Jiang Yun

Jiang Yun was ill.

He was seriously ill.

The first time it happened was when he was five, at his grandmother's funeral.

He saw his grandmother, who should have been lying in the coffin, sitting in a corner of the funeral, looking at her loved ones with reluctance, unwilling to leave.

But Grandma still disappeared. That was the last time he saw her.

He told his parents and elders about it.

Everyone said he was sick.

Later, he saw more and more various kinds of 'people', and he realized that he was very ill, and was sent to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.

The doctors at the psychiatric hospital were friendly and kind.

It was just that when the electricity was turned up too high, he couldn't stand the pain.

As long as he said he wasn't sick, he would get shocked.

His parents visited him often for the first two years, but less frequently after his younger brother was born.

Later, a group of Daoists came. They claimed to be born able to see ghosts and gods, and were geniuses in cultivating Daoist Arts. They forcibly took him from the psychiatric hospital, injuring several doctors in the process.

The doctors cursed them as lunatics, but dared not stop them.

It seemed that even they were afraid of real lunatics.

After being taken away by the Daoists, Jiang Yun learned many Daoist Arts.

The Daoists were very happy, saying he had extraordinary talent and could become the youngest Celestial Master.

Finally, at the age of twenty-three, he became a Celestial Master and put on the purple robe.

When everyone thought he had a bright future, he died.

Not at the hands of Demons and Monsters, but while crossing the road, he encountered a Mud Truck running a red light. The Mud Truck was going very fast...

In the city of Nanzhou Prefecture in early winter, a thin layer of snow had already covered the eaves of the houses.

Inside an old courtyard in the city.

"Uncle Wu, my brother is a scholar. When our parents were alive, they never wanted him to do manual labor."

"Please don't come here anymore."

A girl in coarse cloth, about sixteen years old, stood at the courtyard gate, blocking a middle-aged man who was trying to enter.

The girl's face was sallow, clearly malnourished. It was already winter, but she was dressed thinly.

The middle-aged man, called Uncle Wu, dressed as a businessman, put on a stern face and glared at the girl: "A scholar?"

"Relying on you, a woman, to do mending and washing outside, can you really support him to become the top scholar?"

"Jiang Yun is still just a Tong Sheng, he hasn't even passed the Xiucai exam."

"I'm afraid that before he can even become a Xiucai, you two siblings will starve to death."

Jiang Yun lay inside the house, thinking about two things.

First, that Mud Truck was really fast.

Second, it looked like he had transmigrated and possessed a new body?

He could hear the conversation outside.

He didn't know much about this world.

He only knew that the original owner's parents had died early, and he had lived with his sister, Jiang Qiaoqiao, since he was young.

Every day, he just read books at home.

The burden of supporting the family fell entirely on the young sister, Jiang Qiaoqiao.

Jiang Qiaoqiao went out early and returned late every day, mending and washing for others, earning just enough copper coins to survive.

The original owner, however, disliked that Jiang Qiaoqiao earned too little, preventing him from buying the latest book annotations.

He even believed that this was the reason he couldn't pass the Xiucai exam.

When talking with other scholars, he couldn't help but sigh, saying that if his family were wealthy, he would have achieved official career long ago.

Later, he even planned in his heart to marry off this younger sister to earn money that would allow him to achieve official career.

Fortunately, this scoundrel hadn't had time to implement it. A few days ago, when he went out drinking and having fun with other Tong Shengs, he accidentally fell into the river, caught a cold, and died.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yun looked out the window at the middle-aged man talking with Jiang Qiaoqiao.

He had an impression of him.

In his memory, he seemed to be called Wu Chenhu. He was an old friend of his father and had visited several times. The previous times, he had found some work and wanted Jiang Yun to earn money.

But the original owner refused several times, claiming he was a scholar, his four limbs were not diligent, and he didn't know the difference between the five grains.

And that going out to work would definitely affect his chances of achieving official career.

"I knew your parents for many years. Do you think I'm worried about that scoundrel Jiang Yun? I'm worried about you, girl. You're working so hard at such a young age, it's not worth it," Wu Chenhu said with indignation. "I heard that Jiang Yun has been going out drinking and having fun with people many times recently, and he even insisted on paying the bill."

Jiang Qiaoqiao quickly explained, "Brother once told me that it's normal for scholars to spend money when exchanging literary ideas."

Pausing at this point, Jiang Qiaoqiao gritted her teeth slightly. "I'll find a way to earn it."

"Earn it?" Wu Chenhu said with some distress, "He owes over twenty taels of silver outside. Do you know that?"

"And he owes it to Peng San and his thugs. If the money isn't repaid, Jiang Yun will be buried alive by them."

"Ah." Hearing the amount, Jiang Qiaoqiao was stunned into silence.

She truly hadn't expected drinking would cost so much.

After working tirelessly all day, she only earned a few copper coins.

Occasionally, she'd get a bit more when wealthy families nearby, knowing her situation, specifically left more clothes for her to wash.

To put it in perspective, a dou of rice cost five wen. Usually, one tael of silver was equivalent to a thousand wen, enough to buy two hundred dou of rice.

One tael of silver was not easily saved by the two siblings.

Let alone twenty taels of silver.

Hearing this from within the house, Jiang Yun couldn't help but curse the original owner as a bastard.

Having inherited some of this fellow's memories, he knew clearly that this guy was absolutely no scholar.

He just found an excuse not to work.

It was pitiful for Jiang Qiaoqiao, who genuinely believed Jiang Yun was diligently studying every day, aspiring to achieve official career.

For this, she was willing to endure any hardship.

In the courtyard, Jiang Qiaoqiao felt terrified at that moment. Peng San and his gang of thugs were not to be trifled with.

She anxiously asked, "Uncle Wu, do you know any families that need a maid? Or perhaps, you could send me off to be one?"

"I'm very capable. I can do laundry, cook, and sew clothes. Everyone nearby knows this."

As she spoke, Jiang Qiaoqiao quickly held up her hands.

A sixteen-year-old girl's hands should be fair-skinned, but hers were already calloused, with many small wounds from accidentally pricking herself with a needle while sewing clothes.

"You silly girl, what household would pay over twenty taels of silver for a maid?"

"I didn't come here to find him work."

"Master Huang's family outside the city has taken a liking to Jiang Yun, recognizing his status as a scholar."

"They want to take him as their son-in-law."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qiaoqiao still wanted to refuse, "Uncle Wu, before our parents passed away, their dying wish was for my brother to achieve official career."

"How can he become a live-in son-in-law?"

Wu Chenhu said, "The Huang Manor is offering forty taels of silver."

"As for the debt your brother owes, if it's not repaid..."

"He'll lose his life, let alone achieve official career?"

"Moreover, that Miss Huang is graceful and beautiful, and her family is wealthy with land..."

"Uncle Wu, I'll go."

Jiang Yun's voice rang out from inside the house.

The door creaked open, and Jiang Yun walked out weakly.

Seeing Jiang Yun agree, Wu Chenhu's face finally lit up with joy. He eagerly took a bag of silver from his embrace and handed it to Jiang Yun. "This twenty taels of silver is the deposit."

"The remaining twenty taels will be given to your sister after you've married into the family."

"They'll come to pick up the bride tomorrow evening."

After giving his instructions, Wu Chenhu left in a hurry, fearing Jiang Yun might change his mind.

"Brother." Jiang Qiaoqiao looked worried and tried to persuade him again, "After I finish washing clothes, I can go out of the city to chop some firewood to sell."

"Also, Miss Wu likes me and has asked me to be her maid several times."

"If I go ask Miss Wu, she might be willing to lend us some money."

Jiang Yun, however, said, "Qiaoqiao, go to Butcher Hu's and get a piece of meat. I want to eat meat."

Looking at Jiang Qiaoqiao, who was full of concern for him, Jiang Yun, who hadn't known the warmth of family for a long time, felt a flicker of warmth in his heart.

As for this world, he would take it as it came. The immediate priority was to repay that debt and avoid further trouble.

Becoming a live-in son-in-law wasn't bad, but he wondered what the Miss Huang looked like.

The next evening, Jiang Yun tidied himself up and changed into a clean scholar's white robe.

After all, the other party admired his scholarly status.

Soon, Wu Chenhu arrived, accompanied by a black sedan chair and four sedan chair bearers.

"Qiaoqiao, once I'm settled over there, I'll find a way to bring you over."

"If you need anything, just come find me."

After giving his instructions, Jiang Yun stepped forward and asked strangely, "Uncle Wu, is this all the people attending the Huang Manor's welcoming of a son-in-law?"

Wu Chenhu chuckled and said in a low voice, "They're just doing it to save your family's face."

"After all, becoming a live-in son-in-law isn't exactly an honorable thing. Making a big fuss about it would mean too many people know, and that's not good."

"Alright, get in the sedan chair. Don't be late."

Jiang Yun nodded and got into the sedan chair.

Marrying in the evening, that must be a custom in this world.

He didn't think much of it; after all, in his past life, many places, like Guizhou, also had a tradition of welcoming the bride in the evening.

Riding in the sedan chair wasn't as comfortable as he'd imagined.

It swayed so much that if he sat in it any longer, his bones might shake apart.

After leaving the city, they traveled for about an hour when Wu Chenhu's voice came from outside, "We're almost there."

Finally, they had arrived.

Jiang Yun looked outside. They were already far out of the city, traveling on a country road.

In the distance, he could vaguely see a grand-looking estate.

On either side of the main gate, white lanterns were hung, and a plaque above them read "Huang Manor."

Soon, the gate was opened, and a tall, thin old man emerged from the Huang Manor, wearing a black long gown and a hat.

"Boss Wu, you've delivered him right on time."

Wu Chenhu's face was grim as he cupped his fists and said, "Steward Huang, I've delivered the person. I'll take my leave now."

After speaking, Wu Chenhu gave the Huang Manor a strange look and left in a hurry.

The tall, thin old man, addressed as Steward Huang, lifted the sedan chair's curtain, glanced at Jiang Yun, nodded slightly, and said coldly, "Take the son-in-law to bathe."

The sedan chair swayed as it entered the courtyard.

It was a large courtyard with three entrances and three courtyards.

White lanterns were hung everywhere within the courtyard, and the flickering candlelight made the scene appear exceptionally eerie.

Jiang Yun felt strange and asked the steward outside, "Steward Huang, why are there white lanterns hanging on such a joyous occasion?"

Could it be a custom in their world?

Steward Huang gave Jiang Yun a smile that didn't reach his eyes and said indifferently, "The son-in-law will know soon enough."

Soon, Jiang Yun saw that many tables were set up in the courtyard, and steaming hot food and wine had been served.

Jiang Yun looked through the sedan chair's curtain and saw many guests seated around the tables, eating and drinking with great enthusiasm. However, none of these people had any color in their faces.

Jiang Yun bit his right middle finger, smeared the blood on his forehead, and opened his eyes again.

These were no guests at all, but rather Paper Figures made of white paper, seated at the banquet, looking incredibly eerie.

Soon, he was led to the entrance of a room.

Jiang Yun understood that this place was strange and he needed to find a way to escape. He made an excuse, "Steward Huang, I need to pee. Where's the outhouse?"

Steward Huang: "Bring the son-in-law a chamber pot."

Jiang Yun's eyes darted around as he tried to find another excuse, but Steward Huang grew impatient and said to four porters, "Help the son-in-law undress."

These four sedan chair bearers were strong. The original body had just recovered from a serious illness, and this body couldn't resist at all.

The men quickly stripped Jiang Yun of his clothes, leaving him with only his underwear, and made him jump into the bathtub.

Then, Steward Huang walked over with many bags.

"Old rules. In the bathtub, add dried ginger, dried tangerine peel, cardamom, star anise, and saffron."

Jiang Yun frowned slightly. This concoction didn't sound like something for a bath at all.

After adding these ingredients, the bathwater gave off a fragrant aroma.

Steward Huang's face held a strange, leering smile as he said, "Soak for a while longer, let it marinate until it's flavorful, or the young lady won't like it."

A new book is here, everyone remember to collect it. If you have any votes, please give them, thank you very much.