Chapter 49: A Strange Dream

The more Chen Yueru thought about it, the more a chill crept down her spine. She had never believed in tales of ghosts or spirits, but what had occurred the previous night seemed to force her into reconsidering. No, she simply had to send someone to invite a true, enlightened monk to come and perform a proper exorcism. If Shen Nianqing’s soul truly still lingered in this world, she would make sure that monk shattered it so completely that there would be nothing left. Even if annihilation proved impossible, the soul must at least be shackled, preventing it from ever entering the cycle of rebirth.

A ruthless glint flickered in Chen Yueru’s eyes as she schemed in silence. Just then, Tan Qingjiu spoke up. “But last night, I had a rather strange dream.”

Chen Yueru’s head snapped up. “A strange dream?”

“Yes,” Tan Qingjiu nodded, letting out a faint sigh. “I dreamed of my mother, gone so many years now. I saw her as a ghost, coming to speak to me. She told me she died a terrible death, that she had been murdered, and that she was going to take revenge.”

Chen Yueru’s hand trembled violently, sending her teacup toppling and scalding her hand with tea. She hastily withdrew her hand, forgetting everything else in her urgency. “You dreamed of your mother?”

“I did,” Tan Qingjiu replied, “She said she was going to seek revenge. But I haven’t seen my mother in so long, so in the dream I kept following her, asking where she was going, begging her to turn around and look at me. I called out to her, told her I was her daughter, but no matter what I did, she refused to pay me any heed.”

Chen Yueru clenched her teeth, suddenly recalling what she had seen through the window when it was flung open the previous night. Her hand shook again, but she forced herself to keep calm and not give anything away in front of Tan Qingjiu.

“Madam, let me wipe your hand,” the old maid hurried forward, dabbing Chen Yueru’s hand dry.

Chen Yueru drew a deep breath. “Your mother has been gone for so many years. Even if she did become a ghost, she should have moved on by now. For her to appear in your dream now is no good omen. There have been too many strange happenings in the manor of late. Perhaps it is time to call for someone with true spiritual power to investigate.”

Tan Qingjiu blinked innocently. “Madam Tan, do you believe in such things?”

Chen Yueru bit her lip. “I don’t, but this concerns the Tan family. We cannot afford to be careless. I’ll speak to the master about it shortly.”

Tan Qingjiu looked at Chen Yueru timidly. “But even if there is a ghost, it’s my mother. Why would she ever harm anyone?”

Annoyance bubbled in Chen Yueru’s chest. Precisely because the ghost was her mother, she had to find a way to deal with it.

After all, the death of Shen Nianqing…

Chen Yueru inhaled deeply. “If it truly is your mother, all the more reason to have someone look into it. She’s been dead so many years—by rights, she should have entered the next life long ago. For her to remain in this world isn’t good for her either.”

“Alright then,” Tan Qingjiu sighed. “I suppose that makes sense.”

Tan Qingjiu raised her eyes carelessly and looked at Chen Yueru. “But Madam Tan, you have a bluish tinge on your face, and pallor between your brows—you must have been frightened, haven’t you?”

“Is it because of those two corpses you saw yesterday?”

“Yes, yes,” Chen Yueru pressed her fingers to her brow. “I’m not feeling well. You’ve already asked after me and seen me; you may go now.”

“Very well, Madam Tan. Rest well.”

Perhaps because of these hauntings, Chen Yueru did not bother Tan Qingjiu again after that day. Tan Qingjiu was happy for the peace—she saw three patients each day, then rested in her courtyard.

Three days later, late at night, Tan Qingjiu had not yet retired when she heard faint noises outside her window. She raised an eyebrow and stood up, just as the window swung open and two identical faces peered inside.

“Mother!”

“Mother!”

Tan Qingjiu hurried forward. “What are you two doing here?”

Xingqi and Xingyou climbed in through the window. Xingyou patted his chest. “Heh, no one saw us.”

“Mother, we heard from our eldest brother that the day after tomorrow is his grandmother’s birthday. We figured you must already know and wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip by, so we came to ask—are you planning to attend the Consort of Prince Ding’s birthday banquet?”

Tan Qingjiu couldn’t help but laugh at Xingyou’s words. “You know me well.”

“Of course!” Xingyou and Xingqi settled by the table, swinging their little feet. “This courtyard’s not bad, not too small.”

Tan Qingjiu chuckled softly. “Mm.” She took a closer look at the two children—she hadn’t seen them for several days. The smaller one seemed… a little plumper?

She narrowed her eyes. “Tan Xingyou, have you been sneaking food again? Not practicing your exercises properly?”

“…Mother, how did you know?” Xingyou blurted, then realized he had just confessed and quickly clapped his hands over his mouth, shaking his head in panic.

Tan Qingjiu snorted. “If I find you any fatter next time, you’ll be in trouble.”

After her threat, she asked, “You said it was your eldest brother who told you about the Consort’s birthday banquet in two days?”

“Yes,” Xingyou lowered his hands, already forgetting his slip, and began to preen. “Mother, don’t you know who I am? I’m so clever and adorable—who wouldn’t love me? Of course eldest brother likes me! Even though my brother and I have only just started at the academy, he already treats us as confidants. He even invited us to his grandmother’s banquet two days from now.”

Xingyou sidled up to Tan Qingjiu. “So, Mother, are you going?”

Tan Qingjiu laughed, reaching out to ruffle Xingyou’s hair. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

Xingyou’s eyes sparkled. “If you’re going, does that mean there’ll be a good show at Prince Ding’s manor the day after tomorrow?”

“All you care about is mischief,” Tan Qingjiu huffed. “You can go, but you must pretend you don’t know me, so nothing comes back on you.”

“We know, Mother—don’t worry, we’re experts at that.”

“…”

Xingyou insisted on staying the night, so Tan Qingjiu had a bed made up in the side room for the two children.

At dawn, Qingdai quietly escorted Xingqi and Xingyou out. Once they were gone, Tan Qingjiu took her breakfast and was about to go to the front hall to see her patients when Zisu hurried in.

“Miss, the master has sent for you. The eminent monk he invited has already arrived, and all the household’s masters are to gather in the main hall.”