breath extraction. Although she pitied him, she also maintained a certain skepticism toward human nature, always feeling that things were too coincidental and therefore purposeful.
Now that he had laid his purpose out openly, it instead dispelled that faint trace of doubt in her.
He did not extract the breath because he wanted to use the breath within his body as a legitimate reason to spend time with her.
Wu Ping’an felt her face burn slightly under his directness, but she maintained her composure and pulled her sleeve back down.
She couldn’t very well say: “Oh, we’re just kindred spirits, connected in soul and aligned in heart—that’s enough. Please don’t come looking for me. Let’s just be spiritual companions. When I get married in the future, I’ll even save you a seat at the main table.”
Of course, she couldn’t say that. So she could only politely reply, “You may come anytime.”
Ji Yuwei did not seem to think her words were mere politeness. Though he said nothing, he clearly took them seriously, a faint smile on his lips as he listened with a reserved nod before offering to escort her back.
His gentle words left Wu Ping’an agreeing almost without realizing it.
However, as the two rode in the sheep-drawn carriage from the bustling streets of Jianye to the narrow alleys of the outskirts, Ji Yuwei covered his mouth and retched before they even entered.
Startled, Wu Ping’an thought he had fallen ill again. Only when he lifted his pale, beautiful face did she realize he was simply unaccustomed to such places.
Seeing this, Wu Ping’an tactfully suggested, “Perhaps you should stop here, young master. The carriage won’t be able to go any further.”
Ji Yuwei glanced at the dirty, cluttered alleyways on either side, his fragile-looking eyes drooping slightly like lingering, unbroken mist. He did not insist on accompanying her further. “Then Wei will bid Ping’an farewell here.”
Wu Ping’an nodded and thanked him before stepping down from the carriage with Dai’er.
The accompanying servant, carrying several sets of dresses and some food prepared by Ji Yuwei, followed her in on behalf of his master.
The young man in the carriage watched her enter the alley, the gentle warmth in his eyes fading. He pressed a silk handkerchief to his lips for a long while but still could not suppress his nausea. Seeing this, the servant beside him knelt and presented a gilded lotus-shaped copper basin to his master’s lips.
Ji Yuwei spat out sour fluid, his lashes damp as he rinsed his mouth again before slumping against the backrest, unable to comprehend why Wu Ping’an would choose to return to such a filthy place instead of staying at Ji Manor. Naturally, he would not set foot in such an area himself. Perhaps it would be simpler to just seize Wu Ping’an and take her back.
But after languidly entertaining the thought, he quickly dismissed the malicious notion and leaned back gloomily yet gracefully in the sheep-drawn carriage as it departed.
Wu Ping’an moved back to her original alleyway with Dai’er from Ji Manor. To make a living, she continued seeking work in Jianye as before, using the identity token Ji Yuwei had arranged for her.
With the identification, she felt more at ease than before. However, since her only skill was blacksmithing, she circled back to her previous employer. This time, though, she could not take up blacksmithing work—the shop had enough hands, and as a woman, she could not match men in strength. In the end, she was kept on because the shop lacked someone to sell ironware.
Dai’er could not speak and bore a slave mark. Fearing trouble outside, she stayed home to manage domestic affairs. Though Wu Ping’an’s wages were halved, it was enough for both of them to survive there, and their days passed with simple yet hopeful monotony.
Notably, Ji Yuwei sent someone daily to wait for her at the blacksmith shop where she worked and then invited her to Ji Manor.
He truly loved listening to her sing. Previously, he would still go out to search for the monster beast that had killed his sister, but lately, he had not even mentioned it.
Wu Ping’an guessed he might not want to extract the living essence from Ji Yulian’s body and was seeking a legitimate reason to see her.
This was not her being presumptuous—Ji Yuwei had said so himself. He openly admitted his selfish motives and expressed guilt over his sister’s unexplained death, as her killer remained unfound.
Since it had little to do with her, Wu Ping’an was about to offer a few words of comfort when the young man lifted his tear-dampened lashes, trembling beautifully, his cheeks plump and lovely, and asked if she could sing another rendition of the “Song of Crossing the Deceased.”
It was a tune Ji Yuwei had taught her. She had heard it before and now performed it with mastery. At his mention, she cleared her throat and sang along to his zither.
Truthfully, she did not understand the meaning of each word she sang. It sounded like the lingering tones of the Wu dialect, yet also resembled the sutras chanted by monks in temples to the rhythm of wooden fish.
After finishing the song, she opened her eyes and saw the youth leaning over her, his face upturned. With delicate brows and fair cheeks, his Adam’s apple protruded visibly beneath thin, translucent skin as he stared intently at her lips, seemingly unable to help himself.
Wu Ping’an felt her heart flutter under his gaze, a strange electric current surging downward and tingling with a sour ache in her lower abdomen.
He wore this expression of restrained desire with such natural ease on his youthful face. Though it was human nature to eat, drink, and indulge in lust, she wasn’t in a relationship with him, making it all rather ambiguous.
Wu Ping’an turned her head away, pushing his approaching face aside, and murmured with embarrassment, “Stop looking.”
“Alright.” He leaned back, kneeling calmly on the cushion, his expression serene as he plucked the strings, showing no trace of awkwardness from the rejection.
His composed, almost ethereal demeanor also helped the heat fade from Wu Ping’an’s cheeks.
As the sun sank lower, the sky darkened into a murky crimson. Unnoticed, the day had grown late, and if Wu Ping’an didn’t leave soon, it would be completely dark.
As usual, Ji Yuwei personally escorted her to the mouth of the alley.
The alley entrance was dark and narrow. He would only accompany her this far and no further.
As Wu Ping’an stepped down from the sheep-drawn carriage, the youth reclined against the ornate cushion. His slender, pale fingers held a delicate white silk handkerchief as he gazed down at her, his gentle eyes softening as he said, “Ping’an, if you ever encounter any difficulties, you may come to the manor to seek Wei at any time.”
“Alright.” Wu Ping’an nodded, her hand resting on her waist where the jade pendant Ji Yuwei had given her still hung.
Ji Yuwei glanced at her hand on her waist, lowered the carriage curtain, and softly instructed the servant to return to the manor.
No different from usual, Wu Ping’an watched Ji Yuwei’s carriage disappear into the distance before turning to walk back.
The sky was pitch black, with only a streak of crimson cloud stretching across the mountain peaks. In less than half an incense stick’s time, the night would fall completely silent. Most people in the slums couldn’t afford oil lamps or candles, and even those who could wouldn’t spend their hard-earned silver on such things, so the roads here were shrouded in darkness.
As Wu Ping’an walked through the alley, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was following close behind. She had been approached by ghosts twice before, and though Ji Yuwei had given her a fu talisman to ward them off, which she always wore around her neck, it was still hard to avoid feeling uneasy.
She didn’t dare look back, quickening her pace as she hurried home.
Finally, she saw Dai’er standing at the doorway, shielding a lamp.
Dai’er was frail, her figure barely slender. Her sallow, thin face had gained a bit of vitality after some time of care, but this small trace of living qi wasn’t enough to keep her standing calmly at the door on such a dark, gloomy night without an eerie aura.
Before Wu Ping’an could get close, she noticed that as the wind blew, Dai’er’s feet were clad in dark gold, white-faced silk shoes that didn’t touch the ground. The hands shielding the oil lamp were slender and pale, with full nails, and as she waved, a glint of a golden bracelet peeked from her wrist.
A chilling gust of wind swept through, and Wu Ping’an turned and ran.
Help, it’s a female ghost.
This time was just like the previous ones, so she had learned from bitter experience and mustered the courage to flee.
Clutching the yellow fu talisman in her hand, Wu Ping’an sprinted with tears streaming down her face, praying she might still catch up to Ji Yuwei.
In the deep of night, the sound of hoofbeats echoed. Under the bright moonlight, the young man suddenly furrowed his thick brows and looked up at the sky.
Above, the false moon was shrouded in thick, dark clouds, exuding a gloomy, ghostly aura. He tossed the reins to a servant, raised his hand to let an eagle land on his shoulder, and switched horses to head right.
Crossing through the dark woods and entering the chaotic alleys, he spotted a figure running so fast it blurred into a streak, surrounded by an aura of ghostly energy from hundreds of steps away.
With a cold expression, he flung out a yellow fu talisman.
Wu Ping’an, who was fleeing for her life, suddenly found her vision blocked, instantly losing her way as if trapped in a ghost wall. She stumbled around like a headless fly, terrified that she had been caught by a ghost, until she crashed headfirst into something hard.
The fog that had obscured her sight was abruptly torn apart, and she heard a voice as cold and clear as a mountain spring ring out from above. Though faint, it brought her immense comfort.
“Where is the Shadow Ghost?”
Wu Ping’an looked up.
By the moonlight, she saw a young man of striking appearance before her. Unlike Ji Yuwei’s ghostly allure—so pure and white that it seemed unreal in its perfection—this young man resembled a cold jade pearl veiled in mist. His imposing frame filled out the fitted long robe he wore, and as he gazed down expressionlessly, an overwhelming sense of authority pressed down upon her.
He reminded Wu Ping’an of the moon over the ridge, the snow on the slope.
Author’s Note:
Ahhh, sorry, I thought I’d scheduled it again. I keep forgetting lately onz