The marriage was arranged in a whirlwind, with betrothal gifts that were astonishingly generous.
"Xiang Wan, I just remembered, there's a pastry shop in an alley on East Street. Their hibiscus cake and peach blossom pastry are quite delicious. After the banquet, could you go and buy some for me?"
After entertaining the Liao family during the day, a family banquet was held at the Hao residence that evening. Before leaving, Hao Yuchun gave Xiang Wan a few instructions. Xiang Wan nodded in agreement, but she knew very well that Hao Yuchun was going to make an example of her. She had endured for so long, but finally, she couldn't hold back any longer.
East Street was indeed a bustling alley, with various restaurants and shops clustered together. However, once night fell, no one passed by. This was because there was a brothel called Ruyi Tower on a nearby street, a restaurant by day and a place of pleasure for men by night, always catering only to acquaintances and never allowing anyone to stay overnight. Most people coming out of there had been drinking and were heading to the deserted alley to sober up. Most of the time, ordinary women, and even men, avoided passing through there after dark, fearing that someone might cause trouble while drunk. It wasn't uncommon for women to be raped and defiled there, but the officials, to save trouble, often chose to cover it up. Those who were outraged and went to report it to the authorities were beaten and mocked, with the officials saying that women out at night were just looking for a fling, and the government couldn't interfere.
In Hao Yuchun's previous life, she was defiled there. Now, taking advantage of Xiang Wan's ignorance of the situation there, she wants to send her there to repeat her previous fate.
She had a well-thought-out plan, but she was Xiang Wan, so how could she fall for it so easily?
"Miss, where did Lan'er go? We haven't seen her for days. If she were here, we could keep each other company."
Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've seen Lan'er. Thanks to Xiao Qi's report, I know that Lan'er was secretly knocked unconscious and thrown into a well to drown by Hao Xuan's men. Xiang Wan is bringing this up now simply to let Hao Yuchun know that Lan'er is probably dead, and whether he'll be afraid if a vengeful spirit appears in the middle of the night to claim her life.
Xiang Wan didn't know if Hao Yuchun's system had the ability to detect souls, but she wanted to try it and see what the system was all about.
"She's out running errands. Don't worry about her too much. Just buy what you need and come back as soon as possible."
Hao Yuchun quickly changed the subject, so Xiang Wan didn't ask any more questions and silently followed behind her to the main courtyard.
A group of people sat around a table, creating a lively scene. However, their expressions were all different, making the situation seem somewhat strange.
Hao Xuan was well-maintained, and his appearance was almost identical to Hao Zheng's, but with an added air of maturity and composure. In this era, it was fashionable for men to grow beards after the age of thirty, but he went against the grain and sat with Aunt Cui, looking more like mother and son.
From the moment Hao Yuchun entered the courtyard, Hao Xuan's gaze frequently fell upon her, and the deep meaning in his eyes was probably only understood by a handful of people.
Aunt Cui's face was somewhat stiff, and she forced a smile that looked utterly insincere. Hao Zheng's eyes darted around, looking left and right, but he dared not look Hao Yuchun in the eye, as if he were feeling guilty. Hao Lin and Granny Shi, on the other hand, remained calm. The other maids and servants all kept their heads down and did their work, not daring to inquire about their masters' affairs.
Hao Xuan and the others were eating and drinking at the table, while Xiang Wan stood beside Hao Yuchun serving her. Unexpectedly, someone secretly slipped a note into her hand.
Xiang Wan hesitated for a moment, then asked Hao Yuchun for leave, took the note and went to the side room. After checking that no one was around, she opened it and began to read.
"Don't worry, I'll help you!"
The seemingly random words startled Xiang Wan. She asked herself, during her time at the Hao residence, she had behaved herself and, apart from purchasing some necessities such as medicinal herbs and silver needles, had not revealed anything suspicious.
"Xiao Qi, is someone secretly watching me?"
At this point, asking the system is the most direct approach.
"This system is not entirely sure either."
Someone who can remain undetected by the system must be very well hidden. After a moment's thought, Xiang Wan recalled the figure Hao Zheng had seen the night he was drunk.
Silently crumpling the note, Xiang Wan looked around and, finding no one nearby, turned and returned to the main hall.
"Sir, drink less, it's bad for your health."
Aunt Cui offered a few words of advice to Hao Xuan, but her face showed no joy whatsoever.
The marriage of the Hao family's daughter should have been a joyous occasion, but apart from Hao Yuchun showing some joy, the rest of the family members were quietly either drinking or eating.
To be honest, although the Hao family mansion was very large, there were only a few people who were truly in charge; they all delegated their duties to their close associates. Before anyone knew it, Hao Lin had been invited to the table and was sitting next to Hao Xuan.
"Chun'er is engaged, and next should be Zheng'er. Ruliu, these days, hurry up and choose a wife. Zheng'er is growing up, and it's time to choose a proper wife to continue the Hao family line."
"yes."
When she talked about her biological son, Cui Ruliu's face regained some color.
The meal lasted for more than an hour. Most of the time, Hao Xuan did the talking, recounting Hao Yuchun's childhood exploits up to the present. The others were fine, just listening to the story and occasionally chiming in with a few words. Only Cui Ruliu was so engrossed in gripping her cup that it was almost cracked.
It was only after Granny Shi reminded him that it was time to rest that Hao Xuan snapped out of his daze and told everyone to leave.
Hao Yuchun strolled leisurely toward the Brocade Pavilion, urging Xiang Wan to go out and buy her something as she went.
Xiang Wan agreed and turned to leave without even bringing a lamp.
She didn't know if she could buy the snacks, but Hao Yuchun wouldn't get a good night's sleep tonight.
After leaving in front of everyone, Xiang Wan did not return. In the middle of the night, she climbed over the wall and entered Hao Yuchun's bedroom, where she lit the incense she had prepared beforehand.
The maid outside the door had already been put to sleep by her acupoints and was now fast asleep.
She draped a white sheet over herself, let her hair down, blew a cool breath on Hao Yuchun, then quickly turned around and stood by the window, waiting for her to wake up.
Moonlight streamed through the gauze window, revealing a figure standing motionless by the window, a cool breeze blowing in. Hao Yuchun, still half-asleep, jolted awake, looked up, and saw a dark shadow. She trembled with fear, screaming repeatedly.
"Give me back my life! Give me back my life!"
With the boost of her inner energy, Xiang Wan instantly jumped to Hao Yuchun's window and reached out to strangle her.
Hao Yuchun retreated repeatedly, closed his eyes, and shrank into the corner, muttering to himself, "This isn't real, it's not real, there are no ghosts, I didn't hurt anyone..."
"Give me back my life!"
Xiang Wan suddenly bent down, letting the purse from her sleeve fall to the foot of the bed, then jumped up and lay on the roof beam. In Hao Yuchun's eyes, she seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Ah~~
Hao Yuchun's screams continued, quickly waking up the people nearby. Xiang Wan swiftly extinguished the incense with a silver needle and took it away. Before leaving, she didn't forget to wake the maid who was guarding the door.
She climbed over the wall, changed into a maid's clothes, and then pounded on the back door.
Her clothes were disheveled, just like when she had escaped the clutches of evil.
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