The fire was intense. Villagers and town firefighters worked until midnight to extinguish it. Fortunately, the blaze was confined to the old house on the west side of the village, reducing the already dilapidated structure to ruins. Surrounding trees were not significantly damaged.
The villagers who helped put out the fire concluded that someone had been engaged in illicit activities outdoors, accidentally starting a wildfire. Since no forest damage occurred, the matter was dropped.
However, I didn't share this opinion. The old house on the west side of the village had always been considered haunted by the villagers of Molu Village. Few people ventured there, let alone for clandestine activities. Even the bravest person would likely suffer a mental breakdown if they dared to do anything there at night.
What's more, I had personally witnessed the Old Ghost self-immolating before the fire broke out in the old house. Was the Old Ghost trying to convey something?
Among the rescued individuals, I didn't see Zhang Dabiao. Returning to my lodging, I noticed the light in his room was still on.
I knocked on the door and walked in.
He had already packed his belongings for the journey home. Both of us carried only a single backpack, as we had little to bring.
"You're back?"
"Mm."
Zhang Dabiao seemed unaware of the fire at the old house on the west side of the village. However, I sensed a heavy expression on his face, a look of wanting to speak but hesitating.
"Brother Zhang, I wanted to talk to you about something..."
Before I could finish, he interrupted me.
"Little brother, the fewer people who know certain things, the better. Not everyone can bear those secrets. So, I won't inquire about what you've done, and you don't need to tell me. I trust your judgment. Some things are just fate!" With that, he pushed me out of the room and locked the door with a click.
I was left outside, bewildered.
Fate? What fate?
What did any of this have to do with anything?
I awkwardly touched my nose. I hadn't said anything yet, so why did it turn to fate? I wanted to knock again and ask for clarification, but through the crack in the door, I saw that the light inside had been turned off.
With a sigh, I could only shake my head. I would ask him about the situation on the road tomorrow.
Facing the closed door, I bid goodnight and turned to go back to my room to sleep.
After being up for most of the night, my body was exhausted. I rolled over on the bed and drifted off into a hazy sleep.
"Qingyun... Qingyun..."
It felt like I had only just closed my eyes when I heard someone calling my name. I opened my eyes, feeling confused.
"Where is this? Am I not in my lodging in Molu Village?"
The bed beneath me felt incredibly hard and exuded a faint fragrance of new bamboo, along with an indescribable scent. Through the bed curtains, I could see candlelight flickering, and a graceful figure sitting by the candlestick.
This was the bamboo forest cabin belonging to the Fifth Princess of the Half-Yin Realm, wasn't it? How did I end up here?
Lifting the bed curtains, my vision was filled with red. The wallpaper depicted mandarin ducks playing in water. Two dragon-phoenix candles, as thick as bowls, occasionally crackled. A slender figure sat with her back to me.
She was dressed in a striking crimson wedding gown, embroidered with phoenix patterns, colorful clouds, and mandarin ducks on the cuffs. Her head was adorned with a golden headdress with peacock patterns and a veil, presenting the appearance of a bride awaiting her groom.
I was unsure who the person before me was, but remembering that this bamboo cabin was the Fifth Princess's boudoir, I instinctively called out.
"Fifth Princess?"
After a long pause, the figure in the crimson attire responded.
"Mm!"
Her voice was incredibly soft, with a hint of shyness that left me stunned.
Was this still the Fifth Princess I knew? Moreover, this scene was clearly not meant for me to witness. The veil remained unlifted, indicating she was waiting for her husband. I suddenly thought that if her husband saw me, he would surely skin me alive!
"Fifth Princess, why didn't you tell me you were getting married today! I could have prepared a gift or something. I just stumbled in here without any preparation, which is... rather awkward."
If I had known it was the Fifth Princess's wedding day, I would have definitely prepared a decent gift. Coming empty-handed like this made me so embarrassed I wished I could disappear into a crack in the ground.
"What's there to be awkward about? Today is our wedding day. Although it's a bit simple, it's also..."
I didn't hear the rest of what she said, as I was completely bewildered by "our wedding." My head buzzed as if struck by a sledgehammer, and I couldn't process anything else.
The phrase "our wedding day" struck me like lightning, leaving me utterly dumbfounded. It was quite comical that the groom himself didn't know he was the main character today.
Although I hadn't interacted with the Fifth Princess for long, I knew she wasn't one to joke lightly. Perhaps there was some misunderstanding.
I cleared my throat, organized my thoughts, and then asked softly, "Fifth Princess, I'm truly happy for you on your wedding day. But you said you were marrying me, is there perhaps a mistake?"
As soon as I finished speaking, the two dragon-phoenix candles flickered, and a chilling coldness spread through the bamboo cabin.
"A mistake? Do you think I, a maiden princess, would joke about my reputation?"
The Fifth Princess's voice remained clear, but it had turned somewhat cold, with a hint of anger. If not for the veil on her head, I suspected her furious nature would have led her to beat me up.
"But... you saying you're marrying me, isn't that a joke? Besides, we're not suited for each other. You are a noble princess, and I'm just an ordinary poor boy. Isn't this like a phoenix falling into a chicken coop?"
"I don't care. A wife follows her husband, whether he's a chicken or a dog. Moreover, you've already accepted my dowry, so how can you go back on your word?"
Hearing this, I became alarmed. What was she talking about? When did I accept any dowry? This was a complete mismatch!
Seeing my disbelief, the Fifth Princess said coldly, "Did you not take the Hu Kui Seal into your possession last night?"
Upon hearing this, I felt an urge to vomit blood and quickly explained. This was completely unrelated! The Hu Kui Seal wasn't something I wanted; it was given to me by the Old Ghost. I didn't know how it happened, but it turned into a hot current and entered my body. If you want it, you can take it from my body anytime...
Before I could finish speaking, the Fifth Princess interrupted me.
"What Old Ghost? Such unpleasant words. That is our father. And haven't you always wanted to know what agreement your father made with me ten years ago? I can tell you now: it was to marry me."
*Pfft—*
I felt a tightness in my chest, my blood circulation becoming obstructed, and an urge to faint. I even wanted to curse loudly.
However, considering that the person I wanted to curse was my father, I had to swallow my anger. To curse him would be like cursing my own ancestors.
"Cough, cough... Fifth Princess, isn't this a bit too sudden? Perhaps you could explain what's going on, and then we can discuss it further..."
"No, there's no time..."
As soon as she finished speaking, I felt my body moving towards her uncontrollably. At the same time, a scale appeared in my hand, and I was about to lift the red veil.
Although I tried to control my body to stop myself from doing this, my body was not obeying me. Amidst my mixed feelings of shock and fear, I still lifted the red veil.
Looking at the Fifth Princess's shy face, my own was ashen. I thought to myself.
It's over. My Song family line will end here.