Even the daughter-in-law of the Wang family, who had not yet completed her postpartum confinement, sat outside, holding her sleeping infant. Around her were a group of young wives her age.
They surrounded the Wang family's daughter-in-law, shielding her from the wind that occasionally blew from all directions.
The elders had always said that one should not be exposed to the wind during postpartum confinement, or one would suffer from headaches later.
Tears streamed down the Wang family's daughter-in-law's face. Someone comforted her, "You mustn't cry during confinement; you might go blind."
Suddenly, someone shouted, "The master is coming!"
Everyone turned their heads in unison, all looking towards Ning Wei.
Ning Wei walked forward, carrying the white cat. Her imposing aura made everyone automatically clear a path.
The Wang family's daughter-in-law, her eyes filled with tears, looked at Ning Wei, her lips trembling as she pleaded, "Master Ning, please help."
"I'll go in and take a look first," Ning Wei replied softly.
She also glanced down at the child in the Wang family's daughter-in-law's arms. The baby, only a few days old, looked wrinkled and a little ugly.
The cat in Ning Wei's arms let out a heavy sigh, as if understanding Ning Wei's thoughts.
Someone whispered, "She's so young, can she really do it?"
"Who knows! If Master Ci Yun were here, why would they call her?"
"So young, and a girl too. Does she really understand this?"
Ning Wei paid no attention to these whispers.
She pushed open the wooden gate of the courtyard and navigated through the tables and chairs. Li Ye followed silently, while the other teammates remained outside, keeping a constant watch.
The courtyard was quiet, and Wang Erwa was nowhere to be seen.
"He's in the backyard," someone, seeing Ning Wei's confusion, shouted.
The white cat in her arms felt heavy, and her arms were getting sore. She glanced at the mess strewn all over the courtyard and decided to place the white cat on a stool.
"Stay here and wait for me, I'll be right back."
The white cat let out a soft meow in response.
The closer they got to the backyard, the more they could hear rustling sounds, as if something was crawling on the ground.
The backyard of the Wang family's home, like that of the Meng family, was used for planting and raising chickens and ducks.
Upon reaching the backyard, Ning Wei saw Wang Erwa lying on the ground, his body contorted. The damp earth clung to him. He occasionally stuck out his tongue, seemingly unbothered by eating dirt.
Seeing Ning Wei and Li Ye approach, he eyed them with suspicion, his tongue flicking out more frequently.
"What does he look like now?" Ning Wei turned to ask Li Ye.
"A snake."
"It seems to be the work of the mountain god."
Li Ye nodded in agreement.
The white cat had somehow followed them and let out a soft "meow."
Hearing this sound, Wang Erwa's mind cleared for a moment.
"Master, save me!" Wang Erwa managed to say, before his body contorted even more severely.
Ning Wei observed for a few minutes and found that apart from resembling a snake, he seemed otherwise unharmed.
It wasn't possession by a spirit, nor was he being framed.
Ning Wei knew the reason for his current state.
Next to the courtyard was a cage covered by a black cloth. The cat suddenly leaped onto it but lost its footing, its claws pulling the black cloth to the ground.
When the black cloth was pulled aside, a goat appeared before Ning Wei's eyes.
"He didn't offer the tribute to fulfill his vow, so this is what happened," Ning Wei murmured.
However, this was just speculation. She would have to ask the Wang family's daughter-in-law for the specifics.
Since Wang Erwa had no intention of escaping, Ning Wei ignored him and walked forward.
The Wang family's daughter-in-law eagerly stood up, "Master, please..."
Ning Wei interrupted her, glancing at the onlookers. She said to her, "I have something to ask you. Is there somewhere we can talk without being disturbed?"
The Wang family's daughter-in-law looked surprised. Aunt Meng quickly stepped forward to hold the baby for her and nudged her with her elbow, "Aren't you going with Master Ning Wei?"
As if waking from a dream, the Wang family's daughter-in-law led Ning Wei to the bedroom.
Li Ye, unable to follow, leaned against the outer wall.
After Ning Wei and the Wang family's daughter-in-law entered the room, Ning Wei began indirectly, "How many goats do you have in total?"
"One."
"Has Wang Erwa ever mentioned wanting to buy two more goats?"
The Wang family's daughter-in-law looked confused, not understanding why Ning Wei was asking this. "Goats smell very strongly, so we were even planning to sell the one in the backyard."
Judging by her reaction, Ning Wei realized she was unaware of Wang Erwa's visit to the mountain god temple to pray for a son.
She was still in confinement, and Ning Wei hesitated whether to tell her.
Seeing Ning Wei's conflicted expression, the Wang family's daughter-in-law said directly, "Master, if you have something to say, just say it. I can accept anything."
Ning Wei looked at her. "Since you put it that way, I will be direct."
The Wang family's daughter-in-law nodded, looking very serious.
"Your husband has become like this because he went to the mountain god temple to pray. Now that his wish has been granted, he failed to offer a tribute at the temple, hence this transformation, which is a warning from the mountain god."
Ning Wei didn't reveal what Wang Erwa had prayed for at the mountain god temple, but the Wang family's daughter-in-law immediately understood.
Her expression turned grim, clearly displeased with the matter.
However, since it had already happened, and he was, after all, her child's father, she couldn't bear to watch him writhing on the ground like a snake in the backyard.
"I don't know what tribute he needs to offer. What should we do now? We'll follow your instructions, Master."
Ning Wei couldn't admit that she had overheard this private matter.
So she said that Wang Erwa had a moment of clarity earlier, but it was too brief for him to say anything more than three goats.
"I'll prepare it immediately."
Ning Wei didn't want to go to the mountain god temple again, so she told the Wang family's daughter-in-law, "After preparing three goats, get some additional offerings. Then, take Wang Erwa to the mountain god temple and plead with the mountain god to show mercy. If he doesn't regain consciousness, then we'll have to invite Master Ci Yun. My abilities are limited to this."
The Wang family's daughter-in-law nodded and turned to take money from a drawer.
As Ning Wei turned to leave, the Wang family's daughter-in-law called out to her, holding out a stack of money.
Ning Wei refused without even looking at the amount.
"I haven't exactly solved your problem yet. It's best to keep this money for buying the goats."
The Wang family's daughter-in-law nodded. Ning Wei recalled that night when Wang Erwa had initially promised only one goat, but the mountain god was not satisfied and increased the demand to three.
Now, for some unknown reason, Wang Erwa hadn't offered his tribute and was punished by the mountain god. Therefore, three goats might not be enough.
The mountain god was rather greedy, so Ning Wei added, "If you can afford to buy two more goats, prepare two extra."