A Long-Held Wish (9) - A Secret Promise

This damn system...

Can't you explain all the rules at once?

Like squeezing toothpaste, it leaks out little by little.

"Looks like someone was going over a key plot point while we were chatting." Luo Liang tried to put his hands in his pockets, but realized he had none, so he awkwardly withdrew them. He said, "It definitely wasn't in this courtyard."

"Hmm." There are only a few key plot points that can be found so far. Yu Xing had already listed them out one, two, three, and four, but she didn't know which plot line had been dug up by someone else.

A quick plug for an app: A perfect replica of the old version of the popular book-tracking app with source switching capabilities.

Now, in the blink of an eye, Young Master Fang is dead.

It can be said that in the first half, the person who was most hostile to the character Xiao Jin has already given up. He doesn't have to worry about being targeted for no reason for the time being, which is a good thing.

After all, Young Master Fang's death was inevitable and unchangeable. Only after his death could the subsequent plot unfold, so there's nothing to regret about him.

Yu Xing opened the door a crack, and a white shadow floated overhead, casting its shadow on the ground, swaying back and forth, which was somewhat eerie.

He brushed aside the white cloth hanging on the porch and looked outside. He saw that all the houses had this hanging in front of them. The sky was dark, and these cloths swayed in the wind, like thin, ghostly shadows.

Two maids across the hall were supporting each other and weeping. They were dressed in white mourning clothes and looked haggard. They had probably just returned from the funeral hall, and there were still gray stains on their knees from kneeling.

He glanced at her, and before the maid could even notice him, Yu Xing immediately closed the door.

Luo Liang could see the general outline from behind. He scanned the room and then walked towards the wardrobe. "It's a good thing you didn't go straight out; if you had been seen, it would have been all over."

The wardrobe door was opened, revealing two neatly folded white mourning robes inside, slightly different in size, clearly prepared for Xiao Jin and A Gui.

The young master must have died recently, but everyone in the Fang Mansion had changed their clothes. If Yu Xing and the others hadn't changed their clothes and had been seen, they would definitely have aroused suspicion.

Forget about NPCs; evil spirits would immediately spot something amiss, thus fulfilling the conditions for killing.

The pitfalls in this deduction are really subtle...

Yu Xing took off his outer coat, took the larger one and put it on. He was familiar with the coat; he had worn this one during the first phase.

For a moment, it was as if time had turned back, and everything had returned to its original state.

After changing his clothes, he and Luo Liang went out to find out what was going on. Yu Xing estimated that during the time that had passed, Xiao Jin and Liu Xue's relationship should have progressed, so it would be safest for him to go to Mama Liang.

As for A Gui, played by Luo Liang, he doesn't know where to go for the time being, so let him come along.

Wherever they went, their cries echoed. Everyone was too busy grieving to pay attention to the two wandering around the mansion. Yu Xing, with a sorrowful expression, tried to blend into the atmosphere before asking around about Mama Liang's whereabouts.

The young girl, wiping away her tears, pointed to the master bedroom and said, "Madam... she fainted from excessive grief, and Mama Liang is taking care of her."

"Thank you." Luo Liang looked at Yu Xing a questioning look.

"Let's go and offer our condolences to Madam," Yu Xing said. "I've done a lot for Madam before, and now that she's fallen ill, it's my duty to visit her. Maybe Mama Liang will need our help."

Luo Liang nodded. "That's true. The master and the butler are busy dealing with the young master's affairs, and Doctor Cui... It's really difficult for just Mama Liang to take care of him. Let's go!"

Having convinced themselves, the two headed towards the lady's room.

The Master wasn't here; a maidservant was left outside. Yu Xing had seen her the night Doctor Cui died; she had stood behind the lady, her expression indifferent, as if it were none of her business.

Today was no different; the maid's expression was indifferent, showing neither grief for the young master's death nor concern for the lady's fainting.

Yu Xing calmly made a plan in his mind. He had long noticed that the lady's maids seemed to have a special status. They didn't need to change themselves to please others. The lady didn't scold them, and no one else found it strange.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the maid's face was very pale, somewhat sickly, her lips had lost their color, and her skin was no longer as bright as before, appearing dull and grayish.

Yu Xing didn't look any further. He asked, "How is Madam? Is Mama Liang inside?"

The maid glanced at him, moved aside, and opened the door.

"Madam said that if you come, you can come in." She glanced at Luo Liang and said coldly, "No one else is allowed."

Luo Liang: "..."

He obediently stepped back, mimicking A Gui's tone. "Xiao Jin, you go inside now, I'll wait for you outside! Be sure to take good care of Mama Liang!"

The maid's expression softened slightly.

Yu Xing thought for a moment and said, "Don't wait for me. Go see if you need any help, or find someone to chat with. You seem really bored."

Talking to someone is a subtle hint to Luo Liang to find teammates; he believes that anyone who can complete the Side Quest will understand.

As expected, Luo Liang had no objection and watched him enter the lady's room.

Inside the room, the lady was leaning against the bed, drinking bird's nest soup. Her face was radiant, her cheeks were rosy, and she didn't look like a woman who was overwhelmed with longing for her son.

Upon seeing him arrive, the lady smiled slightly but said nothing.

Mama Liang, on the other hand, was much more sincere and moved, quietly wiping away tears as she sat on a chair that had been moved there.

She was Young Master Fang's wet nurse, and had watched him grow up since he was a child, treating him like her own son.

As a result, despite continuous treatment and recuperation, the person still passed away.

"Young Master studied so hard, and he even said he wanted to get into a good school in this turbulent era so he could go out and hone his skills. The exam was just around the corner this year, so why did it have to happen at this time..." Mama Liang said, her heart aching. She didn't even hear Yu Xing's footsteps. She wiped away her tears, thinking that the one who was most heartbroken was Madam. How could she cry in front of Madam!

Thinking of this, Mama Liang finally recovered from her grief and was somewhat surprised to see Yu Xing standing to the side.

"Mama Liang, my son has had a hard life, but everyone in the household has done their best. Alas... he's just not blessed enough to enjoy a healthy and peaceful life." Most of the lady's face was hidden by the bed curtains, so Mama Liang couldn't see her face or expression. However, Yu Xing could see clearly that this lady had no sadness at all. Her fainting from excessive grief was all an act.

"The person is gone, and I can accept it, Mama Liang. You don't need to worry about me." The lady's voice was gentle, as if all her remaining patience had been used up at this moment. She smoothed her loose long hair and continued, "These past two days, the manor has been in complete chaos. Master even rushed back from out of town. Compared to me, you need to take care of things at home more."

Mama Liang paused for a moment, then said guiltily, "There's nothing I can do to help..."

"No, you can." The lady looked at Yu Xing, her eyes slanting upwards like a fox's, somewhat resembling Yu Xing's slightly upturned eyes.

Yu Xing's expression shifted. He felt that not only was the lady's complexion better than before, but her appearance also seemed to have become more magnificent and beautiful.

Her lips, though untouched by lip rouge, already possessed a beautiful pale pink hue, making her even more stunning and eerie than when she wore heavy makeup.

At least Yu Xing hasn't met any woman who has become more and more beautiful after her son died.

There is likely a very cruel truth behind this.

The lady finally showed a look of dejection and exhaustion. She propped herself up and leaned out to say to Mama Liang, "There are quite a few necessities that need to be purchased. Originally, you were supposed to come, but I thought that as the young master's wet nurse, your grief is no less than mine. It's really not right to trouble you like this. It just so happens that Xiao Jin is here to see me... Xiao Jin."

Yu Xing responded.

As if seeking her opinion, she said, "I'm leaving this purchasing task to you. You can handle it, right?"

Mama Liang sighed, saying that the bad news had almost worn away the lady's proud temperament, but Yu Xing saw a hint of ruthlessness in her eyes.

Asking me if I could? Was she implying... could I take this opportunity to win over Liu Xue? That's why I needed to get Mama Liang away. After all, Mama Liang's role was to make it easier for me to meet Liu Xue. Now that the goal has been achieved, Mama Liang is no longer needed.

He had thought it through clearly, but outwardly, he suppressed his grief and agreed.

"Let's go today, while it's still early," the lady instructed, then called to the maid standing nearby, "Xiao Ling, bring me the bag I prepared."

"Hey." Xiao Ling, who is Zhao Ruru, picked up a palm-sized bag from the table next to her, pursed her lips, and walked over to hand it to Yu Xing.

She had just noticed that the bag looked exactly like the one hanging around her waist, with the character for "ghost" embroidered in the middle.

Yu Xing reached out and, in the instant the maid Xiao Ling handed him something, saw Xiao Ling's wrist, which was not covered by her sleeve.

A gruesome, deep wound peeked out from the sleeve, and judging by its trajectory, it probably extended along the entire forearm.

Xiao Ling also looked unwell, having lost too much blood, just like the maid outside the door.

Yu Xing was very familiar with this symptom; he could tell the cause at a glance.

He pretended not to see anything, took the bag, and noticed the words on it. He looked at the lady, puzzled.

Knowing his confusion, the lady explained, "This was given to me by Master, who said it's for warding off evil and ensuring safety. Don't worry about it. There are banknotes and a shopping list inside; just follow the instructions when you go to the market."

Perhaps knowing some inside information, Yu Xing felt that every word she said had a deeper meaning.

He nodded. "Don't worry, madam, it's not like I haven't done it before, I remember it all."

The lady waved her hand with satisfaction, then coughed weakly twice under Mama Liang's gaze, and lay back down.

Yu Xing received a mission that clearly had a storyline, and just as he was about to leave, Mama Liang grabbed his hand.

He turned around blankly, only to see Mama Liang hesitate for a moment before taking a paper package out of her clothes.

Not wanting to disturb the lady's rest, she lowered her voice. "Xiao Jin, I was supposed to go shopping these past few days. I had prepared last month's money and wanted to give it to Xue'er on the way. But this situation changed so suddenly that it's already several days later than I usually give money to her."

Yu Xing thought to himself, "So time has jumped by a month."

Although the young master only passed away yesterday, he had been showing signs of illness for the past few days. The Master in the Fang Mansion stayed by his side, and a group of people prayed for his well-being. Even their daily work was reduced considerably.

Mama Liang looked haggard, as if she had aged five or six years. Her voice was still choked with sobs. "I trust you. Could you... help me give this to Xue'er? I know you and Xue'er are deeply in love. You're a good boy, hardworking and smart. Xue'er won't suffer with you. Even if I die one day, I can rest in peace!"

Yu Xing was startled and quickly said, "Mama Liang, I can deliver the money for you, but don't say such unlucky things. You're not even forty yet, you're still young!"

"Well, I hope so... Thank you, but please don't let that old gambler Liu Bingxian pass the money on for you. Once the money is in his hands, Xue'er will be out of the picture!"

"Don't worry, I will definitely..." Yu Xing paused, "I will definitely not let Xue'er suffer any losses."

Zhao Ruru stood straight, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

She always felt that this Xiao Jin's tone of voice sounded so much like Yu Xing's when she was conning people.

Looks like I'll have to do a fortune telling when no one's around later to confirm my identity.

Yu Xing took the small bag and went out.

He followed the same route that Mama Liang had taken him on last time... which was actually only a few hours ago for him. He rented a rickshaw and headed towards the funeral street.

In the car, Yu Xing opened the small bag and took a look.

The bag felt heavy in my hand, and I could tell it didn't contain banknotes at all.

As soon as the bag was opened, a section of white jade was exposed to the dim light of the overcast day.

Yu Xing's pupils contracted, and she took out the white jade.

The white jade is exactly the same piece in the second stage, except that the word "" is not on it, and it is changed to "".

It seems that this matter itself has nothing to do with Lingren; it was only because Lingren were involved in the previous stage that the wording was changed as a hint of their status as special guests.

Yu Xing's gaze softened, and she picked up the other item in the bag besides the white jade.

It was a note.

Logically, this should be a shopping list, but this time "Xiao Jin" came out alone. Without Mama Liang, there was no need to maintain an excuse. The so-called list was actually just a note with tasks written on it.

"Find Liu Xue, present her with the white jade, and propose to her. Make sure she holds the jade and says 'I do' to you' in person. Then bring her back to the Fang Mansion. I'll handle Mama Liang."

The handwriting was both elegant and vigorous. Yu Xing had never seen his wife write, but intuitively, he believed it wasn't hers.

On the contrary, after seeing the Master's writings and drawings, the brushstrokes and the notes on the paper were quite similar.

In other words, this was written by Master.

By this point, Yu Xing had learned one of the essential conditions for this wedding.

For Liu Xue, she had to personally promise to marry him, but the truth was that the jade represented the underworld, death, or even the deceased Young Master Fang. Therefore, Liu Xue's willingness was not for Xiao Jin, but for an abyss of no return.

But... will he handle things with Mama Liang? And what will he handle?

Was he worried that Mama Liang would interfere if she knew the truth, so he wanted to kill Mama Liang?