Chapter 103, Chapter 102: Father and Son in Conflict
Tong Aning glanced around and noticed that everyone, from the shopkeeper to the staff, treated Tong Yi'an with exceptional respect.
So they were all beaten into submission?
Tong Aning took Tong Yi'an's hand and touched it carefully. She asked, " Yi'an, when did you become so strong?"
Tong Yi'an clenched his fist proudly and said, "I've always been very strong."
That's true.
Tong Yi'an looked at Tong Aning strangely, "Fourth Sister, what's wrong?"
Tong Aning shook her head. "It's nothing."
Tong Yi'an said excitedly, "Then let's go dismantle the stones!"
"Good."
All the stones Tong Yi'an selected turned out to be jadeite, with the stone belonging to Tong Aning being the best.
Tong Aning stared at the cross-section in shock. She squeezed Tong Yi'an's shoulder and said, "So our Yi'an is a genius."
Tong Yi'an. She took the stone, held it up to Tong Aning's waist, and said earnestly, "Fourth sister, let me make you a few more jade pendants."
The jade Tong Yi'an Tong Aning gave Tong Aning for her last birthday is still hanging on her waist.
Tong Aning hesitated and asked, "Isn't that too much?"
"It's alright," Tong Yi'an glanced at Tong Aning's head, "Your hair is still in the bun."
Tong Aning: "..."
I'm not a tree branch adorned with jade.
With a soft chuckle, Tong Aning turned around. Tong Siyan and Mu Yao seemed to casually look away, and Tong Aning had no idea who was laughing.
She puffed out her cheeks angrily.
Tong Yi'an has already instructed the shopkeeper to take the four stones away for processing.
The innkeeper kindly asked the ladies if they wanted to dine there.
Tong Yi'an shook her head and patted her small pocket. "I'm treating my sisters to dinner at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion."
The shopkeeper said he understood, and respectfully saw them out.
Before they had gone far, the shopkeeper slipped into the store, fearing that Tong Yi'an might return.
The place wasn't far from the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, Tong Yi'an still had some things to buy, so the group didn't take a carriage.
As they approached Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, a large crowd gathered around a platform. Tong Yi'an stood on tiptoe, but still couldn't see anything.
Undeterred, she said, "Let's go take a look."
Since they were accompanying Tong Yi'an out for fun today, how could they disagree? Tong Yi'an took Tong Aning's hand and walked closer.
She read aloud the large characters written on the table—
"A master of summoning spirits?"
Tong Yi'an asked curiously, "What is this?"
Tong Aning said, "It's probably to summon back the souls of the dead."
Tong Yi'an's eyes sparkled, "Really?
Tong Siyan, "It's fake; it only exists in supernatural tales."
Tong Yi'an was not disappointed, but instead glanced at Tong Aning.
Tong Aning: "...?"
Tong Yi'an thought to herself, if they could hear what her fourth sister was thinking, what was impossible in this world, even something as simple as summoning a spirit?
The crowd around them suddenly dispersed, and the view before Tong Yi'an and his companions became clear.
"A single summoning of a soul costs a hundred taels of silver. Who has that much money?"
"Yeah, they were just watching the show. He actually believed us?"
Many people gasped in surprise.
Those who had already left turned back and saw an unlucky fellow step onto the platform, who immediately handed over a gold ingot.
The person who just spoke, "..."
He quipped, "There really are some complete idiots."
"Who can argue with that?"
His companion shook his head, and the two left together.
The so-called master of summoning spirits wears a white robe, completely wrapped from head to toe, so that even his face is not clearly visible.
He slipped the gold ingot into his sleeve, clasped his hands together, and asked, "My lord, whose spirit do you wish to summon?"
The voice sounds quite young.
"My wife."
"Your wife..."
He passed away two months ago, unfortunately.
The necromancer sighed, "Please accept my condolences."
"I want to see her, Master, can you help me?" the man asked urgently.
The master nodded. "That's natural."
"Then..." he said, somewhat agitated.
The master looked up at the sky and said, "It's almost noon, the time when yang energy is at its peak, which is not conducive to the appearance of souls in the mortal world."
"I... I can pay more, please, Master, I really want to see her one more time."
"Since you are so sincere, I will definitely help you. Here's what we'll do: come find me at the first house next to the locust tree on the east side at midnight."
The man nodded hurriedly, "Yes, yes, I'll definitely be there on time. Thank you, Master."
What a deeply affectionate person.
Tong Aning didn't want to see him, who had already suffered the pain of losing his wife, be deceived again.
Just as she was about to step forward, she suddenly saw a familiar figure.
Xue Lin shook his head at Tong Aning.
Tong Aning stopped and waited for the necromancer to leave before she walked through the crowd to Xue Lin's side.
" Heir Xue, why didn't you let me remind that person just now?"
"I want to capture all those necromancers in one fell swoop, and then I will return the money to the person from before."
After Xue Lin finished speaking, Tong Aning remained silent.
Xue Lin looked at Tong Aning's face and asked somewhat nervously, " Miss Tong, do you think this method is inappropriate?"
Tong Aning looked up, her eyes crinkling with a smile, and said, "I think the young master is very thoughtful."
Xue Lin breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Where are you all headed?"
Tong Aning blurted out, "Let's go to the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion for dinner."
Xue Lin: "Then I won't bother you any longer."
Xue Lin and Sichen gradually drifted apart.
Tong Yi'an walked to Tong Aning's side, took her hand, and said, "Fourth Sister, let's go."
Tong Aning nodded, but when she looked for Xue Lin again, Xue Lin had already disappeared into the crowd and could no longer be found.
After having dinner at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, Tong Siyan and the others prepared to return to their residence. Tong Aning packed some pastries to take to Jingzhao Prefecture.
Tong Siyan, "Let A Shu take you there."
Tong Aning blinked. "And what about you guys?"
Tong Siyan glanced at Mu Yao and said slowly, "We're not in a hurry."
Tong Aning: "..."
She twisted her fingers and murmured, "I'm not in a hurry."
"Oh?"
Tong Siyan glanced at her leisurely.
Tong Aning stamped her foot and left.
Tong Siyan chuckled, Tong Yi'an asked, looking bewildered, "Second Sister, what are you laughing at?"
*
Xue Lin is in the Jingzhao Prefecture.
When Tong Aning went in carrying the food box, he was still looking through the case files.
Tong Aning asked, "So busy?"
Xue Lin looked up and saw that it was Tong Aning. He quickly put down the file and stood up. " Miss Tong, what brings you here?"
Tong Aning pointed to the food box, "The pastries at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion are delicious, I'll bring you a portion."
Xue Lin's heart skipped a beat. "I'll have Sichen go and get it."
"I've already brought it over, why don't you try it?"
Xue Lin nodded, Tong Aning opened the food box. "The pear blossom cake is the sweetest; you should like it."
Xue Lin's hand, which had reached for the apricot blossom cake, suddenly turned and picked up a piece of pear blossom cake instead. He took a bite, and Tong Aning asked impatiently, "How is it?"
Xue Lin nodded. "I like it very much."
Seeing that he was smiling, Tong Aning sighed inwardly.
See? People really do need to eat more sweets.
Xue Lin paused, Tong Aning smiled and said, "Want to try something else?"
"Good."
Tong Aning looked around and asked, "Where's Sichen?"
Xue Lin said, "I sent him to follow that necromancy master."
"Are we going to take action tonight?"
Xue Lin nodded.
Can I come along?
Xue Lin hesitated for a moment, Tong Aning immediately said, "It's okay if I don't go, you don't need to worry about me."
Xue Lin looked at Tong Aning and said softly, "I won't make things difficult for you."
"Really?"
"Really, Miss Tong, you'll be coming with me then."
"Good."
Tong Aning went to pick up the food box, Xue Lin said, "I'll have someone deliver it back to the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion."
"Alright."
"Is Miss Tong preparing to return to the Marquis's residence?"
"Yeah, do you expect me to stay here?"
Tong Aning asked casually, Xue Lin whispered, "You can stay here."
Tong Aning leaned closer to Xue Lin, "Really?"
Xue Lin's breath hitched. "It really works."
Xue Lin continued reading the case file, making notes from time to time. Tong Aning, having nothing else to do, offered, "Then I'll grind the ink for you."
Before Xue Lin could stop her, Tong Aning had already picked up the ink stick. She looked down at the inkstone and ground the ink with utmost care, round and round.
It was just an ordinary spring afternoon, but it became extraordinary because of Tong Aning's arrival.
*
It's almost midnight.
Xue Lin set off with Tong Aning. He had prepared two black cloaks in advance, which blended almost seamlessly into the night.
He walked in front, and Tong Aning followed behind. When he turned around to look at Tong Aning, Tong Aning would also look up at him.
Her eyes were bright and sparkling, like a camellia still blooming in the night.
Xue Lin lowered his eyes and said, "I'm worried that the necromancer is a vicious criminal. Miss Tong, please be very careful."
"Good."
Xue Lin didn't dare look at Tong Aning, but he knew that she must have been smiling when she agreed.
Xue Lin, who had been looking down, smiled as well.
The team reunited with Sichen.
Xue Lin asked, "Has that person arrived yet?"
Sichen was surprised to see Tong Aning there. Hearing Xue Lin's question, he said seriously, "She just went in."
Xue Lin frowned. "Has the ceremony begun?"
Sichen shook his head.
Tong Aning followed Xue Lin, carefully crouching on the rooftop. She held her breath and peered into the courtyard.
A section of the courtyard was marked off with talismans and red rope, and the person who had given the gold during the day was sitting cross-legged in the center.
The necromancer held a bell and danced around the person, waving the bell as he did so.
The man asked nervously, "Master, has my wife arrived?"
The master's eyes sharpened. "They've arrived."
"Where?"
"She and I share a body now. If you have anything to say, just tell me."
" Yanjun, is it really you?" Zhang Wansi asked in a trembling voice.
The necromancer said, "It's me. I missed you so much."
The necromancer, though clearly a man, spoke in a woman's voice.
Zhang Wansi held the spirit medium's hand tightly, " Yanjun, you... you mustn't listen to that scoundrel Zhang Hui's nonsense. He's lying to you. You haven't been ensnared by his marriage rope, have you?"
The necromancer was shocked, but for the sake of the gold, he was pondering how to answer.
[ Xixi, who is Zhang Hui?]
[His son.]
[His son is his son with this Yanjun... What kind of father-son rivalry is this?!]