A monster? A ghost? An illusion?
Yang Shifei's face was etched with bewilderment.
Besides the Wuxia elements, did this world truly possess some supernatural forces, and he just happened to stumble upon them?
He whipped his head around, only to find that the Luo Residence servant girl who had led him all the way here had vanished without a trace.
"…"
The dim courtyard was eerily silent, save for the gentle caress of the evening breeze.
A vast expanse of cold sweat instantly soaked Yang Shifei's back, goosebumps erupting all over his skin.
Was it really a ghost?!
Did it deliberately bring him here so the female ghost in the room could devour him whole?
Damn it, a badger game!
Yang Shifei wiped the cold sweat from his face, clutching his wildly beating heart, and cautiously, continuously backed away.
If he was going to have to fight several female ghosts single-handedly, they should at least give him a few golden fingers first!
Where's my 'ding'?! Give me a 'ding'!
Yang Shifei's face turned pale. He slowly edged towards the escape route he'd come by, hoping to quietly leave this 'ghost courtyard' without alerting whatever was inside.
He didn't dare turn and run now, terrified that the moment he did, an incredibly horrifying malevolent ghost would suddenly lunge from behind, grab him, and forcibly drag him back into the room. So, compared to screaming in panic, retreating honestly might be safer, even if… it was just for psychological comfort.
Creak.
The partially closed room door was abruptly pushed open.
Seeing the unfamiliar servant girl who appeared, Yang Shifei's body froze abruptly, almost scared enough to turn and flee madly.
Who wouldn't be terrified in a haunted house!
"…"
For a moment, the two faced each other in silence.
The young servant girl standing before the door stared at Yang Shifei, her brow slightly furrowed.
Yang Shifei, on the other hand, didn't even dare to blink excessively, afraid that she would suddenly pounce, grab him, and start gnawing indiscriminately.
Even if she had a face that seemed quite beautiful and charming.
But if, in the next second, a bloody maw split open on that face, who the hell would still be looking at her looks!
"Are you… a descendant of the Niu family?"
The young servant girl suddenly spoke, her tone icy.
Yang Shifei's whole body tensed, ready to dodge and flee for his life at any moment.
After a long silence, he managed to choke out, "No."
"Forget it. It doesn't matter whether you are or not."
The servant girl sighed helplessly, then turned her head towards the room and said, "Miss, this man is holding the marriage contract you issued back then."
Not long after she finished speaking, a graceful figure emerged, illuminated by the candlelight, slowly walking out.
Yang Shifei forced himself to calm down, compelling himself not to show fear. He focused his gaze on the black-haired woman walking out of the room.
She wore a rather magnificent and expensive embroidered rúqún (a type of traditional Chinese Hanfu consisting of a short jacket worn over a long skirt), which enveloped her graceful figure. Her long skirt swayed, and her demeanor was dignified and elegant.
Her dark hair danced lightly in the wind. Her clear, gentle, jade-like face seemed to glow under the moonlight. Her lips were vibrant, her eyes cold, as if she could see through a person's heart with a single glance.
Yang Shifei was in no mood to admire her beautiful features. He subconsciously glanced at the top of her head.
No jagged, tooth-like tear marks.
Was this a deliberate disguise, reverting to a normal human appearance?
"Young Master."
The black-haired young woman suddenly spoke, her expression indifferent. "Were you entrusted by the Niu family to come and fulfill the engagement?"
Yang Shifei quickly snapped back to reality, feigning calmness as he cupped his hands in a salute. "This humble one lost his memory and was drifting aimlessly when I was kindly taken in by the Niu family. Auntie Niu saw that I was not yet married and thus transferred the marriage contract to me. This humble one was curious and so embarked on this journey to meet you. However, this visit is indeed presumptuous, and I hope for your magnanimity."
His heart beat faster. He added, "This humble one is well aware of the recklessness of this trip. This should be a marriage alliance between the Luo and Niu families, and has nothing to do with an outsider like me. But I truly couldn't refuse Auntie Niu's enthusiastic introduction… If Miss Luo finds this displeasing, I will return this marriage contract to Niu Family Village and trouble you no further."
Yang Shifei was sweating profusely as he spoke.
He almost forgot his lines!
As for now, never mind how much these two women looked like celestial beauties; he just wanted to get away from this ghostly place as quickly as possible.
Once he escaped back to Niu Family Village, he'd have to remind Auntie Niu and her family to never, ever come looking for the Luo family again.
"No need."
But unexpectedly, the black-haired young woman waved her hand.
"Since the Niu family entrusted this marriage contract to you, it proves that your character is trustworthy, Young Master. Besides, I myself also have the right to choose."
She glanced at the travel bag lying discarded on the ground and gestured with an open hand to the side. "Young Master must be weary from the journey. Why not stay here for a night? Tomorrow morning, we can sit down and have a proper chat?"
"Ah, for a man like me to stay in a young lady's house…"
Bang!
A sudden loud noise made Yang Shifei's shoulders jolt, and his heart skipped a beat.
He quickly realized it was the sound of the Luo Residence's main gate closing… even the latch had clicked into place!
"It seems my servant girl was slacking off and forgot to close the gate."
The black-haired young woman retracted her gaze, her voice cool. "Young Master, what are your thoughts?"
This woman is definitely a goddamn ghost!
Yang Shifei's peripheral vision swept across the edge of the courtyard. He forced a stiff smile. "Then I shall accept your kind offer, Miss."
Shit, the walls of this Luo Residence look like they're almost three meters high. I can't climb out.
For the first time, he hated himself so much for not working out.
"Young Master, please follow me."
The indifferent servant girl spoke and turned to lead the way.
Yang Shifei struggled internally for a long moment. Seeing that these female ghosts didn't seem to have any malicious intent for the time being, he could only brace himself and follow.
The black-haired young woman merely stood silently at the door of her boudoir, her gaze as deep and unfathomable as an abyss.
But at the back of her head, the torn flesh and skin were slowly knitting back together, until no trace of the injury could be seen, perfectly seamless.
The next morning.
Yang Shifei wiped his face, dark circles under his eyes, as he sat up.
He hadn't slept a wink all night, terrified that a ghost might knock on his door at midnight. He was constantly prepared to play dead or flee for his life.
But the night had been quiet. Forget about terrifying, hair-raising paranormal phenomena; there wasn't even the sound of wind.
It was as if he'd been battling wits with thin air all night, leaving him a bit dazed.
"That's not right."
Although he had lain in bed recuperating for half a month, his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. He wouldn't have seen something so abstract, would he?
The scene of that scalp blooming like a flower was still vivid in his memory.
Yang Shifei tiptoed to the window and peeked outside, unable to stop the muttering in his heart.
Was this female ghost playing hard to get?
But what was the point?
If she really was a female ghost, she could have ended his life the moment they met. Why dally until dawn?
Even if she had some twisted sense of humor and wanted to scare him half to death before making her move… she'd at least have to come into the room to scare him, right?
Or perhaps, the female ghost wasn't very powerful?
Just as Yang Shifei was thoroughly confused, a cool, indifferent face suddenly appeared in the gap of the window.
"Young Master."
Yang Shifei's heart leaped in fright, and he stumbled back two steps.
But he quickly came to his senses, realizing that Miss Luo was standing outside his window.
"It's me."
The young woman's crisp, calm voice came from outside the window. "Since Young Master is awake, why not come to the main hall for a sit-down?"
Yang Shifei gritted his teeth and replied, "Alright."
Perhaps it was because he had been lying in bed, letting his thoughts run wild all night, but he now felt a bit bolder.
Falling into the hands of a female ghost meant death either way, so he might as well die understanding why. Maybe if he spoke nicely, he'd even have a chance to escape.
A short while later, in the main hall.
Yang Shifei sat upright, a little nervous, silently observing the black-haired young woman across from him.
Unlike their hazy meeting last night, he could now see her gentle, jade-like face more clearly. Indeed, as Auntie Niu had said, she was a true, peerless beauty.
But he didn't dare let his thoughts wander now. He glanced around. The vast courtyard was empty; the servant girl from last night was nowhere to be seen. There were only two cups of warm tea on the table.
After they had both taken their seats, they had chatted about his experiences in Niu Family Village some time ago.
And this woman's reactions as she listened seemed flawless; she genuinely appeared to be just a secluded young lady.
"I heard from Auntie Niu that you are from a prominent family in the capital, Miss, but there don't seem to be many servants in the courtyard?"
"I prefer peace and quiet usually."
Miss Luo took a delicate sip of her tea. "Too many people are noisy."
Yang Shifei hesitated. "What are your thoughts on this marriage, Miss?"
"Young Master should be aware of the rules of so-called prominent families."
Miss Luo looked up, her beautiful eyes calm and undisturbed. "I am already eighteen and not yet married. My maternal family has been urging me for a long time. But I am unwilling to marry the sons of powerful families they recommend."
"…You mean, Miss, you're looking for a shield?"
Yang Shifei's expression was peculiar. "A sham marriage, to deceive your maternal family?"
A female ghost, worried about her family pestering her to get married? Was this for real?
"A sham marriage isn't necessary."
Miss Luo shook her head. "If I can't find someone suitable, I can simply leave for a distant land. That would also grant me peace and quiet. But if I genuinely find someone I connect with, perhaps even fall mutually in love, then settling the marriage would be quite good too, and there'd be no need for such a stiff confrontation with my family."
Yang Shifei was dumbfounded.
So, she was actually hoping to use this opportunity to find a good husband?
"Have you had any luck these past two years, Miss?"
"No candidates."
"Uh… Do you plan to settle in East City permanently, Miss?"
"Yes."
Miss Luo's tone was placid. "I quite like the local customs and atmosphere of East City. Besides, after marriage, there's no need for my husband to interact with my maternal family. The circles in the capital are too chaotic; East City is more relaxed. However, if my future husband prefers another place, I can also move with him."
Yang Shifei secretly drew a breath, a touch of感慨 (gǎnkǎi - sighing with emotion, lament) in his heart.
He never expected the female ghosts of this world to be so considerate, even thinking on behalf of the live-in son-in-law.
"But if the man is only thinking about currying favor with the powerful and influential…"
"I will not marry such a man."
Miss Luo's eyelashes lifted slightly. "How is that any different from the sons of powerful families?"
Yang Shifei let out a chuckle. "That's true."
His mood inexplicably relaxed a little. He curiously probed, "If you find a good husband, Miss, would you want to live 'a lifetime' together, steadfastly?"
"To walk hand-in-hand until our hair turns white would naturally be best."
Miss Luo lightly pursed her pink lips. "But I have cloth businesses and a restaurant in East City. I might not be very free usually, so my husband would have to be very understanding. But if my husband dislikes it, I can also think of other ways to compromise. Ultimately, family harmony is most important."
Yang Shifei: "…"
This female ghost was a kind-hearted, wealthy young lady.
"Ahem, I've asked you quite a lot, Miss. I wonder, what requirements do you have for a prospective husband?"
"No matter how many requirements, seeing is believing."
Miss Luo tilted her head slightly. "Of course, the prerequisite is that he must be pleasing to the eye."
It seemed she'd made a small, dry joke.
"You're right, Miss. Even if someone talks a big game, their true, beastly nature is often exposed once they start living together. Such incidents are not uncommon."
Yang Shifei's thoughts turned, and he deliberately asked, "I wonder if this humble one is pleasing to your eye, Miss?"
He was self-aware.
In this era with martial artists, he was just a pretty boy with no strength to even truss a chicken. He didn't even have a diploma; he was proficient in neither literary nor martial pursuits.
Forget about having a house to live in or a decent job; he didn't even have a few taels of silver in his pocket. He was truly destitute.
In modern society, with these conditions, he probably wouldn't find a woman even if he went on blind dates until he was forty. And in ancient times, he'd likely be the type to just find any household and make do. How could he possibly be fancied by a wealthy young lady from a prominent family?
If she tactfully rejected him now, he could also withdraw—
"Actually, quite good."
Miss Luo suddenly spoke, her face serene. "If Young Master doesn't mind, you can stay here for now."
Yang Shifei was stunned.
After all that beating around the bush, why was he still being kept here?
He had no power, no wealth, nor had he expressed any grand ambitions. Was it just because of his face?
His mind raced, considering how to politely decline. But as he thought, he suddenly froze.
Wait, that's not right.
Yang Shifei stared at the stunningly beautiful young woman sitting opposite him, lost in thought.
His thinking seemed to have gone astray.
This female ghost didn't seem to have any intention of harming him. If she truly wanted to harm him, why would she need to concoct all these nonsensical excuses? She could have sucked him dry last night.
Even if she really was some malevolent ghost, she not only possessed a face as beautiful as a celestial fairy's but also held property deeds. She was a true beauty and a wealthy woman. Furthermore, her words and actions consistently showed consideration for the man, she spoke gently, and didn't seem to have a willful temper…
What was not to like?
Yang Shifei's heart beat a little faster. He was drifting and unsettled in this otherworld, his life precarious. Why not take a gamble?
"May I be so bold as to ask… if we were to marry in the future, how much of a betrothal gift would you require, Miss?"
"?"
Miss Luo tilted her head. "No need. I have money."
Yang Shifei's eyes widened, and he fiercely clenched his fists inside his sleeves.
Why run? Let's give it a try!