Chapter 1: A Life is Lost
Just as the old gentleman was puzzled, a sudden scream echoed from the courtyard: "Someone has died!"
With a creak, the old wooden door was pushed open, and a musty smell, caused by the heavy summer humidity, wafted in. The old man frowned and shrank his neck, stepping into the room. Inside, some farming tools were haphazardly placed, and nothing else; the small room felt quite empty. The old man seemed to recall the recently deceased Lan Hua, and instinctively looked up at the beam. This glance nearly scared the soul out of him, for there, on the dim ceiling, sat a long-haired woman dressed in bridal attire, staring at him expressionlessly. This woman was Zhao Lan Hua, who had hanged herself here a few months ago.
The next morning, before dawn, the old gentleman got up! He had neither breakfast nor lunch, so he picked up a cane, called for Wang Wu, and after giving a few instructions to the household, he set out with Wang Wu towards Er Gou Village. On the way, noticing the old gentleman's poor complexion, Wang Wu bent down and asked, "Sir, why do you need to go to Er Gou so early? Is there something urgent?"
Sun Dong's grandmother, surnamed Liu, would be over ninety years old if she were still alive today. Grandma Liu had a tragic life; she lost her father at the age of five and her mother at seven. Fortunately, she was taken in by a landlord's family in the village, which saved her from starving to death. At that time, she lived in a storage room of the landlord's house, working during the day and resting there at night, along with two or three other girls of similar age.
The old gentleman shook his head and said: "It's nothing! It's nothing! Just sleep at m.hetushu.com. Tomorrow, have someone lock that warehouse up. No one is allowed to enter without my permission! Additionally, let Wang Wu accompany me to Er Gou Village for a visit!"
One night, the old gentleman found the room stifling and decided to take a stroll in the courtyard to cool off. The stars and moon were dim, and the courtyard was enveloped in darkness. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would rustle the old poplar tree, creating an eerie atmosphere. The old gentleman shivered slightly, tilted his head to look around, and inadvertently caught sight of the warehouse where the orchid had hanged. He vaguely noticed that the door was not locked! There was a slight gap in the door, revealing an intimidating expanse of darkness within. The old gentleman shivered again, tilted his head to look around, and inadvertently caught sight of the warehouse where the orchid had hanged. He vaguely noticed that the door was not locked! There was a slight gap in the door, revealing an intimidating expanse of darkness within. However, the old gentleman was unaware of what had come over him! He hesitantly walked toward the warehouse!
Upon witnessing this scene, the old gentleman furrowed his brows tightly. He immediately summoned a few servants to carry down the body of Lan Hua and instructed everyone not to spread the news at this time. Finally, he ordered some money and valuables to be sent to Lan Hua's family, informing them that she had died of a sudden illness
Zhao Lanhua remained expressionless, staring intently at the old master without saying a word. Seeing this, the old master continued, "If your parents have any needs, I will also provide for them. What are you still worried about? Do you want me to arrange a grand funeral for you?" Zhao Lanhua continued to sit there, expressionless, staring at the old master. The old master felt somewhat unnerved under her gaze and quietly exited the warehouse, quickly returning to the bedroom. The first wife noticed the old master’s poor complexion and asked, "Master, what is the matter with you?"
On that day, Granny Li recounted a story from long ago. At that time, the head of the Zhang family was still the old master. The old master, at the age of fifty, took a concubine named Zhao Lanhua, a beautiful girl among ten others. Due to poverty, her parents sold her to the old master. Although Lanhua was unwilling in her heart, what could a weak woman do in a feudal era? She had no choice but to submit to the arrangements of fate. On the night of the wedding, after drinking three rounds, the old master drunkenly arrived at Lanhua's room, but upon pushing the door open, he found no sign of the bride!
Upon hearing this, the old gentleman's intoxication immediately diminished by seventy to eighty percent. He hurriedly ran to the courtyard and saw the laborers crowding in front of a door piled with miscellaneous items, chattering incessantly. When the crowd noticed the master had arrived, they quickly made way for him. The old gentleman looked up and saw his newlywed concubine, Lan Hua, hanging from the beams in the storeroom.
This warehouse has been around for quite some time. Although it is somewhat dilapidated, for Grandma Liu back in the day, having a place to shelter from the wind and rain was already quite good. One evening, just as the sun was setting, seven-year-old Grandma Liu was in the yard shucking corn. Li Apo, a long-term worker for the landlord's family, had some free time and began to recount stories from decades ago that took place in the landlord's household. To start with, Li Apo is in her sixties, has a peculiar personality, and rarely communicates with others. However, she has a particular fondness for young Grandma Liu, often telling her stories to amuse and entertain her. One evening, just as the sun was setting, seven-year-old Grandma Liu was in the yard shucking corn. Li Apo, a long-term worker for the landlord's family, had some free time and began to recount stories from decades ago that took place in the landlord's household. To start with, Li Apo is in her sixties, has a peculiar personality, and rarely communicates with others. However, she has a particular fondness for young Grandma Liu, often telling her stories to amuse and entertain her.
The old gentleman, being a person of considerable experience and knowledge, quickly calmed down after his initial surprise and, gathering his courage, said: "Orchid, what is the purpose of this?"
Thus, the matter was covered up. Moreover, in that era, the death of a concubine was quite common. Therefore, after a few months, everyone had largely forgotten about it, and whenever there was some leisure time, it was merely treated as a topic of conversation after meals, casually discussed.