CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER 12

Bai Lang's heart raced with fear when she heard the word "purification." She was terrified of being discovered and labeled as an evil spirit that needed to be expelled. Lu Meng noticed the change in Bai Lang's expression and quickly slipped away unnoticed. The crowd dispersed, leaving only the adults behind. After a quick meal, Bai Lang, along with Bai Xi Liu and Bai Su Nuo, were escorted by a monk and two women to the purification ceremony.

Bai Lang couldn't help but feel that the two servants were casting fearful or hostile glances at her. Unless they were friends of Lu Meng, which was unlikely, she hadn't done anything to deserve such treatment. The two temple servants led them into a meditation room where a wise master sat cross-legged, humming as incense burned around him. At first glance, he seemed peaceful and timeless. Bai Lang's legs felt weak, but she managed to maintain her composure. Inside the room, Old Furen, Qu Rou Li, and Su Rou Xue were sitting and listening to the master's chants when the girls arrived. "We have come to see the great master," Bai Xi Lui said, and Bai Lang and Bai Su Lin followed suit, bowing to him as they had been taught.

"There's no need for a formal ceremony. Please come in and draw lots," Master fung chi Hanue said with a warm smile.

The young ladies took their turns, lighting incense for good fortune. Afterward, Bai Liu approached their grandmother.

"Grandmother, we wish to bring Mei Mei to see the enchanting plum blossoms behind the mountain. May we go?" she asked, her excitement palpable. Bai Lang, on the other hand, was filled with curiosity, as this would be her inaugural adventure away from home since her rebirth.

"Go, but you girls, keep a watchful eye on Bai Lang and return in time for the afternoon meal," their grandmother advised.

With that, Bai Liu, Bai Nuo, and Bai Lang set off on their exploration.

Old Furen was about to ask the master to draw lots for divination when Lu Meng rushed in, kneeling before the master and rubbing her hands together. "Please, great master, I beg you to perform an exorcism for an evil spirit."

"Silence," the elderly lady exclaimed with anguish, shocked by the audacity of a servant girl from their own household who dared to kneel before her, accusing vile things of infiltrating their abode.

Master Fung Chi was taken aback by the servant's brazenness, witnessing the old marquise preparing to seize the servant girl, when suddenly the great master cleared his throat.

"What is this wickedness you speak of, young lady?" he inquired sternly.

Lou Meng trembled, fully aware that by speaking out against the third miss and concubine Sou Rou Xue, her life would be in jeopardy if she failed to substantiate her claims today.

"Master, please save this servant," Lou Meng pleaded, prostrating herself and forcefully striking her head against the unforgiving ground until blood appeared.

When Sou rou Xue heard what Lou meng said, her heart leapt in her chest.

"Will you shut up about that person you're accusing of being something dirty? Somebody, stop her! It's slander against our young miss, someone teach her a lesson this instance!" Sou rou Xue yelled hysterically.

Qu Rou Li was shocked and quickly grabbed onto Sou rou Xue before she could pull out Lou meng's hair.

"Everyone, be silent! Amitabha."

"Cai Wen, Tan Wei, go and accompany the young Bai misses back," he ordered the two taijis beside him. They promptly left to fulfill the master's command.

Bai Lang and her two sisters were admiring the plum blossom trees on the hill behind the temple when two taijis approached them.

"First, second, and third miss, our great master requests your presence in the prayer room."

Bai Lang was taken aback by their solemn expressions.

"May I ask these taijis why the great master wants to see us?"

Bai Lang had an uneasy feeling, sensing that something was amiss. The three taiji remained silent, causing the sisters to furrow their brows. Bai Liu, who had been to the temple before, turned to them for answers.

Reluctantly, the three girls followed, knowing it was not wise to defy their master. As they approached the prayer room, they could hear someone sobbing uncontrollably. Bai Lang, the third girl in line behind Bai Liu and Bai Nuo, entered the room with her sisters. And there, in the middle of the room, they were greeted by Bai Lang's personal servant girl, Lou Meng, kneeling with tears and snot staining her face, a large bloody spot on her forehead.

As Bai Liu and Bai Lang laid eyes on Lou Meng, she crawled towards them, gripping onto the hem of Bai Liu's skirt and wailing. "Eldest Miss, don't be deceived by this demon. Help us bring the real Third Miss back," she pleaded, her gaze filled with terror.

Bai Lang, faced with this menacing look, trembled in fear and sought refuge behind Bai Furen, crying out in terror. Her tears fell like pearls, and her beautiful, teary eyes invoked a sense of protection.

"Mother, Something is amiss with Lou Meng, and it fills Bai Lang with fear." she lamented, her voice trembling delicately. Bai Lang, too, knew how to play her part, despite the pounding of her heart. She understood that if anyone suspected her of being possessed, her life would be in grave danger.

Uncertainty clouded her thoughts. Was the great master capable of discerning possession? And now that she had been reincarnated, she questioned the possibilities of the world. It was wiser for her to proceed with caution. However, she resolved that today, it would not be her who suffered, but rather that wretched slave."

"Master, this is not the Third Miss we know. Ever since she recovered from her fever, she's been acting completely different. Please, Master, please believe this slave."

Bai Liu retorted. "You're out of your mind."

Lou Meng then charged at Bai Lang, calling her a demon.