novelraw Chapter 99 : The Ghostly Dream Points the Way, the Murderous Well Conceals a Corpse
Chapter 99 : The Ghostly Dream Points the Way, the Murderous Well Conceals a Corpse
99: The Ghostly Dream Points the Way, the Murderous Well Conceals a Corpse
The clear pond water was filled with green moss and decaying lotus roots. The once fragrant, shallow lotus pond had become a stagnant, ink-green pool, faintly emitting the stench of silt.
Qin Wan hurried across the covered bridge. Her skirt brushed against the peeling paint of the railings, staining the smoke-green hem with specks of rust red.
Holding her breath, she focused intently on the retreating figure, but soon, that figure vanished into the Purple Bamboo Grove.
This was Qin Wan's second time taking the western path to the Purple Bamboo Grove.
Underfoot, the desolation of autumn had invaded every patch of withered weeds. Irregular clumps of short bamboo lining the path were half yellow, half dark green, seemingly struggling against the withering of late autumn. Though it was a cloudy but bright day, as Qin Wan walked less than four or five zhang along the path, the surrounding air suddenly turned cold.
A concubine once hanged herself here; it's a forbidden area of the residence. Neither masters nor servants dare go there...
As Qin Wan walked, Fuling's words echoed in her mind.
Because of these words, she felt even colder.
After walking another ten paces or so, the scent of bamboo suddenly filled Qin Wan's nostrils. Looking up, she saw the emerald green tops of the bamboo close ahead. Qin Wan clenched her teeth slightly and slowed her pace.
The secluded path was quiet and dim. Though someone had entered the Purple Bamboo Grove just moments before, Qin Wan, looking at the chaotic layers of dead leaves and branches on the ground, could find no trace of passage. She glanced back the way she had come; similarly, there were no signs.
Steeling her resolve, Qin Wan walked forward with determination.
Her emotions were different from her first visit. Back then, she had only seen the half bamboo branch retrieved from Half-Moon Lake. The Purple Bamboo Grove was merely a mysterious, secluded place to her. This time, however, she knew it held some secret. What made her even more uneasy was that someone had entered before her.
Dense bamboo thickets grew on either side of the path. The bluestone-paved path was covered layer upon layer with yellowed bamboo leaves and dead branches. Stepping on them produced only a faint rustling sound. As Fuling had said, this grove was ancient and had been carefully cultivated by gardeners long ago. Even after years of neglect, the orderly arrangement of the bamboo was evident, not haphazardly planted. The purple bamboo flanking the path was tall enough to block the sky, thick as teacups, their purple mottling clearly visible. Such fine purple bamboo; there wouldn't be a second grove like it in all of Jinzhou City.
Yet, the Qin residence had abandoned this place for nearly a decade.
Step by step, Qin Wan ventured deeper into the bamboo forest. The light around her grew dimmer. Layer upon layer of bamboo tops blocked what little sunlight there was. In broad daylight, Qin Wan began to feel an illusory sense of dusk falling. At one point, her steps faltered slightly. She looked ahead; three or four zhang away, the path was already too dark to see clearly. The far end of the Purple Bamboo Grove seemed shrouded in a layer of black mist, indistinct. She didn't know how large this bamboo grove was, but where she stood was precisely where she had stopped during her last visit. Qin Wan frowned at the dark forest ahead. Should she go further?
Qin Wan liked quiet, but certainly not this kind of quiet.
Deep within this dense bamboo forest, the silence made Qin Wan's heart race.
Yet she clearly knew she was not alone in these woods...
Where was that person? The one who had deliberately lured her here?
Qin Wan's brow furrowed tightly, her gaze like torches scanning the depths of the grove. She clenched her sleeve, her palm tracing the outline of Cold Moon through the fabric. One moment, two moments...
Qin Wan waited quietly. Yet, after the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, there was still no movement. Instead, a light breeze swept through the woods. The eerily silent Purple Bamboo Grove immediately rustled. Simultaneously, bamboo tops swayed, casting chaotic shadows. For a moment, the deeper, darker parts of the grove seemed to writhe with hundreds of ghostly, clawing specters. Watching the horrifying, terrifying dance of shadows, Qin Wan's feet suddenly moved.
She stepped forward, her pupils slightly contracted, but her peripheral vision sharply scanned the woods. She was even prepared, expecting to see a second Qin Li watching her with that strange smile.
One step, two steps, three steps...
Nothing. No one. Not a breath, not a footstep, not even a ghostly shadow.
Qin Wan's brow furrowed deeply. Where was that person?
Qin Wan stopped, then simply turned to look around. Paths crisscrossed within the Purple Bamboo Grove. Qin Wan had long lost sight of the figure, so naturally didn't know where they had gone. But what was that person's purpose?
In broad daylight, was it to harm her? If so, they should have appeared by now...
Or was it to lure her inside to see something else?
Qin Wan held her breath, her face a mask of calm, but her heart couldn't help but race.
What was the purpose? No one would lure her here for no reason...
The breeze continued; the rustling in the bamboo forest persisted. Qin Wan felt a chill creeping up from the soles of her feet. She had been in the Purple Bamboo Grove for a full cup of tea's time...
Too long. She had stayed here too long.
Qin Wan's grip on Cold Moon tightened, but she began to slowly retreat.
She wasn't afraid of taking risks, but truly placing herself in danger was utterly unwise. The Ninth Young Miss had perished in this Purple Bamboo Grove. She absolutely must not...
Thinking this, Qin Wan's retreat quickened.
But just as she had retreated four or five steps, the breeze suddenly stopped. With the cessation of wind, the chaotic bamboo shadows on the ground also vanished. At that moment, the black mist in the depths of the bamboo grove dissipated. Immediately after, a person's back slowly became visible. Qin Wan's pupils trembled. The person she had followed was clearly a woman, but the figure she saw now was unmistakably a man...
How could there be a man in the Purple Bamboo Grove?!
Qin Wan's spine stiffened. Cold sweat pooled in her palms. She didn't know who this suddenly appearing man was, but she instinctively sensed danger. She wanted to retreat, but for some reason, she couldn't move. Her feet felt stuck, frozen in place. Fear struck Qin Wan in an instant. She desperately tried to step back, but it felt as if invisible hands held her legs, immovable. At the same time, the man's figure in the depths of the grove slowly turned around.
Qin Wan's eyes widened slowly. First, she saw his profile, then his entire face. Qin Wan's eyes widened in disbelief. The person standing about ten zhang away was Liu Chun!
Liu Chun, whom the entire residence couldn't find! He was actually here in the Purple Bamboo Grove!
Qin Wan stared fixedly at Liu Chun, but then she noticed something bizarre: Liu Chun, standing rigidly, had his eyes closed. Not only were they closed, but his face bore the pallor of death, as if he had been dead for days. Qin Wan's heart pounded wildly. At that moment, two lines of bloody tears suddenly streamed from Liu Chun's tightly shut eyes!
…
…
Qin Wan jolted violently, her breathing uneven as her eyes flew open!
Seeing the writing brush and inkstone on the desk before her, Qin Wan was still disoriented...
She slowly straightened up. This was her room, her desk. Several medical texts lay beside her hand. She had actually fallen asleep at her desk...
Qin Wan massaged her numb arm as the fear in her heart gradually subsided.
A dream... That vivid scene had just been a dream...
Qin Wan stood up and glanced at the courtyard outside. It was still quiet. She walked to the door, pushed it open, and first looked towards the side gate leading to the orchid nursery. Seeing it, she relaxed.
The side gate to the orchid nursery was tightly locked. No one had opened it.
The tension in Qin Wan's spine slowly eased. Her gaze was somewhat vacant as she looked into the empty space of the courtyard.
For no reason, she had such a dream...
Because she suspected one of the four 'Wan' maids was planted by someone else, she dreamed of being lured out. And the Purple Bamboo Grove was already a fixation in her mind, so the dream lured her there. Since the residence was searching for Liu Chun, she saw Liu Chun in the Purple Bamboo Grove...
Qin Wan shook her head. Day's thoughts bring night's dreams... However, why had she dreamed of Liu Chun weeping tears of blood?
Could something have happened to Liu Chun?
At this thought, the tension that had just subsided surged back within Qin Wan.
When Fuling pushed open the courtyard gate, she saw Qin Wan standing at the doorway, lost in thought. Slightly startled, Fuling hurried over. "Young Miss, why are you out here? Were you waiting anxiously?"
Qin Wan snapped back to reality and shook her head. "It's nothing. My eyes were tired from reading, so I came out for a walk."
Fuling made an acknowledging sound, then took the medicine packet from Wanxing's hands. "Young Miss, when we went to the medicine storehouse, Physician Qian looked miserable. I heard the Old Madam sent him to attend to the master."
Having accompanied Qin Wan yesterday, Fuling had overheard some of Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin's conversation. She knew what illness Qin An had. Even Qin Wan had no sure cure for syphilis, let alone Qian Bairen!
Right now, Qian Bairen was probably extremely anxious!
Qin Wan frowned and turned to enter the room. After two steps, she asked, "Last night, when Prefect Huo searched the Qin residence, did he search the Purple Bamboo Grove?"
Fuling frowned slightly. "Search the Purple Bamboo Grove?"
Qin Wan nodded. "Didn't they say they searched the entire Qin residence?"
Fuling hesitated. "I don't know about that. But that place is a forbidden area of the residence. Prefect Huo also has some acquaintance with the master; he probably wouldn't search there... Wait, Young Miss, I'll go ask."
Fuling turned, handed the medicine packet back to Wanxing, and went out.
Wanxing remained standing by the door, holding the packet with her head bowed.
Qin Wan watched Fuling leave the courtyard, then turned her gaze to Wanxing. Although Wanxing had helped her out of a tight spot last time, she had never questioned her. Apart from having Fuling take her along each time to fetch medicine, she had never rewarded her either. And Wanxing remained as silent and shadow-like as ever.
She was bought from outside by the Qin residence to be raised as a household-born servant. Who had trained her to be like this?
As Qin Wan pondered this, Fuling returned. "Young Miss, I asked. They said when Prefect Huo was searching, he had male servants from the residence lead two constables in to look. But... but those two constables also seemed to know the Purple Bamboo Grove was... unclean, so they went in and came out quickly. Probably didn't search carefully."
A pang of disappointment hit Qin Wan's heart. She nodded, then asked, "Are Prefect Huo and His Highness coming to the Qin residence today?"
Fuling shook her head. "This servant doesn't know. Why, Young Miss?"
Qin Wan pressed her lips together for a moment but didn't elaborate. She instructed, "Inform me as soon as Prefect Huo and His Highness enter the residence."
Fuling nodded, then took the medicine packet from Wanxing and followed Qin Wan into the room.
Wanxing stood at the door for a moment before turning towards the side room.
…
…
Since Liu Chun wasn't found within the residence, Huo Huaixin and Yan Chi spent the entire day searching the city for him. Qin Wan waited with bated breath for the two to re-enter the Qin residence. It wasn't until dinner time that Fuling came running in. "Young Miss, His Highness and Prefect Huo have entered the residence! They say they couldn't find Steward Liu outside either and are coming into the residence to inquire further!"
Qin Wan was having dinner. Upon hearing this, she immediately stood up. "Where are they?"
"In the stewards' courtyard!" Fuling answered, frowning as she watched Qin Wan rinse her mouth at the side. "Young Miss should at least finish your dinner. Why are you in such a hurry..."
Qin Wan straightened her dress and shook her head as she walked out. "I'm not hungry anymore. Have Wantang clean up. Let's go to the stewards' courtyard to see the situation."
Fuling hurriedly grabbed the cloak. After instructing Wantang, she followed Qin Wan out.
Fuling quickly draped the cloak over Qin Wan. "Don't worry, Young Miss. Prefect Huo and His Highness are currently speaking with the Eldest Young Master."
Hearing this, Qin Wan composed herself and indeed slowed her pace. Even so, by the time Qin Wan reached the stewards' courtyard, Yan Chi and the others were still with Qin Chen. Bai Feng, seeing it was Qin Wan, didn't stop her at all and let her enter.
Upon entering the courtyard, Qin Wan saw the spacious main hall brightly lit.
"Young Miss Qin, the Eldest Young Master is also inside."
Bai Feng reminded her. Qin Wan gave a hum of acknowledgment.
"So Prefect Huo believes we should re-question his two attendants?"
"Exactly. I'm afraid someone might know of his whereabouts but isn't telling."
Qin Chen and Huo Huaixin's conversation drifted from the room. Bai Feng approached the doorway. "Master, Prefect Huo, Young Miss Qin is here..."
A light sparked in Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin's eyes. Yan Chi nodded. "Invite her in."
Bai Feng looked back. "Young Miss Qin, please enter."
Qin Wan entered under the gaze of the three men inside. She curtsied to Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin. "I heard Your Highness and Prefect Huo had arrived. I wasn't sure if you needed any assistance, so I came to see."
Huo Huaixin smiled and was about to shake his head when Yan Chi said, "We were just about to ask for Ninth Young Miss."
Qin Chen, standing to the side, watched with a slight smile. "It's good that Ninth Sister is here."
Qin Wan nodded and walked over to sit in the seat below Qin Chen. Huo Huaixin then looked at Qin Chen. "Eldest Young Master, did Liu Chun have any old friends? Could he be hiding with former acquaintances now?"
Huo Huaixin asked this, but inwardly he was somewhat puzzled why Yan Chi insisted on inviting Qin Wan. For questions like whether Liu Chun had old friends, Qin Wan naturally wouldn't know as well as Qin Chen.
Qin Chen indeed replied, "Liu Chun is a household-born servant. His family has served the Qin residence for three generations. He grew up by Father's side and later became the steward. I'm not sure if he had old friends outside. But the people within the residence are known to Prefect Huo and His Highness. Logically, he wouldn't have many close friends outside."
Huo Huaixin frowned, then looked at Yan Chi. "What does Your Highness think?"
Yan Chi glanced at Qin Wan. "Since we haven't found him outside, there might be places within the residence we missed. Search Liu Chun's quarters again. Perhaps we can find clues about other old acquaintances or properties."
Huo Huaixin nodded. "Good. This official will take some men there now."
Huo Huaixin stood up and left with the constables waiting outside. Yan Chi also rose. Qin Wan and Qin Chen stood up together. The group walked out. Yan Chi said, "Both of you think: are there any places within the residence we might have missed?"
Qin Chen frowned, thought for a moment, and shook his head. "I can't think of any at the moment. With servants coming and going in the residence, it's unlikely Liu Chun could hide somewhere for a full day and night without being seen."
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan. Qin Wan's eyes flickered. "Qin Wan can't think of any either for now, but..."
Yan Chi was waiting for her "but." So he focused on her, listening as Qin Wan continued, "But Prefect Huo might have missed some places during the search."
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan, and his mind suddenly cleared. He turned to Qin Chen. "I heard there is a Purple Bamboo Grove within the residence?"
Qin Chen instinctively straightened his posture, but his expression remained calm. "Indeed. However, Prefect Huo already searched it yesterday. Besides, there's nothing in that grove. Liu Chun has no food or water; he likely wouldn't hide there."
Yan Chi gave a noncommittal nod, then said, "Very well. There's nothing else. Eldest Young Master, you may attend to your business."
Qin Chen glanced at Qin Wan and nodded. "Good. Then I shall take my leave."
Yan Chi nodded. Qin Wan also curtsied to Qin Chen, who then departed.
Watching Qin Chen leave, Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan. "Why were you waiting for us to enter the residence?"
Qin Wan frowned. "Waiting for you?"
A subtle, imperceptible depth appeared in Yan Chi's expression, though he smiled casually. "You came shortly after we arrived, clearly waiting for us. Have you thought of something new?"
Qin Wan was slightly taken aback but shook her head. "It's not that I've thought of something new..."
She had only had a dream and had long harbored suspicions about the Purple Bamboo Grove. But could she tell Yan Chi such a thing? And even if she did, would he believe her?
Seeing Qin Wan hesitate, Yan Chi said, "Whatever you've thought of, say it directly."
Qin Wan glanced sideways, then said, "Prefect Huo has gone to search Liu Chun's quarters. Won't Your Highness go take a look? Last night, which areas Prefect Huo searched thoroughly and which he didn't, we can ask him."
Yan Chi gave her another enigmatic look, then nodded. "Alright."
With that, he strode out. Qin Wan followed behind, her mind made up.
Huo Huaixin's search of the Purple Bamboo Grove last night wasn't thorough. A simple inquiry would justify another search. Then she could follow along. Even if they found nothing, she could still see what the Purple Bamboo Grove was really like. That way, it wouldn't seem like she was using Yan Chi to investigate the Ninth Young Miss's case.
Thinking this, Qin Wan followed Yan Chi directly to Liu Chun's quarters. As the residence steward, Liu Chun not only had his own attendant but also his own courtyard. Though not as elegant as those of the young masters and misses, it was decorated quite luxuriously and tastefully. As Qin Wan and Yan Chi approached the courtyard gate, they saw the courtyard brightly lit inside, with many yamen constables guarding outside. Further away, male servants from the outer courtyard were watching curiously.
Qin Wan glanced around and was about to enter with Yan Chi when she saw Huo Huaixin stride out from within the courtyard gate.
Looking up and seeing Yan Chi and Qin Wan, Huo Huaixin's eyes lit up. "Your Highness! Young Miss Qin! You two came just in time! Look what this is..."
As he spoke, Liu Chun waved the handkerchief in his hand.
Qin Wan and Yan Chi looked. The handkerchief was snow white, with a willow leaf embroidered in one corner, xactly the handkerchief Qin Wan and Yan Chi had found in Lady Liu's sleeve that day. Yan Chi and Qin Wan exchanged a glance, their thoughts settling.
Huo Huaixin said excitedly, "Your Highness, Young Miss Qin, it seems we were right! There are three such handkerchiefs here belonging to Liu Chun, all hidden deep in his wardrobe. I suspect they were all given by Concubine Liu. Perhaps they were tokens between the two. This confirms it: the person involved with Concubine Liu must be Steward Liu!"
Qin Wan felt reassured. Since their guess wasn't wrong, things would be easier!
Yan Chi also nodded. "Good that we weren't mistaken. This increases Liu Chun's suspicion."
Huo Huaixin smiled broadly. "Excellent! This case can be solved. Indeed, with Your Highness taking charge, the murderer can be found in just two days..."
Qin Wan's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this. Yan Chi also raised an eyebrow, not entirely approving. Seeing Yan Chi's expression, Huo Huaixin realized he wasn't buying the flattery and awkwardly laughed. "Then this official will go search again, see if there are any other clues!"
Yan Chi nodded. As Huo Huaixin was about to leave, Yan Chi suddenly asked, "By the way, Prefect Huo, were there any areas you didn't search thoroughly last night? Liu Chun couldn't have vanished without a trace in half a day. He might still be within the residence!"
Huo Huaixin stopped, a puzzled look on his face. "Still within the residence..."
Huo Huaixin pondered, frowning. "There shouldn't be…"
Before the word "shouldn't" was fully out, a figure suddenly came running along the path northwest of Liu Chun's small courtyard. A young maidservant grabbed a male servant who was watching the commotion and cried, "You, you all go take a look! Something happened at the Purple Bamboo Grove! There seems to be some ghost fire! Nanny Zhao was frightened unconscious!"
The young maid's face was terrified. Her tearful voice was particularly sharp.
Because of this, Yan Chi and the other two heard every word clearly...
Qin Wan frowned slightly. The male servant said, "What frightened unconscious? It's not like Ninth Young…"
Qin Wan couldn't hear the rest as the male servant deliberately lowered his voice. However, Qin Wan didn't need to hear to know what he meant. When she had returned from the dead, it had given the entire residence a huge scare.
As this thought crossed her mind, the young maid cried out again, "Ghost fire! Nanny Zhao said she saw ghost fire in the Purple Bamboo Grove..."
Ghost fire... Qin Wan's attention was instantly captured by those two words!
"What ghost fire? Don't talk nonsense... Where is she? I'll go see..."
The male servant kept his voice low, seemingly not wanting to alert the yamen constables. But Qin Wan suddenly turned towards the direction of the servant and maid's conversation. Her movement was noticeable; Yan Chi immediately frowned. "What is it?"
"Ghost fire doesn't appear for no reason..."
Qin Wan's voice was gravely serious. Yan Chi frowned. "Isn't ghost fire just a rumor?"
Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi's bright eyes and shook her head. "No." Realizing her tone was too definitive, she added, "I once read in a treatise by Minister Shen Yi that ghost fire often appears in graveyards. It's caused by corpse gas produced during decomposition. In dry weather, this gas can ignite, becoming ghost fire."
Huo Huaixin, listening beside them, widened his eyes. "This... meaning, where there's ghost fire, there are decaying corpses?"
For the first time, Qin Wan felt Huo Huaixin was quite astute. She nodded. "That is indeed the principle."
A dark glint flashed in Yan Chi's eyes. He immediately glanced at Bai Feng.
Bai Feng stepped forward and called to the maid who was about to leave. "Hey, you, wait a moment. Who did you say was frightened unconscious by ghost fire?"
The maid, suddenly called by a yamen officer, paled. She glanced over, lowered her eyes, and said, "It was Nanny Zhao. Nanny Zhao was in charge of setting up Concubine Liu's mourning hall. Just now, after leaving the courtyard, she saw fire over at the Purple Bamboo Grove. Nanny Zhao said... it was ghost fire... There weren't many people in the inner courtyard, so this servant thought to have them go see what was happening. If it really is ghost fire..."
"Where is the ghost fire? Lead the way."
Before the maid could finish, a cold, stern, low voice spoke. The maid instinctively looked up and met a pair of deep, penetrating eyes. Recognizing Yan Chi, she froze.
Bai Feng frowned. "You're being asked a question."
The maid jolted in alarm and immediately lowered her head. "At... the Purple Bamboo Grove, at... yes..."
The maid, flustered, turned to lead the way. Yan Chi glanced back and saw Qin Wan rather anxiously following behind him. He faintly sensed Qin Wan was unusually eager, but didn't show it. Behind them, Huo Huaixin called over seven or eight constables. "Come on, let's all go take a look. Ghost fire... I don't believe it..."
Yan Chi and the others set off immediately. The male servant froze for a moment, then shoved the person next to him. "Go inform the Eldest Young Master quickly! They're heading to the Purple Bamboo Grove!"
The other person snapped out of it and ran off.
Meanwhile, the maid leading the way walked extremely fast. Huo Huaixin caught up. "How was it seen? Who saw it?"
Yan Chi didn't believe in ghosts or spirits, so he didn't believe in ghost fire. But Huo Huaixin felt ghost fire was quite sinister and was somewhat apprehensive. At his question, the maid immediately said, "Nanny Zhao saw it. She came out to fetch spirit banners for the mourning hall, looked up, and saw it..."
Huo Huaixin frowned. "Your Highness, this... is it... oh, right. No wonder they said yesterday the Purple Bamboo Grove is a forbidden area of the Qin residence. Could there really be..."
Yan Chi glanced at Huo Huaixin. "Prefect Huo believes in ghosts and spirits?"
Hearing this, Huo Huaixin straightened his expression. "Naturally not... The Master spoke not of strange forces and confusion of spirits... but..."
"Since you don't believe, and Prefect Huo has done nothing to feel guilty about, what is there to fear?"
Yan Chi's tone brooked no argument. Huo Huaixin hesitated for a moment, then had to put on a righteous expression.
Night had fallen heavily. The maid had come from the west, so naturally led them westward. Looking at the winding corridors ahead, Qin Wan couldn't help but think of the strange dream she had during the day. In the dream, someone had also led her towards the Purple Bamboo Grove. Inside the grove, she had seen Liu Chun with tears of blood streaming from his eyes...
Qin Wan's breathing lightened. A sense of eeriness crept over her.
The maid led Qin Wan and the others, plus the yamen constables, more than ten people in total, in a sizable procession towards the northwest. Before long, they reached the small lotus pond. By the light of the torches the constables carried, Qin Wan looked at the pond in the darkness. Indeed, she saw the pond was in a state of decay, strikingly similar to her dream.
Qin Wan tightened her grip on her sleeve, her heart beating a little faster.
"There, Concubine Liu's mourning hall is set up there..."
Qin Wan followed the maid's pointing finger and saw Concubine Liu's mourning hall set up right next to the western back courtyard where she and Fuling had stayed. However, Concubine Liu's mourning hall was even more remote than the western back courtyard, thus closer to the Purple Bamboo Grove!
"Where is Nanny Zhao?"
At Huo Huaixin's question, the maid quickly said, "At the courtyard gate. We only heard Nanny Zhao scream. When we went out to look, she said a few words and then fainted..."
Seeing the maid's vivid description, Huo Huaixin frowned. "Take us to see."
The maid nodded. They passed the small lotus pond and headed north. Soon, they saw a small courtyard. At the courtyard gate, Nanny Zhao was slumped on the ground, while another young maidservant, looking terrified, was pinching her philtrum.
The footsteps of more than ten people made the young maid shrink back into the courtyard in fright. Upon seeing they were yamen officers, she remembered to kneel and bow. Nanny Zhao had regained some consciousness and also prostrated herself on the ground.
"Greetings, my lords..."
Huo Huaixin grunted and asked directly, "You saw ghost fire just now?"
At this question, Nanny Zhao trembled. "Yes... it was this old servant who saw it..."
"Where? What did it look like?"
Sweat beaded on Nanny Zhao's forehead. She pointed randomly towards the Purple Bamboo Grove. "Just... just in that grove. It was... blue... no, green, flickering, a small cluster..."
Huo Huaixin's frown deepened. "Where exactly did you see it? Get up and lead the way."
Hearing this, Nanny Zhao immediately collapsed in fear. "Spare me, my lord! This old servant dares not... dares not... That's a forbidden area of the residence. There have long been rumors of hauntings. This old servant dares not go..."
As she spoke, Nanny Zhao began to wail.
Huo Huaixin was about to press further when Yan Chi spoke. "Enough. There are many of us. We'll go search. Last night, Prefect Huo, did you search thoroughly?"
Huo Huaixin was taken aback. "Last night... last night the search was rushed. I'm afraid..."
Before Huo Huaixin could finish, Yan Chi understood his meaning. He said no more, nor did he blame him. He simply led the constables towards the Purple Bamboo Grove. After two steps, he suddenly noticed Qin Wan was still following. Yan Chi frowned at Qin Wan. "Stay outside."
How could Qin Wan give up such a good opportunity? She quickly said, "Qin Wan does not believe in ghosts and spirits. Your Highness need not worry."
Her expression was calm, her tone natural. Yan Chi locked eyes with her for a moment, then finally looked away. However, as they walked on, his pace slowed slightly. Naturally, Fuling didn't want to go to the Purple Bamboo Grove, but since Qin Wan was going, she had to follow. She held onto Qin Wan's arm, though she herself was more afraid. Qin Wan turned and comfortingly patted the back of her hand.
Following the western path towards the Purple Bamboo Grove, the scene was just as in her dream, except in her dream it was daytime, and now it was night. After dark, the Purple Bamboo Grove was even more eerie and terrifying.
Following the main path forward, Yan Chi soon entered the Purple Bamboo Grove first. He glanced back at Qin Wan, then continued along the main path. Before long, they reached a fork. Yan Chi looked around and was about to order everyone to search together when, at that moment, several lanterns lit up outside the Purple Bamboo Grove. Yan Chi narrowed his eyes and saw Qin Chen supporting Madam Jiang striding over.
Both Yan Chi and Qin Wan frowned simultaneously.
"Prefect Huo, did the Old Madam come last night as well?"
Huo Huaixin shook his head. "No, only the Eldest Young Master accompanied..."
Yan Chi made an acknowledging sound, then looked at the surrounding constables. "You, pair up and search inside. See what's really in this bamboo grove."
Night had fallen, and the Purple Bamboo Grove had been abandoned for years. Even without the ghost fire rumors, it was frightening. Fortunately, Yan Chi ordered them to pair up. As soon as he finished speaking, the constables split into four groups and headed deeper into the Purple Bamboo Grove. At that moment, Qin Chen and Madam Jiang entered.
Huo Huaixin saw Madam Jiang approaching and forced a smile. "Such a late hour, and it's just a routine search. Why has the Old Madam been disturbed?"
Madam Jiang still wore her indifferent expression. She bowed to Yan Chi. "A place already searched last night. I wonder why Prefect Huo has come here again today?"
Huo Huaixin glanced at Yan Chi and coughed lightly. "Last night's search was not thorough. Moreover, someone just saw ghost fire here..."
Madam Jiang narrowed her eyes. "Talk of ghost fire is mostly rumor. How can Prefect Huo believe it?"
Huo Huaixin flicked his sleeves. "Old Madam need not worry. We are merely conducting a routine search. Once finished, we will leave. We are also here to see if anything hidden here poses a threat to the Qin residence..."
Madam Jiang's hand holding the prayer beads trembled slightly. Hearing this, she coughed twice and said no more. Qin Chen's gaze followed the torches held by the constables into the depths of the Purple Bamboo Grove.
Yan Chi observed their expressions and waited quietly for news from the bamboo grove. Before long, one group came running back quickly.
"Your Highness, we found a well at the very back."
A well? Qin Wan frowned. Huo Huaixin and Yan Chi also frowned.
Madam Jiang said, "It's just an abandoned well in the residence..."
Hearing this, Qin Wan inexplicably thought of the well under the flower arbor.
When Qin Shuang fell in, she said she had touched dead bones in the well...
Qin Wan's expression turned somber. She looked at Yan Chi. With Madam Jiang and Qin Chen present, their gazes met briefly in the air before parting. Yan Chi suddenly spoke. "Let's go take a look. Perhaps something at the bottom of the well caught fire."
Yan Chi gave the order. Qin Chen seemed about to speak but was restrained by Madam Jiang with a hand.
Yan Chi said no more, leading everyone deeper into the bamboo grove. Qin Wan hurried to follow. Meanwhile, Madam Jiang's gaze fixed sharply on Qin Wan...
"Your Highness, it's over here..."
The constable led the group another ten zhang forward. Along the way, the purple bamboo lining the path grew denser, and the dead leaves on the path piled even thicker. The well the constable mentioned was at the very heart of the bamboo grove.
It was a completely abandoned well, its curb collapsed. A large stone slab lay tilted beside the well mouth. The only thing identifying it as a well was a dark, square opening in the ground.
Qin Wan looked at the well mouth and the stone slab. The more she looked, the more peculiar it seemed.
They had reached the deepest part of the bamboo grove. The fresh scent of bamboo mingled with the damp, decaying odor of years of accumulated dead leaves and branches, a somewhat pungent smell filling everyone's nostrils. Yet even so, Qin Wan detected a scent unique to the dead.
Remembering her dream, a chill ran inexplicably down Qin Wan's spine. She stared fixedly at the well mouth, her heart racing wildly.
Yan Chi followed Qin Wan's gaze. "Bai Feng, go down and take a look."
As soon as he spoke, there was a "clatter". Madam Jiang's prayer beads fell to the ground.
Huo Huaixin glanced at Madam Jiang in surprise, but Yan Chi and Qin Wan had no time to notice Madam Jiang and Qin Chen's expressions. Bai Feng looked around, took a lantern from one of the Qin residence servants who had followed, first waved it over the well mouth, then without hesitation, jumped down...
Watching him, Madam Jiang slowly sighed. "Amitabha. It is all the Qin residence's sin..."
Yan Chi, without turning, kept his eyes on the well mouth. Huo Huaixin looked at Madam Jiang. "Old Madam, what do you mean by that?"
Qin Chen picked up the prayer beads, and Madam Jiang took them back into her hand. She rotated the beads, her eyes slightly narrowed as if lost in memory. She murmured an incantation, then spoke in an exceptionally mournful tone. "In this well lies the remains of an old member of the residence. All these years, the Purple Bamboo Grove became a forbidden area for this reason."
Huo Huaixin's eyes widened in shock. "An old member of the residence?"
Yan Chi didn't listen to Madam Jiang's words. He stepped forward to the well mouth, listening for sounds from below.
Meanwhile, Madam Jiang continued, "Many years ago, a concubine of the residence threw herself into this well and died. We invited a Taoist master. He said this well was cursed, and the spirit within was malevolent. Only by sealing it with a demon-suppressing stone could peace be ensured for the Qin residence. Since then, this well has been sealed, and the Purple Bamboo Grove forbidden to all."
As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Feng leaped out from the well mouth. He didn't speak immediately but went to Yan Chi's side and whispered something.
Madam Jiang, with calm composure tinged with compassion, said, "This matter happened many years ago and is not a glorious chapter. We intended to let it pass, but never thought Prefect Huo would learn of it..."
Huo Huaixin gaped in astonishment, unsure what to say. Just then, Yan Chi walked over.
He looked gravely at Madam Jiang. "It seems the Old Madam is correct. This well is indeed cursed."
Huo Huaixin was stunned. "You truly saw that former resident?"
Yan Chi's gaze was sharp, fixed unwaveringly on Madam Jiang. "Not only a former resident, but now there is also a new one. If I'm not mistaken, it should be your residence's steward, Liu Chun."
Madam Jiang's narrowed eyes suddenly widened. Liu Chun?!