Chapter Thirty: Is It a Demon?

“Sister Zhou, this is my home!” Zhou Hongxian glanced at the large plaque above, which read “Cui Residence,” and remarked, “Fourth Lady, your family is quite distinguished!”

“What distinction? That’s just a label,” Cui Yu replied with a gentle smile, stepping forward to knock the bronze ring. In no time, the vermillion gates swung open and a house servant emerged. “Fourth Lady, you’ve returned?”

“Yes, I’m back! And I’ve brought a guest. Go tell the maids to tidy up a guest chamber.”

“Certainly, Fourth Lady!”

Once inside, Zhou Hongxian took in her surroundings. Though the residence was neither grand nor ostentatious, its rockeries and pavilions were artfully arranged, the trees and flowers freshly pruned, and everywhere she looked, she sensed the refined taste of its owner.

As they entered the inner quarters, they encountered a middle-aged woman of about forty, with a dignified air—none other than Cui Yu’s mother, Lady Lu.

Upon seeing Cui Yu, Lady Lu immediately began to scold, “You little rascal, wandering off again so late at night—where have you been this time?”

Cui Yu straightened herself, suddenly respectful. “Mother, I merely went out for a stroll, not wandering off.”

Lady Lu scoffed, “With your reputation for causing trouble, calling you unruly would be an understatement!”

“Mother—” Cui Yu clung to Lady Lu’s arm, trying to sound endearing. “How many times have I told you? I don’t cause trouble; I just can’t stand seeing ruffians run amok in our Hu Su County. You always listen to those busybodies gossiping about me! I only act this way to ease Father’s worries!”

“Who are you trying to fool now?” Lady Lu retorted.

Cui Yu quickly pulled Zhou Hongxian closer. “Mother, you simply refuse to trust your daughter. If you don’t believe me, just ask Sister Zhou here!”

Lady Lu finally noticed Zhou Hongxian, pausing in surprise. “And who might this lady be?”

Zhou Hongxian, a bit embarrassed, replied, “Madam, my name is Zhou Hongxian.”

Cui Yu jumped in, “Mother, Sister Zhou came to Hu Su County seeking relatives, but found herself alone—her kin gone. Not far from our county office, some scoundrels dared to harass her, and worse, they intended to sell her to a brothel! Fortunately, I happened upon her today, or else Sister Zhou’s fate would have been tragic!”

Hearing this, Zhou Hongxian broke out in a cold sweat, thinking, Those ruffians never said they’d sell me to a brothel—Cui Yu certainly has a vivid imagination! Lady Lu, however, was moved. She turned to Zhou Hongxian, “Is what my daughter says true?”

After being described so dramatically, Zhou Hongxian blushed and lowered her gaze. “It’s—mostly true.”

Lady Lu couldn’t help but step forward, taking Zhou Hongxian’s hand and examining her from head to toe, a smile glimmering in her eyes. “Such a refined lady—certainly must not be subjected to such cruelty. Yu’er, you did well this time!”

Cui Yu smiled slyly, “Mother, you seem to like Sister Zhou quite a bit!”

Lady Lu shot her a look. “Anyone more refined than you is bound to be liked by me, and besides, she’s prettier than you!”

Cui Yu pouted, but then grinned. “Mother, since you like Sister Zhou, I’d like her to stay the night. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”

Lady Lu laughed, “Why would I mind? I’d much rather have you bring home guests than cause trouble outside!”

“Mother, you’re at it again!”

“Hehe, Sister Zhou, please make yourself comfortable. If you need anything, just ask the maids.”

“Thank you, madam.”

At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight slipped through the window lattice, Zhou Hongxian awoke naturally. She had just dressed when Cui Yu’s cheerful voice rang from outside the door, “Sister Zhou, are you awake yet?”

Opening the door, Zhou Hongxian found Cui Yu no longer dressed as a boy, but instead wearing a lake-blue dress, her hair styled into a long chignon, her face lively and charming. Zhou Hongxian couldn’t help but linger on her for a moment.

“Sister Zhou, why do you look at me like that? You’re making me shy!” Cui Yu smiled bashfully, a far cry from her tomboyish demeanor last night.

Zhou Hongxian reluctantly withdrew her gaze, inwardly berating herself for acting like a lecherous old man. She smiled, “Fourth Lady, you’re up early today.”

Just then, a chubby little head popped out from behind Cui Yu—a boy of eight or nine, with bright and handsome features. He looked at Zhou Hongxian, his large eyes shining, and in a childish voice said, “Fourth Sister, Sister Zhou is really pretty—prettier than you!”

Cui Yu’s willow brows shot up, and she reached to cover the boy’s mouth. “What did you say, Little Five? I’ll give you one more chance to speak!”

“Four—Sister—is—prettier—than—her!” he replied, drawing out the words.

Cui Yu patted his head with a smile. “Little Five is so honest. That’s just what I like!”

Zhou Hongxian could only sigh inwardly.

Cui Yu giggled, “Don’t mind him, Sister Zhou. Let me introduce you—this is my fifth brother, Cui Ye, the youngest in our family. I dote on him all the time!” She pinched the boy’s cheek. “Isn’t that right, Little Five?”

The boy replied earnestly, “Yes, I always feel very doted on!”

Seeing his expression—frustrated yet resigned, with a hint of double meaning—Zhou Hongxian couldn’t help but laugh.

Cui Yu said, “Sister Zhou, today Little Five and I want to go to the countryside. Won’t you come with us?”

“Ah? But I plan to leave Hu Su County today.”

Cui Yu’s eyes grew plaintive. “Sister, didn’t you say you came to Hu Su County seeking family because you had nowhere else to go? Now that you haven’t found your kin, where will you go after leaving? Why not stay with us for a while? My mother can find you a suitable match, and you could settle here in Hu Su County—it would be much better for you!”

Zhou Hongxian felt awkward and laughed, “You’re thinking a bit too far ahead!”

Cui Yu pouted, “Sister, please just come with us! Otherwise, it’s just Little Five and me—it would be so boring!”

Cui Ye chimed in, “Yes, Sister Zhou, come with us! We’re planning to stay overnight in the countryside, and it’s lonely there. Fourth Sister is timid and needs someone to keep her company!”

“Little rascal, who are you calling timid?”

“Isn’t it you, Fourth Sister?”

“Say that again!”

“Oh, it’s me—I need someone with me!”

“Now that’s honest!”

Watching the siblings bicker, Zhou Hongxian could only smile wryly. “Alright, I’ll go with you to the countryside.”

At the Hu Su County office, Cui Shen saw Xie Qiao step over the threshold and immediately asked, “Zi Ping, how have you handled the villagers taken captive by the mountain bandits?”

“Master, I’ve checked the travel documents of the merchant from Luoyang. His identity is verified, so I released him and his servants early this morning. As for the twenty women, they are all from Hu Su County, but their homes were destroyed by the bandits, leaving them nowhere to go. Having suffered from the bandits, they prefer to keep their identities secret and wish to become nuns. I suggest, Master, that we use some of the confiscated silver to build a convent for them, so they’ll have somewhere to spend the rest of their lives.”

Cui Shen nodded. “Yes, that is a charitable deed. I’ll mention this in my letter to the Prefect of Cangzhou; I doubt it will be a problem.” He then smiled broadly, “Zi Ping, now that we’ve cleared the bandits from Hump Ridge, Hu Su County will enjoy peace, and the trade routes to Cangzhou will be unobstructed. The Prefect will be pleased, and I believe our accomplishment will not go unnoticed!”

Xie Qiao nodded with a smile. “Then allow me to congratulate you in advance, Master!”

Cui Shen laughed heartily. “Zi Ping, your contributions are not to be underestimated! Though you’re not versed in the literary arts, you are a man of action. If I advance further in my career, I’ll surely secure an official post for you!”

Xie Qiao shook his head and smiled. “Master, after failing several imperial examinations, I’ve long given up hopes of officialdom. I’m better suited to the role of an advisor, and having a benefactor like you is a great fortune for me.”

“A few failed exams are nothing—one must always maintain ambition!”

“Master, let’s not dwell on that for now. I wanted to ask about the interrogation of that bandit, Liang Er Gou.”

At this, Cui Shen’s expression grew grave. “Liang Er Gou confessed everything, but what he said is rather strange.”

“How so?”

“According to his testimony, there was indeed a wedding feast at Qingfeng Stronghold last night—the bandit leader Liu Kun was marrying. The internal strife among the bandits was entirely because of the bride. It’s said she was stunningly beautiful; Liang Er Gou was only somewhat tempted, but after meeting her gaze, he forgot everything else and only wished to possess her. When he came to, he couldn’t even recall whom he had killed! It sounds unbelievable, and given the strange events we witnessed at Qingfeng Stronghold last night, I suspect the bride may not have been human.”

“Not human? Then what?”

“Either a spirit, or a demon!”

“It couldn’t be a ghost—I saw her shadow last night. Could it be—a demon?” Xie Qiao muttered to himself, recalling the fleeting glimpse of her face from last night, feeling a sudden emptiness in his heart.