High-class Spring Joy

Strange things, something strange has happened again?

Qingyuan stood in front of the wardrobe for a long time, unable to react.

Could it be that today's episode was also her illusion? Has her hallucination become this severe?

Qingyuan froze, took two steps back and fell into the chair. She was about to pinch her thigh to see if it was just her imagination, but before she could touch her thigh, she realized what was happening.

Turning around, she stepped forward and touched the clothes inside the wardrobe.

She can see hallucinations, but she can't possibly touch them, right?

Qingyuan was better off not touching it, because once she touched it, she was even more surprised to find that the material of the clothes was absolutely superb.

Although it wasn't the most expensive silk or satin, it was still made of very good material, not the kind they wore when they were maids in the Marquis's mansion, and certainly not the coarse linen clothes worn by ordinary people.

Qingyuan felt even stranger. This could not possibly be her hallucination. She hadn't actually held the clothes in her hands so tightly. How could it be her hallucination?

But if it's not a hallucination, then it's even more terrifying, and even more chilling to think about.

If this wasn't her hallucination, then the vegetables, meat, and rice he saw yesterday were real, and the clothes and wardrobe he saw today were also real.

How did these things come about? They couldn't have just appeared out of thin air, could they?

Could it be...?

Qingyuan dared not think about the thought that had led her to rush out, and disregarded everything else, she hurriedly rushed to the kitchen to check if the things she had seen yesterday had disappeared. When she rushed in, she found that the vegetables, meat and rice had not only not disappeared, but had at most been moved to another place, and the water tank on the stove was full!

Qingyuan hadn't originally brought water. She was a bit tired from tidying up the house on her first day, and she was even more dazed on her second day.

It would take Qingyuan a lot of time to fill such a large water vat by drawing water from the well in the backyard all by herself. Qingyuan originally planned to wait until she had more strength and then draw all the water at once to fill the entire water vat.

Who knew it would suddenly fill up?

Qingyuan was a little unsure, so she turned to look at the rice container and then at the cupboard; she looked everywhere.

The rice bin was full, the water bin was full, there was a wide variety of vegetables, and all kinds of meat were available. The wardrobe was full, and the oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar in the cupboard were all neatly arranged and fully stocked.

Oh no!

Qingyuan's first reaction was these three words.

Oh no, could it be haunted?

If it really is a ghost, then this ghost seems to be a very generous, hardworking, and kind ghost?

Qingyuan leaned on the table next to her and took a couple of breaths before she came to her senses.

So it means she rented this house, and this house is haunted?

But the ghosts aren't evil ghosts, not the kind that harm or kill people, but rather kind ghosts that bring her things, cook for her, and prepare clothes for her?

Qingyuan felt dizzy and overwhelmed by the fact, unable to breathe. She had no way to verify such mysterious and fantastical things. Who could explain it?

Qingyuan was worried and couldn't come up with a good solution no matter how hard she tried. Even when she went to Hongxiuzhao that day to discuss things with Hu Shisi Niang, Qingyuan was somewhat absent-minded.

Even Hu Shisi Niang noticed it. Halfway through her sentence, she saw the person in front of her start to drift off into thought, and the expression that flashed across his face was quite complicated.

Hu Shisi Niang waved her hand in front of Qing Yuan's eyes, but Qing Yuan still didn't react, so she called out, "Qing Yuan, what's wrong? Why are you so distracted?"

Qingyuan then came to her senses. Seeing Hu Shisi Niang's worried eyes and Qingyuan's own uncertainty, she couldn't help but tell Hu Shisi Niang the general outline of the matter.

Upon hearing this, Hu Shisi Niang immediately made a decision, saying she would accompany her home to see her.

Qingyuan was indeed timid, especially since she lived alone in the house. Seeing how determined Hu Sisi Niang was, she took her home.

Qingyuan and Hu Shisi Niang spent the day in the house. The two sat together, either talking or discussing business matters. Hu Shisi Niang mainly provided companionship.

But it must be said that having someone sitting in the empty house, keeping her company, even if the author doesn't say or do anything, just sitting there simply, actually made Qingyuan less afraid than before.

Ju Zi led Qing Yuan around the house, looking at every detail with great care. Finally, looking at the outer wall, especially the few traces left on it, Hu Shisi Niang fell into deep thought.

"Miss Qingyuan, you may not have much experience in the martial world, but based on my observation, although the marks on this wall are very faint, they are still not quite normal. In my many years of experience traveling all over the country, someone must have climbed over this wall. As for why the marks are so faint, and why you didn't notice them, it's possible that the person was someone with martial arts skills, or even someone with excellent lightness skills. But for someone with excellent martial arts skills to enter a house... that's certainly something they could do. Perhaps you noticed something at some point, but didn't realize anything more."

"But suppose someone with exceptional martial arts skills has plenty of ways to achieve their goals, do what they want, and get what they desire, right?"

Qingyuan felt that this matter was a bit hard to explain. After all, according to Hu Shisi Niang, if her martial arts skills were really that high, why would she choose to sneak into her house?

"Besides, I don't have any valuable belongings in this house to begin with. The most valuable thing I have is probably my few sets of clothes. And every time I find something extra, it's not just things that are missing. Nothing in my house is missing, not even a single bench. It's just that things keep popping out. Why would he do this? What's he after? Does he think he did something wrong and wants to give back to the people? Why did he specifically target me? And I've only been here for two days!"

Qingyuan felt that she couldn't understand it and couldn't give a reasonable explanation.

Hu Shisi Niang fell into deep thought upon hearing this, pursing her lips as she said, "Since that's the case, why don't we wait until tonight to see if someone really came in or if it's haunted? I, Hu Shisi Niang, have traveled all over the country for so many years and have never believed in ghosts or gods or the heavens and earth. If this house were truly haunted, would a ghost bring you so many things, especially a kind ghost? I absolutely do not believe that. Or is it a human doing the trick?"

The day passed quickly, and finally it was evening.

That night, Hu Shisi Niang and Qing Yuan lay on the same bed, holding each other's hands tightly. In the darkness, there was no sound; they could only hear each other's heartbeats and breathing.

"Fourteenth Sister, didn't you say you weren't afraid?"

Qingyuan gripped Hu Shisi Niang's arm tightly, not daring to move an inch. Her ears seemed to be perked up, constantly watching for any noise outside the door, wondering if it was a ghost or a disturbance.

Hu Shisi Niang, who had said during the day that she didn't believe in gods or ghosts, was now... trembling as she gripped Qing Yuan's wrist.

At this moment, her voice trembled as she answered Qingyuan: "Well... I'm not afraid. Which eye of yours saw me afraid? Aren't I lying here? Aren't I lying here with you? I'm not afraid at all. What kind of people and ghosts haven't I seen? Why would I believe in these ghost tricks?"

Looking at her body shaking as a result, Qingyuan couldn't help but wonder if it was right for her to have Hu Shisi Niang come with her and for the two of them to be shaking while hugging each other.

Before Qingyuan could figure it out, and before Hu Shisi Niang could say anything, a sound came from outside the door. Qingyuan and Ju Zi were in an extremely sensitive period at this time. As soon as they heard a sound, even though it was very faint, they immediately noticed that the two of them, who were hugging and trembling, turned their heads and looked at each other.

This is it!!

There really are ghosts, but I don't know if they're real ghosts or just people playing tricks!

The two of them tiptoed out of bed, hand in hand, and slowly moved from the bedside to the door and window.

Qingyuan, mustering her courage, gently poked a small hole in the grease on the door and window, squinting as she peered through the hole to peek at the outside scene.

It was only when she looked that Qingyuan was startled. She saw two men in black sneaking into her backyard. The two men moved very nimbly, and when they climbed down the wall, there was no obstacle at all. Qingyuan couldn't see where they came from at all, and the two men walked very quietly.

He looks like someone who is skilled in martial arts, and a very skilled one at that.

However, after these two men in black, who were skilled in martial arts, climbed over the edge of the courtyard in their backyard, they did not go to Qingyuan's rooms, but instead went to another locked small room.

Qingyuan was stunned. That room was where she stored miscellaneous items. Previously, there were some things in this house that had been lived in and used by people. Qingyuan kept and tidied up some of the things she needed, and piled up the things she didn't need in that small room.

no…

What are these two men in black going to do in the storeroom?

He must have gone into her kitchen first, and then into the room where she keeps her wardrobe. What's scary is that she's completely unaware of what happened, and it happened without her noticing.

I didn't stay with Hu Shisi Niang until the evening; Qing Yuan might still be oblivious to everything until the end.

Regardless of whether these two men in black were genuinely trying to help him or were delivering something, the fact that someone could sneak into her house so silently, especially at night when she was completely unaware, meant that one day a knife could be held to her throat, and she might already be dead in her sleep.

Hu Shisi Niang couldn't see it because the hole was very small. When Qing Yuan peeked out, Hu Shisi Niang couldn't see it. But Hu Shisi Niang could feel the hand gripping her wrist getting tighter and tighter. Clearly, Qing Yuan must have seen something, otherwise she wouldn't be so scared.

"You wretched girl, orphaned and childless! How dare you steal my jade pendant!"

The peasant woman, Dongxiang, raised a wooden stick, as if to strike the thin, small girl in front of her.

Luo Niannian skillfully and hastily dodged the blow, tears still clinging to her small face.

"I haven't stolen anything all year, I haven't... That's the jade pendant my mother left for me! That's what my mother left for me..."

Every year when she saw her actions, her little face turned pale with fright, and she ran out of the yard as fast as she could.

The area outside was already crowded with villagers who had come to watch the spectacle, and they greeted the crowd with malicious accusations:

"Tsk, only five years old, how come he's already learned to steal? His hands and feet are so dirty. Dongxiang, you have to discipline him properly. He who steals a needle when young will steal gold when old!"

"Yes, how can we raise a child who is so young and already learning to steal, and even talking back and arguing? We're afraid we'll raise an ungrateful wretch."

"In my opinion, like begets like. A rat's child knows how to dig a hole. Her mother was punished by the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and sent to the wilderness for her dishonest deeds, so she can't be any better!"

Every year, her path was blocked. Her small figure endured the pointing and whispering of everyone around her. The scrutinizing gazes and the barrage of words made it seem as if Luo Niannian was a heinous monster.

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. The next moment, she was struck on the back with a stick, knocking her to the ground. She winced in pain, crying out, "I didn't! That's mine! It's the jade pendant my mother left for me!"

Dongxiang stood triumphantly in front of her, holding a wooden stick. "Hey, everyone heard that! She herself said it was something her mother gave her. I've raised her for so many years, isn't her mother me? That's mine, and you still say it's not stolen?!"

Dongxiang got angry at Niannian's retorting manner, rolled up her sleeves, chased after her, and raised a wooden stick: "Give me the thing! If you don't give me the thing, I'll beat you to death today!"

The fierce-looking but cowardly Dongxiang was about to attack Niannian when suddenly she emitted an extremely dazzling light, and the terrifying power directly sent the onlookers flying far away.

Dongxiang was particularly badly injured.

This village is located on the edge of the wilderness, desolate and poor. The villagers don't know how to cultivate, and when they were suddenly attacked like this, they were so frightened that they all went back to their homes.

Niannian realized what was happening, placed her little hand on her neck, where a small wooden sword was threaded through a black cotton rope, and sobbed, "Brother..."

She didn't dare go back every year; it wasn't her home. Her body ached terribly, and she couldn't walk far. She could only stop under the old tree at the village entrance and lean against it to catch her breath.

Just then, several children, seeing her disheveled appearance, ran over and laughed, mimicking Dongxiang's earlier words:

"A wild girl without a father or mother! A wild girl without a father or mother! A wild girl without a father or mother!!"

"Nonsense! You're all talking nonsense! I'm not an unwanted child!"

Year after year, he roared angrily, grabbing stones haphazardly and smashing them at them without a care.

She was accurate and hit several children, who were so frightened by her crazy behavior that they turned and ran away.

After everyone left, the world quieted down. Year after year, leaning against the tree, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, falling to the ground in strings.

Nonsense, they're all talking nonsense!

She has a mother; her mother didn't abandon her on purpose.

Her mother's name was Luo Qing.

Luo Qing was the former sect leader of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. She was framed by her junior sister, and the disciples she had painstakingly trained all believed her junior sister's words and were convinced that she had ruthlessly stolen the life-saving elixir, causing the death of half of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's disciples.

Luo Qing was stripped of all her cultivation and exiled to the wilderness. At that time, she was already eight months pregnant. After giving birth to Luo Niannian, her life came to an end.

Before she died, she entrusted Luo Niannian to a passing woodcutter for a reward of one hundred spirit stones. That man was Dongxiang's husband.

The woodcutter treated Luo Niannian well. Although he didn't treat him like his own son, he provided him with plenty of food and clothing. Unfortunately, he was killed by wild beasts three years ago.

From then on, Luo Niannian never ate a full meal again, nor wore a decent piece of clothing.

These were all things that the young man told Nian Nian.

The young man's name is Junwu. He is the spirit of the wooden sword that hangs around Nian Nian's neck, and it was also left to Nian Nian by Luo Qing.

When Luo Qing gave birth to her, Jun Wu wanted to save his mother, but unfortunately, his mother was too badly injured. His sword spirit, which had just begun to develop consciousness, used all its power but to no avail.

It was at that time that he exhausted all his strength, and for the past five years, Junwu has been in a deep sleep for the vast majority of the time.

"Nian Nian isn't, Nian Nian isn't an unwanted wild child. Nian Nian misses her mother, misses her father, misses her little brother. Little brother, please don't sleep anymore..."

Tears streamed down her face year after year, and she cried until she could hardly breathe. All she could do was grip the small wooden sword tightly.

She cried for an unknown amount of time, until she was almost exhausted, when a gentle male voice came:

"Little sister, do you know someone named Dongxiang?"

Every year, with tears welling up in her eyes, she looked up and saw the young man in front of her. She was stunned for a moment. He was more handsome than the uncles and elders in the village, and his tone of voice was much gentler than theirs.

She sniffed and nodded.

Luo Yunping was overjoyed when he saw her nod. The last spark of hope in his heart suddenly ignited.

He had been searching in this desolate border region for a whole month. He heard that his master had entrusted his junior sister to a woodcutter before he died. After inquiring around for a month, he learned that his junior sister was likely living with a peasant woman named Dongxiang.

This is the first time he's seen someone say they know him!

"Very good!"

Luo Yunping hurriedly pulled out some candy from his pocket: "I'm looking for a child who's about your age, gender... I'm not sure. Does Dongxiang's family have a child like that?"

Nian Nian looked him up and down twice, eyeing him warily, but didn't take the candy; she simply nodded slightly.

"I...I am Luo Niannian, and my mother is Luo Qing."

Luo Yunping's eyes widened as if he had been struck by a gift from heaven. He hadn't looked closely before, but now that he looked closely, the little girl in front of him really did look somewhat like his master!

The location is correct, the surname is correct, the age is correct, and the appearance is correct.

Luo Yunping forcibly suppressed his excitement and deliberately softened his voice: "Niannian... Junior Sister, I am your and your mother's favorite disciple. Before your mother passed away, we had a very deep master-disciple relationship. My name is Luo Yunping, and I am your junior brother. I have come to take you home."

As he spoke, he tried to wipe away the tears on Niannian's face, but Niannian dodged his hand as soon as he reached out.

"That's not my home. Nowhere is my home." Nian Nian looked at him cautiously and took two steps back. "And, if we have such a deep bond... then why didn't you save Mother? Why are you only coming to find Mother and me now?"

Luo Yunping froze, taken by her question as a sign that she didn't believe him. He then smiled and said, "These things are complicated to explain. I'll take you back to the Myriad Swords Sect first and then explain it to you. If we don't go back soon, we'll miss the Supreme Sect's disciple selection."

Upon hearing about the Supreme Sect, Nian Nian changed his attitude and agreed to return with Luo Yunping.

The young man said that his father seemed to be from the Supreme Sect!

They treated her badly and wronged her. She didn't want to go back to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, but she wanted to go to the Supreme Sect.

Mother, please don't be angry with Niannian. Niannian just wants to go to the Supreme Sect to find Father.

-

Ten Thousand Swords Sect

At this time, the hall was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and laughter and cheerful voices could be heard from within.

Chu Jingxian thought there was something wrong with his ears, which he was so proud of, and that he had misheard.

Unexpectedly, that charming voice rang out again: "Please, young master, please give me a child!"

Chu Jingxian frowned in annoyance, still ignoring the owner of the voice.

Another woman sent in by the Marquis's mansion to carry on the family line!

Did he really think Chu Jingxian was going to die here?

This is utterly absurd!

He assumed she would send the same things as before, and realizing he had made a fool of himself, he left dejectedly.

Unfortunately, the one sent in this time seems to be incredibly stubborn.

For every moment he remained silent, she would repeat that sentence as many times as he remained silent.

He's really stubborn.

The figure in the corner remained unresponsive.

Qingyuan remembered that the nanny had said she could get a hundred taels of silver, and she was unwilling to give up easily. She looked up at the man and said, "I just turned 18 this year. Although I come from a humble background, I am absolutely virgin. Before I came, the nanny had a doctor take my pulse. I am healthy and have no hidden illnesses... I have also learned a lot of ways to serve men... Please, young master..."

Chu Jingxian frowned even more deeply. After a moment's pause, his voice was low, hoarse, and cold: "How much money did the Marquis's mansion give you?"

What could possibly make a young, innocent woman so devoted to begging him to have a death row inmate carry on her family line?

Silence fell before her, and she remained silent for a long time, as if she were feeling guilty and nervous, or perhaps frightened by his agitation.

Chu Jingxian snorted coldly, his tone mocking: "One hundred taels? One thousand taels? Or ten thousand taels?!"

He thought the woman would be scared away by his barbed and irritating words, but she only remained silent for a moment…

There was a soft rustling sound, followed by a "thud," which sounded like a heavy object hitting the ground.

"This money may not mean much to you, young master, but I really need it. Please, young master, give me a chance. Please grant my request!"

It was still the familiar female voice, but it was mixed with sobs that hadn't been there before. She seemed to be trembling uncontrollably as she spoke, due to her emotional excitement and nervousness.

This emotion is very similar to that of the refugees who, when Chu Jingxian went to provide relief to the disaster victims, had lost their families and had no hope of survival, and could only kneel at people's feet begging for alms. The same despair, the same urgency, the same sincerity.

Chu Jingxian never considered himself a soft-hearted person, but the woman's soft, trembling sobs sounded like a newborn kitten scratching at his heart with its tiny paws.

Chu Jingxian was annoyed by her crying.

Qingyuan was truly at her wit's end and was about to try again when that low, husky voice exploded in her ear:

"come over!"