Chapter 17 Hidden Truths

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"The Xue Family has been accommodated in the West Garden, not to mention Old Mrs. Xue's greed; even Uncle Xue's three concubines have come along. Just last night, one of the concubines was found to be pregnant, and Old Mrs. Xue insisted on getting a century-old ginseng from the Second Madam."

Yicui whispered into Shen Hua's ear as soon as they returned to the courtyard. The Uncle Xue she spoke of was none other than Xue Muliang's father.

"Such a large family living off the Shen Residence and still intending to trouble you, Madam."

Shen Hua glanced at the sky, her tone carrying a weariness beyond her years.

"If I recall correctly, initially, the Xue Family was interested in marrying my second sister."

Though Shen Zhui was a concubine daughter, she was still Shen Wei's daughter, and her dowry would have been generous.

When Shen Xue-shi mentioned this matter, Shen Wei had dismissed it.

Shen Zhui was still too young, and Xue Muliang was notorious for his womanizing ways. Even if Shen Wei did not care much for Shen Zhui, he wouldn't push her into a pit of fire.

"Yicui, personally go and bring Second Sister's wet nurse here. I have some questions to ask."

"Yes, I will go and find Lady Qiu now."

Lady Qiu was a pitiful woman, widowed early, and had a stillborn child from premature labor caused by stress. The grief nearly blinded her with tears. Aunt Liu took pity on her situation and asked Ms. Shen Chun to let her stay, which led to her being the only loyal person by Aunt Liu's side.

In a past life, before Shen Wei's seven-day mourning period ended, Lady Qiu came to find Shen Hua. But the overbearing Old Lady Xu drove her away. In hindsight, it seemed Lady Qiu came for Shen Zhui's sake that time.

But she never got the chance to see Shen Hua and ask her for help.

After Aunt Liu's death, Lady Qiu followed the same fate with a white silk sash.

In the Shen Residence, everyone kind-hearted met with no good end, leaving them with despair and hopelessness.

"Yes."

The air was cold, and the room was heated with charcoal, causing a wave of warmth mingled with the faint scent of incense as they entered.

The subtle fragrance seemed to float in the air, like the scent of spring plum blossoms seeping into the bones amidst snow.

This particular incense was made from meticulously selected ingredients, including a small amount of top-grade dragon's brain incense, as precious as gold, with various spices finely ground and mixed with refined honey.

Shen Hua liked this scent; she even had her clothes and skirts infused with it for years, never changing.

Shen Hua narrowed her eyes in comfort.

She had always known how to enjoy herself; all items in the room, whether small ornaments and hairpins or large decorative vases placed in corners, were carefully chosen.

Even the bells on the soft couch within sight were made of jade. The jade's luster was delicate, and the bell's heart, designed to resemble a small clock, was exquisite. A slight shake produced a crisp sound.

The jade for the bell had been obtained by Shen Zhi through some mischief back in the day.

At that time, her brother smiled with his warm, dark eyes.

——"Brother, this jade is nothing spectacular, but it's rare in the market. It's only fair to prevent Yangyang from ruining it."

——"Use it to make a bell, of course. My canopy is embroidered with gold thread; it simply can't use cheap goods worth a few copper coins from the street."

Shen Hua chuckled softly, but her expression grew somber.

Without anyone to protect her, she experienced all the bitterness and sorrow in adversity, transforming from an obnoxious girl to one harboring resentment.

Before long, Yicui returned with someone.

Lady Qiu followed Yicui, her hands tightly clutching her stomach, moving a few steps behind due to her limp.

Shen Hua remembered her as someone who had once faithfully served Shen Zhui. After her stepmother arranged a servant woman to care for her, Lady Qiu was reassigned to take care of Aunt Liu's daily needs.

Since then, Shen Zhui was no longer as clean or well-dressed. Even her attire became slipshod.

"Why so nervous, Lady Qiu? I won't eat you though."

"No..., actually, I was hoping to seek you out, Madam, to ask for justice for Second Lady, considering you are sisters." She fell to her knees, tears shimmering.

"Yicui, help her up."

Shen Hua leaned slightly against the concubine's couch, her clear bright eyes observing: "As far as I know, Dong Family's son died five years ago, and although the Dong Family and Shen Family are merchants, there's been no trade between the two."

The Dong Family had many secrets, wealthy but with a terrible reputation.

Dong Hui had not been born when a Taoist foretold his long life of fortune. Indeed, after Lady Dong conceived him, the Dong Family's business flourished. Yet, following Dong Hui's death, their fortunes plummeted.

Within a few years, they closed dozens of shops, and even ships filled with porcelain sunk into the river on several occasions. The losses were catastrophic.

How strange to plan a ghost marriage now, of all times. Something seemed off.

"Tell me everything in detail."

Lady Qiu trembled with anger but seemed to have grabbed onto a lifeline. She dared not conceal anything and recounted everything.

"You are correct, Dong Hui indeed died five years ago."

"Dong Hui had no wife or children during his lifetime, though he took in many concubines. After he died, they were buried alive with him."

This act drew considerable condemnation from scholars and literary figures.

Although live burial was cruel, it wasn't without precedent in our dynasty.

The Dong Family used silver to silence the concubines' families, and the matter eventually faded from attention.

"Last year during the Zhongyuan Festival, Lady Dong burned incense as an offering. Ever since she began experiencing nightmares, a Taoist suggested she was haunted. Her eighteen-year-old son died unmarried and alone, his spirit restless, prompting dreams."

"Lady Dong is deeply superstitious, which led to her plan for a ghost marriage."

"Therefore, the Dong Family invited a wizard to secretly ask around for young girls who died in the last three years, seeking their birth dates and death anniversaries, even checking their features through portraits."

Shen Hua appeared contemplative, with a slight, ambiguous smile.

"She sure knows how to pick the date."

Zhongyuan Festival, also known as the Ghost Festival, was steeped in superstition. It was said that during this time, the gates of hell opened, and the spirits were strongest.

Lady Dong deliberately picked that day to burn incense at Dong Hui's grave.

"Second Lady's birth date is auspicious, and the one in Ningyun Courtyard eagerly agreed. Then they sent a servant woman to inform our concubine. Upon hearing the news, Aunt Liu was so agitated she vomited blood that very night."

Lady Qiu took a deep breath, speaking through clenched teeth, "But, if it were truly just a ghost marriage, that would be one thing."

Was there more to the story?

Shen Hua furrowed her brow, sitting up a bit straighter.

"After selecting Second Lady, the Dong Family proceeded to choose brides from seventeen other households, even including a recently deceased girl."

Shen Hua's laughter was filled with irritation.

Did they really expect her sister Shen Zhui to be selected by such a disgraceful family?

About to voice her scorn, she noticed Lady Qiu breaking down in sobs.

Shen Hua paused.

Dong Hui had died at eighteen.

Now they were trying to gather eighteen spirits of young girls.

An outrageous suspicion surfaced, which Shen Hua firmly grasped.

In disbelief, she asked,

"So, the Dong Family intends to, under the guise of ghost marriages, gather eighteen girls who died within the last three years, severing their chance of reincarnation to reverse the Dong Family's fortune with witchcraft?"

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