Hearing the coldness in his voice, QingWu clicked her tongue, her previously charming and obedient demeanor transforming into one of lazy defiance. She took the initiative to grasp Xiao Chenyuan's chin, her eyes flashing with open hostility.
"My hands are indeed holding onto something," she said, her voice laced with a teasing edge. "This is my dowry, you know. If my king wants it, you'll have to offer something in return, don't you think? And besides, tomorrow is my return visit to my family. I must bring some gifts when I visit as my return, and you, My king, must help me save face."
Xiao Chenyuan looked at her with a meaningful gaze. Dowry? It seemed that this 'dowry' had originally been sent into her hands by him. He was curious to see what she planned to use this 'dowry' to bargain with him for. Whether human or ghost, everyone had their own intentions. "What do you want?"
"Well then~" QingWu's eyes twinkled mischievously. "A few mountains of gold and silver, ten grand mansions, twenty maids and servants, hmm~ and another twenty-four horses."
Lü Qiao and Hong Rui, who had been bringing in hot water, overheard her words from outside the curtain. The two girls stared wide-eyed, and they heard QingWu escalate her demands: "I don't think these requests are too much. If you can't fulfill such small requests, my king, you're really too stingy."
Lü Qiao, quick-tempered, was about to rush in, but Hong Rui held her back. Lü Qiao stomped her foot, muttering in a low voice, "How can she ask for so much? Is that even a small request? Even if we stripped the entire Dread King's Manor, we couldn't scrape together that much money."
For years, the King had lived in the northern border, and the imperial court allocated very little military funds for the north. The King, being self-disciplined and frugal, invested whatever money he had into the army.
QingWu and Xiao Chenyuan both had sharp hearing, so they naturally overheard the whispers of the maid outside. QingWu's eyes flickered with a trace of amusement.
Although Xiao Chenyuan did not show any anger, he knew she was once again toying with him. Ghosts, it seemed, had a particular fondness for toying with others. "I thought you and your father were not on good terms," he remarked. "But it seems you're quite generous with your family after all."
Sighing dramatically, QingWu responded, "Ah, what can I say? I'm a filial daughter~" Then, with a change of tone, she added, "My father is sending a white-haired person to bury a black-haired one. It's truly pitiful. As his daughter, of course, I must help arrange a grand funeral for my sister. A few mountains of gold, silver, and precious horses and carriages wouldn't hurt, would they? At least it will ensure she has some money left in her hands when she's gone to the Underworld."
Xiao Chenyuan paused, his gaze suddenly shifting as he looked at her.
Outside the curtain, the two young maids were also staring wide-eyed, unable to believe their ears. Was she really referring to...?
"Does the Queen want me to send you a pile of paper offerings as a return gift?" he asked, his voice was cold.
"Yes~" QingWu winked mischievously at him.
Xiao Chenyuan watched her with a sharp, calculating gaze. For a brief moment, he saw a resemblance to the little girl from years ago in her expression. His heart tightened sharply. He stepped back, loosening his grip, as a flicker of dark emotion briefly surfaced before being suppressed again. That little girl was long gone. Even if there was a similarity, it was purely coincidental.
The person in front of him, whether human or ghost, was no longer who she once was. Her motives, whatever they were, were so far removed from his expectations. It was as though her purpose was not just to scare Yun Houxing, but to drive him to the brink of madness.
"Isn't that a little too humble? It would tarnish my Queen's reputation," Xiao Chenyuan replied, his tone calm yet laced with underlying tension.
QingWu smiled slyly, stepping closer and pushing the boundaries: "It sounds like I'm at a disadvantage. Otherwise... what if the rest... is repaid in flesh,my King?"
The sinister energy on him was like a supplement to her. Xiao Chenyuan frowned, turned, and began walking away. "My Queen may do as she pleases."
QingWu clicked her tongue, "Men, they want it but won't give anything in return." She pulled out the hidden box and hurried after him. When she saw him stop and glance back, his profile was perfect, his demeanor like a dragon's, his aura dark as a storm cloud bearing down on snow, reserved yet domineering.
She threw the box toward him. Xiao Chenyuan caught it effortlessly with one hand, his eyes flashing with curiosity.
QingWu stood with her hands behind her back, her presence no longer as mysteriously enchanting but now like an iris blooming in the quiet of the night—both enigmatic and captivating.
"I've given you my dowry, for tomorrow's occasion, you must make sure to uphold my reputation..." She softened her voice, losing some of her usual cheekiness. "If you feel cold, come find me."
Xiao Chenyuan gave her a long, deep look, neither affirming nor denying her words. He merely said, "Thank you," and turned to leave.
Nearby, a small voice whispered, "The Queen..."Lu Qiao hesitated, feeling embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I misunderstood you my Queen." Hong Rui also lowered her body to bow.
QingWu glanced at them, thought of her plan, and walked straight into the room. The two girls exchanged confused glances, their expressions tinged with unease. After a moment, QingWu returned and handed them three red talismans folded into triangles. "A greeting gift, keep them close, they ward off ghost and evil spirits."
The two girls exchanged hesitant glances, feeling the talismans were too hot to handle. They were no ordinary maidservants but members of the hidden guards. Naturally, they understood the oddities of QingWu's identity. Xiao Chenyuan had sent them to attend to her, likely with the intention to monitor and probe for any secrets.
To ward off evil spirits... wasn't she the very ghost they were meant to guard against? Hong Rui thought carefully and asked, " My Queen, who are this extra talismans for?"
"The ones meant for the little brat who keeps saying I'm a ghost and warning you to be careful not to have your life force drained by me."
Lü Qiao and Hong Rui gasped, "How does the Queen know about this?!"
In the distance, Elderly Attendant sneezed loudly, pinching his nose as he muttered to himself, "Who's cursing me?"
The next day, QingWu prepared herself for the return visit to her family. Rising too early, she yawned repeatedly during the journey. The carriage waited outside Dread King's Manor, accompanied by a dozen Black Armor Guards mounted on horseback, exuding a menacing aura. Behind them were several large carts carrying paper effigies of golden mountains, silver hills, luxury carriages, and child servants.
QingWu sighed in admiration, "Still feels lacking—should've brought a few suona players to complete the scene."
Lü Qiao stifled a laugh, "My Queen is truly filial."
"Of course," QingWu raised her brow, "Father and daughter must show devotion, even to the death."
The surrounding guards exchanged glances, thinking: Yun Houxing is really going to be overwhelmed by this 'filial piety.'
QingWu noticed the subtle shift in the manor servants' attitudes toward her today. She figured it had something to do with the accounts she had handed over the night before.
Lü Qiao supported her into the carriage while Elderly Attendant tugged Hong Rui aside and muttered, "What's wrong with you two? Bewitched by a ghost?"
Hong Rui rolled her eyes and shoved a red talisman into his hand. "The Queen gave it to you. She said it wards off evil spirits."
Elderly Attendant's face turned pale, and he nearly dropped it on the spot. Just then, the curtain of the carriage lifted, revealing QingWu's smiling, ghostly face. "Keep it safe, or else… beware of ghosts knocking at your door tonight to drain your life force."
Elderly Attendant froze, stiff as a board, not daring to move.
Having successfully scared him, QingWu burst into cheerful laughter, clearly in high spirits. A low, resonant voice sounded beside her, "Is tormenting people part of your nature?"
QingWu turned her head, meeting Xiao Chenyuan's calm and composed gaze. It wasn't surprising that he accompanied her for the return visit today—after all, who would pass up the chance to witness some drama with proper justification? However, his complexion looked even worse than the day before, and that fiery red fox fur cloak had been draped over his shoulders again, a clear sign that his night hadn't gone well. QingWu pouted slightly. Truly a glutton for punishment—she had already extended him an olive branch yesterday, yet he didn't know how to seize the opportunity.
"Seeing others in discomfort brings me joy," QingWu remarked casually, inching closer to him. "Is my King feeling cold? Why didn't you come to look for me last night then?"
----The carriage was already in motion. Xiao Chenyuan stared at her for a long moment, seemingly calculating something. "Did you go through the ledgers?" He didn't ask how QingWu had obtained them—after all, both of them were sharp. Some things were better left understood without being explicitly stated.
QingWu nodded lightly. "This dowry is hefty enough, isn't it?"
"It's indeed substantial." Xiao Chenyuan pondered briefly before asking, "Apart from the ledgers, was there anything else in the box?"
"Nope." Xiao Chenyuan furrowed his brows slightly, though it wasn't exactly disappointment. Years ago, Yun Houxing had deliberately delayed military supplies and later framed the Marquis of Zhenguo for treason. If any evidence of his crimes had existed, it was likely destroyed long ago.
Even so, the ledgers in hand were sufficient to bring Yun Houxing to his knees. However, Xiao Chenyuan, ever cautious, decided he still needed to personally investigate that secret chamber.
While his thoughts churned, QingWu suddenly grabbed his arm. The unexpected pull made his body sink slightly, and her faintly cool fragrance drifted into his senses. Her conspiratorial excitement, paired with that mischievous expression, tugged at his nerves again, stirring an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
A flash of memory surfaced: a youthful version of himself, and that little girl who used to tug on his sleeve whenever she schemed. "Brother Yantai, come here, come here, I've got something to tell you…"
"Xiao Chenyuan, come closer, come closer—I've got something to tell you…"
Snapping back to the present, Xiao Chenyuan quelled the ripples in his heart, his voice taking on an unintentionally hoarse tone. "Speak."
"I need a place—safe, secluded, and preferably spacious enough to hide something."
"To hide what?" Xiao Chenyuan's instincts warned him she was up to no good again.
QingWu's eyes sparkled with delight. "My dowry, of course!" She was determined to take every single tael from Yun Houxing's secret chamber—all of it!