The eerie sound of wind chimes, accompanied by the squeak of a handcart, came from all directions.
It drew nearer, echoing through the vast banquet hall.
The seven people still breathing rose from their chairs, almost all of them warily scanning their surroundings. Some had dry throats, some were breathing harder, and cold sweat trickled down someone's neck and into their clothes... while others remained calm and composed.
In Jiang Qian's view, a patchwork "person" was pushed out in a wheelchair.
The "person" had an enormous head like an upside-down porcelain vase. One eye was large and the other small, both made of exquisitely carved black onyx, and its high-bridged nose was jade.
"He" had no mouth.
Below the neck, his body was gaunt. A black suit was wrapped around him, and two shriveled hands, like agarwood, protruded from its sleeves. His legs rested in the wheelchair, covered by a blanket.
The blanket bulged in places. No one could tell what had been stuffed underneath.
"Honored guests, thank you for waiting. I am Simon, the butler to Duke Highland. I formally welcome you to the mansion."
As "he" spoke, he bowed from his wheelchair. The top of his upside-down porcelain-vase head still showed patches where the glaze had worn away, exposing the clay beneath.
The scene was so unsettling that no one felt inclined to respond.
So "he" continued warmly:
"I'm delighted you enjoyed tonight's banquet! Oh, this young gentleman has fallen asleep. We'll have to take him away so he can get some proper rest."
As he spoke, several equally bizarre-looking servants entered. They swiftly carried away Plaid Shirt's corpse, and soon disappeared from the banquet hall.
"I'm sure you can't wait to meet the master of Duke's Mansion! My esteemed master, Duke Highland, is waiting for you in