The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 167 Li Guijie's Redemption [2]

Li Guijie was sitting listlessly in that house that felt like a living coffin when she suddenly heard a commotion outside.

The curtain was violently ripped open with a "whoosh," and her aunt, Li Jiao'er, swayed her slender waist and shoved a middle-aged man dressed in silk and satin, who looked like a wealthy man with a round face, into the room.

"My dear Gui-jie! You've been struck by incredible luck!" Li Jiao'er exclaimed in a shrill voice, spitting as she spoke: "This is the Mr. Li from the north I just told you about! He's got mountains of gold and seas of silver! And he's set his sights on this piece of jade of yours!"

“You didn’t agree to three hundred, so now he’s asking for five hundred taels of silver—a full five hundred taels! He’ll even do your hair and makeup! My goodness! What kind of airs are you putting on, acting like a rich young lady? Hurry up and kowtow to Master Li!”

Li Guijie didn't even lift her eyelids, remaining as still as a clay statue of Guanyin. After a long while, she finally managed to squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth, her voice as cold as an iron block pulled from an ice cellar: "Born a member of the Ximen family, will die a ghost of the Ximen family. This distinguished guest, please!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jiao'er's fake smile vanished instantly, her slanted eyebrows furrowed, and she opened her blood-red mouth as if about to unleash a torrent of vile curses.

But "Master Li" suddenly slapped his thigh, threw his head back and laughed loudly, his voice booming like thunder: "Good! Good! Good! What a virtuous and courageous Gui Jie!" He turned to the door and roared like thunder: "Brother! I've checked it out! She's passed my test!"

Before he finished speaking, a series of hurried footsteps came from the private room downstairs. Ying Bojue led a few of his cronies, who were used to helping people patronize prostitutes, and they barged in with grins on their faces.

Ying Bojue bowed deeply to Li Guijie, his words dripping with glibness: "Guijie! I'm impressed! I'm truly impressed by your iron will! Good! Good! Good! You've finally made it through this self-inflicted injury and psychological probing scheme, escaping this fiery pit and quagmire!"

He slapped a dim-witted hanger-on on the back of the head: "You idiot! What are you doing, standing there like a corpse? Hurry up and tell our big brother, Master Ximen, the good news! Tell him that we've tested the purity of Gui-jie'er's gold! Hurry up and bring over the sedan chair for your dear brother to pick her up!"

The scene terrified Li Jiao'er, her face flushing red and then turning pale. Her legs went weak, and she almost collapsed onto the bench. Her tongue stammered, "Second Master... this... this is..."

Earl Ying glared at her and spat, "Bah! What Mr. Li from the North? You're dreaming! He's just our fellow villager pretending to be a rich guy to test Gui Jie'er's heart! Do you really think a pie will fall from the sky and hit your brothel? Do you think so many gold bricks will fall into your brothel? Aren't you ashamed!"

Meanwhile, the madam twisted her body and turned around from behind, about to ask for an explanation, when she caught sight of Earl Ying standing there. As if she had encountered a ghost in broad daylight, the smile on her face froze instantly, and she hurriedly tried to slip away.

In the blink of an eye, Earl Ying grabbed her arm and held it firmly like an iron clamp, not allowing her to escape.

Seeing this, the 'Master Li' sitting next to him clapped his hands and laughed:

“Brother, look at her! Just now, I offered 'three hundred taels,' and this Li Jiao’er and that old hag were overjoyed, their smiles almost reaching their ears! They patted their chests and swore they could persuade Li Gui’er to serve them. Their attentiveness and enthusiasm are...tsk tsk…”

Upon hearing this, Earl Ying felt an unnamed rage surge up to his head! Without a word, he swung his large, fan-like hand and slapped the madam's old face hard, the sound echoing through the air! A crisp "smack" was heard.

The madam cried out in pain, her feet felt like they were stepping on cotton, and she stumbled and fell to the ground with a thud. Her hair bun came undone, and her hairpins and ornaments fell off, leaving her in a very disheveled state.

Still seething with anger, Earl Ying pointed his finger at the old woman rolling on the ground and cursed, "You shameless old pig! You damned scoundrel! The other day, my brother was keeping Li Jiao'er as a mistress, spending a fortune on her, and you were secretly encouraging her to go out and meet other men! My brother is kind-hearted and won't hold it against you!"

“Now that my brother Xuehua has settled things with Gui’er here, and has spent all the money on her hairpins, you old hag still dare to secretly plot to have her entertain other customers? I think you’re tired of living! You greedy, lewd old hag! You’re asking for a beating! Your rotten heart and cunning are so insatiable! Brothers, let’s burn this place down!”

Those sycophants and scoundrels were always the type to stir up trouble, and they were good at helping the tiger eat its food and taking advantage of the chaos to rob it.

Upon hearing Earl Ying's roar, they immediately swarmed like flies to honey, howling and ready to fight: some rolled up their sleeves, pretending to search for a spark; others grabbed benches by the door, ready to smash the rosewood table; and the lazy ones had already set their sights on the silver scales on the counter, waiting to take advantage of the chaos to grab a few handfuls.

This barrage of barbed and vulgar insults, coupled with the thugs' threats of violence, terrified the madam so much that she was scared out of her wits. She covered her face and curled up on the ground, trembling like a leaf. Her pleas for mercy, "Have mercy!" and "I won't do it again!" were stuck in her throat, leaving her only able to gasp for breath.

Seeing her utterly hopeless and useless state, Earl Ying glanced at her sideways and sneered coldly:
"Hmph! You old hag, do you think you're the only one in Qinghe County who opens their doors to customers? There are plenty of others like you who rely on a few officials and prostitutes for a living, without even owning a brothel. Today, you've ruined the business and damaged your reputation. I'd like to see which honest fool will be willing to throw money at you in the future! Pack your bags and get out of here as soon as possible!"

After he finished cursing, he turned around and shouted at Li Guijie, who was standing there stunned and whose mind was blank, "Guijie! What are you standing there for? Hurry up and get dressed! My brother will be here soon."

Startled by his sharp rebuke, Li Guijie shuddered and hurriedly replied, "Yes...yes..."

Ignoring the disheveled madam on the ground, she stumbled towards the rouge and jewelry. Just as she was frantically searching, a steady, smiling voice came from outside the hall:

"Alright, alright. I think it's fine as it is, a clear face that shows some of its true color."

Upon hearing the sound, everyone turned to look. There stood a man at the door, wearing a Zhongjing crown, a dark-colored robe with subtle patterns, and a jade belt around his waist that accentuated his imposing figure. Who else could it be but the indisputable Master Ximen from Qinghe County?
Ying Bojue was quick to change his tune; a smile immediately spread across his face, and he rushed forward, bowing and scraping, saying, "Oh! My good elder brother! How did you manage to get here so fast?"

Ximen Qing stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the trembling madam and the chaotic hooligans on the ground with a half-smile, finally settling on the tearful Li Guijie, before slowly speaking:

"Whether this matter succeeds or not is entirely up to her. In any case, since she is the one I, Ximen Qing, have taken a liking to, I must give her a clear explanation regardless of whether it succeeds or not. Now it seems that things have come to fruition."

These words, though neither too harsh nor too mild, struck a chord deep within Li Guijie's heart.

She stared intently at Ximen Da Guanren, overwhelmed with grievances, fear, lingering dread, and a hint of unbelievable elation. She had crawled back from hell to the human world, her emotions a jumble of feelings that transformed into scalding tears that fell like beads from a broken string.

She moved with legs as heavy as lead, taking one step at a time, until she reached Ximen Qing. Her knees buckled, and she knelt on the ground with a thud, her voice choked but clear: "This servant...Gui'er... greets Master..."

Ximen Qing laughed heartily, looking at Li Guijie.

All her makeup was washed away, and her face was bare, as clean as a freshly peeled water chestnut after the first snow, revealing only her natural and charming demeanor.

Her delicate, arched eyebrows, framed by wisps of smoke, were now slightly furrowed from weeping, resembling Xi Shi clutching her heart, adding to her pitiful state. This fragile and alluring beauty was truly like pear blossoms in the rain, or crabapple blossoms glistening with dew, possessing a unique and heart-wrenching charm.

He reached out and steadily helped her up, then took her small, trembling hand in his, and said gently, "Silly girl, why are you crying? I don't have the pomp and circumstance of an eight-bearer sedan chair and a phoenix coronet to fetch you. There's only a horse outside the door, but it's strong enough to carry two people. Just like that night, would you... be willing?"

Li Guijie was speechless. She felt a surge of warmth rush from her hand to the top of her head, and her heart and lungs were filled with an unprecedented sense of security.

She raised her tear-streaked face, gazing into Ximen Qing's eyes, which held a mixture of pity and unwavering determination, and nodded frantically. Large tears fell into the dust with each nod.

Outside, the moonlight was dim and yellow, with only a few scattered stars.

Ximen Qing's sturdy horse carried the two of them, trotting along the deserted streets.

Li Guijie nestled in the man's broad, warm embrace, her body still trembling slightly. The storm and hellish ordeal that had just transpired in the brothel had now been replaced by this warm, fragrant embrace.

She felt completely disoriented, her soul not yet returned to her body, her mind a blank and chaotic mess. All she knew was to use all her strength to cling tightly to the man's firm, iron-like chest, wishing she could crush herself and embed herself into it, fearing that this was nothing but a fleeting dream.

With one hand controlling the reins, Ximen Qing held her slender waist firmly with the other, inhaling her scent. After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night, carrying an undeniable weight:
"Gui-jie, now that you are a member of my Ximen household, there are some unpleasant things to say so that you won't hold a grudge later. You should listen carefully."

Li Guijie nodded hurriedly in his arms, like a pestle pounding garlic, and mumbled, "This servant... is listening... Father..."

The large, warm, and thick hand that Ximen Qing held around her lower abdomen perfectly shielded her from the chill of the late autumn night wind that was penetrating her belly.

Feeling the tenderness hidden beneath this domineering manner, Li Guijie's heart trembled again, and her voice became even softer and more gentle: "Uncle... just give the order..."

"Just now..." Ximen Qing paused, his breath brushing against her ear, "...Do you resent that I tricked you in the end, to test you?"

Without a second thought, Li Guijie blurted out, "This servant has no complaints!"

"Heh..." The official let out a low chuckle, the sound vibrating in his thick chest, making Li Guijie's heart tremble and feel a tingling sensation.

"Really not resentful? You little smooth talker..." He lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe intentionally or unintentionally, "...with just that little mouth of yours, it's easy for you to make my bones melt. But..."

He paused deliberately, tightening his arms around her waist: "...If there's even a hint of falsehood in your sweet words today, and I find out your true colors later..."

"The 'family rules' of the Ximen household... are not as bad as the whips used in your Lichun brothel!"

Li Guijie rubbed herself even more against his burning hot chest, shaking her head: "I really don't resent it! I'm telling the truth."

She raised her small face, which appeared even more pitiful in the moonlight, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of reproach and resentment: "If I have to complain... I only complain that I wasn't born into a good family, and that I'm stuck with this lowly title of courtesan... I can't even be a decent, upright person to you..."

She tilted her head back, tears glistening in her eyes, gazing intently at Ximen Qing's jawline, its sharp angles appearing even more pronounced under the moonlight.

The bitterness and obsession that had accumulated over more than a decade burst forth like a flood: "Father... do you... do you know what churns most frequently in my heart these days?"

The official loosened his grip on her lower abdomen slightly, and made only a soft "hmm?" sound through his nose as a response.

Li Guijie felt the warmth and pressure of those fingertips penetrate her clothes, and the last glimmer of hope in her heart sprouted anew. Her voice was so soft and alluring, yet it was tinged with boundless desolation:
"This servant...this servant always fantasizes...if...if I were born into a respectable official family, or a young lady from a wealthy family...with a pure body and a clean reputation...and then I would meet you, my great-father!"

"Not in brothels or other filthy, scheming places... but rather... offering incense in a Buddhist temple with its chanting, strolling in the lush countryside, or enjoying the dazzling lanterns of the Lantern Festival..."

"You and I were separated by that bustling crowd, and by chance... our eyes met..." she murmured, her gaze hazy, as if she had truly witnessed that illusory dream. "Perhaps... perhaps it was just like in the plays... a gentleman meeting a beautiful woman."

“It’s a pity…” Her voice lowered, and a bitter smile appeared on her lips. “I was just a courtesan, and such shameful things were my duty. Even when I met you, my aunt, I had just sold my own aunt. It’s understandable that you don’t believe me.”

The official smiled and said, "Then I'll ask you again, and you must answer me the truth. What is the reason that makes you so determined? Just tell me and I won't get angry. Whether you're after money or just want to stay with me for peace of mind, it doesn't matter."

“What Uncle said makes sense, but it’s not entirely true,” Li Guijie said softly.

"Oh?" That's a bit unexpected.

"To say that I don't care about wealth and security is a lie. Since I was born, my biggest wish has been to crawl out of that filthy quagmire."

“But if that’s the case, I can try to find any ‘Master Li’ and use my skills to get him to take me out of this misery. I’ll follow you to my death, Master Li…” As Li Guijie spoke, her body grew hot, and she buried her face deeply in Master Li’s arms, her voice muffled with an indescribable tremor:
"That night... I walked alone in the dark alley, the road ahead uncertain, my heart utterly cold... My great-father rode his tall, jade-topped horse, like a god, to take me away... At that moment, nestled in my father's arms, all the autumn wind, all the cold, all the demons were kept out. That time, just like now, was the happiest moment of my life..."

As Li Guijie was speaking softly, her emotions overflowing, the horse suddenly stopped.

Li Guijie was startled and looked up at the official's face, thinking he didn't believe her. She hurriedly tried to explain, "It's true..." Before she could finish speaking, the official lowered his head and silenced her with a kiss. Li Guijie let out a soft moan, secretly agreeing greedily.

When their lips parted, the official chuckled and said, "Is this what you call a happy moment?"

Li Guijie was momentarily confused and had no time to think it through when she saw the official suddenly turn his horse around and ride in the opposite direction from the West Gate Mansion.

At the same time, a pair of strong arms lifted her up around the waist, gently turning her around so that she sat sideways in front of the saddle, her face directly against his chest. Li Guijie had been taught since childhood and knew so much; she instantly understood. Her eyes immediately became heavy with emotion, her small hands holding him tightly, her lips slightly parted, and she gave the man's strong chest a light bite, seemingly both angry and resentful.

The night deepens, the dew grows heavy, and the moonlight grows faint.

Pan Jinlian tossed and turned in her brocade tent, feeling utterly empty inside. Suddenly, she heard staggering footsteps outside the door. Who else could be so brazen as to barge into her east wing in the dead of night but her "own father"?
Her heart pounded like a rabbit: her father must be craving her and had come to seek her affections in the dead of night! She quickly grabbed a thin, gossamer-thin gauze shirt and threw it on, slipped on a pair of soft-soled slippers, deliberately puffed out her chest, and made her eyes look so alluring they could drip water, before swaying her slender waist to open the door.

As soon as the latch was closed, a cool breeze rushed in, causing the candlelight to flicker. The peach blossom smile that had just blossomed on Jinlian's face, before it could even reach her cheeks, froze instantly at the corner of her mouth, stiffer than icicles in the twelfth lunar month!
What Ximen Da Guanren was holding in his arms was like a newly opened "living toy" - it was none other than Li Guijie, the head courtesan of Lichun Courtyard!
Li Guijie's hair was disheveled like a crow's nest, and her face, flushed with spring, was a stark contrast of red and white. She was in a sorry state, wearing only a light red bodice and a pair of thin silk trousers that were crumpled and crumpled beyond recognition, clinging to her legs and revealing half of her fair calves. One of her jade-like feet was bare on the cold floor tiles, while her other embroidered shoe was probably left behind in some wilderness.

“Master…Master?!” Pan Jinlian’s voice suddenly rose to a shrill pitch, and she stopped calling him “father.” Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her astonishment was mixed with a sharp, acrid tone that shot straight to the rafters.

Ximen Da Guanren had no time to worry about her. It was already late at night, and he didn't want to wake Yue Niang up over this. After thinking it over, he decided to go to Jin Lian'er's east and west wing rooms. Luckily, there was still an empty west wing room.

Upon seeing Jinlian open the door, he said, "Jinlian... quickly... quickly settle your Guijie... she'll be staying in the west wing... you two are close... you should take good care of the newcomers..." Before he finished speaking, he tossed the limp Li Guijie onto the edge of the bed!
"Master... Father..." Pan Jinlian's heart trembled with grievance, tears welling in her eyes, wanting to call out again. But then she saw Master Ximen disappear into the dark night, leaving only the lingering smell of the room and the living vixen before her!
A deathly silence fell over the room. Pan Jinlian clung tightly to the "pink flesh bundle" on the edge of the bed. Li Guijie, thrown from her seat, felt as if her bones were about to crumble, but she regained some of her senses. She managed to prop herself up, gripping the smooth, carved bed frame.

The meager covering she wore stood out starkly in Pan Jinlian's incense-filled, lavishly furnished boudoir. A sense of trepidation, a feeling of being new to a wealthy and unfamiliar place, mingled with the instincts honed in her life as a courtesan, crept into her heart.

She raised her watery eyes, gazing at Pan Jinlian's frosty face. Remembering Ximen Qing's words, she squeezed her cheeks together, forcing out a hint of delicate, boneless allure, and called out in a soft, hooking voice:

"Sister...Sister...I've disturbed your peaceful sleep...Gui'er is new here and unfamiliar with the customs, please forgive me..."

The word "sister" pierced Pan Jinlian's ears, more painful than a needle pricking her heart! The jar of old vinegar in her stomach had long been overturned, and now, with the spark of this address, it exploded!
Her two willow-leaf eyebrows stood up like knives, and her almond-shaped eyes were wide open like bells. A cold laugh, "Yo-ho," came from her nose. The sound was sharp and cold, like ice shards scraping against a bluestone slab.
"Sister? Oh my, you flatter me, a woman from a humble family!" Her gaze was like a knife, scrutinizing Li Guijie from head to toe, deliberately scraping over the suspicious red marks on her exposed chest and neck.
"Look at your skin and flesh, and the lust that can't be hidden in your eyes... Tsk tsk, I'm not good at judging by your age, but you're probably several years older than me! Call me 'sister'? Aren't you afraid of shortening my lifespan!"

The thin layer of timidity on Li Guijie's face was completely torn away by these sarcastic words!

"Oh dear," Li Guijie chuckled, covering her mouth, but her smile lacked warmth. Her voice remained soft and charming, but the barbs in her words were sharp and pointed. "What you're saying, sister... Didn't I call you 'sister' not long ago at the West Gate of our mansion?"

She deliberately drew out the words "our Ximenfukou" and said, "You promised so readily back then... It's clear that you are indeed much older than me, and even your memory is... more mature. You've already forgotten everything?"

Pan Jinlian was so choked by her words that she almost couldn't catch her breath, and her face turned pale with anger. She glared fiercely at Li Guijie, knowing that this prostitute had a sharp tongue and that she might not gain the upper hand if she continued to pester her.

Suppressing her anger, she grabbed Li Guijie's arm and, without caring whether she was standing or not, practically dragged her out of her main room and pushed her into the dark west wing next door.

"This is your territory! The master ordered you to stay put!" Pan Jinlian said irritably, then turned to go back to her room, wanting to avoid seeing it.

"Sister, please wait!" Li Guijie steadied herself against the doorframe and called out in the darkness, her voice carrying a hint of feigned innocence and embarrassment. "Master just said that you should 'take care of' me... You see, I have nothing of value, not even a decent piece of clothing..."

She lowered her head and tugged at the expensive but crumpled light red bodice she was wearing, her tone becoming increasingly pitiful, "I can't possibly go to see the master tomorrow morning wearing this bodice, can I? Those who know will say I was too busy to remember; those who don't will think I'm deliberately mistreating the newcomer, leaving me... practically naked..."

These words, though seemingly gentle, were actually quite firm, directly labeling the person as "mistreated."

Pan Jinlian stopped at the door, so angry she almost gritted her teeth! This bitch dared to use the master's words to intimidate her as soon as she entered! She turned around abruptly, rushed back to her room, and rummaged through her trunk haphazardly.

How could she bear to give this vixen nice clothes? In the end, she pulled out two plain-colored dresses that she no longer wore and were half-worn, without even looking at them, crumpled them up, walked back to the door of the west wing, and threw them at Li Guijie!
"Take it! So you won't say I've mistreated you!" Pan Jinlian's voice seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth, filled with deep disgust. "Put your clothes on properly, tomorrow the head maid will come and teach you manners! Don't hang around in front of me unless you have to!"

After saying that, he slammed the door of his east wing room shut with a "bang," making the window frames vibrate.

Two old garments hit her and fell onto the cold floor tiles. Li Guijie bent down to pick them up, and by the faint moonlight coming in from the window, she could see that they were two worn-out plain silk dresses. The material was still acceptable, but the style was old-fashioned and the color was dull. They were obviously old items that Pan Jinlian had kept at the bottom of her trunk.

Li Guijie pursed her lips, casually tossed the old clothes onto the empty bed beside her, and instead of showing any anger, a very comfortable and smug smile slowly bloomed on her face.

She ignored the tightly closed door next door, which seemed to still radiate anger, and gently closed the door to her own west wing room. Leaning against the door, she let out a long, satisfied sigh.

In the darkness, her shrewd eyes darted around, surveying the unfamiliar room. Although it was empty, she could smell the fresh, vibrant scent of new wooden furniture and feel the smooth, even tiles on the floor beneath her feet.

All of this is worlds apart from the cramped dressing room of the Lichun brothel, which is always filled with the smell of cheap cosmetics, the stench of leftover wine, and the sticky, lecherous eyes of all sorts of men... It's like heaven and a cesspool!

She finally... jumped out of that inferno! That quagmire where she was greeted by wicked smiles, sent away with feigned affection, forced smiles, and felt like a piece of drifting duckweed!
Li Guijie walked gracefully to the cool lattice window and pushed it open a crack. The crisp night wind rushed in, scattering the stray hairs at her temples.

She greedily took a deep breath of the unique air in this grand mansion, filled with the cool fragrance of flowers and trees, and felt completely refreshed!
She gazed at the overlapping silhouettes of buildings outside, her eyes gleaming with ambition. The brothel was behind her; this Ximen mansion was the new battlefield where Li Guijie would truly unleash her power!
Early the next morning.

At this moment, Master Ximen was being helped by a servant to wash his face and change his clothes. Wu Yueniang brought in a cup of warm ginseng tea and asked in a gentle voice, "Master, last night... the newly arrived Li Gui'er, what do you think... how should we settle her in the manor?"

The official took the ginseng tea, sipped it, and said slowly, "This woman... seems quite clever, and her mind works quickly. Let her learn to manage some minor affairs in the mansion for now, so that she won't be idle when she first arrives."

Yue Niang nodded obediently: "Yes, sir, I understand." Although she had some reservations about Li Guijie's background, since her master had spoken, she, as the mistress of the house, should make proper arrangements to show her magnanimity.

After tidying herself up, Yue Niang, accompanied by her personal maid Xiao Yu, walked calmly to the west wing. Pan Jinlian, having received the news, was already waiting outside the door, while Li Guijie stood respectfully to the side. Upon seeing Yue Niang, the two women curtsied in unison, their voices gentle: "Greetings to Madam."

Moon Lady sat at the head of the table, her face bearing her usual gentle smile. Her gaze swept softly over the two women, finally settling on Li Guijie. She noticed Li Guijie was dressed in a slightly worn, plain-colored silk dress; though not bright, it was neat and tidy. Moon Lady spoke warmly, as if engaging in casual conversation:

“Gui’er, now that you’ve entered our Ximen household, you’re family. The past is over, so there’s no need to bring it up again. Master just said that he thinks you’re a sensible person and wants you to learn how to manage things in the household. Although there are many rules in our household, they are nothing more than the principles of treating people with sincerity and being diligent in doing things. You can learn them slowly.”

Li Guijie quickly curtsied again and said gratefully, "Thank you for your teachings, Auntie. I will study hard and live up to your expectations."

Moon Lady nodded with a smile before getting down to business: "Master's intention is that you try to manage the daily chores such as cleaning the front yard, tending to the flowers and trees, and putting away the utensils. Although these are trivial matters, they are also related to the reputation of the mansion. Come with me and get to know the head maids under your command, so you can be more at ease in the future." After saying this, she stood up.

Li Guijie remained calm and respectfully replied, "Yes, Guijie obeys."

She knew perfectly well that getting a job was the foundation for her survival.

Moon Lady's gaze fell on her old clothes again, her tone carrying a hint of natural concern: "Your clothes... seem to fit you well, but the color is a bit plain and they're a bit old."

Jin Lian'er's heart trembled, fearing that this woman would complain.

But Li Guijie replied gently, "Replying to you, Madam, I was originally thinking of going back to my old place to get some clothes, but Master has already said that Guijie should completely sever ties with the past and there's no need for her to go..."

The Moon Lady understood and said gently, "Master's thoughts are right. Now that she's entering a new household, she should be all fresh and new." She then turned to Xiao Yu and instructed, "Go to my storeroom and find a few clothes that fit Gui Jie'er's size and are in bright colors."

"Thank you for your kindness, Auntie!" Li Guijie bowed again gratefully. Yue Niang's subtle and thoughtful consideration warmed her heart.

Then, Yue Niang led Li Guijie out of the west wing, through several corridors, and into the front courtyard. Several maids were called over and introduced to them.

When the old women saw that the new manager was personally introduced by the matriarch, and that although Li Guijie was new, she was calm and composed, they all crossed their arms and greeted her respectfully, calling her "Miss Li".

The Moon Goddess gently instructed, "The mothers are all old servants in the mansion, so please give the newcomers some pointers," and "Gui-jie also needs to be attentive. If everyone works together harmoniously, it will bring prosperity." Then she had Xiao-yu lead Li Gui-jie to collect her clothes, while she herself, supported by her maid, gracefully returned to the warm and fragrant main room.

Meanwhile, Li Guijie was given a new lease on life, while someone in the Qinghe County death row was about to die.

The cell was damp and cold, the stone floor exuding a chill. Heavy iron chains dragged on the ground, making a screeching sound that pierced the heart.

In the dimly lit passageway, two fierce-looking yamen runners, one on each side, dragged Sun Erniang out like a dead dog.

Her hair was disheveled like straw, and her prison clothes were filthy, stained with blood, rice grains, and the musty smell of the cell.

The sunlight at the end of the prison gate was blinding, making Sun Erniang squint, but she didn't care. As she dragged herself past the last iron bar, she suddenly struggled, squeezing out a hoarse, anxious voice with her last hope: "Brother Wang Wu! That...that silver...have you gotten it yet? The news from Erlong Mountain...is...it's all up to you, brother!" Her voice trembled violently, half weak and half filled with anxiety.

The constable Wang Wu paused slightly, a sinister smirk creeping across his face as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world. He glanced sideways at Sun Erniang, scrutinizing her from head to toe, and then snorted a foul breath.
"Silver? Ha! Sun Erniang, have you gone mad from being stuck in this filthy jail? Where would you get silver? You're a thief waiting to be executed, how much could you possibly have scraped off? You've already been searched clean, like a rat hole!"

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Sun Erniang's head in the dead of winter. The faint light in her eyes was extinguished with a "poof," and in an instant, a raging fire of murderous intent rose up!

She struggled violently, the iron chains and shackles clanging loudly, her body tensing like an arrow released from a bow, her voice suddenly sharp and shrill, filled with a mad, desperate despair:

"Bullshit! Wang Wu! I told you myself where the silver was hidden! Twenty taels of snowflake silver! Shiny and shiny! You black-hearted, rotten-gut murderer! You swallowed my life-saving money and now you want to deceive this dying man?!"

Her eyes were bloodshot, and spittle flew from her mouth. If she weren't chained up, she would have pounced on him and bitten Wang Wu's throat off: "You filthy scoundrel! Aren't you afraid that in front of the King of Hell, I'll become a vengeful ghost and come every night to skin you alive, pull out your tendons, and suck your marrow, so that you'll never be reincarnated and will never be forgiven?!"

"A vengeful ghost?" Wang Wu seemed to have been tickled, not afraid at all, but instead burst into a strange laugh, the sound echoing through the gloomy prison passage, sending chills down one's spine.

He suddenly stopped laughing, his face filled with deep contempt. He almost poked Sun Erniang's nose with a finger, and shouted angrily:
"Bah! Sun Erniang! You and your scoundrel Zhang Qing run that black-hearted inn at Shizipo, openly selling wine while secretly killing people! So many passing merchants, scholars on their way to the imperial examinations, and commoners visiting relatives have fallen for your tricks!"

"They murder for money, extract bones to render oil, and make steamed buns and dumplings filled with human flesh! The wronged souls in the City of the Dead are probably lining up to tear your hearts apart! You still expect to become a vengeful ghost? You'll have to wait for the vengeful ghost to come after you first."

He took a step forward, lowered his voice, but the sound was like poisoned steel needles, piercing Sun Erniang's ears one by one: "Fine! Even if I took your stolen silver, so what? I'm not going to inform Erlong Mountain today! You think you can bite my bird?"

A cruel, cat-like satisfaction spread across his face. "Your meager meager savings aren't even enough for a man to drink with brothels or buy a box of rouge for a prostitute! You think you can use it to save your life? Dream on!"

These words were like a thousand steel knives, shattering Sun Erniang's last hope into dust!
She never imagined that, on the verge of death, she would be deceived and tricked again by this vile scoundrel! A metallic taste shot through her throat, and she spat out a mouthful of blood!

She unleashed a torrent of curses and filth, like a flood bursting its banks: "Wang Wu! I'll fuck your ancestors for eighteen generations! You treacherous, heartless dog! I'll haunt you even as a ghost! I'll make you pay..."

"Shut up!" Another constable nearby, annoyed by the noise, frowned and shouted, "Brother Wang Wu, why waste your breath on this vile woman! Shut her filthy mouth! Otherwise, when we get to the execution ground, this scoundrel will make wild accusations and howl out all sorts of filthy and obscene words, soiling the ears of the officials and alarming the people!"

Wang Wu grinned maliciously. He was prepared and pulled out a greasy, sweaty towel from his waist. It was stained with oil and smelled of sweat and had been used for who knows how long. Without saying a word, he shoved it into Sun Erniang's mouth, which was still cursing incessantly!

"Ugh! Ugh—uh!" Caught off guard, the smelly rag ball was shoved straight into her throat, choking her until her eyes bulged out and she could only squeeze out a muffled, painful sob from deep in her throat.

She shook her head frantically, her body thrashing about like a fish out of water, the chains clanging loudly. Her eyes blazed with fury, as if she wanted to burn the two corrupt officials before her to ashes. But with the chains binding her and her brute force pressing down on her, all her struggles were futile.

Looking at Sun Erniang, who was gagged and struggling in vain, Wang Wu's mockery deepened. He spat out a mouthful of phlegm: "Pah! You ruthless killer, you heartless shrew, you've only been fooled once, and you already know how to feel wronged? It's truly laughable! What a joke!"

He yanked hard on the chain. "Go! Send this scoundrel on his way!"

Sun Erniang was dragged forward like a dead dog, her mouth stuffed tightly with that stinking handkerchief, only able to let out dry howls like a dying wild beast, "Heh...heh..." The despair was like a cold, venomous snake, tightly coiling around her heart and internal organs, tightening more and more, almost strangling her to death.

That last bit of calculation in her heart, that carefully crafted opportunity for revenge—

Once they arrived at the execution ground, amidst the clamor and the intense attention of the crowd, he mustered his last ounce of strength and shouted, "Whoever is willing to go to Erlong Mountain to deliver a message to my master! Erlong Mountain will surely reward you with a hundred taels of silver."

But this last hope, this desperate gamble... who knew that in this damp and filthy prison corridor, it would be completely extinguished by the treacherous and vicious schemes of this scoundrel of a jailer! It was utterly destroyed!

She could only stare with her bloodshot eyes, almost bursting with blood, and in the midst of boundless hatred and utter despair, let out those useless, chilling "ho ho" howls as she was dragged step by step toward the East Gate Market.

The execution ground at the entrance of the vegetable market at the east gate of Qinghe County.

The crowds were so large that it was impossible to move.

"Identity verified, she is indeed the traitor Sun Erniang! The time has come—execution!" "Execution—!" "Execution—!"

Sun Erniang was held down tightly, and the filth in her mouth prevented her from uttering even a final curse. She could only stare helplessly into her eyes, which were filled with endless resentment and unwillingness. In her pupils was a deadly glint of light that was about to strike down from above!

In the blink of an eye! A flash of light, like a bolt of lightning! "Thud—crack!"

Right in the midst of this chaotic scene of bloodshed and people falling over!
A man with a burly build, wearing a wide-brimmed tattered straw hat, had a tattered straw mat ready in his hand. He rolled it up and wrapped it around Sun Erniang's headless body. With his other hand, he picked up the blood gourd-like head on the ground and squeezed into the densest gap between people. The government officials did not stop him!

(End of this chapter)