Chapter 7

Chapter 6: Changming Town 6

Shi Zong glanced at Zuo Sanqiu and nodded. “Mm, after it’s done, recite a line of poetry in the courtyard. If I hear it, I’ll know you’ve succeeded.

“Also, after escaping the Zhang residence tonight, we’ll meet at the Four-Leaf Clover River where we were this afternoon.”

“Got it. Just a signal then. But what poem should I recite?”

“Anything. The moonlight is beautiful tonight. Recite something about the moon so it won’t seem out of place.”

Zuo Sanqiu turned his head, saw Elder Gong looking over, and dared not delay any longer. He put on a lovesick expression, happily took Jiang Wan’er’s bellyband, held it to his nose as if smelling it.

Regarding something so private for a girl, in front of everyone, Elder Gong, mindful of his own reputation and dignity, didn’t dare look too closely.

So Zuo Sanqiu properly placed it over his chest and left openly.

A moment later, at the northern garden swing,

Zuo Sanqiu found the package Shi Zong had hidden in the bushes behind the swing.

He had no idea when Shi Zong had stolen the herbs or when he had hidden the package.

Shi Zong hadn’t said a word the whole way, seemingly guarding against him, only speaking once he realized he needed Zuo Sanqiu’s help.

Thinking of this, Zuo Sanqiu was a little angry, almost unwilling to help.

But then he remembered that Shi Zong might have been injured before—cleaning the inn, moving tables, even carrying trays—all very strenuous for him.

Yet Shi Zong never complained, always smiling gently, letting them come and go as they pleased.

He was a bit closer to Wu Gou anyway.

After all, that kid could handle things, helping clean every day…

So helping Wu Gou was fine; he hadn’t done anything to Zuo Sanqiu personally.

Yes, I am magnanimous—he’s forgiven!

Moreover… I really don’t dare marry either.

Thinking this, Zuo Sanqiu, seeing no one around, quickly picked up the package, hid it in his wide robe, and hurried back to his room.

Once inside, he followed the prescription exactly, placing the herbs one by one into a celadon bowl.

He had worried he wouldn’t recognize the herbs, but all the required items ended with words like “petal,” “leaf,” “tear,” with no repeats, so they were easy to identify.

Thus, Zuo Sanqiu successfully mixed all the herbs, added several strands of Jiang Wan’er’s hair, and finally recited the spell—

“Bound by hair, this life we honor, in life and death together.”

Under the spell, the herbs instantly merged into half a bowl of colorless, tasteless liquid.

He made three doses, poured them into three porcelain bottles, hid them in his pocket, and left, thinking about how to get Elder Gong to take the medicine.

Shortly after leaving, Zuo Sanqiu ran into his mother.

Seeing him, Madam Zhang looked somewhat tense. “I heard you took Jiang Wan’er to the garden?”

Zuo Sanqiu immediately replied, “Yes. Mother, don’t blame me. I miss her too much.”

Her son acted this way due to the love spell.

Madam Zhang wasn’t too surprised, just asked, “Did Elder Gong find you?”

Zuo Sanqiu: “Yes.”

“Was… was he angry?” Madam Zhang’s expression grew even tenser.

It seemed everyone in the Zhang family, from matriarchs to servants, feared Elder Gong.

Zuo Sanqiu calculated his next move, his mind tense, palms sweaty.

Soon inspiration struck. “Elder Gong is indeed a little angry. Mother, this morning when I received the guests, I saw the Wang family brought something called ‘Millennium Nectar,’ said to extend life. Shall we give it to Elder Gong together? I’ll personally apologize to him!”

Madam Zhang nodded. “Good. That shows you’re sensible. I’ll give it to him personally.”

Inside the room, Shi Zong sat quietly in front of a mirror.

The reflection was similar to him, but with softer features.

People had often complimented him on his looks, but now, looking at his reflection, there was annoyance and disgust in his eyes.

He seemed to hate his own appearance.

After a short wait, he heard a voice from the courtyard—

“Before my bed, the moonlight glows,

I suspect it’s frost upon the ground.

I lift my head to view the moon,

Then lower it, thinking of my hometown.”

It was Zuo Sanqiu—or rather, Zhang Ye—speaking.

Shi Zong: “……”

—The only moon-related poem he could think of?

But it seemed to have worked.

Next was to see if the love spell would work on Elder Gong.

Rising, he approached the window and opened it again.

“Zhang Lang.” He called softly, seeing Zuo Sanqiu looking over.

Also in that glance was Elder Gong.

The moonlight glimmered, falling like frost.

Through the window, Jiang Wan’er looked at Elder Gong.

At the moment their eyes met, Elder Gong’s expression suddenly changed.

“Oh, I don’t know why that brother would fall in love with me. I just glanced at him when I passed by…”

This was Jiang Wan’er’s usual words.

She never knew that the “brothers” loved her because of the love spell.

At this moment, Elder Gong was the same.

Unaware, he thought that their encounter was fate itself, a rare and perfect moment.

Unable to resist, Elder Gong stepped toward Shi Zong, then realized something, looking at the Zhang mother and son. “I still have some things to explain to Miss Jiang; you two go rest first.”

“Alright. Thank you.” Madam Zhang smiled gratefully, bowed deeply to Elder Gong, and left with Zhang Ye.

Just before the wedding, Zhang Family Manor, Nanshan Banquet Hall.

Elder Gong sat at the head table, face solemn.

His mood was complex.

In his original plan, at midnight, once the wedding ended, his job was done, and Jiang Wan’er could die.

Who she died by didn’t matter; he just needed to guard her, ensure the wedding went as planned, and complete the related ceremony.

This was the purpose of his design, the goal of the three great families’ elaborate plan.

The Zhangs trusted him, the Lis trusted him, the Wangs trusted him… He had been paid and bore great responsibility, never moved by any so-called beauty.

He didn’t understand why things had turned out this way.

Shortly after the Zhang mother and son left, his reason and emotion had waged a fierce battle.

But when Jiang Wan’er turned to him and spoke, all his reason collapsed.

Finally, he agreed to take her away. They would elope together.

At midnight, the wedding officially began.

It was a traditional Chinese wedding.

The bride, in a veil and ornate dress, appeared on time, supported by the bridesmaids.

The groom, Zhang Ye, in ceremonial dress, stood on stage smiling, gazing lovingly at the bride, as if waiting for this day for a long time.

Just as he was about to take the bride’s hand, Madam Zhang appeared, interrupting him.

“No… the knot on the bride’s waist was tied by Ah Dai herself. She just told me it’s wrong…”

Madam Zhang muttered, frowned, and lifted the bride’s veil.

Beneath the veil was not Jiang Wan’er but Ah Hua, Elder Gong’s personal maid.

What’s going on?

Madam Zhang was shocked, looking at Elder Gong in confusion.

Elder Gong, flaring, said to Ah Hua, “How could it be you?! Where is Miss Jiang?!”

Ah Hua, following Elder Gong’s instructions, had to pretend ignorance. “I-I was forced by Miss Jiang. Mr. Gong, sorry!”

“Impossible! Don’t worry, I’ll get her back! She can’t escape anywhere!”

Elder Gong feigned anger and left.

Shortly after, Zuo Sanqiu, full of anger and sorrow, tearfully looked at his mother. “Wan’er… why, why would she…”

Madam Zhang clenched her fists, staring at the banquet hall doors, worry etched deeply, unable to comfort her son.

Zuo Sanqiu glanced at her and quickly ran out.

“Mother, I don’t believe Wan’er would leave me. I’ll go find her!!!”

1:15 a.m.

By the Four-Leaf Clover River.

Shi Zong was very pleased to see the message in his mind—

【Jiang Wan’er successfully escaped the wedding; [Storyline 2] activated】

It seemed Jiang Wan’er would no longer be the deceased in this case.

After meeting Elder Gong in the guest room, Shi Zong had subtly guided him to elope with him.

Under the effect of the love spell, Elder Gong became love-struck and agreed without much struggle. He had his personal maid Ah Hua impersonate Jiang Wan’er at the wedding.

To avoid suspicion, Elder Gong, as the officiant, had to participate in the wedding as usual.

Only when the truth was revealed would he leave the Zhang residence under the pretense of capturing Jiang Wan’er and take her away.

Thus, the only one leaving the Zhang residence early was Jiang Wan’er herself.

They agreed to meet at the central square of Changming Town.

But Shi Zong, of course, didn’t go to the central square to wait for Elder Gong; he came to this Four-Leaf Clover River to wait for Zuo Sanqiu.

1:30 a.m.

Zuo Sanqiu arrived, out of breath, and his first words were: “Are we defying fate?”

“Mm.” Shi Zong smiled at him, speaking very sincerely, “Thank you. It’s all thanks to you.”

Zuo Sanqiu, embarrassed by the praise, scratched his head and sat down. “Why meet here?”

“First, we’re not familiar with other places in this town; we only came here this afternoon. Second, this place is remote and rarely visited. Third…”

Shi Zong suddenly asked, “Do you know the language of the four-leaf clover?”

“No.” Zuo Sanqiu shook his head, curious. “What’s that?”

Shi Zong stood and walked to the riverbank. “Truth. Its flower language is truth.

“There’s a path on the other side of the river leading to the outside world. Ordinary people can’t cross without permission. Is that really the only reason?”

“Are there key secrets on the other side of the river?”

“Mm. I think so.”

The river shimmered and was shallow, only reaching a person’s knees.

Shi Zong took off his shoes, rolled up his robe, and waded across.

Zuo Sanqiu hesitated, but seeing Shi Zong, he squared his shoulders, gritted his teeth, and followed him.

At this point, they might as well see what secrets Changming Town hid on the other side.

Perhaps because the water was too cold, Zuo Sanqiu shivered all over after crossing, as if walking from the living world into the underworld.

By Shi Zong’s side, he noticed Shi Zong’s lips were also bluish from the cold. He stood pale by the graveyard, looking more like a female ghost.

Shi Zong examined the grave layout, then led Zuo Sanqiu to some bushes, telling him to crouch. “Hide here first. I’ll check the tombstone closely. When I tell you, then come out.”

Zuo Sanqiu: “Why?”

Shi Zong didn’t explain, walking straight to the graves.

Under the moonlight, rows of tombstones were neatly arranged, hard-lined, emanating a cold, eerie glow.

Shi Zong moved swiftly among them, stopping in front of one tombstone.

The soil beneath it was freshly turned.

The deceased had been buried there just hours ago.

On the tombstone hung the smiling face of Li Ershao.

This was the grave of Jiang Wan’er’s previous husband.

Shi Zong bent down to examine the tombstone up close.

Then his gaze fell to the soil beneath it.

Just as he was about to act, a faint, hoarse male voice sounded behind him.

“Wan’er, is that you?”

“You came to see me… I’m really so happy.”

“You came despite the taboo of crossing the river. You must really love me, right?”

“But I heard… you’re getting married again.”

Shi Zong turned and saw a man in an expensive suit with a red bow tie, handsome but with a deathly pale face, exuding a stench of decay.

【Identity: Player】

【Name: Li Guangtong】

【Identity: Second Young Master of the Li family, known as ‘Li Ershao,’ your third husband…】

“Wan’er.”

Li Ershao spoke in a hoarse, tender voice, “It’s too cold underground, will you stay with me?”

Author’s note:

Childhood: “No. Go away.”