Chapter 8, Entering the Mountain at Midnight

The elderly lady was sitting and conversing with Wen Hai

The small boat drifted straight to the center of the pond and came to a stop

Discussing with Zhu Quan, Zhu Quan could not make sense of it either, but only advised her: "The master's actions must have their reasons, you must not speak of it to others"

Wen Hai gently stamped his foot, and the small boat slowly drifted away from the shore, moving without oars

It is good that you haven't left, Bai Xiaobi, the old lady is calling for you to come in

Although Bai Xiaobi felt surprised, she maintained her composure and asked, "What instructions does the old lady have?"

Without the moon, the sky was completely dark. Relying on the power of the Fan family, the two led more than ten white-clad servants smoothly out of the city. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, Wen Hai instructed the servants to stay behind, taking only Bai Xiaobi to walk up the mountain.

The smile on her face was amiable, yet the indifference in her eyes was impossible to conceal. Bai Xiaobi felt a chill in her heart and hurriedly lowered her gaze. This was clearly a command; was there any choice other than to comply? She must have some significant matter for which she needed her assistance, hence the politeness. However, she could not help but wonder what use she could possibly have for someone like her in the eyes of the powerful Fan family.

Wen Hai guessed her thoughts and looked at the water's surface: "Where the lotus blooms, there lies a coffin"

How did he make the boat move? Bai Xiaobi had been observing closely, yet she still found nothing. Upon hearing the words, she hurriedly scanned the surroundings and indeed spotted a bulging bag in the corner of the boat. She thought to herself that she had been so focused on watching him that she had overlooked it. She rushed over to try to drag it, only to find it extremely heavy. Upon opening it, she discovered it was filled with quicklime. Out of curiosity, she cautiously asked, "What is this for?"

Bai Xiaobi was taken aback and took a while to realize that he was being asked. He replied honestly, "No." It was originally taken by the Fan family, but the young master of the Fan family was unwilling to let him go without reason. Due to their power, he dared not leave and had to stay at the Fan family to work.

The attempt to win over was not very effective, and the old lady suppressed her displeasure: "I called you here to have you accompany the gentleman tonight to handle a matter."

Bai Xiaobi was shocked and after a long pause said: "Is the coffin really in this pond?" This pond is so wide and deep, and there are no markers. Not to mention retrieving the coffin, even finding it would be difficult, let alone with only two people.

This boat was prepared in advance by Old Madam Fan at his request, Bai Xiaobi thought to herself, not slowing her pace. Upon hearing the command, she quickly jumped onto the boat with the lantern in hand. The small boat swayed slightly due to external forces, and she hurriedly crouched down, gripping the edge of the boat tightly

Bai Xiaobi thought it made sense and nodded: "I casually mentioned it was like a tiger, how could it be so coincidentally accurate? He must be deliberately deceiving the Fan family, I won't say anything."

The old lady did not respond immediately, but turned to Wen Hai and asked, "Sir, do you think it is truly appropriate for her to go?"

The old lady remained silent

The servant led her to the entrance of the back garden, where a senior maid was already waiting. Bai Xiaobi did not ask many questions and simply followed her with her head down. Passing by several houses, the maid brought her into a spacious courtyard, where a dark green embroidered curtain hung at the door of the opposite room, the texture and color being quite unusual for an ordinary household, with several young maids standing guard outside the door.

The old lady nodded, her tone once again softening: "Do you want to be a young lady or a maid? You are a clever child, so there is no need for me to elaborate further." Turning to Wen Hai, she said: "During the day, I have already instructed them to prepare as you mentioned, will you be bringing more people to help?"

Bai Xiaobi felt embarrassed, knowing that he was doing it on purpose, so she raised her voice out of frustration: "I don't understand anything, nor do I know what to do. Why did Young Master Wen bring me here?"

As long as the person is here, there is no fear of him running away. The old lady hurriedly said, "Sir, you are too modest; I truly trust you." After saying this, she beckoned Bai Xiaobi to come closer, took her hand, and smiled kindly and amiably: "Good girl, you have been wronged these days; it is my grandson who is too disappointing, leaving you all alone and helpless. I will have him apologize to you another day."

The old lady indeed clapped her hands and softened her voice, saying, "If this matter is handled well, you will become the young lady of the Fan family in the future. From now on, I will treat you as my own granddaughter, ensuring that you will have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of your life"

Seeing her compliance, the old lady was finally satisfied: "I knew you were a well-behaved and obedient child." She then released her hand, restoring her usual authority and composure, warning: "No one is allowed to speak of this matter. If I hear even a whisper, I will surely strip you of your clothes and sell you to a brothel!" She snorted twice: "Don't think about escaping; even if you manage to flee from the county, our Fan family has ways to bring you back!"

Wen Haili stood at the bow of the ship, without turning his face, instructed: "First, open the bag."

"The girl has arrived." The old lady, unusually, greeted her with a kind and pleasant demeanor

Finally, the two ascended to the mountainside under the cover of night, standing by the edge of the colorful lotus pond. The broad surface of the pond, which appeared expansive during the day, seemed even more vast in the night, shrouded in darkness, rendering the opposite shore invisible

Wen Hai nodded: "That is good."

The white robe gently swayed, initially resembling an immortal riding the wind, and upon closer inspection, it appeared more like a noble from the royal court. Even though the figure was turned away from this side, its upright posture still commanded a sense of awe, making it difficult to gaze directly. Bai Xiaobi was both astonished and admiring, realizing that Zhu Quan's words were indeed not false.

Apart from Bai Gong and Bai Xiaobi, this name is rarely called out directly by anyone. Now, the phoenix has turned into a sparrow, and the young lady has become a maid, making the name seem lowly and easily spoken by everyone. Bai Xiaobi does not mind much; she is only surprised—she is now an inconspicuous, lowly flour-milling maid. Although she accompanied them outside the city the other day, that was entirely Wen Hai's suggestion. Strictly speaking, she did not participate in it. Old Madam Fan even specifically warned her not to make it public upon her return. Several days have passed since the incident, so what are they calling on her for now? She is only surprised—she is now an inconspicuous, lowly flour-milling maid. Although she accompanied them outside the city the other day, that was entirely Wen Hai's suggestion. Strictly speaking, she did not participate in it. Old Madam Fan even specifically warned her not to make it public upon her return. Several days have passed since the incident, so what are they calling on her for now?

Wen Hai said softly: "Can one take revenge without leaving the Fan family?"

The dark water surface allows the lantern's light to illuminate only within a distance of one zhang

Wen Hai seemed not to have heard.

Wen Hai held the handle of the fan and stood up: "It is getting late, let us go."

Bai Xiaobi gasped for breath, raising her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead

Bai Xiaobi remained silent for a long time and murmured, "Will you punish them?"

With no worries about food and clothing, they must have assured Zhu Quan in the same way back then, right? Bai Xiaobi secretly sneered and nodded obediently: "Just as the old lady instructed."

Wen Hai nodded: "Except for her, no one else is allowed to go."

Zhu Quan thought: "The Fan family is not to be trifled with. I do not know what his intentions are. It would be wise for you and me to avoid seeking him out in the near future, lest we arouse their suspicions"

As she looked outside, the sky was darkening. She hurriedly bid farewell to Zhu Quandao, intending to return home to rest. However, just as she reached the entrance of the courtyard, a servant came in unexpectedly.

Bai Xiaobi bowed respectfully

Wen Hai clearly did not notice her, and Fu Yi boarded a small boat: "Come up"

Wen Haidao: "This matter is perilous and confidential. This girl has a strong fate, which is why she can go. The less outsiders know, the better. I will first take her up the mountain to carry out the task. You only need to send a few trustworthy people to wait at the foot of the mountain. Once the hour of Zi has passed tonight, the hour of Yin will be an auspicious time, suitable for burial"

Knowing that he does not like to be chatty, Bai Xiaobi still could not help but ask: "What are we going to do?"

The old lady agreed

Wen Hai finally spoke: "You will always light the lamp."

Bai Xiaobi quickly replied, "Yes."

The lantern illuminated the mountain path, and he walked ahead with steady steps, while Bai Xiaobi struggled to keep up behind him, holding the lantern. She rarely walked on mountain paths, and it was indeed exhausting to walk so fast at this moment. Her father often said that the most terrifying people are those who cannot be understood. Now, she finally experienced this feeling firsthand. For some reason, facing the mysterious Wen Hai, she always felt an inexplicable sense of fear in her heart, so she did not dare to call out for him to wait and could only grit her teeth and follow closely.

Lotus? Bai Xiaobi immediately turned her face to look, hesitating: "Will lotus flowers really bloom in this pond..."

Bai Xiaobi was so choked that she could not speak

Wen Hai did not pay any attention

Wen Hai Dao: "When the time arrives, raise the coffin"

The father met a tragic death, and an apology is all that is offered? Bai Xiaobi silently gritted her teeth and quickly glanced at Wen Hai, saying nothing.

"Bringing you out, of course, there is something to discuss," Wen Hai glanced at her, a smile appearing, "Is there a contract of servitude with the Fan family?"

Bai Xiaobi said: "That is exactly what I was thinking."

He inquired about this, could it be that he truly intends to save himself and wants to ask the Fan family for help? Bai Xiaobi hurriedly said: "My father was killed by them, I must take revenge first"

Returning to the Fan family, Bai Xiaobi had been feeling gloomy for several days. She contemplated asking but hesitated, not solely due to the warning from the old lady Fan, but because Wen Hai now presented himself as if he had just met her. If their interactions became too frequent, it would surely arouse suspicion among the Fan family, which would jeopardize his plans. That day, she overheard their conversation by the Cailian Pond; although she did not fully understand, she could vaguely guess what they were plotting, leaving her quite perplexed. "The tiger descends the mountain," from his words, it seemed to refer to a piece of land with good feng shui. Wasn't he supposed to be avenging Zhu Quan? Why then was he directing his attention towards the Fan family?

Wen Hai understood her concerns: "Since I am willing to speak with you, it is out of genuine intent to assist. As long as you follow my instructions, you will surely receive good news within a month. I will stay here for a month, and if there are any mistakes, I will accept any consequences."