Bai Wanqing's Master
At dawn, the streets of the ancient town were still shrouded in a thin layer of mist. Rainwater left shallow puddles on the bluestone slabs, reflecting the grayish-white sky. Lu Ye supported the injured Qi Chen, his steps slow and heavy. Qi Chen's left arm wound had been bandaged with a simple cloth, but blood still seeped out, dripping along the edge of the cloth and leaving a trail of dark red marks on the slabs.
"Can you hold on?" Lu Ye asked worriedly.
Qi Chen nodded slightly, his voice a little weak: "It's okay, this little injury... is nothing."
When they returned to the inn, the proprietress was just coming out of the kitchen with a basin of hot water. She was startled by Qi Chen's injuries and quickly put the basin down and took a bottle of aged medicinal wine from the counter. "This is what my old man made. It's for stopping bleeding and reducing inflammation. You guys use it first."
Lu Ye took the medicinal wine and carefully cleaned Qi Chen's wound. The moment the medicinal wine touched the wound, Qi Chen's body trembled slightly, but he just gritted his teeth and did not make a groan.
"What's wrong with you?" The proprietress couldn't help but ask, "Where did you go last night?"
Lu Ye hesitated for a moment and didn't answer. Seeing this, the proprietress tactfully stopped asking questions and just sighed, "The town has been a bit volatile lately. You young people should avoid going out at night."
After treating their wounds and having a quick breakfast, the two began to inquire about the whereabouts of Bai Wanqing's master. When the innkeeper heard they were looking for an old actor, she thought for a moment and said, "You might be talking about Mr. Song, who lives in the east end. He was a famous actor in his youth, but after the theater caught fire, he stopped performing. I heard he once had a very beautiful female apprentice."
Lu Ye and Qi Chen looked at each other and saw hope in each other's eyes.
"Could it be that Mr. Song's disciple is Bai Wanqing?" Lu Ye asked in a low voice.
Qi Chen nodded: "It's very likely. Let's go and take a look."
The two men arrived at the eastern end of the ancient town. The houses here were even more dilapidated than those elsewhere, the lime peeling off the walls, revealing the dark green bricks underneath. Mr. Song's home was in a narrow alley. A wooden sign hung on the doorway, with the three characters "Song Family Troupe" written in large, blurred ink.
Lu Ye knocked on the door, and a cough echoed from inside. After a long moment, the door creaked open a crack, and an old man with white hair poked his head out. His back was hunched, and his face was covered in wrinkles, but his eyes were bright, as if he could see through people's hearts.
"Who are you looking for?" the old man said in a hoarse voice.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Song?" Lu Ye asked politely, "We are here... to bring a message on behalf of your apprentice."
The old man's body stiffened noticeably, and a hint of vigilance flashed in his eyes: "I don't have an apprentice." After saying that, he was about to close the door.
Qi Chen stepped forward and blocked the door: "Mr. Song, we know you have a disciple named Bai Wanqing. She asked us to bring you a message."
The old man's hand paused on the doorknob for a long time before he slowly let it go. Tears flashed in his eyes, and his voice trembled: "She...she's still alive?"
Lu Ye shook his head and said in a low voice: "She is... gone. But she asked us to tell you that she doesn't blame you. She chose this path herself."
The old man's body trembled violently, as if struck by lightning. He staggered back a few steps and fell on the threshold, covering his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking violently.
"Wanqing...my Wanqing..." the old man choked with sobs, "I harmed her...I failed to protect her..."
Lu Ye and Qi Chen stood quietly at the door, not disturbing him. After a long time, the old man's emotions gradually calmed down. He wiped his tears, stood up, and opened the door: "Come in."
The room was simple, with a wooden table, a few chairs, and a few yellowed stills from theatrical productions hanging on the wall. One of them was a photo of a young woman in a white costume, with a pretty face and a hint of melancholy in her eyes—it was Bai Wanqing.
"She was my most proud disciple," the old man said softly, "and she was also the one I killed."
Lu Ye and Qi Chen sat at the table, quietly listening to the old man telling the story of the dusty past.
"That year, Wanqing had just turned eighteen and was already a mainstay at the theater. Her senior brother was jealous of her talent and constantly made things difficult for her. I knew this, but I didn't stop him because I was afraid of offending him. On the seventh day of the seventh month, the troupe owner's birthday, the theater was decorated with lights and colorful banners. I was feeling unwell and went home early. The next day, I learned that the theater had caught fire, and Wanqing and over a hundred audience members had perished in the flames..."
The old man choked up and couldn't speak when he said this. He took out a small wooden box from the drawer and opened it. Inside was a silver hairpin with a plum blossom carved on the head, exactly the same as the one Lu Ye found backstage at the theater.
"This belonged to Wanqing," the old man said softly. "I found it in the ruins of the theater after she died. I've kept it and take it out to look at it whenever I miss her."
Lu Ye and Qi Chen looked at each other and saw shock in each other's eyes - this meant that the silver hairpin backstage at the theater did not belong to Bai Wanqing, but to someone else!
"Mr. Song," Qi Chen asked softly, "After Wanqing left you, do you have any other relatives?"
The old man thought for a moment and shook his head: "She is an orphan. I adopted her since she was young. Apart from me, she has no other relatives."
"Whose silver hairpin is that backstage at the theater?" Lu Ye couldn't help but ask.
The old man was stunned for a moment: "What silver hairpin?"
Lu Ye told the old man about how he had found the silver hairpin backstage at the theater. The old man's face changed drastically after hearing this: "That's... Xiaoyun's! She was Wanqing's senior sister and also my apprentice. She also disappeared after the fire..."
"Xiao Yun?" Qi Chen frowned. "Can you tell us more about her?"
The old man nodded, a complicated look flashing in his eyes. "Xiaoyun is two years older than Wanqing and is also an orphan. She has a beautiful voice, but she has evil intentions and is very jealous. She always thought Wanqing took her place and often spoke ill of Wanqing behind her back. After the fire, she disappeared. Some said she was dead, while others said she eloped..."
Lu Ye and Qi Chen looked at each other and saw a terrible guess in each other's eyes - Xiaoyun might have also died in the fire, and her wronged soul is still trapped in the theater!
"Mr. Song," Qi Chen said softly, "We need your help. There may be another wronged soul in the theater, and her obsession may be related to Wanqing. We need to know more about Xiaoyun."
The old man hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay. I will do my best to help you. Wanqing was a good child, she didn't deserve to die so unjustly."
At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door, the rhythm was rapid and strange. Lu Ye and Qi Chen looked at each other, and saw vigilance in each other's eyes.
"Who?" The old man got up and opened the door.
As the door opened, a gust of cold wind rushed in, rustling the photos on the table. A blurry figure stood outside, dressed in a pink costume, her long hair flowing, covering half her face. In her hand, she held a silver hairpin—exactly the same one Lu Ye had found backstage at the theater!
"Master..." the figure said softly, the voice seemed to come from far away, "I... I'm so cold..."
The old man's body trembled violently, and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes: "Xiao Yun?"
The figure didn't answer, but slowly raised her head, revealing a pale face and eyes as black as ink, without any whites. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, revealing a strange smile: "Master, Wanqing is down there... very lonely... I'm here... to pick you up..."
As soon as he finished speaking, a gust of cold wind rushed in, the oil lamp in the room went out instantly, and a shrill scream was heard in the darkness...
In the darkness, that shrill scream pierced through her eardrums and into her brain like a rusty knife. Lu Ye instinctively grabbed Qi Chen's hand, his palms wet with sweat. The next second, the window paper ripped apart with a rustling sound, and moonlight slanted in, illuminating the pink shadow at the doorway. She still kept her head held high, the smile growing wider and wider, almost reaching her ears.
"Master... don't you remember me?" Her voice was light and airy, as if coming from a deep well. "I am Xiaoyun... the disciple you have always ignored..."
Mr. Song felt like he was nailed to the ground, his lips trembling, but he couldn't make a sound. His eyes were fixed on the silver hairpin in Xiaoyun's hand, as if he was seized by some memory.
Qi Chen quietly stood before Lu Ye, twirling the Soul-Calming Bell between his fingers. A soft ding sounded, as if testing him. The pink figure's shoulders stiffened noticeably, and her smile faltered, only to reappear. "A spirit master? Haha... No wonder Wanqing was able to seek revenge..."
"Why are you here?" Qi Chen's voice was calm. "What is your obsession?"
Xiaoyun tilted her head, as if deep in thought. Her eyes shone a faint blue light in the moonlight, like two pools of deep water. "Obsession..." She smiled softly. "I want Master to see me perform a play, a play that belongs only to me. Wanqing always takes the finale... I want to be the protagonist for once..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the walls of the room suddenly cracked and crackled, a dark red light seeping from the cracks, as if a fire was burning behind the walls. Tables and chairs began to move on their own, forming a small stage. Stills from the play on the wall fell off one by one and flipped over to the back - the backs were not paper, but small mirrors, reflecting Xiaoyun's face, smiling exactly the same.
"Don't panic." Qi Chen whispered to Lu Ye, "She is using an illusion."
Lu Ye nodded, but found his feet were pinned to the ground, unable to move. Xiaoyun slowly walked to the center of the "stage," twirling the silver hairpin between her fingers before gently inserting it into her hair. Her pink costume shimmered wet in the moonlight, as if freshly pulled from the water.
"The first one—the apprenticeship ceremony." Her voice was like a monologue. "That year, I was ten years old. My master said I had talent. But after Wanqing came, everything changed..."
The images in the mirror began to move, replaying her memories like a revolving lantern—Xiaoyun practicing martial arts, her sweat soaking her jacket; Mr. Song standing to one side, his expression stern; Wanqing practicing water sleeves on the other side, her movements graceful, and the old man's eyes unconsciously softened. Xiaoyun paused, watching the scene, the light in her eyes gradually dimming.
"Second performance—my first time on stage." Xiaoyun continued, "I sang very well, but the audience only remembered Wanqing's name..."
In the mirror, Xiaoyun was singing on the stage, but the audience below were whispering to each other: "When will Bai Wanqing come out?" "Who is that Xiaoyun?" Xiaoyun's fingers were tightly clenching her sleeves, and her knuckles were white.
"The third act—July 7th." Xiaoyun's voice suddenly dropped. "It's the owner's birthday, and Wanqing is the finale... I... am just a supporting role..."
The image in the mirror suddenly became distorted. Flames shot up from backstage. The audience was in chaos. The doors were locked and people were struggling in the fire. Xiaoyun stood backstage, watching Wanqing being stopped by her senior brother, a strange smile on her face.
"You..." Lu Ye's voice trembled, "You know the door is locked?"
Xiaoyun slowly turned her head, a crazy light flashing in her eyes: "Of course I know. I also know that if Wanqing dies, I can become the protagonist...but..." Her voice suddenly became sharp, "The fire was too big, it burned me too! Why? Why am I going to die too?!"
The mirrors in the room shattered simultaneously, fragments flying like sharp blades. Qi Chen threw Lu Ye to the ground, shielding him with his body. The fragments slashed Qi Chen's back, leaving a trail of blood.
"Her obsession is to be the protagonist," Qi Chen whispered, "We must let her finish this play, and at the same time find her body and let her rest in peace."
"But her body might be in the ruins of the theater," Lu Ye said. "It's been so many years. How can we find it?"
Qi Chen looked at Mr. Song, who was huddled in a corner with a blank look in his eyes. "Mr. Song," Qi Chen said softly, "Do you know where Xiaoyun's body is?"
Old Master Song shuddered, as if awakening from a nightmare. He looked up, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "It was me...it was me who killed her. After the fire, I found her body backstage, still clutching this silver hairpin...I didn't dare tell anyone and buried her in the backyard of the theater...I was afraid people would say I was biased, that I hadn't taught my apprentice well..."
Xiaoyun's body trembled violently, and her expression twisted instantly: "You...why didn't you tell others? Why didn't you avenge me?!"
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Old Mr. Song burst into tears, "I was wrong... I'm sorry for you, and I'm sorry for Wanqing..."
A complex emotion flashed across Xiaoyun's eyes, but was quickly replaced by madness. "What's the point of saying this now?! I want you to watch me finish this scene! I want you to admit that I'm better than Wanqing!"
She suddenly raised her hand, and the silver hairpin flashed a cold light in the air, piercing Mr. Song! Qi Chen was quick-eyed and quick-handed, throwing the soul-calming bell into the air. The bell exploded and turned into a golden light, blocking the silver hairpin.
"Lu Ye!" Qi Chen shouted, "Use cinnabar!"
Lu Ye immediately pulled out his cinnabar and quickly drew a circle on the ground, protecting Mr. Song. Xiao Yun's attack was blocked by the cinnabar light. She roared and turned to pounce on Lu Ye. Qi Chen leaped from the ground and grabbed her wrist. Xiao Yun's skin was icy cold, as if she was holding a piece of ice.
"Xiao Yun," Qi Chen looked directly into her eyes, his voice calm and firm, "Your role is over. You are very talented, no one can deny that. But your obsession has made you what you are now. Let it go. Your body is in the backyard of the theater, and we will help you bury it properly."
Xiaoyun's body trembled violently, and a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes. At this moment, a burst of light applause suddenly rang out in the room. Lu Ye and Qi Chen turned around at the same time and saw a figure in a white costume standing at the door - Bai Wanqing!
"Senior Sister," Bai Wanqing's voice was gentle but firm, "You acted very well. But the protagonist doesn't have to be on the stage. The real protagonist is someone who can let go of their obsession and choose kindness."
Xiaoyun's body froze, and the madness in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by deep pain and regret. She slowly lowered her head, her voice choking with sobs: "I... I just want Master to see me..."
"I saw it," Old Master Song said with tears in his eyes. "You are one of my best disciples. I didn't see your efforts. It's my fault..."
Xiaoyun raised her head, looked at Bai Wanqing, then at Mr. Song, a flicker of relief in her eyes. Her body gradually became transparent, and her voice was as light as the wind: "Thank you... I can finally... let it go..."
Her figure transformed into a wisp of white smoke, drifting out the window and disappearing into the morning mist. The shards of mirror in the room simultaneously fell to the ground with a crisp sound, then turned into puddles of clear water and disappeared.
Lu Ye and Qi Chen both breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed on the ground. Mr. Song knelt on the ground, clasped his hands together, and kept repeating, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
After a long time, Mr. Song finally calmed down. He stood up, took out a small wooden box from the drawer, and handed it to Qi Chen: "This is Wanqing's silver hairpin. Please help me bury it with Xiaoyun's. They were both good children and didn't deserve to die so unjustly..."
Qi Chen took the wooden box and nodded solemnly: "We will."
By the time the two left Mr. Song's house, daylight had broken. The streets of the ancient town began to see pedestrians, the sounds of hawkers and footsteps interweaving, filling the air with life. But both Lu Ye and Qi Chen knew that beneath this tranquility lay countless hidden sorrows and obsessions, waiting for them to resolve.
"Next, we'll go back to the theater," Qi Chen said, "find Xiaoyun's remains and bury them together with Wanqing's. Then... we should leave the ancient town."
Lu Ye nodded: "Okay."
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