Lin Yao lay in bed, her head throbbing painfully.
“She’s finally awake. This child is truly pitiful, having just reached her coming-of-age ceremony when she lost both parents.” Mrs. Li gazed at Lin Yao, who lay unconscious on the bed, her eyes brimming with pity. “Such a beautiful child… what a shame…”
It seemed the Shen family was plagued by misfortune this year. At the beginning of the year, Second Master died on his way to his post, and before his first-week memorial had even passed, Second Mistress followed. A month ago, Third Miss fell from the attic. Though her life was spared, she hit her head and became deranged, acting erratically every day. And now, three days ago, she fell into the water! The servants in the mansion whispered among themselves—with the Qingming Festival approaching, perhaps Second Master and Second Mistress were missing Third Miss…
“By the timing, the people from Jingzhou should arrive soon. Her future will depend on her own fate.” Shen Xiuhuai spoke, then turned to instruct Nanny Chen, “Take good care of Third Miss. An incident like falling into the water must not happen again.” He sighed to himself, “After all, she is a child of the Shen family. I’ve let Second Brother down.”
“Master, you mustn’t say that. Yi’er is now foolish and senseless. This time it was falling into the water, but who knows what might happen next? Ruo’er is currently in marriage discussions with the son of the Ministry of Works’ Vice Minister. We can’t afford any ill omens at such a critical time…” Mrs. Li glanced at Shen Xiuhuai’s expression, and seeing his slight frown, she dabbed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief. “Moreover, Master is striving for a promotion. With so many misfortunes striking our household one after another, who would dare associate with us?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiuhuai’s brow indeed smoothed, though he offered no further comment.
After the two had left, Lin Yao lay in bed, blinking her dark, luminous eyes, lost in confusion: How had she come back to life?
She pinched her cheeks and the back of her hand—the pain felt so real, unlike a dream. She walked to the dressing table and peered into the bronze mirror: Good heavens, the resemblance was uncanny! She couldn’t help muttering to herself, “My name is Lin Yao, and her name is Shen Yi. Can two people in the world really look exactly alike?”
“Fool! Of course, it’s because I handpicked this one for you!”
Who was speaking? Lin Yao’s heart skipped a beat: That auntie just said “I” was deranged… Could it be delusions? She reached out and touched her chest, only to feel a sudden thump, as if her heart were about to leap out!
“Stop touching. I’m right inside your heart.”
“What kind of ghost are you?”
“Insolence!” The voice carried a haughty tone. “I am the Great Flame Tree King, Tao Wu! You wretched fool provoked the Demon King and got me burned down to my essence crystal.”
Tao Wu? That was a rare ancient tree spirit! Shaped like a rabbit, it could be used for alchemy. Lin Yao thought back carefully: Yes, the Demon King had taken the form of her master and lured her to Great Flame Mountain! Great Flame Mountain was dense with ancient trees, so Tao Wu must have been one of them. At the time, the Demon King set the forest ablaze with demonic fire, burning her to death… and it as well?
“Then how did you end up in my heart?”
“Ah,” Tao Wu sounded dejected. “It’s all because you were useless. Your three souls and seven spirits were burned away, leaving only half. Fortunately, you had the Soul-Locking Wood, and my essence crystal carried your remaining remnant soul into it. Otherwise, we would have turned to ashes together…”
“Soul-Locking Wood?”
“Yes, that demon hunter’s waist token of yours.”
The waist token my master gave me was pitch black and unremarkable—who knew it would turn out to be a treasure!
“So how did I end up here? Did I possess someone else’s body?”
“Of course not! You’re still you.” Tao Wu didn’t beat around the bush and continued, “After we entered the Soul-Locking Wood, your spirit seemed as good as dead. Three days ago, I caught the scent of one of my kind and followed it here. That’s when I saw a wood spirit dragging the mad third young lady of this family into the water and devouring her… She looked so much like you that I used your remnant soul to regenerate flesh and bones, bringing you back to life. Since her body was gone without a trace anyway, it was the perfect opportunity to take on her identity.”
So that’s how it was. I thought it was a case of possession, but it turns out I’m still me! It seems this Tree King really has some skills. Lin Yao suddenly thought of something, her gaze turning cold. “Since you can regenerate flesh and bones, why did you wait until three days ago?”
Tao Wu sounded guilty. “Ah, well, I was still trapped inside the Soul-Locking Wood before that! I was almost completely burned up, with only my essence crystal left—how could I have gotten out? I only sensed one of my kind and wanted to ask it to open the Soul-Locking Wood.” As it spoke, Tao Wu grew sorrowful. “I had to break off half of my essence crystal as payment to convince the wood spirit to open the Soul-Locking Wood and release us.”
As long as the essence crystal remains, there’s always hope! Once I recover in the future, I’ll settle the score with that wood spirit!
“Thank you for that. But since you’re out now, why not return to Great Flame Mountain to rebuild your cultivation?”
“Uh… well, um…”
Lin Yao curled her lips, understanding dawning. “Your essence crystal fused with my soul back then, and now you only have half left. You have to hide in my heart and rely on me to nourish you, don’t you?”
Caught red-handed, Tao Wu’s voice turned somewhat sheepish. “That’s right. But I did save your life—you owe me, don’t you? Don’t worry, I’ll leave once I’ve cultivated the other half of my essence crystal. You’re very weak right now and need to recuperate properly. In short, if you’re well, I’m well!”
Lin Yao’s heart stirred. “Where is my waist token?”
“The wood spirit destroyed it…”
“Can others hear you when you talk to me?”
“Are you stupid? Of course not! Watch your words and actions—don’t get yourself captured as a monster and burned at the stake, dragging me down with you! Also, from now on, I’m going into a cultivation state. Don’t disturb me unless it’s important. If you’re in danger, just pat your chest, and I’ll lend you a hand.”
“Got it, Tao Tao!”
“That sounds awful!”
In the afternoon, the Ji family from Jingzhou arrived.
“Brother-in-law, if Yi’er stays in the Shen family, she might be reminded of the past, which won’t help her condition,” Mrs. Li said awkwardly, knowing she was in the wrong. “Perhaps it would be better if…”
“I’ve read the letter. There’s no need to say more. I’ll take Yi’er back with me now.”
Ji Zichen had long seen through the Shen family’s true nature! They never thought much of his sister, who came from a merchant background, and now that Yi’er was an orphaned fool, they were afraid she’d be a burden to the Shen family! After paying his respects to his sister and brother-in-law, he set off for Jingzhou that very day.
Three years later—
“Miss Cousin, the young lady asked me to bring you these new clothes.”
“Come in.” Lin Yao responded while flipping through a book.
During her convalescence at the Ji family, she had originally intended to find an excuse to return to Hidden Mountain and check on her master, wondering how the old man was faring. Unfortunately, being a body of bone and flesh revived by a fragmented soul, her constitution was exceedingly frail. Moreover, the Ji family treated her with genuine kindness, so she had been content to focus on recuperating. Now, three years had passed, and she had nearly fully recovered. It seemed it was time to first seek out her master and then deal with the tree demon!
Lanyue finished arranging the clothes and asked, “Young Mistress, would you like me to assist you with dressing?”
“No need,” Lin Yao replied. She was unaccustomed to having someone attend to her so closely, which was why she had found ways to decline when her aunt had initially arranged for a personal maid. After Lanyue left the room, Lin Yao rose and gave herself a simple grooming. Finally, she gently patted her chest, a smile curling at the corners of her lips as she murmured to herself, “Tao Tao, let’s go see that handsome young man!”
Tao Wu rolled her eyes and continued her breathing exercises.
“Brother, look! Yao Yao has grown even more beautiful!”
Although she could only live under the identity of Shen Yi now, changing her nickname was a simple matter. Thus, everyone in the Ji family called her Yao Yao, making her feel as if she were truly alive again.
Ji Shiyue glanced toward the garden path and saw the young woman gracefully approaching in a soft pink gown. When she had first arrived three years ago, she had been a sickly young girl, but now she had blossomed into a radiant beauty, like a lotus emerging from the water.
“Cousin, cousin.”
“They say Aunt was the foremost beauty of Yidu in her youth, and it seems those words hold true,” Ji Shiyun remarked with a smile, taking Lin Yao’s hand. Ji Shiyue gazed at her naturally exquisite, lotus-like face and smiled gently. “Let’s go.”
The moon hung above the willow branches as people gathered in the twilight. It was the Qixi Festival, and the area before the Temple of the Matchmaker was bustling with activity!
Vendors hawked their festival pastries, while street performers reenacted the Magpie Bridge reunion. Young men gathered at the Kuixing Platform, praying to the deity for success in the imperial examinations—her cousin stayed there with the other youths. Meanwhile, the young women congregated around the Fragrant Bridge.
This Fragrant Bridge was constructed from bundled incense sticks, measuring two zhang in length and two chi in width, with thick double-stemmed official incense forming the bridge railings. From the railings to the bridge itself, it was adorned with flowers made of colorful threads and embellished with gleaming golden ingots. Under the moonlight and candlelight, it shimmered brilliantly, a splendid sight to behold!
Sizzle—
As the Fragrant Bridge was lit, the young girls closed their eyes to make their wishes. Afterward, they tossed their handmade sachets into the bridge to be consumed by the flames, symbolizing the fulfillment of their desires!
“Yao Yao, hurry and throw it—” urged Ji Shiyun. Lin Yao nodded and cast her sachet into the fire. The two exchanged a smile. Her cousin was straightforward and bold, while her other cousin was gentle and courteous. Though they were twins, their personalities were entirely different. Yet they shared one thing in common: their sincere and wholehearted kindness toward her.
A deeper warmth bloomed in Lin Yao’s eyes.
“A’Yun, is this your cousin from Jinling?” He Wanyin scrutinized Lin Yao. “The young ladies of Jinling are indeed delicate. It’s the first time we’ve seen her out and about since she arrived.”
“Sister Wan, haven’t you heard? She lost her parents, so it wasn’t appropriate for her to go out,” Xue Miao interjected. Ever since Lin Yao appeared, Wang Chuan’s eyes hadn’t left her, infuriating Xue Miao. “It’s rather strange, though. Why would a proper official’s daughter come to her maternal grandparents’ home to recuperate? Could it be that she’s considered unlucky?”
Ji Shiyun rolled up her sleeves, ready to retort, but Lin Yao took her hand and calmly led her away.
He Wanyin and Xue Miao had originally intended to embarrass her—after all, she had drawn the young men’s attention the moment she arrived. Unexpectedly, Lin Yao remained so composed that they were left standing there in stunned confusion.
Lin Yao pulled Ji Shiyun over to a stall selling sweet pastries, selected a bag of lotus flower cakes, and popped one into her mouth. “So sweet, Cousin, you should try one too.” Seeing her cousin’s bewildered expression, she smiled faintly. “To me, they are insignificant people. Why should I care?”
Ji Shiyun suddenly realized how little she knew about her cousin. She also picked up a pastry and took a bite. “Actually, He Wanyin and Xue Miao…”
“Ah—”
A sudden scream pierced the air, and everyone instinctively turned to look. They saw Xue Miao rolling on the ground, three bloody scratches starkly visible on her left cheek!
“That looks painful. Who did it?” Ji Shiyun couldn’t help but touch her own left cheek. Though she disliked Xue Miao, she would never stoop to something as cruel as disfiguring someone!
But Lin Yao sensed something amiss. She moved closer and observed that the scratches appeared to have been made by sharp nails, deep enough to reveal the bone. Ordinary men did not grow such long nails, and ordinary women lacked such vicious strength.
She closed her eyes and silently recited a clarity mantra. When she opened them again, a flash of golden light shone in her pupils, revealing a different scene before her—
To be precise, it was a residential house.
The moonlight was dim, casting a murky glow over the courtyard. Where Xue Miao had been standing moments before now stood an old well. Dark moss clung to the crumbling bricks, and a withered willow tree leaned crookedly beside the well.
A pale, slender man dragged a woman out of the house. He glanced at Lin Yao, then lowered his gaze and walked to the well, tossing the woman against its edge.
Only then did Lin Yao get a clear look at the woman’s face. It was covered in scratches, flesh torn and gruesome beyond recognition! The woman’s mouth gaped as if she were screaming, but only muffled whimpers escaped. Her limbs had been severed, and she writhed in terror as she stared at him.
Expressionless, the man picked up a brick from the ground and began smashing it against her body, over and over…
Then, he looked up and gave Lin Yao a sinister smile.