Yang Ruoning sat by the haunted lake, while in the distance, Black leisurely grazed on grass. These days, Han Dan Chun had been surprisingly calm, often spending entire days with Ah Jing in the study, leaving Yang Ruoning to visit this place alone after lunch.
It was a two-day journey from You Zhou City to the wormhole, but by horseback, it could be done in just one day. She hadn't considered going back; she desperately missed all the conveniences of modern life, the junk food. But even an hour's return trip would mean half a month had passed here; besides, she couldn't think of anything on that side that could help her current situation.
Perhaps she should go back and find some tomb-robbing materials?
Did she have to resort to tomb robbing now? Alas, thinking of these things, Yang Ruoning couldn't help but sigh. Why was everything here so difficult? It was truly a headache, such a headache.
A rustling sound came from behind her. Yang Ruoning didn't turn around. She thought it must be the shepherd boy again; he came almost every day. Yang Ruoning had asked him, "Aren't you afraid of ghosts? Why do you still come every day?" The little boy had replied that he had asked his grandmother, who said Yang Ruoning must have a very strong horoscope, so the female ghost definitely wouldn't dare to appear, which was why he dared to come and herd sheep.
It must be the little boy coming to herd sheep again, Yang Ruoning thought.
The footsteps behind her drew closer, and a pair of embroidered shoes with intricate patterns appeared before her. Yang Ruoning looked up and saw a woman in splendid attire standing before her. The woman stood against the light of the two o'clock afternoon sun, revealing only a blurred silhouette, her appearance unclear.
Yang Ruoning raised her hand to her forehead, trying to get a clearer look at the visitor. The woman spoke, "Do you come here often?"
Unsure of who the visitor was, Yang Ruoning did not answer.
The woman took a few more steps closer and sat down beside Yang Ruoning. When Yang Ruoning saw her clearly, she was greatly surprised.
It was Luo Qian Qiu. What was she doing here?
"I used to come to this lake often, but after it became haunted, I stopped coming," Luo Qian Qiu said to herself. "Do you know who I am?" she asked, turning her head to look at Yang Ruoning.
"Perhaps no one in You Zhou City doesn't know Miss," Yang Ruoning replied. "What are you doing here?"
"I have some matters on my mind, so I wanted to find a quiet place," she said.
"Oh, if that's the case, then I won't disturb Miss Luo," Yang Ruoning said, getting up to leave. She curled her fingers into a circle and blew a loud whistle into her mouth, "Black, let's go back."
"Why are you in such a hurry to leave, miss? I've already told you I have something on my mind, aren't you going to ask me what it is?" Luo Qian Qiu said unhurriedly.
"We are not acquainted," Yang Ruoning replied somewhat coolly. Was it because of a rival in love? Somehow, she disliked Luo Qian Qiu and didn't want to hear her troubles.
Luo Qian Qiu, however, grabbed her, forcing her to sit down. She said, "I think we've met before. You're that outsider with the big beard I met at the manor that day, aren't you?"
"Heh, Miss Luo certainly has sharp eyes. You could recognize me even in my disguise."
"Miss's wrists are slender; it's clear you're dressed as a man."
"Miss Luo's observations are indeed meticulous."
Luo Qian Qiu smiled, then changed the subject, "I'm getting married next month."
"Yes, everyone in You Zhou City knows that."
Luo Qian Qiu continued, "I still remember the day Father brought Brother Yuan back. I was little then. I remember Father called me over, pointed at Brother Yuan, and said to me, 'Qiu'er, this is Luo Yuan. He is your future husband. When you grow up, you will marry him.'"
"Ah, so you were childhood sweethearts," Yang Ruoning said.
"Yes, but I hated him then. His clothes were tattered, his face was dirty, and he smelled of poverty. I told Father then that I would never marry him."
"And now? Do you want to marry him?" Yang Ruoning asked.
"Heh, haven't you met Brother Yuan yourself, miss? A man like that, he's every maiden's dream lover, isn't he?" Luo Qian Qiu giggled, covering her mouth.
Yang Ruoning looked at Luo Qian Qiu, feeling that her laughter sounded somewhat artificial.
"Then congratulations, Miss, for marrying your dream lover," Yang Ruoning said.
Luo Qian Qiu's smile then subsided. "Yes, I've finally waited for this day. You have no idea how much I've sacrificed for it."
Yang Ruoning looked at the lake, remaining silent.
Luo Qian Qiu's expression turned serious. She said, "You don't know how tired my heart is. Seeing so many women, one after another, group after group, buzzing around him like flies."
Yang Ruoning felt very uncomfortable with her description of those women as 'flies,' especially since she herself could be considered one of them. Yang Ruoning said, "He will only marry you, won't that suffice?"
Luo Qian Qiu shook her head. "What I want is his heart. Brother Yuan... he's always had someone in his heart. He hides her, and though he's never shown it, I know there's always been a woman. That woman is so special to him, it seems his heart has no room for anyone else."
Yang Ruoning had also heard of that woman, so when Luo Qian Qiu spoke of her, Yang Ruoning didn't know what to say. Many emotions surged within her at that moment. She didn't want Luo Qian Qiu to see them, so she averted her gaze and looked towards the lake ahead.
Luo Qian Qiu continued, "I thought that after so many years, since that woman never appeared, she must no longer be in this world."
"She's passed away?" Yang Ruoning murmured.
"I'm not sure," Luo Qian Qiu said, taking off a necklace from her neck. A delicate silver chain was adorned with a brilliant diamond. Luo Qian Qiu held the necklace out to Yang Ruoning and said, "This is that woman's necklace. Father was wearing it the first time he brought Brother Yuan home. Father said it was Brother Yuan's mother's keepsake. But I know the look in Brother Yuan's eyes when he saw this gem wasn't for his mother, but for a woman. You don't know how much Brother Yuan treasures this necklace; he wears it around his neck and never takes it off. I found it in his room. I wanted to return it to him, but when I heard that Brother Yuan thought the necklace was lost on the battlefield, and that he even ventured alone into enemy territory to find it, disregarding his own life, I became incredibly jealous of that woman. So I decided not to return it to him. It's best if he forgets that woman!"
The diamond, about the size of a fingernail, was cut in a classic style with neat facets, sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight. It was a man-made diamond.
The moment Yang Ruoning saw the diamond, her body trembled uncontrollably.
...Is this Luo Yuan's necklace?...Is this the necklace of the woman he pines for?
Suddenly, Luo Yuan's perplexing words to her instantly made sense.
"Ruoning, promise me you won't leave me again."
"There are ghosts that 'appear and disappear out of thin air,' and there is also love that lasts until death."