After hiring several more people, Yun Zhiyue finally headed home.
Yet the crying sounds from that house still felt strangely unsettling to her.
After thinking it over, she decided to investigate personally that very night.
Of course, she valued her life too much to go alone.
She needed a helper.
But who?
It had to be someone skilled in martial arts—someone capable of carrying her away if danger appeared.
After considering everyone she knew, she still felt the Third Princess was the most reliable choice.
“Lüliu, deliver this letter into the palace for the Third Princess.”
Inside Mingzhao Palace—
After reading the letter, Xiao Zhaoning discovered that Yun Zhiyue wanted to go on a nighttime adventure and was lacking a martial arts expert for protection.
An adventure?
That sounded rather interesting.
She wanted to go herself, but unfortunately she wasn’t allowed to leave the palace at night.
Sighing softly, Xiao Zhaoning wrote a single “okay” on the letter before calling toward the corner of the room:
“Xuanying.”
Whoosh!
A shadow flashed past.
A man dressed in black martial attire knelt steadily upon the ground. His hair was tied high atop his head, his face covered by a black cloth, leaving only a pair of sharp eyes exposed.
“This subordinate is present.”
“Take this letter to Zhiyue. For the next few days, stay by her side and ensure her safety.”
Xiao Zhaoning handed him the letter.
“Yes.”
The man accepted it with both hands. In the next instant, he sprang up and vanished like a gust of wind.
The Xuanzhi-rank shadow guards were exclusive royal guards personally managed and assigned by the Emperor.
No one else—whether royal princes, nobles, officials, or commoners—was permitted to privately train shadow guards or death warriors.
The Crown Prince was assigned six shadow guards.
Other princes received three.
Legitimate princesses received two.
Other princesses received one.
Even especially favored children of imperial princes might be assigned one.
All personally allocated by the Emperor.
Yun Residence.
A dark figure silently slipped into the elegant courtyard.
“Ah! Miss, run! There’s a thief!”
Lüliu stared at the black-clothed man with complete vigilance. Spreading her arms like a mother hen protecting her chicks, she shielded Yun Zhiyue behind her.
The man wore black from head to toe, his slim frame resembling a ghost hidden within the night.
Judging by his speed, he was clearly an expert.
Seeing that he carried no hostility, Yun Zhiyue pulled Lüliu aside. “It’s alright. He’s not a thief.”
Xuanying stood perfectly straight and took a letter from his robes, holding it out.
“Miss Yun, my master ordered me to follow you.”
Yun Zhiyue immediately understood. “Good.”
This was her first time seeing a real ancient shadow guard in person, so she couldn’t help staring at him curiously for a few extra moments.
“What’s your name? What are you skilled at?”
Sensing her gaze, Xuanying’s eyelashes trembled slightly, though he continued standing ramrod straight.
“Xuanying. Skilled in qinggong, martial arts, and hidden weapons.”
Yun Zhiyue nodded. “Not bad.”
By dusk, the sun gradually sank below the horizon, and darkness slowly spread across the sky.
It was time for Yun Zhiyue’s operation.
The two arrived beside the mysterious house. She instructed the man to somehow get her onto the rooftop.
The roof offered the clearest view of the courtyard below.
Xuanying glanced at her once. “Miss Yun, forgive the offense.”
He grabbed the back of her collar, pushed off lightly with his feet—
Before Yun Zhiyue could react, she was already standing atop the roof.
Whew.
That was thrilling.
Yun Zhiyue immediately crouched down and peered into the courtyard below. Turning her head, she discovered the man was still standing upright beside her.
She waved urgently. “Xuanying, lie down too! If anything dangerous happens later, immediately use qinggong to carry me away.”
Xuanying had no idea what exactly she was doing, but he obediently lay down anyway.
The wind blew gently beneath a particularly bright moon.
Everything remained silent.
Yun Zhiyue was beginning to grow tired from lying there when suddenly—
A strange sound echoed through the darkness.
Waaah… waaah… waaah…
It sounded exactly like an infant crying.
The eerie, hollow wails drifted through the night, making the atmosphere especially terrifying.
There really was a sound.
Why was this actually kind of horrifying?
Yun Zhiyue’s heart tightened instantly. Cold sweat gathered in her palms as she carefully scanned the surroundings.
When she noticed Xuanying still beside her, she relaxed slightly.
“Xuanying, did you hear that?”
The man nodded. His body had already tensed, eyes constantly sweeping across the courtyard.
“Yes. Crying sounds.”
“Other than the crying, there are no abnormalities for now.”
As long as there was no immediate danger, that was fine.
Yun Zhiyue exhaled slowly.
The sound seemed to originate from the back courtyard.
Yet during the day, she had clearly seen that the rear courtyard was completely empty.
Could there really be ghosts???
No, no, impossible.
Believe in science.
“Xuanying, are you scared?”
The man shook his head. “No.”
Good.
At least he was brave.
If he had been the cowardly type who ran off the moment he heard the sound, leaving her stranded alone on the rooftop, that would have been terrible.
Taking a deep breath, Yun Zhiyue made her decision.
“Let’s go down and investigate the back courtyard. If anything dangerous happens, use qinggong to carry me away. You absolutely must carry me away.”
Xuanying nodded.
Soon the two reached the rear courtyard.
The crying grew increasingly distinct.
Instinctively, Yun Zhiyue grabbed onto the sleeve of the man behind her, seeking reassurance within the darkness.
A faint fragrance drifted through the air.
Xuanying froze briefly and lowered his gaze toward the hand clutching his sleeve.
In the end, he didn’t shake her off.
He simply allowed her to hold on.
Yun Zhiyue discovered the sound originated from one corner of the courtyard.
Yet when she looked there, she saw absolutely nothing.
Was there something hidden from sight?
The two cautiously approached the corner and soon realized the crying sound was coming from beneath a wooden plank underfoot.
This was becoming increasingly horrifying.
The sound was actually coming from underground.
Still, the cries themselves caused no real harm.
With that thought, Yun Zhiyue gritted her teeth and stomped hard on the plank.
“Stop crying already! You’re creeping people out!”
The crying immediately ceased.
Moments later came faint splashing sounds.
Wait.
Water?
Why would there be water beneath wooden planks?
A realization suddenly struck her.
Yun Zhiyue smiled knowingly and turned toward the man beside her.
“I understand now. Let’s go back. We’ll return tomorrow.”
Xuanying looked utterly confused but nodded anyway.
The following day—
Several workers gathered outside the house.
Yun Zhiyue walked out gracefully and glanced across the group. When she noticed the middle-aged woman from before had also come, she raised a brow slightly.
The woman spoke first.
“Miss, I’ve decided. I want to become the steward here.”
Yun Zhiyue nodded and signaled subtly to the side.
Lüliu understood immediately and pulled out several agreements from her sleeve, having each person leave a thumbprint one by one.
“Come. I’ll show you the place you’ll be working.”
Two servants carrying hoes followed closely behind.
Upon arriving, one of the men couldn’t help exclaiming, “It’s so cool here!”
The others exchanged glances.
Yun Zhiyue led everyone into the rear courtyard before speaking calmly.
“I’m sure all of you have heard the rumors surrounding this house. Yet despite that, you still came. For that, I admire your courage.”
“As for whether the rumors are true or not…”
“You’re about to see for yourselves.”
“Someone, pry up this wooden plank.”
“Yes, Miss.”
The two servants carrying hoes stepped forward and began digging.
Before long, the plank was removed.
Lüliu looked shocked. “Miss, why is there water underneath?”
The creature hidden beneath the plank was startled and instantly let out its crying sound again.
Everyone widened their eyes, bodies tensing instinctively.
Yet not a single person fled.
Yun Zhiyue felt very satisfied with their composure.
“Whoever pulls out the thing inside will receive ten taels of silver.”
The middle-aged woman hurried forward immediately. “Miss, I’ll do it!”
Rolling up her sleeves, she crouched down and reached into the water.
The moment her hands touched something slippery, cold sweat drenched her body and she instinctively yanked her hands back.
Heavens protect me… heavens protect me…
But then she remembered her sick husband at home.
Her expression hardened.
This time, she thrust both hands back into the water.
Eyes squeezed shut, she grabbed tightly onto the creature and yanked it out with all her strength.
The thing landed heavily on the ground, its crying growing even louder.
Everyone stared.
The creature was dark brown all over, with a flattened barrel-like body, short limbs, and roughly one foot in length.
“What kind of thing is this? It can actually cry like a baby!”
“It looks like some kind of fish.”
Yun Zhiyue looked toward the crowd.
“As you can see, the rumored crying sound came from this fish.”
“There is nothing dangerous about this house.”
“Starting today, the repair workers will begin renovating the property. Tomorrow, the long-term workers may officially begin work.”
“You will live two people to a room, and only in the buildings on the left side. Since the rooms are still empty at the moment, I’ll have the steward prepare beds, bedding, and clothing shortly.”
“By the You hour this afternoon, you may bring your belongings and move in.”
After speaking, she turned toward the middle-aged woman.
“From today onward, she is the steward here. All of you will answer to her.”
“Yes, Miss!”
Everyone felt immensely fortunate about their decision.
Each of them was smiling brightly.
The woman clutched the ten taels of silver in her hands, her eyes reddening slightly.
Thankfully…
She had come.