Chapter 3 He Ji? First Meeting with His Brothers-in-Law
Two paper-cut figures with the words "Come quickly" written on them were placed in a brazier, and two wisps of smoke rose straight up.
After finishing these tasks, Jiang Yuzhi closed the shop door and went upstairs to make patterns for two sets of funeral clothes.
As night fell, she rested in the rocking chair, just like yesterday.
The Black and White Impermanence arrived quickly, appearing out of thin air in the courtyard. After scanning the area, they spotted Jiang Yuzhi under a tree.
She was almost dozing off by now.
Xie Bi'an poked Jiang Yuzhi's face and leaned down to look at her.
"Xiao Zhi, wake up, let's get down to business."
Jiang Yuzhi groggily opened her eyes and saw a deathly pale face. She rubbed her eyes and sat up.
"Brother Xie, Brother Fan, it's been a long time!"
Fan Wujiu skillfully patted her head and then sat down on one of the only two rocking chairs in the courtyard.
"I told you not to come, but you insisted. Look at you, you're already exhausted and want to sleep after just a few days."
"The Underworld is too busy lately, so Judge Lu can't come for the time being. If you need to see him, please send a message in a few days."
Xie Bi'an kept muttering to himself while simultaneously pulling at Jiang Yuzhi's eyelids and observing her expression.
After the inspection, the requiem bell was removed and its sensations were sensed.
Xie Bi'an used his ghostly power to sense the object several times, seemingly uncertain, before handing it to Fan Wujiu for confirmation.
“You’re right, the power inside is indeed less. It seems that Xiao Zhi’s excessive sleep is also due to insufficient power.” Fan Wujiu took out a talisman from his sleeve, put it into the bell, and tied it to Jiang Yuzhi’s waist.
"Thank you, Brother Fan. I think I know why I lack power, but I didn't expect it to affect me." Jiang Yuzhi fiddled with the re-hung requiem bell, pondering how to organize her thoughts.
"The Emperor had already anticipated this. Even if you hadn't called us tonight, we would have come on our own in a couple of days. The talisman we just used is connected to the Emperor's power and will continuously replenish the power of the lost Sheji Tu (a type of ancient Chinese map), maintaining your normal life in the mortal realm."
It was rare for Fan Wujiu to speak so much at once, and he even took a sip of water to moisten his throat after he finished speaking.
"Since you foresaw this, why didn't the Emperor precede me when I left..."
The composed and calm Black Impermanence seemed to have a mouthful of water stuck in his throat, and looked for his partner as if seeking help. Xie Bi'an was pretending to be busy setting up a barrier for the courtyard and looking at the flowers and plants.
I finally understand why he was the one explaining things to Xiaozhi today.
The Emperor is proud and petty. If he finds out that he lost face in front of Xiaozhi, he will definitely retaliate by increasing his workload.
"Has the Emperor forgotten?"
Jiang Yuzhi was already used to it. Seeing that her brother Fan remained silent, she knew what kind of person the Emperor was.
"It's alright, that's not the point. We've already found the whereabouts of the Map of the State. After spending the last two days with that person, I'm certain that the Map of the State is on him, or somewhere in his house. The Soul-Soothing Bell has already told me that."
"Xiao Zhi is amazing, she found it so quickly."
After setting up the barrier and observing the flowers and plants, Xie Bi'an gave perfunctory praise, showing none of the seriousness he displayed when inspecting Jiang Yuzhi.
"So, could you come over tomorrow during the day? I'll tell Mingze that my elder brother will arrive tomorrow. He's skilled in medicine and can help him treat his illness."
Xie Bi'an: "Brother?"
Fan Wujiu: "Mingze?"
Both Black and White Impermanence raised questions at the same time.
"Ahem, of course, how could I, as the elder brother, refuse my sister's request! Am I the second brother or the eldest brother? And when did you and that kid become so familiar that you even call each other by our courtesy names?"
Xie Bi'an was both pleased and dissatisfied. He had long regarded Jiang Yuzhi as his younger sister, but whenever this young lady brought up the matter of recognizing a sworn brother, she would pretend to be mute, like a gourd with its mouth sawed off.
"Alright, then, Young Master Bai, you're the second brother and Brother Fan is the eldest. Don't leave tonight, so you don't have to make another trip tomorrow morning. I'll go back to my room to rest first. You two can find a room anywhere."
Perhaps due to the influence of the Great Emperor's power, Jiang Yuzhi's soul was adapting and was extremely troubled.
The Black and White Impermanence, left in the yard, stared at each other, bewildered. They already knew Xiao Zhi's personality and were a little unaccustomed to not seeing her for a few days.
The two ghosts went straight to the study, first assigning tasks for the next few days to the junior ghosts, and then using the free time to spend with their sister on vacation.
Bai Yan had bought breakfast early and was waiting in the cloth shop, glancing up every now and then to see if the funeral clothing shop across the street was open.
The street vendors' cries rose in a cacophony, and the shop door opened. But instead of a young woman, a man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe and with his hair tied up in a jade crown stepped out.
Bai Yan slowly stood up, staring intently at the man. Leaving A Zhao behind, she strode across the street with the breakfast in her arms, not forgetting to instruct, "Remember to bring lunch at noon, enough for five people."
The young lady has a good appetite, and her brother probably does too; send her more.
Ah Zhao couldn't understand why two people were eating a five-person portion.
Jiang Yuzhi was cutting fabric on the second floor, and Xie Bi'an was helping her by handing her a measuring tape, scissors, and sweeping the floor.
The requiem bell at her waist rang again, and Jiang Yuzhi knew that Bai Yan had arrived. She calmly covered the bell with a ghost-disguise and called Xie Bi'an to go down with her.
The group hurried to the backyard. Fan Wujiu, who was at the back, left behind a small paper doll that transformed into a simply dressed maid and stood behind the counter to watch the shop.
"Mingze, these are my eldest brother and second brother." After Jiang Yuzhi introduced the Black and White Impermanence, Bai Yanshang continued the conversation.
"Eldest brother, second brother, I am Bai Yan, courtesy name Mingze. My family owns a cloth shop. My mother is Princess Anping, and my father is a royal merchant. We are quite wealthy. This is the breakfast I brought for Yuzhi. I didn't know you two brothers had arrived so early. I'll have a servant bring some more."
The three ghosts on the other side were immediately stunned by this long speech.
Xie Bi'an: "It's alright, it's alright. My name is Jiang An, and my elder brother is Jiang Wu. Breakfast is on the table, Xiao Zhi, go and eat. We'll treat you first."
"Okay, thank you for your trouble, Brother Jiang." Bai Yan even took out the pastries from the food box for breakfast before sitting down and reaching out to take Xie Bi'an's pulse.
Jiang Yuzhi felt a strange sense of guilt for enslaving the patients.
She obediently sat down as Xie Bi'an arranged, thinking about what she could do to make it up to Bai Yan later.
Fan Wujiu stood behind Xie Bi'an, his pupils deepening imperceptibly, his gaze penetrating into Bai Yan's very soul.
The pure soul was covered with a layer of gray, and there was a gap in its heart that faintly revealed golden light.
What is this? A soul state never seen before, not even by the Black and White Impermanence.
The two ghosts remained silent, their brows furrowed in deep thought. Bai Yan had long known about his physical condition, but it had improved in the past two days. Could it be a final burst of energy before death?
"Second Brother Jiang, I... don't have much time left?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuzhi nearly choked on her pastry and nearly died again. She quickly drank some water. Bai Yan, who was about to pat her back, quietly put his hand down under the deep gazes of his brothers.
“Young Master Bai, you are overthinking it. Although your illness is rare, it is not incurable. Your congenital deficiency requires long-term conditioning. My elder brother and I will try to prescribe a course of treatment for you and see if it improves.” Xie Bi’an withdrew his hand that was pretending to feel your pulse, and wrote down a fake prescription in a pretentious manner. He also secretly set up a trick to prevent other doctors from having any doubts after seeing the prescription.
"Thank you, but this prescription needs to be reviewed by my mother before it can be used. I trust my brothers, and I usually make my own decisions about everything. My parents are also very open-minded, but they always have to be more concerned about my health."
"It's alright." Xie Bi'an didn't care whether anyone was watching or not; he was eager to share his discovery with Jiang Yuzhi.
Jiang Yuzhi's mind was filled with Bai Yan's nonsensical words. Why did he keep mentioning his parents today? Was he implying something?
"Xiao Zhi, come help your brother get the medicine. Your older brother can stay with Young Master Bai."
"Okay, Mingze, you can rest here for now. If you need anything, just tell my older brother. He's a very nice guy."
Jiang Yuzhi followed Xie Bi'an into the kitchen, leaving Fan Wujiu and Bai Yan sitting silently facing each other.
"Xiao Zhi, tell me honestly, what's your relationship with that kid?"
Once they reached the kitchen, Xie Bi'an quietly questioned him.
"We're just friends, and we also have a business relationship. I get my supplies from him." Jiang Yuzhi replied perfunctorily while sorting through the medicinal herbs that the Black and White Impermanence had sent overnight to cover their tracks.
"What did he mean by what he said today?" he kept asking, like an old farmer whose cabbages were about to be stolen.
"Alright, Xie Bi'an! Let's get down to business!" Jiang Yuzhi couldn't take it anymore, so she had to put on a stern face and call him by his full name.
“I’m your brother now! I didn’t find the Map of the State on him just now, but his soul is very strange. He’s not an evil person, but his soul is covered with a layer of gray, and there’s a crack in his chest that emits golden light. Xiaobai said it’s the golden light of merit. I guess the Map of the State may have merged with him.”
“Hmm… I actually think so too. The requiem bell keeps ringing whenever I get close to him, and I can’t find any other possible possessions on him.”
With the medicinal herbs already completely divided, Jiang Yuzhi began to collect the herbs according to the prescription.
Xie Bi'an: "Next, Xiao Hei and I will stay here with you for a few days and try to meet his family to see how he got this illness. Just in case he only has fragments in his body, and the Sheji Tu (a magical map) hasn't been integrated with him, what about his family..."
Jiang Yuzhi: "I know, Second Brother. You can't really cure diseases. His illness is just about him absorbing the energy from my bell every day. Your prescription is just a cover. His mother will definitely come to see. Quickly add some magic to this medicine, something that can fool her."
Xie Bi'an: "I know, I know. You little rascal, you're quite the smooth talker."
Jiang Yuzhi rolled her eyes. She had been working non-stop, but Xie Bi'an was just talking to her, tripping up the ghost without helping, and then turning around and accusing the ghost of ordering him around.
She quickly packed the medicinal herbs, turned around and left, ignoring Xie Bi'an behind her.
"Mingze, the medicine is ready and the prescription is here. Take it back and show it to your mother. If you have any questions, just come to us."
Bai Yan and Fan Wujiu both breathed a sigh of relief; they really didn't have much to talk about.
"Should we take him back now, or have lunch together? Rest a bit before we leave?" Jiang Yuzhi was still a little worried about yesterday's meal.
"Let's finish lunch. Ah Zhao will bring some over at noon, which will be perfect for entertaining the brothers."
"Okay, do you want to come upstairs with me to have your clothes cut?" Thinking about Bai Yan's body and the relationship with the Soul-Soothing Bell, Jiang Yuzhi hoped that he could stay with her.
"Is it alright? Will it be inconvenient? Brothers, Yuzhi and I will go to the second floor first." Bai Yan said uncertainly, but he had already followed Jiang Yuzhi away happily.
The Black and White Impermanence stood there for a while, one gritting his teeth and the other expressionless, before going to the study together to handle matters of the underworld.
The human and the ghost were still climbing the stairs, slowly ascending. Jiang Yuzhi, who was walking ahead, suddenly called out an unfamiliar name: "He Ji?"
"Um?"
A note from the author:
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