Madam Zhang's house was located in a secluded area, likely ostracized by other villagers due to their disreputable profession.
Arriving outside the courtyard, Ning Wei first scouted the situation.
When no sound could be heard, she climbed over the wall and proceeded inward.
She had to admit, she hadn't learned much else in this village, but her wall-climbing skills had certainly improved.
Madam Zhang's house looked no different from the others from the outside, but peering through a crack in the window, Ning Wei noticed a distinction.
The exterior walls were made of mud, but the furnishings inside were anything but simple.
It was clean and tidy, exuding an air of prosperity.
On the table sat an exquisite vase holding a single soul-returning flower.
After circling the courtyard and identifying Madam Zhang's bedroom, she listened intently outside, confirming the couple was asleep.
She thought for a moment, then picked up a clod of dirt and tossed it into the chicken coop in the distance.
The startled chickens squawked loudly.
Fortunately, their house was far from the others, so it hopefully wouldn't disturb anyone.
Yet, despite the commotion, the couple did not stir.
Ning Wei pushed open the window crack and saw them lying still, not even turning over in their sleep.
This state felt familiar!
Ning Wei boldly pried open the lock and entered. She first observed the fresh soul-returning flower, then went straight to the bedroom.
The couple lay stiffly on the bed, as rigid as bodies in coffins.
Ning Wei stepped inside and deliberately stomped her foot, relieved when she confirmed they truly wouldn't wake.
Lifting their clothes, she indeed saw bruises of purplish-blue on their skin, as if they'd been whipped.
It was easy to guess who was responsible.
That Young Master Zhou was a remnant of feudal society's dregs, stepping on everyone, treating them as his servants, striking them at will.
Someday, she vowed, he would taste the same sting of the whip.
It was a pity that this Young Master Zhou only appeared in dreams, where Ning Wei's abilities were greatly diminished.
There was little else of interest in Madam Zhang's house, except for a ledger recording information about every bride who had passed through.
The first entry was Yin Yinyin, and the last was Xiao Shui, whom she had met upon her arrival.
Yuan Yuan's name had also been on the list, but it had been fiercely crossed out with black ink. Ning Wei wondered if this signified Yuan Yuan's escape from this fate.
After some thought, Ning Wei tore out the page with Yuan Yuan's name.
As for the other names, like Yinyin's, Ning Wei dared not tamper, fearing a connection between the pages and the individuals themselves.
There was nothing more to see here, and a faint light was appearing on the horizon. She couldn't stay any longer.
Feeling her trip had been arduous, Ning Wei gave Madam Zhang two resounding slaps to vent her frustration before returning to the courtyard.
Li Ye had already descended from the tree, fiddling with a dried soul-returning flower in his hand.
Recalling the fresh white flower at Madam Zhang's, he wondered if Young Master Zhou would beat her to death. If so, it would be a form of divine justice.
Having been out all night, Ning Wei was so tired her eyes could barely stay open.
She climbed into bed and fell asleep, unaware of when Tang Tang and Yuan Yuan woke up.
Knowing she had stayed up all night, they didn't disturb her, leaving her a meal at noon.
Just when they thought time would pass uneventfully, an unwelcome guest arrived: Madam Zhang.
She entered the courtyard clutching a wedding dress adorned with a small white flower, her face swollen and red.
The first thing everyone noticed wasn't the wedding dress, but her face.
Now that her misdeeds were known, no one offered her pleasantries, and some even burst into laughter.
Madam Zhang, however, had a strong constitution and remained unfazed by the mockery.
Knowing no one would accept the wedding dress, she placed it directly on the table and addressed Yuan Yuan, "Since you have already worn the wedding dress, you are considered Young Master Zhou's bride. Even if the ghost marriage was not successfully completed, you cannot escape.
Tonight, we will prepare a new grave pit for you. If you don't want your body to be exposed to the elements, put on the wedding dress and lie in the grave pit yourself. At the appointed time, someone will fill it with earth.
If you don't go tonight, Young Master Zhou will come here himself. Not only will you die, but none of your companions will survive!
Trading your life for theirs is a very profitable deal!"
Yuan Yuan's face instantly turned deathly pale. Tang Tang and the other three girls stood protectively to her sides.
Zhu Yilian said, "Yuan Yuan, don't be afraid!"
Madam Zhang left after her pronouncement. As she departed, intending to let out a triumphant laugh, her mouth stretched open, pulling at the swelling on her face. She immediately clutched her aching face and left.
This courtyard was too cursed; misfortune befell her whenever she stepped foot inside.
Looking at the familiar wedding dress, Yuan Yuan was utterly distraught.
She had initially been infatuated with Young Master Zhou, and in her dreams, they had become true husband and wife. She had even agreed to a ghost marriage with him. Fortunately, Ning Wei and the others had intervened, saving her life.
But she never expected to be unable to escape Young Master Zhou. Was death her inevitable end?
"Don't be afraid, we are still here!" Song Zhi also comforted Yuan Yuan.
With everyone by her side, Yuan Yuan felt a sliver of peace.
However, just as one crisis subsided, another arose. Four or five people carried a coffin and walked over.
They didn't recognize these people, but knew they were from the village.
They placed the coffin on the ground, and the lid slid open, revealing the corpse within: Zheng Qu, dressed in clean clothes!
An old woman immediately threw herself onto the coffin, weeping inconsolably, and no one could pull her away.
Mei Nan stepped forward, "What do you mean by this?"
A young man emerged, "My brother returned with you, only for his body to be found abandoned in the woods. Do you dare deny your involvement?"
"It was you!" the crying old woman suddenly pointed at Yuan Yuan.
Yuan Yuan retreated repeatedly. The barrage of misfortune left her flustered, and she could only wave her hands, "It wasn't me, I don't know anything."
She genuinely didn't know, as she hadn't woken up at the time and had no idea Zheng Qu was dead.
Her surprised reaction upon seeing the body also seemed genuine, and besides, she was the bride favored by Young Master Zhou, whom no one dared to offend.
Mei Nan and Song Zhi stood in front of Yuan Yuan, "Let's talk calmly. No need to be so aggressive. Young girls are timid, don't scare her."
Who dared to offend Young Master Zhou's bride? The group turned their accusations toward others.