The Night Watcher of Great Jing - Chapter 11

The way Shen Yan and Lu Zhao operated opened Zhao Li’s eyes.

In one sense, Shen Yan’s argument contained some logic.

But during a confirmed spiritual resurgence, they absolutely could not act that way.

Resentment piled upon resentment might turn Fragrant Orchid Courtyard into the lair of a murderous husband-and-wife pair.

Judging by the system’s quest notice, Miss Lin had taken a fancy to Zhao Li’s skin.

But was the ghost’s lingering obsession truly marriage, or was it beauty?

Zhao Li was uncertain and dared not gamble.

“Let’s keep that as an absolute last resort.”

At least she managed to steer the subject back to Miss Lin herself.

Lu Zhao frowned in worry.

“If we cannot resolve her obsession, we must find Miss Lin’s body.”

“After the registrar’s household died three years ago, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau sent people to investigate.”

“But Miss Lin died before she married and could not be buried in the ancestral grave. Six years ago, a great plague swept the capital and killed her parents and relatives. No one knows where she was buried.”

“Finding the corpse may be difficult.”

When Zhao Li heard that Miss Lin’s parents had died in the plague, her heart jolted, and she could not help sighing.

“Not necessarily.” Shen Yan rubbed the jade thumb ring on his hand. “The Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s failure does not mean the Jingning Guard will fail.”

“The Lins were still an official family. Even if she could not enter their ancestral grave, they would not have thrown her into a mass burial pit.”

“There are only a handful of suitable burial grounds near the capital, such as Mount Jin and Mount Ping.”

“Coffin makers and funeral carriers tend to stay in the trade for years. Start with them. If we find someone who knew what happened, we may uncover a lead.”

Lu Zhao rose and cupped his hands.

“This subordinate will begin making inquiries tomorrow!”

“I’ll go with Master Lu.”

Her life was at stake. Zhao Li could hardly remain uninvolved, so she stood as well.

Shen Yan frowned.

She was still injured. Why did she need to handle such trivial work in person?

When Zhao Li saw him frown again, she decided she had not yet adapted to the hierarchy of this era. Perhaps her attitude had been too casual.

She imitated Lu Zhao and cupped her hands.

The oversized robe engulfed her as she carefully copied the gesture.

Shen Yan watched, and his heart abruptly softened.

If she wanted to go, then let her. Imperial Physician Zhang could restore her health afterward.

He nodded in agreement, then asked, “Where will you stay tonight?”

Zhao Li had not expected the question.

“Master Lu has an empty side room at home. I’ll trouble his family for one night.”

Lu Zhao lived with his elderly mother, wife, and children. No one could spread unsavory rumors if Zhao Li squeezed in with them for a night.

Shen Yan paused. His gaze drifted ominously toward Lu Zhao.

Before Lu Zhao could understand, Shen Yan rose.

“Come with me.”

Zhao Li had no idea what he meant.

Lu Zhao waggled his eyebrows, signaling that she should hurry after him.

She followed for two steps, then doubled back and gathered the oiled paper and lotus-leaf packages from the table.

They held the roast chicken and braised meat she had not finished.

She did not know what was wrong with this body.

It was weak, pitiful, helpless—and could eat like a bottomless pit.

She became hungry at the slightest provocation. Saving the food could not hurt.

Lu Zhao had to remain and clean up the situation, so Zhao Li handed him a package of braised meat she had deliberately left untouched.

He accepted it and cautiously glanced toward the door.

“Little grandaunt, hurry up!”

Lu Zhao barely moved his lips, forcing the whisper through his teeth.

When had the great lord outside ever waited for anyone?

Zhao Li nodded, then noticed the food box on the table. She scooped up her things and hurried out after Shen Yan.

“Lord Shen, you forgot your food box.”

The moment she crossed the threshold, she nearly walked face-first into Shen Yan’s back.

At such close range, the clean scent of pine filled her nose, and she discovered something.

She was genuinely short in this body!

Lord Shen turned slightly and looked down at her, radiating pressure.

“Sorry.” Zhao Li retreated half a step.

Shen Yan said nothing. He merely gestured for a guard to retrieve the box.

His personal guards exchanged glances, each finding the same trace of astonishment in the others’ eyes.

Had Lord Shen stopped just now… to wait for someone?

Zhao Li followed Shen Yan through the government quarters with several guards trailing behind them. Eventually, they reached a three-courtyard residence.

“This is where I stay when I am at the office. You may live here for now,” Shen Yan told her from the courtyard.

The place was clean and tastefully arranged, but spacious and devoid of warmth. Clearly, he rarely lived here.

Zhao Li surveyed it.

“Thank you, Lord Shen.”

Her work had accustomed her to abandoned houses and haunted buildings. She could even lie down and sleep in a mass grave.

This was more than enough.

She looked around in satisfaction, but Shen Yan was not satisfied.

After Zhao Li entered the side room, he summoned one of his guards and gave several instructions before returning to his own quarters.

…

The side room was fully supplied with clean bedding, though it smelled somewhat damp.

Zhao Li set the paper-wrapped food on the table and tried to light the candle, only to realize she had no fire striker.

She sat on the bed fully dressed in the darkness.

[System?] she called in her mind.

[I’m here!]

Blood-red words emerged from the darkness in response.

The final exclamation point looked as though it were about to drip blood.

Zhao Li shuddered again.

[How badly do you want to scare me to death?]

It had done this once in the well and now again.

At her complaint, the bloody words rapidly vanished, replaced by a translucent blue interface.

When she saw the familiar scarf-wearing penguin in the upper-right corner, Zhao Li had the inexplicable certainty that this system was a scam.

[Current class: vicious female villain. (Class advancement available.)]

[Experience to next level: 500/5,000.]

The entire interface was simple enough to make her weep.

There were no physical statistics, no quest log, and no skill descriptions.

A gigantic *Recharge* button occupied most of the panel.

Zhao Li remained silent for a long time in the dark.

[Useless system. What good are you?]

She cursed inwardly, pulled the damp quilt around herself, and closed her eyes.

Nothing else went wrong that night.

Then a terrified scream tore through the peace of early morning.

Zhao Li rolled out of bed.

Cockcrow had passed, and daylight brightened the courtyard. The air was damp with the scent of grass and soil.

Shen Yan, wearing only his inner robe, and several guards reached the front courtyard before her.

When they opened the gate, a human figure stood directly outside.

A maid in green had collapsed nearby.

A food box lay on its side beside her, buns and rice porridge scattered across the ground.

Shen Yan’s guards gripped the long sabers at their waists, nerves taut as they shielded him.

The figure before the gate was bent and hunchbacked, its neck stretched unnaturally forward.

Its stiff, deathly white face wore eyes narrowed to thin slits, curved like smiling crescents.

The corners of its lips looked as though they had been ripped outward by tremendous force, splitting all the way to the cheeks.

Two rows of bloodless gums and stark white teeth showed within.

No one knew when the man had died or when he had taken his place before the gate.

Though it was only early spring in the third month, a chill sank into their bones.

Zhao Li raised a hand and gripped her left wrist.

As expected, the ghost had come to see her again.