Chapter 11 They won't stand up for Han'er, I'll go!

Humans are born with three souls and seven spirits.

While alive, one's soul and spirit are complete. After death, the seven spirits dissipate, and the three souls enter the earth, walking the cycle of reincarnation that has existed for thousands of years, following the laws of the living world.

But there are always exceptions.

Some people live like grass, and die quietly.

Even after death, resentment lingers, and the seven souls refuse to dissipate. Over time, they will transform into vengeful spirits.

Most vengeful spirits are not lethal and are unlikely to cause harm or seek revenge on anyone; they are simply trapped in the same place day after day.

One of the duties of the underworld guide is to help vengeful spirits dissipate.

Si Niannian recalled the old news that Lai's mother had told her, flicked her fingertips to create a ripple on the water's surface, and said softly, "There are plenty of people in the world who die unjustly, I don't have time to care how you died."

Thousands of people died unjustly, but Si Niannian didn't ask about grudges or dwell on the past; she just did what she was supposed to do.

But she has selfish motives today.

Si Niannian flicked the water droplets off her hands and sneered, "You're lucky today."

The man from Qinghan Courtyard sent her two generous gifts in one day; how could she not reciprocate in kind?

Si Niannian dipped her index finger in water and drew a peculiar emblem on the edge of the pool.

At first glance, the scattered lines were successfully connected by the last stroke, and the water stains that were unremarkable a second ago suddenly burst with a faint bluish light.

The blue light flickered and then dissipated.

Si Niannian heard a whistling sound hidden in the wind, and her pale lips slowly lifted.

Who says there's no retribution?

For some, retribution is just around the corner...

Si Niannian dried her hands and slowly strolled back to Jiuyou Hall.

Not seeing the two maids who were supposed to serve her, she waited for a while before finally seeing Mama Lai returning from foraging for food.

There was a footprint on the hem of Lai Mama's clothes that she hadn't had time to wipe away. She smiled as she carried the food box and said, "I was late today. There's nothing good left in the main kitchen."

"Miss, please make do with this for now, it may be better tomorrow."

The food box contained only a few steamed buns and a dish of pickled vegetables, a simple meal that seemed unlike anything that would appear on the master's table.

Si Niannian looked at the hem of her dress and rubbed her fingertips thoughtfully.

There are no secrets in the inner quarters.

The fact that she was stopped at the door twice was enough to show Madam Song's feelings towards her.

The kitchen servants followed suit and certainly wouldn't give the people from Jiuyoutang a good look.

Madam Lai was still thinking about Kuan Si: "There were too many unexpected events today, and the Second Miss's weak health also disturbed Madam's mind, which is why she couldn't take care of things for a while."

"Don't worry, young lady, things will definitely get better once Madam calms down."

Si Niannian smiled and hummed in agreement, thinking to herself: That's not necessarily true...

Dinner was rather simple, and Si Niannian had little appetite. Under Lai's mother's worried gaze, she forced herself to eat a few bites before making an excuse that she was tired and needed to rest.

Lai's mother hurriedly made the bed. Before leaving, she heard Si Niannian say, "You stay in the outer room tonight. No one is allowed to come in without my permission."

Lai's mother quickly nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, girl, I will definitely keep a close watch!"

No sooner had Lai's mother left than Si Niannian opened the window at the back of the house.

Looking at the backyard where she could come and go as she pleased, Si Niannian couldn't help but sigh.

Thanks to the Song family's dislike of her, there were only four people in the entire Jiuyou Hall, including her.

Otherwise, it would be much more difficult for her to get out.

Si Niannian used one hand to support herself on the windowsill and leaped over the half-person-high window. She silently jumped over the high wall of the Song family, picked up the blue gauze hat hanging on the treetop, put it on her head, and turned to walk into another alley.

A figure wearing a blue gauze hat quickly disappeared into the night.

Soon after, the gates of the Imperial Censorate were flung open, and the riders, unable to wait for their horses to land, jumped down excitedly and shouted, "Where's Han'er?"

"Is Han'er here...?"

"Fifth Young Master!"

The servant boy, panting, caught up and said, "Our young lady is perfectly fine at home. There's no rush, a little while will do!"

Song Mo went to Qingyang Academy to become a disciple a month ago.

Once the matters at the academy were mostly settled, they rode straight to Yujing through the night, barely resting along the way.

Song Mo tossed the reins to the servant, then personally held up a box and said, "What do you know?"

"This Qingyang pastry is the most famous snack in Qingyang County. It tastes best within ten hours of coming out of the oven; after that time, it won't taste the same!"

He didn't even have time to drink water the whole way to deliver this food!

Song Molu didn't even bother to look around, and rushed inside excitedly: "Han'er knows I'm back today, she must still be waiting for me, let's go quickly..."

"Fifth Young Master, be careful!"

Ouch!

Song Mo was caught off guard and bumped right into the person who came out. He hurriedly protected the pastries in his hands, and when he saw who he had bumped into, he was a little annoyed: "Doctor Zhao?"

What are you doing here?

Doctor Zhao, whose old bones had almost been broken by the impact, got up and sighed, saying, "The young lady of your household fell into the water today, so of course I came here to..."

Song Mo's expression changed drastically: "What did you say?"

"This is..."

"Get out of my way!"

Song Mo shoved aside Doctor Zhao, who was blocking his way, and rushed out. The servant hurriedly helped Doctor Zhao, who had been knocked down again, to his feet and scrambled after him, saying, "Fifth Young Master, please slow down!"

"Han'er!"

"Han'er, what's wrong with you..."

"Fifth Brother, stop shouting!" Song Wen stopped him impatiently, his face dark. "Han'er is already feeling unwell. If you keep yelling, how can she rest?"

Song Mo, his face contorted with rage, slapped Song Wen aside and demanded, "Fourth Brother, I heard Han'er was pushed into the water?"

"What exactly happened?!"

"I..." Song Wen struggled for a long time before finally managing to squeeze out a sentence, "How would I know?"

"Anyway, that's what happened!"

He was indeed present, but Lord Song had already ordered that the matter not be mentioned again, and had also warned Song Wen not to cause trouble for Si Niannian.

Song Mo is always impulsive; if he finds out, he'll definitely cause more trouble!

Song Mo, however, was too lazy to listen to Song Wen's nonsense and walked past him to go inside: "Han'er!"

"Fifth brother, you..."

"Is that Fifth Brother back?"

Song Qinghan's weak voice came from behind the door. Song Mo proudly bumped past Song Wen's shoulder and rushed in, calling out, "Han'er!"

"Fifth Brother is here..."

Song Qinghan spoke in a low voice, interspersed with a few heartbreaking coughs.

Song Wen felt so sorry for him that he simply turned and left.

Not long after Song Wen left, Song Mo came out with a dark face.

Ling Shuang's eyes were red and swollen. She lowered her head and said, "Fifth Young Master, the young lady told you this because she was afraid you would act impulsively afterward. You must remember what she said."

Holding the inkstone that Song Qinghan had given him, Song Mo's eyes blazed with anger: "When Han'er was pushed into the water, Fourth Brother just stood by and watched?"

Ling Shuang dared not speak ill of Song Wen, and quickly shook her head: "Fourth Young Master immediately sent people to rescue them, it wasn't..."

"They only think of calling for a wet nurse when the child is starving to death, but they only realize they need to save someone after they've been pushed off the cliff!" Song Mo roared. "If he had dealt with the culprit sooner, Han'er wouldn't have been pushed off the cliff!"

Song Qinghan told him that it was her fault for being careless.

Song Qinghan had walked the road to and from Taxue Hall countless times; she could walk it with her eyes closed and never make a mistake.

Everything was fine before Si Niannian came back.

How come Song Qinghan made a mistake the moment she came back?!

Ling Shuang's tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, "But the eldest young lady said..."

"What young lady?"

Song Mo said angrily, "The Song family only has one daughter, Han'er!"

Ling Shuang sullenly dared not speak. Song Mo glanced back at the direction of Qinghan Courtyard, then strode towards Jiuyou Hall.

Ling Shuang said in a panic, "Fifth Young Master? Fifth Young Master, where are you going? The Master and Madam both instructed that you must not..."

"It's none of their business!"

Song Mo shoved the things in his hand to the servant, angrily saying, "They won't stand up for Han'er, I'll go!"

He must make Si Niannian give Han'er an explanation today!