Chapter 59: The Boudoir

Master Ren, you are too polite. Still, I must say this upfront: I possess no special methods for exorcising ghosts or driving away evil spirits. I fear I may not be much help.

Fang Yue made his intentions clear early, lest Master Ren hold too high an expectation of him.

Master Ren replied, “Rest assured, Scholar Fang, I am aware of that and would never force you beyond your means. It’s simply that here in Fishhead Town, there isn’t anyone else capable of curing my sixth wife’s illness. I had no choice but to invite you to try. Since you were able to slay the demon hound, perhaps you might have a solution. Besides, you are both a scholar and a practitioner of martial arts—a rare combination. It is often said that scholars possess a noble, upright aura, while martial artists bear a strong, masculine energy. If my sixth wife is possessed, perhaps your righteous and vigorous aura could drive away the evil. Who knows, it might just work.”

Master Ren was courteous and easy to speak with. He hadn’t invited Fang Yue merely to exorcise his young concubine; he also harbored intentions of befriending and drawing him in. As a merchant, Master Ren’s investments were always shrewd and well-placed.

Fang Yue was undoubtedly a person worth investing in. To speak of the immediate situation, the whole Ping’an County was threatened by coastal raiders, and though Fishhead Town was remote, safety could never be guaranteed. If a crisis arose, having a powerful figure like Fang Yue, who could slay demon hounds, would be a lifesaver. Moreover, Fang Yue was a close friend and classmate of Master Ren’s son, Ren Junlin; their relationship was naturally close, making him all the more worth drawing in. The set of martial arts manuals gifted to Fang Yue by Ren Junlin was, in truth, Master Ren’s idea.

“In that case, I shall give it a try. May I see the sixth wife?” Fang Yue, seeing Master Ren so reasonable, decided to take a look first.

“Of course, let us go at once.” Master Ren, anxious for his concubine, led Fang Yue and a small group toward the chambers of the sixth wife, Yan Qiuhong.

...

Fang Yue had imagined the sixth wife, so favored, must be a bewitching beauty. Yet upon meeting her, he found Master Ren’s sixth concubine to be pure and gentle, like clear water.

Judging by her appearance, she was about eighteen or nineteen, even younger than Ren Junlin. Fang Yue inwardly disdained Master Ren for his predilection for youth, though he kept his expression composed. Entering the room, he cast a glance at Yan Qiuhong, who lay high upon the bed, then began to walk about, examining the surroundings.

The Ren family was wealthy, and Yan Qiuhong, as Master Ren’s beloved, enjoyed lavish accommodations even in a temporary residence. The sandalwood canopy bed was draped with luxurious cloud-patterned silk, with pink gauze curtains hanging above, their tassels cascading down in layers, making the atmosphere both enchanting and ambiguous.

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Opposite the bed sat a dressing table inlaid with tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl, upon which rested a hexagonal bronze mirror and an array of exquisite jewelry and rouge boxes. Beside the dressing table, embroidered silk hung on the wall, depicting budding lotus flowers. The window faced the bed, and though the house was newly purchased, the window itself was made of ordinary wood, nothing rare.

On the windowsill stood two white ceramic flowerpots: one with blue-violet chrysanthemums, the other with pale pink hibiscus, both blooming in autumn.

Ren Junlin, seeing Fang Yue walk about, leaned in to ask, “Have you noticed anything unusual?”

Fang Yue replied without turning, “No, I was merely curious, never having entered a lady’s chamber before.”

Ren Junlin was left speechless.

Yan Qiuhong, wrapped in a thin blanket, reclined on the bed, her face pale with traces of tears at the corners of her eyes, looking pitiful and fragile as a rain-soaked pear blossom. A young maid of fourteen or fifteen sat attentively at her side, caring for her.

Yan Qiuhong, seeing Master Ren bring a stranger into her room, raised her delicate face and softly asked, “Master, who is he?”

Master Ren replied, “This is Scholar Fang, the one who slew the demon hound in Fishhead Town. I have invited him here.”

Fang Yue, having surveyed the room and found nothing amiss, walked over to stand beside Master Ren, facing Yan Qiuhong who lay upon the bed. He asked,

“I heard from Ren Junlin that after your previous episodes, you would awaken in a daze, unable to recall anything when questioned. But last night, after your attack, you regained consciousness only after midnight and continued to weep. Does this mean you remember what happened during last night’s episode? Could you tell us?”

Yan Qiuhong hesitated, unable to speak, tears falling silently.

Her fragile, tear-stained appearance tugged at Master Ren’s heart. Fearing to upset her, he said to Fang Yue, “Scholar Fang, as you see, she is in no state to answer questions. Perhaps it is best not to press her.”

Fang Yue thought, if she cannot speak even before her husband, it must be a matter difficult to disclose, or perhaps something truly embarrassing occurred. He said, “Very well, we shall find another way.”

Yan Qiuhong would not speak, and Master Ren, out of concern, forbade questioning. Fang Yue could only acquiesce. He was merely here to help; if he could, he would, but if not, there was nothing to be done.

Unexpectedly, Yan Qiuhong, after a moment of hesitation, turned to the young maid and said, “Little Peach, please step outside.”

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The maid rose, and Yan Qiuhong shifted her gaze to Ren Junlin.

Ren Junlin pointed to himself, “You want me to leave as well?”

Yan Qiuhong nodded. Master Ren shot Ren Junlin a glare, and Ren Junlin grumbled in discontent as he followed the maid out.

Now only Yan Qiuhong, Master Ren, and Fang Yue remained in the room.

Yan Qiuhong said, “It’s not that I am unwilling to speak, but it’s difficult to bring up. Young Master Fang, I have heard tell of your noble deeds—not only slaying the demon hound, but also acts of righteousness. You must be an upright gentleman, and I trust you will not spread word of this.”

She looked at Master Ren, sobbing, “Master, if you think me sullied after I speak, and wish to cast me off, I will accept it.”

Master Ren hurried to comfort her, “How could you be blamed for this? It’s all the work of evil spirits.”

Yan Qiuhong composed herself and choked out, “I don’t quite understand what happened. I remember last night, it was as if I was in a dream, my whole body floating, drifting into a dark room. There was someone there, he... he did something to me...”

“What did he do?” Master Ren asked angrily.

Yan Qiuhong whimpered, “Master, you truly despise me, I might as well die.” She struggled to rise.

Master Ren, again moved by pity, quickly pressed her down and said, “I was at your side all night; you never left the room. It must have been a nightmare, nothing more. Do not torment yourself.”

Yan Qiuhong said, “I wish it were only a nightmare, but it felt far too real.”

Master Ren’s face flushed and paled in turn. His concubine had suffered indignity, though only in a dream, and he could only be grateful it had not occurred in reality.

He turned to Fang Yue, “Scholar Fang, what do you make of this?”

Fang Yue pondered for a while, then asked Yan Qiuhong, “Aside from last night, do you recall anything from your other episodes?”

Yan Qiuhong shook her head, bewildered.

Fang Yue frowned and said slowly, “I suspect this is not the work of spirits, but rather of someone with evil intent.”

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