Chapter 2: Refugees – The Future Lady

The corpse on the bed twitched twice before propping itself up halfway. The usual dullness in its eyes was gone, replaced by a lively glow beneath fluttering eyelids that blinked three times before widening.

The not-yet-properly-dressed corpse in Funeral Garments suddenly exclaimed: “Hey! Sister! Sister!”

Qingwu: “?”

The corpse sprang up like a thunderclap!

A flash of white light cut through the air.

Lin Xihe had already thrown herself beneath Qingwu, wrapping her arms tightly around the other’s legs.

Feeling the corpse’s hands supporting her legs, Qingwu’s hair stood on end as she screamed: “It’s moving!”

Closing her eyes and steeling her heart, she reached the peak of resignation – death would free her from fearing corpse demons.

She forcefully kicked over the round stool.

Rip…

The sound of tearing fabric.

Rrrrip!

Lin Xihe below looked up in terror.

The White silk snapped on its own, and the hanging woman came crashing down like a falling boulder.

This horrifying scene burned itself into Min Shi’s eyes.

As if responding to the terrifying spectacle, dark clouds churned overhead in the courtyard, threatening rain.

The bedchamber of the Lin family’s legitimate daughter was arranged like a funeral hall, with white drapes hanging low and a ghostly figure in the middle with fluttering sleeves, radiating a Ghostly aura.

Thunder cracked simultaneously with Min Shi’s scream.

“Ghost, a ghost aaaaaaaah!”

Chaos erupted in the Lin residence as Min Shi fainted.

Lin Xihe saw several people in ancient costumes swarm forward, hastily carrying away the richly-dressed woman.

She randomly grabbed someone dressed as a Housekeeper and enthusiastically shook their hand, asking: “Were you sent by Manager Li?”

Wang Momo shuddered as if electrified, hoarsely wailing: “Ghost, there’s a ghost, ghost ghost ghost ghost…”

“…” Lin Xihe glanced at her plain white dress, then wiped her face. “There’s nothing on my face.”

Was it really that frightening?

The girl who had been hanging had been carried away after falling to the ground. Lin Xihe wandered out of the room, peering left and right under the corridor eaves: “Was she taken away by an ambulance?”

She rubbed her ribs where she’d nearly been crushed by the falling girl, thinking to herself: Which company is this sister from? Judging by her build, their cafeteria must serve generous portions!

An old maid emerged from a corner, staring at Lin Xihe with terror: “Ghost… the young lady can speak?!”

Lin Xihe approached politely: “May I ask which exhibition center branch this is?”

The old maid instantly collapsed to the ground: “I, I don’t want to go to the underworld, don’t take me there aaaaaah!!!”

Lin Xihe: “…”

Had she been brought to some ancient-style theme park? This immersive experience was way too realistic.

She shook her sleeves and wandered around in her Funeral Garments.

Everywhere she went, terrified NPCs scattered, none daring to stop a ghost.

Lin Xihe stepped through the main gate onto the long bluestone path.

Looking back, the sky above the high-hanging Linfu plaque threatened rain.

What a strange place.

Anyway, she should find someone to ask.

On the other side of the alley hung a similar plaque – Literary Mansion.

Not holding much hope, Lin Xihe picked up the door knocker and lightly tapped three times.

“Is anyone there?”

There seemed to be voices inside.

Lin Xihe pressed her ear against the door crack, listening carefully. Unable to hear clearly, she squinted to peer through the gap.

A servant holding a birdcage said urgently: “Second Young Master, I’ll go search outside.”

The “Second Young Master” being addressed – his gaze fixed on the empty birdcage, his face gloomier than the sky: “Wen Qi, go search the Lin residence.”

The servant named Wen Qi replied: “I heard from the Lin residence servants that it wasn’t Miss Lin who set off the firecrackers.”

Lin Xihe felt inexplicably guilty. She had heard the firecrackers too, but she hadn’t set them off.

Second Master Wen reasoned clearly: “First, Miss Lin is dead. Second, that plump woman is not Miss Lin. So who exactly set off the firecrackers?”

Wen Qi squeezed out a name: “I heard it was Young Master Lin who set them off.”

Wen Zhixu was in a terrible mood. This bird had cost him a fortune, and he had tenderly cared for it for a full year. Just as the bird was about to learn to speak, it happened. He felt the sense of achievement of having raised a child from infancy.

During the Lin family’s funeral, that scoundrel Lin Pinyan not only failed to help but instead acted as a troublemaker.

Lin Pinyan had set off the firecrackers, frightening his beloved pet away!

Today, he was determined to teach Lin Pinyan a severe lesson.

“Where is that bastard now?”

“Young Master Lin has gone to Li Su Academy.”

The main gate of the Wen residence suddenly opened, and Wen Zhixu was about to step out.

Lin Xihe, who had been eavesdropping by the wall, was caught off guard. Losing her balance, she stumbled forward in a most undignified manner.

Just then, a clap of thunder roared across the sky.

Lin Xihe’s ear, separated by a layer of clothing, pressed firmly against a warm chest. The terrifying thunder, to her ears, transformed into the rhythmic beating of a heart, gradually pushing the wind and rain into the distance.

Wen Zhixu looked down. The person who had crashed into his arms wasn’t too short. After the thunderclap, she shuddered all over, forgetting to advance or retreat, stiffly leaning against him.

Like a small tree struck by lightning.

…

Rumbling thunder intertwined with rustling heartbeats. Wen Zhixu only knew that the person in his arms was a woman. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her temples were disheveled, and she was dressed entirely in plain white garments.

Just like a female ghost from a traditional opera.

Wen Zhixu wasn’t afraid of ghosts.

But the people around him were.

The servant’s voice oozed with terror: “A ghost, a ghost! Protect the Second Young Master!”

This lad was quite loyal, Wen Zhixu felt a warmth in his heart. He wanted to push the troublesome woman away with his hand, but then remembered that men and women should not touch, so he hurriedly shifted his body aside.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the gateman brandishing a stick and shouting to protect his master, yet retreating step by step.

Suddenly, his back felt warm—his “loyal” servant had pressed up against him, trembling like a sieve: “Sec-sec-sec-second Young Mas-mas-mas…” ter.

Scared into a stutter.

At that moment, Wen Zhixu missed his old attendant dearly; he shouldn’t have driven Wen Qi out of the residence!

As the thunder ceased, Lin Xihe tripped over the stone steps. In her panic, she grabbed onto Wen Zhixu’s sleeve for support.

A wisp of cold fragrance drifted into her nostrils, like the sandalwood mist lingering in an ancient temple. The person before her had a refined and handsome appearance, his facial contours resembling an ancient painting displayed in an art gallery, his nobility hidden within the brushstrokes, his character restrained and dignified.

Unfamiliar with the place, Lin Xihe wondered which exhibition hall she had mistakenly entered. The setting here was grand, the servant NPCs were dressed respectably, and the young master whose sleeve she had inadvertently grabbed was extraordinarily handsome.

The rival company must be quite dedicated!

Lin Xihe secretly compared their sleeves. The staff member playing the elegant young master had dark blue cuffs embroidered with cloud patterns, while she—cursed by some colleague—had been draped in a white robe with frayed cuffs.

Was her company about to go bankrupt?

“May I ask, which company are you from?” Lin Xihe straightened his sleeve politely.

Wen Zhixu: “?”

A flash of lightning suddenly tore through the sky, falling into his eyes like flowing fire.

Lin Xihe felt goosebumps all over. Steeling herself, she asked again: “Do you know where Hall B is?”

Wen Zhixu remained silent.

The Ning Dynasty was prosperous, with no famine or great drought, and few people in the streets wore tattered clothes.

Even the most glorious age has its unilluminated corners—what has life reduced this perfectly fine young woman to?

Lin Xihe gestured in sign language as one would to a hearing-impaired person: “You… can’t speak?”

A head popped out from behind Wen Zhixu, emboldened by his master’s authority, and spat angrily, “How dare you!”

“Wen Ba,” Wen Zhixu’s voice rang out, and the head behind his shoulder shrank back and disappeared, “go fetch two Imperial Academy buns for this young lady.”

The servant lowered his eyes and said respectfully, “Second Young Master, my name is Wen Qi.” It was just bestowed—have you forgotten?

“Call Wen Qi back,” Wen Zhixu shot him a glare. “You are Wen Ba now.”

Wen Ba: “…”

Lin Xihe held the two buns in her palm, examining them carefully: the dough was smooth, shaped like a gourd, with the belly part particularly plump and full.

She had never seen this new type of snack before.

Seeing that this refugee had never encountered such refined food, Wen Zhixu, unusually patient, told her, “The filling is shredded meat, seasoned with spiced salt and other spices.”

How good could it taste? Sitting on the stone steps, Lin Xihe took a bite.

Munch munch—it really wasn’t bad.

She took another bite. Hey! Isn’t this just a big meat bun?

Li Su Academy was not far from the Wen Manor.

Worried about his beloved pet, Wen Zhixu quickened his pace toward the academy, ignoring the approaching dusk.

Footsteps followed closely behind.

He sped up, and the footsteps hurried to match his pace.

Didn’t I give her the Imperial Academy buns? Why is a refugee following me?

Wen Zhixu deliberately broke into a run, and the footsteps indeed slowed down.

A right turn would lead to the academy. Wen Zhixu glanced sideways toward the long alley between the Wen Manor and the Lin Manor.

Flanked by high walls, it exuded an imposing aura. Commoners dared not set foot there.

He saw that plain figure crouching in the distance, curled into a small ball, while a grubby stray dog circled her, wagging its tail excitedly.

Lin Xihe made clicking sounds: “Xiao Hei, you live here?” She pointed a trembling finger, its tip aimed at the plaque of the Wen Country Duke Manor.

The dog barked, its tail wagging into a blur.

“Guarding the door? Who’s your owner?” She shared half a bun with Xiao Hei.

Half a bun alone couldn’t fill a hungry stomach. Wen Zhixu watched as the dog pressed its front paws against the refugee’s forearm and, in a flash, snatched the other bun from her hand! It turned and fled, swift as a shadow, slipping into the Wen Manor just before the gatekeeper closed the doors.

Wen Zhixu was displeased: “Where did this stray dog come from? So unruly, daring to fight a refugee for food?”

Wen Ba hurriedly said, “Second Young Master, this is the guard dog of the manor. I heard from Wen Qi that you bought it yourself.”

“Mo Hu?” Wen Zhixu chased it back into the manor, pulled out a sleeve, and vigorously wiped the dog’s face.

Only after the yellow mud was cleaned off did its handsome features emerge.

“So it really is you.” Wen Zhixu rubbed the dog’s head, laughing softly with affection. “So mischievous—where have you been running wild today?”

Wen Ba swallowed, keeping the story of “Mo Hu falling into the manure pit” to himself. If he didn’t tell, and the dog didn’t tell, how would the Second Young Master ever know?

At that moment, his Second Young Master bent down, making the same clicking sounds to tease the dog, identical to those the refugee had made earlier: “tsk tsk tsk~”

Wen Ba silently stepped back a few paces. So smelly.

.

Lin Xihe wandered around aimlessly for a while but found no trace of that young master.

There were several bookstores in the market. Lin Xihe curiously peered inside—decorated in classical style, with neatly arranged thread-bound books on the shelves.

“Ancient Texts Book Café?” She leaned through the window lattice, speaking politely, “Hello, may I borrow your phone to make a call?”

A voice came from inside: “Go away, tomorrow is the day for porridge distribution at the Gargling Stone Nunnery.”

Clang.

Had she been a second slower, her head would have been snapped off by the folding window shutter.

Lin Xihe stood bewildered outside the Yan Official’s Text Shop.

What on earth was going on in this godforsaken place? No streetlights, no surveillance cameras, nothing remotely modern… The Truman Show?

Passersby on the street cast scrutinizing glances her way, as if she were the one who didn’t belong. Were background actors this dedicated nowadays?

“Miss, I’ve lost my phone. Could I borrow yours? My colleague will transfer the call credit to you.”

The woman leading a young child turned back, her gaze falling upon the Funeral Garments Lin Xihe wore, and her face instantly turned pale: “A ghost!!!”

The woman scooped up her child and vanished at lightning speed.

Lin Xihe was baffled by the pedestrians’ reactions.

She looked down at her dress—plain, perhaps, but hardly ghost-like.

“Hey! No need to lend if you don’t want to, but was that reaction necessary?” She adjusted her dress, her gaze returning to the sign of the Zhao Family Scripture Shop.

Another bookstore.

Under the impending rain, the shop assistant was moving the discounted books displayed outside back into the shop.

“Hello, do you have a phone—” Lin Xihe forced a smile.

The shop assistant met her eyes, and with a thud, the stack of books in his arms fell to the ground.

Lin Xihe’s stubborn temper flared, and she snapped back, “Fine, don’t lend it! Was that really necessary?”

Thunder drowned out her voice.

The long street stretched ahead, lined with mounting shops, gold paper shops, round fan shops… unfolding one after another. Lin Xihe felt dazed again, as if she had stepped into the “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” painting, with its bustling scene slowly unfolding before her eyes.

She looked up at the sky. No white contrails, no drone hums—only a primitive, low-hanging canopy overhead.

The murky gray clouds pressed down, sealing her tightly in this place.

She moved forward; she had to find the kind soul who had given her the steamed buns.

That fleeting kindness felt like a lifeline.

.

Li Su Academy.

“Laozi said—”

“Laozi said.”

The drowsy recitations hovering over the academy mingled with the rustling of footsteps.

The teacher set down his book, and the students craned their necks to peer outside.

They saw a young man in brocade robes bow respectfully to the teacher, politely urging him to continue the lesson. Though his demeanor was reverent, his steps carried him straight into the room, heading directly for the corner.

Wen Zhixu seated himself among a group of young boys.

The boy squeezed against the wall pouted and whispered to him, “Second Brother.”

“You set off the firecrackers,” Wen Zhixu stated with certainty.

Lin Pinyan bit his lip, his ears flushing red: “Second Sister made me light them… Second Brother, I had no idea it would turn out like this!”

Lin Zhirou had been too afraid to light the firecrackers herself and begged him to do it. Only after he lit them did he learn that their eldest sister had already passed away.

He must have been out of his mind.

Wen Zhixu glared at the boy’s pale lips: “You scared away my Emerald Phoenix! You find it for me!”

Lin Pinyan was taken aback.

Oh, so he wasn’t being blamed for causing a disturbance at the funeral? Why didn’t you say so earlier? I was so nervous!

Lin Pinyan’s stiff shoulders relaxed considerably.

The boy, now eleven years old, was born to Min Shi, a concubine of the Lin household.

He disliked studying and had driven away several tutors in a row. His father, at his wit’s end, had no choice but to appeal to Duke Wen, eventually forcing him into the prestigious Li Su Academy in the capital.

Wen Zhixu hadn’t seen Lin Pinyan for quite some time.

“Two days,” he said in a low voice, giving Lin Pinyan a stern look. “Return my Emerald Phoenix to me.”

Lin Pinyan carefully chose his words: “Second Brother, what if we can’t find it? I’ll help you look for another one exactly like it.”

“I only want Emerald Phoenix,” Wen Zhixu’s eyes blazed with anger.

The gilded birdcage had been custom-made by craftsmen he hired. The cage had barely been used for a few days when the precious myna bird was frightened away by firecracker noises.

“Second Brother, that bird of yours couldn’t even talk. I’ll buy you a smarter one.”

“It had a name! Em-erald Phoe-nix.”

“…”

Lin Pinyan suddenly felt this was serious trouble.

If it were a lost cat or dog, he could have sent people to search the entire city.

But it had to be a winged myna bird that went missing! It could fly!

He could no longer remain seated. If he went to search now, would there still be time?

.

Lin Xihe’s gaze swept past the plaque reading “Li Su Academy” without pausing, as she continued walking forward.

Where was this Baozi Good Person? She had absolutely no clue.

Knocking sounds came from behind her, drawing her attention back to the academy’s main gate.

The gatekeeper responded: “Who is it?”

A young man dressed as a servant answered: “Wen Country Duke Manor, Wen Qi. I’m looking for our Second Young Master.”

In the blink of an eye, Lin Xihe watched the young man enter through the gate.

Her pupils shifted thoughtfully.

Wen Country Duke Manor, Wen Qi, Wen Ba.

Knock knock knock.

The questioning voice came from inside again: “Who is it?”

Lin Xihe imitated the previous response: “Wen Country Duke Manor, Wen Jiu.”

The gate creaked open, revealing only half the doorway. The gatekeeper examined her attire suspiciously, muttering: “Why is it a woman?”

Lin Xihe lowered her eyes: “I’m Second Young Master’s maid.”

“Come in then.”

Whew, the passcode worked! Special Agent 009 successfully infiltrated the academy with her fresh, innocent appearance.

.

The hall echoed with recitation sounds, but Wen Zhixu had long been lost in thought. Casually glancing around, he noticed someone had appeared outside the door unnoticed.

It was Wen Qi, who had been expelled from the manor for negligence in guarding Emerald Phoenix, now standing obediently outside the door.

Could there be news about Emerald Phoenix? Wen Zhixu prepared to stand up.

The academy teacher declared loudly: “Laozi said: In the highest form of governance… Lin Pinyan.”

The named Lin Pinyan stammered: “The meaning of ‘highest form of governance’ means… Second Brother, Second Brother.”

Wen Zhixu didn’t even lift his eyes: “Don’t ask me, I don’t know.”

The teacher maintained a stern expression, his lips moving beneath his long beard: “Wen Zhixu, you answer.”

“…”

In the academy classroom, two figures—one tall and one short—stood like two punished utility poles. Lin Xihe’s dark eyes suddenly brightened, clearly reflecting his silhouette in her gaze. She watched him struggle to stand for barely a second before casually sitting back down.

Lin Xihe felt anxious for him: “You don’t even know how to handle teachers? How do you qualify as a poor student?”

Then she heard the teacher reciting while swaying his head: “Laozi said: In the highest form of governance, neighboring states are within sight… who can explain its meaning?” ?

Eavesdropping from outside, Lin Xihe picked her ear: “Tch, isn’t this just translation? This sister here handles both English and French with ease, speaks Korean like a pro seumnida, and can even speak a tiny bit of Japanese watashiha.”

Hearing this, the teacher immediately darkened his face: “Whose child is this? Speaking nonsense!”

A bold head popped through the window lattice, the girl striking a pose as dramatic as Pangu separating heaven and earth: “Laozi says, chick-chick dog-dog cock-a-doodle-doo woof-woof…”

“HAHAHAHAHA!” The bored young men burst into uproarious laughter.

“Outrageous, outrageous!” The teacher collapsed to the ground.

Wen Zhixu propped his chin on his hand, his gaze drifting to the floor. The old man’s act of feigning unconsciousness was getting stale. Seated in the corner, he lazily lifted his eyes, catching a glimpse of someone peering through the window in his peripheral vision.

His view was mostly blocked by Lin Pinyan’s plump frame. Wen Zhixu casually tilted his head, and the previously obstructed sightline suddenly cleared—perched on the windowsill was a strikingly familiar girl.

Her eyes, washed clean like polished jade, gleamed with clarity.

It was her—that pitiful refugee.

He had previously given her a meat bun to fill her stomach, yet she turned around and fed it to a dog. Now, with an empty belly, she dared sneak into the private school to beg?

This girl had nerve.

Beside him, Lin Pinyan met the refugee’s gaze, his expression horrified: “I… save… ghost…”

Lin Xihe was thoroughly annoyed. She wasn’t a ghost! She stuck her tongue out at the pale-faced dough-ball: “Nyah nyah nyah!”

Lin Pinyan was terrified beyond measure.

Seeing him turn purple, Wen Zhixu urgently pressed his philtrum: “She’s just a refugee, is this really worth scaring you so badly?”

“Second brother,” Lin Pinyan went limp, his breath faint as a thread, “sister… my sister…”

Wen Zhixu was slow to react: “Who?”

Lin Pinyan’s eyes widened: “My sister… she’s come to claim my life… the firecrackers… I was wrong…”

Thud—Lin Pinyan fainted on the spot, leaving Wen Zhixu with a fresh “corpse” beside him.

The servants panicked in chaos.

Wen Zhixu asked Wen Qi: “Who is that madwoman?”

Wen Qi wasn’t entirely sure either: “Second Young Master, she resembles your future wife.”

Wen Zhixu: “?!”