Nightmare Assault

“Tsk.” Jiang Cheng glanced at Xiao Wan and then at Fatty. He seemed to have found a new way to use Fatty.

“Young Master,” Xiao Wan suddenly asked, “Where did you… get this pouch in your hand?” She didn’t notice it earlier due to the curtains. However, once she spotted it, her gaze was instantly drawn to it. She even forgot about Fatty.

“Do you recognise this pouch?” Jiang Cheng asked in return.

“Of course.” Xiao Wan looked excited, “This is the wedding gift I gave Sister Xuan Ji. She promised she’d wear it always. Why… is it with you?”

Xuan Ji… Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes. That should be the ghost’s name, or rather, her name when she worked at Mei Xian Yard.

“But isn’t she dead?” Xiao Wan frowned, “Why would you have her things? Who… are you?” Xiao Wan was really scared. The way she looked at Jiang Cheng changed, “You’re sent here by Elder Huang, aren’t you?”

“No.” Jiang Cheng calmly passed over the peeled pear. He explained serenely, “Calm down. We can talk this out.” Xiao Wan surprisingly calmed down. She accepted the pear and sat down across from him. “I came here to help Xuan Ji.” Jiang Cheng began seriously, “You also don’t wish for her death to go unanswered, right?”

Xiao Wan nodded. Eventually, she said, “I also think Sister Xuan Ji’s death is highly suspicious. She died a few days after marrying into the Huang Residence. She was perfectly fine when she left this place. Why would she suddenly fall ill and die?!”

“Take it slow.” Jiang Cheng reached out to pat Xiao Wan’s knees. He comforted her, “Start from how Young Master Huang met Xuan Ji.”

With Xiao Wan’s description, the story between Young Master Huang and Xuan Ji slowly began. As they predicted, Young Master Huang was a lover of plays, and Xuan Ji was one of the best singers and actors at Mei Xian Yard. In fact, Miss Xiao Wan and Xuan Ji were known as the best singer pair at Mei Xian Yard.

Just like that, Xuan Ji entered Young Master Huang’s eyes. Young Master Huang was talented and handsome. He also cared deeply about Xuan Ji. Soon, the two became close.

However, the Huang Family was a big local family. How could they accept a girl working at the brothel? Elder Huang exploded and even threatened to cut off Young Master Huang.

“In the end, Young Master Huang still managed to marry Sister Xuan Ji into his family,” Xiao Wan said with some jealousy. At this point, she paused, and her face looked slightly unnatural, “Young Master, you understand the situation.” She whispered as she pinched her fingers, “Women like us can only be married at night. There is no wedding procession or celebration. The groom’s family will send a small sedan over, and we can only enter silently through the side door.

“I gave Sister Xuan Ji this pouch that night,” Xiao Wan reminisced, “Sister Xuan Ji also brought her personal maid with her. The girl was quite pitiful. She was an orphan. She was worried that she’d be bullied after Sister Xuan Ji left, so…”

“Doctor, you’re amazing!” Fatty shouted in his heart.

“So… Do you suspect it is Elder Huang who did something to her?” Jiang Cheng cut to the point.

“Yes,” Xiao Wan nodded vehemently. “Who else could it be? Poor Young Master Huang.” Xiao Wan sighed, “I heard he lost his mind after Sister Xuan Ji died.”

“Young Master Huang sure loves Miss Xuan Ji,” Jiang Cheng sighed along with her.

“Indeed.” Xiao Wan nodded. “Young Master Huang drew a painting for Sister Xuan Ji. She looked so pretty in it. She gifted it to me before she got married. After her death, Sister Xuan Ji’s family came to find me. I pitied them, so I gave the painting to them.”

Xuan Ji’s family…

Jiang Cheng was intrigued, “They took the painting?!”

“Yes. He was Sister Xuan Ji’s father. He often sneaked over to see her. However, Sister didn’t seem to like him, so she didn’t meet him.”

“Who is he?”

“I hear he is also a singer,” Xiao Wan frowned, “But it’s unlike us. They… work at funerals. They sing for the dead. They use a lot of paper props.” Xiao Wan continued to explain, “Sister’s father is the troupe leader. One time, when Sister was drunk, she said that her father sold her to this place because her father couldn’t hold his job. It was why she refused to forgive him.”

“Ghost play?” Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes.

Xiao Wan winced at the word ghost. She swallowed nervously, “I… suppose so. The man looks strange. He is short and thin. He has a long face. His eyes are sharp and piercing. Standing beside him makes you feel like you’re inside an ice cellar.”

Jiang Cheng was hit by an inspiration. He asked for paper and a brush. He drew someone’s portrait. “Is this him?” Jiang Cheng showed it to Xiao Wan.

Xiao Wan was startled before nodding. “Yes, that’s him.” She looked inquisitively at Jiang Cheng, “Young Master, have you met him before?”

“Yes, but I’m not familiar with him.”

Xiao Wan nodded.

Fatty wanted to take a look at the painting. However, before he got close, Jiang Cheng put the drawing away.

“Do you know where Xuan Ji’s father is now?” Jiang Cheng asked.

Xiao Wan thought about it and shook her head, “People like them usually live outside of town. But… you can try to find them at Gong Alley. When he came here last time, he mentioned that place.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Cheng stood up to leave.

“Young Master, please wait.” Xiao Wan called after him. With Fatty watching in envy, Xiao Wan took out a plaque with a cute ribbon from an exquisite box. The plaque was smooth to the touch. It was carved with the character Wan.

“Young Master, please take this.” Xiao Wan said, “This is my plaque. You can use this plaque next time you come here. It can save you a lot of trouble.

“Sister Xuan Ji treated me kindly. Please tell me if there’s any development with your investigation.”

Jiang Cheng accepted the plaque, “Of course.”

After leaving Mei Xian Yard, before Fatty could run over and ask about it, Jiang Cheng said in a strangely calm town, “It is Butler Zhou.”

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